The Realm: Warfare

By A-Leigh Ann

Kree's life plans seldomly produce the outcome that she wants. But somehow, possibly through divine intervention, she is OK.  She has a college education, a loving significant other, and a well-paying job.  She has, what some people may call, the beginnings of the "American Dream". Yet, she is still thirsting for more. &

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Jan 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685155612

A-Leigh Ann

Hi, I'm A-Leigh Ann. My name is inspired by the bible verse 1 Peter 2:11. For most of my life, I felt like an outsider. I felt like I didn't be-long, that I wasn't accepted. There are many ways to identify me: black, woman, military veteran, wife, daughter, college-educated, sorority sister, natural-hair-wielder, fit...ish. Although I can be identified in several ways, I have never felt like I "fit in" with a group of people. Not until I made the choice to give my life to following Jesus. Through him, I have found an acceptance that I never had while pursuing other relationships. So as a follower of Christ, I stand out. I'm different. I'm not of this world, an A-Leigh Ann. Get it?I am not just writing so that my voice can be heard. I am writing for those without hope. Those who don't have anyone. Those who don't realize that their current circumstances are not the end. I want to help people be reminded that although we can't control everything that happens to us, we can control the way that we respond.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

She is lying on the ground, blood pouring out of her rib cage. The blood and the wound dissolve as she looks down at her torso. She gets up and feels no pain. She is limping but doesn’t see the damage that has been done to her.

PART 1

DISCOVERING SHE CAN

CHAPTER 1

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

This is not your average story about your average girl. In fact, I am quite unaverage, pretty much unknown—but I know you’re there. I used to stand on the back porch and dream, dream of a place to fit in.

She thinks back to when she was nine and lived in Nebraska. The sunset was so beautiful. Shades of red, pink, and orange mixed perfectly into the sky. In the distance, golden rays of light shone on the normally beige-colored office buildings at Offutt Air Force Base.

Life is a journey. A journey of discovery, a journey of highs and lows, a journey to success, a journey of—well, whatever you want life to be. My journey? I have no idea. I have no real plan; if I do have a plan of some kind, I have no idea how I’m going to get to its end point. And if I get there, will it even be enough? What is enough? So many people strive toward goals their whole lives—what happens when you reach them?

If you gain all the money, popularity, fame, prestige, or accolades you can have in this life, is that really going to be enough? Is the purpose of my life to keep pursuing these goals, these things that seem so far out of my grasp that I hesitate at the thought of trying to attain them? I hesitate because I know they won’t satisfy me.

Deep thoughts on a Monday morning as I prepare to go to physio psychology.

She closes her journal, picks up her backpack, and walks toward the science center. The sun illumines her green and yellow sorority jacket. The Greek letters Pi Chi Xi are fading from a crisp white to the beginnings of a soft cream.

By the way, I am Makriá Daras(h)—the h is silent. Most call me Kree. Please don’t ask me how I got those names; to my knowledge, there is no Greek or Hebrew heritage in my family, just good ole Southern African American. It is my last year of college, and so many changes are coming my way. I am graduating soon—and unfortunately have to be an adult now. Yay, bills, bills, and more bills. Thankfully, I have a job lined up. I’m going to serve my country in the air force—Commissioned Officer Kree. Definitely didn’t see myself in the military, but scholarships are pretty persuasive.

I am president of the distinguished chapter Phi Tau of the amazing Pi Chi Xi Sorority Incorporated, serve as secretary on the student government board, and have a 3.8 GPA, a boyfriend, and a loving family. Most people on the outside looking in would say I have a pretty good life. I do, but it’s not enough.

Kree looks up from her journal as Ray, Kree’s sorority sister, sits down with her in the