Hanru Sazuki

[7 Months later, winter, 2014]

(The young man in his early 20’s awakes the gray morning. Beep, beep, beep, his phone alarm rings and ring. Hanru reaches over to the other side of his bed and pulls out his charger before shutting his alarm off. He yawns as he slowly pushes himself up and gently places his feet on the ground.)

Hanru Narrating: Another nearly sleepless night… (Yawns and gently rubs eyes) Maybe I do need therapy. Oh well, time for work.

(Hanru gets out of bed, slaps some deodorant on, slides into his blue clothes and blue jeans, and throws his blue lanyard around his head.)

Hanru: A few years ago my Uncle Leo who adopted me was poisoned. He slipped into a coma but he made it in the end. He was once a detective in Miami, Florida and his partner was a Chinese-American woman named Ada. The two of them started a relationship and finally got married not too long ago. They seem excited to begin their lives together but every now in then they silently remind me of how my presence gets in the way of that; although they can’t say really say much because they’re recently adopted Japanese daughter Yoko still lives her as well. No worries; I’m working on getting out… just very slowly…

(Hanru gets downstairs and walks directly into a kitchen where his Black Uncle and his Italian-Asian step-Aunt are sitting at the table eating cereal together. They two of them comfortably sit in there PJ’s.)

Hanru: Mmm- Breakfast.

(Hanru grabs a bowl and takes a seat in the chair between the two of them.)

Hanru: So, what kind of cereal are we having tonight?

Leo: WE are having OUR cereal that WE paid for.

Hanru: (Thinking) Okay, obviously he’s trying to tell me something; no surprise there. (Says to Leo) So no cereal for me then?

Ada: Hanru, your uncle feels-

Leo: WE feels! We both talked about it together.

Ada: … Right- “WE” feel as if you need to start pulling more weight around here. You have a job now. From now on, the food you eat will be what you buy. Now your uncle wasn’t a fan of this, but I agreed to at least give you a ride to the store when you need to resupply because you don’t drive yet.

Hanru: Alright; I suppose I can’t complain. I’ll go ahead on to work then.

Leo: Don’t come back home too early now. Next time you interrupt your Aunt and I doing our business, I’m changing the locks and leaving you out in the cold ‘till we finish.

Hanru: Alright; have fun. I’ll find something to do for a few hours after work.

(Minutes later, Hanru is seen slowly riding his bike on the slightly snowy and wet sidewalk of a rather lower-middle class neighborhood.)

Hanru Narrating: I know; riding a bike in snow isn’t the smartest idea; but it’s cold out here and getting to my job as quick as possible is my number one priority right now. You may or may not know this by now, but we moved out of Miami after being there since I was about 7 or 8. Ada was given a house by her father and we spent Christmas there in 2013 and 2014. She rents that house out now and we’ve moved to a new neighborhood. But I like this neighborhood. It’s not violent and life seems more peaceful and drama-free.

(A black window-tinted van charges up the street and skids tires through the ice in the street. Hanru turns around the van slams on breaks behind him. The van slides a few feet and smacks into his bike; knocking him off and causing him to smack his face into the ground. The dogs in the backyards are heard barking and an elderly lady in a pink robe holding her mail is across the street watching the whole thing. Three masked men come charging out from the back of the van. One of them aggressively grabs him, another slides a bag over his head and the third on catches Hanru’s legs as he tries to kick his way free. They quickly carry Hanru into the back and slam the doors shut. The masked individual driving turns to the old lady and waves at her. The old lady confusingly waves back and walks away toward her house as the masked individual speeds off down the street.)

Old Lady: Oh Thomas! Thomas; I think we’re going to be in a movie! They’re filming outside our house.

(The roar of the engine and the cold feel of the metal floor are the only thing Hanru can feel. He just lies there on the floor calm and collected.)

Hanru: (Thinking) Darn it; I’m gonna be late for work. (Sighs) Hopefully these losers tell me what they want and let me go. It can’t be Kaito’s men, nor Jack’s.

Hanru Narrating: As you can tell by my reaction, I’ve been through this situation before a couple times and at this point, I’ve gotten pretty used to it. Kaito was a crazy mobster I met in 2012. We’re good friends now and he’s on my side. Jack was Kaito’s boss however, and he wasn’t as friendly as Kaito. Jack Gustavo was a high-profiled man who owned the law and the mafia. He magically disappeared back in early 2014. That was when my last adventure ended. Jack Gustavo didn’t actually magically disappear- he was thrown in a sewer and eaten alive by rats. That serves him right for shooting my best friend Casey and leaving him to bleed out and die. I should be so lucky to have survived that.

(The van finally stops after a few minutes. The doors are opened and Hanru is violently kicked out of the van and onto the ground.)

Female Kidnapper: That was not necessary; you didn’t have to kick the boy that hard.

Male Kidnapper: Sorry, I got too much into character.

Female Driver: You clowns get out the car now!

(The three kidnappers leave out the back and the driver joins them. They all appear to be in a large isolated area surrounded by a large factory. The female driver removes the bag from Hanru’s head and he watches as one of the male kidnappers removes his ski-mask. He is a short haired blonde young man in his late 20’s. He smiles at Hanru once they make eye contact. Hanru is shocked by the sight of his face.)

Lawrence: (Extends arm) Need a hand?

(Hanru quickly grabs Lawrence’s hand and he helps Hanru to his feet.)

Lawrence: I’m not the one who kicked you by the way so don’t bite my head off.

(The other three take off their masks. One is an older male and the other two are females.)

