Sean Dempsey, 12/24/21
Some monsters would destroy the paths walked before them, content to trail-blaze new ones that are somehow better—even if they lead off cliffs in the dark.
Some monsters would have you give up all you have, all your plans, all your dreams for yourself and your family, because they feel such ignoble things are unsafe, inconvenient, or irrational.
Some monsters would rather infect you with crippling fear and doubt in order to inoculate you from harm.
Some monsters would create division, doubt, distrust, and hate—confident that they do so in the name of a higher calling.
Some monsters would see all of society torn asunder, the spirit animal of the world ripped limb from limb and the spark of life snuffed out—all to satisfy some noble crusade their leaders have decried as righteous.
Some monsters, in their vain idolatry of science would make Science itself a buzzword used to shame the curious and obfuscate the truth.
Some monsters would destroy all pursuit of Truth and casually replace it with an Altar—an Altar worshiped by the Faithful and brutally committed to the benefit of its people.
Some monsters would enforce their benevolence with cold savagery and their magnanimity with righteous zeal.
Some monsters, in their pursuit of a better world, would see laughter of others diminished and family ties weakened by fear and doubt and dissolution. Such trivialities are but sacrifices upon the Altar. Some monsters, in their rabid adoration of keeping their kith and kin safe, would destroy the selfsame world worth living safe within.
Some monsters would force you to your knees in the dark, supported entirely by their goodwill, lest you might dream too big dreams and decide to risk a bit of light or strive for a life less about survival and more about living on your feet.
Some monsters would burn down the forest rather than dare allow a single tree to fall, for fear its collapse may cause harm; some monsters would dispassionately allow the future shade and shelter of their children fall to dust, ash, and ruin before their eyes. Fuel for the Altar.
Some monsters would band together and root out all those that call them monsters—for a monster hates a mirror reminding them of their monstrosity.
Some monsters would steal your agency, void your bodily autonomy, usurp your free will, and shame all whom do not applaud their bravery for doing so.
Some monsters would prefer you live in abject fear and distrust of others so you can properly depend on the systems they set up to aid and protect you.
Some monsters would infect young children with raw terror, mask their faces, and insist their parents fall to their knees in front of the Altar resurrected to save them from a generation of sickness and fear.
Some monsters would see the world drown in tears, lest it not feel the heat of a discomforting sun.
And some monsters… some monsters far more insidious and most harmful of all: some monsters would let it all happen—not daring to resist or speak up—not once daring to fight a monster.
