The Hunter (audio story script)

I wrote this for a project I had joined in 2019. Then, everything sort of went south in my life, the panorama (pandemic) included, so I made the decision to leave the project. I don't believe it went too far itself, but I still have this script and wanted to post it. It was written to be a podcast story with sound effects and everything, so you will see that. All thanks to the now defunct UARTS in Philadelphia for teaching me how to write a script. I present to you "The Hunter."



The Hunter

 

 

 

Characters:    Jenessa   Malik     Danny     Shayla     Old Man

               Mr. Everton    Finnery   Sarah     James

 

1

 

EXT. Sound of a car driving up a gravel driveway. The car stops and shuts off. The doors open. In the background: cicadas, birds, and crickets as suitcases hit the ground and the car doors close.

 

JENESSA

 

See, guys? It’s not that bad. Look at that view.

 

MALIK

 

Yeah, I’m sure the view looked like that in Cabin in the Woods, too.

 

DANNY

 

Come on, man. It’ll be fun. Promise.

 

MALIK

 

Where did you find this place?

 

DANNY

 

I told you. It’s been in my family since the 1890s.

 

SHAYLA

 

How’d they manage that in Antebellum Cah-ra-lanna?

 

MALIK

 

And why does it look like the slave quarters?

 

DANNY

 

It’s a replica of the slave cabins from back then. The plantation owner left the area to his slaves when he died. One of the slave couples happened to be my great-great-great-great grandparents.

 

JENESSA

 

See? That’s cool, right?

 

SHAYLA

 

Yeah, I guess that’s pretty dope. Well, let’s go in.

 

Footsteps on gravel, then on wooden steps. Keys jingle, go into a lock, click, and the door creaks open. Footsteps and rolling suitcases on hardwood before they come to a stop. Now INT.

 

MALIK

 

So, they recreated the furniture, too?

 

DANNY

 

Man, listen. They wanted to keep it historical, so the living room and bedrooms look like this, but they added a modern kitchen and bathroom.

 

SHAYLA

 

Good, because I am not using anybody’s outhouse.

 

JENESSA

 

(laughs) Facts. Let’s go look at the rooms!

 

Two sets of footsteps and suitcases fade off into the distance.

 

DANNY

 

(whispering) Aight. Quick. You got it?

 

MALIK


Yeah, right here.

 

Sound of a ring box opening.

 

DANNY

 

Thanks, man.

 

MALIK

 

So, you’re really gonna propose to her up here?

 

DANNY

 

Yeah, I have it all planned out. We’re gonna do the hike, right? And when we get to the top of the mountain--

 

MALIK

 

And how high is this mountain again?

 

DANNY

 

Don’t worry about it. I promise, you’re not gonna die climbing up there. So anyway, we get to the top, Jen will look up at the view, ’cause you know she loves it.

 

MALIK

 

Right.

 

DANNY

 

Yeah, and when she turns around, I’ll be behind her kneeling.

 

MALIK

 

Wow. I know I said it already, but I’m proud of you, bruh.

 

DANNY

 

Thanks, man. Shh, they’re coming back.

 

Sound of a ring box snapping shut and clothes rustling as the two sets of footsteps come back.

 

JENESSA

 

Okay, so the rooms are a little like the ones in The Haunting, but we can work with them.

 

SHAYLA

 

As long as we sleep with the lights on. And splash holy water at the doors.

 

JENESSA

 

Maybe a little lamb’s blood on the sills.

 

SHAYLA

 

And salt. They always pour table salt at the door or in circles to keep the ghosts away.

 

JENESSA

 

Yeah, I never understood that.

 

DANNY

 

All right, all right, ladies. We’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it. I’m gonna go put my bag down. Y’all wanna go look around in a minute?

 

MALIK

 

Yeah, I wanna go see the old cabins. See how close Massa let the slaves live to each other.

 

DANNY

 

Actually, I don’t think any are still standing.

 

JENESSA

 

None? Why not?

 

DANNY

 

Uh, well . . . There were some riots.

 

SHAYLA

 

Hold. There were what?

 

DANNY

 

Yeah, so the master did leave the land to his slaves, but apparently that didn’t sit right with the townsfolk.

