Original subtitles

♪

♪

- ♪ Protect me from everything

♪ And all the girls and boys

♪ That want it more than I can give ♪

♪ Makes me feel like a toy

♪ You stop playing with in the second grade ♪

♪ I'm up on the shelf

♪ And I feel so helpless

♪ And so naive

♪ Protect me from everything

♪ And all the current noise

♪ Distorts the night and blurs the years ♪

♪ Makes me feel like the choice ♪

♪ Has been torn apart and the ending's frayed ♪

♪ I'm here by myself

♪ And I feel so helpless

♪ And so naive

[Dissonant chord plays]

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[Dissonant strings play]

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- I'm hungry.

- Can you do the leg?

- I...I do so much prefer the arm.

- I know.

It's still so sore, I just...

It needs more time to heal.

- No. I think I'll have the arm.

- I think it's infected.

If it gets any worse, I'm going to have to go to the hospital.

- You'll do no such thing.

I'll be gentle.

Now feed me.

- [Breathing shallowly]

♪

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♪

[Microwave beeps, whirs]

[Microwave beeps]

[Phone ringing]

- Hello?

- Hello, Mindy. - Hi, Mother.

- Alice wanted to say hello. Can you spare the time?

- Yes, of course. - Hold on.

- Hi, Mommy.

- Hi, Alice. How are you?

- I'm okay. - That's good. I miss you.

- I miss you, too. When can I come home again?

- Soon. I-- I hope real soon. I just...

I have a couple of things to take care of,

and then-- and then you can come back

and we can get back to normal, okay?

- Okay.

- So, what else is going on?

Are you being good? - Yeah, I'm being good.

Oh, Grandma wants to talk to you.

- Okay, sweetie. Put her on. I love you.

- Love you.

- Hello.

- She sounds good.

- How would you know?

- Please don't talk about me in front of her.

- Don't worry, she's gone.

And I don't think you're in any position to tell me what to do.

When is this going to end? Huh?

It's been what? Three weeks?

This child is confused.

I can only lie to her for so long.

Are you doing drugs?

- No, Mom, I'm not doing drugs.

And you don't have to lie to her at all.

- No? What am I supposed to say?

Your mommy isn't equipped to take care of you?

- [Quietly] Stop.

- Well...

- I just need a little more time.

- You don't think I had problems when I was your age?

You think your father was any help in raising you?

You don't think there were times that I wanted to

run and hide from everything too?

But did I? No. I didn't. I was there for you.

- Yeah, I know. You're better than me.

- Oh, please.

Don't give me that self-pity shit.

Look, I know you had a tough time with

everything that happened with Jack and all,

but that was a long time ago,

and now, now it's time

for you to put your big girl pants on, Mindy.

- It's not that simple.

- Yes. Yes, it is, Mindy.

Life doesn't care about your problems.

Life doesn't stop to ask if you're okay.

Life is a fucking monster.

Your job is to take care of that little girl, not yourself.

It's as simple as that. That's it.

- I just need a little more time.

- Yeah, well, your daughter needs dinner,

so I'm going to go.

- Can I just please say goodbye?

- Goodbye.

[Call ends]

♪

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[Light rattle]

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[Bell ringing quietly]

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[Bell ringing]

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[Bell ringing]

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- Mindy? Mindy Vogel? [Laughs]

- Hey, Gail.

- Jeez, I haven't seen you around much.

How's your summer going?

- Um...

good.

- What is with this getup?

Are you, uh, hiding from someone?

Are you sneaking around?

- Uh, no.

I'm-- I'm sorry. I just, um...

I've been a little under the weather.

- Jesus, Mindy.

You look terrible. Are you alright?

- Yeah, no, yeah. I just, um...

I got a bug or, like, a virus or something.

Oh, I'm-- I'm past being contagious.

I'm just, um... tired, mostly.

I'm on the mend, so...

- Hey,

is Alice doing gymnastics this summer?

Because, you know, Piper moved up to advanced,

so if you are, you better get on it,

because those classes fill up fast.

- Um, yeah, yeah, maybe. Um, we're not sure if we are.

Um, Alice is at her grandmother's this weekend.

But we're definitely thinking about gymnastics.

But, um...

you know how things go sometimes.

- Mindy...

[Quietly] If you need help, you can always call me.

