Lesson 14

[David Wetzel]

Dave Wetzel’s Scary-As-Hell Scene

What I learned doing this assignment is, once you have your Horror Map figured out, it's much easier to write the scene of interest with all of your steps in place.

1. Full Out Horror: Jennifer, Nearest and the gang confront the demon for a final battle at the portal to hell.

2. SEQUENCE THE HORROR EMOTIONS

• From Anxiety to Panic

B. What emotions go in between the bottom and top emotion?

• Anxiety, Shock, Fear, Panic, Shock, Hysteria, Panic

C. What is the physical representation of each emotion?

• Anxiety: Jennifer, Nearest and the gang cautiously venture back down the dark passageway that leads to the glowing portal to hell.

• Shock: This time, the demon appears more enraged than ever, the gang jump back in shock at the ferocity of the demon.

• Fear: Jennifer and Marley are terrified, Marley grabs Terry by the arm. Terry tries to ease her fear as Nearest settles the gang down and moves up to take the point.

• Panic: The demon takes a swing at Marley and barely misses her but catches Terry’s arm and cuts him badly.

• Shock: Nearest charges forward and drives the sword of St. Michael into the demon’s side!

The demon appears fatally wounded as the demon is staggering backwards, it grabs Nearest and impales him with its claws!

• Hysteria: Nearest is dying and tells Jennifer to get the gang to safety and gifts Jennifer the sword of St. Michael.

As Nearest is falling into the portal to hell, Nearest tells Jennifer to look deep into his footlocker before he disappears!

• Panic: Jennifer and the gang flee back up the passageway to get Terry cared for.

3. ADD IN SCARES AND RELEASES

SCENE: Full Out Horror: Jennifer, Nearest and the gang confront the demon for a final battle at the portal to hell.

Anxiety: Jennifer, Nearest and the gang cautiously venture back down the dark passageway that leads to the glowing portal to hell.

• Surprise/scare: Suddenly, something runs across Jennifer’s feet! She squeals and jumps back in horror.

• Release: Marley points to the corner, Renny lights up the spot, it’s just a mouse.

• Shock: This time, the demon appears more enraged than ever, the gang jump back in shock at the ferocity of the demon.

• Fear: Jennifer and Marley are terrified, Marley grabs Terry by the arm.

Terry tries to ease her fear as Nearest settles the gang down and moves up to take the point.

• Panic: The demon takes a swing at Marley and barely misses her but catches Terry’s arm and cuts him badly.

• Release: Terry says he’s OK and keeps on fighting.

• Shock: Nearest charges forward and drives the sword of St. Michael into the demon’s side!

The demon appears fatally wounded as the demon is staggering backwards, it grabs Nearest and impales him with its claws!

• Hysteria: Nearest is dying and tells Jennifer to get the gang to safety and gifts Jennifer the sword of St. Michael.

As Nearest is falling into the portal to hell, Nearest tells Jennifer to look deep into his footlocker before he disappears!

• Panic: Jennifer and the gang flee back up the passageway to get Terry cared for.

DIRE FALLS

INT – DARK PASSAGEWAY – NIGHT

Jennifer, Nearest and the gang anxiously navigate down the dark passageway while Renny lights the way.

Suddenly, Jennifer shrieks as something runs over her foot!

JENNIFER
Ah!

The gang stops, Nearest runs over to Jennifer.

NEAREST
You OK?!

Marley tugs at Jennifer’s elbow and points to a corner, Renny shines his light in that direction, a small mouse scampers up the dirt passageway.

Jennifer blushes, the gang laugh a little and push on.

The glowing orange / yellow portal is around the bend, no sign of the demon yet.

Once again, distant cries and screams can be heard emanating from deep inside the floating portal.

Nearest stops the group just short of the bend, Jennifer gets next to him.

NEAREST
I’m on point, got it?

Everyone nods,

NEAREST
Weapons check.

Marley pulls out her collapsible twenty one inch police baton from her backpack.

With a hard snap of her wrist the baton fully extends!

JOHNNY
You brought the big one! Oh man, that monster’s had it!

