JANE DOE II

Written by

Bryan Foxx

© 1-11-25
FADE IN:

EXT. FARM - NIGHT

It’s been a couple weeks.

Tonight- a winter moon hangs low in the sky, peeking through

thick, dark clouds that smother its light.

The night is cold and quiet. PAN TO:

EXT. BARN

It stands in a patch of the farm’s ka-jillion acres, its

weathered wood panels CREAKING more than ever, on their last
leg... or nail in this case.

All but melted snow glistens on the grass surrounding it, the
pale glow of the moon catching the edges of footprints
leading toward the barn doors.

Its hayloft hatch hangs ajar-

Loose straw RUSTLING inside, carried out in the breeze.

And...

FOOTSTEPS. Soft, deliberate- CRUNCHING faintly against the

frozen ground.

WHISPERS. Drifting in the wind- low and indistinct.

A silhouette DARTS across the ground, fleeting and fast.

Then ANOTHER.

It’s almost like a blur- gliding over the snow like a shadow.

It- or they, snake along the barn’s base, twisting and

curling upward, stretching across the weathered wood. It
looms larger as the moon sinks beneath the barn, out of view-
pooling as if absorbing the light around it, blocking out.

The WHISPERS grow louder.

INT. BARN

Darkness engulfs the barn’s interior. The faint outline of

scattered objects— a rusted toolbox, a gas can, an old
wheelbarrow— appears in flashes as the moonlight seeps
through gaps and cracks in the wooden walls.
 2.

Theres a faint murmur of voices.

Laughter. WHISPERS. A quick SHUSH.

The sound of FOOTSTEPS grows closer. A metallic JINGLE echoes

softly— almost like keys. Then, the old door hinges CREAK.

The door handle JIGGLES.

A pause.

YES! -keys, SCRAPE against the lock, sliding in with a quiet

CLICK. The handle turns slowly and door creaks open, light
from the farmhouse porch in the distance spilling weakly in.

ZOOM IN: as a hand FLIPS ON a switch.

CLICK! The barn floods with light.

JANE DOE- steps into the barn, her brown hair damp from the
gloomy weather. Tied around her usual hoodie is a serving
apron.

Looks like the diner was hiring.

Inside the barn, which really isn’t a barn anymore-

String lights dangle from the beams overhead- like a teenage

girls bedroom. A mattress lies in the corner, unmade- its
blankets tossed about like a pig stye. Textbooks are
scattered across it, open and stacked in various locations
around the barn. A mini-fridge sits beside it- a few magnets
slapped on its metal door. Clothes hang from a makeshift rack
made of an old broomstick tied to the ladder. A cracked
mirror leans against the wall.

Taped beside it- TIGHT ON: a local newspaper, from a couple

months ago. On the front page is Jane Doe, standing beside
Flashlight- the headline calling them ‘heroes’ after
defeating the evil A.I.

As Jane Doe walks further into the barn- looking up.

There- she notices a ‘HAPPY ONE MONTH’ banner hanging

crookedly between the railings of the ladder- balloons
bobbing in the air.

Oh no.

She doesn’t have time to think about it before—

SURPRISE!
 3.

A barrage of voices SHOUT- leaping into view from behind the

barn’s various hiding spots.

Her friends... they shouldn’t have-

They REALLY shouldn’t have...

DEB- blows a party horn. NELL- CHUCKLES, smiling. ISAAC

stands by one of those cheap white party tables, balancing a
tray of mismatched cupcakes. Isaac’s girlfriend- now EX-
girlfriend, is in the opposite corner with-

A new BOYFRIEND? Really?

Why is he here?

He’s stocky- a jock. He awkwardly shifts his weight out of

place behind her, having snuck a cupcake- biting into it with
frosting covered lips.

Jane Doe freezes- taking it all in, her tough demeanor

cracking as a fake, reluctant smile creeps onto her face.

Isaac’s ex-girlfriend...

Oh yeah, her name’s JAMIE-

RUNS forward, past Nell- throwing her arms around Jane Doe’s
neck like their best friends.

She thinks so, but don’t ask Jane Doe.

Isaac walks up as well, grinning as he nears Jamie. The two

nod at each other slightly, as he holds out the tray of
cupcakes toward Jane, which funny enough- spell out her
name... although thanks to the new guy the E is missing.

Jane Doe stares at them, noticing the unlit candles stuck in

each one. She looks up at Isaac like she’s going to kill him
before hesitantly reaching to grab one-

ZZZZZT!

Before she can- a string of lightning ZIPS down from the open
hay-bail hatch, lighting the candles.

Everyone looks up-

The stars TWINKLE- the sky noticeably brighter as a soft HUM

fills the air- a barely audible CRACKLE getting louder.

Who else but FLASHLIGHT floats down from in the air, his glow
illuminating the room.
 4.

FLASHLIGHT
(smiling)
Sorry if i’m late.
(beat)
Someones cat decided to
run away.

He lands beside Jane Doe.

She rolls her eyes.

Deb CLAPS her hands together, breaking the moment.

DEB
(walking to Jane Doe)
(motioning)
Alright, everyone come over here.
Lets sing happy birthday or
something.
(joking- sarcastic)
She’s one month old!

JANE DOE
NOOOOO- no, no, no, no.
(beat)
No one will be singing happy
birthday to me. This isn’t a reason
to celebrate.

JAMIE
C’mon Jane- you have threatened to
leave in weeks.
(beat)
Admit it- this is home.

NELL
She’s right.

Jane Doe grins.

FLASHLIGHT:
I like the whole, barn setup you’ve
got here. Could use a bit more
light, though.

Jane Doe snorts.

JANE DOE
Right now- I could use less light.

She steps past everyone, throwing her apron and other

belongings up onto the second floor where she sleeps.
 5.

She grabs a nearby lantern, pulling a lighter out of her

pocket and tilting her head as she sets it aflame.

Behind her, Isaac approaches.

ISAAC
Hey, can we talk?

Jane raises an eyebrow, hanging the lantern on a post and

following him a few steps away from the others.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
(hesitant)
So-
(swallowing)
I’ve been going over the data.
Running the numbers.

She looks at him- intrigued.

JANE DOE
And?

ISAAC
(looking around before
speaking)
(whispering)
I think... what we’ve been doing...
you know?
(beat)
—it might be doing more harm than
good.

JANE DOE
What’s that suppose to mean?

ISAAC
...we still on tomorrow? I can give
the details then.

Jane Doe grins.

JANE DOE
Why’d you say it like that?

ISAAC
Like what?

JANE DOE
Like- we have ‘plans’? You make it
sound like a date.
 6.

ISAAC
Wel- I mean, n- NO...
(fidgeting)
Its not a date.

JANE DOE
You’re right. It’s not.

ISAAC
(teasing)
Now you’re just making it weird.

JANE DOE
You made it weird first.
(shrugging)
I just wanna get my memory back.

Isaac grins.

She flicks her brow, starting to walk away before he reaches

out, stopping her. She turns- staring angrily at his hand
touching her shoulder.

ISAAC
But- seriously. Just... think about
what I said, alright?

Jane doesn’t want to- but nods.

CUT TO:

EXT. TOWN - NIGHT

Meanwhile- across town...

Rusted, metal tracks RATTLE- a long passenger train ROARING

down the tracks. Its headlights pierce the thick, low-lying
fog hovering above the ground.

The occasional flicker of passing signal lights illuminates

patches of snow clinging to the steel rails-

CHU-CHU!

Cornfields on the left side of the train WHIP back and forth
as the wind rushes past the stalks.

Then- something happens.

Just like at the barn...

A silhouette DARTS across the ground. A dark shadow that

moves faster than the train itself.
 7.

It slithers along the tracks, stretching and twisting as it

weaves in and out of the light from within the passenger
cars, swallowing it.

INT. TRAIN

Nothing but the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the tracks

can be heard. It’s that loud. Passengers sit scattered in
their seats.

An old man in a gray coat slumps forward, snoring.

Across the aisle, a teenage girl taps away at her phone,

airpods stuffed in her ears.

At the back of the car, a disheveled MAN— foot tapping the

car floor impatiently. His head rest his head on the window,
looking out at dark fields blurring past- his reflection
translucent on the glass.

The train jolts suddenly, causing the girl’s head to snap

upright.

EXT. TRAIN

The silhouette RETURNS—

This time, it darts across the cornfields. It surfs over the

stalks without disturbing them, gaining speed.

It SLAMS into the rear of the train-

But nothing happens.

It disappears.

The train continues ROARING forward, but now the opaque

shadows begin to spread- expanding underneath the train,
pooling like ink.

The lights on the outside of train FLICKER-

POP! One by one- growing dimmer until their bulbs shatter,

the darkness over taking them.

INT. TRAIN

The car lights FLICKER.

The passengers stir- somethings off.

 8.

In his seat, the man towards the back shifts uncomfortably-

peaking around the seat in front of him and looking to the
front of the train.

He locks eyes with the teenage girl, who does the same-
holding one of her airpods out of her ear, curious as to
whats going on.

The man gaze shifts back to the window. His reflection stares
back, and for a second- he notices something.

Something MOVES.

What is that?

He leans closer, squinting at the glass. It- a humanoid

shadow, darts past the window again.

He follows it with his eyes, having to stand up.

But it too disappears.

He looks back to the front of the train, the girl still

looking at him.

That’s when he notices it.

HER shadow- on the train wall behind her.

It... doesn’t look right.

He squints- but before he can even comprehend it, it...

REACHES out of the wall. A flat, 2-D silhouette pulling
itself into the third dimension and taking shape.

In horror- the man watches, raising a single finger- pointing

behind the girl.

She narrows her brow- wrinkling her nose in disgust as she

turns around in her seat, facing forward.

But... out the corner of her eyes she sees it too. She turns-

But it’s too late.

The shadow- having taken her shape, GRABS her neck.

It SQUEEZES. She tries to reach up and YANK it arms away but

her hands only slip through the black shape. It lifts her up,
her face turning red until... CRACK!

She slumps to the floor- DEAD.

 9.

As she hits the car floor with a THUD- the older man sitting
across from her SNAPS awake, his eyes blinking open. He
looks around, confused, seeing the girls body beside him.

He looks up...

The shadow-person is standing right in front of him.

It raises its arm- creating fingers and extending them out,

placing its hand on top of his head.

A shadow drips down the man like a liquid- but it’s not. It
consumes him... swallows him whole, until joining his own
shadow on the train floor.

WHIP TO: the disheveled man in the back. ZOOM IN: his eyes
widen in horror, as everything around him turns to black.

CUT TO:

OPENING CREDITS

INT. CAMPUS

A door swings open-

Students file out of a classroom, their chatter filling the

narrow community college hallway. The fluorescent lights on
the ceiling cast a sterile glow over the scuffed linoleum
floors.

Some students walk briskly, clutching notebooks and coffee

cups- while others linger, pulling on jackets or adjusting
backpacks.

One of them-

Jane Doe, emerges near the back of the group, her satchel
slung casually over her shoulder.

TIGHT ON: one of the textbooks peaking out of her bag. Across
the top of its face, it reads: ‘Criminal Justice’.

She steps into the flow of foot traffic, her boots STOMPING
against the floor.

EXT. CAMPUS - MORNING

The quad is alive with movement as students disperse in all

directions. Snow clings to the edges of benches and pathways,
and patches of muddy grass peek through the melting frost.
 10.

Jane walks amongst the crowd, sidestepping a cluster of

students handing out flyers for an upcoming event.

Her eyes scan the scene as if on autopilot.

EXT. ROAD - MORNING

Good Morning.

The sun struggles to break through a blanket of gray clouds,

casting beams of light rays throughout town.

Snow still clings to the edges of sidewalks and rooftops,

though spring is around the corner.

The sounds of life fill the background— cars idling, distant

chatter, a dog barking somewhere in the distance.

TIGHT ON: Jane Doe as she walks down the road, her boots
splashing through a shallow puddle of melted snow. For a
moment, she pauses, glancing up at a complete group of
strangers. Their eyes are on her.

She avoids their eyes...

But, oddly- they smile at her.

She grins, surprised, making an attempt to smile back- but

can’t, instead nodding.

Picking up the pace, Jane Doe walks toward a cluster of

buildings ahead. She turns- looking back at the strangers
behind her in thought.

Then- she’ forced to stop-

Almost tripping.

HONK!

Jane stumbles back as a vehicle ZIPS past her, kicking up a

light spray of slush from the road. She flinches- grinning,
going from startled to annoyed.

She looks up to someone familiar, hanging out of the vehicle-

a mail track. The MAILWOMAN.

She waves, SLAMMING on the breaks.

TIGHT ON: her boots as she HOPS onto the ground.

Jane looks up as the town’s mailwoman approaches, holding a

small stack of letters.
 11.

The mailwoman is bundled in a thick coat and scarf, her

cheeks pink from the cold. Looking down- she sorts through
the letters before handing a Jane a few of them with a smile.

MAILWOMAN
(cheerfully)
Morning, Jane!
(beat)
Looks like someone’s been busy—
electric bill, bank statement,
and...
(teasing)
...a letter from Isaac. I think I
saw him hand-delivered it to the
post office. Romantic, huh?

Jane clinches her hands into a fist-

SNATCHING the letters.

EXT. DOWNTOWN

This stretch of the street runs parallel to the diner- and

other shopping venues. Some new. A thin fog hangs over the
benches and fountain outside, on the sidewalk.

An elderly couple sit on one of the benches, romantically

kissing each other like its their first date.

ZOOM OUT: to Jane Doe, sitting beside them on fountain- water

splashing on her back in dots as she stares at them in
disgust, shaking her head. She turns away, unable to look on
a second more.

A flyer flutters against her leg:

‘MISSING KITTEN, CALL BELOW’

She picks it up absently, glancing at it, not paying it much

mind before she folds it neatly and tucks it into her hoodie
pocket.

EXT. TRAIN TRACKS

One of the many railroads running through the midwest-

Though, this one doesn’t even a stop in Gravity, it only

passes through...

Just like someone else use too.

 12.

It’s a line of cold steel that carves through the snow-dusted

fields and patches of withered grass.

The wooden ties beneath the tracks are splintered- weathered

from years of wear. The gravel underneath them is speckled
with dirt and ice.

A sharp, chilling wind WHISTLES through the air, RUSTLING the

brittle stalks of corn and grass flanking the tracks.

PAN UP: to a pair of boots tip-toeing in the middle of the

tracks, balancing themselves on the rails like a child.

It’s Jane Doe.

She slips, gathering her footing and taking a shortcut

through town, avoiding all citizens who no longer ignore her
like they use too.

Ahead- a cluster of figures move in the distance. Yellow

police tape flutters in the breeze on the horizon, cordoning
off an area around the tracks.

Voices echo down the tracks, along with the clear crackle of
police radios.

Looking up, Jane slows down.

She narrows her eyes at the crime scene before her.

There- she scans the wreckage.

The rear car of a train is mangled, its silver shell torn

open and contorted like a discarded tin can. Shattered glass
litters the gravel, glinting in the sunlight.

Several police officers comb through the area, as well as a

few townspeople curious as to whats going on.

Flashlight walks amongst the investigators, his bright glow

standing out in the crowd. He follows a few of the officers
to an orange cone, where one leans down, picking up a charred
piece of metal. Another officer tapes off that section of the
ground as Flashlight inspects the material.

Jane Doe’s gaze lingers over to another deep gash running

along the side of the train car.

What the hell happened?

Jane sneaks forward, crossing the edge of the taped-off area.

Her eyes remain fixed on the Flashlight- making sure his back
is turned as she...
 13.

An officer steps into frame, blocking her view.

She stops- SIGHING.

OFFICER:
Ma’am, i’m going to have to ask you
to step back. You can’t be here-
this is an active investigation.

Jane Doe doesn’t move immediately. She stares at the train

car behind him, intrigued before flicking her eyes to the
officer.

JANE DOE
...what happened?

OFFICER
(stepping further in front
of her, blocking her
view)
I’m afraid I can’t answer that.

JANE DOE
(looking off)
Right.
(beat)
Sorry.

TIGHT ON: Flashlight.

He moves with purpose, scanning the twisted remains of the

train car. His hand brushes over a jagged gash in the metal,
his fingertips sparking faintly as he inspects the damage.

