The central heating inside the cozy room made everything feel just right, but Sandy still shivered as she stripped down. Even in her sleep, she instinctively snuggled closer to Dahlia. Despite Dahlia''s distant demeanor, she was the only mother figure Sandy had known, and deep down, Sandy leaned heavily on her.


    But Dahlia didn''t soften at Sandy''s touch. Holding her tightly, she whisked Sandy into the bathroom, cranked the shower to cold, and switched off the bedroom''s heater. The chill quickly seeped into the room.


    Dahlia watched the cold water pour into the tub, her fingers stinging from the icy touch. Sandy, feeling the chill, nestled even closer. Her teeth chattered as she murmured in her sleep, "Mommy, hold me. I''m freezing..."


    For a fleeting moment, Dahlia felt a pang of tenderness. But thoughts of Evelyn in the basement snapped her back, and she lowered Sandy into the cold water.


    The icy water swallowed Sandy''s small frame. Though she shivered fiercely, the medication kept her from waking. Her teeth ttered, and she mumbled, "Mommy... I am... so cold..." Dahlia stood by. Her heart hardened until Sandy''s skin turned a pale purple from the cold. Only then did she lift her out, dry her off, and tuck her back into bed.


    Dahlia had raised Sandy and knew her well. It didn''t take long before Sandy was burning up with a fever. Panic-stricken, Dahlia stumbled from the room to Charles'' door, knocking urgently. Her voice was cracking, "Charles... Charles... Sandy''s burning up..."


    Charles was having a hard time


    sleeping. He was about to head downstairs when he heard about Sandy''s fever. He froze, and then


    pivoted quickly to Dahlia''s roop met


    Seeing Sandy''s fever-flushed face, his expression turned grave. Dr. Nelson had warned them that Sandy was still fragile post-surgery, and a fever could be dangerous.


    Without a second thought, Charles scooped Sandy up. He watched Dahlia''s flustered face and barked, "Grab some clothes."


    "Clothes... right." Dahlia rushed to the closet, grabbed a thick coat, and hurried after Charles.


    Before long, they were in Charles'' car. Dahlia sat in the back, cradling Sandy, who was feverishly muttering about the cold. With tears in her eyes, Dahlia kissed her daughter''s burning cheek, whispering, "It''s all my fault. I didn''t keep you safe and you are now hurt like this. Her tears fell, one after another.


    Charles'' face was set in a determined scowl. He nced at the frail Sandy in the rearview mirror and was no longer worried about Evelyn in the basement. He pressed the elerator to speed away.


    As they left the neighborhood,


    Dahlia''s lips corded into a


    barely-there, cold smile. ''Evelyn,


    enjoy your lonely time in the basement.'' She thought. Fear at its peak can make your heart race and cause you to faint. The fear might just do its work on Evelyn if Dahlia could keep Charles upied and dy him from rescuing Evelyn.