chasing whispers in the wind (working title)

8/20/2019 Chasing Whispers in the Wind (Working Title)

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Chasing Whispers in the Wind (working title)

By

Aaron McDonald

Original Screenplay


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INT. SHACK - DAY

A young REDHEADED woman, TABITHA, 23, is sitting at a SMALLwooden table.

SUNLIGHT streams through a broken window and GLEAMS on anantique western SIX-SHOOTER holstered on her hip.

There is a small, ragged leather BIBLE on the table in frontof her.

Beside the bible is an old CUP.

Two MILITIA-MEN bring in a FRIGHTENED man.

They force him into the chair across the table from Tabitha.

Her face is blank until she sees him, and then she looksaway ANGRILY.

He glances at the Bible, the SHAME obvious in his eyes.

He looks into her eyes.

When she looks back, she openly shows her DISAPPOINTMENT.

He puts on a shaky MASK of COURAGE but a few more seconds ofher DISAPPOINTED, SHAMED look makes him look down in GUILT.

Tabitha FLINGS the Bible across the table at the man.

The man REACTS, ALARMED at the sudden action but alsoSURPRISED and APPALLED at her apparent disrespect to thebook.

Their eyes meet again to share a STILL, APOLOGETIC look.

In one SWIFT motion she draws her six-shooter, PULLS thehammer back with her thumb, and SQUEEZES the trigger.

The man’s head SNAPS back and he collapses forward BLOODYonto the BOOK.

She places the SMOKING gun on the table and picks up the cupand takes a SIP, her face blank and COLD and DETACHED.

EXT. FIELD - DAY

ELI, 30, is lying FACE-DOWN in a MUCKY field by a wood line.

He has LONG, messy dark brown hair and a BEARD.

He GASPS awake, ROLLS onto his side and stares at the SKY.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 2.

Eli QUICKLY looks around, CONFOUNDED, and almost in shock.

Two MILITIA-MEN come out of the woods with RIFLES.

Eli puts his HANDS up, AFRAID, and tries to talk, but can’t.

Eli’s hands go to his THROAT, and then his MOUTH, as FEARand PANIC begin to take over and he looks to the men foranswers, but they’re looking at him, CONFUSED.

Eli notices one of them GLANCE at the other in PITY.

PANTING, Eli stops panicking, slowly starting to understand.

He tries to speak again, but when "You can’t speak either?"doesn’t come out, he makes sure they can read his LIPS, ashe also GESTURES with his hands.

The soldiers shake their heads no; the soldier to the left

continues to look on Eli with SYMPATHY, albeit confused andnervous.

The other soldier is a little more WARY of Eli, as heSUSPICIOUSLY moves toward Eli with his rifle READY.

TWO more armed soldiers exit the woods.

One of them has the COMMAND presence and nicer uniform of anofficer, which Eli NOTICES.

The sympathetic man gives the officer a look of RELIEF andPITY on behalf of Eli; the officer HOLSTERS his gun.

While the other newcomer moves to case the field, theSUSPICIOUS first soldier turns to the officer as if he isgoing to STRONGLY disagree with his comrade’s assessment.

Meanwhile, Eli is watching this, INTRIGUED, almost smiling.

Staring at Eli, the officer holds up a DISMISSING hand,INSTANTLY ending the suspicious soldier’s "complaint".

The officer smiles WARMLY and extends a HAND to Eli.

There is a brief, ALMOST imperceptible hesitation before Eliaccepts the officer’s HAND of assistance off the ground.

CUT TO


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3.

EXT. MILITIA CAMP - DAY

The five are walking through the woods back to the militiaunit’s campsite, with Eli in the MIDDLE.

Eli tries to PLEAD with the officer to tell him what’s goingon, but the officer just shakes his head and holds up a

finger to wait till they get back to camp.

Once there, Eli sees a simple but happy life, complete withCHILDREN playing silently, even when they laugh.

He notices almost everyone is ARMED with blade or gun.

He counts about two dozen people altogether.

The officer to Eli’s side gets his attention with a GLANCE.

The officer POINTS to a SMALL RUNDOWN SHACK with a guardstationed outside the DOOR.

Eli nods thanks to the officer and heads for the door.

The guard steps aside and nods with MILITARY COURTESY.

Eli turns back, CONFUSED, to look at the officer, who givesthe same RESPECTFUL nod.

CUT TO

INT. COMMAND SHACK - DAY

Eli enters the shack to find a RED-HAIRED woman, TABITHA,26, inside, WRITING something at a DESK.

When she HEARS the door CREAK open, she looks up, bothANNOYED to be bothered, but also as if she KNOWS him.

Though he doesn’t recognize her, her STRIKING red hair makesEli feel DRAWN to her.

Eli smiles THINLY and looks around NERVOUSLY.

He looks back to her as she STANDS slowly and SHAKILY walks

toward him, looking as though she may cry.

Eli FURROWS his brow in confusion as to why she has thisreaction to his entrance.

Halfway to Eli, her EXPRESSION becomes TAUT and GUARDED.

Eli slightly COCKS his head and NARROWS his eyes as he triesto figure out why she seems FAMILIAR to him.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 4.

He tries to say "I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s going on,"as he AVERTS his eyes from her.

Eli FEELS her JOY a split second before she RUSHES him andhugs him.

Eli is taken aback and CAUTIOUSLY wraps his arms around her.

His face is all kinds of CONFUSED, but as they embrace, hecan FEEL her SOBBING and his eyes begin to WATER as well.

Eli PATS her back and CLOSES his eyes FIRMLY.

When she finally pulls away, the redhead gives him anAPOLOGETIC look through her tears.

She rubs her eyes and Eli gives her a SYMPATHETIC look andmouths "It’s okay."

She smiles with JOY and EXCITEDLY ushers him outside.

CUT TO


Eli follows her to another building, this one a bit moreDECORATIVE and UP-KEPT than hers.

She knocks on the door, which has a sign: "The Talker."

They wait for an answer and Eli looks around CURIOUSLY.

Eli sees kids playing silently again and smiles to himself.

He turns back to the door EXPECTANTLY right before it opens.

A SCANTLY-clad female soldier answers the door and stepsaside to let Eli and Tabitha in.

CUT TO

INT. TALKER’S HOME - DAY

The redhead GESTURES to the Talker, 30, a male with short,messy BLACK hair and a slightly trimmed GOATEE. He iswearing a black leather rugged JACKET and reclining, almostasleep, in an old leather RECLINER.

Tabitha stands a few feet from him, PATIENTLY and withFEIGNED respect awaiting his attention; Eli stands to herright, a little behind her.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 5.

The guard CLOSES the door, her hand on her sheathed SWORD.

A few seconds after they enter, the Talker SLOWLY turns toface the guests, showing Eli his facial scar, and opens hiseyes, which are GREEN.

TALKER (FATIGUED)Ugh.

Eli SMILES, almost relieved to hear a voice, sorta.

The Talker tries to go back to SLEEP.

IRRITATED, Tabitha lightly KICKS the Talker’s BOOT.

Again, he moans, ANNOYED, and WAVES them away.

Eli looks from the Talker to Tabitha, who is now PISSED, andgoing for her knife.

FRUSTRATED, the Talker leaps up and PINS her to the WALL.

TALKERI said, piss off, I’m tryin’ tosleep.

His accent is unmistakably IRISH.

Tabitha GLARES into the Talker’s eyes with CONTEMPT.

After a moment, the Talker releases her with a SCOFF.

As she sheathes her knife, the Talker turns to Eli, who isstanding there, EYES WIDE with disbelief and fear.

TALKERShe don’t like me very much, thisone. ’Course, doesnt help she justhad to execute a traitor thismornin’...

Tabitha looks away and crosses her arms, ANGRY and ASHAMED.

TALKERYou wanna know what’s goin’ on,yeah?

Eli just NODS.

TALKERI can tell by your clothes and yourgeneral disheveled appearance, notto mention your old-world demeanor,

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 6.

TALKER (cont’d)that you must’ve just woken up withno memory of, well, anything.

As he says this, the Talker SAUNTERS back to his chair.

Eli STEPS up to ASK something, but the Talker answers.

TALKERSave your breath, mate. I usuallyknow what people are gonna saybefore they say it.

Eli SMIRKS, raises a BROW, and mouths "telepathy?"

TALKERNo, mate, not "telepathy." Empathy.Intuition. Long story short - theyear’s 2033. In 2020, almost

everyone in the world stoppedtalking on the same day. Over thelast thirteen bloody years, we’vegone from wastefully attempting toforce words out of our gobs infrustration to spending a fortnightwriting to looking ridiculous doingsign language to now (beat)intuitively reading emotions andfacial expressions. We stopped withthe sign language and writing’cause it was just too strenuousand annoying - not to mention, it’s

harder to deceive someone wheneveryone can sense every emotion orread every subconsciousmicro-expression.

Eli’s eyes WIDEN and he NODS slightly, IMPRESSED.

TALKERI know right? Thirteen short yearsand average people are doing whatyou and I’ve been doing all ourlives, am I right?

The Talker SMIRKS arrogantly to Eli, who nods and chucklesSILENTLY.

When the Talker glances over at the guard, he notices herlook away and roll her eyes at his arrogance.

The Talker looks back to Eli.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 7.

TALKERAnywho, naturally the mostintelligent and emotionallysensitive people reigned supreme;they were able to broker deals andcommunicate intent much quicker and

easier than normal idiots, whostill preferred writing on big bitsof cardboard. Most actual idiotsdied off - well, were killed off -while those who were willing tolearn the science of reading bodylanguage and facial expressionsthrived. Most, um, camps like ourshave at least one person who cantalk for the group. For some reasonthey call us Talkers, put us on thelevel of old world priests. Everyso often we find someone who seems

(beat) out of touch, like you. Theycan’t remember the last thirteenyears, or how to communicate, butyou (beat) well, you’re a bloodynatural, like me - like her.

