Gwen stumbles through the fog, slows to a stop, leans against
a large tree. She sniffles, attempts to compose herself.
GWEN
(to herself)
You’re okay. Breathe. You’re okay.
Her lip trembles as she fights the urge to sob.
ERIC (O.S.)
Gwen, wait up!
She turns just as Eric approaches.
ERIC (CONT'D)
I’m so sorry, babe.
Gwen shakes her head, wipes the tears from her eyes.
GWEN
All that blood... Oh my God!...
Eric, what the Hell is going on out
here!? Are we going to die too!?
Eric grabs her, pulls her in close for a hug. He takes a deep
breath, exhales.
ERIC
I have no idea what’s going on. But
I promise you that I’ll get you out
of here... I have to.
GWEN
(her head on his shoulder)
You have to? Why’s that?
49.49.
Eric pulls away from the hug, looks Gwen in the eyes, gives
her a warm smile.
ERIC
Because I want to marry you, Gwen.
He pulls out an engagement ring box, opens it, reveals the
ring to Gwen.
Her face lights up. She looks to Eric, can't help but laugh a
little as she pulls out the engagement ring of her own.
GWEN
You beat me to it.
The smile on Eric's face grows wider. He leans in, plants a
passionate kiss on Gwen's lips.
ERIC
I love you, beautiful.
IN A FLASH, Otis pounces on Eric, like an apex predator
attacking its prey!
Blood spatters all over Gwen as she stumbles backwards.
Before she can react, Eric is dragged out of view, deeper
into the woods. His CRIES of agony ring out through the fog.
Gwen screams, both horrified and emotionally crushed.
GWEN
(hysterical)
Eric! ERIC!?
ERIC (O.S.)
(sheer agony)
Oh, God! Help me!
Eric's CRIES grow quieter and quieter as he is carried
farther away, until he can no longer be heard at all.
Gwen weakly drops to her knees, sobs uncontrollably.
GWEN
Eric!? Eric, please come back!
FOOTSTEPS rapidly approach just as Haley emerges from the
fog, stops beside Gwen. She whips her head back and forth,
searches the surrounding area.
No sign of Eric. Just a shit load of blood all over the
ground and Gwen.
50.50.
Haley takes a breath, does her best to stay strong. She
kneels down in front of Gwen, who continues to sob.
HALEY
(as calmly as she can)
Gwen. Where’s Eric?
Gwen can't compose herself. Her hand trembles as she holds up
her blood caked engagement ring.
GWEN
It t-took him...
JACKIE (O.S.)
What took him!?
Jackie limps into view, hobbles over to the girls. He stares
down at the distraught Gwen.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Gwen!? What the fuck was it!?
Gwen just shakes her head and cries her eyes out.
Jackie looks around, confused. He turns back to Gwen, grabs
her by her shoulders, tries to shake an answer out of her.
JACKIE
Tell me what you saw!
Nothing.
JACKIE
What was it, Gwen!? What the fuck
was it!?
Haley steps in between them, glares at Jackie.
HALEY
Jackie!
Jackie takes the hint, backs off.
Haley turns to Gwen, places a hand on her shoulder.
HALEY
(soft, comforting)
Gwen, sweetie, I know this is hard.
But you have to come with us now.
We need to keep moving.
Gwen doesn't respond, just blankly stares ahead and cries.
Her mind has completely snapped.
51.51.
Jackie spots a blood trail leading deeper into the woods.
JACKIE
(under his breath)
Fuck me sideways.
Haley puts an arm around Gwen, helps her to her feet, then
guides her as they move in the direction opposite of the
blood trail.
She glances back over her shoulder, at Jackie.
HALEY
Jackie, this way. We have to keep
moving. Come on.
Jackie takes one last look at the blood trail on the ground.
He turns, favors his right foot as he limps after the girls.
JACKIE
(under his breath)
This is so fucked.
The trio disappears into the fog.
PAN DOWN to Eric’s bloody engagement ring on the ground.
FADE TO:
With their guns in hand, Rick and Travis move alongside the
foggy creek. An owl HOOTS. Crickets CHIRP.
The blood moon seems to pulse in the sky.
They slow to a stop, glance around, listen. Just the normal
sounds of nature.
Then, a twig SNAPS somewhere nearby.
Rick whips his head around, spots Lon just as he ducks
farther into the woods and out of view.
RICK
Hey! I saw you, you ugly son of a
bitch! Get back here!
Determined, Rick and Travis chase after Lon.
52.52.
Branches claw and scrape at Lon as he blindly runs through
the thick brush, desperate to escape. He grips his cane in
his hands as he presses forward.
