BASED ON THE NOVEL THE TEARSMITH BY ERIN DOOM
PUBLISHED IN ITALY BY ADRIANO SALANI EDITORE
Mommy, where does it hurt?
Here.
There. All better.
Well done, Nica. "A bit of tenderness…"
A bit of tenderness can heal any wound.
-A wolf! -He's beautiful.
No, he's not. Wolves are scary.
Only because that's how they're often depicted in fairy tales,
but they're not always evil.
I don't see it. Where's the wolf?
Look out! A truck!
-Look out! -No!
THE TEARSMITH
We told a lot of stories at Grave.
Tales told in whispers and bedtime stories.
Legends spoken softly by candlelight.
The most well-known was the tale of the Tearsmith.
It told of a world where no one could cry.
And people lived like empty shells,
devoid of emotion.
But hidden from the world, enveloped in solitude,
was a lonely tearsmith,
shrouded in darkness,
pale and hunched,
who, through eyes as clear as glass,
could make crystal tears.
People went to him and asked him to be able to cry,
to feel even a glimmer of emotion.
And the Tearsmith would put his tears into their eyes.
So the people would cry
in anger, despair, pain, and anguish,
full of burning passions,
bitter disappointments, and tears.
I never thought a world like that could exist.
I never thought I'd miss my parents so much.
But, most of all,
I never thought I'd live that story myself.
You must be Nica.
It's the name of a butterfly.
How odd to name a child after an insect that only lives a few days.
We only have a few rules here.
Order, respect, and obedience.
Follow them, and you'll be fine. Take her suitcase.
We share our things here.
Give me the necklace. Personal belongings aren't allowed.
-But it's my mother's. -Order, respect, and obedience.
You wouldn't want to break the rules on your first day. Rigel?
For me, it wouldn't be just a fairy tale.
At Grave,
I would meet the Tearsmith.
Crying won't bring back what you've lost.
Adeline, take her to her room.
Move it.
Children, go inside.
This was Julia's bed. She was adopted yesterday.
Have you been here long?
I'm too pale.
Miss Margaret says I look sickly.
Can we be best friends?
Nica, they're here.
I'll come visit. I promise.
Absolutely not.
Leave and never look back.
I wouldn't have survived without you.
He's yours now.
Grave was like a prison.
I spent every day for years wishing someone would come for me.
That they'd look into my eyes and pick me over all the other children.
That they'd want me just the way I was, even if I wasn't special.
But no one had ever chosen me.
No one had ever wanted or noticed me.
I had always been invisible.
Are you all set?
Yes.
I'm a bit scared too.
Should I bring your things down?
I've only got this.
We encourage sharing here.
Did you hurt yourself?
She has a habit of looking after animals. Her fingers are always cut up.
Well, Nica,
treasure everything you've learned here.
Order, respect, and obedience.
And remember, it's just a trial period.
Custody can be revoked.
If you make trouble, we'll come get you, and the adoption won't move forward.
I'm sure everything will be fine.
Good.
Shall we go?
Those hands.
Those smooth white hands gliding sensually along that row of keys.
Here is Grave's pride and joy.
The star child.
The child everyone wanted.
Polite and respectful to everyone but me.
Who's that?
Rigel.
I've shown you the boy's file. Are you really sure?
It's a large house,
and Nica will feel less uneasy.
But it's hard enough taking care of one teenager, let alone two.
Besides, Rigel's a very troublesome boy,
and only we know how to handle him.
Don't worry, Miss Margaret. We know what we're doing.
Isn't that what the trial period is for?
All right.
Thanks.
I'd always longed for a family,
a home,
a life outside of Grave.
Now that it was finally happening,
I couldn't believe that he was there beside me.
Of all the people in the world, Rigel was the last I wanted there.
And yet I couldn't hate him.
A part of me had grown so accustomed to him
that I no longer felt the desire to treat him coldly.
Come in.
Here we are.
It's no mansion, but we've got everything we need.
Just so you know, Anna is a bit of a neat freak.
I can't say the same about you.
Do you play the piano?
Our son played.
I'll show you the rooms.
Norman, can you take care of Rigel?
