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FADE IN
INT. HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - MORNING
ALEX (17), in boxer underwear, short, spiked hair, steps out
of his bedroom. One hand scratches his head and the other his
crotch, as he yawns.
O.S. The muffled sound of a man coughing.
Alex stretches, makes his way downstairs to the --
KITCHEN
Spacious, with a high ceiling and an elegant chandelier hung
over a small dining table.
GRANT (40's), handsome and distinguished, sits at the table,
coughing violently. A newspaper lies folded in front of him.
Suzanne (40's) buxom, bleached blonde, heavy make up, leans
against a kitchen counter, a cigarette hangs from her lips.
She glares at Grant with irritation, each time he coughs.
ALEX
Hey.
Suzanne nods to Alex, snuffs out her cigarette, then turns to
the coffee pot and pours herself a cup.
Grant waves one hand at Alex, but continues to cough into the
other one.
Alex goes to the fridge and opens it, peers inside, He closes
it without taking anything out.
ALEX
(to Grant)
I could hear hacking you all the
way upstairs.
SUZANNE
He does it just to irritate me -
thinks it'll make me quit smoking.
Alex waves his hand through the cloud of smoke.
ALEX
Well, is it working? Damn... we're
all gonna die of cancer.
Grant takes a deep breath, stops coughing. He clears his
throat.
SUZANNE
This is my house Alex. I'll smoke
when and where I want.
ALEX
At least open a window then...
shit.
Alex goes to a window near the table, opens it several
inches. He fans the smoke out the window, then takes a deep
breath of the clean air.
Grant offers him a weak smile, looks at his watch.
GRANT
Thanks. Better get dressed or
you're going to be late again.
Suzanne tosses Alex a bagel from a tray on the counter. He
catches it with one hand.
SUZANNE
We're leaving in a few hours. You
know the rules - no drinking...
ALEX
Yeah, Suzanne. No drinking, no
drugs, no parties, no sex...
That pretty much knocks my fun
meter down to zero.
Suzanne smirks at him.
SUZANNE
Life isn't all about fun, which you
obviously haven't learned yet. You
should be more like your brother.
ALEX
Yeah. Man, I guess I should really
look up to him huh? Big job workin'
for the city - snow plow man.
He scoffs.
SUZANNE
Do you always have to be so
hateful?
ALEX
I was being sarcastic. And he's not
my brother.
GRANT
Leave him alone Suzanne. He knows
how to stay out of trouble. God...
I'm so sick of the bickering.
Alex grins.
GRANT
What the hell are you grinning
about?
Suzanne and Alex stare each other down. Grant sighs.
GRANT
It's just for the weekend Alex, so
try to keep the place in one piece
huh? We'll be back Sunday night.
Suzanne cocks her head sideways, leers at Alex.
SUZANNE
But you know, we could always pop
in a little earlier.
Alex throws the bagel into the sink, missing Suzanne by
inches, then turns to Grant and pats him on the shoulder.
ALEX
I'm going to get dressed. Have a
good trip.
Alex leaves.
SUZANNE
Bye!
She shakes her head and scoffs.
DANIEL, mid twenties, overweight and ugly, steps into the
kitchen. His shirt is buttoned wrong. It hangs lopsided over
baggy pants. His hair sticks out in all directions. He looks
frantic and confused.
DANIEL
Mom, I can't find it. I can't get
my hair fixed. I need my cap. I
just need my cap.
He looks all over the kitchen, on counters, in cabinets,
under the table.
Grant watches.
Suzanne sets her coffee down and places her hands on Daniel's
shoulders, makes him look her in the eye.
SUZANNE
Daniel... calm down Daniel. What
did Mom tell you to do when you
first come in the door after work?
Daniel smiles, a look of discovery on his face. He bobs his
head up an down.
DANIEL
Put my cap on the hat tree.
Suzanne leads Daniel out of the kitchen, through the --
LIVING ROOM
A big puffy sofa and ottomans, tables at he ends of the sofa
and a large coffee table. A phone and answering machine sits
on one of the end tables.
Suzanne stops and unbuttons Daniel's shirt.
SUZANNE
Start at the top and make your way
down, one at a time. That way we
don't miss any buttons.
Daniel watches intently while she re-buttons the shirt.
DANIEL
I'm gonna put my jacket on anyway -
on top of my shirt.
SUZANNE
That's not the point. Follow
through - get it right the first
time Daniel. Remember?
She straightens his collar and they head toward the --
FOYER
There's a bulky entrance door and a hat tree in the corner.
Daniel gives Suzanne a quick peck. She holds the door closed
with one hand, grabs Daniel's cap from the hat tree.
Daniel furrows his brows, grabs the hat from her.
Alex enters dressed in jeans and a T shirt, ready for school.
Suzanne hustles Daniel out of the door. She pauses as she
walks by Alex.
SUZANNE
Have a good day, Alex.
They smirk at each other. Alex heads out the door.
INT. KITCHEN
Suzanne goes for her cup of coffee and leans against the
counter again.
Grant eyeballs her for a moment, then grabs the newspaper in
front of him. He shakes his head.
SUZANNE
What?
Grant looks away, turns a page of the paper.
GRANT
Nothing. I didn't say a word.
Suzanne stares him down, arms crossed over her chest.
GRANT
Damn, Suzanne. You know that boy
can't keep a job out in the real
world. It's too much for him.
SUZANNE
Well, if people... even his own
family would stop beating him down.
Suzanne pours her coffee down the sink and rambunctiously
tosses the cup in behind it. She pauses, stares out of a
window over the sink as a few snowflakes begin to fall.
SUZANNE
He'll be fine.
Grant peers over the paper at her.
GRANT
Uh huh. Sure honey.
SUZANNE
Don't patronize me, Grant.
GRANT
I just hate to see you disappointed
again.
Suzanne stares out of the window again, a serious look on her
face.
MONTAGE
A windmill spins at mach speed.
Trees sway and a light snow falls.
Traffic lights sway to and fro in the wind.
PEOPLE scurry along cold and windy, city sidewalks.
INT. FOYER - AFTERNOON
Alex steps in dressed in a thick, hooded coat, with an arm
load of school books.
A strong gust of wind and a few snow flakes follow him. He
drops the books on the floor, shivers and removes his hood.
He makes his way through the foyer into the --
LIVING ROOM
Alex tosses his jacket across the back of the sofa. The light
on the answering machine blinks, so he presses the button.
ANSWERING MACHINE
You have four messages. Message
one...
DAVE (ON ANSWERING MACHINE)
Hey dude it's me, Dave. Your
parents are gone huh? So, I was
thinking we could hang out, have a
couple of people over, whatever.
Call me back.
ANSWERING MACHINE
Message two...
ROCHELLE (ON ANSWERING MACHINE)
Hi, it's Shell. Dave called me,
said I should give you a shout to
see what time we can come over.
Talk to you later. Bye.
ANSWERING MACHINE
Message three...
GARRETT (ON ANSWERING MACHINE)
Wooo Wooo! Party! This is Garrett,
man. Call me back fuck nuts.
Alex giggles and shakes his head.
ANSWERING MACHINE
Message four...
GRANT (ON ANSWERING MACHINE)
Hi Alex, Daniel, whoever gets this.
We're here. The hotel's great -
really nice. We're just going to
take it easy for a couple of days.
Number's on the fridge, if you need
to reach us. Talk to you boys soon.
ANSWERING MACHINE
End of messages.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
At the fridge, Alex notices a piece of paper with the hotel
name, "Windsor" and a phone number. Inside he finds a can of
beer, pops the top, takes a big swig.
The cordless phone on the counter rings.
ALEX
Hello.
GARRETT (ON PHONE)
Hey dude. What's up?
ALEX
Nothing. Just walked in.
GARRETT (ON PHONE)
You get my message?
ALEX
Yeah, I got it fuck nuts.
GARRETT (ON PHONE)
What? Oh.
He giggles.
GARRETT (ON PHONE)
So we hanging out there tonight or
what?
ALEX
Or what I guess. The moron's gonna
be home and he squeals like a stuck
pig.
GARRETT (ON PHONE)
Fuck. All right. My parents are
home, but you can come over here,
play some video games or something.
ALEX
Yeah, okay. I'll see you in a
couple of hours... Bye.
INT. ALEX'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Typical teenage boy's room. Dirty clothes hang on every
available object. The walls are covered with posters of comic
heroes and pin up girls. A computer, some books, and various
games litter the desk.
Alex kicks the door closed behind him, takes another swig of
beer. He tosses the book bag on the bed. It hits the edge,
slides off to the floor.
He heads for the computer. As it boots up, he chug-a-lugs the
rest of the beer.
OUTSIDE
The wind gains speed. Snow falls at a steady pace.
LATER
Alex is on the bed, leaned back against the head board on a
couple of pillows. He wears headphones, music blaring, eyes
closed as he thrashes his head around to the song.
He reaches over to a table by his bed, feels underneath it
and pulls out a key, stuck to the underside by a piece of
tape.
Inside are rolling papers, marijuana and a small tray to do
the deed on. He pauses a second, sets the dope down on the
bed and goes to lock his door.
Back on the bed, he rolls up the joint, still thrashing his
head to the song and mouthing the lyrics.
He glances at the window, moves closer. The snow falls
heavier. The CD player, blaring so that he can't hear
anything else, is in one hand and the joint in the other.
The door knob wiggles violently. The locked door shakes back
and forth, finally cracks near the top hinge.
Silence.
Alex grins and rubs his hands together triumphantly, mumbles
to himself.
