THE DARK BEFORE DAWN

THE DARK BEFORE DAWN

Mia (14) stands before the mirror. She possesses a natural, almost magnetic beauty. Standing at around 165 cm, her slender and subtly athletic build radiates grace. Her long brown hair falls gently around her face, framing her distinct, upturned brown eyes that give her gaze a touch of mystery. She has perfectly defined, elegantly arched eyebrows, a flawless nose, and beautifully shaped lips with a natural fullness. Her silhouette is feminine, well-proportioned, and striking, leaving the impression of a girl completely aware of her own charm.However, the atmosphere at home stands in sharp contrast to her youth. Following her parents' divorce, she lives in her grandfather’s house along with her mother and grandmother. Her grandfather is currently working abroad to support them, and his absence leaves a noticeable void. Her mother works 2 jobs.The house is filled with quiet melancholy and the constant weight of daily struggles.Outside of her complicated family life, Mia belongs to a tight-knit, inseparable neighborhood clique, sharing every single moment with them. Her closest friends are Tanja, Irina, and Sonja. Alongside them is the male half of the crew: Nick, Simon, Luka, and Alex.Alex is an athletically built boy, well-known for his charisma and natural leadership within the group. He and Mia are together, widely regarded as the ultimate couple in the neighborhood—teenagers everyone looks up to. Together with the other couples in their circle, they spend every free moment creating memories during days that seem entirely carefree.

BEACH - DAY

The sun is high, and the clique is spending one of their most thrilling summers at the beach. Laughter, endless conversations, and teenage flirting fill the air. Mia, with her graceful athletic figure, naturally commands attention.But in an instant, the illusion of a perfect summer shatters. Walking away to find Alex, Mia catches him in an intimate embrace with her ultimate neighborhood rival, Mary. Mia’s world grinds to a halt, and her deep heartbreak instantly transforms into bitter rage.Driven by a wounded ego and a desire for raw revenge, she tracks down Simon—Mary’s boyfriend. In a moment of impulsive decision-making, she cheats on Alex with Simon. When the truth inevitably comes to light, a domino effect follows. Triggered by the actions of Mia and Alex, every single couple in the group gets caught in fierce arguments and breaks up on that very same day. With that, the inseparable neighborhood clique ceases to exist forever.

MIA'S ROOM - NIGHT

Following the massive shockwave at the beach, the neighborhood teenage romances fade away on that very same day. All the couples cease to function. However, the tight bond between the girls survives the chaos—Tanja, Irina, and Sonja remain by Mia's side, loyal and present. Yet, without the boys, their dynamic loses its previous, carefree magic.In the quiet of her bedroom, Mia faces the void. Alex's betrayal has left a deep, invisible scar on her teenage world. She feels rejected and broken, and her rage slowly mutates into a cold emotional detachment. Instead of allowing herself to be hurt again, she unconsciously decides to build a protective wall around her heart.

LOUNGE - DAY

During that vulnerable period of emotional turmoil, Bob enters her life. He is slightly older, charming, with a confident demeanor and a manipulative gaze. His intentions are superficial and cheap—he views Mia merely as a trophy for short-term gratification, drawn to her flawless physical presence.While with him, Mia’s internal state is a true labyrinth. Initially, she seeks only solace and an escape from the pain Alex caused her, but she quickly realizes the kind of man she is dealing with. Instead of falling into his trap as a helpless victim, a new defense mechanism awakens within her. Her emotions toward him are completely detached; she feels no love, only cold contempt.Mia orchestrates a sophisticated psychological game. For months, she misleads him and strings him along, feeding his male ego while never allowing him to cross the boundary he desperately desires. She seizes absolute control over their dynamic, shifting from the hunted to the hunter. When she finally decides the game has run its course, she leaves him coldbloodedly in utter disbelief. With a subtle, ironic smile on her lips, she delivers the words that will echo in his mind for a long time: "See you after I turn eighteen."

. BEACH IN ITALY - SUNSET

The summer came,the group decidec to relax.The golden sun sinks slowly over the Italian coastline. The sound of the waves blends with loud, rhythmic music. The entire dance crew is here. Among them, Mia looks flawless—her dance moves are precise, full of grace, and her athletic build is on full display as she perfectly syncs with the beat.Tanja, Irina, and Sonja run toward her with cold drinks in their hands and wide smiles on their faces. This trip was exactly what they needed to escape the neighborhood drama

TANJA(excitedly, shouting over the music)Mia! If you keep dancing like that, these Italians are going to forget about pasta and just stare at you! Turn that energy down a notch!

