Guardian

Pilot

Valiant crimson stone of soul, clever cobalt stone of mind, humble golden stone of heart, sly jade stone of power. To prevent the stones from combination and chaos a Guardian is born and each stone is embedded in separate vessels...

Prologue

1.EXT. REED RESIDENCE

Open on a green suburban neighborhood late at night. No music, only night noises. We hear only this until camera pans to Reed Residence. Shot of the house, then Lisa O.S

LISA

This is the place?

Angle change. Camera head shot of Lisa watching the house in skepticism. We hadn’t noticed her there until she spoke. Lisa is a young brunette of around 21.

Angle changes to worms eye view of the sidewalk to see Mike’s legs step out of the shadows and next to Lisa. Camera pans up to his face, which is dark, his fedora hat hides his eyes. He tosses a cigarette to the ground and smothers it with the toe of his boot.

MIKE

Yup.

Mike himself has a gruff voice and stubble on his chin with hard, tough features.

LISA

It doesn’t look like much to me, to be honest. I expected something more. I don’t know, really. The family thing, I think, needs to go.

MIKE

Yup.

LISA

Guys like him don’t need family. He doesn’t need distractions. He needs to fight. He needs people like us.

MIKE (lighting up another cigarette)

Yup.

LISA

So what are we going to do about it?

MIKE (after exhaling a puff of smoke)

We’ll think of something.

CREDITS

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TYLER V.O. (Probably will be cut)

Valiant crimson stone of soul, clever cobalt stone of mind, humble golden stone of heart, sly jade stone of power. To prevent the stones from combination and chaos each stone is embedded in separate vessels. And now, the world is in severe jeopardy as enemies of what the stones stand for seek their power. And it’s my job to make sure they never get them. I’m Tyler Reed. And I am the Guardian.

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ACT I

2.INT. TYLER’S BEDROOM

Camera opens on a Nike shoe on its side. Loud music is blaring. Pan to see an incredible mess. Pan up to bedside table. Alarm clock reads 8:46. Pan to see Tyler hasn’t moved from his bed and is still asleep. Tyler is a typical teenage boy of around 16 with unruly brown hair and a clear distaste for cleanliness and organization.

RACHEL (O.S.)

Tyler! Are you ready? Hurry up or you’ll miss school again– (Rachel enters the room) Oh, Tyler!

Rachel, Tyler’s mother, is a kind-looking small-stature woman and has put up with Tyler and his eccentricities his whole life. Rachel walks over to Tyler and pulls off his sheets. This has the effect the blaring music did not have.

TYLER (groggy)

Ah, Mom, I’m freezing!

RACHEL

I swear, Tyler, you can sleep through a hurricane so long as it’s warm enough!

Tyler grabs back the sheets and hides under them.

TYLER

I’m sick.

RACHEL

You’re also too old for that excuse. Now get up! You have to be there in thirteen– no, twelve minutes.

TYLER (still sleepy)

All I need is ten...

RACHEL

Tyler!

TYLER

What?!

Rachel pulls off the sheets again and this time, Tyler opens his eyes to glare at her.

RACHEL

Get the hell out of bed!

CUT TO:

3.INT. REED HALLWAY

Music: Greenday “Holiday” (subject to change). Tyler is galloping down the stairs with headphones on and pulling on his backpack. He scratches his golden retriever absently behind his ears as he walks out the door and into his car. He drives to school. CUT TO: Ext. School parking lot, birds eye view. Tyler walks into high school with books under his arm.

4.INT. HIGHSCHOOL HALLWAY

Music continues to play quietly in background as Tyler still has headphones on. He is at his locker in no rush to get to class, though the hall is empty. He’s putting in his books. He closes his locker door and Abby is leaning on the locker behind it, smiling. Abby is a sweet looking girl of around 17, blonde, studious and organized, the perfect contrast to Tyler.

ABBY

You’re late.

TYLER

And my record remains unbroken.

ABBY

You’ve missed half of first period.

TYLER

What was first period today?

ABBY

C. My free period.

TYLER

Huh. Chemistry... Oh well.

He starts walking down the hall, Abby follows him.

ABBY

Where’re you going? You’re chem class is in the other direction.

TYLER

The library. I think I’ll do a little light reading.

Angle changes to face Tyler with Abby behind his left shoulder a few feet away.

ABBY (stops, watching Tyler curiously)

You hate books.

TYLER (grins)

Oh yeah.

5.EXT to INT. REED RESIDENCE

Music is louder again as Tyler gets out of his car and tosses the keys into his pocket. He walks through the door and absentmindedly scratches his golden retriever behind the ears. He walks through the kitchen, grabs an apple without stopping. Walks through the living room, in front of Allyson who is watching TV and eating popcorn and ruffles her hair. Camera lingers on Allyson as she stops tossing popcorn in her mouth. She looks after her brother.

ALLYSON

I’m not your dog, you know!

Allyson is a cute 12-year-old brunette who has straight-As and is very society conscious.

Camera back on Tyler who’s coming downstairs with his basketball when he’s cornered by Rachel in the hall.

RACHEL

What, no ‘Hi, Mom?’

TYLER

I’m going out. Basketball.

RACHEL

You just got home, you have to walk your dog.

TYLER

Did it.

RACHEL

You did not, now do it! (Shoves leash into his face)

TYLER (knocking leash away)

I said I did it.

RACHEL

You also said you’d baby-sit your baby brother tonight so your dad and I could go out. Are you going to follow through on that?

TYLER

Can’t Allyson do that?

ALLYSON (O.S)

I’ve got plans!

TYLER

Well I have plans too!

RACHEL (sternly)

Tyler, you can’t break appointments like this. I told you I only wanted you to baby-sit if it didn’t interfere with your plans!

TYLER

You don’t know how I make plans then. I don’t come up with them until about five minutes before they happen!

RACHEL

Well in that case, you shouldn’t make plans when you already have them!

TYLER

Look, Mom, it’s a Friday night. I’m not staying home and that’s that.

RACHEL (hooking up dog with leash)

Stop acting like a kid, Tyler! Listen, you can go out now, I’ll take the dog. But be back by six, your father and I have reservations. Please Tyler!

TYLER (grabbing the leash and walking past her, bumping her intentionally.)

Yeah, sure, whatever.

6.EXT. BASKETBALL COURT

Tyler is playing basketball by himself. We see him work out some internal aggressions a moment until we here Lisa, Off Screen again.

LISA

Those are some slam dunks your making, hot shot.

(Angle changes and we see Lisa watching him from the corner of the court. Head Shot of Lisa.)

You might just rip the hoop off.

TYLER (not looking at her as he continues to play)

Just doing my daily exercises.

(He makes another basket from the free throw line).

LISA

Impressive shots, kiddo. But shouldn’t you be getting home soon? It’s almost six.

TYLER (dribbling, eying the hoop)

I’ll leave when I’m done. You can have it then if you want.

