"You've Got one Call"

[SoundingtheAlarm]

Toby stood there beside the wreckage..his face covered in blood...emergency lights flashing all around..."turn around son and put your hands behind your back" "you have the right to remain silent"

The Officer placed the cuffs upon Toby's wrists and wheeled him around...there were four cars piled up....and bodies were lying on the ground

A new car comes upon the scene....A hysterical mother gets out and races over to her daughter's car......THEN WAILS....."NO GOD....NO!!!!!" and falls down next to her daughter's body...emergency crews ..try to hold her back

The Alcohol content of Toby's blood ..."criminal" ....but He was sober now.....

He had been the "man of the night" hours earlier...he had been doin his thing with the ladies...and doing his thing with "the fellas"..."waaaaaazzzz up....we throwing em down 2 NITE"

He left the party with two of his bud's in the back and his babe of choice...in the front...They were Partying "ya'll"

The Girl was being too attentive and distracting to Toby, the guys in the back were enjoying the show...Toby's eyes were a glazing over ...when he crossed the center line

Now 45 minutes later....7 lives have ended....other's are hanging by a thread

Toby's in the back of a police car....headed to Jail


to be continued

[SoundingtheAlarm]

The ride was long......His head throbbed from the collision but the pain couldn't block the thoughts..the guilt ..the fear.....the carnage....THAT MOM'S WAIL...

The Police Station was lit up...several officer's stood in wait.....tv stations had already made way...

A News Anchor stood outside.....Her Bright Camera focused as she relayed the news....."Tonight ...Tragedy Has Struck on a local highway....four cars colliding on hwy 39...has led to the loss of 7 lives...

It's believed that Authorities have placed a young man under arrest at the scene ..due to apparent intoxication

Stay tuned for the latest details here at KOLK TV"

Toby held his head low ..as two officer's escorted him inside...

all eyes upon him.....there was no where to hide ....

Fingerprinted, Mug shot....questioning...."are you aware that 7 people lost their lives tonight son?"....."are you aware that your car "crossed the line"....with each penetrating question Toby could only acknowledge his GUILT...

He had broken the law many many times....this was NOT his first time to drive drunk with his boy's.....

BUT tonight...his sin's had found him out....there was no jokes, their was no pride, their was no lie to hide behind...

His actions....His sin...HAD destroyed 7 lives....HE WAS GUILTY and HE KNEW IT

the process was long and tedious...bright lights, so much commotion...at such a late hour

"Son, You've got one Call" the sargent had instructed...Toby's head still hanging in shame....slowly looked up at the Officer in acknowledgement

"who do I call?"......"son, only you can answer that, but If it was me, I'd call someone you know who loves you"

Toby, sat in shock, who? who can I call, who will ever want to hear from me.....no way I can call my parents

then it hit Toby, ..my older brother Joshua....that's who...I'll call Josh" "He's always loved me, he tried to warn me something like this could happen...he's begged me and begged me to listen...but I know He loves me"

Josh was already aware of his brother's situation...as was his parents.....friends had called friends...the news had spread like wildfire

Toby's parents WERE hysterical...their heart broken for their son and the lives that were lost.. and ooooooohhh...the families,

SHAME had come to their family...this was a huge DIS grace...but Toby was their son....his mom kept crying "is he alright?"...."Is our son alright?"

Toby picked up the jail phone and dialed his brother.....it only rang once...."this is Josh" "JOSH...JOSH...don't hang up..it's" Josh interrupted..."TOBY YA ALRIGHT?"..."No, NO I'm not...I've done something terrible...I'm in trouble bro, it's bad"...."I already heard" "You have?"..."yeah man, it's on the news" "say what?...do our parents know?"......Toby stood there ..he's knees weak.....

"Toby, I'll be down there in a few" "Hang tight bro...this isn't going to be easy...but I'll be there for you"

Toby nodded his head...his thoughts slowed down...love ya bro

Placing the phone back in it's place...Toby turned back to face the officers....

In the Foyer...was a distraught and Angry Man.......It was a Father...and Toby was in his sights...HE ran towards Toby....

