Little Bites (2024)

[bunniefuu]

-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

-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.

-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?

- 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 sh*t.

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 f*cking 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.

- Mindy? Mindy Vogel?

-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...

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.

-Do you believe in God?

-What?

-Do you believe in God?

-What do you think?

-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.

Lovely song.

-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?

-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.

-What's that?

-What?

-That sound.

There it is again.

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...

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.

-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.

-Cigarette?

-No, thank you.

-What's your name?

-It's okay.

I'm just trying to get home.

-I'm not a prost*tute.

Do I look like a prost*tute?

-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.

-Do you ever get lonely?

I live close.

We can walk.

Are you hungry?

Come on.

Let's go sit down.

Um...Sit.

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.

I'll be right back.

I'm fine!

I'm fine.

I'll be right there!

-I think I should leave!

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.

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

Maybe --

-Maybe the ice cream

was expired?

Or maybe it's the flu?

Do you think it's the flu?

- Please!

-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.

- Okay.

Okay, we got this. Okay.

Okay.

Paul. Paul.

Paul. Paul!

Paul!

Hi.

-You passed out.

You passed out.

-Ow. Ow.

Ah! Jesus, I'm bleeding.

-That's strange.

Maybe you hurt it when you fell.

-Fell.

-Let me help you.

Come on. Come on.

-Please,

I need to leave.

-I'm sorry.

I'll give you some privacy.

-Who said I want privacy?

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?

-It starts now.

You know,

I have jabbered on long enough.

I'll be on my way.

It's been a pleasure.

Whew.

-Hey.

-Yeah?

-Nothing.

-Well, you have a wonderful day.

-Ms. Vogel?

-Hi.

-sh*t.

-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?

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?

-Wait.

Wait.

-Don't.

-Ms. Vogel, stand back.

Alice?

Alice, are you in here,

honey?

Alice?

Oh!

What are you doing?

Let me out!

-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.

-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 --

- Jesus, Mindy.

I was in the bathroom.

What's the g*dd*mn emergency?

-It's time

for Alice to come home.

-Just like that,now.

-Look,

you told me

to get my sh*t together, okay?

Well, sh*t 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 f*ck this up again.

-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.

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?

-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.

-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.

- Mom?

Mom?

Mom!

Mom!

Mom! Mom!

-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.

Oh. So do you.

Look, you can read

till I get out, okay?

Deal?

-Deal.

-Okay.

-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.

-Mom, let's go.

-No. This is our house.

We're not going anywhere.

-No, Mom! No.

-Alice,

it's the only way okay?

-Mom, what's going on?

I'm scared.

-I'm not sure.

- Mom?

-Mom? Mom!

-Alice, it's okay.

-Mom?

-Alice...

Alice.

- Mom?

Alice...

-It's Jack.

Alice...

-I bet you're

a wonderful mother.

-Child's Voice: Daddy!

-Everything's going

to be fine.

-What's that?

-A dinner bell.

- I am everywhere.

-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

k*ll him.

-Let's go to the kitchen

and find some weapons.

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.

Yes.

- Mom?

What are you doing?

No!

No...

-Run.

-Yes, Alice, come join us.

It's what we all want.

Are you one of us?

Hey mom.