THE 5TH WAVE

Screenplay by
Susannah Grant

Based on the novel by Rick Yancey

Current revisions
by Akiva Goldsman & Jeff Pinkner

Previous revisions:
J Blakeson - September 7, 2014
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber - July 29, 2014
J Blakeson - July 6, 2014

Material Pictures
GK Films

October 18, 2014

INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - DUSK

Windows blown out. Racks overturned. Debris and graffiti
everywhere. No electricity - just a weird end-of-the-world
light spilling in from outside.
As TITLES BEGIN we SCAN over the wreckage. TRACKING along
devastated shelves of ransacked goods. We hear:
CASSIE (V.O.)
Aliens are stupid. Im not talking
real aliens -- Im talking about
the aliens in our heads. The ones
we made up.
We MOVE over broken glass, spilt food and scattered goods.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Starmen. E.T.s. Intergalactic
travelers.
We SKIM over brightly colored packaging, empty and torn. Once
tempting, now garish and ugly.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The kind of aliens wed like to
attack us...
We PUSH up the aisle toward the DOOR which is dangling off
the hinges, glass shattered.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The Others arent stupid.
TITLES END as a SILHOUETTE approaches the door.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The Others are so far ahead of us,
its like comparing the dumbest
human to the smartest dog. No
contest.
The door SQUEAKS open. TWO FEET in TRASHED RUNNING SHOES
ENTER, moving cautiously. CRUNCHING on broken glass.
CASSIE SULLIVAN is 16, wiry, taut. Her sweatshirt and
skinnies are beat-up. Her eyes dart around the store - on
high alert - almost feral in her defensiveness.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Truth is, once The Others found us,
we were toast.

2.
She goes straight to FOUR WATER BOTTLES on a shelf by the
window. She grabs one, opens it, slugs it down.
She shoves the other bottles into a BEAT-UP BACKPACK.
Personal touches hang off the zipper: a mini SOCCER BALL with
CASSIE on it; a FHS charm: Go Panthers!.
In the backpack: A TEDDY BEAR. Beat-up, like her.
She picks through the debris for salvageable supplies: a can
of sardines, a toothbrush, tampons, Slim Jims, a map.
BEHIND THE RANSACKED REGISTER, she finds a SPIRAL NOTEBOOK.
As she bends to pick it up, she shrugs so her M-4 assault
rifle doesnt slip off her shoulder.
She flips through the notebook. Brand new. A find. She adds
it to the backpack too.
Then she tenses, suddenly sensing: somethings here. She
listens. Then she HEARS, faintly: a VOICE, STRUGGLING.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The first rule of surviving the 4th
Wave... is don't trust anyone.
Pulse racing, she pulls the M-4 into position, disengages the
safety with a practised CLICK.
CASSIE (V.O.)
It doesn't matter what they look
like. The Others are very smart
about that -She listens, alert. Hears: a LABORED COUGH, MOANING. She
slips around a display rack. Sees a STOCKROOM DOOR. Scared,
she inches down the aisle. Nudges the door open with the M-4.
CASSIE (V.O.)
... okay, they're smart about
everything.
INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - STOCKROOM - CONTINUOUS
Cassie sees a BOY, 26, on the floor, slumped against a wall.
Gravely wounded, blood on his khakis. One hand buried inside
his shirt. The other pointing a Beretta straight at her.
WOUNDED BOY
Drop your weapon.
Like hell.

CASSIE

3.
A face-off. Neither moves. She can see his hand is shaking.
She stands her ground. Finally, his depletion wins out.
Energy sapped, he drops his gun. Holds up his hand: empty.
Okay.

WOUNDED BOY

He manages a half smile, his teeth bloody and red.

Your turn.

WOUNDED BOY (CONTD)

Cassie points her M-4 at the hand buried in his jacket.

Other one.

CASSIE

WOUNDED BOY
If I move this hand, Im afraid my
stomach will fall out.
Cassie sees the boys hand by the side of his body. He could
be telling the truth - holding in his guts. Or he could be
hiding a gun. She cant know.
WOUNDED BOY (CONTD)
I know youre human -CASSIE
How? How do you know?
WOUNDED BOY
Because if you were one of them you
would have shot me already.
Cassie considers that. Doesnt buy it.
CASSIE
I have to see your other hand.
WOUNDED BOY
I told youCASSIE
(VOICE CRACKING)
I have to see your other hand.
WOUNDED BOY
(loosing it)
Then youre just going to have to
shoot me, bitch. Shoot me and get
it over with!
Shes not budging. His head falls back against the wall.

4.
WOUNDED BOY (CONTD)
Okay, Ill show you. If I show you
will you help me?
Cassie gestures with her muzzle. Not taking his eyes off her,
he begins to move slowly, stunted light kissing his bloody
hand, flicking along the length of something long and metal
clutched thereHer gun BUCKLES as Cassie FIRES, emptying her clip into the
boy. She is SCREAMING as she SHOOTS but the SOUND is
disconnected now, as if her SCREAMS come from far away.
THE SCREEN GOES BLACK. Just her distant SCREAMS for a beat
leading to sudden silence and then:
CASSIE (V.O.)
In case you're an Other and you're
reading this... bite me.
MUSIC COMES UP: FAST, LOUD, ELECTRIC, DIRTY.
OMIT
A GIRLS HAND - CLOSE
Purple painted fingernails on a red plastic cup as it is
filled with beer from a keg.
CASSIE (V.O.)
I miss the Cassie I was.
WIDER
INT. LAKE HOUSE - NIGHT
Filling the second of her two cups amidst a room packed with
partying kids is Cassie. Same girl, same age - but cleareyed, optimistic. (OVER) The ELECTRIC MUSIC CONTINUES.
CASSIE
I miss the Cassie who was just
okay. Okay in looks. In sports.
Okay in school.
FAVOR CASSIE as she navigates through dancing teenagers. Too
many people for the space. No adult supervision. Fun.

5.
CASSIE (CONTD)
I miss the Cassie whose biggest
problems were her hair and the cute
boy who saw her every day and
didnt know she existed.
Cassie, managing not to spill her beers, squeezes past a
couple kissing wildly against the wall and out the door.
EXT. LAKE HOUSE - NIGHT
Cassie EMERGES onto the porch of the lake house, here too
spilling over with LAUGHING kids.
CASSIE
I wonder what that Cassie would
think of me...
Cassie takes a moment to look up at the sky full of stars.
CASSIE (CONTD)
The Cassie who kills.
LISBETH, best friend, joins, takes the other beer.
LIZBETH
Much obliged.
(off Cassies gaze)
Looking for your throne?
CASSIE
Its a chair.
LIZBETH
Well really its neither, its a
bunch of stars, so I prefer to
think of it as a throne.
CASSIE
Poseidon tied Cassiopeia to a chair
in the sky and cursed her to circle
the earth for all eternity.
LIZBETH
An arrangement that clearly
predates any kind of counseling.
CASSIE
Worse still. Half the time it hangs
upside down.

6.
LIZBETH
Your parents were in a bad mood the
day you were born, werent they?
CASSIE
I try to tell myself they were just
out of normal names at the
hospital.
The two girls exchange smiles. Some drunk shirtless boys are
doing flips off the dock. SPLASHING into the lake.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Looks fun. Think we should take our
tops off and join in?
LIZBETH
Certainly. You first.
They share a smile; not a chance. These are good girls.
CASSIE
(off her watch)
Sadly, curfew calls, my friend.
Lizbeth looks around again.
LIZBETH
He was supposed to be here.
Who?

CASSIE

Lisbeth shoots her a look.

LIZBETH
Why are the hot ones always so
unreliable?
CASSIE
What would I even say to him
anyway? He doesnt even know me.
LIZBETH
So what?! Youre a girl. Hes a
boy... Your parts go together-CASSIE
See you tomorrow, Lisbeth.
Cassie heads off, through the crowd of partying teens, all
LAUGHING and FLIRTING.

7.
CASSIE (V.O.)
My science teacher, Mr. Okun, used
to say that physical attraction was
just nature's way of inspiring
procreation.
Cassie heads around the SIDE OF THE HOUSE. Passes a couple
mashed up against the wall, making out.
CASSIE (V.O.)
That what we think of as
chemistry is really just a
biological imperative to maintain
the best possible gene pool.
Cassie emerges to the front lawn... and STOPS in her tracks.
Coming toward her, having just arrived at the party, is BEN
PARISH (18, boyishly handsome). No way to avoid him. But hes
looking down at his PHONE, maybe he wont see her. Then he
looks up. Cassies heart skips a beat.

Hey.

BEN
(smiles)

CASSIE (V.O.)
Mr. Okun never saw Ben Parish's
killer smile.
... Hi.

CASSIE

A million things suddenly run through Cassies head. But what

she says is:
CASSIE (CONTD)
Nice phone case.
BEN
(frowns)
Why...? You have something against
pink?
CASSIE
No, I- I like it.
A beat of awkwardness. Then Ben smiles again.
BEN
Im just kidding. Its my sisters.
I dropped her at a sleep over - she
took mine by mistake.

8.
CASSIE
(smiles)
Right.
BEN
Mines much cooler.
(wry)
Its Spiderman.
Cassie shows him her phone.
CASSIE
Polka dots.
He smiles. A moment. But its broken as his phone RINGS.
BEN
Thats her. She just realized, and
now shes having an actual heart
attack because I might be reading
her snapchats at this very moment.
(off the ringing phone)
They are pretty embarrassing.
CASSIE
(wincing)
Okay. Mortified on her behalf.
He flashes that impossible smile.
BEN
(into phone, as he goes)
Hey -He heads around the side of the house. Cassie deflates.
CASSIE
Nice phone case. Way to go, Cas.
INT. SULLIVAN HOUSE - FRONT HALLWAY -NIGHT
Dark. Quiet. Cassie uses her key to let herself inside.
INT. SULLIVAN HOUSE - PARENTS BEDROOM DOORWAY- NIGHT
Cassie crosses to the open door, smiles at her FATHER, awake
in bed, watching TV, her MOTHER asleep on a his chest.
He smiles back, returning the silent check-in. Reaches for
the remote to turn off the TV as Cassie heads towards...

