[New York, Peter and Hesam]
(Nearly fully dressed for work, Peter fixes his hair and secures the buttons on his work shirt. He walks out into the living room and pats Hesam on the shoulder to wake him up.)
Peter: Wakey, wakey; time to hit the clock.
Hesam: (Tired moaning) Mmm… Funny I thought that saying was followed by eggs and Bakey.
Peter: We'll grab something on the way out, come on.
Hesam: (Sits up and lets out a groan) I don't know where you get that energy from but you got some to spare; I need it! (Laughs to himself)
Peter: (Tosses him the key) Lock the door on your way out.
[Tokyo Japan]
(Agitated, and nervous, Ando is seen pacing back and forth in the hospital with a heavy brown coat over his shoulders. He eventually takes a seat to try and calm himself down but he can't help but to rock back and forth at the thought of loosing is soon-to-be wife, Kimiko. He looks up and sees a young kid starring at him in a frightened trance as well as the boy's mother. Ando looks down at himself and sees that his clothes are still covered in Kimiko's staining blood. A nurse walks up to him and offers him a pair of new clothes, speaking in Japanese. Ando enters a restroom and lathers some cold water on his face from a strange warped oval shaped sink. He then grabs a nearby towel and tries wiping the blood off his shirt but as soon as he touches the stains on his shirt, the flashing images of his fiancée bleeding out in his arms and her stiffening muscles replay through his head as if he's reliving the moment all over again. Three loud knocks are heard followed by a disgruntled male voice which snaps him out of the trance.)
Male Voice: (In Japanese) Eh, what's taking so long in there; hurry up.
(Ando can't help but to look down and take in the moment for what this moment is and can be.)
[Tracy, Savannah, Georgia]
(In the main hall of a large mansion, Tracy is seen walking toward the front entrance where there she finds a woman with three individuals standing behind her looking around at the architecture of the room. The woman before her has long blonde hair and a very optimistic, yet determined look on her face.)
Tracy: You must be Katherine?
Katherine: (Forcefully extends her arm forward) It is an honor TRULY, to meet you, Ms. Strauss! (Tracy shakes her hand and gives her a smile) You as well, and I must say, the way you reached out is again reassuring of a woman's determination.
Katherine: (Two stop shaking hands) I was not taking "no" ;for an answer. (Laughs) You didn't make it easy for me though, which I deeply admire. People say society was made for men and they hold us down but I definitely DO NOT believe that for a second. Women just need to work harder than men which makes getting to the goal that much more rewarding. We are demanded to be strong, at least in my opinion, and that philosophy's what keep my blood flowin'!
Tracy: (Cracks a tiny smile) … Come on, I'll show you to my office.
(The 5 of them eventually get to Tracy's main office and both Tracy and Katherine sit across from one another at Tracy's desk.)
Tracy: So, this meeting; what is it about exactly? Explain to me the full scope of why it is you were willing to speak to me.
Katherine: (Slowly leans forward) The individuals here- all specials. They each have their own unique ability and they are looking to not only learn from this school but protect it too. You're going to NEED protection when the anti-evos find this place and kick down the doors. My organization, Unity, would like to work with your school for a gifted in not only helping develop our powers but to further create a haven.
Tracy: (Sighs) I appreciate that offer, but strength invites challenge and we don't want to give the impression that violence is something we need to worry about both for students attending and the public.
Katherine: But it also displays weakness; which is something you cannot symbolize when there are people out there who mean us harm! Look, I see it from your point of view, but also, we can show the public that we're just as capable of taking care of ourselves when a threat comes our way.
Tracy: (Sighs) The first impression is what society is going to base us on. I run this school and I want the public to know, we're strong and kind too. So I'll tell you what, I'll take the offer and hire your boys as security, however, they'll have to train at this facility and learn how things work.
Katherine: Compromise from both sides- I like your style, Ms. Strauss. (Leans in for a handshake) I look forward to- We are excited to be working with you!
Pacy: So hold up; we gotta spend our precious; well-deserved free time at school and play security all while not getting paid?
Katherine: Whatever it takes; we get the job done- those are the terms you agreed on; those are the rules YOU will follow!
Pacy: (Sighs and steps away) Whatever…
(Tracy smiles with the feeling in her heart that this student is going to give her school some personality and help show its potential.)
[Therapists Office, Matt and Janice Parkman]
(The room is covered in awkward silence and all that can be heard is the loud ticking coming from the round clock hanging in the room. Matt seems to be getting agitated by the ticked but he holds in his frustration until eventually he gets to a point.)
Matt: Your clock is .4 seconds slow; can you turn that thing off please.
(Janice looks over at Matt.)
Therapist: About time we got a word out of you. You said the clock is running slow by .4 seconds. How did you know that was the exact time, or was that an educated guess?
Matt: No it's just- these stupid powers- (Emphasizes on his ears for a quick second) Stupid clocks bother me for some reason now ever since- (Awkwardly glances at her)
Janice: Every since, what, Matt; tell her.
Therapist: Now, Mrs. Parkman, no need to push. He will speak when he is ready. Now, Matt, would you like to tell me about the clocks?