Tabitha is looking at Eli with a SLIGHT smirk when both heand the Talker look over.

The Talker nods SEDUCTIVELY to her.

UNCOMFORTABLE by this, Eli glances over to see her DISGUST.

The Talker takes all this in and GRINS at Eli.

TALKERShe knows you. Somehow. Apparentlyyou two used to be mates orsomethin’. Maybe lovers, who knows?

The Talker smirks at Tabitha being uncomfortable.

TALKERShame and regret from her. One ofyou loved the other just a bit toomuch I suppose. Oh, and her name’sTabitha RoseBlade. Though namesdon’t much matter anymore. Exceptto Talkers, o’ course.

Eli opens his mouth but the Talker cuts him off.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 8.

TALKERThere are a few questions you wantto ask. I ain’t like thosearseholes in those TV shows whowon’t tell someone somethin’ tokeep some secret identity or

whatnot. But those questions (beat)cannot or -should- not be asked oranswered here, ’right? I’m guessin’you don’t remember your name.

Tabitha mouths something that the Talker sees, but Eli looksover just in time to miss it.

The Talker nods as Eli looks back to him.

TALKEREli, huh? Don’t worry. Your memorywill come back to you. But people

never remember the last thirteenyears or how they got here. Somethink they travel in time, othersthink they were pulled out of somechryo-stasis. Crazy people like togo with aliens. Not sure why.

Eli raises his BROWS ironically, which the Talker notices.

TALKEROh, you think I’m mad, eh? Well,you might go mad yourself with allthe silence ’round here, yeah? Some

blokes do.

He takes a brief moment to SCRUTINIZE Eli’s DOUBTFUL face.

TALKERYeah, maybe not. You like thequiet, ya introverted git. Now getoutta here. I gotta get some kip.

Tabitha, who is still ANNOYED at the Talker, leads Eli out.

When the guard closes the door behind them, Eli indicatesthe IRONY of the sign on the door behind them with a THUMB.

Understanding, Tabitha NODS and SNICKERS silently.

FADE TO


10/122

9.

INT. ELI’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Eli’s asleep in a NICE room listening to "One is theLoneliest Number" by Filter, ironically, without lyrics onearbuds.

He has dreams of the past, and begins to remember things,

especially Tabitha, a girl he enjoyed long walks on thebeach and picnics in the park with. It’s clear that he LOVEDher more than she did him.

FADE TO

INT. TABITHA’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

Tabitha is lying on her side in bed, eyes MOIST and reddenedas she stares at a wall, listening to the same song as Eli.

She imagines Eli kneeling in front of her, and she CLENCHES

her eyes closed in emotional PAIN.

FADE TO


Eli wakes up and rubs his eyes; he SQUINTS and slowly looksaround the room.

Eli imagines Tabitha kneeling by the bed and lying over him.

He closes his eyes and everything FADES AWAY.

EXT. BEACH - NIGHT

Eli and Tabitha are sitting together on a SAND DUNE.

He looks around, smiling, and when she looks at him with asmile, his smile widens as he stares into her GREEN eyes.

They LAUGH and Eli is SURPRISED he can hear his own voice.

ELI

Wow. What happened? Am I dreaming?

Tabitha puts her arm around Eli.

TABITHAMore than that, dude.

Eli looks at her, AMAZED and ELATED. Then he calms andtouches her face.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 10.

ELII feel you. Is this how empathscommunicate these days? In theirsleep?

Tabitha smiles and nods with a chuckle.

TABITHAYeah, something like that.

CUT TO


Eli is staring up at the ceiling smiling HAPPILY, but thenslowly becomes SAD.

He sits up and rubs his face again and GAZES tiredly at a

table and notices a bible.

He reaches over and picks up the bible and smirks slightly.

He opens it up and reads from a random page, Psalms 30:12,"To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and notbe SILENT. Oh lord my God, I will give thanks unto theeforever."

Eli closes the book and CONTEMPLATES.


MONTAGE of Eli learning and helping in camp for WEEKS.

It is clear Eli is most EMPATHIC person there, as he walksall the way across the camp to confront someone for theft.

The Talker, Tabitha, and the Officer who brought Eli in areall watching, IMPRESSED.

FADE TO


Eli is sitting at the table in his room reading.

He sets the book down and looks as though he’s heardsomething; he SQUINTS and turns his head to the side andraises his HAND slowly to feel the air.

He LEAPS up and DARTS out of his room.


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11.

CUT TO

EXT. MILITIA CAMP - NIGHT

Eli runs across the camp to another hut.

An old man answers the door and lets him in as if he knowswhy he is there.

CUT TO

INT. OLD MAN’S HUT - NIGHT

Eli enters and sees a young girl is SICK.

Eli goes and sits by her, looking down on her withCOMPASSION.

Eli looks over at the old man, who is standing there,EXPECTANT.

Eli shrugs, unsure of what he is expected to do.

The old man’s eyes PLEAD with Eli.

Eli INHALES deeply and he looks UNCERTAIN and NERVOUS as heturns to the child and places his hand on her forehead.

A few seconds later, Eli gets a sinking, forebodingsensation; he looks HOPELESS and AFRAID and he gets up and

walks out, gesturing for them to remain inside.

CUT TO

EXT. MILITIA CAMP - DAWN

As the SUN RISES, Eli crosses the camp again and Tabithajoins him as if she knew he’d be there, their STRIDE matchedperfectly.

They share a brief but HEARTFELT "hello" of a glance.

Eli IMPATIENTLY knocks on the Talker’s door.

The Talker himself opens the door, albeit HALF NAKED.

His chest and arms are full of old battle SCARS.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 12.

TALKERAn attack is imminent? Aye, thefeelin’s mutual. Let’s rally thetroops then. And remember, we onlykill if we have to, and when we do,we make it quick and clean and

painless if possible.

Eli and Tabitha turn around and catch two rifles TOSSED tothem by the officer.

Tabitha GESTURES for Eli to go the REAR of the camp and takecharge of the soldiers there, while the officer goes to theWEST of the camp, and she goes to the FRONT.

The Talker exits his house with TWO female guards; the oneseen earlier DRAWS her sword; the other one already has hersout.

The Talker STEALTHILY moves to the EAST of the camp, drawinga white-handled, chrome Colt .45 1911 HANDGUN.

He’s listening to INSTRUMENTAL Irish rock over earbuds.

CUT TO

EXT. MILITIA CAMP, ELI - DAWN

Eli sees a couple of enemy para-military soldiers in thewoods sneaking toward them, and he ANXIOUSLY takes aim.

Eli glances over to his four soldiers, who are also pointingrifles in the enemies’ direction; they give him QUICK NODS.

Suddenly the utter silence is interrupted by GUNSHOTS fromother parts of the camp.

Eli’s unit begins firing at the enemy, DEAFENING Eli.

Eli CROSSES behind one of his men and HIDES behind a tree.

As the ringing in his ears becomes worse, Eli’s face clearlybetrays his FEAR and APPREHENSION.

(begin "Soul of a Man" by Steven Stern)

One of the soldiers GLANCES over to Eli, and Eli looks backto see the man’s CONTEMPT, right before (begin SLO-MO) abullet RIPS through the soldier’s head.

Eli CRINGES and pulls away, even more AFRAID, SHOCKED, andDISGUSTED.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 13.

As two soldiers provide suppressive fire, another GRABStheir fallen comrade and PULLS him out of the conflict.

Eli watches, and then looks down at his SHAKING hands.

He closes his EYES briefly, and when he opens them, he sees

TABITHA on the other side of the camp.

PAN TO

EXT. MILITIA CAMP, TABITHA - DAWN

With the SUNRISE as her beautiful backdrop, TabithaFEARLESSLY fires her weapon into the woods, KILLING enemies.

Their deaths affect her, though she MASKS her feelingsexpertly with DETERMINED fortitude and CONTEMPT.

PAN TO

EXT. MILITIA CAMP, TALKER - DAWN

The Talker’s female guards are CUTTING down enemy soldierswho are charging him, trying to take him alive, as theTalker himself is SHOOTING other soldiers further away inthe WOODS.

The Talker is listening to "Soul of a Man" by Steven Stern.

One of the HIDING enemy soldiers makes eye contact with the

Talker’s MAIN guard.

She is clearly APPREHENSIVE about this contact, not thefighting, and she KNOWS the enemy soldier. (end SLO-MO)

NODDING slightly, she turns to stab her comrade in the BACK.

...but the Talker already knows this is going to happen, sohe spins around and PARRIES her BLADE with his Colt .45 andKICKS her backward.

Hearing the scuffle, the other female guard CUTS downanother soldier and turns to the Talker; She is SURPRISED.

The Talker, without looking, hands off his gun; the womanunderstands and EXCHANGES her sword for his gun.

While the guard turns and SHOOTS enemies, the Talker SLOWLYsteps toward the traitor, whose eyes are PLEADING for mercy.

The COLDNESS in the man’s eyes tells her it won’t happen.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 14.

The Talker and the woman CIRCLE each other (OVERHEAD shot)for a few seconds.

The Talker lowers his sword a bit, his expression SOFTENINGto a look of DISAPPOINTMENT.

This expression nearly breaks the guard; TEARS well up in

her eyes and she almost drops her sword as she goes WEAK inthe knees.

The Talker motions with his HAND for her to come attack him.

The traitor slowly and weakly RAISES her sword as she takesa few steps toward him.

The Talker QUICKLY deflects her blade and GRABS her by theNECK and turns her back to him; he cuts her throat QUICKLY.

(begin SLO-MO, ECU) The traitorous guard’s TEARFULLYEMOTIONAL eyes gradually FADE to LIFELESS and she COLLAPSES

to her knees slowly, showing behind her the Talker’scountenance is full of REGRET and SORROW and DISAPPOINTMENTand COMPASSION.