Marley smiles, as she examines the sturdy baton.

MARLEY
And it’s supercharged, Nearest blessed it and sprinkled some holy water on it.

The gang look amazed, Terry holds up the large crucifix he had before, Johnny has a large vial of holy water, Renny raises the scepter.

Nearest steps forward and pulls out the sword of St. Michael from a canvas duffle bag.

The gang marvel at the long sword with the bejeweled hilt.

RENNY
We gotta get you a better case for that!

As the gang marvel at the sacred weapon, Jennifer looks dejected as she holds up the simple silver crucifix Nearest gave her.

Nearest pats her on the shoulder.

NEAREST
Remember kiddo, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

Jennifer smiles weakly,

NEAREST
Besides, we got Marley representing the ladies. I think she could take on Rambo!

Jennifer and the gang look at Nearest, puzzled.

MARLEY
Who’s Rambo?

It’s Nearest’s turn to look dejected.

NEAREST
Lord give me strength, let’s go.

As they round the bend, the eerie pulsating portal grows brighter.

Yog-Formido leaps from the portal and flashes its huge fangs and claws!

Its red eyes glow with hate as it growls! GROWL!

The aura around the demon is bright red, Jennifer is shocked!

JENNIFER
Ah!

Nearest pulls Marley behind Jennifer and takes the point.

Nearest steps forward and holds up the sword of St. Michael.

The demon’s red eyes widen, it steps back, Marley shouts from behind Jennifer.

MARLEY
It’s afraid of the sword!

NEAREST
Recognize this, you two are about to get real close! Charge!

The guys all rush forward, Johnny throws the holy water on the demon!

Its black skin smokes as the demon roars in agony! ROAR!

Nearest thrusts the sword at the demon but it knocks his arm away before he can land a solid blow.

Renny bashes the demon on its side with the long scepter, it roars again! ROAR!

The demon flails at the gang with its long claws but barely misses them all.

Marley charges forward with her baton!

MARLEY
Ah!

Marley strikes the demon on the side of its head!

It roars in agony and stumbles backwards and flails away again.

This time, it slashes Terry’s arm!

TERRY
Ah!

Terry stumbles back holding his arm, Jennifer and Marley are terrified and they rush over.

JENNIFER
You OK?!

Terry nods as he moves his hand, this cut isn’t too deep.

Marley wraps a handkerchief around it.

Terry is grateful and they share a sweet moment.

The demon roars at Jennifer, she thrusts her crucifix in its face and burns its skin!

The demon roars again! ROAR!

Jennifer jumps back, Nearest charges again and trusts the sword deep into the demon’s side!

It howls in agony! ROAR!

The demon staggers backwards to the portal and the gang all cheer!

But then, the demon grabs Nearest by his shirt and pulls him close and impales him in the stomach with its claws!

The gang are shocked, Jennifer cries out.

JENNIFER
Nearest!

The demon pulls Nearest with it as the portal begins to shrink around them!

The gang all shout as Nearest looks back at Jennifer as she runs to the portal.

NEAREST
Take care of the kids, I’m going to finish this filth!

Then, Nearest pulls the sword from the demon and hands it to Jennifer!

Jennifer trembles as she holds the sacred weapon, she’s overcome with a surge of immense power!

Then, Jennifer is shocked, Nearest now has a bright white aura around him and a glowing halo over his head!

Jennifer points to the halo as Nearest smiles weakly.

NEAREST
Look deep in my locker! You might find what you’re looking for!

With tear filled eyes, Jennifer nods as Nearest and the demon disappear into the portal!

The glowing portal closes, Jennifer, now holding the sword, comforts Marley who’s crying as well.

Renny offers the canvas bag to Jennifer, she stores the sword as they all stagger back up the passageway.

The gang dispaly a mixture of emotions, high spirits for beating the demon but at a terrible cost.

Terry’s arm appears to be OK but still needs medical attention.

Back inside the passageway, all is quiet again, the evil has passed.

• This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 1 week ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  David Wetzel.
• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  David Wetzel.

