News of Wendy's accident and Dudley's subsequent firing spread quickly. With confirmation of Magnus's commitment to our safety, the girls became even more cheerful and my own mood improved in kind.

Of course I was forced to still affect the role of a stern caretaker, but with my certainty of Magnus's protection and assurance of the girl's obedience, I found myself loosening my stoic facade bit by bit.

Given the books and games Magnus had provided for our entertainment, evenings were filled with stories and laughter. When at dinner one night I expressed thanks for this kindness, Magnus informed me that he had indeed noticed the marked effect my efforts towards cheering the flock rendered. Without my knowledge, he'd already begun plans to construct the recreation hall I'd suggested, though he was generous in lavishing me with praise for having such foresight and gave me full credit for the idea.

I had found a true life once again, though I was not certain I deserved it. A new home and family.  Unfortunately, the realities of the world had not changed. Some part of me understood this truth even if I pushed the thoughts away. But as the summer faded and the days grew ever shorter, I knew the inevitable would eventually find me. Reality.

It was one night in late October that Magnus's called me to his office with the news I'd managed to pretend might never come.

"Come in," he said when I knocked on the door, but the moment I entered I was ill at ease. His expression was neutral and yet I could see the truth nonetheless, the hairs on my arms rising and my muscles stiffening.

"Will you sit?" he said, gesturing to the chair across from him where is sat at his desk.

Of course I did so, lowering myself into the chair and preparing to face the news I dreaded. The time of slaughter had arrived.

"You know that I greatly appreciate the work you have done," he began. Dancing around the truth. I wished he wouldn't but I knew that his discomfort must be heightened as well. How could you tell one you had befriended that you were about to end their life?

"Under your care, the humans have done so well," he continued. "I would estimate each has gained seven pounds or more. More importantly, they are so content. You have done that for them, Alice. You have made them happy. Made them feel safe."

And yet it was all a lie, I thought to myself. I'd appeased them with a fairytale, just as Dreda had once done with her young charges. I'd convinced them they had found sanctuary but I knew all along it was temporary. That the false utopia would end with death.

"As you might know, the fall is typically when I harvest a significant number of my animals."

I nodded, feeling the churning in my stomach growing more unbearable with each passing second.

"The market is strong, I have to take advantage if I am to establish myself in this new industry."

"Which ones?" I asked, unable to hold my tongue any longer. He stared at me a moment, surprised that I'd had the gall to interrupt. Of maybe just surprised that I'd understood his intent before he'd stated it outright.

"All," he answered. " I'm sorry, Alice."

A cold chill overtook me. Every one of the girls I'd cared for and nurtured, that I'd laughed with, cooked for, played cards with and read beside... we would all fall to the knife.

"I swore I would give you my life when asked," I said, taking a deep breath to regain my resolve. "I will not betray that promise now."

The horror in Magnus's eyes was palpable as he registered my words.

"How can you possibly believe I would ever dream of such a thing!" he demanded, clearly so disturbed by the idea as to ruin the tone of solemnity he'd been trying to maintain through his announcement of death.

"Alice, your home is nearly complete, you have been working for me for more than a year now. Please trust. You will always be safe under my roof."

There was an almost comical degree of irony in his words. Here he was, begging for my trust while simultaneously telling me of his intention to slaughter every other human in his possession. Some dark humor of the macabre. But of course I didn't laugh. Again it seemed I would be spared while so many others faced death that should have been mine.

"I do however hope you might help me," Magnus said. The discomfort in his expression clear again. " I do not wish to cause undue stress or pain to any of my animals. I will listen to your advice. Tell me what I must do to help them."

I could hear the sincerity in his desire to extinguish the life of my flock with as little suffering as possible. Was that enough for me to find comfort in my position? As the one who would aide him in this bloody industry?

"Take the humans first," I said. I felt the distinct urge to retch as the words left my mouth but I knew this was indeed for the best. "Your other animals will be oblivious to the fall harvest but your humans will not be. Tell me the date and I will prepare them."

He nodded. " You will have full discretion act as you deem necessary," he said. "Offer whatever comfort you think might help."

Comfort. As if there could possibly be comfort in death for ones so young? The eldest among them was barely twenty-three! And yet, I wondered if there was somehow merit to the idea. Every one of these girls had been free before they'd come to me. Every one had now found complacency in slavery, broken, even if kindness not cruelty had accomplished the task. Perhaps death was better.

"You will handle the affair yourself?" I asked, trying to keep the panic from my voice as the question flitted to the forefront of my thoughts. I imaged the butcher's trailer, my mother shackled and carted away...

"They will leave this earth here just as all my animals do," he assured me. "On the estate they call home."

I nodded, my fears quelled ever so slightly.

"If that is all," I said after a moment of awkward silence had passed between us.

I watched as Magnus frowned slightly, staring at me, trying to assess my feelings. But I could not parse out myself how I truly felt. There was no way he might.

"Forgive me," I said, rising from my seat. "It's just...I too have to prepare myself."

