[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[DIAL TONE]
What's your emergency?
Yes.
Hi.
This might sound a bit
strange, but I heard something
outside my house.
What did you hear?
It sounded like a baby crying.
There it is again.
[BABY CRYING]
I was wondering if I
should go out and check.
Do you know whose child
it might be, ma'am?
No.
It just seems odd.
Odd.
How?
Well, I live in the
middle of nowhere.
My closest neighbor
is a mile away.
I'm just going to step
outside and check.
Ma'am, maybe you should wait
until we can get an officer out
there.
You hear that, right?
Yes.
I do hear it, but--
But what if it's in trouble?
I'm just going to
take a quick look.
I don't know if
that's the best idea.
It's louder out here,
but I don't see anything.
Wait.
Wait, I think I--
[SCREAMING]
[DISSONANT WHOOSHING]
Ma'am, ma'am, talk to me.
Tell me what's happening.
Ma'am?
[BUSY SIGNAL BEEPING]
[FILM ROLLING]
[BABY CRYING]
(DISTANT VOICE) Trick or treat.
(ON PHONE) So how's
the renovation going?
Just getting started, really.
Grandma's style was collected.
Hey, when you inherit a house--
--and a treasure
trove of tchotchkes.
Beggars can't be choosers.
It's got good bones at least.
Yeah?
Ugh.
What?
I was supposed to
have a date tonight.
Will I ever be a grandma?
Jumping the g*n a little
bit, aren't we, mom?
[DISTANT CRYING]
Speaking of babies.
Well, I'm going to let you go.
Got to get back out there before
your father eats all the candy.
You too.
Have fun.
Night, Mom.
Night, sweetie.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[GASPS]
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[BABY CRYING]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello.
This is Charlie.
It's OK.
Just take your time.
You want to start by
telling me your name?
Lily.
Lily.
That's a pretty name.
My favorite flower, too.
Would you say that if my
name was Rose or Daisy?
Humor-- that's a good sign.
Things can't be all
that bad, right?
I took a test--
A test?
--a pregnancy test--
Oh.
--just now before I called.
I'm scared.
I'm only 16.
I couldn't stand to wait
on the results alone.
I'm right here.
And remember, whatever it
says, you have options.
My mom would k*ll me.
She's religious.
If she knew I slept with Josh--
Lily, I need you to take a
big, deep breath for me, OK?
How much time is left?
Did you set a timer?
Three minutes.
OK.
I'm right here.
I'm not going anywhere.
But I'm late.
There's no reason to panic yet.
I just got my first
period last year.
And I'm already late.
It's OK.
It's going to be OK.
He said he loved me.
So, I mean, I wanted to.
I did in the heat of the moment.
But now this test is
lasting longer than he did.
It wasn't even good.
You're funny.
Keep that up.
Now my timer says two
and a half minutes.
I think I want to peek.
Don't.
Just wait.
So where are you right now?
Home.
Alone?
My mom just went out.
I passed a drugstore on
the way home from school.
I didn't realize the
tests were so expensive.
I could only afford
the cheapest one.
What did you say your name was?
Charlie.
Charlie.
I like your name, too.
Thanks.
I always thought it was cute
when girls had guy names.
You say that like
you had a say in it.
Oh, I get it.
Get what?
It's a fake name, right?
No.
It's actually not.
Well, it's a nickname,
short for Charlotte.
They advise us to use a
pseudonym, but I don't know.
For me, it just felt ingenuine.
You sound nice.
Thanks for waiting with me.
A lot of people call in
so they don't feel alone.
Well, it's the same for me.
I talk to people, work this
job so I don't feel alone.
Did something happen to you?
Most people who do
what you do, I mean, I
assume they've been through
something themselves.
We're not really supposed to
do that, talk about ourselves.
I'm sharing.
Yes, but you called me.
At least I told you my name.
[ALARM BEEPING]
Oh God.
It's ready.
I'm going to look.
It's positive.
[CRYING]
Lily, you don't have to make
any decisions right now.
But you can talk to someone, OK?
No.
Lily, it's free.
And I can connect you
through right now.
It's a sin.
That's what my mom
would say, anyway.
I had premarital sex.
That's fine.
I can't have a baby right now.
That's OK.
That's not the decision
everyone chooses.
Lily?
Talk to me.
What are you thinking?
My mom has pills--
Lily--
--sleeping pills beside her bed.
Lily, that's not the answer.
What other choice do I have?
Many.
