Masquerade Ball

I died.

But then again maybe I didn't.

My eyes sprung shot and I quickly gasped for air. It was like I was pulled from the deep ocean, lacked oxygen for years, and now breathing heavily to inhale the fresh air.

However, I was left dumbfounded when I found myself in the middle of a masquerade ball. I looked down and frowned when I saw myself wearing a long flowing red dress, matching my crimson mask. My gown has beads of jewelry everywhere, sparkling along with the big chandelier above. It was magical.

Wait, is this a dream?!

"The last time I checked, I am dead." I mumbled, confusion written all over my face.

"Ehem," I heard someone cleared his throat.

It's funny how I only noticed now that I am with a stranger, my arms around his neck, his, wrapped around my waist. We were dancing in the middle of a mysterious ball as his gray eyes gazed at me. It felt like he was staring right through my soul.

His dark red tuxedo moved elegantly as we danced along with the classical music. His blonde hair was well-trimmed, some strands of it were left hanging down on the right side of his forehead.

A small smirk appeared on his face, making him ten times hotter. I automatically knitted my eyebrows like I was confused, but I did that to stop myself from smiling like an idiot. You know what my weakness is!

He leaned closer to my ear, his warm breath tickling my skin. "That's cute."

"That's cute."

My eyebrows went ten times knitted. And I'm pretty sure I wasn't ten times hotter when I did that. "Are you that guy from the bus?" I asked as I reached for his mask. I was contemplating removing it, but he nodded with a smile. I slowly took his mask off, and I can't help but draw a sharp breath.

It's not that I was surprised to see his familiar face, it's because he was looking so dashing I can't hide my smirk anymore.

"Are you dead, too?" I asked as we swayed along with the classical music. There were people around us, but my escort is just too fine I can't take my eyes off him.

"No."

His answer made me more confused. "Then, of all people, why are you here dancing with someone who's dead?"

It's not like I'm objecting or what. I'm just a really curious person.

He grinned at me. "It's because I'm the only one alive."

He gently pulled me and before I knew it, I was already running with him, away from the bizarre masquerade ball. It was like I was a princess running away with a lover whom I was told to stay away from.

I never thought dying is this thrilling!

We went through different hallways, went up and down at different staircases until we reached a huge wooden door. He squeezed my hand and looked sternly at me.

"Now, don't ever let go of my hand unless you want to be trapped behind this door forever." He was dead serious, so I nodded though I don't really follow.

The door automatically opened on its own, it slowly moved, making a creaking sound. The inside was pitch black. I squinted my eyes but still failed to see amid the darkness before me.

The stranger pulled me in and the door behind us closed on its own. The moment I heard him snapped his fingers, the lamps hanging on the walls flickered.

Is this really the afterlife? It's so different from the movies with all the white stuff and neat-looking settings. This looks like a vintage place that existed in the Victorian Era.

I scanned the long hallway and all I can see are peculiar paintings on the wall along with the dimly lit lamps.

"Is this really the way to heaven?" I asked as I matched with his pace.

I heard him chuckled. "Who says we're going to heaven?"

My feet made an abrupt stop as I stare nervously at his back. Of course, I didn't let go of his hand. Ten percent because of his warning and ninety percent because he's hot.

"I'm going to hell?! Last time I checked I just saved some lives!" I blurted out, my heart now thumping wildly. Just the thought of living in the pit of fire makes me shudder in fear.

"Who said we're going to heaven or hell? You didn't die, Harper."

"Of course I'm not dea- wait what?! I'm not dead?!"

Mother of cow! How did he know my name?!

He finally stopped his tracks, making me bump in his back. "You heard me." He held me in my shoulder using his free hand and motioned me to turn. "Now, I want you to stare at that painting."

My eyes darted on the art piece hanging majestically on the wall. I can't help but to gape as I stare at a woman with blazing red hair. Her eyes were glowing gold, her aura screaming power. Around her was nothing but chaos, and it seems like she was fighting to purged the evil swirling like a hurricane in front of her. I'm pretty sure she was a hero,

and it killed her.

Her white long dress was soaked in crimson dress but her gaze was still as sharp as a sword. She was a warrior.

I think we'll get along with each other if we met. We both have that strong sense of justice.

"I know she's lovely, but that's not what I'm talking about." The guy beside me pointed to the painting beside the masterpiece I was just looking at. I almost didn't notice it because it's such a boring art piece.

It's just a girl in a monotonous formal attire inside a bus about to fall off a bridg-

"What in the world..." My voice trailed off as I stare at something terrifying for me to look at.

It was my own death.

"Brace yourself," He stated, making me look at his direction. He was now staring at me with his lifeless eyes. It felt like a bucket of cold water splashed right through me, making me wake up from my own delusion.

From a princess, I felt like I was a captive caught by a dangerous monster.

His free hand reached for the painting of my death. "The next few choices you'll be making will determine whether you'll continue to live or die."

Before I knew it, I was back on the bus where I died. I was in my business attire, the same worn-out heels, the same broken wristwatch.

I quickly looked around and the passengers were all the same. It was as if I came straight back from the moment I died.

In the next few minutes, the accident will happen.

Panic started to rise inside me and fear started kicking in my system. An ominous feeling brushed down my spine as I drew a sharp breath.

I'm going to die for the second time.

"Stop the vehicle right now! An accident will happen! Stop the bus!" I shouted desperately, my throat felt like it was burning but I kept screaming.

"They can't hear you." His cold familiar voice made me turned to the right. He was looking at me as if everything that is currently happening wasn't a big deal. He was leaning on a chair, his hands on his pockets.

I never thought he is a wolf hiding in sheep's clothing. I don't know why, but I felt so betrayed.

"Did you put me back in here?!" I shouted with rage as tears started to stream down my face. My heart felt like bursting from anger, fear, sadness.

Having to know that you'll die any moment was frightening.

Having to know the truth that you'll vanish and everyone else will live on like nothing happened was excruciating.

I lived alone and having to know that I'll die alone,

it's just,

painful.

I screamed when I heard something slammed at the top of the bus. It's now happening, what should I do?!

The bus swerved and the passengers started to panicked.

"Please, stop this! Stop it, I'm begging you!" I desperately yelled at the guy as I tried to balance myself inside the vehicle.

But his eyes didn't even flinch one bit. "I made a mistake. I opened your second chamber to save you from death. Now pick,"

My heart was about to burst from all the tension and I saw the truck honking intensely in front of us. My head was in complete turmoil, but I tried my best to pay attention to what he's saying.

"Die or live with the responsibility of keeping your powers hidden. Choose."

"What?! Are you kidding me?! Powers?!"

He grunted and stood straight up. "Maybe this will help you choose faster."

Suddenly, I was left alone inside the bus. A peace sign was formed in my hand. Shivers run down my spine as I felt death was going to come after me.

The bus moved continuously and finally fall off the bridge. My body slammed everywhere as my whole life flashes right before my eyes.

Was the time I spent living was enough? Did I even felt happy? Did I live the life I wanted to live?

Did someone ever love me?

These questions ran through the back of my mind and all the answers are no.

I felt my bones crushing and blood was trickling all over. My vision started to get blurry. I started having trouble in breathing.

I think I'm about to make a huge mistake, but I made up my mind.

"I WILL LIVE! I'LL LIVE, YOU JERK!" I screamed as loud as I can right before the deep ocean hit the vehicle. I shut my eyes tight, desperately wishing this torture will end.

The next thing I knew, I was sprawled over the cold floor of the Victorian hallway. Panting heavily, I stood up and found nothing but a blank wall.

The painting of my death...

it was gone.