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♪♪♪
- Guys, go this way.
Guys. Guys.
- There she is.
- God.
♪♪♪
- Dispatch.
We're gonna need the Coroner.
- She's breathing.
She's breathing! Call an ambulance!
Stockett: Dispatch, we need an ambulance.
Hundelt: You're gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Help is on the way.
- Yeah, got a pulse.
♪♪♪
Paramedic: Load it up.
♪♪♪
- It's her, it's her. Ashley?!
Ashley.
Ash! Wha... what happened?
Ashley, are you okay? Can you hear me?
Dr. Edison: You'll have to stay here. Stay right here.
She's in good hands. - I could stay with her--
- Stay right here. She's in good hands, okay?
We'll take good care of her.
I've never seen this level of brutality in my life.
No one could survive this.
- What happened?! - It's okay.
Ugh!
- They uh...
they're doing everything they can.
- Okay. - Thank you.
- Oh God. - It's okay.
♪♪♪
- What?
- That was not how the song goes.
- Oh yeah? How do you know?
- You always, always get the words wrong, I swear.
- You should consider maybe it was the songwriter
who actually got 'em wrong, so. - You're ridiculous.
- I mean, songs are...
they're about feelings, right?
Michelle: Ashley!
You guys get the rolls? - We better go.
- Yeah, I got 'em, Mom.
- Okay, dinner's ready. - Here we go.
- Hey! Sorry I'm late.
- Oh no, no, you're just in time.
- Absolutely. - Hey, Ashley?
Ash! Can you bring the tongs?
Yeah, sorry, Mom.
Mike: Hey Nance. Nancy: Hey.
- Ed, uh, says hi. He's sorry he couldn't make it.
- I gotta get that mower back to him.
- What mower? What, what mower?
- The red one. It's a long story.
- Oh, no, do you want my potatoes?
I'm not eating them.
Oh, that's so awkward.
- Oh my goodness, two pieces?
- Are you hungry? - I'm not that hungry.
- Thanks again for dinner, Mrs. Reeves.
It was delicious. - You're very welcome.
- Yeah, it was really great, Mom.
- When did you say you're taking those SATs?
- Um, the fourth. - Oh.
- I'm gonna help her study.
- Yeah, he totally aced it two years ago.
- The English part,
but she'll crush the math no problem.
- Oh, well, I remember being pretty good at math,
if you want any help.
- I'll be fine. - Okay!
I just remember it being a lot harder than I expected.
- Leave the kids be, Michelle. - Thanks, Aunt Cathy.
- Um, I'm here if you need me.
- I've got it. - Okay.
- Thanks again. - You're welcome.
Drive careful. - I'll be right back.
- All right.
- What?
- I know that look in your eye. What is it?
- I dunno what you're talking-- - Oh, you've got a secret?
Tell me. Spill it. What is it?
- Um...
your parents would freak if I got you an engagement ring.
♪♪♪
But I, I...
I wanna spend the rest of my life with you, Ashley.
♪♪♪
Here, let me help you.
- Oh thanks, Hon.
Uh, something you wanna tell me?
- It's a promise ring. - Yeah, I can see that.
- Just don't tell Mom and Dad.
- I didn't realize things were getting so serious.
- Yeah, it was a surprise.
- A good surprise?
- I, I love Danny.
I can't imagine my life without him.
I, I just... - You're only 17.
- Yeah. It's a really big step.
- You two always with your heads together.
- I ate so much I think I'm gonna pop.
- Oh man, I should've sent Danny home with some leftovers.
We have a lot.
How is he, by the way?
I didn't really get a chance to talk to him.
- He's fine. - Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
- Nothing new?
- No, its same old, same old.
- I'm gonna go put these away.
♪♪♪
Dr. Edison: We're doing everything we can,
but there's still no perceptible response
to outside stimuli.
Ashley remains in a persistent vegetative state.
- What does that mean?
- We don't know if she will ever wake up.
Chloe: So I went up to him after class
and I was like, "Why didn't you say anything?"
And he was like, "Boys will be boys."
- Hey, Sam! - Oh...
- Oh, hey, Danny! How's it going?
I didn't see you at tryouts. - Yeah, I'm pretty bummed
I won't be able to make softball this year.
- Oh my God, Ashley, it's Sam Shelton.
