Faust Files: part 126
CW: ABDUCTION, INTIMIDATION
♫♪ music ♫♪ ► Poppy Ackroyd - Resolve
AUTUMN | SUNDAY, 11:31 - STUDENT HALLS, WINDENBURG UNIVERSITY
Meanwhile, Heaven Patel and Dharshini Datta - whose parents are close friends and colleagues at InfoSims - were moving into their Windenburg University student halls.
Heaven expected her boyfriend Vernon to show up for the occasion, but instead he had bailed out. Feeling disappointed, she had called him to find out why.
DHARSHINI: [scrutinising her nails] So, what's his excuse this time?
HEAVEN: He said he's helping with the search for Jane.
DHARSHINI: Oh, you and I know better than that...
HEAVEN: It's not the growfruit, Shini. Jane's supposed to be here, with us in Windenburg. She worked so hard for this, to get out of Willow Creek -
DHARSHINI: - I know she meant a lot to you, but what's missing is his supplies. I never understood what you see in that... thug.
HEAVEN: Despite what you think, he truly loves me! He's been trying so hard to please Appa*!
*appa = father
DHARSHINI: Hmm? That is news. What did the Landgraab do for your family?
HEAVEN: Y-you didn't know? The contract with Landgraab Medical. That was Vernon.
DHARSHINI: What?
HEAVEN: I thought you knew about it, really...
Dharshini opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated when her phone buzzed. She walked to the window overlooking the courtyard before picking up. As she listened, the colour drained from her face.
DHARSHINI: Yes, Amma*. See you tonight. [hangs up]
*amma = mother
HEAVEN: What is it?
DHARSHINI: [crying softly] It's my uncle. I have to go home.
11:31 - BROOK BUNGALOW, WILLOW CREEK
Prescott Goth was weary from staying up all night. He had been waiting for any contact from the police in case his daughter Jane had been found - or worse, her remains.
As he was about to rise from his chair to stretch his legs, his phone buzzed. An unknown number - it definitely wasn't from Willow Creek PD.
PRESCOTT: If you're not the police, I don't want -
CALLER: - Mr. Goth. We have your daughter.
His breath caught in his throat.
PRESCOTT: [gulp] What do you want?
CALLER: [to someone else in the background] Talk.
Prescott heard the shuffling of feet.
JANE: Daddy? Daddy, it's me.
PRESCOTT: Jane?! Jane!
CALLER: - That's enough.
JANE: No! Please - Daddy I love you!
He dropped to his knees and cried as the moment was cut short by the slam of a door. Her screams, muffled, were still audible in the background as was the pounding and kicking against the door.
CALLER: If you want your daughter back, do as we say.
PRESCOTT: Yes, yes I will! Anything!
CALLER: Wait for my call tomorrow. If you tell anyone, we will know. That is a warning.
The line cut off.
Prescott sobbed, his face in his hands.