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I'm writing a short story and one word I need for a sentence escapes me. The situation is this:

- A person is searching for something at night.He has been doing so for days and is at the end of his options.
- He looks to the stars as if for help and his gaze settles on Orion's belt.
- The sentence I'm trying to write is:

XXXXly he followed its line to the horizon, the corner of his mouth turned upward in a wry grin.

I am looking for a word to take the place of XXXX

What I'm trying to impart is that he's thinking "maybe you can help me, Orion." He knows it won't, but he does it anyway, out of options.

Hello;

Not sure if you are still looking for a word but you could try:

Expectantly

searchingly

longingly