After our late-night rendezvous, sleep was impossible. Before we departed fro the dorms Dreda explained Rebecca's map of escape. The wooded area behind the nursery where we met would be the starting point. From there we would head north, hoping to continue through the woods as long as possible to avoid any open spaces where we might be spotted more easily.

    "There is a river I followed," Rebecca explained. "I think that was my mistake. Use it as a guide and take your water, but do not dwell there. It's too exposed. When you reach the mountain pass I believe you will be near wild human settlements. If only I'd made it to the gorge between the peaks I am sure I would have found freedom."

    I could see Dreda's optimism in the wild-one's words, but I could not reciprocate. I did my best to keep my expression neutral, listening to the plans for escape without comment. Somehow I knew they would be useless. We would be lucky if we managed to kill a single sibla let alone escaping with our lives. And even if we did survive, so many would die. I thought of all the children I had been asked to execute and my stomach felt queasy.

    The time we had was short. As anxious as I was to be caught in the woods, when Dreda announced she been gone too long and needed to relieve Chelsea, I felt as if we had barely touched on all the necessary details. I was terrified to leave anything unnecessarily to chance. There was enough we couldn't account for already.

    "Here," Dreda said, reaching into her skirts and holding out two shiny metal circles. "Pocket watches. We will ensure every human who carries one at their tasks has them synchronized. And you will ensure the kitchen clock is set properly?"

    "Madam is very exacting as is Dulane," I answered with a nod. "The guest will be served at 8:00 pm exactly. Madam will take her tea at 8:15 pm. I will prepare the brew before I go to wait on our Master. The estate will fall before the strike of the clock at 9."

    I watched the vicious smile form on Rebecca's face as she took one of the watches and slipped it into her pocket.

    "Come, Alice," she said. "We must get some rest before dawn, and Dreda cannot be found missing."

    As the wild woman turned to go, I felt myself hesitating. There had to be more to say. I might never see Dreda again in this life. Never truly thank her for her aide. For trusting me. For protecting me and fighting for my child.

    But the old woman's expression remained blank as my eyes locked with hers. Gaze intense and entirely unreadable. When I reached for the watch she still held out however, I felt her hand instantly squeeze around my own, her arm grabbing me in a close embrace.

    "Remeber your promise, Alice," she whispered in my ear. "You will do all you can to survive."

    The desperation and emotion in her voice was undeniable. I felt tears filling my eyes as I nodded. Her faith might be meaningless. Her hopes entirely fantastical. But I could feel Dreda's care. Her desperate prayers for my safety and our success in gaining the revenge we all deserved. For one who so rarely showed true emotion, it was both discomforting and yet everything thing I needed to calm my nerves. Dreda would sacrifice everything to ensure we did not fail. So would I.

    She released me after a moment, but not before kissing my brow as she laid her hands upon my head.

    "For luck," she said.

    Our eyes remained locked for a moment longer before she broke the connection.

    "Now go and get rest. As Rebecca said, we will need our strength in the coming days."

—————
    Of course, following Dreda and Rebecca's advice proved harder than I'd hoped. Rebecca and I slipped back into our beds without incident but I could not force my eyes to close.
   
Laying there, staring into the darkness, I thought of everything and nothing all at once, my mind too anxious and cluttered to focus on any one thought. By the time dawn came and I forced myself to rise and dress, I knew I'd barely managed even an hour of sleep. Sadly chores wouldn't wait and there would be no sympathy if I was late. Ignoring the pounding in my head I dressed and went to the kitchens.
   
But though I drank the strong brewed coffee prepared for all the kitchen slaves, I found myself struggling to keep my eyes opened. I cursed my troubled mind for having kept me from sleep. Dreda was correct, I needed my strength, and it was important to maintain the facade of normalcy. Unfortunately, my tired body refused to do as I commanded. Though I did my best to push through my exhaustion, my vision was blurry and my steps slow as I ascended from the basement to the dining room where the Dulane family awaited their breakfast. I feared that my efforts would not be enough to combat true exhaustion.

    It was hard enough to keep my mind focused with fatigue clouding my brain, but it became even more difficult when I saw the entirety of Master's family had joined for the meal that morning. The troubled thoughts I'd battled in my bed returned full force.

