The Hours Before Dawn

EXT. SCHOOL – LAWN - DAY

The grounds deserted. Jaclyn sees her boyfriend – bleeding, blood dripping from his eyes.

A rope tied around his neck attached to a branch of an oak tree.

JACLYN
Oh no! NO!

Jaclyn covers her mouth and runs off.

EXT. HOUSE – FRONT LAWN – NIGHT

The home sits all alone with no neighbors in site.

Jaclyn arrives; YOUNG TEENS swarm the grass entering through the front door.

INT. HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

A GROUP OF TEENS are sit in front of a TV watching a scary movie.

TEEN 1
How did they do that?

A Door SLAM is heard followed by a SCREAM. A young teen, NICK MINETE, jumps off the couch.

NICK
I guess you want me to take care of it!

Nick is a small guy who dresses casual.

INT. HOUSE – DARK ROOM – NIGHT

Nick opens the door and turns on the light switch.

Nick sees nothing out of the ordinary.

Nick turns off the light and closes the door.

A DARK FIGURE emerges from a cardboard box.

INT. HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Nick returns to the teens on the couch.

ELISA
Everything all right Nick?

NICK looks at ELISA

NICK
What…Oh yea everything’s all right.

TEEN GIRL
(Snotty)
Everything all right Nick?

NICK
(Annoyed)
Yes everything’s fine.

Nick stares at the ground as he slides his feet across the floor.

A SCREAM is heard.

The GROUP OF TEENS JUMP off the couch and run out of the room

INT. HOUSE – DARK ROOM – NIGHT

The teens enter they GASP as they see the body of a YOUNG GIRL on the floor covered in blood.

TEEN GIRL
Oh my god!

The group eyes Nick.
NICK
Don’t look at me. It was empty when I came here.

The teen girl rushes towards the body and KNEELS beside her.

TEEN GIRL
Oh no! Carol!

Elisa KNEELS beside the Teen Girl.

ELISA
(Eying body)
Oh my!
(To TEEN GIRL)
I’m so sorry Jessica.

A tear runs down Jessica’s face. She looks at Nick.

JESSICA
What the fuck is wrong with you?

Nick’s jaw is dropped as he stares at Jessica.

JESSICA
She could still been alive right now —-

NICK
It wasn’t my fault…I’m sorry she’s dead but the room was completely empty.

JESSICA
Yea but—-

ELISA
Will you two just stop it? It isn’t Nick’s fault—-

JESSICA
Then whose fault is it?

ELISA
Nobody’s. It’s just one of those unfortunate things that can’t be changed.

JESSICA
No you’re wrong and I’ll prove you wrong!

Jessica stands up and wraps her arms around Nick’s neck.

Jessica’s hands close onto him she shakes his head.

Nick GASPS for air.

ELISA
Jessica, will you quit it.

JESSICA
Elisa this is just something I have to do.

ELISA
It isn’t getting us anywhere.

Jessica breaths HEVILY her hands drop form Nick’s neck.

Jaclyn approaches Jessica.

JACLYN
Everything will be okay; things will turn out for the better you’ll see!

JESSICA
How can you say that after my sister was murdered?

NICK
I’ll call the police

Nick leaves as Jaclyn follows him out. Jaclyn sits next to the body.

Elisa KNEELS down next to her comforting her.

Brittany is seen through the window.

EXT. FRONT OF HOUSE – NIGHT

Brittany steps down from the window. She turns to TJ.

BRITTANY
There has just been another murder. Get the camera!

TJ
The camera?

BRITTANY
(Shouting)
Yes, get it!

TJ goes to the news van; he slides the door open and fetches the camera.

TJ
Okay ready?

BRITTANY
Yes, just shoot it.
(To camera)
Hi, Brittany Raymond reporting live from Groton, Rhode Island. There has been another death in this small town, the death of a small girl known to be Carol Underwood. We’ll keep you updated on this breaking story. Brittany Raymond, news channel 8.

TJ
Cut.

