Int. Classroom 202 - Day
The tension in the room is palpable as Johan and Yuna huddle beneath the lab table, their breaths shallow and hearts racing. Johan's mind races, thinking of a way to fight back against the Gier.
Johan (V.O)
Every creature has a weakness. There must be something...
The Gier's massive form bends as it enters the room. Its heavy footsteps echo through the space, making the very air quiver.
Int. Hallway - Flashback
Johan's mind flashes back to the sight of the Gier pounding on the entrance door, its screams reverberating in the hallway. His brow furrows as he recalls the intensity of its cries.
Johan (V.O)
Is it screaming in pain?
Int. Classroom 202 - Continuous
Johan's determination grows. He turns to Yuna, his voice barely above a whisper.
Johan
Yuna. What's the name of the acid that melts people?
Yuna, tears in her eyes, whispers back.
Yuna
S-Sulfuric. Why?
Johan again, scans the room quickly, landing on a fire extinguisher mounted on the wall near the door.
Johan (V.O)
That will do... I hope.
The Gier's movements become more erratic as it explores the room, inching closer to the lab table where Johan and Yuna hid.
Johan whispers to Yuna urgently, his voice now determined.
Johan
Yuna, you gotta trust me. On three, start running as fast as you can to a different room. If possible, to the room Holden is in.
Yuna's tear-filled eyes meet Johan's, a mix of fear and hope in his expression. She nods, the silent understanding passing between them.
Without further hesitation, Johan counts softly, each number a heartbeat in the tense room.
Johan
(Whispering)
One... Two...
But as Johan starts counting, a thought grips her.
Yuna (V.O)
Is he gonna run as well..?
Yuna grips Johan's hand tighter, her heart pounding in rhythm with his count.
Johan
Three!
As Johan says the word, they break cover and bolt from beneath the lab table, racing towards the door. The Gier senses their movement and lets out a deafening roar, its red eyes ablaze with fury.
Johan skids to a halt just outside the classroom. He snatches the fire extinguisher from the wall before charging forward again. The Gier quickly follows them out.
Johan
(Shouting)
Yuna! Go to Holden.
(Louder)
HOLDEN! OPEN THE DOOR WHEN YUNA IS NEAR!
Yuna hesitates for a moment, but starts running down the hallway, knowing that she cannot waste this chance.
The Gier, infuriated by Yuna's escape, lunges after her. But Johan stands his ground and pulls the trigger of the fire extinguisher. Releasing a cloud of extinguishing foam that envelops the Gier's head, obstructing its vision.
The Gier's wild movements cease, its arms flailing as it emits an anguished scream.
As the Gier's focus is momentarily disrupted, Johan takes a quick glance behind him.
Relief floods over him as he sees Yuna racing closer to the room where Holden is waiting.
Johan then seizes the opportunity and continues spraying the Gier with the fire extinguisher. The Gier's howls of pain and rage resonate through the hallway.
JOHAN (V.O)
(Taking a quick breath)
Do or die, Johan. Do or die.
With a swift, calculated motion, he hurls the extinguisher at the Gier, striking it squarely in the chest.
The impact staggers the Gier, forcing it to halt yet again.
Johan then dashes back into Classroom 202, his heart pounding with each step.
Johan's gaze then narrows as he gauges the Gier's position. As the cloud of the fire extinguisher clears out, he steadies himself.
Out from the cloud, the Gier lunges forward, its monstrous form poised to follow Johan into the classroom. But Johan timed it just right. With a swift movement, he slams the door shut just as the Gier reaches the threshold. The door clicks as he locks it securely.
Johan stands against the door, his chest heaving as he leans on it for support. He can hear the Gier's furious pounding against the other side, its howls of frustration echoing in the confined space.
Johan (V.O)
This door is not gonna hold for long...
His attention shifts to the chemical cabinet.
With quick steps, he approaches the cabinet and hastily looks for any bottles labeled "sulfuric."
After a moment, he spots a few and grabs them, his fingers trembling with a mixture of adrenaline and anxiety.
The Gier's frenzied assault on the classroom door intensifies.
Johan (V.O)
(Holding on the bottle)
Will this crack at the moment of impact?
Johan looks around, desperate to find another solution. That's when his eyes land on a plastic container.
