Episode 5

FADE IN:

EXT. VALLEY -- FRIDAY MORNING

An area along the riverbank has been cordoned off with yellow tape. Police cruisers are parked nearby, flashing their red and blue lights. GALE approaches. Several DEPUTIES are milling around the area. LYNDON is seated on a tree root, crying. Another deputy is with him. SHERIFF comes up from the riverbank to meet Gale.

SHERIFF

We’ve got another one. It looks bad.

They go to the edge of the water. A body, wrapped in plastic, is on the bank. Doctor TERRENCE is examining it.

GALE

Who is it?

SHERIFF

Leigh Pfiffer. Lyndon’s sister.

GALE

Damn it. I had a visitor last night, Bob. The Box Lady. She told me history was repeating itself. I see now what she meant.

SHERIFF

She knew about the murder? How?

GALE

Doctor Terrence.

TERRENCE

Good morning, Agent Gale. It looks like your killer has struck again. I’d say she died sometime around 1:30 to 2:00 last night. She’s been mutilated rather badly. But here’s something you’ll be interested in. I found the letter “N” carved into the fourth toe of the right foot. Just like Millicent.

GALE

Indeed. Those letters were never made public. It must be the same killer.

SHERIFF

Why letters? What does it mean?

GALE

W, Y, N. I don’t know, Bob.

SHERIFF

What are you going to do?

GALE

First, I’ll contact Duncan. I want him to take a look at this. Then, I think we’d better bring in Professor Saltares.

CUT TO:

INT. DANI’S HOME -- KITCHEN -- MORNING

Close up of Dani’s breakfast: coffee and a bagel with cream cheese, with assorted small jars of jam. DANI is ready for work, wearing a business suit. JANET, in her bathrobe, enters.

JANET

Good morning.

DANI

Morning.

JANET

Something wrong? I heard some banging about late last night.

DANI

That was Patrick, coming in late again. I hate it when he does that, comes stumbling in at two or three in the morning after being out all night. And he won’t even tell me where he’s been.

JANET

I’m sorry. It must be so hard on you.

DANI

He’s so distant now. It wasn’t always like this. We used to have fun. Now, we never seem to do anything but argue. Whenever he’s home, he just listens to his CDs. I mean, you saw him. And then he goes out and won’t tell me anything.

JANET

You’ve tried talking to him?

DANI

Of course, but he won’t. I just don’t know where this marriage is heading.

CUT TO:

INT. ALAN’S OFFICE -- MORNING

ALAN is on the phone.

ALAN

What do you mean? Yes, my son was arrested, but how does that bear on my mall development? It kills the all-American image, is that what you’re trying to tell me? Well, look, I don’t pay you to tell me what the public thinks. I pay you to tell the public what to think about me. Clear? Now get on it.

ALBERT enters, looking beat. Alan hangs up.

ALAN

P.R. people! Albert, you look terrible!

ALBERT

Good morning, Alan. Oh, I just had a rough night, that’s all.

ALAN

You know, Albert, with all that’s happened, I think you really should take a long weekend. Rest, get your strength back.

ALBERT

You may be right, Alan. I mean, I’m not as young as I used to be.

ALAN

Who is?

ALBERT

Right. I think I will leave early today. But there are just a couple of things I should get to first.

ALAN

Albert, you are a trouper. I don’t know where I would be without you.

ALBERT

Thanks, Alan.

Alan’s phone rings. Albert goes to his own office.

ALAN

Hello? Janet! Oh? You’re alone, eh? What are you wearing? [laughs] Dinner. Yes, that would do me a world of good. It’s Duane. He’s been arrested. Something to do with drugs. Yes, thank you. Special ways to make me feel better? I like the sound of that.

Alan leans back in his chair and laughs.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- MORNING

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- MORNING

LYNDON is being comforted by ABIGAIL.

LYNDON

I don’t know what I’m going to do. Tomorrow is our mom’s birthday. Leigh was going to have us over for dinner, and now I’ll have to tell Mom that she’s... that she’s dead.

ABIGAIL

Oh, Lyndon. I’m so sorry.

LYNDON

I just know it’s going to break her. It took her so long to recover from Dad’s death, and that was an accident. Now for Leigh to be murdered...

ABIGAIL

If there’s anything I can do...

LYNDON

Thank you, Abigail.

