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F a i t h S t u h l s a t z S c r e e n w r i t e r P O R T F O L I O 2 0 2 4

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Reflective Essay…………………………………………………………………………………3 Feeding the Cat (Short Story)…………………………………………………………………4 Elevator Scene (Dialogue Script) ……………………………………………………………8 Echoes of Silence (Horror Script)……………………………………………………………12 Comedy Short Story……………………………………………………………………………18 The Edge of Everything (Final Script)………………………………………………………24

3 When I first started screenwriting, I was intimidated by its structure. At first, I thought the craft was simply about telling a good story. Over time, I have learned it is about creating an experience—one that makes the audience feel deeply, think critically, and remember long after the credits fade. My growth as a screenwriter has been a journey of discovery, discipline, and refining my unique voice. When I look back at my early scripts, I see flashes of creativity marred by an overabundance of ambition. I wanted to say everything at once, cramming ideas into every scene, often to the detriment of clarity. My characters were mouthpieces for the plot rather than living, breathing individuals with their own desires and flaws. But through workshops and constant revisions, I began to understand the importance of restraint. Screenwriting, I realized, is not about showing off how much you can write about knowing what to leave unsaid. Looking back, I am struck by how much I have grown, not just in skill but in confidence. Screenwriting has taught me patience and the importance of collaboration. It has shown me that stories are not static; they evolve, just as we do. As I continue to write, I am excited to push boundaries, challenge myself, and create scripts that do not just entertain but linger in the minds and hearts of viewers. This portfolio is a reflection of where I have been, and more importantly, where I am headed.

4 FEEDING THE CAT FADE IN: INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN - MORNING Sunlight streams through the window, casting warm streaks on the spotless countertops. Last night's dishes rest in the sink, and an empty cat food bowl sits on the floor. A clock on the wall ticks softly, showing 7:30 AM. FAITH, 19, dressed in business casual, enters, stifling a yawn. Her shirt is slightly wrinkled, and her hair is hastily tied back. FAITH (whispering to herself) I don't want to go... Not today. She is interrupted by a soft, insistent MEOW. Glancing down, she sees TERABYTE, her fluffy black cat, staring up at her with unblinking, pleading eyes. TERABYTE (MEOWS, louder) FAITH Alright, alright, I'm coming. Faith stretches, then heads to the pantry. Terabyte weaves between her legs, tail brushing her shins. FAITH Careful, or I'm going to trip over you. She grabs a can of cat food but fumbles with the pull-tab, gritting her teeth. FAITH (muttering) Why do they make these things impossible to open? Finally, the can pops open with a loud CLICK. The smell wafts out, and Terabyte, impatient, rises on his hind legs, pawing at her leg. FAITH (laughing) Hold on. She scrapes the food into the bowl. FAITH There you go. Dig in.

5 Terabyte dives in, eating with enthusiasm. Faith watches him, a small smile tugging at her lips. FAITH You're so cute. Faith heads to the fridge, pulling out a lunchbox and leftovers. Terabyte stops eating, his head snapping up to watch her. He trots over and leaps onto the counter. FAITH What now? You have your food. TERABYTE (MEOWS, questioning) Faith narrows her eyes at him. FAITH You cannot be serious. This is mine. Terabyte swishes his tail expectantly. With a sigh, Faith grabs a blueberry and offers it to him. FAITH (half-joking) You are going to make me late one of these days. Terabyte plucks the blueberry from her hand and chews delicately. Faith finishes packing her lunch, then leans against the counter, watching as Terabyte licks his paw and cleans his ear. The two share a moment of quiet companionship. TERABYTE (purring softly) FAITH (murmurs) Worth it. The clock ticks. Faith gathers her lunchbox and keys, heading towards the door. TERABYTE (MEOWS) Faith hesitates, turning back. She crosses the room and kisses Terabyte on the head. FAITH I will be home later. Be good.

