I stood in the dark hallway
Looking at the shroud of faces
Staring back.

If I were different
I could’ve sworn these faces
Belonged to actual people.

They watched as I walked
Beady eyes following every movement I made
Down to the slight movement of my stomach
That came with every sharp breath.

Their shiny covers were emotionless
Not a single expression was known
To the blank canvas.

The rain poured outside
Creating shimmery puddles in the ruts of the ground
And a dark shroud of a face
Looked up from the water.

It saw through my eyes
It breathed with my mouth
And for a second I pretended I didn’t see the shiny exterior
Covering all emotions.

For a moment
For one precious moment
I could pretend that the mask in the water
Wasn’t mine.