This is not an "I'm really gay" story. But I am "coming out". Of course, the only ones who will believe me are the ones who have experienced what I am.

I am a horla.

When you hear a voice speaking your name, and you turn and there's no one there? That's a horla. When you feel a touch and no one's there to touch you? That's a horla. We walk among you, you look right at us, and you see nothing.

Why does the government try to put cameras in all the public places? Because they know about horlas. The camera sees what your eye refuses to see.

We live in lovely suburbs. We make lovely families serve us. Sometimes we make them commit debaucheries and sometimes we make them kill themselves. Sometimes we make them live perfect lives, forcing them with invisible hands and bodiless voices in the night to be perfect in every way. Sometimes we make them rich, whispering secrets and giving them stolen money and sabotaging their enemies. Sometimes we drive them mad, send them screaming into the night trying to run away from the voices.

And why not? You are our pets and cattle. We can do anything we want.

Sleep tight.