Chapter 8

EXT. CLEARING IN THE WOODS – DAY

A massive FIRE burns as the Cullens and the wolves hurriedly drag what's left of the newborns to it for incineration. A purple-black smoke rises.

Edythe and Beau race out of the trees, bee-lining for Archie and the rest of the Cullens gathered near the fire.

EDYTHE
How long?

ARCHIE
A few minutes. Maybe ten.

Beau scans the field for Julie as -

ROYAL
They timed their arrival well.

ELEANOR
Probably hoping the Newborns took a few of us out.

Edythe stops as she sees someone by the fire -

EDYTHE
What's he doing here?

Beau looks to THE FIRE - by which cowers the newborn Brendan.

EARNEST
We offered him safe haven if he stopped fighting. He took it.

CARINE
The pack needs to leave. The Volturi won't honour the truce with the wolves.

BEAU
Where's Julie?

EDYTHE
(spotting)
… There.

BEAU'S POV – ON THE TREELINE CLEAR ACROSS THE FIELD

- as Julie-wolf emerges. Beau sighs with enormous relief. She sees him as well, starts towards him - but suddenly -

ON JULIE-WOLF – she HEARS a VICIOUS SNARL coming from behind her in the woods, spins to SEE -

IN THE WOODS – A LIGHT GREY WOLF (Lee-wolf) cornering one last MALE NEWBORN who was hiding. Lee-wolf charges -

ON EDYTHE WITH THE CULLENS – She can't see the conflict, but she can HEAR IT in her mind -

EDYTHE
Lee, don't - !

BACK ON LEE-WOLF AND THE MALE NEWBORN IN THE WOODS

The Male Newborn manoeuvres out of his way, spins and GRABS HIS RUFF, fiercely YANKING him off his paws but -

JULIE-WOLF LEAPS ON THE MALE NEWBORN, tackling her - they roll into -

THE CLEARING – where Julie BITES A PIECE OF HIS FACE OFF!

But the Male Newborn gets his ARMS AROUND JULIE-WOLF and CRUSHES HER! Julie-wolf HOWLS in agony -

Beau sees this from afar -

BEAU
Julie!

THE OTHER WOLVES are instantly there and pounce on the Male Newborn, their teeth forcing him to release Julie-wolf who crumples to the ground. As they pull him apart -

Edythe and Carine appear at Julie's side -

ON BEAU – RACING across the field to reach Julie-wolf.

ON JULIE-WOLF AS SHE TRANSFORMS INTO A HUMAN, naked, grotesquely twisted and broken, barely able to breathe. Carine quickly examines her as she writhes in pain; Edythe steadies her, gripping her hand -

EDYTHE
Julie – hold on – Carine will take care of you -

CARINE
The bones on the right half of her body are shattered.

Julie, in excruciating pain, squeezes Edythe's hand -

Beau reaches them, dropping to his knees beside Julie. He places his hand on her arm, trying to comfort her.

BEAU
I'm right here, Julie.

Sam, Paula, Emma, Jay, Quil and Lee, now in human form (clothed) race up.

LEE
(guilty, furious)
Julie, you idiot, I had it -

SAM
Lee -

CARINE
I need to set the bones before her accelerated healing kick in – it's already started -

EDYTHE
(to Sam)
We have to get her out of here. We're not going to win a fight with the Volturi -

SAM
We'll take her to Bonnie's.

CARINE
I'll be there as soon as I can.

BEAU
Hang on, Julie.

Julie CRIES OUT in pain as the pack lift her.

PAULA
It's alright, we've got you.

Beau agonizes as he watches them disappear into the woods. He and Edythe exchange a look of shared concern. Then -

ARCHIE
They're here.

The Cullens gather in the centre of the field, converging around Beau. He sees through the oily smoke from the fire. A beat. Then we HEAR a flat male voice -

JONATHAN (O.S.)
It appears you've done our work for us.

From out of the mist and the smoke emerge -

THE VOLTURI – Jonathan, and behind him, Felix, Demetri and Alecia. Jonathan assesses the scene, taking in Beau, as well.

JONATHAN
Impressive. I've never seen a coven survive an assault of this magnitude.

CARINE
We were lucky.

JONATHAN
Doubtful.

ALECIA
It appears we missed an entertaining fight, brother.

JONATHAN
Yes. It's not often we're rendered… unnecessary.

EDYTHE
If you'd arrived a half-hour earlier, you could have fulfilled your purpose here.

JONATHAN
A pity.

Jonathan then SEES the newborn, Brendan, crouching by the fire.

JONATHAN
(pleased)
You missed one.

CARINE
We offered him asylum in exchange for his surrender.

JONATHAN
That wasn't yours to offer.

As Jonathan moves to Brendan, Earnest shoots Carine a concerned look. Carine subtly shakes her head, don't.

JONATHAN
Why did you come?

Before Brendan can answer, Jonathan focuses his power, sending an invisible searing current through Brendan's body. Brendan SCREAMS in pain. Beau flinches. Earnest quickly steps up -

EARNEST
They came to destroy us – to kill Beau.

