I was assigned to a manager who knewlittle about my project, so I met with my users, did software maintenance,ran the daily production cycle, and my d...sk phone was the help line for thesystem."The questioning went on like that for about an hour, then they asked himif he had any questions.Of course, he wanted to ask them the really important questions, likehow long the workday was, if they can wear jeans to work, and how manyvacation days they got a year. But he knew better. "What challenges. If my memories of primary school were accurate, they assumed I was in trouble. When the class ended, I walked up to his desk."Close the door." Does it lock?" Flip the third light switch from the left."I did so and turned back around. The chalkboard had transformed into a map with four glowing red dots. Two were in the school, the others were moving down the streets, away from the Slick and Nolan houses."Those the canisters?" I asked"Yes. It looks like they're moving."I sighed. "They would do it. Occasionally a neighbor would check on them and plow out their driveway, but everyone today is busy, especially with the upcoming Valentine’s Day when the malls are bursting with people who cannot wait to spend their money on holiday junk. ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, Sweets.’ He handed her the newspaper roses and she smelled them pretending their fragrance were that of American long stem beauties. ‘Happy Anniversary, Bob. I love you.’ She kissed him on the cheek. ‘I love you.’ He kissed her on the. Cap was trying to get her to explain where exactly they were, but she was hysterical, and we couldn't get anything out of her."The other crew was getting ready to get up on the roof, and I was waiting to be second on the water line, but they were having trouble with the hydrant connection. Cap told me I needed to get in there and see if I could find the boy."I grabbed a mask and air bottle and went through the front door. I'd been in houses like this one before, so I found the hallway right.