A walk between worlds

Serenity Springs

CHAPTER 3

Serenity Springs

            Typical Monday at the office.  Crazy busy.  Everyone was so thoughtful with my situation with my soon to be ex-husband.  Actually, I was fine, and had plenty of work to keep me busy.

            Mike buzzed me to his office to dictate a letter.  While I was there, he asked me if I was ok to discuss my divorce.  “Mike, I don’t want anything, just some of my things.  I just want out.”

            “Leigh, you realize that you are entitled to much more and as your attorney and not your boss, I must advise you that you are giving up spousal support and a lucrative split in assets, which you may need to start over.”

            I looked down at my hands that were folded on my lap and thought for a minute.  “Mike, I appreciate what you are saying, and I do realize that, but I just want out of this marriage.  This makes it really easy for Declan as well.”

            “Leigh, why the hell would you want to do that after everything he has done to you?”

            “Because I can make it on my own.  All I want are the rest of my things, and the $10,000.00 gift my grandmother gave us when she passed away.  He can keep the cabin, house, his retirement, and all of his toys that he has.  We can split the bank and checking accounts and each keep our perspective vehicles.  I’m sure you will advise his attorney on the deal he is getting and if he decides to fight any of it, proof of a******y will be provided and then he will be on the hook for spousal support.”

            Mike laughed, “Oh I have already talked to his attorney, and made him well aware that it is in his best interest to have his client accept our offer.  I don’t think he will fight you on anything.  Listen, if you need any time off, all you have to do is ask.  I realize you have a lot of vacation you have not taken yet.” 

            “Mike, right now the best thing for me is to bury myself in work, which we have a lot of.  I’m actually doing ok as long as I am busy.  But thank you, I appreciate it.”

            We finished up our discussion and it was time for lunch.  I decided to do a little investigating on the computer while I ate my salad.  I remember from the articles that I had; Shawn was in a rehab in Pennsylvania somewhere that was pretty exclusive.  Scrolling down through the rehab’s that were listed, I found one called Serenity Springs, located up in Erie Pennsylvania.  That sounded familiar.  I googled Shawn and Serenity Springs and bingo!!  That was the last rehab he was in and it looks like he was admitted a week after February 14th.  I need to nail down an exact date though.  I went back to articles from the U.K. that were on the computer and found it.  He was admitted to Serenity Springs on February 21, 1990.  Well, that’s my target date.  Looking up at the clock it was time for me to get back to work. 

            Over the next few weeks, I also found information on Jenny Jones, the woman that Shawn would meet in rehab who was a h****n addict.  She was a from old money, a socialite and ran with movie stars and musicians.  Somehow the two would fall for each other, and she would convince Shawn to leave the rehab so they both could help each other.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen as her behavior and his would encourage each other’s addictions.  He would actually end up worse off and eventually dead.  Further, the articles read that Shawn’s parents were not fond of her, actually citing that she was stealing his money to support her spending and drug habits.  His own band mates calling her a “crazy b***h”.  Well it seems I will have my work cut out for me.

            If I was going to successfully help Shawn, I needed to understand the effects of alcoholism.  So, digging a bit further I read everything I could find on the effects it has on the body and mind of someone who quits drinking.  There are many side effects; some can even be deadly.  I really need to get to the root of his need to drink, but I’m not a therapist.  I can help heal his body and ease his pain, but what goes on inside his mind, I don’t know if I can reach. 

             I gave this information to Diane as well, since I knew she was going to be my guide into the past.  As we were working one day on my meditation, mainly focusing on the date of February 21, 1990, I actually started to go back and when I was almost there, I was greeted with a dark figure.  It was like a floating dark mist.  As it got closer to me, it said “I will not let you enter here.  He belongs to me.”  That of course, shook me completely out of the meditation and I was shaking.  Diane bent down and looked at me closely.  “What is it Leigh, what did you see?”  As I told her, I could see the look of concern come across her forehead.  “I was afraid of this.  That is a dark entity and I sensed there was something more but it was hiding itself from my visions.  The ruby ring your grandmother gave you will help protect you from this and most likely reveal its secrets to you.  I have a feeling that this ring is special in some way but I am still digging for information.”

            “Entities can attach themselves to people, especially those that are week and have addictions, like drugs/alcohol, low self-esteem, and anger.  My guess is this thing is attached to a person there at the rehab.  It obviously knows you are coming and already has plans for Shawn.  You will need to be extra cautious.  Do not underestimate it.”

            “But what if I run into something that I can’t handle?  I will be in 1990 without you, how do I reach you.” 

            “Simply mediate on my name, I will be able to get through.  I will also be the one to tell you it’s time to come home. We will not be disconnected.  I am your guide and will never leave you.  You need to trust that.” 

            For the first time, I felt fear, real fear.  Just what was I getting myself into.  Time travel, gifted gem stones, dark entities…. I was strong but I was scared.

            Exhausted from my session with Diane today, my parents sat with me at the dinner table, discussing the events of the day.  I didn’t tell them anything about what I was planning on doing or my visits with Diane.  They worry about me enough. 

            My mom asked me how things were moving along with my divorce and paperwork.

            “Well, Mike knows what I want and has had discussions with Declan’s attorney.  He is not going to fight me on anything.  Like Mike said, he would be crazy too.  So, everything has been filed, we just have to wait 90 days to file the final paperwork.  I’m not even mad, or upset at this point.  It’s better for us both.  Declan is not marriage material and would-be better off single for the rest of his life.  Me on the other hand, I need someone who understands commitment to a relationship.”

            My mother eyed my suspiciously.  “Hmmm… so where has this girl been hiding.  You don’t seem upset, which your father and I are both happy for, but you seem usually nonchalant about things.  Is there someone else?”

            “How do I define that?  Yes, actually there is mom, in my dreams at night and if he ever becomes a reality, you will be the first one to know.”  We both laughed.  

            My dad then chimed in, “Well, the next guy will have to go through me first.  I don’t care how old you are Leigh; you are still my baby.  I don’t ever want to see you a mess again.  That will be made very clear.  I’m still your dad.”  I smiled.  My dad is not one most people would want to mess with, that being said, neither is my mother.

            I took a long hot shower and felt all my fear wash away down the drain.  I used my handmade lavender and lemon grass soap.  As I toweled off, I already felt relaxed. 

            Zeke and I retired for bed.  He took his usual spot and snuggled up alongside of me.  I wrapped my arm around his neck and soon we were both asleep.

            I was dreaming of the same place I was before.  There was that same fog.  My surroundings were lush and green, just like it was spring.  My eyes caught site of a walking trail.  I decided to follow it.  I soon came upon a bridge with a figure standing on the other end.  As I got closer, it was Shawn.  He was in a white loose button-down shirt and faded jeans.  His blonde hair framing his face.  God he was beautiful.  “Leigh, please help me.  Please come back to me.”  He tried to walk across the bridge to meet me, but it was like an invisible wall, he couldn’t pass through.  His eyes pleading.  “Leigh, I need you, please come back to me.” 

            “Shawn, I am coming.”   Just as I said that a dark mist started to form behind him, then begin to swirl around his legs.

            It hissed, “You may come to him, but you can’t have him.  He belongs to me.”

            I screamed, “We will see about that!”

            I awoke with a jolt.  I was so angry.  If that thing wanted a fight, a fight it was going to get.

            Serenity Springs, here I come. 

CHAPTER 4

February 21, 1990

            Today is the day.  I am nervous and excited at the same time.  I drive to Diane’s home for one last day of preparation for what lies ahead. 

            We sit and go over my checklist of items.  Diane looks at me.  “I am sensing some concern in your eyes.  Remember I will be with you as you go back, trust yourself Leigh.  You are ready.  I would not let you go if I thought you were not prepared.”

            “I know.  The dark entity concerns me.  It’s as though I am already familiar with it.”

            Diane looks at me, “Remember everything past, present and future are connected.  It is possible you are familiar with it already because you have dealt with it in the past.  Don’t be afraid.  You are stronger than you realize.”

            “It’s not me I’m worried about.  I can’t let this “thing” whatever it is ruin Shawn’s second chance at life.  I won’t let it.”

            Diane nodded her head, and with that we said our goodbye’s.  She prayed over me before I left.

            After dinner with my folks, I took Zeke for a long walk in the fields.  I crouched down and asked him to come to me.  Which of course he readily did.  I wrapped my arms around his big neck and gave him a kiss.  “I love you boy.  I can tell you are worried.  You are not yourself tonight.  I will be ok and I would never leave you.”  With that he licked my face and wagged his tail.  I swear he understands my emotions like a human does. 

            I said goodnight to my mom like usual and went over to my side of the house.  I put together items that I knew I was going to need, my stones herbs, etc.  I also packed cash, and what I could fit of some personal items.  I double checked my list and I had everything.  Looking at the clock it was 11:30 pm.  Almost time to go. 

            I finished getting dressed.  I slipped on a pair of loose jeans with the knees torn out and put on a pair of black combat boots.  I finished off the look with a white t-shirt and an open flannel shirt.  I placed the leather cuff bracelet with the bluestone on my wrist, placed my grandmother’s ruby ring on my finger and then lastly, hung my amethyst cross around my neck.  My loose honey blonde hair hung around my shoulders.  I looked at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath.  My green eyes shining back at me in the mirror.  I thought to myself, what if he won’t take my help.  I shrugged it off.  I will have to make him, that’s all there is to it.

            Zeke jumped up in bed and sprawled out.  I bent down and kissed his nose.  Grabbing my backpack, I laid down on the bed.  I took one last look at the clock.  It was midnight.  My eyes closed and my breathing slowed.  I focused on Diane.  “I’m here Leigh.  I want you to listen to my voice and focus.  It is February 21, 1990; you are at Serenity Springs in Shawn Walker’s room.  Repeat what I’m saying.” 

            “The date is February 21, 1990; I am at Serenity Springs in Shawn Walker’s room.  The date is February 21, 1990; I am at Serenity Springs in Shawn Walker’s room.”  All of my focus was on this one phrase.  I felt as though I was floating and being pulled through the air.  It was almost surreal.  A light was forming in the distance and the opening was getting bigger.  All of a sudden, almost like a vacuum I was pulled into the opening.

            I slowly opened my eyes.  The room was dark and I was laying on the floor.  Feeling a bit shaky and moving ever so slowly, I sat up.  My eyes started to adjust to the darkness and I could make out furniture in the room.  I was trying to figure out the layout and was cautious to make sure I was in fact in Shawn’s room.  I reached into my pocket and took the opal that was wrapped in bay leaves and closed it in the palm of my left hand.  I didn’t want to surprise anyone with my sudden appearance.  Getting to my feet, I slung the back pack over my shoulder.  There was a private kitchen and dining area, living room and a hallway.  There was a clock that illuminated the kitchen.  It was 12:05 am.  I could hear muffled sounds.  Cautiously walking down, the hallway there was a bit of light coming from what I surmised was a bedroom.  Almost like a nightlight.  Moving toward the doorway, the sounds I heard were almost like someone in pain.  My heart racing, I peered inside.  Lying on the bed was Shawn, curled up in a ball.  My eyes welled up with tears.  I slipped into the room, and put my back pack on the floor.  Still holding the opal in my hand, I moved closer to the bed.  He had the shakes, was sweating, and didn’t look well.  Diane was right, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw, he was a mess.  With my right hand, I reached out to touch his face.  He jolted to the side.  “Who the hell is there?”  I quickly withdrew my hand.  He was agitated.  I stood there for a moment thinking of my next move.  Knowing I could help calm him and give him temporary relief, I took a deep breath and placed the opal back in my front pocket.  In a calm voice I said, “Shawn, I am here.  It’s Leigh”.

He turned to look me.  “Who are you?  Where did you come from?”

            “I am a friend.  You may not remember but you asked me to come, to help you.”

Sarcastically he replied, “If you really want to help me, then get me a drink.” 

            I was then irritated.  I could see I would obviously have to play bad cop here.  I crossed my arms and said, “I will not help you drink yourself to death.  That’s not why I’m here.”

            He said, “Well I don’t give a s**t why you are here, if you want to help me then I need a drink, if you can’t do that, then get out!”

            “Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen.”  A bit more determined I said, “Let me tell you what we are going to do, you are getting in the shower and cleaning up.  I can smell the booze coming out of your pores. I am going to put clean bedding on for you and then you are going to drink something to help you relax, which will help with the nausea and pain.  Then hopefully get some sleep.  So, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way.  I am game for either.”

            He laughed, “Are you getting in the shower with me? Or isn’t that an option.”  I could feel myself turn red, good thing there wasn’t too much light.  “In your dreams Mr. Walker, now get the hell out of bed and into the shower and don’t give me a problem.  In your condition my grandmother could take you.”

            “Ok, ok.  What are you some kind of nurse?  Your bedside manner sucks.”  I stiffened up, “I’m here because you sent for me and I have come a long way to be here.  I’m not here to baby you, I’m here to help you get better, so if I offend you, so be it.  If you wanted to be coddled then you should have asked for someone else.”  And with that, I turned on my heel, grabbed my back pack and headed for the kitchen. 

            I turned on the overhead light and looked around.  This was a pretty nice place for rehab.  Actually, it was nicer than my last house.  I opened the backpack and looked for the Ashwagandha powder.  A few minutes later I heard the shower running.  Well, I won that argument, I thought to myself. 

            I went to the closet in the hallway and looked for some fresh linens.  I stripped the bed and put the dirty linens in the basket.  I noticed a little bit of blood on the pillow case.  That can’t be good.  I hope I wasn’t too late. 

            I sat in a chair next to the bed.  I turned the light on.  He came out with no shirt on, and a pair of jogging pants.  He was towel drying his hair.  I tried not to look at him, but could not help myself.  He was always thin to begin with, but he had lost more weight.  But he was still beautiful to me.  I quickly looked down at the floor.  I could see a smirk come across his face.

            He walked over and sat on the bed and faced me.  “What did you say your name was?” 

“It’s Leigh Reese.” 

He said, “that is an unusual name.”  I replied and said, “It’s Scottish for healer.”

              “It’s a beautiful.”  His eyes followed the cross around my neck.  He reached for it and was fixed on the amethyst in the center.  “This looks familiar to me.  You said I sent for you; how do I know you.”

            “It’s a long story, one I would love to share with you but right now, but I need you to drink this.”

            I handed him the glass of milk with the ashwagandha powder in it.  He took it and sniffed it making a face.  “What is this?”

            “Ashwagandha power mixed with warm milk.  It will help your shakes, sweats, and nausea.  Your body needs to rest and you are going through withdrawal, and you need sleep.  Please drink it, it will help.”

            “So, this will help put me to sleep?”

            “Yes, and ease some of your discomfort.  I want you to drink it and lay back.

            He looked at the glass for a minute, then back to me.  He eyed the glass suspiciously.  Then he said, “Bottoms up” and took a big swig.  He made a face and wrinkled his nose. 

            He laid back onto the bed and not looking at me said, “I’m sorry, for how I acted.  Thank you, for taking care of me.”

            “You are welcome.  That’s why I’m here.  Now close your eyes.”  I turned off the light so only the night light was on.  I sat there for a minute and was going to leave when he said, “Please don’t leave me.”  I said, “I won’t, the ashwagandha will start working in awhile and you look like you haven’t slept in days.  Try to relax.”  I pulled the blanket over him and just sat there for a minute, watching him sleep. He didn’t look like what I remembered.  The drinking had really taken a toll on him.  Sadness and pity crept over me.  I hooked my amethyst necklace around him.  It was a powerful stone and would help him through the rest of the night.

I closed my eyes and felt tired myself.  I went out to the living room and laid down on the couch and pulled a blanket up around me.  It wasn’t long before I was asleep as well.