MIA(with a relieved, vibrant voice)I'm not stopping! We locked ourselves in the studio for two years to practice these choreographies. This is our time. Tonight, the beach is our stage!

SONJA(clinking her glass)That's the spirit!

The four friends join hands and dive into the large circle formed by the dance crew. Pure teenage euphoria takes over—moments packed with laughter, freedom, and dancing on the sand until the late hours of the night. Mia finally feels like she can breathe properly, completely unaware that this is her last carefree stop before autumn brings entirely new twists to her life.

End of the Magic and Gray September

LOCAL CAFE - DAY

Outside, a quiet, tedious autumn rain is falling. The Italian sun and sand are now nothing but a distant memory. Mia, Tanja, Irina, and Sonja are sitting around a small corner table in a café near the school. Half-empty coffee cups sit in front of them. The atmosphere is heavy and monotonous.

TANJA(sighing, stirring her spoon in the cup)I can’t believe we were in Italy just two weeks ago. It feels like three years have passed. This grayness here is killing me.

IRINA(resting her head on her hand, staring out the window)Don't even get me started. There, we could breathe, we danced... And now? It's the first day of school, and I already know the class schedule for the entire year ahead. Everything is so predictable and boring.

SONJA(turning to Mia, trying to break the monotony)Mia, you’re kind of too quiet today. What's up? Are you still thinking about Bob, or what happened before the summer?Mia slowly raises her head. Her upturned brown eyes, which sparked so bright in Italy, now look pensive and guarded. She idly plays with the sleeve of her sweater.

MIA(in a quiet, calm, yet heavy voice)No, Sonja. Bob is a closed chapter, and the neighborhood drama doesn't affect me anymore. It’s just... I hate when things get like this. Gray. This new school year feels like a punishment. Every day is going to be exactly the same. The same school, the same people, the same conversations in this café.

TANJA Well, at least we have each other.

MIA(with a subtle, expressionless smile)Maybe. But the reality is that the Italian summer is over. Now we’re back here, stuck in a routine.

IRINA(sarcastically)Yeah, welcome to high school. The place where dreams come to be replaced by math and history classes.

SCHOOL HALLWAY - LATER

The boredom of the school day vanishes the exact second Mia decides to break the rules. She is not the type of girl to sit in a corner and pine away. She craves loud music, wild parties, and adrenaline pumping through her veins. Her stride is confident, and her eyes spark with that distinct, "wild" energy of hers.At the end of the hallway, leaning against the lockers, stands HE. Steve (16). He is about 167 cm tall, with thick black hair falling messily over his forehead, and an athletic build. But his demeanor is different from the others—he is exceptionally withdrawn, quiet, and far too serious for his age. His hazel eyes stare into the void, carrying a heavy weight that no one in this school understands. They already know each other, but until now, it has only been a game of glances.Mia decides she is done waiting. She subtly adjusts her perfectly defined eyebrows, flashes a seductive smile, and confidently walks straight toward him. She blocks his path, leaning one hand against the locker right next to his shoulder. Her perfume fills the air.

MIA(in a low, provocative voice, looking him dead in the eyes)You look like someone who is bored to death here, Steve. I’m ditching after third period, I want some adrenaline and good music. Are you coming with me?

Steve slowly raises his head. His hazel eyes lock onto hers, but his face remains completely expressionless, like a mask. There is no quick smile, no flirtatious comeback. He just observes her proximity with a heavy, serious silence. In his gaze, there is something that neither rejects nor explicitly accepts her offer. He simply stays quiet, letting the question hang heavily in the air between them.

Mia pauses for a brief second, unaccustomed to such a reaction from the guys around her. Yet, it is precisely his closed-off world and that deep gravity within him that intrigue her even more. She subtly tosses her long brown hair back, refusing to let his silence sway her.

MIA(in a slightly softer, yet resolute tone)I’ll be by the side exit in five minutes. Decide for yourself if you want to stay here in the grayness.

