THE WRAITH'S REFRAIN - PART I (A HORROR EPISODE FOR THE MADMAN'S DAILY UNEQUIVOCAL COMEDY) Written by : Raymond Giuffrida [email protected]
FADE IN: EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT The shadowy figure of HILDA, 18, mole on her left cheek, levitates over the water towards the middle of the lake, as human arms, legs, torsos and feet float up to the surface around her. The calm water swirls around faster and faster, forming into a whirlpool, as fires erupt along the shore. An unseen force strangles her neck as she slowly sinks below. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY We drift through green rolling hills towards a small patch of farmland, where a humble garden of weeds, herbs and wildflowers leads to a Scottish country cottage from the 1800s. INT / EXT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY We drift through the side window where FLORA, 18, Hilda’s identical twin sister, plays a somber waltz on a small upright piano. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY We drift high into the clear sky, as Flora’s somber waltz plays from the piano. - BEGIN LONG FLASHBACK SEQUENCE - ORIGIN OF THE CURSED LAKE - EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY A group of Druid mystics performs a sacred ritual inside a large triquetra symbol made from stone. One beautiful Druid PRIESTESS holds hands with her young son as they chant together with the others, many appearing to be in a total trance, aided by the pounding of drums and harmony of deep voices.
2. SUPERIMPOSED - SCOTLAND - AD 60 A short distance away, a small army of Roman warriors on horseback watch the spiritual ceremony with disdain, weapons drawn. Their bloodthirsty general lifts up his sword and they charge towards the Druids, killing all in their path, as the Druids calmly remain in their circle communing with the spirits. The Priestess protects her son from a sword attack, only to be pierced in the chest by another. As she bleeds out on the green field, waiting to be struck again, a small group of painted Scottish warriors charge the Romans on foot. The Roman warrior is distracted by the charge, while the Priestess grabs a stone, jumps onto him and smashes his skull until he is left unrecognizable. She quickly picks up her son and hurries away as the two sides battle in every direction. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY The Priestess, now near death from her wound, carries her son down to the lake, where she removes her bloodstained robe, kisses him on the forehead one last time, and enters the calm water. Enraged, she stares up into the sky and screams with her last bit of strength, imploring her gods to give her vengeance by chanting in a mystical language. PRIESTESS Jutuppolinoat! Morihustoop! Haralopprakka! Haralopprakka! Her blood drips down into the water, forming a red whirlpool which consumes her body, as her son watches and cries from the shore, never to see his mother again. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT The Roman warriors sit around a fire within the large triquetra symbol of stone, celebrating their victory over the Scottish warriors. They feast and drink Scottish Ale out of the helmets of the fallen combatants, while the slaughtered Druids hang from trees, to serve as a warning to any other dissidents. As the full moon shines on them, the Roman warrior’s skin boils with obscenely large and disgusting sores. 2.
3. As the blistering bubbles burst, large chunks of skin and flesh splatter into the fire and the surrounding countryside, until ever last warrior dies a most agonizing death. We drift high above as ravens fly over the horrific scene, while those still alive below scream for death to take them. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY We drift down from the clear sky, towards the calm lake water. SUPERIMPOSED - SCOTLAND - 1310 ADA, 20, wild woman of the woods, skins a rabbit carcass on the shoreline, as she hums a peaceful melody to herself, while AESCHINE, 20, just as wild a woman, washes herself in the lake. Aeschine gazes up towards some Ravens in flight, then bends down and kisses Ada, who giggles and flips on top of her, then gently kisses her neck. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY (LATER) Sun sets as Ada cooks the rabbit meat over a campfire, hidden behind some bushes near the shore, while humming a peaceful melody to herself. Aeschine stands by her side, preparing rosemary, garlic, sage, and various berries on plates of straw. She feeds some berries to Ada, then hugs her from behind and kisses her, as they laugh and dance together. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Two English soldiers patrol the lake, yards away from the campfire. SOLDIER 1 gazes towards his reflection in the calm lake water. SOLDIER 1 Not seen any combatants for weeks now. SOLDIER 2 stares towards the starry sky. SOLDIER 2 We eat, we drink, we take commands. Modest life of routine, cultivated and made for us survivable. 3.
4. SOLDIER 1 Routine of which crushes a man’s inner verve, until his once proud member surrenders forever dormant. Soldier 2 laughs and flicks him in the crotch. SOLDIER 2 Proud member of which you had not much prior use for. Soldier 1 struggles to get his breath back, as his partners laughs at his expense. SOLDIER 1 Shut it you! A proud English member nonetheless. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Ada slices the rabbit meat with a sharp rock, while Aeschine walks by her towards the forest. AESCHINE Be back. ADA Don’t be wandering off far love. She slices more of the rabbit meat, then grinds down some rosemary leaves. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT The two English soldiers continue their patrol, slowly approaching the campfire. SOLDIER 1 Make enough coin, then return home. Provide myself a life of my own pleasurable routine. SOLDIER 2 And your coin shall disappear swift as my arrow. Until the next battle is decreed, which will no doubt find you gluttoned and gray. Soldier 1 sniffs the air. SOLDIER 1 Rosemary. 4.
5. Soldier 2 spots the campfire smoke and pulls out his sword. SOLDIER 2 Ghosts of foes or fallen English warriors. Either way, easy food for our take. They hurry towards the fire. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Ada lays on her back, staring up at the stars, waiting for Aeschine’s return, with two plates of straw by her side, full of berries, herbs and rabbit meat. She walks to the lake and washes her face, while Soldier 1 grabs her from behind and smacks her in the cheek with the blunt end of his sword. Soldier 2 violently pulls her back up and covers her mouth, as she tries to bite his hand. SOLDIER 2 Easy now. Will have to work this night for your supper wench. Soldier 1 ties her hands around her back with some rope, then stuffs dirt into her mouth, while Soldier 2 rips her clothes off and rapes her from behind. Ada stares at her reflection in the calm lake water, unable to escape his hold, while Soldier 1 grows impatient and shoves his partner’s arm. SOLDIER 1 Hurry your thrust! My proud member awakens. Aeschine sprints at him from behind and stabs him in the cheek with the sharp rock, while Soldier 2 quickly pulls out his sword and slices her right through the neck. Ada spits out dirt and watches her lover fall to her death, her head barely attached to her body. She bites Soldier 2 on his nose in a desperate rage, while Soldier 1 pushes her into the lake and removes his pants, his blood dripping into the water around her. SOLDIER 1 Enjoy these last moments of pleasure, for my blood now has been drawn. He gropes her from behind and chokes her neck. 5.
