Chronicles of an Empath Volume 1: The Activation The

Merciful

By

Aaron McDonald

A True Story

EXT. PEACEMAKER HQ - NIGHT

A nervous guard hurries frightened GINGER out of the PM HQ

to the gate.

Once outside the gate, he turns her to face him.

GUARD 1

Cross will report to DHS that

you’ve escaped and they will look

for you. If you’re found, they will

kill you.

GINGER

Why are you helping me?

The guard looks like he might speak, but a sniper’s bullet

kills him.

Ginger screams and takes off as spotlights come on and other

guards begin shouting.

Once she is gone, the guard gets up and touches his chest.

Another guard comes over and chuckles at him.

GUARD 2

Good performance.

GUARD 1

Yeah, whatever.

GUARD 2

Cross wants to see you.

CUT TO

INT. PEACEMAKER HQ

Guard 1 enters Cross’s office and stands at attention.

Fake blood is running down his chest.

Cross is sitting behind his desk until the guard walks in

and then Cross stands and tosses the guard a towel.

CROSS

Don’t bleed on my carpet, idiot.

The guard wipes the blood from his shirt as he speaks.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

GUARD 1

It’s a success, sir. The girl known

as Ginger believes you work for

Homeland Security.

Cross smirks as he fiddles with a drawer behind his desk,

still standing.

CROSS

Well, that’s good.

The guard looks up and is shocked to see Cross pointing a

handgun at him.

CROSS

Come on, dude. You had to know.

Cross shoots the guard in the chest once.

As the guard crumples, Cross sighs with disappointment.

CROSS

A lot of good the towel did.

Cross then sits down and watches something on his laptop.

The monitor shows a GPS map with a blinking dot moving down

a street.

CUT TO

EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - NIGHT

Ginger walks down the street shivering and sees a couple.

GINGER

Can I borrow your phone?

The man hands Ginger his cellphone and she dials a number.

MALE PEDESTRIAN

Sure, just no long-distance calls.

Ginger puts the phone to her ear and waits a few seconds.

GINGER

Slater.

Ginger starts to cry but forces herself to stop and be calm.

The couple exchange nervous glances.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

GINGER

Slater, please help me.

A cop car a block away shines a spotlight down the dark road

at them and Ginger thrusts the phone into the male

pedestrian’s grasp before taking off down an alley.

The pedestrian looks at the phone.

MALE PEDESTRIAN

I said no long-distance calls, she

calls El Paso.

FADE TO

INT. CITY HOSPITAL - MORNING

ELIJAH awakens in a hospital bed and groans audibly.

He looks around and yawns before NURSE BETTY walks in.

Betty is a gray-haired old woman, short and stocky with red

cheeks.

Her demeanor seems upbeat and jovial.

BETTY

It’s about time you woke up,

darlin’.

Betty smiles and checks Eli’s vitals.

Eli looks up at her confused.

ELI

What? What happened?

BETTY

You got in a car crash, dear.

Eli blinks, surprised, before he remembers and nods slowly.

ELI

How are the others?

BETTY

The driver of the truck that hit

you is dead. It was the strangest

thing. I heard the EMTs couldn’t

find a cause of death on scene.

Must’ve had a heart-attack.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

ELI

The other one? The redhead, in the

other truck? The one I was racing,

what about her?

Eli tries to sit up and Betty kindly pats his shoulder.

BETTY

Keep still, young man, or you’ll

pull your stitches.

Eli lays back, awaiting her response to his question.

When she turns away to do something, it becomes clear she

isn’t going to answer him.

ELI

The redhead. The other driver. Tell

me, please. Is she dead?

Betty turns back to Eli and pats his shoulder again.

He looks at her, confused as she speaks.

BETTY

Honey, it was just you and the guy

who ran the red light. There was no

third vehicle, at least as far as I

know.

Eli shakes his head, swallowing hard.

ELI

No. There was - I was going to race

her. The truck - the other one - he

ran a red light and hit me. Hit me

into her. Her truck flipped, I

think. She hit some oncoming cars.

Betty sighs and shakes her head.

BETTY

I don’t know anything about that

but I will find out, okay,

sweetheart?

Eli narrows his eyes at Betty and nods slowly.

ELI

Alright. Good.

Eli relaxes and watches as Betty smiles and turns to leave

the room.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

BETTY

I imagine now you’re awake, the

police will be here soon to

question you.

She leaves the room.

Eli rolls his eyes and sits up.

ELI

Frickin’ moron.

Eli sits with his legs off the bed and becomes dizzy.

He falls off the bed.

Betty and a male nurse come in and pick him up.

BETTY

Boy, you need to stay in bed.

ELI

No, I need to find my friends, if

you’re not gonna help me figure out

what happened to that redhead.

BETTY

I told you I’d find out, son -

ELI

That’s bullshit and you know it.

You’re patronizing me! You can’t

fool an empath, nurse.

Nurse Betty turns and gives the male nurse a look and he

leaves the room.

As Eli gets comfortable in the bed again, he gives Betty a

glare.

ELI

Come on, just tell me what

happened.

BETTY

We don’t know.

ELI

Well, how long have I been here?

Unconscious or whatever?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

BETTY

A few days. Maybe three.

ELI

Three days? Seriously!

Eli sits up and this time Betty is angry.

BETTY

Lay back down, Levi.

Eli looks at her shocked, and then narrows his eyes as he

thinks back and remembers his fake name; he then exhales,

which causes him pain, and lays back.

Another man, Dr. Viktor Yates, enters the room; he’s wearing

a tweed jacket with elbow patches, glasses, and a tie. He is

in his sixties, thin and bony, and has gray hair. He is also

English.

DR. YATES

Good morning, Mister McConnell.

Eli blinks and forces a smile.

ELI

Let me guess, you’re the resident

psychiatrist.

DR. YATES

More like a therapist. I’m here to

help you understand what happened

to you, and maybe, in time, cope

with your accident.

ELI

Will I live?

The nurse and therapist exchange confused looks.

BETTY

Of course -

ELI

Then I’ll cope. But I don’t need

you tryin’ to tell me a girl

doesn’t exist when she does.

DR. YATES

Mister McConnell, I’ve spoken with

the first responders. There was no

other vehicle, no other victim. It

was just you and the man who drove

the truck.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

Eli rolls his eyes and sighs, looking away.

ELI

Alright. Fine. Whatever.