She turns and walks away with a confident, swaying stride. Steve doesn't utter a single word, nor does he make any gesture to stop her. He just continues to lean against the locker, watching her until she disappears at the end of the hallway. His silence is unreadable, and his next move remains a complete enigma.

Steve shows up by the side exit. Without many words, his presence becomes a constant in Mia's life. Weeks pass. They develop an unexpected, powerful friendship. In him, Mia finds a silence that grounds her wild energy, while Steve finds a light in her that briefly pulls him away from the darkness of his home. They become friends who understand each other without the need for excessive explanations.

NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT

The music thumps, strobe lights cutting through the darkness. Mia, Tanja, Irina, and Sonja are in the center of the dance floor. The atmosphere is electric, everyone is loose. Mia has already had a few drinks; her steps are slightly unsteady, but her energy is peaking.

TANJA(shouting over the loud music, glass in hand)This is definitely the best party in town this autumn! Mia, don’t stop, this beat is perfect for you!

SONJA(laughing, dancing beside them)Look around, half the club is staring at us. Tonight, we’re untouchable!

Mia laughs, but as she scans the club, she feels something missing. The cheap adrenaline around her no longer satisfies her. Suddenly, a wild, challenging thought sparks in her intoxicated mind: Steve. The mysterious, withdrawn Steve who lets no one near him. What if she could conquer him?She pulls her phone from her pocket. Her fingers tremble slightly as she types:

MIA: "Where are you?" Less than a minute later, the screen lights up. The reply is brief and entirely like him:

STEVE: "By the abandoned building near the park. I'm alone."

Mia locks her phone. Her gaze turns resolute. Without uttering a single word to her friends, she slips through the crowd and exits the club, leaving the party behind.

ABANDONED BUILDING - LATER

A cold night wind carries the scent of autumn. Steve sits on a concrete block, a lit cigarette between his fingers. His black hair is windswept, his hazel eyes fixed on the city lights in the distance.Unsteady footsteps echo on broken concrete. He turns to see Mia. Her coat is unbuttoned, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol and the cold. She walks up and sits right beside him, entirely too close.

STEVE(in a quiet, calm voice, unsurprised)You smell like alcohol and cheap nightlife. I thought you were with your friends.

MIA(laughs quietly, looking at his profile)I was. But it got too loud there. And too empty. Everyone pretends to be happy just because the strobe lights are flashing. Here... in this darkness with you, at least everything feels real.

STEVE(shaking his head, taking a drag from his cigarette)Reality here isn't pretty, Mia. You shouldn't have left the party. I’m not good company for someone looking to have fun.

MIA(seriously, her upturned brown eyes locking onto him)I’m not looking for fun, Steve. Children look for fun. I’m looking for something that makes me feel alive. You’re always so quiet, but I feel like your silence says more than all their empty words combined.

They continue to talk for hours. The conversation runs deep—touching on her family, his isolation, things they have never told anyone else. Amidst the heavy topics, Mia manages to make him laugh with a brief anecdote from Italy. His smile is rare, but genuine. The friendship they built over weeks reaches its absolute peak tonight.But then, the silence falls between them once more. The air grows thick. Steve looks at her, his hazel eyes losing their defensive shield.

STEVEWhy are you really here, Mia?

Mia doesn't answer with words. The alcohol gives her an extra edge of courage, but the impulse is real. She leans in, eliminating the remaining distance, wraps her arms around his neck, and suddenly, with a sharp, sudden intensity, kisses Steve on the lips.

Steve freezes for a split second beneath her lips, caught off guard by her force. But in the very next second, his defensive wall crumbles. He returns her kiss with the same repressed passion he had kept locked inside. The friendship that had bound them until that very moment burns away and vanishes forever.When they slowly pull apart, their gazes are altered. There is no going back. From that night on, they enter into a complicated, intense, and completely secret relationship, hidden from the eyes of the entire world.

Random DAY

As the months pass, Mia and Steve become inseparable. Their connection is intense, heavy, and fueled by an all-consuming passion. Mia can no longer keep this massive secret to herself. Sitting on her bedroom floor, she confesses everything to Tanja, Irina, and Sonja. Their reaction is a mix of shock and concern, but their loyalty to Mia wins.At home, in front of her mother and grandmother, Steve's name is never uttered. Her grandfather's house must remain a quiet zone. Whenever Mia needs to slip out to see him late at night, her friends cover for her flawlessly.