LISA (approaching him and taking the ball to make him look at her)

Didn’t you promise your mom you’d look after Jason?

TYLER (snatching back the ball and eyeing her, a little unnerved)

Who are you?

LISA

A friend.

TYLER

I don’t have any stalker friends.

LISA

Listen. I’m here because there’s something important that you oughta know. And now that I’ve got your attention...

TYLER

Who are you?

LISA

My name is Lisa Brooks, OK? I’m here to help you.

TYLER (dribbling away)

Stay away from me.

LISA

Would you just listen to me? It’s important.

TYLER

Leave now and I won’t call the police.

LISA

The police won’t be able to help you! Look, there are forces at work you can’t fight no matter how you try.

TYLER

Like what?

Lisa telekinetically calls the ball over to her hands and Tyler whips around, astonished.

LISA

Like that. And worse.

TYLER

How did you...

LISA

There’s little time and it’s getting dark. Listen to me, Tyler. You are not your average teenager. You have a destiny.

TYLER

Oh please, don’t give me any of that Star Wars crap. Give me my ball!

LISA (ignoring him)

You have a job to do and it’s not the kind you can quit. I urge you to go home now or else it might be too late.

TYLER

What are you talking about? Are you threatening me?

Clouds begin to gather and Tyler looks up as thunder roars. Lisa also looks up but then back to Tyler.

LISA

Listen, this can wait. Your family can’t. Go home and get them out of there as fast as you can.

Tyler walks up to her and grabs his ball back from her, sneering at her.

TYLER

I don’t know who you are but I don’t care. Stay the hell away from my family.

Tyler walks O.S and the camera lingers on Lisa as she watches him leave and it begins to rain.

LISA (with a sigh)

Never meant them any harm, sweetie.

7.INT. TYLER’S CAR

Tyler is trying to reach his home on his cell phone but no one is answering. Rain splatters his windshield. He is stuck on the freeway.

TYLER

Dammit!

(Stares at cell phone angrily. Honks. Tries dialing again. Waits.)

Mom? I’m glad you’re still there.

Scene change: Reed Residence. Rachel is on the phone, juggling the baby in one arm.

RACHEL

You’re damn right we’re still here! Tyler, you were supposed to be here an hour ago, our reservations must have been given away by now!

Back to Tyler in the car.

TYLER (visibly relieved.)

I’m sorry, Mom, really, but I’m glad you’re there... I had this eerie feeling... There was this girl at the courts and she said–

Back to Rachel at home.

RACHEL

You’re late because of a girl? Oh Tyler, I should have known.

Back to Tyler.

TYLER

No, Mom, I’m not... Well, I guess I am late because of her, but it’s not what you–

RACHEL

Frankly, Ty, I don’t care why you’re late.

(Back to Rachel.)

You have to be responsible, soon you’ll be off away at college without us and then what will you do? You can’t depend on us to clean up your messes! We were depending on you to look after your kid brother and you bailed on us!

Back to Tyler.

TYLER

I know Mom, I don’t need a speech, OK? Listen, what if you just wait ‘til I get home and then I’ll–

There’s a strange brief loud sound and the phone goes dead. Tyler frowns at it, confused. He re-dials. We hear a dead line... Frustrated, Tyler rolls his eyes and honks at the traffic again as the rain continues to pound down.

8.EXT. REED RESIDENCE WRECKAGE

Tyler’s car is seen rounding the corner onto his street. By now it’s dark, but the rain is still pouring. Police cars and ambulances surround the charred wreckage of what his house used to be. Flames were quickly put out by the rain but the house has been reduced to black ruins and ash. He pulls up on the curb barely paying attention and leaps out of his car in horror, sprinting to his house and trying to get past the yellow tape when a police officer stops him.

OFFICER

Whoa, there, kid, take it easy, this is a crime scene.

TYLER (obviously shaken)

A what??

OFFICER

Listen, go home, this is no place for kids–

Tyler, who isn’t listening, sees his sister standing outside the house, soaking wet next to her best friend. The camera focuses on her for a moment too and we make out that she’s crying even through the rain. She looks to the door. Angle change to see what she sees. Two gurneys are being wheeled out with a black bags on both of them. She screams hysterically and runs with her arms out-stretched to the gurneys shouting “Mommy! Daddy!” She is restrained by her friend and her friend’s mother. Camera angle back to a head shot of Tyler whose face is that of one who has just lost everything.

TYLER

ALLYSON!

He shoves the police officer aside and vaults the yellow tape to run to his sister, snatching her from her friend’s mother’s grip and scooping her up in his arms where she continues to sob on his shoulder. We cannot hear her, nor the words of comfort he whispers into her hair as the scene is drowned out by sirens. We see him look up at the sky, the rain plastering his hair to his forehead as he tries to hide his anguish in nature’s tears.

FADE TO BLACK

9.INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY

Camera angle: Focused straight at the sunlit entrance to the school. Music: Linkin Park’s “In the End.” The doors burst open. Tyler is wearing a black tank, baggy black pants and a wallet chain as he walks down the hall, his lips straight. He’s wearing dark sunglasses that he doesn’t even take off once inside. Abby quickly catches up to him, again contrasting him with her outfit alone, white and pastels. He doesn’t stop to talk to her, so she matches his pace.

ABBY

Are you OK? My God, Ty, why didn’t you call me?

TYLER (casually, without looking at her)

Didn’t wanna worry you. What time is it?

ABBY (stops a moment, looking appalled, then jogs catching up with him)

Didn’t want to worry—

TYLER

Time!

ABBY

8:45. You’re on time for the one day you should have skipped. You should have stayed at the shelter today, Tyler, with your sister. You don’t have to be here right now. Not today.

TYLER

No, you’re wrong. I really do have to be here right now.

ABBY (who is struggling to keep up with his fast pace)

Tyler, please. The last thing you need are kids crowding you and asking you questions. You shouldn’t be here.

TYLER (finally stopping and turning to her, taking off his sunglasses to reveal red eyes.)

No, Abby, you don’t get it. If I stayed in that damn moldy room, all I would have done was sat around and thought about all the what ifs. I mean, what if I came home when she asked me to? Would they have left the house and I would have fried with Jason? What if I hadn’t been stuck on the freeway? Would we all have burned and left Ally on her own? No, Abby, I can’t do that, not now, not ever. And the only place I’d want to be less than the shelter is the hospital where I would be waiting for hours just to hear that my baby brother didn’t make it. Or worse, he did. What will I do with a baby, Abby, if I can’t even look after myself, let alone Ally? Oh God... what will I do?

He stands there a moment, a second wave of horrified shock washing over him as Abby tries to look him in the eye. Suddenly, she throws her arms around him and whispers in his ear.

ABBY

I don’t know what’s going to happen here, Tyler. But I do know that I’ll be right there with you.

