The Lonely City Comic Novels & Stories

He was alone, clutching a sidearm with trembling hands. "You think you’ve won?" Dante laughed, the sound bubbling through the blood in his throat. "The Vances... the Morettis... you’re all ghosts! The city is already turning against you!" Luciano stepped forward, the barrel of his gun inches from Dante’s forehead. "The city doesn't turn, Dante. It just waits to see who’s left standing." "Wait," I said, stepping beside Luciano.

The city never slept, and neither did her heartbeat. Ari weaved through the crowded streets, heels clacking against cracked pavement, neon signs reflecting off puddles like broken mirrors. The air smelled of fried food, gasoline, and something else—something electric, almost alive. She pulled her hoodie tighter around her, trying to disappear into the shadows, but she never quite could. Not when the city hummed with life, not when danger lurked just out of sight, and certainly not when he was near.

Chapter One — The Girl Who Burned Bridges The city never slept, not even when the moon was high and full, casting silvery light over the glittering glass towers of Crescent City. Neon signs buzzed. Taxi horns echoed. Humans hurried down sidewalks with coffee in one hand and stress in the other. Somewhere, music thumped from a club basement. And inside a tiny, too-warm coffee shop tucked between a bookstore and a vape lounge, Riley Hart was pretending not to exist.

It was quaint. When the town disappeared it turned into small groups of houses, until they too slowly started to drift further apart until there was nothing but fields. Every so often we drove down roads with tall forests lining each side of the road. At times we broke through trees to find large modern style cities. Tall buildings and bustling streets filled with so many people that I forgot what a city was until I’d seen it with my own eyes. It made me realise just how many people Leon was responsible for, how much weight he carried each day. And he knew everyone and everyone knew him.

Waking up with Lara in my arms was an amazing feeling. She’s curled close to my right side with her right knee resting on my lower abdomen. Not wanting to disturb her, I take myself back to last night. Last night was very unexpected. I didn’t expect to meet her two sons and their friends. I’m not against meeting new people, nor do I get uncomfortable like Lara. Even though I haven’t been with Lara long, I was hoping she and I would progress in the direction of meeting family. I wonder what part Sean has in her life because it looked like there is something more to their friendship. Whatever it may be, I will be in Lara’s life for as long as she allows me to be in it. A thought is te

_Terrified_. “_I’m _lonely_ too, Seven.” Rylan’s eyes _flickered_. _Four_. “_Good_,” Four said. “_Then _let_ me _in_. Be _less_ lonely _together_.” One _flinchd_. The chip. In his head. _Screaming_. _KILL SEVEN KILL SEVEN KILL SEVEN_ He looked at Kieran. At the _gun_. “_Do it_,” One whispered. “_Before _he_ takes _me_. Before I _hurt_ him. _Please_.”

Philip, a long-haul truck driver, was often away from home, leaving me feeling lonely and unfulfilled. It might sound improper, but I couldn't help it. There was a craving inside me that longed to be satisfied, and it had only intensified over time. The way men looked at me when I was out in public made me feel a mix of embarrassment and exhilaration, adding fuel to my restless thoughts. My daily life was simple. After my parents passed away, they left me a three-story house, and I earned enough from renting it out to live comfortably without needing a job. But with so much free time, my thoughts often wandered, and that longing became impossible to ignore.

Losing his whole family in such a manner of disgrace. Malcolm and his mom made a full recovery. So did all the other victims of the shooting. Guess who finally got a girlfriend, Chris. When he moved out, he met a girl who leaves next door from his apartment. They moved in together a few months after making it official with each other. I hope there is a wedding coming soon. "What are you thinking about? The little guy is already sleeping" Cole pulled me out of my thoughts, gave Ajani a kiss and then kissed me.

But sleep, sleep eludes me, just as the last fragments of my humanity do. The city below me is nothing but a sea of lights, shadows, and meaningless noise. The low hum of Lunaris, my kingdom in the heart of Nocturne City, reverberates through my bones as I sit in my office, overlooking it all. The music, the laughter, the subtle thrill of desperation and pleasure—it’s all in my control. I own the night. I own this city. No one dares to challenge me, and those who try? Well, they learn the hard way why I’ve remained untouchable for centuries.

“Wanz’s is playing poker for credit. That’s why he can’t afford to pay his pianer player an honest wage,” Xavier endured these witticisms silently. He was in a worse mood than usual, and he knew why. Jake Spoon had come to town and promptly deprived him of a whore, an asset vital to an establishment such as his in an out-of-the-way place like Lonesome Dove. Many a traveler, who might not ordinarily come that far, would, because of Lorie. There was no woman like her on the border. She was not friendly, but because of her, men came and stayed to drink away the night. He would