Hanru: I never thought I’d be kidnapped by my older brother and is girlfriend.

Israel: Ex-Girlfriend.

Hanru: You two still haven’t made up?

Lawrence: We have; she’s just in denial about the whole thing. She knows she can’t resist this.

Israel: See, this is why we can’t get back together- he gets to be so full of himself sometimes.

Hanru: Right, well what’s this about? What made you wanna run me down and nearly break my neck? I don’t know who the older guy is, but I do know her and when she’s around, that means some serious stuff is about to go down.

Natasha: I prefer my cozy little coffin, but every now and then I come out for a little taste of blood.

Hanru: Wouldn’t be surprised if you meant that literally.

Natasha: I do.

Hanru: (Dumbfounded) Wha-

Natasha: Anyway; back to the point. You’re in danger, Hanru.

Hanru: You don’t think I know that? Every day I find myself looking over my shoulder; waiting for someone to run up on me and stab me in the chest. It’ gets old after awhile.

Hanru Narrating: My past was filled with many dangerous individuals. When I was much younger, I tried to solve a murder case without the help of police. I solved it and the killer was fascinated by my skills that he played a little game with me. He had partners who were also serial killers. He put me up to the test to solve murders each of them did and eventually learn about their connection with one another. Natasha here was one of those killers who turned on him. After that business was done, I had a mafia Don named Kaito Zonoda try to kill me after we’ve been doing some jobs together and he forced me to join his crew. His assistant murdered his brother and his new assistant was once again a psychotic freak named Shido who overthrew Kaito. Kaito came after me with nothing to lose but Shido kidnapped us both and chained us in an underground torture chamber. By his surprise, Kaito and I made up and worked together to try and dispose of him. He escaped and my brother Lawrence here actually set him up and shredded Shido’s body down the middle with a chainsaw. That must suck. My latest encounter was with Jack Gustavo. He was the sickest one of them all. He shot a family right in front of me, burned someone alive, drug me to a house where some guy was trafficking woman. Jack killed him but instead of letting the women go, he used them for his own trafficking and made money off these poor women. I’ve seen some characters and from what I’ve experienced, I never feel safe.

Lawrence: Jason has decided to come for you. You remember, I made a deal to work with him in order to keep you safe off his radar. He terminated that contracted and burned it to the ground. He’s coming for you and he’s going to every one of his connects to find not only you, but everyone you care about and love.

Hanru: Why would he go after anyone other than me? They have nothing to do with this.

Natasha: Do you think he cares, Hanru? Back when I had my rage fit, I shot a man in the face at a gas station just because I felt like doing it. I know manic all too well, Hanru, and it is growing fast in him. Jason will come after your best friends since childhood- Lee and Jessica, your ex girlfriend Holly, you Uncle and Aunt who adopted you- Leo and Ada. He’ll come after all of them.

Hanru: Ugh; darn it!

(Hanru turns away from them and smacks his hands over his face for a few seconds. He drops his hands and frustratingly turns around to face everybody.)

Hanru: I don’t want to be involved in this stuff anymore!

Clay: (Chewing sunflower seeds) Well that’s too bad. (Spits out seeds) It’s happening, Amigo, and it’s all revolving around you.

Hanru: I’ve seen some horrible things and I’ve experience things that would scar the average person. I once chained a woman to a bar in an abandoned mental hospital and she chewed her own hand off to get free. How she survived that is beyond me, but I don’t ever wanna be a situation like that one again. I’ll hide for a while or something, but never have I murdered someone and I don’t plan on starting with Jason. Even if I help you and you kill him, his blood will be on my hands and I don’t know if my conscience can handle that.

Natasha: Oh… So I see Mr. “Crazy” is suddenly one of the sane now. Did you forget how you even got involved in all of this?

Hanru: (Takes a slow deep breath) … Yes. But that was the past. I want to move on now! What I had was an addiction. I had an addiction for getting myself into trouble. Before anyone got killed, I wanted to get out of that life! I’m finally out and now you of all people are trying to drag me back in it! No!

Natasha: (Speaks calm and firmly and looks him in the eyes) We both know what I came here for and we both know what’s going to happen. You can fight me all you want but you remember Jason was by boss too and even he had a hard time trying to leash me down.

Hanru Narrating: When I was 15, I was feeling very foreign. I suffered from depression. I never told anyone about it because if I was going to seriously end my own life, I would do it. I didn’t want attention nor did I want anyone to stop me from going through with it. Anyway, my Uncle Leo was a detective and he wrote notes on his laptop regarding certain cases. I broke into his laptop and found information on a shooting that happened to one of my classmate’s relatives. I found the killer and I confronted him. The killer’s name was Jason. For 4 years I solved murder cases that weren’t fully on police radar. Jason was the first. I’ve always had a lust for blood as a child and I felt that meeting a real killer would help me find some kind of direction for my dark emotions. A part of me was also hoping he would kill me. He looked into my eyes and he knew why I confronted him. He decided to recruit me into his little cult of killers. But he was sneaky about it. His other colleagues went out and made cases for me to solve which I didn’t know ‘till later on. He tested my intelligence and he desensitized my psychological mind. I saw disturbing images, I feared for life multiple times, I became prey to the very woman standing before me know. Natasha tried to kill me where her leader Jason tried to recruit me. In the end, she faked her death and came back years later to be my protector for her own reasons. Jason turned on me when he saw me as unworthy and too much of a liability. Even after Jason was gone, I didn’t stop solving murder cases on my own terms. My addiction eventually moved on to other dark violent things, but now I’m trying to sober up and enjoy the tiny glimpse of light I have left.

