Seth tries to do his job the best he can. Yes, he’s the head of the company; yes, his meetings include playing poker; and yes, it works out fine. This time is no different, even though the news is more worrying than usual. But he’s going to take it one step at the time and be just fine. It’s more of the same in the end -- talk to these people, arrange that meeting, and don’t panic anybody. The stakes are higher, but it’s nothing he hasn’t done before. And he gets to spend time at the fire station with Connor. Seth should be good.<br><br>And there’s nothing out of the ordinary on Connor’s end. It’s a normal day, spent doing normal things, with the normal people. He happens to love his life and, though some things could be better, they could also be way worse. Connor is satisfied, and nothing is going to change that.<br><br>Everything is going according to plan. There’s no reason to believe that anything has to change. Right?

Out of Nowhere

In the open bay, looking caught. He’s a small man. Much shorter than Donna. Blond hair, but greasy. Dark eyes. Straight nose.


“Can I help you?” Seth asks. He feels a shiver of foreboding traveling down his spine, and he doesn’t know why. This man, there’s something not right about him.


“Can you help me?” the man repeats. He sounds drunk. Drunk and angry. “Can you help me?” This time it’s said absently. “Yes.”


And that’s it. Seth knows that something bad is going to happen. So, he turns his head towards Connor. Seth suddenly wants—no, he suddenly needs to see Connor again.


Connor is frowning. Half out of his seat. He must’ve heard it. His expression shifts and there’s fear. “Seth!”


Seth looks at the man again. He’s holding a gun, aimed straight at him. Seth feels a jolt of surprise. It’s just…Seth wasn’t expecting a gun.


Chapter 8