These Are The days Which Must Happen to You. Prologue
Saturday
Seaborn-Lyman Residence - Charlottesville, VA - June 2031
Dr Peter Jameson's POV
I realise something is wrong as I pull into the driveway. Coming in the other direction are a couple of black vehicles, escorted by a local police car and black sedans. Realising what's happened I mutter an "oh no," and accelerate towards the house.
To my surprise the front door is left open and there is an eerie silence as I enter the hallway. I head first to the kitchen, but I can't find him there or either in the living room. Deciding to search upstairs I drop my bag in the hallway and take the stairs two at a time. My heart sinks at the sight which greats me in the master bedroom. The bed is unmade, covers pushed to the floor and he's standing in the middle of the chaos.
"When?" I manage to gasp after I've caught my breath.
"Peter?" My friend of almost twenty years turns to look at me and I'm taken aback by the weariness in his eyes. Over the years I've seen him at his worst, but now he looks as if he's been physically assaulted, slightly off balance; his face ghostly white and rigid, his eyes wide with shock.
"When?" I ask again.
"Oh," He gives a heavy sigh. "An hour or so, I think!"
"I'm so sorry!"
It's all I can manage as he nods and gives a soft "yeah," as he turns away, his eyes going back to the bed in front of him. "How did you know? I haven't called anyone yet?"
"I was just coming over to see how you both were. Remember, I said I would?" I put my hand on his shoulder. "What can I do?"
"I need to call Jamie..." He turns, ready to leave the room, but I put a hand out to stop him.
"Why don't I do that. I'll call everyone for you."
"No...I promised...need to do this!"
"
OK," I say softly and we head downstairs.
When we reach the living room I push him into the nearest chair and I'll make coffee and leave him to make the call. As I leave the room, I turn and watch as he picks up the phone, staring unseeing out of the window, and I can't help but think that a part of Sam Seaborn has been irreparably broken.
"Jamie...it's Dad. I...I'm sorry...but, Josh died a little while ago."
TBC
