The Trellis And The Vine Novels & Stories

The light didn’t simply illuminate the hall—it transformed it, turning the entire space into something almost dreamlike, where every movement seemed to shimmer with quiet magic. Stone pillars lined the hall, but they did not stand bare or lifeless as I had expected. Vines wrapped themselves around each one, their tendrils curling and twisting as they climbed upward, drawn toward the light above. Some of them had grown thick and strong, anchoring themselves into the stone as if they had always been part of it, while others were more delicate, their thin stems reaching carefully, almost hesitantly, as if they were still finding their way. Small blossoms glowed softly along the vines, their fai

I had checked with him whether he needed anything before I left the office earlier. “Actually, we’re here to see if you need us.” Tegan said. “We had a free hour before dinner and I thought it might be nice for, uh, us to get some fresh air.” I looked at Gideon curiously. Had he really come to help me? He gave me a curt nod. “Well…” I quickly showed Tegan how we were preparing the seedling flats. “Madelyn came up with a really great trellis system we’re going to use to create some arches across the garden.” I said brightly, “She’s been a great help.”

“Sure.” Back in the living room, the screen still glowed, frozen on the scene we had abandoned. I sank into the couch again, hugging the blanket closer to myself. Rowan poured the remaining wine into our glasses and handed me mine. His fingers brushed mine briefly as I took it, and the simple contact sent a ripple through me. We pressed play. The movie picked up right where it left off—two lovers kissing under the rain, their hands desperate, their hearts reckless. I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening.

"If the trellis holds me, it will hold you. Go, Yu Yan! Now!" Yu Yan climbed over the railing. The trellis looked old and rickety. He swallowed hard and grabbed onto the wood. It groaned under his weight. He began to climb down, his hands slipping on the wet wood. He made it to the ground safely. He looked up. Lu Cheng was climbing down one-handed, his other arm hanging uselessly at his side. His face was pale with pain, coated in sweat. "Gege, hurry!" Yu Yan urged. Lu Cheng was halfway down when the trellis snapped with a loud crack.