(Matt just remains silent and pinches his nose.)
Therapist: No, okay. That's fine. (Scribbles something on the paper in hand)
Janice: You see?! I have to push him to do things, otherwise it doesn't get done!
Therapist: Mr. Parkman; do you agree with what your wife is telling you?
Matt: (Chuckles) Yeah- (Shrugs and lightly sways back and forth) No? What's the right answer you wanna hear from me?
Therapist: Any answer you give is the right answer.
Matt: Really?! Oh yeah, how do you figure?!
Therapist: The truth of who we are can never be a lie, what gives the impression that who we are is a lie are when parts of us are broken, misunderstood, or Falsely expressed. But even with that, those broken parts of ourselves that we express and showcase to the world as a false persona is a truthful expression or cry for help of our shattered selves, therefore still making them true.
Matt: Wow, doc; how often did you rehearse that line?
Therapist: (Humors him) Several times a day.
Matt: Well, yeah I guess my wife does sort of take control in most cases. I mean the other day our son, Matty refused to listen to me when I told him to turn the T.V. off but he listened to his mother with no resistance. That obviously doesn't make me feel any better about myself.
Therapist: (Writes something down in her notepad) I see and how do you feel about that?
Janice: (Scoots closer to him and rubs his back) It's okay. Talk, honey.
(The therapist analyses the body language and writes something else down before a response is given.)
Matt: … It-ah, makes me feel like less of a man; like less than a father. I work for the police department; yet I feel as though I don't have any authority, and the times I do feel I have authority, something bad- ends up happening or… people die!
Janice: Oh, honey is this about that little girl?
Therapist: Little girl?
Janice: Ab- Sorry. (Backs off) Matt, if you feel comfortable talking about it, I'll give you the space to do that.
(Matt is very hesitant about talking and does not wish to engage in the conversation at all, but something inside him also wants to let this go.)
Matt: There was a kid who needed help and uh… She… (Glances up at the therapist) She was one of "them".
Therapist: By "one of them" you mean?
Matt: She was gifted.
Therapist: Ah, I see.
Matt: There was a domestic dispute and I didn't react the way I should and she died… I never was able to forgive myself for that.
Therapist: What do you think you could've done differently to preven-
Matt: Wait, let me finish. Just last night, it happened again. I tried helping a man out and his daughter and he, being- well one of them, accidentally stabbed his daughter in the chest. I turned him in; I didn't kill him, but I should've.
Janice: Oh, honey, I never knew you were holding on to such a burden. You said this happened last night?
Matt: Yeah, that's where I disappeared off to yesterday morning, to help this man get somewhere safe, but he uh- (Taps the table with his index finger) It was a mistake.
Therapist: I see. Janice how do you feel about Matt sharing this and Mr. Parkman, how do you feel about sharing it?
Matt: I feel terrible! I'm sitting here talking about it and it's making it worse! (Sighs) This was all so stupid.
Janice: Please, Matt.
Matt: No, Janice, I'm sorry but after what's happened to me, talking isn't going to help! After today I'm done with these sessions.
(Janice sighs but in her own way accepts that she can't control his decision.)
Therapist: (Finishes writing something down) So you obviously know that these sessions will work for you. That's pretty bold of you to say you don't want to come back anymore just after the start of you opening up.
(Matt looks up at her in silence then begins reading her mind.)
Therapist: (Thinking) I wan-na he- yo- only wann-a hel- I only wanna help you.
(Matt just stays silent and listens to what she has to say to him.)
Therapist: Your guilt is what's holding you back. You want to feel this way, you want your child to treat you the way he does, because it threatens the you, you are familiar with. The Matt Parkman you know now has always been protected underneath that shroud of self doubt and powerlessness. That is your comfort zone. Name one time in your life you actually felt in control of a situation.
Matt: I guess that time a friend of mine, Nathan, busted my dad. He was giving this girl I adopted, Molly, nightmares and-
Janice: Whoa, whoa, wait; you adopted another kid?
Matt: (Nervous but trying to play it off) Yeah… I think I told you one of those times you were upset at me or something so YOU probably weren't listening. (Awkwardly avoids eye-contact)
Janice: Matt, you- Ugh. (Presses her fingers against her forehead and calms down) Okay, okay, we're in therapy; we're here to talk about these things and clear it out.
Therapy: Now see this gives us a lot to talk about. Now that your father has come into the equation, why don't we discuss him next?
Matt: The man's dead. I don't even know where his body is and the ironic thing is that my buddy Nathan's dad killed him, but that's about the extent I know.
(Janice gets up from the couch and storms out of the room.)
Therapy: I'm guessing she didn't know about your father's death.
Matt: I haven't told her a lot. But that's another life; not the one I want with her.
Therapy: It sounds like the life you want with your wife is a life where only fractions of yourself are put into play.
Matt: That's right… only the best parts.
Therapist: (Taps her pen twice then leans forward) Well, you've been doing just that, and look where your marriage is. (Leans back in her chair) Maybe it's time for you to start seeing her as a partner and not a side project. She married you- for better and for worse. You're all in or all out.
