Faceless Justice

Faceless Justice

Curiosity. It peaks within your mind, a subject that didn't used to arise. Time has eroded your mental defenses, whispers have leaked inside and now you are obsessed beyond comprihension. You can try to deny this obsession, stand against it and claim you are not. But you know. We know. We see how you stare at every passing stranger, every new face on the streets with intent and vague fear. You realise after they've gone by what you're doing, and curse quietly. You are obsessed.

Paranoia is the epitome to describe your state of mentality. You strive to learn, to figure it out, but at the same time, you don't want to. You know this knowledge will come with a price, a price no man can truely pay. Discreetly, you ask questions. Your victims ask them back, curious about your curiosity. You sweat, the bead of watery salt running down your neck as you hesitantly change the subject. They laugh and jest that you're going crazy, inviting you to drink with them. But you decline. You are depressed, crushed that you're going nowhere, getting nowhere, learning nothing. Slowly, you shuffle away from the crowd - we are there, you know we are.

Fear. You are scared now, convinced that you've crossed the line. That you now stand on the opposite side of the chessboard to us. You run it through your mind over and over again as you flip through the pages of history; how did this happen? Your heartbeat quickens, your skin becomes moist. Panic sets in. You must know, you must find out at all costs. You're willing to sacrifice everything for this, you have made your resolve, hardened your mind. It's late, but you don't sleep. Sleep is a waste of time.

Obsession. You prowl the night-stained streets, fingers flexing slowly to make the minutes tick faster. There are less people around at this time. You stare at them and cause them to feel discomfort, but you do not care, only your goal matters because it's the most important goal. From a distance, you hear two conversing about them - about those people that have consumed you entirely. Hastily, you persue the flow of words, interjecting and asking questions. You stare at them like enemies, convinced that one of them is us. You accuse and blame, and eventually, they leave you to your solitude. But you are not truely alone, you know you're not. You know we watch you, your every move, we hear your every word and thought. You know that you can't escape us, and even now, we are observing.

Frustraition. Your quarters are broken, your rage having devoured your heart and mind. Someone knows, you know they do, but they're not telling you. They're mocking you instead, you are sure. Casting another worthless tome aside, you shout loudly - no words, just an incoherant mix of grunts. Your scream is long and pierces the night sky like a sword through flesh. So close, you are so close to the answer that you can practically taste it. You can't remember the last time you slept or ate, but it's worth it. You're convinced that it's worth it.

Revelation. You sit in the darkness of your broken room. Your stomach turns as all of the stages set in at once. Your curiosity that led to paranoia, the fear you felt, the obsession with that very same fear that led to your frustraition. What have you become? For the first time in days you truely feel alone. And for the first time in days, you are not. Our eyes are on you. You smile with realization, but you don't turn to look, you simply know. You have failed in your quest for answers, for the truth, and now we have come to claim our prize.
No sinner escapes the Faceless, you realise this now.

You were close, so close that you could practically taste it.

I absolutely loved that! You're an incredible writer; you keep such an excellent level of suspense throughout the entire narrative. Simply put: it was wonderfully written! Well done!

Ah, thanks for the compliments. A late response by myself and no good reasons for it sadly.

Regardless, I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.