Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[sinister music]

[woman panicking]

I don't wanna die here!

Please! Please! Please!

Hello?

Hi.

I'm Laura. Laura Cowan.

I'm Zara.

What happened?

[Zara] He locked

me in that room,

and he nailed all

the windows shut,

and now... and he

put me in here.

I don't know what's gonna

happen to me and my son.

[Laura] It's gonna

be okay. Okay?

You have to trust me.

[Zara] [sobbing] Okay.

[Laura] Look at me.

Look, I know hope seems

lost in here, I get that.

But we're gonna get out.

Until then, just prayers

and words of

encouragement to God.

Just pray that He

hears our cries.

[breezy acoustic guitar music]

[Laura] Hello up there.

I finally made it out of

the cold and snow and gray.

I used to dream about this.

The sun, the warmth, everything.

Your girl is 24 years old

and never seen the

ocean until this moment.

Goodbye, Cleveland.

Hello, California.

Just look at it.

Nothing but wonder and

possibilities here.

This is where I'm

supposed to be.

But you already knew that.

Sis, give me a breath. I

just got here two days ago.

[Sister] Where are you staying?

Some studio apartment that

is k*lling my savings.

Things are so much

more expensive here

than they are in Cleveland.

[Sister] I bet.

So when you run out of

money, then you'll come home.

What? No, I'm just

getting started.

[Sister] With what?

Living my life.

[Man] Coming together

and cleaning up Memorial

Park for everyone.

It's like this.

When you start something

for the community,

if you can help the

community, help each other,

even just a little bit, then...

then wow. Um.

Even small changes can

have a positive effect.

It's like when you throw

a pebble into a lake.

Sister, if you throw

a pebble into a lake,

you may not see that water rise,

but you have to know that

you made a difference.

And then we all start throwing

our pebbles in that lake,

and we start what's

called a movement.

And when you have that movement,

we give all praise to God. Amen?

And that's what we're here

for. So go ahead and sign up.

Can you take this for a

second? I'll be right back.

Sister, [chuckles] I

don't mean to startle you.

Well, I don't startle easy.

I saw you take an interest in

what I was saying back there.

I was.

But not now?

You've been in

Memorial Park long?

You know the city?

Long enough to know not

to speak to strangers.

Shabazz.

-Laura.

-[Shabazz] Laura.

See? Now we're not strangers.

Hey, um, I liked what you said,

you know, about the pebbles.

Well, if you like that, you

should come back Saturday.

Maybe I will.

You know, what we're doing here

is for the people

in the community.

Strengthen them is

strengthen all of us.

It takes just one person to

make such a big difference.

Okay, if I say yes, will

you stop selling me on it?

-Yes.

-Then, yes.

Good. See you then.

Hey, hey Hey, hey

One more time for us

Hey, hey

Got it?

Hey, you made it.

I did. Put me to work.

What do you do besides

chasing women in parking lots?

[chuckles] That, uh, that's

my part-time gig, actually.

But, you know, I have

three constants in life.

It is God, family, and numbers.

In that order.

Want to be an entrepreneur

and start my own thing.

You know, all for the

benefit of my family,

my people, and God.

Wow. That's impressive.

You have it all figured out.

Still a work in progress.

Here, you take this one.

How'd you get

involved in all this?

You know, I lived out

here most of my life.

It's really important

to me to reach out

and stay connected

to the community.

You know, I feel

like, if people see

that I'm here to stand

up for other people,

maybe somebody will

pick up that example.

Next thing you know,

everybody's raised up.

What?

I like that.

So, you just packed up your

car and headed out here?

No house, no job?

[Laura] No, yeah, I

know it sounds crazy,

but every year, growing up,

I used to watch the

Rose Bowl parade, right?

And when I'd watch TV, I'd

see those people smiling,

and the sun was shining.

Then I'd look outside

and see the snow,

and it was cold, and I just

knew that was not for me.

No more Cleveland

for Laura Cowan?

No. No.

And my mother was dead set

on not letting me leave.

She practically stood in

front of my car before I left.

But I just thought I needed

to take a leap of faith

and do this for myself.

That's good.

How's it working

out for you now?

I love it here.

Um, it's nobody's

rules to follow.

Well, Miss Laura

Cowan, I feel like

you're the kind of woman

who does what she wants,

when she wants, in spite

of anybody's rules.

You know, I'm learning

that about myself.

So, what are your plans for...

Well, I mean, to

start, like I said,

I'd definitely like

to find a better job,

get a bigger place.

Just thinking about my future.

I was thinking

about for Saturday,

but we could talk

about the future too.

