Behind the Scripts Stories in Progress E-Book

Frank Lehmann

• Herausgeber: BoD - Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 232

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Welcome to a book that offers more than just screenplays, it provides an exclusive glimpse into the very first drafts of two film projects. If you are passionate about the creative process behind a film and want to experience how an idea evolves into a living story, then this book is for you. This book is for readers who do not just consume stories but engage with them, feel them, and want to be part of their development. It is for those who appreciate the raw, unpolished energy of a first screenplay draft and enjoy witnessing the journey from concept to completion. Here, you will not find polished, meticulously refined scripts, but rather exciting blueprints that still have room to grow. We invite you to be part of the journey. Your thoughts, feedback, and enthusiasm can help shape these projects into films. Let us create stories together that captivate and inspire. Enjoy the read and the discovery!

Leseprobe

Welcome to a book that offers more than just screenplays – it provides an exclusive glimpse into the very first drafts of two film projects. If you're passionate about the creative process behind a film and want to experience how an idea evolves into a living story, then this book is for you.

This book is for readers who don’t just consume stories but engage with them, feel them, and want to be part of their development. It’s for those who appreciate the raw, unpolished energy of a first screenplay draft and enjoy witnessing the journey from concept to completion. Here, you won’t find polished, meticulously refined scripts – but rather exciting blueprints that still have room to grow.

We invite you to be part of the journey. Your thoughts, feedback, and enthusiasm can help shape these projects into films. Let’s create stories together that captivate and inspire.

Enjoy the read and the discovery!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Haunting Depths – Supay´s Realm

Pitch-Deck

Script

3. Blog 2035

Pitch-Deck

...

Script

Pitch Deck

Tagline:

“There are evils that never die—they just wait.”

Logline

When Alice Walker’s son, Dennis, disappears at a derelict psychiatric clinic, she teams up with police officer Steve Miles to uncover a dreadful, ancient force that claims its victims in a place of shadows. Their only hope of ending this evil may require burning down the very site of its power—yet it won’t bring Dennis back.

Brief Synopsis

Setup

: Alice, a single mother, searches for her 20-year-old son Dennis, who vanished while exploring a “Lost Place” with his friend Tom. The local police are indifferent, until Steve Miles listens to her pleas.

Conflict

: Clues lead to an abandoned psychiatric clinic with a disturbing record of vanishings. Professor Livingston reveals a centuries-old Inca-related curse (Supay) bound to the clinic, devouring anyone who dares enter.

Tension Escalation

: Several teens, including the mayor’s daughter Amelia, throw a covert party in the clinic. They are attacked by horrifying shadow creatures lurking within.

Climax

: Realizing bullets do nothing and that the monsters fear fire, Alice and Steve soak the building in gasoline, setting it ablaze to destroy the demon.

Outcome

: The clinic is consumed by flames, presumably eradicating the supernatural threat. Official reports blame a catastrophic fire and “mass hallucinations.” Alice returns to her old life, unable to save Dennis, but ensuring no one else will fall prey to that horror.

Genre & Tone

Genre

: Horror / Supernatural Thriller

Tone

:

Intensely atmospheric, mixing psychological dread with monstrous encounters.

Grounded emotional core through Alice’s maternal anguish.

Mythic flair via an Inca curse, blending real-world believability with dark mysticism.

Target Audience

Age Range

: Horror fans, 16+ or 18+ depending on intensity.

Interests

: Supernatural/haunted settings, folklore-based horror (akin to

Silent Hill

,

Evil Dead

,

Insidious

), plus a relatable emotional hook.

Market

: Ideal for genre festivals, theatrical or streaming (Netflix, Shudder, Amazon Prime), strong potential for global appeal.

Unique Selling Points (USP)

Emotional Core

: A mother’s desperate search for her missing son imbues the horror with deep stakes.

Lost Place Setting

: An abandoned clinic, an illicit teenage party, and a hidden demon—a potent blend of youth culture and supernatural terror.

Inca Mythology

: Supay (god of the underworld) adds a distinctive cultural edge, elevating the film above standard ghost stories.

Fire Finale

: Dramatic, visually striking climax—fire versus darkness—that seals the demon’s fate in a literal blaze.

