As the shooting continues, Samuel curses his foolishness. His friends from Boston tried to warn him, that this town is too dangerous, that a job here is not worth it. He told them not to worry, he is going to be careful and try to avoid any cape fights.
They would shout " WE TOLD YOU SO" now, as the bullets fly as Nazis and Asians thugs fight and Samuel is trapped in the middle of it. The sounds of explosions suggest that Oni Lee is near and his chances of making it out of here are very slim.
The unlucky bystander knows that he should move, call the police, call the PRT, or anything but staying crouched down in the middle of gang infighting. He knows it, but his body won't move. Intellectually Samuel acknowledges what is happening to him, the paralysis or freeze induced by his own nervous system at threats that could harm him.
He tries to calm himself, breathing slowly and all the tricks books and movies had taught him but to no avail. His shaking hands only worsen, his heart rate increases and the mouth is still dry. The civilian attempt to look for a way out of this mayhem but gang members and explosions alone his eyes register.
Samuel starts accepting that he may not see another day when someone touches him. Automatically he pleas for his life as his vision blurs with tears. His soon-to-be killer tries to say something but only thoughts of wanting to live another day occupy his mind.
As the seconds pass, and death doesn't come he recognize the person in front of him or at least her gauntlets.
Titania, the newest vigilante in the bay. A tinker whose specialty is in gauntlets, very powerful ones, capable of pulverizing concrete. As he quiets down her voice starts to making sense.
"...help is coming, the Protectorate is" Samuel hears the surprisingly young female when HE appears out of thin air. Oni Lee, his infamous demon masks the only thing that the two see before the grenade touch the ground.
The time appears to slow down.
Titania grabs him and throws the freeze civilian out of danger. Samuel doesn't see the following scene but the approaching Armsmaster is not that lucky.
From his vehicle, he watches Titania trying to kick the grenade out of harm's way.
From his vehicle, he watches as the young heroine runs out of time.
As Samuel touch the ground the grenade explodes. A second later Titania is no more.
Taylor Hebert is no more.