"SARGENT...SARGENT" A clerk shouted.....The Desperate Father....had Toby by the neck and was trying to squeeze the life out of him

"Look at me you monster....LOOK AT ME.....YOU KNOW WHAT YOU TOOK FROM ME TONIGHT? DO YOU?....Officer's seperated the dad from Toby....

quickly taking his wallet out and holding up a picture to Toby's face....YOU KILLED HER!!!!!

Toby fell to his knees..."I'm soooooo sooooo sorry" "YOUR SORRY??...ARE YOU SERIOUS? ...You KILLED 7 people tonight ...and you say your sorry???????????" "You better watch your back son, your whole family better watch their back" "If the court don't see your dead, I WILL" and the dad stormed off...

Two Officer's escorted Toby off to a cell, (CLANK)....Toby slowly walked over and took a seat....chills ran down his spine.. it was 4am but he was wide awake....he was sober...Life and Death had collided...

now there was Hell to Pay

to be continued

[SoundingtheAlarm]

Re: "You've Got One Call"
Toby..now lying in his cell....tormented and vexxed...he dozes off...but even in sleep, the images haunt

"NO, GOD NO"...the mom's wail reverberates ....The Look in that Father's eyes... "YOU MONSTER"....the bodies....the crash.....the pain...the bright lights.....

He's reminded of what put him in this place..."Drink another ...DRINK, DRINK, DRINK....CHUG IT..DOWN IT" His buddies had shouted.."You can drink them under the table" "dude, your a stud...you've got skills" "check out the hottie ...she's eyeing ya man"

"Toby, listen..I'm not trying to preach at ya man, but your headed for a fall....I'm beggin ya, as your older brother...Please man...you need to chill with the drinking man...it's going to ruin your life"...."SHUT UP Josh, not everyone can be like You"...."I'm not into that God stuff...just get off my back"

BANG BANG>...."You've got company".....Toby's startled back awake to his nightmare turned reality....The Officer stood at his cell ..Opening the Door...."someone's here to see you"

Toby slowly got up ...he'd rather just stay hidden, in bed....NOT EVEN wanting to face what is coming

The Officer escorted Toby out to see who was there...It was His Brother Josh........

Toby's emotions were all over the place...the fear, the Guilt, but the relief of seeing a familiar and friendly face...brought a sense of calm

Picking up the phone to talk through the seperating glass....Nervously Toby began...."hey ...hey bro"...."thanks for coming".....Josh, looking at his brother's cut up face..winced...fighting back his own emotions...to want to lash out and to scold ..paused ..contemplating what to say

"Toby, I love ya bro.....this is tough man...and it's not going to get easier for you anytime soon..but I'll be here ..I'll be here to go through this with you bro"

Toby nodded ..but then began to cry.."Josh, Josh..I NEVER wanted this..I never meant for this to happen"

BUT IT DID TOBY, IT DID..I tried to warn you, I tried to get you to listen....ALL Actions have consequences...You were playing with fire man......

"YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW THAT?" "Look where I'm at, Look what I've done"

Josh could only stare at his brother...words failed him

"Josh, ...they told me I only had "one Call"...and I called You" "not because I thought there was anything you could do..but I knew you'd be here" ...."oh Josh, what can I do? what's going to happen?....I'm doomed bro, I'm toast...and I deserve it...you should have heard this one mom's cry....Toby began to sob...I killed her daughter man...I did that...... I just want to die....I deserve to die.....why couldn't I just have died too?"

Josh rubbed his hands through his hair...tension filled his face...there were no answers he could give...his little brother sat lost and alone, doomed for actions he had taken..Lives have been lost....The Only thing for sure was His Little brother was going to HAVE TO PAY for what he had done

"Toby, I love ya...I have no clue what to say to ya bro...I don't.. but I will tell you this...I'm here...and I won't turn my back on you ..your my brother....and I know you don't want to hear this..but I gotta say...Jesus is here for you too.....You didn't just do wrong by the people you hurt tonight or even your own family but the biggest thing you've done is Hurt the Very One who Made us all....You've broke His heart tonight....and as Your brother....I tell ya again....I'm beggin you to listen Now...get on your knees tonight.. and beg Mercy and forgiveness" "FORGIVENESS FOR ME???" "I can't be forgiven for what I've done...there's No Hope" "I love you too Josh...but that's too much bro...I gotta go...I gotta go"...motioning for the Officer...

