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Novelo Rectangle

She couldn’t remember how she got here. The last thing she recalled was the vibrant energy of the crowd, the pulsing beats of the music, and the thrill of anticipation as she stood in line for the concert of her favorite artist. Now, all she could see was a dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of aged wood and something faintly sweet, like forgotten memories.Talia blinked against the haze, trying to gather her thoughts. She pushed herself up from the plush velvet sofa, its deep crimson hue contrasting sharply with the dark wood panels that surrounded her. The room was adorned with vintage posters of musicians long gone, their faces staring down as if judging her presence. A gramophone sat in one corner, a swirl of dust dancing in the muted light, and a small table bore a half-empty glass of what looked like whiskey.She rubbed her temples, attempting to piece together the fragments of her memory. The concert, the exhilarating rush, and then… nothing. Panic bubbled within her as she stood up, realizing she was alone.“Hello?” she called out, her voice echoing softly against the walls. “Is anyone here?”Silence answered her, heavy and oppressive.A shiver raced down her spine, and Talia felt the urge to flee. She glanced around the room, searching for a door. The only exit she could see was a large wooden door, slightly ajar, with faint light spilling through the crack. She walked toward it, each step echoing in her mind, urging her to hurry.Pushing the door open, she stepped into a long, narrow hallway. The walls were lined with framed photographs of musicians, some she recognized, others unfamiliar. Their expressions seemed to change as she walked past, a blend of joy and sorrow woven into their smiles.At the end of the hallway, Talia found another door. This one was painted a deep blue, adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to pulse with life. She reached for the handle, hesitating for just a moment before twisting it and stepping inside.The room beyond was larger and more extravagant than the previous one. It was filled with eclectic furniture, an assortment of plush chairs, and mismatched tables. A grand piano sat in the corner, its keys gleaming under the soft glow of chandelier lights. But what caught her attention was the figure seated at the piano.He was tall and lean, his fingers dancing across the keys with an effortless grace. His hair was tousled and dark, and he wore a white shirt rolled up at the sleeves, the top few buttons undone. As he played, Talia could see a hint of vulnerability in his posture, as if the music was a private conversation he was having with the air around him.“Excuse me,” she said softly, not wanting to interrupt.He stopped playing and turned to her, a warm smile spreading across his face. “Hey there,” he said, his voice smooth like silk. “You’re awake. I was starting to wonder if you’d ever come to.”“Come to?” Talia echoed, confusion flooding her senses. “What happened? Where am I?”He stood up, moving gracefully across the room toward her. “You passed out at the concert. I brought you here to help you recover.”“Recover?” Talia shook her head, trying to process his words. “I don’t understand. I didn’t even know I had fainted.”“It happens sometimes,” he replied, his tone gentle. “The excitement, the heat of the crowd. It can be overwhelming. But you’re safe now.”“I don’t even know your name,” she said, eyeing him cautiously.“Ezra,” he replied, extending his hand. “Ezra Bennett. And you are?”“Talia.” She took his hand, feeling a strange jolt of energy between them, as if their connection transcended the ordinary.“Nice to meet you, Talia,” he said, releasing her hand and stepping back. “Would you like some water? You probably need it after all that excitement.”“Yes, please.”As he moved to the sideboard to pour her a glass, Talia took a moment to observe him. There was an air of familiarity about him, like a long-lost friend. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was missing something crucial.“Thank you,” she said, taking the glass from him. She took a sip, the cool liquid refreshing her parched throat. “How did you get me here?”“I have a friend who works security at the venue,” he explained. “When you fainted, he brought you backstage, and I offered to take you to my place to rest.”“And you live nearby?”“Just a few blocks away,” he replied, his eyes locking onto hers. “I promise, I’m not a creep. Just someone who wanted to help.”Talia studied him for a moment, weighing her options. She felt a strange sense of safety in his presence, but the unease lingered at the back of her mind. “Why did you stay with me?”He shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. “Maybe I’m just drawn to the mysterious. Or maybe I thought you looked like someone who needed a friend.”“I don’t even know you,” she said, laughter escaping her lips despite her anxiety. “And here you are, taking care of me like we’ve known each other for years.”“Sometimes connections can happen in an instant,” he said softly, moving closer. “You just have to be open to them.”Talia’s heart raced, caught between curiosity and caution. She took another sip of water, searching his eyes for answers. “What do you do, Ezra?”