ABIGAIL

Oh, Lyndon. I’d do anything for you...

SHERIFF approaches.

SHERIFF

How are you, Lyndon?

LYNDON

I think I’ll be okay, Sheriff.

SHERIFF

Look, why don’t you take the rest of the day off?

LYNDON

Thank you, Sheriff. I will.

Lyndon and Abigail exit. GALE comes out of the conference room.

GALE

How’s Lyndon handling it?

SHERIFF

I’m not sure. I hope he’ll be all right. I’ve sent some men over to pick up Saltares. They should be back pretty soon.

GALE

Good. Duncan is on his way. He should arrive about noon.

SHERIFF

That’s great, but I think I’d better let Doctor Terrence know well ahead of time.

Sheriff goes into his office. PENNY enters.

GALE

Penny.

PENNY

Good morning, Agent Gale. I’ve brought you Millicent’s diary. I pass here on the way to school, and I thought the sooner you had it, the better.

GALE

(takes the diary)

Yes. Thank you, Penny.

PENNY

I hope you find whoever it was, Agent Gale. I want to see Millicent rest easy.

GALE

As do I, Penny. As do I.

Penny exits. Gale opens the diary and begins scanning the pages.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL -- PARKING LOT -- MORNING

BRADLEY and MEGAN get out of Bradley’s car.

BRADLEY

Oh, by the way, I’m going to the football game tonight with the guys, so I guess you can use the car if you want.

MEGAN

Thanks, but I won’t need it. I’m going out with James tonight.

BRADLEY

James Clapsaddle? I can’t see why you would date such a weirdo.

MEGAN

James is not a weirdo, he’s just quiet. Anyway, it’s not a date. We’re just good friends. I’m not even interested in him romantically. He knows that.

BRADLEY

I still think you’d be better off staying away from him.

MEGAN

Well, I’ll live my own life, if you don’t mind.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- MORNING

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- INTERROGATION ROOM -- MORNING

SALTARES is seated. GALE and SHERIFF are standing over him.

SALTARES

Look, why have I been arrested? I had nothing to do with Millicent’s death. You have to believe that!

GALE

(produces the burnt photographs)

Professor, I think it’s time you told us the truth about Millicent Collins, as well as the cult activities within the Medieval Re-creation Society.

SALTARES

(looks at the photos)

My god. How did you find these?

SHERIFF

Never mind that. Just start talking.

SALTARES

All right. All right, I’ll tell you everything. I am, indeed, part of what you would call a cult that operates in secret, under cover of the Medieval Re-creation Society. We worship an ancient being of immense power, known to us as the Lady of Night. Her dark powers have spread over the earth since the dawn of time. Power that we can tap into, to deal with our enemies.

GALE

And you lead this cult?

SALTARES

Me? No, I am not worthy of that honor yet.

GALE

Then who does?

SALTARES

Our leader’s identity is known only to himself. He always wears the hooded cloak and ritual armor of his rank.

SHERIFF

Well, how do you recognize him?

SALTARES

By his voice. And especially that scary laugh of his. All who hear it feel the bone-chilling cold of the Lady’s power that flows within him.

GALE

Tell us about Millicent.

SALTARES

I knew Millicent from church, where I often find converts for our own beliefs among the souls alienated and marginalized by mainstream religion. But Millicent was different. Her faith was strong. When she came to me full of enthusiasm for the Dark Ages, I saw her as a potential member of the MRS, and she came to a few events with me, strictly for fun. But it was when she revealed her obsession with Llewellyn the Marauder that I considered her as a member of our dark circle. Llewellyn was a favorite servant of our Lady and spilled much blood in her name. Millicent seemed eager to join us, and at our next meeting, I presented her to our leader.

SHERIFF

Then what happened?

SALTARES

He seemed unusually pleased with her petition to join us. She was initiated with all the standard rites, the ritual nakedness and the drinking of human blood, you know. But then, the leader ordered that she and I perform an ancient sex ritual. I knew of it but had never seen it actually performed. These pictures were taken as a record.

SHERIFF

That’s sick.

SALTARES

You cannot understand us. The leader then announced that Millicent would be made our circle’s special sex slave. Then he took up his staff and beat her harshly. We were surprised by this action, but the leader revealed that the Lady of Night had spoken to him and had marked Millicent for this bondage.

