Novel & Cerita A Story Beside

As real as the women beside her. The story was not over. The story was just beginning. End of Chapter 89

**Chapter 2: The Mysterious Garden of Luminara** One story, in particular, had captivated Roberick's imagination. It was the tale of the Garden of Luminara, a place rumored to exist in a realm beyond the known. It was said to be a garden of unearthly beauty, where flowers of iridescent hues bloomed, and the night sky shimmered with stars even during the day.

“You think I am old? Age is just a number. I still believe I am young. You never know, I might even outlive you.” Shiva’s face tensed a little. He looked down, avoiding the old man’s eyes. They stepped out of the store, filled with their own thoughts, and ambled in opposite directions towards their homes. Shiva carried a short-stories collection in his backpack from the shop. Mr. Ben had told him he could take any book from the shop to read. He planned to read it to his sister at night. She loved stories, especially those with happy endings. She loved to imagine herself as a character in those stories and live the happy lives vicariously. This was the only pleasure Shiva could give her – for

He was spacing out with a somber expression. Anderson quietly turned to Suit, waiting for the demon to state his question. “Never mind. I already have my answer. Besides, like you said. It doesn’t matter. She’s already burning in hell anyways. So, shall we begin the next story? I believe you’ve rested enough?” Anderson nodded his head, ignoring the bit about Miss. Agnes burning in hell. He did not exactly care. That story was over. The kids were fine and made something of themselves. No matter what, he would most likely choose the same path. He could not guarantee a different approach would work. Most important, the story was over, and he was moving on.

I walk towards a bunch of them and they all look embarrassed. "Hello there! Do you happen to know where the small people are located from here?" I greeted them and asked them right away. "Come close and I will tell you!" One of the roses told me. I went closer and the rose whispered to me their location. She can't say it out loud since it's forbidden. But her instructions are not exactly helpful. She told me to look for a balete tree and that's where we can find them. With all the trees around here, it's not easy to locate them.

I told him as I picked on my nails, a nervous habit of mine. "Yeah, I'm at the café close to the campus," he informed me. "Okay babe, I'm coming now," I said and hung up after we said goodbye. I got in my car and drove to the café. When I arrived and walked inside, Blake saw me, and a big smile formed on his face, making me smile back at him. He got up from his seat and engulfed me between his muscular arms, kissing the top of my forehead. His small gestures were enough to make me happy for the whole day. He made me feel secure and comfortable whenever I was with him. I was so blessed with his existence in my life.

Azalea quickly interrupted Paisley and said, "Ms. Anthony, I have no interest in your story. I have something to do, so I'll take my leave first!" Paisley looked at her nervous expression and smiled sarcastically. "Miss Clark, did my story remind you of something? It's just a story, so you don't have to panic. I don't have any ill intentions towards you and I just want to be friends with you. Feel free to ask me if you need my help in the future. I will do my best to help you!"

My anxiety was free as she got closer, my mind was utterly indecisive, unsure of whether I could keep hiding away or give Kiara the support she needed. “Oh Kiara…”My stomach twisted as I took another step forward, and then another, I moved past the cluster, thinking too loudly to keep any whisper or comment away from my ear. I retraced my gaze back to Kiara, and I was too late,she was barely two steps away from Aiden. In the blink of an eye, two tall bimbo looking girls stopped before Kiara, blocking her path. My heart swelled in my chest as I struggled to move closer, Aidden was disappearing further into the crowd, while the girls remained in Kiara's part.

"Something came through. Something from the other side." I felt the words like frost across my spine. The Underworld. The place of shadows, magic, and monsters. It was a legend, only a ghost story, it couldn't have been real, and yet if it wasn't how else would we explain the chaos before us? Malen would never lie to me, he had a weird sense of humour but I could feel he was telling the truth about this one. The urgency in his voice and the raw fear I saw in his eyes was enough confirmation.

Half a month later, in the middle of the night, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Lex. [Audrey, I'm sorry.] I stared at it for a moment, then put the phone down. I didn't reply. Our story had ended long ago. I closed that chapter. From now on, our lives will go their own way—like two roads that'll never cross again.