He starts transferring the sulfuric acid from the bottles, his movements swift and purposeful.
His focus remains unyielding as the Gier's relentless assault reverberates through the room.
With the container of sulfuric acid in hand, Johan plans his next move.
With a mighty crash, the Gier bursts into the room, its crimson eyes scanning the area hungrily. It strides forward, its footsteps echoing ominously.
Meanwhile, Johan, hidden in the mop closet, waits for the perfect moment. His heart pounding in his chest, his mind racing to execute his desperate plan.
As the Gier paces around the room, Johan realizes this was his only chance.
Emerging from the shadows of the mop closet, he lunges forward, his fingers gripping the container of sulfuric acid tightly.
He douses the Gier with the corrosive liquid.
A guttural scream tears from the creature as its skin reacts violently to the acid.
That's when, for the first time, Johan saw the Gier's mouth. A twisted distortion of anatomy that seemed more fitting for a creature of nightmare than anything from the natural world. Rows of jagged, serrated teeth jut out at odd angles, their razor-sharp edges glinting in the dim light.
Johan (V.O)
Just... What is this..?
The Gier's agony grew more palpable as it thrashed itself in a frenzy of pain, its grotesque appearance morphing into something even more horrific as its flesh is eaten away.
Desks were overturned, papers and debris scattered everywhere.
Johan, his eyes watering from the toxic stench that hangs in the air, rushed out into the hallway and starts running to the other room, desperately seeking safety.
Adrenaline courses through his veins as he sprints, the world around him a blur of urgency. But in the midst of his escape, a sudden impact rocks him.
A chair, hurled by the Gier in a final act of defiance, strikes his arm with a sickening thud. Johan tumbles to the ground, pain radiating from his injured limb. He clenches his teeth, his mind pushing past the pain as he wonders if his arm is broken.
Johan
FUCK!
Pushing himself up with sheer determination, Johan fights through the agony. He knows he must reach Holden and Yuna, they needed to escape this nightmare.
His legs pump with renewed energy as he resumes his mad dash through the hallway, the memory of Yuna's tearful face fueling his resolve.
Johan (V.O)
Come on come on come on...
But fate is unrelenting. Another blow lands, this time on his back, a blunt force that sends him sprawling. He crashes to the floor, his breath knocked out of him.
The Gier, its body mangled and oozing, has emerged from the room, carrying the remains of a broken desk as a grotesque weapon. Its skin is a nightmarish tableau of melted flesh, and toxic steam wafts from its form.
Johan's chest heaves as he assesses his situation. His body aches, his strength wanes, and the Gier advances with relentless determination.
Panic and pain course through him, but he refuses to yield to the terror that threatens to consume him.
He shuffles backward, the sense of dread deepening as the Gier draws nearer, its malevolent gaze fixed on its wounded prey.
In the midst of Johan's despair and the Gier's relentless advance, salvation comes from an unexpected source.
A baseball, propelled with precise force, strikes the Gier square in the chest. Johan's gaze snaps toward the source, finding Holden wielding a bat and a bag of baseballs.
Holden
(Shouting)
Johan! Move to the walls!
Holden's urgent shout slices through the chaos, and Johan wastes no time. Adrenaline surging once more, he inches toward the safety of the wall, every fiber of his being focused on survival.
As Johan repositions himself, the Gier responds with a frenzied barrage of desk fragments hurled toward Holden.
But with a mixture of athleticism and sheer determination, Holden evades the deadly projectiles, a testament to his agility under duress.
Swiftly, he lines up another baseball, his muscles taut as he releases it like a projectile of hope. The ball strikes the Gier with a satisfying thud, forcing another agonized cry from the creature.
Despite its deteriorating form, the Gier summons a last surge of strength, its movements sluggish but undeterred as it propels itself toward Holden. The once terrifying speed has been reduced to a crawl, its skin resembling a grotesque painting of decay.
Holden
Damn it!
Holden readies another baseball, but realizes the monster will get to him before he hit it.
Johan
(Shouting)
HOLDEN!
Then, as if from the shadows, Yuna emerges. Armed with nothing but a water bottle, she fearlessly steps into the fray.
With a determination that mirrors Johan's earlier desperation, she douses the Gier with water.
The sizzling sound of acid meeting liquid fills the air, and the Gier's screams pierce through the chaos once more. It crumples to the ground, its tortured cries reverberating against the walls.