[Hotel Room, Noah and Lauren]
(Noah is seen sitting in his hotel room reading a newspaper about a woman whose house has mysteriously burned down. No one was hurt but the point where the fire started is reported to be in a suspicious location in the center of the living room. Suddenly there are three knocks on the door. Noah grabs his glasses and opens the door for Lauren who has a smile on her face.)
Noah: (Nods) Lauren.
Lauren: Hey, Noah, you gonna invite me in or leave a decently attractive woman standing outside your room? (Smirks)
Noah: Of course; come right in.
(Noah invites her in and the first thing she does is take a seat on his bed. She takes a glance at the newspaper and Noah sits right beside her.)
Lauren: (Tries to ignore the paper) So have you heard anything from your daughter yet?
Noah: No. (Sighs) She isn't answering any of my calls or texts and I don't blame her. I didn't support her the way I should, and maybe I was wrong for that.
Lauren: I have some old contacts, we can triangulate her location and at least keep track of where she is. At least that way we know Claire is safe. I'll only make the call if you give me the okay.
Noah: I can't do that, Lauren. As much as it kills me to say that I've gotta give her the space she needs to think about what she did.
Lauren: Well, that's unfortunate What if I told you I was prepared for you to say yes and that I may know where your daughter currently?
Noah: W-well, I'd have to sa-
(Noah's phone suddenly beeps out if nowhere. Both Lauren and Noah look over at it and it beats two more times.)
Lauren: What was that?
Noah: More like who.
(The two of them walk over to the dresser and see that there is an unopened piece of mail. Noah opens it and a link opens up of two men holding a young teenage boy hostage in a small dark room. One of the men holds a weapon in his hand and the other stands in front of the camera with a hateful look in his eyes. The video cuts out and a message pops up in the chat. Noah and Lauren quickly read it, then a map opens up showing the location of where the video was filmed.)
Lauren: Noah, what is this?
Noah: (Sighs and lowers his phone) Ever since Claire revealed herself to the world, I've sometimes been getting these messages from "him" telling me to help specials who are in danger. (Walks over toward his table to sit down) People have been suspicious of people who could do extraordinary things, but after what Claire did, those suspicions became fear and that triggered people to secretly go after people they suspected had abilities. The news media has been quiet lately and no political action has yet been taken. For now, most of the country is still skeptical that it even happened.
Lauren: Without any law or government to properly protect them, that makes specials more of a target.
Noah: Exactly.
Lauren: So why not go and help them?
Noah: Because I'm not in high school anymore. I can't go around playing the hero for these people when I've got my own problems to deal with.
Lauren: We've all got problems to deal with, Bennett; that never stops. But so do terrible situations that hurt people who have nothing to do with those situations.
(Noah thinks about her words for a few seconds.)
Lauren: Thinking about it now, it's funny how our roles switched. Where as before… I'd be the one telling you to keep your head low.
Noah: What changed?
Lauren: (Stands straight and takes big breath) Well, this doesn't change how I feel about things; I still think retirement would be good especially regarding the company but these people need help and right now the CIA can't do much without causing a scene. You're the only one who CAN do anything right now.
Noah: No… This isn't my fight anymore. Things are too different this time and it puts me at risk at going to jail.
Lauren: (Whispers) Yeah… I guess I understand where you're coming from. Well, you can always tell your boss you're taking the day off and we can see Claire down in Canada.
[Claire and Brandon, Canada]
(Claire is seen in her motel room flipping through the channels for something to watch. She accidentally drops the remote and the back of it pops off, sending the batteries flying all over the floor. Claire reaches to grab the remote and one of the batteries but something on the T.V. catches her attention. It's a preacher talking in his church.)
Churches: - Inner demons will always be our best friend when a great blessing is about to aspire in our lives. Demons will always be there to remind us of why the greatest parts of ourselves remain dormant… and we find comfort- we find sanctuary in them during these major moments. Always remember that God and the Devil will always have a path for you but if you want to know which path is which, think about which path makes the leader. If you're confused, then you know it's not from God, because God is not made of confusion. Many of us- (Clears his throat) Excuse me; many of us have a calling in our lives, but we get distracted, afraid; doubtful and once again we seek sanctuary. Life should never be about sanctuary unless you're restocking or reminding yourself of what makes the journey important. That's why we come to church, to build a sanctuary for us to reharvest and remind ourselves of the truth before we go out and fight the real enemy- Ou-
(There is a knock on the door and the T.V. quickly turns off. Claire locks the back of the remote and places it on the bed next to her. She goes up to the door and answers it. By surprise it's Brandon.)
Claire: Hey- what a surprise seeing you here.
Brandon: I uh… I haven't been completely honest with you, Claire and honestly, I'm leaving this afternoon. I'm packing the rest of my things and I'm headed out of state right now. I know you wanted me to leave you alone but this is the last offer before I'm gone. I honestly don't want to be alone and I haven't felt positive company in years since I lost my father and I- (Awkwardly chuckles) was hoping you could maybe be good company for me-? Sorry if that sounded awkward to say, I just don't wanna live deceiving myself anymore.
