Author's Note: Hey guys, welcome to chapter eleven of "The Girl in the Tower"! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter! ;) And I did promise to publish a couple more chapters to catch up and make up for my absence, so here it is! :D Please review, follow, and fav! Thank you so much as always for your patience and support! :) Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven: Return

1912,

One year later...

Welcome to your life,

There's no turning back,

Even while we sleep,

We will find you acting on your best behavior,

Turn your back on mother nature,

Everybody wants to rule the world...

The phonograph plays my favorite tune as I reach into my wardrobe. I take out a long white dress with strings of flowers hanging from the waistband; I try it on. It fits perfectly, except for the straps, which come loose from around my shoulders. I then adjust them with a needle and thread. Aunt Rose taught me to stitch and sew when I was six.

"Oh, that's better now. Hmmm, how about this one, actually?" I leave the white dress on my bed and take out a short, red one with black roses decorating the straps and hem. It fits even better than the first and the straps fit tightly to my shoulders. It looks so pretty, but I still really like that white one... Oh, damn, if only I could ask for someone's opinion on both...

Songbird.

I frown at the very thought of Him now. Thinking of Songbird is like thinking of jumping out of the window to my death. I'd rather wish for that than to be with Him each and every day of my lonely life. As hard and taxing as it is, I choose to live in the moment, rather than in regret and shame. There is no use and no reason to even contemplate escape at this point. I gave up a long time ago because my life is here now and nowhere else. I just need to make believe Songbird is not there watching me with His glaring glass eyes... Those eyes I loathe... those eyes I dare not to spit in.

I sigh and turn around to switch off the phonograph, removing the record from it. The music has transformed to a chorus of noise as I become annoyed at my indecision. Both dresses are beautiful, but I can't decide which one I should wear later! I refuse to consult Songbird on this, as I want nothing to do with Him. I'm only hoping that maybe He's finally left me alone for once, or better yet, forever. I doubt it highly, though, because I know He'll never leave me be. I will grow old in this tower, and I will wither away and watch myself rot and change into dust. It's becoming more and more likely every day, and the question of who will finally rescue me from here has remained unanswered. There is no hope left, is there?

If only Aunt Rose could tell me otherwise...

I then jump back as I'm startled by a sudden knock at my door. I nearly drop the record I'm holding in my hands and I take a couple of steps back, gathering my voice. I'm ready to scream for Songbird's help, as I'm supposed to when I'm in danger.

"Who's there?! Who are you and why are you here?!" I shout as loud as I can, aiming the record at the door. I notice that it was a gentle knock rather than a pounding noise. It could mean that it's someone I know, but it could very well be a trap instead. I proceed with the utmost amount of caution as possible.

Another knock follows and I shout again, demanding an answer, "Tell me who you are, right now!"

A brief pause and then a familiar voice, "Dear? Elizabeth? It's me."

I gasp, nearly bursting into tears. I recognize the voice immediately.

It's Aunt Rose.

"Oh my god, Aunt Rose!" I drop the record and run toward the door. I quickly open it to find the woman that raised me since my mother died, my dear Aunt Rose. My Aunt Rose!

Something seems strange, though. She hasn't aged since I last saw her, which was three years ago. But I don't care at this moment, because now I have her back, which must also mean that Uncle Robert is here too! And I can't help but bring her into my arms, clinging onto her as tight as I can.

I can hear her giggle, "Oh, my dear!"

"Oh, Aunt Rose..." I cry quietly into her neck, not wanting to let her go this time. She then gently yanks me away and cups my face in her hands, making me look her in the eye.

"No time, child. There's someone here for you. It's very important." Something is wrong... Where's Uncle Robert?

"W-what...? What's the matter? Where's Uncle Robert?" I ask, my voice trembling as I try to make sense of what she's trying to say. Her face isn't one of happiness, but one of seriousness. Something is going on.

"He's here, love. Don't worry, but you have to listen to me carefully now. Understand?"

I simply nod. She then lets go of me and steps aside.

There is now silence, a long silence.

Uncle Robert suddenly appears and stands beside Aunt Rose. But I don't understand how... how...

"We know you have not seen us in a long while, and we assume you received our letter to you. We also know that Comstock is dead, your father," begins Uncle Robert.

"It is going to be rather difficult for us to try to explain everything to you, but we are here to make things right again. We want you to meet someone, Elizabeth. There is nothing to fear now," adds Aunt Rose.

"If you don't count that massive bird thing." quips Uncle Robert.

I shake my head and stammer, feeling my head spin in confusion, "W-what? W-who...?"

A man then comes out from behind the shadows. He's tall and rugged, beaten and scarred...

I quickly recognize his face.

He's the man in the photograph. The man in my dreams, thoughts, and visions.

He's Booker DeWitt.

Author's Note: This concludes chapter eleven of "The Girl in the Tower"! I hope you enjoyed this one! :D We've finally been introduced to the one and only, Booker DeWitt! Thank you so much for reading and please stay tuned for the next chapter, which will actually be the last chapter for this story. I'm planning on writing the sequel after I've completed this one, though, so keep your eyes peeled! I hope you're all looking forward to it! And don't forget to review, follow, and fav! Thank you so much for everything! I'll see you guys later! :) Love you all!