Episode 12: The Lure - V3 (script)
EXT. EERIE WOODS OUTSKIRTS - EVENING 1
The eerie woods are characterized by a maze-like layout of trees and a thick layer of mist. Every so often when the wind blows the leaves rustle in the trees, and there is a random array of owl and crow calls in earshot, echoing through the otherwise silent air.
The crew enters the forest, tired from the day’s journey. The only people talking are Lola and Aiden, bickering profusely as everyone else is forced to listen.
LOLA
No, you’re wrong!
AIDEN
Am not!
LOLA
(challengingly stares at Aiden)
Are too!
AIDEN
(reciprocates the stare)
Am no--
NADIA
(exasperatedly waves her hand between them)
Okay! Does it really matter if he’s right?
LOLA
Yes! He’s lying--
Aiden attempts to argue again, but Nadia quickly sends a withering glare at him, warning him to drop it.
LOLA (CONT’D)
He said he saw a raven. That’s a crow!
AIDEN
You’re insane! How could you possibly think that’s a crow! It was clearly bigger with a curved beak--
Aiden points behind him at where he saw the bird.
LOLA
You just described a crow, dipshit!
AIDEN (CONT’D)
(ignoring Lola)
--Which means that it’s a raven!
LOLA
You’re just factually incorrect. I mean--
(turns to Pala)
You saw the crow, right? What d’you think?
PALA
(Hesitantly)
I didn’t see it…
Lola glares at Pala.
LOLA
You’re not helping.
Pala, in an attempt to steer the conversation away from the argument, turns away.
PALA
It’s getting dark. I believe there’s a town at the end of these woods, but that’s a couple days' journey.
Nadia sighs.
NADIA
We’ll just have to set up camp for the night, then.
LOLA
(pointedly)
We would’ve been there if someone hadn’t slowed us down.
AIDEN
I’m not slowing you guys down, I’m just thinking.
Aiden moves to face Lola.
LOLA
You? Thinking? With that puny brain?
AIDEN
At least I have a brain!
LOLA
Oh yeah? At least I have a—
Nadia rushes to stand between the two just as Lola starts stalking over to Aiden.
NADIA
Alright! Let's calm down.
AIDEN
She started it.
Lola
Nuh-uh. You’re the one who started it with your ravens.
The two start incisively talking over one another, trying to get the other to admit that they started the argument, and refusing to admit it themselves.
RYUJI
(assertively)
Quit your bickering. Do I need to sit you two down?
Aiden vehemently shakes his head while Lola lowers her head, though briefly sending a scathing glare at Aiden.
Ryuji redirects his attention to the whole crew.
RYUJI (CONT’D)
Now, let’s find that shelter——my feet are aching.
The crew trudge slowly, with Lola the only one not really trying to search for shelter. Pala squints and steps ahead of the group as Nadia gives Ryuji a look of gratitude.
PALA
(calling out)
Hey, I see a cave over there.
Pala points to the cave off screen. The camera pans over to the small cave, the height and width about the size of a small van.
Lola rushes past everyone running towards the cave, intentionally stepping on Aiden’s foot in the process.
AIDEN (O.S)
Ow! my bloody foot... (whispers) you bastard.
LOLA
(unapologetically)
Oops. Didn’t see your foot there, Assden.
Aiden chases Lola off screen. Pala reluctantly follows to scout the cave as a possible shelter.
NADIA
(groans)
One day… we’ll get peace and quiet around here.
Cut to Aiden holding a canteen of water above his head, out of Lola’s reach.
AIDEN
Aw, is little ol’ Lola too short? Whatever will she do next?
LOLA
I’ll kick your sorry-ass! That’s what I’ll do.
AIDEN
You’re in the same boat as me, dumbarse!
LOLA
(scoffs)
That doesn’t matter to me. I’ll beat you anyway! (pulls up fists)
NADIA
(nervously)
Hey, reel it back.
AIDEN
(pulls up fists)
Bring it on, Rakefire.
The two ignore Nadia and move closer, stance ready to spar.
NADIA
Stop it!
They pull apart and their eyes widen at Nadia.
NADIA (CONT’D)
(stuttering)
I- I didn’t mean to yell.
