Mask from the Rack

by Krystell Diane Parcon

"I will wear this mask today," I said as I picked the pink mask from the rack, I need to appear womanly. I will be meeting my girl friends in a salon today and, even if I hate putting heavy acrylics in my nails, I will come. I don't want them to say I'm prude and boring.

The day was fun. When I went home before the clock struck midnight, the first thing I did was take off the mask and put it back in the rack. I looked at the mirror and I can see my plain face again. I removed the acrylics. Oh, what a relief. "I will wear this mask today," I said as I picked the yellow mask from the rack, I need to appear kind and excited. I will be meeting my family and relatives for Thanksgiving and, even if I usually hate social gatherings because I'm busy, I will come. I don't want them to think I'm disrespectful and a workaholic.

The day was fun. When I went home before the clock struck midnight, the first thing I did was take off the mask and put it back in the rack. I looked at the mirror and I can see my plain face again. I went back to my study table and started typing. Oh, what a relief. "I will wear this mask today," I said I picked the red mask from the rack, I need to appear in love. I will be meeting the man my parents had set me to marry and, even if I can't find a connection between us, I will come. I don't want to disappoint them.

The day is... scary. He put something in the food I ate and the next thing I know, I'm in a dark room and he's panting beside me. I looked around shaking in fear. My mind is blank and my body is sore. He touched me, He used me. He raped me. "I just wanted to check you before I marry you. I know you had fun." He's a pure stranger, a foreign one. "What time is it?" I asked him. No, the mask asked him. "Five minutes after midnight."

I stood upon the realization. The world seemed like a spiraling maze. My legs are weak, and my waist is arching in pain. I ran to the bathroom and faced the mirror. I shrieked in horror. "If you fail to unwear, you and all the masks will become one."

The mask is hideous. The mask is horrifying. It's my plain face.

Grad Pic by Renee Suala