“Do you have sad thoughts?”
The screen flickers image after image
First a body stronger than yours
Then politics, the president standing among a red headed crowed
He looks powerful
After that, a meme you think your best friend would find funny
It’s rapid, each image flipping to the next before a full thought can form
The sounds rushing into your ears a snapping garbled cacophony of indiscernible nonsense
Your eyes are clawed open
There’s a strap around your forehead
And several others securing your body
But the men on the other side of the mirror are certain they’re unnecessary, you’ll stay docile
“Do you need to be liked?”
The voice asks as a funny cat video switches quickly to children dying around the world
Then a supplement to make your shit not stink
Then a protest
Then an image flickers to life and recognition floods your mind
You’re caught off guard
You try to blink but your eyes wont close
You try to look away but your head wont move
You chance a look at the subtle shadows beyond the mirror
The voice asks again
“Do you have sad thoughts? Do you need to be liked?”
The screen flickers and flickers and you cannot look away.
You are not trapped in a room
You lay in bed
It’s your bed
The screen is in your own hand
You cannot look away