Scene 1 — Int. Larry and Bethany’s House — Late Afternoon

The house was quiet. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting long shadows across the living room. Bethany sat on the sofa, scrolling through her phone while waiting for Larry to return.

Larry had left earlier for some important work, promising he wouldn’t be gone for too long. Bethany glanced at the clock.

BETHANY
(muttering to herself)
Where is Larry? He said he’d be back soon.

She picked up her phone and opened their conversation. Her fingers hovered over the screen before she finally typed a message: “Are you coming home soon?” She sent it and placed the phone beside her.

For a moment, everything seemed normal. Then— KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Bethany lifted her head. The sound came from the front door.

BETHANY
(calling toward the door)
Who is it?

There was no answer. Another knock followed, louder this time. Bethany stood up slowly and walked toward the entrance, her footsteps echoing through the quiet hallway.

She looked through the peephole. A man stood outside. The moment she recognized his face, her expression changed. It was Drey—Shara’s ex-boyfriend.

Bethany knew enough about him to understand that his sudden appearance was not a good sign. She hesitated, keeping one hand on the door handle.

BETHANY
(quietly, through the closed door)
Drey? What are you doing here?

DREY
Open the door, Bethany. I need to talk to you.

His voice sounded controlled, but there was something threatening beneath every word. Bethany considered refusing, then wondered whether he had important information about Shara. After another moment of hesitation, she unlocked the door and opened it slightly.

Drey stared at her. He wasn’t smiling.

Scene 2 — Int. Front Entrance — Continuous

Bethany kept her hand against the door, leaving only a narrow opening.

BETHANY
What do you want?

DREY
(forcing a cold smile)
That’s a lovely way to welcome a visitor.

BETHANY
You aren’t someone I was expecting. If you have something to say, say it.

Drey’s smile disappeared.

DREY
You’re right. I didn’t come here to exchange greetings.

He pushed the door wider and stepped inside before Bethany could stop him. Bethany immediately moved backward.

BETHANY
Hey! I didn’t invite you in!

Drey turned around and looked at her as though her objection meant nothing to him.

DREY
You should have thought about that before interfering in other people’s lives.

BETHANY
What are you talking about?

Drey slowly approached her.

DREY
Don’t pretend you don’t know.

Bethany’s heart began to pound.

BETHANY
If this is about Shara, whatever happened wasn’t my fault.

At the mention of Shara’s name, Drey’s expression hardened.

DREY
Not your fault?

He let out a bitter laugh.

DREY
You told the police where Shara’s mother was. You gave them the information they needed, and now she’s under arrest.

BETHANY
I told the truth. I didn’t make the police arrest anyone.

DREY
You could have kept your mouth shut.

BETHANY
And let everyone believe a lie? I had every right to tell the truth!

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Drey studied her face, his jaw tightening.

DREY
You really think telling the truth makes you innocent?

BETHANY
I think people should face the consequences of their own actions.

The words struck a nerve. Drey took another step toward her. Bethany instinctively backed away.

Scene 3 — Int. Living Room — Moments Later

Bethany reached the edge of the living room and stopped beside a table. Drey followed her.

BETHANY
You need to leave. Larry will be home soon.

Drey glanced around the empty house.

DREY
Larry isn’t here, is he?

Bethany said nothing. He gave a mocking smile.

DREY
That’s what I thought.

BETHANY
He’ll be back any minute.

DREY
Then perhaps you should have called him before opening the door.

Bethany’s eyes narrowed.

BETHANY
What exactly do you want from me?

Drey’s expression turned frighteningly serious.

DREY
I want you to understand what you’ve done.

BETHANY
I’ve done nothing wrong!

DREY
Shara’s mother is sitting behind bars because of you. Shara is furious, and someone has to answer for what happened.

BETHANY
Then tell Shara to speak to the police. Don’t come into my house and threaten me!

Drey suddenly reached for her arm. Bethany jerked away before he could get a firm grip.

BETHANY
Don’t touch me!

She moved toward the other side of the table, putting furniture between them. Drey stopped and stared at her.

DREY
You should be careful how you speak to me.

BETHANY
Get out!

Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to meet his eyes. For the first time, Drey seemed annoyed that she wasn’t simply obeying him. He stepped around the table. Bethany hurried backward toward the hallway.

