Ash woke to the sound of knocking.
not polite just steady, perfectly timed, like the rhythm of a metronome.
"Mr. Ash?" A voice came through the door. "The assembly will begin shortly. Please dress and come to the main hall."
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. The air smelled faintly of the same lavender scent that seemed to follow them everywhere in the Haven Inn. The curtains were already open, letting in pale sunlight. On the chair by his bed lay a neatly folded outfit he didn't own, a cream colored shirt with fine embroidery along the collar and sleeves, dark trousers, and polished shoes.
A slip of paper rested on top: Wear this today you are our honored guest.
Ash frowned, glancing around the room. His sketchbook sat on the desk. The page he had left half finished last night was gone, replaced with a fresh sheet of paper. A faint outline was already there the beginnings of a crowd, a stage, and nine small figures standing at the front.
The knock came again, softer this time. "Mr. Ash? We'll be starting soon."
He dressed quickly, slipping the sketchbook under his arm before leaving.
---
The hallway was filled with movement, guests stepping out of their rooms, all dressed in similar cream and gold outfits. Some chatted excitedly, like tourists headed to a party. Others moved in silence, their eyes forward, their smiles fixed as if carved.
Zoe appeared from her room, smoothing the skirt of her dress. "This is wild, They just left it for me....Fits perfectly." she smiled with satisfaction.
Mira stepped out behind her, beaming. "Same here. I feel like we're going to some royal ball."
Jayden, adjusting the collar of his shirt, muttered, "Kinda culty, if you ask me."
Windy ignored him, strutting toward the stairs with Kara, Lila, and Beth in tow. The cheerleaders were giggling over the gold ribbons tied in their hair.
Leo caught up with Ash, nudging him. "If they're giving out free breakfast with this, I'm not complaining."
They descended to the main staircase together. The lobby had been transformed overnight the usual cozy armchairs and reading tables pushed back to make way for rows of straight-backed chairs facing a small stage. Golden banners hung from the balcony railings, each marked with a curling symbol that reminded Ash uncomfortably of the looping shapes in his own drawings.
A small crowd had already gathered. Ash scanned the faces. Some guests were laughing and chatting in relaxed clusters. But others… others just sat perfectly still in their chairs, hands folded in their laps, eyes fixed on the empty stage. When someone passed too close, they would turn their heads in slow, mechanical unison to watch not blinking until the person was gone. Which seemed strange.
The man in the pressed suit the same one who had greeted them on their first night stood by the stage, speaking quietly to the receptionist in the red dress Mr Saka . Both of them kept glancing toward the staircase.
When they spotted Ash and the others, their smiles widened.
"Ah, our newest arrivals," the receptionist said warmly, her voice carrying easily across the room. "Please, come forward. Front row for you."
The group exchanged glances but obeyed, settling into the first row of chairs. Ash sat at the end, where he could watch the rest of the audience. The strange ones sat interspersed among the normal ones, like chess pieces placed deliberately on a board.
The piano music started soft, slow, deliberate. The man in the suit stepped onto the stage, his shoes clicking against the polished wood.
"Good morning, dear guests," he began, his voice calm and perfectly modulated. "We are gathered today for a most joyful announcement. As you know, Mirage Island is not just a place it is a community, a sanctuary, a home to those who understand its wonders."
The crowd murmured politely.
"Each year," he continued, "we welcome the chosen few into our family. This morning, it is my great honor to tell you… the time has come to welcome new members."
The audience applauded. The cheerful guests clapped with enthusiasm; the strange ones clapped too, but in the same slow, perfectly even rhythm, their eyes never leaving the stage.
Mr Saka's gaze swept over the front row over Zoe, Mira, Jayden, Leo, Windy, Kara, Lila, Beth… and Ash.
"You," he said, his smile widening. "All of you, Chosen not by chance, but by the island itself."
Mira grinned at Zoe, whispering, "Told you we were special."
Windy tossed her hair. "Finally, someone recognizes talent."
Ash sat very still, the hairs on his arms prickled.
The receptionist stepped forward, holding a tray covered in strips of white silk, each embroidered with the same curling gold symbol from the banners. She began tying one around each of their wrists.
"For the festival," she explained. "It marks you as honored participants."
When she tied Ash's, her fingers lingered for a moment too long, the fabric tightening just enough for him to feel his pulse against it. She met his eyes and for a fraction of a second, her pleasant smile faded.
"The Mirage Island Festival," the man said, spreading his arms, "will begin at sunset. But first, our newest members will be introduced to the town."
The audience clapped again. Ash noticed one of the strange guests in the back row a tall man with unnaturally pale skin lean toward another and whisper something in a language Ash didn't recognize. Both turned their heads toward him.
---
They were led out of the hall in a neat line, the applause following them into the sunlight. Outside, a long road wound toward the heart of the island. Locals lined the sides, waving and calling out greetings. Some held garlands of flowers; others simply stood with their hands clasped, watching silently.
Leo waved back at everyone like a celebrity. Mira and Zoe laughed and twirled when children ran up to hand them blossoms.
Ash kept scanning the crowd. Most of the townspeople looked friendly enough, but here and there, he saw faces that were too still, too intent. A few wore pendants carved with the same symbol as the banners.
As they walked, his mind kept drifting to the faint outline in his sketchbook the crowd, the stage, nine figures standing at the front. He hadn't added the details yet, but he already knew they would match exactly what had just happened.
---
The road ended in a wide square paved with pale stone, Stalls and tents were being set up for the festival, their canopies bright with color, musicians tuned instruments. The air smelled of roasting meat and sweet pastries.
A raised platform dominated the center, draped in gold and crimson fabric. A row of ornate chairs had been placed at the front. The man in the suit gestured toward them.
"Your seats for the opening ceremony," he said.
They were led up onto the platform. The view from here was overwhelming, the whole square stretched before them, filled with people preparing for celebration.
"This is amazing," Zoe said, shading her eyes.
"It's like a parade," Leo grinned.
Ash didn't answer. His gaze was on a nearby stall where a woman was painting the gold symbol onto people's foreheads with a brush dipped in some dark liquid. Those who received it would close their eyes for a moment, then smile wide, relieved smiles before walking away.
The woman glanced up and met his eyes. Her smile didn't reach them.
---
Mr Saka addressed the workers in the square, his voice booming over the noise.
"Make ready! Our newest family members will join the Festival of Welcome by sunset, and all shall see the bond between them and Mirage Island."
Cheers rose from the crowd. The cheerleaders waved like beauty queens. Windy gave an exaggerated bow.
Ash just sat, feeling the silk strip on his wrist pulse against his skin.
Somewhere deep inside him, he knew the island hadn't just chosen them.
It had claimed them.
It felt like they were just included in a horror movie...
---