Friday, May 22, 2020
Is There a Link between Violent Video Games and Violent...
A huge controversy in todayââ¬â¢s society is violent video games and their behavioral effect on the children and adults who play them. Violent video games have been blamed for bullying, school shootings, and even violence towards women. Many have fought that violent video games desensitize players to real-life violence, and that they are teaching the youth that violence is an acceptable conflict-solving strategy. Other sources have stated otherwise. The 2004 Secret Service has stated that only one-eighth of attackers have exhibited interests in video games. Violent Video games do not cause violent behavior or behavior problems because it has not been proven that there is a link between violent video games and behavioral issues, playing video games provide a safe outlet for aggressive and angry feelings and reduces violence in young children, and violent juvenile crime has actually gone down since the violent video game popularity has increased. A secure link between violent vi deo games and violent behaviors has not yet been proven. Studies have shown numerous design flaws and have used unreliable sources such as noise blast tests to test their theory. Aforementioned only one-eighth of attackers have exhibited interests in video games. A report has not yet been proven to link violent video games with violent behaviors in school shootings but show that behavioral problems come from violent movies and other resources. It has been shown that playing video games hasShow MoreRelatedThe Link between Violent Video Games and Behavior1230 Words à |à 5 Pagesimportant as men. There is also domestic violence in much of India.With all of these problems, it would be hard for India to become a superpower. Weââ¬â¢ll be back after the short break. Many people donââ¬â¢t know what happened during the disagreement between Pakistan and India. In, 1947 Britain divided India into secular groups. India had a mostly Hindu population, while Pakistan had a mostly Muslim population. They decided to split because they didnââ¬â¢t want to share the country together. In 1947 and 1948Read MoreDo Violent Video Games Cause Aggressive Behavior?1128 Words à |à 5 PagesAmanda Cummings Essay Lesson II Do Violent Video Games Cause Aggressive Behavior? How and why does mass media influence aggressive behavior? More specifically, does playing video games cause aggressive behavior? Because children and teenagers spend an increased amount of time each day viewing/playing video games, they are shaping their values, attitudes, and behaviors. For people who do act out aggressively, the results can be deadly. Monthly, the news is filled with blood-chillingRead MoreVideo Games And Youth Violence1181 Words à |à 5 PagesOver the past few centuries,video games have become a great leisure and hobby among kids of all ages and cultures. With the advancement of technology, video games have advanced highly in its realism and genres. This high type of advancement brought the video game industry to a multi-billion dollar industry. However, with realism, comes negative effects as well. Ever since the creation of violent or ââ¬Å"matureâ⬠video games, there has been a constant debate on whether it will increase violence in theRead MoreAre V iolent Videogames the Trigger to Extremely Violent Acts?1158 Words à |à 5 Pagesout that the shooters had spent a lot of time playing violent video games. The question that has been asked by many is ââ¬Å"Do violent video games cause violence in real life?â⬠The answer is yes. They do cause violence in real life, but not to the extent publicized. Many different studies and experiments have shown varying results. Most say that violence in video games does cause violent behavior. However, it is too simplistic to create a direct link to violence because of videogames. If someone is ableRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Video Games794 Words à |à 4 Pagesimproved, video games have been enhanced together with the latest technology. Now, video games have become one of the most iconic hobbies and free time activities for teenagers from simple smartphone games to high-graphic console or pc games. However, some people tend to claim that video games are harmful to teenagers and caus e them behave violent and aggressive. Also, some opinionated radicals state that video games are related to youth violence. While some people think that video games have negativeRead MoreVideo Games And Youth Violence883 Words à |à 4 PagesVideo Games and Youth Violence: Is There a Real Connection? One