Jonathan ignores Earnest, continues his torture, enjoying it.

JONATHAN
Who created you?

EARNEST
You don't need to do that. He'll tell you anything you want to know.

JONATHAN
(blithely)
Oh, I know.

Carine puts a hand on Earnest's shoulder. Brendan's screaming briefly stops. Jonathan waits for an answer.

BRENDAN
I don't - know. Riley wouldn't - tell us. She said our thoughts weren't safe.

Jonathan ZAPS him again - Earnest is about to say something but -

EDYTHE
His name was Victor… perhaps you knew him?

Brendan's pain abruptly ceases. Jonathan faces Edythe with an innocent smile that's unnerving.

The other three Volturi are suddenly positioned behind Jonathan. We didn't even see them move.

Beau plants himself firmly at Edythe's side – he can't protect her, but he can die trying. The air is tense. This could turn bad, fast. Carine intercedes with great purposeful calm.

CARINE
(pleasantly)
Edythe, if the Volturi had knowledge of Victor, they would have stopped him. Isn't that right, Jonathan?

Jonathan looks at Carine.

JONATHAN
Certainly.
(gesturing re: Brendan)
Felix.

Felix moves to Brendan. Earnest can't hold back -

EARNEST
He didn't know what he was doing. We'll… take responsibility for him.

JONATHAN
The Volturi don't give second chances.
(to Edythe re: Beau)
Keep that in mind. Athenodora will be interested to hear he's still human.

Beau faces him, strong. Unflinching.

BEAU
The date is set.

Jonathan is ever-so-slightly taken aback by Beau's confidence. His look lingers on Beau – this human. Edythe stands ready to defend him. But Jonathan turns back to Felix.

JONATHAN
I wonder if you'll still be immune to my powers after you've changed… Beaufort.

Jonathan smugly grins at Beau. Meanwhile Felix, with his enormous strength, easily tears Brendan limb from limb. His SCREAMS quickly cease, though the metallic SCREECHING sound continues.

JONATHAN
Thank you, Felix.
(to Beau)
Until next time.

The Cullens can do nothing by stand by, grim-faced. Earnest tries not to watch.

Off Beau, fighting revulsion, but standing strong with the rest of the Cullens as the thick plume of Smoke rises…

EXT. JULIE'S HOUSE – NIGHT

Bonnie sits in her wheelchair on the porch, surrounded by the Pack, including Elliot, but sans Sam. They wait anxiously.

BEAU'S TRUCK pulls up. He hurriedly climbs out.

BEAU
How is she -

As he reaches the porch a LOUD YELL of excruciating pain emanates from inside the house; Julie. Beau flinches, feeling the pain himself. They all do.

It's all Bonnie can do keep it together. Elliot, next to her, holds her hand, doing whatever he can to comfort her.

QUIL
(to Beau re: the yell)
It's been going on for a while.

EMMA
Doc's re-breaking her bones.

Beau reacts in horror of that. Lee paces.

LEE
Why'd she have to butt in? – I could've taken that tick -

PAULA
(angrily)
- Give it a rest, Lee -

- Then they all spin towards the FRONT DOOR as it opens. Carine exits with Sam.

CARINE
The worst is over. She'll be alright.

Bonnie exhales heavily, tears start falling down her face. Sam puts a hand on Bonnie's shoulder. Elliot wraps an arm around Sam's waist.

CARINE
I gave her some morphine but her body temperature will burn it off soon. I'll come back to set up a drip.

BONNIE
(with emotion)
Thank you.

Bonnie holds out a hand, and Carine accepts it. They shake.

CARINE
(to the pack)
Make sure she doesn't phase until I clear her. The bones need to set.

SAM
We'll keep her in line.

QUIL
Good luck with that.

CARINE
(to Beau)
She's asking for you.

Beau looks at Bonnie. She nods, it's okay for him to see her. The rest of them all look at Beau. A combination of pleading – "don't hurt her." And threatening – "if you hurt her" – Off Beau, as he heads inside with trepidation.

INT. JULIE'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Beau quietly enters to find Julie lying in bed. The entire right side of her body is in a series of braces. Beau can't bear to see her this way, but he forces a smile.

JULIE
Hey, Jules.

She looks up with some effort. Breath short. But she smiles.

JULIE
Hey… I've been worried about you.

BEAU
You were worried about me? I should be worrying about you.

JULIE
(re: her injuries)
My injuries don't hurt if that's what your worried about. Doc loaded me up on pain meds… I feel great.

They both share a soft laugh. Its short lived. They both know what's coming.

JULIE
Was she mean to you?

BEAU
What?

JULIE
I assume she read my mind. Or Sarah's, after we…

BEAU
(realizing)
No, not even a little. At me, or you. She was… kind, understanding. Not that I deserve it.

JULIE
(beat, smiles bitterly)
Damn. She's good, I'll give her that.