Claire: (Debates in her thoughts for a few seconds) I've decided to go to Washington.
Brandon: To make up with your father?
Claire: To embrace my new role and speak with the President, but honestly, I feel as though being a good leader comes with the price of understanding those whom you influence and know the stories of the people who call you a hero. I want to travel and see the faces of those who I've actually influenced.
Brandon: (Smiles) Wow, cheerleader, you've got some big goals. (Chuckles)
Claire: So are you in or not?
Brandon: Definitely in.
Claire: I know what I'm doing is right. I started something big and I'm the only one who can finish it. Hopefully you don't mind government bodyguards tailing us constantly.
Brandon: (Nervously chuckles) Well… Scales of balance go both ways, right; the lemon is worth the squeeze.
Claire: (Smirks) Well, we should get going. There's nothing good on T.V. anyway.
[New York, Church]
(A young blonde man waves to the person who exits the confession booth and enters quickly himself.)
Lars: Uh… forgive me, father? I think the last time I confessed was- I don't know. But, I'm here because I need advice. I- went to a convention- or more like a gathering (Awkwardly talks) and- everyone died. I'll put that out there right now and I, yours truly, triumphed unharmed through the massacre. I couldn't help but consider that a miracle.
Father: (Sighs) God gifts those closest to him second chances to live… (Pauses)
Lars: F- hello? Hey, you there?
Father: That's all I can say. 5 hale marries and 3 our fathers.
Lars: What? (Confused) Wait, but-
Father: I cannot say any more. Now leave, please, go.
Lars: (Sighs in disappointment) Okay. Thank you. (Leaves the booth)
(As Lars leaves, he crosses paths with a distressed young Mexican Woman but they do not engage. She then enters next.)
Maya: Hello, Father- my last confession has been 16 hours ago.
(The blonde man, Lars, leaves the church and as he walks outside, an older woman grabs his shoulder and casually beside him, keeping her grip on his arm tight.)
Angela: Keep going and duck through the crowd if you want to see another day.
(Uncertain, the young man decides to give into her hasty demand and casually walks with her through a crowd of people. Not too far behind, a scowling man in a black suit exits a vehicle and scans the area hoping to find Lars; for what reason- unknown. Angela escorts Lars into a nearby SUV and once they are safely in the backseat, the driver slowly takes off.)
Lars: (Feeling awkward) What's going on?
Angela: In my dream, a massacre took the lives of over 100 people. The aftermath of that bloodbath shows you unharmed, physically anyway nonetheless. I Didn't think into it much until you appeared a second time; this time exiting a church and being escorted to your execution. Why you specifically, I have no idea, but I didn't find anything when it came to searching your background. You come from nothing and your family ties do not extend anywhere particularly interesting. Tell me, why are you so important.
Lars: (Anxious) Like you said, I'm not. I don't come from anything special. Look, I don't know what higher force or God gave me multiple chances to live, but honestly I feel pressured to think that maybe it was all for a reason.
Angela: Tell me, about what you know about evos and your connection to them.
Lars: I think they're amazing! They're like the future being told from the past; it's amazing!
(Lars' nervousness seems to disappear in an instant and suddenly a sense of passion engulfs him. He leans forward toward Angela as he speaks.)
Lars: Evos to me aren't just evolved, but a reversion- going back to the roots of what we were once, before corruption.
Angela: There was no corruption nor what was, just ever-moving forward and growth.
Lars: (Leans in deeper and gets a bit more passionate) Think about this, Angela-
(Angela is slightly caught off guard by his use of her name but continues to keep her threatening persona displayed for the sake of keeping control of the conversation.)
Lars: - humans were more evolved in the past than now. Moderation has completely ruined our connection to life and the sanctity of what that connection stood for. People like me worship Evos because they are not just the future, they're also a reminder of what we can be- (Leans back and anxiousness kicks back in) maybe that's the reason they were sent here.
Angela: People like you have too much time on your hands. (Says to driver) Stop the car, please.
(After a short time, the car finds a suitable place to park.)
Lars: What is this? Are you done with me now?
Angela: I saved your life and that is as far as this relationship goes; do not seek me out; do not thank me. Thank me by agreeing to these terms and getting out of my vehicle. (Smiles)
Lars: Please, listen-
Angela: Why does anything I have to say matter?
Lars: It isn't, it's what you think.
Angela: Again, why should it matter?
Lars: Becau- (Groans) I guess it doesn't. I just thought maybe we could see eye-to-eye.
Angela: Your eyes see only ordinary- if you so much worship us as gods then why should I acknowledge you when all you've come to me with is desperation?
(Lars is caught in the entanglement of her words and can only remain silent. He eventually leaves the vehicle and closes the door on his way out. Shortly after, the vehicle takes off.)
[Therapist's office, Janice and Matt Parkman]
(Matt walks out into the hallway to speak with Janice after a slightly dramatic scenario.)
Matt: What happened, Janice; I thought this is what you wanted; didn't you want me to talk about this stuff?
