Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:57:59 -0400
From: Tyler Boyll <tboyll89@gmail.com>
Subject: Fall- Installment 1

This story is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues
are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as
real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is
entirely coincidental.

Fall Chapter 1

It was dark, really dark. As Ben Bartlet sped down the country road that he
knew better than the back of his hand, the only times he could really see
anything was when the giant bolts of lightning struck. Rain poured down so
hard that the wipers on his Mini Cooper could not keep up. As Ben
downshifted to take a tight turn, he knew he was getting close. Not 10
minutes earlier Ben had received a call on his cell phone from his longtime
best friend, Josh Sutherland. He seemed distraught and hysterical. He kept
mentioning a bridge and Ben knew exactly where to find him.
	As Ben neared the bridge where he hoped to find his friend, two
bolts of lightning struck in rapid succession revealing Josh standing on
the side of the bridge as if he were going to jump. Ben's car came to a
screeching halt on the bridge as he set the parking brake. He threw the
door open and was immediately soaked, the rain hadn't given up at all.
	"Josh, what in the hell are you doing up there?" Ben yelled as he
ran towards Josh, "Get down before you fall in!"
	Josh didn't act like he had heard Ben yell. He just stood there
staring down at the rapidly flowing waters below.
	"Josh!" Ben yelled, hoping to get his friend to snap back into
reality. As Ben reached out to touch him, Josh took an abrupt step
forward. "Josh, NO!" Ben screamed as he reached for Josh.
	Luckily Ben was close enough to grab on to Josh's arm. Ben braced
himself against the side of the bridge as he struggled to put Josh back
over the side. Finally Ben was able to pull Josh up far enough to get both
arms around his chest and with one last lunge, got Josh over and onto the
bridge. The two boys sat there in silence as the cold rain stung their
faces.
	"Josh, what is going on with you? Do you even know what you just
did?" Ben asked.
	Josh didn't answer; he just stared out into the darkness. Ben stood
up, grabbed Josh under his arms and helped him to Ben's car.
	The drive back to Ben's home was quiet, just the sound of the rain
and the car's windshield wipers. Ben pulled his car into the garage. He was
glad his parents were out of town this weekend, or he would have had a lot
of explaining to do otherwise. He walked to the passenger side of the car
and helped Josh out and into the house. When the pair got into the house
they made a beeline for Ben's room.
	Ben walked into his bathroom to grab a couple towels to dry off
with. He threw one to Josh who began slowly drying himself off.
	"Go ahead and get those wet clothes off." Ben said gesturing
towards the bathroom, "I'll find some dry clothes for you. You're staying
here tonight."
	Josh walked into the bathroom without saying a word.
       Ben was worried. He had never seen Josh act like this. He had been
acting strangely lately, but Ben had associated it with stress from his
father's campaign. His father was a US Senator. Actually both of their
fathers were senators. Josh's from Kentucky and Ben's from Indiana. Because
of the campaign, both of their parents were out making appearances and
talking to voters, leaving the two boys on their own in a neighborhood
outside Washington. Ben knew that this was not from the campaign this was
bigger.
       Ben took some clothes in to Josh and took the opportunity to change
himself. He had just noticed how cold he was. He threw on a pair of gym
shorts and a tank top, almost the same thing he gave Josh to wear. Josh
came out of the bathroom and sat down on the edge of the bed. Ben sat next
to him.
       "Josh, please tell me what's going on." Ben pleaded, "You know you
can tell me anything. I want to help."
       Josh looked up and into Ben's eyes and quickly back down into his
own lap.
       "I'm sorry Ben." Josh started sobbing uncontrollably, "I'm so sorry
you had to do this. I never should have called you."
       "What do you mean?" Ben asked, "If you hadn't called I would have
lost you and that is something I am not ready to deal with."
       Josh started sobbing even harder.
       "Everything is going to be alright, I'm here for you whenever you
need me." Ben said pulling Josh in to a hug, "Let get some sleep and we can
talk in the morning."
       Josh, still sobbing crawled into Ben's bed. Ben went around to the
other side turned off the light and crawled into bed. Josh was still
sobbing pretty hard. Ben hated seeing Josh like this, so he scooted closer,
put an arm around him and pulled him in close.
       "Everything is going to be alright, I'm here for you." Ben whispered
to Josh.
       Josh sniffled a few times before responding
       "Ben, I really don't know what I'd do without you."
       Josh had finally calmed down and fallen asleep. Ben just lay there
listening to the rhythm of Josh's breathing, as he slowly closed his eyes.

	Hi all, sorry for the short chapter, I hope to get the next few to
be a bit longer. I had this scene in my head and had to get it out. I
welcome any and all comments, so email me at tboyll89@gmail.com.

Enjoy--Ty