ALICE IN KAVALAND

"The Cost of Pretending," weaves past and present as Alice returns to Baptist Hospital, triggering memories of a childhood accident that left her unconscious and abandoned by her parents, saved only by Aunt Sylvia’s love and quiet lies for comfort. In the present, Alice confronts her estranged, dying father, exposing long-buried betrayals about her mother’s death and her own worth. The chapter centers on truth, abandonment, and the emotional cost of pretending.

"What Drifts in Dreams," Alice struggles with haunting, recurring dreams featuring a mysterious woman threatening her. Awakening from these vivid visions, she navigates her complex relationship with her mischievous, shape-shifting cat, Simon, who uses dream magic to interact with her reality. As Alice confronts past family wounds and mysterious forces, she must decipher the blurred lines between dreams and reality while facing emotional turmoil and impending truths.

"Where Everyone Kinda Knows Your Name," Alice and her tattoo companion Ellie face another awkward morning at Mermaid Stars coffee house, where Alice’s name is repeatedly mispronounced, adding to her social anxiety. Seeking refuge, they head to The Kava Spot, a lively bar filled with familiar faces and warm embraces. The story explores the comfort and chaos of small-town connections and personal quirks.