TWILIGHT (FINAL DRAFT)
Screenplay by Derek Sharp

 

FADE INTO: A NEWS STUDIO, NIGHT. THE STUDIO is crowded with people, some running to get papers, others watching as word travels about their current situation.

PRODUCER
What have you got on the attacks?

INTERN 1
An apartment building has been taking over by 'um.

PRODUCER
Good send it to the guys, on set.

THE INTERN runs off and THE CAMERA shifts over to the two main ANCHORS.

ANCHOR 2
Repeat...Remain inside with your doors locked.

THE INTERN hands the first ANCHOR the report.

ANCHOR 1
This just in...an apartment building on
West Bridge Street has been overrun by the mysterious attackers. From one of our sources, the police are on the situation at the moment.

ANCHOR 2
If you are in that apartment, remain calm the situation will be taken care of momentarily.

CUT TO: DAIN RIVERS, a man in his late twenties, holds a stack of paperwork in his hands and watches the action around him.

PRODUCER
What are you doing?

DAIN
Watching and waiting for the word.

PRODUCER
The government should be taking over in about an hour. You can leave.

DAIN
I'll hang around.

PRODUCER
Fine but you might want to work, if you're going to stay.

DAIN
I'll see if they need anything up in the control room.

DAIN turns and heads up into the control room, where EDDIE ROBERTS sits operating the effects and warnings, that scroll across the screen.

EDDIE
What's the word down there?

DAIN
Same as usual. Work or your fired. I thought you were a cameraman?

EDDIE
I am but I got stuck here. I've got an hour and I can leave.

DAIN
What happened to the main guy?

EDDIE
Left in a hurry. Something like his family was in that building.

DAIN
Is it me or the world going to hell?

EXT. THE STREETS, NIGHT. POLICE CARS create a blockade and start aiming with both shotguns and handguns at a crowd of the living dead.

THE LIVING DEAD are a mixture of male and female people, that are covered in bloody, torn, and clean clothes. Some are missing arms, some have wounds gaping from their cheast and others are merely dead bodies, that are decaying away.

LT. MATTHEWS
On my orders...fire.

THE COPS ready themselves and watch and wait for the signal. THE LIVING DEAD slowly appoarch.

LT. MATTHEWS
Fire!

THE COPS fire. Two of the Living Dead fall to the ground, the others just continue to walk and ignore the bullets.

COP 1
These things aren't falling.

COP 2
What do we do?

COP 3
Keep your eyes open and continue to shoot.

COP 3 continues to shoot his shotgun. COP 2 races out and attacks one of the living dead with his handgun.

LT. MATTHEWS
Hold your fire!

COP 1
What's he doing?

LT. MATTHEWS
That's what I would like to know?

COP 3
He just did it, sir.

LT. MATTHEWS
Then be ready for anything...if he dies. I want everyone back at it. Is that understood?

COP 1 and COP 3 nodd their heads.

LT. MATTHEWS
Good. I want two groups on the otherside...now!

THE TWO COPS watch as COP 2 strikes the living dead with his handgun. Two of the living dead circle him and one grabs onto him, then takes a bite of his neck. COP 2 screams in agony.

LT. MATTHEWS
He's dead...fire!

COP 3 cocks his gun and bites his lip.

COP 3
Rest in peace, old friend.

COP 3 fires and strikes the attacker living dead from behind. Blood blotts the living deads shirt, where the bullet went through. It turns and looks at COP 3. COP 2's body drops to the ground and lands face first on the ground, where blood drips from his mouth.

THE OTHER COPS continue firing and COP 3 freezes.

CUT BACK TO: THE NEWS STUDIO, NIGHT. THE PRODUCER shouts orders below at the ANCHORS.

EDDIE
Twenty minutes left.

DAIN
I don't think that's enough time.

EDDIE
What do you mean?

DAIN
I've got a feeling, we should be living.

STATIC from a CB RADIO crackles in the background.

CB RADIO
Is there anyone out there?

THE STATIC crackles again. DAIN replies back.

DAIN
This is KYNS news, over.

THE STATIC crackles again for a second then a voice comes through.

CB RADIO
KYNS...what's going on where your at?

DAIN
Everythings going down here...the government is going to take over the station in an nineteen minutes.

CB RADIO
I'm with the police, we've lost half of our team. I think I'm the only alive.

DAIN
Where's your location?

CB RADIO
Fifth and Broadway...at the moment. Our team was attacked at Fourth and....

STATIC crackles in again.

CB RADIO
Vermount.

DAIN
How many are dead?

CB RADIO
I think all...

EDDIE gets onto the microphone.

EDDIE
We have a newsflash up here!

PRODUCER
What is it?

EDDIE
An entire army of cops was wiped out at Fourth and Vermount.

PRODUCER
Is that all you all have up there?

EDDIE
At the moment.

PRODUCER
Good enough....it's almost time to end this.

DAIN
Is there anything else out there that we should know about?

CB RADIO
Get out while (static) still can...

DAIN
Repeat.

CB RADIO
Get out while you still cannnnnnnn....aaaahhhhhhhh!

DAIN
Guys! I think we should listen to him.

PRODUCER
What just happened up there?

DAIN picks up the microphone.

DAIN
Sir, I think we should leave.

PRODUCER
Why?

DAIN
Our source just got killed and we may be next.

PRODUCER
No one's leaving!

EDDIE
You heard the man...the cop's dead. What makes you think we're going to make it out...if we don't leave now.

PRODUCER
No one's leaving.

DAIN
Fine, then we quit.

PRODUCER
You do that...you never see the light of day?

EDDIE
The day's gone...

DAIN
And a shadow has cast itself over everything.

PRODUCER
Fine. Get out of my building.

DAIN
Give us five minutes.

PRODUCER
Five minutes. Then leave. If you don't I'll have you escorted out!

DAIN
We're moving.

The two exit to the same office, where DAIN has a his laptop sitting. He cleans his desk quickly into a box, that he has off to the side.

EDDIE
You knew this was coming?

DAIN
It was coming, just a matter of time, really.

EDDIE
Where's my camera?

DAIN
Last I checked it was being charged.

EDDIE
Good to know.

DAIN
I think it's in storage.

EDDIE
I'm getting it. Be back in a second.

DAIN moves over to his window and looks down at the street. Fires are everywhere, in the distance he can see a blockade of police cars and constant flashes of light coming from the street. DAIN turns his laptop on and plugs in his microphone.

DAIN(into microphone)
Oct. 1. At the moment, I'm saying this the attacks from those things...the living dead...as the news believes. Over little more than a minute ago, I talked to a cop via CB Radio, who had reported that his team had been wiped out by these things. He himself died after relaying this information to me and the news staff, which has slowly faded down to nothing.

DAIN looks out on the street below.

DAIN(into microphone)
The streets below the newsbuilding appear to be empty. With all the news and talk, it's people are staying in where it's safe. If the inside is even safe.

DAIN shuts down the computer and unplugs the microphone and puts it in his pocket.

EDDIE
Time to make an exit.

DAIN
I don't think...it's safe going on the back roads.

EDDIE
What? Why?

DAIN
Those things can take down an army...it's better that we stick to the main roads. I think it'll be safer.

EDDIE
Are you postive?

DAIN
Look for yourself.

EDDIE looks up the window and watches for only a second.

EDDIE
Let's get moving. Where are we going anyway?

DAIN
We'll stay on the main roads...then I'm assuming we go to a safe house.

EDDIE
Aren't those overcrowded?

DAIN
It'll have to do for the moment.

EDDIE
What about transportation?

DAIN
We take my van...

EDDIE
What about gas?

DAIN
I've got a full tank.

EDDIE
What if we can't get to a safe house?

DAIN
We're leaving town.

EDDIE
Sounds like a plan to me.

The two stop at the main entrance and freeze in place and stare at what stands in the doorway. A group of five of the living dead look back at them.

DAIN
Doors locked. My van's parked in the backlot anyway.

THREE OF THE LIVING DEAD start pounding on the glass door.

EDDIE
That's good news.

DAIN
We can't stop.

EDDIE
I'm moving.

DAIN and EDDIE walk away as the glass crashes to the ground behind them.

CUT TO: THE STUDIO, NIGHT. THE PRODUCER continues to shout out orders to everyone that remains.

PRODUCER
Get something straight Dandrige, you work for me and me only. There's only five minutes left to go.

DAIN and EDDIE cut through the studio.

DAIN
I leave if were you.

PRODUCER
Why?

DAIN
We've got company.

THE FIVE LIVING DEAD come through the door behind DAIN and EDDIE.

ANCHOR 2
Oh god, are those the things that have been killing people?

PRODUCER
Relax! Don't anybody move.

THE LIVING DEAD move forward and DAIN and EDDIE move out of the way.

EDDIE
Let's get out of here!

DAIN
Let's do.

THE two head in the other direction, while the PRODUCER just stands watching and waiting.

PRODUCER
Everyone remain calm!

THE TWO ANCHORS get up as the living dead take down the PRODUCER, who screams in agony.

