Chapter 119: The Virgin And The Masters, Part 30, Where Is Charlotte?

MICHAEL

"Perhaps one of the police cars?" I suggest. "Now that Charlotte knows we´re here, and the police too, maybe she´ll show up."

Richard vanishes with Beth, all but holding her upright as she sags into his arms.

Will Stanton leans in through the window. "You two happy to stay here, visible? I´ve got patrols out there, looking for her. I think it´s best if you are where she can see you easily."

James and I wait...

And wait...

And Charlotte does not appear. Neither of us wants to suggest the obvious.

Eventually, my gut grinding, "Perhaps they caught her again."

James nods, looking down, fingers pressing the bridge of his nose. "Perhaps."

"Let´s stay until daylight," I suggest. "If she is out there somewhere, and can definitely see that it´s us..."

But as the sun rises, and the long morning light draws fingers over the wild land, there is still no sign of her.

Neither of us has slept, so Will assigns an officer to drive us back to the City. Richard is there, wa