INDIA, Year 2045
Inside RAVI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A modest living room. A clock on the wall shows 11:15 PM. The sound of crickets chirping can be faintly heard outside. RAVI (mid 20s, tired, dressed in casual home wear) is lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone. His phone suddenly rings. He glances at the screen and sees "MANAGER (VIKRAM)" flashing on the display. He sighs and answers the call.
RAVI
(wearily)
Hello?
VIKRAM (O.S.)
(voice urgent, slightly stressed)
Man, I need you guys at the server site ASAP.
RAVI
(sits up, concerned)
What's wrong?
VIKRAM (On call)
The servers we built they've crashed. The whole system is down, and we need to sort this out, tomorrow all their branches open at the same hour and you know this is the Main branch and all the operations are done here.
RAVI
(glancing at the clock, surprised)
Now? I can't ask them to come at this hour and it's pouring outside, we can fix that in no time, don't worry we'll be there in the morning by 6.
VIKRAM (O.S.)
(almost begging)
No, Ravi. This can't wait. For the Opening central minister is going to be there and they have to secure the place by morning and we might not have enough time. So, we have to fix this tonight or It'll be a mess. I've already called the others. I need you here.
RAVI
(resigned)
Alright, I'm on my way.
VIKRAM (O.S.)
Thanks. See you soon.
Ravi hangs up the phone and lets out a deep breath. He stands up, quickly grabs his keys and jacket from the table, and heads towards the door.
APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY - NIGHT
Ravi steps out of his apartment into the hallway. He locks the door behind him.
APARTMENT OUTSIDE, TARNAKA STREETS - NIGHT
Ravi exits the building and walks in the rain to his car parked on the side of the road. The streets are slick and glistening. He gets in the car, starts the engine, and rides off into the rainy night, the camera following him as he speeds through the empty streets of Tarnaka.
FADE OUT
END OF SCENE 1
Location: Office Building, Hyderabad
Time: 11:35 PM
EXT. OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT
A tall office building. MAMITHA (in her early 20s) arrives at the building, quickly walking towards the entrance as to escape from the pouring rain and gushing wind.
INSIDE OFFICE LOBBY - NIGHT
Mamitha enters the lobby, where the lights are dimmed for the night. The only sign of life is the watchman, RAMU (50s, dressed in a security uniform), sitting at his desk, sipping tea. He looks up as Mamitha approaches.
RAMU
(smiling, surprised, gets up from his chair.)
Mamitha mam, what brings you here this late?
MAMITHA
(smiling back, but with urgency)
Hi, Ramu. The servers crashed, and we need to fix it before morning. I think I'm the first to arrive, but the others are on their way. They're stuck in traffic due to rain.
RAMU
(nodding sympathetically)
Ah, traffic at this hour? That's unfortunate. But don't worry, I'm sure they'll be here soon.
MAMITHA
(gratefully)
Thanks. I'll head up now. Can you unlock the gate for me?
Ramu nods, and picks up few keycards from his desk and gestures for Mamitha to follow him. They walk towards the elevator.
ELEVATOR - NIGHT
Mamitha and Ramu step into the elevator. Ramu presses the button for the 19th floor. The elevator hums quietly as it ascends.
RAMU
(as the elevator moves up)
Mam, do you want me arrange any coffee or Tea?
MAMITHA
(looking up at the floor numbers)
Coffee would be great, Thanks Ramu.
RAMU
I'll alert the staff
MAMITHA
(smiling slightly)
I appreciate it.
The elevator dings as it reaches the 19th floor. The doors slide open, revealing a dimly lit hallway with an iron gate barring the way forward.
INSIDE 9TH FLOOR HALLWAY - NIGHT
Ramu steps out first and walks to the iron gate. He takes a key from his keyring and unlocks the gate. The gate slides open, revealing the glass door of the office behind it.
RAMU
(gesturing towards the glass door)
All yours, mam.
Mamitha steps forward, pulling out her access card from her pocket. She swipes it at the card reader next to the glass door. The door unlocks with a soft beep, and she pushes it open, entering the dark office space beyond.
MAMITHA
(glancing back at Ramu, who is holding the gate open)
Thanks, Ramu. I'll be fine from here.
