"Mom?" Annabelle's eyes scanned the empty room, trying to make sense of the disembodied voice she had just heard. "Mom?" she called out tentatively, her voice small in the volumeless space. 'Where are you?'

"Hello En'qin, I've missed you." The voice was warm and familiar, and Annabelle's heart skipped a beat. It sounded like her mother -- but how? Tentatively, Annabelle replied, "I--I've missed you too."

It had been over two weeks since Annabelle had heard her mother's voice, yet it sounded as if she was right next to her. "Where are you?" Annabelle asked, tears falling from her eyes. "I can't see you, Mom!" Annabelle cried,

"Shhhh." "I've got you. You're okay; you're okay. Everything will be alright. I promise." She heard her mother's voice reassuring her, and she felt a warm, comforting feeling wash over her.

"I'm here; I'm here," Annabelle replied to her mother's voice; she was crying and choking up as her mother tried to reassure her daughter that everything would be alright. She desperately tried to calm herself, but she could only manage to take shallow breaths and shed more tears. The voice that came from the light and warmth that surrounded Annabelle tried to calm her down, but Annabelle cried out in pain as the memories of her mother's death surged through her once more. "What made you do it, mom?" She asked. "What made you go away?" Annabelle felt her heart breaking all over again as she mourned the loss of her mother.

"It's my fault, En'qin. It was wrong for me to leave you - it was a mistake. Listen, I'm so sorry. I need you to trust me and listen to me. Stay away, far away, from her. She is not what she appears to be." Her mother's voice was so clear and strong that Annabelle could almost feel her mother's hands on her shoulders.

"What?!" Annabelle called out once more, her voice trembling. "I don't understand what you're saying. Mom! Please, explain it to me. I want to know why you did it? What made you leave? Was it me?" Annabelle felt her heart breaking all over again as she mourned the loss of her mother.

"Of course, you were good enough -- you are talented, kind, sweet, adorable, and brilliant. You are everything a mother could ask for -- and more. You did nothing wrong. I swear," the voice said, surrounding Annabelle as if to wrap her up in a comforting embrace, meant to reassure the daughter she left behind.

Annabelle's eyes scanned the room frantically, searching for her mother. "Mom, please, I'm begging you. Answer me," she said, her voice trembling.

The light surrounded Annabelle, and she heard her mother's voice. "Annabelle, I'm so sorry," her mother said, her voice full of tears. "I'm sorry." Annabelle felt a sense of warmth and love emanating from the light, and she knew her mother was with her again.

Annabelle watched as the mists before she began to take on a form. It was her mother -- she could see her now. "Mom!" Annabelle cried out, running towards her mother. Before, Annabelle was a woman who fit the very definition of beauty. She was unforgettable with shoulder-length black hair, fair skin, and a smile that could light up a room. The woman's smile was so wide it reached her eyes, and Anna stretched out her hand to rest it on Annabelle's cheek. Annabelle threw her arms around her mother's waist as she sobbed and pulled herself into an embrace. Her mother stroked Annabelle's hair and rocked her back and forth, whispering words of comfort. For what felt like an eternity, the mother and daughter said nothing as they held each other. Annabelle cried into her mother's chest as Anna stroked her hair and held her tight. She could feel her mother's heart beating against her cheek.

"I'm so sorry, Annabelle," her mother said. "En'qin, I know it's hard, but you must go back. Just remember, I love you. Never forget that, please."

Annabelle looked up at her mother, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "I don't want to go back," she said, trembling. "It's so hard living without you."

"I know, love," her mother said, tears in her eyes. "But you have to go back. You're strong enough, and I know you can do it. I'll be with you always." She pulled Annabelle into another hug. "I love you, my little girl."

"I love you too," Annabelle nodded as she looked at her mother. "I will always remember you." She sniffed and wiped her eyes while trying to be strong and brave.

"We are watching you, dear, and are always with you." Anna's voice faded, and the light disappeared, leaving Annabelle in the dark again. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself as she tried to process what had just happened.

"Mom?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I love you." Annabelle's tears began to dry as she stared into the darkness, waiting for a response that never came. After a few moments, she felt herself fade as if being forced to sleep.

Annabelle then awoke with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt disoriented and confused, unsure of what was real and what was just a dream. Annabelle looked around the carriage, trying to orient herself, and slowly the memories of the past two weeks began returning to her. She was on her way to Artorious with her Aunt Elise. Annabelle took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. It was just a dream, Annabelle told herself. Just a dream. But try as she might, Annabelle could not shake the feeling her mother was trying to warn her about something -- or someone, but she struggled to remember what it was, and the more she tried, the more she couldn't remember.

As Annabelle pulled herself together, she looked out the carriage window -- it was dark; she had been traveling for quite some time.

"Good, you're awake." Elise looked down upon the sleepy Annabelle as she uncurled herself. "We should be there soon." Elise tried to comfort Annabelle with a head pat, a scratch of her scalp, and a tender smile. "How are you holding up, Annabelle?"

"I'll be fine," Annabelle said, her voice barely above a whisper. She was unsure if she believed her own words, but Annabelle knew she had to be strong. For her mother's sake and her own. "I just need some time."

Elise nodded in understanding as she faced herself looking outside once more. "Good girl," she whispered to herself. She turned to Annabelle and smiled.