Bhí an teas an tsamhraidh ag brú isteach tríd na fuinneoga barraí san stáisiún Gardaí.

The summer heat was pushing through the barred windows of the Gardaí station.

Bhí glór na nGardaí agus an hum na raidió mar cheol cúlra ar feadh an dáilteach.

The voices of the Gardaí and the hum of the radio served as background music throughout the building.

Shuigh Aisling ag an deasc tosaigh, a croí trom le himní.

Aisling sat at the front desk, her heart heavy with worry.

Shútha Aisling: “Táim anseo chun duine atá ar iarraidh a thuairisciú – mo dheartháir, Liam.

Aisling said, "I'm here to report a missing person – my brother, Liam."

”D’fhéach an Garda ina treo, le cuma réchúiseach.

The Garda looked in her direction, with a relaxed expression.

“An é sin an Liam céanna a bhfuil stair na dtrioblóidí aige?

"Is that the same Liam who has a history of troubles?"

”Chroith Aisling a ceann go díomách.

Aisling shook her head in despair.

“Sea, ach creidim go bhfuil rud éigin níos measa ar siúl.

"Yes, but I believe something worse is happening.

Ní bheadh sé imithe gan rian mar seo mura mbeadh rud éigin mícheart.

He wouldn't have disappeared without a trace like this if something wasn't wrong."

”D’imigh an Garda leis, ag siúl isteach i dteas an oifigí.

The Garda walked away, heading into the warmth of the office.

D’fhág sé Aisling ina suí go huaigneach, ach ní raibh fonn uirthi géilleadh.

He left Aisling sitting alone, but she had no desire to give up.

Bhí sí féin agus Liam fágtha leo féin ó bhásaigh a dtuismitheoirí, agus ní raibh sí ag scor go héasca.

She and Liam had been left to fend for themselves since their parents died, and she wasn't about to give up easily.

Bhuail plean léi.

A plan struck her.

Ducadh abhaile leis na h-úirlisí de chuid Liam – guthán póca, nótaí agus pictiúir.

She decided to go home and get Liam's belongings – a mobile phone, notes, and pictures.

Thosaigh sí ag fiosrú lena chairde.

She began investigating with his friends.

D’fhiafraigh sí de Dheirdre, comharsa, an raibh rud ar bith faoi deara aici.

She asked Deirdre, a neighbor, if she had noticed anything.

Dúirt Deirdre: “Bhí mé tar éis é a fheiceáil leis an bhfear sin, Séamas.

Deirdre said, "I did see him with that man, Séamas.

Níl Séamas an-chlúiteach, cuir i gcás.

Séamas doesn't have a very good reputation, to put it mildly."

”Lean Aisling an lead, ag bailiú fiosraí.

Aisling followed that lead, gathering information.

Fuair sí amach go ndéantar freastal ar ghnó i dtithe tréigthe na cathrach uaireanta, áit a mbíonn daoine i bhfolach.

She found out that sometimes business is conducted in the abandoned houses of the city, places where people hide away.

Idir an dóchas agus an faitíos, shroich sí seomra faoi thalamh le doras trom adhmaid.

Torn between hope and fear, she reached an underground room with a heavy wooden door.

Bhí doras faoi ghlas, ach bhíothas in ann éisteacht go cúramach.

The door was locked, but she could listen carefully.

Chuala sí glór caoir an bhraite.

She heard the faint voice of a captive.

“Liam!

"Liam!

Liam, an tú atá ann?

Liam, is that you?"

”Freagra caolchúiseach.

A faint response.

“Aisling?

"Aisling?

Cabhair!

Help!"

”Bhain Aisling ceangaltas muice roimhe, ag fánaíocht.

Aisling broke through her hesitation, wandering.

Thog sí cnag mór agus bhris sí isteach.

She took a big knock and broke in.

Bhí Liam ann, ceangailte.

There was Liam, tied up.

Scaoil sí é agus rith siad amach.

She freed him and they ran out.

Agus iad ag teitheadh, tháinig Séamas ag triall orthu.

As they were escaping, Séamas confronted them.

Ach chuir Aisling fios ar na Gardaí roimh lámh.

But Aisling had called the Gardaí beforehand.

Tháinig siad go tapa agus ghabh siad Séamas.

They arrived quickly and arrested Séamas.

Nuair a bhí an scéal socair, bhí Aisling ina seasamh lena dheartháir taobh amuigh den stáisiún.

Once the situation was calm, Aisling was standing outside the station with her brother.

Chreid sí go raibh Liam ag tosú ar athrú.

She believed Liam was beginning to change.

Dúirt Liam: “Tá brón orm, Aisling, as na rudaí uilig.

Liam said, "I'm sorry, Aisling, for everything.

Táim ag iarraidh níos fearr a dhéanamh.

I want to do better.

Le do chabhair.

With your help."

”Thug Aisling barróg dó.

Aisling hugged him.

Bhí sí níos muiníní anois, a fhios aici gur féidir léi tabhairt faoin troid.

She felt more confident now, knowing she could face the fight.

Bhí an samhradh fós te, ach bhí dóchas nua ina gcroíthe, réidh don todhchaí.

The summer was still hot, but there was a new hope in their hearts, ready for the future.