Chapter 1:

FADE IN:

EXT. SEATTLE – AERIAL SHOT APPROACHING THE CITY – NIGHT

EXT. PIKE PLACE MARKET, SEATTLE – NIGHT (1 YEAR AGO)

RAIN comes down in sheets, slapping the cobblestones. Bright lights from the surrounding bars, reflect off the wet stones. The dull thud of rock MUSIC wafts out. A BAR DOOR opens – the music briefly BLASTS OUT as a young man exits -

- she is RILEY, 22, affable, pretty, a university student full of promise. She pauses under the awning, preparing to face the rain. She slings a bag over her shoulder laden with thick school texts. She waves to her FRIENDS in the window before heading into the downpour.

BEAU (V.O.)
"Some say the world will end in fire. Some say in ice…"

ANOTHER STREET - Dark, deserted. Riley makes her way up it – Suddenly, a SHADOW flies past her, moving at an inhuman speed. Riley pauses… what was that? Unnerved, she speeds her step, about to round a corner but suddenly -

Something leaps over her, knocking her backwards to the ground! It moves so fast we, again, saw only a brief SHADOW. Riley panics now -

RILEY
Who's there?!

No response. Riley BOLTS in a different direction -

YET ANOTHER STREET – RILEY RUNS, beelining towards the end of the street at which stands AN APARTMENT BUILDING with a brightly lit lobby and a SECURITY GUARD, safety –

But something grabs her by the neck and SLINGS her into a building window. It CRACKS. Riley drops. The Shadow won't let her reach the security guard.

Riley's terrified anew by this creature's strength. She drops her book bag and staggers off, running for her life down a different street. She looks over her shoulder, stumbling, desperate -

EXT. WATERFRONT (CONTINUOUS) – NIGHT

- Riley finds herself on a deserted boardwalk. Beyond the rail, black water. A dead end.

She turns, realizing she's utterly alone. She's been herded here. She searches the darkness for whatever's chasing her -

RILEY
What do you want?! Why are you - ?

- the shadow DARTS past her; Riley YANKS her hand back -

RILEY
- OH GOD!

- She grips her hand in pain, looks at it to FIND a crescent moon shape on his palm, blood seeping out. She's been BIT!

Her confusion and terror turn to agony as the venom from the bite crawls up her arm. Riley drops to her knees CRYING OUT in pain. Then falls, writhing as the venom spreads throughout her body, changing her, killing her humanity.

Her tortured CRIES go unheard as we PUSH IN ON the crescent moon on her hand, OVER WHICH WE HEAR…

BEAU (V.O.)
"…From what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favour fire. But if I had to perish twice…"

MATCH UP – BEAU'S hand – ON HIS crescent moon scar.

- whiter than his already pale skin. EDYTHE'S LIPS move into frame, kissing the scar. INCLUDE -

EXT. MEADOW – DAY (PRESENT DAY)

- BEAU and EDYTHE, lying in the grass. Beau reads aloud from a book of ROBERT FROST poetry…

BEAU
"… I think I know enough of hate to say that, for destruction, ice is also great, and would suffice…"

Edythe teasingly pulls his book away, moves to kiss him. He reluctantly stops her -

BEAU
You know I do have an English final.

- She smiles, kisses him anyway. The SUN BRIEFLY COMES OUT from behind clouds, causing Edythe's skin to SPARKLE, making the kiss appear magical. She pulls away, smiling…

EDYTHE
Have you thought about my condition?

Beau exhales. Clearly this isn't the first time she hinted at this subject. Edythe is being direct now.

BEAU
Didn't you say you could wait for my answer?

EDYTHE
I did. But I'm getting too anxious.
(beat)
You can say no if you want. Remember, It's your choice.

BEAU
But it's your condition to change me yourself.

Beau puts his book down and faces Edythe.

BEAU
You do realize what marriage says?

EDYTHE
It's the way two people say "I love you".

BEAU
True. But at my age… it says I knocked you up.

Edythe laughs.

EDYTHE
So, you're worried about what people will think.

BEAU
I'm worried my parents will kill me.

EDYTHE
I'd never let that happen.

Edythe softly kisses Beau, who returns the kiss with equal affection. He's tempted by the idea, but still conflicted.

BEAU
Why? Once I'm changed it won't matter. What's the rush?

EDYTHE
Maybe it's silly. But… I want you to have as many human experiences as you can. And to be tied to you while you're still human is the most virtuous thing I do. Before… before you disappear.

Edythe breaks her gaze, and drops her head in sadness. Beau looks at her with compassion, seeing her fear and vulnerability. A beat. Beau takes both her hands.

BEAU
(smiling)
What kind of ring do you want?

Edythe looks up.

EDYTHE
Does that mean -

BEAU
- Yes. I accept you condition. We'll get married while I'm still human.

Edythe places a deep, passionate kiss on Beau. She's overjoyed.

EDYTHE
You don't have to worry about that.

BEAU
What?

