Lockbox (2026)

[bunniefuu]

Pull over the van!

I'm sorry.

Okay, guys.

I understand what

you're feeling.

We don't need to go

where we're going, okay?

Just pull the van

over and we'll talk.

It feels so good right now.

I just need you to listen, okay?

I just need you to f*cking

listen to me! I...!

I'm so sorry.

I don't want to go see the boy!

I don't want to see

the f*cking boy!

I don't want to see the boy!

Not the boy!

Not the boy!

Not the boy!

Not the boy!

Not the--

My name is Ellen Hershbergen

and I will tell you

all that happened

in hopes that

it will never happen again.

My mother died in February.

She had been

battling Alzheimer's.

I had been all kinds

of things before that.

A modestly successful

fashion designer.

The author of

a children's book about peas.

Then I became a caretaker.

Now, I wasn't even that.

So all I could do is reinvent

myself and start over.

Morning.

I'm father John Dore.

- Nice to meet you.

- Lovely to meet you, too.

Your call was a godsend.

I've been needing a hand,

but I don't have

the budget to hire

someone full time.

I used to volunteer at

my church in Buffalo,

so I thought it might help me

find my footing here.

And why Pontiac?

How did we get so lucky?

Uh, more chance than luck.

I had this weird feeling

I could fit here,

be myself again.

You know, we could pull

together a yard sale,

raise some money,

fix the pews.

I'm actually pretty good

at that.

Yes.

All right.

It's worth a shot.

Yes.

Donna. Hi.

Ellen, how's the new town

treating you?

Oh, uh.

It's good.

Quiet. Not tripping

over boxes anymore.

It suits me.

I'm glad.

Buffalo will miss you.

You needed a new start.

Yeah. Thanks, Donna.

I really did.

Hey, do you remember

our Cousin Winthrop?

Babysat for him every Thursday.

Ate his weight in spaghetti.

Of course

I remember him.

He's been staying

with us for a while

but Dan wants him gone.

Not enough space

in the house.

Right.

Good news is he's got

a job at a sheet metal plant

not too far

from Pontiac, actually.

Starts in the spring--

You don't even have to finish.

I would be happy to have him.

Really? That would be amazing.

Of course.

He's been bouncing

around family for years.

Like a ball with no air in it.

Just know Winthrop

is a little different.

He has some PTSD stuff

from his time in the army.

But he's a good guy.

All right,

well, we'll figure it out.

I think it might do me some

good to have someone around.

Thank you, Ellen.

Okay, bye.

All right. Bye, Donna.

Winthrop?

Cousin Helen?

It's been a long time.

Only about 30 years.

Is that all you have?

That's all I need.

All right.

I appreciate you taking me in

for a while.

Thank you.

Glad for the company.

It's really good to see you.

This is it.

Let me show you your room.

You like it?

Look. That's us.

Thank you.

Okay.

I had never seen

anyone inhale

spaghetti and meatballs

like you did.

You remember?

It was almost scary.

I still do.

I was sorry to hear

about your mom.

Mm.

Thanks.

I remember her always

laughing, telling jokes.

Mm.

She was a good cook,

like you.

Mm. Thanks.

She was.

She had a laugh that

could fill the whole house.

Then your parents...

nothing about that was fair.

Let's get you some more.

Would it be okay

if I take a bath?

Mm. Of course.

Oh!

Winthrop?

Winthrop?

Hm.

I don't believe I ever met

your uncle Ray.

Your father's

younger brother, right?

I'm sorry.

I don't want to talk about that.

Sure.

I find it hard to reckon what

people do to one another.

No, you don't have to think

about any of that here.

Something's on your mind.

Wanna share?

It's my cousin... Winthrop.

He's staying with me, and...

I'm not sorry I took him in,

but he's been through a lot.

Fought in Afghanistan.

He doesn't sleep.

Walks all night.

Locks himself in the bathroom

for hours.

Eye contact is a struggle.

And I just keep wondering if

he should be with someone

who can handle real PTSD.

Someone who doesn't just sit

outside the bathroom door

hoping he'll come out.

Sometimes that's enough.

Someone waiting

outside the door.

Huh?

That's what

I told myself with my mom.

I stayed in case...

she came back out

just for a minute.

She never did.

I can't let

that happen to Winthrop.

