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

But then again, isn’t that what Connor’s offering? Isn’t that what he’s asking? Seth could say no. Could just admit he doesn’t want to know, at least not now.


Connor’s here though. He’s awake and wholly prepared to support Seth, in whatever way he needs. There’s no better time to do it, no other person Seth would rather have next to him. In the end, the answer is simple, isn’t it?


“Yes,” Seth says because Connor’s here and that’s it. That will always be it. “What happened?”


Chapter 12