Stronghold (2023) Movie Script
1
[Nena] The markers
are here to keep us safe.
Don't ever cross them.
[eerie music playing]
[Nena] You don't want to see
what's on the other side
of the markers.
Nothing but pain,
fear, and destruction.
[Sol gasps]
-[Sol panting]
-[high-pitched ringing]
You will not take
my girl from me.
[Sol humming]
[birds chirping]
[Nena] We'll have
full bellies tonight.
Good job, Sunshine.
You have to always
be alert, Sol.
-[Sol] I was.
-You didn't hear me coming.
That's how you can die, Sol.
You have to be alert.
You have to know
your surroundings.
You said that we were safe here.
From the sick people, yes.
But not from the bears.
[mysterious music playing]
The bears don't carry spears.
[Nena]
They don't carry spears...
but they run faster than you.
-I wish that we saw a bear.
-[Nena] Why?
Because if we caught one,
then we could eat for months.
That's if
it didn't kill us first.
[music intensifying]
[both laughing]
[both humming]
[Nena] I bet...
we will have
enough food for the winter.
I better eat all the fruit
while I still can.
Mm. That's the one thing
I miss from before.
Being able to stock
fruit and vegetables
and meat in a fridge
was the life.
Tell me about before.
I bet if we made
jams or preserves
from the fruit,
we could keep it.
[Nena chuckling]
[sighs] You've never had
jam before, have you?
I'll pick up some containers
the next time I make a day trip.
Tell me about before.
It was...
loud and busy.
And the air was heavy,
thick, and dirty.
And there was a lot of people
and not enough food.
Actually,
it was enough people...
just not enough
willing to feed the hungry.
And, uh, people, they...
they became slaves to objects.
They-- they valued it
more than--
than human life,
more than family.
And, um...
people were just consumed
with the objects...
and the gadgets and the gizmos.
They were the worst.
I never told you
about the gadgets.
Well, they were
these tiny devices
meant to make life easier.
But it was just an illusion.
Life only got harder.
People became slaves
to these objects.
What about the gizmos?
You're so silly
[indistinct], sunshine.
It means the same as a gadget.
Two words
that mean the same thing?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
There were so many devices.
Just so many names.
[Sol] Did you have one?
Yeah, everyone did.
Man, child...
woman.
Children, too?
[Nena chuckles]
[Nena] No matter how many
parenting experts told them,
"Do not give these
to children..."
"Wait until
they're two years old,"
they would say.
These kids, they had them.
The babies,
before they were out of diapers.
Why did everyone
want these devices?
[Nena] They were meant
to keep people connected.
You could find someone
anywhere, anytime.
That's wonderful.
[Nena] No.
People rarely
answered their devices.
They were just too consumed
with things
that were meaningless.
And no one had any privacy.
All of your information
was out there...
for anyone to find.
So, no one ever had to be alone?
No.
Just the opposite, sunshine.
The only thing
that people were connected to...
was their own loneliness.
Let's eat.
[soft ominous music playing]
Mm. Which book
do you want to read tonight?
I'm not in the mood
for Dracula or Frankenstein.
I know. Tell me about Papa.
He was handsome,
and he had your eyes.
And he had a smile
that could melt anyone's heart.
That's how he got me.
That's the smile. [chuckling]
And...
he took care of us
for as long as he could.
[crickets chirping]
Tell me a story about him.
Once, um, there was a squirrel
right there
on the side of the house.
Easy pickings?
No, no, no.
This was before.
Um, we didn't eat squirrels.
We-- we got food
from grocery stores.
There were these
big grocery stores
with everything
that you could imagine.
And squirrels,
they were just these
fuzzy little creatures
that people found adorable.
So, when your papa
saw one with a broken leg...
he just had to nurse it
back to health
and release it into the wild.
Oh, no, Sol.
It's not like that.
Things were different.
We have to hunt now.
Where was I?
[chuckles]
You were just a baby.
-A baby.
-Mm-hmm.
What's that like?
Oh, loud and noisy,
and fussy and messy and...
wonderful.
I want a baby.
You know that
you need a man to do that.
We are the only two people
out left, I mean, there's--
there's no one else
out there, Sol.
[solemn music playing]
Good night, Sol.
I love you.
Good night.
[sobbing]
[liquid sloshing]
Hmm.
[birds chirping]
[Nena] Morning.
What are you doing up there?
Had a dream last night.
[Nena] About?
You were kissing Papa.
You weren't you.
Who was I?
[Sol] Someone else.
And there was a butterfly.
Dreams don't always make sense.
About last night...
I don't wanna
give you false hope, Sol.
We may be the only
two people left who aren't sick.
I know.
I just liked it better
when there was a chance.
You eat breakfast?
I'm going to town soon.
Get some supplies.
You'll be all right by yourself?
I always am.
[birds chirping]
[wheels rattling]
[gunshot echoing]
[ominous music playing]
[branches cracking]
[sunglasses clatter]
[Sol panting]
[Sol sobbing]
[Sol panting]
[Sol whimpering]
[Sol breaking shakily]
[crickets chirping]
[music fades out]
[birds chirping]
[water trickling]
[Sol] Let me help you.
You were gone too long.
Did you see anyone?
It's getting hotter out there.
[chuckles]
Take me with you next time.
No, um, you're not ready.
Well, I'll have to go sometime.
Not now, we'll just wait
'til you get older.
I'm old enough.
The things out there,
once you've seen them,
they change you.
You-- you'll never be the same.
You seem fine.
That's because I had to learn
to live with a lot.
Had to bury the people
that meant the most to me.
Your uncles, your father.
You may not remember this,
but your papa...
he suffered a lot.
When all this happened...
order was the first thing to go.
There was no police,
no military.
There was just chaos and people,
they were killing themselves
just for simple items.
No police?
Mm-mm.
Why, what happened?
Well, when there was no order,
the respect for the uniform
was the first to go.
And people
were getting infected.
Police had to
protect themselves.
There's no honor in the badge
when the virus is the enemy.
What are the signs
of the infected?
Well, there's fever and chills
and your skin turns gray.
And then you start coughing,
you know,
sometimes you cough up blood.
Then you become comatose.
-Coma--
-Comatose.
It's like when you go to sleep,
but you don't wake up.
I thought you only sleep
and not wake up
when you're dead.
Well, the virus, it changes you
during the comatose stage.
And when you do wake up...
your skin is really gray
and there's red
around your eyes,
and your whole body has sores.
And the worst part is...
You're not yourself anymore.
Mm.
There's no light
behind the eyes.
Only violence.
It's a nightmare out there.
And I just want to protect you
and keep you safe
just a little longer.
I just want you to be happy.
[mysterious music playing]
[Sol gasps]
I thought you could retire
your old doll.
That doll was yours
when you were little.
I'm never getting rid of it.
But I love this doggie.
Thank you.
Were the real ones
this soft and little?
Yeah, some of them.
They looked just like the wolves
we see up in the mountains.
[Sol chuckles]
[Sol gasps]
I figured you would like that.
This looks almost brand new.
Where did you find it?
I had to go a little further.
But this one house
had all these goods.
[Sol giggling]
Mm.
How did they ever
make it smell like that?
[Nena] Well, they used to have,
like, these big factories
and big machines,
assembly lines,
and a chemistry lab.
-Like in Hard Times?
-[Nena chuckling]
-Speaking of Hard Times...
-[Sol gasping]
-[Sol] Ooh.
-[Nena gasps]
[Sol] Where'd you find this?
Don't touch this, sunshine.
Guns can be dangerous.
Um, I got it in case
an animal comes too close.
[Sol] Or if the infected
show up here?
Yeah, well, we would hear them.
-[Sol] The bells?
-Yeah, the bells.
They keep us safe.
I-- I'll teach you
how to use this one day
and I have the feeling
you'll be a natural.
In the meantime, don't touch it.
Could only get
so many bullets and...
we only have to fire this
if it's absolutely necessary.
-Okay.
-[Nena] Okay.
Here.
I want to see you in that.
[Sol chuckles softly]
I wanna save it
for a special occasion.
