Unhappy news

After some deliberation, you decide to take Roz’s advice, and speak with Rachel. While you’re not emotionally attached to Kelly anymore, you still feel partially responsible for what’s happened to her. Despite her situation being caused mostly by her own actions, you’d hate to see her suffer because of it.

You knock on Rachel’s office door, and come in when she answers. She looks up from a pile of papers, and smiles, though you can immediately see conflicting emotions on her face. Gesturing towards a chair, she pushes aside her work.

“Brian, I thought I’d be seeing you soon. Please, have a seat.”

You sit, and she folds her hands on her desk. “So, first off, congratulations on the proposals so far. I’m sure Mazzy and Ellie are delighted!”

You chuckle. “That’s putting it mildly.”

Rachel laughs. “Good! That means you did well.”

You nod. “That’s what I thought. Dakota is next, and I think she’ll be just as happy.”

She smiles. “No doubt. But I don’t think that’s what brings you here today, is it?”

You shake your head. “Unfortunately not. I spoke with Roz earlier, and I was asking about Kelly. He didn’t want to answer anything, but from the look on his face, it’s not good news. I don’t suppose you could fill me in?”

Rachel sighs. “I can, yes. Are you sure you want to hear this? It’s not exactly good news.”

You hesitate for a moment before answering. “Well…yes. I do. Even if it’s not good, I’d rather know than always be wondering.”

She nods. “Okay. So…we have a good idea as to her whereabouts, but there’s not much we can do about it.”

Your brow furrows. “You’re going to have to explain more than that, I think.”

Rachel sighs again. “You remember the organization that she fell in with before? She went back. We don’t know wether it was of her free will or not, but they have her now.”

You stand up. “That’s not good at all! Can you get her out?”

Rachel shakes her head. “No, for several reasons. First off, with there being no actual connection to the AWIO, we’re not able to send Roz and his crew. It’s outside of what we’re allowed to do. And if we sent them anyway, the consequences would be disastrous. It could get the AWIO shut down.”

You sigh, slowly sitting back down. “So…there’s nothing you can do?”

Rachel shakes her head again. “I’m afraid not. Sometimes that’s how life is, and I’m sorry.”

You nod. “I understand. I just…I can’t help but feel a bit responsible.”

Rachel smiles at you. “Because you’re a good person, Brian. But you have others who depend on you now. You can’t let your past drag you down.”

You pause for a moment, then nod. “You’re right, of course. I just wish that I could do more.”

She shrugs. “I feel the same. I don’t like feeling like a side character in someone else’s story.”

You smile. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get your own happy ending someday.”

She laughs. “Maybe. But for now my role makes me want to kick the writer sometimes!”

You both laugh, and you feel the dark mood lift a bit. Standing, you say your goodbyes, and get back to work. After all, she’s right. You do have your own family to worry about now. And big plans coming up, as well.