(Hanru sighs again pokes rubs the corner of his eyes three times out of frustration.)

Hanru: Fine. I guess I’d be a fool for expecting my problems to just go away without me dealing with them. I’m helping you in any way I can, but if things go too far, I’m backing out!

Natasha: (Crosses her arms) So define “too far”.

Hanru: If I end up having to be the one to take Jason out or if I’m going to be used as bait.

Natasha: I’ll tell you what- I’ll honor half that request, little fishy, but Jason is a shark.

Hanru: (Sighs) Guess I’m the bait then.

Natasha: Good; we’ve come to an agreement. In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye on you and get you when you’re needed.

Hanru: Next time, just knock on my door please!

(Hanru’s cell phone rings. He answers it after the 2nd ring. A female voice talks on the other line.)

Female Voice: Are you busy? Can you meet me somewhere please? It’s kind of an emergency.

(Within the small gray walls of a short deserted hallway, an older dirty blonde man wearing black slacks and a buttoned up black leather coat quickly paces. In one hand he holds a tan file and around his neck displays his badge showing his affiliation to law enforcement. The detective barges through double doors leading to an autopsy room. The only light on in the room is the one over the body. A doctor patiently stands over the body with his arms crossed and glares at the detective. The detective approaches the doctor slowly.)

Doctor: As said before, detective; I called you down here in the instance something out of the ordinary was found.

Connors: So what did you find?

Doctor: Before I tell you, let me make it perfectly clear that I had no interest is contacting you again. Luckily the custodian fell behind in his schedule and let me catch him before he emptied the garbage.

Connors: None of that matters; all I care about is what you found in that autopsy.

(The doctor glares at the detective yet again for another few second.)

Doctor: … (Clears throat) When we opened his body, we found a small key lunged in his ribcage. Signs show he was alive during the incision and had little time to heal.

Connor: Define little.

Doctors: A few days at least; maybe a little over a week even. The key was wrapped in a small plastic bag. The bag had a tiny note in it with your name on it. He obviously wanted you to have this key, detective.

(The doctor grabs the bag off a tray near the table and hands it to the detective.)

Doctor: The two of you must have had some encounters in the past yourselves.

Connor: More than a few, doctor.

(Diner)

(Natasha is kind enough to drive Hanru to the destination of his calling. She slightly aggressively drives through the snowy parking lot and hits a sharp turn into a parking space. The back doors are opened and Hanru is tossed out of the doors and only the ice cold ground.)

Lawrence: (Laughs) Tell your girlfriend I said howdy.

(The doors are closed and Hanru quickly stands up and gets clear of the van before Natasha backs out of the space and speeds off down the street.)

Hanru: (Thinking) I guess I should at least be thankful for the ride.

(Hanru looks in front of him and sees a small diner. He walks inside and spots a melancholy young woman with short brown hair around his age staring out of the window with a hot cup of tea in her hands. He quickly sits with her in the long red booth.)

Hanru: So I’m here; what happened?

Hanru Narrating: Jessica: She’s been my best friend since I was 8- along with our friend Lee. Jessica and I have had our ups and downs and us being together as a couple came up multiple times. But it never happened.

Jessica: My roommate kicked me out- on the day I paid my rent. (Slowly traces her finger over the rim of her cup) I have no money to go anywhere. (Wipes her eyes)

Hanru: I would ask Ada if you could stay with us, but they hardly like me staying there. You drove all the way out here to Chicago from Miami and you didn’t have a solid plan?

Jessica: I had no one else to go to. You’re the only person I know so I drove up here.

(Jessica looks at Hanru and sees he’s conflicted about the situation.)

Jessica: (Guilty sighs and looks away) I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have come here. I didn’t mean to put you in this kind of situation.

Hanru: No, you didn’t do anything bad so don’t be sorry. I’m just a bit upset that I can’t help.

Jessica: That is exactly why I am sorry.

(Jessica reaches underneath the table and grabs an army green duffle bag. She stands beside the booth and stares at Hanru a few more seconds before turning around and walking away.)

Hanru: Wait, Jessica… Let’s at least try to ask Ada and my uncle if you could stay just until you get on your feet.

(She hesitates, but thinking it over in her head she turns back around and sits in the booth again.)

Jessica: What if they say no?

Hanru: Maybe we can get our own place together then. I’ll make them a deal that you and I will move out of their house together and get an apartment of our own once you get yourself situated. It’ll get me out of the house quicker so I’m 90% sure they’d go for it.

Jessica: (Cracks a small smile) That’ll be fun.

(Natasha’s Van- Intersection)

(Natasha agitatedly sits in her van just tapping away her fingers on the steering wheel as the light before her remains red. Everything around her is a blur. Her mouth is emphasized as she munches on the fingernails of her opposite hand. Lawrence and Israel peak over the seat from the back and snap her out of her gaze.)

Natasha: (Glances at them for a quick second) Can I help you?

Lawrence: You good to drive?

Natasha: I’m driving; aren’t I?

Lawrence: You better hold it together. Last time we had to stop you from beating a man with a baseball bat cause he made you miss a green light.

Natasha: Just a little edgy, but I’ll make it. Now go sit in the back before I beat you with a baseball bat.

(In the backseat, Clay’s cell phone rings. Everyone quickly turns to him like mere cats.)

Clay: What? It’s my wife.

