Death Cast

01.22 | Grecia Bella Theatre

Dear Bella, How are you doing?

This has to be the first time you've received a letter from me. I'm not going to introduce myself or tell you my name, but I can assure you that I am not a bad person. The purpose of this letter is to express my admiration for you. Lady Bella, you may not realize it, but you have captivated me since the first time I saw you - you are my inspiration. I couldn't remember when I started feeling happy and positive whenever I saw you smile or laugh, and sad whenever I saw you frown or cry. Long years of feeling these complicated feelings had compelled me to gather my courage and write you this letter in the hope of clarifying how I truly feel about you...

...

Dear Bella, I hope you are feeling good today too!

I wasn't expecting a response to my previous letter. It's natural for you to ignore such an occasion because I'm a stranger. However, your pure heart and kindness see past that and even encourage me to show myself so that we can become friends. I'm willing, really willing, but circumstances prevented us from being together. This person, I am, is merely a performer in your theater. I have no qualification to stand before you except during performances. In case you didn't know, your mere presence in the audience is enough to make me happy. I'm relieved to see you enjoying the performances…

...

Dear Bella, I hope you are having a good day.

I apologize for responding so late. As you may be aware, the theatre has been extremely busy in recent days due to upcoming holiday performances. I had been looking for a free moment to write this letter and had only found this moment to take a short break. I won't tell you much about myself because it would be too boring, but I will tell you about the activities and events that are taking place behind the scenes. As you mentioned to us the other day, I'm sure you're very interested in the theater. Here's a funny story about a make-up artist who accidentally smeared permanent ink on a dancer's face...

...

Ken read the letters aloud and clearly, so everyone could hear them.

Jaerim raised his head to watch Ken read more of the letters to the crowd while he read the other letters. Ken had gathered the Autumns to talk about the clues they found and to see if the other people had found anything along the way. The exchange of information is quite peaceful since everyone is trying to contribute. Ken expertly conveys the information to everyone's satisfaction.

This kind of behavior made Jaerim wonder if Ken had previously worked as a public servant. The way he handled people demonstrated his high interpersonal skills, which are only found in people who deal with a large number of people on a regular basis. But he didn't ask. He is only curious and will not ask something taboo if it is not absolutely necessary. He lowered his head and concentrated on the letter he was holding.

Ken and his group discovered a set of letters corresponding to a performer who appears to have fallen in love with the theatre's owner's daughter, Bella. All of the letters are written by the same person and mostly discuss the day-to-day life of a performer. They could only speculate on Bella's responses, but they carefully considered that the lady must be interested in the letter's sender as well.

According to the written dates, the first letters are primarily about the friendship between two people. The performer was explaining the processes within the theatre, such as how the staff attempted to install a mechanism on the stage frame to attach the heavy red curtain, or how the troupe's leader is so bad-tempered that they had to walk slowly so as not to aggravate the person's anger. Every letter is intriguing, and each has a charm that will transport the reader to a different perspective.

"This letter introduces us to the new characters in the storyline," Ken explained as he placed the finalized letters on the table. "We have Bella - the theatre owner's daughter, the theatre owner, and this performer."

"Wait," Jaerim said, bringing up the news clippings about the arson. "We have this character as well."

"What is this?" Carl asked after receiving the paper from Jaerim and checking the publication date. "Oh, so this theater has a history?"

Everyone looked at him as if they were curious about what he was saying. "The files we gathered from the administration office included information about the theatre's change of ownership," Carl explained, "and there is a five-year gap between the arson and the change of ownership."

"He probably bought the theater because the land was cheaper after the accident, or he didn't know about the accident and was duped into buying land where many people died," Ken added.

In any world, a location where many people had died would be considered unlucky. Several more people believed that the land where people died inexplicably would have bad luck and be subject to more accidents. Even though time will lessen the fear of the land area, it is still a belief that causes people to think twice before purchasing land. After all, who would be able to sleep soundly if they knew there were bones and blood beneath their bed?

"There must be a reason he bought the theater," Judith observed. "He is a doctor, so it is unusual for him to buy a theater on the spur of the moment."

"Why is it not allowed? He's a doctor, he's very wealthy, it's normal for him to buy shops," Carl remarked.

"It could also be a gift," Ken added. "The theatre's name is Grecia Bella, and it's most likely a gift for his daughter."

"If it were me, I wouldn't accept it," Carl shivered as he hugged himself. "It is still the land of the dead, and even with good intentions, owning such a land is an ill fate."

It's a unanimous sentiment.

Everyone voiced their thoughts on the case. The majority of them agreed that a fire accident would occur in the future. All of the evidence points to this conclusion. As to how to escape from the fire, they still have no idea. Walking out of the building is questionable. There is also a group of people in the audience who are wearing sacks over their heads. They are oblivious to the reason for their existence.