Sure.
Shall we?
A friend helped put it together.
I hope you like it.
I haven't had a room of my own in a long time.
I'm not sure if it's what you play.
If it's okay, you can wear this to school tomorrow.
I think it's your size. It belonged to--
We'll buy you a new one later.
No need. I'm sure it's fine.
This is your uniform for tomorrow.
And this is Klaus.
He's a bit of a loner.
But he can be affectionate when he wants to.
Can I come in?
Look, Rigel, now that we're…
Now that we're what?
Now that we're here together,
I want things to work out with Anna and Norman
regarding the adoption.
If you want things to work out,
stay away from me.
And never come into my room. Not now, not ever.
Is that a threat?
It's a word of advice…
Moth.
That's my greenhouse out there.
I grow and sell flowers and plants.
Do you also work with flowers, Norman?
No, I'm in pest control.
Beetles, ants, cockroaches, mice.
But only creatures that are already dead or very dangerous.
Did you two get along at the orphanage?
We grew up together.
We're like siblings.
Yes, we know each other very well. We're like siblings.
I need to use the bathroom.
Of course.
"Rigel" is the name of a star, isn't it?
Your parents must've liked astronomy.
Miss Margaret gave me my name. I never…
I never knew my parents.
Excuse me. I need a moment too.
I could still feel the touch of his fingers
imprinted on me like burning iron.
His toxic charm was overpowering.
He was overpowering.
You shouldn't have run off like that.
Our future parents are worried.
It's a game to you, isn't it?
Just a game.
You wanted this, Moth.
Stay away from me.
What if Anna and Norman saw how much you hate me?
That things aren't as perfect as they think?
They may change their minds.
One day, they'll see you for who you really are.
Why? Who am I?
You're the Tearsmith.
Have you been crying?
Don't lie,
or the Tearsmith will take you away.
Do you think he really exists?
-Who? -The Tearsmith.
I don't know.
Maybe they say he does
because they don't want us to feel anything.
We'll never become like them.
-Peter! -Rigel's sick again. Come quick!
-What? -Did you hear?
Get back to bed!
Now!
Everything's fine.
It's getting late, guys!
You understand how to get back home?
-It's easy. -Just over the iron bridge.
Okay.
Don't worry.
-Bye. -See you tonight.
You should be more careful, Moth.
First-day photo.
I'm Billie from the Welcoming Committee. We take things very seriously at Barnaby.
Follow me.
Is Nica short for Nikita?
No, it's just Nica.
Everyone's overwhelmed on their first day.
You should've seen me. Here.
I love taking photos of faces. I have a photo of every student.
Actually, I've got a few of Phelps.
But I don't have any of my best friend.
Miki is impossible to photograph. She hates photos.
Come. I'll introduce you.
This is the new girl.
Hi.
Don't mind her. Deep down, she's really sweet.
I'll have the new girl spreading her legs by next week.
Good morning, Nica. Welcome.
Good morning.
I'm Mr. Kirill.
Your grades in science are excellent. Well done.
-You hear that? -No one move.
They're fighting!
Stop it!
Rigel!
Stop! Stop it!
Phelps! Get up!
-You want to get suspended again? -He started it, sir. I swear.
-Wanna explain to the principal? -Please, no.
Are you Rigel Wilde?
Need to go to the nurse?
Then get to class. Move it.
Next time, you'll get detention.
What are you all looking at? Get to class. Go!
Is that your brother?
He is not my brother.
That's right. I'm not.
It was about time someone taught that asshole Phelps a lesson.
Yeah?
Are you still studying?
I'm taking notes.
Do you know why Rigel didn't want to eat dinner with us earlier?
Is he having issues at school?
No, he's just tired.
That's lovely. Who took it?
Billie, from the Welcoming Committee.
You've already made friends? So you like it?
The teachers are really nice too.
I'll let you study.
-Don't stay up too late. -Good night.
Good night.
Yes?
Thank you.
No, thank you.
Everything okay?
Yeah, everything's fine.
Are you just gonna stare at me?
Why?
Why'd you agree to go with them?
You think it was my decision?
