Authors note: This story follows on directly from my story “The Trigger”

Simon awoke in the engine room though he did not know how or why. “Hello?” Shakily he got the his feet “Hello is anyone here?” “

“Alice is here” came the response. “Pardon?” “Alice is here,” said the voice again. It seemed to be coming from the walls. “Who is Alice?” he said almost involuntarily “Alice loves you” the voice cued. Simon fell to his knees. “No” he said and with an effort he found his feet again. “No”.

“Alice is here” came a voice but not the same as before. “Kaylee?” He said looking around him. “Alice is love” Kaylee responded. Something was wrong with her voice. “Alice is strength”.

Simon moved past the bulk of the engine to find Kaylee sitting in her hammock. Her eyes moved to meet his. She was ashen white a smile painted across her face. Some of the hair on the left side of her head had fallen out.

“Alice loves us so much she blessed us all with kisses” she grinned. Simon kneeled down and took both of her hands “Kaylee what happened? Who did this to you?” Kaylee began to giggle “Who?” The laughter built “Who? Who?” she bust into hysterics the motion dislodging even more hair “Who! Who! Who!”

“Kaylee stop!” Simon said attempting to calm her. Kaylee continued to convulse the sound of her laughter filling the ship. “Who!” Her hair continued to fall from her head. “Kaylee stop! Stop now! Please!” Simon begged trying to hold her still.

Suddenly Kaylee ceased; her eyes meet Simon again for a moment then drifted away. “Kaylee. No Kaylee. Kaylee!” Her body went limp in his arms the smile on her face widened. “Alice” she whispered.

“Death is such a beautiful thing,” a voice said in the distance. “Death is an unavoidable part of life” Another responded. “Murder is the purest joy” a third interjected.

Simon knew, but he didn’t know how. He moved towards them.

“You really shouldn’t be here Doctor.” A voice greeted him as he entered the Dinning room. “Who are you? What have you…?” Simon gasped in shock.