"Look closely, what do you see?"
I flinched. It was hard enough to look at as is. Tar black, inhuman, and oozing, the creature stared at me with empty white orbs. I shuddered as I tried not to turn away.
"It will not vanish until you have faced it. You must look closer."
I let out a breath, still hesitating. But I knew it was better to get this over with. Slowly, I leaned forward to inspect the thing further. It leaned in as well. making it very easy to observe its grotesque features. Its eyes protruded like golfballs out of its oily mass, not pausing to blink as it looked it over.
"What do you see?"
*The question repeats. It's simple at its surface, but a simple answer wouldn't cut it. Describing appearance was easy, but I had to go deeper than that.
"I see... fear?"
"Good, keep going."
"Um... loss? Misery? Pain?
The creature let out a low, irregular wailing sound that resembled a dying animal. I wanted to cover my ears. I could also see thin, pale cracks starting to split underneath its murky outer layer.
"Good. Acknowledging it is the first step towards defeating it. Do not stop."
"Insecurity. Loneliness. Anger. Guilt."
The wail grew louder and more pained as cracks continued to spread across it. I wanted to stop; did I really have to do this?
"You are close now. It is weak. Now that you know what it is, you can keep it from causing havoc. You know what you must say to do this."
I inhaled sharply. I did know. But I didn't want to say it. It was difficult to say, and even harder to believe.
"You know it would destroy you as soon as it is allowed time to fester. It has mad attempts before. Do you wish to have it consume you?"
"No."
"Then say it. Say it- and mean it."
I continued to stare at the creature that now writhed in agony before me. It seemed to be reaching a dripping appendage towards me, wanting to take hold and drag me into its abyss. I tried to keep my breathing steady. Say it and mean it. I could do that. What I say is truth and nothing but. I can believe that, right? Okay. My voice firm, I spoke.
"Everything will be alright."
The creature shrieked, reeling back as though I had landed a physical blow. The cracks trailing across it grew larger and began to tear the thing apart. Piece by piece it dissolved into the air until nothing remained of it. It was almost beautiful, in an eerie sort of way. I sighed in relief once it was gone. It was nice to see my reflection again.
"Good."
I leaned back from the mirror, my tension releasing. I looked myself over briefly before giving myself a small nod. I turned and slipped out the door, flicking the light off as I went.
Time to live another day.