6 Terabyte rubs his cheek against her hand, letting out a soft, satisfied MEOW. FADE OUT. THE END

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8 ELEVATOR SCENE by Faith Stuhlsatz INT. ELEVATOR - DAY The elevator hums softly as it ascends the towering government building. Three passengers ride in silence, each absorbed in their own world. ANGELA, a black woman in her 40s, wears a sharp gray suit. Her grip tightens on her phone as she scrolls through emails, a frown on her face. DEREK, a 22-year-old white college student, stands awkwardly in his flannel shirt, clutching his backpack. He shifts nervously, muttering under his breath. HIROSHI, a 64-year-old Japanese man, a former ballet dancer, stands poised, his stylish scarf neatly draped. His briefcase is by his side. He gazes upward, serene. The elevator's confined space feels smaller as the silence stretches. Suddenly- BANG. The elevator LURCHES violently and comes to a halt. The lights FLICKER and dim. ANGELA (grabbing the rail) What the hell-? DEREK (looking around) Uh..is it broken? HIROSHI (calm) It appears we are stuck. They exchange nervous glances. Angela presses the EMERGENCY BUTTON- no response. Derek shifts anxiously. Hiroshi remains calm, observing them. ANGELA (sighing) Great. I've got a meeting on the 50th floor. She presses the button again- still nothing. DEREK (muttering, to himself) Of course, now.

9 HIROSHI (smiling) Sometimes, we must wait. Derek fidgets, tapping his fingers on his backpack strap. DEREK I hate waiting. Can't we do something? Silence. The tension thickens. Then, soft MUSIC seeps through the speakers- a smooth, soulful rhythm. Hiroshi grins. Without hesitation, he starts to SWAY. His movements are subtle- fluid, controlled. HIROSHI Why not dance? We have time. Angela stares at him, incredulous. ANGELA You're really doing this right now? HIROSHI (playful) Why not? Angela watches, torn between disbelief and amusement. Then, with a shrug, she SNAPS her fingers to the beat, her hips swaying lightly. ANGELA (grinning) Alright, if we're stuck, might as well enjoy it. Derek, watching the two, chuckles. He hesitates, then starts to move- his steps clumsy and exaggerated. DEREK This is...kinda ridiculous. HIROSHI (gesturing to him) The dance does not judge. The small elevator transforms into their dance floor. Hiroshi glides effortlessly, Angela groove with understates elegance, and Derek, though awkward, grows more confident with each step. Laughter begins to fill the space. ANGELA (laughing) I didn't expect my day to go like this.

10 DEREK (grinning, twirling) I'm definitely putting this on my resume- "Elevator Dance Break." HIROSHI (laughing) Movement...frees the mind. 3. Suddenly, the elevator JOLTS. It begins to move smoothly again, the lights returning to full brightness. They stop dancing, catching their breath, but smiles linger on their faces. ANGELA (straightening her jacket) Well, I guess that's that. DEREK (still breathless) That...was awesome. HIROSHI (calmly) Life provides opportunities for dance when we least expect it. The elevator DINGS. The doors slide OPEN. Angela steps out, loosening her posture slightly. ANGELA (to herself) Maybe this'll make the meeting bearable. DEREK (to himself, smiling) I'll call her after class. Hiroshi walks out last, his steps measured, almost rhythmic. HIROSHI (softly, to no one in particular) And so the dance continues. The three go their separate ways, each with a little more rhythm in their steps. END SCENE

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12 Echoes of Silence EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE - NIGHT The house looms in the fog, its windows dark and hollow, like empty eyes watching the group approach. The porch creaks ominously underfoot as they enter, shadows stretching across the walls as if they're reaching out. KATE (yelling behind her) Come on, guys! BEN (muttering while running) We're coming, we're coming. SOPHIE, KATE, and BEN enter the house. INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT The dimly lit room is filled with dust and shadows. Old furniture looms like silent witnesses. A large window, covered with tattered curtains, sways slightly in the breeze. A storm rumbles outside, echoing the tension inside. Sophie looks around nervously. SOPHIE (fidgeting) Are we sure we should be here? Shining the flashlight around, Kate looks at Sophie. KATE (grinning) Come on, Sophie! This place is just begging to be explored. Think of the stories we could tell! BEN (casually) Yeah, it's just an old, empty house. Haunted? Maybe. Dangerous? Definitely not. Let's check it out. Sophie takes a step back, eyes darting around. The floor creaks under her weight. A faint, unsettling scent hangs in the air- decay mixed with mold. SOPHIE (whispering) I don't like the vibe here. It feels... wrong.

