Chapter Thirteen - As the Hands of Time Neared Midnight

Donna, amidst a difficult divorce, seeks solace in her faith.

She leans on her boyfriend, Rod Franciscovich, and close friend, Iona Price, for support. Rod suggests a religious retreat to help Donna recenter her mindset and faith. During the retreat, Donna divulges her fears about a man she dubs "Steve" —who turns out to be Terry Haynes—her ex-partner and a source of constant distress. This revelation foreshadows further danger Donna may soon face.

Meanwhile, pressure from her father adds to Donna's emotional burden, as she feels judged for her life's direction. Donna finds herself entangled in complicated relationships with men like Terry Haynes, her boss, David Haynes (rumored to have a romantic involvement with her), and bad boy Donnie Bull—whom she finds herself attracted. These relationships create a sense of unease and contribute to the overall tension and foreboding in the narrative.

Symbolism emerges in the form of Justine's desire to see baby Jesus. And with her longing for her mother, Donna takes her to see the divine figure, as Justine craves protection, comfort, and stability in her young life. It signifies the innocent yearning for a mother's love and guidance and a subconscious longing for harbor amidst impending tragedy. This symbol takes on a haunting significance in retrospect, as we know the fate that awaits Donna and Justine. Furthermore, the episode goes into more detail on the reading Iona did for Donna just days before the tragedy. This ominous card reading adds to the foreshadowing, hinting at the tragic fate that looms over Donna and Justine.

These instances, coupled with the repeated instances of Donna and Justine, each behaving out of character, reinforce the overall sense of unease contributing to the mounting tension—creating a palpable feeling that something terrible is about to happen.