- 20 hours ago
Ten Days In His Fabricated Doom To Die For Love
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:02To entertain his mistress, my billionaire husband faked a zombie apocalypse.
00:14I gave him our last protein bar and walked out to die.
00:22I closed my eyes, waiting for the zombies to tackle me to the ground.
00:27Cut! Extras, take a ten minute break.
00:31The zombies climbed off me. Behind me, the bunker door swam.
00:36My husband, Julian Hartley, walked out, across the street.
00:40Julian, you're a genius! She believed the apocalypse was real.
00:47That's what she gets for trying to get you blacklisted. I wanted her to feel real despair. Consider it a
00:52lesson.
00:53I lay on the ground. The extras pulled off their masks. Tears mixed with the blood at the corner of
01:00my mouth.
01:00There was one thing they didn't know. Before I walked out of that bunker, I drank an entire bottle of
01:07Paraquat.
01:07When I opened my eyes again, I was floating above them. I looked down. The extras were laughing.
01:15It's hot in these masks.
01:16But Mr. Hartley pays great.
01:18No kidding. He rented the entire set just to make Serena happy.
01:21The truth hit me. There was no virus. No apocalypse. The terror I endured for two weeks was a massive
01:29prank.
01:30He did it all for his mistress. I stared down at my own body. White foam bubbled at my lips.
01:38My eyes bulged. My fingernails were shredded.
01:42Julian strolled over with a coffee. He nudged my leg with his shoe.
01:45All right, Anna, enough. Stop overacting. My body didn't move. It couldn't. Serena linked her arm through his.
01:54Her acting is amazing. She's probably just too embarrassed to get up. When she gave you the last protein bar,
01:59I almost cried.
02:01She's just being dramatic for attention. She sabotaged your audition. A selfish bitch like her deserves to be punished.
02:10I'm not even mad anymore.
02:11Julian didn't even glance down at me.
02:13If she wants to play dead, let her lie there.
02:14He dragged Serena toward the exit.
02:17She can walk back when she's ready to apologize.
02:18The iron gates slammed shut. I wanted to scream. But I was just a ghost. An invisible force suddenly yanked
02:28me backward. In a blink, I was sitting in the backseat of Julian's car. He was behind the wheel. Serena
02:35sat in the passenger seat and touched up her lipstick.
02:39Julian, shooting starts tomorrow. The director still needs a location.
02:44Pick whatever you want. Use any property under my company.
02:49You're the best. Anna is so ungrateful.
02:53Julian yanked at his tie.
02:56Julian, what if something happens to her out there?
02:58The set is crawling with security. She's fine.
03:01But she threw up so much blood.
03:05It's a blood pack. You know how dramatic she is. Let her starve for a few days. She'll learn. Give
03:11her three days. She'll come back to beg my forgiveness.
03:13I sat in the backseat and stared at him.
03:18Julian, I'm never coming back.
03:21The main floodlights shut off, leaving only dim security bulbs. I floated next to my corpse and watched the cleanup
03:29crew sweep the lot.
03:30Hey! Someone's still here!
03:34Wake up! Go sleep in the trailers!
03:37The janitor checked my breath.
03:42Ah! Dead body! Call 911! She's dead!
03:46Within minutes, police cruisers and ambulances arrived.
03:51They checked my pupils and shook their heads.
03:54Call it. She's gone.
03:56A detective pried a tiny glass bottle from my fingers.
03:59Periquot?
04:01Where'd she even get this?
04:02Looks like a suicide.
04:04Run her ID and notify the next of kin.
04:06Across town, Julian was taking a shower in our master suite.
04:10His phone buzzed on the nightstand.
04:13Serena glanced at the screen.
04:14It was an unknown number.
04:16She frowned and hit decline.
04:18A moment later, a voicemail popped up.
04:23Mr. Hartley, this is Detective Webb with the LAPD.
04:26Your wife, Anna Shaw, was pronounced dead at 4.14pm.
04:29Please contact us immediately to claim the body.
04:31Serena's heart hammered against her ribs.
04:35Shock flashed through her eyes, quickly replaced by a sick joy.
04:40She deleted the voicemail and the call from the log.
04:43She blocked the detective's number.
04:45She blocked my number, too.
04:48The bathroom door opened.
04:49Julian walked out with a towel around his waist.
04:53Was that Anna texting to apologize?
04:56No.
04:57Just a spam text.
04:59Whatever.
04:59Get some sleep.
05:00I have to head to the office.
05:01You can stay here at the house for the next few days.
05:03Let me know when you're done filming at the set.
