You're Not Safe Here (2021) Movie Script
1
- Hey, Shane.
- Are you home?
I did it.
I got in.
Hey, baby.
How was the interview?
Another waste of time.
Decided to give the job to
somebody with more experience.
What's the point of us
even going to college
if all we have to show for it
are student loans
that we're never gonna pay off?
- You know what?
- Just forget them.
We'll figure
something out, right?
We always do.
I'm open to ideas.
Um...
What's this?
Didn't we agree
we couldn't afford this,
that we have to save every penny
while we stay at home
with the baby?
But it's an investment
in our future, you know?
Maybe we can find
a day care and...
- Day care?
- With... with what money, Ava?
Do you know how much tuition
costs for graduate school?
How are we gonna eat?
How are we gonna pay the rent?
We don't have the money
for this, Ava.
I don't have the money...
to give you what you want.
- Honey, no.
- It's gonna be okay.
- You'll see, we just...
- Get off me.
Was this your plan?
Hmm?
Your way of figuring
something out?
Hmm?
You're gonna go back to school,
and then what, huh?
You'll make more money than me
and then leave me, right?
No, Shane, baby,
look, please don't
do this again.
You're not going anywhere.
You hear me?
You're never gonna leave me.
You'll never leave me.
Ava, you did it.
I wasn't sure you'd ever
really go through with it.
Neither was I.
Kyle, what if I'm
making a mistake?
You're doing the right thing,
for you and the baby.
Thank you.
Seriously, I can't
thank you enough.
- It's freezing.
- Here, put this on.
Just stick to the plan,
and you'll be fine.
You need to go.
I filled up the tank,
and you can keep her
for as long as you need her.
Wish I could come with you.
I know. But you need
to focus on finals.
And you need to focus
on yourself and the baby.
Call me when you get there.
- Hey, it's Lilla.
- Leave me a message.
Hey, Lilla.
It's... it's your sister.
Look...
I know
we haven't talked in a while.
And I wanted to tell you
some good news.
I got into grad school today.
Also, I'm pregnant.
I know.
I'm sorry
you had to find out this way.
Um, anyway, I was wondering
if I can stay with you
for a little bit.
I'm seven miles outside
of Gillespie right now.
I can be there in a day or two,
if you want.
Um, yeah, I-I-I love you, and...
Oh, jeez.
Honey, she's awake.
Oh...
Oh, I wish you
didn't take that out.
You could have hurt yourself.
- Who are you?
- What am I doing here?
- You're okay.
- You were in an accident.
Here, sit back.
- What? Acc...
- Look at me. I'm a doctor.
You're okay.
Doctor?
- My baby.
- Your baby is safe.
You're both safe.
- Poor thing.
- You must be scared to death.
- Who are you?
- I'm Valerie.
And this is my husband, William.
- What's your name?
- Ava.
You're very lucky
we found you when we did, Ava.
We were trying to get home
in the storm,
and we barely saw your car
wrecked on the side of the road.
Yeah, I-I remember now.
The rain was just so heavy,
I lost control
and swerved right off the road.
Well, luckily, it happened
so close to our home.
Who knows when anyone else
might have found you
all the way out here?
And you walked away
with a few bumps and scrapes
but nothing major.
Are you sure that my baby is...
- Positive.
- Your baby's just fine.
But what do you say
we take a closer look
when you're feeling up to it?
Thanks.
But I feel more comfortable
getting checked at a hospital.
I'm afraid that's not
possible, at least for now.
The roads are still flooded
from the storm.
But I'm sure
there's emergency services.
If we call,
couldn't they send someone.
I'm afraid not.
It looks like the wind
was so strong,
it took out the phone towers.
I mean, we haven't had
a signal all day.
My phone...
Where are my clothes?
You were soaking wet
after the crash,
so I washed your clothes.
I-I put those dry ones on you.
I hope you're comfortable.
I had to improvise.
That's William's shirt, and
those are my exercise pants.
And I'm so sorry
about your phone.
We were in such a rush
to get you here
before the roads gave out,
I didn't even think to go back
to your car for your things.
As soon as the phone lines
come back on,
we will get you straight
to the hospital, okay?
In the meantime,
you're our guest.
And you're in great hands
with William.
- Thanks.
- I mean, thank you both.
I don't know how
to thank you enough.
- It's fine.
- Okay, so you need your rest.
I'm gonna be right down
those stairs, okay?
You need anything at all,
just shout.
We'll come check on you soon.
Ava.
Ava.
Ava?
Baby, where are you?
She wouldn't.
Ava.
Ava!
Aah!
You can come in, you know?
Take a seat.
Shouldn't be
on your feet anyway.
So...
so how are you feeling?
Good.
Better, you know, considering...
When are you due?
Feels like it could be
any day now.
Well, definitely looks
like it.
So tell me, Ava,
what is a young woman
who is almost due
driving around alone
in the middle of nowhere?
How long has
he been beating you?
It's not really like that.
A few months.
But it wasn't always like this.
When we first met, he was...
so kind and so caring.
- What changed?
- After graduation,
he just
couldn't find a decent job.
That's when it first started.
It was little things at first.
But then week by week,
it kept getting worse until...
You realized you and your
baby deserved better.
I had a choice to make.
I couldn't protect Shane
from himself.
But I could protect our baby.
So what are you working on?
Oh, these are just
some initial designs
for an office in Austin.
- Oh, you're an architect?
- I am.
Wow.
These are so beautiful.
I always thought
that these things, you know,
designing buildings and stuff,
was so cool.
I used to read up on women like
Zaha Hadid and Kazuyo Sejima,
and, I mean, I just loved
the stuff they came up with.
- Did you study that in school?
- No.
I was a theater kid in college.
And for as long
as I can remember,
I've always wanted
to be a director.
I even got accepted into
the graduate theater program.
I mean, Shane didn't
take the news so well.
That's when I decided
to leave him.
Look at me now.
Ava, I know you may not
be able to see this now,
but you are on the road
to someplace better.
I mean, you've already taken
the first step,
and that is always the hardest.
Thank you for saying that.
You're a brave young lady.
And you deserve
a great life partner.
That's nice to hear.
I was so lucky
when I found William.
I mean, don't get me wrong.
We've had our problems.
But we've always stood
by each other, no matter what.
So, until you find your William,
you have to take care
of yourself,
for you and for your...
Do you have any children?
No.
Whoa, chill out.
- Who is it?
- You know who it is, Kyle.
Let me in.
- She's not here, Shane.
- Go away.
Tell me where
she went, damn it.
If you don't stop,
I'm gonna call campus security.
- Please, I'm... I'm sorry.
- I-I just need to know
that she's okay
and that our baby's safe.
- She's fine.
- Where'd she go?
She borrowed my car and made
me promise not to tell you.
- I know I screwed up.
- Can we just talk?
- What the hell, man?
- Where is she?
Someplace safe from you.
Look, I know you're Ava's GBF
or whatever
you guys are calling it,
but I am sick of you
meddling in our lives.
Tell me where she is.
Go...
Tell me.
I always told her she was
too good for you.
Asshole.
What the hell is wrong with you?
She's gone.
I gave her my car
so she could get as far away
from your crazy ass
as she could.
- Where?
- I don't know.
Stop, stop, stop.
Stop, stop, stop.
Her sister's, okay?
Shane, you've hurt her enough.
She'll never let you see
the baby like this.
I'm just glad
she finally listened to me.
You told her to leave me?
Get off me.
Get off me.
Hey.
Hey.
- Does this hurt?
- No.
- Okay.
- Sit up for me.
And finally...
- Here?
- No.
That feels pretty
relaxing, actually.
Good. Well...
it appears you walked away
from this crash
completely unscathed.
That's a relief.
So, for the next couple
of days,
I need you to be mindful
of your body, okay?
The symptoms for whiplash,
you know,
it takes a little time
to set in.
So let me know if you feel
any tension in your neck
or your lower back.
Sure.
And, uh, my baby?
Well, let's have a listen,
shall we?
Sit up for me.
There you go.
I'm just gonna put my hand here.
It might be a little cold.
Okay.
So what I hear is the...
heartbeat of a perfectly healthy
little boy or girl.
- Thank you.
- I was so worried.
You want to listen?
- Can I?
- Yeah.
Okay.
You hear it?
Wow. Yeah.
Yeah, I can hear it.
Oh...
I'm gonna go ahead and take
these from you.
Oh. Yeah, right.
It's a girl, by the way.
- I'm sorry?
- My baby. It's a girl.
I know some people like it
to be a surprise,
but I couldn't wait
till she was born to find out.
Wow.
I, uh...
I don't think
I could resist either.
I'd be too excited.
Well, I'm excited now,
but at first, I wasn't.
Why not?
I mean...
I was furious with myself.
How could I let this happen?
I'm barely out of college.
I had all these plans
for my life.
And, boom, like, suddenly,
all those possibilities
just blink out of existence.
Hmm.
But there's something else
there, too, now.
There's my daughter.
I love her.
And I-I know
I haven't even met her,
but I-I know I love her.
I'm sorry.
I overshare.
I get really sentimental lately.
No, it's perfectly fine.
Anyway, uh, you and Valerie
seem pretty well put together.
What are you doing
living out in the woods?
Well, we both appreciate
the peace and quiet.
You know what I mean?
No road noise,
no obnoxious neighbors
you have to deal with.
Lots and lots of space to do
whatever we like.
It's nice.