(end SLO-MO, PULL UP to OVERHEAD)The Talker picks up thedead woman’s sword and turns to kill the FEARFUL man in thewoods who caught her attention, with DUAL swords.

PAN TO

EXT. MILITIA CAMP, ELI - DAWN

Having seen both Tabitha’s and the Talker’s situations, andFEELING their pain and sorrow, Eli MUSTERS his fortitude.

Eli fires his rifle at the enemy ANGRILY, killing one.

He moves back behind the tree and EXHALES before firingagain.

After a brief firefight, Eli WINCES for no apparent reason.

He looks across the camp to see Tabitha’s officer (slo-mo)RUNNING across the camp to her because she’s been SHOT.

Of course Eli tries to yell Tabitha’s name but nothing comesout.

After killing the last of the enemies on their side, Eli’ssoldiers go to help Tabitha’s unit.

Eli himself KNEELS by Tabitha as her officer is keeping hishand over the GUSHING gunshot wound in her STOMACH.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 15.

Eli’s hand goes for his own stomach and he cringes, feelingthe pain he sees in her EYES.

Eli GRABS the officer’s shoulder and when the officer looksup, Eli’s eyes are BEGGING him to save her.

The officer gives him a look of HELPLESS DESPERATION.

A medic RUSHES over and pushes them aside.

Eli watches in FEAR as she tries to help.

Eli looks down into Tabitha’s eyes; she’s in SHOCK andAGONY.

Eli’s hand clenches his own GUT as he CRINGES again.

(begin SLO-MO) Then he realizes something and he leans overher.

When the medic tries to push him off, the officer pulls themedic away.

Eli places his HAND on Tabitha’s FACE and leans down,staring deep into her EYES.

Tabitha smiles through the pain at Eli.

Eli forces himself to be at PEACE and transfers his serenityto Tabitha.

(sudden end of "Soul of a Man") She smiles with RELIEF and

mouths "Thank you."

Eli PINCHES his mouth closed and GULPS.

He leans down and kisses her cheek before standing up andwalking away, slowly, leaving his rifle behind.

Eli’s eyes express AGONY, Tabitha’s agony, but he doesn’tshow it to anyone.

The battle is over; as he is walking toward where the Talkerwas, everyone else is walking the opposite direction towardTabitha.

Eli finds the Talker’s guards - both of them - dead, andthe Talker nowhere in sight.

He looks around, and sees both swords on the ground.

Knowing he’s been captured, Eli turns and heads for Tabitha;she is being taken into a medical TENT.


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16.

CUT TO

INT. MEDIC TENT - DAY

With everyone gathered around Tabitha, she reaches up fromher COT and takes her officer’s hand as he is communicating

with the medic.

The officer turns back to her. He shakes his head, seeingshe’s ready to die.

Tabitha senses Eli come into the tent and looks over as hecomes to stand by her bedside.

She smiles.

Eli tries to smile, but almost cries.

Tabitha turns back to the officer and gives him a look

saying to trust her, and Eli.

The officer nods RELUCTANTLY and looks up to Eli, and thenSALUTES him, indicating Eli has taken Tabitha’s place asleader.

Eli RELUCTANTLY and LAZILY returns the salute QUICKLY beforedropping his hand.

Tabitha NODS and smiles as she takes Eli’s hand LOOSELYbefore she dies.

Eli’s countenance DROPS as he becomes HEARTBROKEN.

He falls to his knees and SCREAMS, releasing his physicalpain and his emotional anguish all at once.

Many people sob, but their screams are SILENT.

Everyone’s eyes turn to Eli.

He doesn’t care that he might be able to talk; Eli EMBRACESTabitha as he continues to sob.

The officer and medic get everyone out of the tent, leaving

Eli alone with her.

After a moment of UNCONTROLLABLE sobbing, Eli gathershimself and notices Tabitha is wearing dog-tags.

Eli looks at them; they’re HIS dog-tags from when he was inthe U.S. Army.

He notices with the dog-tags a CROSS.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 17.

He GENTLY removes the dog-tags and THROWS them violently atthe tent wall.

Then he goes back to EMBRACING Tabitha.

FADE TO

INT. MEDIC TENT - DAY

The officer and the medic enter the tent to find Eli nearlyasleep on Tabitha’s chest.

The officer places a COMFORTING hand on the GRIEVING man’sshoulder, but Eli shakes it off.

The officer pulls his hand back and sighs.

When he is about to leave, Eli turns and clears his throat,

getting the officer’s attention.

Eli looks up at the officer, his eyes full of RAGE.

The officer nods slowly, understanding.

The officer pulls out a map and points to the location ofthe enemy clan.

Eli nods and turns back to Tabitha.

The officer awaits Eli’s decision but when Eli does nothing,the officer turns to leave with the medic.

FADE TO

INT. ELI’S QUARTERS - DAY

Eli enters his hut and collapses into a chair, EXHAUSTED.

For a few seconds, Eli just stares at a blank wall.

Eli then reaches over and picks up the bible and opens it toa random page again, Psalms 28, "Unto thee I will cry O Lordmy rock; be not SILENT to me - lest if thou be silent to me,I become like those who go down into the pit."

Eli actually whispers the second verse.

ELIHear the voice of my supplications,when I cry unto thee...

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 18.

Then he drops the book and begins crying again as he fallsoff the chair and onto the floor.

ELIPlease God help me! Why me? Whyher? Please bring her back! What do

you want from me? I’ll do anything,just bring her back...

FADE TO BLACK.


Eli exits his quarters SADLY and TIREDLY and heads over tothe officer (LT), who is talking with a guard on duty.

ELILieutenant.

The LT looks to Eli, and then quickly DISMISSES the guard,who goes back on watch. He then gives his full attention tohis boss.

Eli gestures for him to walk with him.

ELII know people who can’t speak don’treally have any use for names, andthe Talker was pretty isolated...

The LT gives a CONCEDING SHRUG, and casts gestures to Eli

minutely.

ELIYeah, I know. I’m the Talker now.But anyway, as both leader andTalker, I’m gonna start calling you"Lieutenant", because that’s whatyou are - my LT. I want you to getthe names of everyone on a sheet ofpaper and bring it to me in half anhour.

The LT nods and pulls his dog-tags out of a pocket to showEli his name is Theophilus McGrammer.

Eli nods.

ELIMy memory about my past has mostlycome back, but I still don’tremember how I got here. That was

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 19.

ELI (cont’d)expected I guess. My memory ofTabi’s a little hazy too. Iremember the emotions, but that’spretty much it. Guess it doesn’tmatter anymore though. Nothing from

the old world matters anymore.

The LT smiles REASSUREDLY and pats Eli on the back.

ELIYeah, well, I’m not sure I want toremember it all anyway. Might feellike losing her all over again.

FADE TO


Eli’s sitting in his quarters, WRITING at a desk.

He stops writing abruptly and THINKS for a moment beforecasting a RESENTFUL glance at the bible on the corner of thedesk.

Eli EXHALES and returns to writing.

The LT enters with a piece of paper.

Eli looks up and accepts the paper.

ELIThanks, LT.

The LT nods and is about to leave, but Eli stops him afterbriefly glancing at the list.

ELIWe’re down to eighteen people? Welost that many to the other camp’sassault?

Eli looks up and the LT nods RUEFULLY and holds up EIGHTfingers.

Eli looks back down at the paper.

ELIAlright, LT. That’s all for now.

The LT nods and leaves the shack.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 20.

Eli looks at the list of names for a few seconds and thensets it down and MOANS, rubbing his FACE.

ELIThis sucks.

Eli chuckles.

ELIAh, I’m the only one here who cantalk and I’m alone talkin’ tomyself while everyone else...

CUT TO


Outside, everyone is communicated with body language and

facial expressions; making trades, flirting, reminiscing,kids playing, etc.

Eli exits his shack and goes to the LT.

ELIGather everyone.

The LT nods and goes to get everyone, even the guards.

Eli ushers the kids and elderly over.

A few seconds later, everyone has arrived in front of his

house.

ELIHey everyone.

His voice is sad, but when he sees the COMPASSIONATE facesof his camp, he smiles.

ELIThanks. Um (beat) we’re leavingthis place soon. We can’t stayhere. I have a feeling the othercamp will attack again. So (beat)pack a bag and let’s get ready tomove out. We leave in a couplehours.

As Eli turns and heads inside, the camp is CONFUSED andNERVOUS.

The LT looks DISAPPOINTED.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 21.

He goes and knocks on Eli’s door.

CUT TO


Eli is about to sit down at his desk again.

ELICome in LT.

The LT enters slowly and gives Eli a sympathetic butdisapproving look.

ELIWe don’t have the manpower torescue the Talker.

The LT takes a step toward Eli and mouths "Daren."

ELIFine, D’ren, whatever. We don’thave the manpower or the ammo,okay? And let’s be honest - he waskind of an asshole. I can speak foreveryone now. We don’t need him.

The LT’s look of disapproval and sympathy becomes borderlineHOSTILE.

ELIWhat is it about D’ren that you

want him back so bad? He your bestfriend?

The LT shakes his head.

Eli sighs.

ELIHe’s your brother.

The LT nods, and then he leans forward on the desk and PEERSintently into Eli’s eyes.

Eli tilts his head to the side as he SCRUTINIZES the LT.

ELIMore than just that though, right?He’s important...

Eli gets fed up and shoves a piece of paper forward.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 22.

ELIJust write it down, for God’s sake!

The LT scribbles something on the paper and slides itacross.

Eli picks it up and GULPS when he reads it.

ELIOh.

Eli is DISTRESSED as he puts the paper down and looks backto the LT.

ELIAlright, we’ll talk about thistomorrow. But today, we geteveryone out of the area and find anew place to set up camp.

The LT nods CURTLY and turns to leave, SATISFIED with theanswer.

ELILT.

The LT stops and looks over his shoulder, CURIOUS.