of my fondest memories as a child was Christmas Day, 1986. I woke up early, as is typical for a child on Christmas morning. I ran to my parentââ¬â¢s room and rustled them out of bed so I could tear into the presents. I immediately ran to a large rectangular present and grabbed it from under the tree. I was hoping with all my might it would be what I had asked Santa to bring me, a Nintendo Entertainment System. As I ripped the paper fromRead MoreViolent Games And Violent Video Games1122 Words à |à 5 PagesAs video game images become increasingly more realistic and graphic. Therefore, is there any link between the violence depicted in those games and violence in real life? Students are the main group people who played violent video games very often. Also, losing a game causes many people to have a negative impact. Last, the attitudes on violent game and antisocial. Games are everywhere around us, such as cellphones, televisions, or computers, but violent games are the most po pular type of game. TheRead MoreThe Hidden Danger: Violence Within The Media. Imagine You1141 Words à |à 5 Pagesof violent material. However, this may actually harm the psychological well-being of some individuals and provoke violent behaviors in future situations. Although there have been many studies proving otherwise, some critics claim that there is no definitive link between the media and the formation of violent behaviors within human beings. However, the facts are true that violence, through many different media sources, are causing violence and aggression in human behaviors. Violent Video Games ViolentRead MoreMultimedia Violence : A Grave Threat Of Teens Of The New Generation. Craig A. Anderson1585 Words à |à 7 PagesState University, commented on multimedia violence saying, ââ¬Å"Exposing children and adolescents (or ââ¬Ëyouthââ¬â¢) to violent visual media increases the likelihood that they will engage in physical aggression against another person. By ââ¬Ëphysical aggressionââ¬â¢ we mean behavior that is intended to harm another person physically, such as hitting with a fist or some object. A single brief exposure to violent media can increase aggression in the immediate situation. The repeated exposure leads to general increasesRead MoreViolent Video Games Harmful On Children And Adolescents861 Words à |à 4 PagesViolent Video Games Are Harmful to Children and Adolescents. There is overwhelming scientific research that suggests that playing violent video games are harmful to children and adolescents. The scientific evidence has uncovered several areas in the development of children and adolescent that are negatively impacted because of the exposure to and playing of violent video games. Some of the key areas that are negatively affected include brain activity, stress levels and behavior. Playing violent
Friday, May 8, 2020
What Causes Aggression Is It an ââ¬ËInstinctââ¬â¢ or a ââ¬ËLearned...
What causes aggression? Is it an ââ¬Ëinstinctââ¬â¢ or a ââ¬Ëlearned behaviourââ¬â¢? (a) Compare and contrast the views of any two psychological domains on the causes of aggression. (b) Evaluate the validity of their claims in the order to reach an informed decision about the causes of aggression. In order to explore the causes of aggressive behaviour, we have to be clear about what we mean by aggressive behaviour. The psychological definitions of aggression are determined by theoretical perspectives and there is no consensus within or across the sciences about its components. For example some researchers support that aggression is an inborn, instinctive process based on which we intend to harm others. Such approaches adopt a definition that placesâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Their main focus has been to look at how the brain functions and how it can control aggression. The behaviourist approach view aggression as a learned behaviour and place significance on environmental influences rather then internal drives. They see aggression as a particular class of voluntary responses, which are acquired and modified by the means of reinforcement. This viewpoint emphasises the role of the situation rather than the person and individuals are seen as passive and as receptors of stimulation offered by the environment. The external world shapes learning by offering reinforcement and learning itself is seen as the outcome of associating certain behaviours with rewards or punishments. There are two main aspects of aggressive behaviour which have been supported by this approach: instrumental aggression and the role of frustration in aggression. Instrumental