    My Master's grown son sat beside him, returned to his home to stay with the family for a few weeks. A copy of his father in appearance and cruelty. I thought of Dulane's comments just after Mary's death. This disgusting villain had been targeting my little girl. Lusting after her as an object to use for his own enjoyment. I was glad he would be present to take his reward. My feelings were more complicated as I took in Dulane's wife, daughter, and toddler.

    Young Avaline had gone through a growth spurt since I'd last seen her. Sitting next to her mother the resemblance between the two of them was undeniable. I thought of the sweet sibla child I had helped rear, watching over her and Mary in their innocent play. Nothing remained of that girl now. Both Avaline and her mother only offered cold half glances as I served them. They felt no sorrow in my suffering. In Mary's death. They deserved no pity.

    As for the newest addition to the Dulane family, a round-faced boy, blue eyes sparkling with the ignorance of youth, I knew the truth. He would grow just like Aveline. Another monster, groomed by his parents to flourish as a creature of cruelty. He too would be condemned and there could be no regret or hesitation.

    As if to confirm my assessment, Dulane's wife snatched up the bowl of porridge I set in front of the child, shooting me a nasty glare in response to the smile I'd offered the young sibla.

    "Your Master is waiting for his coffee, Alice" she snapped. "Could you possibly move any slower?"

    A shiver ran through me at her tone. I hadn't realized my sleep-deprived body might be visibly hindering my performance. I couldn't afford to be found wanting. To risk losing my place as server for Dulane and Kendrick when the fated date arrived.

    I hurried to the other side of the table picking up the sliver coffee pot, trying to regain my composure but found my hands shaking under the weight of the full pot and my nerves. As I topped off my Master's cup, a drop of brown liquid dripped onto the snow-white table cloth. The response was swift.

    The moment I set the pot down looking to clean my mistake, Dulane's hand collided with my face and throbbing pain reverberated through me, shocking my mind back to attention.

    "What is wrong with you today, girl," Dulane snapped.

    "Forgive me, Master" I answered with true repentance. " I will clean that right away."

    "Don't bother," he said, a frown on his face as he stared at me, assessing. "Given your carelessness this morning, it seems likely there will be more stains to clean soon. I hope this is a temporary regression in all the progress we have made in your training."

    "Yes, Master," I replied, head lowered in appropriate shame at his rebuke. I could feel the skin around my eye swelling. A new bruise to add to my collection and a harbinger of more pain in punishment for my clouded mind.

-----
    As the day dragged on, Dulane continued to force my compliance, overriding the slouch of exhaustion, using a wooden baton to wrap my shoulder and buttocks every time my focus wained. Madam was equally critical of my performance when I returned to the kitchens, correcting my behavior with more blows.

    "Are you looking to speed your path to death?" Rin asked with contempt. "Truly I can't see any reason for keeping one who is so very lazy."

    Of course, her lament was not a new one. She'd long ranted her frustration in my continued existence and had no shame in making her opinion known. Still I worried. I had to survive the next few days. To stay close to my Master. To keep his focus from me as I made the final preparations to end his life.

    At least I was certain my bruised body would be eager for sleep. I could only hope that a night of true rest might improve both Dulane and Rin's assessment of my service. I found myself begging the hands of the kitchen clock to move faster and allow me to return to my bed. Sadly Madam had other plans.

    Even after nearly all others had been dismissed, I was informed that, in penance for my lack of work ethic, I would be the one to clean the kitchen in preparation for the next day. As Madam did not like leaving me alone unsupervised, she had chosen Hattie to remain on watch and offer aide to "correct me" should I fail at my task in any way. In spite of the fact that Hattie had not been outwardly cruel to me since my return to the kitchens following Mary's death, I could not help but suspect she would be no more kind than our sibla overseer if she found my work to be lacking.

    "I expect every inch of this kitchen to be spotless in the morning, Alice," Rin warned after she announced that she was retiring to bed. "Hattie, I regret that you must stay late as well, but it is necessary to ensure this one does not get into any trouble. I no longer trust Alice to be here on her own."

    "Yes, Madam, we both answered. Two obedient humans, one in need of reform and the other with the full trust of her supervisor. Hattie's dreams of overtaking my position had been fully realized.

    Still, with Madam gone, I noticed Hattie's shoulders relax slightly. I recognized the unconscious gesture well. I had held her position for so many years. I knew the burden of one in charge of the kitchens, particularly under an overseer like Rin. I pitied her as much as any other human on the estate.

