Alice didn't need to be told twice. She cast one last teary glance at Mr. Meijer, then cast her eyes down and rushed upstairs as fast as her weakened body could carry her. She shut the door behind her. She would have locked it, but Tobias had taken away the key, she would have moved all the furniture against the door, but all unnecessary furniture had been removed after she had tried to barricade the entrance to her retreat last time.

She grabbed her blanket, wrapped it around her self, and lay down in bed. She curled up on her side and closed her eyes. "Anne. Anne. Anne," she whispered.