Unending Nightmares

Chapter 5: Grabbing Attention

"So that ends us up with 23 interns. Great job, guys, for sharing every observation you've made for the past two weeks."

I said to the board as we ended the meeting. It's more like the original team Aether and I created, though.

Arthur - Audio Department Head
Susan - Visuals and Design (my old post, which I really loved)
Rick - CTO
Aether - CEO, Aether's Studios
Bamboo - Video Fx Department
Randy - Public Relations, Head
Brad - Legal, Head
Brittany - Human Resources, Head
And me, COO. And no, I'm still not telling you my name.

With the exception of Legal, PR, and HR, the six of us were the original team that worked blood and sweat for this studio. Even though the studio building itself has only been standing for about a year, the bonds we hold can be traced back to high school.

—
"Athena, it has been a wonderful 2 weeks working with you. As the President, I bear the responsibility of giving you the bad news that, sadly, I have decided to let you go"

Micah enunciated each word through gritted teeth while she looked in the direction of my office. I gave her a two-thumbs-up sign, and I even bought a neon sign blinking the words "You can do it" so she could see me in my full glory. The rest of the interns had their backs turned away from me, though.

Only Rick, whose face became red for holding back his laughter, and Cassy, the HR representative, could see what I was doing behind the interns. Cassy has been looking at the ceiling like there's something interesting up there. I might as well go check it later once this event finishes.

—

At my office, Micah is currently sitting across my table. Her face is a wreck, and her eyeliner is making a line down her cheeks like an Amazonian warrior facing battle.

"Why did you really have me say it?" she said, slamming the table. Have you no heart? You told me I'd choose who to let go, but the truth is, it was a collective decision from upstairs! What is wrong with you?"

"I wish nothing is wrong with me. If there is, I wish I could go on a holiday to rest, " I said while munching on the freshly cut apple Martha had brought in a few minutes ago. "I am simply reminding you that being in your position is not a joke, and being an adult doesn't mean you get everything you want. You have to understand that"

"Like I care! You could have just let Rick do it! I look very bad now, and my peers would avoid me!" Micah said as she smudged her eyeliner a bit more, now looking like a black patch on the side of her eyes, making her look like a panda.

"You have no choice but to obey. And hey, I'm your supervisor. Why are you acting all chummy with me?"

"Cause you're my friend..." Micah said so quietly that I could barely hear her speaking.

"What do you mean 'cause I'm fired? This is a company I helped build! Hey, eukkkwakahkahk why are you firing me? I'm the supervisor here, mind you!" I said, almost choking on the apple.

"Cause you're my friend! You big, ugly pig!" Micah shouted, then she stood, took her bag, and ran away from the office like a scared rabbit.

I was dumbfounded. Somehow, a gold substance came rushing through my door, crept into my brain, and started swirling along the black mass of matter inside me. It was there, like a silver lining.

And while it did, I felt amused and chuckled to myself, "Huh, you think I'm a friend after all I did?"

—

It was 2 a.m. I woke up, drenched in sweat, and looked at the desk fan. I felt like I was being watched and that something was moving across my bedroom at speeds I couldn't fathom.

I stood up, grabbed the glass of water beside my bed, and drank. "Maybe I'm just too sleepy. I'll try sleeping again."

As I closed my eyes, the black mass swirling inside me crept into my brain again, ready to give me another episode of its favorite activity. Somewhere along the swirl is a golden line, along with 2 small dashes of light that have been slowly creeping into my brain. They are vigilant, careful, and wise, looking around carefully so as not to get lost in the shadows as they approach my brain and try to anchor their positions somewhere along its crevices.