Secondhand Possession

This is RIDICULOUS!!

“You motherfucking piece of shit!”

She wanted to rip her long shiny black hair out of her head. Lyssa was getting sick and tired of this bullshit. All she wanted to do was have a nice relaxing day off with her friend, maybe watch some videos or a movie and eat some tasty snacks and talk about their unexciting lives. But this fucker had to show up! Maybe she should turn herself in to the psych ward or something, though she wasn’t sure being in a padded room alone with this voice would make her situation any better. At least some loud rap music could drown him out momentarily. Until he started screaming in her head.

She ripped her headphones off and screamed right back at him. She didn’t care if her neighbors filed a complaint with her landlord or whatever, hell, she didn’t care if the fucking police came knocking at her door! She was seriously debating if getting shot in the skull would be less painful than this.

Alright! I get it! You’re angry, as you probably should be. To be honest, I didn’t think I’d get this far-

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

Look, I know things seem bleak right now, but you have to listen to me! I don’t like this either, but I have no other choice! We have to reach a common ground-

“SHUT IT!!!!!!!!”

Lyssa was about to rip her hair out of her head. Her rage boiled under her skin, she almost wished she could cut the fucker out of her brain with a knife. How did this even happen? All she knows is she was on her way to her friend’s new apartment, and of course got lost. Damn old phone couldn’t give her the right directions, she really should buy a new one by now, she’s had this one since she was fourteen.

Anyway, she was driving around all over the place and suddenly this voice started talking in her head. It wasn’t hers, it sounded like a guy’s. And the way it managed to cut off her thoughts, that definitely wasn’t anything like her own inner voice. She was able to make it back to her small studio apartment without getting in a car wreck, a few close calls though, and ended up having to cancel her meetup with Natalie. Said she was sick, yeah sure, but now she was wondering if she really was sick.

Maybe she ate something rotten and it was making her have auditory hallucinations. Maybe all those late hours working at the coffee shop were starting to get to her. Maybe she did something horrible and her guardian angel or her conscience is torturing her.

Who the hell knows!

All Lyssa wanted to do now is be completely alone again, hear the sweet silent hum of the lights in her tiny apartment. But even that was too much to ask.

Okay, okay! How about this, I’ll be quiet! I’ll be quiet until you calm down and I can explain everything, okay? Deal?

Lyssa opened her mouth to argue, but decided to comply this time. If he wanted to be quiet, then fine! Perfect! She needed some quiet, all this constant noise in her head was starting to give her a headache. And her throat hurt from all the screaming. She was silent, and the voice was silent too.

She slowly started to feel herself calm down, the white noise of the refrigerator humming right next to her enough to ground her. She sunk down to the floor, her aching mind finally at peace again for the first time in hours. It was like a breath of fresh air. Lyssa sighed in relief. Good, it was just a weird hallucination or something. It’s gone now.

At least that’s what she thought, though soon that momentary relief was stolen from her.

Will you finally listen to me now?

Lyssa grit her teeth, her anger boiling up again, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. This was so frustrating! Why was this happening? Why was this happening to her?! It was so unfair, how was she supposed to do anything like this?!

“Just leave me alone!” She choked, unable to shout or scream anymore.

Lyssa wasn’t sure, but she thought she could almost hear him sigh.

Look, I know this is hard for you, and I’ll do my best to make things easier if I can, but I need you to listen.

Lyssa glared at the floor, her piercing yellowish eyes could probably cut right through the ceiling of the floor below her if her anger was weaponized. But she knew if she really wanted to know what was going on, then she needed to listen. But with every word this…thing uttered in her mind, she wanted to lose it and go apeshit crazy. So she continued to glare at the floor, and didn’t say a word, gritting her teeth.

Thank you. Now the reason I’m here is because…

Silence.

Lyssa waited, tapping her foot impatiently. Was this thing trying to build suspense or some stupid shit?

No, no, I’m trying to remember…I…oh what was it? Why can’t I…

Lyssa rolled her eyes. So this thing can hear her thoughts too? Great, so then get on with it already!

I can’t! The presence in her mind seemed anxious and frustrated, Look, all I remember is I need your help for something, it’s really important!

“Then spill the fucking tea, bastard! What are you making me wait for??” Lyssa spat, unable to remain silent.

I can’t remember!

“You seemed to fucking remember five seconds ago! Why’d you fucking tell me you were going to explain everything if you don’t even know yourself!” Lyssa was shouting again, shaking with rage.

Like I could focus with your constant screaming and shouting! This isn’t exactly pleasant for me either, you know!

“UGH! FUCK YOU!” Lyssa screamed, banging her head hard on the fridge. She sprung to her feet and grabbed a bottle of melatonin pills, intending to knock herself out with them.

DON’T YOU DARE!

Suddenly, an unseen force knocked the pills out of her hand, the bottle flying across the room and landing on the floor several feet away. She stared at it in shock. There’s no way that could’ve happened naturally, even an outside gust of strong wind couldn’t have done that. Fear was injected into her heart like cold lead as she put the pieces together.