Where are we? What the hell is going on?- Imogen Heap (Hide and Seek)
Behind them the fire was dying out. The darkness shrouded them. An hour, perhaps more, had passed since the land cruiser plunged off the precipice. Marissa's lifeless form lying on the harsh tarmac. Next to her Ryan wept softly. In the distance he could hear a siren intruding into their world but at the moment its light was a mere pin prick in the inky distance. He wasn't ready to lose her yet. For what he knew would be the last time he looked down at her. At her hair once like spun silk now matted with coagulating blood. Her eyes closed as if she were asleep. If only she would wake and he could drown in her eyes as blue as the ocean. Her skin once glowing now a deathly pallor. Ryan scooped her up across his lap and held her tight willing her to wrap her arms round him only he knew she wouldn't. Stroking her hair he whispered "Marissa, I …I love you so much, I only hope you know that…knew that…"
Tears started to flow his kissed her on the lips then let out a strangled cry of "Please Marissa I ..LOVE YOU"
By now the air was filled with the incessant shriek of the ambulance siren.
"Son, son .." a paramedic shouted at Ryan. He looked up. His partner joins him. "You gonna give us a look at your girl there?" Ryan said nothing. Slowly he let Marissa go, lying her flat on the concrete. To the paramedic he said, "Its too late." Ryan knelt and held her face in his hands. "Marissa I have to leave you…" his voice cracked "you are… are… the love of my life…. Always will be… through all the shit that's happened. Just wherever you are be happy." He kissed her on the forehead. Slowly he stood up and walked away without looking back.
The first paramedic covered Marissa in a blanket whilst his partner lay Ryan on a gurney.
Paramedic: What's you name son?
Ryan: Ryan Atwood
Paramedic: Is there anyone who should know about you Ryan? Whilst covering Ryan in a blanket.
Ryan: Sandy an' Kirsten Cohen
Paramedic: Son, your girl, Marissa you called her. Does she have any family? As he straps a padded splint round his leg.
Ryan: Her mom Julie Cooper Nichol. They'll be at Dr. Roberts' place
Paramedic: Well done son. We'll radio ahead so they all know. We need to get you fixed up so I'm going to take you to the local hospital.
As the paramedic lifts the gurney into the ambulance a police officer comes over. Ryan shuts his eyes it seems to dull the throb in his head.
Officer: Hey man, you boy in a fit state to talk?
Paramedic: No.(looking down at Ryan concerned) He's Ryan Atwood. He needs a Sandy and Kirsten Cohen to know and the girl, Marissa you need to get ahold of Julie Cooper Nichol apparently she's with some Dr. Roberts
Officer: Sandy Cohen? That's Sandy's kid?
Paramedic: It'd seem so
Officer: So she's the famous Marissa Cooper then. That little miss sure has a knack of getting herself in a pickle.
Paramedic: She's dead show some respect
Ryan: grumbling noises.
Officer: Ok sorrreee just between her father defrauding the Newpsies, shooting some dude, implicated in a suicide
Paramedic(cuts him off) I need to get him out of here. Just do your job. No matter what she's done she still her a family.
Meanwhile in the Roberts' residence.
Neil: Well that was some day
Julie: It was a great day. My girls….
Neil: Just like their mother… (kissing Julie)
Julie: Well Marissa finally seems to be getting sorted hopefully time with Jimmy will help her put the past behind her and Kaitlin back….How do you feel you've got a great girl too
Neil: I know Summer going to the Ivy League. We've got a pretty great family here
Julie: I dare say we do -laughing
Meanwhile at the Cohens'
Kirsten: My boys are all grown up
Sandy: Aww honey they are
Kirsten: It will be so quiet round here now. Their last summer an' all. Its sad.
Sandy: Before they both go to college. Now that's quite an achievement getting Seth and Ryan into college between pot, punches and girls.
Kirsten: It certainly was but we did it Sandy. How great are we? Kissing him
They continue to kiss
Sandy: We should go upstairs in case Seth catches us…
Seth walking in ewwwwwwwwwwww get a room
Kirsten: You not sorted things with Summer yet honey?
Seth: No. I have so screwed up as usual why can't I just keep a good thing
Roberts' residence front door.
An officer knocks. Neil answers
Officer: Good evening sir, are you Dr. Roberts?
Neil: Yes (seeming puzzled)
Officer: Do you have a Julie Cooper with you? Mother of Marissa?
Neil: Yes why?
Julie from the background: Neil honey who is it?
Officer: We have some news
Cut to Roberts' living room
Officer: Ma'am you are Julie-Cooper-Nichol
Julie: Yes why? (Sounding irritated)
Officer: Do you have a daughter, Marissa?