It was always you that everyone wanted,
but you never let anyone adopt you.
What changed?
You should leave.
Wrap this around the ice.
Don't touch me.
Ever.
Or what?
Or…
Or I won't be able to stop myself.
I'd always believed in fairy tales.
I'd always hoped to find myself in one.
But now that I was, it was the wrong kind.
Good morning.
Did you sleep well?
Yeah.
After school, we can go buy clothes if you'd like.
Okay.
Can you take these to Rigel? Thanks.
What part of "don't come into my room" don't you understand?
Anna asked me to.
I'm just being nice. Why can't you understand that?
You think I'm the Tearsmith.
The wolf of the story.
Tell me…
how can someone who shows kindness to a person they despise
be anything but a hypocrite?
Look at you.
You're shaking.
Even the sound of my voice scares you.
I don't know what you want.
I just don't.
Do you know why fairy tales end with "ever after"?
To remind us that some things never change.
But they have changed. We're not at Grave anymore.
You're clinging to this happy ending.
Are you brave enough to imagine a fairy tale without a wolf?
Your name's Nica, right?
Like the butterfly.
Were you curious about my name?
I was curious about you.
Don't move.
What is it?
Hold still.
Yuck.
No, she's shy.
She was hiding. Her shell is her home.
But if it breaks, it could kill her.
See, what protects her…
could become what hurts her the most.
Well, thanks for saving me.
Actually, I saved her from you.
-Nice to meet you. I'm-- -Bothersome.
Are you two an item?
We… no.
There you are. Come on, we've got a test.
Sorry, Lionel. I've gotta look something over.
I'm so nervous.
There it is. They've got incredible clothes.
Anna, really, it's not necessary.
Oh, come on.
Isn't it gorgeous?
Yes.
Come on, let's go in.
Anna, we've already bought so much.
-Hi. -Hello.
-We'd like to try on that dress. -Of course.
Thanks.
You look stunning.
Really?
Yes, you're beautiful, Nica.
Don't be afraid to show it.
Wait, it needs a belt.
Here. It's gonna look great.
Nica?
Nica? What's wrong?
Nica?
Nica, take a deep breath.
Norman!
Nica.
Nica?
-What's wrong? -Nica?
Margaret knew everything about us.
Can you hear me?
She knew our fears and our desires.
She knew about my love of animals and my fear of the dark.
She knew of Peter's fear of loud noises
and Adeline's love of long hair.
She knew the dreams we clung to just to survive Grave,
and she destroyed them.
She destroyed all forms of love
except the love she gave Rigel.
Go!
She broke something inside us.
Something which, instead of growing, would remain small forever.
Fragile,
childlike, and broken.
Every time, in that darkness, I'd have screamed until I lost my voice
if not for those footsteps in the dark reaching my bedside
and those warm fingers taking hold of my hand.
Then the pain would fade, and my heart would stop racing.
All there was was that touch, that sole comfort, always.
Adeline.
Well?
Answer me.
I haven't been good.
You've been a disobedient little girl, and you deserve to be punished.
Who'd ever want a little girl like you?
I'll be good.
And pull your sleeves down.
Welcome. Come in.
When the past became overwhelming, I thought of Anna.
I couldn't tell her what I'd been through, but she was there for me.
And I didn't have to be scared.
I was far away, safe, and free.
I had a chance to be happy.
-Bye. -Bye.
-Let's go. -Okay.
You're awake. How are you feeling?
Better, thanks.
You slept a lot. You needed it.
You've had a rough few days.
A couple.
Klaus slept on your bed all night.
-Really? -Yes.
Maybe he sensed you weren't well.
I feel better now.
Actually, I was thinking of going back to school.
Okay.
Did you hurt yourself?
The roses.
Everyone removes their thorns, but I leave them be.
It reminds me that even beautiful things can cause pain.
May I?
Nica, if there were a problem,
you'd tell me, right?
Yes.
Why are there so few roses today?
They've been snatched up for Garden Day.
Garden Day?
Yes.
-You don't know what today is? -No.
Students anonymously give a rose to whomever they want.
There are lots of colors, each with different meanings.
