Original subtitles

Ollie, Ada.

Mom's coming.

Come on, this way.

Girls!

Mom!

Rose!

Mom, where are you?

Mommy!

Help us! Mom!

Dear Lord, we ask that you keep the storms at bay.

Calm the dust.

We thank you for bringing Henry this job.

Preserve those who travel.

Bring Henry in safety to his journey's end.

Let him earn enough to finish our home.

Plant a crop.

Help me.

Help me to see the gifts you've given me rather than the things you've taken away.

Help me to keep Rose and Ollie healthy and safe.

Don't let them fall ill like the other children.

Rose, toss down some hay, sweetheart.

Just a little.

We have to make it last.

Bruise me, bloody me,

if it means you won't touch a hair on their heads.

Please kiss Ada for me.

Promise her that I will fend off my human proneness

for evil so that we can be together again.

All of us.

And when I lie awake tonight, banish worry from my heart.

Reward me with peaceful black sleep.

Amen.

I asked your daddy to patch this.

There's just never enough time.

You think he'll see Philadelphia?

No, it's too far east.

Well, I wanna see it.

Hmm.

I wanna see what it's like.

Maybe next summer.

If the crops come in.

Lock this behind me.

Follow my finger as I read, okay?

"The Grey Man locked his lovely wife

and five children in the bedroom, then gathered embers from the fire.

He aimed to burn the six angels up, but fate had one more victim in mind.

As the flames leaped higher,

the Grey Man realized his shirt was caught.

It was no use.

The flames consumed him.

Now, during a dust storm, the Grey Man's ashes blow together.

He walks the night.

If you don't wear your mask, you'll breathe him in,

and he'll make you do terrible things."

You could come with me.

I won't put them in a tent, lose what little we have.

And I won't leave her out there.

Alone.

Girl--

So, how'd Henry get off last week?

- Well… - Yeah?

There were quite a few heading out.

Last man standing.

- Oh, I'm so sorry. - That's all right.

Just-- It's hard to keep up with.

He's been at that all night.

Is it that cold that was going around?

It started out like that, but it's just-- it's just gotten worse.

It's pneumonia, Dr. Cox says.

Oh, it's not catching.

Doctor says it's just too much dust in the air.

What are we meant to do about that?

It's a battle.

Thomas has been poorly.

Well, they should go see that faith healer over in Guymon.

He pulled the arthritis right out of an old man's fingers.

Bones just straightened right out.

It's good you brought the girls, Margaret.

Why is that?

I guess you haven't heard about Calabash.

The daddy said the door was locked.

But the drifter got into the house somehow.

Ransacked the pantry.

They found him eating crackers over the baby.

No, Birdie, he'd already finished the crackers.

He was just looking at the baby.

He must have been hungry.

Hunger don't explain staring at a baby like that.

Just staring.

And it certainly don't explain what he did after.

He tied the daddy up

and made him watch while he killed the mama and the kids.

Gutted like hogs.

Can't keep up with chores as it is.

How am I supposed to watch out for fiends too?

You keep your guard up.

Always.

Did they ever catch him?

The drifter.

No, not yet.

And I can't figure it.

Nobody saw him leave.

It's like he just melted into the dust.

Oh, sweet Jesus.

Goodness.

You're not leaving today.

Trying to.

The wind is terrible. There must be a storm coming.

There's always a storm coming.

But people die in them and you'll be exposed on that cart, Esther.

Unprotected.

All you need to do is make sure Thomas and Jacob stay inside.

Clean. Seal the house.

Even so, it seeps through everything.

Keep finding it in the oddest places.

I had a dream last night that, um--

He would not stop coughing.

I took a handkerchief, and I stuffed it in his mouth.

Over and over and over.

Sorry.

I just got to get my boys outta here.

Whoa. Easy. Easy.

Girls, grab the twine or you'll get lost in the dust!

Where's Ollie?

I can't see her.

What man?

Stay here.

Mom, don't go out there.

The Grey Man?

You scared her with this, Rose.

Didn't I tell you to get rid of this?

Yeah.

This should help with the dust, okay?

What about that man?

That drifter that disappeared.

There isn't anyone out there.

Understand?

I'm taking this.

Will you tell us about the wheat?

The first year we planted, it just took hold.

When the wind blew, the weeds would wave like the ocean.

