"I AM NOT A WEIRDO"

"I AM NOT A WEIRDO"

A Thriller
by Thomas Holler

EXT - OUTSIDE ABIGALE'S HOUSE

Outside of a large, old house a moving van is being unloaded. The house is all white with old brick, old architecture and even old creepy statues scattered along the property. It's a very old house. On the truck two men are unloading the last of some boxes, the older of the two is Abigail's father Richard, he's being helped by Abigail's close friend Bryce. On the walkway to the house two more men have stopped. Douglas and Grant, both have boxes in their hands. Both have stopped dead in their tracks and are staring, eyebrows furled at one of the unnerving statues along the walkway. They stand face to face with an especially creepy statue.

GRANT

God...how soon before these things come to life and kill you?

DOUGLAS

Don't put that in my head.

GRANT

So Abby lived here when she was a kid? These things must have given her nightmares.

DOUGLAS

Nah, my girl doesn't get nightmares. She smiles when she sleeps.

Abigail sneaks up behind them while they're inspecting the statue.

ABIGAIL 

Do you want me to get those boxes for you?

DOUGLAS

Sorry Munchkin. We were meeting the neighbors.

Grant pics up his box and heads inside.

ABIGAIL

Oooo...want me to introduce you. This is Bert and that's Ernie and Crispy over there. I named them when I was really little...obviously.

DOUGLAS

You were a brave kid, huh?

ABIGAIL

Actually all of these statues used to scare me when I was a kid. 

DOUGLAS

Yeah (duh).

ABIGAIL

But then my dad told me these were here to guard the house. They keep badguys away.

RICHARD

We'll see about that. 

Richard shoots Douglas a snarky look to go along with his snide remark as he walks past with the last of the boxes.

ABIGAIL

He hasn't really warmed to you moving in here with me.

DOUGLAS

Oh, I noticed.

ABIGAIL

I am his little girl and this is our family house, it means a lot to him.

DOUGLAS

He gave it to you.

ABIGAIL

I know. He knows. Just give it time, let him get used to it.

Bryce politely walks up behind Abigail.

BRYCE

Hey, Abby. The truck's unloaded, I was actually thinking about getting going.

ABIGAIL

Nooooo. Stay! I have to pay you back with pizza for helping me. 

BRYCE

(smiles)

Thanks but how about you owe me. Buy me lunch on Monday.

ABIGAIL

Deal. 

The two hug.

ABIGAIL

Thank you. You're the best.

DOUGLAS

It was nice meeting you Bryce. Thanks for helping out.

Bryce moves in, the two shake hands and lock eyes.

DOUGLAS

Appreciate it.

BRYCE

Don't mention it. Nice meeting you.

Bryce heads off to his car. Douglas picks up his box and heads inside with Abigail. Bryce looks back. The front door closes. The statues stay still.

INT-KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM

Inside the house Richard is in the kitchen with Abigale cleaning up after their pizza dinner while Grant and Douglas are going through boxes in the living room.

GRANT

Where's your Playstation?  Let's hook that shit up.

DOUGLAS

Don't unpack anything. Do you see how weird he's being about this?

Douglas look back at Richard.

DOUGLAS

I am going to wait until he leaves before I really, y'know. Move in.

GRANT

Yeah he doesn't want you here, he kept asking about you when we were unloading. Like he was pumping me for information.

DOUGLAS

What's; he trying to dig up dirt on me?

GRANT

Yeah but look, if you were moving into my family house with my daughter I'd hate you too.

DOUGLAS

So would I but I'd at least hide it better.

Richard looks back at Douglas, they catch eyes for a second. Richard takes a hard look at Douglas and shakes his head in disapproval and confusion. He turns away. Douglas and Abigail catch eyes, they look at each other from the across the room. They both smile.

DOUGLAS

Whatever. He'll get over it.

Abigail walks in from the kitchen.

ABIGAIL

I need you to run down to the basement and get my big serving plate. 

DOUGLAS

What does that look like?

ABIGAIL

It's this big plate.

DOUGLAS

Ok...

ABIGAIL

And get my crystal pitcher, but only if it's clean.

DOUGLAS

Come with me. I don't even know what these things are.

ABIGAIL

No, I never go in the basement. You go.

Douglas and Grant share a look.

DOUGLAS

Ok...

INT - BASEMENT

Douglas walks down the stairs to the cellar-like basement, it's very old. Very dank and poorly lit. Douglas's face twists, something stinks. He hold his nose and rushes downstairs, searching through several shelves before finding a big plate. He finds the pitcher but it's covered in cobwebs, he discards it and runs back upstairs. He hands Abigail the plate, he's out of breath.

INT-LIVING ROOM

ABIGAIL

Where's the pitcher?

DOUGLAS

Covered with spiders, its dead to us. Now I know why you wouldn't go down there. It smells like SHIT!

ABIGAIL

Eww I wouldn't know, that's not why I don't go down there. I don't go down there because it's scary.

Douglas smiles at her.  God she's cute.

ABIGAIL

Do you want some cake?

DOUGLAS

I want some alone time.

ABIGAIL

(smiles coyly)

Cake fist.

Douglas and Abigail join Richard and Grant in the kitchen and start carving up the cake. Later they're saying goodbyes at the door. It's night time. Grant says goodbye to Douglas and hugs Abigail, it's a warm goodbye and in stark contrast to the cold goodbye that Richard offers, after hugging his daughter goodbye Richard darts out the door without so much as an acknowledgment towards Douglas. Douglas and Abigail kiss as the door closes. The lights in the downstairs turn out, the light in the bedroom turns on.  

INT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Inside the bedroom Abigail is sleeping alone, the room is very dark. It's eerily quiet. Abigail wakes up, she's expecting to have someone beside her. The house is silent except for sounds of movement coming from downstairs in the kitchen. Curious, Abigail gets up to see what Douglas is doing down there. The house creeks with every step as she creeps her way to the door. Just as she's about to open the door Douglas bursts through to doorway, startling them both. 

DOUGLAS

GAHHHH!

ABIGAIL

AHHH!!

DOUGLAS

What are you doing out of bed?!

ABIGAIL

I was trying to find out what you were doing out of bed!

DOUGLAS

I got up...I heard noises. I keep hearing noises.

ABIGAIL

Houses make noise.

DOUGLAS

Which I am not used to hearing because I lived in the city. I am not used to this kind of quiet.

Abigail goes over to her bedside table and turns on a loud fan, the sound drowns out all the other noise. She climbs back into bed.

ABIGAIL

Come on. Help me get back to sleep.

Douglas climbs back into bed and wraps Abby up in his arms, the two fall asleep.

 INT - KITCHEN - MORNING

Close up on Abigail's face. She's staring at something that disturbs her. Her face wears an expression of confusion and pained disgust. She's staring downward at something she see's on the counter. She's tense.

Douglas rounds the bottom of the stairs into the kitchen. 

DOUGLAS

Hey Sweety.

He startles Abigail who quickly reaches down and crumples up a piece of paper. 

DOUGLAS

Sorry. Are you ok?

ABIGAIL

Are YOU ok?

DOUGLAS

Yeah, why?

ABIGAIL

You'd just tell me if something was bothering you, right?

DOUGLAS

Of course Abby. What's wrong?

ABIGAIL

...nothing. I trust you.

DOUGLAS

Good to know. 

Douglas looks at the expression on Abigail's face, he knows there's something on her mind but she's seems like she wants to move past it. He asks once more.

DOUGLAS

Are you ok?

She doesn't answer, she just hugs him.

DOUGLAS

Ok...I love you.

ABIGAIL

I love you.

Douglas leaves the room, Abigail takes one more look at the crumpled piece of paper in her hand, it still makes her tense. She tears it up and throws is out. Determined to forget about it. Whatever it was shook her up.


INT - KITCHEN

A pot boils on the stove.

DOUGLAS

Ok, throw them in.

Abby is holding two large lobsters.

ABIGAIL

I am having second thoughts.

Douglas laughs.

DOUGLAS

I knew this was going to happen. I told you in the store. I knew you'd bond with them by the time we got home.

ABIGAIL

Arrrrgggg...I really want lobster too.

Abby looks at the two lobsters, all tied up and at her mercy. 

ABIGAIL

Uggg...why did I name them?

DOUGLAS

Why don't you give them to me and leave the room.

ABIGAIL

Nooooo. I know what you're going to do with them.

DOUGLAS

I am going to cook them. That's why we bought them Abby, you were so excited in the store.

ABIGAIL

I knowwwwwww...I am being weird. 

DOUGLAS

Can I have them?

ABIGAIL

No.

Douglas's body language registers frustration but on him face is a big smile. He can't get mad at that.

DOUGLAS

You know we can't keep two pet lobsters, right? They would just die anyway Abby.

ABIGAIL

Why can't we just let them go? We can take them to the lake.

DOUGLAS

Abbbbbbbyyyyyyy...this is adorable but I really don't want to do that. This was my dinner too, I was excited.

ABIGAIL

 But think about how mean that is. Peter and Pepper will thank us, we can save them. It'll be like a Disney movie. The first half of the movie will be about how they got caught and forced to survive in that aquarium at the restaurant. Watching their friends being chosen and then eaten in front of them. 

DOUGLAS

This is dark.

ABIGAIL

Yeah! And then it gets really dark when a young couple comes into the restaurant and chooses both of them. At least they get to die together; they think.

DOUGLAS

Jeez.

ABIGAIL

But then at the last minute the couple looks at them and see's how in love they are and how scared, so they decide to let them go. They give them a  new life in a beautiful lake with lots of food. All because they had a last minute change of heart.

DOUGLAS

I am not sold. Do you even know for sure they they're a boy and girl?

Abby doesn't.

ABIGAIL

(unconvincingly)

Yes.

DOUGLAS

Abby you're cute. But I want to eat these guys.

ABIGAIL

Oh come on. You love animals as much as I do.

DOUGLAS

Yeah?

ABIGAIL

And I don't see you being able to eat Petey and Pepper, now that...

Douglas takes them away from Abby and puts them right into the boiling pot in one cold motion.

DOUGLAS

Wanna bet?

Abby is shocked. She can't believe that Douglas could be that callous. 

The pot screams.

INT - DINING ROOM

Douglas as Abigial sit across from each other at the table, not speaking. Douglas is enjoying his lobster, Abby hasn't touched hers.

INT - DAYTIME - BEDROOM

A week has passed, the once scattered living room looks settled, the boxes are all put away. Douglas has settled in. His game system is hooked up in the living room, his belongings have woven their way into the house. This looks like a shared home.

There's a tension in the room, Douglas is sitting on the bed, flipping through a magazine, Abigail is folding laundry. Her back turned towards Douglas.