CUT TO: EXT. THE STUDIO, NIGHT. DAIN and EDDIE stand in the door for a second checking their surrounding.

DAIN
It's clear for the moment.

EDDIE
So where's your van?

DAIN points to the end of the parking lot.

EDDIE
And you couldn't have parked up close. Why?

DAIN
Have you been through the traffic, that comes in and out of this place?

EDDIE
You have a plan.

DAIN
Run for it.

DAIN and EDDIE run and start for the van. DAIN pulls the keys out of his pocket.

EDDIE
Don't tell me you locked it.

DAIN
I locked it.

DAIN drops the keys under a car.

DAIN
Get to the van.

DAIN drops to the ground and reaches for them but can't reach them.

DAIN
Move it will you.

EDDIE runs toward the van. DAIN reaches farther back but still can't grab them. He begins to crawl underneath the car but a foot, which is covered in blood steps on the keys.

DAIN
Now, what?

DAIN doesn't move. He tries to relax but he can't do anything but sit and wait the living dead out. On the otherside of the car, one of the living dead grabs his foot. DAIN looks and tries to kick him but he can't. He tries to remain quiet but the living dead in behind, won't let go. With a little thurst, he kicks the living dead who holds onto his leg and he rolls out in front of the living dead with his keys on its feet.

WITH a quick movement, DAIN pulls his keys out and climbs up and starts running. THE LIVING DEAD only stares at him as he makes it to the van.

EDDIE
Good to see you alive.

DAIN
Nice to know I'm alive.

DAIN unlocks the driver's side and climbs in. Once inside he unlocks EDDIE's side.

EDDIE
Let's get out of here.

DAIN
That's agreed.

DAIN starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot. For only a moment the two remain at ease until they come to a stop at a blockade.

EDDIE
This wasn't here.

DAIN
It is now.

EDDIE
Now, where to?

DAIN
Alleys.

EDDIE
I thought...

DAIN
We're going through the alleys.

EDDIE
What if...

DAIN
We'll be better off that way. We'll at least have a chance to make it out alive.

EDDIE
You know that for a fact?

DAIN
Never but it's worth a shot.

EDDIE
Here's to hoping.

DAIN looks behind him and backs the van up. With a quick turn of the wheel, he turns into one alley and starts following it.

DAIN
If I remember right this should take us back to Main Street...

THE VAN comes out of the alley into Main Street but the street is blocked.

EDDIE
Looks, like we're walking.

DAIN
That we are.

DAIN climbs into the back of the van and pulls out a baseball bat.

DAIN
This is yours.

EDDIE
This is my what?

DAIN
Weapon. And this is mine.

DAIN holds up a handgun and a grabs a backpack, which he puts his laptop in.

EDDIE
So where we going?

DAIN
The only way possible.

CUT TO: THE STREET, NIGHT. DAIN and EDDIE climb the blockade until they reach the top.

EDDIE
Where's everybody?

DAIN
I don't know.

EDDIE
I think we should stick to the back alleys...I mean, we might be able to make it out of town quicker.

DAIN
You may have a point.

EDDIE
But we might be blocked by more blockades.

DAIN
I'll take that chance.

EDDIE lifts his bat and readies himself for whatever may come.

EDDIE
The next back alley should be right in front of us.

DAIN
There it is.

DAIN points to the alley, full of bloody corpses.

EDDIE
Oh god...I think I'm gonna puke.

DAIN and EDDIE get down.

DAIN
Hold it in.

EDDIE
Can't. Blood and me don't mix.

EDDIE bends over to throw up but DAIN holds him back.

DAIN
We don't have time for this.

EDDIE
Why?

DAIN
Look for yourself...

DOWN THE ALLEY, a WOLF-LIKE DOG howls and starts charging. Blood drips from its mouth.

EDDIE
I'll run.

THE TWO start running down Main Street with the Wolf-like Dog catching up quickly. EDDIE coughs as he runs.

DAIN
Take it as you never ran in gym.

EDDIE
Can we discuss this later?

DAIN and EDDIE turn down another alley, which is empty.

DAIN
How many alley's does this city have?

EDDIE
Too many!

THE WOLF-LIKE DOG stays on them as they follow through the alley and it jumps at them.

EDDIE
I can't run any longer.

DAIN
We can't stop now!

SHOTGUN fire sounds and the WOLF-LIKE DOG drops to the ground.

MALE VOICE
Welcome to Safehaven.

EDDIE
Who?

OUT OF THE SHADOWS steps MARK OSBORN, black, tall and powerful with an army vest on.

MARK
Name's Mark. Who are you people?

DAIN
Honest to God citizens, who just got caught up in this mess.

MARK
Welcome to the club.

EDDIE
What are you doing?

MARK
Saving some poor souls, that are in the need of help.

DAIN
Get something straight...we're not poor.

MARK
Then what are you?

DAIN
A reporter and a cameraman.

EDDIE
Former.

MARK
Whatever. Follow me if you want to live.

DAIN
Why should we trust you?

MARK
Because I'm the only one, who knows how to survive.

EDDIE
That's good news.

MARK
Thing is I need your trust to help.

DAIN
Scouts honor.

EDDIE
If he's in, I'm in.

MARK
Then follow me.

For what seems like minutes instead of seconds the three end up in a warehouse.

INT. WAREHOUSE, NIGHT. TWO GROUPS of people are off to one side, while DAIN, EDDIE and MARK are talking.

EDDIE
Nice place...

MARK
It holds up against those things.

DAIN
That it does and your arsenal of weapons. By the way...where are those?

MARK
You'll both know in a matter of time. Relax for the moment.

EDDIE
I could do for some rest. How about you?

DAIN
I can't rest.

EDDIE
Why?

DAIN
Those things.

EDDIE
What are you talking about?

DAIN
Those things...are taking away everything we've got. I can't just watch as we lose our lives to those...

MARK
Monsters.

DAIN
Zombies...was what I was going to say.

MARK
Well then I think we have a fighter on our hands.

DAIN
I'm more than a fighter. I'm a survivor.

MARK
With the attitude you may not survive out there. You need to remain level headed.

DAIN
I will after I see what's going on out there.

MARK
Your not leaving this room.

DAIN
You have an observation deck?

MARK
Yes. Follow me.

EDDIE gets up and follows DAIN and MARK.

INT. THE WAREHOUSE OBSERVATORY, NIGHT. DAIN, EDDIE and MARK watch the streets below from a window, which is an overview that connects to a catwalk.

MARK
There's a war going on out there.

DAIN
Tell me something I didn't know.

MARK
I always thought I would be fighting a war on the world's fronts, not in my own backyard with the living dead...some of those people were my friends and family...now, I'm fighting for a scientiffic team.

EDDIE
Is that who's downstairs?

MARK
Yea. And they've been analyzing the situation for hours now and they've got nothing from it.

DAIN
What are they doing?

MARK
Examining the bodies of those things...

EDDIE
They have any weakness?

MARK
Shoot them in the head. That's the only way.

DAIN
So we have to shoot them in the head to kill them.

MARK
Something about their brains. You'll have to talk to the Doctors.

EDDIE
You have my camera?

DAIN
In the bag...why?

EDDIE
I'm going to get some of this on film.

EDDIE walks off. DAIN turns to MARK and MARK just looks out at the city.

DAIN
Why are you guys here?

MARK
Military brought most us together. The Docs came in out of choice. Well, some of them...

DAIN
You understand what's happening?

MARK
No...I got pulled out. Most of my family...was taken to shelters...

DAIN
And you stayed with these guys.

MARK
Didn't have a choice.

DAIN
You know where your family's at?

MARK
Somewhere in the city...

DAIN
You didn't do anything?

MARK
Couldn't. They wanted me here with the others.

MARK points down to the crowd, where EDDIE is getting through. There are least 20 PEOPLE down stairs, 10 are soldiers and the other 10 are Doctors.

MARK
They gave us...weapons and technology that I've never even seen. Though we still have the trust of the military weapons that they stockpiled here a couple years back.

DAIN
How many guns do you have?

MARK
Enough to make it through the weeks ahead. If we don't use it all in one sitting of course.

DAIN
Could I get something of an explanation of what's happening?

MARK
Yea...let me introduce you to the main Doctors.

THE TWO walk down to the group.

MARK
Alright...Listen up everyone. We've got two new guys with us. Dain is at my side, and Eddie is over there trying to his camera.

CARMEN EVANS, 26, beautiful and a Doctor watches the group around her.

CARMEN
Welcome to Hell on Earth, gentlemen.

EDDIE
Take as your the main Doctor.

IN THE DISTANCE, A MAN steps out in a lab coat. He's tall, a goatee covers his face and he's wearing glasses.

MAN
That would be I, Doctor Irwin.

EDDIE
Well, it's about time. What are you guys doing here?

DOCTOR IRWIN
Most find the fact, that what's going on needs a cure.

MARK
And you think your the cure.

DOCTOR IRWIN
In a way yes.

MARK
Why do you need us then?