aggression is ââ¬Ëaggressive behaviour which is maintained because it is positively reinforcedââ¬â¢ (Glassman 2004, p.342). The primary goal of such aggression is not injury or harm to the victim; the aggr ession is simply a means to some other desired end. One such end could be self defence. Thus whenever the individual wishes to achieve the same environmental response, they demonstrate the same patterns of aggressive behaviour. In contrast not all acts of aggression lead to reinforcement and in contrast the individual may be punished. TheShow MoreRelatedChildren s Innate Desire For Adults Based On Rewards883 Words à |à 4 Pagesdeciding the outcome of their behaviour and hence their aggressive conduct. Ferguson also discussed that aggression is distinctly different to violence. He explained the intention of the Bobo Doll to bounce back, conveyed the impression to the test subjects that it was going to hit them and thus, producing their survival instincts to ignite and respond by hitting the doll. Fergusonââ¬â¢s view suggested that participants were acting on survival instinct rather than aggression undermines Bandura et al. (1961)Read MoreAggression Is It ââ¬ËNatureââ¬â¢ or ââ¬ËNurtureââ¬â¢2434 Words à |à 10 PagesAggression is it ââ¬ËNatureââ¬â¢ or ââ¬ËNurtureââ¬â¢ During our lifetime every one of us feels anger and aggression occasionally, some more than others, maybe as a child in the play ground or later as an adult when somebody cuts you up when you are driving along. But what causes anger and aggression and why do we all suffer from it? Well there are lots of different theories to what causes aggression and where aggressive behaviour comes from. So throughout this essay I will examine the different concepts and theoriesRead Moreââ¬Å"Aggression is necessary for survival: Discuss. Base your answer on psychological theories and models introduced in class2757 Words à |à 12 Pagesï » ¿ESSAY TITLE: ââ¬Å"Aggression is necessary for survival: Discuss. Base your answer on psychological theories and models introduced in class.â⬠ABSTRACT Basing itself on the fact that one of the fundamental purposes of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security and to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace.( See attachment 1). The next two paragraphsRead MoreFreuds Theories on Personality Development Essay555 Words à |à 3 PagesFreuds Theories on Personality Development Freudââ¬â¢sââ¬â¢ psychodynamic approach attempts to explain what drives or motivates personality development. He suggested that an individual is driven to satisfy biological urges and theses motives cause us to interact with the environment, so that early experiences play an important role. Freud identified three different parts of the mind, which are based on Read MorePsychology Is The Study Of The Mind And Behavior1389 Words à |à 6 PagesPsychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. Since Psychology first emerged there has been ,many differing schools of Psychology each with different theories in which to understand human behaviour. In this essay I will explain the four major schools of psychology including psychoanalysis, behaviourism, biological and cognitive, and the major influences behind each such as Freud. Psychoanalysis is a school of thought first developed by Sigmeund Freud(1856-1939) one of the most influentialRead MoreHuman Emotions and Cognition Essay3337 Words à |à 14 Pagesstates and intentions to others; and they activate emotions in others, a process that can account for angry, aggressive and violent behaviour (Macropaedia 1992: 18: 248). This essay will consider the meaning of anger, aggression and violence in terms of emotion and the activation, structure and functions of them culturally, environmentally and socially. Anger, aggression and violence are three intense sources of emotion and emotional expression, which psychologically are defined as a state of feelingRead MoreAggression Is A Common Term And A Key Concept1766 Words à |à 8 Pagesââ¬Å"Aggressionâ⬠is a common term and a key concept when it comes to the study of human behaviour. Aggression is different from anger. It is with no doubt that everyone will have experienced anger at some point in their l ifetime and this anger may have been channelled into various forms including violence. The level of violence is variable and can even at times lead to murder. There is a close relationship between aggression and anger; however aggression is different from anger. It can be describedRead MoreInnate Theory : Innate Factors1258 Words à |à 6 PagesThe following essay will set