Kyle's Journal:
Adam created me because he didn't want to be alone. Then he told me that I could touch the world with my mind, and my heart. At first, I thought he meant to teach others.
Latnok, however, believed I was the one; but I asked them once, the one to do what? To save mankind from itself. I answered, if Jesus, the Son of God, couldn't, how did they expect me to? They had no answer.
When the discovery of the rogue planet heading towards Earth was announced, I knew without a doubt, I was the one to save Earth. Physically, not spiritually. It was the reason I carried that information inside my head.
Chapter 5 – The Worst Is Yet To Come
While Kyle is in Washington, it's Nicole who meets Amanda and Carol at the airport and drives them home with her.
NICOLE: How was your flight?
She tries to maneuver her car through heavy traffic.
CAROL: Exhausting and hectic. Everyone's in a mad dash to be somewhere.
NICOLE (crawls forward): I've noticed.
CAROL: I really appreciate you taking us in, Nicole. I don't know how to thank you.
NICOLE: You're welcome.
CAROL (quick to reassure): It's just temporary, until I find work.
NICOLE: Of course. It won't be a problem.
She smiles at Carol and though Carol gives a small smile back, they both glance away, a silent understanding that it may not likely be a chance she'll ever get a job. With the newscast predicting the end of the world, no one will be hiring, despite the President's claim to continue as normal.
When they arrive at the Trager house, Nicole helps bring in their bags.
AMANDA (can't help asking): Is Kyle home?
NICOLE: No, he just texted. HE won't be back until tomorrow. Unless there's another delay in Washington.
Amanda enters the hallway and immediately sees the dining room entry way is now closed off.
AMANDA: Your dining room, did Kyle do this?
NICOLE: With the help of Steven, but mostly with Jessi's help. It's now your mom and Carol, yours too.
When Nicole opens the built in door and shows them inside, Carol puts a hand to her heart, overcome with emotion.
CAROL: Nicole, this is too much.
Two single beds, each with a nightstand are against the alcove area along the side wall. A dresser sits directly opposite while a desk and a chair have been placed in front of the dining room window. The china cabinet remains by the kitchen's swinging door.
NICOLE: The drawers in the cabinet are cleared out so you have extra storage. Our china had to stay in the top portion. Sorry though that we couldn't fit a closet in here.
CAROL: Goodness, what you've done is plenty, much more than I expected. Thank you, (she ends on a tearful choke).
NICOLE: I'll let you two get settled in while I fix dinner.
CAROL: I should help.
NICOLE: Relax, Carol. Settle first.
She nods and when Nicole shuts the door, she and Amanda start to unpack. They can hear Nicole prepare dinner through the locked swinging door. It wasn't soundproofed.
Amanda sets her laptop on the desk and her school books from the conservatory in the desk drawers, it was the last of her items she hd to unpack.
Carol packs away her files in another desk drawer and sets her laptop besides Amanda's.
CAROL: Guess we'll be sharing.
They smile and hug.
AMANDA: I'm so glad to be back.
CAROL: I am too.
They head out, not using the swinging door but the door that lead to the hallway. The moment Amanda sees what's in the living room, she exclaims in an excited voice,
AMANDA: My piano!
It is set further back against the wall and she immediately sits down and starts to play.
Carol smiles and hums then enters the kitchen to help Nicole. On entering, she sees Nicole chopping up vegetables.
CAROL: It's so good to hear her play. Kyle set that up for her too, didn't he?
NICOLE: He knows how she loves to play.
CAROL: I must thank him when he comes back.
Nicole smiles.
But it's anther three days before he returns home. The moment he and Jessi enter, he hears and sees Amanda playing the piano. She stops and turns around when she hears the front door open. Carol stands up from the couch, setting the newspaper she'd been reading down on the coffee table.
KYLE: Hello, Mrs. Bloom. (He sets down his luggage while Jessi slips by and heads down the hall to her room).
Carol comes over to him and surprises him with a hug. Amanda left the piano to hover close behind. Kyle hugs her back.
KYLE: It's good to have you back. (Then stares longingly at Amanda). Both of you.
CAROL (leans back): I just want to thank you, (she nods her head to the dining room and the piano).
KYLE: Steven helped. We just want to make you feel at home.
