The storm had passed and all was cold and wet outside as Serena looked out for the last time at the view from her window. Serena pulled the drapes shut tight as she stood there numbed by the chill of death she had witnessed. Her mind was sharply focused on the path which leads away from life and she would not change her mind or course of action. Now her sister Felina had been so courteous as to select the dress and shoes she wished to be buried in, and had been so kind as to leave a note, if however brief, she had left one final communication from her heart and mind. But, here now, Serena would not be so kind.
She left her bed unmade, the nightstand with two empty bottles of expensive red wine, with a glass still full on the dresser. Serena went into her closet slipping off her nightgown as she took a long pale blue silk robe and wrapped herself up in the cool, soft, garment. This is all she would need to clothe her in her grave. Next Serena went into her large bathroom where she washed her face and brushed out her long black shiny hair. She then opened up the gilt mirrored medicine cabinet and took out a full bottle of Nembutal, a powerful barbiturate. Gazing at her reflection Serena looked into her dark eyes and gave herself a bittersweet smile saying "I have to go away now."
Serena left the bathroom not bothering to turn off the light as she walked over to the marble top long dresser and picked up the last glass of wine she would ever have here on Earth. She walked slowly out of her room not bothering to close the door behind her as she walked down the long dark hallway. She walked towards her sister's room as she turned right going down the hall that went passed the grand staircase; which led her down over to the east wing of the house where Xation's room was. As she walked in silence carrying the glass of wine in her hand she reached for the key in her pocket; which rattled against the bottle of pills as she retrieved it from her pocket. Serena felt a thrilling rush in her heart as she unlocked and opened the door.
Here it was dark, so Serena went over and pulled back all the drapes letting whatever bit of light in from the cold dark night. Here the storm clouds had parted and a sliver of the cold winter's moon shone through in a silvery, pale blue stream of moonlight. Long dark shadows were cast in the corners of the room as her eyes adjusted to the light. Serena felt very cold, but not faint of heart. She went over to the fireplace and pushed the ignite button on the gas fireplace; which lit up in orange and yellow warming flames. Serena gazed in at the fire for a moment until she brought her gaze to the line of photographs on the mantle. There was Xation and Leah on their wedding day, Xation on the eighteenth hole at Augusta, A picture from his college days in London. Pictures of him riding in one of his many polo matches. A picture of him with his son. Now Serena had not been in her brother's room in a along time but she was familiar with all the photographs here, as it was she who had placed them here along with the all the, long since burned down, candles, but here in the center of the mantle was a picture she had not seen in quite sometime. It had been taken by Charles as they all had traveled aboard the sailing ship 'Il Pointe' on their trip to Monaco for the Formula 1 Race in '93. It showed Xation in the center, tan and shirtless, with Serena on his left and Felina on his right, both in bikini's, all with huge smiles on their faces. This was one of Serena's favorites but it had disappeared from her room about two years ago. She surmised Felina had brought it in here, perhaps in some small effort for them to be closer to her brother. Serena picked up the silver framed picture and went putting it on the nightstand. Then she took out the pills, pouring the entire contents of the bottle into her dainty hand. She popped a handful in her mouth a few times, swallowing the lethal dose with the glass of wine. As she took in the last sips she realized that of all the glasses of wine she had consumed in her life these last few drops were, by far, the sweetest.
Serena pulled back the down comforter and silk sheets as she slid into Xation's bed for the last time. She laid her head back in the soft warm pillows inhaling the lingering aroma of her brother's cologne, as the flames from the fire lit up the room in an orange glow. Serena looked at the photograph as she reached out clutching it close to her breasts. She felt very calm, very relaxed, almost in a euphoric state, but remember she was quite drunk at this time. Serena then felt as though she were sinking down in a hazy fog, and as her heart rate decreased she whispered in a voice as faint as her heartbeat saying "It is finished."
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