Visual Concept

Look & Feel

:

Decaying corridors, dusty wards, flickering neon or emergency lights.

Color palette: cold greens/blues by night, contrasting with the orange glow of muzzle flashes and the final blazing fire.

Monsters as semi-seen shadows with black “vein-like” growths.

Atmosphere

:

Hybrid of classic haunted-house horror and gritty police procedural.

Key Characters

Alice Walker

: Determined single mother, evolving from uncertain to fearless in her quest to save Dennis and others.

Steve Miles

: Empathetic cop, drawn into an unimaginable threat, becomes Alice’s staunch ally.

Professor Theodor Livingston

: Once led the clinic, inadvertently locked in a curse from a doomed patient, O’Kelly.

Amelia

: The mayor’s daughter, celebrating her 18th birthday in the clinic—only to face unimaginable terror.

Mayor Donald Abraham

: Tries to dismiss “rumors” to protect the town, but panics when Amelia is endangered.

Budget & Production

Budget Range

: Low-to-mid for a horror film, depending on VFX/practical effects.

Key emphasis on an

evocative location

(the abandoned clinic) and

practical monster FX

.

Locations

:

Abandoned building or studio sets for the clinic’s interior.

Police station, mayor’s home, external city streets.

Minimal reliance on big sets beyond the core haunted environment.

Conclusion / Appeal

“Shadows of the Clinic” merges classic haunted-house dread with a mother’s heart-wrenching drama, spiced by an underutilized Inca mythological threat. Combining emotional stakes—Alice’s desperate search for her son—and harrowing set pieces—teenagers facing a horrific demise—offers a gripping horror experience. The flaming finale is equal parts visual spectacle and narrative catharsis. This film aims to satisfy horror purists while capturing mainstream viewers with its deeply human storyline.

Ready to torch the darkness and conquer this evil once and for all?

SCRIPT

HAUNTING DEPTHS - SUPAY´S REALM

Written by Frank Lehmann

First Draft 01.11.2025

Freiwasser Filmproduktion

Metelsdorfer Str. 2b

23972 Dorf Mecklenburg

GERMANY

Phone: [phone]

Mail: [email protected]

EXT. ABANDONED PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC – LATE AFTERNOON

A decrepit psychiatric clinic looms at the end of an overgrown path. TOM (20) and DENNIS (20) stand before its massive, weathered door. Each holds a camera. They share an excited, mischievous grin.

TOM (INTO HIS CAMERA)

This is insane! Look at this place, Dennis!

DENNIS (RAISING HIS CAMERA)

Lost Place number seven—this is

gonna be our highlight reel!

They set their shoulders and push the heavy door. It creaks open, stirring dust motes in the fading light.

INT. ABANDONED PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC – HALLWAY – LATE AFTERNOON

Their flashlights sweep across peeling wallpaper, broken furniture, and scattered debris. Their voices echo, full of nervous laughter.

DENNIS

I’m sending a video to my mom. She’s gonna freak when she sees where we are.

Dennis checks his phone. No signal.

DENNIS (QUIET FRUSTRATION) (CONT’D)

Damn. No reception. I’ll step outside for a sec.

Tom nods, distracted by an old medical cabinet. Dennis slips out.

EXT. ABANDONED PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC – EARLY EVENING

Dennis stands in the dimming light, illuminated by the glow of his phone’s screen. He quickly sends the video. Relieved, he heads back in.

INT. ABANDONED PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC – HALLWAY – EARLY EVENING

Dennis returns, expecting Tom’s eager chatter. Instead—silence.

DENNIS

Tom? Hey, where’d you go?

He searches room after room. On the floor: TOM’S BACKPACK and a FLASHLIGHT still shining.

DENNIS (UNDER HIS BREATH) (CONT’D)

What the hell...?

A faint, scratching whisper radiates from the shadows. Dennis lifts the flashlight, pointing it toward the sound.

Black, pulsating veins spread across the walls, creeping closer with unsettling speed.

DENNIS (SHAKEN) (CONT’D)

Oh God…

He staggers back. The flashlight slips from his hand and lands on the floor. In its narrow beam, a zombie-like figure scuttles past.