RICK (O.S.)
Get back here!
Lon glances back over his shoulder, no sign of Rick or
Travis. He turns back only to smash his face against a low
hanging branch. CRUNCH!
He falls hard on his back. His nose gushes blood.
LON
(dazed)
Ah, shit.
Rick and Travis emerge out of the brush.
They both stand over Lon. Rick smirks as he aims his pistol
at the old man’s face.
RICK
Hello.
Lon spits blood at Rick, who swiftly sidesteps it.
LON
You. Guess that explains why
William never showed up.
He pushes himself to his feet, wobbles a bit on weak legs,
but steadies himself.
Travis steps behind Lon, keeps his handgun trained on him.
LON
(to Rick)
You killed him then?
Rick nods to Travis, who raises his free hand and waves.
TRAVIS
That was me, actually. Broke just
about as many bones as I could
without causing death... And then I
shot him in the face.
RICK
(sarcastic)
Made sure to leave him his dignity.
53.53.
Lon glares back at Travis, then turns back to Rick.
LON
So, what? You here to stop me, that
it? Tough shit. You’re too late.
Rick looks the old man over.
RICK
Looks to me like your little ritual
didn’t go quite as planned. Bummer.
Lon snarls at Rick.
LON
Fuck you.
Rick laughs.
RICK
You assholes really thought you
were gonna meet God!? What a bunch
of fucking window lickers! You do
know that you’re all mental, right?
LON
I should have slit your throat when
you came sniffing around.
Rick rolls his eyes.
RICK
Yeah. Would have saved you from
this predicament here, that’s for
sure...
(beat)
Now. Let’s get to it, huh? I know
you got a son. Otis, right?
(beat)
Where is he?
(beat)
You kill him too?
Travis steps closer to Lon, keeps his gun aimed at the back
of his head.
LON
You damn fools. You’ve got no clue
what you’ve stumbled into. Both of
you are going to die tonight. It’ll
be cruel. It’ll be bloody. And
it’ll FUCKIN’ HURT!
54.54.
In a sudden move, Lon swiftly unsheathes the ritualistic
dagger from the top of his cane, spins around and STABS THE
BLADE THROUGH TRAVIS’ HEAD!
The blade slides in one ear and pokes out the other.
Travis’ eyes go wide, unable to process what just happened.
LON
That’s for killing my brother, you
gutless son of a bitch!
Rick’s jaw practically drops.
RICK
TRAVIS!?
Lon rips the dagger out of Travis’ head, lets the big guy
drop to the ground.
Blood squirts out of Travis’ ears and mouth as he convulses
on the ground.
Lon turns, charges at Rick, raises his dagger.
LON
Now you die!
Rick lifts his pistol, squeezes the trigger. BOOM!
The bullet burrows into Lon's nose, causes the back of his
head to explode into a gory mess of blood, brains, and chunky
skull fragments.
Lon stands upright for a brief moment, staring ahead at Rick,
who glares back.
RICK
Get fucked in Hell.
The old man blinks twice, then crumples to the ground, dead.
Rick holsters his pistol, looks over at Travis, whose dead
eyes stare back at him.
RICK
Travis... This is all on me.
(beat)
I’ll finish this, man. For you.
He grabs Travis’ handgun, holsters it in his pants.
Then, Rick steps over to Lon, reaches down and pries the
ritualistic dagger from his dead hand.
55.55.
He holds the blade close to his face, looks it over,
recognizes it. A look of fear falls over him.
RICK
So... This is what you used for the
Potem, huh? Crazy bastard.
CUT TO:
The blood moon rests high in the sky, casting harsh crimson
light down onto the fog-covered hills below.
HALEY (V.O.)
(overlap)
C’mon, we have to keep moving!
Haley practically pushes the catatonic Gwen along as they
hurry through the foggy forest.
Jackie limps along behind them, struggles to keep up.
HALEY (CONT'D)
(to Jackie)
It shouldn’t be much farther.
JACKIE
Oh, what the fuck ever. We’re
fuckin’ lost! I can’t see fuckin’
shit and --
He twists his bad ankle, falls down to his knees.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
(in pain)
Fuckin’ shit!
Haley stops, turns back to Jackie.
HALEY
We have to keep moving, Jackie!
JACKIE
Why!? We can’t see anything. How do
you know which way we’re even
going? Admit it... We’re fucked!
56.56.
HALEY
(stern)
I’m not giving up. And neither are
you. Now get your ass up and move!
Jackie takes a deep breath, nods. He pushes himself back to
his feet, grimaces in pain.
