BROOKE’S SECRET ESCAPE
INT. BROOKE’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
The room is quiet.
Moonlight slips through the curtains.
Brooke sits on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone.
Her eyes are tired.
She looks emotionally drained.
She takes a deep breath and unlocks her phone.
She scrolls through her contacts.
Her finger stops on one name.
DESTINY.
Brooke hesitates.
She knows calling Destiny could make everything worse.
But she feels like she has nowhere else to turn.
She finally presses CALL.
The phone rings.
Once.
Twice.
Then Destiny answers.
Brooke?
Brooke closes her eyes.
Her voice immediately begins to shake.
Destiny… I really need to talk to you.
Destiny sits up, instantly concerned.
What happened?
Brooke looks toward her bedroom door.
She lowers her voice.
I’m so tired, Destiny.
A tear rolls down her cheek.
She quickly wipes it away.
Tired of what?
Brooke takes a shaky breath.
Sharra and Larry.
Destiny’s expression changes.
She listens carefully.
I can’t deal with them anymore. They keep making decisions for me like I don’t have a say in my own life.
Destiny remains silent.
Brooke’s frustration grows.
They’re forcing me to go to college.
She looks down at her hands.
I know college is supposed to be good for me, but that’s not the point. They’re not listening to what I want.
Brooke, have you tried telling them how you feel?
Brooke lets out a bitter laugh.
Of course I have.
She shakes her head.
They don’t care.
Her voice cracks.
They’ve already decided everything for me.
Destiny stands from her bed.
She begins pacing around her room.
Okay. Slow down.
I can’t slow down.
Brooke looks toward the door again.
I feel trapped.
Silence fills the phone call.
Destiny’s face becomes serious.
Where are you right now?
In my room.
Are Sharra and Larry there?
They’re downstairs.
Brooke wipes another tear.
Destiny… I was thinking…
She stops.
Destiny waits.
Thinking about what?
Brooke takes a deep breath.
Her decision is already forming.
What if I come to you?
Destiny freezes.
Come to me?
Yeah.
Brooke’s voice becomes softer.
I could leave tonight.
Destiny looks shocked.
Brooke, are you serious?
Yes.
She looks around her room.
I don’t want to tell anybody.
Destiny walks to the window.
You want to leave without telling Sharra or Larry?
I have to.
Brooke’s eyes fill with tears again.
If I tell them, they’ll stop me.
Destiny thinks for a moment.
She knows Brooke is desperate.
Brooke, I don’t want you making a decision because you’re angry.
I’m not angry.
She pauses.
I’m exhausted.
That answer hits Destiny hard.
Brooke looks at the small suitcase sitting in the corner of her room.
I just need somewhere I can breathe.
Then come here.
Brooke looks up.
For the first time that night, she sees a little hope.
You mean it?
Yes.
Destiny doesn’t hesitate.
If you need me, come.
Brooke begins crying silently.
I don’t even know what I’m going to do when I get there.
You don’t have to figure everything out tonight.
A small smile appears on Brooke’s face.
Just get somewhere safe and call me.
Brooke nods even though Destiny cannot see her.
Okay.
Destiny walks back toward her bed.
What time is your flight?
Brooke checks her phone.
I can get a flight early tomorrow morning.
Then I’ll come to the airport and pick you up.
Brooke’s eyes widen.
You’ll really come?
Of course I will.
Destiny smiles gently.
The second you get there, call me.
Brooke takes a deep breath.
Thank you.
Don’t thank me.
She pauses.
Just promise me you’ll think carefully before you leave.
Brooke looks toward the bedroom door.
The sound of footsteps can be heard faintly outside.
Her expression changes.
Someone’s coming.
Destiny becomes alert.
Brooke?
The footsteps stop.
Brooke quickly lowers the volume on her phone.
The bedroom door handle moves slightly.
Brooke freezes.
I’ll call you back.
Okay. I’m here.
Brooke ends the call.
She quickly places her phone beneath her pillow.
The door opens.
Sharra stands there.
Brooke forces herself to look calm.
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Sharra studies her face.
You look upset.
Brooke looks away.
I’m just tired.
Sharra steps inside.
Tomorrow we’re going to talk about your college plans.
Brooke’s jaw tightens.
Okay.
Sharra nods and leaves.
The door closes.
Brooke waits.
She listens until the footsteps disappear.
Then she slowly pulls her phone from underneath the pillow.
A message from Destiny is already waiting.
I’m waiting for you.
Brooke stares at the message.
Her eyes fill with tears.
She looks toward her closet.
Then toward the door.
Finally, she opens her suitcase.
She begins packing.
One shirt.
Then another.
A pair of jeans.
Her phone charger.
Her passport.
She stops for a moment.
The reality of what she’s doing finally sinks in.
Brooke sits on the floor beside the suitcase.
What am I doing?
She closes her eyes.
But then she remembers Sharra telling her what she had to do.
She remembers Larry insisting that college was her only option.
Her expression becomes determined.
She stands.
She finishes packing.
INT. BROOKE’S BEDROOM – LATER THAT NIGHT
The house is completely silent.
Brooke sits on her bed, fully dressed.
Her suitcase waits beside her.
She checks the time.
Her flight is only a few hours away.
She quietly sends Destiny another message.
I’m coming.
Almost immediately, Destiny replies.
I’ll be at the airport.
Brooke smiles through her tears.
She looks around her room one last time.
This room holds years of memories.
But tonight, Brooke feels like she is finally making one decision for herself.
She grabs her suitcase.
She opens the bedroom door slowly.
The hallway is dark.
Brooke steps outside.
She looks toward the stairs.
No one is there.
She takes one careful step.