9.
INT. - SAMS BEDROOM - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Cassie ENTERS, crosses to look in on her brother (SAM, 7)
sleeping in his bed, covers half kicked off.
Cassie pulls the sheets up over him, leans down and kisses
his head. Unexpectedly, his tiny arms encircle her neck.
SAM
(sleepy)
I love you, Cassie.
She lets him hold her tight a beat, closing her eyes at the
rush of sudden warmth, then eases him gently back to bed.
CASSIE
Love you too, Sams.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Why is it we never know what we
have until its gone?
OMITTED
EXT. SULLIVAN HOUSE - MORNING - WIDE ANGLE
The family spills out of the house. Mom (LISA, 40s, surgical
scrubs) heads to her car in the driveway as dad (OLIVER, 40s,
Math professor, weekend warrior) walks Sam to school and
Cassie races to Lizbeths car idling at the curb.
CASSIE (V.O.)
One thing nobody tells you.
INT. LISBETHS CAR - MOVING - DAY
Lizbeth CRANKS the MUSIC and pulls out as Cassie drops into
her seat, suburban Ohio spreading out before her.
CASSIE (V.O.)
You cant imagine the future.
EXT. FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL - ATHLETIC FIELDS - AFTERNOON
Cassie and Lizbeth, in soccer uniforms, head to the field.
The football team jogs by. Cassie sees Ben. He glances over,
LAUGHING at something, then jogs on. She isnt sure if he was
looking at her or not.

10.
CASSIE (V.O.)
When youre young, just about
everything feels like the end of
the world. An early curfew, a final
exam, the boy you like not knowing
you exist...
EXT. FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL - SOCCER FIELD - AFTERNOON
The soccer team is lined up, taking shots on goal. Lizbeth is
behind Cassie - glued to her phone. Cassie jogs to the ball
and shoots. The keeper stops it.
COACH
Sullivan, why not just tell her
where youre going to kick it?
Its Lizbeths turn, but shes still on her phone. To Cassie-LIZBETH
Hey, check it out, this is freaky COACH
(fed up with the phone)
Oh my God, Altschuler - thats it.
Youre done. Off the field.
LIZBETH
No, but look - its really weird COACH
Off. Goodbye. Adios.
Coach wins. Lizbeth heads off the field, glued to her phone.
Cassie jogs to the back of the line.
But now Cassie notices the CHEERLEADERS have stopped
practicing; theyre glued to their phones. Ditto a cluster of
STONERS. Even the FOOTBALL COACHES are staring at their
phones, looking concerned. Cassie turns to the girl ahead of
her, whos now on her phone too.
CASSIE
Did someone famous die or
something?
INT. SULLIVAN HOUSE - SAME AFTERNOON
The TV IS ON, jumping between channels - all showing a SERIES
OF BLURRY SATELLITE IMAGES: A LARGE GRAY/GREEN ORB, glowing,
smooth, seen from different angles. In one image: beyond the
orb: EARTH IS VISIBLE.

11.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Turns out, what we thought was the
end of the world, wasnt...
Cassies on the sofa next to Oliver, Sam on her lap, hugging
a teddy bear, all watching intently.
ON TV: the WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON is at a podium, flanked
by MILITARY COMMANDERS, SCIENTISTS.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Turns out, the end of the world is
the end of the world.
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON
At 1:07 AM, the Odyssey satellite
received images of an unfamiliar
object moving past Mars. At that
point the object began deceleratingThe front door flies open. LISA rushes in.
LISA
Did they say what it is?
CASSIE
Shh. Right now.
Sam jumps off Cassie, runs to Lisa. She scoops him up. They
all stare at the TV, incredulous.
ON TV: an insert: TIMES SQUARE, LIVE : everyone frozen, all
watching something: a Jumbotron, a phone, a TV in a window.
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON
Its appearance, and trajectory
suggest that this object is not
naturally occurring. That it was
made. By whom or what is one of the
many unknowns.
LISA
Wheres the president?
CASSIE
Probably in a bunker somewhere.
Cassies PHONE BUZZES. LIZBETH: r u watching? CASSIE: Y.
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON
What we do know is that it stopped
250 miles above the Earth and is
now orbiting our planet.

12.
BUZZ. LIZBETH: WTF????
Cassie looks up, reacting to the map on the TV SCREEN.
CASSIE
Its right here! Its over Ohio.
SAM
I want to see.
Among them, only Sam still lives in a world of magic. He
jumps down and runs for the door. Cassie follows.
LISA
Sam - wait EXT. THE SULLIVAN HOUSE - FRONT YARD - AFTERNOON

- CONTINUOUS

Sam pushes out, Cassie right behind him. Both look up.
Cassies eyes land on something. WIDEN in utter disbelief.
IN THE SKY: THE SHIP, a huge gray/green orb, high in the sky,
passing overhead at the speed of an airplane.
The immensity of the craft suddenly makes all this real.
Cassies expression darkens.
Dad...

CASSIE

OLIVER
Lets not get ahead of ourselves.
There are a lot of smart, highly
trained people handling this.
But as he slides his arm around Lisa in the open doorway, he
doesnt look entirely convinced.
OMIT
EXT. THE SULLIVAN HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY
Cassie and Oliver carry bags of groceries in from the car.
Sam walks head down, staring at Cassies iphone.
CASSIE (V.O.)
There were no messages from our
galactic party crashers during
those first ten days.

13.
SAM
Theyre over France.
CASSIE
Here, Sams. Lemme have that.
CASSIE (V.O.)
And no answer when we sent our
message. Something like: Hello,
welcome to Earth. Please dont kill
us.
(OVER) A door SLAMS. The family next door is packing their
van in a frenzied panic, bugging out.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Nobody knew what to do. Some people
spent their life savings. Some
people ran.
CASSIE
Where are they going?
OLIVER
Disneyland. They say they dont
feel safe so close to the city.
Cassie watches the family shove random items into their van.
CASSIE
Right. Theyd never dream of taking
out the Magic Kingdom.
CASSIE (V.O.)
But my family, like the vast
majority of people, just went about
our daily lives, waiting for the
aliens to say something...
INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY
Cassie, Lisbeth, JEREMY and JULIA (FRIENDS) sit around one of
many tables of kids consuming bagged lunches from home.
JULIA
(POPS a soda can)
My dad said all the beer is gone at
the Stop and Shop.
CASSIE
Quick. Its an alien apocalypse.
Grab the beer.

14.
LIZBETH
The silence is deafening. Did they
come billions of miles just to
stare at us? Its rude.
JULIA
We should nuke em out of the sky.
JASON
They could be here to liberate us,
you know? No more war. No more
hunger. The eradication of disease.
Cassie has begun pulling something up on her iphone.
JASON (CONTD)
This could be the next step in our
evolution.
Cassie holds up her iphone, PLAYS a YOU TUBE VIDEO.
YOUTUBE PHYSICIST
Im not encouraged by the silence.
I can think of no benign reason for
it. Im afraid we may expect
something closer to Christopher
Columbuss arrival in the Americas
than a scene from Close Encounters,
and we all know how that turned out
for the Native Americans.
Cassie deadpans as Julia shoots Jason a look.
JASON
A nuclear bomb wouldnt work in
space, anyway. No air to carry the
shock wave.
OMIT
INT. FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL - WORLD LITERATURE CLASS - DAY
Sparse. Cassies at a desk, freaked out. Fewer students. MS.
PAULSON refers to a CALCULUS problem on the smartboard.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Days passed. Life went on.
MS. PAULSON
Who can tell me the derivative of
x? ... Anyone?
(MORE)

15.
MS. PAULSON (CONT'D)
(off his raised hand)
Jeremy CASSIE (V.O.)
I dont know who came up with it,
but pretty soon they had a name. We
called them The Others.
JEREMY
Do you think The Others are here
because they need help?
Cassies phone BUZZES: LIZBETH: how many in ur class?
Cassie types back: 7. u?
LIZBETH: 4. look whos 1 of them. Then: a shot of THE BACK
OF BEN PARISHS HEAD. LIZBETH: will tell him yr avail for
end-of-world sex.
JEREMY (CONTD)
Like, you know, maybe they need
food or air orCASSIE: DONT YOU DA- Then HER PHONE GOES DEAD. The LIGHTS
GO OUT. The smartboard goes dark.
MS. PAULSON
Hm. Must be a power outage.
AROUND THE ROOM: other Kids look at their phones - also
suddenly dead - they tap them, trying to wake them up.
Then from outside: a CRUNCH of metal. The Students go to the
windows. Outside: CARS, suddenly without power, are losing
control, driving into light poles, T-boning each other.
JEREMY
Whats going on?
Then, a ROAR.
JEREMY (CONTD)
Holy shit He points. A HUGE JETLINER plummets from the sky. Students
SCREAM as the plane disappears behind the treeline. Then
KABOOM.
CASSIE (V.O.)
After ten days it seemed like the
Others had decided what to say:
A HUGE FIREBALL rises from behind the trees.

16.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Hey Earthlings! Lets get this
party started.
OMIT
INT. FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL - GYMNASIUM - DAY
Dark. Light filters in through windows. Students sit in the
bleachers, scared. Cassie is with Lizbeth, whos shaking,
pressing her dead phone.
CASSIE
Brilliant. Get us all in one place
so The Others dont have to waste a
lot of ammunition.
A MOTHER arrives. HER SON hurries over to her. As they EXIT
Cassie sees Oliver arriving. She hugs Lizbeth.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Ill text you when the phones come
back.
LIZBETH
What if they never come back?
Cassie realizes thats a distinct possibility. All they can
do is hug again. Then Cassie goes to Oliver. As they exit she
glances back once more. At Ben, sitting among a few of his
friends. Hes not looking back.
CASSIE (V.O.)
That was the last time I saw Ben
Parish. I guess hes dead now, like
everyone else in that room...
EXT. FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Oliver leads Cassie away. CAR WRECKS everywhere. People
running amok, terrified. Cassie stares CASSIE
A plane came down.
OLIVER
I know. They all did, I think.
CASSIE
How? What could do that?