out to answer whether innate factors need to be considered in order to explain our behaviour. Throughout the essay I will look at key branches of psychology which contribute to our behaviour. I will also compare and contrast both heritable and environmental factors, this comparison will enable me to uncover the level of importance within heritability. We are led to believe that one gene can contribute to a behavioural trait, most people are unaware of the extensiveRead MorePsychology Essay on Aggression1780 Words à |à 8 PagesAggression is a complex phenomenon influenced by genetic and psychosocial factors. The topics of aggression have been argued by many psychologists with different perspectives. Aggression can be described as a verbal or physical attack or even an insult such as threats, or sarcasm. Aggression can be broken down into two types, hostile and instrumental. Hostile aggression develops from feelings of anger hence; the intention is to inflict pain, for instance, someone deliberately hitting another withRead MorePsychodynamic vs Behaviourist Theory1892 Words à |à 8 Pagesphilosophical speculation and reasoning over the years it has evolved and it is now also recognised as a science, to understand what psychology is all about it is necessary to know itââ¬â¢s origins and the theorist who brought it out of o bscurity, Sigmund Freud. He developed the Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytical perspective to enable better understanding of human behaviour these concepts will be discussed further later in this study. After Freud opened the gateway other perspectives and approaches
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Succubus Shadows Chapter 17 Free Essays
string(24) " of this taken care of\." My initial time with the Oneroi had been a mix of true and false dreams. As time went on ââ¬â and I really had no way of saying how much of it did go on ââ¬â the majority of them seemed to be true ones. They were either visitations of awful memories or more glimpses into my current life, meant to demoralize me and make me homesick. We will write a custom essay sample on Succubus Shadows Chapter 17 or any similar topic only for you Order Now I was still torn apart, still feeling more animal than human or succubus orâ⬠¦whatever. Yet, the fleeting pieces of rationality within me wondered at the sudden lack of handcrafted visions. One might argue the Oneroi were being lazy. They were just giving me recycled material, and whenever I did see my friends in the world, I got the impression that it was less a dream and more like the Oneroi flipping me onto a TV channel to make sure I stayed distracted and gave them something to feed off of. It almost felt like they were trying to keep me busy becauseâ⬠¦well, they were busy. But why? What had happened? What had Dante been about to tell Roman and the others? Was it enough to make the Oneroi pull some of their attention from me? Or were these simply more mind games meant to leave me in turmoil? I kept hoping Iââ¬â¢d see a follow-up to what had happened with Dante, but the Oneroi had other parts of the life Iââ¬â¢d left behind to show me. Or, well, parts I hadnââ¬â¢t left behind. Simone was still impersonating me, and the Oneroi wanted me to know. Adding insult to injury, she was helping Maddie and Seth with the wedding. The three of them were out cake shopping, and honestly, I was almost more surprised to find Seth there than I was Simone in her disguise. Heââ¬â¢d pretty much kept away from the wedding planning as much as possible, using the pretense that he was no good at decisions and was happy to let Maddie run things the way she wanted. I didnââ¬â¢t doubt the first part of what he said but wondered about the second. In my heart of hearts, the one that believed he was still in love with me, I secretly hoped he was passing it to Maddie just because he was indifferent to it all. I wanted to believe that he really didnââ¬â¢t care about the planning because he didnââ¬â¢t care about the wedding. It was clear, however, that I cared. Or rather ââ¬â Simone cared. Considering my reluctance at dress shopping, you would have thought Maddie might notice the sudden increase in zeal. Nope. Maddie was too caught up in her own bubble of happiness and welcomed ââ¬Å"myâ⬠assistance. So, the three of them set off on a cake adventure, visiting all the bakeries Maddie had compiled and ranked on a list pulled from hours of Internet research. ââ¬Å"You want it creamy,â⬠said Simone, licking icing off her fingers at a bakery in Belltown. Actually, it was more like sucking. ââ¬Å"This is a little too sugary.