ELIOur number one concern is thewell-being of those people outthere.

The LT nods more RESPECTFULLY and turns to leave again.

FADE TO

EXT. FIELD - DAY

Seventeen people move across the field where Eli was found,away from their old camp.

The LT looks back to find Eli but doesn’t see him in thegroup.

The LT sighs and turns back to lead the people, DISGRUNTLEDand ANGRY at himself for letting Eli out of his sight.

FADE T0


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23.

EXT. ENEMY CAMP - DUSK

Eli sneaks up to the enemy camp all stealthy.

He sees a lot more guards and soldiers than his group had,and most of them are on patrol or guard duty.

Eli cringes at the amount of soldiers and shakes his head,sighing slightly.

He puts headphones on and "Silent Voice" by Shaman’s Harvestplays.

He draws the two SWORDS that had belonged to D’ren’s femalebodyguards and saunters into the camp.

Eli tosses a rock to get the attention of two guards.

When they look over yonder, he hurries over and silently

dispatches them before moving into the camp.

Eli kills another guard by an ammo shed; it begins to RAIN.

As he kills a fourth soldier, another one sounds an alarmand raises his rifle.

Eli DIVES behind another building and drops the swords infavor of a fallen assault rifle.

He imagines Tabitha RoseBlade beside him, and for a momenthe gets emotional, but he pulls himself together and shootsand kills the guard who saw him.

(begin SLO-MO) As he emerges from behind the building, heremembers something...

ELI (VO)You have the spirit of the phoenixin you, Tabi.

He fires and kills two more soldiers, spins around andshoots another soldier coming up behind him.

TABITHA (VO)What does that mean?

Eli is eventually surrounded by the enemy, and runs out ofammo so he picks up another fallen soldier’s weapon.

ELI (VO)Not sure. You’re strong. You makeme stronger. You give me hope.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 24.

After shooting a couple more soldiers, one gets the jump onhim and TACKLES him to the ground.

About five more soldiers jump him and beat him. (end SLO-MO)

FADE TO

EXT. ENEMY CAMP - NIGHT

Eli is taken to a far corner of the camp by THREE soldiers.

Eli notices one of them is wearing D’ren’s COLT.

ELIWhere’d you get that?

The soldier GRINS and SHOVES Eli.

Eli STUMBLES forward as he comes to his prison, a tiny

RUNDOWN old shack.

The guards force him inside and LOCK the door.

Unable to escape, Eli sits down on a stool and SIGHS,shaking slightly.

He rubs his face, EXHAUSTED and NERVOUS.

He yawns.

FADE TO

INT. ELI’S PRISON - MORNING

Eli is awakened by someone kicking open the door.

He BLEARILY sees someone drop a plate of food and thenleave, locking the door again.

Eli eats.

Afterward, he just sits there STARING BLANKLY at the ground.

His eyes soften and droop as his expression becomes SAD.

Then he looks up and sees a tiny hole in the wood.

He goes over to it and PEEKS out.

Eli sees everyone going about their routine.

On the other side of the camp is another shack like his.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 25.

He notices a guard open the door and put a plate of food in.

The plate is kicked at the guard and the guard flees,closing the door.

Eli SMIRKS.

ELID’ren.

Eli goes over to the back of the old shack and kicks at therotting wood, but it’s slow work, and he’s WORRIED aboutmaking noise.

The door opens behind him.

Eli turns back to see the soldier with D’ren’s Colt givinghim a THREATENING GLOWER.

Eli runs at the man; they exchange blows, most of which Eli

predicts.

Eli knocks the man out, takes the Colt, and runs outside.

CUT TO

EXT. ENEMY CAMP - DAY

He shoots a few guards, including the one by D’ren’s door,and then he takes a little girl hostage.

The other soldiers don’t shoot and there’s a stand-off.

Eli opens D’ren’s door.

CUT TO

INT. DREN’S PRISON - DAY

D’ren, BATTERED and TORTURED, looks up from his position onhis side on the floor and SQUINTS at the daylight shiningin.

ELI (OS)D’ren! That you in there, man? It’sEli. C’mon out, you Irish bastard.I could use some help.

D’ren’s SUSPICIOUS and CONFUSED expression becomes SURPRISEand RELIEF when he hears Eli’s name outside.

CUT TO


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26.

EXT. ENEMY CAMP - DAY

D’ren walks outside CAUTIOUSLY.

Eli glances over his shoulder at him and sees he’s beentortured.

ELIYou look terrible, man. Can youfight?

D’ren looks around at all the enemy soldiers giving themWARNING glares and looks of ANGER.

D’ren looks to Eli and shrugs.

ELIYou (beat) you can’t talk anymore?

D’ren shakes his head, more ANNOYED than sad.

He gestures with CONFUSED DISAPPOINTMENT to the little girlthat Eli is holding.

ELIHad to do something. Here.

Eli hands D’ren the gun and they move toward anotherbuilding, where FOUR women are washing clothes.

CUT TO

INT. WASHER ROOM - DAY

Eli and D’ren go into the washing room with the little girl,and the women inside scream SILENTLY.

ELIDon’t worry, we’ll be outta yourhair soon.

D’ren is guarding the door with his Colt, but casts Eli a"what now?" look.

ELII - I dunno. Didn’t think this farahead.

D’ren rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

Eli glances around the room ANXIOUSLY.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 27.

ELIUh, okay we need an escape plan.

D’ren gives Eli a "duh, no shit" look and then gestures thatthey’re being SURROUNDED.

ELI

Shit.

Eli then notices the fresh WOUND on D’ren’s side.

ELIDude, you’re hurt.

D’ren gives Eli a CYNICAL look and mouths "I’ll be fine."

One of the women, ALISON, 20, clears her throat, gettingEli’s attention.

She has short black hair and tattoos. She gestures to a

trapdoor under a dirty rug.

Her eyes PLEAD for him to take her with him.

Eli turns to D’ren, who is shaking his head VEHEMENTLY.

ELIC’mon, man. If she doesn’t wanna behere, we gotta help her get out.

D’ren sighs and turns back to the door.

When he sees two soldiers move toward the door slowly, D’renmotions for Eli to hurry up.

Eli quickly turns and NODS to the black-haired woman, whoswiftly gets down to open the trapdoor.

After the black-haired woman and Eli go UNDERGROUND, D’renbegins to lower the trapdoor from above.

Eli looks up, SURPRISED. He instantly notices D’ren’sexpression of both DESPERATION and PEACE.

ELI

What the hell, man. What are youdoing?

D’ren drops in a piece of paper and Eli catches it.

D’ren shuts the trapdoor, locks it, and puts the rug overit.

The door BURSTS open and the two soldiers rush in.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 28.

D’ren opens fire with his Colt, taking them both down, butone of them gets a shot off.

CUT TO

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Eli and the black-haired woman climb out from underground.

Eli makes sure no one is following them and then closes itback up.

He then looks at the paper.

D’REN (VO)Here are some of the answers you’relooking for mate: Why has Tabithanot aged since you last saw her?

I’m not sure, but it seems thosewho wake up in this "future" do notage. More importantly, there are agroup of wannabe government agentscalled Exterminators who huntpeople like you and I - naturalintuitives and empaths. You willknow them when you see them.They’ll be harder to read. Back inmy humble abode when I told youthat I couldn’t answer some of yourquestions - well, I had a feelingone of my guards was a traitor. And

if I mentioned this to you in frontof her, things could’ve been worse.That was the real reason peoplestopped using the written word tocommunicate: the Exterminatorsviewed writing, and writers, astheir biggest threat. Some of thepeople in this camp - the enemycamp - are pro-Exterminators, whileothers are against them. That iswhy all this is happening. Anyway,Godspeed, mate. I gotta go die allheroic now.

Eli throws the paper and SHOUTS.

ELIShit!!!

The woman puts her finger to her lips.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 29.

ELIWhen the hell did he even writethat?

Eli looks at her and sighs before picking up the paper andputting it in his pocket.

ELILet’s go.

They walk away side by side.

ELIYou got a name, hun?

The woman mouths "Alison."

Eli nods.

ELII might call you Alice for short.

Alison smiles briefly and shakes her head, and they walk offtogether into the distance.

FADE TO

EXT. WOODS - DUSK

Eli and Alison are still strolling through the woods,unarmed except with two STICKS.

ELISo have you heard of theseExterminators?

Alison nods, both SAD and FEARFUL.

ELII see. You lost someone to them.

Alison nods again, this time with a mix of a SCOFF and deepSORROW.

ELIA lot of someones?

She mouths, "My family."

Eli gives her a look of compassion and puts his hand on hershoulder.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 30.

ELII’m sorry.

She barely smiles, barely mouths, "Thanks."

ELISo why’d you leave the camp back

there? I mean, you must’ve beenthere awhile. You made an escaperoute.

Eli can tell by the look on her EXASPERATED face that it’s along story.

She shrugs lightly and shakes her head sadly.

ELILong story eh? I understand. Theguys there seem like pricks.Probably didn’t feel safe, right?

She shrugs again, but nods too.

ELIThat’s part of it? Well, we’realmost to my camp. At least, it’swhere I told my lieutenant to setup camp. We should see it soon.

Alison begins sniffing, and she SMILES.

Eli smiles at her smile, which is the first REAL smile he’sseen from her.

ELIYeah, I smell it too. Shouldn’t bethat far.

CUT TO

EXT. NEW PEACEMAKERS CAMP - NIGHT

Crackling fire can be heard and seen through the woods asEli and Alison move toward the campsite.

Eli notices one of the three remaining soldiers patrolling.

ELIPsst! Hey.

The guard squints in the dark and sees them through thetrees but isn’t sure who they are, so he CAUTIOUSLY raiseshis weapon.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 31.

Eli raises his hands and walks into the light.

ELIIt’s me, Eli. I brought a friend.

The soldier lowers his weapon and gives Eli a look of

DISBELIEF and IRRITATION.

