In a World, Far to Close too Think About

    There is a world, very close to our own, and that’s in distance, not comparability. A dangerous place, where no soul should ever go alone, for fear of getting lost and disoriented.  This world is filled with dangerous animals that at first glance seem harmless, but one look in their eyes tells even the bravest soldier to turn tail and run.  Run as far as possible. And yet more and more people go, despite its obvious perils.
    The minute anyone crosses its threshold, more chaos ensues; more than there was to begin with, which, unfortunately, was far too much.  Shadowed figures of every shape and size running in every direction, like a pack of rabid and dangerous wolves, tearing into anything they can find.  It’s a virtual impossibility to go in and out quickly. Though many people claim they can easily, an hour minimum is required, or they will not let you leave.  No, the commanders of this world, they will beat anyone down, and rob them of all they are worth before they let them pass through the massive gates to freedom. They force you to stay, blinded by fluorescent lights, reflecting on overly waxed floors.
    Ah, the commanders.  Those are by far the scariest creatures of this horrible, but far too familiar, place.  They are easily distinguished by the bright blue vests worn over seemingly normal clothing; their true intentions wished upon their victims hidden behind fake, cheery smiles.  They want to be trusted.  If they can gain trust, then they will have their prey, hook, line and sinker. The commanders walk around, surveying the chaos they have gleefully caused with their fake smiles, and willingness to help anyone to their demise. There are, of course, various levels of commanders, but guessing what rank each has is just as impossible as walking out of this world safe and sane.
    Another danger this world has, is that it will eat children.  Yes, that’s right.  It actually eats children and adults alike.  While the superiors of this world prefer teenagers, ranging from 15-18 usually, they will always aim for your 80-year-old grandmother if they get the chance.  But it isn’t as if they disappear, oh no, much worse.  When this evil world eats someone, they become PART of it. They become a commander, and this happens far too often to think about.  One can never tell when their son, daughter, mother, father or spouse will become a commander.  Sure, there are signs: elation at first, and then a growing dread, as they realize what has happened. Because of this, this world always has a fresh recruit of commanders, more evil and sinister than the previous generation.
    There was a man, once, who tried to escape this world once he realized just what dangers ensued.  He came, he browsed, he feared for his life, as he saw what masqueraded as a seemingly innocent shopping spree. Yes, that is how they lure naïve people in: make it look like a store.  What started as a quick “run in and grab something” shopping trip, meant to last 5 minutes at most, ended in disaster more terrifying than any American could comprehend, though almost all of us have encountered this at least once:  This man, let us call him David, got into his car, and made the short drive to his local portal into this world.  Whistling as he did, he got out of the car, and thus proceeded to walk into his unforeseen doom.  As he was casually strolling through the isles, trying to find the location of the very thing he initially came to obtain, (this is always found near the back of the building, no matter what it is) and began noticing many other things that he absolutely could not live without:  A spatula his wife would like: it was neon green, her favorite color, as well as “heat resistant”, so it wouldn’t melt on the stove;  a few notebooks, pens and pencils for his son, who had mentioned something about needing them for school; walking past the Automotive section, David was reminded that he needed an oil change, and thus proceeded to grab the 10 gallon bottle of oil, and a filter to go with it.  Before he knew it, David’s world was spinning, the pile in his cart was growing, and he could already feel his wallet becoming lighter.  He could feel their eyes on him, yes, their eyes, following his every move.  Shallow evilness veiled behind perky eyes, blue vests, and that annoying yellow smiley face that seemed to be everywhere. He tried to run, to get out while he was still sane, but only succeeded in passing yet another useless item that he couldn’t see his life without. 
Finally, David was able to escape, 45 minutes later, and $200 lighter in his bank account. 
    Now, when most people hear rumors of this fantastical and perilous world, they easily think to themselves that they can escape the unavoidable fate.  But somehow, and someway, almost every person in the United States, and possibly around the world, has stepped foot into this habitat for evil at least once in their lives.  Sucked in by the constant need for the “little things,” this place will lure and destroy. The last thing anyone remembers of their lives before they were marred by evil, is a giant building headlined by a giant blue sign, with a cute little star separating the name that never should have come to be: Wal-Mart.