Chapter 42: Cleansed

Alice woke to morning light pouring over her. She sat up, hands on her face. Hands that both worked, eyes that both saw. Two functioning legs.

Had she dreamed the whole thing?

Alice shuddered, fell back on her pillow. Reached under it. No doll.

Not a dream. And yet...she survived? But Juliette said goodbye.

A terrible fear grew inside her as Alice leaped out of bed and out her door, racing down the stairs, pounding into the kitchen. Betty looked up from her coffee and newspaper with a start as Alice skidded to a stop at the door.

"Alice!" Betty rose, came to her, hugged her while Alice's eyes locked on Rose, standing at the sink, the housekeeper's back to her. Alice barely registered her mother's concern as she leaned back and shook Alice, just a little. "Honey, I found your dress. Are you okay?"

Alice met her mother's eyes at last, snapping out of her daze. "Sorry? What?"