Bad End Night

      I sluggishly walk through the woods searching for the play I had mysteriously received an invitation for about a week ago. The play was simply titled "True End". I asked around the small village I lived in to see if anyone else received an invitation. It seems I was the only one invited. Normally I wouldn't have thought twice about declining this offer, but something felt special about it. As if it was calling out to me. So I ended up going. Thanks to that hunch the fancy new dress I bought for this occasion has been soiled and I'm lost in the woods. I'm certain that even if I manage to find the play now I'd be late and I probably wouldn't even be able to find my way home. As I continue to chastise myself I continue to walk down this path I've been walking out of the corner of my eye I notice a small mansion. It like quite rundown yet still in good condition. I also saw candlelight in the windows. If I was not as thirsty or tired as I was I probably would've kept walking. However against my better judgement I approach the mansion.

      As I reach the door I notice an odd brass knocker with a "K" engraved into it. The door looks moderately damaged. I used the knocker with no answer. After waiting what seemed like hours I try the doorknob and the door opens. The bright light temporarily blinds me as I yell "Is anyone there?" As I regain my vision I notice a group of people around me.

      A strange Butler with a wide grin approached me. "My! Do you need some help?" Before I have a chance to answer a pair of twins approached me. They almost look like fancily dressed dolls. "WELCOME!..." the Girl stated "To our WONDROUS mansion..." The Boy stated finishing her sentence. The maid then approaches with a smile. "Let me serve you!" she said almost as if singing. Everyone one then gathers around me and looks at me as if appraising me. The Master approached and kissed my hand "A meeting such as this, you know, must be fate!" The Twins approached and shouted "Then we will party!! Party!" the two said together. "Let us welcome you!" The group stated in unison. The Twin Boy ran up and grabbed my hand "Hurry, hurrY!" he said while dragging me across the room to the Butler who was holding a bottle of Wine. The Butler then handed me a wine glass while repeating in a sing-song manner while pouring "Pour the Wine!" Before I had a chance to even sip the wine the Lady of the House grabbed the glass while the Maid grabbed my unoccupied hand."Be merry, Be festive!" She sang as she spun me around to the Lady of the house who handed me back the glass."Let us give a toast" She shouted and tapped her glass against my own. I was able to taste the wine this time. A bit sour. Shortly after the toast the Twin girl ran to me and shouted "Are you readY??" the Mistress approached from behind me and added "Are we, Indeed?" I slightly nodded my head unsure of what would happen either way. "Then let us begin!"

       We sang, we danced, we made merry. I was certainly a happy night! However when I awoke in the room they provided me something seemed amiss. I couldn't quite put my finger on it... until I opened the curtains. It was still night. Could it be possible that the banquet lasted until the next night? I asked myself as I walked down the stairs to the first floor. The Twins approached me and could clearly see the worry on my face. They looked at each other as if they knew what I was thinking. After a few seconds they smiled and grabbed my hands dragged me to the centerpiece of the room the Grandfather Clock. "Shall WE..." The Girl started "Tell you a SEcret...?" The boy finished.

       I nodded. They both wore twisted "Take a look at the clock...." They said in unison. After examining the clock I noticed that the hands weren't moving. This can't possibly be the cause of it still being night can it. I began to panic and ran through out the mansion until I came to a secret room. I ran through the dark and dirty corridor until I came to another heavy door. Pushing it open I find... "JesuS! JesuS!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Coffins littered the floor.

       The group approached me from behind. The mistress was the first to speak. "Oh, Dear..." "So you saw it..." the Master stating soon after. The Twin Boy ran to me and began to yell "DangeR!! DangeR!!" The Maid scooted him away while singing "Don't be scared, please?" I began to run. As I was running I could hear them "Where are you goinG??" The Twin Girl yelled. "Where, indeed?" The Butler said after her. I heard them all yell "Please, wait!" I ran until I was in the room with the clock where they cornered me.

       "Please" I pleaded "I just want to go home" I was crying now "What can I do to get back home?" The Master and Mistress approached first "Once the play is over..." "Then you shall return" the Maid and Butler finished. I began talking without realizing "The key to the Happy endinG..." They began singing the song from the banquet.

"♪ You are the lead actress in this Crazy nighT, all dressed up with a glass of wine. Once you're just drunk enough, won't you enjoy yourself so? Sing, dance, make merry, forget what's sweet and bitter. 'Til the point of madness, enjoy a Happy nighT! ♪"

       I began staring at the hands of the clock. One of which looks extremely sharp. Almost as if it was a knife. "Where has it ended up?" I asked.

"♪ You are the lead actress in this Crazy nighT - is all according to script? What, then, of tonight? What EndinG? It's all up to you, you know... Search, look hard for a Happy endinG, but mess up the order, and it's all over. Does the True enD lie in the coffins? Ah, is it another Bad End Night? ♪"

       I approached the Grand Father Clock. "That coldly-glinting key..." I said as they continued singing. I grabbed the sharp clock hand and smiled. "...I fooound it."

       They still continued to sing.

"♪ Run! Run! Run for your life! Forget the play and the lines! 'Til the point of madness, break apart this Bad End Night... You are the lead actress in this Crazy nighT; the cast and the stage are all gone and with the story over, now, shall we all leave together? Sing, dance, make merry, forget what's sweet and bitter. 'Til the point of madness, enjoy a Bad End Night! ♪"

       I began to sing along "I am the lead actress in this Crazy nighT, plunging a knife into your skulls and once I'd swung it just enough... I began to enjoy myself so..." I raised the hand that held the clock hand. Then swung it down with all my might.

       The room became quiet. A mysterious person cloaked in black appeared almost as if it was a shadow. It began clapping as it approached the body of young girl. Near her a bloody knife. "A good show...what you put on tonight." It took the invitation from the girl's body. Crying it was off to start the cycle anew.