(The three of them just stare at him continuously. Clay answers the phone. His kind long brown-haired wife washes dishes as they talk.)

Sierra: Hey, honey; you almost home?

Clay: Everything ok, Sierra?

Sierra: Yeah, honey it’s just…

(Sierra lowers the phone and suspiciously turns around to look behind her. She sees a man in black leather clothes looking around her room fascinated while sipping on hop coffee from a white mug. She turns back around and talks a bit softer to Clay over the phone.)

Sierra: You had a visitor today.

Clay: (Freaks out) What?!

Sierra: And Emily will be getting out of school soon.

Clay: Sierra: I wasn’t expecting any company! You get that man out of my house before I get to him cause it’s the only way he’s leaving alive!

Sierra: Calm down, honey; he wanted to surprise you, but it’s an old friend from high school.

Clay: I don’t care. You know better than to let anybody in that house when I’m not there.

Sierra: (Sighs) Right; I’m sorry, Clay; I didn’t know what I was thinking, I guess.

Clay: Don’t do that again. I’m on my way right now!

Natasha: Ah; this is a long light…

Clay: (Pulls out his pistol and loads it) We’re heading over to my house right now.

Natasha: Is someone trying to slit your wife’s throat again?

Clay: I don’t know; but I know I’m gonna slit his before he gets the chance.

Natasha: Just as long as you share.

Clay: Sure; whatever! Hurry up!

(Natasha grins and her light finally turns green. She hits the gas and even though she’s in the far left lane, she hits a wide right turn- sliding through the icy road and almost causing several accidents.)

(Hanru’s home)

(A black SUV pulls into the driveway. The vehicle is turned off; Hanru and Jessica exit the car. She stares at Hanru nervously and slowly closes her door. Ada is standing out in the front yard holding mail under her arm. She stops to talk to them and seems very excited to see Jessica.)

Ada: Jessica, hey! I haven’t seen you since last Christmas!

(Ada walks up to Jessica and the two of them give each other warm loving hugs)

Ada: So are you spending New Years with us this year?

Jessica: Uh… (Nods) I am yes- If you would have me.

Ada: (Smiles) Awe; how cute. You two need to just have your wedding and get it over with.

Jessica: (Nervously laughs) It’s not like I haven’t tried.

Ada: (Laughs) So, really quick, Hanru; the tenants staying in the house my father gave me decided to move out. Your Uncle and I have decided to move there since it is bigger and a bit cheaper.

Hanru: Am I invited?

Ada: Feel free to butt-in and take up some of the extra space, but you and I both know how your uncle feels about you moving in with us.

Jessica: Is there any way I could maybe stay with you guys too? It’s just until I get a good job and back on my feet again. Then me and Hanru will move out together. (Quickly reaches for Hanru’s hand and firmly holds it)

Ada: Well… I didn’t know you two actually made it official.

Jessica: (Nervous but attempting to hide it) Well we haven’t, but… (Puckers her lips and exhales) Hanru! I’m not ready for you to go just yet. I need you in my life. You’re all I have left. Please, just… (Forcefully hugs Hanru) Just stay with me. When you moved away, I never knew how much I actually cared to be around you. Whatever it takes; let me come with you whever you go.

Ada: (Sincere) Jessica, that’s sweet, but there’s just not enough room for you where we’re going.

Jessica: (Stops hugging Hanru) I’ll just have to find my own place then. I don’t want to sound desperate or obsessed but… Who am I kidding; I am desperate. I don’t wanna lose the last person I have left who I love. I already lost Lee and he’s all the way in Miami still. The three of us have been together since we were 7; that’s like 16 years.

(Hanru isn’t sure what to think or say. He knows that overall it’s Ada’s choice.

Ada: Jessica… Please, don’t make this any harder than it has to be. Go find a home.

Jessica: Ah. I have no home, I told my roommate some things and she and I are no longer roommates or friends. So I actually have no home to go back to.

(Ada slowly walks up to Jessica and gives her a kind caring huge. After about 4 seconds, she stops hugging and looks her straight in the eyes.)

Ada: Jessica, you are an adult and as an adult it is not right to corner yourself in situations without a solid back up plan. I’m sorry you did that, but that was your own fault and as much as it kills me, you can’t stay stay with us. (Walks a few steps away)

Jessica: You owe me…

Ada: (Turns around) Excuse me?

Jessica: You still owe me for a few years ago. Do you remember how we met?

Ada: I do, but-

Jessica: But no. When you were unable to walk or use the restroom, who was there to take care of you? I was. I was there every step of the way after your accident in 2009 and back then I was only 15 years old. I took care of you in your time of need; you should do the same for me!

Ada: (Tries to react in a mature manner and keeps calm) Jessica… You put yourself in this position… now you get yourself out. That may come off as cruel and heck, maybe it is, but I can’t afford to take care of you too right now. I am truly grateful for what you did for me, but I just can’t help you right now by keeping you in my house knowing you don’t have a job or even food-stamps to help. The best way I can help you, is by teaching you this lesson about being an adult and avoiding digging your own graves. (Turns to Hanru) Hanru, I really hope this doesn’t affect our relationship negatively, but if so, you’re free to stay with us, or stay with Jessica ‘cause you feel sorry for her. But I want to make it clear that whatever choice you decide to make, I will understand and support, but if you do stay with her, you will no longer be welcomed to live in my home. (Says happily) Oh but you could come by to visit anytime! (Turns to Jessica) I’m done talking about this now. (Raises a fist to the sky) Yay, adulthood: Go team Grown-ups! Good luck out there, Jessica.

