OffStage Chapter 1: The One After All the Others Left

Chapter 1: The One After All the Others Left

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Author

This isn’t a story about the stage. It’s about what happens when the music stops, when the fans go home, and the lights go black. This is a story about silence— and the boy who lived inside it — lastnightwriter

Author

Lets being the story 😉

Backstage hallway. Dim lighting. Cassian stands alone, hoodie on, head low. He doesn’t acknowledge the approaching footsteps

Niko Lior

Cassian Reid?

Cassian Rid

Depends

Niko Lior

Niko Lior. I’ve been assigned to you starting today

Cassian Rid

....You're a kid

Niko Lior

I'm eighteen

Cassian Rid

Still a kid

Niko Lior

Still your manager

Cassian finally looks up. Blinks slowly. Expression unreadable.

Cassian Rid

How long do you think you’ll last

Niko Lior

I don't play guessing games

Cassian Rid

You should. I give most of them three days

Cassian Rid

I’ll take the

Beat. Crowd screaming outside. Neither move

Cassian Rid

Yqou know what they all complain about

Niko Lior

Your silence

Cassian Rid

No. My honesty

Niko Lior

Then I’ll be honest too. I’m not here to babysit you. I’m here to keep you on stage

Cassian Rid

You sound rehearsed.

Niko Lior

You sound defensive.

A long pause. Niko’s gaze never wavers. Cassian’s shifts just slightly—maybe surprised. Maybe bored

Cassian Rid

Fine. Rule one. Don’t talk unless I need you to

Niko Lior

Rule two. You drink the water I hand you. I’m not dealing with vocal cords that hate you

Cassian Rid

“...”

Niko Lior

We good?

Cassian Rid

No. But we’re going

Cassian turns away, heading toward the prep room. Niko follows two steps behind. No more words. Just silence. Just distance

Author

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