“what are you doing?” joy exclaims in concern, throwing herself over the control board. her hair was messy as she just woke up.

no one else was awake, except of course for fear and pain. pain is one you may not know. the color is black.

fear and pain’s eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night, manning the board. they didn’t need to, but the couldnt stop.

it was a disease.

the sound of a toilet flushed and anger came out, his eyes puffy. joy felt herself release a breath as he wasn’t a part of this.

did he look darker today? more maroon? whats this?

then she looked to the two waiting for her to stop blocking their controls. fear had become a midnight color, not fully dark and still clearly blue, but more purple now.

pain was all the same. a dark abyss.

“fear? anger? whats happening?”

“what do you mean?” anger asked groggily as he came over and patted fear on the back. red spurts blossomed from where he touched fear’s skin, quickly disappearing as if it was matic or energy.

“your colors are.. mixing?”

fear and anger were becoming the same person. and pain was there to watch, influencing them both.

(All of the emotions have tails and animal like ears because the person they live inside is obsessed with cats [totally not me 😅] Anyways, enjoy this silly stupidity I created. Btw Bella is me, which I’m sure you would’ve figured that out yourself.]

((Quick little blurb thingy: Angst has always been protective of Bella, especially since her thirteenth birthday coming so soon. She feels like Depression is ruining Bella’s life, and is determined to get rid of her, even if that means going to the extremes. So she decides to venture into Bella’s mind, determined to find what she needs to get rid of Depression, _forever. _With the help of Fury and Panic, Empathy sets out to find Angst, and to stop her before she destroys Bella’s life and the Emotions.))

Angst bustled around headquarters, trying to rush everyone to bed.

“What’s the big rush, Angst?” Empathy questioned, looking at the grey, frizzy haired emotion with worry.

Angst sighed, fiddling with a strand of her hair, her tail flicking anxiously side to side. “I just..have some planning to do.” Angst replied, her eyes darting from Empathy to the sulking Depression in the corner.

Empathy raised a fluffy pink eyebrow, looking Angst over, before sighing and heading to her room. “Alright, Angst, but if you need anything, just call me.”

Angst nodded, waiting for Empathy to leave, before walking over to Depression, crossing her arms. The midnight black emotion looked up at her, tears in her eyes. “…hi, Angst….”

Angst tapped her foot, looking annoyed. “Now listen here, Depression; nobody likes you, you’re just a burden! Ever since you arrived after Bella’s grandpa passed, everything has been horrible! We had several failing grades in Math and Science, plus we were just more withdrawn than ever. You’ve affected her more than we realized, and even though she doesn’t sit around and cry all day, she has been different. We just need you to leave!” Angst hissed, and Depression looked sad…sadder than usual, that it.

“I’m sorry Angst!” Depression cried, her words drawn out and sad. “I’m not trying to be such a burden!”

Angst was about to snap, getting ready to scream at Depression for ruining Bella’s life, when Panic walked in.

“Angst, Fury is having a fit again—“ Panic was cut off by a glare from Angst, and she shut her mouth, before noticing Depression’s sobs.

“Angst, don’t be so hard on Depression.” Panic said, patting Depression’s head.

Angst sighed, her anxiety sky rocketing. All she wanted was for Bella to be happy, and live a good life…but that was Glee’s job, and she knew that.

“Get some rest, Angst, I know you wanted to do some more of your ‘planning’ but I think it’s best to let Glee take over tonight.” Panic said, smiling slightly. It was strange, Panic was usually as frantic Angst, but she seemed calm. Maybe Empathy hosted one of her “How to stay Calm” lessons and Angst missed it…?

Angst let out a defeated sigh, her anxiety still sky rocketing, yet gave in to Panic and walked to her room, leaning Panic and Depression alone.

Panic helped Depression up, leading her to her room to, closing the door and calling for Glee.

Glee quickly hurried in, practically beaming as she walked up to Panic.

“Hi Panic!! You said you wanted me to take over, right?” She purred, her tail wagging side to side and her fluffy ears twitching slightly.

Panic nodded, leading Glee to the control center. “You’re fine with taking the night shift, right?” Panic asked, her usual fidgety self coming back.

Glee nodded, still smiling and sat down in the control center seat, waiting for the “Theatre Crew” to start playing the dream. “Mhm! I’m just fine.”

