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FADE IN:
EXT. CABIN - NIGHT
A blue pickup truck idles outside a small wood cabin. The
cabin door, slightly ajar, is opened by WALTER RAMSEY (40s),
carrying his sleeping daughter RACHEL (7).
Walter opens the door to the pickup truck and lovingly places
Rachel inside. Rachel stirs and motions her hands, grabbing
for something. Walter places a teddy bear in her arms,
immediately quieting her.
Walter walks around the pickup truck and gets in the driver's
seat, a somber look on his face. He looks at the open door to
the cabin without a hint of emotion on his face.
An outstretched hand lies in the doorway, the body obscured.
A puddle of blood slowly creeps outside, expanding past the
hand.
Without a word, Walter drives away from the cabin and down
the mountain road.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
The truck is beautifully silhouetted against the pine trees
and full moon.
Rachel continues to sleep in the backseat as Walter suddenly
hits an emotional pane of glass, breaking down as he drives.
His speed is slowly increasing.
The road is slowly starting to curve, but Walter continues
his straight path. Rachel, as if sensing some malevolent
presence, tightens her grip on her bear.
Then, without warning, it appears: the mountain curve. Walter
screams as he hits the acceleration as hard as he can,
jarring Rachel awake. She joins in his scream.
With a loud THUD, the truck bursts through the guard rail and
over the cliff. It plummets towards the ground to begin a
barrel roll when...
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rachel, now in her 20s, jolts awake in the passenger seat of
an old Volkswagen van.
The van sits in the small parking lot of a nearby service
station in the mountains. The station is small, with one
garage and a small convenience store. One of those old
assisted service places from the '50s you don't see today.
Suddenly, a BLONDE WOMAN appears in the backseat. This is
LINDSAY (20s), Rachel's best friend.
LINDSAY
And the lady wakes. You OK, Rach?
RACHEL
Yeah...where are we?
LINDSAY
Supply run, should be here for a
couple minutes. Feel like
stretching your legs?
RACHEL
Yeah. I'd like that.
Rachel looks towards the convenience store. Lindsay looks at
Rachel.
LINDSAY
I'm really glad you came, Rachel.
RACHEL
(beat)
Thanks, Liz.
They exit the car and head inside.
INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT
The convenience store is typically empty at this time of
night. Lindsay and Rachel wander the aisles.
RACHEL
But I still don't see why you had
to drag him along.
LINDSAY
Look, Rach--
RACHEL
Mountains and pine trees, that's
what I was promised. Now all I need
is Dave along for the ride.
LINDSAY
You could see this as...
RACHEL
As what?
LINDSAY
A way to reconnect with your
cousin?
RACHEL
While he keeps living across the
country?
LINDSAY
And location has to do with...what?
RACHEL
The fact I like him better the
farther away he is. And I was
pretty fine before we got here.
Living with him for 2 years was
enough.
LINDSAY
You survived 2 years, what'll a
week do? You're both here now and
you're not leaving until you've
buried your hatchet.
RACHEL
Better keep me away from that
hatchet, Liz.
INT. CONVENIENCE STORE (COUNTER)- NIGHT
Over at the counter, JB PREWITT, the van's driver, talks with
DAVE LACKEY, Rachel's cousin. If one squinted really hard,
one could think Dave was a modern-day Laurel to JB's Hardy.
JB
Ya know, thanks for coming up here,
Davy. We all appreciate it.
Dave looks over at Rachel and Lindsay.
DAVE
Rachel thinks otherwise.
JB
She's been thinkin' that for 13-odd
years. Let her think it. Getting
her to change...it'll take time.
DAVE
I know that.
He is silent, discontent.
JB
Hey, it's not your fault for what
happened to her. Rachel and
Jesse...
DAVE
Yeah, they were close. I know. But
ever since the accident, she
just...can't be near me.
JB
It's not your fault for that
either. You did what you could for
her then.
DAVE
I know...but it still makes me
think.
MA
$13.50.
An elderly woman (we'll call her "ma") is behind the antique
register with her withered hand outstretched. She smokes an
equally withered cigarette. JB pulls out a credit card.
MA (CONT'D)
Ain't gonna work, slim.
JB mutters as he pulls out a $20. Ma takes it and takes her
time getting his change. JB's eyes wander around the
register.
Picturesque photos of woodland scenery and tourist towns
litter a nearby bulletin board. In one corner, tucked away
under several postcards, is a MISSING PERSONS sign with
multiple photographs.
MA (CONT'D)
Your change. Boy?
JB snaps out of his daze.
JB
Yeah.
The change clatters on the counter, leaving JB to scoop it up
in his hands. Ma looks out the window.
MA
Car trouble?
JB and Dave look out the window. ROBIN (late 20s), Lindsay's
boyfriend, has haphazardly parked the van outside. One tire
rests on the sidewalk.
JB
Guess so.
MA
Need a map?
She pats a stack of obviously used maps that are covered with
lots of pen scrawls. The earliest one is dated 1994.
MA (CONT'D)
Up-dated 'em myself.
JB looks at the maps like they're the oddest thing he's ever
seen. Up-dated?
JB
Sure, I'll get one.
She grabs one and rings it up.
MA
Now, the pen shouldn't be no big
trouble. Crossed out all the roads
that don't work anymore.
JB looks at it, trying to find their location. He traces the
road with his finger from the gas station up through the
mountains. He suddenly hits a town whose name's been crossed
out in pen.
JB
Ma'am?
Ma takes a break from her cigarette.
MA
Mm?
JB
What do all these crossed out towns
mean?
MA
Ah, all those are dead towns.
Abandoned.
He looks closely at the town- Dulles' Point.
Robin honks the horn of the van.
ROBIN
(faint)
C'mon!
Dave grabs the grocery bags and heads outside with the girls.
JB quickly folds up the map and pockets it.
JB
Thanks.
The door clangs shut as she pulls a long drag off her
cigarette.
EXT. SERVICE STATION - NIGHT
They all pile into the van and drive off into the night.
Without any more customers, the service station's lights turn
out. As the final light goes out, the service station appears
to disappear into the trees.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Robin and Lindsay sit in the front while JB and Rachel sit in
the middle. Dave has resumed his normal spot in the back.
JB is curled up on his seat, studying the map with a
flashlight.
It turns out the map is littered with crossed out towns.
JB
Christ, these towns are everywhere.
The van shakes as a gust of wind blows outside. JB almost
drops the flashlight, but catches it. He stares at the town
of Dulles' Point once more.
Rachel stirs in her sleep and wakes up, slightly moaning. She
looks out the window.
EXT. VAN - NIGHT
Rachel's side is driving relatively close to the guardrail,
protecting the van from falling off the extreme precipice.
Rachel's eyes widen and she jumps back from the window.
INT. VAN - NIGHT
Rachel jumps back, hitting JB.
JB
Rachel. Rachel! Calm down!
Her breathing slows. JB takes a look out the window.
JB (CONT'D)
Quit driving so close to the rail,
Robin!
(to himself)
Drive worse than me...
The van lurches to the right, away from the cliff side.
JB (CONT'D)
Your heights...I forgot you were...
RACHEL
Sorry. It's nothing. Did we pass
any towns?
JB
If a gas station and a shanty
constitutes a town. No, nothing.
Just forest as far as the eye can
see.
RACHEL
Guess that's why my father loved
the place.
Rachel looks out the window to see the same curve in the road
as in her dream.
JB
(reassuring)
If it's all you say it is, I bet
it's beautiful.
RACHEL
Thanks.
She sees the map in JB's hands.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
What's that?
JB
Oh, yeah. I got this weird map back
there.
RACHEL
The station?
JB
Yeah. It's got all this crossed out
stuff.
He shows her the map as he traces his fingers on it.
JB (CONT'D)
We're here...
He moves up the map.
RACHEL
My cabin's here.
Still a considerable distance from their position now. JB
gives a grimace. More importantly, it's extremely close to,
if not right next to Dulles' Point.
JB
"Dulles' Point."
RACHEL
It's abandoned?
JB
That's what that lady said back
there.
RACHEL
Well, we're close to it, and we're
hiking tomorrow, right? We should
be able to see it from up there.
She turns to look at Dave in the backseat.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
I just don't see why he came.
JB
Dave? Why not?
RACHEL
Nothing. Just seems like dead
weight is all.
She goes back to sleep, leaving JB holding the flashlight and
staring at the map. He folds it up, pockets it, and turns off
the flashlight.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
The van pulls up to a wall of snow. The road ends in a flurry
of white powder.
ROBIN
This is it?
The van stops and everyone tiredly exits the car. Lindsay
rubs her eyes and clings like a child to Robin.
JB
According to the map...yeah.
RACHEL
Road's usually snowed in near the
top but...never like this.
Everyone stares at the intimidating pile of snow.
RACHEL
I'll go get the snowmobile.
She begins walking up the path obscured by snow.
JB
What are we supposed to do?
RACHEL
(calling back)
Get your snowshoes on and walk!
Exasperated, the rest of the group walks around to the back
of the van to empty out their belongings.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
(faint)
Don't worry about the luggage!
They stop and wait.
ROBIN
Small favors...
Eventually, they begin trudging up the path.
EXT. PATH TO CABIN - NIGHT
Rachel walks along the path. The air is still and no crickets
chirp. The only sound permeating the night is the crunch of
Rachel's footsteps.
A flash of fire in Rachel's mind. Rachel's breathing becomes
more intense. She walks faster.
Deer run by quickly in the forest, sensing some evil. The
need to get away.
Rachel runs too, not daring to look behind her. She's almost
hyperventilating.
A creature, only its feet exposed, runs through the forest.
If the feet weren't so mangled, they could pass for human.
Rachel shuts her eyes and continues to run. She clenches them
shut.
Suddenly, she touches a wooden surface. She's at the cabin.
She takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, rubbing her face
with one of her hands. The hand is VISIBLY SCARRED.
INT. CABIN - NIGHT
Rachel unlocks the door to the cabin and lets everyone in. JB
fumbles through the darkness before finding the light switch,
flicking it on and off. It doesn't work.
JB
Power's out.
RACHEL
There's a fuse box in the back.
I'll take care of it.
Rachel steps out as others step in.
EXT. CABIN - NIGHT
Rachel steps along a mulched path to a large fuse box in the
back of the house. As she opens the box, a rustling is heard
behind her.
She dismisses it as nothing and sets to work resetting the
breakers. She closes the box and hears a low growl. She turns
to see--
A WOLF. Large, shaggy, and with distinctive red eyes, the
wolf is a seriously intimidating creature. At first glance it
appears rabid, but it would take a glance like Rachel's to
know it knows exactly what it's doing.
It digs its paws into the snow, digging up dirt as it
continues to growl at Rachel. Rachel presses against the wall
of the cabin in intense fear.
RACHEL
Go now, girl.
Shockingly enough, the wolf actually responds to Rachel's
words. It snorts and turns around, shooting her a quick
warning glance before running among the trees.
Rachel takes a few quick breaths before heading back inside.
INT. CABIN - NIGHT
The cabin has two floors- one main floor and a loft-esque
second floor. The biggest room on the first floor is the
living room, with a cozy couch facing a large fireplace.
Adjacent to it is the kitchen and a hallway with one bedroom.
The second floor has enough bedrooms to accommodate a large
sized family, but most of the rooms haven't been slept in for
several years.
In short, it feels like home.
Foregoing the pleasantries of their new dwelling, everyone
picks a bedroom and plops on their beds, falling asleep
immediately.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. BEDROOM (JB) - MORNING
JB groans as he turns in the strewn sheets. He's still in the
same clothes he wore the night before.
