The Girl Who Wasn't Dead (2024) Movie Script
[]
[]
[panting]
[]
[coins rattling]
[gasping]
What are you running
from, sweetie?
Um, I'm not running. I...
It never ends well.
Go home to your mom
before it's too late.
No... No!
No!
You didn't go outside, did you?
I did, I'm sorry.
I was hungry!
[firm knocking on door]
Police! Open up!
[knocking]
Andrew Jensen.
No...
No, no, no.
No!
[Erica] It was all my idea.
I asked him to get the room.
Andy! Andy!
It's okay. It's okay!
What's gonna happen to her?
This is so stupid!
He's my boyfriend!
He didn't do anything wrong!
You're Erica Bennett, right?
Yeah. So?
You're 15, right?
I'm practically 16, but I...
And that's Andrew Jensen?
He's my boyfriend,
I just told you!
And he's 21?
[sighing]
Right.
Get another boyfriend.
[]
Hey, Mom?
Do we have anything to eat?
Why aren't you in bed?
I was gaming.
Honey, it's late.
Go to sleep.
[car approaching]
[car doors shutting]
[]
How could you?
Oh, my gosh!
Jeez.
God, I thought you were...
I'm so glad you're safe.
Do you have any idea
what you did to me?
It's been three days!
She was at a motel outside town.
Motel?
Erica was staying
with a Mr. Andrew Jensen
for the last three nights.
You were in a motel
with that guy?
You know him?
Andrew Jensen?
I know who he is.
You're not supposed
to see him anymore.
I want to press charges.
What? Mom, no!
We're on it.
No! This is crazy.
He's my boyfriend.
I asked him to get me the motel.
He was just trying to help me.
I know what he was trying to do.
Go to your room.
[exasperated groaning]
- I'm so sorry, Detective.
- [door slamming]
[Detective Richards]
Mrs. Bennett...
It's O'Brien now.
[Richards] Ms. O'Brien,
this can't keep happening.
- It's the third time this year.
- Right.
We need our police out there
doing police work,
not tracking down
lovesick runaways.
Of course.
Look, I...
I know that your father
being gone
has been hard on you,
and I'm struggling myself...
I don't care about your divorce.
Of course you do.
Your entire...
Our entire lives
have been upended
by his actions.
I don't wanna talk about this.
Okay!
Okay, fine.
I know that you're looking
for independence,
but this older man...
He's 21, not 60!
- And you're 15!
- So?
So it's illegal, Erica.
Do you understand that, right?
And if you're ha...
[sighing]
If you're being intimate...
Oh, my god, Mom,
we're not talking about...
Are you?
We're not talking about this!
Look, my job is to protect you.
It's to keep you safe,
and I'm trying my hardest here.
I'm gonna be late for school.
Come home straight after!
No hanging out
with Liam either, okay?
And this conversation
isn't over!
[door slamming]
Mom...
do you think
she's going to run away again?
I hope not, sweetheart.
[school counselor] I thought
you were gonna tell me
if you were feeling like
running away again.
I was feeling
like running away again.
Right.
Why do you think
you have that urge?
'Cause I feel like a prisoner.
I mean, ever since the divorce,
she's been, like,
clinging on to me, or something.
I can't wear what I wanna wear.
I can't date who I wanna date.
Well, you are 15.
Exactly!
I'm 15, I'm not 12,
but everybody
treats me like I am.
I mean, we're in love!
Just get off our backs!
Tell me about him then.
How did you two meet?
We, um...
I was at the library,
and...
it's dumb, but I really
like these books...
they're science fiction,
but not the stupid kind,
they're legit,
and, anyways, he was there,
and he was looking for
the same book in the series,
and he just listened to me,
and he thinks that I'm smart.
He's not like the mean guys
that go here.
I mean, he's interesting,
and he understands me.
We don't fit in.
We're different.
It's just, the world is...
loud,
and... it's hard,
and it's cold,
but...
when I'm with him, it's quiet,
and it's easy,
and...
it's warm.
We're gonna be together forever.
[school bell ringing]
I hate that Art's the only
class that we have together.
I know.
At least we get to work
in the same group, though.
Yeah, that's pretty good.
Glad that worked out.
Hey.
Hey...
I'll see you in Art.
See you.
I'm glad you're not dead.
Pretty mean prank
to pull on your mom, though.
She'll live.
You missed the Music Bowl.
What?
We had tickets
to the Music Bowl,
and you never showed up.
Oh, I'm really sorry about that.
Did they arrest him?
Yeah, and then they let him go.
- It was so stupid.
- [alert beeping]
[giggling]
Is that him?
Gotta go!
Oh.
Don't get murdered.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
There you are.
I'm so glad you're okay.
I missed you.
I missed you, too.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
I'm fine.
I mean, with everything
that happened with the police.
How are you?
Fine, yeah, whatever.
It was no biggie.
I mean...
they made me
stay the night in jail.
- What?
- Yeah.
So that wasn't so,
you know, cool,
but I survived, so whatever.
That's insane.
Yeah, it's just...
'cause you're underage,
- technically, I guess...
- Barely,
and it was my idea.
Did you tell them
that it was my idea?
Yeah, okay,
but it doesn't matter,
because I'm the adult, right,
and the room
was in my name and all.
But it's not like you forced me!
- No, I know, babe...
- I mean, I'm not a child!
- I know...
- And you're my boyfriend,
and we're gonna get married!
I know, I know, I know, just...
Look, they...
They told me
I shouldn't see you anymore.
What?
Yeah, they were just, like,
really intense about it,
saying how it could, like,
affect my future employment,
go on my record,
you know?
No.
So, maybe
we just, you know,
cool it for a while?
No, you can't be serious.
No.
I just gotta be careful, okay?
It's not because
I don't love you, babe.
I can't believe this.
I don't believe
you're doing this.
I'm sorry.
This is
the worst day of my life!
Erica, I don't have a choice!
[]
[door opening]
Liam, what are you doing here?
I'm so sorry...
You're still seeing him?
Dad?
You-you called Dad?
You were gone for three days.
Three days with this loser,
and now you miss curfew?
And you're skipping classes?
You're such a jerk.
He's the only one
you ever talk to.
He's the only good thing
that I've ever had in my life!
Oh, oh, I-I'm sorry,
was expensive volleyball camp
last summer not enough?
Or the $300 shoes you wanted?
Or the car
you keep begging me for
when you turn 16!
Dan, that's not helping...
No, she has everything
she could possibly want,
and it's still not enough.
- You're a spoiled little brat.
- Okay...
No, you don't know me!
And you don't even live here!
You wanna blow up your life
on some idiot, that's fine.
- No, Dan, stop...
- You can't do that!
You're making it worse!
You do it on someone else's
dime, young lady!
I hate you!
[groaning, door slamming]
I should go.
Okay.
Thanks, Liam.
You've got to be stricter.
You're too soft.
She needs rules.
Oh, I've been strict.
I have so many rules,
I can't even keep them straight,
and it's a fight at every turn!
So fight harder.
I don't wanna fight at all!
I didn't sign up
to do this on my own.
It's a three-hour drive,
Carrie...
and I've got work, the baby.
It-it's just...
I still call her, right?
Every Friday, we talk.
So I'm trying my best here,
but it...
Okay, it's fine.
It's fine.
I'll figure it out.
[door opening and closing]
[]
[reporter]
four months
since Ana Martinez vanished
near Lakefront Park,
and despite ongoing searches,
there remains no trace,
and police
are fearing the worst.
[news anchor] Okay.
Thanks for that update.
We'll be keeping
a close eye on this story
as it develops.
In other news,
a new environmental study
out of Boston Univ...
[turns TV off]
[]
[knocking]
Hey, can I get five minutes?
Please?
Come on, we used to talk
all the time, remember?
I'm not six anymore, Mom.
I know.
I know, um...
I keep trying to figure out
how to talk to you,
and I think
that I'm doing it right,
and then nothing works,
and you keep pushing me
further away, and...
I wanna fix us, but...
I don't know how.
There's a girl missing,
from around here.
She's about your age,
and she's been missing
for four months.
She was just walking somewhere,
and then...
never came home.
If that were to happen
to you or Joey, I...
I'm sorry.
I just,
I feel trapped sometimes.
I know.
I know you do.
I've needed you a lot more
since your dad and I split.
I know.
Just, after
almost 20 years of marriage,
I was just blindsided...
but that's our stuff,
not yours.
I'm still trying
to figure out my footing here,
and that's not fair to you.
I'm so sorry.
If it makes you feel
any better, we broke up.
Oh.
Yeah.
Are you okay?
No.
I know that you think
he was trying
to take advantage of me.
He is a lot older and...
But he understands me
and he's a good person.
He really is.
He loves me.
I thought that he loved me.
Of course he loves you,
sweetheart.
You're wonderful.
I know how much
you cared about him,
but you will find another boy
who loves you just as much,
if not more,
and he'll be the same age,
and it won't be so hard.
Are you making breakfast?
Am I having a stroke?
I wanted to do something nice.
They're actually pretty good.
[]
Syrup?
put them on potatoes...
I appreciate the help, sweetie.
But they're not mashed potatoes.
I was stupid.
This is yours.
[]
[Carrie] Joey, come on, honey,
we're gonna be late.
I gotta drop you off first.
Oh, thank you, honey!
Hey, I'm riding up front today.
It doesn't matter,
we drop you off first.
I'm still riding in the front.
[Erica] Fine!
[]
What?
It's so nice to see you happy.
It's a good day.
It's a really good day.
- Bye.
- Bye, honey.
Oh. Erica!
You forgot your lunch, honey!
Thank you.
Oh!
Mm.
What's that for?
I love you, Mom.
I love you, too.
Bye.
[school bell ringing]
All right, it's been a month.
I've apologized every day.
Are you really still mad at me?
I'm not mad.
I just can't tell you anything,
because you're just
gonna go run off
to your new best friend,
my mother.
I don't even know
what to talk about.
I was worried about you.
I thought that creep was gonna
drop your body in a ditch.
He's not a creep.
Okay?
Whatever.
I like you better
now that he's gone, anyways.
Your mom told me
when I was dropping off
comic books for Joey.
Okay, point proven!
Hey,
can I get you guys anything?
Yes, I will get
the chicken strips,
and...
cheese sticks,
and the fries,
and a large soda.
- Okay.
- And he's paying for it all.
I swear, sometimes,
I just wanna kill that bitch.
[sighing heavily]
[chuckling]
Oh, Joey, we gotta
get you to bed, come on.
You said I could stay up
till Erica gets home.
I know.
Do you think she ran away again?
No, honey, she's just with Liam.
Come on, bed.
Let's go.
I'll be right up!
Goodnight, honey.
Sleep tight.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
Erica?
Erica?
Erica.
Honey?
Daniel.
Wait, wait, it's Erica.
She's gone.
[Richards] Erica Bennett.
Brunette, 5'2", brown eyes.
Last seen by Liam Wilson
at the Mills Bowling Alley
at 5:30 p.m. last night.
Okay, so what are
the next steps?
We've been through this.
Yes, and you've
said it yourself,
the first 72 hours
are the most important.
She's run away multiple times.
This time, it's different.
It isn't.
Statistically, it isn't.
She didn't take
anything with her.
- Ms. O'Brien...
- She didn't take clothes,
she didn't take a toothbrush,
nothing,
there's nothing.
Nothing!
Could have been
a spur-of-the-moment thing.
It wasn't.
Listen, I'm telling you,
she has been happy, all month.
It just...
it feels different this time.
You know the drill.
We enter her
into the National
Crime Information Center
Missing Persons File,
release a bulletin,
conduct an investigation.
It all takes too long.
Here, I put this together.