DOCTOR IRWIN
We need someone to bring in samples...living....which we haven't seen any yet with your team creating more bodies than living creatures.

DAIN
Those things aren't living creatures.

DOCTOR IRWIN
What makes you say that?

DAIN
No living thing would attack a human being...

CARMEN interupts.

CARMEN
That's where your wrong I'm afarid...humans have been known to kill...

DAIN
Only if they have to.

CARMEN
These things...are...were human at one time...

EDDIE
They're dead....

DOCTOR IRWIN
Do you have any proof?

DAIN
Take a look outside, even the dogs are suffering from it.

DOCTOR IRWIN
Suffering from?

DAIN
Decay...

CARMEN
Human's don't decay on the outside when they're alive.

EDDIE
Those things weren't alive and will never be again.

DAIN
People are dying out there...

EDDIE
And we're just sitting here.

DOCTOR IRWIN
Well, then gentlemen grab a sidearm and join the team.

DAIN
That I'll do.

EDDIE
Looks like I'm in as well.

DOCTOR IRWIN
Show them to the armory, Mark.

MARK nodds and CARMEN joins behind them.

CARMEN
I'm Doctor Carmen Evans, I'm surprised to see you people alive.

DAIN
Surprised why?

CARMEN
With the information we were provided before we arrived...we thought most of the city would be gone. Instead we find a two survivors.

EDDIE
Survivors...with skills.

DAIN
What's with Doctor Irwin?

CARMEN
He's a pain...give or take. I've only worked with him a hour or two and he wants everything.

DAIN
That would explain his reactions to us.

CARMEN
He didn't expect survivors to drop by and join the ranks.

EDDIE
That makes three of us.

DAIN
What do you know about him?

CARMEN
Very little.

MARK
Then I'm not the only one who got trapped in this mess.

CARMEN
True you aren't.

DAIN
What's the situation?

CARMEN
Not completely sure. All I know are these things are carriers.

EDDIE
Carriers? Of what?

CARMEN
A modern day Black Plague.

DAIN
Black Death in the present. I never thought that was possible.

MARK
Your not the only one.

CARMEN
It's something of a bio-weapon or so I've heard.

MARK
I didn't hear anything about that.

EDDIE
Bi-weapons in this city?

DAIN
Isn't that illegal?

CARMEN
There's a share of illegal things that the government's keep seceret.

DAIN
Which government?

CARMEN
We're not sure. But we do for a fact, that it is a new Black Death.

CARMEN turns back and looks.

CARMEN
Listen if you all need anything...I'll be here.

DAIN
Thanks. I have a feeling we might.

CARMEN smooths out her jacket, which is almost hiding her jeans.

MALE VOICE
We need you over here, Dr. Evans!

CARMEN
I must be going.

CARMEN walks off.

MARK opens the cabinet to the weapons just as she leaves.

MARK
Welcome to World War 3.

DAIN looks at the cabinet.

DAIN
Shotguns...handguns...

MARK
Grenades...

EDDIE
I need a handgun.

MARK
You'll need more than that on the street.

MARK tosses DAIN and EDDIE both bulletproof vest.

MARK
Never know when your going to need them.

DAIN
I've got a handgun on me.

MARK
Keep it. Is it loaded?

DAIN looks at the clip for a second.

DAIN
Check.

MARK
You'll need a shotgun. Both of you.

DAIN straps on the vest. EDDIE does the same but he puts down his camera.

EDDIE
I'm not going to be recording after all.

MARK
Up to you but I recommend carry a gun. Better safe than sorry.

DAIN
That it is.

MARK
You've got 15 minutes to get the gear on.

EDDIE
Why?

MARK
Because we're going hunting.

CUT TO: THE STREETS, NIGHT. MARK is the leader, there FOUR OTHERS carrying weapons and DAIN is up front with MARK. EDDIE holds back with his camera.

MARK
Stay close. Don't do anything stupid and watch your fire. Watch your back as well.

EDDIE scans everything with his camera.

EDDIE
Doesn't take long for the world to go to Hell. Doesn't guys?

THE FOUR SOLDIERS don't answer.

FIRES burn off to the side of the street and the stench of death is strong in the air.

MARK
I want one group of four, which means Dain and Eddie follow me and Brooks...the others go about the plan.

DAIN
What plan?

EDDIE
We sweep the area until we find a live speciemen. What about groups of live speciemen's?

MARK
We need one, we kill the rest.

CUT TO: THE SIDE STREETS, NIGHT. THE GROUP OF THREE SOLDIERS watch and continue to move.

SOLDIER 1
What's the situation with those two guys?

SOLDIER 3
Seems to me, they didn't want any part of this mess.

SOLDIER 2
They weren't the only ones.

THE WIND blows and the street is silent. Smoke from the fires creates something of a fog.

SOLDIER 1
You know something's up here? Don't know what it is but I sense it.

SOLDIER 3
Didn't that Doc say something about being provided with information before they arrived.

SOLDIER 2
Yea...she did. Wonder how they knew before we arrived?

SOLDIER 3
Could have been the government.

SOLDIER 1
She did mention them and the fact about a bio-weapon.

SOLDIER 2
That wasn't a fact...it was a theory.

SOLDIER 3
Same story. Fact is fiction, fiction is fact.

IN THE SHADOWS, BODIES MOVE STIFFLY AND SLOWLY IN A GROUP.

SOLDIER 2
What's that up ahead?

SOLDIER 1
Don't know. Looked human.

SOLDIER 3
Human's don't drag.

SOLDIER 2
You sure?

SOLDIER 1
Fine split up...I'll go first. You take a side and you take a side.

THE TWO SOLDIERS DO AS COMMANDED and move in precision. SOLDIER 1 moves with his shotgun ready for anything but he senses nothing as he moves through the street. THE TWO SOLDIERS remain on the sides and follow with ease as if they are back in training.

SOLDIER 2 moves off as the alley splits. SOLDIER 3 just watches as his commander, SOLDIER 1 continues to move forward and watch the surrounddings.

SOLDIER 1
Seems clear. Let's move.

CUT TO: SOLDIER 3 continues down an alley with his gun ready for anything.

SOLDIER 2
Where'd you guys go?

SOLDIER 2 looks back and forth but there nowhere to be found.

SOMETHING falls in the alley ahead and crashes.

SOLDIER 2
Is that you guys?

SOLDIER 2 moves slowly forward and freezes when he sees one of the living dead eating away at a body.

SOLDIER 2(to himself)
Don't react. Just back away slowly.

SOLDIER 2 backs away slowly into...

ANOTHER OF THE LIVING DEAD. With a qucik movement, the LIVING DEAD bites him on his neck. SOLDIER 2 lets out a scream which awakes the rest of the living dead, that are in the section.

CUT TO: DAIN, EDDIE, MARK and BROOKS start running toward the screams. EDDIE moves as fast as he can without dropping the camera. THE OTHER TWO SOLDIERS quickly meet up with the group.

MARK
What happened to Brendan?

SOLDIER 1
Lost him, sir. He must of went off in the other direction. We were flanking, sir.

MARK
Explain later. Right now, we need to find Brendan...

SOLDIER 1
On it, sir.

MARK leads the way down the alley, with his shotgun ready.

MARK
Fire only when I tell to you to and whatever you don't provoke these things.

DAIN
What if he's dead?

MARK
Don't think that until we know anything for a fact.

MARK leads the way deeper in the alley. He stops when he sees the group of the living dead around BRENDAN.

DAIN moves forward but MARK stops him with his arm.

MARK
Don't do anything stupid.

DAIN
Then what do we do.

MARK
I want that man in there alive if at all possible...if we open fire on him we might kill him.

DAIN
It's better than just sitting here...and he may all ready be dead.

MARK
Fine then....On my count fire.

BRENDAN'S P.O.V. THE LIVING DEAD are chewing away at BRENDAN. He screams but no one can seem to hear him amongst the bitting. The LIVING DEAD pull away at part of his flesh, one pulls away at his face and another pulls away at a part of his leg.

FROM THE SIDE ONE OF THE LIVING DEAD is shot in the head and it falls to the ground. THE OTHERS continue to eat away at him. ANOTHER SHOT hits ONE FROM BEHIND BRENDAN. BLOOD hits his face and covers it and mixes with his own.

ANOTHER SHOT is fired and this one hits the one in front of BRENDAN. BLOOD covers him again, this time the last of the living dead freezes for only a second and looks back at the group. Then he turns back and bites into BRENDAN's arm. He screams and punches the living dead but then he notices his handgun on the ground, which is covered in blood.

BRENDAN
Eat this!

BRENDAN lifts up his gun and shoots the living dead in the head. BLOOD covers him again and he spits it out. MARK runs over and looks at BRENDAN, he's covered in bites, blood is flowing out of his neck and arm. MARK pulls off his jacket and applies pressure to his wounds.

MARK
We need to get him back to HQ. Quick.

EDDIE
We need a transport.

DAIN
I've got a van but it's blocked by a blockade.

