The Pact

Hey, it's me. Are you coming down?

I know it's hard, Annie, but we both have to deal with it.

What is that supposed to mean?

Yes. I'm being responsible.

Okay, well, somebody has to take care of everything.

And we're her children for God's sake. Hold on.

I'm not going back to that house.

Annie, we're both supposed to be here.

Stop telling me what I'm supposed to do. Jesus, you of all people.

What does that mean?

What do you think it means? When was the last time you used, huh?

You know what? Fuck you, that was more than four years ago

- before I was pregnant. - Yeah, and fuck you, too.

So, now that you're clean, you just forgot about what she used to do to us?

You forgot how sick she was?

You know what? I'm just so crazy right now, okay?

I have Eva all on my own. I have work, and now I have to deal with all this.

You know what, Nicole, if you want to forgive her, fine. But I don't.

That's enough!

It's our mother's funeral. Are you coming down or what?

Hey, how are you?

Hi. Hi, fine. Is Eva asleep? I wanted to say hi.

Oh, really? I... I just put her down.

I'm sorry. I'm on a neighbour's signal, I might lose you.

Can you just go get her, please, now?

Okay. Okay, Okay-

- Hold on, I'll get her. - Thanks.

Hey, honey. Hey.

Hi, baby. Can you see Mommy?

- Mom? - Shit.

Can you see Mommy, baby?

Baby? Can you hear me?

Shit. Sorry, Mommy said a bad word.

- Um, can you see me now, baby? - No.

- Can you see Mommy? - I can hear you, but I can't see you.

I just wanted to say how much I miss you.

I love you. I love you so much, okay?

I'm gonna see you in a couple days.

- Baby? Can you see me, baby? - Yeah.

- Can you see Mommy? - Yeah.

Mommy, who's that behind you?

Nicole!

Hey! Nicole!

Voicemail.

Hey, Annie. No one knows where Nicole is,

so could you just call me?

Hey, Annie. It's Liz. Could you call me right away?

Annie, I just... I'm really worried about Nicole.

I... I don't know where she is.

Please just call me, okay, and we'll figure this out.

Oh, shit.

Call Liz.

Hey, this is Liz.

Just leave a message, and I'll call you back. Bye!

It's Annie. I just got to my mom's house. I don't know where Nicole is.

You know what that means.

Um, just don't freak out. She'll show up. She always does.

I'll try calling her. Bye.

Call Nicole.

Shit!

Nicole?

Shit!

Shit.

Shit.

Mom.

Annie.

Liz.

Hey.

- It's been awhile. - Yeah.

Um... Hey, there.

You must be Nicole's little girl. It's nice to meet you.

You've never met?

No. I mean, I've seen a thousand pictures every time I checked my email.

Auntie Liz, can I go look at the windows?

Yeah, honey. Go ahead.

- So, you still haven't heard from her? - No.

Annie, it's been three days.

Yeah, but, I mean, you know how she is. She probably just couldn't handle all this.

She'll... She'll show up.

Yeah, yeah.

You want to get out of here?

You know, go to my mom's place or something.

I don't want to really be there alone.

Yeah. I... I would love that.

Out like a light. I think that time change really threw her for a loop.

I found these in my room.

I can't believe I can actually smoke in here now.

Oh, tastes like I'm 15.

Let me see that necklace.

A cross? You?

Believe it or not, Mom gave it to me when I was a kid.

I love it.

Shit.

See, I can't even smoke in here.

I feel like she's gonna try and stop me.

Was it really that horrible for you guys? Growing up with her?

You have no idea.

Some people just shouldn't have kids

I don't think you should say that.

I mean, there's a deep love between a mother and her children.

I... I think it's a beautiful thing.

Mmm. Oh, is it the same deep love that made Nicole take off on her kid?

Annie. We don't know what's happened to her.

Yes, we do. We've seen this over and over again.

This is what we do in my family.

When times get tough, we take off.

My dad did it, whoever the hell he is, and now Nicole's doing it.

Then why did you come back?

For Nicole. Because we're sisters.

Oh.

Shit.

Liz?

Liz!

Hey. Who's she?

That's Nicole Barlow's sister. She's crazy.

I can't talk right now. Yeah, I'll call you later.

All right. Bye.

Annie, I'm... I'm Bill Creek.

I know you told your story to a bunch of people,

but would you mind going over it with me.

Why do you want to know what happened to me?

I know your sister.

She's been in and out of here a bunch of times.

I don't need another person telling me I'm crazy.

I used to smoke.

You know what I do now when I get the urge?

They told me your work as a waitress.

What else do you do? What do you want to do?

I don't want to make friends.

You remind me of my daughter.

She's a little bit younger than you.

And you guys... you guys are a lot alike.

She's a real fucking bitch, too.

So, where is she?

Your daughter?

She's up in Seattle. With her mother.

It's a sad story.

Let's talk about why you're here.

You show up at 4:00 a.m. Claiming what you claim.

They send some people over there to check it out

because you refuse to go back.

I'm not going back to that house.

Your cousin's missing. They find signs of a struggle.

So, Annie, let me ask you this.

What would any cop in the world begin to suspect here?