“Come on...hello? Anyone around? Where am I?” I shouted into the darkness.
“Damn it all, I can’t believe I let myself get kidnapped,” I mumbled. This was strange, indeed. I was always so careful and so calculated. What went wrong?
“Well, I shouldn’t be laying here moping about it! Time to find my way out of here.” I searched around the room for anything to help me. Luckily, I found a lighter sitting on a small wooden table.
“Perfect!” I flicked the on-switch and with a click, it lit up a small portion of the room around me.
Now that I could see a bit around me, I walked around the room to find a door. Once I found it, I pushed it open to see a long hallway covered in vines.
“Wow...what happened to this place? Maybe it’s abandoned?” I wondered as I began to walk slowly down the long hallway.
As I walked down the hall, I could hear soft violins being played. When I listened even closer, I could hear the cellos and violas creating a wonderful symphony.
“That sounds so beautiful. Reminds me of home. I wonder who’s playing it.” I mumbled.
“The Kujuko Gala Orchestra. We perfected the tune just for you.” A voice suddenly answered.
“W-What?! Who is this?!” I yelled as I looked around me. I was a little bit happy since they wrote the music for me but still uneasy from the circumstances.
“Only a helpful guide to your stage.” The voice answered once again. Still surprised, I ran back down the hallway and then back to where I was before.
“Tell me where I am or I swear I’ll kill you and whoever sent me here!” I threaten the voice, holding the lighter in the air.
The voice chuckled at my threat and added, “How’re you going to that if you’re stuck in this hallway? I was going to help you out but it seems that you’re too prideful to care.”
He wasn’t wrong. Being prideful is a trait passed down between each of my family members. We’re as stubborn as mules but as determined as lions. That’s why we’re so involved in local politics. People respect us.
“I...don't know. Lead me out of here.” I mumbled, now realizing that this will be a lot harder than I thought.
“Hm, that wasn’t nice enough. Ask me nicely.” The voice laughed.
Now feeling a lot shyer, I corrected myself, “Please lead me out of here. I don’t want to be in this hallway anymore.”
“Good girl. Now go through the passageway next to you.”
“Wait, there’s no passageway there-“ Suddenly, the wall opened up to reveal a dark passage. In this passageway, sat a roller coaster car on tracks.
“Do I get inside?” I asked the ceiling. When I didn’t get my answer, I walked over to the car and sat down.
With a few clicks, the car sped through the dark corridor. Oh, how I love rollercoasters. I used to always ride them with my father back when he wasn’t the mayor of our town. I squealed and clapped as the car zipped through the darkness. But sadly, the ride came to an end in front of a bright room.
The room was clean, incredibly clean. Immaculate, even. Like a beautiful cake, with the “cherry on top” being the shining chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
“This place is...amazing! How do you keep it so clean?” I asked the ceiling.
“Lots of time and lots of staff. We love to keep the scenery great for the lovely actors, such as yourself.” The voice said.
I squinted at the response and asked, “Actors? Wait, there are others here?”
“Yes, luckily, you won’t be alone for your whole performance.” The voice was strangely calm and its promises were...promising.
“What do I have to do to see them?” I stood my ground.
“Simply put on this mask and all the rest will be done for you.”
Suddenly, a door in front of me opened, creaking quietly. I walked up to the space, finding that a mask hung on a hook inside. I lifted it up, inspecting it for any strange appearances. It seemed to be a Wolf mask.
“A...wolf? Why?” I looked up at the ceiling.
“You both have a very...interesting resemblance.” The voice went eerily quiet.
“Hm.” I nodded and placed the mask on, putting the strap behind my head. It fit perfectly. I fixed my ponytail and pat my chest. Comfortable…
“How does it feel, Cassandra? Or should I say, Wolf?” The voice echoed through the large room, filling my ears like the hum of a soft violin.
“Good. Pretty good, so far.” I answered, sounding almost as hollow as a dead tree.
“Perfect. Now make your way through the door to your right, onto the stage and the red curtain will rise on your destiny.”
Now feeling an intense wave of uncertainty and worry, I hesitated with my first step. I sighed and held my breath before walking to the door. I grabbed the handle, winced at its cold temperature and opened it ever so slowly.
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