MARK
You parked before I picked you both up?

DAIN
Yea.

MARK
Take a shortcut...through one of the eastern alleys...it shouldn't be blocked and you should be able to meet up with us.

EDDIE
I'm staying here.

MARK
Brooks...go with him.

BROOKS
On it, sir.

BROOKS and DAIN start running.

DAIN
You know the path?

BROOKS
Like the back of my hand...if the cops didn't change it.

DAIN
I think the cops are dead.

BROOKS
I was a cop before this mess...it's a pity.

DAIN
You live in town?

BROOKS
Did.

DAIN and BROOKS cut through some alleys and end up where the van has been blocked off.

BROOKS
You have the keys.

DAIN
Always.

DAIN climbs in and checks the gas tank.

DAIN
Still full.

BROOKS
Back it out, now!

DAIN hits the gas and backs it up into a group of the living dead.

DAIN
We're safe.

BROOKS
Our team's not.

DAIN
Point taken.

DAIN turns the wheel and knocks down three of the living dead.

CUT TO: THE ALLEY, NIGHT. MARK holds BRENDAN up to the wall, where he continues to gasp.

MARK
How you holding?

BRENDAN
Been better....sir.

MARK
Just hold on.

BRENDAN gasps every few seconds for air, which he doesn't seem to be getting. EDDIE films his every movement.

MARK
Kill the camera!

EDDIE shuts it off.

EDDIE
What's the deal, boss?

MARK
What do you think?

EDDIE
Look, sorry but he might be able to survive. We need to get him to the Docs, that's all.

MARK
How are we going to do that...when we're missing the van?

EDDIE
It'll be here.

MARK
When?

BRENDAN
Don't...fight...

MARK turns and looks at him.

BRENDAN
We...must....survive....all

EDDIE
Survival. Is what this is all about...if he dies. We all die together.

MARK
We're not going to die.

EDDIE
You know that for a fact?

MARK
No...but I'm scarficing myself for him. If that's not enough with everything that's going on...then I don't know what is.

EDDIE
Stay calm...

MARK
I am.

THE VAN pulls up and DAIN climbs out and opens the back.

DAIN
We gotta move quick.

MARK
Why?

DAIN
We've got company.

A GROUP OF THE LIVING DEAD follow in the distance.

MARK
Get him in the van.

THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS get BRENDAN in the van. BRENDAN is put in the middle, while the others get a side of the van.

DAIN
Move it guys...we don't have much time.

BROOKS slams the door shut since he's the last one in. MARK takes a front seat beside DAIN, EDDIE speaks to MARK quickly.

EDDIE
I had a family...friends...but this is all I've got now. I'm surviving and you will as well.

MARK
I will?

EDDIE
You will.

MARK
Thanks. I owe you one.

EDDIE
No problem.

EDDIE turns back to the group, which looks like they have seen better days. Some have black circles under their eyes and others have sweat running down their faces.

EXT. THE WAREHOUSE, NIGHT. THE VAN pulls up and the group climbs out and they carry BRENDAN to inside. THE LIVING DEAD are off in the distance.

DR. IRWIN
Good evening gentlemen, did you bring me a live speciemen?

MARK
We don't this now!

CARMEN
What's the situation?

DAIN
Brendan was attacked by the living dead...

CARMEN
Oh my god!

MARK
Can you do anything for him?

DR. IRWIN
Don't touch him!

CARMEN
Why Doctor Irwin?

DR. IRWIN
He's dead as far as I'm concerned.

CARMEN
We need to do something.

DR. IRWIN
Do nothing.

MARK
Why?

DR. IRWIN
Do as I say.

CARMEN
What if we don't?

DR. IRWIN
You'll regret it.

DAIN
Your holding something back aren't you, Doctor?

DR. IRWIN walks off and ignores them.

CARMEN
I'll make a room for him.

EDDIE
You've got rooms?

MARK
Only a Operation Room. It's all we've got.

CARMEN
Mike, get over here. We've got a bleeder.

MIKE, another Doctor moves over and puts some bandages on his face.

MIKE
Did you put pressure on his wounds?

MARK
Check.

MIKE
Did you take any other precautions?

MARK
No. We didn't have time to.

MIKE
How long ago did this happen?

MARK
Ten or fifteen minutes.

MIKE and DAIN lift BRENDAN onto a stretcher.

CARMEN
We need to do something more.

MIKE
What can we do?

CARMEN and MIKE step off to the side.

CARMEN
I don't know.

MIKE
I think we should check him out. Take blood samples.

CARMEN
But a man's life is at stake.

MIKE
But you heard what the Doctor said?

CARMEN
Your a doctor, too. Don't let another's expectations get you down.

MIKE
It's just what he said.

CARMEN
Try not to believe everything you hear.

MIKE
Fine. Let's run some test and prep him for surgery.

CARMEN
That's a little far...don't you think.

MIKE
I'm the head Doctor over you.

CARMEN
But I think it's a bit irrational. We can't do anything for him...at least that I can see.

MIKE
Yet, you want him alive.

CARMEN
If at all possible.

MIKE
Young lady...you told me that you wanted to save him. I think I might be able to.

CARMEN
Surgery though. Hasn't he gone through enough all ready.

MIKE
Define enough.

CARMEN
He's been attacked just about everywhere. I don't think there's anything we can do...if we keep him alive...he's going to regret everything.

MIKE
Fine then we do nothing.

CARMEN
We can't.

MIKE
Then what do you suggest I do?

CARMEN
I don't know. Everything that's happening is just...

MIKE
Then I suggest we do what I choose.

CARMEN
Fine...

MARK
But don't do anything, that will kill him...

MIKE
I don't intend to unless I have to.

MARK
Keep it that way.

CARMEN
I'll watch over him...you take care of yourselves.

DAIN
We will. You do the same.

CUT TO: THE SUN BEGINS TO RISE, THE INT. OF THE WAREHOUSE, DAY. DAIN sits and talks into his microphone.

DAIN(into his microphone)
I haven't slept...and for that matter...can't. After witnessing everything last night. It's amazing how quickly life can change on you...at least Eddie is resting. I'm struggling and I think many of the soldiers are as well...that are living here in the warehouse. In a way this is a living nightmare and we just barely got through the first day...without almost losing one of the soldiers.

DAIN looks out at the warehouse, where the Doctors are working away on whatever project they've got.

DAIN(into microphone)
I'm not the only one, who can't seem to sleep. The Docs are working on whatever project they have within their mysterious hands...it seems the only one Doctor we can trust is a Doctor Carmen...she has somehow been pulled into this mess like...us. On the otherhand...the mysterious Doctors are in groups like Irwin seem to be hiding something...while we go out and try and find a living subject for him to test or do whatever he plans to do with it.

A GUN SHOT sounds. EDDIE snaps up and DAIN starts running toward the Operating Room, where DR. IRWIN stands with a handgun in his hand over the body of BRENDAN, who's face now has a bullet hole in it's forehead. THE GROUP OF DOCTORS AND SOLDIERS join behind DAIN.

DAIN
Why'd you kill him?

DR. IRWIN
He was already dead.

DAIN
Sorry Doc but I need more of an explanation than that.

DR. IRWIN
You understand what your getting yourself into boy?

DAIN
No but I don't think anybody else does either.

DR. IRWIN
Somethings are better left that way then...don't you think.

DAIN
Not when you shot someone in the head...of whom you were suppose to be working with.

DR. IRWIN
He was dead and you didn't know him.

DAIN
I don't think that matters...the way you brought us into this.

DR. IRWIN
You brought yourselves into this mess...I had nothing to do with it.

DAIN
You made us strap up and get ready to capture those things out there.

DR. IRWIN
You went out on your own.

DAIN
Not before...

MARK steps in with his shotgun ready.

MARK
You killed my friend!

DR. IRWIN
Don't do anything irrational!

DAIN
How can the man not...you just killed a very close friend of his.

MARK points the shotgun at his face.

DR. IRWIN
I'm sorry...Mr. Osborn...forgive me...I owe everyone something of an explanation...I expect.

MARK
That you do!

DR. IRWIN
You all truly deserve an explanation as to what's happening and what you are doing. I apologize for the inconvience.

DAIN
Give us a straight and simple explanation or at least what you know.

MARK
If you don't I'm going to put a bullet through your head.

DAIN
You heard the man.

DR. IRWIN
To tell you all the truth...I know very little. I was just a scapegoat of sorts...

MARK
Keep talking.

DR. IRWIN
The Doctors back up in Washington, DC sent me these photographs...

DR. IRWIN walks over and picks them up.

DR. IRWIN
The photographs are exactly what your friend looked like...so following orders I terminated him...

MARK
What orders?

DR. IRWIN
Orders...that only I know.

MARK
What are they?

DR. IRWIN
I can't tell you.

MARK
My finger's slipping on the trigger.

DR. IRWIN
Only this...that anything that resembled or had been bitten by those things should and shall be terminated.

DAIN
Does the government know anything that we don't?