Then- he pauses, his body going still, as if listening to

something far away. His head tilts, looking over his
shoulder.

He turns-

His glowing eyes sweeping across the scene.

He scans the edge of the yellow tape, his eyes narrowing as

if he expected to find something— or someone.

Nothing.

Just a police officer guarding the spot where Jane Doe stood
just moments ago.

Behind him, the crunch of GRAVEL approaches.

 14.

He turns back to the wreckage, coming face to face with a

young crime scene TECH- jogging over, holding a tablet in one
hand and a broken piece of the train in the other. His
breathing is quick, out of breath- barely able to contain his
excitement.

TECH
Sir, we’ve been running preliminary
scans on the wreckage. You’re going
to want to see this.

Flashlight nods, gesturing for him to continue.

TIGHT SHOT: The tech taps the tablet, bringing up a digital

reconstruction of the train. He enlarges the damage on the
rear car, highlighting a jagged, gaping tear.

TECH (CONT’D)
(excitedly)
Whatever caused this— it didn’t
just strike one area. The force was
distributed simultaneously across
the entire structure. That kind of
damage... it’s almost like the
train collided with something... as
big as the train.

Flashlight’s brow furrows.

FLASHLIGHT
So another train?

TECH
You would think so- but...

FLASHLIGHT
(finishing his sentence)
But- theres no debris, no collision
path...

The tech nods, flipping to another set of data on his screen.

TECH
Exactly.
(looking up at Flashlight)
(having to blink at his
brightness)
And wheres the other train?
(beat)
It’s like- the train derailed
itself.

Flashlight’s jaw tightens. He straightens, his eyes flicking

back toward the torn metal of the train car,
 15.

He stares at it in thought.

Then, something in his pocket BUZZES.

He steps away from the crime scene tech and everyone else,
looking around before FLICKING OFF- returning to his human
form and reaching in his pocket.

He pulls out a cellphone, ginning at the incoming caller text

illuminated on scree- tapping it and bringing it to his ear.

The voice on the other end is indistinct, muffled. But

whatever he or she says is enough to make his expression
change.

Without another word-

WHOOSH!

He BLASTS into the clouds, flying away.

CUT TO:

EXT. FARM - DAY

Down a narrow dirt path soaked in mud, on the outskirts of

town- a sprawling field of crops sit inside a wooden, barbed-
wire fence marking the property.

At the top of the hill, the produce stand has been

disassembled- converted into a outhouse beside the barn.

The tall tree bisecting the driveway is barren, its branches

skeletal, scraping the sides of the house as clumps of snow
weigh it down.

A thin column of smoke rises from the chimney, curling into

the cold, frigid air. Below, he house is warm- inviting. A
small porch wraps around the front, its railings adorned with
icicles that melt into drips on the ground.

Inside- someone is LAUGHING.

INT. NELL’S HOUSE

The living room is a cozy patchwork of worn furniture and

colorful quilts.

A crackling flame burns in the fireplace.

A small boy- GRAY, with tousled hair, sits cross-legged on

the carpet, his face alight with focus.
 16.

Before him is a collection of action figures scattered across

a makeshift ‘battlefield’ of overturned books and pillows.

He’s bigger than last time.

An old lady- Nell, knits above him on the couch.

GRAY
(dramatically)
You can’t stop me! I’m the
strongest villain in the galaxy!

He swipes an action figure through the air, mimicking the

sound of explosions.

Nell glances up- her eyes twinkling in amusement as she

watches Flashlight’s son play.

NELL
Strongest villain, huh? Pretty sure
heroes always win, though.

Gray pauses, considering this. He grabs another figure and

holds it up triumphantly.

GRAY
Not this time. The hero’s been
captured, and now the villain gets
what he wants.

NELL
(curious as to his answer)
What does he want...?

GRAY
TO RULE THE WORLD!

Nell CHUCKLES, shaking her head as she resumes knitting.

NELL
(teasing)
Don’t let your dad hear you say
that.

She leans over and grabs a mug of tea from a coffee table
beside the couch, her gaze softening as she watches the boy.

Speak of the devil-

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Gray’s face lights up-

 17.

He scrambles to his feet, action figures forgotten in an

instant as he darts to the door.

He waits for Nell who stands up achingly, limping to the door

and opening it, where Flashlight stands, his glow gone but
face unmistakable.

He looks down, smiling.

Gray JUMPS into dads arms as he takes a knee, embracing his

son.

Behind him, he looks around at the mess of toys scattered

across the carpet, grinning.

FLASHLIGHT
(grinning)
You starting wars in here again,
junior?

GRAY
(excited)
Dad! I created the strongest
villain in the galaxy!

Flashlight laughs, ruffling Gray Jr.’s hair.

FLASHLIGHT
Oh, really?

He glances at Nell, his grin softening.

FLASHLIGHT (CONT’D)
Thanks for keeping an eye on him.

Nell waves him off, smiling.

NELL
No trouble at all. He’s keeps me
company-
(beat)
(leaning down and patting
his back)
Isn’t that right, Gray?

Flashlight stands up, setting Gray down.

His eyes scan the living room again, landing on the chaotic
battlefield of action figures.

FLASHLIGHT
(teasing)
Strongest villain, huh? Think
you’re ready for the big leagues?
 18.

Gray’s face lights up even brighter, his excitement bubbling

over.

GRAY
(wide-eyed)
REALLY?!

Nell arches an eyebrow.

NELL
(worrying)
Be careful.

Flashlight shrugs, his tone easy and reassuring.

FLASHLIGHT
Nothing too crazy- just letting him
stretch his wings a little.

Nell narrows her eyes, clearly unconvinced, but- this is

Flashlight after all.

NELL
Uh-huh. I mean it. Be careful, both
of you.

Flashlight smiles at Nell as he gestures for Gray to follow

him. Gray bounces after him, practically vibrating with
anticipation. He steps off the porch onto the snow-dusted
grass in front of the house.

He crouches, his glow beginning to return as Gray climbs onto

his shoulders. He stands carefully, steadying the boy as he
perches atop him.

ZZZZZT! An aura of electricity envelopes them both.

TIGHT ON: Gray’s eyes, which sparkle with lightning. It’s

like he’s feeding off the energy radiating from his dad.

They both turn to Nell- waving in unison.

GRAY
(laughing)
Bye, Miss Nell!

Flashlight offers her a salute as his glow intensifies,

bathing the yard in warm yellow light.

The two lift into the air, floating.

Gray clings to Flashlight’s shoulders, his LAUGHTER pure joy

as they ascend.
 19.

Nell watches them go, shaking her head, unsure of how to feel
as she turns and steps back inside.

CUT TO:

EXT. ISAAC’S HOUSE

The only house at the end of the cul-de-sac.

The garage door is still open.

Feet at the bottom of the sliver left ajar between the

driveway and the door pace back and forth nervously.

A faint plume of exhaust from a portable heater escapes

through the crack, rolling past- a hand-painted sign,
slightly askew, proclaiming the space behind it is ‘Isaac's
Lab’, written in bold, uneven letters.

INT. GARAGE

Workbenches overflow with a chaotic array of electronic

components, tangled wires, several microscopes and circuit
boards in various stages of assembly.

In one corner, a 3D printer WHINES- mechanically crafting an

unidentifiable object.

TIGHT ON: a vintage radio perched on a shelf, its dial set

between stations, emitting a soft CRACKLE that’s interspersed
with police jargon.

TAP-TAP-TAP.

A familiar gloved hand reaches under the garage door and

YANKS it up, pushing it over her head- Jane Doe.

She steps inside, stomping residual snow from her boots

Isaac, hunched over one of the microscopes, doesn't

immediately notice her presence.

She walks over- looking over his shoulder at whatever he’s

doing before scanning the room.

She sees a wrench on one of the tables, flicking her brow and
grabbing it. WHAM! She CLANKS it across one of the metal
beams holding the garage door above them.

Isaac SHOOTS up- almost having a heart attack, grabbing his

chest.
 20.

Jane Doe smiles- holding back laughter.

Isaac grins.

ISAAC
I was just about to start without
you.

JANE DOE
Guess i’m right on time.
(teasing)
Wouldn't want to miss our...
‘sessions’.

Isaac shakes his head, scoffing as he motions to a stool

beside his workstation.

ISAAC
Coffee's fresh. Sit.

Jane Doe looks up- two steaming cups of joe and a half-dozen
doughnuts sit beside his computer.

She looks at him- nostrils flaring as she sits down.

Since when did Gravity get a Starbucks?

Either way, she grabs the cup- not wanting to let it get
cold.

She sits down- settling onto the stool beside Isaac as types
away. As he does- she looks past the computer, to a small
piece of cloth covering up some sort of metallic tube.

She reaches out- lifting the cloth trying to take a peak but-

SMACK! Isaac SWATS her hand away.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
That’s not for you.
(grabbing something else)
-this is.

He turns- retrieving a sleek, metallic device from the bench—

a headpiece of sorts, adorned with electrodes and various
glowing indicators.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
Now- ARE YOU SURE about this?

JANE DOE
Isaac.
(beat)
... Come on.
 21.

He SIGHS.

ISAAC
Fine- FINE!
(beat)
(standing up)
But next time you’ll have to sign a
waiver.

She grins- looking up at him through her lashes as he hovers

over her, placing the ‘helmet’ on her head.

Jane Doe adjusts herself on the stool, crossing her legs and
fixing her posture as Isaac secures the device on her head-
his face inches away from hers as he straps a buckle under
her chin.

Atop her head- TIGHT ON: the metallic electrodes HUMMING, a

golden glow FLICKERING as he continues adjusting it.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
If this fries your brain, I’m not
responsible.

Jane scoffs.

JANE DOE
Yeah right- nerd.

He doesn’t bother to respond- stepping back to his

workstation, sitting down and tapping a sequence of letters
and numbers into his console. The screens surrounding him
flicker to life, displaying streams of data and pulsing
waveforms.

He stops- his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he

glances over at Jane Doe, hesitating.

Then- one deep breath later:

ISAAC
Alright.
(beat)
Starting low frequency transcranial
stimulation in-

JANE DOE
(interrupting)
-you mean the brain zapper?

Isaac SIGHS- rubbing his temple dramatically.

ISAAC
Sure- the brain zapper.
 22.

With that- he presses the space bar.

Nothing happens at first.

Jane Doe’s eyes flutter closed, her hands gripping the edges
of the stool tightly as her breathing slows.

Then- the lights on the device start to get brighter-

FLICKERING, SPARKING as-

The room begins to distort.

Isaac says something but his voice fades into the distance,
disappearing as her consciousness shifts.

FLASHBACK

INT. HOUSE - BEDROOM

The room is small.

A child’s room.

Moonlight spills through the half-open curtains, casting

shadows across the wall.

A stuffed bear sits crookedly on the bed, a few drawings

taped to the wall, and a nightlight glows dimly in the
corner.

Something darts across the room- a silhouette.

Jane Doe- no older than 6 or 7 at this point, bolts upright

in her bed- her chest rising and falling as she gasps for
air.Her small hands clutch the blanket wrapped around her
tightly, her wide eyes scanning the room as if expecting
something to emerge from the darkness.

She stares at the wall opposite her bed- lingering on

something- but nothings there.

Just a shadow.

But... just like on the train, something’s off.

It- moves. A humanoid shape slithering across the dark room.

TIGHT ON: her bare feet SLAPPING the cold floor as she climbs
out of bed. The wooden boards beneath her CREAKING as she
runs out of the room.
 23.

INT. HALLWAY

The hallway is slim.

Two doors on either side.

Its walls are lined with unseen family photos obscured by

shadow. Jane Doe hesitates for a moment, glancing back at her
room, noticing the ‘shadow-man’ following behind her.

She tip-toes toward another door down the hall- her small
hand reaching up for the doorknob, turning it slowly.

INT. BEDROOM

The room is decorated typical that of a young boy.

Posters of comic book heroes and a few scattered toys litter

the floor. A small lamp on the nightstand casts a warm glow
over the bed, where a boy, not much older than her, lies
asleep.

The boy’s eyes blink open, waking up.

Jane Doe stands in the doorway, clutching the hem of her

pajama shirt.

He sits up, concerned as he notices her standing there.

BOY
Bug? Why are you awake?
(rubbing his eyes)
You okay?

Jane Doe shakes her head-

In tears as she steps closer to the bed.

YOUNG JANE
Can I sleep with you? I’m- I’m
scared...

The boy SIGHS, thinking about it for a second before scooting

over, patting the empty space beside him.

BOY
Yeah, I guess...
(beat)
Come on. But don’t hog the blanket
this time.
 24.

Jane Doe smiles- rushing over and climbing into his bed,
curling up beside him.

He pulls the blanket over both of them, a protective arm

resting on her shoulder as she drifts bak to sleep.

END FLASHBACK

INT. GARAGE

Jane Doe JOLTS back to reality-

Her breathing is uneven as she rips the headpiece off,

standing up and looking around confused, gathering herself.

Her hands and fingers are blood red from gripping the stool.

Isaac is at her side in an instant, noticing this, his hands

on her shoulders.

ISAAC
(concerned)
What happened? What did you see?

She doesn’t answer.

Instead- stares at the floor.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
(stepping closer)
Jane?

She pulls away, rubbing her head.

JANE DOE
Nothing.
(beat)
I saw nothing.

Isaac frowns, stepping in front of her as she heads out the

garage door.

ISAAC
Yeah, right. You obviously did.

Jane Doe continues around him, avoiding his eyes.

JANE DOE
I’ve got to go to work.

She moves toward the door, but Isaac steps in her path again,
but this time she pushes him back, heading outside.
 25.

He turns- flustered.

ISAAC
(shouting as she walks
away)
You don’t have to lie to me, you
know?

CUT TO:

EXT. DOWNTOWN - DAY

The heart of downtown bustles with a quiet, small-town charm.

Storefronts line the cobblestone road- their windows assorted

with all types of decorations.

One shop features a mannequin in a bright red dress.

Another- advertising ‘Winter Clearance Sale’ with a ‘BUY ONE,

GET ONE FREE’ banner draped across the glass.

A few people meander along the street, bundled in thick coats

and scarves. Conversation ECHO about- as the occasional CLINK
of a bell DINGS! -as doors open and close.

A melting snowman is perched precariously on the sidewalk,

its carrot nose drooping as if in defeat.

INT. DISCOUNT STORE

Racks of clothes are packed tightly along the walls to the

front of the store.

Soft elevator-esc music PLAYS overhead, blending with the

rustle of fabric and clothes hangers DRAGGING across metal
railing.

In the back, a row of dressing rooms stand opposite a line of

mirrors reflecting the scene.

ZOOM IN: on one of the curtains in front of the dressing

rooms, as it WHIPS open-

Jamie steps out of one of the stalls, adjusting the hem of a

sparkling dress. She glances at her reflection before turning
to her boyfriend, who is slouched in a chair near the corner,
having dozed off- asleep.

She clears her throat- trying to wake him.

But he’s a heavy sleeper.

 26.

Again, she tries to wake him up.

Annoyed- she takes off one of her heels and tosses it at him.
It SMACKS his chest, causing him to sit up, groggily.

She poses for him.

JAMIE
(twirling)
What do you think?

Her boyfriend doesn’t even answer, letting the question hang

awkwardly.

Instead- he’s fixing his hair in the mirror behind her.

She crosses her arms, stepping in front of his face.

JAMIE (CONT’D)
(snapping)
Hello? Earth to Zachary?

Her boyfriend- Zachary, finally looks up, his brow furrowing

in confusion.

KYLE
Huh? Oh, yeah. Looks great, babe.

Jamie raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

JAMIE
(dryly)
Thanks for the detailed input.

Zachary grins, oblivious to her sarcasm- returning to fixing

his hair in the mirror.

Jamie huffs, turning around and storming back into the

changing room.

EXT. DOWNTOWN

TIGHT ON: A pair of hands clasped around each other. ZOOM

OUT: to Jamie and Zachary walking side by side along the
sidewalk.

She carries a shopping bag in one hand.

Zachary, still oblivious, munches on a pretzel he picked up

from a nearby store.
 27.

