M I L L E N N I U M IT... HAS... BEGUN... NOTHING IS FORSAKEN... Virtual Season Episode #402. "Blood and Water" written by: Dan Owen (August 2002, re-edited version) TEASER EXT. TROPICAL FOREST - DAY Scene focuses on the forest ground, which is covered in strange plant life and exotic fauna. ZOOM IN ON a line of ants marching across a large leaf... as a LOW RUMBLING begins. The ground trembles. The vibrations grow more intense, drowning out all of nature's sounds... then a visible crack RIPS the ground open with a CRUNCH! Trees are heard CRASHING O.C., together with COMMOTION of animals and birds fleeing for safety. A legend INDICATES: 12,000 B.C. (approximately) Another massive CRUNCHING sound as the ground twists itself open! HARD CUT TO: EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - NIGHT A mountain jeep ROARS past camera, speeding down a rugged dirt track high at the foot of a mountain range, parallel to a wide rushing river. Legend INDICATES: Cascade Mountain Range, Oregon July 6, 12:05 AM INT. JEEP - NIGHT STUART DALTON (40's) is driving. He reaches down and presses 'PLAY' on his CD-player. "Casta Diva", from Bellini's opera "Norma", starts to play. Dalton absently HUMS along to the tune. EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - BEND - NIGHT As Dalton's jeep turns the bend, a DARK FIGURE steps out into the open road just ahead! INT. JEEP - NIGHT - THROUGH WINDSHIELD the figure, JAROD KINLEY (30's), seems to appear from nowhere as his face is caught in the headlights! Dalton slams down on his brake pedal, twisting the wheel to avoid a collision! The brakes SQUEAL against the tires! EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - NIGHT The jeep manages to swerve round Jarod, as he falls to the ground. On the ground, dazed, Jarod watches the jeep bounce off the road. It kicks up dirt as its tires try to find purchase on the roadside's wet soil. INT. JEEP - NIGHT Dalton tries to regain control of his vehicle, but the momentum of his swerve was too powerful. THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD the hood SPLASHES into the rushing river with terrific force! DALTON is thrown forward, hitting his head on the steering wheel. He's knocked unconscious as water SLAPS up the windshield's glass. EXT. RIVER - NIGHT "Casta Diva" plays ominously as the jeep is slowly dragged into the river by the strong current... EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - NIGHT Jarod stands slowly to watch the sinking jeep from the roadside. Its fatal tire marks have churned up the rocky shoreline. He watches the sinking vehicle, but does nothing. Instead, his attention is grabbed by something above him... Now he stands; stronger, with purpose, craning his head up to the heavens. He sees a procession of FOUR SHOOTING STARS dart quickly across the pitch black sky. The gentle tune of Bellini's "Casta Diva" FADES OUT as the jeep is finally pulled into the cold waters. Bubbles GURGLE up to the surface. Jarod's attention is still focused intently on the sky. He stares, fascinated, at the sparkling heavens. FADE OUT. ACT ONE BLACK. "Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee; Let the water and the blood, From thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure." FADE IN: EXT. RIVERSIDE - DAY Activity around the entire area, most of it centered on Dalton's water-logged jeep, which has been hauled onshore by a small crane. PHOTOGRAPHERS are taking photos, watched by FOREST RANGERS. Legend INDICATES: 11:42 AM FRANK BLACK is walking along the shoreline with Sheriff IAN MATTHEWS (40's), a ruggedly handsome man with an approachable air of old-fashioned authority. MATTHEWS Mountain Rescue found the jeep caught against some rocks, about two-hundred meters from where its tire tracks entered the river. They stop next to the jeep's wreckage. Frank stares through the window at the driver's seat. There's blood smeared on the steering wheel. FRANK Who was driving? MATTHEWS Stuart Dalton. Local man. He worked with school kids; taught them about sailing, canoeing, survival techniques... all the stuff city kids hate. (a beat) It's a tragic, but not unusual, accident. The bend's notorious for sending absent-minded drivers off the road. The real reason I requested the your help was... well... looks like somebody got to the body before us. Frank looks suddenly interested. MATTHEWS (CONT'D) Dalton was found dragged from the wreckage on the shore... Matthews turns his attention casually away. Frank follows his gaze to the wide river behind them. The shape of a body can be seen, wrapped in a plastic sheet, lying on the shoreline. MATTHEWS A search team are about to comb the riverbed for a murder weapon. Frank walks towards Dalton's dead body. Matthews watches him go, takes a second to scan the surrounding area... before following. THE SHORELINE Dalton's body has been dragged bare meters from the river, leaving sandy drag marks, together with footprints around the corpse (from the Mountain Rescue team). Frank arrives and crouches next to the corpse, lifting the sheet to look at the face. Matthews approaches. FRANK There are wounds to forehead. MATTHEWS Yeah, knife cuts. In 'x' marks. Definitely not caused by the impact of the crash. The vehicle's windshield was fully intact, so we think he was just knocked out by a blow to the head. That's corroborated by the blood on the steering wheel. Frank nods, agreeing. FRANK The cuts are aligned only around the forehead. It's usually strangers that mutilate facial areas. Which would rule out local people... MATTHEWS (resolved, quick) Definitely. Stu was well liked by everyone. The problem is, we got hundreds of tourists round these mountains. FRANK (sighs) These things are never easy. MATTHEWS Don't I know it. I thought Brian Lyndon was the last of our worries... Frank's ears prick up. Matthews notices. MATTHEWS I thought you'd been briefed on that. Frank shakes his head. MATTHEWS (CONT'D) Yeah, Brian Lyndon. Had his skull cracked open with what appeared to be a rock. Died from his wound a few miles upstream. Had similar marks around his forehead; but not as neat as these. FRANK He was found in the river, too? MATTHEWS Fell into the river, but was found onshore. Just like Dalton. Brian was a keen climber - one of those "extreme sporters." Never used ropes, so at first, we figured he must have fallen into the river after hitting his head... but managed to pull himself onshore before dying. (a beat) But now... Matthews stares at the bloody 'x' cuts around Dalton's head... MATTHEWS (CONT'D) ...it looks like we got ourselves one of those, uh, serial-killers. You have much experience with them, Mr. Black? Frank looks at Matthews incredulously. RYAN (O.C.) Frank! Frank and Matthews turn to see RYAN FROST jogging towards them from Dalton's jeep wreck. Ryan quickly reaches them. FRANK Sheriff, this is Ryan Frost. I asked him to lend a hand, if that's okay. He solved the Victor Carlton drownings you may have heard about. MATTHEWS L.A., '92? Ryan shakes hands with Matthews. RYAN That's right. I led the two-week investigation. (to Frank) What have you found? Frank stands to allow Ryan a look at Dalton's body. Ryan inspects the body quickly and precisely, glancing under the plastic sheet at his lower-torso. He looks up at the Sheriff: RYAN Is this the position he was found in? MATTHEWS Pretty much, yeah. RYAN (up to Frank) His feet are crossed at the ankles. Frank bends down with Matthews and all three look under the plastic covering. ANGLE - DOWN THE PLASTIC SHEET Dalton's feet are indeed crossed at the ankles comfortably. MATTHEWS So? Instinctively, Frank raises Dalton's wet shirt... to reveal a small crescent-shape of blood on his side-abdomen; a few inches above the left hip. Frank exchanges a look with the Sheriff, both suspicious of this new find. INT. MORTUARY - NIGHT The local PATHOLOGIST is performing a cursory examination. He is joined by Frank, Ryan and Sheriff Matthews. On a metal slab lies the pale naked body of Stuart Dalton. PATHOLOGIST It's certainly strange... The crescent-shaped mark is more visible on the skin of Dalton's side now under the fluorescent lights. PATHOLOGIST (CONT'D) The positioning