Original subtitles

[music playing]

[door opening]

Maria?

[growls, screams]

I wanted to get out of there and away

I wanted to get out of there and away from whatever I had just seen.

from whatever I had just seen.

Maria?

[banging]

MARIA: Billy likes you.

[screams]

[screams] I knew I'd seen a ghost,

I knew I'd seen a ghost,

ACTRESS AS LAURA: Henry, did you say something?

[music playing]

[screams]

I just figured it was a normal thing kids did at that age.

MARIA: Help me.

HENRY: Will you marry me?

Yes.

[music playing]

[screams]

That was the point when I really started

That was the point when I really started to question my own sanity.

to question my own sanity.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria, who were you talking to?

MARIA: Billy.

[screams]

LAURA: Should I have told him his dead wife was still

in the house?

[raspy breathing]

SELMA: I couldn't understand it.

SELMA: I couldn't understand it. Why would they buy the house?

Why would they buy the house?

[THEME MUSIC WITH ETHEREAL WHISPERS]

[music playing]

[striking match]

[music playing]

SELMA'S FATHER: Selma, we're leaving.

SELMA: I was on winter break from college my junior year.

My dad had just bought his new house a few months before,

so it was my first time visiting.

I want you to behave for your big sister, OK?

I want you to listen to her and I want you to go to bed on time

I want you to listen to her and I want you to go to bed on time when she tells you, got it?

when she tells you, got it?

SELMA: My dad and my stepmom are going out

of town for three days to go skiing right before Christmas,

so they asked me to watch my half sister, Maria,

so they asked me to watch my half sister, Maria, while they were gone.

while they were gone.

Are you OK with this?

Yeah.

MARIA'S MOTHER: I'll see you soon.

She's-- she's just quiet.

Yeah, I know.

She's that way.

Don't take it personal.

Try to bond with her.

I want you guys to be sisters, not just half sisters.

I will.

SELMA: Maria was born when I was in junior high.

I was living with my mom back then,

so I'd only seen her a handful of times during the holidays.

So my dad really wanted us to get to know each other.

SELMA'S FATHER: Bye, hon.

Bye, Dad.

SELMA'S FATHER: No smoking.

OK.

So--

[music playing]

MARIA: Hello?

Don't go, not yet.

[inaudible] Don't worry, Billy.

[inaudible] Don't worry, Billy. I won't tell anybody, I promise.

I won't tell anybody, I promise.

I won't tell anybody, I promise. [inaudible]

[inaudible]

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria, what are you doing?

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria, what are you doing? [music playing]

[music playing]

MARIA: Drawing.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: No, I meant who were you talking to?

MARIA: Billy.

MARIA: Billy. [music playing]

[music playing]

SELMA: She had dozens of drawings

all around her room of this figure with blond hair

and a blue face.

OK--

But I don't really think much of it at the time.

Well, let's go figure out what we can have for dinner.

SELMA: It didn't surprise me that she

SELMA: It didn't surprise me that she had an imaginary friend.

had an imaginary friend.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: So what are you eating?

MARIA: Pizza.

MARIA: Pizza. SELMA: I mean, she was an only child,

SELMA: I mean, she was an only child,

and I just figured it was a normal thing kids

and I just figured it was a normal thing kids do at that age.

do at that age.

Pizza.

Pepperoni?

MARIA: Yes.

All right.

[music playing]

SELMA: I had just walked up the stairs two minutes ago,

and I'm pretty sure that drawing wasn't there.

At least, I didn't remember seeing it.

Is this you?

Is this you? MARIA: No.

MARIA: No.

It's you.

[music playing]

Billy likes you.

OK, let's go order pizza.

[music playing]

SELMA: Maria was a very quiet kid.

It was really hard to have conversation, sort of bond

with her.

But she did like talking about her imaginary friend.

So what does Billy like to do for fun?

So what does Billy like to do for fun? MARIA: He likes to swing.

MARIA: He likes to swing.

Ah, just like you.

Where is Billy right now?

He was just over there, but he went inside.

He was just over there, but he went inside. Oh really?

Oh really?

Oh really? [music playing]

[music playing]

[squeaking]

Hey, it's getting cold.

Let's go inside.

OK.

[music playing]

[rustling, footsteps]

[door rattling]

[music playing]

[rustling]

Maria?

[screams, music playing]

SELMA: It took me a minute to realize it was only a dream,

but it just felt so real.

MARIA: Selma?

Help.

Help me, Selma, help me.

[music playing]

Selma.

Maria?

MARIA: Help me.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria?

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria? MARIA: Help me, Selma.

