The night was dark. No moon filtered through the clouds. Luke closed the lights before exiting his club, casting one last look before the sound of the door closing broke into the silence of the night. This was the part of the night he hated the most, that sound signified that it was time to go to a empty house to sleep in a cold bed. Luke had learned to detest this sound with a passion. It was telling him how much his life had taken a pathetic turn. Ever since he and Laura separated, he came to fear the last call. He, Luke Spencer, was afraid to go home at night, afraid to be alone with his thoughts.
"Boy this alley is creepy." Luke whispered as he reached its end. He slowly got into his car, cursing at the engine that was refusing to start, again. He was about to throw the white towel into the night and walk home, when, finally with his tires burning the pavement, the car opened the night to Luke. The only thrill Luke had these days was driving too fast to get his heart racing. The feeling of defeating the dark, cold and lonely night was something that would never lose its appeal. Other than a couple of stolen moments with Felicia, moments that were only made of smiles and jokes between friends, his car was the only thing Luke could say he still enjoyed in his miserable life.
Luke was so into his own world that he failed to see the car coming his way. As he nodded in time to his favorite blues recording, he finally realized that the car was heading right for him at full speed. There wasn't time to do anything but brace himself for the collision that was certain to take their lives. The last coherent thought he had was to know he would finally be able to be reunited with his son, finally his meaningless life would come to an end. Never looking away, he thanked God for finally putting him out of his misery.
The collision was powerful but Luke didn't feel anything. He was already unconscious when the fire started with a small puff of smoke under the hood. He didn't see the driver get out of his car, dazed and bleeding himself. Luke didn't see the younger man walking painfully to the crushed pink Cadillac. He was unaware as the man looked down and realized who was in the other slaughtered car. He was oblivious to the shout of pure pain and panic that emerged from his step-son's mouth. "Luke!"