GALE

When did all this happen?

SALTARES

It was early last month, just before the Feast of the Leviathan.

Gale produces a photo of Theresa Chavez.

GALE

Professor, do you know this girl? Her name is Theresa Chavez.

SALTARES

Wait... yes, I remember her. She joined our circle as well, sometime last year. Nothing out of the ordinary with her, but she disappeared soon afterward, toward the end of the MRS event that was going on at the time.

GALE

She was killed by the same individual responsible for Millicent’s death.

SALTARES

What? Look, I swear to you I knew nothing about that. I didn’t even know she was dead. We thought she just got scared and took off. It happens. But I had nothing to do with either of the killings!

Gale produces a picture of Leigh Pfiffer.

GALE

Do you recognize this young lady?

SALTARES

No... no, I’ve never seen her. Should I?

GALE

We’ll return in a moment. Sheriff?

Gale and Sheriff exit.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- BASEMENT HALLWAY -- MORNING

GALE and SHERIFF confer outside the interrogation room.

SHERIFF

What do you think?

GALE

Bob, I don’t think Saltares is the killer.

SHERIFF

You believe his story, then?

GALE

Yes, and furthermore, I think the killer may very well be the mysterious cult leader.

SHERIFF

Sounds good to me. Well, I can keep Saltares overnight without charging him. But since Millicent was a minor...

GALE

Bob, I think it may serve us better to release Saltares in the morning.

CUT TO:

EXT. TWINSBURG HOSPITAL -- FRIDAY NOON

CUT TO:

INT. MORGUE -- NOON

TERRENCE and DUNCAN enter. LEIGH’s body is on the examining table. LYNDON is standing beside her, grieving.

DUNCAN

I knew I’d wind up back in this backwoods compost heap before I got the ticks off my socks from the last time.

TERRENCE

Lyndon? We’re going to examine Leigh’s body now.

LYNDON

Yes... yes, all right, Doctor.

TERRENCE

Excuse us.

LYNDON

Yes. Thank you.

DUNCAN

Come on, chin up, man! Sniveling’s not going to do any good, unless you own a tissue company. Be a man!

LYNDON

Agent MacNeil, if you weren’t a federal officer, by golly, I’d show you what kind of a man I am, you... city boy!

DUNCAN

(puts down his briefcase)

Well, it looks like I just went off duty!

Lyndon punches Duncan square in the face.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- NOON

DUNCAN flies through the doors and lands on the floor. LYNDON emerges from the morgue and grabs him. Duncan throws him into the wall. They fight. TERRENCE follows them out into the hallway.

TERRENCE

Stop this! Lyndon! Agent MacNeil, this is an outrage!

Duncan and Lyndon slug it out and Lyndon gets the upper hand. He pins Duncan to the floor. Duncan holds his hands up in surrender and smiles.

DUNCAN

Whoa, there. You win. Finally, a man in this town I can respect! That’s a hell of a left jab there, Deputy.

LYNDON

You’re pretty good yourself.

DUNCAN

Come on, let’s get down to business.

They get up from the floor. Duncan is very chummy.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL -- FRIDAY AFTERNOON

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- AFTERNOON

KENT is at his locker. JAMES approaches him.

JAMES

Hey, Kent! What happened to you yesterday?

KENT

Look, why don’t you mind your own business?

JAMES

What is it with you? You’ve been acting weird ever since that Janet showed up. Is there something going on between you two?

KENT

Just leave me alone, all right?

Kent turns and accidentally walks into NICHOLAS, who is walking with PENNY. Kent growls in frustration and storms off.

CU -- JAMES squints at him.

CUT TO:

INT. GREY’S BIKE SHOP -- AFTERNOON

ELLIOTT comes out of the back of the shop, wiping his hands on a rag. He sees KIMMY and PATRICK outside the front window. Patrick gives Kimmy a large amount of cash and leaves. She puts it into her purse and enters the store.

KIMMY

Oh, hello.

ELLIOTT

What was that money your brother gave you?

KIMMY

Just a little loan. Nothing to worry about.

She embraces him.

ELLIOTT

Kimmy, are you in trouble again?

KIMMY

Of course not. We talked about that, remember?

She kisses him.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- AFTERNOON

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- CONFERENCE ROOM -- AFTERNOON

GALE and SHERIFF are eating doughnuts.

