Empty Memories of a home Long Forgotten

Something's not right

Echo (that's my friend) and I clutched our tickets tightly, the darkness of the long-abandoned corridor shrouding us like funeral clothes. I was sure we were in the wrong place, that we had gotten lost. The cirque probably wasn't even playing in this old theatre. I hissed at Echo
"You've gotten us lost! We're not even supposed to be here!"
She shot me a disgruntled look, sighed and kept walking. I was about to turn back, when a man appeared in front of us. Though he wore an ominous façade, his face was kindly. I stared up at him as he spoke.
"My my, we don't normally allow children at our shows. Scared are we, Raeln? Ready to turn back?"
Now, if this had been some made up story, where everything is perfect, good wins and we all live happily ever after, Echo would have stood up for me. She would have questioned how he knew my name and informed him we were plenty brave enough.
Unfortunately, this is real life, not some fairy tale. Being the wonderful friend she is, Echo just laughed. It wasn't unheard of for her to mock me, especially in the face of danger. Nothing but a troublemaker, that girl.
"How- how did you know my name?" I tried to force bravery into my voice but that last remaining tremble of fear betrayed me.
"Keep walking straight on, you'll find the place. It's just down this hall," the tall man pretended not to hear me, pointing down a dimly-lit corridor.
"What, isn't there a lady with a torch?" Echo joked
"If you wanted hand-holding, Echo, you should have brought a babysitter!" His stern and cruel tone returned when addressing my friend.
"And be warned, children, this show is not for the faint hearted. Turn back now, or forever hold your peace,"
Echo grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me down the remaining length of the corridor. Spurned and angered by the tall man's words, she chuckled a derivative, half heated chuckle and pulled me away.
"Echo, calm down. It's not worth your anger," I hissed, keeping my voice low.

We took our seats a short while later, shivering in the cold of the abandoned building and observing the other viewers of such an odd show. Some people were quiet, and looked afraid. Others were chatting and laughing as though they were at a party. Everyone was already seated, but for two empty spaces just in front of us. We were 5 rows from the back, with a brilliant view. Right in the middle, and nobody tall was sitting in front of us. Walking up and down the isles, ensuring the venue was perfect (as perfect as an ancient abandoned theatre could be) were what looked to be children, in blue hooded robes that covered their bodies and faces. The little people seemed hurried, like they had business to attend to elsewhere. Echo nudged me,
"What do you suppose they are? They don't look like Safeiran citizens."
"They could be fae," I mused. "But their cloaks are like what the orcs wear. I've not the faintest clue, dear"
Echo rolled her eyes at me.

I would have said more, but the two seats in front of us were taken as two boys hurried in. They didn't appear too much younger than us, though they evidently were. Looks can be deceiving and all that. Perhaps 12 or 13 years old. Looking disheveled and exhausted, they had clearly come from far away. What was so important about this show, that two children would run far enough to lose their breath just for this? Perhaps it was the thrill of something new, something scary and exciting. Perhaps they had other reasons for being there. Who could tell, with Earth being what it was these days.

With the last two places filled, the tall man from before strode onto the stage. He didn't say anything, simply signalled up to the balcony above us. Trumpets began to sound throughout the theatre, getting louder and more intense with time. But then, when the fanfare ended, the screaming began...