â⬠The threesome sat at a table where they had been provided with a plate of samples. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s the point,â⬠said Maddie. She was eating a bite-size piece of chocolate cake in a much less pornographic way. ââ¬Å"Mega sugar rush.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but if you get too much sugar, it just tastes grainy. You want it to slide right over your lips.â⬠She turned to Seth. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t you think so?â⬠Seth had taken a bite out of a piece of marble cake. ââ¬Å"It is kind of grainy.â⬠Simone gave him a knowing smile, one that seemed to say, See? I know you better than anyone else in the world. Seth held her eyes for a moment, but his expression was unreadable. He turned toward Maddie. ââ¬Å"But we can do whatever you want.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no,â⬠she said, not sounding too disappointed. ââ¬Å"This is for both of us. I want it to be something you like too.â⬠Seth gave her a mischievous smile. ââ¬Å"Does it matter? It all gets shoved in the face anyway.â⬠Maddieââ¬â¢s eyes went wide. ââ¬Å"No, it doesnââ¬â¢t! Donââ¬â¢t even think about doing that.â⬠ââ¬Å"Guess you wonââ¬â¢t know until the time comes, huh?â⬠His smile had grown. Seeing him play with her made me (figuratively) squirm, but I took comfort in seeing a flash of annoyance in Simoneââ¬â¢s eyes. Maddie was succeeding where Simone couldnââ¬â¢t. That was how it should beâ⬠¦or was it? Maddieââ¬â¢s unwitting triumph over Simone meant she hadâ⬠¦well, triumphed over me. Or had she? Simone looked like me but wasnââ¬â¢t truly me. Damn. This was all so confusing. ââ¬Å"Seth wouldnââ¬â¢t do that,â⬠said Simone, resting her hand on his shoulder in what was supposed to be a friendly way. Maddie couldnââ¬â¢t see it from her vantage, but Simoneââ¬â¢s fingers lightly brushed the back of his neck. ââ¬Å"Not if he wants a good honeymoon.â⬠She spoke lightly, but there was a sly undertone there. Having her sex life brought up in public made Maddie blush. Seth had shifted uncomfortably, but the reason was unclear. Simoneââ¬â¢s fingers? The mention of sex? Maybe both. Simone removed her hand, seeming innocent to all the world, except Seth and me. Maddie seemed eager to change the subject from the romantic goings-on of a honeymoon. ââ¬Å"I think you should at least pick the cake flavor,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m choosing so much else.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know,â⬠said Seth. He still seemed uncomfortable. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t care if you do it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but she wants you to,â⬠said Simone. ââ¬Å"Come on, make one firm decision here. You canââ¬â¢t go wrong. Maddieââ¬â¢ll eat anything you pick.â⬠Loaded statement. Neither Seth nor Maddie acted as though they read anything into it, but I had a feeling Simone had intended it as a reference to Maddieââ¬â¢s very buxom figure. ââ¬Å"Exactly,â⬠said Maddie. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s your favorite flavor?â⬠ââ¬Å"I bet I can guess,â⬠said Simone. ââ¬Å"Chocolate.â⬠ââ¬Å"Strawberry,â⬠said Maddie. Losers. It was vanilla. ââ¬Å"Vanilla,â⬠said Seth. Maddie groaned. ââ¬Å"Naturally. Well, thereââ¬â¢s one decision made.â⬠She rose from the table. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s try a few other places and get the rest of this taken care of. You read "Succubus Shadows Chapter 17" in category "Essay examples" Not much left after this.â⬠They reached the door, and Maddie stopped to glance at Simone. ââ¬Å"Oh, hey. Will you do me a favor? Will you take Seth tux shopping?â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠asked Seth. No neutral face now. He was shocked. Maddie grinned. ââ¬Å"If you donââ¬â¢t have a keeper, youââ¬â¢ll show up at the church in a Billy Idol T-shirt. And itââ¬â¢s bad luck if I go with you.â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought that was just for the bride,â⬠said Seth. ââ¬Å"I want to be surprised,â⬠Maddie countered. ââ¬Å"Of course Iââ¬â¢ll go,â⬠said Simone, putting her arm around Seth again in that ââ¬Å"friendlyâ⬠way. Maddie beamed, and the bakery faded awayâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ¦transforming into Erikââ¬â¢s store. Erik sat at a small table with Jerome and Roman, and ââ¬â so help me ââ¬â they were drinking tea. Even Jerome. Roman was visible, which made me think Jerome must have decided they no longer needed to fear the eyes of higher powers who might wonder why my ââ¬Å"humanâ⬠roommate kept tagging along with Seattleââ¬â¢s archdemon. Erik was tapping his tea cup thoughtfully. ââ¬Å"If your theory is right, it would explain a lot.