 

MALIK

 

You think?

 

DANNY

 

Yeah, man, I know. So they came and burned down all the cabins.

 

Silence.

 

JENESSA

 

Okay, that is hella dark.

 

DANNY

 

Yeah. We can go read about it if you want. There’s a shop just up the road with a book of facts.

 

JENESSA

 

That sounds fun.

 

SHAYLA

Does it?

 

MALIK

 

That’s all right. We’ll let the nerds do their thing, and we can check out the hot springs they were wilin’ about in the car.

 

SHAYLA

 

Yeeees, that sounds like a plan.

 

Shayla and Malik giggle together.

 

DANNY

 

All right, lovebirds. Come on, man.

 

Second set of footsteps and suitcases on the floor fade out into the background. Then, the two footsteps return.

 

DANNY

 

Ready, ladies?

 

JENESSA & SHAYLA

 

Yeah.

 

Footsteps walk back onto the wooden porch. EXT. The door closes. Keys jingle. Then, the footsteps walk down the stairs onto the gravel. The sound of birds, cicadas, and breeze return.

 

SHAYLA

 

So, Danny, do your parents ever come up here?

 

DANNY

 

Nah. Once they left North Carolina, they never looked back. The town they’re from might be smaller than this whole area.

 

JENESSA

 

I can’t imagine living out here. No malls, hot spots. Just . . .

 

SHAYLA

 

Cows?

 

MALIK

 

Man, I ain’t never seen so many cows as I did on the way here.

 

JENESSA

 

A totally different experience from the DMV, huh?

 

SHAYLA

 

Don’t let him fool you. His family is from Lebanon, Delaware. He knows exactly what a cow looks like.

 

MALIK

 

I said I haven’t seen as many. There is a difference.

 

SHAYLA

 

Just one street turn away from the same amount.

 

MALIK

 

Woman, let me be great.

 

DANNY

 

Here’s the trail.

 

Sound of footsteps on dirt path. Twigs snapping and leaves rustling every few steps.

 

SHAYLA

 

It is pretty peaceful out here.

 

JENESSA

 

I told you you’d like it.

 

SHAYLA

 

I didn’t say all that yet. Give me time.

 

JENESSA

 

(laughs) One dip in the hot spring with some piña coladas, and you’ll want to stay.

 

SHAYLA

 

Hmm, now that does sound good.

 

MALIK

 

Make mine a beer, thanks.

 

JENESSA

 

We get it, Malik. You’re a manly man. Make sure you go hunting for our dinner later, too.

 

MALIK

 

Yeah, yeah, just give me a shotgun, and say less.

 

Fast footsteps rise from the distance as they’re talking.

 

OLD MAN

 

Hey!

 

The four scream.

 

OLD MAN

 

Whatchu kids doing out here?

 

MALIK

 

What the hell? Where did you come from?

 

DANNY

 

Leek, chill, man, I got it. Good afternoon, sir. We’re visiting the cabin at the bottom of the trail. It belongs to my family.

 

OLD MAN

 

Oh, you own the cabin, huh? Well, watch your necks.

 

SHAYLA

 

Excuse me?

 

MALIK

 

Babe, calm down. They talk weird down here. You know that.

 

DANNY

 

Uh, thank you, sir?

 

OLD MAN

 

Yeah.

 

The four continue talking while the footsteps on the grass fade away into the background.

 

DANNY

 

The original cabin was right over there, if you wanna go see the foundation.

 

MALIK

 

They left the foundations out here?

 

DANNY

 

People were scared to touch them.

 

MALIK

 

You know how to bury the lead, bruh. Is this place cursed?

 

DANNY

 

No, it’s not cursed. The people are country. They’re just superstitious. There it is.

 

Footsteps on gravel stop. Eerie music low in the background.

 

JENESSA

 

Wow.

 

SHAYLA

 

So . . . that don’t look cursed to you?

 

DANNY

 

Anything can look cursed. The abandoned warehouses on North Street look cursed.

 

MALIK

 

Yeah, well, North Street needs to be cursed.

 

One set of footsteps on grass and snapping twigs.

 

SHAYLA

 

Jen, what’re you doing?

 

JENESSA

 

Getting a closer look.