- What, do you guys know each other?
- Uh, he coached our basketball in grade school.
All the girls had a crush on you.
- I remember you.
- Yeah, you didn't, you didn't put me on your team.
- Sorry.
So, what are you up to now? You must be what, juniors?
Seniors. Chloe: Juniors.
- At Belleview West, right? - I am, but...
- Yeah, I'm stuck at Douglas Creek High.
- Stuck?
- They, uh, they changed the district boundaries
and made me transfer
away from all of my friends.
- That's rough. - Yeah, tell me about it.
- We miss her.
- Um, are you still teaching?
- P.E. and Driver's Ed at Freeburg High.
Still coaching softball too. - That's cool.
- Are you still into basketball?
- Yeah, when I get the chance.
- We meet up for hoops every Saturday at noon
over at Millstadt Park.
You guys should swing by. Both: Yeah.
- Yeah, that sounds like fun. - You can count on it.
- Well, uh... maybe I'll see you next week.
Danny: Yeah, see ya.
Girls:
- Chloe! Oh!
Foul. - Are we playing badminton
or basketball?
- Oh my God, he's so hot.
I'm just sayin'.
- Two free throws.
Chloe: Come on, Danny.
- Nice shot.
- Nice! - Nice!
Let's go, Ash!
- Woo!
Danny: Yeah, Babe.
- See? Should have put me on your team.
- I don't know what I was thinking.
You're really good.
♪♪♪
- Ash! Dr. Edison!
- Step back, please.
- She's seizing. Nurse!
Nurse! Two milligrams of Lorazepam.
Thank you very much.
- I know you're in there.
You gotta let us know.
Come on, Baby, fight.
If you can hear me,
bite my finger.
Bite my finger.
Oh, I knew it! Mike!
Mike, she can hear me!
- What?
- She bit my finger.
Hey, Baby, I'm right here.
Shhh...
- Well, it's probably just a muscle spasm.
Ashley:
- She's trying to talk.
- Huh.
Ashley, I'm going to ask you some questions
and I want you to blink once for yes
and twice for no.
Do you understand?
All:
- Do you recognize the people in this room?
Okay.
Do you know that you're in a hospital?
- Do you like broccoli?
All:
- She's conscious.
- Hey, kiddo.
- Quite frankly, I'm amazed.
We need to get her into physical therapy right away.
I know this is a big moment,
but you all need to hear the truth.
There will be things
that Ashley will have to re-learn.
Eating, talking,
uh... using her hands.
There will be things that she won't be able to do again.
She may never walk again.
She could need help
for the rest of her life.
- Now you're just showing off.
- What, no Chloe or Danny?
- Danny is working and Chloe is sick.
- Well, uh...
none of my friends showed either.
- Is everything okay?
It's one of my students.
He's been having some troubles at home.
- Well, if you need to call him I can--
- Oh no, hang on. He just needs some quick advice.
I'll call him later
and see how it went.
- That's nice of you.
- That's why I love teaching.
I have a chance to really help these kids.
It's such a critical age.
You're just trying to figure things out.
One wrong choice and...
listen, if you ever wanna talk about...
something,
anything,
I'm happy to be an ear for you.
- Deal.
- You know why I remembered you?
It's 'cause you're special.
You stood out from everybody else.
I knew you'd have a bright future ahead of you.
♪♪♪
- Right up here.
Okay.
This is your new room.
Just be careful of the doorway, okay? Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh hey, hey could you-- Thanks.
Thank you.
There we are.
Well, this is nice, right? It's a better room.
- Hi. - Hi.
- Hi Ashley. I'm Mia,
I'm gonna be your physical therapist.
- Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm her mom.
- Nice to meet you. 'Kay.
These braces will help straighten out
your hands and feet.
I'm so sorry. This is going to hurt.
All right? It's okay.
Deep breaths.
There you go.
Ashley:
- Shh, shh, I know.
Mia: It's okay. It's okay.
Shh. Okay.
Ashley:
- Your muscles have been clenched for so long -
that's why it's so painful.
But we need to get your limbs back in proper position
so we can retrain your muscles
and get everything working again.
- I know, I know, I know.
- It's okay, Honey. I'm here.
- Hi, Ashley,
I'm Detective Steve Johnson from the Sheriff's Office.
