Can't Stop Reading Novels & Stories

Crazy. “And I-I don’t know how to read.” She froze, trying to access if I was joking or not, and didn’t unfreeze until I rectified what I said. “What I meant was… I haven’t read a book in thirteen years so I’m not sure I can do it.” “Wow, that’s a long time,” she dragged, going into thought. “But you can try.” “Pumpkin, I can’t do this. Why don’t you do something else and let your mum read to you tomorrow.”

Something I might not be able to walk away from. And the worst part? A small, traitorous part of me didn’t want to stop.

--- ### The Protest of Stillness "Rowan, Leo, listen to me!" I shouted, grabbing both of them. Rowan's arm felt like cold plastic. Leo was staring at the sky with a vacant smile. "Don't react! Don't feel anything! If we stop being 'Interesting,' the Reader will close the book!" "I don't... understand," Rowan said, his voice a flat, synthesized drone. "What is... 'interesting'?" "The love!" I said, tears streaming down my face. "The love we had! The pain! We have to kill it! We have to become nothing so they’ll leave us alone!"

I whispered, "then **Stop Reading**." I looked at Silas. He smiled—a real, un-scripted, messy smile. "See you in the 'Actual Real', Elara," he said. I closed my eyes. I didn't hit 'Y'. I didn't hit 'N'. I hit **[END STORY]**. ---

His hands are like electric shocks on my books, making me jerk continually. "Ellie Marrie..." He starts reading, but abruptly stops before reading my last name. Not just his voice that stopped, but his movements on my chest too. My nipples are painfully pinched hard between his fingers - too painful for my liking that I almost close my eyes to the pain, not pleasure.

“The fantasies. The guilt. The way you want someone to catch you, to punish you, to make you confess.” “Stop,” I whispered. “Say the word, and we’ll stop,” Jay said. His grin was sharp, but his eyes watched me closely, like he was waiting for something real. “But if you don’t… we’ll keep reading. Out loud.” I froze. My throat was dry. If they read it—if they really read every page—I’d lose everything. But another part of me, the reckless part that had written those words in the first place, wondered what would happen if I didn’t stop them.

You can read the book for curiosity's sake but not reading the book will not disturb the flow of the story so enjoy ! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SO KEEP READING AND ENJOY ! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Leon looked in my direction and gave a knowing smile. I quickly rolled up the window, not wanting to see the two of them any longer. As we neared the pack, I saw someone selling berries by the road. I told the driver to stop so I could buy some, as Sean loved these berries. Lucas appeared behind me at some point, his expression displeased as he said, "Mother, your memory is terrible. I only like meat—I don't like this kind of thing at all…" I quickly refuted, "These aren't for you."

The year Chelsea Shelton, a Hawthorne Bay heiress, hated me more than ever, she brought home one guy after another. And after she was done with them, she made me pay them off. I'd cursed, fought, even landed in the hospital after throwing hands with escorts. Eventually, I stopped caring and signed one million-dollar check after another. All so she'd keep paying Dad's medical bills. Then Dad went into cardiac arrest again. He was critical. Hands shaking, I called Chelsea. She told the hospital to kick him out of the ICU. "Rowyn Reynaud, that's not how you beg. I don't like it." I tore home through the rain and begged her to let him stay. She made me stand outside all night and liste