- Oh, um, no, actually, um, I have to go,

'cause I have to pick up Alice from her friend's.

- I thought you said she was at her grandma's.

- Yeah, no. That's what I meant.

Um, her friend's there, too.

These kids have me rattled, just running here and there.

- Well, I'll let you go, then.

- Um, maybe we'll see you at gymnastics or something.

- Okay. Bye.

- Bye.

[Supermarket music plays faintly]

♪

[Flesh tears]

♪

♪

- Do you believe in God?

- What?

- Do you believe in God?

- What do you think?

[Licking fingers]

- I think you must.

- Why is that?

- Because you believe in me.

- You don't give me much of a choice.

I think if God does exist,

He must hate me.

- Oh, no, no, no, my dear. He doesn't hate you.

He just doesn't care.

Don't you see that?

She will leave you eventually,

and all this will be for nothing.

And poor Mommy Mindy will be left all alone

to rot in her rocking chair...

or wheelchair.

At least you'll have your memories.

and your scars.

[Flesh tears]

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- [Sighs]

[Playing single notes]

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[Playing]

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- [Distorted voice] Lovely song. - [Screams]

♪

[Knock on door]

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- Hello.

- Can I help you? - Are you Mindy Vogel?

- Um... Maybe. Who are you?

- Maybe who are you? - I'm Sonya Whitfield with CPS.

- I'm sorry, with what?

- Oh, CPS. Child Protective Services.

- I don't understand. - Do you have a daughter?

Um... Alice.

- Uh, yes.

- Is she at home?

- I-- I don't understand.

- Okay, we'll start over.

I'm Sonya Whitfield.

I'm with Child Protective Services,

and I'd like to know if your daughter's at home.

- No.

She's-- She's at her grandmother's for the week,

visiting. - Great.

Would you mind if I stepped in and had to look around?

- Okay, what's going on?

- When we receive a call about the welfare of a child,

it's our legal obligation--

- I'm-- I'm sorry. What call? Who called you?

Was it Gail Hurley?

Because she doesn't have any idea what she's talking about.

What, she sees me one time

when I'm under the weather and for a minute,

and suddenly, I can't take care of my child?

- I'm sorry.

I'm not at liberty to divulge where the information came from.

- I don't understand how someone can just

call you and say whatever they want.

- Well, we have to take every accusation seriously.

- Accusation of what? I told you she's fine.

- I certainly hope so,

and if you would just let me come inside

and look around a little bit...

I'd rather not involve the police or get a warrant,

but I will if I have to.

- Fine.

But this is ridiculous.

This is Alice's room.

- Oh.

Do you, uh, live alone?

With Alice, I mean.

- Yes. - So no Mr. Vogel?

- No, no, Mr. Vogel.

- What is she, uh, 11 or 12? - 10.

- Hm. She likes to read?

- Yeah, she's smart. Are we done?

- Well, everything certainly looks okay,

but I'd like you to call me

when Alice comes home from her grandmother's.

My number's on the card.

When did you say she'd be back?

- I didn't. - Oh.

- I-- I still don't understand any of this.

- It's just a precaution.

You wouldn't believe some of the things that we see.

[Bell ringing]

- What's that? - What?

[Bell ringing]

- That sound.

[Bell ringing] There it is again.

[Bell ringing]

It's coming from downstairs.

- What are you doing?

Excuse me.

♪

- What's in there?

- Oh, um, nothing. Just storage.

- Can you open it? - Um...

Can we just do this when Alice is back?

Besides, I think it's locked.

I honestly never go in there.

- Oh. It's open.

- Um...

Can-- Can we-- Can we just...

[Clicks]

Oh, yeah, sorry.

I, um, I have to get a new bulb.

Trust me, you don't want to go in there.

It's a mess.

- Peculiar smell. - Um...

I'll get the light bulb replaced before next week.

♪

♪

- Okay, you have my number, so...

um, please call me when Alice gets back.

You know, on second thought,

let's plan on me coming back on Tuesday,

and make sure that Alice is at home, okay?

- Um... - What?

- Tuesday. Okay? Try to remember.

- Okay. - Have a nice day.

- Sure.

- We need to talk.

- What took you so long?

- We need to talk.

This has to stop.

- I find it curious that you think you're in a position

to demand anything.

Besides, you know the answer.

You know the only way out.

- No. - Then we continue together.

- They're gonna take Alice from me.