You said the test
was cheap, right?
Yes.
OK, so you don't need to panic.
Maybe you can go
take another one.
I told you, I don't
have the money.
I can send you the money.
Do you have any
mobile payment apps?
You can do that?
Isn't that like
against the rules,
client-patient confidentiality?
I'm not a doctor.
I'm just a volunteer.
Just, Lily, please,
this is not the answer.
I don't have a choice.
You said you wouldn't
get an abortion, right?
Well, think about it.
If you hurt yourself, you'll
be hurting the baby, too.
I can't think right now.
What do you care, anyway?
You don't know me.
I do care.
You're a complete stranger.
You won't even tell me
anything about yourself.
Oh God.
What?
She's home, my mom.
Lily, listen to me.
Just don't do anything rash.
She's home.
You can call me
back any time, OK?
Just ask for Charlie
at the switchboard, OK?
Just--
I have to go.
[BEEP]
sh*t.
[SIGHS] First call of the day.
Oh my god.
I totally forgot.
I'm sorry.
I just started a shift.
Do you have a caller waiting
on the line right now?
No.
Then I'll take what I can get.
How have you been feeling?
I'm OK.
Staying busy, productive?
Gardening, cooking a little bit.
Renovations?
Slowly but surely.
Still debating if I want
to stay here or not.
Volunteering has
been good, though.
Helping people is helping me.
Some of them just call to banter
or to hear themselves talk.
But with most, I really feel
like I'm making a difference.
That's great.
Remember, direction is
more important than speed.
Have you been avoiding the
news, like we discussed?
That's a no.
I can't help it.
He's locked up.
You won.
The other women, they won.
Obsessing is not helpful.
There's nothing to focus
on now but your healing.
Yeah.
You hesitated.
You still think he's out there.
I heard his voice.
The guy they arrested on
TV, maybe he's a bad guy.
Maybe he's done some of the
things they've accused him of.
But I know, at least in
my case, it isn't him.
I'll never forget his voice.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Baby girl.
I'll never forget him
whispering into my ear
before he did what he did.
Look, this is common.
You're finding it difficult
to accept that it's over.
Justice has been served.
But it will get
easier with time.
How long has it been?
About nine months.
[PHONE RINGING]
Oh, I'm sorry.
I got to go.
I got to take this.
Well, I'm yours for the hour
if you want to call back.
Thanks.
This is Charlie.
I knew as soon as
the doctor entered
the room it was bad news.
From the look on his
face, the one that you
hope you don't see when
you look to your stewardess
during turbulence, an expression
of, oh sh*t, something's
not right.
You're strong.
I can hear it in your voice.
I'm trying.
You're not alone.
I can recommend some support
groups if you'd like.
[BABY CRYING]
Anyway, what you need
to focus on now is hope.
Uh-uh.
He's cheating on me.
I know he is.
That's tough.
Though I don't know
who in their right mind
would sleep with him.
He's gotten too fat for his
shirts but won't buy new ones.
Excuse me, ma'am?
Yes?
Is your refrigerator running?
I believe so, yes.
At least it was earlier
when I chopped up
the last teenage boy who
pranked me and stuffed
all the pieces inside.
That's messed up, lady.
[BEEP]
I am celebrating.
What's the occasion?
Divorce.
After eight daunting years,
I signed the papers today.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Don't be.
I'm not.
At least that's the
quip they always
seem to say in the movies.
Did you know that something
like two dozen people
are literally k*lled by flying
champagne corks each year,
with weddings being the most
common place it happens?
That can't be a real statistic.
I'm just repeating what I heard.
In retrospect, I wish
that would have happened
to my ex at our wedding.
It would have saved
me a lot of grief.
Their noses are always
buried in their phones.
Get this-- just the
other day, my daughter
was looking at a magazine.
And you know what she did?
She tried to pinch zoom
for a closer look, the way
you zoom into a picture
on your cell phone.
It's ingrained in these kids.
I realized then and there,
we are entirely too chained
to electronics.
Maybe I should put a limit
on their technology usage.
What do you think?
Hello?
I totally agree.
Sometimes I worry the
only island I'll ever see
is in my kitchen.
I can't remember
my last vacation.
Every cent I make goes
towards these ungrateful kids.
[SIZZLING]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Baby girl.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello?
(DISTORTED) Hello?
Sorry.
It's a bad connection.