Okay.
[crickets chirping]
[metallic clanking]
[Nena gasps]
I know you wouldn't be
on the property lines.
Where did you find that?
In your room.
Why would you hide this thing?
Who was that?
What was he doing here?
I mean, he didn't look sick
and you said that--
Sol, we have talked
about this so many times.
[Sol] You said
that there were no police.
-Sol.
-[badge clatters]
What did you do with the body?
I-- I buried him.
Way out into the woods,
far away from us.
You touched the body?
You know
you could get sick, Sol!
How many times have I told you,
don't go past the property line!
[Sol] What was he doing here?
I don't know.
He was sick,
he-- he attacked me.
He didn't look sick.
[Nena]
They don't always look sick.
Except for the bullet hole.
That's how this disease works.
They look normal,
until they lunge at you
and they try to kill you.
He didn't look sick.
They don't always look sick.
What did you do, Sol?
[Nena panting]
[twigs snapping]
[ominous music playing]
[Marcus panting]
[birds chirping]
[book clatters, Sol gasps]
Nena, I found a man
in the woods.
A survivor.
-What?
-Yeah.
Stay back.
-Sol, stay back.
-No.
It could be dangerous.
Let me show you where he is.
Sol, stay back.
Keep your distance!
I don't need you
to come with me.
[Sol] Come on. It's okay.
-Is he alive?
-Stay back, Sol.
Can you fix him? Is he infected?
He doesn't look infected.
I don't know.
I wished for him.
Don't let him die.
[tense music playing]
He needs water.
I told you, do not touch him.
-You could get sick.
-What about you?
I had it, I lived, I'm immune.
You never told me
you were infected.
Sol, I am trying
to help this man.
-[Marcus coughing]
-[Nena gasps]
-[Sol] He needs water.
-[Nena] I know he needs water.
Stay back, Sol.
If we both help,
this will go faster.
[wind whistling]
How is he?
He's knocked out cold.
I gave him some herbs.
I'm doing the best that I can.
What's this?
Same thing that I gave him.
It'll help you
with the infection.
But I'm not sick.
[Nena] That's how
the disease works.
But you touched the sheriff...
so it's better to be safe.
But you said that the disease
was certain death, Nena.
You had it before.
If I told you to eat
those berries in the woods...
that it might make you die
or just very sick...
would you risk it?
That you might die,
but it's not certain?
This disease took your father
and it tried to take me.
Why would you risk it?
[Sol] Sometimes
I used to wish for death...
to be reunited.
-But now--
-But now?
I have hope.
[Nena] Hope?
That there might be
others like him.
Go to bed.
"He couldn't tell
where he was...
or when he was.
As he looked
out into the darkness..."
[birds chirping]
[Sol groaning softly]
Oh. Nena?
[groaning]
Nena?
[groaning]
[eerie music]
[Sol retching]
What happened?
You were sick.
We both were.
We're better now.
Drink.
What's your name?
Marcus.
-And you?
-Sol.
I found you in the woods.
Who's the mean lady?
That's my Nena. She helped you.
Is she your mother?
What are you two
doing out here anyway?
Surviving.
I guess
that's what I'm doing, too.
Are there others like you?
Other survivors?
Yeah. There's others like me,
you can say that.
That's wonderful.
Where did you come from, Marcus?
Can you take us there?
I-- I don't even know
where there is.
Do you have children?
I've never even
seen a child since I--
Whoa, slow down, Sol.
Slow down.
No, I don't have any children.
And my sister, Bri,
is the only person I have.
[chuckles]
You're the first person
that I've talked to in years,
besides Nena and Papa,
but he died when I was little.
He was infected.
But before the virus--
I thought I told you
to stay away from him.
I-- it's okay, Nena.
He's not sick and I'm not sick.
Everyone's okay.
Marcus, this is my Nena.
Thank you very much
for everything
you and your daughter did
to help me.
We're happy to help.
Now that you're all better,
I can help you
find your way back.
Yes, of course.
I'll be leaving
first thing in the morning.
No, you-- he can't go.
-He just got here.
-Sol, we have work to do.
Someone has to clean
and smoke all this meat
before it goes bad.
He can't leave yet!
He just got here,
he can tell us about the world.
I already know all that.
[Sol] Well, I don't.
Sol, there's nothing out there
for you.
[sighs]
And you don't even know
anything about this man.
Because you won't let me.
I tried to ask questions.
He's not sick.
Sol, I know his type.
He's no good.
He's gonna bring us
more trouble if he stays here.
-What does that even mean?
-There's people after him.
What people?
Everyone is infected or dead,
right?
Sol--
Tell me the truth.
There are people out there,
and you've seen them.
Admit it.
There are some people.
I haven't seen many,
but there's some.
It always scares me.
Scare you? How?
You know the sheriff?
Marcus brought him here.
-What?
-Yeah.
How? The sheriff came before.
He followed him into the woods.
And now there could be others.
We've been exposed.
And there's gonna be
some people coming after them.
I don't even know
if we are safe here anymore
and I think we have to leave.
Okay.
I'm ready to leave
when you are, Nena.
But you're not ready
for what's out there.
They hunt people.
They hurt women.
And they steal and infect you
just for a sport.
But you're a woman.
They've never hurt you.
[Nena sobs]
My sweet and naive Sol.
That's because I had to learn
to protect myself...
after being hurt so many times.
And I have protected you
from all of that.
And I have kept you safe.
And I am not going to let
that no good Marcus
take that from me.
[tense music]
Was the sheriff sick or not?
He surprised me, sunshine.
He caught me off guard,
and I just--
I had to act fast
and I regret it.
I have never killed
anyone before.
And I'm not proud of it.
But I did it to protect you.
I would do
anything for you, Sol.
I would die for you.
And that is what a mother does
for her child.
She protects them
no matter what.
Okay.
-Okay, Nena.
-Okay.
When do you want to leave?
Where are we gonna go next?
I-- I don't know, um...
Let's just get the meat ready
for dinner in the smoker.
And then you and me
are gonna get rid of Marcus.
And then we're gonna come up
with a plan
to leave this place for good.
Yeah.
I'm, um-- I'm gonna
go get the maps.
And I'mma see
where we could go.
[water lapping]
Jesus, Sol.
You can't sneak up
on people like that.
Especially when they're naked.
What is this place?
Who is this?
I need to get dressed.
Can you please turn around, Sol?
[bathwater sloshing]
Your Nena was right.
You really are young
for your age.
When did you talk to Nena?
Last night.
She told me all about you.
She said that
you were dangerous.
Is that right?
Yeah, she's right.
But don't worry.
I won't be around
you and your Nena much longer.
And I'm not gonna hurt you.
Either of you.
I'm not afraid of you.
Who is this?
Sol...
no good will come from this.
I found a body.
A sheriff in the woods.
Sheriff?
What do you mean a sheriff?
-How long ago?
-Yesterday.
That's not good.
That's not good at all.
Did you bring him here?
Sol...
Yes, but not on purpose.
He must have been after me.
-I don't know.
-It's okay.
It's safe here. Nena killed him.
She what?
Why would she kill him?
I need to get out of here.
No, no, no, no.
Why did you do that, Sol?
I've never kissed anyone before.
Sol, you shouldn't have
done that.
You're just a child.
[eerie music playing]
[Marcus grunts]
Uh, I have a first aid kit.
-I don't need your help.
-You do.
-Here, careful.
-[Marcus groans]
I'll be right back.
[Nena] What's going on?
[eerie musical flourish]
Marcus hurt himself
on one of my traps.
He's not going
anywhere for a while.
Nobody's going anywhere.
Don't get too attached.
Just like that squirrel
your papa nursed back to health,
Marcus will have to go back
where he came from.
I'm all he has now, Nena.
He needs me.
[Marcus panting]
Why did you do this to me, Sol?
You fell.
It's okay,
I'm gonna help you now.
I'm gonna bandage you up.
-Does that feel good?
-That's enough, Sol.
-[Sol] What's wrong?
-I just need to get some rest.
Okay.
[suspenseful music swelling]
[Sol] Marcus?
