INT. LINCOLN HIGH-DAY
The sound of typing and keyboard clacking fills the room from students rushing through their work on the school laptops. AUDREY KAI, an 11th grader an anxious student who hides behind a thinly veiled, 'polite' demure personality, sits in the back of a full classroom. Audrey is visibly frustrated with the amounts of work she's currently doing. MR. HENDERSON a teacher with a sour attitude who feels his job is beneath him speaks from behind his desk.
MR HENDERSON
We have a test this week that's based off everything we've done this marking period, including the work we're going over now. Make sure to review what we've been doing.
Audrey speaks out in frustration.
AUDREY
But we just took a test last Friday, and STAR testing is next week. Isn't the amount of work were being handed a little overboard?
Mr Henderson looks up from the set of papers he has in his hands with a motion of slight annoyance.
MR HENDERSON
I'm sorry. Audrey remind me what your grade is again?
The classrooms attention all turns to Audrey. Audrey stutter's as the room seemed to dim and the walls looked as if they were closing in.
AUDREY
"I... what?"
MR HENDERSON
"This is high school, Audrey. A few test shouldn't do you or anyone else in here any harm. Especially someone with a GPA like yours."
Audrey falls silent and her breath quickens. She looks down at her hands when the eye contact becomes unbearable.
MR HENDERSON
And you are a high-schooler correct? Audrey?
Mr Henderson's voice becomes dark and has an echo to it. Audrey becomes more uneasy as the voice continued to repeat her name. She didn't dare to take her eyes off her hands.
STUDENTS AUDREY.
Audrey is startled from the sound of all her classmates simultaneously calling her name but she keeps her eyes on her hands.
STUDENTS
AUDREY. AUDREY. AUDREY. AUDREY. AUDREY"
AUDREY stop.
STUDENTS
AUDREY. AUDREY. AUDREY.
AUDREY "STOP!"
Audrey finally looks up from her hands only to notice no one is in the classroom. She looks around confused before gathering her stuff to leave. She walks to the door but is stopped by the sound of a slow droning knock at the room window. She turns to it and sees a shadow has appeared outside behind the window shade. The slow droning knocking continues. Audrey slowly walks toward the window. She is in touching distance of the shade. As she slowly reaches for the shade, she hesitates. She moves her hand closer never taking her eyes off of the shadowed figure. A voice faintly calls her name.
UNKNOWN Audrey.
Audrey ignores it as she is too focused on the shadow behind the window shade.
MR HENDERSON "AUDREY!"
Audrey spins around to see the students and Mr Henderson back in their seats where they were before. They are staring at her confused as to why Audrey was standing near the window
MR HENDERSON
What are you doing?
Audrey is confused. She scrambles to answer, but then runs out the classroom.
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY-DAY-SAME
In the school hallway are Audrey's friends RAVEN and DIANA. They are talking as Audrey scurries past them to her locker.
RAVEN
(to Audrey)
Audrey is it true? Are you quitting the tennis team?
AUDREY Yes.
DIANA
I told you.
RAVEN
Audrey, you shouldn't quit the tennis team this could really help you when picking for college
AUDREY
Raven i told ya'll I don't want to attend college anymore. Besides my GPA score is enough to get me a good enough job after i graduate high school anyway.
DIANA
Audrey what is going on with you? You have been acting really...I don't know, different lately. Is this about Halley?
Audrey pauses and turns to them with a bit of tension.
DIANA
"I... look I don't mean to bring her up and all i just want you to know were both here for you and-"
AUDREY
I'm fine, Diana. This isn't about Halley i told you i'm over that. now can we please talk about something else?
DIANA
Ok. Did you hear that Mitski is playing at the...
Audrey pulls her things from the locker and walks off. Her friends look at each other and then walk away. FADE
INT. COUNSELORS ROOM-DAY-SAME
Audrey sits in the chair across from her counselor, MRS PEARL, a relaxed but no nonsense woman in her mid 40's.
AUDREY
I think i'm starting to drive everyone away"
MRS PEARL
Is it because of your friends recent death?
