When one hears the word 'exile' usually they immediately think of being relocated to a remote area away from civilization and those you know. But there is a different type of exile that is, in itself, even worse than being exiled to a far away place.

It is exile of the mind, I speak of. But what exactly is 'exile of the mind'? But instead of answering you with a direct statement, I shall describe my current predicament, which I believe to be exile of the mind, the heart, and -- in some ways -- even of the soul.

I live in a world that is much like your own -- assuming that you are living in the twenty first century that is -- but at the same time it is very different. For example, nothing is illegal officially -- by officially I mean that there is no laws that say it is against the law to do this or that. And war is no longer a struggle for natural resources or even land or power, but rather war has become -- as far as my intellect can fully grasp -- a means to control the populace's mind set, even to the point of having a murderous mind set towards virtually anyone they please. Yet, there must be some sort of loop hole in their system, for I do not feel that murderous rage towards the individual that is "appointed" -- at least that is the only word I can think of to describe to way I see it -- which is always constantly changing from one civil criminal or war criminal to another. The truth is flexible and constantly changes whenever they deem a change necessary, yet no one notices the change; it's almost as if they've destroyed the human mind's ability to remember significant details through conditioning. But for some reason, I am unaffected -- or at least so far as I know -- by all of this somehow; and therefore, my very existence is a form of defiance to them but it is also a form of exile.

After all, I cannot share my observations, my feelings, or even my true opinions, with anyone. For as I said earlier, nothing is illegal; but since nothing is illegal, everything is legal. There is no end to what they can do if they wish, no law -- made by man or otherwise -- holds them back. And so, I live in a constant state of terror at the very real possibility of being discovered by them and being exterminated.

I remember several people, who now -- according to their records -- never existed. They were exterminated; why? I don't know, others don't even look twice at it when someone suddenly never existed, as if that was the truth all along. But I assume it was because they themselves weren't ignorant to the truth of everything, just as I am.

This whole world has become something powerful but horrifying if you see it for what it really is.

- Michael Hall

In the darkness,

You will find me,

And in the light,

You will guide me.

Nor moon, nor sun,

Will shine upon thee,

Yet, forever you run,

And struggle to see.

Never has such dishonour lived,

At my feet you beg and beg,

Here you are drenched in dread,

For now you have price upon head.

(Reposted for this challenge)