Sounds like it.
But doesn't it get lonely?
I mean, I'd go crazy not having
anybody else to talk to.
When you're
with the right one,
you don't need anybody else.
That's so romantic.
And what about your work?
Is it hard to see
your patients out here?
Uh, I don't have patients
anymore.
I have clients now.
Mainly do academic research,
publish and review papers,
that sort of thing.
- Sounds impressive.
- I assure you, it is not.
Oh, but what a day
we end up having, huh?
Yeah.
Hopefully the phones
start working again.
My sister must be worried sick.
I'm sure she is.
But as soon as the utilities
are up,
you can give her a call.
Your land is beautiful.
Do you mind if I went for a walk
and just took a look around?
I mean, I would prefer
you rest a little bit,
but if you want to take a walk,
feel free.
Don't venture too far out
into the woods, though.
It's more or less safe
out there,
but every now and then,
you get a wild animal,
poison ivy, all that jazz.
Sure. I'll keep an eye out.
Thanks, Dr. McGlynn.
Please...
call me William.
Thanks, William.
The storm knocked out all the
phones and Internet yesterday.
The phones.
Here you are.
Did you enjoy your walk?
Yeah, it was really relaxing.
- We just made some dinner.
- Would you like to join us?
So where are you from,
originally, Ava?
Oh, Illinois,
just outside Chicago.
Family still live up that way?
- Yeah.
- My parents and my sister.
Parents know about...
- Um...
- Stop it, William.
You're making her uncomfortable.
It's just a question.
No, it's... it's okay.
Um, my parents and I,
we haven't talked in a while.
I was a rebellious kid.
In college, I made some choices
that they disagreed with.
I treated them badly,
so they cut me off.
Said they'd welcome me back in
when I was serious
about making a change.
- That's terrible.
- I'm sorry.
Well, they were right.
I was actually on my way
to try and reconnect with them.
I'm so excited that the phones
are working again.
I mean, maybe I can make it
by my sister's place tomorrow.
- Oh, Ava, I'm so sorry.
- The phones are still off.
What do you mean?
I heard William talking
on his cell earlier.
- That's not possible.
- We haven't had signal all day.
Am I crazy?
I know I heard your voice.
You were outside talking
to someone
about your work being delayed.
Oh, that.
No.
That was just my recorder.
I like to take work notes
by dictation,
especially
when the Internet's out.
That's all that was.
Ava, as soon as
the phone lines are back on,
your sister is gonna be
thrilled to hear from you.
Oh, and we're gonna help you
get your car fixed.
You can get in contact
with your family.
I know it's really
important to you.
Great.
You two seem
pretty cut off yourselves.
No family in the area?
Well, we lost both
of our parents,
and we don't have
any brothers and sisters,
so it's just us.
And that's all we need.
But being all alone like this,
I mean,
it must be tough sometimes.
Ever have one of your clients
get upset
that they can't reach you?
No, not really.
Especially
with the phones out?
I mean, it must be
pretty frustrating
not being able to contact you,
even on your cell.
I mean,
we're professionals, Ava.
People understand that.
And, more importantly,
they trust us.
Well, I think that's great.
It takes a lot to earn
that kind of trust.
So, Ava, tell me, have you
thought of any baby names?
No, not yet.
Well, I mean, I've considered
a bunch of them,
but I don't know...
I kind of think it'd be weird
to name her
without actually meeting her.
I want a name that fits,
you know?
I'm sorry.
I've... I've never heard of that.
It's smart.
It's very smart.
It's very smart.
Oh, I should have done this
when we sat down.
Let's make a toast.
To Ava and her new baby
and to fate
for bringing her to us.
Hear, hear.
If we call,
couldn't they send someone?
It looks like the wind
was so strong,
it took out the phone towers.
We haven't had a signal all day.
I heard William talking
on his cell earlier.
I like to take work notes
by dictation.
That's all that was.
Who could have done this
to the phone wires?
Okay.
Phone, phone,
phone, phone, phone, phone.
Yes!
Come on. Charger.
Okay.
Charger, charger, charger.
Oh, William.
Charger.
William.
Anyway, I was wondering
if I can stay with you
for a little bit.
I'm seven miles outside
of Gillespie right now.
I can be there
in a day or two, if you want.
Um, yeah, I-I-I love you.
Hey, it's Ava.
Leave me a message.
Ava, hey, it's Lilla.
Sorry I missed your call.
It's been...
It was just a surprise
to hear from you
out of nowhere like that.
But it was a good surprise.
Of course you can stay here
for as long as you need.
I haven't been able
to reach you.
So, if you get this,
give me a call.
I hope everything's okay.
She should have been here
by now.
Hey, Connie.
Would you mind watching my dog
the next couple of days?
Yeah, everything's fine.
I just need to get
out of town last minute.
Okay, awesome.
Thanks so much.
You two seem pretty cut
off yourselves.
No family in the area?
- It's just us.
- And that's all we need.
Who knows when anyone else
might have found you
all the way out here?
The roads are still flooded
from the storm.
What are you doing
all the way out here?
I just wanted to stretch
my legs a little.
- Change of scenery, huh?
- After being cooped up inside?
- Yeah.
- The fresh air feels good.
- Yeah. Well, hop in.
- I'll give you a ride back.
You know, I actually wanted
to walk a little further.
Oh.
Well, there's no point
I going that way.
That's where all
the flooding is.
That's what I was
just checking on.
Really? I'm surprised
it's still that bad.
I mean, the road over here
looks perfectly fine.
Do you think I'm lying
to you, Ava?
No. No, of course not.
You shouldn't be
out here all alone.
If something happens to you,
there's no one around.
Come on,
let me give you a ride back.
Sure. Thanks.
I think I'm gonna have
some lunch.
- Can I make you something?
- No, thanks.
I think you were right about
being on my feet, actually.
I'm exhausted.
I'm gonna lay down for a bit.
Okay. Let me know
if you change your mind.
Ooh.
Not now, baby.
Mommy's trying to think.
Car keys, car keys.
Oh, yes.
Ava, what...
I was just...
- We can't. I...
- I'm... I'm sorry.
In your office yesterday,
I thought I felt a connection.
- Okay. It's not...
- William...
Well, um...
Ava was just looking for you.
Really?
Yes. I'm sorry. I-I thought
I heard you in here.
I was wondering if you had
a fresh set of towels.
I was just about
to shower, myself.
- Towels.
- I can get you some of those.
William, I need to speak
to you alone.
- Uh, Right.
- Yes. Thanks.
I can do this.
I have to do this.
Ow, not now, baby.
Hang in there just
a little longer.
It's locked.
Damn, the door.
Aah!
Ava, what are you doing?
Aah!
You're going into labor.
- No, no, no.
- Come inside. Come inside.
- Not now! Not now! No, no, no.
- Come on.
No. No. No, please take me
to a hospital.
I want
to go to a hospital, please!
- You know that's not possible.
- William will take care of you.
William, it's time!
It's gonna be okay.
No, no, no.
It's gonna be... William!
I'm here. I'm here.
- Help her into bed.
- No, no, no.
- Come on. Hang on, hang on.
- No, no, no.
- It's gonna be okay.
- Lie down, put your feet up.
That's right.
Lie down. Lie back.
No, no.
No, I want to go to
a hospital, please, please.
- Okay. Okay. Okay.
- Aah!
Just relax. Relax.
Please take me
to a hospital, please.
What the hell is that?
What the hell is that? No.
- Just something for the pain.
- No, no. Please, no. Stop.
Just something to
help you relax.
- Stop. No, stop.
- That's right. You're okay.
You're okay.
- Stop.
- It's okay.
It's just something
for the pain.
Just breathe.
That's it.
She's out.
You're awake.
- My baby.
- Where is she?
I'm afraid
I have some very bad news
I have to tell you, Ava.
The extent of the damage
from the accident
must have been worse
than I could tell.
No. Don't say it.
It's not true.
I'm so sorry, Ava.
- No.
- I'm so sorry.
- No.
- She didn't survive the birth.
- No! It's not true!
- You're lying!
You're lying!
Where is she?
- I'm so sorry, Ava.
- No.
William, where is she?
I want my daughter.
Ava, you need to stay
in the bed.
No, no.
- Ava, you need to...
- Ava, please come back.
- No!
- Where are you hiding her?
Get off of me!
Where is she?
- Ava, come back here.
- No.
- You really need to be in bed.
- Where is she?
- Ava, come on.
- No.
William, please
tell me where she is.
Let's go to bed. Let's
take... let's just go to...
- Ava, Ava, Ava, Ava!
- No, no, no!
- Listen to me! Listen to me!
- Where is she? Where is she?
- Where is she?
- Okay. Okay. It's okay.
- Where is she?
- Okay, okay, okay.
I'm so sorry.
You're gonna be okay, I promise.
Okay, let's get you back to bed.
I'm gonna give you
some medicine.
It's gonna make
you better, okay?
Hey. Ava, Ava, Ava!
Ava!
Ava.
Ava, open the door.
Ava, Ava, you're gonna...
You're gonna hurt yourself.
- Let me get you some medicine.
- I don't want your medicine!
And I don't want you
to take care of me!
I want my daughter!
Where is she, William?
What did you do with her?
You don't need to hear me say
that again.
You...
I can't imagine what
you're going through right now.
I know you're lying to me.
I know you're lying to me
about my daughter.
- You're not well.
- You're not well, Ava.