6. SOLDIER 1 Any chance of merciful outcome sinks down below with it. She tries to fight him off but falls into the lake, staring towards her lover’s corpse, while her punches her in the face and she blacks out. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Early morning sunlight shines down on Aeschine’s bloody corpse, while Ada lays lifeless next to her, the campfire long out, and only crumbs left on the straw plates. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY (FEW HOURS LATER) Ada, bruised and bloodied, sobs as she pushes Aeschine’s body into a freshly dug grave along the shore. She moves dirt over her mangled corpse, gazes skyward and screams with all her might. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Ada cries herself to sleep on top of Aeschine’s grave, a large Triquetra symbol drawn in the dirt next to her. ADA’S DREAM... EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Ada levitates over the calm lake water, as it turns to blood, boiling like a volcano. Fires erupt along the shoreline, while demonic moans echo, and human body parts emerge from the water. END ADA’S DREAM EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Sun rises as Ada stands naked in the shallow water in a daze. She slices three vertical gashes into her back with a sharp rock, then three vertical gashes into her torso. Her blood drips down into the lake, as she chants in an ancient language, and slices three more gashes into her neck. 6.
7. ADA Respoltilkktttt, scruntuliptonnt, junponishhhhh! Massive red storm clouds form above. ADA Junponishhhh!!! Lightning flashes and thunder roars, as Ada shuts her eyes and levitates over the lake. EXT. COUNTRY VILLAGE - DAY (SAME TIME) We drift past rolling green pastures, towards two dead townspeople who hang by their necks on a post in the town square. Nearby, Solder 1 and Soldier 2 snore against a barn door, their armor covered in blood from their acts of evil the night prior. The sky turns dark above them and blood rains down, burning like acid through their armor, straight to the bone, as they scream in agony and desperately try to open the barn door. The heavy winds push them away and pin them to the ground, while the raining blood burns their faces clean off, until only their skulls remain. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Ada, covered in the blood from her self-inflicted wounds, stares directly into a tree in an intense trance, not an inch of movement. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Early morning sunlight shines on Ada, as she stares directly into the tree from the night before like she hasn’t moved an inch, Aeschine’s grave and the Triquetra symbol behind her. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY (SIX MONTHS LATER) Ada stands on the shoreline now six months pregnant, as she grabs a sharp rock and screams out in desperation. She lifts it high, and thrusts it quickly down towards her belly, only to stop before impact, while she stares at her reflection in the water. 7.
8. ADA All unholy alliance! Be damned! Here and now! Once and all! She lifts the rock up again and thrusts it down, but a supernatural force blows the rock from her hands and launches it deep into a tree trunk, while she falls into the water and rolls around in a manic fit of rage. EXT. COUNTRY VILLAGE - NIGHT (FEW MONTHS LATER) Heavy rains fall as Ada, her pregnant belly now about to burst, walks up a muddy hill towards some country shacks in the foreground. She shivers in the cold rain, cries out in pain, then falls to her knees. She holds her belly, as dark, bloody fluids drip out from her womb and spread onto the soaked, muddy ground. She crawls to the front door of one of the shacks, with her last bit of strength. Knocks, falls over and takes her last breath, as the cries of two newborn babies echo into the darkness. INT. COUNTRY SHACK - NIGHT We drift around a dimly lit, humble living space of a peasant family. SUPERIMPOSED - 18 YEARS LATER. MALISE, 18, red hair, joyously sings a Scottish folk song with his MOTHER and FATHER. SAWNEY, his identical twin brother, appears morose, as he sits alone in silence off in a corner. From behind we notice a birthmark on his neck of three vertical lines of equal length, while the rest of the family finish the folk song and cheer. MOTHER (to Malise) Soon to be married, my son. Spread our flock to these rolling pastures. FATHER Aye! Make proud our family name. He starts up another merry Scottish folk song and Malise and his mother quickly join in, while Sawney sits in silence, evil-eying his brother. 8.
9. EXT. FARM - DAY Malise hums a happy melody to himself, while tending to some sheep, as Sawney chops firewood nearby, gripping the axe handle tighter and tighter as he stares towards him. The shadowy figure of DAVINA, 18, innocent and beautiful, slowly approaches Malise, as she reaches out her hands and covers his eyes. DAVINA (flirty) Only when we wed, will you be able to glance upon my eyes once again. MALISE My love. I could not wait another second. He turns, lifts her up and kisses her, while Sawney watches and violently swings the axe down into a chunk of wood. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Sawney walks along the shoreline, tossing stones into the water. Three old women wash clothing across the lake and gaze towards him, while he washes his face in the water and gazes back. He stares at his reflection in the lake, while demonic voices echo around him. SAWNEY’S VISION... - Sawney levitates over the lake in a trance, unable to control his movement. - The three old women morph into grotesque, evil witches, with snakes in place of their hair, like Medusa. - Sawney lays on the shoreline, as the three old women encircle him and take their shirts off, revealing obscenely long, drooping breasts. END SAWNEY’S VISION 9.
10. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Sawney washes his face, staring towards the three old women across the lake, as ghostly arms reach out towards him from the water, causing him to fall back in fright and cut his arm on a rock. His blood drips down into the lake, while he stares back towards the three old women, who are now gone. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Sawney walks towards a tree in a daze, where he stands motionless, staring into the trunk like it was a black void, not an inch of movement. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Sawney stares at the tree, unblinking, like he hasn’t moved an inch all day. His eyes finally blink and he walks away from the tree, past the lake, with a new, sinister gleam in his eyes. INT. COUNTRY SHACK - NIGHT We drift through the shadows, as the chewing of flesh and licking of fingers echo. Through the candlelight, Sawney sits like a gargoyle in a pool of blood, chewing on his brother’s severed arm, a bloody axe by his side. His Mother and Father lay dead nearby with some limbs chopped off, and three vertical gashes sliced deeply into their torsos, necks and backs. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Sawney, mouth covered in blood and guts, tosses body parts into the water, then walks off into the woods, where he stares at a tree like a statue, not an inch of movement. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Bright morning sunlight shines on Sawney, who stares at the same tree from the night before like a statue, not an inch of movement. Davina skips towards the water, where she washes off some red berries in a basket, while humming a peaceful melody to herself. 10.
11. Sawney’s eyes suddenly blink, as he snaps out of his trance. He walks away from the tree towards the lake, where Davina calmly stares at her reflection in the water. Ada’s face flashes next to her reflection, causing her to fall back in fright, spilling the red berries from her basket into the calm water. She then turns her attention to Sawney creeping towards her, his teeth covered in disgusting gunks of human flesh. Ada’s ghostly hands reach out towards her from the water and pull her closer. She caresses her gently and whispers into her ear. Davina rises from the water and smiles flirtatiously at Sawney, while he grabs a human toe from his pocket and bites into it. They walk off into the woods like a newlywed couple, as we drift high above the lake towards the bright morning sunshine, as some ravens take flight. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - CAVE - DAY We drift down from the bright morning sunshine towards a narrow cave opening hidden by trees, with an engraving of three vertical lines of equal length in the stone above the entrance. SUPERIMPOSED - SCOTLAND - 1510 Just outside the cave, human legs, arms, ears, and torsos roast upon wooden sticks over a fire pit, while a small clan of men, women and children sit around the fire waiting to feast, all filthy and similar in appearance with slight deformities. A young child rests his head on a filthy woman’s lap, who has a birthmark on his neck of three vertical lines of equal length. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY (SAME TIME) A FISHERMAN, 30s, stands on the shoreline casting his fishing line into the lake, strung to a crafty wooden fishing rod. The FISHERMAN’s SON, 10, stands in the lake nearby, skipping rocks. He feels a bite and struggles to reel in the line, as his son runs over. They pull on the line together, then walk into the shallow water, in a fierce battle with whatever swims underneath. 11.
