Hammers and Strings: A Lullaby
Chapter one
Desperate Times
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
She thought over and over again, breathing in deeply she took the first step. Walking towards the dark figure she extended her hand to meet his. The small packet left his palm and fell into hers. Placing her other hand into her coat pocket she withdrew a hundred dollar bill and handed it to the man.
"Have a good night, Miss Davis," Smiled the predator in the night.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
He repeated to himself, staring into the mirror. What looked back at him was the reflection of a broken man. A man that had lost his way, a man that has had everything dear to him taken away, his son, his wife…his soul.
Tonight was his night though; his night to win them all back, to show him that he really did care.
Tonight, this broken man would be repaired.
This man was Dan Scott.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
The lone guitar sat on the floor of the tour bus. Next to it sat a man, a man who had given up. He had lost it all and he damn well knew it.
This was his last show and after it he would leave behind all the screaming fans, the bright lights, the new cities, and the topless girls and he would return home.
Well, technically he never had a home…one that he could remember at least. So he would return to the last place he felt at home.
Tree Hill, North Carolina
He straightened the line on the counter with a CD and breathed it in through his nose. The white powder burned as it entered his nostril, but damn it felt good.
"We're ready for you Mr. Keller," Announced the backstage worker.
Chris Keller stood up, stretched, picked up his guitar, and left behind all his feelings of depression and sadness and got ready to put on the show of his life.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures." He whispered into the cold night air, his breath creating smoke.
Mother was sick, she had been for a long time, but she was fighting it. However, she couldn't fight it anymore, and he knew it.
So he had to do it, for her. At least that is what he told himself to calm the guilt that would more than likely stay with him after he completed his desperate act.
"Mother needs the medicine," he calmly said to himself, "she has done so much for me, this is the least I can do for her."
At that moment he noticed someone go into the Convenience Store, he recognized her from High School, Peyton Sawyer.
This was something new, something he didn't expect, and it could change everything. He hadn't planned on anyone being inside when he committed his crime; and he certainly didn't want to hurt anyone, but it was now or never, the store was about to close and mother couldn't wait another day.
He toyed with the pistol in his pocket, finally deciding to go through with it, he walked into the store.
Peyton opened the passenger side door, placing a quick kiss upon Lucas' cheek.
Had she known it would be her last moments alive she would have done more, say goodbye, tell him she would always love him, and be with him. The things she wanted her mother, both of them, to do before they died.
Sadly, she didn't know this would be her last moment on earth so she couldn't tell him all of those things. Hopefully, though, he already knew.
"I'll just be a second," she told him.
"Want me to come in with you?"
"No," she laughed, "I'm a big girl; I think I can handle buying a carton of milk all by myself, thank you though."
She stepped out of the car, into the store, towards her death.
These were the last moments of Peyton Sawyer…