Nadia rushes off, as everyone else is silent in a moment of awkwardness.
RYUJI
Well, uh, why don't you two get some firewood.
Aiden and Lola walk out of the cave as they faintly argue. Pala slowly creeps out of the cave behind them.
Ryuji walks up to Nadia as she sits down on the floor playing with Poulp in her hands. Ryuji sits right beside Nadia.
Fade in:
EXT. DEEPER IN THE EERIE WOODS - DUSK 2
Aiden and Lola are searching through the forest trying to find some firewood. Aiden is taking charge, collecting firewood as Lola is dilly-dallying with a handful of damp sticks and picking up small leaves that look interesting.
There is sparse wind, and sporadic crow and owl calls in the background. A thin layer of fog is in the air, concealing the forest beyond 50 feet.
LOLA
Hey dunce, we’ve already collected enough sticks.
Aiden briefly turns to look at the small pile in Lola’s hand. Glaring at her, he turns back around and continues searching.
LOLA
Well?
AIDEN
(scoffs)
Is there moss in your brain?
That wood ain’t gonna light.
Lola stares at Aiden. Aiden rolls his eyes.
AIDEN
It’s damp.
LOLA
(exasperated)
How was I supposed to know that?
AIDEN
It’s common knowledge. That is if you’re not some pampered princess.
(under his breath)
Like you.
Lola throws her sticks on the ground and marches up to Aiden.
LOLA
I ain’t no damn princess, Assdien!
AIDEN
Well, you’re oblivious to the world.
LOLA
At least I do shit in battles! Unlike you with that sharpened stick you call a knife.
AIDEN
Your shit gets us into battles!
LOLA
Battles are what we signed up for!
AIDEN
I didn’t sign up to be picking up feckin’ sticks with you! I bet you’ve never had to work a day in your privileged little life!
LOLA
You don't know shit about what I've been through and you don't know shit about me!
The crows and owls stop making noise and can be seen in the background flying away.
AIDEN
Judging by how you carry yourself I know damn bloody hell who you are. You’re a spoiled princess, babied by your family, then ran away when life became too hard.
Lola’s eyes go wide for a moment before furrowing quickly to glare daggers at Aiden.
AIDEN
(smugly)
Ooh, I struck a nerve. Was that too accurate for you?
LOLA
I-
A loud crack of a branch is heard among their heavy breathing, making them freeze. Their eyes widen as they quickly look around them.
LOLA
(whispering)
That wasn’t you, was it.
AIDEN
I thought it was you.
The shadow of a large wendigo slowly lurks over the two of them.
Cut to:
EXT. CAMP - DUSK 3
Ryuji and Nadia are sitting next to each other. Nadia fiddles with a gold locket, as Poulp climbs back onto Nadia’s head.
NADIA
I still remember them, all of them.
She opens the locket briefly, but not shown to the camera, then closes it shakily.
NADIA (CONT’D)
(sardonic chuckle)
And I still remember when they left.
Nadia takes a deep breath, though it’s shaky on the exhale.
NADIA (CONT’D)
D’you think we’ll still be together. Even after it all ends?
RYUJI
They’ll figure out how to work together. Have some faith in them.
A loud shot echoes through the forest, causing the two to jump in their seats.
NADIA
(shakily)
That was Lola, wasn’t it.
RYUJI
Breath… I’m sure she’s fine. Aiden too.
Gunshots echo 4 more times in quick succession. The two quickly stand up.
NADIA
They’re in trouble! We need to find them.
Nadia starts running in their direction. Ryuji motions to Pala off screen and the two run after Nadia.
Fade into:
The clearing where Aiden and Lola were in is now empty, only covered in trampled leaves and various sticks scattered. Footsteps fade into the low level fog and the camera’s low angle reveals Lola’s hat on the ground.
The group appears in the background.
NADIA
There! That’s Lola’s hat!
The group rushes over to the hat on the ground. Nadia picks up the hat, with the camera following it and pans out on the group. Ryuji inspects the ground near Lola’s hat.
RYUJI
(murmurs to himself)
There’s bullet shells on the floor.