- Well, give it to me. I'll protect her.

- You'll eat her.

- You think this will be easy?

Just give me the girl.

- I won't do that.

- Why do you suppose you had a child in the first place?

Perhaps you thought your little miracle could contribute,

eliminate things like me, make a difference.

That was what you thought, Mindy.

You thought you could make a difference?

Because I'm quite sorry to tell you that you cannot.

- Then what's the point?

- And that, my dear,

is the most insightful thing you've said yet.

No more talking.

Come to me.

♪

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[Flesh tears]

- [Shuddering breath]

- Don't touch me.

- You have to stop.

It's just too much, please.

- I'm still hungry.

- I think...

I think I'm dying.

- You're fine.

- I'm not. It's too much.

♪

- You expect me to starve?

♪

- What if I find--

What if I find you something else to eat?

- You mean someone else?

- Yes.

- Do you think that's advisable?

To bring an outsider into our relationship?

- Is that what you think this is?

- We've grown close.

- I need a break.

If I die, you have nothing.

You won't have me, no Alice.

- Perhaps that just gets you out of the way.

- No. You need me.

Don't you?

- I almost forgot. I wrote you a song.

I want to sing it for you.

- I don't want to hear it.

- ♪ There was a girl

♪ She was alone

♪ Then she met a man and they built a home ♪

♪ His name was Jack

♪ And they had a child

♪ They called her Alice

♪ But then Jack, he died

- Stop.

- ♪ Then they were two, oh, so scared ♪

♪ Poor Mommy Mindy was unprepared ♪

♪ But have no fear

♪ Agyar is here

♪ To take good care of you

♪ To take good care

♪ Of you

Did you like it?

- No.

♪

- Perhaps a little variety in my diet

wouldn't be such a bad thing.

♪

♪

[Sirens wail in distance]

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- Cigarette?

- No, thank you.

- What's your name?

- It's okay. I'm just trying to get home.

- I'm not a prostitute.

Do I look like a prostitute?

- Sorry, no. I'm just waiting for the bus.

- What's your name?

- Please, I'm just--

- You can't tell me your name?

- Paul.

- Paul.

You live around here, Paul?

- No.

♪

- Wife? Girlfriend?

- No. My kitty.

- Kitty...

♪

♪

- You know, I, um, I don't make a habit of talking to strangers

at night at bus stops.

But, um, I was walking alone tonight,

and I was thinking about

how many people we pass every day

who we don't pay attention to,

that we never really see.

And how...

any one of those people

could become someone really special in our lives

if we just gave them a chance.

♪

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- Do you ever get lonely?

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I live close.

We can walk.

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Are you hungry?

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Come on.

Let's go sit down.

[Door closes]

Um... Sit. [Laughs uncomfortably]

♪

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Would you like something to drink?

- I'm fine. Thank you.

You know, I think maybe I should leave.

- Oh, no, um... I have some ice cream.

Do you want some ice cream?

- I-- I guess, if you're gonna have some.

- [Whispers] I'll be right back.

♪

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[Rattling]

I'm fine!

I'm fine.

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[Hammering]

I'll be right there!

- I think I should leave!

♪

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Ice cream. Sorry it took me so long.

I couldn't find the scoop.

- What's wrong? - Nothing.

You know, I think-- I think maybe I should go.

I'm not really that hungry.

- Oh, no. Um, here.

Let me feed you.

It's good, huh?

Open.

- It tastes strange. - You don't like it?

- No, I didn't say that. Um, what flavor is it?

- I'm so happy you're here.

I, um, I don't have many friends.

Actually, I, um... I don't have any friends.

And when I saw you tonight, I thought,

now there's someone who could be my friend.

Someone kind and handsome,

alone, like me.

You do want to be my friend, don't you, Paul?

- Mm-hmm. I think so. - Of course you do.

Eat.

- I have, um-- I-- I have something

I want to show you.

[Spoon scrapes]

♪

- [Retching]

- Paul, I'm-- I'm so sorry.

Maybe-- - [Retching]

- Maybe the ice cream was expired?

Or maybe it's the flu? Do you think it's the flu?

- [Retching] Please!

♪

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- [Groans]

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[Breathing hard]

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[Sighs]

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[Breathing hard]

- What is that?

- Your meal.

- My meal? I don't eat the dead.

- He's not dead.

