Page 20 of Lost
It was Zack’s turn to nod. If Lysander wasn’t ready for the world to know about him, Zack wasn’t going to force it on him. He knew all too well what it was like to have so much unwanted attention, and Lysander was dealing with more than enough already.
He turned back to the computer and pulled up the document again. The blank page stared back at him with its mocking, blinking little cursor. He’d thought knowing what Dakota looked like would make his job easier, but Lysander had complicated it by pointing out that this was bigger than just asking for help — this was informing the band’s entire fanbase that he had suddenly, unexpectedly become a father.
He thought back to Brendan and Natalia’s announcement. It had been short and simple:B-Savage and his wife are pleased to announce the arrival of their daughter, Melody Jean Harmon.But things weren’t going to be that simple for him. There was no birth to report. Instead, there was a positive paternity test and a lot of hard work done by his lawyer. But those weren’t things the fans needed to know. He ran a hand through his hair.
“Just write whatever feels right,” Brendan said. Like he knew the struggle going on in Zack’s head. “We’re right here if you need a hand.”
Zack looked between his two companions — the friend he’d known since high school and the son he’d never expected. Both radiating support. He could get this done. He lowered his fingers to the keyboard and began to write.
It is with great joy and even greater sadness that I write to you today,he began,and ask for the help that only you can provide in this time of need.
He paused in his writing. Brendan gave him a nod — all the convincing he needed to know that so far he was fine. He took a deep breath and went on.
Recently I learned that I am a father to fifteen-year-old Dakota Maverick.
Her picture would come then, he decided, so that everybody would know her face. He made a note of this before he continued.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that Dakota has been missing for several weeks now, feared to have been taken from her home in Columbus, Wisconsin.
“Do you know what she was wearing?” Zack asked his son. “The day she went missing?”
“Black skinny jeans, grey sneakers, and aNeedless Desiresjacket,” the boy replied at once. Even Brendan had to raise an eyebrow at the speed with which the boy had responded. Lysander shrugged. “It’s what she always wears. Besides, do you really think I’m going to forget the last things I saw her in?”
Brendan had no response to that.
Zack opened up his band’s official site and navigated to the merchandise store.
“Any of these?” he asked Lysander, gesturing to the hoodies that filled the screen. It was a long shot, he knew. There was more merchandise out there now than the band could ever keep track of, so he was already starting to doubt that he would get a positive response when Lysander pointed and said, “That one.”
He saved the image to his hard drive.
She was last seen wearing grey sneakers, dark skinny jeans and the following hoodie.
Another note to post an image.
This is a link to her account on social media. That seemed like a good idea, too. The fans could get more photos of her that way.Please familiarize yourselves with her to better aid us in our search.
If you have any information concerning her whereabouts or you happen to see her in your part of the world, please notify your local law enforcement and have them contact the Columbus Police Department ASAP.Knowing that it was the right thing to do, he added,I am offering a generous reward for her safe return.
He read over everything he’d written. It felt unfinished, like there was a piece missing. His hands lingered over the keyboard.
“We inNeedless Desireslook forward to meeting her,” Brendan said easily, “and welcoming her to our family.”
Zack added it to the end of the message.
And that was that. It was done. Ready to be posted to every social networking site they were on.
They would usually have contacted their social media manager for something like this, but Zack wanted to do it himself. Wanted to feel like he was doing something to help, even if it was by asking others for help in turn. He logged into every account the band owned and configured the post until it was suitable for each one. When the images and the hyperlink were set for each, he posted them all in tandem.
And watched as the comments immediately started flying in.
“Wow,” Lysander said, clearly noticing the same thing. His eyes widened momentarily. “They don’t waste time.”
“The first fifteen or so will just say things likefirstandI love you,” Brendan said. “But give it a few minutes and you’ll get the more heartfelt ones.” He glanced at his watch before adding, “I should get going. But I’ll see ya soon, Zee.” He nodded in farewell to Lysander before adding, “It was nice meeting you, kid.”
“You, too,” Lysander said. “Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.”
“Not a problem. You two have fun.”