CAROL (cups his cheek): We do, (then she heads to the kitchen and leaves he and Amanda alone).
Amanda rushes closer as he does the same and hug as if the weeks they haven't seen each other were years.
AMANDA: Oh, how I've missed you.
KYLE: I missed you.
Then he runs his hand to the back of her head and kisses her, deep and long. She clings to him, pressing closer, but he breaks their kiss too soon and leans his forehead on hers.
KYLE: I have to work late tomorrow but I'd like to take you out.
AMANDA: I'll be here.
They smile, and he rubs her nose gently with his before he turns away and picks up his bag.
KYLE: I'll be right back.
AMANDA: I'll keep playing.
KYLE: I so missed your playing.
In answer she sits back down at the piano and plays his favorite melodies.
He smiles and hurries to his room to unpack.
At the dinner table as they all sit down to eat, they sit beside each other, holding hands.
JOSH: How was Washington?
STEVEN: Is it really true? The star can't be on a direct collision course with Earth, can it?
KYLE (shares a look with Jessi): I'm sorry, we've been sworn to secrecy. We're not allowed to talk about it.
STEVEN: You're kidding.
Kyle shakes his head.
JOSH: But what do we do?
KYLE: Like the President said for the country to do, ignore the doomsday predictions.
NICOLE (quietly): What do you suggest we do, Kyle?
He looks away, unable to answer, but he doesn't need to. The sad look on both his and Jessi's face is all too apparent. The doomsday predictions are to be believed.
Josh even has tears in his eyes. Lori shakes her head in denial.
LORI: Can't be. It can't end.
KYLE: I suggest we continue on as normal. Although, (he looks around at them all), what I can tell you is that the Latnok members and quite a few scientists and professors who are experts in their fields will be safe, as will their families.
NICOLE: How will we be safe?
KYLE: Jessi and I are working on it. However, I can't say more or give any details.
JESSI (stares at and scoops up a piece of meat on her plate): If they're not over 50.
Steven and Nicole, and Carol, glance over at her in alarm.
KYLE: A few who are over 50 will be saved.
JESSI: Right, (but her frown and sad look of remorse at them says they wouldn't be among the safe ones).
Amanda reaches over to hold her mom's hand.
AMANDA: No.
Josh and Lori stare at their parents who give each other a poignant look.
KYLE (glances down at his plate but doesn't see the food but what is to come, what he'll make sure will come to pass): You will be safe.
He lifts his head and glances at both Steven and Nicole.
AMANDA: And my mom?
She looks hopefully at him.
KYLE (frowns in alarm): I can't see.
CAROL (shivers): What do you mean by that?
This is the first time she has an indication of his abilities.
KYLE (turns to Amanda with sorrow): I'm sorry, I can't see that. I don't know why.
NICOLE: Well, maybe not now you can't, but later?
Kyle shakes his head at her which causes her to frown with concern.
CAROL: Really, you talk as if you can predict the future.
Kyle bites his lip and sits there, still struggling inwardly to see.
AMANDA: Don't worry, maybe your mom will be right.
KYLE (stops seeing inward and holds on to her hand): You're right, (he smiles at her in reassurance).
Deep down she's not assured, since usually his predictions come to pass.
Carol looks at him then at her daughter in puzzlement, then at the rest of the family who avoids her glance. They all act as if they believed he can see the future.
Over the next few weeks, Carol discovers how 'special' Kyle really is and why her daughter has fallen so madly in love with him. It's not just how super smart he is but how kind, generous, caring and helpful he is to his family and friends. And to others.
Cut to Kyle and Amanda as they head out the next night on a date. He takes her to a restaurant for dinner, the place isn't packed.
AMANDA: Not many people.
KYLE: Many are spending time at home. I think the economy's taking a hit we can't afford.
AMANDA: Things do seem to be at a standstill.
KYLE: How did you spend your day?
AMANDA: Playing the piano, reading my Bible, praying.
KYLE (gives a sad smile): I wish you could go to UW with me.
AMANDA: I think I'd like to find some work if I can. Pay my own way in some things. What's the point in being a pianist if... (she can't say the rest).
He knows though what she means, if the world is going to end, being a pianist doesn't seem a viable 'expert' job to have. He leans closer to her which makes her lean closer in.