of the body indicates the killer staged his victim in the pose of a crucified man. Crossed ankles, carved Xs around the head... FRANK (interrupting) Mimicking the Crown of Thorns Jesus wore on the cross. I'm certain the Mountain Rescue team will confirm his arms were also spread apart when they found him. RYAN The carving of a crescent in his side seems to duplicate the spear wound Christ suffered on the cross. The Pathologist nods sadly. MATTHEWS Well, it's definitely weird, but I don't see how it can help us. All it tells me is that the guy's nuts. FRANK It's easy to dismiss killers by treating them as cold-hearted fools... but underestimating them only leads to more death. RYAN The killer staged Dalton like this for a reason. The Pathologist turns his attention to the Sheriff. PATHOLOGIST If so, I'd say you have a real problem, Sheriff. Matthews chews his tongue; he knows it only too well. FRANK I'd like Brian Lyndon's body exhumed and examined again for hidden markings. PATHOLOGIST Brian? I'm sorry, Mr. Black, but he was cremated three days ago. Only thing strange I remember seeing are these 'x' marks around his head; they were much cruder, not as many, so we dismissed them as random head trauma caused by his fall. RYAN Do you have any photos of Mr. Little's body prior to his cremation? PATHOLOGIST (nodding) Sure. I can dig them out for you. Frank bends down to inspect the circle mark in Dalton's side more closely... FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- Sea water LASHING against rocks in a storm! -- Waters rising up a sandy beach! -- RUMBLING of an earthquake throughout Frank looks confused, at a loss for a connection. EXT. FOREST - RIDGE - DAY A steep area of woodland. Jarod Kinley, exhausted, hikes up the incline. TOP OF THE RIDGE Jarod reaches the top, and takes a second to rest. He scans the area quickly before he moves towards his parked car, which is attached to a small trailer. Both have been covered in branches. Very well camouflaged. THE TRAILER Jarod takes some keys out from his pocket, unlocks the trailer door and enters quickly. INT. JAROD'S TRAILER - DAY The interior is quite modern and clean. However a small sink is filled with dirty cutlery, and the small bed has not been made. Jarod quickly darts across to the rear of the trailer and checks outside through some small windows. In a slightly less edgy mood, he sits down on his bed, in front of a small table. Nervous, he begins tapping on the tabletop. He then anxiously pulls open a drawer and takes out a long butcher's knife. Cradling it a second, he holds it aloft to admire its shine... before viciously SLAMMING it into the tabletop! HARD CUT TO: EXT. SKY - NIGHT A bright shooting STAR streaks across the night sky! RETURN Jarod stares at the knife, perfectly embedded in the plastic table, before yanking it out. This time he grips the knife steadily and carves a line directly down through his initial hole... HARD CUT TO: EXT. FOREST CLEARING - DAY A tremendous CRASH as a large exotic tree falls to the ground! RETURN This time Jarod draws a line straight across his initial hole. HARD CUT TO: EXT. ISLAND BEACH - DAY A terrified MALE SCREAM O.C. as a powerful wind bends a palm tree backwards... RETURN Jarod stops his carving. Silence. He sits quietly, gently tapping the knife's point on his chin. Thinking with a stern expression, he stares at the cross-shaped carving on the table - a solitary hole at its center... Jarod seems fascinated by the pattern, entranced by its deeper meaning. As he grips the knife's handle, we notice a TRICKLE OF BLOOD run down his hand to his wrist. EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY A small, unassuming building in a small mountain town. INT. POLICE STATION - CORRIDOR - DAY Frank and Ryan are seated on chairs in the corridor, waiting. Deputy Sheriff DAN BRYANT (30's) approaches and they both stand to meet him. Frank notices Bryant is carrying a manila envelope in his right hand. BRYANT Hi, I'm Deputy Dan Bryant. They each take it in turns to shake hands, before Bryant hands the envelope to Frank... BRYANT Here you are, Mr. Black. Frank quickly opens it and takes out a file folder. INSERT - BRIAN LYNDON'S PATHOLOGY REPORT Frank opens the folder at a series of paper-clipped photographs. Each one different parts of a man's body; hands, arms, legs, etc. Frank stops when he reaches an image of the forehead. Frank peers closer... INSERT - PATHOLOGIST'S PHOTOGRAPH The image shows a series of rudimentary 'x' marks along Little's forehead; much more random and misaligned than Dalton's were. FRANK A Crown of Thorns. Bryant nods, gravely. BRYANT Mountain Rescue also confirmed they *did* find Dalton's body with the arms spread apart. RYAN Deputy, how many visitors would you expect to have left the town since last night? BRYANT (thinking) Well, uh, Summer period's in full swing... I'd say around thirty, maybe forty people. Perhaps more. RYAN The killer could have been one of the vacationers. It fits the profile of an outsider. BRYANT But why come here? Ryan and Frank offer no answer, until-- RYAN The river. Both murders occurred there. BRYANT The search team didn't find a murder weapon on the riverbed, or in the surrounding area. FRANK He didn't just position his victims in the style of a crucified man. He made sure to drown them first. Why go to the added trouble? Nobody can offer an explanation. Bryant's expression remains undetermined. EXT. TOWN ROAD - DAY Frank is leaning on his rental car with Ryan, thinking. Ryan has a hot Styrofoam cup of coffee, which his hands cradle for warmth. RYAN It's so damn cold up in these mountains. Frank isn't listening. He stares ahead vacantly. RYAN (CONT'D) No luck searching the motels so far, either. Or all those log cabins. Ryan finally notices Frank's expression, and joins his gaze. FRANK'S POV He's staring at the weather vane on top of a church spire. It's cross-shaped with a rooster in the center; CREAKING gently in the cold breeze. Ryan looks back at Frank, concerned. RYAN Are you feeling okay? Frank, not hearing, finally looks at Ryan. FRANK A cross... Ryan looks puzzled, yet interested. He finishes his coffee quickly as Frank opens his driver's door, ducks inside, and takes out a map of the mountains from the glove compartment. He stands up, unfolds the map across the roof of their car, and begins scouring the chart with his finger. Ryan watches with keen interest. FRANK Okay, these are the Cascades... Ryan joins his search, indicating the river. RYAN The river runs alongside the mountains; south to east. Frank's finger stops on a straight part of the river. FRANK The jeep crashed into the water here, but was found... His finger glides upwards slightly, then stops. FRANK ... here. Where Dalton's body was positioned onshore. RYAN And Brian Lyndon was attacked on this cliff. Ryan points to another area further where the river has branched off the to right. FRANK Two locations. Two points. Ryan nods. FRANK There'll be two more murders. Ryan is stunned by the certainty in Frank's voice. RYAN Another vision-thing? FRANK No, the *location* of the deaths are representative of a cross, too. RYAN Well, we can't tell for *sure* from just these two points. There's dozens of places the next two murders could occur to complete a cross shape. Frank nods in agreement. RYAN What we need is a third co-ordinate to calculate the fourth. EXT. LAKE - DAY A beautiful area of water, sparkling in the sun's rays. In the middle of the lake is a small rowing boat, a man seated inside. THE ROWING BOAT The elderly rower, ART CURTIS (60's), is sitting with a fishing rod. He's patiently waiting for his first catch of the day. THE SHORE Art's car is parked just off a small mountain road. The trunk is open, revealing more fishing equipment, together with artistic implements. FEMALE VOICE (O.C.) Arrttiiee! Artie's wife, GLENDA CURTIS (50's), comes into view carrying an artist's canvas and palette. GLENDA'S POV looking at Art's in his rowing boat out in the lake. Art raises his hand in reply. GLENDA I'm just going over to sketch this view! Across the road, okay?! GLENDA'S POV Art waves his response, not wanting to shout and scare any fish