GALE

I remember from my vision the other night a beautiful woman made of light, a lady of light. I wonder if there is some connection to Saltares’ Lady of Night, some kind of yin-yang relationship.

SHERIFF

This metaphysical stuff is all way above me.

DUNCAN enters.

DUNCAN

Gentlemen. It looks as though our mysterious friend has made a repeat performance. I have your preliminary results for you.

GALE

Good work, Duncan.

SHERIFF

That didn’t take long.

DUNCAN

There wasn’t much left to work with this time.

GALE

What did you find?

DUNCAN

Hold on to your doughnuts, gentlemen, it’s not pleasant. Wounds on the wrists and ankles indicate that the victim was bound with barbed wire that was somewhat rusty. Her back was badly shredded, but marks around the area suggest she was viciously whipped. There were also several fresh burns detectable all over her body. Most of her digestive system was missing, due to disembowelment.

SHERIFF

My Lord...

DUNCAN

A real hatchet job. Makes Jack the Ripper look like the Pillsbury Doughboy.

GALE

Thank you, Duncan. Thorough as always.

SHERIFF

I think I need some air.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- AFTERNOON

GALE, SHERIFF, and DUNCAN come out of the conference room. LYNDON is waiting, looking tough.

LYNDON

Agent MacNeil.

SHERIFF

Uh-oh.

DUNCAN

Deputy Pfiffer, let’s go get a beer.

Duncan and Lyndon exit together. Sheriff and Gale look at each other in bewilderment. ALBERT enters.

SHERIFF

Albert.

ALBERT

Bob, Agent Gale, I heard on the radio there’s been another murder.

GALE

That’s correct. Leigh Pfiffer.

ALBERT

Was it the same killer?

GALE

We believe it was.

ALBERT

Oh, no. Yes, I see. That’s terrible.

GALE

Did you know her?

ALBERT

No. No, I didn’t. But she was friends with Tuppence. They worked together at the library.

SHERIFF

Right. They were together at the funeral.

ALBERT

Yes, I’m going to go home and lay down for a while. I’m feeling very tired.

SHERIFF

That sounds like a good idea, Albert.

Albert exits.

GALE

Bob, I think we should pay Tuppence a visit.

CUT TO:

INT. KENT’S HOME -- AFTERNOON

KENT opens the front door and lets JANET in. They kiss passionately.

KENT

My mother won’t be home until late. She’s catering a big party this weekend.

JANET

Kent... we need to talk. I have something to tell you. Something important.

KENT

All right. Let’s sit down in the living room.

They go in and sit on the couch.

JANET

Kent... I need your help.

KENT

You know I’d do anything for you.

JANET

Would you? Would you truly?

KENT

Of course. Anything.

JANET

Kent, when I was younger, before I left Twinsburg, just out of high school, in fact, I had a job as a secretary, and I met Alan Cartwright. He became terribly infatuated with me and kept trying to get me to sleep with him. I told him I wasn’t interested, but he persisted. He’s a man used to getting what he wants. There was a company party, you see, and I’m afraid I got a little drunk. He was there and he took advantage of it and led me outside, where he raped me.

KENT

No...

JANET

I was so frightened afterwards, and he threatened to use his money and his influence against me if I made any trouble for him. I didn’t know what to do. I felt like it was my fault, somehow.

KENT

It wasn’t your fault.

JANET

Then, I found out I was pregnant. I told him, asked for his help, but he... forced me to have an abortion. I felt so helpless. He hounded me after that, and I had to leave town. Eventually, I wound up with some relatives in England.

KENT

That bastard!

JANET

I had thought that after all these years that the old wounds had healed enough for me to come home, but I was wrong. I’ve been having nightmares about him. His face has been haunting me, and every time the phone rings, my heart races, thinking it’s him. Oh, Kent, I’m so terrified of what he’ll do if he finds out I’ve returned.

KENT

It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about him anymore. I’ll take care of him.

JANET

What are you going to do?

KENT

He’ll pay for everything he’s done to you. I’ll make him pay...

JANET

Oh, Kent...

Pan down to the heating vent, through duct work to the basement, where JAMES has been listening in.

CU -- JAMES squints.

CUT TO:

EXT. COLLINS HOME -- AFTERNOON

GALE and SHERIFF knock on the front door.