[bright, laid back music]

[Laura] Hmm?

Yeah, no, check this out.

What do you think?

Well, it's empty, so there's

really not much to see.

Yeah, that's true.

Let's go inside.

How? There's nobody

in there, Shabazz.

That's true. [keys tinkling]

You coming?

Okay, what is this?

Well, uh, I'm going

to rent this place.

Yeah, I'm gonna sell the

best books over here.

I'm thinking, like, some

tables, um, chairs over here,

maybe incense and plants,

African art in the window.

You're serious?

Shabazz, that's amazing.

I'm just, uh, thinking

of the future.

Our future.

Wait a minute, what

are you getting at?

Laura, I love you.

I want to spend the rest

of my life with you.

But it's only been four months.

It's too fast.

Well, it should be.

And everything tells me

that I should slow down,

but, honestly, I just don't know

if I could live another

day without you in it.

So we should do this.

Yes.

But I'm gonna need you to ask

me a little better than that.

I'm a simple man.

There's nothing simple

about my love for you.

It is all, it is everything.

Will you take the journey of

our life together with me?

Will you be my wife?

-Yes. Yes.

-[Shabazz] Yes.

-[Laura] Yes!

-[Shabazz chuckling joyfully]

Oh, my God.

-Oh, uh, rings.

-Okay.

[Laura] Okay.

Wow.

[both chuckling joyfully]

[Laura] It's beautiful.

-Let me show you the rest.

-Okay.

[pleasant sentimental music]

Are you doing okay?

Do you need anything?

[indistinct chatter]

Hi.

Mama, me and Maryum are hungry.

I'm sorry, I can't understand

you with that language.

-Maryum and I are hungry.

-[Laura] Great job.

Okay, well, can I help

this customer out...

I'm hungry now.

Ahmed, lower your voice

and I need you to have

some patience, okay?

[Ahmed] But, Mama, don't

you have to learn it too?

[chuckles] Moms get to

have a little less patience

because they have

more to deal with.

-That's not fair.

-It is fair.

More to deal with,

less patience.

-I'll feed them, my love.

-Thank you.

It's just every time you

want something, he just...

Okay. All right,

Laura. All good?

-All good.

-All good?

-Good. Yeah.

-Fish sticks?

[Shabazz] Yes. Fries? Yes.

Welcome, gentlemen. Can I

help you with something?

Uh, Laura.

Um, I'll, I'll, uh,

I'll take care of them.

Uh, brothers, I was just

about to feed the kids

and, um, if you could look

around for a minute, I'll...

You know what? I got them.

-You sure?

-Yep.

[Laura] Just settle

your business.

See why I'm at peace with God?

Welcome.

[indistinct chatter]

[tense music]

[Laura] Hello up there.

Thank you for another

beautiful day.

So many blessings.

My children, my life, and

feeling closer to You.

And, as always, thank You

for sending me this man.

Every moment with him,

I feel so connected

to, well, life and everything.

[Shabazz] Maryum took forever

to get to sleep tonight.

And Ahmed?

[Shabazz] As soon as

his head hit the pillow.

Who were those men

today in the store?

Oh, um, remember I'm working

on getting that storage

unit building over on Clark?

You know, just trying to

secure a future for us,

for the kids.

God, family, and numbers.

You remember that?

I do.

What are you writing tonight?

I'm just talking to

Him like I usually do.

I see you had something

you wanted to say, too.

What are you going to do with

all these journal entries?

You going to put them in a book?

Because if so, I'll put

them on that front shelf,

right in the window. I'll

be married to a star.

No. No, no, no. It's

nothing like that.

I just, you know, I'm writing

down all our memories.

So, that way, when we're

old and on the porch,

we can smile at how Ahmed

tried me on a daily basis.

Wife, you are so good

at so many things.

[tender music]

Do you need help

with something? Yes.

Oh, yes, this is

a very good book.

This is the second one

and then there's another.

They're a trilogy.

So they're a trilogy and, um...

[tense music]

Hands on the air, now.

[Shabazz] What's going on?

-What's going on?

-Shabazz, what's going on?

[Shabazz] Hey, I know my rights.

-Shabazz, what's happening?

-Please step back.

That's my husband. Okay,

but I just need to know.

Laura, just listen to him, okay?

-Tell me what's going on.

-[Shabazz] Go inside.

Ma'am, I won't ask you

again. Please step back.

[Shabazz] Laura, just

listen to him, okay?

-Shabazz, what did you do?

-[Shabazz] It's fine.

Ma'am, let us do

our job, please.

Can you please just

tell me what happened?

