[EXT. COUNTRY ROAD – LATE NIGHT]
A soft mist hangs in the air. The road is quiet, but headlights occasionally break the silence.
In the middle of the lane, barely visible, lies a pregnant opossum, breathing heavily. Her sides rise and fall rapidly. She’s not just exhausted—she’s in labor.
Cars whiz past, some swerving, none stopping.
She’s frozen. Terrified. Alone.
[EXT. CAR PULLING OVER – MOMENTS LATER]
A vehicle slows and pulls over. The driver, ELLIE (wildlife volunteer, early 30s), steps out with a flashlight.
She scans the road, then gasps when the light lands on the opossum.
ELLIE (urgent, softly):
Oh no… mama, what are you doing out here?
She kneels, carefully approaching, speaking gently to calm the frightened creature.
[EXT. ROADSIDE – MOMENTS LATER]
Ellie gently lifts the opossum into a lined crate she keeps in her car for rescues. She can already see movement — tiny joeys shifting beneath their mother’s belly.
ELLIE:
You held on just long enough… you’re safe now.
[INT. WILDLIFE REHAB CENTER – EARLY MORNING]
The opossum rests in a warm enclosure, hay tucked around her. Vets and volunteers smile as the joeys are born — squirming, pink, clinging to their mama.
She’s exhausted, but peaceful.
Because she didn’t give up.
And someone stopped.
