Standing backstage she shone like a star despite a tear falling from her eye.

The colours of her pavonine costume, iridescent in the dim light of the corridor.

 The music from the orchestra building towards imminent climax.

It was almost time to walk out on that stage for the final curtain just like it had happened a thousand nights before…

The crowd would go wild. Her transformation from child to woman to goddess complete.

Except, this time there was no tomorrow.