Dennis screams—raw and terrified—and then, abruptly, silence.

Only the flashlight remains, illuminating empty space and the distant echo of something dreadful that just happened.

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD / FOREST – DAY (DRONE SHOT)

A compact car glides along a winding country road, flanked by dense forest. From high above, the lush canopy spreads out below. TITLE and CREDITS appear on screen as the car continues on its path.

The view follows the car into a small TOWN, still from the air. It cruises down the main street, passing modest shops and cottages, finally coming to a stop in front of the POLICE STATION.

The car halts.

END DRONE SHOT.

EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY

At ground level, ALICE (38) steps out of the car. She closes the door firmly and walks toward the station´s entrance, determination in every step.

INT. POLICE STATION – DAY

A busy open-plan office. SEVERAL OFFICERS at their desks, typing reports, sorting through files. Computers hum softly, a ceiling fan turns lazily. At the entrance, behind a COUNTER, a DESK OFFICER (50) reads a newspaper.

ALICE (38) enters. Concern and determination etched on her face, she heads straight for the counter.

ALICE

Excuse me, I’m looking for my son, Dennis Walker. He and his friend Tom have been missing for two months. I’ve got a lead that they were last seen in this area.

The DESK OFFICER lowers his newspaper, sighing as if irritated.

DESK OFFICER

Sorry, ma’am. Can’t help you with that.

(calls over his shoulder) Petersen! Could you handle this?

At the back of the room, a door opens: STEVE MILES (42) steps out of the HANK OBAMA’S OFFICE. Holding a few files, he moves toward his desk, right next to OFFICER PETERSEN (35). He settles in quietly, observing the exchange from a short distance.

ALICE looks uncertain, then walks over to PETERSEN’s desk. PETERSEN barely acknowledges her presence.

PETERSEN

What’s this about?

ALICE

My son Dennis and his friend Tom disappeared two months ago. Dennis sent me this video of them entering an old clinic nearby. He’s registered as missing in London. Please, I need your help.

She shows PETERSEN a photo of DENNIS and TOM and the VIDEO on her phone. PETERSEN gives it a cursory glance.

STEVE, now seated at his desk, pretends to flip through documents but is actually listening closely. He frowns at his colleague’s dismissive attitude.

PETESEN

(sighing)

We’ve had all the info from London PD. No sign of your boys here.

PETERSEN (CONT’D)

They probably just took off. Happens all the time. People vanish and then turn up later.

ALICE’s voice trembles with anxiety.

ALICE

You don’t understand—this clinic, something’s wrong! I need you to look into it.

PETERSEN raises a hand dismissively.

PETERSEN

Ma’am, without concrete evidence, there’s not much we can do. Our resources are limited. Trust the authorities.

ALICE is on the verge of tears, yet tries to remain composed.

ALICE But

my son—

PETERSEN glances at the clock, impatient.

PETERSEN

I’m on break now. Sorry.

ALICE stands there, devastated. She turns and walks toward the exit. STEVE watches her go, sensing her despair. He says nothing but his tight jaw and narrowed eyes reveal his disapproval. As ALICE reaches the door, STEVE shakes his head slightly, then returns to his files, already considering how he might take action on his own.

EXT. POLICE STATION – DAY

The police station door swings open. ALICE (38) steps out, the sunlight catching her eyes. She walks to her car parked nearby, shoulders squared, her face a mask of controlled resolve. Still, there’s a tension in her eyes that betrays her inner turmoil.

She gets in, closes the door. For a moment, she breaks down completely, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her breath comes in shaky gasps. After a few moments, she wipes her face, checking her reflection in the rearview mirror, determined to regain composure.

ALICE picks up her PHONE and dials. It rings

ALICE (TRYING TO SOUND CALM)

Hello? Yes, it’s Alice… I just wanted to let you know I’m here. I spoke with the police, but… they’re not taking this seriously. I’m so sorry. Look, I’m not giving up. I’m going to stay here, find a room, and keep looking for Dennis and Tom. I won’t stop, okay?

She listens, nodding as though the other person could see her.

ALICE

Yes, I’ll call you again as soon as I have any news. Thank you… Take care. Bye.