13 KATE (ignoring her, captivated by the house) Look at this! Kate approaches a dusty, cracked mirror hanging crookedly on the wall. She brushes the dust with her sleeve, her eyes alight with curiosity. BEN (to Sophie, smiling reassuringly) It's just an old house, Soph. Nothing's going to jump out and get us. Sophie bites her lip, glancing at the mirror. For a fleeting second, a faint FIGURE appears in the reflection- a hallow-eyed silhouette- but when she blinks, it's gone. SOPHIE (shakily) Did...did you guys see that? KATE (absorbed in the mirror) See what? SOPHIE (voice rising) There was... something in the mirror! Ben steps closer, gently squeezing her shoulder while checking the mirror. BEN (calming) It's just your imagination. Shadows, reflections. Let's keep going. Suddenly, a LOUD CRASH echoes from the back of the house. All three jump, adrenaline pulsing through them. KATE (giggling nervously, eyes wide) Okay, that was creepy. SOPHIE (panicking) We should leave. Now. BEN

14 (firmly, trying to mask his own unease) We've come this far. We can't turn back now. Let's check it out. Sophie looks from Ben to Kate, her expression pleading. SOPHIE Please...something's not right here. We shouldn't be here. Kate rolls her eyes, but there's a flicker of doubt in her expression. KATE (sighing, reluctantly) Alright, maybe just a quick peek. Then we can go, I promise. INT. ABANDONED HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT They move cautiously towards the source of the crash. Shadows dance on the walls, and the air feels thick, charged. A singled bulb flickers weakly above them, casting long, shifting shadows. They enter the kitchen, which is cluttered with broken dishes and overturned chairs. In the corner, a door creaks slightly open, leading to a pitch-black staircase. BEN (pointing to the door) That door....it wasn't open before. Kate approaches the door, excitement mingling with trepidation. KATE (whispering, entranced) Let's see what's down there. SOPHIE (urgently) No! Please, we shouldn't! Kate looks back at Sophie, but the allure of the unknown pulls her closer. She reaches out, grasping the doorknob, hesitation and excitement warring in her eyes. KATE (justifying, almost to herself) Just a quick look... Suddenly, the door SLAMS open on its own, revealing a narrow staircase spiraling down into darkness. The flickering light bulb goes out, plunging them into near-total darkness. A cold WIND gusts up from below, carrying a faint, eerie whisper.

15 cold WIND gusts up from below, carrying a faint, eerie whisper. WHISPERING VOICE (echoing softly) Leave... while you can... Sophie gasps, instinctively grabbing Ben's arm. SOPHIE (terrified) We need to go. Now. Ben, torn between protecting Sophie and his curiosity, hesitates. Kate a step forward, eyes wide with a mix of fear and exhilaration. KATE (breathless, entranced) What if...there's something down there? Suddenly, a LOUD THUD echoes from the depths of the staircase, followed by a soft, chilling CRY that seems to come from far below. Sophie's face drains of color. SOPHIE (voice trembling) Did...did you hear that? Someone's trapped down there! Ben's protective instincts take over, and he steps closer to the staircase. BEN Stay here. I'll check it out. He moves toward the staircase, but Sophie pulls him back. SOPHIE No! We need to leave! Please. Kate, still drawn to the staircase, shakes her head, pushing past them. KATE (in a trance-like voice) I...I can't just leave. She takes a step toward the staircase, but as she does, the whispering intensified, frantic and almost angry. WHISPERING VOICE (louder) Leave... now...!

16 1. The light flickers briefly, casting long, dark shadows. For a split second, the figure reappears at the bottom of the stairs- pale, hollow-eyed, its mouth twisted in a silent scream. Sophie's face contorts in terror as she grabs Ben's arm, pulling him back. SOPHIE (hysterically) Run! Ben doesn't hesitate, grabbing Sophie's hand as they bolt toward the front door. Kate, transfixed, doesn't move. KATE (almost entranced, in a whisper) Wait, don't- The figure lunges forward, reaching out with skeletal fingers, and the light goes out completely. EXT. ABANDONED HOUSE - NIGHT Ben and Sophie burst through the front door, gasping for air. Rain pelts down in heavy sheets, but they don't stop running. Sophie glances back, heart pounding, but the front door SLAMS shut, trapping Kate inside. The house stands ominously still, as if it has consumed own of its own. SOPHIE (screaming) Kate! Only the sound of the wind answers, howling around them, swallowing their cries. The house looms silently, dark and unyielding, as if it has consumed her. FADE OUT. THE END

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18 COMEDY SHORT SCRIPT INT. SUBURBAN DRIVEWAY - DAY A modest two-story house. A red SEDAN sits lifeless in the driveway. BRENDA (mid-20s, frazzled) stands near the hood, holding her phone. Her coffee-stained shirt and mess bun scream "rough morning." BRENDA (whispering) Come on... Just work. She taps on her phone. The phone screen flashes: LOW BATTERY. BRENDA (frustrated) Really? Of course. She kicks her car's tire with a weak thud. BRENDA (to herself) Okay, Brenda. Deep breaths. You can fix this. Or...call someone. She scrolls through her phone contacts. Her thumb hovers over "Mom," then slides past it with a resigned sigh. Suddenly, the sound of a car screeching into the curb interrupts her. Enter TODD (early 30s, cheerful chaos incarnate) in a beat-up station wagon. He rolls down his window. TODD (cheerful) Brenda! Need a hero? BRENDA (startled) Todd? What are you-? TODD (grinning) Saw your post. Figured I'd swing by. BRENDA (skeptical) You drove here because of a panic post?

