They held each other for a long time.
Continuing to talk about their feelings, honesty, and communication, Alice told Axel about the lab. About her time there and the memory that had demanded her return.
She told him about knowing that Holden would come for her, knowing that he would always find her.
Axel looked up at her with care. Holden was a monster, and she knew that better than anyone. But he was still her father. So he couldn’t help but wonder how she would take the news.
“Alice…” he said, reaching up and gently placing his hand on her cheek. “There is something I need to tell you.”
Alice leaned into his hand and smiled warmly.
“What is it?” she asked.
Axel took a deep breath.
“When I first got word that you woke up, Caleb and I were at the lab,” he said.
Alice sat up and looked at him.
