*BANG*
I can taste fire.
What do you mean?
Fire...Pain!
What kind of pain?
Who are you?
The one asking the questions. What kind of pain?
Fire, I taste fire. It burns...
Calm.
What do you mean?
I mean, stay calm! Where are you?
Here.
No, where?
Here, I'm here!
Focus, I need you to focus!
Who are you?
The one asking the questions. Now, where?
In my house, I'm in my house.
Good.
2
It's like being punched. No, not punched – something else. Wet, my fingers are so wet. Why?
You're in your house. You're in your house, are you standing?
No.
Stand.
No. My fingers, they're wet...
I know that! You need to stand up.
No, I need to sleep.
If you sleep, it's over.
What if I want it to be over?
You don't!
How do you know?
I know.
Who are you?
The one asking the questions. Now, get up!
Why?
For her, for them, for yourself! Does it matter? Get up now!
I can't.
You can!
Wet...
We'll fix it, just get up and we'll fix it, I promise you.
We can't fix this!
We can if you stand...up!
OK...
Good.
3
Where am I going? It hurts so much...like fire, like knives. I can feel something inside me trying to come out. No...No!
One step.
I...I...
Don't you dare say it, you can!
Where am I going?
Just move. I'm trying to think!
I can't keep doing this...
Where, where is your phone?
I don't know...I don't...
You do!
But...
It's your house Neil...it's your house, where did you put it?
I don't remember. It hurts...
I know it hurts! Stop telling me it hurts and think! I need to know where you put the phone!
What is... crying? Someone's crying.
It's the baby.
Baby?
Focus Neil, where is the phone?
Upstairs...I think left it upstairs.
Think?
No. It's upstairs, by the nightstand.
You need to get that phone.
I...
Don't.
Who are you?
The one asking the questions, now move!
4
Am I going to die?
Maybe.
Can you do anything?
Maybe.
Can you make the pain stop?
No.
Then why are you even here?
Because someone has to be. Where are you Neil?
I'm...I'm on the stairs. Walking, I'm walking up the stairs.
Then keep walking.
Why is there a baby?
No time, focus on walking.
It hurts so much.
You don't have a lot of time here Neil.
Why are you doing this?
Because I love you, and you deserve better.
I do?
You, him, her and everyone else does. Now, where are you?
I'm at the top of the stairs, but I can't feel my legs anymore...I can't walk.
Then crawl, Neil. Then crawl.
5.
Why is there so much blood? Where is it all coming from?
Inside you Neil. Now, do you see the phone?
I do.
Pick it up.
I can't reach it. I'm on the floor.
You can reach it. Prop yourself up on your elbows!
It hurts.
I don't care if it hurts, do it!
I don't even know your name, who are you?
The one asking the questions. Now...
No! Enough! What is your name?
If you want to live, prop yourself up on your elbows and pick up the phone!
But...Why won't you...
I won't ask again.
I...OK...I'll try...
Don't try, do it!
6
It...it fell.
Is it near you?
It's near me.
Can you reach it?
I can reach it.
How do you feel?
I can't see...I ca...it's hard to see. Are you there? I can't hear you anymore, are you there?
I'm here Neil. Use the phone, call her.
I...I can't.
You're better than this Neil!
I don't know if I am!
Well, I do!
Then why don't you call? Why don't you help? If you're so smart, if you know so much!
I would if I could, but it has to be you Neil. It has to be your hands, your lips, your choice.
I don't know what to say, what do I say to her?
Tell her you're sorry...tell her you made mistakes, but first tell her that she needs to send help.
But...
Do it now or die.
I...
*RING*
*RING*
*RING*
"Elisa speaking."
"Its...nei..."
"Neil, you son of a...wait, what's wrong?"
"Bleeding..."
"Is Aaron OK?"
"Dow..tairs."
"What did you do Neil?"
"...end...help. Pleas..."
"I'm calling 911, stay awake Neil, please stay awake!"
"...OK..."
*CLICK*
You did it.
Am I going to be OK?
No, but it will get better, I promise you that.
I...I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, so sorry for putting you through this.
There is no need to apologize Neil. Not to me, not ever.
I...
I'm going to have to leave you now, people will be here soon. Just listen to what they say, and don't forget to tell them about Aaron.
I'm so tired...
Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't fall asleep.
Why do you have to leave?
Because I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place. Not now, not yet.
But who are you?
You never stop, do you?
Please...
I'm just someone with a job to do, whose glad for once, that he doesn't have to do it.