    Picking up a rag without being asked and began to work I was surprised when Hattie joined me.

    "It will go faster if we work together," she said.
    Her voluntary aide simultaneously surprised me and gave me hope. Perhaps she was less loyal to Madam than I'd feared.

    We worked in silence, wiping down the countertops well. When we had finished I went to go and fill a mop bucket. The pain in my back as I bent down to lift the now full pail of water I'd poured was excruciating. Dulane's earlier wraps upon my skin were taking their toll as the bruises formed. I'd had no chance to apply ice to mitigate the swelling. I gritted my teeth against the pain and bent again in attempts to lift the water. But this time... the pail was light.

    My eyes opened wide to see Hattie lifting with me, taking the majority of the weight.

    "I can help," she said. I nodded and let her pour the water into the waiting bucket, already laced with soap.
    "Thank you," I said quietly, both glad for her help and embarrassed for my own weakness.

    "I'm sorry all this has happened to you, Alice," she said.
"You can rest if you wish. It won't take me long to mop and I can see you are in pain. Why don't you put some ice on your eye."

    The words seemed unbelievable. Had I been correct in perceiving true sympathy from the woman? I stood motionless as Hattie crossed to the freezer and returned with a bundle of ice wrapped in a wetted cloth.

    "Sit," she said, handing me the cool compress.

    I nodded, hesitantly lowering myself into a chair as I applied the cold to my skin, grateful for the relief. My heart longed to trust that this momentary compassion was motivated by the same genuine kindness and understanding that Gregory and I had forged towards one another but I knew I could not be so nieve. I realized that Hattie's actions could all be an elaborate hoax, designed to lure me into complacency. She might have heard of our plans somehow. She might have already reported on me or been waiting for a moment to catch me with incriminating words to end the rebellion before it began. The thought was terrifying!

    "I've thought about what you said," Hattie said as she began to work the mop along the floor. "Back in the infirmary. We are all in danger here. I should not have seen you as my enemy."

    The distrust only mounted in my mind, heart beating more quickly. Perhaps Madam had orchestrated this interaction herself, leaving us alone so I might betray our plans. Her words seemed too pointed, too specific to imagine they were lacking in specific motivation.

    "Truly I never intended you any ill will," I said, in answer to her words, offering a generic response, hoping to asses her intent further in forcing her to drive the conversation herself.

    "I know that now."

    Removing the ice for a moment, I stared hard at the woman who had so long imagined I was her adversary. I felt only regret for that fact. That I had not done more in the past to offer her support. Ignoring her pain had granted me another enemy to handle after my fall from grace. So many more might have followed me without the coaxing of Rebecca and Dreda if only I had been a better leader.

    "You are still young Hattie," I said, breaking the silence. "It was always you who was in line to inherit my position."

    "No," she answered, stopping in her task. "It was Mary."

    The mention of my daughter's name from her lips felt like a punch in my stomach. The pain of her words penetrating as if she had physically struck me. She was right. My daughter had been my heir apparent. Now she was dead and my legacy destroyed.

    "I'm sorry," she added, no doubt seeing the distress on my face. "I merely speak the truth."

    "I know," I answered, quickly wiping at the tears from my eyes and attempting to master my emotions. "You needn't worry about that anymore."

    The woman stared at me for a moment. I could feel her eyes upon me though I did not look up, afraid of losing my composure completely. I did not want to break down in front of her. Not Hattie.

    "What you did was heroic, Alice," she said finally. The words her so surprising I could not help but meet her eyes again in shock. But though I half expected to see her mocking gaze, I could tell she was entirely sincere.

    "Lina was innocent. Nothing stays secret here. We all know what happened now. Her abuse was a travesty as was her death. Mary's as well. Neither deserved their end and you did not deserve to suffer for doing what was right."

    "Then help me do somthing about it," I said the words before I thought better of them. It was foolish, reckless. I knew that. Emotions and energy frayed to the breaking point I had lost control, but with the words out in the open, I held my breath in fear of her response, trying to imagine how I might undo the damage I had done in my vulnerable state. I had been caught up in her sympathy, in seeing one I thought of as an enemy reach out a hand. But I knew in that moment I might truly have destroyed everything my allies and I had worked for. Betrayed us to one who really did have the power to undo every one of our plans. Amazingly, the women's expression registered only sorrow.