The day before, you keep your locker open. I took the liberty of opening yours.
The fun part comes from guessing who gave them to you.
Sounds exciting.
Absolutely thrilling.
She makes fun of it, but her locker's always full. See?
-Give them to me. You always let them die. -All yours.
Do you know who they're from?
A psychology student who's madly in love with her.
Let's open mine.
I can't do it. You do it.
Okay.
No, I'll do it. I have to do it.
Please be in there.
Yes!
It's always him.
Him who?
I'm not sure. That's why it's fun. But I always get one. Maybe he's shy.
It drives me crazy.
Okay, Nica. It's your turn. Open it.
-There won't be anything in there. -Never say never.
I've never seen a black rose before.
It's so beautiful.
It means an obsessed, tormented love.
One wrong on every level.
Do you know who it's from?
I have to go.
You enter the wolf's lair and expect to leave in one piece?
Did you give me this?
Me?
Give you a rose?
Give it back! It's mine!
There's a boy here.
I see Garden Day was a success.
Listen, Norman and I have a business dinner tonight.
-Should I leave you something to eat? -No need, thanks.
Go.
Don't keep him waiting. He's cute.
-Hi. -Hey.
You left this at school.
Your address is on it, so…
Thanks.
Wanna get ice cream?
Yeah.
Okay, cool. Let's go.
How old were you?
Eight.
You were so young.
What did your parents do?
They were biologists.
Instead of bedtime stories, they'd tell me how cells worked.
That's why you're so good at science.
Maybe you'll become one of those people who changes the world.
Give it to me. I'll throw it away.
I might need it.
For what?
To help mend a baby bird's wings.
And
can you also mend broken hearts?
A heart is a bit more complicated.
Maybe we should go.
Careful. Over here.
No, over here. Watch out. Careful!
We made it.
You good?
I'm proud of myself.
I got you home in one piece.
I would've drowned without you.
No, I think you're doing just fine on your own.
You think so?
You know,
your life is unlike anyone else's I've known.
You're not only strong…
you're gorgeous.
I have to go.
So see you tomorrow?
See you tomorrow.
A voice inside me told me I was looking at him too intently,
but I'd always found it impossible not to watch him.
And that butterfly was both brave and naive.
Or maybe just foolish and hopeless.
I'd seen them get crushed many times by the children at Grave.
Maybe there was more than just anger and pain.
Maybe there was light in him too.
In my heart, I knew Rigel wasn't evil.
I couldn't give up on him.
-Rigel, what's wrong? -Don't touch me!
I wanna make sure you're okay.
Why?
Oh, right.
It's in your nature.
You can't help it.
You want to fix me.
It's like you're doing everything you can to make me hate you.
And do you?
Do you hate me?
Do you hate me, Moth?
Do you want me to?
Yes.
I do.
I didn't hate Rigel. I wanted to understand him.
Maybe one day, I'd discover why he acted the way he did.
But there was one thing I was absolutely sure of.
Tearsmith or not,
he made my heart race like no other.
Look what your brother did to me.
I asked him to stop, but he hit me for no reason.
What have you done?
You should ask him.
Why?
What did I ever do to you?
Don't touch me.
Tell me why.
You're my tearsmith.
Rigel, you're burning up.
What's wrong?
Let's go upstairs.
Let's go upstairs. Help me.
Help me.
Upstairs.
And now over to our reporter.
Traffic is at a standstill from the flooding.
All roads leading into the city are closed,
and we still don't know when traffic will start moving again.
Things are improving…
I'll call the kids.
…the north, but storms and heavy rain continue…
Yes.
Lift your arms.
Lie back.
Southern areas are particularly affected…
They're not answering.
…and the rain…
Maybe they're sleeping.
Should I try again?
-Hi, Anna. -Hi, Nica.
Everything okay?
Yes.
Listen, we're stuck in traffic because of the storm.
Don't worry.
You sound off. You sure everything's okay?
Rigel has a bit of a fever, that's all. Where's your medicine?
In the bathroom cabinet.
-Should I be worried? -I can handle it.
Are you sure?
Yeah, it's fine, Anna.
Hold on.