If she's dead,
then how did she die, huh?
Where's her body?
- Okay, you are right.
- The roads are clear now.
I spoke to my friend in town.
He's the coroner, Dr. Kaufman.
He came in earlier this
morning, and he took away the...
He retrieved...
To take her away...
You don't want to see that, Ava.
I am trying to tell you.
- How could this happen?
- Why did it happen?
- Ava, you need...
- You need bedrest today.
Tomorrow I will take you
into town.
We will get you
proper treatment.
But for right now,
just open the door.
- No, leave me alone, William.
- Leave me alone.
Okay.
Valerie is gonna be home
in a bit,
and, uh...
I'll have her check
on you, okay?
No.
I'm gonna be right here
in the other room.
You just...
No, no sign of her yet.
I'm starting to get worried.
Maybe all of this
is for nothing.
Who knows?
She's always been kind of flaky.
Seven miles to Gillespie.
Sorry, Connie, listen,
I need to call you back.
Thanks again for everything.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Hello, is anyone there?
- Hi.
- Oh, sorry.
I didn't...
I didn't mean to scare you.
Who the hell are you?
I'm looking for my girlfriend.
She disappeared
a couple days ago.
- Wait, you're looking for Ava?
- Yeah. How'd you know?
I'm Lilla, Ava's sister.
Wow, I...
She's told me all about you.
I thought you guys
weren't close.
We haven't been for a while.
She gave me a call
the other day, though,
and it sounded like
she was in trouble.
Do you know anything about that?
She, um...
isn't well.
Hasn't been for a long time.
Whatever she told you
probably didn't sync up
very close to reality.
You know how she can be.
Yeah, maybe.
I don't know if it was
the pregnancy hormones or what,
but she disappeared on me
while I was at work.
Tried to track her down
before she hurt herself,
but looks like I was too late.
She was definitely here.
Where is she now?
I think somebody took her.
How could you know that?
Look, there, in the mud,
there's tire tracks coming in
and then...
going out.
Damn. You're right.
Question is,
did they stop to help or...
Oh.
She's...
I can't believe that.
I won't believe it.
She's my world.
The thought of losing her
and our baby...
It's okay.
I'm sure she's fine.
We just have to find her.
I saw a little town hall
a ways up the road.
Maybe someone
there saw something.
- It's worth a shot.
- Anything is.
Do you want to ride with me?
Yeah.
That'd be great.
Thanks.
You ready to go?
Ava, I know
what you're going through
is incredibly difficult.
I don't want to
talk right now.
I just want you to know
you're not alone.
Val and I...
we understand.
Long time ago, we used to dream
of having a child of our own.
After trying for a long time,
it actually happened.
She was pregnant.
You should have seen the design
she came up with
for the nursery.
But it wasn't meant to be,
and, um, she miscarried.
The doctor said it'd be
likely impossible for her
to carry a baby to full term.
We were devastated.
How'd you fill it, you know,
that extra space you made
for the baby?
- We didn't.
- It's still there.
No matter how much success
we have in our careers
or how much love
we pour into each other
and our relationship...
There's nothing
that can fill it.
Ava, when we met,
you were on your way
to starting a new life.
Now, that version of it
might not be possible now,
but there is nothing
stopping you
from reclaiming the life
that you had...
along with all the hopes
and dreams
that you thought you lost.
Part of me wishes
I could do the same,
but...
I guess we're past that.
But you...
you can be happy again.
Come on.
We'll get
your car towed into town.
I'll take care of the repairs.
Let's get you set on the road
to that new life of yours.
What was that?
What was what?
- That, that noise.
- Ava. Ava.
- I knew you had my baby.
- Where is she?
Ava. Come on, Ava.
- No.
- Ava, come back. Come here.
This is not what it
looks like, Ava.
Don't talk.
I trusted you.
Give her to me, now!
Give me my baby.
Give me my baby!
Sorry about those.
It's unfortunate, I know,
but it's necessary.
You thirsty?
What the hell is wrong
with you?
You should've gotten
in that car, Ava.
Why are you doing this?
You know, when William and I
found you unconscious
and pregnant
on the side of the road,
it was literally like fate
had delivered us a gift.
I mean, at first,
we really did want to help you.
But when we realized
your situation,
it made perfect sense...
Nurse you back to health,
make you believe
you lost the baby,
and then send you on
to your new life, unburdened.
- "Unburdened"?
- Are you listening to yourself?
What makes you think you
would have made a good mother?
You can't even take care of
yourself, let alone your child.
Go to hell.
Ava, you need to be
honest with yourself.
Your child is better off
without you.
No! You're insane.
You can't just take
someone's child,
and you can't leave me strapped
up in your house like this!
Someone will notice.
Someone will come looking.
Ava, no one knows
where you are.
They wouldn't even know
where to begin to look for you.
So what are you gonna do
with me, then?
Well, we're just trying
to figure that out.
I mean, we can't keep you
tied up indefinitely.
And we certainly can't let you
go now that you know the truth.
So, in the meantime...
I'm going to need you
to take one of these.
Don't worry. They're safe.
- Okay, then.
- You want to play like that?
Swallow.
Swallow.
Good girl.
Now...
we will be back in a little bit
to check on you.
Wait.
If you can't let me go
and you can't leave me here,
then what other option is there?
He looks official.
Sir. Excuse me, sir.
- What can I do for you, miss?
- I'm just wondering
if you might be able to help me
with something.
I'm looking for my sister...
5'3", black hair, 22 years old.
She's very pregnant.
- I'm sorry.
- I haven't seen anyone
- that looks like that.
- Are you sure?
She drove through here
just a few days ago.
Maybe she came in
to ask for directions
or even just use the restroom.
- I'm sorry.
- Did you talk to the sheriff?
Maybe one of the deputies
has seen her.
You know, they've been out
checking
on people after the storm.
- Sure, that's good idea.
- You know what?
Let me just drop this off,
and I'll lead you over.
We can't talk to the sheriff.
- Why not?
- We could use his help.
I don't want Ava
to get in trouble.
What are you talking about?
That car, I've never
seen it before.
And you just failed to mention
this to me until now?
Why would she steal a car?
What?
The sheriff's department's
just a block over.
Uh, on second thought,
she probably just took
a wrong turn or something.
- Are you sure?
- It's really no trouble.
No, thank you, sir.
We've taken up enough
of your time.
Let's get out of here.
This place gives me the creeps.
It's too small...
Seems like one of those places
where everyone's up
in each other's business.
Right, it does.
Hey, sorry.
Um, do you know if there are
any houses off the road coming
into town?
Ava.
Ava, you awake?
William?
What is it?
I just, um...
I just wanted to see
how you were doing?
Right.
I've been better.
Why are you doing this
to me, William?
All the things you said to me,
all the things you've shared,
I really felt like you
cared about me.
I do.
I do care about you, okay?
I'm doing everything I can
to get you a happy ending here.
- Then just let me go.
- I can't do that.
I wish I could,
but you know I can't do that.
- I promise.
- I won't tell the police.
Just let me and my baby go,
and you'll never hear
from us again.
It's too risky.
If it was just me, then maybe,
but I can't do that to Valerie.
Valerie doesn't care
about you, William.
All she cares about
is having this baby.
She's convinced you
to sell your soul with her
so she can get it.
You're right.
All Val cares about
is having a child of her own.
But the only reason
she's this desperate,
this out of options
is because of me.
- What do you mean?
- You wouldn't understand.
- It's pill time.
- William, wait.
Help me understand.
Please.
When I was in my residency...
the long hours, the stress,
I developed a problem...
Painkillers.
I probably wouldn't
have made it.
But then I met Val,
and she saved me.
I went from using
multiple times a day
to just...
every so often when I'm relaxing at home,
you know, recreational.
Then one night, I get a call
that one of my patients,
this little boy,
he was suffering complications
after surgery.
I couldn't help him,
and he died.
His family sues the hospital.
They lose millions.
And just like...
Just like that, my career, gone,
and, along with it, any chance
of me and Val
adopting a kid of our own.
When you have a reputation
of a...
child killer...
it lands you pretty low on the
list at the adoption agency.
Through all of that...
Val stayed by me.
So I have to stand by her now,
however she decides
this needs to go.
You're not a killer, William.
I know you didn't mean
to hurt that boy.
Don't make the same mistake.
You still have time
to do the right thing.
We don't all get
second chances.
Now...
am I gonna have
to force this on you?
Thank you.
William, wait.
This stuff
makes me really thirsty.
Do you think you can loosen
this a little bit
so I can drink the water myself?
Come on.
Please.
All right.
There, how's that?
Thank you.
It's pitch-black out here.
I can barely see the road
in front of me.
We should call it a night.
- What?
- No, Ava's still out there.
But we're not gonna be
any help to her
if we end up
wrapped around a tree.
I saw a B&B in town.
We'll go there,
get a good night's sleep,
and then we can go down
this list first thing tomorrow.
Bed and breakfast?
Separate rooms, obviously.
I don't know. Ava could need
our help right now.
God, you're just like her!
You're always talking back,
always thinking you're
the smartest one in the room.
See, the Stargazer Inn...
It's just up the road.
I'll drive you back
to your car,
follow you from there.
Are you okay?
What kind of question is that?
You've become infatuated
with her.
All right, now,
don't be ridiculous.
How long does it take
to shove a pill
down someone's throat?
Just because we're doing
what we're doing
doesn't mean
we need to be cruel.