Audrey looks over to Mrs. Pearl then to the floor as she contemplates if she should reveal what is on her heart. She breathes deep and speaks.
AUDREY
I think...I know... I'm a witch.
Audrey let's out a sigh of relief as she reveals her truth.
AUDREY
I believed i was cursed, My mother always told me about my grandmothers obsession with demon worshipping. Which is why my mom cut ties with her. And how my mom swore she had done
something to her while she was pregnant with me. so i guess I'm destined for this stuff.
MRS PEARL
Audrey. the only thing you are destined to be is what you want to be.
AUDREY
But I've been.. seeing things. I mean really seeing them. Sometimes I think I can see her. Other times I see things that remind me of her and causes weird stuff to happen. Like my vision and mind are being toyed with."
MRS PEARL
How often do you see these things?
AUDREY
Mostly when i'm in my science class. The one with Mr Henderson. I think its because that's where I told her off.
MRS PEARL
Is the reason you see her there because you feel guilty?
AUDREY
I think so.
MRS PEARL
You should know that there was nothing you could do to have stopped her, Audrey.
AUDREY
But I could have talked to her. Find her someone to talk to.. or at least believed her when she came to me. Instead I insulted her and drove her away because I was scared of what others would think of me.
Audrey tears up a bit and wipes her watery eyes.
AUDREY
What am I supposed to do? I think I'm cursed.
MRS PEARL
Remember what I told you, thoughts become things. If you think you're cursed, you will be. Where you put your energy is what will grow.
Audrey silently gives Mrs. Pearls words some thought.
MRS PEARL
Well, since you report on seeing things i might have to talk to your parents about getting you a normal professional psychiatrist since i'm not allowed to diagnose you with much according to the school. But for now you have to confront those negative emotions and guilt. That's the only way you will overcome them. Your a strong girl, Audrey and i know you can pull through.
Audrey nods as she thinks deeply about what she has been told.
FADE TO:
SCHOOL HALLWAY'S-DAY-SAME
The bell rings. The students of the school are quickly and happily exiting the school building. As the students exit, the sound of students dissipates, but then we hear the footsteps of three. Audrey Raven and Diana comes around the corner and make their way to Mr. Henderson's classroom door.
The three enters the class through the unlocked door.
RAVEN
Remind me why we're risking this again?
AUDREY
Raven, I know how this sounds, but trust me, these visions are real. I think doing this is the only way I can make this vision torment stop.
RAVEN
You're going to put yourself into a trance to confront Halley. This does sound crazy, but we're your friends so..we'll pull through.
AUDREY
You know what to do?
DIANA
Yes if it seems like your in danger we bring you out the trance instantly. just please be careful ok? We are here for you Audrey.
Both friends nod and sit in their positions. Audrey breathes silently as she sits in a chair.
AUDREY
This was Halley's chair.
Audrey breathes as she feels the air get cold and her breathing become icy. when she opens her eyes she's in front of the classroom door. she enters and its the classroom again except its empty and dimmer. She feels chilly as she walks around the classroom. feeling the desk and chairs until she stops at the familiar knock on the classroom window.
She walks towards it slowly and hesitantly. When she is close enough she lifts the shade. She sees her old friend Halley standing on the other side of the glass but she is facing backwards. Halley's head turns back slightly and Audrey lets go of the shade and jumps back startled. Taking a deep breath she lifts it again but this time Halley is facing the window and her face is bloody with scars. Audrey is startled even harder by this and yelps as she drops the shade and walks back only to trip over a chair and onto the floor. Looking back up she Sees Halley but she is now on her side of the shade. Walking from beneath the shade, she slowly rolls up from her head revealing her bloody face again. Audrey gets up to run but stops when she gets up to see herself and Halley sitting in their seats.
Audrey is standing watching her past self speaking to Halley's past self.
PAST AUDREY
I don't want to hang out anymore, Halley.
PAST HALLEY
Are you seriously believing what those other girls are saying?, the whole school is against me and now you? We've been friends since the 5th grade Audrey!