Janice: I did, Matt- (Sighs) Yes. I don't mean to be difficult; I really don't, but I just hate that you open up to some stranger like that so easily when I'm your wife and you held all of that from me! I thought we were partners, Matt! (Covers her face with her palm and calms down) I can't believe you've been carrying such a heavy burden this whole time and it took me dragging you to this place to open up. Matt, do you know how terrible that makes me feel?
Matt: Look, Janice, you didn't drag me down here, I chose to be here, Okay-
Janice: Stop taking what I say so literally! (Backs away and covers her face in guilt)
Matt: Okay… Okay, I'm sorry, Janice. I guess I just haven't felt comfortable or had the space I guess to open up.
Janice: (Faces Matt again) You've had plenty of-
(Another employee sneaks by to get to his office.)
Janet: Sorry, excuse me. (Gets out of the way then talks to Matt) You've had plenty of space to talk about this; why didn't you feel comfortable enough to talk about it with me?
(Matt remains silent for too long and Janice knows he's withdrawing. She tries to stand patiently before him to await his response, but by the time he opens his mouth an utters a word, she quickly enters back into the therapist's office.)
Janice: Let's go back inside.
(Matt just sighs and pinches his nose. Janice takes a seat on the couch and the Therapist scribbles a few notes down before saying anything. Matt takes a seat beside Janice moments later. There's a few seconds of silence.)
Therapist: Janice, you are seeking an answer, correct? (Janice nods) And Mr. Parkman, you're the provider of that answer. Mrs. Parkman, if you want your husband to tell you the truth, you must be willing to accept whatever he has to say. Matt, you must be willing to understand and listen to how your wife's feeling.
Matt: Like I said before, I only wanted the best out of our marriage which is why I didn't say anything. I already said that. (Sighs) I guess no one wants to listen to me or what I have to say.
Janice: I'm hurt, Matt, that I thought we were in this together but obviously our intentions or foundation of our marriage were building in two separate directions. We've been growing apart the whole time and that's why I'm upset. How can I trust you again after this? How can I trust myself?
Matt: I uh… (Shrugs) I'm sorry, Janice. I guess I hadn't considered that. You know I guess anytime secrets are involved, bad things happen. And I'm sorry for that.
(The therapist just silently observes.)
Janice: Matt, I wanna trust you, I really do, but a lot of crazy things are happening and I just wanna understand them because I do love you.
Therapist: Matt, how do you feel about your wife's words?
Matt: I understand how you feel and I know what it's like not to trust yourself. I dealt with that a lot over the past year or so. I'm sorry, honey.
Therapist: Have you ever felt as though you couldn't trust your husband before, Janice?
Janice: Not really, no.
Therapist: Matt, it seems as though you've got some demons in your closet that you've projected onto your wife.
Matt: What does that mean?
Therapist: Exactly how it sounds. The parts of you buried deep are itching to get out and they are- only to manifest into your relationship and infect the both of you. In a relationship you both carry each other's burdens as well as strength. You need to be strong in yourself-
Janice: An me too. (Holds Matt's hand) I have to be strong too with him.
Therapist: You need to be strong in yourselves, in order to be strong for each other.
[Hospital parking lot, Peter]
(As Peter and Hesam check the ambulance to make sure correct supplies are in stocked, a female doctor approaches the bunk to speak with the two of them.)
Hesam: I don't know, man, I don't think you should have to like a team just because you were born in the same state as them.
Peter: (Uninterested in the conversation) Uh-uh.
Hesam: … Yeah… but how do you feel about that whole controversial idea? I mean, am I wrong for having my own opinion?
Peter: (Focused on his work) Not-at-all… (Writes on the clipboard)
Hesam: Peter, man; you're ignoring me again; what's up?
Peter: (Glances over at him) Nothing; just trying to focus on work is all, man. (Focuses on his work again)
(The female nurse (Brandy) feels completely out of place and walks away before being seen.)
[Matt and Janice Parkman, Los Angeles]
(The two of them continue to sit before their therapist as she continues to take notes.)
Therapist: Okay, so I'm telling the truth when I say your marriage is not a lost cause. The two of you can work through this, but it takes baby steps. Janice is afraid for her marriage and only worries about you, Matt. You have to understand that, but also, you must learn to be more open and honest with yourself and your wife as well. I know you've dealt with a lot of insecurities, but the truth is, you have to learn to be more open about what it is you're feeling. Don't think I'm picking on you; we all have a responsibility for the way we feel in our relationships. Matt, this is just the responsibility you have to take.
Janice: And what about me? I need to take some responsibility in this too.
Therapist: What do you feel you need to do?
Janice: I- (Shrugs) I don't know. Maybe I can stand to give him a little more space and not yell so much…
Matt: (Grabs her hand) No, Janice, it's okay to express how you're feeling. I know a partnership takes two but I've been the one with the secrets and- you only get as much out of something as you put into it and I wanna put 100%. I will do better. You just stay the perfect wife you have been all these years.
Janice: Okay… (Slightly tears up and gives him a big hug)
[Canada, Claire]
(Claire is seen in her motel room flipping through the channels for something to watch. She accidentally drops the remote and the back of it pops off, sending the batteries flying all over the floor. Claire reaches to grab the remote and one of the batteries but something on the T.V. catches her attention. It's a preacher talking in his church.)
