Sam's not quite sure how he knows the teenager he's watching is the person they're after, he just does. There's just… something about him. He's different from all the other kids walking around the lake. Where the others have congregated into groups, Sam's focus stays away. He has made no attempt to join any of his fellow graduates of Denver High. He stands alone, far back as he possibly can. Sam watches several teenagers approach him, mostly girls, but they're gently sent on their way with smiles and pats on the shoulder.
It's the way he smiles that catches Sam's attention the most. It never reaches his eyes and is fraught with tension -- as though he doesn't really want to be there. As though something's forcing him to stay.
And it's because of that Sam decides to approach him. When he reaches the teenager, he's almost not surprised when he gives Sam a suspicious glare. This is one part of the job that Sam always hates. It's not so much approaching strangers and trying to extract information that he hates. He hates when they approach them. It's always after a disaster, when someone has died or, in this case, when they slip into comas. It's always when people are consumed with pain, grief or fear.
This teenager -- man -- is no exception. His eyes are a pool of pain, grief and fear… as well as other emotions he can't decipher. He almost seems haunted, as though he's seen something so horrifying that his life will never be the same.
Without a doubt, this is Sam's guy.
"Hi," Sam greets him, plastering his 'I'm harmless' smile on his face. It's either that smile or his sympathetic smile but, Sam doesn't think sympathy will work with him. There's just… something about him. "Are you Jack Peters?"
"Maybe."
"I'm Sam." He holds out his hand for Jack to shake. "I'm Harrison Williams' cousin."
At the mention of one of the comatose students, Jack's demeanor changes completely. The suspicion slips away and his entire expression closes off. Sam can't read his expression -- his eyes -- anymore. He's shut down completely.
For a second, Sam thinks he's going run. His hand has been in the air for too long and Jack, well, Jack looks freaked. "I… I, err, know this is a bad time." All the students from the Class of '06 have gathered here for a sort of memorial. It's why Sam knew Jack would be here. "But I'd just like to talk to you for a few minutes." And, insane as it is, Sam wants to reassure Jack that he means no harm, that he's not here to blame the teenager or hurt him.
"All right," Jack agrees, finally. He glances towards the other student. "I'll meet you at your car in a few minutes."
Sam blinks in surprise as Jack walks away, heading towards a brunette girl standing just on the waters edge. Suddenly, his opinion of Jack jumps up a notch. He didn't ask Sam where he was parked or which car was his. He knew. He probably knew Sam had been there all along.
There really is something about him.