Saying goodbye to Mrs. Cassill had been difficult, perhaps because Nina knew there was so much she wasn't telling the woman. Things Nina knew Alice's mother would want to know.

She'll know soon enough, she thought to herself, and it wasn't as comforting a thing as Nina had hoped.

The things Alice had done, most likely even the things she had known, were things that would cast her in a different light. Things a mother would be pained to learn. Staring into green eyes, so like Alice's, set on a face lined with grief made Nina question once again the value of truth. Whether it was truly so worth the pain it would bring about to the people who learned of it.

It's what Alice wanted. And so it was, as far as Nina knew. Alice had wanted it so desperately she'd shattered Nina's mind—against all she had dedicated her life to.

With a smile that felt too brittle to keep up for very long and tremors running through her hands from the emotions she was holding back, Nina bid the older woman goodbye. She heard the door close behind her as she made her way down the path in the front yard and saw the last slivers of warm light fade as she was shut away from a place that felt so painfully like home. The warmth of her own mother a memory that seemed achingly fresh after the short visit.

Suddenly, Nina felt glad that Alice's father hadn't been home at the time. It would have been too much for her to handle, especially given her recent conversation with her own father. The promise she had made, one she was uncertain if she would be able to keep, clinging to the back of her mind.

With that, Nina made her way to her car through the chill that could not be beaten back by the last remaining rays of sunlight that managed to break through the dark clouds overhead. The warmth of the car did nothing to make her feel any better. Nina was still too preoccupied with all that she'd talked about with Mrs. Cassill, but more than that, she was surprised at how much she felt like she knew Alice.

Not much time had passed since the memories began to swim through Nina's mint, leading her to the woman who'd put them there. To someone who was long gone and Nina had never known. And yet, after all that had happened, all that Nina had done to get the answers that she needed, she'd learned more about Alice than she would have liked. Even if Nina was still picking up the pieces of who she used to be, trying to arrange them back into what she once was and hoping the cracks weren't so apparent.

As night fell over the town, and knowing that there was nothing she could do while it was so dark, Nina went in search of a place to spend the night. She didn't want to spend much longer in the time, didn't think she could risk staying in a single place for too long given the way she'd left, but she had no choice. Nina knew where she had to go, and she also knew that she wouldn't be able to find her way while it was dark, with a storm due to arrive so soon.

With that in mind, Nina found a small hotel—one of the few large chains she'd seen in the place—and got a room that was a definite improvement over the last place where she had stayed. The room was simple, with a bed that was perfectly made and lights that seemed too bright given Nina's aching head. She dropped her bag as soon as she walked in and glanced at the desk she was provided with. For a moment, she considered taking out the files that were hidden in her bag and going over them once ore, but she knew there was little more she would be able to find in them.

In the end, exhaustion—the same one she had been fighting against for days—won over, and Nina decided to simply take advantage of the warm room she had at the moment. After all, something told her she would need all the energy she could get for the day ahead.

That night, as Nina lay in bed, she was painfully aware of the near absolute silence that surrounded her. The sounds of the city—always awake, always in motion—were gone, taking the small comfort the sounds provided her. She lay there, memories she didn't want passing through her mind.

A young child's laughter rang through her mind. Nina closed her eyes, tried to shut away the memories as she did the same to the world around her. Still, the sound reverberated through her mind.

Alice, she thought, and pictured the young girl in the photo on Mrs. Cassill's mantel. She thought of green eyes staring through a mirror. Of the face of the woman the laughing child would become. A woman long dead.

"Alice," a warm voice called, and Nina felt her heart break as she thought of her own mother.

"We don't have a daughter," the words echoed in her mind.

A mocking smile on painted red lips stretched out across a pale face. Mismatched eyes stared at her—through her. Fearnley sat in a prison cell, thinking of a daughter he didn't have. Her mother hummed at her side.

Nina curled up on the bed, her hand going up to her head and the pain in her heart growing with every memory that she was forced to recall. Around her, the room remained silent, still. All the while, Nina fought against the onslaught of memories that refused to disperse. Eventually, the exhaustion that had plagued Nina became too strong.

Slowly, the room faded into darkness along with the memories, offering Nina a respite. For once, her mind was silent, and Nina only wished it could last longer.

All too soon, she found herself staring up at the white ceiling of her room. The still dark room was just as silent as when Nina had fallen asleep. For a moment, she was confused about where she was, about why she wasn't in her apartment. Then, the memories all came rushing back to her and she felt her head spin as she sat up.

The conversation with Ben and the trip she'd so unwillingly taken. Her roadside conversation with her father and the visit she'd payed to Alice's mother. The truth about just how much of her mind had been changed. It all came back to her, tossing Nina into a life that felt like it should belong to someone else.