Josh resigned to back off.... the circumstances were screaming too loud..as much as he wanted his brother to hear...his faith too was shaken

"ok Toby, I hear ya man...but just think about what I'm saying OK?...

"I aint making promises Josh...but your my big bro...I love you..thanks for coming..thanks for being here...it helped"

the brothers exchanged knowing nods...both staring at a certain harsh reality

Toby's got Hell to Pay

[SoundingtheAlarm]

Toby's Arraignment

...the courtroom was full of devestated and broken lives ALL touched by the decision of one young man who decided Life was worth the risk ...."despite being told by fellow party goer's to call a cab...He got behind a wheel and drove a stake through the hearts and lives of so many represented here"...the prosecuting attorney
made his case

The Judge needed little convincing

BAIL IS DENIED.....

Cheers rang out...."He'll get his" "Judgement Day's coming" ......

Josh's eyes welled up...it was his brother they were talking about...he understood their pain and anger..but Toby was still his "little brother"....the heartache of not being able to do anything was crushing in itself

He sat in his courtroom seat as he watched two officer's escort his brother in chains, out of the courtroom

Outside in the lobby, families embraced...it was the first chance so many who lost so much could share their hurt and outrage.....photo's and stories were being shared..."he was my pride n joy"..."she was everything to us" "I still catch myself looking out the window expecting her to drive up" "I haven't been able to walk in her room" "we still have the porchlight turned on"

Josh and his parents made their way through the lobby as well, they could feel the hate, the derision...Reporter's reaching out trying to solicit a response...Toby's family a mess

the parent's had hardly talked without shouting....Blame landing everywhere...."If you'd paid more attention to Your son, than all your projects....

"who are you to point your finger you..you...manic depressed, pill poppin..hooked on everything Oprah ... Dr Phil Junky" "how many times were you there for him?"

"there is a way that seems right to man..but it's end is death"

to be continued

[SoundingtheAlarm]

Toby had been waiting his day in court, not that he thought he deserved anything but what he had coming, after all 7 people had died due to His wrecklessness. He deserved whatever the judgement wrought....but what he wanted was a chance to speak. The Trial had been moving swift, the evidence overwhelming, testimonies were harsh and condemning and rightfully so

"Yeah I saw him drink at least 10 shots...he was "wasted"..."no doubt" ....

"she was our most precious gift, only 16 years old" ..."can you please lift up her picture to show the court" the prosecutor asked

"he's always driving drunk" "I'm amazed he hadn't killed someone sooner" "I was right behind him, he was swerving all over the place" "I begged to give me his keys"

The Prosecution Rest Your Honor

"Defense, you may now call your first witness"

"The Defense would like to call Toby to the stand"

placing his hand on the Bible, "I swear to tell the truth"

"For the record ..please state your name" "Toby"

"Toby, you have requested only to make a statement to the court is that correct?" "Yes sir" "You aware that your confession of guilt demands a verdict? ...Yes your honor"

"Please proceed"

"Toby stood in the witness area.....His eyes filled with tears........I'd first like to say that I am very aware that any words I might say will ring hollow....but I've got to say them anyway......

to all of you who are here...that lost a loved one...I'm truly truly sorry. (slowly looking around the room making eye contact with all those he could) If I could go back and have one more chance at that night, obviously I would never have got behind that wheel

heck, I would never drink again....I'd had have listened to my parents, my brother...my sunday school teacher and all those who had told me to do things differently

I obviously didn't listen when I had a chance, but here's hoping that someone today who is in the same shoes I was...will listen, LISTEN to this kid who thought he was immune, who thought he was cool .....who didn't need anybody or anything but the next "good time" "Life was all about me and the next buzz, the next great high..the next hot babe" "I didn't go to that party with any idea that it would be my last, I didn't go to that party with any concern about anything .....his head bowing in shame....the vision of that night replaying in his mind

being in my cell ...I've had alot of time to think and to read....then looking over and making eye contact with his brother Josh.....and I've been reading a book my brother brought me ....the bible..and ummm ...yea well....it says there's an enemy of us all that comes to steal, to kill and destroy....and the bible warns us all to be sober and vigilant

well I didn't know that...and wouldn't have listened if I did....so I wasn't sober, I wasn't vigilant, and I stand before you today having been used to kill, to steal and to destroy....I can't tell you the weight of that burden. I'm not asking for sympathy...I'm just letting you know...