12. The fishing line snaps and the wooden rod breaks in two, as they stand shocked, waist-high in the water, a huge serpent encircling them from underneath. They sprint back towards the shoreline in a panic, only to fall over panting. Two filthy men quickly approach them from the woods, carrying axes, both with similar birthmarks on their necks of three vertical lines of equal length. We drift high above the beautiful scenery, as the fisherman’s agonizing screams echo below. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - CAVE - DAY (SAME TIME) The clan of cannibals sit around the fire pit, while the fisherman screams in agony from the lake. They smile towards each other, while casually snacking on human flesh. The smiling soon develops into manic laughter, while one older woman checks on the roasting body parts above the fire and bites into a human ear. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY We drift over the peaceful lake, as the chopping of flesh echoes from the shore. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT A shadowy figure tosses human remains into the calm lake as an offering, while demonic moaning echoes from underneath the water. - END LONG FLASHBACK SEQUENCE - ORIGIN OF THE CURSED LAKE - EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Bright sunlight shines over the calm lake water. SUPERIMPOSED - SCOTLAND - 1880 FLORA, 10, red hair, vain, hides in the bushes along the shore, breathing heavily, while a shadowy figure approaches her. It’s HILDA, her identical twin sister, somber, a mole on her left cheek. 12.
13. HILDA Found you...found you! Flora, sore from losing the game of hide and seek, pins Hilda down and rubs dirt in her face. FLORA Wicked cheat! Was peeking you! Was peeking! Hilda cries and tries to push her off. HILDA Was not! FLORA Peeking! Cheater you is. HILDA Was not! Was not! Flora! Get off! Flora smacks her mole, over and over. FLORA Always be the ugly sister! (mock singing) Never to be married. Never to be married. Hilda grabs a handful of dirt and tosses it into her eyes, sending Flora running off into the woods crying. FLORA Poppa! Poppa! EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY (MOMENTS LATER) Hilda cries out in agony, stretched out across a man’s lap, as he smacks her in the rear with a leather strap. The man, her father LAYDON, 40, long dirty hair, habitual drunk, puts the strap down. LAYDON Shut up with the wailing now girl! Flora happily watches her sister’s beating from the shoreline, while she sticks out her tongue at her, then skips merrily away. FLORA Ha! You have to learn your lesson Hilda. Ha ha! Teach her Papa! 13.
14. Laydon strikes Hilda harder with the leather strap. LAYDON Actions be fetching consequences. Hilda, tears in her eyes, stares towards the shoreline as Flora joyously scampers farther off. LAYDON Them the rules we all heed. We drift through the calm lake water, like some spirit(s) was calling out to Hilda. FEMALE WHISPERS FROM THE LAKE (V.O.) Hilda...Hilda... Laydon smacks her rear again. LAYDON I don’t punish you now lass, you will never learn how to survive in this wild. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Hilda walks alone on the shoreline, wincing in pain as she rubs her sore rear. She stares at her reflection in the calm water and washes her face, while Ada’s ghostly reflection appears. Before she can notice, the shadowy figure of Angus, 12, startles her from behind. ANGUS Hey Hilda. Hilda nervously turns around towards him, as they share some moments of awkward silence. ANGUS (joking) Don’t get too close now. Lady of the lake preys on both young and old, whether asking or not. He hands her some blue flowers. ANGUS Go ahead...take these for good luck then. She grabs the flowers and runs off in embarrassment, as he watches her with a puzzled expression. 14.
15. ANGUS Hilda? Where you runnin’? Hilda? INT. COTTAGE - SISTERS’ BEDROOM - NIGHT The twin sisters play with dolls in a dollhouse, as Flora grabs Hilda’s doll and paints a dot on the doll’s cheek. FLORA (teasing) Now she looks just like you. She dances around the room. FLORA (mock singing) Little mole piggy face! Little mole piggy face! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! She oinks as Hilda runs out of the room in tears. INT. COTTAGE - HALLWAY - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER) Hilda wipes away her tears, staring at her reflection in the mirror. INT. COTTAGE - PARENT’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Hilda sits on her mother’s bed in much better spirits, while her mother, BRIDGET, 40s, braids her hair and hums a gentle melody to her. She squeezes her from behind with maternal love, as she giggles with joy, just as a raven flies by the window. BRIDGET (whispers) Best to be leaving offering for the wise women of the night, for winter comes calling. She tosses some bread out the window, then sits back down, tickles her belly and kisses her mole. Holds up a mirror with a Triquetra symbol on the back and stares at the reflection of her and Hilda together. BRIDGET You become more beautiful than your own mother, right before my very eyes. 15.
16. She hugs her tightly, while Hilda touches a birth mark on the back of her neck of three vertical lines of equal length. INT. COTTAGE - SISTERS’ BEDROOM - NIGHT Laydon sits against the wall with a flask of whiskey at his side, in the middle of a scary story. LAYDON The man ran into the bushes. Desperate he was that night for hiding. Hilda and Flora sit anxiously on their beds. LAYDON He carried an axe, for he was a logger like your good ol’ Da. Hilda cuddles close to her pillow, while he takes a swig. LAYDON Moonlight blocked by monstrous cloud cover, as he pressed on, until a cave appeared, hidden behind some Rowan trees. EXT. COTTAGE - HALLWAY - NIGHT Bridget drinks a cup of tea, her ear pressed to the bedroom wall, as she listens to Laydon’s story and rolls her eyes. EXT. COTTAGE - SISTERS’ BEDROOM - NIGHT Hilda and Flora stare towards Laydon as they grip hard onto their blankets. LAYDON But the Rowan, my dears, provided no protection. He rises and creeps towards them. LAYDON For on that accursed night, as the man crawled towards the cave opening, a force from the lake lifted his body into the night sky. Flora gasps. 16.