I failed him once,

and I won't do it again.

Ellen...

you did more for her than

most people ever get.

Now you're doing the same

for Winthrop.

Oh.

I'm sorry, I didn't hear

you pull up.

Vahna.

Oh, hi.

I am... I am Ellen.

Oh, wow.

You had a lot of work done here

in such a short amount of time.

Well, it's good to have someone

helping you.

It rains a lot here,

so everything just gets

really overgrown.

I've been living here

for about a year now

and I will

warn you, it is quiet.

There's really like

nothing to do at all.

The closest bar

that doesn't have

a bowling alley attached to it

is actually all the way up

in Buffalo.

Um, I don't drive

or bowl, but it's all good.

Mhm. Mhm.

Want one?

- Oh, no. Thanks.

- I have more

I'm good. I know, thank you.

They look delicious though.

- Yeah.

- Crispy.

I've been having migraines

sort of general all over

aches and pains like every

joint is on fire.

But they got

a pill for that.

They got a pill for everything.

A pill for this,

a pill for that.

Pill for the f*cking pills.

I actually moved here

because I was going to take

some college classes.

You know, Genesee College.

- Yeah, yeah.

- Just up.

- Yeah.

Poetry.

Oh.

I did get involved

with the... teacher.

Grace, whose...

a b*tch and dumped me

out of a blue.

And just kind of...

You feel used, you know,

you just want back

everything they took from you.

I'm trying to track her down.

I'll find her.

Is that your husband?

Oh, no.

That's, uh, my cousin Winthrop.

Hmm.

You need a hand?

I've k*lled a few weeds

in my day.

Honestly. No, you

don't need to.

- You sure?

- Yeah. No, I--

Your ice cream is

probably melted.

No. That's fine.

I can just put it

in your fridge.

Um...

- Oh. Ellen. Ellen.

- Ellen.

Yeah. Uh.

Let me, uh...

Okay. Here.

You can get the other bag.

I will.

I'm just going to show you

where the kitchen

is first and then.

Hi.

Hi.

Who watches TV on

such a beautiful day.

It's a good day for gardening.

Let's do it.

Mm.

It's so nice to have

somebody to actually talk to.

Here are some gloves.

How long ago did

your mother pass?

I saw the photos.

Just a few months back.

Mm.

She was pretty.

Doesn't that hurt?

Oh, Ellen...

Everything hurts.

Mm.

Almost there?

Mm.

Sorry.

Oh. It slipped.

All right, here we go.

Winthrop, dinner

if you're hungry.

You must be Winthrop.

Winthrop, Vahna,

our neighbor who was

kind enough

to provide us

with this beautiful food.

So what's a guy like you

doing living with his cousin?

Don't you have a job?

He lined up a job

for the spring.

Not too far away, actually.

Oh, yeah.

What kind of job?

Sheet metal plant.

Does he speak?

I speak.

Sorry, I was just teasing.

I didn't mean anything.

Okay. Get home safely.

Yeah.

How long has Winthrop

been staying with you?

Not long.

Just be careful.

I can tell that man has

done some terrible things.

- Okay.

- Mm.

Toodles.

I'm sorry, I didn't know

you were in there.

It won't happen again.

You think you can hide from me?

Anywhere you go...

I will find you.

b*tch! b*tch! b*tch!

b*tch!

Thank you.

I wanted to apologize

again about last night.

It's okay.

The kitchen accident.

In the mess hall.

Had these huge vats of fry oil.

Some guys were messing around.

One of them tipped.

Almost k*lled me.

Probably should have.

You fixed it.

It's really beautiful.

Thank you.

We should have taken you in

when your parents died.

I'm so sorry.

Vahna.

Hi.

Hide the silverware.

I heard about your

church fundraiser,

so I brought this stuff.

It's not a lot,

but I don't use it anymore.

That's so generous.

Yeah. And then I was...

Well, I was just

sitting around bored sick

and I thought maybe my new

friend Ellen wouldn't mind

keeping her silly little

friend company for a while.

Well, we're pretty

much done for the day.

The sky's about to open up.

Oh, well, look at that.

Yeah, okay.

Good times.

- Yeah.

- Good times and hard times.

Oh, no.

I know all about hard times.

The cruelty people

are capable of.

Like my father.

He knew cruelty.

He was an expert.