RACHEL (O.S.)
Wake up, everyone!
He gets up, rubs his face, and leaves the room.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
Rachel is frying sausages and eggs over the stove in the
kitchen. Her attitude is completely reversed: instead of
indifferent, she's now motherly.
Everyone else slowly shuffles into the kitchen and sits down
in the table. Robin, bags under his eyes, prepares coffee in
a cheap pot.
Rachel lays plates in front of everyone.
RACHEL
I was listening to the radio this
morning. Fresh powder overnight.
Lindsay grins while Rachel nods. Everyone else looks on in
curiosity while digging into their breakfast. Amazingly,
Rachel is a good cook.
LINDSAY
Thunder Peak?
RACHEL
Thunder Peak. Should be in tip-top
condition right about now.
ROBIN
What's Thunder Peak, Liz?
LINDSAY
Last year, me and Rach had a couple
of sick days free and were sick and
tired of work. So, being
the...intrepid young souls we are,
we decided to come up here.
However, being the perfectly normal
people we really are, we got lost.
So we park the van and we look at
the map. Then...CRACK!
(she hits the table)
If not the biggest thunderstorm
begins to go off all around us.
Then...we see it. The purest
mountain out here.
ROBIN
Thunder Peak?
LINDSAY
Thunder Peak. We looked it up on
the Internet. Turns out it's called
Mt. Gyver, but you've got to admit
Thunder Peak's so much cooler.
ROBIN
Did it say how high it was?
RACHEL
There's a marker on the top with
everything you need to know. Read
it when we get there.
ROBIN
Wait, we're not...going up there,
are we?
RACHEL
You a hiker, Robin?
ROBIN
No.
RACHEL
Then I'd take your time with your
breakfast and delay the inevitable.
EXT. SUMMIT - DAY
The view on top of Thunder Peak is stunningly beautiful. A
light fog covers the basin of the mountains, almost eclipsing
Dulles' Point.
The group has finally reached the summit, which is surrounded
by a small guard rail. They rest on it idly, taking long
gulps of water from plastic water bottles.
A small stone placard rests in the middle of the clearing,
which Rachel reads.
RACHEL
(reading)
Mt. Gyver, named for Reverend
Joshua Gyver, founder of the Mt.
Gyver colony, abandoned 1612. Noted
for his conversion of Native
Americans to Christianity. Erected
by Dulles' Point Historical
Society.
She looks at JB. He's fascinated.
And then it catches Rachel's eye.
RACHEL
Hey, JB.
JB
What is it?
RACHEL
I found your town.
He stops drinking his water and hurries over to Rachel's
spot. She points into the distance and he sees it.
JB
Lindsay, can you find me the
binoculars?
Lindsay shoots him an obvious "I don' wanna" look. She gets
up and rummages through one of the bags, disgruntled. She
finds it and throws it to JB.
It lands into the dust feet away from where he's standing.
JB (CONT'D)
Watch it! $150, mind.
He picks them up and dusts them off with his shirt. He looks
in the distance.
It's Dulles' Point, a large clearing nestled amongst vast
expanses of trees.
Built like an old west mine town, but ravaged by '60's kitsch
and the effects of time, the town is a monument to the failed
enterprising initiative humanity had so long ago.
No wonder it's abandoned.
Yet it's strangely captivating.
ROBIN
What is it?
JB
This old town marked on the map I
got at the station.
Lindsay, feigning interest, walks over to Rachel and JB's
vantage point.
LINDSAY
Lemme take a look.
She takes the binoculars with one slackened hand. Upon seeing
the town, however, she uses them with both hands. The strange
allure of the town takes effect.
JB
Well?
LINDSAY
Looks pretty cool.
RACHEL
Well...
She toys with the idea in her head.
JB
Well, what?
She pauses, thinking some more.
RACHEL
We could go there.
As she wanted, this somewhat blows away JB and Lindsay.
JB
Really?
RACHEL
Well...yeah. I mean, it's out of
the way, but I guess we could go
down later...
JB leaps at the chance.
JB
Yes!
(calming down)
Definitely.
Over near the other end of the summit, Dave is standing on
the edge. Lindsay walks over to him.
LINDSAY
What are you doing, Dave?
He takes a breath and rubs his eyes.
DAVE
Nothing, Liz. Just tired.
LINDSAY
Dave, Robin's an insomniac. I know
the difference between tired and
troubled. What's up?
Dave takes a deep breath.
DAVE
Maybe Rachel's right. I...I've been
getting second thoughts, and maybe
I shouldn't have come.
LINDSAY
What? Why not?
DAVE
Look at us. We've barely spoken
over the years and it's no
different now. I mean...we live on
opposite ends of the continent.
She's never talked to me...
(beat)
...or even glanced at me for 13
years.
(beat)
Tell me...If I plummeted down to
the bottom, would she care?
He looks over the edge. It's a steep drop.
LINDSAY
Well...
She doesn't know what to make of Dave's unexpected outburst.
LINDSAY (CONT'D)
Fine. Just wait a couple of days
and me and Robin will let you
leave. No harm, no foul. But
Dave...the only way Rach will talk
to you is if you take the first
step. After that, let her take it
on her own.
Dave breathes...and takes a step back.
DAVE
...Thanks, Liz.
LINDSAY
Anytime, Davy.
RACHEL
(calling)
If you're finished talking over
there...we'd like to see the town.
EXT. TREELINE - DAY
The group breaks through the treeline surrounding Dulles'
Point. What's interesting about the town, though, is the fact
that it isn't abandoned. It's in the process of being
abandoned.
People packing cars line the one street of the town, almost
robotic in action.
LINDSAY
What's going on?
The group wanders into the town, but the people barely even
look at them before they continue packing their cars.
Up close, the buildings of the town are surprisingly sturdy,
looking like they could withstand a hurricane with very
little damage.
ROGER
Welcome!
ROGER (60s), a tall, weather-built man, walks towards the
group. He has a welcoming smile, revealing slightly-yellowed
teeth.
ROGER (CONT'D)
I'm Roger Parr. Welcome to Dulles'
Point. I'm sorry, but we're closed
for the season and...
RACHEL
We're not tourists. What's going
on?
He abruptly begins walking along the street, prompting the
others to follow him.
ROGER (CONT'D)
They're packing up. The harsh
storms make this place nigh
uninhabitable come winter.
LINDSAY
I heard this place was...
ROGER
Abandoned? Surely not. Just that
others would like to think we don't
exist than acknowledge the modest
life we live. In the meantime...the
town's closing down pretty fast, so
feel free to see our sights,
stretch your legs...
(chuckling again)
...enjoy it while it lasts!
Parr gives a boisterous laugh as he walks back down the
street, leaving them alone.
They've stopped in front of a large, steepled church. A
small, archaic churchyard precedes it, in its center a large
medieval maze.
With nothing else to do, the group falls victim to the town's
charm and split up along the street.
INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY
Rachel has wandered into a general store displaying various
Native American items for sale. She idly looks at the various
knick-knacks before grabbing various "home grown" vegetables
for dinner.
She walks over to the cashier, who rings up the various
groceries. His nametag simply says "ED."
ED
That it for ya', ma'am?
Rachel isn't listening. Her eyes have wandered over to a
display on the counter of beautiful, intricate dreamcatchers.
She is transfixed.
ED (CONT'D)
Ma'am?
She snaps out of her strange trance.
RACHEL
Yeah. That's it.
Ed realizes what she was looking at.
ED
Sure I can't talk you into
purchasing one of these genuine
hand-woven dreamcatchers?
He puts on a smile that clearly shows he's trying to make a
quick buck. Rachel doesn't care.
RACHEL
Sure. I'll take one.
Ed's hands wander over the display case before he finally
picks one.
ED
It suits ya'.
He bags the items and she quickly walks out of the shop.
ED (CONT'D)
Have a good night!
She doesn't hear him.
INT. BEDROOM (RACHEL & LINDSAY) - NIGHT
Rachel and Lindsay share a bedroom on the second floor.
Rachel is fast asleep...until she hears it.
Rachel is awoken by the sound of Lindsay's faint screams.
No...not just Lindsay's.
Dave's. Robin's. JB's.
Rachel darts out of bed in concern, grabbing her recently
purchased dreamcatcher off her nightstand.
She doesn't notice Lindsay's fast asleep in the bed beside
her.
EXT. CABIN - NIGHT
It's snowing. Rachel has walked into the treeline around the
cabin, slowly walking into the forest. Like she was with the
dreamcatcher, she's transfixed rather than alarmed by the
screaming voices. She's still concerned, though.
The screams don't seem to come from a general direction, but
surround her. She turns around rapidly, trying to find a
source for the screams.
A new sound joins the voices: falling trees. Rachel looks up
and notices trees in the distance are falling down around
her.
Suddenly, the WOLF appears among the trees, running to
Rachel. She screams as the wolf stops before her...
...and turns tail, running off. Rachel looks behind her to
see Lindsay. Rachel runs to her and holds her tight.
LINDSAY
I heard you running down the hall.
What are you doing out here?
Rachel is shuddering, finally noticing the cold.
RACHEL
There were...voices...
LINDSAY
What voices? Come on, Rach, let's
get you inside.
Lindsay envelops her in her robe and they quickly walk
inside. Rachel chances a quick glance back at the forest.
There's nothing but the frost on the trees.
EXT. CABIN - MORNING
A small sedan drives up to the cabin on snow tires. It clunks
before the engine shuts off.
Inside the car is Roger, graven faced.
He exits the car and trudges to the front door, knocking on
it three quick times. Dave answers the door.
ROGER
I have some bad news.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
Roger now sits at the table. Rachel's made him a small plate
of eggs and bacon.
ROGER (CONT'D)
With everyone gone, I thought I'd
man the CB radio in the station. I
received a transmission from a
watchtower several miles away to
get the weather report
and...there's a snowstorm coming.
Silence.
ROGER (CONT'D)
Which is why I'm here. I don't
really think all of you should be
stuck out here alone during this
mess. Our lodge has enough room for
all of you and it wouldn't be any
trouble...
JB
How bad do they think it'll be?
ROGER
He says the worst in about...18
years. It's going to be hellish.
Expect all of this to be buried
under a mountain of powder.
Roger takes a bite of eggs.
ROGER (CONT'D)
Just think it'd be safer, is all.
INT. BEDROOMS - DAY
Everyone packs their belongings. Rachel brushes her fingers
against the dreamcatcher before putting it on her neck.
ROBIN (O.S.)
C'mon, Rachel!
Rachel zips up her suitcase and takes a short breath. Oddly
enough, her breath is visible. She shudders before leaving
the room with her only suitcase.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Everyone has congregated in the living room with their
suitcases. Dave and JB are gone. Rachel steps in.
RACHEL
Where's Roger?
ROBIN
Left for town.
RACHEL
Hey, is the heater on?
ROBIN
Yeah. Why?
RACHEL
In my room, it...nothing. Where's
JB and Dave?
LINDSAY
They took the snowmobiles out to
the van. Roger'll be calling them
on the CB to make sure we're
alright.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Dave and JB ride on two snowmobiles down the snowed in road,
searching for the van.
They drive...and drive...but they still can't find the van.
DAVE
Where's the van?
JB
We must've missed a turn back
there! C'mon!
They rapidly turn the snowmobiles around and drive in the
opposite direction.
They still haven't found it: they see the cabin in the
distance.
They search...and search...until JB realizes it. He almost
crashes his snowmobile in the process. He jumps off the
snowmobile and puts his ear to the ground.
DAVE
JB?
JB
Shh! Listen.