Cruel?
What do you know about cruelty?
Val.
William, this is my life.
This child is everything
I have ever wanted.
And not you, not her,
not anyone is gonna take
that away from me.
So I'm gonna ask you, Will...
are you okay?
Are you with me all the way?
All the way.
I don't believe you.
Show me.
And we're back
with the news and weather
at the top of the hour.
Folks can continue cleaning up
from last week's storms...
Come on, Shane.
As we can expect
several days of sunshine.
In darker news,
police are investigating
the brutal slaying
of a local man,
Kyle Petrose, who was stabbed
to death in his own apartment.
Authorities believe
that he was killed some time
in the middle of the night.
- There you are.
- It's about time.
Slept through my alarm.
- Beautiful.
- Let's not waste any more time.
Am I riding with you?
Sure. Get in.
Whatever you say, boss.
Got the first address?
Yeah.
All right, let's go find out
what they know.
Wow, if you could believe it,
you're the first man
to ever actually bring me
breakfast in bed.
Well, I know
the circumstances aren't ideal,
but I do hope you enjoy it.
Are you gonna feed me again?
Come on.
Okay...
just this once...
Only because it's my specialty,
and I'm very interested to know
what you think.
Thanks.
Mmm, that's good.
I mean, it's really good.
Yeah?
I would have never guessed
you can cook.
You know, I do still have
a few good traits about me.
Not many but a few.
William, I...
I know you want to help me.
But after what
you said yesterday,
I understand
what's standing in your way.
And I can only assume...
Well, I know I don't have
many meals
like this left
in my future, do I?
That's what I thought.
So I appreciate
you making this for me.
I do have one request, though.
Share a drink with me.
I can't think of a time
I needed
one more than right now.
I've got some bourbon
in my office.
Ooh. That works.
All right, I'll be right back.
Mm-hmm.
- Ooh.
- Do you need ice?
- No.
- I always like this straight.
Yeah, me too.
This is my own secret...
private stash.
You know,
this is just so good.
I don't want it to get cold.
Sure.
Oh, my God, that was so hot.
- Oh, my God. I'm so...
- I was not expecting that.
- I'm sorry.
- Okay, I'll be...
I'm gonna...
You know what?
Uh, I'm gonna
go get you new one.
No.
No, it's okay.
I think I'm done.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
- I'm sorry about that.
- I should have cooled it down.
I'm so sorry.
Uh...
Uh...
You know what?
A toast?
Sure.
To what could have been.
To what could have been.
Not bad, right?
Yeah, not bad at all.
- Another?
- Hell, yes.
What would have you done
if you hadn't become a doctor?
Wow, there's a question.
Uh...
Pssh, I don't know.
I haven't thought about it
in a long time.
Come on, there has
to be something.
Okay.
It's... it's stupid.
Come on, it's right there
on the tip of your tongue.
I always wanted to be
a-a rock star.
What?
I used to... I used to love
that guitar, man.
You couldn't rip it
out of my hands.
Hmm.
William the rock star...
- yeah, I can see it now.
- Yeah?
Yeah.
Sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
I'm sorry, I, uh...
I feel a little... weird.
What's wrong?
Ava, you didn't.
No, Ava, you...
Ava, no.
No, don't...
Come on.
Ava.
Oh, God.
Ava, wait.
Ava, don't do this.
Don't move.
Did you really think
it was gonna be that easy?
- Is William dead?
- No.
Move.
Go on.
Shh, shh, shh.
Turn around.
Let's go.
Turn around.
Move.
Sit.
You know,
the last time we sat here,
we discussed
your bright new future.
But you've gone and ruined that,
just like
you did with your last life.
You really are a waste.
Last time we sat here,
I didn't realize
what kind of bitch you were.
You do understand
that we could have taken
your life after the birth.
But we didn't.
We tried to make this work.
Yeah, you're a real saint.
You told me
that you liked architecture.
But I didn't tell you
what drew me to it, did I?
It's the symmetry,
the perfection of it.
The concept that something
can be drafted and imagined
and made concrete
just as you first envisioned it.
And then once that design moves
from the drafting table
into the real world,
that's when things
get dangerous.
A strong foundation is the
first requirement for success,
like a strong marriage.
And once that's done,
there is still one element left
to make sure that project
is a complete success.
And do you know what that is?
- No.
- Potential.
How will the building
be occupied?
Who will live in it?
How will it bring joy
to those who come by
and pass through it?
That baby, my baby
is the potential.
And I'm not gonna allow
some weak, little crossbeam
to destroy my foundation.
- Baby!
- Yes, William.
Look out, she's loose!
Yes, William.
I'm still curious as to know
how she set herself free.
Okay.
Let's... let's think
about another way.
Grow up, William.
Get the ties! Get the ties
and get the stuff!
Get those ties. Go.
Get her downstairs.
Get her there.
Can I help you?
Um, I'm so sorry to bother
you, but it's kind of urgent.
My name is Lilla,
and this is Shane.
And we're looking for my sister.
She went missing in this area
earlier this week.
And we've just been going
door to door
asking if anybody
might have seen her.
Uh, no.
I haven't seen anything
out of the ordinary.
Val, you?
No. Our neighborhood is
usually pretty quiet.
Are you sure?
No strange car in the area
or people
you might not recognize?
No.
Sorry, I wish we could
be more help.
Well, that's okay.
- Thanks for your time.
- Mm-hmm.
Um, if you do happen
to hear anything,
if you could please
give me a call.
This is my number.
- I hope you find your sister.
- Thanks.
Uh, you two have a good day.
Help! Downstairs!
Okay. Easy.
What the hell have you
two done with her?
I can explain.
Lilla? Lilla?
- What is going on?
- What did they do to you?
- There's no time.
- You have to get this off me.
I'm trying to help...
Wait. Wait.
You came for me.
- Of course.
- You're my sister.
- We need to go right now.
- That woman, she has my baby.
We have to save her.
This is the only way out.
Come on.
Okay.
Aah!
Oh, God.
Oh, thank God.
Shh, shh, Mama's gonna get you
out of here.
Okay, we got go.
The car's parked out front
at the end of the driveway.
We're gonna have to make
a run for it.
- You ready?
- Ready.
Babe, babe, babe.
Call an... call an ambulance.
William, I can't... the police.
Okay, okay, okay, okay.
My bag, my bag.
- I can't.
- William, I have to go.
I'll come back for you.
I'll come back.
- No, no, no.
- No!
- Quick, into the trees.
- We're almost at the car!
We're never gonna make it.
She's right behind us.
We're never gonna outrun her.
We have to do something.
Tired of running?
Good, 'cause I'm tired
of chasing you.
Now bring the baby to me.
I won't ask you again.
Now hand over the baby.
If you want her that badly,
then here, catch.
Don't move.
What do we do with her?
We'll take her back
to the house.
We can lock her up
and then call the police,
then get the hell out of here.
You, get up.
It's a nice trick you pulled
back there, Ava.
Didn't think you had it in you.
I'm impressed.
- Shut up.
- Where'd you hide the baby?
Oh...
You know you could have
never given it the life
I could have given it.
You're absolutely right.
No one deserves you as a mother.
I came so close to having
the perfect designed life.
You ruined everything.
You're gonna pay.
Oh, thank you,
thank you, thank you.
I won't let anyone
hurt you, ever.
What do we do now?
Let's go home.
What is he doing here?
- Shane?
- He was worried about you.
He was out here
looking for you, too.
He helped me find you.
Lilla, you don't know
what he's capable of.
Why would you say something
so hurtful like that?
I know things
haven't been perfect,
but we love each other.
And you left me, remember?
Do you know
what that feels like?
But I'm willing to forgive you
because we're a family
and we belong together.
Our baby daughter...
Just let me see her.
Does she look like me?
- Just bring her over here.
- No.
- Bring her over here.
- No.
You're not thinking straight.
You can't make it on your own.
Trust me.
I'm sorry our lives didn't
turn out the way you wanted.
But I have to leave you.
Please, just let us go.
You're not ready to be a father.
You're wrong.
I lost you,
but I'm keeping my daughter.
No.
Ava, run!
- You can't get away.
- I'll find you!
I'll always find you!
She's my daughter, too, Ava!
Oh, no, you don't.
- Why are you doing this, Ava?
- Stay away from me.
What are you gonna do
with that, huh?
You're so stupid.
So stupid.
And the funny thing is,
is you always thought you were
so much better than me.
Didn't you?
So much smarter.
I'm smart enough to know
that my daughter deserves
better than you, and so do I.
Well, we'll see about that.
Ava...
second chance.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi.
Ava.
I thought you were dead.
Do you need to go
to the hospital?
No, it just grazed my leg.
And I found this.
Hi.
Hi, sweetheart. Oh.
It's finally
where it needs to be.
Hope.
You decided on a name?
Yeah.
Hello, little Hope.
I'm your aunt, Aunt Lilla.
Aunt Lilla loves you.
You're a natural.
It's easy when
she's this cute.
Yeah!
- Hey, I'm home.
- Hey.
Are you still gonna watch
Hope while I'm at rehearsals?
- Of course I am...
- I wouldn't miss getting to see
this little face
for the whole world.
How's the play going?
Fabulously.
I can't wait for y'all
to see it opening night.
Oh, and Mom and Dad
said they'd be here at 7:00.
Can you grab some dessert
on your way home?
You got it.
I hate this part.
She's in good hands.
Say bye, Mommy.
