The big day

Six months later.

Ai looked at her reflection in her mirror, which dripped of jitters and restlessness. She took several deep breaths to pacify the pounding of her heart, but the thought of the upcoming event only added to the drum beats in her chest. 

Dressed in a breath-taking light-cream gown, she paced the vanity room back and forth, trying to ease her nervousness. Intricate embroidery adorned the gown while delicate tendrils of silver thread weaved in the shape of vines running down across the side of her waist. As it cascaded downward, the silk flared like a regal cape.

But this incredibly light-weight dress also felt burdensome on her. She lacked tears to shed, and she quickly grabbed her phone, rapidly typing.

'Can I run away? I am shivering.'

A reply arrived an agonizing minute later.

'All the doors are closed. There is no way to escape.'