Brittany SIGHES.
BRITTANY
I’m glad that’s over with.

TJ
Do you like your job?

BRITTANY
Listen, I report you shoot. It’s that simple.

A slight pause

BRITTANY
We got to get into that house for more information.

A POLICE OFFICER walks down the road.

BRITTANY
(Flirtatiously)
Hi!
POLICE OFFICER
(Cold)
What do you want?

BRITTANY
Well there is one thing…

Brittany continues to flirt with the Police officer as he continues to walk.

BRITTANY
Shit! That didn’t work.

TJ
There’s gotta be a way in the house.

BRITTANY
Don’t worry I’ll find a way in.

Brittany walks along the side of the house. She looks for a way in.

TJ
Why don’t you try the back door?

BRITTANY
There isn’t a back door. Don’t you think I would have tried that already?

TJ
How do you know there isn’t a back door?

BRITTANY
Because I know that’s why. Don’t ask stupid questions.

EXT. BACK OF HOUSE – NIGHT

Brittany notices a door wide open.

TJ
I thought there wasn’t a back door.

BRITTANY
I didn’t see it okay.

TJ
Maybe you should’ve looked for it.

BRITTANY
Just shut the fuck up.

TJ closes his mouth. Brittany keeps walking. The door suddenly closes.

BRITTANY
Aw shit!

Brittany runs towards the door. She grabs the doorknob she struggles to open the door.

Brittany kicks at the door she fights with the doorknob.

BRITTANY
TJ get over here and help me.

TJ approaches the door as Brittany steps out of the way. TJ struggles with the door as Brittany watches from behind.

BRITTANY
Get out of the way and let me do it.

TJ moves aside as Brittany struggles with the door.

TJ
You ask me for help and for what?

BRITTANY
(Jiggling the doorknob)
Listen, you do as your told.

Brittany shoves her body into the door. It doesn’t budge.

Brittany pounds on the door she faces TJ behind her.

BRITTANY
Uhh! I give up!

TJ
It won’t budge?

BRITTANY
Does it look like it will?

TJ has a confused look on his face.

BRITTANY
We need to find another way in.

Brittany kicks at the door annoyed. She notices a DARK FIGURE hidden in the trees.

BRITTANY
Oh my god!

TJ
What?

BRITTANY
The killer he’s here.

TJ
What?

TJ looks behind him the woods completely empty.

TJ
I don’t see anything.

BRITTANY
He’s there in the trees.

TJ
Well whatever it was it’s gone now.

BRITTANY
Is there another way in or no?

TJ
How the fuck am I supposed to know?

BRITTANY
Well go find a way in.

TJ leaves Brittany alone on the steps.

Brittany SIGHES.

Brittany kicks the door.

BRITTANY
Fuck!

Brittany kicks the door a second time. The door slightly opens.
Brittany opens the door a bit further she steps into the house. The door SLAMS behind her.

The DARK FIGURE walks over to the house, he puts his head on the door.

BRITTANY
(O.S)
Uhh!

The door is shoved open from the inside knocking the DARK FIGURE into the bushes.

Brittany steps out searching the yard-completely empty. She steps back into the house and closes the door.

The DARK FIGURE gets up from the bushes and opens the door. The door slowly closes behind him.

INT. HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

The teens are sitting around with upset looks on their faces.

ELISA
We just have to get through this that’s all.

Nick’s head is lowered covered by his hands. The scary movie continues to play on the TV.

A KNOCK is heard. Several heads look up. They look at each other.

NICK
Who could that be?

JACLYN
Steve?

MANDY
Are you sure he’s coming?

JACLYN
He said he’d be here.

MANDY
(To JESSICA)
Can you see him from the window?

Jessica looks out through the window.

MANDY
Jessica who is it?

Jessica looks at Mandy

JESSICA
I can’t tell.

Mandy gets up and approaches the front door.

MANDY
I’ll check.

Mandy opens the door. Outside is completely dark. A figure walks in. The figure’s boots hit the floor.