17. FLORA You lie Papa! Only to frighten. LAYDON No lie, sweet lass. The witch of the lake... EXT. COTTAGE - HALLWAY - NIGHT Bridget rolls her eyes as she sips her tea. LAYDON (O.S.) ...ripped the poor logger’s heart clean out from his chest. Ate his flesh and left only his bones for his horrified loved one to discover in the morn’. She sighs. BRIDGET (quietly to herself) Here it goes again. EXT. COTTAGE - SISTER’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Flora and Hilda scream in fright on their beds, while Laydon creeps closer towards them. LAYDON And to this very night, the lake, calm as it appears in the daylight, ever scours the area for her next victim. He tickles Flora’s stomach. LAYDON Will it choose you next lass? Flora and Hilda scream and hug each other, as Bridget walks in sipping her tea. BRIDGET Alright, alright. That is plenty enough nonsense for one night. Stop filling these girl’s heads with rotted tales of some logger’s drunken escapade. Hilda runs to her mother’s side and hugs her leg tightly. 17.
18. BRIDGET Pay no heed to this misinterpreted drivel. The wise woman of the lake offers only nature’s righteous providence. Laydon swigs his flask, then kisses her on the cheek. LAYDON Aye. My very own wise woman of the lake. Quick to bed with you now! He kisses the birthmark on her neck, while she smiles and pushes him away. BRIDGET Enough with your whiskey breath. He kisses her again, pats her ass, then stumbles out, while she carries Hilda into her bed and tucks her in. BRIDGET Sweet dreams my dear girls, of green fields and flights with doves. Flora cozies into her blanket. FLORA I wish to meet the woman of the lake! BRIDGET Quiet now. Nature does not always grant us such wishes. FLORA But I’m not frightened. She kisses Flora on the forehead and tucks her in. BRIDGET One day, soon enough, for our path is already written in the stars. She walks away. BRIDGET Good night now my loves. 18.
19. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Laydon chops down a small tree, while MORRISON, 30s, snaps off the smaller branches. MORRISON Forward thinkers, Laydon. Future’s in the city. Where the real money will come to surface. The true wealth. Laydon sighs and wipes sweat from his brow. LAYDON City full of empty promise. Traditions stay traditions for reason. He points towards an OLD WOMAN BY THE LAKE, who washes her clothes in the calm water. LAYDON Her for example. Try to explain the new city ways to a hag like that, and be cursed with final plague. Morrison laughs to himself. MORRISON Aye. Even more reason to run towards the city life. The Old Woman creeps towards them as they chop down another tree. OLD WOMAN BY THE LAKE Take and take and take, then take some more! And what do you cretins offer back? She grabs some tree branches off the ground and tosses them towards Laydon, who easily deflects them away. LAYDON Survive winter without fire wood will ya? (under his breath) You spoiled hag? OLD WOMAN BY THE LAKE Survived more winters than fourteen of your lifetimes! She creeps inches from his face and pats him on the chest. 19.
20. OLD WOMAN BY THE LAKE (whispers in his ear) The fire that burns within keeps the stream fulfilled, through the boldest of winter’s chill. Licks his face, while Laydon stands frozen in shock and disgust. OLD WOMAN BY THE LAKE (whispers) Do not claim the earth’s warmth as your own. For that, your guts will spill out, like a demon’s billow. This I tell you true. He wipes her spit off his face, gently shoves her away and raises his axe. LAYDON Hag, be gone with you now! Interrupt my work long enough. Curse me if you will but beware the sharp edge of my arduous labor. She lifts up her shirt and flaps her obscenely long, drooping breasts, while laughing maniacally. OLD WOMAN BY THE LAKE My days of cursing fools like you have long passed me, but you shall damn your own bloodline by decree of nature’s unbeknownst chaos! Laydon and Morrison avert their eyes as she walks away, flapping her breasts in the breeze. MORRISON To the city life, Laydon. No more of this sick and twisted heritage. He spits out phlegm, grabs Laydon’s flask, takes a long swig, and tosses it back to him. LAYDON Aye. Might concede my grounds now, after the spectacle of those drooping titties. He swigs the flask, then violently swings his axe into another tree. 20.
21. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY (LATER) Bridget leaves a bowl of milk on the shoreline, then puts her feet in the water, and shuts her eyes, humming a peaceful melody to herself. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - CAVE - DAY Flora and Angus chase Hilda playfully through a wooded area. FLORA Careful Angus. Hilda is a no-good cheat she is! Angus runs off alone, trips over a branch and lands face to face with a cave opening, hidden behind some bushes. He gazes up towards three vertical lines of equal length engraved above the entrance. ANGUS Hilda! Flora! Come see! They both run over out of breath. FLORA What is it? ANGUS Come on. He walks into the darkness of the cave. ANGUS Treasures not be found by cowards. Flora pushes Hilda towards the opening. FLORA Go see Hilda! I’ll keep guard out here. Hilda sighs, then reluctantly follows her sister’s orders and walks inside the cave. INT. CAVE - DAY Hilda treads carefully through the cave shadows, following Angus’ heavy breathing. ANGUS Come on Hilda. Must be some treasure hidden. 21.
22. She uses the cave wall as a guide, as she walks past a large drawing of three long vertical lines of equal length, then crouches forward and leans on a rock, unaware of the human skeletal remains piled behind. A few yards ahead, Angus feels something crawling on him, then screams with all his might and runs back towards the entrance. ANGUS Back! Go back Hilda! EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - CAVE - DAY Angus rolls out of the cave, swatting worms off his clothing. Hilda follows him moments later, wiping worms from her hair and face, as she runs through the woods in a panic, Flora and Angus laughing at her expense. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Bridget tosses red berries into the water, humming to herself, as Hilda sprints to her covered in sweat, a few worms still caught in her hair. BRIDGET Catch your breath now child! Or are you all a sudden wild beast inside? Hilda grabs tightly onto her torso, still catching her breath. They sit on the shoreline together and toss berries into the water. HILDA Am I ever to be married? Bridget laughs and tickles her armpits. BRIDGET Enough now with that foolishness. Keep to your youthful thoughts. These days will all disappear too soon my love. She kisses her on the forehead. HILDA But Flora said... 22.
23. BRIDGET Have not worry what your sister’s teasing. Keep your focus on nature’s gifts. They toss more berries into the lake, while staring at their reflections in the water. BRIDGET And on what gifts you provide back to her. Hilda shuts her eyes. HILDA’S VISION... EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT The shadowy figure of Hilda, 18, levitates over the lake water, gripping a bloody kitchen knife. Human arms, legs, torsos, and feet float up to the surface around her, while a whirlpool forms, and fires erupt along the shore. END HILDA’S VISION EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Hilda’s eyes open and she quickly snuggles tightly into her mother’s chest. Bridget hums a soothing melody to calm her down, while the spirit(s) in the lake seem to watch their embrace from under the water. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY The family enjoys a breakfast of oats, berries, eggs, tomatoes and rolls, as Laydon especially stuffs his mouth like a pig. LAYDON (while chewing) First frost comes tonight. Feel it in me bones. He takes a swig from his flask, while Hilda reaches for one of the last two remaining rolls, only to have it smacked away by him. 23.
