Episode 6

FADE IN:

INT. ROSEMARY’S PASTRY SHOP -- SATURDAY MORNING

Close up of a table with a cheese Danish and a glass of seltzer water. Pull back to show MEGAN, looking glum. TERRENCE enters and goes to the counter, where ROSEMARY is working.

CU -- MEGAN

ROSEMARY (O.S.)

Good morning, Doctor. What can I get you?

TERRENCE (O.S.)

Just a cup of coffee to go, thanks. Well, maybe I’ll take some of that coffee cake there.

ROSEMARY (O.S.)

Fresh out of the oven. There you go. Dollar twenty-five.

TERRENCE (O.S.)

Thank you.

ROSEMARY (O.S.)

Come again.

TERRENCE (O.S.)

It’s a shame for such a pretty girl to have such a sad face.

MEGAN

(looks up)

What?

TERRENCE

I said it’s a shame for such a pretty girl to have such a sad face.

MEGAN

(smiles weakly)

I’m sorry.

Terrence smiles at her, then exits. KIMMY enters and goes to the counter.

ROSEMARY

Am I glad to see you.

KIMMY

What’s up?

ROSEMARY

I’ve got this dinner at the Maple Lodge to cater tonight, and I’m just about out of my head. I was relying on Kent to help out this afternoon, but now he’s spending the day with that... that...

KIMMY

Janet.

ROSEMARY

Thank you. It’s just out of spite, you know that.

KIMMY

Because you threw her out.

ROSEMARY

What was I supposed to do? I don’t like the thought of them being alone together, and certainly not under my very own roof. And what is Aunt Elspeth supposed to think?

KIMMY

Well... But he’s still seeing her.

ROSEMARY

Well, I don’t see how I can stop him. He won’t listen to a word I say, and she’s got him wrapped around her little finger.

KIMMY

I just hope they don’t get into any... you know, trouble.

ROSEMARY

That’s what I’m afraid of. I have to get back to work. I’ve got so much to do, I’m going crazy.

KIMMY

I know what you mean.

ROSEMARY

Say, would you be able to--

KIMMY

Sorry, Rosemary, I’m afraid I’ve got something scheduled for this afternoon. Something I can’t miss.

ROSEMARY

What?

KIMMY

I’ll talk to you later.

Kimmy exits. The BOX LADY enters and sits down next to Megan. Megan looks at her with surprise.

MEGAN

Hello...?

BOX LADY

You have seen beyond your eyes. You have seen into the darkness. My box must tell you something.

MEGAN

Your box?

BOX LADY

It is this: Deliver the message. Do you understand?

MEGAN

Yes... As a matter of fact, I do.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- MORNING

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- INTERROGATION ROOM -- MORNING

ALBERT is seated. GALE and SHERIFF stand by the door. ZEKE shuffles around Albert, smelling him. Zeke stops, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath.

ZEKE

Llewellyn... is not here.

GALE

Damn!

ALBERT

Bob, would you mind telling me what’s going on here?

SHERIFF

Just relax, Albert.

GALE

You’re certain?

ZEKE

He has been near to this person. But he does not dwell here. There can be no mistake.

GALE

Bob...

Gale, Sheriff, and Zeke exit.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- BASEMENT HALLWAY -- MORNING

GALE and SHERIFF confer in the hallway outside the questioning room while ZEKE shuffles down the hall and exits.

GALE

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

SHERIFF

What?

GALE

You heard it from Gruffydd. He told us last night that Llewellyn is the killer, working through a human host. But he couldn’t sense Llewellyn in Albert. It can’t be him. We have to find out who Llewellyn is working through, then we’ll have our killer.

SHERIFF

Agent Gale, I’ve been willing to follow you on this crazy dream stuff so far, but we’ve got solid evidence against Albert. His fingerprints were all over that basement, including the murder weapons. Everything points to him as the murderer. I can’t just let him go on the say-so of a senile old man.

GALE

Sheriff, you’re absolutely right. This is your backyard and you’ve got to go with your instincts. Sometimes an outsider can forget that.