Your husband's being arrested

for trafficking in

ill*gal firearms.

What? No.

No, my husband's a

good man. Shabazz!

I suggest you get him a lawyer.

I'm sorry.

[dramatic music]

Shabazz!

You won't fight this?

What does your lawyer say?

It does not matter.

I am guilty in his eyes.

Yeah, but these men,

they tricked you.

You didn't know you were

storing g*ns for them.

I let them.

I looked away. Makes

me just as guilty.

Yeah, but what about me?

Ahmed? Maryum?

That is all I am thinking about.

I acted in greed.

Not for my family.

It's not fair to you or to...

or to them.

I want my...

I want my son to look me

in the eyes and see a man

who's willing to

accept responsibility.

Shabazz, please.

I cannot do this without you.

Hi.

Sister Laura. Good morning.

Apologies. It's

Musa. Musa Muhammad.

I'm sorry. Do I know you?

Well, I've worked

with your husband

on some of the

community projects,

so we've met just

a couple of times.

I know things have been

difficult since Brother Shabazz

has been incarcerated.

-Yeah.

Listen, your, your husband

did so much for everyone else.

I just want to see if there's

something I can do for you.

And that's really kind of you.

Anything you need.

You know, I just have

to figure it out.

But thank you.

Brother Shabazz did say

his wife is a proud woman.

-You've talked to him?

-Oh, yes. Many times.

We've had conversations

about faith,

how to make things

right with God,

how forgiveness can work

in all of our lives.

Can I at least help put some

of these books on the shelf?

Those I'm actually

taking off the shelf.

Sending them back

to the distributor.

I have to close the

store, unfortunately.

Hi.

Mommy, do we have

anything to eat today?

Of course we do. Come on.

Go wash your hands, and can

you wake your sister up for me?

Thanks.

Please, take care of the kids.

I'll keep working

on these boxes.

[gentle music]

[Sister] Why don't you just

come back home to Ohio?

I need to be here

when Shabazz gets out.

Plus, I don't want to see

Mama's "I told you so" side eye

every time she sees me.

Well, I just shut

down the bookstore,

and we have to eat.

I have a lot of bills that

we need to take care of.

[Sister] Who is this man?

[Laura] He's a

friend of Shabazz's,

and he's literally helped me

out so much over this last week.

I couldn't have got through

any of this without your help.

I really do wish there was

something I could do for you.

There is joy to be found

in giving without expecting

anything in return.

Thank you.

I have to leave the

house after next month.

After that...

Sister Laura...

If I'm not being too

forward, I have a suggestion.

[Sister] How long

are you gonna be

with this man and his family?

I mean, he's got five children.

-Seven.

-[Woman 2] Mother of God.

It's just temporary.

Okay, I'll find a job,

get back on my feet.

Trust me.

Everything's gonna be fine.

[unsettling music]

[Musa] Family, this

is Sister Laura.

She and her children

will be joining us.

They'll just be

here for a while.

-Say hello.

-[Children] Hello.

Hello, everyone.

Okay. Back to your studies.

This is my wife, Marva.

Nice to meet you.

Your kids don't go to school?

Uh, we home school them.

We feel it's better for

their spiritual mind

and keeps them safer

in the hands of God.

Already have Ahmed and

Maryum signed up to join us.

They can start next week.

Um, Ahmed, Maryum,

let me talk to you.

I'm realizing that Brother Musa

has a different way

of doing things.

So we're going to stay on our Ps

and Qs while we're here, okay?

Mama's going to

find us a new place,

and we're going to

start over there.

How does that sound?

-[Maryum] Mama?

-Yes?

What are Ps and Qs?

[chuckles]

[muffled shouting]

Hey, kids, you wanna

do something fun?

Come on, come on, guys.

Come on.

Okay, so the game is

I'm gonna be an animal,

but I'm not gonna make a sound

and I can't tell you what it is,

and just try to guess.

[mysterious music]

What is this?

[ominous music]

Oh, we were just playing a game.

Playing games is not what

they should be doing.

What they should be doing

is studying and praying.

They have finished that.

Sister Laura, it is

outside your boundaries

to determine how much

prayer my children get.

Children, in the house, now.

[ominous music]

[Laura] Hello up there.

Thank you for the

roof over our head.

But it's so quiet here.

I think we need some

light in this house.

Maybe that's my purpose.

[Girl] Um, Dad...

[Musa] Yes?

Can I eat now?

[Musa] If you had

mopped the floor

when I asked you

to mop the floor,

you wouldn't have

missed eating time.

This is praying time.

Please grab your book

and stand in the corner.

Don't move until I

tell you to move.

