[ WP ] A tormented young man flees to a monastery , only to discover that the ancient walls hold a terrible demonic secret .

*Hate. * 
 
 I could n't go on without her. I was constantly reminded of her smile, her laugh, her love everywhere I turned. I tried to face it, but every time something would trigger a memory, and I would break down in tears. 
 
 *Fear. * 
 
 So, I ran away. I hid. I could n't face the truth anymore, so I fled to the far corner of the world. I found a monastery in the mountains of Tibet that was willing to take me in, willing to help me forget. 
 
 *Paranoia. * 
 
 The monks seemed strange at first, but I dismissed it as just the language barrier. I learned the language and dismissed it as a cultural thing. I learned the culture and dismissed it as a product of being cut off from the rest of the world for so long. I rationalised it away in any way I could because to admit that there was something wrong with them was to admit that there was something wrong with me. 
 
 *Insanity. * 
 
 The daily routine slowly melted from awkward to ritual. The rough clothing became tolerable, even comfortable. The strange food became palatable, then tasteless. The present became normal; the past became alien. I became me. 
 
 *Anger. * 
 
 And then, it happened. The other monks became excited about `` the Ritual''. They started to talk about the alignment of stars and getting me ready. I asked them about it and all they would say was `` the Ritual'', `` initiation'', and that I should feel honored, and I did, until it started. 
 
 *Betrayal. * 
 
 I walked into the ritual chamber, and I saw many things that seemed to be out of place. I saw a pentagram inscribed on the ground with candles at the points. I saw inverted crucifixes hung on the walls. I saw the Latin words that were etched on the floor in blood. I was confused. What were elements of Western religion and Satanism doing at this ancient temple in the Tibetan mountains? What was up with the sets of parallel gouges in the walls? What were they going to do to me? 
 
 *Regret. * 
 
 I slave over the hot coal stove as I remember the horrid ceremony. I could n't escape. I could n't resist. I could n't fight back. The demon was hideous; I am hideous. The monks switched out my soul for his, and then sent the body back to the pits of hell. I still have a connection with my body, so I can watch what he does with it, but I ca n't control it. I look down at the tortured face of the girl I loved. 
 
 I ca n't control anything anymore. 
 
 __________________ 
 
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