away. GLENDA shakes her head at her husband's antics, smiling gently. She walks over to their car's open trunk and takes out a collapsible chair. Glenda moves off with her equipment. THE ROWING BOAT Art's fishing rod WHIRRS as he reels in an empty hook. The bait has fallen off. He curses under his breath, and begins fastening fresh bait to his line. THE SHORE Art's rowing boat is in the b.g., with the car trunk in the f.g. A hand reaches inside the Curtis's trunk... taking out a large knife. EXT. RIDGE - DAY Glenda is making her way down a small incline on the other side of the mountain road. The ridge isn't treacherous, but certainly unstable. She stops on a large empty ledge and begins setting up her chair to begin painting the view. EXT. LAKE - DAY Art is rowing back to shore, annoyed at something. His small vessel glides onto the bank and stops. Art jumps out, carrying his rod and equipment container. ART Glenda! EXT. RIDGE - DAY Glenda is seated and sketching the landscape with a short pencil onto her canvas. ART (O.C.) Glenda! Glenda privately contains her anger at being disturbed. She stops to listen, but doesn't hear any more yells. Slightly perturbed, she continues to sketch. INT. SHERIFF'S OFFICE - DAY Frank and Ryan are showing Matthews and Bryant their map; the two points now marked clearer BRYANT I dunno, Sheriff. I think this cross idea is just confusing the matter. FRANK Mental anguish has manifested itself as delusions to the killer. He's scared, but focused. He craves attention. He needs to communicate something to the authorities, in a way we'd take notice. And it involves crosses... and water. Matthews SIGHS deeply, massaging his face... MATTHEWS It's unacceptable that we wait for him to kill again, just to get a "third co-ordinate" on a map, Mr. Black. RYAN Well he must be sleeping somewhere at night... BRYANT Most likely roughing it in a sleeping bag. RYAN No. He's not on the run, and unknown to locals. He could very easily rent a room, or a trailer, and go unnoticed. MATTHEWS We're checking all the motels and log cabins in the area. So far, nothing. FRANK He works alone. RYAN (to Matthews) A trailer then? MATTHEWS Not in this town. (remembers something) But, uh, a few miles away there's 'Langton's Trailer Park'. You could try there. Ryan looks to Frank. This could be their big break. MATTHEWS (to Bryant) Okay - Dan, take a trip up there. You get along better with Tom Langton than anyone else in town. BRYANT Sure. Frank rolls the map back up. EXT. RIDGE - DAY - A JAR OF WATER which suddenly turns red, as a paintbrush SWISHES around inside, before being TAPPED dry on the rim. GLENDA dips her clean brush into a new color and continues painting. Her canvas shows the beginnings of a wonderful water-color. O.C., behind her, the sound of CRUMBLING ROCK! Glenda shoots a glance behind to see a few small rocks bounce down the incline to land at her feet. A FIGURE looms into view from the mountain road; completely silhouetted thanks to the sun behind him. Glenda is confused: GLENDA Artie? The figure, Jarod, makes his way down the crumbling incline, and arrives on the ridge next to Glenda. JAROD (smiles) Sorry to bother you. This is my favorite spot, too. GLENDA Oh. Really? I can see why. Jarod notices Glenda's painting. JAROD You're very good. Glenda smiles. GLENDA (laughs) Don't humor me. JAROD I'm not, you have talent. GLENDA (smiling) Are you here on vacation? JAROD Yes. I'm leaving tonight, so I thought I'd take a last look at the view before I go. GLENDA I don't blame you. The Cascades are beautiful. My husband and I have-- JAROD The guy in the boat? Glenda stops. Then cracks an embarassed smile. GLENDA Still there is he? Jarod nods his head, not removing his gaze from the view. GLENDA (CONT'D) He loves his fishing. JAROD Shame to think one day it'll soon all be gone. Consumed. GLENDA I'm sorry? JAROD This... (indicates the view before them) The valley, the mountains, the river. Everything. All gone. Purified. GLENDA (nervous laugh) I-I don't follow. JAROD Another Water Baptism is due. It's coming... Glenda nervously shakes her head, laughing slightly. JAROD (CONT'D) ...can't you feel it in the air? Jarod takes a deep breath. JAROD (CONT'D) "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (a beat) I've been chosen as one of the Few. I have the marks of His sacrifice. Jarod looks up at the sky, takes a few seconds to soak in the view. JAROD (CONT'D) It's getting dark. Too dark for a rainbow... Jarod LAUGHS at a private joke. Glenda looks up at the darkening sky, stars faintly visible in the twilight. GLENDA Yeah... Glenda is becoming very nervous. She looks at Jarod, who is just staring straight up. GLENDA Uh, I have to be getting back now. Jarod looks at her. JAROD Sure. I'm sorry to have intruded. Glenda smiles weakly. JAROD (CONT'D) I'll leave you to your painting. Jarod turns and clambers back up the incline to the road. Glenda SIGHS, relieved to have got rid of her unwelcome visitor. She starts packing away her art equipment. EXT. LAKE - EARLY EVENING It's much darker now. The Curtis's trunk is still open. Everything is ominously quiet and serene in the twilight. Glenda walks into view from the mountain road behind the vehicle, carrying her art case, canvas and folded chair. GLENDA Artie! I'm back! No answer. Glenda reaches the trunk and piles her things inside, setting her canvas straight. She then looks out to THE LAKE which is dark and empty. No sign of a boat. Nothing. RETURN Glenda frowns, annoyed and puzzled. CURTIS'S CAR Glenda marches round to the passenger door, and is just about to get inside, when she notices something-- THE HOOD A body. It's Art! His ankles have been crossed, his arms spread wide apart - almost in a sitting position since his upper-body has been positioned up the windshield. Dead and drenched in seawater. Two small knives have been pushed through his palms, tagging him to the car's hood crudely. His mouth gapes open, and there are 'x'-shaped marks around his forehead. GLENDA SCREAMS! She stumbles backwards in shock, and falls to the floor. Eyes wide, and heart pumping with fear! FADE OUT. ACT TWO FADE IN: EXT. TRAILER PARK - DAY The area is a few acres in an empty field, the Cascades clearly visible in the b.g. Dozens of large trailers are parked, along with cars, leaving room for a single dirt track in the center. The perimeter is marked with a low wire fence. A faded sign reads 'LANGTON'S TRAILER PARK.' A police cruiser drives slowly up to the open gate and trundles inside. INT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY Bryant is driving, with Frank in the passenger seat and Ryan in the back, leaning forward to rest on the front-seats. BRYANT (O.C.) It's like a ghost town most days. Who'd take a trailer over a log cabin? FRANK Does Tom Langton own this land? BRYANT Yeah, this whole area's passed down Tom's family tree for generations. EXT. LANGTON'S TRAILER - DAY A few female trailer residents are walking around outside. They all watch the police cruiser as it parks. Langton's trailer is eerily quiet; no sounds of a TV or radio from inside. The cruiser stops and the doors open. LANGTON'S TRAILER DOOR Frank, Ryan and Bryant move up to the door. A small truck is parked outside the rickety trailer. Bryant is about to knock, but the door opens and in the doorway stands TOM LANGTON (50's), a proud-looking Englishman. Langton stares at the trio. LANGTON Yes? BRYANT Just need your help with something, Tom. RYAN We're hoping you keep records of the people who rent your trailers. Langton eyes Ryan a second. LANGTON Of course I keep records. FRANK Can we see them, please? Langton stands his ground, thinking. Eventually he SIGHS in reluctance and walks back into his trailer. Bryant motions it's okay for them to enter. INT. LANGTON'S TRAILER - DAY Langton is bent down, searching through a drawer of books and files. His trailer is quite untidy, but mainly because there's far too many possessions for such small space. Many pieces of strange apparatus are strewn about; a telescope, star-charts, crucifix, models of planets, etc. Frank and Ryan look around, while Bryant seems concentrated on Langton. Eventually, Langton