"Line up move it!" "Especially you Sunshine!" Snake hissed while armed guards marched us onto the buses. Like prisoners we were chained together in pairs, luckily I was chained to Rosaline. We were prisoners except we were dressed in tutus and ballet clothing. I was dressed as the Black Swan while another girl was the White Swan my polar opposite for the play. Rosaline would be singing in the background. We've planned to escape during a changing break. If all goes to plan we could sneak into the crowd and escape. If not start a stampede and escape in the disoriented crowd.
"Like prisoners" I mumbled six more months and we would be sacrificed to this demon unless we managed to escape.
"It's alright we won't be like this anymore. The only time we'll be like this if we get caught by the police for disturbing the peace or having too much fun partying." Rosaline chucked loudly.
"Shut up! Keep moving ladies!" A voice boomed over the crowd. Stepping onto the plantinum bus we took a seat on the farthest back seat towards the end. As the bus's engine roared to life I watched as the darkened facility dispeard the stars luminated the darkened sky, the bus drove silently through the freeway and cars passed us by as we came closer and closer to our destination. It's engine stopped roaring and cut off when we reached our destination the large building was packed wih people arriving in fancy gowns, luxirous suits and tuxes all arriving in luxury brand cars. All dressed regally to impress the Queen. The bus drove around to the back enterance where the performers were to enter.
"If any of you cause trouble or try to escape we will not hesitate to shoot you." Snake cocked his silencer onto his gun carefully showing it to us while one of the leaders unlocked our chained wrists. "This especially goes to you Little Miss Sunshine." He winked placing the gun to my forehead. "It would be sweet and utterly perfect to blow that brain out of that stubborn head of yours. I wonder if rainbows would shoot out of your cracked skull. Maybe I should check. Later though, for now I have my eyes on you" He snickered putting the gun back into his holster. Before exiting the bus we walked single lines into the building. Entering inside the lavish room we were escorted down the red and gold colored hallways, the smell of fine wine and luxurious smell of food enticed our senses. For we hadn't eaten dinner this being the reason we were becoming antsy.
"Good you're here and my my such lovely ladies!" "By the gods! What do we have here?!" Approaching us quickly a well dressed man approached us wearing a clean cut white suit with a purple handkerchief in his pocket he pranced around and twirled dramatically before grabbing my hands. He leaned in close to my face which annoyed me. His shaggy, light-blond hair ruffled and his lavender eyes sparked with interest. "A sweet dark swan! By the gods such a graceful lovely raven has flowed into my heart. Her gracefulness her beauty my heart sores it flutters with every beat of her wings. Tell me sweet swan what's your name?"
"Katherine" My voice hissed with venom and unconcealed annoyance.
"Such a beautiful lovely name for a sweet swan my name is Lord Aleister Chamber the second" Creepily he kept holding my hands and staring into my eyes.
"Enough!" Snake hissed stepping between us. "We have a show to perform kindly make your way to your seat" He commanded in an authoritative yet dark tone.
"You're right I wouldn't want to miss this sweet swan perform. Bye!" He blew a kiss before skipping down the hall.
"You know how to pick them." Rosaline silently chuckled while whispering to me.
"I didn't.." My words gave in seconds later I'm out of energy. Too annoyed by the display of insanity I had just witnessed. Is this how the rich act nowadays? Times really have changed in the last two years. We slumberly marched onward towards the stage. The directors, light men, camera crew it all bustled with movement. Standing near the stage were the older leaders each had a concealed weopen, looking around there was no way to cause a distraction. We were trapped. I looked at Roslaine who looked defeated crushed and empty. By even realizing my actions I grabbed her hand squeezing it tightly. " I can try to attract attention from any one in the crowd. It's not normal to have this mark on my ribs.." I slowly moved the gown revealing my burned mark it had healed but the mark was clear. "Maybe someone will realize somethings wrong and save us" Rosaline frowned but a smile crept on her lips. "Now who's being too hopeful now?" She laughed. "Even if they don't we still have each other always and forever right?"
