{ Can someone please tell me what that was?
You could consider it worrying… I'm going to lock this door. }
Alicia goes to the door and locks it.
A few minutes pass, and Alicia hears three small knocks on the door, knock, knock, knock… Alicia asks:
Alicia – Who is it?
And the answer is:
Rebecca [Mother] – It's me, why is the door locked?
Alicia – Mom?
Rebecca [Mother] – Yes!
Alicia – Alright, come in!
Alicia opens the door and quickly pulls her mother inside, locking the door behind her.
Rebecca [Mother] – What's going on, girl?
Alicia – Mom, a very strange man came to the door asking if you were here and if I was alone.
Rebecca [Mother] – What did he look like?
Alicia – I didn't have much time to look, of course I stared at him for a while…
Okay… he was wearing black clothes and a white cap.
Upon hearing this, her mother's expression changes immediately.
Rebecca [Mother] – A white cap?
Alicia – Yes…
Rebecca [Mother] – Was there anything written on the cap?
Alicia – There was, but I didn't have time to read it.
Rebecca [Mother] – Do you remember the color of the letters… The face? Did you see his face?
Alicia – I couldn't see clearly, he was wearing a mask and… the cap had black letters.
Rebecca [Mother] – Did you see the eyes? Any scar on the eyebrow?
Alicia – Mom? What's happening?
Alicia's mother goes to the phone and dials some numbers.
Rebecca [Mother] – I need you to close all entrances and look for a man with a white cap and a mask, and a black hooded coat. Question anyone with these characteristics; he must not leave the building.
Also, deploy as many security guards as you can to escort me and my daughter.
Alicia – I didn't mention a hood… or… or…
{ I can assure you I've never seen my mother like this. She seems so agitated… Damn, who was that guy? }
Rebecca [Mother] – Just a minute, dear.
Alicia's mother grabs a cellphone that doesn't seem like her usual one and presses a few buttons…
Rebecca [Mother] whispering – Hi, Fionna?
It'll have to be moved up…
Yeah… He's back.
Are you sure she'll be safe there?
Right.
We'll be there by 2:00 PM.
Of course, I'm not an idiot.
I remember.
Okay, thanks.
Alicia – Mom? What's happening?
Rebecca [Mother] – I want time to explain, but we don't have much. We're going to KeySands now!
Alicia – Now? Weren't we going to get ice cream and go to the bookstore?
Rebecca [Mother] – Sweetheart, I'm sorry… but this time it won't be possible, trust me.
Alicia changes her expression, looking extremely sad.
Alicia – Okay then…
Rebecca [Mother] – Alright, grab your things, we're leaving now.
Alicia – I need to get my stuff at home.
Rebecca [Mother] – There's no time, I'll have them sent to you when we arrive.
{ This terrifies me… my mother has always been calm… even too calm. I've never seen her like this. }
Alicia – Alright…
Alicia and her mother grab a few things and head to the exit, escorted by five security guards. They leave the building and get into a large car.
{ What the hell is happening? }
They start driving.
Alicia – Mom, what's happening?
Rebecca [Mother] – Alicia, my love, I already told you it's very complicated. You'll understand when we arrive.
Alicia shouting – I want to know who that man was!!!
Rebecca [Mother] – ALICIA!!! Shut up!
Rebecca begins to cry…
Rebecca [Mother] – I can't, and I'm not able to answer that…
I can say he is a horrible man.
{ My mother is crying? What did I do? I've never yelled at her… This person is disturbing the peace… Everything was going so well… Who is this guy… He's a horrible person, what did he do to be considered like that? What is this fear? }
As they drive further, KeySands institution comes into view.
Alicia – Is that KeySands?
Rebecca [Mother] – Here you'll be safe…
Alicia – But… here is…
Rebecca [Mother] – No, daughter. I wish I could explain, but we're almost there, there's no time…
Alicia – Alright, mom…
Arriving in front of the institute, they see a tall woman with short gray hair and a very young appearance.
They stop the car.
Rebecca [Mother] – Everyone out. I need to speak with my daughter alone.
Head of Security – Are you sure, ma'am? I don't think it's a good idea; it's not safe.