Like a dream that she wanted to wake up from.

Unfortunately, Nina knew better. She knew there was no way out of the nightmare her life had become other than to keep moving forward. And so, Nina got out of bed, the room feeling cold as she got ready to leave. The first rays of the sun were just emerging from, streaking thin lines of gold and orange over the horizon.

It didn't take long for Nina to gather her things and make it out to the car, where she sat for a minute as the inside of the vehicle warmed. There was no one out at that time, it still being much too early for most people to even get out of bed. Nina knew she had to get an early start. After all, she couldn't be sure of what she would find that day.

She drove out of the town, a short distance that was almost eerily quiet. Nina saw only a handful of people on her way to the edge of town, all looking like they sorely wished to be back under the sheets, most gripping a cup of coffee like a lifeline. Nina briefly considered stopping by to get a cup of her own, but decided against it.

As picturesque as the town was, Nina didn't think it wise to linger. Already she had risked much by speaking to Alice's mother. There was always the chance that someone would ask questions and the answers would lead them to Nina. With SEIN and the police looking for her, Nina didn't think that would be a good thing.

Soon enough, Nina was driving along a road framed by trees with leaves of red, orange and gold that fluttered down to the ground with each breeze. Some distant part of her mind thought of the scenery as beautiful. It was peaceful, bright, almost warm against the chill of the late autumn morning. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the foliage reminding Nina of light hitting stained glass.

She couldn't help but regret that she was there under such unfortunate circumstances.

After a moment, Nina opened the window, the cold air stinging her face as it rushed into the car. It was still a pleasant feeling, refreshing as it seemed to sweep away the last vestiges of sleep that clung to her. Nina took a deep breath. The wind carried the scent of a coming storm—moss and ozone and wet earth mixing with dark wood. Something in the back of her mind, a niggling thought that grew ever more persistent, made Nina pause.

For a second, she could see the hall and hear a gentle melody drifting by. There was a frame with a picture that Nina could almost see. It was all gone before her mind could register what had just happened, before she could fully visualize the painting that rested in the frame.

Nina pulled over to the side of the road and sat there for a minute before stepping outside. The wind felt like a fresh breath and Nina enjoyed the feel of the cool breeze on her face. She closed her eyes, basking in the sensation for a moment before she took in the area around her. It was, much like the rest of the road she'd passed during the drive, silent and desolate with only the soft rustling of the trees as the wind swept past them and the distant call of a bird.

The day was brighter, the sun finally having emerged as the clouds parted for a short time, though there was still a haze that painted the world in dull tones. Nina took in the scenery, and was hit by the familiarity of it all.

A forest in the fall, she thought, recalling the paintings she'd seen so many times in both her dreams and waking moments. The memories that Alice had put in her head—the ones she'd purposely manufactured to tell Nina something—had so often revolved around a forest painted in warm colors.

Wet earth and damp wood. The scents permeated the air all around her. And lavender. She thought of Alice's home. Of the tranquil melody.

A pale hand pointed at a point on the painting, and Nina could see what could only be a bridge stretching across the river winding through the forest.

With those thoughts and images still running through her mind, Nina went back inside the car. She pulled up the cheap phone she'd picked up at the gas station and searched for a map of the surrounding area, the one she'd saved earlier in case she lost herself in the unfamiliar roads.

The town was still near enough that Nina could find where she was quickly enough. She could see the winding road, a dark line that cut through the forest. Landmarks dotted the portion of the map taken up by the surrounding woods and it didn't take her long to find the nearest river. It wasn't far, and Nina didn't hesitate to make up her mind about heading there.

As she drove, she thought about Alice—thought about her hiking in those same woods with her father. Nina thought about what memories Alice might have formed there. How important they must have been for her to seek comfort and safety there.

And then, Nina wondered what it was that she would find there.

Alice had traveled all that way, had left a patient to someone else's care. There had to be a good reason for that. Nina only hoped she was following the right trail.

She finally reached the place where a hiking trail began and parked on the side of the road stepping back out onto the cold. Nina glanced around, making sure there was no one around, and lamented the lack of a better place to leave her car. After all, she didn't want to draw attention to herself. Resigned to having to leave her vehicle out in the open, she grabbed her bag and made her way over to the treeline, the narrow dirt path seeming to call to her.

Nina paused for only a second before taking a step forward. The scents of wet earth and damp wood seemed ever stronger as she was swallowed by the forest around her. Dried leaves were crushed beneath her boots with a sound that felt too loud for the silent forest. Nina's eyes took in her surroundings as she carefully made her way along the path.