stands with a thick register in his hands. LANGTON Here. Every renter from September '98. Bryant takes the register from him. BRYANT Can we use your table, please? Langton nods gruffly. Bryant is joined by Frank and Ryan as they lay the register out on a cluttered table. FRANK We're only interested in the past month. LANGTON What's this all about? RYAN A suspect in a crime investigation may have rented one of your trailers recently. Langton looks a little surprised but says nothing, just nods in interest. Ryan turns his attention to the register. FRANK (reading) Okay... thirteen customers in the past four weeks. RYAN (to Langton) How many trailers do you have here? LANGTON Twenty. I get about four renters every week. Sometimes more depending on the weather. RYAN That can't bring in much money. LANGTON I get by. FRANK Four trailers are currently occupied. INSERT - LANGTON'S REGISTER the names of thirteen people have been entered, and signed by the renters. Each name has been allocated a trailer number. There is a small column for 'Date Departed' - of which four people haven't entered yet. BRYANT (reading) Rodney Smith, Jason Dorough... Jarod Kinley... and Robert Sago. LANGTON Mr. Kinley already checked out. I forgot to write that one in. RYAN Okay, that leaves three. Bryant nods. All three think the case may be about to close. CUT TO: INT. JAROD'S TRAILER - DAY Jarod sits with a dim lamp as his only source of light. He opens a small leather case, which contain jars. Jarod takes one out and unscrews the lid. The jar now open, Jarod cups his right hand and brings it up, breathing erratically through marginal pain. He places his palm over the jar... Drips of blood from his palm begin to fill the container; a steady trickle of blood. Jarod controls his breathing as he watches the jar slowly fill. As the jar fills, the trailer is slowly bathed with BRILLIANT LIGHT. Growing more intense. Jarod seems not to notice, until the trailer is almost pure white in color. He turns, open mouthed, to see... A LARGE LION barely meters away and ROARING at Jarod. It shows huge white teeth and GROWLS. A ghostly apparition bathed in a blue/white aura... Jarod watches in awe, frightened - yet fascinated - by the vision... he closes his eyes... as his blood continues to flow... EXT. TRAILER SIX - DAY Frank, Ryan and Bryant step out of a noticeably different trailer, disappointed. Langton stands waiting for them. Bryant That's the last one. LANGTON Find anything? Bryant shakes his head. RYAN Where's this other guy in the register? Kinley. LANGTON Gone. Left four days ago. Only stayed for three nights. Nice enough fellow, little quiet. BRYANT Thanks for your help. Langton nods his acknowledgement and the trio move off. He watches them go. Scrutinizing them closely as they leave, before turning back and walking to his own trailer. EXT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY Bryant, Frank and Ryan get inside. BRYANT Looks like we're back to square one... INT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY All three clamber inside and close their doors. FRANK The killer must already have his own trailer, or mobile home. Hiding up in the mountains. Surfacing only to stake out specific areas around the Cascades. Waiting for his victims... then ritualistically killing them. BRYANT Mr. Black, I hate to-- The CRACKLE of a radio transmitter: MATTHEW'S VOICE (V.O.) Sheriff to Deputy Bryant, you there Dan? Bryant grabs the radio, clicking the button. BRYANT (into radio) Go ahead, Sheriff. MATTHEW'S VOICE (V.O.) I got Glenda Curtis with me, found her hysterical in the middle of the road. She found her husband dead on the hood of their car. Bryant looks to Frank. RYAN (to Bryant) Where? BRYANT (into radio) Uh, where's the crime scene? MATTHEW'S VOICE (V.O.) Ridge Road. Near Lake Sheridan. I got officers and paramedics on the way right now. Frank's eyes widen at the mention of a lake. More water. BRYANT (into radio) Okay, Sheriff. We're heading down there right now. MATTHEW'S VOICE (V.O.) Roger that. Out. Bryant dumps the radio and starts the cruiser's engine. EXT. TRAILER PARK - DAY The cruiser kicks up some dust as it turns and leaves at high speed. CAMERA CREEPS UP TO LANGTON'S TRAILER and we notice the net curtain twitch closed. Someone was watching... INT. LANGTON'S TRAILER - DAY Langton stands up from the net curtain. He takes a DEEP BREATH and crosses his body with his index-finger; forehead to abdomen, abdomen to left-shoulder, and left-shoulder to right-shoulder. LANGTON "Not my will, but thine be done." He closes his eyes in praise... and we see small trickles of blood run from his ear-holes and eyes. EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - DAY Bryant's cruiser speeds down the empty road. INT. POLICE CRUISER - DAY Ryan has the map of the area open on his lap. He pin-points Lake Sheridan and circles the area. The map now forms a definite 3-points of a crucifix (missing the left point). RYAN I got it. It's definitely a cross, only missing the left point. He hands the map over to Frank. Frank takes it, as Bryant takes glances between driving. Ryan shines a torch on the map. FRANK That means the next location is up in the mountains. Parallel to the Dalton crime scene. RYAN But that's *away* from the river. Frank and Ryan share a look; both at a loss to explain the sudden change in location. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- Outer space. EARTH on the far-left... as a SUNRISE bursts over the planet's horizon. A brilliance of SUNLIGHT - blinding! EXT. MOUNTAIN SIDE - DAY - THROUGH BINOCULARS the police cruiser turns round a bend, and is then hidden by some trees. Jarod is the watcher. He lowers the binoculars and chews his lower lip, thinking. EXT. LAKE - DAY Bryant's cruiser is parked behind the Curtis's car. Police tape has cordoned off the area. Frank, Ryan and Bryant stand around the Curtis's car hood, displaying the dead Artie in macabre stance. Ryan is sucking on a peppermint. BRYANT My God... RYAN More elaborate this time. He's gaining confidence. Frank nods. He looks at one of ARTIE'S PALMS; which is staked to the hood's metal with a knife. Frank shakes his head grimly. Ryan notices a blood-stain on Artie's side. He lifts his shirt, untucking it from under his belt, and reveals another crescent marking like Dalton's. But underneath 4 numbers have been carved quite neatly - '1222'. RYAN '1, 2, 2, 2'. Is that a date? Twelve-twenty-two? Frank looks unsure. RYAN (CONT'D) No stake through the feet or crown of thorns this time. FRANK I'd like to speak to Mrs. Curtis. Matthews nods. Frank turns and stares out across the lake. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV abrupt sequence of images: -- A SHOOTING STAR! -- A rising tide on a BEACH! -- A RUMBLING as a patch of ground rips apart! Frank looks down, thinking. FRANK (to Bryant) Deputy, is this area prone to earthquakes? BRYANT (shaking his head) No. Why? Frank is clearly disappointed, but simply shakes his head to signal a stupid thought. Bryant turns away to speak with his officers. Ryan steps up next to Frank. RYAN There's more to this, isn't there. Frank looks at him - he catches on fast. RYAN (CONT'D) This isn't just a typical serial-killer we're after. I've spent half my life in the company of religious killings... but this one's different. FRANK The murders are just a way the killer can vent his frustration and anger at something. A disaster of some kind, fueled by personal anguish. RYAN What kind of disaster? FRANK (thinks) The worst kind: earthquakes, floods, storms... he's on a mission to warn us. But people don't listen to preachers spreading apocalyptic warnings. We live in a world where science has become the religion of choice; 'TV Guide' the new Bible. RYAN (sarcastic) But people would take his claims more seriously if he kills people to make his point? FRANK There's a meaning to his madness. Frank takes out his map and shows it to Ryan. The three points have been clearly marked, together with a new fourth marking - completing the cross formation. FRANK This is where he'll kill next. A mountain stream joins the main river almost parallel to where Dalton was found. We need