Only For The Brave Novels & Stories

I hear everyone shouting in agreement. “For love!” I scream, “For love” they repeat, “For bravery,” again they repeat “For bravery.” “For courage.” “For courage.” And most of all “For us.” “For us.” With that I lead the charge with Ash by my side. I can’t hear anything except for the roar of blood in my veins as I speed towards the enemy that was so long ago prophesied that I would fight.

“ You didn’t break down, didn’t stay down, didn’t give up, and didn’t run away. ” The haze leaves my mind slowly. The sun has set down completely, and gradually, the darkness is spreading in the world around me but for some reason…it doesn’t scare me. “ Do you know what those people are called that don’t do any of these things even when they have a chance? ” He turns the paper nonchalantly. I grip the hem of my skirt and continue to stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “ They are called brave. ” He whispers, taking his eyes off the papers and finally looking into my awaiting eyes. “ You are a brave woman, Little Butterfly. Don’t call yourself pathetic. That’s a lie. ”

" I ran to catch up with everyone as I remembered the last time I had been alone at a place like this. My whole body shuddered at the foreign hands that had attempted to explore my body that night, and how thankful I had been that Josh was there. April linked her arm with mine as we reached Harvey's car. Josh was sat patiently in the trunk with Tyler beside him, both whispering about something I was intrigued to know about. "Are you ok about all of this?" I asked April, understanding that we both possessed a very similar disposition with things like this, and I couldn't imagine her liking it much more than I did. "I'm not crazy about it." Henry stepped closer to her as a form of protection,

“Mother… will he come for me?” I knelt before her, placing my hands gently on her shoulders. “No one can touch you without my permission, Lyla,” I said firmly. “Do you understand?” She nodded, but her small mouth trembled slightly. “Even him?” “Even him,” I said, voice softening. “But you must be brave… because sometimes, bravery isn’t about fighting. It’s about standing still and knowing that someone stronger will protect you.” Her tiny hands clutched mine. “I’m brave,” she whispered.

"I just did what I had to do." "That's what makes it legendary. You didn't try to be a hero. You just kept surviving. Kept fighting. Kept choosing love over fear." He takes my hand. "That's why people are staring. Not because you're different. Because you're proof that anyone can do impossible things if they're brave enough." "I wasn't brave. I was terrified." "Same thing sometimes." He squeezes my hand. "Bravery isn't not being scared. It's being scared and doing it anyway."

He nodded. “It always helped my mother, too.” For a while, neither of us spoke. The silence between us was not awkward at all. It was comforting. Finally, Wesley broke it. “Are you afraid?” I gave a quiet laugh. “Terrified.” “Good.” I blinked. “Good?” “The fearless are reckless.” He looked into my eyes. “The brave are simply those who keep moving despite being afraid.” His words settled deeply within me. Without thinking, I reached for his hand.

"Tomorrow night, when your parents judge every choice we've made, I'm going to sit beside you and make it very clear: you're not being selfish. You're being brave. And I'm honored to be brave with you." The declaration should comfort me. Instead, it terrifies me. Because what happens when brave isn't enough?

“Three weeks until you help hold her accountable. Different framing.” “I don’t feel strong enough for this.” “You don’t have to feel strong. You just have to show up. Strength is optional.” Charlotte, observing her parents’ conversation from the doorway, spoke up. “Mama, are you scared about your work problem?” “Yes, sweetheart. Mama has to do something hard soon and it’s making me nervous.” “But you’ll be BRAVE anyway? Like when I was scared about my solo but I did it anyway?” “Exactly like that. Being brave when you’re scared.”

“You said it yourself—we are faster and stronger than normal people.” Patrick half-shrugged. “I guess you’re going to have to trust me.” Levi mentally rolled his eyes. As if.

I instantly recognize Pyke and Xandry’s cars parked in the same lane. I may have used Pyke but he used me, too. It’s a win-win game. I don’t care if people think of me like a whore. My nerves rack in my system causing my legs to wobble as I get closer to them. My trembling hands are formed into fists as I notice them in an intense confrontation. “I am,” I say firmly, placing all the courage in those two words. I pray and hope I’ll stay stronger before I walk out of here. Their bodies go rigid.