Serenity (Forever Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  It doesn’t really matter what he says or wants. The doors slamming down the hallway tell me someone is searching for me and that my time has almost arrived. As Josh’s door swings open, my mouth crashes to Jack’s. His arms fly into the air.

  “Dereck, truth. I have no idea what’s happening here,” he says, leaning away from me as if I’m nothing but danger.

  By the look on Dereck’s face, I guess I am.

  “Get out,” my husband growls at Jack as he glares at me.

  Jack is out from underneath me, lickety-split. What a shame. Could’ve been fun. I sit at the edge of the bed with my legs crossed, examining my nails. “How does it feel, Dereck?”

  He’s sweating and looking quite deliciously hostile. Clearly not appreciating where I had recently perched myself. Mission complete? Jealousy? Party of one? Your table is ready.

  “Feels like shit.” He takes a step forward. “But you know damn well that I didn’t want to kiss Alex. They know it, too.”

  My spine stiffens, and I feel a sudden sense of irritation that may not be my own.

  “They want to separate us,” Dereck says. “But that’s not going to happen.” Dereck confronts me as if peering inside me, searching. “Do you hear me? Serenity is my forever!”

  My body is now crawling backward, towards the head of the bed. Dereck’s words are unsettling for some reason.

  He grits his teeth. “You are clinging to her weakness, to her pain with Skyler!”

  Josh, Jolene, and Rocco are suddenly flanking Dereck. They look powerful and magnificent. A part of me desires their strength. I try to reach out to them but have lost all control of my own body. My legs get underneath me, raising me to a standing position on the mattress.

  Anger—not my own—rages through me. My mouth opens, but it is not my voice that yells, “Leave-her-out-of-this. Skyler is gone!”

  I black out.

  The bare, dark room is cold. I sit up to see I’m alone in what looks to be an old room. Déjà vu. I’ve been here—in this captivity—as a prisoner of war. Hungry, dirty, and isolated. I am myself, in my present lifetime, but revisiting a place representing the time I awaited another execution. The darkness’s promise was a lie. I have been stowed away again. From what, I do not know. From whom?

  My Crew.

  Her humming begins to echo in my lonely chamber. I don’t want Destiny to be trapped with me, so I tell her, “No, get out of here. They are bad.” But her melody continues to find its way to my ears, my heart, my soul. Her body forms, sitting next to mine. Relief. Relief shoots through me like lightning, reminding the earth it is alive, and I still have a chance. I quickly lean in to her. “You shouldn’t have come.”

  She wraps her soft arms around me… and hums… Her fingers gently comb my hair, soothing me, taking away some of the chill in my bones.

  “Are you really here?”

  Her humming stops. “You tell me, Sugar Plum.”

  Tears slip. “I want to believe.”

  She inhales and sounds so tranquil. “Belief is one of the strongest strengths of all mankind. Some just choose not to use its power. I believed that I would find you someday. So why can’t you do the same?”

  “You feel like… Sky.”

  “If all is one, is she really gone?”

  Tears burst from me. “But… I feel like I need her here to breathe.”

  Her hand caresses my back. “Maybe, but what do you believe?”

  Taking the time to think, I realize, whether I want to or not, I have been breathing on my own. “I… I believe I don’t want to be without her.”

  “Ah. Very honest of you.” She pulls my hair away to uncover my hiding face.

  “Where is the Crew?”

  “Fulfilling their destiny.”

  “Do you mean you?”

  She smiles. “Yes, I am a part of us.”

  “But what is Dereck doing?”

  “What he is designed for. He is defending your soul.”

  Dereck’s voice breaks through: “Give me my wife!”

  Destiny leans her head to mine. “He’s almost to you now. You’ve seen them all use their gifts. What is trying to trap you here is only trying to stop your gift.”

  “My gift?”

  “Every lifetime is at a crucial time in history, yes?”

  I nod. “Except this one seems to be all about me.”

  “Oh, the old saying, ‘nothing is what it seems’?”

  “So I haven’t seen it yet?”

  “Nor have I, but we must be getting closer.”

  “That’s why the darkness is interfering.”

  “Exactly. What is your name, Sugar Plum?”

  “Serenity.”

  “And what does Serenity mean?”

  “Peace.”

  “And what do you wish for?”

  I remember telling this to Faith when she asked. “Peace.”

  Instead of telling me more, Destiny suddenly says, “Oh, Josh has Dereck very focused now. Your soul mate is calling for you. Are you ready to be brave, my sweet?”

  I gasp.

  Destiny ignores me and points at a light with a silver rim, dancing in front of me. “I’m going to ask you to follow him again. Can you do that for me?”

  “What about you?”

  “The shadows lost their hold on me years ago. Just like they will you tonight.” She points. There are now two lights with silver rims, waiting for us. Calling us. I feel the immediate pull.

  “Is that Sawyer?”

  Destiny smirks. “Yes, he’s getting impatient with me.” She stands and reaches for my hand.