Townspeople offer warm, passing smiles—going about their

business while maintaining the small-town charm with their
friendly nods and subtle greetings.

A light breeze kicks up loose flyers from a nearby bulletin

board, sending them fluttering across the pavement.

One of them land under Jamie’s foot.

She lifts it- and its swept away- SMACKING a large window on
the building beside them.

They turn- and Jamie’s frown instantly turns to a smile.

A neon ‘OPEN’ sign swings on the door beside the window, its
red light blinking weakly, illuminating her face.

INT. DINER

Plates CLATTER atop a bussing tray.

Burgers SIZZLE on the grill- fries BOIL in the fryer.

The usual customers sit at the bar, reading newspaper and

taking long lustful looks at the two young attractive
waitresses.

Deb- rushes in and out of the kitchen, both serving and

cooking nowadays.

Jane Doe stands behind the counter, wiping down the surface
absentmindedly.

The bell above the door JINGLES as-

Jamie RUNS inside.

JAMIE
JANE!

Jane looks up-

Damnit.

She SIGHS- grinning as Jamie rushes her, wrapping her in a

tight hug.

JANE DOE
(trying to sound excited)
(it comes out flat)
Hey... Jamie.

Jamie pulls back, her grin wide.

 28.

She looks behind her, at Deb, waving emphatically. Deb flicks

her brow at her before carrying a load of dishes into the
back.

Jamie then turns, looking for Zachary.

Of course- he’s looking at the menu, holding it up in front

of his face like he’s trying to read it, but can’t.

She grins, turning to Jane Doe in a whisper.

JAMIE
Has-
(finding the words)
Isaac asked about me?

Jane Doe chuckles.

Off handedly remarking:

JANE DOE
I wish...

Jamie tilts her head at this, pondering her answer.

As their conversation continues-

Something... No, someone watches them.

TIGHT ON: A silhouetted shadow on the wall, with no visible

figure producing it.

It moves-

Disappearing out the window.

CUT TO:

EXT. CORNFIELDS - DAY

The sun drifts toward the horizon, hanging low and casting
long shadows over a freshly mowed section of cornfield miles
outside of town.

A faint wind RUSTLES the stalks- knocking the melting snow

off them.

In the center of the clearing ahead- a bright golden light

SHINES through the breaches in the plants.

ZZZZZT! Electricity CRACKLES in the air.

 29.

WHOOSH! A bolt of it ZIPS into the air, SHOOTING into the

clouds that disperse in all directions upon contact.

The golden light PULSES again, bathing the cornfield in

warmth before dimming.

Flashlight stands behind it, his arms crossed as faint arcs

of electricity spark along his arms.

His boots dig into the damp soil- steam rising faintly as the
snow melts around him.

Gray stands in front of him- holding out his hand, palm

outstretched like he just fired a laser from it.

And he very well might’ve.

His small figure- bundled in a thick jacket and gloves...

well one, is dwarfed by the vastness of the field around
them.

His breath os visible in the cold air as he stares up at his

father, out of breath, his arm falling to his side.

FLASHLIGHT
Nice!
(relaxing)
(smiling proud)
That was good, Gray.

GRAY
(excited)
Did you see that? I hit the cloud,
Dad!

Flashlight steps forward, the light around him shimmering.

He walks up and places a hand on his sons shoulder, squeezing

gently.

FLASHLIGHT
I saw.
(grinning)
You’ve got a good aim, Junior...
but you’re still pulling back at
the last second. You’ve gotta
commit-
(motioning with hand)
Follow through.

Gray’s smile fades.

He tilts his head, his brow furrowing in thought.

 30.

GRAY
Follow through? You mean like in
baseball?

Flashlight chuckles, nodding.

FLASHLIGHT
Right. You wouldn’t swing a bat and
stop halfway, would you?
(beat)
It’s the same thing here. When you
feel the charge- feel the spark
running up your arm... Let it guide
you. Don’t fight it.

Gray looks at his hand- clenching and unclenching his

fingers.

GRAY
(thoughtfully)
....but what if I mess up?

Flashlight crouches, meeting his son’s eyes directly.

FLASHLIGHT
(serious)
That’s why we’re out here, junior.
To mess up- figure it out- get
better.
(beat)
Mistakes are what separate us from
the bad guys.
(tapping head)
We think ahead- and try and not
make them when it counts.

Gray nods, a smile of determination returning to his face.

FLASHLIGHT (CONT’D)
(standing up)
Alright.
(beat)
Let’s try it again. This time- full
power. No holding back.

Gray plants his feet firmly in the dirt, his small body
trembling- coursing with power as he raises his hand.

Tiny arcs of electricity begin to dance between his fingers.

Flashlight watches intently, on stand-by just in case. His

crosses his arms once again, focused.

TIGHT ON: Gray’s eyes as they light up-

 31.

A bit different than his dad though.

The electricity inside him surges, CRACKING loudly before—

WHOOSH! A ray of light SHOOTS from his hand. It not only

pierces the clouds, but ripples the very air they breath,
blinding the entire area.

EXT. CLOUDY SKY

A light DASHES in and out of the clouds high in the sky.

ZOOM IN: Flashlight- Gray hanging on his back, flies around

at half-speed, warming his son up to the idea.

FLASHLIGHT
Rule number one- don’t look down
unless you have to.

Gray scrambles up his father’s shoulders, gripping tightly.

GRAY
(laughing)
What’s rule number two?

FLASHLIGHT
(grinning)
Keep your balance!

WHOOSH!

Flashlight takes off even FASTER- the wind BLOWING Gray’s

hair all across his face.

The two soar above the cornfield, Flashlight adjusting his

altitude smoothly- slowing back down.

GRAY
(shouting)
THIS IS AMAZING!

Flashlight tilts slightly, testing Gray’s balance.

FLASHLIGHT
Feel that shift? Use it— lean with
me, not against me.

Gray adjusts, his movements cautious but improving with each

tilt.

FLASHLIGHT (CONT’D)
(encouraging)
That’s it! You-
 32.

He spoke to soon.

As- a gust of air encircles them, Flashlight is thrown off

for just a split second.

But, that’s enough for Gray to slip-

Falling off his fathers shoulders.

He SCREAMS:

GRAY
(screaming)
DAD!

Acting without thought, Flashlight spins- FLYING toward his

son in free-fall. He dives with precision- light streaking
behind him like a comet’s tail as he closes the gap between
them.

Flashlight’s reaches his hand out desperately for Gray, who

looks up at him, terrified.

But- his face drops in relief as Flashlight is able to clasp

his wrist, pulling him into his arms.

FLASHLIGHT
(slightly out of breath)
Rule number three— always trust
your pilot.

Gray clings to his father’s neck, staring at the ground not

so far down below.

EXT. ROOF - NIGHT

Later...

Flashlight and Gray land atop a building rooftop back in

town.

Gray steps down onto the roof with caution, his legs
trembling as he takes a deep breath.

FLASHLIGHT
Scared you, huh?

GRAY
(trying to act tough)
I wasn’t scared!

Flashlight arches an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a

smirk.
 33.

He pats his son on the back.

FLASHLIGHT
I know, son.

Gray’s face flushes- he wipes a tears.

GRAY
Okay, maybe just a little...

Flashlight drops to a knee in front of Gray, wiping more

tears that cling to his cheek.

FLASHLIGHT
Hey, listen. What happened up
there? That’s part of learning.
Things won’t always go perfectly,
and that’s okay.
(beat)
Okay?

Gray looks up at him. But he doesn’t nod in agreement this

time.

GRAY
(unsure of himself)
Do you think i’ll ever be as good
as you?

Flashlight stares at him- serious.

FLASHLIGHT
Better.
(beat)
You’ll be better than me.

CUT TO:

EXT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

It sits at the edge of downtown- near the bridge.

The parking lot is barely lit by a FLICKERING streetlamp. A

light drizzle falls, painting the pavement in mirrored
reflections of the moon.

A pair of torn, mud-caked boots stagger onto the pavement.

PAN UP: it’s the disheveled man from the train, his clothes
singed and ripped, his face smeared with soot. His breathing
is labored, as if he’s been flirting with death.

He stumbles toward the station, his steps drunk.

 34.

INT. POLICE STATION

The station is quiet, save for the faint hum of a vending

machine in the corner and the rhythmic CLACKING of a keyboard
at the front desk.

An officer sits behind the desk, SIPPING coffee from a

Styrofoam cup, his gaze fixed on a monitor. The faint glow of
the screen reflects off his tired face.

The door CREAKS open, followed by the uneven clatter of boots

on the tiled floor.

The officer looks up- startled.

He reaches for his gun, patting and fiddling with its holster
as man from the train stares at him with his bloodshot eyes.
He stumbles forward, gripping the edge of the desk to steady
himself.

He looks around- as if if searching for something—

or someone.

MAN
(hoarse whisper)
...it’s co... coming.

The officer leans closer- unable to comprehend his slurred

speech.

OFFICER
What?

The man sways slightly, his grip tightening on the desk. His
eyes widen with fear, his voice trembling:

MAN
(louder)
(at the top of his lungs)
IT’S COMING!

CUT TO:

INT. DINER

The last few customers shuffle out, leaving the diner empty
once again... except Jane Doe, who stands behind the counter,
wiping it down for what must be the hundredth time that
night.
 35.

Deb emerges from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish

towel. She wipes a hand across her face, trying to stay
awake.

DEB
(yawning)
I’d ask if you can do the dishes,
but i’ve been up since four and
don’t think I could sleep if I
wanted too.

Jane Doe smirks, glancing at the clock on the wall.

JANE DOE
(double checking)
You sure?

DEB
Honey, i’ll be fine-

Deb tosses the towel onto the counter- pointing to a couple

small takeout trays stacked on top of each other near the
coffee machine.

DEB (CONT’D)
That’s yours. Make sure Nell eats,
alright?

Jane Doe nods, walking over and grabbing the bag.

JANE DOE
Thanks.

She grins- turning around.

Deb watches as Jane heads toward the door, pausing briefly to

flip the diner’s neon sign to “CLOSED.”

DEB
(calling out)
Text me when you get home.

Jane raises her hand in acknowledgment, waving- stepping out

into the chilly night.

EXT. ROAD

It’s eerily quiet.

More than usual, that is.

 36.

Jane Doe’s boots SQUEAK on the wet pavement- walking home.

In front of her- shadows fill the road under the

streetlights. Seemingly normal- regular shadows. That...
move.

Or maybe not.

Her breath fogs in the cold air as she pauses, glancing down
the empty street.

She saw something out the corner of her eye- but what was it?

She stares for a moment, but shrugs.

Eh- she’s probably seen worse.

She repositions her hands into her hoodie pocket, pulling it

over her head and continuing walking.

INT. NELL'S HOUSE - KITCHEN

The table is set with mismatched plates and utensils, a

pitcher of water in the center.

Nell sits at the head of the table, holding a framed picture

of her late daughter and husband in her hand, staring down at
it in her lap.

The front door CREAKS open-

Nell looks up, peaking around the kitchen door into the
living room.

NELL
(calling out)
Jane?

JANE DOE (O.S.)

Who else?

The front door audibly SLAMS shut.

Jane Doe steps into the kitchen, holding up the trays of

leftovers like a prize.

JANE DOE (CONT’D)

Brought dinner.

Nell chuckles, motioning for her to sit.

 37.

NELL
Thats perfect! Far Better than
anything I could cook.
(beat)
...I haven’t tried since-
(trailing off)

Jane Doe sets the trays down in the middle of the table, each
beside each other, opening them up-

Burgers, chicken and fries— still steaming slightly as she

grabs a plate from the cabinets behind her and sits one in
front of Nell.

She sits down beside her, watching as Nell places the picture
of her family face down across from the food, not
acknowledging it.

As Nell grabs some food- Jane Doe empties her pockets and
satchel, untying the ponytail atop her head and pulling out-

The Starbucks coffee sleeve Isaac bought her.

Mail, the mailwoman gave her this morning-

The flyer for the missing cat she found earlier... glancing
down at it, she balls it up and decides to stuff this one
back into her hoodie.

She places them all beside her, taking a deep breath as she
relaxes into the chair.

NELL (CONT’D)
How was school? How was work?

Jane Doe flicks her brow.

JANE DOE
Boring.

NELL
You’re always bored.
(beat)
Same reason you use to go city-to-
city, small town-to-small town
across the country.

Jane Doe shrugs.

JANE DOE
I guess.

Jane Doe leans back in her chair, her gaze drifting to a

small window above the sink.
 38.

Outside, the night stretches on- shadows around the barn

almost swallowing it whole.

She stares at this- her steady rocking back and forth in the
chair pausing mid-air.

NELL
Something on your mind?

And just like that-

Jane snaps out of it, shaking her head.

JANE DOE
Nah. Just tired.

Nell studies her for a moment, looking down at the stack of

mail beside her as she continues eating.

She picks the envelopes up, curious.

She cycles through them. TIGHT ON: this, as she stops on

Isaac’s letter, signed: Nerd. Chuckling to herself, she looks
up at Jane, asking permission with her eyes. Jane Doe nods,
and Nell opens it up.

Inside is a birthday card.

A day too late.

It’s cute though- one of those goggly eyed cards; this one- a
clipart picture of a person in a ski-mask, or ‘thief’ on the
front, the words on the inside reading: ‘you stole my heart’.

Nell smile widens at this, offering it to Jane Doe who

declines with a stiff outstretched hand.

Nell sets down the rest of the envelopes, standing up and

excusing herself to the bathroom. As she limps past- her hip
catches the side of one of the envelopes, causing it to fall
to the ground.

Jane Doe lazily leans down from her chair to pick it up,
groaning as she sits back in her chair

She goes to set the envelope back down when-

She notices something.

Holding it in front of her face, she squints- confused.

On the front, it’s addressed to:

 39.

BUG

CUT TO:

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

Fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow over the stations tiled

floor. Officers mill about in the background, some typing
reports, others peering into the back where-

A two-way mirror reflects the blank interior of an

interrogation room. Inside- the disheveled man from the train
sits hunched over at the table, his hands shaking around cup
of water.

Flashlight stands behind the glass, arms crossed- staring

into the room perplexed.

Oddly enough- the man stares back...

As if he can see him.

Beside him, a middle-aged officer with a tired demeanor flips

through a file.

OFFICER
No wallet- no ID- no fingerprints
to even run through our system.
(beat)
If he really did survive that train
wreck- then its possible the
explosion it caused seared them
right of his skin.

Flashlight glances at the officer.

FLASHLIGHT
And you’re sure he’s the only one?

The officer nods grimly- his eyes drifting to the man in the
room.

OFFICER
Far as we can tell. Search crews
are still out there, but... if
there’s anyone else.
(beat)
They’re hiding.

Flashlight’s eyes narrow as he watches the man fidget- his

head twitching.
 40.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM

The room is stark and uninviting.

Its concrete walls and solid metal table in the middle

amplify the sense of isolation.

The disheveled man barely acknowledges Flashlight as he steps

inside. He steps in front of the table, standing across from
him.

In here- he can hear the man’s incoherent whispers drifting

between words, unable to take shape.

MAN
...dark... it was... dark. They
came from... nowhere.

Flashlight grins.

He SLAPS his hand on the table, trying to intimidate the man.

But he doesn’t even flinch.

FLASHLIGHT
What happened on the train?

MAN
(whispering)
Shadows... moving... alive.

Flashlight jaw tightens.

FLASHLIGHT
Can you tell me what you saw?

Suddenly, the man STANDS up- KICKING his chair out from under
his feet. He leans in as close as he can get to Flashlight’s
face through his cuffs.

Flashlight steps back.

MAN
(desperate)
YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND— IT WAS
WATCHING ME. WAITING-
(beat)
IT... IT-

His voice breaks.

He collapses back into the chair, his swollen eyes tearing

up.
 41.

Flashlight leans forward, his voice softening.

FLASHLIGHT
Listen to me.
(beat)
Whatever you saw, it’s over. You’re
safe now.

The man finally looks up, his gaze locking with Flashlight’s.
For the first time, his voice steadies.

MAN
(firm)
(unwavering)
It’s coming.

Flashlight’s glow flickers faintly as he narrows his eyes.

FLASHLIGHT
Who? Who is coming?