At last, I don't think he's dead.

- You haven't thought this through.

- No.

- It's no good. He tastes of misery and despair.

I prefer stubborn, with something to lose.

Take it away.

♪

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- [Groans] Okay.

Okay, we got this. Okay.

♪

Okay.

♪

[Body thumps]

♪

Paul. Paul.

Paul. Paul!

Paul! - [Groans]

[Breathing hard] Hi.

- You passed out.

You passed out.

- Ow. Ow.

Ah! Jesus, I'm bleeding.

[Groans]

- That's strange.

Maybe you hurt it when you fell. - Fell.

- Let me help you. Come on. Come on.

- Please,

I need to leave.

- [Sighs]

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[Birds chirping]

[Child laughing]

♪

[Laughing] - [Playful growling]

- [Screams]

- I'm sorry. I'll give you some privacy.

- Who said I want privacy?

[Sighs]

How old are your children?

- I'm sorry? - Your children.

How old are they?

- You're assuming I have children.

- I can tell.

I've raised enough of them myself to know

when I'm sitting next to a mother.

It's a different energy.

- What energy is that? - Exhaustion.

Resilience.

- Well, I just have one.

One daughter, she's 10.

- I bet she's wonderful.

- She is.

- I bet you're a wonderful mother.

- That's debatable.

- Plans for any more?

- Kids? Um, no.

- Her father, my-- my husband's dead.

- Yeah. Mine's dead, too.

But then, I'm 100 years old.

Have you ever heard of the three stages?

- What's that?

- It's a very famous philosophy pertaining to raising children.

- No, I haven't heard of it.

Who came up with it? - Me.

So, maybe it's not that famous, but it does make sense.

- Okay, so three stages? - Stage one,

you stand behind them.

Stage two, you stand in front of them.

Stage three, you stand beside them.

- Um, I don't I don't understand.

I'm sorry.

- Well, you see, when when children are small and unsteady,

we stand behind them, hold them so they don't fall.

That's stage one.

As they grow, we stand in front of them,

to shield them from harm.

Stage two.

Stage three, we stand beside them

and face adversity with them.

We allow them to give to us as we've given to them,

and save us occasionally,

the way that we saved them.

And when we do that,

anything is possible.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't explain that very well.

I-- - No, no. You did. Um...

When would you say that stage three begins?

- Oh, how old did you say your daughter was?

- 10.

- It starts now.

You know, I have jabbered on long enough.

I'll be on my way. It's been a pleasure.

♪

Whew. [Sighs]

- Hey.

- Yeah?

- Nothing.

♪

- Well, you have a wonderful day.

♪

♪

- Ms. Vogel?

- Hi. - Shit.

- It's Sonya from CPS. I was here last week.

- I know, I remember.

- Well, it's Tuesday, and I didn't hear from you,

so I thought I'd just stop by and see how Alice is doing.

She is here, I presume?

- I'm sorry. What?

- [Sighs] Alice, is she at home?

- Yes. Yes, she's here. - Great.

I'll just take a moment and ask her a few questions.

- I just said she's here.

She's fine. So why do you need to come in?

- If you refuse to let me speak with her,

then I'll have no choice but to call law enforcement.

And at that point,

they'll remove her from your custody

pending further investigation.

And I don't think either one of us wants that.

- Fine. Come in.

I'm sure she'll be thrilled

to have a complete stranger barge in on her.

♪

♪

- You know, this all seems so like borderline harassment.

- I'm sorry you feel that way.

We just have the best interests of the child at heart, really.

- My child.

- If I could just see her, please.

- She's in her room.

Alice?

Alice, there's someone here to speak with you.

Um. Oh.

You know, she gets nervous around strangers.

Um, maybe she's hiding. - Ms. Vogel.

- Um, maybe you could come back, and I'll speak with her,

and maybe you could come back and I could--

- Miss Vogel, Alice isn't here, is she?

Have you done something to her?

[Bell ringing]

- Wait.

Wait.

♪

[Bell ringing]

♪

- Don't.

- Ms. Vogel, stand back.

♪

Alice?

Alice, are you in here, honey?

Alice?

- [Screams] - Oh!

What are you doing?

Let me out!

[Screams]

[Crunching]

- [Screams]

[Screaming continues]

♪

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♪

[Screams stop]

[Crunching]

- [Clattering] - [Screams]

[Breathing shakily]

- [Screams]

♪

♪

[Gasps]

- Come in, my dear. No need to be afraid.