She ends the call, starts the engine, and pulls onto the main street. The car glides through the small town until the buildings give way to the sights of the HARBOR ahead. Alice´s gaze remains steady, determined.

INT. SMALL HOTEL AT THE HARBOR – DAY

A cozy lobby with warm lighting. Through a large window near the reception desk, sunlight filters in, revealing a view of the harbor. Next to the desk is a small table where two GUESTS (in their 30s) browse brochures and quietly discuss the local attractions.

ALICE (38) enters, carrying a travel bag. She appears determined but maintains a polite demeanor. Behind the RECEPTION stands SARAH (27), smiling warmly.

SARAH

Good afternoon, welcome! How can I help you?

ALICE

Good afternoon. I’d like a room, please—just for three nights to start.

Sarah inputs some details into the computer, her smile never fading.

SARAH

No problem. We have a lovely room overlooking the harbor. May I have your name?

ALICE

Alice Walker.

Sarah types a bit more, then retri ves a key.

SARAH

Ms. Walker, here are your keys. You’ll find your room on the first floor. Just take the stairs next to the reception desk. Your room number is 12.

Alice takes the key, then hesitates slightly before asking:

ALICE

One more thing—do you know anything about missing persons in this area?

Sarah shakes her head, still polite and composed.

SARAH

I’m sorry, not that I know of. Is everything all right?

Alice offers a faint smile.

ALICE

Yes, thank you. I was just curious. Thanks again.

She picks up her bag and heads upstairs. The guests at the table continue murmuring softly among themselves as Sarah returns to her tasks.

INT. HOTEL ROOM – DAY

ALICE (38) enters the room, setting her travel bag on a chair beside a small table. The space is sparsely furnished but clean and cozy. There’s a double bed, a small wardrobe, a bedside table with a lamp. Warm hues on the walls give a soft, welcoming glow despite the simplicity.

She surveys the room, takes a quick look into the adjacent bathroom, then moves past the double bed to the window. Pulling the curtain aside, she gazes out: boats in the harbor, a gentle breeze rippling the water’s surface. Under different circumstances, it would be a peaceful, picturesque scene.

Allowing the curtain to fall back, ALICE sits on the bed. She takes out her phone and plays the last video she received from DENNIS and TOM. Tears well in her eyes as their familiar voices and faces flicker across the screen.

Overcome by sorrow and fatigue, she places the phone on the bedside table. Rolling onto her side, she lets the tears stream silently down her face. Eventually, she cries herself into a fitful sleep.

INT. HARBOR BAR – EVENING

The bar is lively. LOCALS and TOURISTS chat, laugh, and enjoy the energetic atmosphere. On a small stage, a MUSICIAN (30) plays guitar and sings modern rock-pop tunes, filling the room with a vibrant mood.

ALICE (38) enters and takes a brief look around before heading to the bar. The BARTENDER (40) greets her with a friendly smile.

BARTENDER

Good evening. What can I get you?

ALICE (SLIGHTLY WEARY)

A cocktail, please. Something with rum and pineapple.

As the BARTENDER mixes the drink, he studies ALICE briefly.

BARTENDER

New in town?

ALICE (NODDING)

Yes, I just arrived today.

BARTENDER (FRIENDLY)

Welcome to Pearl Harbor. It’s usually quiet here, but the nights can be quite lively.

ALICE takes the cocktail, thanks him, and moves to a table by the window. She sips her drink, observing the crowd, though worry lingers in her eyes.

INT. HARBOR BAR – LATER

The door opens again. STEVE MILES (42) enters, acknowledging some colleagues with a curt nod. He notices ALICE at the window, hesitates briefly, then approaches and stands beside her table.

STEVE (CAUTIOUSLY SMILING)

Is this seat taken?

ALICE (DISMISSIVE)

I’m sorry, but I’d rather be alone.

STEVE remains, meeting her gaze seriously.

STEVE (EARNEST)

I’m sorry to intrude. I’m Steve Miles, a police officer here in Pearl Harbor. I overheard your conversation at the station this morning. You’re Alice Walker, right?

ALICE looks up, surprised and wary. After a moment, she nods.

ALICE (RESERVED)

That’s me. What do you want?