One sec.
Okay, I found them.
Oh, good.
Speak later?
Yes, of course. I'll call you. Bye.
…and heavy winds.
Winds are blowing from the north, creating stormy conditions.
Rigel's got a fever.
Strong gusts are expected in the next few hours.
You have to take these, Rigel.
Help me.
Open your mouth.
Stay.
Don't go, I beg you.
Miss Margaret?
-Yes? -The new girl's here.
Keep playing.
We have very few rules here.
Order, respect, and obedience.
Give me the necklace. Personal belongings aren't allowed.
But it's my mother's.
Order, respect, and obedience.
You wouldn't want to break the rules on your first day. Rigel?
Are you sick?
Go away, Moth.
Why aren't you at your table?
I'm sorry, Miss Marg--
I went to get salt.
Come with me.
No! No, please!
Please!
What have you done?
Call a doctor.
What have you done?
Call a doctor!
I saw you. You cut yourself on purpose.
Why would I do something so stupid?
Show me what you're hiding.
Go away.
Come on, show me.
This is Nica's necklace.
She thinks you threw it away.
Why do you have it?
Keep it if you want.
You like her. You like Nica. You pretend you don't, but you do.
Don't tell her.
Nica thinks you hate her.
It has to stay that way.
I should go back to my room.
How is he?
Better. His fever's gone down.
What happened?
I don't know.
Get some rest. We'll take it from here.
What happened to his lip?
Something happened that night. We both knew it.
But here we were again,
just like when we were children,
separated by that line where I was the girl from Grave,
and he was the Tearsmith.
Things with Lionel had also changed.
We saw each other at school, but we didn't talk for days.
Fortunately, I had them.
Having girlfriends was wonderful.
I'd only ever had that with Adeline.
Miki's rich, but she doesn't want anyone to know.
It embarrasses her. Does that seem normal to you?
-Hi. -Hey.
I've had food prepared. Let me stable the horse, and I'll join you.
-Okay. -Can you show her in?
Sure.
You understand the difference?
Bacteria is a single-celled organism, while a virus is a chain of proteins.
You should take over from Kirill. His explanations make me fall asleep.
I think I have the same effect on her.
I'm going to the bathroom.
You didn't see anything.
You can't tell anyone.
It's you, isn't it?
The white rose?
You have to tell her.
She's my best friend. I'd lose her.
You don't know that.
I do.
Fuck, it's late! We need to get ready. Why didn't you wake me up?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
We haven't talked in a month, and you avoid me at school.
Why don't you take my calls?
Sorry, I couldn't. What are you doing here?
I like you.
But tell your brother to stop interfering.
He'll always be part of my life.
What do you mean?
What's going on between you two?
You wouldn't understand. You weren't in an orphanage.
-Sorry, I have to go. -Wait.
-Sorry. I'll buy you another one. -It was the last one.
It was for Rigel. Today's his birthday.
Can't you get him something else?
He hates presents.
This was the only thing he'd have liked.
I have to go.
Lionel couldn't understand.
To him, it was just a glass ball.
To me, it was a way of reminding Rigel
that he could shine like the star he was named after.
Sweetheart, there you are. Come.
Hi.
You didn't tell me she was so pretty.
Tell me how you've been able to deal with these two nutcases.
You won't want them as parents anymore once I tell you everything I know.
I'm Dalma, and this is my daughter, Asia.
That guy stuffing his face with bread is my husband.
Anna has told me a lot about all of you.
-Why were you in an orphanage until 16? -Asia!
Since she knows so much about us, I'd like to know something about her.
Hi, everyone.
Sorry I'm late.
Come sit, and we'll eat.
Who wants the first sausage?
Get that, please, Nica?
Of course.
-Hi. -What are you doing here?
I invited her.
How'd you manage to escape?
I'm almost 18,
so they let me leave to look for a job in town.
Then yesterday, Anna called me, and here I am.
Please come in.
Thank you.
Anna tells me your sister's popular with the boys at school.
Are you proud or jealous?
I don't care about Nica's love life.
I know you don't like birthdays,
but this one's different.
It's the start of a new chapter for you and Nica.
