Chapter 1
"Dad, what's going on? You're not making any sense." A confused and tired Benjamin Gates asked his father down the phone. He felt Abigail stir beside him as he listened to his father's frantic voice.
"A police officer in Australia just rang me. He said there had been an accident."
"Whoa, Dad, what sort of accident. What happened?"
"I don't know. It was a car accident?"
"Was Thomas involved?" Ben interrupted. He needed answers, and his father was in such a distressed state that he wasn't getting them. From down the phone, he heard his father break down.
"Yes," Patrick Gates sobbed, "they were hit by a car that ran a red light."
"Oh my god, dad. I'll come right over. They'll be fine, I promise. I'll see you soon" Ben assured his father.
"Be careful" Patrick reminded him. Ben nodded, even though he knew his father couldn't see him.
"I will, Dad, bye"
"Bye Son" Patrick hanging up, and Ben followed suit. He sat for a few moments, shell-shocked. Abigail sat up, worried.
"Ben, what's wrong, what's happened?"
"It was my Dad. He just got a phone call from a cop in Australia. My brother's been in a car accident, and it sounds pretty serious." Ben told her, trying to force his voice into sounding calm.
"Oh Ben, I'm so sorry" Abigail embraced him, kissing him gently on the cheek and rubbing his back. Ben leant into the embrace, turning to face Abigail. His eyes were shining with tears. Ben rested his head on Abigail's shoulder and sobbed. Although she had never met Ben's brother, she had heard a great deal about him from both Ben and Patrick.
Together, Ben and Abigail got up and got dressed. Abigail packed them both some clothes, and then, leaving a note for Riley, who for once was spending the night at his own home, and set out towards Patrick's house.
It was early morning by the time they reached Philadelphia. Abigail had dozed throughout the journey, but Ben was wide awake. He pulled up outside his father's house and, nudging Abigail to make sure she was awake, opened the car door. He ran up the front path to the house, and banged on the door. Moments later, Patrick opened the door. Ben hugged his father.
"Dad, is there any news?" he asked as he entered. Abigail followed him through the door, which Patrick closed. The older man shook his head.
"No, the police officer gave me a number I could ring, but I couldn't, Ben, I couldn't ring that number."
"I'll do it if you want" Ben instantly offered, patting his dad's shoulder. Patrick nodded.
"Thanks, son." He handed Ben a slip of paper and Ben walked over to the phone. Abigail put another log on the fire, and sat with Patrick on the couch, watching Ben as he switched on the speakerphone and dialed a number into the phone. It rang a few times, before a sleepy voice answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hello. My name is Benjamin Gates. My Dad was told to contact you about my brother, Thomas Gates."
"Oh yes. My name is Senior Detective John Cage. I spoke to your father earlier."
"Yes, that's right" Ben nodded, "What can you tell me?"
"Well, at this early stage of investigations, it appears that your brother's car was struck on the driver's side at an intersection by another vehicle that had run a red light. The force of the collision pushed your brother's car into a power pole. Emergency services arrived quickly at the scene, and were able to extract your brother and his family. I'm so sorry, Mr. Gates, but it looks like your brother died in the initial impact."
Ben almost dropped the phone as he sank into a seat. He looked at his father, and their eyes met. Abigail hugged Patrick, gently rocking him, whispering into his ear. Ben, however saw the raw emotion on his father's face, the grief and overwhelming despair.
"Dad, I'm so sorry" he murmured.
"Hello, Mr. Gates are you still there?" asked the Australian police officer. Ben nodded.
"Yes, I'm here. Sorry, it was a bit of a shock."
"That's quite fine, Mr. Gates."
"Do continue. How are the others, Rose and the kids?"
"Um, well, it appears that when the car collided with the power pole on the passenger's side, Rosemary Gates was killed. The two children were in the back seats, and were slightly protected from these tow collisions, however, your nephew, Patrick, sustained serious injuries in the accident, and he died en route to hospital. The Paramedics tried to resuscitate him, but upon his arrival at hospital he was declared dead. Young Nicole Gates is in a serious but stable condition in hospital. She has a concussion, cuts and bruises, a sprained ankle, and is otherwise alright; however we are worried about the amount of trauma she has been subjected to, as she was conscious throughout the entire accident. She lost consciousness on the way to hospital. If you wish, we can arrange accommodation for you here if you want to come over"
"Um, yes that would be great. There will be three of us coming over."
"I shall make the reservations, Mr. Gates. I'll contact you with the arrangements. I am truly sorry about this tragedy"
"Thank you, goodbye" Ben thanked him.
"Goodbye, Mr. Gates" the police officer hung up. Silence penetrated the room as the three occupants sat in a shocked silence, which Ben broke.
"Oh, Dad" he muttered, stepping forward and embracing his father. Together, they cried, mourning the los of so much family in one great blow.
A.N. I think I'll end this chapter here. I hope you enjoyed it. Please Review, it doesn't take long.