ALEX
Yes.
He puts the dope back in the table drawer, locks it and takes
off his headphones before leaving the room for the --
HALLWAY
He bellows...
ALEX
Hey! It's snowin' outside. Don't
you need to hop on your little
tractor?
A moment later
O.S. Stomping from one of the rooms down the hall.
The door opens. It's Daniel, with boots flopped open where he
hasn't tied them. His coat, too short for his arms, is grimy.
He glares at Alex.
DANIEL
I got eyes, just like you. And it's
a plow... not a tractor.
Alex ignores him and takes the stairs at a trot.
Daniel tromps behind him, then makes his way to the front
door.
ALEX
How long you gonna be gone?
Daniel turns, narrows his eyes.
DANIEL
Why you wanna know?
ALEX
In case your Mommy calls. Why else?
Daniel opens the door, pauses.
DANIEL
I dunno. Few hours, I guess.
INT. ALEX'S BEDROOM
He goes for the phone on the table and dials.
ALEX
Hey Dave, it's me. He's out
plowing. You guys can come over...
All right... cool. Bye.
He heads out of his room, pauses. He runs his hand over the
crack in the door, wrinkles his brows and shrugs.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
A large room located at the far end of the house. There's a
fireplace, with a couple of decorative swords hung above it.
There's overstuffed furniture, a big screen TV, and an
expensive hi-fi.
Music blares from the speakers.
Alex glances out of a window, smiles, then races to the --
FOYER
GARRETT (17), toothpick-thin, bangs that completely cover his
eyes, stands at the door. He grins and shivers, holding two
large pizzas. The cigarette in his mouth drops ashes onto the
pizza box.
Alex looks beyond Garrett to see MARK, EDDIE and DAVE,
handsome boys, though a bit on the rough side, heading toward
them from across the lawn.
A car full of cute teen girls, SHELL, CHLOE and PAM pulls
into the driveway.
SHELL is a beautiful, curvaceous blonde. CHLOE is short but
shapely, with dark, goth makeup. Pam is a tomboy, no makeup
and a no worries hair style.
Pam chomps on a piece of gum, blows a huge bubble. It pops
onto her face as she closes the car door.
Alex's lips tighten. He glares at Garrett.
GARRETT
What?
Garrett waves to Chloe, grins. She waves back.
ALEX
When the whale comes back and sees
all you guys here...
GARRETT
Fuck it... we'll stick some pizza
in his blow hole and he'll go away.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The teens gather inside. Alex leaves, then returns with some
Cokes.
Mark and Eddie stare down at the Cokes, disappointed.
MARK
(to Alex)
Hey man, where's the beer?
EDDIE
Yeah, Garrett said there was beer.
Garrett snags a piece of pizza, stuffs half of it in his
mouth. He nods his head, mouth bulging.
GARRETT
Oh there's beer. Trust me, there's
always beer.
ALEX
Yeah... and Dad always knows when
some's missing.
GARRETT
So, we'll replace it before they
get back.
A piece of pizza flies out of Garrett's mouth, plops onto the
coffee table.
CHLOE
Sick... don't talk with food in
your mouth. Man, you're so nasty.
GARRETT
You love me. You know you do.
Chloe rolls her eyes, grabs a soda.
FROM THE WINDOW
Someone watches the teens, through a slightly parted curtain.
Labored breathing fogs the glass.
The teens smile and chat.
Chloe and Shell dirty dance with each other, while the guys
look on.
Garrett and Eddie high five.
Chloe pushes Shell away teasingly. They both giggle.
OUTSIDE
The snow falls harder.
INT. BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Garrett steps inside and feels around for a light switch. The
light comes on and flickers.
It's partially remodeled. Hammers, nail guns, plaster and
hand tools lie about. A hatchet sits in a chopping block at
the back wall.
Garrett looks around for a moment, then spies a small
refrigerator partially hidden under an old blanket.
GARRETT
Bamm.
He opens the fridge, grabs a case of beer. The light flickers
off, for several seconds at a time. He stumbles, nearly falls
as he makes his way through the darkness.
GARRETT
Shit.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Garrett returns with the beer and a triumphant grin on his
face. The room explodes in whoops of joy as the other kids
race forward to grab a can.
Dave's eyes boggle. He runs a hand through his hair. He's
wearing a large gold class ring with a blue stone in it.
DAVE
Damn... a case?
GARRETT
Yeah, you should see how much the
old man has stashed down there.
The group pops the tops on the beer and chows down on the
pizza. There's a lot of laughing, and cross chatter.
From the sofa, Alex surveys the goings on. He glances often
at the doorway of the family room.
O.S. A knock on the door. Repeated doorbell ringing.
Shell sits on Mark's lap.
SHELL
That's gotta be Ashley.
She turns to Alex, stares at him, expectant.
ALEX
What? Your legs broke?
Shell purses her lips, cocks her head at him, leering.
ALEX
Shit. I'll be right back.
INT. FOYER - CONTINUOUS
The laughing and chatting of the other teens is loud, even as
far as the foyer.
Alex peeks through a window.
A MAN, (50) repeatedly knocks on the door and rings the bell.
His black suit is horribly wrinkled. He's in desperate need
of a shave and haircut.
He turns toward Alex, in the window. The man wears a white
collar as a priest or pastor would wear.
Alex presses his face to the door, speaks through it.
ALEX
Who is it?
MAN
Reverend Phillips. Your mother has
some boxes to donate for the church
rummage sale.
Alex pauses, bites at his lower lip, thinking.
ALEX
I don't know anything about it.
You'll have to come back when she's
home.
OUTSIDE THE DOOR
MAN
Afraid I can't do that. The sale
starts in the morning.
Alex cracks the door, peeks out. Wind and snowflakes fly by.
O.S. One of the girls cackles.
The man narrows his eyes, leans side to side, trying to see
past Alex.
ALEX
I'm sorry. I don't even know where
the stuff is. You'll have to come
back later.
Alex tries to close the door, but the man pushes against it.
MAN
We can't procrastinate with the
Lord's work, son.
Alex pushes harder, raises his voice.
ALEX
I can't help you, I said!
Alex manages to close and lock the door. He steps back
staring at the door in awe.
ALEX
Jesus. Fucking religious freaks.
O.S. Pounding on glass.
Alex turns to the window to see the man staring inside.
The man shakes his fist, pounds on the window and yells.
MAN
Heathens! God knows what you're
doing in there! You'll pay for your
sinful ways! Heathens!
Alex quickly closes the curtains. The pounding stops. He
shakes his head, starts back toward the family room.
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET
Daniel sits hunched over the wheel of the snow plow. His face
is a grumpy mask. It's quiet, no other traffic. He makes his
way methodically across the blankets of thick snow.
A few feet behind him the street shines black and clear, but
farther down, the thick flakes pile up again.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Alex steps back inside, plops down hard on the sofa.
SHELL
Well... who was it?
ALEX
Some fucking freaky, hippie, Bible
thumper.
Garrett laughs.
GARRETT
Freaky hippie Bible thumper?
EDDIE
Shit, you shoulda invited him in.
Maybe he had some weed.
The teens giggle.
DAVE
Alex has some. He's just holding
out.
The doorbell rings.
PAM
Finally.
Pam shoots across the room, followed by Shell.
Eddie leans over as far as he can on the sofa, watches Pam's
butt wiggle. He nudges Mark with his elbow.
EDDIE
Ummm... I like 'em like that.
MARK
Yeah. Nice ass. Too bad you ain't
never gonna get any.
Eddie scoffs.
O.S. The sound of multiple squealing girls.
Pam and Shell return from the foyer with two more girls.
MIRANDA is a thin, dark haired beauty. ASHLEY is a cute, very
feminine girl, bordering on frail.
ALEX
(to Dave)
Man, I said a couple of people. I
am so freakin' dead.
Dave tips his head sideways, shrugs one shoulder, as if to
say "no big deal".
SHELL
Hey... the gang's all here.
Ashley heads straight to Dave and french kisses him.
Shell walks over and speaks in Alex's ear.
SHELL
Surprise.
Miranda smiles at Alex, eyeballs him from head to toe. He
squirms.
MIRANDA
We almost didn't make it. It's
really comin' down out there.
The new arrivals help themselves to pizza.
FROM THE WINDOW
Someone watches. Again the labored breathing.
Lights off. A horror movie plays on the big screen TV.
Shell and Mark make out across the room. His hands slip under
her shirt, which she promptly pushes back down.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Shell and Mark whisper.
SHELL
Mark, stop. There's other people
here.
He glances at the other teens.
MARK
So. They're not worried about us.
They're watching the stupid movie.
Shell turns to see that indeed no one's paying attention to
them. They start kissing, but this time Shell allows Mark's
hands to wander as they please, inside her shirt.
Miranda is curled up on the sofa. She moves closer to Alex.
He scoots away, stands suddenly.
Miranda grins. In a few seconds, she follows him to the -
KITCHEN
Alex pulls a huge bag of chips from the pantry. He turns to
find Miranda in front of him, grinning, twirling her hair.
MIRANDA
I don't think you're happy to see
me.
Alex fidgets.
ALEX
Yeah... I wonder why.
Miranda rubs his arm.
MIRANDA
You're not still mad at me. Are
you?
ALEX
I'm too young for you remember...
too immature.
MIRANDA
It's just one year. Maybe I was
wrong.
ALEX
Yeah. Maybe you were.
He tries to step around Miranda. She moves in his path,
trails a finger down his sleeve, past his wrist.
Alex watches her finger move in small circles on the back of
his hand. He tips his head sideways as if to size her up.
