EXT. OUTSIDE CHARLIE’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Three days later Charlie Morrisson is on his way home from school when he notices a police car outside the apartment block. His mother is escorted out of the house in handcuffs by two police officers while a third remains in the ground floor apartment

Charlie enters the apartment through his bedroom window. He pulls his legs inside but knocks over a toy spaceship made of Lego that he had been building. The teenager retrieves the disc and tosses it through the window. By now the policeman had opens the door but Charlie opens the window wider and jumps through it head first. He puts the disc in his school bag and starts to run.

Charlie runs in the direction of Jacob’s house. Once there he rings the doorbell. Charlie is sweating profusely and breathing heavily. Almost a minute later Jacob answers the door.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Can I come in?

JACOB: Of course. I’m just cooking dinner.

Charlie enters and closes the door after him.

JACOB: Are those bullies still after you?

CHARLIE MORRISON: No,it’s worse. They reported me to the Police. I think they’ve told them that I’m a changeling.

JACOB: What are you going to do now?

CHARLIE MORRISON: I don’t know. Derren Blanchflower knows that we know each other. This is one of the first places they will come to. Maybe you know somewhere we can go to. Do you have an old girlfriend or work friend.

JACOB: Nobody who likes me enough to want to help me. I have to say that it doesn’t look good. Our only hope would be to escape to a remote part of the country where no one knows our name. As long as it doesn’t get reported in the press we should be fine. I’ll get together as much cash and essentials as I can. The dinner will have to wait.

Ten minutes later Jacob reverses his car out of the driveway and drives away. When they are outside the city, Jacob glances at Charlie’s school bag.

JACOB: Are you planning on catching up on your studies.

CHARLIE: The main reason I brought it is because there is a disc inside.

JACOB:What’s the importance of the disc?

CHARLIE MORRISON: It’s explosive, trust me.

An hour later they stop at a diner to eat.

As the cashier, named Carrie Ann accepts Jacob’s cash payment she notices his and Charlie’s picture flash up on the screen. His heart sinks.

CARRIE ANN: I wish you all the best. I hope that President gets what’s coming to him. It’s all bullshit if you ask me. Camera tricks. Take care now.

Charlie goes to the restroom and they agree to meet at the car. Jacob sits into the vehicle, a twelve year old Ford car, and keeps an eye on the clock. Five minutes later, a Police car pulls into the parking lot. A police officer climbs out of the car and enters the restaurant. Jacob panics and drives away.

A short distance later Jacob pulls the car in to the side of the road. He removes the disc, places it in an envelope and places some stamps on it. He drives to the nearest letter box and posts it to an specific address. After driving for a short distance Jacob encounters a road block. He comes to a stop, resigned to his fate.

INT. SUBMARINE MEETING ROOM - NIGHT

Several CIA Members hold a debriefing Meeting aboard submarine

LIEUTENANT HASKELL: 38 YEARS OLD, SIX FEET TALL, LEAN AND FIT LOOKING, SHORT FAIR HAIR, BROWN EYES, WITH A SCAR ON HIS LEFT CHEEK

CAPTAIN STEINHAM: 42 YEARS OLD, SIX FEET TWO INCHES TALL, FIT LOOKING, SHORT DARK HAIR, BLUE EYES, WITH A WEATHERED COMPLEXION, NEVER LOOKS HAPPY.

LIEUTENANT HASKELL: OK Men, by now you should know the drill. In half an hour we will make our way to the beach which is ten miles from Hanswala’s residence. Our intel tells us that Hanswala will have less than three hundred men guarding his palace. We have forty but we will have the element of surprise and once we attack we will have air support. We will attack in two groups as you know. One group under me and the other under the Captain. We also hope to have the backing of up to two hundred rebel soldiers. Have you any words to your men Captain Steinham?

CAPTAIN STEINHAM: You’re here to do your job. Nobody better let me down. You know I don’t like yellow bellies or turncoats, so lets do this and do it right. Look alive.

The subordinates (In unison): Yes Captain sir.

EXT. BEACH OF FOREIGN COUNTRY - NIGHT

Captain Steinham and his men are only a little over a mile away from the target when Steinham uses his radio transmitter

CAPTAIN STEINHAM: General Utka, there is no sign of any air support.

GENERAL UTKA: It’s on its way Captain. You have nothing to worry about.

CAPTAIN STEINHAM: And the rebels? Are they on their way also because I don’t see them.

GENERAL UTKA: I'm lead to believe that is dark there Captain. Perhaps they are right under your nose.

LIEUTENANT HASKELL: What is it Captain?

CAPTAIN STEINHAM: I hope I’m wrong Lieutenant but I fear our superiors have sold us down the river. There is no air support as yet and there are no rebel soldiers.

LIEUTENANT HASKELL: What do you suggest Captain?