ABIGAIL

I don't know why you can't just say you did it? It bothers me that you'd try to lie about it.

DOUGLAS

I didn't even know you had a diary until you accused me of this just now.

ABIGAIL

How did it end up in the nightstand on your side of the bed?

DOUGLAS

I have a SIDE of the bed? I didn't know that. I just plop down wherever.

ABIGAIL

STOP trying to be funny right now.

DOUGLAS

I am not. None of this makes sense, if I wanted to read your diary I wouldn't put it in some nightstand beside the bed. I'd put it back EXACTLY where I got it from.

ABIGAIL

I am not even saying you read it. It just drives me nuts that you won't just admit you moved it. This didn't even need to become a fight.

DOUGLAS

Well then lets not make it one. Lets just say we have ghosts and forget about it. 

ABIGAIL

Stop making me sound crazy. I write in my diary every night and I put it back in my dresser when I am finished.

Douglas sees something in her eyes and hears it in her voice, she's freaked out. She sounds like someone under a lot of stress.

DOUGLAS

One time I came home to work to find my TV remote in the fridge. Sometimes people put things in weird places and don't even notice. I am sorry I don't remember moving your diary, maybe I did. I definitely, 100% did not read it.

ABIGAIL

I don't want to fight; Douglas. I just want to know that you're always telling me the truth.

DOUGLAS

I always am. Are you ok with me living here? You seem...frazzled.

ABIGAIL

I feel frazzled. I just want this to work.

DOUGLAS

I want this to work.

ABIGAIL

Then just tell me you moved my diary. 

Douglas looks at his woman and considers his answer for a second. Then takes one on the chin.

DOUGLAS

I moved  your diary.

Abigale looks at her man, there's doubt in her eyes.

INT - DOUGLAS IS RUNNING UP SOME DARKLY LIT STAIRS

Douglas is racing up the dimly lit stairs leading to the basement, his face is red and turning purple. He makes it to the top of the stairs and bursts through the door. Loudly inhaling fresh oxygen the first chance he gets.

DOUGLAS

5 seconds! New record!

ABIGAIL

Omg close the door, you're letting the smell in here. 

Douglas kicks closed the basement door and drops the box on the floor. Abigail opens the box and digs around inside, pulling out some old dolls.

ABIGAIL

Yay!

DOUGLAS

That's what you sent me down there to get?

ABIGAIL

I am thinking about putting some of these up on the shelf in the guest room. Just to jazz it up a little.

DOUGLAS

God help whoever stays in that guest room. 

ABIGAIL

What do you mean?

DOUGLAS

Those dolls are going to come alive and straight up murder whoever's in that room with them.

She hold up a stuffed rabbit.

ABIGAIL

Mr. Crayon isn't a murderer. 

 Douglas pulls out of the box a particularly creepy looking doll.

DOUGLAS

This one most certainly is.

ABIGAIL

That's Patty Pancakes and yeah, I wouldn't turn my back on her. 

DOUGLAS

What guests are we expecting anyway?

ABIGAIL

Your parents? When are they going to come see the place?

DOUGLAS

They'll fly out once we're more settled. Is your dad thinking of staying here.

ABIGAIL 

No way. Not with you living here.

DOUGLAS

Phewwww...

ABIGAIL

Bryce might spend a weekend down here this month.

DOUGLAS

With his girlfriend?

ABIGAIL

No girlfriend. You can invite Grant down.

DOUGLAS

Or we can go somewhere. We can get out of this house for a while, we've been cooped up. It's making us both crazy.

ABIGAIL

I want to but I can't take a whole weekend off.

DOUGLAS

One night then. Tonight.

ABIGALE

I want to get dressed up!

DOUGLAS
Ok, where do dressed up people go?

ABIGALE
There are so many nice places on the pier, we can go for a walk along the water after, it's so beautiful out.

DOUGLAS
Should I assume I can get REALLY good fish down by the pier?

ABIGALE
(excitedly)
Oh MY God!

DOUGLAS
Go get dressed up PrettyGirl.

Abby leans in and kisses Douglas before springing out of the room and up the stairs, her adorable enthusiasm brings a smile to his face. That smile disappears when he looks down to the doll he's holding, it's Patty Pancakes. Her corpselike eyes look back at him.

EXT - Restaurant. 

Douglas and Abby are sitting down in a beautifully lit and lively little restaurant on the lake. The lights on the boats behind them make them look like fireflies on the water. A server brings their food, Abby has a light pasta dish, Douglas has a big halibut placed in front of him. The skin looks crispy the meat looks mouth watering, Douglas is almost in disbelief at how good it looks.

DOUGLAS
Oh god. Y'know what, I never take pictures of my food but this is too damn photogenic to not share.

Douglas snaps a pic with his phone.

DOUGLAS
Speaking of photogenic.

Douglas snaps a few pictures of Abby. The camera loves her smile. Her smile fades some.

 ABIGAIL
This is the you I like.

DOUGLAS
You've been so ominous lately. What's up?

ABIGAIL

I feel like I am still learning you.

DOUGLAS

Well...yeah. When you move in with someone you go through this re-discovery period, right? That's normal.

ABIGAIL

I know. 

DOUGLAS

So is it like...I am messy or...?

ABIGAIL

No! It's nothing like that...well, yes you are messy but I knew that when I asked you to move in. It's just...honestly, I found a note you wrote to yourself once. It looked like something you wrote to yourself  when you were feeling annoyed. It was angry, and it was weird to see because I never see that side of you.

DOUGLAS

What are you talking about? The angriest I ever get is when I am losing at video games and you see that all the time. What note?

ABIGAIL

I couldn't even tell you. I read a few lines of it and just crumpled it up and threw it out. It was so angry and violent. It scared me Douglas.

DOUGLAS

A note? Like a handwritten note?

ABIGAIL

Yes.

DOUGLAS

Abby the only handwritten notes I leave lying around would say like..."buy laundry detergent" or "dentist 12:30, Monday". I can't think of anything I'd write that would have freaked you out.

ABIGAIL

It's not just the note. Its other little things like moving my diary and finding this broken picture of me and my family that looked like it had been smashed and then put back on the shelf, and sometimes I hear angry shouting...

DOUGLAS

I am a little floored right now. 

ABIGAIL

I didn't want to bring this up tonight. I am sorry.

DOUGLAS

I had no idea any of this was going on. Abby I didn't write any angry notes. I don't know what you saw but it wasn't from me, and I didn't know one of your pictures broke. I didn't do that either. The yelling...that could be me. I don't know. Video games.

ABIGAIL

That note was written on the paper we keep in the kitchen.

DOUGLAS

What? heh...

That one stumps Douglas, it's disturbing.

DOUGLAS

Well maybe your dad wrote it about me. I mean he hates me, any note he wrote about me would be angry and hate filled and scary. Right?

ABIGAIL

Not this kind of angry and it was just sitting out on the counter and he hasn't been here since we moved in. We would have noticed it before if was his.

DOUGLAS

I wish you kept the note and I wish you'd shown me the broken picture because then I probably could have proven right then and there that I had nothing to do with any of this.

ABIGAIL

I should have asked you about it but I wanted to just sweep it under the rug and forget about it.

DOUGLAS

I am sorry you saw something that freaked you out. That wasn't me.

Abigail smiles.

ABIGAIL

How about we both just forget it.

DOUGLAS

OH, I know just the thing for that.

Douglas motions for the waiter. The waiter comes over.

DOUGLAS

Can we see a wine menu please?

Again Abby smiles. The two settle in, the tension of the last few days starts to fade and two young lovers fall for each other all over again.

EXT - The Boardwalk

Abby and Douglas walk arm in arm along the beautiful boardwalk at night, the reflection of the moon dances off the water. The two are tipsy, giggling and holding each other tightly for stability as they stumble along.

ABIGAIL

You walk like a penguin.

DOUGLAS

Because you keep tripping me.

ABIGAIL

Lets swim home.

DOUGLAS

Uh-uh, I can't let you ruin your dress.

ABIGAIL

I'll take it off.

DOUGLAS

Ok lets swim.

Abigail grips Douglas by the shirt and pulls him in for a long kiss in the moonlight.

DOUGLAS

I love you Abby.

ABIGAIL

Take me home.

The two lovers kiss and then climb into a cab. Upon getting home their house is black, completely dark. They pair fumble to the door, finally getting it open. Douglas picks Abby up in his arms and carries her inside. The camera stays outside the house, the light in the window turning on just barely cuts through the black of the night.

INT - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Abigail and Douglas are in bed, it's dark. The two lovers spoon. It's very, very quiet.

INT - BEDROOM - MORNING

Douglas wakes up alone. He gets to his feet and puts on some clothes, he looks around the room. He's very aware of Abigail's absence. He step out of the bedroom to see Abigail standing at the end of the long hallway. She's just come out of the guestroom and she's holding something. She's trembling, he sees tears in her eyes.

ABIGAIL

Why are you doing this?

DOUGLAS

Abby?

ABIGAIL

Why Douglas?!

Why did you do that?

DOUGLAS

What did I do???

ABIGAIL

ARE YOU SICK? Am I supposed to laugh at this? Did you think it would be funny? PLEASE tell me you thought this would be funny.

DOUGLAS

Abby you're scaring me. I didn't do anything!

Abigale throws what appears to be the leg of a doll at Douglas.

ABIGAIL

Stop saying that!

DOUGLAS

I don't know what this is!

ABIGAIL

You're sick. You're sick! YOU'RE SICK!!!

Douglas is panicking, he sees the open door beside Abigail and moves for it. She jumps back, that she was afraid of him just then gives him a moment's pause before he continues through the door. Inside the room Abigail's dolls have been torn apart and arranged in sick, deranged sexual positions. Strange writing is everywhere, violent things. Douglas' face goes white.

DOUGLAS

Abby...what is this?

ABIGAIL

...what?

DOUGLAS

Did you do this?

ABIGAIL

WHAT? You sick bastard!

Abigail attacks Douglas, Douglas pushes her off.

DOUGLAS

Abby stop! Please! Please!

ABIGAIL

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? 

DOUGLAS

ABIGAIL YOU'RE SCARING ME! I don't know what this is. Will you please talk to me? 

ABIGAIL

What do you mean you don't know? Stop saying that! Douglas stop saying that! You did that!

Douglas takes a step back, he's trying to defuse the situation before it explodes and he loses her forever.

DOUGLAS

Calm down, baby. Please. 

ABIGAIL

I am freaking out right now Douglas.

DOUGLAS

I know...maybe we can call a doctor. We can get help. I think we need help.

ABIGAIL

We? We need help? We?

DOUGLAS

Abby...

ABIGAIL

Get out. Get out.