[Dean Burkey]

Dean’s Scary-As-Not-Heaven Scene! ;oP
What I learned doing this assignment is if a monster is in your trunk trying to eat through the back seat, then the car is most likely a rental. “Hey Avis! If you really wanna try harder, use an exorcist! Or any of a number of monster-extraction teams! Ghost-Busters. Men In Black. The Paranormal Investigator from my first novel Monster Laughs.” ;oP
And I learned how to write Scary-As-Not-Heaven scenes by beginning with the emotions, which is mind-boggling, but makes perfect sense, because we’re writing screenplays with the hope of them getting made into emotion pictures!
Horror Situation: Face-to-face with the monster.
Emotional Range: Apprehension → Anguish
Apprehension
Surprise
Suspense
Shock
Fear
Suspense
Anguish
Apprehension: Hearing the screams of those outside.
Surprise: Sudden pounding at the door.
Release: It’s just Marcus visiting Dr Hart because she asked for his help.
Suspense: They step out in the level-one Myst together.
Shock: The car gets thrown back by the level-two Myst surrounding the town.
Fear: They see level-three Myst attacking someone else who was stupid enough to be out in the Myst like they are.
Suspense: The level-three Myst turns their way, so they flee.
Release: They figure they can reach the village hall in time.
Suspense: Dr Hart has too many keys and is taking too long finding the right one.
Anguish: Marcus hears his wife’s voice in the level-three Myst, calls out her name, and willingly walks into the level-three Myst, where he screams and then disappears forever.
Release: Dr Hart falls inside the village hall and quickly gets up to lock the door.
The Scene Where Dr Hart Discovers the Three Levels of the Monster
INT. DR HART’S OFFICE – NIGHT
Dr Hart shivers and shakes while hearing the screams of those outside. She drinks tea to calm herself.
A loud pounding at the door sends her tea cup flying.
The tea cup shatters on the wooden floor.
MARCUS (OC)
It’s me. Marcus. You asked me to stop by.
Dr Hart sighs and opens the door.
DR HART
Oh yes, yes, yes, Come in, Marcus. Come in.
Marcus enters, notices the shattered tea cup.
MARCUS
That must be some special tea.
DR HART
You startled me.
MARCUS
Your buzzer didn’t work. And I had to knock loud, so you’d hear me over the…
DR HART
Screams. Yes. I’ve just been so on edge since the Myst arrived.
MARCUS
We all have. You still wanna go out there?
DR HART
No, I don’t want to. But we will.
Marcus opens the door.
EXT. VILLAGE – NIGHT
The Myst envelopes the entire town. Screams resound in the distance. Clearly, this is no ordinary Myst. And clearly something sinister is happening.
MARCUS
Ladies first.
DR HART
Suddenly, every man in town is a perfect gentleman.
She steps outside. He sighs deeply and then follows.
Dr Hart locks her door.
MARCUS
What about the?
DR HART
I’ll clean it later.
A car honks its horn.
Marcus pulls Dr Hart out of the way. Even though the car isn’t going very fast due to limited visibility. A family fills the car, all looking horrified.
MARCUS
What are we looking for exactly?
DR HART
Answers. Let’s follow that car.
Dr Hart clutches Marcus’s left arm.
MARCUS
I. I, um. I haven’t dated since my wife passed.
Dr Hart gazes into his eyes.
DR HART
Oh my dear, sweet man. You still haven’t.
MARCUS
Oh.
He sighs deeply. A little too deeply for Dr Hart’s taste. She glares at him. They walk on in silence.
EXT. EDGE OF TOWN – NIGHT
Marcus and Dr Hart stop to watch as the family car approaches a thicker portion of Myst that spins around the perimeter of the town.
DR HART
Look at this. The Myst surrounding the town is thicker.
The car drives closer.