STEVE (GENTLE)

I just wanted to say I’m sorry about how my colleagues treated your case. I’d like to help you, if you’ll let me.

ALICE studies him, takes a deep breath. Her posture relaxes slightly.

ALICE (RELIEVED)

Please, have a seat. I could use all the help I can get.

STEVE sits down, signals a passing WAITER for a beer. They sit quietly for a moment, listening to the music, watching the patrons. Then STEVE speaks again, more softly.

STEVE (EMPATHETIC)

I understand you’re looking for your son. I’m sorry my colleagues weren’t more supportive. I want to help you.

ALICE (GRATEFUL)

That means a lot. It’s so frustrating not being taken

seriously. Dennis is everything to me. I have to know what happened.

ALICE shows STEVE her phone, displaying a photo of DENNIS and TOM standing in front of a rundown clinic. STEVE studies it thoughtfully.

STEVE (THOUGHTFUL)

That’s the old psychiatric clinic on the outskirts of town. People avoid it—some say it’s haunted. But I suspect there’s more to it.

ALICE (CONCERNED)

Dennis and Tom wanted to explore abandoned places. Do you think we’ll find clues there?

STEVE (DETERMINED)

That clinic has a dark history.

There are rumors of strange lights, noises, and missing people. I think it’s worth checking out tomorrow.

ALICE (HOPEFUL)

Really? That would be wonderful. I don’t know who else to turn to.

STEVE (REASSURING)

I’ll be outside your hotel in the morning. We won’t leave any stone unturned.

ALICE’s eyes shine with relief and gratitude as STEVE offers a slight smile. The MUSICIAN continues to play gentle rock-pop melodies, and a quiet sense of understanding settles between them—a spark of hope in the midst of uncertainty.

INT. STEVE’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM – NIGHT

Dim LIGHT. STEVE (42) and AMANDA (42) lie in a disheveled BED, suggesting recent intimacy. STEVE sits partially upright, a PILLOW propped behind him, staring thoughtfully at the CEILING. AMANDA leans against his shoulder, restless. Her fingers fiddle nervously with a CORNER OF THE SHEET.

For a moment, only their breathing can be heard. Then AMANDA speaks, her voice quiet but serious.

AMANDA (SOFTLY)

Steve… I can’t pretend everything’s fine. I can feel there’s something that’s drawing you away—something bigger than us.

STEVE shifts his gaze from the ceiling, turning slightly toward her.

STEVE (HESITANT)

It’s not about you, Amanda. It’s just… I’ve got a case. A missing person case I’m diving into more than usual.

AMANDA pulls the sheets up, frustrated.

AMANDA (SLIGHTLY IRRITATED)

Steve, you and I… we’ve been keeping it casual. I always told myself it was enough. But if I’m honest, I was hoping you’d at least think about us in the long run.

STEVE exhales, choosing his words carefully.

STEVE (MATTER-OF-FACT)

I know. I never promised anything. This… whatever it is between us… has been uncomplicated. But now… there’s someone who needs help.

Alice Walker. She’s looking for her missing son and she’s totally desperate.

AMANDA smirks bitterly.

AMANDA (QUIETLY)

I figured. She’s the reason, isn’t she? Steve, you’ve never been this… distracted. Not even with your other cases.

STEVE is silent for a moment, then nods slowly.

STEVE

Maybe you’re right. Alice is… strong, frantic, fighting like mad for her son. I… feel I have to help her. And… (sighs) …I can’t stand how people here just turn a blind eye.

AMANDA sits up, sliding away from STEVE. She looks at him intently.

AMANDA

So you’re already somewhere else. (pauses) You know what, Steve? I think we’ve both been lying to ourselves.

She stands, starts getting dressed. STEVE watches but says nothing. AMANDA gives him one last look.

AMANDA (FLAT) (CONT’D)

Take care of yourself. Good luck with your case.

She leaves the bedroom, the door closing softly behind her. STEVE remains behind, his head leaning against the wall, lost in thought and confronted with the stark reality of his own feelings.

