A Few Hours Before.....

Johnny had gotten up, descending the stairs to the kitchen as he tried to shake off the sleep that still haunted his thoughts. He entered the kitchen, started the coffee maker and, before long, he could hear it brewing.

He turned towards the living room, his mind racing with the things he had to do. Wait, he had nothing to do. His life pretty much revolved around himself and what he was going to do in the house, which was nothing. But then something else crept in and he remembered, he was having lunch with Dana today. She had made it specifically clear that she wouldn't take no for an answer and he'd hesitatingly given in. It was about time to move on with his life and what better way than with a woman like Dana, who didn't take herself too seriously.

Clicking the television on, he channel surfed through all the channels. As he was surfing, he passed MTV. Now why did he get MTV when he wasn't particularly interested in teenage music. But, oh well, it was part of the package and he rarely saw. Just as they were showcasing the newest bands to look out for in the music industry, his phone rang. It was Bruce, his best friend and ex-physical therapist.

"Bruce," he stated, more with happiness as hearing his best friend and not expectancy.

"Hey Johnny. I was just calling, seeing what you're doing for lunch?"

"Well, let me see...I'm having lunch with Dana," he stated nonchalantly, looking up at the ceiling as he did so, and resting on his cane.

"Hmm, sounds interesting man."

"Well, yeah it should be," he chuckled, hearing Bruce's suggestive comment.

"So, where are you going?" he interrogated. Things with Bruce were either said or left unsaid, simple as that, and he also knew that Johnny could be very cryptic at times. So he patiently waited for Johnny to answer.

"Well...."mulled Johnny. His train of thoughts were interrupted by the booming sound of the television. Apparently there was late breaking news concerning some band or another and he told Bruce he had to turn the volume down.

As he looked for the remote control, he found he couldn't find it. Funny, he just had it. Oh well, he decided and put Bruce on hold as he headed for the television dial. As he reached the television, a strong vision hit him.

Johnny's vision was a scramble of things, or so he thought until he realized he was looking at the slow unraveling of an accident. He saw a bus coming straight at him just before he was transported inside. He stood around as he saw people chaotically being thrown around. The bus driver was fighting for control and losing as well as the rest of the people were mercilessly holding on to anything. He saw a young woman thrown to the ground by a young man behind her, another young woman and man shaken out of booth seats, an older man crashing against the side of the bus, his cell phone flung to ground, and a young woman shot upward as her food spilled on the floor. Then the bus rammed into the telephone pole, the windshield reduced to shatters and the full force shoved the people forward.

It seemed that everyone was surviving the accident unscathed until he noticed that the young woman with the food was bleeding profusely and the bus driver was rammed against the steering wheel.

And while Johnny was busy having his vision, a band called "Darving" was being showcased, their touring schedule scrolling down the screen.

He forcefully was drawn back to his living room, the vision leaving a horrified feeling in its trail. He looked up at the screen and whatever had made him have the vision was gone. Apparently, it had been part of the updated on showcased bands. He had to find out what band it was. He just had to. He wished he'd paid more attention to the name on the side of the bus. He would just have to rely on the fact that the bus had been coming in west on the only large interstate that led them into Cleaves Mills. He just hoped he was right.

Johnny rushed to the phone. Bruce could hear in Johnny's voice a sense of urgency.

"What is it man?"

"Bruce, there's going to be an accident. Interstate 81.

"When?"

"I don't know, but I don't think we have enough time."

"Are you sure."

"Yes.." he insisted. "I've gotta call Walt. There's going to be people hurt. And badly,"he added.

With that, Bruce heard the click of the phone and knew that Johnny was serious.