The House of Loss

Set within the quiet, institutional walls of a nursing home, The House of Loss follows an employee whose daily routine is disrupted by a disturbing and unexplained practice. The elderly residents under his care have their heads shaved, stripping away a part of their individuality. As he moves through the facility and observes these vulnerable individuals, the protagonist finds himself entirely unable to decipher their expressions. Their faces remain emotionally opaque to him, leaving him disconnected from whatever internal reality they might be experiencing in the wake of this sudden physical change. This unsettling emotional distance defines his experience at the care facility until a single, pivotal instance shatters his detachment. A specific event compels him to finally stop merely glancing past the residents and instead look closely at their faces. What begins as a story of passive observation transforms into one of intense scrutiny, as the protagonist is forced to confront the humanity he previously overlooked. This shift in perspective challenges his role within the nursing home, drawing him into a deeper, more uncomfortable engagement with the people he serves and the silent experiences hidden behind their altered appearances.