Roar Worthy of a Tiger

C1: That Old Bridge

"Okay, momma, I'll see you soon," he said, lightly closing the front door behind him. His name was Thane - or Tiger, as many knew him - Lewis, a junior coming into his senior year in the following month. He was tall, broadly built, and muscular, with toned skin and brunette hair tipped blonde. Not only was he the most desired guy at his school, but one of the best wide receivers in the country at his level.

"Yeah, I know. That one guy from Miami gave me another call. They're very interested, as everyone else is. It's getting annoying," Thane groaned, setting his truck's keys on the nearby counter.

College offers had been pouring in since the end of his junior year. Even high class high-schools called for him, looking for his presence on their team through his oncoming senior year.

But Thane hadn't any plans to leave his current school for his last year - even if he had wanted to, going somewhere nice was unlikely, as his family couldn't afford anything except a full ride. Besides, he loved Norbrooke high school. They'd put together a playoff team, and even though they weren't the best in the country, they were brothers.

Thane'd spent the morning out running at the beach a little ways from his home, so a small rest at home was in order for him. His younger brother, Nate, wasn't even around, so there wasn't much to do.

Neither of his parents had had their oppirtunity to attend college when they were his age. Neither were from exceptionally wealthy families. But that had no impact on how they were raising their own two sons. Nate was four years younger than Thane. While Thane was prepping for his senior year, Nate was suiting up for his 8th grade year. His brother had never played football extensively, but he was the fastest person in his class.

Thane rarely spent anytime alone, and rarely wasn't doing something with his free time. Even in the offseason, he was always out running or lifting weights. So instead of sitting down and watching TV, he pulled out some game film.

His rate of dropped passes was at an all time low. His yards after the catch were at an all time high, along with a record at his school. As long as he stayed healthy, the doors were open anywhere to walk on a team.

Thane was watching an old sophomore game when the house phone rang out loud. He didn't recognize the number, therefore he shrugged off the call.

Overall? He could have not made a worse decision.

He was almost done watching his collection of film when Nate came rushing through the back sliding door, completely out of breathe.

"Why haven't you been answering the phone?" He demanded, nervously, his face bright red. "C'mon, we have to go to the old bridge, right now!" He pulled Thane up.

Thane'd never seen his brother so distraught. Tears prickled in his eyes.

I finally got the idea that something terrible had happened. Nate wasn't little anymore, and hardly would he call wolf.

Thane ushered his brother through the front door, grabbing his keys and getting into his Chevy truck.

Nate jumped in quickly behind his brother and buckled himself in.

The drive to the old bridge at Turnabout was a common one. About five miles from their home in Norbrooke, the bridge was the gateway to the neighboring town.

After a moment of silence between the two, Thane brought up the topic of the circumstance while keenly watching the passing road. He'd always been a keen and very safe driver.

"I don't know," Nate sniffled. "Miss Packer just told me something terrible had happened."

Knowing Miss Packer, this could easily be something small. She had a tendency to be somewhat of a drama queen, and to make mountains out of molehills.

Sadly, there wasn't a scene of relief when the bridge came into sight.

Red and blue lights flashed on the bridge, traffic was completely stopped. People stood along the road to see what was happening.

I parked along the side of the road, turning the truck off but not removing the keys from the ignition. I quickly clambered out and pushed through the building crowd. Being the largely built person I was, that wasn't too hard to do.

There were two cars wrecked up on the bridge. What Thane saw completely shattered him.

In the wreckage of the crash, his eyes saw the commonly seen and well known Saburban that his parents drove - Totaled.