Dark Inheritance
Warning: Mature themes discussed
EXT – NONDESCRIPT BUILDING, LATE AFTERNOON
FADE IN shows DR. CLAY exiting a three story building before walking off screen. After she leaves, JC comes out from around the corner and watches her leave. When the coast is clear, he walks up looks up at the building.
JC
So this is where she's been going
from time to time during the week.
JC tries the door DR. CLAY came out of. It's locked. He circles the building looking for a way in. On the back side he sees a vent on the second floor. He also notices a few other objects on the wall: air conditioners, window bars, and small window sills. He takes a few steps back, gauging his next move. He takes a few running steps before leaping up to grab the bars of a first story window. Bracing himself, he reaches over and grabs the lower sill of a window on the second floor. Pulling himself up, he carefully balances before kicking off to grab a nearby air conditioning unit. The vent is right next to him. He undoes the latch and manages to open the grate, swinging himself inside the shaft.
CUT TO:
INT – NONDESCRIPT BUIDLING, LATE AFTERNOON.
JC emerges from the shaft inside the building. The place is dark and empty, with no sign of major use. He finds the stairway leading up and ascends. This are is different. The halls are made of metal with carpeting on the floor. The place looks clean. Opening one of the doors he finds a medical examination room.
JC
They were using this place as a
medical facility. I should check this out.
JC takes out his phone and starts snapping pictures of the different pieces of equipment. He then looks through the room for a computer terminal. As he searches he rubs his eyes.
JC (cont.)
(Amusingly)
Don't tell me I'm getting dry eyes or something.
JC find a terminal. Turning it on displays a password request. He takes out his phone.
JC (cont.)
Okay, time to see if this works.
JC brings up the app and connects to the network. Lines of code go by on the screen and he taps a few blocks. Eventually the terminal unlocks and the main screen comes up. JC smiles and cracks his knuckles.
JC
Alright, let's see what you were hiding.
JC clicks on some icons on the desktop. Most of them look like medical records, the info of which looks like gibberish to him. One file has a full digital outline of a female figure. Various notes are indicated, none seem to make sense to JC. A moment passes before a look of surprise/horror crosses his face.
JC
This is Judith's information!
JC suddenly grimaces as he covers his eyes. Gradually he manages to open them. When he does, a POV shot shows him seeing almost clearly through the walls of the room. He blinks a few times and the vision fades. Heading back into the hall he looks around a bit. Closing his eyes, he seems to concentrate. When he opens them again, the effect is back. Scanning the area, he notices a room in the distance. A figure seems to be lying on a bed. He cannot tell who it is. Ending the effect, he walks over to the door. He reaches for the knob and notices that it locks from the outside. He carefully unlatches the door and slowly opens it. The figure on the bed looks at him. It's JUDITH. Both look at each other in surprise.
JUDITH
JC, is that you?
JC looks ready to tear up.
JC
You bet little sis, it's me!
JUDITH jumps up and runs to JC. The two embrace tightly and kiss. JC swings JUDITH around. They're practically in tears.
JUDITH
JC, I'm so glad you're okay!
JC
I've been worried about you! Are you hurt?
JUDITH
No, I'm okay. Oh, I'm so glad to see you.
The two continue to hold each other. Eventually JC pulls back.
JC
Judith, what happened at the
house? What did they do?
JUDITH
After they dragged me away, they put me in a van and
drugged me. I woke up in this place. What about you?
JC
You won't believe it.
A slight distortion occurs showing time has passed. The two are now sitting on JUDITH's bed.
JUDITH
So this family came out of nowhere and took
you in? Are you sure they can be trusted?
JC
They've had several chances to do something to me.
They haven't done anything suspicious yet. It's the
best thing that could have happened, considering.
JUDITH looks concerned but still relieved.
JC (cont.)
What happened while you were
here? Did they do anything to you?
JUDITH looks down.
JUDITH
No, not at all.
JC takes her head and looks her in the eyes.
JC
Judith, what happened? What did they do to you?
JUDITH
Nothing! I'm not hurt, they didn't do anything.
JC
I saw the medical files, sis.
JUDITH looks away and blushes.
JUDITH
They took me in for a 'physical
examination'. They…they made me undress.
JC looks livid.
JC
It was Dr. Clay, wasn't it?
JUDITH
How did you know?
JC
I did my homework. I followed her here.