SHERIFF

Mrs. Collins? Mrs. Collins, it’s Sheriff Armstrong!

No answer. They go around to the garage and look in the window.

SHERIFF

Well, her car’s still here. I can’t imagine where she’d be.

GALE

Then I think we should...

ZEKE shuffles up to the mailbox and puts the mail in. He waves at Gale, smiling. Gale waves back, squinting.

GALE

Bob, let’s try the back.

CUT TO:

INT. COLLINS HOME -- AFTERNOON

The back door opens. GALE and SHERIFF enter.

SHERIFF

It’s open.

GALE

Let’s take a look around.

SHERIFF

Mrs. Collins?

GALE

I don’t think anyone’s home, Bob.

SHERIFF

She’s not at the library. Her car’s in the garage...

Sheriff tries the basement door. It is locked.

SHERIFF

Locked.

GALE

Bob, take a look at this!

Gale reaches into the wastebasket and pulls out fresh, green maple leaves.

GALE

Maple leaves. Just like I found on my bed after my vision.

SHERIFF

Cigarette butts...

GALE

What’s that?

SHERIFF

There’s cigarette butts in the ashtray here. But Tuppence doesn’t smoke. Wait a minute. These are Albert’s brand.

GALE

Are you sure?

SHERIFF

He’s been smoking these for years.

GALE

Bob, what time did you leave Albert’s last night?

SHERIFF

About 8:15. Wait, you don’t think...

GALE

I think we’d better have a look in that basement.

They go to the basement door. Sheriff pushes on it with his shoulder. Gale motions him to stand back and kicks the door open. They pause, then Gale goes through the door.

CUT TO:

INT. COLLINS HOME -- BASEMENT -- AFTERNOON

GALE and SHERIFF come down the stairs and are shocked.

SHERIFF

Tuppence!

TUPPENCE, unconscious, is shackled to the far wall. They run over to her.

GALE

She’s been drugged. Mrs. Collins?

TUPPENCE

No... don’t kill her... don’t...

SHERIFF

The keys!

Sheriff goes over to a beam where the keys are hanging on a hook. Nearby is a shower curtain drawn across with boxes in front of it. Sheriff looks behind the curtain.

SHERIFF

Agent Gale, you’d better have a look at this.

Gale goes over. Sheriff pulls the curtain back. In a utility sink are an old broadsword and battleaxe, each with blood still on it. There is also blood in the sink.

GALE

The murder weapons. This is it, Bob. You’d better call in some more men. We’ve been barking up the wrong tree. Albert is our man!

CUT TO:

INT. DANI’S HOME -- FRIDAY EVENING

DANI enters, home from work. PATRICK is on the phone.

PATRICK

All right, look, I’ll call you back.

He hangs up.

DANI

Hello.

PATRICK

I want to talk to you.

DANI

What about?

PATRICK

How long is this Janet going to be staying here?

DANI

I don’t know, until she gets back on her feet. She’s going through some very bad times right now, and I want to help her through it.

PATRICK

Well, it’s pretty damn inconvenient for me.

DANI

For you? Why on earth would it inconvenience you? You’re hardly ever here anyway!

PATRICK

Look, don’t get smart. I just don’t like having strangers in my house, all right?

DANI

Janet is my friend.

PATRICK

So what? You could have asked me before inviting her to stay. It’s my house, after all.

DANI

This house is as much mine as it is yours. If I want to have a friend stay for a little while, I don’t see how that should affect you. The only stranger in this house is you!

PATRICK

You’re really asking for it.

DANI

This is pointless. I’m not going to argue with you. I had a hard day at work and I’m going to change clothes.

Dani exits. Patrick slams his hand on the table.

CUT TO:

INT. COLLINS HOME -- EVENING

GALE and SHERIFF are in the living room. Many DEPUTIES are milling about.

SHERIFF

Albert? This is like a nightmare that just keeps getting worse. It seems like everything I thought I knew about this family was all lies.

GALE

I know how you feel, Bob. Believe me.

TERRENCE enters as TUPPENCE is taken out on a stretcher.

TUPPENCE

Please... no more killing!

GALE

Doctor, how is she?

TERRENCE

Impossible to say, Agent Gale. We won’t know what kind of drug we’re dealing with until we run some tests. I pray she’ll be all right.