17.
OLIVER
An electromagnetic pulse maybe.
Generate one large enough and you
knock out anything that uses
electricity. But could be something
else. Who knows what kind of
technology The Others have.
CASSIE
Do you think theres power in
Cleveland?
OLIVER
Honey, I dont think theres power
anywhere.
CASSIE (V.O.)
That was the 1st Wave...
INT. SULLIVAN HOUSE - BATHROOM - NIGHT
CASSIE (V.O.)
My dad figured it killed about half
a million people.
Cassie turns the faucet. Nothing comes out.
OMIT
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Cassie and Sam are filling water bottles at a stream. They
add them to a BIKE TRAILER full of firewood.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Half a million seemed like a lot...
A DOG runs by. Sam points at it. Smiles.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Until the 2nd Wave hit.
MORE DOGS tear by, sprinting. Then a LOW RUMBLE starts.
Cassie?

SAM

EVERYTHING STARTS TO SHAKE - BIRDS rise out of the woods in

unison. Trees whip from side to side. Branches rain down -

18.

Sams!

CASSIE

She shields him as branches crash down, barely missing them.

CASSIE (V.O.)
We live on a restless planet. Turns
out, causing an earthquake strong
enough to shake the whole planet is
easier than you think...
SAM
Cassie! Make it stop!
Cassie shields Sams eyes, tries to cover his ears.
CASSIE (V.O.)
You just zap all the fault lines let plate tectonics take it from
there...
EXT. PARK - LATER
All quiet now. Cassie leads Sam by the hand - shell-shocked past a DEMOLISHED PLAY STRUCTURE, crushed by a tree. Then a
WIND PICKS UP. Strong, swirling debris.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Once you get the whole planet
rocking and rolling, well..
Cassie notices the strange wind. Looks around - then sees
DISTANT TREETOPS leaning in their direction, in unison, as if
theyre being bent over by something.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The tsunamis are kinda inevitable.
Sam, up!

CASSIE

She grabs him in her arms and sprints away. A LOW ROAR
builds. She finds a HUGE OAK, pushes Sam up onto a branch CASSIE (CONTD)
Climb! DO IT!
She hoists herself up after him, then lifts him higher. Then
sees A SIX-FOOT WALL OF WATER plow through the trees,
carrying DEBRIS, BICYCLES, CARS She pins him to the tree. The water SLAMS into it. Sam
SCREAMS but the sound is drowned out by the ROARING -

19.
CASSIE (V.O.)
In Ohio, we only had the lake to
worry about. But by the oceans...
EXT. FLORIDA RESORT. - DAY
A GIGANTIC WALL OF WATER, slams into SKYSCRAPER HOTELS.
Toppling them like dominoes.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Different story.
EXT. LONDON. TOWER BRIDGE - MORNING
A huge wall of water consumes TOWER BRIDGE. Roars onwards.
OMIT
INT. MUMBAI GLASS OFFICE BUILDING - DAY
The buildings atrium is all glass. People run through,
panicking. A WOMAN is still in the chaos, staring is awe at-A WALL OF WATER that smashes into the glass. Breaks through.
Subsuming the atrium. Coming right for her and us-CASSIE (V.O.)
(wistful)
Good-bye Sydney. Good-bye
California. Houston, New Orleans,
Florida...
INT. CHINESE OFFICE TOWER. STAIRWELL - DUSK
Chinese people run desperately up an emergency staircase. As
they run, water floods the building from the ground up. The
water level chasing them higher. Picking them off, floor by
floor. The windows smashing in with water....
CASSIE (V.O.)
Japan, Hong Kong, London, Rome.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - DAY
A shell-shocked 16-YEAR-OLD KID, alone on the roof of a
SKYSCRAPER. All around him is water, with occasional rooftops
sticking out of it. But not another human in sight.

20.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Good-bye New York. I always thought
Id get to see you one day.
EXT. THE SULLIVANS NEIGHBORHOOD - MAGIC HOUR
Suburban disaster. Tangled power and phone lines. Fallen
trees. Houses buckled. Dazed RESIDENTS sift through debris.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The 1st Wave was over in seconds.
Cassie walks towards hers house, holding Sams hand. Theyre
muddied and drenched.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The 2nd Wave lasted a little
longer. About a day.
They near home and see OLIVER AND LISA racing out into the
street towards them; alive. They all hug, impossible relief.
CASSIE (V.O.)
And it killed 2 billion people.
EXT. BEDFORD, OHIO - DAY
A SINGLE BIRD pecks at something in the middle of the road.
Then suddenly, it flies up - scared off by:
CASSIE is on her bicycle. Her eyes dart around, take in her
surroundings: houses are BOARDED UP. Many have LARGE RED XS
painted on the doors.
CASSIE (V.O.)
The 3rd Wave lasted about twelve
weeks.
Cassie round a corner. A HUGE FLOCK OF BIRDS IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE ROAD flutter up around her.
FOLLOW the birds as they rise and join other HUGE FLOCKS.
SWIRLING CLOUDS OF THEM CASSIE (V.O.)
My mom said the avian flu was
already one of the most deadly
viruses on Earth.
- they swarm over AERIAL, ALMOST ABSTRACT, VIEWS OF...
A EUROPEAN PIAZZA packed with bodies, some moving, most not.

21.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Its incredibly difficult to fight.
ASIAN FIELDS the beautiful scenery lined with covered bodies.
CASSIE
Theres no vaccine and its
resistant to antiviral drugs.
A NORTH AFRICAN CITY its winding roads packed with bodies.
The SHIPS SHADOW creeps into view below covering the birds,
and below them, the dead and dying people, insignificant as
ants.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Whatever The Others did to modify
it made it unstoppable.
EXT. FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
Cassie cycles past the school. Debris. Broken windows. Police
with guns. She heads round the back towards...
EXT. FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL - FOOTBALL STADIUM - DAY
Cassie arrives on her bike. More Police now. And people
milling. She ditches her bike. Climbs steps. Heads through a
tunnel into the stands...
...where the camera rises to show us: A FRENZY OF DISASTER
MANAGEMENT. HUNDREDS OF ILL PATIENTS. GAS-MASKED COPS try to
keep some order. DOCTORS, NURSES and VOLUNTEERS, all wearing
SURGICAL MASKS AND GLOVES do triage. Signs point towards
SICK and QUARANTINED.
Theres a barriered walkway down the centre of the field
linking the stands. Cassie walks down it, across the field.
She scans the faces of the infected, all of whom have angrily
blood-shot eyes... then spots Lizbeth sitting, bored in the
QUARANTINED area. Cassie waves.
CASSIE
Hey Lizbeth! I brought you some
essentials.
She unpacks her backpack: magazines, nail polish, gum,
Starbursts. Puts them on the wall of the stands.
Cassie!

LISA

22.
They turn. Lisa is there, scrubs, mask, gloves. All you can
see is her eyes, horrified to see Cassie there.
This is the moment - Cassie seeing the terror in Lisas eyes when Cassie realizes just how immediate and dire the
situation really is.
LISA (CONTD)
What are you - shes quarantined.
CASSIE
Its okay, I didnt touch anyone.
Lisa looks from Cassie to Lizbeth and back, panicky.
LISA
Its not okay - its (to a hazmat-suit Cop)
Get her out of here. Now!
Cassie sees the fear in Lisas eyes. It scares her.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Some people were immune to the
virus. My Dad, Sammy and me.
CASSIE
Im sorry, I was just... saying hi LISA
You cant be here. I need you to go
home and take care of Sammy.
(to hazmat cop)
Take her away!
The COP herds Cassie away. Cassie looks back at Lizbeth Thank you!

LIZBETH

CASSIE (V.O.)
And a few got sick and somehow
recovered...
- until she cant see Lizbeth anymore.
A NURSE nearby zips a BODY BAG closed. That arrests her.
CASSIE (V.O.)
But most people didnt...
After Cassie is taken away, we cut CLOSE ON LISA. Close
enough to see the hints of blood flecking her eyes.

23.
EXT. SULLIVAN NEIGHBOURHOOD STREET - NIGHT
Cassie stands at the window, staring out onto the street,
alert, conscious of standing out of sight.
Outside a GANG OF MEN move up the block, predatory. Houses
are abandoned. The sky is lit orange by distant fires.
CASSIE (V.O.)
We waited out the third wave in our
house. Partly because there were
some pretty whacked out people
roaming the streets-Cassie crosses away from the window, sees Sam asleep on the
couch, touches his hair, then looks upstairs, face grim.
CASSIE (V.O.)
But mostly we stayed because dad
wouldnt leave mom.
INT. SULLIVAN HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Cassie stands in the doorway, watches her parents. Oliver
sits beside Lisa, holding her hand, cooling her head with a
wet towel from a bowl of cold water.
OLIVER
Heard another fighter plane today.
The way Lisa moves as she looks at him, its unlikely she
knows him anymore. Unlikely she knows much of anything.
OLIVER (CONTD)
(more lies)
Youre fevers down a bit.
She senses Sam at her side, clutching his bear, staring at
their mother. Cassie scoops him up, Oliver turning, he and
Cassie locking eyes, wordless, before she carries Sam away.
CASSIE (V.O.)
5 billion people died in the third
wave.
Cassie glances back over her shoulder to see Oliver again
leaning over his wife, WHISPERING as he cools her forehead.
EXT. SULLIVAN BACK YARD - DAY
ON CASSIE, grief-stricken. She looks down at a fresh grave.