my thoughts are constant and brutal......You don't have to pronounce me guilty for me to KNOW that I am

You don't have to haunt me....for I am haunted...I see the faces, the bodies...I hear the metal crashing....I hear the screams

and I KNOW that I DID THAT!!!!! My ONLY Hope is somehow, someway You will find it in your heart to someday forgive me and God knows I'm praying He will forgive me

Turning to the Judge, ...."that's all Your Honor...that's all"

"The Defense Rest Your Honor"

"Sentencing is set for next tuesday"

[SoundingtheAlarm]

Re: "You've Got One Call"

JUDGEMENT DAY

"Toby, will you please stand" The Honor instructed

"On Friday Night the Summer of 2010, You Toby, after drinking the night away, got into a car and turned it into a weapon of destruction"

then listing off 7 names

"You Toby have confessed guilt into the murder of these 7 lives and are here by sentenced to DEATH by lethal injection"

Josh sat in his seat, his emotions overcoming his reasoning....screamed.....WAIT....WAIT YOUR HONOR.....the courtroom's eyes all turned toward's Toby's older brother......RUNNING towards the Judge....Two Policeman ran to contain Josh......He wrestled, he screamed..he pleaded....PLEASE LET ME TALK

Wrestling him into position and standing him up.....The Judge motioned to the officer's ...."alright my son" "what would you have to say to this court?"

"You have pronounced my brother guilty and you have sentenced him to death....all of which I understand.....BUT here's what I would ask the court.....then sobbing a loud sob...he wailed out....LET ME PAY HIS FINE...begging and pleading..Let ME be the one who dies....I'm his Older brother.....I ask the Court....Let Me Take His Place"

Toby stood ..."NO YOUR HONOR...NO....that is crazy....there's no way" "The Courtroom was quickly restored to Order" The Judge's Gavel swift and loud

"Son, I hear your cry for your brother... but I'm sorry" "Toby must die" (the wages of sin is death)

IT was two years later that Toby's time came .....He was injected at midnight and pronounced dead moments later.....

Instantly passing from death to His Eternal Judgement....Toby once again found himself standing before an accuser....

The Very One who had coaxed Him to "Drink, drink, drink...."chug, chug chug, ...drive anyway, who cares what people think"....now stands ready to pounce..

"God, this young man is guilty, he killed 7 people and committed many many crimes....he's worthy of hell and eternal punishment your honor"

Toby's head bowing in shame

But then ONE looking like the Son of Man.....lifted Toby by his Shoulder, Your Honor......In the Summer of 2010 ...this Young man ...called upon Me and asked Me to forgive Him and to come into His life

I stand Here today Toby's elder brother.....and 2,000 years ago before Toby was even born, I had already paid his fine

God Almighty, Opened the Book of Life and conferred..."Toby I've got goodnews....Your Sins were Paid in Full, welcome in to the place prepared for You" Toby fell to His knees and cried "thank you Lord"



The Prosecuting attorney (satan) then trembled as he heard these words..."what you meant for evil, because of Josh's prayers.... has been turned into good" "sorry satan, but you lose again"

then falling once again like lightning from the sky, satan agitated ..knowing his time is short...roars as an angry lion...seeking to devour...to kill to steal and destroy and he has you in his sights....don't think he don't

If your living like Toby was, don't think your immune..in fact....God's Word has already pronounced you guilty of Sin...if you've even lied once, "your a liar"...if you've ever stolen, your a thief, if you've ever lusted...your an adulterer"..Judgement Day WILL COME......and You have already been given the death sentence....It's appointed unto all men to die

Your Life's in a holding cell, You've Got One Call

"Hurry up and make that call" "Call upon Jesus" ...."for whoever calls upon the Name of Jesus SHALL BE SAVED"


"For God sent His only Begotten Son and whoever Believes Upon Him shall Never Perish but have everlasting life'

[Wally]

Good Story. Keep it up Sounding.

[SoundingtheAlarm]

Good Story. Keep it up Sounding.

thanks for the encouragement Wally