Dave does the same...and he hears it. A faint crackling
noise. They look at each other before they frantically start
digging.
They dig until they find a hard surface- the moon roof of the
van, buried in the snow.
JB looks at Dave with an expression of awe and fear before
breaking the moon roof with his boot and jumping inside.
INT. VAN - DAY
The sole source of light from the moon roof barely brightens
the frost covered interior. JB makes his way to the front of
the van, where he picks up the CB transmitter.
ROGER
Hello? Testing, one-two...
JB
Roger?
ROGER
JB? You fellas on your way?
JB
Not anytime soon, Roger. Not by a
long shot.
EXT. CABIN - DAY
Roger has come back to the cabin and is loading the group's
luggage in the back of his small sedan.
ROGER
Not too unusual 'round these parts,
really. Pockets of the storm, with
the right conditions, mind ya',
they can bury a house just like
your own.
RACHEL
We all really appreciate this, sir.
ROGER
Don't you start with any of that
"sir" business. Name's Roger.
He loads the last of the luggage (amazingly it all fits)
before slamming the door shut.
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Roger drives the girls in his car while Dave, JB, and Robin
ride on the snowmobiles. Robin, with a grim expression of
distaste, has been forced to ride on the back of JB's
motorcycle.
On the way, the side of the path becomes littered with giant
fallen trees.
RACHEL (V.O.)
What happened to all the trees?
LINDSAY (V.O.)
Looks like they've been ripped up
by...
ROGER (V.O.)
(interrupting them)
The storm?
Yeah, those gusts will take down a
tree with even the deepest roots.
LINDSAY (V.O.)
It's so strange.
INT. POLICE STATION - DAY
Maps of the surrounding area paper the walls. In the center
of the room is a sturdy pine table with a large CB radio.
Suddenly, it crackles to life.
WATCH (V.O.)
Roger? Roger?
Roger runs to the table and sits in a small chair before
answering.
ROGER
This is Roger. How ya' doin',
Watch?
WATCH (V.O.)
Gettin' mighty chilly up here,
boss. Storm's startin' to blow
through.
ROGER
Any news on the weather?
WATCH (V.O.)
Sorry to say it looks like you're
up the proverbial creek, Rog. The
whole area's gonna get the worst of
it.
ROGER
Yeah, I seen it already. I got a
couple of kids with me. Their van
was buried in a storm pocket last
night. Also knocked down a whole
buncha' the trees too.
WATCH (V.O.)
Damn, looks like you got it the
worst already! You ain't got a
Wendigo up there, do ya', Rog?
Roger takes a while to respond. His face shows a quick spark
of immense fear before returning to its usual jovial mood.
ROGER
Sure hope we don't! Thanks for the
update, Watch.
WATCH
Anytime, Rog! Talk to ya' later.
ROGER
Over and out.
The CB clicks off.
JB
Wendigo?
ROGER
Sorry?
JB
A Wendigo. What is it?
ROGER
You mean to tell me you ain't never
heard of the Wendigo, friend?
JB looks like a grown up 7-year-old.
JB
No, Rog.
Roger grins and shakes a little bit, getting into character.
ROGER
The Wendigo's an old Algonquin
legend: a monster so vicious it'll
eat your flesh right off the bone
and still be so hungry it'll eat
your whole family and next-a kin.
It wanders the forest, luring prey
by usin' what we want to its
advantage. Wendigo hunger ain't
never cease.
(beat)
Those Algonquins said if a human
eats human flesh by sunup, they'll
turn a Wendigo come sundown.
Also...if you hear a faint scream
on the wind...and the trees shake
like the dickens...
He gets real close to the group, captivated by Roger's tale.
ROGER (CONT'D)
Then the Wendigo's a-comin'. If ya'
be vigilant and be true-hearted,
ya' might survive the night.
However, if you dare look back, the
Wendigo's true form'll be the last
thing you see before he pulls you
away, your feet turning to
ash...and your scream becomes his.
He pauses for effect...then drops the country bumpkin facade.
ROGER (CONT'D)
(grinning)
But that's what I tell the
tourists. Now who's hungry? I got a
mighty fine roast ready to eat.
Like on the street before, he abruptly leaves, causing the
group to follow suit.
Before they leave, Robin gives Lindsay a quick shake, causing
her to jump. He laughs as she lightly punches him as they
leave the room.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - NIGHT
Robin lies in a large bed with Lindsay. He is wide awake. He
stares at the clock nearby: 1:04 a.m.
Frustrated from his lack of sleep, he leaves the bed and
heads to the adjoining bathroom.
INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
Robin opens the mirror medicine cabinet and grabs a pill
bottle: his insomnia medication. Excited for relief, he
quickly opens the pill bottle. It's empty.
ROBIN
Damn it.
He slams the medicine cabinet before storming out of the
room.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
Robin, now fully dressed, has decided to go for a quick walk
to calm himself down enough for sleep. Snow whips through the
biting wind, breaking the silence.
Robin walks through the town towards the treeline. However,
something has visibly broken the treeline and is now running
straight for Robin.
The WOLF.
Robin steps backwards at an increasing rate before turning
tail and running for the lodge. He takes deep, intense
breaths.
He makes it to the lodge, frantically trying to open the door
and pounding on it.
ROBIN
Let me in! Anyone!
He looks down: the knob has frozen over. The wolf is ever
closer, its red eyes burning in the night.
The noise of falling trees begins to echo through the town.
Robin gives up the lodge and runs for the church, hoping to
get to safety. But what he sees immediately makes him stop.
The faded cobblestone maze has CHANGED, now built of
towering, dark green hedges. It moves oddly in the wind, as
if alive. He runs for it, knowing the wolf is right on his
tail.
He makes it.
INT. MAZE - NIGHT
Robin, still running and panting, quickly becomes lost among
the hedges. His anxiety increases, darting around wildly and
taking every available turn.
Suddenly, the noise of falling trees stops. His sense of
anxiety disappears as he breathes a sigh of relief. He turns
around and, smiling, presses his right hand and walks
forward, towards the exit of the maze.
Upon turning a corner, he sees yet another sight that makes
him stop.
It's Rachel, barely clothed and lying on a quilt blanket. She
smiles devilishly at him. A nearby lantern illuminates her
delicate curves. She is beautiful.
Robin, his sense of logic and reason fading away, begins to
stumble towards Rachel. He kneels down and, after sharing
several visible breaths, kisses Rachel passionately.
It doesn't take long for Robin to be seduced. They toss and
turn, Rachel suddenly becoming Lindsay, Lindsay changing into
Rachel...all is unaware to Robin, blinded by lust.
Rachel breaks the kiss and lifts up his shirt, planting small
kisses down his chest. At the navel, she suddenly stops.
Robin opens his eyes to look at her.
RACHEL
Robin...I need you.
Rachel slowly lifts her head to reveal a gruesome visage, the
skin slowly melting from the bone and landing with a
sickening plop on Robin. She grins madly. Robin screams in
primal horror.
EXT. MAZE - NIGHT
The snowstorm has picked up, snow blurring everything in the
town. The wind howls with a fierce demeanor. Robin has made
it out of the maze, running straight for the treeline behind
the church.
He makes it to the treeline and runs into the forest, never
noticing he's left behind ashen footprints, or that the
snowstorm is softly sweeping them away, absorbing them.
INT. BEDROOM (RACHEL) - NIGHT
Rachel awakes with a start, hearing Robin's screams of
terror. She runs out into the hallway.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
All the others have heard the screams too, joining Rachel as
they run out of their bedrooms and run outside.
EXT. LODGE - NIGHT
The group runs outside in the storm, the falling trees, and
Robin's screaming. No, not just Robin's.
Dave's, Rachel's, Lindsay's, JB's...even Roger's. All these
horrendous screams are mixed with the storm.
INT. LODGE - NIGHT
The group is in the CB room, crowded around the radio.
ROGER
Watch, are you there?! Can you hear
me, Watch?!
Static. Voices. Roger turns and clutches the microphone.
ROGER (CONT'D)
Watch! Are you there, man?
Watch's voice is garbled due to the storm, but his words can
be easily heard.
WATCH (V.O.)
Roger? What's goin' on? I was just
sleepin' and...
ROGER
Watch, one of the kids has up and
left. Disappeared, more like.
WATCH (V.O.)
In this?! Good God, Roger!
ROGER
I know. I--
But then the CB Radio has new noise- falling trees.
WATCH (V.O.)
What is--
Then nothing but static. It's claimed Watch.
ROGER
Watch? Watch?!
There is no reply.
RACHEL
(fearful)
Why...why isn't he answering?
DAVE
The trees...it's got him. Whatever
got Robin's got him.
LINDSAY
Robin's alive. He's ALIVE. He's out
there! Couldn't you hear-
DAVE
Hear what, Liz? His screaming? In
case you didn't notice, we all
heard our voices. Whatever's got
him...it's wants us too.
RACHEL
Or maybe it already has us. Why
else would we be screaming?
JB
Damn it, Rachel, don't do that. We
need to get rescue. We need to get
out of here.
He looks at Lindsay, who is silently crying.
JB (CONT'D)
(acknowledging)
Find Robin.
(beat)
So, Roger...is there any way out?
The group looks at Roger expectantly.
ROGER
There...there isn't one. There
shouldn't be, anyway.
DAVE
What?
Roger has never been seen like this- defeated. The gentle,
grandfatherly image has disappeared like Robin.
ROGER
Our faith is about standing tall in
the face of adversity...against the
elements. Whoever's supposed to
guard the town does just that. This
is the ultimate test of faith.
That's...that's why I'm still here.
DAVE
And this is what? Just another
test? One of us is out there
against your elements, and he's
dying. He doesn't have your faith
to back him up. Elements are
elements, and they affect everyone
just the same.
Roger, previously wide-eyed in this question of faith, now
flies off the table, cornering Dave.
ROGER
Let me tell you something, Dave.
All of you sleep in our town's beds
and eat our food. Do you know I'm
not supposed to let ANYONE in? I'm
supposed to be alone! I chose to
take you in because it was the
right thing to do.
(beat)
As you might know, I'm human too. I
can't make it all stop. If you
noticed before, I heard the screams
too. I'm in this as much as you
are, so don't think I'm not a part
of this.
He backs off. He barely looks at the group as he begins to
leave the room. He laces his boots roughly.
ROGER (CONT'D)
If I'm gone in the morning...and my
car's gone...don't be surprised.
He breathes hard, trying to expel the force that seemed to
possess him throughout the scene.
ROGER (CONT'D)
Just stay in the lodge. Whatever
you do, be back inside by sunset.
I'm gonna' pay Watch a visit. I'm
going to get us out of here.
DAVE
Roger?
He turns to Dave. His face seems to have forgotten all about
the incident, but his eyes clearly contradict him.
DAVE (CONT'D)
I'm...I'm just...
ROGER
It's OK. Just let it settle like
the snow and it'll all be over
quick.
He exits, the ghost of the incident hanging over the group in
a stunned silence. They can't forget so easily.
EXT. LODGE - MORNING
Roger has packed his car with nothing but the bare
essentials. He is dressed in bulky, but warm winter clothing.
He pockets a pistol.
He is ready.
The group stands on the front porch of the lodge, watching.
ROGER
JB! Come here for a second.
He quickly obeys.
JB
What is it?
ROGER
While I'm gone, keep an eye on the
radio. I'm going to try and contact
everyone when I get there. If
not...then...
JB
What?
ROGER
...Would you consider going, too?
JB
You're going to make it.
ROGER
I know. I really hope I do.
JB
You will. Trust me.
