Chapter One


When the same nightmare awakens her, she sits bolt upright in the
middle of the bed.


Where am I? she thinks.


And blinks at the bedside clock.


7:15 A.M.


She is instantly wide awake.


"Kids!" she yells. "Jamie! Ashley! Up! We're late! Up, guys!"


She hears grumbling down the hall. Ashley's voice. Jamie hasn't
spoken for almost eight months now.


"Guys, are you up?" she shouts.


"Yes, Mom!" Ashley calls.


Ten years old, the elder of the two. Her eyes and her hair brown,
like Alice's. Eight-year-old Jamie favors his father. Blond hair
and blue eyes. She can never look into those eyes without recalling
that terrible day.


She shakes off the nightmare and gets out of bed.