Rebecca [Mother] – I said get out.
Head of Security – Yes, ma'am, we'll go!
All security guards leave the car.
Rebecca [Mother] – Alicia. My daughter… from this moment, I'll have to distance myself. You won't see me for a while.
Alicia – Mom? But why? I don't understand. Explain!
Rebecca [Mother] – ALICIA, LISTEN TO ME!!! That woman's name is Fionna. You can trust her. In this institution, you'll meet very good people, but also terrible ones.
I've taught you well so far, and I trust you'll make the right choices, remember very…
Alicia – THIS IS ALL!!! THIS IS SO CONFUSING!!!
Rebecca [Mother] – Daughter, look at me… do this with your hands.
Rebecca joins her hands.
Alicia – Like this? What is the reason for this?
Rebecca [Mother] – Just do it, please.
Alicia joins her hands without understanding what's happening.
Rebecca whispers something and claps her hands on Alicia's.
Alicia – Aiiiiii, what was that for?
Rebecca takes her pendant and removes it.
Rebecca [Mother] – Here, take this… It will protect you.
Alicia – Mom, I'm very confused, I'm scared… I don't understand anything…
Rebecca [Mother] – I know what it's like to be scared, that's why I brought you here. This is the safest place I know.
Alicia – Mom, I still don't understand…
Rebecca [Mother] – I know, daughter, but there's no time…
Alicia – Mom, it's okay… I'll go with one condition.
Rebecca [Mother] – We don't have…
Alicia – Please listen… I'll go with one condition.
Rebecca [Mother] – Which?
Alicia – That you'll come back to explain everything to me.
Alicia's mother clenches her fists, and Alicia places her hands over her mother's.
Alicia – Can you promise me that?
Looking directly at her.
Rebecca [Mother] – Yes, I… I promise, I'll come back and explain everything.
Alicia looks directly at her mother and smiles.
Alicia – Alright, I'll stay.
Alicia's mother approaches her and hugs her.
Rebecca [Mother] – I'll come back to pick you up.
Alicia looks at her mother with teary eyes and nods.
Alicia and her mother leave the car.
Fionna – Welcome to KeySands. You must be Alicia.
Fionna extends her hand to Alicia, and Alicia shakes it firmly.
Alicia – Yes, that's me.
Fionna – A good handshake, I'm Fionna.
Rebecca, will you stay for your daughter's tour?
Rebecca [Mother] – No, I have to go. Take care of yourself… I'll come back to pick you up.
Fionna looks at Rebecca with a slightly sad expression, and Rebecca nods back.
Fionna – Oh, alright… Let's go inside; there's a lot to see. You're going to love the campus…
A few seconds pass, and Fionna receives a call. Looking at her phone, she sees it's Rebecca calling.
Fionna – Alicia, go ahead to that big building over there. Wait for me there, I need to take this call, okay?
Alicia – Okay.
Once Alicia walks a little away, Fionna answers the call.
Fionna – Mr. Hopkins? Ah, yes, the semester exams have already started.
Rebecca [Mother] – Fionna, please take care of her.
Fionna – Of course, Mr. Hopkins. How could I refuse a request from you?
Rebecca [Mother] – I promised I'd come back to get her and explain everything, but after everything he's done, it's possible I won't return.
Fionna – So you're going after the council?
Rebecca [Mother] – I just think it's too close, probably so close there's no turning back.
Fionna – I understand, Mr. Hopkins.
Rebecca [Mother] – I leave this in your charge. Tomorrow Sofia will bring the papers; if anything happens, sign and explain to her, okay?
Fionna (trembling, crying) – I understand, Mr. Hopkins. I trust your judgment… Please come back.
Rebecca [Mother] – Fionna, you and I know I can't promise that.
Fionna (crying) – I know, Becca… I know.
Rebecca [Mother] – Description.
Fionna (trembling voice) – Sorry, Mr. Hopkins, I got a little emotional with your story.
Rebecca [Mother] – Goodbye, Fionna. Look, Alicia is the most precious thing in my life. She is more valuable than my own life, and she's in your hands. I trust you.
Fionna (trembling, crying) – Goodbye, Becca. }