It's her guidance counselor,
the teachers,
Liam's contact information,
the bowling alley.
Maybe there's a camera
that we can take a look at?
We'll do
everything we can, okay?
She'll come back,
they always do.
Except Ana Martinez, right?
Tell me you will at least
look into the ex-boyfriend.
If she's anywhere...
That we will do.
What's going on?
Mr. Jensen.
Erica Bennett is missing,
again.
We'd like to look inside.
Okay.
[Richards]
You talk to Erica recently?
[Andrew] Um... yeah.
I mean, no, I-I didn't.
I-I-I haven't.
We broke up.
You look nervous.
You didn't kill her,
did you, Andrew?
No. God, of course not!
I-I'd never hurt her.
I love her.
You love her?
I thought you broke up.
Yeah, I...
We...
I-I love her, but...
I mean, you told me
it could ruin my life.
I-I just...
Look, I-I-I didn't do
anything wrong.
When did you break up with her?
It was, like, a few weeks ago.
Day after the arrest.
I just, I told her
I couldn't do it anymore.
She's too young.
It just doesn't look great
for you, Andrew.
We've barely finished
processing your first charge,
and now your victim
is missing again.
She's not my victim.
How are your scales coming?
Huh?
Apparently, not very well.
You live here by yourself?
Yeah.
Where were you three days ago
on August 31st?
Working for Hudson Electronics,
a few miles away.
My boss can vouch for me.
Let's take a look upstairs.
This your bedroom?
Yeah.
You see my problem here, right?
Last time she went missing,
she was with you.
Now, only
a month and some change later,
she's gone again.
You're telling me that,
this time,
it has nothing to do with you.
Help me out here.
Make it make sense.
I, uh...
I-I got her a motel room,
because she said if I didn't,
she'd kill herself, okay?
I mean, what was I
supposed to do?
I broke up with her
like you told me to,
and now you're saying
she's missing?
Don't leave town.
[Detective Richards]
Nothing at Jensen's house.
He's got an alibi
for the night of the 31st.
It sounds to me like
she's got a broken heart.
Probably ran off
to try and lure him
back with dramatics.
Keep your head up.
She'll come back
as soon as she realizes
he isn't worth it.
[ends call]
[]
[sighing]
Erica?
Erica!
So sorry.
Oh, excuse me, sir? Um...
Have you seen this girl?
She was here about a month ago.
Sure, yeah,
I remember her.
Cops made a big fuss,
poor thing.
Have you seen her since?
Ma'am, we get
a lot of runaways here.
She's not a runaway.
She's...
She's my daughter,
and she's missing.
Add it to the wall.
[]
Detective?
Carrie O'Brien's here.
She's asking to speak...
Detective Richards?
You've been avoiding my calls.
- Carrie...
- It has been a month.
Have you spoken
to the ex-boyfriend again?
Jensen's clean,
and I don't think
he has anything to do with this.
I think the idiot
actually really loved her.
Loves her.
What?
You said "loved".
She's still alive.
Do a news conference.
Do a press release.
Do a frickin' radio show.
Do something, please.
Let our neighbors know
that they can help find her.
Hell, they could even
help find the other girl, too.
Give my daughter a chance.
Carrie, we have been doing ev...
If you don't,
I will call
my own press conference,
and that will not look good
for your department, Detective.
Okay.
[Richards] One month ago,
15-year-old Erica Bennett
went to school
and never came home.
Just like Ana Martinez,
six months ago.
These families
miss their daughters.
Please, if you see Erica,
or Ana,
call the number on the screen.
Thank you.
Erica, honey.
If you're watching this,
please come home.
I'm not angry.
You're not in trouble.
I swear you're not in trouble.
I... I love you.
We love you,
and I miss you very, very much.
So... please, come home.
Okay, honey?
Just come home.
[reporters clamoring]
I appreciate it very much.
Of course.
Thank you,
for what you said.
I'm Martina.
I'm Ana's mom.
Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry
about everything
you've been through.
You too.
This is my number.
Please call me
if there's anything
I can do to help.
Okay.
Thank you.
[]
months since Ana Martinez
and Erica Bennett went missing,
but now more girls
are missing...
[Joey] Mom?
Mom!
22-year-old Callie Porter,
26-year old Shawnee Mason,
19-year-old Gloria Carbone,
and 14-year-old Lana Bolski
have all disappeared
over the last few months...
Mom...
[increasing volume]
Now officers are wondering,
is someone targeting
young women in Hudson?
[reporter] Exactly. That's
what's on everybody's minds.
Do you think Erica was...
No, honey.
We'll find her.
Um, hey, play
your new video game, okay?
right now, we don't know
what the suspect looks like.
There's been no identity,
so far,
but, again, fear is growing
here in the community,
now spreading across
the State of California.
[knocking on door]
I'm so glad you called.
Would you like some tea?
Yes, thank you.
With 50 volunteers,
I think we could cover
the county
in just a few weeks.
Further with more help.
Oh, this must have taken you...
Months.
My husband worries I'm obsessed,
and I am.
The cops think...
She's a runaway?
Yeah.
Yeah...
Oh, those aren't very good.
They're-they're not bad.
You're lying.
They're terrible.
What do you say
we give Richards another shot?
Yeah.
Yeah...
[Carrie] I'm thinking
we could gather everyone
at the bowling alley.
[Martina] That's a great idea.
[Carrie] Detective,
this is...
Mrs. Martinez.
How are you holding up?
A little worse than last week.
Why don't you
come into my office?
[Carrie] Martina and I
are starting a volunteer group
to help find Erica and Ana,
and the other girls, too,
and you... the station doesn't
have to do anything.
We are purely independent.
We're just done
waiting around, so...
I think that's a great idea.
Oh.
Good.
In fact,
I think I can get the department
to approve some supplies,
and maybe even a small team.
Nothing huge, now.
I don't want to over promise,
but we've got a few folks
who have experience
with searches like this,
know what to look for.
Cooper here is one of them.
I'll get started
on the approvals today.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
[Richards]
I'm on your team, you know.
I've always been on your team.
Hmm.
So what are we thinking?
[sighing] Jeez...
[Richards] From this morning.
Lana Bolski.
We've got a lead on a suspect,
a guy named Jeremy Carver.
He was seen talking with her
the day she went missing.
Rap sheet
to make your blood run cold.
[]
Thank you so much for coming.
We'll sign you in over here.
Here.
So use... use this,
and when this fills up...
- Hey.
- Hi.
We're doing this.
We're doin' this.
- This is a great turnout.
- It's such a good turnout.
[]
Call the number if you see her.
Call the number if you see her.
[]
[]
[]
[]
- [knocking on door]
- Detective?
Yeah?
Brody here says
he has some information
about Erica Bennett.
Okay.
[Brody] Yeah, um...
So... a while ago,
um, that girl in the-
that girl in the flyer there,
she, um...
she came into the alley,
and she was with some dude,
and they were fighting.
He seemed pissed off.
Go on, tell her.
Okay, um...
Well, it's just, I remember him
saying something like,
someday, um,
he's gonna kill that bitch.
How old was he,
the kid who threatened her?
Like, her age.
Erica's age.
Were they on a date?
I don't know.
Um... no.
Maybe.
And why are you only
coming forward now?
Well, I forgot.
I-I, um...
until I saw the flyer,
and then,
I-I remembered her face.
I thought she was hot.
[chuckling]
[cell phone ringing]
Hello?
Carrie, it's Detective Richards.
I tried you at home.
Please tell me you're not parked
outside
the ex-boyfriend's house again.
I am not parked outside
the ex-boyfriend's house again.
How well do you know
Liam Wilson?
He's like family.
He's been Erica's best friend
since, like, forever.
He's basically
a brother to Joey.
What?
We just got a tip.
We think he might have
something to do
with her disappearance.
What's going on?
Liam Wilson, we are bringing
you in for questioning
in connection
with the disappearance
of Erica Bennett.
What?
[Richards] But you admit
you two were fighting.
It wasn't a fight,
it was...
I mean, we had fought,
like I said,
but we weren't anymore.
We ribbed each other,
that's just how we talk...
talked.
I-I just...
I didn't trust him.
She pretended to be tough,
but she was so sensitive,
so fragile,
and I-I was worried
that he was drawn
to those parts of her,
preying on it maybe.
I-I...
I missed her.
She was my best friend,
and she just...
I-I'd never hurt her.
I was just joking around.
It was a dumb joke,
but I'd never hurt her, I swear.
I swear.
Thanks for coming.
I didn't really want my dad
finding out about all this.
No, I'm so sorry
you had to go through that.
I mean, this is ridiculous.
Thank you.
Can I ask you something?
Yeah. What?
Do you ever just... wonder.
I mean...
sometimes,
I just feel so guilty.
Like, if I had just
accepted Andrew,
or if I had supported Erica...
I wonder the same thing
all the time.
I just replay
everything in my head
over and over and over again,
and... and I still
just ask myself, you know,
"What if it is my fault?"
You're a good friend.
Let's get you home.
Yeah.
Come on, Finny.
Come on.
[]
What's that?
Oh, my god!
Hey!
[knocking]
[Cooper]
Coroner's report came back.
The body is Ana Martinez.
She's been dead
for quite some time.
So we think it could be...?
A serial killer?
It could.
It could.
What a mess.
You couldn't possibly have
more bad news?
Remember that guy we picked up
on fraud a while back?
Lange?
Real hairy, eager to rat?
That's the one.
Wants to talk.
No thanks.
Little busy.
Serial killer, and all.
Yeah, I thought you'd say that.
So, that guy
who's awaiting trial
for killing that Bolski girl
a few years back...
Jeremy Carver?
Yeah.
Lange's befriended him
in prison.
Carver's been telling him
that Bolski
wasn't his only victim.
He better not be
messing with us.
[]
[Richards] Okay.
I'm listening.
So...
Carver and I, we go, uh...
we go back.
I know him from before.
Vacation buddies?
Something like that.
He's been talking, a lot.
Get specific.
About girls he's hurt,
girls he's killed...
years ago,
before this arrest.
Other than just the girl
you had charged him on.
Lana Bolski.
At first, I was taking notes,
but then,
I convinced him
to write a confession letter
under a different name.
Under a different name?
Yeah.
I told him that if he wrote
a detailed confession letter
about the girls he murdered,
and signed it off
as someone else,
I'd take it to the cops,
and you would let him go.
You know, because you'd think
someone else admitted
to the killings, not him.
That's the dumbest thing
I've ever heard.
Yeah, well,
Carver's one of the dumbest
monsters you'll ever meet.
Terrifying,
but damn stupid.
You got the letter?
More than just the letter.
The freak drew maps.
Maps?
Of where he buried the girls.
Give 'em to me.
Funny, now that I'm here,
I, uh...
I can't seem to remember
where I, uh... where I put 'em.
We'll help you get
a reduced sentence.
You know what, I just remembered
where they were.
Pleasure doing business
with you, Detective.
[]
[Richards]
Just bag that up over there.
[Cooper] According to
Carver's map, this one is...
Shawnee Mason.
Callie Porter.
Still no Erica.
She's out here somewhere.
Yeah.
I have to tell Carrie.
[Richards] Jeremy Carver
has just confessed to the murder
of your daughter.
No, that's not possible.
She's not...
No.
You sure he's telling the truth?
We have good reason
to believe so.
No, I would know.
She's not.
I'm so, so sorry.
[Carrie]
So what did he say?
He wrote a confession letter.
Erica, along with
the other missing girls,
were named in it.
How do you know he's not lying?
Because he pointed us
to the locations
of their bodies.
Using his map,
we've been able to find
Shawnee Mason
and Callie Porter.
Did you find Erica?
Not yet, no,
but...
I have every reason
to believe we will.
Okay.
