Andin Errai knocked on the Head’s office door. A voice called them to come in.
“Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Errai, please take a seat,” said Mrs. Dice, “This is Mr. and Mrs. Lumber.”
Some awkward greetings were exchanged. In reality, the Errais and Lumbers didn’t need to be introduced. Amarine and John Lumber were very well acquainted, but were not on, one would say, amicable terms.
Mr. Lumber had also been very interested in the forest by the Errais. Not for the same conservational reasons as Amarine, but in a more profit-focused direction. He had so many lucrative business plans lined up for the land, but that hippie conservationist had gotten in the way by turning it into a “protected” forest or something. He thought it more important to protect the economy over the environment. If you’re going to die anyway, might as well die rich, was his philosophy. The forest was already a sore spot for him, and now his only son, the heir to the family business, had gone missing in it. It was almost more than his blood pressure could take.
Mrs. Dice cleared her throat, “As I’m sure you’re aware, on the second of September Jack Lumber went missing. The last place he was thought to have been was Shepherds Forest. We know you have a residence very close to the area, if you had any knowledge that could assist us or the police in finding Jack, we would be very grateful.”
“We had no idea that Jack had come to Shepherds forest that day,” said Andin calmly.
“Even Amerie hadn’t gone out to play in the forest that day, because she was busy getting busy for the first day of school,” added Amarine.
Andin continued, “But rest assured, we will cooperate with you and the police as much as you need us so Jack can be returned home safely as soon as possible.”
Something about the Head’s Office had always made Amarine anxious, but now she stopped fidgeting with the hem of her headscarf and clasped Mrs. Lumber by the hand.
“Jane, I promise you, we’ll do everything we can. Our Amerie’s just the same age, and well, as a mother, I couldn’t imagine how you feel,” she squeezed her hand, “we’re with you every step of the way.”
Jane looked at her with sad eyes.
John looked at her with scornful ones.
“Of course,” he blustered, “None of this would have ever happened if you tree huggers hadn’t been so stubborn in the first place. I would have built a hotel or a spa! And then tell me, would our Jack have gotten lost in those dirty woods? No, of course not! What are you going to do if our Jack never comes home?” He was red in the face, his nostrils flaring.
Amarine sat very still. She knew that Mr. Lumber was wrong in his logic, but he was right to be upset. She would not allow herself to be provoked by a person in pain.
Mr. Lumber drew in his breath for another rant, but a powerfully soft voice clipped his own.
“Quiet, John. Don’t you dare bring business into this. This,” Jane fixed him with a withering stare, “is about our son.”
John slunk back down into his seat, his bravado already fading.
Mrs. Dice, more used to dealing with fights between children rather than adults, cleared her throat again.
Andin, always the peacemaker, asked whether or not the forest had been yet secured. Mrs. Dice replied that they were currently in the middle of investigating.
Jane turned to Amarine and smiled, “Thank you so much for your help. Jack told me so much about Amerie. I’m sure he just wanted to see it for himself.”
Amarine smiled back, but then suddenly remembered something, “Oh Andin! I almost forgot. We need to get Amerie from the nurse’s office.”
Jane looked at her, “Is she alright?”
“I’m sure she's fine, probably just a little under the weather. But if she knows we’re coming to get her, she must have been waiting a while for us. Here’s my phone number, if you ever went to get in touch about anything at all. Don’t hesitate to call!”
Jane took it gratefully.
On the car ride home, Andin patiently explained everything to Amerie.
How they had to help with the police investigation.
How this case could be linked with the cases of the other missing children.
How not to let anyone, at school or otherwise, make her feel like she might be a suspect.
How, until all of this blows over, she shouldn’t go back to the forest.
How she probably wouldn’t be able to go in, even if she wanted to. The whole place would be surrounded by tape and policemen.
Amerie closed her eyes and leant back on the headrest. The sun was shining, but the only thing Amerie thought was that its warmth was too close.
She longed for the stars.
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