JUDITH nods.
JUDITH
It wasn't just her. Mom was here too.
JC
I should've known. Dad's in on it too. When
I went back to our house, all our stuff was
gone. I guess we don't live there anymore.
JUDITH
Mom kept saying how special you and I are. Considering
what you said you can do, I guess they're right.
JC
Did you develop anything special?
I couldn't read the files that well.
JUDITH smiles and holds out her hand. A ball of flame appears. JC looks amazed.
JUDITH
That's not all. See those books over there?
I was able to 'read' the info they
contained without even opening them.
JC
(Sarcastically)
I'll bet mom was impressed.
JUDITH puts out her fire and smiles smugly.
JUDITH
She doesn't know. None of them do. I've
been playing dumb. As if I'd ever make
them think they've done me a favor.
JC smiles and pats her cheek.
JC
That's my sister. You never were
one to give jerks the time of day.
JUDITH
You bet. I'm not sure how much
longer I can fool them though.
JUDITH and JC look depressed at this. JC stands up.
JC
Come on, we're leaving.
JUDITH
What? Where are we going?
JC
I can take you back to where I've been staying. They're
a powerful and influential family with plenty of security.
Dr. Clay won't be back for a couple of hours. We
can be safe and secure well before then.
JUDITH looks hesitant. She shakes her head.
JUDITH
I'm sorry, JC. I can't.
JC looks shocked.
JC
Why, Judith? Don't tell me you like being here.
JUDITH stands up and faces JC
JUDITH
Of course not! I hate this place! It's a prison!
Believe me, I want nothing more than to get
the hell out of here and get somewhere safe.
JC
Then what's the problem?
JUDITH
The problem is that nowhere is safe. Not for me at least.
JC
What are you talking about?
JUDITH
JC, our family wants me. They want both of us,
but me more than you. Right now, they're content
to focus on me. That's why they haven't come at you
in force. If I leave, they'll stop at nothing to get me back.
JC glares at her. He wraps his arm around her and lifts her up. He manages to support her at shoulder level with one arm and barely any effort. JUDITH goes wide-eyed.
JC
Sis, I can protect you! With my powers and
their security, they won't be able touch us.
JUDITH glares at JC.
JUDITH
Put me down.
JC gently puts her down.
JUDITH
JC, you don't know our families resources.
Uncle William and our cousin Marcus run an entire
corporation. They finance the Bio Research lab mom
and dad work at. Our physician's been in on it the whole
time. They have connections you've never been aware of.
JC
And how do you know any of this?
JUDITH
My power. I can…'pick up' certain bits of information.
If they find me missing, they'll devote everything they've
got to get me back. You won't be able to protect me. They'll
just steamroll the people that helped you and grab you too.
JC looks upset.
JC
So I'm supposed to just leave you to their mercies?
Who knows what else they intend to do. Do
you even know the point to any of this?
JUDITH looks solemnly at her brother.
JUDITH
No, I don't. They keep talking about us being 'special'
and 'helping the family', but they won't tell me anything
else. But from what I can tell, it's not just about us.
JC
What do you mean?
JUDITH
I mean I don't think we're the first ones they've
gone after. The way they've been acting, it's as
if they know exactly what they're doing. They could
have been doing this for decades, centuries even.
You have no idea what you may be up against.
JC
And yet you want me to leave you alone with
them? What exactly is your plan? That they'll die of
old before they do something to you? I can't just –
JUDITH takes JC's face in her hands. She softly kisses JC on the lips and holds it for several seconds. Afterwards she embraces him and buries her head on his shoulder. Tears start to well up in her eyes.
JUDITH
I'm sorry, bro, I wish I had an answer. I hate this
this as much as you do. But I will not jeopardize your safety. I
can take care of myself. I promise we'll both get through this.
JC tears up as well. The two break the hug. JC takes out a piece of paper and hands it to JUDITH.
JC
Here, take this.
JUDITH reads the paper.
JUDITH
This is Invictus. What's this for?
JC
My friend gave me this. I made a copy. Read
it when things get tough. Think of me
when you do. I'll think of you.
JUDITH looks grateful. She gives JC a quick peck on the cheek.
JUDITH
You'd better go. Dr. Clay will do a 'scan'
of you if she catches you here.
