sib3x17
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                                       ACT TWO

               FADE IN:

        13     INT. MONASTERY - CHAMBER - NIGHT                        13

               CANDLES burn all around. Chris and Julie still lie on their
               pedestals, most of their clothing stripped down and SYMBOLS
               painted in black ink all over their bodies.

               Michelle stands with the others, watching as a circle of
               Elders around each pedestal chants, some playing small
               instruments to accompany the others.

               Twist and Danyael sit noticeably apart, casting occasional
               looks each others way but never making eye contact.

               Michelle chews her nails nervously, Syren crooking one arm
               through hers as she sits beside her.

                                   SYREN
                         What are they doing now?

                                   MICHELLE
                         Still just chanting. They're, er,
                         they're making sure they have
                         enough power around them to attempt
                         the cleansing.

               They lapse back into silence as they keep watching, waiting
               to see what happens next.

               ON CHRIS as we slowly PUSH IN on him from above, the monks
               chanting starting to ECHO and DISTORT the closer we get.

               UP CLOSE as the sounds continue, starting to blend into one
               DRONE as the edges of our vision become BLURRY, and when all
               we can see of Chris is his EYES, we MATCH CUT TO:

        14     EXT. RUINED CITY - DAY                                  14

               And Chris' eyes open.

               PULL BACK to find him prone on the ground in the middle of
               the post-apocalyptic city once again, lying on his side.

               Chris stirs, starting to sit up, the camera moving with him
               as he straightens out.

               He looks round at the green-tinted landscape around him,
               blinking in utter confusion at the wreckage as far as he can
               see.

               He starts to stand, but then clutches his chest and falls
               back, GASPING with pain.

               He scrabbles at is jacket, pulling it and his shirt back to
               reveal a gaping WOUND right over his heart!

               GROANING with pain, Chris keeps one hand over the wound as he
               slowly pushes himself to his feet, every movement sending
               burning pain shooting through his body.

               He manages a few steps forward, stopping as a gust of wind
               kicks up DUST all around him, forcing him to shield his face.

               The wind dies down but is followed by the RUMBLE of thunder
               overhead, and Chris looks up to see the skies are thick with
               STORM CLOUDS.

               He staggers, almost losing his balance, the expression one
               his face one of complete amazement.

               And that's when three of the ELDERLY MONKS come into view,
               standing and watching him from several feet away.

               Chris spins round and sees them, blinking as though his eyes
               are playing tricks.

                                   CHRIS
                         Who... what's going on? Where am I?

                                   ELDERLY MONK #1
                         This is what came before.

                                   ELDERLY MONK #2
                         And what is yet to come.

                                   CHRIS
                         I... I don't understand...

                                   ELDERLY MONK #1
                         You are not here.

                                   ELDERLY MONK #2
                         And yet, here you are.

                                   ELDERLY MONK #3
                         This is the place you must leave,
                         if you are to come back.

                                   CHRIS
                             (getting angry)
                         You're not making any sense... what
                         the hell is going on here?

               Chris turns round, looking in every direction, but all he
               sees are more ruins. Dust. Rubble.

                                   ELDERLY MONK #1
                         We cannot see past this place.

               Chris whips round to face them again - and suddenly REELS as
               a series of FLASHES assault his senses:

               - A horde of people flooding towards him, SCREAMING, as
               everything around them BURNS!

               - LIGHTNING arcing down from the sky, hundreds of bolts one
               after another!

               - A great wave of BURNING GREEN FLAME washing over a crowd of
               thousands of people!

               Chris stumbles and falls, hitting the deck and gasping for
               breath as the visions hit him.

                                   ELDERLY MONK #2
                         There is darkness within you that
                         must be removed.

                                   ELDERLY MONK #3
                         Show us what must be done.

                                   CHRIS
                             (still reeling)
                         I can't... make it... stop...

               And another FLASH hits Chris:

               - The HURAKAN, sending a torrent of FLAMES his way!

               Chris bucks and writhes on the ground - and dark clouds of
               BLACK MIST start to gather around him!

                                   CHRIS (cont'd)
                         No... not here...

               Chris is helpless to stop the mist as it flows over him,
               slipping in through his mouth, seeping into his skin and
               sending CRACKLES of DARK PURPLE LIGHT sparking across his
               body!

               Chris throws his head back and HOWLS, more of the energy
               CRACKLING within his mouth, and we SMASH CUT TO:

        15     INT. MONASTERY - CHAMBER - NIGHT                        15

               Chris is CONVULSING on the pedestal, the monks continuing to
               chant as he bucks up and down!