05:05I'll have a crew fix the place up before Anna gets back.
05:07Otherwise, that crazy bitch will throw a tantrum.
05:11I floated near the ceiling and watched the whole thing.
05:14Julian casually handed over the home I built,
05:17all while complaining about my tantrums.
05:19Dead hearts cannot break.
05:23For three days, I didn't come home.
05:26Julian sat on the sofa.
05:28The ashtray on the coffee table overflowed.
05:33Mr. Hartley, you should eat something.
05:36Julian swiped the glass of milk off the table.
05:38It shattered and splashed across the rug.
05:41Where the hell is Anna?
05:43There's been no word from Mrs. Hartley.
05:46Would you like to call her, sir?
05:48I'm not calling her!
05:50Throw out all her shoes, empty your closet, and burn everything!
05:55Let's see how long she can play this game.
05:57Mrs. Geller grabbed a trash bag and hurried toward the bedroom.
06:00She stopped by the balcony and looked at the fiddle leaf fig I had been growing for five years.
06:05Julian gave it to me the night he proposed.
06:08Anna, this tree is hard to keep alive, but with enough patience, it grows forever.
06:14I will give you that same patience.
06:15We will never be apart.
06:17He broke his promise, but the tree kept growing.
06:23Should I throw this out too?
06:25Throw it out!
06:26Throw out everything she has ever touched!
06:29I don't want to see any of it!
06:31The ceramic pot hit the driveway and shattered.
06:35The roots tore apart and the soil spilled across the pavement.
06:40The door opened.
06:42Serena walked in, wearing a white trench coat.
06:46I kept it locked in the back of my closet.
06:49Serena found it and had the waist tailored.
06:52That coat...
06:54Julian, I have a press jugget today.
06:57I borrowed Anna's coat.
06:59She won't be mad, right?
07:03It's just clothes.
07:04She won't miss it.
07:05You're the best.
07:07As they walked toward the door, Serena's eyes darted to an old wooden chest in the corner.
07:13It held my childhood photos and the only thing Mom left me.
07:17Why is this gross box sitting out here?
07:20She lifted her heel and kicked the chest.
07:23The wood cracked.
07:25My photos scattered.
07:27The pendant hit the baseboard and shattered into pieces.
07:31I dove toward the floor to catch it.
07:33It was all I had left.
07:37Mrs. Geller, sweep this garbage up.
07:40Mrs. Geller picked up the shards.
07:42Tears rolled down her cheeks.
07:45Sir, this was the last thing her mother gave her.
07:48If Mrs. Hartler comes home and sees this...
07:50Then she shouldn't have stayed out all night playing games!
07:53I'm not having this crap in my house!
07:56Throw it all out!
07:57Tell her if she doesn't want to come home, she can drop dead out there!
08:00I crouched and watched Mrs. Geller sweep my life into a dustpan.
08:04Two weeks went by.
08:06Julian lost his patience.
08:08He checked his phone constantly.
08:10His temper exploded and he fired two executives.
08:14The boardroom was silent.
08:17Julian threw a folder at his director of sales.
08:19You call this a marketing strategy?
08:21It's trash!
08:22Do it again!
08:23Something was wrong.
08:25I had never ignored him for two weeks straight.
08:28Even after our worst fights, I would stay at my friend's house for two days.
08:32The second he texted me, I would go back to cook his favorite dinner.
08:37Jay!
08:39Find Anna!
08:41And drag her back here!
08:45Jay scrambled out the door.
08:49At 8 o'clock, the hotel ballroom was packed for Serena's movie premiere.
08:55Julian sat at the center table.
08:59Mr. Hartley, where is Mrs. Hartley?
09:01Why isn't your wife here?
09:08My wife isn't feeling well.
09:09She's resting at home.
09:10There are rumors you two have separated-
09:12Slander will get you sued!
09:15I hovered near the chandelier and watched him perform.
09:20You're pathetic, Julian.
09:22You actually think I'm waiting for you to apologize?
09:26Jay sprinted into the ballroom.
09:28He looked terrified.
09:31Two guards tried to grab him, but he shoved past them.
09:36Mr. Hartley!
09:38What's wrong with you? Did the world end?
09:40Sir, LAPD just contacted the legal department.
09:44Is this another one of Anna's tricks?
09:47Did she file a fake kidnapping report?
09:51Tell her to stop this and come home!
09:54Tell her if she doesn't come back right now, she can stay gone forever!
09:58Jay shook his head.
09:59He pulled a printed file from his briefcase.
10:02Inside were photos from the LAPD.
10:05Sir, Mrs. Hartley is dead.
