What She Left Behind: A Haunting and Heartbreaking Story of 1920s Historical Fiction

In March of 1930, Roach and his staff release Clara from the Rookie Pest House and give her a job in the laundry facility. She is happy to be unchained and makes friends with a patient named Matilda. Matilda often hugs the other patients, and Clara looks forward to this affection.

Two weeks later, Clara is given permission to spend time in the recreation room on a daily basis. There, she reunites with Madeline and Esther. Esther is heavily drugged, and Madeline explains that Esther sleeps most of the time. Roach tried to get Esther to sleep with him; she refused, and they put her in an insulin-induced coma for a week. When Roach had Esther returned to the general population, she repeatedly asked for Clara. Madeline also explains that at one point, Esther said a carpenter named Bruno woke her up and asked about Clara. Hearing this, Clara realizes that Bruno is working at Willard and is trying to free her.

After Alex rescues Izzy, they stay at Alex’s house. Ethan offers to let Izzy keep his sweatshirt, but she declines. However, she does keep a pin she found in the pocket. In the morning, Alex drops Izzy off at Peg and Harry’s house.