As of tomorrow, you'll officially be Milligans.
We're adopting them.
Are you kidding? What, two for the price of one?
You're trying to replace Alan.
You haven't mentioned him in months.
I don't need to talk about him to remember him.
Really? Because it seems to me you've forgotten him.
How can you say that?
Then how can you do such a thing?
Your pain is like a weight that drags you down.
We're just trying to move on.
By adopting these two?
By doing something good for two kids who just need love.
I need love, too, but Alan's gone.
I'll never be able to see him again or tell him how much I love him.
Sorry, but I don't accept this.
No one will take his place.
I didn't know Asia was dating the Milligans' son.
I figured it out,
even if Anna and Norman don't talk about it much.
We all have our problems.
Don't get caught up in theirs.
I can tell they care about you.
Everyone has problems, but they're all different.
I don't fit in here.
What are you talking about?
You've always wanted a family.
They don't know who I really am.
They don't know what we went through.
Maybe you should tell them.
I don't want them to think I'm ugly,
broken, and useless.
You are not ugly, broken, or useless.
You have to free yourself from Grave.
It's impossible.
No, it's not impossible.
Things have changed.
Since Rigel left, Margaret hasn't been the same.
She keeps to her room,
and sometimes, we hear screaming and things breaking.
So?
I saw Peter the other day.
How is he?
Good.
His family is great,
but he's struggling too.
He thinks we should press charges against Margaret.
-No. -Yes. Nica.
-No. -Your testimony is crucial.
You suffered the most. You're the one she treated the worst.
We need you. You have to help us.
I can't face her.
Yes, you can.
You're stronger than you think.
Dalma and George just left. They said goodbye.
I'm sorry, Nica.
I should go too, Mrs. Milligan. I have to go back to the orphanage.
-Bye, Adeline. -Thanks.
Bye.
You shouldn't have had to hear all that.
-Asia wasn't being herself. -It doesn't matter.
Why don't you tell her you only came here to be with her?
She's always wanted a family.
I won't take that away from her.
You have to tell her it was you who held her hand.
She still thinks it was me.
The wolf doesn't have the right to hold the hand of the little girl.
Leave.
Bye, Rigel.
See you soon.
Love you.
Love you too.
I feel terrible for Asia.
She can't tell where her love ends and her pain begins.
She just has to remember there's a difference.
I wanted to join in his playing, our fingers in pursuit,
our bodies lightly brushing.
I wanted to wipe away his sadness.
I wanted to wipe Margaret away, wipe away the past.
I wanted Rigel to stop thinking of her every time he played.
Only us.
Our hands together,
our hearts intertwined.
We could have been a melody full of imperfections,
flaws, and mistakes
but also of laughter, wonder, and happiness.
I didn't get you a present.
It doesn't matter.
It does.
It matters to me. I want to make it up to you.
I told you it doesn't matter.
There must be something you want.
Anything.
Anything?
What if I told you to stay still?
Completely still.
Don't move.
Please don't go anywhere.
Please.
What are you doing here?
I know it's late, but I can't sleep.
I can't stop thinking about you.
I can't stand you living with him.
I can't stand him always being around you.
You were just with him, right?
Dressed like that.
What gift did he ask you for?
You're about to become brother and sister.
What if word got out?
Would your parents still want you?
Go away!
I'm sorry.
I just really like you.
Go away.
I have no place in your fairy tale.
Go back to him.
I'm not going anywhere.
I want to be with you.
Go back to bed.
Keep deluding yourself, believing in fairy tales.
But we're broken, damaged.
Some things can't be fixed, Nica.
Yes, it's true.
We're broken.
We're not like the others.
Maybe we broke into a thousand pieces so we'd fit together better.
You've wanted a family your whole life,
and you deserve one.
You deserve new friends.
You deserve a normal boyfriend.
You're happy here.
I'm happy because you're here.
Then how?
How what?
How do you think this story will end?
I can only hurt you.
It didn't matter what we'd been through.
Maybe it was why we felt so connected.
Only we knew the truth.
He and I, eternal and inseparable.
He the star and I the sky.
He the wound and I the bandage.