               Twist is on her feet, the others looking just as distressed
               as she calls out:

                                   TWIST
                         Chris! Chris, come on! Fight it!

               Chris continues to jerk spasmodically on the pedestal, his
               back arching as his mouth falls open:

               And a bolt of DARK PURPLE ENERGY shoots from his open mouth,
               EXPLODING in a shower of sparks above him!

               The monks duck for cover, one of them STRUCK by an unseen
               force and falling on his back, BLOOD streaming from his nose.

               Several of the younger monks rush to his aid, hauling him out
               of harm's way as the others resume their CHANTING.

                                   DIEGO
                         Madre dios...

                                   SYREN
                         What's happening? Is Chris alright?

                                   MICHELLE
                         He's...

                                   NAOMI
                         It's working. They're getting it
                         all out of him.

               She squeezes Syren's hand tightly.

                                   NAOMI (cont'd)
                         Just hang on.

               Syren can sense the waves of dark magic radiating from Chris
               even from across the room, her brow furrowing as she fights
               off the energy washing over her.

               ON CHRIS as his struggles die down, the chanting continuing
               as things settle back down - and now BLACK SMOKE starts to
               rise from his body!

        16     EXT. RUINED CITY - WALKWAY - DAY                        16

               Chris rears back into frame, clutching his head - and
               realises he's somewhere else.

               He's on top of a STONE BRIDGE formed between two shattered
               skyscrapers, the two facing buildings literally melting where
               they stand to form a path linking them.

               Chris gets unsteadily to his feet and looks around - from up
               here, the destruction looks even worse. Piles of vehicles
               litter the streets, with great chunks torn up out of the
               roads themselves.

               He only has a few moments grace, however, as another wave of
               pain hits him and he sinks to his knees, letting out a CRY as
               we SMASH CUT TO:

        17     EXT. STREET - NIGHT                                     17

               In a scene from Chris' past, as he pins petrified young nurse
               STEPHANIE to the ground, his eyes BLOOD RED and FANGS out as
               he SNARLS down at her!

               She SCREAMS and struggles to get free, but it's no good -
               he's too strong, and as he lunges down towards her, sinking
               his fangs into her neck, we SMASH TO:

        18     INT. LINER - CARGO BAY - NIGHT                          18

               And as Chris faces MANON in the battle within his cargo ship,
               Chris surges forward and SHOVES Twist to the side - just as
               Manon LUNGES forward with his sword!

               The blade sinks into Chris' chest - piercing his heart and
               spearing out through his back. Chris GASPS.

                                   TWIST
                         No!!!

               Manon hesitates, but with a little shrug, puts more of his
               weight on the sword, driving it further into Chris, whose
               wide, shocked eyes can only stare back at him as we SMASH TO:

        19     EXT. RUINED CITY - ROOFTOP - DAY                        19

               Chris rolls onto his back, YELLING with pain as black
               tendrils of energy snake across his skin.

               They seem to be MOVING under the surface like worms,
               burrowing all over his body as he writhes and cries out in
               pain.

        20     INT. MONASTERY - CHAMBER - NIGHT                        20

               Chris is starting to move again, head shifting from side to
               side as more SMOKE rises from him.

               The elders keep up the CHANTING, the smoke escaping Chris
               gathering in an ominous, jet black cloud hanging over him.

               Over with the others, Syren has her eyes clamped firmly shut,
               her lips moving as she mutters something under her breath.

               Nobody's watching her, however - all eyes are on the dramatic
               scenes over by Chris and the elders as we CUT TO:

        21     EXT. RUINED CITY - DAY                                  21

               Back where he first woke up, Chris throws his head back and
               HOWLS with pain, but as he lowers his head a soft LIGHT falls
               over him.

               Chris opens his eyes - and standing before him is SYREN,
               surrounding by a halo of brilliant WHITE LIGHT.

               She SMILES, reaching her hands out to him, and Chris stares
               at her in shock for a beat before we SMASH TO:

        22     INT. MONASTERY - NIGHT                                  22

               A final YELL from Chris signals the last of the smoke leaving
               his body, and as Chris' body falls still the elders quickly
               rise, focusing their efforts on the flowing, RUMBLING cloud
               of black smoke hovering above him.

               As they keep up their chants, the cloud starts to shrink,
               getting smaller every second until with a final FLASH of
               light - it's gone.

               A long beat as silence falls across the room again - until
               Chris starts COUGHING.

               He quickly rolls onto his side and VOMITS onto the floor,
               starting to curl his body up on reflex.

               The others break and run over to him, Twist wrinkling her
               nose as she sees the pool of JET BLACK vomit he coughed up.

