SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA
Along the open field surrounded by flowers and nature, Alice used her magic to make them bloom. The sight of different colors put a smile on the warlock's lips as she inhales the gorgeous scent of her surroundings. It's been months after the Gate Night incident in Barrington. It's been a peaceful three weeks since she's last hunted by the rebels. She finally found a place to settle and live. She found her haven.
An old woman named Sylvia Marin took her in her small farm house. She's living alone and welcomed her with open arms. They lived well together. Alice helped Sylvia with the work in the farm and Sylvia gave her a home.
Of course, Alice is missing her children so much but she has to contend with the fact that they are safe with Deloris and that they do not have to live the life she's living: life of running and hiding. She does talk to them from time to time using their connection or bond. She knows they're searching for schools for college and that Viv is torn between art and science.
Her magic was never discussed in Sylvia's farm house. The old woman is aware of her gifts but never engaged her into telling her what she is. Alice never received any judgment either from her for which she is grateful. Every night, Alice would put up a protection spell around the house to keep both of them safe.
"Still doing that thing?" Sylvia asked one night when she caught her putting up the barrier.
"It helps me sleep", Alice answered with a smile.
She doesn't bother hiding her magic anymore from her. In fact, she felt comfortable using it around Sylvia.
"It's been almost a month since you came here, Alice. No one is going to come for you here", she said in reassuring manner.
"I know but I just wanted to be sure. Indulge me", Alice insisted.
"Alright, dear. If it helps you", Sylvia surrendered.
Nothing lasts forever. It is something Alice seemed to forget. Just when things are finally going well for her, that's when life will drop the ball. Sylvia is in the kitchen setting up the table. The night is peaceful and quiet. It always is but this particular night is quite different. The night is too quiet.
"Alice, dear! Dinner is ready!" the old woman called.
Alice came in from the back. Her dark hair tied up in a messy bun while her hands are all covered in mud.
"Smells good, Sylvia", she said with a smile.
The old woman sighed and then shook her head in amusement.
"The crops will be fine, my dear. It's dark and definitely not the time for gardening. Go wash your hands so we can eat", she said.
Alice chuckled. She loves gardening. Crops aren't exactly like planting beautiful flowers in the field but they're still living things in her eyes that need to be taken care of. She always has the green thumb, might as well use it. She did what she was asked and washed her hands. After that, she joined Sylvia at the dinner table for supper. Few minutes of silence past, Alice decided to break it.
"I've been here for some time now but you haven't asked me about who I am or where I came from, not even once", she said.
"…and?" Sylvia asked as she continues eating her dinner.
"…and I wonder why that is. Any other people would've popped the question by now, multiple questions", Alice answered.
Sylvia put down her utensils to look the woman in front of her directly in her eyes.
"Not any other people would've shown up out of nowhere in the dead of the night with her clothes almost covered in blood and dirt", she said.
Alice had been running from Barrington away from the Presidio agents and the rebels. Before she even knows it, she has crossed the borders and tumbled upon Sylvia's farm house.
"You didn't ask about that too", she whispered as she looked down her plate in embarassment.
It's not her finest hour. To be honest, she even thought about killing Sylvia so she can take her house but something inside her stopped her before she can do something she will regret.
"Now, you lost me, dear. Why would you want me to ask you anything?" the old woman asked.
Alice looked back at her.
"How can you be so trusting? I can be a monster for all you know. I can be an evil person and you just let me into your home", she asked her back. With the death count on her ledger, she can be considered as such.
Sylvia took a deep breath and leaned back on her chair.
"Let's just say I have a certain gift when it comes to reading people, nothing special as your thing. I just can see the heart of someone…more like sense. When I saw you that night, I sensed that you needed help and that you are a good person", she answered.
Alice almost scoffed. The definition of good and bad is already lost in her.
"You don't know me, Sylvia. You don't know the things I have done", she said.
"I know you're no ordinary girl, Alice. That's for sure. I also know you wouldn't do anything without a reason. Maybe it's just me thinking about that but what do I know? I am just an old woman living alone in the middle of nowhere", Sylvia said and then smiled.