"Of course," he answered. "Take whatever time you need. I will tell you when the arraignments have been made."

I nodded. The room felt cloying now. I was not certain how long I could maintain my composure remaining with the man who would murder the ten girls I'd come to care for.

"I am sorry, Alice," he said as I turned the door. I did not trust myself to answer without offense and left without another word.

Once free of the office, I knew I needed fresh air. My entire body felt flush. Pain, anxiety, sorrow, relief, guilt, all of these emotions coursed through me and their presence coupled with the walls of the house, felt too confining. In the open space I could stop my head from spinning.

It was cold outside but I didn't dare go back to the kitchen for my sweater. I knew I couldn't face the girls who were there still, happily at work with no idea their end was so close. That soon they would lay in the freezer along with the flesh of the other animals whose destiny lay upon a plate. My legs moved to forward though my mind could not focus on a destination.

As I walked past the slave dorm I thought of the nights we'd all enjoyed within its walls. I could see each girl's face in my mind, smiling, content.

But it was not just their faces that swam through my consciousness. I thought of all the humans I'd known in my life. Dreda with her stern yet caring facade, Hattie, a woman so desperate for recognition and power over her fate, Clara, a girl so sweet, so unfairly brought to death before her time, Lina, the child who never reached her 12th birthday, in spite of my best efforts, after the sacrifice of my own child. Rebecca, the red-haired rebel who had gone down fighting. Even Gregory, my mate, the man who had inspired me to act for all of them in his momentary mercy. And of course, I thought of Mary, her smiling lips, her soft skin, the feeling of her arms wrapped around me. It seemed I would remain parted from all of them for some time still.

I continued on, still not ready to face the realities I would be forced to when I returned to my flock. I journeyed past the barns where contented animals munched on grain and slops, like the women I cared for, so many would not live to see the first snow, and yet they were happy. Not a one would know of their mortality.

I had seen Magnus dispatch a few of the spring lambs and witnessed his skill and calm. Even as the blood poured from these creatures in a short shock, they would pass into oblivion before they even processed the fear of danger and death. Could I hope for the same for my girls?

I couldn't tell how long I'd wandered. I'd failed to wear my watch and in the slowly aging day, I did not take note of time passing until I noticed the sun moving to the west. I wondered if he was looking for me. If the girls had noticed my absence. So lost in thought I was not even conscious of my intended destination until I found myself standing before the sizable cottage. My new residence.

I'd seen the plans Magnus had drawn up, but I'd been unable to truly understand or force my mind to focus on the reality of his words. That he had seemingly followed through on his pledge to build me my own home. It was too impossible. Too much to wish for to imagine the fantasy he spoke of might be real. Now, staring at the structure, its presence was undeniable.

The sun had already begun to set by now and there was no sound from inside. The workers had clearly left for the day. I went to the door cautiously, reaching for the doorknob as if expecting the building to disappear at my touch like some elusive mirage, but instead I felt the cold metal in my hand. I turn the knob, hearing the latch click open.

When they were finished they would add a key, Magnus had told me. Though he would keep a copy in case of an emergency, he promised that I would have the right to shut him out at any time. I'd resisted the urge to laugh when he'd made such assurances. Still he was trying to convince me of my "freedom" but I knew the truth. I belonged to him as surely as every one of the girls he now sentenced to death. As surely as the horses he rode for his pleasure and the dogs that herded his sheep. Nothing would change that, certainly not his foolish optimism.

The house was dark but when I flicked the switch on the wall light quickly flooded the room, illuminating the space.

An audible gasp escaped my lips as I stared in shock, unable to fully take in what my eyes assured me was real.

The main room was spacious, complete with a handsome fireplace, lovely armchairs set beside it. I walked to them, lifting the clear covering that had been laid to protect from debris, reaching out to touch the plush fabric, incredulous at the expense Magnus had invested. I was even more delighted by the bookshelves he'd had installed. Magnus had told me I might request whatever books I'd wished, but never had I imagined he might give me so much space to store them. I could amass a veritable library all of my own! But these were not the only luxury I discovered as I explored the space.

Just off the living area he'd set my very own kitchen complete with a small gas stove and oven unit, refrigerator, and plentiful cabinets. I would have my own space to cook for myself should I wish it, a private place to test whatever recipes I might.

Walking down the hall I found a sizable bathroom complete with a lovely clawfoot tub and showerhead. A porcelain pedestal sink and toilet, no less fine than those adorning the guest bathroom in the main house. I turned the knob on the tub and laughed with delight as clear, hot water poured onto my outstretched hand. Already it seemed he had begun to fill the space to accommodate me. On the edge of the tub lay multiple bottles. Opening the first I smelled the intoxicating sent of lavender. He'd purchased all of my favorite oils and soaps from my time in the main house under his care.

