The Next Step Book Novels & Stories

“Madison can’t follow. She won’t understand. You shouldn’t either, maybe. But I… I have to finish it. To test it. To see if I can—” Before he could finish, movement flickered at the edge of the fog. I froze. The stepbrother. Not a shadow, not a trick. He stepped from the mist with that same calm inevitability, every motion precise, economical. His presence swallowed the courtyard. Ian’s body tensed instantly. The notebook fell from his hand. He stepped forward, but the stepbrother didn’t move. Only watched. “You’ve been busy,” he said softly. His words were calm, but they struck like a whip. “I see the designs. The traps. The mirrors. The lights.”

They lingered in my mind for a long time. I shook my head and forced myself to snap back to my senses. How could I possibly harbor such thoughts about my own stepdad? What was the world coming to? … Over the next few days, I tried my best to avoid Charlie at all costs. The encounter from the few nights before was simply too shameful for me to revisit. Most importantly, I couldn't control the desire that surged within me whenever I caught sight of him. Soon, Christmas Eve was here. I remembered the promise I'd made to Charlie. I bit on my lower lip, and slid into the red mini dress from that day.

I also headed to the hall where I had a different lecture. By the time I got home, it was already past seven pm. To my surprise, Martil was sitting in the living room, sipping alcohol. I almost forgot I’d be seeing him around often since this was his house and he was still my stepbrother. My heart aches at the mention of him being my stepbrother. I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt towards him. Why was the universe so unfair? Was that the reason why he was pulling back? “Tomorrow’s lecture is free.” I said,

Don't just skip this book again; add to library. Enjoy! Your loving author; Natasha Gwen

I go on to ask her . “ As I told you , we had a moment . He was infact the first one to take the first step ” she adds . ** Hey readers. Please add my book to your library .it is free and ongoing .

The twenty-first notebook closed, the first page of the twenty-second blank. She opens the twenty-second notebook. Writes on the first page: March, sixty-seventh year. The fourth book sent. The practice continues. What comes next. What comes next is what always comes next. The next day, made correctly. The bowl, made again. Four books. Still at the desk. Still choosing.

she says as she practically flies out of the room. "Babe schedule the next appointment I need a bathroom before I pee everywhere" I tell Maddox as I practically knock him over trying to get out of the room. Ignoring his chuckling I make a mad dash to the closest bathroom, actually more like speed waddled and made it just in time. Letting out a sigh of relief I make my way back to the front where Maddox is staring at the pictures of our babies waiting for me to finish. "Alright let's get some food and head home so I can finish this stupid project" Maddox says before wrapping his arm around me as we walk out of the office.

“Let’s do it.” Her ghostly form shimmered slightly as she gestured toward the book. “That’s the first step,” she said, her eyes locked on the leather-bound pages. “It's the basics but essential to understand what’s inside of you, know the power flows through your body.” she waved for me to step closer. I hesitated for a second, then walked over and grabbed the book, when I touched it, the pages shifted on their own. They flipped rapidly, as if searching for something, until they stopped on a detailed diagram of the human body.

Tyr took out the booklet from inside the drawer, confusion clear on his face. “Open it,” Leonardo coaxed. Tyr nodded and flipped open the booklet. There were many small figures drawn in it. Each one was exquisitely drawn and took very strange steps. Next to each of them were various insights and explanations recorded. “The Nine Steps to Disorientation?” Tyr’s expression sank. “What is recorded in this booklet is the Nine Steps to Disorientation that you just mentioned?” “That’s right.” Leonardo nodded. “I will now pass on the method of practicing the Nine Steps to Disorientation to you, Tyr Summers. You won’t refuse, will you?”

Those I had risked my life to protect, the family I had once cherished above all, all of them had betrayed me. This time, I would not make the same mistake. Richard stepped forward. Each stride was deliberate. His towering shadow fell over me, enveloping me. The air around us seemed to freeze. He did not say a word. He swung his hand with full force, slamming a harsh slap across my face. The slap sent me staggering, my lip tearing open, and blood flooding my mouth with a bitter, metallic taste.