Mary Read`s Journal

11 Nov 2023

I woke up this morning feeling especially good today. Maybe it was the air, or the sound of birds singing, or maybe it was the moon setting over the horizon. Whatever it was, I felt strong and ready to seize the day.

I put on my dark red jacket, carefully combed my hair back, and stepped outside to begin my morning routine. It was a foggy day; the kind of day I most like. As I started walking, I felt the few lonely people around me, their stress radiating off of them, feeding my soul. I had to approach them carefully, for I had a mission to accomplish.

The first one I encountered was a poor old homeless man. As I neared his cardboard shelter he was shouting some nonsensical words into the open air. His sadness pierced my heart and I felt my thirst for stress grow. I had to calm myself down and think - I had to come up with a plan to make him happy again.

In an instant I realized what it was that he was missing. I extended my arm and placed a strange, foreign coin into his hand. He looked up at me, puzzled, his bright eyes reflecting the shape of the moon. I smiled back, knowing that this is what he needed and hurried away.

The next person I encountered was in a much better situation. She was a young girl, all dressed up in the latest fashion, texting away, oblivious to the world around her. I could sense her stress and her frustration as she was trying, vainly, to get a response. "Ahh", I thought, "so she requires her share of distraction."

With a sudden surge of strength, I jumped in front of her. Startled, she looked up, eyes wide, phone still in her hand. I silently took it away from her and tossed it onto the ground, shattering it into pieces.
She tried to scream but it was like a whisper, lost in the wind. I just smiled, as I knew she was now free from her digital prison, and free from stress.

The last person in my daily rounds was a tall man dressed in an unmistakably expensive business suit. He was anxious, walking briskly, collar up. Perspiration beaded on his forehead.

Knowing exactly what to do, I jumped in front of him. "Sir", I said, "I have a proposition for you. A night of travel, to explore the unknown and experience a life outside of books. This is what you need. Are you in?".

He stopped and looked at me, surprised. I could feel his stress evaporating. "Yes", he said eventually, "Yes, I am in". Together, we set of on our journey to explore the world.

It had been a rewarding day. I felt satisfied, knowing that I had fed upon the stresses of others, and given something back in return. I went back home with a smile, grateful for another day.

2023-11-11