As if in a dream I wondered next to the room at the end of the hall where I found a beautiful carved bedframe, the bed already laid with linens and a lovely quilt. But when I looked upon the bed I stopped. There was a wrapped package upon it, square in shape, covered in plain brown paper. I reached for the item uncertainly. Surely it was intended for me. I peeled back the paper carefully, unable to imagine what more I could possibly wish for. Already he had given me luxuries beyond my wildest imagination, leaving me so in awe of his generosity that my mouth had not closed since I'd turned on the light to unveil these impossible gifts. But when I saw the object in my hands revealed, tears began to stream down my cheeks.

A hardcover book. The front decorated in ornate gold writing.

"Grimm's Tales."

Feeling faint I sat upon the edge of my new bed, scarcely even noticing the immense comfort of the mattress, the reality of my new home. No expense spared. And yet it was the book that took my breath away. He'd listened to my stories. He'd managed to extract the item from my past that had granted me the most joy. But this copy of human tales was nothing like the worn version Lexia had once snuck into my possession, destroyed by use and abuse of children's hands nor the torn version Aveline had gifted Mary.

The book I held now was pristine, a collector's copy, complete with elaborate pictures of precise detail, intricately drawn and colored by a truly skilled hand.

I quickly wiped fresh tears before they could fall on the crisp pages as I flipped through them, allowing myself to sink into the world of fantasy I'd nearly forgotten. It was only at the chiming of the clock on the wall that I realized how late it was. Panic filled me.

Surely Magnus would soon regret all he'd offered. I'd left my position for far too long, I'd let him and all of the girls down in my selfishness. I left the book on the bed and hurried back to the kitchen, dreading what I might face for my laziness.

It was dark outside and dinner should already have been served. I increased my pace. I tried to think of what excuse I might give, what words could defend the indefensible, but when I got to the kitchen my eyes opened wide in shock.

The girls were all gathered around the table enjoying their meal and seemed unconcerned when I came bursting through the door.

"We were not certain you would join us," Wendy commented as I stared dumbstruck. "Magnus said you might be spending the evening to yourself."

"I..." I tried to speak but couldn't find the words. "Has our Master been served?"

Cindy nodded. " He came and made himself a sandwich," she answered. "He said he didn't need more. He told us we were to assure you of that if you came back."

I shook my head, trying to make sense of his message. I'd failed him. I'd selfishly indulged my emotions and left my post.

"Come sit with us," another said. "There are still eggs. Our Master instructed us to prepare something simple for ourselves. Gina made bread this morning as well."

Still blinking in disbelief I took a plate and filled it, sitting at my seat in a daze. Around me the girls talked and laughed. One of them went to the freezer and retrieved a large tub of ice cream, which she told me Magnus had brought earlier when he'd left them my instructions.

My instructions.

He'd known how upset I might be. He had stepped in to ensure the girls would not know anything was amiss.

As they enjoyed their treat before cleaning the dishes and heading to the slave hall to relax I thought again of the contented animals in their pens. Perhaps I could not grant these women truly painless ends. Tears would flow when they learned the date of their deaths, but until then? They would be happy. Magnus would grant them that. I would grant them that. Safety, protection, luxuries beyond their wildest hopes. And when the end came, as it would for all living beings one day, they would leave having experienced true joy. Temporary perhaps, as joy was apt to be, but genuine nonetheless.

I thought of my new home. I knew I would never reside with my flock again when these girls left me. I could no longer deny what I was. I would forever remain in limbo, not quite human in my Maser's eyes but a slave nonetheless. But I could use my position to grant those in my care as much happiness as possible. I could ensure that they had camaraderie. That they could enjoy what I never would, and leave this earth at their allotted times without regret or cares to weigh down their souls as they joined the many I had already lost.

Perhaps for the first time in my life, I found myself looking to the heavens that night with true optimism, no fear nagging, no worries for the future. It would come, whatever it was, and I would face it as I had all along. As I stared at the shining stars blanketing the inky black expanse above me that night I felt nothing but hope.

"Wait for me," I whispered. "Care for those I send to your embrace." A prayer to the universe if not to the spirits above. A prayer for forgiveness and compassion. I now knew that such things were real. I could spread them in my lifetime and for that, I would be truly grateful.

THE END

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So there you have it. The second book in the series. Thoughts on the final chapter? I hope this book helped bridge the story of Alice's origin to the woman you met in After Humanity. I so wanted her to be able to tell her own tale. She herself for all her insecurities, mistakes, flaws... and INCREDIBLE strength as a survivor.

What did you think of the ending? Did it fit? Feel like it helped tie-up loose ends? Any other thoughts? I'd love to hear them! I haven't done much to this draft since I took it down (was trying to focus on new work until I could find a home for AH & I'm still working on that😅) I would very much would like feedback for when I eventually do more edits (if you have any. No pressure!).

It's surreal for this book to be up in full on Wattpad. Those who were readers back in 2020 know that didn't end up happening before...

Just know, my readers are what keep me going. That people came back to reread? That more people found this book as I was posting? It means the world to me! You keep me writing and sending my work out. Having faith that it will find readers/fans. And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️

- Stacey