24.
CASSIE (V.O.)
One of them was my mother.
She places a photo on the earth. It is of LISA.
CASSIE (V.O.)
I wish Id told her I loved her.
Just one more time.
Cassie and Oliver are shattered. Sam clings to Cassie.
CASSIE (V.O.)
I wish Id said a lot of things.
INT. THE SULLIVAN HOUSE - CASSIES ROOM - DAY
Cassie selects items from an array of possessions spread over
her bed. UNDERWEAR, DEODORANT, TAMPONS, SOCKS. 3 SPIRAL
NOTEBOOKS follow. Pens. She ponders her CELL PHONE.
All these are packed into that back pack, now still bright,
those personal touches, the mini SOCCER BALL with CASSIE on
it; a FHS charm: Go Panthers!, all still almost new.
Finally Cassie rifles through a Ziploc bag of PHOTOS: CASSIE
AND LIZBETH; SAM AND TEDDY BEAR; a yearbook shot of BEN
PARISH, a portrait of CASSIE, OLIVER AND LISA.
CASSIE (V.O.)
With mom gone, dad couldnt
convince himself it was safe to
stay anymore.
WIDER
Sam stands in the doorway, wide eyed, looking at her,
clutching BEAR. Hes got on his backpack - trying to be as
helpful as possible, shorts and a pair of crocs.
OMIT
EXT. SULLIVAN NEIGHBOURHOOD STREET - DAY
Unrecognizable. Garbage, cars shattered, houses looted.
CASSIE (V.O.)
He was a little late to the party.
Cassie, now wearing the sweatshirt and skinnies we met her
in, Oliver and Sam, in sneakers and long pants, make their
way out through the devastated neighbourhood.

25.
CASSIE
How do we know theres anyone even
at the Army Base at Wright
Patterson? How do we know theres
even still an army?
We dont.

OLIVER

He tries his best smile.

OLIVER (CONTD)
But we have to go somewhere.
Cassie can see how hard he is fighting to keep his grief from
turning him into a ghost.
Look--

SAM

Sam runs a few paces ahead. Grabs a charred red wagon with
three wheels, which he begins to tow with determination.
CASSIE
(off the wreckage)
Why dont they just get it over
with. What do they want?
OLIVER
I think the better question is what
do they need? Theyre being very
careful, you know?
Careful?

CASSIE

OLIVER
Not to damage it more than
absolutely necessary.
What?
The Earth.

CASSIE
OLIVER

She lets that sink in.

OLIVER (CONTD)
Its the reason theyre here,
Cassie. They need the Earth.
CASSIE
But not us.

26.
OLIVER
No. Not us.
PULL BACK AND UP over this tiny family walking down the
street, leaving the remains of their world behind.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Cassie, Oliver and Sam make their way through the woods.
Oliver checks his compass. Re-directs, through brambles.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Oliver, Cassie and Sam hiking. Cassie hears A TWIG SNAP.
Grabs Olivers arm.
Daddy-

SAM

Oliver clamps a hand over his mouth.

Shh.

OLIVER

ANOTHER SNAP. Then RUSTLING from behind. And to their right,

their left. Theyre being circled. They huddle, eyes darting,
pulses racing. The RUSTLING GETS LOUDER, closing in - until SEVEN ARMED MEN (dark clothes, dark glasses, dark everything)
appear from behind trees and surround them, weapons drawn.
Sam clings to Oliver, scared. The one in charge, HUTCHFIELD
(oozes competence) steps up.
HUTCHFIELD
Who are you? Where are you from?
OLIVER
Oliver Sullivan. Were from Bedford
-Hutchfield nods to his cohorts. They move in on Cassie,
Oliver and Sam, pat them down. Search their backpacks.
OLIVER (CONTD)
Hey! Get your hands off my kids!
One man find Olivers knife.
ARMED MAN
Just a bowie. Theyre clean.

27.
OLIVER
Who the hell are you people?
HUTCHFIELD
Sorry bout that. Cant be too
careful these days. Folks are
getting desperate. Alone and hungry
enough, turns out we stop acting
very human.
(deadpan)
Even here in Ohio.
He nods and the Armed Man hands Oliver back his knife.
HUTCHFIELD (CONTD)
Names Hutchfield.
He extends his hand. Oliver takes it.
OLIVER
What are you, some sort of
resistance?
HUTCHFIELD
Well if by resistance you mean
saying alive?
Hutchfield offers a wry smile.
HUTCHFIELD (CONTD)
Then sure. Hell yeah.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Cassie, Sam and Oliver follow Hutchfield and his men through
thick forest, ducking into a hidden clearing TO REVEAL...
THE REFUGEE CAMP
An old scout camp. Makeshift buildings and tents surround
decaying cabins. ROUGHLY 300 PEOPLE circulate.
HUTCHFIELD
We were all headed to Wright
Patterson, like you. But, truth is,
we dont really know if the base
even survived. This place had
crops, fresh water, shelter. Tom
theres a cop, Drews a fireman,
Im Marine Reserves. Thats Mess
over there. Bunk house. Infirmary.
Depot. Farm. Latrine.
(MORE)

28.
HUTCHFIELD (CONT'D)
And just in case The Others decide
to decamp from their ship, at least
we can put up a fight...
He slides a METAL DOOR open, revealing a CACHE OF WEAPONS AND
AMMO. Guns, bats, blades, even improvised weapons. Oliver,
Cassie and Sam look in at the make shift armory.
OMITTED
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - EVENING
ARMED GUARDS patrol the perimeter.
Cassie stands with Sam as he and the rest of the younger kids
line up to brush their teeth over a hand pumped sink.
A HAND touches Cassies arm: Oliver. He motions sh. Pulls
her around the side of a cabin.
OMIT
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP. BEHIND A CABIN - NIGHT
Oliver pulls Cassie to where no one can see them. Takes out a
LUGER HANDGUN. Demonstrates:
OLIVER
This is how you unlock the safety.
Heres how you switch out a clip.
Can you remember that?
Cassie looks at the gun, more unsettled than comforted by it.
OLIVER (CONTD)
Youre gonna keep this on you at
all times. You wont tell anyone
you have it. And you only use it if
its life or death. Got it?
She stares a moment more. Then nods. He hands it to her. Her
hand is shaking. She tests its weight.
CASSIE
I need to get back to Sam.
OLIVER
Hide it, Cas.
She tucks the gun in her waistband, in back. He nods: good.

29.
CASSIE
Arent we safe here?
Olivers sad smile is philosophical.
OLIVER
Cassie, you know how you know the
enemy? Its the person shooting at
you.
INT. REFUGEE CAMP - BUNKHOUSE - NIGHT
Cassie sits on the top bunk, writing in her journal.
SAM (OVER)
Mommy?
(louder)
MOMMA?
Cassie drops to the floor to find Sam sitting up in the
corner of his lower bunk, half awake.
CASSIE
Its okay, Sammy.
She crawls onto the bed with him, wrapping her arms around
the shivering boy, waking from awful dream to worse reality.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Im here. Im right here.
SAM
If the aliens come back, Im going
to kill them.
He stares up at her with small, fierce eyes, trembling lips.
SAM (CONTD)
For killing mommy.
CASSIE
Hey. You dont have to be brave,
okay? Thats my job. Ill be brave.
You be seven.
She folds him into her shoulder, Sam WHISPERING WORDS she
cant make out.
CASSIE (CONTD)
What, baby?
SAM
I want to be brave.

30.
And as Sam begins to silently SOB Cassie begins SOFTLY
SINGING to him, Dont Panic by Coldplay:
CASSIE
We live in a beautiful world...
Yeah we do, yeah we do... We live
in a beautiful world...
Sam closes his eyes. Cassie continues to SING, for him, and,
maybe, to keep her own heart from breaking like glass.
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - FARM FIELD - DAY
Cassie and Sam are picking vegetables with the younger KIDS
in a field kissed by dappled sun.
A few BOYS and GIRLS break into an impromptu game of tag,
SCREAMING with LAUGHTER. Cassie smiles. Humanity abides.
She back looks at her brother, tiny, serious farmer.
Sammy?

CASSIE

He looks up. She has a bean coming out of each ear. He grins.
What?

CASSIE (CONTD)

Sam LAUGHS.
Your ears!

SAM

CASSIE
What? Sorry - I cant hear you -She holds her hand to her nose, SNEEZES out a bean.
CASSIE (CONTD)
(off the bean)
Now that cant be good-Sam CRACKS UP, delighted.
WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP.
All the kids look up - a HUGE UNMARKED BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER
swoops above them, low enough to shake the trees, than hurls
back upwards into the sky and away. All the kids just stare.

31.
EXT. THE CAMP -

DAY - MOMENTS LATER

Cassie holds Sams hand, leading him urgently through the

hive of activity. BUZZING QUESTIONS, obvious EXCITEMENT in
some, FEAR in others.
Oliver stands with a group of MEN and WOMEN at the Armory,
facing Hutchfield who is distributing weapons.
Dad-

CASSIE

Hutchfield touches the binoculars hanging from his neck.

HUTCHFIELD
Ill say again. It sure looked like
one of our birds - but I couldnt
tell who was flying it. Now Wright
Patterson was built to withstand a
nuclear attack so maybe--(OVER) THE SOUND OF RUMBLING ENGINES. Down the track, we see
DUST CLOUDING. Kicked up by something coming.
HUTCHFIELD (CONTD)
Fan out, now. Take cover.
Oliver grabs Cassie and Sam, pulls them behind a tool shed as
unarmed adults shelter children, those with guns taking
firing positions behind any structure close at hand.
All guns are trained on the coming dust clouds. People hold
bats, knives. Cassie puts Sam behind her, shakily pulls her
own gun. After so much loss, everyone ready to take a stand.
The ROARING dust cloud rages towards them and then, visible
through the dirty air, SILHOUETTES appear.
A covered Jeep GROWLS into the camp. A HUMVEE, tricked out
with a MACHINE GUN TURRET. Followed by MORE HUMVEES, JEEPS
and TWO YELLOW SCHOOL BUSES.
Cassie and Oliver exchange a look: school busses?
All the vehicles stop, the swirling dust now clearing, an
endless, tense moment before the doors open and out pour...
... U.S. SOLDIERS.
Folks stare, eyes wide in disbelief, lowering their weapons.
HUTCHFIELD (CONTD)
Well aint it the damned calvary?