It made Alice smiled as well. Sylvia has that effect on her. She can make her smile without even trying. She reminds her so much of her mother. How can someone be so trusting and caring? She wouldn't know the answer to that. She used to be like that too back in the day but she got burned for it big time. Seeing Sylvia being the way she used to brings back a lot of memories. If only she has met her and not Edith way back then, her people wouldn't have died. Her husband would've still been alive. Pain crept up her heart for a moment but she masked it by drinking her tea.
Later that night, the two ladies are doing the dishes when Alice felt it, the wave of danger. She finally understands why the night felt so different to her. Why the night is awfully quiet for her taste…they have found her.
The sound of gunshots snapped her out of her thoughts. Her reflexes kicked in and she pushed Sylvia aside before a bullet hit her on her left shoulder.
"Stay down!" Alice yelled at Sylvia who's staring at her with wide eyes.
Blood is rushing down from her shoulder to her arm. Alice reached in deep for her power. Once she reached it, she didn't hesitate using it. Her eyes turned blood red. She raised her right hand and controlled the rebel's body with her mind. She used him to kill his own troops until there's no one left.
Alice dropped to her knees when she's sure she got them all. She knows she's losing too much blood but she had to make sure they're safe before she can tend to herself.
"You're bleeding", Sylvia said to her.
Alice smiled and closed her eyes. The numbness is preventing her from feeling the pain but once the adrenaline subsides, she is sure it will hurt like hell.
"I am used to it by now", she muttered.
Sylvia found her hand and grabbed it. Alice opened her eyes and frowned. Her shoulder is healing.
"Sylvia?" Alice whispered and turned to the old woman.
She saw her bleeding as well from her gut. She was shot and her life is fading. Alice tried to let go of her hand because she's involuntarily stealing her health to heal herself but Sylvia won't let go.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Alice is very confused but Sylvia seemed isn't. She knows what's happening and she's doing it deliberately.
"You have to live Alice Harlow", Sylvia said.
"I never told you my last name", Alice muttered.
"You still have a destiny to fulfil. You have to decide which path you're going to take", Sylvia continued.
"I don't understand. What are you talking about?" she asked.
"The great power within you, it is you who will decide the fate of the world. It is up to you whether you will restore peace or whether you will be the destruction of it", Sylvia answered.
Alice's shoulder fully healed and she can see that Sylvia's injury is beyond repair.
"I am so sorry", Alice began to cry. "I am really sorry. None of this would've happen if I hadn't been here", she added.
"Nonsense. This is all meant to be. He is still out there and he needs you. You need him too", the old woman said.
"What? Who?" Alice asked. Sylvia is making her head hurt. "How do you know so much? Who are you?" she followed up.
"Blood of my blood", Sylvia reminded her.
Alice almost gasped.
"You're a warlock too", she guessed.
"Half and not as powerful as you, my dear", Sylvia confirmed. "Now, you cannot stay here. It's no longer safe for you. You have to run and hide", she instructed.
That made Alice's blood boils.
"I am tired of running, Sylvia. I am just so tired. This is supposed to be my new home. You're supposed to be my new family. I don't want to keep on running", Alice confessed.
Sylvia ran her bloody hand on Alice's face for comfort.
"I am your family and will always be. Whatever you do, stay alive. The future depends on it. Now, go. He will find you", she said and then drew her last breath.
Alice broke down as her friend died in her arms. She lost count on how many people had died the same way. They kept on dying because of her, her husband, her people, Sylvia. No matter where she goes, they will always come for her. They will always hunt her. No more running, she thought. No more hiding. Edith once said she's the most powerful warlock in the planet. Why not start being one?
She used her magic to gather Sylvia's ashes to preserve her legacy the way her kind used to do. Fortunately to Alice, she doesn't need anything to contain it. She is Harlow now. All of her people, their legacies, they're all inside of her. She absorbed Sylvia's ashes and it only fuelled her power and her rage.
"No more running. It's their time to run", she swore.