(Ada walks away from the two of them and stands about 20 feet back.)

Jessica: Wow… I’ve never seen that side to her…

Hanru: (Holds Jessica’s right hand) I don’t want you to be alone out there. I’ll be there beside you while we figure this out together.

Jessica: (Hugs Hanru.) Thank you, Hanru. This means a lot to me. You’re always here for me; thank you. (Stops hugging after about 5 seconds) Are you sure you wanna do this?

Hanru: Sure, I am, yes.

Jessica: You have a big heart; thank you again.

Hanru: Of course (Smiles)

(Hanru walks over to Ada.)

Hanru: (Thinking) There is a small part of me telling me not to do this. (Says to Ada) Sorry, Ada; I think I’m going to stay here with Jessica and make sure she’s okay.

Ada: Hanru, I know you have more common sense than that to know how much of a bad idea this is. She is an adult and she did this to herself. Please, just let her go. You have a home and a warm loving family. Don’t pass that up over someone else’s mistake.

(Hanru just walks away.)

Hanru: (Thinking) She doesn’t deserve to be alone. She made a mistake and shouldn’t have to pay for it like this. I’m doing what I feel is right and the reality of the situation is why should I run off and happy land when I know that someone out there is alone and scared? I’m not royalty; I’m a helper and this is what I feel I need to do to help.

(Hanru walks up to Jessica.)

Hanru: Alright; let’s go.

(Clay’s home)

(Natasha speeds through the driveway of Clay’s home and slams on breaks in the driveway right behind his red convertible Mustang.)

Clay: Thank you for not hitting the car.

(Clay and Lawrence both rush out of the vehicle. Clay stays ahead and paces himself through the yard and toward the front door. He runs up the stairs leading to his porch and aggressively bursts through his house. He sees his wife sitting alone at the table, but she quickly stands and panics at Clay’s arrival.)

Clay: Where is he? Is he out of the house?!

(Clay rushes around the house looking for the individual his wife told him about earlier over the phone while his wife nervously stands near the dining room table.)

Sierra: Clay, calm down.

Clay: Don’t freaking tell me to calm down, Sierra! You had a strange man in my house and I want to know where the heck he is!

(A loud crash is heard in one of the back rooms which startles both Sierra and Lawrence.)

Lawrence: Does he always get like this when company comes over?

Sierra: Only when he’s in one of his moods.

(A loud crashing of furniture hitting the ground is then heard.)

Sierra: (Charges toward the back of the house where Clay is) Dang it! Clay, calm down! He was a high school buddy of ours; we just wanted to surprise you!

(The house suddenly gets quiet. Lawrence peaks through the window behind him to look at the front yard. He sees nothing suspicious. Lawrence is suddenly startled by the sound of a door being kicked open. Clay takes his pistol off safety and points it at the man pressed up against the bathtub afraid.)

Clay: Alright, buddy, before I blow your kneecap off, how’s about you tell me why you’re here.

Man: Clay; right? Clay Wilcox? Remember me from high school? Marwin…

(A few seconds of silence pass. Mawrin remains silent; Clay silently stares him down like a dog. 4 seconds pass. Clay lets off a shot which breaks a piece of the toilet beside Mawrin and causes him to cringe.)

Clay: That’s the only warning you gon’ get. So now you quick lyin’ or it’s gonna be your kneecap that’s busted next.

Marwin: Whoa, man; relax! I’m not lying; I just came to visit! You remember we dreamt of being bikers someday! Well I made that dream come true and I’m just driving across country visiting folks. I mean you no threat, brother.

Clay: (Drops his gun) I don’t remember you, Whatever friendship you think we had back in the day is gone. You get yourself outta here now and don’t come back; you hear?

Marwin: Yes sir.

Clay: Go!

(Clay clears a path for Marwin and he quickly gets up and runs out of the restroom. He runs toward the front door but is blocked by Lawrence.)

Marwin: He said I can go, man; you heard his say that; I’m sure.

Lawrence: Yeah; I heard him, But the back door might be better for you. Someone else is out there expecting you to run out in the front yard and if they see you, you’re getting one right through the head.

(Marwin doesn’t think twice. He runs out the backdoor. Clay and Sierra approach Lawrence.)

Lawrence: What’s the verdict, judge?

Clay: He was here for something. Whether it be a distraction or a setup to get me killed. Either way, we need to follow him and see where he goes.

Lawrence: Already on it, Captain, sir.

Clay: Really?! You move quick.

Lawrence: We’re used to dealing with this stuff almost every day. What if he is just an old high school buddy?

Clay: I’m sure you know the answer to that. (Walks away)

Lawrence: Just like that, huh?

Clay: Yep.

(Hotel parking lot)

(The detective from the coroner’s office is seen sitting in his silent car alone with his head pressed against the seat and his eyes shut. He sees flashes of light behind a little girl laughing on a swing smiling toward him. His arms extend and he pushes her high above the ground. He is seen smiling in the car.)

Connors in voice: (Happily laughing) You wanna go higher?

Girl: Yeah! Higher, higher!

Connors in voice: You’re much braver than I was at your age.

Girl: That’s because girls are tougher!

Connors in voice: (Laughs) Make sure you hold on tight.