32.
SAM
(nervous)
Dad - ?
Oliver glances down at his son, finally smiles.
OLIVER
Its the good guys.
A SENIOR OFFICER climbs out of a covered Jeep. Tall,
handsome, relaxed demeanor. COLONEL VOSCH (47, kind eyes). He
stretches, looks around, lifts a BULLHORN.
VOSCH
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HELLO, I AM
COLONEL VOSCH OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMY. MY MEN AND I ARE FROM THE
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR BASE. WERE
HERE TO RESCUE YOU.
The wave of relief and CHEERS spills over the camp. Joyous
tears! People hug each other. Saved.
Cassie and Sam watch Hutchfield approach Vosch and salute.
Vosch returns the gesture, crisp as a starched shirt.
HUTCHFIELD
Sergeant Daniel Hutchfield, sir.
Marines Corps Reserve.
VOSCH
Sergeant.
(looking around)
Looks like youve run a tight ship
in hard times.
(SLAPS his shoulder)
Good job.
SAM (OVER)
Are you killing them?
All eyes turn towards Sam who has slipped out from behind
Cassie and taken a step forward, towards Vosch and his men.
Sam-

OLIVER

VOSCH
(to Oliver)
Its okay.
SAM
Are you going to kill the aliens?

33.
Vosch looks at this little boy, standing up so straight.
SAM (CONTD)
They killed everyone. Are you going
to kill them all back.
Cassie comes up behind him, puts her hand on her brothers
shoulder.
CASSIE
Hes been having a hard-But Vosch has already moved forward to meet Sam, the officer
now down on his haunches. He looks Sam in the eyes.
VOSCH
Thats the plan, little soldier.
Kill them all.
Sam nods approvingly.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Thats the plan.
Vosch stands, looks down from this brave little boy to the
rag tag survivors staring back at him, eyes full of hope.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Lets get you people out of here.
OMIT
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - LATER

- HIGH ANGLE

An evacuation in progress. People move in groups, clutching

belongings, each other, shepherded by uniformed soldiers.
BULLHORN (OVER)
Adults please move to the mess hall
for a briefing. Children please
move to the busses for transport.
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - NEW ANGLE - CONTINUOUS
Cassie stands amidst the chaos of this post-modern Ellis
Island, wearing her back pack, adjusting Sams.
You too --

CASSIE

34.
She smiles at her dad, cinches his straps. She looks past him
as groups of kids are being led onto the school buses.
ANOTHER SOLDIER (PARKER on his uniform) blocks her view,
looks up at Oliver.
PARKER
Sir, may I escort your children to
one of the busses?
CASSIE
Why are they splitting us up?
OLIVER
These are my kids, son. We stay
together.
PARKER
Sir, my orders are to get just the
kids onto the bus OLIVER
Dont care much about your ordersVOICE (OVER)
Thank you, Soldier.
Gently dismissed by the arriving officer: Vosch.
VOSCH
Ive got this.
PARKER
(moving off)
Yes, sir.
Vosch looks at Oliver, at Cassie, gives a small nod to Sam.
VOSCH
See that fellow handing out water
over there.
He points to a MAN distributing water bottles.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Mind running over and getting me
one? You tell him the Colonel is
parched.
He is talking to Sam but the question is really to Oliver.
Dad..?

SAM

35.
OLIVER
Just stay where I can see you.
Sam runs off. Vosch nods, now able to speak freely.
VOSCH
Of course you can keep them with
you if you like. But I wouldnt.
Why not?

CASSIE

OLIVER
If youre coming back for another
trip, why shouldnt they wait?
VOSCH
Weve found bodies. Killed by
snipers. Still had food,
provisions. We think its The
Others.
CASSIE
Theyre here? Off the ship?
VOSCH
Theyre picking off survivors, one
by one. Finishing the job.
Vosch looks at the busses.
VOSCH (CONTD)
This is all the working transpo we
have, so were doing it in shifts starting with the kids.
Hes calm. Taking time to explain. Oliver weighs.
OLIVER
And the buses are coming back for
us today?
Dad, no --

CASSIE

VOSCH
Right away. This afternoon.
Thats when Sam returns, hands Vosch a beading bottle of
water which he drains eagerly. He really was thirsty.

36.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Keep your own council.
(to Sam)
Much obliged.
Vosch heads off. Cassie looks at her father.
CASSIE
(reading his mind)
Just because some guy in a uniform-OLIVER
(picking up Sam)
Ill be right behind you two. Well
all be together by dinner time.
CASSIE
We cant split up.
OLIVER
Theyre the Army, Cas. Our army.
Oliver lifts Sam, making a conscious choice to be confident -knowing any wavering will only make this harder for everyone.
OLIVER (CONTD)
Its fine. Its going to be okay.
Oliver gives Sam a kiss, sets him down. He hugs Cassie.
OLIVER (CONTD)
I love you.
Please--

CASSIE

OLIVER
Go. Take care of Sam. Ill be with
you before you know it.
He kisses her, then turns and heads towards the mess hall,
falling into the flow of the other adults.
Cassie watches him go. Then, conflicted, she takes Sams hand
and, with a last look over her shoulder, heads to the bus.
INT. SCHOOL BUS - DAY
Mayhem: kids settling. A feral-looking WILD-EYED BOY, 12, is
trying to get off. Parker struggles to keep him in her seat.
PARKER
Hey, its okay - settle down -

37.
Cassie and Sam ease into back row of the bus. Suddenly Sams
body tenses and he tries to back climb out over her.
CASSIE
What is it - ?
SAM
Bear!! Cassie, I forgot Bear!
Sam -

CASSIE

SAM
I cant go without bear!!
CASSIE
Its okay-SAM
I cant. I cant go without him.
Cassie looks at her brother, wild eyed. Could a stuffed bear
be the last emotional straw, one loss too many?
CASSIE
Okay. Ill get him. Its okay.
She stands.
Cassie --

SAM

CASSIE
Ill be right back.
SAM
Promise -- ?
CASSIE
Sam, Ill be right back. I promise.
He nods: okay. Quickly, Cassie moves down the aisle...
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - CONTINUOUS
Cassie hurries towards the bunk house, fast as she can -INT. REFUGEE CAMP - BUNKHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Cassie combs through the mess thats left. Finally, she spots
Bear. She grabs it - then hears - Oh, shit - THE BUS ENGINES.

38.
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - CONTINUOUS
Cassie sprints out of the bunkhouse, Bear in hand. She sees
the school buses pulling out of the clearing.
NO! WAIT!

CASSIE

Cassie chases the buses through the woods. She sees, in the
back window - SAM, looking out at her, scared.
CASSIE (CONTD)
WAIT! STOP!
She runs as fast as she can, but the buses pull away. Too far
for her to catch - then too far for her to see - then gone.
She pulls up, PANTING. Staring after them - in horrified
disbelief.
INT. REFUGEE CAMP - MESS BUILDING - DAY
Noisy. Anxious. Oliver is with Hutchfield and the Adults. The
Soldiers have grouped them on one side of the room. Vosch
raises his hands -VOSCH
If you could all... quiet down,
please -The room settles. Vosch looks around. Knows this is going to
cause a panic.
VOSCH (CONTD)
I cant imagine what youve all
been through... And I know... what
Im about to say is going to be
upsetting to hear.
A tense silence ripples among the adults. Olivers eyes
narrow in concern.
VOSCH (CONTD)
We believe that The Others have
been moving among us. That theyve
somehow been able to infest some
of us -- at least, thats what
were calling it. Were not sure
how... or for how long... but we
know the infested have been roaming
about, killing off survivors,
performing acts of sabotage --

39.
A VOICE cuts through the sudden NERVOUS MURMURS -CONFUSED MAN
Wait, Im-- What youre saying: The
Others are passing themselves
off...what? As humans?
VOSCH
... Thats right. Using the ratio
of infested to clean weve
discovered so far, we estimate one
out of every three hundred
surviving human beings on Earth is
now one of them.
(then)
This is the 4th Wave.
Bullshit!

CONFUSED MAN

EXT. MESS HALL - CONTINUOUS

Cassie, clutching bear, is walking back towards the mess hall
when she hears SHOUTING. Instinctively, she stops.
CONFUSED MAN (OVER)
That is BULLSHIT!
She steps back, looks through the open slats of the building
to see refugees and soldiers -- the TENSION unmistakable -VOSCH
All right, lets all just relax -Looking through the slats, Cassie spots her father in the
crowd, both impossibly close and impossibly far away.
INT. REFUGEE CAMP - MESS BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Vosch and the soldiers try to contain the ACUTE TENSION in
the room -VOSCH
If youll quiet down I can -HUTCHFIELD
Wait. Youre saying they may be
here... The Others, here -- in this
room-VOSCH
... Yes... We believe so.

40.
The implications of that LAND. People looking nervously at
their neighbors.
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - CONTINUOUS
Oliver, impossibly, senses Cassie, turns, and the two lock
eyes. His look, his hand gesture says simply: stay there.
VOSCH
Listen, theres a lot we still
dont know... we can detect the
aliens in children, but not in
adults, not yet-Oliver has begun edging around the back of the room, towards
Cassie. He stands now with his back to her, drops his hand.
CASSIE
(whisper)
DaddyVOSCH
So were forced to put you all in
quarantine.
His fingers extend through the slats. She touches them.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Hopefully not for long. Certainly
not permanently. Just long enough
to cull blended from innocent -No!