ALEX
Maybe I could give you another
chance.
Miranda backs away, hands on her hips.
MIRANDA
Really? Oh lucky me!
Giggling, Alex pulls her to him, tries to kiss her. She
pushes away, laughs as she sprints out of the kitchen.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Alex follows close behind Miranda. He whistles at Dave, then
tosses him the bag of chips.
Garrett sits on the sofa, finishing the pizza, with Chloe on
the floor near him.
They all watch the movie, faces tense with anticipation.
Ominous music promises a fright to come...
The CHARACTER ON THE TV screams.
O.S. A loud bump from inside the house.
Ashley gasps and Dave giggles at her.
ASHLEY
What was that?
ALEX
Damn. My stepbrother must be back.
Garrett stirs, looks down at the empty pizza boxes.
GARRETT
Shit. He's gonna rat you out. We
got no pizza left.
ALEX
Everybody hide the cans.
They all jump to action, scramble to get rid of the evidence.
Cans are shoved under the sofa and under its cushions.
Garrett takes one last gulp and tosses his can into a large
plant.
They've barely had time to sit back down when Daniel tromps
into the room. He stares at the group, then at Alex, shakes
his head.
DANIEL
Mom's not gonna like this.
GARRETT
C'mon man. Can't you be cool for
once?
ALEX
Yeah. Aren't you supposed to be out
plowing anyway?
DANIEL
I am. I mean I gotta work late,
cause of the snow. I don't have no
food in the truck.
Alex stands, reaches deep in his pocket, pulls out a ten
dollar bill. He holds it out to Daniel.
ALEX
I was gonna save you some pizza
but...
He glances at Garrett, who looks at the floor, and scratches
the back of his neck.
ALEX
Here. Why don't you go get a
burger?
Daniel stares down at the money, shakes his head.
DANIEL
I don't want a burger.
ALEX
Well, a taco or something then...
whatever.
Daniel snatches the money, turns and stares at the TV. A
glazed look covers his face.
Most of the group stare at Daniel in disgust, occasionally
giggle at him. Some make goofy faces behind his back.
Eddie and Dave point, break out in uncontrollable laughter.
Pam whacks them with a sofa pillow.
Alex shifts uncomfortably. Miranda turns to Alex, rolls her
eyes and shakes her head.
Pam pops a large and rather loud gum bubble.
The sound snaps Daniel out of his fugue. He turns to the
window to see clumps of snow falling outside.
DANIEL
Damn snow.
The moment he closes the door, the room erupts in laughter.
Alex forces a laugh.
OUTSIDE THE DOOR
Daniel pauses, leans against it listening.
IN THE FAMILY ROOM
Ashley shivers and twists her face in a grimace.
ASHLEY
Ewww, Alex. He's creepy. How can
you stand living with him?
MIRANDA
Don't be such a shit. He can't help
the way he is.
CHLOE
I'm with Ashley. He makes my skin
crawl.
EDDIE
Yeah. Goofy fucker.
OUTSIDE THE DOOR
Daniel's bottom lip quivers, as if he's about to cry. Then
his face screws up in anger. He stomps off.
LATER
IN THE FAMILY ROOM
Mark and Shell are still huddled in the corner. The others
gather around the sofa, pass a joint between them. The room
is filled with smoke and there's rampant coughing.
O.S. A loud bump echoes through the house.
Several seconds tick by. The kids glance at each other off
and on, apprehensively.
Victims are randomly slaughtered on the TV movie. Screams and
loud breathing erupt from the surround sound speakers.
PAM
I thought your brother was gone?
Alex sighs.
ALEX
Step brother.
PAM
Whatever. If he's gone, what the
hell was that noise?
EDDIE
Scared? Bwak... bwak... bwak.
Eddie reaches over, grabs Pam's knee to tickle her.
Pam squeals, cracks a grin, then pushes his hand away.
PAM
(to Eddie)
Oh shut up.
(to Alex)
Somebody should go check it out.
ALEX
Uh huh. Feel free to look around.
It's a big house though.
Pam glares at Alex, then turns to Eddie with a pleading look
on her face.
EDDIE
I think Pam's a wittle afwaid.
He giggles and Pam whacks him in the arm. He grabs his arm
feigning pain.
O.S. A loud thump
CHLOE
What the hell is that?
GARRETT
Probably a branch hitting against
the house or something. Chill.
Miranda twirls her hair, eyes dart around the room.
MIRANDA
This is stupid.
She stomps over and turns the TV volume all the way down.
DAVE
Hey... I was watching that.
MIRANDA
Yeah. You were.
Dave huffs.
Mark and Shell make their way to the other teens. Mark leans
over the back of the sofa, takes the joint from Garrett and
takes a deep drag.
MARK
Mwaahhhh... a bunch of kids... all
alone... easy pickings...
mwaaahhh...
He laughs, takes one more quick drag.
Shell grabs her purse from the coffee table, plops down on
the floor. She fishes out a compact to freshen her makeup.
Mark elbows Alex in the shoulder. His voice is squeaky from
trying to hold the smoke in.
MARK
Hey... why don't you tell 'em the
story about this house?
The now tiny joint burns Mark's finger so he quickly drops it
in the ashtray.
ALEX
Come on man. It's fucking stupid.
Probably ain't even true.
O.S. A louder thump.
Shell nearly jumps out of her skin. The other girls gasp.
Mark and Dave laugh at them. Mark elbows Alex again.
MARK
(to Alex)
Hey.
ALEX
What? Man, get off me.
MARK
Come on.
(to the other teens)
It's a wicked story.
Alex sighs.
ALEX
It's total bull shit, but since
Mark won't shut the fuck up...
Alex glances at Mark.
ALEX
After my mom died, we moved into an
apartment. Couple of years later,
Dad meets the bitch, they get
married, I get a retarded step
brother... and fuckin' yada yada.
Anyway, Suzanne's basically trailer
trash - wanted something better for
herself. So, they're looking all
over the place when they come
across this big old piece of shit.
Suzanne thinks it's tits, because
it doesn't need skirting.
Garrett and a few others giggle.
ALEX
The price was awesome - less than
half what it shoulda been. So,
Suzanne throws a bitching fit and
we move in. A few months later the
mail man tells Dad the other owner
whacked up his entire family...
MIRANDA
Oh hell no.
ALEX
Oh hell yeah.
PAM
Bull shit.
ALEX
Rumor says it's haunted.
Ashley giggles, but at the same time looks uneasy.
SHELL
So... is it?
Alex scoffs.
ALEX
I never seen any ghosts.
MARK
What I don't get is why we never
read about it in the papers.
Dave listens intently with a serious expression on his face.
DAVE
Wait a minute. I know this story.
Psycho Dad just kinda disappeared
huh?
ALEX
Yep. That's the one.
ASHLEY
Nice Alex. Lovely story.
DAVE
Shit... that was like twenty years
ago though.
ALEX
Yeah well... that would explain why
it took weeks to clean it up. I
guess nobody wanted anything to do
with this place.
He sighs, leans back with his hands clasped behind his head.
ALEX
I still think it's bull shit
though.
O.S. An even louder thump.
The girls gasp. The guys look around suspiciously.
Ashley pokes Dave with her elbow.
ASHLEY
Jesus... just go see what the fuck
that is, please.
DAVE
Shit... Why I gotta go? Like he
said, it's a big house.
ASHLEY
Just follow the noise. It's not
brain surgery David Eugene.
Dave clinches his teeth together, leers at Ashley.
DAVE
You know I hate it when you call me
that. You sound like my mother.
Ashley shoves him, trying to urge him off of the sofa.
ASHLEY
Just go. Stop being such a pussy.
DAVE
What... by myself?
EDDIE
Bwok... bwok.. Bwok...
DAVE
Yeah... Fuck you Eddie.
Dave walks off mumbling to himself. He steps into the -
HALLWAY
O.S. The voices and laughter of the other kids recede.
Dave's pace slows, his shoulders slump.
At the end of the dark hall he turns, gazes longingly back at
the family room.
In a few moments, he peers inside a couple of unused bedrooms
and bathrooms. He moves down the hall, opens a door and flips
on a light.
He pokes his head in to see a --
LAUNDRY ROOM
With a chute and a large rolling basket.
A hollow, metallic sound resonates from the chute.
Dave jumps. His eyes grow wide. He pulls the door in close to
him, his body half in and half out of the room. He pauses,
takes a deep breath, eyes closed.
He flings the door open, heads for the chute, then
apprehensively peers inside.
A noise booms from the chute. A big RAT scurries out and down
to the floor near his feet. Dave reels back, stumbles against
the rolling laundry cart. He shoves the cart away.
DAVE
What the fu--
A shadow passes by, in his peripheral line of vision. He
twirls around. A nail gun rushes toward his face. His eyes
widen. He utters a strangled yelp...
A click, a metallic sound and a loud pop...
A thick nail buries deep between Dave's eyes. His face
contorts briefly in pain. Blood runs from the wound.
He falls to a heap on the floor. Arms reach down, grab Dave
by the legs.
FAMILY ROOM SAME
The movie plays silently on the TV screen. Alex and Miranda
chat quietly on one side of the sofa.
Garrett plays a noisy slap and tickle with Chloe nearby.
Ashley lays on the floor, thumbs through a magazine. She
looks at her watch.
ASHLEY
Dave's sure taking his sweet
friggin' time.
Eddie sits up, leans forward in mock horror.
EDDIE
Maybe he found out what was making
the noise...
(he gasps)
and it ate him!