(Connors is seen again resting in his vehicle, but suddenly a high pitch noise comes over him and a strong sound of wind is heard. His eyes tighten and the little girl’s laughs slowly mellow into a deep groggy moan. Memory of him in first person walking through a dark abandoned boarded out with blood on his arms and hands are seen. He stares back in a panic to see a shadow of a large man holding an axe down to the ground with one hand on the handle. He charges away from the figure down the hall. He tackles a wood door open and falls to the floor. Everything gets blurry and a multitude of soft cries build in his head laugher and louder. Eventually a little girl’s snickers are heard and she whispers.)

Girl: (Whispers and snickers) Hey… I’m over here.

(The little girl appears before him glowing in a white gown. Her feet stand idle 2 feet away. He looks up to her face slowly and her eyelids are sewn shut. She forced them open and a stream of blood falls down her cheek. Her eyelashes turn into teeth and she throws herself at him. Connors wakes up yelling. In the background his cell phone can be heard ringing. He presses his forehead against the steering wheel while his phone keeps ringing and ringing and he attempts to catch his breath. He reaches for it after about 8 seconds and answers it without seeing who’s calling.)

Connors: Connors.

Woman: (Concerned) You- okay, honey?

Connors: (Raises his head away from the steering wheel) Yeah, Dana; fine. Just- a bad dream is all.

Dana: Oh no, honey. Is it the nightmares again? Should I call Dr. Langdon?

Connor: No! I’m fine; no need to call him.

Dana: (Firm) Paul, you know what happens when you have this dream. Something is deeply concerning you; is it this case?

Connor: Yeah. (Sighs) A key was left for me behind Jack Gustavo’s ribcage. This whole thing is killing me, Dana. Jack Gustavo and I went toe-to-toe a multiple times and every time, he won. He had the cops and the court on his side and he got away with a lot. I always promised myself I’d bring this man to justice before the day I die, but then I get the news that he’s dead. His body was found floating in a wasteland after he’d been eating alive by rats. Luckily they left something behind for us to identify. It was my personal goal in life to see this man behind bars and slap the cuffs on his wrist myself, but now I learn he was killed. Whoever did it, left me that note to find him. Dana, I will find out who killed Jack Gustavo and I will find out why they did it.

(There is a silence on the phone for 4 seconds.)

Connor: Honey? Dana?

Suspicious Voice: Oh, sorry, but I’m afraid Dana’s a little tied up at the moment. But I’ll be sure to give her a message.

Connors: Who is this?! Who are you?!

Dana: Stop it, Robby! Go in the living room! Sorry about that, sweetie, that was just Robby; he came over to visit. Anyway, honey please try to relax and don’t let any stress get to you. Most importantly, be careful, honey. We don’t know why this person targeted asked for you specifically and he might be trying to kill you.

Connors: Somehow I doubt that. If he wanted me dead he would’ve already taken me out. We’ll talk more about this later, okay, Dana? I’m at a motel and I’m gonna be checking in for the night.

(Connors walks to the reception desk and sees a very bland-looking old man standing behind the counter glaring into his very soul. Paul feels unsettled after awhile but tries to ignore the piercing eyes.)

Connors: How ya doing? I’d like a room for the day. (Pulls out his wallet)

Receptionist: You want a room; sure I’ll give you a room.

(The receptionist turns around and grabs a key to a room. He hands it to Connors without taking any cash Paul is offering.)

Receptionist: All yours.

Connors: Alright; how much do I owe you?

Receptionist: I only have one room left and the previous residence made a bit of a mess in there. It’ll be a while before we can provide you with any sheets or blankets, but at least it’s a free room, right?

Connors: (Suspicious) Right…

(Connors grabs the key. About a minute later, he walks to the motel room and unlocks the door. As he walks in, he sees that all the furniture in the room is knocked over and there are stains and hold in the walls. He sees a tied up white sheet leading to the bathroom. Connors takes his pistol out and quickly makes his way to the back. He rushes into the restroom and sees that the white sheets are stained, along with the floor, with dark red blood. He turns around quickly in a panic but is stabbed in the neck with a syringe that knocks him out almost instantly. Paul wakes up on the floor of his motel room. His pistol remains in his hand. He quickly stands up in a panic and scans all of his surroundings. He cannot see anything clearly. Everything around him is a blur. He stumbles toward the dresser but catches himself. He limps toward the bathroom and turns the light on. He washes his face thoroughly with cold water over and over. After about the 8th time, he looks at himself in the mirror and sees the same shadow man from his nightmare staring at him in the dark hall holding his sharp axe. Paul doesn’t seem frightened; he seems to accept it- as if he welcomes it as a piece of his mind.)

(Diner at sunset)

(Hanru and Jessica sit across from one another in a diner booth. An older woman with long blonde hair tied into a bun pours some tea in Jessica’s tall glass. Afterward, she walks away.)

Jessica: So what now?

Hanru: You really don’t have a plan?

Jessica: I didn’t think she’s say no.

(Hanru walks into the men’s restroom and calls someone on his cell phone. His name is Kaito Zonoda. Kaito is an older man in his early 40’s maybe. Kaito is near his pool; he answers his cell phone.)

Kaito: What’s up?

Hanru: Hey, Kaito. I was wondering if you could maybe uh… Help out a friend of mine.

Kaito: (Suspicious) What do you mean by “help out”? Are they hot?

Hanru: I’d say so. No I mean- it’s Jessica.

Kaito: What did she do?

Hanru: She and I need a place to stay. Things got a bit crazy and now we’re both homeless.

Kaito: What’d you two do?! Don’t tell me you two went at it like a couple of rabbits and you got her pregnant.

Hanru: No it’s nothing like that… It’s kind of a complicated story…

(After a few minutes in the restroom, Hanru leaves and sits across from Jessica back at the table. He has a slightly discomforting look on his face.

