LIGHT IN DARKNESS 

By Tessa Harvey

Next morning the flicker of life left in the little dog was gone. And so almost was Simone.

One of Miss Smit's assistants found her near the dog, and empty bottle and broken water glass nearby. Somehow she had managed to gather and hoard some drugs. They were all gone. The girl lolled, half on the floor, motionless.

Miss Smit was angry. "No use to us now," she raged. "Check in the records where she came from, and get Don to drop her off."

It was getting dark when Don arrived at the end of the street. He heaved up the heavy bundle of the girl, checked no-one was around, and dropped her on the doorstep. He realised it was where they had left that smelly baby and felt surprise. Well she was not saying anything. With a rare expression of compassion, Don knocked on the door before fading once more into the darkness. He did not look back.

Above the chatter of Gladys and Lacey, Bill heard the knock. "Probably kids fooling around," he thought, but went to see.

He cried out in shock and grief and the women came running. "Oh God, oh God, it's our baby," he moaned.

Quick as he could, he checked for a pulse. It was faint, but there. "Glad, talk to her. She may hear. Lacey, get an ambulance." He began to pray out loud, alternately begging God, and praising, calling for victory.

Soon lights flashing heralded both police and ambulance. "You go with her, Glad," he said decisively. "Lacey may be able to see her baby and I will try to help the police. I will call you when I can, and bring the car."

The paramedics hurried over and soon Simone was being worked on, then taken hastily to the Emergency Department of the hospital.