Well...
my daughter is alive.
You haven't found her body
because she's alive.
Carrie, please.
He was telling the truth
about all the other girls.
Okay, well, you can
trust a psychopath,
but I'm gonna trust my gut.
My daughter is alive.
Come back when you find her.
Please, just find her.
[Daniel] She was a vivacious
and caring daughter.
Adventurous.
She was a force...
and she was kind,
and loving, and funny.
She was her own person.
Even as a kid,
she knew who she was
and what she wanted,
and she was going
to give us hell
until she got it.
She was stubborn
in the best kind of way.
She never gave up.
Today would have been
her 18th birthday,
and I hope
we can all gather
a bit of her strength
as we say goodbye today.
This doesn't feel right.
[Joey] Mom...
[Daniel] Thank you,
everyone, for coming.
Please do stay
for coffee and pastries.
Thank you.
- I love you, Mom.
- I love you, Joey.
Beautiful tribute.
Thanks, Martina.
I'm so sorry, Carrie.
I know it feels horrible now,
and it stays horrible,
but the closure, it helps.
Carrie, please, no.
You have some nerve
showing up here.
I-I'm sorry. I'll go.
Are you crying?
Do you have any idea
what it feels like,
to sit here not knowing
if my daughter is actually...
I don't know what you did,
but I know you had
something to do with this,
and I am gonna figure it out,
and when I do, I will make sure
you rot in prison.
[sniffling]
[]
[sighing]
[]
Erica?
[]
[judge]
The court will now proceed
with the sentencing
of Jeremy Carver
for the murder of Lana Bolski...
the manslaughter
of Ana Martinez...
the murder
of Shawnee Mason,
the murder of Gloria Carbone,
the murder of Erica Bennett.
[quietly] I can't believe
this is happening.
I know, Carrie.
I know.
There's been a change,
Your Honor.
I would like to inform the court
that Jeremy Frederick Carver
is not guilty
in the murder
of Erica Christine Bennett.
As you can see,
she's very much alive.
[rewinding sound]
[]
What?
It's so nice to see you
so happy.
It's a good day.
It's a really good day.
Bye.
Bye, honey.
Erica!
You forgot your lunch, honey!
Thanks.
Aw, what's that for?
I love you, Mom.
I love you, too.
[]
Get it together.
Okay. Where?
We can go to my place
if you want.
Your place?
Yeah. My parents
won't be home, so.
- Should be fun.
- All right.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I'll give you two some space.
Sounds good.
See ya.
[sighing]
Why do you look so... weird?
I don't look weird.
You look weird.
'Cause I am weird.
Also, I wanna go bowling
after school.
Yeah, I could go bowling.
Great.
Remember how we used to
do this all the time,
and it was super fun,
and you didn't hate me?
[Erica] I don't hate you.
[Liam] Yeah.
I kinda miss that.
I know. Me too.
You're my best friend.
You know that, right?
I know.
You're mine,
and I know that you hate him.
No, no, no, I don't hate him.
I never met him,
but he did break your heart,
so I kinda hate him forever now.
I just miss him so much.
You're a really good friend.
Well, obviously, bitch,
come here.
You want a ride home?
No, I'm gonna walk.
See you tomorrow.
[]
Hey.
[whispering]
What are you doing here?
You can't be here.
Please, you still
love me, right?
Erica, of course.
Of course, I love you...
Can't you just let me in?
I just need to talk to you
for a minute.
Please. [sobbing]
I miss you, just...
Just let me in, please.
Shh, shh. Baby, it's okay.
Come on, come in
Okay, okay.
[Erica crying]
Erica, it's good to see you,
but we're really
not supposed to...
This last month,
it's been awful.
I pretend like I'm fine
on the outside,
but on the inside,
I just feel like I'm dying,
and you won't even call me back!
It's not because
I don't want to.
It's the cop,
she freaked me out.
You don't think
it's killing me, too?
I love you so much.
I need to be with you.
Please.
Okay.
Please.
Okay, babe, we'll figure it out.
Us against the world.
You can stay here tonight.
[]
I'm making breakfast.
[chuckling groggily]
Great.
Can I take your shirt?
Yeah, of course.
You need to buy syrup.
[chuckling]
Whatever Erica wants Erica gets.
Do you have a piano?
No.
Oh, I have a keyboard.
Can I use it?
I've always wanted to learn
how to play.
Whatever Erica wants.
So you grew up here?
Until I was 12.
When my parents died,
I went and lived
with my grandparents in Oregon,
but when I turned 18,
I found out
they left the house to me,
so I came back, moved in.
It was a little lonely at first.
Does it still feel lonely?
No.
[gasping] Can you pick up
the new Motherboard book?
- Yeah, that's out now.
- Yeah.
I forgot about that.
Me too. Me too.
Thank you.
Did you see this?
Oh, don't look at that.
It'll just make you upset.
I'm so lucky.
I'm so lucky.
[chuckling]
[]
[]
So, we can work on the wiring
until 11:00 a.m.,
when they open for business.
At this rate,
we'll be here for months.
Yeah.
Is it just me,
or are you pretty happy today?
You're practically giddy.
[giggling]
You got a date or something?
Maybe.
- Ah!
- Okay, let's go,
- we haven't got all day.
- [Roy laughing]
[car door slamming outside]
[Andrew] What's going on?
What-what are you...?
[Richards] Mr. Jensen.
[Richards]
Erica Bennett is missing,
again.
We'd like to look inside.
[Andrew] Okay.
[door unlocking]
[Richards]
You talk to Erica recently?
Um...
yeah.
I mean, no, I-I didn't.
I-I-I haven't.
We... We broke up.
You look nervous.
You didn't kill her,
did you, Andrew?
[Andrew]
No. God, of course not!
I-I-I'd never hurt her.
I love her.
[Richards] You love her?
I-I love her, but, I mean,
you told me
it could ruin my life.
When did you break up with her?
A few-few weeks ago.
Day after the arrest.
It scared me.
I told her
I couldn't do it anymore.
She-she's too young.
[Richards] It just doesn't
look great for you, Andrew.
We've barely finished
processing your first charge,
and now your victim
is missing again.
She's not my victim.
How are your scales coming?
Huh?
Apparently, not very well.
Where were you three days ago
on August 31st?
Working for Hudson Electronics,
a few miles away.
My boss can vouch for me.
Let's take a look upstairs.
Okay.
This your bedroom?
Yeah.
[Richards] You see
my problem here, right?
Last time she went missing,
she was with you.
Now, only a month
and some change later,
she's gone again,
and you're telling me
it has nothing to do with you.
I broke up with her
like you told me,
and now you're saying
she's missing?
Don't leave town.
[exhaling]
[Erica, faintly] Andy?
- Erica?
- Andy?
Erica, where are you?
Andy?
Oh!
Oh, you found that.
- Are they gone?
- Yeah.
I, um...
I-I found it when I was
moving the furniture.
That was scary.
Yeah, yeah, I, uh...
I-I-I think
we need to come clean.
What?
Yeah, I-I can't live like this.
That was awful.
I mean, they hate me,
the cops, they...
They'll arrest you again,
and they won't let you go!
You'll go to jail,
and not just for one night!
We don't know that.
We know that.
My mom told me.
It's... It's illegal,
us being together,
and, I mean, Andy,
you just lied to them.
Oh, I'm such an idiot.
No, you're brilliant,
because now they think
you live here alone.
This is the safest place
for me to be, for both of us.
These past few days,
they've been
the best days of my life.
Mine too.
So why would we let go of that?
We're meant to be together,
it's was all that outside crap
that was in the way,
but we're good.
We're right.
It's us against the world.
Us against the world.
[Andrew] Maybe we could
sell the house,
and I could buy some land.
I like that idea.
Can we get goats?
Goats are cute.
Goats are cute.
And a horse?
- I like horses.
- And bunnies.
Bunnies are hell a cute.
- [Erica giggling]
- Almost as cute as you.
[Detective Richards on TV]
One month ago,
15-year-old Erica Bennett
went to school
and never came home.
[Carrie] Erica, honey,
if you're watching this,
please come home.
Mom...
I promise you're not in trouble.
We're not angry, I swear.
I just...
I love you so much.
We love you so much,
and we just miss you...
miss you so, so much.
So, just please, come home.
Okay, honey?
Just come home.
I'm starting to feel bad.
I don't like this.
I just hate that she's scared.
Yeah.
I didn't mean to...
I thought that we would just
do this for a little bit...
Yeah.
I mean, I didn't think
that this would happen.
Should I send her a letter?
They're gonna arrest me.
What?
If-if you contact your mom,
they're gonna arrest me.
It's like you said.
I'd go to jail.
They're never
gonna let us be together.
Not-not until you're 18.
That's so long from now.
I don't know
how I'm gonna wait that long.
Maybe just
a little while longer?
Yeah.
I'm just not ready to...
Yeah, me either.
A little while longer,
and then I'll tell everyone.
It's romantic, really.
Right, right.
It's...
It's-it's romantic.
It is.
[]
Erica?
It's 7:30.
I'm gonna...
I'm gonna head to work.
You okay?
Don't you wanna
say goodbye, or...
I need to go shopping.
What?
I need to get new clothes.
But I-I just... I got you
some new clothes last week.
W-we're trying to save.
[voice panicky] No, no,
they're just not fitting right,
and th-they're not my style,
and I don't like the way
that they look on me.
Why do you need new clothes
if you don't...
Sorry for wanting
to look nice for you.
What about this?
How about you pick some things
out of this catalogue?
You know, don't worry
about the price.
You can try them on.
Whatever doesn't fit,
I'll return.
It will be fun.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm sorry, it's just...
it's getting
really stuffy inside,
and I just...
I wanna feel fresh for you.
[chuckling]
You always
look fresh to me, babe.
You're beautiful, I love you.
[]
Hey...
You slept here all night?
[groaning] Mm-hmm.
Again?
Well, it's a half-day.
I'll be back soon.
[quietly] Okay.
Okay.
I love you.
[door opening]
You didn't wanna
drink a beer with me?
I don't know, I just...
Sometimes, I just-I just need
some time alone, babe, okay?
I-I'm either working,
or I'm here,
and, you know,
you're-you're always...
Where can I go?
My face is plastered
around town.
I know, that's not
what I meant, I just...
You don't like me being here?
No, I love you here.
I love you
more than anything, okay?
I just...
Sometimes, I just need
some space.
Okay?
Every person
needs some time alone.
Not me,
that's all that I have...
No, I'm sorry.
Let's not...
All right, we-we're both
making sacrifices, but...
you're worth it.
Really?
Of course.
Sorry.
It's okay.
[]
[reporter] ...Jeremy Carver,
who's awaiting trial
for the murder of Lana Bolski,
has admitted to killing
several other
missing women in the area,
including Erica Bennett,
Shawnee Mason,
and Callie Porter.
Erica, come here!
Quick!
Yeah?
[reporter] ...are trying
to contain the community terror
amidst a slew
of missing girls...
What?
[reporter] ...while nerves
remain very high at this point,
and you can feel the tension
in the community right now
as investigators try
to put the pieces together...
I don't understand,
how did this...
I've never seen that man
in my life.
What do we do?
I don't...
I don't know.
[TV news continuing, indistinct]
[reporter] ...Ana Martinez.
The missing teen
was an exceptional student,
a beloved daughter,
with a big future...
[typing rapidly]
[TV news continuing, indistinct]
What are we gonna do?
I-I don't...
I don't know.
I don't think
there's anything we can...
You're...
You're not 18 yet,
so our relationship is still...
But I'm not dead.
My mom can't think
that I'm dead!
[reporter]... Carver is
expected to stand trial
in the next month...
This is insane.
Maybe it's better.
What?