EXT. IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL – MORNING

The morning sun shines brightly in a clear blue sky. Birds chirp as a gentle breeze drifts in from the lake. ALICE (38) stands outside the hotel entrance, gazing down the street, when a BLACK FORD RANGER pulls up and stops in front of her.

Behind the wheel sits STEVE MILES (42), his face illuminated by the early sunlight. He lowers the window and smiles at ALICE.

STEVE (FRIENDLY)

Good morning, Alice. Ready for our little excursion?

ALICE’s expression brightens, relief and hope evident for the first time in a long while.

ALICE (SLIGHTLY SMILING)

Good morning, Steve. Yes, I’m ready. Let’s not waste any time.

STEVE gets out, walks around the vehicle, and opens the door for ALICE. She climbs in, and he closes the door, returning to the driver’s side and starting the engine.

STEVE (LIGHTLY JOKING)

It’s a beautiful day—perfect for a bit of detective work.

The FORD RANGER pulls away from the hotel, heading toward the old clinic. The camera follows as it cruises through the picturesque streets of Pearl Harbor. Locals go about their daily routines, the town appearing peaceful and welcoming.

A wide shot shows the vehicle receding into the distance, the rising sun bathing the landscape in golden light.

Inside the truck, ALICE and STEVE sit quietly side by side, their thoughts fixed on the search ahead. Tension and hope fill the air as they move toward the unknown.

EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE PEARL HARBOR – MORNING

The FORD RANGER moves along a scenic route. Sunlight streams through the windows, filling the interior with a warm glow. A contemplative silence hangs in the air. ALICE (38) sits in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed outside as peaceful scenery unfolds.

INT. FORD RANGER – MORNING

ALICE furrows her brow, staring out the window, while STEVE (42) focuses on the road. They remain quiet for a while, until ALICE breaks the silence.

ALICE (HESITANT)

Steve… what if I’m doing the wrong thing? What if I’m out here while Dennis is actually somewhere else? What if I’m too late?

STEVE glances at her briefly, empathy in his eyes.

STEVE (GENTLY)

Alice, it’s completely normal to have those doubts. But you are doing the right thing. You’re not giving up—you’re searching for your son. That takes incredible strength.

ALICE sighs, lowering her head.

ALICE (SOFTLY)

Sometimes I feel so helpless.

STEVE takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.

STEVE (CARING)

I know how that feels. I made mistakes in my youth. I was in a gang, making money from stolen cars. One night, the police caught me, while my friends got away. I never saw them again.

ALICE turns to him, startled.

ALICE (SHOCKED)

What happened to them?

STEVE keeps his eyes on the road.

STEVE (QUIETLY)

No one knows. They just vanished. I was never convicted and managed to straighten out my life. But in a small town like Pearl Harbor, people don’t forget easily.

ALICE regards him with sympathy.

ALICE (IMPRESSED)

And yet you became a police officer. You didn’t let your past define you.

STEVE smiles slightly.

STEVE (SMILING)

Exactly. I wanted to make a difference, to help people. Sometimes life takes us down paths we never imagined. But those paths shape us and give us the strength to keep going, even when it’s hard.

ALICE nods, encouraged by his words.

ALICE (GRATEFUL)

Thank you, Steve. Your story gives me hope. I won’t give up, no matter what happens.

STEVE casts her a determined glance.

STEVE (RESOLUTE)

And I’ll help you, Alice. We’ll find Dennis, no matter what it takes.

The sun rises higher, bathing the landscape in golden light as the FORD RANGER continues onward. The silence that now settles is no longer heavy, but filled with renewed determination and hope.

EXT. ABANDONED PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC – DAY

The FORD RANGER comes to a crunching halt in front of an imposing yet eerie building. The façade is weathered, some windows are shattered, and vines crawl up the walls. STEVE (42) and ALICE (38) remain inside the truck, peering through the windshield at the old clinic.

A beat of silence. STEVE places a hand on the door handle, ready to get out, when ALICE gently grabs his arm.

ALICE (QUIETLY, FEARFUL) Steve, wait. What if we find nothing but more confusion inside? What if we just end up with more questions instead of answers? I’m not sure I can handle that.

STEVE turns to her, understanding in his eyes.

