Snakes in my hair? It’s more likely than you think. - Chapter 3：It's Real

The theater is full, the lights are dim and everything is silent. Everything that is, except for the one woman on stage. Her singing is so captivating, so sorrowful, so utterly raw, no one dares to even breathe. Anyone who is watching can tell shes putting her heart and soul into this performance.

Juno is watching the play, wondering what will happen. She can’t look away from the performance.

The woman escaped a home that was not a home. She found brief happiness and freedom but alas it did not last long. She is on the run once again. The woman sings of freedom and peace but she is caged. The woman looks out into the audience and reaches out to them. It’s as if she wants to escape the spotlight but she is stuck.

Juno feels pain looking at her. She looks around the audience but she can’t make out what sort of expressions they might be making, it’s too dark. It’s as if she’s the only one here.

Suddenly, the woman stops her song, gets on her knees and begins to cry. A cry so broken and lonely, Juno wants to reach out and comfort her. Or to cover her ears so she won’t have to hear her pain.

Her crying stops and she gasps as she feels something sharp slice through her chest from behind.

She doesn’t make a sound but Juno starts screaming. She tries to get up from her seat to go help the woman but hands from faceless people around her stop her from moving.

“Hey you’re ruining the show!”

“Shut up and stay still!”

“What an annoying brat!”

“No let me go! That’s… that’s my sister! She needs me!”

“As if!”

“It’s called acting!”

“Shut up! Who cares!”

A hand grabs Juno’s face and forces her to look at the stage, “Look at what’s about to happen.”

The sword that stabbed through the woman is pulled out and blood gushes out. A figure comes out from behind her. They’re covered in a black cloak, so their identity remains a mystery.

They speak in a low whisper it’s but loud enough that Juno can hear, “Such a dainty, miserable little flower. Be careful or someone like me might just step on you.”

Juno closes her eyes at the same time she hears a loud crack. She screams again but this time the hands let her go. Juno moves as fast as she can but she feels sluggish.

She needs to be faster.

Somehow, by some miracle, she finally gets on the stage.

The woman on the ground is bloodied, battered and broken. Juno feels so sick looking at her, she chokes on her tears as she says, “M-mila. Mila please get up.”

This is real.

“Please! Tell me this is part of the show! Pl-pleasse get up.”

This can’t be real.

She reaches towards her but is stopped by someone.

“Juno. I told you not to come.” Her voice is just barely above a whisper but her grip on Juno’s wrist is tight. Blood drips out of her mouth and her eyes are lifeless.

This is real.

“You’re h-hurt. We need to get you help!”

“Help? Haha. You’re ruining the show. Everyone’s left.”

Juno looks around, the seats are completely empty.

When did that happen?

“It doesn’t matter! Let me help you! Please!!”

“It’s too late. You’re the one who’s going to get hurt Juno. That’s why you shouldn’t have come.” Her grip on her wrist loosens, she falls back on the ground and her eyes close.

She’s gone.

“NO!”

Juno goes to her side to check her pulse but there’s nothing. There’s no sign of life. Her tears end up falling on Mila’s face.

This can’t be real.

Juno can’t even scream anymore, her voice hurts too much.

Someone whispers in her ear, “She was right Juno. You’re the one who’s going to be in the most pain.”

She couldn’t react fast enough. A sharp blade pierces through her head and blood starts falling down her forehead.

It’s real.