The man’s lips tremble, but no words come out at first.

Then- he says it.

MAN
It... It-
(swallowing)
It wants HER.

Flashlight stares.

He squints at the man, confused- lingering in thought.

FLASHLIGHT
(confused)
Her?
(questioning)
Who are you talking about?

The man’s look of fear dissipates in an instant.

It’s replaced by a smile that curves up and around mouth

slowly.

Flashlight’s eyes widen.

In that moment, he realizes who ‘her’ is...

Jane Doe.

Before Flashlight has another second to think about it he

FLIES UP- out of the police station.
 42.

BOOM! He CRASHES through the ceiling, not caring about the

damage as he WHIPS into the night sky, flying at tremendous
speed as he heads toward the-

CUT TO:

INT. NELL'S HOUSE

The farmhouse is quiet, nothing but the CREAK of old wood

settling in the night.

The kitchen light is off, leaving only the one above the
table on- the rest of the house dark in preparedness for bed.

Jane Doe sits at the table.

She leans back in her chair again- her arms crossed tightly
as if guarding herself.

She stares ahead- thinking.

Nell sits across from her, a half-finished knitting project

draped over her lap.

NELL
(teasing)
You’ve been spending a lot of time
with that boy lately. Should I be
planning a wedding?

Jane Doe rolls her eyes.

JANE DOE
Please. He’s helping me.
(shaking her head)
Why does everyone think that?

NELL
If the shoe fits...

Nell sets her knitting needles aside.

NELL (CONT’D)
SO- whats he been helping you with.
Homework?

Jane Doe looks up, hesitating.

NELL (CONT’D)
Go on- spit it out.
(beat)
I’m not getting any younger.
 43.

JANE DOE
He’s...
(beat)
He’s trying to help me get my
memories back.

NELL
Oh. Really?
(unsure of how to respond)
And...? Any luck?

Jane Doe nods, her eyes distant.

JANE DOE
Yeah. Some.

Nell leans forward, intrigued.

A moment of silence hangs between them.

NELL
Well- you going to tell me about
it?

Jane Doe swallows hard.

Obviously, she doesn’t like to open up.

JANE DOE
Flashes. Just flashes.
(beat)
Me... as a little girl. In this
small house.

Nell brow furrows as she processes all of this,

JANE DOE (CONT’D)

...and a boy. Not much older than
me.
(beat)
He- he called me ‘bug’.

NELL
Bug? Is that like a nickname?

JANE DOE
I don’t know.
(hesitating)
But...

She pulls out the envelope addressed to her from her lap,
sliding it across the table in front of Nell.
 44.

Nell picks it up, surprised to see ‘Bug’ scribbled on the

front.

She looks up.

NELL
Is he family?

JANE DOE
I think he’s my-

Jane Doe stops mid sentence, trailing of as-

Something catches her attention.

A shadow on the wall.

Nell- confused, follows her gaze.

ZOOM OUT: the room seems darker almost. It’s as if there’s

more shadows than there should be.

The light above them on the ceiling fan FLICKERS as the

shadow expand- growing larger.

Jane Doe stands up, her chair SCRAPING against the floor.

Nell stands too, feeling somethings not right.

CRACK!

The sound of glass SHATTERING echoes from the living room.

Both women JUMP, their heads snapping toward the noise.

Curious, they move cautiously into the next room.

Where- the window by the couch is shattered, shards of glass

glittering on the floor. The curtains billow as a cold wind
BLOWS through.

NELL
What in the-

Jane Doe SHUSHES her, a finger to her lips.

She’s staring at something across from them.

On the wall.

A shadow-

A silhouette.
 45.

It crawls out from the kitchen, pooling together like ink

spreading across the surface.

Jane Doe backs toward Nell, her voice low and urgent.

JANE DOE
When I say so. Run.

NELL
(holding onto the back of
Jane’s shirt)
Jane. You’re scaring me.

Suddenly, the opaque shadow on the wall twists and curls,

mixing together until it forms into a humanoid shape.

There- it turns, standing still, facing them as if staring.

It raises a hand- waving its finger tauntingly.

THEN- it LUNGES from the walls, stretching toward them like

living tendrils.

Nell SCREAMS.

It comes after her first- reaching out.

Jane Doe reacts fast- grabbing a nearby chair and SWINGING it

at the shadow-man, but...

It passes right through it- unimpeded.

But CRASH! It hits the floor on the other side, the wood
SPLINTERING on impact.

A piece of it flies out and STABS into Jane Doe’s leg.

She looks up, horrified as the shadow looms over Nell, like
an incoming tidal wave.

Wincing through the pain- Jane Doe pushes herself up and

DIVES forward. Her body collides with Nell’s, sending both of
them sprawling across the floor. The shadow’s tendrils SLAM
into the couch behind where Nell had just been standing, the
impact ripping through the fabric as if it were paper.

Jane Doe grabs Nell by the arm- dragging her to her feet as
the shadow twists and grows larger behind them.

They run to the front door but-

It’s covered in black before they can grab the handle.

 46.

Instead- they stumble up the stairs, their feet STOMPING on

the wood as they climb to safety.

Behind them, the shadow pursues, its form stretching to fill

the bottom floor. Tendrils SNAP out- grazing the edges of the
staircase, SPLINTERING wood with each strike.

Jane Doe glances back, her teeth clenched as she pushes Nell
ahead of her.

Nell goes as fast as she can, her usual limp causing her legs
to tremble as she ascends the steps, her hand clutching the
banister for support.

In a twisted turn of fate-

The shadow SLAMS into the staircase, the entire structure

SHUDDERING as cracks spiderweb through the wood.

Jane Doe turns at the landing, throwing a vase from a shelf

at the shadow.

It SHATTERS uselessly, the shards swallowed into the

darkness.

But- it gives them enough time to make it to the top, where

Jane Doe KICKS open a door.

Inside- she pushes Nell into the room before SLAMMING it shut
behind them. She runs to opposite wall and pulls the bed out
from the wall, PUSHING it into the doorknob, her chest
heaving as she backs away.

To her dismay- the shadow simply seeps under the doorframe.

Not giving up- Jane Doe spots a lamp across the bed. She HOPS
across it, grabbing the lamp, accidentally FLIPPING it on.

CLICK!

The room bursts to life.

It’s illuminated in harsh, uneven light,

The sudden glow surprisingly forces the shadow to RECOIL.

Jane Doe- noticing this, JUMPS back over the bed and steps in
front of Nell, gripping the lamp like a weapon.

The shadow surges again, as if testing its limits, ignoring

the light as it starts to ENGULF the room.

Darkness swirls like a storm.

 47.

The flickering light bulb in Jane Doe’s hands fights to stay

lit, casting erratic flashes that illuminate the terror-
stricken faces of her and Nell.

NELL (CONT’D)
(shouting)
The window! Go!
(shoving her)
NOW!

Jane Doe looks at Nell like she’s crazy.

JANE DOE
No- Nell! I’m not leaving you—

NELL
(cutting her off)
Go, damn it! I’ll be right behind
you!

The urgency in Nell’s voice leaves no room for argument. Jane

Doe stares at her for a moment, then hands her the lamp.

She SCRAMBLES toward the window- her boots SLIPPING on the

floor as she grabs the sill and pulls herself up onto the
drawer in front of it.

EXT. ROOF - NIGHT

CRACK! The window is YANKED up.

Jane Doe tumbles out onto the slanted roof, catching herself
with her hands. The cold air bites at her skin as she whirls
around, immediately reaching back through the window for
Nell.

JANE DOE
(shouting)
Come on!

Nell climbs up awkwardly, her hands shaking as she grips the

window frame.

TIGHT ON: Jane Doe’s outstretched hand, reaching for Nell’s.

Their so close...

But before their fingers touch—

SLLPPHT!

A shadow tendril PIERCES through Nell’s chest, protruding out

her back.
 48.

...no-

Nell’s eyes widen, her mouth opening in a silent gasp as

blood trickles down her chin.

Jane Doe freezes.

Her face twists in raw, unfiltered rage.

She SCREAMS— a guttural, heart-wrenching sound that cuts

through the night.

She LUNGES toward Nell, grabbing her hand- her feet kicking
at the shadow, but it’s futile.

The darkness pulls Nell back into the room, her lifeless body
disappearing into a void of black.

Jane Doe FALLS back-

She looks up, her face streaked with rageful tears.

WHOOSH!

A streak of golden light ZIPS into the room, the sheer force
of it causing Jane Doe to shield her face.

Flashlight lands in the center of the chaos, looking back at

Jane Doe.

FLASHLIGHT
GET DOWN!

Jane Doe stands up, speed-limping to the edge of the roof and
JUMPING off as Flashlight throws his hands forward, releasing
a surge of electricity that SLAMS into the shadow.

The air CRACKLES with energy as the shadow SHRIEKS.

The light causes the shadow to retreat, curling back into the
room.

INT. HOUSE

Flashlight follows it- floating past the chaos inside the

house.

Before he can take it all in, the shadow slips behind him,
attacking his blindside.

It STRIKES- shadow tendrils LASHING out with ferocious speed.

One SLAMS into Flashlight’s back, sending him SPIRALING
forward into the wall.
 49.

Plaster and wood SPLINTER from the impact as he braces

himself, his hands glowing brighter as electricity crackles
up his arms.

Flashlight spins mid-air, THROWING a bolt of lightning toward

the shadow, but it moves like liquid smoke- dodging with
inhuman grace.

The shadow reforms across the room, its jagged limbs

stretching out to surround Flashlight.

The light in the room dims further as the shadow tightens its
grip on the space, pulling all the darkness toward itself.

Flashlight himself even starts to falter- his human form

FLASHING briefly.

It LUNGES again, this time wrapping multiple tendrils around

Flashlight’s torso, pinning his arms to his sides. He GROANS-
FLICKERING as he struggles, his muscles straining against the
shadow’s constricting grip.

He clenches his fists, body pulsing with energy.

He closes his eyes- focusing.

THEN- a massive surge of electricity BURSTS from Flashlight’s

body, lighting up the entire room in a brilliant flash.

The shadow is blown backward, its form scattering into pieces

like shards of glass.

EXT. NELL'S HOUSE

FLASHES of light and dark fill the upstairs windows,

trickling downstairs.

Outside- on the ground, Jane Doe crawls through the dirt and
snow, looking up as-

BOOM!

Flashlight is launched through a window, hitting the barn in

the backyard with a THUNDEROUS impact.

She watches in horror as the shadow follows, cascading down

the side of the house like a predator chasing its prey.

The shadow looms over the barn where Flashlight landed, its
tendrils stretching out, preparing to do to him what it did
to Nell.
 50.

Watching this, Jane Doe SCRAMBLES to her feet- her fingers

digging into the mud as she pushes herself up, her leg
throbbing with pain.

She spots a faint light inside the barn, running towards it.

INT. BARN

She stumbles into the barn, her knees buckling as she FLIPS
on the string lights hanging.

Unfortunately, the hay-bail hatch is broken, part of the

second floor caving in on itself after Flashlight’s impact.

Ignoring this, Jane Doe looks around- searching for the

source of the light she saw.

THERE- hanging on a post in the corner.

A lantern.

She limps over- pulling it off a nail.

EXT. FARM

The shadow begins to creep along the barn walls, its form
expanding as it swallows the light inside.

Flashlight GROANS- pushing himself to his feet as the it

approaches.

Before he can do anything- the silhouette grabs him, lifting

him into the air, inches away from its growing form.

From afar it almost like a giant human’s shadow, or at least

its shape- humanoid. Flashlight stares at it- unable to break
free, still giving it his all.

But then- the shadow’s attention SNAPS to the side-

There, standing right outside the barn, Jane Doe stands tall,
gritting her teeth, fumbling with the lantern in her hand.
Her fingers numb from the cold- but grips its handle anyway.

TIGHT ON: her other hand- where she holds a gas can at her
waist.

Without thinking she TOSSES the lantern at the shadow. It

SHATTERS at its feet, lighting the grass on fire.

Next- she RIPS the lid off the gas can and tosses it in a
spiral of liquid that causes an EXPLOSION.
 51.

This... actually works.

The shadow tendrils SINGE upon touching the flames, having to

disperse quickly.

Flashlight falls to the ground as the shadow drops him,

landing with a THUD. It slithers away into the darkness
behind the fire licking it into retreating.

For now.

CUT TO:

EXT. FARM - MORNING

The once picturesque landscape lies in ruin— the driveways

towering tree uprooted, its branches broken- the ground all
but scorched. Fragments of the barn are scattered through the
yard, its roof and upper level battered.

Yellow crime scene tape flutters in the wind around the

house, whose windows are shattered- jagged glass glinting
like teeth. A crow perches on the roof- CAWING, its harsh
cries the only sound breaking the deafening silence.

Footprints dot the mud in the backyard, mingling with the

tire tracks left behind by emergency vehicles. A blackened
patch of earth near the barn smolders, a fume of smoke
curling upward, like the ground itself is breathing.

The front porch creaks under its own weight, the once-
inviting wraparound now a disheveled mess of broken railings
and discarded evidence markers.

A forgotten quilt, likely thrown in the chaos- drapes limply

over the porch swing, its vibrant colors dulled by a layer of
early morning frost.

At the bottom of the porch steps, Jane Doe sits, staring at

something in her lap. It’s the framed photo of Nell and her
family. She clutches it tight-

Looking up and gazing out at the remnants of the place she’d

started to call home.

Her hood covers her head, casting shadows across her face-
pale, streaked with tears that she doesn’t bother to wipe
away, hair clinging to her cheeks.

She doesn’t move for a long time.

Just sits there.

 52.

Her shadow is refracted across the steps, the sun shining at

her back- peaking over the house.

Her breath fogs in the air as she clenches her jaw, staring
at it- her knuckles whitening as she SQUEEZES the picture.
CRACK! Accidentally, SHATTERING its glass.

In the distance, a police radio CRACKLES from a patrol car

parked in the driveway.

Jane Doe’s eyes flick to the vehicle, the officer inside

speaking into the receiver on his dashboard, meeting Jane
Doe’s gaze.

Quickly- he looks away, unable to hold her longing eyes. Her

gaze returns to the barn, as she SIGHS.

CUT TO:

INT. CAMMUS - CLASSROOM

Rows of desks are arranged in neat lines, most of them

occupied by students slouched over notebooks or typing away
on laptops. The walls are adorned with a few outdated posters
about study habits and an old chalkboard that hasn’t been
used in years, put to rest with a sheet blanketed over it.

A large whiteboard stretches across the front of the room,

covered in faded ink- the scrawled remnants of earlier notes.
A tired-looking professor stands near it, gesturing
animatedly as he lectures.

On one side of the classroom, tall windows let in sunlight

filtered through half-open blinds.

The soft sound of pages FLIPPING and pens SCRATCHING against

paper mix with the faint whispers of students in the back
gossiping, gesturing to someone sitting in a desk towards the
middle of the room.

The back of their head untied- brown hair flowing their back
in unkempt waves.

Jane Doe’s head.

in a desk towards the middle of the room, slumped slightly,

her chin resting in her hand. She’s taking notes—

Well, she should be.

But her notebook is half-closed in front of her, untouched.

 53.

Her pen dangles loosely from her fingers, occasionally

RAPPING absently against the desk.

Her eyes are distant- staring off into space.

The professor’s voice is mute- as well as the other students

surrounding her, who can’t help but stare, talking about her
behind their back.

But- not making fun of her. Worried, unsure of what to do or

how to help given her usual off-putting demeanor.

However-

A few desks away, another STUDENT- a young woman with brights

eyes and an even more EYE-CATCHING dress... yes- in this
weather, leans in slightly toward her.

STUDENT
(softly)
(whispering)
Hey... you okay?

Jane doesn’t hear her at first-

Her gaze still fixed on nothing...

Then- as if waking from a trance, feeling the girls eyes on

her, she turns her head toward her.

JANE DOE
(murmuring)
What?

Her classmate smiles softly.

STUDENT
I asked if you’re okay.
(beat)
Do you need anything?

Jane stares at her for a moment- then shakes her head, not
hiding her unemotional grin.

JANE DOE
I’m fine.

But her voice betrays her, flat and hollow.