BEAU
What do you mean?

JULIE
I was banking on her reaction. Reveal the monster within, but she was two steps ahead of me.

BEAU
She not playing any game.

JULIE
Yes, she is. You just can't see it. She's not as perfect as you think.

BEAU
This coming from the girl who threatened suicide by battle.

JULIE
True. But if I didn't, I might've died had I gone into battle all depressed.
(beat)
Besides, it finally made you realize the truth.

BEAU
Can we please not talk about this -

JULIE
I'd rather get all the re-breaking done at once.

Beau considers this. He carefully sits next to her on the bed.

BEAU
Listen Jules…

JULIE
You know how I feel about you. And at least I did everything I could to get you to admit how you felt about me.

A beat sinks in. he struggles to tamp down his emotions.

BEAU
I realize I didn't want to admit them because it wasn't fair. For any of us.

JULIE
You're such a weird guy Beau.

He's confused.

JULIE
You didn't love me enough to even suggest polygamy?

BEAU
(surprised)
Pretty sure if I was the kind of guy who'd even think that, neither of you would want anything to do with me.

They both burst out laughing.

JULIE
It's going to be okay, Beau.

She lifts her left hand. Gesturing for Beau to hold it. He does.

JULIE
You know I'd be easy as breathing with me. You wouldn't have to change.

BEAU
Jules, you know how I feel -

JULIE
I know. That's why I'm giving in. Let you make your own choice.

BEAU
Latest strategy?

JULIE
No, just throwing in the towel.
(beat)
I'm tired of this. of splitting you in half. I'll just be your friend from now on.

BEAU
Why now?

JULIE
I've seen what it's like. With Sam, Elliot and Lee. I don't want you to have to feel like her.

Beau was speechless.

JULIE
Maybe if things had gone differently, she would do the same thing.

BEAU
Maybe.

JULIE
(leaning in)
You know what the worst part is?

BEAU
What?

JULIE
If there were no vampires, or werewolves. Just us, normal.

BEAU
I don't…

JULIE
Please, Beau. Just be honest with me. No matter how much it might hurt.

BEAU
It's like there's two people pulling me inside. One who knows the path I've chosen. But the other keeps pulling me to the future you see.
(beat)
But it makes me feel -

JULIE
Like you're betraying us both.

Beau nods. Acknowledging his conflicted feelings. Julie moves her left hand to Beau's cheek.

JULIE
(smiles)
Thanks for being honest.

She lets her hand fall. Beau rises.

BEAU
Do you want me to come back?

JULIE
I'd like some time.
(then)
But next time you visit, bring your fiancé. I'll give her whole "if you hurt him, I'll kill you" speech.

BEAU
(smiles)
Sure.

They both smile. There's a sadness between them, but also… resignation. A reproachment. Off Beau grateful for his talk with Julie…

EXT. MEADOW – MAGIC HOUR

The grass is a welcoming, rich green. The wild flowers are in bloom. The light is low. Luminescent. Edythe and Beau lie in the grass, her head on his chest.

BEAU
So… shouldn't we start planning our wedding?

EDYTHE
Not if we go to Vegas.
(sitting up)
I've actually been thinking about that. I know you weren't thrilled about my condition, and I don't want to cause anymore strife between you and your dad. Or your mother. I'll change you myself anyway. There'll be plenty of opportunities for a wedding after that.

Beau sits up.

BEAU
No. You were right the first time.

EDYTHE
What?

BEAU
We should do it while I'm human. This way I can share the experience with my parents. And everyone can see what my choice is.

He takes her hands.

BEAU
It's going to be a traditional wedding, the way you want it. You choose who to invite; the cake, the vows, everything you've ever wanted. I'll be happy either way.

EDYTHE
You don't have to do this -

BEAU
But I want to. For you.

Edythe leans in and kisses Beau.

EDYTHE
I don't deserve you, Beau.

Before he can reply, Edythe kisses him again. Tender and loving.

EDYTHE
What date should we set.

BEAU
August thirteenth. It's a month before my birthday, and I don't need to be another year older than you.

EDYTHE
I'll have Archie help me with the wedding.

Beau stands up.

BEAU
There is one thing we need to do first. It's difficult and potentially dangerous.
(off her concerned look)
We have to tell my parents.

EDYTHE
(laughs)
That is dangerous.

BEAU
You'll be okay. Afterall your bulletproof.

EDYTHE
Don't worry, I'll protect.
(she rises)
After all, what's a vampire wife for, if not to protect her human husband.

They both laugh with joy.

BEAU
You still have your ring.

EDYTHE
Always.

Edythe pulls out the ring from her pocket. She puts it on her left hand.

We slowly begin to PULL UP AND BACK on the two of them – silhouetted by the light which reflects off the flowers, giving the blossoms a warm, magical glow.

It is against this beautiful, romantic backdrop that Edythe and Beau embrace each other… ready for their future together. Married and changed, for eternity…

FADE TO BLACK.