Prologue
She took a deep breath before entering the stage with practiced, slow steps. Her steps matched the music playing. The movements she had rehearsed more than she could count.
She was worried she would become anxious, forget all her practices, and mess up. But the only thing that was surprisingly forgotten was the presence of any other human except herself. The moment she began moving with the music, with her pretty dress, she didn't see or feel anything else anymore.
The dress was a light pink dress that looked silver under that spotlight on the stage, fitted for the dance. It had flickers of sparkle all over the skirt. The very skirt that moved lightly as she danced, like a cloud of cotton flowing. It was supposed to be the picture of a child's ultimate dream, a candy dress. It was definitely hers.
She preferred she to play the very child who was lucky to explore her dream world she created within her head. It felt closer to who she was. But it was fine. She could be the ruler of that world.
She never understood the music for it, though. It didn't feel like music to welcome someone to a world made of candies. Ever since she was a little child, the music sounded mysterious and a little scary.
It was eerie and unknown, and at the same time, enchanting. Like that was the very thing that made it magical. It was slow at times, then quick and rushed at other times. Shocking in some parts and lullaby-like in some other parts. It was kind and cold all together. All in one piece, not even three minutes long.
As she danced with dazed eyes, looking at the blurry lights above her head, she felt like the music was speaking to her. It was like a magical reminder of memories of unforgettable childhood moments that nobody except you knew.
In the middle of the piece, there were a few shocks, like a warning. As if the mystery within was alarming her of something ahead. Something that would forever change her life cruelly. Something close.
The music sounded like it was smiling at her lovingly, telling her sweet words. But, it also sounded like it was telling her a tragedy of her unfortunate life with pity for her poor soul and, at the same time, mocking her for her pitifulness.
All this together filled her with a feeling that could not be described by words. It was a feeling that could only be experienced with music. And now that she was dancing at its command, she could hear the way it was talking to her.
And as soon as it began, the performance was over. She felt her heart beating rapidly from the movements. The excitement and the joyful happiness from the dance caused her a pleasant lightness within her chest.
She felt her eyes turning heavy and her lips curling into the most genuine smile she had ever worn.
But perhaps the way the music spoke to her wasn't for nothing. And perhaps that was what made it eerie and scary.
