I'm wearing my favorite silver sequined shirt and shorts topped off with lace-up sandals. My hair is back in a loose pony, leaving some wisps in my face.

I hate makeup with a passion, but desperate times lead to desperate measures, so I even add this time around bright red lipstick.

Puckering my lips, I admire my reflection and have to say that I do look cute. Satisfied, I slip the DSS into my back pocket and then head for Dr. Monroe's office.

Once I reach the poorly painted door, I don't knock, I just walk right in like I own the place.

He's sitting behind his desk, fast asleep, drool rolling down his cleft chin. (How lovely...)

I clear my throat. He jumps startled, his yellow-green eyes flying open and landing on me.

"Sorry for frightening you." I give a sweet smile while walking up to his desk and propping my elbows onto it, chin in hand.

"Alice, what do you want?" he questions, rubbing at his tired eyes.

"I came to ask you something." I flutter my mascara eyelashes at him, hoping to make him nervous.

He gulps, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down nervously. "It's late. Do we really need to talk right this minute? Can't it just wait until tomorrow?"

I lean in closer to him. "No, it can't."

He sits rigidly in his chair, not meeting my eyes. "Then what is it you need to ask me?"

I lean in more, our faces inches apart. "Why do you work for President White when you know what is really taking place here?"

Now he's looking at me. "I don't have much of a choice."

"Oh, really," I whisper, twirling a piece of his soft hair around my finger, "Why is that?"

He takes a breath, his eyes locking on mine. "I know what you're trying to do."

"Really? Humor me."

He chuckles. "You want answers and it's kind of amusing that you think you'll get them by seducing me."

Placing my hand over his thumping heart, I say, "It was working."

His laugh reverberates across the room. "You don't need to make a fool out of yourself to get answers, although it's quite entertaining. Just ask."

"Seriously man, I got all made up for nothing," I pout.

He smiles, standing up, making me take a few steps back. "Yeah, you did. Now ask away Alice, and I'll answer."

"Ok." I cross my arms over my chest. "Why don't you have a choice?"

"When I first signed up for this job, I didn't know yet what the cure really was. I didn't know that they kill the weak and keep the strong. I tried to back out when I discovered the truth, but it was already too late."

"What do you mean?"

His eyes meet mine, downtrodden. "I knew too much, they'll kill me."

I place my hand on his forearm, my heart racing. "Do you want to stop them?"

"That's impossible."

"Nothing's impossible if you believe."

"Yes, I would like to stop them," he then admits.

I watch him for any signs that he might be tricking me. He seems sincere.

"Help me then," I whisper.

"How?"

"Release those that are here."

"Everyone?" His eyes widen.

"Yeah."

"But what if they are weak?"

I place my hand on his shoulders, my eyes gazing into his. "We're all human Dr. Monroe and humans aren't perfect."

He smiles softly. "You do have a point."

I don't return a smile of my own. "I know." Removing my hands from his shoulders, they drop to my side clenching and unclenching nervously. "So are you in?" Please say yes and let this not be a trap.

"Yes, count me in," he says at last.

...

Tonight my dreams aren't my usual nightmares, it's a memory.

I walk up the rounded stairs to Elena's large house, the door swinging open on my first knock.

"You came." Elena smiles, stepping aside so I may enter.

"I'm true to my words," I smirk as we enter the spacious family room and plop down onto the cream-colored couch.

"How was your doctor's appointment yesterday?" Elena asks.

I roll up my sleeve and show her the ugly black and blue bruise the shot has left me.

Her mouth drops open. "They gave you a shot?"

"Yup."

"What for?"

"They said it's a checkup vaccine."

"That's weird. I've never received one before."

"Who knows? I'm special," I smirk, pushing my sleeve back down, the bruise disappearing from view.

"Yeah, sure," she scoffs, poking me in the side with a Barbie pink-painted nail.

I swat her hand away and she squeals. That's when I get my first pain--- a tight squeeze around my heart. It's so painful, that I fall off the couch onto the marble floor, moaning in agony.

"Alice?" Elena appears before me, looking terrified, her eyes huge. "What's wrong?"