Churches: - Inner demons will always be our best friend when a great blessing is about to aspire in our lives. Demons will always be there to remind us of why the greatest parts of ourselves remain dormant… and we find comfort- we find sanctuary in them during these major moments. Always remember that God and the Devil will always have a path for you but if you want to know which path is which, think about which path makes the leader. If you're confused, then you know it's not from God, because God is not made of confusion. Many of us- (Clears his throat) Excuse me; many of us have a calling in our lives, but we get distracted, afraid; doubtful and once again we seek sanctuary. Life should never be about sanctuary unless you're restocking or reminding yourself of what makes the journey important. That's why we come to church, to build a sanctuary for us to reharvest and remind ourselves of the truth before we go out and fight the real enemy- Ou-
(There is a knock on the door and the T.V. quickly turns off. Claire locks the back of the remote and places it on the bed next to her. She goes up to the door and answers it. By surprise it's Brandon.)
Claire: Hey- what a surprise seeing you here.
Brandon: I uh… I haven't been completely honest with you, Claire and honestly, I'm leaving this afternoon. I'm packing the rest of my things and I'm headed out of state right now. I know you wanted me to leave you alone but this is the last offer before I'm gone. I honestly don't want to be alone and I haven't felt positive company in years since I lost my father and I- (Awkwardly chuckles) was hoping you could maybe be good company for me-? Sorry if that sounded awkward to say, I just don't wanna live deceiving myself anymore.
Claire: (Debates in her thoughts for a few seconds) I've decided to go to Washington.
Brandon: To make up with your father?
Claire: To embrace my new role and speak with the President, but honestly, I feel as though being a good leader comes with the price of understanding those whom you influence and know the stories of the people who call you a hero. I want to travel and see the faces of those who I've actually influenced.
Brandon: (Smiles) Wow, cheerleader, you've got some big goals. (Chuckles)
Claire: So are you in or not?
Brandon: Definitely in.
Claire: I know what I'm doing is right. I started something big and I'm the only one who can finish it. Hopefully you don't mind government bodyguards tailing us constantly.
[Ryan and Christina, Odessa]
(Late into the night, Ryan, Christina, and their mother, sit around the dinner table quietly with food neatly displayed before them. Christina stares at it in a trance until her stomach begins roaring at her.)
Christina: This is child abuse mother! I don't care if Gene's not here; I'm hungry! (Bangs her fists on the table)
Mother: Honey, please don't be difficult; your fath- Gene will be here in just a few minutes okay?
Christina: Mom, you still have gravy on your face from cooking.
Mother: (Quickly wipes it) Oh do I?! Ugh; this house wife thing is such a mess.
Christina: You're not even married to him, mom; why are you being a house wife anyway? (Reaches for a piece of bread)
Mother: hey, Christina; what's going on with your hand? Why is it bandaged like that?
Christina: (Nervous) Oh uh… I accidentally burned it today in class; no big deal. (Chuckles)
(The front door is opened.)
Gene: Hey, all; how goes it?!
Mother: (Quickly stands and rushes to greet him) Hey, dear!
(The two of them hug and she tightly squeezes her new lover; while distracted, Christina quickly swipes a piece of bread and kisses it to the sky before taking a huge bite.)
Ryan: (Whispers) Hey! No!
Christina: (Whispers) Shut up!
(The two of them quickly walk into the kitchen area and Gene is rather shocked by the site of a full course meal cooked at the table for everyone.)
Gene: (Slowly taking off his tie) Wow, honey… This sure is a lot of food… Again. What's the occasion?
Mother: I'm just trying to show my family I love 'em is all. (Displays a huge creepy smile) Have a seat, eat up!
(There is a knock on the door; followed by a doorbell ring.)
Gene: (Says softly to himself anxiously) They followed me here. (Says out loud) Okay; hey, everyone, real quick, go upstairs and close the doors; I have a secret meeting with a coworker; I didn't know we were having dinner today; I would've told him another time. (Walking toward the door) Honey, go upstairs and watch the kids please; okay and I'll call you all back down when I'm ready for us to have dinner.
Mother: Oh, okay, Gene. (Come on, kids; let's go up.
Ryan: I'm going to the bathroom! (Rushes upstairs first)
(Christina's mother escorts her upstairs and Gene waits till they're gone before opening the door for a blonde man in a leather jacket and Tricia, from school.)
Tricia: Hi, sir; I was wondering if Ryan was home?!
(The 6 of them are seen eating at the dinner table moments later.)
Man: Sorry, we were creepin' on you earlier, pops, Tricia here; forgot where your boy stayed at and she wanted to see him so bad tonight.
Tricia: I wanted to really apologize about being cruel the other day and just wanted to talk face-to-face, Ryan. I wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings. I was actually going to request we have dinner but I guess this works too. (Chuckles)
Ryan: Yeah; it's fine.