MARCUS
It’s spinning like a barrier of some sort. That’s a whole new level of Myst for sure. And I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m just not ready yet.
DR HART
I don’t wanna insult you either. So I won’t say another word about –
– The family car revs its engine and drives into the Myst hoping to go through it. Instead the Myst knocks the car back. The family screams. The car heads for Dr Hart who stands frozen in fear.
Marcus pulls Dr Hart out of the way again. But this time, they fall and lie down, facing each other with him on top. They gaze into each other’s eyes a moment.
MARCUS
Maybe I am ready.
DR HART
Maybe I’m not.
She pushes him to the side and clambers to her feet.
Marcus sighs and stands up as well.
Dr Hart rushes to the car to help the passengers get out safely.
DR HART
Are you okay? Are you?
No one is inside the car.
DR HART
Okay.
MARCUS
Well, that’s weird.
DR HART
You think?
Marcus grimaces.
DR HART
Marcus, thank you for saving me from that car. Twice.
MARCUS
You’re welcome. Twice.
They share a heart-warming, eye-gazing glance.
They step closer to each other, still gazing into each other’s eyes.
DR HART
Maybe I am ready too.
Marcus grabs Dr Hart’s face and pulls her close. But then –
A blood-curdling scream resounds from down the street.
Marcus and Dr Hart clutch each other, but don’t get to kiss after all.
Level-three Myst – a much thicker Myst which takes on a somewhat monstrous albeit larger-than-life humanoid form – attacks someone else who was stupid enough to be out in the Myst like they are.
MARCUS
It’s been fun, Doctor Hart. But I’ve got a big day tomorrow.
DR HART
Level-three. Thicker. More malleable. More malevolent.
MARCUS
More MYST-ifying.
The mood lightens for three seconds. Three, two, one. And then they gasp when the Myst-ical creature looks their way.
Dr Hart freezes in fear again. But Marcus drags her along.
MARCUS
Wouldn’t be a proper date if I didn’t get you home safely.
Whoosh! Level-three Myst moves faster than they expected.
Marcus and Dr Hart gasp more deeply than before.
MARCUS
Might not be a proper date after all.
DR HART
The Village Hall. Let’s go there! It’s just half a block away.
MARCUS
Okay, but my parents will ground me if you keep me out all night.
Dr Hart shakes her head at him. He grabs her and drags her along.
MARCUS
Run!
They flee as fast as they can. Curiously, the level-three Myst gets slowed by a breeze passing through town. But it’s still in hot pursuit.
MARCUS
I use humor as a coping mechanism.
DR HART
I can tell. Just run!
EXT. VILLAGE HALL – NIGHT
Marcus fidgets like crazy while Dr Hart tries key after key.
The level-three Myst comes closer.
MARCUS
Hurry!
DR HART
I’m trying. I just can’t seem to concentrate.
The voice of Marcus’s wife calls out from inside the level-three Myst creature.
MARCUS’S WIFE (VO)
Moving on already Marcus. Does our love mean nothing to you?
MARCUS
Come on now, Karen. It’s been over seven years.
DR HART
Got it!
She steps inside and looks back to see Marcus walking toward the level-three Myst monster.
DR HART
Marcus! Hurry! I opened the door!
MARCUS’S WIFE (VO)
Choose Marcus. Your wife whom you pledged your eternal love. Or some fancy tramp with a degree.
DR HART
I’m not a –
MARCUS
– I love you, honey. I’ve always loved you.
The level-three Myst moves forward to snatch away Marcus.
MARCUS’S WIFE (VO)
Come away with me, my love. And together we’ll –
– Dr Hart lunges forward, grabs Marcus, and yanks him into the Village Hall.
INT. VILLAGE HALL – NIGHT
Marcus falls on the welcome rug, while Dr Hart slams and locks the door.
MARCUS’S WIFE (VO)
Brazen hussy.

