[ The Young Souls' "Puppet on a String" plays ]
Downloaded from YTS.MX
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
♪ Puppet ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Puppet on a string♪
♪ Call me a puppet on a string♪
♪ I'll be his anything♪
♪ Can't stop loving him♪
-[ Door opens, closes ] -♪ If I tried♪
David?
♪ Call me a puppet on a string♪
You're home early.
♪ His love is so good♪
♪ And it keeps me satisfied♪
[ Blade scrapes ]
♪ People try to tell me♪
♪ That man is no good♪
♪ All he'll bring me is trouble and strife♪
David.
[ Weakly ] Run.
What's wrong?
[ Grunting ] Run!
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Grunts ] [ Gasps, screams ]
God!
[ Grunts ]
[ Whimpering, gasping ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
[ Exhales sharply ]
[ Whimpers, groans ]
[ Grunts ] Oh, God.
[ Weakly ] Why?
It's not me!
[ Grunts ] No.
[ Grunts ]
[ Blood gurgling ]
[ Breathing heavily ]
[ David screaming ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
PODCASTER 1: So, the Puppetman is back in the news
because he's on death row and it looks like his time is up.
PODCASTER 2: The Puppetman killer. Super mysterious.
Have no freakin' clue what's going on with this guy.
But the police, when they found him,
he was covered in his wife's blood,
completely drenched in it, sitting at the table.
He had a knife on his lap.
He was there, with her body just staring up at him,
kind of like he was waiting for dinner to be served, which --
-Dinner was canceled. -PODCASTER 1: And it's crazy
because there really was no motive
other than the fact this guy might just be batshit insane.
When he was being questioned, he just had one answer,
and all he said was, "It wasn't me."
PODCASTER 2: "It wasn't me."
PODCASTER 1: "I didn't do it. Somebody else used my body.
PODCASTER 2: "It was someone who was controlling my body."
PODCASTER 1: If you're the jury, you're sitting there like, Hmm.
Well, it seems like you probably did it.
PODCASTER 2: The worst part is
that he had kept his daughter locked up in a closet.
And when they found her, it was like in a giant,
constructed cage, and she didn't make a peep.
The police found her after they went through all of his shit.
They went through the whole house, and they found her.
And I guess she hadn't seen sunlight for years, which is --
I mean, you'd probably say the same thing about me
if you saw me in shorts right now,
because I have real goth legs.
PODCASTER 1: Ah. So there you have it, everyone.
Thank you so much for listening to "Open Lines."
The Puppetman back in the news again.
We'll see what happens.
All I know is his final image
is probably gonna be a series of IVs going into his veins
as the --
Christ.
Michal.
I don't...
I don't even remember it.
But...Christ.
How old were you?
Young enough to pretend it wasn't me.
Here these assholes have to go and remind you.
Damn. Girl, your arm.
Told you to stop scratching that.
You gonna tell Danny about this?
[ Exhales sharply ] It was hard enough telling you.
Well, I guess I've got that going for me.
Annoy you enough to get under your skin, and boom!
[ Chuckles ] Yeah.
I just want it behind me.
Well, maybe this is a good thing.
I mean, they're giving the guy the needle,
so maybe you just need some closure yourself.
Bookend it.
You ever think about seeing him?
I used to.
Think about it. I'd even come with you.
Yeah.
And for the love of God,
can you please stop scratching this thing?
-[ Laughs ] -This is ridiculous.
[ Indistinct conversations, bell tolling ]
Okay. Hear me out.
I did some digging. You know the shit I can find.
The Net is a rabbit hole.
But they said they found Satanic books
when they arrested your dad.
Oh, my God.
You're not still on this, are you?
Have we met? Look.
the world is chock full of Satanic pedophiles, right?
I mean, top down, the elites are a bunch of kiddie diddlers.
Well, your dad is all over Reddit and cases just like his.
-Just leave it alone. -What?
This shit doesn't fascinate you?
Not really.
Ladies, breakfast at The Spot?
I'm skipping sociology to earn the breakfast and egger.
I'm down.
I've got bio chem and lab, and if I miss,
my participation points crater, so...I need an A.
It's the only reason I told my parents
I'm sticking around during reading week.
Right. And to drink.
You better hope the doc who shills you his steroids
doesn't have your work ethic.
[ Sighs ] Growth hormones, Jo. Big diff.
See you guys at brekkie.
JO: Who says "brekkie" anymore?
He have to get a shot in his ass?
Yeah. Would make sense why he's such an asshole.
Oh! I like that one. I'm gonna use it.
All right. I'll text you when I'm done.
Hey.
Okay. Let's get the fuck out of here. It's cold.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Voice echoing ] One might say that they fared better
than Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania,
who was assassinated.
[ Voice fading, echoing ]
[ Music continues ]
CHARLIE: Hey. Earth to Michal.
Come on. Hurry up, dude.
I'm trying to see Glenn before he puts his shirt back on. Ee!
[ Indistinct conversations ]
[ Metal clanking ]
You think the 'roids have done anything to his dick?
He was sitting down last time I saw him piss.
Hey, guys. Give me like five minutes.
Charlie wants to know about your dick.
What about it?
Cool. I'll meet you at The Spot.
-You are such a jerk. -Aah! What?
At least you'll find out for yourself this week.
[ Mid-tempo music plays ]
Okay. So I scored keys from Will.
He knows the R.A. pretty, uh, intimately.
But he made a copy of her keys, so we've got a rooftop access.
