Never Look Back Novels & Stories

Silvia sat up, because it was one of those beginnings that always pushed her against the back of her seat, all the instruments starting together a song to jump and dance, with all the energy that was No Return’s trademark. She was lucky to notice all that before Jim started singing, because when he did, she couldn’t pay attention to anything else, and she would never listen to it like that again, before hearing the lyrics, that he sang holding her eyes through the camera.

The taxi rolled through the bustling streets. I leaned back in the seat, sunlight pouring through the glass and warming my face, yet I felt numb to its gentleness. The warmth I once knew had been buried along with my mother and baby. The driver, an elderly man with silver hair, glanced at me through the rearview mirror. After a pause, he said softly, “Don’t look back, sweetheart. Look ahead.” He spoke the words I hadn’t dared to say aloud: “Look ahead”.

“You used to say that the northern lights you spent a lifetime chasing were never meant for you, and there was no need to chase them anymore.” “Yeah.” “Look at that,” he whispered, pulling me close. “Now, the lights came all the way out here to find you on their own.”

The gates open. I keep driving. I don’t look back. Because if I do, I might turn around. And I can’t afford to stop. Not now.

You don't wait to listen to explanations before making rash decisions…" Lanre was unhappy. His facial expression was not a pleasant one. He started the ignition and said " I will drop you off at work" and started the car.

The light dies, and the game begins. I am waiting for that sound. It is my starting gun. You turn, heart hammering against your ribs like a bird in a cage, and you bolt. You don't look back. You never look back. That is your mistake. If you looked back, you would see me. You would see the way I stretch, the way I peel myself off the concrete floor, elongated and hungry, reaching for the hem of your shirt.

My wealth began to snowball, growing rapidly. … One year later. On an ordinary afternoon, I drove aimlessly through the city. By some twist of fate, I returned to that familiar intersection. I did not get out. I parked, peering through the tinted windows, quietly observing. Cars streamed by as crowds surged past. Students in uniforms walked across the crosswalk, laughing and teasing in small groups. Sunlight spilled over their young faces, filling them with hope and dreams for the future. I suddenly understood that the one who died in prison in my previous life was not truly my past self.

So I had to be really careful as I kept pulling the scarf that was covering my face a million times just so it wouldn't fall off. I kept moving through the crowd. No matter what happened, I did not look back. I made sure that I kept moving forward without looking back. Because each time I looked back, I felt as if someone was following me or someone was going to catch me. So I decided not to look back anymore and just keep going forward. No matter what happened, I would not allow myself to be caught. Not in this situation. Not if I had actually gone this far.

"I'm not as cold as you are—Mark must be blind, getting a heartless girlfriend like you." I simply shrugged again and left without looking back.

I feel the weight of his stare, but I don’t flinch. The past is behind me, and as I move forward, the future is mine to claim. I don’t look back again.