Velora walked like she heard music no one else could.She didn't speak loudly,but when she did, people listened.
The rest of the cast circled her like dancers following choreography only she could lead.
She gave Luna a slow smile.
"You'll want to meet your co-stars."
Luna didn't move.
Jasper stepped in,"We're not staying."
Velora didn't blink. "You already are,
She turned with a flick of her wrist,and the stage rotated.
A deep grinding sound shook the floor as the center of the stage began to spin, revealing a living room set behind the curtain. Velvet chairs,a grand piano a chandelier above that swayed gently, although there was no breeze.
The cast followed silently. Luna and Jasper had no choice but to follow too.
There were five new actors,each young,
beautiful, Each a perfect stereotype.
Silas – the brooding bad boy with a scar that sliced his eyebrow.
Clover – the bubbly soprano who smiled like she knew your secrets.
Dax – the joker, chewing gum and winking at shadows.
Nova – the shy girl with a violin case she never opened.
Rhett – the quiet one who stared at Luna like he remembered her.
Velora raised a gloved hand.
"The script demands six deaths, six confessions, one resurrection."
Jasper scoffed, "What does that even mean?"
"It means," Velora purred, "we're going to play a little game."
She pointed to the piano.
It played a single note. Eerie. Flat.
Then she sang:
🎶 Velora's Waltz 🎶
Welcome to the script you wrote,
Where love will bleed and truth will float.
Each soul must sing, each heart must break,
Until you choose what life to take.
Luna's chest tightened.
This wasn't just theatre anymore,It was a ritual.
"You want me to choose someone to die?" she asked, voice shaking.
Velora smiled.
"No, darling. I want you to choose who lives."
The chandelier above flickered, a spotlight flared,and the first page of Act One caught fire in Luna's script.
Only twelve pages remained.