All language subtitles for Girl.in.the.Garage.The.Laura.Cowan.Story.2025.720p.WEB.264-NoRBiT

I don't wanna die here!
Please! Please! Please!

Hello?

Hi.

I'm Laura. Laura Cowan.

I'm Zara.

What happened?

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.

It's gonna be okay. Okay?

You have to trust me.

Okay.

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.

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.

Where are you staying?

Some studio apartment that
is killing my savings.

Things are so much
more expensive here

than they are in Cleveland.

I bet.

So when you run out of
money, then you'll come home.

What? No, I'm just
getting started.

With what?

Living my life.

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, 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.
-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?

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?

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.

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.

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.
-Yes.

Yes!

Oh, my God.

-Oh, uh, rings.
-Okay.

Okay.

Wow.

It's beautiful.

-Let me show you the rest.
-Okay.

Are you doing okay?
Do you need anything?

Hi.

Mama, me and Maryum are hungry.

I'm sorry, I can't understand
you with that language.

-Maryum and I are hungry.
-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?

But, Mama, don't you
have to learn it too?

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?

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.

Just settle your business.

See why I'm at peace with God?

Welcome.

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.

Maryum took forever to
get to sleep tonight.

And Ahmed?

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.

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...

Hands on the air, now.

What's going on?

-What's going on?
-Shabazz, what's going on?

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.
-Go inside.

Ma'am, I won't ask you
again. Please step back.

Laura, just listen to him, okay?

-Shabazz, what did you do?
-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
illegal firearms.

What? No.

No, my husband's a
good man. Shabazz!

I suggest you get him a lawyer.

I'm sorry.

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 guns 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.

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.

Who is this man?

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.

How long are you gonna be

with this man and his family?

I mean, he's got five children.

-Seven.
-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.

Family, this is Sister Laura.

She and her children
will be joining us.

They'll just be
here for a while.

-Say hello.
-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?

-Mama?
-Yes?

What are Ps and Qs?

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.

What is this?

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.

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.

Um, Dad...

Yes?

Can I eat now?

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.

Oh, my God.

Are you okay? You're
so cold. Here.

Are you hungry? Okay.

Let me find you some food, okay?

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.

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...

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.

Hi.

Um.

I only made enough for us three.

But we're all hungry.

Okay, I suppose we can
share with you guys.

They all looked so hungry,

so, you know, we just
decided to share.

Spreading God's love.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

This will help.

Back to your studies.

Now!

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.

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!

I will teach what
must be taught.

And you will not interfere!

Hello?

Hey, it's me.

Oh, God, Laura.
Where have you been?

I can't talk for long.

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.

Laura, that makes
no kind of sense.

Look, I gotta go.

Now get in your room.

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?

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!

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.

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.

-Mama.
-Yes.

Can I rub your belly again?

Sure you can.

I can feel the baby moving.

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.

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.

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.

Watch Tas.

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!

Hey. Hi.

It's gonna be okay, little baby.

I must cast out.

Cast out.

♪ All through the night

Cast out.

Cast out.

-What are you doing?
-Cast you out.

Musa. Musa, what are you doing?

Give me my baby.
Give me my baby.

-Cast you out!
-Give me my baby!

-Musa!
-Devil!

I have the divine right!

And I cast you out!

-Give me my baby!
-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.

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.

Let's go. Clean
up these buckets.

Let's go.

Go on.

Dig.

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.

Look what I found.

"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.

He gives me the words.

And he gives me the power

to cleanse this sinful
world and those in it.

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.

Musa gives us so little to eat.

We're starving.

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.

But some horrors are
just unavoidable.

God will show you
the righteous path.

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 torture.

I pray for them.

If I don't do something,
we're all gonna die here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Laura! Get out here!

You two stay on the stairs.

Don't move. You know the drill.

It's okay, kids.

Oh, you still got
some fight in you.

I will have you
whenever I choose.

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.

Mama!

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.

No, I don't wanna go in
there! Please, Brother!

This is where you need to be.

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!

Hello?

Hi.

I'm Laura.

Laura Cowan.

I'm Zara.

Hey, what happened?

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.

It's gonna be okay.

Okay? You have to trust me.

-Okay. Okay, okay.
-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?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Okay.

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.

My name is Laura Cowan,
and I'm being held captive

in a garage with my children.

Help us.

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.

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.

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?

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 bullet 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?

Just a sec.

There you go.

Next in line, please.

-Good morning.
-Good morning.

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.

You can still come to it.

And, Miss Cowan, sign here.

Okay. Thank you.

Laura!

Come on, now.

Okay. Thank you.

Mama, why are you up?

I was just praying.

Do you want me to pray with you?

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

It's the police.

Yes?

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.
-Uh-huh.

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 gun! He has a gun!

-We should go around!
-Okay. Keep going. Keep going.

My kids are outside.

-We should go around!
-Okay. Keep going. Keep going.

Ahmed.

Maryum, your mother needs you.

Hands in the air, now!

Don't move! Drop your weapon!

Got him?

Got him. I got him.

Ahmed? Maryum?

Come on! Come on!

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?

-Thank you!
-I got you.

-I got you, I got you.
-Oh, thank you!

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.

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

I'm gonna find you!
I'm gonna kill you!

I'll kill you!

Somebody shut him up.

Tas!

Miss, miss, please,
please, please.

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

-Listen to me.
-It's okay.

I'm never letting
you go ever again.

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.

Why are you over here?

I missed you.

Not as much as I've missed you.

How are you holding up?

I should be asking you that.

Kids.

Daddy!

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.

-Yeah!
-Yeah! Yes.

Oh, my God.

Oh, man.

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?

-Yeah.
-Yeah? Yeah?

You guys still eat
fish sticks and fries?

-Fish sticks and fries.
-Fish sticks and fries.

Yes!

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.

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