As the boys grew Kayla only came when Abby and Tim knew they would be very late as Luc was more than able to keep a look out for Sam and make sure they both ate something resembling a supper. Luc had learned many years ago that Sam was incapable of interacting reasonably right after school. He needed time to decompress and process the day alone before he could tell stories or answer any questions.
So the boys had a routine. Luc would pick Sam up from school, they would walk or drive home in silence and each boy would head off to their own room until Luc decided to start preparing some food. Luc didn't check on his younger brother as Sam saw that as mistrust and interfering with his own agenda. And instead when food was about to be ready he would call to Sam to come and set the table and help with the serving.
However on this particular day Sam had had more than his usual amount of difficulties with school and his classmates. And his habitual afternoon calming wasn't working. This was probably due to the fact that things had gotten out of hand to the point that even Sam recognized that he may have gone too far. Inevitably a phone call would be made home and Sam would have to explain a bunch of things he felt incapable of explaining. Nor did he want to deal with the consequences of his actions, he was only 8 and who could blame him for that.
So Sam sat at the kitchen table carefully writing out his note. He took great pains to make sure each symbol, letter and number was precise and legible. Having completed his scribing he hopped of his chair, grabbed his hoodie just in case it got cooler as the afternoon wore on, and took off for the park.
Now Sam was big for his age so no one questioned him walking the streets of suburban DC alone and he navigated his way through side streets and main thoroughfares with ease. He had a destination in mind and paid little attention to anything but his goal. He was headed to the park, but not the neighbourhood park, he wanted the big one near the shopping center that had the large spider web climbing apparatus. It took him the better part of an hour to reach the park and when there he was basically alone as supper time was approaching.
While Sam was walking, Luc entered the kitchen and searched through the fridge and cupboards looking for something to throw together. He didn't feel much like cooking so found some chicken he could throw on the grill and enough veggies to make a decent salad. Easy and he knew Sam would eat it. Having lit the barbq he returned to the kitchen to begin cutting up the salad. This is when he decided that it had been long enough and Sam could come and help to speed up the process. Calling his younger brother's name several times he eventually stormed up the stairs to get Sam's attention. When there was no answer at the door, Luc was not worried. Instead he opened it slowly and gazed around the room, it was empty, but again Luc was not alarmed. Sam was known for hiding in small spaces and so Luc began to search the room for Sam's usual shelters.
Luc's heart did beat a little faster when Sam was not in his room. Luc began calling Sam's name in earnest and traveling from room to room. He threatened Sam several times with consequences if he didn't come out right away. While in his parent's bedroom Luc saw smoke rising up into the trees outside and swearing he rushed out to the grill where the chicken was burning. Lowering the heat and flipping the meat, Luc took a few seconds to catch his breath and think. Sam had been home, he brought him here he must still be here. As Luc entered the kitchen from the yard his eye caught the paper and pencil sitting on the otherwise empty table.
Luc approached the table cautiously, as if he thought the paper may burst into flames at any moment. The teen could see the writing before he reached the table, "Jesus Christ Sam" he swore, knowing no one was around to hear him. He picked up the beautifully written, what he had to assume was note, and tried to determine what it meant.