A branch SNAPS nearby, startles both Jackie and Haley. Gwen
doesn’t react.
Jackie hops on his good foot as he moves closer to Haley, who
grips the machete tight.
They both scan the surrounding woods for the source of the
sound. Nothing but fog and trees.
JACKIE
(eyes on the woods)
Listen... Whoever... Whatever this
fuckin’ thing is...
He turns to Haley, looks her in the eyes.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
I’m not gonna be able to run
away... Do you understand?
Haley frowns, confused.
HALEY
What are you --
JACKIE
Just listen. When it starts to kill
me... You grab Gwen and you two
run. You run until you can’t run
anymore! You hear me?
With misty eyes, Jackie leans in and kisses Haley.
JACKIE
I fuckin’ love you, Haley.
Haley can’t help but shed some tears.
HALEY
(crying)
I love you, too.
Another branch SNAPS in the forest. Closer this time.
Jackie stiffens up, nervous as can be. Sweat glistens off his
pale face.
57.57.
JACKIE
(to Haley)
Get ready to run!
FOOTSTEPS approach, then --
A bright light appears from the fog, shines onto the trio of
scared friends.
Jackie shields his eyes with his hand, squints to see.
RICK (O.S.)
You kids are lucky I’m the one who
found you.
Rick takes his flashlight off the trio, steps closer.
Jackie and Haley exchange relieved looks.
RICK (CONT'D)
You really shouldn’t be out in
these woods. Not tonight.
JACKIE
Yeah, no shit. There’s someone or
something out here. And they’re
really fuckin’ mad, dude!
RICK
(nods)
Yeah. Sounds about right.
HALEY
Who are you?
Rick smirks.
RICK
Guess I’m the cavalry. Heh.
He looks past Haley, at Gwen, who continues to blankly stare
off into the woods.
RICK
She alright?
Haley shoots a look of sadness Gwen's way, then she turns
back to Rick.
HALEY
No. She’s not.
Rick steps past Jackie and Haley, peers out into the woods.
58.58.
RICK
Well I hope she can walk, cuz we
have to get moving. I gotta’ get
you kids out of here. Too many
people have already died tonight.
FADE TO:
— ⑦
EXT. WOODS
Gwen stumbles through the fog, slows to a stop, leans against
a large tree. She sniffles, attempts to compose herself.
GWEN
(to herself)
You’re okay. Breathe. You’re okay.
Her lip trembles as she fights the urge to sob.
ERIC (O.S.)
Gwen, wait up!
She turns just as Eric approaches.
ERIC (CONT'D)
I’m so sorry, babe.
Gwen shakes her head, wipes the tears from her eyes.
GWEN
All that blood... Oh my God!...
Eric, what the Hell is going on out
here!? Are we going to die too!?
Eric grabs her, pulls her in close for a hug. He takes a deep
breath, exhales.
ERIC
I have no idea what’s going on. But
I promise you that I’ll get you out
of here... I have to.
GWEN
(her head on his shoulder)
You have to? Why’s that?
49.49.
Eric pulls away from the hug, looks Gwen in the eyes, gives
her a warm smile.
ERIC
Because I want to marry you, Gwen.
He pulls out an engagement ring box, opens it, reveals the
ring to Gwen.
Her face lights up. She looks to Eric, can't help but laugh a
little as she pulls out the engagement ring of her own.
GWEN
You beat me to it.
The smile on Eric's face grows wider. He leans in, plants a
passionate kiss on Gwen's lips.
ERIC
I love you, beautiful.
IN A FLASH, Otis pounces on Eric, like an apex predator
attacking its prey!
Blood spatters all over Gwen as she stumbles backwards.
Before she can react, Eric is dragged out of view, deeper
into the woods. His CRIES of agony ring out through the fog.
Gwen screams, both horrified and emotionally crushed.
GWEN
(hysterical)
Eric! ERIC!?
ERIC (O.S.)
(sheer agony)
Oh, God! Help me!
Eric's CRIES grow quieter and quieter as he is carried
farther away, until he can no longer be heard at all.
Gwen weakly drops to her knees, sobs uncontrollably.
GWEN
Eric!? Eric, please come back!
FOOTSTEPS rapidly approach just as Haley emerges from the
fog, stops beside Gwen. She whips her head back and forth,
searches the surrounding area.
No sign of Eric. Just a shit load of blood all over the
ground and Gwen.
50.50.
Haley takes a breath, does her best to stay strong. She
kneels down in front of Gwen, who continues to sob.
HALEY
(as calmly as she can)
Gwen. Where’s Eric?