All we need is the booze, so we have to pool our funds.
Got my incidentals.
Do you have anything?
I pay for the coffee.
It's fine.
I know Jo's folks, Dr. Dipshits, keep a line of credit going.
We have to make this send-off to reading week epic.
I ain't going home without a hangover.
[ Music continues ]
Michal.
Hey.
You okay?
Yeah.
Y-Yeah. I'll be right back.
[ Breathing heavily ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Exhales deeply ]
[ Mid-tempo music playing ]
Is, um, is Michal okay?
Is she too slow for you? She's not the sleep-around type.
You know I don't give a shit about that, Charlie.
I'm not Glenn.
She just seems...
...off today.
Off?
Jesus, Danny. Is that what you want?
Are you looking for a damsel in distress?
Just forget it.
Look.
Michal's just going through some stuff, okay?
It's not really my place to tell.
[ Door opens, bells chiming ]
GLENN: What's up, guys?
You guys still talking about my dick?
CHARLIE: Such an idiot.
[ Water running ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
-[ Voice distorted ] Hello. -[ Gasps ]
Shit! Are you okay?
[ Laughing ] Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.
Is this about what I said?
No. No, no, no.
All right. Well, your food's on the table.
Thanks.
Listen, girl.
If you're looking to nab Danny,
it's probably best you don't hang out in here too long.
You don't want him to know you shit.
You know girls don't do that.
Okay.
[ Laughs ]
You sure you're okay?
Yeah. I'm fine.
Okay.
[ Water draining ]
[ Door opens ]
[ Wind whistling ]
We shouldn't have listened to that stupid podcast.
It's my fault.
I wanted to.
Yeah, but you've been in the dumps all day, and that's on me.
You know, Danny is, like, really into you.
He has great taste.
He doesn't give a shit about any of your baggage.
Neither do I. We all have baggage.
That's why we're even here -- to cut the strings.
We're on our own now.
This is...our world, in our control.
You're a survivor, man.
But you need some normal, and we're gonna get that for you.
You sound like a self-help nut.
You kind of need it.
[ Laughs ]
Yeah. That's fair.
Yeah.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Music continues ]
Hello?
Is anyone there?
[ Dramatic music plays ]
-[ Gasps ] -[ Gasps ]
You okay?
What happened?
You got out the room.
You were sleepwalking.
-I was? -Come on.
Let's get you back to bed. Your arm is bleeding again.
Uh...
[ Hinges creaking ]
So, I think you ought to start wearing sleeves.
I'm gonna grab you a towel.
Did you see me leave the room?
You've never gone that far before.
I've done this before?
I thought you were going to piss.
You looked right at me.
Seriously?
Charlie, you have to stop.
Leave that shit alone.
I don't want to bring it back up.
It's not fair, what he's done to you.
Yeah, but I'm here now, right? That's what you said.
We've got to cut our strings.
We're in control.
-Right? -Yeah, you're right.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Sorry.
[ Indistinct conversations ]
JO: [ Groans ] Hurry up. I need a smoke.
CHARLIE: Yeah. You say that now. You say that now.
GLENN: [ Laughs ]
You know that shit will kill you, right?
-I thought you were a pre-med. -I'm sorry.
I just couldn't hear you over the sound of your steroids.
[ Chuckles ]
What are you laughing at, Danny?
-Your arms could get me HBO. -Yeah. Nice. Nice. Right.
Okay, children. What is the plan here?
Find the rest of your idea?
I've got this.
It's pretty good, right?
DANNY: That's never going to work.
Your brother's his own brand.
That guy's gonna know you're not a quarterback.
It says 6'3" on the card.
I'm not a quarterback yet.
JO: The bench knows your ass better than your underwear does.
GLENN: Listen, unless either of you guys are 21,
which I know you're not, this is the only way
we're gonna make our little soiree worth a damn.
So, Jo Jo, come on.
Help me make this asshole in here believe
that I'm Ricky "QB" Bellweather.
Worst case, you look old enough to be my mom.
All right. All right. All right.
I'll join you just to watch you fumble.
GLENN: Oh, ye of little faith.
[ Bells chiming, bird cawing ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
Hey. You okay?
Yeah. Yeah. Let's get our booze on.
There she is.
[ Mid-tempo music playing, bottles clanking ]
JO: [ Clears throat ]
[ Music continues ]
ID, please.
ID? That's it?
No "How are you today"? No "Welcome, sir"?
JO: Yeah. I'm s-- I'm sorry.
You seriously didn't recognize him?
I mean, this is alumni royalty, sir.
Number-one ace in the pocket Ricky Bellweather himself.
Come on.
That's Mr. Bellweather.
This is child on juice.
[ Spits, laughs ] Sorry.
[ Clears throat ]
[ Vehicles passing in distance ]
[ Bells chiming, bottles clanking ]
[ Chuckles ]
Holy shit. He actually bought it.
[ Laughs ]
Uh, not exactly. I, um... I told him she was my mom.
That's such a dick move.
GLENN: She's got study eyes. Red and tired.
Your doctor shit's aging you, Jo Jo.
At this pace,
you might be able to get that AARP discount next time.
JO: As if you know what that is.
GLENN: Got middle.
Hey, uh, you guys go on without me.
Sweet. More room for me.
-What? -Why? What's up?
I have an appointment.
-You can take you. We're free. -Yeah.
No. It's cool. I'll -- I'll walk.
It's close by.
You take good care of Michal.
Escort her to her room like a gentleman.
Just go, dipshit.