Ashley throws the magazine at Eddie. He ducks and laughs.
Pam stands at a window, watches the snow fall against the
backdrop of night. She repeatedly chomps the gum and makes
loud popping bubbles.
PAM
It's really getting thick out
there.
She turns away from the window.
PAM
(to Miranda)
Maybe we should leave.
ALEX
Don't worry, neither rain nor sleet
nor dark of night keeps the 'Plow
Man' from behind the wheel...
Miranda giggles.
Garrett looks up, removes his hands from Chloe's front pants
pocket.
GARRETT
If you're lucky he'll freeze out
there. In the morning all they'll
find is a giant smelly ice cube. A
Danielsicle.
He laughs.
CHLOE
Let up on him already. He can't be
that bad.
ALEX
Sure he can.
Eddie turns the sound back up on the movie. They all turn
their attention back to the screen.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
O.S. Loud, hollow thumping.
A few of the teens gasp. Ashley leaps to her feet.
ASHLEY
What was that? God... this is
getting on my nerves.
She lunges and clicks the TV off.
Garrett lounges on the sofa, his head in Chloe's lap.
GARRETT
What a bunch of wienies. It's an
old house. Old houses make noises.
Ashley stares at Garrett for a moment, concern covering her
face.
ASHLEY
I'm going to look for Dave, and
then I'm leaving.
Alex sighs.
ALEX
He's screwing with us. Probably
hiding somewhere, waiting to jump
out so he can have a good laugh.
ASHLEY
Fine, so he gets a free laugh on
us.
Alex looks at Miranda. She nods her agreement. He sighs.
ALEX
(to Ashley)
Well shit... c'mon then.
He, Miranda and Ashley make a move toward the door. Eddie
stands to join them.
ALEX
(to Garrett)
What... you're too busy right?
Garrett mumbles but pushes himself to a standing position,
grabs Chloe by the hand and drags her up.
Pam grabs a sofa pillow and hugs it close to her.
PAM
I'm stayin' here.
She looks at Eddie, her eyes pleading. Eddie glances at her,
looks up at Alex and Garrett and shrugs. He plops down on the
sofa next to Pam.
Shell stands, pulls on Mark's arm. He grumbles but follows.
INT. HALL
ALEX
Let's split up... find his ass and
get it over with.
ASHLEY
I'm going with you and Miranda.
ALEX
Why?
Alex sighs, rolls his eyes.
ASHLEY
I'm telling you there's nothing to
be afraid of.
Ashley shakes her head.
ASHLEY
Whatever, Alex. There's no way
we're splitting up. You know what
happens when people split up.
ALEX
What do you mean - "what happens"?
ASHLEY
I don't know. Fucking creepy old
house. I just think... you know...
maybe Dave won't be the only one
missing.
Alex's drops his jaw, stares at her, stupified.
ALEX
Ughhh... scary movies and a bunch
of girls... bad combination.
Shit... Garrett, why don't you guys
check upstairs.
Garrett winks, gives Chloe a squeeze.
GARRETT
Yeah.. Yeah we'll take a look up
there.
They all disperse.
INT. WORK OUT ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Weight benches, various exercise equipment and a jacuzzi.
Shell pulls the doors closed behind her and Mark. Their
voices echo in the room.
MARK
Whew... It's steamy in here.
Mark kisses her on the neck and nibbles her earlobe. Shell
raises her shoulder to ward him off.
MARK
Let's get wet.
SHELL
We're supposed to be looking for
Dave, remember?
Mark takes a quick look around.
MARK
Yeah well... he's not here so we
did our job. Come on. Let's skinny
dip.
Shell feigns shock.
SHELL
I think you wanna get caught.
(grins)
Pervert.
Mark giggles.
SHELL
I bet there's a suit hanging in
there.
She points to a small room off to the side.
MARK
Yeah, but have you seen the size of
his step mom's ass? It'll probably
fall right off of you.
Shell shoots him a sultry grin.
SHELL
And so... your point is?
Mark grins, reaches out to pinch her breast, but Shell wards
him off with her arm, and turns quickly.
She sprints across to the small room, ducks in, then tosses
out a pair of trunks.
SHELL
Here.
Mark snags them in mid-air.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - SAME
Garrett pushes a giggling Chloe inside a bedroom, shuts the
door behind them.
DOWNSTAIRS SAME
Miranda clutches Alex's hand, with Ashley close behind. They
check in the --
LAUNDRY ROOM
All seems normal but as Mark shuts the door a tiny rivulet of
blood runs, unseen, down a corner of the laundry chute.
INT. WORK OUT ROOM - CONTINUOUS
From a dark corner, someone watches.
Mark, now dressed in the trunks, slips into the jacuzzi.
INT. BATHROOM
Shell removes her clothes...
IN THE JACUZZI
Mark ducks his head under the water, moves over to the side.
He flips his wet hair from in front of his face, and looks up
through bleary eyes...
A dumbbell slides through the air above him and crashes
against his skull.
Blood gushes from the wound and mingles with the water. The
dumbbell crashes into his skull once more.
The sound of splashing and Mark's body is hurriedly dragged
away.
INT. BATHROOM - SAME
Shell holds the untied straps of her swimsuit top, hears the
commotion, cocks her ear toward the door.
SHELL
What are you doing? I swear if I
come out there and you're still
butt naked...
She steps out of the bathroom.
INT. WORK OUT ROOM
She scans the area - no sign of Mark. She steps forward,
smiling.
SHELL
Come on. Let's have a look stud.
She takes a further step toward the jacuzzi. Her gaze sweeps
the water. A red swirl of blood mars the surface. The smile
dies on her lips.
Quick footsteps come up behind her.
She whips around, opens her mouth to scream but is cut short
as the dumbbell strikes her across the side of her head.
Blood runs from a gash at her temple.
She's dazed, eyes rolling around, trying to focus. She falls
hard to the floor.
The killer removes her bikini top. A gloved hand runs roughly
across her breasts, winds the bikini straps around her neck.
With a fierce yank, the killer lifts her upper body off the
floor. A loud snap and her neck is broken.
INT. UPSTAIRS BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Distinctly adult, tidy, with an antique wardrobe closet, a
floral bench at the foot of the bed, satin pillows and
bedding.
Garrett and Chloe make out on the bed. He unbuttons her
jeans, slips his hand inside. She moans.
The lights flicker and then go out. Chloe gasps.
GARRETT
Fuck. What now?
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
In total darkness, Alex, Ashley and Miranda feel around, open
cabinets, drawers and doors.
ALEX
I know they're here somewhere.
Check over there.
ASHLEY
Where? What... like I can see you
pointing?
(mumbles)
Stupid.
ALEX
Just relax okay. I'll find 'em.
MIRANDA
Well, hurry it up would you?
Ashley calls out.
ASHLEY
David Eugene... this is stupid.
Come on. Hide and go seek is over.
Alex finds some candles and flashlights in a drawer, makes
his way over to the gas stove, lights the candles.
He hands one to Ashley. She opens the last unchecked pantry
door. She sighs, looks around the room.
ALEX
Yeah. This is getting really
fucking old.
Miranda blows out a ragged breath, leans against the counter,
near the sink.
MIRANDA
I say we forget about him.
(raises her voice)
Let's just leave his ass here... in
the dark... alone.
Ashley crosses her arms over her chest, makes her way over to
Miranda.
ASHLEY
This is such bull shit. I'm gonna
strangle Dave.
O.S. - loud, howling wind
They all stare out the window.
MIRANDA
Oh my God you guys... it's a
blizzard.
INT. UPSTAIRS BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Chloe feels her way to the window, pulls back the curtain.
OUTSIDE
A single security light shines, near the end of the driveway.
It flickers. The snow is thick on the ground, trees, driveway
and their cars.
CHLOE
Oh shit. Baby, look at this.
Garrett stumbles on his way to the window, lets out a low
angry growl. He peers outside, throws his hands up.
GARRETT
Great. Fucking lovely.
Chloe heads for the door, but Garrett grabs her arm.
A candle sits on the dresser. He lights it with his cigarette
lighter, pulls Chloe close, kisses her.
She allows the kiss for a moment, then pulls away.
CHLOE
We should go back downstairs - see
what's going on.
GARRETT
Why? The lights will probably come
back on in a minute. Besides, we
ain't going anywhere in this shit.
He trails kisses down the side of her neck. She pushes him
away again.
CHLOE
Which is exactly why I need to call
my mom. I snuck out to begin with.
Fuck... she's gonna freak.
GARRETT
Five minutes. Come on. What
difference is it gonna make?
He ushers Chloe toward the bed, gently pushing her backwards,
kissing her the whole way.
They plop down. Chloe giggles.
CHLOE
Five minutes huh? That's all it
takes?
Garrett raises his eyebrows, smirks.
GARRETT
Oh, you think that's funny?
He bites her neck. She squeals with delight. He trails kisses
down her chest, lifts her shirt over her head. They fondle
each other, kissing passionately.
O.S. Sound of a door clicking shut.
Chloe gasps.
CHLOE
Who's there? Garrett...
She pushes him up and a few inches off of her, points at the
door.
Garrett glances in that direction, yells.
GARRETT
Go the fuck away!
He stares at the door for a moment, rises and grumbles on his
way over.
GARRETT
Shit, piss and fucking damn.
He locks the door, starts back towards Chloe. She pats the
bed and giggles.
CHLOE
Tick tick tick... five minutes.
Garrett scoffs.
The candle flame whips around then extinguishes.
O.S. A loud thud.
Silence.