RAMU
(smiling)
Alright, Mamitha mam. I'll be downstairs if you need anything.
Mamitha nods, then steps fully into the office. The door closes behind her with a soft thud, and Ramu makes his way back to the elevator.
FADE OUT.
END OF SCENE 2.
Scene 3
The Server Room
Time: 11:45 PM
INT. OFFICE FLOOR - NIGHT
Mamitha walks through the dark office space, her footsteps echoing softly. She heads towards the central control panel on the wall. With a flick of a switch, the entire floor hums to life—lights flicker on, computers whirr, and the office space is illuminated in a soft, sterile glow.
Mamitha takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. She makes her way down the hallway towards the server room, her shoes clicking against the tiled floor.
INSIDE SERVER ROOM - NIGHT
Using her access key, she unlocks the server room door and slides open, revealing a long, narrow space lined with rows of server racks. The servers emit a low, constant hum, the air cool and sterile. The room is dimly lit, with only the faint blue, red and green glow from the server indicators providing illumination. Mamitha walks down the length of the room, her eyes scanning the servers until she reaches the last rack, where the main server is—larger and more imposing than the others—stands.
She approaches the server, pulling out her tools and laptop. With practiced ease, she begins diagnosing the problem, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she runs various checks and commands.
MAMITHA
(muttering to herself)
Come on, come on... what's wrong with you?
Suddenly, the entire room goes dark. The constant hum of the office dies out as the power goes down, leaving Mamitha in near-total darkness. Only the faint glow from a few emergency lights and the servers, which are still powered by their backup generator, remain.
INSIDE SERVER ROOM - NIGHT (DIMLY LIT)
Mamitha's heart races as she quickly pulls out her phone, using its flashlight to see. She then dials RAMU.
INTERCUT: PHONE CONVERSATION
RAMU (V.O.)
(picking up, voice tense)
Mamitha mam, I was about to call you. There's a power outage in the entire street. Don't know what caused it yet.
MAMITHA
(concerned, pacing slightly)
What about the building's backup generator? It's supposed to kick in automatically.
RAMU (V.O.)
(frustrated sigh)
That's the problem—it didn't start up like it should. I'm trying to get it running manually, but it's acting up. I've called the building maintenance team. They'll be here in about ten minutes to fix it.
MAMITHA
(taking a deep breath, calming down)
Alright, just keep me updated. The server room is still powered, so I'll keep working.
RAMU (V.O.)
Sure thing, mam. I'll get it sorted as fast as I can.
They hang up. Mamitha stands still for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She glances around the server room, the eerie quiet unsettling her slightly.
MAMITHA
(whispering to herself)
Just focus. Get this fixed.
She turns back to the server, her hands moving swiftly as she continues her work, the faint glow of the servers and the emergency lights casting long shadows around her.
FADE OUT.
END OF SCENE 3.
Scene 4
Location: Office Building, Hyderabad
Time: 12:00 AM
INSIDE SERVER ROOM - NIGHT
The server room remains dimly lit, with Mamitha focused intently on her work. The hum of the servers and the faint glow of the emergency lights create an almost eerie atmosphere. her face showing concentration as she types away on her laptop.
Suddenly, faint flickering noises and lights are seen through the glass door in the hallway outside. The noise is distant at first, and Mamitha doesn't pay it any attention, her focus solely on the server in front of her.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
INSIDE HALLWAY OUTSIDE SERVER ROOM - NIGHT
In the hallway, where the lights begin to flicker more violently. The flickering light moves closer to the server room door, casting strange shadows on the walls. The sound grows louder, a strange buzzing that seems to echo off the walls.
INSIDE SERVER ROOM - NIGHT
Mamitha finally notices the flickering light just outside the server room door. She pauses, her fingers hovering above the keyboard, and her eyes dart toward the door. A chill runs down her spine as the fear slowly builds up inside her.
The flickering continues, now moving into the server room itself. The lights flicker closer, and some shadow appear outside and approaching Mamitha, who stands frozen in fear. She takes a few hesitant steps backward, her eyes locked on the advancing light, it is like something approaching her whom she can't see. It stops at the main door.
MAMITHA
(worried and bit in fear)
Who's there? Ravi are you there? stop playing, I'm serious right now.