Pala walks ahead of Nadia, looking for tracks on the ground. He squats down when he finds one of Lola and Aiden’s bootprints.
PALA
Hey, I found some prints.
Nadia leans back on a tree with her hands on her head.
NADIA
They’re… gone. The-the monster got them.
(pause)
I- I failed.
RYUJI
The monster didn’t get them—
WENDIGO (O.S)
(mimicking Aiden cutting of Ryuji)
-almost cost us our lives.
NADIA
It’s them, I gotta go.
Nadia bolts off towards the wendigo.
RYUJI
(muttered)
Oh , no.
Ryuji rushes after Nadia, leaving Pala behind.
Fade in:
EXT. IN THE WOODS SOMEWHERE - DUSK 4
Nadia is alone, walking frantically in the woods. She nervously fiddles with her locket and shivers with anxiousness. Ryuji catches up to her
NADIA
It’s my fault. I shouldn’t’ve let them go alone, not when they’re fighting like that.
RYUJI
No-no-no it’s not your fault, I was the one who told them to collect some wood.
NADIA
But I could've told them to stay or could’ve gone with them!
Nadia sighs, clutches her locket, and holds it to her heart.
NADIA (CONT’D)
(wistfully)
There’s always something I could’ve done. Always something. I don’t know.. Maybe I should’ve talked to them more. Focused on their issues instead of mine. But it’s hard, you know.
RYUJI
That doesn’t mean that their fighting is your fault, though.
NADIA
Maybe. But it would’ve saved them. My other crew.
(wistfully laughs)
Who knows…
Nadia opens the locket, briefly looking down at the picture of her old crew inside.
NADIA
You know, I so badly wanted them to like me. All of them. And we had a blast, don’t get me wrong.
Nadia closes the locket.
NADIA
But I could never get them to stay. No matter how friendly I was.
RYUJI
Maybe that’s the problem.
NADIA
What do you mean?
RYUJI
I think you focus so much on making sure you were liked, that you were afraid of becoming hated.
NADIA
But-
WENDIGO (O.S)
(mimicking Lola)
At least I do shit. . .
NADIA
It’s Lola! I gotta go.
Nadia’s eyes widen and she frantically searches for “Lola,” her head jolting around.
Ryuji grabs Nadia’s arm.
RYUJI
I don’t know what you’re hearing, but somethings off.
Nadia breaks out of Ryuji’s grasp.
NADIA
I can’t fail them again.
Nadia starts to wander in the direction of the last mimicry. Ryuji walks beside her trying to snap her out of the trance.
Fade In:
EXT. NEXT TO A CLIFF - TWILIGHT 5
Lola and Aiden are out of breath and slow down near a cliff. The fog has risen slightly and there is minimal lighting. The two of them take their time to catch their breaths before intensely glaring at each other. The arguments pick back up.
LOLA
I think–
Aiden covers her mouth, and Lola’s glares. Aiden puts a finger over his mouth to get her to be quiet, then peers around the tree from where they came.
The camera follows Aiden’s line of sight, and hangs there for an earlier second, zooming in slowly into the woods as the fog is more noticeable and not a single sound in earshot, before cutting back to Aiden.
AIDEN
(whispering)
You gotta be quiet; it’s still lurking around.
Aiden removes his hand from Lola’s mouth. She scoffs.
LOLA
(whispering)
Do that again, and you won't have a hand.
Aiden rolls his eyes. Lola shivers in disgust, before trying to walk back into the direction they came.
AIDEN
(whisper-yelling)
What are you doing?
LOLA
(whispering)
That’s the thing I fought before! I was really close; I think I could beat it now.
AIDEN
You can’t just walk up to it and expect to shoot it to pieces!
LOLA
Why not?
AIDEN
(sighs)
It can’t see well, so it relies on its hearing to pinpoint your gunshots. And then you’ll be dead.
LOLA
So what? You want us to be sitting ducks out here?
AIDEN
We’ll be dead ducks if we go back!
Aiden points in the direction from whence they came. The camera quickly pans to follow, revealing Pala standing there.
PALA
Oh, there you guys are.
Aiden and Lola jump at the sight, with Aiden yelping and Lola merely gasping at the jumpscare.