PAST AUDREY
Halley i don't wanna do this right now ok. I already told you I don't wanna hang out anymore"
PAST HALLEY
I.. just wanted to talk to you Audrey.. please I don't even have my mother to talk to anymore. Why wont you believe me?"
Past Audrey looks away from Past Halley. Tears run down both their faces but neither say anything. Past Halley grabs her stuff and leaves sobbing.
Audrey yells at her Past self.
AUDREY
No... don't let her go, chase after her. HEY, LOOK AT ME!
Audrey tries her best to get her past self's attention but its to no avail.
HALLEY
Saddening isn't it?
Audrey turned to see the bloody face of Halley, who was still present and now talking.
HALLEY
Took you til i was gone to start believing me, huh?
AUDREY
No.. i wanted to believe you.. I...I did believe you but-"
HALLEY
Yet you cast me out like everyone else and treated me like trash. How is that believing, Audrey?
Audrey started to tear up once more and Halley walked forward slowly causing Audrey to back up as well until she was against the table.
AUDREY
I was scared of what others would think of me if I still hung out with you. I always believed you its just...
HALLEY
It's too late now, Audrey. I'm gone now. And now we'll both have to live with resentment and pain because you believed a few rumors over your own best friend.
Halley turns around and walks away towards the classroom door.
AUDREY
Halley wait!
Audrey tries to chase after her but is stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist. its Mr Henderson but he seemed hollowed and looked demonic.
DEMONIC MR HENDERSON
What are you doing Audrey?
Other students appeared around Audrey and they also seemed hollowed as well. they all gripped onto Audrey and started pulling her away from where Halley ran.
AUDREY
"NO!, let me go!, Halley come back!"
Audrey screamed and struggled to try and get out of their grasp but they dragged her towards the desk and threw her over it. they all tried to keep her from escaping but Audrey kept kicking and shaking her arms around. Eventually Audrey got the upper hand and escaped their grasp. She breaks out and tumbles to the floor before finding her footing and begin running from the class as the possessed students chase her like rapid animals.
Audrey reaches the hallway and the sounding echos of her friends are heard, screaming at her to come back. Audrey was determined she could get to Halley and continued to chase after her, following her into a nearby staircase. Halley
enters the doors to the staircase and tries to leave but Audrey finally caught up to her, closing the doors behind her and locking it. The possessed kids are banging on the doors, trying to get in as best as possible.
AUDREY
Halley wait!
Halley stopped midway after starting to walk up the staircase and turned to Audrey.
AUDREY
I'm sorry Halley! I know what i did was wrong I should have been there for you. Instead i let my own image blind me from what was truly important to me, and that was you, it's always been you. Im so sorry Halley...
Audrey began to sob and Halley's eyes soften. the students continued banging on the door.
AUDREY
let me save you, Halley...
HALLEY
It's too late to save me Halley.. but you can save yourself... and the relationship you have with the others you care about..
Audrey smiles slightly through her teary eyes. guilt began to fade from her chest and she slowly felt at ease. peace was then interrupted as the hollowed students broke through the door and started to grab onto Audrey trying to pull her away. Screaming, Audrey reaches out her hand for Halley. Halley grabs onto her hand and pulls Audrey from their grasp and into a desperate hug. and everything went silent.
CUT TO:
INT.
MR. HENDERSON CLASSROOM-DAY-SAME
Audrey gasped as she finally awoke from her vision and back into the real world. Her 2 friends hugged her and made sure she was okay. All 3 of them relieved she was back.
RAVEN
Did it work?
AUDREY
Yeah.. i think it did.
They all smile and hug each other.
INT. CLASSROOM-DAY
Audrey is in Mr. Henderson class typing away. The bell rings. The students pack their stuff and leave. As Audrey is making her way to the door. Mr. Henderson calls out to her.
MR HENDERSON
"You seem happier today, Audrey"
AUDREY
Guess i'm just excited for the weekend."
Suddenly there is a thud from behind the window. Audrey walks over cautiously and then quickly lifts the shade. We see Halley, and she smiles innocently at Audrey, showing her finally being in peace. Audrey smiles back at her, before closing the shade and walking away.