Love in Death

Finally Free

            The next day Denise Bradley shows up, and I'm told it's time to go. "I have everything sorted." She whispers excitedly, "Come on." She urges, and I'm pulled along through the building. Soon I am all but stuffed into the back of a car, "But what about Carin, my sister in law. Have you talked to her yet?"

"Carin? Oh yes! Her. I've talked to her already, she knows you're with me. I helped her find her family, and you'll be joining her shortly after I help get you a little readjusted to being out of there. She and her family are adjusting to her being home and alive. It's a bit crazy over there, they have enough on their plates for now. But they are still willing to have you come join them, just after a few days or a week or so." She talked, and I nodded.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I hadn't thought of it like that."

"It'll be all right Samantha."

Suddenly I remember, "Wait! I didn't get to say goodbye to Kit, to Grace, to Pepper and Lana! Oh, we have to help them! They're all innocent, they don't belong in there either." The same anxiety I was feeling moments ago bubbles back up and words fire rapidly out of my mouth.

"Hey, hey. Relax." She takes my hands, "Relax, deep breaths. In, and out." She breathes with me, and I find it working.

"Thanks, I don't know what came over me. I just got so worried again."

"It's all right, you've been through a lot with those people." She looks at me with sympathy, "I'll see what I can do for your friends. Okay?"

"Thank you so much, you have no idea how much all of this means to me."

"Oh, I think I have an idea." She smiles at me, and I can't help but smile back at her. Relief at her understanding and kindness.

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We rode in relative silence the rest of the way. I enjoyed just sitting, quiet being a rarity at Briarcliff.

My eyes nearly pop out of my head as we exit the car. The house in front of me barely looked to be a house at all. It seemed more like a mansion to me.

"This is your house?" I emphasize the word, still staring at it.

"Yes, it is actually." She admits, an almost sheepish look on her face. "My family has money." She looks back to the mansion and then to me, "Well, let's get you settled into a guest room for now."

Eagerly I follow her into the massive building, looking around in awe at everything we passed. "I'll give you a chance to settle in, maybe take a shower, change clothing or take a nap if you feel so inclined before I give you a tour." She tells me as we come to a door and go inside.

I walk past her and look around, amazed. The room was spotless and pristine. So white and clean, just as you would expect a rich person's guest rooms to look.

"I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of getting some clothes for you. Since I wasn't completely sure of the size, I got some things in a few different ones." She admits as she steps around me and opens the tall wardrobe to reveal a bunch of new clothes inside.

"You really didn't have to." I tell her, reaching a hand out to touch the sleeve of a dress. It's soft material feels amazing and I am astonished by the wide selection of finery, high end clothes.

"I wanted to." She reminds me, "My sister was horrible to you, and you didn't deserve that. I only wish I could make up for it somehow, and I suppose this is me trying to do that." She looks down, wringing her hands in front of herself.

"You've done more than enough, you didn't even have to do anything for me at all." I tell her, taking her hands in mine. "You have an amazing amount of compassion in you, I can feel it."

Tearfully we hug each other and she leaves me alone to get acquainted with my new room. No matter how much I love Carin and her family, this room is almost too good to give up. I definitely wouldn't mind staying here for a while.

Excitedly I take some clothing and go into the massive attached bathroom. I stare around, still amazed by all the luxury in this house. No doubt I would continue to be surprised, especially during the tour Denise told me she'd give me later. Making my decision I turn the handles on the clawfoot tub and begin to fill it with water. I didn't feel like a shower, but a bath would be wonderful.

Quickly the tub fills and I step in, sighing as I sink into the warm water. Clean water and nice soap feeling amazing to me after so long away from basic bathroom supplies. After my bath I wrap a towel around my long wet hair, and relish the feeling of the soft towel as I dry myself off. The plush towels feel like heaven against my skin, especially after the harsh rags I'd been given, rarely given, at the asylum.

Finally I pull on the clothes I grabbed, a red and white dress. The top half, from above my baby bump, was white and long sleeved. The bottom half was red, and made of a comfortable stretchy material that sort of hugged to my body. It wasn't in any way restraining, and looked great to boot. I can't believe my luck, I got attacked by her crazy twin and now she thinks she owes me or something so she's giving me things and trying to help take care of me.

I hang up the towels on a rack and brush my hair out. Even though still damp, it looks shinier and healthier than it felt before, with all that dirt and grime in it.

My smile only grows when I see a vanity, complete with makeup and I immediately go over and sit at the stool in front of it and begin doing my makeup for the first time since I'd been locked up at Briarcliff.

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