Panic smiled nervously, nodding and heading to her room.

Glee sat their, watching each dream with interest, before Bella went into “Deep Sleep” mode and it all went black, meaning she could finally go to sleep.

While Glee was sleeping, Angst snuck out, heading to the “Memory Office” where piles of files in drawers were sorted by year and emotion, whether happy, sad, angry, etc.

Angst knew deep in the office there was an instruction manual, and then she could fill out her plan. She had to get rid of Depression, even if that meant…something terrible.

Then, she laid eyes on the book she needed, and quickly scooped it up.

“How to Kill an Emotion…”

—-

I hope you enjoyed this! It’s really silly, but will become a series (probably).

Emotions have always controlled people. I liked to think of myself as different. Different enough to where logic ruled my opinions rather than emotions. Yet deep down I know that anger and happiness fight over how I feel on things. They bicker, scream, converse, or flat out steal the thought. Puppies are happy. Cats are happy. Chocolate cake is happy. Watermelon is happy. Public speaking is anger. Dealing with other people is anger. Shakespeare is anger. Light touches is anger. It is that simple. Emotions do control me as much as I’d like to think they don’t. I am an anger or happy oriented person. That’s how it is for me. This is anger but is a collected manner.

[one part has a bit of a spoiler for Inside Out 2! apologies in advance…]

“Okay! You’re off the clock,” Terrified shouts to Satisfaction, Annoyance, and Repulsion.

The yellow emotion clicks her tongue and rushes the others out.

“Anxiety and I will be taking over tonight,” she shares as the others nod in agreement.

“All right… just don’t go overboard. Otherwise, I have a big job to do tomorrow,” Annoyance warns.

Terrified laughs dryly and returns to the console.

“You ready to ‘sleep?’” Anxiety asks, pressing a small orange button.

Terrified nods her head to the blue emotion, taking note of her quick movements.

“What are you planning tonight?”

“So, you know how we start school in a month? We need solutions to make sure we don’t break down,” Anxiety mentions, “and we don’t want to be missing Damian…”

“Damian!” Terrified shrieks, “why does he have to die?” She starts messing with the console, watching at the view shakes in front of her. “He’s all we had… Zain won’t make it if we don’t try to save—”

Anxiety pulls Terrified’s fingers off the buttons.

“I got this, Terri,” Anxiety explains, “we just have to breathe and try to block him from our mind. Forget he exists. Forgotten is better.”

Terrified yawns.

“Would you mind taking the entire shift?” Terrified squeaks, crossing her fingers behind her back.

“I don’t. Zain will be more focused on her solutions,” Anxiety points out.

Terrified runs off.

“Okay… now…”

Anxiety presses a ton of buttons.

She pulls up a memory of Damian crying out.

“Forget him, Zain.”

She pulls up a memory of promising Damian to play the violin for him.

“You’ll never be able to anymore. How will we be able to play for the orchestra?” Anxiety screeches, her eyes going wide. “And— and what about…”

A memory of talking to Damian at school manages to pop up.

“We won’t make it.”

Anxiety cries, her voice fading to a defeated whisper.

“He’s all we had.”

[half an hour later]

Pressing a volley of buttons, Anxiety continues to speak hurriedly.

“Without Damian, we’re going to be friendless, and we won’t get through sophomore year, and people are going to think we’re dumb and idiotic and too emotional, and— and— they’ll think we’re weird and talk too much or talk too little— Damian always protected us from the bullies. What are we going to do?”

Orange winds surround Anxiety.

Solutions.

Solutions!

Solutions!

The silence in the house is deafening as I sit staring at the wall. Something I find myself doing when they’re both asleep. What else am I supposed to do?
I am a mum. I spend every waking minute thinking of how I need to be better for them. Yet today, getting through the day was the only goal and I did it. Now my darling dependables are sound asleep. Even they don’t need me. I have twelve hours.

Twelve hours is a long time when you have no idea who you are. When you are programmed to please. A grown adult, a parent, a partner. With no ability to make decisions based on my own wants or needs. Ive never had an opinion. When I did it was wrong. Quite the disappointment it would seem.