10:07She died two weeks ago.
10:10Julian clutched his chest.
10:12His mouth fell open, but no sound came out.
10:15No! That's impossible!
10:18Julian shoved Jay aside and stumbled toward the exit.
10:21Serena reached for his jacket as he bolted past.
10:24Julian, wait!
10:26Maybe it's just a mistake!
10:28Get off me!
10:30Serena lost her balance and crashed onto the marble floor.
10:34Julian didn't look back.
10:36When he reached the coroner's office, he tripped on the concrete steps.
10:40His knees slammed into the ground.
10:42He scrambled up and sprinted through the glass doors.
10:46The door of the morgue swung open.
10:48Dr. Emily Ross pointed to a steel drawer near the back wall.
10:53She's right here.
10:55Julian stood in front of the cabinet.
10:57He gripped the handle, but his hands shook so hard he could not pull it open.
11:02Jay, are you sure it's her?
11:05Jay hung his head and stared at the floor.
11:08He couldn't look at his boss.
11:10Julian took a ragged breath and yanked the drawer open.
11:14A stark white sheet covered the body.
11:18He slowly pulled the sheet back.
11:21When he saw my face, bruised, stiff, and twisted in agony, Julian collapsed.
11:29He dropped to his knees on the freezing tile.
11:31Anna, you destroyed us.
11:34He reached out to touch my cheek.
11:37How could you do this?
11:40Doctors!
11:42Do something!
11:44Why are you just standing there?
11:47Save her!
11:49Dr. Ross sighed and shook her head.
11:51Mr. Hartley, Paraquian has no antidote.
11:54The dose she ingested was massive.
11:56She's been dead for two weeks.
11:58She's not dead!
12:00She's playing a trick on me!
12:02Anna!
12:03Get up!
12:05Get up!
12:07I forgive you.
12:09I'll fire Serena from the movie.
12:12I stood right next to him and watched him break down.
12:18It's too late, Julian.
12:21The morgue was freezing.
12:23Julian stared at my face.
12:25His bloodshot eyes begged for this to be a mistake.
12:28This is impossible!
12:29Doctor, you have the wrong body!
12:31He grabbed Dr. Ross by the arm.
12:34Anna is terrified of pain.
12:37Paraquian burns through her organs.
12:39She would never swallow something like that.
12:41This has to be someone else!
12:45Mr. Hartley, we ran the fingerprints.
12:47It's her.
12:48She pulled the sheet down and exposed my right hand.
12:52Julian locked his eyes onto it.
12:54It didn't look human anymore.
13:02Paraquian poisoning causes irreversible pulmonary fibrasis.
13:06It suffocates you from the inside out.
13:09Before she died, she experienced prolonged asphyxiation and agony.
13:13She rolled on the ground.
13:15She clawed at the floor.
13:17She dug that concrete dust out of the pavement with her bare hands.
13:21Julian stared at my bloody fingertips.
13:23His lips trembled.
13:25I hovered above him.
13:27I felt nothing.
13:29Yes, Julian.
13:31It hurt.
13:32The poison tore through my throat like burning razor blades.
13:38But nobody cared.
13:39You were laughing with Serena.
13:42Julian doubled over and clutched his chest.
13:44He gagged and vomited red wine onto the floor.
13:47He collapsed and buried his face in his hands.
13:54Sir, please sign the release forms.
13:57The funeral home is waiting.
14:01This feeder's won.
14:02The more you come out after you're going.
14:03Sign what?
14:05I swung you dead.
14:06Who said you could take her?
14:07She's not dead.
14:09She's just mad at me.
14:11Julian scrambled to the gurney and grabbed my frozen face.
14:14Anna, stop.
14:15Please stop.
14:16Let's go home.
14:18You wanted me to take you to the movies, right?
14:21I'll rent out the whole theater tomorrow.
14:24Just the two of us.
14:26Anna, please.
14:27Don't do this.
14:27Wake up, please.
14:28Anna, please.
14:30Don't do this.
14:31Wake up, please.
14:32He shook my stiff shoulders.
14:34Julian finally froze.
14:36The crushing reality set in.
14:38When Serena rushed into the morgue, Julian was still on the floor.
14:42She covered her nose and shot a disgusted look at the vomit.
14:47Julian, how could this happen?
14:49Why would Anna do something so stupid?
14:51If I'd known she was this unstable, I never would have suggested the game.
14:55This is all my fault.
14:57Julian didn't move.
14:59His eyes locked onto the empty paraquat bottle on the silver tray.
15:04He flipped it over.
15:06Where did this come from?
