Thea
Did you invite someone over?
Thea
Weird. Because a black car just pulled into our driveway…
Thea
And now it’s parked in front of the house with its lights on.
Poppy
Did anyone get out?
Thea
No. It’s just sitting there.
Poppy
You don’t recognize the car?
Thea
It looks just like Mom’s car.
Poppy
But it can’t be, Thea.
Thea
And I know the accident totaled her car.
Thea
But there’s something about this black car outside…
Thea
I just…I can’t see anyone inside it.
Thea
I don’t think anyone’s in the driver’s seat, but I also didn’t see anyone get out.
Thea
And it looks JUST like Mom’s car. I’m telling you.
Thea
It’s even parked in the same place that she parks it.
Poppy
Do you want me to call our landlord?
Poppy
Hello? Thea, are you there?
Poppy
You’re not going out there, are you?
Thea
I went to go check out the car.
Thea
And I was right. No one was inside it, even though it was running.
Thea
And then it felt like someone pushed me from behind!
Thea
It was a hard push, so I fell into the car.
Thea
And the door slammed behind me.
Poppy
Omg! Did you see the person who pushed you?
Thea
No! I think I’m completely alone.
Poppy
Get out of the car and go back into the house.
Thea
I can’t! I’m trying to open all the doors and windows.
Thea
But everything’s stuck.
Thea
I’m just sitting here alone, while the engine’s running.
Poppy
Can you climb into the driver’s seat and start driving?
Thea
I tried that. It’s like the gas pedal’s broken.
Poppy
Okay, I don’t like this…
Poppy
I’m calling the police right now. Hold on!
Thea
Yeah. It’s like an invisible person’s driving it.
Poppy
Are you still in the driver’s seat?
Poppy
Is there anything you can do to stop it?
Thea
No…I can’t even turn the wheel.
Thea
And the pedals still won’t budge either.
Thea
The car just peeled out into traffic, Poppy.
Thea
Oh my god, it’s swerving all over the road!
Poppy
I’m still talking to the cops.
Poppy
Stay calm. Maybe they’ll know what to do.
Poppy
And keep texting me so I know you’re okay.
Thea
God, I wish there was a way to tell people to watch out for this car…
Thea
It’s going to hit someone!
Poppy
Don’t say that! I’m so worried about you.
Thea
Still on the highway.
Thea
Wait, no. Okay, we’re turning off.
Thea
Oh god, we’re headed into the woods!
Poppy
Are you in the front seat?
Thea
Yeah. I’m behind the wheel but I can’t DO anything.
Poppy
What road are you on?!
Thea
I’m not on a road anymore.
Thea
I can’t see anything…
Thea
It’s so dark and we keep turning!
Thea
Are the cops coming?!
Poppy
They’re trying. It’s kind of hard to track you down…
Poppy
And I mean, how could they possibly stop you if they did?!
Poppy
Wait! Did you try the emergency brake?
Thea
We’re going 90mph, and we’re in the WOODS, Poppy.
Thea
What if I pull the brake and make the car crash?
Poppy
Yeah, but what’s your other option?
Thea
Okay, fine. I’ll pull it.
Thea
Ahh! The emergency brake just came off in my hand!!
Poppy
Okay, I’m trying to leave work.
Poppy
I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Thea
Poppy, I’m freaking out. I don’t know if I can wait…
Poppy
The car has to run out of gas eventually, right?
Poppy
So maybe I could just try to follow you?
Poppy
In case, you know, the car stops and I can help you?
Thea
Woah, you’re right. It’ll definitely run out of gas.
Thea
It’s hovering above empty already.
Thea
This is so like Mom.
Thea
She never kept enough gas in her car…
Poppy
Thea. I know you miss her.
Poppy
I know how much it hurts that she’s gone.
Poppy
But what’s happening to you right now?
Poppy
This isn’t about Mom.
Poppy
You’re literally being kidnapped.
Thea
But I’m telling you, Poppy. I KNOW this car.
Thea
It’s Mom’s car. It’s like 15 years old!
Poppy
It can’t possibly be her car.
Poppy
It was completely wrecked, remember?
Thea
The car is slowing down…
Poppy
Good! Do you know where you are?
Thea
There are trees everywhere.
Thea
I’m all disoriented. We made so many turns.
Poppy
Okay, I’m about to pass our place now.
Poppy
Try to find a street sign so I know where to go.
Poppy
Huh, this is strange.
Poppy
I can see all this orange light by our house.
Poppy
Do you think that’s the cops?
Thea
Poppy, I know where I am!
Thea
I’m way up on that big hill behind our house. I can see…
Thea
Wait, what ARE those lights?
Thea
I see them. I know what you’re talking about.
Thea
OMG, POPPY DON’T DRIVE DOWN THERE.
Thea
OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE.
Poppy
I drove away from it. I saw it in time.
Poppy
How did this happen?
Thea
It looks like it completely exploded.
Poppy
Yeah. Everything’s burning.
Poppy
Even the woods out back.
Poppy
Thank goodness you weren’t inside…
Poppy
It must have been the gas main or something.
Poppy
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be burning this much already.
Poppy
What about you? Where are you now?
Thea
It’s just sitting here, on the top of the hill.
Thea
You know, the spot where you can see the rest of town?
Thea
The cops are with you?
Poppy
Yes, I’m calling the fire department right now.
Poppy
Can you get out of the car?
Thea
Mom’s lanyard was in the pocket of the door.
Thea
It has all her keys and tchotchkes on it.
Poppy
Even the reindeer with only one antler?
Poppy
Woah. That’s…unbelievable…
Poppy
Dad said everything in the car was destroyed.
Poppy
The keys, the clothes we kept forgetting to donate.
Thea
I know. I remember thinking how sad that was.
Thea
How there was…just nothing left.
Poppy
Listen, I…I think Mom was with you tonight.
Poppy
She came and picked you up…
Poppy
She knew our house was going to explode.
Poppy
She saved you, Thea.
Thea
Okay, the car doors just opened.
Poppy
Good. I just told the police where you are.
Poppy
They’re coming to pick you up.
Thea
Okay. Tell them they can take their time though.
Thea
I want to sit for a minute.
Thea
Maybe listen to the radio. Roll the windows down.
Thea
It’s a beautiful night.