DOUGLAS

Abby let me stay and we'll figure this out!

ABIGAIL

I need you gone! I don't feel safe around you right now. I need you gone.

Tears stream down her face.

ABIGAIL

Please.

DOUGLAS

I am scared to leave you alone.

ABIGAIL

I am scared of you.

That crushed Douglas.

ABIGAIL

I need you to go.

Douglas hesitates, this is the hardest decision he's ever been faced with. He backs away.

DOUGLAS

I love you.

Douglas goes to leave. 

DOUGLAS

I am going to get help. I am going to go get help and them come right back. Please be here. I love you Abby. Please..we can fix this.

She's cold to his pleas. He takes his keys and he leaves. Once out the door he sprints to his truck. Abigail is left alone in the house.

EXT – NIGHT

Douglas runs to his car and gets in, he peels out and races into the night to find help.

EXT - GRANT'S HOUSE.

Grant is sitting in his living room eating a bowl of cereal, he hears the sound of a speeding vehicle getting closer and closer to his house, out the window he sees Douglas's truck pull in. He came in so fast he overshot the driveway and ended up in the middle of Grant's front lawn. Seeing this Grant runs to the front door where he's met by Douglas.

GRANT

What the F...

DOUGLAS

I need help.

GRANT

With what? What is it?

Douglas's eyes become pained.

DOUGLAS

I think Abby's sick

INT - DOUGLAS' SPEEDING TRUCK

Grant is in the passenger seat of Douglas' truck, Douglas speeds out off of Grant's lawn and races back towards Abby's house.

GRANT

Jesus Christ...Abby.

DOUGLAS

It's not her fault. She's sick.

GRANT

Sick how?

DOUGLAS

I don't know!

GRANT

This is so fucked up.

DOUGLAS

I need you to help me calm her down. Just help me talk to her.

GRANT

We should get her father. 

DOUGLAS

His phone's off. I messaged him to meet us there.

GRANT

When did this start?

DOUGLAS

When I saw her in the kitchen a couple weeks ago, she looked scared. She said she found a note. Some fucked up note.

GRANT

What did it say?

DOUGLAS

I don't know! I never saw any note. She said it was angry, and violent. 

GRANT

Do you think there was really a note?

Douglas falls quiet, eyes never off the road.

GRANT

What else?

DOUGLAS

Just weird little things. She said she found broken photos and heard shouting. She's been accusing me of all these strange things lately. Then this.

GRANT

Shit, dude. We'll get her help.

They drive, not speaking another word. Pulling onto the lonely road leading up to Abby's house their car is SMASHED from behind by another vehicle, they spin out just outside the driveway. Abigail's father Richard's car screeches to a stop in front of them. Richard steps out of the car and points a shotgun at Douglas's head.

Douglas and Grant are in a daze after the collision, when they finally come to they're faced with a shotgun and an ultimatum.

RICHARD

Turn around. Never come back.

DOUGLAS

Richard! 

RICHARD

If you ever come near my daughter again I'll kill you. I swear to god. You're done around here. Leave.

DOUGLAS

Abigail needs help.

RICHARD

That's why I am here. She told me all about you; you piece of shit. 

GRANT

Jesus Christ put your gun down.

RICHARD

You get him out of here. You get him away from my daughter or I'll shoot you both. 

DOUGLAS

I am not leaving! Abigail NEEDS help. She's sick Richard.

GRANT

Douglas we have to go.

DOUGLAS

NO! Richard listen to me, Abigail did this. She did all of this. She needs a doctor.

Douglas feels dizzy from the collision, things around him slow down and fall silent. He doesn't hear Richard and Grant shouting at each other. His eyes are moving towards the house, he sees Abby looking out the window. He snaps out of it.

DOUGLAS

Abby!

Douglas stumbles out of the car and attempts to walk to the house.

RICHARD

GET BACK IN YOUR CAR!

Douglas ignores him. Richard responds by belting Douglas across the face with the butt of his gun. Douglas falls to the ground at Richard's feet.

RICHARD

What were you doing with my daughter? What kind of game were you playing?

Blood spews from Douglas's mouth, Grant runs over and tries to pick him up.

GRANT

ALRIGHT! We're gone. We're leaving.

Grant helps Douglas to his feet, Douglas locks eyes with Richard and his shotgun.

RICHARD

I knew you were no good.

Douglas has had enough, he charges Richard and takes him off his feet. The two wrestle around and the shotgun goes off, no one is hit but everyone is startled. The fighting doesn't stop, the gun goes off again. This time too close to Grant.

Grant pulls Douglas off of Richard, Richard responds by pointing his gun at Douglas's head. Everyone can see in Richards eyes that he's going to pull the trigger. Douglas braces.

ABIGAIL

Stop! Dad, stop. Just let them go.

Abigail runs over crying, as much as she's afraid of Douglas she still loves him. He's madly in love with her still.

ABIGAIL

Grant, get him out of here.

DOUGLAS
NOOOO!!! 

Douglas sits bloodied on his knees, he's trying his hardest to hold everything together.

DOUGLAS
Abigail, I am not leaving you!

 ABIGAIL
I am scared of you.

That hurt him more that the car crash or getting gun butted on the nose.

GRANT

C'mon man.

Grant picks his friend up and gets him into the passenger side of their car. As they peel out the back bumper falls out, broken glass sprinkles the road behind them as they drive away. Douglas' eyes are glued to Abigail as they pull away, she's crying in her father's arms. Douglas' eyes close.

INT - NIGHT - GRANT'S LIVING ROOM

Grant helps Douglas get to the couch where he collapses. Grant tosses him a washcloth to clean himself up with, he heads into the kitchen to get first-aid supplies. Douglas starts to wipe the blood from his face, wincing in pain as he does. Grant re-enters with the first-aid kit, he puts it on the table in front of Douglas and sits down. He struggles to find the right words to say. What do you say to someone who just has his life torn apart?

GRANT

We'll go back. We'll give it some time, let her calm down. Then we'll go back.

Douglas doesn't respond. 

GRANT

Should we call the police.

DOUGLAS.

They'll believe her.

GRANT

I don't even know what we'd tell them. I don't know what this is. What is this?

DOUGLAS

I don't know! I don't know what happened.

GRANT

You didn't see this coming at all?

DOUGLAS

THIS? Did I see this happening?

GRANT

Or any indication that something was wrong with her?

DOUGLAS

Nothing's wrong with her. Something happened. She's sick. Maybe she was always sick and just never told me. Maybe she was on medication, maybe she stopped taking it.

GRANT

 Wouldn't her dad have known if she needed medication?

DOUGLAS

He probably does.

GRANT

Then why wouldn't he have told you?

DOUGLAS

Because he's s piece of fucking shit.

Douglas's face begins to bleed again as he gets more animated.

DOUGLAS

FUCK!

Grant gets up and leaves the frame, the shot stays tight on Douglas, in the background we hear Grant going though the fridge. He comes back with two cans of beer and hands one to Douglas. Douglas presses the cold can to his swollen face.

GRANT

I am sorry man. I don't know what to say.

DOUGLAS

 ...Fucking dolls.

GRANT

Why do you think she'd do that? What would compel someone to create a scene like that? 

DOUGLAS

You should have seen her face, that's when I knew she wasn't well. The look in her eyes. She really thinks I did that, she's scared of me.

GRANT

You know what the means? She woke up sometime in the night while you were sleeping and crept into the other room, then she tore apart all her dolls, tore apart the whole room, wrote violent things all over the wall, did...sexual things with those dolls and then waited for you to wake up so she could act like she thought you did it.

DOUGLAS

She wasn't acting. She really thinks I did it.

GRANT

That's even scarier Douglas.

DOUGLAS

Jesus Abby. Are you really crazy?

GRANT

What if she is Doug?

DOUGLAS

Then she'll need my help.

Douglas takes note of Grant's reluctant expression.

DOUGLAS

I was going to propose to this one.

(beat)

I am going to propose to this one.

 GRANT
Dude, don't think like that right now. Think about what you're going to do to get her help, because I really don't know what you can do.

DOUGLAS
Find a doctor...

GRANT
Doctors won't see her unless she wants to be seen. 

DOUGLAS
I'll talk to her.

GRANT
Her dad said he'd kill you if you came back.

DOUGLAS
We'll see if he meant it. I am going back. Fuck him.
 

Grant cracks open another beer. 

GRANT

I think you should walk away, dude. Sorry. I mean; this is some shit.

DOUGLAS

That's not an option. I can't. I love her.

GRANT

 She's bad news Doug. She's crazy. Not just girl "crazy", actual crazy. You can never be comfortable around her after this. You'll never sleep again, god knows what you'd wake up to if you did. IF you wake up!

Douglas fall quiet.

GRANT

I am sorry to say this to you but it needs to be said. This girl just showed you a HUGE red flag...fuck that, this girl just showed you a room full of dolls that she molested. There is no clearer "stay away" sign. That's FUCKED. I didn't want to say this before but I am scared shitless of her now. Seriously. I am glad this happened now, before you got any deeper into this. 

Douglas doesn't respond.

GRANT

I know you loved this girl but...she's dangerous dude. You need to give her space and stay far away.  The wrong woman will fuck up your life, a psycho will shorten your life. Is any of this getting through to you?

DOUGLAS

No.

Douglas pours some of his beer into the cloth and wipes up some of the dry blood on his face. Grant falls quiet and sits back in his chair, he sips on his beer.





INT - GRANT'S LIVING ROOM  - MORNING

Grant is passed out in his chair, beer bottles are all over the table in front of him. Douglas is sitting up, he's been awake all night. The morning sun is just starting to set.

Douglas has been up waiting, when the sun breaks he can't wait anymore. He gets up and takes the car keys from off of the table in front on Grant and makes his way out the front door. Outside the truck is parked haphazardly, half on the driveway and half on the front lawn. The back of the truck is smashed in, the bumper is dangling. Douglas pays it no mind, he climbs in and starts the engine, the bumper drags along the ground as he pulls away.

It's a long drive to Abagail's house outside the city, it takes a nervous hour and a half for him to finally reach the lonely turnoff onto Abagail's road. When his car makes the turn Douglas notices a police car pull up behind him. Soon he's flanked on either side by police cruisers demanding him to pull over. When Douglas complies he's told to get out of his vehicle.

POLICE OFFICER

STEP OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH YOUR ARMS RAISED.

Douglas

What did I do???

POLICE OFFICER

STEP OUT NOW!

Douglas steps out of his truck and is immediately tackled and hand cuffed, he's violently picked up and thrown into the back of the police car.

INT - POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM

Douglas looks exhausted, he's sitting in a chair being grilled by a no nonsense cop. 

COP

Last night Abagail was attacked in her room while she slept.

