Author's Note: Finally, I've gotten around to writing the scene. I've had a weirdly busy week, you all know how that goes. I've got some story ideas bouncing about right now; be prepared to see some more random drabblings. Please review if you read this---thanks!

Act 2, Scene 3

Exterior-Morning-Woods

(The camera slowly moves through the undergrowth, about half a foot above the ground. It follows the sound of crunching and footsteps, increasing in speed. Branches occasionally obscure the view that is offered, and cracks are heard as they hit the camera. Pretty soon it goes in a fast blur, and a four-beat gallop is heard alongside it. Hooves, then legs are seen as some creature runs, followed by a sleek gray cat--probably a lynx.

The cat leaps and leaves the camera view for a second. The camera doesn't follow its path; the deer collapses to the ground and a pool of blood surrounds it. Its face, frozen and glassing over, is seen. The camera slowly moves past it, and stops when a familiar face is seen hidden in the undergrowth, completely still. A horrible odor rises from the general area and bits of waste can be seen smeared on his uniform to hide his scent.

He peers through the scope of his gun, waiting for the cat. A crack sounds.

The camera abruptly moves to the view of the three that have been reunited as they walk single-file through the pines. They're all grim faced, tired, and silent.)

Richard: We'll need to see if we can get information from the locals. From what I understand there's a town coming up on us.

(He sighs through his nose. Mellish grunts, nodding. Upham completely ignores him. He hasn't even looked at Richard since he lost his temper, and Richard's clearly tormented not only by this but also by Wade's death. Mellish stands somewhere in between the two

The camera moves back to Jackson's point of view. The cat lies dead, and the camera focuses on its mouth for a moment. Blood runs from between the two open jaws. Footsteps are heard and Jackson returns to his place...)

Mellish: I smell smoke.

Richard: One more fucking fire and I'm done with this damn trip.

Mellish: (Nonchalantly.) Consider it a journey. (He snaps his gun, chewing with his mouth open. He looks up at the sky, covering his eyes with one hand. Upham speaks up, quietly at first.)

Upham: A…journey, Mellish?

(The camera cuts to Jackson's scope as it locks in on Mellish's arm. The group's faces are obscured by the foliage; Jackson doesn't recognize them. His voice is hardly audible as he begins to pray.)

Mellish: Yeah, a journey. The way I figure people always get something out of 'em. We're getting our fellas back, which I consider getting something out of this.

Upham: I guess you could look at it that way.

(A loud crack startles them all. Mellish staggers back and puts a hand on his wound. Blood begins to soak through his uniform and then between his fingers. They all duck down, and Reiben looks about with an alert, harsh glare.)

Reiben: (Yelling.) What the fuck was that?!

Mellish: Beats me. My arm's been scraped up pretty badly. Upham, get some gauze or some alcohol or something. You've got Wade's bag. (For the first time Reiben sees Mellish is wounded.)

Reiben: For the love of Christ!

(Upham digs around in it with shaking hands and tosses Mellish a rolled bandage and a bottle with 'alcohol' scribbled on it in Wade's handwriting; free but just restrained enough to be legible; slanting. Upham's gaze settles on the word for a moment and he closes his eyes as if he has been injured. Reiben watches on tensely

Recognizing Reiben's accent from the yell Jackson quickly emerges from the bushes and darts towards them.)

Jackson: This is bullshit. Mellish, you okay?

(Upham's eyes seem to dimly light at seeing him. Mellish grins and Reiben throws back his head, laughing ironically and in staccato.)

Reiben: This is fucking dandy.

Mellish: Jackson. I'm fine.

(Jackson pauses when he sees that Upham's looking away. Everything seems to click at once and he watches Reiben with an uncomprehending expression.)

Jackson: God, Reiben, don't tell me that…

Upham: (Shakily.) Wade's dead.

(Jackson sinks against a tree, sitting down. He stares blankly, and the three watch him from afar. He lifts his head, his lips moving in words to his God too quiet to be heard.)

End Act 2, Scene 3.