The Domino Effect

Part 1:Eye Of The Storm

The Domino Effect: When one event sets off a chain of similar events. (Analogy of a row of falling dominoes)

Tell me this. When you hear the words "domino effect" does it give you a happy image or one that causes great stress?

If you thought stress. Then you are like most people. Domino effect tends to make people anxious and unsure of the events to follow it.

They tend to not be happy or joyous events, they tend to be the consequences of a mistake or accident. Mistakes and accidents that lead to grave consequences.

The story of this domino effect begins almost 30 years ago. The main people who concern you at this moment- Derek Shepherd and Amelia Shepherd. 2 of the 5 Shepherd siblings. Children of Christopher and Carolyn.

Christopher owns a convenience store. One of which is popular but not overly popular. But popular enough that people know where it is was. How to get to it. What it offered.

Amelia and Derek enjoyed staying at the shop. Amelia was given two pennies by Christopher. Amelia would always store them under the floorboard.

Amelia would tell her big brother Derek, she was going to buy a town. Theoretically to a 5 year old you don't need that much money to buy a town.

In reality we all know that to buy a town, you would need more than two pennies. Maybe 2 billion pennies.

Amelia and Derek played hide and seek. Jacks, whatever was available. Like making the best of an odd situation.

Though, to Amelia and Derek nothing about this was odd. This was normal. This was an everyday thing for them.

Now I'm sure you've made it through these 285 words and wondered why I started with bringing up a phenomenon.

I could give all the answers right now but then this book would only be a chapter long. Less of a book, perhaps just a paper or essay. That's all it would be.

So for the purpose of not wanting to make you read only a chapter, I can say the phrase "domino effect" will mean lots in this story.

"Amy." A boy with dark hair and blue eyes stated.

"Yes Derek?" A small girl with long brunette hair, deep dimple and bright blue eyes answered back focused on the floor.

"What are you doing?" The young boy wondered scooting over towards his young sister.

"I'm trying to buy a town." The little girl rolled her eyes.

Christopher stood at the cash register. Two men. One scruffy with dark circles under his eyes and a deep snarl. And another one. With dark hair that was going grey. And eyes the color of lake in the shade. Green with hints of grey.

Haunting to anyone who stole a glance at them. The shop fell silent. Christopher turned to find the scruffy man pointing a gun at his temple.

"Open the cash register. Don't say a word." The man's voice growled at Christopher.

"Okay." Christopher said staying calm.

Christopher emptied the cash register. Sliding the man all the money. The man with eyes like the lake put it in a bag.

"Give us the watch." The scruffy man demanded.

"No." Christopher protested.

"Give it to us." He snarled again.

"I won't." Christopher said once more.

The scruffy, unnamed man lost his cool. Pulled the trigger and boom. The bullet flew out of the gun going straight through Christopher's temple.

Derek had seen what happened. Grabbed Amelia and covered her mouth. If she screamed, he feared they would die.

Blood poured from the hole in Christopher's head as his lifeless body collapsed to the ground. Blood leaked onto the floor as the men panicked and ran.

Got into the beat up black car and drove off. Not sure where to go, no one knowing where they ended up.

Tears fell onto Derek's hand as it continued to cover Amelia until he was sure the men had left.

Christopher lay lifeless, the police arriving and carrying away his body.

Derek still holding Amelia as Carolyn pulled up sobbing. As if in shock Derek and Amelia crawled into the back of their mother's car, soundless and emotionless.

So that brings us here. Present day. The backstory laid out for you. The first domino having been knocked over.

Like stated in the beginning. One event that sets a chain of similar events. Analogy of dominoes being knocked over until they all fall.

Hence. It being called. The Domino Effect.