Mira
I figured I should at least pretend to look for something, just to keep up with the group, as they say. If I’m playing for a team, the others might not be too happy if I just stand here gawking at this man. He was wearing a black mask, just like mine.
“If you don’t hurry, you’ll lose,” he finally said, probably noticing that I’d been staring at him the whole time.
“I don’t even know where to look for those slippers,” I admitted. “This is my first time here…”
“I can tell,” he drawled lazily. “Alright, fine,” he beckoned me closer with a finger. “Come here.”
I hesitated at first, but then walked over to him.
“Everyone’s rushed upstairs, and not a single person has gone to the basement,” he said quietly. “I’m sure at least one pair is down there.”
“What if they don’t fit me?” For some reason, that question really intrigued me.
“Then you won’t be Cinderella,” he shrugged. “But it’s better to find something and try, rather than find nothing at all, don’t you think?”
“I guess so,” I nodded, desperately wanting to ask why he wasn’t looking if he knew where the slippers might be. Didn’t he want his team to win?
I glanced at him one more time, then turned and headed for the exit of the hall. Where could the basement be? I’ve never been great with directions, whether in a city or a big building, but luckily, I didn’t have to search for long.
Right across from the hall’s exit, I spotted a staircase leading down. Without overthinking it, I started descending, even though it was unlit. I figured there had to be a light switch somewhere. I pulled out my phone and used the flashlight to avoid tripping.
The stairs quickly led to a metal-plastic door. I shone my light on it and saw a sign that read: “Entry Forbidden.”
At first, I thought about turning back. But since I’d already come this far, it felt wrong not to at least peek inside.
I pressed down on the handle—and the door opened. Beyond it was complete darkness.
I shone my flashlight and saw that instead of a floor, there was water in this room—flowing water, like a small river with a pretty strong current had been forced to run through these walls. It wasn’t deep, though, maybe about a foot and a half.
On the opposite “bank” of this river, about thirteen feet away, I spotted something like a stone throne with a huge, glittering crown hanging above it on some kind of chain. Maybe the slippers were over there too?
Without much thought, I kicked off my shoes, hiked up the hem of my dress, held my phone in the same hand, and picked up my heels with the other… then decided there was no point carrying them back and forth. I left them by the door and stepped into the water. It was freezing, so cold that my teeth started chattering instantly. Mentally cursing myself for getting into this mess, I waded toward the throne. It wasn’t easy—the current kept pushing against me.
“How did they even do this?” I wondered, staring at the “river.” But I couldn’t see much beyond; my flashlight only illuminated a small area, and the basement seemed enormous. I slipped on some rocks a couple of times and nearly fell, but the thought of dropping my phone into the water—and getting lost in the dark—kept me upright.
Finally reaching the throne, I climbed onto its base and looked around.
No slippers here either. However, on one of the armrests, there was a button that, judging by its position, was probably meant to be pressed while sitting on the throne.
“Well, since I’ve made it this far,” I thought, “I might as well try everything…”
I climbed up to the top and pressed the button, but nothing happened in that position.
So, I sat down on the throne, eyeing the crown hanging above me, thinking that if it suddenly fell, I’d be flattened. Still, I pressed the button again.
Then I heard the creak of chains. The crown started to lower, but it wasn’t the only thing moving…
***
Right across the “river,” I saw a niche open in the wall near where I’d passed on the other side. I couldn’t make out what was inside, but I quickly climbed down from the throne and jumped back into the water. Drops splashed onto my dress, but I hurried, afraid the niche would close as suddenly as it had opened.
When I reached it, I saw a red satin cushion inside, and on it were transparent slippers, looking almost like they were made of crystal.
My heart started pounding. I reached out—touching the slippers hesitantly at first, half-expecting something to happen, like an electric shock—but nothing did.
So, I picked them up and examined them. Of course, they weren’t really crystal, but made of some material like silicone, though they truly looked like glass.
When I got back to the door, I tried them on, and they fit perfectly. Grabbing my own shoes, which were sitting forlornly by the stairs, I rushed back upstairs.
Peeking into the hall, I hid the slippers in my bag and saw that many pairs had already formed. The women were wearing identical slippers, and the men were holding them close, as if preparing to dance.
I heard a clock start to chime—it was exactly ten o’clock.
Music began to play, and a man’s voice announced:
“Don’t forget to find your partner—you’ve got one more minute!”
I looked around and suddenly spotted the very man who had advised me to check the basement. Since he was on my team, I figured pairing with him would help us win. I walked over and took his hand. I wasn’t sure how to invite someone to dance—I’d never been to a ball before. And aren’t men supposed to ask women anyway?
I looked at him, and he looked at me. He touched my waist with his hand, and at that very moment, the music swelled. He gently led me into a dance, a real waltz, just like at an actual ball.
It felt like I’d stepped into a fairy tale. Everything that had happened to me tonight was downright bizarre. But I’m a realist, so I told myself this was just a well-organized quest.
“The prince may kiss the princess,” the host suddenly announced. “The couple with the longest kiss will win immunity for the next game.”
I looked at my partner:
“But haven’t we already won?” I asked, confused. “I mean, about the kiss…”
“Yeah, but immunity is a big deal,” he whispered. “It means in the next game, you can just sit back and watch everyone else run around like I did this time.”
“But I…” I wanted to say I don’t kiss strangers, but that would’ve sounded ridiculous, so I just shrugged. “I’m not sure…”
“We start on the count of three,” the host declared.
“Decide,” the masked stranger whispered, looking straight into my eyes.
“One,” the voice from the speakers began counting. “Two…”
“Okay, fine,” I whispered, closing my eyes for some reason.
“Three…” I heard the host’s voice, and at that exact moment, I felt unfamiliar lips softly touch mine…
Suddenly, I thought I was making a huge mistake. Why did I need this immunity? Why did I even need this club when I already had enough problems in my life?
I pulled away from his embrace and bolted for the exit. On the way, I slipped—those “crystal” slippers weren’t exactly made for quick getaways. One of them flew off my foot on the stairs and rolled somewhere, but I didn’t have time to look for it.
I burst out of the house and ran to the gate. Surprisingly, it wasn’t locked, just slightly ajar, so I pushed it open and stepped onto the street. I spotted the light of a taxi and waved frantically.
The car stopped, and the driver opened the door. I quickly slid into the back seat, only then noticing that one foot was still in a slipper while the other was bare.
“Where to, princess?” the driver asked with a chuckle.
I gave him my address, feeling my cheeks flush. What a ridiculous situation! I quickly pulled my own shoes out of my bag and put them on, deciding to toss the “crystal” slipper into the first trash bin I saw once I got out of the car.
But I forgot to do that. It wasn’t until I reached my apartment and rummaged through my bag for my keys that my hand brushed against the cursed slipper.
I pulled it out and looked at it again. I decided to keep it as a memento. After all, it’s not every day you have such a strange adventure…