Jaclyn approaches the door with caution.

JACLYN
Steve?

Mandy hits the light switch illuminating the hall. Steve can be made out Jaclyn approaches him.

JACLYN
Hi

STEVE
Hi

JACLYN
I didn’t think you would be making it!
STEVE
I told you I was coming didn’t I?

JACLYN
Yea you did.

STEVE
So how is everything?

JACLYN
Not good. There has been another death.

STEVE
Who was it this time?

JACLYN
Jessica’s sister

STEVE
Carol?

JACLYN
Yea!

Steve walks further into the room, Jaclyn follows behind him.

JACLYN
So what took you so long to get her?

STEVE
I got out of work late and Paul was bothering me

JACLYN
Teisler?

STEVE
Yea…He kept talking about his movie appearances.

MANDY
What about them?
STEVE
He was just talking about how proud he is of himself.

Elisa exits.

Nick runs after her.

Steve looks at the door and looks towards Jaclyn.

STEVE
Elisa still likes Paul.

JACLYN
Well he dumped her—

STEVE
And she never got over it—

JACLYN
On the first date!

STEVE
Wow.

Jessica looks out the window she fidgets with her nails.

STEVE
(To JESSICA)
I’m sorry your sister’s gone.

Jessica does not take her eyes off the wall.

Jessica SIGHS.

STEVE
Is there anyone who you think did it?

Jessica looks at Steve.

JESSICA
(Getting up)
The same person who killed Sarah

Jessica exits.

STEVE
(To JACLYN)
Do you think Jason is still alive?

JACLYN
No he’s dead. His body was hanging from a tree.

Jaclyn CRIES.

Jaclyn gets up from the couch and exits.

A slight pause Steve gets up from the couch and exits.

EXT. HOUSE – PORCH – NIGHT

Brittany steps out from the house. She sees a DARK FIGURE.

In the grass lies TJ a knife is PEIRCED through is lifeless body, blood DRIPS on his body, his eyes are wide-open.

BRITTANY GASPS.

Brittany JUMPS onto her feet, the FIGURE RIPS the knife out of TJ he chases after her. She runs into the door.

INT. HOUSE – PORCH – NIGHT

Brittany tries to keep the door shut with all her might, as it keeps being forced open.

The DARK FIGURE tries to attack Brittany by WEILDING the knife into the door’s opening.

Brittany searches the room. The DARK FIGURE FORCES the door open, Brittany runs to another door.

Brittany jiggles the handle to find the door locked.

BRITTANY
Shit!

Brittany kicks the door it opens slightly. The DARK FIGURE LEAPS at her he hits the granite surface.

Brittany runs toward the outside door.

The FIGURE attempts to grab Brittany’s feet, she jumps over the FIGURE.

The FIGURE gets on foot and CHASES after Brittany as she opens the outside door.

EXT. HOUSE – PORCH – NIGHT

The DARK FIGURE grabs a hold of Brittany as she kicks and struggles to get it off of her.

Brittany SHOVES the FIGURE off her and runs through the grass.

EXT. HOUSE – FRONT DOOR – NIGHT

Brittany approaches the door and THROWS it open. She steps into the room.

INT. HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Brittany BOLTS the door behind her and SCREAMS for help.

BRITTANY
Anyone here?

Jaclyn walks back into the room. The DARK FIGURE approaches the window from outside.

An object is TOSSED into the window glass SHATTERS everywhere.

JACLYN
What the fuck

Brittany looks at the shattered glass and picks up a metal object.

BRITTANY
What the hell is this?

Brittany passes the object to Jaclyn.

INSERT – METAL OBJECT

There seems to be an engraving on the surface, it is chipped badly.

JACLYN
(OS)
Wait a minute.

Jaclyn turns the surface over. Blood covers the surface.

Jaclyn removes the blood from the surface of the metal object.

A dark letter “T” is now completely visible.

BACK TO SCENE
JACLYN
Oh my god!

BRITTANY
What is it?

JACLYN
I think I know who the killer is.

