Voices (Part Two)

You can read Voices Part One here: Click Here

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I woke up at sundown, I was a black cat mysteriously walking under ladders. When I came across to the other side, I tiptoed up on 13 mirrors, each one broke and shattered into a thousand shiny pieces.

I was struggling, twisting and turning in my bed. Someone was trying to suffocate me. The lights went dark, and an umbrella opened above me.

I heard a siren far away. It became louder and louder as if it were right here next to me. It was so close. It shook and rattled me, and startled me out of my sleep.

“Uh, what? What's going on?”

“You're alright, Timothy.”

Timothy jumped off the couch. “Where am I? What's going on?”

Timothy lunged towards the mysterious figure shrouded in darkness beside him, toppling the chair in his desperation. Despite the chaos, the man managed to break his fall, stabbing a needle into Timothy's arm and injecting a serum that quickly sedated him.

As Timothy regained consciousness, he found himself reclining on the couch, with a dizzying calm settling over him.

The chilling tone in Dr. Havelock's voice startled Timothy. "Let us delve into the depths of your subconscious journey under hypnosis, Timothy. What did you witness?”

Timothy squinted his eyes to better focus on the doctor. “Oh, um, Dr. Havelock, I was a black cat.”

“Uh-hm,” Dr. Havelock typed a few notes into his laptop.

“Do you mind, Timothy, if I smoke?”

“No, go ahead. Can I bum one from you?”

“Certainly. They're cloves. I find them to be relaxing.”

“Nice aroma. Thank you, Dr. Havelock.”

“Now, Timothy, let's get back to your dream. So, you were a black cat?”

“Yes, I was cautiously tiptoeing around. There were all these different signs of bad luck such as walking under ladders, cracked mirrors, and the number 13. But the most unusual part was right at the end. I pulled a pink ribbon out of my mom's hair, and her head fell off. I'm not sure if that was actually part of the dream. I think it was after the dream. I think I was already awake and I had a vision.”

“Dreams are such fascinating windows into our minds. Your dream was filled with mystery, superstition, loss of control, loss of love, and fear of self-reflection. It seems to reflect a mix of fear, anxiety, and a desire for protection or safety amidst uncertainty or perceived threats.

Timothy sat on the couch, now fully awake, taking a drag off the clove cigarette and watching the smoke lingering in the air.

“Let me ask you, Timothy,” Dr. Havelock's tone caught Timothy's attention, “What do you want to do with yourself?”

“I want to get naked. I want to go home and get naked. It feels good to me.”

“Let me rephrase that question. What are your career goals for the near future?”

“Um, maybe I'll be a nude model.”

“Well, that was a real cocky answer. Be real, Timothy. Who do you want to be ten years from now?

This made Timothy feel uneasy. He wasn't used to talking about his inner feelings or goals. He's always avoided these types of conversations.

“I don't know, doctor. Well, if I'm being serious, I'd like to write a series of best-selling novels and maybe a screenplay or two.”

“That's quite an impressive goal. You want to climb that ladder of success. But right now you're walking under the ladder. So, what's holding you back? Why aren't you writing?”

"What's up with all the questions, Doc?"

“That's my job, Timothy. I ask questions.”

“Well, I'm not on the job, Doc. So I don't need to answer.”

“That's fine, Timothy. You don't have to answer any of my questions.”

“Well, Doc, let me put it this way. I don't write because I'm afraid of negative feedback. It scares me. I don't think I can handle rejection.”

“Have you ever thought of writing for yourself? You aren't going to reject yourself.”

“That's the problem, Doc, the voices tell me to reject myself. They tell me to do mean and harmful things to myself.”

“Have you ever tried shutting those voices out?”

“They can't be shut out. The voices are stronger than I am. They overpower me.”

“Here's an idea. Practice when the voices aren't there. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, shut it out immediately. Think about something pleasant like your favorite food or favorite music.”

“I'm sure that ‘’Visions of a Blind Order” by Rotting Christ will pull me out of that dark pit.”

“Well, then focus on your favorite foods.”

“Yeah, roasted pig snout.”

“If that's what brings you pleasure, Timothy.”

Timothy makes snorting sounds.

“Our time is up for today, Timothy. Remember to practice shutting down the negative thoughts and replacing them with positive thoughts. Practice this when the voices are not present. Also, give your mom a hug or two every day.”

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This was written for Kenny Penn's Gothic Stories challenge

Voices Part One is here:

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With Love, RHC ❤️