    "We are human," Hattie said, surprising me with the candor and regret in her tone. "There is nothing we can do about that."

    The opening was there. I could leave it be, remaining grateful she had dismissed my words as mere talk or...I could trust.

    "We are indeed human," I answered, "but sibla too are made of flesh and bone. They are not invincible. It is only our fear that keeps us captive to their whims, Hattie."

    The younger woman's brow furrowed, no doubt uncertain how to respond. I realized she might not trust me any more than I did her. Just as Gregory had taken convincing, I would have to prove myself, in spite of the risk.

    "I have nothing left to lose, Hattie," I said. "No matter what I do my destiny is death. Likely a painful one. But we are all in the same position here and will remain so unless we take action. I will not die without a fight."

    And there it was, my intention laid bare. I could see the shock on her face.

    "Why would you tell me this?" she asked, incredulous. "If I were to report your words to Madam Rin."

    "I would be flayed alive," I finished, cutting her off. "I would suffer unimaginable pain before my life was extinguished. I know this. Rin already despises me as does our Master. It would not take much for them to determine I should be destroyed and you have our overseer's ear."

    "Then why risk this outburst!"

I could see her frustration now, no doubt conflicted in how to handle my strange actions. But of course, in her indecision, I had my answer. Her distress was clear. This was no trap and Hattie did not wish to betray me. She knew my rage was well earned.

    "Because I would risk all that I am to see my daughter and all others who have fallen to our Masters' cruelty gain their revenge. I suspect that you would too if you only felt certain there were allies behind you.

    "How many children have you lost, Hattie?" I said, pressing further in hope of building her sympathies. "Have their little faces haunted your dreams? It is only fear of one another that keeps us from uniting against those who own our lives. But I am not afraid anymore. Fear died along with my daughter. All I have left is rage."

    She stared at me, weighing her words before speaking. Or perhaps she was merely trying to take in the reality of what I'd laid bare.

    "What are your plans?" She asked finally. I only shook my head. Hattie's reaction thus far was promising, but I could not risk the others' trust any more than I already had.

    "I'm sorry," I said, "I can only tell you that I will not leave this earth with a whimper. The souls of too many cry out to me for justice. I will not ask you to put yourself at risk, I only ask that, when the time comes, you will join with your fellows and support our efforts."

    "Rebellion?"

    "There is no other way."

    The woman was silent again, staring at me. I stared right back. She could choose to bring me down, but reading her gaze, I knew she would not. She might be unable to bring herself to our cause, but she was not a traitor.

    "If you tell any this came from me I will deny it," she said. The confusion on my face was genuine I had no idea what she was talking about. But Hattie didn't give me a chance to ask. I watched as she took the keys from her belt, the same keys I had once worn as kitchen head, and went to her private cupboard. I stared, wide-eyed as she came back to me with a sharp butcher's knife in hand.

    "Take it,' she said. "There is no way Madam will allow you near anything that might be used as a weapon, but this she will not miss. She trusts me."

    The conflicting emotions on her face were clear and I had sympathy for her plight. She was betraying the one who had offered her rank and given her true power. I too might have felt guilt for the deaths I would facilitate were I not now convinced that no sibla on the estate cared for any of us beyond seeing our lives as disposable items to be used and tossed away when no longer pleasing. Some part of Hattie's mind must have understood that as well. It was the only reason she would take such risk now.

    "Do not tell me where you hide it," the woman said. "I will say it has gone missing if asked and you will be the first they question."

    I nodded. It was not a threat, it was fact.

    "Thank you, Hattie," I said, placing my hand on hers in solidarity before accepting the weapon. Perhaps it was a trick of some kind, but I was preaching trust to all those who joined in our plans. I could not be a hypocrite and ignore help so sincerely granted. I would simply have to hide the knife where I was entirely certain she would not find it. It would only be a few days now before all secrets were revealed and our plans set into action, to fail or succeed as they would.

—-
Had anyone wondered before where Alice got her knife? Recognize the gesture of send off Dreda gave Alice from somewhere? In writing this book I wanted to not only tell Alice's story from this timeline but show all the crumbs of the Alice she would be in AH. With the knife in hand, the  final pieces are in place. Tomorrow Dulane's estate will fall!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