Chapter 21

The Aurora Theatre was bustling with a continuous stream of attendees, many drawn by the return of the gifted ballerina Alice, who had stepped away from the stage for five years. Limping heavily, Camden made his way toward the entrance. Yet, just as he pushed through the dense crowd and reached the doors, an attendant stopped him firmly. "Sir, I'm afraid you cannot enter." "Why?" he asked with a frown. This was his only chance to see Alice. The theater had no invitation-only police, so anyone with a ticket was welcome. To his surprise, the attendant pulled out a photograph and carefully compared it to Camden's face before speaking to him sternly. "Due to credible reports of malicious harassment against our company member, Ms. Alice, you have been permanently banned from this theatre. So, I must ask you to leave." Camden stood frozen, like a man clinging to a final glimmer of light in the darkness, only to have his last candle snuffed out. "No, it's not like that. I can explain!