Killer Ending

Sylvia finished washing dishes.

From the shower, her lover called.

I'll be right out babe.

You ready for me?

Who's that?

My mom.

I sent her to voice mail.

She'd kill me if she knew you were over here.

Their love was... naive.

They had no idea that evil was lurking.

Shoot. That's probably her.

Stay in there.

One minute!

I'm coming.

What?

Jack! Help!

They had no idea of what was to come.

Inside a dark room,

the deep, stilted breaths of Sylvia

are all that can be heard.

Her cheeks would be drenched with tears

if not for the blindfold covering her face.

Her breath hitches.

Who's there?

Hey. Hey.

It's ok.

Shhh. Don't cry.

Don't cry.

It's ok.

I'm a friend.

It's me.

Apollo.

No!

Hey.

No! No!

This can't be happening!

Shh.

Hey.

No screaming.

No screaming!

Somebody help me!

No screaming!

Hey.

I told you I don't like that noise.

Ok?

Am I hurting you?

Am I?

You only scream when you're hurt.

You know that.

Because otherwise, then you're just crying wolf.

You know what happens when you cry wolf, right?

Mommy won't come next time.

Next time mommy won't find you... Sarah.

How do you know my name?

I can't believe my little girl is all grown up.

Come on, mom.

You said you weren't going to get sappy.

I know, I know.

I just... you're going to college.

What am I gonna do without you?

Write?

Finish your latest epic novel?

That's what you're gonna do.

I'm just gonna miss you so much.

It's not like I'm across the country

or even in a different state.

My school is in the same city.

You're gonna see me all the time.

I guess that's the upside to this whole education thing.

Come on, let's go get you settled.

Is that Jack?

What's he doing here?

Looks like he must have got into off-campus residence, too.

Did you know about this?

No, mom.

I swear.

I didn't know.

Honey, promise me you won't get wrapped up in him again.

He's broken your heart one too many times.

He doesn't deserve you.

I know, mom.

Don't worry.

I'm over him.

This year is a fresh start for me.

I'm excited for school and that's why I'm here.

Here, I can manage all this.

Do you wanna go back and get the last of my stuff?

Sure.

Excuse me.

I noticed that you have your hands full.

I've got an extra umbrella.

Thank you.

I just happen to have it handy.

Thank you.

Agatha.

Agatha Sayers, right?

I'm sorry, have we met before?

I'm a huge fan of your novels.

Thanks.

You're even more beautiful in person than the photo

on the back of your novel.

You and Sarah could be sisters.

How do you know my daughter's name?

I teach investigative journalism here at the college and...

well, I happened to notice that I had a Sarah Sayers in my class

and, well, admittedly I did do a little cross-checking

and I knew- or know-that Sarah is your daughter, so...

You're a professor here.

I'm-I am so sorry if I got all weird,

I... as you can imagine I get some pretty wild fans

in my line of work and sometimes I get a little paranoid.

I can imagine.

I am a big fan, though.

Um, we met once three years ago

at the Calico Killing book signing.

I brought my novel and you signed it.

Thank you.

You don't say?

I'm-what was your name?

I didn't catch that.

I'm Harmon.

Well, I am sure that Sarah will enjoy your class.

She's been doing a little editing on my last novel for me

and she's got quite the imagination.

Plotting epic true crime stories.

I like to say that we execute fictional stories.

Of course.

Well, it was really nice to meet you.

Yes.

Um, yeah, it was nice to meet you, too.

Bye, Agatha.

Bye.

Hi.

Sorry I'm late.

No, no, no.

You're right on time.

Come on in.

It is so great to see you, Caroline.

You too.

I can't thank you enough.

You have no idea how much this means to me.

To work side-by-side with you as you finish this novel

is a dream come true.

The pleasure is all mine.

It's not every day you get an assistant who is as creative

and eager as you are.

Well, it's just a good feeling

to know my life's finally back on track.

All thanks to you.

Better late than never, right?

Absolutely.

Why don't I show you to your room and you can get settled?

That sounds great.

Follow me.

I thought you'd be most comfortable in this room.

It's stunning.

I haven't lived alone in a long time

so I'm quite happy to have a house mate, so to speak.

The timing couldn't be more perfect.

Timing is everything.

Is that your daughter?

Mmmhmm.

You said she was at college?

She's very pretty.

Is this her boyfriend?

Ex-boyfriend.

You didn't like him?

Let's put it this way.

I actually paid the guy off to stay away from her.

Outrageous, right?

Anyways, I meant to put this stuff in storage,

and I have a spot in the garage that I have some things

that I need you to help me with.

Yeah, of course.

Anything I can do to help.

Well, get settled in.

Thanks.

Wow.

Look at this place.

It's so organized.

Well, three weeks at it, I'd hope so.

You're welcome to read any of them.

Lots of brilliant criminal minds in there.

This one has always been my favourite.

I got mixed reviews on that one.

You know this is the book I was reading

when I was at that women's shelter?

I thought it was a masterpiece.

I remember realizing for the first time that a woman

is in control of her own destiny.

That I was in control of my own destiny.

Well, you've come a long way since then.

Just like you, huh?

You're on the brink of your next best-seller.

When you shared with us at the shelter that day

I felt so connected to you.

I remember feeling like I could just read the story of your life

right off your lips.

I know your husband wasn't good to you and your daughter.

But I can imagine you probably feel free now that he's gone.