Shara’s Mother Has Escaped
The News That Changed Everything
The night had barely settled over the neighborhood when Shara received
the news that changed everything.
Her mother had escaped from the halfway house.
For a few seconds, Shara simply stared at her phone, unable to process
what she had been told. Her mother was somewhere outside, alone and
frightened—and if the authorities found her, she could face years in prison.
Six years.
That number kept echoing through Shara’s mind.
Shara Calls Brooke
She immediately called Brooke.
SHARA:
“Brooke, please answer. I need you.”
BROOKE:
“Shara? What happened? You sound terrified.”
SHARA:
“My mom left the halfway house. She ran away.”
Brooke sat upright.
BROOKE:
“What? When?”
SHARA:
“I just found out. I don’t know where she is, Brooke. I don’t know what to do.”
SHARA:
“If they find her, she could go back to prison for six years. I can’t let that happen.”
BROOKE:
“Okay. Don’t panic. We’ll figure something out.”
Larry’s House Becomes the Question
Shara needed somewhere safe to stay until she could figure out what to do.
Brooke knew exactly where Shara was thinking.
Larry’s house.
Brooke called Larry and explained everything. Larry listened carefully,
his expression becoming increasingly serious.
But Bethany was nearby.
She heard enough to understand what was happening.
BETHANY:
“Wait. You’re telling me Shara’s mother escaped from a halfway house?”
LARRY:
“Yes. And right now, Shara needs help.”
Bethany Wants the Police Called
BETHANY:
“Larry, think about what you’re saying. If she brings that woman here and
the police come looking for her, they could come straight to this house.”
LARRY:
“Bethany—”
BETHANY:
“No. This isn’t just about Shara anymore. This is our home.”
Brooke had been standing nearby and heard every word.
BETHANY:
“We should call the police and tell them exactly what happened.”
Brooke’s eyes widened. She immediately stepped away and called Shara.
Shara Decides to Face Bethany
BROOKE:
“Shara, you need to listen to me.”
BROOKE:
“Bethany heard everything.”
BROOKE:
“She thinks we should call the police.”
Shara went quiet.
SHARA:
“No…”
SHARA:
“Brooke, please. I can’t let them find my mom.”
Tears began rolling down Shara’s cheeks.
SHARA:
“I have to go there. Maybe if I talk to Bethany, she’ll understand.”
Shara Arrives at Larry’s House
Minutes later, Shara arrived at Larry’s house.
She stood outside the front door, crying uncontrollably. Her hands were
trembling as she knocked.
Larry opened the door.
LARRY:
“Shara…”
Shara immediately clasped her hands together.
SHARA:
“Larry, please. I need your help.”
Bethany appeared behind him.
BETHANY:
“What are you doing here?”
Shara Begs for Help
SHARA:
“Bethany, please listen to me. I know things have been bad between us,
but this isn’t about our arguments anymore.”
SHARA:
“My mother needs somewhere safe. Please don’t call the police.”
SHARA:
“I’m begging you.”
Shara stepped forward, but Bethany immediately blocked the doorway.
BETHANY:
“You’re not coming inside.”
SHARA:
“Please…”
BETHANY:
“No.”
Bethany Reminds Shara of the Past
LARRY:
“Bethany, maybe we should at least hear her out.”
BETHANY:
“I have heard enough.”
BETHANY:
“Do you remember what you did to me?”
SHARA:
“I know I made mistakes.”
BETHANY:
“Now that you need something, suddenly you expect me to forget everything?”
SHARA:
“I’m not asking you to forget. I’m asking you to help my mother.”
Bethany Gives Shara a Condition
BETHANY:
“And what happens when the police come here?”
LARRY:
“Bethany, she’s scared.”
BETHANY:
“So am I.”
BETHANY:
“You made your choices. Now you have to deal with them.”
SHARA:
“Please, Bethany. I have nowhere else to go.”
For a moment, Bethany said nothing.
Then she opened the door only slightly wider—but not enough for Shara to enter.
BETHANY:
“I will help you on one condition.”
SHARA:
“Anything.”
BETHANY:
“Leave our family alone.”
BETHANY:
“No more arguments. No more showing up. No more involving yourself in our lives.”
SHARA:
“You’re asking me to give up everything just to save my mother.”
BETHANY:
“I’m giving you a choice.”
Someone Has Arrived
Larry looked at Bethany in disbelief.
LARRY:
“Bethany…”
Before he could finish, a sudden sound came from the driveway.
Everyone turned.
A vehicle had stopped outside the house.
Its headlights illuminated the doorway.
Shara slowly turned toward it.
Someone stepped out.
Then another person appeared behind them.
Larry’s expression changed.
Bethany looked toward the driveway, suddenly uncertain.
And then Shara whispered something that made everyone go silent.
SHARA:
“They found her…”
The footsteps began approaching the house.
And this time, there was nowhere for Shara to run.