No, I-I mean, this...
this whole thing.
Say we tell your mom,
wh-what would she even say?
I mean...
I think we're probably
criminals, right?
Not just me.
I just don't think there's
a version of us coming forward
where we can still be together.
Maybe it's-it's better
for you to just be...
Dead?
[Daniel] ...and I hope
we can all gather
a bit of her strength
as we say goodbye today.
Thank you, everyone, for coming.
Please, do stay
for coffee and pastries.
Thank you.
- [Martina] Beautiful tribute.
- [Daniel] Thanks, Martina.
- [Daniel] Carrie, please, no.
- [Carrie] You...
You have some nerve
showing your face here.
I'm sorry, I'll go.
I know you had
something to do with this.
I don't know how,
but when I figure it out,
I will make sure
that you rot in prison.
[door opening]
How was it?
Andy?
[opening beer can]
Andrew...
how was everything?
[Erica] Aw... cake?
It was awful, okay?
I-I can't believe
I, like, let you...
let all this happen.
You were the one who said
that we shouldn't come forward,
who said that
I was better off dead.
I didn't know what to do.
I wasn't willing
just to walk into
a jail cell, Erica.
Are you saying
that this is my fault?
That's not what I meant.
You invited me to stay here!
I never invited you.
You showed up at my doorstep
and you never left!
You said that I couldn't leave!
I never said that.
- You implied it.
- Okay, you wanna go?
Just go!
You want me to go?
You...
You told me you'd kill yourself
if you stayed at home,
do you remember?
I don't wanna go.
I don't want you to go either.
I'm sorry.
No, I'm sorry.
I feel like
I need to get out of here.
I have an idea.
- For a little bit and...
- Okay, okay.
Do not peek, okay?
- Where are we going?
- Shh.
I feel like I'm gonna fall.
Oh, my god.
Okay...
keep going, keep going.
[Erica] Okay.
This is where we met!
Oh, my god.
Let's go see
if our books are here.
[]
This is so great.
[gasping] They have it!
[]
This was really sweet.
I really miss the world.
Thank you.
[whispering] You're welcome,
and happy birthday.
I love you.
I love you!
Us against the world.
Us against the world.
[]
[reporter] Ms. O'Brien, there
must be some relief to know,
after all these years,
what happened to her.
[]
[Andrew] Another round!
[Roy]
You better slow down, cowboy.
[Andrew] Well, I'm just trying
to let off some steam.
[Roy] Maybe you should
come out with me
more that once a year, man,
and look, I got that new girl
I could set you up with
from work.
Ah, no.
She's blonde.
Blue eyes.
She's cute, man.
You would absolutely love her.
What is up with you, man?
Nothing. I'm good.
[sniffing]
Mm-hmm. Okay.
Ooh...
That is one sad story, huh?
Can't imagine how the families
must feel, you know?
What if I told you
she's at my house?
What, that girl?
You're not talking
about the dead girl, are you?
She's not dead.
[Roy laughs]
Man, what are you talking about?
Look, all right,
she was my girlfriend.
She wanted to run away,
so I let her crash with me,
and now it's been years.
Are you serious?
No! [chuckling awkwardly]
Of course not.
I'm kidding, okay?
I gotta go.
No, no, hey.
Andrew!
[door unlocking]
[breathing hard] Okay...
Is everything okay?
What's going on?
[panting] I don't know.
I, uh...
I had a few drinks, and...
I-I told Roy about you.
What?
What are you saying?
No, no, it's fine,
it's fine, it's fine.
Andrew, what did you say?
Please just tell me
what you said...
Y-Your picture, it was
all over the bar, the TVs.
I-It just freaked me out.
I-I-I-I told him...
you were at my house.
No...
No, but I-I told him
I was just joking.
- It-it-it's fine.
- What?
There's no way
he'd actually believe me.
We just need to lay low
a little while longer.
Lay low?
Andrew, I've been laying low
for almost four years!
I can't lay any lower!
[panicked breathing]
[whispering] Andy?
[]
[Carrie, quietly] Erica?
[Erica, quietly] Mom?
No.
[sniffling and crying]
[operator] Police Tip Hotline,
how can I help you?
Um, I...
I ran away.
[operator] Okay.
Well, I'm glad to speak
with you tonight.
How long have you been
away from home?
It's... It's been a while.
I've been living with someone.
Um, but I saw this man
on the news, and...
he's been charged with...
my murder.
I just wanna go home,
but I don't know how.
And I'm 18 now.
It's important to know
that I'm 18,
and no one forced me to.
N-No one forced me
to stay away, it was just...
it was just a big mistake.
[beeping phone off]
Erica, I've been-I've been
reading on this Carver guy...
I need to tell you something.
No, he's bad news...
No, I did something
really stupid...
[loud knocking on door]
Police! Open up!
We have a warrant!
Should I hide?
Yeah, hide, hide.
[insistent knocking]
It's been a long time,
Mr. Jensen.
We have a warrant
to search the premises
on suspicion that you've been
harboring a runaway.
Is Erica Bennett
living in this home?
Andrew, is Erica here?
Last chance.
Can I get a lawyer?
Erica?
Are you okay?
I'm sorry.
[exhaling]
[]
[no audio]
[]
How did you find me?
We got a tip.
Your boyfriend told someone
you were living with him.
So what now?
We take you the station,
and then the courthouse.
Are my parents there?
Yes, they are.
[panicked breathing]
[]
the murder
of Gloria Carbone,
the murder of Erica Bennett.
I can't believe
this is happening.
[Daniel] I know, Carrie.
I know.
[prosecutor] There's been
a change, Your Honor.
Go on.
[prosecutor] I would like
to inform the court
that Jeremy Frederick Carver
is not guilty
in the murder
of Erica Christine Bennett.
[gasping]
As you can see,
she's very much alive.
Oh, my god...
I'm sorry.
[sobbing]
[]
I'm sorry, Mom.
Oh, my God, sweetie, it's okay.
[]
- I'm sorry, Dad.
- That's okay.
I've never seen Mr. Carver
or any of the witnesses
in my life.
He had nothing to do with it.
I just...
I just ran away.
[reporter] Oh, here they come.
[reporters clamoring]
Erica, how could you do this
to your family?
Ms. O'Brien, can you ever
forgive your daughter
for such a terrible lie?
I'm so sorry.
Okay, let's go.
Erica!
[reporters clamoring]
Can you tell us
how you're feeling?
[reporters clamoring]
What's gonna happen to Andrew?
Hopefully, he goes to prison
for a very long time.
Mom, he had
nothing to do with it.
I love him.
Please, please
don't press charges.
Look, if you're gonna
be mad at somebody,
be mad at me.
Seriously?
[Joey scoffing]
Joey...
Give him time.
He lost years of his life to...
[]
Well, Jim, as you just
heard right there,
the community
is very unsympathetic
for Erica Bennett.
[woman] I'm glad she's safe,
but all those resources
spent on her...
it's a shame is what it is.
[man] She should go to jail.
What a horrible thing to do.
[reporter]
There's a lot of questions
that still need to be answered.
We will be pressing for that
in the coming days,
but right now,
there's a lot of relief
that Erica has been found safe.
It's fine.
I deserve to be punished.
Oh, honey.
Punished.
Oh, I don't even know
where to begin...
I know.
I know, Mom.
No, honey, you don't know.
You don't know what it's like
to have your daughter
be missing for four years.
Everyone telling you
that she's dead...
but I knew.
I knew in my gut.
But only to find out
you were, what, a mile away,
and you couldn't pick up
the damn phone?
[sobbing]
I'm so sorry.
[Carrie sobbing]
I know that I wasn't
a perfect mother.
I know, but...
Mom, no...
I mean, I feel like
you and Joey always knew
how much I loved you,
how much I'd be there for you.
I'm so sorry.
[telephone ringing]
Hello?
Hi, this is the National News.
We'd like to tell
your daughter's story.
It's the National News show.
They-they want to tell
your story.
So many people find it
hard to believe
that you would have
put your family
through so much pain,
tat, if you really loved them,
you would never
have done this to them.
I do love them.
Honestly, I didn't mean
for any of this to happen.
I just got in deeper and deeper,
and I couldn't climb out.
[interviewer] You were afraid?
Yeah.
It just kinda snowballed,
and it got out of hand.
Hey.
Sorry I'm late.
It's okay.
I, uh... I just...
I just wanted to say
I'm-I'm glad you're okay, but...
I-I don't think I'm ready
to be friends again.
Liam, I didn't mean to hurt you.
But you did.
Goodbye, Erica.
But wait...
[interviewer] What made you
decide you couldn't go home?
I thought I'd be sent to prison,
I thought I'd be sent away.
I was afraid
of the consequences.
I can wait a year, easy.
I'm just so glad
it isn't longer.
Things are so much better.
I mean, you being an adult
makes all the difference,
and your mom
dropped some of the charges.
I know.
Will you tell her thank you?
I will.
I love you.
I love you, too.
[]
[interviewer] What was it like
when Erica was away?
How did you feel?
The pain, it's...
It's hard to imagine the pain.
It's, like, every day,
I would just
think about her, and...
You know, what...
what was she doing?
Or...
Like, what did she
look like that day?
The longer it went on,
the worse it got.
Hey!
[Joey sighing]
Do you wanna, like, hang out,
or we could see a movie
or something?
You think I wanna
just see a movie...
with you?
Joey, I miss you, and...
Wow. I...
Your, like, stunt...
For four years,
I've been living like...
a ghost, or something.
Mom was never around,
even if she actually was.
Whenever anything good
happened to me,
I felt guilty for even thinking
about being happy.
All anyone wanted to do
was think about Erica.
What happened to Erica?
Let's all be sad about Erica.
I wish you had just stayed away.
[judge] $115,000
to be paid back
to the City of Navoto
for resources related
to the false
police investigation.
Yes, Your Honor.
Of course, Your Honor.
[interviewer]
And how are things now?
At the moment, it's hard.
She's going to have to
rebuild that trust with me...
but I love my daughter.
All I wanted
was for her to be happy...
safe.
I still want that for her.
[]
[Erica] Okay,
and... open.
[giggling]
Welcome home.
Us against the world.
[Erica] I never meant
to hurt my mom,
or my brother, ever.
I just wanted to live my life
the way that I wanted.
Are you working to mend
your relationship with them now?
I am.
With my brother, it's...
it's hard,
but I'm hoping that with time,
it gets better.
Me and my mom,
we're working on it.
We wanna be okay
with each other again,
you know?
Is that everything?
[interviewer] What's it like
going back to Andrew's house?
Is it like a prison,
or do you think of it
more as a home?
[Erica] It's home.
[interviewer] Are you sure?
[Erica] Yes.
[]
Now, a lot has been made
of the fact
that you were a child
and he was an adult.
Do you think you were
making these choices yourself?
Yes.
Yes, I was.
But, you know, psychologically,
do you accept that maybe
he had some control over you?
No, that's not true.
[]
Thought you might like it.
[]
Thank you for having both of us.
Oh, honey, I'm so glad you came.
Really?
Yeah.
'Cause I just worry
that things aren't fully okay
between us yet.
Oh, honey, it is.
I-I want it to be.
I-I don't know
if I was too negative.
- No.
- Or...
Was I doing anything
to make you uncom...
No. No...
Okay.
I just wish things were easier.
I think it will be...
with time.
I just don't want
to lose you again.
Oh, Mom, you're not
gonna lose me again.
I love you.
Honey...
I love you, too.
Help me clean this mess up?
Fine.
[both chuckling]
[]
[interviewer] What do you hope
for your future, Erica?
[Erica]
I just wanna live my life,
in peace,
and freedom,
not in hiding.
I don't want anyone to judge me
for who I love.
I just want to be free.