Hello, Sol.
What are you doing here?
My leg is killing me.
Do you have
any more of those pills
your Nena gave you?
I don't know
where she keeps them.
Nena uses this for pain.
Last time I had
one of Nena's concoctions,
I was sick like a dog.
Do dogs get sick a lot?
It's just whiskey.
See?
Are you even old enough
to drink?
Nena was always
giving me whiskey,
if I couldn't fall asleep
or if I was sick.
Mm. Not bad.
Who was the girl in your photo?
That's my sister, Bri.
You're so lucky.
[Marcus] Why?
I always wanted a sister
or a brother or...
anybody, really.
You have Nena.
It's not the same.
What's it like?
Having a sister?
Well, she made me
who I am today.
I didn't know what love was...
before she came around.
I mean, don't get me wrong,
she could be very annoying
sometimes.
But there's nothing
I wouldn't do for her.
Nothing.
It's much simpler here.
I understand
why your Nena loves this place.
I don't want to talk about Nena.
Can I see that photo?
I can't wait to meet her.
I don't know when I'm ever gonna
see her again.
Does she have the virus?
No, Sol.
I want you to take me with you
when you go.
I can't.
Why not?
Have you ever heard the saying,
"Ignorance is bliss?"
You can't put the genie
back into the bottle, Sol.
Once it's out, it's out.
I want out.
I can't sit here
and make the same mistake twice.
[mysterious music playing]
Sol.
There is no virus.
There never was.
Your Nena, she's been
lying to you this whole time.
What?
[Marcus whispering] I'm sorry.
What do you mean
there's no virus?
[Nena] Sunshine.
What's the noise out there?
[Sol] Uh...
[tense music]
I'm just going to
check on my traps.
I'll be back later.
[birds chirping]
Sol?
Sol?
She's gonna catch you, Sol.
She's going hunting.
We have time.
Nena always kept this locked.
She's hiding something.
[Sol grunting]
What?
Do you--
do you know what this means?
She's been out to the world.
These are receipts
and-- and bank statements
and this is--
this is a grant deed
applied to this house.
She owns this house.
I need to talk to Nena.
"Missing: Sol Moreno."
[Sol] Always be aware.
Remember
when I taught you to hunt?
First time you struck an animal,
you started crying.
I didn't want to embarrass you,
so I didn't ask you.
Why were you crying?
They were...
tears of joy.
I felt like
I could do anything that day.
I felt like
I could survive on my own.
You can do anything.
Just not now.
And one day
you'll be able to survive,
but right now, you need me.
You know, we owe it
to your papa to stay together.
You and me.
To be good to each other.
We owe him that much
to honor his memory.
I'll have this ready by dinner.
Yeah.
I'll see you soon.
[sighs]
What did she say?
She didn't say anything.
I need real answers.
There's something
you need to know.
[eerie music playing]
Now, Sol,
this is a very old flier.
There's no way of knowing
if your mother is still there.
Why didn't you tell me
the truth from the beginning?
Why did you stab me in my leg?
'Cause I didn't want
you to leave.
Look...
I didn't know what was going on.
I thought it was best
to assess the situation first
and talk second.
And then Nena and I spoke.
And there were threats.
But you deserve
to know the truth.
I'm gonna try this number.
[line ringing]
-[Sabrina over phone] Hello?
-Hello.
I'm looking for Sabrina Moreno.
Is this the correct number?
[Sabrina] Yes, this is she.
Who is this?
My name is Marcus, and...
I think
I found your daughter, Sol.
She's here with me.
-Is she there?
-[Sabrina] Who is this?
This is... Sol.
I...
I think
you might be my-- my mother?
[Sabrina] Sol?
[sobbing] Sol, Sol!
[speaking Spanish]
Is this really you?
Yeah, it's-- it's me, Sol.
[Sabrina] How do I know?
How do I know it's really you?
I can take a photo.
Is this a cell phone?
[Sabrina] Yes.
Okay, hold on.
Sol, look over here.
Smile.
[Marcus] Yeah.
[Sabrina] Oh, it's been so long!
[sobbing] And...
She's a woman now. Oh, my God.
[sobbing incoherently]
She's a woman now,
but I think it's really you.
Sol-- Sol, do you remember me?
I, um...
I think I remember butterflies.
[Sabrina] I got--
I got matching butterfly shirts
for your third birthday.
I used to trace the shape.
[Sabrina] You traced
the butterfly shape, yes.
[sobbing]
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Young man, please, please,
can you please
just bring Sol back here
for me, please?
Or I can-- I can go,
I can go pick her up right now.
Where are you? Where are you?
Like, how do I do this?
How do I get you both?
Or I can call--
I call 911 right now.
No, no, that's not necessary.
-We'll-- we'll find you.
-[Sabrina] Okay.
Please, please tell me
where are you.
We're somewhere
in the Black Hills Forest.
[Sabrina sobbing] You're close.
[Marcus] Text me
all your information.
[Sabrina muttering]
I'm texting you right now...
Thank you again.
Thank you again, young man.
Yes, thank you.
What's your last name?
Just Marcus, Miss Moreno.
I'll see you soon, Mother.
[Sabrina] I'll see you soon,
my baby,
I see you soon, okay?
Can-- can we stay on the phone?
No, I'm sorry.
My battery is low.
I have to hang up now.
[Sabrina] Okay, okay, okay,
Marcus, I have your number.
Call me back right after
you charge that phone, okay?
-Please.
-Sounds good.
Uh, see you soon.
[phone beeps]
Your Nena, or whoever she is,
didn't take you very far.
Your mother was right.
This whole time
you were really close.
71 miles to be exact.
That's not very far.
We-- we can go--
we can go in a car.
[Sol] Nena always said that
cars kept people apart
and polluted the planet.
[Marcus] Yeah, well,
she's not wrong.
But she forgot to mention that
they can be very convenient
when we need
to go somewhere fast.
How can we get there?
Let's just go
the same way that you came back.
[Marcus] Sol...
-[Marcus sighs]
-Marcus, how did you get here?
I drove... in a car.
But it wasn't my car.
It was borrowed.
It doesn't matter,
the-- the sheriff's department
probably has it now.
I had to ditch it a while back.
[Sol] The sheriff is dead.
No, Sol.
That's just one of them.
There's a whole department
looking for me.
Okay, well,
how can we get there?
I-- Maybe they can help us.
[Marcus] No, Sol.
If they find me, I'm toast.
I've done some things.
The world
is a complicated place.
Not like here.
Look.
I wanna help you, I do.
I wanna take you
back to the world
and to your mother, but...
I don't want to go back.
I can't go back.
Then tell me how to get there.
I can go by myself.
You've never been
anywhere on your own.
You don't know anything
about the world out there.
[Sol] It doesn't mean
that I can't do it.
No, it's not safe for you.
You shouldn't go.
[Sol] I can't stay here.
I'll do it
with or without your help.
No.
No.
I can't let you go alone.
I'll take you.
Oh, uh, sorry, uh-- [sighs]
Wow,
that's a great color on you.
Okay. Let's go.
Uh, yeah. Let's go.
Uh, wait, Sol, uh...
I need to show you this.
You need
to memorize this address
in case we get separated.
1706 Clark Lane.
Okay.
Do I need to remember
those numbers, too?
No, only if you
want to write a letter.
-[smacks]
-[Marcus grunts]
You will not take
my girl from me.
Sol, it's okay.
He's going away, and you and I,
we're gonna go back
to our old lives.
No. No, I'm not going back
to our old lives.
Sol, you can't listen to him.
He's a liar. He's a bad person.
-He's a fake and--
-[Sol] You're a liar.
You're not my mother.
You killed the sheriff.
Who else have you killed?
Who the hell was Papa?
Sol, don't let him
come between us.
It's me and you.
It's me and you
against all of them,
me and you against
all the sick people out there.
I never had a say in any of this
and I don't want to
do it anymore.
-[Nena screaming]
-[Marcus grunting]
No! [screaming]
Let go of me!
Ah! Sol!
-[Sol] Stop!