[ Doors close, engine starts ]
CHARLIE: This fucking snow.
[ Engine stops ]
Hey, guys, I'm gonna grab a bag
and sneak this shit up to my room.
Jo, you, uh, willing to make the round trip with me?
I'll cheer you on from here.
Of course. Such a sweetheart.
-See you, guys. -Later, buddy.
Well...I'm not one to defy Charlie.
She sort of scared the shit out of me.
[ Laughs ] Yeah. She has that effect.
It's really cool
you and Glenn are sticking around for reading week.
DANNY: Well, Glenn hates his family, and mine hate me.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
So, um, foster care.
Yeah. Yeah.
I, uh, met some nice people -- and some shitty.
It's a system to be gamed.
What do you mean?
Uh, well, I guess people
don't really think of us kids as...kids.
They think of us as commodities --
tax credits, benefits.
I don't know.
When it's not about love,
you really start thinking you're a product.
It wasn't till I finally aged out and came here
that I finally felt free.
Well, that makes you a success.
Uh, I don't know about that.
More like a hot mess. [ Chuckles ]
Not that I'm -- I don't think I'm hot or anything.
Just, like, definitely a mess.
Definitely. [ Chuckles ]
Uh, do -- do you want to come in?
Um... I'll just see you on the roof.
Oh. Okay. Yeah.
[ Springs squeak ]
[ Exhales deeply ]
[ Whistling tone ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Whistling tone ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Whistling tone ]
CHARLIE: [ Whispering ] Michal, are you awake?
It's November 18th, 3:22 a.m., and she's doing it again.
[ Music continues ]
Hey, weirdo. Wake up.
Hey.
Wake up.
[ Button clicking ]
Oh, shit.
[ Music continues ]
[ Whispering indistinctly]
-[ Hinges creaking] -Where is she going?
[ Door closes]
Where's she going?
Michal?
Michal.
[ Music builds, continues ]
Okay. All right. Fuck.
Jesus, Michal.
Michal.
Wake up.
What are you doing?
-You recorded me? -What?
No moral high ground here, girl. You're on mycomputer.
Fuck you, Charlie.
Hey. Hey.
How many times have I done this?
You were my kooky roomie, Michal.
Shit, I'd be stupid not to chronicle your night habits.
Then I learned your father is a goddamn monster,
and this makes a lot more sense.
Does it matter how many times?
What matters is I was there for every one of them
to make sure that you were okay.
It's not like I told anyone about it.
It's our little secret.
Now...tell me why I found you here all alone
when I know damn well I told Danny to join you.
I don't know. I invited him in.
He didn't want to come.
Said he'd see me on the roof later.
Oh. Maybe he's saving himself for marriage.
[ Chuckles softly ] Maybe.
All right. Let's grab some food before our festivities begin.
Yeah. I could use some food.
[ Wind whistling ]
[ Lighter clicks ]
[ Door opens ]
GLENN: Ugh! Geez.
You got that?
CHARLIE: Yeah. No. It's fine. Thank you.
I always wondered why you don't just vape like a civilized lady.
Your first mistake was assuming I'm civilized.
And, uh, those things freak me out.
I don't -- I don't want them exploding in my face.
Be about time something exploded in your face, Jo.
Be about time.
[ Chuckles ]
Hey.
Have I ever drawn anything like that before?
Draw?
Those three lines on the wall.
God. It's your dad, girl.
Always in your head, just haunting you.
Maybe it's like prison bars or your cage.
Jo would call that what?
-Sublimation? -JO: I heard my name.
Trying to use some dumb smart words you would use.
What are you guys doing up here? It's freezing.
GLENN: Come get your drinks or I'm drinking them.
[ Bottles clanking ]
Why, thank you.
That's to you.
Thanks.
Thank you.
To us.
We're young. We're free.
We've got a whole week
where these assholes can't tell us what to do.
-Yeah. -Hear, hear.
Mm. Ooh.
To the best year of our lives.
Mm. To not opening a single damn book all week.
Uh...to having no regrets.
CHARLIE: Cheers.
Cheers to that.
To, uh, starting new relationships.
CHARLIE: Ooh.
[ Chuckles ]
To shitting on the critics.
I'm gonna work out twice a day, 10 grams of creatine,
work on my fast-twitch muscles,
prove to Coach I'm fast off the line.
[ Chuckles softly ]
Coach won't even remember Ricky's fucking name.
Attaboy.
GLENN: Ah.
Ricky, if you can hear me in your penthouse, you asshole,
not a single goddamn prick in this town
is gonna remember your name when someone says Bellweather.
CHARLIE: I got this.
Come here, you.
DANNY: Oh.
All right. It's your turn.
Enough of this "Will they, won't they?" bullshit.
JO: Yeah. I'll drink to that.
-Come on, Charlie. -No. You come on.
"No regrets." You said it yourself.
Seriously, Danny. Be the fucking hero.
This one's got major daddy issues.
Supremo.
Haven't you heard what her daddy has done to her mom?
I mean, shit.
What the Puppetman made her daddy do to her mom.
Glenn, shut up.
What? We're gonna act like we don't know what happened?
Stop.
And the sleepwalking, Danny. Fuck.
If you're not careful, she's gonna walk
right off your damn roof.
What?
You told him?
[ Chuckles ]
Michal, I'm sorry! I just wanted to help!
I don't need your help, Charlie.
I thought that was between us.
-Michal, I-I'm s-- -[ Glass breaks ]
GLENN: Yo. That's a $20 bottle.