You know?
I just want to be free.
[]
[panting]
[]
[coins rattling]
[gasping]
What are you running
from, sweetie?
Um, I'm not running. I...
It never ends well.
Go home to your mom
before it's too late.
No... No!
No!
You didn't go outside, did you?
I did, I'm sorry.
I was hungry!
[firm knocking on door]
Police! Open up!
[knocking]
Andrew Jensen.
No...
No, no, no.
No!
[Erica] It was all my idea.
I asked him to get the room.
Andy! Andy!
It's okay. It's okay!
What's gonna happen to her?
This is so stupid!
He's my boyfriend!
He didn't do anything wrong!
You're Erica Bennett, right?
Yeah. So?
You're 15, right?
I'm practically 16, but I...
And that's Andrew Jensen?
He's my boyfriend,
I just told you!
And he's 21?
[sighing]
Right.
Get another boyfriend.
[]
Hey, Mom?
Do we have anything to eat?
Why aren't you in bed?
I was gaming.
Honey, it's late.
Go to sleep.
[car approaching]
[car doors shutting]
[]
How could you?
Oh, my gosh!
Jeez.
God, I thought you were...
I'm so glad you're safe.
Do you have any idea
what you did to me?
It's been three days!
She was at a motel outside town.
Motel?
Erica was staying
with a Mr. Andrew Jensen
for the last three nights.
You were in a motel
with that guy?
You know him?
Andrew Jensen?
I know who he is.
You're not supposed
to see him anymore.
I want to press charges.
What? Mom, no!
We're on it.
No! This is crazy.
He's my boyfriend.
I asked him to get me the motel.
He was just trying to help me.
I know what he was trying to do.
Go to your room.
[exasperated groaning]
- I'm so sorry, Detective.
- [door slamming]
[Detective Richards]
Mrs. Bennett...
It's O'Brien now.
[Richards] Ms. O'Brien,
this can't keep happening.
- It's the third time this year.
- Right.
We need our police out there
doing police work,
not tracking down
lovesick runaways.
Of course.
Look, I...
I know that your father
being gone
has been hard on you,
and I'm struggling myself...
I don't care about your divorce.
Of course you do.
Your entire...
Our entire lives
have been upended
by his actions.
I don't wanna talk about this.
Okay!
Okay, fine.
I know that you're looking
for independence,
but this older man...
He's 21, not 60!
- And you're 15!
- So?
So it's illegal, Erica.
Do you understand that, right?
And if you're ha...
[sighing]
If you're being intimate...
Oh, my god, Mom,
we're not talking about...
Are you?
We're not talking about this!
Look, my job is to protect you.
It's to keep you safe,
and I'm trying my hardest here.
I'm gonna be late for school.
Come home straight after!
No hanging out
with Liam either, okay?
And this conversation
isn't over!
[door slamming]
Mom...
do you think
she's going to run away again?
I hope not, sweetheart.
[school counselor] I thought
you were gonna tell me
if you were feeling like
running away again.
I was feeling
like running away again.
Right.
Why do you think
you have that urge?
'Cause I feel like a prisoner.
I mean, ever since the divorce,
she's been, like,
clinging on to me, or something.
I can't wear what I wanna wear.
I can't date who I wanna date.
Well, you are 15.
Exactly!
I'm 15, I'm not 12,
but everybody
treats me like I am.
I mean, we're in love!
Just get off our backs!
Tell me about him then.
How did you two meet?
We, um...
I was at the library,
and...
it's dumb, but I really
like these books...
they're science fiction,
but not the stupid kind,
they're legit,
and, anyways, he was there,
and he was looking for
the same book in the series,
and he just listened to me,
and he thinks that I'm smart.
He's not like the mean guys
that go here.
I mean, he's interesting,
and he understands me.
We don't fit in.
We're different.
It's just, the world is...
loud,
and... it's hard,
and it's cold,
but...
when I'm with him, it's quiet,
and it's easy,
and...
it's warm.
We're gonna be together forever.
[school bell ringing]
I hate that Art's the only
class that we have together.
I know.
At least we get to work
in the same group, though.
Yeah, that's pretty good.
Glad that worked out.
Hey.
Hey...
I'll see you in Art.
See you.
I'm glad you're not dead.
Pretty mean prank
to pull on your mom, though.
She'll live.
You missed the Music Bowl.
What?
We had tickets
to the Music Bowl,
and you never showed up.
Oh, I'm really sorry about that.
Did they arrest him?
Yeah, and then they let him go.
- It was so stupid.
- [alert beeping]
[giggling]
Is that him?
Gotta go!
Oh.
Don't get murdered.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
There you are.
I'm so glad you're okay.
I missed you.
I missed you, too.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
I'm fine.
I mean, with everything
that happened with the police.
How are you?
Fine, yeah, whatever.
It was no biggie.
I mean...
they made me
stay the night in jail.
- What?
- Yeah.
So that wasn't so,
you know, cool,
but I survived, so whatever.
That's insane.
Yeah, it's just...
'cause you're underage,
- technically, I guess...
- Barely,
and it was my idea.
Did you tell them
that it was my idea?
Yeah, okay,
but it doesn't matter,
because I'm the adult, right,
and the room
was in my name and all.
But it's not like you forced me!
- No, I know, babe...
- I mean, I'm not a child!
- I know...
- And you're my boyfriend,
and we're gonna get married!
I know, I know, I know, just...
Look, they...
They told me
I shouldn't see you anymore.
What?
Yeah, they were just, like,
really intense about it,
saying how it could, like,
affect my future employment,
go on my record,
you know?
No.
So, maybe
we just, you know,
cool it for a while?
No, you can't be serious.
No.
I just gotta be careful, okay?
It's not because
I don't love you, babe.
I can't believe this.
I don't believe
you're doing this.
I'm sorry.
This is
the worst day of my life!
Erica, I don't have a choice!
[]
[door opening]
Liam, what are you doing here?
I'm so sorry...
You're still seeing him?
Dad?
You-you called Dad?
You were gone for three days.
Three days with this loser,
and now you miss curfew?
And you're skipping classes?
You're such a jerk.
He's the only one
you ever talk to.
He's the only good thing
that I've ever had in my life!
Oh, oh, I-I'm sorry,
was expensive volleyball camp
last summer not enough?
Or the $300 shoes you wanted?
Or the car
you keep begging me for
when you turn 16!
Dan, that's not helping...
No, she has everything
she could possibly want,
and it's still not enough.
- You're a spoiled little brat.
- Okay...
No, you don't know me!
And you don't even live here!
You wanna blow up your life
on some idiot, that's fine.
- No, Dan, stop...
- You can't do that!
You're making it worse!
You do it on someone else's
dime, young lady!
I hate you!
[groaning, door slamming]
I should go.
Okay.
Thanks, Liam.
You've got to be stricter.
You're too soft.
She needs rules.
Oh, I've been strict.
I have so many rules,
I can't even keep them straight,
and it's a fight at every turn!
So fight harder.
I don't wanna fight at all!
I didn't sign up
to do this on my own.
It's a three-hour drive,
Carrie...
and I've got work, the baby.
It-it's just...
I still call her, right?
Every Friday, we talk.
So I'm trying my best here,
but it...
Okay, it's fine.
It's fine.
I'll figure it out.
[door opening and closing]
[]
[reporter]
four months
since Ana Martinez vanished
near Lakefront Park,
and despite ongoing searches,
there remains no trace,
and police
are fearing the worst.
[news anchor] Okay.
Thanks for that update.
We'll be keeping
a close eye on this story
as it develops.
In other news,
a new environmental study
out of Boston Univ...
[turns TV off]
[]
[knocking]
Hey, can I get five minutes?
Please?
Come on, we used to talk
all the time, remember?
I'm not six anymore, Mom.
I know.
I know, um...
I keep trying to figure out
how to talk to you,
and I think
that I'm doing it right,
and then nothing works,
and you keep pushing me
further away, and...
I wanna fix us, but...
I don't know how.
There's a girl missing,
from around here.
She's about your age,
and she's been missing
for four months.
She was just walking somewhere,
and then...
never came home.
If that were to happen
to you or Joey, I...
I'm sorry.
I just,
I feel trapped sometimes.
I know.
I know you do.
I've needed you a lot more
since your dad and I split.
I know.
Just, after
almost 20 years of marriage,
I was just blindsided...
but that's our stuff,
not yours.
I'm still trying
to figure out my footing here,
and that's not fair to you.
I'm so sorry.
If it makes you feel
any better, we broke up.
Oh.
Yeah.
Are you okay?
No.
I know that you think
he was trying
to take advantage of me.
He is a lot older and...
But he understands me
and he's a good person.
He really is.
He loves me.
I thought that he loved me.
Of course he loves you,
sweetheart.
You're wonderful.
I know how much
you cared about him,
but you will find another boy
who loves you just as much,
if not more,
and he'll be the same age,
and it won't be so hard.
Are you making breakfast?
Am I having a stroke?
I wanted to do something nice.
They're actually pretty good.
[]
Syrup?
put them on potatoes...
I appreciate the help, sweetie.
But they're not mashed potatoes.
I was stupid.
This is yours.
[]
[Carrie] Joey, come on, honey,
we're gonna be late.
I gotta drop you off first.
Oh, thank you, honey!
Hey, I'm riding up front today.
It doesn't matter,
we drop you off first.
I'm still riding in the front.
[Erica] Fine!
[]
What?
It's so nice to see you happy.
It's a good day.
It's a really good day.
- Bye.
- Bye, honey.
Oh. Erica!
You forgot your lunch, honey!
Thank you.
Oh!
Mm.
What's that for?
I love you, Mom.
I love you, too.
Bye.
[school bell ringing]
All right, it's been a month.
I've apologized every day.
Are you really still mad at me?
I'm not mad.
I just can't tell you anything,
because you're just
gonna go run off
to your new best friend,
my mother.
I don't even know
what to talk about.
I was worried about you.
I thought that creep was gonna
drop your body in a ditch.
He's not a creep.
Okay?
Whatever.
I like you better
now that he's gone, anyways.
Your mom told me
when I was dropping off
comic books for Joey.
Okay, point proven!
Hey,
can I get you guys anything?
Yes, I will get
the chicken strips,
and...
cheese sticks,
and the fries,
and a large soda.
- Okay.
- And he's paying for it all.
I swear, sometimes,
I just wanna kill that bitch.
[sighing heavily]
[chuckling]
Oh, Joey, we gotta
get you to bed, come on.
You said I could stay up
till Erica gets home.
I know.
Do you think she ran away again?
No, honey, she's just with Liam.
Come on, bed.
Let's go.
I'll be right up!
Goodnight, honey.
Sleep tight.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
Erica?
Erica?
Erica.
Honey?
Daniel.
Wait, wait, it's Erica.
She's gone.
[Richards] Erica Bennett.
Brunette, 5'2", brown eyes.
Last seen by Liam Wilson
at the Mills Bowling Alley
at 5:30 p.m. last night.
Okay, so what are
the next steps?
We've been through this.
Yes, and you've
said it yourself,
the first 72 hours
are the most important.
She's run away multiple times.
This time, it's different.
It isn't.
Statistically, it isn't.
She didn't take
anything with her.
- Ms. O'Brien...
- She didn't take clothes,
she didn't take a toothbrush,
nothing,
there's nothing.
Nothing!
Could have been
a spur-of-the-moment thing.
It wasn't.
Listen, I'm telling you,
she has been happy, all month.
It just...
it feels different this time.
You know the drill.
We enter her
into the National
Crime Information Center
Missing Persons File,
release a bulletin,
conduct an investigation.
It all takes too long.
Here, I put this together.
It's her guidance counselor,
the teachers,
Liam's contact information,
the bowling alley.