I’m in a constant state of solitude. I spend my day watching the clock. Drowning in the automatic thoughts that hate me as much as she does. I have to wait for another day to pass, before I take off my mask. I know I can’t let it slip. If they saw who I really am, even people as amazing as they are could never love me.

I’m just the girl who wasn’t good enough for her own family. The one role of a mother? To love, nurture and protect her baby unconditionally. Its been thirteen months and mine is still giving me the silent treatment. She cast me out, like I didn’t spend the past twenty seven years of my life being her beloved scapegoat. I can hardly act surprised. A narcissists speciality is the silent treatment.

He went out again. I often wonder if he enjoys being so busy that I actually miss him some weeks. When I’m in his arms I am safe, protected from ever being hurt again. Just looking into his eyes gives me an instant relief from the weight of the shame. I have carried it for so long. I feel his love hard, like the heat when the airport doors open. It takes my breath away and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.

When he’s not around the storm begins inside of me. The voices are loud and angry. My mother written all over them. They laugh at every part of the day where I wasn’t good enough. I woke up late again. I didn’t make his coffee. I only did two washing loads. I couldn’t stop the children fighting. I’m an awful mum. I haven’t even managed to leave the house. I have not reached the unrealistic expectations, again. No wonder he goes out.

You would think I’m used to it at this point. Let’s face it, I’m almost thirty. And until he walked into my life, I’d always been alone. Hiding in the shadows of my siblings. When we were young we used to work together, to keep up appearances. We wouldn’t want to ruin mummy’s perfect family picture she portrays to the world. We would have been punished. I was a lonely little girl surrounded by what appeared to be the perfect family. It’s true what they say. You really don’t know what is happening behind closed doors. If only someone had saved that little girl like he saved me.

No body saved her. There is no happily ever after when your mother is a narcissist. What happens when she wins? When my need for her overwhelms me and I shatter. Once I let the clear air around me be polluted with her judgement. It would be a matter of time before I am once again blinded. Her sharp tongue would grace me with my flaws and imperfections, I’d self sabotage the best thing that ever happened to me. I submit. She’s right. I don’t deserve him. I am a fraud.

He’s still not home and it’s been almost an hour. He knows I’m sat waiting for him. I’m almost dizzy from the speed of the thoughts whizzing around my head. They’re probably telling him to leave me. I find myself wondering how much he must pine for his life before me. _He doesn’t deserve me bringing him down. _ __ __ My whole body jumps and I feel danger shoot from my toes and consume my head. He’s here!

My cheeks are tingling and the heat radiates through my body. I try to control my breathing. In. Hold. Out. I swallow hard to shift the lump that’s lodged in my throat. Please don’t cry.

Before I could read his eyes I’m swept off my feet. Every hair on my body stands up as his warm mouth glides up my neck to my ear. When I’m in his arms he takes the weight of my world. My cheeks hurt from fighting my smile. _He went out and left you. _

It’s only a matter of time before I ruin the mood. My eyes are heavy and my mind is tired from running all day. He hasn’t asked if I am okay. I seeking silent approval before making a decision. Is it cold in here? Who knows what will happen if I put the heating on. He works hard to pay for that gas. What do I bring to the table?

I see the pain in his eyes, hes desperate to help me. The guilt rises burning my throat. I try to swallow it down, easier said than done when my brain feels like the burden, that ruined my mums life. The blood continues gushing round my head.

l imagine what reason he will give for leaving me. Let's face it, everyone else has, why wouldn't he? He wouldn't because he loves me.

I heard a noise. It’s dark outside, I hold my breath listening for it again. The room closes in around me.

It was a cat. How silly? Yet completely out of my control. My heart is still pounding. It's okay it was just a cat remember. But it could have been anything couldn't it. Everything sounds loud whilst you're trying to listen, to see if you can still hear it. Has it got closer? Is it shouting?

Now I look to my right, and the love of my life looks me in my eyes and asks if I'm okay. Am I ok? How do I answer a question that I don't know the answer to? I could say I don't know. Or shrug. Or smile and say it's nothing I'm okay. But this man loves me. He knows what my eyes mean, he reads them probably better than you're reading this now.

Anger sits— patiently, for once— to the side, fast asleep with his head lolling back stupidly. His face isn't furrowed or bent, and is infact perfectly smooth for a bright change.