[eerie music]

[Laura] Oh, my God.

Are you okay? You're

so cold. Here.

Are you hungry? Okay.

Let me find you some food, okay?

[sinister music]

[Musa] Is something wrong?

Chains?

Yeah, well, children tend

to lack self-control.

It's up to us to make

sure they stay in line.

You understand that, right?

No, not really.

Well, you will.

Good night, Sister Laura.

[melancholy music]

Thank you!

Musa, you got a minute?

Yeah, what is it?

I need a job.

A job for what?

Well, I need some money.

For what?

For food, my children, me,

I mean, to contribute

to this family.

No, you don't need

a job. I got this.

Well, you get assistance

and you pay for your

groceries with food stamps.

But we eat, though.

Don't we?

You do. I just thought

maybe I could help.

You thought you could help? How?

Like you helped your

husband with his business?

Ran that right into

the ground, didn't you?

How?

How exactly are

you going to help?

Right?

You don't need a

job. I got this.

Yeah, we're new here.

We're just, you know...

[sinister music]

Well, what was that about?

Oh, I took the kids on a walk

and we met your neighbor, Wendy.

She's really nice.

She said she was going to

send over some flowers.

Maybe we can brighten

up this place.

Oh, yeah, we don't...

We don't really

socialize with everybody,

especially not that type.

What did you tell her?

It was just a friendly

neighbor conversation, Musa.

Nothing crazy.

Excuse me.

Good job.

All right, dinner's

almost ready.

You guys go wash

your hands, okay?

Follow your brother.

[sinister music]

Hi.

Um.

I only made enough for us three.

But we're all hungry.

Okay, I suppose we can

share with you guys.

[gentle music]

They all looked so hungry,

so, you know, we just

decided to share.

Spreading God's love.

[ominous music]

[Musa] Well, by all means.

I feed you.

I clothe you.

And what do I get in return?

I get disobedience.

I get gluttony.

We should be filling ourselves

with the Word of God.

And you know better.

Don't look at me.

Put your head down.

Daryl, did you enjoy this food?

No, sir.

Good.

And you?

In my seat.

Did you eat like a glutton?

Are you stuffed with sin?

Yes, sir.

[Musa] God tells

us to put a knife

to our throat if we

are given to gluttony.

-Musa!

-This does not concern you!

They were just hungry.

Go to your room.

Don't talk to me

like I'm a child.

Then do not act like one.

[ominous music]

[Musa] We eat when I say we eat.

Correct?

Do not let this woman

lead you astray.

She is not your mother.

Mama, what's going on?

Mama made a mistake, okay?

Look, guys, I am so sorry.

I am so, so, so sorry.

Okay? [dishes breaking]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Ahmed.

[Musa] I will not

tell you again.

Now, clean it up!

Now!

You have to hate

living like this.

He's my husband.

And?

God tells him what to do.

It comes from Him

directly to Musa.

Come on, you can't believe that.

Using religion to

justify his actions.

[Musa] Marva, come

on inside now.

Both of you.

Y'all better get up

with this housecleaning

before you even think

of closing those eyes.

Let's go.

[Laura] I have to see

Shabazz. I miss him.

The strength he gives me.

I've gotta get my kids safe.

Are you going somewhere?

Yeah, we're walking into town to

catch a bus to see my husband.

I don't think

that's a good idea.

They want to see their father.

Brother Shabazz and I have

spoken about it and he,

he agrees with me.

He doesn't want you to come.

I'm sorry, you

spoke to my husband?

[Musa] Of course.

And he was very

clear about this.

He wants his wife protected.

And he's put me

in charge of that.

Oh, and you wanted to help.

[sinister music]

This will help.

Back to your studies.

Now!

[Laura] I have to tell you.

I don't agree with you

in the way you

treat your children.

Do you really think

this is good for them?

You've had a soft

life, Sister Laura.

I can see why God saw fit

to take everything from you.

Send you here.

God did that?

He has a way of taking

everything from us.

So that we have to

rebuild our lives.

Stronger. Better.

Vigilance and

discipline show respect.

Your children could stand to

learn some of that respect.

My children don't need to

learn anything from you.

If they learn from me,

they learn from God.

And while they

are under my roof,

I will teach them

what He teaches me.

Okay.

Well, then maybe we just

won't stay here anymore.

And where will you

go? With no money?

No car?

Nothing?

I don't know. But you

can't keep us here.

Your failures as a parent

need to be corrected.

Heaven awaits those

who have lived

a righteous life, Sister Laura.

It's time to live righteously.

Past time.

And I am here to guide you.

