THE RIVER 

By Tessa Harvey


    A large man barrelled towards  the hesitant young officer. "Excuse me," he abruptly asked as a formality, already inside and heading towards Amy's room. The blond, tall officer called after him, remembering somewhat belatedly his police training.
    Amy had already stopped screaming, awake now from her nightmare. She flung herself at the man, "Uncle Joshua."
    "He patted her back. "Well, Blue," his tone was stern, "no regressing, fear cripples. We talked about that."
    He turned to the adults. "I am Doctor Harper, a friend of the family. How may I help?"
    He carefully hugged Elizabeth, noting she was in pyjamas and robe. "Where is Josiah?"
    Joe struggled in at that moment, barely able to walk, wearing a blanket.
    The senior policewoman angrily stated "we came about the theft of a priceless necklace. Now we find a little girl screaming and a youth half crippled. What's going on?"

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