CHARLIE: Guys?
[ Dramatic music plays ]
I...can't...move.
GLENN: She could never hold her drink.
CHARLIE: No.
I...can't...move.
-GLENN: She's faking it. -JO: Glenn, shut up.
I...can't...
...move.
[ Gasps ]
Please!
Help!
Help me!
[ Weakly ] Please. [ Gasps ]
Help! Help!
[ Gasps ]
-Charlie! No! -No!
Charlie!
Oh, my God.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Plastic crinkling, zipper closing ]
[ Indistinct conversations, engine idling ]
[ Machinery whirring ]
[ Siren wailing in distance ]
Hello, Michal.
I'm Detective Al Rosen.
Are you thirsty? Can I get you anything?
No, thank you.
I want you to know how sorry I am about your friend.
I can only imagine what you're going through right now.
Your friends told me that you two were roommates.
[ Exhales deeply ]
Yeah.
I'm trying to get an idea of what happened here.
I was just... so angry with Charlie.
It was the last time I'll ever get to speak to her,
and I was so mad.
I didn't want to be.
I really didn't.
I don't understand.
[ Music continues ]
It's my fault.
I beg your pardon.
Before she fell, I saw it in her eyes.
[ Voice breaking ] The blame.
It was the same thing --
the exact same thing I saw in his eyes.
Whose eyes?
[ Rope creaking ]
They were the same as Charlie's.
Like -- Like -- Like he was afraid.
Afraid? Afraid of what?
Of me.
-Michal. -No.
JO: Michal, it was an accident.
Don't let them convince you otherwise.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Bird cawing ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Bird cawing ]
[ Birds cawing ]
[ Music builds, fades ]
[ Bird caws ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Thud in distance ]
[ Thudding continues ]
[ Thudding stops ]
[ Wings fluttering ]
-[ Gasps ] -[ Birds cawing ]
Stop it.
[ Birds cawing ]
Stop.
-[ Thud, birds cawing ] -Stop.
Stop it!
[ Thudding continues ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
[ Vehicles passing ]
[ Sniffs ]
[ Line ringing ]
Hey. It's Michal.
I can't come to the phone right now,
but if you leave me your name and number --
She's...She's not answering.
Who gives a fuck about her right now, Danny?
No. I-I can't do this right now.
-Jo. -No.
Fuck this. I'm going home.
[ Bells chiming ]
[ Door closes ]
Go check on her, man.
Just go.
[ Bells chiming ]
[ Door closes ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Knock on door ]
DANNY: Michal?
I just wanted to make sure you're okay.
I'm here if you need me.
Okay?
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Wind whistling, ice crackling ]
[ Hinges creaking, door slams ]
Michal?
[ Music continues ]
[ Footsteps echoing, door closes ]
Shit.
[ Door rattling ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
Michal!
[ Music builds, ends ]
Let it lie.
-Let it lie. Let it lie. -Michal. Michal.
-Michal! You're okay. -[ Gasps ]
Look at me. You're okay. You're okay.
[ Gasps, sobs ]
[ Whispering ] It's November 25th, 1:20 a.m.,
and...well...
Michal.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
Michal, wake up.
Jesus, Michal.
[ Button clicks ]
She'd seen me draw it before.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
Yeah, but...what does it mean?
I don't know.
The doctors told me
that the sleepwalking was a trauma response
from that stuff my dad did to me.
I don't remember it.
I don't remember any of it, and I don't want to.
But sometimes... I see this light in the door.
That's where the police found me.
I never told Charlie that.
DANNY: "'Puppetman Killer' to receive lethal injection."
Close it.
-What? -Close it, Danny.
Was that him?
Yeah.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Carcass thuds ]
[ Wind whistling ]
[ Indistinct conversations ]
[ Snoring ]
[ Knock on door ]
[ Hinges creaking ]
You must be Michal.
I'm so sorry.
Oh. I-I can come back.
No. No, no. I was, uh, I was just leaving.
No. You stay.
Okay.
Charlie always had such nice things to say about you.
[ Hinges creaking ]
[ Door closes ]
[ Inhales deeply ]
We were gonna take her to Europe this summer.
She always wanted to see Gaudí, La Sagrada Família.
She was gonna write her thesis on it.
[ Sobs, sighs ]
I don't know when it is yet...
...but I would love to see you at the wake.
Would you come?
Of course.
And her friends --
Would they come and maybe say something?
When she turned 16, it was always her friends.
And I was always working, and...
I barely -- I barely knew her anymore.
[ Sobs, sighs ]
[ Sniffs ] I'm sorry.
I'll be out of your hair in a minute.
It's just so hard to look at all these pho--
[ Cellphone buzzing ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Cellphone clicks ]
Hello?
[ Music builds, continues ]
It's for you.
Hello?
WOMAN: Is this Michal? We need to talk.
[ Indistinct conversations ]
Jo!
Jo. Wait, wait, wait.
I can't -- I can't do this right now.
I know, I know, but I need your help.
I-I'm going home. I'm waiting for a ride.
Cancel it.
It's important.
Shit.
[ Engine idling ]
What is this horseshit?
Charlie just died, and Danny's got us seeing a fucking psychic.
He said Charlie wanted us to.
A psychic?
I thought you were a scientist or whatever.
I still can be curious.
DANNY: Hey. I know this is pretty weird.
Weird?
He's got us seeing a goddamn psychic.
[ Door opens ]
What are we even doing this for?
'Cause Charlie wanted us to.