 

SHAYLA

 

Girl. You are asking for us to get haunted.

 

JENESSA

 

What? I’m not gonna touch anything.

 

MALIK

 

See? Cabin in the Woods. This is how it started.

 

DANNY

 

It started with subpar acting and a weird plot.

 

MALIK

 

That movie is bomb. I don’t care what you say.

 

JENESSA

 

I think . . . I see an old shoe?

 

SHAYLA

 

Ah-ah. Get back here. We’re not doing shit like this today.

 

Footsteps on grass return to gravel.

 

JENESSA

 

You’re impossible.

 

MALIK


Yeah, you didn’t have to get all close like that. You never know what could jump out. Hopefully not another creepy old black man.

 

DANNY

 

The foundations are all around the area like this. The Caution signs probably got overgrown by the grass. No one really comes out here like that, though, so they don’t keep it up.

 

MALIK

 

Well, let’s get back. I think that deer over there is giving us the stink eye.

 

JENESSA

 

Right. I don’t want to disturb a momma deer if there are babies around.

 

MALIK

 

But you’re willing to get all up on a creepy-ass foundation--

 

JENESSA

 

Not the same thing, Leek. Chill.

 

MALIK

 

I’m saying. At least we can eat the deer. Can’t cook a ghost.

 

Footsteps return on gravel and fade into the distance.

 

 


 

2

 

INT. Distant footsteps muffled by walls.

 

JENESSA

 

(whispering) Babe. Babe.

 

DANNY

 

(groggy) Hmm?

 

JENESSA

 

Do you hear that?

 

Footsteps continue.

 

DANNY

 

Hear what?

 

JENESSA

 

Someone’s outside.

 

DANNY

 

It’s probably just the wind, Babe--

 

JENESSA

 

Wind walks now?

 

Footsteps stop. Everything is quiet. DANNY starts to snore. Then, a whip cracks against the window.

 

DANNY

 

(alert) What the hell?

 

JENESSA

 

Danny?!

 

The whip cracks against the window again.

 

JENESSA

 

What is that?

 

DANNY

 

(yelling) Who’s there?

 

The whip cracks against the window and cracks the glass.

 

DANNY

 

Run, babe. Go!

 

The bed creaks, then two footsteps race over wood. Glass shatters. JENESSA screams. Door creaks open.

 

MALIK

 

The hell’s going on?

 

JENESSA

 

 (scared) Someone’s breaking in.

 

SHAYLA

 

What?!

 

MALIK

 

Lemme get my gun.

 

Footsteps fade.

 

DANNY

 

Hurry!

 

Heavy boots in the distance.

 

JENESSA

 

(almost crying) Oh my God, they’re inside.

 

MALIK’s footsteps return. Gun cocks.

 

MALIK

 

Yeah, I got something for you. Come on. I dare you.

 

Heavy boots enter the hallway. Gun fires. The boots move closer.

 

SHAYLA

 

Malik, shoot him!

 

MALIK

 

I did!

 

Gun fires again. Boots come closer. Gun fires again.

 

MALIK

 

(rushing) Forget this. They’re going straight though him. Run!

 

Group of footsteps run through the house with boots following.

 

DANNY

 

Get the keys!

 

JENESSA


They’re in the kitchen!

 

DANNY


Dammit!

Front door opens. The whip cracks. DANNY hollers.

 

JENESSA

 

Danny!

 

DANNY

 

Just nicked me. Go, go! We gotta get outta here!

 

EXT. Bare feet run down the wooden steps and swish the leaves. Eerie music, sound of a horse snorting and hooves on gravel.

 

JENESSA

 

Who is that?

 

MALIK

 

Oh, sh--

 

DANNY

 

There’s a back way to the gift shop. Come on!

 

One set of footsteps run through the leaves.

 

MALIK

 

Through the woods?

 

DANNY

 

Trust me! Come on!

 

Boots walk onto the porch wood. Three more sets of footsteps run through the leaves. The hooves clop on the gravel at a fast pace. Footsteps continue with hooves pounding the ground behind them. Woodland creature sounds mixed with the four’s heavy breathing.

 

JENESSA

 

They’re gonna catch us!

