As Keith stepped out the door, Vince followed. Keith turned, a nervous edge under his grin.
"You know, Roe," he said, voice light, "in situations like these you just have to let go." He pointed toward the main building. "You need to dance. Let the stress go!"
Vince stopped dead. Fear still clung to him his jaw tightened and his hands flared. "Go dance? Keith, do you know what's happening inside? Why would we go back?" Rage laced his tone his eyes widened.
Keith's smile didn't wobble. "Oh, Roe, why are you worrying so much? Trust me, Estill won't do anything to us." Then he started toward the ballroom.
Vince clutched his head as another bout of pain racked him. He stumbled after Keith. "K-Keith, what are we even doing here?"
Inside, the ballroom looked the same, people swirled and danced, the band played on, the music filling the room like warm smoke. Everything appeared normal, and that was what made Vince feel sick. He had no idea what Estill was plotting, and Adam still hadn't made his move. The knot in his gut tightened.
Keith laughed softly and threw his arms wide, ridiculous and exuberant. "Like I said, Roe! The only way to calm yourself down is to dance. Let the anger out!" His voice was loud, his energy high.
Vince stared at him, incredulous. Dance? Now? He'd never danced, not even at the church ceremonies. His siblings had always danced he'd always stood aside.
"Keith, why are you always talking nonsense? Why would I dance right now? Who would I even dance with? Estill is causing a mess I need help, your help! I'm weak. I could die!" His voice cracked on the last words, the fear raw and visible.
Keith's grin just spread wider. He moved with the music, body loose and light, eyes shining strangely. "Oh, Roe!" he said, voice softening in that odd earnest way. "You don't understand, I'm helping you. The stars, the space, they guide me. Now, when I say it, dance with another soul and Estill will be gone." With that, Keith melted into the crowd, disappearing into the swirl of bodies and music as if he'd always belonged there.
Vince stood frozen, stunned by Keith's performance. Just dance, huh? How could he do that now? Who would he even find?
He waded through the crowd, weaving past the dancers until he reached the row of chairs near the wall. There, he saw a young woman who looked to be around nineteen.
She was stunning, long black hair that shimmered under the lights, soft yet sharp brown eyes, a blue silk dress that caught every flicker of motion. Her off-shoulder sleeves framed her delicate arms, and her brown dancing shoes matched perfectly. Vince's heart skipped once, quick and uneven.
She sat with her gaze lowered, lost in thought. As he took a hesitant step forward, a voice stirred in the back of his mind again.
Are you really going to dance with a woman at a time like this? Estill is doing something your mind can't even process, and you've decided to dance? You're so disappointing. The words bit deep, but Vince kept moving, slipping between the dancers. Then the voice returned, sharper and more venomous.
Vince, Vince, Vince. You're so scared. Is it because you gave up? What could make you kill Estill again? Did you ever really love your father, or are you just doing this for yourself, for power? You're selfish. Going back to Earth? Sure, he's not your real father there, but he helped you. You don't even remember your real father, do you?
Each word hit harder. Vince stumbled, breath ragged, sweat dripping down his face. He tried to ignore it, but the voice grew distant and deeper, cutting through his head like a blade.
Or was it your mother, the one you refuse to talk about?
That stopped him cold. His thoughts twisted. My mother? The memory was gone, wiped clean. Everything felt blank. Thinking hurt. His body trembled, his steps slowed, his very sense of self thinned.
My mother… who was she? What is a mother? Father? Am I fighting for a father? I had a father?
Each thought came weaker than the last, his body moving on instinct alone.
When Vince finally reached the young woman, the voice in his mind had vanished. The world around him blurred. The music sounded distant, warped, unreal.
Does she want to dance with me? Where am I? Why is everyone still dancing?
Who am I?