New Beginnings/Chapter



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Long. Winding. Lined with thick forest. Darren's SUV rides smoothly down the road that would soon lead home. Brooke and Mia are in the car, Darren driving, on the way home from a concert.

"An hour drive to hear that crap," Darren complains as he drives. "Wasn't even a band; a guy with guitar. An hour—each way."

"He wasn’t that bad." Mia interjects.

Darren scoffs. "He sounded like James Blunt."

"What’s wrong with that?"

"We already have a James Blunt. One’s all we need."

A misty fog starts rolling by.

"So why did you come?" Brooke asks.

"Because I love you." Retorts Darren, terrified of getting into trouble with his girlfriend.

Brooke smiles. "Nicely done."

Mia makes a wretching noise from the backseat. "Gag me with a spoon!

The fog grows thicker and thicker. It becomes difficult to see the road in front of them.

"What’s with the fog?" Brooke questions.

"It’ll clear," Darren reassures her. "Give it a sec."

"You could slow down."

By now, the road’s almost completely gone from view. Suddenly, however, the fog lifts and they can see again.

"You see?" Darren gloats. "Told ya."

But instead of receiving the smile he had hoped for, he gets a loud scream from Brooke. "Watch out!"

Suddenly, there's a man standing in the middle of the road. It's so dark on the road that the man's face is undistinguished. Darren hits the brakes, but not fast enough. They crash into the man. His body goes up and over the jeep, rolling off the top, hitting the ground behind them. Darren yanks the wheel, sending the Jeep into a tailspin across the road. It comes to a screeching halt. Everything goes silent. Darren turns to check on Brooke and Mia. "You guys okay?" Mia nods in shock.

"We just hit someone," Brooke mutters, clearly in shock. "Oh God..." She’s in full panic and starts crying. Mia leans forward to place her hand on Brooke’s shoulder.

"Mia, do you have your phone?" Darren asks. Mia nods. "Okay, call for help."

Mia pulls out her phone and dials 911. Darren and Brooke hop out of the car, leaving Mia shaking. She peers out the window, but she can’t see anything. The headlights are pointed to the woods.

"911, how may I assist you?' The operator sounded from the other end of the phone.

"My friends and I just hit a man with our car. I can’t tell if he’s breathing or not."

Darren races across the road, where the man lies. Still. "Oh god..." He mutters. Slowly, he approaches the man and kneels down beside the body. It’s not moving. Darren knows this isn’t good. He finds his hand and lifts it. Feels for a pulse. "Please be alive."

There is a ring on the dead man's finger. It’s unusual. Antique. A lapis stone. Darren peers down to the man's face, unable to see him at all; it’s pitch black. He flips his cell phone around and hits the touch pad; it lights up his LCD screen. He uses it as a light. He is startled by Brooke's scream.

"Ma’am," The operator sounded again. "What is your location?" Mia gets out of the car, not responding. "Ma’am?"

Mia turns to see the man standing in front of her. She drops her phone and slowly backs away but the man rushes toward her.

Scott is putting away items in a nearby glass cabinet. His friend Isaac is leaning against the examining table, rubbing his chin.

"They’re leaving." Isaac says. "Tonight. During the game."

Scott closes the cabinet and walks over to pick up a tray. "So why are you telling me?" He asks.

"I’m not telling you. I’m asking you. I’m asking for your advice."

"From me?" Scott is surprised. "Why?"

Isaac hesitates. "Because I trust you."

SCOTT Why?

ISAAC Because you always seem to wanna do the right thing.

SCOTT I usually have no idea what I’m doing. Actually I always have no idea what I’m doing.

Isaac CHUCKLES.

ISAAC Do you wanna let me know what you’re doing right now?

SCOTT I’m not going anywhere if that’s what you mean. I have too many people here who need me.

ISAAC Well, I guess that makes me lucky because I don’t have anyone.

Isaac stands up and is about to leave but Scott stops him.

SCOTT Are you gonna go with them?

ISAAC Yeah. (pause) Yeah, I think I will. Good luck with the game though.

SCOTT Thanks man. Be safe.

''They look at each other for a moment. Isaac nods and exits.''

'''EXT. GILBERT HOUSE – DAY'''

''Morning. Birds chirp. Sun shines down on a big family home. A veranda wraps around the front. All charm. No sense of last night’s horror.''

'''INT. GILBERT HOUSE – MIA’S BEDROOM – MORNING'''

''Mia McKelheer, 17, faces herself in the mirror. A silent assessment. Fresh-faced, perfect features. Her florescent blue eyes practically glow in the mirror.''

MIA  (to herself) You’ll do fine. Just hold your head high and don’t let them see you’re dead inside. (sighs) Let’s get this over with.

'''INT. GILBERT HOUSE – KITCHEN – MORNING'''

''The morning news is muted on a small TV in the background. Photos of Darren and Brooke flash ''ON SCREEN. MISSING COUPLE. JENNA SOMMERS ''stands at the fridge. She opens the fridge door and studies its contents. Giving up, she closes the fridge door. ELENA, Mia’s god-sister, enters.''

JENNA Toast! I can make toast.

Mia wrinkles her nose.

MIA No thanks Jenna.

ELENA  (As she pours herself and Mia some coffee) Yeah, it’s all about the coffee, Aunt Jenna.

''Jenna nods. JEREMY, Elena’s angst-filled younger brother, enters the kitchen.''

JEREMY Is there coffee?

He grabs the coffee pot and pours himself a cup.

