“NO—“ Byron hopelessly thrusts his body towards me against the grip of the guards. And now his face is wet, and his eyes are blurry.

And the arms of the guards are solid. Too solid next to the broken facade of Byron. Byron who never sheds a tear. Byron who stayed stone-faced until the end. It wrenches my gut, tears my heart into rough-edged shreds.

I sob his name as the guards wrestle him backwards and tear away my lifeline, my reason. My one reason. The reason that now is swallowing me in tears as I fight the chains digging into my skin.

The door slams with a dull thud and in that moment I am alone and afraid and for the first time after meeting Byron, I am flooded with an emptiness that digs the last shreds of my heart out of my chest. My body doesn’t belong to me. But my throat chokes out a last desperate sound.

“Be careful out there.”

Hey, guys it’s me so I hope you are enjoying this novel I’m working on 18 chapters so far!

I wanted to let you guys know that I am taking a break (sorry to leave it at an intense moment) I have serious writers block rn

Also if u guys have any suggestions for other series let me know and I will do them after this novel also comment down below your favorite characters so far:)

And as always thank you guys for your support And feedback

———

I won’t be gone for long lol kinda wanna save my streak but my brain won’t concentrate

— wolf <3

The world is filled with reasons to make you want to leave It likes to make you feel worthless Like your a failure Like your not worth it Like you shouldn’t have been born

I thought I was safe Until I landed in a new home With new people And new trusts

And now I’ve fallen to the devil called the world

So my advice for you… Be careful out there

So I got this idea from a really good book called Dreamland by Sarah Dessen. I just finished it and it was really good, would recommend, look at the trigger warnings first tho

So I have something tell you…

So there’s this…

And another…

And he…

I need..

So here’s the thing…

So 
so
so
um…

I don’t know if i can say 
what i’m trying to say


Can you just know? 
please

Notice the signs 
Things are changing 
I’m changing 

I’m wearing sleeves 
And not going out 

My eyes are hazy 
And my arms are black and blue 

And i’m waiting
waiting
waiting 

For him 
And for me 
To wake
wake 
w a k e 

wake up 


Please notice 
notice me 

Notice me 

Cause I can’t say 

I just 
Can’t 

Please 
Look at me and see me 

Instead of her ghost 

See me and everything wrong

L'aria era densa del tanfo di fumo e gomma bruciata mentre Casey stringeva la presa sul piede di porco. Il parcheggio, vuoto a parte il suo camioncino arrugginito e le ombre degli alberi che avanzavano, sembrava ronzare di anticipazione. Guardò oltre la spalla verso la strada lontana, dove ogni tanto sfrecciavano i fari delle auto, troppo lontani per aiutare e troppo vicini per ignorarli.

"Non devi farlo", disse Michael, con voce bassa ma intrisa di urgenza. Si fermò pochi metri dietro di lei, con le mani alzate in un gesto pacificatore. Il suo viso era pallido, in netto contrasto con la felpa scura tirata su sopra la testa.

Casey espirò bruscamente, asciugandosi il sudore dalla fronte. "Non ho scelta. Hai sentito cosa ha detto. Se non consegno, siamo entrambi finiti."

Michael esitò, i suoi occhi saettarono verso la sacca da viaggio ai suoi piedi. "Ma... e se stesse mentendo? E se fossimo solo pedine in un gioco più grande?"

Casey scoppiò in una risata amara, il suono inghiottito dal silenzio intorno a loro. "Siamo pedine, Mike. Il trucco è sopravvivere abbastanza a lungo da capovolgere la scacchiera."

Il rumore degli pneumatici che scricchiolavano sulla ghiaia li fece congelare entrambi. Casey si chinò, issando il borsone sulla sua spalla. "Resta qui. Se le cose vanno male, sai dove andare."

Michael aprì la bocca, poi la richiuse. Annuì, il peso di tutto ciò che non era stato detto, di tutti i sentimenti mai condivisi, dei ti amo mai confessati, si depositò nello spazio tra loro. Mentre lei si girava verso i fari dell’auto che si avvicinavano. Finalmente Mike trovò la voce. "Casey," chiamò piano. Lei si fermò, girandosi a metà, la sua silhouette nitida contro il fioco chiarore delle luci di parcheggio del camion.