SHERIFF

Right. I hope we found her in time.

GALE

Bob, I want a guard on Tuppence’s hospital room at all times.

SHERIFF

Good idea.

TERRENCE

I’ll keep you posted on her condition.

GALE

Thank you, Doctor.

Terrence exits.

SHERIFF

I can’t believe Albert is a murderer. I mean, why would he kill his own daughter?

GALE

It’s difficult to trace the twisted logic of an insane individual, Bob. If Albert is, as we suspect, the mysterious cult leader Saltares spoke of, perhaps Millicent discovered his cult activities and sought out Saltares for information on Llewellyn and the Lady of Night.

SHERIFF

Not knowing that he was involved in it too.

GALE

Exactly. Then, when she was presented to Albert at the initiation rite, he took a sadistic pleasure in seeing her molested during the ritual. It seems he’d been abusing her for years already.

SHERIFF

Now, when I talked to him last night, he blamed Tuppence for abusing Millicent. Why? I mean, why mention it at all? I thought Saltares was the one.

GALE

Bob, we’ve seen that Albert can function normally in day-to-day life. It is often the case in situations such as this that the killer may not be aware of his evil activities.

SHERIFF

You mean like a split personality?

GALE

Yes. Therefore, he would naturally suspect Tuppence and come to actually believe that it was she who was the abuser.

SHERIFF

That makes sense. But why kill Leigh? I mean, she wasn’t connected to the cult.

GALE

Perhaps it was simply in revenge for befriending Tuppence. He may have been trying to punish Tuppence by alienating her, first taking away her daughter, then her friends.

SHERIFF

This is all pretty hard to take.

GALE

I understand. Why don’t we get some air to clear our minds?

CUT TO:

EXT. COLLINS HOME -- EVENING

GALE and SHERIFF come out the front door.

SHERIFF

I’ve known Albert Collins for as long as I can remember. I never imagined he was anything but a regular guy.

GALE

That’s almost always the...

NEW ANGLE

Across the street, ZEKE is standing under a streetlight, looking grim.

BACK TO SHOT

GALE

“I am where I know everyone’s name...” Of course! I’ve been so blind!

SHERIFF

What are you talking about?

GALE

The last thing Gruffydd said to me in my vision! “I am where I know everyone’s name!” Bob, who is the one person in town who could know everyone’s name?

SHERIFF

Well...

GALE

(points across the street)

The mailman!

NEW ANGLE

Across the street, the streetlight shines but Zeke has vanished.

BACK TO SHOT

GALE

We’ve got to talk to Zeke, Bob. Urgently!

CUT TO:

INT. STEAKHOUSE -- EVENING

Close-up of glasses of water on the table where JAMES and MEGAN are dining. Pull back to reveal them sitting across from each other.

JAMES

You look really nice tonight, Megan.

MEGAN

Thank you, James. That’s sweet.

JAMES

I’m glad we could have this chance to talk.

MEGAN

Yes. You said there was something important you wanted to tell me. I’ve been dying to know what it is.

JAMES

Well, you know how your brother got beaten up last Sunday?

MEGAN

Yes.

JAMES

I saw who did it.

MEGAN

Did you? Who?

JAMES

Duane Cartwright.

MEGAN

So that’s why they were fighting at school. But why didn’t you tell me this before?

JAMES

I took care of things for you, you see. I took care of Duane.

MEGAN

What do you mean?

JAMES

You know that big overcoat Duane always wears? Well, I found some pages from a diary in one of the pockets. It was Millicent’s diary, and it was all about how she and Duane were selling drugs at school.

MEGAN

What? No way! Millicent was selling drugs?

JAMES

It’s true. I heard Duane talking about it with his other partners. So, I turned the pages in to the sheriff, and Duane was arrested. All thanks to me. So now, Bradley’s attack has been avenged, and it’s time for my reward.

MEGAN

Reward? What are you talking about? What sort of reward?

JAMES

Why, you, of course. You should reward me with your affections.

MEGAN

Well, James, I like you...

JAMES

You don’t understand. I mean you should be my girlfriend. My lover.

MEGAN

James... I like you as a friend, but not more than that. And certainly not because you “avenged” my brother. That’s crazy.

JAMES

No, I deserve to have you. I’ve proved that.

