Chronicles & Chill #5: The Dance

CaliMoon
3 days ago
3 min read

A Mexican Folklore Retold

(as passed down through whispers and wide eyes)

A Mexican Folklore Retold

(as passed down through whispers and wide eyes)

I. The Night of the Party

I first heard this story when I was 14, visiting family in Mexico. Like most folklore, it’s been passed down for generations, a tale told so often it feels like a song. It begins in a small town, the kind where everyone knows everyone. That night, the town was alive. Someone was throwing a huge party—maybe a wedding, maybe a baptism. Back then, parties weren’t just for family. The entire town showed up. There was music, food, drinks, and everyone dressed in their best, ready to dance into the early hours. The single girls especially came to be seen, hoping to catch the eye of a handsome bachelor. Elena, the main girl in this story, came with her cousins. Her mother gave her all the usual warnings before she left. Don’t dance with strangers. Stay where people can see you. Do not leave the party alone. Elena smiled and promised to be careful, then disappeared into the excitement of the night.

II. The Stranger

The cousins found a table, sat, and began scanning the crowd. As the music swelled, so did the energy. That’s when Elena saw him. He was tall, sharp-featured, almost too handsome. He locked eyes with her and smiled faintly. She was hooked. A moment later, he appeared beside her. Would you like to dance? he asked. Elena smiled and said yes. They moved to the dance floor and talked. He asked simple things—where she was from, if she had a boyfriend. But the way he spoke, the way he looked at her, made her feel like they were the only two people in the room. Time melted. It felt like a dream. Eventually, they took a break to get a drink. Then he leaned in and asked, cam we step outside for some air? Elena paused. Her mother’s warnings echoed in her mind. He smiled again and said, "Just outside the door," she hesitantly agreed.

III. The Eyes in the Dark

They stood just beyond the entrance, where couples mingled under the dim lights. But when Elena turned to look at him, she realized she could no longer see his face. The shadows swallowed it. All she saw were two glowing eyes watching her. Her heart raced. She tried to make small talk, but he didn’t respond. He just stood there, silent, still, almost unreal. A cold feeling crept over her. I think I should go back inside, she said softly. She walked backwards toward the door, never breaking eye contact. When she finally turned to open it, she glanced back once more for a final look. He was walking away from her, but his body was changing. His shape twisted and distorted. She couldn’t tell if he was human or animal. Terror gripped her.

Elena ran to her cousins and begged to leave. They were confused, but one look at her told them not to ask questions. Her face was pale, her body trembling, her eyes wide with fear. A scene was forming. A chaperone walked them home in silence. The fear spoke louder than words. The next morning, Elena told her cousins everything. Her mother overheard, quiet but unsurprised. Years earlier, something similar happened to Elena’s grandmother. One of her friends followed a mysterious man into the dark and was never seen again. The town said she was mauled by a wild animal, but everyone knew that was a lie to keep people calm.

V. The Warning

They say it’s just folklore. A way to scare girls into staying home. But I don’t believe that. I think Elena came face to face with something not quite human and barely made it back.

So, do you still want to go to that festival? 😏