24. LAYDON Hey girl! Still punished you! He bites down into one of the rolls and places the other onto Flora’s plate. She smiles in thanks, takes a bite, then sticks out her tongue at Hilda while he isn’t watching. LAYDON (to Hilda with his mouth full) Be more like your sis and mind your manners. He rises and kisses Flora on her forehead, then grabs his tool belt and walks towards the door. BRIDGET Don’t be drinking by the lake all day again with Morrison. He belches and walks out, while she leans in towards Hilda, and grabs her hand. BRIDGET (playfully whispers) For the lady of the lake might come a calling. Hilda giggles, while Flora rolls her eyes towards her like a diva and takes another bite from her roll. Bridget rises and clears some dishes from the table. BRIDGET Comes on now girls. Plenty work to be handled. The twin sisters stare each other down. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - WOODEN SHACK - DAY Laydon chops down a large tree near a decrepit shack, with a column of small Triquetra symbols carved on the exterior wooden walls. A somber, trippy melody plays from a piano inside, as he walks over to the rotted wood siding and peeks in through a thin opening in the wood. INT. WOODEN SHACK - DAY (SAME TIME) Two old women dance naked inside the shack, with drooping breasts and crazy, disheveled hair, while another old women plays an old, small upright piano with very intricate carvings and rune symbols on the piano legs. 24.
25. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - WOODEN SHACK - DAY Laydon leans against the rotted wood siding, staring in shock as the women dance and chant along to the music inside. He swigs his flask and gazes towards the sky. LAYDON (quietly to himself) Holy Father above. Summon the hellfire. A raven croaks above, causing him to jump back in fright, just as one of the women from inside slams her body violently against the wood siding. Startled, he falls, bangs his head onto a large stone, and blacks out, while the woman’s eyeball stares towards him through the siding. LAYDON’S DREAM... EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Laydon sleeps on shore, under a blood red sky, while the beautiful Druid Priestess levitates towards him. He wakes and stares towards her, dazed by her beauty as she takes her shirt off. He shuts his eyes and sucks on her nipple, only to open them moments later and find he’s sucking on the droopy, wrinkled breast of the Old Woman by the Lake. She digs her fingers into his eyes, then pushes on the back of his head, as he sucks harder like a hungry baby. END LAYDON’S DREAM EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Laydon wakes on the shore with a bruise on the back of his head. He gazes towards his reflection in the lake with confusion, then washes his face in the calm water. A formation of stones surround him in the shape of the Triquetra symbol, much too large for him to notice, but as we drift high above, it’s a truly majestic sight, like a crop circle. 25.
26. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY Flora fixes her hair using the reflection in the window, then poses like a model, while Bridget and Hilda kneel behind her in the garden, their hands covered in dirt. Bridget holds up some sage towards Hilda. BRIDGET Sage for the sacred cleanse. She then picks some garlic. BRIDGET Garlic for Hecate’s guidance. Then holds up some rosemary. BRIDGET Rosemary to ward away those thieving. She rests the rosemary on Hilda’s ear and kisses her forehead, while a raven flies by the cottage. She rises to her feet and wipes dirt off her hands, as everything spins around her, faster and faster. She collapses onto the dirt, as Hilda bends down and gently shakes her. HILDA Momma? Momma? Momma! Flora runs over. HILDA Go find Poppa Flora! Go! She runs off as Hilda desperately tries to wake her mother up. HILDA Mamma! Mamma! EXT. COTTAGE - DAY (LATER) Flora leads the drunken Laydon into the garden, where he kneels down and lifts Bridget’s lifeless head from the dirt, then aggressively clutches Hilda’s arm. LAYDON (slurring) What did you do, girl! What did you do! 26.
27. He shoves her away and sobs over his wife’s corpse, as Hilda watches like her entire world just disappeared. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - BRIDGET’S GRAVESITE - DAY (NEXT MORNING) Flora hugs Laydon’s torso, as he swigs from his flask and weeps, while Morrison places some fresh blue flowers on Bridget’s grave. Hilda kneels down next to the grave, sobbing uncontrollably, as she digs her fingers into the dirt. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY We drift over the calm water as demonic moans echo from underneath. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - BRIDGET’S GRAVESITE - NIGHT Hilda sleeps on top of her mother’s grave, her hands covered in dirt, as we drift high above into the starry sky. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY We drift below from the clear bright sky, as Morrison and Laydon, both noticeably older, balding, and fatter, carry the same upright piano from the witches’ wooden shack towards the front door, their clothing covered in fresh dirt, soot and ash. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Laydon carries in the upright piano with Morrison, while Flora, now 18, runs over excited. She gazes towards the ornate carvings on the piano body and rune symbols etched on the legs. FLORA It is perfect! Just perfect! She hugs him, as she runs her hands over the dusty piano. FLORA Where did you find such a piece? Laydon and Morrison eye each other, not prepared to answer her inquest. LAYDON None you worry about all that now love. 27.
28. INT. COTTAGE - HALLWAY - DAY Hilda, also now 18, with disheveled hair and a larger mole on her left cheek, scrubs the floor on her knees, while Laydon and Morrison carry the piano by her, rudely paying her no mind. She pauses her scrubbing and watches them from her knees, gazing towards the beautiful, mysterious piano, as Flora skips by her. FLORA Isn’t it just perfect Hilda. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Laydon and Morrison fit the piano against the wall, then catch their breath, while Flora stands by them. LAYDON Well, come on then. Give it a go now girl. Flora sits down on the piano bench and hits some random keys, while Hilda peeks her head into the room from the hallway. LAYDON We get you some lessons and you become expert this time next spring. He kisses her on the cheek as she hits more keys. LAYDON Your mother, God rest her, would be so proud. Always wanted to pass on the gift of music. Hilda squints towards Flora from the hallway with a sinister gaze of envy, as she fiddles around on the keys. - CHANGING OF THE SEASONS MONTAGE - INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (SPRING) We gaze out the window at the colorful splendors of spring, with trees, bushes and flowers in full bloom. Flora practices on the piano, squinting towards the sheet music as she struggles to play the corresponding notes. 28.
