Undaunting Castle

Dane Recaido (11) | STAFF REPORTER

The stage was set.

Dancers were rehearsing while the backstage crew mounted props onto the cold brick walls. The floor was swept in wisps of glitter-encrusted cotton that was used to resemble the twinkling snow under a clear night sky. Painted wood was used to assemble the undaunting castle that settled directly centre of the stage. 

Towering quartz columns were positioned against the castle, outlining the engraved swirls with detailed etching of the wide double doors of the building. A tall black fence with pointed tips and curved metal bordered the entrance of the picturesque structure.

People rushed around, adjusting the vases of blossoming flowers that were nestled atop low pillars. The silver-plated windows that curved in an arch shape on the castle walls were thrown open. 

Everyone else was already in their positions. And when the loud clamour of clapping from the audience ceased, everyone scrambled to their respective areas as the curtains parted. 

It was a complete ambiguous silence that followed the slow drawing of the curtains. 

Anticipation circled around us as bright blinding lights flickered on, centering exactly on our positions. I stood still in my place as I lifted my arms high in a ready position and stood suspended like a frozen figurine. I pictured myself as a sculpted statue, my body perfectly still in anticipation of my graceful dance. 

My face remained stoic, unwavering under the pressure of the millions of eyes that focused on me. 

I watched with bated breath as the matte red curtains that were lined with embroidered gold brushed against the tiled floors and squeaked into a halt, fully unveiling the scene that I’d spent months preparing for. 

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Even though I forced my head to remain steady, my eyes wandered. In the darkness of the crowd, the sparkles on my outfit reflected in a thousand glimmering lights. Everyone else around me on the stage remained frozen, waiting for the music to begin. 

And when the soft melodious tune began, I pushed forward on my foot. I was prepared to play my part, to dance within the rhythm of the music. 

But I was stationary.

Numbness spread like a rampant disease as my body failed to cooperate with my commands. My eyes panicked, wandering to the rest of the dancers around me. But they too were immobile. 

They were unstirring, rooted to the spot but the fear in their eyes betrayed their almost lifeless appearance. 

I focused on my fingers, attempting even a little twitch. But they were paralyzed. 

It wasn’t until my eyes caught the thin glimmering strand attached around my wrist that I saw the position I was truly stuck in. 

Almost immediately, the strings pulled taunt and my body was moving. Everyone else began moving too as we danced, weaving around each other in precise, controlled movements. 

But it wasn’t me in control. I thought my mind was subdued by some unimaginable force but my eyes trailed the string on my wrists. The thin translucent cord that I knew was the new master of my movements. 

I wasn’t the statue, I was the puppet.