Fatigue is nowhere to be found, with her coming and going, isn't not a suprise she isn't amist the chaos, not with the adrenaline levels running wild! Her whole demeanour is cloudy and droopy.

Sadness hovers at the edge of the room, ugly expression coating their face as they wait for a vulnerability, a slip up or even a faint mention. Like a leopard — they wait to pounce.

Humour and Love dance together drunkenly, skipping and hopping about the room in an animalistic way. Roaming without a care and brushing dangerously close to Lethargy, the twin of Fatigue and a slow, slow man.

Joy and Mania pour drinks behind a glowing bar of spirits and gins, shaking and making with expertise known only to them. The drinks themselves are heavenly, but something even more heavenly? Slamming the glass down on the table after downing the beauty.

Sense isn't in her usual garden to be called and waited upon. Hm, where to find her? Tangled in a love affair with Anxiety! Outrageous.

“Just breathe,” Happiness said to Fear. Currently the emotions of 17 year old Alison were navigating a first date. Happiness wanted to jump in, Alison’s date was pretty cute. Despite the fact that the actual date so far wasn’t going great, Happiness saw potential in this boy. The boy, Adam, had just attempted to kiss Alison. Fear immediately took over whever this happened, Alison’s first kiss was supposed to be this special thing. Alison swerved it, looking at her phone. Alas that wasn’t good enough. Adam stared at Alison, his black curly hair almost in front of his glasses, he looked hurt. He grabbed Allison’s cheeks, then kissed her. “Danger danger danger!!” Fear said. “That boy is not to grab Alison like this.” Anger chimed in. Ultimately Anger won. Alison, usually timid got up, and slapped this boy in the face. “Did we seriously just so that??” Happiness asked. “We didn’t do anything, I’ve already forgotten it, that was absolutely not Allison’s first kiss, fuck off Adam.” Anger said.

Lol this is not my best work I did not find this prompt very good to be creative with.

My husband put his arm around me, holding me close, trying to calm my nerves. As we waited for the doctor to come in with the results that could change our lives. The door clicked as it opened when the doctor walked in. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” he apologized. “The amnio shows the baby is perfectly healthy. No abnormalities. “ “But the bloodtest?” I started. “Those tests are not 100% accurate and usually need further testing for a diagnosis, “ he explained. My husband and I looked at eachother, then melted into eachothers arms. Finally we could let go of all the worry of the last several days. We could enjoy this pregnancy again. We thanked the doctor and went home. We were so grateful. Smiles on our faces for the entire ride home. I was so happy! Full of love and excitement for our future.

“Anxiety! Anxiety step down” “But there is a clear and present danger, Ma’am” “What?! What danger corporal?” “I see clear evidence of the enemy, Ma’am. Laying traps, ma’am. Attempting to incapacitate, Ma’am.” “Its a spiders web” “Yes Ma’am” “There isnt even a spider in it” “But there could have been, Ma’am” “And its, its way over there, we arent going anywhere near it” “Evasive manouvers designed to confuse the enemy, Ma’am” “Confuse, sure. Ok lets continue.” AAAH! “What now corporal?” “Clear and present danger! We are under attack!” “The barking dog? The barking dog on the lead? The barking chihuahua, on the lead, across the road, heading away from us?!” “Run Away!!!”

Anger and Sadness kept fighting over the dashboard. Fear had to be put off to the side or else, the mothership would’ve known that their vessel has given up. Their aura managed to still take over a bit of Subconcious anyway.

Optimism kept trying to keep Hope up by fueling Persistence with what creations kept coming from the Imagination Department due to a lack of happy memories. They never came fast enough.

Hope tried assisting but they quickly lost stamina and had to rest.

Pessimism has given up, scrawled all over the outer walls in graffiti, “You are useless.”

Rationality couldn’t find the logic in the other mothership’s signals, it was as if they were encoded with some strange string of code that made sense, yet they still felt meant something completely different.

Heart hurt. They felt sick.

Depression lurked in the corner as usual, sipping his morning coffee while glazing through the intrusive thoughts for the day.

Inner monologue had so many words to say, but Courage was too busy trying to split Sadness and Anger up to remind them where the talking button was.

Inner Child couldn’t understand what was happening, she thought that the two vessels have had an alliance since they day she was manufactured.

What did she do wrong?