Her mouth froze into a silent expression of surprise. A moment passed as the expression slowly morphed into one of horror. Shock and horror, her eyes reflecting a fear that only showed in those who believed that everything was closing in around them. Tears pooled in her eyes, with a swallow she pushed them back.

"I understand." She whispered, her voice just barely holding together.

She set the phone down softly, swaying slightly. No one came rushing to her, no one was there to tell her that it would be okay. They were all she had, and now they were gone.

'Just keep walking.' She remembered. 'Right, I can't stop walking, just keep moving forward.'

Then she got up.

'I won't fall behind, I promise.'

And walked forward.

Chapter 1: What Goes Around, Comes Around

"Yup, I'll be home a little late. Sorry about that, I got caught in traffic after grabbing the groceries." I apologized, blushing in embarrassment for forgetting to call.

"That's fine honey, just make sure you call when that happens. You know I don't like it when you stay out so long." My grandmother's voice crackled back over the phone.

"Thanks, be there in five minutes." I answered with a smile. "Bye Grammas, love you."

"I love you too honey, see you soon." She said, then the phone clicked off.

I smiled softly and put the cellphone back in my jeans pocket. Since I had just moved here from the country I suppose her worries made sense, I wasn't used to heavy traffic after all. But I mean really, I can look both ways! To be truthful I was glad I'd come along when I did, Grandma isn't young anymore after all. Taking care of herself must have been a chore.

I'm still trying to figure out how she lasted as long as she did frankly.

"Hey! Watch where you're going bitch!" Some guy yelled.

I stumbled over my feet, trying to keep the groceries from going flying.

"Watch where you're going asshole!" I yelled back, glaring at him.

He just scoffed and kept walking.

'Yeah, run away ass, run away!' I thought angrily, stomping across the road towards my house.

It's almost funny how quickly the attitude off of the street will start affecting you. Before I got here I never would have yelled at someone like that, but after a few months I found myself yelling my heart out just like everyone else. Well you don't last here as a country girl anyway.

The walking light flipped while I was halfway across the road. I blinked and panicked, sprinting forward. Had I been anyone else I would have simply stopped in the middle, but I wasn't used to this. The scream of a car got increasingly loud and I spun, staring like a deer as the driver tried to stop fast enough to not hit me. Too late.

- (1 Week Later)

'Why does this always happen to me?'

'Because you're accident prone?'

'Thanks for stating the obvious.'

'Anytime. Now wake up. Wake up Alice.'

'Why? It's so much more comfortable here.'

'Because you can't stay sleeping. Now wake up.'

'Will I ever get to come back?'

'Yes.'

'Okay.'

"My head." I groaned, yawning and trying to scratch my head.

My arms wouldn't move though and I looked down. I was in a cast and couldn't move an inch. The door opened and I looked up in panic. If there's anything I'm scare of it's being immobilized.

"Miss, you're awake." He said in surprise. His face sobered up a moment later and I immediately felt my stomach drop in dread.

"Is there bad news?" I asked.

To be honest I was expecting him to say I was paralyzed or some other horrible thing that happened to my body.

"Miss, you're related to a Ms. Rose Hawthorn, correct?" He asked.

Grandma, why is he mentioning you?

"Mrs." I mumbled automatically. "And yes, I am. Why?"

He hesitated for a moment and my eyes narrowed. Just spit it out already, people are dying.

"She had a heart attack and we're not sure if she'll make it. Whatever it's due too, we don't know." He said firmly, nodded and walked out of the white, gray and blue hospital room.

My face went blank, then I paled. Somewhere off into what felt like the distance I could hear a beeping that was getting faster. Deep in the back of my mind I told it to shut up. I hiccuped and gasped for breathe. Oh grammy, not you too.

Not you too.

- (3 Months Later)

"You're free to go." The doctor said, looking at me with surprised brown eyes.

I looked away and nodded, getting up and heading for the door. Just before walking out I paused and waved good-bye to him along with a weak smile. I padded out on the plush gray carpet and paused by the front desk to check out. The gray-haired lady smiled and waved me out. I nodded and pushed open the glass doors. They slid shut behind with a sucking sound. Almost as if sucking all of the bad things back into the office. Like the opposite of Pandora's Box.

I ran a hand through my hair. It felt sensational to be able to use my hands and legs how I wanted and I was happy. But like a piece of gum on the bottom of your shoe my memories dragged me back into a sullen mood. I glanced back at the doctor's office, feeling something akin to blame. I wanted to blame the doctor's for not doing it. Again. For not saving what was important to me. They can do of these amazing things and yet they couldn't save- But wait. It was my fault too. If I had just listened to her.

