Genre: Supernatural Thriller
ACT 1: THE MOVE-IN
FADE IN:
EXT. MAPLE STREET – DAY
Wide shot of a picturesque street lined with charming houses. The sun shines brightly, casting a warm glow. Birds chirp cheerfully, and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves. The HILLSON FAMILY—SARAH (35), MARKO (37), LI (12), and BENY (8)—pull up in a moving truck, excitement radiating from them.
CLOSE-UP on SARAH
(clutching a box, her eyes sparkling)
SARAH
This is it! Our new adventure!
MARKO nods, a broad smile on his face, but his eyes flicker with uncertainty. He glances at the house, its vintage charm slightly overshadowed by an unsettling aura.
MEDIUM SHOT of LI
(jumping out of the truck, eyes wide)
LI
Look at the garden! It’s huge!
BENY races after LI, his laughter echoing. The camera lingers on MARKO, who hesitates, a faint creak of the truck door echoing as he steps out.
INT. HILLSON HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATER
The family enters the house. A soft, melancholic piano melody plays from an old radio in the corner, filling the air with an eerie yet nostalgic tone. Dust motes dance in the sunlight streaming through the windows.
OVER-THE-SHOULDER SHOT of SARAH as she sets down her box, her fingers brushing against the worn wooden banister. She inhales deeply, the musty scent of old wood and forgotten memories filling her lungs.
CLOSE-UP on SARAH
(smiling, trying to mask her unease)
SARAH
It just needs a little love.
MARKO nods, but his brow furrows as he notices a flicker of the overhead light. He glances at LI, who stands transfixed, her gaze locked on a shadow that seems to move just out of sight.
CLOSE-UP on LI
(whispering, almost to herself)
LI
It’s like it’s alive…
BENY, oblivious, runs around the room, his footsteps echoing against the hardwood floor. He suddenly stops, eyes wide.
CLOSE-UP on BENY
(pointing)
BENY
Did you hear that?
The soft rustle of leaves outside grows louder, almost like whispers. SARAH waves her hand dismissively, but her smile falters.
SARAH
(forcing cheer)
Just the wind, sweetie.
MARKO exchanges a worried glance with LI, who bites her lip, her eyes darting around the room.
INT. HILLSON HOUSE – KITCHEN – LATER
The family gathers in the kitchen, unpacking boxes. The sound of clattering dishes fills the air. SARAH hums a cheerful tune, but the melody is strained, as if she’s trying to convince herself everything is fine.
MARKO opens a box, revealing an old, dusty photo album. He flips it open, revealing faded pictures of a family that once lived there. A chill runs down his spine.
CLOSE-UP on MARKO
(frowning, holding up a photo)
MARKO
Look at this…
LI leans in, her curiosity piqued. She touches the photo, her fingers lingering on the faces, a shiver coursing through her.
CLOSE-UP on LI
(softly)
LI
They look… sad.
BENY, still oblivious, giggles as he pretends to be a ghost, making spooky sounds. The tension in the room thickens, the flickering lights casting eerie shadows on the walls.
EXT. HILLSON HOUSE – BACKYARD – DUSK
As the sun sets, the sky turns a deep orange. The family steps outside, the air cool and crisp. The sound of crickets begins to fill the silence.
LI wanders to the edge of the yard, her gaze fixed on the old oak tree. She feels a cold draft brush past her, sending a shiver down her spine. She glances back at her family, who are laughing and joking, unaware of her unease.
CLOSE-UP on LI
(to herself, whispering)
LI
What are you hiding?
The camera zooms in on her face, a mix of curiosity and fear. The soft rustle of leaves grows louder, almost as if the house is whispering secrets.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. MAPLE STREET – DAY
The sun hangs high in the sky, casting long shadows across the street. The cheerful chirping of birds contrasts with the tension in the air. LI (12) rides her bike slowly, her eyes scanning the neighborhood. She spots MRS. THOON (70s), an elderly woman tending to her garden, her movements slow but deliberate.
CLOSE-UP on LI
(curiosity piqued, she approaches)
LI
Hi! I’m Li. We just moved in next door.
MRS. THOON looks up, her eyes twinkling with a mix of warmth and caution.
MRS. THOON
(smiling, but her voice low and conspiratorial)
Ah, the Hillson family. Be careful in that house, dear.
The soft, eerie notes of a violin begin to play from a nearby radio, setting a mysterious tone.Mrs. Thoon’s actions made Li feel scared and suspicious. She slowly backed away and walked away.
INT. HILLSON HOUSE – ATTIC – LATER
LI climbs the creaky stairs to the attic, the sound echoing in the stillness. Dust particles float in the air, illuminated by a single beam of light. She rummages through old boxes, her fingers brushing against forgotten treasures.
Suddenly, she uncovers a stack of yellowed newspaper clippings. The sound of paper rustling fills the air as she spreads them out on the floor.
CLOSE-UP on a newspaper headline
“Murder in Maple Street: Woman Killed by Son”
LI’s eyes widen, her heart racing. She reads the article, her expression shifting from curiosity to horror.