"Right always and forever" I whispered squeezing her hand tighter. My own words sounded empty and meaningless to me. Why do I care if she's upset?
"Ladies and Gentlemen tonight! We have a special treat for her majesty! Black Swan! Enjoy this ladies and gentleman!" The speakers boomed signifying that we were next I watched as Rosaline stepped up with her microphone she smiled one last time before heading towards stage to sing her pure white ball gown ruffled as she moved quickly. The girl who was the White Swan stepped up first. After she makes her "transformation" in a minute I would become come in and switch places with her as the rest of the performers shield us and cover us allowing enough time to successfully maneuver a switch. The cue being when Rosaline sings "She shall come back alive transformed before our very eyes"
There has to be a way to escape. Peering over the boxes of supplies on the back of the stage I hide quietly watching, only one door was open. Standing in the doorway was the foul beast I despised with every ounce of my being. "There has to be another way." Peering around the stage I found a rope leading up towards the top leading to a darkened stairway. The camera crew probably uses it to set up the lights. "Now where does that go?" A devious smirk facaded my lips momentarily.
"She shall come back alive transformed before our very eyes"
"Crap" A long drawn out hissed left the tightened corners of my lips. Rushing from my hiding place I quickly made it towards the stage.
"Took you long enough! Switch!" Huffed the tired worn down White Swan. She seemed to want to collapse on the floor from lack of food and exhaustion.
"Whatever" Taking a place behind the performers the lights dimmed slowly the drumming of my heart silenced my hearing partially. The breaths of the performers covering my body seemed to calm my nerves. Channel your anger, pain, hate, make sure also that the mark shows clearly and visibly.
"And she's reborn! From the ashes. Rise oh beautiful dark swan Rise my beautiful Black Swan!"
Swoosh!
"Rise!"
Moving mechanically I rose off behind the other performers moving closer to the center stage I viciously moved onto my tiptoes gracefully spinning making it my intention of shooing off my mark. The faces in the crowds seemed to be captivated with my movements to notice it. Damn it morons. Look at this not me! Wait what if..
Moving close to the center I spun my body more forcefully but gracefully making my movements more centered. I peered over my shoulders whenever I spun or moved I scanned the crowd for any farmiliar faces. Scanning the front of the crowd I saw unfarmiliar faces wait ... the boy from two years ago in the candy shop! I remember him from his ridiculous eye patch and blue hair. He appeared to be rather bored as he sat sipping his tea at the front table. Staring at him I gracefully moved closer to the front of the stage. My hand moved towards my mark he seemed to momentarily catch eye contact with me. I pointed at my mark before turning back. Peering over my shoulder I noticed his confused and possibly shocked face as he stopped sipping his tea. A dark figured man appeared behind him a smile appeared on his lips as his dark bangs covered his face. He regally leaned and bent closer to hear the child speak. His crimson eyes seemed to glow momentarily as he looked over at me. Spinning one last time I had to make my way towards the center stage moving up the staged staircase I made one last movement before falling over the staged stairs. My body landed hard against a soft bean bag in the back. The final part was the Black Swan's timely demise. I felt bitter emotions and thoughts crawl up welling bitterly onto my tongue. "Black Swan dies"Just like how we are going to end up, dead. Cheers and applause ensured shortly after. A certain loud mouth weirdo I met backstage earlier could be heard over the crowd spewing nonsense. Rosaline appeared grabbing my hands she pulled my body up. Making our way towards the stage we curtsied and now with the other performers on stage. All had plastic smiles plastered on their faces. Only I stood there angrily Rosaline was the only one who really had a real smile on her face. She blew kisses dwelling and eating up the attention of the crowd. Peering over the crowd I did not see the boy he had disappeared with the tall darkly figured man. All hope is lost then. Walking out of the building I looked over the crowded bustling streets one more time and slowly breathed my last taste of freedom before boarding the platinum bus. The shackles on my wrists and ankles jingled singsongly as we climbed the steps. The engine roared to life the city lights and cars slowly disappeared along with my hopes, dreams and future.