Every 30 Minutes

Chapter 6

9:27 30 October 2020

-Ella's POV-

I slowly blinked my eyes open, my head pounding in pain. My body ached as I moved my limbs, trying to get up. For a few moments, I observed my surroundings in the moonlight. I got onto my feet and looked around the dance studio, surprised when I found my feet in ballet flats instead of my silver flats. I smiled a little as I remembered the times I took dance lessons and had performances when I was younger. However, the smile left as soon as it came.

"Dance for us..." a multi-layered voice requested.

"Wh... Who's there?" I stammered, a lump forming in my throat. The spotlights along the side of the dance room turned on, making the room brighten up. However, I started to panic as fear made itself comfortable in my body.

In the mirror, were ten little girls in their pink leotards and leggings, looking at me with blank stares. Their skin were pale as snow and eyes were hollow and black, filled with infinite darkness. Their black hair were tied up neatly in a bun, making them look graceful but scary. "Dance..."

"Let me out... Please," I pleaded, voice filled with fear. My stomach twisted in a knot, making me feel sick.

"It is nine twenty-seven... You have three minutes..." One of them said, voice trailing off as she spoke. The radio started to play Swan Lake, a tune I am familiar with. The only thing I feared now was that my steps were wrong and I messed up since I have not danced for a few years. I took in a deep breath, letting my body take over and I danced around the room, just like I did three years ago.

Soon, the song came to an end and I faced the mirror and gave a curtsy to end the dance. I panted a little, tired from the dance. Soft claps echoed around the room and I looked up to see the girls still staring at me. They stopped clapping and stood their original stance again.

"Thank you... We are free..." they echoed before disappearing like ghosts as if nothing happened. The door clicked open, allowing me to get out. I rushed into freedom as the spotlights switched off, leaving the room in darkness again. I frowned and picked up my belongings lying on the floor outside and as I was about to stand, a page from the local newspaper landed itself at my feet after a strong gust of wind had blown. I fixed my hair before reading the title.

'SCHOOL GIRLS DISAPPEAR AFTER DANCE PRACTISE

Ten girls are nowhere to be seen or heard from since three days ago, at their school's dance practise. These girls' disappearance is currently being investigated but there is no news yet...'

The date on the newspaper dated back to five years ago, on the exact same day. I put two and two together, realising that I had just freed these girls. They had disappeared into that mirror. Their picture in the paper looked nothing like what I had just witnessed. For one, they were smaller back in the room. They also looked almost exactly the same back in the room, and their faces were much paler and eyes much darker. A shiver ran down my spine as I dwelled on that thought.

Throwing the paper into the bin next to me, I took off in the direction towards the kitchen, feeling hungry and hoping someone else is there. I fished out my flashlight, illuminating the corridor as I brisk walked towards my destination.

"Hello friends, I want to play a game of hide and seek, you all have to hide and I'll seek. You've got 10 minutes and anyone the first person that I find will die. And even better, I'll show a countdown timer so that you will all know how much time you have." I jumped at the sudden voice coming through the speakers, knowing full well it was Jason. I stopped dead in my tracks and started to panic.