Sarah Jane and her two sons found the back exit of the building and Sarah was pleased to see that it was unguarded. She reasoned that it was because the front of the building had been cordoned off and the rest of it was probably blocked as well.
She left the boys by the back door for just a moment, keeping them in sight even as she checked out the area. There was no one to be seen, so she motioned for the boys to come out and follow her.
She knew they were getting tired; all their adrenaline was gone, now that - for the time being, at least - things had quieted down a bit. Besides, it wouldn't be safe for all three of them to continue the search. They would be spotted far too easily. If she could just find a safe area so she could leave the boys to rest for a while and go off to search for John and Lisa Ann ...
She looked around as they carefully made their way to the arena where the circus had been. Looking past the destruction, she smiled when she saw that the parking area itself was undamaged, and the elongated wooden building the attendants sat in while he collected the parking fees was unmanned and intact, even if the exhibit behind it was nearly destroyed. "Boys, I need you to do something very brave and very important for me, do you think you're up to the task?"
"Yes mum," they said in unison, smiling at the thought of being so important.
She started walking to the wooden booth. It was little more than a shack, really, and she was absently glad the day was not too hot or too cold. "This very nice building is going to serve as a lookout post, and I need you two to take turns watching for any movement. Make sure you both stay down and don't let anyone see you. I'm going to scout around and when I come back you'll need to report to me, got it?"
"Aw mum, that's no fun," Luke said, and kicked up some gravel in the parking lot.
"This is war and we're a team, boys. You don't do something just because it's fun, you do it because it needs to be done for the good of the team. Now can I trust you or not," Sarah asked him.
Disappointed, Luke put his head down. "Alright, Mum, if that's what you need us to do," he capitulated.
"Mum's right," said Sid, who was used to sports and being a team player. "Come on Luke, I'll let you be in charge till mum gets back," he said, opening the door of the booth. He saw a familiar looking box and turned to Sarah Jane. "Hey Mum, there's some sweeties in here, can we have them while we wait?"
Sarah smiled. "Of course you can if they're still wrapped. Just make sure to share them with your brother."
Luke poked his head in the door and saw that there was room enough for both of them. Sid had already started to divide the candies. He jumped in. "Let's count those out and take turns choosing what we want, Sid." He turned back to his mother. "Don't worry mum, we'll be fine and I promise we won't be seen by anyone."
Sarah leaned over and gave them each a kiss and a hug, then closed the door. "Be good boys and stay there sitting on the floor. I won't be gone a moment longer than I need to be, I promise."
The boys nodded and sat down with the candy. Sarah turned and started to carefully walk towards the arena, about a fifty or so yards away.
Movement caught her eye and she saw that Banks was onto her again. She made sure that he saw her, then took off running, away from the boys.
Jason picked his way carefully through the rubble, his team behind him, one eye glued to the sensor even as the other watched for movement and obstacles he might fall on - again. As they approached the parking lot, he saw a woman running from the parking shack, closely followed by … he thought it might have been Devon Banks.
He remembered Banks from his orientation at Torchwood One, before he'd been transferred down to Cardiff. Soft, through and through.
He looked again at the sensor. 'And stupid, too,' he thought. Banks was chasing the woman, when according to the readings he was getting, the alien was inside the building.
'Let him have his fun,' Jason thought. 'I'll be the one who gets the alien.' He motioned towards the building, and his team carefully followed him.
Sarah ran, trying to lose Banks but not so badly that he'd give up hope of finding her and head back to where she'd left the boys. Finally she rounded a corner and found herself literally staring at a brick wall. She spun around to see him staring at her, trying to catch his breath as he pointed his pistol directly at her.
"Why are you here?" he asked her. "Where are those boys who were with you? I told you to go to the administration building. It's too dangerous out here."
"Look, Mister Banks, wasn't it?" Sarah raised her arms and smiled at him. "I had a friend come and get my boys and take them to safety. All I want now is to find my husband and daughter. I promise I want nothing to do with whatever reason you are here. Once I find the rest of my family, I swear, we'll do whatever you like."
"Missus, you can't be wandering around here," he said, lowering his gun slightly. "Those things are still out here, it's not safe. I told you, we'll find your family. Now where are the boys?"
"I told you, I had a friend take them somewhere safe. Look Mister Banks, do you have a wife and children, or maybe a family member that you love? Would you be able to let someone else look for them while you pace the floors and worry?"
He lowered his gun the rest of the way. "Look, I wouldn't want my mother out there. But that's the point. If your friend and your boys are wandering around inside the grounds, we need to go get them now, before they get hurt."
"The boys are home safe and sound, but for all I know my husband and daughter could be trapped under the rubble of the arena." She slowly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please, just let me go find them. I promise not to get in anyone's way. Look, my little girl is only three years old, I'm sure she's very frightened and hungry right now and wants her mother."
Banks turned towards the arena, then turned back to her, his brows furrowed. "Wait a minute, nobody could get in or out of here, it's all sealed off. So you didn't send the boys home with anyone." He raised the gun once more. "Why are you lying to me?"
Sarah didn't hesitate. "I was afraid someone from your group would take them into custody, and me too. Besides, you and I know finding my family is not a high priority for your people. But you're not like the others, I feel I can trust you. Will you help me," she appealed to him once more.
He opened his mouth to speak, but before a single sound came out, they both saw movement and Sarah pushed Banks out of the way just as a Dalek fired, showering both of them with exploding brick. "Run!" she told him, climbing to her feet.
But the Dalek seemed uninterested in Banks, and instead turned on Sarah. "You will halt!" it said.
"Get help!" Sarah shouted to Banks, and he ran off.
"You will remain still!"