29. She tosses the sheet music down in frustration, while Hilda peeks in from the hallway with a broom in hand. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (SUMMER) We gaze out the window as the sun shines down on Hilda picking rosemary from the garden, sweat dripping down. Flora plays a somber waltz on the piano, while a PIANO TEACHER, 50s, female, counts the time. PIANO TEACHER And one, two, three...and one, two... INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY (FALL) We gaze out the window as the leaves turn to glorious shades of orange, red and brown, many off their branches. Hilda stirs a large pot of soup over the stove and wipes sweat from her forehead, while humming a haunting melody to herself, (which will become known as her Wraith’s Refrain). She stares out the window as her mother’s ghostly figure flashes in the garden, only to just as quickly disappear, while a somber waltz echoes from the piano room. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (SAME TIME) Flora practices a somber waltz at the piano, her playing now much improved, while Laydon watches her from the hallway proudly. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (WINTER) We gaze out the window towards light snowfall. Flora plays a waltz version of Ring Around the Rosie at the piano, while Laydon and Morrison watch her proudly and pass the flask. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - BRIDGET’S GRAVESITE - DAY (SAME TIME) Light snow falls as Hilda places her mother’s mirror on her grave and hums her Wraith’s Refrain. 29.
30. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Light snow falls over the calm water as Hilda’s Wraith’s Refrain humming echoes. - END OF THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS MONTAGE - INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda scrubs the floor on her knees, staring up towards the piano every few seconds. She leans the broom against the wall, walks to the piano, and sits on the bench. Bends down and touches the intricate rune symbols carved on the piano legs, then lightly hits some random keys, feeling an instant connection to the piano. She then improvises a somber piano melody based on her prior humming, as she plays her Wraith’s Refrain for the very first time, like it was already composed within her mind and soul. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Early morning sunlight shines through the window as Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano, like she’s been practicing all night. The haunting melody fills the room with a foreboding atmosphere, as Flora peeks her head in from the hallway and listens to the hauntingly beautiful composition with utter contempt and jealously. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY (LATER) Laydon eats a bowl of beans, seated at the table, while Hilda washes dishes at the sink, humming the Wraith’s Refrain melody to herself. He puts his tool belt on then fills up his flask with whiskey. LAYDON Make quick with all your chores. Be back late. Walks towards the door and takes another swig. LAYDON Smoked haddock for supper, girl. Holds out his gut. 30.
31. LAYDON Be sure enough to satisfy. She ignores him and keeps washing. LAYDON You hear me now, girl! He waits a few moments, then farts in her direction and walks out. She dries a plate with a rag, then gazes out the window, as a classical melody echoes from the piano room. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (SAME TIME) Flora struggles to play a section of the classical melody while reading the sheet music, leading her to slam her hands down on the piano keys in frustration. She attempts to replicate the haunting Wraith’s Refrain that she watched Hilda play, but can’t quite remember the melody. Gives up quickly, lounges in a chair against the wall and dozes off. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY (SAME TIME) Hilda washes more dishes as she hums her Wraith’s Refrain. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Hilda kneels by the water and washes Laydon’s stained undergarments, while humming her Wraith’s Refrain. She stares at her reflection in the water, as it suddenly morphs into her mother’s. She turns away in shock, then stares back, as her reflection returns back to normal. Angus, now 20, walks towards her, carrying a fishing rod. ANGUS Hi Hilda. Seen your sis ‘round? Hilda covers her mole with the dirty undergarments, too shy to make eye contact. HILDA Have not seen her, Angus. Try the cottage. He holds the fishing rod up towards her. 31.
32. ANGUS Fixing on surprising her with a hearty supper, if the gods be with me. They share a few moments of awkward silence, then Angus smiles and walks away. ANGUS Alright then. See ya Hilda. Hilda watches him walk away with an expression of longing, as she angrily tosses Laydon’s undergarments into the lake. EXT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (LATER) Flora kisses Angus in the shade of the cottage, as piano music echoes from inside. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano, lost in a trance. EXT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Angus stares through the window towards Hilda, mesmerized by her haunting Wraith’s Refrain melody, like she was a siren calling out to him. Flora stares towards her with a jealous scowl, as she punches him in the arm. ANGUS Aye, Flora! Envy don’t quite suit ya. Enraged, she grabs dog shit from the garden and tosses balls of it through the window towards Hilda. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Hilda’s left cheek gets splattered with dog shit, right on her mole, while Flora launches more balls through the window, striking the piano and floor. She wipes the shit off her face and turns towards the window, where Flora and Angus both laugh towards her, while Laydon stumbles in drunk and notices the mess. LAYDON (towards Hilda) What is all this mess then girl! 32.
33. Flora and Angus run away from the window laughing, as he angrily walks towards Hilda at the piano. LAYDON Well, go on! She stares back in humiliation, dog shit smeared on her face, neck and dress. He drags her away from the piano by her hair and smacks her face. LAYDON Clean this filth girl! He walks away, swigging his flask. LAYDON Now! And don’t let me find you messing about on your sister’s piano again! She breaks down on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably and punching her fists down onto the floor, harder and harder, until her knuckles bleed. INT. COTTAGE - HALLWAY - NIGHT Hilda stares at her lifeless, dour reflection in the mirror. She pulls a kitchen knife from her pocket and slices off the mole on her left cheek, as her blood drips down onto the floor. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY Hilda tries to hide a large scar on her left cheek with her hand during breakfast, left from her previous night’s attempted surgery. Flora stares towards her and giggles, while Laydon reaches out and touches her facial scar in disgust. LAYDON A face fit for the troughs you. He laughs at her while stuffing his face with breakfast rolls, then touches her scar again, while Hilda pushes it away in anger. LAYDON What? Ole’ Da’ can’t tease his own daughter? She grips onto a kitchen knife tightly, while he swigs his flask and walks away, laughing loudly to himself. 33.
34. LAYDON Don’t be sulking all day now on account of your vileness. Get to your chores. He walks out, while the twin sisters stare each other down and share some tense silence. Flora rises with a smirk, grabs a roll and walks away towards the piano room. Her laughter echoes from the hallway, as Hilda sits alone and grips the knife even tighter. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - BRIDGET’S GRAVESITE - DAY Hilda, scarred face, sits on top of her mother’s grave, knees to her chin, like a gargoyle. She draws a Triquetra symbol in the dirt with the kitchen knife then hums her Wraith’s Refrain and shuts her eyes. HILDA’S DREAM... INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda, mole back on her left cheek, plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano. INT. COTTAGE - HALLWAY - NIGHT Flora scrubs the floor on her knees, as loud squeaks echo, like the room was full of mice. She freezes as she recognizes Hilda’s Wraith’s Refrain echoing from the piano room. Hilda levitates towards her carrying an axe. Lands in front of her, lifts up the axe, and violently lunges it towards her neck. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain, as the piano catches fire. She calmly keeps playing as the flames engulf her, and her head slides right off her neck like butter. Now headless, she plays more of her Wraith’s Refrain, while snakes crawl out from her neck. END HILDA’S DREAM 34.
35. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - BRIDGET’S GRAVESITE - NIGHT Hilda wakes up on top of her mother’s grave in a trance. She pulls out the kitchen knife from her pocket and slices three vertical gashes into her hand and her arm. Her blood drips down onto the grave, as she slices three more gashes into her torso. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT A SHADOWY FIGURE rises out from the calm water and drifts through the countryside, as demonic moans echo along the shore. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - BRIDGET’S GRAVESITE - NIGHT The Shadowy Figure flashes in the woods, staring towards Hilda, covered in blood from her self-inflicted wounds. SHADOWY FIGURE (V.O.) (ghostly female whispers) Hillldaaa...Hillldaaa... Hilda gazes towards the direction of the voice. SHADOWY FEMALE FIGURE (V.O.) (ghostly female whispers) Hillldaaa...Hillldaaa... EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Hilda follows the Shadowy Figure into the lake, where it finally turns to face her, revealing Bridget’s face. She runs into her mother’s arms and hugs her, but the figure quickly morphs into Ada, causing Hilda to convulse wildly in mid-air, as fires erupt along the shore. EXT. COTTAGE - BEDROOM - NIGHT (SAME TIME) Flora rises up from her sleep in a panic, her eyes full of fright, like she was sensing something sinister entering her twin sister’s body at that very moment. 35.
36. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Laydon and Morrison drink whiskey around a campfire. LAYDON Be no more women like Bridget. Might go venture with the livestock in the near. They share a laugh. MORRISON Just need new experience. Few nights in the city would do ya’ some good. LAYDON Pointless endeavor. No waking this sleeping giant. He grabs his crotch, while Hilda, scarred face, walks by them, a new, wicked gaze in her eyes. LAYDON (slurring badly) Girl, quit your sloth and prepare some haddock for Morrison and I. She turns towards them with a sinister gaze. LAYDON Did you hear me? Go on now girl! She blows towards a tree nearby, as a thick branch snaps and falls towards him, as he leaps out of the way at the last second. She calmly walks away, as he swigs his flask, fear in his eyes. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Hilda sits at the table, motionless in a deep trance, as she grips her knife tightly. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY The sun rises over the beautiful, peaceful countryside. 36.
37. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY Hilda sits at the table, motionless in a deep trance, as she grips her knife tightly, like she hasn’t moved an inch through the night. INT. / EXT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (LATER) We drift towards the bright blue sky as ravens fly overhead, as Flora plays a somber waltz from the piano. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY Hilda still sits at the table, motionless in a deep trance, as she grips her knife tightly. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY Laydon snores in the shade against the wall, flask by his side. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY Hilda remains seated at the table, motionless in a deep trance, as she grips her knife tightly. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY The sun sets over the beautiful, peaceful countryside. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Hilda sits at the table, motionless in a deep trance, as she grips her knife tightly. Laydon sits across from her, staring towards her with some trepidation and confusion as he nervously tosses nuts into his mouth. LAYDON Ya alright there girl? She remains motionless, while he stuffs some more nuts into his mouth. He walks over and waves his hands over her eyes to try to get a reaction. Gives up after a few attempts, fills his flask with some whiskey, then walks towards the front door. 37.
38. LAYDON Goin’ out a bit. Watch o’er your sis. Hilda doesn’t respond, sitting motionless at the table. LAYDON You hear me girl? Laydon waits for a response, stares towards Hilda one last time, then gives up and walks out. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT (LATER) Flora practices a somber waltz on the piano. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - NIGHT Hilda sits at the table, motionless in a deep trance, as she grips her knife tightly. We drift closer to her face, as her eyes blink, and she is finally awoken from her trance. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Flora bends down to grab a piece of sheet music from the floor, revealing Hilda standing behind her, gripping her knife tightly. She turns towards her wicked gaze, as she slowly approaches with the knife raised up. FLORA Hilda? Stop this game. Now! At once! Hilda casually runs the knife across her sister’s throat, as blood squirts all over the piano keys and Flora gasps for air. She then calmly pushes her off the piano bench onto the floor, where she bleeds out. She places the bloody knife on top of the piano and plays her Wraith’s Refrain, while Flora convulses in the background, struggling for breath, blood erupting from her neck. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (FEW HOURS LATER) Hilda plays her Wraith's Refrain on the piano, as Flora’s dead body lays on the floor behind her. She hums a new melody to herself and writes some music notations onto a piece of sheet music. 38.
39. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY Laydon drunkenly stumbles back towards the cottage, whistling a jolly melody to himself, then places his axe up against the front cottage wall. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain, then pauses and writes more notations onto the sheet music. INT. COTTAGE - HALLWAY - DAY Laydon walks towards the piano room and presses his ear against the hallway wall. He then shuts his eyes and enjoys Hilda’s haunting Wraith’s Refrain melody. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Laydon peeks his head in and notices Flora’s dead body on the floor, while Hilda calmly plays her Wraith’s Refrain. He stumbles into the room, falls over and vomits, then runs towards her in a mad rage. LAYDON Always knew you’d land on the side of dark! He grabs her by neck, just as her hair morphs into snakes that bite at his arms and face. He stumbles back, as she grabs the knife off the piano and stabs him in the gut, slicing a huge gash up his stomach, as he bleeds out next to Flora’s dead body. Hilda sits back down on the piano bench and calmly fixes her hair, now back to normal. She plays more of her Wraith’s Refrain, then pauses, hums a new melody to herself, and writes more notations onto the sheet music. INT. COTTAGE - KITCHEN - DAY The next morning, Hilda, blood smeared on her scarred face, eats a breakfast roll at the table, then calmly hums her Wraith’s Refrain to herself. 39.
40. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY Hilda plants some colorful blue flowers into the fresh soil, while calming humming her Wraith’s Refrain. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Hilda chops up Laydon’s corpse with an axe, as she calmly hums her Wraith’s Refrain, Flora’s mangled body already partially disassembled nearby. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT Hilda pushes a wheelbarrow full of body parts along the shoreline, as she calmly hums her Wraith’s Refrain. She tosses the body parts into the water, while fires erupt along the shore and demonic moans echo from underneath the water. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Hilda wipes sweat from her brow and tosses a bloody rag into a bucket of dirty water. She inspects the spotless floor and piano, then notices a speck of blood on her finger tip. She sucks it clean, then calmly hums her Wraith’s Refrain. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda, scarred face, sits on the piano bench, all cleaned up now in a fancy dress, with her hair neatly braided. She plays a more polished, extended version of her Wraith’s Refrain, then writes a few more notations onto the sheet music. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Hilda, scarred face, floats on her back in the calm water, a crown of blue flowers around her head. She calmly hums her Wraith’s Refrain, then shuts her eyes, while Angus fishes nearby and spots her drifting towards him. ANGUS Hilda? She opens her eyes and levitates over the water towards him, as he falls backwards in shock, then sprints down the shoreline. He stumbles and falls into the lake, while ghostly arms reach out and drag him underwater. 40.
