As he walked towards town, clutching the doll, memories of his own childhood floated to the surface — times when he felt invisible, unheard. The thought of a young girl trapped in fear was a mirror to his own past struggles. His resolve hardened. He couldn’t let Emily down.

Upon reaching the library, he found Ms. Thompson in her usual spot, sorting through donated books. Her face showed concern as he narrated his discovery and handed her the note.

“Oh, Michael,” she said, her voice tinged with worry, “this could be very serious.” She promised to reach out to a friend who worked with child protective services, someone who might be able to trace the origins of the note or recognize Emily’s situation if it was known to local authorities.