Why?
Answers.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Engine stops ]
[ Latch clicks, door opens ]
I'm so glad you could come.
Hello, Michal.
Please come in.
[ Music continues ]
[ Hinges creaking ]
I am so sorry about Charlie.
I can't imagine what you all must be feeling.
There were terrible vibrations yesterday.
The universe plays its melancholy like a song.
Lady, why are we here?
There's a darkness in your friend.
Charlie could see it.
Charlie knew Michal's dad was a killer.
Charlie felt bad for her, so we just put up with her.
Glenn...shut up.
Come on, Jo. Back me up.
If Michal wasn't rooming with Char,
none of us would know who the fuck she is.
You are such a prick.
I'm sorry. Um...
It's natural. You're grieving.
I mean, she's definitely acted...
weird since we first met.
But that's just her baggage. That's okay. We all have that.
Glenn's right, though.
Charlie just died.
Why are we here talking to a psychic?
I'm a counselor if I'm anything.
A spiritual adviser.
And you're here because Charlie was afraid.
Afraid of what?
Of Michal.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Clock ticking ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Indistinct whispering ]
[ Door opens ]
We're ready for you.
I've spoken to your friends about your sleepwalking...
...your guilt.
It was always Charlie's intent that we should meet.
Why?
Because you're special.
You just can't see it with the shadows behind you.
The past can have teeth, but you shouldn't forget it...
...forget where you come from.
[ Music continues ]
[ Exhales deeply ]
It isn't your fault, what happened to your mom.
What happened to Charlie, that is not your fault.
We're all here for some closure.
Yes. Why shouldn't we be?
There are some bad, bad memories in this room.
This will sound a little hokey.
It always does, no matter how many times I say it.
But we are going to reach together, all of us.
Because you're closure isn't here.
That energy is outside.
You are carrying what your father did.
And it will take your mom -- hell, even Charlie --
to help you focus your sights on what you could never control.
[ Inhales, exhales deeply ]
What was your mother's name?
Patricia.
Let's take each other's hands.
[ Music continues ]
You can just put your hand right there on that chair.
That's Charlie's place.
Yes. Energy is never really gone.
Not yours, not mine, not Charlie's.
We are all just notes in the universe's harmony.
And, Michal, I am going to strum those strings,
and those vibrations are going to open the veil.
[ Music continues ]
[ Exhales deeply ]
[ Humming softly ]
[ Pen rattling ]
[ Whispering ] Patricia Hinton...
...I have your little girl here, and she is in pain.
And we hurt because she hurts.
She is carrying your death inside her,
and we are seeking a new memory
in the light outside of your husband's sin.
Will you lead us outside the dark?
Will you lead your baby girl
like a beacon on the shore during a storm?
[ Thunder rumbling ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Pen scratching ]
[ Music builds, ends ]
Well...what does it say?
I don't...
What did you write?
I am so sorry I asked you here. This was a mistake.
What did it say?
[ Paper crinkling ]
Is this a fucking joke?
I...I didn't write that.
The fuck you didn't.
Let's get the fuck out of here.
You weren't talking to my mother.
Please. I just want you to go.
You wanted me here. You got me.
So finish it.
Who killed Charlie?
I can't reach into that darkness.
Who are you talking to?!
[ Gasps ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
[ Thud, window rattles ]
[ Pen clatters ]
[ Gasps ]
[ Music slows, continues ]
[ Footsteps approaching ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Breathing heavily ]
DANNY: Michal.
What the fuck was that?
It was a hustler surprised by her own hustle.
[ Engine idling ]
DANNY: I stayed with her last night.
I didn't understand what Charlie was on about --
not till I saw it for myself.
She almost walked off the edge of the roof in her sleep.
Whatever Charlie discovered,
whatever she talked about with Ruby...
...we didn't get the full picture.
You really believe this shit?
Charlie did.
[ Wind whistling, bell tolling ]
Will you stay with me tonight?
Yeah. We all will.
Yeah, but will you?
Yeah.
Of course I will.
Hey.
[ Softly ] Come here.
If it happens again... don't wake me up.
[ Footsteps approaching ]
Dude.
What'd you find?
Crime-scene photos of Michal's mom...
...of Michal.
It's fucked up, man.
This wasn't just some... psychotic burst.
This shit was biblical.
They kept her in a cage.
Shit.
-I think this... -[ Button clicks ]
...is what led Charlie to Ruby.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Glass squeaking ]
What is she doing?
[ Music continues ]
[ Glass squeaking, wind whistling ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Whispering ] Let it lie. Let it die.
Char lie. Char die.
-Let it lie. Let it die. -Wake her up.
Char lie. Char die.
-Let it lie. -Wake her up!
Michal!
-Michal! -[ Gasps ]
No. Fuck this.
I'm done with this psycho bullshit.
[ Speaking indistinctly ]
[ Whispering ] I saw Charlie.
You were dreaming, okay? You were dreaming.
No. I saw her. I saw her before she fell.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
I told her to do it.
[ Music continues ]
DANNY: Thank you.
I had a foster mom when I was a kid
who refused to tell me bedtime stories.
I'd hear her tell my foster brothers stories all the time,
some she'd even make up.
But...she'd never tell them to me.
Because I wasn't normal.
Michal.
I used to think I was defective.
Maybe I still am.
I really thought that coming here would change things for me,
but...
I see their faces all the time.
Whose?
[ Voice breaking ] My mom's.
Charlie's.
Death follows me, Danny.