TANJA(whispering, as she hands Mia her bag)Your mom called me ten minutes ago. I told her you’re at my place studying for the biology test. Mia, please be careful. This thing with Steve is getting entirely too heavy.

MIA(fixing her hair in the mirror, looking pensive)I know, Tanja. But when I'm with him, everything else just fades out. I need that. Thanks for covering for me, I owe you guys everything.

IRINA(seriously, taking her hand)You don't owe us anything. We’ve got your back. But Steve... there’s a strange darkness in his eyes. Just promise us you won't lose yourself in his world.

ABANDONED BUILDING - NIGHT

Their sanctuary is the abandoned building near the park. The cold night wind whistles through the broken windows, and the only source of light comes from the distant streetlamps. Steve sits on the same concrete block, a lit cigarette between his fingers. His hazel eyes are locked onto Mia's face, but his gaze is sharp, almost cold with jealousy. His possessive nature, intertwined with the family chaos he comes from, is slowly starting to suffocate their relationship.

STEVE(in a low, repressed voice, without blinking)You were out with them again last night. Irina posted a picture from the club. Everyone is staring at you. Why do you always need to be the center of attention for other guys, Mia?

MIA(standing before him, her voice calm but firm, her eyebrows subtly knitting together)Steve, I was with my friends. The same party, the same music. You know I’m with you. Why do you do this every single time I step out the door?

STEVE(crushing the cigarette against the concrete, his voice thick with intensity)Because those people out there don’t know you. They just see your looks, they see that wild Mia on the dance floor. I know you in the dark. And I hate having to share your world with a crowd of cheap characters who just want to use you.

MIA(stepping forward, placing her hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down)Nobody is using me, Steve. I belong to myself, and I chose to be with you. You don't need to be this possessive. Your jealousy is starting to scare me.

STEVE(turning his head away, then looking back at her, his voice quiet yet terrifyingly serious)I’m not jealous, Mia. It’s just... I have nothing else in my life but you. And if I lose you to that wild nightlife of yours, I have nowhere left to go. Understand that.

Mia stares at his grave expression in the dark, feeling the absolute weight of his words. Her protective instinct kicks in, but a faint knot of unease forms in her stomach—Steve is slowly pulling her into his own labyrinth of control and emotional codependency.

SCHOOLYARD

Through a series of brief scenes, we watch as Steve’s jealousy slowly becomes law in Mia’s life. Every party invitation from Tanja, Irina, or Sonja ends with a heavy conversation in the abandoned building. Mia, driven by her strong protective instinct and a desire not to wound his already fragile ego, begins to give in. She declines nights out, cuts back on coffee dates, and slowly but surely detaches herself from her best friends. Her world narrows down to a single point: Steve.Years pass. Their secret relationship endures throughout high school. Despite the toxic control, they remain together, bound by an emotional codependency that no outsider could ever comprehend.

HOTEL ROOM

Prom night ended early for them. While their class celebrates in some loud venue, Mia and Steve are sheltered in a discreet hotel room they rented just for the two of them—far from the eyes of classmates, teachers, and families. It is their own private island.

Mia (18) looks breathtaking in her simple, elegant prom dress. Her long brown hair is subtly pinned up, accentuating her upturned eyes and flawless features. Steve stands beside her in a dress shirt, a grave yet softened look in his hazel eyes. The city lights subtly drift through the window.It is the first time for both of them. After years spent they are finally ready to surrender to one another entirely.

STEVE Tonight... you look like you don't belong in a place like this. Like you're too good for everything around me, Mia.

MIA(turning to him, placing her hands on his cheeks) You spent this year making me step away from everyone, and I did it because I chose you. I'm here because I want to be yours. Completely.

Steve takes her hand, their fingers intertwining. His usual detachment dissolves in this silence. For the first time, he is not the possessive, controlling boyfriend—he is just a boy showing his purest vulnerability to the girl he loves.

STEVE( close to her lips)I promise I'll be gentle. You're the only thing that matters in my world.

MIA I know. I trust you.

The dress gently slides to the floor, and their intertwined silhouettes fuse together in the dim light of the hotel room. Their first time is an act of deep emotion, a moment of absolute intimacy that will mark them forever.