BRITTANY
Who?

JACLYN
Paul Teisler?

BRITTANY
Who?

JACLYN
Paul Teisler he’s a friend of mine.

A slight pause, Jaclyn has a confused look

JACLYN
Wait a minute. That can’t be right.

BRITTANY
This friend he’s the killer or no?

JACLYN
I can’t tell

FOOTSTEPS are heard followed by a door SLAM.

JACLYN
Someone there

MANDY
(O.S)
I keep telling you I don’t know who would want her dead.

JACLYN
Mandy!

MANDY
(OS)
Yea!

The door SLAMS shut.

Jaclyn grabs the metal object in her fist.

Mandy enters.

JACLYN
Where were you?

MANDY
The police wanted to talk to me. Apparently I’m a prime suspect.

JACLYN
Do you know where everyone else went?

MANDY
Who?

JACLYN
Nick, Elisa and Jessica.

MANDY
They left?

JACLYN
There not here so they must have left.

Jaclyn reveals the object from her fist to Mandy the metal object.

MANDY
Nice but what is it?

JACLYN
It was thrown through the window.

BRITTANY
She thinks it might be this Paul guy behind the murders.

MANDY
Paul Teisler?

JACLYN
Well the only clue is a big T.

MANDY
Why would Paul want you dead?

JACLYN
He wouldn’t. At least I don’t think he would.

MANDY
Do you know where he is now?

JACLYN
No!

The Front door OPENS.

Nick enters with Elisa and Jessica.

NICK
What happened here?

JACLYN
The Killer threw a metal object through the window.

NICK
The killer was here again?

MANDY
Where were you guys?

JESSICA
Oh we just needed to…
(Thinking)
What did we do again?

NICK
(To JACLYN)
We needed to give Steve his wallet

JACLYN
But why did all three of you go?
ELISA
They didn’t know where he was.

JACLYN
So couldn’t you just go?

NICK
So what is it that was thrown into the window?

JACLYN
Some medallion with a T on it

NICK
A T…whose name starts with a T?

JACLYN
Paul Teisler

NICK
You think its Paul. How?

JACLYN
I don’t know.

The Phone RINGS.

MANDY
Should I get it?

JACLYN
No I’ll get it

Jaclyn leaves.

The teens sit down on the couch.

Jaclyn re-enters with the phone.

JACLYN
Hello?

MAN’S VOICE
Hello Jackie

JACLYN
What do you want?

MAN’S VOICE
Just to tell you that I will strike again.

JACLYN
What is it that you want from me? Who are you?

MAN’S VOICE
I am your worst nightmare.

The phone DIES.

JACLYN
That was the killer.

Jaclyn hangs up the phone.

Jaclyn exits.

INT. HOUSE – HALLWAY – NIGHT

Jaclyn walks through the hall her hand grabs the doorknob shaking.

INT. HOUSE – BATHROOM – NIGHT

Jaclyn walks through the doorway and GASPS. She sees a mirror covered in blood.

Bloodstains cover the bathtub. Jaclyn looks at the bathtub and SCREAMS. Jaclyn’s hand locks onto the doorknob behind her.

The doorknob is JIGGLES her hand FLINGS off the knob. The JIGGLE of the doorknob continues. Jaclyn breathes HEAVILY.

JACLYN
Who’s there?

NICK
(OS)
Jackie is everything all right.

Jaclyn grabs the doorknob and THROWS the door open.

Nick enters.

Jaclyn looks through the mirror and sees the DARK FIGURE, the killer.

JACLYN
The killer he’s here.

NICK
What?

A knife is SLIT into Nick’s chest; he collapses onto the floor blocking the door off from Jaclyn.

Jaclyn SCREAMS.

The door tries to open it constantly hits into Nick’s body.

JACLYN
Oh Nick.

The DARK FIGURE holds a knife above Jaclyn’s head; she fails to notice and stops dead.

Jaclyn looks toward the mirror to see the DARK FIGURE. Jaclyn DUCKS the knife hits off the sink’s faucet.

