Reads By The River Novels & Stories

The Reader’s Bench light stayed on as if the lamp had opinions. Leah found Ethan on the tower crown in the hour when the city pretends it will sleep and doesn’t. She handed him a bowl and leaned on the rail. The river was a black ribbon that had earned the right to be dramatic and wasn’t. Beyond the ridge, somewhere, the road held a convoy that was not present and a woman with a voice like velvet knives, and none of that mattered as much as the boy on Bridge Two who had decided to juggle again and finally got to three.

“At this point, I’m convinced my mate is dead or something.” “Come on, don’t say that,” Peter groaned. But I wasn’t joking. Not really. My eyes drifted back to the girls. Or rather, her. River. She was standing a few feet away, watching Hailey try on a hat, her arms loosely folded in front of her. She didn’t say much—she rarely did—but something about her silence pulled at me. She wasn’t empty… she was full of things unsaid. Like a book with pages stuck together, daring someone to peel them open and read what’s hidden inside.

I could hear the gentle lapping of the river against the rocks, harmonizing with the symphony of nature's nighttime chorus. I stood at the edge of the river, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The moon cast an eerie glow upon the water, illuminating the scene with its pale light. The air around me felt heavy, as if carrying a weighty secret. Suddenly, a spectral figure emerged from the river's depths, ethereal and otherworldly. Its translucent form seemed to shimmer with a haunting radiance. I watched in awe as the figure spoke, its voice echoing through the night.

After the children finally decided on four books, they eagerly brought them back. As Noah read, he glanced at the frightened Omega every now and then. He could see the frightened Omega slowly relaxing. He could see his curiosity as he tried to see the book he was reading. As Noah was halfway through the second book, he opened his arm out towards the frightened Omega who was trying to see the book. As Noah continued reading , he held his arm out and motioned the Omega closer, with his fingers. Noah tried not to show how excited he was, he could feel his heart skip a beat when the Omega slowly walked closer, until he was almost right next to him.

He mumbles under his breath. This guy is weird but he has a friendly aura around him. He doesn't talk much but when he does he keeps laughing but I still don't know what makes him laugh. Now that I can examine him up close, I can guarantee that he looks like a very intimidating person. With tattoos surrounding his arms and covering his neck, he also has his nose and ears pierced. When he isn't laughing, he looks like a scary person indeed. I wouldn't want to mess with him. "I'm River." It's my utmost attempt to start a conversation.

I picked up the river book from the kitchen table. I read until Leo came home.

Ordinary people could not watch, or misfortune would befall them. The icy river water rose past my shoulders, yet my body temperature did not drop. Instead, it climbed higher, and moisture gathered between my legs, mingling with the river. I soaked in the water for some time before the river god finally entered the cage. Though I was blindfolded and my hands were bound so I could not see his face or touch him, I could clearly hear his rapid, heavy breathing. The river god circled around me slowly, then lifted the hem of my skirt. Something smooth and slippery began crawling up from my ankle.

Naomi With each stroke of the oar, Cal propels our small boat down the tranquil river. The water gently licks at the edges of the vessel, creating a soothing lullaby that accompanies us on our journey. I gaze at the lush green grass rustling in the gentle breeze along the banks, illuminated by specks of sunlight peeking through the treetops. My eyes follow the graceful movements of a few fish swimming just beneath the crystal clear water’s surface. Despite the tranquil settling, my heart races, still unable to relax after what happened earlier.

“Sammy is getting torn apart by his father by now. Victor is surrounded by enemies who smile to his face. I cannot just sit here and read while everything burns.” “And you cannot keep acting like you are invincible,” she snapped. River rubbed his face with his hands. “Jayden,” he said carefully, “did you even finish reading that Gem of Life book.” I froze. “…No,” I admitted. Jane made a sound like she was about to scream into a pillow. “I actually read the whole thing,” River continued, and I turned to him in shock. “I wanted to understand how a human like you can do all this. And also if I could do it too.”

And then— She is the river. --- That night, Esi dreams. In it, Mira stands beneath the altar tree, hair braided in moonlight. She says nothing. Only smiles. Then turns into mist. And joins the sky. --- Back in Nsia, the river runs smoother than ever. Children learn to read the current like letters. And when they say her name, the wind dances through the leaves. Not haunting. Just present. Just home. --- 🌀 Final Words > There is no such thing as a forgotten name.