Gale walks off down the hall and exits. Sheriff leans against the wall.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITY PARK -- MORNING

NICHOLAS and PENNY are taking a walk.

PENNY

It’s such a beautiful day. The air is so crisp. I can’t believe that it was a week ago that we saw Millicent for the last time. So much has happened.

NICHOLAS

Yeah. We got into so much stuff because of her. And I don’t think we even really knew her. I’ve been wondering what kinds of secrets she had. Now we’ll never know.

PENNY

I loved her like she was my sister. But I don’t know that I’m sorry she’s gone. Isn’t that awful?

NICHOLAS

Awful? Nah. Loving her was a strain. She made it that way. Now, it’s natural to feel relief. I’m not sorry she’s gone, though. I think she was keeping us apart.

PENNY

Nicholas...

NICHOLAS

And when she died, it made me realize--

BRADLEY (O.S.)

Grey! I’ve been looking for you!

PENNY

Oh, no.

BRADLEY approaches.

NICHOLAS

What do you want?

BRADLEY

Hey, it’s cool. I realize we haven’t been on the best of terms, but I just want to talk. About Millicent.

NICHOLAS

Okay.

BRADLEY

Yeah, well, I heard about Cartwright getting busted for selling drugs, and that you guys were double-crossing him. What I mean is, is it true about Millicent? That she was selling, too?

NICHOLAS

Yeah.

BRADLEY

Yeah, you think you know somebody...

PENNY

I’m sorry, Bradley. It was hard on all of us.

NICHOLAS

I never really loved her, man. I was just trying to save her from Duane. And from herself. I guess I figured you two would just work it out eventually. I didn’t mean to give you any grief.

PENNY

Millicent really did care for you, Bradley. Please believe that. I think I knew her better than anyone. Better than she thought I did. She loved you, and that’s why she didn’t want you to know what she had gotten into.

BRADLEY

Yeah. Thanks. You know, Grey, maybe I was wrong about you. You’re all right.

NICHOLAS

Thanks, man.

LYNDON approaches.

LYNDON

Bradley, I saw you from the road.

BRADLEY

What’s the deal?

LYNDON

Agent Gale wants to talk to you right away. It’s important.

CU -- BRADLEY squints.

CUT TO:

INT. CARTWRIGHT HOME -- DEN -- MORNING

JANET is on the phone.

JANET

Hello, Kent, darling. Yes, I’m looking at an apartment right now. Oh, it’s very nice. As soon as I’m done here, I’ll pop round and pick you up. Then we’ll have all day together. Mmm, me too.

ALAN enters.

JANET

Love you. Bye.

ALAN

Who were you calling?

JANET

Oh, just my sister. She wants me to go shopping with her today.

ALAN

Of course you said no.

JANET

I’m sorry, dearest. I really must. But I’ll pick up a few items that you’ll like.

ALAN

Oh?

JANET

Something in black lace, for one. Maybe a little leather. Something naughty.

ALAN

I like your style.

JANET

Oh, Alan, I love you. I want to be with you. At your side. In your bed. Always...

ALAN

You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. And without question the best lover.

JANET

Alan, I want to be your wife.

ALAN

(parting from her)

Ah.

JANET

It’s been so long since your wife left you. You must get--

ALAN

Janet, we have the perfect relationship. Why spoil it?

JANET

But it would enrich our lives. The trust, the intimacy...

ALAN

The bother, the expense...

JANET

Alan, I want the special rewards that come from a loving marriage, and there’s no one I love as devotedly and passionately as I--

ALAN

Janet, I don’t think it would be a good idea. I’ve been married. I know the pain and the trouble it can be. And we’re so happy as we are now.

JANET

Alan, do you remember when we first met, and the affair we had before I left Twinsburg?

ALAN

How could I forget? I still have all your letters in my safe.

JANET

Well, something more came out of that affair than love letters.

ALAN

What are you saying?

JANET

I had a child, Alan. Your son.

ALAN

What?