I um...
I just wanna ask you a few questions, okay?
- One blink, that means yes.
- Do you understand that you're injured?
Do you remember what happened?
Do you recall anything at all about how you got hurt?
- You know what? I think that's enough for one day.
Why don't we try this another time?
- Mm-hmm.
- Ashley, hey.
You're a very, very brave girl.
I'm gonna leave you alone now.
♪♪♪
- Shh, shh, shh.
You need your rest, okay?
Just rest.
♪♪♪
Mia: 'Kay,
we're gonna work on fine motor skills.
All right?
Okay.
Almost there.
- I know. Much better, huh?
There.
Ashley:
- Remember your breathing, okay?
Good posture,
deep breath, through the nose,
then out through the mouth.
Both:
- Good.
I want you to give the ball
a little squeeze.
'Kay?
Don't think too much about trying to squeeze the ball.
Just see if you can bring your fingers close together
as tight as you can.
Ashley:
- It's gotta be so frustrating
just blinking yes and no.
- This letter board will help you communicate a little more.
Kids:
- No running! - Whoa!
What in the world? - Teresa called in sick.
- All right, you.
I'm Cathy's niece. My name is Ashley.
What's yours? - Jacob!
- Jacob! What a big voice you have, Jacob.
So things seem a little too crazy in here right now,
but tell you what. If we calm down just a little bit,
I'll read you and your friends a story.
And you will get to choose the book.
- I get to pick? - Mm-hmm.
Wow! This is a good one.
Can you be a big help and take me to your friends?
- Thank you.
Another napkin.
You were a lifesaver today.
- I'm glad I could help. - Can I hire you?
- I had fun.
They're really, really sweet kids.
- Oh, you were so great with them.
Seriously, do you wanna come work with me this summer?
- Really?
- You can't expect to hold a letter just yet,
but we'll get there.
What I'd like you to do is point to a letter
and I'll help you put them in place,
so you can tell me what you were trying to say.
Okay.
- W...
A...
- T.
You want some water.
- Okay. I'll be right back.
Okay, we're gonna practice swallowing.
- Okay.
Are you sure this is safe?
- Yes. I've added some thickener to the water,
which gives it the consistency of nectar.
We don't want you to choke.
I know you haven't had a sip of water in weeks,
but fair warning,
this is probably gonna taste awful.
Okay.
- Okay, that's okay.
Mia: That's okay.
Just rest a second.
You wanna try again?
- Okay.
Take it a little slower this time.
- Oh wow.
- It's... so... good.
It's so... good.
Mia: Your first words.
Good job.
- I'm so proud of you.
Good job, Honey.
Superintendent: Uh, a number of staff and students
wanted to send cards.
- Oh...
- And I wanted to show you the flyer
for the 5K fundraiser.
The school district's sponsoring
and, uh, we've got a great team handling the publicity.
All proceeds will go towards Ashley's medical bills.
- This is all so incredibly generous of you.
Thank you. - It's the least we could do.
I think we'll get a pretty good crowd.
- Insurance isn't covering most of her rehab,
so this'll really help.
- We're all pulling for Ashley.
- Thanks.
♪♪♪
You've always had such pretty hair.
I could braid, if you want me to.
Oh, Sweetheart.
- Why?
What happened to me?
The, the cops and the TV.
Why?
- You were attacked.
Left in the woods.
It's been all over the news, so we had the TVs taken out.
You don't need to see those stories.
You just need to focus on getting better.
- Who?
- Sweetheart... - Who?
Who did this to me?
- Sam Shelton.
ow is Ashley?
What was the nature of their relationship?
- What has Ashley said about Sam Shelton?
- How long will she be in the hospital?
- Sir?!
- Sheriff, was she obsessed with him?! Any comment?!
- You're, you're wrong.
Sam wouldn't do this...
to me.
He's my friend.
- Sam led us to you.
Mm.
I was hoping you could recall what happened to you
the day you were attacked.
- Sam's saying it was an accident,
which makes no sense to us considering...
well, considering the circumstances
and where we found you.
- I... can't... remember.
- Okay, you know what?
Let's give her some time.
Johnson: Of course.
Thank you.
Reporter: How is Ashley doing?
- Are those people here for me?
