63 CHAPTER 62-SPARKLE

"Hello Sparkle" Maggi said as she walked towards her locker. "Today is your day,"

"Yeah, I guess it is," Ema grunted under her breath. 

"Oh, great. I would have wished you good luck, but I guess you don't need it. You are the Almighty Sparkle, after all." Maggi said as she closed her locker and walked into the other side of the room. 

Ema remained quiet. She walked back to the mirror to examine her face, making sure the black patch was still under her eyes and had not been ruined by the tears. Maggie was jealous of her, and she knew it. She was jealous because the goat's face woman who called herself their manager had preferred Ema to Maggi. Despite all the brutality Maggi had shown in other to win the favor of the woman. She had been ignored by the progress and prowess of Ema.

Using the back of her hands, Ema patted her eyes, keeping away from the patch under her eyelid. She stared at her features for some time before turning towards the white metallic door. 

She pushed the button on the wall and walked into the elevator. A ding sound followed as the door slide to a close. It was hard to keep her mind from wandering. If she failed today, then all her plans to escape would fail. But how can she succeed when she was meant to fight the person whom she loves with all her heart?

A yellow light flared on the wall, followed by a ding sound. The door of the elevator opened almost immediately and Ema walked out into the cold hallway. Her footfalls echoed through the smooth body of the hallway, blending with her thought which seems to wander with them. 

Mr. Coman hadn't told her what to do. She was sure he would have had an answer for her if they hadn't bisected his body and left him hanging on a death pole outside the city gate. She had not gone to see him. She didn't want the horrible sight to be the last thing about the man she remembered. He was a good man and had helped her in ways which she cannot say. If only he were alive, perhaps he would have given her a direction or the best advice on how to handle these trying times.

Ema shifted her Roller-board to the other arms. She had long lost the white light somewhere behind. Now, she was adorned with blue illuminations which grew dimmer the farther she goes. The hallway was wide and could hold ten people abreast, but its calmness was a devil. 

It was a silence that had claws and fangs and could bite if given the opportunity. The peace and stillness also sent a chill running down her spine. Even though they could not speak, she could still hear a silent word that blared her head as if mocking her. She could hear the word which told her that she would never survive the dual. That she will not return to her loved ones in this life. The mockery made her want to cuddle up in that black hole and never see the light of the sun again.

She had been molested and had been treated like garbage. How long had that been? She shook her head, trying the keep away the memory as they threatened to cover her head.

She continued her walk through the hallway but stopped when she came close to another white metallic door. White light brightened the place, showing its grace on her as she waited.

A tiny part of her prayed without words that the green light—which sat on the wall—would not come on. But the other side of her wanted to go out into the dome, to the crowd, to slam whatever opponent that dares challenge her. To fight through the pain and win with triumph.

She heaved and rubbed her gloved hands. Her heart was coming up to her throat, pumping her body into anxiety. The ventilation from the air vent did little to the tears of sweat that broke her brow. It was a strange feeling, maybe because it's the Speedo finale, or maybe her body was panting to see her friend, Jeff. Either way, she hated the feelings; it made her weak and vulnerable. 

"I can do this," Ema whispered and swallowed uneasily. She was at the door now, waiting. The light at this point was almost gone. She could barely make out the little light bulbs engraved on the wall. Ema shifted the weight of her body to the left, and leaned her elbow on the pink-colored H-board, hoping to find solace. At the moment, all her effort to stay calm was useless. It seems as if the pool of adrenaline had shattered the barricade and overflow.

The bulbs on the wall blinked with a green light at the last hour and the silver door started lifting. Ema stepped out of the hallway and was welcomed by dancing disco lights, which lined the ceiling of the dome. It was difficult to fathom what the speaker was saying as the screams and cries of people gulped his voice. No one noticed her. The crowd was unfazed by her presence. She was like a fish trapped in a bow. Even the air of the dome tasted like death itself. 

Ema elevated her gaze and saw a mirror of herself on a gigantic screen, hanging over the dome, too high enough to see the little girl about to be engulfed by the roars of the crowd. Nothing made the dome special, even though it was the grand finale of the Speedo match. From the circular ring to the cobber stone floor, everything was a replica of any normal dome. The only distinct feature was a fire ring, dangling above, with two keyholes at the center. She had one key on her belt, if she could take the other key from her opponent and unlock the fire ring, then she would be the winner.

The disco light brightened to stability, and the noise from the crowd died. Nothing moved. Everything stood still as the door on the other end of the dome lifted.

"Red" Someone shouted. As if that was the signal, the crowd chorused in unison, stamping their feet, hands, or body on anything that could make a sound.

"Red" 

"Red"

"Red" 

Ema gasped as her opponent stepped out. The bright light flooded his body, giving his cloth this oily features. His dark hair was long and tied to a ponytail. From his jumpsuit to his boots, everything he wore was blood red. It took a lot of discipline not to run into his arms, even though her mind and feet were protesting. He was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. It was only three years since she last saw him, yet he looked more mature and tall, about one foot away from her if she was not mistaken. 

"And now" The voice of a man boomed, and the people quieted down. It was difficult to differentiate the man's head from his shoulders. He wore a copper ring on his nose, the ring almost twice his size. He was short, so short that it was a miracle he escaped being a dwarf. "The moment we have all been waiting for," The man continued "the Speedo finale between Spaaarkle and RRRREEEEDD"

The people shrieked in delight. Some whistled, loud enough to eat the screams of excitement. The short man stepped aside and pulled out a dueling cane. He pushed a button on the cane, and flashes of light escaped from it, blasting the air like fireworks.

"Wow," Ema exclaimed. The lights danced in her eyes, each spark shimmered with brilliance like fairies in a dark starlight's cloud. They were a mixture of rainbow and light spectrum. A perfect view for a couple sitting on a beach. 

Something grabbed her neck, a hand that was so strong and rigid. It took some time for Ema to recollect herself and to realize that she was not here on a picnic.

"Let go, Jeff?" Ema pleaded and tried to break free, but the grip was so strong it made her wonder where he had gathered all the strength. She screamed as it lifted her feet off the ground. All she could do was kick and kick, but even that was making the burning sensation on her neck worsen. 

Ema tried to swallow but could not. Her eyes widen when she saw the black cloud covering his eyeball. At that moment, it dawned on her that she was going to die. He was so powerful and would crush her throat like a piece of paper. The hair on the back of her head stood, and she braced herself when she saw his fist, aiming directly at her face. Nothing could stop it. She closed her eyes and waited for the impact. Somewhere in her mind, she could hear the mocking voice in the hallway saying, 'I told you, you will never return to peace in this life.'