The Night Before
Author: aynat (©Tanya Long)
Description: What would you do if you were going to die tomorrow? He's decided it all comes down to some preparations and a letter. Prequel to Last Goodbye, New Beginning.
Spoilers: None thus far.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Gilmore Girls characters, though I would kindly pay for Luke. I make no money from this, it's purely for fun!
Author's Note: I usually take into consideration any suggestions I'm given, but this story is a little different. The last chapter has already been written. So I may pay attention to suggestions for middle chapters but please don't take offence if I don't.
Please Note: I highly recommend you read Last Goodbye, New Beginning (check my user info) before reading this story. That said, it's all up to you, and this won't be confusing if you haven't read that really.
Christopher's heart was beating quickly as he ran down the street. It was pitch black, and he didn't have time to ponder why no street lights were lit. He didn't stop to wonder why he was running, or what from. He didn't care, his instincts simply said run.
He was breathing hard now, and there was a sharp pain in his left side. But he had to keep going, he had to get away. He just... knew he had to. So he began to run faster, and prayed he would get away.
"You have 24 hours."
Christopher turned his head so quickly he was surprised he didn't snap his neck. Someone had whispered that in his ear, he knew it, but no one was there.
"24 hours, use them wisely."
Urging his legs to carry him even farther he pushed on. It felt as though he was running uphill now, but he had no way to know for sure. He couldn't see an inch in front of him, everything was midnight black. It was then that he tripped.
Shouting out in pain as he felt his ankle twist in an unnatural way, he tried to pick himself back up, but he was too late. He felt a presence near him, over him. Whatever it was, it was here, and he knew he didn't like it.
"Christopher Hayden," a raspy voice whispered. "I come tomorrow."
Bolting upright Christopher took a deep breath. He was drenched in sweat and his heart was beating wildly. As he tried to calm himself down he ran the dream back through his head, trying to make sense of it. He could only form four words in his mind though. I'm going to die.
Reaching over to turn on the lamp he made a sigh of relief as the light flooded the bedroom. Squinting at the brightness he leaned back against the headboard. He couldn't form any other thoughts in his mind, only the re-occuring idea that he was going to die.
Not an idea, it was knowledge. He knew he was going to die. In a day. He didn't understand why he would know, why this had happened, but he knew it. He was going to die tomorrow.
As pictures of his life flashed in his mind he grabbed a notepad from the night table. What could it hurt if he wrote out a to-do list and made some preparations? If it didn't happen then no big deal, everything would be in order for later. If it did happen though... well, then he would know that everything was looked after.
He began to jot things down on the notepad... check his will, his bank account, and get all the doctor information on Gigi together. And Lorelai, he'd better write her a letter. He had to. If he died tomorrow he needed to know he could say goodbye, or he would never forgive himself.
As he started the letter his pen died. Flipping the covers off to get a pen from the desk on the other side of the room the hair on the back of his neck stood up from the cool air. As he stood up he fell backwards and cried out in pain. His ankle was twisted.