JC doesn't look amused. JUDITH gently guides him towards the door. JC exits without looking at JUDITH. JUDITH closes the door behind him and leans back against it. JC leans back against his side. Both start to tear up. JC looks ready to explode. He storms down the hall away from JUDITH's room. Eventually he can't stand it and punches the wall, leaving a large dent in the metal before exiting off camera.
CUT TO:
INT – BELMONT MANOR, EVENING
JC sits in the living room with DIANA and ALICE. ALICE's arms are folded. She looks disappointed.
ALICE
Do you like living dangerously? This is twice you've
you walked right into your family's territory.
JC
At least this time I got in and out undetected.
And I know more than I did before.
ALICE
What did you find?
JC
My sister's okay. She's being kept in some
'secret medical facility'. They've been doing
some tests regarding her abilities.
ALICE
Diana showed me the files your phone
recovered. I'd be impressed with their
work if it wasn't so creepy.
DIANA
Why didn't you get her out?
JC
She insisted she shouldn't leave. Our family
wants her there and would take out anyone
who tried to keep her away. Including you guys.
ALICE
As much as I hate to say it, she may have been right.
We have excellent security but they wouldn't let that
stop them from trying. It sounds like they're going easy on her for now.
JC
But for how long? I need to figure out how
I'm going to get the two of us out of this!
ALICE touches JC's shoulder reassuringly.
ALICE
I'm sure you'll figure something out. We'll help where we can.
CUT TO:
INT - JUDITH'S BEDROOM, EVENING
JUDITH, JAMES and SARAH are in JUDITH's room. JAMES and SARAH stand in front of her with stern looks. JUDITH sits on her bed leaning back on her hands, looking unconcerned.
JAMES
We'll ask again, Judith: Who was here?
JUDITH
I don't know what you're talking about.
SARAH
We're serious, young lady. Did someone break in here?
JUDITH
I'm telling you I didn't see or hear anybody.
SARAH
So that dent down the hall just appeared all by itself?
JUDITH shrugs.
JUDITH
Don't look at me, I've been locked in here the whole time.
JAMES and SARAH don't look convinced. A look of realization crosses JAMES's face.
JAMES
Judith, was it JC?
JUDITH
What are you talking about?
JAMES
JC, was he here?
JUDITH
I told you I don't know what you're talking about.
SARAH grabs JUDITH's arm.
SARAH
This is important Judith. If JC was here you need to tell us.
JUDITH looks indignant. She pulls her arm away.
JUDITH
I don't know anything! Even if I did I wouldn't tell you!
SARAH
Judith, why are you upset?
JUDITH
You've kept me prisoner here! You refuse to
tell me anything important! You're not even
acting like my parents anymore! What happened to you guys?
JAMES
Judith, calm down.
JAMES takes JUDITH's arm and tries to pull her up. JUDITH yanks her arm back and swings her hands towards him. A large burst of fire erupts from her hands. JAMES and SARAH dodge in time and the fire damages a large area of the opposite wall. JUDITH falls to the floor screaming in pain. Her hands show blisters forming on her palms. JAMES and SARAH rush over to look.
SARAH
Judith, sweetie, are you okay?
JUDITH can't respond. JAMES and SARAH gently pick her up by the arms and escort her out of the room.
JAMES
Did you see that? Who knew she could do that?
SARAH
It was amazing. Her blood must be really potent.
JUDITH moans in pain. SARAH gives her a sympathetic look.
SARAH (cont.)
Don't worry honey, we'll take care of those burns.
CUT TO:
INT – JC'S BEDROOM, LATE NIGHT
JC is shown sleeping in his room. He turns repeatedly in a disturbed sleep. Soon, he sits up awake, breathing hard. After a moment he composes himself.
JC
I have to do something.
CUT TO:
INT – NONDESCRIPT BUILDING, EARLY MORNING
JC enters through the vent he previously entered through. He has the backpack ALICE gave him. He quickly goes down the hallways and up the stairs to JUDITH's room. He unlocks the door and enters, only to find the room empty, devoid of any use. He looks around in disbelief. DR. CLAY comes in behind him.
DR. CLAY
It's been a while, JC
JC
(bitterly)
Dr. Clay.
DR. CLAY
It's good to see you doing well.
JC turns around.
JC
How's it feel being my family's lapdog?
DR. CLAY
JC, I'm a doctor. It's my duty to study life in
all its forms. You and your sister are a whole
new level of what life can be. Think of what
you can do for the world.