 

DANNY

 

This way! The trees are thicker here!

 

Rustling of leaves and branches. The hooves fade.

 

DANNY

 

There’s a stream close by. It leads to the gift shop.

 

Splashing and running through water.

 

DANNY

 

(low) Get down, get down.

 

Rustle of leaves. The hooves stop. Breathing of the four hiding. Sound of something thrown in the distance. The hooves start again and fade out.

 

DANNY

 

I think they’re gone for now.

 

JENESSA

 

What the hell’s going on?

 

DANNY

 

I don’t know. We need to get to the car.

 

Footsteps in the distance.

 

JENESSA


(whispering) Someone’s coming!

 

DANNY

 

Be real still.

 

Voices whispering. Footsteps continue, get louder, stop.

 

JAMES

 

(whispering) Hey!

 

The four scream.

 

JAMES

 

(whispering) Sh! Quiet. He’ll hear you. Come with me. Hurry.

 

Rustles of leaves, footsteps.

 

SHAYLA

 

Where are you taking us?

 

JAMES

 

Just up the way. They can’t touch y’all there.

 

MALIK


“They?”

 

JAMES

 

Finnery’s out here, too. Big man, carry a whip?

 

JENESSA

 

We saw him.

 

DANNY

 

Who are they?

 

JAMES

 

I’ll explain when we’re safe.

 

MALIK

 

Good enough for me. Let’s go.

 

Bird call in the distance.

 

JAMES

 

That way.

 

Footsteps. Eerie music low in the background.

 

JENESSA


Isn’t this one of the original cabins?

 

MALIK

 

Oh, hell no.

 

JAMES


Trust me. Ain’t no one gone find you here.

 

SARAH (whispering)


Did you find them?

 

JAMES

 

Yes, here they are.

 

SARAH


Thank the Lord.

 

SHAYLA

 

Who are you people?

 

MALIK

 

And what just happened?

 

JAMES

 

I’m James. This my wife, Sarah.

 

SARAH

 

How do you do?

 

MALIK

 

Well, a ghost or two might be trying to kill us.

 

DANNY

 

Wait. James? Sarah? Everett?

 

JAMES

 

The same.

 

MALIK

 

Dan, how do you know their names?

 

DANNY

 

They’re . . . my ancestors?

 

SHAYLA

 

This is crazy.

 

SARAH

 

We’re sorry about Master Everton. It’s not really you he’s after.

 

JENESSA

 

What do you mean?

 

JAMES

 

He’s looking for us, for what we done to him before we took the land.

 

Eerie music intensifies.

 

DANNY

 

I don’t get it. My grandparents said he gave y’all this land.

 

SARAH

 

Well, that was a kind lie of them.

 

JAMES

 

Master Everton wouldn’t’ve gave none the likes of us this land. He’d have died first.

 

DANNY

 

So . . . what happened?

 

SARAH

 

(beat) He died first.

 

Eerie music continues.

 

JAMES

 

Master Everton was . . . visiting the cabins in the middle of the night, having his way with the girls.

 

SARAH


And killing anyone who tried to fight him.

 

 JAMES

 

Until my Sarah got the best of him.

 

JENESSA

 

You killed him?

 

SARAH

 

I had to. Couldn’t go on like that, scared to hear that door open every night.

 

SHAYLA

 

This is one really vivid nightmare, right? None of you are real?

 

MALIK

 

No, babe, we’re all awake and talking to two ghost slaves.

 

SHAYLA

 

Damn.

 

JAMES

 

After we killed him, we lied to the overseers and told them he was sick in bed. It worked for a week, maybe.

 

SARAH

 

That old nasty Finnery caught wise and set the town on us. They killed everyone, set the dogs on the ones who ran, and locked them all up in the cabins. Then, they burned them to the ground.

 

JENESSA

 

Oh. Oh wow.

 

DANNY

 

So, why are you all still here?

 

MALIK

 

And why aren’t they burning in Hell somewhere?

 

JAMES

 

We need to be put to rest.

 

SARAH

 

And they need to be . . . sent.

 

DANNY

 

How do we do that?

 

JAMES

 

That cabin you visit used to be where that devil plantation sat. Underneath the floorboards lay Master Everton’s bones.

