Souls in the Darkness
Opening, Excerpt, Souls in the Darkness by Susan Basso McCauley, pages 1-3
FADE IN
The blood red sun sets into the silent water . . .
EXT. ENGLAND – BOTOLF’S LAIR – SUNSET – 1443 AD
An ancient castle flickers into view as though it were a mirage. When the sun is gone, the large, ancient castle looms solid against the evening sky.
EXT. ENGLISH FOREST – NIGHT
BOTOLF’S POV . . .
Botolf runs through the forest, stealthily and at an incredible speed. The light is dimmed, and the trees are touched with pale moonlight, creating blue casts and dark shadows.
We HEAR the RUSTLING OF BRANCHES along with POUNDING HEARTS – MUFFLED and HEAVY, there is RUSHED, HEAVY BREATHING.
CUT TO
INT. OLD ENGLISH CHAPEL – NIGHT
FOUR BENEDICTINE MONKS, including the Abbott, GEOFFREY, with PETER and MARTIN, are busily preparing wooden stakes. They wear black robes, hold crosses, and are reciting scripture.
MONKS
(In Latin)
“. . .Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven . . . “
An ALTAR BOY rushes inside.
ALTAR BOY
(panicked)
Someone is coming!
MONKS
(In Latin)
“…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
GEOFFREY
(In Latin)
Protect us O Lord in this, our hour of darkness . . .
EXT. ENGLISH FOREST – NIGHT
BOTOLF’S POV
The dark trees show against the velvet sky of night. Branches move out of the way as he speeds through them; in the distance, but growing closer, is an old chapel.
The HEARTS POUND HARDER and HEAVIER . . . the breathing is RAPID and HEAVY.
INT. OLD ENGLISH CHAPEL – NIGHT
The monks continue to pray.
The monks’ HEART BEATS INCREASE MORE as
JOSEPH begin to SCREAM.
TWO CABINET DOORS FLY OPEN.
Joseph, a handsome young man with dark hair, and pale marble like skin is restrained inside of a dark, coffin-like cabinet. Its doors are carved with images of the saints.
He strains against his bindings, attempting to get free. His preternatural eyes pierce the darkness. Joseph wears a SILVER CROSS around his neck.
The monks continue reading their scripture.
GEOFFREY
(in Latin)
“Such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light . . . “
(to Joseph)
And, so shall ye be transformed into an angel of light.
MARTIN
(in Latin)
“Giving thanks unto the Father . . . Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness . . .”
Joseph’s POUNDING HEART cascades against the Latin verse;
JOSEPH’S BREATHING and SCREAMING heighten as one of the holy men moves towards Joseph with a stake.
The main church doors fly open.
THE MONKS LOOK UP IN FEAR,
Except Geoffrey who pounds the stake into Joseph’s heart with grim finality before closing his own eyes.
As Joseph’s SCREAMS increase in pitch and volume the monks’ ear drums burst. They grab their bleeding ears in vain.
BOTOLF’S POV
as he enters the church. His screams begin where Joseph’s end. . .
There is blood and chaos as Botolf kills all of the holy men, ripping them limb from limb.
Botolf’s blue, piercing eyes flare as fire consumes the chapel.
