Chapter Text
7 April 2041 ( 7 months after the film detroit evolution)
Detroit cemetery. Henry Watson's grave.
"I know it wasn't her, it wasn't Mum that ghost! She's better, I know you know that. We're talking again, it's different, it's still Mum but it's different. You saw her this morning. You loved Mum, I remember what she was like when I was little. I hope there's no more pain up there. I'm pretty sure you're worried about me, I'm fine, I'm very well cared for with Gavin and Nines. You'd like them. I hope one day I'll be as strong as you are. Thanks, Dad, for everything you have done. You're always there, in my heart. I love you so much."
2 years earlier. 23rd March 2039
Alice got home from school as soon as she got off the bus. Her mother hasn't replied since lunchtime, not at all. No texts, no calls answered. She hoped she was just sleeping. She heard a noise at home. She ran faster. She saw her mother in crisis, throwing things all around her. She opened the door to go and calm her down.
—Mum, it's Alice. It's me! Everything's fine! Calm down!" she said softly when her mother saw her come in.
Her mother continued throwing things, grabbing the lamp. Alice came closer, she could calm her down. She held back her tears.
—Mum, look at me! Hey! It's Alice! Put the lamp down, please. She held her hands out in front of her, smiling to reassure her. Take my hand, Mum, my hand, Mum!
She threw the lamp away, still enraged, fear invaded Alice, she pushed it away.
—Mum, look at me! For me, for me, for Dad! Look at me! she almost begged.
She couldn't handle it, her mum wouldn't calm down. Her eyes remained dark and haunted.
—It's all right, it's all right! I'm here! she tried again, knowing she was failing.
She thought of calling for help, which broke her heart. One last time, she owed it to Dad.
—Mum! Look at me, I'm here, I'm here!
—You're not here! she shouted.
—Yes, I am! Give me your hand.
Her mother grabbed her wrist. Alice relieved herself a little, she still had the look, but.... her mum started to squeeze, too hard.
—Come on, Mum," she asked, her fear rising. You're hurting me. It's me, it's me! It's Alice! It's your daughter! Please loosen up.
She squeezed harder and started to turn, anger rising inside her, not realising what she was doing.
—Mom ! Mom ! Let go of me! Let me go! Let me go! Mum! Stop!" she begged, crying, trying to free herself.
She tried harder, pulling away then backing away. Her mother approached, the same look on her face, as if she didn't recognise her, trying to get closer. She ran to her room, slamming the door and locking it, trembling in terror. Her mother knocked and tried to open the door violently. Alice broke down and collapsed on the floor, her mother had just.... She had.... That look, she was going to come back. She burst into tears, with the sounds of destruction in the living room and the mark on her arm. Adrenaline took over. She gathered up a big bag to leave. Clothes, savings, what little food she had.
In five minutes, she was ready. Her mother kept breaking everything in the living room. She went to her window and left, far away, to be safe. She ran to the bus stop in tears.
Thirty minutes later, she was alone, in downtown Detroit, having run away. She was all alone in Detroit, with nowhere to go! She couldn't go home! Alone in the street! She flipped out, what was she going to do now? Tonight, where was she going to sleep? Tears of despair came. She had to pull herself together and find a solution.
One day later, she was walking, her stomach in knots, alone and cowardly. Guilt and anger mixed with fear, making her heart noisy and confused. Afraid of everything, of her shadow, of the street. Guilty of breaking her promise to her dad, the idea of it made her sick. She had fled, cowardly, out of fear. She had seen her mother, sad, angry, downcast, but never so angry. The look in her eyes from yesterday came back to her, the feeling from yesterday too, the fear of what her mother could have done. She pushed back the tears that flowed. She just had to survive today. Only 9 hours to go, according to her watch. Off to the library.