There Is No Escaping Fate

Sitting together on a picnic rug and leaning their backs against a maple tree was a couple dreaming together, watching the maple leaves flutter by. After having a moment between themselves, Eloi shared everything that happened thus far, and it took a long while until Penelope fully processed it all.

“I… I can’t believe it,” she murmured. “Clover’s behind all this?”

“Right? I’m going to beat the shit out of him,” he declared. “I’m gonna beat both him and Horace!”

“C-Calm down!” Penelope cried. “We should talk things out with him first!”

“That asshole was behind the masks this whole time!” He messaged his wrists. “It was his damn fault that I got trapped in that house with you all for eight months!”

“He didn’t know about it!”

“Ugh, yeah, I know…” He scratched his head. “By the way, I’ve been wondering about it… do you know anything about a man named Ren?”

She blinked. “Who?”

He blinked back. “Then, uh, do you remember seeing an old man? With silver hair and red eyes?”

“I... don’t think so.”

“What about a big raven? Or anyone who can shapeshift?”

She stared at the sky, replaying her memories before shaking her head.

“I see… Never mind then. Anyway, did your memories recover?”

She stroked her chin. “My latest memory is when Charlie arrived at our house on the afternoon of The Star-Crushing Tragedy and told us the situation—right before we switched control.”

“Oh, I see. Okay, I’ll tell you then. When we arrived at the amusement park, we split up and searched everywhere for Cherry. Clover was with Dorothy, I was with Theodore and Charlie, and Solomon was on his own. We had no idea where Cherry was... until Theodore heard a loud crash at some auditorium, so we all went there.”

Eloi lowered his chin, his face turning grim. “But... when we got there, Theodore... did ‘that,’ and... while we were all processing what had happened, I suddenly got knocked out. Next thing I knew, I woke up in Horace’s mansion with those masks.”

“Oh..." Penelope drooped her head. “I’m sorry I made you experience all that..."

“Oh, don’t apologize. I know you’re terrified of crowds.” He ruffled her hair. “Honestly, I should be the one apologizing—I didn’t know what was going on at all.”

She shook her head. “None of us did,” she said. “I know you tried your best too.”

For a moment, the couple leaned against each other’s shoulders, staring at the empty grassfield and the sky. Only at this moment did they wish time would stop, letting the two of them enjoy each other’s company in this small world for a little longer.

“Say, Penny? Do you think we can have another picnic with everyone again someday? I kind of miss it.”

Penelope pondered to herself. “Even if we do, it won’t be the same as before.”

“Right.” He inhaled and slowly stood up, stretching his arms and legs. “But I’m sure your mother wouldn’t want us to be gloomy all the time.”

“I guess you’re right.” Penelope got up next, taking a few steps forward. “Then, are you ready to go back to your body?”

“Heh, I’ve overstayed my welcome at this point. It’s about time that I get my own body back!”

Penelope giggled and extended a hand. “I’ll miss seeing you in my dreams.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make up for it by being with you every day from now on.”

She blushed and looked away.

Eloi laughed and took her hand. “You’re so cute when you’re flustered, Penny.”

“S-Stop teasing me.” She squeezed his hand and began to walk, guiding him to a white light shining at a distance. “Come on, Loid. Let’s wait for Cherry together with everyone.”

“Of course. Lead the way.”

✦☆✦

Within a pitch-black void, a spotlight clicked on, shining down on a young lady in a frilly pink dress with long, burgundy hair neatly cut.

The lady opened her eyes, gazing over the empty rows of velvet red chairs. With some musical cues, she began to dance alone on stage.

She remembered now.

Her name was Cherry Elthean, a twenty-year-old student who attended Astrale Academy. She was but a mere performing arts student who had a dream—a dream of being on stage. Inspired by a particular celebrity, she dreamed of shining brilliantly under the spotlight just like him.

Growing up, her only family was her twin brother and mother. Her father was practically out of the picture, and her mother would always dodge that subject whenever asked. She only ever promised that they’d meet him soon—whenever that was.

From this basic description alone, she would’ve called herself normal if she and her family weren't secretly vampires. Born cursed to spread death and despair, they were forced to hide their identities from the rest of the world.

They moved from house to house for years, never finding a permanent settlement until the twins reached eighteen. Her mother made plenty of excuses: jobs, risk of identity exposure, financial issues, or simply because the neighbors or environment were intolerable. Because of this, the three of them only had each other and no one else.

That was why, while growing up, the twins secretly wished to make long-term friends the moment they settled down permanently. After a series of events, they met Eloi and the Vamiers and finally enjoyed the happy life they always wanted.

That was... until two years later, The Spectacular Theory opened its annual gates last summer, only for Horace to change history for good.

Cherry remembered now.

The Star-Crushing Tragedy, the terrible incident that ruined The Spectacular Theory and created a living hell for vampires... happened because of her.

It was all her fault.

Cherry raised her arms. Like a movie clapper, she clapped her hands once, the noise echoing through her auditorium as the spotlight blackened.

✦☆✦

“Helloooo?” A man waved his hand over Cherry’s stunned state.

She continued to stand still like a statue.

Standing before her was a dashing man in a casual brown frock coat, his shoulder-length hair the color of flame and his eyes deep blue. He still swayed a hand at her dazed state, moderately concerned.

Cherry rapidly blinked. She widened her eyes and stepped back, her lips trembling. “Wha...?” She sputtered her words, her heart racing. “M-M-M-Monty Starman?!”

She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. “No, that can’t be it,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry, sir. My eyes must be playing tricks on me.”

“Whatever do you mean, Little Star?” He planted his hands on his hips, playfully smiling. “I am Monty Starman!”