EDYTHE
I don't need a ring, or some a big ceremony. We can just go to Vegas for all I care.

BEAU
Vegas… really.

EDYTHE
As long as you're there it'll be perfect.

Beau is about to respond before Edythe pushes him to his back, and starts vigorously kissing him.

EDYTHE
We can leave right now if you want.

BEAU
I can't.
(then)
I need to be home by four.

Edythe sighs.

EDYTHE
You're right. I don't want to give your father more reasons to hate me.

Edythe moves off Beau. They both rise to their feet.

INT. BEAU'S HOUSE – DAY

START ON CHIEF CHARLIE SWAN, still in uniform from a day at the station. His brow is furrowed with concern as he reads the Seattle Times.

INSERT HEADLINE – "Murders, Disappearances, Possible Work of Serial Killers…" etc.

The article worries him. He checks his watch – just as THE FRONT DOOR OPENS. Beau enters, throws down his book bag. Charlie is looking at his watch.

CHARLIE
Four o'clock on the dot. Is that girl trying to brown nose me now or something?

BEAU
She has a name. All of sudden she's too punctual now for you?

- as he starts towards the stairs -

CHARLIE
Wait a sec, will you? Sit down.

Beau pauses, then moves to a chair, sits. He faces Charlie.

CHARLIE
You understand why you're being punished, right? Three days. No word. You come back with Edythe on your arm like nothing happened -

BEAU
I know. I put you through hell.

CHARLIE
Yes, you did.
(then)
But I have other reasons. I just want you get some separation from her.

BEAU
(scoffs)
Dad, there's nothing you say or do. Edythe is in life. That's not gonna change.

CHARLIE
Yeah, I'm getting that. But how 'bout this, I'll make you a deal. You're not grounded anymore… as long as you use your newfound free time to see some of your other friends… like, Julie.

Beau darkens; a painful subject. Charlie notes this.

CHARLIE
She's been going through a really hard time lately. Her mom's pretty worried about her.

BEAU
It's not like I haven't tried to talk to her.
(rising)
If she returned my calls -

CHARLIE
Yeah. But I remember when that was you. When you needed a friend and Julie was there. I'm sure she'd rather be "just friends" then nothing at all.

Off Beau, his darkened expression. But concern for his best friend.

INT. BEAU'S BEDROOM – DAY

Beau opens his desk drawer and pulls out a FOLDED NOTE. It's worn, having been ready many times. He unfolds it -

INSERT – THE HANDWRITTEN NOTE. Several sentences have been crossed out. Only one line at the bottom is legible. It reads: "I miss you, too. Doesn't change anything."

Off Beau, deeply troubled. But deciding something…

He takes out his Nokia mobile phone and holds down a button (speed dial). The word "Julie" comes up on the screen, and a photo of her happy in the former days (before she cut her hair). Straight to voice mail.

EXT. BEAU'S HOUSE – NIGHT

Beau exits the house, heads to his truck, climbs in -

INT. BEAU'S TRUCK (CONTINUOUS) – NIGHT

Beau turns the key – nothing. He tries again. It's dead. With a slight gust of wind – suddenly, Edythe is sitting next to him. He jumps, catching his breath.

BEAU
You surprised me.

EDYTHE
(off Beau's look)
Deciding to go down to the reservation.

BEAU
How'd you - ? Archie.

Her guilt face is her answer. She tries to make light of it.

BEAU
Did you do this my truck?

EDYTHE
I just disabled it. I'll have Eleanor fix it in the morning.

BEAU
Julie could fix it.

Edythe seems unprovoked by this.

EDYTHE
The wolves aren't in control of themselves.

BEAU
She'd never hurt me.

EDYTHE
Not intentionally.

BEAU
Edythe! I have until graduation to see her. Then I'll be one of you, and she'll hate me for good.

EDYTHE
Beau, please understand. Your safety is… everything to me.

BEAU
I will be safe.

Deeply conflicted, she looks down with regret, resignation.

EDYTHE
I'm sorry.

He looks at her. Then gets angry, forces open his door.

EXT. BEAU'S HOUSE (CONTINUOUS) – NIGHT

- Beau climbs out, slams the truck door. Edythe appears next to him.

EDYTHE
(beat, torn)
I want you to be happy…
(quietly)
… but alive is more important.

Frustrated, he moves past her and head to the house. She appears on the stairs before he reaches them.

EDYTHE
I'll understand if you're too angry with me to come to your room tonight. Just close the window.

INT. BEAU'S BEDROOM – NIGHT

ON THE OPEN WINDOW – Beau closes and locks it. Beat. Another bat. The he unlocks the window, opens it a bit. Looks at it. Opens it as WIDE as it will go.

INT. FORKS HIGH SCHOOL – CAFETERIA – DAY

Beau and Edythe sit with ALLEN, ERICA, MCKAYLA, and JEREMY. Edythe and Beau are on the end, slightly apart. Allen is busy addressing a pile of note card envelopes. McKayla writes what she's saying on a legal pad.