(laughing)
It'll take more than falling trees
to kill ya', Rog.
ROGER
I am pretty damn quick.
He grins.
JB
Bye, Roger.
Without anything else to say, JB turns and walks away towards
the lodge. Roger gives the group a parting look before
driving away.
The group is alone, isolated in Dulles' Point.
FADE OUT.
INT. LODGE - NIGHT
Rachel stares idly at a brewing pot of coffee. Based on the
state of her hair and the large bags under her eyes, it's
safe to say she hasn't slept in a long time.
The coffee finishes brewing and she pours it delicately into
two identical thermoses. She caps them and takes them with
her as she walks outside into the snowstorm.
EXT. LODGE - NIGHT
The few lit porch lights are all that illuminate the town.
Rachel steps out onto the porch of the lodge. Lindsay sits in
a hanging swing, clutching tight to a blanket and staring
trancelike into the storm. She's slept less than Rachel.
Rachel opens her mouth to say something, but she knows it's
useless to protest. Lindsay's still going to keep sitting out
here. She leaves her the thermos and walks to the nearby
Police Station.
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
JB has set up the CB radio at the front desk of the Police
Station. He looks at the microphone with immense
concentration, as if willing it to speak to him. He doesn't
notice Rachel walking up to him.
RACHEL
JB? I made you some coffee.
He doesn't break his concentration.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
You've been here for hours. Can't
you come back to the lodge?
He still stares at the radio.
JB
Can't. Roger will contact any
moment.
Rachel stares at him, then at the radio.
RACHEL
I'm worried about Lindsay. She's
been sleeping less and less. I want
to bring her inside and make her
sleep, but...it seems like watching
the storm's all she's got right
now.
JB doesn't acknowledge her, barely moving from his post.
Rachel suddenly walks up to the desk and slams the thermos on
it hard. She storms out of the station.
JB (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Thanks for the coffee, Rach.
EXT. TOWN - NIGHT
Rachel storms out of the Police Station and quickly walks to
the alley on the building's side. Rachel slumps against the
wall, breaking down in sobs.
She wipes her eyes with her hand, the mysterious scars still
visible.
Another FLASH OF FIRE- a child tossed like a rag doll around
the interior of a falling pickup truck.
At the bottom, the truck is engulfed in flame. The child, a
little girl, has climbed out of the wreckage. She looks up to
see THE WOLF.
Rachel is broken from her trance as Dave lightly grabs her
shoulder in concern.
DAVE
Rachel, you alright?
RACHEL
Fine.
She pushes past him and resumes walking through the town to
the lodge.
DAVE
I was thinking you should get some
sleep.
RACHEL
I have been sleeping.
DAVE
And I've been on laundry duty for
the past three days. Everyone's
slept in their bed at least
once...even Lindsay...except for
you.
RACHEL
So now you go into my bedroom?
Pervert.
DAVE
Rachel, you need to stop. Take a
break. You've been so busy trying
to make everyone feel better that
you've totally forgotten about
yourself.
RACHEL
That's my good nature. You should
think about getting one.
DAVE
You're not listening to me! I'm
trying to help you! Whatever
problem you have...
RACHEL
I'm the one with the problem? You
need more X-rays than I do.
DAVE
...your problem with me, I don't
know what to do! You ignore me
completely and then try to stick a
knife in my back whenever I'm
around! What is it with you?
RACHEL
I can't let you try and kill me
again!
Dave stops in his tracks as Rachel runs into the lodge,
crying.
DAVE
(shouting)
This is about Jesse, isn't it?
Rachel turns around, a look of utter disbelief on her face.
Without a word, she quickly walks to the lodge and runs
inside.
She slams the door just as Dave runs to catch up with her. He
pounds on the door in frustration.
DAVE
Rachel! Damn it.
Lindsay still stares aimlessly into the distance. Dave looks
at her sadly, trying to catch his breath.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BEDROOM (RACHEL) - NIGHT
Rachel has fallen asleep on her bed, her eyes red from
crying.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Dave quickly eats a hastily made sandwich in silence. He
quickly glances upwards, towards Rachel, before returning to
his meal.
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
JB has fallen asleep on the desk, the CB radio still bursting
with static.
EXT. LODGE - NIGHT
Lindsay is still staring off into the distance. The snowstorm
whips the snow upwards, clouding her vision.
Lindsay takes a deep breath, exhaling with a shudder. She
gets up from her post, wraps up the blanket, and walks to the
door. She turns around to look at the snowstorm once more
before opening the door.
Dave looks up when she enters.
DAVE
Off to bed now, Liz?
His tone is casual, but he's obviously relieved that
Lindsay's finally getting some sleep.
LINDSAY
Yeah. Tell Rachel thanks for the
coffee.
DAVE
You better tell her in the morning.
I don't think I'll have much luck
right now.
Suddenly, there is a loud scream from out in the distance.
Lindsay's eyes widen with shock and anticipation. She drops
the thermos and blanket, effectively spilling the coffee
along the porch.
She runs into the storm, Dave following her.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
It's Robin. His clothes are tattered and he's bundled up the
best he can, barely protected from the storm. He's also a few
inches shorter.
Robin runs to Lindsay before tripping and falling into the
snow. Lindsay runs up to him, falling on her knees, touching
his face and everywhere else she can reach to make him warm.
LINDSAY
Robin!
(yelling)
Everyone help! Help me!
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
JB hears Lindsay's cries and runs out, abandoning his post.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
Dave catches up with Lindsay and falls on his knees as well.
He looks all over Robin- he shows signs of frostbite almost
everywhere.
Robin's feet are bundled up. Dave pulls back the cloth and
his eyes widen in horror.
INT. BEDROOM (RACHEL) - NIGHT
Rachel wakes up with a start, hearing Lindsay's cries. She
darts out of the bedroom, wiping her face.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
JB and Dave burst open the door to the lodge as they carry
Robin inside. He is unconscious.
JB
Rachel! Get down here!
Rachel runs down the stairs to meet the group as they set
Robin on the couch.
JB shows everyone Robin's feet-
They've partially disintegrated. Whatever feet that remain
assume a dead, gray color.
Rachel runs to get a towel to wrap up the feet. She returns
and pushes it on, but it crumbles to the touch.
Robin jerks awake, screaming in pain. Rachel looks at the
towel- it's smothered in ashes. Robin's arms are held down by
JB and Lindsay, who is bawling. Dave holds down his legs.
Lindsay loses her grip on his arm and it flails wildly,
trying to scratch at JB before settling on his chest,
gripping his heart.
JB (CONT'D)
Rachel! Rachel, look at me!
Rachel, previously transfixed at the degenerative state of
Robin's feet, looks up. She is in shock but alert.
JB is trying to be calm, but he's visibly panicking.
JB (CONT'D)
I need you to run to the Police
Station and go down the hallway to
a door marked "Infirmary." Inside
you'll find a medicine box. There's
sedatives inside. Understand?
Rachel is automatically nodding her head while occasionally
darting her eyes to Robin.
JB (CONT'D)
Rachel? Rachel! Go!
Rachel, in shock, barely manages a nod before darting out of
the lodge.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
The snowstorm has picked up again, its intensity matching the
chaos inside the lodge. Rachel stumbles occasionally, but
keeps running for dear life towards the Station.
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
Rachel bursts through the doors of the Station and runs down
the dark hallway. She finds the door to the infirmary and
almost rips the door off its hinges trying to open it.
INT. INFIRMARY - NIGHT
Rachel blasts through the many cabinets of the infirmary
before finding a small metal box with a red cross on it.
She rips it open and rummages through it with a frenzy. She
finds the box labeled "sedatives" and grabs it, running out
of the room with the same intensity as she entered.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
Rachel runs back to the lodge, the box clutched in her
freezing hands. Before she makes it to the porch, she trips
and scatters the medicine around her.
She sobs as she frantically tries to pick everything up, but
the little pill cases slip out of her fingers.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Everyone is too wrapped up in Robin's screams of pain and
holding him down to notice the ashes slowly mix with the
snowstorm.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
The ashes mix with the snowstorm outside, giving it a new,
slightly gray tint.
JB
Rachel! Where are you?!
Rachel grabs what she can and stuffs it into the box. She
runs for the lodge, wiping her eyes.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Rachel bursts in and thrusts the box into JB's outstretched
hand. He lets go of Robin's legs, which flail wildly.
JB
Hold him!
Rachel fumbles over JB to grasp Robin's legs. They continue
to crumble away.
JB, with expert skill, prepares the sedative and injects it
into Robin's arm. As the sedative courses through Robin's
veins, he quiets and slowly stops jerking his limbs. He
becomes unconscious and limp.
JB
(exhausted)
Fucking med school...
Lindsay lets go of Robin and backs away towards the
fireplace, sobbing uncontrollably.
Rachel runs over and kneels downward, holding her and trying
to comfort her. She silently cries too.
Dave wipes his head and slumps into a chair, his brow
furrowed.
JB stands over Robin's body, who, if it weren't for his
rhythmically breathing chest, could be mistaken for dead.
FADE TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A pile of ash smoulders in the fireplace. The still sleeping
Robin has a blanket over him, barely concealing his now
thoroughly bandaged ankles. His feet have completely
disintegrated.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Dave, Lindsay, and Rachel sit at the kitchen table, lost in
thought.
RACHEL
But Roger said he'd contact JB when
he got to the watchtower. We need
to wait for him.
DAVE
Nobody knows about Robin except for
us. Roger's looking for someone
who's already here.
LINDSAY
But still...we can't afford to let
anyone else out there. We don't
know what did that to Robin. It
could get him too.
DAVE
Robin's fine for the moment. He's
so doped up right now he can't feel
a thing and me and JB did a pretty
good job with his feet.
LINDSAY
But can't you see it's still
spreading--
DAVE
Which is why JB needs to go now. If
we don't get help now, Robin's
going to die before Roger ever
contacts us. JB's bundled up and
he's told me he has enough supplies
for two days. Which means we'll be
out of here before Friday. He'll be
OK.
At that moment, JB enters the lodge with a large rucksack.
JB
Well, I'm ready to head off.
Everything's in order.
(beat)
I guess I'll leave now.
RACHEL
Don't.
(she breathes)
Wait until sunlight, at
least...please.
JB looks at Rachel with kind eyes. It feels like eternity
before he responds.
JB
OK.
He sets down his rucksack and clambers up the stairs, leaving
the group in the kitchen and Robin, slowly dying, on the
living room couch.
FADE OUT.
EXT. LODGE - SUNSET
Dave brings an axe down on a large log with a thud. He picks
up the split pieces and adds them to a dwindling pile of
firewood. He wipes his brow before splitting a second log.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - SUNSET
Lindsay walks aimlessly through the churchyard along the
maze. She mutters under her breath as she traces her
footsteps through the maze before hitting a dead end. She
pauses before starting again in the opposite direction.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - SUNSET
Rachel sleeps in a chair next to Robin, who lies asleep in
bed. The sheets covering him are ruffled and strewn
everywhere, barely covering his ankles.
Robin suddenly jerks awake, coughing and wincing in pain.
Rachel wakes up and runs over to him, grabbing a glass of
water. She trickles it down his throat as he rubs his heart
tightly.
ROBIN
Am I...am I home, now?
He is delirious.
RACHEL
You're going to be just fine,
Robin. JB...
ROBIN
Living forest...all around...
Robin mutters some incoherent words.
RACHEL
You need your rest, Robin. I'll get
you some more water--
ROBIN
...the screams.
Rachel stops in her tracks.
RACHEL
What screams, Rob?
ROBIN
It was so cold, Rachel. I was so
cold. I tried the door but it...it
was frozen. So I went...