-Going out? -Yes.
I'm gonna study with Billie and Miki, then go straight to the dance.
-Dance? -At school.
Great. Is Rigel going too?
I don't know.
We haven't spoken much lately.
I've noticed.
Good morning, Mrs. Milligan.
Hi, Billie.
I'm off.
Have a good time. And don't be late.
Don't worry. Nica's in good hands.
-Bye. -Bye.
Yes?
You're not going to the dance?
Rigel, what's wrong?
You've been like this since your birthday.
Anna, I…
I need to talk to you.
Isn't it great?
Sure is.
How do I look?
Great.
-Wasn't the red one better? -What's with you today?
Okay, I'll tell you. Are you ready?
I know who sent me the white roses.
It's Phelps.
What?
I saw him at the store today and asked him straight out,
and he said, "Yep, it's me."
I always knew it was him.
No, it's not him.
You always do this. You can never be happy for me.
Billie, it isn't him.
Why not?
Because it's me.
What?
I send you a white rose every year.
Why would you do that? Because you felt sorry for me?
Wanted to throw me a bone? Why the fuck would you do that?
Because I'm in love with you.
I messed up.
Are you okay?
Never better.
Miki's really upset.
I don't wanna talk about it.
Tonight, I just wanna drink until I pass out.
Hey. Wanna dance?
Fuck off.
What's up with her?
Hi.
Nica, I'm sorry.
I was an idiot.
I think I've got a huge crush on you.
And I'm not handling it well.
So?
So let's dance.
A peace offering.
I'm really dizzy.
I'm not used to this.
Let's go somewhere quiet.
Why did you bring me here?
Watch.
You like it?
Yeah.
Come on, Lionel.
I'm feeling better. Let's go back.
First you want to come,
now you want to leave?
Lionel, please.
Lionel, please. Stop!
Stop it.
Where's Nica?
I don't know.
She was here a minute ago with Lionel.
Wait, I saw them go that way.
Lionel, stop it!
Help!
I'm gonna let go, and you're gonna run off, yeah?
You think you're the good guy.
The hero.
You wanna see how much of a villain I can be?
I'll go, but this isn't over!
Are you okay?
Are you sure?
Do you know what my mother's last words were?
"The wolf of the story may seem evil, but he isn't always so."
And if you're the wolf,
I can't imagine a fairy tale without you in it.
I'm a path of thorns.
I've never been afraid of getting hurt.
You're disgusting!
I'm going to tell everyone what you've been doing.
Lionel, please.
He should see you only as his sister, you realize that?
You wanna be with him?
Bad decision.
Let's get out of here.
Nica?
Nica, can you hear me?
Hi.
You're in the hospital. You were in a bad accident.
I'll go get Anna and Norman.
Wait.
At Grave, when Margaret
punished me,
it wasn't you who held my hand, was it?
It was Rigel.
Yes, it was Rigel,
but he didn't want me to tell you.
Why?
Because he--
Hi.
You gave us quite a scare.
Where's Rigel?
-I'm going to get the doctor. -Yes.
Where is he?
Calm down.
They're running tests on him.
When they know more, they'll tell us.
I want to see him.
You shouldn't get up, Nica.
-Good morning. -Good morning.
What happened?
You both fell from a high bridge.
His body broke your fall, but he's in a coma.
A coma?
Unfortunately, his pre-existing condition has complicated things.
Pre-existing condition?
He has neurinomas in his brain.
They cause fever and severe headaches.
I don't understand why he's never been operated on.
I want to see him.
None of us can see him.
Margaret won't let us.
Rigel rejected the adoption.
That's impossible.
When he told us, he was adamant. He didn't want to stay.
He's gone back into Margaret's care.
Here.
He left this in your room for you.
Take me to him.
I beg you.
I knew you'd destroy him sooner or later.
I should never have let anyone take him from me.
It's your fault Rigel's in a coma.
I want to see him.
You can't see him. Not now, not ever.
Please.
I've told you before
that crying won't bring back what you've lost.
Now leave.
She wanted to keep me away from Rigel,
but I went back every day to be close to him.
And I wasn't alone.