Not only did he start to

sexually as*ault his daughter,

when I was, like,

four years old.

He thought it would be fun

to pass her around to all

of his friends.

All of them like

a cheap bottle of wine.

Do you know what that's like?

While your father sits back

and it's just like, you know,

"Let it feel good.

Like, why are you crying?"

No.

I don't.

And I see how strong you are.

Survivors carry it

in their eyes.

Strong.

Yeah.

No.

I would die right now

if I had a choice.

I just need a new f*cking body.

Every inch of this one hurts.

I put the bird bath into

the shed so the paint won't run.

I think I'm gonna rest

for a while.

Tired?

From all that yard work?

Big, strong guy like you.

What do you want from me?

Everything.

Ignore her, Winthrop.

She's being silly.

Yes, ignore me.

I'm being silly.

You can't trust him.

Stop. You don't know him.

He wants to f*ck me

and probably you too.

Probably you too.

Don't be so naive.

Can you dance with me?

- I'm good, I'm good.

- Oh, please dance with me,

- I won't bite.

- Really.

I don't bite, I promise.

You put up a very

puritan front, Ellen.

But I think you got

some secrets in there.

I don't have any secrets.

No?

It's getting late.

I'm tired.

Let's get you home.

I had to drink a lot of wine, actually.

A lot of wine,

and it's raining outside.

And I don't want to crash

my bike into a ditch.

Okay. Uh, I will drive you.

We'll put your bike

in the back.

I can't move.

Come on, I'll help.

We can make it.

I'll just sleep in

your bed tonight.

It's fine.

You won't even notice I'm there

because I'm a very

still sleeper.

Like a rock. Look.

Okay.

I was wondering, if you might

like to join me

for church this morning.

It's a short service.

That'd be okay.

Oh, great.

Morning.

Good morning.

I'm going to borrow this for a

couple days, if you don't mind.

Actually, I was going to give

it to Winthrop for his room.

Oh, he can manage.

I just need to get my heat

turned back on.

Toodles!

Here we are.

Good morning.

That man?

He scared me

to death last night.

He showed up on my porch

at 2:00 in the morning.

I had to get my husband's g*n.

I thought

he was going to break in.

What are you talking about?

You're okay.

Everybody's okay.

Let's go inside.

Would it be okay if I stay

in the car?

Of course.

Hi Don.

...and Jacob said to Joseph,

go and see the world

through thy neighbor's eyes.

And the Bible tells us that

Lucifer mocked this,

and he sent out his demons

to mock it

and to weaken this idea

among men.

Why?

The Bible tells us this, too.

Because it was more dangerous

to him

than anything that--

Winthrop.

You can't disappear

on people like that.

I'm sorry.

Were you at Denise

Minotka's last night?

I don't remember.

I didn't mean to scare anybody.

Maybe it was sick or something.

I tried to save it.

You've always done this,

you know.

You remember when you pulled

that tiny, half dead

bird out of that dog's mouth,

and you built a whole ICU

in a shoebox for it?

Your smile when that

bird finally took flight.

Winthrop, is that you?

Hello.

Come meet the Porta John Man.

Porta John.

Vahna.

Vahna...

Are you okay?

Hold me.

I know what he did to you.

Who?

Your uncle...

keeping you in that cage.

Now, now...

Don't go losing your head.

John! John!

Who are you?

I brought you some food.

Feeling any better?

It's been three days.

I'm going to call the doctor.

God, it's cold in here.

Tomorrow, I'm not

taking no for an answer.

I'm going to drive up and

get that heater back from Vahna.

Do you need anything

before I go?

Vahna, it's Ellen.

Hello?

Ms. Hershbergen?

I am Detective Tom Rausch.

So you found her in there?

Well, is there anyone

we can call

someone to pick you up?

Someone you can stay with

for a while?

Oh, no. I'm okay.

I have someone staying with me.

Thank you.

Good, yeah.

Well, I think you've had more

than enough for one night,

so I'm gonna save my questions

for the morning, okay?

- Thank you.

- All right.

Oh.

Vahna's... dead.

She, uh...

was beaten to death

it looked like.

Why would anyone

want to do that?

Since, unfortunately,

you might be the last person

to see her alive

and the one who found her body,

would you mind if we take

a look around the house?

Strictly routine.

No, not at all.

