(siren)
(sound of heart beating)
Dad?
(woman) Zachary!
(dog barking)
(man) For those of you
who do not know,
this is how it began.
Zachary Small was
an ordinary little boy.
He lived with his ordinary
father in an ordinary house
in an ordinary town.
What Zachary did not know,
could not know,
was just how
un-ordinary he was.
I had heard the stories of young
Zachary and his fearlessness.
I had seen with my own eyes
his selfless acts
of bravery and courage,
and I knew deep in my heart
that he would return
to rescue me
when I was imprisoned
in the dungeon that last time.
Just as the prophecy decreed,
he would restore me
to my rightful place
to the kingdom
he had long since abandoned.
But days turned into months,
and months into years,
and my certainty faded until
all that was left was despair.
Then again,
stories are living things,
given to turns unpredictable.
Nothing could prepare Zachary
for what was to come,
for what he would become.
Like all boys,
he had grown older.
But had he forgotten
his purpose?
Had he forgotten the prophecy?
His destiny?
What follows is
all I know to be true.
If there was a road leading
Zachary back to himself,
it could only move
in one direction:
through the very heart
of Neverwas.
This place will kill me.
It never ends.
Dr. Reed?
It's really nice
to meet you.
Can you hand me that...
the whatchmacallit?
The bucket of patching stuff there on my desk?
Oh, sure.
I'm at war with the ceiling.
And losing,
by the looks of it.
Yeah, the whole building
is conspiring to fall down around me.
Can I get your name?
I'm sorry. I'm Zach Riley.
We spoke on the phone a few weeks back.
I speak to a lot of people.
I'm here about
the psychiatrist position.
Oh, right. You're the...
You're... Dr. Riley.
You were on staff at Cornell.
Yeah.
Oh, thank you.
Sit down.
Oh.
Just move those files,
all right?
I love your clinic, Doctor.
It's got a certain amount
of character
that you don't, uh,
you don't find everywhere.
Can I speak honestly
with you, Dr. Riley?
Yeah, call me Zach.
And yes, absolutely.
This is not really
the kind of opening
that you're looking for, Zach.
I read your proposal.
It's very impressive.
MD at Yale.
Clinical work at Cornell.
I just... I don't think you
would make a good match here.
The AMA has declared
that we're not even worthy of funding.
I'm surprised
you even heard about it.
I'm sorry that you made
a trip for no reason,
and if you'll excuse me now,
I have group in a few minutes.
(chuckles) That-that's it?
We're not even gonna talk?
On your way out of town,
stop at the pub on Main.
They have a great Irish stew.
Massive chunks of lamb.
You don't understand.
I'm counting on a position at Millwood.
No one counts on
a position here.
Dr. Reed, I'm really not
gonna take no for an answer,
so please hear me out.
I had an acquaintance who was
a patient at Millwood a long time ago.
Whatever treatment he received,
it didn't do him much good.
So for me, coming back here
is about giving the patients
what my friend never got.
I'm serious about this.
I mean, I've already rented
a place in town.
Pretty confident.
I mean, what can I say?
I want the job.
One month.
I'll take it.
On trial.
Fine.
No benefits.
Deal.
Come with me.
Down here we have doctors'
offices and intake rooms.
Most all our patients
are low or nonfunctioning.
Sorry to say we no longer
have an outpatient program.
All but one of my wards
shut down.
Funding cuts, of course.
Development is what
we're all about here.
I've got an insurance claim
for you, Peter.
I look forward to it,
Michael.
Hello, Bernadette.
(woman) Dr. Reed,
would you sign this?
Yeah. If you could just
give me a second, Zach.
Sure.
Just sign right
over there.
(woman) Are you
Zachary Pierson?
He's right down the hall.
(whispering voices)
(Dr. Reed) ...like you
to handle group C.
You can introduce yourself.
I'm sorry?
I'd like to introduce you to the group you'll be running.
I'm sorry I'm late,
everybody.
Terrence, group.
(man) Come on, everybody,
let's join the group.
Dick. Dick?
I'd like you to meet
Dr. Riley.
Hello.
He will be taking
the place of Karen.
I know you all miss Karen,
but I think we can give
Dr. Riley a chance.
It's nice to meet you all.
As Dr. Reed said,
my name is Dr. Riley,
but you can call me Zach
if you like.
I'm looking forward to getting to know
and talking to each of you.
This is Martin.
He's one of our interns.
Hey. Welcome to the Mill.
Thank you very much.
Good to meet you.
Maybe we should go around
and introduce ourselves.
Gabriel, my man.
Feel like joining us today?
Well, Gabriel, if you do
ever change your mind,
we would love
to have you join us.
Hi, Gabriel.
My name's Zach.
I'm gonna be here
from now on.
I'm Eleanna.
Eleanna.
That's a nice name.
Do you mind if I smoke?
Jake, you know you
can't smoke in group.
Dr. Riley doesn't mind
if I smoke.
Dr. Riley doesn't
know the rules.
(overlapping chatter)
I can't stand
his looking at me anymore!
I can't stand it.
He's on every layer
of my fourth.
He's on the first layer
of my fifth - communication
and survival.
Blue protection shield.
I'm not repeating anything
in a way
that's not conducive
to my own free will.
(Reed) Leave her alone.
(babbling)
...body of glass.
Sally.
Don't even think about it.
Don't even think about it.
See what you did?
Can I get you
something to eat?
Yeah. I hear you guys have
the Holy Grail of lamb stews.