ARMED MAN

The Armed Man (who took Olivers knife when they arrived at
camp) pulls a GUN from the back of his pants.
Oliver turns to face his daughter, eyes connecting through
the slats, desperate contact.
Go.

OLIVER

As one, the soldiers have raised their rifles, leveled them

on the Armed Man. People in the crowd GASP, back away.
ARMED MAN
Youre not putting me in
quarantine! Im not an Other!
BANG!

41.
Hard to see who SHOOTS FIRST. The room ERUPTS with GUNFIRE.
Run-

OLIVER

Oliver flies hard into the wall, body now going limp, even
through the slats, obscuring Cassies view.
She stumbles backward -- SLAMS into a tree, dropping bear -GUNFIRE subsiding -- Cassie on her knees, trying to BREATHE.
OMITTED
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - MESS BUILDING - DAY
SEEN FROM A SHORT DISTANCE - Vosch emerges from the building,
followed by several soldiers. He shakes his head in dismay.
Says something to the Young Soldier beside him - then,
sensing something, he turns toward us -... but all he sees is a forgotten stuffed bear, laying on
the ground. His eyes narrow a moment then he sighs in regret.
He and the soldiers climb into their vehicles, kicking up
dirt clouds as they DRIVE away.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL
Cassie, behind a tree, watching as the soldiers disappear.
She emerges from her hiding place, picks up bear.
INT. REFUGEE CAMP - MESS BUILDING - DAY
Cassie ENTERS, bear in her arms. What she sees stops her in
her tracks -CASSIE (V.O.)
He was lucky, my dad. All of us
were. Luck had carried us through
the first three waves.
The room is littered with bodies. Several soldiers, and the
refugees lay dead and scattered on the floor.
CASSIE (V.O.)
But even the best gambler will tell
you that luck only lasts so long.
And among the dead... is her father. Cassie just stares,
overwhelmed. Tears fill her eyes...

42.
CASSIE (V.O.)
He didnt know his luck had run
out. No one could know that.
But tears dont fall. If she breaks here, she wont recover.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Still, I think he knew in the end
it wouldnt be the lucky ones left
standing.
Her eyes set. Her back stiffens. She bends down to one of the
dead soldiers. Takes his M-4.
CASSIE (V.O.)
It would be the hard core. The ones
who tell lady luck to go screw
herself. The ones with hearts of
stone.
She stands, without looking back heads out of the building.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Otherwise youre just a corpse
waiting to happen. But thats not
me. I have other plans. Ive got a
promise to keep.
Cassie vanishes into the forest.
OMITTED
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
Cassie moves through the woods. She stumbles, falls. Picks
herself up, Keeps going.
CASSIE (V.O.)
I know where I have to go. I just
need a plan.
She crawls under a rock shelf, shivering, terrified. She
glances at her hoodie. Its a bright color. She rubs dirt
onto it, to camouflage it better.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Like I said, I made a promise.
She grabs her rifle, looks around to make sure its safe,
then keeps moving.

43.
EXT. WOODS - DUSK
Cassie has cleared leaves and brush, opened her sleeping bag
and made a tiny, make shift camp.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Its all I know now, that promise.
All I am.
Shes emptied her back pack: First Aid kit. Flashlight,
underwear and deodorant, plastic bag of photos.
CASSIE
Its the kind of promise you dont
break. Because if you break it,
youve broken part of yourself.
Cassie sits writing the WORDS WE HEAR in her journal.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Maybe the most important part.
She unwraps and devours her last Starburst.
CASSIE (V.O.)
I would kill for a cheeseburger.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
By moonlight, she uses her pocket knife to draw a map in the
earth.
CASSIE
I know Wright Patterson is East.
Stares up at the stars.
CASSIE (V.O.)
And my namesake is reliably where
she should be.
She looks up, then draws an arrow and a big N in the earth.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Its so quiet I think I can hear
the stars scraping across the sky.
She draws an arrow East and writes W-P BASE.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Funny how the stars used to comfort
me.

44.
Cassie looks up again. Her loneliness and the sheer horror of
her situation grows ever more apparent in the darkness, the
silence.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Not any more.
Suddenly, A NOISE. Cassie freezes, she grabs the M-4, aims it
into the woods. Heart pounding. Eyes searching. She waits.
Then, in front of her gun, the branches part...
And a HORSE steps into the clearing. Sleek and beautiful,
steam rising from its nostrils in the cold night air.
Cassie lowers her gun, stunned by its beauty.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Im coming, Sammy.
INT. SCHOOL BUS - MOVING - MORNING
Kids doze as the bus RUMBLES along. Sam is awake, staring out
the back windows, more busses having joined the caravan.
VOICE (OVER)
Good morning.
Sam turns. At the front, that soldier, PARKER, stands.
PARKER
I know its been a long ride but
were almost there.
He smiles at the kids.
PARKER (CONTD)
Im sure youre tired and hungry
and maybe a little scared... But
were gonna keep you safe now.
ANOTHER SOLDIER comes down the aisle wearing a TECHY HEADBAND
with a LENS that drops over one eye. He looks at each kid,
then marks their hand with a small STAMP.
PARKER (CONTD)
To help us do that we have two
rules. When we get to the base
youre going to be organized
according to the color were giving
you, so rule number one: remember
your colors.

45.
The soldier with the stamp pad reaches Sam.
PARKER (CONTD)
Rule number two. Two words: Listen
and Follow. All instructions, right
away, no questions.
SOLDIER
So, youre the famous Sam, huh?
I guess.

SAM

SOLDIER
The Colonel said to look for you.
He stamps Sams hand with a RED SMILEY FACE.
PARKER
Any questions?
The kid across the aisle from Sam MUTTERS something. Its the
wild-eyed boy who was struggling before. CHRIS.
scuse me?

PARKER (CONTD)

CHRIS
You said no questions. Then you
asked if we had any questions. So
which is it?
PARKER
(beat, small smile)
Suppose I did.
The soldier with the stamp pad and Parker exchange a look.
Then he stamps the boys wrist with a GREEN SMILEY FACE.
CHRIS
How come hes red and Im green?
EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - NIGHT
FLOOD LIGHTS. TANKS, HUMVEES, circle. HELICOPTERS hover. The
school buses, now a fleet of 8, approach the well lit base.
INT. SCHOOL BUS - CONTINUOUS
Kids peer out the windows as the bus pulls onto the LIT UP
Base. Busy with activity. SOLDIERS everywhere.

46.
EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE

- HANGARS AREA - NIGHT

The BUSES pull up by a row of humvees and a PHALANX OF

SOLDIERS. We see LARGE RED CIRCLES PAINTED ON THE GROUND.
Huge lights flood the area. A SOLDIER gets on each bus.
INT. SCHOOL BUS - NIGHT
The Soldier who gets on Sams bus is large and friendly.
MAJOR BOB
Hi, kids. Im Major Bob. Welcome to
Wright-Patterson Air Base. I need
everyone with a red stamp to follow
me off the bus. Greens, hang tight,
your stop is next.
Two KIDS with green stamps remain seated as the rest get up.
Chris follows Sam down the aisle toward two Soldiers who
check his stamp at the door.
CHRIS (OVER)
I want to go with him EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE

- HANGARS AREA - CONTINUOUS

Sam turns to see that the two soldiers are blocking Chris at
the door, not letting him off the bus.
SOLDIER
Easy there, son-CHRIS
GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME! I WANT TO
GO!
Sam watches, eyes wide, as Chris is carried back to his seat
and the bus drives off. Parker comes over beside him.
PARKER
Hes probably just hungry.
Parker hands Sam a RED METAL CARD with a number on it: 149.
PARKER (CONTD)
Go take a seat in that red circle.
Wait for them to call your number.

47.
EXT. WRIGHT PATTERSON. HANGARS AREA - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Sam goes to the circle and sits, surrounded by 150 OTHER
KIDS, 5-18, each holding a RED METAL CARD with a number.
Soldiers CALL OUT numbers. Kids rise one by one.
121...!

MEGAPHONE SOLDIER

A GIRL rises and for a moment Sams eyes widen with joy.
SAM
(standing)
Cassie-But as the girl turns, joins a waiting soldier, Sam sees its
not his sister at all. Sam sags back down, scared and alone.
EXT. WOODS - AFTERNOON
Cassie hikes through the woods. Looking at the sun. She
checks her water. Drains the last drop.
CASSIE (V.O.)
A hundred miles is a long way on
foot.
Then the trees clear and she sees a road, and across it, a
gas station, windows broken, pumps long dead.
CASSIE (V.O.)
And turns out being utterly
terrified makes you thirsty.
INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - DUSK
The same blown out store from the opening sequence. And
Cassie can see: A STACK OF WATER BOTTLES in the window.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Its been a long time since humans
were prey. But we still have a
little voice that says, run.
Cassie checks the sky - the woods around her.
CASSIE (V.O.)
I should have listened.
Desperate with thirst, she moves toward the store. OVER this:

48.
CASSIE (PRE-LAP)
I have to see your other hand!
INT. GAS STATION CONVENIENCE STORE - DUSK
Were back in the middle of THE OPENING SCENE. Cassie is
aiming the rifle at the wounded boy. Shes shaking with fear.
His hand is buried in his fatigues.
WOUNDED BOY
Okay, Ill show you. If I show you
will you help me?
He slowly extracts his hand - nothing but red, red - then A
FLASH OF METAL in his hand.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Maybe this was worst thing The
Others did to us.
Her gun BUCKLES as Cassie FIRES. She SCREAMS, emptying her
clip into the boy.
CASSIE (V.O.)
You cant band together to fight
without trust. And without trust,
there was no hope.
His body slumps - dead. Cassie stares at him - shes
trembling, trying to breathe. She screws her nerve...
CASSIE
Thats what the 4th Wave did to us.
She inches toward him, then uses the M-4 to lift his hand.
Clutched in his fingers: a CRUCIFIX.
CASSIE (V.O.)
How do you rid the earth of Humans?
She steps back, gaping at this dreadful thing she cant undo.
CASSIE
Easy answer.
EXT. WOODS - EVENING
Cassie sits on the ground, haunted, finishing her journal.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Rid the humans of their humanity.