9.INT. CHEMISTRY CLASS

Tyler is sitting next to Jordan at a lab table. Jordan’s wearing goggles and using tongs to hold a test tube over a Bunsen Burner. He keeps glancing at Tyler whose staring into the flame with his sunglasses on. He is obviously at a loss for words.

JORDAN

Hey, um... I know you like to pretend we don’t know each other, but I just wanted to say I saw your house on the news last night... I’m sorry, man.

(Waits for a response. Tyler is silent.)

Cuz, I mean, damn, I remember throwing water balloons in your backyard in third grade, and that time we tracked water all over your kitchen floor... I’m really sorry about your parents, Tyler. Your mom still says hi to me– or, well, she did...

(He trails off, obviously feeling very awkward as he searches for words, ad-lib various fillers that are obviously the wrong thing to say in such a situation.)

TYLER (cutting him off)

I thought this was a silent exercise.

Jordan opens his mouth wide to say something, thinks better of it, and shuts his mouth. He continues to stare at the test tube. Both students are silent a moment.

JORDAN

Well... I can’t imagine how you feel, is all, just wanted to get that out there. I mean, when my Mom died, she wasn’t blown up or anything. Wow, I mean– I’m just no good in these kind of situations, Tyler, you remember, even when we were kids I was–

TYLER

Jordan...

JORDAN

Don’t interrupt me, Tyler, I’m determined to say something worth saying as opposed to all this babble. You think an AP English student would know better, right? (Nervous laughter). I guess what I meant to say is, it’s gotta be hard, you know, and–

TYLER

Jordan!

The urgency in his voice makes Jordan frown and look at the chemicals in the test tube which have bubbled over and started reacting with the flame. Jordan screams and drops the test tube which spills all over the table and the glass breaks on the floor. He sighs and shakes his head as he bends to pick up the glass. Camera angle: Worm’s eye view looking up at Jordan, squatting on the floor. We see Tyler behind him, shaking his head and putting his face in his hands. Jordan’s eyes are on the ground.

JORDAN

... For what it’s worth... you can always crash at my house if you have no where left to run. Like you used to...

From our view of him, we can see Tyler turn to look at him through his dark glasses, but he doesn’t say a word.

10.EXT. HIGHSCHOOL

Tyler is walking outside, fast, trying to avoid any more condolences. We see him turn a corner and pass by an inconspicuous looking Mike still wearing his fedora and leaning against a brick pillar outside of Tyler’s school.

MIKE

Hey kid! You dropped something.

Tyler stops and turns to him, looking confused. Mike’s holding a leather-bound book out to Tyler and grinning.

TYLER

That’s not mine.

MIKE

It fell out of your bag.

Tyler takes the book and looks at it, then up at Mike.

TYLER

Listen, old man, I don’t know what you’re trying to sell but leave me alone, I’ve had a bad day.

MIKE (grinning, opens his jacket to reveal photographs of Tyler with his family)

Wanna buy a watch?

TYLER (frozen to the spot, expression cold but otherwise unreadable)

Where did you get those?

MIKE

We’ve been watching you, Tyler Reed.

TYLER (a little unnerved now)

We? Who the hell are you people?

MIKE

Me and my associate. Name’s Mike Rivers. And I’m here to help you.

TYLER

Help me??? No– (backs away from Mike)– You’re the ones who murdered my parents!

MIKE

Kid, that’s not it, you’ve got it backwards. We tried to help your family. But in a sense, it is our fault. We should have come to you about this a lot sooner.

TYLER

Stay away from me...

MIKE

At least take this–

TYLER (knocks the book out of Mike’s hands)

Who do you think you are?

Mike kneels down calmly to pick up the book and shoves it into Tyler’s hands.

MIKE

Run away if you want. But take this. Tuck it away. Never open it. Hide it under your bed if you’re afraid of the monsters it holds, but at least you have it. So one day, when you want to know why your parents died, you can at least look in here and have those answers. There, I’m done. We’ll leave you alone. Here’s my card.

A card flutters from Mike’s hand to the ground and Tyler, stunned, bends to pick it up. It reads “Mike Rivers, Wedding Planner, 555-4273.” When he looks up, Mike is gone.

11.INT. Youth Shelter

Allyson is sitting on a cot, one of many, looking at a charred teddy bear. Tyler walks right by her and drops his bag, then starts to look for his car keys on the bedside table.

ALLYSON

It was on the lawn.

TYLER (not turning away from his search)

What?

ALLYSON

The bear... I came home because I’d forgotten my pajamas... ridiculous, huh? Slept over at Emma’s and everywhere so many times and I forget my pajamas... And when I got back, the neighbors were on their lawns, the police were there, and our house... oh God, Ty, our house... And it was on the lawn... And it was Jason’s...

Tyler looks up and crosses over to Allyson, taking the bear out of her hands slowly. She doesn’t notice. He walks to the bedside table and puts it in a drawer. She looks up at him.

ALLYSON

It’s the only thing we have that was ours... Even our book bags are from the good ol’ Salvation Army. Ty... I just wanna know... Why did this happen? What do we have that makes us a... target?

TYLER (sighs)

I don’t know, Ally.

He hesitates, as if wanting to do or say more, and she waits for it, but he changes his mind and leaves fast, snatching his car keys.

As he’s leaving the shelter, he’s stopped by a social worker, Lucy Wells.

LUCY

Tyler! In a hurry?

TYLER

A bit.

LUCY

You’re leaving your sister alone? I think maybe you should spend some time–

TYLER

She can handle herself.

LUCY (hesitating)

Right... I just wanted to tell you, we’ve contacted your legal guardian, your Uncle Richard?

(Tyler looks like he has no idea what she’s talking about.)

LUCY (cont’d– looking flustered as she flips through files)

Um... wait... Yes, here, Richard Kemp? Says here he was your father’s step brother...

TYLER (something seems to click)

Uh... yeah... we might have visited him when I was... a kid... But I don’t think Ally’s ever met him. He’s our legal guardian?

LUCY

That’s what the papers say. Anyways, he says he’s ready to take you anytime that’s convenient, so I told him you’d be moving in tonight. That way you won’t have to spend another day in this shelter. I’m sure after a while you’ll feel right at home.

She smiles at him awkwardly and Tyler doesn’t return it. There is a moment of silence as Lucy shifts under his gaze.

LUCY

I, um, of course will be watching over your case to see how you and your sister deal with what’s come to pass. A psychiatrist will be hired by the state in accordance to a recently enacted state ordinance to help you deal with the post traumatic stress you and your sister are bound to go through.

TYLER

So when do we go to this guy?

LUCY

Hm? Oh! (Starts ruffling through her papers again, caught off guard by the question) It seems... He’s expecting you at seven o’clock tonight.

TYLER

Then I’ll be here at seven.

LUCY

I’d much rather you came a bit earlier, I don’t want–

LUCY

Believe me, Ms. Wells. I won’t be late.