[Allie Theiss]

Alison’s Scary-As-Hell Scene

INT. MUSEUM — VARIOUS ROOMS — NIGHT

The group walks through the museum, their flashlights bobbing in the darkness as they turn corner after corner, only to face the cursed painting again.

CLAIRE

Are we just… going in circles? This doesn’t make sense.

JAKE

We’ve taken three different hallways. How are we back here?

The students exchange anxious glances, their flashlights flickering as the power struggles to stay on.

Dr. Robinson sighs, attempting to keep them calm.

DR. ROBINSON

Maybe it’s just our nerves. Look, I’m going to the bathroom. Don’t go anywhere.

She steps away, her footsteps echoing as she moves down a dimly lit hall toward the bathroom. The students huddle close, their unease growing in her absence.

INT. MUSEUM — BATHROOM — NIGHT

Dr. Robinson enters the bathroom, the lights flickering as she looks around the empty space. A faint scratching sound comes from one of the stalls, and she freezes, staring at it.

After a tense moment, she shakes her head, brushing it off as her imagination.

She turns toward the sink to wash her hands, and the lights flicker again. She looks at the mirror and writing starts in red paint:

INSERT: DON’T TURN AROUND

BACK TO SCENE

Suddenly, she hears a faint whisper of her name.

NIGHTGUARD (V.O.)

(sinister, low)

Robinson…

She gasps, her eyes widening in fear. Her gaze darts toward the bathroom door, but as she reaches for it, the handle won’t turn. Panic surges within her as she tugs harder, desperate to escape.

DR. ROBINSON

Kids? This isn’t funny.

A cold, clawed hand appears on her shoulder, and she screams, her voice reverberating through the empty halls.

INT. MUSEUM — VARIOUS ROOMS — NIGHT

The students freeze as Dr. Robinson’s scream echoes through the halls, her voice filled with agony. Emily clutches Jake’s arm, her breath quickening as the scream fades into silence.

EMILY

What… what was that?

JAKE

Maybe she tripped or… got hurt. We should go check on her.

They move cautiously toward the bathroom, their footsteps slow and hesitant.

Upon reaching it, Claire opens the door and sticks her head inside.

INT/EXT BATHROOM DOORWAY – CONTINUOUS

She finds it eerily empty, with a faint, wet red paint footprint leading away.

INT MUSEUM HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS

Claire turns to the group.

CLAIRE

Where did she go?

EMILY

Maybe she went back to the main hall?

MAX

Let’s retrace our steps and see if we can find her.

INT. MUSEUM — VARIOUS ROOMS — NIGHT

They inch along the rooms, staying close together ending up at the cursed picture.

Claire’s flashlight catches on the cursed painting, and they notice something new: a fresh smudge at its center, shaped faintly like a twisted, tormented figure.

EMILY

Has that painting always looked like that?

Jake adds his flashlight beam to the painting.

JAKE

No. This is creeping me the hell out. Let’s try to find a way out of here.

Their flashlights all go out at once.

[Timothy Barley]

Tim's Scary as Hell scene

What I learned from doing this is that I can probably make it even scarier (after writing this twice)

Horror Map for the Climax Scene

Horror Situation:
Tyler and Lily are cornered by their doppelgängers in the basement. The doppelgängers have gained strength, relentlessly toying with them, pushing Tyler and Lily toward hysteria.

Emotional Sequence: From Fear to Hysteria

1. Fear – Tyler and Lily hear footsteps echoing around them, too close to be anything but intentional.
– Physical Action: Tyler and Lily exchange a terrified look, realizing they’re trapped.
– Scare: The footsteps stop suddenly, plunging the room into silence.

2. Suspense – They brace themselves, straining to listen as the shadows stretch and deepen around them.
– Physical Action: Lily grips Tyler’s hand, trembling, as both watch the shadows, half-expecting their reflections to emerge from them.
– Release: A creak from above, almost like a false sense of security that something or someone might be approaching to help.

3. Dread – Their own faces appear in a cracked mirror on the wall, grinning back, independent of their expressions.
– Physical Action: Tyler and Lily gasp, stepping back as their reflections move in twisted, jerky ways, hands pressed against the glass as though they’re ready to step through.

4. Anguish – Tyler watches helplessly as Lily’s doppelgänger grabs her, pulling her toward the mirror.
– Physical Action: Tyler lunges forward, desperately reaching for her as she screams his name.
– Scare: Lily’s face contorts in horror as her reflection tightens its grip.