I had a foster dad four years ago.
He preferred the older girls before they aged out...
...because they were the most vulnerable.
I mean, how can you say no
when you don't respect yourself, right?
I found him hanging from a tree.
I thought he was a fucking Halloween decoration.
His final act was an apology to me
for what he did to me and all the other girls.
You know, I wanted him to die for what he did.
What if my anger can make those choices?
I was so mad at Charlie.
I mean, she promised me
what I did and what I told her would be between us.
Then she goes and tells Glenn and Jo.
What if I made her jump?
And what if I'm just like my dad?
[ Music continues ]
[ Knock on door ]
[ Footsteps approaching ]
[ Latch clicks, door opens ]
Where's Michal?
I-I don't know. She's scared.
She can't know that you have this.
Is this all real?
Call me once you've looked.
You'll know.
[ Hinges creaking ]
[ Up-tempo music playing ]
Psycho bitch.
[ Music continues ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
I've avoided him for so long, and he's dying for what he did.
I've tried to forget him, but...
I swear it's like he's reaching out to me.
It's like he's haunting me.
[ Cellphone buzzes ]
Who's that?
Just a friend from econ.
Charlie wanted me to see him.
Do you want to see him?
I think I have to.
If I'd done it sooner, Charlie would still be alive.
[ Up-tempo music playing, metal clanking ]
[ Cellphone buzzing ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
-Shit. -[ Cellphone clicks ]
[ Music continues ]
JO: "The ritual marries light and dark.
Sin and innocence.
He wants to be back in this world."
"Those who conspire against him shall bend to his will --"
"Bend to his will."
[ Music continues ]
[ Lighter clicks ]
[ Line ringing ]
RUBY: Hello?
Hey. It's me.
-RUBY: Did you see it? -JO: Yeah.
Are we in danger?
RUBY: Not if we act fast.
JO: I don't like this. I feel like...
RUBY: Joanna?
Hello? Joanna?
-Ruby? -Joanna, are you there?
[ Straining ] Ruby!
[ Screams, gasping ]
RUBY: Joanna, are you there?
[ Straining ] Ruby!
[ Screams, gasping ]
-[ Metal slicing ] -[ Groans, screams ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Whimpers ]
[ Straining ] Ruby!
[ Breathing heavily ]
[ Scream echoes ]
[ Up-tempo music playing ]
[ Music stops ]
[ Breathing heavily ]
[ Straining ] What the fuck?
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Breathing heavily, grunting ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Straining ] No. N-- Let...
[ Grunting ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
[ Whimpering ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Screaming, grunting ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Groaning ]
[ Metal clanking ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Groaning ]
[ Grunts ]
-[ Screaming ] -[ Alarm blaring, bell ringing ]
[ Bones cracking ]
[ Groaning ]
[ Bones cracking, metal clangs ]
[ Gurgling ]
[ Screaming ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
[ Alarm blaring, bell ringing in distance ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Indistinct whispering ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Birds screeching ]
[ Footsteps approaching, door closes ]
-[ Screams ] -[ Gasps ]
DANNY: Hey.
You okay?
We're here.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
Stop the car.
-Huh? -Stop the car.
[ Gasping, coughs ]
Hey. You need a minute?
No. I c-- I can't do it.
I can't do it, Danny.
He kept me in a fucking cage.
What would I even say to him?
[ Birds cawing ]
[ Buzzer sounds, door opens ]
[ Door closes ]
[ Chain rattling ]
[ Chair sliding, chain rattling ]
Michala.
Dad.
It's really you.
[ Chuckles softly ]
Look how old you are.
The years have been kinder to you.
You here 'cause I'm dying?
Of course you are.
This what you wanted to see?
I want to know why.
I waited for you to come.
And I never said a goddamn word either.
Why did you kill her?
[ Exhales sharply ]
I didn't kill her.
You did.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
It's what you are.
It's what you were made for.
What wewere made for.
[ Music continues ]
[ Music builds, ends ]
You were the pure soul, untouched.
We three -- unity from disorder.
[ Music continues ]
Your innocence and our chaos -- light and dark.
It was born in you,Michala.
We brought him into this world.
Our control in a world that's made us...fucking powerless.
No. You killed my mother.
It was your voice in my head.
Your will. He uses your pain as his own.
PATRICIA: You're home early.
MICHALA: [ Voice distorted ] The knife.
Make her bleed.
He took your malice as his own
and made you think you're in control.
What did you put inside me?
It's your privilege.
He chose you.
Your mother wanted to carry him as a child,
but he didn't choose her.
He's a trickster.
He tricked us.
And you took his power for your own, didn't you?
You're a monster.
You're a fucking demon.
I wanted to cut my throat
when I looked down at your mother's body.
[ Sobs ]
I wanted to, but you wouldn't let me.
No, no, no.
This was far worse.
A prison for me, like the prison we kept you in.
I was meant to suffer like you did, wasn't I?
Wasn't I?!
[ Chair sliding ]
He used us! He's using you!
When everything you love is fucking dead, he will move on!
You fucking devil!
-[ Buzzer sounds, door opens ] -Fuck off of me!
Get off!
[ Door opens ]
[ Breathing heavily ]
You okay?
I shouldn't have come here.
[ Bird cawing ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Engine humming ]
[ Cellphone buzzing ]
[ Cellphone beeps ]
Hello?
Oh, my God.
Yeah. Yeah. we'll be right there.
-[ Cellphone beeps ] -What happened?