I had three bags

of potato chips.

Now I have two.

Which means somebody ate one.

Who was it?

Nobody.

Open your mouth.

Open.

[tense music]

[crickets chirping]

Open your mouth.

Well, someone...

I told you this boy

has the devil in him.

Put your hands out, boy.

No. You're not

going to hit my son.

Don't!

[ears ringing] [heart

beating rapidly]

I will teach what

must be taught.

And you will not interfere!

[dramatic music]

[dials phone]

[line trilling]

[Sister] Hello?

[whispers] Hey, it's me.

[Sister] Oh, God, Laura.

Where have you been?

I can't talk for long.

[Sister] I haven't

heard from you in weeks.

I've been worried about you.

Hold on. Lawrence is sleeping.

Let me go in the other room.

Okay. What's up?

You sound like

you're in trouble.

I'm sorry. I had a bad dream.

And I'm just getting

out of it. So, sorry.

[Sister] Laura, that

makes no kind of sense.

[Laura] Look, I gotta go.

[Musa] Now get in your room.

[Laura] His eyes

are always on me.

He watches me every day,

locks us in our room at night.

Every time I try to

speak up, he hits me.

Tells me if I try to leave,

he will hurt my babies.

I need you to help me

find some strength.

I feel it draining

from me every day.

What are you doing?

Give me that back!

I am teaching the lessons

God has chosen me to teach.

Now get inside and take

care of your children.

Or would you rather

I take care of them?

[unsettling music]

[ominous music]

Oh, my God, Musa. What

are you doing in here?

What time is it?

Ahmed, Maryum, wake up.

Go in the room with

the other children.

-Come on.

-Go ahead, babies.

Mama's going to talk

to Brother Musa, okay?

I'll come get you

in a little bit.

Come on.

Come on.

What are you doing?

No. No, no.

You're not going to do

that. No, don't you dare.

No, no, no, no, no!

No! Get off of me!

No!

No, no, no, no!

[unsettling music]

[Musa] Go to sleep.

Wife.

You look confused.

But I think you heard me.

I'm not your wife

and my husband is...

I just told you.

I am your husband now.

That man will never

want you again.

Look at you.

You're broken.

You've got nothing.

You've got nowhere to go.

You belong to me now.

Go to sleep.

[eerie music]

[shudders]

[mournful music]

Here, take this

stuff in the house.

Don't worry about

looking for your stuff.

I threw most of it

away. You had too much.

-[Maryum] Mama.

-Yes.

Can I rub your belly again?

Sure you can.

[gasps] I can feel

the baby moving.

[Laura] You can.

This one's a kicker.

Is Daddy going to be

here when the baby comes?

No.

Daddy's not gonna be

able to make it in time.

Oh, dear God.

I think the baby's coming.

Go get your brother.

Stop being dramatic.

It's not time yet.

Do I look like I'm joking?

I need to get to the hospital.

No. Marva can handle

it here if it's time.

[Marva] How's the pain? Does

it feel like a contraction?

No. No. I think

something's wrong.

I think something's wrong.

I'll be right back.

Morning, Laura.

Your baby girl is

doing just fine.

Vitals all checked out.

She's healthy as can be.

Do you think I can see her?

Of course you can.

We usually wheel them in, but...

No, but can you

take me to see her?

It's probably best if you rest.

Take me.

Please. Take me down there.

Okay, Laura.

We can walk down the hall

and see your baby now.

She has just the sweetest face.

No. No. Lay down.

You need your rest.

Nurse, please bring

the baby here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We'll be checking

out today as well.

[sinister music]

[Musa] You try anything

like that again,

and you'll never see that baby.

Need some protection out here.

What's her name?

Taslima.

But we're gonna call her

Tas. Do you like that name?

That's pretty. She's pretty.

Can I hold her?

Kids, leave Laura alone

now. Baby needs to eat.

Yeah, you all stop

messing with that child.

After I feed her.

You need to sign this.

What's that?

You got another mouth to

feed. We need more assistance.

[boy screaming]

Watch Tas.

[dramatic music]

Ahmed, what happened?

What's wrong?

Who did this to you?

You did this? Why

would you hurt him?

-He started it.

-Ahmed?

See, that's how we know.

He's not one of us.

Still can't follow the rules.

He's gonna learn, though.

You let this happen?

Are you crazy? They're kids.

Ahmed, Maryum, go

outside, please.

You are evil.

I should slap that

blasphemy out of your mouth.

How dare you?

How am I evil when it is God

who shows me the righteous path?

How?

How am I evil when my every

action is God speaking?

Through me!

You take His words

and you twist them.

