Unbreakable

“Again,” Gram snaps. She called me at five- thirty this morning telling me to meet her at the studio for eight. With my dance competition in two weeks, I wasn’t going to argue. “You need more control,” she starts. “Remember that Death is seducing you, you are not seducing Death.” Actually, there is no seducing in this song. Saint Saens wrote this about the Grim Reaper bringing the skeletons back from the dead on Halloween. I sigh, and keep this too myself. My body morphs into the starting pose, and my eyes close. Twelve notes from the piano signal the stroke of midnight; the “Danse macabre” has begun.

I move like water as I dance with and invisible Death. He beckons me with soothing words and promises of a painless future. He sucks me into his dark world, and me feet mindlessly carry me along.

My left leg lifts over my head into a needle. I do several pique turns and imagine my limbs belong to a ghost long forgotten. “Control,” Gram snarls. I make sure my movements are in check, but I keep my mental image.

Death sweeps me up in a waltz that makes my fear of dying disappear. How could it be so bad if a charming man like this is waiting for me? Looking into his beautiful, dark eyes makes me want to go with him now, but he isn’t done with our dance yet.

“Control Annalyse,” Gram’s voice has a harsh bite to it. I get frustrated, but find myself focusing on my form. I walk across the floor with meticulous movements. My abdominal muscles stay taught as I semi- plie into and arabesque. The music picks up again, and I’m swept away with it.

Death keeps a strong but gentle hand on my lower back while we glide into the afterlife. It feels so nice to be cared for this way.

“Control,” Gram’s voice startles me so much that I fumble my Cabride and hit the floor. “Useless,” she hisses. I go to push up, and the main theme inspires me.

“Fuck your control,” I growl. Instead of being a weak little girl that gets seduced by Death, I become Death. I raise my skeleton army up to dance with me on this glorious night. They are reluctant at first; only one lonely man joins me. I can sense that he’s been long dead, and he yearns for the touch of a woman.

We dance together, a dance filled with promises of a better afterlife, even if it’s for one night only. His comrades become more and more brave. I can feel all of their wants and regrets. Soon they leave their graves and join me in the moonlight.

I lead them through town, havoc follows in our wake. Any unlucky villager out this morning gets the shock of their life at the sight of my bony brethren. They can do all of the things they never got to do on this one, lawless night.

The screams of children, the wails of drunks, and clicking bones fill the air. The mortal terror is everywhere leaving me in an ecstasy that’s almost paralyzing. I breathe in the fear that my army invokes; goosebumps prickle my skin.

The air changes. My eyes float skyward to find the first crack of down streak the sky. I look to the beautiful creatures I just freed, and Sigh. My chest fills with remorse, and I summon them back to their graves.

I parade the rejuvenated deceased through the streets that lead to their eternal homes. Most return wine stained and jewel clad. Even the iron cemetery gates can’t break their newfound spirit.

I tuck them back into their dirt beds with the items they stole and the promise of another night like this in one year’s time. The hope and happiness is all around. It seems that even the now fully erect sun is casting compassion down on the once hopeless. A smile teases my lips while the souls of the newly dead rise into the sky; the perfect All Hallows Eve…

Applause fills the tiny studio and my eyes, that I didn’t realize were closed, open. At first I see Gram’s scowl, then Ashley’s beaming face, and a stranger with kind eyes and an impressed smile. “That was astounding,” the man says. “You embodied dead with so much beauty that my soul shook. Very well done.”

“Thank you,” I pant. Ashley brings me my water bottle, and kisses my head. “I thought you were in the observation room.”

“You drew me down,” he grins. “I couldn’t keep my eyes off you. You’re hypnotic.”

“I’d say,” the man approaches me and holds out a business card. “If you’re ever free, give me a call and I’d be happy to have you on our stage.” He shakes my hand, and kisses my cheeks like a Frenchman. He gives Gram a nod before he leaves, the door echoing behind him.

Gram’s face softens, and she takes my hand. “You did well,” she chokes. Can I see tears in her eyes? She looks down at the card and back to my eyes. Oh. I got the attention of the Royal Ballet Ballet Master, that’s why she’s proud of me. I got her on the doorstep of fame. Too bad i won’t lead her inside. “Let’s go get some lunch dear,” she leads me to the door with pride written all over her body. It appears I’ve finally done something right in her eyes.

Notes

Sorry this was late guys! I've been crazy busy. I've always wanted to write a chapter like this, and I've got to say that it was really fun. I got lost in it. Let me know what you guys thought of it, I'd love to hear them. Have a good night dolls <3