EXT. DESERT ROAD AT NIGHT —
We see a lone car traveling down the road. Music blaring from inside.
INT CAR —
Inside is a young man singing to the music on the radio.
YOUNG MAN (SINGING)
Its the end of the world as we know it. Its the end of the world as we know it. And I feel fine.
EXT.
We see a tree branch fall into the road in front of the car. The car swerves narrowly missing it.
INT CAR LOOKING OUT WINDSHIELD —
YOUNG MAN
What the duece?
There is a loud banging noise and the car starts to shake. the driver grips the wheel tighter and ahead in the road we see a gigantic clawed foot stomp down in the middle of it. The driver slams on the brakes and cuts the wheel, the car narrowly misses the foot which has now raised up and set down a bit further away, stopping at the side of the road.
YOUNG MAN (CONT'D)
What the hell is that?
At that moment we see through the side window what looks like a gigantic tail with large spikes protruding from it. It smashes into the car and tosses it like a rag doll through the air and into the side of a tree. The car slides down the trunk crashing on its side.
CUT TO
Stephen Martin is driving down the road towards the Weaver ranch. His phone rings, he answers.
STEPHEN
Hello gorgeous. I'm on my way. I should be there in about 20 minutes. Got held up at the clinic. The boys brought us another pet.
Through the windshield we see the tree branch in the road and off to the side we see the wrecked car.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Oh my god. Honey. I have to go. Theres a bad wreck on the side of the road, I'm gonna check it out and make sure nobodys hurt. I'll call you back in a minute.
Stephen pulls his car to the side of the road and turns his high beams on. He gets out of the car and goes toward the demolished car.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Hello. Are you ok?
He gets in closer and peers into the car, inside we see the young man bloodied and with the steering wheel pressed to his chest.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Hey buddy. Can you hear me? are you ok?
We hear the man groaning, he tries to turn his head towards Stephen. Stephen starts dialing his cell phone.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Dont worry buddy. I'm calling for help. Just relax, we'll get you out of there soon
O.S.
911. Whats your emergency?
STEPHEN
Theres a bad car wreck out here on 93. We need an ambulance right away.
O.S.
Ok. Just relax sir. Are you hurt?
STEPHEN
No. I'm fine. I was driving along the road and saw this car smashed into a tree. The driver looks pretty bad.
O.S.
Okay sir. Just stay on the line. Were sending a rescue crew out right now.
We hear groaning from the car. Stephen peers through the broken windshield. the young man speaks faintly.
YOUNG MAN
giant.....tail
STEPHEN
What? what are you trying to say?
We hear rumbles in the distance and then what sounds like a roar. Stephen looks towards the direction of the road
O.S.
Sir. Are you still there?
STEPHEN
Yes. yes I'm still here. He's not doing well. They need to hurry.
O.S.
They're almost there sir. please...
The phone makes a crackling noise
STEPHEN
Hello. Hello.
(mutters to himself)
Damn! lost the signal.
(looks back in crashed car)
You still with me buddy?
There is no answer. in the distance we can hear the faint wail of sirens. Stephen walks towards the road looking at his phone.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
C'mon, I had a good signal. what happened.
As he's walking in the road staring at his phone, he stumbles over a rock and looks down at the pavement. We see its broken up and theres a giant pothole. The sirens are getting louder. Suddenly his phone rings.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Hello. Oh my god Faith. Its bad, I think the guy might be dead. I'm waiting for the emergency crew to get here.
CUT TO
EXT. INT WEAVER RANCH KITCHEN —
Faith. A beautiful young blonde woman is pacing in the kitchen talking on her phone.
FAITH
I was worried about you. What happened.
INTERCUT AS NEEDED
STEPHEN
I was driving up 93 and saw this car off to the side of the road all smashed up. looks like he might have been speeding and hit this huge pothole i just saw in the road. must have made the car airborn and it smashed into a tree. It's not pretty.
The sirens grow louder still. Stephen can see the faint red and blue flashes in the distance heading towards him.
FAITH
I'm sorry you had to see that. But please get here when you can. Moms just putting the finishing touches on dinner. I dont want it to be cold when you get here.
Outside the weaver residence we can hear horses whinnying and other animals are making a commotion.
O.S.
Damn coyotes. Faith. Will you bring me my shotgun?
FAITH
Yes daddy. Just a minute.
STEPHEN
Whats going on there?