Gwen can't compose herself. Her hand trembles as she holds up
her blood caked engagement ring.
GWEN
It t-took him...
JACKIE (O.S.)
What took him!?
Jackie limps into view, hobbles over to the girls. He stares
down at the distraught Gwen.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
Gwen!? What the fuck was it!?
Gwen just shakes her head and cries her eyes out.
Jackie looks around, confused. He turns back to Gwen, grabs
her by her shoulders, tries to shake an answer out of her.
JACKIE
Tell me what you saw!
Nothing.
JACKIE
What was it, Gwen!? What the fuck
was it!?
Haley steps in between them, glares at Jackie.
HALEY
Jackie!
Jackie takes the hint, backs off.
Haley turns to Gwen, places a hand on her shoulder.
HALEY
(soft, comforting)
Gwen, sweetie, I know this is hard.
But you have to come with us now.
We need to keep moving.
Gwen doesn't respond, just blankly stares ahead and cries.
Her mind has completely snapped.
51.51.
Jackie spots a blood trail leading deeper into the woods.
JACKIE
(under his breath)
Fuck me sideways.
Haley puts an arm around Gwen, helps her to her feet, then
guides her as they move in the direction opposite of the
blood trail.
She glances back over her shoulder, at Jackie.
HALEY
Jackie, this way. We have to keep
moving. Come on.
Jackie takes one last look at the blood trail on the ground.
He turns, favors his right foot as he limps after the girls.
JACKIE
(under his breath)
This is so fucked.
The trio disappears into the fog.
PAN DOWN to Eric’s bloody engagement ring on the ground.
FADE TO:
EXT. WOODS - CREEK - NIGHT
With their guns in hand, Rick and Travis move alongside the
foggy creek. An owl HOOTS. Crickets CHIRP.
The blood moon seems to pulse in the sky.
They slow to a stop, glance around, listen. Just the normal
sounds of nature.
Then, a twig SNAPS somewhere nearby.
Rick whips his head around, spots Lon just as he ducks
farther into the woods and out of view.
RICK
Hey! I saw you, you ugly son of a
bitch! Get back here!
Determined, Rick and Travis chase after Lon.
52.52.
EXT. WOODS - BRUSH
Branches claw and scrape at Lon as he blindly runs through
the thick brush, desperate to escape. He grips his cane in
his hands as he presses forward.
RICK (O.S.)
Get back here!
Lon glances back over his shoulder, no sign of Rick or
Travis. He turns back only to smash his face against a low
hanging branch. CRUNCH!
He falls hard on his back. His nose gushes blood.
LON
(dazed)
Ah, shit.
Rick and Travis emerge out of the brush.
They both stand over Lon. Rick smirks as he aims his pistol
at the old man’s face.
RICK
Hello.
Lon spits blood at Rick, who swiftly sidesteps it.
LON
You. Guess that explains why
William never showed up.
He pushes himself to his feet, wobbles a bit on weak legs,
but steadies himself.
Travis steps behind Lon, keeps his handgun trained on him.
LON
(to Rick)
You killed him then?
Rick nods to Travis, who raises his free hand and waves.
TRAVIS
That was me, actually. Broke just
about as many bones as I could
without causing death... And then I
shot him in the face.
RICK
(sarcastic)
Made sure to leave him his dignity.
53.53.
Lon glares back at Travis, then turns back to Rick.
LON
So, what? You here to stop me, that
it? Tough shit. You’re too late.
Rick looks the old man over.
RICK
Looks to me like your little ritual
didn’t go quite as planned. Bummer.
Lon snarls at Rick.
LON
Fuck you.
Rick laughs.
RICK
You assholes really thought you
were gonna meet God!? What a bunch
of fucking window lickers! You do
know that you’re all mental, right?
LON
I should have slit your throat when
you came sniffing around.
Rick rolls his eyes.
RICK
Yeah. Would have saved you from
this predicament here, that’s for
sure...
(beat)
Now. Let’s get to it, huh? I know
you got a son. Otis, right?
(beat)
Where is he?
(beat)
You kill him too?
Travis steps closer to Lon, keeps his gun aimed at the back
of his head.
LON
You damn fools. You’ve got no clue
what you’ve stumbled into. Both of
you are going to die tonight. It’ll
be cruel. It’ll be bloody. And
it’ll FUCKIN’ HURT!
54.54.
In a sudden move, Lon swiftly unsheathes the ritualistic
dagger from the top of his cane, spins around and STABS THE
BLADE THROUGH TRAVIS’ HEAD!
The blade slides in one ear and pokes out the other.
