He's Out There

There once was a mouse, happy as can be...

...who lives in a field right under a tree.

Without a care in the world, he wasn't afraid.

He played every day and he slept in the shade.

Then one morning, the mouse heard a loud cry...

...and a crow black as night flew down from the sky.

The crow lowered his beak and tilted his head...

...then frightened the mouse with the next thing he said.

The Darkness hides in the light of the day.

Better run little mouse before it comes out to play.

Because the Darkness is evil when it plays Hide and Seek.

And it can go anywhere as it sneaks and it peeks.

The mouse took a few steps and looked all around.

He spun in a circle, and then looked up and down.

There's nothing dark here, you crazy, old bird.

The sun shines so brightly, that's completely absurd.

But the crow laughed out loud and said...

"...you silly, little rat...

"...don't let the Darkness hear you talking like that.

Now there's one thing to do, so listen to me.

You must see it first, if you wish to be free.

Baby Zombie! She's gonna eat you!

Maddie! What did you do? Look at your hands.

- Okay, no more markers for you. - But I'm bored.

Well, here, draw me a picture while I finish packing the car, okay?

Okay.

Last chance to say goodbye!

Maddie, stay away from the street, please!

Okay, Mama.

I'm sorry, this is the one day this guy is in town, honey.

Put it this way. You're gonna have plenty of time to figure out...

...how to make it up to us on the long lonely drive by yourself.

Daddy...

- ...look, it's me and Kayla. - Wow.

All right, come on, up.

- I can do it. - Okay, put your seatbelt on.

Thanks, Daddy.

Don't be mad. I'm sorry.

Well, if you were really sorry, you would've stuck to the plan.

We'll still have a great time. I'll just be a little late.

And please call me when you get there so I know you got there okay.

Don't be so dramatic. When will you be leaving?

This afternoon, so I'll be there by midnight, at the latest.

Okay.

Maybe you could bring me a midnight snack.

Hmm.

- Say goodbye to Daddy. - Bye, Daddy!

- Love you. - Bye, I love you.

- Girl's night out. - Have fun.

I love you.

- Bye, Daddy, I love you. - Bye.

Okay, we're here.

Finally.

Are we there yet?

Oh, come on.

- Who are you? - I'm Owen.

Uh, hi.

Just gotta loosen up the tumblers on the inside.

Wow! Thank you.

No problem.

I'm what passes as local security around here...

...probably because me and my family are the only ones that live here year round.

- Well, wish we could do more of that. - What, living?

There used to be two families living out here.

Other family lived right here in your house, for years.

- 'Til their boy went missing. - Missing?

Was about my age... name was Johnny.

Was kinda slow-witted, if you get what I'm saying.

- They never found him? - No.

Family was really tore up.

Put the house on the market and never seen 'em again.

Uh, well, I'm Laura and this is Kayla and Maddie.

Girls, say "hi".

Nice to meet you, ladies.

Don't see much of anybody out here after season's over.

Gets pretty lonely out here.

Yeah, well, we thought we'd squeeze in at least one trip this year.

Don't blame you.

Well, I appreciate the help, Owen, thank you.

Just you girls and Mom this weekend, huh?

- And Daddy. - Yeah, he's... he's on his way.

He's right behind us, actually.

Oh, well, that's good to know.

Uh, well, tell Owen "thank you", girls.

Thank you.

Any time.

- Thanks. - Y'all take care now.

Tag, I'm it.

- Girls, stay away from the water. - Okay.

You better be calling from the road.

Actually, I'm running a bit late.

- Oh, you gotta be... - I'm kidding.

- So you guys made it okay? - Yeah, we made it fine.

Hey, girls, it's your dad, he's on speaker.

- Hi, Daddy! - Hi, Daddy!

Hi, girls! Is the house still standing?

- Yeah. - Perfect.

Daddy, when are you gonna be here?

Soon.

- Bye, Daddy! Love you! - Bye, Daddy! We love you!

What's that noise?

Uh, it's nothing.

I actually just stopped off to get gas. I should be there by 11:00.

- Okay, I might wait up. - You better.

- We'll see. You could get lucky. - I'm planning on it.

Oh, hey... eggs. I forgot eggs.

Eggs.

Got it. I'll see you in a bit.

Drive safe, bye.

Hi, uh, I'd like these gift wrapped, please.

And two bottles of your best Merlot.

So what'd you do?

Nothing.

Girls, I'm putting books and toys in the playroom.

- No, the playroom is scary. - No, it's not. Don't be a baby.

- I'm not a baby. - Hey! I'm watching you.

Maddie...

...ready?

You look funny, Kay-Kay.

What's that?

Where does it go?

Girls?

Girls?

I'm a grasshopper.

Oh, really? But you're not green.

- Do we have any green paint? - No, only blue.

Hey, Maddie! Get your shoes off the bed, come on.

All right, I left your pajamas out, girls. Now why don't you get dressed...

...and get changed into them...

...and come on downstairs.

Kayla, what is that?

Nothing.

I just saw you put something in there. What is it?

- It's for Daddy. - Well, let me see.

- Is it alive? - No.

- It better not stink up the house. - It won't. It doesn't stink. It smells good.

Alright, well, get changed and come on down. I'm gonna make some pizza.

The mouse took a few steps, and looked all around.

He spun in a circle, then looked up and down.

There is nothing dark here, you crazy, old bird.

The sun shines so brightly, that's completely absurd.

But the crow laughed out loud and said, you silly little rat...

...don't let the Darkness hear you talking like that.

Now there's one thing to do, so listen to me.

You must see it first, if you wish to be free.

- I know what it is. - You do?

I wanna go to bed, Mama.

You do? The story's not over.

You don't want to eat your pizza?

No? Okay. Go on up.

I'll give you a hint, it hides in plain sight.

It lives in the dark even when there is light.

It walks close behind you and watches you play.

Floating beside you, from your head to the hay.

- Maddie drew this, didn't she? - No, that was already there.

Oh, really?

All right, night, Kay-Kay.

Maddie, are you hot?

Here.

Yeah, that's better.

Goodnight.

Maddie, are you okay?

What are you looking at?

- Hey, hi. - Is everybody alright? I've been calling.

Shit, I left the phone in the car, I'm sorry.

It's okay. What y'all doing?

Nothing. Uh, the girls played while I unpacked, and...

...we had some pizza, now they're sleeping. What about you, where are you?

Uh, past halfway, so a few more hours, I guess.

Babe, you should see it, the lake is just perfect.

It's gorgeous out here.

Uh, that's cool.

So all you wanted was eggs, right?

- Shawn, you're ruining it. - I'm sorry, I thought you were done.

Please continue. It's, uh, really interesting.

You're such an asshole.

- At least I remembered the eggs. - Dude, you are so not romantic.

- I'll see you in a couple hours. - Oh, hey, I left the gate open for you.

The pad lock's all jammed up. I think we might need a new one.

I'll take a look when I get there.

Okay. You hurry up, I love you.

- I love you t... - Shawn?

Mommy?

Mommy?

Mommy?

Something's wrong with Maddie.

What is it?

She's in the playroom, but she won't tell me.

Maddie?

Madison?

Maddie?

Sweetie.

Hey, why is the window open?

Oh, it's okay.

- Mommy? - It's okay, Kayla. She's just sick.

Here.

There you go, sweetie.

- Maddie, are you okay? - Hmm?

Here, let me wipe that up.

- Mommy, is she okay? - Yeah, she's fine.