The Overstory Novels & Stories

Her breathing becomes shallow. Despite staying still, blood kept gushing out from her stab wound. Her hand had gone frail from pressing on to stop the bleeding. Care suspected her stubbornness in the end won't help. In her trance-like state, flashes of an insignificant memory from the past resurfaced. Up on the hilltop, her ancestors built a pristine white mausoleum surrounded by evergreen trees. They called it Paradiso. Who would not?

Chapter 344: The Seam of the Sky The arrival of the northern timber was not a mechanized event, but a slow, rhythmic progression that signaled a change in the city’s gravity. Six teams of draft horses, their coats thick with winter fluff and their breath pluming like dragon-fire, hauled the long-bed sleds through the transition zone. Atop the sleds lay the seasoned cedar and pine, harvested from the northern ridges according to the "Organic Overlay." These were not just logs; they were the "Reciprocal Archive" in physical form, each beam bearing the scent of the frost and the markings of the Oakhaven foresters.

He stood staring at the map for a few moments longer before looking at me and smiling. "Let's go." So we started going east, stepping off the main trail and venturing through seemingly uncharted forest, careful to step on only soil and not any plants underfoot. The day was one of those where it seemed half clear but half gloomy, with some heavy clouds in the sky but blue still peaking through. The rays of the sun caught on the tree tops and casted a dreamy light through the forest.

I looked at the woman Psyche when I heard the serious melody from her mouth. "We must first convince the Leader to let you and allow you to stay in the zone, and also to prepare the contract until the welcoming ceremony is done so that you can be a survivor there." She smiled at me. "But in advance, again, welcome to Forest Survival, and I hope you will enjoy your stay here until you've been awakened where the escapes have also been attempting to breathe." That's when I realized that my stay in this place was not really delayed. This is where the new book that opens for the mixed darkness and shadow chapters of my story will finally begin. This is the opening of the new light that can sa

I feel bad right in the pit of my stomach. I made my way to the pantry. To get some cool water. I need to chill. I'm just walking lowering my head feeling sorry about that bunny,just then I got dragged by my arm into a cabin and the door was closed. There he stood facing me with his dark orbs making my heart to hammer in my chest. I gulped looking at his demeanor which erected the hair on the back of my neck. Bye World! Bye! Bye! Now Aiden is decreasing the burden to this earth! Bye mama earth!

~Tessa~ Tessa felt restless as she watched heavy snowflakes descend from the sky. Thick grey clouds blocked out the sun, creating untimely darkness during the late morning which deepened the chill in the air. The scenery only disturbed the once beautiful atmosphere of winter, and the harsh wind caused the fur around Tessa's hood to dance against her skin, tickling her cheeks. She brushed it away and turned to Dainin, who stood tall beside her in his plain hoodie and jeans, his stoic features overshadowed by the overcast.

were enough to get the gist. Jack brooded silently. Coming back from overseas, he found his childhood sweetheart, once imagined in a bridal gown, then belonging to another. He could not stand it. Over the years, he had engineered misunderstanding after misunderstanding, souring Hannah's feelings toward Marvin. He had thought he would have to wait for the baby to be born to push his plan forward, to get Hannah to finally ditch the guy in the way. However, he never expected the usually agreeable Marvin to make such a bold move.

I stared at the pile of luxurious gifts in my room, feeling a little distracted. "Mrs. Young, these are the accessories that Mr. Young has custom ordered for you. Among them are necklaces, bracelets, and all sorts of other jewelry as well." "That's right. Mr. Young even hired a famous fashion designer to design all seasons' worth of clothes for you. All of them look gorgeous." "These bags are limited edition as well!" The household staff kept boasting about how nice Axel was to me. I did experience the love and kindness he had shown to me, and I'd also remember them well. It was just that I didn't really like the gifts he kept giving me.

**The Weight of Leadership** Caden stood resolutely at the edge of the ancient forest, gazing out at the vast expanse of towering trees that stretched endlessly before him. Their gnarled trunks, thick with age, reached skyward, draped in a lush canopy where branches swirled like arms yearning for the heavens. The wind wove its way through the vibrant green leaves, producing a soft rustling sound that carried with it the low murmurs of his pack members. An undercurrent of unease hung in the air, an electric pulse of restlessness that hinted at the myriad of problems plaguing them for months.