Dr. Yates turns to Betty.

DR. YATES

Bring him to my office in half an

hour.

Dr. Yates casts Eli a look of pity before leaving the room.

Eli looks defeated. He looks at Betty, who appears hurt as

she does medical things.

ELI

Sorry I got upset with you.

Betty looks at Eli and smiles politely.

BETTY

Don’t worry, sugar. I’m used to it.

CUT TO

INT. JOTHANIEL CREATIONS STUDIO - DAY

Joel Hyman, Nathaniel Skeeter Haywood, and Adam Enis are

staring up silently at the new logo and name of their

company in huge letters on the front of their studio:

Jothaniel Creations.

Lydia, Kimmy, and Alyce angrily walk up to them.

Lydia has a short blond ponytail and is wearing a gray

T-shirt and black jeans.

Kimmy is wearing a gray hoodie and jeans.

Alyce is wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie over a tank

top.

LYDIA

Hey!

Nathaniel is the first to turn around, as he recognizes

Lydia’s voice.

Joel turns around slowly.

When he sees them, he moans with annoyance and lowers his

head and shoulders with defeated dread.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

Adam continues staring upwards at the wall.

ALYCE

Eli’s been missing three days!

LYDIA

And all you care about is this

stupid sign?

Joel turns and crosses his arms as he confronts the women.

JOEL

First of all, it’s not just a sign.

It’s a symbol of our brotherhood,

Nathaniel and me.

Adam silently looks over out the corner of his eye and

scowls at Joel.

JOEL

And Adam too. He does the heavy

lifting. I mean, look at him. He’s

(beat) Olaf the Hairy Russian

Viking.

The women look at each other and the men with disbelief.

LYDIA

Are you serious, dude?

ALYCE

Nathaniel, you should be taking

this more seriously! Enkimann is

dead! You’re in charge of the

empaths and intuitives around here!

Nathaniel shrugs, smirking nervously.

NATHANIEL

I’m doin’ my best but none of my

contacts can locate him - Eli -

anywhere.

LYDIA

Your best sucks.

KIMMY

And Vikings aren’t Russians.

Adam turns to dispute her but then stops and nods in

agreement.

Lydia gets in Joel’s face.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

LYDIA

Go to Matt at Cock Bite. We know he

meets with the city police chief

once a week. He can find out for

us.

Joel stammers, but Nathaniel answers.

NATHANIEL

Matt and Chief Antonia meet once a

week to play video games, not

discuss missing persons or media

coverage.

LYDIA

Do it. Or we’re through.

Joel blinks, gaping happily.

JOEL

Promise?

Lydia turns and walks away; Kimmy tries to copy her

badassness, but ends up looking weird.

Alyce walks up to Joel and looks him up and down before

gazing into his eyes with a mesmerizing stare.

Joel just stares back, eyes wide with fear.

JOEL

What? You want to destroy my soul

too?

A slight, whimsical smile crosses Alyce’s face and she

whispers.

ALYCE

You called your business Jothaniel

(beat) when Noel would’ve made more

sense.

She then turns and walks away in a sultry manner.

Joel is staring at her, mouth and eyes agape in shock.

Nathaniel is looking up thoughtfully, fingers on chin.

Adam nods approvingly and walks inside the building.

NATHANIEL

I’ll call Matt if you wanna call

the sign guys back.

10.

CUT TO

INT. COCK BITE CAPITAL - DAY

MATT HULLMAN is sitting behind his CEO’s desk eying the

people in his room carefully.

Matt is wearing a full three-piece suit, all black except

for the gray tie.

Nervously awaiting his inspection is Joel, Adam, and

Nathaniel.

MATT

You have some nerve.

Joel stammers.

JOEL

Uh - Matt, we - uh - we just need -

MATT

You come back here, crawling like -

like creepy crawly crawlers. Like

worms. Like creepy crawly worms,

and you beg me for my help? After

you abandoned this company - this

family - for - for what?

Matt looks as though he may continue, but suddenly stops and

folds his hands on his desk and leans forward.

MATT

No seriously, for what?

JOEL

We weren’t happy with your policy.

MATT

Which policy?

Matt’s face suggests he knows exactly what Joel’s talking

about.

NATHANIEL

All of it. All policies.

JOEL

For starters, the policy that

condones drinking and driving.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 11.

MATT

I don’t think we have a policy for

that, Joel. That would be against

the law. And pretty dumb.

JOEL

Cock Bite policy specifically

states that as long as you’re

working, you can drink alcohol for

the "lols", which you titled

"Alcolols."

Matt smirks sheepishly at his own pun before answering.

MATT

Barbara helped me with that title.

NATHANIEL (MUTTERING)

God damn it Barb.

JOEL

Yeah, well, what if you’re filming

something for the internet while

driving?

MATT

Well hopefully you’d have a proper

setup, so you don’t drive while

holding a camera. Pffft, ’cause

that would be dangerous.

JOEL

Matt, don’t act like you don’t know

what I’m talking about. The camera

setup was fine, but the filming

something for the internet while

driving -and- drinking was just -

just too much, Matt! I mean, the

fact that you have a policy that

allows Cock Bite employees to do

-anything- as long as it’s for an

internet video is insane!

MATT

Look, I warned Jack not to take

that dare.

JOEL

Actually, I’m pretty sure that was

me who warned -

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

MATT

You, me - what’s the difference?

Joel glances at Adam, who remains staring wide-eyed ahead,

and then back at Matt.

MATT

I run a successful business, and

you do not. That’s the difference.

Joel swallows and steps forward bravely.

He raising his forefinger to say something brave or stupid.

Adam chuckles, and when everyone looks at him, he clears his

throat.

Adam looks at Joel and Nathaniel and then shrugs.

ADAM

What? He made a funny rhyme.

Nathaniel nods and purses his lips with allowance.

NATHANIEL

You’re not wrong. (beat) I’ll allow

it.

JOEL

Now you speak? After several months

of giving us the Silent Bob

treatment, you choose now to - you

think now is the best time to say

something, and it’s that?

Nathaniel clears his throat.

NATHANIEL

Actually, he’s been talkin’ to me

the whole time. He’s just mad at

-you- for dragging him away from a

successful career at Cock Bite.

ADAM

Dude, I got to drink beer and play

video games for millions of people

on the internet.

Joel looks at Adam as if he’s literally just produced the

knife used to stab Joel in the back.