Jessica: Uh-oh. You’re giving me that look when you have something bad to tell me.

Hanru: (Hesitant) I called Kaito. I thought he could help out… but- he said no. I told him our situation and he told me that we are both adults now and we both need to endure the effects of our decisions. He said he wouldn’t help because he can’t keep bailing me out of situations when I mess up. I guess he wants me to find my own way.

Jessica: Maybe we both should.

(Jessica has reaches over to Hanru and grabs his hand. She looks him in the eyes and gives him a sympathetic look of apology.)

Jessica: It means a lot that you did this for me, Hanru… But… maybe this was a mistake. I’m really sorry, Hanru, but I shouldn’t have brought you along. I shouldn’t have involved you. I need to find my way again. I need to do this alone.

Hanru: So after I left my family, you’re just gonna leave me out here alone in the streets?

Jessica: (Struggling to answer him back) Please don’t make this any harder.

Hanru: (Sits up straight in his booth and pulls his hand away) So abandoning your friend who is like family to you and leaving him out to fend for himself after he gave up everything for you isn’t hard?

Jessica: (Leans back in her booth and tries to be a bit bolder) I didn’t plan this. I really am sorry, but this was a mistake and I need to fix this mistake alone. For now, Hanru, I need to say goodbye and thank you for everything you’ve done and all you’ve allowed me to experience.

(Jessica stands and just leaves. The waitress walks up to the table feeling sorry for Hanru as he just sits there in his booth staring at his tea with a tangled web of emotions going through his stomach.)

Grace: Oh, I’m sorry, Sug’. Girls are really something some times; a’int they? (Refills his drink) This one’s on me, okay.

(Hanru just gets up and storms out of the diner behind Jessica. He rushes out in the parking lot and aggressively paces up to her. She stops to turn around and face him.)

Jessica: Go away, Hanru.

Hanru: I love you, Jessica.

Jessica: I know you do.

Hanru: No, I mean I love you in a way where I want to be with you.

Jessica: (Hold her temper for a second but then instantly snaps at him) NO! No! You DO NOT have the right to say that to me now after years of me chasing you and constantly throwing myself at you! Now when things get hard for me, you wanna spring something like this on me?! How dare you, Hanru! How freakin’ dare you do this to me now of all times! Don’t say anything to me! Get away from me! DO NOT come near me! I do not want you anymore! You missed your chance and I’m not just gonna bow down to your feet and worship you! You disgust me right now; you really do, Hanru! I’m sick of you, your whining, your complaining, and your drama! I… I… (Takes a long deep breath and calms herself down)

(After a few seconds of silence and tension wares down, Jessica tries to speak to Hanru with a more sympathetic tone. The wind starts to pick up and Jessica pushes away the hair that gets in her face.)

Jessica: You’re crazy, Hanru. You’re a Homicidal sociopath and I’m honestly surprised that you haven’t killed anyone yet. Well… I take that back- you almost did. You almost killed Janet not too long ago in that alleyway. Luckily she was too high to remember, right?

Hanru: (Distorted) Jessic-

Jessica: (Rage crying) Shut up! I’m talking. (Calms down) I’m sorry I threw that in your face. I love you and I always will, Hanru and I do accept you for who you are and you will always be my best friend, but things aren’t right with either of us and I feel as if I need to look out for myself. I love you, but I gotta go.

(Jessica gives Hanru a big warming hug which lasts about 7 seconds. Afterward, they release and Jessica cracks a smile at him one last time before walking away. Hanru watches her go but is distracted once he looks beside him and sees Ada parked in her red car starring at him. After a short time, Hanru gets in the vehicle and holds his black duffle bag close to him. Ada just takes off. After a while of silence, Hanru finally speaks.)

Hanru: Thank you, Ada…

Ada: Yeah, well you’re family and you’re a naïve kid.

(Empty lot)

(Clay, Natasha, Israel, and Lawrence tail Marwin to a trailer home in the middle a deserted dirt lot in their van. The four of them watch as he talks to his wife near the window; at the dinner table.

Clay: Does that look like someone “visiting from out of town”? He seems pretty cozy to me.

Natasha: I don’t know; your daughter seemed just fine when you picked her up from school. (Teasing) Maybe you’re just being paranoid.

Clay: Stop it! Now when he comes out, we take that opportunity to corner him behind the trailer, than, Natasha, you-

Natasha: Actually, I have a better idea.

(Natasha opens up her van door and exits the vehicle. She quickly closes the door and walks straight up to his trailer. Lawrence, Clay, and Israel stair at her in anticipation to see what she’s gonna do.)

Clay: What is this girl thinking? She’s gonna blow our cover.

Lawrence: Oh boy; I think I have a pretty good idea what she’s doing. Get out the van; hurry.

(Natasha sees that the door is locked. She shoots the lock off and kicks the trailer door open. Marwin and the woman he was talking to both quickly stand up in a panic and raise their hands up high as Natasha charges toward them holding her pistol. She stops about 10 feet away from them.)

Woman: (Panics) What do you want?! Do you want money?! It’s in my purse over there on the table.

Natasha: No, I don’t want your money; nice try though.

Boy: Mama?!

(The woman turns around to see her 8 year old son in his PJ’s running from the back into the kitchen area where they are. He freezes once he sees Natasha.)

Woman: Mijo, go back to bed okay? Mommy needs to talk with her friends. I love you; go.

Boy: Are you my daddy’s friend?