- It's a big story, you and Sam.
Um...
Sheriff told us that during his interrogation,
Sam claims that...
you two had a sexual relationship.
Is that true, Ashley?
- Yes.
- What happened? Why didn't you come to me?
Sam: Yeah, but you've had other boyfriends.
- Not really. - Danny's your first?
- Uh...
- Hey, we're just two friends keeping it real.
There's no judgement, okay?
So, you're having doubts?
I love Danny.
- Are you ready to decide forever?
Look, Danny is a nice guy,
but don't feel like you have to rush into anything.
You got your whole life ahead of ya.
♪♪♪
Michelle: I could've helped you. I...
I would've known that there was something off
about a teacher who wants to be friends with a teenage girl.
- He is my friend.
- No.
No, he is not your friend.
The night you disappeared, I talked to Sam.
When you didn't come home, we called everybody -
Danny, Chloe, Aunt Cathy.
We went through your cell phone records
and one number kept coming up over and over
and I didn't recognize it, so I called it.
Sam answered.
He lied to me.
He told me he hadn't seen you.
He said, "I'm sure she's fine, Ma'am."
He was out dancing.
He went on a date hours after he attacked you
and left you to die in the woods.
Judge: How do you plead?
- Your honor, not guilty.
This is all a big mistake.
- This was an accident.
We want people to know that we will fight this.
Mr. Shelton is innocent of the charges
that have been brought against him
and I have full faith in the--
Female reporter: Mrs. Reeves!
Are things getting back to normal for your family?
- There isn't very much normal in our lives anymore.
♪♪♪
- Hey. - Hey.
I've got your laptop and brought your favorite DVDs.
- Thank you.
- Hey, check, check this out.
Now I'm not flopping like a beached whale anymore.
- I'm starting solid foods... too.
- We'll have you eating cheeseburgers in no time.
- Ah, I would kill for a chili cheese melt.
- Ashley, here let me help you.
- No, no. I got it.
Thanks.
Don't be sad.
- I'm not sad.
- I'm sorry...
about Sam.
The only thing that matters right now, Ashley,
is that you feel better and you get better.
- I uh...
I don't understand...
why it happened.
- Maybe I was pushing you too hard.
- This is not your fault, Danny.
It's not your fault.
- Yeah.
♪♪♪
- Come on, Ashley. You don't wanna fall behind.
- What's the point?
- To get better.
- What if this is it?
You can't promise that...
that I'll get better,
can you?
- You suffered a traumatic brain injury.
- How?
What did Sam do to me?
- He strangled you.
- Wha...
Why?
M-my body is broken and...
I just want my life back.
- I know.
♪♪♪
- Almost there.
Come on, you can do it.
- Be strong, Baby. Up. Push. - Come on.
- I can't... - Okay.
- Maybe we should just take a little break.
Mia: Of course.
Johnson: Hey.
Any memories from the day of the attack?
- I... I have... nightmares.
Just little flashes.
None of it makes sense though.
So, uh, Sam is trying to get his confession thrown out.
- Can he do that?
- Well, we did everything by the book,
but he's hired a high-priced lawyer
and the guy's a shark.
So, he'll look for any legal loophole.
- That's why we need you, hmm?
Anything you can remember.
Anything at all, no matter how small.
Even if it doesn't feel important,
tell us.
It could make all the difference.
Sam: Get out!
Ashley: I don't know where to go.
Stop!
Stop! Stop! You're hurting me!
- It's okay, I'm right here.
You're all right, Honey.
You're okay.
I don't want Sam to get away with this.
♪♪♪
- Come on.
- Oh. - Come on.
- Let's take a break.
You can't ever tell anybody, okay?
If this gets out, I'd lose my job.
♪♪♪
Ashley: No.
I wanna go again.
- Your honor, my client has close ties to the community.
He's a well-loved teacher
and a respected citizen of this town.
He lives with his mother and is a big help to her.
He is not a flight risk.
We therefore ask that you reduce his bond
so he can go home.
♪♪♪
- My client has no comment at this time.
Please respect his privacy.
No, I'm sorry.
Come on.
Reporter: You said this was a mistake. Can you elaborate?
- How can he get away with what he did?
- He'll be under house arrest.
- He tried to murder my daughter.
- I know.
