Zac woke up drenched in sweat, his heart racing as he struggled to shake off the remnants of a troubling nightmare.

“What was that all about?” he muttered, wiping tears from his eyes. His mind felt clouded, the details of the dream slipping away like smoke. He recalled only a disturbing image—a blight amidst perfection, an orange drop marring a masterpiece akin to the Mona Lisa. But beyond that, the memory was elusive.

His wrists were also throbbing in a pain that felt like magma seeping through his skin, the scars on his arms blinking like a red signal lever.

“Ah fuck why did I have to wake up. It’s all a mess... I can barely remember a thing, and this fucking headache isn’t helping.”

A sudden beeping jolted him—the alarm clock in his bedside drawer clamoured for attention. 6 AM blinked insistently.

“Damn it, work today! Why am I still alive.” Zac sluggishly made his way to the bathroom, his headache worsening with each step. Toothbrush in hand, his phone blasting Juice WRLD's on his phone, filling the room with his music as he struggled to mentally map out his day.

“First, call Mom, let her know about the holiday plans after wrapping things up at the factory this week. Then, breakfast, tidying up, and off to work. Quotas to meet by next month, but it’s only Friday. Should have enough time... And meet up with everyone for Ellie’s surprise birthday party.”

His thoughts felt hazy, the throbbing ache in his head clouding his focus. Each plan seemed distant, as if viewed through a foggy lens. He rubbed his temples, attempting to clear his mind, but the headache persisted, casting a shadow over his attempts to organize the day ahead.

Rinsing his mouth, Zac scanned his reflection for any stray stubble

“Fuck, I’m so ugly, why do I still exist.” He remembered those hellish days back in high school, all the expectations that were put on him. He remembered drawing blood, the rush of high from the pain that came. He wished he could go back to those days.

He was washing his face, getting prepared when suddenly, the room plunged into chaos. Lights flickered, and the bathroom trembled violently. Panicking, he reached out for support, only to lock eyes with a monstrous figure in the mirror—a dark, shifting being with eyes protruding from every angle. His scream pierced the air before the eldritch entity grinned and everything snapped back to normal.

Heart racing, Zac stumbled backward, breaths ragged as he stared at the now tranquil mirror. His reflection appeared as ordinary as ever, but the memory of that grotesque apparition lingered, haunting his thoughts.

“What... what was that?” His voice quivered, a mix of fear and confusion echoing in the small, silent room. He touched the mirror cautiously, half-expecting it to ripple again, but it remained solid and unyielding.

Shaking, he kept splashing more water on his face, trying to wash away the shock. But the image persisted, vivid in his mind like a stubborn stain. He paced the tiled floor, the memory gnawing at his sanity. Was it just his imagination? A trick of the light? His headache intensified, throbbing with an uncomfortable rhythm.

With trembling hands, he grabbed his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen. He needed a distraction, something to anchor him to reality. As he scrolled through messages and notifications, he forced himself to dismiss the incident as a stress-induced hallucination. But deep down, an unsettling feeling lingered, a creeping doubt that refused to be silenced.

"What was even that? Am I having some kind of weird lucid day-dream?" He shook his head, trying to dispel the lingering unease. "Nah, it must’ve been just my exhaustion, my lack of sleep is causing me to go paranoid. I really need to take a long break for Christmas next week. Hopefully, Thailand can clear my nerves."

He forced a deep breath, attempting to steady his nerves. Thailand seemed like a distant oasis offering respite from his chaotic thoughts. With a determined sigh, he splashed his face again, the cold water soothing his feverish skin.

Glancing at the mirror once more, he braced himself before meeting his own gaze. His reflection appeared normal, a familiar face with a hint of anxiety etched into tired eyes. "Just a trick of the mind," he muttered, trying to convince himself.

Zac stumbled out of the bathroom, the unsettling memory lingering like an unwelcome guest. He dressed hurriedly, the remnants of his breakfast forgotten as he grabbed his keys and hastened to the front door. With a quick twist, he locked it behind him and made his way toward his car parked in the driveway.

The crisp morning air did little to alleviate the tightening grip of anxiety in his chest. He slid into the driver’s seat, the familiar comfort of his car offering a brief moment of respite. With a deep breath, he started the engine and backed out of the driveway, determined to shake off the bizarre incident.

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The streets were quiet, the usual morning bustle muted. As he drove, Zac attempted to push the unnerving thoughts to the back of his mind. But at a stoplight, his gaze wandered to the car beside him, and a surge of panic shot through him.

The driver of the neighboring car appeared distorted, like an eerie mirage in the early morning light. Darkish blue wisps seemed to emanate from the figure, coiling and swirling, giving the driver an otherworldly appearance. Zac blinked, rubbed his eyes, but the hallucination persisted.

The driver's features contorted, resembling something out of a Lovecraftian nightmare—eyes too many, limbs contorting unnaturally. Zac’s heart hammered in his chest, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Was this another hallucination, an extension of the terrifying encounter in the bathroom?