DOUGLAS

What?

COP

Last night after you had your altercation with her and her father where you were asked to leave for doing...unsavory acts, she was left alone in her house where she claims someone hit her in her sleep.

DOUGLAS

Her father left her alone???

COP

He's the one who found her the next morning, with a broken eye socket and a mild concussion.

DOUGLAS

How could she do that to herself?

COP

Herself? 

DOUGLAS

She's sick. You have to help her.

COP

We are helping her. Infact we're looking at the prime suspect in this assault right now.

DOUGLAS

I wasn't there!

COP

No, according to your statement you were with your friend Grant all night. Yet when we found you, you were alone speeding towards Abagail's house.

DOUGLAS

Its still my home. All my stuff's there.

COP

Any dispute over your belongings is between you, her and the courts. The property belongs to Abagail, any attempt to access her property will be considered an intrusion.

DOUGLAS

Where's Abagail?

COP

Do you think I am going to give you that information. We're going to serve your with a restraining order that says you have to stay at least 50 feet away from her at all times. 

Douglas can't process all this information, his life has utterly crumbled in the last 24 hours. It shows.

COP

I will let you know that she's going to be ok. She's very shaken, she's very scared of you but she's going to be ok. We're here to make sure of it.

DOUGLAS

If you really think I did it then why don't you just arrest me already?

COP

The only reason you aren't in one of those cells right now is because she didn't see her attacker.

DOUGLAS

Are you sure there was an attacker?

COP

Are you asking me if I think she broke her own orbital bone and then went back to bed?

(he stares hard at Douglas)

No. I don't think that. I think you did it, I think you have a key, I think you came back in the middle of the night and I think you hit her with something with the intention to kill her.

DOUGLAS

But I'd know I am the most obvious suspect. You really think anyone could be that stupid?

COP

Not stupid. Like you said, sick.

DOUGLAS

What now?

COP

Like I told you, we don't have enough evidence to press charges. You can go.

Douglas stands up to be let out of the room.

COP

Make sure your leave your new address with our detectives before you leave, and make sure you never go anywhere near that girl or her house again. I am serious.

DOUGLAS

How do I get my things?

COP

Call a lawyer.

A buzzer sounds and the door out of the room opens, Douglas leaves. Still trying to process everything that's taken place. He's led out the front door back to his truck.

Douglas gets into his truck and drives. He has nowhere to go, he lost his home and his woman who he's worried sick about but can't go near for risk of being thrown in jail. He punches his steering wheel, he screams and he cries. 

INT - A DINGY BAR - MID-DAY

Douglas sits slumped in a bar stool, his nose bandaged sloppily, he's drunk. The bar he's in is a dive, the kind of bar you can walk into at 11 am and get drunk with a group of sad strangers in. A sombre tune plays in the background. Douglas sits; his eyes staring forward but vacant, locked on something unseen. He's lost in his thoughts, playing the last few days over and over in his head. His empty drink is refilled.

INT - A DINGY BAR -EVENING

Douglas is in the same spot hours later. Douglas' eyes sit fixated on a payphone in the corner. 

INT - ABIGAIL'S HOUSE

Abigail is sitting at her coffee table, she's not alone. The police weren't lying, her face has suffered a fracture. Her eye is blackened and her cheek is swollen but in that typical Abby way, she still looks cute. Her phone rings, unknown caller. She knows it's Douglas, she tenses and then answers against her better judgement.

Silence.

DOUGLAS

Abby?

ABIGAIL

Why are you calling me?

DOUGLAS

What do you mean why am I calling you? 

Two days ago we were in bed together. Our bed.

ABIGAIL

The police told you not to contact me.

DOUGLAS

They told me you got attacked.

 Abby what happened?

Abigail doesn't answer.

DOUGLAS

Abby how did you get hit?

Abigail doesn't answer. 

DOUGLAS

Abby they think it's me. Can we please talk?

ABIGAIL

No Douglas. I don't ever want to see you again.

DOUGLAS

DON'T SAY THAT. Abby, god damn it. We both know it isn't ME who hit you last night.

ABIGAIL

...what?

DOUGLAS

I love you so much Abby. How could you honestly believe I'd hit you? You KNOW I didn't. You know it.

ABIGAIL

Stay away from me.

DOUGLAS

I CAN'T Abby. You're sick and you're hurting yourself.

Abigail starts to shake. A voice calls to her.

DOUGLAS

Is that your dad?

ABIGAIL

Its Bryce. Bryce is with me, he's here to keep me safe from you.

Douglas falls silent.

ABIGAIL

You were my biggest mistake. I was so wrong about you. I am glad I found out when I did, now I want to forget you. I never want to see you again.

Abigail hangs up. Douglas holds the phone to his ear in stunned silence until the dial tone stops.

INT - GRANT'S LIVING ROOM

Douglas wakes up on Grant's couch. His head is pounding, his eyes are bloodshot, he's disheveled, hungover. It hurts to move. Douglas fumbled around at the coffee table in front of him, it's littered with garbage. He finds a half empty bottle of water and downs it, he managed to get to a sitting position. He sits, holding his head and breathing heavily for a minute before trying to stand up. Douglas struggles to his feet.

Standing up now Douglas can see out the window into the front yard, his truck is parked right in the middle of Grant's front lawn. Grant's garden doesn't look so good.

DOUGLAS

Shit.

GRANT

Yeah shit.

Douglas turns to see Grant, he's carrying a cup of coffee.

GRANT

Drink some fucking coffee. Idiot. 

DOUGLAS

I am sorry.

GRANT

What the fuck were you doing driving last night?

DOUGLAS

I don't know. 

GRANT

DRINK!

Douglas drinks his coffee, his takes a seat. 

GRANT

What happened?

DOUGLAS

I went home. I went to Abby. I got arrested, they told me she got attacked last night. They think it's me. She has a broken eye socket.

GRANT

The..........seriously?

DOUGLAS

She didn't see her attacker. 

GRANT

It's hard to see imaginary people.

DOUGLAS

How would she even do that? Break her own eye socket?

GRANT

She punched herself.

DOUGLAS

Hard enough to break the socket?

GRANT

Maybe she hit herself with something, or she threw herself into a wall. 

DOUGLAS

She hits herself in the face with like...a rock, then she gets back in bed and waits for someone to find her? Why?

GRANT

I don't know. 

DOUGLAS

Are we really thinking she's that far gone?

GRANT

...I don't know.

 Douglas's leg bounces with nervous anxiety. 

DOUGLAS

I talked to her. 

GRANT

Really? When?

DOUGLAS

I called her from the bar. She said I was a mistake.

 Bryce is with her.

GRANT

Well...She's his problem now.

DOUGLAS

FUCK YOU!

GRANT

I am sorry dude. I know this sucks, in fact this is honestly the shittiest thing I've ever heard but seriously dude, I don't want you going back to her. 

DOUGLAS

FUCK YOU! We were laying in bed together only a couple days ago. I had a life with her. You think I can just turn that off and say "Ah fuck it, let Bryce have her. She's crazy"? You think I can let this go? She BROKE her fucking EYE!

GRANT

What can you do? She thinks you're trying to kill her. Her dad put a gun to your head and told you to keep away and the police are watching you.

DOUGLAS

Still though...

GRANT

Go back to work. Give it some time.

DOUGLAS

Fuck work.

GRANT

Doug, step away from this for a bit.

DOUGLAS
Step away? She smashed her face!

GRANT
That's MY point. She smashed her own fucking face. This is a bad situation, back the hell away. I know you love this girl and I know your heart is broken and I know you're worried about her but you need to leave that girl alone. She's psycho. She's legit psycho. Stay away from that girl.

DOUGLAS
It's easy to say that..

GRANT
Stay away from that girl!

DOUGLAS
I can't.

GRANT
Stay the FUCK away from that girl.

Douglas doesn't respond. 

GRANT

Don't FUCK your life up. Stay away from that girl!

INT - A COFFEE SHOP

Douglas pick up his order at a coffee shop and sits by the window. He's wearing a pair of sunglasses and his beard has grown in a little. Its bright by the window, he puts on a cap. He sits looking out the window, eyes trained on the door of an office building across the street. He watches people coming in and out, smiling. It's striking to him how carefree they all seem, its something Douglas is envious of.

Then SHE comes out the door.

Douglas' face saddens. She's still has a bruise over her eye, it's been touched up with makeup but it's noticeable. Her coworkers hug her meaningfully, as though they all know what's happening and are being extra supportive of her. A few of them walk her to her car, they're keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious. For the first time it occurs to Douglas that there are people out there who think that he's a predator. A complete psycho who attacks helpless women. He pulls his hat down lower on his face and breaks his stare with the window. He tries to look casual, he takes a sip of coffee. Outside the window Abby hugs her coworkers goodbye. She takes one last look around before getting into her car and driving away. Douglas watches her pull away.

EXT - ABBY'S DAD'S HOUSE

Abby's car pulls into a small driveway outside of a modest one floor house. Inside the car she collects her things, before reaching for the door handle Abby stops herself and pulls down the overhead mirror. She see's her scar, it's looking more pronounced than before. The makeup has worn off a little. She starts to touch it up with some powder she takes from her bag.

HONK!

The sound of a carhorn behind her startles Abby, powder is flung into the air. Filling her lungs. She starts to choke and quickly exits the car.

BRYCE

Abby!

Bryce emerges from the truck behind Abby's and runs to her. 

BRYCE

Are you ok?

ABIGAIL

Yeah, pffffffffffttt...

That horn just made me jump and I got makeup in my mouth.

BRYCE

My fault. I am sorry.

ABIGAIL

It's ok.

Abigail hugs him.

ABIGAIL

Thank you so much for coming.

BRYCE

Of course Abby but...I don't think you should be doing this.

ABIGAIL

I knowww. My dad keep's saying that.

BRYCE

Your dad might be right.

ABIGAIL

My dad hasn't slept since I've been staying here. He stays up all night, everytime a car's headlights pass by he has to look out the window. If I want things to go back to normal then things have to go back to normal.

BRYCE
Yeah but...

ABIGAIL
I haven't heard from him in weeks, and we changed the locks. 

BRYCE
I don't like it.

ABIGAIL
I need to go home. 

Bryce can see that she means it. 

Off camera a door swings open. The pair turns to see Abigail's father Richard. He has a concerned look in his face.

INT - RICHARDS HOUSE

Inside Richard's small home boxes are everywhere, they're being filled by Abigail and Bryce. Richard isn't helping, he's actively trying to get her to stay.

RICHARD

One more week!

ABIGAIL

Will one more week actually make me any safer?

RICHARD

Yes! 

