The Gazelle

Day 29 Flash Fiction Marathon: Write a story where a human character has a physical characteristic of an animal.

Miriam warmed up at the bar finishing up with her pliees, her feet flat on the floor. Then she was ready for the rehearsal. Everyone waited.

It was an original ballet where all the dancers were cast as animals, a strange story, about their revolt to save the earth.

She was cast as Gazelle, the animal that would lead the destructive humans into a trap.

It was her first major role with the company. Her costume was soft beige like the animal and the designer had given her a horned headdress. Black lined her eyes and was drawn to her mouth in parallel with the black line from the top of her head to her mouth.

It was only a rehearsal. 

She shouldn't be this scared. 

The orchestra gave her her cue. 

She was ready.

No real gazelle had been so beautiful, so graceful as she moved across the stage.