MEGAN

You’re wrong, James. I don’t understand what’s gotten into you. No one deserves to have someone’s love. It has to be freely given if it’s to mean anything. You can’t earn it or win it. It’s a gift.

JAMES

Megan, you must be mine. It’s our destiny. Don’t fight it, or you’ll just cause us both needless pain.

MEGAN

No. What’s wrong with you? I thought you were my friend. If you’ve just been lusting after me, I...

JAMES

Megan...

Megan stands.

JAMES

Megan, we can talk this through. I’ll explain it so you understand. Please, let’s talk.

MEGAN

No, James. You’ve ruined it. I thought we were friends. I thought you knew how I felt. You’ve hurt me. I’m sorry, I have to go!

JAMES

(stands)

Megan...

Megan rushes out. James starts to follow, then stops. He is upset and looks around, then is surprised at who he sees:

NEW ANGLE

ALAN and JANET are having an intimate dinner, holding hands and flirting.

CUT TO:

INT. ALBERT’S APARTMENT -- FRIDAY NIGHT

ALBERT, looking agitated, motions to NICHOLAS and PENNY to have a seat on his sofa.

ALBERT

Please, sit yourselves down.

PENNY

We came over as soon as we could, Mr. Collins. You sounded so urgent on the phone. Is something wrong?

ALBERT

Yes. Something is terribly wrong, Penny. You are in grave danger. You need to be very careful...

NICHOLAS

Why?

ALBERT

You see, the person who killed Millicent has struck again.

PENNY

Yes, we heard on the radio they’d found a body in the valley this morning. But why do you think I’m in danger?

ALBERT

Well, you being Millicent’s best friend, the killer may come after you. Look, just trust me when I say your life is in danger. You mustn’t go anywhere alone, always let your family know where you are...

NICHOLAS

Mr. Collins, do you know something about the killings?

GALE (O.S.)

We’d like to know the same thing.

Albert turns around. GALE and SHERIFF enter.

SHERIFF

The door was open. Albert... I’m afraid I’m going to have to put you under arrest.

ALBERT

Why?

SHERIFF

For the murder of Millicent Collins.

CU -- ALBERT is shocked.

CUT TO:

EXT. NIGHT

A halogen lamp shines through a stand of maple trees.

CUT TO:

INT. KENT’S HOME -- NIGHT

KENT comes out of Aunt Elspeth’s room and locks the door. He walks downstairs, where JAMES is sitting in the living room.

KENT

What are you doing here?

JAMES

Where’s Janet?

KENT

She had to see a friend about getting a place to stay. She’s been staying with Dani, but--

JAMES

Well, that’s pretty strange, because I saw her having dinner with Alan Cartwright.

KENT

What?

JAMES

And they were being more than friendly. Especially Janet.

KENT

You’re out of your mind. She hates him. He--

JANET enters.

JANET

Sorry I’m so late getting back. I hope we have enough time before Rosemary gets back to--

JAMES

To what?

JANET

Oh. Hello.

JAMES

Hello, Janet. We were just talking about you. Weren’t we, Kent?

KENT

James...!

JAMES

Why don’t you ask her where she’s really been? Go on, what could it hurt?

JANET

Kent? What does he mean?

KENT

James says he saw you tonight, having dinner with Alan Cartwright. Were you?

JANET

I... I was... yes. Yes, Kent, I was.

KENT

Why?

JANET

Oh, dearest. He found out I was in town. I don’t know how. He’s blackmailing me. I didn’t want you to know. Please promise you won’t do anything rash. I wanted to plead with him to leave me alone now, but he’s mad. Now he’s trying to force me to... to...

KENT

(embraces her)

It’s all right. You’ve got nothing to be afraid of. I’m here.

JANET

I love you so much...

James squints at them fiercely.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- NIGHT

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- NIGHT

GALE and SHERIFF enter with ALBERT in handcuffs. ABIGAIL is at her desk, and a DEPUTY is also present.

ALBERT

Bob, please, you’re making a terrible mistake!

SHERIFF

(to deputy)

Take him downstairs.

The deputy escorts Albert away. Abigail gasps. Sheriff and Gale turn around to see EMMA standing beside ZEKE in the doorway.

EMMA

I was on my way to buy butter when this kind gentleman flagged me down and asked if I would drive him here.

