Riding Off Into Sunset Novels & Stories

When I was comfortable in the car, I drove with one hand, the other held out for Ryan which he took, making the experience even better. “Park there,” Ryan pointed as we reached the top. There were a few homes at the very top but secluded. I drove off the road and parked. There was a cliff and the whole city was down below, the sun was setting, the sky turning dark as the sun was slowly swallowed by the horizon. I opened my door and hopped off, leaving the door open, music still playing. I walked to the front, the lights flickering. I still couldn’t believe it, my breath stolen. Our guards were parked a distance away.

One that had never fully healed. She stood out in the fields, watching the sunset over the horizon. The sun made a dramatic exit, leaving behind streaks of pink, orange, and purple in the sky that reflected in the crystal lake. She bent to pick a wild sunflower, holding it up in the air as she silently observed it in the fading light.

I pulled his hands down the wooden boards and led him into the desserts. The sun was setting above us, coloring the skies with an intense orange-yellow and we ran towards the car. Like we were kids and life was good again. I got into the car and looked out of the windows. I gazed into the sunset with a deep breath and like the Christmas photo, this was a moment I wanted to last forever.

Rosamund looks at the formal record she is writing then she looks at me. "It's done," she says. "The beginning is done," I say, sort of reminding. "Yes," she says. "The beginning." She smiles. The last evening we go back to Mira Seca. All of us. Sunset this time. The New Mexico sky doing what it does in the specific hour when the light goes golden and the mountains turn colors that you can't reproduce in photographs. We stand at the foundations. Nobody organizes it. Nobody says: stand here, form a circle, do this thing.

"Let’s just move on, shall we?" As we stepped out into the evening air, I paused to admire the sunset. The sky was a breathtaking canvas, with shades of pink and orange blending seamlessly into the deepening blue, tinged with hints of purple where the colors merged. The breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and savory barbecue, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. "Mirabelle, I need to ask you something about oracles," I said, my eyes fixed on the dirt road ahead, captivated by the particles of dust dancing in the beams of sunlight.

I was patient, she would eventually slip up. By the time evening came, I was drained. I stood from my chair and stretched, looking out through the tall glass window that framed the city skyline. The sunset painted everything gold and orange, and for a moment, I just admired it. Then I packed up my things and left the office. The drive home was smoother than usual, the traffic lights and the roads quiet. A faint smile crept onto my lips when I thought of Adrien. He would probably already be home, maybe cooking or watching something on TV.

I think to myself. I head off walking down the driveway. It was a nice evening out; the sun was almost finished setting over the hills to the right. The sky lighting up a beautiful purple and gold combination. I find a fallen tree and decide to sit down and watch the remainder of the sun disappear over the countryside. The sounds of birds chirping and the wind blowing through the trees had a calming effect. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could smell the grass and the forest behind me. I felt at peace here.

I asked the driver to stop along the coastal road. The Mediterranean wind smelled of salt and orange blossoms. The sun was sinking low, turning the water fierce gold, then red, then a deep rose that stretched across the harbor like burning silk. I took out my phone and photographed the sunset. No cockpit glass. No permission. No man deciding whether I deserved the view. Ava replied almost immediately. [Your first official photo after becoming a terrifying charity queen is a sunset? Iconic.] I typed back, [Come here and you can see it every day.]

Well, she was right about the sunsets. I’ve never seen anything as spectacular as this in my life. The sun is slowly glowing down the sky, and it’s not just sinking, it’s shooting rays of pink and orange with such dramatic force, I’m put in mind of one of Noah’s superheroes. “Sunset” sounds quite passive, quite nothing-y. This is more like sun-pow! Sun-take-that!

I spat out making one last reference from the movie. “Oh look, the sunset.” Lance said calling my attention. The sunset was impeccably a perfect hue of red, orange and yellow and the bright filament of rays coming from the sun itself reflected its natural beauty at the clouds and generally the sky. I’m like slowly being lulled by the beauty of nature and suddenly, I realized this was one of the purest and simplest moment that I have with Lance. “Quick, we need to take a quick selfie.” I instantly thought of capturing this simple moment with Lance.