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Robin runs through the forest aimlessly, trying to evade an
unseen creature.
ROBIN (V.O.)
I was in the forest and there were
these...voices. All these voices
all around me. Lost...so lost...and
then fire.
Robin falls to his knees, clutching at his ears to stop an
unheard noise. A fog begins to settle through the trees
towards Robin. The sound of trees falling echoes throughout
the forest.
Something causes Robin to jerk backwards and the next moment
he's being pulled by one broken arm, bleeding all over and
screaming in pain.
His feet are being dragged at breakneck speed through the
snow. However...nothing appears to be dragging him. It's as
if the snow itself were pulling him.
The wolf runs through the forest, parallel to Robin. Its deep
red eyes are filled with hunger. Robin slowly passes out.
Suddenly, everything comes to a stop. Robin is left in the
snow, clothes tattered and screaming like a banshee. His eyes
dart everywhere, trying to find his attacker.
He gets up and slowly starts to run, unknowingly towards
Dulles' Point.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - SUNSET
Robin quiets and falls asleep once more, leaving Rachel
unsure of how to react at Robin's story.
The door to the bedroom suddenly opens, revealing Dave.
DAVE
OK, Rachel, shift's over.
RACHEL
What?
(glancing at her watch)
I still have at least two hours. Go
find something else to do.
DAVE
Not by my watch. It's time for you
to get some sleep. You need it the
most.
RACHEL
Why is that, Dave? I'm perfectly
fine.
DAVE
No, you're not, Rach. Ever since
Robin came back, you've been
staying up at ungodly hours...
RACHEL
Someone has to take care of him. No
one around here seems to be doing
that.
Dave grabs her by the shoulder and tries to lead her out of
the room.
DAVE
Please, Rachel...
RACHEL
No! Let GO of me!
She strikes at him precisely when Lindsay enters the room.
She is hit hard on the head by Rachel's open-handed slap.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Liz, I'm so sorry...
LINDSAY
No, Rachel. Get some sleep. Now.
Rachel looks alternately at Dave and Lindsay, on the verge of
tears.
RACHEL
Fine.
She runs out of the room, dabbing at her eyes.
LINDSAY
I'll take watch, Dave. Go get some
rest, too.
Dave is lost in thought before he speaks.
DAVE
Do you really think she'll be OK?
LINDSAY
I don't know what she's thinking
right now. She's become completely
different.
(looking at the door)
I'm really sorry for making you
come, Dave.
DAVE
It's OK, Liz. I know you and Robin
meant well. I just want her to be
OK again.
Lindsay hugs him tightly, Dave slowly doing the same.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Thank you.
He leaves the room, leaving Lindsay alone with Robin. She
sits down in Rachel's chair and watches him intently.
EXT. BACK PORCH - DUSK
The sun has finally fallen over the forest. Dave exits the
house onto the back porch of the lodge, holding an open beer
bottle.
He chugs the first few gulps of the foaming liquid before
slamming it down hard on the porch railing. It foams over,
the drops melting the snow around the bottle.
DAVE
Goddamn it, Rachel.
He wipes some developing tears away with his fist.
He sniffs and breathes deeply, looking out at the treeline.
The wolf is at the clearing, growling loudly and standing as
still as the dead. Its red eyes shine in the dark, staring
straight at Dave.
Oddly enough, Dave's eyes counterpoint the wolf's with his
own frustration.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Get out of here.
He picks up the beer bottle and throws it at the wolf. The
wolf turns tail and runs into the forest, leaving no evidence
it was ever there.
Dave breathes shallowly, wipes his eyes, and goes inside to
go to sleep.
FADE OUT.
INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
The Police Station is empty, the only noise coming from the
loud static of the unmanned CB radio.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - NIGHT
Robin lies in the sheet-strewn bed, slightly snoring. Lindsay
sits by his side, asleep in a chair.
The door to the bedroom opens, bringing Dave. He wakes up
Lindsay.
LINDSAY
What's up?
DAVE
I need to talk with you and Rachel.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Rachel, Lindsay, and Dave sit at the table. Dave has his
hands folded on the table, as if he was praying. An uneasy
silence hangs over all of them.
DAVE
I've been manning the CB radio for
the past two days and there's been
no transmissions of any kind.
Nothing from JB. Or Roger. Just
static.
LINDSAY
But that could mean that they've
already been rescued. That's why
they aren't answering.
DAVE
If they were rescued, they'd
already be here.
LINDSAY
The weather's gotten worse, though.
They could be held up in some town
somewhere.
DAVE
What town, Lindsay? And why would
they take so long? It's been two
days since JB left and God knows
how long Roger's been out.
RACHEL
What are you saying? They forgot
about us?
DAVE
I'm saying we have to consider how
long we're going to last.
(beat)
Robin's getting worse. You know
that, Lindsay.
Rachel looks to Lindsay, who nods solemnly.
LINDSAY
It's spreading to his hands. His
fingers were gray this afternoon.
They'll...they'll be gone by sunup.
DAVE
And we still don't know what he
has. He's babbling in his sleep
about fire and wolves and he's
turning to ash. We have to keep him
so doped up so he can't feel the
most pain he's ever been in. We've
never seen anything like this. I
doubt anyone has.
(beat)
So we have to admit that he doesn't
have long.
LINDSAY
Are you suggesting we kill him?
Dave breathes shallowly while Lindsay and Rachel look at him
incredulously.
DAVE
Well...yes. And let the condition
do the rest.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - NIGHT
Robin jerks awake and slowly gets up from the bed. He tries
to look around, but it's impossible to see in the pitch black
of the room. A faint noise of blowing wind is heard.
He looks down at his legs, covered by a sheet. He pulls it
back...
...his feet are perfectly fine. He tries to call for Lindsay,
but for some reason no words come out. It's like the world is
on mute.
Robin gets up from the bed and leaves the bedroom, heading
towards the living room.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Robin slowly walks into the living room, which is barely
illuminated by the fireplace. Everyone seems to have
disappeared.
Robin tries to call for help, but again he is muted.
Then he sees the front door. It's been ripped off its hinges,
broken into three pieces on the carpet floor. The doorway is
splattered with blood.
ROBIN
(mouthing)
Lindsay. Rachel.
Robin runs outside into the raging snowstorm.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
It's not hard for Robin to find where everyone else should be-
a gruesome trail of blood leads from the door to the distant
churchyard, contrasting almost beautifully with the pure
white snow.
Robin runs along it and enters the churchyard, running past
the mutilated iron gates.
EXT. CHURCHYARD - NIGHT
The trail of blood meanders through the churchyard, Robin
running after it as if the Holy Grail lay at its end.
It takes him several moments to realize a disturbing feature
about the graveyard: all the graves have been dug up, and all
are empty.
Robin makes it to the trail's end: the cobblestone maze. In
the center, their blood splattered on the stones, are Rachel,
Dave, and Lindsay.
Robin looks down at his hands. They're splattered with blood.
At his feet is Dave's axe.
Robin falls backward, screaming. His scream is muted by the
raging snowstorm.
Suddenly, the maze springs to life, sprouting the hedges of
oddly-colored ivy. The ivy encapsulates the bodies, hiding
them, absorbing them, in the hedges.
Robin stands in front of the entrance to the maze, a look of
terror on his face. He slowly stands, shaking.
Out of nowhere, long, clawed hands appear behind Robin. One
positions itself at his waist while the other one appears at
his neck. They move at the same time, slashing Robin's throat
and torso.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - NIGHT
Robin jerks awake, screaming. His screams intensify when he
sees his hand- he's missing two fingers, which now lie on his
chest.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Lindsay is the first to hear Robin's screams, jumping up from
the table and running to her bedroom. Dave and Rachel follow
suit.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - NIGHT
Everyone runs into Robin's room. Robin is writhing on the
bed, screaming in pain. Lindsay grabs hold of his arms while
Dave grabs his legs.
DAVE
Keep him down! Don't touch his
hands!
LINDSAY
What's wrong? Robin, what's wrong?
Robin opens his eyes to look at them all- everyone's faces
are horribly mangled and disfigured.
Robin screams his lungs out as Rachel grabs another sedative
to calm him down. His fingers begin to crumble away, causing
him to scream even more. He grips his heart tightly.
As the drug works its way through his bloodstream, Robin
quiets and falls asleep.
Dave and Rachel slowly let go as Robin stops moving. Dave
stares at the two women, a look of grim urgency in his eyes.
His gaze is met with reluctance from Lindsay and rejection
from Rachel. Dave might be right.
EXT. FOREST - MORNING
The forest is still, the snow untouched. Next to a tree, the
burnt wreckage of a snowmobile smolders.
EXT. FOREST- MORNING
A figure appears amidst the trees and stumbles forward.
It's JB. He is covered with frost and is gaunt from lack of
food or drink. He rummages through his now tattered rucksack
for food. He pulls out an empty plastic wrapper.
Out of food.
JB continues forward, tossing the plastic wrapper aside. He
starts forward, but suddenly stops. His eyes widen. He runs
for his life into the distance.
EXT. FOREST PATH - MORNING
JB suddenly breaks through the treeline into a long forest
path lined with power lines. It's a road, lined with
improvised red traffic lines.
JB runs along the road, certain to come to civilization. He
begins laughing.
JB
Almost there. Please, almost
there...
He trips and disappears under the snow, groaning in pain.
He's fallen in a hole, cutting his leg on something.
He tries to pull himself up, but the snow fills the hole
instead with every grab. He finally feels a hard surface
under him and plants his foot on it, pushing himself up from
where his leg is trapped.
He looks down to where he's fallen.
He's fallen into a car's roof, his leg cut by a large shard
of metal.
JB pulls himself up rapidly and hits solid ground.
He looks down into the car to see it's filled with nothing
but bones. Human bones. The interior is strewn with dried
blood.
A piece of plastic is visible amongst the carnage- a nametag
labeled "ED."
He looks up in horror and remembers an important detail-
Traffic lines aren't red.
The realization of where he is hits JB with the force of the
falling trees he hears every night.
ROGER (V.O.)
If you hear a faint scream on the
wind...and the trees shake like the
dickens...then the Wendigo's a
comin'.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - DAY
People packing cars line the one street of the town, almost
robotic in action. The group wanders into the town, but the
people barely even look at them before they continue packing
their cars.
EXT. FOREST PATH - DAY
JB now knows where he is- he's on the road leading out of
Dulles' Point...now the final resting place for all the
inhabitants of the town, pulled out of their cars and eaten
by the Wendigo.
A harsh wind blows, muffling JB's scream of terror as he runs
down the path aimlessly. The snowstorm's picking up again.
ROGER (V.O.)
Wendigo hunger ain't never cease...
EXT. LODGE - DAY
Robin looks out his window with a great sadness, almost
vengeance. The snow blows wildly outside, blotting out the
sun.
LINDSAY
Robin?
Robin looks up and turns to Lindsay.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - DAY
Lindsay sits next to Robin with an expression of trying to
help on her face. She holds a glass of water.
LINDSAY
Robin, you need to keep your fluids
up.
She offers the glass to him. He moves to grab it, but stops,
looking at his hands.
They're bandaged to the wrists, the gauze stained with ash.
What fingers poke out from the bandages are slowly turning
gray.
Robin sighs and allows Lindsay to push the straw to his lips.
He misses the straw, causing it to turn to the other side of
the glass. His face turns red with embarrassment.
Lindsay, her face marred with sadness, holds the straw in
front of Robin. He quietly drinks a few gulps of water,
afterwards resuming looking out the window.
Lindsay continues to stare at him.