ELIWhere’s the LT?

The soldier indicates the command tent and Eli nods thanksand heads over with Alison.

Alison smiles at the three children playing by the fire withtheir mothers.

CUT TO

INT. COMMAND TENT - NIGHT

The LT, medic, one elderly man, and a woman are standingaround communicating non-verbally.

When they see Eli enter, they stand at attention, but the LTCROSSES his arms and becomes clearly ANGRY at Eli forleaving.

ELII know, I know. But I couldn’t risklosing anymore soldiers. Had to go

alone. Sorry.

When the LT sees Alison, he perks a BROW and sucks at histeeth.

ELIYeah, this is Alison. I - uh -liberated her from the enemy camp.D’ren stayed behind to keep them atbay while we made it out. Yeah, Iknow. The whole point of me goingthere was to get D’ren, but (beat)he was too weak to travel. He wastortured and looked half-starved,not to mention he’d reopened awound they’d given him. Besides...

Eli turns to Alison, who is STARING at the LT with FEAR andNERVOUSNESS.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 32.

ELII’m pretty sure she’s empathic.

Hearing this, Alison turns to Eli and blinks, surprised andconfused.

She mouths, "wait, what?"

Eli looks to Alison.

ELIWe’ll talk about it in a minute.

He turns back to the LT and hands him D’ren’s note.

ELILT (beat) what can you tell meabout these Exterminators?

The LT’s demeanor instantly goes from AGGRAVATED toTERRIFIED.

Eli gulps.

ELIThat bad, huh?

The LT glances to the others in the room and makes a SUBTLYCASUAL gesture for them to leave; they leave immediately.

The LT then reaches for a pencil and draws on the back ofD’ren’s note.

He then hands it back to Eli.

Eli looks at it and nods with APPROVAL.

He shows Alison, who nods with CONFIRMATION.

Eli looks down at the drawing with DREAD.

ELIYou’re a pretty good artist, LT. Iguess we have ourselves anotherfight ahead of us.

FADE TO BLACK.


34/122

33.


LOW-ANGLE SHOT: SIX Exterminators march through the rivalclan’s camp; only their LEGS and JACKBOOTS are visible.

Their outfits seem to vary, with the exception of the color:

ALL BLACK.

A man wearing a long black CLOAK walks over to D’ren, whoappears dead on the ground.

D’ren’s dual SWORDS are lying BLOOD-STAINED beside him.

The Exterminator leader is wearing a HOODED cloak, so hisface is not visible, as he kicks D’ren in the face as hardas he can.

D’ren doesn’t react so he assumes he is dead.

the man bends down and after taking D’ren’s swords, he STEPSover him.

PULL: Show the six Exterminators checking to make sureeveryone is dead.

One man reaches up, but an Exterminator shoots himMERCILESSLY with a silenced pistol.

CUT TO

INT. ELI’S TENT - DAWN

Eli is ASLEEP in a SLEEPING BAG; Alison is a few feet away,asleep as well.

FADE TO

INT. CHURCH - MORNING

In Eli’s dream, he is sitting in a PEW staring up at thepodium and the CROSS behind it.

ALISON (OS)I can talk here.

Eli QUICKLY looks over his shoulder to see Alison walkingdown the aisle toward him.

He smiles and then nods.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 34.

ELIIt appears so.

Alison sits next to him.

ALISON

I’m afraid to admit this is adream.

Eli nods again.

ELIYeah, I usually wake up when Irealize it’s a dream too.

Eli and Alison looks at each other, SURPRISED.

ELIWait, are you (beat) here? I mean,

is the real Alison dreaming thiswhile I (beat) have the same dream?

Alison laughs and SHRUGS.

ALISONI don’t know. Feels real to me. Forall I know, you could be as fake ashim.

She nods to a painting of CHRIST.

Eli shakes his head and puts his arm around Alison’s

shoulders.

ELIWhen I wake up, I’m going to tellyou I had the strangest dream.

Eli looks into her eyes.

ELIIf I feel like you remember mesaying that here, I’ll continue.We’ll know if we had the same dreamor not.

Alison smiles and looks down, slightly EMBARRASSED andNERVOUS.

ALISONI wish I could help, do more thanjust give you doe-eyed expressionsof fear.

(CONTINUED)


36/122

CONTINUED: 35.

Eli chuckles and rubs her back. When he feels the SCARS onher back, he FROWNS and lifts her shirt to see angel wingstattooed on her back, and a lot of scars.

Alison pushes her shirt back down.

ELII won’t let anything happen to you,Alice.

ALISONSure.

CUT TO

INT. ELI’S TENT - DAWN

Eli wakes up and looks over at Alison as she is still

asleep.

Eli smiles slightly and pulls himself out of the sleepingbag, which wakes Alison up.

Out of the sleeping bag, Eli looks over at her as he isputting on his BOOTS, and he smiles again.

She looks at him EXPECTANTLY.

Eli looks down as he FINISHES tying his boots.

ELI

I had a really weird dream...

He doesn’t get any further before he hears her INHALEDEEPLY.

He looks over to see her smiling with tears in her eyes, andthen she begins CRYING.

Eli goes to Alison as she buries her FACE in the sleepingbag, embarrassed.

He pats her shoulder.

ELIAlice, what’s wrong?

Alison shakes her head and LIGHTLY pushes his hand off hershoulder, remembering he’d felt her scars.

Eli SIGHS lightly and stands SLOWLY.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 36.

ELII guess it was real.

Alison PEERS up into his eyes. She nods slowly.

Eli helps her out of the sleeping bag.

ELIGet ready to go outside. I’m gonnatalk to everyone.

CUT TO

EXT. NEW PEACEMAKERS CAMP - MORNING

As Eli is waiting for the others with Alison, the LT walksover and hands Eli a piece of paper with writing on it.

ELIPeacemakers huh?

The LT gives him a SHEEPISH look with a mingling of PRIDE.

Eli nods with APPROVAL.

ELISure. Gather around, fellowPeacemakers!

The LT’s pride grows as he stands to Eli’s right.

Once everyone’s gathered, Eli begins his speech.

ELII’ve been told the Exterminatorsalways come in sixes.

The LT nods, as he is the one who "told" Eli this.

The group looks around ANXIOUSLY.

ELII’ve also been told that D’ren usedto be one of them before he joinedthe militia. And that we cannotpredict or read the Exterminators.So we will hide. And when the timeis right, we will fight. But first,we must stay alive, so that we cansurvive. Because theseanti-intuitive, anti-empathic,anti-everything good assholes will

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 37.

ELI (cont’d)stop at nothing at destroying us.My people - the intuitives andempaths - were the smallest ofminorities in the old world, andnow, we’re even more rare, more

hated. And so I thank you, those ofyou who were not born like me,D’ren, Tabitha, and Alison - Ithank you for protecting us,following us, and helping us (beat)so that we can do the same for you.

Eli looks around at the proud, grateful group beforecontinuing.

ELIEveryone who can fight and hold aweapon will do so, but if you don’t

have to fight or kill, don’t. Weshould only do harm as a lastresort.

He looks over pointedly to Alison, who looks down in SHAME.

Eli turns back to the crowd.

ELIThe LT will now assign you weaponsand a training partner.

FADE TO

EXT. NEW PEACEMAKERS CAMP - DAY

While many Peacemakers are training with the LT, thechildren and elderly are packing up the camp.

Eli and Alison are SPARRING, as Eli trains her how to fight.

Emotional training montage follows.

FADE TO

EXT. TOWN - DUSK

As the sun goes down, Eli, the LT, and Alison lead thePeacemakers through the woods and into a small town.

Eli turns and addresses the group.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 38.

ELIWe’ll set up camp here. Use thebuildings for cover against theelements and potential enemies.I’ll take first watch.

While the LT helps everyone set up camp again, this time insome buildings, Alison stays with Eli to be lookouts.

Eli is holding an M4 carbine and Alison has a small PISTOLholstered on her hip.

He puts in his earbuds and plays "Reelin’" by Iration.

Alison touches his arm in ASKANCE.

He takes an earbud out to reply.

ELI

I’m half deaf in one ear anyway.Besides, I’m going to sense theenemy long before I hear them.

Alison looks away, trying to figure out how to ask...

While Eli is looking at her, he hears her voice in his head.

ALISON (VO)But I thought the LT told you thatyou can’t read the Exterminatorsbecause they keep their faceshidden.

Eli is SLIGHTLY surprised by this, but answers normally.

ELII do not need to see their faces tofeel their emotions or predicttheir movements.

Alison STARES at him with wide-eyed FEAR and SHOCK.

Eli puts his hand on her back and she FLINCHES away.

Eli lowers his hand slowly.

ELISorry.

He sighs and elaborates.

(CONTINUED)


40/122

CONTINUED: 39.

ELIAnyway, they’re evil. I don’t needto see their faces to feel theirdark presence. Trust me.

CUT TO

EXT. FIELD - DAY

Eli looks around as he thinks about the field he was foundin.

ALISON (OS)So this is where they found you?

Eli smiles and turns to Alison, whose ARMS are crossed overher petite chest.

ELI

Uh yeah. What about you?

Alison shrugs.

ALISONI dunno. I mean, I feel like I waswith the Iverson Clan for my wholelife but (beat) I wasn’t.

Eli nods slowly, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinizes her.

ELIIverson was the boss’s name?

She nods.

ELIWell, I doubt you’ll have to worryabout him anymore.

She shrugs.

ALISONWhy? You didn’t see him die. Hecould still be out there.

ELIEven if D’ren didn’t kill him, I’msure the Exterminators did.

ALISONUnless he was working with them.

Eli nods slowly.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 40.

ELIThat’s entirely possible.

A GUNSHOT thunders close by.

CUT TO

EXT. TOWN - DAY

Eli and Alison are TORN from their shared daydream to seeTWO Exterminators climbing through the brush toward them,holding rifles.