Hey...
Hey.
We're not giving up the fight,
okay?
- Hey.
We will get through this, okay?
- I'm just so scared for her.
I'm scared for all of us.
- I know.
Reporters: Sam! Sam!
Do you have a comment on the case?
- Sam, do you have anything to say to Ashley or her family?
- What was the nature of your relationship with Ashley?
- Sam, how does it feel to be home?
- What were you doing with Ashley Reeves that day?
- Sam, are you guilty of these charges?
- Sam, you said this was a mistake. Can you elaborate?
- Hey, Jenna. What're you doing?
No, I can't talk about that.
It's not what you think.
Yeah, the truth will come out.
I just got home,
and you are the first person I called.
Know why?
'Cause you're special, Jenna.
You stood out from everybody else.
You wanna come over?
- Is it okay to come in? - Yeah, of course.
Hi.
- Hi. - Mm.
- Oh. I am so sorry.
- Yeah. Thank you.
- Ed sends his love.
How is she?
- Um, she, she's doing PT twice a day.
- Good. - She's still so weak though.
We have a long road ahead.
- How are you holding up?
- I'm fine. Yeah.
I'll be fine.
- Sweetie, you can be honest with me.
- Some days I can barely keep it together.
I mean, where did I go wrong?
How did this happen to my kid?
- If there's anything I can do to help...
- This is good.
- They never tell you how hard it's gonna be,
being a parent.
- No, they don't.
- Like where's the manual? - Right?
Hey, don't blame yourself.
Kids have a mind of their own. You can't watch them 24/7.
Michelle: Two...
three...
four...
five.
Ashley, come on. - No.
- 10 more reps, okay?
- I'm tired.
- Well, I'm tired too.
Your dad's tired. We're all tired, Ashley.
What were you thinking sleeping with your teacher?
In what world is that okay?
- I don't wanna talk about that.
- Well, it's too bad. We need to talk about it.
- What good is that going to do?
- What-- When did you stop
feeling like you could trust me?
- I never felt that.
- Then why didn't you say something? Anything?
- Because I'm not a child.
- You're my child. Let me be your mother.
- I wanna have my own life, Mom.
You can't protect me from everything.
- You know what? I was young once, like you,
and I remember what it was like.
I remember how confusing all the feelings were.
- Mom, this is not about you.
I made a mistake,
and I am paying for that.
♪♪♪
- You may have made a mistake,
but you don't deserve this.
♪♪♪
Let's go again.
I will walk at the fundraiser.
- One step at a time.
- Hi.
How's the confession going?
- Um, we haven't heard yet.
- Hmm.
What if he does this to someone else?
- Okay.
There.
That's, that's good for today.
There we go.
- I uh... I read somewhere that music
is good for helping the brain heal,
so here.
Hundelt, Stockett and I, we, we all chipped in.
We've got your back, Ashley.
- I'll remember.
- That's the girl.
- I heard she had an abortion.
♪♪♪
- Please?
- Honey, I just don't think you're quite ready.
- I'm just so tired of this hospital.
It's been two months. - I know, I know,
but you still need rehab every day.
- I promise I'll do it.
I work hard.
- I know you do,
and you've come so far and I'm so proud of you.
But you still need to get better.
- I'll get better if I get out of here.
- I miss my house.
And I miss my room and I...
even miss that stupid crow
squawking outside every morning.
I just...
I need some kind of normal again.
I'm coming home.
- Mike.
- What, there's more reporters? What are they doing here?
- Mom. - Don't worry about it.
All right? Let's just don't say anything, okay?
- All right. - No comment all around.
- Mr. Reeves! Mr. Reeves! - 'Kay, guys, look,
can we get a bit of space here, please?
- How is your family coping? Ashley, Ashley, any comment--
- How does it feel to be out of the hospital. Ashley...
- Put your arm around me. One, two, three. Up we go.
Michelle: Careful.
- What kind of sentence are you hoping for?
- Ashley, what was the nature of your relationship?
- Ashley! How long did the relationship with Sam last?
- Did your family know about the relationship with Sam?
- Were you in love with Sam? Aunt Cathy: Have some respect.
- Mrs. Reeves, Mrs. Reeves,
have you spoken with Sam Shelton?
