Pandora's Box

Out of Control

You run towards the house.

Your steps falter.

You come to a stop. You look around.

Something's... different. Darker.

You walk to the door, hesitate. Turn the knob.

A cold breeze caresses your cheek.

But you are warm, so warm, the chill air feels like a relief.

Eagerly, you walk to the other door and throw it open.

Uncertainty stops you with a hug.

Fear and Pain behind him, patiently waiting their turn.

Loneliness waits to take your hand and lead you across the room.

As you walk, all is silent. No music. No laughter. No conversation.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see shadows move.

And still Loneliness leads you forward.

You reach the end of the room where Ego holds court and you stop.

Confusion steps out of the shadows, smiles sadly while caressing your cheek before fading back into the shadows.

Loneliness releases your hand and walks forward to stand beside Anger who sits in your chair next to Ego's throne.

You look to Ego for an explanation.

You gasp in shock and step back into Fear's waiting arms.

He wraps his arms around you, rests his chin on your shoulder.

Softly, he says, " Yes, that is a frightening sight. Isn't it?"

Pain glances at you as Fear takes her hand and they walk to stand beside Loneliness.

You can't stop staring at Ego.

He sits on his throne. Chains on his wrists and ankles. Hood over his face. Unmoving.

You glare at Anger who smiles cruelly back. "Are you surprised at this turn of events? You shouldn't be. Or has Ignorance been gracing your table more than usual lately?"

Fear shivers as you pale at Anger's words.

"What is the matter, My Dear? I thought I was your favorite? I thought you said that you liked being Angry. You liked feeling mad all the time. Well? What did you expect to happen when you feed me more than you feed the Others?"

He takes a deep breath, throwing his head back and looks at you with a satisfied smirk.

In a cold voice you ask, "What have you done to Ego?"

Anger looks at you and with exaggerated innocence says, "Me? I didn't do anything to him."

Then he smiles again, gloating.

"Haven't you realized yet, that everything that happens to us is because of you? What you think, what you do. We are your Emotions. We have no thoughts and actions of our own."

He surges out of his chair towards you and Confidence steps out of the shadows. Anger ignores him and paces around you.

"We are but shadows of you. Your mind created us as a way to deal to with your issues and to come to terms with them. But you haven't yet. You still haven't walked through your garden, so we aren't balanced. And thanks to your weakness, I have become stronger."

He takes your hand and kisses it. "Thank you, My Dear. The power rush is amazing."

You snatch your hand away and glare at him. He shivers and laughs cruelly again. "Yes, keep feeding me. The more you feed me, the more the others weaken. Soon, I will be the only one left." He laughs and turns away.

Arrogance stands behind you, a shadowy figure. "I don't care. I would rather let Anger control my thoughts and feelings than to feel Pain and Loneliness." You declare boldly.

Ego hunches his shoulders as if in pain.

Loneliness sighs. "Look where we stand. Open your eyes. Before it is too late."

With tears in your eyes, you bow your head.