Quest Page #2

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GRANDMA (CONT'D)

(pauses)

You need to stop following these superstitions.

FOZ:

Grandma, they’re not superstitions. And aren’t you the one to always say “it’s better to try and fail than never to try at all?”

GRANDMA:

Yes, but with good chances dear. (sighs) Just be careful.

Foz's grandmother exits the room, gently closing the door behind her.

Foz sits on her bed, her expression tinged with worry. Normally unshaken, she finds herself reconsidering and

recalculating her plans in light of her grandmother's words.

FLASHBACK – AFTERNOON

Little Foz and her father frolic in a field of golden maize, playing hide and seek together.

Their joy fills the air as laughter rings out, painting a

scene of happiness and health.

INT. - HUT - NIGHT

Foz's eyes glisten with tears, capturing a moment of raw emotion. With resolve, she wipes her face clean. In the gentle glow of the early morning sunlight cresting over the hills, she tosses her backpack out the window and carefully manoeuvres herself out.

As she does, a rooster perched on the hut's fence crows,

marking the dawn of a new day.

FOZ:

(to rooster) Shhh!

She hides behind the house, patiently awaiting Kofi's arrival. As moments tick by, she remains concealed, and to her surprise, the same rooster she heard earlier follows her, crowing once more.

FOZ:

(annoyed, she whispers) Go away.

Quietly, she moves further around the hut, seeking a better vantage point. Meanwhile, Kofi cautiously emerges from his

own home.

KOFI Hey, I’m here.

FOZ:

Oh, am I glad to see you. Let’s go, quietly. Be careful, there’s one annoying rooster around here!

KOFI:

There’s a shortcut, through your dad’s farm, right?

FOZ:

(hesitates)

I’m not sure, let’s go this way.

KOFI:

I think there is, I remember it.

It’s this way.

They pass through acres of a damaged farm, where the land appears barren and desolate. Only a few brown-coloured corn plants remain, their leaves wilted and dry. With a sombre expression in her eyes, Foz halts her steps and tenderly reaches out to touch one of the withered strands of the plant.

FOZ:

(sniffles) Let’s go. Quick.

Foz walks off a little faster.

KOFI:

Wait up, are you okay?

FOZ Yes, I’m fine.

As Foz and Kofi continue. There is a montage of their journey. they trek through additional farms, their determination evident in each step. They find moments of respite, sitting beneath trees to enjoy their packed lunches.

Kofi scales a tree, seeking a higher vantage point, there is a view of the village from above.

EXT. - VILLAGE - DAY

The rooster perches on the same fence, gazing into the distance before strutting towards a large shed. Inside, a

large, muscular man sits waiting.

ROOSTER:

(sinister tone)

She’s looking for the fruit. If you must stop her, now’s your chance.

The man sits with a wicked grin on his face.

EXT. - ON TOP OF A HILL - DAY

Foz and Kofi sit atop a hill with red sand.

KOFI:

Can I see the pages?

FOZ Yes, here.

Foz passes the papers to Kofi, who examines the faint sketch of the artichoke-like fruit. As he reads the cryptic message, "The one you hear is not the one you're looking for." A sense of intrigue fills the air, hinting at deeper mysteries waiting to be unravelled.

KOFI:

What does this mean?

FOZ:

It’s like an old proverb, a riddle if you will. We have to pay attention and try to figure it out.

Nature is magical.

KOFI:

Okay, what do you think it means?

(puzzled)

The one you hear is not the one you’re looking for?

He pauses and looks at Foz.

KOFI:

The one you hear…

(pauses) what?

He flips through the papers, examining both sides.

FOZ:

(quietly)

We’ll figure it out.

KOFI Are you okay?

Something’s bothering you.

You want to talk about it?

FOZ:

I’m worried about him, he was strong. You know it has always been me and him.

Don’t know what I will do, you know

(pauses) if he’s gone. Then it will just be me and Grandma.

KOFI:

I’m here. I’m going to try my best to always be here for you.

FOZ:

Thank you. There’s more… if Dad’s gone, we won’t be keeping our home and farm. We’ll be evicted.

KOFI:

I’m sorry to hear. I’ll help you with anything, starting with this journey.

FOZ:

You’re a great friend.

KOFI I know.

(laughs)

Together, they rise from the hilltop and begin their descent, their journey continuing as they venture onward to confront the enigmatic message they've uncovered.

FOZ:

Now we have to hurry before the lions come out!

KOFI:

(gasps) What!