Maybe there's a camera
that we can take a look at?
We'll do
everything we can, okay?
She'll come back,
they always do.
Except Ana Martinez, right?
Tell me you will at least
look into the ex-boyfriend.
If she's anywhere...
That we will do.
What's going on?
Mr. Jensen.
Erica Bennett is missing,
again.
We'd like to look inside.
Okay.
[Richards]
You talk to Erica recently?
[Andrew] Um... yeah.
I mean, no, I-I didn't.
I-I-I haven't.
We broke up.
You look nervous.
You didn't kill her,
did you, Andrew?
No. God, of course not!
I-I'd never hurt her.
I love her.
You love her?
I thought you broke up.
Yeah, I...
We...
I-I love her, but...
I mean, you told me
it could ruin my life.
I-I just...
Look, I-I-I didn't do
anything wrong.
When did you break up with her?
It was, like, a few weeks ago.
Day after the arrest.
I just, I told her
I couldn't do it anymore.
She's too young.
It just doesn't look great
for you, Andrew.
We've barely finished
processing your first charge,
and now your victim
is missing again.
She's not my victim.
How are your scales coming?
Huh?
Apparently, not very well.
You live here by yourself?
Yeah.
Where were you three days ago
on August 31st?
Working for Hudson Electronics,
a few miles away.
My boss can vouch for me.
Let's take a look upstairs.
This your bedroom?
Yeah.
You see my problem here, right?
Last time she went missing,
she was with you.
Now, only
a month and some change later,
she's gone again.
You're telling me that,
this time,
it has nothing to do with you.
Help me out here.
Make it make sense.
I, uh...
I-I got her a motel room,
because she said if I didn't,
she'd kill herself, okay?
I mean, what was I
supposed to do?
I broke up with her
like you told me to,
and now you're saying
she's missing?
Don't leave town.
[Detective Richards]
Nothing at Jensen's house.
He's got an alibi
for the night of the 31st.
It sounds to me like
she's got a broken heart.
Probably ran off
to try and lure him
back with dramatics.
Keep your head up.
She'll come back
as soon as she realizes
he isn't worth it.
[ends call]
[]
[sighing]
Erica?
Erica!
So sorry.
Oh, excuse me, sir? Um...
Have you seen this girl?
She was here about a month ago.
Sure, yeah,
I remember her.
Cops made a big fuss,
poor thing.
Have you seen her since?
Ma'am, we get
a lot of runaways here.
She's not a runaway.
She's...
She's my daughter,
and she's missing.
Add it to the wall.
[]
Detective?
Carrie O'Brien's here.
She's asking to speak...
Detective Richards?
You've been avoiding my calls.
- Carrie...
- It has been a month.
Have you spoken
to the ex-boyfriend again?
Jensen's clean,
and I don't think
he has anything to do with this.
I think the idiot
actually really loved her.
Loves her.
What?
You said "loved".
She's still alive.
Do a news conference.
Do a press release.
Do a frickin' radio show.
Do something, please.
Let our neighbors know
that they can help find her.
Hell, they could even
help find the other girl, too.
Give my daughter a chance.
Carrie, we have been doing ev...
If you don't,
I will call
my own press conference,
and that will not look good
for your department, Detective.
Okay.
[Richards] One month ago,
15-year-old Erica Bennett
went to school
and never came home.
Just like Ana Martinez,
six months ago.
These families
miss their daughters.
Please, if you see Erica,
or Ana,
call the number on the screen.
Thank you.
Erica, honey.
If you're watching this,
please come home.
I'm not angry.
You're not in trouble.
I swear you're not in trouble.
I... I love you.
We love you,
and I miss you very, very much.
So... please, come home.
Okay, honey?
Just come home.
[reporters clamoring]
I appreciate it very much.
Of course.
Thank you,
for what you said.
I'm Martina.
I'm Ana's mom.
Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry
about everything
you've been through.
You too.
This is my number.
Please call me
if there's anything
I can do to help.
Okay.
Thank you.
[]
months since Ana Martinez
and Erica Bennett went missing,
but now more girls
are missing...
[Joey] Mom?
Mom!
22-year-old Callie Porter,
26-year old Shawnee Mason,
19-year-old Gloria Carbone,
and 14-year-old Lana Bolski
have all disappeared
over the last few months...
Mom...
[increasing volume]
Now officers are wondering,
is someone targeting
young women in Hudson?
[reporter] Exactly. That's
what's on everybody's minds.
Do you think Erica was...
No, honey.
We'll find her.
Um, hey, play
your new video game, okay?
right now, we don't know
what the suspect looks like.
There's been no identity,
so far,
but, again, fear is growing
here in the community,
now spreading across
the State of California.
[knocking on door]
I'm so glad you called.
Would you like some tea?
Yes, thank you.
With 50 volunteers,
I think we could cover
the county
in just a few weeks.
Further with more help.
Oh, this must have taken you...
Months.
My husband worries I'm obsessed,
and I am.
The cops think...
She's a runaway?
Yeah.
Yeah...
Oh, those aren't very good.
They're-they're not bad.
You're lying.
They're terrible.
What do you say
we give Richards another shot?
Yeah.
Yeah...
[Carrie] I'm thinking
we could gather everyone
at the bowling alley.
[Martina] That's a great idea.
[Carrie] Detective,
this is...
Mrs. Martinez.
How are you holding up?
A little worse than last week.
Why don't you
come into my office?
[Carrie] Martina and I
are starting a volunteer group
to help find Erica and Ana,
and the other girls, too,
and you... the station doesn't
have to do anything.
We are purely independent.
We're just done
waiting around, so...
I think that's a great idea.
Oh.
Good.
In fact,
I think I can get the department
to approve some supplies,
and maybe even a small team.
Nothing huge, now.
I don't want to over promise,
but we've got a few folks
who have experience
with searches like this,
know what to look for.
Cooper here is one of them.
I'll get started
on the approvals today.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
[Richards]
I'm on your team, you know.
I've always been on your team.
Hmm.
So what are we thinking?
[sighing] Jeez...
[Richards] From this morning.
Lana Bolski.
We've got a lead on a suspect,
a guy named Jeremy Carver.
He was seen talking with her
the day she went missing.
Rap sheet
to make your blood run cold.
[]
Thank you so much for coming.
We'll sign you in over here.
Here.
So use... use this,
and when this fills up...
- Hey.
- Hi.
We're doing this.
We're doin' this.
- This is a great turnout.
- It's such a good turnout.
[]
Call the number if you see her.
Call the number if you see her.
[]
[]
[]
[]
- [knocking on door]
- Detective?
Yeah?
Brody here says
he has some information
about Erica Bennett.
Okay.
[Brody] Yeah, um...
So... a while ago,
um, that girl in the-
that girl in the flyer there,
she, um...
she came into the alley,
and she was with some dude,
and they were fighting.
He seemed pissed off.
Go on, tell her.
Okay, um...
Well, it's just, I remember him
saying something like,
someday, um,
he's gonna kill that bitch.
How old was he,
the kid who threatened her?
Like, her age.
Erica's age.
Were they on a date?
I don't know.
Um... no.
Maybe.
And why are you only
coming forward now?
Well, I forgot.
I-I, um...
until I saw the flyer,
and then,
I-I remembered her face.
I thought she was hot.
[chuckling]
[cell phone ringing]
Hello?
Carrie, it's Detective Richards.
I tried you at home.
Please tell me you're not parked
outside
the ex-boyfriend's house again.
I am not parked outside
the ex-boyfriend's house again.
How well do you know
Liam Wilson?
He's like family.
He's been Erica's best friend
since, like, forever.
He's basically
a brother to Joey.
What?
We just got a tip.
We think he might have
something to do
with her disappearance.
What's going on?
Liam Wilson, we are bringing
you in for questioning
in connection
with the disappearance
of Erica Bennett.
What?
[Richards] But you admit
you two were fighting.
It wasn't a fight,
it was...
I mean, we had fought,
like I said,
but we weren't anymore.
We ribbed each other,
that's just how we talk...
talked.
I-I just...
I didn't trust him.
She pretended to be tough,
but she was so sensitive,
so fragile,
and I-I was worried
that he was drawn
to those parts of her,
preying on it maybe.
I-I...
I missed her.
She was my best friend,
and she just...
I-I'd never hurt her.
I was just joking around.
It was a dumb joke,
but I'd never hurt her, I swear.
I swear.
Thanks for coming.
I didn't really want my dad
finding out about all this.
No, I'm so sorry
you had to go through that.
I mean, this is ridiculous.
Thank you.
Can I ask you something?
Yeah. What?
Do you ever just... wonder.
I mean...
sometimes,
I just feel so guilty.
Like, if I had just
accepted Andrew,
or if I had supported Erica...
I wonder the same thing
all the time.
I just replay
everything in my head
over and over and over again,
and... and I still
just ask myself, you know,
"What if it is my fault?"
You're a good friend.
Let's get you home.
Yeah.
Come on, Finny.
Come on.
[]
What's that?
Oh, my god!
Hey!
[knocking]
[Cooper]
Coroner's report came back.
The body is Ana Martinez.
She's been dead
for quite some time.
So we think it could be...?
A serial killer?
It could.
It could.
What a mess.
You couldn't possibly have
more bad news?
Remember that guy we picked up
on fraud a while back?
Lange?
Real hairy, eager to rat?
That's the one.
Wants to talk.
No thanks.
Little busy.
Serial killer, and all.
Yeah, I thought you'd say that.
So, that guy
who's awaiting trial
for killing that Bolski girl
a few years back...
Jeremy Carver?
Yeah.
Lange's befriended him
in prison.
Carver's been telling him
that Bolski
wasn't his only victim.
He better not be
messing with us.
[]
[Richards] Okay.
I'm listening.
So...
Carver and I, we go, uh...
we go back.
I know him from before.
Vacation buddies?
Something like that.
He's been talking, a lot.
Get specific.
About girls he's hurt,
girls he's killed...
years ago,
before this arrest.
Other than just the girl
you had charged him on.
Lana Bolski.
At first, I was taking notes,
but then,
I convinced him
to write a confession letter
under a different name.
Under a different name?
Yeah.
I told him that if he wrote
a detailed confession letter
about the girls he murdered,
and signed it off
as someone else,
I'd take it to the cops,
and you would let him go.
You know, because you'd think
someone else admitted
to the killings, not him.
That's the dumbest thing
I've ever heard.
Yeah, well,
Carver's one of the dumbest
monsters you'll ever meet.
Terrifying,
but damn stupid.
You got the letter?
More than just the letter.
The freak drew maps.
Maps?
Of where he buried the girls.
Give 'em to me.
Funny, now that I'm here,
I, uh...
I can't seem to remember
where I, uh... where I put 'em.
We'll help you get
a reduced sentence.
You know what, I just remembered
where they were.
Pleasure doing business
with you, Detective.
[]
[Richards]
Just bag that up over there.
[Cooper] According to
Carver's map, this one is...
Shawnee Mason.
Callie Porter.
Still no Erica.
She's out here somewhere.
Yeah.
I have to tell Carrie.
[Richards] Jeremy Carver
has just confessed to the murder
of your daughter.
No, that's not possible.
She's not...
No.
You sure he's telling the truth?
We have good reason
to believe so.
No, I would know.
She's not.
I'm so, so sorry.
[Carrie]
So what did he say?
He wrote a confession letter.
Erica, along with
the other missing girls,
were named in it.
How do you know he's not lying?
Because he pointed us
to the locations
of their bodies.
Using his map,
we've been able to find
Shawnee Mason
and Callie Porter.
Did you find Erica?
Not yet, no,
but...
I have every reason
to believe we will.
Okay.
Well...
my daughter is alive.