Chloe springs upright. Her eyes dart around the darkened
room. She rises slowly, starts across the room.
CHLOE
Garrett?
Silence.
CHLOE
Shit. Garrett? Stop screwing
around.
Her foot hits something. She stumbles, kneels down, feels
around on the floor. Her breathing grows fast and shallow,
voice trembling.
CHLOE
Garrett?
A lighter - Garrett's lighter strikes, goes out, strikes,
goes out, several times.
In the intermittent flashes, Garrett lies with a chisel
shoved all the way through one temple, jutting out the
opposite eye socket.
Chloe screams, stumbles back, screams again.
A swooshing sound - a loud thud followed by choking and
gurgling.
INT. KITCHEN SAME
O.S. Screams and a loud POP.
Miranda and Ashley gasp, glance at Alex.
ALEX
Fuckin'... probably just Eddie and
Pam assing around.
Ashley looks toward the kitchen door for a few seconds,
glances back at Alex, her brows furrowed, then darts out.
Miranda looks at Alex expectantly, twirls her hair again.
Alex groans.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
In the darkness a shadowy figure walks down the hallway,
toward the stairs - a silhouette of a hatchet, dripping wet
onto the floor, in the shadow's hand.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Ashley, Alex and Miranda find Pam and Eddie on the sofa.
A tall, pillar candle burns on the coffee table.
The two are in a tickling match and Eddie is winning. Pam
screams with each poke and goose.
Ashley rolls her eyes. She and Miranda glance at each other,
ASHLEY
Fuck... you guys.
She places her candle on the tray next to the pillar candle.
MIRANDA
You scared the shit out of us.
Eddie crushes a beer can on his knee, belches, looks like a
deer caught in headlights.
Alex leers at him.
EDDIE
What?
ALEX
What... what do you think? The
power's out. We hear somebody
screaming her head off.
Pam shrugs, bobs her head sarcastically from side to side.
She pops another gum bubble.
PAM
Well, sorry. Did you find him?
ASHLEY
No. But when I do I'm gonna kill
him.
MIRANDA
Have you guys looked outside
lately?
EDDIE
Why? Somebody call the cops? We
ain't that rowdy yet.
PAM
Dumb ass. The closest house is a
mile down the road.
Eddie pokes Pam again. She squeals.
Alex runs a hand through his hair, waits, glaring at Pam and
Eddie until they stop the poke and tickle.
Eddie glances up, notices Alex's perturbed expression.
EDDIE
Okay, okay. What is it?
ALEX
We're snowed in.
Eddie furrows his brows, goes to a window, peeks outside.
The security light shines on heavy snow and buried cars.
EDDIE
Fuck... I'm gonna call my Dad. The
Bronco can make it through that.
He picks the cordless phone, chews on the inside of his
cheek.
EDDIE
It's not working.
ALEX
Maybe that's because it's a
cordless. All the phones are. No
power - no phone.
Eddie slams the phone down, paces. He glances at Pam, rubs
his hands together, eyes darting around the room.
EDDIE
Oh... man, this sucks.
Alex and Miranda shoot each other a "what's his problem"
look.
Pam grabs Eddie's forearms, looks into his eyes.
PAM
Just breathe. We're okay Eddie.
She turns to the other teens.
PAM
He doesn't like feeling closed in.
Ashley scoffs and adopts a big fake grin.
ASHLEY
Wonderful! No power, closed up in
this creepy fucking house, and now
Eddie's gonna trip out on us. Are
we having fun yet, because I'm
gonna tell ya', I think this is
severely messed up.
Eddie's eyes dart around even more. His hand rubbing is
nearing the point of wearing the skin off. He sprints from
the room.
Pam follows.
INT. FOYER - SECONDS LATER
Eddie opens the front door, takes a few deep breaths. The
heavy snow piles in, covers his feet. He doesn't notice.
Pam ducks behind him when the wind whips through the door.
He takes a step --
OUTSIDE
It's growing darker by the minute. The snow is thick,
blankets everything in sight.
Eddie sinks in the snow, up to his knees. He looks down, then
up again, stares out at his car, heavily covered in snow.
Trees sway violently in the wind. Snow blows by at mach
speed.
FROM THE DOORWAY
Pam reaches out and grabs the back of his shirt, tugs on it.
Alex, Ashley and Miranda enter the foyer, stare at Eddie like
he's nuts.
PAM
Come back in Eddie... before you
freeze to death.
He looks at Pam, eyes wide, shakes his head.
EDDIE
I'm going to the fucking car, Pam.
You know I can't stay in there.
PAM
Have you looked at the cars?
Eddie glances at the cars again. He turns back to Pam, a
distressed look on his face.
PAM
Come on. Come back in before I
freeze to death.
She crosses her arms in front of her.
PAM
I'm standing here freezing because
you're being a puss.
Pam's lips quiver, teeth start to chatter.
EDDIE
Fuck.
He tromps back inside. He shakes and his lips are blue.
INT. FOYER - CONTINUOUS
Pam brushes the snow off of Eddie.
Miranda and Alex struggle against the heavy snow, finally
manage to close the door.
Alex turns to Eddie, hands him a flashlight.
ALEX
Dude, what's wrong with you?
Eddie shrugs, still shivering. His voice is anxious and
hostile.
EDDIE
Nothing's fucking wrong with me. I
just wanna get outta here, that's
all.
Alex stares him down, places the second of the flashlights on
the coffee table.
He mumbles under his breath.
ALEX
Fucking claustrophobic.
EDDIE
No I ain't. I just don't like being
closed in.
ALEX
Okay man. That is what the word
means you know.
Alex gives him a "you're weird" look.
Miranda's face turns to a look of revelation.
MIRANDA
Hey... you know Chloe has a cell
phone.
Eddie's eyes widen, excited.
EDDIE
Fuckin' 'eh. Go drag her ass down
here then.
They make their way into the--
FAMILY ROOM
Miranda and Ashley plop down on the sofa. Ashley puts her
feet up on the coffee table.
MIRANDA
You two gonna go get her?
Ashley grins, stretches her arms out wide.
ASHLEY
Yeah, there's a whole floor up
there to roam around in - nice,
big, open space.
Pam covers her mouth to stifle a giggle. Eddie curls his lip
at them, then grabs Pam by the hand.
A moment after Pam and Eddie leave, Ashley holds up a leather
purse.
ASHLEY
Wait! This is Chloe's.
Alex looks toward the doorway as if he's going to call the
couple back, then changes his mind.
ALEX
Let 'em go. Eddie needs something
to do anyway - keep his mind off of
being trapped in here.
He turns his attention back to Ashley.
ALEX
Well... dig it out.
Ashley fumbles around inside the purse then pulls out a cell
phone, holds it up, grins triumphantly.
ASHLEY
Yeah baby.
She holds the phone in her hand. It beeps to life. The keys
glow in the dark. It beeps a couple more times.
She dials three numbers. Her face falls.
ASHLEY
Damn it. I can not believe this
stupid shit.
MIRANDA
What?
Ashley holds the phone out.
ASHLEY
Nothing. Dead air. It must be the
fucking storm.
There's a collective groan.
INT. STAIRCASE
Eddie leads Pam up the stairs to the second floor.
PAM
Your think your Dad can drop me
home?
EDDIE
Yeah, everybody else too. This
storm keeps up, we'll be stuck in
here for a week.
PAM
When are his parent's supposed to
be back anyway?
They reach the top of the staircase.
EDDIE
I don't know. Couple of days I
thi...
Eddie spots a thin streak of bright red on the carpet,
extending down the length of the --
HALLWAY
EDDIE
What the fuck?
Pam spots it too. Drawing closer, it looks like a cluster of
droplets.
They glance at each other, follow the streak until it ends at
the --
BEDROOM DOOR
It's ajar a few inches. Eddie pauses. The knob has more of
the red fluid on it.
O.S. Gurgling sound
He pushes the door open.
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
A few steps inside, the candle illuminates Chloe, lying on
the floor, surrounded by a huge puddle of blood.
She's not dead yet, still gurgling on her own blood.
Pam screams.
EDDIE
Oh shit! What the fuck!
INT. FAMILY ROOM - SAME
O.S. Pam's scream
Ashley's brows furrow. She rolls her eyes.
ASHLEY
I swear, she screams like that
because she thinks it's cute or
something.
Miranda scoffs.
MIRANDA
You'd think he was killing her.
Alex kneels at the fireplace, tosses wood inside and lights
it. He glances toward the stairs and grins, turns to Miranda.
ALEX
I guess you're not ticklish, huh?
Miranda pauses, stares at him with sultry eyes. She tosses
her hair over her shoulder.
MIRANDA
Maybe.
Ashley rolls her eyes, yells.
ASHLEY
Dave! David Eugene! If you don't
come out right now, I swear to God
I'm not gonna give you any for a
fucking month!
She waits a moment.
Silence.
She lets out a growl sound, plops down hard on the sofa.
ASHLEY
Mark and Shell have cell phones too
you know.
Alex looks at her like she's dumb, shakes his head.
ALEX
(mumbles)
Stupid.
ASHLEY
What did you just say to me?
ALEX
I said that's stupid. Theirs are
gonna pick up a signal when Chloe's
doesn't?
ASHLEY
I don't fucking know, all right
Alex!
Miranda steps in between them.
MIRANDA
Stop it okay! This isn't helping
anybody. Geez... just shut up if
you can't play nice.
Alex and Ashley glare at each other.
INT. BEDROOM
Pam tries to scream again.
Eddie grabs her, covers her mouth, shines the light around
the room, in all the corners and at the closet door.