“I’m a musician,” he replied, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. “I play piano, mostly. I’ve been working on some original pieces.”“Really? That’s amazing,” she said, her interest piquing. “Do you perform often?”“Not as much as I’d like,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair. “But I do play at some local venues. Maybe you’ve heard of them?”“Possibly,” she replied, wondering if she’d ever encountered him before. “It’s been a while since I’ve gone out to see live music.”“Then you should come to one of my shows sometime,” he suggested, his gaze unwavering. “I’d love to see you there.”“Sure,” Talia said, feeling a flutter of excitement at the thought. “I’d like that.”Suddenly, a soft knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Ezra’s expression shifted to one of concern as he glanced toward the door. “Stay here,” he said, his tone serious. “I’ll be right back.”He opened the door, revealing a woman with bright red hair and an air of confidence that filled the room. “Ezra, we need to talk,” she said, her gaze flickering to Talia.“Lena,” he said, his voice low. “Not now.”But Lena stepped inside, ignoring his request. “You shouldn’t have brought her here. It’s not safe.”“Safe? What do you mean?” Talia asked, rising to her feet.Lena turned her gaze on Talia, her expression softening slightly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you. I just—”“Just what?” Talia pressed, feeling a surge of irritation at being treated like a child.Ezra stepped between them, his presence calming. “Talia, it’s okay. Lena is just worried about some things. But you’re safe here.”“What things?” Talia asked, crossing her arms.Lena hesitated, glancing at Ezra before looking back at Talia. “There are people who are… looking for you.”“Looking for me?” Talia echoed, her heart racing. “Why?”“It’s complicated,” Ezra said, his voice steady. “But it’s important that you trust me. We’re going to figure this out together.”Talia opened her mouth to respond, but Lena interrupted. “You don’t know what you’re getting into, Ezra. You have to let her go.”“No,” he replied firmly. “I won’t abandon her. Not now.”“Who’s looking for me?” Talia demanded, her pulse quickening.Lena sighed, glancing at Ezra once more. “You have a connection to something powerful, Talia. Something that draws attention. You might not remember it yet, but there are those who want to control it.”“What are you talking about?” Talia asked, confusion flooding her mind.“Just trust me,” Lena urged, her voice softening. “You need to leave while you still can.”But before Talia could respond, a loud crash echoed from the hallway. The door rattled violently as a figure burst into the room, a silhouette framed against the light. Talia felt her heart drop as she recognized the danger.Ezra moved quickly to block her, but the figure pushed past him, their eyes narrowing as they fixed on Talia. “There you are,” the stranger said, a sinister grin spreading across their face. “We’ve been looking for you.”“Run!” Ezra shouted, grabbing Talia’s arm.But before they could escape, the stranger lunged forward, grasping Talia’s wrist with an iron grip. “You’re not going anywhere,” they hissed, pulling her toward the door.Talia’s mind raced as she struggled against their hold. She looked to Ezra, whose expression was a mix of determination and fear. “Let her go!” he shouted, his voice resonating with urgency.“Don’t fight it, Talia,” the stranger said, a cruel glint in their eyes. “You’re coming with me whether you like it or not.”“Get your hands off her!” Ezra lunged forward, but the stranger was quicker, twisting Talia’s arm behind her back. Pain shot through her, and she gasped, her heart racing as the tension escalated.“Enough!” Lena stepped between them, her own expression fierce. “You don’t want to do this. You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”The stranger hesitated, glancing between Lena and Ezra, clearly weighing their words. Talia seized the moment, twisting her body with all her strength. With a sudden burst of adrenaline, she broke free, staggering back into Ezra’s protective stance.“Now!” Ezra commanded, and Talia felt the urgency in his voice as they both sprinted toward the back of the room.But the stranger recovered quickly, their eyes narrowing with malevolence. “You think you can escape?” They lunged again, but this time, Lena intervened, stepping forward with an air of authority.“Leave her alone!” Lena shouted, her voice echoing with a power that stopped the stranger in their tracks.To Talia’s surprise, the figure faltered, their grip loosening slightly. “You shouldn’t be here, Lena. You don’t belong in this world anymore.”“Maybe not,” Lena replied, her voice steady. “But I’ll fight for her. You can’t take her.”With a furious growl, the stranger lunged at Lena, but she sidestepped gracefully, as if anticipating their move. In a fluid motion, she swept her hand across the air, and a shimmering light enveloped her.Talia watched in awe as Lena transformed, her aura radiating with power. The air crackled with energy, and for a moment, Talia felt the warmth of something protective surrounding her.