ROBIN
You don't have to look at me like
that, Liz.
LINDSAY
I'm sorry, Rob. It's just that...
ROBIN
What?
LINDSAY
I hate seeing you like this.
ROBIN
I can't really do much about it,
can I?
Robin is angry, frustrated with his condition. Lindsay can't
do little much but sit where she is.
LINDSAY
Rob...what's wrong?
A long silence.
ROBIN
Nothing.
Robin is lost in thought, leaving her to keep the
conversation alive.
LINDSAY
I think maybe we'll be able to move
you back into the living room soon.
Would you like that?
Robin gives a noncommittal grunt. Lindsay, exasperated, sighs
and gets up, leaving the room.
ROBIN
Wait. Liz, hold on.
She returns, stepping into the room.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. It's just hard, you
know? All of this.
LINDSAY
It won't be long before JB and
Roger come. We'll get you better
again.
ROBIN
(not listening to her)
And then there's my
dreams...they're awful, Lindsay!
Lindsay sits back in her chair, listening intently.
LINDSAY
What dreams?
ROBIN
I'm walking around. I'm OK. But
then everybody's gone and there's
so much blood. It's all over the
house. I go outside and I follow
the blood all the way to the maze.
And...everyone's there.
Robin is holding back sobs. Lindsay grows more and more, for
a lack of a better word, scared of Robin as she continues to
listen.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
Everyone's cut up and they're lying
all over the maze...and I'm holding
the axe. You're not just dead,
Lindsay...you're mutilated. And
then the maze took you all, you
were gone...and that thing came out
of the forest...the fog...it
slashed and...it gave me this. It
wasn't the snow that gave me this.
It was something...inhuman.
He notices Lindsay's horrified expression.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
I know what you're thinking. I've
lost it, haven't I?
LINDSAY
No, Rob. You need your rest.
ROBIN
Can't wait to get away from me,
huh?
LINDSAY
No...I...
ROBIN
At least tell me you believe me.
Please? That I'm not just making
this up.
LINDSAY
Rob, it's hard. You've been through
a lot and you were out there for a
pretty long time. Maybe it's
just...
ROBIN
What thing makes everything turn to
ashes, Lindsay? I'm not crazy. I
felt it...the claws on my arms,
making me bleed.
(to himself)
If you were cut like that, maybe
you'd understand.
However, Lindsay's heard him. Tears are beginning to stream
down her face.
LINDSAY
I've...I've stayed up with you on
countless nights while you couldn't
sleep. God knows how much sleep
I've lost over you. I've never been
scared of you, Robin. Ever. But
now...you've changed. Not just
physically, but inside...
ROBIN
What are you afraid of? Me getting
out of this bed? I would if I
could, Lindsay, and when I can...
Lindsay gets up and runs out of the room, crying. Robin
stares out the window into the now-settled street.
EXT. BACK PORCH - DAY
Lindsay runs out onto the back porch and grips the railing
tightly, sobbing.
Rachel is a few feet away from her, smoking a cigarette. She
runs over to Lindsay, stamping it out with her foot.
LINDSAY
(sobbing)
Rob...damn it...
RACHEL
What happened, Liz?
She breaks down completely, clinging onto Rachel for support.
RACHEL
Liz...it's OK, Liz...the medicine
affects his moods. Also, the
trauma...
LINDSAY
(shuddering)
That wasn't Robin, Rach.
It's...it's not him...
Rachel isn't sure how to respond to such a wild allegation.
RACHEL
Liz...how long has it been since
you slept?
LINDSAY
About...a couple of hours.
Yesterday?
RACHEL
Come on, let's get some rest. I'll
put you in the living room.
Lindsay looks up at Rachel, imploringly. Rachel gives her a
worried, stern look. In response, Lindsay looks downwards.
LINDSAY (CONT'D)
Yeah. Living room's fine.
Suddenly, Dave appears on the back porch. His calm expression
slowly turns to concern as he takes in the scene before him.
DAVE
Liz? What's wrong?
Lindsay gets up from Rachel and runs inside. Dave looks back
at Rachel, confused.
Avoiding his glance, Rachel gets up and leans on the railing,
looking out into the forest.
Dave walks over to her and imitates her position. He looks
down at her hand- her scars are visible.
DAVE (CONT'D)
Rachel, I...
She leaves him, exasperated. She slams the sliding door shut,
leaving Dave out in the snow. His faint breath is visible in
the winter air.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
The living room has a fire going, providing the room with a
faint orange glow. Rachel walks to Lindsay, who now lies on
the couch.
LINDSAY
Rachel...
She looks up at Rachel.
LINDSAY (CONT'D)
I've been thinking a lot...about
what Dave said. Maybe JB and Roger
aren't coming back. Robin's getting
worse. The storm's fading, but it
seems like the calm.
So...I change my vote.
(beat)
End his misery. I don't want to see
him like this any more. Please.
INT. POLICE STATION - DAY
The CB radio sits, abandoned. Dave walks in and, after a
moment, turns off the radio with a sense of finality. He
walks out as if nothing's happened.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - DAY
Robin is asleep, his mouth slightly open. Rachel is at his
side, solemn-faced. She looks at the nightstand with a look
of reluctance and fear.
She slowly opens it to reveal an object wrapped in a light
blue dish towel. She unwraps it, revealing a LARGE KNIFE, the
end slightly curved.
Rachel's hands begin to tremble, causing the knife to
shudder. She gulps, breathing uneasily.
Rachel looks up at the sleeping Robin, then back down at the
knife. She clutches it tightly, taking a deep breath...
And Robin turns toward her.
ROBIN
(muttering)
Home...
Rachel drops the knife in her lap and timidly gasps. Robin
slowly wakes up.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
(confused)
Am I...am I home?
He gathers his surroundings and sees Rachel.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
(remembering)
Oh...Rach? What is it?
Rachel looks up at him, hiding the knife under the dish
towel.
RACHEL
Nothing. Just checking on you. Were
you...dreaming again?
Robin's expression becomes stony.
ROBIN
(quietly)
Yeah.
RACHEL
About us?
ROBIN
No. Not about that.
(beat)
Lindsay doesn't know.
RACHEL
What about?
Robin doesn't respond. He is like a traumatized child.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
You can tell me.
ROBIN
I ran through the town. This...wolf
was chasing me. It had these big
red eyes...like flames. I got out
of the maze somehow. But I...I
still felt trapped.
(beat)
Those eyes, Rachel...they burn into
your soul. They test how much of
you can bear to live...how much of
you is worth living.
(looking over his body)
I guess I'm don't have much.
RACHEL
Rob, don't say that. You need your
rest, and when JB...
ROBIN
Quit telling me that!
He bangs the nightstand in frustration. Rachel recoils.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
(sighing)
I'm sorry. I just need to get out
of here. Maybe Liz will forgive me
then.
He rubs his forehead, lost in thought. Rachel looks at him
with a newfound pity.
RACHEL
I understand, Robin...it seems we
all need forgiveness sometimes.
We...lose track of what we think is
best. We lose control and give in.
ROBIN
Well, we're glad we have you to
show us the way, Rachel.
He smiles. Rachel doesn't return it.
RACHEL
Thanks.
ROBIN
No, Rachel, thank you. You listen.
I just...just sit here. I'm glad I
can be honest with you.
Robin's stare appears full of good intentions, but a feeling
of malice is starting to make itself known.
RACHEL
You're welcome, Robin, really...but
right now you need to get some
rest.
She gets up to leave.
ROBIN
Please tell me you're honest with
me, Rachel?
She stops in her tracks. Rachel doesn't turn back to face
him. She lets out a nervous chuckle.
RACHEL
Of course I am. Why would you think
otherwise?
She begins to move towards the door again.
ROBIN
Because I know what's wrapped up in
that towel, Rachel. I know they
sent you here to kill me.
Rachel freezes.
RACHEL
That's ridiculous. We would
never...
ROBIN
I heard you talking. All of you.
When JB was leaving? I believe it
was something like..."let the
condition do the rest?"
Rachel finally faces him and sits back in the chair.
RACHEL
(choking)
I...we just didn't want to see you
suffering.
ROBIN
Do you all really think it's my
suffering that's the issue?
(beat)
You want me out of the way. I'm the
cause of all your suffering.
RACHEL
No, Robin, it's not that. It's just-
ROBIN
Face it, Rachel. I'm a...pest.
Vermin. All of you attend to me day
after day, watching me waste away,
wondering when this ash will
finally get to my brain and you
won't have to put up with me
anymore.
(sighing)
What I'm saying, Rachel, is that I
understand. Go ahead.
He motions for her to come over to the bed. Tears begin to
stream down Rachel's pale face.
RACHEL
(dazed)
What?
ROBIN
Come. Go on. Put the knife to my
neck and kill me.
RACHEL
You can't possibly-
ROBIN
Come...here...and...kill...me. Put
me out of your misery.
Rachel lets go of the knife in her hands. It clatters to the
floor.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
You see, that's you, Rachel. You've
already decided for yourself. When
Dave proposed, you already knew
what you were going to do. You were
never going to do it.
Rachel crumples to the floor.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
You can go now.
Rachel, in a daze, gets up and heads for the door. She pauses
in the doorframe.
RACHEL
Why? Why did you do that to me?
ROBIN
Because...you're better than
murder, Rachel. You just didn't
know it.
Rachel wipes her eyes and leaves the room, slamming the door
in her wake.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
Rachel walks into the living room, where an expectant Dave
and Lindsay sit on the couch facing the fireplace.
They turn to face her. Lindsay's eyes have widened in tears.
DAVE
Well?
Rachel takes a deep breath.
RACHEL
He's still alive.
She casts an immense look of hate towards Dave before heading
out of the lodge, slamming the door in her wake.
DAVE
Lindsay...
Lindsay is silently crying, not bothering to look up at him.
DAVE (CONT'D)
There's still time. I can do it
quickly. He won't suffer...I
promise.
She walks up to him quickly, draws a sharp breath, and slaps
him hard in the face. He barely moves.
LINDSAY
Don't even try.
She runs towards Robin's room.
DAVE
You still love him, don't you?
She doesn't stay to say he's right. He sits down on the sofa
and stares at the fireplace, emotionless.
INT. LIBRARY - DAY
Rachel enters the town library, a large oak structure filled
with books. The power is out, causing her to rummage in her
pocket for a flashlight.
She steps into the atrium, in the center a large bronze
statue of a bearded man in church robes holding an open
bible.
A plaque at the statue's base reads "REV. JOSHUA GYVER- 1560
1612." This is the founder of the original colony.
In front of the statue is a large leather-bound tome entitled
"GYVER COUNTY LEDGER," filled with lists and statistics of
the original colony.
Rachel scans the lists aimlessly before remembering her task,
heading towards the back of the library to a sign marked
"CATALOG."
The catalog turns out to be an old-fashioned set of index
cards in drawers. Rachel gives an overwhelmed sigh as she
walks to the drawer marked "W."
INT. LIBRARY (READING ROOM) - DAY
Rachel's flashlight pierces the darkness as she slams a large
stack of books on a sturdy wooden table. Her rapid, satisfied
breath is visible.
She looks through the different books on the Wendigo with
great interest, scanning them for any bits of useful
information.
Phrases like "thundering trees," "horrible screams," and
"ashen trail" highlight themselves as they race through
Rachel's mind.
RACHEL
The horrible screams of the
Wendigo's victims pierced through
the night...the sound of the
thunderous trees gave the
impression of a monstrous beast...
She opens another book, placing the books side by side,
reading them at the same time.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Richardson was gone this morning, a
trail of ash led outside his
tent...our Indian guide claims it
was the snowstorm that took
him...he is bordering on
insanity...
