The Cave (The Return)

When you're in the Cave, all you want is to get out of it.
You'll do anything to get out of it.
Anything to make the pain stop,
to slow the decay,
to kill what's killing you.

When you're out, the world is beautiful.

After rest and a moment of revival, there comes a point of Realization.
You must go back.
You have to return to the pain, the hurt, the destruction and the death.
You're not dying in there. You're living.
This world is nothing but a dream. A matrix. A hallucination.
It's not real.
But it sure as hell feels good, doesn't it?

You contemplate staying here. What could possibly be wrong with it?
You could live. You could be happy.

But you will never live. And you will never be happy.
You'll live in a world that you know isn't real.

You have to unlock that part of your mind that can only be set free
through Pain. Torment. Self-Death. Self-Revival.

Cautiously, carefully, cowardly,
You re-enter the Cave.

Death approaches you, like an old friend.
You take his hand and a shot of pain runs through your body.
You nod at him, and he nods back, pride glimmering in his enlarged pupils.

And you walk with him, like a child walks with his Father.
You walk, unknowing of where the Cave will take you.
"No more detours," Death whispers in your ear.
You swallow deeply and nod.

Back in the Cave, ready to die.