12.INT. TYLER’S CAR

Tyler slams the door and rests his hands on the wheel, staring out the windshield. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He takes off his sunglasses once again and rubs his tired eyes. He glances over at the passenger seat. Camera angle changes to worms eye view from passenger door (we see the book in the foreground, Tyler in background). We see he is looking at the book Mike gave him. He looks away back out the window (angle doesn’t change). Then, he turns back to the book. He bites his lip. Finally, he snatches the book.

Angle changes to see the pages of the book Tyler flips through. We see a table of contents and a title. A Legacy of Chaos...

Scene change to a montage of images and sounds with Tyler’s voice over.

First clip: A battle in the Mideast, around 2000 years ago. One warrior stands out among the rest.

TYLER V.O.

In the beginning, there was One. He wielded the sword of the mighty Roman Empire. He did not cease in his slaughter.

First clip (cont’d): The One slices off heads in battle, bloodily destroying enemies.

TYLER (Cont’d)

He was great. But he knew that he was only a mortal. He went to the temple of Mars to request great power, beyond that of any human. The God of War spoke to the general. He said an appropriate sacrifice must be given. One taken with power and without mercy, with a cold heart and a steel hand.

Second clip: The warrior is at a temple, his sword pointed down as he kneels, his hands on the hilt as he looks down. There is a flash of light and he looks up. He is surprised and jumps to his feet, backing towards the door. He nods.

Third clip: The man opens the door to a home. A woman smiles. Faint laughter from children are heard as we see through the warrior’s eyes as they run around the table. There is a flash of light and the wall is splattered with blood.

TYLER (Cont’d)

The One was not a man to disappoint. He returned to the temple within the week, laying the body of his wife and three children at the God’s feet. With them, he laid the body of a Cyclops. He said to the God...

The warrior lays down six bodies at the altar, looking up into the light.

THE ONE

I have given my family, to show that I am not bound to humanity by emotion. And I have given the Cyclops, to show that I surpass the average human in courage and in strength.

TYLER V.O

The God looked quietly upon the sacrifice. He had not expected the man to give his family. The God knew what a heart of a true warrior must contain. He decided to grant this man’s wish, but leave the mortal with a lesson of war.

The Temple glows blue and the One looks up in awe but is struck back by a powerful force.

Fourth clip: The stones glittering in the night, one by one as they are described.

TYLER V.O

Mars forged four stones that he said were the necessary elements of every true warrior. Valiant crimson stone of soul, bravery and boldness, the root of true leadership. Clever cerulean stone of mind, cunning and skill, the root of true wisdom. Humble golden stone of heart, honor and loyalty, the root of true protection. And sly jade stone of power, strength and talent, the root of true mastery.

Fifth clip: The stones combined in the One. He raises, stunned, glowing with light as he flexes his fists. He cackles.

TYLER (Cont’d)

The One held the light of all four in his heart and for a moment, he felt pure power surging through his veins. But combination was not what the God had intended for the One...

The One’s eyes grow wide as we zoom in on his face. He is confused. He looks at his hands. They are burning. His eyes bulge as he looks up and falls, writhing.

TYLER

Indeed, the power was exactly what the One had wanted. To feel like more than a man. But he was, in the end, only a man. And such power was never meant to be possessed by a simple mortal.

The One looks up at the sky, we zoom in on his pupils which are swirling with colors– red, yellow, green and blue, until we zoom deeper and see a void of black and hear roaring all around like the earth is splitting in two and we can hear it screaming...

TYLER V.O as the screen is black and silent a moment.

He was the One. The only to possess the true meaning of power. It destroyed him...

Sixth Clip: A bright sunny day as we pan over a grassy knoll... And we see a roaring crowd gathered around an execution.

TYLER V.O

There was one who was a little more than human...

Seventh Clip: A burning cross in the darkness.

TYLER V.O.

He felt the weight of the stones and he knew what must be done to protect them.

Eighth Clip: Zoom in on a woman in blue, looking adoringly up.

TYLER V.O

Unto his mother, the gift of bloodstone.

The woman continues to gaze as we continue to zoom in on her face and she is illuminated with a red light and frozen in the space as the background disappears. She fades and the light is the last to leave. Back to the crowd, zoom in on a man standing separate from the crowd, watching on with an inscrutable expression but deep eyes.

TYLER V.O

Unto his betrayer, the gift of amber.

The man looks out as we zoom in on him and is illuminated by a golden light. He freezes and the background disappears. He fades and the light is the last to leave. Back to the crowd, zoom in on another man who holds his hand over his heart.

TYLER V.O

Unto his brother, the gift of azure.

The man looks on as we zoom in on him and is illuminated by a blue light. He freezes and the background disappears. He fades and the light is the last to leave. Back to the crowd, we zoom in on another woman who kneels, her eyes downcast, a redhead who hides her hair.

TYLER V.O

And unto his savior, the gift of jade.

She is the only to look up at the camera as she freezes and the background disappears as she is illuminated by a green light. It takes her longer to fade.

Ninth Clip: A man traversing the desert.

TYLER V.O

He knew that separating the stones was not enough. To prevent the stones from combination and chaos a Guardian was chosen to watch over the stones and make sure that those who seek power and destruction never came in possession of them. His name was Peter...

We are brought back to reality by a tap on the window and Tyler looks up, startled, to see Lisa, smiling and waving at him. He glares at her, turns the keys in his car, and drives away. All of a sudden, his car stops moving. Tyler stops, leans out the window and looks down at the wheels. The camera sees that while they continue to turn, the car has been levitated off the ground. Astonished, Tyler looks back at Lisa, who seems to be controlling the levitation with one hand, and waving at him again with the other. He rolls his eyes and pounds his head against the head rest.

13.INT. LOCAL RESTAURANT

Tyler is sitting at a booth across from Lisa and Mike.

TYLER

So I’m this Guardian guy.

LISA

Exactly.

TYLER

And Mars was real.

MIKE

Sort of. Kinda legend.

TYLER

So he wasn’t real.

LISA

You’d be surprised how many legends are true.

TYLER

So he was real.

MIKE

Who’s to say he no longer is?

TYLER

What?

LISA

Forget Roman Gods, kid, and focus on the now. Your house was blown up for a reason.

TYLER

Right. (a little accusingly) And you’re gonna tell me why that is, are you?

MIKE

You’re involved a serious battle now, Reed. A war that’s been going on for centuries.

TYLER

War. Centuries. What does this have to do with me again?

LISA

You’re this generation’s Guardian.

TYLER

And what do I do again?

MIKE (sighing)

Listen, Reed. Those stones, they exist, and as they get older, they only grow more powerful. If they could blow up a man from the inside out and destroy a temple 2000 years ago, what do you think they could do today?

TYLER

But no one knows about these things.

MIKE

Almost everyone in the demon world does. As does the odd greedy human who wants them to sell or to use. Demon bounty hunters–

TYLER

Like you.