KYLE (whispers): When I said family, it could mean you as well, if we're married.
Her eyes open wide then smiles a big smile.
AMANDA: Are you asking me to marry you?
KYLE (takes a jewellers box from his jacket, gets up and kneels down on one knee and opens it): Yes. Amanda, will you marry me?
AMANDA (puts a hand to her mouth as tears gather then nods): Yes, I will.
He places the ring on her finger then takes her in her arms and kisses her.
Behind them the staff had seen and they clap for them.
They smile back at the staff and sit back down. At the end of their dinner when Kyle pays the bill, the manager comes out.
MANAGER: Congratulations, you two.
KYLE: Thank you.
AMANDA: Wonderful meal.
They head out and as Kyle drives his newly purchased vehicle shortly after he started working for Latnok, Amanda studies her ring with admiration.
AMANDA: It's beautiful.
She doesn't notice until he parks at a motel what he has in mind for them both. Immediately her heart races with anticipation.
KYLE: At least we'll have privacy here than at home.
AMANDA: Agreed.
They hold hands as they enter their motel room. Kyle slips a "do not disturb" sign over the doorknob and closes the door.
When they arrive home early that morning, Amanda shows her mom her ring.
AMANDA: Isn't it wonderful, mom? We're going to be married.
CAROL: I, well, congratulations. (She hugs her ecstatic daughter then hugs Kyle). My son-in-law.
Steven then Nicole have their turns at hugging the happy couple before Lori and Josh get their turn.
LORI: Hey, you'll be my sister-in-law soon, (as she hugs Amanda).
AMANDA: Yep, very soon.
JOSH: So, when's the big day?
KYLE: About a month from now.
CAROL (gazes at him in surprise): That soon?
KYLE: Why wait?
The threat of what's to come looms over, clouding their happy moment.
JOSH: At least she'll be family, and you too, Mrs. Bloom. (That gives him an idea, an insane one). Dad, Mom.
NICOLE (glances over at him and wondering at his serious tone): Josh?
JOSH: Can I marry Andy?
STEVEN: Josh, you're way too...young, (then he catches drift of where Josh is going with his question). You don't want to leave her behind.
JOSH: No, I don't.
NICOLE: Oh, Josh, we'd have to talk it over with her moms, and, I don't know.
JESSI: It might get complicated. They'd suspect the truth.
JOSH: Yeah, well, if she's family, she'll know the truth.
His entreating look though is focused on Kyle.
KYLE: I think it's worth the risk.
STEVEN (studies Kyle): You're sure. (At Kyle's nod, he turns back to Josh). We'll approach her moms.
Josh grins widely, makes a thumb's up at Kyle and dashes upstairs.
NICOLE: Where are you going?
JOSH: To talk to Andy!
LORI: Surely you're not going to propose to her over video-cam are you?
JOSH (looks as if he was about to do just that then has a second thought): A date, the date, the greatest I can make it. (Then frowns). I have to plan it.
LORI (shakes her head): Yeah, I would think.
Kyle smiles and with his arm hooked around Amanda, head to his room.
NICOLE: Um, Kyle?
Kyle pauses.
NICOLE: I know you're engaged but, (she glances over at Carol who has turned away and has walked into the living room), um, some ground rules?
KYLE: I understand.
Nicole nods and Kyle and Amanda continue to his bedroom.
KYLE (heading over to his desk and picks something up): I made these for us.
He hands her a necklace with a thin silver cylinder attached, as long as her finger.
KYLE: What I can tell you is, that we're building an ark to house a million people. Those who won't make it will have their sperm and eggs frozen to help rebuild the human race on the new planet.
AMANDA: I know you said or rather implied that the world, I mean it's really happening, isn't it? (Tears pool).
KYLE: It is. But with so much work to be done, we won't be able to start a family until we have a new home set up on Zira.
AMANDA: That's the name of the new planet?
KYLE (nods): I already froze my sperm and put it in your cylinder. (Then he holds up another cylinder and places it on his chain that holds Adam's Latnok ring). If we have your eggs frozen and placed in mine, we'll be ready.
AMANDA: Um, I'm not sure I understand. Why do we need to freeze when we could just as easily make babies, um, how we did last night?
KYLE: I know, but I'm going to be working in a radiation zone.