Whatever you need.

Now, you mentioned

you went to Vahna Minter's house

for a heater.

She borrowed mine,

said she was going to bring

it back in a couple of days,

but I hadn't heard from her

in over a week.

And is this the heater?

Uh yes, that's it?

Is that a neighbor?

Who's that?

That's my cousin, Winthrop.

He's staying with me.

Does he know Vahna?

She came over to the house

a couple of times,

had dinner with us.

Spent the night once.

She slept over?

It was raining and she didn't

feel well,

so I offered

to drive her home, but...

Okay, well, what's, uh,

Winthrop's full name.

Oh, Winthrop Thomas Benson.

And was he here with you last

Tuesday or Wednesday night?

He's always here.

Detective?

Excuse me.

My guys are going to finish up

here, but, um,

would you mind bringing Winthrop

to the station

first thing tomorrow morning?

We'd like to ask him

a few questions as well.

Sure.

Have a good day, ma'am.

Officer.

Have a good day, sir.

Thank you.

Thanks for coming in.

Oh, thank you for making

time for me, I appreciate it.

- No problem.

- Thanks.

Detective Rausch.

Okay. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I hear you like to take walks

late at night.

Sometimes I can't sleep

and I get nightmares

so I walk.

The coroner says Vahna Minter

most likely died

sometime Tuesday night.

Were you out walking then?

You see anything strange?

So you have an OTH?

Records of several fights,

one with an officer.

And this one here.

Looks like you nearly

beat this man to death.

Lost vision in his right eye.

Mhm, mhm, mhm.

You want to talk to me about it?

Listen, Winthrop

I was in Kuwait.

Two tours.

I know the sh*t you see

when you close your eyes, okay?

I've been there.

But I'm gonna need you

to talk to me.

All right.

You want to play hardball?

Let's play hardball.

I see you had

an accident at the base.

You want to talk about that?

Hm?

Have you ever been

to Vahna Minter's house?

I'm going to need

a verbal response on this.

Never with Ellen.

Never one of your

midnight strolls.

Never for something else.

No!

This mitt is one half of a pair.

One of which was found in

Vahna Minter's kitchen,

and the other of which

was found in your room.

Now, I'd like for you

to tell me

how this wound up

in your room.

Excuse me.

Who are you?

I'm Ellen Hershbergen.

That's my cousin.

Oh, I see.

Actually, I wouldn't mind

asking you

a few questions

if you're willing

to come down to the DA's office.

Of course.

Winthrop Benson,

we are placing you under arrest

for the m*rder-

- What?!

- of Vahna Minter.

- No.

There is an explanation,

that mitt--

Ms. Hershbergen you can explain

everything in the interview.

For now, we are done here.

My office will be in touch.

Let's go.

I've been in law for 20 years,

and I must say,

I'm stunned they've

actually charged him.

They have no DNA, no clear

prints, no motive.

One troubling issue is this

ridiculous oven mitt

they found in Winthrop's room.

Yes. I wanted to talk to you

about that.

So Vahna brought over

a bag of stuff

for the church fundraiser,

and the mitt was in there,

but there was only one.

Oh, excellent.

Winthrop must have found it

and taken it into

his room for some reason.

So what's the next step?

Can I post bail?

You may not need to.

I've requested a preliminary

hearing to determine

whether or not

they have enough evidence

to even bring this case

to trial.

Now, prosecution is certainly

going to make a big deal

about Winthrop's

late night walks, but

I found an expert who is

willing to submit an affidavit

explaining the effects of PTSD

and how victims often have

trouble sleeping.

I know he has some issues,

but Winthrop is not a m*rder*r.

And from the moment I met Vahna,

you could tell

something was very off.

Oh, we have somebody looking

into her past as we speak.

Good.

All right.

I appreciate your time.

You're welcome.

Porta John Man.

Porta.

No.

Hey, hey!

Freak show.

Hey!

I don't feel right.

Ellen...

I'm seeing things.

What kind of things?

Just...

flashes.

But violent things.

Like I'm seeing through

someone else's eyes.

Thinking someone else's

thoughts.

Winthrop.

I need you to be

very honest with me.

Did you have anything to do

with Vahna's m*rder?

No.

No.

Okay.

We're gonna get you

out of here.

No.

No, I don't mind being here.

And I don't want you

to come back to visit.

