Full Summary ~

Alice has made full rounds around the different Countries, her game completed, but still remaining as an Outsider. A second Outsider enters the game that surprises everyone with a new game starting. What is her game and what does it have to do with Alice?

Overture

Please bear with the prologue of this story. I am wanting to keep minimal information of her as possible until the right moments that they need to appear. But the trial is relevant. The story continues next chapters.

"Once you free your mind about a concept of Harmony and of [reality] being correct, you can do whatever you want. So, nobody told me what to do, and there was no preconception of what to do."

- Giovanni Giorgio

She felt her whole life wanted to end. Or was coming to an end. She couldn't tell anymore. And she really didn't know if she wanted to leave her house or even her bed anymore. It hurt to get up and go to work, especially needing to take medication several times a day. But every morning is the worst.

She noted to herself her alarm clock and how much time she had to enjoy the comforts of bed. Then the day would consist of the routine she always set for herself. Her mind could not handle too much deviation from that routine. That comfort zone. Why was that? It wasn't because she was a neat, control freak. She was far from it. Her home was always in disarray, not too much from dishes, or trash, but with paperwork. And she barely makes it to work on time, not from laziness, but from one appointment after another. But this did not mean she was inefficient. She knew and did her job well. This is why they kept her even after what happened. And she could still manage her finances on her own. Being an independent woman can make you strong like that even when you're crumbling on the inside. So what could drive someone to easily fall under pressure?

When her final alarm went off, many set so she could have a set amount of snoozes, she finally got up to get ready. Her pills already set on her night stand, separated by the segments of day and time of day to take. Her cat Kosi curled at the foot of her bed made it harder for her to leave. 'Why?! The guilt is always the worst after the pain.' She thought to herself as she pried herself out of bed. Kosi didn't even budge.

She got in the shower, and got ready. Warm water was easier on the nerves. But she much preferred evening time. She had a very important day today, so she wanted to be presentable. A day she did not look forward to unfortunately.

"I hope you're ready for this, because I'm not…" One of her companions replied as she came up the steps to meet them. They were at a large building. A courthouse to be exact. Both ladies dressed proper, she managed to get out of the house on time and it looked like her companions were chatting and waiting for some time. Couple of them had to-go drinks in hand and looking over paperwork. Some of them looking over their cell phones. She limped up the steps to them with her cane as her spare leg.

"I'm never. I don't want to see him." She replied. Feeling her gut tense. Another companion, a family member, nodded with agreeance. A good portion of her family was present. Before any more conversation ensued, they saw more family, colleagues, and the attorney lawyer coming, signaling that the session was going to begin soon so they should head inside. Indeed, she made it at the nick of time.

Court is always a long process of silence, standing when the judge enters, and unknown discussion between legal councils. Their victims' mediator tried to explain the best she could the legal terms and what was going on in hushed tones and little notes, most had to wait till they got outside. But the thing she hated most of all, even sitting farthest back in the pews of the courthouse from the criminal, was knowing that there was no remorse for what he did. And though she tried to keep a straight, glaring face when he had to enter and leave, she wanted to express so much more because she could see that he'd seen her too. The man with brown unkempt hair and a smile constantly on his face. Again, no remorse.

Even though most the trial was discussion she didn't quite understand, there was one thing she did;

"Now due to my client being asked such questions, they have nothing to do with this case! It's only to farther the DA's own agenda!" His attorney retaliated suddenly.

'I remembered what he was referring to', she thought. Some family members and coworkers were talking about something ending up in the local paper about the District Attorney and the sheriff's department at odd ends with each other or something of the sort. They mentioned our case in their interview questions just to get some to talk and because the District Attorney over looks our case and it is the largest going on locally, but nothing relevant. A really degrading moment that made us victims feel more violated.

"You do realize this could be a cause for a mistrial!" the attorney continued. This made her heart stop. 'I've heard cases of mistrials and I do not want one. I do not want him free! I will end up dead!' She could feel the blood run from her face.

There was more discussion between councils about the DA and Sheriff's Department, mainly because the defendant kept bringing up the subject. The judge did not call point of order during the whole dispute, just hearing either side. Once either side said their piece on the matter, the judge brought up the next matter of on life in prison or death penalty. It was always a heated topic even with the public. It's a topic that may be brought back up on voting ballets at the next local elections on whether to abolish the death penalty. She personally wanted the man punished severely for his crimes, even if it meant death penalty. She used to be one who would ponder a criminal's second chances, but now that it's happened to her personally, that hope is gone. The next topic brought up was when the next trial date will be. It's always decided then and there while all are present and available. It was decided that in two months' time will be the next court date.

She didn't hear her advocate explain the trial and what happened once they were out. That what happened is just a tactic that the defendant lawyer is trying to pull, just as they always do. The local news reporter was there as well, not close enough to hear the details from the advocate, but if anyone wanted to be interviewed for the paper, he was ready. Before this whole incident ever occurred in her life, she would give passing thought and give probably anything to the thought of what it would be like to be interviewed and the world know your story. But never like this. Now she disliked any prying in her life.