Natasha: No; kid. I need your mom focus for me if we’re gonna talk and you’re distracting. If I shoot you then mommy won’t be very uncooperative. That’s the only reason you’re still alive, now go back to your room and play with your toys.

Boy: Oh… Okay… So you don’t know my daddy?

(The boy just looks down at the floor in disappointment of not seeing his father. He raises his head back up a few seconds later.)

Boy: When bad people come to our house, it means I’m gonna see daddy soon. Please let me see my daddy, even if he comes to beat up mommy again.

(A tear just falls from the woman’s left bruised eye and she just closes her eyes and shakes in anxiety, anger, fear, and heartbreak.)

Natasha: Wow; your kid is almost as messed up as I am.

Woman: Please, Cameron; just go back to your room! Mommy will be back there in a little while.

(The little boy turns around and charges back to his room. Natasha patiently waits a few seconds for the boy’s door to close. She hears it slam.)

Natasha: There it is.

(Without hesitation, Natasha aims her pistol low and shoots the woman in the far right side of her stomach with her pistol. She screams as the bullet makes impact but goes silent before hitting the floor.)

Natasha: That’s so you know I’m serious. Now the next bullet is going in someone’s head. There will be no more warnings. Now; Mawrin, right?

Marwin: (Nervous) Yeah.

Natasha: Why were you at Clay’s house today? Before you answer- we know you weren’t a high school friend visiting because Clay didn’t go to school out here. You’re an amateur liar. Now you’re gonna tell me why you were at his house and who sent you there.

Marwin: It was the men in his crew who sent me.

Natasha: His very own men, huh? (Slowly aims the gun up toward his face)

Marwin: Okay, okay; it wasn’t his immediate crew who did it. It was the crew he sided with. They said they don’t like him being his leader anymore. Ralph wants control of his own crew again and he says he doesn’t what family Clay was born into, he shouldn’t be leader.

Natasha: Thank you for that information, sir.

(Natasha pulls her trigger and the sound of Marwin’s body hitting the floor is heard. The woman beside him shakes and cringes her body as she fears for her life and bites on her knuckles. Natasha walks up to the woman and squats down in front of her.)

Natasha: I would say I’m sorry you had to see that but I’d be lying if I did. Why are you mixed in with all of this?

Woman: Pleeease; don’t kill me. Please don’t.

Natasha: I’m guessing you’ve never had things go this far before. Alright so let me be clear with you- you’re alive because I’m curious why you’re involved; that is it.

Woman: Once I tell you… you’re just gonna kill me.

Natasha: Probably, but we don’t know that for sure now, do we? You got two strikes; one more left.

Woman: Marwin was a man I’ve been seeing for a few weeks. That’s it. That’s all; that’s the truth.

Natasha: It’s a shame… I believe you.

(Natasha presses the gun right up to her forehead.)

Woman: (Panics) No; please; no, no! (Cringes)

(Natasha pulls the trigger but the gun jams and nothing happens. The lady opens her eyes to see find herself still alive.)

Natasha: Darn it; how unlucky for you. You’re gonna get it worse now.

(Natasha rushes near the sink and grabs a large cutting knife. She charges at the woman to stab her, but a man sneaks up behind Natasha and sticks her in the neck with a needle which knocks her out instantly. The man safely lowers her to the floor. He is revealed to be Clay. The woman stares up at him in fear. Lawrence stands next to Clay.)

Lawrence: Grab your son and leave. When she wakes up, she is coming after you. None of you deserved to go through this tonight; none of you. Get out while you can.

(Lawrence and Clay grab Natasha’s body and storm out the door. The woman can’t help but to shake and hold her bleeding bullet wound as she cries continuously on the floor. Once Lawrence and Clay leave, the woman rolls over on her stomach and throws up at the sight of Mawrin’s body.)

Hanru Narrating: Life is filled with many unsuspecting turns. One minute things can be a certain way; the next minute things can be different. Is there really a lesson to be taught in this, or is this just a question we as people feel we need to ask to satisfy our own curiosity? How far will we allow our curiosity to take us? How much will we make ourselves endure until we’re satisfied? Even if we are satisfied, would the struggle have been worth it? How far are we as individual’s willing to go to satisfy this urge to do what we feel we need to find fulfillment and closure? How far are we willing to go overcome that of which haunts us?

(Detective Connors leaves his motel room late in the night, walks through the snow; then sits in his cold car. As he closes the door he notices something very unusual hanging on his mirror: a tape recorder. He checks his back seat first to make sure no one is back there, then looks outside to try and find one suspicious. He sees no one. He flips the tape over and sees a written note taped on the back. It says “Play Me Detective”. Connors opens the recorder and sees there is a tape inside. He then hits play. The voice is very deep and obviously disguised.)

Anonymous: Hello, detective. You’re a mouse looking for the block of cheese. Well allow me to be your guide through the maze. You want to know what happened to Jack Gustavo, than follow my instructions. I will lead you to the one responsible for his death, but first, I want to show you what I know.

(Hanru is sitting alone in his dark room starring at the ceiling. His phone suddenly rings. He looks at it and it’s an unknown caller.)

Hanru: Hello?

Anonymous: I know who you are, and I know what you’ve done. You will get what’s coming to you, Hanru Sazuki, and you will know justice. (Hangs up)

Hanru: (Thinking) Uh-oh… I’m about to relapse…

(Hanru cracks a smile as his room goes pitch black and the only thing sees is his smile through the darkness.)

TO BE CONTINUED…