One More Step Novels & Stories

Slowly putting one foot in front of the other. I sat on his couch, next to Thorn, and just across Luther and Reta. “Well, Steph, we couldn't have done it today without you. Step one is done, but tomorrow, we can't afford to waste time, so we began step two.” Luther said in a husky voice. “And, Steph, you are the one who's going to put the icing on the cake to take out Luther.” “Me? Why?” I was surprised when Luther singled me out to finish off Luther.

I understand the slight gesture and move to my feet before him. "Wait." James stops me just as I’m about to palm him through his pants and when I lift my brow, he nods behind me. "The door." I watch him step to the side to click on the lock to his door. When he comes back, he says, "We got to be fast."

right about now to stave off her jitters. {•}

Trust yourself. The clock ticked loudly, but I didn’t let it get to me. I started by skimming the entire exam, a habit I’d developed to calm myself and see what I was up against. The first few questions looked manageable, but then I saw some complicated ones toward the middle, questions that seemed like they were written in another language. My heart skipped a beat, but I reminded myself of what Alex had said: take it one step at a time. So I began, starting with the easiest questions. The first was straightforward, asking about chemical equations I’d memorized weeks ago. My pen moved quickly, jotting down the answers with confidence. This is fine, I thought. I can do this.

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.

She takes one step forward. I turn. She calls again. I run.

Thank you. #one_love

And trust. A step at a time. Together.

“Each shift depends on the one before it.” “Okay,” I say slowly. “So it’s like… steps.” “Yes.” “Steps to what.” Silence. Then— “We don’t know yet,” Ezra says. Of course we don’t. Why would we. I run a hand through my hair. “Alright. So we’ve got a mysterious point in space that’s teaching us a step-by-step pattern for something we don’t understand.” “Yes,” Aidan says. “And we’re just… following along.” “Yes.” I nod once.

Good, I said. I took a step toward it. END OF CHAPTER 10