Jaclyn steps back CROUCHING through the FIGURE’s legs. The FIGURE makes a stabbing motion missing Jaclyn.

The door finally is SHOVED open. Mandy is revealed.

MANDY
Oh Jackie, what happened?

The DARK FIGURE has disappeared. The window open a breeze blows through the drapes.

JACLYN
The killer was here. That’s what the fuck happened.

Mandy approaches Jaclyn

MANDY
Well who ever it was, he’s gone now.

JACLYN
Paul, that’s who it was.

MANDY
Are you sure it’s him.

JACLYN
The medallion had that T for Teisler. At least I think that’s what it stranded for.

MANDY
Could the T stand for someone else maybe?

JACLYN
What?

MANDY
Well is there anyone else with the initial T.

JACLYN
I don’t think so. Maybe that’s a possibility.
MANDY
There has to be someone or at least a reason why you think its Paul.

JACLYN
It’s the medallion it’s got to be.

MANDY
Okay.

JACLYN
Well, there would be no reason for Paul to be a killer.

MANDY
Then why do you think it’s him?

JACLYN
Just because of the medallion I guess.

MANDY
But that doesn’t really mean anything.

JACLYN
I know it doesn’t make any sense. But there is just this small possibility it is Paul.

MANDY
What happened the last time you saw him?

JACLYN
I don’t even remember when I saw him last.

Jaclyn sits onto the floor and CRIES as Mandy sits next to her to comfort her.

MANDY
Maybe another clue will come to clear Paul’s name.

JACLYN
Do you think I should give him a call?

MANDY
Maybe

Jaclyn gets up from the ground and exits the room.

INT. HOUSE – KITCHEN – NIGHT

Jaclyn is on her cell phone it continues to RING.

Jaclyn leans against the counter her fingers TAP the surface.

PAUL
(Through phone)
Hello?

JACLYN
Hey Paul?

PAUL
Yea.

JACYN
Why haven’t you called me in such a long time?

PAUL
What do you mean? We’re just friends.

JACLYN
Yea I know but good friends stay in touch with each other.

PAUL
You miss me is that why you’re calling?

JACLYN
Well what have you been up to lately?

PAUL
Nothing much.

Mandy enters.

MANDY
Well, what is he doing?

Jaclyn puts her hand over the phone.

JACLYN
Well he hasn’t said anything much.

Jaclyn removes her hand from the phone.

JACLYN
Paul did you hear about the murders.

PAUL
(Outraged)
Murders? Is everything okay? Where are you?

JACLYN
I’m at Mandy’s house.

PAUL
Stay right there. I’ll be on my way.

JACLYN
Wait…

The phone DIES.

Jaclyn hangs up the phone.

MANDY
So is he the killer?

JACLYN
He’ll be on his way.

The doorbell CHIMES
MANDY
He’s here already.

JACLYN
That’s not possible…is it?

Mandy RUSHES towards the door, Jaclyn looks out the window.

MANDY
(O.S shouting)
Is that him?

JACLYN
(O.S Shouting)
I couldn’t tell.

Mandy walks back towards Jaclyn.

MANDY
What? What do you mean you can’t tell?

JACLYN
I couldn’t make out who it was.

Jaclyn looks through the window she sees nothing but a shadow hidden in the darkness.

Mandy exits as the doorbell CHIMES again.

MANDY
(O.S shouting)
Jackie can you get that

JACLYN
All right!

Jaclyn makes her way to the door as the doorbell CHIMES.

JACLYN
I’m coming!

Jaclyn opens the door she sees a dark shadow hidden in the darkness.

JACLYN
(Cautiously)
Paul?

The shadowy figure steps in through the doorway; Paul Teisler can be made out clearly.

PAUL
Everything all right Jackie?

Paul Teisler is a junior in high school.

JACLYN
(Sarcastically)
Oh everything is okay…I guess. Just Nick is dead and Jessica’s sister Carol died so what can be better.