But there's no response and she slowly approach the server room main door where she still can see some shadow, she grips her hands tight and as she reaches the main door the shadow seemed to take form like a man standing and she hears a faint of a kid, as she takes this in and fear takes over her and the flickering enters the server room, she panics and falls back as there's no one there but a shadow is casting and growing to reach her, she struggles to control her footing but gets it somehow.
Mamitha, heart pounding, turns and quickly moves toward the end of the room. She leaves the server room and enters an adjacent room, where she finds herself staring at the entry glass door. She rushes to it, frantically swiping her access card, but nothing happens. The door remains locked.
MAMITHA
(whispering, panicked)
What's happening...
She swipes the card again, but the door still doesn't budge. Her breathing quickens, and she quickly pulls out her phone, trying to call Ramu. The call goes unanswered, and as she tries again, the signal suddenly drops. Her phone screen shows "No Service."
Mamitha turns her head and sees her system in her cabin suddenly glow to life. The screen flickers as if something is trying to connect. Her fear deepens, but she feels a strange pull, compelling her to approach her system.
As she reach her system the screen goes blank and she's bit relieved and she slowly take her phone and tries to call Ramu but no response,
As she cautiously moves, she hears footsteps echoing in the distance. Her body tenses, and she stops in her tracks. The footsteps grow louder, closer, and in a panic, she dashes toward the entry door, her heart pounding in her chest.
INSIDE HALLWAY - NIGHT
As Mamitha sprints down the hallway, the lights around her start flickering again, chasing her with eerie precision. She's halfway to the entry door when suddenly, all the lights snap back on. The building hums with power again, and the unsettling atmosphere lifts.
Mamitha stops, panting heavily, her eyes darting around as she tries to process what just happened. The lights are steady now, no longer flickering, and the strange noises have ceased.
OUTSIDE OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT
outside RAVI and PRIYA (early 20s, fashionable, a bit impatient) chatting casually near the building's entrance. They're joined by ASHWIN (mid 20s, disheveled, clearly having been woken up recently), who yawns and checks his phone. Other team members gather around, waiting for the power to fully return.
AT OFFICE ENTRY DOOR - NIGHT
As Mamitha reaches the door, she sees Ravi and the others just outside, casually chatting as if nothing unusual has happened. She takes a deep breath, calming herself before opening the door to let them in.
RAVI
(smiling, noticing Mamitha's slightly sweaty and anxious state)
Hey Mamitha, you alright? You look a bit... flustered.
MAMITHA
(forcing a smile, brushing off her unease)
Yeah, it's just... it got really hot in here without the power.
PRIYA
(rolling her eyes slightly)
Ugh, tell me about it. Took forever to get here—no cabs available, so Ravi had to come pick me up and the traffic due to drainage and road blocks, I'm going to kill Vikram in the morning
ASHWIN
(yawning again)
I was asleep, didn't even hear my phone the first few times it rang.
The remaining team of ten enters the office, all of them chatting lightly as they make their way to their workstations. Ravi and Mamitha takes the lead with their corresponding teams, The atmosphere is relaxed, a sharp contrast to Mamitha's recent experience.
INSIDE OFFICE FLOOR - NIGHT
The teams settle in, working diligently to fix the server issue. They work for around two hours, the mood growing lighter as the task at hand progresses, the issue seemed to be nothing but a small disturbance, Once the issue is resolved, everyone packs up to leave.
OUTSIDE OFFICE BUILDING - NIGHT
The team exits the building together, talking and laughing as they head to their respective vehicles. Ravi and Priya offer to drop Mamitha off, and she accepts.
MAMITHA'S APARTMENT STREET - NIGHT
Ravi's car pulls up near Mamitha's apartment street, a dimly lit street with only a few lights on. Mamitha steps out.
RAVI
(smiling)
Alright, take care, Mamitha. See you tomorrow.
PRIYA
(waving)
Night, Mamitha!
MAMITHA
(smiling back, though still a bit unsettled)
Goodnight, guys. Thanks for the ride.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4 (Continued)
Scene 4: The Walk Home and the Unsettling Night
Location: Hyderabad; Mamitha's Apartment
APARTMENT STREET – NIGHT
Mamitha walks along the quiet, dimly lit street, the events at the office still fresh in her mind. She pulls out her phone and sees several missed calls from her roommate, VAISHNAVI. Concerned, she immediately calls her back.