I can't hear you.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
The serial r*pist
and m*rder*r was
dubbed in the press
as The Gentleman,
viewed by some as a rather
tactless nickname inspired
by a technique of luring
women from their homes
with the recorded sound
of a crying infant,
then proceeding to
r*pe them in an effort
to conceive a child of his own.
The suspect, identified as
36-year-old Edward Reed,
was arrested as a part of
a criminal investigation
into the att*cks
that authorities have
attributed to a single person.
A judge agreed with the jury's
recommended life sentence.
For years, through a score of
accusations, multiple arrests,
and two criminal
trials, Reed has stayed
one step ahead of a conviction.
But, finally, this
long-wanted criminal
is now safely behind bars.
After the case's conclusion,
Reed addressed the charges
against him in an
interview with Channel 7.
Let me make something
very, very clear to you.
I've never drugged anybody,
I have never r*ped anybody,
and I've never forced
myself on anybody, ever.
And I've certainly
never k*lled anybody.
A likely story.
Following the
verdict, one survivor
was quoted saying,
"Nothing will change
what I and the other
victims have suffered.
But today, I feel
justified, relief.
I see a light at the
end of a tunnel."
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[DOOR CREAKING]
[GASPS]
Ugh.
[PHONE RINGING]
Down to the wire.
You've got five minutes.
Maybe it's an avoidance tactic.
What are you avoiding?
I see him.
I almost imagine that he's here.
God.
The other day, I nearly
clobbered the pool guy
with the skimmer.
He comes every Thursday.
And, I mean, I
guess I just forgot.
You know what you should
do in these situations?
What?
Breathe.
Tell yourself it's in your head.
And then you will find
out that it's true.
The hardest part isn't the
daymares or the paranoia.
It's wondering if I could
have done more than something,
if I just got my hand on a Kn*fe
or clubbed him over the head.
I just, I could
have stopped him.
And there wouldn't be
other women out there
who go through what I did.
You can't think like that.
Surrendering to him the
path of least resistance,
it was your key to
survival that night.
You were brave, Charlotte.
Saying I'm brave makes
it sound like I had
a choice, like I chose this.
But I was just thrown in.
And I'm floundering
to stay above water.
You know what I mean.
And you are not floundering.
You're treading water.
And soon, you will swim.
Sometimes I almost
wish he would show up
just so I know I'm not crazy.
And what would you do if he did?
[PHONE PINGS]
Hey, sweetheart.
I guess I missed you again.
We haven't seen you in months.
I know you've been
through a lot,
but isolation isn't healthy.
And make sure you're
running your car, OK?
Such a dad thing to say.
It's bad on the engine
to just sit there.
You never know when you may
need it for emergencies.
We love you, honey.
We do love you, sweetie.
We miss you.
Maybe we could plan a
dinner, something simple?
We could even come to
you and bring everything.
Just let us know.
We're always here
if you need us.
Hey, sweetheart.
Guess I missed you again.
We haven't seen you in months.
I know you've been
through a lot,
but isolation isn't healthy.
And make sure you're
running your car, OK?
Such a dad thing to say.
It's bad on the engine
to just sit there.
You never know when you may
need it for emergencies.
We love you, honey.
We do love you.
[BABY CRYING]
(DISTORTED) We miss you.
Maybe we can plan a dinner.
Come to you and
bring everything.
Just let us know.
We're always here
if you need us.
Hey, sweetheart.
Guess I missed you again.
We haven't seen you in months.
[KNOCKING]
Hello?
[BABY CRYING]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello.
This is Charlie.
[DEEP BREATHING]
Hello?
Oh, I think you called before.
Hello?
Oh, there.
I can hear you now.
What are you wearing?
[CHUCKLES] No, relax.
I didn't mean it like that.
I just meant you're
on the phone.
My guess is it doesn't
matter what you wear at home.
How do you know
I work from home?
Don't you?
See, it's like those people
who do a remote video
call with a button-down-up top.
They sure as hell are
wearing boxers below camera.
Dress code is definitely
a perk of the job.
So you didn't
answer my question.
What are you wearing?
Pajamas?
Let's just say I'm comfortable.
Look, if this is
what I think it is,
there are hotlines for that.
They're expensive.
And I like the
sound of your voice.
This is a helpline.
So is there anything
I can help you with?
You are helping.
Oh.
Agh.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
[DRAMATIC WHOOSHING]
[BABY CRYING]
[KNOCKING]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello?
Hi, Charlotte, would you
like to make a comment
on the recent arrest of--
I don't speak to reporters.