JANET

Yes, he’s in England at this very moment. He’s older than Duane, you know. By more than a year. Your first-born son. And far from being a delinquent, he’s in one of England’s finer public schools.

ALAN

How did you manage that? No, don’t answer.

JANET

He’s a model citizen, and one shrewd businessman. You’d like him.

ALAN

Assuming this is true--

JANET

Oh, it’s true. But I swear to you, Alan, you’ll never meet him unless we are married.

ALAN

I see. So you’ll use our son to blackmail me.

JANET

No, no, no, Alan, no. You don’t understand. I don’t want him to get hurt. I haven’t told him about you. It’s so perfect, Alan. I’m just trying to keep you from making the wrong choice.

CU -- ALAN squints.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- MORNING

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- MORNING

LYNDON enters with BRADLEY. They are met by SHERIFF.

SHERIFF

Hello, Bradley. Have a seat.

BRADLEY

Fine.

Bradley sits.

LYNDON

I’m going to go home and get ready for my mother coming over. We’re going to Leigh’s this evening, to sort through her things.

SHERIFF

Sure thing, Lyndon. Thanks for coming in this morning. How is your mother holding up?

LYNDON

She took the news pretty hard. But Abigail was a big help. She’s helping me make dinner tonight, too. I’m not much of a cook.

SHERIFF

That’s great, Lyndon. I’ll see you, then.

LYNDON

Bye.

GALE comes out of the conference room as Lyndon exits.

GALE

Bradley, good to see you. Let’s talk.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- CONFERENCE ROOM -- MORNING

BRADLEY is seated at the table. SHERIFF stands by the window. GALE produces Millicent’s diary and drops it on the table.

GALE

You know what this is?

BRADLEY

A diary.

GALE

That’s right. Bradley, I think it’s time you told us the truth about what happened between you and Millicent last Saturday night.

BRADLEY

All right. But it wasn’t anything new. Not really. Millicent talked all the time about wanting us to blow this town and elope. I didn’t think it was such a hot idea, naturally.

GALE

You believe in the benefits of a good education?

BRADLEY

I don’t want to end up in some crap job like my old man. So, I’d talk her out of it. But she’d always bring it up again. She thought it would be exciting or dangerous or something. Anyway, that was before she started seeing Nicholas Grey. That really ticked me off. And she really knew how to work it, you know? Anyway, after the dance, we went to the park. She liked making out in the gazebo there.

GALE

But she had other things on her mind, didn’t she?

BRADLEY

She told me she was leaving town the next morning, with or without me. This time, I knew she meant it. She had eyes like an animal on the run. Something spooked her seriously. I tried to calm her down, but she told me that if I didn’t come, she’d take Nicholas instead. Boy, I almost blew up, but I told her I’d do it. I thought I could come up with something once we were on the road and she had a chance to chill out. I was supposed to pick her up for church in the morning, and we’d just take off. But, of course...

SHERIFF

Bradley, why didn’t you just tell us all this in the first place?

BRADLEY

Hey, man, I loved her. I didn’t think it would be right. Don’t rag on the dead, you know. But when I found out she was selling drugs, man, I don’t know what’s right anymore.

GALE

Thank you, Bradley. Your honesty has been helpful.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- MORNING

GALE, SHERIFF, and BRADLEY come out of the conference room. MEGAN enters.

BRADLEY

Megan.

MEGAN

Oh, hello, Bradley. What are you doing here?

BRADLEY

What are you doing here?

MEGAN

I need to talk to Agent Gale.

GALE

Can I help you?

MEGAN

I need to tell you about my dream.

CU -- GALE squints.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- CONFERENCE ROOM -- MORNING

MEGAN is seated at the table. GALE pours himself a cup of coffee.

MEGAN

I feel a little silly. I mean, I wouldn’t normally bother you with it. After all, how important could a dream be, no matter how disturbing it was?

GALE

Don’t discount the importance of dreams, Megan. Sometimes they reveal things we are not otherwise aware of.