19 TODD (confidently) Hey, panic's my bat signal. Now, what's the problem? BRENDA The battery's dead. I was about to get groceries, and now... TODD (overenthusiastic) Say no more! I've jump-started a hundred cars. You got cables? BRENDA In the trunk, but- TODD (interrupting, loud) Perfect! He hops out, puffing with confidence, and puts his station wagon. TODD This bad boy? Never fails. I call her "The Wagon of Wisdom." Brenda rolls her eyes but opens her trunk, rummaging through clutter: an old tennis racket, tangled holiday lights, and a Halloween costume. BRENDA (muttering) Why do I keep everything but jumper cables in here? She finally finds the cables, holding them up skeptically. BRENDA Are you sure you know what you're doing? TODD (mock-offended) Do I know what I'm doing? Brenda, please. They walk to the front of the cars. Todd opens his hood with the swagger of someone about to perform miracle. TODD Red to red, black to...something else. Easy peasy.

20 Brenda's skepticism deepens. BRENDA (nervous) That doesn't sound- TODD (interrupting) Trust the process! Todd clamps a red cable to Brenda's car and another red cable to his own. He grabs the black cables, hesitates, then clips one to a random piece of metal under his hood. BRENDA (alarmed) Todd, that's not- TODD (waving her off) Relax. It's fine. Watch this. He gestures for her to start the car. BRENDA (sighing) If this explodes, you;re paying for everything. She gets into her car and turns the key. The engine sputters and dies. A tiny SPARK flies from Todd's battery. Brenda jumps. BRENDA What was that?! TODD (covering) Totally normal. Let me recalibrate. He adjusts the cables. Brenda gets out of the car, crossing her arms. BRENDA (mocking) So, Mr. Pro, what's next? TODD (defensive) I'm just...realigning the polarity. BRENDA (deadpan) You have no idea what you're doing, do you?

21 Todd freezes. Finally, he sighs and drops the act. TODD (defeated) Nope. Not a clue. There is a beat of silence. Then Brenda BURSTS out laughing. BRENDA (laughing) I knew it! You just wanted to play hero. TODD (grinning sheepishly) Maybe. A little. BRENDA (laughing, shaking her head) You're such an idiot. But...I guess it's nice you showed up. Todd rubs the back of his neck, smiling. TODD At least I gave you something to laugh about. Brenda grabs her phone, dialing a tow service. BRENDA (sighing, amused) Next time, let's call someone who actually knows what they're doing. TODD (grinning) Deal. But you have to admit, I made things interesting. As she speaks into the phone, Todd attempts to start his own car. The engine sputters and dies. TODD (awkwardly) Uh... Brenda? She raises an eyebrow, phone still at her ear. BRENDA (smiling) Let me guess. Your car's dead too.

22 1. Todd sheepishly nods. Brenda shakes her head and speaks into the phone. BRENDA (into phone) Hi, I need a tow truck... Make that two. She hangs up and leans against her car, laughing. TODD (sincerely) Well...at least we're in this together? BRENDA (smirking) Sure. Just keep your "Wagon of Wisdom" away from my battery. Both laugh as the camera pans to reveal the two cars, side by side, equally useless. FADE OUT. THE END.

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24 THE EDGE OF EVERYTHING FADE IN INT. BAR - NIGHT The bar is a small, dingy establishment with faded wooden furniture and walls adorned with dusty neon beer signs. A jukebox in the corner HUMS a melancholic blue tune, barely audible over the low MURMUR of patrons. The lighting is dim, casting long shadows across the room. The MAN, early 30s, sits in the farthest corner, hunched over a half-empty glass of whiskey. His face is partly obscured by the brim of his hood, but his eyes-dark and haunted-never leave the amber liquid. At the counter, the BARTENDER (40s, stocky, with tired but kind eyes) wipes down a glass, glancing at the man periodically. He hesitates, then walks over, his footsteps muffled by the worn-out carpet. BARTENDER You've been coming here for weeks now. Always the same drink, same corner. BARTENDER (leans slightly close, his voice softer) You runnin' from something, or waitin' for it? The man does not lift his gaze. Instead, he swirls the whiskey in his glass, the faint clink of ice breaking the silence between them. MAN What if it's both? The bartender chuckles, the sound rough but genuine, and leans back against the counter. He folds his arms, the dishrag draped over his shoulder. BARTENDER That's usually how it goes. But lemme tell ya, neither's as simple as it seems. The bartender gestures subtly toward the man's drink BARTENDER Whatever's in that glass ain't gonna help you find what you're lookin' for.

