"Jessica," Emma called out, her voice soft and inquiring, as she bent over, concern etched on her face.
"Won't you go back to your family?" Emma asked softly yet probing. Williams added his voice, tinged with worry, "I'm sure they will be looking for you right? It's already been days since you have been here and I can only guess how worried they must be."
In an instant, Jessica's face drained white and pale, as if the burdens of her secrets were weighing heavily upon her.
She nodded, her head falling and her eyes cast down at the floor as if she could not even bear the thought of exposing her truth.
"No, Emma," Jessica whispered, her voice barely audible while her words trembled with emotion. "No one is looking for me; I'm not expected anywhere by anyone."
Emma's face contorted into o
