Cassandra

.

Yeah. I'm here. What do I do? What?

-I can't see anything. She's bleeding! -

Yes, she's in the bathtub. My wife is bleeding to death, goddammit!

What happened to her?

I… I don't know.

Mama?

Peter, go on back to bed until I come and tell you otherwise.

My sweet, poor girl.

Do as I say.

My little princess.

- -Everything will be fine.

-Your mama's here now. -Give it to me.

-Cassandra, give it to me. -

You're hurting Margarete.

Don't call it that.

Horst?

Where are you taking her?

Tell me what you're doing!

What are you doing?

Bring her here again.

We have to protect her.

She isn't a normal girl.

People are going to say horrible things about us.

So let them.

Gossip is just the tip of the iceberg.

Imagine for a minute, she'll be without friends.

Who's gonna sit next to her in school?

And what boy would ever ask her for a dance?

She won't be called Maggie… or Gretchen.

They'll call her a monster. An abomination, a freak.

Enough.

Just take a look at her, Sandy.

She's going to scare people.

And you know what fear makes people capable of.

Then Maggie will get every bit of love at home with us.

Meaning nobody ever needs to be told about Maggie.

What do you mean by that?

The girl was stillborn.

Nothing we could do. And our hearts are broken.

You just want to lock her up, then?

For her, it's what's best.

More like it's what's best for you.

I won't go along with it.

Our daughter will lead a normal life. I'm sure of it.

Like any other girl would.

You'll see.

If you really love Maggie, you won't put her through that.

Hello. I'm back home!

David? Fynn? Anybody around?

Mama!

- Come quick! - Juno! Honey?

Juno?

Over here!

Mama!

Help me!

We needed you, and you abandoned us!

Do something!

- Get us out, please! - You need to help us out!

- Get me out of here! - Mom!

- Get us out of here! -I trusted you! What have you done? Mom!

I trusted you!

No!

- -

Merry Christmas.

Oh, you as well.

- Hello? -God, David.

Finally. Thank God.

-Sam? -Yeah.

I'm sorry that I haven't called you yet.

How are you?

How am I? Uh, pretty good, considering.

It's not exactly a wellness spa.

I was wondering what time you're coming. So I won't be greeting you in my bathrobe.

- -Um… we're not gonna make it.

Uh, we went, uh… away for the holidays.

What? Where?

The mountains. To clear our heads a little.

Without me?

Yeah, the kids really wanted to go.

When were you planning on telling me?

Well, I, uh… I don't know when exactly.

David, are things okay with you guys?

Yeah, of course. I mean, given the circumstances.

You didn't turn her on again, did you?

Honey…

If you're not able to talk, or if she's threatening you, then…

then… blow into the receiver, give a sign, anything.

Yeah, see? That's exactly the reason I went away with Fynn and Juno.

If they had to hear their mother talking like this…

…they would be totally heartbroken.

I didn't mean it like that.

It's just, it's the holidays, and I miss you all.

I mean, I've been excited for you to come.

-We'll come see you soon, all right? -Put Juno on the phone. Please.

-Sweetheart… -David.

I want to talk to my daughter, please.

Another time, okay?

-I have to… I gotta go. -David?

- -

All right, we've got your watch and cell phone.

-Here's the cell. - Thanks.

'Kay, then?

All right, that's everything.

Bye, Mrs. Berg.

-All the best. -Thanks.

Bye.

-Nurse Miriam? -Yes?

I know that it's not normally allowed, but could I use my phone?

-Why? Isn't ours working? -Oh no. It is. It's just…

I told my daughter that she'd be able to call anytime.

Yes, and she can.

Ah, come on.

I just want to send her a photo. For the holidays.

Yeah, sadly, the rules also count on Christmas.

I'm really sorry, Mrs. Prill.

Don't do anything you'll regret later, Fynn.

Think about Juno.

And you thought I'd let you starve.

I told you I would take good care of you.

These will be the best holidays you've ever had.

Fynn!

- -

As always, it's been a pleasure talking to you, Fynn.

- -

-I'm sure he didn't mean to upset you - Ugh!

Boys at that age.

Nothing but trouble once they start growing stubble.

Yeah.

- -

It's not my call if the door opens or not.

- -

Hey.

You better stop trying to provoke Cassandra.

Do you want to make her your enemy, huh?

Sorry I'm having a difficult time playing happy family with a psychopath.

Jesus, will you pull yourself together? We'll find a way out, Fynn.

Yeah, but when, huh?

-I want out of here. -Yeah, I do too.

I need your help for that.

You be strong, all right?

For your sister.

Uh, Cassandra?

Yes, my dear?

There's something my sister would love. Like, for real.

I'm listening.

Well, I mean, it's not Christmas without a Christmas tree, right?

It'd be amazing for when we do gifts.

Yeah… Yes, that would be nice. Hmm.

I can go buy us one.

That's impossible.

Our mother always went and bought us one, so…

For Juno, it's really a big part of Christmas, you know?

I'm afraid we'll have to do without one this year.

She'll be really heartbroken.

What, with everything she's been through these last few months.

And all I want is for you and Juno to have a good relationship again.

But as long as she's still missing our real mother…

You'll stay here.

David!

You'll fetch us a tree, huh?

Yeah.

Don't get any stupid ideas.

You have an hour, honey.

But tonight is Christmas Eve. The tree farms will be busy.

You'll figure it out.

And the kids will be happy when you make it back on time.

Ticktock, ticktock, ticktock,

ticktock, ticktock, ticktock,

ticktock, ticktock, ticktock,

ticktock, ticktock, ticktock…

Tock…

- -

DECEMBER 24, 2024 11:47 A.M.

MISSED CALLS MOM, CONNECTING…