Monster

Pleased to meet you. Sincerely, I am.
Humans intrigue me.

I listen to their conversations, their thoughts. The silly little debates about whether I'm real or not. You'd think that might offend me, but it doesn't. I actually love when they doubt my existence. My power is at its peak when they misconstrue my voice for their own.

Slithering my way between soul and spirit, I salivate. Study. Strike.

"Do you really think you're good enough?"

Clever, no?
To pose a question, rather than an assessment.

You see, a statement stirs a defense - provokes the human mind into proving that they can do anything, anytime anywhere.

But a question?
Hmmm, a question - well, that's just....delicious. A seed, planted. Then, just sit back and wait for the fruits of doubt, depression and despair to ripen with time. tick tock, tick tock.

"If they only knew the real me..."

It doesn't take long before pronouns shift. "Do you..." morphs to "am I..." easily and effortlessly. What a courteous little host! The epitome of hospitality! Su casa es mi casa.

Hide me, protect me. Let's shield the world from this darker side of... hmmm -you.
After all, considering us, is there really a place where I end, and you begin?

"I don't have to feel this way. I don't have to give into this monster."

Shhhhhh... there, there. Come, let's be reasonable. A monster? Monster? Me?
Are you certain?

or - perhaps - am I just the deepest darkest part of you that knows you best?

This was an entry into @snook's Create Your Own Monster Challenge Want to be challenged to use your imagination? Join in! Winners are picked randomly - so don't stress - just write!

One entry per person

Entries must be posted on Hive with the tag #snookschallenge2

Entries must be in by 5:00 PM CST (11:00 PM UTC) Saturday, December 18, 2021.

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