The Subtle Sociopath.

Early warning sign of the sociopath is the one who needs to control communication. Watch for the one who sends you chilling messages with their body language but whom you find shadowing you. I recently became involved in a community. In the community I have found pleasant conversation. However whenever I find myself in converstation with the acquaintance I find a man who "shows up" just enough to draw some of the attention to himself. Now, normally, that would be natural participation except that this participation is not normal. After inviting himself into the conversation I respond with cordial listening and then I confirm his partipation by reflecting his contribution by adding to it is some cordial manner. He, on the other hand, uses my contribution to the conversation as the moment for covert aggression. While I am speaking to my audience he uses the opportunity to catch the eye of those to whom I am speaking and make a devaluing grimace. This keeps on happening. WHY is he always showing up when I am speaking if he find my conversation of no value? TO control my communications, to tag them all with his carrier virus and slightly alienate me from forming acceptance into the community.

Now the other members have been conditioned to "report" to him. Now they with whom I previously interacted comfortably with now make sure that they direct our chit chat in such a way that "reports" are made to him about me. For example; in a prior converation with one man I chatted about my growing friendship with one of the ladies there. No big deal. A very casual social commentary of no consequence. Then when "Shadow" appeared my conversant piped up and said "You are friendly with that lady aren't you." It was a misfire. It did not fit into the flow of the conversation at all. I looked at him and said "Yes" uncertainly. It was not as if there were any issue associated with it. Then I realized the shadow was just off to the side and it was a "report" for the benefit of the S and not a part of our natural conversation.

Sadly, as a result of this, I have to choose to discontinue my association with this man as he is clearly a minion to one who has hostile and covert agression towards me. The hand of manipulation has been shown and were I to proceed ignorantly forward I would be a fool. This insidiousness will not go unnoticed by the S. He will see his victory. He will become elated by it and he will target my next connection until he has driven me out of the community. This is happening because so many members of the community have expressed their approval of me and he is threatened because I do not acknowledge him in any special manner.