CAPTAIN STEINHAM: I suggest we fall back. My instincts are that this is a trap. Utka and myself have history. I don’t think he cares what happens to us and doesn’t want to admit a u-turn. The Mahalian Government must have come to a last minute agreement and given the Mahalian Government free reign to deal with us. Utka would betray his own mother if it suited him.

LIEUTENANT HASKELL: (in a whisper) Fall back.

CORPORAL EDSON: Sir, the submarines have left.

From a height, overlooking the beach, two large searchlights are shone down on the CIA operatives. Gunfire follows. Steinham successfully aims for the seachlights and shoots them out, but the gunfire continues. He is wounded in the left shoulder. The shooting continues.

INT. FORT OXDALE PRISON - MORNING

Jacob Standler opens his eyes. It is morning. 8:01am. He can hear a baton tapping against the prison bars by Prison Officer Dickinson.

PRISON OFFICER DICKINSON: SIX FEET ONE INCH TALL, 38, DARK HAIR, BLUE EYES, CAUCASIAN, STRONGER AND FITTER THAN AVERAGE. ALWAYS CARRIES A BATON CAPABLE OF ADMINISTERING AN ELECTRIC SHOCK 

PRISON OFFICER DICKINSON: Rise and shine sunshine (as he unlock Jacob’s cell).

The prisoner stands to attention.

Dickinson enters the cell and approaches the convict.

PRISON OFFICER DICKINSON: Do you think you’re worthy to stand in front of me, boy.

As he says this he administers an electric shock with one of his batons.

PRISON OFFICER DICKINSON: Kneel. On your knees now.

Jacob kneels before him

PRISON OFFICER DICKINSON: Not quick enough (as he administers another electric shock)You’ve been here three months Standler and in that time you have been one of the most irresponsible, ill-disciplined convicts I have come across in my entire life. Soon you will make the long walk to the electric chair. Then boy, you are going to get what you richly deserve. Don’t cry too hard thinking about it.

Dickinson continues as he gives the prisoner, several belts with his baton.

DICKINSON: It’s on days like this that I have faith in God, a just god that is sending you straight to hell

EXT. FOREST NEAR CHARLIE’S HOME TOWN - DAY

Charlie Morrison ventures to the small stream in the middle of a forest. He puts his hand in the stream and captures a tiny fish. He throws back the fish and clasps his two hands into a cup-like shape and drinks some of the water from the stream.

At 2:45pm Charlie who is in a clearing, hears someone coming and hides from sight

SYLVIA: 18, DARK SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR, BLUE EYES, FIVE FEET FOUR INCHES, SLIM BUILD, CLEAR COMPLEXION, ATTRACTIVE

SYLVIA: I know you’re there Charlie. I heard you.

Charlie emerges from his hiding place

SYLVIA: I brought you some food.

Charlie accepts the food with some relief.

SYLVIA: I want to run away with you Charlie

CHARLIE MORRISON: What about my mother and your parents?

SYLVIA: I don’t like my parents. You know they’re separated. My Dad expects great things of me.. I can’t remember the last time I was with either of them and thought this is fun. This is exciting. I just want to get away from it all.

CHARLIE MORRISON: I can’t abandon my mother.

SYLVIA: She has been taken away. There is no way you are going to see her again. Everyone is talking about it. Some of them even turned on me. I don’t want to stay here.

CHARLIE MORRISON: We wouldn’t get very far without money and food.

SYLVIA: I know where my Dad keeps his secret stash.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Come on Sylvia that’s stealing.

SYLVIA: If you plan on running away, you’ve got to be willing to bend the rules a little.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Even if we do run away it won’t be hard for the Reapers or the authorities to find us. It’s only a matter of time.

SYLVIA: Get with it. If you run there is a chance. If you stay there isn’t. If you want to be locked up for the rest of your life, injected with chemicals that fry your brain or be executed then go ahead. Personally I’m not intending on staying around here much longer.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Ok. I’ll give my mother a few days. If I’m certain she’s not coming back then we will have no choice in the matter.

Day Three

SYLVIA: Charlie I heard that you were almost caught last night. Why did you go to check on your Mother when you know it’s a lost cause?

CHARLIE MORRISON: She is important to me. I can’t just forget about her.

SYLVIA: All I’m saying is that we have to be smart. For all we know they might start to scour the forest looking for you. You can’t do it again or they definitely will

CHARLIE MORRISON: I’ve I’m leaving this town. I suggest we leave tomorrow

SYLVIA: Now you’re talking sense.

Day Four

Charlie hears the sound of footsteps.

Derren Blanchflower, and Leiv Erdinger approach with smiles on their faces

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: 18, SIX FEET THREE INCHES TALL, TATTOOS, STRONGLY BUILT, TIGHT HAIRCUT, BROWN EYES

LEIV ERDINGER: 18, SIX FEET ONE INCH, THIN FRAME. NOT STRONG LOOKING, LONGER THAN AVERAGE HAIR.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: So this is where you’ve been hiding, Morrison.

