They continued to descend. She wasn't sure when they started down the staircase. It was pitch black, so it was impossible to tell how far they had to go.
They were holding hands. She couldn't see her partner.
She remembered the girl calling her name. That glimpse of her face through the crowd.
That familiar face…
"Alice…is that…"
"It's me mom."
Joy overcame her. Water welled in Cybil's eyes. It was her. After all this time.
It was difficult to find the words.
"Mommy is really happy to see you. I missed you."
"Me too mom."
"Where have you been? It's been a very long time." She choked back the tears.
"It's difficult to get back from there. I can't really explain it."
"What happened in the fire? The big one?"
"I'm not sure. I think I was asleep"
"Did you get hurt?"
"No mom. I just woke up here."
"Did you suffer?" she sobbed.
"No." The girl squeezed her hand as years of grief and anguish flooded out of her. Her step felt lighter; her burden less and less heavy. Alice pressed her hand again. Cybil began to wonder if she was holding the child's hand, or the child was holding hers.
"Where are we going sweetie?"
"We're going where I've been. You can't return once you get there. Unless she wants you to.
It's a beautiful place…just like everyone said it would be."
"Who said?" asked Cybil, a little nervous, "What place?"
She realized they had stopped. A door stood before them. It was opening – Alice was opening it. A light behind it illuminated her girl's face. Her whole face; clear and bright and pretty. It was a little too bright. Cybil covered her eyes instinctively.
The nostalgic scent again.
The light filled up the space and enveloped them both until she could see nothing else. She had no idea if her eyes were open or closed.