Man: (Sloppily finishes sucking the meat off of a bone before throwing it on the plate) So, we know what this is about. My niece, and your son are in-fatuation with each other and I think it's only common courtesy that we as guardians, should meet. You have a nice home; you have a nice- life here. (Looks around suspiciously) Yeah you're doing well for yourselves.
Gene: (Stern yet polite) I appreciate that; we do our best.
Uncle: I think it's only fair we invite you clean folks to our place for a nice meal sometime. Can't promise it'll be as good as this, but hey, it's food, right? (Rudely chuckles and awkwardly stares at Ryan as he viciously chomps a dinner roll like a predator)
(When dinner is over, "Uncle" and Tricia leave the home to enter "Uncle's" vehicle. The man closes the door to the driver's seat and Tricia sits beside him nervously. The two remain quiet; "Uncle" waits until Gene waves goodbye and closes the door before speaking to Tricia. Before a word is spoken, he takes a deep breath and pulls out a long serrated survival knife.)
Uncle: You were- a good girl, at dinner tonight. I only hope for your sake, and your sister's sake; that you're this behaved until the next dinner time.
Tricia: (Scared) I didn't tell him anything, why do you have a knife on me?
Uncle: Because I want to cut you. Boy do I- but I can't, cause you've been such a good hostage the last few days; I can't go back on my word.
Tricia: I did everything you asked. Please just let us go. You have who you want.
Uncle: I do… but letting you go isn't a part of this chapter. There's a sequence to how these things play out. (Quickly puts is knife away and turn the vehicle on) Now, let's go get you home; it's almost your bedtime. (Laughs at himself)
(Hiding in the backseat, unbeknownst to them is Ryan silently sitting in the back seat invisible.)
[NY, Peter]
(Peter once again is seen walking through the hospital when he suddenly sees Hiro in a waiting room kneeling before a small child.)
Hiro: Why are you sad? Did the hospital give you bad news?
(Young boy: (Crying) My daddy is sick and the doctor's said he might not make it.
Hiro: (Takes a deep breath and smiles at the boy) Here. (Time travels and hands the boy two small ice cream cones)
Young boy: (Wipes some of his tears then takes them) Thank you, sir; how did you do that?
Hiro: Through faith and a good heart. Always think of the positive that can come from every situation, and enjoy your father's company while he is here.
(Hiro pats the kid on the head and the kid happily charges off toward his father. Peter can't help but to display a huge smile on his face and walk over toward Hiro. Peter's stalker Kelly, who hides behind a wall and peaks around the corner, listens to their conversation.)
Peter: I see you made it back safe; I was worried.
Hiro: There was a bigger problem at hand, but I must speak with you.
Peter: Ok, we can talk somewhere private. (Cautiously looks around) Would it be weird if we teleported right now?
(Hiro just tenses up his lips and shrugs. After a few moments, the two of them walk out onto the roof of the hospital and they lean over the balcony.)
Peter: Rooftops are really a thing with us. (Smiles) So, what was so big we needed to talk?
Hiro: I was taken to the future-
Peter: Wait, you were taken there?
Hiro: Yes. Someone with your ability stole my power and is doing- things. I do not know what but time hangs in the balance. In the future, I've seen- darkness. It wasn't very pretty.
Peter: Why is it that the future is always dark and tragic, why can't things ever be right for once?
Hiro: Maybe that is why we are here, Peter; to stop the next apocalypse. We have saved the world before from the formula, the bomb.
Peter: Shanti Virus. (Leans against the edge of the balcony and lightly sways back and forth)
Hiro: And we have been victorious every time.
Peter: (Pushes away from the railings) What's the point of having these powers, Hiro, if they were the very thing destroying this world?
Hiro: Maybe it is not US destroying the world, but the hearts of the enemies- people like Adam Monroe, Linderman, Sylar; Arthur Petrelli.
Peter: People like the man who shot his own son, because he was afraid of him when his ability manifested? Hiro, Claire was wrong for what she did. This world was better off before.
Hiro: No matter what, we can stop it.
Peter: (Frustrated) No, Hiro, we can't! I've gone back in time so many times and have saved countless people that should've been emitted to this hospital or died and you know what; some of them still did not make it.
(A moment of silence passes as Peter turns to the city and rests his arms over the railing.)
Peter: I can't help but think about that bomb. Back in Kirby Plaza I was the bomb; not Sylar. Hiro, it was me. I should've- (Sighs to avoid going on a tangent) I sought to save this world but- by doing so I-
Hiro: You did not put this world in danger, Peter Petrelli. You learned to save this world by controlling what you had.
Peter: Yeah- (Takes a moment to himself) I guess if I never met Claire back in Texas or met you, I never would've learned to control my power and I could've exploded sooner.
Hiro: (Stands before the edge beside Peter) These powers were given for whatever reason, but do not lose sight of the good they can do.
Peter: Maybe these powers were given to us to make the best of them.
Hiro: … I know this is hard for you to talk about, but what happened to- Nathan? Exactly how did he die or when?
Peter: Why are you bringing that up, Hiro? Why now?
Hiro: Be-because- I don't know; I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I've lost people as well.
