Reads By The River Novels & Stories

"Dude, you're playing a risky game here." I shot a glance at Henry, who was grinning foolishly. 'Look at this joker,' I muttered inwardly. 'He's clueless—getting cheated and still acting all carefree.' Henry quickly averted his eyes, his expression suddenly serious as he fixed his gaze on me with exaggerated focus.

Before I can give it back, two little girls run up and touch my sleeve, staring at me as though touching me might bring them a blessing. I smile and hold the honey out to Mr. Doyle. “I don't deserve gifts today.” The girls exchange confused looks. For a second, I almost laugh. They have no idea how wrong they've got me. I take the long way, down past the river, because I need to see it with my own eyes. I stand at the bank for a long time, staring at water, nothing like the black, endless sea in my memory. This river is narrow enough to skip a stone across—no waves, no undertow, nothing that could drag a seven-year-old girl under.

“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.”

I might have to call him and cancel tomorrow. River is still not feeling well and I don’t want to stress her more than she already is. I walk into the room and she is sitting on the bed reading her materials for her finals. She looks so sexy wearing my clothes and my reading glasses. She kept forcing her eyes until she tried my reading glasses and that was it. I already ordered another pair for me as I am blind as I can be when it comes to reading. Without my glasses, I really struggle. What can I say? My dyslexia doesn’t help either.

She croaked and began to wail. “Come on, baby. She’s okay. She’ll be okay, I promise.” He retorted. ___________ River happened to stumble in a bar when she became thirsty. She had been walking around taking pictures of wooden sculptures of creatures and human figures for a good hour and a half. She had already fallen in love with the small town and the breeze that flowed at night. Even during the day, it didn’t feel as hot and humid as in Texas. It was the opposite.

With that, he turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving River and Thane to navigate the fragile bond forming between them. River guided the wheelchair beneath the sprawling canopy of an ancient almond tree, its gnarled branches stretching towards the sky like nature's own cathedral. The warm sunlight filtering through the leaves cast dappled shadows on the ground, and the sweet scent of blooming almonds wafted through the air. She settled onto one of the tree's massive roots, the rough bark pressing against her skin as she faced Thane. From her bag, River retrieved a worn leather-bound book, its pages yellowed with age. As she opened it, the musty smell of old paper mingled with the alm

With love, Calla Loren River – POV When I held her book in my hands for the first time, something strange happened. I didn’t feel old. I didn’t feel replaced. I felt home. Because her voice didn’t cancel mine—it continued it. And that’s what stories do when they’re loved well. They echo. James – POV “Do you think Rachel would be proud?” I asked River as we walked home that night. River looked up at the stars. “I don’t know,” they said softly. “But I think she’d be quiet.” “Why?” “Because sometimes pride is too big for words.”

"She is already dead. How can a dead ghost compare to Adrian's living life? Gideon Frost, today I will teach you which matters more: the living or the dead." Mother took me from the guard with a cold face. Her hand closed around my throat without hesitation. Her eyes threatened Father openly. "Either you burn those ashes yourself today, or you will never see Eli again." I clawed at Mother's hand and struggled with all I had. "Father, don't..." As my face slowly turned purple, Father held Mother's gaze and smiled in grief. At last he nodded. His voice was hoarse beyond recognition. "Fine. I will burn them. Let Eli go."

River asks “You just have to imagine a wall or something solid to stop your thoughts from being heard” Realm tells her. River tries to think of a wall and imagines the one that surrounds her house. “Okay done!” she says. She hears something that sounds very close to a laugh from Realm. “Solid! The one you imagined is half a wall and half iron railing” Realm tells her. “Ah,yes, got it solid, as in Fort Knocks” River answers imagining a thick wall with huge iron locks securing it.

Never, ever again. Stretching my whole body to get the blood pumping, I find Laura. The river chiseled large caves through which a person can stroll at ease without even bending. She’s inside such a cavern, reading on a rock with her feet into the stream. It takes me a while to realize I'm holding my breath. I exhale heavily and go to the river to wash my face and cool myself off. After I take out my shirt to not get it wet, I splash the chilly mountain spring water over my face and chest. Then I go into the sun to let it all evaporate.