MIKE

Yes, like me. We know what they are because that’s what everyone’s after.

TYLER

Uh huh... Demons are real.

LISA

Yes.

TYLER

And you are one.

LISA

Half-blood, thanks.

TYLER

And you’re, what, fifteen?

LISA

Twenty-One, you half-wit!

MIKE

Can we stay on task?

TYLER

You blew up my house.

MIKE

Didn’t do it.

LISA

We’re still working out who did. Hunters of the stone, no doubt. Probably Kreeches.

TYLER

And a Kreech is a demon.

LISA

Kreeches are these ugly little worm-like buggers about a few inches long. They wriggle their way into a host’s ear to control them with their huge amount of extra mental abilities. ESP stuff. They’re hard to find in their raw form, but very vulnerable.

MIKE

They feed on their host’s brain until lack of nourishment forces them out.

LISA

Except for this one Kreech we’ve been tracking.... She’s an odd one. She’s been a host for, what, twenty years did you say, Dad?

TYLER

Who’s who’s dad?

MIKE (smiling at Tyler)

We don’t like to identify with each other much.

LISA

Brooks is an alias. Real name’s Rivers.

TYLER (muttering)

Figures.

MIKE

Whoever it was probably wanted to kill you because they figured out you were the Guardian before we did. And there’s a period of time of about a year until the next Guardian is activated. They were hoping to buy more time.

LISA

Instead they just made themselves a new enemy.

TYLER

OK. So demons are real.

MIKE (growls)

I thought we went over this.

LISA

Like seven times.

MIKE

Demons is just a word us humans have given these creatures. Remember that. Darwin was right. As animals evolved, there were branches off of the human evolutionary track that led to grotesque anomalies with incredibly high intelligence. Not knowing how to deal with these deformed creatures, humanity shunned them, calling them “demons from hell,” captured in religious art and literature. I’m sure you’ve read Dante’s Inferno.

TYLER

Was that a movie?

LISA (to Tyler)

Never got it either.

MIKE (with a sigh, ignoring them)

But as mankind evolved into the techno‑man we are today, these creatures realized that they flourished best out of humanity’s way, because otherwise they were persecuted and hunted. The witch trials, vampire slayers...

LISA

Poor things, and all they wanted was to coexist.

MIKE

Eventually, living in the dark made these creatures evolve further. I don’t know the science behind it but in my opinion, the lack of light altered their brains, driving them to darker deeds as they lost most of what humans call morals or conscience. As they grew smarter, they saw humanity as growing weaker, and soon they want to walk into the light again and reclaim the earth. But to do so, they will need the grandest weapon ever invented– the Chaos Stones. And that’s where you come in, kid.

TYLER (Burying his head in his hands)

I could have been a cool CIA agent, but no, I’m a protector of a thing that destroys the world and I don’t know where it is. Damn my luck.

LISA

Believe me, you’ll be damning a lot more of that when we’re through with you.

Tyler stands up

TYLER

I don’t know who you guys are or where you’ve come from. But this is some elaborate story. I’m sure the police would love to hear it.

LISA

What???

TYLER

Leave me and my family alone.

Tyler throws on his jacket and leaves. Mike looks at Lisa, inscrutably. Her eyes are wide.

13.EXT. LOCAL RESTAURANT

LISA

Tyler, wait!

TYLER (opening his car door)

Leave me the hell alone!

LISA

I’m sorry!

Tyler stops, his back to her and his head bent.

TYLER

That’s the first time you’ve shown one ounce of sympathy.

LISA (with a sigh)

... You know, I have no idea what you could be going through. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my dad, but... You lost both. I’m sorry.

TYLER

You killed them.

LISA

That’s not true.

TYLER (turning around)

You told me they were in trouble. You come up with some complicated story about who blew up my house and why. And yet you haven’t shown me a shred of reliable evidence that you didn’t do it. Why the hell should I trust you???

LISA

I never knew my mother.

TYLER

And I’m not your frickin shrink. Find someone else to be your Guardian because I don’t want the job.

He turns back to his car.

LISA

I meant that you were lucky to have at least known yours. It’s been me and my dad for as long as I can remember. He won’t say a word about her except that she’s dead. And that she was a demon. And you know what, Tyler, yeah, there are times when I wished she was here. But she’s not. And I can’t change that. And you know, it hasn’t been so bad without her. I am sorry you lost your parents, I really am. But we can’t help you until you separate yourself from your emotions and look at this situation objectively. We want to be your family, Tyler, not your enemy. We would never do anything to hurt you. You have to believe that.

Angle change. View of Tyler’s eyes, cast downwards as we see Lisa over his shoulder.

TYLER

I had a family.

Tyler opens the door and gets into his car, driving off and leaving Lisa behind.

14.INT/EXT. Tyler’s car on a deserted suburban street.

Tyler is driving when his headlights show someone jumping in front of his car, a kid, Jim he knew from school. He gets out of his car.

TYLER

Whoa, Jim, I damned near hit you.

JIM (pulling out a chain)

I was hoping you would.

TYLER (looking at him confused, backing away)

Jim, man, you OK?

JIM

Never better.

TYLER

Is this about that time I stole your shorts in eighth grade gym and tossed them in the girls’ locker room? Because, um, I thought they were Shannon’s...

But Tyler can’t breathe as Jim knocks him off his feet and puts the chain to his throat. There is a struggle and a fight by the end of which Tyler breaks Jim’s neck.

Jim’s body falls to the ground and Tyler looks at it appalled. He takes a few steps back. He looks at his car, which still has the headlights on, shakes his head, and jumps into his car, taking off.

Camera lingers on the scene. We focus on Jim’s dead body, eyes open, as something appears to be happening in his head. Suddenly, we see a Kreech crawl out of his ear. It seems to weave in and out a bit on the street and then raises its head to look around. All of a sudden it’s squished by the toe of a red stiletto heal.

As we zoom out, we see the silhouette of the back of a lovely woman in a red evening gown. She laughs sinisterly.

15.INT/EXT. TYLER’S CAR OUTSIDE BAXTER MANSION

Tyler is inside his car, clutching the wheel with white knuckles and breathing heavily. Someone knocks at the window. Tyler screams. The other guy screams. Tyler screams again. The other person, Sean, yells words at him.

SEAN

Roll down your window!

Tyler, still breathing heavily, acquiesces. He looks at Sean with wide eyes.

TYLER

You’re here. I didn’t think you would be home. You’re supposed to be in Switzerland, aren’t you?

SEAN

Well my Dad called and told me what happened yesterday. So I said, forget it, I’m coming back to Seattle. I just stepped off the plane.

Tyler rakes his hand through his hair, obviously agitated. A long time friend, Sean knows there’s something more bothering him than just the death of his family.

SEAN

What’s wrong.

TYLER

Is that a question?

SEAN

No.

TYLER

I think I killed him, Sean.