"Probably just for a jump scare?" someone speculated. "Perhaps to increase suspense in the story?"

When the performers first saw them, they were terrified. It made them feel uncomfortable and was one of the primary causes of accidents. The eerie silence has a potent effect on the mind, which only adds to their anxiety. It won't be long before someone develops PTSD.

"Don't you think they're the victims of the arson? The sacks - the sacks on their heads, don't you also feel suffocated? Don't you think it's the same feeling as getting choked in the smoke from the fire?" muttered Noel.

Everyone was chilled by his words. If they phrase it that way, it seems reasonable.

"Anyway, we have a direction now. The letters we found span the timeline from when the theatre was still in its previous state to the time after the renovation, with the final letter dated on the fifth day of the five-day competition."

"The people who found this letter said that the letter was still sealed, which is different from the cases of the other letters. There is also the line about the father not agreeing to Bella and the sender's relationship. If we look at the dates these letters were sent, there is a time interval, with the last letter having the longest interval," Ken explained.

Within a week or two, the two people exchanged letters. Three letters were written in one month. The last letter, on the other hand, has the longest interval. It took about two years for the sender to respond to the previous letter.

"The two years that are missing... the sender must have done something to persuade the father of their relationship, and the reason for not sending any letters during that time is so that the sender can focus on finishing that specific condition."

Something had to have happened to Bella as well, Jaerim reasoned.

If the two people were nearby, it's impossible for letters not to be exchanged within that time frame. Sending a letter currently is difficult because they still use mail, which means the exchange should have occurred once a month, depending on the distance between the two people. Despite this, they were able to write at least once a week.

Bella must have left the theatre at some point, or the performer must have left. In any case, it cut off communication between the two people, resulting in a period of not writing or receiving letters. There is also the father's intervention.

"Do you believe Bella has been kidnapped?" someone inquired. "The letter has not been opened, indicating that she did not receive it."

"She did receive the letter," Jaerim stated abruptly.

"How are you sure?" Ken asked.

If she received the letter, why didn't she read it right away? Or, at the very least, keep it close to her so she doesn't lose it.

"The letter was stuck in the drawer under the documents," he explained.

"Hmm?"

"Imagine if you received a letter, where could you possibly find it?"

There are numerous options. It could be in your pocket, on the table, or between the pages of a book. If you can't read the letter right now, put it somewhere you can see it. If the letter is particularly notable, there is even more reason to display it prominently.

"But the letter is under the documents in a cramped compartment; if it isn't hidden there to keep a secret, what is it? Do you think the mailman stuck it or did the letter place itself on its own?"

In other words, Bella received the letter and hid it. However, she wasn't able to read it at the end. Why?

"Should we search for Bella then?" Noel asked slowly. "And maybe the sender as well?"

"Where would be able to find her?" Carl asked another.

"It's impossible for Bella to be part of the staff. The letters also state that Bella likes to watch performances so probably she would be sitting together with the audience."

It made everyone flinch. The audience? The people with sacks covering their heads? How would they find Bella amongst those people? By pulling the sacks from their faces?

Ken heaved a sigh. "Let's look for more clues. It's already the third day tomorrow, so there should be more clues appearing. We might find a way to identify Bella from the crowd. For now, return to your rooms and sleep. We still have a busy day ahead."

Ken adjourned the meeting, and the players immediately dispersed. Ken's companions sat in their chairs until the rest of the group arrived. Ken glanced at Jaerim, who seemed to be thinking a lot.

"What's the matter? You've been dismissed," Carl said, tapping Jaerim on the shoulder.

"I'm just wondering," Jaerim said, looking at Ken's arms, "what happened to your arm?"

"This?" Ken shook his head, looking at the scorched skin. "It was just some scratches from the dance earlier; don't worry, it was already treated."

"It's really difficult to hold that dragon costume. So heavy and cramped. I never felt my hips before I was able to finish that. The audience was not responding either. What a waste," Carl complained.

Jaerim caught the words Carl said that match the questions in his mind. He asked, "What is you guy's mission? What did your leader tell you?"

"Mission? Well, just dance well and happily," Ken said, looking suspicious. "Yours is different?"

Jaerim nodded. "We have to perform our best to become the best dancers in the world. Our leader emphasizes that everything should be done with more than a hundred percent effort."

"Why do you have some lax missions? Does your leader not want first place?" Noel finds it unbelievable.

"I'm not sure, but we weren't under any pressure; we just did what we could," Ken explained.

The difference in treatment could mean something. Jaerim and his troupe could not create a mistake and should leave a unique performance to garner support from the audience. While Ken's group only has to take part in the dance without any engagement with the crowd.

Jaerim seemed to have realized something. Could it be that person? Could the sender be that person?