                                   MICHELLE
                         Chris? Can you hear us?

                                   TWIST
                         Chief! Come on, wake up!

                                   DANYAEL
                         Chris?

                                   CHRIS
                         S... Syren...

               She comes before him, one hand on his arm.

                                   SYREN
                         I'm here.

               Chris finally opens his eyes - and she's the first thing he
               sees.

                                   CHRIS
                         I... saw you...

                                   SYREN
                             (smiles)
                         I know.

               Twist and Michelle exchange a puzzled look, before one of the
               elders draws their attention:

                                   ELDERLY MONK #1
                         It is done.

                                   TWIST
                         What did you do to him?

                                   ELDERLY MONK #1
                         We had to send him to places of
                         great pain, but he was able to use
                         that to drive the dark essences
                         from his body.

                                   DANYAEL
                         Is that it? I mean - is he clean
                         now?

               The monk smiles, nodding his head. The team breathe a sigh of
               relief, Syren tenderly stroking Chris' hair.

               Twist is the first one to look across to Julie as the monks
               begin setting themselves up around her.

                                   TWIST
                         One down...

               She knows it's not over yet, and from her expression we
               DISSOLVE TO:

        23     INT. MONASTERY - BEDROOM - LATER                        23

               Chris lies in bed, Syren sitting next to him and dabbing his
               forehead with a cold flannel.

               PULL BACK to find Michelle watching from the door, joined by
               Diego.

                                   DIEGO
                         Any change?

                                   MICHELLE
                         He's still sleeping it off. She's
                         been by his side ever since they
                         brought him in here.

                                   DIEGO
                             (smiles)
                         She cares about him a great deal.

               He looks to Michelle, but his smile fades when he registers
               her troubled features.

                                   DIEGO (cont'd)
                         What is it?

                                   MICHELLE
                         Why am I here?

                                   DIEGO
                         I thought you were here to assist
                         the monks?

                                   MICHELLE
                         They haven't asked me to help. In
                         fact, they as good as told me I was
                         here as a backup plan if something
                         goes wrong.

                                   DIEGO
                         That would still count as
                         'assistance.'

                                   MICHELLE
                         That's not the point, I...

               She trails off, deciding to lead Diego outside:

        24     INT. MONASTERY - CORRIDOR - NEXT                        24

               Closing the door, Michelle turns to Diego.

                                   MICHELLE
                         What if... what if that's the only
                         reason I'm still here?

                                   DIEGO
                         I don't understand.

                                   MICHELLE
                         Look, the boss sends me where I'm
                         needed. People mucking about with
                         the natural order, amateurs using
                         magic they have no right to,
                         helping souls cross over - anything
                         like that. Healing? You've got the
                         wrong Ravenshill witch for that.

                                   DIEGO
                         Chris trusted you. He knows you
                         have skills that would help us.

                                   MICHELLE
                         But here's my thought... what if
                         something's going to happen to one
                         of them? Chris or Julie? What if...
                             (beat)
                         What if one of them isn't going to
                         make it? Or worse - what if
                         somebody else is going to die here?

               Diego considers this for a moment.

                                   DIEGO
                         Then you're the best person we
                         could ask for to be here.

               And with that, he leaves her to her thoughts. Michelle can't
               take much comfort from his words as we CUT TO:

        25     INT. MONASTERY - GARDEN - NIGHT                         25

               By lamplight, the garden takes on a very different
               atmosphere, wreathed in shadows with the air thick with
               scent.

               Naomi sits on one of the benches, looking out across the
               flowerbeds, sand gardens and rockeries.

                                   TWIST (O.S.)
                         Big night so far, huh?

               She looks up as Twist steps into frame, taking a seat.

                                   NAOMI
                         Sure is. I'm just glad Chris is
                         okay.

                                   TWIST
                         Yup.

                                   NAOMI
                         And from what they showed us they
                         can do, I think Julie's in good
                         hands with them.

                                   TWIST
                         That's a fact.

               A beat.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         Why are you taking Danyael away?

               Naomi turns to Twist, trying to read her, but Twist keeps an
               impressive poker face on, not looking back.

                                   NAOMI
                         Excuse me?

                                   TWIST
                         You heard. Danyael let it slip that
                         the two of you are jetting off for
                         pastures now once we get past all
                         this.

                                   NAOMI
                         Ah.
                             (beat)
                         You weren't supposed to find out
                         like that.

                                   TWIST
                         'Course not. I'm guessing the press
                         conference was set up and waiting,
                         huh?

                                   NAOMI
                         Twist...

                                   TWIST
                         No, save it.

