"Thanks."
Rebecca's old dress turned out to be a little loose on Prudence, which made Rebecca's face turn warm at the thought of how fat she had been. "I think I'll take a nap."
"You've certainly earned it."
Rebecca curled up next to Molly on the pile of clothes. She kept her arms around the baby, so Molly wouldn't fall and hurt herself. Before long she drifted off, into a grateful sleep. As she did, she thought she heard fabric tearing.
She woke up to Prudence shaking her. "What is it? Did something happen to Molly?" Rebecca looked over to see Molly still sleeping, a foot or arm twitching every now and then.
"I'm going to find Samantha. You and Molly stay here."
"You can't go alone-"
"It'll be faster this way." Prudence wagged one shoe. "I stuffed them with cloth so they fit better. I should be able to walk faster."
"I can go with you. I won't slow you down."
"It'll be safer for you both here."
"But-"
"I can't let anything bad happen to you two. I've failed enough already."
"Prudence-"
"I'm the oldest, so what I say goes. You stay here with Molly."
"But we'll be all alone down here," Rebecca whined. She hated herself for starting to cry like a baby. "What if the candle runs out before you get back?"
"Rebecca, I know you're still a big girl. In some ways you're bigger than me. You can do this." Prudence put a hand on Rebecca's shoulder. "You're Molly's mommy now. You just worry about taking care of her."
Rebecca looked over at the sleeping baby and then back at Prudence. "All right. But don't be gone too long."
"I won't."
Prudence tousled Rebecca's hair again and then went back up the stairs. The cellar door closed with a thud, sealing Rebecca and Molly into what would perhaps be their tomb.
Rebecca and Molly whimpered in unison.