  As I stand, I think of the journal, her life mirroring mine, the darkness, the Crew, her boys… I look at the beautiful lights beckoning us, Sawyer and Dereck… It is all too magical to not have purpose. With the bravery she has asked for, I kiss her cheek. “I love you.”

  Holding hands, we each walk forward and into our lights…

  “Give. Me. Serenity,” I hear Dereck demanding as my eyes slowly open.

  “Dereck?”

  Immediately, Dereck’s aggressive posture changes. “Serenity?”

  As if I was in the old prison, I’m huddled against Josh’s wall, reaching out my hand from his bed.

  As if afraid it’s too good to be true, Dereck timidly reaches out for me.

  Our fingers touch.

  His hand grasps mine and yanks me to him in a desperate rush. My eyes close in his wonderful, safe embrace. Josh, Jolene, and Rocco throw their arms around us.

  Dereck’s lips kiss every part of me he can find. “Serenity. Serenity. You’re back.”

  With my arms around his neck, I touch my friends, my husband, knowing I will never be lost again.

  “I saw your light. You, Dereck, you’re my light.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Time to Say Goodbye

  Out in the distance, a tree captures my attention while the Crew and I walk through the manicured green grass. Dereck places his hand on my shoulder as he bends to my ear. His hand, the one always protecting me, points at that particular tree. “She’s there, baby. That is where your Sky is resting.”

  The walk to her gravesite is clawing at my insides. I can’t help it. My legs take off in a run. I want her so badly that I believe if I run fast enough, she might still be there waiting for me.

  They—the Crew—let me go and run to my healing.

  My knees give out at her stone. Out of breath, I stare at the engraved words.

  She was our friend. She was our sister.

  She was my daughter. Now she is our angel.

  Soar high with your new wings, baby girl.

  In agony, I cry out, “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry I let you go! I want
you to know how much I love and miss you. I need you to know that I love you.”

  No one rushes to me. No one attempts to rescue or protect me from this process I must endure as I wail for my best friend. Dereck says this pain is mine. It is. So I will allow myself to feel it. To love it and cherish it just as I do her. My Sky.

  I cry for the one I miss more than anything in this whole world. I cry and allow this crushing pain to be a part of my existence. Surrendering to grief is a beautiful process when I can see it clearly and respect the mourning—missing someone so dear to my heart. My heart. Destiny is right. Sky is still here—in my heart—where she will stay. Ones who pass away are with us forever, and no one and nothing can take that from us. Ever. They are ours, to keep.

  Life and death, all the same

  Creation keeps creating

  Wheels turn forevermore

  We never truly stop breathing

  My head leans back so I can face the clear blue sky in which I hope my friend is resting peacefully. A gentle breeze blows, almost reminding me to breathe—jasmine. As with the other night, I smell jasmine!

  I turn to the Crew watching me, all crying with me. “Jasmine. She told me to remember jasmine.” I start crying harder then ever before. “It’s her! She is talking to me. Sky is here! Can you smell her?”

  My Crew kneels behind me. Jolene whispers as she holds her shirt to her face, inhaling this beautiful scent. “Yes, I smell her.”

  Rocco, Dereck, and Josh inhale the gift.

  “She knows I love her,” I tell them with a renewed hope. “She knows.”

  Hands rest on me. My Crew believes, too, Destiny.

  Dereck sits back, quietly respecting my time to grieve. I appreciate his patience and lean to him. Resting against his chest, I sit between his legs, staring at Skyler’s tree. Feeling peaceful for the first time in months, I gaze at Sky’s new surroundings. There’s another tombstone on the other side of this tree. It reads:

  Ava and Aurora

  Two little princesses, living in the kingdom above.

  Oh my God, Destiny’s babies are here with my Sky.

  A small blue silk bag hangs in front of me. I reach up, accepting what Dereck is offering. “What’s this?”

  Over my shoulder, his cheek rests on mine. “It’s something to remember Skyler by.”

  I pull out a silver necklace with an angel wing hanging from it. More tears flow, but these are full of gratitude as I clasp the necklace.

  “I thought this was the time and place,” Dereck tenderly tells me, “to tell you what I have done. Long story short, I came across this blogger. He’s a law student at Yale by the name of Reether Jones. He lives somewhere in Connecticut. He wants to specialize in nonprofit organizations and put together a foundation for abused women and children. He’s extremely passionate, and we’re at the beginning stages of starting a foundation in the name of Skyler O’Donnell.”

  Josh tries to soothe a suddenly overwhelmed Jolene.

  Rocco wipes tears as another breeze blows through our souls. “Jasmine,” he whispers.

  Dereck hands satchels to each of the Crew. “These are the gifts from the Skyler fund. For the donations I made in each of your names. It’s a gift to anyone who donates. Now we can all represent the angel who fought so hard. And now we can help fight for other women, in Sky’s honor.”

  We all deeply inhale, smelling Sky’s reply. “She loves this idea, Dereck.”

  His cheek rubs mine. “And this whole foundation is yours, if you want it.”

