Life written in Black (prolouge)

Seth buttoned his coat, and pulled the hood up over his head, a vain attempt to avoid being soaked by the steady rain that had just begun to fall. "Typical. The sky is full of storm clouds all day, But it doesn't start raining until I get outside." He spoke quietly as he walked, completely ignoring all cars and passersby. He was about five minutes from the hospital, when something other than his own thoughts caught his attention. A small laminated poster was propped up against a wreath on the side of the road, about a yard back from the pavement. It was surrounded by wilting bouquets of flowers and a few soggy stuffed animals.1

Written on the poster in a flowing script were the words "In Loving Memory." Seth stood for several minutes, staring at the small memorial, rain water flowing down his back and trickling slowly through the creases in his jacket. He was only pulled from his reverie when a rivulet of rain flowed down off his hood and splashed one of the already drenched teddy bears. By the time Seth gathered himself, and began walking again, his mind was buzzing with questions. To whom was the tribute dedicated? What kind of person had they been? And had they known, in life, that they were loved?2

Seth spent the rest of his walk deep in though, hardly noticing where his feet were taking him. He didn't need to pay attention, he knew the way to the hospital by heart. He had been making this trip every day for nearly three months.3

When he finally arrived at the front entrance of the hospital, he walked quickly through the revolving doors, his head down. He nodded to the guard positioned at the front desk, and stepped into the elevator. 4

He reached the doors of the Intensive Care Unit just minutes later, And was greeted by a pretty blond nurse.5

"Hello Seth, Come to see Kimberly?"6

Nodding, Seth asked "How is she?"7

The nurse sighed quietly and shook her head.8

"No changes, But at least that means she's still mostly stable, I'm sorry Seth."9

Seth turned away, unable to meet the nurse's sympathetic eyes.10

As he walked into the room where Kimberly Dobbs lay, still and silent, Seth held back tears.