Bad idea, right?

Samhain festival

𝓘t was around a century ago, a time of mystery and ancient practices, just before Anukhetara celebrated its first Samhain festival. The air was thick with uncomfortable dread as Isha and her friend Thana set foot in Anukhetara. They sensed something was wrong from the time they arrived, like a distant storm rumbling barely above the clouds. The city, usually bubbling with activity, appeared to buzz with an odd quiet, as if it were holding its breath.

        The first sign of this oddness was the Akasha Terminal. The device, which took the form of a modest earpiece, weighed on them like chains. The Akademiya, Anukhetara's governing body, created this device, stating it was for the benefit of everybody. But as the days passed, like sand through a clenched fist, Isha realised something was wrong: she could no longer dream. Every night, she would lay down, only to be faced with an infinite void, sleep an ocean swallowing her whole.

        Only after a week or so of sleepless nights did she realise the truth: no one in Anukhetara dreamed. The realisation crashed into her chest like a stone, cold and heavy, making every breath an effort. Both Isha and Thana, who had been so excited about their journey, suddenly felt a growing sense of worry, as if they had wandered too far into the woods only to realise they had lost their way. They knew they needed to leave, to set themselves free from the invisible strings that were tightening around them, but every time they attempted, something—an invisible force—would step in, making their efforts futile. The city didn't seem ready to let them leave.

        As the first Samhain festival approached, the air was full with anticipation. The festival suddenly became the city's main focus, a wild loyalty that affected every discussion and whispered word. Despite their doubts, Isha and Thana decided to participate and lose themselves in the crowd, believing that by doing so, they might be able to discover a way out. They weren't the type to sit quietly by, so they started asking around, offering their assistance wherever it was needed. However, everywhere they looked, they were met with masked faces—blank, lifeless, hidden behind frightening white masks provided for the celebration. When asked if they needed help, each participant replied with a scripted-like sentence: "Don't worry about me, go, and please have fun!". The words sounded hollow, like echoes in an empty cavern, and the way they were delivered—so mechanical, yet full of life—sent shivers down their spines. But the two friends, desperate for  distraction, chose to ignore the persistent sense of wrongness that threatened to consume them.

        When the weight of the day became too much for them, Thana suggested they rest. They spotted a bench, a brief break from the unnerving strangeness. As they sat there, gathering their breath, Isha's gaze was drawn to a modest door in the wall, almost buried in the shadows. A sign above it said 'Theatre'. The term generated a flicker of optimism in Isha's chest—an opportunity to assist, interact, and feel something real amongst the strange. She nudged Thana, who agreed that it was valuable to look further.  Stepping into the door, they were met with warmth that contrasted sharply with the icy indifference of the city beyond. The theatre was alive with a calming friendliness, a cocoon of light and colour that put them at peace for the first time since their arrival.

        A young woman approached them with soft steps and a friendly demeanour. Nilou was a dancer known across Anukhetara for her elegance and beauty. Nilou smiled genuinely, which was unusual in a place full of masks and hidden motives. She welcomed them with open arms and offered them the opportunity to help decorate the theatre for the festival. They happily accepted the opportunity to achieve something real and human. As they worked, the theater's atmosphere embraced them like a cosy blanket, and for a brief moment, they allowed themselves to imagine that everything would be well.

        Before they departed for a nap before the festival, Nilou mentioned her dancing rehearsal later that night and offered them to come if they weren't too tired. The thought of seeing something lovely despite all the odd occurrences was intriguing, but as soon as they got home, fatigue seized them, and they collapsed into a deep, dreamless sleep.