The light illuminates Garrett's body, lifeless, with the
chisel sticking through his head.
Pam screams are muffled though Eddie's hand. Tears stream
down her face. She pulls away from him, kneels over Chloe's
body.
Eddie walks backwards. Shock and horror cover his face.
The lights flicker and come on for a couple of seconds.
The blood sprays on the floor outline the shape of a hatchet,
but the hatchet is missing. There are blood stains and spray
patterns on the wallpaper and carpet.
Chloe's neck has a huge gash. She stares into Pam's eyes, her
lips move but are unable to speak. The gurgling grows louder.
She spits up blood, all over Pam's clothes.
Pam cries, deep racking sobs. She grabs Chloe's hand.
The lights flicker off and on.
PAM
Oh God, Chloe.
Chloe's lips move. She gurgles the loudest yet, then her eyes
roll back.
PAM
Chloe? Chloe? Oh God.
Pam sobs even harder. The lights go out again. Darkness - no
light from Eddie's flashlight. Pam gasps.
She turns to look over her shoulder. Eddie is gone.
PAM
Eddie?
IN THE FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
By the light of the fire, Alex and Miranda ogle each other
while Ashley huffs on the sofa.
ASHLEY
I've got to pee.
Alex looks up at her with a "who gives a shit" look.
ALEX
You know where it is.
Ashley shakes her head.
ASHLEY
I'm not goin' alone.
Miranda rolls her eyes.
MIRANDA
Come on Ashley. Honest, there's no
boogie man.
Alex scoffs and grins. Miranda puts her arms around Alex. He
pecks her on the cheek.
Ashley lets out a frustrated yelp, flings herself from the
sofa, grabs a flashlight from the coffee table and flounces
from the room.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY CONTINUOUS
Pam whimpers and feels her way out of the bedroom in the
dark. Between sobs she whispers...
PAM
Eddie, where are you?
DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Ashley walks alone. The beam from the flashlight bounces
erratically against the walls and floor.
O.S. A whisper breaks the silence.
Ashley stops. The flashlight beam jiggles toward the sound.
She whirls around.
KILLER (O.S)
(whispering)
Help me...
Ashley stops, listens.
ASHLEY
Dave, is that you?
She moves toward the sound of the voice - the laundry room.
KILLER (O.S.)
Ashley, help.
Ashley puts a hand on her hips, then moves toward the open
door.
ASHLEY
David Eugene, if this is a joke it
is so not funny.
She steps inside, shines the light.
INT. UPSTAIRS BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
A small beam of light radiates from under a bed. Pam kneels
down, spots the flashlight and retrieves it.
PAM
(between sobs)
Eddie, come on. I'm scared.
She aims the light at the window. Large clumps of snow fall
outside.
PAM
Eddie. Damn it!
She shines it on the bed, around the floor, then on the door
of a bathroom. Pam steps inside.
BATHROOM
Eddie hangs by a belt on the shower curtain rod. His body
sways. His eyes are red and protruding. One of his shoes has
fallen from his foot onto the floor.
Pam's mouth flies open. Her gum falls to the floor. She runs
from the room screaming.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
In the dark shadows, a hand opens a drawer. The sound of
silverware being rifled through.
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Pam runs down the hallway. She looks over her shoulder. The
flashlight bounces erratically in her hand. She falls with a
thump...
The sound of tumbling down steps, bones cracking.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - SAME
O.S. Pam's screams and the repeated thuds from her tumbling
down the stairs.
Alex and Miranda glance at each other, concern on their
faces.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS
Pam hits the floor. Her screams are silenced.
The flashlight shines on her dead eyes.
INT. LAUNDRY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Ashley, alarmed by the screams, turns to leave the room. The
door slams shut before she can step out.
She lets out a yelp of fear.
ASHLEY
Al
...but the sound is muffled when a hand snakes out and clamps
around her mouth. Her eyes bug out in fear.
Strong arms twirl her around, yank the flashlight from her
hands, and march her toward the laundry chute.
The killer giggles. Ashley struggles, as she is forced closer
to the chute.
The flashlight shines on the opening of the chute and the
stream of blood now dark and drying.
Near the chute now, a hand falls, visible in the opening. The
flashlight beam glints off a thick gold class ring with a
blue stone in it.
Ashley's scream is muted against the killer's hand. She
fights frantically.
A knife glints in the flashlight beam, rushes down into
Ashley's body.
Her thrashing ceases. She is dragged a few feet.
Footsteps retreat. The door closes.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Alex and Miranda sit on the sofa.
MIRANDA
Jesus... the dark and the noises,
Pam's squealing. Your little story
didn't help much either.
ALEX
Yeah. It's my house and I'm even
getting a little wigged out.
Miranda rubs her arms as if she's cold. She scans the room,
glances behind her. She twirls her hair faster than usual.
Alex notices her distress, stands and grabs her hand.
ALEX
Let's go see if anybody found
shithead yet.
BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS - MOMENTS LATER
Alex stops dead still, approaches Pam's twisted body. The
flashlight still shines on her face.
Miranda shrieks. Alex lets go of her hand, kneels down and
grabs Pam's wrist to check for a pulse.
Miranda's hand is now formed in a fist, covering her lips.
She trembles. Tears mingled with mascara stream down her
cheeks.
Alex closes his eyes, swallows hard. He looks up at Miranda
and shakes his head.
MIRANDA
Oh my God!
Alex grabs Miranda's hand and drags her away.
ALEX
Shit. Fuck! We gotta find the
others. C'mon!
INT. DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY
Alex yells.
ALEX
Ashley, hurry the fuck up! Get out
here!
They get to the bathroom, peer in. It's empty. They both call
out...
ALEX/MIRANDA
Ashley!
Quickly they move from room to room searching. They reach the
laundry room.
Miranda is crying. Alex flings the door open, shines the
light in.
Miranda screams bloody murder. Alex gasps, in shock.
Ashley's hands are positioned to hold the flashlight at her
chin. The beam illuminates the dark gash at her throat -
sliced ear-to-ear in a macabre, exaggerated smile.
They spot Dave's body in the chute as well.
The nail is nearly flush with the skin of his forehead. A
small stream of blood drains from the wound and down his
nose. His eyes stare ahead, as if he's looking at them.
Miranda twists away from Alex and runs down the hall,
hysterical.
After a brief chase Alex catches up, grabs her arm and leads
her in another direction.
MIRANDA
Oh God... somebody's in the house
Alex.
INT. WORK OUT ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
They cautiously step inside. It's dark and eerily quiet. Alex
leads the way. Miranda holds back for a second then follows.
MIRANDA
Damn it Alex, they're not here.
Let's go.
Alex shines the flashlight toward the jacuzzi. The dumbbell
lies nearby.
With Miranda close and clinging to his arm he moves toward
the bathroom. He reaches for the doorknob.
Miranda hangs back, tugs on his arm. They whisper.
MIRANDA
I'm scared. Let's go.
ALEX
Go where? We've got no phone, can't
drive outta here. It's a white
out... we're fucked okay!
Alex lifts his hand to silence her, then opens the bathroom
door. He shines the light in it's empty. He lets out a
relieved sigh.
He shines the light around the room once more. His eyes
linger on a supply cabinet. A dark trail of liquid seeps
through the doors.
Alex takes Miranda's hand, cautiously heads toward it. He
kneels down.
He hands Miranda the flashlight. She stands to one side,
holds the light, shaking in her hand, for Alex to see. Her
eyes dart to the door of the work out room.
The cabinet door is stuck. Alex yanks on it.
ALEX
I don't have time to fuck with you
now, dammit.
He gives the door one more hard yank...
Shell's face is briefly illuminated in the flashlight beam.
Her lips are purple and her tongue protrudes from her mouth.
Alex steps back quickly.
Shell's body tumbles out, knocks Miranda down and falls
across her legs.
Miranda screams repeatedly, drops the light.
ALEX
Fuck... fuck... no.
Alex throws Shell's corpse off Miranda and pulls her to her
feet. He takes the flashlight, shines it again on Shell's
body, then aims the beam back in the cabinet.
Mark's body is stuffed inside, his head covered in blood.
Miranda sways, almost faints, then drops to her knees. She
holds both sides of her head, rocks back and forth.
MIRANDA
Oh God! Oh God! What's happening!
Alex kneels down, covers her mouth.
ALEX
Shhh... Do you want them to find us
too?
Miranda's eyes grow wide. She shakes her head emphatically.
Alex nods at her.
ALEX
No. That's right. We don't. So
let's just calm down, keep our
heads on straight.
Miranda pushes his hand away from her mouth. She whispers
loud and frantic.
MIRANDA
Calm down? How the fuck am I gonna
do that? Our friends are dead!
God... maybe it's just us left!
She scurries backward, stares at Alex.
Alex crawls over to her, takes her face in his hands, stares
into her eyes.
ALEX
Shh... Listen to me - we're gonna
be okay.
Miranda throws her arms around Alex, sobs. He holds her for a
few moments, his eyes darting all around the room.
ALEX
Come on.
INT. DOWNSTAIRS - MOMENTS LATER
Alex holds Miranda's hand. They step around Pam's body and
head up the stairs.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
They open doors, shine the light inside the rooms until they
come upon the one Garrett and Chloe are in.
Miranda's hair twirling is out of control once again. At the
sight of Garrett and Chloe, she screams without restraint.
She turns to run from the room.
Alex runs after her, grabs her hard and shakes her.
MIRANDA
Let me go!
ALEX
Where? You can't walk outta here.
It's more than a mile into town.