FEAR grips Eli as he sees that they’re wearing GAS MASKS andleather TRENCH COATS.

He turns to Alison, grabbing her arm.

ELI

Run!

Alison runs a couple feet before falling and screaming,BLOOD pooling from her gut.

Eli PANICS and picks Alison up and carries her to thebuilding the others are at.

ELI (VO)Shit! I can’t feel them! Ishould’ve known!

ELI/ALISON (VO)Sociopaths!

Eli hides behind a barrier with Alison as the LT opens fire.

ELIWhy can’t they just be psychopaths?

Chaos ensues as the six Exterminators surround them, killingthem off one by one.

Eli yanks the earbuds out and tries to keep pressure onAlison’s wound.

ELIGod! Come on, not again!

The medic hurries over to help; she gestures for him tofight.

Eli stands and points his rifle at an Exterminator, but theenemy moves for cover.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 41.

He turns the rifle on another one but that Exterminatorfires first, causing Eli to get behind cover.

ELII can’t - I can’t read them. Shit,they were right.

He watches as nearly everyone dies, and the children arecrying.

Eli gets ANGRY.

ELIWhy can’t I read you!?

Eli leaps up (begin SLO-MO) and starts shooting wildly withhis rifle.

The Exterminators mostly AVOID the gunfire, and fire back.

Eli ignores their gunfire and notices one of them is wearinga SKULL mask and a HOODED CLOAK, and he is walking aroundthe perimeter his five other Exterminators have created.(end SLO-MO)

ELIThe leader.

Even though the shot is near impossible, and there are fiveExterminators closer, he raises his rifle and takes aim atthe leader.

When the leader sees this, he ROARS, which signals his mento target only Eli.

Eli takes several bullets to the torso and limbs andcollapses, but the LT, medic, and a couple others take outthree of the six enemies.

FADE TO

INT. ABANDONED BUILDING, TOWN - DAY

Eli wakes up in a rundown abandoned building and is inEXCRUCIATING AGONY.

As he screams, Alison screams beside him. Both are lyingside by side on cots.

Alison looks over to see Eli.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 42.

ALISON (OS)Eli.

Eli looks over and tries to speak, but cannot.

Alison looks like she might cry but holds it in, so she can

explain.

ALISONStop, you’re going to pull yourstitches. When I woke up an hourago, you were there. I, uh,discovered I can talk now. I don’tknow how or why. The lieutenantsaid when D’ren was taken, you wereable to talk, so I guess it happenswhen the Speaker is incapacitated.

Eli nods SADLY as it all begins to make sense to him, sorta.

He turns back onto his back and STARES BLANKLY up at theceiling.

Alison just lies there on her side WATCHING him for a fewseconds.

ALISONWe killed - well, the lieutenantand the others killed three ofthem. We lost almost everyone. I’msorry, Eli.

Again, Eli tries to speak, but remembers he can’t again, andFUMES angrily before forcing himself into a sittingposition.

ALISONCareful.

Eli smiles and looks at her WARMLY before mouthing, "Yourvoice is beautiful."

Alison smiles BASHFULLY.

ALISONThanks. Your voice wasn’t too badeither.

Eli nods and gets to his feet, along with Alison.

The medic walks in and shakes her head, pointing to thecots.

(CONTINUED)


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CONTINUED: 43.

Eli sighs and tries to say he feels fine, but when he moveshis injured arm, he CRINGES in pain, which causes Alison toCRINGE and hold her shoulder too.

The medic looks between the two.

Alison explains to both of them.

ALISONWe’re empathically connected. Whathurts one of us hurts the other. Wecan talk to each other in dreamstoo.

The LT walks in and tosses a GAS MASK across the room.

Eli sees it and looks at the LT with wide, expectant eyes.

The LT turns to the medic and indicates that Eli and Alison

need to come out and see something.

The medic RELENTS and crosses her arms INDIGNANTLY.

CUT TO

EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY

Eli and Alison exit the makeshift clinic to find cloaks andcoats and blankets covering the dead. Only ten Peacemakersremain, not including Alison and Eli.

The three children are cowering with two women near a cornerof the building.

The LT takes Eli and Alison to one of the downedExterminators and points.

Eli looks down to see that he looks exactly like D’ren.

The LT indicates another Exterminator, and the third, toshow that all three of them look like D’ren.

As Eli mouths it, Alison says it.

ALISON (OS)Clones.

Eli and Alison exchange looks. Eli nods.

Eli turns to ask LT something and Alison does it for him.

(CONTINUED)


45/122

CONTINUED: 44.

ALISON (OS)That would explain why we can’tfeel them; clones don’t have souls.But what about D’ren? How the helldid he get out? He has the makingsof a sociopath, but we can - could

- feel him. What the hell is goingon?

The LT shrugs, still sort of SURPRISED at Eli and Alison’ssymbiosis.

He indicates that D’ren was the original human.

ALISONThat makes sense, I guess.

The sound of weapons LOCKING and LOADING causes everyone tobe on guard.

D’REN CLONE (OS)Oi! That how you welcome yourTalker back?

Eli’s eyes go WIDE as he points a handgun at the man infront of him.

Again, Eli mouths it while Alison says it aloud.

ALISONWe don’t know you’re really D’ren.

The medic, who is the closest to the newcomer, indicates theswords on his hip.

Eli nods slowly.

ALISON (OS)Where’s your sidearm?

D’REN CLONELost it. Fighting the Iverson Clan.

ALISONHow’d you get your voice back?

That stumps the D’ren clone.

D’REN CLONEHe lost it? Interesting.

Eli doesn’t waste a second to put a bullet in his forehead.

(CONTINUED)


46/122

CONTINUED: 45.

Everyone moves in around him; the medic ensures his death,Alison and another woman removes his swords; Eli and the LTexchange looks.

ALISON (OS)So the Exterminators can talk?

The LT shakes his head, CONFUSED.

Alison pulls out a SKULL mask from the D’ren clone’s pocket.

The LT’s mouth falls open for a second before he recallssomething.

Eli and Alison both look at him as he nods.

ALISONThe leaders of six can talk?

The LT gives a so-so gesture.

ALISONFor brief moments?

The LT nods, and then puts his hands up to his TEMPLES.

Eli looks at him and squints, trying to understand.

ALISON (OS)Telepathy?

Again, the LT’s so-so gesture.

ALISON (OS)Some kinda computer chip?

The LT snaps, smiles, and nods emphatically.

Eli smirks and looks over at Alison.

ALISONShe’s good.

Alison looks down, shy and nervous.

ALISONThanks.

Eli nods and turns back to the LT.

ALISON (OS)We need to get inside. Once theother Exterminators find out their

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


47/122

CONTINUED: 46.

ALISON (OS) (cont’d)

boss’s chip is offline, they’regonna probably want to kill us todeath.

As Eli and the LT move to gather everyone, Alison walks up

behind Eli and gives him a SKEPTICAL smirk.

ALISONReally? "Kill us to death?"

FADE TO

INT. ABANDONED BUILDING, TOWN - DUSK

Everyone stands guard except the children and the lastliving elderly man, who is guarding the kids with a pistol.

Eli, the LT, Alison, the female medic, the female militiasoldier, the last male soldier, and the two civilian womenare standing by windows, though remaining unseen as theykeep watch.

A couple dramatic minutes pass as everyone exchangesdramatic and heartfelt glances.

Then Eli sees the Exterminators coming, and there are dozensof them.

Alison walks over to his window and STARES, mouth AGAPE withFEAR.

ALISONI guess they aren’t playin’ around.

She looks to Eli, who looks HOPELESS.

With a look of SYMPATHY, she places her hand on his arm.

ALISONIf we die, at least it’s forsomething.

Eli looks at her and mouths, "is it?"

CUT TO


48/122

47.

EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT

The obvious leader of the group, the one with no mask on anda long black SILK hooded cloak, walks up to about a coupledozen feet of the front door.

His accent is not Irish.

EXTERMINATOR BOSSWe want Elijah McDonnell and AlisonKaiser. Everyone else can walk.You’re outnumbered and outgunned by(beat) a lot. Come out now, Eli.

CUT TO

INT. ABANDONED BUILDING, TOWN - NIGHT

Eli and Alison exchange looks before looking around to theothers with HOPE that there may be a way out.

The LT shakes his head, doesn’t trust it.

Eli’s facial expression and body language indicates whatAlison says.

ALISONThirty Exterminators against half adozen hobos, kids, and old people?We cannot fight them.

The LT sighs, relenting, and nods. The medic nods too.

Alison is about to shout to the Exterminator boss...

EXTERMINATOR BOSS (OS)Aaaaaaaah!!!

He’s clearly been wounded, and when they look outside, Eliand Alison see THREE ARROWS ON FIRE sticking out of hisface, neck, and heart.

Half a dozen Exterminators wearing NIGHT-VISION GOGGLES openfire at the roof of the abandoned building.

Eli and Alison look at each other, afraid, surprised, andhopeful again.

Alison then looks confused.

(CONTINUED)


49/122

CONTINUED: 48.

ALISON"I’m back, bitches"?

Eli smiles and peers out the window to see someone drop downfrom the roof in front of them.

CUT TO

EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT

D’ren and THREE women land on the ground and open fire withBOWS, MACHINE GUNS, and PISTOLS.

Eli, Alison, the LT and the others rush out of the buildingand begin shooting too.

D’ren easily predicts the Exterminators’ movements, dodgingattacks and empathically indicating to Alison and the others

who they will target and when.

The battle lasts only a few minutes until D’ren kills thelast Exterminator with his Colt .45 1911.

ALISON (OS)Yeah, how ya like me now, ya poncygit?

Eli NODS and SMIRKS knowingly.

ALISON (OS)Yeah, that’s the real D’ren.

FLASH TO

INT. WASHER ROOM - DAY

From D’ren’s perspective, Eli is going down the trapdoor.

