She looked around, moving her head about as the straps permitted it. IT was there, hiding, but she felt ITs presence poignantly. "I know you're there", she yelled. "It's no good hiding, I know you're there... somewhere". Energy drained from her and she ended her words in a faint whisper. The straps were cutting into her flesh at every move. Day in, day out, the same pattern on the ceiling, the same shadows in the night. Time had no face value. It was dead... or immortal. "It will end. I will end it. Despite you! Yes, despite you. I can... I can..." ... Hiss... hissss... hissss... It was IT. Was it? She listened up and decided it was only her short breath. Short. Shorter every day. Until it stops. Yes, then it will be better. Then she can remember how it is to be alive and move about, have a job and a man to make you feel alive. Alive... "God, was I ever alive? If You want to help me, give me my memories back... or take my minds completely. Take IT from my room. I know IT is there, God, I know IT is watching, biding its time..." The door opens softly. A man in white, always the same man with a fake smile and a big syringe. "How much does he pay you?" she yells again. "How much to do this? And just how much to kill me?" The man never seems to be worried or corruptible. Always the same calm gestures. "IT is still here, you know. Despite your little pills. You know that, don't you?" The doctor always smiles at these words. Maybe IT pays the doctor as well. ... Quiet. Now it is quiet, but IT is still there, getting stronger as the day turns to evening and then to night. It feeds off shadows, darkness. It also feeds on minds, lives, feelings. "I will not consent! No, I will not consent to be afraid! I hate you." "IT loves your hate, that's what makes IT stronger." "Is that you, my mind? You finally came to your senses? Hahah, you know it is too late. I'll get rid of you... I don't need you anymore." "Now, my girl, what is this nonsense? You longed for me, begged for me, said you would do anything for me." "No, no more of you. You are the root of all evil, all evil inside me. No more listening to you. Don't you see you ruined me?? IT came after you! IT wanted you, not me! But, yes, you ran and hid, so I was left... left here with IT! Strapped, bound! Alone... so alone..." "I always were with you. My presence was discreet. I couldn't risk meeting IT. So I retreated and waited.. waited to see who wins. And now IT is winning. So I came to help." "I don't need your help!", she yelled again. "DOn't you see it's over, all over?! No more games, no more straps. I hate you. You and IT! You are one! That's why I end it now!" "Calm down, my dear, these fits are no good for you. Your body is weak. You can't struggle. It will only give you pain." "I don't care, don't you see! I don't care! I end it... I end it NOW!" "Hush, hush, what is this foolishness? Your heart beats are getting awry. Youre pulse is irregular. You can't know, but I know. IT knows. You have to stop." "Make me! Make me stop if you can! But you can't can you? C'mon, MAKE ME!" "You see how foolish you are? You'll stop now. i can't have you acting like that. You are not mad. I am proof you are not mad. I am your mind and I work perfectly. So, you'll stop. I cannot exist without your pathetic self, so you have to live on... not that you deserve it, of course. I deserve a much better abode, but there, let's not complain. IT must have a good laugh looking at you and me, me fighting to save you and you... as I said, you being pathetic." "Words! Do you have anything better than words? I'll give you words: DIE! DIE! DIE! And I'll die with you and it will be over. IT will die with us, we will be ITs grave, and coffin and sepulchre." "You reason well. Of course, that comes from me. My little slippings. But never mind. I see I must calm you down. You see, I sense the hard work your heart is doing and that's not good for her. She's weak, weakened by pills and by you lying here all this time. We need to be careful with her, don't we. We don't want anything bad to happen." "I'll struggle! I'll struggle till theses straps break or cut me. I'll struggle!" "Now, you stay calm. The straps are strong, you know. What are you doing there. You know it's no good thrashing about. I distinctly detect signs of strain in your heartbeats. I have to stop that. Hey, you stay put! Stay put!" "YOU CAN"T STOP ME, CAN YOU?" "You there, hey, let's be calm and consider your options... See, if you let me help, you can get rid of the straps and..." ... It was quiet. Finally quiet. And IT was gone. The room was really empty. ... She lay in bed, wasted and dead. The straps had cut into her flesh, leaving purple marks. It looked like a big struggle had taken place. In the distance, an ambulance and a police car leaving. With her husband cautioned and handcuffed. And her psychiatrist in the ambulance, talking to the day nurse: "They won't be able to make a case against the poor devil once I testify. She led him a dog's life with her illness and he may have ended up hating her. But trust me, nobody hated her more than herself. Nobody else could."