BASKERVILLE COMPLEX

                “I want someone to see me.”

The three read the new message intently, stopping all work to listen to the girl. The man who they had went to see read it and held back a sob. The Relevant One and the Young Officer looked at him in surprise. They asked him why he was crying, for now he was. He told them that he had a daughter about the girl’s age, and he was imagining his daughter being put in the girl’s situation. He cried harder, putting a hand to His face and breathing deeply. The Relevant One, being the woman, comforted him as the Young Officer replied.

                “We’re working hard.”

                “Please hurry.” The Young Officer sighed in despair and leaned over the laptop. The Relevant One told him that it wasn’t his fault yet again. He said that he knew, but only for her benefit. He knew that it was his fault: Completely, one-hundred and one percent his fault, no matter what the Relevant One said. The Father calmed down and set to work again with a new determination. The Young Officer smiled faintly at his encouragement and sat back down on his laptop, leaving everyone else to their own work.