to set him up - lay some bait. RYAN I'll notify the Sheriff and get a team ready. Ryan takes out his cell-phone and starts dialing. Behind them, an ambulance arrives with flashing lights. EXT. TRAILER PARK - SUNSET The trailers are all lit up from inside. Everyone is awake it seems, but nobody can be seen. TALKING is heard O.C. as the CAMERA TRAVELS AROUND SOME TRAILERS before a LARGE CLEARING is revealed, shielded from sight by some strategically positioned cars. Ten people are formed in a close circle (6 women, 4 men). Nobody is older than 33 (apart from Tom Langton), and there are no children present. A CRACKLING campfire is burning in the center. It's a meeting of the trailer park's residents. The leader is Tom Langton. He stands holding a long stick, which he stokes the fire with before looking around at the gathered people. On closer inspection many of the crowd have visible red welts around the foreheads. LANGTON Time grows short for us. For everyone. The authorities will undoubtedly conclude a more spiritual reasoning behind Mr. Kinley's recent attacks. ISABELLA, an Italian woman, stands - her forehead peppered with 'x' marks of congealed blood. ISABELLA Jarod Kinley should never have entered The Fellowship. It was a terrible mistake. Especially so close to the Event. We rushed him. A thin Frenchman, MARC, speaks - we notice he has red sores on his wrists. MARC But he already knew things. He had the Marks... and a gift from God to witness the *last* disaster, as a reminder. LANGTON When they capture Jarod Kinley, which they will, he could reveal our secrets... my family legacy. MICHELLE, a beautiful woman in her 20's, speaks solemnly: MICHELLE I'm not concerned with the police. We haven't done anything illegal. LANGTON Besides shielding evidence from them? (a beat) When the police find out, they would insist on carrying out their investigations. The Event is before us, dangerously close, and we must prepare for the sacrifice. MARC I agree. Kinley never learned of the mine. We should leave immediately. ISABELLA These procedures were planned over 30 years ago. We've waited for decades for this event... it would be insulting to have them ruined by just one man. LANGTON I blame myself for this. I revealed too much to him, too soon. CHRISTOPHER, a man in the crowd, speaks: CHRISTOPHER I vote we leave. Now. Isabella nods, as does other members of the congregation. All MURMURING their approval. Christopher looks at Langton... CHRISTOPHER Your decision? LANGTON (thinks a beat) We leave immediately. The gathered people begin to depart. Eventually only Langton remains. He picks up a nearby bucket of water and tips it over the campfire. SSSSSHHHHH! The fire is extinguished, sending hot ash sparks spiraling into the cold air. The sparks sweep into the night air; almost merging with the night stars. A solitary shooting star darts across the sky. Another sign. FADE OUT. ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. INTERVIEW ROOM Glenda Curtis takes a cup of COFFEE, places it to her trembling lips and forces down a few mouthfuls. She places the cup back on the desk. Frank and Ryan are conducting an interview in privacy. A cassette-recorder WHIRRS, recording proceedings. FRANK Mrs. Curtis, I know this is a terrible time... and I would *never* usually ask for an interview so soon. RYAN But we think this man may attack again. We need your help. A description of anyone you saw that day. Somebody who could have committed this crime. Glenda, although clearly in shock, is confident enough to speak... GLENDA It was him. That man, I know it. FRANK What did this man look like? GLENDA He... he talked to me. Glenda can hardly believe it. She shakes her head in disbelief, disgusted at the whole situation. Grieving and angry. FRANK What did he say? GLENDA Oh he, he just said I was a good painter. Just stood and... admired the view. Then he started sort of... acting strange. RYAN In what way? GLENDA He said something about 'signs'. FRANK What signs? GLENDA That everything in the valley would be gone soon. A... Water... Water Baptism, I think he called it. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- A huge wave SMASHES against a cliff-face! FRANK stares through the vision at Mrs. Curtis, focused strongly. FRANK What was he wearing? GLENDA Uh, jeans - dirty jeans... a black jacket. I... don't remember any-- RYAN That's okay. (a beat) Does the number '1222' mean anything to you? Glenda takes a second to think, but shakes her head: GLENDA No. FRANK (nods) Thank you for speaking with us. Would you mind helping our sketch artist draw the man you saw? GLENDA I don't mind. I... I don't want this... maniac... to go unpunished. RYAN I promise you he won't, Mrs. Curtis. Glenda nods, taking Ryan's assurance as a small comfort, rather than a believable promise. INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT - A XEROX MACHINE delivers the last in a batch of papers. Each one is a sketch of Jarod Kinley - very accurate in detail. Frank takes the final batch and passes them to Sheriff Matthews. Ryan is present. FRANK This is our suspect. I want everyone to familiarize themselves with this sketch, and post them around town. RYAN I've already sent one to the Bureau - and I'm checking the Missing Persons list. Frank nods in agreement. INT. COMPUTER ROOM - NIGHT - A COMPUTER LAPTOP MONITOR shows a police report on a man named 'KINLEY, JACOB C.' A small photograph quickly downloads, showing a slightly younger Jarod - a stereotypical "everyman" type. RYAN (O.C.) Oh my God. Frank pulls up a chair and sits next to Ryan, who is working on a laptop in the police station. FRANK What did you find? RYAN I just got this back from Missing Persons. The sketch Glenda Curtis helped draw up matches a Jarod Kinley. (reading from screen) He worked as a furniture designer in Washington for almost twenty years. Then quit in September '98 after suffering a nervous breakdown, due to stress and overworking. And a medical condition. FRANK What kind of condition? Ryan scans the page further. RYAN Hermatidrosis. A blood phenomenon. (quoting directly) "A 'blood sweat' that occurs only in patients under great emotional stress. Tiny capillaries in the sweat glands break, thus mixing blood with sweat." (a beat) That's the official explanation. But the local Christian community still labeled him a 'stigmatic'. Frank is keenly interested now. He continues reading: FRANK (reading) He would develop wounds to his feet, palms, side-abdomen, and forehead. But nobody ever saw them develop from start to finish; prompting some to believe the infliction's were 'psychosomatic', due to his strict Christian upbringing. RYAN He's actually *willing* his stigmata to appear? By power of the mind? FRANK (shakes head) I don't think so. RYAN (continues reading) Jarod spent six months in hospital undergoing tests, before he escaped from St. John's County Hospital on April 26th. He's been listed missing ever since. Ryan twists round in his chair to face Frank. RYAN (CONT'D) (amazed) Kinley - a recognized stigmatic - rented out a trailer for three nights, and Tom Langton didn't notice anything? FRANK Why rent for just three nights? RYAN Maybe that's all he could afford. FRANK No... he'll be living off his life savings. He could probably afford to rent indefinitely, but he *chose* to leave after just three nights. RYAN Maybe he didn't leave. Maybe Langton just didn't want us to know he was there... Frank considers this; it makes sense. FRANK I'm going back to the trailer park. If Kinley sticks to his formation, he'll be staking out the mountain river. Probably tonight. Get things organized with the Sheriff. Ryan nods in determination. EXT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT Sheriff Matthews is walking to his mountain jeep, brandishing his wide-brimmed hat. Ryan jogs up behind him. RYAN Sheriff! Matthews stops at the door, turning to see Ryan arrive at the passenger side. MATTHEWS Agent Frost, I thought you and Mr. Black were still interviewing Glenda Curtis? RYAN Frank's following up another lead. Where are you going? MATTHEWS Well, this cross formation of yours checks out on paper. So like you asked, I got some teams