The forest embraced Fay as she took her nightly walk, relishing the cooling peace beneath the trees as she tried to cleanse herself from the day’s stress. As her mind became distracted with thoughts of the day, Fay lost sight of her usual path and found herself in an unknown part of the forest. She was about to turn around when the faint sound of a cello wafted through the trees.
“Who’s playing the cello out here?”
Curious, Fay followed the sound. It led her to a clearing, and she paused on the threshold and took in the unfamiliar sight.
A marble platform- long overgrown with vines and grass- sat in the center of the clearing. It was surrounded by broken pillars clothed in ivy, and the whole thing reminded Fay of an ancient pavilion built for grand balls and lavish parties. The cello music had disappeared into the breeze, leaving an unnatural silence that made her skin prickle.
“Hello?”
No answer.
Fay didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed as she gently entered the clearing. The air was thick and sweet with the perfume of summer blooms, and the marble pillars felt delightfully cool beneath her hands as she examined them.
“What is this place?”
Fay stepped onto the platform, her shoes sliding on the hewn marble as she imagined what kind of event a structure like this would’ve hosted. However, her thoughts were quickly interrupted as music sprang from the stone- a melancholy waltz performed by a grand orchestra- and Fay reeled as the sudden noise overtook my senses. She tripped on a loose vine and began plunging toward the earth when a pair of arms caught her. Turning, Fay blinked in disbelief as a man in an elaborate costume mask smiled at her.
“Are you ok, miss?”
“Um…I think so.”
Fay stood and brushed herself off as she discreetly eyed him. His blue and green costume had intricate gold details, and his mask held a plume of feathers that reminded Fay of an overgrown peacock. She glanced around the otherwise empty clearing, positive that he hadn’t been there a moment before.
“Where did you come from?”
The stranger smiled at Fay and gestured to the platform.
“Same as you. I’m here for the waltz. We all are.”
Fay’s breath caught as more figures emerged from the shadows, each one as elaborately dressed as the next. They ignored her as they paired off and began to dance to the haunting melody. Bewildered, Fay turned to the strange man.
“What’s happening?”
“The waltz called to you, as it called to all of us. Now, we must dance.”
He held out a gloved hand, and Fay felt a nervous shiver climb her spine. Still, the night was warm and the music was enchanting, so what harm could a single dance do?
“Sure.”
Fay took his hand, quelling the butterflies in her stomach as he pulled her onto the dance floor. The music swelled, and they began to dance.
Time held no meaning in the clearing, and Fay relaxed as her partner twirled her in sync with the other dancers. Her clothes had somehow become a detailed costume that matched his, and she felt a sense of belonging as he smiled at her from beneath his mask. The dancers never tired, and never needed food or drink as they swirled in a kaleidoscope of color beneath the stars. All thoughts of her former life evaporated under the haunting melody of the waltz, and Fay became blissfully happy as she moved and swayed to the music.
This was where she belonged.
If you’d like a more immersive experience, listen to Cassandra’s Waltz by Murray Gold while you read. Enjoy!
Erynn Crittenden 