Serenity by Cassidy Infinity (miss read books .TXT) 📕

        I woke up at 6AM to the smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee. It was what I woke up to most mornings. I don't even need an alarm clock anymore. Nothing gets me up faster than the smell of delicious breakfast food. But my skilled nose detects a sharp odor; it's burning. I frowned as I threw my downy black comforter off of me and got to my feet. The hardwood floor chilled my feet and I quickly got my slippers out from underneath the bed. Winter's in New York could be quite chilly. I wrapped myself in my fluffy robe before I slipped out of my room and padded into the kitchen. "Aunty? What's going on? You never burn breakfast." I muttered sleepily as I attempted to rub the blinds of exhaustion out of my eyes. My aunt was dead silent and I saw her clutching the phone to her chest. I felt my stomach knot up instantly. Something was wrong. "Aunty...? What's the matter?" I asked, my voice soft as I slowly approached where she was sitting at the table. I sat down across from her and slowly reached over, gently prying the phone out of her hands. She slowly looked over at me and it was like this was the first time she'd seen me.

"The food's burning." she suddenly blurted out. Aunty was pale as she stood up and darted over to the stove. I slowly got up and walked over to the coffee pot, getting two mugs. I poured two cups and added two spoonfuls of sugar to mine, and two splashes of creamer. Aunty took hers black. I could hear her behind me, getting plates and silverware. Normally we had a sleepy morning conversation, but this time it was dead silent. It was unnerving. I sat down and a moment later Aunty sat beside me and handed me a plate. There weren't any eggs this time around and I know that's what I smelled burning. The toast was a bit limp today as well. I took a sip of my coffee and began to push my bacon around. I slowly ate mine as I stole glances at my aunt. Her brown eyes were swollen and red with tears. Whoever had called, it'd been bad news.

"Aunty..."

"The call was from your grandmother." Aunty's voice was raw and tired. I bit my lip nervously as Aunty picked at her food. "Your grandfather passed away a couple of nights ago." she informed me quietly. I felt my heart plummet and I slowly set my fork down.

        I hadn't spent a lot of time with my grandfather in the past couple years. When I was younger we were inseparable. He'd told me stories about my mother, his daughter and Aunty's sister. He'd taught me how to fish, and even though I hated it, I used to sit on the pier with him. I had lived with him, my grandma and Aunty until I was ten years old. Aunty had taken me to the city after Grandpa had started getting sick. For the past five years we'd only talked through the phone. I thought he'd been getting better.

        I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I struggled to keep them back. I failed and a few tears slipped silently down my pale cheeks. I took in a deep shaky breath as I covered my mouth and tried to remain calm. All of a sudden Aunty was by my side and she had her arms around me and was holding me to my chest. I buried my face in her chest and suddenly I felt myself break. A horrible sob burst out of me and I felt tears pouring out of my cheeks. I wrapped my arms around Aunty and held onto her. I could smell her light floral shampoo and it brought a slight sense of comfort to me. I took a deep breath and as another choked sob forced itself out my throat. Aunty rubbed his hand slowly up and down my back, gently murmuring sweet comforts to me. After a moment she stepped back and took her seat. She took my hand and gently gave it a squeeze. "There's more, Serenity... They did his will reading, and one of his final wishes was that you move back to the house." Aunty said slowly. I lifted my head, eyes widening.

"He wanted me to move back...?" Aunty nodded as she ran her thumb over the back of my hand.

"He left you quite a large inheritance. When you move back, Grandad's lawyer will give you your inheritance. The only requirement is that you move back to Blackbourne." Aunty told me with little sigh. I frowned in thought. I'd been living in New York for the past five, almost six years now. Blackbourne was in the middle of nowhere, a small marsh town. I had a couple friends here, and Aunty too.

"Would you come with me, Aunty?" I asked quietly. I was still feeling sick from the news of my grandfather's passing, but I forced myself through it. Aunty bit her lip and looked down at the table before into my chocolatey eyes.

"I'm sorry, baby... It was in the will that only you would return to Blackbourne. If you do this, you have to do it alone..."

~*~*~

        "So, you're getting this awesome inheritance, but you have to move to some boring ass, country hick town in the middle of nowhere?" Agatha quizzed as she lifted her cigarette to her lips. I frowned at her and clenched my jaw.