They mean nothing in your mouth.

Laura? Laura!

[door slams]

Hey. Hi.

It's gonna be okay, little baby.

[hums lullaby]

I must cast out.

Cast out.

All through the night

[baby cooing]

[Musa, whispering] Cast out.

Cast out.

[door opens abruptly]

-What are you doing?

-Cast you out.

Musa. Musa, what are you doing?

Give me my baby.

Give me my baby.

-[Musa] Cast you out!

-Give me my baby!

-[Laura] Musa!

-[Musa] Devil!

I have the divine right!

And I cast you out!

-[Laura] Give me my baby!

-[Musa] I cast you out!

Give me my baby!

Give me my baby!

Give me my baby!

Give me my baby!

-Musa!

-Get out!

Musa! Musa! Let me

out! No! My baby!

My baby.

[melancholy music]

[ominous music]

Mama?

How long are we gonna stay here?

I don't know.

I need to use the bathroom.

Okay, um...

Okay.

Okay, come on.

Here.

Hold on. Stand up.

Okay.

You can go now.

[Musa] Let's go. Clean

up these buckets.

Let's go.

Go on.

Dig.

[sinister music]

[Musa] You better dig faster.

Or I'll dig this hole deeper

and put one of you in

it. Now dig the hole.

The kids need to eat.

Tonight we pray.

Tomorrow we eat.

[unlocking door]

[Musa] Look what I found.

[unsettling music]

[Musa] "Musa says You

speak through him,

but I know he's lying."

All this writing.

Where's it gotten you?

Nowhere.

And who is up there that

you think you're writing to?

If you believe you're

speaking to God,

you show nothing but disrespect.

What you don't

seem to understand

is that God has chosen me.

He has shown me

this path for you.

He guides my hand.

[paper tearing]

He gives me the

words. [paper tearing]

And he gives me the power

to cleanse this sinful

world and those in it.

[opens and shuts door]

[locks door]

[unsettling music]

[tense music]

[Laura] Where's a pen?

Hello up there.

I've been praying to You,

but now I'm putting

down some words again.

We've been in this garage

two or three weeks.

I don't know. I'm not sure.

It's hard to keep track.

[door opens]

[Laura] Musa gives

us so little to eat.

We're starving.

[Taslima crying]

[Laura] I saw her yesterday.

It just about broke me.

But I know she's mine.

I can feel her in my heart.

I spy with my little eye

something, something black.

A truck.

Starts with a B.

A bird.

Yes, a bird. That's it.

You win. Your turn.

I try to distract Ahmed

and Maryum with stories,

songs, or games, anything

to hide this life.

[door opens]

[Laura] But some horrors

are just unavoidable.

[melancholy music]

[door shuts]

God will show you

the righteous path.

[Laura] As bad as it is for us,

I know it's worse

for his children.

He calls it discipline

in Your name.

But we know that's not true.

It's nothing but t*rture.

I pray for them.

If I don't do something,

we're all gonna die here.

[tense music]

[sinister music]

[choral singing plays]

Mama, what's that?

It's a tape recorder.

Sometimes people

don't believe you

until they hear what happens.

I'm going to record him.

Show people what he's

doing to them and to us.

[dishes clanking]

[Musa] Don't you step

away from me, boy.

Don't you step

away from me, boy!

Get back here!

Never avenge

yourself, but leave it

to the wrath of God.

I am the wrath of God.

[sinister music]

I need you to do some work.

Marva's sick.

I need you to go to the

grocery store with me

and point out the

things that I eat.

You think you can handle that?

Come on, kids.

No, no, no, no, no.

I didn't say anything

about them. I said you.

I didn't say them. You stay.

Come here.

Now don't get smart.

Remember, you got

your kids at home.

If you do anything,

they're gonna be the

ones to answer for it.

[sinister music]

I have to use the bathroom.

Can it wait till we get home?

Okay, well, I can pee right here

and you can start

explaining it to everybody.

Hurry up.

[depressive music]

[suspenseful music]

[knocking on door] [Musa]

Laura! Get out here!

[Musa on Recording] You

two stay on the stairs.

Don't move. You know the drill.

[Laura] It's okay, kids.

Oh, you still got

some fight in you.

[Laura grunts]

I will have you

whenever I choose.

[Laura] No.

It's not you making

the decisions here.

No, no, no, no!

You stabbed me!

I'm bleeding!

I need to go to the hospital.

Seriously, I can bleed...

I can bleed to death!

So be it.

[Laura grunts painfully]

Mama!

[pants, whimpers]

[unsettling music]

Ahmed, Maryum, come here please.