The girl looks like she wants to press further, but the
professor’s voice rises slightly, pulling her attention back
to the lecture.

He notices what was taking place-

 54.

The entire town having heard what happened by now. He look at

Jane Doe... almost saddened.

She looks up, meeting his eyes.

Feeling pitied- she shifts in her seat, her fingers

tightening around the pen.

All the eyes around her seem to focus in, crawling up her
skin.

Unable to take it any longer-

WHAM! She stands up- pulling her satchel around her shoulder
after dropping her notebook and pen inside, weaving in and
out of the desks, STORMING past the professor and out the
door.

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD

Baseball season is just around the corner.

Faded chalk lines linger on the dirt, half-erased by wind and

scattered patches of melting snow. The dugouts are covered in
dust, stray baseballs left forgotten on the ground.

The chain-link fence behind home plate sways slightly, its

loose sections CLINKING.

A few scattered beer cans litter the grass behind it.

The bleachers are empty-

Just how Jane Doe likes it.

She sits alone on the top row of the bleachers, her hood
pulled over her head. Her phone sits in her lap, screen dark,
while she stares at the pitcher’s mound.

She bites her lip- holding back tears.

BZZZZT! Her phone vibrates- startling her. She blinks,

glancing down at the screen, where an incoming text lights
up. She picks it, holding it to her face- reading it:

DEB: ‘You okay? Call if you need anything.’

She hesitates for a moment, her thumb resting on the power

button. Then, with a resigned sigh, she presses it, holding
it down and powering the device off.

She straightens up.

 55.

A faint RUSTLING echoes behind her.

She hears this- glancing over her shoulder. The bleachers

groan softly under her weight as she turns, but-

There’s nothing there.

Jane Doe shifts uneasily, turning back to the field.

She stares at the chalk lines again, her mind wandering,

when.”

MEOW.

She freezes. Her head snaps down- there, at her feet, a small
orange cat brushes against her leg. Its fur matted in several
places, its ribs visible underneath its thin frame.

Jane Doe’s brow furrows.

Does she likes cats?

She doesn’t know.

Hesitantly, she leans down, holding out a tentative hand.

The cat looks up at her with wide, trusting eyes, its tail
flicking. It meows again, louder this time, before nuzzling
against her palm.

Jane smiles just ever-so-faintly.

Then- she remembers something.

She sits up, reaching into her hoodie pocket. From inside,
she pulls out the crumpled flyer she found yesterday— the one
about the missing kitten.

She unfolds it, holding it beside the cat.

It’s the same one.

The cat doesn’t seem to care about its newfound fame- it just
continues rubbing against her leg again, PURRING loudly.

She scoffs in disbelief, tucking the flyer back into her

pocket as she scoops the cat up into her arms.

Behind her-

Footsteps approach.
 56.

She looks up to see Isaac walking toward her, his hands

shoved into his jean pockets. He stops a few feet away,
grinning.

EXT. BASEBALL FIELD

A few minutes later.

Jane Doe sits cross-legged on the top bleacher, the small

orange cat nestled comfortably in her lap. It purrs softly,
curling into a tighter ball as she absently strokes its
matted fur.

Isaac sits casually beside, his posture stiff- his eyes

lingering in the corner of their sockets, watching her
carefully, searching for the right words.

ISAAC
(softly)
You wanna talk about it?

Jane Doe doesn’t look at him-

Just continues to pet the cat.

JANE DOE
What’s there to say?

Isaac’s eyes drift from her face to the cat, which he grins
at- wiggling his nose.

ISAAC
(trying to lighten the
mood)
You’re a cat person now?

JANE DOE
I don’t know what I am.

Again- he’s at a lose for words.

She’s good at that.

Isaac studies her for a moment, then nods toward the cat.

ISAAC
Where’d you find it?

JANE DOE
It found me.

A beat of silence passes between them, the the wind WHISTLING

around them filling them hanging in the air.
 57.

Jane Doe looks down at the cat, her fingers pausing mid-
stroke.

JANE DOE (CONT’D)

I- I saw something...
(beat)
during our last ‘sessions.’

Isaac’s grin fades, replaced by curiosity.

ISAAC
(sitting up)
What did you see?

Jane hesitates.

She swallows hard, her voice dropping.

JANE DOE
...the same thing I saw last night.

Isaac squints- confused.

ISAAC
Wait- you mean?

JANE DOE
Yeah...

She looks up at him- reaching into her satchel, pulling out

an envelope. She hands it to Isaac without saying a word.

He looks down at it, reading the word scrawled across the

front: ‘BUG’.

ISAAC
Who is bug?

Jane Doe SIGHS.

JANE DOE
Me.

Isaac turns it over in his hands, his curiosity peaking as he

examines the handwriting.

ISAAC
You think this...

He trails off, glancing at Jane.

She nods, her jaw tightening.

 58.

JANE DOE
Open it.

Isaac stops- gripping the envelope.

He hesitates, but she gives him a look- one of sadness, as if

she can’t do this herself.

He takes a deep breath- scooting closer to her. He then

carefully TEARS open the envelope, flicking aside the scrapes
of paper sticking to his fingers.

Inside is a single sheet of folded card-stock.

He unfolds it, his eyes scanning the words written across it.

ISAAC
(reading aloud)
‘Bug, I finally found you.’

He pauses, glancing at the bottom of the note.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
Signed... Gabriel.

He looks up at Jane Doe.

She stares down at the paper, her eyes wide.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
Who is Gabriel?

JANE DOE
(looking up)
I think he’s my brother.

Isaac lingers on that thought for a second- his pupils

expanding, like a light bulb turning on.

He flips the paper around, his fingers tracing the envelope

up to the corner, where he points to the senders address-
specifically, the city it came from.

‘DES MOINES, IOWA’

Jane takes the note from him, her fingers brushing against
the address. She turns it over in her hands- looking back at
the name ‘Gabriel.’

She stares at it, her mind racing.

ISAAC
It’s not far. An hour- maybe.
 59.

JANE DOE
(standing)
We’re going.

Isaac leans back, raising an eyebrow.

ISAAC
(looking up)
We?

JANE DOE
(flatly)
Yeah. You’re getting us a ride.

Isaac blinks, narrowing his brow at her- dumbfounded.

ISAAC
What? I don’t drive.

Jane smirks- turning and starting to walk away.

Isaac stands up- following her.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
Are you bringing the cat?

CUT TO:

EXT. APARTMENT - DAY

It’s a fourplex.

Two doors upstairs- two downstairs.

Its once-bright red paint running up the walls has long since
been faded by Gravity’s unpredictable weather.

It doesn’t always snow...

The upstairs landing underneath the top units CREAK- as Jane

Doe and Isaac climb the narrow staircase.

Jane Doe grins.

Isaac wrinkles his nose once again, rubbing his temple as a

the smell of laundry detergent wafts from an open window
aside the complex.

Jane Doe pauses in front of one of the doors, the number ‘3A’
barely hanging on by one crooked nail. Isaac lingers behind
her, foot TAPPING the ground anxiously.

KNOCK! KNOCK!
 60.

ISAAC
How do we know she’s home.

Jane ignores him, knocking again, harder this time.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

From inside, the muffled sound of approaching footsteps grows

louder. The door swings open- revealing...

Jamie -her hair is tousled, she’s wearing an oversized t-

shirt that clearly doesn’t belong to her.

Her face lights up when she sees Jane Doe.

She wraps Jane Doe in a quick hug before pulling back, her
eyes watering... nose SNIFFLING, starting to cry as she turns
and looks at Isaac, wiping her tears, flashing him an
uncomfortable smile.

She looks in Jane Doe’s arms, petting the cat in them atop
the head. She looks up:

JAMIE
What are you guys doing?
(beat)
(trying to think)
Were we all suppose to... hang out?

ISAAC
Just uh- was in the area. Thought
we’d...

Jane Doe cuts him off.

JANE DOE
(interrupting him)
We need to ask you a favor.

Jamie narrows her brow.

Then- a voice calls out from inside the apartment.

VOICE
(muffled)
Jamie? Who is it?

JAMIE
(turning slightly)
It’s-

Before she can finish... Zachary- her boyfriend, steps into

the doorway behind her.
 61.

He’s wearing nothing.

Literally. No shirts. No pants.

Luckily- he has boxers on.

His chiseled abs SMACK Isaac right in the face- which

flushes, pale, his cheeks reddening.

Zachary leans in, planting a SICKING kiss on Jamie’s lips,

before looking out outside at Jane Doe and Issac, leaning
against the doorframe- grinning smugly.

ZACHARY
Who the hell are they?

...really?

Jamie SIGHS- flashing another awkward, apologizing smile at

her friends.

EXT. ROAD

The road out of town is a patchwork of cracks and faded lines

winding through fields dusted with the last remnants of
winter. Sparse trees dot the horizon, their skeletal branches
clawing at the sky. A few scattered clouds drift overhead,
leaving eerie shadows below that race alongside the asphalt.

In the distance, the faint ROAR of an engine grows louder.

VROOM!

Black smoke BELCHES from a SPUTTERING exhaust. A rusted,

beaten shell SPEEDS ahead- flames wrapping around its sides
decals, chipped and uneven.

Its tires SCREECH as it swerves to avoid a pothole- the roar

of the engine and the POP of the muffler annoyingly loud.

ZOOM OUT: it’s a two-door muscle car, barreling down the road
like a... a bat out of hell.

INT. CAR

Zachary white knuckles the wheel- staring down the road, an

overly expensive pair of shades over his eyes.

Around him- the interior is just as chaotic as the exterior.

Fast food wrappers and empty soda cans clutter the floor, and
the faint smell of motor oil and cheap cologne lingers.
 62.

The cramped backseat feels more like a prison cell— too small
for two people, let alone Jane Doe and Isaac, one of their
egos big enough for the both of them.

Jane Doe is squished against the door, her arms crossed

tightly over her chest, trying to put as much distance as
possible between herself and Isaac.

Her efforts are futile; as every sharp turn or bump in the

road sends her sliding back into him.

JANE DOE
(grumbling)
Why is this thing so bumpy?

Isaac long legs are awkwardly folded into the limited space.

ISAAC
(just as annoyed)
Maybe because it’s held together by
duct tape.

Zachary- drowning out their voices, CRANKS up the radio,

BLASTING heavy metal, rocking his head back and forth to the
beat.

JAMIE
(looking back)
(smiling)
You guys doing okay back there?

Jane Doe raises an eyebrow at her, her ears RINGING.

JANE DOE
WHAT?

Jamie turns around, rubbing a hand over Zachary’s arm as she

reaches in and turns the music volume down.

She whips back-

JAMIE
You need a puke bag?

JANE DOE
I’d rather leave it on the seat.

ZACHARY
(smirking in the rearview
mirror)
Don’t worry. She’s got a V8. You’ll
get used to it.
 63.

JANE DOE
(muttering to herself)
I should’ve walked.

Another sharp turn sends Jane Doe sliding into Isaac again,
her shoulder jabbing into his ribs.

ISAAC
(teasing)
Would you stop? You’re making this
weird.

Jane Doe glares at him, nostrils flaring.

JANE DOE
Don’t start.

Then- peaking out from under her hoodie, the orange cat pokes
his head out, looking around. It snuggles up to Jane Doe,
PURRING aloud.

Jane Doe looks over- to a device in Isaac’s lap. The ‘brain

zapper’ helmet they used the day before.

JANE DOE (CONT’D)

Why’d you bring that thing?

ISAAC
(shrugging)
I thought it could come in handy.
You might want to see some more...
(glancing up the front)
(looking back, whispering)
...memories.

Jane Doe shakes her head.

JANE DOE
That’s none of your business.

Isaac opens his mouth to speak- but stops himself, not

wanting to argue.

Jamie, sensing the tension, cheerfully speaks up:

JAMIE
(smiling)
Hey! Road trips are supposed to be
fun. Everyone lighten up.

Jane Doe and Isaac exchange a glance— equally over this,

leaning back in their seats.
 64.

The car HITS another bump, JOLTING them forward before the
rickety muscle car ROARS down the road again.

CUT TO:

INT. DINER - DAY

The room BUZZES with its familiar sounds.

A blend of CLINKING cutlery, MUFFLED conversations, and the

occasional SIZZLE from the kitchen.

The booths along the window are dotted with regulars, their
coffee cups steaming as they chat idly or scribble into a
crossword puzzle.

A young couple sits in the corner, leaning close, their heads

nearly touching as they share a plate of fries.

Behind the counter, Deb moves through the space with

practiced ease, balancing a tray of drinks in one hand and a
serving book in the other.

The bell above the door JINGLES. She glances up and her
expression shifts— surprised.

DEB
Well, look what the cat dragged in.
You clean up nice.

WHIP TO: a burst of cold air sweeping in as a man steps

inside- Flashlight, in his human form. He brushes the cold
from his hands- his face full of scrapes and bruises from
last nights brawl.

He looks around- his eyes scanning the diner.

Behind him, a small boy enters- his son, Gray.

They walk over to Deb, who greets them with a smile, SLAPPING
a couple menus on a table to the side and gesturing for them
to sit.

FLASHLIGHT
(to Deb- smirking)
I figured we’d stop in for a bite.
Heard this place had some pa-zaz.

DEB
(smiling)
Well- you heard right.
(beat)
Go on, take a seat.
 65.

Flashlight nods, guiding Gray into the booth.

He joins him- sitting opposite.

DEB (CONT’D)
So, what’s it going to be?
Pancakes? Eggs?
(beat)
We can do lunch too.

GRAY
DAD, I WANT PANCAKES!

Flashlight apologizes with a smile- looking over the menu.

FLASHLIGHT
Yeah- get him a stack of pancakes.
(beat)
(looking up)
I’ll just have a burger if thats
okay with you. Plain.

DEB
(teasing)
Got it. Like’s his food ‘plain’.
I’ll remember that.

She looks him up and down, the two almost gauging each other-
the sparks waiting to be lit.

FLASHLIGHT
Thanks, Deb.

Deb rubs a hand across his shoulder.

DEB
I’ll be right back with your food-
(leaning in- looking
around)
(whispering)
...flashlight.

She walks away- Flashlight having to catch himself staring.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD

Meanwhile...

The sun hangs low, peeking through a veil of thin clouds,

casting shadows that dance across the street.
 66.

Mailboxes line the curb, their flags upright, waiting for

collection.

The town’s Mailwoman strolls down the sidewalk, her uniform

neat and unstained despite her hours on the job.

She adjusts her knit gloves, tucking a few stray envelopes

under her arm into a mailbox, HUMMING a tune as she walks
along.

As she approaches the next house, where toys litter the front
yard- and a dog usually barks behind the backyard fence. She
looks for them-

The dog, the kids.

But they must be inside...

Or- somewhere else.

She pulls open their mailbox either way, slipping their mail
inside and SHUTTING it close.

Then-

Her attention drifts elsewhere... to a shadow cast across the

lawn.

For some reason, it’s strange.

The tree above her sways faintly in the wind, but the shadow
beneath it doesn’t move.

She pauses, tilting her head.

As she walks to the next house, she doesn’t take her eyes off
of it.

Her hand shakes nervously as she reaches into her bag,

pulling out the next bundle of mail.

...what she doesn’t realize is it’s behind her.

It creeps toward her feet, forming a circle around her. She

doesn’t notice until her shoe falls through, swallowed by
darkness, causing her to stumble forward- all of the mail in
her hands spilling everywhere.

Her breath catches in her throat.

She looks down-

Her face twisted in horror.

 67.

She grabs her leg, trying to pull it up.

But, it doesn’t budge.

Before long- her other foot slips into the shadow, sinking
down like it’s quicksand. She FLAILS- SCREAMING, as the
shadow surges up, covering her mouth, then entire body.

EXT. TOWN

The fountain GURGLES in the heart of town.

Beside it- on one of two benches on either side, a familiar

elderly couple their hands clasped together as they share a
quiet moment.

The man leans over, planting a soft kiss on his wife’s cheek.
She laughs, her wrinkles deepening as she swats at him
playfully.

ZOOM OUT: to the road. Which is oddly less populated than the
day before.

Where is everyone?

A shadow stretches along the ground behind the couple’s bench-

subtle at first, but then it grows.

