A malicious tongue,

Hissing lies in your ear.

Truth,

Buried long ago.

You trust,

despite overwhelming unease.

Their voice slithering among

your thoughts,

Clouding perceptions.

You give everything,

Gaining nothing.

Deceitful words shaping your future,

Pulling you deeper into their web.

Everything upside down,

Nothing makes sense.

Still they hold you hostage,

Owning you with their poison.

A fog washes over you,

Obscuring your path.

Silently wondering,

Will I ever break free?

You keep drinking their poison,

Lapping up every insidious drop.

Welcome to the game.

Coming from the black.

Screeching.

Clawing.

Ripping my flesh,

My shame spilling out.

My soul,

Theirs for the taking.

I’m watching in disgust.

They are devouring me.

Whimpering.

Looking for someone to help,

I hear more noises coming from the black.

More beasts coming to enjoy the feast,

Stepping out of the dark I see myself.

Standing.

Watching.

An evil grin spreading across my face.

What a sickening realization.

What a menacing truth.

I will always be the monster,

Devouring the good in myself.

Truth

The door beckons,

At the end of a long dark hallway.

Its bright red wood,

Luring me in.

My mind wracked with urgency,

I stumble forward.

From the shadowed walls,

Ghoulish arms reach out.

Grasping.

Clawing.

They tear at my flesh,

Determined to hold me back.

I must reach the door,

The truth lies behind it.

I push forward,

Every step is a battle.

I have to break free,

From their deathly grip.

I thrash and fight,

Gaining inch after inch.

My will begins to fade,

I am exhausted.

Worn down.

Discouraged.

A few feet from the door,

They finally bring me down.

Their gnarled fingers,

Cover every inch of my body.

I am trapped.

The truth,

Just out of reach.

The sea is calm,

Like mirrored glass.

My arrival sparks a ripple,

Radiating farther than I can see.

The sea begins to boil,

Bubbling and hissing.

I wade in,

Step after foolish step.

The sea is frothing now,

It knows I don’t belong.

Waves begin to form,

Rolling across its surface.

Deeper I go,

Struggling with every step.

My own body fighting me.

The waves swell,

Great rolling monstrosities.

They crash down on me,

Battering me to my knees.

Wave after wave,

I struggle to stand.

The waves grow violent,

Smashing me into the rocks.

I’m pulled under,

Reaching for the sky.

The light above fades,

As I sink deeper.

The murky depths,

Swallowing me whole.