Alice's restraints remained on for a week. For most of that time, she was sedated. Dosed up higher than the snowy caps of Mount Everest, she felt she could sit on the clouds and play dominoes with her dead Grandpops whilst also-deceased Nanny made her famous scones and a cuppa. There were no mirrors where she flew so she soared with a smile, happy and as free as her cares.

Alice2 was unhurt and the wind which had been knocked out of her swiftly returned as she shouted, complained and insisted her sister be locked in a padded cell for the rest of her life. Dr. Edwards insisted she calm down, telling her Alice would be dealt with properly and provocation probably wasn't the best course of action in an asylum. Provocation? Who had provoked whom? Alice2 had simply been visiting her dearest sister! Edwards very rarely chose his words to appease those he spoke with, unless they were under his care. When the family member he was talking to was the main cause of the incarceration of his patient, he was polite, firm and, often, blunt.

"We both know you were playing with her mind," he said. "She's fragile and that is partially to do with her life with you. You know her issues and you trampled on them as if they were ants in your lounge."

Alice2 was stunned. Who did this man think he was? How dare he speak to her in such a way! She had a good mind to report him, she told him.

"Well, if yours is a good mind, I think most of my patients are here under false pretences. Now, good day.

Alice2 hadn't realised she was being escorted from the building until the door was slammed in her face. She turned and stormed off, grumbling under her breath. Dr. Edwards, on the other hand (it had to be the other hand as his other other hand was hanging rather disgustingly), leaned against the door and slid down its surface. His hand was pulsing where it had been bitten. The blood had dried in a thick crust. The pain in his wrist was extreme and was a piercing harpoon through the heart of his palm's throb. He struggled to see through the tears which blurred his vision before a similar darkness to that which had taken Alice swept over him. Her slide into unconsciousness was aided by a cocktail of drugs which gave her wings. His was helped by a black dragon whose sharp teeth were chewing on his arm.

Painkillers, a pot and a large plaster fixed the doctor. The bite had drawn blood and broken the skin but was not deep enough to warrant stitches. Putting his arm in plaster (the pot) and giving him a course of strong tablets ensured he was back to work the next day. Edwards checked in on Alice each day after that. He felt for her. Yes, she had attacked her sister and hurt him in the process, but he was collateral damage to an already damaged psyche. He couldn't hold her responsible when she wouldn't be able to remember the incident anyway.

Luckily he had the good sense, thanks to the cameras, of knowing Alice2's mimicking of her sister would inflame the embers of hate. After the effects of the sedatives had long since worn off, the straps holding Alice in place remained. She didn't fight them this time. She lay, staring at the ceiling, only being released for meals and to use the toilet. On those occasions, she let herself be led, an orderly taking her arm and leading her back. She would climb back on her bed while the bindings were put back in place. She didn't speak, apart from a whispered 'thank you' when a door was opened for her or her food was placed in front of her. It seemed to Edwards as if the flame had been extinguished and she was now the ash from which he hoped a phoenix would rise.

Often, Alice would be asleep. The energy which had previously coursed through her was now puddled on the ground to be sloshed through like milk spilt which nobody cared to cry over. She mumbled as she slept but remained mostly silent whilst awake. Dr. Edwards struggled to hear her words and needed to get in close. Close enough to feel her warm breath. Close enough for her to suddenly bite his ear off. She didn't, however. She barely acknowledged her doctor's presence. Her muffled ramblings were aimed at no-one in particular. The dust particles hanging in the air, dancing through the sun's rays as they streamed in through the window, were her only audience. When Edwards leaned in, her voiced seemed to quieten as if what she was saying was not for him.

Still, he listened, though it made no sense. She spoke of creatures of darkness and shadows. She spoke of sisters in league with the night. She spoke of teeth and of glowing eyes and of smiles. These were the things Alice had told Edwards during their sessions but, in her current desolate state, they seemed more desperate. Bleaker. The madness had been removed to be replaced by a sinister tone which sent a shudder along his spine like the prowling of the beasts she whispered of. Edwards could taste it in her breath. It was a sour flavour, like a Haribo sweet so far past its sell by date it had grown a fur coat to combat the cold emptiness of being left uneaten.

He needed to rethink his original strategy. The mirror was on its way, with delivery imminent, but he had to be more drastic. More inventive. If Alice was to break out of her madness, she would need him to be the doctor he hoped he really was. Watching her, trying to talk to her but having no response, he wanted to bring her family back in. Shove their faces into the dirty waters of what their negligence created. Make them see how far they had pushed their daughter and sister and how great the distance was she had to travel to return.

As her condition worsened, Dr. Edwards' thoughts became more frantic. He felt he was running a race with a darkening sky which threatened to hurl a lightning bolt at him and wash him away in a torrential downpour.

Two days later, with Alice now barely speaking even when escorted to the food hall and often having to be fed, the solution came to him. The mirror he had ordered had arrived. Edwards had already cleared a room in preparation and mounted the lavish ornament centrally in such a way as to command attention. The glass area was massive and was surrounded by a swirling cacophony of twists and bends as if the ocean had poured around its edges and been suddenly frozen. It filled the almost the entire wall.

The rest of the walls were also covered. Mirrors of all shapes and sizes were fixed in place creating a huge mosaic which reflected any object in the room. It pained Edwards to enter. Reflections of reflections reverberated around making his head spin. The room practically screamed in eternal repetition.

It was perfect.

"Come with me," he said to Alice, unstrapping her.

Alice sat up slowly. It was less hesitation than it was an unhurried movement of someone allowing their body to be directed and sitting back while it was done. Dr. Edwards expected her to be unsteady on her feet, but her footsteps were assured though lethargic. With an orderly walking along behind them to make sure there were no further attacks, he took her to her treatment room. He paused before leading her in.

"We're going to get you cured, my dear," he said. He stroked her hair and tapped her nose with his forefinger. "You just watch. Now, close your eyes and please keep them closed."

Alice did as she was asked. She didn't raise a hand to feel her way forward, completely trusting in her doctor and not entirely within herself to worry anyway. Edwards squinted to try and avoid seeing the myriad versions of himself. He gently pushed her down onto the only other object in the room, a chair.

"I'll be back soon. Just sit there for a moment with your eyes close. Relax. Take a moment and open them when you're ready."

Faster than he intended, Edwards scurried rather than hurried from the room. When he'd closed the door behind him, he stood, holding his breath, waiting for a scream or the sound of breaking glass. There was only silence. Quickly, he went to his office. He'd watch her progress on the cameras.

In the room, Alice breathed. She could smell jasmine. It was nice. She knew the odour was her imagination filling in the darkness of her closed eyes, but welcomed its efforts nonetheless. She listened for signs of movement or other breathing but could feel the cold press of the silence. She was alone.

Alice opened her eyes.