The Tipping Point: When Ominous Spirits are Unleashed

NOWADAYS, only you can recall the plight suffered. Those few that knew your story, with their knee-jerk reactions, reverberating clamor, and uses of old clichés like “Jekyll and Hyde” or “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” have long since gone. But for you … the torment is in your blood, contaminating your spirit. You are branded and will never forget how the eyes of that angel deprived you of your senses, releasing a vile iniquity that relentlessly mocked your every breath. You trusted no one, nothing, and yes, suicide was prevalent within the inner recesses of your mind. It took years, but at long last you were able to thrust that agony into the abyss of your soul and the word “normal” could be applied to your life again. That is, until now.

The moment you innocently glanced at the title of this story, those old memories were unbolted, archaic wounds reopened, and as you try now to disavow this anguish yet again, you are once more faced with the cross that is yours alone to bare: you presented that part of yourself that only another could damage—your heart—never once fearing the damnation that could follow. This tale follows a similar path, but becomes lethal as narcissism swells blatantly unrestrained and mankind’s legendary forbidden fruit is engulfed. Let me be very clear: there is nothing biblical implied in this story, other than the subliminal moral imperative that humans struggle with every waking moment of their lives … “Thou shall not covet …”

Discontent can consume one’s life when the desire for something is not met. It is the need for that which we cannot have; whereas, the need for that which is heartily accessible is greed. Consequently, ensnared in the midst of this ravenousness chronicle are the shambled remnants of Darrell, Dana, Chuck, and Sally. Look not here nor there for virtuousness, atonements, or reparations, for such purities have been cast away by the only second-sighted entity portrayed in this tale: karma.

I’ve read that western popular culture usually portrays karma as some sort of supernatural, eerie force. I can say without hesitation that there is nothing paranormal or mystic to be found here, unless of course you believe in the two tragedies inherit in humans at birth: getting—or not getting—in life what you want.