- Mr. Reeves, were you aware of your daughter's
relationship with Sam?
- Ashley, how long will your recovery be?
- Do you have plans to testify?
- Home sweet home.
- All right, nice and easy.
- All right, we'll give you guys some... time.
- Yeah.
How's it feel?
- It feels... different.
But really good.
It's um, it's Saturday.
You should be going
and doing something fun.
- Ashley, I'm...
I'm fine right here.
- This isn't really fair to you, Danny.
I hurt you.
And my life is um...
it's so different now.
- Well, that shouldn't matter. - No, it does though.
It does.
For both of us,
and you know that's true.
♪♪♪
You were my first love.
I just um...
I need to find my own way forward.
- Here. - No, it's okay.
I am gonna try.
- Okay.
Here, let me help you.
- Is it always gonna be like this?
- You just have to keep trying.
- What is my life even gonna be like?
I don't know.
But I've seen your progress
every single day,
everything you fought back from.
- I'm still in this chair.
- We thought we lost you.
- I'm sorry.
Am I gonna...
be able to work and have a family?
Just... have a life of my own?
- He has taken so much from you.
Don't let him take your dreams.
♪♪♪
- You wanna try and walk?
Mike: You wanna do that?
Stick up.
- All right. Easy.
♪♪♪
You know what, let's get you home, okay?
Here. Sit down. There we go.
- Okay.
- Oh, Sweetie.
♪♪♪
Sam: Get out!
♪♪♪
- These are all her books. - Thank you.
- We don't want her to lose a year.
Both:
- No, we don't.
- So how's she doing?
She looked well at the fundraiser.
- It's nice to have her home.
- She must need a lot of care. - She does, yeah.
I took a leave of absence from work.
- This... whole thing
has been so unfortunate.
We feel so bad for Ashley
and, and your family.
- I should go.
- Look, um...
just so you know,
um, Sam's been with the school district for years.
I knew him well.
It's just so hard to believe.
I didn't, I didn't think...
- You didn't think what?
- He comes from a good family.
Sam's never been a problem.
- Are you making excuses for him?
Mike: I feel like I just paid this.
Hey, Nance, come on in.
- Hi. - Hi.
I, uh, I made something for the family.
- Oh, aren't you a sweetheart.
- Yeah, I can't imagine
the strain y'all under.
- Yeah, it's been rough.
- I was hoping you'd have some relief by now.
- I don't know how much more of this we can take.
- These things can just drag on forever, you know?
- Yeah.
- Ed and I were talking the other night.
Maybe it's best for everyone if you just...
move on, you know?
- No, I don't know.
- Best for you and Ashley.
And, and, and best for the Sh... the Shelton's.
Well, it's like Ed said, why ruin Sam's whole life
over one bad moment?
I mean, we may never really know what happened.
Mike: Unbelievable.
- What happened is that man attacked our child
and left her for dead.
I think you should go, Nancy.
- Okay. Okay.
- Why is this taking so long?
- Well, we're uh...
we're expecting a ruling this week.
I think we'll have a sympathetic judge.
- How could they not be sympathetic?
- I hate to say it, but I see it all the time.
Men represented as boys when they're in trouble,
but, uh, women,
well, women should know better.
- Who's the victim here?
- We just have to trust the system will work, okay?
You're not gonna believe this,
but, um, a woman came to see me.
Turns out Sam asked her daughter over to his house.
- What? - Yeah.
There's nothing I can do. The girl's 18.
- Ashley.
- Sam had a girl over in his house?
- Yeah.
- I wanna see the photos of me in the woods.
- Uh, that's not a good idea.
- Stop trying to protect me.
I need to understand what he did to me.
It might help me remember.
Johnson: You ready?
Ashley: Yeah, I'm ready.
♪♪♪
- How long was I out there?
- Thirty hours.
♪♪♪
- Detective Johnson.
Oh, that's great news.
Okay, thanks.
Judge upheld the confession.
The trial's going forward.
- I wanna testify.
- You don't have to.
- No, I do.
- Sam's side is gonna victim blame.
- This is my hometown.
People need to hear from me
to understand what he did.
They need to see that I'm not the person
they've made me out to be.
That this isn't my fault.
I survived this.
I'm ready for whatever they throw my way.
♪♪♪
- What is it?