Peter: My brother died and my mother had something to do with it. I am very not ok, Hiro; but I can't hate my mom for doing what she did, so I have to let it go. I haven't forgotten, but I'm a little hurt by it still.
Hiro: (Gives a respectable bow) I am sorry.
Peter: Whatever the future holds, we'll have to be ready. (Takes a deep breath) I'm ready for whatever comes next.
Hiro: (Gives one last bow) Be careful with that power; do not step on any butterflies.
Hiro: My friend might be worried; I must return to him now.
(Hiro backs away, closes his eyes and teleports away. After a few seconds, Peter closes his eyes, takes a breath and teleports as well. Peter appears at the carnival and looks over to see Claire approaching the Ferris Wheel.)
[Bennet and Lauren, Washington; Bennet's apartment]
(Both Noah and Lauren are seen entering Noah's apartment but something is off about the energy in the air. The two remain quiet for quite some time before speaking. The two of them take off their coats and place their firearms on the desk. Noah just stares down at his gun and taps the pistol twice on the side gentle as he admires the details. Lauren can't help but wonder what's going through his head in this moment.)
Lauren: Thinking about the history its been through?
Bennet: We've been through quite some adventures together, the two of us… The three of us… but maybe it's time we part ways.
Lauren: What do you mean the three of you?
Bennet: (Looks up at Lauren and adjusts his glasses) Lauren I'm done. (Sighs) The truth is, it was nice being the man in the horn-rimmed glasses one last time but I just- I- (Sighs) I just can't see myself doing much anymore in this world. I was a company man and look where that's lead me to. My life is empty, my wife left me; my daughter is- (Leans his hands against the desk and looks up at her again) I'm done saving the world. This is new territory for me and I'm not as young as I used to be to adapt.
Lauren: Wow… You uh, really threw me for a curveball there. Just earlier today you were Noah Bennet: company boss; now you're Noah Bennet retiree. (Chuckles lightly in slight denial) You must've been really thinking about this, Noah.
Noah: I've also been thinking about us. What we're going to do.
Lauren: You're scaring me, Bennet. Are you planning to make an honest woman outta me or what?
Noah: I can't stop you from your destiny, but me progressing with you is a slippery slope, Lauren. I don't want things to end, but at the same time-
Lauren: Noah- (Places her hand on his cheek) If we want this to work, we will make it work. But if not, that's okay too. This was fun.
Noah: (Places his hand on the back of hers) I will give this a chance, Lauren and if you do need support, I'll be here for you, but I won't do this fulltime again. I just can't.
Lauren: I understand, and I won't pressure you.
Noah: I'm going to speak with Angela Petrelli and continue to stay in the loop of things but after about a week, I'll be fully retired. We both signify a part of each other's lives we're trying to leave behind. It only makes sense we resurrect those parts when we're together.
Lauren: (Smiles) So I'll still have a partner in the field for a short while longer. I'll take what I can get.
(Both smile at one another and give each other a big hug.)
[Odessa, Texas]
("Uncle" and Tricia leave the vehicle and approach an isolated two story house in a dirt lot. The two of them enter the house and a second gangster is on his cell phone at the dining room table smoking a large cigar.)
Tony: Did you check it out? How'd it go?
Uncle: Kid's definitely one of them. Your little informants at the school noticed him going invisible in the middle of the hall and although I didn't see him turn invisible myself, he smells like he could be one of them.
Tony: Invisibility is a tricky ability. He could be in the room with us right now and we might not even know…
Uncle: If he is here, what can we do to check?
(Tony pulls out his gun then whistles. A loud barking noise is heard and a huge savage looking dog comes fumbling down the stairs. He runs to Tony and he speaks to the dog as if he was a child while rubbing on his head and smooching kisses at him. The dog is enjoying the attention but at the same time, trying to run toward the living room. He lets out a light bark and sits in place starring at the living room.)
Tony: Oh what's the matter, you smell something? Huh, you smell something. Is there? Is he there?
(Tony lets off a shot in the direction where the dog was barking. A small stream of blood is seen manifesting mid air, then suddenly Ryan appears with a wound going through the edge of his shoulder. He begins having a slight panic attack and falls to the ground.)
Uncle: Well, lookie here, he is an invisible one. What should we do with him? We could fight him.
Tony: No. He's not fight material; plus watching an invisible fight in an arena hardly makes the competition good. It's either over too fast or drawn out too long.
Uncle: True. The underground already has two invisibles, don't they?
Tony: Hey, kid, sorry we gotta get your family and your sister involved all this, but I'm at least giving you a choice. You will die tonight, let's make sure there's no confusion there, but I'm going to be nice enough to give you the option of how it happens. You can choose to draw it out and appreciate your thoughts as long as you can while my dog here makes a snack outta you, or I can make it quick and put one between the eyes. It'll be over before you can even process what hit you. I ask you, do you appreciate your life and would you like to live longer?
Ryan: (Shaking terrified) Y-Ye-yes; I want to live longer.
Tony: Alright, in that case, sick 'em, boy.
(Tony lets go of the dog and it rushes at Ryan with a look of blood lust in his eyes.)
TO BE CONTINUED…