Chapter 39: Chapter 40: What Have You Done?

Alice stumbled the last half block, chest burning and stomach heaving though she'd emptied it at least three times on the other side of the park. Her bruised and aching feet, sandals forgotten at the back door long before she'd returned to the hotel, bled footprints as she collapsed into the metal railing of the front fence.

Footsteps rushed for her, hands grasping her, pulling her up, supporting her. Alice leaned against Rose's side, the warmth of the woman's arm around her shoulder almost burning to the touch. But her scent and the familiar lilt of the melody Rose hummed helped Alice make it the last few feet to the front door and finally inside.She collapsed against the door jamb outside the living room as Rose closed the door.

Alice clung to the doll, throat working, terror battling back its whispering voice, the sound of Rose singing clearing Alice's mind.