SEAN

It wasn’t your fault. You weren’t there, you couldn’t have done anything—

TYLER

Not them. Him.

SEAN

… Who?

TYLER

Jim.

SEAN

Jim Marlowe? What did he do?

TYLER

I was on my way home—I mean, to the shelter… And he stopped me. In the middle of the street. He came after me with a chain and then… Sean, I think I broke his neck.

Sean jumps back.

SEAN

Well what did you go and do that for, Tyler?!?!

TYLER

I don’t know Sean!!! I think… I think there’s something wrong with me.

Sean forces himself to calm down, but is still shaken by Tyler’s confession. He opens the door to Tyler’s car, then backs away, as though almost afraid.

SEAN

Well come on out of there for starters. I’ll take you inside.

16.INT. SEAN’S ROOM

Tyler is sitting on Sean’s bed, visibly agitated. Sean is tossing a Koosh™ ball up and down.

SEAN

So do you believe this Mike guy?

TYLER

No, of course not, it’s absurd.

SEAN

Maybe he slipped something in your food at the restaurant and it made you flip out.

TYLER

Could be…

SEAN

Or maybe he’s right.

TYLER

Don’t be an idiot, Sean.

SEAN

Well, you did say that Jim attacked you for no good reason. It seems to me that someone seriously wants you dead.

TYLER

And it didn’t occur to you that now those same people are messing with my head?

SEAN

Well they don’t sound hostile.

TYLER

Sean, they said there are worms who eat people’s brains. How B-rated horror movie is that notion?

SEAN

Tyler, they said these things control people. It would explain Jim’s behavior. And how that girl lifted your jeep off the ground without even touching it.

TYLER

I didn’t think about that.

SEAN (stops tossing the Koosh ball and addresses Sean seriously)

And Tyler, if they’re telling the truth, it would mean you didn’t kill a person, you killed the thing controlling him.

TYLER
Oh hell, no, Sean, you’re just believing them because it means that I won’t be a killer!

SEAN

Isn’t that good enough reason?

TYLER

No! I… I have to take responsibility for what I did. He attacked me. He was choking me. I can get off with a self-defense plea, can’t I?

SEAN

Not likely. You snapped his neck. That’s not necessarily the first thing someone thinks about when they’re trying to subdue an attacker.

TYLER

Your dad wouldn’t—

SEAN

My dad would rip you to shreds if he believed you killed someone. Which is why it’s a good thing that you didn’t.

TYLER

That’s it. I’m surrounded by crazy people. How do I know they didn’t get to you too? If Kreeches are real I could be talking to one right now, couldn’t I?

SEAN

Oh my God Tyler, now you’re just being annoying.

TYLER

No, Sean, I’m being as rational as you are! It’s a possibility isn’t it?

Sean knocks on his head.

SEAN

See? Still as hollow as ever. No monsters in there.

TYLER

Like that’ll convince me.

SEAN (serious now)

Tyler, you listen to me. I’m your best friend. And I’m the best of best friends. I want to help you. I want to protect you. If you did kill someone, I will stay by your side no matter what. And if you’ve been pulled into a world where demons exist, well then that’ll be a relief to me considering the alternative. Mind-controlling worms are a lot less scary than lawyers.

TYLER

That sounds like the Sean I know.

SEAN

Damn right it does.

TYLER

You know I never believed in all that jazz. Abby was the one who went off on ghost hunts when we were little. Remember? We used to make so much fun of her.

SEAN

And yet I never could say Bloody Mary three times into a bathroom mirror.

TYLER

You’ve got to be kidding me.

SEAN

Dude, I made fun of Abby, sure! That didn’t mean I didn’t have my own superstitions.

TYLER

Oh my God.

SEAN

No, really, Tyler, hear me out. You’re saying that these people—this Mike guy—is telling you that demons are just a branch off the evolutionary track, well then whose to say they aren’t? Who is to say there wasn’t something… something else on this earth other than humans that evolved into complex beings? Why are we so arrogant to think we’re the only intelligent things on this planet?

TYLER

Because we are.

SEAN

Wrong. Because we never met our match. Maybe now we have.

There’s an odd, awkward quiet.

TYLER

So… What do we do now?

17.EXT. RICHARD KEMP’S PORCH

It’s pouring rain. Lucy Wells is a little wet as she seeks shelter under Richard’s leaking porch roof. She has been waiting there a long while. Soon, Tyler’s car drives up. It pulls up in front of the house and Tyler and Sean climb out.

LUCY

Thank God! Where have you been? Who is this?

TYLER

Sorry, Ms. Wells, this is my friend Sean—we got a little tied up. Mr. Lewis at the shelter told me you guys would be here.

LUCY
That’s right, I told him to send you over this way. When you weren’t there on time, I took Allyson on over. She’s inside with Richard right now, getting acquainted. I wanted to stay out here to make sure you found the right house. I mean, my God Tyler, it’s 8:30! I told you to be here at 7:00 sharp!

TYLER
I know, I know, Ms. Wells, but I don’t need another lecture. Why don’t you introduce me to my uncle?

LUCY (glares a moment)

Ugh, alright, come on in!

Lucy opens the door for Tyler. When Sean starts to follow, she stops him.

LUCY

Oh, I’m sorry, but this is a family matter.

SEAN

What am I supposed to do, wait out here in the rain?

LUCY

It’s Seattle. You oughta be used to it.

She walks in and slams the door in Sean’s face. He scoffs.

18.INT. RICHARD KEMP’S LIVING ROOM

Richard Kemp is sitting on the couch across from Allyson in the chair. He is a strong looking man, if a bit frazzled, in his forties with graying hair. He looks kind enough, though there are bags under his eyes. He looks up on Tyler and Lucy’s entrance and smiles, getting to his feet.

RICHARD

Ms. Wells… And is that really you, Tyler? Last I saw you, you were a foot high. Crazy how the times change, isn’t it?

TYLER

Where’s Aunt… Jenny?

RICHARD (stops a moment)

Oh, Judy… She passed.

ALLYSON (from the couch)

Passed what?

Richard looks at her surprised, but Lucy laughs it off nervously.

LUCY

Ahaha, kids, what are you going to do with them? Tyler, why don’t you have a seat.

Tyler sits next to Allyson on the couch. She immediately interweaves her fingers with his. He looks down, then up at her. Her eyes remain firmly on Richard. He smiles lightly and puts his other hand on top of hers. Her lips twitch.

LUCY (looking at her watch)

Well kids, I’m sorry, I would stay longer, had Tyler been on time… But Allyson and Richard, you two had a good conversation, I’m sure.

ALLYSON (mutter)

Yeah, for a mute.

LUCY (glares at her a minute)

I’ll give you three some time to work out everything. I’ll check up on you guys tomorrow. Bye.

Lucy leaves and Richard looks nervously from Allyson to Tyler.

RICHARD

Well… Shall I show you your rooms or something?

Tyler is on his feet.

