Alice was first aware of the sunlight hitting her in the face. She was then aware that the baby wasn't crying or even remotely breathing in her vicinity; it probably meant that no one was in the room and the danger had passed. She sat up and the thick cover that someone had slid over her fell to her waist. After rubbing her eyes clean of all sleep leftovers, she stood, stretched, and turned to make the bed. There was a knock at the door. She didn't turn to see who entered as she finished her chore.
"Alice, you're awake," Stan noted. In his hands was a tray laden with what smelled like soup, fresh bread, and a sliced fruit or two. Alice noticed that the smell made her stomach grumble. Stan moved to the tiny table in the corner of the room and sat the tray down. "Mia figured you'd be hungry when you woke up so she fixed you something to eat."
"I'll tell her thank-you when I come downstairs. I'll wash the dishes as well..." Stan waved a hand.
"Forget about it Alice. You've already done enough for my family as is." She eyed him since she wasn't quite sure what he meant. "I saw the thing you told us about last night. I saw it too. In my book, you saved my family's life Alice. I don't think we'll ever be able to repay you." Alice took a seat at one of the two chairs at the table. Stan took the other.
"What happened after I fell asleep?" She took a chunk of bread and dipped it into the soup. It was delicious to her empty stomach.
"I ran outside to see what you were making a fuss about and I ran into the monster just as you described. There was already someone else there and it looked like the two were duking it out something fierce. I started firin' in hopes of given the guy a little bit of a hand. No such luck. The damn thing waved it's tail and I was on the ground faster than you could spit. Suddenly, there were three others. The two men went to face the creature with the other one and the woman helped me back home. She ordered us to stay inside. I never caught a name but I came up here and waited. The next thing any of us knew, the sun was shinin' and everything seemed to have quieted down. I went and checked and sure enough, everything was gone. Monster and people both." Alice finished off the soup and started on the fruit. "If it wasn't for a couple of large scratches in the walls or the holes in the ground, I would've said it never happened." She finished her meal.
"How long was I asleep?"
"A day now. Old Will left last night. Said he'd be back for you today. Weather permitting." She nodded. Stan took the tray and headed for the door. Before he completely disappeared, he called back to her, "The bathroom is open right now if you want to clean up a bit. Mia left one of her old dresses in there since your clothing is a little dirty right now. She apologizes since she's never owned a pair of breeches before in her life. Second door on the right."
Alice smiled as she walked out of the safe room and into the tiny, yet long, hallway. She found the door Stan mentioned and slipped inside. Seeing a bathtub with warm soapy water never made her feel so relaxed in her whole life. She tore the muddy clothing off her back and jumped in without hesitation. The water was just right. A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned her head back against the edge of the tub. Some of her muscles were sore from where the creature had slung her around in the mud. She dove under the water. Something... something felt familiar about the thing. Like she'd seen it before. That was impossible. She'd never seen anything like it before. Unless...
It was a long shot but Alice figured that her forgotten past might hold the answer to it. Why couldn't she remember that thing? Wasn't it something kinda important to know? Alice shook her head and surfaced, gulping in large amounts of air. Very quickly the water turned murky so she decided to get out. The dress was sitting on a counter. It was a light yellow, laced with white and was probably the perfect summer dress. She slid into it once she was dried. Amazingly, it fit. Mia, Alice noted, had gained a little weight since she was carrying her child so this dress was probably not that old; it felt new. She found a brush in one of the cabinets. It was maybe twenty minutes later that she walked out of the bathroom. Her hair had given a valiant effort in its attempts to not be brushed but it had eventually surrendered. Mia was downstairs in the kitchen when Alice finally appeared. She smiled at the younger woman.
"I'm glad it fits dear," she beamed. Alice curstied.
"I'll be sure to bring it back once I wash it." Mia waved a hand.
"Keep it child. The good Lord knows that I've gained some weight which I probably won't be puttin' off any time soon. Stan wants three kids; you do the math." Alice felt her face turn scarlet. Mia chuckled. "Anyway, I bought that dress right after I started gaining weight. I'd forgotten that I wasn't as small as I used to be so it's new, never worn, and it looks good on you."
"Thank-you but really, you should take it back. You might have a daughter one day and besides, I do too much rough work to wear a dress that often. I'd hate to damage it or leave it in a closet for the next eternity."
"Oh sweetie..."
"I'll send it back first thing tomorrow!" Before Mia could argue the fact even more, Alice ran out kitchen to the front of the store. Stan was behind the counter stacking some of the shelves with new merchandise.
"Ah Alice. All cleaned up I see." She smiled up at him as she leaned against the counter.
"I am. I have to apologize for your bathtub though. I got it a little muddy..."
"It's alright. It's the least we can do for you since you did give us a heads up about the monster." He turned to face her. "Mia will have it cleaned up in no time. Oh yeah. Old Will phoned up here not too long ago. Was askin' about ya. Told him you were up and read to go and he said he'd be right over. He should be here any minute now. Would you mind handing me that bag of flour on the floor next to you?" Alice looked down to her left and saw the large burlap bag. She reached for it. It weighed a good bit but it was nothing she wasn't used to. She hoisted it onto the counter for him to take. "Thank-you."
"Any time." A little bell chimed the opening of the front door. Stan leaned over the counter to see around the bag of flour.
"Welcome sir. Can I get anything for you today?" Alice turned to eye the stranger as well. He stood a little taller than she was and his hair was completely white which was odd because he didn't look that old. Over his left eye was an odd scar which started as an upside down star on top and tapered into a narrow line, ending just under his eye. He work a single gold earring on his right ear. Everything else about him was black and red. He smiled at Stan.
"I need to get a couple of pieces of cloth for medical purposes if you have any."
"Medical purposes? Yeah I got a few in the back if you're willing to wait a minute."
"I'm in no rush. Take your time." Stan smiled at Alice and took off into the back of his store, leaving the two of them alone. Alice stared at the counter as hard as she could. Despite everything that happened the night before, it couldn't be a coincidence that the red-and-black uniform that she'd seen fighting the monster was standing right next to her. She wanted to turn and ask him every burning question that was sitting on her tongue but knew it probably wasn't a tactful decision. He was purchasing medical bandages which meant someone was hurt. He probably needed... but he'd said... Her head starting spinning and she braced herself against the counter. "Are you alright miss? You don't look so good." She glanced up at him.
"I... I'm alright. I've been sick since yesterday so I shouldn't really be over doing it." She pushed away from the counter. Her feet directed her to one of the two chairs that she and Old Will had occupied the night before but a hand on her arm suddenly stopped her. She paused completely unsure of what to do. The stranger broke the silence.
"Are... Are you Alice Whitefield?"
