Faith.
A word often used to describe something about religion.
The faith in a god or deity.
The faith about what will happen after death.
But faith of course doesn't always have to do with religion.
For example I could have faith in someone that they will reach a certain goal or that I believe in their innocence.
The opposite of faith could be doubt, like I could doubt that you will finish reading this or that I doubt anything good will come if a certain person or group is given too much power.
To have faith in someone, is to trust that person.
Personally I am uncertain of what to believe as I have been quite disillusioned since finding out what the adult-life had in store for me.
Today everyone in the building has been called to one of the rooms meant for meetings.
Supposedly it's something urgent.
I can hear someone exitedly whisper about 'it might be someone getting a promotion' and other light-hearted chatter.
But as we enter the room we have to gather I feel my heart drop.
I don't know what it is, but something is certainly wrong.
I can just feel it.
Well perhaps it's not true, but as I see the CEO's face I just know that it is nothing short of bad news.
It's like a shadow has been cast over his face, like something really bad is haunting him.
Almost immediately more people begin to notice and without him telling everyone to, the people quiet down.
It's eerily quiet.
The air feels heavy, as if something pressing itself against my chest, trying to slowly suffocate me.
Someone else whispers something else: 'is someone going to get fired? Did someone make a mistake?', these are the final questions of the huge crowd before truly becoming completely silent.
Looking down, the CEO slowly starts to speak.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
As I hear the tremble in his voice I already know what it is.
"Thank you all for gathering here today."
"I'm here today with bad news."
It's like everyone is holding their breath inside the room, it really is that quiet.
"Our friend and colleague Holly Peterson passed away a couple of hours ago."
The name doesn't ring a bell, but I can feel some people in the crowd grow distressed.
They must have known her.
They must have spoken to her.
I can hear some people blow their noses and see quiet tears appear in their red-eyed faces.
She must be part of the store area, perhaps she used to work behind the counter. People wearing those uniforms seem to be the most upset from everyone.
My body feels like it has completely turned cold.
The people's sadness is just that great, that somehow my mind has decided to make me feel like I'm in a dream... or a nightmare.
I guess that's dissociating.
It's been a while since I last felt like this, almost as if I'm just floating through the crowd.
The CEO starts talking and somehow it sounds like he is talking really fast.
I don't understand.
I don't get it.
One of us died.
But why?
Then he explains something about an accident, but I've long lost the ability to concentrate and yet in a way I soak it all up.
I soak it all up inside me, the horrible emotions of others, something that I will have difficulty with when I'll finally be alone again.
As the CEO's speech finishes, many people are allowed to leave, the people who find it too difficult to immediately deal with.
It's so strange.
To know someone so close passed away and yet you never even said a word to them and now they're gone and I will never be able to speak to them ever again.
Stunned, I leave with the remaining workers for the cafeteria.
I take a seat somewhere alone, like I always do, but this time truly unable to grasp the whole situation.
In the background I can faintly hear the happy melody of a song.
Of course the radio DJ wouldn't know about this, he, she or they might never have spoken with my deceased colleague either.
It's truly strange to see so many people around break down into tears all of a sudden.
I sense someone taking place at the other side of the table.
"Ah Farren, you saved us a spot?"
I look up to find the concierge.
On his face he wears a sad smile, he must find it rather difficult as well.
"Did you know her?" I ask, ignoring his earlier question.
He nods.
"Then why aren't you going home like the rest?"
He sighs: "It's not like I was that close with her, but she was a really kind woman, always caring for everyone around her. The people at the shop will definitely miss her."
He continues: "You know what I'm like Farren, I work away my pain. I've always done so. I don't recommend you do the same. It's just the way I cope."
"Right."
Annoyed, he looks away: "That damned CEO really made a shit-show of it."
Surprised, I look up: "Really?"
"Yeah, didn't you notice him faking everything?"
"Faking it?"
"Yeah, like the way he always does."
I've always believed the CEO to be a truthful man. I've spoken to him many times before after being sent to him by my floor's boss. He had always seemed kind but somehow mister Larrance doesn't see him in that light.
He might be wrong.
But a quiet gut feeling tells me that he might be right too.
I shake away the thought.
"So are you planning on working longer today?" I ask.
"Nah, no way. I do the hours I've been told to, not a second more."
Well that's more like him.
He can be a bit lazy but mister Larrance is almost always a nice guy when you get to know him better.
Rough exterior, but a heart of gold on the inside.
I remember when I first started working here that I was quite frightened of him at first.
It's been a while ago, I was an intern back then, just like my cousin, Kathan, right now.
Speaking of him, I wonder how he's doing at work.
I glance around, but it doesn't take long for me to spot him laughing with some colleagues that seem to be on friendly terms with him.
He has truly found his place here.
He should be careful though, things here never stay the same.
That is something I have all faith in.
I believe that Larrance has already noticed it, but something here has taken a turn for the worse.
Something I know I've yet to see.
