A Night of Masks

The girl's eyes were darting left and right as she stood in line with the rest of the guests, anticipation in the air as they awaited the arrival of the host. Everyone was in single file so they could only see the backs of the others' heads, nobody would be able to see faces as intended. She scratched nervously at her palms and pulled at her black dress sleeves to make it more comfortable. This party was one that everybody in the city had to attend, and in each city across the globe it was happening at the exact same time. Every person was wearing all black and nothing else to ensure they would not be able to tell anyone apart. Children were to remain at home, it wasn't like there would be anyone able to harm them. Finally they all looked up to see a ravishing young man step out from the balcony, wearing a black bird mask. "Welcome, all of you!" He exclaimed. Nobody moved, not a word, even if it was procedure. They simply looked up at him with pale faces. The man's eyes scanned the line, him being the only one who would be able to identify each and every one of them. For a moment his eyes locked with the girl's and she shied her eyes away. He smiled and waved his arm, and in seconds butlers wearing black masks streamed out of the mansion, handing white masks to all guests. Well, almost all. The woman's blood ran cold as the held the red mask that was given to her. No, this couldn't be right, it had to be a mistake. But nobody came and said, "Our mistake, here's your white one!". Trembling, she placed the red mask apon her face and followed the rest of the guests into the house. Once inside they were lead into a spacious ballroom. Their host was already there, waiting. Beneath his mask he grinned and raised his hands. "Enjoy the night, folks!" As he strode through the room to greet the guests live music began to play and people started to move about and mingle. A few people looked towards the girl sympathetically seeing her red mask and all she could do was nod and search for her partner. During the start of a slow song she found him, a man wearing a red mask identical to her own. Their eyes met and with a gulp he held out his hand. She took it and they made their way to the center of the floor. People stood back to let them by and they began to dance to the music. "What's your name?" She asked after a moment. He chuckled lowly. "That information is forbidden, ain't it?" "Does it matter now?" His face, or at least what could be seen of it, took a somber tone. He avoided the question. "You have kids?" "Two." "You look so young!" The woman giggled. "I try." As they danced and spoke they began to feel a connection. The woman had never been so happy, not even with her own partner. Her life had ittedly not been very good as of late. But tonight tjat would change. Thanks to a mask. She thought about it for a moment, and decided that perhaps this fate wasn't so bad. Perhaps this was what the world had intended when they made this law. Towards the song's end she whispered, "What is your name?" "Daniel. Yours?" "Samanth-" There was the crack of a gun. Daniel fell into the girl's arms. She had no time to feel grief, or even fear, for a second later another bullet was shot and it met her head. The two fell to the floor, as well as a pistol from the man's coat and another from the lady's sleeve. As a pool of blood began to spread the rest of the guests simply turned away while butlers came and took the two red masked corpses away. The host in his bird mask stepped to the center of the floor, not minding a bit of blood on his shoes. Everyone stared. His gaze followed the bulters until the door closed behind them. He placed a hand over his heart and the remaining guests did the same. "They have been released from their miserable existence. They have died happily. Now," He grinned and faced the rest of the crowd. "Who has granted it to them? Certainly not me~ All I did was provide them their happiness. Who among you has ensured that they remain that way for the rest of time? Who, in our fair city, is a murderer?" A guest threw their gun apon the floor. Then another, and soon everyone had a weapon of some sort lying in front of them on the cold marble floor, as they had been told to bring. But who had decided to use their's? Now, the purpose of this party would commence.

#Mmystery