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Yuna doesn't stop there. Pouring every drop of water from her bottle, she battles the Gier's suffering with a ferocity that belies her stature.
The Gier's anguished screams continue, but its movements slow, its once formidable strength waning under the relentless assault of water.
Johan, his arm throbbing with pain, watches the battle unfold with a mixture of awe and gratitude. His earlier desperation is now replaced with hope.
Gathering his strength, he begins to move toward his friends, a silent promise of unity and support driving him forward.
As the Gier's movements become feeble, its tortured form writhing on the ground, Johan reaches Holden and Yuna.
They stand united against the monstrous threat that had so recently seemed insurmountable.
Johan
That... That will do... For sure.
The Gier's skin was mottled with patches of melted flesh, revealing the raw red tissue underneath. Its eyes, once ablaze with fury, are now dimmed, surrounded by scorched and blistered skin. The acidic encounter has left its mark, with trails of corrosive burns etched across its face, as if some artist had painted a nightmarish masterpiece upon its face.
The creature's features contort in pain, the remnants of its lips drawn back in an agonized rictus. Its teeth are exposed in a gruesome grimace, the enamel stained and eroded by the acid's relentless assault.
With the Gier's anguished screams fading into feeble moans, Johan's eyes fixate on a jagged piece of debris from the shattered desk.
He slowly grabs the piece with his intact arm. His fingers wrap around the makeshift weapon, feeling the rough edges and splintered wood. He raises it above his head, his muscles tense with the weight of the moment. His breath heavy, a mixture of exhaustion, fear, and determination.
Yuna
Johan? What are you doing?
Johan approaches the fallen creature, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his eyes.
Holden
Are you gonna finish it off?
Johan looks over at the two. His face full of fear and resolve.
He soon brings the makeshift weapon down with a fierce determination. The wooden shard connects with the Gier's head, emitting a sickening thud. A shudder courses through the creature's body, its feeble moans silenced as the blow delivers a finality that the acid attack hadn't quite achieved yet.
For a moment, the hallway is consumed by an almost surreal stillness, broken only by the echo of Johan's heavy breaths. He stands there, the shard of wood still in his hand, his gaze fixed upon the lifeless form of the Gier.
Slowly, Johan lowers the makeshift weapon, his knuckles white from the grip.
He takes a step back, his eyes shifting from the fallen creature to the faces of Yuna and Holden.
Holden
(Smiling)
Good job, Johan.
Yuna
(Worried)
Is your arm alright?
Johan chuckles and falls down to the ground. His legs all weak now.
Johan
I'm actually feeling not that bad...
In the aftermath of the battle, amidst the wreckage and the stench of acid, the group stands united by a shared experience that had forever bounded them together.
Int. Nurse's Office - Moments Later
The nurse's office is a small, tidy room adorned with posters advocating health and safety.
Johan sits on a chair, wincing as Yuna carefully wraps his injured arms with bandage wraps. His discomfort is visible, his face contorted in pain.
Yuna
Easy now, Johan. I don't want to hurt you more.
Johan
(Embarrassed)
Y-Yup...
Yuna's voice is a mixture of concern and concentration as she tends to his wounds.
Holden, sitting on the floor nearby, looks on with curiosity.
Holden
Need help, Yuna?
Yuna
Oh, no it's okay. I'm almost done.
Holden
Alright then.
Holden leans back against the wall, closing his eyes to get some rest.
Yuna
You got hurt on the back as well, right? Can I see it after I'm done with the arm?
Johan's cheeks flush a deep shade of red, caught off guard by Yuna's request. He stammers slightly, his words stumbling over each other.
Johan
(Nervously)
U-Uh... I. No, I think it's okay. I'll be fine. It's really not necessary.
Holden, opens his eyes after hearing this and rises to his feet. His expression thoughtful as he pieces together the situation.
Holden
Oh, I can help with that. Yuna, you keep working on the arm.
Yuna
Oh... Alright.
Johan lets out a breath of relief. But wonders to himself that he may have overreacted.
Johan (V.O)
I mean, it's a little embarrassing to show her my bare back...
Johan shifts his position slightly, allowing Holden a better view of his back.
He braces himself, fully expecting to hear that it's full of red marks and swollen skin.