We love you.
I love you, too.
- Hey, Shane.
- Are you home?
I did it.
I got in.
Hey, baby.
How was the interview?
Another waste of time.
Decided to give the job to
somebody with more experience.
What's the point of us
even going to college
if all we have to show for it
are student loans
that we're never gonna pay off?
- You know what?
- Just forget them.
We'll figure
something out, right?
We always do.
I'm open to ideas.
Um...
What's this?
Didn't we agree
we couldn't afford this,
that we have to save every penny
while we stay at home
with the baby?
But it's an investment
in our future, you know?
Maybe we can find
a day care and...
- Day care?
- With... with what money, Ava?
Do you know how much tuition
costs for graduate school?
How are we gonna eat?
How are we gonna pay the rent?
We don't have the money
for this, Ava.
I don't have the money...
to give you what you want.
- Honey, no.
- It's gonna be okay.
- You'll see, we just...
- Get off me.
Was this your plan?
Hmm?
Your way of figuring
something out?
Hmm?
You're gonna go back to school,
and then what, huh?
You'll make more money than me
and then leave me, right?
No, Shane, baby,
look, please don't
do this again.
You're not going anywhere.
You hear me?
You're never gonna leave me.
You'll never leave me.
Ava, you did it.
I wasn't sure you'd ever
really go through with it.
Neither was I.
Kyle, what if I'm
making a mistake?
You're doing the right thing,
for you and the baby.
Thank you.
Seriously, I can't
thank you enough.
- It's freezing.
- Here, put this on.
Just stick to the plan,
and you'll be fine.
You need to go.
I filled up the tank,
and you can keep her
for as long as you need her.
Wish I could come with you.
I know. But you need
to focus on finals.
And you need to focus
on yourself and the baby.
Call me when you get there.
- Hey, it's Lilla.
- Leave me a message.
Hey, Lilla.
It's... it's your sister.
Look...
I know
we haven't talked in a while.
And I wanted to tell you
some good news.
I got into grad school today.
Also, I'm pregnant.
I know.
I'm sorry
you had to find out this way.
Um, anyway, I was wondering
if I can stay with you
for a little bit.
I'm seven miles outside
of Gillespie right now.
I can be there in a day or two,
if you want.
Um, yeah, I-I-I love you, and...
Oh, jeez.
Honey, she's awake.
Oh...
Oh, I wish you
didn't take that out.
You could have hurt yourself.
- Who are you?
- What am I doing here?
- You're okay.
- You were in an accident.
Here, sit back.
- What? Acc...
- Look at me. I'm a doctor.
You're okay.
Doctor?
- My baby.
- Your baby is safe.
You're both safe.
- Poor thing.
- You must be scared to death.
- Who are you?
- I'm Valerie.
And this is my husband, William.
- What's your name?
- Ava.
You're very lucky
we found you when we did, Ava.
We were trying to get home
in the storm,
and we barely saw your car
wrecked on the side of the road.
Yeah, I-I remember now.
The rain was just so heavy,
I lost control
and swerved right off the road.
Well, luckily, it happened
so close to our home.
Who knows when anyone else
might have found you
all the way out here?
And you walked away
with a few bumps and scrapes
but nothing major.
Are you sure that my baby is...
- Positive.
- Your baby's just fine.
But what do you say
we take a closer look
when you're feeling up to it?
Thanks.
But I feel more comfortable
getting checked at a hospital.
I'm afraid that's not
possible, at least for now.
The roads are still flooded
from the storm.
But I'm sure
there's emergency services.
If we call,
couldn't they send someone.
I'm afraid not.
It looks like the wind
was so strong,
it took out the phone towers.
I mean, we haven't had
a signal all day.
My phone...
Where are my clothes?
You were soaking wet
after the crash,
so I washed your clothes.
I-I put those dry ones on you.
I hope you're comfortable.
I had to improvise.
That's William's shirt, and
those are my exercise pants.
And I'm so sorry
about your phone.
We were in such a rush
to get you here
before the roads gave out,
I didn't even think to go back
to your car for your things.
As soon as the phone lines
come back on,
we will get you straight
to the hospital, okay?
In the meantime,
you're our guest.
And you're in great hands
with William.
- Thanks.
- I mean, thank you both.
I don't know how
to thank you enough.
- It's fine.
- Okay, so you need your rest.
I'm gonna be right down
those stairs, okay?
You need anything at all,
just shout.
We'll come check on you soon.
Ava.
Ava.
Ava?
Baby, where are you?
She wouldn't.
Ava.
Ava!
Aah!
You can come in, you know?
Take a seat.
Shouldn't be
on your feet anyway.
So...
so how are you feeling?
Good.
Better, you know, considering...
When are you due?
Feels like it could be
any day now.
Well, definitely looks
like it.
So tell me, Ava,
what is a young woman
who is almost due
driving around alone
in the middle of nowhere?
How long has
he been beating you?
It's not really like that.
A few months.
But it wasn't always like this.
When we first met, he was...
so kind and so caring.
- What changed?
- After graduation,
he just
couldn't find a decent job.
That's when it first started.
It was little things at first.
But then week by week,
it kept getting worse until...
You realized you and your
baby deserved better.
I had a choice to make.
I couldn't protect Shane
from himself.
But I could protect our baby.
So what are you working on?
Oh, these are just
some initial designs
for an office in Austin.
- Oh, you're an architect?
- I am.
Wow.
These are so beautiful.
I always thought
that these things, you know,
designing buildings and stuff,
was so cool.
I used to read up on women like
Zaha Hadid and Kazuyo Sejima,
and, I mean, I just loved
the stuff they came up with.
- Did you study that in school?
- No.
I was a theater kid in college.
And for as long
as I can remember,
I've always wanted
to be a director.
I even got accepted into
the graduate theater program.
I mean, Shane didn't
take the news so well.
That's when I decided
to leave him.
Look at me now.
Ava, I know you may not
be able to see this now,
but you are on the road
to someplace better.
I mean, you've already taken
the first step,
and that is always the hardest.
Thank you for saying that.
You're a brave young lady.
And you deserve
a great life partner.
That's nice to hear.
I was so lucky
when I found William.
I mean, don't get me wrong.
We've had our problems.
But we've always stood
by each other, no matter what.
So, until you find your William,
you have to take care
of yourself,
for you and for your...
Do you have any children?
No.
Whoa, chill out.
- Who is it?
- You know who it is, Kyle.
Let me in.
- She's not here, Shane.
- Go away.
Tell me where
she went, damn it.
If you don't stop,
I'm gonna call campus security.
- Please, I'm... I'm sorry.
- I-I just need to know
that she's okay
and that our baby's safe.
- She's fine.
- Where'd she go?
She borrowed my car and made
me promise not to tell you.
- I know I screwed up.
- Can we just talk?
- What the hell, man?
- Where is she?
Someplace safe from you.
Look, I know you're Ava's GBF
or whatever
you guys are calling it,
but I am sick of you
meddling in our lives.
Tell me where she is.
Go...
Tell me.
I always told her she was
too good for you.
Asshole.
What the hell is wrong with you?
She's gone.
I gave her my car
so she could get as far away
from your crazy ass
as she could.
- Where?
- I don't know.
Stop, stop, stop.
Stop, stop, stop.
Her sister's, okay?
Shane, you've hurt her enough.
She'll never let you see
the baby like this.
I'm just glad
she finally listened to me.
You told her to leave me?
Get off me.
Get off me.
Hey.
Hey.
- Does this hurt?
- No.
- Okay.
- Sit up for me.
And finally...
- Here?
- No.
That feels pretty
relaxing, actually.
Good. Well...
it appears you walked away
from this crash
completely unscathed.
That's a relief.
So, for the next couple
of days,
I need you to be mindful
of your body, okay?
The symptoms for whiplash,
you know,
it takes a little time
to set in.
So let me know if you feel
any tension in your neck
or your lower back.
Sure.
And, uh, my baby?
Well, let's have a listen,
shall we?
Sit up for me.
There you go.
I'm just gonna put my hand here.
It might be a little cold.
Okay.
So what I hear is the...
heartbeat of a perfectly healthy
little boy or girl.
- Thank you.
- I was so worried.
You want to listen?
- Can I?
- Yeah.
Okay.
You hear it?
Wow. Yeah.
Yeah, I can hear it.
Oh...
I'm gonna go ahead and take
these from you.
Oh. Yeah, right.
It's a girl, by the way.
- I'm sorry?
- My baby. It's a girl.
I know some people like it
to be a surprise,
but I couldn't wait
till she was born to find out.
Wow.
I, uh...
I don't think
I could resist either.
I'd be too excited.
Well, I'm excited now,
but at first, I wasn't.
Why not?
I mean...
I was furious with myself.
How could I let this happen?
I'm barely out of college.
I had all these plans
for my life.
And, boom, like, suddenly,
all those possibilities
just blink out of existence.
Hmm.
But there's something else
there, too, now.
There's my daughter.
I love her.
And I-I know
I haven't even met her,
but I-I know I love her.
I'm sorry.
I overshare.
I get really sentimental lately.
No, it's perfectly fine.
Anyway, uh, you and Valerie
seem pretty well put together.
What are you doing
living out in the woods?
Well, we both appreciate
the peace and quiet.
You know what I mean?
No road noise,
no obnoxious neighbors
you have to deal with.
Lots and lots of space to do
whatever we like.
It's nice.
Sounds like it.
