Broken Record

[42]

(CW: Swearing, Abuse of power)

Parts and Services was busier than usual. Pj was used to the room being empty though it could've been that he was only in there in the late evening or earlier morning. Not many people were here since a lot of people were laid off, but there were still a handful around.

It was a blur, he could hardly keep track. Everything felt fuzzy. He shook it off as just nerves, there was nothing wrong.

The male sighed, he was exhausted. Those upgrades took way too long. Though Mostly he was bored since all he did was watch just to make sure nothing went wrong. He felt he was being punished. He probably was.

Right now, everyone is cleaning up. Chatting amongst themselves. Pj stood far from the crowd. He had his mask pulled up, his bangs were covering his eye. No one spoke to him. They just kept their distance. Avoiding him like he was some plague.

He could feel their eyes staring into him. They would glance over at him and would whisper something to another person. They had looks of repulsion, disgust, wondering why he was still here. It was like he came back from the dead. He was tired of it, he was tired of people talking behind his back. He was tired of them bringing up the past.

Derrick was right, they had no respect for him.

'Clack!'

His eyes darted around, No one seemed to react, they just carried on like normal. Is he hearing things?

'HahaHa!'

The laughter was a deep octave, almost demonic. He could feel it in his chest. It made him feel uneasy.
He took in sharp breaths.

'Clack!'

Where is it coming from?

He clutched his shirt trying to ground himself. He pressed his back against the wall. The room was swaying, like a ship on the sea in the midst of a storm. The feeling sinks to the pit of his stomach. It was nauseating.

The room darkened around him.
Everyone was obscure, Casted in shadows, pupils glowing white. They stood frozen in time. Staring directly at him. Garbling of sounds grows louder.

He stares wide eyed as everything merges together into a giant blob. It burbles as it takes the shape of a horrifying creature. Unidentifiable. it was a mixture of many things, an amalgamation. Bright glowing eyes leering. It mimics the movements of a serpent, its body moves from side to side. The wavy motion is mesmerizing and hypnotic.

He feels stuck, he can't tear his eyes away as It slithers towards him. He could feel the sweat dripping down his face, his body shaking.

He feels helpless. Vulnerable.

In a sharp move it lurched forward its mouth a gape.

His eyes snapped shut, bracing for impact, but nothing happened. He slowly cracks one eye open and looks. He blinks open both eyes. Everything was still as it was. Nothing changed.

He runs his hand through his hair as he stares at the ground. His body was still reeling. His heart was pounding rapidly. His throat felt tight, it was hard to swallow. Head was throbbing trying to comprehend.

What just happened?

Pj shut his eyes, taking a few deep breaths.
He looked up to see that there were only a couple more people here than there were.
How long was he out of it?

"You look like you've seen a ghost." A voice spoke, making him jump. He turned his head to see Derrick walking up to him. He had a condescending look on his face.