Freyr spent the next ten minutes clearing up mess strewn around her apartment. Demeter silently opened the rest of the blinds, letting in views of Boycott Park and rain pattering against the window. Freyr could also smell perfumed air being pumped in to replace the stale odor of her living area. Once the debris was stuffed out of sight, Freyr quickly changed into warm, casual trousers and a jumper before sitting nervously on the sofa.

Either she had been permanently let go from the department, or they had an update on her family. Those were only two reasons Freyr could think of for Karos to personally visit. The horrific events of that day threatened to consume her every time she closed her eyes. She could see it even now; her husband and child being carried away by those…[i]things[/i]. Freyr forced back the tears as Demeter announced. “Excuse me, Dr Lang. Dr Childermass is in the lobby. Shall i send him up?” Freyr sniffled loudly and nodded.

A minute later, there was a knock at the door. Demeter opened it and Freyr’s boss walked in; she stood up to greet him. [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/78/5c/40/785c403090d3dd2792e0519dbced64f5.jpg]Karos[/url] was exactly as she remembered. The stocky frame, the longish grey hair and stubble, even the same old fashioned clothes. He smiled broadly when he saw Freyr, and they hugged for a long moment. 

“I’m sorry i never stopped by in person, Freyr, work has been nonstop and I-”
“It’s ok, i understand. You’re here now. What’s happened?” Karos hesitated, smiling awkwardly. “How about we sit down first, hmm?” Freyr nodded, quickly sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed. Karos perched on the edge of a small armchair which sat at a right angle to the sofa. He took a few agonising moments to collect his thoughts before speaking, as was usual for him.
 
“I’m sorry Freyr, but i don’t have a direct update on David and Amy’s whereabouts.” Freyr exhaled deeply, blinking a few times to compose herself. Karos went on “What i’m here to tell you is that there’s been a disturbing incident in the Cradle. About forty hours ago, four suspected members of the Skinners Guild.” “Wait…” Freyr blurted out “You mean those anti-Cradle terrorists? How did they get in?” Karos spread his hands. “We don’t know yet. Somehow, they got access codes that allowed them to enter one of the new corporate developments near the Border.”

This was not the direction Freyr thought they’d be taking with this conversation. “Sorry Karos, i’m confused now. What does this have to do with me?” Her boss took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. “They were all taken by those creatures from beyond the Border, just like your family. It was caught on camera this time. Just before, the Skinners looked to be interfacing with the Border, just like you were when...” He tailed off, running his hands through his hair. “I really didn’t want to involve you like this, but things are bad in the Cradle Frey. I need your help. If we don’t get this under control...we could lose the whole thing. Will you come back to the Cradle with me, check the tapes, and tell me if anything sticks out?” It was now that Karos’ facade slipped. Freyr noticed the huge black bags under his eyes, and the yellowy skin tone of someone relying on advanced stimulants.

Freyr didn’t hesitate. She knew that any chance of finding her family was worth it, even if she risked opening old wounds before they’d healed. If this new abduction held any clues to their whereabouts, she had to know.

“Let's do it. Right now, let's enter from my apartment.” Freyr pleaded. Karos pursed his lips, nodded slowly. “Okay. Are you sure?” Freyr nodded strenuously. Karos pulled a secure datapad from his pocket and flicked a line of data through the air towards her. It hovered in front of her eyes; a long string of numbers, letters and symbols. The periphery of Freyr’s vision flashed as her Cradle quick access module absorbed the new code. “That’s it. Your access is renewed. Let’s do this.”