NEVER LET ME DOWN AGAIN

[005] survivial and surprises

CHAPTER FIVE : SURVIVAL AND SURPRISES
season 1 episode 2

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JANUARY 19th, 1990 ; age nine
Alice laid curled up in her bed, the warmth of her blanket cocooning her against the light chill that seeped through the homestead walls. Her bedroom wasn't fully dark, as her star nightlight that was plugged in had help to illuminate the space along with the real moon that was peaking through her window and the curtains.

She had succumb to her slumber, Patch held close to her as always as her breathing was slow and steady. The day had been exhausting to her due to the earlier arguments she had with her dad, his words did echo in her when she was trying to sleep but she did her best to ignore it. As well as with the day she spent with other members of her family who came to visit. How exhausting it felt to act like a polite child to them all—even if most of them didn't deserve it.

However, her dreams seemed to have different plans, as even through them, his words were appearing. It only caused the girl to often drift in and out of sleep.

Regardless, it seemed she soon found peace. The outside noises of the soft winds and distant animals soothed her enough to rest. On the contrary, that would change again.

The sound of shattering and muffled voices had broke the silence—yet they were too distant to fully wake her up, but enough to cause her to stir in her sleep. Alice only shifted slightly, her brow furrowing while adjusting the blanket and Patch closer and tighter to her.

Finally, another sound occurred. Closer this time—a heavy thud, followed by the muffled voices, just a bit more louder than earlier though.

Then, her bedroom door swung open.

"Ali!" AJ whispered shouted before stepping into his sister's room. "Ali!" He whispered out urgently again, getting close to her bed and shaking her shoulder.

"Ali, wake up!"

The girl finally began to stir more, causing her to groan softly, trying to brush him off. "Leave me alone, AJ. I don't care." She murmured, beginning to recall the earlier events of the day, thinking he had barged this late into her room to mock her.

Still, AJ persisted, his voice beginning to panic more while he shook her again more firmly. "Alice! Wake up! Something's wrong! We gotta go!" He explained as best as he could.

This would finally get her attention, her eyes beginning to flutter open, seeing her brother there, panic and worry etched onto his face. Her sleep-fogged brain didn't process this though, as she only tried to make sense of what AJ was saying.

Then she heard it. Another shatter and a shout.

It caused Alice to sit up fully, rubbing her eyes. She looked back at AJ, seeing the fear in his eyes, something she didn't see that much, which told her all she needed to know.

"What was that?" She whispered back, her voice still groggy from her sleep. She only looked around the room while feeling her heart beginning to race.

Before AJ could explain, another crash was heard—a much more heavier one that would be followed by the unmistakable sound of something breaking downstairs. At first, Alice thought her dad was angry again about something or that he and their mama were arguing or that one of their relatives were getting lost in their drinks—but this was different. Even AJ knew that.