"It's not a boring, country hick town. It's actually pretty cool there. I'm just not sure if I want to go back... I grew up there, but I fit into New York. Back in Blackbourne, I never really fit in." I mused to myself. I reached over and took the offered cigarette from Agatha. I took a long drag off of it and sighed. "But... He was my grandfather... It was one of his last wishes that I go back and live there again. I think I'm going to do it." I informed Agatha as I blew out the smoke. She looked aghast.

"Serenity, come on! All your friends are here. What about us?" she cried angrily. I sighed and ran my fingers through my stick straight, dirty blond hair.

"I know, but he was my family, Ags. Its something I have to do." I stated firmly, refusing to back down from my decision. I loved my friends, but my grandfather had practically raised me. I had to fulfill his final wishes...

~*~*~

        "Is she coming?" the aged woman in the chair croaked.

"We just got called by her aunt. She's decided to come back." a voice in the shadows stated. The woman slowly nodded.

"Good... Did her aunt say anything that she might know?" the shadowy man shook his head.

"No, Madame. I don't believe she knows." he assured her. The elderly woman nodded as her withered fingers stroked the glossy wood of her armchair.

"Good... I don't need my little granddaughter fretting before she even gets here. Does he know?" the woman practically spits in disgust. The man nods.

"He's been throwing things around all day. I don't think he's too happy." the woman pursed her lips. "Madame... Do you think she remembers?" he asked hesitantly. The woman sighed as she slowly twisted her silver wedding ring around her finger.

"She was still a young thing when she left here. I don't think she'd be coming back here if she remembered." the woman sighed. "She's grown into such a lovely young woman. I only pray that she doesn't get hurt." she murmured, a soft sigh leaving her aged lips as she gazed into the distance.

A/N: So I'm gonna try and update on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Please remember to vote, comment, and add to your libraries!! ILY guysss!

Teaser: Serenity arrives back at Blackbourne and recieves an ominous welcoming back to town, along with arriving back at her childhood home where she discovers a disturbing sight

        "Are you sure you have everything, Serenity?" Aunty asked me anxiously. I smiled and rolled my dark eyes at her concern.

"I have everything, Aunty. I promise. And if I forget anything, I'll call." I giggled. Aunty smiled softly as she tucked her red hair behind her ear.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to, baby... I'm sure we can figure out how to get your grandfather's inheritance without moving you back to Blackbourne." Aunty said for probably the millionth time. I gave her a weak smile and moved to wrap my arms around her. She stiffened for a moment before she put her arms around my much slighter form and clutched me to her chest.

"I'm gonna miss you." I muttered quietly, my voice muffled by her sweater. Aunty let out a sad little laugh as she gently stroking my hair.

"I'll just be a phone call away, baby girl. You call me if you need anything, and I'll get it for you. And I'll come down to visit whenever I can. I'll try to be down for New Years, okay?" Aunty looked down at me and smiled nostalgically. "I'm gonna miss you. House is gonna be so quiet without you blasting your music at three AM." I could see tears welling up in Aunty Allison's emerald eyes and I felt bad. I didn't want to leave Aunty, but it was my grandfather's last wish. I couldn't say no to that.

"Don't cry, Aunty, then I'll start crying." I demanded, my voice cracking a bit. Aunty smiled and fanned herself to stop the tears.

"I'm trying, I'm trying." she said softly. We both looked up as the train whistled announcing the need to get on. Aunty's eyes suddenly widened and she gasped. "I forgot, I got you a present! Don't open it until you get on the train." Aunty ordered me. She took out a large red gift bag out from behind her that she'd managed to keep hidden. My eyes lit up and I couldn't help but give a squeal of joy. It might be shallow of myself, but I did enjoy gifts. Especially Aunty's gifts. She always chose the best.

"I won't open it till I get on the train, I promise. I love you Aunty, I'll miss you!" I said tearfully. I hugged her tightly once more and she kissed me on the cheek.

"Hurry up and get on the train, you're going to miss it." Aunty urged me. I nodded and quickly wiped my eyes before gathering my bags and running to the train. I boarded with the help of a steward and was escorted to my seat. I was seated by the window and I saw Aunty still standing there at the station, tears running down her cheeks and her mascara smeared. I felt tears welling up in my own brown eyes as I forced myself to give a trembling smile and I raised a shaky hand to give a pathetic wave. Leaving Aunty was harder than I thought. She was the only family I knew other than my grandparents. She raised me alongside them, and got me through my teenage