               And now Twist turns to her, and her face is like thunder.

                                   TWIST (cont'd)
                         I know what you're doing. I know
                         why you're doing it. You know I'm
                         on to you.

                                   NAOMI
                         'On' to me?

                                   TWIST
                         Don't get cute. It definitely
                         doesn't suit you.

                                   NAOMI
                         What's this about?

                                   TWIST
                         Look, the others may think you're
                         just this fragile little rock chick
                         who throws down with the good guys,
                         but I've seen the real you.

                                   NAOMI
                         You - 

                                   TWIST
                         The one that snapped Kate's neck
                         without even blinking.

                                   NAOMI
                             (beat)
                         She was a bad guy, Twist. If we'd
                         have let her go, she'd have just - 

                                   TWIST
                         No, that's not what I'm pissed
                         about. Would she have gone on to do
                         something equally bad if we'd let
                         her go? Probably. Was it wrong to
                         kill her? Maybe, maybe not.
                         What I want to know is why you lied
                         to the others about it afterwards.
                         To Danyael.

                                   NAOMI
                         Maybe because I knew they wouldn't
                         agree?

                                   TWIST
                         Damn straight!

                                   NAOMI
                         Twist, you and I... we've been
                         around long enough to know that
                         this world is screwed.

               Twist frowns, not expecting this turn of subject.

                                   NAOMI (cont'd)
                         We've seen friends kill one
                         another, lovers turn against
                         lovers, children slaughtered by
                         people seeking power... even if you
                         step out of 'our' world, you get
                         war, greed, famine, poverty...
                         we're killing ourselves. As a
                         species, we're wiping ourselves
                         out. Slowly.

                                   TWIST
                         What are you - 

                                   NAOMI
                         So when I saw a chance to take one
                         more poisonous little scumbag out
                         of the equation, yeah, I took it.
                         Does that make me a bad guy?

               Twist doesn't have an answer. Naomi stands, her temper
               flaring.

                                   NAOMI (cont'd)
                         And if you want to know why I want
                         Danny and me to leave, it's not
                         because I'm gonna lead him down
                         some path of violence and
                         retribution. You can't change the
                         world that way.

                                   TWIST
                         So... why are you doing it?

                                   NAOMI
                             (blurts)
                         Because I can't stand to see the
                         way he looks at you any more!

               She stops. Realises she's said too much. Twist raises an
               eyebrow, crossing her arms.

                                   TWIST
                         Excuse me?

                                   NAOMI
                         Nothing, I... just nothing.

               She starts to storm off, but Twist grabs her arm.

                                   TWIST
                         No, wait. Look... just tell me.

                                   NAOMI
                             (exhales)
                         He has feelings for you, Twist.
                         Always has, probably always will.
                         But me... I love him. Can you say
                         that?

               Twist stays silent. Releases Naomi's arm.

                                   NAOMI (cont'd)
                         Exactly. Me and Danny, if we're
                         away from all this, away from...
                         from you, then maybe we've got a
                         chance. We could be happy together.
                         Don't you want that for him?

               Twist lowers her gaze, not knowing what to say.

                                   NAOMI (cont'd)
                         Twist, if you really, truly care
                         about him... then let him go. Let
                         him be happy.
                             (beat)
                         Please.

               Twist looks up, holding Naomi's gaze for a long beat. Then
               she drops her head again - and nods. Naomi sighs.

                                   TWIST
                         When are you... you know, when will
                         you tell the others?

                                   NAOMI
                         When Julie's fixed up. Not before.

               Twist nods again, and after a moment Naomi turns and leaves.
               Twist stays where she is, head down. Silent.

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                   END OF ACT TWO
                                      ACT THREE

               FADE IN:

        26     INT. MONASTERY - BEDROOM - NIGHT                        26

               Chris is still asleep in bed, but as he stirs and comes
               round, his eyes fall on Michelle, standing by a window and
               staring out across the mountains beyond. Flickering lamplight
               keeps the room mostly in shadows.

                                   CHRIS
                         Michelle?

               She turns, wearing a relieved smile when she sees he's up.

                                   MICHELLE
                         Hello at last.

               She walks over, taking a seat next to him. Chris starts to
               sit up, but the notices something - Syren is curled up on the
               bed next to him, fast asleep.

               Chris reaches over to wake her, but Michelle stops him and
               puts a finger to her lips.

                                   MICHELLE (cont'd)
                         She's been with you the whole time.
                         I finally persuaded her to get some
                         sleep a few hours ago.

               Chris gets the message, carefully sitting up and being sure
               not to disturb Syren.