MAMITHA
(anxious)
Hey, Vaishu! I just saw your missed calls. What happened?
VAISHNAVI (Phone VO)
(sounding distressed)
Babes, I had to leave for my hometown. My dad called—there's something serious with my brother. I tried calling you, but I couldn't get through.
MAMITHA
(trying to console her)
I'm so sorry Vaishu. Don't worry, everything will be fine. Just keep me updated, okay?
VAISHNAVI (Phone VO)
(softly)
I will. Take care of yourself, Babes.
Mamitha ends the call and puts her phone away. As she continues walking towards her apartment, starts thinking about what happened in the office, she thinks it's all in her head due to lack of sleep for the past few days and thinks that it was all because she was watching a horror picture just before she left for office, she suddenly feels the uneasy sensation of being followed. She stops and turns around, scanning the dark, empty street behind her. No one is there. She's still bit chilly from the weather and the rain starts again pouring very heavy this time and it's still half a mile to reach her apartment.
Her heart begins to race as she resumes walking, this time at a faster pace. After a few steps, she hears the faint flickering sound again, similar to the one at the office. Fear grips her, and without looking back, she quickens her pace, practically running towards her apartment building.
APARTMENT BUILDING ENTRANCE - NIGHT
As Mamitha finally reaches the entrance of her apartment building, opens the big gate and enters and she's about to close the gate she gets a strange feeling from behind her. She spins around, startled, only to find the BUILDING WATCHMAN standing there, his figure partially obscured by the shadows.
MAMITHA
(angrily, trying to mask her fear)
What do you think you are doing?
WATCHMAN
(calmly, with concern)
Sorry mam, I saw someone entering the building. Thought it might be an outsider, so I came to check.
Mamitha glares at him, still shaken, and drowned in rain. Before turning away. She gives the watchman a curt nod and heads inside, letting the gate shut firmly behind her.
INSIDE APARTMENT BUILDING HALLWAY - NIGHT
Mamitha steps into the elevator, pressing the button for the 14th floor. The elevator hums as it ascends, and she leans back against the wall, trying to steady her breathing. Her hair clung to her face, raindrops streaming down her cheeks like tiny, glistening beads. Her clothes were soaked, darkened with water, and clung to her as if they were a second skin. She hugged herself, rubbing her arms vigorously, trying to chase away the chill that had seeped into her bones. Small puddles formed around her feet, The doors open with a soft ding, and she steps out into the empty hallway.
Her floor is eerily quiet. All the apartments are under renovation, leaving only Mamitha and a couple who live at the far end. But tonight, she knows they're gone, leaving her completely alone on the floor.
INSIDE MAMITHA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Mamitha unlocks her apartment door and steps inside, locking it behind her. The space is dark and quiet, offering little comfort.
She stepped into her bedroom, a cozy, softly lit space that felt like a warm embrace compared to the biting chill outside. Water droplets trailed across the floor as she moved, each step leaving a small, dark imprint on the tiles. With a sigh of relief, she peeled off her damp, clinging clothes, the fabric heavy with rain sliding off her shoulders and pooling at her feet. Her skin prickled as it adjusted to the room's warmth, and she reached for a plush towel waiting on a nearby chair.
She wrapped it around herself first, savoring the comforting softness, then took a fresh towel and began drying her hair. The towel absorbed each droplet as she squeezed her hair, wrapping and rubbing it gently, trying to banish the last remnants of the cold rain. Her fingers combed through the damp strands, which fell in loose waves, gradually drying as she continued to rub. Finally, her cheeks grew flushed from the warmth, and a relaxed smile tugged at her lips as she took a deep breath, letting the comfort of her bedroom wrap around her, erasing the storm outside. She pulls out her phone and calls her boyfriend.
MAMITHA
(trying to sound casual, but a hint of anxiety in her voice)
Hey, can you come over? I'm alone tonight, and... maybe bring some beers from your stock?
Her boyfriend, excited, agrees instantly. As she hangs up, Mamitha heads to the bathroom, eager to wash away the unsettling night in the hot steam bath.
