The dance floor is full.
The guests twirl between statues.
Sad expressions etched into faces.
Tears flow down frosty cheeks.
An undercurrent of evil lies
beneath the music and gaiety.
Time to leave the perfect guests
and the frozen smiles.
Time to escape if one can.
THE DEAD GAME
Put on your mask.
Dress in your gown.
Step into your party shoes.
The dance is about to begin.
Music fills the mirrored room.
The band picks up the beat.
Dancers swirl under glowing chandeliers.
Rainbows of light reflect off the walls.
The room enlarges to accommodate the dancers.
The clock strikes midnight.
The music stops.
The dancers stand still.
The Dead Game has begun.
THE DEAD GAME
e-e-r-i-n-e-s-s:
Nosferatu (1922)
The clock chimes midnight.
Time stands still.
The music stops.
Dancers freeze in place.
All is quiet.
The clock chimes twelve times.
The music resumes.
Dancing continues without a hitch.
The Dead have assumed control.
THE DEAD GAME has begun.
“Open the door and
Step inside.
The darkness beckons to you.
Welcome!”
The wind sighs its plaintive plea.
Cold air swooshes past my face.
“Do you hear the music?
A party is waiting for you in the drawing room.
Don’t be afraid.
Peek in.
Can you see the dancers?
Twirling around and around.
You can see through them?
Can’t you?
That’s because they’re transparent,
An echo from the distant past.
Those who lived here before
Who now inhabit this old house.”
A gowned figure of a woman turns to me.
The flesh slowly shrivels from her body,
Leaving behind a skeleton of bones.
She cackles, “You can now join us.”
Her hand reaches for me.
I turn to flee.
The windows and doors snap shut.
I jiggle the door handle.
Locked.
Trapped in the deep recesses
of my mind.
No escape.
TICK TOCK
Tick tock tick tock
Chimes the old clock.
Cold like a vault.
All dancers halt.
Evil so near.
The Dead are here.
Heads are rolling.
Game of bowling.
Midnight is here.
Nothing to fear.
THE DEAD GAME
CRYSTAL LIGHTS
A ceiling filled with sparkling lights,
a rainbow of color,
spreading fire through the ballroom.
Dancers swirl to the music.
Laughter filled to the brim.
Voices rise in tempo.
Faster and faster they twirl.
The night creeps in,
stealing the light,
stealing their lives.
Dance the night away.
THE DEAD GAME
Nosferatu (1922)
The clock chimes twelve midnight.
Time stands still.
The music stops.
Dancers freeze in place.
All is quiet.
Twelve chimes.
The dancing and music resume.
No time is lost.
The Dead have assumed control.
THE DEAD GAME has begun.
Kindle
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