You haven't found her body
because she's alive.
Carrie, please.
He was telling the truth
about all the other girls.
Okay, well, you can
trust a psychopath,
but I'm gonna trust my gut.
My daughter is alive.
Come back when you find her.
Please, just find her.
[Daniel] She was a vivacious
and caring daughter.
Adventurous.
She was a force...
and she was kind,
and loving, and funny.
She was her own person.
Even as a kid,
she knew who she was
and what she wanted,
and she was going
to give us hell
until she got it.
She was stubborn
in the best kind of way.
She never gave up.
Today would have been
her 18th birthday,
and I hope
we can all gather
a bit of her strength
as we say goodbye today.
This doesn't feel right.
[Joey] Mom...
[Daniel] Thank you,
everyone, for coming.
Please do stay
for coffee and pastries.
Thank you.
- I love you, Mom.
- I love you, Joey.
Beautiful tribute.
Thanks, Martina.
I'm so sorry, Carrie.
I know it feels horrible now,
and it stays horrible,
but the closure, it helps.
Carrie, please, no.
You have some nerve
showing up here.
I-I'm sorry. I'll go.
Are you crying?
Do you have any idea
what it feels like,
to sit here not knowing
if my daughter is actually...
I don't know what you did,
but I know you had
something to do with this,
and I am gonna figure it out,
and when I do, I will make sure
you rot in prison.
[sniffling]
[]
[sighing]
[]
Erica?
[]
[judge]
The court will now proceed
with the sentencing
of Jeremy Carver
for the murder of Lana Bolski...
the manslaughter
of Ana Martinez...
the murder
of Shawnee Mason,
the murder of Gloria Carbone,
the murder of Erica Bennett.
[quietly] I can't believe
this is happening.
I know, Carrie.
I know.
There's been a change,
Your Honor.
I would like to inform the court
that Jeremy Frederick Carver
is not guilty
in the murder
of Erica Christine Bennett.
As you can see,
she's very much alive.
[rewinding sound]
[]
What?
It's so nice to see you
so happy.
It's a good day.
It's a really good day.
Bye.
Bye, honey.
Erica!
You forgot your lunch, honey!
Thanks.
Aw, what's that for?
I love you, Mom.
I love you, too.
[]
Get it together.
Okay. Where?
We can go to my place
if you want.
Your place?
Yeah. My parents
won't be home, so.
- Should be fun.
- All right.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I'll give you two some space.
Sounds good.
See ya.
[sighing]
Why do you look so... weird?
I don't look weird.
You look weird.
'Cause I am weird.
Also, I wanna go bowling
after school.
Yeah, I could go bowling.
Great.
Remember how we used to
do this all the time,
and it was super fun,
and you didn't hate me?
[Erica] I don't hate you.
[Liam] Yeah.
I kinda miss that.
I know. Me too.
You're my best friend.
You know that, right?
I know.
You're mine,
and I know that you hate him.
No, no, no, I don't hate him.
I never met him,
but he did break your heart,
so I kinda hate him forever now.
I just miss him so much.
You're a really good friend.
Well, obviously, bitch,
come here.
You want a ride home?
No, I'm gonna walk.
See you tomorrow.
[]
Hey.
[whispering]
What are you doing here?
You can't be here.
Please, you still
love me, right?
Erica, of course.
Of course, I love you...
Can't you just let me in?
I just need to talk to you
for a minute.
Please. [sobbing]
I miss you, just...
Just let me in, please.
Shh, shh. Baby, it's okay.
Come on, come in
Okay, okay.
[Erica crying]
Erica, it's good to see you,
but we're really
not supposed to...
This last month,
it's been awful.
I pretend like I'm fine
on the outside,
but on the inside,
I just feel like I'm dying,
and you won't even call me back!
It's not because
I don't want to.
It's the cop,
she freaked me out.
You don't think
it's killing me, too?
I love you so much.
I need to be with you.
Please.
Okay.
Please.
Okay, babe, we'll figure it out.
Us against the world.
You can stay here tonight.
[]
I'm making breakfast.
[chuckling groggily]
Great.
Can I take your shirt?
Yeah, of course.
You need to buy syrup.
[chuckling]
Whatever Erica wants Erica gets.
Do you have a piano?
No.
Oh, I have a keyboard.
Can I use it?
I've always wanted to learn
how to play.
Whatever Erica wants.
So you grew up here?
Until I was 12.
When my parents died,
I went and lived
with my grandparents in Oregon,
but when I turned 18,
I found out
they left the house to me,
so I came back, moved in.
It was a little lonely at first.
Does it still feel lonely?
No.
[gasping] Can you pick up
the new Motherboard book?
- Yeah, that's out now.
- Yeah.
I forgot about that.
Me too. Me too.
Thank you.
Did you see this?
Oh, don't look at that.
It'll just make you upset.
I'm so lucky.
I'm so lucky.
[chuckling]
[]
[]
So, we can work on the wiring
until 11:00 a.m.,
when they open for business.
At this rate,
we'll be here for months.
Yeah.
Is it just me,
or are you pretty happy today?
You're practically giddy.
[giggling]
You got a date or something?
Maybe.
- Ah!
- Okay, let's go,
- we haven't got all day.
- [Roy laughing]
[car door slamming outside]
[Andrew] What's going on?
What-what are you...?
[Richards] Mr. Jensen.
[Richards]
Erica Bennett is missing,
again.
We'd like to look inside.
[Andrew] Okay.
[door unlocking]
[Richards]
You talk to Erica recently?
Um...
yeah.
I mean, no, I-I didn't.
I-I-I haven't.
We... We broke up.
You look nervous.
You didn't kill her,
did you, Andrew?
[Andrew]
No. God, of course not!
I-I-I'd never hurt her.
I love her.
[Richards] You love her?
I-I love her, but, I mean,
you told me
it could ruin my life.
When did you break up with her?
A few-few weeks ago.
Day after the arrest.
It scared me.
I told her
I couldn't do it anymore.
She-she's too young.
[Richards] It just doesn't
look great for you, Andrew.
We've barely finished
processing your first charge,
and now your victim
is missing again.
She's not my victim.
How are your scales coming?
Huh?
Apparently, not very well.
Where were you three days ago
on August 31st?
Working for Hudson Electronics,
a few miles away.
My boss can vouch for me.
Let's take a look upstairs.
Okay.
This your bedroom?
Yeah.
[Richards] You see
my problem here, right?
Last time she went missing,
she was with you.
Now, only a month
and some change later,
she's gone again,
and you're telling me
it has nothing to do with you.
I broke up with her
like you told me,
and now you're saying
she's missing?
Don't leave town.
[exhaling]
[Erica, faintly] Andy?
- Erica?
- Andy?
Erica, where are you?
Andy?
Oh!
Oh, you found that.
- Are they gone?
- Yeah.
I, um...
I-I found it when I was
moving the furniture.
That was scary.
Yeah, yeah, I, uh...
I-I-I think
we need to come clean.
What?
Yeah, I-I can't live like this.
That was awful.
I mean, they hate me,
the cops, they...
They'll arrest you again,
and they won't let you go!
You'll go to jail,
and not just for one night!
We don't know that.
We know that.
My mom told me.
It's... It's illegal,
us being together,
and, I mean, Andy,
you just lied to them.
Oh, I'm such an idiot.
No, you're brilliant,
because now they think
you live here alone.
This is the safest place
for me to be, for both of us.
These past few days,
they've been
the best days of my life.
Mine too.
So why would we let go of that?
We're meant to be together,
it's was all that outside crap
that was in the way,
but we're good.
We're right.
It's us against the world.
Us against the world.
[Andrew] Maybe we could
sell the house,
and I could buy some land.
I like that idea.
Can we get goats?
Goats are cute.
Goats are cute.
And a horse?
- I like horses.
- And bunnies.
Bunnies are hell a cute.
- [Erica giggling]
- Almost as cute as you.
[Detective Richards on TV]
One month ago,
15-year-old Erica Bennett
went to school
and never came home.
[Carrie] Erica, honey,
if you're watching this,
please come home.
Mom...
I promise you're not in trouble.
We're not angry, I swear.
I just...
I love you so much.
We love you so much,
and we just miss you...
miss you so, so much.
So, just please, come home.
Okay, honey?
Just come home.
I'm starting to feel bad.
I don't like this.
I just hate that she's scared.
Yeah.
I didn't mean to...
I thought that we would just
do this for a little bit...
Yeah.
I mean, I didn't think
that this would happen.
Should I send her a letter?
They're gonna arrest me.
What?
If-if you contact your mom,
they're gonna arrest me.
It's like you said.
I'd go to jail.
They're never
gonna let us be together.
Not-not until you're 18.
That's so long from now.
I don't know
how I'm gonna wait that long.
Maybe just
a little while longer?
Yeah.
I'm just not ready to...
Yeah, me either.
A little while longer,
and then I'll tell everyone.
It's romantic, really.
Right, right.
It's...
It's-it's romantic.
It is.
[]
Erica?
It's 7:30.
I'm gonna...
I'm gonna head to work.
You okay?
Don't you wanna
say goodbye, or...
I need to go shopping.
What?
I need to get new clothes.
But I-I just... I got you
some new clothes last week.
W-we're trying to save.
[voice panicky] No, no,
they're just not fitting right,
and th-they're not my style,
and I don't like the way
that they look on me.
Why do you need new clothes
if you don't...
Sorry for wanting
to look nice for you.
What about this?
How about you pick some things
out of this catalogue?
You know, don't worry
about the price.
You can try them on.
Whatever doesn't fit,
I'll return.
It will be fun.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm sorry, it's just...
it's getting
really stuffy inside,
and I just...
I wanna feel fresh for you.
[chuckling]
You always
look fresh to me, babe.
You're beautiful, I love you.
[]
Hey...
You slept here all night?
[groaning] Mm-hmm.
Again?
Well, it's a half-day.
I'll be back soon.
[quietly] Okay.
Okay.
I love you.
[door opening]
You didn't wanna
drink a beer with me?
I don't know, I just...
Sometimes, I just-I just need
some time alone, babe, okay?
I-I'm either working,
or I'm here,
and, you know,
you're-you're always...
Where can I go?
My face is plastered
around town.
I know, that's not
what I meant, I just...
You don't like me being here?
No, I love you here.
I love you
more than anything, okay?
I just...
Sometimes, I just need
some space.
Okay?
Every person
needs some time alone.
Not me,
that's all that I have...
No, I'm sorry.
Let's not...
All right, we-we're both
making sacrifices, but...
you're worth it.
Really?
Of course.
Sorry.
It's okay.
[]
[reporter] ...Jeremy Carver,
who's awaiting trial
for the murder of Lana Bolski,
has admitted to killing
several other
missing women in the area,
including Erica Bennett,
Shawnee Mason,
and Callie Porter.
Erica, come here!
Quick!
Yeah?
[reporter] ...are trying
to contain the community terror
amidst a slew
of missing girls...
What?
[reporter] ...while nerves
remain very high at this point,
and you can feel the tension
in the community right now
as investigators try
to put the pieces together...
I don't understand,
how did this...
I've never seen that man
in my life.
What do we do?
I don't...
I don't know.
[TV news continuing, indistinct]
[reporter] ...Ana Martinez.
The missing teen
was an exceptional student,
a beloved daughter,
with a big future...
[typing rapidly]
[TV news continuing, indistinct]
What are we gonna do?
I-I don't...
I don't know.
I don't think
there's anything we can...
You're...
You're not 18 yet,
so our relationship is still...
But I'm not dead.
My mom can't think
that I'm dead!
[reporter]... Carver is
expected to stand trial
in the next month...
This is insane.
Maybe it's better.
What?
No, I-I mean, this...
this whole thing.