MEGAN

Right, well, I was at Rosemary’s this morning, when this weird lady came in with a ratty old cardboard box. She told me to deliver the message, so here I am. I mean, it was just too creepy.

GALE

Megan, this could be very important. Tell me everything that you can remember.

MEGAN

Okay. I saw Millicent, and she was wearing a formal gown, like she’d wear at the school dance. Only, she was in the woods, and running. She was being chased by something, a huge shadow. And wherever the shadow would fall across her, it drew blood. But she kept running. Then, she came up to this enormous stone wall. I mean, it stretched forever in all directions. The shadow came up to her and turned into a person.

GALE

Who? Were you able to recognize them?

MEGAN

No, it was weird. It was like it was a man and a woman at the same time. Anyway, he, she, or it -- whatever it was -- was dark and evil, and it tried to get inside Millicent, but she wouldn’t let it in. Then, it just grabbed her and ripped her apart. It was awful.

GALE

Megan, thank you for sharing that with me.

Megan tries to get a hold of herself. Gale takes a sip of coffee and squints.

CUT TO:

INT. DANI’S HOME -- SATURDAY NOON

PATRICK opens the front door to reveal KIMMY. She enters.

PATRICK

Good, you’re on time. Dani’s out shopping.

KIMMY

Look, let’s just get this over with.

PATRICK

Relax.

Patrick takes a packet of maps and instructions that is rubber-banded together out from behind a row of compact discs in a shelving unit and hands them to Kimmy.

PATRICK

Everything you need is in here. This time, check the map before you leave, so you don’t get lost again.

KIMMY

All right. It’s just that I get nervous, okay?

PATRICK

Well, just remember that it’s for Elliott’s own good.

KIMMY

You leave Elliott alone. Just leave him alone.

PATRICK

Hey, big sister, that depends on you.

Kimmy shudders.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- NOON

CUT TO:

INT. JAIL -- NOON

DUANE is in his cell. NICHOLAS enters the hallway and approaches.

DUANE

What the hell’s going on, man? How did you get out of it? You’re just as guilty as me, you and that little slut Penny.

NICHOLAS

Just shut up, man. We told the truth, that’s all. We were never in it like you. We were gathering evidence against you in order to help out Millicent.

DUANE

Is that so? You double-crossing bastard! A lot of good your little plan did her, huh? She’s six feet under, dead and cold. And that’s how you’re gonna be!

NICHOLAS

We’re gonna make sure they put you away for a real long time.

DUANE

You made a big mistake, Grey, when you decided to mess with me. Why’d you do it, man? For love? Penny make you do it? You love her enough to get killed for her?

NICHOLAS

I’m not afraid of you. And not even your rich dad will be able to pull enough strings to get you out of this one.

DUANE

Shut up, you bastard. I don’t need my rich dad, anyway. I’ve got something the cops want -- information. And I know how to use it. I’m getting out of here, Nicholas, and you’re gonna have to watch your back from now on!

CU -- NICHOLAS squints.

CUT TO:

INT. TWINSBURG HOSPITAL -- SATURDAY AFTERNOON

GALE and SHERIFF meet TERRENCE in the hall outside of Tuppence’s room. 1^ST DEPUTY is sitting on a chair just outside the door.

GALE

Doctor Terrence.

SHERIFF

How is she?

TERRENCE

Well, she’s awake, but she’s not what you’d call coherent. The drug is some weird combo. I’ve never seen anything like it. We’re running further tests, and I’ll let you know.

GALE

Thank you, Doctor.

They enter the room. TUPPENCE is lying in bed. Gale sits next to her.

GALE

Mrs. Collins, can you hear me? I need to ask you some questions. Can you tell me who chained you up?

TUPPENCE

(delirious)

He’s coming back for me. He’s coming! Please, you’ve got to protect me. Please, don’t let him get me.

GALE

Was it Albert? Mrs. Collins, was it your husband?

TUPPENCE

He’s after me! He’s coming for me!

SHERIFF

Don’t worry, ma’am. Albert’s safely under lock and key.

