TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Asterisks indicate chapters where the soundtrack enhances the emotional impact.)

*Chapter 1 – Not Without Her – Jake
*Chapter 2 – She Said Forever – Jake
*Chapter 3 – Sowing the Future – Jake
Chapter 4 – I Promise You – Jake
Chapter 5 – Cold Steel, Warm Hearts – Derrick
Chapter 6 – The Roots of Freedom – Jake
Chapter 7 – The Homecoming – Derrick
Chapter 8 – Between Hell and Home – Jake
Chapter 9 – The Tipping Point – Jake
*Chapter 10 – First Contact – Kayla
Chapter 11 – A Mind at War – Jake
Chapter 12 – No Room for Doubt – Jake
Chapter 13 – Through the Glass – Kayla
Chapter 14 – The Gold Chain – Jake
Chapter 15 – Shattered Lives – Kayla
Chapter 16 – Fear Confirmed – Jake
Chapter 17 – Death of Democracy – Derrick
*Chapter 18 – The Last Shift – Kayla
*Chapter 19 – The Last Grocery Run – Jake
Chapter 20 – Promise Me – Jake
Chapter 21 – The Final Update – Derrick
Chapter 22 – No More Someday – Jake
*Chapter 23 – Beneath the Strawberry Moon – Jake
Chapter 24 – Room for Potatoes – Derrick
Chapter 25 – Slipping Away – Kayla
Chapter 26 – The Hard Truth – Derrick
*Chapter 27 – This Was Our Home – Jake
*Chapter 28 – The Last Hope – Jake
Chapter 29 – The Last Stand – Derrick
*Chapter 30 – Boots on the Ground – Derrick
*Chapter 31 – Where Love Took Root – Jake

Disclaimer:

All names, characters, businesses, places, and events in this book are either fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to real events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Real-world businesses, brands, or locations are included solely for setting and storytelling purposes. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement, criticism, or affiliation. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher. This is a work of fiction.

Content Advisory:

This book contains depictions of military combat, PTSD, mental health struggles, child loss, spousal loss, genocide, death, and graphic violence. Some scenes may be distressing. Reader discretion is advised.

Dedicated to:

To my lovely wife, for all her support.

She is my, "til we're old."

To my mother, an inspiration, and a warrior in her own right.

And to anyone who couldn't save them.

The Dearly Departing novel Spotify Playlist Guide

Feel it deeper. Let these instrumentals set the tone. Feel free to loop the song to keep the feeling going. Chapters in bold are especially resonant when paired with the soundtrack.

Chapter 2 – She Said Forever – Jake
Chapter 3 – Sowing the Future – Jake
Chapter 4 – I Promise You – Jake
Chapter 5 – Cold Steel, Warm Hearts – Derrick
Chapter 6 – The Roots of Freedom – Jake
Chapter 7 – The Homecoming – Derrick
Chapter 8 – Between Hell and Home – Jake
Chapter 9 – The Tipping Point – Jake
Chapter 10 – First Contact – Kayla
Chapter 11 – A Mind at War – Jake
Chapter 12 – No Room for Doubt – Jake
Chapter 13 – Through the Glass – Kayla
Chapter 14 – The Gold Chain – Jake
Chapter 15 – Shattered Lives – Kayla
Chapter 16 – Fear Confirmed – Jake
Chapter 17 – Death of Democracy – Derrick
Chapter 18 – The Last Shift – Kayla
Chapter 19 – The Last Grocery Run – Jake
Chapter 20 – Promise Me – Jake
Chapter 21 – The Final Update – Derrick
Chapter 22 – No More Someday – Jake
Chapter 23 – Beneath the Strawberry Moon – Jake
Chapter 24 – Room for Potatoes – Derrick
Chapter 25 – Slipping Away – Kayla
Chapter 26 – The Hard Truth – Derrick
Chapter 27 – This Was Our Home – Jake
Chapter 28 – The Last Hope – Jake
Chapter 29 – The Last Stand – Derrick
Chapter 30 – Boots on the Ground – Derrick
Chapter 31 – Where Love Took Root – Jake

Check out The Near Dearly Departed by Rawlins Cross for some reader reflection.

QR Code Link to the Spotify Playlist: https://bit.ly/dearlydepartingplaylist

CHAPTER 1

Not Without Her

JAKE

AUGUST 29TH, 2012

Our military truck lies mangled and charred. The windshield is cracked, the metal frame torn. Black smoke billows into the sky. My ears ring.

Pain shoots through my leg. I look down and see blood gushing from my thigh.

I fumble through my pack, hands slick and shaking. Tourniquet, where is it? My fingers brush against a hard plastic case, a flashlight, then yes. I yank it free, straps flinging open. I loop it around my leg, twisting hard. The pain nearly blacks me out.

I see Corporal Davis slumped over the dashboard, his head twisted at a grotesque angle. The bulletproof glass is slick with red. I shift in my seat, fighting to steady my breath.

"O'Donnell!?... White!" I shout, looking back.

Nothing. Their bodies are motionless in the back. Renault too.

The cab fills with thick smoke, heat pressing in. I cough hard. Outside, gunfire erupts. Short, controlled bursts thump into the other side of the armored truck, rocking it slightly. They're closing in.

I grab the door handle and push. It's stuck. I slam my shoulder into it once, then again. The metal groans and finally gives with a loud scrape.

I hit the ground hard, landing on my stomach. Pain shoots through my leg. Dirt kicks up near my head as rounds tear into the earth. About twenty feet ahead, there's a rock structure. I grit my teeth and crawl on my elbows, pulling my rifle along.

I collapse against the rock structure, breathing deep, trying to slow my heart rate. A burst of gunfire tears into the corner of the rock, stone chipping away. The ringing in my ears fades just enough for me to hear my own voice as I grab my two-way.

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, this is Sierra 2 Bravo. We're under attack. Need medics now. I'm hit!"

"Sierra 2 Bravo, this is Sierra 6. We see you. Fast movers inbound. Hot guns. Medical support is en route. ETA twelve mikes. Take cover."

"I don't have twelve mikes!" Spittle hits the radio's mouthpiece as I bark into it. Gunfire roars. It sounds distant now. Muffled. My fingers go numb. My vision flickers.

I set my radio down. I close my eyes. All the most beautiful memories I've ever had, as far back as I can remember, flood my mind as if my life were under review.