Predators who pray

We are taught that there are only two types of people in this world - good and bad. The good people do good things to punish the bad people, put them behind bars, pray for their repentance.

But the frightening thing is we were never told that good people could be the very same ones who need to be punished, put behind bars and pray. Maybe that is our juvenile way of protecting ourselves from the terrors that plague this world. Maybe it is more comforting to see the world as superheroes versus supervillains.

I wish the pages of my Marvel comic books could come to life... because even a radioactive spider biting a random teenage boy and a telepathic empath that so happens to inherit millions of dollars make more sense than what I have seen and been through. So... what I am going to tell you is real and I know you know it is real. I don't even know why I felt the need to put that little disclaimer. This is not a page or chapter from my comic books.

This started a long time ago, when I knew nothing about nothing. The most important event on my calendar was probably a doggie day spa for Nini. It was during this time my path crossed with this person. Let's call this person, "Delta" (it's a gender neutral name). Delta is older and definitely much more experienced in every aspect of life. Delta is a Christian and lives to help people in need. Delta portrays this wholesome image, someone who is more than willing to tell personal stories and struggles to uplift others. Being a nobody who knew nothing about nothing, these interactions were nice. In fact, it was very inviting. This is where your mother would go, "oh no, this foolish girl..." Oh, yes. Foolish, indeed. You see, these anecdotes that Delta shared were sometimes embellished. Cause everyone likes to hear sweet stories from a god-loving person and there's nothing wrong with tugging at heartstrings to tie someone down and to reel someone in, right?

Step 1 is done. Target and trust in the bag. Next step is to keep the target on sight by way of flattery. Whenever Delta catches the slightest whiff of something or someone questioning or guessing, Delta feels inferior and Delta does not like losing control. So now, it is not just these stories and smiles you get from Delta. It's also, "hey, enough about me. how's your weekend? how's your dog?" Only to realise, years later, that Delta never did genuinely care because all that warmth is just to maintain Delta's inflated self-image and social dominance.

After Step 2, the next step is the oldest trick in the book. It is called "triangulation". It is so commonly used that we usually don't realise we are being triangulated in toxic relationships. It's basically introducing third parties, and making the target and these third parties feel like they need to compete and impress the puppeteer to stay in his/her good books. When you reach this stage, you have one foot in the grave. Because even if you gain clarity, you won't do anything about it. Your acquiescence, compliance and silence will not just be noticed by someone of influence like Delta, but by the entire community that he/she dragged you in. It is hard to snap out of it. It is hard to turn to the next person and seek refuge. It is hard to say anything. Everyone is in on it at this point, and the people that he/she surrounds you with are people who would die to please and appease.

And at this point, we approach Step 3... when someone like Delta has accumulated a following for his/her self-serving interests, nobody will believe you or even listen to you. No outsider will choose you over a family oriented, god loving and sociable person who has a throng of (usually younger and less experienced) devotees. So when you do come to your senses and leave, you feel alone. You feel aggreived. And more importantly, you feel ashamed. But none of that matters. Cause what do you know? Nothing about nothing.