You got it.
I don't believe it.
This is crazy.
Hi.
Hi.
You Zach Pierson?
I could be.
It's me.
Hello, you.
Oh, come on, man.
Maggie? Maggie Paige?
Maggie...
From when we were little.
I was a tomboy, freckles.
Jack Paige--
Jack Paige's little sister.
You guys lived
at the Thompson house.
Yeah, my grandma.
Oh, my... What ever
happened to you guys?
Well, after that summer,
we moved to Vermont,
in with my aunt,
where we stayed.
That's right - your parents.
I forgot about that.
Yeah, no.
But I've been back here
for a while,
staying at my grandmother's,
and I was just up in this area,
doing some research...
I'm just over there.
You wanna come sit with me
for a minute?
All right.
The thing I remember most
about you
is that you used to stand
outside of our front gates.
Just stand there.
Right?
Not exactly my proudest moment.
But, hey, what little kid
didn't love your dad's books?
So, what do you do now?
I'm in grad school.
Really?
And I'm working
on my thesis.
It's good to see you,
Maggie.
Yeah. You too.
So, um, do you wanna
order something?
Actually, I gotta go.
I'm running
a little bit late.
But, um, like I said,
I'll be down at my grandma's
for a while.
Well, I'm at Millwood now.
As a therapist, of course.
Oh.
What?
Very interesting.
Yeah, I got decorated by
a borderline schizophrenic.
She was having a bad day.
You have to go.
Right.
So, I'll be up
in the area tomorrow,
doing some research.
I'll be here
around the same time.
(phone ringing)
Hello?
Honey! Oh!
Do you know I've left you
four messages?
Seriously,
where have you been?
Uh... Yeah, Mom, I'm sorry.
I just...
I've been busy. I'm sorry
I haven't called. I...
You're not the only one.
I tell you, this has been
the week from hell.
(chuckles) Why?
What have you been doing?
(chuckles) Nothing.
Which, to my constant amazement,
is absolutely exhausting.
You know, you need to get
out of that house.
Hmm.
Take a vacation.
So, tell me, darling,
how's your new place?
I took a job today,
and don't get all dramatic
when I say this, Mom, but...
I'm working at Millwood.
What?
Why would you go back
to that terrible place?
Well, maybe to make it
not so terrible.
You gave up your position
at Cornell for Millwood?
Is this some kind of joke?
No, it's not a joke.
It's a job.
Zachary, you know
what day is coming up.
And you know how hard this time
of year is for me always.
You know all this...
which makes your choice
all the more cruel.
Of course, you're no stranger
to cruelty when it comes to me.
You know what, Mom?
I gotta go.
(dial tone)
OK, before our group sessions,
I wanted to meet with
each of you individually.
I come from
this real small town
It's the kind of place
where people...
never really like
to talk a whole lot.
I play the piano.
I mean, um... I used to.
Hi.
They were exposed,
and he was too blind--
I would never have hurt
those children.
And I know the CIA is
sometimes watching me.
And the thing is,
I have this fiance,
and she wants to see me here.
And I don't know
if she'll understand.
'Cause... I don't
even understand.
(writing)
Hello, Gabriel.
Would you like to talk?
I know it's you.
(Reed) Gabriel Finch will
be your first patient.
He's been in and out of
hospitals for nearly 40 years.
Three months ago,
the county brought him in.
He dismantled a few bulldozers
on a construction site
in the mountains
just north of here.
Gabriel has never uttered
a word to any therapist
until today.
To you.
Huh?
Oh, my God.
Gabriel,
you standing there...
All right.
Thank you for coming.
Messy office.
Why don't you sit down
and we can get started?
Mm-hmm.
So...
is there anything
in particular
that you'd like
to begin with?
Anything in particular?
You. Here.
Your cool indifference.
Just give me that.
OK.
You've changed, boy.
I've changed?
We've just met.
No, there's something
gone missing,
something not right
behind the eyes.
So, you think that
I'm hiding something
from you.
What would I be hiding
from you?
Now, don't get me wrong,
Zachary.
I understand the need for
secrecy in this dungeon
we find ourselves in.
I mean, you are talking
to someone
who understands
the vital need for discretion
in my-- our predicament,
but there hasn't even
been the slightest sign
or signal from you.
And I look for signs
and signals,
given my position,
my responsibility.
You know that!
OK, Gabriel. You seem to
be getting a little upset,
so let's just slow down
for a little bit.
Now, I haven't gone by
"Zachary" for a long time.
You can call me Zach.
That's impossible!
You're taking this
charade too far.
OK, help me understand
what you mean.
Are you feeling calmer?
Are you feeling anything
at all?
You know,
why don't we start over?
Maybe we should talk about
what brought you here.
What brought you here is a far
more interesting question.
OK, well, I came here
to help you.
I don't believe it.
Of course!
(both chuckle)
Go on.
Yes. So much sense.
Yes, clear as day.
Clear as day.
Tell me about that.
Something's been done
to you. It's a dark spell
to erase your thoughts
and the memory of your youth.
To make you forget.
Good, good, good, good.
What does that mean to you?
We'll stop here.
Statues made of stone,
Zachary.
We don't have much time.
I'm almost done with it.
All right.
Hi.
(Maggie) "It wasn't
until Friday morning
"that Zachary would
find the map,
"leading him to the Mossy Rock
on the other side
of the mountain
"that was the entrance
to Neverwas.
