“I am the creature who smells your darkest thoughts,” said the creature.
This was true. It was the source of its greatest power, and its greatest weakness.
“And am I a pleasant aroma?” I asked.
I walked lightly upon the tatami mats. The traditional grass and rice straw mats padded my footsteps as I moved around the room. We were inside the middle of its fortress. It felt safe here, surrounded by walls of concrete with hired henchmen to guard its hallways. All of which was unnecessary of course. The greatest danger lay here in the center talking to me.
“You are pleasing,” the creature said, the words nearly coming out as a hiss. “Your thoughts are very dark.”
Again this was true. Though my darkest thought lay well hidden. The thought that I would soon kill the creature and end its dark reign.
This is for a dVerse prompt: Write a piece of prose, fiction or non-fiction, up to 144-words, incorporating the given line. The line: “I am the creature who smells your darkest thoughts”
From “Jaguar Song.” Read the entire poem here.
I chose an AI image, though I very rarely use any AI imagery because I thought it fit, in what it is and in the image.
The Author Stew webpage - Stories & Poems 
Hmm. I ponder now if the creature could smell and feed on those thoughts wouldn’t it keep the one you think you hid from it… Also as a secret. Hmm.
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There is always something darker within the darkness
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Well done. It’s like we’re set in the middle of a fantasy story. I like the details of the tatami mats. Cute play on the prompt line.
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Nicely done! The serpent always knows!
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And am I a pleasant aroma – smiled at this play on the prompt phrase. Hopefully, the creature doesn’t pick up the scent of his hidden plan. Enjoyed your creative prosery.
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A tenous position when in the clenches of its lair. I hope he is successful in his plan.
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