Matt sighs and begins signing paperwork.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 13.

MATT

Look guys, I’d love to help you. I

really would. But I got a business

to run so (beat) don’t be here when

I look up again.

Joel throws his hands up in frustration before leaving.

Nathaniel leaves too, meekly.

Adam just stands there, eyes wide, staring at Matt.

MATT

Yes, you can have your old job

back, Enis. Go get drunk and take

an expensive camera with you when

you go shooting at the gun range.

And take that other fat Adam with

you too.

Adam Enis thrusts his fists into the air victoriously and

smiles hugely.

ADAM

Yes!

Adam Enis turns and runs out of the office squealing happily

like a little girl.

CUT TO

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE, HOSPITAL - DAY

Dr. Yates is sitting in his chair with a clipboard in one

hand and a pen in the other.

A window is to his left and the sun is beaming in.

The exit is behind the doctor.

Eli is sitting adjacent from him on a sofa, now wearing a

white robe or something.

DR. YATES

Tell me about this (beat)

red-haired woman.

Eli humors the man.

ELI

Early twenties, maybe nineteen.

Long red hair. Obviously. Pale

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 14.

ELI (cont’d)skin. Like most redheads. Gorgeous.

That’s all I remember.

DR. YATES

That’s quite a memory.

ELI

My memory for facts is terrible.

Dr. Yates gives Eli a confused look before writing something

down.

DR. YATES

I see.

Eli sighs and shakes his head, staring at a painting of a

muscle car on the wall.

ELI

You like classic cars?

Yates nods and smiles patiently.

DR. YATES

Sure. Do you remember the kind of

automobile she was operating?

ELI

Yeah, mid-eighties pickup. Chevy I

think. Blue and gray.

Yates blinks and his eyes widen, impressed with Eli’s

"memory."

DR. YATES (SLIGHTLY SARCASTIC)

You don’t happen to recall the

license plate number, do you,

Mister McConnell?

Eli turns and narrows his eyes at Yates in annoyance.

ELI

No. Look, I remember emotion, not

facts. I remember how I felt when I

saw her, and that helps me recall

her face and what she drove, okay?

I’m not crazy. I mean, I might be,

but not about this. She’s real.

DR. YATES

Of course, Mister McConnell. It’s

important that she is real to you.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

ELI

Stop calling me "Mister McConnell."

DR. YATES

What would you like to be called?

Eli looks into the doctor’s eyes and sees the slightest of

arrogant smirks.

ELI

McConnell’s fine.

DR. YATES

Very well, McConnell. Do you know

any other redheads?

ELI

A couple, I guess. Why? It wasn’t

them. They’re not even in this

state.

DR. YATES

Might I suggest you imagined an old

friend whom you missed?

ELI

You might suggest that, if you were

obsessed with being wrong.

Yates shifts uncomfortably a writes on his clipboard.

ELI

It’s not her.

Yates looks up, interested.

DR. YATES

You’re thinking of one ginger in

particular, aren’t you, McConnell?

Eli reacts negatively to Yates referring to her as a ginger,

his face a mixture of anger and contempt.

Then Eli narrows his eyes slightly and his face softens.

Eli shrugs slightly.

ELI

Her name’s Tabitha. I miss her a

lot. But it wasn’t her and I didn’t

imagine her, okay?

Dr. Yates nods and grins, writing again.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 16.

DR. YATES

I see. Very interesting.

CUT TO

INT. COCK BITE CAPITAL - DAY

Joel and Nathaniel meet Lydia and Alyce in the lobby of Cock

Bite Entertainment Capital.

JOEL

Matt Hullman won’t help us.

NATHANIEL

The Hullmiester has spoken.

Lydia looks defeated.

Alyce narrows her eyes at Joel.

ALYCE

Aren’t there other people here, who

are in charge of stuff? Who have

authority? Ask one of them.

LYDIA

Where’s Adam?

JOEL

Being a traitor, probably filming

himself steal the Mona Lisa high

off meth or something equally as

insane.

That’s when a Mexican with a mustache walks past drinking a

mug of coffee.

Joel turns and smiles at STAVO, who is wearing a T-shirt

under a sports jacket.

STAVO

What are you doing here, Joel?

JOEL

Just here to ask you a favor,

Stavo.

Joel’s voice is very monotone and flat and childlike.

Stavo narrows his eyes, which makes his huge eyebrows look

like they are falling down his face.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

STAVO

Right. Because I just love doing

shit for traitors. Go to hell.

Stavo turns and leaves.

LYDIA

I feel like everyone here is a

stereotype of themselves.

NATHANIEL

Speaking of, there’s a couple more

people we could try: my supervisor,

for one.

Joel sighs.

They walk to the door of an office marked "Trophy Thieves" .

The sign outside says "On Air."

Joel and Nathaniel are too afraid to knock.

Lydia knocks.

A really thin young hispanic man who looks pale answers the

door.

This is RICO, a Puerto Rican wearing a T-shirt that says

"People like Burritos."

RICO

Yeah? You the pizza guy. You don’t

look like the pizza guy. Did they

fire the pizza guy? Or are you the

Chinese people? Chinese food people

I mean. Holy shit, that was

incredibly racist. Good thing I’m

Puerto Rican, I can get away with

it. I know I don’t look it, but I

am. Well, half...

Lydia stares gaping at him, amazed at the idiocy.

Rico notices Joel and Nathaniel.

RICO

Oh hey guys.

Rico turns to holler into the office.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 18.

RICO

Jeff! The traitors have come back

to beg for their job back!

Rico turns to Joel and Nathaniel.

RICO

Seriously, I’m hungry. Do you have

any food? I’m not picky.

Someone hurls Rico back into the office.

A tattooed drunk with a ridiculous waxed walrus mustache

opens the door, after much stumbling, and burps at

Nathaniel.

JEFF

What?

NATHANIEL

We need you to convince Matt to

talk to Chief Antonia for us so we

can find and locate our friend who

might have been killed or

kidnapped.

Jeff stares bleary-eyed at Nathaniel for several seconds.

JEFF

They mean the same thing.

NATHANIEL

What?

JEFF

You said you want me to find and

locate someone. Find and locate

mean the same thing. You’re failing

at words again, Haywood.