Rachel shuts one of the books and opens another.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
The expedition group was found
today, with mouths of blood and
weather wounds on most of their
body...they confess to eating two
of their group, saying the trees
told them to...they will be hung in
the morning..
Rachel's eyes dart upward- the snowstorm outside has begun to
pick up once more. She begins collecting the books in a mad
rush before her eyes fall on one sentence-
"The deceased savages were laid to rest by the Reverend
Gyver."
RACHEL (CONT'D)
No.
She grabs the books and runs out of the reading room.
INT. LIBRARY - EVENING
Before Rachel leaves the library, she turns back to the
statue of Reverend Gyver and the ledger of the town.
She scans the area before she finds what she wants- near the
ledger, resting in a side pocket of the desk, is a transcript
of the ledger.
She grabs it and runs out of the library, the statue
seemingly staring at her as she runs back to the lodge.
INT. BEDROOM (LINDSAY & ROBIN) - EVENING
Rachel sits next to Robin, propped up in his bed. Books are
laid out all over the bed.
ROBIN
So everything that's been going on
here...the screams, the trees, the
fog...
RACHEL
It all fits. Even the original
colony had some sightings.
She grabs the ledger, which has scans of old woodcut drawings
featuring people pointing to the forest. The church is easily
recognizable as the one in the town square.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
The Indians that lived always spoke
of a creature that wandered the
woods.
ROBIN
What happened to them?
RACHEL
That's the strangest part.
She flips to a statistic-ridden page labeled "FATALITIES-
1609-1611."
RACHEL (CONT'D)
In the two years since the colony
was settled, the deaths always
increase in the winter months. It's
always the same.
ROBIN
What about the year after that?
RACHEL
That's when the colony was
abandoned- the winter of 1612.
ROBIN
The same year that this guy Gyver
died.
RACHEL
Yes, Gyver. He was the town leader
and converted the Indians living
here to their faith. In 1612, there
was a famine and the town was
abandoned. Gyver, however,
supposedly went missing. Everyone
did. The remains were found in the
early 1800s and the town was
rebuilt into Dulles' Point.
She reclines back in her chair and rubs her forehead.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
It all points to here. The way you
are, the reason for all this
stuff...it's all because of this.
The environment seems too silent.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Where is everyone?
ROBIN
(chuckling)
Always worried about others.
Dave's upstairs and Lindsay's in
the living room.
RACHEL
(worried)
Good...
ROBIN
It's Dave, isn't it?
RACHEL
Don't talk about him now, Rob.
ROBIN
It's OK, Rachel. I don't blame you
for acting the way you did. You
were still shaken from the crash
and the attack. And Jesse...it
wasn't your fault.
Rachel looks at him and starts to cry.
RACHEL
I barely remember him anymore. You
guys were best friends.
ROBIN
It was your dad's fault he died,
Rachel. Not yours.
(beat)
You still have the scars, don't
you?
RACHEL
Don't...Rob, I don't feel like
talking now.
Robin gets closer to Rachel. Too close.
ROBIN
It's OK, Rachel...it'll be all
right. I promise.
He leans in to kiss her, causing Rachel to jump up from the
chair.
RACHEL
What are you doing?
ROBIN
What's wrong?
RACHEL
Robin, you...you need rest. I'm
going to leave.
ROBIN
Is it because I look like this? Is
that it?
RACHEL
Lindsay's right there, Rob! Why are
you acting like this?
ROBIN
I guess your dad had the right idea
trying to kill you, didn't he? You
and your brother.
RACHEL
(sobbing)
Stop it, Rob! Stop it!
ROBIN
Get out!
Rachel runs out of the room, grabbing some of the books on
her way.
Robin's eyes look surprisingly different. They seem grayer.
He screams and hits the headboard of his bed repeatedly, his
face contorted in rage.
EXT. LODGE - NIGHT
The snowstorm grows in intensity outside the lodge. All the
lights in the house are out, save for the small light of the
fireplace inside.
The wolf stands at the treeline, staring at the house and
growling. The wolf outside suddenly gives an ear-piercing
howl, as if lamenting the events about to unfold.
INT. BEDROOM (RACHEL) - NIGHT
Rachel is asleep in her bed, her eyes red from tears. A book
about the Wendigo rests open face down on her chest.
Her room is completely dark, the only light coming from the
bare slivers of moonlight from her window blinds.
Suddenly, the door to her bedroom slowly opens. A beam of
light from the fireplace creeps onto her face, causing her to
stir.
Penetrating the new light source is a disfigured shadow,
almost impossible to describe. It can be boiled down to a
mixture of equal human and animal parts.
The shadow creeps slowly towards Rachel, who begins to twitch
in her sleep.
A flash-
Rachel at the bottom of the cliff, trying to pull her brother
JESSE (10) out of the burning truck.
In the distance, a wolf with burning red eyes.
Rachel, trapped against the cliff face, the wolf scratching
at her madly. She screams out for her brother, who lies
unconscious nearby.
The creature is closer to the sleeping Rachel, tossing and
turning in her sleep.
RACHEL
No...Jesse...
The creature raises a hand to grab Rachel, the shadow
undulating, ready to strike.
And then a hand is visible, missing several ashen fingers...
The wolf outside suddenly gives an ear-piercing howl, causing
the shadow to recoil and Rachel to wake up.
She jolts upward, panting rapidly. The shadow is gone. She
takes several deep breaths before resting her head back on
her pillow.
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Lindsay slowly wakes up, hearing the wolf's howl. She's been
sleeping on the couch in front of the fireplace, a light
blanket covering her.
She rubs her eyes and gets up, shuffling slowly to the
kitchen.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Lindsay passes through the hallway to the kitchen, not
noticing that Robin's bedroom door is open.
His bed is empty, and bandages litter the floor.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Lindsay grabs a glass from a nearby cabinet and walks to the
fridge. She pulls out a carton of orange juice and opens it,
holding the glass.
On second thought, she sets down the glass and drinks it
straight from the carton. She wipes her mouth, replaces the
orange juice, and closes the fridge door.
In front of her, previously hidden by the door, is Robin. His
legs are stunted and his fingers are mostly gone. His face
has a large streak of gray across it.
ROBIN
(weak)
Lindsay...
He collapses on her. Lindsay lets out a scream.
LINDSAY
Robin!
ROBIN
I...I'm sorry. Please don't scream.
LINDSAY
Robin, you need your bandages!
You're going to die without them!
ROBIN
I don't care right now. You need to
listen to me. I was a little shaken
up by this. I didn't mean anything
of what I said. I understand why
you wanted...
LINDSAY
Robin...
He stands up. His legs seem to be healing. Lindsay stands up
with him, tears in her eyes.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
Will you belong to me?
LINDSAY
Yes...yes, Robin.
She hugs him tightly, sobbing.
ROBIN
I'm sure Robin would have loved to
hear that.
She freezes and looks at Robin, fear in her eyes.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
JB runs through the forest, seeking shelter. He collapses in
the snow, dropping his last flashlight.
It illuminates a pair of feet. JB runs to it, fearful.
IT'S ROBIN. His face is almost disfigured, his tongue ripped
out from his mouth. A large cavity remains where his chest
used to be, his heart missing between his lungs.
His eyes widen and he covers his mouth, hiding his scream. He
slowly walks backward and breaks into a run away from Robin's
body.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
There is a squelching noise, causing Lindsay to shudder. She
looks down-
Robin has stabbed her in the heart, blood staining her
sweater. Robin's fingers slowly grow and reappear from the
ash, curving around the knife.
ROBIN
(grinning)
Your heart is mine now.
And Lindsay, clutching at the fake Robin, slowly falls down,
dead.
EXT. BACK PORCH - NIGHT
Robin walks over to the log pile near the back door. Next to
it is Dave's axe. He flashes a grin as he carries it with him
back inside.
EXT. FOREST PATH - NIGHT
JB breaks through the forest and finds himself back on the
forest path. He runs for his life, feeling as if the
snowstorm is after him.
He dodges the many cars buried in the snow, occasionally
tripping from fatigue. He stops at one point, sobbing openly.
He looks up and sees his one hope for salvation.
The watchtower. He's made it.
EXT. WATCHTOWER - NIGHT
JB runs to the watchtower, clutching onto one of its support
beams with utter joy. He sobs, finally at his destination.
JB
(yelling)
Roger! Watch!
There is no response.
JB (CONT'D)
(yelling)
Is there anyone up there?
He can hear faint voices coming from above. He finds a set of
metal stairs and gallops up them, skipping two or three steps
at a time.
JB reaches the top of the watchtower and comes face to face
with a small wood cabin.
INT. WATCHTOWER - NIGHT
JB thrusts open the door.
JB
Roger, it's great to-
He stops, recoiling from the horrific sight before him.
Two bodies, one of which can be recognized as Roger, are
spread throughout the cabin. Roger's body lies face up on the
floor while the other, dressed in a forest ranger attire,
lies slumped in a chair.
The forest ranger has visibly been dead for quite some time,
long before JB and the others came to the forest.
Both of their faces have caved in, serving as bowls for a
large quantity of ashes.
JB slumps to the floor, grim realization on his face.
Rescue was never coming.
He looks towards the cobweb-ridden CB radio, sitting on a
desk near the forest ranger's body.
It's still on...broadcasting Roger's voice.
ROGER
Everyone, great news. I'm with
Watch and we think we can see JB.
Rescue will be coming real soon.
JB runs to the radio, grabbing the microphone.
JB
No! It's not real! Rescue isn't
coming! Everyone's dead! Everyone-
But then he notices it- the microphone's unplugged, along
with the rest of the CB radio.
JB reels backward in disorientation as the sound of falling
trees surrounds the watchtower. He faints on the floor,
inches away from the door to the cabin.
FADE OUT.
INT. BEDROOM (DAVE) - NIGHT
Dave wakes up to the sound of loud thuds echoing through the
house. He turns on his light and rubs his face.
DAVE
What the hell?
He gets up and leaves the bedroom. The light flickers every
time a thud is heard, caused by the thud's vibrations.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Dave walks down the hallway, his pace slow but increasing as
the thuds grow louder. He makes it to the stairs, where the
faint light from the fireplace is visible.
He crouches down on the stairs to look through the stair
railing to the kitchen and almost retches with disgust. He
watches the gruesome scene in front of him, eyes widening and
tears beginning to stream down his face.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
The kitchen is strewn with blood, the white linoleum floor
now crimson. Various pots and pans are on the stove,
simmering and boiling.
Robin, his limbs restored, stands behind a wood cutting
board, hacking away, each swing of the miniature axe causing
a loud thud as it cuts through meat.
Robin moves to check a pot, revealing the object on the
cutting board.
It's Lindsay's head. Dave has to grip his mouth as to not
scream in terror.
Robin turns a little, as if hearing Dave. However, he resumes
his task, grabbing a plate from a nearby cabinet.
Dave looks on as Robin builds a plate of human meat and sits
down at the table, licking his lips. Using only his hands,
Robin hungrily devours Lindsay's remains.
Sickening crunches permeate the room as Robin bites through
bone and tissue, ripping each bite away and swallowing it
whole.
A bit of blood spurts onto his cheek after taking a juicy
bite. Robin casually licks it off with his tongue before
resuming his grisly meal.
Dave lets go of the railings and tiptoes up the stairs,
trying his best to be quiet. Once he reaches the landing, he
breaks into a run to Rachel's bedroom.
INT. BEDROOM (RACHEL) - NIGHT
Dave bursts into the bedroom and shuts the door behind him,
locking it. His loud entry causes Rachel to jump out of bed.