STEVE (SOOTHING)

Alice, I understand your fear. But we’re here because we’re looking for Dennis. We can’t just give up. Whatever we find inside—we’ll face it together. You’re not alone in this.

ALICE takes a deep breath and finally, albeit reluctantly, nods. They both step out of the truck. A faint breeze stirs through the overgrown grounds, carrying the stale scent of decay and neglect.

They approach the entrance. The heavy wooden door, weathered and half ajar, stands like a silent invitation. ALICE and STEVE share a nervous glance before stepping cautiously into the clinic´s dim interior.

INT. ABANDONED PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC – LOBBY – DAY

STEVE (42), followed closely by ALICE (38), cautiously steps through the half-opened door into the old clinic’s lobby. A sharp sense of unease grips them immediately. The air is ice-cold, as if the chilling weight of the past still lingers here.

They move forward slowly. STEVE hands ALICE a flashlight he brought along. Their footsteps echo on the stone floor as they pick one of the corridors to explore. They only dare to shine their lights briefly into some of the rooms. Inside lie decaying beds, broken wheelchairs, rusty chairs, and dusty files scattered about—each sight intensifying their discomfort.

Dark, twisting hallways, crumbling staircases, and ancient furniture pass by as they venture deeper into the building. Upon reaching the first floor, they hear strange sounds. It’s as if whispers and scratches are coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.

ALICE (WHISPERING)

Steve, I… I think we should turn back. I can feel something in these walls. Something’s off here.

She gently touches the crumbling plaster. Her unease grows, and the noises do not fade. They shift unpredictably between soft murmurs and sudden, harsh scraping. ALICE is frightened, and STEVE tries to steady her.

STEVE (QUIET, REASSURING)

It’s okay, Alice. We don’t have to rush this. Let’s go back for now; we can always return later.

They turn around, shining their lights down the path they came from. Suddenly, a dark figure darts out from a doorway!

ALICE (SHOUTING)

Ah! Damn it!

STEVE jerks his flashlight upward, heart pounding. He curses under his breath, sharp and tense.

STEVE (ANGRY, LOUD)

What the hell?! Back off!

The MAN (PAUL, 24) flinches, throwing his hands up in shock, too startled to speak immediately. STEVE steps forward, flashlight raised like a weapon. ALICE grabs his arm, trying to pull him back.

ALICE (URGENT)

Steve, no! Stop!

PAUL stumbles back, losing his balance and falling onto his back. He raises his hands defensively, voice trembling.

PAUL (FEARFUL)

W-Wait! Please… I’m just a backpacker!

As PAUL struggles to stand, LUCY (19) hesitantly appears behind him, eyes wide, hands raised in surrender.

LUCY (TREMBLING)

We’re sorry! We didn’t mean to scare you!

STEVE pauses, breathing heavily. ALICE tugs him away from PAUL. For a moment, only their heavy breathing fills the space.

STEVE (THROUGH CLENCHED TEETH)

Who the hell are you?! What are you doing here?

PAUL, still shaking, lifts his hands in a calming gesture.

PAUL (FRANTIC)

Paul… my name is Paul, this is

Lucy. We’re backpackers. We look for lost places.

PAUL (FRANTIC) (CONT'D)

We heard about this clinic and… we wanted to explore it.

LUCY nods quickly, her voice strained.

LUCY (SOFTLY)

We’re so sorry. We didn’t think anyone else would be here.

ALICE catches her breath, glancing at STEVE as his chest slowly heaves less violently.

ALICE (TENSE)

You nearly scared us to death! This place is dangerous. People have gone missing. We’re trying to find them.

PAUL and LUCY’s expressions shift from shock to concern, their adventurous spark gone.

PAUL (NERVOUS)

M-Missing? Here? We… we had no idea.

STEVE lowers the flashlight slowly, still tense but more in control now.

STEVE (FIRM)

You need to leave, right now. Something’s not right here.

LUCY nods, tears glistening in her eyes.

LUCY (WEAKLY)

We’ll go. Thanks for warning us.

PAUL holds his hands up apologetically.

PAUL

I’m sorry. We didn’t mean any trouble.

ALICE gives a curt nod and gently urges STEVE toward the staircase.

ALICE (QUIET BUT FIRM)