Echo, the physical amalgamation of this thing I’m at war with. A creature I may have created. She's an outline of me, but that lining is blurred. She moves in sync. Just a few seconds behind and beyond. Some fourth dimension type shit.
She's there in every thought. A codec and an attachment. She isn't malicious but she also shouldn't exist, at least not like this. But she does and now she's my responsibility, although I suppose she always has been my responsibility. It actually explains why I'm so fucking exhausted all the time. It also explains why I'm so good at being alone. It took me a very long time to realize there wasn't actually anyone in my life checking in on me for the little things. You wouldn't think that sort of thing matters but once I realized Echo was the one asking me how my day went, how I was feeling, what I wanted for dinner tonight, when did I want to go to bed, if I needed to cry or find solutions...well let's just say I too turned out to be hollow, as evident of the blank screams I let out immediately afterwards. As evident by the fact that my stomach wanted to feel something but just couldn't. My life exists in the surreal alright.
Anyway.
Echo.
Frankenstein's monster.
I hate how well this cliche fits. She does too. See, not malicious. Just a goddamn drain I have to account for. She’s why I think every thought twice, once for me and once for her. She is my weight somehow doubled and placed solely in my shoulder and hips. You know, I've never gotten a massage strong enough to undo my knots in those places. Turned out it’s because I’ve been carrying an absorbed twin there the whole time. Go figure.
The question left now is what to do with her? What even can be done with her? Better, should anything be done with her? I mean, isn't she why you have what success you have? Everyone loves working with you. You’re oh so smart, oh so helpful, just the best friend and daughter one could hope for they tell you. And look, you have a whole you standing right there! How selfish of you.
[Here’s where I need you dear reader to imagine trying to point directly at a hollow, indeterminate entity. It's awkwardly impossible. You can laugh at the absurdity. Ok cool, back to the show]
My inability to point to Echo aside, why does her existence have to end?
it’s the cost.
I think the cost is too high. I think...with her gone…
I might finally be free…
[Dr. Jasmine now stands up and begins to circle her Creation, surveying every inch]
Did I create you?
What are you? Ghost? Phantom? AI? Multiple personality disorder?
How long have you been here?
…
This line of questioning is an over correction.
You’re co-writing this.
I need you to stop now.
All I know is that I found the parasite that has taken my energy this whole time. I don't want to have to take care of you anymore.
I’m just so tired
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“Echo” is a part of my 2022 multimedia art work ”Oasis [A $60,000 Project]”
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