MARIA: Help me, Selma.

[music playing]

[wood creaking]

SELMA: Maria's voice sounded like it

was coming from the attic, but the door

was locked from the outside.

was locked from the outside. [music playing]

[music playing]

Maria?

Are you up here?

Are you up here? [soft growling]

[soft growling]

[growls, screams]

[heavy breathing]

You scared me.

You scared me. Maria, were you calling me?

Maria, were you calling me?

Maria, were you calling me? [music playing]

[music playing]

SELMA: I could have sworn I heard Maria's voice calling me

from the attic.

So how did she end up behind me two seconds later pulling

my hair?

my hair? Can I have a glass of water?

Can I have a glass of water?

Yeah.

SELMA: It was late and I was still pretty shaken up

SELMA: It was late and I was still pretty shaken up from the nightmare so--

from the nightmare so--

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Come on.

SELMA: I just figured it was all in my head.

[door creaks]

[music playing]

[striking match]

The next day went by and Maria and I pretty much

just stuck to ourselves.

We just weren't connecting.

Thankfully, my dad was supposed to get home later that night.

Thankfully, my dad was supposed to get home later that night. [music playing]

[music playing]

[music playing] OK, so where are the ornaments?

OK, so where are the ornaments?

I don't know.

I don't know. Well, where would you guess?

Well, where would you guess?

Maybe the attic.

OK.

Well, you got this under control?

All right, I'll be right back.

[door squeaks]

SELMA: I have to admit, after what happened the night

before, I really wasn't looking forward to going up

before, I really wasn't looking forward to going up to the attic by myself.

to the attic by myself.

So I just wanted to find the ornaments and get out of there.

But I really had no clue where anything was.

[music playing]

[wood creaking]

[music playing]

Maria.

Maria!

Maria, this is not funny.

Open the door!

[wood creaking, raspy gasping]

[wood creaking, raspy gasping] [music playing]

[music playing]

Maria, open his door right now.

Maria, it's not funny.

[music playing]

Maria, why did you do that?

I did not do that.

I did not do that. Oh, let me guess, Billy did it?

Oh, let me guess, Billy did it?

You know, I don't care who did it.

Don't let it happen again.

[music playing]

MARIA: They're swinging like Billy.

MARIA: They're swinging like Billy. Why would you do this?

Why would you do this?

I didn't.

Oh who did it?

MARIA: Billy.

Billy did not do this.

He's not real.

Yes, he is.

Yes, he is. ACTRESS AS SELMA: No he's not.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: No he's not.

This isn't funny.

It's not cute.

SELMA: At that point I was so sure it had been her messing

with me this entire time.

Pulling my hair, calling my name in the middle of the night,

and now she'd put those dolls up while I was in the attic.

You know what?

Go sit down in there.

Come on, go.

I'm going to go get the other box.

SELMA: I was so annoyed with her.

SELMA: I was so annoyed with her. But if I just stopped to think about it,

But if I just stopped to think about it,

I would have questioned how she did all that so quickly.

[music playing]

Even if she'd stood on a chair, how did you reach up that high?

[gasps, music playing]

Maria!

Maria! Turn the lights on!

Turn the lights on!

[wood creaking]

Maria, I'm serious!

Turn the lights on!

MARIA: Help me, Selma.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria?

MARIA: Help me, Selma, help me.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria, is that you?

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Maria, is that you? [wood creaking]

[wood creaking]

[music playing]

[screams]

[THEME SELMA: I wasTHEREAL terrified and I wanted

to get out of there and away from whatever I had just seen.

But it was so dark.

But it was so dark. [music playing]

[music playing]

[soft exhale]

MARIA: Help me, Selma.

Maria?

Help me, Selma, help me.

[screams, music playing]

[sobbing]

[screams]

SELMA: When I heard Maria scream I

knew I needed to get out of there and make sure she was OK.

[music playing]

[screams]

[sobbing]

MARIA: Selma, help.

Selma!

ACTRESS AS SELMA: There was somebody up there.

What? ACTRESS AS SELMA: I don't know!

[sobbing]

Go downstairs.

Go downstairs.

SELMA: I told my dad about everything I saw that weekend.

He didn't think anything of it until I told him about the man

I saw hanging in the attic.

The last owner of this house, their son committed suicide

here.

here. Hung himself or something.

Hung himself or something.

Hung himself or something. MARIA: They're swinging like Billy.

MARIA: They're swinging like Billy.

What?

SELMA: I couldn't understand it.

SELMA: I couldn't understand it. Why would they buy the house?

Why would they buy the house?

We're not superstitious.