49.
She closes the book. Then she takes bear, climbs into her
sleeping bag, and clutching him tightly, closes her eyes.
EXT. THE WOODS - DAYS - LATER
Cassie, more worn, a little harder, shadows the highway.
Through the trees, a sign: WRIGHT PATTERSON ARMY BASE.
To get to it, she has to cross the highway and a PILEUP OF
CARS. She checks the woods - then heads into the open.
She rounds the WRECKAGE OF CARS, and comes across THREE ADULT
BODIES, face-down on the road.
Cassie freezes, moves cautiously toward them. Sees that one
of the bodies is positioned as though trying to save another,
a final, futile grasp at humanity.
Then she notices, lying there, a CIGARETTE. Still burning.
... Shit.

CASSIE

Pulse racing, Cassie scans the scene. Woods on both sides.

Thats when she notices a SHADOW, moving across the tarmac -Her eyes swing up to see - SOMETHING GLIDING ACROSS THE SKY.
It moves overhead, then STOPS, and TURNS. Too fast. As if
its noticed her -PUSH IN on Cassie as her eyes widen in fear, and almost
without thinking, she dives to the side as -(OVER) A CRACK.
Suddenly she HOWLS in agony, drops the M-4, grabs her leg.
Shes been SHOT.
She grimaces - pain bursting in her brain - and reaches for
the M-4 - but the GROUND AROUND IT EXPLODES. Another SHOT from the woods. Forget the M-4, she scuttles to a nearby car.
The WINDSHIELD SHATTERS in a shower of glass as she dives UNDER THE CAR. Writhing in pain, she looks at her lower leg.
Its bad. In agony, she stares up at the chassis of the car.
She starts to cry - pain, futility, rage - overwhelming her.
She sees BEAR in the backpack. Something stirs in her. She
shakes her head. Forces herself to get control. Quivering in
pain, she takes out the Luger. Wipes the hair from her eyes.

50.
She grabs Bear, pushes out from under the car, and hauls up.
In agony, she HOBBLES toward the ramp, FIRING at the woods.
But her leg cant hold her. She stumbles, still pulling the
trigger, CLICK CLICK, on an empty gun as she staggers to the
shoulder and COLLAPSES into the ditch. She gazes up through
fading eyes, life draining out of her.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Im sorry, Sams. Im sorry...
Her eyes close. The screen GOES BLACK.
OMIT
EXT. WRIGHT PATTERSON. HANGARS AREA - NIGHT - HIGH ANGLE
Another caravan of busses arrive, kids stream off, towards
the red circles on the floor.
294.

MEGAPHONE SOLDIER (OVER)

EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - HANGER AREA - CONTINUOUS

A familiar scene. New KIDS of various ages sit in the
circles, holding numbered cards, some TALKING, some sleeping,
most isolated, waiting for their number to be called.
295.

MEGAPHONE SOLDIER

A boy STANDS. Hes pale. With haunted, almost lifeless eyes.

Far leaner than when we last saw him...
BEN PARISH.
Or at least whats left of him. Any spark has gone out of
him; his eyes seem dead. Ben joins a soldier, who leads him
into one of the hangars.
INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - EXAM ROOM - NIGHT
Ben blinks at the bright light being shined in his eyes by a
a wordless TECHNICIAN.
SERGEANT REZNIK
Whats your name?

51.
BEN
Called me Zombie in quarantine.
SERGEANT REZNIK
Any family not known to be dead?
BEN
Nope.
(hollow, distant)
Mom. Dad. Sister. Virus killed em
all.
SERGEANT ELLEN REZNIK, 30s, supervises as the Technician
records Bens vitals on a chart.
REZNIK
But it didnt kill you, did it?
Almost but not quite. That where
the nickname came from?
Ben nods.
REZNIK (CONTD)
You fought it off. Youre strong.
BEN
(feeling anything but)
Lucky me.
Reznik listens to Bens heart with a stethoscope. Notices a
SMALL LOCKET on a chain around his neck.
REZNIK
Was that your sisters?
... Yeah.

BEN

REZNIK
Well youre lucky. You can help
avenge them.
The Technician puts down her clipboard. Picks up a clear
plastic tube.
REZNIK (CONTD)
This put out a signal we can track.
Inside the tube is a TINY GRAY PELLET - the size of a grain
of rice. She loads it into an ELECTRONIC SYRINGE-LIKE OBJECT.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Children make the best soldiers. It
has always been true.
(MORE)

52.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Were gonna need every one of you
if we hope to fight off The Others.
So we dont want to lose you.
(then)
Deep breath.
Then - GZZZZ - the syringe plunges into Bens neck.
Reznik puts away her instruments as Ben rubs the back of his
neck, feeling the small bump under his skin.
BEN
Fight them off...? We dont even
know what they are.
REZNIK
Actually, we do.
Ben looks at her.
REZNIK (CONTD)
All this time weve been waiting
for them to come off their ship.
But truth is theyve been here,
right under our noses, for a very
long time.
She looks at Ben. Holds his gaze a moment, then REZNIK (CONTD)
Want to see one?
Ben stares at her. Not sure how to answer that question.
INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - WHITE ROOM - LATER
A clean white room. Reznik sits Ben in a chair facing a LARGE
TWO-WAY MIRROR.
REZNIK
Weve been getting more and more of
them the last couple weeks. Dont
worry, he wont be able to see us.
Ben is confused. Whos he?
Reznik hits a button and lights a ROOM on the other side of
the mirror. Bens image turns ghostlike as hes able to see
through to the person on the other side of the glass Chris. The rebellious kid from Sams bus. Hes sitting in a
chair with wires running from his head to a large console.
His eyes are glazed, drugged.

53.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Were calling them Infested.
Ben looks from Chris to Reznik, confused.
REZNIK (CONTD)
I know, its impossible to tell.
(then)
Look through here.
Reznik moves a device in front of Ben. Similar to a device
used for an eye exam. With a LENS like the one Parker looked
through on the bus.
Ben looks through the lens at Chris... and recoils. Whatever
he sees is deeply disturbing.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Truth is, we dont know how The
Others did it -And then, finally, we get to see WHAT HE SEES -The lens allows Ben to see through Chriss skin - almost like
an MRI. And visible inside of Chris is... well, whatever it
is its green. And its writhing. Inhuman. Predatory.
REZNIK (CONTD)
We dont know if they were puppets
their whole lives or if they were
infested with a kind of sleeper
agent that just woke up inside them
one day.
Its hard for Ben to look at. Even from here, protected on
the other side of the glass, its terrifying.
BEN
Can you... take it out?
REZNIK
Drugs, radiation, surgery. Nothing
works. The only way to kill them is
to kill the host.
She holds out a CONTROLLER. Pulls back a protective cover to
reveal a RED BUTTON. Ben looks at it.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Hes already dead. Youre
destroying the thing inside him.
She puts the controller in his hand.

54.
REZNIK (CONTD)
That thing that would kill you if
it had a chance.
She touches the locket on his neck.
REZNIK (CONTD)
That thing that did this.
Ben stares at the creature behind the glass.
REZNIK (CONTD)
If youre going to be in my squad,
I need to know youll do what it -Ben stabs the button, no hesitation. Reznick nods.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Welcome to the fight.
INT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - HALL - AFTERNOON
Vosch stands on a platform looking down at the HUNDREDS OF
KIDS BOYS AND GIRLS in blue jumpsuits.
VOSCH
There are no children standing
before me. Only warriors.
Ben doesnt notice the wide-eyed anxious kid, so much smaller
than the rest, the scared eyes of the constantly bullied.
VOSCH (CONTD)
And for the next three weeks you
will train. Train you to take back
our planet. Our Earth. Our home.
After all, though they are now only a few feet apart, hes
never met SAM. And Sams never met him.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Our world is not theirs to
colonize. And when the final battle
comes it will not be fought on any
ocean, mountain or jungle.
(proudly stabs his heart)
It will be fought here. Our future
is in your hands. You will take it
back. You will avenge our dead. You
will save us all.
The recruits look at him, awed. Empowered.

55.
VOSCH (CONT'D)
Can you do that, warriors?
RECRUITS
Sir, yes Sir.
VOSCH
Can you do that?!
RECRUITS
Sir, yes, Sir!
But the kid formerly known as Ben Parish remains silent.
INT. BARRACKS - EVENING
Fifty or so kids milling around, getting ready for bed.
Zombie sits on a top bunk, reading a thumb worn comic book.
KIDS VOICE (OVER)
Okay, maggots, look alive.
Zombie glances up to see a KID standing in the middle of the
floor looking mock serious. TANK (14): farm boy.
TANK
Lets go, shit heals, on your feet.
Some kids SNICKER, some ignore him, but others stand up in
mock attention, playing along with what is a familiar game.
TANK (CONTD)
Are you a killer Private Dumbo?
DUMBO (16): floppy ears, thick glasses.
DUMBO
Button pressing, ice in my veins,
Sgt. Rezbitch. Maam! Yes, Maam!
TANK
Private Flintstone did you eat
alien brains for breakfast?
FLINTSTONE (17): the muscle in every group hes been in.
Urban vibe, from the hood of some city.
FLINTSTONE
Yabba Dabbo doo Sgt Rez-bi-atch.
TANK
Private Teacup?