BATHROOM - NIGHT
With her hair partially dry, she glanced at the door leading to her bathroom, the thought of a steam bath tempting her further into relaxation. Leaving the towels draped over a nearby chair, she padded softly across the floor, her bare feet quiet against the tiles. The bathroom light cast a soft glow as she entered, and she turned on the hot water, watching as steam began to fill the room, misting up the mirrors and creating a cocoon of warmth.
She stepped into the bath, immediately enveloped in a soothing, thick warmth that seemed to melt away the last remnants of cold. The steam rose around her, caressing her skin like a gentle embrace, loosening every tense muscle. She closed her eyes and leaned back, breathing in the moist, comforting heat. Her skin glowed under the gentle, diffuse light, and droplets of condensation formed on her shoulders and arms, slipping down in slow, warm rivulets.
In this serene moment, the storm outside felt like a distant memory. Surrounded by the softness of the steam, she allowed herself to fully unwind, her body finally relaxed, cocooned in the calm, steamy sanctuary she had created.
but as she immersed in the warmth of the hot steam, she hears a faint creaking noise like a moving wooden chair. She stops, turning off the water and listening intently. The sound disappears, and she shakes her head, trying to dismiss it.
As she reaches for her towel, a strange fog begins to build in the bathroom. The mirror fogs up, and when she wipes it away, she sees a shadowy figure behind her for a split second. Startled, she quickly turns around, but the bathroom is empty.
Mamitha stares at the curtain near the bathroom door, convincing herself that it must have been a trick of the light. She dries off quickly, still feeling uneasy.
After a long, soothing steam bath, she stepped out into the bedroom, the cool air meeting her damp skin in a soft, refreshing contrast. She reached for a thick, fluffy towel, wrapping it around her body with care. Starting at her shoulders, she patted and rubbed the towel over her arms, feeling the warmth from her bath linger as she worked her way down.
She dried her neck and chest, the towel moving gently over her curves as she took her time, letting the soft fabric soak up the last traces of moisture from her skin. She draped another towel over her damp hair, wrapping it up tightly, and continued to pat herself dry. Every movement was slow, deliberate, and calming, easing her fully back into the coziness of her room.
Finally, fully dry and wrapped in the comfort of the soft towels, she felt the lingering warmth from her bath and a deep sense of relaxation as she prepared to slip into something warm and comfortable for the night. Just as she was wrapping herself in a soft towel, an odd sensation prickled at the back of her neck—a feeling as if someone was watching her. She paused, her fingers gripping the towel, instinctively covering herself, though not fully closed, leaving parts of her still exposed to the cool air. Her eyes darted to the dimly lit hallway outside her bedroom, Curiosity mixed with unease, she padded barefoot toward the hall, her gaze fell on the main door, slightly ajar, the sliver of hallway light cutting through the dim of her apartment. She frowned, realizing she must have forgotten to lock it in her rush to shed her damp clothes and warm up.
Quickly, she approached the door and carefully peeked outside, half expecting to catch a movement or glimpse of someone lurking. But the hallway was empty, quiet, and undisturbed, nothing but shadows and silence. She took a steadying breath, convincing herself it was just a slip of memory. After all, the storm and her cold, dripping clothes had thrown her off. She shut the door firmly this time, engaging the lock with a resolute click.
As she turned back toward the bedroom, she began to hum softly again, a little tune filling the quiet spaces around her, her earlier tension dissipating with each step.
MAMITHA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Mamitha slips into a loose T-shirt and boxers, trying to push the fear out of her mind. She sits on her bed, opening her personal laptop. As soon as she powers it on, a video starts playing on the screen—a hospital hallway with endless rooms, the fluorescent lights flickering ominously.
She frowns, confused and alarmed, as she tries to close the video, but nothing works. The escape button, the power button—nothing responds. Panic starts to rise as she frantically presses keys.
MAMITHA
(whispering in fear)
What the hell is going on?
In a desperate move, she slams the laptop shut and scoots to the end of the bed, her heart racing. After a few deep breaths, she slowly opens the laptop again. This time, it shows only her desktop wallpaper. She exhales in relief, but the unease lingers. to figure out what it was, she starts searching through her laptop for the video, her fingers trembling slightly as she clicks through her files.
FADE OUT.
END OF SCENE 4.