 

Silence as the music continues.

 

MALIK

 

Aight, but what about the whip cracker?

 

JAMES

 

Finnery. Must’ve died out here, too. Surely he done pissed off a slave or two in his time and got what was coming to him.

 

SHAYLA

 

So if we can’t find his bones anywhere, then what?

 

SARAH

 

Not to scare y’all further, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

 

SHAYLA

 

(beat) Well, at least you’re honest.

 

DANNY

 

So, how do we put everyone, uh, where they’re supposed to be?

 

JAMES

 

Down in the maintenance shed behind the gift shop, you should find all you need. There’s an old tree points to where we buried Master Everton. Petrified, scary looking thing. Dig him out, and burn his bones.

 

SARAH

 

Then, we should be free to leave.

 

JENESSA

 

How can we get to the shop with those men out there?

 

SARAH

 

Don’t you worry, none. The others will protect you.

 

JENESSA

 

The . . . others?

 

 

Ethereal humming noise.

 

DANNY

 

Babe. Look.

 

Humming noise intensifies.

 

JENESSA

 

Oh my God.

 

SARAH

 

Our brothers and sisters who lost their lives for what I done.

 

JAMES

 

For what we done, my dear. We’re in this together.

 

SARAH

 

They gone get you to that gift shop and back to the cabin.

 

SHAYLA

 

OK, so we’re doing this. We’re following ghosts through the woods.

 

JENESSA

 

(uncertain) We’ll make it. We can do this.

 

SARAH

 

We have faith in you.

 

Ethereal humming noise disappears.

 

JENESSA

 

They’re gone.

 

DANNY

 

They might be buying us time. (deep breath) All right. Let’s get back to the stream.

 

Suspenseful music starts low. Footsteps of the four on the grass again.

 

DANNY cont’d

 

(whispering) It’s not that far from here.

 

Horse whinnies in the distance.

 

SHAYLA

 

(whispering, scared) It’s him!

 

MALIK

 

(whispering) He’s not close, babe. It’s okay. Come on.

 

Footsteps continue. Snap of branches under their feet. Hushed gasps and pauses before the footsteps continue. Trickling water.

 

JENESSA

 

(whispering) There it is!

 

Footsteps speed up.

 

DANNY

 

(low) Okay, the gift shop is this way.

 

Horse hooves trample the ground. JENESSA and SHAYLA scream.

 

DANNY

 

Go! Go!

 

The four’s footsteps speed up again. The horse hooves speed up, too. Tree leaves rustle. Branches snap underfoot. The horse whinnies.

 

JENESSA

 

He can’t get through.

 

DANNY

 

Good, almost there.

 

The four’s footsteps trample wood over the stream, over grass, then come to an abrupt stop.

 

JENESSA

 

How are we getting in?

 

MALIK

 

Any way we can.

 

MALIK grunts. A foot kicks against a door. A lock jingles.

 

SHAYLA

 

(whispering) Babe, be careful!

 

DANNY

 

Let me help.

 

Two feet kick against a thick wooden door. The lock on it jingles against it. The feet kick again. The door breaks open. The four’s footsteps rush onto concrete. Metal clamors around.

 

SHAYLA

 

I found a gas can.

 

JENESSA

 

I found shovels.

 

Clanking of shovel blades. Metal and wooden drawers open and shut. A hand smacks wood.

 

MALIK

 

Matches.

 

DANNY

 

Great. Let’s get back to the cabin.

 

Footsteps in the distance.

 

JENESSA

 

(whispering) Wait!

 

SHAYLA

 

Malik, don’t!

 

The door creaks. The footsteps are closer.

 

MALIK

 

It’s Finnery. Run. Run!

 

The four’s footsteps run from the concrete back onto the grass. The crack of a whip echoes on the air. The four scream. Footsteps on the wood over the stream, one by one onto the grass. The whip cracks again. JENESSA screams and chokes. Sound of her falling onto the wood.

 

JENESSA

 

(screaming) Danny!

 

DANNY

 

Jenessa!

Footsteps double back to the wood.

 

DANNY

 

Grab my hand!

 

JENESSA

 

(strained) He’s choking me!