PALA (CONT’D)
Come on, we gotta meet up with the others.
AIDEN
(shakes his head adamantly)
There’s no way I’m going back with that thing still out there.
LOLA
(chuckling)
You scared?
AIDEN
What? No. I just refuse to be eaten tonight.
(grumbles to self)
Of course it had to be nighttime when it’s hunting.
PALA
(shaking their head)
Fine, I’ll just go back and tell them I found you.
PALA quickly looks around and finds a small cave opening, hidden behind some vines and branches. He ushers the two into the cave.
PALA (CONT’D)
Just stay here. And try not to kill each other.
Pala exits the cave, leaving the two glaring at each other.
Cut To:
EXT. IN THE WOODS SOMEWHERE - NIGHT 6
The fog has reached knee-height. Nadia is visibly shaking as she starts to speed up her pace. Ryuji tries to keep up with Nadia as she mumbles.
RYUJI
Please, listen to me. They’re not there.
Ryuji quickly looks around at the trees, all of which look the same.
RYUJI (CONT’D)
We’re getting more lost.
NADIA
I heard them and I need to check to see if it’s them.
RYUJI
But their footprints went the other way.
WENDIGO
(mimicking Lola)
SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!
Nadia visibly jumps and Ryuji’s eyes widen when he finally hears the Wendigo’s mimicry. Nadia turns back to face Ryuji.
NADIA
(distraught)
I know you don’t believe it, but if there’s any chance that it’s them, I’ll do whatever it takes to save them.
Nadia sprints off into the forest, disappearing into the rising fog. Ryuji, shaken from the realization, takes a second to realize that Nadia is gone again.
Ryuji takes off into the fog, but quickly realizes that he’s lost Nadia, and slows down to a brisk walk. He calls out to Nadia several times, but there’s no reply. He tries to keep his calm, yet his eyes dart quickly around the forest.
WENDIGO (O.S)
(mimicking Nadia)
It’s them.
He turns around to look behind him at the direction of the sound, and when he turns back, runs right into Pala.
On instinct, Ryuji pulls out his sword, but eases when he realizes it’s Pala.
RYUJI
(Relieved)
Oh, it’s just you.
PALA
(confused)
Yeah… I found Aiden and Lola.
RYUJI
Well, I lost Nadia.
The camera pans to the vast, foggy forest. Ryuji finds Nadia’s footprints, only to find that they abruptly end with no sign of Nadia anywhere.
RYUJI (CONT’D)
And I have no clue where she is.
Cut To:
INT. CAVE TUNNEL - NIGHT 7
The cave is near pitch-black. The only sounds are Lola and Aiden’s footsteps and water dripping in the background. The two are awkwardly pacing around in the entrance of the cave tunnel. Lola, getting more fidgety and tired of the awkwardness, scoffs and walks further into the cave.
AIDEN
What the hell do you think you’re doing?
LOLA
Looking for the creature, obviously.
Aiden looks at Lola in disbelief.
LOLA
Ok, you said that it can’t see well and that it hunts at night.
AIDEN
Yeah, so?
LOLA
That means it has to stay somewhere when it’s light outside. Therefore, it spends time in dark areas, like a cave.
Aiden rolls his eyes and moves to block Lola’s path.
AIDEN
No, we’re supposed to stay here, not wander off.
LOLA
Stop being such a worrywart. I’ll just check it out and come right back.
AIDEN
But—
LOLA
Do what you want, I’m going.
Lola starts to head off into the cave, unperturbed by the darkness.
AIDEN
(To himself)
Fecken Hell.
Aiden storms off after Lola, reaching into his pocket to grab a lighter. It barely lights up the walls of the small cave, but he quickly catches up to Lola, who is strolling casually. Lola notices Aiden, and smugly smiles at him
LOLA
Couldn’t handle being alone?
(chuckles)
This is fun though, isn’t it? Going on an adventure, possibly finding treasure…
AIDEN
No! We have to get back now!
LOLA
Oh, relax.
Aiden grabs her arm and pulls her to a stop, facing him.
AIDEN
No. Everywhere we go, you wander off. Everytime!
LOLA
It’s not that big of a deal.
AIDEN
It is if you get hurt. Or die.
