The Gallagher House.
Hanging up the phone, Fiona collapsed onto a dining chair, completely drained. She lit a cigarette, smoking one drag after another.
Too much had happened. The feeling of losing control was overwhelming.
For someone like Fiona, who craved control, this was unbearable. She felt like she was suffocating.
The house was eerily silent. Not a sound.
Time passed in a blur.
Fiona peered into the living room.
Frank was gone. Disappeared somewhere.
Fiona gave a despairing laugh.
Damn Frank. Damn this life...
Time flew.
Fiona made a decision and dialed Tony's phone.
Lip answered.
"I agree. But you have to be careful. If you sense danger, abort immediately," Fiona said through gritted teeth.
Lip chuckled confidently. "Don't worry, I'm not stupid."
"Yeah. Keep me updated," Fiona instructed again.
"Will do," Lip replied.
Call ended. Fiona then called Ian.
In the convenience store, seeing Fiona's name on his phone, Ian guessed Lip had already contacted her.
He was right.
"Ian, return the money you borrowed. We really can't take on this debt right now, we can't pay it back..." Fiona's voice was filled with unmistakable exhaustion as she rambled on.
Ian's heart was already broken.
Listening quietly to the end...
For Ian, Fiona's words were the straw that broke the camel's back.
Towards the Gallagher family, towards Lip and Fiona... Ian's heart completely died.
With a dead heart came a strange calm.
"Okay," Ian replied with one word, giving Fiona no chance to say more, and hung up.
Beep, beep, beep...
Fiona didn't expect this reaction. Listening to the disconnect tone, she felt like she could hear her own heartbeat, lost in a daze.
In this moment, Fiona couldn't say why, but she had a feeling... something even worse was about to happen.
Convenience Store.
Ian stood in silence for a while. Two little figures fought in his head. Finally, one won.
Ian moved his fingers and dialed Carl.
Fxxk Frank. Fxxk Lip. Fxxk Fiona.
Ian didn't want to sink again with the Titanic that was the Gallagher family!
Ian had made up his mind. He was jumping ship!
The call connected quickly.
"Ian, what's up?" Carl asked.
"Do you guys have an empty room? Can I stay with you for a while?" Ian took a deep breath and asked.
God Carl was simple-minded. He didn't think about the implications behind the words. He smiled happily. "Yeah, of course!"
Ian let out a silent sigh of relief. "Ask Grandma if she's okay with it."
"Okay, calling her now," Carl agreed readily.
Moments later, Carl told Peg about it.
Peg, free of pain and feeling like God had given her a second chance to live it up before dying, was wandering around outside. Hearing Carl, she burst into a brilliant smile, finding it amusing. She thought for a moment. "Send me Ian's number. I'll chat with him."
"Okay," Carl replied, never one to overcomplicate things.
A short while later.
Peg called Ian. "Ian, heard you want to move in with us. What happened?"
Ian didn't want to explain, and honestly, didn't know how to explain. "A lot of things. Hard to say in a few words. Can I move in?"
"Of course. You're my grandson. We're family," Peg laughed. Then she asked, "Where are you? I'm free, I'll come chat with you."
Ian didn't really want to interact much with Peg... He didn't hate her, didn't like her. She felt like a stranger.
But, he needed a favor...
Ian hesitated, but replied with the store's address.
"Alright, I'll be there in a bit," Peg laughed.
About twenty minutes later.
Peg strolled into the convenience store. She glanced at Ian, then looked around the place on her own.
Done looking, Peg walked to the counter and pulled out cash. "Pack of [Brand] cigarettes and a lighter."
Ian took the money and complied obediently.
Lighting a cigarette and taking a drag, Peg smiled. "So, tell me. Why the sudden urge to move out?"
Ian answered, keeping it brief. He summarized Lip and Fiona's attitude. "I think they're hopeless. If they keep this up, they'll get arrested again sooner or later."
"I don't want to end up like Steve one day, forced into it, forced to get arrested."
Peg listened with amusement. She genuinely felt Frank's brats, except for Carl, were pathetic. Always tossing and turning, creating messes, making their lives worse and worse...