“Ezra, go!” Lena shouted, the energy building around her. “I’ll hold them off!”Without thinking, Talia grabbed Ezra’s hand. “We can’t leave her!”“She’ll be okay,” Ezra said urgently, his grip tightening on hers. “Trust her, Talia. We need to get out of here before more come.”Talia hesitated, torn between loyalty and fear, but the frantic glances exchanged between Ezra and Lena propelled her forward. “Okay,” she whispered, taking a deep breath.They dashed past the struggling figures, their footsteps echoing in the chaos. As they reached the hallway, Talia glanced back, catching a glimpse of Lena channeling her power, pushing the stranger away.“Now!” Ezra urged, pulling her down another corridor. They raced through the darkened halls, heart pounding, the threat lingering behind them.Finally, they burst through a side door that led outside. The cool night air hit Talia like a splash of water, awakening her senses. She scanned the street, the neon lights of the city flickering in the distance.“Where do we go?” she asked, panic creeping into her voice.“Follow me,” Ezra said, guiding her down an alleyway. They ducked behind a dumpster, breathing heavily as they tried to collect their thoughts.“What just happened?” Talia gasped, struggling to process the whirlwind of events.“I think they were after you for more than just a concert,” Ezra replied, glancing back at the entrance to the building they had escaped. “They know something about you, something you don’t even remember.”“Why me?” Talia’s voice trembled, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.“I don’t know yet,” Ezra said, concern etched across his face. “But I promise, we’ll figure it out together.”A noise from the entrance drew their attention. Shadows moved in the dim light as the stranger emerged, looking for them. “We have to keep moving,” Ezra urged, pulling her further into the shadows.They weaved through the alleyways, the city alive around them. Talia felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins, but there was also a growing sense of urgency—a nagging feeling that her life was about to change irrevocably.“Where are we going?” Talia asked as they paused behind another building.“To my place,” Ezra replied, his expression serious. “It’s safe there. I can protect you.”Talia nodded, trusting him despite the fear that twisted in her gut. They navigated the maze of streets until they reached a modest apartment building. Ezra led her inside, quickly glancing around before shutting the door behind them.Once inside, Talia leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath. “What the hell is going on?” she exclaimed, running her fingers through her hair. “Who were those people? And what do they want with me?”Ezra ran a hand over his face, clearly grappling with the weight of her questions. “I wish I had answers, but I don’t. Lena knows more than she’s letting on. But for now, we need to keep you safe.”Talia’s heart raced as she thought of Lena. “What if they hurt her?”Ezra stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Lena can handle herself. Trust me.”Talia searched his eyes, finding a flicker of determination that steadied her racing heart. “Okay, what do we do next?”“First, we lay low. I’ll call Lena and see if she’s okay,” Ezra said, moving toward his phone. “And then we’ll figure out how to keep you safe. I want you to stay here until we know for sure that it’s safe.”Talia swallowed hard, feeling a mix of fear and exhilaration. “What if they come here?”“I won’t let that happen,” he promised, looking her straight in the eyes. “You’re not alone in this, Talia. We’ll get through it together.”She nodded, her resolve strengthening. “I believe you.”Ezra smiled faintly, a spark of hope igniting between them. As he dialed Lena’s number, Talia felt the weight of her uncertainty begin to lift. No matter what lay ahead, she was determined to face it with Ezra by her side.As the phone rang, Talia glanced around the small apartment, her heart fluttering with an unfamiliar sense of safety. There was something about this moment—about Ezra—that felt different, as if the pieces of her life were starting to come together.“Come on, Lena,” Ezra murmured, his gaze fixed on the phone. “Pick up.”But as the call connected, Talia’s mind drifted back to the concert—the thrill of the crowd, the music coursing through her veins. She could feel the echoes of the night’s energy swirling around her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.Whatever mystery awaited her, she was ready to uncover it.And with Ezra by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope that she might finally discover the truth about herself.

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Novelo Square

A whisper of memories 

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A Whisper of Memories

A Whisper of Memories

BeyLani86

Crystal Randolph

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A whisper of memories

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Crystal Randolph

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