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In a flashback we see a young Lauren, perhaps four or five years old. She is
trying to get her parents' attention, but they are focused on their own concerns. Their
attention is finally drawn to their little girl when her cries are accompanied a vase on a
table suddenly shattering.
In the present, Lauren is looking for work. She begins applying to several
retail jobs. Meanwhile, Dana has been working on deciphering more of the Book of
Zar-n'Atoth. She discovers that the demon Azathoth is merely the gatekeeper, that there are
more powerful beings detailed in the book and that the rituals involving Azathoth are
preludes to summoning these others. The most powerful has no true name, at least none the
book mentions, it is simply called the Devourer and is known for eating its own demonic kin.
Dana remembers that Leland Richter's company is called Kronos Industries, and that Kronos
was a Greek god known for devouring his children. Dana begins looking for any connection
between the company and the ancient demon mentioned in the book.
In high school, after cheerleading practice, Lauren is accosted by the
captain of the football team. He attempts to rape her in the locker room but her telekinesis
kicks in and sends the boy across the room, severely injuring him. In the aftermath of the
attack, Wolfram & Hart contacts Lauren's parents and arrange for her to be put into therapy
under the supervision of a doctor they specify.
Dana's efforts to dig up more information on Kronos Industries are
interrupted by another vague warning from the Cyttorath demon. The warning is still
in the demon language, but this time it is in an email. Dana manages to strike up an
online conversation with the demon, but she gets very little additional information
before he ends the link. Afterward the point of view shifts from Dana's apartment to
another in her building, several floors down. Several 'jocks' are teasing their nerdy
roommate Gordon, who has just shut off the instant messenger program on his
computer.
Just prior to becoming host to the visions from the Powers That Be,
Lauren visits Dr. Abrams for her last therapy session. As she leaves, she sees a
good looking young man going in after her. The man is Travis McCauley, a lawyer for Wolfram
& Hart who, unknown to Lauren, is actually there to check up on her.
In the present, Lauren manages to land a job working in retail, in a
clothing store on Rodeo Drive.
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