“Well, come on,” Josefina said. “We’re all here now, so stop making us wait. Time for the big reveal.”
Dodge nodded and grabbed the blankets covering his legs. He tugged them up from the bottom to reveal two brand-new robotic prostheses. The right one was attached just below his knee, but the left extended up beyond the blankets and was connected high up on his thigh. “Pretty cool, right? The doctor says I’ll be running around in no time.”
“Impressive,” said Alma.
He turned to Zira. “I’d also like to note that I have two awesome robotic legs, which I believe gives me double points in the badass department.”
Zira laughed with the others. “Okay, tough guy. When you can beat me in a sparring match, you can claim all the bragging rights you want. Until then, you might want to keep your ego in check.”
“I’ll take you up on that challenge as soon as I’m cleared to go back to work.”
“And when will that be?” Tripp asked.
“A month, hopefully. Maybe a little longer. I hear you won’t be rejoining us, though. What’s that about?”
“Rita got some temporary government funding to run a study on substance abuse treatment programs. She invited me to help her out. We’re hoping it will lead to bigger programs nationwide to help people struggling with addiction.”
“That sounds great, man,” Dodge said. “We’ll miss you, but that sounds really great.”
“I’ll still be here in Liberation, so I’m sure we’ll see each other around. And as much as I’ve enjoyed working with you guys, I’m definitely not going to miss all the intense, terrifying, life-and-death situations you get yourselves into. It will be nice to have a quiet, normal job.”
The others continued to talk, asking Dodge about his surgery and the recovery process ahead. Zira found a quiet spot at the back of the room, and Jared joined her a few moments later. He put an arm around her shoulder, wincing just a little as he did so. The bullet wound in his shoulder blade was healing well enough, but it still pained him occasionally when he twisted it a certain way. Physical therapy was supposed to help, with time.
Zira wrapped her arm around his waist, and he planted a light kiss on the top of her head. “How did it go with Chase?” she asked.
In response, he pulled up the leg of his pants. It took Zira a few seconds to realize what he was trying to show her. The ankle monitor was gone. “He’s giving me a full pardon.”
Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“I know. I still can’t believe it. He just requested that I continue working for SIO. I signed a contract with Alma right before you got here.”
“So we get to keep working together.”
“Hopefully you won’t get sick of me.”
She smiled up at him. “Never.”
He stroked her shoulder with his fingertips. “What about you? How was your morning?”
“I finally wrote that message to Aubreigh’s family. I’m still not ready to meet them yet, but it’s a start, right?”
“It is. A good start.”
A good start. She looked around the room at the people who had become her teammates, her companions, her family. They all needed a good start, a new beginning, and with Ryku gone and the PEACE Restoration Movement essentially disbanded, maybe they could all finally have one.
It had been a long, rough road, and Zira knew the path ahead wasn’t going to be free of trial and conflict. But in this room, in this moment, surrounded by the people she cared about, the future held promise.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES
This book deals with sensitive topics surrounding the issue of substance abuse, particularly opiate addiction. Unfortunately, the number of overdose deaths attributed to this class of drugs has been steadily rising over the last several years.
The reasons people use substances vary widely. For many, drugs and alcohol are a coping mechanism that helps them deal with traumatic life experiences, mental health issues, loneliness, or physical or emotional pain. Addiction is a complex disease, not a choice or a matter of an individual simply lacking the willpower to quit using. Demonizing those who struggle with addiction does nothing to solve the problem and may only make things worse.
If you or someone you know has been affected by addiction, please know that you are not alone, and help is available when you are ready to reach out. For more information about substance abuse, addiction treatment, and recovery, check out the following resources:
National Treatment Referral Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National hotline operated by SAMHSA that provides treatment referral and information to individuals and families facing substance use and/or mental disorders. SAMHSA also has a wealth of information on their website.
National Suicide Hotline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Those who struggle with addiction are often at an increased risk for suicide. The suicide prevention lifeline is available 24/7 and offers free, confidential support for people in distress as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved one.
The Trevor Project – 1-866-488-7386
LGBTQ individuals are at an increased risk for substance abuse as well as suicide. The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention services through text, chat, or phone call. The phone lifeline is available 24/7. Their website has many additional helpful resources.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
NIDA supports and conducts addiction research across a broad range of disciplines and disseminates the results of that research with the goal of improving prevention and treatment as well as informing policy. Their website also contains helpful information and resources.
American Society of Addiction Medicine
ASAM is a society of professionals in the field of addiction medicine. Helpful information about the nature of addiction, treatment and recovery, and how to find a treatment provider can be found on their website.
Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous
NA and AA are 12-step support groups that provide fellowship for addicts, but not professional counseling. Meetings encourage people in recovery to help one another and come together socially. To find a meeting near you, visit their websites.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is a not-for-profit organization with a sensible self-help program for people struggling with addiction. They have face-to-face meetings around the world, daily online meetings, an online message board, and a 24/7 chat room where addiction recovery support can be obtained.
Addictions and Recovery
This website is a good place to start for anyone looking for general information about addiction, specific drugs, and how to begin the recovery process.
Opioid Overdose Reversal Kits
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the life-threatening effects of a heroin overdose. In most states, naloxone can be obtained from pharmacies without a prescription, and training on how to recognize an overdose and administer naloxone is provided in many communities at local agencies.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book—and this entire series, really—wouldn’t be what it is today without the dedication, assistance, and unwavering support of the following people.
Taylor, who always spots the little inconsistencies and details that need tweaking, and who has always understood the story I was trying to tell and the characters inhabiting it. Thank you for just getting it. I so very much appreciate all of your guidance, experience, and support over the years. Thank you for sticking with this story from the very beginning right up until the end.
Elissa, who reads more books than anyone else I know and therefore has endless wisdom about what makes a good story. My writing has significantly benefited from your feedback over the years, and I appreciate you taking the time to read my stories even when they aren’t at their best.
I was also able to consult with several professionals in the field of substance abuse whose expertise helped me write Tripp’s story. To Kaye, Sissy, Dakota, and Jenn, th
ank you for your wisdom, for taking the time to answer my questions, and for helping me learn. The work you are doing is so important, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of you.
My husband, Alex, whose continuing unconditional love, encouragement, and support have allowed me to chase my dreams in so many ways. Thank you for believing in me, even during the times when I don’t believe in myself.
To all my other friends and family who have talked to me about my writing, read one of my stories, or dropped me a note to let me know you enjoyed them, thank you. Your kind words have meant the world to me.
And last but not least, I want to thank each and every one of my readers. Thank you for choosing my books out of all the other wonderful stories out there, and thank you for going on this journey with me. I hope you’ll stay around to see what comes next, because it’s going to be one exciting adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
T. A. Hernandez grew up with her nose habitually stuck in a book and her mind constantly wandering to make-believe worlds full of magic and adventure. She began writing stories after reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings at age 10. Thankfully, her writing has improved significantly since then, though she will happily acknowledge that she has much more to learn and is looking forward to a long and exciting journey in her Quest to Tell Better Stories.
She is the proud mother of two girls and a college student working towards her degree in social work. She also enjoys drawing, reading, watching movies, riding her motorcycle, and making happy memories with her family and friends.
* * *
Find T. A. Hernandez on social media to stay up to date on the Secrets of PEACE series and other works:
tahernandez.com
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/ta.hernandez05
Twitter: @ta_hernandez5
Instagram: @ta_hernandez5
Your questions and comments about the story and characters are always welcome and appreciated.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Chapter Forty-five
Survivors of PEACE Page 33