LOLA
(wryly)
Well, I’m still here and kicking.
AIDEN
Yeah, but what happens if Pala or Nadia get hurt looking for us? You always jump ahead and get yourself in trouble, and then we have to suffer the consequences.
Lola weakly scoffs, but listens more intently to what Aiden is saying at the mention of their friends.
AIDEN (CONT’D)
And you always get away with it, getting reassurance instead of a scolding. No matter what you do. And all because you’re the baby of the group.
LOLA
Well, you just sit there and scoff at everything I do, everything I stand for. At least everyone else makes me feel like a part of the team. You never let me do anything! It’s like you don’t trust me to do even the simplest of tasks.
AIDEN
That’s ‘cause I don’t trust you! How can I trust you if you always let the team down! Always.
LOLA
I-
AIDEN
(quieter, but punctuated and forceful)
You never take any criticism, you never change, you never even realize that you’re the one to bring the team down. You only care about yourself, regardless of if you hurt others.
(throws arms out in frustration)
And here we are, probably lost in some bloody cave, ‘cause you didn’t think about the consequences.
Aiden takes a deep breath to calm his anger.
AIDEN (CONT’D)
Whatever…let’s just get back.
LOLA
(softly)
Okay.
They start heading back, walking into a different, larger cave tunnel. As they continue walking, they pass by more and more bones and partial skeletons scattered around.
LOLA
(looking at a skeleton)
I don’t remember this.
Lola leans down and picks up a human femur covered in teeth marks.
LOLA (CONT’D)
Are you sure this is the right way?
AIDEN
What? I was following you.
LOLA
Shit.
They start speeding up their walking as the realization of being lost dawns upon them. They pass more piles of bones and skeletons, ignoring them completely.
Eventually, they spot light coming from a small hole in the cave wall, about half the size of Lola. They crawl through, with Lola having to pull Aiden through.
They breathe out, and look out to see a large cavity filled with skeletons and various vines and leaves. Their eyes widen as they hear a large being approach the cave. They quickly duck behind a large boulder.
The wendigo walks past Aiden and Lola with Nadia’s unconscious body draped over its shoulder, then placed on the ground before making its way towards a pile of bones.
LOLA
(slightly panicked)
When did she get captured?
Aiden gives Lola a look, to which she becomes sheepish.
AIDEN
We have to get her out of there.
(trails off)
We need a plan…
Aiden fidgets around trying to come up with a plan as Lola watches in horror at the Wendigo approaching Nadia again.
LOlA
We have no time.
Lola grabs Aiden by his shoulder, forcing him to look at her.
LOLA (CONT’D)
I know I haven’t proven myself to you, but right now Nadia is in danger and we have to trust our instincts. I have an idea, but you have to trust me.
Aiden takes a breath and nods. Lola reaches over to a nearby bone. She grabs Aiden’s arm and jumps up from behind the boulder, quickly throwing the bone as far away from Nadia as possible. The bone clatters against the far cave wall, a thundering echo grabbing the Wendigo’s attention.
They sprint at the opportunity. Aiden grabs Nadia, shaking her awake; She only stirs. Lola looks back at the Wendigo, who’s crudely investigating the noise.
LOLA
(to herself)
Come on, Nadia. Wake up.
Realizing there’s no time to spare, Lola starts trying to lift Nadia up, Aiden quickly helping. They get Nadia on her feet, which causes her to stir back into consciousness.
The wendigo finishes its search and turns back around to see the three at the opposite wall. Lola picks up a bone.
AIDEN
Run!
Nadia stumbles a little, but the three manage to sprint out of the cave. Lola tosses the bone at a pile of loose boulders, partially covering the cave exit.
Continuous:
EXT. JUST OUTSIDE THE CAVE - NIGHT 8
The camera shakily follows the three running away from the cave. They are pushing any loose trees and foliage behind them as they run. The Fog is thigh-high at this point with the moonlight being the only light source. They spot Pala and Ryuji, grabbing their sleeves to urge them to run with them.
LOLA
Guys, run!
PALA
What are we running from?
AIDEN
It’s called a Wendigo.
RYUJI
(realization)
I bet it’s the one that was making the sounds.
