Gabriel

	Gabriel Jondan was a long way from home. He was born in a village near the west coast in England. He grew up longing to live in the big cities, and saw the British Army as the way to get there. So he became of age and joined the troops, fighting in the Great War. He survived it, and when it was over he stayed in the Army. There was something about the structure, collaboration, and general camaraderie. He’d never experienced it anywhere before, and after he left he missed it so much he volunteered at the Royal British Legion. It was not the same though, and so he decided to move to America.
	A change of atmosphere and culture. A complete upheaval from he’d always known. The shock to his system was just the jolt he needed to break out of his depression. He went into survival mode the minute he landed off the plane. Luckily for him there was a Chapel in the airport. With his trusted rosary and some time spent in prayer, he emerged from the chapel with much peace of mind. With a clear head he looked up at one of the advertising screens.
	“Welcome to the Alpine Side.” the screen read as it panned an overhead look of the facility. “We have a wide range of facilities to meet your needs.” Every amenity of the retirement home slowly faded out and in to melding into each other.  “Our residents embody what it means to have a healthy, thriving community.” Glimpses of happy seniors doing various activities faded in and out. “Alpine Side residents have a happiness rating of 9.8 among it’s residents.*” it added over the happiness barrage, during the last fade out “*Residents polled for information annually” appeared on the screen before fading away to last scene of the advert. “The Alpine Side” the phone number, a QR code, and the physical address.
	It was a sign. Gabriel pulled out his phone and with a quick click he was on their website requesting information.
	Two weeks later he moved in.

	Gabriel watched John Smith walk out to the parking lot, get in a grey sedan, and drive off the lot. The sedan was only a few years old, it didn’t stand out in any particular way. In fact the only thing that made it suspicious was the fact that it blended in so well with all the other cars in the world. Gabriel watched the parking lot thoughtfully for a few minutes. 
	It would be a while before Smith returned, no matter he went off to. Everything is at least a thirty minute drive. Unless it’s the hospital, but still, you’d spend time inside there. Whether waiting or visiting. Meadow Side is always an option, but it’s much easier to just walk there, as parking is limited to a small visitors section. Who would he be visiting in Meadow Side anyway. It is unlikely. Still, just a thought. 
 	He then headed off towards the canteen, because it would be a while and there was no reason to stand about.