Light in the Dark

Part 2

The squad room was quiet except for the low hum of computers and the distant ringing of a phone. Olivia stood by her desk, the child's drawing still in her hand, its crayon lines burned into her mind.

The little girl sat in the break room with Rollins, sipping cautiously from a cup of hot chocolate. Olivia watched her for a moment, then turned back to Fin, who had just returned from canvassing the building.

"Talked to the neighbor who saw the kid leaving," Fin began. "She swears it wasn't this girl. Says the one she saw had lighter hair. About the same height, but definitely different."

Olivia frowned. "So if the neighbor's right... we're talking about two kids."

"Yeah," Fin said, lowering his voice. "And one of them — the one who left with that man — fits the drawing."

Olivia's pulse quickened. "Rosie."

Fin nodded grimly. "The neighbor says the man called her by that name."

Olivia looked back toward the break room. The girl inside was staring down into her mug, as if trying to disappear into it. No name, no memories, no idea where she belonged — and yet she had been in the same apartment where Rosie had last been seen.

Rollins stepped out to join them. "She's not saying much, but she did mention something just now... a sound. Said she remembers hearing a loud bang before she found herself alone in that apartment."

"A gunshot?" Fin asked.

"Could be," Rollins said. "Or a door slamming hard. Either way, something scared her enough to block out everything else."

Olivia folded the drawing carefully and slipped it into a folder. "Okay. Rosie is missing, and this little girl is our only link to her. Whatever happened in that apartment, she saw it — she just doesn't know she remembers it yet."

Fin glanced toward the door. "So what's next?"

Olivia's voice was firm. "We find Rosie. And we protect this girl until we know why she was left behind."

But deep down, Olivia couldn't shake the question that kept gnawing at her: If this child isn't Rosie... then who is she?

The precinct was quieter than usual as Olivia sat at her desk, the soft glow of her computer screen illuminating her thoughtful expression. The nameless girl—still just "the girl" to everyone—sat nearby, quietly drawing with a set of crayons Olivia had brought her.

Detective Rollins approached, holding a small evidence bag. "We ran a trace on the backpack the CSU found under the bed."

Olivia looked up. "Anything?"

Rollins nodded. "It had a library card tucked inside. The name on it is 'Alyssa Harper.' But the address is out in Queens—far from this neighborhood."

Olivia felt a flicker of hope. "Alyssa Harper," she repeated softly. "Could this be her real name?"

She glanced toward the girl, who was watching them with wide, cautious eyes. Olivia gave a small smile and said gently, "Alyssa, do you remember this name?"

The girl blinked, then slowly shook her head. No words came.

Olivia's phone buzzed. It was Fin. She picked up.

"We got a break," Fin said quietly. "Rosie's school called. She hasn't been in class for three days. They're worried."

Olivia exhaled sharply. "Any other info?"

"Yeah. Rosie's been seen around the East River docks with some older guy. Not sure who he is, but the school says she's scared."

Olivia's eyes darkened. "We need to find her fast."

After the call, Olivia sat next to the girl. "Alyssa," she said softly, "we're going to help you. You're safe here. But I need you to tell me when you're ready."

The girl reached out and placed a small hand over Olivia's. It was a silent promise — a fragile connection between two people broken by fear, but held together by hope.

Olivia knew the road ahead was long and uncertain. But one thing was clear: she would fight to bring both girls home.