Shadow of the Mind

Chapter 1 : The Professor

The Shadow of the Mind

Dr. Samuel Graves was a well-respected professor of psychology at South Chicago University, known for his captivating lectures on the mind and the intricate processes of images and thoughts. Over his tenure at the university, he had aged gracefully, his salt-and-pepper hair and piercing blue eyes commanding attention in the lecture hall. The male students admired him for his intellect and charisma. The female students admire him for his looks and sexual desire. Which had cost him dearly from his last divorce in his past. But no one yet knew the darkness that lurked beneath his polished exterior.

As he sat at his desk, he glanced down at his phone, where a chilling image of his latest victim lay displayed. Chained to the pipe, gag in her mouth. Watching her squirm and cry. Made him smile, knowing that tonight will be the night she pays for her sins. That she will join his trophy of heads. Just the thought caused a twitch of excitement in his pants. The idea of power, but also knowing her fate will be a grim testament to his twisted desires. Just then, a student called out, "Professor!" jolting him from his dark reverie. He quickly closed the phone and turned it face down, masking the horror that lingered just beneath the surface of his composed demeanor.

"Yes, Yes Michael what can I do for you?" he stared to find the voice that called out in his class. "Well stand up you know my rules, in class. Want to ask a question you stand before me and your fellow class mates and ask."

As the young man, steps into aisle to make his way down, to front of the class, nervously sweating, hating to speak in front of the class.

"Hurry up lad, the time is ticking and we don't have all day" said Dr. Graves.

The young man stands in front of his class mates and as he is about to speak, the bell for class to be dismissed rings. Michael walks up to the desk, and says "Professor, I was meaning to ask When is it possible for the brain to determine its own personality? Or is it created out of the surroundings of one's environment?"

Dr. Graves raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the question. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin, and regarded Michael with a thoughtful expression. The classroom buzzed with the chatter of students gathering their belongings, but he held up a hand for silence.

"An excellent question, Michael," he said, his voice steady and authoritative. "The development of personality is a complex interplay between biology and environment. On one hand, we have genetic predispositions—traits we inherit from our parents that can influence our temperament and behavior. On the other hand, our surroundings, experiences, and social interactions play a crucial role in shaping who we become."

He paused, allowing the students to absorb his words. "Research in psychology suggests that personality is not fixed; it evolves over time. For instance, early childhood experiences can have a profound impact on personality development. A nurturing environment may foster traits like openness and resilience, while a more challenging upbringing might lead to different outcomes."

Michael nodded, feeling a mix of relief and curiosity. Dr. Graves continued, "Moreover, as we grow older, we have the capacity to reflect on our experiences and make conscious choices about who we want to be. This self-awareness can lead to personal growth and change, suggesting that while our personality may have roots in our biology and environment, we also have the power to shape it."

The bell rang again, signaling the end of class, but Dr. Graves held up a finger, signaling for the students to remain seated. "I encourage all of you to think about this topic further. Consider how your own experiences have shaped your personalities. And remember, the journey of self-discovery is ongoing, I want everyone to write an essay on your thoughts of this and have it ready by next Monday."