"The monstrously hideous wizard,
Ghastly Lapeer,
"had kidnapped Zachary's father
"to keep him
from restoring the land
"to its former beauty
and bright spirit.
"It fell upon Zachary
to journey into Neverwas
"and rescue the king
from Ghastly's dungeon.
"Only then could the king
fight Ghastly's minions
"that were attacking
his castle,
bent on destroying the last
bright thing in Neverwas."
I love this book.
Me too.
(gasps)
(whispering)
Wanna know a secret?
(whispering) What?
(whispering)
Someone's at the door
right now, but don't look.
It's funny that you
should say that,
because I was just thinking
about that time there was
a whole group of us kids
playing in the woods.
I think you were there.
And we--
Mm.
And we got totally lost.
I was there.
I was tagging along,
much to everyone's annoyance.
And we were lost
out there for hours.
Yeah. You know the thing
that I remember the most
about that day?
Was that it was you.
You were the one that found
our way back to the road.
Remember?
Yeah, I guess I did get us
out of there.
Yeah.
Isn't that amazing how
one summer so long ago
can just stand out
amongst all the others?
So, what are you doing
your thesis on?
The contrast between deciduous
trees of the Upper Hudson.
I'm a botanist.
Before I forget, uh,
remember I told you how much
I love your dad's book?
Yeah.
Well...
I use it as a purse
sometimes.
You've got to be kidding me.
No.
You're a collector.
Since I was a kid.
And look at this.
My parents gave this to me
the Christmas
before they passed away.
This is the most important
thing that I own.
Excuse me.
Are you Zachary Small?
I'm sorry to have
bothered you.
Come on, honey.
All right,
I spilled the beans.
I go by "Riley" now.
My mother's maiden name.
I don't, uh, like to talk
about my father's book.
Sorry.
It's not a big deal.
It just really has
nothing to do with me, so...
He wrote it for you.
Yeah, well...
I mean...
It's not exactly
great literature.
It's a classic.
It's just a silly fairy tale.
Have you ever read it?
You've never read it.
Of course I've read it.
Why don't you skim through this?
I think it'll do you good.
What, you're just gon--
I don't think I can talk
to you until you've read it.
You're just gonna leave?
I'm gonna call you.
I'll expect a book report.
Maggie!
Maggie.
Come on.
(man) "Zachary Small took off
through the forest
"lain waste by Ghastly,
"a once good wizard
turned ugly and diabolical
"by the use of black magic.
"Zach's best friend would be
a flying pig named Sebastian,
"whose first language
was, of course, pig Latin."
Ahh, yeah.
Ah, my boy, my boy.
(Zach) Jake and I have
just had a conversation,
and I think there's something
that Jake would like
to say to the group.
Jake?
I wanted to say...
I have a fiance.
She's coming up this weekend
for a visit.
And I don't want her
to see me like this.
Jake, maybe if you plan out
what you're gonna say to her,
you would feel
a little less frustrated.
I'm not frustrated.
I'm just tired.
I'm-I'm tired.
"A truth that's told
with bad intent
"beats all the lies
you can invent.
(snaps fingers rhythmically)
"It is right it should be so;
"Man was made for joy and woe;
"And when this
we rightly know,
"Through the world
we safely go.
"Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing
for the soul divine."
(Zach's father) "Man was made
for joy and woe;
"Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing
for his soul divine."
(Zach's mom) Thomas,
don't let Zach hear.
Where's my joy, Katherine?
Thomas--
That's what the hell
I wanna know, huh?
Please don't let Zachary
hear you.
He's just a little boy.
It doesn't matter!
He knows I'm numb!
Zach doesn't judge me, Kate.
He doesn't judge me at all!
There's no judgment!
(Thomas mumbles and cries)
Oh, Dad.
Gabriel?
I mean, don't ever
creep up on me
when I'm making an entry.
I'm sorry.
I thought you saw me come in.
Did others see you?
I don't know. Would that
be a problem if they did?
You sound like a complete
and utter fool.
Actually, I was wondering
where you heard that poem
that you recited earlier.
Your gods have completely
disappeared.
Let's focus on the poem.
This is not about me.
It has always been about you,
especially now
at this moment of crisis,
with just four days left.
Your bravery, I've seen it
with my own eyes.
Let's save this
for our session.
Oh, it's such a shame!
Everything you ever were
has been replaced
by total fear.
And your skin - you wear
your skin as if it's
three sizes too small
and barely stretched
over your pointed bones.
Gabriel, please!
You have to find
what you love, Zachary!
For both our sakes!
( soft piano)
Zachary, look who's here.
Hi.
Well, don't just stand there
like a bump on a log.
Come in.
Hello, Mother.
Hello, hello, hello.
Maggie stopped by earlier.
She wanted your phone number,
and it seems--
I said I was going
to call you,
and then I realized that I
didn't have your number, so...
I just told her to come back
and ask you herself.
Um...
Well, you two catch up,
and, uh, I'll go make sure
that everything is perfect.
(Maggie) Thank you.
I have always wished that
they made a movie of Neverwas.
Oh.
Thomas would never give up
the rights, ever.
No. He hated himself
for approving that merchandising
that they did for a while.
I used to collect
that stuff, all of it.
Maggie is Dad's
biggest fan, Mom.
Oh, isn't that nice?
And what about a boyfriend?
No, I'm too busy for that.
I'm a bit of a workaholic.
Ohh.
Do you know that,
when I met Thomas,
I was studying
to be an actress?
