Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT ALICE LOST EVERYTHING
The fire started at 2:17 A.M.
Alice woke to the smell of smoke.
At first, she thought she was dreaming.
Then the alarm sounded.
She ran into Ben's bedroom.
"Wake up!"
He sat upright, frightened.
"Mom?"
"We have to go."
She grabbed his hand.
The hallway was filling with smoke.
They reached the stairs just as firefighters entered the building.
Minutes later, they stood outside beneath a blanket, watching flames climb through the windows.
Alice's apartment was gone.
Everything Daniel had left.
Every photograph.
Every letter.
Every memory she had managed to preserve.
Victor arrived before dawn.
He found Alice sitting on the curb.
Ben slept against her shoulder.
She looked up when Victor approached.
"I told you."
He stopped.
"What?"
"I told you they would come back."
Victor knelt beside her.
"I'm sorry."
Alice laughed through tears.
"Sorry doesn't bring back my husband's photographs."
He lowered his eyes.
"I know."
He offered them a place to stay.
Alice refused.
"I don't want your charity."
Victor nodded.
"Then let me help you find somewhere safe. You can choose the place, and we'll arrange it through your attorney."
She looked at him.
"Why are you doing this?"
Victor hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
"Because your husband tried to warn me. And I didn't listen."
Alice stared at him.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, "Daniel thought you were different."
Victor looked up.
"He did?"
She nodded.
"He said you were dangerous, but you had rules."
Victor closed his eyes.
Alice continued.
"He believed if he could get the evidence to you, you'd stop Sloane."
Victor looked toward the burning building.
"I failed him."
Alice's voice softened.
"Then don't fail the people who are still here."
Victor nodded.
May you like
And for the first time in his life, he understood that responsibility could not be purchased.
It had to be lived.
