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The Understudy Always Knows the Lines
horror◐ Mature5 contributors · 4 paragraphs deep
Mara runs back toward the stage, the only lit place left. On the boards stands a woman in a red dress, frozen mid-gesture, like a paused video. It's Lenore. Her lips move with no sound. Mara steps closer and finally hears it: "Say my last line for me. Then I can go."
Mara refuses to say the line, too scared of what it might do. Lenore's frozen face crumples. "Then you'll learn it the slow way," she whispers. The stage lights spin to face Mara, pinning her in a hot white circle. Her own mouth opens against her will and starts reciting the play from the top, word perfect, in a voice that is no longer entirely hers.
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