ABIGAIL

Ok. I get it, I am scared to go back too but I have to. I haven't been alone in weeks. I need to be by myself, I need to be somewhere where I can just cry and process everything that happened. I need to go home.

Richard relents.

RICHARD

I am going to be checking on you, keeping an eye out for anything. I'll drive past every couple hours,

ABIGAIL

You don't need to do that.

RICHARD

It's happening.

BRYCE

Abby?

Abigail turns her attention back to Bryce.

BRYCE

I think we're good here, I think we can get this in one trip.

Abby gives her father one last reassuring look before picking up her box and heading out the door.

On the drive up the men keep suspicious eyes on every car that passes.

INT - ABIGAIL'S HOUSE

Inside the house Abby waits with the boxes in the front hallway, Richard and Bryce are going through the house. They look under every bed and inside every closet. Bryce rushes back up from the basement holding his nose.

ABIGAIL

Told you.

Bryce takes a second to catch his breath.

BRYCE

I didn't see anything down there. Shelves, a cot, Christmas decorations, lots of garbage.

Richard emerges from one of the rooms and comes down the stairs.

RICHARD

I think we should do one more sweep, you check all the rooms I checked and I'll check yours.

ABIGAIL

You both looked everywhere. I saw you look underneath the dresser. He's not a hamster; dad.

RICHARD

Just for tonight maybe I should stay on the couch.

ABIGAIL

I love you dad. No.

RICHARD

Then let him.

BRYCE

I don't mind.

ABIGAIL

Thank you. But no. Please.

Bryce and Richard share a concerned but defeated look. Eventually both giving Abigail a strong hug and well wishes before departing. Abigail closes the door, alone in the house for the first time since the attack.

INT - ABIGAIL'S BEDROOM

Abigail settles into her bed, it's dark and very quiet. She's visibly nervous.

She hears a car approach, the sound startles her and she jumps out of bed and heads to the window. She's shaking. 

As the car pulls around the dark corner she feels relief when she recognizes that it belong to Richard. Her dad's doing just what he said, he's keeping watch. She heads back to bed and forces her eyes closed. 

Darkness.

INT - ABIGAIL'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Abigail is up early despite only getting a few hours of sleep the night before. She looks out of her bedroom window, its a beautiful day. Abigail puts on a pair of slippers and heads out into the hall. Out in the hall she stops in her tracks, down the hallway is a room that still scares her. Its the room where she found the dolls torn apart, the twisted writing that littered the walls has been hastily rolled over with a coat of paint. Abby hurries down the hall and closes the door, that room still unnerves her. The house is very quiet.

Abby heads downstairs to the kitchen. She's startled to see the pantry doors wide open, her body freezes. Something about it looks wrong, the boxes of food look like they've been torn into in a rush. Emptied. Nothing else on the scene seems off, there's no other sign of a break in. Abigail grabs a granola bar out of the pantry and closes it. Soon she's off to work.

INT - ABIGAIL'S OFFICE

Abigail walks across her company's busy main floor to her office, the crowds and familiar faces provide comfort for Abigail now. She feels safest at work when she's surrounded by coworkers. Abigail says her hellos while dropping off her things at her desk, she collects her favorite coffee mug and heads for the kitchen. 

BRYCE

Oh good. You made it.

ABIGAIL

 Hello. 

BRYCE

Hey Abby.

ABIGAIL

Yeah I made it. Sort of, I didn't really sleep.

BRYCE

But you did it. You made it through a whole night alone in that big house. 

ABIGAIL

Yup. I am a big girl.

BRYCE

Hey, don't dismiss that accomplishment Abby. I know I was against it last night but what you did, spending a night in that house alone...it was one of the bravest things I've ever seen.

ABIGAIL

Thank you. 

Abigail pours herself a cup of coffee, then offers Bryce a refill on his. He extends his cup, taking her up on the offer. 

ABIGAIL

Hey while you were going through the house last night, do you remember grabbing a snack from the kitchen?

BRYCE

No. Your dad was the one who checked the kitchen. Why?

ABIGAIL

Nothing, I just...I just forgot to buy groceries I guess.

 BRYCE

Well why don't I help you with that after work?

Abigail hesitates, she's careful to keep her distance with people at the moment. Still feeling like she needs to be by herself for a while, to put the pieces of her life back together before moving on.

BRYCE

Come on. We'll load up. I'll make dinner.

ABIGAIL

Bryce...

BRYCE

I am not asking for a date. I just want to help.

ABIGAIL

Ok...dinner actually sounds amazing. Thanks Bryce.

BRYCE

(smiles)

Anytime.

Abigail heads back to her desk, Bryce takes a minute to enjoy his coffee before heading back. He wanders over to the window. Directly across the street is same coffee shop Douglas was seen loitering at earlier. 

INT - THE COFFEE SHOP 

Douglas, unshaven and wearing a baseball cap pulled down to his large aviator sunglasses sits watching the world on the other side of the coffee shop window. It's late in the day, people are leaving. Abby exits the building across the street with Bryce, Douglas's jaw tenses. Douglas puts his coffee down and moves out of frame. Outside Abby and Bryce are about to cross the street towards the coffee shop. 

The door chimes announce their entrance into the small coffee shop, the gleeful pair walks straight up to the counter. Behind them Douglas's seat is empty. They place a quick order and leave together. Douglas comes back into frame, now with his coat on. He throws down some change from his pocket to cover his bill and leaves.

INT - DOUGLAS' TRUCK

Douglas is sitting inside an old black truck, watching from a distance as Abby and Bryce load groceries into the car.

INT - ABIGAIL'S KITCHEN

Abigail and Bryce are eating the last of what looks like an incredible meal, Bryce starts to clean up.

ABIGAIL

I feel like I should help you with that.

BRYCE

You don't look like you'd be much help.

ABIGAIL

Food coma. Please tell me there's not desert.

BRYCE

There's desert. 

ABIGAIL

Damn you.

Bryce brings the plates with him back to the kitchen and returns carrying two big, frosting covered cupcakes.

BRYCE

Now you're in trouble.

ABIGAIL

How did you know I love chocolate?

BRYCE

You're a girl.

Abby joyfully bites into her cupcake. It's perfect. She needs a moment.

ABIGAIL

Yes.

BRYCE

Aaaaaaaaand I found something else back there but I need to run it by you first.

ABIGAIL

What?

Bryce hold up a bottle of wine.

ABIGAIL

Oh. Did you want a glass.

BRYCE

Well...that sort of depends on whether or not I am driving home tonight?

ABIGAIL

Ahhhhhhhh...

BRYCE

Yeah...Obviously I'd stay on the couch. I thought maybe it would be fun to share the bottle and make it a late one tonight.

ABIGAIL

That would be fun, it's just...

BRYCE

I am putting the bottle down. It's ok Abby, I get it.

ABIGAIL

Space is just a thing for me right now.

BRYCE

Alone time. I get it. It's ok. 

ABIGAIL

Sorry.

BRYCE

Don't be.

INT - DOUGLAS' CAR

Parked between trees, tucked away in the shadows Douglas' beat up black truck is almost invisible. He's nervously shaking his leg, attention never leaving the view he has of Abby's house. Finally he sees movement, the front door opens. He sits witness to Abigail and Bryce hugging and saying their goodbyes. Bryce heads to his car and starts it up. Douglas breathes an intense sigh of relief.

DOUGLAS

Phewwwwwwww.

Fuck.

Thank you.

Bryce heads off down the road, Douglas waits. After a minute Douglas says one more thank you and starts to drive away. Just as he's making his turn he takes one last look back at the house in the rear view mirror. Something catches his eye. His brakes slam and the truck comes to a stop.

In the rear view mirror Douglas sees something heading towards the house. He sees a figure rushing towards Abby's side window. It's so dark Douglas has trouble following it, he can hardly make out what it's doing. What is it doing? Did it just go in the window? Did something just go inside the house?

Douglas gets out and looks around. He can't see the figure, he's starting to panic. He moves closer, aware of the dangers that come with his being spotted. The window is open, it looks like something pushed it open and crawled through. Douglas can't believe this, he staggers forward, his stagger becomes a full stride rushing towards Abigail's side window. He sees a hand print on the ledge.

He listens, he hears Abigail singing upstairs. She's alone. He enters through the window.

INT - ABIGAIL'S HOUSE

Inside the house it's quiet, Douglas skulks quietly. He's trying to avoid Abigail, he knows how dangerous this is. He can't be seen. He ducks down and surveys the lower floor while Abigail listens to the radio upstairs.  He hears a creak in the hallway, he very carefully investigates. It's so dark, he can't tell if there's someone there or not. He feels it. Someone's there, someone's staring back at him. 

Something catches his eye, movement from the top of the stairs. He sees Abigail, shes staring back at him. Her face white. She screams.

ABIGAIL

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Douglas motions to Abigail to calm herself, out of the corner of his eye he sees movement in the hallway again. He turns his attention away from Abigail back to the darkness in the front hallway. From out of that darkness a figure stands up, and runs out the front door. Douglas jumps back, startled by what he just saw. He turns back to Abby.

DOUGLAS

Abby! Call the police!

Douglas dashes out the front door after the mystery figure.

EXT - ABIGAIL'S HOUSE

Douglas chases the figure out the front door, in the background he can still hear Abigail screaming. Outside of Abigail's house is almost pitch black, once you're away from the houselights there's little illumination. Surrounding her house is a thick wooded area, Douglas sees the figure race into the forest. He follows it into the darkness, he looses is as it whips through the trees and becomes invisible in the night. Douglas stops his pursuit. 

Douglas collects himself and then heads back towards Abby's house, he hesitates for a second. Tempted to make a break for it, he realizes the only way to clear his name is to face the police and explain his side of the story. He's compelled to tell them about Abby's stalker. Douglas starts towards the house. 

Gunshot. The tree beside Douglas's head explodes. Douglas hits the ground on instinct, when he gets up he sees Richard taking aim at him with his shotgun. 

DOUGLAS

Richard! Put that gun down. I am coming out. 

Richard fires again, this time leaving no doubt that he's aiming to hit Douglas.

DOUGLAS

Richard!!!!

RICHARD

I told you I'd kill you if I ever saw you again.

He levels his gun at Douglas, its staring him dead in the eye. Douglas doesn't call Richard's bluff, he runs into the trees. Another blast from behind him sends him to the dirt. Douglas can hear sirens. The lights of the police cars threaten to give away Douglas's position. 

POLICE

Put down your weapon!

Richards gun is still locked on Douglas's hiding place, he doesn't lower it when ordered. 

POLICE

Put the gun down NOW!

Richards reluctantly legs go of his shotgun, never once taking his eyes off Douglas. Not until the police tackle him to the ground. Officers approach the edge of the forest, their flashlight piecing though the blackness. Douglas hides against the stump of a tree.