Travis’ eyes go wide, unable to process what just happened.
LON
That’s for killing my brother, you
gutless son of a bitch!
Rick’s jaw practically drops.
RICK
TRAVIS!?
Lon rips the dagger out of Travis’ head, lets the big guy
drop to the ground.
Blood squirts out of Travis’ ears and mouth as he convulses
on the ground.
Lon turns, charges at Rick, raises his dagger.
LON
Now you die!
Rick lifts his pistol, squeezes the trigger. BOOM!
The bullet burrows into Lon's nose, causes the back of his
head to explode into a gory mess of blood, brains, and chunky
skull fragments.
Lon stands upright for a brief moment, staring ahead at Rick,
who glares back.
RICK
Get fucked in Hell.
The old man blinks twice, then crumples to the ground, dead.
Rick holsters his pistol, looks over at Travis, whose dead
eyes stare back at him.
RICK
Travis... This is all on me.
(beat)
I’ll finish this, man. For you.
He grabs Travis’ handgun, holsters it in his pants.
Then, Rick steps over to Lon, reaches down and pries the
ritualistic dagger from his dead hand.
55.55.
He holds the blade close to his face, looks it over,
recognizes it. A look of fear falls over him.
RICK
So... This is what you used for the
Potem, huh? Crazy bastard.
CUT TO:
EXT. HILLS - NIGHT
The blood moon rests high in the sky, casting harsh crimson
light down onto the fog-covered hills below.
HALEY (V.O.)
(overlap)
C’mon, we have to keep moving!
EXT. WOODS
Haley practically pushes the catatonic Gwen along as they
hurry through the foggy forest.
Jackie limps along behind them, struggles to keep up.
HALEY (CONT'D)
(to Jackie)
It shouldn’t be much farther.
JACKIE
Oh, what the fuck ever. We’re
fuckin’ lost! I can’t see fuckin’
shit and --
He twists his bad ankle, falls down to his knees.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
(in pain)
Fuckin’ shit!
Haley stops, turns back to Jackie.
HALEY
We have to keep moving, Jackie!
JACKIE
Why!? We can’t see anything. How do
you know which way we’re even
going? Admit it... We’re fucked!
56.56.
HALEY
(stern)
I’m not giving up. And neither are
you. Now get your ass up and move!
Jackie takes a deep breath, nods. He pushes himself back to
his feet, grimaces in pain.
A branch SNAPS nearby, startles both Jackie and Haley. Gwen
doesn’t react.
Jackie hops on his good foot as he moves closer to Haley, who
grips the machete tight.
They both scan the surrounding woods for the source of the
sound. Nothing but fog and trees.
JACKIE
(eyes on the woods)
Listen... Whoever... Whatever this
fuckin’ thing is...
He turns to Haley, looks her in the eyes.
JACKIE (CONT'D)
I’m not gonna be able to run
away... Do you understand?
Haley frowns, confused.
HALEY
What are you --
JACKIE
Just listen. When it starts to kill
me... You grab Gwen and you two
run. You run until you can’t run
anymore! You hear me?
With misty eyes, Jackie leans in and kisses Haley.
JACKIE
I fuckin’ love you, Haley.
Haley can’t help but shed some tears.
HALEY
(crying)
I love you, too.
Another branch SNAPS in the forest. Closer this time.
Jackie stiffens up, nervous as can be. Sweat glistens off his
pale face.
57.57.
JACKIE
(to Haley)
Get ready to run!
FOOTSTEPS approach, then --
A bright light appears from the fog, shines onto the trio of
scared friends.
Jackie shields his eyes with his hand, squints to see.
RICK (O.S.)
You kids are lucky I’m the one who
found you.
Rick takes his flashlight off the trio, steps closer.
Jackie and Haley exchange relieved looks.
RICK (CONT'D)
You really shouldn’t be out in
these woods. Not tonight.
JACKIE
Yeah, no shit. There’s someone or
something out here. And they’re
really fuckin’ mad, dude!
RICK
(nods)
Yeah. Sounds about right.
HALEY
Who are you?
Rick smirks.
RICK
Guess I’m the cavalry. Heh.
He looks past Haley, at Gwen, who continues to blankly stare
off into the woods.
RICK
She alright?
Haley shoots a look of sadness Gwen's way, then she turns
back to Rick.
HALEY
No. She’s not.
Rick steps past Jackie and Haley, peers out into the woods.
58.58.
RICK
Well I hope she can walk, cuz we
have to get moving. I gotta’ get
you kids out of here. Too many
people have already died tonight.
FADE TO: