𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄
— 𝒾 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 —

𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 attended school — although graduating a year before her peers was an achievement that appealed to many colleges nearby, the girl was unsure if she would ever be able to take advantage of the opportunity. According to her previous geneticist, there was a possibility that the girl would lose her ability to access her memories in the foreseeable future; but, as the girl insisted, life was too important to wither in uncertainties, especially in those that had yet to affect her daily tasks. A genetic disorder, Marina and Laythe had heard from her parents — two years ago, precisely — that was known as an alternate and pre-mature form of dementia. Niemann-Pick was diagnosed through a blood test while Serenity was relaxing in the simplicity of her yearly check-up, and within two hours after the family's departure from the clinic, her mother answered a phone call that induced a frown Serenity rarely saw, and a softer version of the older woman's voice that was only utilized in the case of misfortune.

But Serenity could remember. Her voice didn't falter as she spoke, her small hands didn't shake as she reached out, and her vision didn't delay. She was healthy, and continued on in that state — even now, after the occasional and brief phone calls between Marina and the geneticist as they discussed the teenager's perfect condition, Serenity believed that her physician had presumed a false detection for the disease. And although her hesitation was clear, she would live without the weight of the world on her shoulders; she had decided long ago that, no matter the complication, she would forever stay the positive girl whose company was enjoyed by those around her. And even with the confirmation of a disease that had the potential to make her forget, she stuck to her morals.

Up until that very morning in which she was reminiscing in Laythe's truck, frowning as the small memory of her mother's baking faded so quickly from her grasp — perhaps she should have told the concerned boy sitting next to her. Or perhaps she was justified, he would only worry given the circumstances. From her slow pace in the forest, cautiously stepping on the broken branches and soft leaves beneath her feet, she refused to focus on anything other than the gentle words that were spoken by Embry Call as he described his first vivid memory of venturing into the vast wilderness with Jacob, a time when they were merely children with an imagination to support any fairytale one could read in a storybook before falling into a deep slumber.

"We always claimed there were giants hiding in the trees," Embry tells her, flashing his pearly teeth as Jacob and Laythe chuckle, following closely behind the pair in silence. "We even had a fort at some point, but too much aging and rot ruined it."

"I find myself wandering into the forest without even realizing it sometimes — I wonder what's so captivating that draws our attention." Serenity gages her surroundings, almost as if, within the blink of an eye, she could find the very reason for her searching. But, as expected, she was left with nothing but the silence of nature. "Or maybe I'll never know."

And that was the very thing that she worried about every day. What if she was searching for something that wasn't truly there, a ghost of her own imaginary creation? Her mind could be convincing her that there was something more, waiting so patiently. Perhaps her doctor was right, and this was the unraveling of her mind — she was slowly losing touch with reality while hunting for something that was never there to begin with. Or perhaps she knew exactly what the world had consistently been trying to tell her.

"It's the quiet," Embry offers an explanation, nudging her side, "too much time with Laythe and you'll definitely need a break from the chaos."

Laythe glares at Embry, punching the boy in the shoulder, "I'm anything but chaotic. You could even say majestic, I'd like to think. Maybe Serenity is a tree hugger and she doesn't realize it yet."

Rolling her eyes, Serenity perches herself upon a log and plucks the individual briars from her clothing. "What do you have against tree huggers? Saving the environment isn't a bad thing. But I'm being serious, I don't know what's wrong with me; I feel a constant need to be in the woods, and I've never experienced anything like it before."

"I wouldn't focus on it too much." Jacob sits down beside her, offering the girl an assuring smile, "It could be anything: fresh air, the quiet, or even the fact that you grew up in the city and never really had a place to retreat."

Laythe folds his arms over his chest as he looks to Jacob, "Speaking of places to retreat," he catches the other boy's attention, "I'm surprised you haven't ditched us to spend time at Bella's. How long has it been since the two of you have talked, a week?"

Serenity, suddenly curious by the mention of a newfound name, allows her eyes to fall upon her best friend. "Who is Bella?"

"A close friend," he replies, not bothering to glance in her direction as he stares intensely at Laythe. "My visits aren't . . . permitted while Edward is at her side, so I haven't had the chance to check in on her."

"I suppose you could use an excuse to stop by," Embry interrupts, gesturing to the blonde. "Bella hasn't met Serenity, you could introduce the two of them and spend the day together."