But as Holden examines Johan's back, a furrow forms on Johan's forehead. He realizes that there wasn't that much pain. Was the adrenaline numbing the pain? No, but he remembers the excruciating pain, the searing sensation that accompanied every movement. It all stopped after the Gier died...
Holden
You're in luck, Johan. I think the Gier slightly missed you. It's a little red, but except that, it looks okay. Wait, it really doesn't hurt, right?
Johan
(Confused)
Y-Yeah... It doesn't hurt.
Yuna
(Finished wrapping Johan's arm, smiling)
There you go, all done. It's not broken, but don't move it too much.
Johan blushes under Yuna's warm smile, feeling a mix of gratitude and a hint of embarrassment.
His arms now securely bandaged, he takes a deep breath, ready to engage in conversation again.
Johan
Holden, just where did you get your baseball stuff from? Like wow, that was just awesome
Holden leans back against the wall, crossing his arms casually. He smiles softly.
Holden
I had practice today and had the equipment in my bag. I left it in the library, so while you were melting away that monster, I went to go get it. And looks like I managed to get it right on time.
Johan nods in understanding, appreciating Holden's quick thinking.
Johan
Oh. Speaking of melting.
(Curious)
Yuna. That water you poured on the Gier. Why did it make it melt more? Isn't water supposed to wash off the acid?
Yuna's expression turns thoughtful as she explains, her eyes reflecting her knowledge.
Yuna
The thing is sulfuric acid and water create a highly exothermic reaction. Basically, it releases heat. That's why it made the Gier's condition worse. The acid was already burning its skin, and the water intensified the chemical reaction, causing more damage.
Both Johan and Holden exchange surprised glances, clearly not expecting such a scientific explanation for the events they witnessed.
Holden
(Amazed)
Wow, Yuna, you must have aced your chemistry class.
Yuna chuckles modestly, appreciating the compliment.
Yuna
(Humble)
I barely passed with an A minus.
Johan
Still, I couldn't even remember sulfuric acid's name.
Yuna
Well, Johan...
(Teasing)
Or should I say, the person who saved us all.
Johan scratches his head, slightly embarrassed by her calling him that.
Yuna
I mean, how did you even manage to face the creature like that?
Holden nods in agreement, clearly wanting to know the answer as well.
Johan shifts a bit in his seat, his gaze dropping for a moment before he meets their eyes with a small smile.
Johan
(Reflective)
I don't know for sure, but I guess I really and I mean really wanted to get out of that nightmare. I guess when you want to strive something so bad, you gain the courage to do so...
(Embarrassed)
I don't know! It's just our human instinct of flight or fight.
Yuna's smile widens, her eyes showing a mix of gratitude and admiration.
Holden smirks, nudging Johan playfully.
Holden
Thank you, Johan.
Johan chuckles, nodding.
Yuna
You still saved us, Johan. Thank you so much.
Johan again nods, but this time his face a little redder.
Johan
(Standing up)
Alright, now let's get out of this place. We all hate school anyways.
Everyone shares a good laugh.
The atmosphere in the nurse's office becoming lighter despite the recent ordeal.
Int. Classroom 102 - Moments Later
Holden, Yuna, and Johan are now seated in their English classroom, the one they share along with the same teacher and period. The classroom is quiet, the typical buzz of students replaced by a sense of shared purpose.
Holden, Yuna, and Johan are gathered around a map of Burbank, a city in Los Angeles County.
It's spread out on a desk in front of them. Colored lines mark different streets, and landmarks are neatly labeled.
Holden
(Pointing at the map)
So here's the school. And over here is my place.
Holden's finger traces a route on the map, connecting the school to a certain point on the map.
Yuna
(Studying the map)
And my house is pretty close to yours, Holden. So that's convenient. You might have seen it before, it has a purple roof.
Yuna's finger taps on the map, just a short distance away from Holden's house.
Johan
(Squinting at the map)
Looks like I'm a bit farther away. Right here.
Johan's finger lands on another spot, a little further down the map.
Holden
(Determined)
Okay, I memorized the routes. I think we'll have to go to our houses first, Johan. It's just more efficient. I'll drive you to yours immediately after.
Johan
(Nonchalantly)
Yeah, of course of course. Should we start going then?
Holden
Alright, let's start heading out.