Say we tell your mom,
wh-what would she even say?
I mean...
I think we're probably
criminals, right?
Not just me.
I just don't think there's
a version of us coming forward
where we can still be together.
Maybe it's-it's better
for you to just be...
Dead?
[Daniel] ...and I hope
we can all gather
a bit of her strength
as we say goodbye today.
Thank you, everyone, for coming.
Please, do stay
for coffee and pastries.
Thank you.
- [Martina] Beautiful tribute.
- [Daniel] Thanks, Martina.
- [Daniel] Carrie, please, no.
- [Carrie] You...
You have some nerve
showing your face here.
I'm sorry, I'll go.
I know you had
something to do with this.
I don't know how,
but when I figure it out,
I will make sure
that you rot in prison.
[door opening]
How was it?
Andy?
[opening beer can]
Andrew...
how was everything?
[Erica] Aw... cake?
It was awful, okay?
I-I can't believe
I, like, let you...
let all this happen.
You were the one who said
that we shouldn't come forward,
who said that
I was better off dead.
I didn't know what to do.
I wasn't willing
just to walk into
a jail cell, Erica.
Are you saying
that this is my fault?
That's not what I meant.
You invited me to stay here!
I never invited you.
You showed up at my doorstep
and you never left!
You said that I couldn't leave!
I never said that.
- You implied it.
- Okay, you wanna go?
Just go!
You want me to go?
You...
You told me you'd kill yourself
if you stayed at home,
do you remember?
I don't wanna go.
I don't want you to go either.
I'm sorry.
No, I'm sorry.
I feel like
I need to get out of here.
I have an idea.
- For a little bit and...
- Okay, okay.
Do not peek, okay?
- Where are we going?
- Shh.
I feel like I'm gonna fall.
Oh, my god.
Okay...
keep going, keep going.
[Erica] Okay.
This is where we met!
Oh, my god.
Let's go see
if our books are here.
[]
This is so great.
[gasping] They have it!
[]
This was really sweet.
I really miss the world.
Thank you.
[whispering] You're welcome,
and happy birthday.
I love you.
I love you!
Us against the world.
Us against the world.
[]
[reporter] Ms. O'Brien, there
must be some relief to know,
after all these years,
what happened to her.
[]
[Andrew] Another round!
[Roy]
You better slow down, cowboy.
[Andrew] Well, I'm just trying
to let off some steam.
[Roy] Maybe you should
come out with me
more that once a year, man,
and look, I got that new girl
I could set you up with
from work.
Ah, no.
She's blonde.
Blue eyes.
She's cute, man.
You would absolutely love her.
What is up with you, man?
Nothing. I'm good.
[sniffing]
Mm-hmm. Okay.
Ooh...
That is one sad story, huh?
Can't imagine how the families
must feel, you know?
What if I told you
she's at my house?
What, that girl?
You're not talking
about the dead girl, are you?
She's not dead.
[Roy laughs]
Man, what are you talking about?
Look, all right,
she was my girlfriend.
She wanted to run away,
so I let her crash with me,
and now it's been years.
Are you serious?
No! [chuckling awkwardly]
Of course not.
I'm kidding, okay?
I gotta go.
No, no, hey.
Andrew!
[door unlocking]
[breathing hard] Okay...
Is everything okay?
What's going on?
[panting] I don't know.
I, uh...
I had a few drinks, and...
I-I told Roy about you.
What?
What are you saying?
No, no, it's fine,
it's fine, it's fine.
Andrew, what did you say?
Please just tell me
what you said...
Y-Your picture, it was
all over the bar, the TVs.
I-It just freaked me out.
I-I-I-I told him...
you were at my house.
No...
No, but I-I told him
I was just joking.
- It-it-it's fine.
- What?
There's no way
he'd actually believe me.
We just need to lay low
a little while longer.
Lay low?
Andrew, I've been laying low
for almost four years!
I can't lay any lower!
[panicked breathing]
[whispering] Andy?
[]
[Carrie, quietly] Erica?
[Erica, quietly] Mom?
No.
[sniffling and crying]
[operator] Police Tip Hotline,
how can I help you?
Um, I...
I ran away.
[operator] Okay.
Well, I'm glad to speak
with you tonight.
How long have you been
away from home?
It's... It's been a while.
I've been living with someone.
Um, but I saw this man
on the news, and...
he's been charged with...
my murder.
I just wanna go home,
but I don't know how.
And I'm 18 now.
It's important to know
that I'm 18,
and no one forced me to.
N-No one forced me
to stay away, it was just...
it was just a big mistake.
[beeping phone off]
Erica, I've been-I've been
reading on this Carver guy...
I need to tell you something.
No, he's bad news...
No, I did something
really stupid...
[loud knocking on door]
Police! Open up!
We have a warrant!
Should I hide?
Yeah, hide, hide.
[insistent knocking]
It's been a long time,
Mr. Jensen.
We have a warrant
to search the premises
on suspicion that you've been
harboring a runaway.
Is Erica Bennett
living in this home?
Andrew, is Erica here?
Last chance.
Can I get a lawyer?
Erica?
Are you okay?
I'm sorry.
[exhaling]
[]
[no audio]
[]
How did you find me?
We got a tip.
Your boyfriend told someone
you were living with him.
So what now?
We take you the station,
and then the courthouse.
Are my parents there?
Yes, they are.
[panicked breathing]
[]
the murder
of Gloria Carbone,
the murder of Erica Bennett.
I can't believe
this is happening.
[Daniel] I know, Carrie.
I know.
[prosecutor] There's been
a change, Your Honor.
Go on.
[prosecutor] I would like
to inform the court
that Jeremy Frederick Carver
is not guilty
in the murder
of Erica Christine Bennett.
[gasping]
As you can see,
she's very much alive.
Oh, my god...
I'm sorry.
[sobbing]
[]
I'm sorry, Mom.
Oh, my God, sweetie, it's okay.
[]
- I'm sorry, Dad.
- That's okay.
I've never seen Mr. Carver
or any of the witnesses
in my life.
He had nothing to do with it.
I just...
I just ran away.
[reporter] Oh, here they come.
[reporters clamoring]
Erica, how could you do this
to your family?
Ms. O'Brien, can you ever
forgive your daughter
for such a terrible lie?
I'm so sorry.
Okay, let's go.
Erica!
[reporters clamoring]
Can you tell us
how you're feeling?
[reporters clamoring]
What's gonna happen to Andrew?
Hopefully, he goes to prison
for a very long time.
Mom, he had
nothing to do with it.
I love him.
Please, please
don't press charges.
Look, if you're gonna
be mad at somebody,
be mad at me.
Seriously?
[Joey scoffing]
Joey...
Give him time.
He lost years of his life to...
[]
Well, Jim, as you just
heard right there,
the community
is very unsympathetic
for Erica Bennett.
[woman] I'm glad she's safe,
but all those resources
spent on her...
it's a shame is what it is.
[man] She should go to jail.
What a horrible thing to do.
[reporter]
There's a lot of questions
that still need to be answered.
We will be pressing for that
in the coming days,
but right now,
there's a lot of relief
that Erica has been found safe.
It's fine.
I deserve to be punished.
Oh, honey.
Punished.
Oh, I don't even know
where to begin...
I know.
I know, Mom.
No, honey, you don't know.
You don't know what it's like
to have your daughter
be missing for four years.
Everyone telling you
that she's dead...
but I knew.
I knew in my gut.
But only to find out
you were, what, a mile away,
and you couldn't pick up
the damn phone?
[sobbing]
I'm so sorry.
[Carrie sobbing]
I know that I wasn't
a perfect mother.
I know, but...
Mom, no...
I mean, I feel like
you and Joey always knew
how much I loved you,
how much I'd be there for you.
I'm so sorry.
[telephone ringing]
Hello?
Hi, this is the National News.
We'd like to tell
your daughter's story.
It's the National News show.
They-they want to tell
your story.
So many people find it
hard to believe
that you would have
put your family
through so much pain,
tat, if you really loved them,
you would never
have done this to them.
I do love them.
Honestly, I didn't mean
for any of this to happen.
I just got in deeper and deeper,
and I couldn't climb out.
[interviewer] You were afraid?
Yeah.
It just kinda snowballed,
and it got out of hand.
Hey.
Sorry I'm late.
It's okay.
I, uh... I just...
I just wanted to say
I'm-I'm glad you're okay, but...
I-I don't think I'm ready
to be friends again.
Liam, I didn't mean to hurt you.
But you did.
Goodbye, Erica.
But wait...
[interviewer] What made you
decide you couldn't go home?
I thought I'd be sent to prison,
I thought I'd be sent away.
I was afraid
of the consequences.
I can wait a year, easy.
I'm just so glad
it isn't longer.
Things are so much better.
I mean, you being an adult
makes all the difference,
and your mom
dropped some of the charges.
I know.
Will you tell her thank you?
I will.
I love you.
I love you, too.
[]
[interviewer] What was it like
when Erica was away?
How did you feel?
The pain, it's...
It's hard to imagine the pain.
It's, like, every day,
I would just
think about her, and...
You know, what...
what was she doing?
Or...
Like, what did she
look like that day?
The longer it went on,
the worse it got.
Hey!
[Joey sighing]
Do you wanna, like, hang out,
or we could see a movie
or something?
You think I wanna
just see a movie...
with you?
Joey, I miss you, and...
Wow. I...
Your, like, stunt...
For four years,
I've been living like...
a ghost, or something.
Mom was never around,
even if she actually was.
Whenever anything good
happened to me,
I felt guilty for even thinking
about being happy.
All anyone wanted to do
was think about Erica.
What happened to Erica?
Let's all be sad about Erica.
I wish you had just stayed away.
[judge] $115,000
to be paid back
to the City of Navoto
for resources related
to the false
police investigation.
Yes, Your Honor.
Of course, Your Honor.
[interviewer]
And how are things now?
At the moment, it's hard.
She's going to have to
rebuild that trust with me...
but I love my daughter.
All I wanted
was for her to be happy...
safe.
I still want that for her.
[]
[Erica] Okay,
and... open.
[giggling]
Welcome home.
Us against the world.
[Erica] I never meant
to hurt my mom,
or my brother, ever.
I just wanted to live my life
the way that I wanted.
Are you working to mend
your relationship with them now?
I am.
With my brother, it's...
it's hard,
but I'm hoping that with time,
it gets better.
Me and my mom,
we're working on it.
We wanna be okay
with each other again,
you know?
Is that everything?
[interviewer] What's it like
going back to Andrew's house?
Is it like a prison,
or do you think of it
more as a home?
[Erica] It's home.
[interviewer] Are you sure?
[Erica] Yes.
[]
Now, a lot has been made
of the fact
that you were a child
and he was an adult.
Do you think you were
making these choices yourself?
Yes.
Yes, I was.
But, you know, psychologically,
do you accept that maybe
he had some control over you?
No, that's not true.
[]
Thought you might like it.
[]
Thank you for having both of us.
Oh, honey, I'm so glad you came.
Really?
Yeah.
'Cause I just worry
that things aren't fully okay
between us yet.
Oh, honey, it is.
I-I want it to be.
I-I don't know
if I was too negative.
- No.
- Or...
Was I doing anything
to make you uncom...
No. No...
Okay.
I just wish things were easier.
I think it will be...
with time.
I just don't want
to lose you again.
Oh, Mom, you're not
gonna lose me again.
I love you.
Honey...
I love you, too.
Help me clean this mess up?
Fine.
[both chuckling]
[]
[interviewer] What do you hope
for your future, Erica?
[Erica]
I just wanna live my life,
in peace,
and freedom,
not in hiding.
I don't want anyone to judge me
for who I love.
I just want to be free.
You know?
I just want to be free.