AMANDA (puts a hand to her mouth): Oh no, that's way too dangerous, you can't-
KYLE: I have to, it's necessary. So, just in case the radiation will affect my chances, this is just a precaution.
AMANDA: But, you could find another way, you always do.
KYLE: I am building a robot that will do most of the work, but I still will need to do the work hands on, it can't be avoided.
AMANDA (hugs him): Then yes, I'll freeze my eggs. But be careful?
KYLE (hugs her close): Always.
The next few months are busy for him, spending whatever free time he has with Amanda, making sweet love to her, while working hard at Latnok, then taking a few trips up to NASA on building and re-constructing the International Space Station into a large ark to house at least a million people.
On one trip back he comes home tired. Amanda is out, she's back at work at the Rack, full time. Carol is the only one at home. She's sitting down at the kitchen table taking a sip of coffee.
CAROL: Hello, Kyle.
KYLE: Hello, Mrs. Bloom. How's it going?
CAROL (sighs heavily): No job leads.
KYLE: That's too bad.
Working on automatic pilot and feeling far too comfortable being back home, he mentally lifts a coffee mug hanging on a hook and heads to the coffee pot and brings it over to pour coffee in it. He puts the coffee pot back, takes a spoon from the drawer then takes out some milk. As he pours in the milk he mentally makes the spoon spin around inside the mug to mix the milk so the coffee is a nice creamy brown.
It's only when he takes a sip that he notices Mrs. Bloom staring at him with her mouth wide open. Then he realizes what he's done. He looks down at the coffee then back at her.
KYLE: Ah, I think there's something you should know about me.
CAROL: You did levitate that time in the garden!
KYLE: Yes, but I didn't want anyone knowing. I still don't.
CAROL: Why? And how can you do that?
KYLE: Well, one, I didn't want people to come and take me away and experiment on me. I had enough of that as a child.
CAROL: As a child? What do you mean?
KYLE: I was held prisoner, never allowed out anywhere.
CAROL: Who would do that to you? Not ever? (Her tone is one of disbelief).
KYLE: Not ever.
But she looks from him to the spinning spoon in the coffee cup.
KYLE: I developed special abilities. (He looks down at the spoon as well). As you can see.
CAROL: But the danger's passed, isn't it?
KYLE: The previous board members where I work now know of me and what I can do. I had to 'persuade' them to forget me.
CAROL (looks at him wide-eyed and a little afraid): What do you mean, persuade? Is that why you were in the detention center? You hurt them?
KYLE (looks at her aghast): No! (Then more firmly), No, Mrs. Bloom. I 'talked' to them and convinced them to let me live my life.
CAROL (frowns in confusion): Talk? You just talked? If these people were dangerous and threatened your family, how could just a mere talk convince them?
His wince doesn't convince her that he didn't just talk without something more happening and suspects some form of violence.
KYLE: Just as I'm able to move this spoon, I can 'mentally' nudge someone to, or 'persuade' them to think differently.
CAROL (looks even more fearful of him and sets down her coffee): Mind control? You can control the people around you just by thinking...
KYLE: The threatened me, Amanda and my family, (he keeps his head down watching the coffee in his cup swirl).
CAROL: So, is my daughter's love for you real or just what you want her to believe?
At that he looks up at her with a hurt expression.
KYLE: I would never control anyone that way, Mrs. Bloom. Love is freely, and always should be, freely given.
CAROL: But you can control minds! (Then she huffs as she thinks back on what he just said). They threatened Amanda?
KYLE (sets his mug down, the spoon has stopped spinning and he takes it out, a physical action with his hand instead of his mind): I have a lot of scientific knowledge locked inside my head, like a compressed file. Knowledge that could, if in the wrong hands, be far more dangerous then my mind control ability. That's what they really wanted. The information.
CAROL: What danger could such information pose?
KYLE: They would have used the information to make dozens of clones of me.
CAROL (gapes at him): Clones? Why in the world would they want to do that? (She wrings her hands as her mind tries to grasp the implications). To make more mind control frea- (she quickly covers her mouth).
KYLE (gives a sad smile): I guess I do seem pretty freakish, don't I?
He brings his coffee with him to the table and sits down, trying not to notice how she skitters away from him.
