Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cactus Moon
Cactus Loop — Present Day
Ext. Small Cemetery — Day
Blake, Sarah, and Danny stand before a simple headstone.
Danny holds a small bouquet of wildflowers.
Danny
(to the grave)
Sorry I was angry, Dad. I understand now… sometimes people just get too tired to keep going.
He places the flowers at the base of the stone.
Danny
But I’m not alone anymore. I’ve got Blake now. And Mum’s happy again.
Sarah wraps her arm around Danny. Blake places his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
Sarah
(softly)
He would have been proud of how brave you were.
Danny
I ain’t brave. I’m…excited.
They stand in quiet reflection for a moment, then turn and walk away together.
Int. Diggers Cave — Day
Budya stands alone before the ancient murals.
She carries a small pot of ochre paint and studies Marwen’s work, then the crude drawing of the Vash.
She looks at the blank wall space, considering what story to add.
After a long moment, she dips her hand in the paint and presses it firmly against the stone wall.
She steps back, admiring the simple handprint—her mark on this eternal record.
Budya
(to herself)
Feelgood would like that. Some stories don’t need words.
She gathers her things and walks toward the cave entrance.
Ext. Coastal Rocks — Fishing Spot — Day
Danny and Juba sit on their familiar outcrop, fishing lines cast into the calm water.
Drummer lies beside them, panting contentedly.
Danny
So… that was pretty mental, eh?
Juba
(grinning)
What was mental?
Danny
You know… the whole alien abduction thing?
Juba
(innocent)
Aliens? Danny, you been reading too many of those space books again.
Danny
(looks up towards the distant moon)
Well, how come the tide’s taking its time, Einstein?
Juba
(not looking up from his line)
You want answers or you want fish? ’Cause we’re only getting one of those today.
They both laugh. Juba’s line tugs.
Danny
Got one!
He reels in a fish, just like they’ve done a thousand times before.
Fade Out
A Screenread Experience by Kieron Dowling