MIRANDA
I'll take my chances!
ALEX
The cars are buried!
MIRANDA
I don't care! I don't care! I'm not
gonna wait here to die with the
rest of you!
Alex slaps her hard across the face.
Miranda gasps, stares at him with wide, confused eyes. She
sobs.
Alex grabs her, pulls her to him and strokes her hair.
ALEX
Shh... shhh. I'm sorry.
He forces her to look at his face.
ALEX
Just stick close to me.
INT. FAMILY ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Alex grabs a sword hung over the fireplace. He shows it to
Miranda, looks at her as if to say, "this will do the trick".
Her eyes dart around. She shakes her head in agreement.
ALEX
The basement... thick, hardwood
door, from when it was first built.
MIRANDA
And a big lock... or three, right?
INT. BASEMENT STAIRS - MOMENTS LATER
They make their way down.
The flashlight flickers intermittently. Alex bangs it against
the heel of his hand. It grows brighter and then dim.
The heavy basement door is ajar a few inches. It creaks when
Alex pushes it fully open. A slight gasp escapes Miranda, at
the sound of the squeaky door.
Alex shines the light inside.
INT. BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS
It's dark. Alex bolts a large, sliding, barrel type lock on
the door.
They head for the back wall, sit down on the concrete floor.
Alex lies the sword down, pulls Miranda in close and wraps
his arm around her shoulder.
She leans in, resting her head against his chest. For several
moments, all is quiet, except for the sound of their
breathing.
Alex keeps the flashlight trained on the door.
O.S. Shuffling sound
Miranda sits up, startled. She whispers.
MIRANDA
Shit... somebody's out there!
Alex stares at the door, eyes wide.
ALEX
Shhh... maybe they'll go away.
There's a soft knock. Alex and Miranda glance at each other.
A fearful whisper comes from the other side of the door...
DANIEL (O.S.)
Alex? You in there?
Alex and Miranda share a relieved look.
MIRANDA
Thank God. Now we can get the hell
out of here.
Alex rushes to the door, opens it wide.
Daniel stands in the doorway wild-eyed and disheveled, a
candle in his hand.
DANIEL
Why you hidin' down here?
MIRANDA
There's a fucking psycho loose in
this house.
Daniel snorts.
DANIEL
There ain't nobody here, 'cept us.
Alex glances at Miranda, shakes his head.
ALEX
Never mind. Let's find Eddie and
get outta here.
Miranda's voice shakes. The nervous hair twirling starts
again.
MIRANDA
No, Alex. I wanna leave. We can
send the police back to look for
Eddie.
ALEX
Go with Daniel, then. I'm not
leaving without Eddie.
Miranda gazes up at Daniel, a crooked grin on his face.
Daniel looks her up and down. She cowers next to Alex.
MIRANDA
Let's just hurry all right?
Alex grabs the sword and they leave the basement.
STAIRCASE LEADING UPSTAIRS - MOMENTS LATER
Alex and Miranda stop at Pam's body. Behind them, Daniel
stares down at the corpse.
DANIEL
Why is she laying like that? What
happened to her?
Alex glances back at Daniel.
ALEX
She fell down the stairs.
DANIEL
But she's got blood on her.
Alex and Miranda glance at each other, apprehensive.
ALEX
Some of the others are dead too.
DANIEL
But... I don't understand.
Daniel shakes his head back and forth, confused.
ALEX
I don't either. Some fucking
wacko...
Alex stops, turns to Miranda, a look of revelation on his
face.
ALEX
Oh my God... that freak that was
here earlier.
Miranda just stares at him, confused.
ALEX
Before you got here. Some guy, said
he was from the church. Something
was fucking bad wrong with him.
MIRANDA
And you're just now telling me?
ALEX
I really didn't think about it. It
doesn't matter anyway, okay.
(to Daniel)
Daniel, we have to find my friend
Eddie. You remember Eddie huh?
Daniel keeps his eyes trained on Pam's body, brows furrowed
in confusion. He nods his head.
Miranda glances down at Pam again. She grimaces.
MIRANDA
Shouldn't we move her or something?
It's not right to just leave her
there.
Alex grabs her hand, squeezes it.
ALEX
We'll take care of her... but first
let's find Eddie.
Alex and Miranda move quietly up the stairs. Daniel stands
for several seconds longer, staring at Pam's body.
Alex whispers to him from the middle of the staircase.
ALEX
Come on.
Daniel finally tromps loudly up the stairs behind them. Alex
turns around and gives him a signal to be quiet.
INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
The three of them check the bedrooms, flashlight in hand.
They cautiously open one door then another.
Daniel goes for the bedroom where Chloe and Garret lie dead.
ALEX
No Daniel. We already checked that
side of the hall.
Daniel stops, turns back toward them.
On the opposite side of the hallway, Alex opens the last
remaining door. A reflection in the bureau mirror someone
in the adjoining bathroom.
Alex strains to see without entering the room.
ALEX
Eddie? You in here?
Behind Miranda, Daniel giggles, then clamps his hand over his
mouth.
Miranda turns and stares at him, her eyes incredulous.
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Alex enters first, with Miranda behind until Daniel gets too
close, then she hurries toward Alex.
Alex angles toward the bathroom, motions for Miranda to halt.
With his back pressed against the wall he takes a deep
breath, then turns quickly into the -
BATHROOM
Alex releases a horrified grunt and stumbles. He drops the
sword, falls on his rear and scoots backwards.
Daniel calmly walks into the bathroom doorway.
He looks at the scene dispassionately, giggles.
DANIEL
He wasn't much fun.
He turns to leer at Alex and then Miranda, who stands a few
feet away, in the bedroom. The candle casts eerie shadows
across Daniel's face.
DANIEL
Ashley... now she was fun...
squealed like a little piggy.
Alex gapes in horror. He crab walks further away from Daniel.
FROM THE BEDROOM
Miranda stares in disbelief, confusion. Stunned, she stands
frozen. Understanding dawns on her. Her face twists in
terror. She runs for the door.
BATHROOM
Alex screams, rushes toward Daniel. He shoves Daniel hard,
into the bath tub, past Eddie's body.
Eddie's body flops around like a pinata.
Alex snags the sword from the bathroom floor, where he'd
dropped it. He turns and runs from the room.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Alex catches up with Miranda.
In an instant footsteps sound behind them Daniel in
pursuit.
Daniel reaches out, snags Miranda's shirt. She shrieks and
pulls away. Alex, with Miranda keeping step hit the landing
running.
They take the stairs in a rush, two at a time. At the bottom
of the stairs Alex trips, stumbles.
Miranda falls, straddling Pam's body. She screams. Alex yanks
her up and to the--
BASEMENT
Alex slams the door closed behind them and latches it.
A moment later a knock on the door.
Miranda covers her mouth to stifle a whimper of fear.
There's another knock and another - growing harder each time.
The door begins to shake at the hinges.
Suddenly the knocking stops.
O.S. Something rubbing against the door, as if the person on
the other side is stroking it. Then there's low, hoarse
laughter.
Alex grips the sword tight, raises it in front of him.
Miranda grabs his forearm, a pleading look on her face. She
shakes her head at him.
He pulls away, steps over to the door and presses his ear
against it.
Silence.
O.S. Footsteps retreating back up the stairs
He turns to Miranda and breathes a sigh of relief. He runs a
hand through his hair and heads back toward her.
He whispers.
ALEX
Okay... he's gone. All we gotta do
is hang out here 'til somebody
comes to check on us.
Miranda scoffs, shakes her head in disbelief.
MIRANDA
And how long do you think that will
be Alex? Everybody else is in the
same boat we are - snowed in.
She huffs and leans back against the wall. She rubs her eyes
hard, pulls her knees into her chest and sits with her head
in her hands.
MIRANDA
Nobody's coming for us.
Alex looks deflated, leans back against the wall and thumps
his head on it a couple of times.
ALEX
I'm not gonna let anything happen
to you.
Alex glances down at the sword in his hand.
O.S. A loud chopping noise.
DANIEL (O.S.)
I hate you, Alex. You and your
friends. . .
WHACK!
DANIEL (O.S.)
...always laughing at me.
WHACK!
Miranda screams.
DANIEL (O.S.)
You guys think I'm stupid.
WHACK!
DANIEL (O.S.)
Well I showed you.
OUTSIDE THE DOOR
Daniel takes a deep breath, grunts. . .
The hatchet in his hand hits the door with a powerful thud.
INSIDE THE BASEMENT
Wood splinters. Alex jumps. Miranda screams and covers her
ears.
O.S. The chopping noise again and again.
The tip of a hatchet peeks though the wood, around the lock.
The hole gets bigger, with each blow.
Alex runs toward the door, sword ready. He screams and shoves
the sword through the hole.
O.S. A loud groan.
Alex pulls the sword back through the hole. It's covered and
dripping with blood. His brows furrow, his breathing labored.
He stumbles back, bumps into Miranda.
The chopping starts again.
Miranda screams repeatedly.
Alex clinches his teeth together, screams with rage and fear
and lunges for the hole in the door again.
Again, the sword is covered in blood.
O.S. Something slides down the door and then a thud.
Silence.
Miranda looks at the blood dripping from the sword. She
closes her eyes, cries softly, and slides down to the floor
in a heap.
Alex waits for several seconds, stares at the hole in the
door. He approaches, leans down to peer through the hole -
nothing but the empty stairway.
He slowly slides the lock, then opens the door. Miranda
stands, wobbly and delirious, makes her way next to Alex.
They both stare down at Daniel's body, stabbed twice through
the lower part of his stomach.