â⬠These words were directed at Roman. ââ¬Å"The dream quality of the visions. Mr. Jeromeââ¬â¢s complete inability to find her.â⬠Jeromeââ¬â¢s slightly arched eyebrow was the only indication of his displeasure over the word ââ¬Å"inability.â⬠Erik continued, eyes on his cup as he pondered it all. ââ¬Å"And youââ¬â¢re rightâ⬠¦of all the creatures you suggested, Oneroi or Morphean demons make the most sense.â⬠Oh! I thought in triumph to the Oneroi. How do you like that, bitches? My friends are on to you. No response came. No dissolving of the dream, as I would have expected. ââ¬Å"But why her?â⬠asked Roman irritably. I had a feeling heââ¬â¢d taken credit for the dream idea, shielding Dante from Jeromeââ¬â¢s wrath. ââ¬Å"Why a succubus? Donââ¬â¢t they only care about human dreams?â⬠ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re tied to Nyx,â⬠pointed out Erik. Oh, yes. My friends were smart. Smarter than Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys put together. Maybe even Matlock too. ââ¬Å"The ââ¬Ëwhyââ¬â¢ is irrelevant,â⬠said Jerome, speaking at last. ââ¬Å"Whether itââ¬â¢s Oneroi or Morpheans is also irrelevant. If somethingââ¬â¢s taken her to the world of dreams, sheââ¬â¢s completely inaccessible.â⬠Roman frowned. ââ¬Å"Why? Canââ¬â¢t you just go in there and pull her out now that you know?â⬠Jerome gave his son a smile that almost, almost seemed genuinely amused. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re half-human, and it shows. Greater immortals canââ¬â¢t go there. We donââ¬â¢t dream. Only humans do. The way is barred to us.â⬠ââ¬Å"Because you have no hopes or imaginings of what might be,â⬠said Erik. His manner and tone clearly indicated he believed such a thing to be a failing for angels and demons. ââ¬Å"You need a soul to dream.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, if Iââ¬â¢m half-human, then Iââ¬â¢ll go there,â⬠said Roman obstinately, cutting off any retort Jerome might have given. ââ¬Å"I dream. So I can enter, right? And I can take on whateverââ¬â¢s there.â⬠There was so much determination in his voice that I half believed he could take on an army of Oneroi right now. ââ¬Å"You have no idea what youââ¬â¢re talking about,â⬠said Jerome. ââ¬Å"Clearly. Do you have any idea what the dream world is like?â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you?â⬠asked Roman dryly. ââ¬Å"I thought you couldnââ¬â¢t go there.â⬠ââ¬Å"Dreams are what fuel human existence. Dreams of power, love, revenge, redemptionâ⬠¦the dreams of mankind are vast, uncountable. Humans dream both waking and asleep. Those hopes and fears are what put them at risk ââ¬â they gamble their lives and souls on dreams. You go into the world of dreams, and itââ¬â¢s like stepping into a blizzard. Every snowflake is some human imagining flitting by so quickly, you canââ¬â¢t even see it. All you see is a blur, a tangle of longings and chaos. If Georgina is there, she is one of those snowflakes. You would never find her soul.â⬠Heavy silence fell. Finally, Roman said, ââ¬Å"That was like poetry, Dad.â⬠ââ¬Å"But heââ¬â¢s correct,â⬠Erik told Roman. More silence. Roman glanced between the two of them incredulously. ââ¬Å"So thatââ¬â¢s it? Itââ¬â¢s hopeless? Youââ¬â¢re giving up without even trying to find her?â⬠ââ¬Å"Trying is hopeless,â⬠said Jerome. Demons might not dream the way humans did, but I suspected even he could picture what his superiors would do when they found out heââ¬â¢d lost a succubus. ââ¬Å"Human magic could access the world of dreams, but itââ¬â¢d do no good.â⬠He glanced at Erik, who nodded. ââ¬Å"Someone lost among all that couldnââ¬â¢t be called back. Not even the strongest ritual could do it. Her soul would never hear anything we could muster.â⬠Romanââ¬â¢s face was a mixture of emotions. Anger. Disbelief. Andâ⬠¦resignation. That didnââ¬â¢t surprise me. Jeromeââ¬â¢s face did, however. He had stiffened at Erikââ¬â¢s words, a spark of insight flashing in those cold, dark eyes. ââ¬Å"But you could do the ritual, correct?â⬠he asked Erik. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re human. Youââ¬â¢re strong enough to open the way.â⬠Erik eyed him warily. ââ¬Å"Yesâ⬠¦but by your own admission, it would achieve nothing. The connection you had to her was theoretically strong enough to possibly summon her back, but you canââ¬â¢t enter. All weââ¬â¢d have is a useless doorway.â⬠Jerome stood up abruptly. He glanced at Roman. ââ¬Å"Find your own way home.