“My suspicions were first aroused when the child started spontaneously Sephiroth-posting next to me…”

↓ Transcript
Panel 1:
Nancy and Alice sit side-by-side on the bus. Nancy is nursing her head wound. Alice is staring catatonic at the passing scenery.

NANCY (box): ‘I didn’t need this, I wanted to troubleshoot what had gone wrong, but instead had to play babysitter while nursing a ghastly migraine.’

Panel 2:
Outside the window, a wall of posters against the war rushes past. Alice is reflected in the window.

NANCY (box): ‘Wasn’t really in a mood to entertain a little girl’s descent into ennui next to me.’

ALICE: …this is where it starts, ain’t it?

ALICE: The Madness.

Panel 3:
Alice turns to look quizzically at Nancy, who’s just said something mad.

NANCY: Ohhh…you mean the war’s going to be used as a pretext to institute a mass indoctrination program and create a one world government?

NANCY: Don’t worry! Since you’re back in time, the microchip in your brain won’t work anymore! You’re free!

Panel 4:
Same view. Alice grips her stomach in uproarious laughter. She needed this comic relief.

ALICE: PffftHAHAHA!

ALICE: ‘mazing! You nutters are here too!

Panel 5:
In a chipper but still slightly manic mood, Alice whips out her phone and stares at it.

ALICE: So it wasn’t all these, huh?!

ALICE: Grownups blaming “dang phones” for everything, but here I am, before the craziness, and t’woz already in the air.

Panel 6:
Alice is reflected in the phone, mood darkening. Nancy leans over, wondering what the heck she’s talking about.

ALICE: I guess…

ALICE: …guess it were just waiting till something brought the walls down. Sent the waters flooding and mixed it all up, food for the sharks waiting on the seabed.

NANCY: Are you…talking to someone on that thing?

NANCY: Genuine question. I don’t know if that’s your reflection or you from another dimension.