25 The man finally glances up, his eyes sharp but weary. MAN And what's that? The bartender shrugs, pulling out a chair opposite the man but not sitting. BARTENDER Could be revenge. Could be peace. Hell, could be you just tryin' to forget. But whatever it is, it's gonna cost you. The bartender pauses, lowering his voice. BARTENDER Costs more than it's worth, most times. The man sets the glass down, the clink louder now in the stillness. His jaw tightens as he stares at the bartender, his voice laced with quiet defiance. MAN Some things are worth any cost. The bartender studies him for a moment, his face softening. He opens his mouth, about to respond, but the man pulls a few crumpled bills from his pocket and slides them across the table. MAN Thanks for the drink. He stands, pulling his hood up as he walks toward the door. The bartender watches him go, a flicker of concern crossing his face. As the door swings shut behind the man, the bartender shakes his head and mutters. BARTENDER (to himself) Man like that...he's headed straight for trouble. The jukebox's mournful TUNE swells as the scene lingers on the empty corner where the man sat. A sense of foreboding hangs in the air as the camera slowly pans to the bartender, who stares at the door for a beat longer before turning back to his work. INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

26 The apartment is cramped and lifeless, reflecting its occupant's despair. Cracked walls hold up faded, peeling wallpaper, and the furniture looks secondhand, mismatched, and worn. A single bulb in the corner flickers, casting uneven light over the room. The air is thick with cigarette smoke. The man sits hunched on a sagging couch. His face is a map of torment-unshaven, his eyes darkened by sleepless nights. He cradles a worn photograph of LENA (18, cheerful and full of life), her joy frozen forever in the image. The coffee table in front of him is cluttered with old newspapers, a battered notebook, and an ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts. MAN (V.O.) In the end, they all forgot. Everyone but me. His gaze shifts to the corkboard dominating one wall, illuminated by the cold blue light of the lamp. It is meticulously organized yet chaotic: photographs of RYAN, ERIC, and JAKE pinned in the center, surrounded by maps, scribbled notes, and bits of string connecting their images. The man sets the photographs on the table beside a half-empty glass of whiskey. He picks up the notebook, his hand trembling as he flips to the last entry: CLOSE-UP - JOURNAL PAGE "I don't know how to tell him. I'm scared, but I'm excited too. What if he's not ready? What if this isn't the right time? But when I look at him, I know-I know-we could make this work. I'll tell him tomorrow. I promise." The man closes the notebook, his jaw tightening. FLASHBACK BEGINS EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY Sunlight dances through the leaves of a giant oak tree. Students in their late teens mill about, laughing and joking. The YOUNG MAN, awkward and quiet, sits on a bench beneath the tree, next to Lena. Lena, radiant and full of life, leans against the young man, her hair catching the sunlight. She wears a denim jacket covered in patches and pins, her personality stitched into the fabric. LENA Someday, we're leaving this place. Far away. Somewhere they can't touch us. YOUNG MAN Do you think we'll actually make it? She turns to him, a determined sparkle in her eye.

27 YOUNG MAN Do you think we'll actually make it? She turns to him, a determined sparkle in her eye. LENA We will. You and me. She hooks her pinky around his, sealing the promise. FLASHBACK ENDS FLASHBACK BEGINS EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - BEHIND THE BLEACHERS - DAY The muted roar of the schoolyard fades. The area is secluded, littered with discarded soda cans and cigarette butts. The sunlight filters through the gaps in the bleachers, casting jagged shadows across the gravel. The young man stands with his back to the chain-link fence, breathing heavily as if he is already been chased here. His fists are clenched, his knuckles white. Ryan steps forward, his varsity jacket unzipped, the confidence in his stride unmistakable. Behind him, Eric cracks his knuckles while Jake flips a lighter open and shut, its metallic CLICK echoing. RYAN You really think you've got a chance? Sneakin' around with her like that? The young man straightens, swallowing his fear. He meets Ryan's cold stare. YOUNG MAN We are not sneaking. Lena's with me. She chooses me. For a moment, Ryan's smirk freezes. His jaw tightens, his gaze darkening with fury. RYAN No. She's mine. Or she's nobody's. Ryan lunges forward, slamming a fist into the young man's gut with a sickening THUD. The young man doubles over, gasping for air.

