The New Script
The train to New Orleans rolled through the darkness like a ghost on rails.
Luna sat by the window, her fingers resting on the invitation that had brought her back into this madness, beside her, Jasper was asleep, head tilted back, lips slightly parted.
Even in sleep, his brow stayed creased, like he was dreaming of things better left buried.
Luna hadn't told him everything,not about the dream,not about the throne, not about the gloves.
She is yet to understand the dream but she felt it, she knew the show wasn't finished just yet. It had just… changed roles.
The Rosegrave Theatre was waiting for them.
It looked like it hadn't hosted a show in decades ivy curling over the brickwork, windows blacked out, front doors chained shut.
The moment Luna touched the handle, the chains fell away like paper, inside the lobby smells of old perfume and roses gone sour.
And on the wall, a poster glowed:
(TONIGHT ONLY)
LOVE ME TO DEATH RESURRECTION:
STARRING: LUNA Tyler
FEATURING: A CAST TO DIE FOR
Jasper cursed under his breath.
"I hate this place already."
Luna tried to laugh.
But something inside her thrilled.
The house lights flickered on as they stepped into the auditorium.
And waiting center stage
A full cast.
Strangers. All in costume. All perfectly still, like mannequins,Until the piano played.
And then one by one, they blinked awake.
Luna clutched Jasper's hand.
They all turned to look at her.
And bowed.
A girl with white gloves stepped forward.
Red lipstick. Long black hair. And eyes that glowed gold in the low light.She held a script.
"You must be Luna," she said, voice like sugar and smoke.
"I'm Velora. Assistant director."
"I didn't sign up for anything," Luna said.
"You didn't have to," Velora replied. "You wrote it, remember?"
She handed Luna the script.
On the cover:
LOVE ME TO DEATH: RESURRECTION
BY LUNA Tyler
Luna opened the first page.
Scene One was already happening.
It read:
"INT. ROSEGRAVE THEATRE NIGHT
The girl arrives,the show begins.
And the lead finally becomes the author."
At the bottom a dripping ink:
"Curtain rises. No turning back..