"Stai attenta là fuori."

I prepare to step into the battle zone

i face the mirror

looking at the sight of my dark hat

the sky’s cold

grey and dull

my skins pale

pale as the moon late at night

darkness falls across the land

the grass is cold at last

“be careful out there, soldier.”

he stated exhaustingly

he froze in the haze of my mind

i gripped back to reality

my army screaming

“watch out!”

is the last thing i heard

till the memory comes

Stuck in here with nothing left to endure My bloodline left nothing else to atone for No legacy or property or business deals I wanna succeed just to let them know how it feels

You think you can handle me I don’t think so, no, not really Be prepared My ego can crack a hole through this damn ceiling

Tell me, how do you feel? Don’t ignore that ache on your heel Wherever you’re going I hope that you know That your future is growing Forever atoning The almighty ocean Full of lost hopes And breaking the motions

So know where you’re going Life won’t be fair So be careful out there

A tight grip landed on Autumns shoulder, “where do you think your going?” A rough voice said harshly. She turned around, seeing Charlie with an expression she had ought to figure out. “I need to find her.” Autumn replied, trying to find her way out of Charlie’s grasp. He shook his head, “and risk your life?!” “She’s my mother!” Autumn snapped, her hands closed to fists, “you would do the same if your mom was alive!” Charlie backed away, stunned as fury proceeded to be in Autumns eyes— soon turning into guilt. “You don’t get it, do you.” Charlie eyed her as if she was a complete stranger, “your risking your own life for someone you don’t know if she’s even alive. The world has gotten more dangerous, the dark holders, I don’t want you to- I can’t afford them to find you.” Soft wind blew again Charlie’s face, as the two paused. Cool, graceful, _He’s protecting you. _A thought began in Autumns mind, “I still need to find her.” She finally said. Charlie sighed, looking down as he kicked the ground, “my powers are strong enough, okay? Don’t doubt me.” Alas, Autumn was a light holder, confident and stunning. Charlie finally nodded, understanding as he mumbled, “be careful out there.”

The snowstorm had been raging for hours, transforming the quaint town of Pineville into a silent, white wilderness. Christmas lights struggled to pierce through the thick veil of falling snow, casting a muted glow on the streets. Inside the cozy warmth of the Mitchell family home, Emily Mitchell’s heart pounded with both anxiety and unspoken love. Tom, her husband, was scheduled to catch a flight for an important business meeting—a last-minute trip that couldn’t wait. But the blizzard outside seemed to have other plans.

"Tom, are you sure you have to go?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with worry and longing. Tom zipped up his heavy winter coat, determination etched on his face. "Emily, I’ve got to. The deal is crucial for the company, and I promised I’d be there." Their two children, Sarah and Jake, watched from the living room, their Christmas excitement overshadowed by the impending departure. Sarah clutched her teddy bear tightly, while Jake fiddled with the remote, aimlessly flipping through holiday specials.

Tom knelt down to their level, pulling them into a tight hug. "I’ll be back in a couple of days, just in time for Christmas morning. Promise me you’ll be good for your mom, okay?" They nodded solemnly, their eyes reflecting the worry they saw in their mother’s. With a sigh, Tom straightened up and grabbed his suitcase. Emily walked him to the door, her heart heavy and filled with words she hadn’t yet found the courage to say. The snow outside swirled in a chaotic dance, the howling wind a stark contrast to the warmth they were about to leave behind.

"Tom, please be careful," Emily whispered, her voice barely audible over the storm’s roar. She reached out and touched his arm, her fingers lingering just a moment longer than usual. Tom smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I will. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine." He stepped outside, the cold biting at his skin instantly. Emily watched as he trudged to the car, his figure gradually disappearing into the storm. She hugged herself, trying to quell the unease gnawing at her heart. Just before he got into the car, Tom turned around and shouted through the snow, "I love you, Emily."

Emily’s heart skipped a beat. "I love you too, Tom," she called back, her words nearly lost in the wind.