  The word peace echoes in my heart. I smile at this ease taking over my body. “I do.”

  It is April, and spring has returned. Our despair has cleared. We’re breathing again. Dereck and I are stronger than ever. He’s writing songs with Destiny, and the Crew’s lives have meaning again. Soon, Dereck, Rocco, and I will be graduating and following the Wise Ones to the University of Texas. A whole other chapter in our world will be taking form.

  In celebration of our Skyler, we’ve chosen the spring for her birthday. The walk through these woods is a tough one. It’s the first time we’ve returned since her death. Rocco’s heart is still mending from a different wound than ours. Josh, Jolene, Dereck, and I have our partners in life. His had to move on.

  I catch up to Teddy Bear and take his hand in mine. Jolene does the same, and we walk this overgrown path together. The sun shines on the water as we approach our magical place. The Crew, minus one, stands in awe of the natural beauty.

  “Sky wants us to be happy today,” I tell them.

  Rocco hears me loud and clear. He inhales deeply. “Then happy we shall be.” He lets go of my hand—and his fear—as he leaps into the water. When he surfaces, he lets out a howl. That is the call everyone needed. One by one, splash by splash, they join the water.

  Standing at the edge of the spring, I watch my friends heal even more. I know she’s here guiding our hearts. I whisper, “I love you, Skyler.”

  Destiny’s voice, in that melody that has owned me for over three years now, echoes through me…

  Hope is there and love is real

  I’ll show you what your dreams are made of

  Hold on, girl, and don’t let go

  There’s so much more you are a part of

  This fairy tale had to be told

  Baby girl, you need something to hold

  Safe arms will carry you

  To where you belong—

  Dereck’s necklace—his wing charm—glistens in the sunlight, pulling me from the song that is clearly meant for me. Suddenly, the bright light from the sun’s reflection shifts me into a vision—no, a premonition. I see Skyler’s smile, then I see… A little girl, with the biggest blue eyes. She can’t be older than three as her adorable, chunky little legs run in her blue sundress. She’s traveling through tall grass and flowers toward… Dereck. His smile and open arms await her—

  “What are you doing, Baby Doll?” Dereck treads the spring’s water.

  I gleam. “I’m seeing her.” My Sky.

  “Who?”

  The silver wing still shines off his chest.

  “Joy, your daughter.”

  The End… Or is it?

  Even though Serenity is my sixth novel to be released, what many don’t know is, this is the first book I wrote. So it is so special to me. I hope and pray it is now special for you. These characters have much heart and helped me through the healing process of growing up with domestic violence and alcoholism. If you suffer from such abuse, know you’re not alone, and there are services and people that can help you heal also. Visit my website, or any of my social media outlets where I make posts, and talk with others who are in need of the purple flame.

  The Crew, Destiny, Sawyer, and her boys want to share their journeys with you.

  The Forever Series

  Serenity

  Destiny

  Hope and Faith

  &

  Joy

  About The Author

  India R. Adams is an author/singer/songwriter who has written YA and NA novels and novellas. She was born and raised in Florida but has also been lucky enough to live in Idaho (where she froze but fell in love with the small-town life), Austin, Texas (where she started her first book, Serenity, and met wonderful artists), and now Murphy, North Carolina (where the mountains have stolen a piece of her heart).

  Being a survivor of abuse has inspired India to let others know they have nothing to be ashamed of. She has used her many years of professional theater experience to build characters and stories with dark undercurrents that stem from her personal life. She says, “I’m simply finding ways to empower perfect imperfections.”

  Another thing India feels the need to change is the problem of sexual slavery. She has joined forces with jewel
ers to design beautiful ways to raise money for nonprofit organizations. Even though India writes about serious subjects such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking, she has a magnificent sense of humor, as do the characters she creates. Her novels are perfectly balanced between laughter and tears, letting readers see how to empower their own perfect imperfections.

  Contact The Author

  http://indias.productions

  Twitter.com/TheIndiaRAdams

  Facebook.com/IndiaRAdams

  Instagram: indiaradams

  Spotlight Artists

  I was once just a girl. Now I am a woman. I’ve come so far. Not only am I getting to live a dream but I also get to help other artists. Some young, some old but all deserving. I am grateful for this opportunity—this platform—and would like to reintroduce Mieka Pauley, an artist that some of you will remember from my Tainted Water series. She was the first Spotlight artist to join India’s Productions, and I’m still as thankful as that first day I met her.

  Mieka, I heard you perform your song “Whiskey Is the Devil, Daughter” and felt as if you were in my head when I wrote the chapter Lights Went Out. Thank you so much for being a part of this journey.

  For more information about Mieka Pauley: http://www.mieka.com

  Now for the songs mentioned throughout Serenity. Thank you, Wild Skies, for bringing to life these songs sung by Dereck and Destiny. Soon we will be offering this music to my readers!

  “Calling to You”

  “Shadows”

  “Tin and His Skin”

  “My Pledge”

  “Soldiers in the Rain”

  “Hold On, Girl”