FADE IN:

EXT. NEW YORK CITY - DAY

PETER, a 15-year-old scrawny-looking boy stands by the steps of a walk-up apartment building.

His eyes are closed, his back slightly hunched and his hands deep in his hoodie’s pockets. Nothing but his breath can be heard. He breathes in.

The voice of DOCTOR ANDERS, Peter’s psychiatrist, is heard as Peter recalls a conversation the doctor had with his mother, ANNA.

DOCTOR ANDERS (V.O.)

Needless to say, Ms. Wood, what your son went through was deeply traumatic. It’s going to take some time for him to...readjust.

ANNA (V.O.)

I just feel like I can’t let him out of my sight. As if this whole thing will happen again.

DOCTOR ANDERS (V.O.)

The best you can do for him is to let him slowly go back to the things he’s familiar with. Act normally, as if—

ANNA (V.O.)

As if it never happened. I know...I know.

Peter opens his eyes. An ambulance and car horns can be heard faintly in the distance. He breathes out.

Anna opens the front door of the apartment complex behind Peter.

ANNA

Peter? You okay, honey?

Peter perks himself up and looks back at his mother.

PETER

Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.

Anna smiles.

ANNA

Okay. Same as always. Two strawberry frosted doughnuts and a small coffee with—

PETER

Cream and sugar. I got you, Mom.

Peter smiles back.

Anna walks down the steps and gives Peter a tight hug and a kiss on the forehead.

ANNA

You got it.

He starts walking away after hugging his mother.

PETER

Be back in a bit.

INT. DOUGHNUT SHOP - DAY

A soft bell chime is heard as Peter walks into a doughnut shop. The shop has almost no customers, except for an overweight MAN in his sixties sitting in a corner.

The man is reading a newspaper while working on a chocolate doughnut. Crumbs fall on his plaid sweater, and he proceeds to clumsily swipe them off.

Peter stands still, intently staring at the man, until JESS, a short, blonde girl about Peter’s age, calls for him from behind the counter. She is wearing a white polo, a brown apron and a name tag.

JESS

Peter! Hi!

Peter looks away from the man, turning to Jess and walking up to the counter.

PETER

H-Hey, Jess!

JESS

How have you been? I haven’t seen you in a while.

Peter looks at the man in the corner, who is now lighting a cigar.

Peter’s eyes widen, but he turns back to Jess.

PETER

Good. I’ve been... good. You know, just—

He eyes the man once more. This time, the man is staring back at him, puffing smoke from the cigar.

PETER

Good. I’ll be getting the usual.

JESS

Two strawberry frosted, one glazed, an orange juice and a small coffee with cream and sugar - did I miss anything?

PETER

Nope, you got it!

Peter stares back at the man once more. The man smirks at Peter, cigar still in hand. Peter nervously breaks eye contact.

PETER (CONT)

Hey, is...smoking allowed in here?

JESS

What’s that?

Peter subtly points in the man’s direction.

Jess quickly looks over the counter in the direction Peter pointed at.

PETER

Guy over there, he’s—

Jess’ BOSS suddenly calls for her from the back of the store.

BOSS (O.S.)

Hey, Jess! Can yah give me a hand over here?

JESS

Oh, one sec, Pete— Coming!

The door bell chime is heard. Peter looks back to see another man walking in, coffee cup in hand. The man takes a seat. Peter looks back at Jess, who still seems to be helping her boss in the back. He begins to nervously tap the counter with his index finger.

The bell chimes again, yet another man walks in and takes a seat.

Peter looks back at the man with the cigar, who is still staring back at him.

PETER

Hey, Jess?

No response.

The bell chimes once more, bringing another man into the shop. This one walks towards the overweight man with the cigar. They engage in conversation, then turn to look at Peter as they continue talking.

Peter begins to breathe heavily. He looks down at his now trembling, sweaty hands and wipes them on his hoodie. He whispers under his breath.

PETER

Not again.

He has trouble catching his breath.

PETER (CONT)

Please. Not again.

The bell chimes once more. A menacing man walks in holding a black bag. He quickly starts walking towards Peter.

Peter looks around him - all the men in the store get up from their seats and start walking towards him.

The man with the black bag grabs Peter, shoving the bag over his head. Peter flails and yells for help.

PETER

No! Let me go! Please, don’t do this! Let me go!

The men start to shuffle out of the store, dragging Peter with them as he continues to cry for help. Jess’ voice is heard once more.

JESS (O.S.)

Peter?

Peter continues to cry for help.

JESS (O.S.)

Peter? Peter!

Suddenly, Peter is standing in front of the counter again, his face is sweaty, his breathing a little heavy. Jess stands before him, holding his order.

JESS

Are you okay?

Peter catches his breath.

PETER

Yeah! Yeah. I’m—

He looks back to the corner of the shop, the overweight man is no longer sitting there.

PETER

I’m fine.

He takes a five dollar bill out of his pocket, hands it to Jess and walk towards the door with his order. The bell chimes as he exits the shop.

FADE OUT.