And one day, we played hide-and-seek in the tall grass for hours.

Come on.

Hurry up.

You could hide inches away, and I couldn't see you.

But I could always hear you giggling.

It was perfect.

Good night.

Mom, wake up!

What? What happened?

Ollie was right. Someone's outside.

See?

Wait here.

It's Jacob.

Esther's boy.

Cart must have gotten overturned in the storm last night.

Where's Esther?

I don't know.

I found Thomas hiding under the cart alone,

so scared I could barely get him to come out.

Probably left him there when she went to go look for Jacob.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

But he's a wise provider.

All you can do is hold faith.

Faith that He has a plan for Jacob.

A plan more important than we may ever understand.

I guess some things… …are just out of our hands.

Some things aren't.

You can't just have faith that He'll do something,

that it's part of the plan or they'll die.

We'll all be buried.

Sounds like pride to me.

Better than burying another child.

I tried to leave.

In a storm.

I can't change the weather, Margaret.

I can't make it rain.

What should I do?

You might try sweeping.

Fit as a couple of fiddles.

It just started bleeding.

It wouldn't stop.

Well, air is dry.

That'd be my guess.

Your guess?

After Ollie and Ada, I just--

I worry.

Ada used to have nosebleeds just like this.

Hmm.

Esther mentioned something about the dust making Thomas ill.

The air.

I got some masks for sale.

Might help.

You're taking your sleeping aid?

Mm-hmm.

Well, you want my advice?

I say keep the house sealed best you can, wear the masks.

Relax.

Mom, are you awake?

We're not even supposed to sleep in the same room as you.

There was only enough fabric to seal one room.

What if it happens again? What if you stop sleeping?

Don't you understand that the dust seeps through every opening?

That's why your cousin, Thomas, is sick and it's why your nose is bleeding.

Well, I want to leave. I want to go to Dad.

Well, when your father sends more money, we'll take the next train.

I promise.

Has anyone had any mail?

We're going to try to leave when Henry's next letter arrives.

Well, I guess you hadn't heard. Service has been halted indefinitely.

Dust built up so much, a train in Woodward skipped plumb off the tracks.

Killed every soul on board except for one donkey in the freight car.

You're stuck with us, looks like.

I see.

Any word on that drifter?

Well, now they're wondering if the daddy did it himself.

Killed those kids and made up the intruder wholesale.

Our neighbor said he'd been acting off right before,

like a different man entirely.

Think about it.

No one saw that drifter coming or going.

Put your nightgown on, sweetheart.

- Didn't I ask you to tie the doors? - I did.

That cow is keeping us alive.

She's already starving and something could have gotten to her.

- She could have died. - I tied it.

Well, then it has to be tighter. What?

Stop.

No more Grey Man, understand?

You need to finish your chores.

Rose.

Toss down some hay, would you?

I'm sorry we argued, but--

Rose!

In the barn, who did you see?

But I thought you said he wasn't real.

That doesn't mean no one's out th--

Stay.

Come out or I will burn this whole thing to the ground, I swear to God.

I told you to stay downstairs.

We're scared.

Stay back, girls.

Who are you?

Name's Brother Wallace Grady.

I mean you no harm, ma'am.

Just needed shelter.

Henry told me y'all had this barn.

Henry?

Don't you recognize his jacket?

Did you hurt him?

Of course not, ma'am. I'm a man of the cloth.

I, uh, stopped through the works detail on my way west

and, Brother Henry, he give me this,

and he asked me to check in on y'all.

Why not just knock on the door?

That was my intention, ma'am, soon as I had a chance to recover.

See, I got caught in that storm on account of my bad leg.

Thought I looked too poorly.

I didn't want to scare your girls, uh, scare you.

Rose, right?

And you're Margaret.

Henry would have told me.

The mail is slow going with the trains out.

You have to go. Now.

I could earn my keep. People need the Word of God these days.

- People need rain. - One follows the other, ma'am.

Just get out! Out!

It's just your cow's starving, which means you're about to be.

Right?

The milk's dried up. I could get her producing again.

- Okay. It's okay, it's okay. - Oh, darlin'.

You're okay.

Mom, help.

Breathe. Breathe.

Stay back.

- Ma'am, I can help… - Mom.

…but I'd have to touch her.

Why?

I lay hands.

I can heal. Truly.