Paul walks over to the medallion, which is hanging off of a side table. Paul picks up the medallion.

PAUL
When did I leave this here?

JACLYN
You didn’t.

PAUL
Then how did it get here?

JACLYN
It was thrown in through the window.

Paul looks out of the window and turns to Jaclyn.

PAUL
By some lousy freshmen or something?

JACLYN
Actually the one who murdered Nick and Carol threw it into the window.

PAUL
Okay. What I don’t understand is how did the killer get this?

Jaclyn lays a cold look on Paul.

PAUL
You don’t think it could be me do you?

JACLYN
Well you’re the one who owns that.

PAUL
That doesn’t show how I would be the killer. Why would I want to kill you, your like my best friend.

Paul looks at the medallion, he CLUTCHES it in his hands.

PAUL
How could I be a killer?

JACLYN
It’s just that’s your medallion.

PAUL
That doesn’t mean nothing.

JACLYN
Well how would the killer get that? You take it with you everywhere.

Paul wraps his hands around Jaclyn’s neck.

Paul shares a long passionate KISS with Jaclyn.

PAUL
Now do you think I’m the killer?

JACLYN
What was that for?

PAUL
To show you I’m not a killer.

The door still open, a DARK FIGURE can be made out on the front steps.

JACLYN
Paul look behind you.

Paul keeps BABBLING to JACLYN.

PAUL
What do I have to do to show you I’m not a killer?

The DARK FIGURE walks slowly up the steps.

Jaclyn SCREAMS.

JACLYN
Paul look behind you.

Paul turns around and sees the DARK FIGURE enter.

Jaclyn SLAMS the door shut and bolts it.
JACLYN
So you’re not the killer

PAUL
No I’m not

JACLYN
I’m sorry.

PAUL
It’s okay.

There is a constant BANG on the door. Jaclyn looks at the door, it continues to BANG.
PAUL
Where is everybody?

JACLYN
It’s just Mandy, Jessica, Elisa and Brittany

PAUL
Brittany?

JACLYN
Brittany Raymond the reporter.

PAUL
Oh. Well where are they?

JACLYN
I don’t know.
(Shouting)
Elisa, Jessica.

Elisa enters followed by Jessica.

JACLYN
Were is Brittany, did she leave?

ELISA
I don’t know.

The BANG of the door continues. Elisa eyes the door.

ELISA
Who is that?

JACLYN
The killer is here.

ELISA
Oh my gosh. We got to leave.

PAUL
That’s not possible.
JACLYN
Where’s Mandy?

ELISA
(Shouting)
Mandy!

Mandy RUSHES into the room.

MANDY
What is it?

JESSICA
The killer is here

PAUL
Is there another way out?

MANDY
There’s the back door.

PAUL
Let’s try that?

ELISA
It may be too dangerous

PAUL
I’m ready to risk it.

The teens eyes Paul

PAUL
Fine be sissies.

JESSICA
Well me must to something.

MANDY
We can go downstairs.

Mandy opens a door and quietly walks down a set of stairs. The rest of the teens follows down the eerie staircase.

INT. HOUSE – STAIRWAY - NIGHT

ELISA
Is there a light or something?

MANDY
The killer will see us

ELISA
He’s outside.

MANDY
What if he comes in?

PAUL
The door’s locked isn’t it?

MANDY
Well he might fine a way in. Don’t you watch horror movies?

The teens have puzzled looks on their faces.

MANDY
I’ll take that as a no

The constant BANG can be heard.

PAUL
What was that?

A door SLAM can be heard.

ELISA
He’s in the house.

The teens continue to walk down the steps.

INT. HOUSE – BASEMENT – NIGHT

The teens make their way down. A closet door BANGS. Fear is in the teen’s eyes. The closet door slowly opens.

Paul and Jaclyn run up the stairwell. The door SLAMS shut.

Brittany appears.

JACLYN
Brittany, oh it’s just you.

Jaclyn SIGHS with relief.

BRITTANY
Yea, it’s really moldy down here.

