Page 26
Reggie and Dylan Creature appear on the bright, sandy beach. We see the battle worn, stranded pirate ship in the lagoon. It's image is eerie. Reggie appears relieved and looks to her watch.
REGGIE
Eight hours. We're making good time.
(pause)
Look alive, Dylan. There has to be a catch. This was too easy.
Reggie looks to her ring. It's black. She nervously looks around.
REGGIE
Definitely a bad sign.
Reggie and Dylan Creature walk along the beach and keep close watch in every direction. Both slow as the ship can be seen more clearly. We see the rocks lying on the beach are skeletal remains in tattered clothes. Some have partially rotted flesh on them. Dylan Creature stops mid stride and appears reluctant to continue. Reggie stops as well and looks across the large area littered with partially buried remains on the sand.
REGGIE
It has to be a sensor trap of some kind--to kill so many.
Reggie looks to the water.
REGGIE
I doubt I could swim that far. Who knows what's under the water.
Reggie looks back to the distant ship. The ship appears to be sinking now. Reggie appears horrified.
REGGIE
That little cheat!
(to Dylan)
Stay here.
Reggie begins to maneuver through the maze of skeletons and partial decays. She carefully avoids them and looks toward the ship. It continues to slowly sink. Reggie moves more quickly. Dylan Creature suddenly wails a warning. Reggie looks back. She's now in the middle of the beach battlefield. All of the skeletons and decays pull themselves to their feet. Reggie suddenly appears horrified and hurries toward the ship. They begin grabbing for her as they stand. She cries out and avoids them. There are several now on their feet between her and the ship's lagoon. They attempt to grab her. Reggie fights them while darting and dodging past many of them. Dylan Creature continues to wail while Reggie fights the decayed men before her. She makes it to the waters edge. Decayed hands suddenly erupt from the wet sand and grab her ankle. She screams and attempts to free herself by kicking her leg. The hands begin pulling her into the wet sand. Dylan Creature wails then runs for the water. He leaps into the surf and vanishes.
REGGIE
Dylan--no!
Reggie's entire right foot is now beneath the sand. More hands erupt and attempt to grab her left foot. The creatures continue their approach. Reggie's left foot is now pulled into the sand. She screams and fights the hands. More hands grab her hips and waist. She fights her descent and clutches at the loose sand. Dylan Creature explodes from the water with fury and lashes his tail at a hand on her hip. The bone shatters. He slings his tail to her. Reggie grabs his tail with both hands. Dylan Creature scrambles across the sand to pull her out as the creatures approach. She barely budges. Dylan Creature pulls his tail from her and begins slashing his tail at the approaching creatures. They break and fall but put themselves back together. Reggie attempts to remain above the surface of the sand but is now up to her waist. The creatures dive on Dylan Creature. He knocks them off but they keep swarming over him. The sand suddenly turns to dried, cracked dirt and the hands and Reggie are locked in the ground.
The water pulls back several yards, forms into a large wave, then crashes to shore. Reggie covers her head and screams. The water rushes past her, Dylan Creature, and the standing creatures with force. The water rapidly pulls back to the lagoon and carries the creatures with it. Dylan Creature digs his front and back claws into the hard ground and leaves long scratches while avoiding the powerful undertow. When the water returns to normal, Reggie and Dylan are all that remain, except trapped hands. Reggie attempts to free herself from the ground but can't pull free. Dylan Creature appears dizzy and stumbles then collapses. Reggie looks across the beach and suddenly freezes with shock. We see the pirate ship now partially grounded on the beach. Reggie again attempts to free herself with renewed vigor. It appears hopeless.
A hand suddenly appears before her. Reggie quickly looks up. We see Raven standing over her with little expression. Reggie accepts his hand. He pulls her upward. The ground breaks and she's pulled to her feet. Raven releases her hand and meets her gaze. Reggie remains surprised then suddenly throws her arms around his neck and clings to him. He appears slightly surprised. Reggie begins to sob softly. Raven uncertainly places his arms around her waist and holds her. His eyes shut and he slowly nuzzles her head.
REGGIE
I can't beat him. I'm no match for his powers. I just can't win.
Raven gently nuzzles Reggie's neck as his hands warmly caress her back. Reggie suddenly tenses, sniffs, and slowly pulls back to meet his gaze. His look remains unchanged. He gently wipes the tears from her cheek. Reggie uncertainly looks around the beach then back to Raven.