We just didn't say anything because we didn't want Maria

to freak out.

SELMA: Even though I knew the answer, I had to ask him.

What was his son's name?

The one who killed himself?

William.

William.

ACTRESS AS SELMA: Who were you talking to?

MARIA: Billy.

Billy likes you.

Billy likes you. Oh, who did it?

Oh, who did it?

Billy.

Listen, you cannot tell your little sister about this, OK?

Has she not told you about Billy?

Has she not told you about Billy? [music playing]

[music playing]

ACTRESS AS LAURA: All right, so what's the big surprise.

HENRY: The surprise?

LAURA: Henry and I had only been dating about nine months

when he told me he had this huge surprise waiting

when he told me he had this huge surprise waiting for me at his house.

for me at his house.

HENRY: The surprise is--

This beautiful house he had inherited from his family.

HENRY: I know this is quick, but I know that I love you.

[music playing]

Will you marry me?

[gasps]

LAURA: I knew it was fast, but the way I felt about Henry,

I'd never felt that before with anyone.

Yes.

[loud thud]

[music playing]

Oh.

LAURA: It was a pigeon.

It had flown into the window and broken its neck.

At the time, I thought it was just a freak accident.

[music playing]

When I woke up the next morning, my ring finger

was red and swollen.

I couldn't get the ring off my hand.

I thought it might be a bug bite or some kind

of allergic reaction.

I needed to get the ring off.

[music playing]

Some soap and warm water did the trick.

[door slamming]

I heard what sounded like the bedroom door slam shut,

but Henry had already left for work.

[screams]

I told myself it was an old house with drafty windows

and warped doors, and I left it at that.

[music playing]

I tried not to let a couple of weird things bother me.

I really wanted to enjoy setting up our new house.

The house was beautiful, but it felt cold and impersonal.

[music playing]

I thought it needed a woman's touch.

It was going to be our home, and I wanted it to feel that way.

So what do you think?

HENRY: What do I think about what?

Well, the changes I've been making in my house.

I didn't realize what a bachelor pad this place was.

I didn't realize what a bachelor pad this place was. Is wasn't that bad?

Is wasn't that bad?

No, it was.

It looks good.

Yeah?

Yeah, I really like them.

[rustling, glass shattering]

What the hell?

[music playing]

ACTRESS AS LAURA: How did it get all the way over there.

That's like 10 feet.

HENRY: I don't know.

Maybe the nail was too small and it fell off the wall

and tumbled across the floor.

Tumbled?

[scoffs]

I don't know.

Weirder things have happened.

LAURA: No, weirder things hadn't happened,

but I wasn't going to make a big deal out of it yet.

[music playing]

A few nights later we were asleep--

[rustling]

[rustling] When a sound woke me up.

When a sound woke me up.

[rustling, creaking]

[door slams, music playing]

[screams]

[rustling]

[screams]

[screams] ACTRESS AS LAURA: Henry, we have--

ACTRESS AS LAURA: Henry, we have--

HENRY: What?

There's someone in the house.

There's someone in the house.

HENRY: You saw them?

HENRY: You saw them? Stay here.

Stay here.

[music playing]

LAURA: I know it sounds crazy, but I

could have sworn I saw a woman in a wedding gown

walking out of our bedroom.

walking out of our bedroom. [music playing]

[music playing]

[screams]

[laughs]

[laughs] HENRY: Sorry, I had to.

HENRY: Sorry, I had to.

ACTRESS AS LAURA: You jerk.

There's no one down there.

LAURA: Henry said he checked the entire house.

Every door, every window, everything was locked.

Every door, every window, everything was locked. No one was there.

No one was there.

[sobs]

He convinced me that I was still half asleep.

He convinced me that I was still half asleep. ACTRESS AS LAURA: I saw someone.

ACTRESS AS LAURA: I saw someone.

LAURA: And we left it at that.

But after that, I was wide awake.

But after that, I was wide awake. [music playing]

[music playing]

The next morning I was exhausted.

HENRY: Hey. - Hey.

HENRY: I have to go to work.

Mhm.

You look nice.

Thank you.

Thank you. Did you get any sleep last night?

Did you get any sleep last night?

A little.

HENRY: OK, I'm going to be home late.

I have a late meeting.

OK, not too late.

Not too late.

[music playing]

[buzzing]

[buzzing] ACTRESS AS LAURA: Henry.

ACTRESS AS LAURA: Henry.

[music playing]

Henry!

Henry!

HENRY: Hey, what is it?

You-- you forgot your phone.

Are you OK?

