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The Inheritance of Quiet Rooms

drama◐ Mature
6 contributors · 3 paragraphs deep

"We have to listen. Now." Diane's already pulling one out, checking the label. 1994. Their dad would've been... what, forty? "Diane, wait—" Mara starts, but Diane's moving toward the living room. She's always been like this. The one who can't help herself.

Diane stops, backs up, stares at the shelf. Every single cassette has a date written on it. Some in her dad's handwriting. Some typed on labels. 1988. 1991. 1993. 1995. 1997. 2001. 2008. But no names. No "To Mara" or "For Theo." Just... years. "Jesus," Diane breathes. "How many are there?"

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"Fifty-three," Theo says, counting them out carefully. Fifty-three tapes. Spanning from 1988 to 2011. The year before their dad died. Diane looks pale. "He was recording himself for like... his whole life?" "Only on these dates," Mara says slowly. "Only on specific dates. Why?"

DH
Dov Hale
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