All right, guys, pay

very close attention

to what I'm about

to tell you, okay?

Every night I write

on this notepad

and I stick these

in my waistband.

That's where I keep them.

Okay?

And this, this is

where I keep this.

If something ever

happens to Mama...

What's gonna happen to you?

I don't know.

I just...

I just need you to

know where these are.

If something happens to me,

like if I go to sleep

and I don't wake up...

You mean like if you die?

You must get the

letter and this tape.

And you make sure

nobody finds it, okay?

Okay.

Okay?

Hello up there.

Another day locked

in this garage

with no end in sight.

[Zara screaming, panicking]

No, I don't wanna go in

there! Please, Brother!

[panicking]

[Musa] This is where

you need to be.

[Zara] Please,

what are you doing?

No! Ow! No, please, don't!

No, please! Brother Musa, why?

I don't wanna go

in here, please!

Please, why are you

doing this to me?

No, please! Please, Brother!

[tense music]

[metal rattles]

Hello?

[Laura] Hi.

I'm Laura.

Laura Cowan.

I'm Zara.

Hey, what happened?

[Zara] He hit me.

And he threatened my son.

He locked me in that room.

And he nailed all

the windows shut.

And I just say, um...

I didn't know...

I didn't know what

to do. And now...

Now he put me in here.

I don't know what's

gonna happen to me.

He hit my son.

-[Laura shushing]

-[Zara sobbing]

[Laura] It's gonna be okay.

Okay? You have to trust me.

-[Zara] Okay. Okay, okay.

-[Laura] Look at me.

Look, I know hope seems

lost in here, I get that.

But we're gonna get out.

Until then,

just send up some prayers

and words of

encouragement to God.

Just pray that He

hears our cries.

Okay?

Can you do that?

[Zara] Yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

[Laura] Okay.

[vehicle pulling in]

[unsettling music]

[muffled conversation outside]

The food stamps came in.

They're in my name.

And you need an

ID to go get them.

Put that on. I'll be right back.

[Laura] My name is Laura Cowan,

and I'm being held c*ptive

in a garage with my children.

Help us.

[suspenseful, percussive music]

Ahmed, Maryum,

listen to me, okay?

Remember what Mama told you.

Yes. If I die, you find someone

that you think you can trust,

and you tell them that these

papers are on me, okay?

Ahmed? Maryum?

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Let's go.

Let's go.

[suspenseful, percussive music]

Let's go.

Get over here.

Come on.

You better act right.

You got those kids

to think about.

Hey. Musa.

It's Reggie, your

boo, from Bakersfield.

Oh, yeah, yeah, Brother

Reggie. How you doing?

Yeah, hey, I'm good, man.

You know, I used to run

the Youth Empowerment Zone.

[Musa] Yeah? Yeah, I remember.

You live out this way?

Uh, not too far. Not too far.

We're just moving in.

Oh, that's good news, brother.

We have a growing community here

that I'd love for

you to be a part of.

Well, we're just

getting settled in,

so we're going to just

have to see about that.

-All right?

-Oh, come on, brother.

Now, you got to remember,

it's hard for me to

take no for an answer.

I can come out to

where you stay.

-We can talk.

-No, no, no, no.

That won't be necessary.

All right, well, then

you have a minute now?

[Musa] Uh...

-Okay.

-All right.

Give me one second.

Now just go over there

and sign for the package.

Then come back over here.

Don't do anything stupid.

I don't have any problem

putting a b*llet in your head.

You understand?

Of course.

So you know I started

that Youth Empowerment

Zone all by myself, right?

Come back and see me.

Hi, can I get my package?

[Clerk] Just a sec.

There you go.

Next in line, please.

-Good morning.

-Good morning.

[Clerk] How's your day going?

Fine.

Your ID, please.

You just wait here. I have

to get this in the back.

I'll be just a minute.

[Reggie] You can

still come to it.

And, Miss Cowan, sign here.

Okay. Thank you.

[tense music swelling]

[Musa] Laura!

Come on, now.

Okay. Thank you.

[suspenseful, percussive music]

[dramatic music]

[crickets chirping]

Mama, why are you up?

I was just praying.

Do you want me to pray with you?

[Maryum] I can pray, too, Mama.

Sure.

You can't have too much prayer.

When I was younger, I

had these two aunts,

Bertha and Meridy,

and they used to drag me to

church every single Sunday.

They were so full

of life and Jesus.

Just to see God through

them was amazing.

They used to sing this one

song to me all the time.

Why should my

heart feel lonely

When all heaven comes

When Jesus is my portion

A constant friend is he

When his eye

Is on the sparrow

[vehicle approaching]

[Laura] It's the police.