I'm not a reporter.
Please, if you just give
me a moment of your time--
Really?
At work?
I have a podcast, a rather
popular one, True Crime Truths.
Have you heard of it?
I'm giving Reed's victims
a platform to speak--
[BEEP]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello.
This is Charlie.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
It's hard.
I signed the NDA.
I transferred out of his class.
But still, I run into him
on campus all the time.
Everyone adores him.
And I just have
to bite my tongue.
I guess that's why this is
appealing, calling anonymously.
I'm not allowed to talk
about what happened,
but here, what I tell
you, it doesn't matter.
I'm like that
bartender that you can
unload on and know that you'll
never see or hear from again.
Exactly.
Well, this has been cathartic.
Thank you.
Happy to help.
Hello, listeners.
You're listening to
True Crime Truths.
As always, our episodes
deal with serious and often
distressing incidents.
Listener discretion is advised.
I'll be focusing on the
crying baby rumor, which,
if you've seen the
news lately, you'll
know is no longer
considered a rumor.
In early 2003, an
urban legend began
to circulate that
a serial k*ller was
using the taped sounds
of a crying baby
to lure victims to the door.
Police were quick to deny
that information was any more
than hearsay or perhaps a hoax.
Some have suggested
that it even seems
idiotic for a victim
to investigate
a mysterious sound like this.
[DRAMATIC WHOOSHING]
I'd argue that if most of
us had heard a baby crying
on our front porch,
we would immediately
go to investigate it, not
leave the baby crying,
and call the police.
All of this is to say the
crying baby lure is real.
A man, Edward Reed,
is now behind bars
and believed to be responsible
for a slew of r*pes
and, in some cases, m*rder.
There are many bizarre
layers to these cases.
Some previous
victims have claimed
that The Gentlemen, as this
monster is being called,
left them gifts leading
up to their birth.
One brave survivor says--
I thought maybe they were
delivered by mistake.
Left them gifts leading
up to their birth.
Gifts?
(SINGING) Hush, little
baby, don't you cry.
Mama's gonna buy
you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring don't--
Who sent this?
--Mama's going to
whoop your [INAUDIBLE]..
Hush, little baby.
Don't you--
[DISTANT CRYING]
It's not in my head.
[PHONE RINGING]
Charlie, it's late.
Is everything OK?
Do you hear that?
What?
Listen.
What am I listening for?
It sounds like a--
--a baby crying?
Yes.
Charlie, what's this about?
I'm sorry.
I didn't know who else
to call, but it's him.
Charlie?
The Gentleman, I know it's him.
He left a record on my
front doorstep today.
I know it's him.
Slow down.
Where are you?
My backyard.
Charlie, that sound could
be a million things.
It's a baby crying or
a recording of one.
It could be a neighbor--
It's not.
--or a cat.
A cat?
Yes.
Haven't you heard the
odd sounds cats make?
They can sound exactly
like an infant crying.
Why don't you go back
inside, look up a video?
I'll stay on with you, OK?
I think I'll make a cup of tea.
I was having trouble
sleeping anyway.
[TEA KETTLE WHISTLING]
How about you type in, "cat
cries like a human baby"?
[MEOWING]
See?
I guess I do feel a
little bit silly now.
There are explanations, but
it's not the conclusions
you're coming to.
OK?
It is not him.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
One glass.
That's the rule, right?
[PHONE RINGING]
This is Charlie.
Hello?
I'm going to hang up now.
Again?
That's what you did before.
You took the call in
a sexual direction.
That's abusing the service.
I apologize.
Maybe I'm just lonely.
Should you be doing that?
What?
Drinking.
Oh, I get it.
You heard me take a sip.
How do you know it's
not just coffee?
It's past midnight,
so I doubt that.
I just wonder, should you really
be imbibing in your condition?
My condition?
[BABY CRYING]
Is there a baby there?
Please don't call again.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[PHONE RINGING]
Volunteer services.
This is Amy.
Hi.
I've never used this line
before, but I'm a volunteer.
I've been getting repeated
calls from this same person.
And I was wondering,
I don't know
if you could identify
him or tell me
if someone's been asking
for me at the switchboard.
Actually, calls don't go
through a live person anymore.
It's automated.
Callers can punch in the
name of a specific volunteer
that they'd like to speak to.
Oh.
Why?
Is anything wrong?
I'm not really sure.
Did the caller thr*aten
you or anything?
No, not really.
He just got a bit sexual is all.