ELIWhat the hell, man. What are youdoing?

D’ren drops in a piece of paper and Eli catches it.

D’ren shuts the trapdoor, locks it, and puts the rug overit.

The door BURSTS open and the two soldiers rush in.

D’ren opens fire with his Colt, taking them both down, butone of them gets a shot off.

(CONTINUED)


50/122

CONTINUED: 49.

The bullet kills the LITTLE GIRL in the corner.

He turns ANGRILY and kills two more oncoming soldiers.

Then he turns to the THREE women, who are afraid.

He calms himself and then picks up a stick and hands it toone of the women.

He mouths, "Fight back."

She nods.

The other women also gather weapons.

Then they rush out and kill a bunch of people, but throughFADES we know it takes some time, probably hours.

They also train.

FADE TO

EXT. ENEMY CAMP - DUSK

Afterward, D’ren knows someone is coming so he makes thegirls hide in the trapdoor but come back up in a fewminutes.

He pretends to be dead, leaving his swords by him, butkeeping his gun under his chest.

CUT TO


LOW-ANGLE SHOT: SIX Exterminators march through the rivalclan’s camp; only their LEGS and JACKBOOTS are visible.

Their outfits seem to vary, with the exception of the color:ALL BLACK.

A man wearing a long black CLOAK walks over to D’ren, whoappears dead on the ground.

D’ren’s dual SWORDS are lying BLOOD-STAINED beside him.

The Exterminator leader is wearing a HOODED cloak, so hisface is not visible, as he kicks D’ren in the face as hardas he can.

D’ren doesn’t react so he assumes he is dead.

(CONTINUED)


51/122

CONTINUED: 50.

The man bends down and after taking D’ren’s swords, he STEPSover him.

PULL: Show the six Exterminators checking to make sureeveryone is dead.

One man reaches up, but an Exterminator shoots himMERCILESSLY with a silenced pistol.

After the Exterminators are gone, D’ren gets up and nearlystarts crying from the pain of being kicked in the face andblood splattered over himself.

He goes back into the washer room and washes his face.

Then he opens the trapdoor to find the three women.

CUT TO BLACK.

INT. PEACEMAKERS WAREHOUSE - DAY

SUPER: "1 Week Later..."

The old man survivor and the three kids are tossing a ballback and forth in one corner of the warehouse.

The LT and his two remaining soldiers, male and female, arecleaning M16’s.

The medic and the two Peacemaker women are teaching medicalthings to the five women D’ren liberated from the Iverson

Clan.

When Alison speaks for D’ren, it’s with a slight Irishaccent, which Eli finds ENDEARING.

ALISOND’ren’s the original. Thirteenyears ago, right before everyonestopped talking, the governmentused his DNA to make clones to bespies, assassins, and crisisactors.

FLASH TO


52/122

51.

INT. GOVERNMENT BASE - DAY

D’ren is STRAPPED down on a medical bed, asleep.

A couple of scientists or doctors do medical things to him.

ALISON (VO)But when everyone lost theirvoices, the government, mainlyHomeland Security, decided to stopusing the clones for terror andstart using them for death.

One of the doctors loses his voice in mid-operation.

ALISON (VO)Since everyone lost their voice inone day, the government had to movequickly, but they weren’t quick

enough.

D’ren RIPS through his binds and kills both scientists.

When a guard rushes in with an assault rifle, D’ren killshim too.

He then takes the assault rifle.

ALISON (VO)A lot of government agents andofficials, even politicians, turnedagainst the feds’ insane policy.

When a guard sees D’ren escape, he HOPELESSLY lowers hisweapons and NODS for him to hurry.

The guard SHOOTS himself in the head with a Colt .45.

D’ren takes the guard’s gun.

D’ren goes to the room where his CLONES are held in STASIS.

He drops a grenade and blows them up while heading for thequartermaster room.

ALISON (VO)D’ren knew his copies were justmindless drones, programmed killingmachines, so he had no problemtaking them out.

D’ren comes out of the quartermaster room wearing the blackoutfit and MASK of an Exterminator.

(CONTINUED)


53/122

CONTINUED: 52.

He heads out into the main CORRIDOR and sees governmentofficials running to and fro.

One of them grabs him.

OFFICIAL

Exterminator! I order you to findand eliminate the original! He wasnever meant to survive pastyesterday!

D’ren nods obediently and runs off to do that, but thentakes another turn and exits the facility.

FLASH TO

INT. PEACEMAKERS WAREHOUSE - DAY

ALISON (VO)They had always planned to killD’ren after the first batch ofclones were made, but thescientists claimed that they couldonly make more clones from his DNA.Making copies out of copies wasapparently impossible.

Eli looks back and forth between Alison and D’ren, IMPRESSEDand INTRIGUED by the story.

D’ren glares at Alison and mouths, "It’s DAREN."

SUPER: "It’s DAREN."

The LT walks over and mouths, "I told them."

SUPER: "I told them."

Eli mouths, "Sorry."

The LT shows them why he really walked over, a letter.

He hands it to Alison, who reads it allowed with the emotionof the letter’s author.

ALISONTo Captain RoseBlade andLieutenant McGrammers of theLeland-based militia. TheGreenville militia has lost askirmish to the Exterminators. OurTalker was killed and our captain

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


54/122

CONTINUED: 53.

ALISON (cont’d)was captured. We have reason tobelieve that we were betrayed by amember of our camp. I will attemptto weed out the traitor, but if youcould help us out, I will

relinquish command of theGreenville militia to you, Tabitha.We have over thirty soldiers readyto fight the Exterminators andtheir overlords, but no captain tolead them. Thanks guys. PS, I willonly meet with the commandingofficers, Tabitha RoseBlade andTheo McGrammers. Sorry, but wecan’t be too careful. Your friend,Lieutenant Ramsey Auckland.

Everyone looks around at each other TENSELY.

While Eli makes the appropriate APPREHENSIVE expressions,Alison interprets.

ALISON (OS)Tabitha’s dead. Do you think it’s agood idea going to meet this guyalone? How well do you know him?

The LT looks OFFENDED.

ALISON (OS)He’s a friend from before. From the

old world. I trust him.

Eli, D’ren, and Alison exchange NERVOUS, SKEPTICAL looks.

D’ren silently makes a valid point.

ALISON (OS)If you haven’t seen him sincebefore, he could be a completelydifferent person now. Theapocalypse can do that.

The LT waves DISMISSIVELY at his brother, getting a bitnervous.

ALISON (OS)I’ve seen him since.

Eli nods and narrows his eyes at the LT.

(CONTINUED)


55/122

CONTINUED: 54.

ALISON (OS)When and how often?

The LT sighs.

ALISON (OS)

Once, ten years ago.

Alison clears her throat weakly, TIRED.

ALISONSorry guys, I need a break.

CUT TO

INT. GREENVILLE CAMP COMMAND TENT - DAY

PAN: A FRIGHTENED, ANGRY woman is BOUND in a chair, hands

behind her back.

Across the TABLE from her is Lieutenant RAMSEY Auckland, 42,a tall man with salt and pepper hair.

Ramsey looks ANNOYED and DISAPPOINTED, and as he places hisPISTOL on the table, an expression of REGRET crosses hisface BRIEFLY.

The woman sees the gun and her fear increases for a secondbut the anger overtakes it and she tries to LUNGE at him.

A guard shoves her down into the chair.

Ramsey pulls WORN, thirteen-year-old, old world PHOTO out ofhis pocket and slowly, RESPECTFULLY pushes it across thetable to her.

The woman looks down at her family in the photo for a fewdramatic, heartfelt moments.

OFF-SCREEN, a GUNSHOT echoes and her head snaps back as sheis executed by Ramsey.

Ramsey swallows and averts his eyes GUILTILY from both thedead woman and the guard as he holsters his pistol andstands up.

He motions for the guard to clean up and takes the photo andleaves.

CUT TO


56/122

55.

EXT. EMPTY HIGHWAY - DUSK

Eli, Alison, and LT are walking the highway SIDE-BY-SIDE.

ALISONI wish D’ren had come. I’d feel

much better meeting a stranger withhim around.

Eli gives Alison a PLAYFUL smirk of MOCK OFFENSE.

ALISONSorry, but you know what I mean. Heand those girls (beat) I don’t knowhow he does it.

Eli gives Alison a sideways, THOUGHTFUL, almost cynicallook.

ALISONJust sayin’ - they’re prettybadass.

The LT glances over and SNICKERS, nodding.

ALISONYour brother’s always been badass?

The LT nods, shrugs, and mouths, "IRA."

ALISONReally? IRA? Huh.

Alison is about to say something else, but Eli stops andgrabs her arm.

They both raise their weapons - his rifle and her pistol -as they know someone is stalking them in the TREES along theroad.

They all move into a triangle formation, watching the treelines.

Eli mouths, "I feel..."

ALISON (OS)Rage. Hate.

Eli, Alison, and the LT wait and watch for a few silent,TENSE moments.

Three women - two of them clones of the other - emerge fromthe trees on both sides of the highway.

(CONTINUED)


57/122

CONTINUED: 56.

This is Abigail, 27. She is wearing all black leather andhas dirty blond hair in a BUN.

Her clones are both wearing Marine camo. One of the cloneshas a phoenix tattoo on her face and short spikey blackhair. The other clone has dirty blond hair like Abi, but its

down. Both clones are COLD and EXPRESSIONLESS, like theExterminators.

Eli’s mouth falls AGAPE when he sees them, and when he isemotionally drawn to Abi, he realizes she is the original,and looks at her with a mixture of CONFUSION and SORROW.

He mouths, "Abi."

ALISONWho’s Abi?

Abi GRINS and curtsies.

ABIGAILAbigail Ballinger, AKA the Phoenix,in the flesh. The Exterminatorsfound your camp after you left and- well - did their job. Theyweren’t too happy they didn’t findyou or Daren McGrammers there.