of forest rangers staking out the mountain river. RYAN Did you find a volunteer to act as bait? MATTHEWS Yeah. Me. RYAN What if Kinley recognizes you? He may have seen you in town. MATTHEWS Does this mean *you're* volunteering? Ryan looks at a loss to answer. MATTHEWS (smiles) Look, I got limited resources right now, Agent Frost - ain't nobody with more experience than me to put his life on the line. Ryan doesn't like Matthews's inference of his cowardice. The Sheriff opens his jeep's door and gets inside. Ryan SIGHS and hops inside, too. EXT. TRAILER PARK - NIGHT Frank's rental car drives up the main track into the park. The trailers are all there, but without their cars. The rental car stops and Frank gets out. LANGTON'S TRAILER Frank knocks on the door. No answer. He knocks again. Nothing. He tries to see through one of the windows, but his view is obscured by a net curtain. He turns and scans the other trailers for signs of life. Nothing. Frank also notices the missing cars. Frank looks around, noticing some dirt tracks leading off from Langton's trailer. His truck is missing, too. He grits his teeth in exasperation. Then notices something else -- Frank jogs across to a nearby area of the park, where a perfect rectangle of dead grass is on the ground. A missing trailer. INT. LANGTON'S TRAILER - NIGHT Darkness. CRACK!! The front door snaps and is pushed open by Frank; the locking mechanism broken. Frank flicks on a small interior light. Frank searches the gloomy trailer quickly... finally noticing the astrological chart pinned to the wall. He takes it down and examines it. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- Earth viewed from space... as a small meteor glides past... the brilliant glow of the sun's rays over the scene. Frank looks puzzled, trying to determine the vision's meaning. A DESK DRAWER is pulled open. Frank picks up the guest register... underneath, an ancient-looking map has been hidden, folded many times. Frank takes it, unfolding it carefully to reveal a large, unrecognizable island. The faded word 'ATLANTIS' has been inked in a tattered corner... FRANK (reading) Atlantis..? His brow wrinkles in confusion. Then he bends down and opens a small refrigerator. Inside are standard foodstuffs... but one compartment is filled with a dozen red jars. Frank picks one up and twists the lid off. He dips his finger inside, rubbing the red liquid between his fingers and sniffing it. Cold blood. A glare of headlights sweep across the trailer! The ENGINE of a car is heard outside, along with the CRUNCHING of dirt. Frank quickly replaces the jar and closes the refrigerator. He accidentally leaves the map on the floor, as he goes to peer out through the trailer's window. FRANK'S POV - THROUGH THE NET CURTAIN He sees Langton's truck pulls up parallel to the trailer. The headlights blink off. EXT. TRAILER PARK - NIGHT Dan Bryant steps out from the truck, noticing Frank's rental car as he does so. He stares around the trailer site... BRYANT Mr. Black!? INT. LANGTON'S TRAILER - NIGHT Bryant steps into the open trailer, noticing the broken door lock. BRYANT Anyone in here? Nobody replies. Bryant notices the unfolded map on the floor. He bends down and picks it up, quickly folding it and stashing it into his coat pocket. FRANK (O.C.) What are you doing here? Bryant wheels round in shock to see Frank, stood against a wall and mostly hidden by a shower cubicle. Bryant breaks into UNEASY LAUGHTER. BRYANT Jeez, you.. wow, you really scared me for a second there... (a beat) Uh, where's everyone gone? FRANK You tell me. BRYANT How should I know? That's why I asked. Frank looks at the map in Bryant' pocket. FRANK Why did you take that map? Bryant fumbles for the map, taking it out. BRYANT I, uh... FRANK Why does Tom Langton have a map of Atlantis in his trailer? BRYANT (scoffs) Atlantis? (glancing at map) Is that what this... this island is supposed to be? FRANK Why are you here? BRYANT I heard you came back up here to talk with Langton, so I thought I'd lend a hand. I dropped Mrs. Curtis off with her neighbors a few minutes ago. We want her to make a full statement in the morning. Agent Frost has gone with the Sheriff to the mountain river as you planned. We should be getting up there, too... Frank nods absently, thinking. FRANK What are you doing driving Tom Langton's truck? Bryant stops. His mind working for an answer... his hesitation suspiciously slow. Frank loses patience: FRANK Just tell me what you know, Deputy. It's obvious you know where all these people have gone. Bryant's face eventually collapses in defeat. BRYANT I-I can't say. Really. FRANK (angered) There are three people dead already. Do you, as a man of the law, want their lives on your conscience? Bryant looks annoyed now, too. BRYANT This has *nothing* to do with the river murders, Mr. Black. FRANK You know who killed those people, don't you? You know Jarod Kinley. BRYANT Okay, I know him... yeah. I spoke to him once while he was here. FRANK What did you talk about? Bryant can't keep up the pretence any longer... BRYANT (a beat) You want the truth? Okay... the trailer park's a cover, Mr. Black. It's a meeting place. Bryant bites his tongue; but decides to continue: BRYANT (CONT'D) This entire area's belonged to a group known as 'The Fellowship' for the past three decades. Jarod was probably urged to come here by a Fellowship member while in hospital - to cure his stigmata. FRANK Where's Langton? Bryant looks uneasy at the question. EXT. MOUNTAIN RIVER - NIGHT A small river pours down the mountain, between two high inclines. The mountain river joins the main river at its foot, far in the distance. The steep inclines to either side are covered in thick forest. A strong rope bridge spans the treacherous water. EMBANKMENT A FISHERMAN is sitting on a case, dangling a rod into the water. He's wearing a black waterproofed coat and floppy hat. An easy target it would seem... ...but on closer inspection an ear-piece can be seen inside the man's ear...and it's revealed the fisherman is actually Sheriff Matthews in disguise. EAR-PIECE VOICE (V.O.) Unit six. No sign here, Sheriff. FOREST BASE CAMP Ryan Frost and three Forest RANGERS are camouflaged by dark coats and hats. Some radio equipment has them linked to Sheriff Matthews's ear-piece and the rangers out in the forest... RANGER #1 We could be in for a long wait, Agent Frost. RYAN (wryly) Plenty of fish for him to catch, I'd have thought. The rangers CHUCKLE, as they continue their surveillance. INT. RENTAL CAR - NIGHT It's starting to rain. Light drizzle splashes across the windshield as Frank drives. Bryant is handcuffed to the hand-rail in the backseat, extremely nervous and flexing his cuffed hand in pain. He begins sweating as he conceals his emotions, glancing at Frank in the rear-view mirror. A drop of blood runs onto the handcuff's metal from his palm, and drips onto the backseat upholstery. BRYANT (breathing erratically) They'll kill me for this. Nobody should know about the mine! We're not trespassing, anyway... Tom Langton inherited that mine from his father. FRANK Withholding evidence from police is a crime. You know that. BRYANT There are some things that are more important than the law. *You* know that. FRANK I saw a missing trailer back at the park. Kinley's. He stole his trailer and Langton didn't report it missing. BRYANT (laughs) He wouldn't. We don't agree with Jarod's actions - in fact, we deplore them - but if Kinley was ever found before completing this "formation" of his... he'd likely reveal valuable information. Secrets that we'll all be taking to our graves. Bryant grimaces and looks at his other (left) hand. A deep red circle has appeared on his palm; like a welt. Blood has pooled in the wound. FADE OUT. ACT FOUR FADE IN: EXT. MOUNTAIN FOREST - NIGHT A parked car turns its lights out. The door opens and Jarod Kinley steps out into the dark forest. He surveys the area, breathing in the moist air calmly, before taking out a map from his coat pocket. Jarod unfolds the map. From the interior-light of his car, we see that his map is very similar to Frank's -- three points of an imaginary cross have been marked (as an x inside a circle) across the mountainous landscape. A fourth point has been only been circled... until Jarod quickly crosses the circle with a pen. A spatter of blood drips across the map, quickly mixing with the rainwater. Jarod reaches up to wipe away some blood which is running from underneath his hairline. He sweeps away his hair, revealing some nasty-looking welts. Jarod grimaces and scrunches up the map in anguish and renewed vigor. INT. MINE SHAFT - NIGHT An opening to a small abandoned mine, which has been cut into the side of a mountain. Boarded planks have been removed, and a dozen cars are parked outside. Frank's rental car creeps up to the entrance and parks quietly. INT. RENTAL CAR - NIGHT Frank tugs the handbrake on, and twists round in his seat to talk to Bryant. The Deputy is leaning against the back door, sweating with pain, his hands covered in blood which has now stained his sleeves. Frank reacts, shocked - but Bryant wearily smiles. BRYANT Don't worry. Not a pretty sight, but I've had worse. FRANK How does this happen? BRYANT I was chosen. I don't know why. None of us do. I'm an atheist... (laughs at his words) Well, I *was*. The Fellowship revealed so much to me. We're not bad people, Mr. Black... we believe we're doing mankind a favor. Saving the world. Sacrificing ourselves for the Grand Cross's judgment. FRANK Grand Cross? Bryant nods, taking a deep breath... BRYANT Jesus died on His cross 777 meters above sea-level. A planetary alignment of a cross will be at its greatest influence tomorrow - July 9th, 1999. Exactly 777 years after the first stigmatic bled. Frank looks puzzled. Bryant notices and elaborates: BRYANT Four planets will align to form the four points of a cross, with Earth in its center. A celestial sign from God. Some say the magnetic influence of those planets, added to the natural repulsion of the Earth's magnetic field, will cause a "pole shift" of the world. If true, entire countries will be wiped out as the location of the North and South poles change. The very face of the planet will be forever altered. It's an event that appears in numerous religions... only occurring every 12,000 years. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV -- A huge TIDAL WAVE rising in the distance! Frank reaches across and begins uncuffing Bryant. FRANK And this alignment will cause floods... BRYANT The last pole shift - 'The Water Baptism' - is more commonly known as 'The Great Flood'; the disaster that Noah survived in his Ark. God chooses these times to judge His creation on Earth... and decide their fate. Bryant' cuffs are unlocked and his hands fall onto his lap. He breathes a sigh of relief. Then studies his bloodied palms. BRYANT He really does work in mysterious ways. Frank opens his door to get out. EXT. RENTAL CAR - NIGHT Frank steps out into the rain and opens Bryant's door. Bryant weakly steps outside. Frank helps him to his feet. FRANK Can you walk? BRYANT (uneasily) I'm fine. Frank looks in the direction of the mine, eager and unsure. FRANK Are we too late? Bryant looks up at the rain-filled sky for a few seconds. BRYANT No. Langton knows the *exact* time The Fellowship should sacrifice themselves - based on prophecies... astrological charts. Jarod Kinley knows the time, too. Bryant is helped along by Frank as they both set off for the abandoned mine shaft. EXT. FOREST - NIGHT Jarod is making his way through the wet forest. The mountain river on his immediate left... EXT. RIVER EMBANKMENT - NIGHT Sheriff Matthews is still seated with his fishing rod in hand. He has a small transmitter concealed in his sleeve, which he talks into: MATTHEWS Any sign yet? RYAN'S VOICE (V.O.) Nothing yet. EXT. FOREST BASE CAMP - NIGHT Ryan is speaking into his small microphone: RYAN (CONT'D) We've got a lot of ground to cover. But he'll be here. He's come too far to stop now. Ryan's radio CRACKLES. The two present Rangers fiddle with some dials, until another voice comes over loud and clear: MALE VOICE (V.O.) Unit three to base. We have movement. MATTHEW'S VOICE (V.O.) Where? EXT. FOREST - NIGHT Two more rangers are nestled behind a tree - one with BINOCULARS, the other with a radio transmitter. In the b.g. the silhouette of Jarod can be seen moving between trees... parallel to the river... TRANSMITTER RANGER In the forest, about two-hundred meters from your position. We're on the north side... so he'll need to cross the rope bridge to reach the Sheriff. RYAN'S VOICE (V.O.) Keep an eye on him, but don't make the first move until I say. TRANSMITTER RANGER Roger that. Out. He switches his radio off. INT. MINE CAVERN An old elevator RUMBLES down a small shaft. It reaches the bottom and its metal grate is pushed aside. Tom Langton steps out into the cavernous lower-level. The whole cavern is filled with the trailer park's residents: The Fellowship. Each member is sittting, or kneeling on the floor. Most in pain from bleeding wounds; foreheads showing welts in the shape of crucifixes, sore-looking wrist welts trickling blood down forearms... Langton holds both palms up, watching his own blood slip down his arms. LANGTON (weakly) Not long now everyone. Langton takes out a small plastic bottle from his coat and undoes the top. He tips out a small white tablet - a cyanide pill. Marc, slumped against a wall, speaks: MARC Is everyone here? LANGTON Deputy Bryant hasn't returned yet. Isabella, cradling her bleeding head, stares up at Langton... ISABELLA He may have been seen destroying the trailer park. Perhaps being questioned. MARC His teachings were brief, so has little to reveal. He'll know what to do when the time comes. Langton keeps his tablet, but passes the bottle to Isabella. LANGTON Pass these around to everyone. Isabella takes the bottle, as Langton stumbles to the ground in pain. He rocks in agony as his bleeding grows worse. Intense pain fills his face, as blood streams from his eyes. INT. MINE SHAFT - NIGHT Frank and Bryant have entered the mine. Some tracks, once carrying mine carts loaded with coal, presumably, line the floor. Bryant looks much worse now, his bleeding more severe. Including 'x'-shaped markings around his forehead. He stumbles to the floor. BRYANT Leave me here. You'll never change their minds. There's no time. It's over. FRANK I can't let them die. Bryant WHEEZES in pain, clutching his forehead with bloody hands and entering a fetal position. Despite Bryant's need for medical attention, Frank chooses to continue into the shaft. Bryant's eyes wince with pain as he leaves. ELEVATOR SHAFT Frank reaches the deep shaft. Looking down he can only see pitch darkness. LOW GROANING from people drifts up from the depths. Frank finds a nearby control panel and presses the green button. Age-old machinery CREAKS into life. INT. MINE CAVERN The Fellowship's members are more subdued, almost blind with pain and suffering now. Langton is the most conscious... and sees the elevator begin to rise into the air. Watching through eye-slits of blood. EXT. ROPE BRIDGE - NIGHT Jarod arrives at the rope bridge that spans the rushing river. He looks up into the rainy night sky. A shooting star passes silently overhead. He smacks his lips in nervous anticipation. Then he notices something - the "fisherman" sat at the edge of the river. Jarod looks confused. FOREST BASE CAMP Ryan and the rangers can see Jarod on the rope bridge. He speaks into his transmitter: RYAN All units, all units: suspect is on the north-end of the rope bridge. Converge on target when he crosses to the south-end - not before. Jarod moves slowly across the bridge; looking in turn at the fisherman and the night sky. He checks the time on his watch. Impatient. INT. MINE CAVERN The elevator reaches the ground, and the metal grate is swept away. Frank enters the cavern and is stunned to see eleven bleeding people strewn around the floor; most in various states of consciousness and pain. Others dead. He notices Langton and moves over to him quickly. Langton opens his eyes and sees Frank, CHUCKLES weakly. LANGTON I... I thought you were Deputy Bryant. You shouldn't have come here. FRANK You don't have to do this. LANGTON I've lived my entire life in pain. I contemplated suicide for years... until my father