TUPPENCE

He’s coming. The walls don’t stop him. He’s coming back!

TERRENCE

It’s all right. It’s all right. I’m going to give her a sedative.

GALE

Very well. I don’t think she’ll be much help to us.

Gale and Sheriff exit.

CUT TO:

INT. THOMAS HOME -- AFTERNOON

The phone rings. MEGAN answers it.

MEGAN

Hello? Oh, hello, James.

INTERCUT -- MEGAN at her home and JAMES at his home as they talk on the phone.

JAMES

Listen, I wanted to apologize for last night. I said some pretty crazy things. I guess I wasn’t myself.

MEGAN

That’s for sure. You scared me. I’m sorry I got so upset.

JAMES

No, it’s my fault. Can we talk? I mean, face to face? Megan, I really do care for you, and I don’t want to lose your friendship.

MEGAN

I care about you, too, James. Really, I do. I want to talk about this. We don’t need to let it come between us.

JAMES

No, we really don’t. Listen, um, why don’t we go for a stroll in the woods? There’s some really nice paths around here, and it’s peaceful. We can talk freely. Great. Okay, I’ll see you soon, then. Bye.

James hangs up, then chews on his lower lip and squints.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF’S CAR -- AFTERNOON

GALE and SHERIFF drive down the long driveway from the hospital. The driveway is lined with maple trees.

GALE

(looking out the windshield)

Maple trees...

SHERIFF

It must have been horrible for Tuppence to have to live with someone as twisted as Albert. What he must have put her through...

GALE

I’m not so sure.

SHERIFF

What do you mean? That business about Llewellyn?

GALE

Sheriff, after our disagreement this morning, I did a little checking up on Albert’s activities lately.

SHERIFF

Oh?

GALE

First, I determined that the Feast of the Leviathan that Professor Saltares spoke of began on the third Sunday of last month. This means Millicent’s initiation took place during the second week of January, three nights of which the moon was full.

SHERIFF

Okay.

GALE

However, Albert was apparently on a business trip that entire week with Alan Cartwright in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

SHERIFF

That’s right. I remember now. But that means that he couldn’t be the cult leader after all.

GALE

Precisely what I first suspected when Gruffydd could not identify him.

SHERIFF

Right. I guess I owe you an apology.

GALE

Forget it, Bob. I realize my methods in this case have been somewhat unorthodox.

SHERIFF

You can say that again. But where do we go from here?

GALE

I think we should release Professor Saltares and keep him under surveillance. I have a feeling he may lead us straight to the cult leader, whomever that may be.

SHERIFF

All right. But I think I’ll keep Albert in a little while longer, just to be on the safe side.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS -- AFTERNOON

JAMES is waiting at a picnic table near a path leading into the woods. MEGAN approaches.

MEGAN

Hi.

JAMES

Thanks for coming.

MEGAN

Sure.

JAMES

Shall we?

They walk down the path together into the woods.

CUT TO:

LONG PAN OF VALLEY

CUT TO:

INT. LEIGH’S APARTMENT -- AFTERNOON

ABIGAIL is in the kitchen making dinner. LYNDON enters.

ABIGAIL

How is your mother doing?

LYNDON

Some birthday. We should have been celebrating with Leigh, not going through her things and trying to decide about, you know, arrangements.

ABIGAIL

It must be so hard on her, first losing her husband, and now her daughter...

LYNDON

I’m all she has left.

ABIGAIL

I’m glad I could help out, Lyndon.

LYNDON

Oh, you’ve done a swell job, Abigail. I don’t know what I would have done without you.

ABIGAIL

You don’t need to...

LYNDON

Abigail...

They kiss.

CUT TO:

EXT. TWINSBURG HOSPITAL -- SATURDAY EVENING

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY -- EVENING

TERRENCE comes around a corner to find 1^ST DEPUTY outside Tuppence’s room slumped over, unconscious.

TERRENCE

What the devil--?

He enters Tuppence’s room, but the bed is empty. She is gone.

CU -- TERRENCE is alarmed.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS -- EVENING

The path James and Megan walked down.