LATER THAT NIGHT

The silence in the room suddenly grows thick and terrifying. The tenderness is gone. Steve stands by the bed, his shirt half-unbuttoned, his hazel eyes completely clouded with rage. His body is rigid. He stares at the white bedsheet, where there are no traces of blood. His complete ignorance and deep-seated insecurity explode into pure paranoia in that very second.

Mia sits on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a blanket. Her long brown hair is disheveled, and her flawless face is painted with utter confusion that rapidly morphs into fear.

STEVE You lied to me. You lied to me the entire time.

MIA Steve, what are you talking about? What is wrong with you?

STEVE(shouting, pointing aggressively at the bed)Don’t play stupid, Mia! The sheet is clean! Did you think I was an i***t? You sold me this fairy tale of innocence... Who were you with before me?! Was it Alex? Was it Bob?! Tell me!

MIA Steve, please, calm down! You were my first, I swear to you! Those things don't always mean what you think they mean, it's just biology, Steve... you don't know...

STEVE Shut up! Don't make a fool out of me!

In a fit of blind rage, Steve violently grabs Mia by her shoulders and shoves her back. Mia crashes hard onto the floor next to the nightstand, bruising her arm. The physical assault shatters the very last piece of her illusion about him.She remains on the floor, clutching her injured arm. Her lips tremble, but in her eyes, alongside the terror, a deep, cold disillusionment takes root. Steve breathes heavily, staring down at his own hands, trapped in his own labyrinth of fury and ignorance. The most beautiful night of their lives has definitively descended into a hell with no turning back.

ABANDONED BUILDING - DAY

Despite the hell in that hotel room, Mia forgives Steve. Her protective instinct is stronger than her pride, even though she has completely withdrawn from her friends because of him. But nothing has changed. Steve never believed her about that night; his anxiety, suspicion, and occasional volatility still linger. He constantly blames her, and Mia, in a desperate attempt to pacify and make him happy, makes a fatal mistake.

She discovers where her grandfather keeps his hidden money earned abroad. Mia begins to secretly steal from it. She takes Steve out, buys him new clothes, and feeds him. She literally assumes the role of his addict mother, caring for him like a child. But Steve is like a bottomless pit—despite everything she does, he remains unsatisfied, resentful, and toxic.

GRANDFATHER'S HOUSE

Over a long period, Mia takes amount after amount, until the total reaches a staggering 5,000 euros. And then, the day she dreaded most arrives. Her grandfather unexpectedly returns from abroad.The house is filled with screaming and tears. Mia’s lies are exposed before the entire family. Her grandmother weeps in the corner, and her grandfather looks at her with a broken heart and utter disbelief.

MIA'S MOTHER Five thousand euros, Mia! On what?! Where is the money my father broke his back abroad for?! Tell me, what did you spend it on?!

Mia stands with her head bowed.... She refuses to utter Steve’s name. She prefers to take the entire blame upon herself rather than betray him.

MIA It’s gone. I spent it. Do whatever you want with me.

SMALL APARTMENT (RENTED) - NIGHT

Following weeks spent in hellish arguments, tensions, and the complete collapse of family relationships, the situation in her grandfather’s house becomes unbearable. Mia’s mother makes a tough decision. They pack their bags and move into a small, modest rented apartment in another part of town.

But this apartment is geographically much closer to where Steve lives. Mia thinks the move will bring her peace from the family drama, but the reality is entirely different.

Steve shows up by her new window on the very first night. His hazel eyes gleam in the darkness with an even greater, terrifying possessiveness. Now that she is physically closer to him, his need for control becomes absolute. He tracks her every move.

STEVE(whispering, gripping her wrist tightly outside the building entrance)You’re closer to me now. No more excuses about your mother or grandmother keeping you at home. I want to know where you are every single minute of the day, Mia. I’m not letting you slip away now that you're right within my reach.

Mia stares at his grave, tense face. The money is gone, her family is fractured, and the cage around her has just grown tighter and far more dangerous.

WAITING ROOM - DAY

Mia begins her job as a nurse for a general practitioner. She wears her white coat like armor, desperately trying to find a sense of normalcy within the clean, quiet walls of the clinic. But her professional life provides no escape.Steve's obsession transforms into a living nightmare. He loiters outside the clinic for hours, staring through the windows. His paranoia crosses all rational boundaries—he becomes pathologically jealous even of random passersby, patients, and strangers on the street.

