Obsessive, Compulsive.

Thirty One.

I was sitting with Julia when Alice came to get me. She took me into the main office and was very quiet and subdued. There wasn't anyone else around, not even Bill. Whenever someone in the facility got big news, Bill would be there. But he wasn't. I was at a loss for what was going on.

Alice sighed. "I'm quitting my job."

"What?" My jaw dropped. "You can't!"

"There's been some issues with other members of staff. I can't do it anymore."

"What's happened?" I thought for a moment. "It's Mack."

Mack was the Branch Manager that both Robbie and I had seen creeping on her. "Maybe." She cringed at the mention of his name.

"You're letting him win." I pleaded. "You can't do that! You've got to stay!"

"It's not worth the hassle." She looked at her arms. "I can't do it."

"Does your husband know?" I asked.

She shook her head. "He'd kill him."

"Have you told anyone?" I asked. "Except me?"

She shook her head.

"Why?" It was awful seeing her upset.

"Well, it just isn't a big deal." She shrugged.

"It obviously is a big deal. If it's making you quit the job you've had for years." I raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Alice. What's he been doing?"

She took a deep breath and looked at me for a moment, deciding whether or not to confide in me. "He's just being inappropriate for a work environment."

"How?" I pressured her. It was important for her to let it out. I'd been in my fair share of counselling sessions so I knew how the human mind worked.

"He... He touches me, and... Like. Feels me up and stuff. My... This is awkward, Bella. You're a kid, and-"

"I think my young brain can handle it." I folded my arms.

"I didn't mean it like that, it's just..." she paused. "I'm sorry."

"I'm kidding. Come on..." I waited for her to say something but she didn't. "Does he touch your chest, or your...?"

"Both." She nodded and stood up. "It's gross. I can't handle it anymore, so I'm quitting. I just wanted you to know."

"You're not getting away with that." I said sternly. "Sit back down and talk to me. Have you already handed in your letter? The one that says you've quit."

"No." She said.

"You know what that tells me?" I leant back in my chair. "The fact that you've come to me before you've actually quit tells me that you wanted someone to encourage you to stay. You wanted someone to help."

"You can't help, Bella. You're a patient here, with no power, and no authority. You can't do anything."

"But I know someone who can help." I said. "Someone who will help."

She realised who I was talking about. "Felix."

I nodded.

"Do not tell him. It'll make everything awkward. It's embarrassing..." She blushed.

"Getting sexually harassed at work is nothing to be embarrassed about. It's something to speak up about and stop. Imagine if Mack started harassing others when you can stop it now. And I know that as soon as Felix finds out he'll put a stop to it and help you keep your job." I looked right into her eyes. "When does he start working?"

"You don't even know he got the job yet." She said meekly.

"When does Felix start?" I asked again.

"Tomorrow morning." She smirked. "We were going to tell you all at dinner."

"I'm getting real special treatment, huh?" I laughed. "I'm, like, in with the staff."

Alice smiled. "Thank you for this. I know you're just a patient of mine, but... You feel like a little sister to me now."

"You've always been like my big sister." I promised, leaning over and giving her a hug. She softened into me.

We stood up and she grinned at me. "How the tables have turned. Now you're helping me."

"Well, I guess I owe a lot of help like this." I smiled.

She looked at me gratefully and we walked to the door. She stood in the doorway. "Don't you think it'll be weird without Eve here?"

"What?" I frowned.

Alice paled. "She didn't tell you?"

"No?" My heart sunk.

"I'll leave her to-"

"Don't even think about that." I gave her a look. "Tell me. She's leaving, isn't she?"

Alice nodded. "Tonight... I'm sorry she hasn't let you know. Maybe she's scared to upset you."

"I suppose." I might have felt the same. "It's good for her, isn't it?"

"Brilliant! I'm so pleased for her. Hey - that'll be you soon." Alice poked me jokingly.

"Do you think I'll be out before Adrianna has her baby?" I asked.

Alice stiffened and started walking out of the door. "She's very late into her pregnancy, Bella. I mean, she looks like she could pop at any minute. The baby must be due very soon."

"I know all of that." I got slightly impatient. "But will I be out?"

"We can hope." Alice didn't look too sure. "Maybe."

If I wasn't out by then, I think  I would lose hope of ever leaving that stupid place.