One night, I lay awake, thinking of my past, my present and my future. As I contemplated all I had done in my life, the mistakes I had made, the failures, and the dreams I once had, I became aware of a presence beside my bed. Three specters stood before me, tall, imposing, and clothed in black. As I struggled for words, the first of the specters spoke.
“We represent your fears”, it said, “Each of us is an embodiment of your specific insecurities and doubts. I am Uncertainty.” I stared, mouth agape at this horrible vision. It spoke again, “I am what makes you afraid of your future, of things that may happen, and things that may not. When you dream of greatness and accomplishment, I remind you of the terrible things that COULD be.”
Uncertainty, as the THING had called itself, fell silent after speaking these words. A taller, more imposing being stepped forward. “I am Criticism”, it said with an ugly, horrifying sneer. “I am the fear of what others will think and say about you. I remind you how inadequate you are and how everyone knows you are a fraud. Your dreams mean nothing”, it hissed, “because others will think terrible, terrible, things about you. They will whisper behind your back.”
I lay motionless, still struck dumb by the horrible weight of Criticism’s words. As my mind raced to reply, the third and most imposing figure stepped forward. Its gleaming, red eyes were cast down and it winced, seemingly in dread of some awful blow as it spoke.
“I am…Failure”, it whispered haltingly, but with palpable malice. “I am the most powerful fear of all. I live upon your doubt and your unwillingness to try new things, to become more than you are. It is I who reminds you of your past and how often you have…failed.” This last word was accompanied by a terrible, metallic laugh. “I am the only one”, it continued, “who can strangle your dreams when they are merely thoughts, I shroud them in the darkest, deepest doubt.”
Sweat poured from my face as all of my insecurities and doubts stood before me, personified. After what seemed like an eternity, I managed to speak. “You demons have held sway over me my entire life. You have held me back and prevented me, you have kept me a prisoner to my own thoughts.” As I continued to speak, I became aware I was becoming louder, more animated. I stood up and, for reasons I do not fully understand today, I began to shout. “Your power is an illusion, a false creation of my mind. I am not the prisoner to my thoughts, YOU are.” I waved my arms fiercely as I said, “You three can conjure any images you wish, any doubts you can grasp at. I am FREE and I won’t let you hold power for another moment!” After I had finished, the three specters stared at me coldly and then simply vanished.
I have not seen Uncertainty, Criticism, or Failure since that night, but I have often heard their whispers. I have seen the visions they still use to try to paralyze my dreams and ambitions. When this happens, I remind myself that these three demons do not simply want to prevent me from being more. They are, in fact, TERRIFIED that I will be. When I cast them out and become more, try more, do more, fears can no longer thrive. That thought always brings a smile to my face and confidence to my soul.
Short Stories
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