NATHANIEL

You’re not wrong. But I didn’t say

I wanted you to find -

JEFF

Stop saying that. You say that too

much. "He’s not wrong," you always

say - which is funny since you’re

wrong, like, eighty percent of the

time. Anyway, this beer isn’t gonna

drink itself.

Jeff’s head retracts back into the room and the door closes.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 19.

Alyce and Lydia are appalled.

LYDIA

They get paid to record themselves

getting drunk playing video games?

ALYCE

Where do I sign up?

Joel turns, masking frustration with intense sarcasm, and

walks away.

JOEL (OS)

Satan’s right nut.

CUT TO

EXT. COCK BITE CAPITAL - DAY

Joel, Nathaniel, Lydia, and Alyce, find Snarky O’Snarks

playing golf in the huge parking lot of CBE.

SNARKY looks to be in his mid to late thirties, wears a

black polo shirt with the Cock Bite logo, has a dark beard,

and wears a baseball cap.

Alyce whispers to Nathaniel.

ALYCE

Is his name really Snarky O’Snarks?

NATHANIEL

His birth name was Michael O’Snarks

but he goes by Snarky.

ALYCE

I have a bad feeling about this.

As they approach Snarky, they notice he is being filmed by a

lot of cameras.

SNARKY

Fore!

Snarky swings his golf club and it nails a golf ball.

The ball arcs into the air over several rows of cars.

When his golf ball hits a car, it explodes.

Lydia and Alyce cower in fear.

Snarky is laughing.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 20.

SNARKY

Awesome! Cut! That’s a wrap! Good

work everybody!

Snarky turns and sees Joel and crew.

Snarky smiles and hands his club to a random crew member.

The random crew member just tosses it away.

Joel walks up to him, hand extended and smiling.

JOEL

Hey Snarky.

SNARKY

Well if it isn’t Joel Haywood.

As Joel shakes Snarky’s hand, his smile becomes a grimace.

JOEL

Yeah, it isn’t. It’s still Joel

Hyman.

A young big-nosed British guy named Gdin, walks past

snickering.

He wears a shirt saying "I’m with stupid" and an arrow

pointing upwards at his own face.

GDIN

Hyman.

Joel angrily watches Gdin walk past them.

JOEL

I will drown you in wet bread,

Gdin.

SNARKY

What can I do for you, Joel? Wait!

Let me guess! You’re being coerced

by these gorgeous goddesses to have

someone here talk to Chief of

police Antonia about a missing

person they love and (beat) miss

very much. Am I right?

Alyce gasps.

ALYCE

A psychic!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 21.

SNARKY

Yeah, no, Matt just texted me.

He waves his cellphone in front of him before he returns to

reading some texts.

JOEL

Look, it wouldn’t take much -

SNARKY

I’ll do it.

JOEL

Sorry, what? You will?

SNARKY

Course I’ll do it. I’m not an

asshole.

LYDIA

Seems like everyone else here is.

SNARKY

Naaah. They’re just being funny.

Text me tomorrow morning and I’ll

definitely know where your friend

is (beat) by tomorrow morning.

Joel narrows his eyes skeptically at Snarky.

JOEL

Snarky, I’m having a hard time

believing you.

Snarky nods and purses his lips before laughing and waving

dismissively at Joel.

SNARKY

Haha! Yeah, I was totally screwin’

with ya. Why the hell would I help

you? You quit and took Nathaniel

with you. Tell ya what, give

Nathaniel back and we’ll help.

NATHANIEL

I’m (beat) standing right here.

JOEL

No! I’m not gonna give you

Nathaniel! I need him more than you

do!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 22.

NATHANIEL

I’m also a human being, not a

commodity.

Everyone ignores Nathaniel.

Snarky practices his golf swing with no club.

SNARKY

Hey, it’s not my fault you started

an internet video company with

three people and failed. I told you

not to try to go big. Can’t survive

without the old Cock Bite, can ya?

JOEL

You never said anything like that,

Snarky. Oh whatever, we’re leaving.

Lydia rolls her eyes.

LYDIA

Yeah, this conversation got boring

awhile ago.

ALYCE

We’ll figure something out. Thanks

for nothing.

Joel and the empaths walk away.

FADE TO

INT. CITY HOSPITAL - MORNING

Eli wakes up in the psych ward cuffed to the bed.

He shakes his head and chuckles.

ELI

These people are insane.

Eli lays there staring up at the ceiling.

The light comes on as Dr. Yates enters, hands behind his

back and smiling.

DR. YATES

Good morning, Levi. Did you sleep

well?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 23.

ELI

Well, you walked in as soon as I

woke up, so (beat) you tell me,

’cause you must know.

DR. YATES

After breakfast, we’re going to go

for a walk. Your physician says

you’re healing at a remarkable

rate. He says it’s a miracle no

bones were broken.

ELI

Of course.

DR. YATES

I’ll be back to get you in half an

hour.

As he leaves, an orderly comes in with Eli’s breakfast.

CUT TO

INT. ELI’S TRAILER - DAY

In the kitchen, Alyce and Kimmy are looking at a map of

downtown.

ALYCE

After we check the hospitals, we’ll

check the Sheriff’s Department.

Lydia walks into the kitchen holding her burner cellphone.

LYDIA

So guess what? Just got off the

phone with Joel. He said he just

got off the phone with Snarky, who

had just gotten off the phone with

Matt -

ALYCE

I get the picture.

LYDIA

Okay, okay. Long story short,

Antonia told Matt that Eli’s at the

medical center just a few miles

from here.

Kimmy and Alyce look worried and afraid, but Lydia raises

her hands to calm them.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 24.

LYDIA

It’s okay, Eli’s fine. He was in a

car crash, but he’s fine.

KIMMY

Oh my God, what if the cops find

out who he is?

LYDIA

Which is why we’re gonna go to the

hospital right now and bust him

out.

ALYCE

But him out? Why can’t he just

leave?

LYDIA

Antonia said he’s under

investigation for the crash. Which

makes no sense, ’cause the other

driver ran a red light.

ALYCE

Sounds suspicious.

KIMMY

Let’s go!

ALYCE

I thought Snarky and Matt weren’t

gonna help us.

LYDIA

Yeah, Joel said Snarky’s an

asshole, but he figured he’d

convince Matt to talk to the chief

for us. Apparently they’ve been

acting like pieces of shit online

for over ten years and so now

they’re permanent pieces of shit.

But occasionally they do help

people out. Apparently.

EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Eli is walking on lush green grass, wearing a white hospital

gown, just outside the building.

Yates is walking beside him.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 25.

DR. YATES

I like to come out here some days

and just sit in the grass and watch

the clouds.

ELI

Good for you.

DR. YATES

You don’t much like me do you,

Levi.

Eli chuckles.

ELI

We best buds now, huh?

DR. YATES

Oh, I’m sorry. McConnell, right.

ELI

Nah, Levi’s fine. I don’t care.

Yates smiles and nods, thinking he won a small victory.

ELI

And it’s not you, it’s (beat)

psychiatrists in general. They

think they know everything about

the mind. They’re wrong.

DR. YATES

Oh, I know. We can be arrogant at

times, but (beat) I think it comes

from a good place. Don’t you, Levi?

Eli looks over at Yates thoughtfully.

ELI

I guess that remains to be seen.

FADE TO

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE, HOSPITAL - DAY

Eli is sitting in the therapist’s office again, and like

before, the doctor is adjacent to him.

Eli is staring blankly at a wall when Yates speaks.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 26.

DR. YATES

Levi, tell me about the red-haired

girl again.

Eli rolls his eyes and looks at Yates.

ELI

What red-haired girl, doc?

DR. YATES

Ha, nice try.

Eli sighs.

ELI

Look, it’s possible, I guess, that

my memory got all jumbled or

whatever from the crash. Okay?

Happy?

Dr. Yates looks down at a notebook in his hand.

DR. YATES

Tell me about Tabitha Corsi.

Eli displays grief at her name at first, followed by

confusion.

ELI

Um, she, uh (beat) was a friend. A

redhead. The one I, uh, the one I

miss.

Eli looks suspiciously and surprisingly at Yates.

ELI

Hold on, how do you -?

DR. YATES

Um, you mentioned her. Yesterday.

Eli nods and looks away.

ELI

I guess.

DR. YATES

I mean, you must have. It’s in my

notebook.

Eli nods with more certainty and looks at the notebook, but

suddenly he remembers the doctor had a clipboard yesterday.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 27.

ELI

Right. Of course. Duh. Okay, well,

yeah, she was just a friend. I

cared for her. I wanted to be with

her, but she got married and had a

kid. I mean, nothin’ much else to

tell.

Dr. Yates nods thoughtfully and writes something in the

notebook.

DR. YATES

I see. So you don’t talk to her

often?

ELI

Um (beat) no. She’s in another

(beat) another state.

Dr. Yates slightly smirks and nods slowly.

DR. YATES

I see. And how long did you know

her?

Eli turns and gives Yates a clever smile.

ELI

Tell ya what: how ’bout I ask some

questions now?

Yates shrugs and gestures to Eli.

DR. YATES

That’s fine with me. What would you

like to know?

ELI

The cops. They came by, right? I

mean, there was an accident but

(beat) I didn’t see any cops. I

wasn’t questioned.

Yates looks away and shrugs and shakes his head

dismissively.

DR. YATES

An officer arrived a couple hours

after the accident but you were

asleep. He came back again this

morning but you were asleep again.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 28.

ELI

So the cuffs? They were the cop’s

cuffs?

Dr. Yates nods slowly, narrowing his eyes and frowning at

Eli.

DR. YATES

Yes. He, uh, felt like you might

try to run before he had a chance

to ask his questions.

ELI

Right. Okay. Fair enough. Your

turn.

Eli smiles as Yates nervously looks down at his notebook.

CUT TO

EXT. LIBERTY CHURCH - DAY

James and Madeline’s pickup truck drives up into the parking

lot of Liberty Church just as the congregation is coming

out.

Pastor Jim BALDWIN is a tall well-built man in his late

forties with salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a gray suit with

a dark red striped tie; he stands on the modest steps of the

medium-sized church and waves at the men and women who

leave; there are about fifty total.

He notices Madeline and James walking toward him and his

smile falters, but he looks as though he recognizes them.

BALDWIN

Good afternoon, guys. How may I

help you?

A man wearing a black polo shirt steps out of the church and

stands next to Baldwin.

Madeline and James stop at the bottom of the steps, looking

up.

MADELINE

My family watches your sermons

online.

It looks as though Madeline might cry.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 29.

Baldwin notices and walks down the steps to her; the man in

the black polo follows but keeps a distance of about five

feet.

MADELINE

My brother’s missing and the cops

raided our house.

Baldwin gives Madeline a sympathetic look and wraps his arms

around her as she starts to cry.

BALDWIN

I am so, so sorry. Do you want to

come inside?

Madeline nods as she weeps, and she looks into his eyes.

MADELINE

I want you to get us ready for war.

Baldwin nods slowly and gestures for the door as his friend

opens the door for them and they walk towards it.

BALDWIN

I understand.

They disappear into the church and Baldwin’s friend closes

the door.

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE, HOSPITAL - DAY

Eli is laying on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

DR. YATES

So, after five hours over the

course of two days, we are finally

in agreement - you did not actually

drive alongside a red-haired woman

before the crash.

Eli sighs.

ELI

Hey, I said it’s possible I

imagined her, okay? I didn’t say I

was sure. Guess it just seems more

and more likely though.

Yates smiles triumphantly and nods.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 30.

DR. YATES

Would you like to go home now, Eli?

Eli looks over at the mention of his name.

ELI

Huh?

Yates is deadpan.

DR. YATES

I said would you like to go home

now, Levi?

Eli slightly narrows his eyes at the man.

ELI (VO)

He’s testing me.

Eli smiles and shrugs, turning back to stare at the ceiling.

ELI

To what? I mean, it’s pretty nice

here.

DR. YATES

You are aware that you’re

accumulating a bill, yes?

ELI

I have a benefactor.

This takes the doc by surprise. He looks through some notes.

DR. YATES

Really? I don’t see any - uh -

mention of such a person.

Eli nods slowly, still staring up at the ceiling, his hands

behind his head on the pillow.

ELI

Nah, I’m sure I did. Name’s Mister

Cross.

Dr. Yates looks up from his notes and gazes at Eli like he’s

trying to figure out something.

ELI (VO)

Oh, that’s fear I’m sensing.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 31.

DR. YATES

Cross?

Eli looks over at Yates.

ELI

Yeah. Are you sure I didn’t mention

him?

Eli glances past Yates at the door. Through the window, he

sees a security guard standing there. He looks back into

Yates’ eyes.