Mom has a flair
for the dramatic.
And then of course,
Zachary was born.
Maggie doesn't wanna
hear this, Mom.
Sure, I do.
Sure, she does.
I had never seen Thomas
so happy.
Uh, I do believe,
from that moment on,
Zachary was his only reason
for living.
This torture can stop
any time you want.
Why does that story
upset you, honey?
Because it's not true.
And lies upset me.
Zachary has
conveniently blocked out
all happy childhood memories,
which make it almost impossible
to reminisce.
Reminisce about what, Mom?
About the good times we had.
Oh, OK, the good times.
Let's see. Um...
You after Dad died.
I remember that.
I did the best I could,
Zachary.
With what I had.
I did the best.
Why don't you have
some more wine, Mom?
Stop it!
It's working at Millwood
that's doing this to you,
isn't it?
We can't possibly be
having this much fun.
Honey.
Why don't you help me
with the dessert?
I haven't seen you like this
since before you left
for college.
Look, let's just stop.
I was out of line.
I assume you haven't
been sleeping.
I can deal with it.
But you were doing so well
for so long.
Don't jeopardize everything
that you've accomplished.
Just tell me how you want me
to act, and I will.
I want whatever...
this is...
whatever we are...
to be all right.
Well, then... (chuckles)
let's have our cake.
(door opens)
(door closes)
(man, on TV) Mr. T.L. Pierson,
what an honor this is
to have you as my guest.
(Thomas) Oh, thank you.
(applause)
First, why don't you tell
my audience that poem
about Neverwas?
Neverwas, oh.
Neverwas on the surface
is really quite simple.
In essence, it's the story
of a little boy
whose mother has died
and who lives with his father
Daniel, a janitor.
And although Zachary feels
embarrassed about his father
- he thinks
he's embarrassingly average -
it turns out that Daniel is
the king of a once great land
called Neverwas...
which lies on
the other side of a mountain
not far from where they live.
And...
Well... you should
read the book.
Mr. Pierson, critics have
speculated on the symbolism
held within
your often bleak images.
You care to comment?
No.
As far as I'm concerned,
the work speaks for itself.
That's it.
I don't believe it.
I'd like to talk about this
in today's session,
if you don't mind.
Neverwas.
Does that mean anything
to you, Gabriel?
You remember.
I figured it out.
I noticed that
the symbol you drew...
Yes.
...is the reverse image
of the royal crest...
Yes, yes.
Yes, yes, yes.
So it was my little clue
that triggered your memory.
I knew it would.
Amazingly simple,
but it removed
Ghastly's spell.
I can see your strength
returning.
You've come so far, Zachary.
But there's no time
for celebration.
We need to discuss our plan.
OK, let's begin with what
Neverwas means to you.
Have you lost your--
Then again, it could be
an elaborate trick.
Can't be too careful.
You say you know
about Neverwas?
Right.
What does the fruit of
the dribblebush taste like?
I wouldn't know.
They're poisonous.
How long is
the Twisted Neck River?
It runs from
the Tourmaline Mountains
down to the Sea
of Sleepless City.
And what's a Dralock?
A lazy giant.
Ghastly Lapeer,
how did he come?
He cast a spell on Zachary,
which backfired,
blowing him up.
He was pieced back together
by the Starling minions.
Oh, my God! You remember!
The spell is lifted.
You've got to act quickly.
Let me explain.
Gabriel, please.
I need you to listen.
Yes, just listen. Right.
Absolutely correct.
A good plan needs
a thoughtful discourse.
Proceed.
This might be hard
for you to hear.
Could there have been,
is it a possibility
that there was a book
called Neverwas?
You have to stop this.
You're refusing
to understand me.
I have so little patience left.
I need help.
And I really wanna
help you.
No, you don't!
I'm the only one taking
the action, taking the risk.
It was me who blew up
the Razor shops
on the edge
of the Nightmare.
But it was a trap.
Ghastly and his minions
were waiting.
And they brought me back
to this dungeon.
And why would
they bring you here?
Because they wanted me gone,
away from the castle,
so that I wouldn't be there
to defend it when they attack,
which is
in only three days time.
That's what the order
has pronounced.
You see,
we have to act quickly.
I can't do it on my own.
Help me understand
why they want your castle.
Isn't that obvious by now?
I am the king!
I am the king of Neverwas.
Doctor, I'm running
into some unexpected issues
with, um...
with Gabriel's case.
What kind of issues?
I mean, for starters...
he's completely delusional.
The subject of his delusion
being a fairy tale.
One my father wrote.
Your father?
T.L. Pierson.
It's funny you didn't
mention that.
I did say that
I had an acquaintance.
Oh.
Go on.
I mean, the point is that
Gabriel believes that he...
lives in Neverwas,
that he's actually the king.
And I assume...
(chuckles)
...that he believes that I'm
the boy sent to rescue him.
There's always some
kind of transference
with patients with delusional
or schizophrenic psychosis.
I don't know
how to help him.
I will leave it up to you.
How long has it been
since you slept?
Tell me.
I'll be fine, Doctor.
(woman) You look uncomfortable.
You wanna sit on the couch?
No. I'm fine right here.
You're asking about the baby.
About your book, actually.
Dedication to your son.
(Thomas) Zachary Small.
Good character.
People don't like him.
Thomas, I'm talking
about your son,
not the character.
What?
Your son.
I don't know about...
about that one yet.
Just trying
to get to know you.
