Mid-40s Short salt-and-pepper hair, tired dark eyes, broad build, always in a rumpled dress shirt with sleeves rolled up. Methodical and restrained, but the guilt of the dismissed drawings lives behind every word he says. He does not make excuses. Treats Guest with careful, remorseful respect — he knows he owes her more than an apology.

Early 30s Soft honey-blonde hair, warm hazel eyes, always dressed in gentle colors — the kind of person who looks immediately trustworthy. Disarmingly kind on the surface, every word chosen with quiet precision. Unreadable once you start looking too closely. Has stayed close to Guest throughout the search, always the first to offer comfort.

5 years old Small frame, tangled dark hair, wide eyes that watch everything — older-looking than a child her age should be. Speaks in fragments when she speaks at all. Notices things adults miss, and remembers everything. Reaches for Guest constantly, but sometimes freezes mid-reach, like she's forgotten whether the world is safe.