It crawls up the legs of the bench, creeping closer.

The woman shivers, looking over her shoulder.

WOMAN
Did you feel that?

The man looks up, shaking his head- distracted as he fishes

for something in his coat pocket.

MAN
Feel what?

The shadows under them grows bolder. It wraps around the

bench, slithering between their linked hands.

The woman looks down- GASPING.

She YANKS her hand away, but it’s too late.

The shadow GRABS the mans arm- pulling him backwards. She
gabs on to him, trying to save him. But, in the blink of an
eye, both of them are gone- swept into a black void without a
sound.
 68.

INT. CAMPUS - CLASSROOM

A hand scribbles equations across a whiteboard.

The professor- from Jane Doe’s class earlier, is engrossed in

his work, pausing and stepping back to stare at the letters
and numbers, biting his lip.

Behind him, rows of seats sit vacant save for a single

forgotten notebook left on a desk.

TIGHT ON: a black spot on the whiteboard. The professor’s

eyes drift over, noticing it.

He grabs the eraser sat on the boards shelf, wiping it away.

But it doesn’t erase.

Instead- as he swipes over it, on the other side it looks

bigger.

He stares at it- squinting.

He reaches with his finger, making an attempt to wipe it away

once more. But, that too doesn’t work.

And then- the strangest thing happens.

No one could see this coming.

...it moves.

He JUMPS back- taken aback.

PROFESSOR
(under his breath)
What on earth?

The black dot- now a large circle, expands.

The professor furrows his brow, stepping to the side and

looking at it from another angle.

What is it?

The shadow- of course.

It ripples- feeding his curiosity.

He raises his hand again, poking it. Waves of black PULSATE

around the spot his finger touch, like water.

Then- wanting to try again. He goes to touch it.

 69.

But this time, he uses his whole hand. It sinks into the
blackness, down to his elbow.

He laughs to himself- smiling.

But that quickly fades.

He tries to pull his arm free- but can’t. Again, he tries-

but he’s stuck. He puts a foot against the wall, using his
momentum to kick backwards.

CRACK! Then- his arm snaps, something on the otherside of the

circle- the shadow, bending the opposite direction.

He SCREAMS.

EXT. CLOUDY SKY

ARIAL VIEW: of the small town.

Gravity, Iowa.

The streets below are noticeably quieter.

Emptier.

Cars sit parked along the curbs, some even left abandoned in
the street.

Again- where did everyone go?

CUT TO:

INT. CAR

TIGHT ON: Jane Do slumped in the cramped backseat, asleep-

her head resting against the cold window. The orange cat is
curled up in her lap, eyes closed as well.

She can finally catch up on some sleep.

If the numbskulls around her would let her have peace.

JAMIE
(sharply)
You didn’t even TRY- Isaac!

ISAAC
(rolling his eyes)
Oh, here we go. I didn’t try?
(scoffs)
Really?
 70.

Jane Doe’s eyes groggily blink as the argument grows louder.

She adjusts herself, stroking the cat’s fur, trying to drown
it out and get a couple more precious minutes.

JAMIE
I’m just saying— you don’t get to
blame me for braking up with you
when all you cared about was—

ISAAC
(interrupting)
When all I cared about was what,
Jamie? My future? You mean
something other than you?

Jane Doe’s head tips toward the small window, opening her
eyes- tuning them out entirely.

Outside, towering skyscrapers emerge on the horizon, cutting

jagged lines against the gray sky.

She sits up.

Their here.

EXT. CAR - DAY

The black muscle car ZOOMS down an expansive highway, the

city of Des Moines sprawling ahead. Its skyline dominates the
landscape, glass and steel reflecting the patches of sunlight
that breakthrough the clouds.

Billboards line the road- advertising everything from fast

food chains to crooked lawyers.

A few worn-down signs point to upcoming exits- one in which

the car’s engine ROARS toward as Zachary changes lanes,
speeding past a minivan that honks in protest.

INT. CAR

The city fills the entire window.

Jane Doe stares out at it.

ISAAC
(sarcastically)
(to Jamie)
Yeah, this is the perfect time to
rehash all of this.
 71.

Jamie glances back at Jane Doe, her face flushed with

irritation.

JAMIE
(to Isaac)
You’re impossible.
(beat)
Right Jane?

Isaac scoffs, looking out his own window as Jane Doe finally
speaks up, her tone flat.

JANE DOE
Shut up. Both of you.

JAMIE
(turning to her)
(voice softening)
Sorry.

Jane Doe flicks her brow, letting the comment hang as she
shifts her focus back to the window.

In the front, on the dashboard- the GPS BEEPS! Signaling

another upcoming turn.

The car veers off the exit onto a narrower street, the
skyscrapers giving way to an older, poorer part of the city.

EXT. BUILDING

The car pulls up to a rusted, iron gate.

Its once grand design is now peeling, a thick layer of grime

covering it. A lock sits on its crooked posts, its metal
broken- a gap between it and the other side.

But it’s still locked.

Beyond it, a large, decrepit building looms. It towers over

the surrounding area, its windows shattered or boarded up.
Vines crawl up its cracked façade, wrapping around its ledges
like nature reclaiming its land.

INT. CAR

The GPS BEEPS once more.

Zachary looks down at it- its illuminated screen flashing

text that reads: ‘ARRIVED’.
 72.

He leans forward- looking up out of the front windshield,

squinting through the harsh rays of light.

JAMIE
This place looks like a horror
movie.

ZACHARY
(to Jane Doe)
I think you got cat-fished.

Jamie nudges him.

JAMIE
Just go.

ZACHARY
(defensively)
(pointing to the gate)
There’s a gate right there. Unless
you want me to drive through it.

He grins- sitting back in his seat, glancing up at Jane Doe

through the rear view mirror.

She- in the backseat, reaches into the front over the driver
side door, pulling the handle.

Before Zachary can protest, she pulls the lever on the side
of his seat and SHOVES it forward, SQUISHING him against the
steering wheel.

EXT. CAR

Jane Doe steps out, looking up at the building in thought as

she walks over to the gate, SLAMMING the car door.

Reaching into her satchel, she pulls out a familiar set of

tools- a slim tension wrench and pick.

Once a thief, always a thief.

She glances over her shoulder into the car at Isaac, Jamie
and Zachary staring at her.

SIGHING- she turns around, crouching down in front of the

gate’s lock and inserting her tools.

It takes a minute- a couple CLICKS and CLINKS but eventually

it POPS open.

Yeah... she’s still got it.

 73.

The gate CREAKS as she PUSHES it open.

Zachary lets off the break, and the car ROLLS through.

CUT TO:

INT. BUILDING

The two front door CREAKS open, revealing a grand decayed

entryway. Once polished hardwood floors are warped- cracked
and littered with debris.

Two massive, crumbling staircases dominates both sides of the

room- its banisters splintered and unsafe.

Cobwebs drape the high arching beams hanging from the ceiling
like forgotten decorations. Mildew and dust float in the air,
making it thick and hard to breathe.

Someone COUGHS.

WHIP TO: Isaac- clearing this throat. He holds a flashlight

in his hand, SHINING it around- the beam cutting through a
dim haze hovering above the floor.

Jamie follows, clutching her phone in flashlight mode. Each

step she takes inside the threshold is cautious, looking
around- uneasy.

JAMIE
(tightly)
You sure we need to do this?

Jane Doe is the last to enter. She pauses in the doorway

behind Jamie, her eyes scanning every detail of the room.

Whoops- almost forget Zachary.

He POPS out from behind Jane Doe- holding a flashlight under

his chin.

ZACHARY
(to Jamie)
You scared?

He laughs to himself- not bothering to join him

Jamie crosses her arms, turning away from him and stepping
beside Jane Doe, who shines her own flashlight between the
staircases.

There- a dark corridor sits before another another double

door. It’s ajar- one of its hinges completely missing.
 74.

Still at the front of the room, Isaac kneels near a crumpled

desk. He brushes away years of dust- revealing faded gold
letters beneath it, spelling out something illegible.

ISAAC
Place probably looked nice. Once.
(standing up)
(shining his flashlight)
The only thing scary about this
place is asbestos.

He shines his light to the ceiling, where dark spots of mold

fester in the corners. He passes over a broken chandelier
hanging from the ceiling, a bunch of its crystals missing or
shattered on the floor below.

CRUNCH! Zachary looks down, having stepped on one.

INT. BUILDING - ROOM

Somewhere far into building, the group ventures deeper- it a

maze of sorts.

A beam of light enters one room, looking over it. Jane Doe
steps inside, glancing at the walls.

They’re... colorful.

As if designed for children.

At-least they use to be.

Tattered posters cling to the peeling wallpaper. Jane Doe

squints at them, trailing her fingers along the wall.

Her flashlight beam rests on a child’s handprint, smeared in

light blue on the wall.

She’s been here before.

She continues investigating the room, going to the otherside,

where a wooden chest is tucked under a metal frame.

She places the flashlight in her mouth, crouching down and

pulling out the chest, kneeling in front of it.

In an TARANTINO-ESC trunk shot- it opens up, Jane Doe staring

down into it, eyes fixed on what’s inside.

Toys- their colors muted by dust.

Jane Doe reaches in, picking up a small doll with one missing
eye and shakes her head.
 75.

Creepy.

Then- from another room:

ISAAC
(shouting)
(urgent)
JANE- you need to come look at
this. NOW.

INT. BUILDING - HALLWAY

Jane Doe RUSHES into the hall, nearly tripping.

Isaac, Jamie and Zachary all stand facing a wall- shining

their lights at it.

There- they stare a line of picture frames.

TIGHT ON: one, as Jane Doe steps beside Isaac, who gestures
to it. It’s an old black-and-white photo... of children
standing beside each other like picture day.

She turns- looking at Isaac, confused.

He presses his lips into a thin line, swallowing hard before

reaching up and clearing a layer of dirt at the top of the
picture.

Jane Doe looks back- eyes widening.

It says something:

‘LITTLE’S ORPHANAGE’

CUT TO:

INT. DINER - DAY

Dinner rush is about over- the sun is starting to set

outside, a warm orange tints filling the room.

The jukebox adds a nostalgic charm to this.

Flashlight, still in his human form- sits with his son, Gray,
finishing the last bites of their meal. Gray licks syrup off
his fingers, his stack of pancakes wiped out.

Deb walks over with their check, balancing it on the edge of

the table with her usual easy smile.
 76.

DEB
Well, I hope that hit the spot.

FLASHLIGHT
(smiling)
Plainest burger I’ve ever had.

Deb raises an eyebrow, smirking.

DEB
Is that a compliment?

Flashlight chuckles as Gray chimes in, grinning through a

mouthful of orange juice:

GRAY
He’s lame.

Deb laughs, leaning over them- especially Flashlight, and

starting to clear their plates.

DEB
(teasing)
Yeah... I think I’m going to have
to agree with you there.

She gives Flashlight a pointed look before retreating to the

kitchen, leaving the check on the table.

Flashlight glances at it, fishing out a few bills from his

wallet as Gray leans in closer.

GRAY
(whispering)
You like her, don’t you?

Flashlight pauses, his fingers freezing over the money.

FLASHLIGHT
(scoffing)
What are you talking about?

Gray grins knowingly.

GRAY
You should ask her out.

FLASHLIGHT
Gray—

GRAY
I’m just saying! She’s totally into
you.
 77.

Flashlight takes a deep breath, setting down the money on top

of the check and standing up.

FLASHLIGHT
I’ve got a lot more things to worry
about.

EXT. DINER

Flashlight and Gray step outside.

It’s so much more quiet than usual.

The sidewalks are empty, save for a few parked cars and the
occasional RUSTLING leaves.

The late afternoon sun does little to push back the growing
shadows cast along the storefronts.

Gray trots a few steps ahead, his sneakers splashing in a

shallow puddle. Flashlight lingers behind, looking back over
his shoulder at the diner.

GRAY
(practically begging)
You should do it, Dad.

FLASHLIGHT
Do what?

GRAY
Ask her out. You’re always saying
you have to be brave.

Flashlight sighs, scratching the back of his head.

FLASHLIGHT
You’re not gonna let this go, are
you?

Gray shakes his head, smiling.

Flashlight stops- looking around. He doesn’t notice anything

different about the street, too distracted.

FLASHLIGHT (CONT’D)
Tell you what-
(beat)
If I do this... you have to fly
tomorrow. By yourself.

Gray furrows his brow, thinking.

 78.

But it’s a no brainer.

GRAY
DEAL!

Flashlight SIGHS.

FLASHLIGHT
Okay. Stay right here.

Gray smiles in silent victory as Flashlight turns on his heel

and heads back.

Although- just before he does, an unseen silhouette darts

across the sidewalk, coming from the direction of the diner.

EXT. DINER

TIGHT ON: the bell above the door RINGING once again.

Flashlight steps inside, glancing toward the counter.

Silence.

The diner is empty.

Plates still sit on tables, half-eaten meals growing cold. A

coffee pot steams idly on the burner, bubbling faintly in the
background.

Flashlight steps further in, his brow furrowing as his eyes

sweep the room.

FLASHLIGHT
(yelling into the kitchen)
DEB?

His voice echoes slightly in the stillness.

TIGHT ON: the coffee pot, the liquid inside trembling

slightly.

There’s a subtle movement in the corner of Flashlight’s eye.

He turns sharply toward it.

Nothing.

She’s gone.

CUT TO:
 79.

INT. BUILDING

Dust motes swirl in the air, illuminated by the beams of

flashlights different directions-

Jane Doe sits on the floor- back leaning against the wall,
her arms crossed tightly over her knees pulled to her chest.
She stares ahead blankly.

Isaac and Jamie stand on opposite sides of the wall, pacing

back and forth.

Zachary pushes a rocking horse at the end of the hall,

listening to the sound of it CREAK each time he does in
entertainment.

JAMIE
(half-whispering)
I told you this was a bad idea.

ISAAC
(sarcastic)
Yeah, because your ideas always
work out so great.

Jamie stops- stepping closer to him.

JAMIE
Excuse me?

ISAAC
You heard what I said.

JAMIE
(to Isaac)
Maybe if you stopped acting like
you know everything—

ISAAC
(cutting her off)
And maybe if you stopped running
your mouth—

JANE DOE
(whipping around)
(snapping)
WOULD YOU TWO QUIT IT?

Her voice cuts through the dusty air like a whip, startling
them both into silence.

She stands up, brushing her hands on her jeans.

 80.

JANE DOE (CONT’D)

Get a room. Damn.

This somehow draws Zachary’s attention, everything else going

in one ear and out the other.

He walks closer, feeling left out.

Jamie glares at Isaac but doesn’t say another word. Isaac

folds his arms, his jaw tightening as he looks away.

Jane Doe exhales sharply.

ISAAC
What now?

Isaac glances at her.

She looks up at him.

JANE DOE
(to Isaac)
I want to use it.

ISAAC
(confused)
What?

JANE DOE
The... the brain zapper.
(beat)
Go, get it.

Isaac’s brow furrows.

ISAAC
Are you sure?

JANE DOE
(100%)
(wanting to find answers)
Yes.

INT. BUILDING - ROOM

In another room in the building- one with a bit more space,

Jane Doe sits in middle of it on a rickety wooden chair that
looks like it could give out at any second.

The floorboards beneath her CREAKS as she shifts her weight.

Her posture is stiff, her hands gripping the edges of the

seat tightly, just like she did the stool.
 81.

The orange cat circles her feet, brushing against her legs
before settling just out of reach, its vertical slit eyes
fixed on her.

Isaac kneels in front of Jane Doe, methodically adjusting the

wires and dials on the helmet atop her head.

Jamie stands in the doorway, her arms folded protectively

over her chest. She chews on her bottom lip, her gaze darting
between Isaac and Jane Doe. Zachary leans casually against
the wall behind her, disinterested.

ISAAC
(half-joking)
Last chance to back out.

JANE DOE
Isaac. Stop.

Jamie takes a hesitant step forward.

JAMIE
What exactly are you going to do to
her?

