The house is unusually quiet.
Two suitcases sit near the front door.
Brooke stands beside them, looking nervous but excited.
Larry carries another bag toward the door while Sharra checks the college paperwork one last time.
Brooke looks around the house. She knows she is about to leave everything familiar behind.
I still can’t believe I’m actually going.
You wanted this, Brooke.
Now it’s time to see it through.
And you’re not doing this alone.
We’ll get you settled in and make sure everything is okay.
Brooke nods. She takes one final look around, then grabs her backpack.
Okay.
Let’s go.
Larry opens the front door. The three of them walk outside.
None of them realize how quickly their plans are about to change.
Larry loads the final suitcase into the trunk.
Sharra closes the trunk.
Brooke climbs into the back seat and looks down at her phone.
A message from her future college roommate appears.
Brooke smiles.
Maya says she’s already waiting for me.
See?
You’re already making friends.
College is going to be a new chapter for you.
I hope so.
Larry pulls out of the driveway. The house slowly disappears behind them.
The car cruises down the highway.
Music plays softly.
Brooke looks out the window, watching the scenery pass.
You nervous?
A little.
But mostly excited.
That’s normal.
Just remember what we’ve always told you.
You have to learn to make good decisions for yourself.
I know, Baba.
Larry smiles.
Suddenly, a strange sound comes from underneath the car.
Larry’s smile disappears.
He looks toward the dashboard. A warning light flashes.
Hold on.
What’s wrong?
Larry presses the brake pedal.
Nothing happens.
The brakes!
What?
Larry presses the pedal again.
Still nothing.
The car continues moving faster than before.
Larry grips the steering wheel tightly.
Cars rush past them.
Larry, the brakes aren’t working!
I know!
Larry tries to slow the car using the gears.
He carefully moves toward the shoulder, but the traffic is heavy.
Brooke begins to panic.
Baba!
Brooke, stay calm!
Put your seat belt on tight!
Brooke pulls the belt across her chest. Her hands are shaking.
Larry desperately tries to control the car.
The vehicle swerves.
A horn blasts nearby.
Everybody hold on!
Everything happens in seconds.
The car loses control.
Larry turns the steering wheel.
The vehicle crashes into the roadside barrier.
Metal twists.
Glass shatters.
The car spins.
Brooke screams.
Sharra’s voice disappears beneath the sound of the collision.
Then—
Silence.
The car comes to a complete stop.
Smoke rises from the damaged vehicle.
Brooke sits motionless in the back seat.
Her ears ring.
She slowly opens her eyes and looks around.
Baba?
No answer.
Brooke unbuckles her seat belt.
She struggles to move. Her arm hurts, but she can still walk.
She pushes the damaged door open and falls onto the roadside.
For a moment, she simply lies there.
Then she forces herself to stand.
Brooke looks toward the front of the vehicle.
Her expression changes.
Larry is lying motionless near the driver’s side.
Sharra is also badly injured.
Neither of them moves.
Brooke freezes.
Baba?
She takes a shaky step forward.
Baba!
Still nothing.
Brooke starts running toward Larry.
She drops to her knees beside him.
Her hands tremble as she looks at his face.
Baba, wake up.
Please.
Larry doesn’t respond.
Brooke looks toward Sharra.
Sharra is lying several feet away.
Brooke begins crying.
Sharra!
Cars have started stopping. People are getting out.
Someone is already calling emergency services.
But Brooke can’t take her eyes off Larry.