Possession 

         The mind is a powerful thing. With a wave of chemicals it can connect us to the world around us. You feel the wind rush past your skin and your brain tells you it’s real. But what happens when these chemicals go rogue and your mind starts telling itself that something is happening that’s not? With a single insignificant incident an unavoidable fate grabs a hold of you and refuses to let go, developing a life of it’s own outside of your control. Unable to fight it your only options are to try and ignore it or accept it as real. You’ve heard stories and been taught that other worldly forces exist. They  can haunt us, possess us and torture us. In a small african village one summer, this is exactly what came to bear. 

          After a long day of working with the children Steven and the others found themselves seated at a quaint little diner. The setting sun beamed through the clouds bathing the african savannah in a beautiful shade of purple. In the distance the sound of laughter was a stark reminder that this wasn’t like the american wilderness. This land was wild. The waitress brought around a beautiful platter and placed it before them. 

        “Guy’s it’s not pilau,” He shouted out, staring at plantains, and fresh fish. The egg dish looked especially appetizing.

        His dad reached for one plate but stopped then started to reach for another. “I don’t know where to start. It all smells so amazing.”

        “I recommend the potatoes, they’re my favorite,” the translator said, passing the dish  around. This wasn’t his first time here. 

       Steven filled up his plate, ready to finally feel the satisfaction of a hearty meal, but this was interrupted by a strange elderly man. His graying hair was frazzled, and knotted from lack of care. The teeth in his mouth were rotting away, and his skin was wrinkled from the years of the african sun beating down on it. A raggedy series of blankets enveloped his frail frame. In one hand he propped himself up on a large termite eaten walking stick. His other hand remained hidden beneath the clothes as he approached the table. His eyes locked onto Steven’s as if he were the only one around. He spoke but the worlds were unfamiliar, to everyone at the table but the translator. His hand hidden beneath the cloak began moving.

       Unsure what was happening, Steven froze up. 

      The man stepped closer still chanting the same phrase over and over. His hand emerged, grasping onto a hand carved trinket. He didn’t present it, but instead fiddled with it in his palm, his gaze still unbroken. 

      What’s happening?” Steven asked unsure of what the man wanted. “What’s he saying.”

      The translator stood up, and started trying to speak with the old man, but no matter what he said the oldman remained steadfast.

     “Why won’t he stop staring at me?” 

      The translator ran inside, and brought back several of the restaurant’s staff who grabbed the man and forced him away. Even as they did the man’s words continued and he stared over his shoulder as if trying to complete whatever bizarre ritual he had started. 

      Steven sat in silence  unsure what had happened. He tried to focus on the food, but his brain found it more desirable to replay the scene. The translator refused to offer even a hint of what the man wanted, but his constant glances around gave away his unease.

      The group chatted away merrily finishing their meal, while Steven languished at what had happened.  As soon as they were done he jumped at the chance to get back to the dark and dingy room, just to feel secure. Yet the darkness of the room, and the buzzing of large insects crushed any hopes he had of a peaceful return. 

      All he wanted was to crawl into bed, close his eyes, and be done with this day. And that was just what he did. It didn’t matter that he was sleeping under a small course blanket that barely covered his body, the exhaustion won out. That thought crawled deeper and deeper into his subconscious as he slept. 

      A sudden weight upon his chest pulled Steven away from his dream. He opened his dreary eyes unable, at first to comprehend what he saw. An earthen creature had it’s front claw like hand placed on Steven’s chest. It’s horns curled back over its head, and a foul odor emanated from it’s open jaws. A hot breath flew into steven’s face. He knew in an instant that the man had summoned this creature for the disrespect they had hurled at him. 

      There was nothing he could do now, as the creature’s other hand grabbed onto Steven’s throat and tightened around it. He could feel the heat, and crushing grip. He tried to scream but the demon’s hand kept any noise from coming out. It’s face drew to a mere inch away from Stevens and let out a horrendous roar. 

      Steven flailed, his arms desperately trying to move the creature, but his hands slipped seamlessly through it’s figure, yet he could still feel the weight upon his body. He wept tears of fear. This creature was here to harm him. Was it going to possess his body? If it did would he be aware of what it was doing? Would it hang around and pretend to be him, or would it be satisfied with just destroying it’s vessel. Would anyone know to rescue him? The thoughts raced through his mind.finally, tears streaming down his face, he managed to cry out in terror. 

     His roommate turned over, and stared at him. 

     Could he see it? “Help,” Steven cried out.

     His roommate sat up. “What’s going on?” 

     Steven watches the demon fade from existence, a sinister smirk on its face, It’s presence known only by Steven.  It never ended. He would give anything to escape this fate of his. No one understood what it was like to be chosen for this life. But when he told them he knew they would all pretend like they understood, and that made it harder.