III. The Faceless Man

One month until college comes to my life. My parents said that I should enjoy vacation while it lasts. My friends told me that I should study since medicak related courses are hard. My instincts told me otherwise. I would try to find a part time job.

Reasons why I took a part time job:

1. Money is falling short and with my enrollment in a private university, I fear that my parents can't afford my tuition fee.

2. I want to have some experience especially in socializing with strangers.

3. The dosage of my medication was increased and so did their price and I don't want to bother my parents with my mental health.

And so the job hunt began. I printed a resume, mustered my courage and began my search. First job that I applied for is a crew in a fast food restaurant. Unfortunately, I wasn't hired because they already have "full" employees. I bet I wasn't hired because I was awkward during the interview. I didn't care much really. Working in fast food can get tedious.

Before we continue, here's a few facts about my social skills

1. It's bad. I'm not really a shy guy I just don't care about what others say.

2. They say even my softest voice can get intimidating.

3. I always zone out of boring conversations

Anyways, my second job application went well. I applied as a assistant in a printing shop. The task is fairly simple. Take the customer's flash drive, print their file to desired format then return the flash drive. A simple job for a simple man or so I thought.

Simplicity have a catch. They always do. And the job's catch? I will work alone. No mentor to guide me, no manager to watch me. Just me and only me. It's not really too bad once you grew accustomed to it. The first few days was surely filled with anxiety but it dies out eventually. I even have a fail safe procedure where I would call the shop owner for unresolvable emergencies which is a good thing aince their home is just 2 blocks aways from the shop. Life is good, yes. And the salary is enough to sustain my medications and salary. Even my parents grew proud of me.

Then on the second week of my duty he finally came. Just when I thought I was doing fine, a faceless man ready to eliminate any trace of satisfaction I have built for myself. Slowly, it walked towards the counter. Moments later, I find myself facing a faceless man; an illusion made by a frail mind. I decided to ignore it. Maybe it will leave me alone just like the others.

It didn't. See, when you gaze into the abyss, sometimes it gazes back. And gaze back it did. And the next practical thing after gazing to someone? Talk to it.

It speaks, Yes it doesn't have a mouth but for whatever reason, I can hear its deep menacing voice. "Hello friend" it calls to me. "Who are you that is so afraid of yourself?"it continued.

I ignored it. Hoping that it will leave me. But no. It got worse. The faceless man walked through the counter like a ghost and circled my position. "You think silence will save you. NO. It will only make it worse". I was terrified its, voice crept into my ears like wildfire burning my thoughts with chaos and destruction. My hands are shaking. I'm clearly going mad.

I was about to grab my medication when suddenly, a customer went inside the shop. He looked at me with a hint of curiosity. " Good morning, can I get this printed?" he said as he handed me a flashdrive. I forced myself to smile and took the flash drive. Surprisingly, the faceless man disappeared. Maybe this man just saved me from an imminent madness.

I opened his files and printed it as the service required. Moments later, the man paid what is dur and began to leave. I bid my thanks and farewell to thr customer and as his presence starts to leave the door, another enters.

The faceless man is here again. Laughing continuously sapping ehat remains of my fragile mind. I thought of ways to make it stop. I took my medication earlier than the required schedule just to make it go away. But it didn't. I tried to turn on the speaker and play some loud music, but the faceless man turned it off as if he have a physical body to do it so; or perhaps it is I who turned it off. I even tried to think of happy thoughts just to distract myself from te madness that wreaks havoc on my world. But I failed. Everytime I think of something, the faceless man moves closer to me and laughs right on my face.

And that laugh sounds so malevolent. It sounds like a witch' laugh in a high pitch volume. Its laugh is enough to terrify young men and turn my world upside down.

After my shift, I planned to go to Dr. Olayta and get this illusion out of my head. But then, the faceless man told me something.

"I know what you're thinking. YOU WILL FALL" its voice got deeper this time and now it sounds a lot more demonic. I was terrified.

Everytime I tried to distract myself, the faceless man manged to get my attention. Fifteen more minutes and my shift will end. Fifteen more minutes and I listened to the voice of madness.

By the time my shift ended and the business owner showed on his store, I was already shaken. He found me looking pathetic, with shaking hands and deep eyes."Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes I am" I replied with a hint of laughter after my spoken words.