first ♢ voice

[versusnurture]

[Abigail's voice quavers, as though she's uncertain of the connection, like someone making their first long-distance call. She starts out firm and then peters out into uncertainty, the tail end of her first sentence almost a question.]

My name is Abigail . . . Hobbs.

I'm not sure how I got here, but I'm here now. [A pause; who to ask for?] I'm looking for Dr. Alana Bloom. She's tall with dark hair. She was supposed to check in with me this morning, but instead I'm here.

Are there - [And here she inserts a little more tremor than necessary into her voice, because she doesn't know what else to do right now - ] Are there letters home? That kind of thing? How does this work? Because I need to talk to my dad.

Comments

voice;

[themissingpiece]

Prison. Ended up owing some guys in there that kept me in debt after I got out. Going to school isn't exactly in the cards with these guys.

voice;

[versusnurture]

Maybe you can go back.

voice;

[themissingpiece]

I have a different purpose now. I'd rather live to see my daughter go.

voice;

[versusnurture]

. . . I didn't know you were a dad.

voice;

[themissingpiece]

You just met me.

Her name's Cindy, she's seven. She's part of the reason I'm here. It'll keep the same things that happened to me from happening to her.

voice;

[versusnurture]

Well. Yeah.

Um. That's good, though.

[She is suddenly, intensely, violently jealous of Cindy.]

voice;

[themissingpiece]

You said something about contacting your dad. What'd you want to say?

voice;

[versusnurture]

Oh, I just - wanted to make sure he's safe.

He probably isn't.

voice;

[themissingpiece]

What makes you say that?

voice;

[versusnurture]

He does dangerous stuff sometimes.

voice;

[themissingpiece]

What kind of stuff, if you don't mind me asking?

voice;

[versusnurture]

I kind of do. A little. It's illegal. And I don't think you and I are from the same place or you would've heard of him. But I'd rather be safe.

voice;

[themissingpiece]

Doubt I would have even if I was. I got kidnapped for about two months by a really messed up guy. I only got to see the news if I was on it.

Don't worry about it. You don't have to tell me anything.

voice;

[versusnurture]

I'm - sorry. I didn't mean to -

He never did that kind of thing.

voice;

[themissingpiece]

Hey, don't worry about it.

Couldn't have been that bad then.