Oh yeah, they do that sometimes.
It comes with the
territory, unfortunately.
We can report it, though,
but speaking from experience,
the police don't really do
much about harassing calls.
No, it's totally fine.
I was about to sign out anyway.
Sorry to bother you.
It's no bother at all.
Have a good evening.
Thanks.
You too.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello?
Hi.
It's me again.
Lily?
You're OK.
I didn't k*ll myself, you mean.
Sorry if I worried you before.
I was just freaking out a bit.
My mom, she went to bed.
I just thought you said you'd be
here, so figured I'd call back.
You just caught me.
I was just about to sign out.
Oh.
Oh, I can let you go.
Oh, no, no, no.
I'm so glad you called.
I'm not even sure why I did.
You called because
you want someone
to help you through the night.
You called because you wanted
someone to change your mind,
even if it's just
for one more day.
I looked it up.
A false positive test
result happens less than 1%
of the time.
I figured I may as
well try, though.
Yeah, no, it's still possible.
If it is accurate, maybe
I'll talk to someone,
weigh my options, like you said.
Yeah, no, that sounds
like a really good idea.
Everything OK?
Huh?
You sound distracted.
Oh, sorry.
If my problems are boring you--
No, no, no, no, no, no.
It's just, it's
something personal.
Maybe you could try doing
some talking this time?
Before, when you asked
if something happened,
the answer is yes.
You may have seen
it on the news.
The Gentleman, they
are calling him.
He att*cked me.
He said he'd come back
if I got pregnant.
You're pregnant?
Why didn't you say
something before?
He said if I got pregnant
and I didn't keep the baby,
he'd k*ll me.
He said he'd come back.
Why?
He views being
present at the birth
as a way to, I don't
know, carry on his legacy.
Ugh.
I tried to get over it.
I saw a shrink, meditated,
medicated, exercise, yoga.
And I just, I still
can't shake it.
I can't stop thinking
about that night.
Do you have a support system?
My parents.
And I was dating
somebody casually before,
but it wasn't going to work out.
I kind of just pushed
everyone away after.
Every time I hear a baby
cry, my heart just stops.
That might be a bit
challenging to deal with
once yours is born.
A man was arrested.
And everyone's
tried to convince me
that it's him just because
he sort of fits the bill.
But I know deep down,
I know it isn't him.
And what if I'm right?
What if they locked
up the wrong guy?
Who's going to help me now?
I mean, it's already hard
enough to arrest your r*pist
when their identity.
I mean, think about
all those students
accusing teachers, altar
boys accusing priests,
actresses accusing producers.
They all know the identity
of their assailant,
and they still can't
get them behind bars.
I don't have his identity.
I don't know a thing.
I thought I had problems.
I can't stop wondering
what he looks like.
I can't stop wondering who
he is underneath that mask
and who he's going to hurt next.
I think I hear my mom.
OK.
I'm sorry to just hang up.
Oh, no, no, no.
It's fine.
Just remember to take
it one day at a time.
And I'm here if you need me.
Will you be there tomorrow?
Yes, I have a shift
at 7:00 AM sharp.
Don't you ever sleep?
I'd like to, but I can't.
7:00 AM.
OK.
Thanks, Charlie.
We'll be OK.
[BEEP]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[GASPS]
[BABY CRYING]
Why don't you show yourself?
Huh?
I've been waiting for
you all this time.
If you're really there, show me.
[RATTLING]
[OMINOUS WHOOSHING]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[RECORD CRACKLING]
(SINGING) Hush, little
baby, don't you cry.
Mama's gonna buy
you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring
don't fit, Mama's
gonna whoop your [INAUDIBLE].
Hush, little baby,
don't you cry.
Mama's gonna buy
you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring
don't fit, Mama gonna
to whoop your [INAUDIBLE].
Hush, little baby,
don't you cry,
Mama's going to buy
you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird
don't sing, Mama's
gonna whoop your [INAUDIBLE].
[HUMMING]
[CREAKING]
[SLAMMING]
You're really here.
Didn't find this one, did you?
[STATIC CRACKLING]
[BABY CRYING]
What are you wearing?
[EVIL CHUCKLING] I'm a
little disappointed in you.
I thought you said you'd
know my voice anywhere.
Or maybe you did,
you just didn't
want to admit it to
yourself, baby girl.
Where are you?
The baby monitor reaches,
what, 500, 600 feet
max, which means I'm close.
So what do you do now?
