Live Not By Lies Novels & Stories

“They can’t treat you like that.” “Because they’re right,” I said, the words flat and dead. “Everything they said. It’s all true.” “Lyra—” “I am a stripper. I do live in your house for free. My mother did have an affair with a married man. What part of that is a lie, Raphael? Tell me.” He was silent for the rest of the drive. The silence was worse. It confirmed everything. He had no argument because there wasn’t one. They’d just stated the facts of my sad, messy life. Facts I couldn’t fight. How do you fight the truth?

They both stare at me and seem to be waiting for what I say, “I lie to you guys, I don't have my business, I'm living a messy life here in New York, I lied” They look into each other eyes and said, “We know,” “What?”

Not now. Some truths… are too dangerous to speak out loud. So for now, I have to ask you to trust something you cannot see. Before I can tell the truth… I have to live a lie. Just know this— No matter where I go… No matter what happens… I will always love you. And I know… in some way… you will always love Michelle. That is something I have accepted. Even if it hurts. Goodbye, John. For now. —Jasmine ⸻

[ IN WHICH SHE STARTS A FIRE ] Lies. A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth. Sin lied to me. How do I know? It is the same with what the woman from the open market said, ‘dead people can tell when someone's dead’. And the same thing goes for the living. The living can tell when someone's alive. I can feel Rome. I can feel his claws tugging at my heart as he calls out to me. I can hear him telling me to come to him. I can feel him more closer than ever now. He is lurking at the back of my mind, making it difficult to forget about him. He is telling me he's waiting for me; he's alive.

But it’s close enough. My breath catches not with fear this time, but with something like awe. I could make this work. A laugh bubbles up, sharp and a little hysterical, and I clamp a hand over my mouth to stop it. I don’t recognize myself in this moment. Or maybe I do, and that’s what scares me most. People like to think lies unravel immediately. That they announce themselves with guilt and trembling hands and sleepless nights. But the truth is, lies survive on planning. And I am very good at planning.

I whisper. A simple lie that will turn into a fact when someone will going to believe it. As they said 'one hears is not always the version of reality- it's just funny how lies become inevitable with my life right now. It seems like if you wanted to do something you need to lie for you to get along with the changes in life. One lie and will create an illusion that everything is real. But how long will I able to live with these lies? Once it will all crashed down, everything will fade off and that's what I'm scared about.

I think they bought that lie. “So in a nutshell, the first engagement the pact said is on between you two.” Jake says. “Something like that.” I sip my drink, hiding my frustration. I'm not a good liar; my clothes are almost soaked from sweat from just telling a few lies. How do those that tell lies for a living survive? “Our guy is engaged!” Jake and Joe chorus while clapping and cheering with their wine cups. “Keep your voices low, guys. Have you forgotten we are in Evergreen?”

Her initial question that reminded me of my hell bound punishment rings in my ear and I turn to look at her, "No don't wait for me.Ciara would be waiting for you." Ciara is Lucy's younger sister and only family. They lost their parents in a fire and lost everything valuable in their lives. Lucy lost all except her fifteen year old sister,the only reason she claims to live and the poor little teenage girl lost her sense of speech from the trauma of losing her parents. Her extended family tried to claim care of her but Lucy fought back and promised to somehow manage to fend for them both since she's legally an adult and that brings us to her wanting to join The Rebels, us.

Ashley teased, pointing at Garnet. Garnet simply smiled, while John cleared his throat awkwardly. "Okay… maybe this year," he said hesitantly. Garnet turned to look at him, eyes wide with surprise. He had no choice. He had to lie. "That’s settled then! I’ll call Esmeralda later—I have good news for her!" Diana said excitedly. Then, the unexpected happened. "I don’t want to get pregnant." The room fell into silence. All three of them turned to look at Garnet.

Neither of us moves or even breathes. Because after months of chasing lies, the dead have finally decided to testify.