She said her farewells to everyone, trying to seem normal to everyone as they parted ways. Maybe even go out to dinner with one of her sisters when they had the time. She doesn't go to work on trial days anymore. They always screw up the day, even if they end early. So she heads home and do her best to be normal at home. Back in the day, many years back, she used to be a socialite and enjoy lunch dates with coworkers or evenings on the town. Now nobody barely sees her outside work or her house.

More medication. Tears streaming down her face as she tried to compose herself. Whenever she'd see him, in person or in the news, her heart would break and she would have to restart herself. It never gets easy, even after all these years. Years! You would think an obvious crime would have speedy trials with the guilty locked up forever, but it feels like the opposite! Instead the guilty is enjoying the luxury of notary and fame while the victims are locked in constant injustice and lose of security. And the victims such as herself have still not had their voices heard. Evidences presented shows no doubt but no witnesses have been called up, nor has there been word of scheduling the start of the true trial, not these preliminaries. There have not been a jury present nor picked out yet. And now word of mistrial? Before her voice is heard? Before she could get justice? These are the times she wished the guilty are tried guilty then and there and get their sentence quickly whether it's years, life, or for the sake of this case, death penalty.

Why did she survive that night if she was going to live through this torture? She did not want to live in this world anymore if she's going to keep suffering like this! She's not suicidal, but always questions, why her? Survivor's guilt as they say.

Just as she was about to feel the panic attack worsen, she could feel the medication set in. She could feel herself get tired and lethargic. This wasn't the normal afternoon medication setting in. This was a certain one the doctor prescribed just for these occasions. And she used them sparingly so they would have this quick effect on her. The best option was to just lay down and that's just what she did. Take a nap.

I can't get up. I'm pinned to the ground; my legs are not working! I could see blood everywhere! The smell! Always the smell! Why am I in a void? This is not a normal nightmare…

When she wakes up, it was late afternoon. Nightmares. 'I don't normally have them during naps. And prescription takes care of bedtime. I know it's today, but if they continue, I need to talk to my doctor about them. I hate nightmares.'

She decided to at least try to clean the home while she has the extra day off. Her house is a decent home at least. She lived alone, in a nice three-bedroom house, next to a nice mountain side. How could someone score such a nice home and own it? She wasn't a person to own a home at this age either, still trying to find ways to fill the rooms with her stuff. Honestly, it's a house that's passed on from generation. It was her Papa's house, now she inherited it after his passing. Most all of his belongings were still there, in the same locations as if he were going to enter the back door. And he would still be entering that back door if it wasn't for...

Her sisters and brother did not want the house, due to its location. Older sister much prefers the city and social life. The younger brother and sister wasn't yet ready to settle down to one single house for decades on end. She wasn't quite ready yet either, but more ready than them and wasn't wanting the house to deteriorate more than it already has. Papa wasn't the best homeowner. True to being a bachelor after Mama and the kids left 20 years ago.

She was notified on her cell phone that a new email just came. She stopped her cleaning and opened it. Her boss was asked by her that she needed the report on the Sin'ka Children. The children she had to help find a foster home for. They were relatives of hers, distant cousins; still family. But business was business with what she worked and she worked for her family in a sort of way. The kids had put a toll on her physically and mentally, even to this day when writing the report. When dealing with family, you still need to follow policies. She didn't want to turn it in because it broke her heart where they ended up. The other part of the email asked if policies had the appropriate edits. Again, another thing she's been wishing she could put off.

She had another email awaiting her. Unfortunately, it was bad news from the attorney, that whatever date was decided before for the next trial will need to a continuance. Yet another continuance. And they didn't even wait a full 24 hours! This always happens! Whatever happened to the saying 'Right to a speedy trial?' And this one pushed it where it conflicts with timing of voting for death penalty. So if the 'people' vote to abolish it before the trial, then what?

She was done with the day! Just done!

Aside from her master bedroom, she managed to turn one of the other rooms into a full library room. Wall to wall bookshelves. A small desk to work on papers or if creativity struck, she could write in her journals. In a corner she had a beanbag and an ottoman with blankets inside. She was a collector, so some of her rare books, coins, fossils, and other collections were on display in this room. It was her favorite room that she did manage to make it her own and move her Papa's things out. She felt very bad about it, but he was using it as storage anyways. And under the junk storage, their old child beds and furniture. He never did move on when they moved out.

This was when she decided she was done with cleaning house and brought a cup'a with her and looked in the shelves for a good book to get lost in. So many classics, so many current popular ones, so many worlds!

She found a favorite, a classic. One that's been adapted to many different versions of itself but still a good classic. If she could just forget this world, maybe just for the evening, this would the perfect book. There's so much going on that she sometimes just can't handle. This world she thought she could, but not anymore. So another world would be nice. Someone who needs control, wouldn't it be nice where nonsense would be nice to grasp again?

She read the first couple chapters, enjoying the nonsensical world. Silly girl and poor rabbit being chased. It was getting very late, perhaps in the wee hours of the night by the time she was a good way into the book. She didn't even know she stopped reading.

Her cup of tea had also gone cold, snacks delved into, and pets curled up asleep. The medication took effect again.