                                   MICHELLE (cont'd)
                         Looks like you're feeling better.

               Chris rubs his temples, grimacing.

                                   CHRIS
                         I'm awake. I wouldn't say I'm
                         'better.'

               Michelle's eyes flick to Chris' exposed torso - and the
               jagged SCAR over his heart.

                                   MICHELLE
                         I've been meaning to ask...

                                   CHRIS
                         Yes, it hurt. And no, I can't
                         remember what happened after it
                         happened.

                                   MICHELLE
                         How did you know what I was going
                         to ask?

                                   CHRIS
                             (off scar)
                         Same thing everyone else does first
                         time they see this.

               Michelle grins, pouring Chris a large glass of water from a
               flask by his bedside.

                                   MICHELLE
                         Drink up.

               Chris drains the glass, leaning back and exhaling.

                                   CHRIS
                         How's Julie?

                                   MICHELLE
                         They're about to start. That's why
                         I came by, I thought if you were
                         awake you'd want to be there.
                             (off Syren)
                         Plus, they think she can help. She
                         kept Julie awake and surpressed the
                         ixtab before, so if she can do it
                         again, then...

                                   CHRIS
                         Point taken. I'll wake her. Go and
                         tell the others we'll be along
                         shortly.

               Michelle nods, standing and heading for the exit. She pauses
               in the doorway.

                                   MICHELLE
                         Chris, I...

                                   CHRIS
                         You're wondering why you're still
                         here, if the dark magic is out of
                         my system.

               Michelle bites her lip, then nods.

                                   CHRIS (cont'd)
                         I don't know either. I'm sorry. I'm
                         assuming it's because you can still
                         help, because otherwise... well,
                         I'd rather not finish that thought.

               Michelle offers a hopeful smile before she exits. As the door
               closes, Chris turns to his side and gently shakes Syren.

                                   SYREN
                             (half asleep)
                         Hmm?

                                   CHRIS
                         Come on, Syren. Time to wake up.

                                   SYREN
                         Five more minutes...

               Chris grins, pushing himself upright in bed as Syren finally
               comes round. She stretches lazily, sitting up.

                                   SYREN (cont'd)
                         You're awake.

                                   CHRIS
                         So I've been told.

                                   SYREN
                             (smiles)
                         Good. How are you?

                                   CHRIS
                         Getting by.
                             (beat)
                         Thanks to you.

                                   SYREN
                         What do you mean?

               Chris hesitates, then reaches across and takes her hand.

                                   CHRIS
                         When I was... when the monks were
                         doing what they do, they had to
                         fast forward me through several
                         painful times in my life.

               Syren gives his hand a squeeze.

                                   CHRIS (cont'd)
                         They needed to shake me out of what
                         was happening, drive the dark magic
                         out of me by channelling real pain
                         and darkness.

                                   SYREN
                         That sounds dangerous.

                                   CHRIS
                         It is. It's about the only thing
                         that works, but it's not foolproof.
                         The idea is that the shock to the
                         system helps the body shake off the
                         black magic, but it's very easy to
                         get lost. To stay trapped in
                         whatever painful memories you're
                         forced to relive, never to return.

               Chris reaches forward, running a tender hand down her cheek.

                                   CHRIS (cont'd)
                         But you came for me, didn't you?

                                   SYREN
                         I didn't want to interfere, I just
                         thought - 

                                   CHRIS
                         I saw you. While I was still under.
                         Only for a second, but...

               He pauses, searching for the right words. Syren moves a
               little closer to him.

                                   CHRIS (cont'd)
                         I was moments away from being lost.
                         I could feel things slipping away
                         from me. The world I keep seeing,
                         the place where I think I went for
                         so long, it's... there's still too
                         much about it that I can't remember
                         or understand, and that was
                         dragging me away. Until you.

               Syren's hands reach for him, tracing over his features.

                                   CHRIS (cont'd)
                         You brought me back. You saved me.
                             (beat)
                         Thank you.

               Syren quickly leans forward and KISSES him. It's brief, and
               as she pulls away she seems suddenly very shy.

                                   SYREN
                         Sorry, I - I didn't mean...

               He takes her head in his hands, and slowly brings her close
               again. And this time, when they KISS, it's for keeps.

               Syren's eyes are closed as he pulls away, a dreamy look on
               her face.

                                   SYREN (cont'd)
                         I think I like your way of saying
                         'thank you'...

                                   CHRIS
                             (grins)
                         Come on. We're needed.

               She nods, leaning back as Chris swings out of bed, her
               fingers going to her lips as if to check what just happened
               was real, as we DISSOLVE TO:
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