Holden starts to carefully fold up the map, then puts in his pocket.
Yuna
(Realization)
Oh, my backpack is still in the cafeteria.
Johan
No worries, I'll get it. I have to get my bag from the library as well.
Yuna
Oh, thanks, Johan.
Holden
Also, I was thinking. I'm going to gather more equipment. You know, just in case.
Johan and Yuna nods in agreement.
Yuna
I'll stay here for now then.
Holden
(Standing up)
We'll be right back.
Johan and Holden head towards the door, but Johan pauses just before stepping out.
He turns around to catch a glimpse of Yuna, who offers him a warm smile.
The genuine smile she's giving him stirs something within Johan – a feeling of reassurance and connection that he hasn't felt in a long time.
Johan
(Softly)
Thank you, Yuna...
Johan's thought accidentally came out into words.
Yuna
(Confused)
Huh, why, Johan?
(Smiles)
I'm the one who should be thanking.
Johan
(Fluttered)
Oh, uh. I'll tell you l-later.
Yuna
(Laughs a little)
Okay. Just saying, you made me curious now.
Johan's lips curve into a small smile in response, and with a nod, he and Holden exit the classroom.
The door clicks shut, and the classroom is left in a moment of tranquil solitude.
Yuna leans back in her chair, her gaze shifting to the window.
A butterfly was flying beautifully outside.
Ext. Cafeteria - Moments Later
Johan enters the cafeteria, his eyes scanning the area for Yuna's bag.
The once bustling space is now eerily quiet, tables and chairs all empty.
Johan
(Realization)
Wait...
Johan had just noticed that everyone else's backpack were gone. Since he could only spot one, slung over the back of a chair at a corner table. It was Yuna's backpack.
He could instantly tell because the backpack had a bell keychain attached on the front.
As Johan reached for the bag, his fingers brushed against the keychain. Making a faint sound.
The sound of the bell ringing always was a sign that Yuna was near.
Johan
(Smiling)
At least some things are still normal.
With Yuna's bag in hand, Johan takes another look around the cafeteria before heading back to the classroom.
Int. Hallways - Moments Later
Johan's footsteps echo in the corridor as he retraces his path back towards the classroom. He can't help but cast a wary glance at the shattered entrance where the Gier had burst in earlier, a grim reminder of the danger they had faced.
Johan (V.O)
(Slightly anxious)
Just how strong was that thing...
His thoughts are abruptly interrupted by a sound that sends a chill down his spine – a piercing, feminine scream that pierces through the air, carrying a sense of urgency and desperation.
Johan
(Panic rising)
YUNA!
Fear grips Johan's heart as he breaks into a run, his every instinct urging him to reach the classroom as quickly as possible. The hallways seem to stretch out endlessly before him.
Int. Classroom 102 - Continuous
Johan hurriedly enters the classroom, his heart pounding in his chest.
But when he runs into the room, he instantly drops the two bags he was carrying.
His hands start trembling as he takes in the horrific scene before him.
There, in front of him, lies Yuna, sprawled on the floor. A pool of blood has formed around her, stark against the pale linoleum.
His eyes widen in disbelief, and for a moment, time seems to stand still.
Johan's steps are hesitant, as if dreading what he might find, yet compelled to see the truth. He moves closer, his breathing uneven, and kneels down beside her. His hands shake even more as he reaches out to gently lift her head, cradling it on his knee.
Yuna's face is a mask of stillness, her features unnaturally pale against the vibrant red that surrounds her.
Her eyes are closed, as if in a peaceful slumber, but a trickle of blood escapes her mouth, marring that serenity.
Her hair, once vibrant and full of life, is now matted with blood, a stark contrast to its usual radiance.
Johan's throat tightens, and a tear escapes his eye, tracing a path down his cheek. He can not believe what he's seeing. His mind races, grappling with the reality of it all. It's as if the world has turned upside down in an instant, shattering the fragile sense of security he had managed to grasp onto.
In that moment, his emotions swirl – shock, grief, and a rising desperation.
He swallows hard, his chest aching as he fights to process the enormity of the situation.
Johan
(Desperately)
Y-Yuna..? Yuna?
Johan's scream echoes in the classroom, a raw outpouring of shock and anguish.
His voice cracks as he continues to call out Yuna's name, a feeble attempt to bridge the gap between life and death. But deep inside, he knows that she won't respond.