Yates’ fearful look becomes arrogant.

DR. YATES

Positive.

CUT TO

EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Two obviously stolen vehicles drive into the parking lot of

the hospital and park a few spaces away from each other.

Kimmy and Lydia get out of a white Crown Victoria and Alyce

exits a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

They walk to each other and walk toward the building.

Alyce is walking in the middle, wearing a black and gray

striped long-sleeve T-shirt and blue jeans. To her right is

Lydia, in a low-cut black top showing off her spider tat and

black jeans, and a purple hoodie. To Alyce’s left is Kimmy,

in a dark blue T-shirt and gray sweatpants.

LYDIA

Joel said Antonia suggested that

Eli is being held for psychological

evaluation.

ALYCE

So I go to the psych ward first.

LYDIA

I don’t like splitting up.

ALYCE

Me neither, but it’s the only way

three girls are gonna go unnoticed

by an entire staff of hospital

workers and maybe even police.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 32.

LYIDA

Right.

When they are approaching the visitor entrance, Kimmy and

Lydia break off from formation to walk around the exterior

of the hospital while Alyce enters.

CUT TO

INT. HOSPITAL, RECEPTION - DAY

Alyce takes a look around after standing away from the door.

She observes everything, everyone.

Alyce’s catches sight of a manager-type leaning over a

female receptionist’s shoulder, his hand on her shoulder as

he smiles, speaking to her. She smiles back.

Alyce walks up to the woman behind the desk, MARY, who looks

to be in her late thirties and has long curly brunette hair,

after the manager walks away.

MARY

Hi, how may I help you?

ALYCE

Wow, that guy was totally flirting

with you. Too bad he’s married,

right?

Alyce smiles nervously, looking down at the name thing on

the desk that says "Mary."

The receptionist Mary looks at Alyce confused at first but

then laughs nervously, turning red.

MARY

Oh, that’s Mister Robson. He’s

harmless. Do you know him?

ALYCE (VO)

That’s it, woman. Focus on him. I

know you’re sleeping with him and

you think I might say something to

his wife.

ALYCE

No. I mean, not really. I just no

he’s married ’cause I saw the ring.

Mary looks relieved.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 33.

MARY

Oh. Okay. Who are you here to see,

ma’am?

CUT TO

EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Lydia and Kimmy walk around the hospital until Lydia feels

Eli’s presence on the second floor up.

Lydia gestures up and Kimmy nods.

They see an orderly come outside through a side door with a

patient who looks mentally ill.

They walk over to them.

LYDIA

Hey, can you hold that door for us.

My crazy sister here escaped from

her room.

KIMMY

I am not crazy! I will set your

face on fire - again!

The orderly holds the door for the two girls.

CUT TO

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE, HOSPITAL - DAY

Yates and Eli stare at each other for a few seconds.

Eli is now sitting up.

ELI

Can you help me understand

something, Doc?

DR. YATES

Sure.

ELI

Great. What is it that makes

someone want to be a psychiatrist?

Yates shrugs and frowns, looking away to think of a lie.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 34.

DR. YATES

The need to help people, I suppose.

The urge to (beat) correct

psychological behavior before it

becomes (beat) criminal?

Eli smiles and nods nervously. He glances at the door again,

the guard’s still there.

Eli looks at Yates, who noticed him look at the door this

time.

ELI

So you want to keep people outta

jail? People who you think deserve

a second chance outside of jail?

DR. YATES

Sure.

ELI

Well, that’s good. I’m all for

that. But I was the victim,

remember? And the driver of the

other car apparently died on

impact. Right?

DR. YATES

Yes. This is true.

ELI

So your main focus in this hospital

is the perpetrators of the crime,

not the victims. Honestly, I don’t

really know how it works in your

field, but I always thought a

psychiatrist would want to help

victims too.

DR. YATES

I do want to help you, Levi.

ELI

You know what? I think I like

Mister McConnell better now. Takes

me back to my Army days (beat) you

know?

Eli gives the old doctor a death glare.

Yates gulps and slowly puts his notebook on the desk beside

him.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 35.

DR. YATES

As you wish.

ELI

You’re very accommodating. Thank

you.

DR. YATES

You’re welcome.

ELI

Doc, you seem kinda - kinda tense.

Everything alright?

Yates forces a smile and nods, placing his hands slowly on

the armrests of his chair.

DR. YATES

Everything is fine, Mister

McConnell.

Eli turns his head to the side in the direction he senses

Alyce.

Yates narrows his eyes, confused, and nervous again.

Eli looks at Yates and smiles.

ELI

Or at least, it will be. Everything

-will- be fine, Doctor Yates. For

me.

CUT TO

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR, FLOOR 2 - DAY

SLOW MOTION: Alyce is walking down the center of the

corridor toward the guarded door of the therapist’s office,

about a fifty yards away.

Kimmy and Lydia emerge from an elevator and walk behind her.

They walk fearlessly toward the therapist’s door.

The guard senses them and raises his hand to his ear.

HOSPITAL GUARD

Falcon Three to Command; I got eyes

on the empaths. Please advise.

CUT TO

36.

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE, HOSPITAL - DAY

Eli sighs and leans back in the sofa, giving Yates a reason

to relax.

ELI

You’re very smart. The money must

be good.

DR. YATES

I beg your pardon.

ELI

They must’ve paid you really good

to do all this.

Eli gestures to the office around him.

DR. YATES

The medical field is -

ELI

Alright, can we just (beat) not

play games anymore? You screwed up

too many times and you know it:

saying Tabitha’s last name when I

didn’t give it to you, for one. So

who do you work for? Cross or

Cerbust? Or both? Or neither?

Eli nods, reading his emotional response to each name.

ELI

Both, but you’re more afraid of

Cerbust, or at least his people.

Eli gestures to the guard.

DR. YATES

Levi -

ELI

Don’t call me that. I told you to

call me McConnell, not Levi. That’s

your other mistake: Trying to be

all buddy-buddy with me so soon.

Not to mention accidentally calling

me Eli before. I especially liked -

or appreciated, I should say - the,

uh, small details, adding just a

touch of realism to the whole

charade: Betty the nurse being oh

so nice, calling me nicknames and

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 37.

ELI (cont’d)petnames to soften me up; the

painting of a muscle car on the

wall, again, to soften me up. All

to make me feel comfortable and

trust you.

