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

“What—how—You have to!” the man babbles.


“You shot him!” Connor yells. His voice goes rough with anger. “You shot him and I don’t give a fuck. You took a gun, aimed it at Seth, and pulled the trigger. So I’ve never cared less about your pain. That’s on you.”


“Connor!” Charlotte shouts and Seth has to look.


The first thing Seth sees is blood. There’s a lot of it. A puddle. He’s lying in a puddle of blood. And further…


Seth takes a quick breath. It makes the pain worse. But that doesn’t matter. Nothing matters anymore. The man has the gun aimed at Connor and the little shit seems happy about it.


Then it hits him and Seth almost groans out loud. Of course, Connor is happy. That’s what he was after. The gun aimed away from Seth. Apparently, the new target didn’t matter.


Well, fuck Connor! It matters. If Seth got shot, that doesn’t mean it’s okay for Connor to risk himself! What the fuck, Connor?!


“My wife,” the man starts in a crescendo.


Chapter 9