-[Nena breathing shakily]
Careful, Sol,
it's-- it's loaded.
Sol, what are you doing?
Who are you?
You owe me that.
I was your neighbor.
I used to babysit you sometimes.
Everybody's not dead...
but they might as well be
by the time
we had left civilization.
They were all zombies
to their technology,
their violence, their drugs.
Their prejudice.
Why me?
[Nena] Because I wanted to
give you a better life.
Your father was never home...
and I watched you
and your mother,
and she was always
glued to her phone
or her TV or her tablet
or some other gadget.
Her Alexas, her smart watch...
but never you.
She-- she-- she didn't pay you
any attention, Sol.
More lies.
No, no.
You-- you were
just a possession for them.
They didn't see
how special you were...
how you deserved attention.
It was always money or things
or events, but never you.
Sol, she didn't love you.
Sol, I saved you,
gave you a better life.
I saved you to save us.
It still...
doesn't make sense.
Why?
Because she died.
Who?
[crying] My baby girl!
She died in the crib.
And I-- I just--
I couldn't-- I couldn't
get out of bed for months.
I tried everything.
Therapy, medicine...
and nothing--
nothing made me feel
whole again, Sol.
[sniffs]
And I watched that baby.
I watched that baby like a hawk
since she shot out of me.
I never left her aside
for one waking moment!
Not to use the bathroom,
not to eat.
And then one day she's just--
she just stopped breathing.
And so...
I-- I watched
and I waited...
and told him...
that I had a surprise.
And you, you were waiting here
in the cabin...
and I told him, I said,
"We can have a-- a fresh start,
we could be a family again."
But he didn't see
what I saw in you.
And he looked at me
like I was a monster.
And I told him we were far away,
but he just couldn't accept it.
Did you kill him
for not seeing how special I am?
No. Mm-mm.
He did that himself.
He hung himself
right there in that tree.
I didn't know, Sol.
[sobbing] I didn't know
he was in so much pain.
I mean, how can you know
when you're
in so much pain yourself?
And then that's when I knew...
I had to go back.
I had to make sure
that I had medicine
and a first aid kit...
because I couldn't let
anything happen to you.
What I don't understand
is how you went so long
without being caught.
If you were their neighbor
and you disappeared
at the same time they did...
how did they not catch you?
You had to have been
the prime suspect.
Cops don't really
look that hard...
for missing Brown girls.
It's the first thing
you and I agree on.
I'm sorry.
You're not ready
to go out there.
Once you leave this place
and you see that real world...
you will never be the same.
Don't listen to her, Sol,
she's trying to manipulate you.
You need me, Sol. You need me.
You are not ready,
Sol, you need me.
This was only real
because I believed.
I know the truth now.
I can't keep living a lie.
[Nena gasping] Sol!
No, Sol, Sol!
Sol! Sol.
Sol.
Please, please, Sol.
Please.
Please don't do this.
Don't leave.
Sol, please...
I won't let you take her back
to that filthy world!
[screaming]
[struggling]
I'm not about to hit a woman,
that's not who I am.
Good. [screaming, grunting]
[groans]
[Nena struggling]
[screaming]
Enough!
-Stop, stop it!
-[Nena screaming]
[Sol] Get off of him!
Are you okay?
That's it! That's it!
I've had enough of you.
Get out of my face
while you still can!
-[Sol] No!
-[Nena] Sol, move!
[gunshot]
[Sol grunts]
[Nena] Sol! [groaning]
[Marcus and Nena struggling]
[gunshot]
Marcus?
[Nena] Sol.
I'm sorry, my baby.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
[sobbing] I'm sorry
I let him hurt you.
I'm gonna get you help.
I'm gonna--
I'm gonna get you help.
Marcus, Marcus, she needs help.
Marcus.
[sobbing]
Stay with me.
[whispering] I love you.
Stay with me.
[Sol] I love you.
Okay.
Ah, God, Sol.
Sol, I need your help. Come on.
What did you do?
[sobbing] No!
No!
[sobbing] No!
[crying]
God, Sol.
Sol, I need your help. Come on.
You killed her.
Why did you kill her?
I didn't want to kill her,
it was self-defense, okay?
-[Sol] Self-defense?
-Ow, God!
[grunts in pain]
What is it with you women
and the violence, huh?
What are you doing?
Did you come here to rob us?
[Marcus] No.
No, I grabbed that because
I knew you would need that
-out there in the real world.
-How can I believe you?
I'm not Nena.
I wouldn't lie to you.
[Sol] You were gonna
come into our house...
-No. No, no--
-...and leave me here.
[Sol] You were
going to leave me here.
-No.
-[Sol] How can I believe you?
No, I wouldn't
do that to you, Sol.
This is what
got you here, isn't it?
You took things
that weren't yours
and the sheriff came after you.
It's not that simple!
I had to do those things.
Why?
Because I killed a man!
I killed a man
because he hurt my sister.
My only sister.
So, I killed him
because he hurt her.
Okay?
You don't know
what she meant to me.
So, I had to leave,
and if they find me,
they're gonna put me in jail.
And I don't deserve
to go to jail.
Maybe you should get caught.
You killed Nena.
And she killed the sheriff.
[Sol sniffs]
Can you take me
to my mother's house?
Yes.
I'll take you as far as I can,
but you have to give
the flier to a sheriff
and they'll take you
the rest of the way.
Let's get you cleaned up.
I know how to sew.
Oh, slow.
[grunting]
Thank you. [grunts]
Okay.
[Sol panting]
Okay.
Um...
[Marcus] You need
to sterilize that
with alcohol or something.
I've done this
a million times with Nena.
-Hold still.
-[Marcus groaning]
[Marcus] We gotta go.
I have to bury her.
[Marcus]
Sol, this woman kidnapped you.
She's my Nena.
I'm only alive because of her.
I gotta go now.
Sol, please.
Sol, we gotta go.
No!
I won't live
by someone else's rules anymore.
This is my time.
We go when I say we go.
I need to get to a hospital.
Please, hurry up.
[sobbing quietly]
[somber music plays]
Goodbye, Nena.
[both grunting]
[birds chirping]
What is it?
We don't need these anymore.
What do you think
she'll be like?
My mother?
I don't know.
She'll probably look like you.
I hope she's like the woman
in my dreams, full of music.
Are you okay?
Do we need to rest?
No, I'll be fine.
I just need some water.
[inhales sharply]
We should keep going.
I wonder
if I'll have my own room.
Do you think
I'll meet people my age?
Sure, of course you will.
[Sol] What do people
my age even do?
Well, people your age don't live
with their parents anymore,
that's for sure.
[Sol] They don't?
Why not?
[Marcus scoffs]
I don't know, Sol.
They just live on their own
or at school.
Many places.
[Sol] School.
I always wanted to go to school.
Give me a second.
Give me a second.
-You okay?
-No.
-[Marcus grunts]
-Okay, okay, okay.
[both grunting]
Are you all right?
Marcus, wake up.
Marcus, I need you.
[Marcus] Sol...
find her.
I need you, Marcus.
You can survive on your own.
She's probably
out there waiting for you.
Keep going.
What about you?
I just--
I just need to rest, Bri.
Bri?
I was just
trying to protect you, Bri.
I hope you know that.
I can't leave you.
[Marcus] Yes, you can.
Go.
You have to keep going.
Go.
Go.
Find--
Go now.
[somber suspenseful
music playing]
Are you okay?
Did your car
break down somewhere?
Where are you going?
Is this you?
Were you locked in a basement
somewhere for years?
Can you talk?
I--
I was lost.
[Justus] Do you need me
to drop you off somewhere?
Can you take me
to my mother's house?
How about I take you into town?
You must be hungry.
I am.
Get in.
Safety first.
[seatbelt clicks]
What's your name?
Sol.
[uplifting music plays]
-[Sol humming]
-[baby cooing]
Hold my hand, hold my hand
Hold my hand, hold my hand
-[humming]
-[baby cooing]
[ominous music playing]
Oh, it's okay, it's okay, yes.
It's okay.
It's okay.
It's okay.