LAURA: That was the point when I really started

to question my own sanity.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

LAURA: I knew I saw a woman inside his car.

LAURA: I knew I saw a woman inside his car. [music playing]

[music playing]

I started thinking that maybe the stress of the engagement

I started thinking that maybe the stress of the engagement and the move was just too much for me.

and the move was just too much for me.

I couldn't say it out loud or even

I couldn't say it out loud or even to m but I knew I'd seen a ghost,

to m but I knew I'd seen a ghost,

but there was no way I was going to tell that to Henry

and sound like a lunatic.

That m Henry got home late and tossed his bag on the coffee

table.

[door shuts]

I could see a picture of someone sticking out.

[music playing]

I wondered the same thing anyone would wonder in that moment.

Why did my fiancee have a picture of some other woman

in his bag?

HENRY: Hey.

HENRY: Hey. What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Nothing.

Found this.

Who is she?

That's Susan.

Who's Susan?

HENRY: She was my wife.

Your

Wife?

LAURA: I had no idea that Henry had ever been married.

What are you?

Divorced?

[music playing]

No.

She died.

I didn't tell you because I didn't want to scare you off.

How'd she die.

She fell down the stairs.

Here?

[music playing]

LAURA: I was so angry that he kept this from me.

And in the meantime, I feel like I'm going crazy.

[music playing]

GHOSTLY VOICE: (WHISPERING) You're next

[music playing]

Henry, did you say something?

GHOSTLY VOICE: (WHISPERING) You're next.

[screams]

[music playing]

HENRY: Are you OK?

LAURA: She was there.

LAURA: She was there. HENRY: What's wrong?

HENRY: What's wrong?

Nothing.

I know I saw her standing right in front of me.

ACTRESS AS LAURA: Nothing.

LAURA: But how would I have explained that?

I'd just found out about her, and now I thought

I was seeing her in the house.

I was seeing her in the house. He'd think I was crazy.

He'd think I was crazy.

[music playing]

From that point on, I found reasons to never be alone

in the house at night.

[music playing]

Can we talk?

LAURA: It was some woman I'd never met before,

but she seemed frightened of something.

So I went outside to talk to her.

NEIGHBOR: Are you Henry's fiancee?

Yes.

Well, look, I used to be their neighbor.

I was Susan's friend.

I'm sorry, Henry has already--

I think you might be in danger.

Excuse me.

NEIGHBOR: Look, I don't know how much he told

you, but Susan's death, it--

it was no accident.

He killed her for the house and the money.

He killed her for the house and the money. This is really crazy.

This is really crazy.

I-- I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

Henry doesn't even need the money,

and this house has been in his family for years.

and this house has been in his family for years. The house was Susan's.

The house was Susan's.

The house was Susan's. Look, I just thought you should know.

Look, I just thought you should know.

I'm sorry.

LAURA: She put a newspaper clipping in my hand and left.

[music playing]

I couldn't imagine why he'd hide something like this from me.

Well, I-- I guess I could, but I wouldn't let myself.

After everything that happened, I

could have just packed my bags and left,

but I loved him and I had to stay until I heard

his side of the story.

[music playing]

I thought this was your family's house.

It is.

Not Susan's?

Susan was my family.

Yeah, well you didn't say you were accused

of killing your wife.

I know this must be a shock for you, but, please, just

I know this must be a shock for you, but, please, just let me explain.

let me explain.

I-- I don't know why I thought I could keep this a secret.

It's stupid.

It's stupid. HENRY: I was upstairs taking a shower.

HENRY: I was upstairs taking a shower.

She fell down the stairs and broke her neck.

LAURA: Henry had all the answers.

HENRY: After she died, I inherited the house

and the estate.

I swear to you, Laura, I did not kill my wife.

LAURA: I really wanted to believe him.

Please, just can we go in the other room

and sit down, and have a drink, and I'll answer any questions

you want me to.

I'll tell you everything.

Please.

LAURA: I listened but it was all so hard to comprehend.

[music playing]

That night I laid in bed next to him

staring at him for about three hours.

[music playing]

I just couldn't sleep, so I thought

I'd go downstairs and watch some TV.

[music playing]

[gasps]

[music playing]

[whimpering]

Look in the nightstand.

Look in the nightstand. [music playing]

[music playing]

LAURA: My fiance's dead wife very clearly

told me to look in that nightstand,

just as plainly as I just said it.

So, yeah, I was going to look in the nightstand.

[music playing]

I didn't even know how to process what I was looking at.

Henry had taken out a massive life insurance

policy in my name and made himself the beneficiary.

Does that mean he killed his wife?

You tell me.

[music playing]