FAITH
The horses are getting spooked. Daddy thinks it might be coyotes again. I'll let you go. See you when you get here. love you.
STEPHEN
Love you too. See you soon. Tell mom I'm almost there.
As Stephen hangs up the phone we see the first of the emergency vehicles arrive on scene. Stephen flags them down. 2 state troopers are first on the scene, the ambulance pulls up behind them. The first trooper exits his vehicle and walks towards Stephen. The paramedics exit the ambulance and proceed to gather thier gear while a fire engine pulls in next to them. The second trooper lays flares in the road and prepares to direct vehicles out of the way.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Evening officer.
TROOPER
Good evening. Did you witness the accident sir?
STEPHEN
No sir. I was coming up the road on my way to my fiances when I almost hit that tree branch.
(pointing back)
I saw the wreck off to the side. The man seems to be alive and moving but I didnt dare touch him. I called 911 right away. The man spoke a little before you arrived. said something about a gale??
TROOPER
(puzzled look on his face)
Gale?
STEPHEN
I'm not sure. it was very faint. But there is a huge pothole in the middle of 93. I'm thinking he ran into that and lost control.
the trooper proceeds to the area of the pothole. sees all the broken pavement, then looks towards the other trooper.
TROOPER
(shouts)
Jerry. We got a huge hole in the road up here.
Jerry walks towards him, gets alongside and sweeps his flashlight over the pothole
JERRY
Wow!
TROOPER
I know. I'm guessing this guy hit that thing hard and lost control. We need to block it off and get DOT on the horn. They need a crew out here to fix it or we'll be cleaning up messes like this all night.
He points back at the wreck site. The paramedics are removing the man from the windshield area of the car. One of them shouts to the troopers.
PARAMEDIC
Better call the ME as well. This guy didnt make it.
We see them laying the body on the stretcher and cover it with the sheet. Stephen lets out a deep sigh.
STEPHEN
Would it be all right if I'm on my way. My fiance and her family are expecting me for dinner and I'm running very late.
TROOPER
We really could use a statement from you.
STEPHEN
Is it possible for me to come by the barracks tommorow to do that.
He reaches for his wallet and removes a business card, handing it to the trooper.
TROOPER
Oh. Dr. Martin. I think that will be alright.
STEPHEN
If there are any issues with that please call me. my cell number is on the card.
TROOPER
Of course Dr. Martin. Have a pleasant night. And thank you for alerting us. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.
STEPHEN
(pointing towards the body)
Just wish I could have done more to help him
TROOPER
You did all you could Dr. have a better night. We'll see you tommorow.
Stephen walks over to his car, gets in and drives away slowly. His headlights are now shining on the pothole, we can see more of the size and shape, it looks like a large footprint. He inches around it while trooper Jerry waves him through. He then accelerates down 93 towards the Weaver ranch. His phone rings. he answers on speaker phone.
STEPHEN
Hi honey. On my way, should be there ...
FAITH
(voice through speaker)
Stephen, Stephen! Oh my god.
MR. WEAVER
(fainter in background)
Go on Faith ! Get out of the house!
STEPHEN
Faith!
(louder)
Faith !
Through the speaker we hear a shotgun blast. Then another. Mr Weaver is shouting but its inaudible. There is a loud roar that comes bellowing through the speaker. Stephen frantically picks up the phone.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
FAITH !
There is the sound of splintering wood with a loud creaking and a thundering crash. The phone goes dead. Stephen stomps on the accelerator and the speedometer rises quickly, we then see the outside as the car is speeding down the highway.
EXT COUNTRY DIRT ROAD —
We see headlights approaching rapidly. Stephens car comes into view bouncing wildly on the dirt road.
INT STEPHENS CAR —
Stephen swerves around an uprooted tree. Ahead we can see the demolished fence and gate to the ranch driveway. Stephen proceeds through slower and in his lights we see a long rut in the road. it leads up to the ranch house that is totally collapsed. Stephen stops the car and exits. He looks around and sees an overturned tractor and more trees uprooted. The carport roof is on top of the pickup truck that has one side almost flattened. There is a horse head and part torso laying on the ground in front of him.
STEPHEN
(yelling)
Faith !
(beat)
Faith !
He runs towards the remains of the house. starts climbing over debris.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Mr. Weaver ! Charlie!
There is a groaning noise and another part of the house collapses in on itself.
STEPHEN (CONT'D)
Faith !
FADE OUT
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