15:10I mean, she probably bought it herself.
15:13Julian slowly turned around.
15:14He stared dead into Serena's eyes.
15:19Anna was locked inside that bunker for ten days.
15:21She didn't have a phone.
15:23How did she get her hands on this?
15:25Julian, what are you implying?
15:26Are you accusing me?
15:28Get the security footage.
15:30All of it.
15:31Every camera on that set from the last ten days.
15:33I want to know who smuggled this into the quarantine zone.
15:38Jay bolted out the door.
15:40Julian pulled the sheet up, covering my face.
15:43I want her full autopsy report.
15:4530 minutes later, Julian sat in the office and clutched the stack of papers.
15:49There was zero food residue in her stomach.
15:52Her hydration levels were critically low.
15:54Her stomach lining had severely attrophied.
15:57Based on physiological markers, she had been starving for at least eight days before she swallowed the poison.
16:03Julian froze.
16:05Starving for eight days?
16:07He remembered the logistics.
16:10Julian ripped his phone from his pocket and called the production manager.
16:13He paced the cold hallway.
16:15How did you handle the ration drops for the bunker?
16:17Mr. Hartley, we dropped off full double rations the first two days.
16:21But on day three, Mrs. Lang told us to cut it.
16:23She said she wanted to make the simulation more realistic.
16:27The memories hit him like a freight train.
16:29Every night during the simulation, Julian watched me through the hidden cameras.
16:34He watched me break every protein bar in half.
16:38He watched me save the bigger half for him.
16:41He watched me wet my cracked lips with a Q-tip to save the water for him.
16:49Look how dramatic she is, playing the Martin.
16:52Let her starve for a few days.
16:54We'll see how fast she breaks.
16:57I wasn't acting.
16:59I starved for the Julian who I thought was out there fighting to find food.
17:04He was behind a screen, mocking me.
17:09Sir, we got the security footage.
17:11Julian ripped it from his hands and hit play.
17:14On the screen, I huddled in the corner, clutching the tin box of rations I had saved for him.
17:20A small glass bottle rolled down the air vent.
17:24It was the Paraquat.
17:25A folded piece of paper fluttered down beside it.
17:28The handwriting was Serena's.
17:31Julian asked me to leave you this.
17:33It's a painless way out.
17:35It's the last thing he can do for you.
17:38Julian slammed his fist into the desk.
17:41He hit play.
17:43On the screen, I picked up the note.
17:45I read it over and over.
17:47I looked at the food I had starved myself to save.
17:50A broken smile crossed my face.
17:53I unscrewed the cap and swallowed every drop.
17:57On the monitor, I clutched my stomach and collapsed to the floor.
18:02I rolled across the ground.
18:04I smashed my forehead against the metal bed frame, leaving thick smears of blood on the steel.
18:10I dragged my body to the iron door and clawed at the metal.
18:14I clawed until my fingernails ripped off.
18:17Julian, it hurts.
18:21The video ended.
18:23Julian stared at the empty bunker on the screen.
18:26He knew what happened after I walked out.
18:29He turned around and kicked his chair across the room.
18:33Julian! Let me explain!
18:35The prop department messed up!
18:37I didn't know it was real poison!
18:39Julian didn't hear a word.
18:41You didn't know?
18:42A painless way out?
18:44When the fuck did I ever tell you to leave her a suicide pill?
18:48You handed her the poison.
18:50You told her I abandoned her.
18:52He grabbed a heavy glass ashtray off the table and smashed it into her shoulder.
18:58A sickening crack echoed through the room.
19:02Julian, I'm sorry! I just wanted to scare her! I didn't want her to die!
19:08Julian planted a brutal kick into her stomach.
19:11Serena spat out a mouthful of blood and gasped for air.
19:15He brought his shoe down onto the back of her hand and crushed it under his heel.
19:19You didn't want her to die? Bullshit.
19:22You wanted her to rot in despair.
19:25Julian leaned down and lifted her off the floor.
19:30Since you love survival games so much, I'm gonna let you play one.
19:39That night, Jay's men hurled Serena into the bunker and slammed the iron door.
19:46She pounded her fists against the metal.
19:49Julian! Let me out! I can't be in here!
19:53Julian stared at the monitors.
19:55Turn on the PA system.
20:01Serena, Anna offered in that room for ten days. She starved for eight.
20:05Now I'm locking you in. You get ten days. No food, no water.
20:11No! Julian, you can't do this! This is illegal! I'll call the cops!
20:14Serena, I'm sorry, but this is the only way.
20:17Go ahead. Call them. I already posted a statement on your Instagram.