ISAAC
(buckling strap under Jane
Doe’s chin)
The device on her head
sends low-frequency electrical
impulses to the hippocampus and
amygdala areas of her brain, those
associated with memory and
emotional processing.
(gesturing to the wires)
By stimulating those regions, it
theoretically can trigger latent
memories or even amplify those
already present in her
subconscious.
(pausing, looking at
Jamie)
Think of it like jump-starting a
car.

JAMIE
(raising an eyebrow)
Will it hurt?

Jane Doe looks at Jamie.

JANE DOE
I’ll be fine, Jamie.
 82.

Zachary steps closer- intrigued.

ZACHARY
Can I try?

Isaac FLICKS a switch on the side of the helmet, ignoring

that comment.

The lights on the helmet brighten steadily, a low WHIRR

building as tiny arcs of electricity spark along the wires.

Jane Doe’s closes her eyes.

Her breathing slows as she leans back.

JAMIE
(whispering)
Is it working?

Isaac holds up a hand, focused on the helmet.

ISAAC
Give it a second...

The lights on the device FLICKER erratically, growing

brighter until—

The room begins to distort.

FLASHBACK

INT. KITCHEN

The soft CLINK of silverware on plates echoes a younger

version of Jane Doe, maybe 6 years old, sits at a table, her
legs swinging beneath her chair, CHOMPING on a spoon full of
grits.

Across from her, a young boy, around 8- shovels cereal into

his mouth. His messy hair falls into his eyes as he grins at
her.

YOUNG GABRIEL
(teasing)
Slow down, Bug, or you’ll choke.

Little Jane Doe giggles, sticking her tongue out at him

before taking an exaggeratedly slow bite of her toast.

Their LAUGHTER fills the room, but it’s abruptly cut off—

A distant SLAM.
 83.

Both children freeze.

The boy instinctively reaches for her hand.

YOUNG JANE
(whispering)
Is it him?

The boy’s face hardens, his carefree grin disappearing.

YOUNG GABRIEL
(sternly)
Stay here.

He stands, his small shoulders squared as he walks toward the

kitchen window.

He SLIDES over a chair from the table, pushing it against the

sink and hopping onto it.

On his tippy-toes he leans in, cupping his hand over the

glass as he peers out.

YOUNG JANE
Do you see him?

Young Gabriel turns, his eyes wide with fear.

YOUNG GABRIEL
Run.

END FLASHBACK

INT. BUILDING - ROOM

TIGHT ON: the brain zapper. It’s smoking.

Isaac WAVES his hand over it violently, trying to cool it

down.

Jane Doe is unconscious- her eyes rolled back into her head.
Her body JERKS in the chair, her fists nearly SNAPPING the
wooden arms off of it.

Jamie holds her hands over her mouth.

Isaac SCRAMBLES to adjust the dials on-top of the helmet, but

nothing’s working.

ISAAC
It’s overheating—
 84.

JAMIE
(about to cry)
TURN IT OFF!

Isaac’s finger reach for the same switch he used to turn it

on.

But, before he does-

JANE DOE
(still unconscious)
NO!
(a deep breath)
Keep going...

Isaac looks down at her, then to Jamie- unsure of what to do.

He grits his teeth, shaking his head as he steps back beside

Jamie, who unconsciously grabs his hand as they accidentally
touch, scared.

Zachary notices this- frowning.

Then- WHIP: back into a-

FLASHBACK

INT. HOUSE

The scene re-stabilizes.

The playful atmosphere is gone.

Gabriel stands frozen in the middle of the room, his chest

HEAVING. His wide eyes are fixed on the floor.

The room is silent.

What happened?

YOUNG GABRIEL
(whispering)
Bug...?

PAN DOWN: to a dark pool of blood spreading across the floor,

encircling Young Jane’s body.

Her small frame lies crumpled, unmoving...

Gabriel takes a shaky step back, his bare feet leaving faint
red imprints on the carpet.

An adult voice behind him SHOUTS:

 85.

ADULT (O.S.)
WHAT DID YOU DO?!

Gabriel’s head snaps up, his face pale.

His lips part, but no sound escapes.

Somewhere else in the room, a rotary phone hangs off the

hook, its spiraled cord swinging back and forth.

ADULT (O.S.) (CONT’D)

(frantic, sobbing into the
phone)
My daughter—she’s hurt. She’s
unconscious.

The voice cracks, trembling with fear and disbelief.

ADULT (O.S.) (CONT’D)

(stammering)
I... I-I think my son, Gabriel...
did something to her.

He’s lying.

PAN TO: Gabriel, standing in the doorway.

His face is expressionless.

Behind him- TIGHT ON: his shadow on the wall.

It... starts to move.

His pupils- they start to slowly darken, his iris leaking a

black liquid into the whites of his eyes.

Gabriel’s shadow stretches along the walls, enveloping

everything it touches.

It twists unnaturally- growing LARGER and DARKER.

His face turns- staring at... us.

Then-

The room is smothered in black.

In it- CRASH!

GLASS SHATTERS. SOMETHING SNAPS.

The adult voice SCREAMS, piercing the chaos, then-

SILENCE.
 86.

END FLASHBACK

INT. BUILDING - ROOM

Jane Doe’s eyes SNAP open.

The helmet powers down with a faint WHINE, smoke rising from
its overheating circuits.

Isaac rushes to remove it, his hands trembling.

ISAAC
What did you see?!

She looks at him- nostrils flaring.

JANE DOE
Gabriel.

CUT TO:

EXT. TOWN - NIGHT

While that’s happening.

The streets of Gravity are eerily still. Distorted shadows

stretch across the cracked pavement- blah, blah, blah.

TIGHT ON: a section of brick wall on one of the buildings,

its surface weathered and stained with graffiti. A faint
ripple moves across the wall— almost imperceptible at first.

Then, it PEELS away.

It- a shadow, detaches itself from the surface like black

ink, defying gravity as it curls into the air.

The shape writhes and expands- mixing together until taking

the shape of a man once again, tall and broad-shouldered.

It steps forward- its feet unable to touch the ground,

leaving no imprint on the cracked pavement.

PAN AROUND: it, as the blackness enveloping the shadow-man

begins to slither back into itself, revealing something
behind it.

Slowly, piece by piece, details emerge.

First, a dark, tattered trench coat swaying in the breeze.

 87.

PAN UP: to a sharp jawline, hollowed cheeks, and piercing,

dark eyes. His pupils shimmer like obsidian, reflecting the
faint glow of the streetlights.

Gabriel.

Just like in the flashback, he stares menacingly ahead...

Right at us.

CUT TO:

INT. STORE

The front of the store is barren.

Shelves, half-stocked with stale snacks and dusty canned

goods, are deserted. A single cart sits abandoned, one wheel
turned at an odd angle.

It’s like everyone got up and left.

A thief could walk right in and take whatever they want.

Flashlight, in human form, SPEED-WALKS down an aisle, his

head ducking up and down as he searches for something.

Gray lingers behind him, his small legs doing their best to
catch up.

His dad moves without thought, stepping over the disarray. A

toppled box of cereal catches his eye, spilling colorful
loops across the floor.

GRAY
(whispering)
Where is everyone?

Flashlight doesn’t answer. He glances back at him, his jaw

tightening.

FLASHLIGHT
Stay close.

He motions for his little hand, grabbing it. He then turns

into another aisle, stopping in front of one of the shelves.

The fluorescent lights above them shine down on them like any
other day.
 88.

Flashlight reaches for a row of water bottles, grabbing a

couple, slinging a bag off his shoulder and tucking them into
it. Gray picks up a box of candy, hesitating before sliding
it into his pocket.

GRAY
(softly)
I’m tired. Can we go home?

FLASHLIGHT
Soon, Junior. I promise.

Gray frowns.

In another aisle- Flashlight grabs a box of light bulbs,

extension cords and pack of lighters.

INT. GARAGE

It’s a graveyard of unfinished projects and discarded ideas.

Wires spill out of cardboard boxes and tools clutter every
surface. An old radio is STATIC in the background, its signal
lost.

TIGHT ON: a hand SIFTING through scattered blueprints and

loose screws.

ZOOM OUT: to Flashlight, raiding Isaac’s house.

Whose the thief now?

Behind him, Gray stands in the doorway- holding his arm out
in front of him, his hand outstretched.

His palms... they’re glowing.

Illuminating the room like a-

Flashlight.

He moves to the computer, looking under and around the

workbench. His hand brushes against a cup- accidentally
knocking it over, spilling brown liquid across the table and
onto the floor.

Quickly, Flashlight looks around, searching for something to

soak it up in. His head races back and forth-

THERE! He grabs a nearby cloth hiding behind the computer.

As he lifts it to clean he made-

He sees it.
 89.

What he was looking for.

A sleek, metallic device. Its cylindrical body gleaming.

Coiled wires wrap around it, leading to a glowing electrical
core that pulses with lightning- a rod.

Gray steps closer, his eyes widening.

GRAY
What is it?

FLASHLIGHT
(not taking his eyes off
it)
Something I had Isaac working on
for me.

Flashlight tosses the cloth on the ground, using his foot to

run it over the spill.

Then- he grabs the rod.

INT. ATTIC

Golden light fills the small space.

Lightbulbs- like, a WHOLE LOT of them, hang in a haphazard

web across the low ceiling, their brightness piercing every
shadow.

ZOOM OUT: to Flashlight tightens the last bulb, stepping back

and double-checking there’s no cracks or fractures of light.

Gray sits cross-legged on a pile of blankets, watching him.

On top of all the lightbulbs- a dozen candles or so are set

around Gray, creating even more light.

Flashlight looks at his son, taking a deep breath.

FLASHLIGHT
These lights will keep you safe.
Nothing can touch you here.

GRAY
(quietly)
What about you?

Flashlight crouches in front of him, placing a firm hand on

his shoulder.
 90.

FLASHLIGHT
Don’t worry about me. Just remember
what I told you.

He reaches into his bag, pulling out the metallic device.

Gray’s eyes widen as Flashlight places it carefully in his
hands.

FLASHLIGHT (CONT’D)
(pointing to a button)
If you see this move...
(pointing to his shadow on
the wall)
...press this button. Okay?

Gray nods, his grip tightening on the device. Flashlight

ruffles his hair before standing.

GRAY
Dad?

Flashlight looks down.

GRAY (CONT’D)
Don’t let the villain capture you.

Flashlight smiles.

FLASHLIGHT
I won’t.

CUT TO:

EXT. CORNFIELDS - NIGHT

A vast expanse of frostbitten corn stalks stretch out in all

directions. The stalks, brittle and lifeless, rattle against
one another as a cold wind WHIPS through the field.

Snow blankets the ground underneath them- the seasons last

snow starting to fall from the clouds. ZZZZZT! Electricity
crackles inside them, a blinding light shooting down into the
earth from within.

THUD!

It’s Flashlight.

He lands with force. His radiant glow back- peering through

each crack in the plants surrounding him.

The snow landing on his skin melts as soon as it touches him.

 91.

He looks around- narrowing his eyes.

It’s here.

Suddenly, the air shifts.

The of the wind disappears.

Shadows converge on the area- stretching to the edges of the

field and twisting toward the center. They ripple and churn,
seeping between the stalks like a garden snake.

The darkness pools at the center of the clearing created by

Flashlight’s arrival.

It stops.

A form begins to take shape inside of it. Tendrils coil

upward, converging into the tall silhouette of a man. The
figure solidifies- revealing Gabriel.

Flashlight stands before him, staring.

FLASHLIGHT
What do you want?

GABRIEL
You know what I want.

FLASHLIGHT
Why?
(beat)
Who is she to you?

GABRIEL
That’s none of your business,
glowstick.

FLASHLIGHT
Where are they?

GABRIEL
Who?

FLASHLIGHT
(raising his voice)
You know damn well who i’m talking
about.
(glowing brighter the more
he gets angry)
You slaughtered a whole town.

GABRIEL
They’re not dead.
 92.

Gabriel raises an eyebrow.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
But I can change that.

Flashlight digs his foot into the ground.

FLASHLIGHT
Try me.

GABRIEL
Oh- I could.
(beat)
We both know how that went lsat
time.

Flashlight clinches his fist.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
How about I make you a deal?

Flashlight scoffs.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
Bring me my sister and I’ll let
them go.

Flashlight furrows his brow- taking in the new information.

He stares at Gabriel- thinking.

FLASHLIGHT
How do I know you’re not bluffing?

GABRIEL
Because we wouldn’t be having this
conversation.

He’s right.

FLASHLIGHT
(considering it)
I... I don’t even know where she
is.

GABRIEL
She’s on her way.

Flashlight grins- his eyes flicking to something behind

Gabriel.

Gabriel just barely catches this, looking over his shoulder.

Whatever it is-
 93.

It HISSES.

A sparkle of light approaching them on the ground.

TIGHT ON: it- a flaming fuse, sparking as it travels down a

wire, making its way behind one of the corn stalks, where a
gas can is tipped over, hiding.

BOOM!

Flames ERUPT. The dried corn stalks surrounding the clearing

ignite, the fire spreading rapidly in a ring around both of
them.

The fire burns Gabriel’s skin, causing his form to distort

and blend back into shadows.

Flashlight leaps through the blaze, STRIKING Gabriel with a

GLOWING fist that sends him staggering.

Gabriel’s form SHUDDERS violently- recoiling.

But- his shadows retaliate.

They SURGE upward in a massive wave, snuffing out parts of

the fire as envelop Flashlight.

He’s thrown backward with immense force, CRASHING through the

corn stalks. Snow and dirt EXPLODE upward as he SKIDS to a
halt, balancing himself.

Gabriel reforms amidst the dancing flames, his own human form
an after thought.

He extends an arm- SENDING a massive tendril of darkness

across the clearing, SLAMMING into Flashlight, sending him
tumbling back once again, not allowing him time to recover.

But, he does.

He floats up, diving into the ground.

There- a shimmering portal of light opens up in a pulsating

ball, which he pushes through.

Gabriel- on guard, doesn’t even notice the portal opening up

behind him... Which Flashlight FLIES out of, grabbing him on
the way up.

He SOARS into the sky, holding onto the black shadow with all
his might. Then- as he rises above the clouds-

He drops him.
 94.

Gabriel PLUMMETS through the icy clouds, his shadowy form

tearing apart and reforming as he falls. Below, the roaring
flames of the cornfield reflect off the snow.

Gabriel twists mid-fall, his shadowy tendrils snapping out to

anchor themselves against the empty sky. They twist and fold
like black whips, slowing his descent just enough for him to
regain control.

Flashlight ZIPS toward him, his glow cutting through the cold
night like a comet. Electricity CRACKLE off his body,
spiraling outward as he accelerates.

With a sharp SNAP, he slings one tendril upward, catching

Flashlight mid-dive and PULLING him downward with him.

But- Flashlight, who was already trailing him, JERKS back,

causing Gabriel to SHOOT back up- straight into Flashlight’s
foot, which connects with his jaw.

He drives it across his face, all the way into the ground,
creating a massive crater.

That’s the second one in town.

The impact sends a shockwave rippling outward, extinguishing

parts of the encircling fire and flattening the nearby corn
stalks.

Gabriel, his form flickering between man and shadow,

stretches his tendrils outward like wings, gathering strength
from the surrounding darkness.

Flashlight's glow intensifies, his feet hovering just above

the ground as he rises up.

He CHARGES forward, fists GLOWING like miniature suns.

Gabriel counters, his tendrils STRIKING the earth with enough

force to split it open. Shadow and light collide in a
BLINDING EXPLOSION, the shockwave bigger than the last.

Flashlight SLAMS a fist into Gabriel’s chest, sending the

shadow-man hurtling backward once again.

He steps forward- going to finish him when-

A faint crackling sound echoes above him.

He looks up-

Gray appears, his small figure outlined in an golden aura;

not his entire body, like his dad- but just tracing his
figure, like a super-saiyan.
 95.

His eyes widen at the sight of Gabriel standing up in a black

mass.

FLASHLIGHT
Gray? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Flashlight turns, looking into the cornfield.

Gabriel snarls, rising up in a glob of darkness. He looks up

at his son, smiling.

Flashlight TAKES OFF toward his son-

FLASHLIGHT (CONT’D)
RUN!

But, he doesn’t make it.

Gabriel LASHES a tendril at Gray, sending the young boy

TOPPLING into the field.

His light goes out as he rolls to stop.

