Skylar
Are you STILL at the bar?
Jules
What else is spring break for, Sky? 😉
Skylar
Um, not leaving your best friend alone in the hotel all night…
Jules
You could always come join us.
Jules
I think his name is Brad…
Jules
Anyway, it’s too late to ask his name again 😂
Jules
Plus some stranger just sent me another drink!
Skylar drops her phone on the hotel bed.
This is typical Jules, abandoning Skylar to go after some guy.
Their other friend, Miranda, is already asleep in her own room.
And after being dumped…
Miranda definitely doesn’t want to third wheel it with Jules.
Skylar hates being alone in hotel rooms.
Her thought is interrupted when her phone buzzes.
Jules
Don’t worry, Sky 🙄
Jules
I’m on my way up now.
She knows Jules would’ve preferred her own room.
But when she heard what happened to Skylar as a kid…
She agreed to share a suite.
A breeze floats in and Skylar realizes she forgot to close the door to the balcony.
She walks over and stands in the night air…
Careful not to get too close to the short railing.
Skylar gazes down at the outdoor pool 10 stories below…
And sees someone swimming alone.
It’s a girl, blonde hair fanning around her head.
She’s wearing a blue dress—
Just like the one Jules was wearing earlier.
But something’s not right.
This girl is face-down—
Skylar sprints for the hallway, then toward the elevator.
Skylar
Not again…not again.
As the elevator doors close, Skylar dials 911…
And Skylar runs for the pool.
Bursting onto the patio, she looks into the water and finds…
Skylar
I could’ve sworn…
She walks to the edge and looks deep into the water.
It’s just blue, Florida pool water.
She turns to walk away…
When she hears something clicking.
Caught in the water filter is a string of plastic beads.
Just like Jules was wearing on the way back from the beach.
Skylar
Jules, are you still in the bar?
Skylar jogs into the lobby and checks the bar.
Skylar
Jules, I’m serious.
She heads for the elevator.
Skylar
Please text me back!
The doors slide shut and Skylar holds her phone to her chest.
She tries not to think about the last time she stayed in a hotel.
She tries not to think about her mother.
The doors open and Skylar runs to her suite.
On the way, she texts Miranda, 2 doors down.
Skylar
Miranda, I think something’s happened to Jules!
Miranda is probably asleep, but…
Miranda
She’s probably just with some guy.
Skylar calls her right away…
And Miranda picks up with a yawn.
Miranda
Really, Sky? Just go to sleep.
Skylar
Miranda, Jules said she was coming up to our room 10 minutes ago.
Miranda
She probably got distracted.
Skylar
Listen, I went out on the balcony right after Jules texted and…
Skylar
Miranda, she wasn’t moving.
Skylar wonders if she believes her.
Miranda
Did you call the police?
Miranda
What’d they say?
Skylar
I lost signal in the elevator.
Miranda
Okay. Why don’t you come to my room…
Miranda
And we can figure out where she went?
Skylar hangs up and walks to Miranda’s door and knocks.
As she waits, Skylar can feel the anxiety growing in her chest.
Something about her conversation with Miranda wasn’t quite right.
Skylar told Miranda she saw Jules in the pool…
But she didn’t tell Miranda that when she got to the pool—
So why did Miranda assume Jules wasn’t still in the pool?
Just as Skylar takes a step back, the door opens.
Miranda is fully dressed…
Miranda’s smile looks like it might crack.
Skylar tries to look past Miranda into the room.
But suddenly, Miranda lunges into the hallway—
Grabbing Skylar and pulling her into the room.
Skylar trips forward, and Miranda slams the door shut.
Before Skylar can move, Miranda picks up something from the table.
Miranda
Why couldn’t you just go to sleep, Sky?
Miranda
It would’ve been so much simpler.
Miranda
And of course you needed a roommate…
Miranda
Because some guy killed your mommy—
Miranda
And threw her in the hotel pool when you were a kid.
Miranda
You should’ve stayed home for break.
Skylar
Why are you doing this?
Skylar
We’re your friends!
Miranda starts walking toward Skylar.
Skylar scoots backward on the floor.
Miranda
You’re my friend, Skylar…
Miranda
But Jules just keeps me around to make her look prettier.
Miranda
I bet you didn’t know that Jules slept with my boyfriend, did you?
Miranda
No. Sweet, innocent Skylar would never know THAT.
Miranda
He was going to propose!
Miranda
But Jules didn’t care.
Skylar can feel her eyes burning.
She remembers hiding in the hotel closet 8 years ago…
As the murderer broke into their room.
And now, Skylar sees what it looked like from her mom’s point of view—
A killer at your front…
Except it’s not a wall behind Skylar’s back…
Skylar
What did you do to Jules?
Miranda
Just what happens to some girl every year in Florida.
Miranda takes another step forward.
Skylar stands slowly, opening the balcony door just a crack.
Miranda
Jules drank a little too much and decided to go for a swim.
Miranda looks directly at Skylar.
Miranda
Oops! Turns out that’s a bad idea.
Skylar
But…she’s not in the pool anymore.
Miranda
Yeah, your trip to the balcony ruined the plan.
Miranda
Or delayed it, anyway.
Miranda
When I saw you looking…
Miranda
I was afraid of getting caught.
Miranda
I knew I had to move Jules before you could save her.
Miranda
So I stashed her in the pool shed.
Skylar can’t help her surprise.
Skylar
Jules is still alive?
Miranda
She’s probably still delirious from that last drink I surprised her with.
Miranda
You should’ve just kept your nose where it belonged—
Miranda
And stayed in your room.
Miranda tilts her head with a strange smile.
Miranda
…now Jules will have a swimming partner.
Suddenly, Miranda lunges toward Skylar—
The box cutter extended in her hand.
Skylar falls to the side, feeling the blade skim her forearm.
Miranda tries to catch herself on the balcony door…
Miranda loses her balance, stumbles forward…
And trips over the low railing.
Skylar closes her eyes as she hears Miranda’s scream echo down all 10 stories.
Skylar runs for the hallway, then the elevator.
She has to get to the pool shed.
She has to make sure Jules is alright.
Skylar can already hear sirens in the distance.
She sprints for the pool, pushing past a hotel manager.
Without looking at Miranda’s body in the pool, Skylar runs for the shed.
Inside, in a dark corner, someone is tied to a chair.
Skylar crouches in front of her, pulling the gag from her mouth.
Skylar
Jules, are you alright?!
Jules coughs, then speaks with a raspy voice.
Skylar looks down at the little cut on her forearm.
It’s not too bad, but it’ll leave a scar.
Without knowing why, Skylar laughs.
She sits on the ground next to Jules.
Skylar
I found you, Jules.
Skylar
It’s all going to be okay.