explained why I have these wounds. What I have to do... in order to save humanity. FRANK This is madness. You all have a blood phenomenon called hermatidrosis. I'm *sure* it can be treated in time. Langton smiles at Frank's naive, but good intentions. LANGTON No. Time is not on our side. It ends tonight unless we act... as the inhabitants of Atlantis discovered to their cost. Frank looks annoyed, as if yet again religion is determining a man's fate... and there's nothing he can do... LANGTON The Lost Civilization of Atlantis. The Grand Cross pronounced judgment on their island... some 12,000 years ago. They were deemed unworthy, and their island perished as the Ancient World was consumed by great floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions... (a beat) But our civilization will survive... thanks to sacrificial faith. God will judge us worthy when we atone for the millennia of past Sin. (a beat) The Age of Aquarius beckons... Before Frank can act, Langton quickly pops his cyanide pill into his mouth... and closes his eyes, which almost seal shut with blood. Frank surveys the dying or dead members of The Fellowship around him. EXT. ROPE BRIDGE - NIGHT Jarod is standing in the center of the bridge, staring down at the thundering water below... as it pours downhill to the distant main river. He makes the sign of the cross on his body. EMBANKMENT Sheriff Matthews is watching. He speaks into his microphone: MATTHEWS (confused) He's stopped on the bridge. FOREST BASE CAMP Ryan is listening to the Sheriff via his ear-piece. He replies: RYAN (into transmitter) Okay, I want units one and two on either side of that bridge. EXT. ROPE BRIDGE - NIGHT Jarod has his eyes closed. Waiting. His wet face has lines of blood running down it from his hairline as he breathes. Preparing. RUSTLING is heard O.C., but Jarod doesn't hear it. At either end of the rope bridge a team of rangers appear - guns aimed. Sheriff Matthews takes off his fisherman's hat and stands up from his position. Moving off to join his men. FOREST BASE CAMP Ryan and the two rangers are watching the activity high on the bridge. RYAN Let's go! All three leave their equipment behind as they reach inside their coats for their weapons. EXT. ROPE BRIDGE - NIGHT Jarod is unaware of the growing number of lawmen on either side of his bridge. He stands, eyes closed, as the bridge rocks steadily in the wind. RYAN (O.C.) Jarod Kinley!! Jarod snaps "awake", and turns to notice Ryan on his right-side, stood with the Sheriff and some rangers. All have their guns drawn. RYAN Come on, Jarod. It's over. Jarod shakes his head. JAROD'S POV instead of seeing the lawmen... he again sees a vision of A LION sitting at the end of the rope bridge, bathed in a blue/white aura. The beast stares straight at him through hypnotic feline eyes, a low GROWL emanating from deep within its throat... Jarod trembles, swallowing his fear. He turns to his left, to face more assembled rangers on the rope bridge's end. JAROD'S POV and instead of seeing the rangers... he envisages a small white lamb, softly BLEATING to him, bathed in a yellow/white aura... RYAN (O.C.) Jarod? Ryan looks annoyed at the lack of co-operation Jarod is giving them. Suddenly, there is TALKING amongst the rangers. Ryan turns to see them all staring up at the sky. Sheriff Matthews turns to follow their line of sight. MATTHEWS Holy... Jarod looks behind... up at the night sky. A large STAR is growing brighter and brighter... getting nearer and nearer to them. Jarod smiles; months of waiting and worrying is almost over... he turns back round so the star is behind him again... The rangers are all fascinated by the sight, only half-concentrating on Jarod. Above them, the star grows brighter... moving nearer, faster... Jarod steps closer to the edge of the rope bridge. He looks down at the rushing water. He spreads his arms apart, imitating Jesus Christ's position on the cross. Blood drips from his forehead and runs down his arms and face. Behind him, the star/meteorite grows closer.... and closer... until.... SSSWWWOOOSSSHHH!!! It THUNDERS over Jarod's head, relatively low, and quickly EXPLODES into the side of a mountain a few miles away. A distant RUMBLE is heard from the crash site. The rope bridge rocks quietly from the disturbance in the air. The rangers had all taken cover on the ground as the danger neared... a few start getting to their feet, confused and shaken. Ryan quickly gathers his senses and turns to see... Jarod, still making the shape of a crucified man, as he leaps off the bridge. RYAN JAROD!!! Jarod looks totally at peace... lost in concentration... JAROD (weeping to himself) Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? ... as he dives off the bridge... and sails through the air without changing his stance. After a few brief, silent, seconds... SPLOOOSH!... he disappears into the churning water. Silence. INT. MINE CAVERN The cavern ceiling is crumbling! Great chunks of rock and remnants of coal fall from the roof and SMASH onto the floor. Stones have fallen across the dead bodies of everyone. Dirt covers their bloodied corpses. Frank is shielding his head as he rushes to the elevator. He gets inside and presses a button. INT. MINE SHAFT Frank rushes down the small mine's opening. The whole mine seems to be collapsing around him. He reaches Bryant, who lays on the floor, covered in dust. Frank quickly pulls his body over, revealing his face: serene and at peace now. Frank checks his pulse... it's stopped. More of the mine shaft's ceiling CRUMBLES. Frank gets up and runs for safety. EXT. MINE SHAFT Frank runs out of the mine as the entrance CRUMBLES! He's covered in a thin layer of gray dust, face blackened. He turns back to face the mountain, wiping his eyes clean. A small crater has embedded itself in the side of the mine; piles of rubble covering the mine's entrance. A lucky escape. He SIGHS in relief. EXT. RIVER - NIGHT The dead body of Jarod Kinley is hauled onshore by four rangers. His face is ghostly white from the cold... eyes lifeless and pale blue. There are no signs of stigmatism on his forehead anymore. A legend INDICATES: July 9, 8:46 AM It's still raining, but not as heavily. Ryan and Frank move forward as Jarod's body is loaded on to a waiting stretcher. Frank's face has been cleaned up, although his clothes are still dirty. RYAN His wounds... they've gone. Frank reaches out and turns over Jarod's hand, revealing a perfectly normal palm; no bloody welts. RYAN (CONT'D) We failed. Eleven people died in Langton's mine... and Jarod completed his formation. (a beat) D'you think he's found peace? FRANK I think so. Jarod's stigmata ruined his life. He couldn't deal with it, didn't understand it. He thought God was punishing him for something. And when he began having visions of Atlantis's destruction... he found short-lived solace with Tom Langton's group. They sympathized with him, and revealed their plan... but he couldn't handle their sacrificial beliefs, so he renounced his faith and rebelled against religion. Against his "curse"... and God's Judgment. RYAN Which didn't happen. This Grand Cross formation didn't cause a... a pole shift, or anything. FRANK Maybe God judged us worthy at the last minute. Who's to say that meteorite wasn't going to be much larger before The Fellowship's sacrifice...? (looking up) ... or that this rain wouldn't be more heavy? Jarod is loaded into a waiting ambulance and the doors SLAM shut. Matthews steps forward. MATTHEWS (to Frank) The cavern in the mine has completely caved in. That meteorite caused one hell of a landslide. You're lucky to have gotten out in time. Frank nods absently. Ryan smiles politely as Matthews leaves the scene. RYAN I still don't get what the numbers carved in Art Curtis's body meant. Twelve-twenty-two? Frank smiles to himself. FRANK In the year 1222 the first case of stigmata was recorded. In Canterbury, England. (focuses on Ryan) The bearer... was a Stephen Langton. Ryan is stunned. Frank turns and leaves. Ryan is left alone to consider the recent events. He stares out across the glistening river... to see a MAGNIFICENT RAINBOW arching over the snowy mountain peaks. FADE OUT. THE END