Run?
For all you know, I'm
standing at the front door.
Only one way to find out.
[ENGINE REVVING]
There's no use in that.
I changed the code.
I've seen you input
it dozens of times.
But enough wrong entries will
notify the security company.
[OMINOUS CRESCENDO]
Alarm activated.
Input code to cancel.
You've been watching me.
What do you want?
You know.
And once I meet him
or her, I'll go.
Oh, and I wouldn't try
running if I were you.
[SHAKY BREATHING]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
I told you not to run.
You should assume by
now I can see you--
front door, side
door, back door.
I can see everything.
You're not leaving that house.
I'll tear you open at the
seams and pull it out myself
if I have to.
That f*cking light.
Sometimes I almost
wish he would show up,
just so I know I'm not crazy.
What would you do if he did?
Where are you now?
Ugh.
Ah.
[BREATHES HEAVILY]
What's with all the
mind games, huh?
You wouldn't happen to be
having contractions, would you?
I don't understand.
You were about to jump
the wall, but you stopped.
I get it.
You're watching me.
So why don't you just come in
and face me now, m*therf*cker?
[LAUGHS] Keep that
up, you might just get
your wish sooner than expected.
I'm not feeling very patient.
Why don't you come in
and join me for a drink?
[KNOCKING]
[OMINOUS WHOOSHING]
There you are.
[MOANS]
[LIQUID FALLING]
[SUSPENSEFUL CRESCENDO]
[SUSPSENFUL MUSIC]
Come out, come out,
wherever you are.
[CHUCKLING]
[BABY CRYING]
I'm not going to hurt you.
[INAUDIBLE]
Babies aren't born
that quickly, jackass.
[CLICKS]
Guess I found that
one after all.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
(SINGING) Hush little
baby, don't you cry.
Mama's gonna buy
you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring
don't fit, Mama's
gonna whoop your [INAUDIBLE].
Hush little baby, don't you cry.
Mama's gonna buy
you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring don't
fit, Mama's gonna [INAUDIBLE]..
Hush, little baby,
don't you cry.
Mama's gonna buy
you a mockingbird.
If that Mockingbird don't
sing, Mama's gonna [INAUDIBLE]..
[PANTING]
Lullabies, they're
meant to soothe.
We need to get your
stress levels down.
It's not good for the baby.
(SINGING) Hush, little
baby, don't you cry.
You seem to have
only hit your head,
so let's hope my little
one's fine, baby girl.
(SINGING) Hush, little
baby, don't you cry.
Don't.
Don't make me do that.
You're roughed up
enough as it is.
How about I clean that up?
Please help.
It hurts.
You were out for a while.
It shouldn't be long.
After all, your water
is already broken.
I have to know, you were
about to jump the wall.
You didn't even know for
sure that I was watching,
but you turned back.
Why?
[CRUNCHING]
So I could stop you.
[CHUCKLES] Where do
you think you're going?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Stop this.
I don't want to hurt
you, to hurt the baby.
Ever since that night,
I felt I wasn't alone.
I felt eyes on me.
And I just couldn't
prove it until now.
Please.
I-- I--
I couldn't end this until
you knew that you failed.
[GASPS]
You tricked me.
I always wondered what you do
to girls like me, the ones who
didn't get pregnant.
Would you come back?
Would you do it again?
To me, this was the only option
that ever made any sense.
It was the only
way to truly know
if you were out there or not.
[g*n f*ring]
[AGONIZING MOANS]
I didn't see my
family for months.
That ultrasound on the fridge?
I printed it online.
Every move I've made, every toy,
every baby accessory, my water
breaking, it was all
to sell you on this.
For so long I wondered who
you were, what your face looks
like under there.
And now?
Now I couldn't care less.
What's your emergency?
I need the police immediately.
[DISTANT SIRENS]
This is Charlie.
Charlie, it's me, Lily.
You're still there.
I'm still here.
["HUSH, LITTLE BABY" PLAYING]
(SINGING) Hush.
[VOCALIZING] Hush, little baby.
Mockingbird.
Hush, little baby,
don't say a word.
Mama's gonna buy
you a mockingbird.
[VOCALIZING]
And if that
mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna buy you a
diamond, diamond ring.
Hush, little baby.
Mockingbird.
Hush, little baby,
don't say a word.
Mama's gonna buy
you a mockingbird.
And if that
mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna buy
you a diamond ring.
Diamond ring.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Sorry, Charlie (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3