ZEKE

I am where I know everyone’s name.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- CONFERENCE ROOM -- NIGHT

GALE pours himself a cup of coffee. ZEKE is seated at the table, with SHERIFF standing beside him.

SHERIFF

Zeke, what’s this all about?

Zeke moans loudly as Gale walks up and sits on the table.

SHERIFF

Check his coat. I think he carries some pills!

ZEKE

There is no need for medicine. I am not in pain.

GALE

Who are you?

ZEKE

I am Gruffydd and I speak true

Llewellyn the one I pursue

Tunnels lead two ways

Beware! History is repeating itself!

GALE

What are you?

ZEKE

I am an inhabiting spirit.

GALE

Who is Zeke Chomski?

ZEKE

He is host to me.

GALE

You spoke to me in my vision... about Llewellyn.

ZEKE

He is my greatest enemy.

GALE

Where does Llewellyn come from?

ZEKE

Across the centuries he has walked under the veil of the Lady of Night, passing through her circle.

GALE

What does Llewellyn want?

ZEKE

He is Llewellyn. His was and has always been to sate the thirst of his Lady... with blood. Do you understand the parasite? It attaches itself to a life form and feeds. Llewellyn requires a human host. Through these souls he spreads his mistress’s darkness to other souls. These are the caves wherein he dwells. I am similar to Llewellyn. We once were mortal, but we now walk different paths. Black are the souls that bring him light...

GALE and ZEKE

Black the souls that bring delight...

ZEKE

Wither in the flames!

Enter, enter into my cave

Meet your killer, slave of a slave.

But then, I passed through my Lady’s golden circle. The Lady of Light touched my soul and loosed it from its mortal fetters. With her blessed guidance, I have moved along the centuries, inhabiting, from time to time, the purest of souls for one single purpose!

GALE

To find Llewellyn!

ZEKE

To stop him! His trail of the blood of innocents flows like a scarlet river. You know of only his latest victims: Theresa, Millicent, Leigh. But they are myriad in number. And he has already marked she who will die next.

GALE

Who?

ZEKE

That cannot be revealed. You know Llewellyn’s true face. Few can see it: the gifted and the damned. You must journey down the dark tunnel to stop the carnage forever.

GALE

I don’t understand.

ZEKE

You must find the amber circle. The answers you seek are already within you.

GALE

The Box Lady?

ZEKE

She is known to us here. Her gift has made her an unwitting ally. She has felt his presence.

GALE

Is Llewellyn near us now?

ZEKE

For nearly ten years.

GALE

Where?

ZEKE

In the branches that blow in the breeze

Deep within the maple trees!

Zeke closes his eyes. Gale and Sheriff are dumbfounded.

CUT TO:

INT. MEGAN’S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

MEGAN is in bed, tossing and turning. She is having a nightmare. Suddenly, she sits up.

MEGAN

Millicent!

FADE OUT

Special Agent Martin Gale, 34. FBI agent.

Sheriff Robert Armstrong, 36. Sheriff of Twinsburg.

Megan Thomas, 16. High school sophomore.

Bradley Thomas, 18. High school senior, Megan’s brother.

Alan Cartwright, 50. Real estate developer, mall owner.

Penny Gardner, 17. High school senior.

Lyle Terrence, 62. Local doctor.

Nicholas Grey, 17. High school senior.

Elliott Grey, 42. Owns bike shop, uncle of Nicholas.

Kent Clapsaddle, 16. High school sophomore.

Tuppence Collins, 46. Librarian.

Dani Clapsaddle, 29. Kent’s aunt by marriage.

Janet Flynn, 39. Twinsburg native returned from England.

James Clapsaddle, 18. High school senior, Kent’s uncle.

Lyndon Pfiffer, 26. Deputy.

Gabriel Saltares, 44. College professor.

Albert Collins, 48. Lawyer.

Abigail Voigt, 24. Sheriff’s secretary.

Patrick Clapsaddle, 33. Kent’s uncle, husband of Dani.

Duncan MacNeil, 38. FBI forensics expert.

Emma Corbett, 50. Local eccentric.

Kimmy Clapsaddle, 38. Kent’s aunt.

Leigh Pfiffer, 23. Corpse.

Zeke Chomski, 68. Mailman.

Deputies

High School Students


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