Her breathing grew faster. She knew she needed to get away from him, but the front entrance was behind Drey, and her phone was still lying on the sofa. She glanced at it.

DREY
Thinking about calling someone?

Bethany froze.

BETHANY
No.

DREY
Don’t lie to me.

He moved toward the sofa and picked up her phone before she could reach it. Bethany stared at him in horror.

BETHANY
Give that back!

Drey held the phone out of her reach.

DREY
You won’t be calling Larry. Not yet.

BETHANY
You have no right to take my phone!

DREY
And you had no right to ruin Shara’s family!

Bethany’s eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall.

BETHANY
I didn’t ruin anything. Whatever happened to her mother, Shara brought this situation upon herself.

Drey’s face darkened. He dropped the phone onto the sofa.

DREY
You’ve learned absolutely nothing.

Scene 4 — Int. Hallway — Continuous

Bethany saw a chance to move toward the hallway and took it. She hurried toward the bedroom, hoping to find a way to escape or lock herself in a room until Larry returned.

DREY
Where do you think you’re going?

BETHANY
Away from you!

She reached the bedroom doorway. Drey caught up with her and reached for her again. Bethany pulled free and pushed the bedroom door between them.

BETHANY
Leave me alone!

She slammed the door shut. Her hands shook as she tried to lock it. The lock clicked into place just as Drey struck the other side with his palm.

DREY
Open the door!

Bethany stumbled backward.

BETHANY
Go away!

DREY
You think a door is going to protect you?

Another heavy blow rattled the frame. Bethany covered her mouth to silence a frightened gasp. She looked around the bedroom, searching desperately for another exit. The window was too far from the ground to offer a safe escape, and there was no other door.

She grabbed her phone from her pocket, only to remember that she had left it in the living room. Tears finally slipped down her cheeks. She wiped them away quickly.

BETHANY
(whispering to herself)
Come on, Larry. Please come home.

Outside, Drey tried the handle. The door remained locked. For several seconds, there was silence. Bethany held her breath.

Then Drey spoke again, his voice suddenly quieter.

DREY
Bethany, listen to me. I don’t want to make this worse.

She didn’t answer.

DREY
Open the door, and we’ll talk like adults.

Bethany almost laughed at the absurdity of his words. He had entered her home without permission, threatened her, and taken her phone. Why should she believe anything he said?

BETHANY
There’s nothing left to talk about. Leave my house!

A heavy impact shook the door again. Bethany flinched.

DREY
You brought this on yourself!

She backed away until her legs touched the bed. The room suddenly felt unbearably small.

Scene 5 — Int. Living Room — Same Time

Drey stepped away from the bedroom door. He looked around the living room, impatiently running a hand through his hair. His anger was no longer under control.

He had expected Bethany to become frightened, apologize, and agree to do whatever he demanded. Instead, she had resisted him at every turn.

His phone vibrated. A message appeared on the screen. It was from Shara.

SHARA — MESSAGE
Have you spoken to Bethany?

Drey stared at the message before typing a reply.

DREY — MESSAGE
I’m handling it.

A second message arrived almost immediately.

SHARA — MESSAGE
Make sure she understands what happens when someone betrays my family.

Drey’s expression shifted. For a moment, he seemed to reconsider what he was doing. He knew Shara was furious about her mother’s arrest. He also knew she wasn’t thinking clearly. She wanted Bethany to suffer, and she had made that intention unmistakable.

But the situation was getting out of hand. Drey glanced toward the bedroom.

DREY
(under his breath)
This wasn’t supposed to happen like this.

He looked down at his phone again. Then he sent another message.

DREY — MESSAGE
You never told me she would fight back like this.

Shara’s reply came quickly.

SHARA — MESSAGE
Then stop wasting time.

Drey locked the phone and slipped it into his pocket. His hesitation disappeared. He walked back toward the bedroom.

Scene 6 — Int. Bedroom — Continuous

Bethany heard his footsteps returning. She hurried toward the door and pressed her ear against it.

DREY
Open up, Bethany.

BETHANY
No!

DREY
I’m giving you one last chance.

BETHANY
I don’t care! Leave me alone!

There was a pause. Then his voice changed.

DREY
Do you know what Shara told me before I came here?

Bethany remained silent.

DREY
She told me you were responsible for everything. She said you had been waiting for an opportunity to turn everyone against her family.

Bethany shook her head.

BETHANY
That’s a lie!