CUT TO:

INT. SALTARES’ OFFICE -- EVENING

The phone rings. SALTARES answers it.

SALTARES

Gabriel Saltares. Oh. Yes, I understand.

He opens his desk drawer and takes out a large, ornate dagger. As he hangs up the phone, Saltares looks at the dagger and squints.

CUT TO:

EXT. SKY -- EVENING

The sliver of a crescent moon goes behind a cloud.

CUT TO:

INT. THOMAS HOME -- EVENING

In his bedroom, BRADLEY hears the door to Megan’s bedroom close. He walks down the hall and hears her sobbing within. He goes into her room. MEGAN is lying on her bed, her face buried in her pillow.

BRADLEY

Hey, what’s wrong?

He sits down by her, but she does not answer. He notices that her shirt is torn.

BRADLEY

Megan--

She sits up and he sees that her lipstick is smeared across her face.

MEGAN

James--

BRADLEY

What did he do to you? Tell me what he did!

She cries uncontrollably, and Bradley embraces her.

BRADLEY

It’s going to be okay.

As Megan sobs, Bradley holds her, squinting.

CUT TO:

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE -- EVENING

A line of high-voltage transmission towers recedes into the distance.

CUT TO:

EXT. SHERIFF STATION -- SATURDAY NIGHT

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- INTERROGATION ROOM -- NIGHT

ALBERT is seated at the table. GALE and SHERIFF stand.

SHERIFF

All right, Albert. I want you to tell us what’s going on.

ALBERT

Yes. Yes. I was trying to keep things from getting worse. But it was too late...

GALE

I think you’d better start at the beginning.

ALBERT

Yes. I’m sorry. I just need to collect my thoughts. Everything seems to be spinning. It’s all moving so fast...

SHERIFF

Just take it easy and tell us from the beginning. No hurry.

ALBERT

Right. Yes. It’s Tuppence. Bob, Agent Gale, she’s not well. She suffers from periodic bouts of insanity. It’s been going on ever since we went on a camping trip deep into Shadygrove woods...

GALE

When was that?

ALBERT

It must have been about ten years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago.

SHERIFF

What sort of insanity?

ALBERT

It mostly affects her during full moons. She’d just lose control of herself, even becoming violent. She’d run off into the woods for days at a time. When the full moon ended, she’d come back.

GALE

Lycanthropy.

ALBERT

I did what I could for Millicent. I tried to keep her from knowing what was really going on, but she knew something was wrong. She knew. Tuppence began doing... things during her fits. Horrible things. So, I started keeping her in the basement. But she’d escape, so I had to chain her to the wall. And when she got too strong for even that, I had to drug her. But it didn’t always work. Eventually, Millicent snuck into the basement when Tuppence was down there. Well, what was she supposed to think, poor girl? She released Tuppence, you see, but she attacked Millicent and beat her up. After that, our marriage just seemed to disintegrate. Tuppence wasn’t the same, even when she was in control.

SHERIFF

But you couldn’t get custody, even after all that?

ALBERT

I didn’t have any proof. And I didn’t want to make Tuppence out to be some kind of monster. She’s just sick, she needs help. And I still love her.

GALE

Albert, what happened on Thursday night?

ALBERT

With all that’s happened, I was afraid that Tuppence was completely out of control. I went over to find her, but she was gone. There was a car in the driveway, though, that I didn’t recognize. It must have belonged to that poor girl, Leigh. I spent the night searching all over for Tuppence, and I finally caught her coming out of the woods just before dawn. I gave her the drug and chained her in the basement. I didn’t know what else to do.

SHERIFF

All right, Albert.

2^ND DEPUTY (V.O.)

(on the intercom)

Sheriff, you have an urgent call from Doctor Terrence. Line one.

SHERIFF

Come on, Albert.

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- BASEMENT HALLWAY -- NIGHT

GALE and SHERIFF come into the hall. 3^RD DEPUTY takes ALBERT to his cell. Sheriff picks up a phone on the wall.

