Dead Town Page #2

JENNY:

(grabbing her head in disbelief)

Worse? We're talking about a real curse here! Every two weeks, we find bodies dumped the same way.

Khaled calmly taking a sip of his coffee

KKHALED:

You're new here, Jenny. This town isn't what it seems... There are secrets buried deep. Bodies at the station? That's just a small part of the curse.

JENNY:

(frustrated)

A curse? What curse are you talking about?

Khaled places his cigarette on the edge of the ashtray and looks directly at her with his dark, unreadable eyes.

KHALED:

I've lived here longer than you. I know every corner, every street... There are things happening here you wouldn't understand, not even if you stayed ten years. There's a dark force moving in this town, and it's not just about the bodies."

Jenny stops pacing, staring at him with genuine concern for the first time.

JENNY:

You’re talking like you actually believe in this stuff.

KHALED:

(with a cryptic tone)

Belief isn't a choice here. You'll see soon enough.

Jenny stands frozen, unable to respond, while Khaled calmly takes another sip of his coffee.

KHALED:

There is a saying in my religion, a prophetic tradition, which means There are things Allah has left unspoken out of mercy for you, so do not ask about them.

(Provocative smile)

So, dear Jenny, stop knocking on the devil's door, or one day that door will crash down upon you.

JENNY:

(angrily)

You're insane! Don't you get it? You're not my boyfriend, Khaled.

KHALED:

(smiling)

I had a girlfriend once. She left. You'll never take her place.

He exhales smoke slowly, his eyes distant.

KHALED:

It’s better this way... being alone. Everyone knows bad things happen to those who get close to me. But believe me, Jenny, their time is up. Vargas has woken from his slumber, and his cursed army will rise, just like before... in this dead town.

JENNY:

(furious, turning away)

Go to hell!

She storms off , her footsteps echoing in the silence. Khaled watches her leave, continuing to smoke. He mutters to himself, almost amused.

KHALED:

(to himself)

I do love being right in these moments.

INT.INSIDE THE SMALL POLICE STATION-MOMENT LATER

Joe rushes in, looking around frantically for Jenny, but the room is empty except for Khaled, who sits nonchalantly, smoking slowly. His sharp gaze hints at unresolved tension between them.

Joe approaches him angrily.

KHALED:

(coldly)

A hot night, I assume?

JOE:

(angrily and firmly)

Shut up! No matter how hard you try to play the cold devil, to me, you're still that boy who fell in love and had his heart broken.

KHALED:

(coldly, while taking a drag from the cigarette)

Look who's talking… Joe, the womanizer who was tamed by a kindergarten teacher.

(smirks)

And for the record, my heart didn't break.

(exhales smoke slowly)

You know that. You cant deny it.

Joe expresses his frustration by slamming his hand on Khaled desk. He points his finger at him angrily.

JOE:

(angrily)

She weren't supposed to know about this… In fact, no one was!

KHALED:

(calmly)

What a brave decision. But tell me, genius... when they see them flying over the town, or when the fog rolls in with Vargas, what will you tell them?

Joe falls silent, unable to find a response. He changes the subject, shifting the blame.

JOE:

(quietly)

This is all your fault.

KHALED:

(calmly)

And what was I supposed to do? Let her die? Ignore her? Pretend I didn't see anything?

JOE:

(insistently)

That's not what I meant. I know your faith encourages you to help the weak and do good, but… why did you fall in love with her? Aren't there enough girls here?

Khaled remains silent, twirling a pencil in his hand, unable to answer at first. Then, he speaks softly.

JOE:

Khaled… tell me, do you think we're racist? Do you think we hate Arabs? Do you think we hate Muslims?

Khaled stares at him in shock, eyes wide, unable to believe what he’s hearing.

KHALED:

I fell in love with her since the first time I was with her in the Arab East, but I felt guilty.

JOE:

(stammering)

What… what are you talking about? I thought you met her here for the first time…

KHALED:

(smirking)

No… I met her for the first time in the deserts of Dubai. And when I found out the truth, how dangerous she was to me… to us, I left her. Since then, she's been chasing me everywhere I go. Turning cities into dead zones… from Tangier to Guardia, then Tripoli… and now, here.

JOE:

How about jenny?

Joe is sitting on the chair , trying to smile but clearly nervous. Suddenly, Jenny enters, chewing gum thoughtfully, then stops and looks at him with curiosity.

JENNY:

(In confusion)

What's going on here? What do you mean by How about jenny?

JOE:

(Trying to change the subject)

Oh, Jenny! Thanks for your help yesterday . You were amazing as usual! I couldn't have done it without you.

Jenny walks closer, frowning, sensing something suspicious.

JENNY:

(Sharply)

Joe, don't try to change the subject. What's really happening?

Khaled acting cold and manipulative, provoking Jenny with a sly smile

KHALED:

(provoking tone )

This madman wants me to forget my girlfriend... and says I should try with you? I'd rather die single than be...

Jenny steps quickly towards Khaled, her anger building, confronting him directly.