ROSEN: Joanna tried calling you several times
before the accident.
Surveillance at Comiskey Dorm
has all of you together entering the residence at 8:00 p.m.,
then again leaving at 11:00.
Where did you go if you weren't with her?
We were at Ironside to see her father.
There must be some record of your visitation.
You have to fill out documents
that have to be approved, I imagine.
What are you saying?
That we had something to do with this?
I don't like coincidences.
Three people -- three friends-- don't just die, not by accident.
This is fucking ridiculous.
[ Chair sliding ]
Michal, by your own account,
you stated that the death of Carter Henderson,
your foster father for four months in 2016,
was because of you.
He killed himself.
Now, this image was taken three hours ago
of Joanna Blaine's body as it was found at the university.
Did you write this, Ms. Hinton?
DANNY: They were accidents.
That's an accident?
Oh, Jesus. Fuck.
You're in danger if you keep me here.
-[ Chair sliding ] -What do you think you're doing?
MICHAL: We've done nothing wrong.
We're free to go.
Michal, what are you doing?
You're safe here.
Safe from me.
[ Door rattling ]
Why aren't you doing anything?!
S-She told me not to.
-[ Door rattling ] -Michal. Michal!
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Thunder rumbling ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Horn blares ]
[ Music builds, slows ]
[ Vehicles approaching ]
[ Horns honking, vehicles passing ]
[ Tires screeching, horns honking ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
[ Rain falling, horns honking in distance ]
-[ Siren wailing ] -Michal.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Engine starts ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Music continues ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
I'm sorry, Charlie.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
DANNY: Michal!
It won't let me die.
[ Inhales sharply ] It won't let me die.
[ Sirens wailing in distance ]
What happened to her?
It's real.
Whatever Charlie came to see you for, it's fucking real.
She tried to jump off the bridge,
and then somebody pulled her back.
In the car, I tried to grab onto her,
and then she told me not to touch her,
but she wasn't talking.
-Her lips weren't moving. -I know.
We have to keep her under.
If she knows, it knows.
Ruby?
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
Hello, dear.
Oh, Danny tells me that you haven't been quite yourself.
Ruby, it's mad at me.
It knows that I know, and it doesn't like it.
It doesn't like that I know.
I don't know what you're saying.
The thing. The thing my parents put inside of me.
-I don't understand. -It killed Charlie.
It killed all of them because they knew.
Every time I close my eyes, I see my friends dying.
It just wants to be left alone.
I am so sorry.
It was never supposed to go this far.
Look. I lied to Charlie, okay? It was a put-on.
And these -- these ideas,
these fanciful ideas... are bullshit.
I put the idea out there when Charlie came to see me.
And then, once she believed, she made you believe.
So there is nothing in you, nothing wrong with you.
-But my dad, he told me -- -No. That was a hoax.
I am a charlatan, and you aren't responsible for a goddamn thing.
Okay?
I...I'm so sorry that I made you think you were.
-I'm sorry to both of you. -So what are you saying?
I took advantage of you kids.
Give me a moment. I'd like to make it right.
Make it right? You can't make this right.
Our friends are dead!
This is everything that Charlie gave me
and everything that you gave me.
I can't help you. Anything I say would be a lie.
[ Birds chirping, metal rattling ]
I am so sorry.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
Why won't she help me?
She's just a con artist.
I never should have brought you here.
[ Engine starts ]
[ Line ringing ]
ROSEN: Yeah. It's Al Rosen.
Where are we going?
I don't know.
Stop the car.
[ Tires screech ]
[ Engine idling ]
I don't know what to do.
She was supposed to have answers.
Danny...
...what did Ruby give you?
Nothing.
She didn't give me anything. She's a crook.
What did she give you?
Nothing, Michal. What are --
What?!
This isn't you.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Breathing heavily ] Michal...no.
Michal, no.
Michal, what's...
[ Music builds, continues ]
-[ Bone snaps ] -Fuck!
[ Groans ]
What...did...she...give...you?
[ Breathing heavily ] She gave us back our money.
You saw -- You saw her.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Gasps ]
She's a clever witch.
No.
Stop lying.
Read it to me.
Please.
[ Exhales sharply ]
Read.
[ Music builds, continues ]
DANNY: "Read when alone.
Take her away from people.
I will contact you soon.
She can't know...you know."
I didn't know.
[ Music builds, continues ]
[ Grunting ]
-Stop! -[ Horn honking ]
Make it stop. [ Exhales deeply ]
Please.
Please just let us be together.
Just give me that much.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
No.
-[ Grunting ] -No!
[ Horn honking ]
[ Bones cracking ]
[ Music builds, ends ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Door opens ]
[ Door closes, footsteps approaching ]
[ Indistinct talking on radio ]
I got a 10-66.
[ Static hisses ]
Miss?
Are you okay?
I just killed my boyfriend and my friends.
You have to stop me.
Uh, o-okay.
I-I'd be happy to help. You just need to walk --
You have to shoot me before it won't let you.
-I can't do my job... -Do it now.
...unless I ask you the right questions.
-Please. -You have to shoot me.
-So from the beginning -- -Kill me!
Ma'am.
Please. Let's just calm down, okay?
Just step back and we can talk this out, okay?
[ Dramatic music plays ]
Wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
No, no, no, no, no, no. Okay. Okay.
All right. All right. Relax. Please don't. Please don't.
I have a family, okay? I got a family!
Please! We can talk it out! Okay! No!
-[ Gunshot ] -No!