DR. IRWIN
I don't know I'm just the scapegoat remember.

MARK
Yea...and I'm just lucky.

DAIN
I think he's telling the truth.

DR. IRWIN
He's right...there's more.

MARK
Speak then.

DR. IRWIN
Well...the government was making a weapon....biological.

CARMEN
Like a Black Death.

DR. IRWIN
They weren't in detail about it but they did say it was damaged in the process...causing this spread. It only took a day to get the whole world or that's at least what it said in the papers.

MARK
Question: What if you were wrong on my friend?

DR. IRWIN
Then you can shoot me.

DAIN
What if you were right?

DR. IRWIN
Thank me later.

MIKE
I did take blood samples...

DR. IRWIN
How long ago?

MIKE
The moment he arrived in the Operation Room.

DR. IRWIN
Let's see it.

MIKE lifts up a test tube full of blood. It looks normal but parts of the inside are changing green.

DR. IRWIN
The virus is changing it...

MARK
You know that for a fact?

DR. IRWIN
I do believe human blood is red, not green.

MARK
Point taken.

MIKE
I haven't touched and no one else has been in this room.

MARK
Did you Doc?

DR. IRWIN
No...

DAIN
Fine then we know nobody in here's touched the blood.

FROM BEHIND BANGING ON THE DOOR BEGINS.

A SOLDIER ON TOP OF THE OBSERVATION DECK looks down at the group below.

SOLDIER
We've got company.

MARK
How many?

SOLDIER
Maybe 10.

MARK
Good then we can clear them out.

DR. IRWIN
Bring me back a live subject and I can prove everything to you.

MARK
Alright, everyone listen up...as far as I'm concerned I'm now in charge of this base...You will take my orders and mine only...

DR. IRWIN
Are you sure about this...

MARK
Shut-up!

DR. IRWIN
But...

MARK
But nothing. Everyone gear up...Dain...watch our little friend here...Eddie your coming with me...Brooks take his back...

DAIN
Is there anything else I should know?

DR. IRWIN
Depends...What do you want to know?

CUT TO: THE STREET, THE SUN IS BARELY COVERING THE GROUND. THE TEAM goes through the back.

MARK
I want one live subject...the rest destroy.

EDDIE checks his shotgun.

BROOKS
Your safe...it's loaded and I've got your back.

EDDIE
That's good to know.

THE LIVING DEAD are crowded together at the door, which is blocked from the inside.

CUT BACK TO: DAIN and DR. IRWIN talking.

DAIN
Do you know why we haven't been infected?

DR. IRWIN(looks down)
I can't really say...it's not a matter of knowledge it's...just understanding this...

DAIN
Plague.

DR. IRWIN
It's a weapon designed for unknown reasons...that might just kill us all....

DAIN
Get something straight I didn't come here to die...

DR. IRWIN
Neither did I but we all shall....one way or another...whether it be at the hands of death itself or the virus which is eating away at us all as we speak.

DAIN looks up and away.

CUT BACK TO: THE STREET, DAY. MARK stands with his shotgun ready. THE GROUP OF SOLDIERS behind him do the same.

MARK
I want one team to distract them...take them out if you have to...but watch your fire.

EDDIE lifts his shotgun and follows the group of living dead with it.

BROOKS
Watch them carefully. These suckers can move fast...in a group.

EDDIE
So what are we suppose to do?

BROOKS
Fire when he says it.

EDDIE
I don't think that's a good idea.

BROOKS
Don't think.

MARK
Fire!

BROOKS
Just shoot.

BROOKS makes the first shot and hits one and it falls to the ground. EDDIE fires and hits one as well.

EDDIE
What's he doing?

MARK moves through as the SOLDIERS shoot.

BROOKS
Don't know.

MARK grabs one and pulls the living dead forward and hits it in the face with his fist. THE LIVING DEAD doesn't go down.

EDDIE fires a shot, that strikes the nearest of the living dead by MARK. THE LIVING DEAD hits the ground but it climbs back up.

EDDIE
I didn't hit it.

BROOKS
You did. You just didn't hit in the right spot.

BROOKS fires and hits it in the head.

MARK
Watch your fire!

BROOKS turns and shoots another one. THE OTHER SOLDIERS stop firing.

SOLDIER 5
Hold your fire!

BROOKS finishes off the group of the living dead except the one, which MARK fights. MARK hits it until it falls to the ground but still it remains awake. MARK hits it again and again.

MARK
Die!

BROOKS moves forward.

BROOKS
Sir! I thought we needed one alive?

MARK
We do!

MARK continues to punch the living dead. EDDIE comes from behind and grabs his fist.

EDDIE
What's wrong with you?

MARK
That's none of your concern.

EDDIE
It is if your attacking something that's been dead for God know's how long.

MARK
Back the hell away from me!

MARK turns his shotgun on EDDIE.

EDDIE backs away.

EDDIE
Alright, I'm backing away...relax for a second will ya.

MARK
Stay there!

EDDIE
Look man...I'm here for you but don't do this.

THE LIVING DEAD comes up from behind him and bites into his right hand, which causes him to drop his shotgun.

MARK screams.

EDDIE
Somebody get the thing!

TWO SOLDIERS grab onto.

EDDIE
Get it into the facility and lock it up...where the Doctor can examine it.

BROOKS
What are we going to do about him?

EDDIE
Stop the blood from flowing...

BROOKS
And?

EDDIE
Just do that for now...

CUT BACK TO: DAIN and DOCTOR IRWIN talking.

DR. IRWIN
Death is invientable at this point, whether your human or not.

THE GROUP comes in.

DAIN
What's the situation?

EDDIE
Mark's been bitten and we've got a subject for the Doctor.

MARK screams at the pain.

DR. IRWIN
He's losing blood but that won't matter soon.

EDDIE
What makes you so certain?

DR. IRWIN
Your friend will explain all.

DR. IRWIN looks at MARK.

DR. IRWIN
Do you know what you've got yourself into?

MARK
No...

DR. IRWIN
You should.

MARK
Then explain it to me.

DR. IRWIN
I can't. Only you can.

MARK
I know nothing...you killed my friend before anything could happen.

DR. IRWIN
Well, Mr. Osborn it's happening to you, now.

MARK
You postive?

DR. IRWIN
I'll run some test but I know what I'm talking about.

MARK
Fine...I'll trust you...for now.

DR. IRWIN moves him into the Operating Room, where he puts starts stitching the wound.

DR. IRWIN
I don't know how long your going to last but these stitches should hold you until then.

CUT BACK TO: DAIN and EDDIE talking outside the O.R.

DAIN
He explained it all...or most of it. That death is already going on in each of us as we speak...but he didn't explain the virus or whatever it's that's doing this to everything.

EDDIE
So what does he know?

DAIN
I think more than he's letting off.

EDDIE
You really think so?

DAIN
Yea but I'm not sure of what he's not telling us.

EDDIE
Then why's he trying to save Mark?

DAIN
Not sure.

EDDIE
What do we do until we know for certain?

DAIN
I don't know but be ready for anything...I've got a feeling this is going to be a long week.

EDDIE
So who's in charge now?

BROOKS
I am.

EDDIE
Good to know.

DAIN
Can you keep this place running?

BROOKS
If I must and I will.

BROOKS snaps his shotgun together.

BROOKS
For now...I think we all need rest.

EDDIE
Fine...I'm sleeping. If you need me page me.

DAIN
I'm staying up...I've got a feeling there's more coming.

BROOKS
Sleep...I've got my eye on Irwin.

DAIN
Thanks.

DAIN turns and walks away.

CUT TO: THE WAREHOUSE, NIGHT. DAIN climbs awake and looks around. EDDIE is down on the floor with the rest of the SOLDIERS and DOCTORS.

DR. IRWIN(standing in the middle of a circle)
I've come to my final analysis. The virus is parasitic...it attaches to anything that it attacks...human or animal. The thing is the parasitic form in which it starts out as can be destroyed only when outside the vessel but there is no way of knowing the virus from it's vessel...for all we know what's walking around out there is the vessel.

DAIN
Could you explain that again in simple english?

DR. IRWIN
To put it in simple terms...the virus needs a host but that live...so naturally it feeds off it's victims but if their dead they live forever almost...

EDDIE
Is this parasite like a bug?

DR. IRWIN
No...it's something that was designed...for all we know it's a mix of viruses...it needs a host to live...

DAIN
Then why are we still alive?

DR. IRWIN
I'm not sure. I've only began to touch on whatever this virus is.

DAIN
Can I examine the samples, myself?

DR. IRWIN
If you must. Do you know what your doing?

DAIN
I know enough.

DR. IRWIN
About science?

DAIN
I took a few classes back in college. I need to see this stuff myself.

DR. IRWIN
Fine but may I supervise.

DAIN
I don't need you around while I do this...I can handle myself in the lab.

MIKE steps in.

MIKE
There's no need...I'll show you the samples myself.

DAIN
Do that, will ya.

MIKE
Follow me.

DR. IRWIN
Don't touch anything Mr. Rivers...I warn you of that.