Julie: Yes (sounding worried) what is it this time? Drugs? Has she been stopped at customs?
Officer:Customs?
Julie: She was going to the airport to fly to Greece, to be with her father
Officer: Ms. Cooper there is no easy way for me to say this (he looks upset)
Julie and Neil exchange concerned looks
Officer: Your daughter has been involved in a motor vehicle accident. The SUV she was travelling was forced off the road over a cliff.
Julie: gasps. Marissa?
Officer: She was found dead at the scene. I am so sorry Ma'am.
Julie remains silent. Her face frozen, a tear slowly trickles down her cheek. She takes a deep breath. Then lets out the a primeval scream from deep within and drops to her knees. Neil looks stunned
Cohen residence
Officer knocks the door. Seth Cohen
Officer: Is this the Cohen residence?
Seth: Yeah
Officer: Can I speak to Sandy and Kirsten Cohen?
Seth: Eh sure come in.
Kirsten: Seth who was that? Coming into the living area
Officer: You Kirsten Cohen?
Kirsten: Yeah is everything alright?
Officer: Is your husband here? As Sandy walks in
Sandy: What is it?
Officer: Do you know Ryan Atwood?
Kirsten: Yes he's our son
Officer: Mr. Atwood has been involved in an accident.
Kirsten stands looking quizzical. Seth looks a bit surprised. Sandy looks deadly serious
Officer: There was a motor vehicle accident. His vehicle went over a cliff. He is at Orange County General. His condition is stable but serious.
Sandy: We need to get over there right away.
Sandy turns away as if he's going to get his keys. Kirsten stands looking stunned. She suddenly looks up at Seth who is thinking the same thought as her.
Seth: Officer the girl who was with him…Marissa
Officer: Do you know her?
Seth: She's my aunt (Officer is like hmmm) long story
Sandy walks in.
Officer: Unfortunately Miss Cooper was found dead at the scene
Sandy: Marissa? Does Julie know?
Officer: I believe she is being informed as we speak.
Roberts' residence
Summer running down stairs. She bursts into the living area and stops suddenly when she sees Julie sobbing violently on the floor. Neil is sitting on the sofa stroking her hair. He leaps up when he sees Summer.
Summer: Daddy what's wrong?
Neil: Summer I think you should sit down something's happened.
Summer: okkk (looking concerned.)
Julie is still crying
Neil: I don't know how to say this sweetheart
Julie stands up and sits beside Summer. She takes her hand
Neil: There was an accident when she and Ryan left for the airport
Summer: Oh my god! Are they ok?
Neil: Honey Marissa didn't make it.
Summer: She didn't make it?
Julie: Summer she's gone (plaintive voice)
Summer look stunned. She sits silently for a minute
Summer: What about Ryan?
Neil: We don't know much. He's in the hospital. The Cohens are on their way to meet him there.
Summer: I should go to the hospital
Neil: Are you sure you don't want to wait?
Summer: I need to get some air.
She dashes out and leans against the front door gasping for air. She gets in her car and drives
Hospital. The Cohens are standing in the waiting area
Sandy: Excuse me I'm looking for Ryan Atwood
Receptionist: He is at CT I'll let you know as soon as he is back
Seth is sitting in a plastic seat his head in his hands
Kirsten looks distraught
Kirsten: I should call Julie
Sandy: I'm sure Neil is taking good care of her
Summer walks across the hospital car park and in the door. She is stuggling to hold in the tears.
She sees Seth. They stand looking at each other sadly. He takes a deep breath and walks towards her.
Seth: Summer I…
Summer: I…it doesn't seem real.
Then Seth steps forwards and hugs her
Ryan is wheeled back into a room and the Cohens enter
Kirsten: Ryan honey
Ryan: San..Kirst
Kirsten: sshhhh honey
Sandy: You gave us all quite a fright kid
Ryan: (makes an incoherent noise then ) tired
Kirsten: You need rest then leans down to kiss him on the forehead
Sandy: We need to talk to your doctors but we'll be right outside. Sandy squeezes Ryan's hand.
Summer enters Ryan's room. He opens his eyes suddenly.
Ryan: Marissa
Summer: Steps closer to his bed
Ryan: looking confused Summ..bad dream
Summer: shhh
He looks at Summer sadly. He lifts his hand toward her. She takes it. Slowly a tear rolls down her face. The first tear she has cried for Marissa.
Ryan: Not a dream. Its true.
Tears are streaming down Summer's face. Ryan grips her hand tightly as a machine he's wired to starts to beep faster and faster. An alarm goes off and a nurse rushes in. The Cohens look through the glass window.
Summer: RYAN (screaming) as his hand goes limp….
