Snippet #2721961

For festivals, Heinrich would usually be dragged out to the plaza by his overenthusiastic daughter, but she wasn't here. What was the point of going without his Ghissie? He stared listlessly at his hands. Heinrich was expected to be there. It was his responsibility. He repeated those two phrases to himself, and slowly, he got ready and left the house.

A few villagers greeted him as he went down the street, but he only gave a slight nod or blank look in response. It was rude, he knew, but none of the others took offense. Instead, they gave him pitying looks, which was worse than the anger they normally would have expressed.

He reached the plaza just as a woman started screaming about her missing child. Lisel. She'd been Ghissie's sometime playmate, and they'd often get dirty jumping in puddles. Slowly, Heinrich approached her and murmured a few consoling worlds. From anyone else, they'd sound condescending, but he knew. And that was why he couldn't stand by anymore.

"I volunteer to join the search," Heinrich said, low but clearly to the Rebbe. "I have a rifle, maps, and some experience with this sort of thing."

As much as he had hated leaving the village for his apprenticeship, Heinrich had to admit that he'd picked up his fair share of survival skills (and trouble) along the way. For once, he was grateful. He'd do anything to get his daughter back.