No. Bad Alice. No use regretting things now. Just don't do it again. I sighed, becoming calm again and the memories went silent.

Along with everything else.

It almost felt like nothing made sound anymore.

- (2 Months Later)

Her eyes passed over me again. It's not that it bothered me, it really didn't. But at some point you start wondering if they know you're alive when they've ignored you for so long. Teachers are just like that I guess.

All of this was a passing thought though. It didn't actually matter to me at all. I passed in my work, studied for tests, came to school everyday and in return for my hard work the teacher simply ignored me when it came to talking. I was… Mute in a way. Actually, I can't remember the last time I said anything. No, I can.

It was the day grandma died. I can still remember what it felt like and what I said. I felt like someone had ripped my heart out of my chest and I had been angry. Angry at everything. I had wanted to blame it on everyone and everything. I had left the hospital by then. Or been released or whatever. My arm was useless, my ribs hurt and one of my feet was in a cast, but I could walk on that. So when I got home that day I had closed the door quietly, gone to the living room and screamed. That was the last time. I was silent after that, afraid that if I got close to someone I would lose them. Soon after that I got the house and a small fortune apparently. That didn't matter though, I would need it all to pay for living expenses, college and anything else I felt like doing.

'Well, not that there would be much else.' I mused, studiously ignoring the teacher in the room.

I was yanked out of my reverie when a piece of chalk went flying past my face and smacked the boy behind me square in the forehead.

She's got good aim you have to admit.

"Ichigo, pay attention! Out of everyone, you're the worst at this!" She yelled.

'Ouch. That's gotta hurt.' I thought, glancing back at the orange-haired guy in question behind me.

Still, it's annoying when you get chalk, books and other harmful items thrown past your head half the time. He'd been gone, probably skipping or something, a lot lately. It's no wonder he's the worst at, well, basically everything. His group caused most of the trouble. Had it been the old me I'd probably have been right there with them… But… It just isn't the same anymore.

I turned back to my work after he acknowledged my irritation and promptly zoned out for the rest of class.

"All right, you guys are free to go." The teacher yelled, everyone got up and piled toward the door. "By the way, we have new students coming in tomorrow! Treat them nicely!"

We all jostled and fought our way through the doors of the classroom. I swear to God the school board or whoever designed schools is asking for a murder to happen having such small doors. Not even two people can get through at once and no one is polite enough to let someone go ahead of them or they'll be late. I'm just waiting to hear about the kid that died because he was crushed on the door-frame. But that's not really the point here.

I left last, slowly putting my things away. I walked to and from school so I didn't really have to hurry. Sure I had a part time job a couple days a week (I'd rather not use my extra money) but other than that I basically only have homework to do. Not that that doesn't take hours of course.

Teachers are just overworked and sadistic so they like to take out their anger on us. Sounds a lot like rape doesn't it. It's like… Mind rape. Evil.

I snorted softly, walking quietly out the door.

"Don't forget that there are new students tomorrow." The teacher called after me. I looked back, surprised. "Please try to pay attention for the day." She finished.

I shrugged and nodded. She smiled and waved while I left. Speaking of part time jobs, I need to get to mine. Picking up speed and I headed out the doors and jogged home to drop off my stuff before heading to work. I meandered silently for about five minutes before turning into my home. I looked up at the simple door, it was the size of an apartment, but that's the nice part about owning the house. Even if it looked like an apartment, it wasn't one, there was no rent. Yeah there was electricity and stuff like that, but it's not too bad with only one person.

There's also just… Something about living alone is lovely and terrible at the same time. One was that being alone isn't really… Enjoyable. I mean, I don't mind it anymore but it used to really bother me.

And before you ask, no I don't have anywhere else to go. My family consisted of me, my parents, my brother, sister and grandma. That was it that I know of. Grandma died and you know and so did my family. It was in a car crash, they might have lived but there was a gas leak… None of them even got to the hospital. I loved my family. We were one of those perfect families where everyone is happy and the parents get along and the brothers and sisters might fight but they still love each other. I guess that having something like that can't last forever. It's not fair though… Why is it everything I love is taken from me? Just like that. Gone. Alone.

But like I said. It's not like it's all bad. I get to do whatever I want, I get home when I want, I eat what I want, I can make this place look however I want. And all of that is as terrible as it is good.

I DID IT! I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT! You guys officially have the new beginning of Saving Alice! I know that it's kind of depressing but it won't always be like that. Pinky swear! *puppy dog eyes* So please review. I really want to know if you guys like this! XD