MCKAYLA
My fellow students. We are the future. Anything is possible if we just believe. Insert song quote, inspiring movie quote and you've got a speech.

She rips the page off, hands it to Jeremy.

JEREMY
Sure is – when I want everybody to throw diplomas at my head.

He crumples the paper. Drops it on the table. McKayla rolls her eyes.

MCKAYLA
Just embrace the clichés.

ERICA
They are the bread and butter of all valedictorians.

ALLEN
Is that why you're not valedictorian.

ERICA
I willing chose to exit the political colosseum of high school to spend more time with my family.

ALLEN
(sincerely)
And that is why you are too good for valedictorian.

Erica smiles at Allen.

BEAU
Jeremy won't need clichés. He'll give a kickass speech.

JEREMY
Kickass? It's going to change lives. Inspire us for the future.

MCKAYLA
(sarcastic)
Yeah, you keep working on that.

ARCHIE and JESSAMINE have abruptly appeared carrying trays of food they won't eat. As they sit -

ARCHIE
- I've decided to throw a party.

JESSAMINE
After all, how many times are we going to graduate high school?

Edythe stifles a smile.

ALLEN
A party? At your place?

JEREMY
Whoa. I've never seen their house.

ERICA
No one's ever seen their house.

EDYTHE
Another party, Archie? Really?

ARCHIE
It'll be fun.

BEAU
Isn't that what you said the last time.

Suddenly, Archie FREEZES, his eyes glazing over. He's having a vision. McKayla hasn't noticed yet.

MCKAYLA
Well, cool, that's really… normal of you. What time?
(nothing from Archie)
Dress code?
(still nothing)
Bring anything? Snacks, drinks?

A beat as Archie still looks into the distance. Awkward. Beau looks at Edythe, concerned. Edythe shrugs it off - nothing to worry about.

EDYTHE
Wake up, Archie.

JESSAMINE
He hasn't been getting much sleep lately. Senior jitters.

This sounds weird and weirdly fluent coming from Jessamine, but it serves to break the moment.

INT. SHERIFF'S STATION – EVENING

Beau and Edythe enter. Charlie is behind the counter talking with a middle-aged couple, DOUG & NANCY BIERS, whose faces are etched with grief and worry.

BEAU
So - what was that at school? What did Archie see?

EDYTHE
Nothing. Something about Jess. It was innocuous.

BEAU
Didn't seem that way.

EDYTHE
I was just worried that everyone would notice how strange Archie is.

BEAU
Pretty sure that ship sailed long ago.

Charlie looks up at Beau and Edythe and subtly gestures for them to keep their distance. It could be interpreted as hostile.

BEAU
He'll get over it someday. Don't worry.

EDYTHE
No. That's not what's bothering him. Those people. Their daughter has gone missing.

Beau can read their feelings on Edythe's face.

BEAU
Do you know something about this?

EDYTHE
(nods)
Seattle. Unexplained disappearances, killings – we've been tracking it for a while.

BEAU
Really? You think…

EDYTHE
(nods)
Our kind generally stick to victims who won't be missed. Or they move on quickly. But whoever's in Seattle isn't playing by the rules.

BEAU
You said – if vampires kill too conspicuously, the Volturi step in -
(off her look)
But – if they go to Seattle, they could come here, see I'm still human -

She turns to him, strong, reassuring.

EDYTHE
We won't let it get that far. We'll protect you, whatever it takes.

CHARLIE (O.S.)
You ready, Beau?

- As Charlie approaches. Off Beau watching the anguished BIERS exit…

CHARLIE
(to the Biers)
I'll call if I hear anything.

Charlie put a picture into his case. It's RILEY, from the opening.

EXT. SHERIFF'S STATION – EVENING

Beau exits, flanked by Charlie and Edythe. There's palpable tension between his father and fiancé.

CHARLIE
It is still just the two of us for dinner, right?

BEAU
Dad -

EDYTHE
I'm just dropping Beau off, Chief Swan.
(to Beau)
I'll see you tomorrow.
(heads off, then stops)
Oh. Beau, my parents wanted me to remind you about the airline ticket you got for your birthday.

Beau eyes her with suspicion, but she appears guileless.

CHARLIE
What airline ticket?

BEAU
A round trip to Florida to visit Mom.

CHARLIE
That was… generous.

EDYTHE
It expires soon. They wanted to make sure you use it.

BEAU
Well, I can't just drop everything and go.

EDYTHE
It might be your last chance to visit before you… graduate.

This lands with Beau.

CHARLIE
It wouldn't hurt to get away for a couple of days. Get some distance.

BEAU
It would be great to see Mom. Maybe I will…
(to Edythe)
If you'll use the companion ticket.

CHARLIE
Wait there's two tickets?
(with sarcasm)
Super.

CLOSE ON BEAU'S FACE – illuminated by BRIGHT SUNLIGHT -