Stand Here Alone Novels & Stories

And this time— She would not be standing alone

Annika after that left, going back to Nikolai's office to see if he was ready to leave for lunch. Alone once more, I watched the storm for the rest of the day through the tinted windows. It was dark and cold outside, but somewhere across the city, I hoped Rhea had a smile on her face all because of being back in the dancing studio. If she was happy then I could be too. Even in the silence, Annika's question repeated in my mind over and over again. ~Is she the one~ "I know I'm not a very religious man, but God if you listening to me, please give me strength because she is the only one"

I just keep getting stronger and stronger every day. Everyone hates to be alone , and I get that – but when you are alone you tend to talk to yourself , you tend to give your advice. By talking to yourself , you start building your personality – you begin to stand firm on what you believe and who you are. For the first time in a while , I can openly say that I am alone and I am loving it.

"I don't belong here. Take me with you." "The killer is out to get me. A single weakness is all he needs. The last time we were together you saw what happened. You're not safe with me. I need to sort this out on my own, and I don't need you to distract me from this. I'm not going to be moved by tears, I won't give in to any amount of begging or groveling. Do not call me in any minor circumstances, unless you find yourself in dire need of my help which I hope is never. Are we clear?" I lost it at that time. "I can't...I can't do this alone. I'm so lonely. They look at me like I'm some criminal."

“They saw you stand. That’s what counts.” I let out a breath, staring at the flames. “I don’t know how long I can keep standing.” “Then lean on me,” he said again, the same words as before, steady and simple. Something in my chest broke loose at that. I blinked hard, looking away. “You keep saying that.” “Because I mean it.” His voice was quiet, almost too quiet for the night air. “You don’t have to do this alone.” For a moment, I almost believed him. I almost let myself lean against him. But I held back, my arms wrapping tight around my middle.

I could feel the weight of generations pressing against me as I stood at its threshold. Miles stopped and turned to me. His hand brushed my shoulder lightly. "This is your moment, Zane. No one else’s. Remember that." I tried to smile, but it felt strained. "I know. And that’s why… I need to do this alone." He nodded once, his gaze steady. "I’ll be waiting right here. Whatever happens inside, don’t doubt yourself. And…" He hesitated, his tone softening. "Come back to me in one piece, alright?"

I will not reduce myself to the tactics that have wounded me. But I will stand. I will stand in the truth of who I am, even when it is quiet, even when it is difficult, even when the noise tries to drown it out. I am still here. And I am not done. Thank you to those who have stayed. Thank you to those who are just now arriving. I see you. With care, Juliana Vale ⸻

I leaned into his shoulder, listened to the steady thud of his heartbeat, and closed my eyes. In the dream I wasn't the girl killing herself in a basement studio anymore. I was dressed in silk, standing on the biggest stage in the world, applauded by everyone who mattered. And the man beside me, he wasn't going anywhere.

Watching their grief and anger, I felt nothing. If time alone could create love, then all those couples who stuck it out for a lifetime wouldn't still be divorcing in old age. I made plans to meet up with them again. They didn't disturb my recovery and left one by one. The ward was empty. Soon, I was completely alone. I took out my phone to pick a place for us to meet when I saw that someone had tagged me on social media. I clicked on it. It was Kyle. In the video, Emily—who had never lifted a finger around the house—was wearing an apron and cooking for him.

The test I don't know if I'm passing. "Daniel offered me alone," she says finally. "Real alone. No performance. No strategy. Just me and my uncertainty. I thought it was poison. But standing here, I think maybe alone is the only way to know if anything I felt was real." "Then be alone." The words cost everything. "I'll leave. I won't follow. I'll actually stop. And if you want to find me, you will. And if you don't, you won't. And that will be an answer. Not the one I want. But the real one. Actually real."