-[baby cooing]
[dramatic music playing]
[music ends]
[Nena] The markers
are here to keep us safe.
Don't ever cross them.
[eerie music playing]
[Nena] You don't want to see
what's on the other side
of the markers.
Nothing but pain,
fear, and destruction.
[Sol gasps]
-[Sol panting]
-[high-pitched ringing]
You will not take
my girl from me.
[Sol humming]
[birds chirping]
[Nena] We'll have
full bellies tonight.
Good job, Sunshine.
You have to always
be alert, Sol.
-[Sol] I was.
-You didn't hear me coming.
That's how you can die, Sol.
You have to be alert.
You have to know
your surroundings.
You said that we were safe here.
From the sick people, yes.
But not from the bears.
[mysterious music playing]
The bears don't carry spears.
[Nena]
They don't carry spears...
but they run faster than you.
-I wish that we saw a bear.
-[Nena] Why?
Because if we caught one,
then we could eat for months.
That's if
it didn't kill us first.
[music intensifying]
[both laughing]
[both humming]
[Nena] I bet...
we will have
enough food for the winter.
I better eat all the fruit
while I still can.
Mm. That's the one thing
I miss from before.
Being able to stock
fruit and vegetables
and meat in a fridge
was the life.
Tell me about before.
I bet if we made
jams or preserves
from the fruit,
we could keep it.
[Nena chuckling]
[sighs] You've never had
jam before, have you?
I'll pick up some containers
the next time I make a day trip.
Tell me about before.
It was...
loud and busy.
And the air was heavy,
thick, and dirty.
And there was a lot of people
and not enough food.
Actually,
it was enough people...
just not enough
willing to feed the hungry.
And, uh, people, they...
they became slaves to objects.
They-- they valued it
more than--
than human life,
more than family.
And, um...
people were just consumed
with the objects...
and the gadgets and the gizmos.
They were the worst.
I never told you
about the gadgets.
Well, they were
these tiny devices
meant to make life easier.
But it was just an illusion.
Life only got harder.
People became slaves
to these objects.
What about the gizmos?
You're so silly
[indistinct], sunshine.
It means the same as a gadget.
Two words
that mean the same thing?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
There were so many devices.
Just so many names.
[Sol] Did you have one?
Yeah, everyone did.
Man, child...
woman.
Children, too?
[Nena chuckles]
[Nena] No matter how many
parenting experts told them,
"Do not give these
to children..."
"Wait until
they're two years old,"
they would say.
These kids, they had them.
The babies,
before they were out of diapers.
Why did everyone
want these devices?
[Nena] They were meant
to keep people connected.
You could find someone
anywhere, anytime.
That's wonderful.
[Nena] No.
People rarely
answered their devices.
They were just too consumed
with things
that were meaningless.
And no one had any privacy.
All of your information
was out there...
for anyone to find.
So, no one ever had to be alone?
No.
Just the opposite, sunshine.
The only thing
that people were connected to...
was their own loneliness.
Let's eat.
[soft ominous music playing]
Mm. Which book
do you want to read tonight?
I'm not in the mood
for Dracula or Frankenstein.
I know. Tell me about Papa.
He was handsome,
and he had your eyes.
And he had a smile
that could melt anyone's heart.
That's how he got me.
That's the smile. [chuckling]
And...
he took care of us
for as long as he could.
[crickets chirping]
Tell me a story about him.
Once, um, there was a squirrel
right there
on the side of the house.
Easy pickings?
No, no, no.
This was before.
Um, we didn't eat squirrels.
We-- we got food
from grocery stores.
There were these
big grocery stores
with everything
that you could imagine.
And squirrels,
they were just these
fuzzy little creatures
that people found adorable.
So, when your papa
saw one with a broken leg...
he just had to nurse it
back to health
and release it into the wild.
Oh, no, Sol.
It's not like that.
Things were different.
We have to hunt now.
Where was I?
[chuckles]
You were just a baby.
-A baby.
-Mm-hmm.
What's that like?
Oh, loud and noisy,
and fussy and messy and...
wonderful.
I want a baby.
You know that
you need a man to do that.
We are the only two people
out left, I mean, there's--
there's no one else
out there, Sol.
[solemn music playing]
Good night, Sol.
I love you.
Good night.
[sobbing]
[liquid sloshing]
Hmm.
[birds chirping]
[Nena] Morning.
What are you doing up there?
Had a dream last night.
[Nena] About?
You were kissing Papa.
You weren't you.
Who was I?
[Sol] Someone else.
And there was a butterfly.
Dreams don't always make sense.
About last night...
I don't wanna
give you false hope, Sol.
We may be the only
two people left who aren't sick.
I know.
I just liked it better
when there was a chance.
You eat breakfast?
I'm going to town soon.
Get some supplies.
You'll be all right by yourself?
I always am.
[birds chirping]
[wheels rattling]
[gunshot echoing]
[ominous music playing]
[branches cracking]
[sunglasses clatter]
[Sol panting]
[Sol sobbing]
[Sol panting]
[Sol whimpering]
[Sol breaking shakily]
[crickets chirping]
[music fades out]
[birds chirping]
[water trickling]
[Sol] Let me help you.
You were gone too long.
Did you see anyone?
It's getting hotter out there.
[chuckles]
Take me with you next time.
No, um, you're not ready.
Well, I'll have to go sometime.
Not now, we'll just wait
'til you get older.
I'm old enough.
The things out there,
once you've seen them,
they change you.
You-- you'll never be the same.
You seem fine.
That's because I had to learn
to live with a lot.
Had to bury the people
that meant the most to me.
Your uncles, your father.
You may not remember this,
but your papa...
he suffered a lot.
When all this happened...
order was the first thing to go.
There was no police,
no military.
There was just chaos and people,
they were killing themselves
just for simple items.
No police?
Mm-mm.
Why, what happened?
Well, when there was no order,
the respect for the uniform
was the first to go.
And people
were getting infected.
Police had to
protect themselves.
There's no honor in the badge
when the virus is the enemy.
What are the signs
of the infected?
Well, there's fever and chills
and your skin turns gray.
And then you start coughing,
you know,
sometimes you cough up blood.
Then you become comatose.
-Coma--
-Comatose.
It's like when you go to sleep,
but you don't wake up.
I thought you only sleep
and not wake up
when you're dead.
Well, the virus, it changes you
during the comatose stage.
And when you do wake up...
your skin is really gray
and there's red
around your eyes,
and your whole body has sores.
And the worst part is...
You're not yourself anymore.
Mm.
There's no light
behind the eyes.
Only violence.
It's a nightmare out there.
And I just want to protect you
and keep you safe
just a little longer.
I just want you to be happy.
[mysterious music playing]
[Sol gasps]
I thought you could retire
your old doll.
That doll was yours
when you were little.
I'm never getting rid of it.
But I love this doggie.
Thank you.
Were the real ones
this soft and little?
Yeah, some of them.
They looked just like the wolves
we see up in the mountains.
[Sol chuckles]
[Sol gasps]
I figured you would like that.
This looks almost brand new.
Where did you find it?
I had to go a little further.
But this one house
had all these goods.
[Sol giggling]
Mm.
How did they ever
make it smell like that?
[Nena] Well, they used to have,
like, these big factories
and big machines,
assembly lines,
and a chemistry lab.
-Like in Hard Times?
-[Nena chuckling]
-Speaking of Hard Times...
-[Sol gasping]
-[Sol] Ooh.
-[Nena gasps]
[Sol] Where'd you find this?
Don't touch this, sunshine.
Guns can be dangerous.
Um, I got it in case
an animal comes too close.
[Sol] Or if the infected
show up here?
Yeah, well, we would hear them.
-[Sol] The bells?
-Yeah, the bells.
They keep us safe.
I-- I'll teach you
how to use this one day
and I have the feeling
you'll be a natural.
In the meantime, don't touch it.
Could only get
so many bullets and...
we only have to fire this
if it's absolutely necessary.
-Okay.
-[Nena] Okay.
Here.
I want to see you in that.
[Sol chuckles softly]
I wanna save it
for a special occasion.
Okay.