41. Hilda watches him disappear beneath the calm water, then picks some flowers from her crown and tosses them into the lake, while calmly humming her Wraith’s Refrain. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT (LATER) We drift close on Hilda’s scarred face as she pleasures herself and hums the Wraith’s Refrain. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT (LATER) Hilda stares into a corner wall, motionless, deep in another trance, while Flora’s ghost appears at the piano with a large, bloody gash on her neck. Hilda turns towards her enraged, as she plays a C minor chord. She opens up her mouth, as hundreds of black bugs shoot out and suck at Flora’s flesh, until she disintegrates into dust. The bugs crawl back inside Hilda’s mouth, as she grabs the kitchen knife from her pocket and begins engraving something onto the side wall. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT (LATER) Hilda sleeps on the floor, arms and legs fully outstretched like a pentagram, with a large engraving of a Triquetra symbol on the wall behind her. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano, then pauses to write more notations onto the sheet music. She holds the sheet music up high, proud of her finally completed composition. She then packs the papers inside a small hidden compartment in one of the piano legs. 41.
42. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY Morrison walks towards the cottage whistling a jolly melody. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY (SAME TIME) Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano. EXT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Morrison gazes through the window and enjoys Hilda’s performance. Hilda senses someone watching her, pauses and turns towards him. MORRISON Hi...Hilda. She evil-eyes him, not very happy with the interruption. MORRISON Laydon here? Hasn’t been ‘round in weeks. They share some tense silence, as Hilda continues to stare him down. MORRISON Run off to the big city has he? She walks towards him seductively and unbuttons her blouse, as he watches stunned. MORRISON (nervous laughter) Or maybe out on a drinking campaign? She pulls him in close and kisses him through the window, as he shuts his eyes. He opens them moments later, just as she bites a chunk out flesh of his cheek, sending him falling backwards in fright onto the dirt, where he pisses himself, then sprints away. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Morrison runs on the shoreline, as Hilda appears in a flash in front of him. His knees give out and he falls to the ground paralyzed. She leaps on top of him, instantly grows long fingernails and gouges his eyes out. We drift high above the calm lake water as his agonizing screams echo throughout the countryside. 42.
43. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT (SAME TIME) Demonic moans echo over the lake as Hilda’s Wraith’s Refrain echoes along the shore. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Two young boys throw rocks at a frog, as they chase it along the shore. SUPERIMPOSED - 1910 Hilda, now 40, her scarred face replaced by a fresh, large mole on her left cheek, gathers red berries off a bush, just as one of the boys catches the frog, tosses it down, and stomps on it to death. She stares towards the boys, as they giggle at her crazy, disheveled hair, then shuts her eyes and raises her arms over the water, as the sky begins to turn black. HILDA Sikofrikooo, vestitoooooppp, hooossshhasssassss!!! The lake water turns red, boiling like lava, while giant serpents reach out and pull the terrified young boys under. Hilda opens her eyes, as the skies clear and the lake water returns to normal. She smiles to herself, calmly gathers more red berries from a bush, and hums her Wraith’s Refrain. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano, a bowl of fresh red berries on top of the piano. She then rises and dances joyously with herself around the room, as she hums the melody to herself. 43.
44. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Hilda, now 50, neatly braided white hair, washes clothes in the water, as she hums her Wraith’s Refrain. SUPERIMPOSED - 1920 A jolly old man fishes nearby in a small rowboat, whistling a cheerful melody to himself, as he inadvertently reels in a human leg. He jumps back in terror and tosses his fishing rod into the lake, as Hilda levitates on the water towards him. He stares towards her in a daze, as thousands of small black bugs crawl up his legs, fill up his boat and restrain him, as they all sink below. EXT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT TEENAGE BOY 1 and TEENAGE BOY 2 gaze through the window, trying to muster the courage to enter. SUPERIMPOSED - 1930 TEENAGE BOY 1 Knew you was a coward. TEENAGE BOY 2 Am no coward! No such thing as a witch. TEENAGE BOY 1 Go on then. Go on! Teenage Boy 2 answers the challenge and crawls through the window, followed by his mate. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS) The two teenage boys scan the room nervously, then tip-toe towards the piano. They pause in fright as it plays Hilda’s Wraith’s Refrain on its own. They eye each other and run for the window, just as it slams down shut. They run towards the hallway, as Hilda, now 60, three vertical gashes painted in blood on her forehead, blocks their path. She calmly runs her long fingernails through their hair, then scrapes her tongue, as her blood drips down onto the floor and morphs into little black bugs. 44.
45. EXT. COTTAGE - NIGHT We drift towards the peaceful starry sky as the panicked screams of the two teenage boys echo below, followed moments later by Hilda’s Wraith’s Refrain on the piano. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY (NEXT DAY) Hilda stands naked in the calm lake, holding a sharp stone. She gazes down into the water, as hungry, demonic moans echo from the depths, then slices three vertical gashes into her wrists. She squeezes her blood out, shuts her eyes and floats calmly on her back down the lake, trails of blood streaming on both sides of her. Two male loggers chop wood nearby the shore and spot the grisly scene as she floats by them. EXT. COTTAGE - NIGHT (FEW NIGHTS LATER) A mob of about ten men wield rifles and flaming torches, as they stare towards the front of the cottage, fear in their eyes and they march together. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - NIGHT Hilda, in a fancy dress, white hair neatly braided, plays her Wraith’s Refrain on the piano. EXT. COTTAGE - NIGHT The mob sets the cottage on fire. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO - NIGHT Hilda sits calmly at the piano and plays her Wraith’s Refrain, while flames engulf the room. EXT. COTTAGE - NIGHT Storm clouds form in the dark sky and heavy rain pours down over the burning cottage, as Hilda flies through the window like a missile and blows a powerful gust of wind towards the mob, who desperately run for cover. 45.
46. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - NIGHT (LATER) (We are now back at the opening scene...) Hilda, 60, morphs into her eighteen-year-old self, as she levitates over the water towards the middle of the lake, human arms, legs, torsos and feet floating to the surface around her. The water swirls around her faster and faster, forming a whirlpool, as fires suddenly erupt along the shore. An unseen force strangles her neck, while she slowly sinks below. EXT. COTTAGE - DAY The sun rises over the tattered cottage roof, damaged from the fire and storm. INT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY We drift through water and fire damage, passing leaves, branches, debris, blackened walls, and the Triquetra engraving now partially faded. The piano shows some damage, but remains in one piece, as we drift closer to the piano leg’s hidden compartment, where the only vestige of Hilda’s cursed composition rests hidden inside, waiting to be played again. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - LAKE - DAY Early morning sunlight shines on the calm water as a somber waltz plays from the piano. EXT. COTTAGE - PIANO ROOM - DAY Flora’s ghostly figure, bloody gash across her throat, sits on the piano bench playing a somber waltz. THE END (ENDING CREDITS MUSIC - SPARROW AND THE WORKSHOP - OVER THE WATER) 46.