JENNA Your first day of school and I’m totally unprepared.

''She reaches into her purse and pulls out some money. She hands the money to the three of them.''

<p style="text-align:center;">JENNA (CONT’D) Lunch money. Anything else? A number two pencil? (Mia chuckles) What am I missing?

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA Don’t you have a big presentation today?

<p style="text-align:center;">JENNA Yeah, I’m meeting with my thesis advisor at— (she checks her watch) Now. Crap.

<p style="text-align:center;">ELENA Go.

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA Yeah, Jenna, go meet with your advisor. Maybe get his number while you’re at it.

''Jenna gives Mia a look. Mia winks at her before giggling.''

<p style="text-align:center;">JENNA  (pointing at Mia) You stay out of trouble today.

''Jenna disappears in a flash. Elena turns to Mia.''

<p style="text-align:center;">ELENA You ready?

Mia places her cup in the sink and grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA As ready as I can be. Let’s go.

''She makes her way to the front door. As Elena grabs her bag, she turns to Jeremy.''

<p style="text-align:center;">ELENA You okay?

<p style="text-align:center;">JEREMY Elena, don’t start.

''He walks away with his bag slung over his shoulder. Elena finishes her drink before placing it in the sink and leaving to join Mia.''

'''INT. BONNIE’S PRIUS – MORNING'''

<p style="text-align:center;">BONNIE  (driving) So Grams tells me I’m psychic.

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA Psychic? You mean, like...Fortune Teller?

Bonnie glares at Mia through the rear-view mirror but laughs.

<p style="text-align:center;">BONNIE Our ancestors were from Salem, witches and all that. (Mia and Elena give her a weird look) I know, crazy, but she’s going on and on about it, and I’m like “Put this woman in a home already!” But then I started thinking—

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA Oh no...

<p style="text-align:center;">BONNIE No listen! I started thinking—I predicted Obama and I predicted Heath Ledger. And I still think Florida will break off and turn into little resort islands.

Mia scoffs.

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA That last one doesn’t count; it hasn’t happened yet.

<p style="text-align:center;">BONNIE  (looking to Elena) What do you think, Elena? (Elena is staring out of the window) Elena! (Elena’s head snaps toward Bonnie) Back in the car!

<p style="text-align:center;">ELENA  (groaning) I did it again, didn’t it?

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA Went all zombie on us? Yeah.

<p style="text-align:center;">ELENA I’m sorry you guys. Bonnie, you were saying—

<p style="text-align:center;">BONNIE That I’m psychic now.

<p style="text-align:center;">ELENA (scoffing) Right. Okay then, predict something about me.

Bonnie purses her lips.

<p style="text-align:center;">BONNIE I see—

A crow HITS the car, causing it to swerve.

FLASHBACK:

WINDSHIELD - POV - A MAN STANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

Darren HITS ''the brakes. Not fast enough. THEY CRASH INTO THE MAN. His body goes up and over the JEEP, rolling off the top, hitting the ground behind them. Darren YANKS THE WHEEL, sending the Jeep into a tailspin '' across the road. It comes to a SCREECHING HALT. Everything goes silent. Darren turns to check on Brooke and Mia.

<p style="text-align:center;">DARREN You guy’s okay?

END OF FLASHBACK

<p style="text-align:center;">BONNIE Mia! Are you okay?

Mia’s head snaps up.

<p style="text-align:center;">MIA Yeah, I’m fine. I can’t be freaked out by everything for the rest of my life.

BONNIE You know what I predict? I predict that this year is going to be kick-ass. And I predict all the sad and dark times are over and we are going to be beyond happy.

Bonnie and Mia share a smile.

'''INT. MYSTIC FALLS HIGH SCHOOL - MID-DAY'''

''Bonnie is getting her books from her locker. Elena is doing the same. Mia walks over to them.''

BONNIE Major lack of male real estate.

<p style="text-align:left;">''A girl walks past. She's wearing a long blue dress with yellow ducks.'' BONNIE Look at the shower curtain on Kelly Beech. She looks like a hot—can I still say "tranny mess"?

MIA (leaning against the locker) No, that's over.

BONNIE Ah, find a man, coin a phrase. It's a busy year.

Elena waves at MATT. ''Matt ignores her. Elena sighs.''

ELENA He hates me.

MIA That is not hate.

BONNIE Yeah, that's "You dumped me but I'm too cool to show it, but secretly, I'm listening to Air Supply's greatest hits."

CAROLINE approaches them.

CAROLINE Elena, oh my God!

''Caroline hugs Elena. She looks to Mia.''

CAROLINE (CONT'D) Oh, Mia!

Caroline hugs Mia.

CAROLINE (CONT'D) (turning back to Elena) How are you two? Oh, it's so good to see you both. (turning to Bonnie) How are they? Are they okay?

MIA Caroline, we're standing right here. And we're fine.

Caroline hesitates.

CAROLINE Really?ELENA Yes, Caroline. (smirking) We're perfect.

<p style="text-align:left;">Caroline hesitates again, looking from Elena, to Mia, to Bonnie, then back to Elena and Mia.

CAROLINE Oh, you poor things.

Caroline hugs Elena and Mia.

MIA Okay Caroline.

CAROLINE (pulling away) Oh! Right. Okay, I'll see you guys later?

BONNIE Okay! Bye!

''Caroline leaves. The girls look at each other.''

ELENA No comment.

MIA Same here.

BONNIE Yeah, I'm not gonna say anything.