LI
(whispering to herself)
Maret… what happened to you?
The melancholic violin music swells, enhancing the tension as she continues to read about strange occurrences in the house since the tragedy.
INT. HILLSON HOUSE – LI’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
LI lies in bed, the moonlight casting shadows across her room. The soft sound of the wind rustling outside creates an eerie atmosphere. She closes her eyes, and suddenly, her breathing quickens.
DREAM SEQUENCE: LI finds herself in a dimly lit room, the air thick with sorrow. She sees MARET (30s), a ghostly figure, her face streaked with tears.
CLOSE-UP on MARET
(her voice a haunting whisper)
Help me…
LI reaches out, but MARET fades away, leaving LI gasping for breath. The sound of a clock ticking loudly fills the silence, amplifying the tension.
INT. HILLSON HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
The next morning, BENY (8) sits on the floor, playing with his toys. He suddenly freezes, his eyes wide as he sees a SHADOWY FIGURE dart past the hallway. The sound of a door creaking open echoes through the house.
CLOSE-UP on BENY
(voice trembling)
Li! Did you see that?
LI enters, her face pale, still shaken from her dream.
LI
(nervously)
What did you see?
BENY stands up, his small hands clenched into fists, a mix of fear and disbelief on his face.
BENY
(stammering)
A ghost! I thought they weren’t real…
The tension thickens as the flickering lights cast eerie shadows on the walls. The soft rustle of leaves outside grows louder, almost as if the house is alive.
EXT. HILLSON HOUSE – BACKYARD – DUSK
LI and BENY sit on the porch steps, the sky painted in hues of orange and purple. The sound of crickets begins to fill the air, creating a haunting melody.
LI
(determined, looking at BENY)
We need to find out more about Maret. She’s trying to tell us something.
BENY nods, his expression shifting from fear to curiosity.
BENY
(voice steadying)
I’ll help you. No more pretending.
The camera zooms in on LI’s face, a mix of resolve and fear. The soft rustle of leaves grows louder, almost as if the house is whispering secrets.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. HILLSON HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY
LI (12) and BENY (8) sit cross-legged on the floor, their faces flushed with urgency. They look up at MARKO (37), who stands with his arms crossed, skepticism etched on his face. The tension in the room is palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.
LI
(voice trembling with frustration, eyes wide)
Dad, you have to believe us! We’ve seen things!
BENY nods vigorously, his eyes darting around the room, filled with fear.
BENY
(pleading, voice rising)
There’s a ghost! She needs our help!
MARKO shakes his head, dismissing their claims with a wave of his hand, his expression a mix of concern and disbelief.
MARKO
(sighing, trying to remain patient)
Kids, it’s just your imagination. There’s no such thing as ghosts.
The loud ticking of a clock fills the silence, each tick amplifying the tension. LI and BENY exchange a worried glance, their hearts racing.
EXT. MRS. THOON’S HOUSE – LATER
The sun begins to set, casting long, eerie shadows across the yard. LI and BENY approach MRS. THOON’s quaint cottage, the air thick with anticipation. The soft, haunting notes of a flute drift from inside, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
LI knocks on the door, her heart pounding in her chest. MRS. THOON (70s) opens the door, her expression warm yet knowing, as if she’s been waiting for them.
MRS. THOON
(gesturing them inside, her voice soothing)
Come in, dears. I’ve been expecting you.
The camera follows them inside, revealing a cozy yet cluttered living room filled with trinkets and candles. The faint smell of incense lingers in the air, wrapping around them like a shroud.
INT. MRS. THOON’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
LI and BENY sit across from MRS. THOON at a small table. The flickering candlelight casts dancing shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere thick with mystery. MRS. THOON opens a dusty box, revealing a hidden diary.
CLOSE-UP on the diary
The leather cover is worn, and the pages are yellowed with age, whispering secrets of the past.
MRS. THOON
(gently, her voice low)
This belonged to Margaret. She had a tragic life.
LI leans forward, her fingers trembling as she opens the diary. The soft rustle of pages turning fills the air, each sound echoing like a heartbeat.
LI
(reading aloud, her voice barely above a whisper)
“…he was not just my husband, but a monster…”
The melancholic flute music swells, enhancing the somber mood as LI continues to read about MARGARET’s struggles and the events leading up to her murder. The weight of the words hangs in the air, heavy with sorrow.
INT. MRS. THOON’S LIVING ROOM – LATER
The atmosphere grows heavy as MRS. THOON looks at the children, her expression serious, almost grave.
MRS. THOON
(determined, her voice steady)
We need to hold a séance. It’s the only way to communicate with Margaret’s spirit and bring her peace.
LI and BENY exchange nervous glances, their hearts racing, but they nod in agreement. The camera captures their resolve, despite the fear in their eyes.
Latigo Bayne
“Today, I completed a story and proudly posted it on my own website! I’m excited about sharing my work, and I’m looking forward to building the confidence to share it on other platforms in the future. I know that every piece I write helps me grow as a writer, and I’m eager to improve and connect with others through my stories. – Latigo Bayne”
