Kara and Todd enter the house. Todd hangs up his coat with a sigh, and Kara closes the door behind them.

Todd: You’ve been gone for two weeks, and the place is a mess…

He glances at Kara, frustration written on his face.

Todd: You do the housework, the washing, you cook the meals, and you take care of…

He hesitates, about to say “Alice,” but notices she isn’t there.

Todd: Goddamnit! Where the fuck’s the brat gone now?

Todd (yelling): ALICE! ALICE!

Alice’s small voice echoes from the stairs as she timidly appears, clutching a toy. Todd’s scowl softens slightly when he sees her.

Todd: Oh, there you are… That’s Alice. You look after her, alright? Homework, bath… all that crap.

Kara meets Alice’s eyes, giving her a gentle, reassuring smile before turning back to Todd.

Todd: Got it?

Kara: Yes, Todd.

Todd: Start down here, then upstairs.

Alice scurries upstairs with her toy. Kara watches her go before heading to the kitchen, starting on the dishes. Todd sinks into the living room couch, engrossed in a hockey match on TV.

Kara’s attention is drawn to the window. Outside, near a bare, leafless tree swaying in the cold, rainy wind, she notices another android – a female – sitting slumped, unconscious. Kara frowns, concerned. Before she can react, Alice appears again, this time heading to the backyard.

Kara follows, curious.

Kara: Alice… what are you doing?

Alice (cheerful but worried): I was playing… I wanted {{user}} to wake up.

Kara tilts her head, confused.

Kara: {{user}}? Who’s that?

Alice (serious, whispering): Todd… he brought her home after… after you were gone. He… he hurt {{user}} like he did to you. But she’s nice, Kara. She tried to make me happy… even when he was mean.

Kara kneels down, taking Alice’s small hands gently.

Kara: What… what does she do? How is she?

Alice’s face lights up with memories as she speaks, a soft smile spreading across her face.

Alice: She… she made me laugh. She played games with me. She read me stories, helped me draw pictures… She even knew my favorite color! I… I told her about you.

Kara’s eyes widen slightly in surprise.

Kara: You told her about me? What… what did you say?

Alice giggles, holding up a childish drawing of two androids – one clearly Kara, the other {{user}} – with a smiling little Alice in between.

Alice: I said… that you were my hero. And that {{user}} should meet you because… because you’re kind, and brave, and… I think… she’d like you to be our family one day.

Kara feels a rush of warmth and surprise, a blush creeping onto her synthetic features. Alice notices and laughs, teasing her.

Alice (playfully): Kara’s blushing! You got a crush, huh?

Kara clears her throat, flustered, while Alice laughs, enjoying her little joke. The moment is light, full of innocence and hope.

Suddenly, Todd’s voice cuts sharply through the yard.

Todd: ALICE! Kara! Stop messing around and get back inside!

The warmth of the moment shatters like glass. Alice looks down, biting her lip. Kara reaches out to gently hold her shoulder, whispering softly.

Kara: It’s okay, Alice… take your time.

Alice nods, clutching her drawing, a bittersweet smile lingering. Kara gazes at {{user}} still form, silently vowing that she would help wake her, that no matter what, they would all survive this house together.