But doesn't it get lonely?
I mean, I'd go crazy not having
anybody else to talk to.
When you're
with the right one,
you don't need anybody else.
That's so romantic.
And what about your work?
Is it hard to see
your patients out here?
Uh, I don't have patients
anymore.
I have clients now.
Mainly do academic research,
publish and review papers,
that sort of thing.
- Sounds impressive.
- I assure you, it is not.
Oh, but what a day
we end up having, huh?
Yeah.
Hopefully the phones
start working again.
My sister must be worried sick.
I'm sure she is.
But as soon as the utilities
are up,
you can give her a call.
Your land is beautiful.
Do you mind if I went for a walk
and just took a look around?
I mean, I would prefer
you rest a little bit,
but if you want to take a walk,
feel free.
Don't venture too far out
into the woods, though.
It's more or less safe
out there,
but every now and then,
you get a wild animal,
poison ivy, all that jazz.
Sure. I'll keep an eye out.
Thanks, Dr. McGlynn.
Please...
call me William.
Thanks, William.
The storm knocked out all the
phones and Internet yesterday.
The phones.
Here you are.
Did you enjoy your walk?
Yeah, it was really relaxing.
- We just made some dinner.
- Would you like to join us?
So where are you from,
originally, Ava?
Oh, Illinois,
just outside Chicago.
Family still live up that way?
- Yeah.
- My parents and my sister.
Parents know about...
- Um...
- Stop it, William.
You're making her uncomfortable.
It's just a question.
No, it's... it's okay.
Um, my parents and I,
we haven't talked in a while.
I was a rebellious kid.
In college, I made some choices
that they disagreed with.
I treated them badly,
so they cut me off.
Said they'd welcome me back in
when I was serious
about making a change.
- That's terrible.
- I'm sorry.
Well, they were right.
I was actually on my way
to try and reconnect with them.
I'm so excited that the phones
are working again.
I mean, maybe I can make it
by my sister's place tomorrow.
- Oh, Ava, I'm so sorry.
- The phones are still off.
What do you mean?
I heard William talking
on his cell earlier.
- That's not possible.
- We haven't had signal all day.
Am I crazy?
I know I heard your voice.
You were outside talking
to someone
about your work being delayed.
Oh, that.
No.
That was just my recorder.
I like to take work notes
by dictation,
especially
when the Internet's out.
That's all that was.
Ava, as soon as
the phone lines are back on,
your sister is gonna be
thrilled to hear from you.
Oh, and we're gonna help you
get your car fixed.
You can get in contact
with your family.
I know it's really
important to you.
Great.
You two seem
pretty cut off yourselves.
No family in the area?
Well, we lost both
of our parents,
and we don't have
any brothers and sisters,
so it's just us.
And that's all we need.
But being all alone like this,
I mean,
it must be tough sometimes.
Ever have one of your clients
get upset
that they can't reach you?
No, not really.
Especially
with the phones out?
I mean, it must be
pretty frustrating
not being able to contact you,
even on your cell.
I mean,
we're professionals, Ava.
People understand that.
And, more importantly,
they trust us.
Well, I think that's great.
It takes a lot to earn
that kind of trust.
So, Ava, tell me, have you
thought of any baby names?
No, not yet.
Well, I mean, I've considered
a bunch of them,
but I don't know...
I kind of think it'd be weird
to name her
without actually meeting her.
I want a name that fits,
you know?
I'm sorry.
I've... I've never heard of that.
It's smart.
It's very smart.
It's very smart.
Oh, I should have done this
when we sat down.
Let's make a toast.
To Ava and her new baby
and to fate
for bringing her to us.
Hear, hear.
If we call,
couldn't they send someone?
It looks like the wind
was so strong,
it took out the phone towers.
We haven't had a signal all day.
I heard William talking
on his cell earlier.
I like to take work notes
by dictation.
That's all that was.
Who could have done this
to the phone wires?
Okay.
Phone, phone,
phone, phone, phone, phone.
Yes!
Come on. Charger.
Okay.
Charger, charger, charger.
Oh, William.
Charger.
William.
Anyway, I was wondering
if I can stay with you
for a little bit.
I'm seven miles outside
of Gillespie right now.
I can be there
in a day or two, if you want.
Um, yeah, I-I-I love you.
Hey, it's Ava.
Leave me a message.
Ava, hey, it's Lilla.
Sorry I missed your call.
It's been...
It was just a surprise
to hear from you
out of nowhere like that.
But it was a good surprise.
Of course you can stay here
for as long as you need.
I haven't been able
to reach you.
So, if you get this,
give me a call.
I hope everything's okay.
She should have been here
by now.
Hey, Connie.
Would you mind watching my dog
the next couple of days?
Yeah, everything's fine.
I just need to get
out of town last minute.
Okay, awesome.
Thanks so much.
You two seem pretty cut
off yourselves.
No family in the area?
- It's just us.
- And that's all we need.
Who knows when anyone else
might have found you
all the way out here?
The roads are still flooded
from the storm.
What are you doing
all the way out here?
I just wanted to stretch
my legs a little.
- Change of scenery, huh?
- After being cooped up inside?
- Yeah.
- The fresh air feels good.
- Yeah. Well, hop in.
- I'll give you a ride back.
You know, I actually wanted
to walk a little further.
Oh.
Well, there's no point
I going that way.
That's where all
the flooding is.
That's what I was
just checking on.
Really? I'm surprised
it's still that bad.
I mean, the road over here
looks perfectly fine.
Do you think I'm lying
to you, Ava?
No. No, of course not.
You shouldn't be
out here all alone.
If something happens to you,
there's no one around.
Come on,
let me give you a ride back.
Sure. Thanks.
I think I'm gonna have
some lunch.
- Can I make you something?
- No, thanks.
I think you were right about
being on my feet, actually.
I'm exhausted.
I'm gonna lay down for a bit.
Okay. Let me know
if you change your mind.
Ooh.
Not now, baby.
Mommy's trying to think.
Car keys, car keys.
Oh, yes.
Ava, what...
I was just...
- We can't. I...
- I'm... I'm sorry.
In your office yesterday,
I thought I felt a connection.
- Okay. It's not...
- William...
Well, um...
Ava was just looking for you.
Really?
Yes. I'm sorry. I-I thought
I heard you in here.
I was wondering if you had
a fresh set of towels.
I was just about
to shower, myself.
- Towels.
- I can get you some of those.
William, I need to speak
to you alone.
- Uh, Right.
- Yes. Thanks.
I can do this.
I have to do this.
Ow, not now, baby.
Hang in there just
a little longer.
It's locked.
Damn, the door.
Aah!
Ava, what are you doing?
Aah!
You're going into labor.
- No, no, no.
- Come inside. Come inside.
- Not now! Not now! No, no, no.
- Come on.
No. No. No, please take me
to a hospital.
I want
to go to a hospital, please!
- You know that's not possible.
- William will take care of you.
William, it's time!
It's gonna be okay.
No, no, no.
It's gonna be... William!
I'm here. I'm here.
- Help her into bed.
- No, no, no.
- Come on. Hang on, hang on.
- No, no, no.
- It's gonna be okay.
- Lie down, put your feet up.
That's right.
Lie down. Lie back.
No, no.
No, I want to go to
a hospital, please, please.
- Okay. Okay. Okay.
- Aah!
Just relax. Relax.
Please take me
to a hospital, please.
What the hell is that?
What the hell is that? No.
- Just something for the pain.
- No, no. Please, no. Stop.
Just something to
help you relax.
- Stop. No, stop.
- That's right. You're okay.
You're okay.
- Stop.
- It's okay.
It's just something
for the pain.
Just breathe.
That's it.
She's out.
You're awake.
- My baby.
- Where is she?
I'm afraid
I have some very bad news
I have to tell you, Ava.
The extent of the damage
from the accident
must have been worse
than I could tell.
No. Don't say it.
It's not true.
I'm so sorry, Ava.
- No.
- I'm so sorry.
- No.
- She didn't survive the birth.
- No! It's not true!
- You're lying!
You're lying!
Where is she?
- I'm so sorry, Ava.
- No.
William, where is she?
I want my daughter.
Ava, you need to stay
in the bed.
No, no.
- Ava, you need to...
- Ava, please come back.
- No!
- Where are you hiding her?
Get off of me!
Where is she?
- Ava, come back here.
- No.
- You really need to be in bed.
- Where is she?
- Ava, come on.
- No.
William, please
tell me where she is.
Let's go to bed. Let's
take... let's just go to...
- Ava, Ava, Ava, Ava!
- No, no, no!
- Listen to me! Listen to me!
- Where is she? Where is she?
- Where is she?
- Okay. Okay. It's okay.
- Where is she?
- Okay, okay, okay.
I'm so sorry.
You're gonna be okay, I promise.
Okay, let's get you back to bed.
I'm gonna give you
some medicine.
It's gonna make
you better, okay?
Hey. Ava, Ava, Ava!
Ava!
Ava.
Ava, open the door.
Ava, Ava, you're gonna...
You're gonna hurt yourself.
- Let me get you some medicine.
- I don't want your medicine!
And I don't want you
to take care of me!
I want my daughter!
Where is she, William?
What did you do with her?
You don't need to hear me say
that again.
You...
I can't imagine what
you're going through right now.
I know you're lying to me.
I know you're lying to me
about my daughter.
- You're not well.
- You're not well, Ava.
If she's dead,
then how did she die, huh?