STEVE(hissing, cornering her near the clinic entrance after her shift)I saw you. You were looking at that guy who just walked past the door. Don't lie to me, Mia! You smiled at him!

MIA(numb, her voice completely drained of emotion)He was just a patient asking for directions, Steve. I don't even know him.

STEVE(grabbing her arm violently, his hazel eyes flashing with blind rage)You look at everyone! You think I'm blind?! You're just waiting for a chance to replace me!

RENTED APARTMENT - NIGHT

Behind closed doors, the atmosphere is suffocating. Steve’s psychological control and constant hostility create an environment of intense fear. Mia undergoes a terrifying internal shift—the emotional trauma is so constant that her romantic feelings for him completely die. Her love evaporates, replaced by a cold, hollow numbness.Being with him is no longer a choice; it has simply become a terrifying, mechanical habit. She feels completely trapped, paralyzed by fear and unable to find a single way to distance herself from him.On the other side of the dynamic, Steve’s behavior stems from deep, twisted insecurity. Having grown up in a fractured home where his parents struggled with severe addiction, his mind is warped. He is haunted by the past—specifically the betrayal he witnessed between his parents. Because of this trauma, Steve projects his fears onto Mia, genuinely believing that betrayal is inevitable and that she will eventually leave him.

CLINIC / WAITING ROOM - DAY

Days blur into weeks, and the heavy atmosphere of abuse remains unchanged. Mia moves around the clinic mechanically, her expression numb, her body always tense as she anticipates Steve’s next outburst. Her life has become a closed loop of cold habit.But today, the suffocating routine breaks.The heavy glass door of the clinic swings open. A young man(older than Mia) steps inside, instantly shifting the energy in the quiet waiting room. He is strikingly handsome, standing tall at around 183 cm, with a distinct sun-kissed, dark complexion that contrasts sharply with his pitch-black hair.

But it is his eyes that anchor the room—a rare, piercing shade of blue-green that seems to look right through the grayness of the clinic.He confidently walks up to the reception desk where Mia is writing in a medical chart.

STRANGER(in a smooth, calm, and deeply reassuring voice)Hello. I'm here for an appointment with the general practitioner.

Mia raises her head, her gaze locking onto his blue-green eyes. For a split second, her professional composure falters. She feels an unfamiliar, sudden rush of adrenaline—not the fear she feels with Steve, but a genuine, thrilling spark of life.

MIA(clearing her throat, trying to keep her voice steady)Hello. Yes, of course. Just give me your identification card, please, and you can take a seat in the waiting area.

The stranger hands her the card, his fingers briefly brushing against hers. A warm sensation ripples through her. He doesn't look away; instead, a subtle, captivating smile plays on his lips as he notices her reaction.

STRANGER(softly, keeping his eyes on her)Thank you. You know, I usually hate going to the doctor... but I think I just found a very good reason to come back more often.

Mia’s breath catches in her throat. A deep, visible blush immediately rushes to her cheeks. Her heart, which had felt like a cold stone for years, suddenly hammers against her ribs. She is completely stunned, caught entirely off guard by the effortless charm of his words and the intense magnetism between them.

MIA(fumbling slightly with the chart, her cheeks still burning)The... the doctor will see you shortly.

The stranger chuckles softly, a warm, genuine sound, and walks over to the seating area, keeping his piercing gaze on her until he sits down.

The stranger finishes his examination and leaves the clinic, giving Mia one last, lingering look before closing the door behind him.The clinic falls silent again, but Mia’s mind is a chaotic storm. She stands by the medicine cabinet, her hands trembling. She cannot stop thinking about him. His height, his dark complexion, the breathtaking color of his blue-green eyes, and the way he spoke to her echo repeatedly in her head. For the first time in years, she feels a flicker of hope—a reminder of who she used to be before the darkness consumed her.But the brief fantasy shatters as she looks out the window.Down on the street, leaning against a post, stands Steve. His eyes are fixed on the clinic entrance, his face contorted in his usual bitter suspicion like he saw.Mia steps back into the shadows of the room, a heavy, crushing weight settling over her chest. The thrill of the encounter evaporates, replaced by the grim reality of her prison. She is desperate for a way out, she has no idea how to escape the dangerous trap she is under.