KYLE: Maybe it might help you to understand me if you knew everything about me, and where I came from.
He proceeds to tell her his life story of how he was kept in a pod all his life.
Carol finally sits down and is looking at him with a lot more sympathy, though she is still uneasy. At least she is listening.
CAROL: And of course Amanda knows all your secrets.
KYLE: That is the great family secret, and now that you're my mother-in-law, you needed to know, too. All I ask, (he emphasizes), is that you keep it secret, too.
CAROL: I've been your mother-in-law for a couple of months now, and you only told me because I caught you red-handed, so to speak.
KYLE (smiles ruefully): True.
CAROL: Then why haven't you told me before? (She narrows her eyes at him). you were afraid of how I'd react.
KYLE (tries to create some levity between them): I thought I was the one who could read minds.
Oops, okay, slipping in that other tidbit of his various abilities might have been over the top. Sometimes being too honest is too honest for his own good.
CAROL (leans back as if to get far away from him): You can read minds?
KYLE: Yes, but I can block thoughts, otherwise there would be a painful canopy of voices rining inside my head if I couldn't block. And I mean painful.
His heartfelt remembrance of what it is like to hear everyone's thoughts makes her less wary that he might be reading her thoughts.
CAROL: So, you can't read me, can you?
KYLE: Not without your permission and only if I focus exclusively on you. (He glances quickly over her). I do very well just by reading body language and hearing a raised heartbeat, and tell-tale sweat beading the skin. I'm highly attuned to people's physical reactions.
CAROL: I, I don't know what to say.
KYLE: It's a lot to take in.
CAROL: And why my daughter was so scared.
KYLE: Of the old board at Latnok, not of me.
CAROL (tilts her head at him): I believe you.
KYLE: Thank you.
CAROL: Well, I better fix dinner. Do something useful with earning my keep.
Kyle stands up with her, but she waves at him to sit back down.
KYLE: Actually, Mrs. Bloom, I wanted to ask you something.
CAROL (pauses before heading to the sink): Yes?
KYLE: Would you like to train in a new field? Like operating a nursery? I mean with plants, not babies. It's hydroponics. Jackie is swamped and in need of an assistant.
CAROL: Hydroponics? Sounds intriguing. (She doesn't take but a second to think on it). Yes, I would like that very much. How did you know I'd be interesting in working with plants.
KYLE (nods towards her former house): You tended the garden and your plants thrived. Amanda said you would never let her near your flowers, she didn't have the green thumb you did.
CAROL: Ha, yes, the one time I told Amanda to keep an eye on them while I was away at work for the week, I came back and they all died from lack of thirst. It was a rare week in Seattle where it didn't rain.
Kyle smiles, then waits. She clearly wants to say more.
CAROL: I know that for the past week Nicole and Steven are learning a whole new set of skills in order to qualify to go on this ark, despite them being your parents.
KYLE: There's a lot to learn.
CAROL: Mmm, so how did you 'persuade' whoever is in charge for them to go on this ark when no one over 50 is allowed?
KYLE: There are only a few over 50 who have the experience and knowledge needed for the voyage.
CAROL: But not me.
KYLE: I didn't use mental persuasion. I bargained on sharing some of my information, formulas and equations needed to build the ark with the sole intent of saving lives in exchange for my parents, (he smiles at her), and my wife's parent, who can be a part of that saved million. They agreed.
CAROL: And when did this happen?
KYLE: Yesterday. But yes, you need to, as they put it, 'pull your own weight.'
CAROL (smiles and nods): you can be sure I'll work hard to do so.
Then she surprises him by coming over and kissing him on the cheek.
CAROL: Thank you, Kyle.
Then she starts making supper, shooing him away when he tries to help pitch in. Her way of working for her room and board at the Trager house.
With Mrs. Bloom now on board at Latnok, training with Jackie on how to grow and nurture specialized plants and food for space travel, Kyle is assured that his family will be going with him to the new world on Zira.
That left only Hillary, Lori's best friend. She can train too and her speciality could be as an archivist and historian. Recording and cataloguing the whole journey. A keeper of human history and civilization. A job offer she takes on whole-heartedly.
