INNOCENT SOUL

"Mary, you are the star of the show today. Remember to smile and just enjoy. Mostre a eles seu talento!" The lady told her in a sweet, endearing voice. She has a circular silver glasses that balances on top of the thick bridge of her button nose. The majority of her white hair is tightly glued to one side of her head while a few strands hang loosely at the back of her reddish ear. The skin around her cheeks hang down as she looks at the little girl who was dressed in a baby pink pajama pair, with a unicorn print all over it. "Yes Mrs. Alves!" Mary answered cheerfully before running towards the other kids grouping behind the large, thick red curtain that separates the stage and them.

"What a nice dress you're wearing Mrs. Alves." A woman approached the old lady who was stretching her back. Her lovely, long, straight hair in a deep chestnut color dances through the air as she walk towards Mrs. Alves for aid. She had thick brows and icy colored eyes that makes her even more attractive. "Well, thank you dear. I try my best to fit with the younger teachers like yourself… especially you Elena." She heaves with a short giggle. "Me? But I've always been told I have a poor taste in clothes. 'Ela se veste como uma mendiga' as they say." Elena responded quick but politely. She had to glance at her khaki plain dress to put emphasis on her statement. "If what you say is true… then it's either you make the clothes look multiple times better or they're just jealous of your beauty!" Mrs. Alves exclaimed as she gives a beaming grin to the young educator. "That can't be… but I appreciate your compliment madam. Thank you." Elena responded with a shy smile. "Good going… Now, do you really think my pale yellow dress fits the mood?" Mrs. Alves circled back. Both found themselves laughing on the sudden question.

The host of the school event, a man probably in his late 20's wearing a red thin sweater tucked in a well fitted brown slacks, walked up the stage confidently. He adjusted the height of the mic stand, tapped it twice and did a sound check before finally announcing the start of the program. Just five feet across the stage lines up the seat for the proud parents, guardians, teachers, students of different grades and other guests and visitors. They clapped excitedly as the cast's introduction is almost completed, especially Mary's parents - Lidia and Frederick Swiss on the front row with camera ready to capture all of their child's wonderful acting skills. With two stage headlights focused on the lone person standing, the covering was finally opened to unveil the kids in their cute attires and well – made costumes. "I won't let you wait any longer friends. Without further ado, here's our class Magenta to present… 'Wanda's Monster'!" And an even louder cheer was heard across the enclosed mini theater room. Mrs. Georgia Alves and Ms. Elena Santos guided the actors as they enter the stage one by one as appropriate in the scene. Everyone in the audience mirrored the emotions portrayed by the characters. They laughed, felt sad and even wondered together with the growing buds of talent in front of them. Music resounded all throughout the small space. The tiny little innocent voices pierced through the hearts and souls of the viewers. You can even say that even the meanest man will be soft in his toes if he witness the play. Twelve minutes more before it ends, it will be a full-on focus on Mary as Wanda and Jake, another 10 year old who was playing the Monster role.

 Wanda enters the stage again with the purple Monster in tow. Their hands held securely while they sing and recite their lines happily. "Oh my monster friend…" Mary suddenly stopped. She just stared into the 'monsters' eyes. "You have a good heart… Mary?" Mrs. Alves whispered behind the curtain hem. "What's wrong with Mary? She was doing perfectly well until now?" Teacher Santos commented. "You have…" Mary tried to resume to her line but can't seem to complete it. Now, even the crowd noticed the hiccup on what was supposed to be a smooth sailing show. "You have… something black behind you Jake!" She finally broke character. Her voice was low yet clear. Mary's parents did not understand the weird behavior of their daughter. "What are you saying? Don't scare me!" Jake shouted. The people on the stand, stood up one by one out of concern. They don't know if this is still part of the play or trouble they need to intervene to. Everyone was left baffled when Mary unexpectedly fell and laid flat on the wooden platform floor, no movement, and no sound. Jake, who was still holding Mary's hand was left there standing… until a loud bang was heard again. Jake, and four other kids who were on the stage with them collapsed, now on the same state as poor Mary. Both teacher Alves and Santos ran to check while the parents' frantically advances to the stage to help. Elena cupped Mary's cheek, checked her eyes and tried to wake the kid but to no avail. Georgia nervously looks at the others, full of worry in her shriveling shoulders.

"Darling… moms' here." "Honey… let's not play this game please." Lidia and Frederick scooched beside Elena. They checked their baby who still hasn't responded no matter how much they call. "The ambulance will arrive soon." Elena assured the parents, though she doesn't understand what's going on herself. All she could do was to stay calm despite the unexplainable happening… if she is even calm. Minutes go by and a lot more parents are on the stage, walking past each other, patting backs as if it's going to ease the urgency of what they're facing at the moment. Instantaneously, little Mary opened her eyes but this only worsened the situation. The next words uttered by her mouth was something no one could've imagined they'd hear in their entire life.

In a slow, grumpy voice she murmured "Denique! Veni. Fessus sum!" She sit right up, ignored the concerned spectators around her. She paused, inhaled deeply then exhaled before she dusted her clothes as if she was bathed in some dirty sand for a long time. "Now where am I? Oh! A child… perfect!" She added. "Mary?" Her mom cried out. Mary, without looking said "Ssshh… Hush now. You might disturb the sleeping child… but not for long. Your piglet won't respond. Mary's gone to the Neverland." In an old and creepy sound.

 "SURGE HOMINUM! RISE… AND LET'S FULFILL OUR MASTER'S WISH." Then Jake and the other four kids rose at her command. "AT YOUR SEVICE SIR!" they replied in unison.