magisternihil's 100-word story for April 29, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on April 29, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

Public speaking wasn’t really Deidre’s thing. All of those eyes looking at you, scrutinizing, peeling away your layers and trying to see the real you. She hated every bit of it. She sat for a moment in the back of the auditorium, just one of the crowd. She listened to the hubbub and nodded along with others as they discussed the speaker. Everyone wondered if they would finally see the reclusive author’s face. Just before going on stage she drew the veil across and took a deep breath. Anonymity gave her strength, and besides, now she was talking to friends.

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