Cold Hard Truth

“Alice!” Bell shouted.

Grabbing Alice's chin, Bell forced her to look into her eyes.

Bell could see the panic and fear. She knew without question that something awful had happened to Axel. But, whatever it was, Alice must have experienced it as well.

Her heart thumped heavily. What could it be? Was it Roman? Did Axel need help? Bell closed her eyes and took a deep breath, shoring up the flood of panic. She swallowed down her fear for her brother and focused instead on helping his family.

“Alice,” she said softly. “I need you to look at me, see me, listen to my words.”

Alice showed no sign of having heard her.

Bell licked her lips. She didn’t want to push Alice harder than necessary, but she saw no other way.

“Alice, your family is in danger!”

Alice blinked, and then she looked at Bell.

Bell took a deep breath; she had her attention now.