[ Gasps, exhales sharply ]
-MAN: Freeze! -[ Gun cocks ]
Get your hands up.
[ Dramatic music plays ]
-Stop! -Shoot me.
Please shoot me.
Get down on your knees!
Freeze!
Please just shoot me.
Please.
I've killed people.
Please...just do it.
Just do it.
I just want to die. I just want to die.
Do it!
[ Gunshots ]
[ Gasps ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Camera whirring, clicks ]
[ Silenced gunshot ]
[ Indistinct talking on radio ]
Code 999. Officers down.
Request immediate assistance.
[ Handcuffs clicking ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
Suspect fled. Officer in pursuit.
RUBY: We can't let the tranquilizer wear off.
We need to keep her under.
She murdered five officers and killed her boyfriend.
Tell me right now why I shouldn't put a bullet
-in her head. -Because if you try,
you'll be dead before you pull the trigger.
She is a doorway, Detective.
She's a vessel, and there is a presence inside of her
that's aware that we know about it,
and it will do whatever it can to protect itself.
I believe that Michal was part of a ritual some time ago,
and I believe that her parents worshiped an entity
called Dolos.
We are looking at his work right now.
Michal is a substitute.
She's wandering the world looking like the girl she was,
but she is a copy -- a trick.
You believe this?
It's nonsense.
Oh.
Do not let rationality blind you.
We accommodate the extraordinary in this world with stories.
The -- The Pied Piper,
the dancing plague of the Middle Ages,
the -- the Puppetman.
Mind control has always been an aspiration.
Mind control.
These stories are proof of nothing.
Belief and disbelief balance on the head of a pin, Detective.
Proof can push one either way.
I would think you would know that, especially now.
What's this even mean?
We need to find a new host.
[ Lighter clicks ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
In 1954, an adviser like myself successfully contained an entity
in a woman who had been in a coma for two years.
She passed without waking.
I've been looking for similar candidates,
but I haven't been quite as lucky.
So...what do wedo?
We ask Michal.
The part of her that's still in there --
the real Michal, who -- who wants to live,
to live herlife.
Uncover her.
No goddamn way.
It is the only way that this ritual will work.
[ Keys jingling ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
[ Handcuffs click ]
Thank you.
[ Exhales deeply ]
Michal, dear... I know you're there.
I know you're scared.
I know you want out.
You be a strong girl and push back.
You're stronger, and you're smarter.
No.
Help us, dear.
Finally be free.
[ Music continues ]
[ Pen scratching ]
Jesus Christ.
[ Music builds, continues ]
What'd she say?
"It is sleeping. My father wants it.
My blood, his blood.
Trick the trickster."
ROSEN: They're on their way.
I made the arrangements.
Good.
You actually think this is going to work?
It doesn't matter what I think, Detective.
I've chosen which way I would fall off the pin.
I chose that a long time ago.
It has to work.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
RUBY: Charlie shined a light where she shouldn't have,
and it woke a monster.
This thing has been moving from host to host
for God knows how long.
It didn't start with Michal,
and it certainly won't end with her.
Jesus Christ.
RUBY: Michal says it's sleeping now,
creating an opportunity that will allow her to escape.
"My blood, his blood.
Trick the trickster."
We won't get another chance at this.
I know you may doubt me, but if I'm wrong,
then none of this matters and we're already dead.
[ Lighter clicks ]
Let's get you free, hon.
There she is.
It's time.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
He only wants to see his daughter.
I'll be okay.
[ Music continues ]
[ Buzzer sounds, door opens ]
Come to watch me die like you watched your mother die?
[ Handcuffs clicking ]
Every damn one of them knows you could kill us all right now.
I came to say goodbye, Dad.
As myself.
As yourself?
I'm finally free from that cage you put me in.
[ Whispering ] He's asleep right now.
Did you know he could sleep?
He doesn't like that I know.
What are you saying, girl?
Why did you put this monster inside of me?
He chose you.
What if I choose you?
My blood, your blood?
From disorder...comes unity?
Would he want me?
Make him want you.
Why show me mercy?
It's not for you.
It's for me.
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
Come on, Dad.
Please.
[ Music continues ]
[ Button clicks, machine beeping ]
[ Chuckles softly ]
[ Dramatic music plays ]
Is it happening?
I don't know.
It's awake.
[ Music continues ]
Hey. You all right?
[ Whispering ] Kill him.
[ Murmuring ]
[ Music builds, continues ]
-[ Murmuring ] -[ Whispering ] Kill him.
Hey, c-- can I get a hand over here?
See me as your mother did.
[ Machine beeping rapidly ]
[ Heartbeat echoing ]
DAVID: No.
[ Breathing heavily ]
[ Beeping slows, continues ]
[ Flatline beep ]
[ Down-tempo music plays ]
[ Machine clicks, beeping stops ]
It's over.
You did great.
[ Music builds, ends ]
[ The Young Souls' "Puppet on a String" plays ]
♪ Puppet ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Puppet on a string ♪
♪ Call me a puppet on a string ♪
♪ I'll be his anything ♪
♪ Can't stop loving him ♪
-♪ If I tried ♪ -♪ If I tried ♪
♪ Call me a puppet on a string ♪
-♪ Call me ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
-♪ A puppet on a string ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
-♪ Call me ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
-♪ A puppet on a string ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
-♪ Whoo ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
-♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
-♪ Whoo, ooh, ooh ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
-♪ On a string ♪ -♪ Puppet on a string ♪
[ Mid-tempo music plays ]