As he drove away, she stood there, hoping the blizzard would not stand between them and the future they had built together. Inside, the Christmas tree lights twinkled, a beacon of hope amidst the blizzard's wrath. Emily gathered her children, determined to keep their spirits high despite the storm. After all, Christmas was a time for miracles, and she held onto the belief that one would bring Tom back to them safely.

Three days later, on Christmas morning, a familiar knock echoed through the house. Emily’s heart raced as she flung open the door to find Tom, snow-covered and smiling. He pulled her into a warm embrace, whispering, "I made it back, just like I promised."

Tears of relief and joy streamed down Emily’s face as she clung to him, never wanting to let go.

"I was so worried," she said, her voice trembling.

Tom kissed her forehead softly. "I know, but I had to be with you for Christmas. It’s where I belong."

As they stood in the doorway, wrapped in each other’s arms, the storm outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of their love and the promise of a Merry Christmas.

"Be careful out there," Emily whispered, a smile breaking through her tears. With a chuckle, Tom replied, "Always, for you."

Their hearts full, they closed the door on the storm, ready to celebrate the holiday together, united by the strength of their love.

Growing up has always been a challenge. A conventional struggle we endure to build us for the adult world. As I sat on the bus ride back from my final school trip, I could feel all the emotions catching in my throat. I tried to swallow them, to suppress the tears developing. It was a happy day. I didn’t want to change that. My group of friends and I sat together on the bus, laughing and showing each other funny photos of the four of us found in our camera rolls over the years. We were a tough group of boys, and we rarely showed such sentimentality. But that day, we all knew, was a special day allowing for any possibilities. We would drown in nostalgia for that day and that day only. Our final school day together. The evening sky was darkening, and as I stared out the window longingly, I could see the reflections of us sitting there under the harsh bus lighting. We had collectively switched our phones off now, allegedly to “conserve battery”, but we all knew deep down that we meant to relish our lasts moments together. “Hey,” my closest friend, Kim whispered beside me. “Last day of high school.” “Yeah,” I replied. “It’s crazy.” He nudged me and added, “All these years and you never even got a girlfriend.” “Well, there’s more to life than that,” I said calmly. “There’s no need to rush it.” “Wise words, old man,” Kim laughed, sighing and leaning back in his seat. “I wish I’d known…” “C’mon, man, don’t worry. You’ll get over her,” I said. “Mm, but when?” He asked half sorrowfully. “Soon. You’ll pick yourself up; I know you can. You’ll be in university in a few months, and time will fly.” I tried to reassure him. “It hurts in the present though, man.” He said, chuckling. “But I guess, like you said, there’s more to life than this broken heart nonsense.” I smiled weakly. “Let’s enjoy these last moments, at least.” We discussed old friendships and events, and we talked about future plans. “Growing up is scary, man,” Kim murmured. “Our first year of high school felt like just days ago.” “Yet here we are… 18 years old and off to university.” “I wish time would have passed slower,” he continued. “Maybe I wouldn’t have made so many stupid mistakes that way.” “Nah, you still would’ve!” Called one of our friends seated behind us. We laughed together before silence swept over us again. “You know,” I began slowly. “I’m really gonna miss you, man.” “Yeah?” Kim replied quietly. “Me too. I’ll miss you too.” “Starting afresh for university feels so scary. We should’ve just applied to the same ones, haha.” I joked. Slowly, the bus turned into the familiar road of the school, and drove past the iconic school gates. I could hear other students around me start clapping and cheering various words, saying just anything in the moment, knowing it was our last opportunity to do so. Trembling slightly, I stepped off the school bus, and surprisingly hugged my close friends goodbye. We did our well rehearsed handshakes for the last time and smiled at each other. I then turned to Kim, and I could feel the tears building up again. I instead pulled him into a tight hug so that he couldn’t notice, and said, “See ya, man. It has been a wild ride, all these years.” “Sure has. Thanks for being there, always,” he said, the emotion quavering in his voice as he attempted to choke back the tears falling too. “You too, thanks for everything.” “Have a brilliant life, man.” “Yeah, and you. Be careful out there.”