His chest is still, no rise and fall from breathing.
Alex shakes his head, brows furrowed. He turns to Miranda.
ALEX
I thought he was harmless. I can't
believe this. It doesn't make any
sense.
He shoves Daniel's body a couple of times with his foot.
No response.
Miranda turns her head up to the ceiling, closes her eyes and
mouths a prayer.
Alex hands her the flashlight, grabs her free hand. They step
over Daniel's body.
Miranda pauses before they head up the stairs, out of the
basement. She pulls her hand away from Alex.
MIRANDA
Wait. I know this sounds crazy...
She runs a hand over her face roughly, wiping away tears.
MIRANDA
Can you stick him a couple more
times? Please?
ALEX
What?
MIRANDA
You know how it is... you gotta
make sure the killer's dead.
ALEX
This isn't some stupid horror movie
Miranda. That's my brother laying
there.
MIRANDA
Step brother.
ALEX
Whatever. He's not breathing okay.
He's dead and I killed him.
Alex tosses the sword to the floor, inside the basement. The
handle of it breaks off and rolls across the concrete.
MIRANDA
I'm sorry. Look I'm just saying -
my dad was in Vietnam. I've heard
his stories a million times...
confirm the kill.
ALEX
So you want me to stab him a few
more times... because your Daddy
says so? What the fuck Miranda?
Miranda huffs, takes a step into the hallway.
MIRANDA
Never mind okay... we just need to
find a phone. There has to be a
regular, not fucking cordless one
somewhere in this house.
Alex's eyes linger on Daniel for a few seconds, then he
tromps up the stairs behind Miranda.
MONTAGE
Alex and Miranda search the house.
They dig in dresser drawers.
They search in closets.
INT. ATTIC - MOMENTS LATER
Old toys, furniture and boxes litter the floor. The ceiling
and corners are thick with cobwebs.
Alex kneels down, shines the light on one of the boxes. The
label reads "rummage sale". He scoffs and shakes his head.
Miranda rips open a dusty box, while Alex shines the light
inside.
They dig through it - old clothes, stuffed animals, pots and
pans, etc. They do the same with several more boxes. Finally,
Alex finds a regular phone.
Miranda squeals and kisses him hard on the cheek.
MIRANDA
I think I love you.
They smile and celebrate for a few seconds.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Alex plugs the phone in, puts the receiver to his ear. He
frowns, looks over his shoulder at Miranda.
She holds the flashlight for him to dial.
MIRANDA
Oh no... no, no, no. Please don't
tell me the lines are down.
Alex jiggles the phone cord, presses the button a few times.
A wide grin spreads across his face.
ALEX
Got it.
Miranda jumps up and down as Alex dials.
OPERATOR (ON PHONE)
Nine, one, one. What is your
emergency?
Alex fills the operator in. . .
OUTSIDE
The snow falls heavy in a torrential wind - trees swaying and
snapping.
INT. BASEMENT STAIRWAY - CONTINUOUS
Daniel lies on the floor motionless. Blood seeps from his
stomach wounds, through his clothes, and mingles with the
puddle of it he's lying in.
Suddenly Daniel's thumb twitches. His hand forms a fist.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Alex hangs up the phone, turns to Miranda who stares at him
expectantly.
ALEX
They're sending an ambulance and
the police but it may take a while.
The roads aren't all clear.
MIRANDA
Yeah... I guess your step brother
was a little too busy tonight.
She scoffs, runs a hand roughly through her hair.
MIRANDA
Maybe you should call your dad.
Alex's eyes narrow, his brows furrowed. He sighs.
ALEX
Oh God... What am I gonna tell
Suzanne?
Alex, grim, nods and points toward the refrigerator.
ALEX
Hand me the number.
Miranda takes a couple of steps forward.
O.S. Feet shuffling.
Miranda whirls around, gasps, grabs Alex's arm. Her eyes
widen.
Alex cocks his head, listening.
A dark blur swings through the air. A piece of wood from the
basement door crashes against the back of Alex's neck.
He falls to the floor, unconscious.
Miranda shrieks, looks down at Alex, then at Daniel - the
piece of wood clenched in his hand.
A maniacal smile stretches across Daniel's face. His clothes
are soaked with blood.
He holds the piece of wood up over his head, moves toward
Miranda.
She holds the flashlight tight in her hand. Tears fall down
her cheeks. She swings the flashlight at Daniel, walking
backwards.
He advances slowly, ducks out of the way and giggles.
MIRANDA
No! God.. What do you want from me?
Please... please just leave me
alone!
Daniel lunges at Miranda teasingly.
She jumps and gasps. Her back is now pressed in the corner of
the wall and the counter top.
He laughs. Miranda screams and sobs.
MIRANDA
No! What did I do? I never laughed
at you.. never! I told them to
stop.
Daniel stops. He cocks his head sideways, looks confused.
MIRANDA
Yes. Remember? You were listening.
It was me that took up for you.
Miranda forces a smile.
MIRANDA
I would never make fun of you. You
didn't deserve that. They were
awful to you.
Daniel's eyes soften. He takes a step toward her. She raises
her trembling hand and touches his face, strokes his cheek.
Daniel closes his eyes, enjoying her touch. He sniffs her
hand and then licks it.
Miranda draws her hand back, horrified, drops the flashlight
from her other hand, onto the counter top. It rolls around,
casting light on them intermittently
Daniel's expression hardens again. He drops the board from
his hand, grabs her wrist. He presses himself against her and
runs his hand over her breasts.
With his other hand he opens and fumbles in a drawer of
silverware, grabs a huge butcher knife. He draws it back,
ready to strike.
Miranda screams and pleads.
From behind, Alex silently grabs the piece of wood from the
floor, slams it into the back of Daniel's head.
Daniel looks stunned. A trickle of blood runs from his ear.
He turns around, stumbles a few steps and drops the knife. He
grabs his head with both hands, whimpers. Miranda picks up
the knife, starts toward Daniel's back, a look of determined
hatred on her face.
Daniel lunges, grabs Alex around the throat. Alex coughs,
struggles for air as Daniel squeezes tighter and tighter.
There's a wet, slicing sound. Daniel blinks his eyes several
times. Blood drips from the corner of his mouth.
He falls to the floor to reveal that Miranda was behind him.
The knife juts from his back.
Alex coughs, his hand at his throat, stumbles over to the
counter to retrieve the flashlight. He shines it on Daniel.
Daniel lies face down. His legs twitch violently. He gurgles
on his own blood, takes one deep, struggling breath, then
lies motionless.
Miranda kneels over Daniel, stares at Alex for a second,
tears rolling down her cheeks. She plunges the knife into
Daniel's back... again and again.
She drops the knife, runs to Alex, sobbing.
A few moments later, Alex goes to a cabinet, withdraws a
table cloth.
Miranda twirls her hair vigorously. She pulls her hand away
and it's full of hair - fallen out from all the twirling. She
stares at the hair in her hand for a moment, horrified.
She comes out of her stupor as Alex starts to cover Daniel.
MIRANDA
Wait.
Alex looks at her, confused, glances down at Daniel's body.
MIRANDA
Is he dead? I mean... are you sure
he's dead this time?
Alex lays down the flashlight, turns Daniel over with some
effort. Miranda steps closer.
Alex places a hand above Daniel's nose and mouth. He pauses,
staring at all the blood on Daniel's clothes. He leans over,
listens for a heart beat.
He nods to Miranda, then covers Daniel with the table cloth.
The edges of the cloth soak up his blood.
EXT. HOUSE - EARLY MORNING
The wind and snowfall have ceased. The morning sun has begun
to melt the snow on the ground. Police cars and an ambulance
sit in the driveway, lights but no sirens on.
Alex sits on the front steps of the house, a blanket wrapped
around him. He watches, eyes not blinking, as body bag after
body bag are loaded into the ambulance by PARAMEDICS.
AT THE AMBULANCE
Grant and Suzanne stand beside it. The last body bag to roll
by holds Daniel. The top of it is still unzipped, revealing
his face.
Suzanne shrieks, reaches out and grabs the bag. She crumbles
to her knees, sobbing.
Grant places a gentle hand on her shoulder. He glances over
at Alex.
O.S. Female mumbling
Alex hangs his head for a few moments. When the ambulance
doors close, he turns his attention to Miranda. She is too
far away for him to hear.
Miranda sits on a fallen tree, twirling her hair, a blanket
wrapped around her. She's being questioned by a POLICEMAN,
not in uniform but in a suit, with a badge on his coat.
Alex stares at her for several moments.
FEMALE OFFICER (O.C.)
Son? Alex, did you hear me?
Alex blinks a couple of times, lifts his gaze to the eyes of
the FEMALE OFFICER, standing in front of him.
ALEX
What?
FEMALE OFFICER
Do you have the phone numbers and
addresses of all your friends?
He turns his gaze back to Miranda, mumbles.
ALEX
Yeah. The address book by my
computer.
FEMALE OFFICER
You two got real lucky you know.
Alex doesn't look at her. His gaze shifts from Grant and
Suzanne at the ambulance, to Miranda.
ALEX
Yeah... lucky.
ON THE FALLEN TREE
Miranda stares down at her hands, shaking, covered with blood
and her own hair.
INT. AMBULANCE
Body bags cover the floor, piled three deep.
The sound of breathing and the low rumble of the engine fill
the vehicle.
Daniel's body bag, now closed, rises and falls a few times,
at the area over his nose and mouth.
EXT. HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
The ambulance siren turns on and it pulls away.
FADE OUT
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