- Where is she?

- She's gone.

- How?

- You underestimate my capabilities.

♪

♪

- What am I supposed to--

What am I supposed to do?

- Do nothing.

The rest of this mess will be gone in a moment,

and the room will be licked clean,

and there'll be no trace left of your friend.

- She wasn't my friend.

- Then what's the problem?

- Someone will come looking for her.

- Perhaps you worry too much.

She served no purpose except to fill my belly.

♪

- Why not just finish me off like that?

Wouldn't it be easier?

- Yes, it would,

but much less fun.

♪

♪

♪

♪

[Dialing]

[Exhales deeply]

- Hello.

You've reached the phone of Jerry and Linda.

Leave a message after the beep and we'll call you back.

Bye. - Mom.

Look, call me back as soon as possible, okay.

I need to talk to Alice. It's--

- [Click] Jesus, Mindy. I was in the bathroom.

What's the goddamn emergency?

- It's time for Alice to come home.

- Just like that, now.

- Look,

you told me to get my shit together, okay?

Well, shit officially together, so, please.

- Mindy, what's going on?

- Nothing's going on, Mom.

Can you just bring her now? - Now?

Jesus, Mindy, you really are something.

You ever stop to think that I may have a life over here?

I can drop her off tomorrow.

That's the best I can do.

- Okay. Tomorrow, first thing.

- Mindy? - Yeah?

Don't fuck this up again. [Call ends]

- [Scoffs]

- She'll be here tomorrow.

- The girl? - Yes.

- Well...

I look forward to meeting her.

- You won't win. You won't have Alice.

And you won't have me anymore.

- Is that so?

- I know what I've done wrong.

I let you unravel me.

I let you convince me that I'm protecting her.

I let you convince me that my sacrifice is my power.

The more I'd give of myself, the safer she'd be,

and the stronger I'd become.

You're very clever-- all these little bites,

all this slow suffering.

What a deception it's all been,

but I won't be deceived anymore.

It's over.

♪

[Applauds] Bravo, my dear.

What a wonderfully pathetic speech that was.

You have realized nothing.

And when that little girl arrives here tomorrow.

I promise you, I will devour every inch of you,

except for your eyes,

so that you may watch helplessly as I chew her to the bone.

And make no mistake,

my anticipation of that delightful moment

is the only reason I have let you live.

And if you so much as even think of defying me,

I will rise to a power beyond your comprehension.

- We'll see. - You have nothing.

- That's where you're wrong. I have everything.

♪

- Oh, my God. I missed you so much.

Look at you.

Thanks, Mom.

- A minute of your time?

- Hey, I'm just gonna talk to Grandma for a second, okay?

Wait for me? Thank you.

- You know you look like crap.

- Thanks, Mom.

- Did I really do that bad of a job?

Didn't I provide you with a loving home?

I don't know. Maybe I'm the one that's crazy.

- No, you've made that very clear.

It's me.

Look,

it doesn't always have to be about you.

- Oh.

That's where you're wrong, Mindy.

It's always about me.

If it involves you, it's always about me.

I don't know if you've realized this yet,

but no matter how old you get,

I'll always think of you as my girl.

- Look, thank you for everything you've done.

I do, I appreciate it

But everything's good, okay?

I've got this.

- Well, you've got my number the next time

you need me to bail you out.

- Do you just hate me?

- Hate you? I love you.

I'm your mother. I love you. Oh, God.

I love you.

I love you.

♪

♪

- See? It's just how you left it.

- Yeah.

Mom?

Why was I at grandma's for so long?

- Um...

Uh, it's kind of a hard question to answer.

I mean, it's-- it's complicated.

- Why is it complicated?

- How about some lunch?

Come on.

♪

- Mom, are you okay?

- Do you trust me?

- Why? - No, not "why."

Do you trust me? - Yeah, I guess.

- You know I love you, right?

- Yeah. - And I'm here to protect you.

- Mm-hmm. - Okay.

- Well, then, I need you to trust me.

- Mom, what are we talking about?

- I need to show you something.

- What is it?

- It's it's kind of hard to explain,

but I want to try to prepare you before I show you.

You know how when you were little

and I'd tell you monsters aren't real?