- I've been wanting to ask you something.
Gosh, it's hard to say.
- It's okay, you can go ahead and say it.
- I'm... I'm so confused...
about this, this whole thing with Sam.
I'm just, I-I guess I'm just trying
to wrap my head around it, you know,
since, since the whole thing happened.
I mean, Sam's a great guy, right,
and we all loved him.
It's just not making any sense to me.
- I know.
- So, your parents are gonna sue him.
I mean, his family is really rich.
- What? No.
- What were you doing with him?
- He was just really nice and...
fun to hang out with and...
he seemed...
so smart about life.
I mean, yeah, of course I thought he was cute,
but we all did.
I never thought we were anything more than friends.
- I heard you went up to his room.
- I'm not trying to excuse this.
It just happened so fast.
- Don't get me wrong, I like it here.
I just, I need an escape, you know?
So a couple times a month I go to St. Louis
and I wrestle.
- Yeah, I, uh, saw your pics online.
- Oh, you looked me up, huh?
- I... I...
you have a lot of fans.
- Yeah.
You should get the hell out of town too
and see what's out there in the world
just waiting for you.
I love Millstadt.
It's where I wanna live and, and work
and raise a family.
Maybe I can do that with Danny. I don't know,
I just wanna...
figure that out for myself, I guess.
- Oh, that's good for you.
- Are you okay? - Nah, my stomach hurts.
- I-I uh...
- Oh, Sam. - I've got meds at home.
Would you mind driving me? - Yeah. Yeah, of course.
Oh man.
♪♪♪
- Are you, um, feeling any better?
- Much. Thanks.
- This is such a big house.
- It's my mom's. It's great for me though.
I don't have to pay rent.
I can save up.
- Well... - Come on.
I'll give you the grand tour.
- My mom's gone so much
I usually have the whole place to myself.
I can do whatever I want.
That is where I play poker with the guys.
And this...
this is my bedroom.
- Um...
I should probably go. I, I need to get back.
- There's no place that you need to be.
- Sam. Sam, I can't do this.
- Come on.
You've been putting out the vibes to me
ever since we saw each other.
What did you expect was gonna happen
when you came upstairs with me?
You're the one who wants this.
♪♪♪
- I was just really confused.
He was really nice to me. I thought we were just friends.
- But you slept with him?
- Where is Sam's responsibility in this?
- But what did you do to Sam
to make him do this to you?
- I can't do this. How am I supposed
to finish high school if I can't even write?
- I know you have it in you.
- You know the kids at daycare still ask about you
all the time.
Correct.
♪♪♪
Dispatch: All units, all units be advised
we have a possible suicide attempt.
423 Pinewood Drive.
Paramedic: Mr. Shelton?
Sam: Paramedic: Mr. Shelton!
Sam: Go to hell!
Screw you!
- Mr. Shelton, calm down. Johnson: Hey.
- Doesn't look like he took enough to do any real harm.
- Of course not.
Sam:
♪♪♪
- Thankfully Sam is on the mend.
But he's been demonized.
He never meant to hurt this girl.
We're concerned that we won't get a fair trial.
We want people to know that we will fight this.
Mr. Shelton is innocent of the charges that have been--
- He's... he's just trying to get sympathy.
- It won't work.
- What if...
what if people feel bad for him?
What if they're on the jury?
- Listen to me.
It doesn't matter what stories they put out there
or what lies Sam tries to tell.
When you get on that stand and people hear you,
they're finally gonna know the truth.
- He's not the victim.
I'm stalling out.
- You're not. - Look at me.
I haven't made... any progress in weeks.
- It's normal to hit a plateau.
- I wanna walk.
I wanna be able to stand on my own two feet.
- You know I never made any promises.
But I've been watching you for months now
and I can honestly say this,
I believe you will.
♪♪♪
- Get out!
Michelle: Ashley?
You okay?
- I remember.
- Just take your time, okay?
- Um...
we were in a car
and he was... yelling at me.
- Do you remember what he was saying?
- No.
But I do remember feeling really bad.
It was a mistake...
and I... I wasn't happy.
I was trying to get away from Sam.
- Okay.
He got pissed and that's when he attacked her.
It-it's a viable theory.
Listen, she, she was trying to get away from this guy.