LEIV ERDINGER: Yeah, its not exactly the Ritz is it. Plenty of ventilation though.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: We’re going to inform the authorities of your whereabouts. Just like we informed on you and your mother. I bet that the authorities would be very interested but first we’re going to have a little fun.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: What’s the matter Morrison? Cat got your tongue?

Once again Charlie does not respond.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: You look hungry. You look like you haven’t eaten in a week. I’ve got something for you.

Derren stoops down and picks up a clump of grass mixed with some twigs with his left hand.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: Here eat this

Derren pushes the foliage towards Charlie’s mouth. Charlie tries to close his mouth as tightly as he could but Derren tries to force it open with his right hand.

SYLVIA: Leave him alone, Derren Blanchfart

Derren has his back turned to Sylvia.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: Or what? We’re not in school anymore. Now you play by my rules. I’m not afraid to hit a girl when nobody’s looking now am I. Especially when that girl is changeling scum, like Morrison here.

Derren turns around to see that Sylvia is holding what looks like a gun.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: Ok, Ok, don’t shoot.

CHARLIE: Sylvia, things are bad enough, without you killing these guys

SYLVIA: They’re pathetic human beings. What difference would it make? If the authorities get hold of us they’re going to execute us anyway.

Derren drops to his knees and holds his hands together.

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: Please don’t kill me, please

SYLVIA: I brought some rope. Go on and tie them up.

Charlie proceeds to tie both of them to a tree

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: I bet that gun isn’t even loaded anyway.

SYLVIA: Do you want me to test it out?

DERREN BLANCHFLOWER: I will come after you, the both of you. I will hunt you down and when I do, I will make yours a slow and painful death. Mark my words.

SYLVIA: This makes it all the more tempting to kill you now, Blanchfart while I have the chance. (before turning to Charlie) Are you ready?

CHARLIE: Yes I’m ready, but don’t do it. He’s not worth it.

Sylvia pulls the trigger. Derren shuts his eyes but finds himself being sprayed with water from the mouth of a water pistol. Sylvia and Charlie cannot help but smile.

Sylvia turns and picks up her rucksack.

Derren starts to change form, into a beast that is even larger and stronger looking with green and yellow skin.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Run

SYLVIA: Follow me

They run through trees and bushes. After running as fast as they can for several minutes, they entered a clearing and Charlie can see a car in the distance. Sylvia is almost at the car when Charlie falls. The creature towers over him, making a screeching noise.

A gunshot wounds the creature on the arm. The beast hesitates, looks around and sees three men with shotguns approaching. It turns and runs back into the forest.

Three hunters approach Charlie.

White haired man: Beard, 60, large belly, five feet 8 inches, wearing a red and black chequered shirt with blue jeans and braces.

Man with peak cap: 6ft, 52, thin wearing a blue and yellow checkered shirt and cream chinos

Man with thinning red hair: Quiet, 58, five feet five inches, two stone overweight, worn shoes

WHITE HAIRED MAN WITH BEARD: Are you alright son?

CHARLIE MORRISON: Yeah, I’m ok.

WHITE HAIRED MAN WITH BEARD: What was that? I’ve never seen anything like it.

CHARLIE MORRISON: It could have been a changeling?

MAN WEARING PEAK CAP: I never even thought one of those things existed

Man with peak cap lights a cigar

Sylvia puts her rucksack in the car and now re-joins Charlie and the group of men who have saved them.

WHITE HAIRED MAN WITH BEARD: Are you alright?

SYLVIA: I’m alright. Thanks so much for your help but we better get going.

MAN WEARING PEAK CAP: Are you in some kind of trouble?

SYLVIA: I’m sorry but we better get going.

Both Charlie and Sylvia start to move towards the car.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Tell me you didn’t pay more than five dollars for that heap of junk

SYLVIA: This heap of junk is going to get us to safety. I couldn’t drive my dad’s car or they’d catch us for sure. You can walk instead if you like. If you’re going to be moaning the whole time it would suit me better. Or perhaps I could tie you to the rear bumper and give you some roller skates.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so abrupt. I’ll take what I can get.

The car is quite rusty, the doors are stiff and there is a musty smell inside.

CHARLIE MORRISON: I hope it’s insured.

SYLVIA: Insured? We’re on the run from Reapers and you’re worried about insurance? This vehicle wouldn’t pass a roadworthiness test for sure. I bought it from Micks Garage. He was going to get it crushed. It’s probably uninsurable. As long as it gets us out of this country and to safety I won’t care.

Sylvia turns the key in the ignition and it manages to get going.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Who would have known that Derren was a changeling?

SYLVIA: Now that we know, it all fits. I always thought there was something suspicious about him.

CHARLIE MORRISON: Where are we headed anyway?” he asked.

SYLVIA: Mexico. Anywhere is better than here. If you have some bright ideas, feel free to suggest them. Once we have a set of wheels and money for food and fuel we should be alright.

After driving for six hours, Sylvia pulls into the car park of a cheap hotel.

The hotel itself is in a state of ill repair.