FOZ:

I’m joking! I think.

EXT. - DOWN THE GRASSLANDS - AFTERNOON

After a lengthy journey, they finally find respite beneath a sturdy tree. Foz retrieves the pages from her bag, and together they scour the text for clues. Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind sweeps through, rustling the leaves, bending the grass, and snatching the papers from Foz's grasp, scattering them into the air.

FOZ:

(yells) The papers.

KOFI:

(running)

Oh God this wind is crazy.

FOZ:

Get it, get it, get it!

KOFI:

(yells) I’m trying.

In a swift reaction they sprint, Kofi managing to snatch the papers just before the wind carries them into a nearby

Stream

Breathing heavily, they collapse onto the ground, their hearts racing with adrenaline as they share a moment of

relief, lying on their backs and staring up at the sky.

EXT. - SMALL VILLAGE - SUNSET

Foz and Kofi approach a quaint village adorned with several huts, warmly welcomed by the locals as they pass by. An elderly woman stands behind a modest market stall, her voice ringing out as she calls to them, eager to engage with the newcomers.

OLD LADY:

Where are you off to this time?

FOZ:

Not far, we’re locals.

KOFI:

(whispers)

That’s not true, we’re not from here.

FOZ:

(whispers) Shhh.

(smiles at the old lady) We’re visiting relatives.

OLD LADY:

Well, you must be tired, and hungry.

The old lady extends her weathered hands, offering bottles of refreshing drinks and an assortment of snacks to Foz and Kofi, a gesture of hospitality and kindness in this small village.

KOFI Asante!

Oh, thank you kind lady.

As twilight descends, Foz and Kofi venture further from the

village, finding solace beneath a sprawling tree.

With the evening chill settling in, Kofi gathers wood while Foz takes on the task of kindling a fire, their combined

efforts ensuring warmth and light.

KOFI (CONT'D) That old lady was nice.

FOZ:

Yes, she was. But be careful some people don’t like to be called old.

KOFI:

I’m just giving a basic description of her.

FOZ:

I know. Let’s just go to sleep.

Beneath the shimmering starlight and the gentle glow of the moon, the trees sway gracefully in the light breeze, casting shifting shadows across the landscape.

In the distance, the haunting howl of a coyote echoes through the night, a reminder of the untamed beauty and potential dangers of the natural world.

EXT. - UNDER A TREE - NIGHT

In the stillness of the night, Foz awakens, her senses alert as she hears the distinct rustling of bushes nearby. She braces herself for the unexpected.

FOZ:

(whispers)

Did you hear that. (louder) Kofi wake up. (shouts) Wake up!

Foz's heart skips a beat as she glances back and locks eyes with a coyote! A shiver runs down her spine as she realizes the presence of the wild creature.

FOZ (CONT'D)

(screams)

Oh my God! We’re going to die!

Foz swiftly crawls backward, grasping Kofi's hand tightly to rouse him from sleep. As Kofi slowly awakens, rubbing his eyes in confusion, Foz's urgent demeanour signals the need for immediate attention.

KOFI:

(high pitched scream) A COYOTE!

As they continue to retreat, the menacing growl of the coyote grows louder, its predatory instincts driving it closer. In a sudden lunge, the coyote seizes Kofi's foot, eliciting a startled cry from him. Foz reacts swiftly, her instincts kicking in as she grips Kofi's arms tightly, summoning all her strength to pull him back from the clutches of the predator.

KOFI (CONT'D)

(yells)

Ow, he’s got my foot.

FOZ:

Oh my God, flick your leg. (screams)

Give him the shoe.

The shoe slips off Kofi's foot, and the coyote snatches it before darting off into the darkness. Foz and Kofi are left breathless, their hearts pounding in the wake of the close encounter, grateful to have escaped with only a lost shoe.

FOZ (CONT'D)

How’s your leg?

Let’s get out of here.

KOFI:

(he looks up holding his head)

I’m ok, just bumped my head on the trunk of this tree.

We’re never sleeping in a place like that. Never again!

Foz and Kofi hastily gather their belongings, spurred on by the first light of dawn breaking on the horizon. Without looking back, they sprint away from the scene, eager to put distance between themselves and the danger they narrowly avoided.

EXT. - SECLUDED FARM - MORNING

In a picturesque scene, a small field stretches out, carpeted with lush green grass. Neat rows of mango and papaya trees adorn the landscape.

The sweet promise of ripe fruit hangs heavy in the air,

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