Scene 1 — Dnisha’s House — Evening
The house is unusually quiet. The front door slowly opens. Dnisha steps inside after returning from the office. She places her bag down and looks around. Something feels wrong. She notices a pair of shoes near the entrance. Her expression changes.
DNISHA: Hello?
No answer. Dnisha takes a cautious step forward. Then she sees him. Her ex-husband is sitting in the living room, waiting for her. Dnisha freezes.
DNISHA: What are you doing here?
Her ex-husband slowly stands. There is an uncomfortable silence between them.
EX-HUSBAND: We need to talk.
Dnisha takes a step backward.
DNISHA: There is nothing left to talk about. You need to leave.
He moves closer. Dnisha tries to walk away, but he grabs her hand.
DNISHA: Let go of me!
She struggles to pull herself free. He forces her toward the hallway.
DNISHA: Stop! You’re scaring me!
The tension rises as he takes her toward a bedroom. The bedroom door closes behind them.
Scene 2 — Outside the House — Same Time
A car pulls into the driveway. Anthony steps out. He looks tired after a long day, but his expression immediately changes when he notices the front door is slightly open.
ANTHONY: Dnisha?
He enters the house.
Scene 3 — Searching the House
Anthony looks around.
ANTHONY: Dnisha, I’m home.
No response. He checks the living room. Empty. He looks toward the kitchen. Nothing. His concern grows.
ANTHONY: Dnisha?
Anthony walks through the hallway. He checks another room. Still nothing. Suddenly, he hears a faint sound from the bedroom. Anthony stops. His face becomes serious. He walks toward the bedroom door.
Scene 4 — The Bedroom
The situation inside is tense. Dnisha is visibly frightened and trying to get away from her ex-husband. The door suddenly opens. Anthony stands there. His eyes widen when he sees what is happening. For a moment, nobody speaks.
ANTHONY: Get away from her.
Dnisha looks toward Anthony. Relief flashes across her face.
DNISHA: Anthony!
Anthony steps forward. His anger is obvious, but he keeps his attention on getting Dnisha to safety.
ANTHONY: Leave her alone.
Her ex-husband turns toward Anthony.
EX-HUSBAND: This doesn’t concern you.
Anthony’s expression hardens.
ANTHONY: It concerns me when someone is hurting her.
Dnisha quickly moves away from her ex-husband and toward Anthony. Anthony positions himself between them.
ANTHONY: Are you okay?
Dnisha nods nervously.
DNISHA: I… I was so scared.
Anthony looks at her, then back at her ex-husband. His hands tighten into fists. Beside him, a baseball bat lies on the floor. Anthony notices it. He reaches down and picks it up. His anger reaches its limit.
ANTHONY: You should have walked away when she told you to.
The ex-husband takes a step forward. Anthony raises the bat defensively.
ANTHONY: Don’t come any closer.
A long silence follows. Dnisha watches Anthony carefully.
DNISHA: Anthony, please…
Anthony takes a breath. He realizes that losing control will only make the situation worse. He lowers the bat slightly.
ANTHONY: I’m not going to let him hurt you again.
The ex-husband suddenly tries to move forward. Anthony reacts immediately. The confrontation becomes chaotic. The camera stays focused on Dnisha’s frightened expression. A loud crash is heard.
Scene 5 — Moments Later
The room is quiet again. Dnisha sits safely away from the confrontation. Anthony stands nearby, breathing heavily. The baseball bat rests on the floor. Dnisha looks at Anthony.
DNISHA: You came back.
Anthony looks at her.
ANTHONY: Of course I did.
Dnisha’s eyes fill with tears.
DNISHA: I thought nobody was going to find me.
Anthony kneels nearby, keeping a respectful distance.
ANTHONY: You’re not alone anymore.
Dnisha takes a shaky breath. The fear on her face slowly begins to fade. Outside, distant sirens can be heard approaching. Anthony looks toward the window.
ANTHONY: Help is coming.
Dnisha nods. For the first time that evening, she feels safe. The camera slowly pulls away from them. The bedroom door remains open. The hallway beyond it is filled with flashing lights.
TO BE CONTINUED…