The Darker Angels of Our Nature

I’ve always been aware of my darker impulses. The things that we keep locked up far in the back of our minds. The thoughts that would get us arrested or worse by polite society. It wasn’t until I got into a minor car accident that those impulses became more than just a feeling, they gained a voice.

It was a normal day heading to work until some idiot decided that it was more important to pay attention to his cellphone than the road. He ran into the back of my car going about fifteen miles an hour. I slammed into the airbag and knocked myself unconscious. When I woke up the asshole was still on his phone and it wasn’t to call for help.

“What a prick. You should stab him with that piece of broken glass under your hand.”

Who the hell said that, I thought to myself. He sounded familiar but I couldn’t figure out where I had heard that voice before. I looked around but there was no one near me besides the other guy. I went to reach for my cellphone but cut myself on a piece of glass. It was under my hand just like the voice said!

“Of course it was there. You think I’m blind?”

Ok now I know I heard someone but there was still just the dick on his phone and I. I reached for my cellphone again and dialed 911.

“911 Emergency, what is your name and location?”

“Ooh she sounds hot. I wonder if she would give us mouth to mouth.”

“Uh…yeah my name is Scott and I was in a car accident at the corner of first north and main.”

“Scotty doesn’t know, Scotty doesn’t know.”

“Do you have any injuries Scott?”

“Tell her you broke your dick and need her to come kiss it better.”

“I think my nose is broken and I may have a minor concussion.”

“Not the head I was talking about dumbass.”

“Would you shut the hell up!”

“Excuse me sir?”

“Oh not you. I was talking to…someone else.”

“Was there someone else involved with the accident?”

“Yeah there’s another male here.”

“Is he injured?”

“Yeah he’s got his head up his ass.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Well we’ve got EMS and the police on the way. Just relax and stay on the line until they get to you.”

“At least try to get her number. That way maybe you can finally get laid.”

I could hear the sirens in the distance so I let the poor dispatcher get back to work. The paramedics checked on the other guy but of course he was fine. He got a ticket from the cops and was sent on his way. After a pretty thorough exam it was confirmed that I did indeed have a broken nose but they didn’t think I had a concussion. No idea where this voice was coming from but I decided after the third time he remarked about the nice ass and big boobs of one of the paramedics that I didn’t like him very much.

It was suggested that I go to the hospital for an x-ray and a better look at my head to make sure I didn’t have any internal injuries. At first I said I could drive myself but looking back at my car I realized there was no way I was driving that thing anywhere.

“Come on, we'll give you a ride. We’re going that way anyway” the busty paramedic said.

“I’ll give her a ride she’ll never forget. We’ve always had a thing for redheads.”

Did he say *we*? Wait a minute, how does he know about the redhead thing?

“I know a lot more than that….Scotty.”

No one has called me Scotty since high school, I haven’t heard that name in 25 years. I hopped into the back of the ambulance while trying to figure out exactly how this voice knew so much about me.

I got to the hospital and had x-rays and all kinds of tests done. They didn’t find any brain injuries but confirmed a broken nose. They set it and gave me some pain pills and sent me on my way. Without a car I had to take a taxi back home where I popped a pain pill and climbed into bed even though it was only three in the afternoon. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The next thing I knew I was in a room I had never seen before. It was pitch black except for one spotlight shining on a large mirror. I don’t know why but I felt drawn to it and walked closer. The minute I saw my reflection I felt a cold chill run through my body. I couldn’t put my finger on it but something felt…off. My hand moved towards the mirror almost on instinct. I touched the mirror but instead of a solid surface my hand passed through it. I felt something grab my hand and tried to pull myself free but whatever was on the other side was too strong. Before I knew it my arm was pulled through up to my shoulder. I dug my heels in but it was no use. I felt myself passing through the mirror and everything went white.

I woke up in another dark room but this one was a little better furnished. Directly behind me was the mirror and in front was nothing but a chair and an old rabbit ear television. The television was on, bathing the room in an eerie glow. The chair was brown leather and looked comfortable but I wasn’t in the mood to sit down. I walked around the television but couldn’t see any power cord or any other way it was plugged in. Walking over to the mirror I noticed there was no reflection but I reached out anyway. My fingers were met with a solid surface! I pushed harder but nothing happened.

“HELP! Can anybody hear me? Hey I’m stuck in here!”

I didn’t know who I was yelling for but it was better than just sitting there. I yelled until my throat burned but no one answered.

“Can you please shut up? You’re giving me a headache.”

That voice! It was coming from the television. Walking over and peering into the screen I was sure I recognized my ceiling. What the hell was going on here? As the view traveled down I saw red hair and then I recognized the face of the paramedic. Why was she bouncing? The view traveled down further and…oh. Oh no.

“You’re screwing a paramedic on my $800 leather couch!”

“Heh yeah. And when I’m done I think I’m going to go find the prick who crashed our car and have a few words with him.”

“What are you talking about? What words? Where the hell am I and how are you…out there?”

“Do you mind? I’m trying to concentrate here.”

I couldn’t watch anymore so I tried the mirror again but it was no use. I tried everything I could think of even punching the glass but I was stuck here, wherever here was.

“Thanks for a great night Scott. I’m glad you called.”

“Hey, call me Scotty. Scott’s the other guy.”

“What other guy?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you tomorrow night?”

“You will.”

I figured he was done so I finally sat down and decided to figure out just what was going on.

“Alright, spill it. Who are you and what is going on here?”

“You really don’t remember do you?”

“REMEMBER WHAT?!”

“Remember ME. I’m you Scott. I’ve always been here. Who do you think told you to punch that asshole Derek in Junior High? Or told you to ask out that girl Summer despite her…reputation. That was all me buddy. The voice of all your dark thoughts was me all along. The one who gave you all your darker impulses. But somewhere along the way you stopped listening to me and I was trapped in that little room that you now find yourself in. So I had to get creative. When I finally saw my opening I took it. When you finally heard me again earlier today I knew this was my chance to finally get out and stretch my legs.”

I watched on the television as he walked into the bathroom and stared into the mirror. The same face I saw before I got pulled into this nightmare was staring back at me. I finally realized what was off before. His eyes were almost pitch black where mine were a deep honey brown.

“How do I get out of here?”

“No can do buddy. I have to willingly give you back control and after finally getting a chance to see the real world instead of having to watch it on that stupid television I want to experience everything it has to offer. Now where are those golf clubs?”

“Golf clubs? What do you want with my golf clubs?”

I looked at the screen and saw him pick up a business card. He picked up my phone and dialed the number.

“Hi there, I'm sure you remember me from this morning. I’m the guy whose car you smashed into. I want to meet up and talk. Sure I can be there in half an hour.”

I watched in horror as he picked out the biggest club out of the bag and walked out the door.

“Hey! Don’t do anything stupid! Hey, I'm talking to you!”

I screamed and yelled until I had no voice left. Then I clawed and punched the mirror until my knuckles bled. It was useless, I was trapped here. I had no choice but to watch as this…monster wearing my face got to live out every dark fantasy that I had kept locked up inside. This was my prison, my nightmare…for now. He found a way out and I can as well.

THE END

Bio: When he's not hosting his bimonthly YouTube Livestream “The Teahouse,” Kǎiláng is a musician, writer, martial artist and creator. He makes custom Chinese style hand bound journals and hand drawn calligraphy. This is his first published work, but it won't be his last.

E-mail: Lǐ Kǎiláng

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