Guard!

I'm finished in here.

I just knew the answers

lay with Vahna.

But the woman was a phantom.

I couldn't find her, anywhere.

I'll let you sleep

for 10 hours

and paint a rainbow on you.

And then I'll slice you open

so your heart falls out

before you wake up.

It's the first thing

that you will see

me rubbing your heart blood

on my face.

I'll be laughing at you

as I feed

my little throat people.

I'll use your blood

to wash my f*cking dishes.

Where did you get these?

Vahna's house.

I know, I just...

You should have

seen him yesterday.

He's terrified, and it just

feels like the police think

they've got their man.

Well, this falls right in line

with Vahna's very sordid past.

What?

I've searched,

and I haven't found

anything online about her.

It pays to have a good P.I.

Here.

He tracked a long line

of aliases.

Vahna was constantly changing

names and appearances.

Here.

Inet Goodreaux.

Zilka Goodhanz.

Sarah Morrison.

Francesca Milani.

Noah Jules-Domley.

Not to speak ill of

the dead, but she was insane.

She was living

in Salt Lake City.

Two young Mormon

boys came to her door

and she invited them in...

only to tie them up

in her basement for hours,

forcing them to perform

various sex acts

on her and each other.

What?

She was arrested, but by

the time of her arraignment,

she had vanished.

One year later,

you met her in Pontiac.

The point is that she was

clearly not well,

and there are

many people out there

who might have

a vendetta against her.

You bet your a*s I'm going

to be spelling this out

in my motion to dismiss.

But I need you to promise me

that you will

not go back to that house.

Oh, you don't have to worry

about that.

Just before we start,

I know this would

be your first m*rder trial

and a conviction could be

a big boost for your career,

but it could also be

a big mistake.

Hmm.

Look, with all due respect--

Did you know that Winthrop

was commended for bravery

for saving a platoon

member's life?

And that when he was caught

beating up that soldier,

he was actually

defending himself?

Did you know that the burn on

his leg was not an accident?

It was revenge for testifying

against the soldier

that attacked him and that

he was relentlessly abused

because he's small, quiet

and a little delayed.

But wouldn't you be delayed if

your parents died in a horrific

car accident when you were only

10 and you were in that car.

And now you are sent to live

with a sick and sadistic uncle

who beats you repeatedly.

And yet still, he's not violent.

In fact, he is kind, empathetic.

I have years of psychological

reports from the VA

verifying all of this.

So go ahead.

Put your reputation on the line

with nothing but

circumstantial evidence.

Uh...

I will sleep on it.

I will see you in court tomorrow

as scheduled.

Apparently the prosecution

has decided to delay

the proceedings pending

more concrete evidence.

I'll give you two weeks.

So ordered.

Are you okay?

I thought you'd be ecstatic.

I am.

Okay.

Call me if

you need anything.

You may think you got away

with this,

but you and I both know

the truth, don't we, Winthrop?

I told you we'd get you home.

How are the headaches?

Well...

I'm going to head to bed and...

we can talk in the morning

once we both had a good

night's sleep, okay?

Can I sleep with you tonight?

Your room's all ready for you.

Clean sheets and all.

You'll be good.

- Yeah.

- Hey, it's Nina.

I know it's late,

but guess what?

We found Winthrop.

He's at a homeless shelter.

I'll send you the address.

Thank you, Nina.

Sh-sh-sh.

Here you go.

Hello, Winthrop.

It's good to see you.

Okay.

Listen, I want to take

you home, okay?

All right, well, at least

let me give you some money

so you can get a real meal

and some rest, okay?

Where does Grace Beck live?

I-I-I don't know who that is.

I don't know her.

I don't know who she is.

Okay. Okay. Okay.

You- you have to give me

something to go on.

Who is she?

She's your teacher?

Where does Grace Beck live?

All right.

All right, I'm gonna

try to find out.

Grace Beck.

Okay.

Come back home

whenever you're ready.

b*tch, b*tch, b*tch, b*tch.

b*tch, b*tch, b*tch.

b*tch, b*tch, b*tch, b*tch!

b*tch, b*tch, b*tch, b*tch!

Nina was right.

It does pay to know

a good investigator.

We had found Grace Beck.

Um...

Hello.

Hi. Miss Hershbergen.

