Balanced And Barefoot Novels & Stories

“Please, remove your footwear. Find a place in the circle. This is a space of equality, of shared experience.” They complied, a slow, hesitant undressing of this final barrier. Alistair’s socks came off, revealing pale, elegant feet. Julian kicked off his sandals with a grunt. Chloe slipped her heels off with a delicate grace. Elena removed her pumps with sharp, precise movements. Marcus was already barefoot.

"Get your knees higher, Leo. If you don't balance the weight in your heels, the shift will snap your ankles before you even sprout fur." Bianca leaned against the cold marble of the balcony railing, her knuckles white. Below her, the Vane Estate stretched out like a sprawling fortress of glass and steel. It was a monument to a peace that felt more like a held breath. Leo grunted, his small face twisting. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping onto the paved training grounds. "It hurts, Mom. It feels like my bones are turning into hot lead."

The fabric was like nothing I had ever felt before, soft like silk with more layers than I could count, but weightless as though I was wearing nothing at all. The black lace flats that adorned my feet are the one item of clothing I was allowed to pick myself after I begged Mae for a pair. I still wasn’t quite used to the whole barefoot everywhere thing. Elirond argued against them, but Adylin pleaded my case and had Mae make me a pair that satisfied us both. As time ticked by, nerves began to bubble to the surface and I found myself fighting back a lump in my throat and tears that threatened to fall on my freshly done up face.

Before they left, they warned Adam with a thumb slashing on neck. As an answer, Adam sent them a middle finger. ‘They look like high school students who love to fight. Geez.’ Of course, knowing how Adam’s business works, I have no doubts that this is a serious and life-threatening case. ‘I survived again.’ "You can't go back and get your shoes," Adam, who's still breathing so hard, said. That was him, saying that I had to walk barefoot on the way to the condominium. I looked back at my feet and wondered how to walk with only one shoe.

He thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. A clip clip sound made him direct his eyes to his foot and saw her clipping off his overgrown nails and cleaning the dirt buildup under them. He didn’t know why she was bothering with that when she knew he would still walk barefoot back to the pit. Antonio Rufus never bothered getting shoes or sandals for them. He said it was a waste of money since they would ruin it whenever they shifted anyway.

I know soon those moans will turn to screams. We walk side by side across the dock, eerily lit up by huge yellow lights. I stumble in an attempt to keep up with Andres' long strides and wince as I stub my toe. The ballet flats I'd chosen to wear had been lost when I jumped in the water. My feet are now bare and my dark blue hooded sweatshirt and thin white trousers are thoroughly soaked.

They bumped into me. My balance shifted. My body tilting forward. I tried to catch myself. Threw my weight back. But my feet in these stupid heels couldn't grip the marble properly. The smooth stone offering no friction. No purchase. My arms windmilled. Trying to find equilibrium. Trying to find anything. Couldn't.

“Jungle foot.” “Huh?” I look at him quizzically. “Jungle foot, or foot rot. It’s from wearing your boots too long and sweating. Our soldiers in Cambiador get this when we go on ruck marches, and they can’t shift.” “Doesn’t their counterpart heal them?”

His eyes zero in on my shoes and immediately widen in horror. “I will admit that I hate salads and appreciate you supporting and encouraging me to eat real food if you explain what the fuck is on your feet!” he exclaims, “To quote a certain Wakandan; WHAT ARE THOSE?!” he cries, gesturing dramatically to my shoes. I glance down at the shoes on my feet, “Don’t you go dissing my sandals,” I say defensively. I love these shoes. They’re open-toed sandals with a large white cushioned platform base, neon yellow detailing, extra padding under the heel and two translucent neon yellow buckles that strap over the top. I think they’re great.

Felza's POV FOUR YEARS LATER “Halo, Oh my God!” I yelled, dragging her away from the kitchen. She placed her small hands on mine, trying to pull my hands away, but I shook my head and halted, “Halo, what did I tell you about trying to make a dish?” she lowered her gaze, circling her toes on the ground, “and what did I tell you about wearing your shoes.” she tucked some loose strands of her hair behind her ears, smiling from ear to ear, “Mother, walking barefooted helps me walk faster. Walking with the shoes slows me down.” I facepalmed myself and sighed, “Halo, everyone walks around with shoes. You have to get used to it.”