All that I am that's worth
a damn is in those pages,
if you know where to look,
if you can know how to find it.
What I'm saying...
What I know...
is that sometimes
a story finds
the storyteller.
Not the other way around.
I don't really
like these, Dad.
No, no, no, Zach.
These are good for me.
They make everything better.
They make me very, very happy.
You want me to be happy,
don't you?
Zach, this is too hard
for me.
You know that, don't you?
I need you here with me,
fighting.
You know I can't do this
without you.
You know that, Zach.
No. Zach!
Zach.
Zach!
(pounding on door)
Zach!
Zach, open the door.
Zach!
(rattling doorknob
and pounding)
Zach.
Zach.
(phone ringing)
Hello?
Hello?
Hey, Maggie.
It's me. It's Zach.
Zach. Hi.
I know it's late.
No, no.
It's fine. I was up.
Look, Maggie.
Let me ask you a question.
And this is hypothetically
speaking, but...
what would you say if somebody
- like a delusional person -
believed with every certainty
that he lived inside
my father's book?
That they're a part
of the story?
Yeah.
I guess I could think
of worse places to be.
When I was a kid,
I definitely spent some
major quality time there.
It's not so bad.
(Zach sighs deeply)
Nah, it's just strange.
I can't sleep and...
Talk to me.
I probably should've never
gone back to Millwood.
I should've left it alone.
I should go.
Zach...
Can I see you
tomorrow morning?
We really need to talk.
(sniffles) Yeah.
Yeah, that would be nice.
Sometimes...
Sometimes I just want
the night to be over.
You remembered
how to get here.
Come on in.
I'm not bothering you?
No. I wouldn't have asked
if I didn't want you to.
I was just working.
You look a little tired.
Did you get some sleep
last night?
Unfortunately not.
It's killing me.
You've gotta try yoga.
It's amazing.
It gets a little chanty and
weird, but it's so relaxing.
I sleep like a baby
afterwards.
You're not exactly
the yoga type, are you?
It's a little too chanty
and weird.
Right.
Thanks for the suggestion,
though.
Well, I'm a good suggester.
( "Hollow Heart"
by n. Lannon)
Wait.
We really need to talk.
This is really not working out
like I thought it would.
(chuckles)
I think I like you, Maggie.
I think...
I've always liked you, Zach.
Well, if he wants that boat,
he can just sue me, right?
I mean,
I didn't make the rules.
Hon, you had an appointment.
I know, Shirley.
I'm late. I'm sorry.
I was late today...
and that was wrong, Gabriel.
I was just thinking
about my kingdom.
They're helpless without me.
And I am without them.
They are my one purpose,
my reason for being.
It's a funny thing
about being king, boy.
He's so much more
than just station.
He's the very glue that
holds the center together
so there can be peace.
I love that word.
"Peace."
Gabriel.
Can you tell me
what it is about Neverwas
that attracts you?
It's where I'm from.
It's where I belong.
Neverwas is where you belong,
where you will find your
strength and your purpose.
(bell rings)
Your reason for being.
Dr. Riley, we need your help.
I'll be right back, Gabriel.
Get off of me!
Aah! I wanna die!
Take him to Isolation.
You'd like that, huh?
(continues yelling)
(crying)
Jake, you've suffered
a terrible blow.
I told her she shouldn't
have come.
I told her that I wasn't
who she thought I was.
And I couldn't be that
anymore.
I have no place...
anywhere.
And I don't know what happens
to people who have no place.
Do you?
(beeping)
I gotta go, Jake.
You left this outside
in your bag.
Gabriel looked through it
and had a complete meltdown.
He broke away from the orderlies
and he's barricaded himself
in his room.
I don't want to, Zach,
but I will.
(shouts)
Gabriel, you OK in there?
Who's that?
Gabriel...
It's me, Zach Riley.
Zachary.
Let me go in first!
Please.
I don't know what you're
waiting for, boy.
Gabriel, I am so sorry
that you saw this b--
What is th--
The prophecy is about
to be fulfilled,
and you still haven't
completed your task,
that which was promised.
(Reed) We'll take it
from here.
Oh, yes, you and your guards.
You can lock me up
in this cage.
You can torture me
with your poison pills
and your electric shocks.
It's been done before.
But I will not give in
to you!
Hide them!
Don't come too close.
Do you hear me?
Through the dark!
You!
Through the dark!
You don't know who I am
or where I'm from.
Where did you get this?
But Zachary knows.
Zachary knows!
Zachary!
Don't let the guards
take the journal!
Zach.
Where'd you get it?
You've done enough.
Stop now.
Who gave it to you?
(Thomas) Dear Gabriel, of all
the things one says and does,
I look back on what never was.
Then think of
all that life could be
if I could capture what I see.
Gabriel, I hope life
finds you well
and your kingdom
remains at peace.
Your trusted friend,
Thomas.
"This journal is
a historical document
"particularizing the details
of the land of Neverwas -
its history, inhabitants
and geographical points
of interest."
(sighs)
Martin told me you were
coming down here.
Gabriel's back in his room.
We had to sedate him.
Look at this. This is
Gabriel Finch's journal,
which gives detailed
descriptions of
the land of Neverwas
years before my father
even thought of his book.
Almost a decade before.
And this letter
he sent to Gabriel...
I wasn't even born yet.
Gabriel's been in and out
of hospitals and clinics
for 40 years.
He was at Millwood.
Well, that was before my time.
It's right here.