As a former drug dealer, Peg didn't object to Lip's smuggling plan. In fact, she kind of supported it. After all, a little crime, what's the big deal?
So, regarding this matter, Peg thought Ian was a pussy. But at the same time, she understood Ian wanting to be a normal person...
Plus, Ian moving out would really hurt those two little bitches, Fiona and Lip...
Heh.
"So that's it," Peg nodded with a smile. "Alright. Move in tonight. I'll go buy you a bed later."
Ian smiled faintly. "Thanks, Grandma."
Peg chuckled. Thinking for a moment, she spoke up. "Ian, can I give you some advice?"
Ian blinked, slightly puzzled. "Go ahead."
"Since you want to change, don't want to be involved in crime anymore, then stick to it. Don't waver," Peg said with some emotion. "Jumping back and forth between two paths will only make you worse off. Understand?"
Ian paused, nodding as if he understood, staying silent.
Seeing this, Peg exhaled smoke, said no more, and turned to leave.
At her age, with not many days left, Peg saw things clearly.
Thinking Ian was a pussy didn't stop her from hoping he would head in the right direction and live a better life.
If you're going to be a criminal, commit.
If you're going to be normal, commit.
Flip-flopping, constantly adjusting your bottom line... life will just be a mess. It won't get better.
"Heh. Gallaghers," Peg shook her head with a smile as she walked out of the store, slowly drifting away.
---
The Gallagher House.
After breaking down for a while, Fiona took a deep breath. Refusing to think about what Ian would do or think, she summoned her cockroach-like resilience, stood up, and moved.
Picking up Liam, Fiona went out, embarking on the job hunt again.
This time, because of the morning's rejections, Fiona knew where to look.
Walking out of the yard, taking a few heavy steps, Fiona stopped instinctively. She turned to look at Tommy's crew busy on the empty lot next door.
They were laying the foundation with fervor.
With so many people, it wouldn't take long to build a brand-new house.
By then, the Gallagher house would be sandwiched between two beautiful homes.
Oh right. That house wasn't strictly the Gallaghers'. It was Dexter's.
So, how exactly did it come to this step by step...
No house, no money, family scattered. Carl moved out, Debbie in juvie, Frank a scumbag as always, ghosting somewhere, waiting to cause the next disaster...
Heh.
Fiona smiled, continuing forward. Smiling, her eyes turned red.
Passing 2113 North Wallace.
Fiona's steps faltered slightly. She couldn't help but think of the past.
Before the string of bad things happened, she could leave Liam with Veronica anytime. She didn't have to run around holding him like this...
Holding him all morning, her arms were sore and aching.
Fiona smiled again.
She didn't miss Veronica.
She missed the help Veronica could provide.
Time flew.
Fiona, holding Liam, arrived at the roller rink sports bar where she had occasionally worked when desperate.
Being a waitress here meant decent tips, but enduring the groping hands of dirty men.
If she had a choice, she wouldn't step foot in here.
Result.
Just a few minutes later, she was rejected.
Even this bar didn't welcome her.
Fiona walked out. Besides smiling through tears and moving forward, what else was there?
Round and round.
After 4:00 PM.
Finally.
"You're pretty. Be here at 6 PM sharp," the manager of a strip club, practically writing his desire to fk Fiona on his face, said with a smirk.
Fiona bit her lip hard, squeezed out a stiff smile, and nodded. "Okay."
After a brief chat, Fiona left quickly with Liam, rushing home.
It was already 4:15. Work started at 6. It was far from North Wallace. Bus plus walking took about thirty minutes one way.
Time was tight.
Fiona walked fast, almost jogging onto the train before sighing in relief. Then, daring not to delay, she called Ian.
She had to leave after dropping Liam off. She needed Ian to make dinner and watch Liam tonight.
Convenience Store.
Seeing Fiona's call, Ian ignored it without hesitation.
On the train, Fiona called again. Once, twice, three times. No answer. Realizing Ian was still angry, she left a voicemail explaining the situation and asking Ian to take care of Liam.
Time flashed by.
The Gallagher House.