20:21Hollywood's favorite actress is going off the grid for a ten-day method acting retreat.
20:26Nobody is looking for you.
20:27Serena collapsed onto the bloody floor and sobbed.
20:32Julian pointed to the air vent.
20:33Drop it in.
20:34Jay pulled a glass vial from his jacket and dropped it down the chute.
20:38It hit the concrete and shattered. A thick chemical cloud filled the room.
20:45Julian! What is this? It burns!
20:48It's a high-concentration corrosive gas. It won't kill you, but it'll eat away your throat and lungs.
20:53I want you to feel what Anna felt.
20:56For three days, Serena screamed and smashed a metal cot against the walls.
21:02By night three, the hunger took over.
21:05She pressed her face to the concrete and licked up the protein bar crumbs I had dropped.
21:10She was half-conscious and delirious.
21:12Anna! Stay away from me!
21:14It wasn't my fault. Julian did it. Julian wouldn't let me save you.
21:19Julian did it. Julian wouldn't let me save you.
21:25Shard sliced into his palm.
21:27If Julian had not orchestrated this twisted game to make his mistress smile, I would still be alive.
21:33Julian buried his face in his hands.
21:36His shoulder shook as a sob ripped through his chest.
21:44Julian ordered his team to pack my belongings.
21:47Inside the mansion, they found a few faded sweaters, some old cookbooks, and a nightstand drawer packed with antidepressants.
22:00When Julian pulled that drawer open, his body went rigid.
22:07He picked up an orange prescription bottle and checked the date.
22:11It was from three years ago.
22:13Our second year of marriage.
22:17That was the year Serena moved back to Los Angeles.
22:21Julian ditched my birthday party to pick Serena up from the airport.
22:29I sat alone in the empty house.
22:32I ate a slice of cold cake and swallowed half a bottle of sleeping pills.
22:39Our housekeeper found me.
22:41I barely survived the stomach pump.
22:44When I woke up in the hospital, Julian stood at the foot of my bed.
22:48His eyes were cold.
22:52Anna, these pathetic stunts for attention are getting old.
22:58Is threatening to kill yourself the only trick you know?
23:04I stopped begging for his attention after that day.
23:07I just swallowed pills to numb the pain.
23:15Jay walked into the bedroom.
23:17He pulled a wooden lockbox from the back of my closet.
23:20There was no jewelry inside.
23:23Just a stack of journals and a letter sealed in a plastic sleeve.
23:27Two words were written on the front.
23:30To Julian.
23:33Julian's hands shook as he took the letter.
23:35He tore the plastic open and unfolded the stationery.
23:39My handwriting was neat at the top, but the last lines were chaotic and smeared.
23:45Julian, if you are reading this, I'm already gone.
23:49Do not blame yourself for the prank.
23:51I knew the apocalypse was fake from the start.
23:55Julian gasped.
23:56Tears splattered onto the paper.
23:59I overheard you talking to the director in your studio.
24:04I heard you say you wanted to see me beg like a dog.
24:09You wanted me to suffer to make Serena happy.
24:13I could have ruined your game right then.
24:15But I was exhausted.
24:17For seven years, I followed you around like a stray and begged for scraps of your affection.
24:22I couldn't do it anymore.
24:27When the poison dropped through the vent, I felt relieved.
24:31I knew exactly what Paraquit was.
24:34I knew there was no going back.
24:37It was the only way I could finally escape you.
24:39My biggest regret in this life was walking down that rainy alley when I was 19 and offering you my
24:45umbrella.
24:46If I could do it over again, I would have walked the other way.
24:53Goodbye, Julian.
24:54I pray we never cross paths again in this life or the next.
25:00No, Anna, I won't let you leave me.
25:04He slammed his head against the oak floorboards.
25:07You knew it was fake!
25:08Why did you drink it?
25:09You should have killed me!
25:11Why did you punish yourself?
25:15He screamed until his vocal cords tore.
25:19Jay rushed to restrain him, but Julian kicked him aside.
25:22Get out!
25:24Get out!
25:26Get out!
25:26Get the fuck out!
25:28Julian scrambled to his feet.
25:30He stumbled into the kitchen and ripped open the drawers until he found a chef's knife.
25:34He stared at a framed photo of my smiling face on the counter.
25:39He raised the blade and plunged it into his own thigh.
25:44Blood sprayed across the marble floor.
25:47Julian burst into a hysterical laugh.
25:50It hurts!
25:51Anna, it hurts so much!
25:53Is this how bad you hurt?
25:57I watched him hack himself to pieces.
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