They were here together.
Listen to this.
It says my father
seems to be fixated
on the world of
a young patient -
Gabriel Finch.
I mean, it doesn't make sense.
Gabriel came up with Neverwas,
down to the name,
before he even met my father.
No, he didn't come up with it.
He lived it.
It was all very real to him,
part of his elaborate delusion.
No, it's right here.
Gabriel's original admissions
intake 30 years ago detailed
that he had a paranoid delusion
that one day people would come
and take the land
he is living on.
He said a wizard named Ghastly
was sending an army
to his castle.
Well, that's basically the plot
of your father's book,
if I remember.
He based his book
on Gabriel's fantasy.
It's an A.A. Milne
sort of thing.
What?
Well, he wrote
Winnie-the-Pooh.
He based the character
of Christopher Robin
on his own son,
Christopher.
The Hundred Acre Wood
was a real forest.
Or Lewis Carroll, who wrote
Alice in Wonderland.
He created the elaborate fantasy
of Wonderland,
and Alice was based on
a little girl that he knew.
Your father might have
done the same thing.
Put me into
Gabriel's delusion.
One man's insanity...
another man's
children's book.
It's a fine line.
I have to talk to Gabriel
about this.
No.
That's impossible.
You have your own agenda
for being here,
and it has nothing to do
with my patients.
So not only am I taking you
off Gabriel's case,
I'm forbidding you
to ever speak to him again.
Did you hear what
I was just saying?
To be honest,
I'm more concerned
about your own mental state.
I am well aware of
my mental state, Doctor.
And I have everything
under control.
Well, then, you can come up
to my office tomorrow morning
and we'll discuss
what we can do about it.
But for right now,
I'm asking you to leave.
Get out of my clinic,
Dr. Riley.
(rings doorbell repeatedly)
Maggie?
Hello?
Maggie?
(whispering) Maggie.
(whispering) Maggie.
(reporter) Today the world
mourns the loss of
children's book author
T.L. Pierson.
Pierson gained
national attention
with his children's book,
Neverwas.
He is survived by his wife
and young son.
(turns off tape)
(beep)
(Maggie) A piece commemorating
the life of Pierson
on the 25th anniversary
of his death.
Even though T.L. Pierson sold
over 15 million copies
of Neverwas,
his son Zachary has
never touched any of
the royalty money.
I wanted to tell you.
Don't freak out on me.
I'm just a friend.
You're my friend?
Yes.
I wanted to tell you yesterday.
I couldn't.
I got scared of you telling me
that you couldn't see me
anymore, and--
A reporter?
Are you kidding me?
I just wanted to know who
the real T.L. Pierson was.
I told you, I have nothing
to do with my father's book.
Listen. Zach, wait.
Please!
Zach, can you stop?
Please wait. Please!
Everything that happened
between us is real, everything.
Do you think I want
this kind of complication,
this kind of confusion
in my life? Well, I don't.
I like things to be nice
and clean and simple,
and this isn't.
I'm sorry if Neverwas
meant nothing to you.
I'm sorry if it represents
something dark and painful,
but for me and for millions
and millions of other people,
that's all we had.
Zach, I needed something
better than my life.
And your father,
he gave that to me.
He gave me something hopeful.
I wanted to write about that.
I wanted to write
about the hope.
But there isn't any here,
is there?
Get out of my way, Maggie.
(starts engine)
(siren)
(faint dispatch voice)
Dad?
(dispatch voices continue)
This gets weirder and weirder.
(Katherine) Zachary!
(door opens)
(door closes)
I didn't know
where else to go.
You knew my father?
Yes, of course.
Thomas was my friend.
He wrote to you.
Yes, we wrote.
That letter you found
is one of many.
He was a worthy counselor.
He listened.
And he believed.
Believed in what?
What lies through
the Mossy Rock.
Gabriel, please.
What are you talking about?
Neverwas.
And he more than
believed in it.
He often used to come
and visit me there.
On the other side
of the mountain.
My kingdom, boy.
There.
That mountain?
That's where he used to go?
For days, weeks?
I was beginning to doubt
the truth of your coming.
And then I read the oracle.
I get the tips
from the guards.
You don't understand.
Thomas, in these pages,
wrote of your coming for me.
It's the secret oracle
of Neverwas.
Gabriel, you talked about
me coming to rescue you
from our first session on.
I hoped and remembered.
You were to rescue him.
I hid and watched.
I saw you take him
by the hand and lead him
out of this dungeon
as if you were cloaked
in invisibility.
Ghastly's guards
wouldn't dare stop you.
Wow. I was just
picking him up after a stay.
He w-- That's all.
He was sick.
Ah. Poor Thomas.
He was at the end.
Yes, he couldn't fight
Ghastly's spell.
It destroyed him.
There was no spell.
I wish there was,
but there wasn't.
You couldn't have
stopped it, boy.
Yes, I could have.
That night, Gabriel,
he was outside of my room.
I wouldn't open the door.
I could see he just wanted
to hear my voice,
to know that I loved him,
that I needed him a little.
(crying) Maybe that
would've been enough.
I let him die.
Those are nightmares.
Dreams. I had them once.
Terrifying.
The bottom of a dark hole.
Kept quiet, voice banned.
No light.
Never seen.
But that wasn't real.
It was just a dream
I once had.
Neverwas is real.
You're real.
Saving me is real.
Read this.
You are innocent.
Now you must leave
before the guards find you.