28 Eric steps in, grabbing the young man's arms and pinning them behind his back. ERIC C'mon, Ryan, show him who runs things around here. Jake, still flipping his lighter, chuckles. JAKE But he's thinkin' twice about playin' hero now. The young man struggles against Eric's grip but cannot break free. Ryan delivers another blow, this time to his ribs, forcing a sharp grunt of pain. Blood trickles from the young man's split lip. LEAN (O.S.) Stop it! Leave him alone! Lena sprints toward them, her hair flying wildly in the wind. Her voice is filled with a mix of fear and rage. Jake steps forward, intercepting her. He grabs her wrist, yanking her to stop. LENA Let me go! Jake holds tight, twisting her arm just enough to make her wince. JAKE (mocking) What're you gonna do, princess? Lena glares at him, tears brimming in her eyes, but her voice does not waver. LENA Ryan! This isn't you! Just let him go! Ryan turns, his face calm but unnervingly cold. RYAN This is exactly me, Lena. You gorget who's in charge, you get reminded. He nods to Eric, who jerks the young man upright, exposing his bruised face. RYAN

29 (to young man) You don't belong in her world. You never did. Ryan's fist collides with the young man's jaw. Blood sprays across the gravel as the young man crumples, unable to stay on his feet. Lena's screams cuts through the air like glass. LENA You're a coward, Ryan! Ryan freeze, her words striking a nerve. He turns to her, his expression darkening. RYAN You think I'm a coward? He storms toward Lena. Jake releases her, and she stumbles back. Ryan grabs her by the shoulders, shaking her as she struggles against his grip. RYAN If you wanna call someone a coward, look at him! Ryan jerks his head toward the young man, who is on the ground, coughing and clutching his side. RYAN (to Lena) You really think he can protect you? You think he's enough for you? Lena spits at him, her defiance burning through her tears. LENA He's twice the man you'll ever be. Ryan's face hardens. He lets go of her with a forceful shove, causing her to stumble. RYAN (to Eric and Jake) We're done here. Eric drops the young man, who collapses to the ground with a groan. Ryan takes one last look at him, sneering. RYAN

30 (to the young man) You should've stayed out of my way. Ryan, Eric, and Jake walk off, their laughter echoing as they disappear behind the bleachers. Lena drops to her knees beside the young man, her hands shaking as she cups his bruised face. LENA Why didn't you run? The young man looks up at her, his eyes glassy but determined. YOUNG MAN Because...you're worth it. She pulls him into a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face as the camera pulls back, showing their small, vulnerable figures against the vast, uncaring schoolyard. FLASHBACK ENDS INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT The man pins another photograph on the corkboard-Lena's bright, hopeful face. Beside it, he writes the word JUSTICE in bold red marker. He steps back, staring at the wall, his breathing ragged. The words MURDERER, MONSTER, and PAYBACK scrawled in chaotic handwriting surround Ryan's picture. He picks up the knife from the coffee table, its blade catching the dim light. FLASHBACK BEGINS INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY The fluorescent lights BUZZ faintly in the small interrogation room. The young man sits across from the DETECTIVE, his face bruised and swollen. The detective, graying and jaded, leans back in his chair, his expression bored. YOUNG MAN They killed her. They killed Lena. And...she was pregnant. The detective exhales, as though dealing with an inconvenience.

31 DETECTIVE Ryan's family is powerful. They've got influence in this town. You're just- The young man slams his fist on the table, his voice cracking. YOUNG MAN They dragged her into the woods and left her there to die! The detective shakes his head. DETECTIVE I'm telling you, kid. Drop it. FLASHBACK ENDS MONTAGE BEGINS -The man pulls a dusty duffel bag from his closet and opens it, revealing tools of vengeance: duct tape, rope, a hunting knife. -He shadows Eric from across the street, watching him leave his gym late at night. -In another scene, he peers through binoculars, watching Jake enter a dilapidated warehouse. -The knife blade sharpens on a whetstone, the metallic HISS punctuating the silence. MONTAGE ENDS FLASHBACK BEGINS EXT. WOODS - NIGHT The young man stumbles through the rain-soaked woods, the flashlight in his trembling hand flickering. He stops, the beam catching Lena's lifeless body sprawled in the mud. Her dress is torn, her hair matted with blood. Her hands rest over her stomach, as if instinctively trying to protect their child. YOUNG MAN No...no, no, no! He collapses beside her, clutching her body as sobs wrack his frame. In the distance, the ROAR of Ryan's truck grows fainter.