POLICE

Is anyone there? Come out!

Douglas is conflicted, his primal instinct is to run but he thinks about Abby. He need to tell someone that she's being stalked. Someone is doing all this to her, to them.

POLICE

Last chance. Come out!

DOUGLAS

Ok...I am coming out. 

The police train their guns on Douglas as he emerges from the dark forest, he's brought down and handcuffed. On the porch a tearful Abigail watches the police take him and her father away.

INT - LIVING ROOM

Bryce is in Abby's home. He's walking from the kitchen to the living room carrying a steaming cup of tea. Inside the living room Abigail is sitting with the police. The lead officer is that same one who interrogated Conrad earlier. Bryce hands Abigail the tea.

COP

We have him on criminal trespassing, but these waters are bit murky given your former living situation.

ABIGAIL

No they're not, I told him I didn't ever want to see him again.

COP

You still have his things.

ABIGAIL

What?

COP

Why do you still have his things?

ABIGAIL

I don't want them.

COP

You see why a jury might be sympathetic to someone breaking into a house to get his own things back.

ABIGAIL

HE ATTACKED ME!!

COP

We weren't able to prove that. We weren't able to lay a single charge in that case, in a court of law that means it didn't happen.

BRYCE

And what about this other thing that he's saying? That he saw someone?

COP

You mean this mysterious figure that he conveniently can't give a description of because it was too dark? I wouldn't lose sleep over that. Frankly it's not the first time we heard that one from someone. 

BRYCE

So where is he?

COP

Right now he's behind bars until he sees a judge but unless we have something that can keep him there then he's probably going to get away with a fine and some probation. Are you sure you didn't notice anything last night as you were leaving?

BRYCE

I didn't see anything.

COP

Miss...maybe it would be better if you stayed with someone for a while. 

BRYCE

I am staying with her.

ABIGAIL

When are you letting my father go?

COP

 Actually Douglas refuses to press charges against your father. He'll be out later today.

The room falls quiet.

 COP

Well, we'll be leaving. This time we'd like you to file an official restraining order against Douglas, and if I were you I'd think about finding someplace else to live. He's...

ABIGAIL

No.

COP

Keep an eye on her.

BRYCE

I will.

COP

We'll be in touch.

The officer sees himself out, leaving Abigail and Bryce alone. Abigail is staring into dead space, in thought. Bryce lets her have her silence.

ABIGAIL

I want a gun.

BRYCE

What?

ABIGAIL

I need a gun.

BRYCE

Abby. He's in jail.

ABIGAIL

He won't always be.

BRYCE

He has a restraining order against him now. He can't come anywhere near you.

ABIGAIL

 He's crazy! He doesn't care. Bryce I am not moving, so he's always going to know where I live.

BRYCE

Maybe we should just move you back to your fathers. Just for a bit.

ABIGAIL

Fucking asshole.

BRYCE

Sorry?

ABIGAIL

Douglas. Not pressing charges against my dad, I know what he's doing. He's manipulating me. He's trying to get me to trust him. Piece of shit.

BRYCE

Abby?

ABIGAIL

What?

BRYCE

That night, when Douglas was in your house. What do you think he wanted?

ABIGAIL

Honestly? I think he wanted to kill me.

BRYCE

I don't get why he told you to call the police.

ABIGAIL

Because I scared him. I saw him before he could get me.

BRYCE

Did he look scared?

ABIGAIL

Yeah. I caught his ass and he knew it. So he made up some bullshit story and ran.

BRYCE

If he came here to hurt you then why not hurt you? When you started screaming, why run? Why not attack?

ABIGAIL

What the hell are you saying? 

BRYCE

I am just thinking.

ABIGAIL

What? Someone else was here and poor Douglas was just trying to save me from the dark figure?

BRYCE

No. No! This isn't a movie. Real life doesn't have twists like that. Your ex-fiance actually IS just one of those sick stalkers you read about, that's why this is happening. That's the only reason this is happening.

ABIGAIL

I need a gun.

BRYCE

We'll talk to your father when he gets out. If you still want one, he has lots. 

Abigail give him a half smile.

BRYCE

I am sorry Abby.

ABIGAIL

Why? It's not your fault.

INT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Bryce and Abigail are on the couch, the light of the television is the only thing illuminating the room. Abigail is curled up in the corner of the couch hugging a cushion. It's a bright night outside, the light coming in from the windows casts long shadows throughout the room. Bryce and Abby sit stoically, both staring at the tv. Half focused on what they're watching and half lost in thought. Their shadows stretch along the length of the room and up to the ceiling. Unmoving. 

Their shadows are joined by a third shadow. It moves into frame and stops, it's placed near the window. Somewhere in the blackness something is there, staring at the couple watching TV in the dark. Neither Bryce nor Abby notice. The shadow lingers for a few moments then disappears as it blends back into the blackness of the room.

Abigail yawns.

ABIGAIL

Yawwwwwwwww...my god.

BRYCE

You should go to bed. 

ABIGAIL

Good idea. Where are you going to sleep?

BRYCE

Right here.

ABIGAIL

 I have an extra bedroom.

BRYCE

I am good here.

ABIGAIL

(smiles)

It helps, you being here.

BRYCE

This was fun.

ABIGAIL

(yawns again)

 I know, I waaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Excuse me.

BRYCE

Go to bed. Get some sleep. You need it.

ABIGAIL

Thank you. Goodnight.

BRYCE

Goodnight Abby.

Abigail hugs Bryce and then goes to a linen closet and hands him a pillow and a blanket, she heads upstairs. Bryce pulls the cover over himself and closes his eyes.

INT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Bryce is asleep on the couch. In the dark room behind him someone is watching him. Someone is standing behind the couch looking down on him, cloaked in darkness. 

INT - JAIL

Douglas is being led through a hallway by a couple of officers to a small room with a table. Sitting at the table is his public defender. Douglas takes a seat across from him and the two are left alone. 

LAWYER

Hello Douglas, my name is Alister Cross. I'll be defending you.

Douglas doesn't answer.

LAWYER

I've been looking over your case, I think we'll be able to get you out of here. A man's ex-fiance accuses him of torturing...dolls and then locks him out of the house they shared. According to the police report she made claims of violence but you were never charged?

DOUGLAS

I didn't do it.

LAWYER

Good. The police apparently didn't think so either because I don't see any charges laid. That's very good. Now we just have to convince the judge that you were only in her house to get your things back so you could move on and finally forget about the crazy bitch.

Douglas shoots him a look.

LAWYER

Hey, looks like that aren't going to help you get out of there. We need to convince this judge that you want nothing to do with this girl, when he tells you he's placing a restraining order between the two of you; you thank him.

DOUGLAS

There was someone else in that house. I want them to find him, keep Abby safe. 

LAWYER

She's safe and you staying behind bars isn't keeping her any safer. 

Is it?

DOUGLAS

No.

LAWYER

Well then. You made up that intruder story that because you were scared, you got caught and were worried about getting in trouble so you made something up. The mysterious stranger excuse, oldest one in the book.

DOUGLAS

And then I chased after someone I just made up?

LAWYER

No, you ran because you knew she was going to call her dad and his shotgun.

DOUGLAS

They won't believe me.

LAWYER

Are you kidding me? No one believes you now. If you go in there and tell that judge that you only broke into your ex's house to chase out some dark, faceless figure then all you'll do is convince him you need to be kept out of the public and put into a looney bin. I ask you, is that what you want?

DOUGLAS

...I was just there to get my stuff...

LAWYER

Exactly. I think we can get time served plus probation, plus obviously you'd have to agree to never be within a hundred feet of her ever again. 

DOUGLAS

Just her?

LAWYER

And her father probably, but we'll consider that a blessing.

DOUGLAS

Get me out of here.

LAWYER

I'd like you to make a statement. You were alone in that house with Abigail, you saw no one else. Judges are like mothers, they give points for honesty.

DOUGLAS

Honesty?

LAWYER

...Is Abigail safer with you behind bars?

DOUGLAS

No.

LAWYER

Well then.

The lawyer slides a pen and paper across the table to Douglas, urging him to write his statement.

LAWYER

You were alone. You just wanted to get your things back.

DOUGLAS

(reluctantly)

I was alone.

INT - ABIGAIL'S KITCHEN.

Richard is sitting at Abigail's table, he's staring contemplatively into his coffee mug. 

RICHARD

I wish I'd killed him.

ABIGAIL

Don't say that.

Abigail is sitting with her father, Bryce is leaning against a wall with coffee in hand.

RICHARD

I wish it wasn't so damn dark that night, I couldn't see him. 

ABIGAIL

Thank god. You'd still be in jail if you hit him. 

RICHARD

I would have gone to jail for the rest of my life just to know that piece of shit wasn't going to be out there anymore.

ABIGAIL

Don't say that! He's not worth it.

RICHARD

That judge made me sick. Letting him lie like that.

I should go find him.

ABIGAIL

No! He just got out of jail and there's a restraining order against him now. He can't come here.

RICHARD

You think that sick bastard cares about a restraining order?

Richard looks up at Bryce.

RICHARD

I am coming with you.

ABIGAIL

You can't!

RICHARD

To hell with that.

BRYCE

I am with Abby, you two can't be anywhere near each other.

ABIGAIL

Dad, just stay away. You're not going back to jail because of him!

BRYCE

I have his things all packed, I won't be there long.

ABIGAIL

What if he won't come to the door?

BRYCE

Then I'll leave his stuff on his front lawn.

RICHARD

You're taking a gun.

BRYCE

No. Thank you.

RICHARD

If you don't want me coming with you then you're taking a gun. 

BRYCE

I am not planning on needing one Richard.

RICHARD

No one does. 

Bryce nods the comment off and puts his cup in the sink. 

BRYCE

I think I am going to head out.

ABIGAIL

Now? It's 9 am.

BRYCE

 Yeah, and hopefully he'll still be sleeping. 

EXT - DRIVEWAY - BRYCES U-HAUL

Abigail hands Bryce the last of Douglas' things. The finality of it brings a tear to her eye, Bryce notices but says nothing. Before Bryce can get into the truck Richard corners him and shoves a gun into Bryce's hands. Bryce takes the gun and tucks it in his waistband. He gives Richard a knowing nod.

BRYCE

Abby, this will be behind us soon.

She puts on a smile, Bryce shuts the door and drives off with the last of Douglas packed in his truck.

EXT - DOUGLAS' HOUSE

Bryce pulls into a the driveway of a small, one level house in a dingy part of town. Bryce sits for a second collecting his thoughts, he pulls the gun out of his waistband and looks hard at it. Bryce has a moment of clarity and decides to put the gun away into his glove compartment. Bryce steps out of car door, heads to the back door of his u-haul and opens it. He starts pulling Douglas' things out of the truck and putting them on the font lawn, hoping to just leave Douglas his things and without confrontation. That's wishful thinking, Douglas comes bursting out of the front door.

