Original subtitles

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