It Smiles Back | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

It Smiles Back

It has control and it knows it.

124
It Smiles Back
Pixabay

It speaks to me

Quietly, like a whisper from a lover.

The words seep into my skin, into my cells.

“That’s not good enough…You’re never good enough.”

I believe it.


“They are watching you…Why did you dress like that? Why did you wear that bright colored shirt?”

Its breath caresses my neck but I shrug it away.


“He’s following too close…He’s going to follow you out to your car.”

Its invisible hands tighten around my neck. I can’t breathe.

Don’t look back, he’ll see you.

Run

No, you’re being ridiculous. He doesn’t even know you exist.

The tightness in my throat spreads to my chest. It hurts.

If I don’t run now I will be paralyzed.

He will definitely get me then.


I abandon my shopping cart and make it to the car before

the building is lifted from my chest and I my lungs can fill with air.

The tears flow.

I hate the tears because it loves them.

It drinks my tears like an elixir, growing stronger and louder.

It laughs at me now.


“You can’t let her take those kids… She isn’t as cautious as you are. She doesn’t think about the consequences. Look at all the ways your children can die.”

I don’t want to see this.

The images flash through my head

as if it were a movie on the big screen.

I cringe at the scene where my baby girl is attacked by the dog.

I shake away the image of a wreck that throws my son from the car.

It’s not likely those things will happen.

“But what if?” It chuckles.


I’m physically sick now,

My head pounds, a lump grows in my throat and butterflies

do somersaults in my stomach.

No, not butterflies. They are pretty and what I feel

in my stomach is not pretty.

It’s grotesque and rotting.

A pair of scissors hover, threatening

to cut the last strand of my sanity.


He eyes me from across the room with concern on his face.

He’s good to me.

“He’s selfish.”

He takes care of me.

“He takes care of his kids.”

I’m important to him.

“Your opinion never mattered.”

He loves me.

“Who could ever love someone like you?”


It has me now; I can’t shut it up.

I can’t turn it off.

It’s static in my head, crashing waves.

A train speeding down the tracks.

Are you okay, babe? He asks.

It smiles back.

“I’m fine, honey.”

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

2895
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

5466
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

3417
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments