Annabelle

A Story by Tasha Gower

Annabelle could feel the shadows inhabiting her fragile and weak body again, she shook with fear as everything began to crumple around her. She sobbed and screamed at the pain that was inside of her but it would not leave. She'd had enough of fighting now, so many years of bewildering distress and hurt had taken its toll on her body and more so her mind. She was crazed with this anger at herself for allowing it in, allowing it to have every bit of control over her, forbidding her of everything a normal person should have, friends, relationships, love. She was possessed by an evil that refused to give in, so Annabelle gave in instead.

The first few times she fought, fought for her sanity, fought for her mind and body, she thought she had won a few times, but it kept coming back for more. Every time she would degenerate a little more, give in a little more. The truth was, she was strong, a fighter, but this evil was stronger. It snuck up on her when she'd least expect it to, like a lion hunting a gazelle, stealthily and slowly, until it pounces and pierces its prey, letting go for nothing.

She lay on the bathroom floor, thrashing violently, she wanted it gone for good. She didn't know how it got here, how she got here, it was like her body wasn't her own, her thoughts were someone else's, her soul was tarnished beyond redemption.

Nothing could save her now. A creation of the Devil had been playing house in her, she didn't know how else to escape, she hit self destruct and it was over, it was gone, and so was she.