Tomorrow at the day's end,
you must meet me
at the Mossy Rock
at the edge of the kingdom.
And come alone.
Don't be late,
or I'll be forced to battle
the minions on my own.
I'm not gonna let you
out of here, Gabriel.
I promise you'll get help.
That's all I'd ever
wanted from you.
Your help, Zachary.
It's inhuman that they don't
let you outside at night.
Well, come on, then!
(laughs) Out of this dungeon!
Come on!
All of you!
Feel the night air again.
Yes.
It begins.
(Thomas) Dear Gabriel,
I write to you in hopes
that you are in good health
and your kingdom is
in safe hands.
This, regrettably, might be
my last letter I write to you.
I feel ashamed of
who I have become,
ashamed that I can no longer
fight this battle.
I have been emptied.
This black hole I have
lived in for so long
is growing darker,
even as love for my son
grows deeper.
I missed you.
I missed you.
A lot.
How can this impossible
human paradox exist?
(tires screeching)
The wizard, Gabriel,
he has won.
He has banned me
from your world and mine.
I existed because I dreamed.
I dream no more.
I just wanted to explain
to him and...
(woman) Well, what do
you wanna explain?
I...
I love him.
Sometimes...
I just wanna hold him.
But it's in vain.
I walk around with him
and tell him
that everything's
gonna be all right.
And that...
that I'll be there for him.
I'll always be there.
It's in the pages.
In the forest.
It's waiting for him.
(phone rings)
(phone rings)
(answering machine beeps)
Mom, it's me.
Pick up.
Mom?
I wanna talk to you
about Dad.
About that morning.
I know this day
is always hard for you.
Are you there?
I love you, Mom.
(dial tone)
"Zachary's father screamed."
"Neverwas is real."
That's my favorite sentence
in the book.
Zach, could I please come in?
I wanted to show you
the article
that the magazine's
going to print.
Would you please
take a look at it?
Why don't you
read it to me?
OK.
"Fall leaves on the Hudson.
"Where to go to see
the best changing leaves
in New England."
Should I go on?
No.
No. That's pretty good.
Thanks.
I think the world knows
enough about T.L. Pierson.
The rest...
The rest belongs
to you, Zach.
I miss him, Maggie.
(phone ringing)
Hello?
Dr. Riley, it's Martin.
Hey, Martin.
Look, the cops are here.
Gabriel escaped last night.
They're saying that he jumped
in the back of a logging truck
heading up the mountain
north of here.
OK. He's going back
to the forest.
There's a warrant out for him.
They're sending sheriffs
to go look for him
around that construction site
he messed with.
What's going on?
What is the name of the company
that own that land?
Dominion.
Did your dad write down
anything to look for?
Nothing.
No signs, no turnoffs.
He just penciled in this road.
I mean, this is impossible.
No, it's not going
to be impossible.
He told me to meet him before
sunset at the Mossy Rock,
the entrance to Neverwas.
It's just forest out here.
Wait a minute. Look.
(Maggie) This is unbelievable.
Where are you going?
Maggie?
Look in the book.
It's the Pumpkin Pine.
What is it?
Come on!
It's Pumpkin Pine!
Look!
OK. Come on.
Come on where?
Come on.
I think I know
which way to go.
For what?
Don't ask questions.
Just follow me.
Come on!
It's this way!
Oh, look.
You've just gotta trust me.
Through here.
I'm telling you, this map is
the key to finding Neverwas.
The Twisted Neck River's
just up ahead.
Here. Thanks.
No way.
(Maggie) The River Knight.
It's incredible.
It's real.
The Mossy Rock is just
behind those trees.
He wants me to come alone.
Forget it.
No. You have to do something
for me, Maggie.
No. Please, I've come
this far. I need to--
No, you've got to go.
I set something in motion,
and I need your help.
Call my lawyer.
He'll tell you what do to.
Thank you.
Wait.
I don't believe it.
I knew you'd come.
Oh, G--
You scared me.
Well, you scare easily.
We have to talk, Gabriel.
Right now.
About the minions.
About what I know you're
thinking about doing to them.
Oh, well, I've already
been to the castle
and back.
All reinforcements
have been made,
all precautions taken.
Why are you waiting?
Neverwas lies here,
on the other side.
You wanna talk?
You must come through the rock!
Gabriel!
The first step
is a tricky one.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Can you see them?
What?
Grace fairies.
They're flying all around.
You see?
(Gabriel chuckles)
They missed you, Zachary.
Gabriel, listen to me.
I need you
to come back with me.
Back? No, there's
only forward from here.
That is, if you're going to
see what your father saw.
Yes, sir, you breathe it in,
boy. That'll bring you back.
Gabriel!
Still with me?
Yes.
Only forward from now.
Come on, boy.
Keep up.
It's here.
Oh, yes. Go on.
Zachary, my boy!
(Gabriel laughs)
That's...
home.
You must be famished.
Come on.
Good boy.
You just look around, boy.
Ah. Safe.
Make yourself at home.
I'll get something to eat.
Yes, now.
Makings of a feast.
(birds twittering)
The moments before the battle
always seem quieter than usual.
Gabriel, that's what
I wanna talk to you about.
You mustn't worry
about the details.
No. I wanna apologize to you.
What for?
Well, because you were
under my care,
and I let my own issues
cloud my judgment.
I never meant
to help you escape.
It was your destiny.
I'm afraid, if they come,
when they come,
you or somebody else
will get hurt.
The minions?
