The War Within409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDkErrXu7S
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"Alright, listen up maggot. I will not repeat myself, so you better pay attention. Now a simple question. How do you destroy him?" Asks my instructor. " Sir, yes sir. Sir, I would start by maybe causing him a flat tire? Then maybe a dead battery in his car? Oh, then I would cause him to run out of gas on the way to the store and he forgot his wallet." I say to the instructor. " Sonny, for a demon, those are some lame attempts. He has god on his side so none of that would ever work. Trust me. You do not want to discover how strong god is firsthand. You seem like a good worm so I will help you out." He says while circling around me and staring daggers into me. "Alright maggot. Learn my words well. The easiest way to a person is through their heart. Destroy that and the rest of the human will crumble with it. So, my first suggestion is to strike his feeling of friendship. Make him feel as though he is a terrible friend. If that doesn't work, then you need to move on. Strike into his feeling of being a husband next. Make him feel as though he is a horrible husband. Third, and simplest, is to make him feel as though he is not much of a man. Now, from what I’ve read about this man, this all should be easy. I’m expecting great things from you maggot. Move on.". "Sir, yes sir. I won't let you down." I say running off to start my task of bringing this guy down. It wouldn't be an easy task for a new demon like me, but I wasn't afraid of the challenge.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAdrHh3coN
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I wake up to my morning alarm. It’s going off to let me know it’s time for my wife to get awake for work. Luckily, I don't need one since I don't work so I program it to help her. I shake her awake and then mosey off to get dressed for the day while she gets ready for work.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYg3YJGBqs
She gets ready, grabs her stuff, gives my cheek a kiss, and gets into her car to drive off. Just another normal day for my handicapped butt. Oh well, I might as well get to it. Nothing won't get itself done. Shortly after my typical breakfast, my friend calls me. "Hey what are you up to today bud?" He asks me. Having not slept well, I had to respond with "nothing, since I can't drive today." "Oh man, you’re so worthless. Oh well I guess." He says in a defeated tone. After shooting the breeze with him for a minute, we part ways and hang up. This whole conversation is like a wildfire of thoughts in my head. Was I even a good friend? Was I even worth putting up with for a little friendship? I felt like such a loser at that point. I received another call from a different friend, and although hesitant, I answered it. "Oh hey bro. I’m glad you're the first person I called because I knew you'd answer. This Friday, can you come over and help me out with some housework? I really need you bro." He rambles off into the phone. Not being able to hold back my smile, I say "Of course dude. I've already entered you into my alarm to make sure I go, and you know I’d be there for you if I can." After another couple of minutes of back and forth we hang up. The feeling of peace I received from this call washes over me and drowns all the feelings from before. Of course, I am a good friend.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiCx3wlG1V
Luckily, I can get in a few peaceful hours of writing and drawing without anything trying to bring me down. That is, until I receive another call. Seeing that it was from my wife, I answer immediately. "Hey babe. I have a request. Can you go into the attic and look for the red tote with all our Christmas stuff, and bring it down? And, can you make dinner for us tonight? I don't feel like cooking or getting McDonald's." Instantly, I’m flooded with the thoughts and feelings of being a horrible husband as I reply with, "Honey, you know I can't climb into the attic let alone lift the tote alone. You also know that I don't know how to cook so I can't help. I am sorry." The thoughts of my husband skills are terrible right now. Why is she even married to someone like me? How can she love such a piece of mud husband like me? I don't deserve her. Her speaking breaks through my thoughts. "Sorry Hun, I forgot about the cooking. I'll get some takeout. It won't be great, but still a better option. Oh my gosh babe, I am so sorry. I didn't think about that you can’t climb, and you don't have the strength. We will do it together tonight. I am sorry and I love you." We exchange love and hang up so she can get back to work. Normally I would make a joke about it but the peaceful feeling she just gave me is consuming me. Of course, I’m a good husband. She wouldn't have married me if I wasn't. The peaceful feeling is almost like a streetlight in the dead of the night.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIVZYdqd0m