Mandy has a blank look.

BRITTANY
Look, the killer is here.

JACLYN
How the fuck would you know?

BRITTANY
The killer called me.

JACLYN
Well he called earlier.

MANDY
Yea on my cell phone

JACLYN
Also on my cell phone

MANDY
What?

JACLYN
When I went inside he called and said—

PAUL
What did he say?

JACLYN
He just said he’d be here.

PAUL
(Sarcastically)
That really helps us.

ELISA
What were you doing in the closet?

BRITTANY
It was my hiding space

A door constantly BANGS; the group sees a dark shadowy figure.

ELISA
I thought he was in the house.

The doorknob JIGGLES from the door atop of the staircase.

PAUL
If that’s the killer upstairs then who is that outside.

Mandy approaches a light switch. She flicks the switch illuminating outside revealing Steve Taylor.

MANDY
Oh my god it’s only Steve.

JESSICA
Then who is that upstairs

The upstairs door SWINGS open revealing the DARK FIGURE with a knife.
Steve grabs a hold of the storm window and struggles to get it open.

Jaclyn constantly BANGS on the window.

JACLYN
Steve

Steve still struggles to get the window open ajar.

The DARK FIGURE slowly walks down the stairway.

Steve finally opens the window slightly.

Jessica SCREAMS.

Jessica eyes the DARK FIGURE and Steve back and forth.

Elisa steps onto a crate and climbs through the window.

EXT. HOUSE – STORM WINDOW – NIGHT

Elisa stands next to Steve, Paul climbs through the window.

The DARK FIGURE walks closer to the group.

JESSICA
Paul move faster the killer is near.

The DARK FIGURE moves slowly to the group holding a knife.

Paul steps up onto the grass, Jaclyn climbs through the window.

Jessica SCREAMS.

PAUL
Jackie your almost there
Paul outstretches his hand to Jaclyn she struggles to climb through.

JESSICA
Let’s move it he’s coming closer.

Brittany steps onto the crate and makes her way after Jaclyn through the window.

Jessica eyes the DARK FIGURE as Mandy climbs through the window.

JESSICA quick as lightning jumps and CLINGS the grass she slides backwards.

STEVE
Jessica you can get it

JESSICA
Help me. For the love of god just help me.

The DARK FIGURE grabs a hold of Jessica she struggles to break free.

JESSICA
Goddammit it. Help me up. PLEASE.

Jessica continues to SLIDE back.

BRITTANY
Calm down

JESSICA
Don’t tell me to calm down just help me up.

Brittany outstretches her hand for Jessica she CLINGS onto Brittany’s hand and breaks off.

BRITTANY
Try again.

Brittany outstretches her hand again.

ELISA
You can make it Jessie

STEVE
Just grab on.

JESSICA
I’m trying.

The DARK FIGURE still holding Jessica DIGS the knife into the grass. The group JUMPS back.

STEVE
She’s not going to be able to make it.

JACLYN
Yes she is don’t say that.

Jessica tries to kick the DARK FIGURE.

JESSICA
Get off of me.

Jessica’s hand slips off of the window and slides backwards into the basement.

ELISA
Jessica!

STEVE
We have to keep moving

JACLYN
And what we are just going to leave Jessica behind.

PAUL
Jackie there is nothing else we can do.

JACLYN
I’m not leaving a friend behind.

Jaclyn turns around. Paul stops Jaclyn from running she struggles to break through.

JACLYN
Let go of me. We need to help Jessica.

PAUL
We can’t do anything to help her.

JACLYN
Yes we can.

Jaclyn continues to struggle to break through. Paul continues to grab Jaclyn.

A SCREAM is heard.

JACLYN
That was Jessica. We could of saved her.

STEVE
We need to get out of here.

The group walks across the lawn with their heads lowered.

Steve continues to lead them.

EXT. HOUSE – FRONT YARD - NIGHT

BRITTANY
We can use the news van to go to the police.

PAUL
No, we need to –

STEVE
We need to get to the police.