Even if you don't believe, what could it hurt?

Margaret.

Mom, help!

Let her go.

Let her go!

What did you do to her?

Mom.

It stopped.

I'll go. I'll go.

I just gotta rest.

You said you could get our cow producing.

How?

Tumbleweeds will soak this water right up. Yield a lot of feed.

I sleep with this, and I know how to use it.

Do you understand?

People will talk if I let you stay.

I could keep out of sight for a bit.

Stick to the barn.

Did he heal me?

I don't know.

Rose!

Well, I hate you, Margaret.

What a fine hand you have.

Oh. It's just our dream for the house.

Missed you in church this week, Margaret.

We were worried about you.

Mom, it's Thomas.

Where's Esther? How did he get here by himself?

Oh, poor thing.

Birdie, go fetch the sheriff.

This is heartbreaking.

She's not looking after him, Margaret.

Maybe find out if it's a short-term grief kind of aberration

or something more serious.

Esther. It's Margaret.

Esther?

Remember when Ada passed?

For a long while, I thought I might just join her.

But you have to think of your other child.

His health.

The man has… been looking after him.

Or was that a dream?

Have some water.

Just a sip.

How long have you been lying here?

She-- She's not fit.

You sure?

I'd take him, but we can't feed him.

Come with me, little Thomas. Yeah.

Margaret.

Thank you. Thank you for visiting me.

It's all right. You just have to take care of yourself.

What's going on?

Just for a little while, Esther.

What's for a little while?

Just until you get back on your feet.

Are you taking him? Where you taking him?

I won't-- Oh. Hey. Let's just take a moment here.

He's my son. He's all I've got left.

You're no different than me, you know. You know that?

You're no different than me. You always thought you were.

You'll be just like me, you hear me?

I'll show you what it's like.

Look at me. You'll be just like me.

You see me?

You'll be just like me. You'll see. You'll be sorry.

Don't take him from me.

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

It's lovely.

Yours?

It was my mother's.

Hmm.

Is she how you got into the church?

Partly.

My daddy was a preacher. He told me I had the touch young.

All my siblings do. I have four sisters.

Where are they now?

Two are in Texas and, uh, scarlet fever took the others

while I was off spreading the Word.

Ollie had it. Scarlet fever. And Ada.

When they went into quarantine, Ada never stopped calling out for me.

I clawed the door separating us until my nails were ripped away from the quick.

Temporary parting is a burden of our earthly lives.

But there's a reunion that lasts an eternity.

You believe that?

I have to.

Don't have a choice.

Those girls are lucky to have you.

You don't think that?

After Ada, my sleep was fitful.

And I-- I'd do things.

No mail today. But the letter carrier said a haze is dropping in.

God above, I thank you.

I thank you for the warmth of the Bellum family.

You connected us through Brother Henry, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Thank you for Rose's continued health,

and we ask that you hold little Ollie in your ever-loving light.

I'm reminded of a verse that my father taught me.

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned,

but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in Him."

Thank you for this nourishment.

And thank you for this.

This came today?

- Ooh, is that from Daddy? - Mm-hmm.

- Mm-mmm. Next one, little-- - What's he got to say?

Stop!

- Rose. - Well, I--

Hey.

"Dear girls,

my first hope is that you can-- d-- deci--"

Decipher.

- Decipher. - Mm-hmm.

"Decipher my chicken scratch."

"My second hope is that these blades of grass will still be green

- by the time they reach you." - Mmm.

"Just know that when I picked them,

they were the brightest thing you ever saw."

"This next bit's just for Mama, girls."

Oh.

Come on.

Y'all telling secrets over there?

Now, Rose.

Put her down.

That seems like a bad idea.

Who are you?

Rose, read the letter. Aloud.

"I'm fine, Margaret, but my jacket was took.

Along with the letter in its pocket, money, and sweets for the girls.

There was a preacher hanging about, asked to stay the night.

Next day, my bunkmate didn't come back from lunch.

Found him with his head cracked open like an egg, boots pulled off his feet.

Nobody knows how the preacher made off. Like he just vanished."

I wouldn't have hurt y'all.

- Where's the money? - Gone.

Where's yours?

Gone. Let her go.

I will. In exchange for that letter.

We better hold on to it.

See what the sheriff thinks.

Y'all would've starved without me.

Without you, his first letter would have gotten to us.