[crickets chirping]
[metallic clanking]
[Nena gasps]
I know you wouldn't be
on the property lines.
Where did you find that?
In your room.
Why would you hide this thing?
Who was that?
What was he doing here?
I mean, he didn't look sick
and you said that--
Sol, we have talked
about this so many times.
[Sol] You said
that there were no police.
-Sol.
-[badge clatters]
What did you do with the body?
I-- I buried him.
Way out into the woods,
far away from us.
You touched the body?
You know
you could get sick, Sol!
How many times have I told you,
don't go past the property line!
[Sol] What was he doing here?
I don't know.
He was sick,
he-- he attacked me.
He didn't look sick.
[Nena]
They don't always look sick.
Except for the bullet hole.
That's how this disease works.
They look normal,
until they lunge at you
and they try to kill you.
He didn't look sick.
They don't always look sick.
What did you do, Sol?
[Nena panting]
[twigs snapping]
[ominous music playing]
[Marcus panting]
[birds chirping]
[book clatters, Sol gasps]
Nena, I found a man
in the woods.
A survivor.
-What?
-Yeah.
Stay back.
-Sol, stay back.
-No.
It could be dangerous.
Let me show you where he is.
Sol, stay back.
Keep your distance!
I don't need you
to come with me.
[Sol] Come on. It's okay.
-Is he alive?
-Stay back, Sol.
Can you fix him? Is he infected?
He doesn't look infected.
I don't know.
I wished for him.
Don't let him die.
[tense music playing]
He needs water.
I told you, do not touch him.
-You could get sick.
-What about you?
I had it, I lived, I'm immune.
You never told me
you were infected.
Sol, I am trying
to help this man.
-[Marcus coughing]
-[Nena gasps]
-[Sol] He needs water.
-[Nena] I know he needs water.
Stay back, Sol.
If we both help,
this will go faster.
[wind whistling]
How is he?
He's knocked out cold.
I gave him some herbs.
I'm doing the best that I can.
What's this?
Same thing that I gave him.
It'll help you
with the infection.
But I'm not sick.
[Nena] That's how
the disease works.
But you touched the sheriff...
so it's better to be safe.
But you said that the disease
was certain death, Nena.
You had it before.
If I told you to eat
those berries in the woods...
that it might make you die
or just very sick...
would you risk it?
That you might die,
but it's not certain?
This disease took your father
and it tried to take me.
Why would you risk it?
[Sol] Sometimes
I used to wish for death...
to be reunited.
-But now--
-But now?
I have hope.
[Nena] Hope?
That there might be
others like him.
Go to bed.
"He couldn't tell
where he was...
or when he was.
As he looked
out into the darkness..."
[birds chirping]
[Sol groaning softly]
Oh. Nena?
[groaning]
Nena?
[groaning]
[eerie music]
[Sol retching]
What happened?
You were sick.
We both were.
We're better now.
Drink.
What's your name?
Marcus.
-And you?
-Sol.
I found you in the woods.
Who's the mean lady?
That's my Nena. She helped you.
Is she your mother?
What are you two
doing out here anyway?
Surviving.
I guess
that's what I'm doing, too.
Are there others like you?
Other survivors?
Yeah. There's others like me,
you can say that.
That's wonderful.
Where did you come from, Marcus?
Can you take us there?
I-- I don't even know
where there is.
Do you have children?
I've never even
seen a child since I--
Whoa, slow down, Sol.
Slow down.
No, I don't have any children.
And my sister, Bri,
is the only person I have.
[chuckles]
You're the first person
that I've talked to in years,
besides Nena and Papa,
but he died when I was little.
He was infected.
But before the virus--
I thought I told you
to stay away from him.
I-- it's okay, Nena.
He's not sick and I'm not sick.
Everyone's okay.
Marcus, this is my Nena.
Thank you very much
for everything
you and your daughter did
to help me.
We're happy to help.
Now that you're all better,
I can help you
find your way back.
Yes, of course.
I'll be leaving
first thing in the morning.
No, you-- he can't go.
-He just got here.
-Sol, we have work to do.
Someone has to clean
and smoke all this meat
before it goes bad.
He can't leave yet!
He just got here,
he can tell us about the world.
I already know all that.
[Sol] Well, I don't.
Sol, there's nothing out there
for you.
[sighs]
And you don't even know
anything about this man.
Because you won't let me.
I tried to ask questions.
He's not sick.
Sol, I know his type.
He's no good.
He's gonna bring us
more trouble if he stays here.
-What does that even mean?
-There's people after him.
What people?
Everyone is infected or dead,
right?
Sol--
Tell me the truth.
There are people out there,
and you've seen them.
Admit it.
There are some people.
I haven't seen many,
but there's some.
It always scares me.
Scare you? How?
You know the sheriff?
Marcus brought him here.
-What?
-Yeah.
How? The sheriff came before.
He followed him into the woods.
And now there could be others.
We've been exposed.
And there's gonna be
some people coming after them.
I don't even know
if we are safe here anymore
and I think we have to leave.
Okay.
I'm ready to leave
when you are, Nena.
But you're not ready
for what's out there.
They hunt people.
They hurt women.
And they steal and infect you
just for a sport.
But you're a woman.
They've never hurt you.
[Nena sobs]
My sweet and naive Sol.
That's because I had to learn
to protect myself...
after being hurt so many times.
And I have protected you
from all of that.
And I have kept you safe.
And I am not going to let
that no good Marcus
take that from me.
[tense music]
Was the sheriff sick or not?
He surprised me, sunshine.
He caught me off guard,
and I just--
I had to act fast
and I regret it.
I have never killed
anyone before.
And I'm not proud of it.
But I did it to protect you.
I would do
anything for you, Sol.
I would die for you.
And that is what a mother does
for her child.
She protects them
no matter what.
Okay.
-Okay, Nena.
-Okay.
When do you want to leave?
Where are we gonna go next?
I-- I don't know, um...
Let's just get the meat ready
for dinner in the smoker.
And then you and me
are gonna get rid of Marcus.
And then we're gonna come up
with a plan
to leave this place for good.
Yeah.
I'm, um-- I'm gonna
go get the maps.
And I'mma see
where we could go.
[water lapping]
Jesus, Sol.
You can't sneak up
on people like that.
Especially when they're naked.
What is this place?
Who is this?
I need to get dressed.
Can you please turn around, Sol?
[bathwater sloshing]
Your Nena was right.
You really are young
for your age.
When did you talk to Nena?
Last night.
She told me all about you.
She said that
you were dangerous.
Is that right?
Yeah, she's right.
But don't worry.
I won't be around
you and your Nena much longer.
And I'm not gonna hurt you.
Either of you.
I'm not afraid of you.
Who is this?
Sol...
no good will come from this.
I found a body.
A sheriff in the woods.
Sheriff?
What do you mean a sheriff?
-How long ago?
-Yesterday.
That's not good.
That's not good at all.
Did you bring him here?
Sol...
Yes, but not on purpose.
He must have been after me.
-I don't know.
-It's okay.
It's safe here. Nena killed him.
She what?
Why would she kill him?
I need to get out of here.
No, no, no, no.
Why did you do that, Sol?
I've never kissed anyone before.
Sol, you shouldn't have
done that.
You're just a child.
[eerie music playing]
[Marcus grunts]
Uh, I have a first aid kit.
-I don't need your help.
-You do.
-Here, careful.
-[Marcus groans]
I'll be right back.
[Nena] What's going on?
[eerie musical flourish]
Marcus hurt himself
on one of my traps.
He's not going
anywhere for a while.
Nobody's going anywhere.
Don't get too attached.
Just like that squirrel
your papa nursed back to health,
Marcus will have to go back
where he came from.
I'm all he has now, Nena.
He needs me.
[Marcus panting]
Why did you do this to me, Sol?
You fell.
It's okay,
I'm gonna help you now.
I'm gonna bandage you up.
-Does that feel good?
-That's enough, Sol.
-[Sol] What's wrong?
-I just need to get some rest.
Okay.
[suspenseful music swelling]
[Sol] Marcus?
Hello, Sol.