PAUL
Can you let me finish?

STEVE
Well that’s probably what you were going to say right?

PAUL
Just let me finish, we need to call for help –

STEVE
We can walk down to the police station.

PAUL
Just let me finish.

Paul grabs a nearby baseball bat and SWINGS at Steve, he jumps back to avoid being hit.

STEVE
Stop it.

Paul continues to SWING at Steve.

Jaclyn runs to Paul and grabs his hand.

JACLYN
Stop it, PLEASE!

Paul FIGHTS off Jaclyn.

ELISA
Will you two stop it? Nick and Carol are dead and Jessica is in danger, we need to help her.

BRITTANY
I’ll drive the news van to the police station.

STEVE
I’ll come with you.

JACLYN
No please don’t go!

Brittany and Steve run off.

Elisa comforts Jaclyn.

ELISA
He’ll be all right.

MANDY
We need to help Jessica.

PAUL
I told you a thousand times we can’t help her.

ELISA
And why not

PAUL
It’s too dangerous.

ELISA
Maybe but if done right we can save her.

PAUL
Fine.

Jaclyn runs to the front door and JIGGLES the knob.

JACLYN
It’s locked

The news van SPEEDS by.

PAUL
Okay they are going to find help.

ELISA
Just open the goddamm door.
JACLYN
I’m trying.

Jaclyn struggles to open the door.

Elisa walks toward the cracked window and PUNCHES out the glass it SHATTERS on the floor.

Elisa CLIMBS through and opens the door from the inside.

INT. HOUSE – HALLWAY – NIGHT

The group enters.

PAUL
Were would Jessica be?

JACLYN
In the basement where we left her

ELISA
I’ll check the basement.

JACLYN
Don’t you think we should go together?

ELISA
Well, she might be anywhere.

MANDY
She is probably right where we left her.

JACLYN
I think we should split up—

MANDY
What happened to we should stick together?

JACLYN
Well there are four of us. Elisa and I will check downstairs. You and Paul can go upstairs.

Elisa opens the door to the basement. Elisa and Jaclyn walk down the stairs.

MANDY
Wait! Were would we meet them.

PAUL
It’s just your house for god sakes. They’re not going to get lost.

MANDY
There’s a serial killer on the loose. Did you forget?

PAUL
Well they’re not alone.

MANDY
What if they split up?

PAUL
Just stop worrying everything will be fine.

Mandy walks up the stairwell, Paul follows behind her.

MANDY
Jessica? Were are you?

PAUL
Jessica!

Mandy and Paul continue to walk up the staircase.

INT. HOUSE – BASEMENT – NIGHT

Jaclyn and Elisa search for Jessica.

ELISA
Jessica?

Elisa walks under a light and PULLS down the switch illuminating the room.

JACLYN
Jessica you down here

A DARK FIGURE leaps out at Jaclyn and Elisa.

Elisa and Jaclyn SCREAM.

The DARK FIGURE runs after them with a knife.

INT. HOUSE – HALLWAY – NIGHT

Mandy and Paul enter a doorway.

INT. HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Mandy and Paul enter the room. The room is perfectly clean.

Mandy approaches a closet door she turns the handle and opens the door.

Mandy flicks the light switch illuminating the closet.

Mandy SIFTS through the objects that lay on the floor. Mandy turns to look at Paul.

MANDY
Nothing out of the ordinary

Mandy looks back into the closet. She reaches for the light switch. A body drops from the ceiling.

Mandy SCREAMS.

PAUL
Everything okay?
Mandy is terrified as she looks at the bleeding body, Jessica.

PAUL
Everything all right

Paul walks up to Mandy; she turns to look at him. Paul looks in the closet and sees the body of Jessica hanging from the ceiling

Paul SHRIEKS.

PAUL
Oh my god

A loud POUNDING sound is heard.

MANDY
What was that?

The POUNDING grows louder.

MANDY
Paul, I’m scared.

Mandy is terrified.

Paul looks out through the doorway into the hall.