MIKE opens up the door and shuts it behind as DAIN walks in.

MIKE
You heard the Doctor.

DAIN pulls back a hand.

DAIN
How's Mark doing?

MIKE
He's been better.

DAIN
What about our living dead buddy?

MIKE
He's locked away.

DAIN
Where?

MIKE
The basement.

DAIN
So he's got his space?

MIKE
In a way. Mark's here if you want to speak with him.

DAIN
I came to see the samples.

MIKE
Ah, that you did.

DAIN
So where are they?

MIKE moves up to the microscope and moves the handle.

MIKE
Here it is...take a look.

DAIN(looking at the sample)
And what's been done?

MIKE
Well, Dr. Irwin took a sample of Mark's blood and compared it to Brendan's. Apparently their suffering from the same thing...the blood is slowly changing from red to a green...it's like somethings bonding.

DAIN looks at it further.

DAIN
It's doing more than that.

MIKE
What do you mean?

DAIN
I've been watching for the last couple of seconds and it's not just changing it's eating it away. It's almost as if it's destroying the cells from within.

MIKE
Are you serious?

DAIN
Very.

DAIN moves over and lets MIKE look.

MIKE
Oh my God...you're right.

DAIN
I know...

MIKE
So you knew something?

DAIN
No, I took my share of science classes while I was in college. That's not a parasite like the Doctor said.

MIKE
Then what do you think it is?

DAIN
My opinion...I don't know but it's not parasitic. If it was it would have destroyed us by now.

MIKE
If you ask me...it's neither, it's just a virus with God knows what in it.

DAIN
That I can agree on but what is it?

MIKE
I can do a deeper analysis if you like. It would just be between the two of us.

DAIN
That would be great.

MIKE
But I would have to tell everyone when it's completed.

DAIN
Fine.

MIKE
You can be in on it if you would like?

DAIN
When can you do it?

MIKE
Maybe two hours from now.

DAIN
Great then I'll meet you here?

MIKE
Until then.

DAIN walks out and the door shuts the dooor behind him. MIKE turns and looks back at the sample.

CLOSE-UP OF THE SAMPLE: THE GREEN SURROUNDS A BLOOD CELL and the CELL starts to melt away.

CUT TO: DAIN walking by DR. IRWIN.

DR. IRWIN
Did you find what you we're looking for?

DAIN
I found more than that.

DR. IRWIN
What do you mean?

DAIN
You lied to us.

DR. IRWIN
I didn't.

DAIN
Your doing it now.

DR. IRWIN
You mean about the virus?

DAIN
Now, we're getting somewhere.

DR. IRWIN
So I did but I had good reason too.

DAIN
What's that?

DR. IRWIN
For my protection and yours.

DAIN
You're not protecting us...you're protecting yourself. From what I wonder?

DR. IRWIN
You want the full truth don't you?

DAIN nodds.

DR. IRWIN
I can't tell you.

BROOKS steps in from behind with his handgun.

BROOKS
You better.

DR. IRWIN
Is that gun a threat?

BROOKS
What do you think?

DR. IRWIN
You in charge now?

BROOKS
That I am. So if you don't tell the man what he needs your going out there with those things. You got that?

DR. IRWIN
I understand, Mr. Brooks.

DAIN
You better start from the beginning?

DR. IRWIN
Well...I say...

BROOKS
Start!

DR. IRWIN
Let's put it this way...I came back here for redempedition...

FADE INTO: A LAB, NIGHT. DR. IRWIN stands over a vial, which contains a mild verision of the virus.

DR. IRWIN(VOICE OVER)
Tell to you the truth I thought I was creating a cure for diseases...but I wasn't back in the lab just upstate.

CLOSE-UP: THE EXTERIOR OF THE LAB, NIGHT.

CUT TO: DR. IRWIN and another DOCTOR.

DOCTOR
Have you perfected it, yet?

DR. IRWIN
No...I don't think it can be perfected.

DOCTOR
Let me check it out.

THE DOCTOR looks at it and tips a little bit onto DR. IRWIN's jacket.

DR. IRWIN(V.O.)
The Main Doctor...Danvers...I think his name was...got some of the early virus on me. Now, I'm struggling with it...can't seem to find a cure.

DAIN(V.O.)
So you were an experiment to them.

DR. IRWIN(V.O.)
I was the first with the early vials...the city is the real test area. I tried to stop them...

CUT TO: DR. IRWIN fighting the main DOCTOR.

DR. IRWIN
You must not release this.

DOCTOR
I will and you can't do nothing about it.

DR. IRWIN(V.O.)
They released the virus, for some reason it didn't infect some people but others we're affected in more ways than I can count. I can assume some people are more immune than others but I'm not sure.

CUT BACK TO: BROOKS, DAIN and DOCTOR IRWIN talking.

DR. IRWIN
As far as I know there's the Doctor's who helped designed the virus, out there checking on subjects or victims.

DAIN
So the city was the first major test subject.

DR. IRWIN
And the only...I organized this team. Some are military, the others are just citizens like Mike there.

MIKE walks off.

BROOKS
So we're your rescue effort.

DR. IRWIN
The only and they may release more of the virus on the world if they have time.

BROOKS
That's not good.

DAIN
Why the hushed talked?

DR. IRWIN
It was better that way.

BROOKS
We need a plan.

DR. IRWIN
You can't stop them like this.

CARMEN walks in.

CARMEN
Where's Mike?

DR. IRWIN
He was just here.

CARMEN
He's not anymore.

DAIN starts running off in the direction.

BROOKS
He think he knows where he went.

DR. IRWIN
He'd better...I don't trust that man with anything.

DAIN runs into the O.R.

DAIN
He's gotta be in the basement...but where's the basement?

DAIN shifts boxes in the room around and puts them on the floor. He finds a Door, which he opens.

DAIN
Great! Why am I always the one, who has to go into the darkness?

DAIN follows the stairs of concrete down to the floor. There is no light, whatsoever in the basement except a little light that comes through a light on the otherside of the wall. DAIN searches his pockets but can't find a gun.

MIKE
I see you found the lab?

MIKE steps into the light.

DAIN
Not quite...what are you hiding?

MIKE
Nothing.

DAIN
I don't want to go through this again, I know the truth about Irwin. You on the other hand are a complete unknown, yet for some reason I trusted you.

MIKE
Carmen knew, why didn't you?

DAIN
Let's face it I'm a slow learner.

MIKE
Maybe you are but I worked with the Doctor.

DAIN
But he didn't know it.

MIKE
So I became an information source to the head of VirTech.

DAIN
So your on the hand of the Devil.

MIKE
If you like to call it that.

DAIN
Can you tell me what they plan to do once this city is gone?

MIKE
You are stupid for a journalist you know that.

DAIN
What are you all planning?

MIKE
I wish I knew...but I don't.

DAIN
The Doctor didn't either but he knew they could release more and...more than likely they will. Do you think their going to spare you?

MIKE
They will...and if your wondering where your Irwin's subject is...it's right behind you.

THE LIVING DEAD breathes down DAIN's back.

DAIN
What do you know about the virus?

MIKE
Let's put it this way...our meeting is now and the virus is not parasitic but we made the doctor think it was. Instead it's one of the most destructive viruses, ever releases...it makes the ebola look tame because by the time it affects the subject...their already dead.

BROOKS
Like you'll be.

BROOKS steps out from the stairwell and shoots MIKE. IRWIN grabs the LIVING DEAD and forces it up against the wall. For a moment, it sniffs the Doctor and looks at him.

IRWIN
It thinks I'm one of them.

MIKE
What makes you think(gasp)your(gasp)not?

DAIN
What did they do to him?

MIKE
More(gasp)than he ever(gasp)dreamed.

MIKE dies with blood gaping from his cheast.

IRWIN
Rest. Child...you'll become one of your own kind soon enough.

DAIN
Can we get out of here?

IRWIN
Let's do it.

CUT TO: THE WAREHOUSE, NIGHT. DAIN talks back into his microphone.

DAIN(into his microphone)
Oct. 2. has been one wild day...Irwin has revealed his true action. He's turning into one of those things as well...except his process seems to be slower and more destructive to the cell tissue. And we found a enemy among us....he was killed and he'll join the living dead soon enough. What I've found here in this warehouse within the last two days has been an amazing experience, I just wonder if any of the shelters have survived this mess....I'll see if I can convince Brooks into checking into that. There's probably more people alive out there....or at least I hope there is.

CUT TO: THE SUNRISE crossing the horizon of the city.

CUT TO: INT. THE WAREHOUSE, DAY. DAIN, EDDIE and BROOKS are talking amongst themselves.

BROOKS
You want to check out a shelter?

DAIN
Yea. There might be other people alive.

BROOKS
What if there isn't?

EDDIE
We'll all leave and get back here as a group.

BROOKS
Fine....we leave in an hour.

CUT TO: THE GATHERING INSIDE THE WAREHOUSE, DAY.

