People sitting at a table during an experiment. The room has metal walls. Members of my family sit around me. We all know that we’re in for something strange and odd. My cousin is next to me. The room is kinda chilly, but we’re all in hoodies.
A voice comes on a speaker. “Welcome to the test. In front of you, is a pamphlet. You’re going to feel like people are walking behind you, talking and even gripping your shoulders. But it’s all fake. While these sensations are going on, you can only read the pamphlet or look at your feet. Whatever you do, don’t look up. You can’t turn, you can’t speak. You need to keep your head still. No matter how scared you are or how real this all feels. Repeat to yourself, it’s not real. The more you interact with these feelings, the more real they become.”
The sensations start light. People walking behind me, talking. I can feel their clothes brush against me.
I was sitting, reading the pamphlet, kinda nervous but feeling okay.
I feel two hands grab me on the shoulders. I repeat to myself. “It’s fake. It’s fine. Just keep reading the pamphlet.”
This happens three times. I don’t react. My heart pounds, but I keep cool. Reading the boring pamphlet.
The fourth time, the hands grasp my shoulders and I hear a voice in my ear and feel breath on my neck. In my ear, is the voice of an older, strong man. “I’m gonna touch you everywhere.”
That’s when I turn around, unable to remember that this is all part of some test. I am then grabbed forcefully. Doesn’t matter if I repeat it’s fake. I failed this test. I stand. Trying to fight against these strong hands.
I yell. “It’s fake! It’s all fake!” Doesn’t help. These sensations are all too real now.
No matter what, the arms hold me as I struggle.
Then, the creepy guy holding me against my will says- “You know this all isn’t real, right? You failed the test.”
Then I wake up. In my room. I gasp a bit. Guess the guy holding me was right.
Comments