The rehearsal schedule now ring like a death list.
Every scene marked in red ink. Every song introduced by a whisper of wind. And now, Luna's name appeared everywhere.
She was in scenes she hadn't rehearsed. Singing lyrics she didn't remember learning. And worst of all kissing Jasper in the final scene of Act Three.
"Do you think it's cursed… or choreographed?" Jasper asked, sitting beside her on the auditorium steps.
The stage lights above flickered softly.
They were the only two left after another "emergency rehearsal" had ended early due to Percy vomiting feathers.
Literal, black feathers.
Luna glanced down at her script.
"Both."
Jasper chuckled a low, dry sound.
"If someone had told me theatre would be the death of me, I'wouldn't have believed it. Just… not so literally."
They sat in silence a moment. Luna could feel the tension humming between them part nerves, part fear, part something dangerously close to attraction.
"Do you think we should stop the show?" she asked.
"Would it matter if we did?"
He tapped his script.
"This thing writes itself."
Then, almost gently: "You sang the dream song, didn't you?"
Luna nodded.
"And saw… her."
"My grandmother," she said. "Lucinda."
He turned to her, eyes dark.
"I saw my brother," he whispered.
"He was here. Three years ago. Disappeared after opening night. Everyone said he ran away. But now… I know better."
Jasper pulled something from his jacket a dog-eared photo of a cast from 2022. His brother was front row, wearing the same suit Jasper had been costumed in for Love Me to Death.
"He played Damoné."
Luna froze.
"Then who is the Damoné we've been seeing?"
Jasper's voice dropped.
"I think... it's whoever finishes the script. Whoever gives in."
The auditorium doors slammed shut.
The ghost light blinked out.
And from the catwalk above came the slow clap of gloves.
"Brava."
Damoné descended the stairs like a wraith with stage presence.
"You've nearly reached the kiss," he purred. "The audience is breathless. The orchestra's warming up. Now all we need…"
He smiled.
"…is your lips."
Suddenly, the piano played itself.
The script flipped to a fresh page.
(SCENE TITLED:THE KISS BEFORE CURTAIN)
CAST: LUNA. JASPER. DAMONÉ.
Luna felt her body pulled forward magnetized to the stage. Her hands moved on their own, reaching for Jasper's.
He stepped closer too. His eyes searched hers, wild with panic and something else.
Desire.
The music swelled.
They sang:
🎶 Duet: Let Me Love You to Death 🎶
JASPER:
If we end in silence,
Let it be in your arms…
If we burn for the script,
Then I'll burn for your charms…
LUNA:
If we bleed for the role,
Let it be side by side…
Let the kiss seal the deal,
Let the curtain decide…
Their lips brushed.
And for a moment, just one,the curse broke.
Luna saw light. Air. Herself on a real stage, with real applause, and none of the blood.
But then
Damoné screamed.
The world shattered like glass.
The stage exploded outward.
Flames surged from the orchestra pit. Costumes flew off hangers. Chandeliers burst into crimson sparks.
Luna pulled away from Jasper as Damoné's face twisted into something monstrous. Horned. Hollow. Hungry.
"You dared change the scene!" he roared.
Jasper stepped in front of Luna.
"You said she was the lead."
"I lied," Damoné hissed. "You both are."
He raised his hands and the ghost cast emerged, their eyes gone, their mouths wide with soundless song.
Luna grabbed Jasper's hand.
"RUN."
They bolted down the aisles as the dead began to sing again:
Ghost Chorus
One kiss too early
One line too soft
Now the show must punish
Those who turn off
The script divine,
The cursed design,
The love that kills
Before its time...
Outside, in the cold night, they collapsed on the steps of the theatre.
Luna turned to Jasper.
"I think we just ruined the show."
Jasper panted. "Then why does it feel like we saved something?"
She didn't answer.
Because she knew this wasn't the end.
Only intermission.