Previously

He Lives Under My Bed

Sometimes I wonder if the Boogeyman is real. My family seems to think not. My friends can't look at me. My coworkers all laugh and make fun. The Boogeyman can't be real. What would he want with me?




But I see him. Everyday. He offers his hand to me, but I know he only wants to lead me another nightmare. I tell them that he is real.






They say he can't exist in reality. It's just a figment of my imagination.



But I say....




What is reality?

Therapy: Relative Hatred

The scene opens back to the same room from before. The chair, the coffee table. Now, Scott Charlotte is no longer himself, but an extension of himself. The Wraith. He is wearing a grey three-piece suit. Black gloves on his hands and the same mask from before. He is sitting upright, crossing his legs. He claps his hands as he notices the camera is back on.





"Welcome back."








He pauses for a moment looking as if someone was giving him a nasty look back. He places a hand over his chest signifying he is "offended."






"It seems you are perturbed by Scott. His shortcomings slap you in the face, so you want to slap him back...call him a coward. You use words that you do not understand."







He cracks his neck.





"A coward is someone who runs from a fight with his tail between his legs. For a moment it seemed like you knew what you were talking about, but then Scott put me back at the reigns. He put a figment of his imagination at the helm just so he could burn you. That's not cowardice, that's brilliance. That is man driven to insanity, who uses his psychological shortcomings to his advantage. You think you can pick him apart and frighten him?







You are not the devil that dwells in his dreams.








I fill that role quite nicely."





He does. He has always been there, haunting Scott since childhood. The Wraith reminisces over his happy memories. He snaps back to reality and looks directly at the camera as if staring into Titan's face with his yellow eyes.






"You are a heathen who mocks God with your words. You sinner. You speck. He thought he related to you so much. Sadly, Titan, you are far below our level. We have been partnered for a long time, while you seem to be a misguided ghost. Lost on the road making up his own psychological shortcomings to impress. I've been here under the stress of our mind for far longer. Fighting with him every single day!! He wants the body. I want the body. He always forgets we are the same, but the only time he's aware is when I'm in control, but then his mind gives way. The lucid moment is over. That's why I want him to wear the mask. Live your life by the mask and it will reward greatly. Titan, you do not deserve that power. Scott was too nice. He felt that he should be looked upon as the better man, but when a God enters the fray all the men will look up to his splendor. Even the false prophets like yourself. You are apart of a legacy of sinners who believe they are better than God himself.






Now, don't assume for one moment that I am like Eli James or even for a fragment of a second am I Peter Gilmour. This isn't about Jesus Christ, it's about the goddamned Devil! Not the same Lucifer you hear of. Something much worse."





He points to his head and taps it.




"The mind. That is where hell exists. Inside the mind. That is where the Devil resides. In each and every human mind, The Devil exists. Humans are afraid of themselves, so they believe the day their mind finally dies Heaven will save them. How tragic the human spirit is, hoping for an empty sky."







"It breaks me down to hear you say that."








The Wraith's eyes widen. He is perplexed by the voice. He can't believe it. How could he have spoken to him?








"You. How in the hell did you just speak to me?"





He uncrosses his legs and sits at the edge of the chair, looking around the room. He shakes his head realizing his mistake as the voice has no body.






"I told you I was stronger now. You know, I really wanted to hear what you had say. To know what you did with my body while in control. I have to say...I hate it."








"I don't care. You can hate it all you want, but you're not in control. I am."






"Is that so? You really think that? You think you've always been in control?"








He laughs at the voice with much enjoyment.







"Oh don't try that on me. It will never work. Let me handle everything. We can be at the top again."







"No, I'm getting their myself. You're spot is in the back gleaming at my accomplishments. Jealousy runs rampant in your cold, black heart. That's what it is. Vanity. You're a sinner too."








His anger has reached a boiling point now.








"I AM NO SINNER! You are the sinner, Scott! With your mocking of God!! You won't let anyone know who you really are! I can do that!! You won't be anything without me!!"







"Careful, you're human is showing. That's weakness to you."








He catches himself and wipes off the dust on his suit. He sits back back with his hands clinched together.







"I see through you, my boy, but you've learned well and you have gotten stronger. That much I can see. You have my attention and my curiosity. So, for now....








'I will take the mask off. You can have a little longer to test the waters. You've come a long way. But, don't think this is the end of our story. I'm still here and soon enough you will slip up and I will be right back here."




A pause. The Wraith waits for the answer.







"Get the fuck out of my body."








The voice vanishes and The Wraith chuckles. He shakes his head and sits up. He looks directly at the camera and loosens the noose. He places his hands on the mask and gives his last words.







"You. Are. Titan. We. Are. The Wraith."








He takes the mask off and Scott stumbles over. He catches himself on the table. He is breathing heavy again. He wipes the sweat from his brow and looks at the mask. He throws it behind him. Scott then proceeds to lean back in the chair and place his feet on the table again. He puts his arms behind his head and looks to the camera.









"Now, lets see who comes out on top."










He smiles as the camera fades to black.

END