Where's her body?
- Okay, you are right.
- The roads are clear now.
I spoke to my friend in town.
He's the coroner, Dr. Kaufman.
He came in earlier this
morning, and he took away the...
He retrieved...
To take her away...
You don't want to see that, Ava.
I am trying to tell you.
- How could this happen?
- Why did it happen?
- Ava, you need...
- You need bedrest today.
Tomorrow I will take you
into town.
We will get you
proper treatment.
But for right now,
just open the door.
- No, leave me alone, William.
- Leave me alone.
Okay.
Valerie is gonna be home
in a bit,
and, uh...
I'll have her check
on you, okay?
No.
I'm gonna be right here
in the other room.
You just...
No, no sign of her yet.
I'm starting to get worried.
Maybe all of this
is for nothing.
Who knows?
She's always been kind of flaky.
Seven miles to Gillespie.
Sorry, Connie, listen,
I need to call you back.
Thanks again for everything.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Hello, is anyone there?
- Hi.
- Oh, sorry.
I didn't...
I didn't mean to scare you.
Who the hell are you?
I'm looking for my girlfriend.
She disappeared
a couple days ago.
- Wait, you're looking for Ava?
- Yeah. How'd you know?
I'm Lilla, Ava's sister.
Wow, I...
She's told me all about you.
I thought you guys
weren't close.
We haven't been for a while.
She gave me a call
the other day, though,
and it sounded like
she was in trouble.
Do you know anything about that?
She, um...
isn't well.
Hasn't been for a long time.
Whatever she told you
probably didn't sync up
very close to reality.
You know how she can be.
Yeah, maybe.
I don't know if it was
the pregnancy hormones or what,
but she disappeared on me
while I was at work.
Tried to track her down
before she hurt herself,
but looks like I was too late.
She was definitely here.
Where is she now?
I think somebody took her.
How could you know that?
Look, there, in the mud,
there's tire tracks coming in
and then...
going out.
Damn. You're right.
Question is,
did they stop to help or...
Oh.
She's...
I can't believe that.
I won't believe it.
She's my world.
The thought of losing her
and our baby...
It's okay.
I'm sure she's fine.
We just have to find her.
I saw a little town hall
a ways up the road.
Maybe someone
there saw something.
- It's worth a shot.
- Anything is.
Do you want to ride with me?
Yeah.
That'd be great.
Thanks.
You ready to go?
Ava, I know
what you're going through
is incredibly difficult.
I don't want to
talk right now.
I just want you to know
you're not alone.
Val and I...
we understand.
Long time ago, we used to dream
of having a child of our own.
After trying for a long time,
it actually happened.
She was pregnant.
You should have seen the design
she came up with
for the nursery.
But it wasn't meant to be,
and, um, she miscarried.
The doctor said it'd be
likely impossible for her
to carry a baby to full term.
We were devastated.
How'd you fill it, you know,
that extra space you made
for the baby?
- We didn't.
- It's still there.
No matter how much success
we have in our careers
or how much love
we pour into each other
and our relationship...
There's nothing
that can fill it.
Ava, when we met,
you were on your way
to starting a new life.
Now, that version of it
might not be possible now,
but there is nothing
stopping you
from reclaiming the life
that you had...
along with all the hopes
and dreams
that you thought you lost.
Part of me wishes
I could do the same,
but...
I guess we're past that.
But you...
you can be happy again.
Come on.
We'll get
your car towed into town.
I'll take care of the repairs.
Let's get you set on the road
to that new life of yours.
What was that?
What was what?
- That, that noise.
- Ava. Ava.
- I knew you had my baby.
- Where is she?
Ava. Come on, Ava.
- No.
- Ava, come back. Come here.
This is not what it
looks like, Ava.
Don't talk.
I trusted you.
Give her to me, now!
Give me my baby.
Give me my baby!
Sorry about those.
It's unfortunate, I know,
but it's necessary.
You thirsty?
What the hell is wrong
with you?
You should've gotten
in that car, Ava.
Why are you doing this?
You know, when William and I
found you unconscious
and pregnant
on the side of the road,
it was literally like fate
had delivered us a gift.
I mean, at first,
we really did want to help you.
But when we realized
your situation,
it made perfect sense...
Nurse you back to health,
make you believe
you lost the baby,
and then send you on
to your new life, unburdened.
- "Unburdened"?
- Are you listening to yourself?
What makes you think you
would have made a good mother?
You can't even take care of
yourself, let alone your child.
Go to hell.
Ava, you need to be
honest with yourself.
Your child is better off
without you.
No! You're insane.
You can't just take
someone's child,
and you can't leave me strapped
up in your house like this!
Someone will notice.
Someone will come looking.
Ava, no one knows
where you are.
They wouldn't even know
where to begin to look for you.
So what are you gonna do
with me, then?
Well, we're just trying
to figure that out.
I mean, we can't keep you
tied up indefinitely.
And we certainly can't let you
go now that you know the truth.
So, in the meantime...
I'm going to need you
to take one of these.
Don't worry. They're safe.
- Okay, then.
- You want to play like that?
Swallow.
Swallow.
Good girl.
Now...
we will be back in a little bit
to check on you.
Wait.
If you can't let me go
and you can't leave me here,
then what other option is there?
He looks official.
Sir. Excuse me, sir.
- What can I do for you, miss?
- I'm just wondering
if you might be able to help me
with something.
I'm looking for my sister...
5'3", black hair, 22 years old.
She's very pregnant.
- I'm sorry.
- I haven't seen anyone
- that looks like that.
- Are you sure?
She drove through here
just a few days ago.
Maybe she came in
to ask for directions
or even just use the restroom.
- I'm sorry.
- Did you talk to the sheriff?
Maybe one of the deputies
has seen her.
You know, they've been out
checking
on people after the storm.
- Sure, that's good idea.
- You know what?
Let me just drop this off,
and I'll lead you over.
We can't talk to the sheriff.
- Why not?
- We could use his help.
I don't want Ava
to get in trouble.
What are you talking about?
That car, I've never
seen it before.
And you just failed to mention
this to me until now?
Why would she steal a car?
What?
The sheriff's department's
just a block over.
Uh, on second thought,
she probably just took
a wrong turn or something.
- Are you sure?
- It's really no trouble.
No, thank you, sir.
We've taken up enough
of your time.
Let's get out of here.
This place gives me the creeps.
It's too small...
Seems like one of those places
where everyone's up
in each other's business.
Right, it does.
Hey, sorry.
Um, do you know if there are
any houses off the road coming
into town?
Ava.
Ava, you awake?
William?
What is it?
I just, um...
I just wanted to see
how you were doing?
Right.
I've been better.
Why are you doing this
to me, William?
All the things you said to me,
all the things you've shared,
I really felt like you
cared about me.
I do.
I do care about you, okay?
I'm doing everything I can
to get you a happy ending here.
- Then just let me go.
- I can't do that.
I wish I could,
but you know I can't do that.
- I promise.
- I won't tell the police.
Just let me and my baby go,
and you'll never hear
from us again.
It's too risky.
If it was just me, then maybe,
but I can't do that to Valerie.
Valerie doesn't care
about you, William.
All she cares about
is having this baby.
She's convinced you
to sell your soul with her
so she can get it.
You're right.
All Val cares about
is having a child of her own.
But the only reason
she's this desperate,
this out of options
is because of me.
- What do you mean?
- You wouldn't understand.
- It's pill time.
- William, wait.
Help me understand.
Please.
When I was in my residency...
the long hours, the stress,
I developed a problem...
Painkillers.
I probably wouldn't
have made it.
But then I met Val,
and she saved me.
I went from using
multiple times a day
to just...
every so often when I'm relaxing at home,
you know, recreational.
Then one night, I get a call
that one of my patients,
this little boy,
he was suffering complications
after surgery.
I couldn't help him,
and he died.
His family sues the hospital.
They lose millions.
And just like...
Just like that, my career, gone,
and, along with it, any chance
of me and Val
adopting a kid of our own.
When you have a reputation
of a...
child killer...
it lands you pretty low on the
list at the adoption agency.
Through all of that...
Val stayed by me.
So I have to stand by her now,
however she decides
this needs to go.
You're not a killer, William.
I know you didn't mean
to hurt that boy.
Don't make the same mistake.
You still have time
to do the right thing.
We don't all get
second chances.
Now...
am I gonna have
to force this on you?
Thank you.
William, wait.
This stuff
makes me really thirsty.
Do you think you can loosen
this a little bit
so I can drink the water myself?
Come on.
Please.
All right.
There, how's that?
Thank you.
It's pitch-black out here.
I can barely see the road
in front of me.
We should call it a night.
- What?
- No, Ava's still out there.
But we're not gonna be
any help to her
if we end up
wrapped around a tree.
I saw a B&B in town.
We'll go there,
get a good night's sleep,
and then we can go down
this list first thing tomorrow.
Bed and breakfast?
Separate rooms, obviously.
I don't know. Ava could need
our help right now.
God, you're just like her!
You're always talking back,
always thinking you're
the smartest one in the room.
See, the Stargazer Inn...
It's just up the road.
I'll drive you back
to your car,
follow you from there.
Are you okay?
What kind of question is that?
You've become infatuated
with her.
All right, now,
don't be ridiculous.
How long does it take
to shove a pill
down someone's throat?
Just because we're doing
what we're doing
doesn't mean
we need to be cruel.
Cruel?
What do you know about cruelty?