JENNY:

(Angrily)

You talk about me like I'm just an option? How dare you?!

Khaled coldly manipulates Jenny's emotions

KHALED:

(Coolly)

Listen, it's nothing personal, Jenny, but you don't exactly have what it takes to be someone's girlfriend.

JENNY:

(Cutting him off, even angrier)

Oh, really? Just like every man! Playing with emotions, thinking you can just sweet-talk your way out of things!

KHALED:

(Stepping closer to her, looking into her eyes)

Jenny...

He gently reaches out and runs his fingers softly through her hair.

KHALED:

(Calmly, with a slight smile)

You always look beautiful and attractive... especially when you're angry

Joe and Jenny stand in shock and disbelief after Khaled cold words. Khaled walks slowly towards the basement, whistling a chilling tune that reflects his icy demeanor. He disappears from sight, leaving Joe and Jenny staring at each other in silence.

JOE:

(Trying to break the tension)

How's your boyfriend?

Jenny slaps him hard, the sound echoing in the room.

JENNY:

(Angrily)

This was your idea, wasn't it? You know he’s crazy and loves playing with people's emotions! And second, you know I've been single for four years!

Jenny storms out of the room, following Khaled down towards the basement.

As Joe approaches the basement , the ground suddenly shakes. A tall, monstrous creature breaks through the station wall.

A large stone crashes down on Joe, pinning his leg, making him unable to move. Joe screams for help.

JOE:

(Screaming)

Jenny! Help me! I can't move!

Jenny arrives, struggling to lift the stone, giving it everything she has.

JENNY:

(Shouting)

Joe, I'm here! I'll get you out of this!

But suddenly, the creature grabs Jenny with one hand. She screams as she's lifted into the air, then thrown violently against the wall.

Jenny crashes into the wall and collapses to the ground, motionless.

The creature turns to Joe, staring at him with cold, emotionless eyes.

CREATURE:

(In a deep voice)

Where is he?

JOE:

(In pain, trying to dodge the question)

Who? I... I don't know what you're talking about!

The creature presses its massive foot down on Joe, and he screams in agony.

CREATURE:

(Angrily)

Where is he?

JOE:

(Screaming)

In the basement! He’s in the basement!

The creature, towering and immensely powerful, begins to move toward the basement. Its heavy footsteps shake the ground with each step, causing tremors to ripple through the floor. Everything in its path is destroyed walls crack, furniture crumbles, and objects are sent flying.

Upon reaching the basement entrance, the creature raises its massive foot high and slams it down with tremendous force, shattering the floor. It then leaps into the lower level, disappearing into the darkness.

The camera cuts back to Joe, still trapped under the stone, writhing in pain. He calls out desperately, trying to get Jenny's attention.

JOE:

(Weakly)

Jenny! Jenny! Come on... help me... Khaled in danger!

The camera shifts to Jenny as she slowly regains consciousness. Struggling to stand, her face is filled with pain and exhaustion as she gets to her feet.

JENNY:

(Weak and confused)

What happened? Oh, Joe... I'm coming

As Joe writhes in pain under the massive stone, he screams again with force, turning toward Jenny.

JOE:

(Yelling urgently)

"Hurry, Jenny! Jenny!"

Jenny starts running toward him at full speed, determined to help.

JENNY:

(Yelling)

I'm coming, Joe!

INT.BASEMENT - DAY

The camera shifts to the dark, damp basement. The walls are covered in mold and old bloodstains. The smell of death fills the air. Prisoners’ corpses are scattered chaotically on the ground, some headless, others missing limbs. The old blood still stains the floor, with signs of brutal torture on the bodies. In one corner, the giant creature crouches, devouring one of the corpses, gnawing on its flesh with sharp teeth.

Khaled stands with his back to the camera, facing a shadowy corner. that voice is low and soft, but carries an unnerving, non-human tone. Suddenly, Marsha's voice is heard from the darkness, but her figure remains unseen.

MARSHA(O.S)

(Whispering from the dark corner)

You've always been on my mind, Khaled... I never left you. Did you miss me?

KHALED:

Marsha... I was wrong. But I've changed. I'm not the man you loved. No one understands me like you do.

MARSHA(O.S)

(Gently)

You were always in my thoughts, Khaled. How could I forget you? You know I've always loved you.

The creature continues devouring the corpse, the harsh sounds of chewing filling the air.

KHALED:

(Deep voice)

Do you really think there's a chance for us? Everything has changed. This city will fall, and I'm no longer part of it.

MARSHA(O.S)

(Whispering, filled with emotion)

We're not finished yet, Khaled. I'll do anything for you. I've always loved you, even when you were far away. You know I understand you more than anyone else

Joe, who is clearly in pain and limping slowly toward Khalid and . Joe stops near Khalid, leaning on the wall of the basement for support

JENNY:

(with concern)

Khaled, is everything alright

Khalid did not respond to her or answer; he simply remained silent and stared into that dark corner.

Camera:
Shifts focus to Khalid, who stands front to Jenny, looking worried and tense.

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