Putting Liam in his crib, Fiona grabbed some food bank food, stuffed it in her mouth, chugged a glass of tap water, then locked up quickly and rushed out toward the strip club.
Running, Fiona left another voicemail for Ian, telling him to come home quickly and not play around outside.
Near Dex Restaurant.
Ian heard the voicemail and sped up a bit.
He didn't want to deal with Fiona and Lip, but Liam was innocent.
Ian indeed planned to go back and take care of Liam immediately.
It was dinner time; the restaurant was lively.
Ian didn't go in. Standing outside, he waved at Mandy.
Mandy knew about Ian and Mickey. Seeing Ian wave, she walked out giggling, a sly smile on her face. "What's up? No 'activities' tonight?"
Mandy emphasized "activities."
Ian had no mind for that. He ignored it completely, pulling out the envelope with $6,500 Mickey gave him earlier. He handed it to Mandy. "I borrowed this from Mickey at noon. Don't need it now. Can you return it to him?"
As a romantic warrior, Mandy sensed something wrong instantly. Realizing Ian and Mickey probably fought, she instinctively didn't want to help with this. She didn't take it. "Just give it back yourself."
Thinking of Mickey hurt. Ian didn't want to see him. Hearing this, he hesitated, then shoved the envelope into Mandy's hands.
"I have to go back for something. Thanks!"
Dropping the sentence, Ian turned and ran, fast.
Mandy reacted half a beat too slow. Thought about it, didn't chase.
"Damn Mickey, what did he do now!" Watching Ian's rapidly retreating back, Mandy cursed helplessly, shook her head, and turned back to the restaurant.
It was work hours, and the job was comfy. Mandy didn't want to lose it, so she didn't call Mickey immediately, planning to ask him face-to-face after work.
Ian ran for a long time before slowing to a normal pace, heart heavy, walking home sadly.
Back at the Gallagher House.
The familiar house was silent. Not a sound.
Ian took a deep breath, forcing himself not to linger on these things. He found Liam quickly.
Liam was sleeping soundly in the crib.
Ian didn't disturb him. He went straight upstairs to his room and packed his things.
About twenty minutes later, everything was packed.
Ian shouldered his bag, went downstairs, gently picked up Liam, and walked out.
Stepping out the door.
Ian stopped, looking back quietly.
As a Gallagher, living here for over a decade, suddenly leaving to live elsewhere...
Ian was reluctant to part.
After a long time.
Ian smiled bitterly, looked away, and walked out. Walking, he texted Fiona: [Call me after work.]
Not long after.
2114 North Wallace.
Thump, thump, thump.
Ian knocked.
A moment later.
Peg opened the door. Seeing Ian brought Liam, she beamed with joy. "Welcome, handsome boys. Come in."
Ian carried Liam inside.
Peg closed the door, thinking with a chuckle, Three little brats living here now. What will Fiona think?
---
Juvenile Detention Center.
Debbie, having been in solitary for over ten hours, regained her freedom.
The blonde inmate and her two friends did as well.
So, logically, within fifteen minutes.
A fight broke out.
The blonde united eight cohorts and swarmed Debbie.
Facing this terrifying lineup, Debbie instinctively felt fear.
But fear aside, as a Gallagher—and a Gallagher who won a fight last night—Debbie gritted her teeth and met them head-on.
Instantly.
Fist after fist landed on Debbie.
Debbie endured the pain. One hand gripped the blonde's hair tightly, the other punched the blonde's face with full force.
One hit, two hits, three hits...
Debbie was like a maniac, truly beating the blonde to death!
The blonde felt like she was dying, screaming for mercy...
Debbie ignored it, hitting non-stop.
The scene terrified the onlookers. Many girls gasped.
Five seconds, ten seconds...
Several guards rushed in, swinging batons at Debbie.
Taking a few hits, Debbie couldn't stand it and was beaten to the ground. But she clenched her teeth and didn't make a sound.
By now, the blonde's face was covered in blood, looking half-dead. Gruesome!
"Medical needed in Rec Room 2! Now!" A black guard, spooked by the blonde's state, called for a doctor urgently.