As for Declan, he trains with Foss, to become his personal guard as his popularity grows. As his personal guard, his position assures Declan a spot on board the ark. It's only by coincidence that Declan and Jackie have now become an item. Marrying Jackie is close on the horizon. In fact, Lori and Mark are already engaged, and Steven and Nicole have agreed to let Josh marry Andy in a few months despite them both being underage. Her mothers have agreed to the union as well.
Having to go on another trip to NASA, Kyle kisses Amanda goodbye. Jessi passes them, she's going with him.
JESSI: I'll wait in the cab.
Kyle just nods but his gaze is focused completely on Amanda.
KYLE: Be back in a couple of weeks.
AMANDA (kisses him long and deep): I'll be counting the days.
He smiles, lingers for just a little longer as they kiss one last time then hurries out the door to his waiting taxicab.
She waves goodbye and he waves back.
While at NASA Kyle feels impending dread and grows anxious. Agitation sets in when he hears on the new that Seattle has been hit by a massive earthquake. The planet Zira will take another month before it passes Earth to cause the earthquakes and tidal waves predicted. So to have Seattle hit so soon with a massive earthquake is alarming.
No one can stop him as he arranges for a private jet to fly him back to Seattle. He fears the worst has happened. Jessi goes with him, just as anxious and looks over at him with a worried look.
But the guy at the airport terminal says there are no pilots available. Unless he can fly the plane to Seattle himself.
Kyle and Jessi pull out the manual on the plane and read it.
KYLE: I can fly.
He pays the man a hefty sum for the plane's rental and they both board. They barely make a safe landing at Seattle's airport as the runway is littered and torn up with debris. But land they do, linking hands and mentally landing the plane without incident.
They don't bother with finding a cab and after being cleared through customs, start running towards home.
Kyle enters the morgue. He still can't believe the news and had to see for himself. Amanda can't be dead.
But as he looks down then picks up her broken body, he cries.
KYLE: No, no. I should have been here.
Instead he was at work, building and making repairs on NASA's shuttle-crafts and equipment to be sent to the ark. She was alive just a few days ago, he still could taste and feel her lips on his, alive with promise.
Sensing a presence in the room, he looks up, vision blurred with tears, at Amanda's mother. She's just staring down at her daughter, the life gone from her eyes.
KYLE: Mrs. Bloom, (he chokes).
She doesn't acknowledge him.
He uses every sense he has to scan Amanda's body, but she's been dead too long and rigour mortis has already long since set in. If only he'd been here when the earthquake hit. He could have dug her body from beneath a scaffolding that fell on her. He could have repaired all her injuries. She'd be alive. But he wasn't here, he was off saving the world, and now he couldn't save her.
He continues to rock Amanda back and forth with grief, unwilling to let go of her. Even when he senses Nicole come up beside him and place her hand on his shoulder, he refuses to let go.
NICOLE: Kyle, come on. You can't stay. They have to...
He shakes his head.
NICOLE: Her body is here, but her spirit, it's with The Lord now. Isn't that what she believed? You have to, too.
He just nods.
NICOLE (tugs at him): Come on.
Finally, reluctantly, he set her body gently back down.
NICOLE (goes over to Carol): Carol, I'm so so sorry, (she chokes on tears herself and hugs Carol).
But Carol gives no response. So Nicole is forced to take her arm and guide her away. Steven comes in.
STEVEN: Need help?
NICOLE: Yes, take Kyle for me.
STEVEN (catches a glimpse of Amanda's body): Oh, man, (he tries to avoid looking at her as he takes Kyle's arm and leads him away). I'm sorry, Kyle. (There's tears of sorrow in his eyes as well).
They lead them out and take them both home. Neither is responding emotionally, Kyle and Mrs. Bloom have shut down.
Andy comes downstairs and takes one look at Kyle then rushes over to him and gives him a hug. He doesn't hug back. Josh has come down too and gives him a brief hug.
JOSH: She was a great sister-in-law, (then bites his lip, fighting back tears).
Steven leads Kyle towards the living room and sits him down in a chair while Nicole guides and sits Carol over on to the couch.
NICOLE: I'll make tea.
Andy sits beside Mrs. Bloom and takes her cold in hers, rubbing her hand in an attempt to warm it up.