Shawn POV:

            I feel like I slept for the first time in days.  Opening my eyes, I look around the room.  My stomach and head hurt a bit.  At least my shakes aren’t as bad this morning.  I slowly sit up and rub my eyes.  I look over at the chair.  Last night, was I dreaming?  I mean there was a woman there, she seemed so real, maybe it wasn’t.  I look down at my chest and see her necklace around me.  It wasn’t a dream; this is her necklace.  I get up and walk into the bathroom.  Looking into the mirror I tell myself, “Man, I look like shit.”  The woman, she said her name was Leigh.  I remember her beautiful green eyes and the soft touch of her hand.  She didn’t take any s**t from me that’s for sure.  I look down at the cross pendant, its very intricate in its design, but why did she put it on me? The last thing I remember is her telling me to drink something and then I fell asleep.  

            I get into the shower, carefully putting the necklace on the counter.  Once I am done, I pull on a blue button-down shirt and slip into a comfortable pair of jeans and boots.  I slip the necklace in my pocket.  I go out and look around living room and kitchen.  There is no sign of her.  I wonder where she went.  She seems so familiar to me, and I can’t stop thinking about her. 

            I hope its not someone I slept with on the road and now I don’t know who she is.  The thought makes my head hurt.  I mean I am no altar boy and I’ve done things I don’t even remember.  But I feel like we have some kind of history. 

            Just then then I hear a knock on my door and its Lilly, my therapist.  Right on time 8:00 am sharp. 

            “Well Shawn, we actually got out of bed this morning and took a shower.  Good start.”

            I roll my eyes.  “Don’t start with me Lil.” 

            We sit down on the couch.  I said, “When did you start allowing visitors at night, or did you guys hire staff to check on me in the evening.”

            Lilly looks at me frowning, “Shawn, neither.  What are you talking about?  Are you telling me someone was here or are you imagining things?”

            Shawn, “Look I’m not crazy, there was a woman here last night, and her name was Leigh.  I talked to her, she gave me some kind of drink, she called it ashwagandha or something and then I fell asleep.  I’m not bloody crazy Lil, don’t add to my problems.  If I was crazy, then where the hell did this necklace come from?   She put it around my neck last night.”

Leigh’s POV

The next time I opened my eyes, it was just getting light.  I looked over at the clock in the kitchen and it said 6:55 am. 

`

It seemed peaceful here.  There were large window panes that gave to way a view of the lake.  Even though it was winter the scenery was breathe taking.  I folded up the blanket and walked down the hall to check on my patient.  He was still sound asleep.  Grabbing my back pack, I went into the bathroom to freshen up, and brush my teeth.  I brushed my hair and pulled on a clean t-shirt and put on a new flannel on.  I looked around for a place to hide my backpack.  Going back into Shawn’s room, I hid it underneath some of his things in the closet.  I desperately needed a coffee, but first I needed to investigate this place and get the lay of the land so to speak.  I reached in my front pocket for the opal.  It was there.  It was cold outside, so I sort of borrowed one of Shawn’s jackets to wear.    

            I opened the front door and held the opal firmly in my left hand and stepped into the open.  Shawn’s room was actually a private cabin.  There were several in a row.  A larger building was located in the center.  Obviously, that has to be the main building.  There was a large courtyard between the main building and private cabins.  Looking at the door, he was Serenity Lake, the cabin next to him was Serenity Pines, then Serenity Oak, and so on.  As I walked past them, I felt a chill unlike the crisp cold winter air around me that stopped me in my tracks.  I looked around and noticed the curtain in the window of one of the cabins move.  Was someone watching me?  I heard Diane’s voice come through, “Remember the cloaking stone will not work with someone who has similar gifts.  They will be able to see you.”   Whoever it was shut the curtain.  I needed to find out who was in there, but right now, I needed to get to the main building and snoop around.  I took a mental note, the cabin was Serenity Skye.

            What I didn’t notice as I walked away, was the black mist that came from under the door, the entity knew I had arrived.