TYLER

Actually, as awesome as that would be sir—er, Mr… Uncle Richard, I have some really urgent business with the, um, school that I have to do now or else I’ll get detention all day Saturday, so if you wouldn’t mind—

Allyson’s grip on Tyler’s hand tightens and makes him stop. The camera pans to show she is still holding onto him. He does not know what to say a moment and falters as she looks up at him.

TYLER

I’ll be back soon, Ally. I promise. (To Richard). Again, Uncle Richard, you’re awesome for doing this, taking in your stepbrothers kids like this. Um… Ally, be nice, I’ll be home in a bit, I have to do this.

Allyson’s grip slackens and her hand falls to her lap, admitting her defeat. Tyler nods at Richard.

TYLER

Thanks again, man. Really.

He hesitates a moment, then makes a hasty exit.

19.EXT. KEMP RESIDENCE

Tyler exits to see Sean on the porch, looking irritated, but he does not stop to talk. Sean follows him into the rain as he heads toward his car.

SEAN

Well, now what?

TYLER

I gotta get out of here, Sean.

SEAN

What? Now?

TYLER

I can’t stay here. Not after what I did.

SEAN

What are you gonna do, hop on a plane to Canada?

TYLER

Maybe.

SEAN

That’s bull.

TYLER

Do you have any other suggestions?

SEAN

Yeah. Talk to that Mike guy, figure it out.

TYLER
No thank you, I’ve dealt with enough weirdoes tonight.

Tyler gets into the car and Sean raps on the window. Tyler puts his key in the ignition. Sean shouts through the glass.

SEAN

You can’t run away from everything, Tyler, you always do this!

TYLER (to himself)

Shut up…

SEAN

Tyler!

Tyler starts to drive away and we’re left with Sean yelling after him.

SEAN

Tyler! TYLER! (Tyler is gone). Not even the courtesy to give me a ride home the ungrateful bastard.

20.INT. ABBY’S HOUSE

Abby is on the phone when there is a knock at the door. She goes to answer it to see a dripping wet Jordan with foggy glasses looking at her pitifully. She can’t help but chuckle as she lets him in. He is hugging a chemistry book to his chest.

ABBY (hanging up the phone)

And to what do I owe this visit?

JORDAN

I’m worried about Tyler. I wanted to talk to you about it. (Abby begins to speak, but is interrupted) Now don’t start— I know, we never talk anymore. But Abby, before there was you, there was the three of us. It was only in middle school when he became too cool to hang out with me… That doesn’t mean I can’t be worried about him. You might think it’s stupid, but I always wonder how things might have been like if I’d been just a little bit cooler, or… or if he’d been a little bit less. We used to camp outside in his backyard, just Tyler, Sean and I, telling ghost stories and making up constellations. Rachel—I mean, Mrs. Reed… When my mom died, I was over at Tyler’s house all the time but he didn’t know what to say. He was only eight. I barely knew what happened. So I spent the night one time and woke up crying. Mrs. Reed scooped me up in her arms and whispered in my hair and just rocked me back and forth. She sang to me. And afterwards, she gave me some hot chocolate. I still didn’t want to sleep. So she stayed up watching late night TV until I fell asleep on her lap. I woke up still in her arms the next morning. She didn’t leave me alone. (Silence. Abby does not know what to say.) She wasn’t my mother, Abby. But believe me when I tell you that I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to lose a woman like that.

ABBY (Blinks, as though coming out of a trance)

I, uh… I was just trying to-to call him. But his cell is off.

JORDAN (with a laugh)

Yeah, he hasn’t changed much. He always had an avoidant personality. Something happens, he doesn’t want to talk about it, doesn’t want to think about it. He just isolates himself from everything and hopes it goes away.

ABBY

His parents are dead, Jordan. His brother is dying. That’s not going to go away. (Picks up the phone again). No, no, I have to call him—

Jordan grabs the phone. Abby looks up at him.

JORDAN

Abby. Let him go for now. You can call him in the morning. Let him have this night to himself and his sister.

Abby nods, slowly, then hangs up the phone. She stares at it a moment.

ABBY

I just… I want to help him so badly… But Jordan. What do you say? Do you pretend everything is fine? Or would that offend him? Do you walk on egg shells around him? Or will that only make him feel alienated?

JORDAN

You do what he needs. He knows you’re here. He’ll call you when he needs to.

They share a moment. Then Abby frowns at him.

ABBY

What’s the chem. book for?

JORDAN

This? (Nervous laughter as he hands it to her). Just another excuse to come over here. (Abby takes it.) Tyler left it in lab today. I was going to give it to him when I noticed it had your name in it.

ABBY

Silly thing… He steals books from my locker whenever he forgets his, which is generally always… (She looks up). Do you think he’ll be the same now? That carefree, devil-may-care kid with his feet up on the cafeteria table? When I saw him today… He took off his glass, and Jordan I’ve never seen his eyes look so empty.

JORDAN

Thank you.

ABBY

I haven’t done anything.

JORDAN

Not yet. But you’ll do everything, say everything, be everything that Tyler would never have from me. Thanks for being his best friend.

ABBY

You are one incredible kid, Jordan.

JORDAN

Yeah. (A beat.) Some people think I’m gay.

They laugh. Abby kisses him on the cheek. Jordan stops laugh, caught by surprise.

ABBY

And others are glad you’re not.

21.INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Tyler watches his little brother, hooked up to tubes and isolated from everyone in a small plastic box. He has burns all over his body. Tyler is very tense as he watches his brother. A doctor approaches him.

DOCTOR

Mr. Reed… I’ve been meaning to talk to you.

Tyler does not say anything in reply as he watches his brother.

DOCTOR

You’re brother has suffered extreme burns all over his body. His survival defies all probability. He should have died in that fire along with your parents.

TYLER

How is he?

DOCTOR

That’s what I’m trying to talk to you about. See, something kept your brother alive. Maybe it was God or fate or just insane luck, but he was kept alive. Even if he were to ever recover, his scars would always heal and he already has intense brain damage. Mr. Reed, your brother is only being kept alive right now by the machines he’s attached to. The only thing keeping him here is minimal brain activity and his brave little heart.

TYLER

You want me to kill my baby brother.

DOCTOR

No… (He watches the baby as well)… No. He’ll die soon enough on his own. I don’t want you to get any false hope. It’s incredible he survived this long. Now, son… You and your sister have been through a terrible ordeal. Would you like to see a psychiatrist, it would be covered in your insurance—

TYLER (Beginning to cry)

He was just a little baby… Why would anyone want to kill a tiny little baby?

DOCTOR (gesturing)

Nurse?

TYLER (Controlling his sobs, sobering)

I just… don’t understand why this all happened. It doesn’t make any sense…

The doctor goes over to talk to the nurse. She looks at Tyler, and then leaves with the doctor. Tyler is left alone in the room. Camera focuses on his face as he continues, not noticing their departure.