At the funeral, Kyle stares down at Amanda's grave. She'd been cremated. Mrs. Bloom places a rose over her grave then just stands there. Kyle takes her hand in his and keeps standing there. Carol squeezes his hand, her only reaction for his comforting touch. Again, Nicole and Steven have to lead them away so the caretakers and cover her grave.
Declan and Foss hover in the background keeping an eye on things as the media arrives, snapping pictures. A police escort tries to keep the media at bay.
It was leaked to the press that Kyle is the miracle scientist who is working with NASA to save Earth. All the skeptics now believe in the astronomer who tried telling people that the star Bellus will collide with Earth. They can all see the planet Zira's arrival in the sky. If it was that close then it's star is not too far behind. No one had believed the astronomer and scoffed at him. They believe now and panic has set in.
DECLAN (comes up to Steven and Nicole): NASA wants all of Latnok, especially Kyle, to move to Florida where the Kennedy spaceport is. They don't want to risk having all their great minds far from them. And be ready to launch at a moment's notice.
STEVEN: We'll start packing.
Nicole guides Carol into her bedroom, still in the converted dining area, and leaves her to pack up their things.
Carol gets up and closes the door then goes to the desk and picks up the wedding picture of Amanda and Kyle. She traces a finger over her daughters face.
CAROL: So not fair, God. You took my only child from me. First my husband, now my daughter. Now me.
She sets the picture back down and goes over to her nightstand, pulls out a drawer and takes out a letter. On this letter it reads: "After the death of your daughter, Mrs. Amanda Kyle Trager, we regret to inform you that you will not be one of the million selected to board the ark..." Then she picks up a bottle of pills, and then quickly puts both the letter and the pills back in the drawer when she hears a soft knock on the door.
CAROL: Come in.
The door opens and Nicole pokes her head inside.
NICOLE: Can I get you anything Carol?
CAROL: Water. Just water.
NICOLE (sounds encourages she spoke): Be right back.
Nicole comes in with a large glass of water and sets it on the nightstand.
CAROL (not looking at her, just stares out the window): Thank you, Nicole.
NICOLE: You're welcome. (She places a hand on her shoulder). I'll be back to help you pack.
CAROL: No need. In fact, I think I'll have a lie down.
NICOLE: All right, but if you need me, just call.
CAROL: I will.
NICOLE: Okay. Our ride will come first thing in the morning. (She winces). 3am. We could all use an early night.
Carol nods and Nicole leaves her, shutting the door.
After a few minutes, Carol pulls out her suitcase, sets it by the door to make it look like she packed. What she does take to lay beside her on the bed is Amanda's picture. Only then does she take out the pills and starts swallowing a couple at a time, downing the whole bottle. She tosses the bottle in the garbage can, covers it with some tissue before lying down on the bed; beginning to feel very woozy and feeling her heart beat faster. She grabs a hold of her daughter's picture as sweat covers her forehead and places her forearm over her head.
When Nicole comes in to check on her, she sees the suitcase and thinks just what Carol wanted her to think, that she is packed and ready and is now asleep.
But Kyle, lying in his tub and staring at the ceiling, clasping Amanda's shirt in his hand, suddenly jerks up, alert that something is very wrong.
KYLE (listens in with horror): Mrs. Bloom.
He runs to the dining room, whizzing past Nicole.
NICOLE (startled on seeing him so active): Oh, Kyle! Carol's asleep.
Jessi comes out and rushes over.
KYLE (gives Nicole a stricken look): No, she's not.
NICOLE (glances from Jessi to Kyle): What do you mean?
JESSI (has her head tilted and Nicole knows she's listening for something): Her heart has stopped.
Steven comes down the stairs and overhears them.
NICOLE (places a hand over her mouth): What?
They all rush in.
Kyle feels Mrs. Bloom's pulse. Glances at the empty water glass and then picks up the garbage can and takes out the bottle of pills, reading the prescription.
NICOLE: Oh, my God.
Kyle sees the partially opened nightstand drawer and opens it to see the letter of rejection.
STEVEN: Is there a chance, (he waves a hand helplessly to Carol)?
Kyle reads the letter then closes his eyes and shakes his head. He leaves the picture of Amanda that Carol holds to her heart.
STEVEN: I'll call the coroner.
No one sleeps that night, and the trip to Kennedy is silent. They never had a chance nor time to attend Carol's funeral.
