The door opened, and a little girl came running towards Alice. Alice knelt as the girl crashed into her, hugging her tightly. A white cat strolled behind the child. Alice waved at it, but the cat ignored her and walked outside.
"Hello, Ell! Did you miss me a lot?" Alice asked the little girl, Eloise.
"A lot!" Eloise dragged out the last word as she spoke in her broken English.
Just then, a woman walked in. She had blonde hair, green eyes, and was wearing a kitchen apron. She smiled at the two of them huddled together. "Ell, honey, go and play with Azura outside. She might run away. I'm baking an apple pie, and I will call you when it's ready."
"But I want to stay with Alice," the girl pouted.
"Ell, I will be here until evening. I promise we'll build the LEGO tower together," Alice assured her. She showed her little finger to Eloise, who excitedly extended her own little finger, sealing their pinky promise—a secret between them.
Eloise dashed outside to join Azura, and Alice turned to the woman.
"How are you doing, Giselle?" Alice asked as Giselle sat down at the kitchen table.
"Well, I'm not doing much better than the last time. The promotion is taking a toll on me, and Eloise gets upset whenever she hears the name of the daycare," Giselle sighed. "You're back after a long time. Busy?"
Alice, with the sleeves of her hoodie rolled up to her elbows, kneaded the cookie dough. "If you want, I can take care of Eloise while you work. I could also help with some chores," she suggested. "And yes, I've been busy with schoolwork."
"Don't lie to me. I'm the only person who knows your secret, and you're still lying. You were in Mosvil, weren't you?" Giselle chastised.
Alice hummed in response as she set the cookies in the oven and walked over to make them some tea.
"Why do you have to risk your life? I know Ivelle's death has been a huge grief for both of us, but Alice, don't put your life in danger for her. She won't even know," Giselle said, a small tear escaping her eye at the mention of Ivelle. Alice gripped the teapot tightly at the mention of Ivelle's name.
She handed Giselle her teacup and a tissue. The pie was almost done, and Alice pulled it out of the oven, serving it on three plates before placing cat food for Azura.
"Have you ever noticed any special powers in Eloise?" Alice asked.
Giselle's eyes widened. "What do you mean? Are you saying she could be a vampire? And even if she is, I'm never telling her that. I can't lose her too, Alice. After Ivelle, she is all I have left—she's Ivelle's only memory," Giselle said, panic rising in her voice.
"Calm down. But I honestly think she is a vampire. Even if you don't tell her, she will find out, Giselle. Her hunger won't be limited to apple pies and pancakes; it will be an insatiable bloodthirst. She needs to be trained, or she'll always be in danger," Alice explained, taking a seat at the dining table in front of Giselle.
"Eloise, the pie is ready! Come on in and bring Azura with you," Alice called through the kitchen window. "Eloise's eyes look just like Ivelle's—so blue," Alice remarked as she sipped her tea, and Giselle smiled at that.
"Giselle, think about it. I promise she won't end up like Ivelle," Alice said before Eloise entered with Azura.
"Let's watch a movie, Eloise, but only after you clean up first," Alice said. While Giselle was left to her thoughts, Alice and Eloise spent the rest of the day playing and watching movies together.