SHERIFF

Doctor Terrence. What? When? We’ll get right on it!

He hangs up.

GALE

What is it?

SHERIFF

Tuppence has disappeared from the hospital.

GALE

Damn! Bob, we’ve got to get moving!

CUT TO:

INT. SHERIFF STATION -- LOBBY -- NIGHT

GALE and SHERIFF enter and are met by 4^TH DEPUTY, rubbing his injured neck.

SHERIFF

What happened to you?

4^TH DEPUTY

He got the jump on me, sir. I never even saw him. He took the two murder weapons. They’re gone.

SHERIFF

Damn it! Let me see!

Sheriff and 4^th Deputy exit. NICHOLAS enters, distraught.

NICHOLAS

Agent Gale! Penny’s disappeared!

CU -- GALE squints.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET -- NIGHT

JAMES is riding his bicycle when a car drives by and runs him off the road, sending him into a ditch. The car stops and BRADLEY gets out.

BRADLEY

There you are, you little scumbag! I was hoping I’d find you! I told you what would happen if you hurt my sister, you little bastard!

JAMES

You’ve got it all wrong--!

BRADLEY

Shut up!

Bradley grabs James and knees him in the stomach, then knocks him down again. Bradley beats on James and kicks him savagely. He beats James into unconsciousness.

BRADLEY

Filthy dirtbag bastard!

Bradley gets back in his car and drives off, leaving James lying in the ditch.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS -- NIGHT

GALE and SHERIFF race through the woods, their flashlight beams darting among the barren trees.

GALE

I should have seen it sooner! We’ve got to get to the site of the cult ritual, and fast!

SHERIFF

I’m totally confused!

GALE

Well, this is the moment of truth.

They arrive at the rock formation. SALTARES, dressed in a brown hooded robe, is lying on the sacrificial stone. Behind him stands the CULT LEADER, dressed in a robe and ritual armor with a facemask. The Cult Leader is holding the ornate dagger up, about to sacrifice Saltares.

CULT LEADER

Harmony must be restored to the circle. The Lady of Night thirsts for your blood. It shall flow from your mouth, as your secrets have before it. Prepare to die, brother. The way is clear!

Sheriff draws his gun and fires. The Cult Leader, hit in the shoulder, recoils and drops the dagger.

SHERIFF

Freeze!

Gale picks up the dagger, but Saltares lunges at him and pushes him down. Gale drops the dagger.

SALTARES

Unbeliever! You dare to interfere with our sacred rite?

Saltares attacks the Sheriff. They wrestle. The Cult Leader picks up the dagger and attacks Gale. They struggle. Gale pulls off the Cult Leader’s facemask. It is TUPPENCE.

CU -- GALE is shocked.

BACK TO SHOT

TUPPENCE

I’ll scratch you with the poison claws! Dance upon my name!

Tuppence stabs Gale in the stomach with the dagger. Gale collapses to the ground. Sheriff punches out Saltares and sees Tuppence.

TUPPENCE

Crush your bones within my jaws! Dance within the flame!

Tuppence runs off into the woods. Sheriff runs up to Gale, who passes out, blood seeping into his shirt from his stab wound.

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.

Duane Cartwright, 18. High school senior, Alan’s son.

Lyle Terrence, 62. Local doctor.

Rosemary Clapsaddle, 40. Owns pastry shop/catering service.

Nicholas Grey, 17. High school senior.

Tuppence Collins, 46. Librarian.

Janet Flynn, 39. Twinsburg native returned from England.

James Clapsaddle, 18. High school senior, Rosemary’s brother.

Lyndon Pfiffer, 26. Deputy.

Gabriel Saltares, 44. College professor.

Albert Collins, 48. Lawyer.

Abigail Voigt, 24. Sheriff’s secretary.

Patrick Clapsaddle, 33. Brother of Rosemary.

Box Lady, 53. Local eccentric.

Kimmy Clapsaddle, 38. Sister of Rosemary.

Zeke Chomski, 68. Mailman.

Deputies


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