Moments later.
Debbie and the blonde were both sent to the infirmary.
Lying on the hospital bed, Debbie smiled triumphantly. She smiled incredibly happily.
---
A Strip Club.
Business was good. The club reeked of men.
Smelling it, Fiona wanted to vomit. But for the sake of money, she forced a smile, acting happy as she served drinks non-stop.
"Whiskey on the rocks, enjoy," Fiona smiled, placing a glass in front of a fat man with big ears.
The fat man slapped a twenty on the table. "Keep the change, beautiful."
"Thanks," Fiona took the money and turned to leave.
The fat man reached out and stroked Fiona's thigh.
Instantly, Fiona froze. She wanted to smash the tray over the fat bastard's head.
But the next second.
Fiona walked away, acting as if nothing happened.
No choice.
One, getting groped comes with the territory here.
Two, if she fought back, heh, she'd be fired instantly. And the tips here were really good.
She needed this money for food. She couldn't afford to lose this job.
So.
Deep breath. Don't cry. Endure it. Get through this, and never come back!
Fiona continued working.
"Beautiful, how much to take you out?"
"Beautiful, how about we chat in the back? I'll pay."
"Hundred bucks, how about it?"
"..."
That night, Fiona heard countless disgusting remarks.
Finally.
2:00 AM. Time to clock out.
Two minutes later, Fiona ran out like she was escaping hell. Running home, running and crying.
At this hour, trains stopped running.
Taxis were too expensive. Impossible.
Fiona ran for a long time, until she was breathless, then slowed to a walk. Wiping her tears, red-eyed, she trudged along.
She walked for about half an hour.
Nearly 3:00 AM.
Fiona finally returned to 2113 North Wallace, standing at the Gallagher door.
"Home, sweet home," Fiona muttered, sniffled, and walked in quickly.
The house was pitch black and silent.
Fiona turned on the lights, didn't stop, and went straight upstairs to Ian's room.
It was late, so she didn't knock. Gently turning the handle, she opened the door and looked in.
It was summer; the moonlight wasn't bright, but sufficient.
By the moonlight, Fiona immediately realized...
The room was empty!
Ian wasn't there!
Liam wasn't there either!
Boom!!!
Instantly, Fiona felt her head explode!!!
Where were they?
Another room?
Holding onto that hope, frantic to the point of madness, Fiona—who treated these kids as her life—sprinted to check the other rooms.
Check complete.
None. None of them!
Ian and Liam weren't home!
At this moment, Fiona was on the verge of insanity. Fortunately, a shred of reason remained.
Fiona remembered the text Ian sent last night. She hurriedly pulled out her phone and called Ian.
It took two tries to connect.
"Ian! Where are you? Where's Liam?" As soon as it connected, Fiona asked urgently.
Ian was asleep. Hearing Fiona, he instinctively checked the time. "At 2114. With Peg and Carl."
Right next door...
Fiona sighed in relief, relaxing significantly. Then, she asked, confused, "What are you doing there? Why aren't you home?"
"I moved here," Ian replied with a complicated tone. "It's late, Fiona. Sleep first. Tomorrow morning, I'll bring Liam over and explain."
Moved out?
Are you kidding me???
Instantly, the breath she just released was sucked back in. Fiona's head buzzed non-stop, eyes wide, unable to believe her ears.
"What do you mean? What do you mean you moved out???" Fiona shouted.
Ian anticipated this reaction. He sighed silently. "I'll explain tomorrow morning. Fiona, sleep."
"No! I'm coming over now! You have to explain clearly!! Liam must come back to live!!" Fiona roared, hung up, and bolted.
Ian felt helpless. Sighing again, he got out of bed and walked out to wait for Fiona.
Fiona moved fast. In less than two minutes, she rushed up to Ian, eyes wide as saucers, demanding, "Explain!"
Ian looked at Fiona with complicated eyes. "I was serious before. I don't want to be arrested by the police again. I don't want to go to juvie again."
"Since you and Lip refuse to change, I have to change."
"Is this explanation enough?"
Fiona: "..."