32 YOUNG MAN (through cries) I'll make them pay. I swear I'll make them pay. FLASHBACK ENDS INT. ERIC'S GYM - NIGHT The gym is dimly lit, gritty space filled with the clanging of weights and the faint HUM of an old radio. Eric, now a muscular and intimidating figure, stands in front of a punching bag, delivering heavy blows. His breath comes in short, sharp bursts. The man lurks in the shadows near the exit, the blade of his knife tucked into his jacket. He watches as Eric takes a swig from his water bottle and grabs his towel. Eric heads toward the locker room. INT. LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUED) The locker room is eerily quiet, the fluorescent lights casting harsh shadows. Rows of metal lockers line the walls, their paint chipped and rusted. Eric bends to retrieve his bad when the man appears behind him, his shadow stretching long across the tiles. MAN Eric. Eric turns sharply, his eyes narrowing ERIC Who the hell are you? The man steps closer, the knife now visible in his hand. MAN You don't recognize me? Maybe you'd remember better if you thought about Lena. Eric's face hardens, but there is a flicker of recognition. ERIC (mockingly) You're him. The loser who couldn't protect her. The man lunges, slashing with the knife. Eric dodges, grabbing a nearby weight bar. The two collide with a ferocity that echoes through the room.

33 Eric swings the bar, narrowly missing the man, who ducks and drives his shoulder into Eric's chest. They crash into the lockers, metal groaning under the impact. The man pins Eric momentarily, the knife pressed to his throat. MAN Do you know what you did to her? To us? Eric grits his teeth, forcing the man back with a surge of strength. ERIC She was just a girl. We didn't mean for it to go that far! The words ignite the man's fury. He swings wildly, and the blade grazes Eric's arm, drawing blood. Eric lands a punch to the man's ribs, sending him staggering. Seizing the moment, Eric bolts out of the locker room, clutching his bleeding arm. The man does not chase him. He stands, chest heaving, as Eric's retreating footsteps echo away. MAN (V.O.) The line between justice and revenge is razor-thin. INT. JAKE'S WAREHOUSE - HOUSE The warehouse is cavernous and dim, illuminated only by a flickering bulb hanging from a frayed wire. Stacks of crates and abandoned equipment create a maze of shadows. Jake, sleazy and jittery, counts a wad of cash at a wad of cash at a makeshift desk. The man watches from the shadows, his eyes are cold and unyielding. Jake senses something, his hand moving toward a nearby crowbar. MAN You're not nervous, are you, Jake? Jake freezes, his eyes darting toward the sound. JAKE Who's there? The man steps into the light, the knife gleaming in his hand.

34 JAKE Oh, it's you. You've been sniffing around, haven't you? The man does not respond, advancing with deliberate steps. JAKE Look man, whatever you think we did...Ryan was the one who took it too far! The man doesn't stop. Jake grabs the crowbar, swinging it wildly. The man ducks, countering with a slash that tears Jake's sleeve. The fight is brutal and primal-no elegance, just raw survival. Jake lands a glancing blow to the man's shoulder, but the man retaliates with a punch that sends Jake sprawling over the desk. Jake scrambles to his feet, blood dripping from his nose. JAKE You think this'll bring her back? Huh? She's gone. That kid of yours? Gone. And you're still nothing. The man's fury boils over. He tackles Jake to the ground, slamming him into the concrete. With the knife poised, he hesitates, Jake's mocking words echoing in his mind. The man rises, leaving Jake beaten but alive. FLASHBACK BEGINS EXT. WOODS - NIGHT (CONTINUED) The young man kneels in the mud, Lena's lifeless body in his arms. He presses his forehead to hers, tears mingling with the rain. His hand brushes against her stomach, realizing the weight of the loss: Lena and their unborn child. YOUNG MAN I'll make them pay. FLASHBACK ENDS INT. RYAN'S HOUSE - NIGHT The upscale house is eerily quiet, its opulence at odds with the events about to unfold. Expensive art hangs on the walls, and the furniture gleams under soft, recessed lighting.