RACHEL
What the hell are you doing in
here?!
He forcefully covers her mouth so she doesn't scream.
DAVE
(whispering)
Lower your goddamn voice!
Robin's...dear God...he's eating
Lindsay. He's eating her!
Rachel's eyes widen. She tears away from him.
RACHEL
Let me go! You're sick!
She tries to get up and run from him, bolting for the door.
Dave is faster, grabbing hold of her before she can reach the
doorknob.
They fall backward, Rachel scrambling to escape. Dave pulls
her back and clutches onto her.
DAVE
Rachel, please! If only this one
time, you have to listen to me! You
can hate me forever, but right now
is all that matters.
(beat)
Please. Please trust me.
Rachel somehow quiets, knowing her cousin is right. Rachel
turns to the only exit in the room- the window.
EXT. ROOF - NIGHT
Dave and Rachel climb out the window and across the roof,
their sounds thankfully muffled by the snow.
Halfway through, though, Rachel slips and falls off the roof,
landing in a pile of snow. Dave looks down at Rachel, who is
thankfully all right.
She ducks as she sees Robin at the table, eating what seems
to be a third helping of Lindsay. She sees Lindsay's head on
the chopping block, and screams a little before covering her
mouth.
Dave jumps down from the roof next to Rachel, grabbing her
arm and turning to run. They disappear into the snowstorm.
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
Robin is still at the table with his meal. He appears to be
focused on eating, but then he grins as he looks towards the
window.
He knows.
He grabs the axe next to Lindsay's head, wipes it on his
jeans, and walks out of the lodge.
INT. WATCHTOWER - NIGHT
JB stirs awake, at first unaware of his surroundings. He
gasps in shock when he sees the two bodies again, but then
slowly remembers what's happened, calming himself down.
He looks through the windows of the watchtower, scanning the
bottom of the watchtower and the surrounding area.
The forest is enveloped in fog, save for the clearing where
the watchtower stands. At the bottom of the tower
is...Roger's car.
JB sits down in thought, devising a plan.
JB grabs a rucksack from the desk and scavenges the cabin for
supplies. This, unfortunately, includes the two bodies in the
room.
He manages to find Roger's car keys, kissing them before he
puts them in his pocket.
Before he leaves, he stops and looks at the window. His eyes
widen as he rushes to it and looks outside.
JB scans the area before he finds it- Dulles' Point, nestled
amongst a group of mountains. Dulles' Point is at the bottom
of a bowl.
JB
(muttering)
It's-it's at the bottom...all this
snow...oh, god...
JB grabs the pack and holds it tight, a look of grim
determination in his eyes.
EXT. WATCHTOWER - NIGHT
JB slowly creeps down the stairs of the watchtower, trying
his best not to make any noise. His breathing gets faster and
faster as he gets closer to the car.
Eventually he reaches the bottom. He looks at his
surroundings- the fog does seem to be everywhere except for
the watchtower, as if waiting for him to make the next move.
JB walks slowly to the car, his footsteps slightly muffled by
the snow. He gets inside the car without any trouble and
starts it quickly.
He hits the accelerator and speeds away through the snow
towards the forest path.
INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT
Dave and Rachel run into the library, the large oak doors
creating a thunderous noise.
Rachel looks through the library window to see Robin running
closer to the library. She screams.
DAVE
Hide!
They separate. Rachel runs straight for the bookshelves,
trying to get herself as lost as possible. She suddenly drops
down and clutches her knees, shuddering madly.
There is a long stretch of silence before she hears it-
Robin's slow footsteps echo through the library, making it
appear he is everywhere and nowhere.
Rachel's eyes dart back and forth madly, hectically scanning
her surroundings. The footsteps sound closer.
As soon as the sounds have started, however, they suddenly
stop. Rachel takes a shuddering breath before she crawls to a
shelf corner and looks down the aisles.
Robin is gone.
She slowly gets up and, checking the aisles once more, runs
to another bookshelf, getting closer to the exit.
RACHEL
(whispering)
Dave? Where are you?
Suddenly, a pair of hands pull her into a set of shelves.
It's Dave.
DAVE
(whispering)
I think he's still in here. Follow
me.
Dave slowly and methodically begins to lead Rachel to the
exit.
Three shelves away. Then two. One.
They make it to the atrium. Rachel begins to run for the
exit, then falls to the floor.
In front of Gyver's statue is the REAL Dave, sprawled out on
the floor. Rachel's mouth is agape in disbelief.
She gets up slowly and turns to face...Robin. He grins, teeth
stained with blood. She screams.
He slashes at her with the axe. Rachel barely dodges him as
she turns around and runs back into the storm.
Robin, after taking one last look at Dave's body, walks
outside as well.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - NIGHT
JB approaches the field of buried cars. He is barely able to
dodge the wreckage and avoid accident. His speed steadily
increases-
80 miles per hour...90 miles per hour...
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Rachel runs through the forest, turning at every possible
chance. Robin barely breaks a sweat as he manages to follow
her every move.
The snowstorm rages around them, almost rendering them
invisible in the sleet.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - NIGHT
JB drives at breakneck speed towards Dulles' Point, panting
heavily in the driver's seat.
JB (V.O.)
Something's in these woods...beyond
human comprehension. The Indians
called it the Wendigo. It caused
all this snow...it caused all of
them to die...to get dragged
away...and we'll be next.
He approaches a corner in the forest road. He turns too
sharply, causing him to swerve along the road. He plants his
foot on the brake and tries to turn out of it, but skids
helplessly.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Rachel runs out of breath as she continues to dart along the
trees. She slows down and collapses against a tree, catching
her breath. She turns around to see if Robin is still giving
chase.
He isn't. He's disappeared.
Rachel gets up and frantically looks for any sign of him. An
ENGINE REV is heard on the wind, despite the harshness of the
storm.
RACHEL
(panting)
JB.
She breaks into another run towards the source of the noise,
disappearing in the storm and the trees.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - NIGHT
Rachel breaks through the treeline of the road and collapses
in the snow, panting. As JB rounds the faraway corner, her
face is steadily illuminated by his headlights.
She looks up and her eyes widen.
Dave, clothes torn and face bloody, stands in the middle of
the road. He gasps and crumples to the ground, barely moving
a muscle.
In the car, JB still struggles to gain control of the wheel.
He spots Dave in the middle of the road and yells. He tries
to turn the car away from his body.
Dave grins, exposing bloody teeth. This can't be him.
The car is mere inches away from him...
A THUD.
CUT TO BLACK.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - NIGHT
JB wakes up face down in the snow. Rachel is screaming
somewhere. The loud horn of the car honks behind him. He rubs
his head and looks around, in shock.
JB
(muttering)
Did I...Did I hit him? Where-
In front of him is Dave, mangled and torn, but still in one
piece. His dead eyes are locked onto JB.
JB gags and successfully holds back his vomit. He turns
around towards the car. It's crashed into a tree, the front
window shattered from when he crashed through it. Rachel is
in the front seat, screaming and honking the horn.
RACHEL
(yelling)
JB! Get in the car! It's not Dave!
JB
(yelling)
Rachel! Rachel, I'm so sorry!
RACHEL
(yelling)
It's not him! It's not him!
JB turns to see Robin inches away from his face, grinning his
bloody grin. He slashes at JB's stomach with long, inhuman
fingers. JB falls to the ground as Robin, for a fraction of
an instant, reveals his TRUE FORM-
The body of a man, but infused with the head of a stag and
what looks like nature itself...
The Wendigo.
Rachel screams as JB falls to the ground, twitching. Robin
looks straight at her with an expression of inhuman rage and
begins to walk towards the car.
Thinking fast, she puts the car in reverse and pulls away
from the tree. She turns the car around towards Robin,
illuminated in the headlights.
Then she puts the car in drive and speeds towards Robin. They
both scream as he hits the car with a definite THWACK.
Rachel brakes and puts the car in reverse, hitting him again.
A CRUNCH is heard beneath the car.
Then she puts the car in drive, hitting him for the last time
before braking in front of JB.
Rachel checks him over- he is mortally wounded, but still
alive.
JB
(gasping)
Ra-Rachel...g-go...
RACHEL
(frantic)
JB! It's going to be OK, JB. We
need to get in the car and get out
of here. Grab onto my shoulders...
He moves for her shoulders, arms flapping around slowly. A
large pool of blood is forming in the snow.
She pulls him into the car, laying him on the backseat. He
makes sickening gagging noises, coughing up blood.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - NIGHT
Rachel speeds down the road towards the field of buried cars
and bloody lines. The storm is visibly burying them in the
snow.
She isn't able to dodge most of the cars, causing the car to
bounce and shake. JB bounces in the backseat, screaming in
pain.
RACHEL
It's going to be OK, JB! We're
getting out of here! Rescue'll find
us...we'll be OK!
JB
(gagging)
N-no...Rachel...it's all going
to...be c-covered...no one will
ever f-find it...we need to get out
of the ba-basin...
His cries come out as bloody gasps and fragments of words.
RACHEL
(frantic)
Shh, JB...you need to rest...we're
almost there.
EXT. WATCHTOWER - NIGHT
Rachel pulls up in front of the watchtower and brakes hard.
RACHEL
JB! JB, we're here! I'm going to go
up--
She turns around to talk to him, but stops short.
JB has succumbed to his wounds, his dead eyes wide open. The
backseat is covered in blood.
Rachel doesn't scream or gasp. Her eyes simply lose their
light, deadening as her face becomes blank and pale.
She turns off the car engine, the loud idling engine giving
way to the sound of the raging storm. Rachel sighs and exits
the car, leaving the door open.
Rachel walks towards the base of the watchtower and begins
climbing the steps. She starts to silently sob, tears
streaming down her face.
INT. WATCHTOWER - NIGHT
Rachel stands, quiet, as she surveys the scene in the
watchtower- the scattered supplies, the piles of clothes and
ashes left by the bodies of Roger and Watch (who have since
disintegrated), and the disconnected CB radio.
Rachel walks towards the radio and kneels down on the ground,
fondling the receiver piece. She presses the "talk" button
and holds it to her face.
RACHEL
Is anybody there? Anyone?
Static.
RACHEL
Is anybody there? Anyone?
VOICE (V.O.)
H-Hello?
RACHEL
Yes! Hello?
VOICE (V.O.)
Who is this?
RACHEL
My...my name is Rachel Ramsey. I'm
in a watchtower near Dulles' Point.
My...my f-friend is...is hurt
outside. P-please send help.
(beat)
Everyone...everyone else is gone.
VOICE (V.O.)
Ms. Ramsey, please stay calm. We'll
send someone right away. They
should be there within the hour.
You'll be OK.
RACHEL
Thank you.
She lets go of the "talk" button and drops the receiver. It
swings idly.
She never notices the radio is still disconnected.
Rachel crawls over to the adjacent wall and curls up against
it, resting her head on the wall. She shuts her eyes tight
and takes a sharp breath.
She screams one loud, long scream. A scream of horror and
sadness, of regret and terror.
EXT. FOREST ROAD - NIGHT
Rachel's scream is mixed with the fierce snowstorm outside.
The field of cars is slowly buried by the flurries of snow.
The blood trails become fainter and fainter as new layers
overcome them.
Robin's body is missing. There is only a blood trail leading
to the forest.
EXT. TOWN CENTER - NIGHT
The town of Dulles' Point is sprayed with new layers of snow,
one after the other. In time, there will be no trace anyone
was ever there.
The howling winds of the snowstorm overpower Rachel's faint
scream.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END
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