[Hey, Joe's good with kids. Go figure. Can't tell if this is the start or the end of a sub-plot...]

Joe put his best comforting face on, and tried to project as much reassurance as he could. He didn't have much experience with kids, but in his years in HR he'd had to deal with hysterical employees, psychotic episodes, stalking ex-husbands, and once helped deliver a baby. He hoped he could handle this.

"Hey there," he said quietly. The girl shrank back as far as she could, trapped between the building, the trunk of the rhododendron bush, and Joe. He saw her shivering. Her fear was palpable.

"My name's Joe. What's your name?"

The girl just looked at him mutely.

"Are you hurt? I think I have some