BROOKS
The area could be hostile so be aware. I want two teams like we did before...Dain you stay with Rod and Eddie your coming with me.

DAIN
I need to check the van.

BROOKS
I already have...it's still full of gas. Enough to get us here and back.

EDDIE
Then let's go.

THE GROUP leaves and DR. IRWIN looks back at them.

DR. IRWIN
God help them.

CARMEN
Dr. Irwin, I just found something.

DR. IRWIN
What is it?

CARMEN
I think we might be able to reduce the strain.

DR. IRWIN
What makes you think that?

EXT. THE STREETS, DAY. THE CITY STREETS are empty and the fires have stopped burning.

EDDIE
There's nothing left.

BROOKS
It's getting worse, just like he told me before I met you, guys.

DAIN
He told you.

BROOKS
Yea, he trusted me for some reason.

ROD
He trusted you and told you about what?

BROOKS
Nothing.

ROD
Tell me...you know your not the only trying to live and breathe here.

BROOKS
I'll explain later.

DAIN drives the van to the center of the road and parks it.

DAIN
I think we're here.

ROD
Define here.

DAIN climbs out with his shotgun ready.

BROOKS
It used to be a school.

ROD
It's not anymore.

THE DOORS to the school have been scratch marks on it, that cover most of the door.

ROD
What did this?

DAIN
What have we seen for the last few days?

EDDIE
The living dead.

ROD
You think they got in?

BROOKS
Possible.

ROD
If they did...what do we do?

BROOKS
Get rid of them.

BROOKS shoots the door open and kicks it with his foot. Slowly they step in and scan the area.

ROD
Anybody here?

DAIN
If they are there not going to answer you?

ROD
What makes you so sure of that?

EDDIE
Everything.

WHEN THEY ENTER, THEY FIND NOTHING EXCEPT SILENCE AND A MESS OF OF A MAIN ENTRANCE. BLOOD is on certain parts of the floor, clothes are on the floor, the desk on the side of the wall has been damaged and a smell comes through the hallways.

ROD
What's that smell?

BROOKS
Dried blood or rotting flesh.

DAIN
I think we should split up and search this place.

BROOKS
I agree but stay close.

DAIN and EDDIE go down a hall and BROOKS and ROD go down another.

DAIN moves slowly watching everything. EDDIE does the same.

CUT TO: BROOKS and ROD.

ROD
That smell is getting worse...

BROOKS looks and replies.

BROOKS
That's why.

BROOKS points his shotgun at the living dead crowded up against a wall.

BROOKS
We've got two options...one is we run or two, we shoot.

ROD
Two.

ROD shoots two of the living dead. They only fall back.

CUT BACK TO: DAIN and EDDIE.

EDDIE
What was that?

DAIN
Gunfire.

DAIN and EDDIE start running toward the direction of the gunfire went. The two stop and freeze as the two notice that ROD and BROOKS are being attacked by the living dead.

CUT TO: THE WAREHOUSE, DAY. DR. IRWIN and CARMEN stand over a vial of blood with the virus in it.

CARMEN
I mixed the blood then I extracted a pint of it...well, that pint...was cured.

DR. IRWIN
Part of the blood isn't effected.

CARMEN turns away and DR. IRWIN starts to seize. Pain flows through every part of his body.

CARMEN
Are you okay?

DR. IRWIN
Get...out...now!

CARMEN starts running. DR. IRWIN clutches his stomach and starts changing. He's face is the first to go, then his hands become claw-like in nature. He screams but nothing comes out instead he's body continues to shift...he's back shifts and he's leg go out and become something else. His screams echo inside the building.

CUT BACK TO: DAIN, EDDIE, BROOKS and ROD taking off running for the van.

BROOKS
You just had to fire didn't you?

ROD
Sorry...I didn't think they were going to come after us.

BROOKS jumps into the van and the others follow behind.

DAIN starts the van but the living dead follow behind them.

DAIN
These things are getting quicker...

ROD
You think I didn't notice.

DAIN
I didn't fire at them.

ROD
What were you expecting me to do?

DAIN
Stay alive.

DAIN curves the van and pulls it up in front of the warehouse.

DAIN
Everyone out this is are exit.

EVERYONE CLIMBS OUT AND RACES INSIDE. BROOKS finds something to block the door.

EDDIE
Why's this place so quite?

DAIN looks around.

DAIN
There's no on here.

ROD
Yes, there is.

ROD looks up at a creature that is tall, long legged, kinda hunchbacked in a way, its hands are gignatic claws and blood drips from it's mouth. With a quick swipe of it's hand, it cuts ROD's head clear off.

EDDIE
We've got serious problems.

BROOKS
You worry about the door...I'll take the creature.

BROOKS run from the door and runs directly at the creature. DAIN puts weight against the door.

EDDIE
What is that?

DAIN
I wish I knew.

BROOKS fires at the creature, but bullets don't do anything to it.

EDDIE looks around but can't find anything to put up against the door.

DAIN
Use that box.

EDDIE starts pushing but it won't budge.

EDDIE
A little help here would be nice!

DAIN
I'm holding the door!

BROOKS fires as many rounds as he can at the creature, still it only shrugs the shots off as if they were nothing.

BROOKS
Damn it. Take the bullets!

CARMEN
Don't shoot it!

BROOKS
What's going on here?

CARMEN
Don't fire, that's Irwin.

BROOKS continues to fire.

THE CREATURE moves it's long legs and grabs onto CARMEN with it's claws.

BROOKS
What the hell are you doing?

CARMEN screams as the creature moves it's jaws forward.

DAIN
Forget the door!

DAIN turns and pulls back his shotgun.

BROOKS
What are you doing?

THE CREATURE rips CARMEN's body in half. THE LIVING DEAD come in as a group.

EDDIE
Let the dead in...

EDDIE fires and hits two and they fall to the ground. BROOKS looks back at the creature.

BROOKS
We need to get out of here!

DAIN
The basement!

EDDIE
Is that a good idea?

BROOKS
Go!

DAIN takes off first but is cut off by the CREATURE'S leg. EDDIE fires a shell at the leg and the creature doesn't move.

DAIN
Plan B!

DAIN dives through the CREATURE's leg and hits the door. EDDIE turns back to BROOKS.

EDDIE
You sure about this?

BROOKS
Just go!

EDDIE dives through and the CREATURE turns back to BROOKS. BROOKS starts running.

CUT TO: EDDIE and DAIN turning down the BASEMENT stairs.

DAIN
There's got to be an exit. Out of here!

DAIN stops in place as he finds a group of the LIVING DEAD standing in front of them.

EDDIE
Well, that explains what happened to the group above!

DAIN
Go back the other way!

EDDIE starts running back up the stairs but he's stopped by DAMON, who has now become one of the living dead.

EDDIE
Any plans?

DAIN
One.

DAIN lifts his shotgun.

CUT TO: BROOKS dodges the the living dead as the CREATURE follows behind him.

BROOKS
I don't need this!

THE CREATURE knocks things away that get in his way.

BROOKS drops to the ground as the CREATURE's arm swipes across his head and tears the catwalk in half.

THE LIVING DEAD below walk their own path, which goes unnoticed to BROOKS. THEY stop directly in front of the door, in which DAIN and EDDIE went into.

THE CREATURE swipes BROOKS again and hits him hard this time causing him to land on his back and start falling back down the catwalk. As he nears the end of the catwalk, that falls to the ground he grabs onto the last bar, which he hangs from as the CREATURE moves toward him.

BROOKS
Oh god...no.

CUT TO: DAIN stepping backward into the basement. EDDIE follows him.

EDDIE
Now would be a great time to use that plan!

DAIN fires below at the the living dead. Some of the bullets hit to low but the others manage to hit a few.

DAIN
Shoot him!

EDDIE
I can't it...Damon.

DAIN
Just shoot him!

EDDIE looks at the Living Dead DAMON and points his shotgun at it. DAIN turns and fires a few rounds and hits a few others. EDDIE just looks at him.

DAIN
Shoot him!

EDDIE freezes. The Living Dead below in the basement start pulling on DAIN.

DAIN
Do it.

Everything slows down as EDDIE watches everything happen. DAIN gets pulled in and EDDIE just stares on at DAMON, who's getting swarmed by the living dead. LIVING DEAD DAMON attacks EDDIE and EDDIE pulls the trigger, firing a series of rounds into DAMON's dead body. Still DAMON attacks him.

DAMON bites into EDDIE's neck. EDDIE screams and fires again this time hitting the face. Blood covers his face as DAMON's dead body falls to the ground. EDDIE follows behind him. Blood drains from his neck.

DAIN struggles to get free of the group of the Living Dead that surrounds him. DAIN strikes one with his shotgun and fires at another.

DAIN
Eddie...where are you?

DAIN strikes another and fires again.

DAIN
EDDIE!? Where are you man?

EDDIE struggles to scream or shout but nothing comes out. THE LIVING DEAD surround EDDIE and start attacking him.

DAIN hits another fires two shells into two of the living dead. The Dead turn their attention to EDDIE for only a second then turn back to DAIN.