â⬠The demon vanished with a showy poof of smoke. And I vanished back into the Oneroiââ¬â¢s prison. They stood there in the dark, glowing from what theyââ¬â¢d taken from me. In dreams, though I suffered, I never felt the horrific effects they caused until I returned from them. That was when the agony, energy loss, and confusion hit me. Yet, this time, I wasnââ¬â¢t completely lost to despair. ââ¬Å"You were wrong,â⬠I said. I tried to put some smugness in my voice, but it came out hoarse from my exhaustion. Good God. I was so, so tired. I guess dreaming didnââ¬â¢t necessarily mean sleeping. ââ¬Å"My friends have figured it out. They know where I am.â⬠As always, One and Two were nearly impossible to read. ââ¬Å"What makes you think that was a true dream?â⬠Excellent question. ââ¬Å"Gut instinct,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You believe you can trust it?â⬠asked One. ââ¬Å"After all this time? After so many dreams? How can you tell whatââ¬â¢s real and unreal?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t. I knew when the memories were true ââ¬â for now ââ¬â but the ââ¬Å"real worldâ⬠scenes were harder. Maybe it wasnââ¬â¢t my gut so much as my blind optimism that believed what Iââ¬â¢d just seen was real. Two guessed my thoughts. ââ¬Å"You hope. And weââ¬â¢ve fed that hope, making you think you have a chance. So you will wait. And wait. And wait.â⬠ââ¬Å"It was real,â⬠I said firmly, as though that would make it so. ââ¬Å"Even if it was,â⬠said One, ââ¬Å"it meant nothing. You saw for yourself. There is no way to bring you back.â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe that was the lie,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Maybe the rest was true. You mixed it. They figured out where I was, but you didnââ¬â¢t show me the part where they learned how to rescue me. Theyââ¬â¢re going to do that ritual.â⬠ââ¬Å"They will fail. Nothing can pull your soul from here.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re wrong.â⬠I didnââ¬â¢t even really know what I was saying. My essence felt like it was tearing apart, and really, the only thing I knew to do was to keep contradicting them. ââ¬Å"And you are naive. You always have been. Lesser immortals carry that weakness over from their human days, and youââ¬â¢re one of the worst. Our mother nearly used your weakness to free herself from the angels. Now it will be your downfall.â⬠ââ¬Å"What do you mean Nyx almost used it?â⬠The Oneroi exchanged glances ââ¬â very, very pleased ones. ââ¬Å"Your dream. Your fantasy,â⬠explained Two. ââ¬Å"The one she promised to show you if you freed her. You wanted so badly to believe it was possible, that you nearly gave in.â⬠For a moment, I didnââ¬â¢t see them or that perpetual blackness. I was in a dream of my own creation, not theirs. The dream Nyx had sent to me over and over had been one of my future, with a home and a child ââ¬â and a man. A man I loved whose identity remained a mystery. Nyx had never shown me the ending. Never shown me the man in the dream. ââ¬Å"You are so full of shit,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You claim Nyx shows the truth ââ¬â the future. But how could that vision have been true if Iââ¬â¢m also supposed to be locked here for all eternity? They canââ¬â¢t both be true.â⬠ââ¬Å"The future is always changing,â⬠said One. ââ¬Å"That was true when she showed it to you. Your path shifted.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, come on! Whatââ¬â¢s the point of having a vision of the future if it can change at any moment? Thatââ¬â¢s not a truth or a lie. Thatââ¬â¢s a guess. And I never believed her anyway. What she showed me was impossible ââ¬â even if I wasnââ¬â¢t here with you two assholes.â⬠ââ¬Å"You will never know if it was,â⬠said Two. Then, he reconsidered. ââ¬Å"Actually it was possible, but you will live with the knowledge that itââ¬â¢s a future thatââ¬â¢s been taken from you.â⬠ââ¬Å"You canââ¬â¢t take what I never had,â⬠I growled. ââ¬Å"Succubi canââ¬â¢t have children. I could never have that kind of life.â⬠What I didnââ¬â¢t add was that one startling thing had come from the dream. In it, Iââ¬â¢d had two cats. At the time, Iââ¬â¢d only had one ââ¬â Aubrey. Not long after, Iââ¬â¢d found Godiva, who was the other cat in the dream. Coincidence? Or had I truly been on the path to that future, only to have it ripped from me now? As always, the Oneroi could see into my heart and knew what I was thinking. ââ¬Å"Do you want to see?â⬠asked One. ââ¬Å"See what?â⬠ââ¬Å"The man,â⬠said Two. ââ¬Å"The man in the dream.â⬠How to cite Succubus Shadows Chapter 17, Essay examples
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