DRE FINDS SHARRA’S MOM — LARRY ARRIVES WITH POLICE

EXT. SHARRA’S HOUSE – FRONT YARD – DAY

The afternoon is quiet.

Sharra stands near the front door, looking worried and exhausted. She has been waiting for any news about her missing mother.

Suddenly, a car pulls up outside.

Dre steps out.

Sharra immediately notices the serious expression on his face.

She walks toward him.

SHARRA

Dre? What happened? Why are you here?

Dre takes a breath before answering.

DRE

Sharra… I found your mom.

Sharra freezes.

Her eyes widen with disbelief.

SHARRA

What?

DRE

I found her. Your mom is safe.

Sharra covers her mouth, overwhelmed by the news.

For days, she has been afraid that something terrible happened.

SHARRA

You really found her?

Dre nods.

DRE

Yes. I’m telling you the truth. I found her.

Sharra quickly pulls out her phone.

Her hands shake as she searches through her contacts.

She knows exactly who she needs to call.

Larry.

INT. SHARRA’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Sharra presses Larry’s name.

The phone rings.

Larry answers.

LARRY

Sharra? What’s going on?

Sharra speaks quickly.

SHARRA

Larry, Dre just came here. He said he found my mom!

Larry immediately becomes serious.

LARRY

What?

SHARRA

He said he found her. He says my mom is safe.

Larry pauses.

He can hear the emotion in Sharra’s voice.

LARRY

Where is your mom right now?

SHARRA

I don’t know everything yet. Dre just told me he found her.

Larry looks concerned.

LARRY

Stay inside. Don’t go anywhere. I’m coming to you.

SHARRA

Larry, please hurry.

LARRY

I’m on my way.

The call ends.

Larry immediately grabs his keys.

EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE – DRIVEWAY – MOMENTS LATER

Larry walks quickly toward his vehicle.

Two police officers are nearby.

Larry approaches them with urgency.

LARRY

I need you guys to come with me. There’s something serious happening at Sharra’s house.

One officer looks at him.

POLICE OFFICER

What happened?

LARRY

Sharra’s missing mother may have been found. I need to make sure everyone is safe and find out exactly what happened.

The officers exchange a serious look.

They follow Larry toward the vehicles.

EXT. SHARRA’S HOUSE – FRONT YARD – LATER

Dre is still standing near the front entrance when Larry’s vehicle pulls up.

The police vehicles stop behind him.

Sharra steps outside.

She looks surprised to see Larry arrive so quickly.

SHARRA

Larry!

Larry walks toward her.

LARRY

Are you okay?

Sharra nods.

SHARRA

Yes. But Dre told me he found my mom.

Larry looks toward Dre.

His expression becomes cautious.

LARRY

Dre, where is Sharra’s mother?

Dre doesn’t answer immediately.

The police officers step closer.

DRE

I told Sharra what happened. I found her mom.

Larry keeps his eyes on him.

LARRY

Then tell the officers exactly what happened.

Dre looks nervous.

DRE

I didn’t hurt her.

One of the officers steps forward.

POLICE OFFICER

Nobody is saying that right now. We need to understand what happened.

Sharra looks between Dre and Larry.

SHARRA

Larry, I just want to know that my mom is okay.

Larry turns toward her.

LARRY

We’re going to find out.

EXT. SHARRA’S HOUSE – FRONT WALKWAY – CONTINUOUS

The atmosphere becomes tense.

Larry speaks privately with one of the officers.

LARRY

There’s something else you need to know.

The officer listens carefully.

LARRY

We have reason to believe Sharra’s mother may have been taken against her will.

Sharra hears him.

Her face changes.

SHARRA

What are you saying?

Larry looks at her.

LARRY

I’m saying the police need to investigate everything before anyone makes assumptions.

The officer turns toward Dre.

POLICE OFFICER

Dre, we need you to come with us and answer some questions.

Dre immediately shakes his head.

DRE

Wait. Why are you taking me?

POLICE OFFICER

Because there are questions about Sharra’s mother and your involvement.

Sharra looks shocked.

SHARRA

Dre, what is going on?

DRE

Sharra, listen to me. I was trying to help.

SHARRA

Then why are the police saying this?

Dre struggles to answer.

Larry stays beside Sharra.

LARRY

Let the police handle this.

EXT. SHARRA’S HOUSE – DRIVEWAY – MOMENTS LATER

The officers place Dre under arrest and lead him toward the police vehicle.

Sharra watches in disbelief.

DRE

Sharra! I didn’t do what they’re saying!

Sharra looks torn.

SHARRA

I don’t know what to believe anymore!

Dre continues trying to explain himself.

DRE

I found your mom! That’s all I was trying to do!

The officer opens the vehicle door.

POLICE OFFICER

We’ll sort everything out at the station.

Dre gets inside.

The door closes.

Sharra stands silently.

Larry walks over to her.

LARRY

I know this is a lot to take in.

Sharra looks at him with tears in her eyes.

SHARRA

First my mom disappears… and now Dre is being taken away.

Larry puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

LARRY

You’re not dealing with this alone.

Sharra takes a deep breath.

SHARRA

I just want my mom back.

LARRY

And we’re going to keep looking until we know exactly where she is and what happened.

INT. POLICE VEHICLE – MOVING – DAY

Dre sits quietly in the back seat.

He looks out the window.

His expression is tense.

DRE

I was only trying to help her.

The officer in the front remains focused on the road.

POLICE OFFICER

You’ll have an opportunity to explain your side.

Dre lowers his head.

EXT. SHARRA’S HOUSE – FRONT YARD – DAY

The police vehicle drives away.

Sharra watches until it disappears.

Larry remains beside her.

For a moment, neither speaks.

Then Sharra looks at Larry.

SHARRA

What happens now?

Larry takes a breath.

LARRY

Now we find the truth.

Sharra nods slowly.

Her fear hasn’t disappeared, but she knows she has someone standing beside her.

The camera pulls back as Larry and Sharra stand together outside the house.

The police lights disappear into the distance.

But the questions surrounding Sharra’s mother are only beginning.

FADE OUT.