DOUGLAS

HEY! 

Bryce doesn't answer him, he keeps pulling Douglas' things out of the truck.

DOUGLAS

You want to tell me what that the fuck you're doing?

BRYCE

Douglas, I am just giving you your things back.

DOUGLAS

Why are YOU giving me my things back?

BRYCE

Would you rather have Abby's dad do this?

DOUGLAS

Where's Abby?

BRYCE

Douglas...I don't want to get into this.

DOUGLAS

 Stay away from her.

BRYCE

Are you kidding me?

DOUGLAS

It's funny how this worked out isn't it? I am out of the picture and no less than a month later you move right in.

Bryce doesn't answer him, he stares a hole through Douglas.

DOUGLAS

I know it was you Bryce.

BRYCE

What?

DOUGLAS

I know it was you. The note. The dolls. I know it was you. How did you do it? Did you have a key all along? Did Abby give you a house key?

Douglas' teeth grit, his hands ball into a fist. Bryce takes notice, he glances towards the truck, gauging how much distance is between him and the glove compartment. 

DOUGLAS

When I caught you in that house...what were you doing there? Why did you come back? 

Douglas is getting more and more animated.

DOUGLAS

Abby turned you away, I was there. I saw you leave! I saw her send you away.

BRYCE

You were watching us?

DOUGLAS

What were you doing sneaking back into her house? What were you going to do to her?

Bryce sees how angry Douglas is getting, he starts to back his way towards the truck. Douglas follows him.

BRYCE

I wasn't IN her house. I went home that night. YOU were the one who snuck into her house.

DOUGLAS

Yeah I did, after I saw someone climb through her window.

BRYCE

Oh yeah? You saw that while you were stalking us?

DOUGLAS

YES!

BRYCE

You really are sick.

DOUGLAS

I am getting real tired of hearing that.

Bryce back right up to his truck and reaches for the door.

DOUGLAS

You're running away?

BRYCE

No.

Bryce dashes into his car, Douglas follows him. Douglas grabs a hold of Bryce and forcibly pulls him out of the car.

DOUGLAS

We're not done talking!

Bryce responds with gun pointed right at Douglas, Douglas takes a step back.

BRYCE

You're crazy and you're dangerous and you're going to leave Abby alone. I swear to god I'll kill you.

DOUGLAS

Shoot.

BRYCE

Take your shit, never come back. If you do I'll be there waiting to put a bullet in you. I won't let you hurt her.

DOUGLAS

Hurt her? All I've ever done is protect her. I've taken it on the CHIN for that girl. I've been arrested, shot at, beat up and arrested again all because some psycho wouldn't leave us alone. You know what the worst part is? I didn't believe her. I thought she was making it all up. She wasn't was she?

BRYCE

No.

DOUGLAS

You're going to have to kill me.

Bryce is genuinely temped to do it, instead he backs up to his truck. Never lowering his gun. He makes it to his truck and gets in.

DOUGLAS

You ruined my life. This won't ever be over. I won't let you have her.

Bryce doesn't respond, he pulls out of the driveway and speeds off. Douglas' things spill out of his truck as he leaves.

EXT - ABIGAIL'S HOUSE - FRONT PORCH
 
Abigail is sitting outside on her patio furniture, nervously awaiting Bryce's return. Beside her is her father Richard, neither is speaking. Both are sitting silently, waiting, contemplating. The sound of a car coming up the lonely road leading to her house catches both of their attention. Abigail see's Bryce's truck come into sight, she gets up and walks to the driveway to meet him. Concern is registered on her face.

Bryce pulls into the driveway, he takes a second to collect himself for Abby's sake and exits the vehicle.
 

ABIGAIL
Hey. How did it go? Was he home?

BRYCE
No. Thank god.
 

ABIGAIL
Oh...
 

BRYCE
I left him his things. It's done.
 

ABIGAIL
Ok. That's that, I guess.
 

BRYCE
That's that Abby. I promise.
 

ABIGAIL
Well, lets celebrate! I been in baking mode all morning just to take my mind of things. How does wine and cake sound? Or pie. Or cupcakes. I went a little overboard.
 

BRYCE
Wine sounds about right.

ABIGAIL
I'll set the table.
Thanks again Bryce, you've been amazing.

Bryce smiles back at her, the two hug and Abby heads back inside her house. Richard is sitting on the porch watching. Bryce walks over to him.
 

RICHARD
He wasn't home?
 

BRYCE
No. Lucky.

RICHARD
I guess you didn't need that gun.

Bryce doesn't really answer, he just nods off the question and moves to follow Abby into the house before Richard's next question stops him in his tracks.
 

RICHARD
Can I have it back? The gun?
 

BRYCE
I was thinking maybe I should hang onto it.
 

This time Richard doesn't respond. He looks at Bryce quizzically.

BRYCE
Just incase.

Richard nods, giving his approval. Bryce heads into the house. Richard is left on the porch, he sips on his coffee and looks out at the area around the house with watchful the eye of a guarddog.
 
EXT - DOUGLAS' DRIVEWAY
 
Douglas is sitting on a chair in his driveway, his things are all over the place. Broken and spread out everywhere. He's drunk. Grant's pulls up in his car, slowly swirving Douglas's shit still laying in the road. Grant gets out and walks over to Douglas, he sits down on the nearby overturned dresser.

GRANT
Bryce came over, huh?

Douglas looks at him quizzically.
 

GRANT
Abby called me, I told her where you were living so she could give you back your shit.
 

DOUGLAS
Abby called you?
 

GRANT
Just briefly, to get get your new address. She said she'd send Bryce. I was hoping by the time I got here you'd have your playstation hooked back up. Is that it laying in the road? Fuck me. What happened?
 

DOUGLAS
He brought a gun with him.
 

GRANT
Oh. Did you get shot?
 

DOUGLAS
No.
 

GRANT
Did he?
 

DOUGLAS
No.
 

GRANT
Ok. Still, though. Fuck, eh?

Douglas acknowledges him with a sip of beer.
 

GRANT
Listen, I'll call Abby. I'll talk to her, I'll get her to pay for your shit. This isn't fair.
 

DOUGLAS
I'll call her.
 

GRANT
You don't have her number anymore and I am not giving her new one to you, don't even ask.
 

DOUGLAS
Why is she ok with you having it?
 

GRANT
I think it's because she knows I won't let you do anything stupid. It's one more person to call for help if she needs it...which she won't, because you're going to leave her alone.
 

DOUGLAS
...yeah.
 

GRANT
Goddamn it, I really wanted to play video games.

Douglas's game system lays in the middle of the road, inside out.
 

DOUGLAS
Well, not happening. What else do you got?
 

GRANT
I have two cases of beer. Wanna just do that?

INT - ABIGAILE'S HOUSE
 
The basement door slams shut, Abigail and Bryce are both overcome with the stink.
 

ABIGAIL
See? That's what I am saying, just keep this door shut.
 

BRYCE
That smell is getting worse. Abigail you should call someone.
 

ABIGAIL
Uggg, I know but I just don't have the money for that right now.
 

BRYCE
Well...then I'll see if I can find what's causing it.
 

ABIGAIL
You don't have to, there's nothing down there I need.
 

BRYCE

That's not the point, something that smelly can't be healthy. Maybe you have a dead raccoon or something down there.
 

ABIGAIL
OMG don't say that!

Abby shivers at the disgusting thought of a dead raccoon rotting in her basement.
 

BRYCE
Look, if it's a dead raccoon I can take care of it but if that stink is caused by some sort of gas leak or mold then we need to call someone in here ASAP. When are you driving your dad back?
 

ABIGAIL
In a bit, we're going to have dinner near his place and then I have to go grocery shopping after.
 

BRYCE
Perfect. That gives me enough time to find out what's stinking it up down there and air out the house a little before you get back?
 

ABIGAIL
Do you think you can air it all out in a couple hours.
 

BRYCE
Well...take your time.
 

ABIGAIL
You're welcome to come eat with us.
 

BRYCE
No, I think you two could use the alone time. I've been tagging along a lot lately. Besides, I wanna get this done.
 

ABIGAIL
Bryce. You're the best. I owe you. 
 

BRYCE
Its fine.
 

ABIGAIL
No. It's not, I really owe you. I think about it a lot. You've been amazing to me. So amazing that I don't think I can ever pay you back.
 

BRYCE
Abby, you really don't need to. I am not here to be nice, I am here because I like hanging out.
Abigail smiles.
 

ABIGAIL
I just feel like I am putting a lot on you.
 

BRYCE
You're not. I've told you from day one I wanted to help. You never asked me for anything, I always offered.

Abigail gets teary eyed.
 

ABIGAIL
I hope asking you to get a dead raccoon out of my basement is the last thing I'll have to ask you to do.
 

BRYCE
I hope it's not.

EXT - DOUGLAS'S DRIVEWAY
 
Douglas and Grant are sitting on lawn chairs in Douglas's driveway. His furniture has been drunkenly arranged behind them. Douglas's living room is in his driveway. There are a lot of empty beer bottles on the ground.
 

DOUGLAS
Fuck Abby.
 

GRANT
Dude. It feels so good to hear you say that.
 

DOUGLAS
She bottles shit up. Why can't she just be open from the beginning? Oh what's that Abby? You found a creepy letter that I wrote? Let me see it. Oh, I didn't write this. This looks like Bryce's writing. Y'know what I mean?
 

GRANT
YES! That fucking letter. And the broken picture. I don't get why she wouldn't just show you those things right away?
 

DOUGLAS
That letter really freaked her out.
 

GRANT
So...do you still think she wrote the letter herself?
 

DOUGLAS
No. I think Bryce did.
 

GRANT
Why though?
 

DOUGLAS
To get her to break up with me.
 

GRANT
And the dolls. You think he broke into her house...
 

DOUGLAS
No. I think he had a key.
 

GRANT
Even still, he snuck in and of all things to do; he spends the night mutilating Abby's dolls while you sleep...just to get her to break up with you?
 

DOUGLAS
To make her scared of me, yeah.
 

GRANT
But WHY? Of all the ways to get a girl to dump her guy, why THAT? Why not frame you for having an affair or spread lies about you? This is literally the riskiest, least logical plan of attack.
 

DOUGLAS
It worked.
 

GRANT
He got lucky. What if you found that letter, or what if you found those dolls first?
 

DOUGLAS
Then I would have thought it was her and I would have confronted her about it. But then she would have thought it was me and I would have looked crazy. Either way he gets what he's after. I am gone and he's the big hero keeping her safe while keeping me away.
 