The traffic light turned green, but Zac hesitated, transfixed by the surreal sight beside him. The Lovecraftian figure turned its head slowly, eyes meeting Zac's in a bone-chilling stare. He recoiled, adrenaline surging through his veins.

Without another moment's hesitation, Zac slammed his foot on the accelerator, racing through the intersection, leaving the haunting vision behind. His breaths came in ragged gasps as he tried to make sense of what he had just seen.

Zac's arrival at the dairy factory was met with a sinking feeling in his chest. The encounter at the traffic intersection still loomed over him, a lingering ghost in his thoughts that refused to dissipate. He parked his car with unsteady hands, taking a moment to steady his nerves before stepping into the familiar hustle and bustle of the factory.

The ambiance was alive with the sounds of machinery humming, voices blending in a cacophony, and the distinct aroma of dairy products lingering in the air. His coworkers greeted him warmly, but Zac struggled to reciprocate their casual gestures with genuine enthusiasm. Despite the forced smile he wore, his mind was ensnared by the unsettling image that plagued his thoughts.

Settling into his assigned station, Zac attempted to immerse himself in his tasks, but the mental fog persisted, clouding his focus and slowing his pace. The repetitive sounds of the machinery, once a comforting backdrop, now failed to drown out the disturbing memory that seemed to taunt him at every turn.

Each passing minute felt like an uphill battle against the discomfort he felt being in this space. The work itself, mundane and repetitive, only added to his inner turmoil. He despised the routine, the monotony of it all, but the reality of bills to pay kept him tethered to this place.

Throughout the day, Zac grappled with a sense of foreboding that clung to him like a shroud. The factory's routine, which should have offered comfort, only intensified his unease. The tasks he performed felt like a futile attempt to distract himself from the bizarre encounters he couldn't shake off.

As the workday neared its end, Zac hurried through his remaining responsibilities, the clanging of machinery and the smell of dairy products becoming a relentless assault on his senses. Even the simplest chores, like scrubbing away cheese stains, seemed to amplify the unsettling thoughts that swirled incessantly in his mind.

The factory, with its demanding routine and stifling environment, served as a constant reminder of his struggles. It was a place he needed but resented—a reminder of his responsibilities and a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him, threatening to explode.

The drive home loomed ahead, and the thought of encountering another hallucination on the road made his palms grow clammy.

With a sigh of relief, he clocked out, bidding hasty goodbyes to his coworkers, and practically bolted toward his car. The sun was beginning to set, casting elongated shadows across the parking lot, and the impending darkness only heightened his anxiety.

Breath hitching, Zac slid into his car, his hands trembling against the steering wheel. The day's eerie encounters had left him on edge, his mind clouded with unease. With a click, he started the engine, steeling himself for the drive into the city.

As he merged onto the highway, the evening descended, casting an ethereal twilight over the landscape. The city lights shimmered in the distance, beckoning him forward. But as he glanced to his side, a gut-wrenching sight stole his breath away.

A figure, ghastly and otherworldly, appeared in the passenger seat. A being with worms writhing as hair, eyes oozing crimson tears, and skin resembling bleeding wood. Zac's heart lurched in his chest, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as he stared, transfixed and terrified.

The creature's voice echoed in his mind, a haunting plea that scraped against his consciousness. It called out to him, an urgent plea for salvation. His name, carried on the wind like a mournful wail, seemed to sear through the confines of his car.

Frozen in horror, Zac could only gape at the ghastly vision beside him, his mind reeling with disbelief and terror. The creature's distress was palpable, a primal anguish that reverberated through the air, leaving an unsettling chill in its wake.

Save me... Please," the unearthly entity's plea echoed in his mind, a desperate cry that pierced through the layers of reality.

Zac's breath hitched, his heart racing in terror and confusion. Without thought, his instincts took control. He slammed the brakes, the screeching tires shattering the stillness of the road. The sudden halt jolted the car, veering dangerously close to the edge of losing control.

His knuckles turned white from gripping the wheel, his chest heaving with panicked breaths. The car skidded to a stop, inches away from disaster. Adrenaline surged through his veins, a potent mix of fear and confusion leaving him disoriented.

He turned to the passenger seat, eyes wide with a blend of terror and disbelief. But the ghastly figure was gone, leaving behind an empty seat. The reality of the situation crashed over him, a tsunami of dread and uncertainty.

Shaking uncontrollably, Zac fumbled for his phone, hands trembling as he dialed his friend's number, the need for human connection and reassurance overwhelming him.

"Hey, it's me... I might be a bit late getting to the bar, but I'll make it. Just make sure Ellie has a nice birthday today," Zac's voice quivered, his unease evident in his tone.

With trembling hands, he shifted the car back into gear, his knuckles still pallid against the steering wheel. The image of the otherworldly being burned in his mind, haunting him with every mile he drove.