What are you doing here?
My leg is killing me.
Do you have
any more of those pills
your Nena gave you?
I don't know
where she keeps them.
Nena uses this for pain.
Last time I had
one of Nena's concoctions,
I was sick like a dog.
Do dogs get sick a lot?
It's just whiskey.
See?
Are you even old enough
to drink?
Nena was always
giving me whiskey,
if I couldn't fall asleep
or if I was sick.
Mm. Not bad.
Who was the girl in your photo?
That's my sister, Bri.
You're so lucky.
[Marcus] Why?
I always wanted a sister
or a brother or...
anybody, really.
You have Nena.
It's not the same.
What's it like?
Having a sister?
Well, she made me
who I am today.
I didn't know what love was...
before she came around.
I mean, don't get me wrong,
she could be very annoying
sometimes.
But there's nothing
I wouldn't do for her.
Nothing.
It's much simpler here.
I understand
why your Nena loves this place.
I don't want to talk about Nena.
Can I see that photo?
I can't wait to meet her.
I don't know when I'm ever gonna
see her again.
Does she have the virus?
No, Sol.
I want you to take me with you
when you go.
I can't.
Why not?
Have you ever heard the saying,
"Ignorance is bliss?"
You can't put the genie
back into the bottle, Sol.
Once it's out, it's out.
I want out.
I can't sit here
and make the same mistake twice.
[mysterious music playing]
Sol.
There is no virus.
There never was.
Your Nena, she's been
lying to you this whole time.
What?
[Marcus whispering] I'm sorry.
What do you mean
there's no virus?
[Nena] Sunshine.
What's the noise out there?
[Sol] Uh...
[tense music]
I'm just going to
check on my traps.
I'll be back later.
[birds chirping]
Sol?
Sol?
She's gonna catch you, Sol.
She's going hunting.
We have time.
Nena always kept this locked.
She's hiding something.
[Sol grunting]
What?
Do you--
do you know what this means?
She's been out to the world.
These are receipts
and-- and bank statements
and this is--
this is a grant deed
applied to this house.
She owns this house.
I need to talk to Nena.
"Missing: Sol Moreno."
[Sol] Always be aware.
Remember
when I taught you to hunt?
First time you struck an animal,
you started crying.
I didn't want to embarrass you,
so I didn't ask you.
Why were you crying?
They were...
tears of joy.
I felt like
I could do anything that day.
I felt like
I could survive on my own.
You can do anything.
Just not now.
And one day
you'll be able to survive,
but right now, you need me.
You know, we owe it
to your papa to stay together.
You and me.
To be good to each other.
We owe him that much
to honor his memory.
I'll have this ready by dinner.
Yeah.
I'll see you soon.
[sighs]
What did she say?
She didn't say anything.
I need real answers.
There's something
you need to know.
[eerie music playing]
Now, Sol,
this is a very old flier.
There's no way of knowing
if your mother is still there.
Why didn't you tell me
the truth from the beginning?
Why did you stab me in my leg?
'Cause I didn't want
you to leave.
Look...
I didn't know what was going on.
I thought it was best
to assess the situation first
and talk second.
And then Nena and I spoke.
And there were threats.
But you deserve
to know the truth.
I'm gonna try this number.
[line ringing]
-[Sabrina over phone] Hello?
-Hello.
I'm looking for Sabrina Moreno.
Is this the correct number?
[Sabrina] Yes, this is she.
Who is this?
My name is Marcus, and...
I think
I found your daughter, Sol.
She's here with me.
-Is she there?
-[Sabrina] Who is this?
This is... Sol.
I...
I think
you might be my-- my mother?
[Sabrina] Sol?
[sobbing] Sol, Sol!
[speaking Spanish]
Is this really you?
Yeah, it's-- it's me, Sol.
[Sabrina] How do I know?
How do I know it's really you?
I can take a photo.
Is this a cell phone?
[Sabrina] Yes.
Okay, hold on.
Sol, look over here.
Smile.
[Marcus] Yeah.
[Sabrina] Oh, it's been so long!
[sobbing] And...
She's a woman now. Oh, my God.
[sobbing incoherently]
She's a woman now,
but I think it's really you.
Sol-- Sol, do you remember me?
I, um...
I think I remember butterflies.
[Sabrina] I got--
I got matching butterfly shirts
for your third birthday.
I used to trace the shape.
[Sabrina] You traced
the butterfly shape, yes.
[sobbing]
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Young man, please, please,
can you please
just bring Sol back here
for me, please?
Or I can-- I can go,
I can go pick her up right now.
Where are you? Where are you?
Like, how do I do this?
How do I get you both?
Or I can call--
I call 911 right now.
No, no, that's not necessary.
-We'll-- we'll find you.
-[Sabrina] Okay.
Please, please tell me
where are you.
We're somewhere
in the Black Hills Forest.
[Sabrina sobbing] You're close.
[Marcus] Text me
all your information.
[Sabrina muttering]
I'm texting you right now...
Thank you again.
Thank you again, young man.
Yes, thank you.
What's your last name?
Just Marcus, Miss Moreno.
I'll see you soon, Mother.
[Sabrina] I'll see you soon,
my baby,
I see you soon, okay?
Can-- can we stay on the phone?
No, I'm sorry.
My battery is low.
I have to hang up now.
[Sabrina] Okay, okay, okay,
Marcus, I have your number.
Call me back right after
you charge that phone, okay?
-Please.
-Sounds good.
Uh, see you soon.
[phone beeps]
Your Nena, or whoever she is,
didn't take you very far.
Your mother was right.
This whole time
you were really close.
71 miles to be exact.
That's not very far.
We-- we can go--
we can go in a car.
[Sol] Nena always said that
cars kept people apart
and polluted the planet.
[Marcus] Yeah, well,
she's not wrong.
But she forgot to mention that
they can be very convenient
when we need
to go somewhere fast.
How can we get there?
Let's just go
the same way that you came back.
[Marcus] Sol...
-[Marcus sighs]
-Marcus, how did you get here?
I drove... in a car.
But it wasn't my car.
It was borrowed.
It doesn't matter,
the-- the sheriff's department
probably has it now.
I had to ditch it a while back.
[Sol] The sheriff is dead.
No, Sol.
That's just one of them.
There's a whole department
looking for me.
Okay, well,
how can we get there?
I-- Maybe they can help us.
[Marcus] No, Sol.
If they find me, I'm toast.
I've done some things.
The world
is a complicated place.
Not like here.
Look.
I wanna help you, I do.
I wanna take you
back to the world
and to your mother, but...
I don't want to go back.
I can't go back.
Then tell me how to get there.
I can go by myself.
You've never been
anywhere on your own.
You don't know anything
about the world out there.
[Sol] It doesn't mean
that I can't do it.
No, it's not safe for you.
You shouldn't go.
[Sol] I can't stay here.
I'll do it
with or without your help.
No.
No.
I can't let you go alone.
I'll take you.
Oh, uh, sorry, uh-- [sighs]
Wow,
that's a great color on you.
Okay. Let's go.
Uh, yeah. Let's go.
Uh, wait, Sol, uh...
I need to show you this.
You need
to memorize this address
in case we get separated.
1706 Clark Lane.
Okay.
Do I need to remember
those numbers, too?
No, only if you
want to write a letter.
-[smacks]
-[Marcus grunts]
You will not take
my girl from me.
Sol, it's okay.
He's going away, and you and I,
we're gonna go back
to our old lives.
No. No, I'm not going back
to our old lives.
Sol, you can't listen to him.
He's a liar. He's a bad person.
-He's a fake and--
-[Sol] You're a liar.
You're not my mother.
You killed the sheriff.
Who else have you killed?
Who the hell was Papa?
Sol, don't let him
come between us.
It's me and you.
It's me and you
against all of them,
me and you against
all the sick people out there.
I never had a say in any of this
and I don't want to
do it anymore.
-[Nena screaming]
-[Marcus grunting]
No! [screaming]
Let go of me!
Ah! Sol!
-[Sol] Stop!
-[Nena breathing shakily]
Careful, Sol,
it's-- it's loaded.
