Freedom Is a Double Edged Sword

By C.J. Fiore

All they ever desired was to take charge, and become a bigger person than anyone thought they could. They wanted to prove that they were better than anyone else. They wanted to host extravagant parties and be a boss of themselves. For a long time, they struggled to get ahead, or even keep up. All the other workers didn’t enjoy hanging out with them. They were so desperate for success that it seemed to drive everyone away. They were always on the phone or computer, emailing and trying to sweet talk their way to the top.

Most days they looked exhausted. Everyone felt bad for them, but didn’t want to associate with them at the same time. Until one night, they had a phone call at 3 am. It seemed like they got in contact with the right person. Or... maybe someone found them. It wasn’t truly clear. They seemed ecstatic at first when they started to get power and fame. This anonymous person was able to flip a metaphorical switch. They were getting a ton of customers, which made their equals jealous.

Slowly, they seemed less and less happy. Their fellow businessmen slowly stopped hanging out with them. They felt more and more trapped. Less and less like they were a host of anything, because none of their peers would ever give them the time of day anymore.

It only devolved from there. They didn’t even feel like a host of their own body. They became unsure if they were truly free to pursue whatever they wanted. They felt physically unable to break free of something greater than themselves. They felt like a puppet to something sinister, a pawn on someone's board, a tool in someone else's belt. They didn’t feel the freedom they thought they'd have. It made them feel almost sick in a way.

That man… no, that entity that had gotten on the phone with them that night. They couldn’t remember who called who. They couldn’t even recall any of the details of the call itself. But they had to have been the one who did this. The one who was in control of where they were.

And yet, they knew that this entity couldn’t be stopped if they worked by themselves. They hid away, doing everything they could to think of a way to escape this entity. It seemed hopeless.

Freedom Is a Double Edged Sword

They were trapped. A puppet. They had all the freedom to do whatever they wanted, yet at the same time had none at all. What a horrible fate.

C.J. is very passionate when it comes to anything involving imagination. C.J. writes, "I love making up scenarios and such. I'm a very anxious person, but I've always enjoyed reading and telling stories. I use writing to express myself, or comment on the observation of those around me. I plan to make writing a part of my career in some way."