GRANT
It's just a really fucked up plan.
 

DOUGLAS
YES!
 

GRANT
Like, he's either really stupid or really psycho.

INT - ABIGAIL'S GARAGE
 
Bryce is wearing a gas mask, taking deep breaths. Behind him are sharp tools of all kinds. In his hand is a large garbage bag. Bryce goes over to a shelf full of household chemicals, he inspects a few of them before pulling a bottle of bleach of the shelf. Next he heads over to a wall of tools and selects a sharp knife and a claw hammer.
 
Bryce stalks in through the side door leading back to the house, still wearing the gas mask he walks the long hallway back to the kitchen where he sees Abby, she's alone. Richard is in the other room with the TV on. Bryce walks into the kitchen, Abby doesn't see him. She's busy putting together a shopping list. Richards slowly walks up behind her and stops. He stands there for a few seconds, observing Abby.
 

BRYCE
Hey.
 

Abby spins around to see him, she doesn't react remotely scared.
 

ABIGAIL
Oh, wow. Good thinking.
 

Bryce takes off the mask and put his tools down on the table.
 

BRYCE
Yeah, I am thinking it should protect me from the smell. I hope.
 

ABIGAIL
That must be my dad's I didn't even know we had that.
 

BRYCE
I hope you don't mind if I punch a few holes in the wall. I can check for mold that way, maybe spray some bleach into the opening.
 

ABIGAIL
Honestly, whatever you need to do.
 

BRYCE
You guys are leaving soon?

Richard enters the kitchen, he sees the tools and gas mask on the table.
 

RICHARD
Jesus. What the hell are you doing with that.
 

ABIGAIL
Bryce offered to take on that smell in the basement?
 

RICHARD
What smell?
 

BRYCE
Have you not smelled it down there?

Richard looks at then quizzically and them moves toward the basement before he's stopped by Abby.
 

ABIGAIL
DON'T. You'll let the smell up.

Richard opens the door but quickly slams it shut again. His face contorts in disgust.
 

RICHARD
What the hell is that?
 

BRYCE
I am thinking it's probably a dead animal.
 

RICHARD
Hand me a flashlight and some gloves. Abigail, where's a garbage bag.
 

ABIGAIL
No! You're not doing this right now. We don't have time.
 

RICHARD
Nonsense. We need to deal with this.
 

BRYCE
Seriously Richard, it's ok. I got it.
 

RICHARD
Abby, how the hell did you let it get like that?
 

ABIGAIL
It wasn't that bad before.
 

RICHARD
Well why the hell didn't you do anything about it?
 

ABIGAIL
EXCUSE ME? I've been a little distracted.
 

RICHARD
Well, forget the dinner. I'll stay here and deal with this.
 

ABIGAIL
No. You'll be at it all night.
 

BRYCE
Seriously, Richard. I can do this. I'll take a look down there and see if I can find anything. If it's something I can't handle I'll call you. Plus this way I can air it out a little before Abby gets back.
 

ABIGAIL
Dad. I know you want to help but it's ok. Bryce is here.
Richard is frustrated but relents.
 

RICHARD
Well are you ready to go?
 

ABIGAIL
Yes, let me just change my shoes and get my grocery bag.
 

RICHARD
I want you to call me once you have a look what's down there.
 

BRYCE

You got it.
 

ABIGAIL
Ok, I'll meet you in the car.

Abigail runs off to get her shoes. Richard gives Bryce a defeated but thankful look and heads out the front door. Abigail comes back with her running shoes on, ready to leave.
 

ABIGAIL
Oh my god. Thank you so much.
 

BRYCE
No problem.

She hugs him, he holds her for a moment. They let each other go and their eyes catch. Bryce looks into those eye's of Abby's and reads her, there's affection there and a deep appreciation but that's all she's ready for. He takes a knowing step back.
 

BRYCE
Drive safe Abby.
 

ABIGAIL
You stay safe. If you find any dead raccoons down there...lie to me and tell me you didn't.
 

BRYCE
Promise.

Abby heads out the door leaving Bryce alone to his task. Once alone the house takes on an ominous feel, it's so incredibly quiet out there in the country, the woods that surround the house cast all kinds of creeping shadows that infiltrate the house and dance along the walls at all hours of the day. In a quiet every house sound is amplified.
 
Bryce heads back to the table where he left his supplies. He pick up the bleach and smells it, then goes to the kitchen sink to find an empty spray bottle, he opens the top and starts to pour the bleach inside.
 
A crashing sound comes from the basement, the sound of something being dropped or hit, it's enough to stop Bryce in his tracks. His eyebrows furl, he keeps perfectly still and listens as intently as he can. After a period of time hearing no further sounds from the basement he brushes it off as nothing. He finishes with the bleach and starts to gear up, he slips his hammer into his belt and put the knife into his pocket. He takes the bottle of bleach and the gasmask and walks to the basement door.
 
He's about to open it when he stops himself, he decides to first head to the front and open it, then he opens a window in the living room. He heads back to the basement, puts on his gasmask, takes a few deep breaths and opens the door. The entrance to the basement is dark. He starts down the stairs and closes the door behind him.
 
EXT - DOUGLAS' DRIVEWAY - EVENING
 
It's getting dark, Douglas and Grant are deep into their second case of beer. Grant is passed out in his chair, Douglas is sitting awake, sipping on his beer. Contemplating. Staring off into the distance.
Douglas looks depressed, wistful. He turns to say something to Grant.
 

DOUGLAS
Hey, did you...

Douglas turns to notice that Grant is totally out. He tests him again.
 

DOUGLAS
Grant!

Grant doesn't even twitch. Douglas's eyes go to Grant's pocket, he sees the outline of Grant's cell phone. He's tempted but hesitates. He knows that on that phone is Abigail's number and a chance to talk to her. He's not oblivious to the fact that calling her would be a big mistake, he knows it's in his best interest to just leave this alone and forget about it but he obsessed. That obsession is to strong to fight.
 
Finally giving in, Douglas carefully reaches into Grant's pocket and manages to get his hands on his cell phone without waking him up. He opens it and searches through the contacts, he doesn't see anything under 'Abby' or 'Abigail'. He looks through the recent phonecalls, aside from a bunch of work numbers and friends he sees a phone number from someone named 'A'.
 
Douglas knows it's her. He holds his glare at the number for some time, his leg nervously shakes while he mulls over in his mind all the reasons he shouldn't call the number. Logic and reason lose out, Douglas gets up and walks a few feet away from the sleeping Grant and does something stupid. 

He presses the number, he selects 'call'. The phone rings, it actually startles him. He's breathing heavy now, scared that she'll answer, scared that she won't answer.
 
The phone rings and rings, his expression turns to disappointment as it seems less and less likely that Abigail is going to pick up her phone. Douglas goes to take the phone out of his ear when all of a sudden the ringing stops.
 

DOUGLAS
(Nervously)
Hello?

There's no answer, only the peculiar sound of breathing, scraping, movement. Someone is listening on the other end but isn't saying anything. It's eerie and unsettling.

DOUGLAS
A...Abby?

What Douglas hears on the other end of the phone sounds like pained breathing. He can make out the sounds of moaning, gargling and even a slight whimper. Suddenly the breathing gets louder, like someone now has the phone to their ear and is breathing right into the receiver. Douglas looks very unnerved.
 

VOICE ON THE PHONE
Hhhhhhh...Huunhhhh...Hhhhhelp.
 

DOUGLAS
What?
 

VOICE ON THE PHONE
Hhhhhhh...hhhhhhhh...hhhhhhhhh..
 

DOUGLAS
Abby?
 

VOICE ON THE PHONE
Help me. Help me.
 

DOUGLAS
...Bryce? 

BRYCE
(voice on the phone)
Help me.

There's a thud. The phone smashes on the ground, Douglas can still hear his breathing but it's softer. More pained. Douglas's face goes white.
 
Douglas turns around, his truck is behind Grant's. Boxed in. He makes a quick decision and sprints back to Grant. Not concerned with waking him anymore he doesn't even attempt to be subtle or gentle. He frantically rifles through Grant's pockets trying to find his car keys. Grant comes to and instinctively puts up some resistance.
 

GRANT
Hey, whaaaa?...

Douglas doesn't have time to explain.

DOUGLAS
Give me your keys. GIVE ME YOUR KEYS!

Grant is in no state to fight back, he gives up his keys and falls off his chair trying to hold onto 

Douglas. Douglas pushes him aside and rushes to his car, he gets in and steps on the gas pedal mere seconds after starting the car. He's off, tearing down his street.
In the rearview mirror he sees Grant slumping down the driveway with his hand outstretched, wondering what just happened.

EXT - ABIGAIL'S HOUSE
Douglas speeds down the lonely road to Abby's house, Grant's phone still to his ear. He screams into it.

DOUGLAS
Bryce! Can you hear me? I am here. I am here.

Douglas pulls into Abigail's driveway and parks the car, he doesn't jump out immediately. This is still a dangerous place for him to be, he doesn't understand what's happening right now. A part of himself is screaming at him to turn back around, to not get himself caught up in any more trouble. Movement in the house catches his eye.
 
The front door opens, Bryce falls through the front door, barely standing. Propped up by the door frame. Dougas watches from the car, in disbelief. Still unsure of what's taking place in front of him.
 
Bryce looks ragged, he's holding his stomach, breathing hard, he's slumped over. Douglas can tell that's he barely on his feet. Bryce raises his head, he and Douglas lock eyes. He starts to walk towards Douglas's car, his arms falls limp from his side. Douglas sees red, lots of red. Bryce is covered in blood.
 
Bryce stumbled a few steps forward and collapses, Douglas jumps out of the car and runs over to him. He gets down on the ground over top of Bryce, Bryce is barely conscious.
 

 DOUGLAS
What happened?
 

Bryce can't answer, he's barely conscious. Douglas checks out Bryce and can see that's he's been stabbed with something. Blood is pouring out of him like a faucet, it's bad. Bryce won't survive this unless the bleeding stops. Douglas presses his hands to the wound.

DOUGLAS
Bryce! What happened.

Bryce tries to answer but can't. The blood is still pouring out of him. Douglas realizes he needs to do something.

DOUGLAS
Hold on.

Douglas runs into the house, he immediately sees a trail of blood going from the front door to the kitchen where he sees the house phone off the hook, laying in a pool of blood. Douglas follows the blood from the phone, he finds it leading to the open basement door. The smell coming from the basement hits him. He has no time to investigate further. He races back to the kitchen and grabs some hand towels. He pulls out the kitchen drawers and finds some duct tape. He takes the tape and the towels and runs back to Bryce.

-To Be Continued-