35 The man slips through an open window, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. He scans the room, his gaze landing on a family portrait of Ryan, his wife, and two young children. Ryan, unaware of the intruder, sits in the living room, sipping whiskey. RYAN (calling out) I'll be up in a minute! The man steps into the room, the knife glinting in his hand. MAN You took everything from me. Ryan freezes, his glass halfway to his lips. He slowly sets it down, his expression shifting from surprise to smug confidence. RYAN And yet, here you are. Still alive. The man moves closer, his grip on the knife tightening. MAN Lena was pregnant. Did you know that? Ryan's smirk fades. MAN You didn't just kill her. You killed my child. Ryan lunges for a nearby fireplace poker, but the man is faster. He slashes at Ryan lands a hit, sending the man crashing into a glass coffee table. Shards scatter across the room. Police sirens wait in the distance. The man pins Ryan to the ground, the knife hovering over his throat. Ryan's eye widen in fear. RYAN You're no better than me. The man hesitates, the weight of his actions crashing down on him. MAN (V.O.)

36 For the first time...I hesitate. EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT The cemetery is still and silent, save for the RUSTLING of the wind through the skeletal trees. The man kneels before Lena's grave, his face illuminated by faint moonlight. His face is etched with sorrow. The headstone reads: Lena Whitaker Beloved Daughter, Lover, and Mother-to-Be The man places a single white lily against the gravestone, brushing away fallen leaves. His hand lingers, trembling. MAN I thought I could fix it. That if I made them pay, it would somehow...balance everything. He takes out the small, weathered journal Lena kept. The pages are stained with time and dried tears. Opening it to the last entry, he reads aloud, his voice faltering. MAN (reading) "I don't care about the world as long as we have ours. He kicks now, stronger every day. I can't wait for you to meet him. We'll leave this place. Start fresh. Just the three of us. He stops, overcome, the journal slipping from his hands onto the grass. MAN I'm sorry, Lena. I wasn't strong enough to keep you safe. I lost you...and I lost myself. The journals pages flip in the wind. The mans face is etched with the pain of realization. MAN I've been carrying this rage, thinking it would bring you back. But all it has done is bury me deeper in the darkness. A light drizzle begins to fall, soaking into his clothes, but he does not move.

37 He lingers, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his grief. EXT. ABANDONED PARKING LOT - NIGHT The rain is heavier now, creating small pools in the cracked asphalt. The man stands under a flickering streetlight, the knife still in his hand. His reflection wavers in a puddle at his feet, distorted by the rain. He looks down at the blade, its edge glinting ominously. MAN (V.O.) Revenge was supposed to give me clarity. Instead, it only blurred the lines. He closes his eyes, breathing deeply, and lets the knife fall. It lands with a sharp CLANG, splashing water and bloodstains onto his boots. MAN (V.O.) And here I am. Standing on the edge of everything, but unable to take another step. The man tilts his face toward the sky, letting the rain wash over him. EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT The man walks down a narrow, deserted street. Neon signs BUZZ and flicker, casting distorted colors onto the wet pavement. His silhouette is small and alone against the vast city backdrop. People pass by, oblivious, their faces blurred and indifferent. A police car speeds down the road in the distance, its lights reflecting off the windows, but no one stops him. The man pauses at a bridge, staring down at the river below. The water flows endlessly, uncaring of his struggle. MAN (V.O.) Lena was my light. Without her, all that's left is this shadow I can't outrun. He grips the bridge's railing, as if he is deciding whether to leap of turn back. For a long moment, the decision hangs in the air. BEGIN FLASHBACK INT. POLICE STATION - DAY

38 1. The young man sits across from the detective, who is leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. The room is stark, its walls bare save for a clock that TICKS too loudly. DETECTIVE Look, kid, I get it. You're upset. But you can't take justice into your own hands. That's not how this works. YOUNG MAN It's not justice if you protect them. The detective exhales heavily, leaning forward. DETECTIVE You go down this road, it'll eat you alive. You'll become something you can't come back from. A monster. The young man's jaw tightens. YOUNG MAN (irritated) Then I guess I don't have far to fall. FLASHBACK ENDS EXT. BRIDGE - NIGHT Back on the bridge, the man steps back from the railing. His breath forms clouds in the chilly air as he exhales slowly. MAN (V.O.) I couldn't save her. I couldn't save our child. But maybe...maybe I can save myself. He turns, walking back toward the city. EXT. CITY SKYLINE - NIGHT The city looms large and indifferent, its lights blinking like distant stars. The man is a small figure against its vastness, walking further into the shadows. The sound of rain fades until there is only silence. FADE TO BLACK. THE END

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