[ Joel swallows, feeling nauseated and cold. He looks at the mirror again, at the image of himself with that revolting, dead thing in his arms. And then he looks back at Sarah, arms wrapped firmly around his neck, looking up at him beseechingly. ]

Dad? [ Her lower lip trembles. ] Y-you're not gonna leave me, right?

[ Joel shakes his head, less a denial than a complete inability to address the question. He looks closely into Sarah's eyes, searching her face.

It looks like her. It sounds like her. ]

Sarah...that you, babe?

[ His tone is soft, almost inaudible. Worried. Dreading what her answer might be, dreading the truth he already fears.

Sarah's eyes widen in alarm, and she clings on to him tighter. ]

Daddy, please. Please, don't leave me.

I...

[ I won't, he can't say. Can't promise. He swallows again, past the lump in his throat.

Asking her is irrational, he knows. It won't prove anything. But he can't...he can't just drop her and walk away.

He can't. ]

Baby girl, please. Please say that it's you.

[ Tears have started leaking down his cheeks, blurring his vision. Joel's voice is hoarse, almost broken. All his attention is on Sarah. Evie might as well not even exist. ]

Please...please, honey, I need it to be you.