Like if you had a bad dream or if you got scared at night

or you heard a noise in your room,

and I'd tell you everything's fine and it's okay, right?

- Yeah.

- Well, I didn't lie to you. I'd never lie to you.

It just...

turns out there's some things even I didn't know.

- Like what? - This is gonna sound crazy,

but it turns out monsters are real.

- Mom?

- And there's one downstairs.

- Mom, you're scaring me.

Grandma says that you have a lot of problems.

- Well, Grandma says a lot of things.

The reason you haven't been here in so long is

because I've been protecting you.

- From the monster - Yes.

Now, I think the only way to stop him

is for us to face him together.

- Mom, are you crazy?

- No. No, I'm not crazy.

And I promise I won't let anything happen to you.

But I need you to come downstairs with me.

Okay?

♪

♪

♪

Stay behind me.

- Mom, I'm scared.

♪

♪

- Where are you?

Where are you?

[Gasps]

- Mom?

♪

- I don't--

He was right here.

- Mom?

- Right here!

- Mom!

What's wrong with you?

♪

- Come on.

♪

- Mom, what's going on?

♪

♪

Mom, stop. I don't like this.

♪

- What?

- He's gone. I think it might be over.

I really think it might be over.

[Crying]

- Warm enough? - Yeah.

I'm so happy you're here. - Me, too.

- You must be tired, huh? - A little.

- Yeah.

Well, get some sleep,

and tomorrow, we can do whatever you want.

Sound good? - Yeah.

- Yeah. I love you, baby.

- I love you, too, Mom.

- Go right to sleep.

- Yep.

- Night, my love.

- Mom? - Yeah?

- Do you ever miss Dad?

- Always.

We'll talk tomorrow, okay?

- Good night. - Good night.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

- [Distantly] Mom?

Mom?

♪

Mom!

♪

Mom!

Mom! Mom!

♪

[Alice screams]

- [Growls] - [Gasps]

[Gasps]

♪

♪

♪

♪

- Ms. Vogel? - Yeah?

- Hello, Ms. Vogel.

Burt Holzman from Child Protective Services,

field manager.

- Okay. - Yes.

There was a Mrs. Whitfield here from CPS a few days ago.

Do you remember that?

From CPS? - I remember.

- Can you tell me about that visit?

- Yes, she showed up,

and she wanted to talk to my daughter Alice.

And she did, and she left.

I assumed that was the end of this.

- Yes, well, you see,

Mrs. Whitfield never filed her final case report,

so that's why I'm here.

Office Manager, make sure the matter is handled properly.

Is Alice home today?

- You people just don't give up, do you?

- Ms. Vogel, if Alice is at home today,

this matter will only take a few moments.

Just a few questions.

- Fine.

- Come in. Alice is in her room.

- Okay. Alright.

- Alice? - Yeah.

- Can you come here for a second?

Hey, um, sweetie,

this man wants to ask you some questions.

- Hi, Alice. I'm Mr. Holtzman.

I just was hoping to ask you a few questions.

- It's okay. You can talk to him.

- If we could just have a moment of privacy.

- What? You want to talk to her alone?

She's-- She's only 10.

- We like to talk to the child without any parental influence.

I'm sure Mrs. Whitfield did the same.

- I just-- I just think this whole thing's ridiculous.

- I'm sorry you feel that way.

It's truly only gonna take a few moments.

Just a few questions.

- Fine. You can go in there.

- Mom?

- It's okay. Just tell him the truth.

Go ahead.

♪

♪

- Okay, Alice, like I said, my name is Mr. Holtzman.

I'd just like to ask you a few questions about your mom.

Is that okay?

♪

♪

Okay, Ms. Vogel, we are all done here.

- Yeah?

- You have a wonderful daughter,

and I see no reason

to investigate this case any further.

Thank you for talking with me today, Alice.

- That's it? - That's it.

Consider it case closed.

Thank you for your time today,

and truly sorry for any inconvenience.

Y'all have a good day.

Oh, by the way,

if Mrs. Whitfield does reach out to you,

please have her contact me.

She's been a little bit MIA lately.

- Will do.

- Who was that? - Doesn't matter.

You're never gonna see him again.

- Getting tired? - Not really.

- Really? It's late.

Got to get you back into school mode.

A couple of more weeks. Are you excited?

- I guess.

- Well, I need a shower.