I gasp as the pain ceases to exist.

"Alice?" Elena's skin is now as pale as a ghost as she touches my arm lightly. "What's happening?"

"It's nothing," I manage to lie, pushing myself onto my knees.

"Nothing?!? You just fell onto the floor moaning in pain. Pain Alice, pain! Something obviously caused it."

Ignoring her, I pull myself onto my feet. "I have to go." I begin to head for the door, my exit.

And I run from her, not looking back because I'm afraid to tell her that I believe I might have Fragile Heart Syndrome. I'm a coward.

...

I awake from the alarm ringing. Sighing, I press snooze and roll over.

Five minutes later it rings again. Ahhh, you stupid alarm. Cursing, I climb out of bed and go to get dressed.

I meet Skyler outside her room.

"Today's my last day as your caretaker."

"I know and I'm dreading it," she pouts.

I take hold of her arm, making her look at me. "You're going to be released, don't worry."

"How are you so sure?" she says bitterly.

"I spoke to Dr. Monroe. He's on our side."

Her eyes widen. "You're kidding me."

"I swear."

Now her eyes brighten. "When did he say he'll release me?"

"Um honestly, I don't know. He didn't say."

Her shoulders sag. "Well isn't that wonderful."

I ignore her remark, walking her to her next class.

...

Miss Jakins was true to her words. I gaze out the Jeepod's window at the apartment buildings before us. Dr. Monroe's last words to me are ringing in my head, 'I'm releasing Skyler tomorrow, don't you worry.'

The Jeepod pulls up to the curb in front of the last building on the block and the door slides open- - - giving me my freedom.

Pulse quickening, I enter the apartment building and head for the elevator, go up to the fourth floor, and pause before the door, listening. It sounds like the apartment is empty.

The keypad scans my finger and the door swings open.

"Welcome back Alice." Is my greeting.

President White is perched on the couch, Derek right beside him. What in the world is going on?

My body tenses as President White continues, "Please come in and settle down."

I glare at him. "What do you want?"

He smiles, a frightening one. "I actually came to tell you good news."

"How interesting? Well then, why don't you share it with me?"

He laughs, a sound of menace, sending cold chills up my spine like icy fingers. "You're done."

My heartbeat picks up. "I'm what?"

"You're free Alison. We don't need you anymore."

I glance over at Derek. "Is this true?"

He nods, a small smile making its way onto his handsome face.

I turn my attention back to President White. "But I'm not truly free am I? You'll still be watching every move I make."

"You are correct. Derek will continue to keep an eye on you."

I smile. "That I believe I could handle."

President White's forget-me-not blue eyes flit from me to Derek- to me again- and then to Derek. "I see." He stands up towering over me. "Goodbye Alison, until our paths cross again." And then he's gone, leaving me speechless.

"I missed you."

Derek is watching me with those magnificent eyes of his. I walk into the warmth of his arms and he gives me a bone-crushing hug. I still don't say anything, for I can't. I am free at last, or at least somewhat.

Derek pulls back, his warm hands on my shoulders. "Cat got your tongue." He smiles teasingly.

I nod, my eyes welling up with tears.

His light brows crease in concern. "What's bothering you? You're free Alice!"

That's when I finally find my voice, speaking up, "I know, but we still have to stop the cure..."

"The masquerade ball is just three weeks away," he states.

"And then we'll hopefully be truly free forever."

"Yeah," he breathes, tucking some stray strands of hair behind my ears.

Finally managing a smile, I admit, "I missed you too."

...

The pillow is so soft.

"Alice?"

I shift positions so I can see Derek's face clearly. "Hmmm..."

"Did you get it?"

I nod.

"Good." He smiles, dimples showing.

Boy have I missed him.

His undershirt bunches in my hands as I draw him in close. "What are your plans once this is all over?" I murmur, resting my forehead against his.

"Not really sure. You?"

"I'll go home," I say with no hesitation.

"How'd I know you'd say that?"

"Read my mind?"

He laughs, his chest rising and falling underneath my palms. I've waited too long. Bringing his face to mine, I kiss him.