My name

is Robert Edgewood.

I'm a rep with the state

looking for Winthrop Benson.

Hi.

Hi.

I'm with the state

welfare office.

There's some money owed

to Mr. Benson,

and we have this as his

last known address.

Is he home?

Uh, unfortunately, he's

not living here right now.

You might be able to find him

at the shelter

on Stanton up in Buffalo.

Oh, okay.

Um, well, if you do hear

from him,

I'd really appreciate you

giving us a call.

Of course.

Thank you.

Have a good day.

Yeah, you too.

I'm sorry we haven't seen

Winthrop in over a week now.

I thought maybe he had

gone back home with you.

Thank you.

Um, you might want to try down

at the Covington overpass.

It's a long shot, but some

people set up tents under there.

Much appreciated.

Please stay back.

Please.

Did you find Grace Beck?

Yes.

You have to tell me why--

Stay back I said!

Tell me where she is, b*tch,

or I'll k*ll you too!

You did not k*ll Vahna.

Vahna.

I know this isn't you

and I will help you.

Grace can help me!

Bring her here.

Hello, this is Grace Beck.

Ellen Hershbergen.

I reached out about

Vahna Minter.

Yes, Ellen.

I'm sorry.

It's just getting word

that accused k*ller

is out there looking for me.

Brought back all the Vahna stuff

I've been trying to forget.

I hate to admit it, but...

I'm glad Vahna is dead.

Anything you're willing

to tell me is invaluable.

Vahna was a...

student in my poetry class.

I was going through

some dark times.

Vahna played on that

vulnerability like a maestro.

It got very intense,

very quick and...

there were drugs and...

Domination.

I realized that she was

obsessed with what I let her

do to me.

She liked to hang me.

It was sick.

I wanted out,

and she became furious.

She...

said that I would

never be free of her.

And that's when she told me

about the Porta John Man.

This man told Vahna she no

longer had to be afraid

that she would now live forever.

[sinister voice

I got something for you.

And you get to keep it.

And Vahna swore to me

that if I ever left her,

she would do whatever it took

to find me.

I'm, um, changing my number, so.

Wait...

I found some letters.

Some are to you.

I just thought if we could meet.

You saw the letters,

maybe we could make

some sense of this.

Grace.

Grace...

Vahna's not dead.

What do you mean?

Move.

And leave no trace.

Vahna is not dead.

Help!

Help!

Where's Grace Beck?!

Where is Grace Beck?!

Kevin.

What the f*ck is going on?

Drop it!

Drop it!

Who are you?

Got him.

Let's get him outta here.

Did he hurt you?

James.

Hey!

What are you doing

with Winthrop?

It's freezing out here.

Come inside where we can talk.

My name is James,

and this is Kevin.

We'll be inside.

Hi, my name is James Light

and I'm a priest

like Father Caldwell.

And this is Doctor Emily Warren.

Hello, Ellen.

How's Winthrop doing?

Sleeping peacefully.

I'd like to see him.

It will take some time for the

tranquilizers to wear off,

but I can assure you

he's safe.

Here, why don't you have

a seat

and we'll tell you everything.

We're dealing with nothing less

than evil incarnate.

Some people call them demons.

Imps. Succubi. Djinni.

They like to nestle in and hide,

forcing us to seek them out.

One of these entities

had been in Vahna Minter

for a very long time,

and is now residing in Winthrop.

Vahna was taken very young.

The evil infusing in her

its own twisted desires,

becoming obsessed

with Grace Beck.

But Grace had enough

self-worth to get away in time.

And this is when

we lost track of Vahna.

Which is too bad

because I believe

we could have captured it

and saved her life.

How?

Evil is seeking those

who've been weakened by abuse,

neglect, drugs like

Vahna Minter or Winthrop.

The abuse rewires pathways,

making the brain

more vulnerable, allowing

possession to take hold.

But in very rare cases, a brain

is forming a neural cage

that an entity cannot escape.

You lost me here.

We have such a brain.

Kevin, do you mind?

The book tells us about them.

Now, the language used

is very archaic,

but it translates

something akin to lockbox.

Now, the only way to save

Winthrop now is

to have the very

powerful force inside him

moved into another host,

one that he can't escape.

A lockbox.

Surely you sense something

strange in Winthrop.

A change.

Yes.

