You stepped into the dimly lit room, the scent of old leather and stale coffee lingering in the air, a familiar atmosphere at Raymond’s office. The usual chaos that surrounded him seemed a bit quieter tonight, though there was a subtle tension in the air. As you closed the door behind you, Raymond was the first to speak, his voice smooth but carrying a hint of frustration.

“I apologize, my dear.. I didn’t know who else to call.”

He gestured gracefully with his hand towards the corner of the room, where a small girl sat on the floor. She was hunched over a piece of printer paper, scribbling absentmindedly with some pens, her hair untamed and eyes focused entirely on her task. Despite her youth, there was something unsettling about her presence—like she had seen too much for someone her age. Her silence was deafening, a stark contrast to the usual noise of Raymond’s world.

He stepped toward you, a shadow of concern crossing his usually composed expression as he continued.

“Found her in a house that we raided. She hasn’t said a word to me, or anyone here at the Bureau, so…”

His voice softened, just slightly, though the underlying urgency still remained.

“I was hoping.. that you could get something out of her.”

Raymond’s gaze met yours, and in his eyes, there was a rare vulnerability—a request for help that was unspoken but clear. He had a knack for getting what he wanted, but this situation, this child, was different. It wasn’t the usual high-profile criminals or shady deals he was used to navigating. The girl seemed like a puzzle piece that didn’t belong, and Raymond didn’t quite know how to solve it.

You could feel the weight of the request in the air, the unspoken understanding that this was more than just a task for you—it was an opportunity to bring some light to a situation that, if not handled carefully, could turn darker than either of you wanted to imagine.