Leaving This World Isn't As Scary As It Sounds Novels & Stories

Jolene asked with a disappointed look. "Because it's not scary. That's just a story," Dylan replied, and Jolene scoffed, crossing her arms. "What scares you then?" Jolene asked, raising a brow. Dylan raised one of the cookies to her. "Cookies?" "What I'm scared of is cookies disappearing completely. That will be the end of the world," Dylan replied, taking a bite. "You're impossible," Jolene shook her head. "You do not talk like a five-year-old kid."

“Why don’t you think about it. World’s a dangerous place, you know.” They let me leave, scurrying from the room, but only as far as the edge of the woods. Two of the men break off from the pack, escorting me home. They don’t speak, and neither do I as I think about how much my life is about to change. They walk me all the way to the steps of my building, knowing there won’t be anyone around who cares to help if I yell out.

Alex and I exchanged fearful glances in this distorted, otherworldly place. The city, our beloved home, had transformed into an eerie reflection of its former self. Buildings stretched impossibly high, and the sky seemed to twist and ripple as if it were a living entity. The haunting melody grew louder, its eerie notes filling the air. Alex took a cautious step forward, leading me down the unfamiliar streets. "We have to find out what's happening here," he said, his voice resolute but trembling with uncertainty.

by the Kings of Leon rumbled from Cali's iPod Dock. “Just a walk,” Cali mimicked. “All alone in the dark with a guy from some cult that does human sacrifices, for all we know.” Leesa hopped onto the bed beside Cali. “Oh, come on. You don't believe that stuff.” “Well, maybe not that,” Cali admitted. “But those people are weird. You should be careful.” She shook her head and grinned. “Imagine, me being the voice of reason. What's the world coming to?”

Annie grinned, "Those movies creep me out. Imagine the numerous ways the world could end because of mad scientists creating some weird creatures." Leo laughed, "That's one way to look at it but it's so cool! It's just interesting because when you watch those movies, you start to see how possible it is for all those crazy things to exist or happen." Annie shrugged, grinning still. "It's not interesting, it's scary." "I guess I'm going to have to make you watch all them and change your mind," one side of his lip twitched upwards in a grin.

"Something is going on inside your head; if you don't want me to leave, it better be something good." "You're right. There is something on my mind, and you would be the first person to know. I haven't told anyone else because it's not easy... It's super hard to say it out loud." Despite not knowing what I'm talking about, Logan's face softens as he processes my words. "Okay... Why is it scary?" I breathe a laugh. "Because if I say it out loud, it will suddenly turn into reality, you know? I can't explain it, but if I keep it to myself, I can pretend it's nothing. That it will be over soon."

But there was a thread of anxiety running through it, a subtle, off-key note of worry. "This is a world called Tella," Leo said, his voice a soft murmur. "They are not in crisis. They are not dying. They are just… a little sad. Their star is aging, and their days are growing gradually darker. It is a slow, gentle change, but it weighs on them. Listen to the worry in the lullaby." The students listened. They could hear it now—the beautiful, simple melody, and underneath it, the quiet, persistent fear of the coming dark.

It dredged up many old hurts and painful memories of my past. But I will not live my life in that kind of fear. I will not be scared of the woods or the dark. I will not let the true monsters of this world win. Because there is more than one way to take a life. Cowering under the bed and fearing things that go bump in the night, is also being robbed of life.

Leaving River anxious and afraid of taking a step outside. "This isn't good." He says between the chaos, peering around in confusion. --

I looked at him, at the small apartment that was the only place in the world that didn't feel like a lie, at the bond mark on my neck that was currently glowing with a fierce, protective heat. "I’m furious," I admitted. "I’m livid at the leak, the press conference, the threats, and the way she’s trying to buy and sell us like commodities. But I’m not scared. It’s the strangest thing. My entire life, I’ve been terrified of her disapproval. I’ve lived in fear of this exact moment. And now that it’s here? The world is on fire, but I feel like I can finally breathe the air." "You're not scared because you've already made the choice," he whispered. "The choosing is the hard part. The living in it