JC
Where's my sister? Where did they take her?
DR. CLAY
Interesting question. Don't worry, you'll find
out soon enough. They'll tell you what you
need to know when they get you situated.
JC
No way. Not going to happen.
DR. CLAY pulls a gun and points it at JC.
JC (cont.)
What kind of doctor carries a gun?
DR. CLAY
I don't usually. It's just to protect myself until you're secured.
JC smirks at her.
JC
Then why am I not scared?
DR. CLAY
There's nothing to be scared of. But
I need to keep you secure until –
JC quickly grabs the gun and disarms DR. CLAY in a swift movement. He tucks the gun into his pocket.
JC
Pull something like that again and
you're going to need a real doctor.
DR. CLAY looks surprised and frightened. JC grabs her and pushes her back against a nearby wall.
JC (cont.)
Now you're going to tell me what I want
to hear. Why is our family doing this?
DR. CLAY
They said the two of you were special. They
have plans to have you help the rest of the world.
JC
And how do they intend to do this?
DR. CLAY
I don't know. They want to find out as
much as they can about your abilities.
JC
Who's in charge?
DR. CLAY
Your Uncle William and cousin Marcus.
Their company created this project.
JC
Are my parents a part of it?
DR. CLAY
Yes, they both report to them.
JC
What's your connection?
DR. CLAY
I was made your pediatrician because of my
background in genetics. I kept tabs on your development.
JC looks disgusted.
JC
What about my sister? Where did they take her?
DR. CLAY
I don't know.
JC
I don't believe you.
DR. CLAY
I swear I don't! They said they were
taking her I and I was to wait for you.
JC
You goddamn people!
JC strikes the wall behind her, knocking her to the floor. JC pulls the gun from his pocket and presses it against DR. CLAY's temple.
JC (cont.)
Where the hell is my sister!
DR. CLAY is in tears.
DR. CLAY
(Hysterically)
I don't know! I swear I don't know!
JC looks enraged. After a tense moment he pulls the gun away and storms off down the hall.
DR. CLAY (cont.)
I thought you were going to kill me.
JC
You're not worth the trouble.
JC puts the gun in his backpack. He gets to the door leading downstairs and stops when he hears voices from below. He turns and heads down the hall until he come across a ladder tucked into a corner.
CUT TO:
EXT – NONDESCRIPT BUILDING, EARLY MORNING
JC pushes opens a trapdoor leading to the roof. He closes it behind him and looks around. He's three stories up. Looking over the edge he notices an approaching garbage truck.
CUT TO:
INT - NONDESCRIPT BUILDING, EARLY MORNING
JAMES and SARAH arrive in front of a clouded window from opposite directions.
JAMES
No sign of him. How about you?
SARAH
Nothing from me. The only other place he could be is the roof.
JAMES
Oh, please. He's rash and desperate but he's not stupid.
JC's VOICE
Cowabunga!
A dark silhouette falls past the window. JAMES and SARAH open the window and look down. JC is seen digging his way out of the back of a moving garbage truck. As the truck drives away with him in it he sees his parents looking out the window. He smiles and holds his hand out in a sideways 'peace' symbol.
JC
Hey 'rents! Peace out!
JC laughs as the truck drives away and around a corner. JAMES and SARAH look at each other.
JAMES
Did you see what your son just did?
SARAH
Oh sure. He develops superpowers he's your son.
He jumps off a three story building he's my son.
The truck drives down the street and stops at a curb. JC discretely climbs out and heads down the street and ducks down some side alleys. The sound of tires screeching is heard. JC looks behind him and sees some cars have pulled up at the entrance to the street and people are getting out. He takes off running as the people shout after him. JC takes several turns down alleys, looking for the main road. Gunshots are heard as they impact parts of the wall near him. As he nears another side entrance a lucky shot connects with his upper back near his shoulder, causing him to stumble. He makes the turn and runs at full tilt down the straight away. Suddenly the environment seems to move past him more quickly. Further shots show he's running much faster than normal. The sounds of the men behind him grow faint. He nears a wall and jumps up trying to scale over it. He does so with ease as if running up said wall. He lands and rolls to his feet on the other side. There's no sign of his pursuers. He looks at his back as best he can and no injury is visible. JC straightens his attire and walks casually away.
FADE OUT