Chapter 13: The Mannequin Room

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This time, the corridor doesn't end. It bends.

And bends.

And bends.

Until your feet are blistered and your mind starts counting how many times you've taken the same left turn. But then, the walls open.

Into a white room.

At first glance, it looks empty.

Then your eyes adjust.

Mannequins.

Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds.

Standing in rows. Some tall, some short. All with blank faces. Some clothed in torn uniforms, dresses, tuxedos. Others nude. One is wearing your favorite jacket from childhood. Another has the same scar on its chin that you got in the fifth grade.

Then you see one in the center.

It looks exactly like you.

Except—

It's smiling.

A wide, knowing smile that makes your blood turn to ash.

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The Thirteenth Choice:

As you approach, the mannequin's eyes open.

They're your eyes.

It raises a hand.

And you raise yours in response, though you don't remember choosing to do it.

Suddenly, the other mannequins begin to move.

Some jerk. Some twitch. Some begin walking toward you in slow, clumsy steps.

The lights dim.

A whisper in the air:

"Which version of yourself do you fear the most?"

You try to answer, but your mouth won't open.

Instead, you must act.

Do you:

A) Tear the smiling mannequin apart. It has no right to wear your face.

B) Embrace it. If this is you, maybe it holds answers.

C) Take its place. Maybe that's where you've always belonged.

D) Run. This version was never yours to meet.

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The walls begin to close in.

But the mannequins keep coming.

You push through them, running blindly. Hands grab at your arms, your memories.

You stumble into a small side door just before the room collapses into shadow.

You breathe.

Barely.

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Quiz 13:

Which self would you lock away forever if you could?

A) The version that hurt someone who trusted you.

B) The version that let pain define them.

C) The version that lied to be loved.

D) The version that knew better—and still chose wrong.

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End of Chapter 13

You look back once. The smiling mannequin is standing at the doorway.

Still smiling.

It mouths one word:

"Soon."

And then it's gone.

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