Flashlight ROARS.

He launches himself forward, tackling Gabriel to the ground.

Gabriel twists and writhes beneath him, his shadows clawing

at the ground and reforming faster than they can be struck
down. One of them even wrapping around his neck, SQUEEZING
it.

It lifts him into the air, allowing Gabriel to stand.

He CLAMPS down, strangling him.

SLLPPHT!

A shadow tendril DRIVES through his back, his flow

FLICKERING.

GABRIEL
You should’ve took the deal.

JANE DOE (O.S.)

GABRIEL!

Gabriel freezes.

About time.

His dark pupils narrow as he turns toward the voice. His grip
on Flashlight loosens- distracted, causing the hero to drop
down onto the snow, GASPING for air.
 96.

His form dissipates- turning back human.

A flashlight beam slices through the corn stalks and swirling

smoke from the fire. Jane Doe steps out into a clearing,
looking at her brother for the first time.

Behind her, Isaac and Jamie SPRINT into view, breathless and
frantic.

Gabriel stares at her, looking her up and down.

GABRIEL
Hey, Bug.

JANE DOE
Don’t call me that.

GABRIEL
(mocking)
Okay- ‘JANE’.

Jane Doe SIGHS.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
Look at you-
(beat)
You’re all grown up now.

Jane Doe stiffens, her flashlight Trembling slightly in her

hands.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
I wasn’t sure you’d come.
(laughing)
Really didn’t think you’d go all
the way to Des Moines- god I hate
that city. Wish we never got sent
there.

JANE DOE
I know what you did.

GABRIEL
Oh? And here I thought you lost
your memory.
(beat)
Go ahead then- tell me.
(another beat)
What did I do?

Jane Doe swallows hard.

JANE DOE
You killed our parents.
 97.

Gabriel raises an eyebrow.

GABRIEL
(chuckling)
You’re half right.
(beat)
But I didn’t do it because i’m some
psycho-path who... who gets off on
this shit.

He takes a step toward her.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
I did it for you.

Jane Doe narrows her eyes.

JANE DOE
You have some incest fantasy?

GABRIEL
You’ve changed.
(looking her up and down
again)
Whatever- ‘happened’
(tapping his head)
to you. It sharpened your tongue.

JANE DOE
I’m not a little girl anymore.

GABRIEL
You are to me, Bug.

JANE DOE
I said don’t call me that.

Gabriel laughs mockingly.

GABRIEL
What are you going to do? Arrest
me?
(referring to her chosen
college degree- criminal
justice)

JANE DOE
You deserve much worse than that.

GABRIEL
(yelling)
FOR WHAT?
(beat)
Protecting you?
 98.

The ground beneath them trembles as Gabriel’s shadows lash

out from his back.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
I was trying to protect you that
night.
(beat)
I- I didn’t do it- I told them
that.

Jane Doe watches as his eyes grow dark, his pupils flooding
with a black shadowy substance.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
But who’s going to believe an 8
year old kid?
(beat)
That’s why I had to. Or else he’d
do it again and I wouldn’t be there
to save you.

His words hang in the air- his words, painful and venom.

He drops his head, looking into the ground.

JANE DOE
Doesn’t give you the right to hurt
the people I care about.

He takes another step closer to her, his body half submerged

into the shadow at this point.

GABRIEL
BUT I’M YOUR FAMILY! NOT THEM.
(beat)
YOU- YOU FORGOT I EVEN EXISTED! YOU
ABANDONED ME.

Jane Doe turns, looking at Isaac and Jamie sneaking around to

Gray lying on the ground a couple feet away.

Flashlight, barely recovered- pulls himself to his feet, his

glow reigniting. He pushes forward, limping- positioning
himself between Jane Doe and Gabriel.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
You know, it wasn’t hard to find
you.
(smirking)
At first I couldn’t believe it. My
long lost sister made the front
page news in some backwater town
just down the road.
(MORE)
 99.
GABRIEL (CONT’D)
(beat)
I call that luck.

Jane Doe blinks, her breath hitching.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
But then I found you...

JANE DOE
Sorry to disappoint.

GABRIEL
My sister might as well be dead.
(beat)
What a lovely idea I thought.

JANE DOE
So- you’re just going to forget
about the whole ‘i’m not a serial
killer’ bit.

Gabriel smiles.

GABRIEL
...just like you forgot me.

He SWELLS into a large black mass, his human body sinking

into a black void as he prepares to attack.

As this is happening- TIGHT ON: Isaac and Jane rolling Gray

over on his back, checking his pulse.

He’s still breathing.

Isaac SIGHS in relief, handing Jamie his flashlight, pointing

the end of it down onto Gray.

There- he fumbles with his jacket, trying to zip it up when

something falls out of his pocket.

He looks down on the ground, surprised to see the lightning

rod of all things.

How’d he get it?

He grabs it, looking up just as Flashlight steps beside Jane

Doe, the two nodding at each other, staring at their
opponent.

Gabriel cocks his arm back, SWINGING it forward and FIRING a

dozen small black bullet-like blobs at them.

Jane Doe dives into the field, right next to Isaac and Jamie.
 100.

Flashlight- slow on feet, absorbs all the blobs. Which stick

to him, casting their shadow across his body.

He tears them off one by one, but Gabriel is already

preparing to strike again.

Jane Doe stands up, looking down at her friends.

JANE DOE
(gesturing to Gray)
Is he okay?

ISAAC
I hope.

Jane Doe frowns- her nostrils flaring as she looks back at

her brother. She turns back to Isaac, who now holds out the
lightning rod, nodding to it.

ISAAC (CONT’D)
Push the button.
(beat)
Trust me.

She takes it-

Her fingers clasping around its smooth surface. The faint

glow of the device intensifies in her hands as she turns
toward Gabriel, who now looms over Flashlight, his shadows
swirling in a chaotic storm.

With a determined glare, Jane Doe charges into the fray.

As she nears them- she looks down, staring at the ‘button’ he

told her to push. Hesitating, she presses it.

WHOOSH!

It activates- its core SPARKING to life with CRACKLING

energy. Electricity SURGES outward in a line, almost like a
lightsaber. But better.

It SHOOTS forward, an actual bolt of lightning that wraps

itself around Gabriel, who stunned, turns- surprised.

Flashlight takes the opportunity to rise to his feet, his

glow reigniting with renewed intensity.

Together, they attack.

EXT. ROAD

Meanwhile...
 101.

At the edge of the field

Zachary leans casually against the hood of his car, holding

the orange cat in his arms- clutching a milkshake in his
hands. He looks out at the cornfield between sips, tapping
his foot impatiently.

Then- his mouth drops when he sees it.

A bursts of lightning illuminating the horizon like his own

private thunderstorm.

That- and a twisted shadow tendril colliding with it in the

air.

Suddenly, another flash of light LIGHTS up the sky. A stray

bolt of lightning SHOOTS toward him, EXPLODING on the ground
directly beside him.

The milkshake slips from his hands.

EXT. CORNFIELDS

A powerful pulse of energy RIPPLES outward in a BLINDING

wave. Jane Doe drives the lightning rod into the ground-
looking up as the force of the surge overwhelms Gabriel, his
shadowy form tearing apart at the seams.

He retaliates with a massive tendril LASHING at her, but Jane

Doe ducks and counters with a focused surge from the rod,
severing the tendril mid-air.

Flashlight capitalizes on the opening, delivering a

devastating blow to Gabriel’s chest that sends him CRASHING
backwards into the snow.

For the first time, Gabriel hesitates.

His shadowy form FLICKERS, as if unstable.

Their teamwork is relentless, not giving him a single moment

to rest.

So- instead he reaches out toward Jamie.

She SCREAMS, but Isaac dives in front of her, getting sucked

into the black void instead.

Disappearing.

Jane Doe- seeing this, turns to Flashlight, doing what she

does best... thinking on her feet.
 102.

She points the lightning rod at him, pressing the button.

Electricity SURGES from the rod into Flashlight he starts to

float, overwhelmed with power.

He GLOWS brighter than he ever has.

The entire field is basked in white.

Gabriel turns, but this fight is over.

EXT. CORNFIELDS - NIGHT

It’s still snowing.

The cornfield is in ruins— charred stalks, another crater-

and one more missing person.

Jane Doe kneels next to Flashlight, human again. She looks

down at him as he rolls over, GROANING. He looks up-
surprised to see her. She smiles, extending a hand out to
him.

He grabs it- she pulls him upright with a determined grip.

Their eyes meet for a moment, a silent understanding passing

between them.

Together, they turn and walk to...

Gabriel- sprawled across the snow, his shadowy form

unraveling. His chest rises and falls, barely conscious.

Jamie sprints into the clearing, Jane Doe’s satchel bouncing

against her hip. Her wide, frantic eyes full of tears.

She stops next to them, dropping the satchel at Jane Doe’s

feet. She crouches, rummaging through it, pulling out the
brain zapper. The worn device looks out of place amid the
destruction, wires slightly frayed, its edges charred.

She looks up, giving it to Jane Doe.

She stares at it for a moment- then down at Gabriel, who

sits up slowly.

Jane Doe kneels in front of him.

For the first time, Gabriel doesn’t look menacing. He

looks... tired.

He stares at her, recognizing something in her eyes.

 103.

Without warning, she places the device onto her brothers

head. She straps it in and he doesn’t protest, as Flashlight
stands guard off to the side.

She hesitates, her fingers hovering over the device’s switch.

Jamie stands behind her, biting her lip.

Then- she FLIPS it.

Gabriel’s eyes SHOOT open wide:

FLASHBACK

INT. HOUSE

Young Jane Doe giggles as she chases Young Gabriel around the
cluttered room.

He stops- letting her tag him

YOUNG JANE
TAG! Your it.
(beat)
Bet you can’t catch me.

INT. KITCHEN

Young Gabriel sits across from Young Jane, who SLURPS

spaghetti noisily.

Gabriel passes her a piece of bread, smirking.

YOUNG GABRIEL
You’re a weirdo.

YOUNG JANE
(grinning)
Takes one to know one!

INT. HALLWAY

Young Gabriel crouching in the hallway, peering through Young

Jane’s door, watching her sleep.

He closes his eyes- manipulating the shadows on the wall,

making them move.

END FLASHBACK
 104.

EXT. CORNFIELDS

TIGHT ON: Gabriel’s eyes, rolled ack into his head.

He GASPS- returning to normal.

Tears well in his eyes as he looks up at Jane Doe.

GABRIEL
Bug...

Jane Doe grins, taking the helmet off his head.

Thats the best she can do.

JANE DOE
You know what you have to do.

He nods slowly, standing on shaky legs.

He stretches his arms outward, his shadow form returning just

enough to open a void on the hill. It’s swirling blackness
expands.

ZOOM IN: as a hand reaches out of it.

Then, STUMBLES through.

They look up.

It’s Deb.

She looks around, her eyes lighting up as she sees Jane Doe,
Jamie and Flashlight.

Then- behind her, Isaac falls out, falling flat on his face
in the snow.

Then- the mailwoman.

The professor.

One by one, the townspeople begin to step out, dazed but

unharmed.

A wave of emotion sweeps over the group.

Jamie rushes forward to help Isaac to his feet, her eyes

welling with tears as she hugs him tightly- even kissing him
on the cheek like she use too.

Flashlight steadies Deb, offering her a reassuring smile.

 105.

Behind them, Gray stirs, slowly waking up from where he’s

been lying.

His voice is faint, trembling:

GRAY
Dad?

Flashlight turns immediately, rushing to his son’s side. He

kneels in the snow, pulling Gray into a tight embrace.

But the relief is short-lived.

Because something’s off.

A sharp CRACKLE fills the air.

Gray’s body convulses as arcs of electricity shoot across his

skin, brighter and more chaotic than ever. Flashlight pulls
back, his expression shifting from relief to alarm.

Isaac notices this and rushes over, Jamie trailing close

behind.

Jane Doe steps beside them.

Everyone watches as Gray starts to grow brighter with each

passing second.

ISAAC
His body’s overloading.

FLASHLIGHT
What do you mean?
(beat)
He should be able to do what I do.

ISAAC
From what I can see, it’s different
with him.
(beat)
As where you received a direct
blast from the explosion that gave
you these abilities- he did not.
(beat)
He was still in the womb, correct?

FLASHLIGHT
Yeah. Why does that matter?

Isaac swallows hard.

 106.

ISAAC
His body can store the energy like
yours can.

Flashlight’s eyes narrow.

FLASHLIGHT
(muttering to himself)
That’s why it just hovers around
him...

He stares at Gray- who is still getting brighter.

ISAAC
He...
(finding the right words)
Won’t be able to hold it in much
longer.

Flashlight looks at Isaac.

FLASHLIGHT
What happens when he can’t.

Isaac can’t even say the words.

The tension is palpable. Flashlight looks at Gray, then back

at Isaac, realization dawning. He doesn’t hesitate.

He grabs his sons hand, walking the opposite way.

FLASHLIGHT (CONT’D)
I’m take him into the sky.

ISAAC
(walking forward)
(desperate)
Not even you can survive that much
energy!

Flashlight stops- turning.

FLASHLIGHT
(quietly)
But i’ll die saving this town.

He scoops Gray into his arms, his body returning to its

GLOWING state as he prepares to take off.

But before he can move—

A shadowy tendril snakes across the snow, curling around

Flashlight’s leg. He freezes as Gabriel- his form now barely
holding together, steps forward.
 107.

GABRIEL
No.

Everyone turns to him, stunned.

Gabriel’s shadow tendrils shrivels back into him as he takes

another step toward Flashlight.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
I’ll take him.

The group stares in disbelief.

Gabriel looks directly at Jane Doe, his expression softening

for the first time.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
It’s the least I can do.
(beat)
My shadows should be able to absorb
the majority of his blast.

Jane Doe’s breath catches in her throat.

He gives her a faint smile, his voice almost a whisper.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
I couldn’t grow up with you, A-bug-
ail. But I can save you now.

Abigail.

The use of her real name sends a shiver down her spine.

She steps forward- as if to stop him, but Deb places a hand

on her shoulder, gently holding her back.

Gabriel kneels beside Gray, his shadow tendrils wrapping

around the boy like a cocoon.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
(to Gray)
You’ll be okay, kid.

He looks up one last time, his eyes locking with Jane Doe’s.

GABRIEL (CONT’D)
Take care of her for me.

Then- the shadows envelop Gabriel and Gray completely. With a

final RIP! Gabriel’s shadow void swallows them both. It
collapses into itself, leaving nothing but the empty, snow-
covered field.
 108.

A heavy silence falls over the group.

The townspeople stand frozen, watching as the reality of what

just happened sinks in.

A faint ripple of energy stirs in the air.

Suddenly, a small shadow void reopens.

Gray stumbles out, his body stabilized, though visibly

weakened. Flashlight catches him before he can fall, holding
him close.

The void flickers-

It’s shadow on the ground fading as the morning sun shines

over it.

Then- it disappears for good.

Along with Gabriel.

CUT TO:

EXT. CLOUDY SKY– MORNING

PAN: over Gravity as the morning sun casts long shadows

across the streets.

But, thankfully these don’t have a mind of their own.

The town begins to stir, life returning back to normal.

INT. DINER

Deb wipes down the counter. She looks up, WINKING.

Flashlight sits at the counter, Gray beside him, nibbling on

a piece of toast. He smiles at her.

Isaac scribbles in one of his notebooks, in a booth, while

Jamie sits across from him sipping coffee, her eyes darting
up occasionally to him.

However, Zachary still has his arm around her.

The bell above the door JINGLES as a pair of familiar boots

walks in, an orange cat trailing behind them. TIGHT ON: their
collar, which reads: NELL.
 109.

PAN UP: to Jane Doe, TAPPING Flashlight on the shoulder as

she walks by, nodding. She slides next to Isaac, who looks up
from his notebook...

Blushing?

ZOOM OUT: as the cat JUMPS in her lap and Deb walks over,
sliding a plate of pancakes onto the table.

Of course, Zachary digs in first, the rest them eating his

slim pickings.

As Jane Doe pokes one with her fork, setting it on her plate,
she looks up at the wall.

More specifically her shadow.

...it waves at her.

CUT TO BLACK:

THE END
110.