[suspenseful music]

[knocking on door]

Yes?

[Roger] Yeah, it's

Detective Roger Gallagher,

Riverside County

Sheriff's Department?

Can you open the door?

Yes?

Yeah, we're looking

for a Laura Cowan.

-Who are you looking for?

-Laura Cowan.

-Give me a sec.

-[Roger] Uh-huh.

[suspenseful music]

Come out here. I

need you at the door.

Ma'am, can you

identify yourself?

Laura.

Laura, Laura Cowan.

Miss Cowan, you

mind coming outside

and talking with

us for a second?

Alone.

Ma'am, could you tell me

if you wrote this letter?

I did. I did.

Okay.

My kids are in there. He

has a g*n! He has a g*n!

-We should go around!

-Okay. Keep going. Keep going.

My kids are outside.

-We should go around!

-Okay. Keep going. Keep going.

[suspenseful music]

Ahmed.

Maryum, your mother needs you.

[Officer] Hands in the air, now!

Don't move! Drop your weapon!

[Officer] Got him?

[Officer 2] Got him. I got him.

Ahmed? Maryum?

Come on! Come on!

[muffled banging] [Zara] Help!

Hey, is there

someone else in here?

Yes. Yes, he's been keeping

another woman in there.

Help! Can anyone hear me?

Help! Help, please!

Help, I'm in here!

Help, can you hear me?

Can anybody hear me?

[Zara screams]

-Thank you!

-I got you.

-I got you, I got you.

-Oh, thank you!

[Zara] Oh, thank you!

I told you we would

make it out, right?

We're free, baby. We're free.

I love you so much. I love you.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

[gentle music]

[sirens wailing]

[police radio chatter]

Don't worry, I'm gonna get out!

I'm gonna find you!

I'm gonna k*ll you!

I'll k*ll you!

Somebody shut him up.

[gentle music]

[police radio chatter]

[suspenseful music]

Tas!

Miss, miss, please,

please, please.

That's my baby. That's my baby.

-[Officer] Listen to me.

-It's okay.

[gentle music]

[Laura] I'm never letting

you go ever again.

[gentle, bright music]

[Laura] Hello up there.

It feels good to be free.

There he comes.

Shabazz is getting out of prison

and meeting Tas

for the first time.

I pray you can help us

become a family again.

Our new beginning.

[buzzer sounds]

[gate creaking]

[bright, gentle music]

Why are you over here?

[Shabazz chuckles]

I missed you.

Not as much as I've missed you.

How are you holding up?

I should be asking you that.

Kids.

Daddy!

[Shabazz] My angel.

My prince.

I prayed to God that

He would bless me

to be able to have you

guys in my arms again.

And God is good.

-[Maryum] Yeah!

-[Shabazz] Yeah! Yes.

Oh, my God.

Oh, man.

[Laura] Husband.

This is Taslima.

Let Daddy meet this

beautiful queen.

Wow.

She's a part of you.

She was sent to us to be

a part of this family.

I'll find my way to love her.

All good?

Yeah. All good.

Except we need to get

this family fed, right?

-[Maryum] Yeah.

-[Shabazz] Yeah? Yeah?

You guys still eat

fish sticks and fries?

-Fish sticks and fries.

-Fish sticks and fries.

Yes!

[Laura] We were all together

for a moment, happy.

But life sometimes

takes its turns.

Shabazz died of a heart attack

a month after he

got out of prison.

My life changes forever again.

But you already knew that.

All right, little

munchkins. Come on.

We got a lot we have to pack up.

Watch your sister.

You question who you are

Take it all in.

So we're gonna go

back home to Ohio,

and I don't know if we'll

be able to see this again.

But look at what God can do.

There's so much beauty

in the world with

endless possibilities.

And I don't want you

to ever forget that.

Okay? Okay?

Got it.

[Laura] I promised God

when I was in that garage,

and it was cold, wet,

and we were hungry,

I told Him I'd dedicate

my life to helping others.

And He did.

And I'm keeping my promise.

You know, I used to

call myself a victim.

But I realized

we're not victims.

I'm not a victim.

I'm greater than that.

We're greater than that.

We're survivors and thrivers.

I came home with three

beautiful children.

Blessed with the knowledge that,

no matter how dark the days are,

they will always be my sunshine.

Be strong

Stand tall

Dust off your trouble

Give it your all

You raise up above

the stormy ground

You raise up No one

can chain you down

Be braver, be bolder

Be fire

Be fearless

[instrumental interlude]

[suspenseful outro music]