Val.
William, this is my life.
This child is everything
I have ever wanted.
And not you, not her,
not anyone is gonna take
that away from me.
So I'm gonna ask you, Will...
are you okay?
Are you with me all the way?
All the way.
I don't believe you.
Show me.
And we're back
with the news and weather
at the top of the hour.
Folks can continue cleaning up
from last week's storms...
Come on, Shane.
As we can expect
several days of sunshine.
In darker news,
police are investigating
the brutal slaying
of a local man,
Kyle Petrose, who was stabbed
to death in his own apartment.
Authorities believe
that he was killed some time
in the middle of the night.
- There you are.
- It's about time.
Slept through my alarm.
- Beautiful.
- Let's not waste any more time.
Am I riding with you?
Sure. Get in.
Whatever you say, boss.
Got the first address?
Yeah.
All right, let's go find out
what they know.
Wow, if you could believe it,
you're the first man
to ever actually bring me
breakfast in bed.
Well, I know
the circumstances aren't ideal,
but I do hope you enjoy it.
Are you gonna feed me again?
Come on.
Okay...
just this once...
Only because it's my specialty,
and I'm very interested to know
what you think.
Thanks.
Mmm, that's good.
I mean, it's really good.
Yeah?
I would have never guessed
you can cook.
You know, I do still have
a few good traits about me.
Not many but a few.
William, I...
I know you want to help me.
But after what
you said yesterday,
I understand
what's standing in your way.
And I can only assume...
Well, I know I don't have
many meals
like this left
in my future, do I?
That's what I thought.
So I appreciate
you making this for me.
I do have one request, though.
Share a drink with me.
I can't think of a time
I needed
one more than right now.
I've got some bourbon
in my office.
Ooh. That works.
All right, I'll be right back.
Mm-hmm.
- Ooh.
- Do you need ice?
- No.
- I always like this straight.
Yeah, me too.
This is my own secret...
private stash.
You know,
this is just so good.
I don't want it to get cold.
Sure.
Oh, my God, that was so hot.
- Oh, my God. I'm so...
- I was not expecting that.
- I'm sorry.
- Okay, I'll be...
I'm gonna...
You know what?
Uh, I'm gonna
go get you new one.
No.
No, it's okay.
I think I'm done.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
- I'm sorry about that.
- I should have cooled it down.
I'm so sorry.
Uh...
Uh...
You know what?
A toast?
Sure.
To what could have been.
To what could have been.
Not bad, right?
Yeah, not bad at all.
- Another?
- Hell, yes.
What would have you done
if you hadn't become a doctor?
Wow, there's a question.
Uh...
Pssh, I don't know.
I haven't thought about it
in a long time.
Come on, there has
to be something.
Okay.
It's... it's stupid.
Come on, it's right there
on the tip of your tongue.
I always wanted to be
a-a rock star.
What?
I used to... I used to love
that guitar, man.
You couldn't rip it
out of my hands.
Hmm.
William the rock star...
- yeah, I can see it now.
- Yeah?
Yeah.
Sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
I'm sorry, I, uh...
I feel a little... weird.
What's wrong?
Ava, you didn't.
No, Ava, you...
Ava, no.
No, don't...
Come on.
Ava.
Oh, God.
Ava, wait.
Ava, don't do this.
Don't move.
Did you really think
it was gonna be that easy?
- Is William dead?
- No.
Move.
Go on.
Shh, shh, shh.
Turn around.
Let's go.
Turn around.
Move.
Sit.
You know,
the last time we sat here,
we discussed
your bright new future.
But you've gone and ruined that,
just like
you did with your last life.
You really are a waste.
Last time we sat here,
I didn't realize
what kind of bitch you were.
You do understand
that we could have taken
your life after the birth.
But we didn't.
We tried to make this work.
Yeah, you're a real saint.
You told me
that you liked architecture.
But I didn't tell you
what drew me to it, did I?
It's the symmetry,
the perfection of it.
The concept that something
can be drafted and imagined
and made concrete
just as you first envisioned it.
And then once that design moves
from the drafting table
into the real world,
that's when things
get dangerous.
A strong foundation is the
first requirement for success,
like a strong marriage.
And once that's done,
there is still one element left
to make sure that project
is a complete success.
And do you know what that is?
- No.
- Potential.
How will the building
be occupied?
Who will live in it?
How will it bring joy
to those who come by
and pass through it?
That baby, my baby
is the potential.
And I'm not gonna allow
some weak, little crossbeam
to destroy my foundation.
- Baby!
- Yes, William.
Look out, she's loose!
Yes, William.
I'm still curious as to know
how she set herself free.
Okay.
Let's... let's think
about another way.
Grow up, William.
Get the ties! Get the ties
and get the stuff!
Get those ties. Go.
Get her downstairs.
Get her there.
Can I help you?
Um, I'm so sorry to bother
you, but it's kind of urgent.
My name is Lilla,
and this is Shane.
And we're looking for my sister.
She went missing in this area
earlier this week.
And we've just been going
door to door
asking if anybody
might have seen her.
Uh, no.
I haven't seen anything
out of the ordinary.
Val, you?
No. Our neighborhood is
usually pretty quiet.
Are you sure?
No strange car in the area
or people
you might not recognize?
No.
Sorry, I wish we could
be more help.
Well, that's okay.
- Thanks for your time.
- Mm-hmm.
Um, if you do happen
to hear anything,
if you could please
give me a call.
This is my number.
- I hope you find your sister.
- Thanks.
Uh, you two have a good day.
Help! Downstairs!
Okay. Easy.
What the hell have you
two done with her?
I can explain.
Lilla? Lilla?
- What is going on?
- What did they do to you?
- There's no time.
- You have to get this off me.
I'm trying to help...
Wait. Wait.
You came for me.
- Of course.
- You're my sister.
- We need to go right now.
- That woman, she has my baby.
We have to save her.
This is the only way out.
Come on.
Okay.
Aah!
Oh, God.
Oh, thank God.
Shh, shh, Mama's gonna get you
out of here.
Okay, we got go.
The car's parked out front
at the end of the driveway.
We're gonna have to make
a run for it.
- You ready?
- Ready.
Babe, babe, babe.
Call an... call an ambulance.
William, I can't... the police.
Okay, okay, okay, okay.
My bag, my bag.
- I can't.
- William, I have to go.
I'll come back for you.
I'll come back.
- No, no, no.
- No!
- Quick, into the trees.
- We're almost at the car!
We're never gonna make it.
She's right behind us.
We're never gonna outrun her.
We have to do something.
Tired of running?
Good, 'cause I'm tired
of chasing you.
Now bring the baby to me.
I won't ask you again.
Now hand over the baby.
If you want her that badly,
then here, catch.
Don't move.
What do we do with her?
We'll take her back
to the house.
We can lock her up
and then call the police,
then get the hell out of here.
You, get up.
It's a nice trick you pulled
back there, Ava.
Didn't think you had it in you.
I'm impressed.
- Shut up.
- Where'd you hide the baby?
Oh...
You know you could have
never given it the life
I could have given it.
You're absolutely right.
No one deserves you as a mother.
I came so close to having
the perfect designed life.
You ruined everything.
You're gonna pay.
Oh, thank you,
thank you, thank you.
I won't let anyone
hurt you, ever.
What do we do now?
Let's go home.
What is he doing here?
- Shane?
- He was worried about you.
He was out here
looking for you, too.
He helped me find you.
Lilla, you don't know
what he's capable of.
Why would you say something
so hurtful like that?
I know things
haven't been perfect,
but we love each other.
And you left me, remember?
Do you know
what that feels like?
But I'm willing to forgive you
because we're a family
and we belong together.
Our baby daughter...
Just let me see her.
Does she look like me?
- Just bring her over here.
- No.
- Bring her over here.
- No.
You're not thinking straight.
You can't make it on your own.
Trust me.
I'm sorry our lives didn't
turn out the way you wanted.
But I have to leave you.
Please, just let us go.
You're not ready to be a father.
You're wrong.
I lost you,
but I'm keeping my daughter.
No.
Ava, run!
- You can't get away.
- I'll find you!
I'll always find you!
She's my daughter, too, Ava!
Oh, no, you don't.
- Why are you doing this, Ava?
- Stay away from me.
What are you gonna do
with that, huh?
You're so stupid.
So stupid.
And the funny thing is,
is you always thought you were
so much better than me.
Didn't you?
So much smarter.
I'm smart enough to know
that my daughter deserves
better than you, and so do I.
Well, we'll see about that.
Ava...
second chance.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi.
Ava.
I thought you were dead.
Do you need to go
to the hospital?
No, it just grazed my leg.
And I found this.
Hi.
Hi, sweetheart. Oh.
It's finally
where it needs to be.
Hope.
You decided on a name?
Yeah.
Hello, little Hope.
I'm your aunt, Aunt Lilla.
Aunt Lilla loves you.
You're a natural.
It's easy when
she's this cute.
Yeah!
- Hey, I'm home.
- Hey.
Are you still gonna watch
Hope while I'm at rehearsals?
- Of course I am...
- I wouldn't miss getting to see
this little face
for the whole world.
How's the play going?
Fabulously.
I can't wait for y'all
to see it opening night.
Oh, and Mom and Dad
said they'd be here at 7:00.
Can you grab some dessert
on your way home?
You got it.
I hate this part.
She's in good hands.
Say bye, Mommy.
We love you.
I love you, too.