The Beast Behind His Eyes

Another story from a few years ago. I don't know why I wrote it but I like it.

Lurking behind the eyes, the mind, and the actions of every single person, a monster runs and rules, tugging for control. What a great beast it is! With ferocity, it harms. With cruelty, it haunts. With hatred, it kills. For some, there is no escape from the monster, for the beast possesses a great power. Staying at bay for a little while, it waits until a man is at his weakest before it lunges for the kill. Man has fought with the beast for ages, but only the stronger of the two will emerge victorious, while the weaker fades from a burning flame into a dying ember, waiting for the rain to come and end it all.

 

Adam knew the monster well, for it had been his companion for many years now. At times the beast went away but it always came back, faster and stronger than before. He would scream at night, as the beast dug into his body, mind, and his very soul, leaving him mangled and a carcass of the man he once was. Adam fought at first, refusing to bow down to this beast who fought to take over, but as time dragged on, he grew hopeless, submitting himself to the tortures of the beast. Deep down, a tiny ember still burnt, yearning to be let free and to grow strong, roaring and blazing. With this ember, there was hope. With this hope, Adam could barely grasp the life he had known, before being fully consumed by the beast. But everyday, Adam weakened.

 

The beast laughed at Adam, at his inability to overcome the beast’s immense strength, and as Adam grew weaker, the beast grew stronger. The two worked as simply as a seesaw. One could not move, without the other moving in the opposite direction. Finally, during the piercing darkness of night, Adam came face to face with the final confrontation between him and his beast. For the first time, he stared in the eyes of the beast and was surprised to see his own staring right back. But where his own eyes looked feeble and weak, the beast’s eyes were dark and sinister.

 

In the moment of truth, Adam and his beast squared off. Adam took the first step forward, giving out a perilous cry that shook the night, and dived forward, giving everything he had to offer. But the beast was smart, and he fought back. The battle lasted for many hours, but neither wavered. Adam’s own life stood as the prize, and both wanted the right. At the break of dawn, the darkness became lifted by the light of the morning sun, striking fear into the eyes of the beast. Adam leaped forward, taking his chance, and dived into the beast, sending him back into a far off place.

 

For now, the beast was gone. For now, Adam was safe. But the beast never truly leaves. It just stays at bay until the light of day fades, and the world turns dark once again. Then the beast will emerge, ready to kill.

Reviews

[Woody]

Great write. Love your word choice, your descriptions. you got me engrossed in the fight with bated breath not knowing what the outcome would be. it's good that the beast is left unknown. the reader will decide. anxiety, worries, guilt, depression?

[Spotted Hyena]

I'm assuming the beast is depression. I enjoyed this, but the final battle seems to move a bit fast. The descriptions and fantasy elements were great, though!