SKEPTICALLY, Eli takes a couple CAUTIOUS steps toward Abi ashe mouths, "Wh - what are you doing?"

ABIGAIL

Distracting you.

Clone 1, the black-haired one, fires her M16 assault rifleand a single round kills the LT.

Alison screams and looks to Eli for orders.

Eli looks in TERROR at the LT’s corpse and then to Abi.

He tries to scream, "Why are you doing this?"

ABIGAILWhy do you think, Eli? I’m anExterminator. However, since youand I have history, in the oldworld, I’ll let you go and say youescaped. But I gotta take the otheremp.

(CONTINUED)


58/122

CONTINUED: 57.

ALISONGo to hell, bitch!

ABIGAILHey!

Abi’s anger becomes TANGIBLE as she marches across the road,

tightly gripping her 9mm Beretta and JABBING a forefinger atAlison and Eli as she speaks.

ABIGAILStop it! Stop being stupid and getwith the program, god dammit! Wecould’ve sniped you from threehundred yards away -easy-! But Ididn’t! I came out here to faceyou, so make the right move here,Elijah! Give me the emp and getoutta here! This is not anegotiation! Go!

As she yells "go," Abi points her pistol at Eli, though herface betrays the slightest amount of REGRET.

Eli notices this and turns to Alison, lowering his rifle.

Alison shakes her head, moaning and sobbing.

ALISONNo, no, no, Eli please don’t go.Don’t leave me with them.

Eli slings his rifle and takes Alison’s face in his hands as

he STARES into her big wide, FEARFUL eyes.

Eli’s expression calms her as he conveys both COMPASSION andfirm faith.

With a slight TILT of his head, he asks her to TRUST him.

Alison CLENCHES her eyes shut as tears well out and sheNODS.

Abigail arrogantly SWAGGERS over and extends her HAND toAlison.

Eli slowly removes the pistol from Alison and hands it toAbi; then he takes Alison’s knife and hands it to her aswell.

Abi nods and smirks.

She heads over to Clone 2 and hands both weapons to her.

(CONTINUED)


59/122

CONTINUED: 58.

ABIGAILGood choice, Eli. We both knowyou’re good at abandoning people.First Baghdad, then Leland. Nowher.

Eli casts her a look of PAIN and GUILT.

Abi keeps her hateful expression but blinks APOLOGETICALLY.

ABIGAILGet outta here, man.

Alison hugs Eli and he hugs her back, and then kisses herCHEEK.

Abi audibly GROANS and rolls her eyes.

Eli walks away as the clones move in to take custody of

Alison.

Then he goes back and takes the LT’s dog-tags, as well assomething else, which makes a grotesque sound.

Then he walks away again.

The clones tug Alison BACKWARDS down the road the directionshe’d come as she sadly watches Eli walk away.

Abigail hasn’t started walking yet.

ABIGAIL

McPhoster. When you get to whereveryou’re going, if it’s safe, staythere. Everywhere else is hell.

Eli glances over his shoulder at Abi and waves DISMISSIVELY.

ELII’d rather be free than safe, youknow that. Goodbye Abigail.

When no one is watching, Abi’s face softens considerably andher hate fades to SYMPATHY as she turns around to follow herclones and Alison, holstering her pistol.

FADE TO


60/122

59.

EXT. EMPTY PARK - DAY

Eli walks into a PARK and sits on a BENCH and closes hiseyes to nap.

The BARREL of a gun is put against the back of Eli’s head.

Eli sighs and opens his eyes TIREDLY.

Ramsey and one guard move into Eli’s field of vision.

Ramsey is PISSED and WORRIED, with a hint of GUILT that Elimisses because he’s EXHAUSTED.

ELIDude, I’ve had, like, the worstfrickin’ night. Ever. Of all time.

Ramsey doesn’t care; he jabs the gun at Eli and motionsaround, displaying he’s confused as to why his best friend

isn’t with Eli.

ELITheo’s dead, man. I’m sorry. So isTabi.

Ramsey mouths, "What happened?"

ELITabi was killed in a firefight witha rival camp. Exterminatorsambushed Theo and I on the wayhere. They took my Talker, so nowI’m the Talker.

Ramsey shakes his head with rueful disbelief.

SUPER: "I don’t believe or trust you."

He nods to his soldier.

SUPER: "Kill him."

Ramsey turns to walk away as his soldier points his rifle atEli.

Eli throws up his hands.

ELIHey! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What thehell, man? I just walked all nightfrom Brunswick county toGreenville. I didn’t kill him! SomeExterminator bitch did!

(CONTINUED)


61/122

CONTINUED: 60.

Ramsey turns back, still ANGRY and SKEPTICAL.

He hesitates for a second, mouth clenched shut.

Then he nods and sighs.

The guard looks over at Ramsey, confused and doubtful.

Ramsey relents and motions for Eli to stand up.

Eli lowers his hands.

ELILieutenant, you have got to tell mewhat the hell is going on. Or(beat) you know, write it down.Something. Your letter said you hada traitor in your camp?

The soldier turns and goes to examine the area nearby.

Ramsey nods ruefully and sadly.

He shrugs and gestures to himself.

Eli stands up.

ELIRight, you’re not an empath ornaturally intuitive.

Ramsey holds up a finger and mouths, "I found one."

ELIYou got one? One what? Empath?Traitor? Good, we’ll question him.Find out if he has any friends.

Ramsey shakes his head.

Eli sighs.

ELIYou executed him, didn’t you?

Ramsey mouths, "I had to."

Eli waves his hands dismissively and rubs his eyes.

ELIOkay, okay, whatever, man. It’s allgood. But I need some sleep beforewe do anything. If you don’t wanna

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


62/122

CONTINUED: 61.

ELI (cont’d)trust me, fine. Keep me underguard, but I can tell you for surewho in your camp is a traitortomorrow morning, alright?

Ramsey shrugs slightly and nods.

Together they walk down a path, the guard behind him.

FADE TO

INT. GREENVILLE BARRACKS - DAY

In a military-style barracks, Eli is asleep on a bottom BUNKbed.

There are about half a dozen other militia soldiers asleepin the large building as well.

There is a guard standing just inside the door, eying Eliwith SUSPICION and RESENTMENT.

CUT TO

INT. PRISON CELL

Eli is sitting with his back against the wall, wearing agrey prisoner’s uniform, blankly staring ahead.

PULL: Alison is sitting on one side, Abigail is on the

other. Abi is wearing a class A Marine dress uniform.

Tabitha crouches in front of him, wearing a beautiful dress.

ELII’m dreaming.

TABITHADon’t wake up just yet.

ELIDon’t plan on it. I miss you.

TABITHAYou’re dreaming of the way we were(beat) in the old world.

Eli looks over at Alison, missing her.

She looks back, and though her eyes convey pain, she smiles.

(CONTINUED)


63/122

CONTINUED: 62.

ELII feel like (beat) you’re here.

ALISONI am. Abi took me to Greenville.She might be planning to come after

you.

Eli blinks, confused and upset, and turns to Abi, who isstaring blankly ahead.

ELINo. It’s something else. I can feelit. She’s angry but (beat) shedoesn’t want me exterminated.

Abi’s cold eyes become warm and slowly she turns to look atEli.

ABIGAILI’m here too, Eli.

ELIYou can’t be here, Abi. You’re notan empath, you’re a psychopath.

Abi’s eyes become pleading.

ABIGAILEli, listen -

CUT TO

INT. GREENVILLE BARRACKS - NIGHT

Eli is JARRED AWAKE by a man wearing glasses and a pull-oversweater kicking his cot.

GLENDALE (OS)Wake up, it’s time to eat.

Eli looks up at the man, CONFUSED.

When the man looks back silently, gesturing for Eli to getup and come eat, Eli sits up and assumes he imagined theman’s voice.

CUT TO


64/122

63.

INT. DINING FACILITY - NIGHT

Eli and Glendale walk into the dining facility, a buildingonly slightly larger than the barracks. It’s packed.

Eli notices place-settings with names of the officers and

VIPs of the camp.

Glendale takes his place to the left of Lieutenant RamseyAuckland.

To Ramsey’s right is the soldier who went with Ramsey to thepark to meet Eli; the soldier’s name according to theplace-setting is Pincer.

Eli takes a hesitant seat adjacent from Ramsey as everyonesilently eats.

Ramsey looks up and gestures to Eli and gives him a

quizzical expression.

ELIUm, the plan? Well, tomorrowmorning I plan on interviewing youand your officers.

This clearly OFFENDS Ramsey, Glendale, and Pincer.

Pincer drops his fork on his plate with a CLINK as Glendalelooks over to Ramsey.

ELI

Sorry, but I have to.

Eli gives Ramsey and apologetic look, which Ramsey acceptswith a polite smile.

After taking a couple bites of food in silence, Eli PEERSintently directly across the table at Glendale.

ELIThat your last name?

He gestures to the name card in front of the man, who nodsin response.

ELIWhat’s your job here?

Glendale gives Eli a look of NERVOUS INDIGNATION.

Eli shakes his head.

(CONTINUED)


65/122

CONTINUED: 64.

ELINo, no. I’m not interrogating you.Just making small talk.

Eli fakes a pretty convincing innocent smile.

By their reactions, Eli can tell they bought it.

Glendale mouths, "Teacher."

SUPER: Teacher.

Eli nods.

ELII see. What do you teach?

Glendale gestures to his face.

ELIAh. You teach the kids how tocommunicate. Interesting. Accordingto my camp, their kids learned itintuitively. Guess they’re, uh,fortunate.

Glendale nods with EMBARRASSMENT.

Eli notices out the corner of his eye Pincer is GLOWERING athim but Ramsey is trying to look UNASSUMING.

Eli smiles and looks around at the thirty or so mostly

innocent people in the dining facility.

Then he looks over to Ramsey with a

chasing whispers in the wind (working title)

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