She blinked again. Indeed, he had the same handsome face. He had the same voice. His eye and hair color were the same as she remembered him on stage. When her mind finally accepted the truth, her heart felt like it was about to explode.

“Wh-Wh-Wha?! Huh?!” Is this a dream?! The Monty Starman is right in front of me! The Overseer of The Spectacular Theory himself! She darted her eyes around the empty streets lit by the sunset’s glow. Wait, what is he doing here?! Where did he come from?! Hello?!

“Ah, I just happened to be walking across the street when I saw you crying to yourself. Do excuse me.” He chuckled and scratched his head. “But at least it looks like you’ve brightened up now.”

“P-Pardon?” she squeaked. She rubbed her cheek, now remembering the tears. She looked away and covered her face, her cheeks flushing.

“Now, now, don’t be so ashamed.” Monty pulled out a handkerchief and handed it over. “Come now, wipe your tears with this.”

She glimpsed down at his hand, her watery gaze barely making out the gold star patterns in the white cloth. She met his eyes, distraught. “Wh-Why?” she squeaked out, timidly stepping away and shaking her head. “I-I can’t..."

He stretched out his arm. “Whenever I see someone cry all by themself, I just have to step in,” he said. “I can’t bear to see people sad, especially if they’re a pretty lady who turned out to be a fan of mine, Little Star. So, please accept it.”

She looked down at the handkerchief, her face growing warmer. Slowly and hesitantly, she accepted it and wiped her face.

“If it’s alright to talk about it, may I ask what made you cry so much?” he asked. “I can’t quite bring myself to look away when you’re under so much distress.”

Cherry bit her lip.

Was it truly fine to tell him? Sure, he was Theatreux’s most popular celebrity, but it wasn’t like she knew him personally.

And yet, his serene smile seemed genuine enough to grip her heart.

“Can I... really tell you?”

“But of course!” Monty pressed a hand on his chest. “If you have no one to talk about it, if you have no one to cry to, then I shall lend you my ears and shoulders! It’s alright. You can tell me all about it!”

She lowered her head, knitting her brows as she recollected her memories. “My mother... ripped the tickets for your amusement park.”

Monty blinked. “Pardon?”

“My mother ripped our tickets—the tickets I’ve worked so hard for.” Tears returned to her eyes, her chest aching. “She kept coming up with crazy excuses not to go, and we had a terrible argument. She... ended up tearing all three of our tickets.”

Her tears finally streamed out as her voice broke apart. “I was... so mad at her that I ended up running away from home without thinking... so here I am.” Cherry sniffed and buried her face in the handkerchief.

“Is that so? What kinds of excuses did she tell you?” he asked.

“She kept saying there will be some 'catastrophic tragedy’ if I go,” Cherry croaked. “That's just absurd, right?”

Monty rubbed his chin. “Indeed, never in my years managing the amusement park did we ever have any death reports, and the only mild casualties were from those who didn’t listen to our authorities or intentionally caused some mischief. What exactly is this ‘tragedy’ your mother talked about?”

Cherry shook her head. “I don’t know,” she muttered. “She ‘dreamt’ that The Spectacular Theory will undergo so much gruesome violence that it'll change the world, but she couldn't explain how it'll happen. Ridiculous, isn't she?’”

Monty tilted his head. “How strange indeed,” he said. “My security team has always been working diligently, and we have measures to identify malicious activity. The most realistic ‘danger’ I can think of is going missing in my amusement park. After all, The Spectacular Theory is so huge that it’s incredibly easy to get lost.”

He slumped his shoulders, wearily sighing. “Even though we’ve posted maps all across the park and have stationary supervisors, so many people would still somehow go missing, never to be found again. If your mother is simply worried that you'd be missing, then she should've agreed to go with you so she could keep an eye on you herself."

"But I'm all grown up now, and she knows that." She lowered her chin with a gloomy gaze. "My only guess is that... for whatever reason, she simply dislikes your amusement park so much she didn't want any of us to go," she muttered.

"Ah, if that's the case, then I have an easy solution!"

A soft rustle of fabric snapped Cherry out of her thoughts. She blinked, barely processing the two glittering, golden slips of paper offered to her.

“It’s a good thing that I have some spare tickets,” he said, grinning. “Here you go, Little Star.”

She blinked a few more times. “Eh? Wha?” She looked up at his face and back down at the ticket, utterly stunned.

Monty winked and pressed a finger at his lips. “If you attend The Spectacular Theory, have lots of fun, and bring home a souvenir, you can prove to her that it isn’t so bad, right?”

She sputtered, barely finding her words. “But... why? Why me? I-I'm just a nobody!”

Monty laughed. “Oh, don't say that, Little Star! It’s a rule in my book to always make my fans happy. If attending my amusement park is what you wished for, then please take them.”

“B-But these tickets… Who were they originally for?”

“Hm? No one in particular. I always carry some spare tickets with me just in case I happen to find someone down in the dumps.” He winked. “Please take them, Little Star. A fan’s happiness is my happiness as well.”

Cherry swallowed, and her eyes gleamed again, twinkling brightly. She fell breathless, and her heart fluttered with fuzzy warmth. It wasn’t the same feeling she had when she first saw him on stage. No, rather, her heart blazed so much more intensely that it felt like an actual fire sparked inside her, burning away her despair.

She hesitantly accepted the tickets and met his gaze. Directly behind him, the sunset radiated his figure, and for a moment, it almost looked like Monty replaced the sun itself.

Mustering as much energy as she could gather, she returned the biggest smile she could make. “Thank you,” she finally told him.