Hopeless Masquerade Novels & Stories

“Why is it open?” My heart skipped. “I—I thought it was mine,” I said quickly. “I didn’t see the name. I’m sorry.” He looked at me, long and suspicious. “But my name is written there.” “I didn’t notice,” I said, forcing a small shrug. “I said I’m sorry.” A pause. Then— “What are you doing with a masquerade mask?” I asked casually. His expression changed instantly. Guarded. “I’m going to a masquerade party,” he said. “I need it.”

“That bad?” I muttered, then paused because something felt wrong. “If they’re dead, who’s in charge of the patients they were assigned?” The answer was no one. Everyone already had their hands full with their own unstable anomaly-patients. Nobody was volunteering to adopt someone else’s nightmare. And when an unassigned monster roams free, nobody knows what it might do. A man with a scar across his cheek let out a sharp laugh and looked me up and down like I was trash.

“ Perfect “ Zara muttered to herself. Zara: I need a date. And a partner in crime for Step Six. Masquerade party. She stared at the message for a split second before hitting send. Not because she doubted he’d say yes, but because she already knew he would. Leo replied almost immediately, like he’d been waiting for her to say something like this. Leo: A masquerade? Perfect. My face is literally my biggest secret weapon. Mask or no mask, I’m in Zara. Zara chuckled to herself. The game was on again. And this time, it would be played in silk, mystery, and shadows.

She danced and mingled with ease, while I found solace at the bar, sipping on a drink and watching the partygoers from afar. As the night progressed, I found myself feeling more at ease with the party's anonymity. The masks allowed me to forget about my past and embrace the mystery and intrigue of the night. But that all changed when I saw him - a tall, dark stranger, dressed in a black suit and mask. He stared at me, making me feel uncomfortable. I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to be interested in my drink, but he approached me nonetheless. "Hey there, beautiful. May I have this dance?" he asked, his voice smooth and low.

The streets they walked seemed to come alive with vibrant colors as if nature. Curiosity getting the better of her, Dianne asked, "What kind of celebration are you planning, Nicolas?" Nicolas flashed a mischievous smile. "Oh, it's going to be a grand affair, Dianne. We're throwing a masquerade ball!" Dianne's heart skipped a beat. A masquerade ball! The very thought sent her imagination soaring. She envisioned herself in an elegant gown, adorned with feathers and sequins, dancing the night away with mysterious strangers. The air would be filled with laughter and enchantment, creating an atmosphere fit for a fairytale.

I can't imagine what I looked like, but if it was any indication of what I was feeling on the inside, it wasn't good. "Rose." I shook my head at his worried voice, not wanting to hear any consoling words he was about to say. I didn't deserve them. I didn't deserve him. "Listen to me!" Mason latched onto my shoulders, forcing me to finally look him in the eyes. "Belikov isn't gone." I just stared at him confused. What was he saying? Had I imagined it before? Were my blinding fears driving me to insanity? I latched my fingers around my necklace and squeezed it tight.

"Maybe not. The decision is up to you. I just did it for your information but I hope we're inside the hideout. Outside let's go back to the past and our hidden Identity, is it clear?" "Yes!" the women answered at once. Everyone had fun. "Guys, do you agree that we should remove our masks at the same time?" Astra asked happily. Dindo is just waiting to see what happens next. He wanted to approach and hug Amore but he felt embarrassed. He was contented to just watch his friend first. He was also happy because she was safe. It’s his fault why she almost perished at Regor’s hands. "Are you all ready? One, two, three-," Astra said then they removed the masks at the same time.

And I still didn’t know if I wanted to run from it—or run straight into it. Rachel nudged me with her elbow as I wiped down the camera lenses. “Hey. Let’s go to Masquerade tonight.” I blinked. “What?” “You heard me. Club night. Girls, guys, masks, secrets. Let’s gooo.” Adam looked up from the candy jar. “What’s Masquerade?” Rachel grinned wickedly. “Only the hottest underground club in the city. Masked entry only. Total anonymity. You can dance with a stranger and never know their name.”

I think the show runners know how chaotic it would be after Blank reveals his art, so they purposefully put the dance first. “A masquerade ball,” I breathe out while looking at the dancing crowd and adjusting my tilting mask. I picked the latter from a mask store in Country P. Its dark purple shade matches my gown, the corners crafted with thick curves and a rope to tie at the back. It was supposed to elevate my confidence. But now it isn’t helping matters as I stand in the crowded space, completely ignored. The music reaches my ears, but not in a pleasant way. It’s as if my eardrums would explode as the corners of my eyes start to sting.

I needed to ground myself, even if for just a moment. I spotted him leaning near the bar, drink in hand, his back straight, stiff in the tailored black suit. He didn’t recognize me. Of course not—it was a masquerade party. Gold and crimson masks everywhere. Hidden identities. Painted smiles. A perfect stage for monsters to dance among innocents. I should’ve walked away. But I didn’t. I needed sanity. I needed someone who didn’t make me feel like I was suffocating inside silk and shadows. Someone who didn’t make me feel like a sex maniac.