Do monsters and demons only exist in fairytales, or have they escaped their archaic tales and roam the world of today? They have escaped their beautifully, horrific legends of old. They wander through our crowded streets, our sleepy little towns, our quiet and peaceful forests, and through our happily content neighborhoods. Some wander aimlessly without hurting another creature, while others are searching for an oblivious victim to latch onto and completely destroy. Where are they? What do they look like? Why do they cause pain and suffering wherever they may go? How can you fight back? They are all around you, open your eyes to their devastation… Open your eyes to their existence… 

      Annihilation, destruction, obliteration, extinction, eradication, elimination…all these are words accompanying the definition of “monster”.  A monster/demon, according to the dictionary, “is a large, ugly terrifying animal or person found in mythology or created by the imagination, especially something fierce that kills people.” Examples of these so-called monsters would be vampires, werewolves, ogres, giants, etc. I agree with only the last half of the dictionary’s definition. A monster or daemon can be anything and does not have to be limited to just a physical appearance. A daemon is something or someone that is created to cause pain and suffering, “especially something fierce that kills people.”

      These “monsters” are all around us, invisible to many of us who are oblivious to our surroundings. They are found everywhere and may even have latched on to you. How are you feeling? Are you alright? Are you wallowing in self-pity? Depressed? Watch out, a monster has already gotten a hold of you. Will it ever let go? Only you know the answer to that question.

      Depression. Anxiety. Angst. Broken heartedness. All of these are examples of pain and suffering; all psychological monsters, invisible to all yet lethal to whoever they attach to. Why? That is the never-ending question to the dangerous behaviors of today’s “beasts”, Why? Why do they act as they do? This is the nature of the beast, as a lion can do nothing else than kill for its survival so do today’s monsters. All these monsters infect the mind, causing symptoms such as “persistent feelings of hopelessness, dejection, poor concentration, lack of energy, inability to sleep,” and in the worst case scenarios, suicidal tendencies. No, no more! Make the pain go away! Please…please make it stop… I don’t want to feel hurt anymore…make it go away…

                Get your swords and battle axes ready! It’s on to battle! Yet the real question is what are you going to combat? How are you going to fight back against an invisible opponent? These psychological daemons feed off the feelings you have hidden deep inside the recesses of your heart. They pick at it until there is nothing left but a battered shell, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Do not listen to those negative feelings, those negative voices! Do not listen when they tell you that you are worthless, useless, and can do nothing right. Don’t listen when they tell you that you are nothing but a petty imitation, that you are clumsy, or ugly. Do not listen, no matter what…do not listen.

It will be tough, so tough, at first, but do not break. Think positively, talk among your friends, you are you, no one else. We all make mistakes. No one is perfect. Do not listen to “them.” The monster will eventually go away, but remember the monster never dies. If you’re not careful it will come back and never let go.

                A monster is anything, tangible or intangible, that is created to cause harm to someone, whether it be physical or psychological, or to actually cause the death of said someone. Look around you.  Destruction. Worthlessness. Annihilation. Angst. Betrayal. Fear. Anxiety. Depression. Broken Heartedness. Obliteration. Anger. Ire. Anguish. Horror. Tears. Uselessness. Hopelessness. Suicide. You have your evidence. Now tell me……Do you believe in monsters?

-Bella Imperia

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