5. Panic – Tyler grabs a broken piece of mirror to fight back, but his own doppelgänger blocks him with a disturbing ease.
– Physical Action: Tyler struggles, swinging wildly, but his reflection smiles back, twisting his arm until he drops the shard.
– Release: He staggers, getting a few inches away, thinking he might escape—but his reflection is faster.

6. Horror – Both reflections press their faces and hands against the mirrors, mouths stretching open as they laugh, taunting Tyler and Lily.
– Physical Action: Tyler and Lily scream, their own voices echoing in distorted, mocking laughter from their doppelgängers.
– Scare: The reflections start chanting their names, pushing through the mirrors as their laughter grows.

7. Hysteria – Tyler and Lily collapse, sobbing and laughing uncontrollably as they’re trapped between the mirrors and their doppelgängers, who slowly reach out to claim them.
– Physical Action: Tyler, losing all control, tries to shatter the mirror with his bare hands, but it only cracks, trapping him even further.
– Final Scare: Their reflections pull them into the mirror world, their screams fading as the room falls silent.

Scene Draft: Climax Scene – Final Confrontation with the Doppelgängers

INT. BASEMENT – NIGHT

The storm outside rattles the walls, and faint, ominous footsteps echo in the darkened basement. Tyler and Lily stand back-to-back, breathing heavily, eyes darting around as the sound grows louder.

LILY
(barely a whisper)
Tyler… they’re here.

Tyler reaches for her hand, squeezing tightly, their eyes wide as the footsteps stop suddenly. A tense silence follows, thick and oppressive.

Lily trembles, clutching Tyler’s hand like a lifeline. Shadows stretch across the walls, creeping toward them.

TYLER
(strained)
Stay close… don’t let go.

From the corner of his eye, Tyler catches movement—a glint of something familiar. He turns, and his heart stops as he sees his own face staring back from a cracked mirror on the wall, grinning with dark, gleeful malice.

Lily gasps, her reflection joining Tyler’s, eyes glinting with a sinister light. Both reflections press their palms against the glass, fingers stretching as though testing the barrier.

LILY
(horrified)
No… no, that’s… that’s not us.

Her reflection tilts its head, that same grin widening, lips peeling back to reveal too many teeth.*

TYLER
(trembling)
They’re… they’re trying to get out.

Suddenly, Lily’s doppelgänger slams a hand through the mirror, shattering the glass. Shards fall like rain, and the doppelgänger grabs Lily, pulling her forward as she screams.
LILY
(screaming)
Tyler! Help me!

Tyler lunges forward, grabbing Lily’s other arm, pulling her back with all his strength. But his own doppelgänger blocks him, a twisted smile stretching across its face.

TYLER
(struggling)
Let her go! Let her—

His reflection catches his wrist, twisting it until he drops a shard he’d grabbed for defense. Tyler grimaces in pain, his voice breaking as he watches Lily’s face contort in horror, her reflection’s grip unrelenting.

The doppelgängers press their faces and hands closer, distorted laughter filling the room, echoing from the walls. Their voices turn into chants, whispering Tyler’s and Lily’s names in a mocking, sing-song tone.

TYLER (DOPPELGÄNGER)
(whispering)
Tyler… Tyler… come join us…

Lily’s doppelgänger grins wider, her eyes wide with malice as she pulls Lily closer. Tyler’s breaths come in panicked gasps, his eyes darting desperately for any escape.
TYLER
(panicked)
No… no, this isn’t real! This isn’t—

But his voice is drowned out by laughter—his own laugh, twisted and warped, coming from his reflection as it leans close, trapping him against the wall.

Tyler’s mind shatters, his laugh blending with his sobs as he tries to claw at the mirror. The glass cracks further, spiderwebbing around his reflection, but it won’t break.

TYLER (DOPPELGÄNGER)
(smiling)
There’s no way out, Tyler.
The screen goes black. A final, anguished scream, leaving the basement silent once more.

• This reply was modified 6 months ago by  Timothy Barley.

[Diane Keranen]

1. Scary-As-Hell Scene

What I learned doing this assignment is that no matter how attentive I am to writing a scene, much more can be happening than I first thought so going back and digging deeper to examine the emotions that are playing out I can better understand and therefore rewrite for a more emotional experience for the audience.

