The Interview (Horror)

Things aren’t what they seem at Heavene Media.

Every footstep seemed to have an individual echo in the pale cold waiting room. Jovan stroked his briefcase as he took another deep breath.

Everything will be fine. This is the job that will take care of the bills and let me pay my rent. Just ace this interview. I know I can do it!

“Good morning!” A man walked in with so much cheer that Jovan thought his name could be Mr. Sunshine.

He looks like a perfect professional. He had his suit tailored to perfection. Check out that posture! Did he come out of an office worker factory? Oh no, is he about to sit next to me?

“Good morning! Are you here for the head writer gig at Heavene Media, too?” His smile was so dazzling that Jovan thought he was going blind. He sat in the chair beside Jovan in the otherwise empty waiting room.

“Good… Good morning to you. Uh, yes. I’m here for the interview.” As Jovan replied, he noticed a loose thread hanging off his lapel. He turned to the side and wrapped his fingers around the string, trying to tear it away.

Instead, it unraveled like a magician’s scarf. Jovan covered his suit jacket with his hand as the other man gave a slight frown, staring at him. “You know they only hire the best here.” He looked over Joven like a piece of food that went bad in the back of the refrigerator. “The benefits and prestige are so good, no one ever leaves.” Mr. Sunshine smirks, then smiles. “Good luck!” Jovan smiled back. “Thanks.”

Just then, he heard the pale door creak open.

“Jovan McDowell?” A slender woman, dressed in a pristine white suit called out. Jovan abruptly went to his feet, holding his briefcase. She glanced over him. “Follow me, please.” From a distance, she looked over 10 feet tall. Jovan was sure that was his nerves as he saw they were a similar height when he stood beside her.

The carpet in the new room reminded Jovan of his mother’s favorite cauliflower recipe. His feet slightly sank into it as he rested in the charcoal-colored leather armchair. The woman sat behind the creamy white desk with a soft creak from the ivory plush chair.

Jovan remembered once again to take a deep breath. “So, you’re here for the position. My name is Bianca Miller, I’ll be evaluating you today.” Jovan blinked. “Evaluating? That’s an interesting word.” He started to laugh it off. Jovan’s laughter caught in his throat as he realized Ms. Miller hasn’t smiled or laughed. Instead, she leaned under her desk and pulled out a small leather box. “Many people have tried to work for this prestigious company. It’s time to see if you have what it takes.” Jovan nodded while looking at the box.

He moved to take his resume out of his briefcase. “That won’t be necessary,” she said in a flat tone. She shoved the box towards him. “This is all we require for us to determine if you’re worthy of this position. Go ahead. Open it.” Her terse voice came out more like an order instead of a request.

Jovan opened the box to reveal a small bottle of pills. Jovan let out a sighing laugh. “No thanks. You know what they, ‘just say no to drugs.’” The woman just narrowed her icy blue eyes at him. “If you are not willing to continue, the interview ends here.” She pushed the glass of water closer to him.

Jovan looked around the room towards the door. “You want to work here, don’t you? Heavene Media is an award-winning firm. Our client roster contains all the top multinational organizations. I believe our pay and benefits structure would be beneficial for you.” At that moment, all Joven could think of was his landlord’s final notice and the incessant calls from debt collectors. “If you truly want this job. You will take the tiny pill. I’ll say, it lets us see an applicant’s true nature.” Ms. Miller unscrewed the bottle and placed it in front of him.

I’ve applied for so many jobs. I’m desperate. To think Heavene Media called me in for this interview. Now they want me to do drugs?! Is this some kind of test? But I’m running out of time, and I have nowhere to go if I don’t get a job soon.

Jovan’s eyes narrowed at the bottle once more while he shook a pill into his hand. All he could hear was the tick of the clock and his gulp from swallowing the pill with the water. Its bitter aftertaste traveled down his throat. He had the strong urge to throw up as it dissolved inside him.

Ms. Miller’s checks widened into a grin that dragged across her face. “Good, now close your eyes and take a deep breath.” Jovan’s eyelids fluttered closed.

Cold wind and deep thunderous laughter flowed in his direction.

“Open your eyes,” the dull bass voice echoed in Jovan’s ears. He strained his eyelids wide.

Ms. Miller is no more. In her place, a towering demon appeared with wrinkled, sunburned flesh that curled around pitch-black endless hollow circles which Jovan assumed were eyes. A large toothy grin that extended from one twisted ear to the next smiled at him. Two dark horns stretched forward from its forehead crept closer to Jovan. Fangs overlapped surrounded by cracked, dull skin sneered at him.

Jovan jumped to run for the exit. Yet, there was no door. This place was an endless tunnel filed with deep red glowing stalagmites creeping out of the floor. As he stepped, his feet sunk into a sticky deep pool of thick viscous brown liquid. Jovan’s heart pounded.

Is this Satan? I… I have to get out of here! This is crazy! What the hell was that pill?

In two earth-shaking steps, what used to be Ms. Miller loomed over him. “My superiors have been watching you.” A large hooked claw poked at Jovan’s chest. “Th… they have?” He whimpered. His body froze in dread.

“Yes.” Hot breath washed over Jovan. “They selected you. This prestigious organization only hires the best. Your previous work would fit in well here.” The large finger pointed away from him. “Look over there.”

Piles of business suit-clad bodies rotted in dripping clumps. Their contorted faces showed fear and decay. “Those were your predecessors.” The figure’s warm hand clasped Jovan’s shoulders. “However, we possess the utmost faith” — the monstrous figure paused to chuckle — “trust in your abilities.”

Jovan’s breath quickened as his eyes darted around for an escape again, only to see none. They eventually rested on the demon as the muscles in his neck tensed into a hard swallow.

The large teeth grinned at him. “Do you accept this position?” Jovan’s body trembled as he tried to look away, but couldn’t.

Can I even leave if I asked? But this is Heavene Media, the top of the top. I need this job. I need the money.

The only thing Jovan could say was a phrase he practiced so many times in the mirror. “Yes… I… I believe I will make a positive impact here.” The figure smiled and engulfed his hand with its own. “Good.”

Jovan’s eyes felt like they had mountains dragging them down. When he opened them, his shoes sunk into the cauliflower carpet once again. He stood in the office. Ms. Miller’s gentle touch held his hand. “Welcome aboard.”

Image by shauking from Pixabay