Christ on a bike. Of course Pryde's more than a bleeding resource. She's one of the most gifted kids I've ever encountered, and she deserves better treatment than she's been getting on this journal system over the last couple of days. I'm not bloody surprised she doesn't like to talk to people.

But the harsh reality of the situation is that since I was fired, my contacts have dried up a lot - I just can't get access to the same level of information I used to. If we're going to find Emma soon, then she's the best chance we've got. She's starting to look very much like the only chance, unless Doc Braddock and I break into every home in Northern France.

You're right, it would be wrong to let her off the hook because it's "convenient", but I will not have the staff at the mansion chance Emma's life even a little bit for any reason, convenience be damned, and if I were 15 and getting the kind of verbal beating she's been getting over the last few days, I would not be giving anything I did my best, and right now, Emma can't afford that.

Yes, Kitty deserves better than to treated like a resource, and you have no idea how fucking shit I feel about having to think of her even slightly that way, because like I said, she's a fucking remarkable kid first and foremost, but no matter how rotten it is, and now matter how remarkable she is, right now, priority one has to be getting Emma back alive, and we can all do whatever we have to in order to salve our consciences later.

Kitty already knows that just about the entire faculty think she was wrong, but I think it might be helpful for her to know that at least some of the staff might be able to respect her ability to make decisions without needing to turn the event into an inquisition, and examine all her reasons for doing something they don't agree with. And yeah, I realise that that might not include you. I have no idea what a student counsellor actually does, but was hoping the job description extended to putting your own feelings aside and just being nice because one of the kids might need it. If that's not part of the job, then I'm sorry I asked, and just so's we're clear, please don't read any sarcasm into the last couple of sentences, I just genuinely thought it might have been your job.

And I don't think that getting chucked out would be worrying any of them half as much as the reactions of the people they've now got to live with. They're bright enough to know which is the easier option.

Thanks.

And whatever fall you're setting me up for had better be funny. God knows, we all need it right now.

Thanks for trying. It hadn't occured to me to check that angle - I'll see if it leads anywhere from here as well.