You're worried about them?
You talk as if they're human.
They are.
No, they're not.
They're evil, Zachary.
I need you to listen to me.
They're all ghosts,
not natural beings.
(siren)
They're here.
(dispatch voices)
They've crept in
like snakes in the grass.
(man) You'd better come
with me.
Gabriel Finch!
This is Sheriff Williams
from Saranack County.
I'm serving you with
your court-ordered eviction.
I will never give you
my kingdom!
You will never have it!
You have to vacate
the premises.
I will never leave!
Shh! Gabriel, stop it.
Don't be afraid, Zachary.
The castle is reinforced.
Gabriel, those are sheriffs.
If you don't let me go out there
and talk to them,
they'll break in.
They have guns.
I would rather die
where I stand
than give the kingdom to you!
Do you hear me?
I want you to think about
what you're doing, Mr. Finch.
It'll be the end for you
and your kind!
That's for certain!
Gabriel, let me handle this.
Zachary, you come stand here
out front.
You keep watch.
You warn me when they charge.
Get the ram.
Yes, sir.
You need to let me
out of here, Gabriel.
Let me speak to them.
(Williams) Gabriel, I'm asking
you to come out on your own.
You keep watch!
Almost time for my plan.
What plan, Gabriel?
Well, finally, boy,
a question worth asking.
What have you done, Gabriel?
I've been reinforcing my castle
for three decades now,
waiting for this moment.
Moments are set and waiting.
Stay back! Stay away!
Get away, everybody!
Get away, please!
Stay back!
Do you hear me? Stay back!
No, get-- Get back!
Gabriel, I want you
to come out the front door.
Don't make us break
the door down.
If you're ready
to go in...
Yes, sir.
Gabriel, if you blow
these bombs, I promise you
they'll put you back
in the dungeon, and they'll
never let you out.
Gabriel, you can't do this!
(Maggie) Sheriff? Sheriff!
Maggie...
Sheriff!
Zach! Zach!
Maggie, stay away. Get back!
(policeman) You need
to wait, ma'am. Stop!
Maggie, get back! Maggie!
Statues made out
of stone, Zachary.
When will you
understand us?
You can't do this, Gabriel!
I want you to get on the floor
and put your hands on your head!
Your death is assured!
That you can count on!
There are people out there.
I have a friend out there.
Do you understand that?
Someone I care about.
You're supposed to protect
this kingdom as much as I do!
Because Neverwas is yours
as well as it's mine.
(loud thud)
Is that the best
you monsters can do?
You don't need to do this.
Hold on.
Time, boy!
Gabriel, please.
You were born in the land
of brightness, you and I.
And no matter what Ghastly does
to try and take it from us,
here is where be belong.
Listen to me.
Some things are worth
dying for, boy.
I've been here...
many times.
Why did you come here, boy?
I needed some hope.
(man's voice)
Gabriel! Gabriel!
(Zach) You told me you were
kept in a hole,
where your voice was banned,
where nothing made sense.
(man) Gabriel!
But like you said,
that was just a dream.
Gabriel!
Zachary... where are
you hiding them?
We're hiding.
(Williams) Gabriel!
(Zach) Gabriel, listen to me.
That wasn't real.
This is real. I'm real.
(man) Gabriel!
Do you understand?
You don't have to
be scared anymore.
You can stop hiding now.
Let me help you.
Hold it, hold it.
(Maggie) Please.
Gabriel!
I have nowhere to go.
I can't survive anywhere else,
Zachary - only here.
It's the only home...
I've ever known.
Don't let them take me
from home.
I won't.
Oh, Zach, boy.
Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
Billy?
Yes, sir.
Go in the court,
check on a stay of eviction
for Gabriel Finch.
What use has this world got
for a king without a kingdom?
It needs him.
I'm afraid.
You don't need to be
anymore. I'm here.
And we're gonna go out there,
you and me, into the light.
Like I did with my father.
Remember?
Me first, then you,
the way it's always been,
Gabriel.
The way it's always been.
(Zach) You can always
avoid a minion slaughter
by dousing the beast
with sugar water.
Gabriel, the bombs...
they were nothing
but sugar water.
Of course, boy.
Zach.
Be careful.
My name...
is Zachary Small.
I came through the Mossy Rock
to rescue the king
from his dungeon,
to help defend his castle.
To stop you.
All of you.
The time for you all
to leave is now.
And this land...
and this castle...
is the king's.
It has always been the king's.
Stand down, boys.
Stand down.
You see, Zachary?
Nothing to fear.
Nothing at all.
Will you come and visit me?
It can be lonely
from time to time.
Of course I'll come, Gabriel.
You're a good boy, Zachary.
As un-ordinary as they come.
Hi.
Hi.
I thought you were gonna go back this morning.
I am.
I just wanted to
drop something off.
Oh, yeah? I heard this
is a pretty good book.
It's not bad
for a trade fairy tale.
I thought this was the most
important thing in the world to you.
It was.
You can wait for me?
Of course. Forever.
Ohh. I'll see you real soon.
Fantastic job, everyone.
(Gabriel) And so it ends
as it began -
with the promise of freedom
and a prophecy now fulfilled.
I will never be sure
of what Zachary did
to drive the minions away
forever,
but in the end, there were
no more dark decrees.
And as I always knew he would,
he returned Neverwas
to the king.
But the spirit of Neverwas,
that was returned to the boy.
My kingdom is at peace.
Once again,
I live as I dreamed.