His eyes remain fixed on her face, as if willing her to open her eyes and smile, to break this nightmare and return to him. But her stillness is a harsh reality he can't escape, and tears stream down his cheeks, falling onto her blood-stained hair.
Johan's breaths come in ragged gasps, his chest heaving as he struggles to come to terms with the tragedy before him. He wipes his tears away with the back of his trembling hand, his heart aching with a pain he can hardly bear.
In his grief, he becomes acutely aware of his own body's reactions – the sweat clinging to his forehead, the pain on his injured arm intensifying, his labored breathing, the overwhelming sensation of his own tears.
He's frustrated by his own vulnerability, by the way his body seems to betray him in this moment of intense grief.
But amidst his frustration, there's something even more unsettling – the unknown.
He just cannot comprehend why Yuna died, how her life ended so suddenly. His mind races through all the possibilities, but each one feels like a jagged piece of a puzzle that refuses to fit. The lack of answers gnaws at him, adding a layer of confusion to his already overwhelming pain.
As he continues to gaze at Yuna's lifeless form, he finds himself lost in sorrow, confusion, and anger. The classroom seems to close in around him, the walls a silent witness to this tragedy. And in that moment, Johan's world is broken, and he's left grappling not only with Yuna's death, but also with the unfathomable questions that accompany it.
Holden
Johan..?
Holden walks into the classroom.
The sight before him freezes him in his tracks – Yuna's lifeless body, Johan's tear-streaked face, and an atmosphere of profound loss that hangs heavy in the air.
Holden
(In shock)
Johan... What... What happened?
Johan's voice is hollow, devoid of the energy it once held.
Johan
(Shaking his head)
I don't know... I found. I found her like this.
Holden's eyes lock onto Johan's, searching for answers that neither of them have. He takes a few steps closer, his expression a mix of concern and confusion.
Holden
Oh my god...
Holden's gaze shifts from Johan to Yuna, his heart heavy with grief and shock.
He's at a loss for words, unable to comprehend the sudden tragedy that has unfolded before them.
The weight of the silence becomes almost unbearable, and after what feels like an eternity, Holden breaks it.
Holden
(Gently)
Johan, you need to stand up. You can't stay like that.
Johan's eyes, now vacant like windows to a soul weighed down by an unbearable burden, slowly meet Holden's. His voice trembles as he questions the unfathomable reality before him.
Johan
(Voice cracking)
How did she die?
Holden's lips part as if to answer, but no words emerge. The truth is, he doesn't have an answer. None of them do.
Johan's frustration and anguish rise, his voice growing more desperate.
Johan
(Louder)
Why did she die? Why did she have to die? Why, Holden? WHY?
Johan's hands, which had been cradling Yuna's head, gently lower her back onto the floor. He stands, his legs feeling weak, his heart heavy with sorrow. And then, all the confusion, the pain, and the anger that has been building inside him bursts forth.
Johan
Can you explain it, Holden? JUST WHAT HAPPENED!
Holden's face reveals his own torment, his inability to provide the answers that Johan so desperately seeks. He opens his mouth, but the words remain trapped, choked by the emotions that grip them both.
The air is charged with Johan's overwhelming emotions, his fist connecting with Holden's face in a surge of frustration.
The force of the blow propels Holden backward, crashing into a desk.
Despite the physical assault, Holden offers no resistance, no retaliation. He understands the pain that Johan is going through.
Johan's second punch follows, and Holden crumples to the floor, his back colliding with another desk. His body slides down, his breath labored, but he maintains a calm demeanor in the midst of the storm.
His voice is strained, carrying a weight of shared grief.
Holden
(Softly)
Johan, we can't explain why any of this happened today. I wish we knew, but we don't...
Holden's words are interwoven with Johan's sobs.
Holden
But right now, we can't just lose it. Maybe one day... One day, we'll know.
Johan's fist tremble as they hang at his side, his tears falling freely. The despair, the unfairness of it all, crashes down on him.
Johan
(Voice choked with grief)
Why her... Why does it have to be her... She... How could she...
He collapses to the ground beside Holden.
The floor seems to cradle their agony as they both grapple with the enormity of the loss they've suffered.
Johan
(In a broken whisper)
At least, I want to know what happened.