Kerris creeps into the entrance hallway quietly. As she turns towards the kitchen,

NATHAN: I wouldn't go in there if I were you.

Kerris whirls around. Standing in front of her is NATHAN GREY, seventeen.

KERRIS: Who are you? And why not?

NATHAN: The name's Nathan Grey. And there's an alarm that gets set off if anyone goes into the kitchen.

Kerris quickly steps closer to Nathan, away from the kitchen.

KERRIS: Are you the Nathan that Jackie was talking about? The one who's been here for two whole years?

NATHAN: Yeah. (shoves his hand in his pocket) They put me on guard duty about once a week. They all take turns, too.

KERRIS: So I guess it was my lucky day to try to run?

NATHAN: Yeah. But why'd you try?

KERRIS: Because of everything I've heard about this place.

NATHAN: Jackie give you the deets?

KERRIS: Yeah.

NATHAN: Did she tell you about the stocks, the paddlings, and the isolation tower yet?

KERRIS: (incredulous) They do that here?

NATHAN: Yup. You know all the stories about the women trapped in the inhumane asylums? That's us.

KERRIS: Oh, gosh. No, no, no!

NATHAN: Sorry, er-

KERRIS: Kerris Donfelt.

NATHAN: (finishes with a smile) Kerris Donfelt.

Kerris smiles a little. Nathan eyes her as if he's just come up with a great idea.

NATHAN CON'T: Say, you wanted fresh air, didn't you?

KERRIS: Well, obviously.

NATHAN: C'mon. I'll let you in on a little secret.

He leads her back through the house, up the stairs, and through a hallway. They pass the stocks and go to another flight of stairs. They go up them and through a door at the top into a beautiful moonlit balcony.

KERRIS: (runs to railing and looks over the ground below) It's beautiful up here.

NATHAN: (he joins her at the railing) And we're the only two who know about it. I'll tell you the hard truth- we're stuck here, maybe forever. But this is my little escape. It can be yours, too.

KERRIS: (turns to him) You've never shown anyone else?

NATHAN: Nope.

KERRIS: So then why me?

NATHAN: I don't know. It just seemed safe to show you.

KERRIS: (softly) Thanks.

NATHAN: (smiles at her) You're welcome, Kerris.

The two stand there and look up at the stars. Kerris bites her lip thoughtfully. Nathan looks at her,

NATHAN: What are you thinking about?

KERRIS: (smiles a tiny bit) It’s silly.

NATHAN: No, tell me.

KERRIS: Well, okay. (takes a deep breath) When we were little, my sister, Lucy, and I used to wish on the stars. When she committed suicide, it was like losing my other half. Ever since, I haven’t been able to wish on the stars. It was like- like the stars had betrayed me. And with this place, it was even harder to believe in anything at all earlier today. But look at them, sparkling up there.

She looks up and points at the sky. Nathan follows her gaze.

KERRIS CON’T: They’re so beautiful.

NATHAN: Yeah.

KERRIS: And standing here with you makes me think that maybe, just maybe, the stars will follow through.

She ducks her head and looks away. Nathan looks at her with a smile on his face.

NATHAN: Do you really believe in the stars?

KERRIS: I don’t know. But believing in the stars, it’s like Lucy’s alive again. (quieter, more subdued) She was my best friend.

NATHAN: I’m sorry, Kerris.

KERRIS: It’s okay. Life goes on, and the stars keep shining.

NATHAN: The stars keep shining.