I feel gross.

[Sniffs] Oh. So do you.

Look, you can read till I get out, okay?

Deal? - Deal.

- Okay.

[Knock on door] - [Sighs]

[Knock on door]

[Knock on door]

♪

♪

- Well, hello there.

- Hi.

- Hi. Aren't you a cutie?

Is your mother home?

- Yeah, but she's in the bathroom.

- Is that right?

Would you mind terribly if I came inside to wait for her?

- Oh, um, no.

I can't let a stranger in the house.

- Stranger? Oh, my love. I am not a stranger.

I happen to be a very dear friend of your mother.

She's never mentioned me?

- I don't think so.

Were you a friend of my dad's too?

- No, I don't believe I was. But you are a very smart girl.

Do not trust those you do not know.

Could you do me a big favor?

- What is it?

- I would like you to let your mother know

that I came by for a visit.

Could you do that?

- Mm-hmm.

- And I want you to tell her my name.

- Okay.

- Now, it's kind of a strange name,

so I want you to practice saying it.

My name is Agyar. Can you say that?

- Agyar.

- That was very good. That was perfect, Alice.

- How do you know my name?

- Because I told you,

I'm a good friend of your mother.

Now, don't forget.

You tell her Agyar was here for a little visit.

- Okay, - Okay.

Sweet Alice,

I'm quite sure I'll be seeing much more of you

very soon.

♪

♪

♪

- Mom?

Mom?

- What? I'm in the shower.

- Someone was here to see you. - What did you say?

- I said someone was here to see you.

- Who?

- Agyar.

- What?

♪

Who did you say was here?

- Agyar. - Where is he?

Did you let him in?

No, he left.

- Come on.

♪

Why is this open?

- Uh...

- Why was this open? Did he come in?

- Why

was this open?

- I don't know. I swear, he left.

I shut the door.

Mom. Mom, what's wrong?

He said he was your friend.

Mom, is he your friend?

- No.

He's not my friend.

[Thump, skittering]

♪

[Boards creaking]

♪

[Crashing]

[Footsteps running]

- Mom, let's go.

- No. This is our house.

We're not going anywhere.

♪

♪

[Boards creaking] - [Gasps]

[Rattling]

♪

[Gasps]

♪

- No, Mom! No.

- Alice, it's the only way okay?

♪

♪

- Mom, what's going on? I'm scared.

- I'm not sure.

[Gasps] - Mom?

[Door rattling]

- Mom? Mom!

- Alice, it's okay.

- Mom?

- Alice...

[Distorted] Alice.

[Laughing] - Mom?

Alice...

- It's Jack.

Alice...

- I bet you're a wonderful mother.

[Baby cries]

[Distorted voice speaks]

- Child's Voice: Daddy!

[Growling]

- Everything's going to be fine.

[Silence]

[Bell rings]

- What's that?

- A dinner bell.

[Footsteps running]

- [Distorted] I am everywhere.

♪

[Creaking]

[Laughing quietly]

[Creaks]

- Mommy? Let's go.

- Stay right behind me.

♪

♪

You hear him, too, right? It's not just me.

Do you hear him? - I hear him, too.

♪

- Mom? - Yeah?

- Do you have a plan? - Yeah.

Of course, I mean--

I did have a plan, and then sometimes,

when things change,

you have to make a new plan. You make a new plan.

- Mom? - Yeah.

- I think we just need to kill him.

- Let's go to the kitchen and find some weapons.

♪

♪

- [Distorted] Who's the monster now?

I'm here.

You see?

No resistance.

♪

♪

So please, show Alice who you really are.

Show her that you're just as I am,

that we are indistinguishable.

- I'm nothing like you.

♪

- Then cut me open and let my inside spill out,

and you will see the remains of a thousand others

who thought just as you do.

All the same.

All mistaken.

And when it's all over, and I've cast my last breath,

then you and Alice can tend to the rest...

and lick the room clean.

♪

[Clatters]

Yes.

♪

♪

- [Breathing shallowly] Mom?

What are you doing?

♪

♪

♪

No!

♪

[Crying] No...

[Flesh tearing]

♪

- Run.

♪

♪

- Yes, Alice, come join us.

It's what we all want.

♪

Are you one of us?

[Screams]

♪

♪

[Bell rings]

[Flesh tearing]

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

Hey mom.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