Alex starts to think of following Shaz as a game up until she starts crying on the bridge. That's it, is really dark, there's not one else around, she just stops and starts to sob. Then it's not a game anymore. So she calls out. "Shaz!"
She startles like a terrified kitten, arms flying everywhere. She drops the crumpled paper napkin from the pasty she'd bought on the way. "M-ma'am?" Shaz is trying her best to stop crying, to hide her face from her boss but the rest of her isn't having it.
Alex hugs her. It takes Shaz a moment to comprehend but she clings to Alex like she were drowning at sea. She's a petite little thing, Alex thinks as she pats her back and leans against the railing. Not much bigger than Molly.
But Molly was a growing girl.
Grown girl.
Growing girl?
Panic sets in, and Alex clings tighter to her. "It's alright, Shaz."
"No it's not." comes the muffled blubber. Unfortunately, she's quite right.
