With that confirmation, Rose made her way back to the stairs with a vague plan to rouse herself from the bed in Tom Bonden's room. It felt weird, but it was all she had. Deep pangs of sadness and loneliness and betrayal weighed her down as she reached the hallway and looked to the front door, imagining a desolate dream world beyond, a dream she might never wake from.

That idea frightened her, rooted her to the foot of the stairs and made climbing them feel impossible. It was an anchor on her heart, that idea she'd probably never get to see those closest to her ever again if she didn’t wake up. She sat on the bottom step, hugging the wooden railing post, praying she didn't have to endure this dream, this nightmare, any longer. Losing Bellamy and her mom at the same time, whether it was real or not, was poison she had no antidote for. A fatal dose of truth and possibility. Suddenly, waking or not waking were equally nightmarish.

She sat there, pressed against the cool wood, lost. All the logic and reason and snark she relied on in her work had deserted her. Trying to summon them was like sucking in a deep breath at high altitude; she was some place she shouldn't be.

“I told you, he's not who you think he is, Rose.”

She thought at first it was the voice in her head, repeating what her mom had said about Bellamy. But when she glanced up, her mom was standing there, wrapping her shawl around herself. A look of unfussy focus suggested Blythe knew something about what had happened, and maybe what to do next.

“Mom? Where am I? Why can't I breathe?”

“You saw something, didn't you?” but it wasn't a question. “And now they're gone.”

“I-I saw him vanish, right in front of me.” Rose thought for a second, remembered the slumped figure in the armchair. “But Hank's still there.” She swallowed. “Isn't he?”

Blythe sighed, shook her head. “I'm afraid not, Rosie. You saw more than you were supposed to, but I think maybe it's better this way.”

“What do you mean? Why can't I wake up?”

“Because you're already awake. Here, I think you'd better come with me. No more secrets, I swear.” She offered her arm. It was likely the only gesture that would have gotten Rose to her feet. If anyone could guide her through this living nightmare, it was her beloved mother, who'd seen her through all the darkest times of her life. As long as they were together, Rose knew things would turn out okay.

“Where are we going?” she asked, opening the front door for them both. It was a little chilly out, but Rose still had her jacket on.

“Let's go for a walk,” said Blythe.

“In the middle of the night?”