Friends, old and new, joined,
and I didn't give up.
But the past still haunted me, and he seemed ever further away.
There was only one way we could both be free.
I call to the stand our first witness, Mr. Peter Corrin.
Mr. Corrin,
were you ever subjected to physical or emotional abuse
during your time at the Sunnycreek Home orphanage?
In the statement you gave on February 20th of this year,
you said,
"Corporal punishment was a regular occurrence."
"I myself was beaten several times and often left to go hungry."
Do you remember making this statement?
I was wrong.
Mr. Corrin, you know giving false testimony is a crime?
Objection, Your Honor.
He's intimidating the witness, a minor.
Sustained.
Hi.
How is he?
He's okay.
Anna and Norman told me the trial started.
How's it going?
It's tough.
I wanted to apologize for how I acted.
I get it.
You do?
I know how it feels
to lose someone you love.
Miss Milligan.
You were adopted four months ago
along with another boy if I'm not mistaken.
Yes. Rigel Wilde.
As I understand,
he decided to turn down the adoption and go back to Sunnycreek Home.
Objection, Your Honor. Not relevant.
If you give me a moment, its relevance will be clear.
You may proceed.
The witness can answer the question.
It's not what you think.
Please answer the question.
Did Rigel Wilde turn down the adoption?
Yes.
So a boy who had finally found a family who loved him
suddenly decided to go back to a place where he was regularly abused?
It's not like that. She didn't beat him.
I didn't catch that.
She didn't beat him.
-Yet she beat the others? -Yes.
Why didn't she beat him?
He was like a son to her.
Are you in love with Rigel Wilde?
Objection, Your Honor!
Overruled.
Answer the question.
Yes.
So you were about to be adopted along with a boy you're in love with,
who then decided to go back to the woman he considers to be his real mother.
He hates her.
Really?
I think you're the one who truly hates Margaret Stoker,
who's only on trial because of a personal vendetta.
Objection, Your Honor! She's intimidating my witness.
She insulted my client.
I don't feel well.
This is just the beginning. You can't give up now.
We'll never stop her. You saw how she treated me.
We need to have faith, Nica.
Do you feel up to going back in?
Yeah.
Come here.
Everything okay, miss?
Are you sure you wish to continue?
If not, we can adjourn until tomorrow.
No, I'm okay.
Then please continue.
We called the orphanage Grave.
And not because of the peeling walls or the dank basements
we were locked up in every day.
We called it Grave because it was the tomb of the soul.
I don't have physical scars of what it did to me.
It's only now
that I realize I'm not here just to speak out against the evil
committed against me,
Adeline,
Peter,
or the other children,
but also what was done to Rigel Wilde.
Rigel,
whom Margaret loved like a son…
was forced every day to watch as we were tortured,
unable to help.
Margaret convinced him he was a monster.
She convinced him he was the wolf in a fairy tale.
And if evil loves you…
how could you
be loved or give love?
Rigel's in a coma right now.
But for the first time, I know he's alive…
because he knows what love is
and knows he is loved.
I don't care if you believe me or not.
And I understand why some were afraid to testify or tell the truth.
Their souls are probably still trapped in Grave…
in those skyless basements…
not knowing that to be loved
or to give love,
you don't have to be afraid.
You just need to be really brave.
We won.
Margaret can't hurt us anymore.
Look how you make me cry.
You're my tearsmith.
We all have our own.
Someone who can make us cry,
tear us apart, or make us happy
with just a glance.
I love you.
I love you more than anything.
That was the boy who'd seen me for the first time
at the entrance to Grave.
That was the hand that had found the courage to hold mine in that basement.
That was the heart he had never found the courage to give me,
but which, in every other way,
called out my name.
And even if ours could never be a real fairy tale,
and we would always be two children who met at an orphanage,
maybe happiness was still possible for us.
I wasn't alone anymore.
I had found a family,
people who taught me about friendship
while others reunited,
listened, and understood.
I discovered that emotions carry many shades of nuance
and how hard it is to let someone accept you for who you are.
In the end, I realized that the greatest fairy tale of all
exists within our hearts.
THE TEARSMITH