Chapter 9: What Has Been Done.

Lawrence and Alice watched the bag sink to the bottom. Alice thought everything was going to be okay. That Lawrence would never tell her secret. That she killed Robert Phillips. It was all going to be okay. Right? But, as Alice was thinking that the Voice appeared again.

" What are you waiting for Alice? ", asked the Voice.

Alice didn't respond. She looked at Lawrence with a panicked look in her eyes. Can he hear the Voice too? What does it mean? There's nothing else to be done. I killed Phillips and disposed of the evidence. That was the plan and the Voice knew that. It continued on without Alice's answer.

" What I mean is aren't you going to kill this man? ", asked the Voice in an impatient tone.

Kill the man? Does he mean Lawrence? Why would she ever kill Lawrence? He just helped her. He knew what she did. He could have killed her. But, he didn't. He helped her and told her he'd never tell anyone what happened. The Voice can't be serious!

" He knows to much. If you keep him around he'll just tell or, even kill you. You have to kill him before he kills you. It's survival to the finish my dear. ", said the Voice.

Alice couldn't believe what she was hearing. She covered her ears as if that would block out the Voice. Trying to not hear anything else it has to say. Not wanting to hear what it says. Lawrence looked over and saw her grabbing her ears as if someone was screaming in them.

He put his hand on her shoulder and in a gentle voice trying to hide the fact that he was scared to death something was wrong with her, asked, " Alice, what's wrong? "

At his touch Alice's head bolted up. As if she was just electrified and she fell to the ground. She began to scream. The Voice was no longer had a quiet calm voice to it. It was screaming at her. Screaming the word ' Kill '. Alice couldn't bear it. She felt her sanity slowly slipping away from her. Her eyes were glued shut not wanting to open them. In fear she might find the police or, someone else trying to kill her! She was scared of seeing Lawrence. Scared she might spring up and attack him. Attack him with what? Her hands? A near by rock? They were on a bridge her weapon sank to the bottom. She couldn't hit him with anything. There were no rocks on this bridge but, tiny little pebbles. She was to weak and fragile to do any real damage with her strength. He could easily pull her off of him and pick her up. Or, push her down. And he could run much faster than her if he tried to get away. So, why is she scared? There was nothing to be scared of. Lawrence would never betray her. And she knew that. She trusted him. Alice slowly began to open her eyes. Seeing Lawrence with a terrified expression screaming out her name.

" Alice! Alice what's wrong! ", he screamed at her while holding on to her shoulders shaking her.

" I'm fine.. ", Alice said slowly gaining her sanity back.

" What happened? ", he asked her staring at her with intense eyes she couldn't stand to look at.

" I started hearing something. It was a ringing in my ears. I couldn't stand it. I guess I just collapsed or something. ", she said. Amazed that she could lie like this to him. And he would believe her.

Lawrence nodded and helped her back on her feet. " We should get home. You need to change clothes and get some rest. ", he said.

Alice and him began walking back down the hill to where the horse was awaiting them. Lawrence put one foot in the stirrup and swung his leg over to the other side. He stretched out his hand to Alice and pulled her up. She sat behind him on the horse and hugged him from behind tightly. Scared of falling off. He kicked the horse gently and the began a steady trot. Alice pressed her cheek against his back and stared off into the distance. Staring at the scenery that passed by as they rode by it. Lawrence glanced back at her to make sure she was still awake and fine.

" Alice. ", he begun, " Can I ask you a question? " Alice nodded and he continued. " How'd you pull it off? I mean how did you kill him? "

Alice couldn't speak. She felt a lump in her throat and felt as if she was about to cry but, found her voice. " I shot him. " That was all she could say.

" And how did you plan to dispose of the body? Did you plan to burn it? ", he pressed on. " Did you plan that? Did you know he would have a fire going? "

Alice began to wonder how he knew there was a fire going inside the house. But, she didn't ask. At this point she knew that he followed her and probably saw the scene. But, not everything. " The fire was luck. ", that was all she said.

Lawrence knew that was all she would say. And there was nothing more he could get her to say. Instead he just kicked the horse again and started at a faster pace to her house. Once, they were there they quietly put Rose back in her stall and closed the stable doors. Lawrence begged Alice to let her give him a piggy-back-ride so she let him. He carried her all the way to house where the balcony was up above. She climbed up the trellis and climbed over the rail followed by Lawrence. She opened the balcony doors to find her room just as she left it. But, both Alice and Lawrence did not sit down. Instead he went into his room or, the spear bedroom and she stayed in her room. They both stripped off their clothes and changed into night wear. When they were done Alice went into his room. In the spear bed room there was a fire place. They loaded the fire place with logs and lit it with a match. Once, the fire was strong they threw their clothes in it. The fire burned brighter and gas that reeked of blood consumed the chimney and outside of it.

It was silent between them. Lawrence knew Alice didn't want to talk about what had happened. And Alice wasn't about to tell anything either. She was tired and just wanted to sleep. But, at this point it was probably impossible for her. To be able to sleep alone in her room knowing she killed someone that was now sleeping forever. She couldn't sleep. Until Lawrence asked her, " Can I lay with you tonight? "

Alice looked over at him. He was looking down at the floor, blushing, and dumbly playing with the carpet. Alice nodded and they silently climbed into the queen sized bed. They lay apart with a big gap between them. Both not moving an inch. Finally, Lawrence moved over closer to Alice and held her. In his arms she felt safe and content. She slowly drifted off into a light sleep.