[ WP ] How did that voice get inside your/their head ?

It started out slowly, a whisper here, a whisper there. Dave chalked it up to his over active imagination. He was a busy kid. Everyone his age had imaginary friends and talked to themselves. At first he could hardly distinguish it from his own inner voice, just another errant thought, another wayward dream. 
 
 Dave had shrugged the voice away for years, making excuses to himself. Telling his friends it was just a faze, nothing to worry about. He was back to normal the way he had always been. The happy care free kid, always ready for adventure. As the years past the voice grew stronger. Then every few months he would meet someone. Usually a woman, and the voice would creep in faster and faster. More and more he would find himself thinking in the voice, agreeing with it, actively seeking out its wishes, pushing for its goals. 
 
 Then the woman would leave. Sometimes after weeks, sometimes after months. A few times the voice dis not accompany the woman and then she would leave within days. Every time a woman would leave, the voice would linger longer and longer. It spoke in a deep baritone voice and sounded like his father. 
 
 Yet always his inner voice would battle its way back. Dave was frighteningly aware of the voice, but only after it had gone. Only after he remembered who he was did he fear what he became when the voice took over. It always seemed to find a way back in. It was clever, it was unapologetic and it had a lifetime of experience. 
 
 Then came The Woman. The voice was stronger and faster then ever before. Dave could no longer fight it. It was like the current of a large river dragging his inner self away. The new voice said this woman would never leave. This time i am here for good. Years later from deep within, Dave heard a small inner voice crying out. Have you forgot about me? You let the other voice in and left me. The voice responded, i no longer have time for you. You are no longer me. The small voice cried back, but i am your true voice! I have been here longer, lived with more vigor, with more passion, and with no care! Why would you choose that voice over me? 
 
 Dave looked at the woman, saw her becoming his wife, having children, houses and cars and thought back, i no longer have time for you. He closed the door on his inner voice without a second thought. 
 
 His childhood was gone forever.