An eerie voice echoes in my head saying, "A real man wouldn't need a night light to navigate.". This thought causes that peaceful streetlight to extinguish. My thoughts keep rotating. What type of man can't help a friend? What type of man can't cook for his beloved? What type of man can't move a simple tote or climb a ladder? As I almost choke on the darkness, I can fight it off. I am a real man. I admit I’m broken and have issues. If anything, it makes me a real man to admit this and continue forward. And as this thought dawns on me, that peaceful streetlight comes back in view. Ah, peace at last.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29MaEfNf4r
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I scurry to find my instructor. I need to regrettably inform him of my failure. I hope he will have a grand lesson to teach instead of punishment. I find him and immediately rush to him explaining my short-coming. I knew that as a demon, this was unacceptable. I didn't want to do this, but I had to complete this task. Hatred for this guy’s strength ignited inside me and I just wanted to see him burn in the punishment room, instead of me. "Code Red boys. Code Red. Initiate emergency protocol and take this guy down." My instructor shouts out to the others. "Sir, why is taking this guy out, such a big deal?" I ask out of curiosity. " That’s because big boss Satan demands it maggot. You failed and reports show why. Apparently, god wants him. We are being told that he will have the power to help turn people to the side of god and we don't want that. He is already too powerful, and we don't want him to get more so we must try. Pay attention to this part now so you can learn a good lesson for the future. Maybe it will help you to not mess up next time." My instructor says in a drilling tone. I look over to pay attention to the others and he starts to shout "Listen up Maggots! Time for emergency protocol 46. Kick it into high gear boys. For those ingrates that don't know, it is to make him feel worthless and that God does not want him. It is risky and our last resort, but I refuse to lose this one."409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpFogNZMo7
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As I sit and constantly think about how crazy of a day it has been, I become overwhelmed with thoughts about why. Why am I so worthless? Why can’t I accomplish the simplest task without any issues? How could God even want me like this? Just as I am hitting the ' screw it, I’m done' wall, my wife comes home from work. As she sees me there sulking, she starts to bother me about what was wrong. She is obnoxiously poking me while repeating "Honey, what’s wrong? Hey babe, what’s bothering you? Hey, tell me what I can do to help." This cracks my shell causing me to look up at her. She stops immediately when she sees my eyes and forces a hug and kiss on me. If I had the ability to cry, this would have done it. Instead, I giggle sadly before telling her, “honey, how can I continue on when I am so hopelessly worthless?" She kisses my head and proceeds to lecture me about how I wasn't worthless. She ends by demanding that I try out a new counseling through the church. I should like it because scripture always calms me down and I need it because I’m getting worse than when I was still stuck in the hospital. Having penetrated my shell, I couldn't help but kiss her and agree that it was time. The next day goes on as usual but I can call and set up an appointment for that day. I was surprised that I could, hopeful that it’d help, but still expecting to be let down. I soon rush off to go to my appointment. Although I expect failure, I still need to. I attempt to leave the therapist as nonchalant as possible but can’t help but display a huge grin. The peaceful feeling this had made me feel is almost indestructible. I call my wife and proceed to explain "He told me to combat those thoughts. He told me to do something creative like I do, but about my thoughts. Hun, he said some awesome things and it washed everything away. I feel so much better and even made another appointment.". She can't hide her excitement and even that makes me feel good. I finally get home and as I pull in, I notice something in the distance. It looks like a man standing in victory surrounded by light, but when I blink, he is gone. Best day I've had in a while I think to myself. "I hear you God and thank you for answering." I say while staring into the sky.409Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pyYnEhjU6
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"Ok guys, time to hit the new Target." My instructor says while handing out worksheets. " Sir, what happened, why are you like this and what about our last guy?" I ask him concerned about the situation. "Son, that’s what happens when God wins. Your just lucky he is merciful." He says while while looking like he was about to cry.