Despite it being clear enough to walk on, there were still fallen branches and underbrush she had to be wary of. Nina couldn't imagine many people using the path during that season. The cold would keep most people away and the constant rain they had endured turned much of the dirt to mud, digging holes into the path that were deep enough to be dangerous for anyone who wasn't paying attention.

At that moment, Nina wished she had more experience with forests. She'd never been much of an outdoors person, having lived in the city for most of her life. The only times she'd ever been in any place even remotely similar, was when she went out on school trips. Even those were only hazy memories to Nina, having taken place so long ago.

A child's laughter rang in her mind. Nina did her best to silence it even as as she couldn't help but think of the grieving woman she'd spoken to the previous day. A woman still mourning her child.

Nina shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts, but even then there were more flowing into her mind.

The scents of jasmine and spice filled the air as her steps clacked against hardwood floors. Ever changing paintings hung on the wall. A pair of green eyes stared from a mirror, pleading even as the face they were set on remained impassive. Mismatched eyes and a red smile seemed to mock her.

Nina stumbled, her foot twisting painfully as she stepped on a leaf covered branch. Her bag swung violently, making it all the harder for her to regain her balance, and she met the ground a moment later. Her gloved hands took most of the impact, and she was on her knees before she knew it.

Quick breaths left her as she stared down at the ground. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of her breathing and the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. Nina could still feel her heart pounding in her chest as she wondered if she would ever be free of the memories invading her mind.

That's why I'm here, she thought, a desperate plea to herself to keep going. Just get up, you have to get up.

Ignoring the new aches and pains she'd gained from her fall, Nina stood. She took a moment to brush herself off before picking her bag back up.

You're almost there. Then you'll know what Alice wants from you.

The thought reminded her of why she was there, helped her regain some of the resolve that had steadily been slipping away from the moment she awoke. She was still cold and tired—more so than she had ever been in her life—but she had to keep going. Not for Alice, not for Fearnley, not for anyone other than herself and the fractured mess of a mind she'd been left with.

Nina was in a search for the truth that Alice might have died for. That much would always be true. But, along the way, it had turned into more than that. Much was riding on Nina figuring out what was going on. There was Fearnley's freedom, justice for Alice's family, and the peace and relief that would come from knowing that she wasn't just going insane. That the memories still invading her head were there. That she wasn't simply broken beyond repair.

For all of that, Nina stood and took a step forward. Her hands stung, her knees ached and a dull throbbing had started up in her head, but Nina kept moving. Eyes forward and mind set on finding what Alice was leading her to, Nina continued down the dirt path.

She continued even as it began to drizzle, the drops so small Nina barely felt them touch her skin. Still, there was the chill that set in as she continued on her way with little to protect her from the turn in weather. Nina was almost relieved when she finally reached a bridge all too like the one in the painting of Alice's memories.

It was made of dark wood, nearly black thanks to the constant drizzle. Nina was glad to note that it was in good condition. As she got nearer, Nina could hear the roaring water from the river as it rushed along, crashing against stones. The water was high enough to nearly touch the bridge itself.

Nina only hesitated for a moment before stepping onto the bridge. Wood creaked beneath her feet and Nina gripped the railing tightly with both hands. She kept a firm hold on the railing all the way across.

She didn't pause for a second, not even when the image of that same bridge on a sunny autumn day flashed in her mind. There was the gentle trickling of water beneath the wood and a breeze that was crisp, fresh, and carried the scents of the forest with it. A pale hand slid along the railing before it was replaced by the gloved hand presently wrapped tightly around the very same railing.

Nina's feet still led her with a steady stride until she was at the other end of the bridge. The wet dirt of the path was enough to make Nina feel relieved as soon as she stepped onto it. Her mind cleared as she continued on her way down the path she'd been following, wondering when she would find what it was that Alice was leading her to. More than that, Nina was doing her best to keep her thoughts focused on the moment at hand, memories of a past that was not her own constantly threatening to surface.

It was stifling, to try to find her way inside her own head when everything was so muddled. When Nina felt like she was trapped in a crumbling building with no way out. When every other minute there was a flash of a crimson smile and green eyes staring through her.

That was probably why Nina almost missed it when a nearly overgrown path broke off from the one she was following.

It was a thin, winding patch of dirt that faded in parts under leaves and underbrush. Nina could see it heading uphill in a slight incline and hesitated as she considered which path to follow.

Alice knew these woods, she thought. She knew them, wanted to hide something here.

More importantly, Alice had led Nina there through the memories she'd implanted into Nina's head. Now, Nina had to trust that they had led her to the right place. With a deep breath, Nina turned to the new path and walked on, hoping she'd made the right choice.

- - - - - - - - -

Hey everyone! Here's the new chapter, hope you all liked it. As always, thanks for reading and please comment and/or vote if you can. Next chapter will be up on Friday.

Have a great weekend!