Seth hid his motorcycle at the same motel where he had stayed the night before he and the others went after Zack. When he left the building he was filled with a strange feeling that he had never really experience before. It was like a compassion and respect for the motel itself. As if it were a living thing with thoughts, feelings, and memories to share. There were several points that Seth could lay his finger on and say that everything changed there. Even though nothing had ever happened at the motel, he could tell that this was one of those places.

He walked casually down the darkened streets and checked his watch every few minutes. He had arrived in Seattle about fifteen minutes early and didn't know if Alec would already be at the Space Needle or not yet. As he walked down the alley he examined the options in front of him. Ever since the night that they split up Seth had always looked at a situation from every angle. He would look at a problem and ask himself, What would Zack do? What would Lydecker do? What would Jacen do? It was this method of thinking that had given him contacts throughout the US and even a few in Canada and Mexico.

Seth had aspired to be every bit of the brother Zack supposedly was but without the betrayal or constant reprimands. He knew the only way that people could learn a lesson fully was to learn it on their own. It had killed Seth to stand by this rule in situations like when Jared started cage fighting or when Wren was apprehended for assault. It was a lonely road that he walked, with a scenic view of others around him failing. His only goal was to pick up the shattered pieces and mend them back together. For him, this wasn't just about X-6.

Over a long period of time Seth had learned to keep track and guess the movements of the Manticore kids. It hadn't taken him long to find Jace, Jondy, or any of the others. The only one who had eluded his inspection was Zack. It was some consolation that it hadn't been through his lack of effort, but through the lack of Zack among the living. He silently chided himself for being so blunt but he had learned through his years at Manticore that planning and caution were the most important things and those rules applied out in the real world much more than they did in the prison of Manticore.

As Seth neared the Space Needle he saw Alec leaning against an outside railing. From a distance, he could see the look on Alec's face; it was one of desperation and despair. The expression surprised Seth, since he had the impression that Alec let everything slide off his back. Apparently the weight was getting too much to carry, but for now Alec still had what it took to wipe it away and look like nothing was bothering him as he noticed Seth approaching.

"Hey Alec," Seth smiled in a friendly manner.
"Hey, where's your bike?"
"Hid it a few miles from here. You've got a ride right?"
"Yeah. It's parked on the other side."
"Good. We'll need it to get to where we're going."

Seth followed Alec as he led him to his car but neither said a word. Still nothing was said as they climbed in and Alec drove away. Seth tried to preoccupy himself with the crude directions he had to Jacen's place just inside Alaska. It was going to be a long drive as each carried their burdens with silent dignity.