A — Horror Situation – Climax Scene – Remaining members of the group reach the dead-end cavern with the pond where they find skeletons, long-dead bodies, and the corpses of the other group member that were taken by the water.

B —Range of emotions: Confusion to Horrified
Sequence of emotions
• Surprise
• Apprehension
• Fear
• Anguish
• Panic
• Horror

C – Physical action of emotions:
• Surprise: They reach what appears to be the end of the catacombs.
• Apprehension: They wonder what this means. Do they need to go back?
• Fear: The find the many dead bodies from different times (very old pirate remains, the Alcatraz prison escapee bones in prison garb, newer dead bodies of probable adventurers like themselves, and the dead bodies of the missing members of their group.
• Anguish: They believe there is no way out and they will die here.
• Panic: When one sees a possible way out, he throws caution to the wind and tries to escape.
• Horror: The one who panicked and tried to escape, is killed and ripped apart in front of the others with blood and body parts being strewn around them and the cavern.

D — Scares and releases:
• Surprise: They reach what appears to be the end of the catacombs.
• Release: At least it’s quiet here and they seem safe for now.
• Apprehension: They wonder what this means. Do they need to go back?
• Surprise/scare: The cavern is damp, dark, and with many large boulders to climb on and over. The water rushes out of the passage they were just in, but they can hide among the boulders.
• Fear: The find the many dead bodies from different times (very old pirate remains, the Alcatraz prison escapee bones in prison garb, newer dead bodies of probable adventurers like themselves, and the dead bodies of the missing members of their group.
• Release: They figure out that if they are quiet, the water calms down giving them time to think.
• Anguish: They believe there is no way out and they will die here.
• Scare: They can’t figure out how to get out.
• Panic: When one sees a possible way out, he throws caution to the wind and tries to escape.
• Surprise/scare: One of them notices the light in a tunnel in the pond jumps in to get out through the tunnel.
• Horror: The one who panicked and tried to escape, is killed and ripped apart in front of the others with blood and body parts being strewn around them and the cavern.

2. Write the scene:

SCENE:

INT. ALCATRAZ ISLAND DEEP CAVERN — FLASHLIGHT LIGHTING

The remaining members of the group arrive at the cavern with the pond. They are wet, tattered, cold, and banged up.

TRAVIS
Hey! Look!

His voice echoes through the cavern and the water stirs up. Isabel encourages everyone to quiet down and the water calms once more.

Travis aims his light at bodies piled and lined up along the walls of the cavern. Blake, Frankie, Chester, and Vincent are lined up with older bodies and with older skeletons of four prisoners and beyond them are even older skeletons of pirates.

Scattered among them are weapons of pirates. The find swords, machetes, knives, and hatchets.

BONNIE
(sobbing)
Oh my god.

HAROLD
Those are the prisoners who escaped and were never seen again. I’m sure of it.

With the flashlights examining the bodies. Ghoulie notices something odd about the pond.

GHOULIE
(whispers)
Turn off your lights. Look.

From under the water, he can see the shimmer of a light shine from the depths.

GHOULIE
(shouts)
We made it! There’s a tunnel to the outside. We did guys. We did it! This is the way out! I’m gonna swim for it!

Without hesitation, Ghoulie takes a big breath and dives in the water.

The others gasp and call him back.

Suddenly there’s a deafening scream and the group ducks and hides behind rocks. The water blasts out of the pond and throws Ghoulie against the top of the cavern.

The water continues to blast his body against the rock with great force. The water turns red and bits of Ghoulie slam against the walls of the cavern. When the water calms, only Ghoulie’s body is torn and tattered with bones visible. His remains fall to the floor of the cavern.

The others shudder, wide-eyed at the horror and struggle to remain silent.

Bonnie, Harold, Travis, and Isobel remain of the original nine adventurers. Bonnie sobs silently. Harold sits on a large rock and holds his arms up around his head in anguish. Travis stares at the mess that was Ghoulie and shakes. Isobel, deep concentration on her face, shines her light around the cavern.