TYLER (Swallowing his tears)

No. No. I’m not going to stand for this. (He wipes his eyes). I don’t have to take this. It doesn’t matter why. I don’t think I want to know. I just need to take Ally and get out of here. Get far, far away from here. Just me and Ally and the open road. (He laughs). Yeah. That’ll be it. It’ll be where we can find ourselves again. Where we’ll be a family again. (Tyler’s head turns to his left, but we don’t see what he’s looking at.) Just you, me and Ally.

RACHEL (O.S.)

I’m afraid that’s a trip I can’t go on.

Zoom out to show Rachel, dressed in the same clothes she burned in. She is standing right next to Tyler on his left. Her hand takes his and she interweaves her fingers with his. He looks down at their hands.

RACHEL

Feel familiar?

TYLER

Ally…

RACHEL

Tyler, baby. Your sister needs you more now than she ever has before.

TYLER (Fighting tears again)

I can’t do this, Mommy. I can’t, it’s too much.

Rachel takes him in her arms and strokes his hair soothingly.

RACHEL

Sh, sh, my darling. Yes you can. You have a responsibility now. You can’t shirk this one. It’s not as trivial as walking your dog.

TYLER

Oh Jesus, I didn’t even think of Max—

RACHEL

She’s not your dog, you know.

There’s a flash of Tyler’s face, and then of Allyson saying those same words earlier in the episode.

RACHEL

You’re expected to do great things. My son, the great protector. (She cups his face in her hands). Oh, and you will. You will. I can see it plainly in your eyes. This is a new beginning, Tyler. You must look after Allyson now. You have to protect her above all else. And Tyler… listen Mike.

TYLER

The crazy people?

RACHEL

They know about things you can’t even imagine. And while you’re protecting Allyson, they’ll be protecting you. You are a very special boy, Tyler.

TYLER

I don’t want to be special. I just want you back.

RACHEL

I’m not coming back, baby. But remember, Tyler, I love you so much.

TYLER

I love you, too...

MIKE

Wow, I’m flattered.

Angle change: Mike is behind Tyler. He turns. We zoom out to see Rachel is gone. Tyler looks away from them and back at Jason.

TYLER

What are you doing here?

MIKE

We knew you’d be here.

TYLER

I have nothing to say to you.

MIKE

But we have so much more to say to you. There is a reason that your brother survived. Lisa and I didn’t understand it anymore than the doctors. But then she ran a mystical diagnostic on him—

TYLER

You did what to Jason???

MIKE

Relax, we didn’t touch him. We just examined his energies. He didn’t even know we were there.

TYLER

Don’t you ever touch anyone in my family, do you hear me? Or I’ll kill you myself. Believe me.

MIKE

Oh, I do. By the way you snapped that kid’s neck in half, I’ll think twice about—

TYLER

How do you know about that?

MIKE

So I’m right. It was you… Lisa and I drove after you. But we lost track of you. We found his body on the street. There was blood leaking out of his ear. Not a normal thing for a clean neck break. A squished insect was next to his ear… There was only one logical explanation. Congratulations, you killed your first kreech.

TYLER

And what about Jim?

MIKE

Who?

TYLER
Jim. Jim Marlowe. The boy that thing was inside. I killed him too, didn’t I?

MIKE

Tyler, that boy was dead before you got there.

TYLER

I’m not a killer, Mike. I don’t want to do this.

MIKE

You have to.

TYLER

And if I refuse?

MIKE

It’s not a choice, kid. (He looks at Jason.) Your brother, Jason. He was protected by a force inside of him.

TYLER

Oh please.

MIKE

Your brother is the bearer of the Crimson Stone.

TYLER

What?!

MIKE

It went into defense mode, tried to save its vessel— but it could only do so much. It’s incredible, a Stone and a Guardian in the same family. You must have some strong genes.

TYLER

Yeah… Mike, I gotta go.

MIKE

Go where?

TYLER

Anywhere. Away from you. I don’t—I don’t want to go to jail. I don’t want to watch my baby brother die. I don’t want to stay here.

MIKE

You can’t go to jail for a crime you didn’t commit.

TYLER

What are you talking about? Look, even if you’re right, even if everything you say is right, that there are demons, that one killed Jim and that I killed it, do you think that’s what the police are going to see? No. They’re going to see a dead boy on the street with his neck snapped and my finger prints all over him. It’s an open and shut case, Mike.

MIKE

I know people in the force, Tyler, people who understand—

TYLER

And that’s supposed to make it all OK? What about his parents? Don’t they deserve to know what happened to their son?

MIKE

Tyler, I don’t know what to say, I’ve never been...

TYLER

Just don’t say anything. Don’t say anything to me ever again.

Tyler pushes his way past him and enters the hall. Startled, Lisa jumps, having been waiting by the door. Tyler pauses a moment to look at her. Their eyes meet. She opens her mouth to speak, but Tyler turns and leaves before she can. Mike exits into the hall and looks right, then left at Tyler’s retreating back. He looks at Lisa.

MIKE

I think he’s taking it rather well.

LISA

Like a bullet to the brain.

22. PIECE OF MY HEART MONTAGE

Lyric specific montage to Keri Noble’s “Piece Of My Heart”

Driving down the highway saying goodbye to it all

In between the blues and greens we're following the call

We start out in Tyler’s car as he grips the steering wheel and drives toward the mountain pass. His knuckles are white. There’s a bag in the seat next to him. On top of it is the teddy bear Allyson rescued.

That takes us so far away from summer's sunny days

You know I'm missing you already and I can still see your face

Abby is leaning on her windowsill looking out at the road at every passing car. She rolls her eyes and rakes her hands through her hair and shakes her head. She looks back at Jordan, who’s sitting awkwardly on her bed and smiles.

Sitting underneath the stars with a cold beer and old friends

Talking 'til the sun comes up and then we'd do it again

Sean is walking down a street, soaking wet and hands in his pockets. A car approaches. He sticks out his thumb, but he just gets splashed with water. He folds his arms for warmth and keeps walking.

Well you've become a part of me that I never want to lose

Until we come back together you know I'll be missing you

Allyson is sitting up in her new bed in her empty room, looking at the ceiling. She is mumbling something. The camera pans down to show her hands are clasped in prayer. A tear escapes her eye. She squeezes her eyes shut and begins to cry.

I can hear us laughing

I remember every part

I've got everything we ever did

It's tattooed on my heart

Lisa is in a bar and downs a shot of tequila. Pan out to see Mike beside her mimicking her. They exchange looks and smile. He puts his arm around her lovingly and laughs as she grins and pushes a twenty over to the bartender.

But there's a colder wind coming in

And blowing us apart

Until the summer brings us back,

You know you got a piece of my heart

Fade on sirens swarming the suburban scene. Cops stepping out of the car. Camera fixes on Callaway as he gets out to examine the body. Zoom out on the crime scene. End credits.