 

Rushed footsteps. Bodies hit the wood.

 

JENESSA

 

(freed) Danny!

 

DANNY

 

Run! I’m right behind you!

 

Footsteps run over the wood.

 

SHAYLA

 

Are you all right?

 

JENESSA

 

Yeah . . .

 

More footsteps over wood. The whip cracks. DANNY cries out. Body falls. Slow footsteps move across the wood.

 

MALIK

 

Dan, grab my hand! (to JENESSA and SHAYLA) Run!

 

SHAYLA

 

No!

 

JENESSA

 

Not without you guys!

 

Ethereal hum returns. Footsteps run through the stream. A great splash.

 

SHAYLA

 

It’s the ghosts!

 

A shuffle on the wood and footsteps running.

 

DANNY

 

Go, go!

 

The four’s footsteps run through the woods. The horse whinnies in the distance. Hooves trample the ground.

 

DANNY

 

Keep going!

 

The four’s footsteps continue. The hooves grow louder. An ethereal hum, followed by the horse’s frightened neigh.

 

JENESSA

 

They’re buying us time.

 

DANNY

 

Looks like it. Come on.

 

The four’s footsteps continue through the woods, panting. The woodland sounds fade back to open air sounds.

 

SHAYLA

 

Thank God. The cabin.

 

MALIK

 

All right. Where’s this tree?

 

The four’s footsteps hit gravel, then grass. Eerie music plays as the footsteps stop.

 

MALIK

 

Jesus.

 

JENESSA

 

Yeah, that’s a crazy looking tree.

 

DANNY

 

It’s right outside our room.

 

JENESSA

 

Naturally.

 

Horse whinnie in the far distance.

 

DANNY

 

We gotta hurry.

 

The four’s footsteps run back through the grass, onto the gravel, then onto wood. Outside sounds disappear as they walk through the cabin. INT.

 

DANNY

 

Aight, there’s the tree, so the spot should be . . . there. Leek, give me a hand.

 

A bed screeches across wood. Light clank of shovels.

 

DANNY

 

I guess we break through first.

 

JENESSA

 

What about the foundation?

 

DANNY

 

It’s a strip foundation, so the concrete is only under the walls.

 

MALIK

 

Goddamn, y’all are made for each other. Would’ve never thought of that.

 

DANNY

 

Thanks, man. Come on.

 

A shovel blade hits the hardwood floor. Three more blades hit the wood. All four hit until the wood cracks, then breaks. Sound of wood shards being thrown aside.

 

DANNY

 

See? The ground is under here.

 

SHAYLA

 

Good. Let’s do this.

 

Shovel blades dig into the dirt. The four grunt as they dig. Sound of dirt splattering on hardwood. Hooves in the distance outside the wall.

 

DANNY

 

Faster!

 

MALIK

 

We can try.

 

Digging and dirt throwing sounds speed up. Hooves get closer. Until hooves hit the wall outside. The four scream.

 

MALIK

 

How the hell’d the horse die?

 

JENESSA

 

I don’t wanna know. Do you think he can get in?

 

DANNY

 

I don’t know . . . but Finnery can. Keep digging!

 

Digging continues. The horse hooves move back and forth. The horse gruffs and neighs. Boot footsteps on wood in the distance.

 

DANNY

 

Dammit. Let’s block the door!

 

Two shovels drop. Two bare footsteps run. The door closes. Sound of dresser dragging across hardwood. Boot footsteps on the other side of the door. A body rams the door. Dresser rattles.

 

MALIK

 

Go dig. I’ll hold it down here.

 

Bare footsteps run across the hardwood as the banging against the door continues. Three shovels continue to dig. The horse hooves hit the outer wall again. A gunshot cracks the air. The horse cries out. The hooves race off into the distance.

 

DANNY

 

What was that?

 

SHAYLA

 

Who cares? Keep digging!

 

Digging and banging continue. Shovel blade hits bone. Digging stops.

 

JENESSA

 

Good enough! Pour the gas!

 

Gas can top pops open. Gasoline pours onto dirt and bones.

 

DANNY

 

Wait! Don’t pour it all.

 

SHAYLA

 

Why not?

 

DANNY

 

Just a hunch.

