I have a half an hour to save Nick.
So I go back to the park—
The only safe place to hide.
I sit with my back against a tree.
And skim through the book.
I’m searching and searching…
Maybe the game is rigged.
And the kidnapper never really gave me a chance to win…
I’m never going to see Nick alive again.
If only I had picked up when Nick called me before school…
Suddenly, I realize something.
I never listened to the voicemail Nick left me this morning!
What if there’s a clue in it?
I quickly pull it up in my phone.
Nick’s voice is trembling with sadness.
Nick
I can’t think straight.
Nick
Not when I know you’re upset at me.
Nick
I wish you’d pick up.
And I hear the humming of his car engine.
He must be driving to school.
Nick
I know these past weeks have been hard.
Nick
And I know what I said last night hurt you.
Nick
I shouldn’t have said I didn’t love you anymore.
Nick
And I didn’t mean it.
Nick
Because I do love you, Emma.
Nick
God, I love everything about you.
Nick
You’re brilliant. And you can make anyone feel special.
Nick
And I just…I can’t imagine my life without you.
Nick
Please call me when you get this.
Nick's phone clanks against the cupholder in his car.
But the humming noise continues.
He didn’t actually hang up!
The voicemail is still recording.
I keeping listening, gripping the phone.
But there’s nothing but that humming noise.
I pull back the phone in shock.
Desmond set this whole thing up??
I start to think it through.
It all starts to make sense.
Desmond wanted to kill Nick.
He was jealous of our relationship…
That had to be his motive.
It then dawns on me where Nick might be hidden.
Desmond basically lives in it.
He does all his science projects there.
We even built that robot there years ago.
And it’s tucked away in the woods.
Where no one can find it.
Plus, Desmond was wearing his work boots today.
Because he went to the shed this morning.
And that means Nick’s got to be there too.
I arrive at Desmond’s house.
I quickly scan the scene.
So I run into the cornfield on his property.
But they could hide someone else too.
It’s far, far ahead of me.
Because I’m almost out of time.
Struggling against his ropes.
My heart breaks at the sight of him.
A bandage is wrapped around his left hand.
Where his pinky finger was cut off.
I ungag him and start to untie him.
Nick
How did you find me?
I keep working at the ropes.
I struggle to loosen the knots holding his feet in place.
Emma
We don’t have time for that right now.
And then I hear a voice behind me.
Desmond
Stop untying him.
I hear a click as he cocks the pistol.
Desmond
Put your hands up and turn around.
Moving slowly, I follow his instructions.
And when I’m face to face with Desmond…
He’s pointing the gun right at me.
He starts walking forward.
And then he stops just a few feet away.
Desmond
You’re clever, Emma.
Desmond
You figured out the truth.
Desmond
But that’s not going to matter.
Desmond
Because I already told you.
Desmond
This game is one that can never be won.
Desmond
And I have enough bullets to kill both you and Nick.
Emma
You don’t have to do this.
Desmond
Because years ago, before you and Nick started dating…
Desmond
I told Nick how I felt about you.
Desmond
I told him I wanted to ask you to the Homecoming dance.
Desmond
But he beat me to it.
Desmond
He asked you first.
Desmond
And you said yes to him.
Desmond
After you two went to the dance together…
Desmond
You kissed at Holly Point that night.
Desmond
I watched you guys, secretly.
Desmond
Because that kiss should have been mine.
Desmond
After that, you and Nick started dating.
Desmond
You fell in love.
Desmond
For years, I’ve had to deal with the pain of knowing he had you.
Desmond
That he stole you from me.
Nick
I’m sorry if I hurt you…
Nick
But please, punish me.
Nick
Leave her out of this!
Desmond grins devilishly.
Desmond
Originally, my plan was to abduct Nick, and kill him.
Desmond
And as for you, Emma…
Desmond
You and I would do the scavenger hunt together.
Desmond
And when we didn’t win…
Desmond
When we were caught by the police…
Desmond
I would provide evidence that cleared your name.
Desmond
I was going to pin Nick’s murder on someone else.
Desmond
You were going to be so grateful that I saved you from going to jail.
Desmond
And with Nick gone…
Desmond
We would have finally been together.
Emma
No! I’d never date you.
Desmond
You made that very clear today.
Desmond
So I decided that, if I couldn’t have you…
Desmond
No one else ever would.
Desmond
I was going to get you arrested for the rest of your life.
Desmond
That’s why I called the police at the library.
Desmond
I told them that you had coerced me into helping you.
Desmond
But you were lucky.
Desmond
I didn’t know you had a secret escape route.
Desmond steps a little closer.
His gun is still pointed at my chest.
Emma
There’s still one thing I don’t understand though…
Emma
How did you send me the creepy texts from that other number?
Emma
You were with me the whole time.
I move forward, ever so slightly.
Maybe if I can get close enough…
I can grab the gun from Desmond’s hands.
Desmond
I created a program that sent pre-planned texts to you.
Desmond
At specific times throughout the day.
Nick
This is sick, Desmond.
Desmond
But my plan worked.
Emma
Because I called the police on my way here.
Emma
And told them where to find me.
He quickly turns, looking for the police—
Emma
Don’t move, or I shoot.
The police officers handcuff and haul off Desmond.
While Nick and I stand nearby.
And holding on to each other like there’s no tomorrow.
It feels so good to stare into his soft brown eyes.
Emma
For all the fighting.
Emma
But it’s behind us, Nick.
Emma
Because all I can think about right now…
Emma
Is how much I love you.
We kiss for so long I’m sure it’s never going to end.