We could have left!

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,

for thereby some have entertained angels, unaware."

- Angels. - I fixed her, didn't I?

How about I undo it?

Put her back the way she was.

Fixed her? You're a con.

Your father, the preacher, a con too?

My father, he'd like you.

Get out.

Get out!

I'd be scared too.

You're out here all alone.

Don't know when a man could come by.

A few locks. Some twine?

That's not gonna stop me.

That's not gonna stop the Grey Man.

I'll be seeing y'all.

Mommy.

Ollie.

Did you say that?

What are you doing, Esther?

You'll be just like me.

You'll see. You'll breathe him in. He'll make you do terrible things.

Mama. Mama. Mama.

Were you outside all night?

Margaret.

It's not gonna stop.

Mom! Get us out!

Mom! Mommy! Mom!

Open the door! Unlock it, please!

- Mom! - Is he in there?

Get us out!

Mommy!

Get out of here! Go!

Did you knock the lamp over?

No, it's Wallace.

How's he doing it?

I was up the whole night.

And the doors are still locked.

Unless he doesn't have to use doors.

Mom, what do you mean?

I should have sealed under this door.

Mom. But the-- the Grey Man's just a story, like-- like you said.

I-I lent Wallace the book one day.

But he healed you,

right?

And he came into a locked house while I stood watch.

That is what he wants.

Go get your sister.

Slide fabric under the door and don't come out.

Hi.

You're looking well.

What are you doing here?

I've come to apologize, Margaret.

The things that I was thinking and… …the things I said, I'm sorry.

We're family.

Can't we put this all behind us and just start fresh? I miss you.

I miss the girls and--

Well, you know…

folks are starting to worry.

They haven't seen you in a while.

It's difficult with such low light.

It's much easier to breathe though.

I wonder if it might help to get out more.

It's wild what happens upstairs when you're allowed to stew.

It might be good to take the lid off and let some of that steam out.

You know, I've been trying to get out more too.

I've been working with the preacher, praying to get my head right.

I've been visiting Thomas…

Margaret?

You might could start with the dance tonight.

Take it from me, you don't want people speculating the way they have been.

You might want to show 'em you're okay.

Oh, you're right.

We really should get out more.

Yeah.

We're really going to the dance?

Esther said people were worried about us, so…

We have to put on a good face and go.

Well, Sheriff Bell will be there.

We could tell him about Wallace,

what's been happening.

Without the letter from your father--

If the sheriff thought something was wrong, or--

He could take you both. Promise me you won't mention it.

It's so pretty.

Oh. I think it's the wearer.

Stay inside!

We're very well. You?

Rose!

I can't breathe!

Mom!

Mommy! Mom, stop!

What is wrong with you?

You were crying out! You were choking! You couldn't breathe!

No, I was laughing!

It's ruined.

I don't think we should still go.

You'll still look perfect.

It's not just the dress.

What are you--

Stop!

It's all right, Rose.

Daddy will be home soon, and we'll sort everything out.

Until then, I just need to go and show everyone we're okay.

Y'all look right as rain, Margaret.

- We're feeling much better. Thank you. - Hmm. Mm-hmm.

Excuse me.

- Yeah, that's right. - Margaret!

Would you, uh, care to go for a spin?

Happy to.

So, how's things?

Oh, we had a little bug, but we're feeling much better.

Glad to hear it. Have you been getting enough rest lately?

Why?

What did Rose say?

What do you mean?

Oh, nothing. She-- She's been having nightmares lately.

Oh.

- Margaret. - What?

You, uh--

You--

Oh, goodness.

It's just a cut.

It's just my leg.

Please keep playing.

Sorry. Pardon me.

What are you doing with him?

With Reverend Shaw?

Excuse me.

I didn't want the girls to miss the dance,

but this cut h-has me a little light-headed.

Margaret.

Why don't I stop by later with that healer that I mentioned?

Healer?

Yeah.

You mean Wallace.

No.

His name is Everett Lee.

He's real nice. He got me thinking right again and--

He even helps me keep up the house and he got me this.

I don't care what he's calling himself.

That is the man who was hiding in our loft, Sheriff.

Who threatened us!

Margaret,

that can't be.

You are housing a murderer.

Henry sent me a letter. Your healer killed a man at his ca--

No, she-- she's telling the truth.