Serenity perks up at the raised suggestion to meet someone new, her cold hands falling on Jacob's bicep as she nods, "I'd love to meet her. If you'd allow me to, of course." His skin warms her palms immediately, and she finds herself sinking in relaxation and comfort. "Please, Jacob."

"I'm not so sure that this is a good idea," Laythe shakes his head, biting the inside of his cheek from nervousness. "For Serenity's safety, I'm not convinced that introducing her to a targeted individual is a stretch that my mother will accept. Honestly, Jacob, I don't encourage it either."

Serenity frowns, but places her hand on Jacob's back in reassurance, "I will meet her eventually. You don't need the excuse to visit her." The girl didn't understand what Laythe had meant when he classified Bella as a 'targeted individual', but for the given moment she decides to encourage the boy next to her as he places his face in the palm of his hands with distress. "You should call her later. If the two of you are close, she will make time for you, no matter what other company she keeps."

The sincerity in her calm voice was enough to make Jacob nod, all the while making his chest burn with warmth — but not with the same heat of his skin, not the intensity. It was a blossoming feeling, and perhaps Serenity had been the cause. She had a graceful way in which she encouraged him, not as urging as others, while coming across as a more effective method than any other technique the rest of the world could offer. Then again, her entire being consisted of elegance; everything she had ever done was entranced with poise, as if she had left behind a trail in her wake. But it led him to believe that, eventually, something or someone was bound to take away the very thing that they cherished the most — she was too kind, too gentle, for the place in which she resided.

As Laythe cautiously looks to Jacob, then to Embry, he finds that they were all shared the same thought process. And so an unspoken agreement settled between them . . . although Serenity would soon be introduced to the remainder of the Quileute boys, they would spare her of the truth as a means to not only preserve her safety, but to ensure her protection. Their connections with the world of the supernatural would be a risk to her, just as it was for Isabella Swan, and never did they want to expose her to the same dangers that the brunette constantly faced.

"You're right," Jacob secured himself on his feet, extending his hand to Serenity. As she lightly places her palm on his with a smile, he swiftly pulls her into a standing position, "as always. Sometimes I am amazed with your ability to solve all of my problems."

Serenity merely shrugs her shoulders, "Simplicity can be the answer to anything."

Although she didn't say it aloud, she knew that her sagacity was learned from years of experience. Wisdom would never come without a price, and Serenity Reagan knew that all too well. But perhaps things were beginning to look up for her.

As Jacob boost her onto his back and challenges his friends to a race, she grips onto his shoulders and giggles, "Please don't drop me!"

Grinning, he shakes his head, "I would never."

But she had spent too long in the clear — not everyone was meant to spend their life engulfed in endless happiness.

And Serenity Reagan was one of the many unlucky souls that would never truly be able find the light in a pit of darkness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The woods were calling to her again. Just past the fog looming over the damp grass lied acres of brilliant trees, wallowing under the moonlight while beckoning for her presence. The light wind called out her name in the silence, and the animals sang to her, almost as if she would eventually come home to them if they persuaded her to do so. The moon was full, but was left to shine alone as the stars in the sky quickly faded in comparison. Her large room was empty with loneliness, and was lit only with a single candle, dimly flickering on the aging desk that Marina had purchased for her. But among the lasting quiet, Serenity could not find the cool embrace of sleep, and was left to the consolation provided by the extended balcony.

Tonight, Serenity entertains their never-ending pleads, and sighs softly to herself.

"One day I will find you," she promises, her eyes focused on the wooded area.

Almost as if her words coaxed the life inside of the forest, she caught a glimpse of movement in the brush closest to her. Serenity stares intently at the small space with curiosity, suspecting that a rabbit would jump into the clearing. But to her disappointment, nothing emerged.

Serenity retreats back to her bedroom, blowing out her candle and tucking herself underneath her silk sheets. Although exhaustion tugs at her eyelids, she couldn't find enough peace within herself to fall into a slumber. There was far too much to think about, and even the set of closed doors between the girl and the woods was not enough to block out how badly she wanted to venture from the house. If only for a moment, she was almost sure she would find it.

And had she stood on the balcony once again, she would have seen him.

The wolf visited the home every night, staring intently at the balcony while not knowing why. His heart convinced him that this was where he needed to be, despite his wishes. From where he lied, he could never truly see who was standing above him — but he knew.

He knew that one day, he would find what was luring him to this very spot every night.

One day soon, he would find her.

❝ i really can't wait for serenity
to meet paul omg guys  ❞