Think about what that would do to his ego.
Mike: She's tough.
Just like her mom.
- She's got twice my fight.
♪♪♪
Aunt Cathy: What're you making with yours?
You don't even know.
- Hey there. - Hi.
- Ashley! - Hi, Jacob.
I'm sorry. I, I can't,
but I can read you a book if you want?
You always pick the best books.
- What's wrong with your hands?
- Um... I got hurt,
but it's okay. Some people are...
they just have different challenges.
What would you do if you saw someone
who was a little bit different?
Someone like me.
- I'd help!
- Come on, let's go read it.
- You hired me for a reason, okay?
Lis-listen to me now.
All right, she is cooperating with the police
and she is going to tell them everything she remembers!
- It was an accident.
You should've got this whole thing dismissed.
♪♪♪
- Sam, she's gonna be a very powerful witness.
Do you understand that?
♪♪♪
- Uh, I got it.
Hello?
Um, yeah. Hi, Detective Johnson.
Okay.
Yeah, okay. Thanks for letting us know.
All right. Bye.
- What?
- What did he say?
- Sam's taking the deal.
- So, what, that means I can't testify?
- Look, it's over, kiddo.
You know maybe that's for the best.
- No. No.
It's just another way for him to get away with this.
I... I want my life back.
Not to only be able to walk again -
my whole life.
I want people to know
that I'm more than that girl
who slept with her teacher.
And they're not gonna know that unless I tell them.
I can't have a life in Millstadt
unless people know the truth
about what Sam did to me.
I thought he was my friend.
I want an apology.
I need to face him.
♪♪♪
- You got this.
♪♪♪
Bailiff: Please rise.
Bailiff: Be seated.
- Thank you.
- We are here today for the sentencing
in court case number 2357.
The people v. Samson Shelton.
Mr. Shelton, you have pled guilty
to one count of attempted first-degree murder.
Do you wish to make a statement?
- No, your honor.
- Very well.
The court is prepared to hear from Miss Reeves.
- My name is Ashley Reeves.
On April 27th, 2006,
I was left in the woods -
in the cold, in the dark,
for 30 hours - to die.
This was no accident.
Sam Shelton tried to murder me.
- Get the hell out of my car.
Ashley: I... I don't-- - Get out!
- I don't know where to go.
I'm not getting out of the car!
I can't go anywhere.
Sam! Just take me back to my car!
I don't know where we are! What're you doing?!
- Get out! - No! No!
No! Stop! - Get out!
- Stop! Stop! Stop!
Ahh! Sam! Stop, you're hurting me!
♪♪♪
- Ashley.
Ashley.
Ashley!
♪♪♪
- I later learned that...
instead of taking me to the hospital,
he drove me to Citizen's Park.
He carried me deep into the woods
so no one would find me.
He dumped me on the ground...
and I couldn't move.
I couldn't speak.
I was completely at his mercy.
And as I lay there, gravely wounded,
unable to help myself,
Sam took the belt from around his waist,
put it around my neck and started choking me.
When I fought back
with what little fight I had left,
he took his foot
and he put his full weight against my back.
He choked me until I stopped moving.
Sam,
who I thought was my friend,
buried me,
with leaves and with dirt,
and left me there,
alone and broken,
discarded like a piece of trash,
dying.
And then he went out dancing.
I've struggled so hard this year.
I had to re-learn how to walk, and how to talk,
and how to feed myself.
I went from being a normal, healthy teenager
to not being able to swim or ride a bike...
or play basketball -
all things that I love to do
and things that I may never be able to do again.
I had to dig deep
and fight to get my voice back in every way.
I worked hard to be able to stand on my own two feet.
And I had to face my own hometown,
where some people thought that this was my fault.
Why is it a different set of rules for men and women;
that "boys will be boys"
and girls are just "asking for it"?
I made a mistake,
and I own that,
but I didn't deserve this.
Thank you to the St. Clair County Sheriffs
for bringing Sam Shelton to justice.
And thank you to my family...
for standing beside me.
For everything.
I hope that the next time a girl gets attacked
that she won't be blamed for it,
and that the guy won't be excused.
She deserves better.
I deserved better.
Sam Shelton did this, not me.
I was just a normal girl
trying to find her way.
I could've been you.
♪♪♪