November 13th 1776

I wake up in a familiar room: Straw's. I look up to see Straw sitting fast asleep in a chair. I try to sit up and yelp out in pain. That jolts Straw awake.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say. He smiles and comes over to me.

"There's nothing to feel sorry for," he says. "Now, could you tell me what happened? You came running into here crying and wouldn't talk." I turn away from him. I can't bring myself to say it. Luckily, Straw is smart enough to realize this.

"Did someone do something to you," he asks softly. I nod. "Was it..." He trails off but I know who he's talking about. I nod again and he pulls me in for a hug. Unfortunately, I'm met by a pain in my lower area and yelp once more. Straw pulls back, his eyes wide with fear. His mouths something before placing a kiss to my forehead.

"I'll be right back okay," he says softly. He walks away leaving me painfully alone in the room. I run a hand through my hair. Or at least I attempt to. It's tangled horribly. I get to work on smoothing it out as I try to ignore the throbbing pain in my lower area. It takes a long time before Straw returns with a cup in his hands. He hands it to me, telling me to drink up. Then he sits next to me.

"Thank you," I say before placing it to my lips. It tastes horrible, but it would be rude to say that.

"I know it tastes pretty bad," he says. "It's supposed to help dull the pain a little. It's something my mother showed me."

"Your mother send like a very kind woman," I say. "She was very knowledgeable."

"She was," he says dreamily. "She helped all of the children in town. She was a mother to everyone."

"That's how my mother used to be," I say. "She's changed so much. It's as if she doesn't care for me anymore."

He wraps an arm around me. "I'm sure she cares. You are her daughter. She brought you into this world. It's been a hard time for her recently." I lean into his embrace.

"It's been a hard time for me, too."

"I'm sure it has, but you have someone who's here for you."

"Who would that be?" I ask looking up at him. He looks offended.

"Why me of course!"

"That doesn't make me feel any better."

"That's hurtful Alice." Though I can hear the trying laugh push its way out. "Smile for me, Alice. You could use one today." I try but it feels so forced and painful.

"I can't do it," I say as I take another long sip of the drink.

"Yes you can! Think of things you enjoy. You like puppies, don't you. Think about playing with them."

"But I'll just be reminded-" There's a knock on the door and Emilia walks in. Upon seeing me, her expression sours.

"Good morning Emilia," Straw says kindly. "What brings you here so early?"

She feigns a sweet smiles and flips her dark hair. "I just wanted to see you. You really brighten my day."

Straw smiles, a slight blush tinging his cheeks. "That's very sweet of you but I can't talk to you this morning."

She frowns. "Why not?"

"Alice and I have something to discuss. It would be best if we did this alone."

"Oh, that's fine," she says before giving me an angry, jealousy filled look and leaving.

"You two don't like each other much, do you," he says once she is surely gone.

"No, we do not. She acts as if she is better than me."

"Well, that is to be expected of a young Briton."

"Then do you feel that way? That Britons are better than Americans?" He casts his eyes down.

"Straw?" He doesn't say anything. The look on his face is unreadable.

I try again. "Straw? Straw, can you please answer me. Is that how you feel?"

"I don't know...how I feel about that."

"Then how about I ask you this question? Do you feel that Emilia is better than me?" He remains silent for a while. When he finally opens his mouth to speak, he says:

"Alice, I don't want to talk about this right now. You should get some rest; you've been through a lot in the last few hours." I can feel the hurt look appearing on my face. Straw brushes a lighter blonde piece of my hair behind my ear.

"I promise to answer your question, Alice. Just not now. No, not now. But lie down. Take a rest." I do as he says and lie my head on his pillow. He walks away, that unreadable expression still gracing his face.

He does come back periodically, but only to check on me and give me food. Never one does he say anything about my question. But he doesn't need to because I understand how he feels. No, he doesn't need to say a word.