Sol, what are you doing?
Who are you?
You owe me that.
I was your neighbor.
I used to babysit you sometimes.
Everybody's not dead...
but they might as well be
by the time
we had left civilization.
They were all zombies
to their technology,
their violence, their drugs.
Their prejudice.
Why me?
[Nena] Because I wanted to
give you a better life.
Your father was never home...
and I watched you
and your mother,
and she was always
glued to her phone
or her TV or her tablet
or some other gadget.
Her Alexas, her smart watch...
but never you.
She-- she-- she didn't pay you
any attention, Sol.
More lies.
No, no.
You-- you were
just a possession for them.
They didn't see
how special you were...
how you deserved attention.
It was always money or things
or events, but never you.
Sol, she didn't love you.
Sol, I saved you,
gave you a better life.
I saved you to save us.
It still...
doesn't make sense.
Why?
Because she died.
Who?
[crying] My baby girl!
She died in the crib.
And I-- I just--
I couldn't-- I couldn't
get out of bed for months.
I tried everything.
Therapy, medicine...
and nothing--
nothing made me feel
whole again, Sol.
[sniffs]
And I watched that baby.
I watched that baby like a hawk
since she shot out of me.
I never left her aside
for one waking moment!
Not to use the bathroom,
not to eat.
And then one day she's just--
she just stopped breathing.
And so...
I-- I watched
and I waited...
and told him...
that I had a surprise.
And you, you were waiting here
in the cabin...
and I told him, I said,
"We can have a-- a fresh start,
we could be a family again."
But he didn't see
what I saw in you.
And he looked at me
like I was a monster.
And I told him we were far away,
but he just couldn't accept it.
Did you kill him
for not seeing how special I am?
No. Mm-mm.
He did that himself.
He hung himself
right there in that tree.
I didn't know, Sol.
[sobbing] I didn't know
he was in so much pain.
I mean, how can you know
when you're
in so much pain yourself?
And then that's when I knew...
I had to go back.
I had to make sure
that I had medicine
and a first aid kit...
because I couldn't let
anything happen to you.
What I don't understand
is how you went so long
without being caught.
If you were their neighbor
and you disappeared
at the same time they did...
how did they not catch you?
You had to have been
the prime suspect.
Cops don't really
look that hard...
for missing Brown girls.
It's the first thing
you and I agree on.
I'm sorry.
You're not ready
to go out there.
Once you leave this place
and you see that real world...
you will never be the same.
Don't listen to her, Sol,
she's trying to manipulate you.
You need me, Sol. You need me.
You are not ready,
Sol, you need me.
This was only real
because I believed.
I know the truth now.
I can't keep living a lie.
[Nena gasping] Sol!
No, Sol, Sol!
Sol! Sol.
Sol.
Please, please, Sol.
Please.
Please don't do this.
Don't leave.
Sol, please...
I won't let you take her back
to that filthy world!
[screaming]
[struggling]
I'm not about to hit a woman,
that's not who I am.
Good. [screaming, grunting]
[groans]
[Nena struggling]
[screaming]
Enough!
-Stop, stop it!
-[Nena screaming]
[Sol] Get off of him!
Are you okay?
That's it! That's it!
I've had enough of you.
Get out of my face
while you still can!
-[Sol] No!
-[Nena] Sol, move!
[gunshot]
[Sol grunts]
[Nena] Sol! [groaning]
[Marcus and Nena struggling]
[gunshot]
Marcus?
[Nena] Sol.
I'm sorry, my baby.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
[sobbing] I'm sorry
I let him hurt you.
I'm gonna get you help.
I'm gonna--
I'm gonna get you help.
Marcus, Marcus, she needs help.
Marcus.
[sobbing]
Stay with me.
[whispering] I love you.
Stay with me.
[Sol] I love you.
Okay.
Ah, God, Sol.
Sol, I need your help. Come on.
What did you do?
[sobbing] No!
No!
[sobbing] No!
[crying]
God, Sol.
Sol, I need your help. Come on.
You killed her.
Why did you kill her?
I didn't want to kill her,
it was self-defense, okay?
-[Sol] Self-defense?
-Ow, God!
[grunts in pain]
What is it with you women
and the violence, huh?
What are you doing?
Did you come here to rob us?
[Marcus] No.
No, I grabbed that because
I knew you would need that
-out there in the real world.
-How can I believe you?
I'm not Nena.
I wouldn't lie to you.
[Sol] You were gonna
come into our house...
-No. No, no--
-...and leave me here.
[Sol] You were
going to leave me here.
-No.
-[Sol] How can I believe you?
No, I wouldn't
do that to you, Sol.
This is what
got you here, isn't it?
You took things
that weren't yours
and the sheriff came after you.
It's not that simple!
I had to do those things.
Why?
Because I killed a man!
I killed a man
because he hurt my sister.
My only sister.
So, I killed him
because he hurt her.
Okay?
You don't know
what she meant to me.
So, I had to leave,
and if they find me,
they're gonna put me in jail.
And I don't deserve
to go to jail.
Maybe you should get caught.
You killed Nena.
And she killed the sheriff.
[Sol sniffs]
Can you take me
to my mother's house?
Yes.
I'll take you as far as I can,
but you have to give
the flier to a sheriff
and they'll take you
the rest of the way.
Let's get you cleaned up.
I know how to sew.
Oh, slow.
[grunting]
Thank you. [grunts]
Okay.
[Sol panting]
Okay.
Um...
[Marcus] You need
to sterilize that
with alcohol or something.
I've done this
a million times with Nena.
-Hold still.
-[Marcus groaning]
[Marcus] We gotta go.
I have to bury her.
[Marcus]
Sol, this woman kidnapped you.
She's my Nena.
I'm only alive because of her.
I gotta go now.
Sol, please.
Sol, we gotta go.
No!
I won't live
by someone else's rules anymore.
This is my time.
We go when I say we go.
I need to get to a hospital.
Please, hurry up.
[sobbing quietly]
[somber music plays]
Goodbye, Nena.
[both grunting]
[birds chirping]
What is it?
We don't need these anymore.
What do you think
she'll be like?
My mother?
I don't know.
She'll probably look like you.
I hope she's like the woman
in my dreams, full of music.
Are you okay?
Do we need to rest?
No, I'll be fine.
I just need some water.
[inhales sharply]
We should keep going.
I wonder
if I'll have my own room.
Do you think
I'll meet people my age?
Sure, of course you will.
[Sol] What do people
my age even do?
Well, people your age don't live
with their parents anymore,
that's for sure.
[Sol] They don't?
Why not?
[Marcus scoffs]
I don't know, Sol.
They just live on their own
or at school.
Many places.
[Sol] School.
I always wanted to go to school.
Give me a second.
Give me a second.
-You okay?
-No.
-[Marcus grunts]
-Okay, okay, okay.
[both grunting]
Are you all right?
Marcus, wake up.
Marcus, I need you.
[Marcus] Sol...
find her.
I need you, Marcus.
You can survive on your own.
She's probably
out there waiting for you.
Keep going.
What about you?
I just--
I just need to rest, Bri.
Bri?
I was just
trying to protect you, Bri.
I hope you know that.
I can't leave you.
[Marcus] Yes, you can.
Go.
You have to keep going.
Go.
Go.
Find--
Go now.
[somber suspenseful
music playing]
Are you okay?
Did your car
break down somewhere?
Where are you going?
Is this you?
Were you locked in a basement
somewhere for years?
Can you talk?
I--
I was lost.
[Justus] Do you need me
to drop you off somewhere?
Can you take me
to my mother's house?
How about I take you into town?
You must be hungry.
I am.
Get in.
Safety first.
[seatbelt clicks]
What's your name?
Sol.
[uplifting music plays]
-[Sol humming]
-[baby cooing]
Hold my hand, hold my hand
Hold my hand, hold my hand
-[humming]
-[baby cooing]
[ominous music playing]
Oh, it's okay, it's okay, yes.
It's okay.
It's okay.
It's okay.
-[baby cooing]
[dramatic music playing]
[music ends]