X: Valet

Chapter five: Valet

After what happened, Seth wasn't himself. We have all been able to observe this transformation for several months. He became paranoid – it seemed to him as if Barlow knew about us. Which means Dubois knew, too. Of course, we wouldn't have been attacked in broad daylight – that's not how things were done here. And a whole squad of law enforcement officers wouldn't have come for us. That's why he was so scared. But scared is not the right word.

We lay low – the appearance of our so-called gang could exacerbate an already precarious situation. I didn't know where to go. The days were getting too long, and our business was standing still. It was understandable – we had nothing but a single reckless plan, which became a thousand times more dangerous when this unfortunate powder appeared on the horizon. Oh, if only we could get hold of the Wirtjorn papers.... By that time, I already knew what was there – his family was involved in the design of almost every building in this city. Including the Dubois Mansion.

It suddenly seemed to me that the longer we wait, the more hopeless our situation becomes. I decided that I should try to talk to Seth about it, but when I ran into him in the hallway of the manor, I realized that I would not be able to do it. I've never seen him so nervous and, in a way, even scared.

"Seth, I..."

"Not now, Valet."

He waved me away, and his voice sounded like he was choking. He stumbled into his bedroom and, for the first time in my memory, did not close the door behind him.

I didn't know what to do. And when I didn't know what to do, I went to Magic.

However, this time I rather ran. She was in her chamber, as exhausted as the rest of us. When Magic saw my worried face, she immediately straightened up.

"What is it?"

She got up from the table and stepped towards me.

"This is... It's Seth!"

I answered out of breath.

"Seth what?!"

Magic was impatient when it came to him – because, as you already know, she was something like his personal bodyguard... And not only.

"I have no idea! He's panicking."

I shrugged my shoulders, because I wasn't sure I was telling the truth myself.

Magic looked around and picked up one of the flasks that were on her shelf, and then rushed out.

I needed to know how this was going to end, so I kept up – but at the very threshold of his bedroom, Magic put her palm on my chest.

"You're not coming."

I understood why, but I was childishly offended. When she saw me nod, she flew inside, and once again I gave up and began to spy on her as much as the situation allowed.

Seth clung to the beams of the bed, breathing loudly and heavily. He pulled at his tie with all his might, trying to loosen it – gloves and vest were already lying on the floor. Seth's face was tense and covered with beads of sweat.

Magic grabbed him by the shoulders and tried to turn him around. It didn't work out, and then she came up from the side.

"Joel, look at me...."

Seth waved his hand as if he couldn't move.

"You're having a panic attack, breathe calmly."

He did not react to Magic's words in any way, and she had to get out a bottle with contents that were still unknown to me at that time.