I saw him too. And-- And he threatened to come back.

You see?

He's not of this world.

He's--

He's been sneaking into our house, moving things at night,

trying to hurt the girls.

He can get through locks, closed windows.

He comes apart like dust.

- He seeps in through the cracks. - Mom, please. Please, come on.

You can breathe him in.

He'll make you do terrible things.

They're gossiping right about now.

Wondering if I'm--

If I--

But I said I saw him too.

It doesn't matter.

They saw me like this.

Mom?

Mom.

Who did that?

You did.

When?

Was he in me?

It's okay.

Wait, wait.

You heard that, right?

Yes.

But what if it's someone checking on us?

Put your masks on. Slide fabric under the door the moment I leave.

Margaret.

Wallace!

Margaret.

Here, Margaret.

Margaret.

Here, Margaret.

You'll be just like me.

You'll be just like me.

Margaret.

- Here, Margaret. - Margaret.

People are talking.

Behind you.

Mom!

What happened? Was it Wallace?

Yes, but he vanished!

What do you mean?

Like the book!

He's in the air, Rose!

He could be anywhere!

Get inside! Now!

Mom?

Wallace?

Ada, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Please, let me in.

Please.

Please.

- Mom? - I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Mom?

You're asleep.

It's you.

You're sleepwalking again.

It's me.

It's Rose.

Mom, it's me! Wake up.

- Don't shoot, it's Rose! - Don't shoot, it's Rose!

- It's your daughter! - It's your daughter!

Don't shoot.

- Put the gun down. - Put the gun down.

- Mommy, I'm really scared. - Mommy, I'm really scared.

- You have to trust me! - You have to trust me!

- You have to wake up! - You have to wake up!

You're not Rose.

Mom.

Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama!

- Mama! Ma-- - Mama!

Rose, what are you doing out here?

The Grey Man isn't haunting us.

What are you talking about?

It's you.

You're doing things in your sleep again.

That's how the chairs moved and how the bed caught fire.

You can never say that again about the sleepwalking.

Not to anyone.

Mom, why are you doing this?

Why?

To protect you.

Then we should have left.

- I was trying to keep us all together. - Mom.

You, me,

and your sisters.

Ada is dead!

Don't you understand?

You girls are me.

Parts of me.

- Cutaway pieces that never heal. - Mom, you're scaring me.

I bleed when you're hurt.

I'm alive in that grave…

…suffocating under the dirt with your sister.

And I would do anything,

anything to keep us together,

to keep us whole.

Rose!

Ollie!

Aunt Esther?

It's too late!

There's nowhere to go, Rose!

Let her go!

Mom!

That wasn't Wallace.

You killed Aunt Esther.

You're hurting her, Rose!

Let her go!

Help!

They will take you.

They will take you away. Please.

Hi, sweet pea.

Where's Mama?

Rose, you all right?

She's not fit.

Rose.

All right now.

You two just go wait in there.

Don't worry.

We're just gonna have a nice little chat, all right?

I don't know what's gotten into her.

For the coyotes.

Had one recently?

They're always around.

Did, uh, did-- did Esther come by, Margaret?

She-She said she was gonna check in.

I hope she wasn't lost in the storm.

Margaret, the-the girls seem rattled.

Stir crazy, I guess.

Maybe I ought to take 'em.

Just till Henry gets back.

Hey, now, hey.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, hey, hey.

Margaret, it's just a few days now, just a few days.

You done good. You done real good.

They're going to hang me, Rose.

But there is a way around it,

a way to stay together.

A reunion that lasts an eternity.

We just go to sleep like any other night,

but longer.

Please, no.

Yes, baby.

It's the only way.

It's okay to be scared.

It's okay. Come here.

Come here.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry for everything, Rose.

You're the loves of my life, you know that.

I'm just so tired, Mommy.

Let's go be with Ada. All right?

Can you tell us about the wheat first?

Yes.

Our first year, it just took hold.

The field was-was chest-high.

And when the wind blew, the wheat would ripple and wave like the ocean.

And we'd play in that field for hours.

All together.

Could we have the medicine in some peaches?

I think that's a wonderful idea.

Ollie!

Mom!

I-I tried to stop her, but Ollie got scared and ran out.

She has to be with us.

She could be drowning!

Oh, please!

Where is she?

I'm sorry.