 


Ominous noise, then hard footsteps on the hardwood floor.


MALIK

 

Look out! It's Everton!


SHAYLA and JENESSA scream. Bare footsteps run across the hardwood. DANNY hollers, body hits the wall.

 

JENESSA

 

Danny!

 

DANNY

 

(strained) Light the bones!

 

SHAYLA

 

Malik, throw the matchbox!

 

MALIK

 

Here!

 

Sound of hands catching matchbox. Match snaps off, then a match head against the striking surface of the matchbox. DANNY chokes. A shot rings out in the hallway. Banging against the door stops. DANNY gasps, freed.

 

OLD MAN

 

Open this door, quick!

 

Sound of dresser being pushed away. Door opens. Hard footsteps, then another gunshot. Ominous sound rises and disappears.

 

OLD MAN

 

Rock salt. Keeps them away for a second. Light that gas up.

 

Match strikes against the box. Sound of the match lighting. Ominous sound returns.

 

JENESSA

 

Now, Shay!

 

SHAYLA yelps. Fire flares. MR. EVERTON screams as more fire flares, then disappears. The four pant with relief. Fast boot footsteps. The four gasp. Another gunshot.


OLD MAN

 

Where are his bones?

 

MALIK

 

I have questions!

 

SHAYLA

 

(rushed) Babe, he’s a ghost hunter. That’s all we need to know.

 

DANNY

 

We don’t know, sir.

 

JENESSA

 

They might.

 

Ethereal music plays again.

 

MALIK

 

Why are they lined up like—

 

DANNY

 

They’re pointing! Let’s go. Grab the shovels and the gas.

 

Footsteps run across hardwood, the porch wood and gravel. Horse whinnies in the distance.

 

OLD MAN

 

It’s harmless now. Follow the ghosts.

 

JENESSA

 

Never thought I’d hear that sentence.

 

Footsteps through the woods. Whip cracks in the distance. The four scream. OLD MAN cocks his gun.

 

OLD MAN

 

Sounds like he’s back at the cabin. I’m keeping an eye out.

 

Ethereal music continues. Footsteps continue. They stop. JENESSA gasps.

 

JENESSA

 

This is the cabin we saw earlier.

 

SHAYLA

 

Didn’t you say you saw a shoe?

 

JENESSA

 

Oh my God. What if it was his?

 

MALIK

 

He won’t miss it. Dig.

 

Sounds of digging resume. Whip cracks closer in the distance. Ethereal music gets louder.

 

OLD MAN

 

They’re blocking him. Keep going.

 

Digging continues until shovel blades hit bone. Gasoline is poured. A match is struck. Heavy footsteps get close as fire flares. More fire flares then disappears. Ethereal music calms down.

 

JAMES

 

You freed us.

 

SARAH

 

We can never repay you. Thank you.

 

DANNY

 

You’re welcome. Rest in peace.

 

 

Ethereal music lifts away and fades.

 

JENESSA

 

(shocked) We did it.

 

DANNY

 

Yeah. (beat, then to OLD MAN) Thank you.

 

OLD MAN

 

All part of my job. Been waiting for one of their kin to show up and break the curse. Good on you. Take care.

 

Footsteps fade away through the woods.

 

DANNY

 

Wait. What about the cabin?

 

OLD MAN

 

(yelling from afar) I’ll clean it up in the morning. Go on your way.

 

MALIK

 

Sounds good to me. Let’s go.

 

Footsteps walk through the woods.

 

DANNY

 

Guys, I’m sorry this trip turned . . . demonic.

 

JENESSA

 

Babe, you didn’t know. It’s okay.

 

SHAYLA

 

Yeah, what matters is we’re alive.

 

MALIK

 

Yeah, we can finish the trip somewhere safe and with a lot of people around.

 

JENESSA

 

Should we get our things?

 

SHAYLA

 

Yeah, I guess. Let’s just turn on every single light there is.

 

MALIK

 

Bet.

 

Two footsteps move ahead while two slow.

 

MALIK

 

(whispering) So change of plans?

 

DANNY

 

(whispering) After tonight? Nah, just changing the location.

 

MALIK

 

(whispering) Great.

 

Footsteps fade.

 

END


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