LOLA
Well, it’s the same cryptid we’re after. I fought it a while ago.
PALA
(looks behind them)
Wait, slow down.
The team slows down, catching their breaths behind a large tree.
PALA (CONT’D)
So, explain everything because it seems like I’m the only one out of the loop.
LOLA
So we found Nadia in this weird cave lair after exploring it—
AIDEN
Unwillingly -
LOLA
Yeah, whatever, but I chucked a bone to distract it and we sprinted out.
PALA
(to the team)
Oh…this gives me an idea…
The team, though sullen, nods in readiness and agreement. Ryuji notices that Nadia is shaken.
RYUJI
(softly)
What’s wrong?
NADIA
(remorseful)
I- I messed up.
RYUJI
It’s ok.
NADIA
No, I could’ve hurt them.
RYUJI
(emphasized)
It’ll be ok.
PALA
Are you ready?
NADIA
Yeah. Let’s do this.
Cut To:
EXT. DEEP IN THE WOODS - NIGHT 9
Nadia is alone surrounded by foliage and waist-high fog. She hums a song to herself as the ruffle of surrounding leaves become louder and more erratic.
NADIA
(to herself)
Here goes nothing.
(to Poulp)
Hold-on little guy.
Nadia goes through some bushes making noise to attract the wendigo. It catches the wendigo's attention and chases after Nadia as she runs away.
Pala puts a thumbs up. Aiden and Pala start to make loud noises of boulders, wood, and water colliding with each other making so much noise you can't focus on any noise.
The wendigo stops for a second then it continues to follow Nadia, who is still running.
Nadia starts to slow down as she’s losing her stamina, the wendigo starts to catch up to her. But as the wendigo does, Lola’s revolver goes off, and the bullet wizzes by the wendigo.
The wendigo looks at where the bullet came from, and sees Lola. Then, the wendigo looks back for Nadia, but Nadia is gone, hiding behind a rock, so it runs after Lola.
Lola runs toward the meeting point, and after a couple of moments, she fires her revolver back towards the wendigo, slowing it down.
Cuts to Pala and Aiden moving from their location where they were making noise.
Lola catches up to the spot where she’s supposed to. There is a huge cliffside with no way to escape.
Once the wendigo gets into position, Ryuji pops out of his hiding area roughly between the wendigo and lola. Nadia comes out with her blunderbuss aimed at it, Pala with his bow aimed, and Aiden approaches Ryuji’s opposite side, leaving the wendigo at the center of the team.
Ryuji and Aiden start attacking the wendigo aiming for a non-lethal blow as Pala sinks a couple arrows into it, Lola fires her revolver at the wendigo’s arms when it’s mid attack. Nadia deals another blow as the mini cannonball flies into the wendigo square in the chest, knocking the wind out of the wendigo.
Ryuji is unable to get a good capture as the wendigo flails its arm chaotically. He tosses the amulet to Aiden and jumps onto the wendigo to hold it down.
RYUJI
I can’t hold it for much longer!
Aiden rushes to the wendigo and activating the amulet, captures it as Ryuji lets go.
AIDEN
Gotcha!
Fade to:
EXT. 10
The group is walking with Nadia a little behind. They’re exhausted, but in great spirits.
LOLA
That was crazy! I mean, throwing the bone - which was disgusting by the way - and even collapsing the cave.
She laughs heartily.
LOLA (CONT’D)
I definitely knew what I was doing.
Lola jokingly nods as the others laugh alongside her. The camera shifts to Nadia wistfully watching the crew.
AIDEN
(semi-sarcastically)
Well, you couldn’t have done it without me.
LOLA
(teasingly)
Oh yeah, well you didn’t come up with the plan.
Nadia jumps in worry and clutches onto her locket, anxious that another fight will break out, but Aiden laughs. Her shoulders release some tension.
AIDEN
That’s fair.
(pause)
We did good.
Lola beams and continues on another tirade. As her voice fades, Nadia realizes that she’s accidentally clicked open the locket. She looks at the picture inside, then looks up at the mirror image of the team compared to her old crew. She smiles and closes the locket, placing it inside her shirt before rejoining the team.