Yates gives up on the ruse.

DR. YATES

Perhaps I slipped up intentionally.

ELI

Unlikely, doc.

Eli gestures to the guard outside.

ELI

That one belongs to Cerbust’s

group. He’s here to off me when you

got all the info, right? The ol’

chief’s probably interested in how

I’ve eluded capture all this time

and what-not.

Yates stares at him in shock before laughing lightly.

DR. YATES

You - are - magnificent.

Eli shrugs, masking arrogance with humility.

ELI

You’re a failure, Viktor Yates, if

that’s your real name.

Eli smiles and points at Yates.

Yates shrugs slightly, getting nervous.

MR. YATES

It is.

Eli nods before shaking his head.

ELI

Oh, how you thought you had me.

Eli stands up, causing Yates to look up fearfully.

ELI

And because you failed to get

anything useful outta me, Cerbust

is going to kill you.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 38.

MR. YATES

We shall see.

ELI

Yes we shall. And to think you

almost convinced me that the

redhead was a figment of my

imagination.

Yates’ next statement is more of a warning to Eli.

DR. YATES

She’s not real.

Eli gives Yates a sarcastic thumbs-up and a big cheesy

smile.

ELI

Good job, man. Keep up the good

work.

Yates desperately pulls a small revolver from his pocket and

stands up.

Yates points it angrily at Eli, who holds up his hands.

Eli sees the guard at the door move away from the door down

the hall.

DR. YATES

But if I do the job myself, Cerbust

will protect me.

Eli gives him a skeptical look, seeing past the mask of

anger to the fear, and yanks the gun from him.

ELI

Oh please. My guess is that guard,

and Cerbust, have no idea you had

this thing, and if they did find

out, they’d assume, correctly I

think, that you were actually

planning to shoot the guard and run

(beat) you know, in case you failed

to kill or brainwash me.

Eli smirks as Yates looks at him with fearful disbelief and

shock.

CUT TO

39.

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR, FLOOR 2 - DAY

The guard is standing about three yards away from the door

pointing a handgun at the three women, who have their hands

up.

HOSPITAL GUARD

Put your hands behind your heads!

Now!

The girls obey slowly.

The guard turns to go back to the therapist’s office and

sees Eli standing in the door way pointing a gun at him.

ELI

Drop the -

The guard panics and opens fire.

Eli backs into the office, behind the cover of the wall, as

three bullets hit the door frame and the window in the

office behind him.

Alyce, Lydia, and Kimmy cower behind a cart or door or

something.

Eli steps out into the hall and fires once, shooting the

guard in the chest.

Kimmy and Lydia cringe in pain at the gunshot, but Alyce

does not.

Eli swallows, curling his mouth in regret and sadness, as he

walks over to the dead man.

ELI

I didn’t want to that, man.

Eli takes the gun from the dead guard’s hand as the three

girls hurry toward him.

ELI

Thanks, now go.

They nod and run away.

Eli turns and goes into the office to see Yates wounded from

the stray bullet that went out the window.

The bullet went through his spine.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 40.

DR. YATES

I can’t move. I’m paralyzed.

Please. Please, Eli. Kill me.

Cerbust’s people will torture me

for days. Please kill me. Please.

Eli knees down slowly and takes all the bullets except for

one out of the revolver.

ELI

Tell you what. You can try to shoot

me with the last bullet, or you can

kill yourself.

Eli hands him the gun after spinning the cylinder.

ELI

Hell, maybe you’ll get lucky and

kill me before I walk out of the

room. Then Cerbust and Cross will

have to keep you alive.

Eli’s last statement is sarcastic.

Eli stands and walks toward the door.

Of course Yates tries five times to shoot Eli and fails, and

he shouts as he squeezes the trigger.

DR. YATES

Cross won’t give up! He’ll find you

and your whore! The more of a

threat you become, the more drastic

measures he takes! The more

monsters he unleashes! The phoenix

will rise from its ashes, Elijah

McPhoster! Just for you!

Eli walks out into the hall and closes the door.

Yates looks at the gun with disappointment and frustration.

DR. YATES

Oh do me a favor.

He turns the gun on himself.

Eli walks down the corridor sadly, the guard’s gun still in

his hand.

CUT TO

41.

INT. ELI’S TRAILER - DAY

Eli is standing at the head of the kitchen table, looking

mostly healed up and wearing a black leather jacket, black

jeans, and a black T-shirt. He is also still wearing his

cross and dog-tags. Eli looks nervous and tense.

To his right is Alyce, staring blankly at the papers and map

of the city on the table.

To his left is Kimmy, looking at him with worried eyes.

Across from him is Lydia, also looking worried, but also

trying to look lively and lighten the mood.

LYDIA

At least we’re all together again.

She smiles meekly and Eli gives her a patronizing smile.

ELI

Yeah.

There is silence for a few more seconds before Eli

continues.

ELI

Yates took money from both

organizations, but only Cerbust’s

group kept tabs on him. They’ve got

people this far out, we’re screwed.

So we’re goin’ back to Carolina.

Alyce looks over at Eli.

ALYCE

Good. I miss my dad.

Lydia nods, looking down shamefully.

LYDIA

I should’ve never left my baby.

She sniffles sadly, crossing her arms.

Eli nods slowly, pursing his lips with guilt.

ELI

With the news of Enkimann’s death,

thanks to Nathaniel’s contacts -

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 42.

KIMMY

Did you know he prefers to be

called Skeeter? No clue why.

Eli smiles and pats Kimmy’s shoulder.

ELI

We have to do everything right. No

more mistakes. No more compromise.

Eli turns and looks at Alyce before looking across the table

at Lydia.

ELI

Hear me?

Lydia looks up and sighs, nodding begrudgingly.

Alyce nods, looking down.

ALYCE

Fine. What about the girl you saw?

The red-head?

Eli glances at Alyce before sighing and looking down at the

place on the map where he wrecked.

ELI

There is a possibility I did

imagine her, but (beat) it’s a very

small possibility. There’s no news

reports of another vehicle involved

in that accident. So I guess they

took care of it, took care of her.

We can’t spend time looking for her

to make sure she’s okay.

Kimmy still looks worried.

KIMMY

What if they kill her? Or worse?

What if she’s an empath, like you.

ELI

Like us. Like us, you mean.

Eli looks around, catches Lydia looking away, and then looks

at Alyce and sees her just staring blankly at him.