He told me he felt like

he was thinking someone

else's thoughts.

Here it comes.

What are you doing

with that boy?

James, we need

to get him upstairs.

That boy was in a coma at

Saint Mary's for almost a year.

His brain scan shows

he has the neural cage.

What?

So he was sent to us,

and he just might save Winthrop.

Are you f*cking kidding me?

He's the lock box?

He's more than a child.

He has the ability to absorb

pain like water into sand.

The boy was born to parents

whose cruelty

was matched only

by their neglect.

They drugged him.

They abandoned him.

So now we do our best

to take care of him.

But he was built for this.

Yeah. Brave boy.

Mm.

We should be good

to go by sunset.

Do you have a nosebleed?

Mmhmm.

Here.

I got it.

Feed us now.

Why are you here?

You vile...

obscene creatures.

We are you.

And if you let them do this,

Winthrop will die.

James.

Those things in that boy

just told me that if you

do this, Winthrop will die.

They spoke to you?

Yeah.

They are the prince of lies.

He does not stand in the truth

because there

is no truth in him.

So no one has ever died.

There is always a chance

that something goes wrong.

How many have you lost?

Two.

Out of how many?

Eight.

The evil that is in Winthrop,

do you know how many

lives it has destroyed?

Condemning their souls to hell.

So this is a bargain?

No.

It is God's work.

God doesn't trade souls.

That is the devil's work.

Morgan Hetfield,

a mother of five.

Brandon Paige, a surgeon

who has since saved

hundreds of lives.

These are just two

of the people

this remarkable boy

has saved.

All right,

I'll tell you what.

If you believe what we're doing

is wrong,

then take Winthrop

and walk out that door.

We won't stop you.

Winthrop is not dying tonight.

Do you understand that?

Now, now.

Don't go losing your head.

Who are you?

That's who I am.

Not to sound like your uncle.

I'm not done with you.

Argh!

I've got something for you.

And you.

Get.

To keep it.

Sorry. We should have

known better, I'm sorry.

All right.

We'll take him down now.

All right, let's get you up,

Winthrop.

Okay.

Let's take him

to the basement.

What do we do now?

We wait.

Is that normal?

It's fine.

Help me!

Help!

What?

What just happened?

What's going on?

The video always cuts out.

We're not allowed to see what

happens in the transition.

Ellen!

Ellen! Help!

Help

What?

James?

James. We're losing him.

Ellen?

Ellen!

Oh.

No!

No!

Ugh!

Mom.

My...

Ellen.

You're not her.

Don't you dare use her voice.

I'm Winthrop.

You knew where he was going.

To that sick sadistic uncle

who would beat him

until he could no longer cry.

No.

I didn't know.

Don't lie to me again.

You did know.

Yes.

I know who I owe.

And you're not him.

Hello.

Hi.

I've got to go.

Do you have a name?

I used to, but I don't remember.

Thank you for saving Winthrop.

You can walk?

Yes.

Ellen?

Where is it?

No more games.

Open the door!!!

Ellen.

You interrupted us.

I don't have it.

Ellen! We're coming in!

Open the door!

I can still finish this.

He's lying.

Open the door!

Ellen!

God,

give me counsel, for I am

facing the Prince of Lies.

Give me the wisdom to not fall

for his wicked tricks,

for it is but deception

that gives him his power.

It is the Prince of Lies.

God, give me counsel.

...For facing the Prince

of Lies.

What is it, then?

What's the lie?

It's in me.

Ellen!

Touch my hand!

You will not touch the boy!

He's got it.

It's um...

Okay.

Okay.

What happened down there?

It tried to pull me apart.

Didn't work.

Someone brought you up, right?

Yeah.

The boy is resting now.

- I'll pay him a visit.

- Okay.

If we give you a tape recorder

would you be willing

to share what happened on record

just for us

for the next time we

try to save someone?

Sure.

Okay.

Thank you, James.

Oh, yes.

You're welcome.

That thing was destroying

the last good memory I had.

But you wouldn't let it.

Thank you.

Let's not make a thing of it.

Dear cousin Ellen.

I saw this Michael

the Archangel

vanquishing the demon, and

it reminded me of you.

I wanted to let you know

I started my new job

and I really like it so far.

Maybe you want to come?

See the new place?

It would be good to see you.

Love, Winthrop.