So, it’s eleven pm and I get this urge to write. I try to ignore it but find I’m unable to. This is the first time that’s happened. This moment has to be significant in some way.

My name is Madeline. This is a story about what happened to me one day, not too long ago.

To begin, I’ll start by describing the place. It was very, very brightly lit with chandeliers and windows so filled with light I couldn't see the sun. It looked kind of Victorian with all the silk and bright colors. I probably looked out of place in my jeans and sneakers. Maybe it was a mansion. But I was kind of scared, as well as lost. There didn’t seem to be anybody else there…

Wait.

Was that… music?

Creeping forward, I peered around the doorway.

Yes, it was music.

And music meant people.

I bolted around the corner and ran towards it. The path was obvious; the music just kept getting louder and soon my pounding footsteps were drowned out by the sound. I'd found them!

I skidded to a halt after nearly jumping into another Victorian-style room, breathing hard. The music stopped dead. I stared, and so did they. Let me take a minute to describe “them”.

There were at least two dozen kids, all staring at me. There was an even amount of boys and girls, as far as I could tell. The boys all had slicked-back black hair, and the girls were all blonde and had their hair up in a strange curly ponytail do. They were all incredibly pale-skinned with pointed features. I couldn’t see what they were wearing because they all had on these huge black capes that they drew across themselves with one hand. They were gloved, and looked at least fifteen or sixteen years old, a few years older than me.

Oh, and they were all wearing masks. These masks were pure white with shapeless features that seemed to be glued against their faces leaving an opening except for mouth, nose, and eye holes. It’s incredibly creepy to be stared at by people wearing masks like those.

We all just stood there, waiting for the other to do something. Nobody did anything. Nobody spoke. Nobody breathed.

“Who’s she?” everyone seemed to release the breath they’d been holding when one girl took liberty to point and ask that simple question in her singsong voice. People began to whisper and steal sidelong glances at me, not really sure what to think.

“Now, now, people, people!” one boy’s voice rang above the others’, “Is this anyway to behave when faced with a guest?” Several of the masked people looked confused. The boy continued.

“What we have here is an innocent girl who wishes to join in on the fun,” he stated, and then he turned to me, “Right?”

I was still a bit in a state of shock, I must admit, and it took a few seconds for me to react.

“Huh?” This was the response I came up with. A bit sad, isn’t it?

“You want to join in the masquerade?” one girl asked eagerly. Everyone seemed to think this was a good idea and started talking to each other, murmuring in agreement.

“So it is settled,” the same boy spoke again in his loud voice that seemed to make everyone shut up, “She will join in the masquerade! Miss…” He turned to me, and I answered just a bit quicker this time.

“Madeline.”

“All right, Emmiline, go get Ms. Madeline her costume.”

I shook my head vigorously to clear it. When had this been decided? Had I agreed to this? I didn’t even like to sing! But before I could react, the girl named Emmiline was attaching the cape to my clothes and handing me a white mask. She was dragging me towards the group before I could even put it on.

“Everybody ready?” it was that same boy again, “Good. A one and a two and a three…”

“Wait!” I shouted, but everyone was singing again. They sung beautifully and balanced. So balanced, in fact that it sounded like one person was singing. So maybe it was one person with a voice that was high and feminine and low and deep, but still.

“Stop!” I screamed, but no one seemed to hear me. I was lost in the crowd of people that were bigger and taller than me, and I couldn’t see what was beyond them. I began to panic. Finally I stumbled out of the otherwise-orderly formation. Everybody stopped again.

“What’s the matter, Madeline?” asked the boy-in-charge, who seemed to be directing everybody else. He even had a baton in his hand.

“I don’t like this!” I shouted, “I don’t know the steps! This stupid cape keeps tripping me! And I can’t breath with this forsaken mask on!” I cried, ripping the mask off my face and tossing it on the floor along with my cape. The Director looked confused.

“What else are you going to do?” he asked.

“You’ll learn the steps,” said a girl from the crowd.

“We’ll teach you!” cried another voice.

“Shut up!” I snapped, “I hate dancing, anyway.” And with that, I stormed out of the room.

“Where are you going?” Someone shouted.

“Wherever I want to!” was my stubborn reply.

So I was caught red-handed. Luckily I was aloud to finish this, but I had to hurry so I’m sorry if it seems rushed.

Did anyone get the message?