When Eli looks back to Lydia, her eyes waver, but she looks

at Alyce.

Eli turns to Kimmy, who bites her lip.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 43.

Eli looks back to Alyce, and the entire exchange of looks

took less than three seconds.

ELI

What? Don’t screw with me. Tell me

what’s going on.

LYDIA

Alyce is (beat) unsure about

things.

ALYCE

I still don’t give two shits about

people, Eli. I didn’t feel anything

when you shot that guard.

ELI

I had to protect us.

ALYCE

I know, but I should’ve felt

something. Instead, I felt their

reaction.

Alyce gestures to Lydia and Kimmy.

ALYCE

But I didn’t feel his pain or his

shock, like they did. Maybe I’m not

empathic, Eli.

Eli gives Alyce a cynical look.

ELI

Really? What am I feeling right

now?

ALYCE

Anger, at me, for denying my gift.

ELI

What was my mask?

ALYCE

Skepticism or whatever.

ELI

You’re frickin’ empathic.

Eli turns to look around at everyone.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 44.

ELI

The problem is not that you don’t

sense emotions, the problem is that

you only sense the emotions of

people close to you.

Eli fully turns to face her, and Alyce does the same.

He takes her by the shoulders.

ELI

It is a problem, but it is one we

will deal with. Because if Cross

gets you before we do deal with it,

you’ll be his ultimate weapon.

Alyce gulps and nods fearfully.

ALYCE

An emotional vampire.

Alyce casts an apologetic look to Lydia.

Lydia looks up and away, with a micro-expression of shame

and annoyance.

Eli releases Alyce and turns back to the table. He looks to

each of them when he speaks.

ELI

We ditched the stolen cars and

walked two blocks here because

we’re gonna get a ride outta here.

Eli glances at the time.

ELI

Nathaniel will be here in ten

minutes. Gather your crap and let’s

get ready to go, before the police

show up.

KIMMY

Or someone worse.

ELI

Right.

CUT TO

45.

EXT. ELI’S TRAILER - DAY

A dark blue late model SUV pulls up to Eli’s place as they

exit the front door with light luggage.

Eli and the other empaths pile into the SUV, Eli in the

passenger seat.

He looks over at Nathaniel.

ELI

’Sup Skeeter?

Nathaniel groans with annoyance and looks to the backseat at

Kimmy, who giggles.

NATHANIEL

That was my old CB website

username. I don’t go by that name

anymore.

Nathaniel begins to drive away.

Eli chuckles and elbows Nathaniel playfully.

ELI

Sure thing, Skeeter.

Nathaniel snickers.

The truck drives away and takes a turn onto a bigger road.

FADE TO

INT. GINGER’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Ginger is sitting in the corner in the dark, staring

blankly.

It’s clear she’s been crying.

The door opens and her brother SLATER, 21, steps in and

gasps.

Slater is a strong black man of average height and weight.

Slater looks around, mouth agape in horror, at the ransacked

room.

Their mother is dead on the floor.

Slater runs to her but Ginger’s head snaps around to look at

him.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 46.

GINGER

She’s gone!

Slater stops, staring down. He turns slowly to Ginger.

SLATER

What - what happened?

GINGER

You came all the way from Texas for

me?

SLATER

Of course, Ginger. You’re my

sister.

Slater goes to her and kneels in front of Ginger and hugs

her.

GINGER

Are you AWOL?

Slater stops hugging her but keeps his hands on her

shoulders to comfort her.

SLATER

Yeah. When I called you and mom and

got no answer, I - I had to come.

They wouldn’t give me hardship

leave and when I called the

Lawrence police, they said they’d

look into it and not to worry. I

waited for hours for them to call

back but they didn’t, so I got the

first flight here.

Ginger is looking at Slater fearfully.

GINGER

I think the police have something

to do with it.

Ginger begins crying again.

CUT TO

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAWN

The dark blue SUV drives down the near empty highway.

They pass a sign that reads "Welcome to Mississipi."

Slow sad music plays over the SUV radio as Eli drives.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 47.

In the passenger seat, Lydia is asleep.

Alyce is staring out the window in the right rear seat.

Nathaniel is asleep in the back with his feet on the back of

the seats.

Kimmy is asleep with her face pressed against the window in

the seat behind the driver Eli.

Eli looks in the rear view at Alyce.

Alyce doesn’t notice, but she shifts uncomfortably and pulls

her hoodie in close before stuffing her hands between her

thighs.

Eli returns his attention to the road, right before Alyce

looks his way.

The slightest of smirks can be seen on her lips.

CUT TO

INT. ELAINA’S BEDROOM - MORNING

Elaina’s uniform cop husband is looking through her texts

and emails as he sits on the side of the bed.

Elaina is sleeping behind him.

The husband sees she was emailing Eli about where to meet.

The husband sighs.

He places the phone down on the nightstand and begins to

text someone called Project Cerberus on his own phone.

TEXT: It’s just like you thought, sir. She’s been in contact

with McPhoster.

He looks over his shoulder at the woman, who’s fast asleep,

with rueful shame.

When he looks back at the phone, he has a reply from

Cerberus.

TEXT: Don’t do anything just yet. We may be able to use her.

Goodnight, Officer Bundy.

FADE TO

48.

INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION

Everything is white or light gray, including the uniforms of

the staff, giving the impression of a hospital or laboratory

of some sort.

The lights are bright.

A man in a white lab coat walks down the corridor holding a

digital pad.

When he stops, he is at a cell with an electric barrier.

Inside the cell is the redhead, GRACE, from the crash.

She is asleep and doesn’t appear to be wounded.

SUPER: Somewhere in Pennsylvania.

Another man walks up, a supervisor.

SUPERVISOR

How’s the subject?

The lab tech sighs as he hands the pad to the supervisor.

LAB TECH

She’s a human being, sir.

SUPERVISOR

Not for much longer.

The supervisor smirks as he glances at he pad and then hands

it back to the lab tech.

SUPERVISOR

Well, at least we know the healing

syrum works.

As the supervisor walks away, the lab tech watches him go

with a look of contempt on his face.

When he turns back to Grace, she is standing only inches

away on the other side of the energy barrier.

He gulps and takes a step back.

Grace’s eyes are bloodshot and dark red, almost black.

When she speaks, its growly and angry.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 49.

GRACE

Don’t worry. Everything’s going to

be alright.