DAIN fires until he's out.

DAIN
This is not good.

CUT TO: BROOKS hanging from the edge of the catwalk. THE CREATURE starts moving forward. BROOKS forces himself to reach up but he can't reach. THE CREATURE gets closer. He tries again but doesn't hit it. THE CREATURE nears the catwalk and BROOKS reaches again. This time there's success. He lifts himself forward and pulls up so he can balance himself.

BROOKS
I need to get out of here!

THE CREATURE swings its arm and strikes the catwalk. Below the living dead have covered a large amount of the ground below. BROOKS doesn't let go.

BROOKS
But your my main problem at the moment.

THE CREATURE strikes the catwalk again and BROOKS shifts a little bit. THE CREATURE hits it again and BROOKS loses his balance causing him to land on the ground with the living dead surrounding him.

BROOKS moves in pain at first but he manages to get up. He shruggs it off and push the living dead into one another. THE CREATURE keeps coming. BROOKS heads for the door and makes it.

BROOKS
I have got to get a new job!

CUT TO: THE BASEMENT, DAIN hits the living dead with his shotgun. Some fall but others attack him from behind. He shoves them off and heads toward EDDIE. Those around EDDIE he tosses them to ground and moves forward.

DAIN
Are you okay...Eddie?

DAIN looks at EDDIE, who's now almost dead.

EDDIE
Get out...of here!

DAIN
I can't leave you.

EDDIE
Do...it!

THE LIVING DEAD start moving back at DAIN.

BROOKS
You heard the man!

BROOKS stands at the edge of the stairs.

BROOKS
Come on...let's get out of here!

DAIN starts up the stairs.

DAIN
You have any idea what's going on?

BROOKS
Not one damn bit.

DAIN
What the situation?

BROOKS
It's worse than when you left.

DAIN looks outside at the living dead and THE CREATURE which howls.

DAIN
Any plans?

BROOKS
One but it's slim.

DAIN
How slim?

BROOKS
Very.

DAIN
We'll have to try it than. It's the only option we have.

BROOKS
All right. You have any ammo in that shotgun.

DAIN
No but I have spare.

DAIN pulls out shells from his vest.

BROOKS
Great. Can you keep those things busy?

DAIN
I'll try to.

BROOKS
Give it your all.

DAIN
Then what are you going to do?

BROOKS
Blow this place up.

DAIN
What are you nuts?

BROOKS
Not if this is real.

DAIN
It's real.

BROOKS
Good then I'm doing good.

DAIN
Your giving up your life with what?

BROOKS
I'll destroy the generator inside that room over there...it's connected to a timer. Safety precautions from the Doctor himself.

BROOKS points to the door below the CREATURE's feet.

DAIN
What about me?

BROOKS
Get out of here...if you can.

DAIN
No...I should do it.

BROOKS
Don't be stupid. Just do what I said.

DAIN
I'll do it. How long do I have until it explodes?

BROOKS
You won't. It'll kill me on instant contact...you won't have more than a couple of seconds.

DAIN
What about the creature?

BROOKS
Place should blow up and destroy everything alive or moving in here.

DAIN
Sounds good.

BROOKS
You ready to do this?

DAIN
As ready as ever.

DAIN reloads his shotgun.

BROOKS
Remember time is short. Get rid of what you can and move as fast as you can...

DAIN
Hit the door as quickly as possible and get out of here.

BROOKS
Best of luck...if I make it I'll contact you.

DAIN
And if you don't...

BROOKS
You'll know.

DAIN
Well then I guess this it...adidos.

BROOKS
Adidos to you to amigo.

DAIN
See you in the future.

BROOKS
If there is one.

DAIN kicks open the door, firing and taking down two of the living dead at time. BROOKS comes out behind him and checks the area.

BROOKS
I'm hitting the gun cabinet.

DAIN shoots at the living dead surrounding him and BROOKS.

DAIN
Move...get to the cabinet.

BROOKS dives and gets to the cabinet. He tosses it open and grabs a set of grenades and tosses one to DAIN.

BROOKS
Never thought I would need these.

BROOKS runs toward the door. DAIN fires at the creature and the creature turns toward DAIN and starts charging him.

BROOKS hits the door.

DAIN starts running.

CUT TO: BROOKS activiting bomb and starting the timer.

BROOKS
Hope to God this works.

BROOKS waits.

CUT TO: DAIN running. He moves as quick as he can but the creature tails him. THE LIVING DEAD watch him and slowly try to follow him but they can't catch him.

BROOKS(shouting)
Get out of here!

THE ROOM EXPLODES AND BROOKS vanishes under the building, which appears to fall upon him.

DAIN
No...

DAIN fires and continues to run toward the door.

DAIN
I can do this...

THE CREATURE follows and catches up quickly. It moves its head down tries to maul him but it can't up with DAIN.

ANOTHER SECTION OF BUILDING BEHIND DAIN EXPLODES and drops onto the living dead. It misses the CREATURE.

DAIN continues to run and the CREATURE continues to try and strike DAIN but at first can't. With one thurst of the CREATURE's head he knocks DAIN into a nearby wall, causing him to fall and hit the ground hard.

THE CREATURE shifts DAIN but DAIN doesn't move.

THE CREATURE howls and the Living Dead stand and look at the creature.

DAIN moves for a second then drops his grenade to the ground, without the clip.

DAIN
Game...over.

THE GRENADE explodes striking the creature and the nearby living dead.

EXT. THE WAREHOUSE, DAY. THE WAREHOUSE collaspes and everything outside is covered by the sound of the explosion. THE LIVING DEAD outside move about and move out of the way and start heading in the other direction.

DAIN(VOICE OVER)
The world has come to end. There is nothing left...

CLOSE-UP: OF THE WAREHOUSE. PIECES OF THE BUILDING ARE EVERYWHERE AND BLOOD COVERS parts of the ground. Smoke rises from the ground and moves. There is no movement and everything is dead silent.

THE WAREHOUSE area is dead except for a small area, where the pieces of the building start to move.

DAIN(V.O.)
What I have found is what I believe...to be my own death trap...but I'm better here than I am outside.

CLOSE-UP: THE GROUND SHIFTS SOME MORE and a hand is revealed with burn marks on it.

DAIN(V.O.)
I assume in a way I would rather die with people who, like myself are trying to live. We all think we have a better chance...

ANOTHER HAND comes from the pieces and pulls itself forward into the surrounding smoke.

DAIN(V.O.)
If there is even that.

REVEAL: DAIN as one of the Living Dead. DAIN moves out of what's left of the building and moves on.

CLOSE-UP: DAIN'S face, which has been burnt to a crisp. GUNFIRE sounds and a bullethole appears in DAIN's face.

MALE VOICE
Rest in peace.

FADE TO BLACK:

ROLL CREDITS.
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SCREENPLAY BY DEREK SHARP
COPYRIGHT 2001 RECKONING PRODUCTIONS
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WRITER'S COMMENTARY

TWILIGHT intially started out as an importu zombie-movie in a very much BLAIR WITCH style filming process, that revolved around a reporter and his camera man filming zombie attacks and meeting up with a team of commandos, that were there to destroy the living dead. This concept went through different variations as we, myself and Chad Sanders started to work on the original concept, for one, one of the commandos would be turned into a Tyrant-like monster and it would have a mad scientist, more like FRANKENSTEIN...while other concepts just fizzled out. But our main concern at the time was the ending...it had be twisted and we had two ideas...

But fate intervened and we didn't have the time to film the movie. Thus the concept was put to rest for the time until I started to write my own draft of the film. On the first draft, I really struggled to get the concept of the camera's unpredictable motions, which happen importuly in the real world but I gave it a shot. At first, the draft started out really well then it just went down hill. Once again I had been stopped in my tracks by the BLAIR WITCH style camera work.

I admit the concept was very intriuging but getting the exact angle was harder than I had thought. So I put the script on hold for the second time. I took the time to relax, clear my head and start fresh. A month later, I found myself back at the beginning of 24 HOURS (the original title) but this time in a city...like New York City instead of the forest of the first draft. To make things better, Dain Rivers had crossed over and made the transition from the original draft to the final draft, that you now hold in your hands but some of the original characters failed to make it. In some way, they did and they are in various characters that are throughout the final draft.

Another thing that changed was the virus concept, in the first draft it had been released by some anarchist scientist, who wanted revenge instead in the final draft, we meet Virtual Technology's head scientist, an honest man, who has been behind the creation of the virus and is suffering from its side-effects much like the city that it has been released on. The emotional intrigue also remained in the characters, who may or may not be suffering from mass hysteria, which has literally gripped their world and crushed what they believed was a way out.

In essence, you can see my two inspirations for this project...George A. Romero's DAWN OF THE DEAD and RESIDENT EVIL 2. Both of their ideas are scattered all over the script, while there are also various new ideas that allowed me to create my own nightmarish world. That I hope many zombie fans will come to enjoy in the present and the future.

DEREK SHARP
FEB. 14, 2001

 

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