56.
TEACUP (12): small - but mean as sin, sits on her bunk
cleaning her weapon.
TANK (CONTD)
Ive hacked up lugies tougher than
you.
Teacup doesnt look up, just flips him off. Zombie watching
on, almost smiles.
TANK (CONTD)
Okay, youve all crapped the bed.
Humanity has fallen in your
incompetent hands. Everyone down on
the floor and give me 20.
FLINTSTONE
My black ass Sgt. Rezbitch.
Flintstone moons him. The kids CRACK UP. A small form emerges
from the latrine, tries to make it to his bed unseen.
TANK
(spotting him)
Well if it isnt hogs shithole,
Chicken McNugget.
Sam looks up, trying, with limited success, not to show fear.
SAM
I just want to go to sleep, Tank.
Please.
TANK
Tank? Who the hell is Tank?
Even though hes playing, there is something a little crazy
about Tanks eyes.
TANK (CONTD)
Im the human ass kicking force.
Im the army of the last of the US
of A. I am enough like the aliens
to kill the aliens. I have no
mercy. Do you hear me? Now get on
the floor and give me fifty.
Kids watch, LAUGH. Sams eyes well up with tears. POUNDCAKE
(16): Sinewy kid. Laid-back gait, CHIMES IN.
POUNDCAKE
Mommas not coming to fluff your
pillow, Nugget.

57.
Sam SAYS SOMETHING he cant hear.
POUNDCAKE (CONTD)
Whats that?
SAM
My sisters coming. She promised.
TANK
No ones coming for you. Not ever.
Your sisters dead. Now drop.
Sam hits the ground, doing push up as the other kids watch.
Zombie looks at him a beat, then just goes back to his comic.
INT. FARMHOUSE - MORNING
A room comes into focus. Cassie wakes up. Confused. Looks
around. Shes in a four poster bed in a rustic bedroom. An IV
bag hangs from a stand, drip running into her arm.
The room is lit by the glow of the setting sun as it peeks
through curtains. A rocking chair. A free standing mirror.
Her BACK PACK on a window seat.
Cassie tries to sit up, grimaces as a wave of pain shoots up
from her lower body.
Cassie pulls back the covers. Shes wearing a floral
nightgown. Nothing underneath.
She tries to fight growing panic and confusion as she lifts
the covers to see the thick BANDAGE around her left thigh.
Exhausted by almost sitting up, she drops back down, head
turning to see Bear reclining on the pillow next to her.
(OVER) A DOOR SLAMS somewhere downstairs. KLUMP, KLUMP,
KLUMP. Someone coming up the stairs.
CASSIE-CLOSE. Frightened. Eyes dart around the room. The
Footsteps CLOSER. The DOORKNOB turns.
Cassie feigns unconsciousness as the door swings open.
CASSIE POV. Through slits in her eyes, she can see reflected
images in the standing mirror:
A MANS FORM in jeans and a plaid shirt comes close, bends
over her. The tube in her arm moves as he checks her IV.
The Man stands over her, BREATHING, unseen. Time stretches.

58.
Finally, she hears him GO, door KISSING shut. Cassie looks at
the closed door, confused and frightened. Where is she?
EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - ASSAULT COURSE - DAY
The squad piles over obstacles as Reznik monitors them with a
STOPWATCH. OOMPA, heavy, collapses across the finish line.
Sam, worst among them, struggles to keep up, falling.
Time!

REZNIK

Sam stands, pulls himself across the finish line, BREATHING

HARD. Reznick, holding a club, looks down at him.
REZNIK (CONTD)
You tired? Need a nap. Some juice
and a cookie?
Sam looks down at the ground.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Tell you what, lets all close our
eyes and wish that Nuggets Mommy
and Daddy will magically re-appear-SAM
Im sorry-REZNIK
Did I say you could talk-She has pulled back her club, is about to deliver a blow.
VOICE (OVER)
Cmon, just leave him alone.
Reznik stops, looks up.
REZNIK
What do you know? Zombie speaks.
(crossing)
Something you want to say, Zombie?
The recruits share glances, bracing for Reznik to blow.
Instead, she smiles. Cocks her head at Zombie.
REZNIK (CONTD)
You have a soft spot for kids,
Zombie?
Zombie stares eyes front.

59.
REZNIK (CONTD)
What was your sisters name again?
Missy? Chrissy? Sissy. Died in the
earthquakes, right? Fell three
floors onto concrete.
Zombie, focused, impassive. Except for his eyes.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Before she fell. As she screamed
for help, did you try to save her?
Or did you just let her fall-Zombie, spinning, fire in his eyes.
ZOMBIE
Go to hell, bitReznik JAMS her CLUB into Zombies gut. He doubles over.
REZNIK
(to the group)
You think Im mean? Theres no such
thing as mean or nice anymore. Only
predator or prey. Which are you?
Zombie GASPS for breath.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Zombie here - hes got some fight
left in him. I like that. 53, meet
your new Squad Leader.
OFF Zombie not at all pleased with the promotion.
INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - BARRACKS - NIGHT
Exhausted. Kids are getting ready for bed. Zombie is about to
pull himself up onto his bunk.
Thanks.

SAM (OVER)

He turns to see Sams small form staring up at him.

SAM (CONTD)
Sorry you got hit.
ZOMBIE
Now on, figure out how to take care
of yourself.
With that he pulls up into bed. Sam just stands there. Alone.

60.
ON THE TOP BUNK
Zombie stares at the ceiling, touches his sisters locket on
his neck as (OVER) SOMEONE CRIES themselves to sleep.
INT. FARMHOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Late. Bear sits on the pillow watching the full moon.
Cassie has edged her way to the bed, gingerly puts her feet
on the floor. Eyes her back pack on the window seat.
She puts her weight on her good leg, tries to stand. Her
other leg lights up with pain and she crumbles to the floor.
Half crawling she makes the window seat, grabs her back pack.
Good leg on the floor, bad leg against the window seat, she
begins going through her pack, looking for something.
Thats when her leg gives, agony, knee HITTING the floor with
a LOUD THUD. (OVER) MOVEMENT downstairs.
She looks up, terrified. (OVER) FEET coming up the stairs.
Cassie grabs her pack, stumbling to the bed, putting way too
much weight on her bad leg, almost passing out from the pain.
She continues desperately rifling the pack as (OVER) The FEET
WALK towards her door.
Finally, Cassie can only pull the covers up over her and her
pack, head hitting the pillow just as the door swings open.
You awake?

MANS VOICE

Cassie lays silent, eyes closed. (OVER) The CREAKING of

someone sitting down in the chair across the room.
MANS VOICE (OVER) (CONTD)
I could hear you moving around.
Cassie remains unmoving, pretending to sleep.
MANS VOICE (CONTD)
How long are we going to do this?
Still, she remains silent.
Cassie-

MANS VOICE (CONTD)

61.
Finally, she turns her head and looks at him.
CASSIE
How the hell do you know my name?
HANDSOME, CLEAN CUT, maybe 18 or 19, staring back at her.
MAN
Drivers license.
He stays seated, elbows on his knees, eyes lowered, more shy
than menacing.
MAN (CONTD)
My names Evan Walker.
CASSIE
Where am I?
EVAN
You were bleeding on the highway. I
brought you back to my house.
She tries to size him up. Hes twice her size. Something cold
about his eyes. But also, something kind.
CASSIE
Wheres my gun?
He looks at her blankly.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Wheres my gun? When you found me,
I had a gun. Where is it?
EVAN
I didnt see a gun.
His eyes flick to where her backpack should be.
EVAN (CONTD)
Cassie-(standing)
What did you do-Hes already moving towards the bed.
CASSIE
Get away from me-EVAN
Your leg cant withstand--

62.
Hes pulled the covers away, her leg and sheets now soaked
with blood.
Jesus--

EVAN (CONTD)

Hes bent down, reaching to lift her up.

CASSIE
Dont touch me-He stops, looks down at her a beat. Finally...
EVAN
I didnt save you so you could
bleed out which is whats going to
happen if I dont close that up-He looks down, stone calm, in contrast to terrified eyes.
EVAN (CONTD)
But its your life so, honestly, I
guess its up to you-The moment lasts. Shes still looking up at him, trying to
decipher what she sees there.
Finally a small nod.
He moves fast, lifting her up like a doll in strong arms,
moving fast out the door and into the hall.
INT. THE BATHROOM - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Evan KICKS open the door, sits her on the edge of the clawfoot tub. Moonlight streams through the windows.
He grabs a bottle of rubbing alcohol.
EVEN
This is going to smart-CASSIE
Just do it.
He pours, washing away the blood. She doesnt flinch at the
pain or the sight of her own bubbling wound.
EVEN
This will be worse.
He grabs an ace bandage from the cabinet, wraps it once
around her upper thigh and cinches it hard and tight.

63.
Cassie GRUNTS, holding the pain behind gritted teeth.
Seeing that the blood flow has been stemmed, he takes a
needle and thread from the cabinet and begins to sew.
CASSIE
How did you find me?
EVAN
I was out hunting, I saw the birds.
Buzzards. I saw them circling.
CASSIE
So you brought me here, stuck me
with an IV, stripped me naked...
EVAN
The IV was already here. Antibiotics. From the plague.
He looks off, vanished in past losses for a moment.
EVAN (CONTD)
And yes, I took off your clothes. I
was trying to get a bullet out of
your leg.
He pulls the last stitch taught, ties it off.
EVAN (CONTD)
I honestly thought you werent
going to make it.
How long?

CASSIE

EVAN
Youve been here about a week.
She closes her eyes at the news.
EVAN (CONTD)
Okay, hang on.
He pulls the knot on the ace bandage, letting the blood flow
back into her leg. The stitches hold.
EVAN (CONTD)
Good as new.
Cassie looks from the wound back up to him.
CASSIE
How far are from Wright Patterson?

64.
EVAN
(frowning)
The military base. About forty
miles. Why?
She says nothing.
EVAN (CONTD)
Look, I know this must seem weird-CASSIE
Okay, Evan, right?
Despite the pain, the confusion, her VOICE is calm.
CASSIE (CONTD)
I need to wash all this blood off.
And I have to pee.
EVAN
Do you need me to-CASSIE
I need you to leave. Please.
He stands, looks down at her.
EVAN
Use the edge the tub for support. I
had one first aid course. Those
stitches wont take much weight,
even a feather like you.
Again, she says nothing, just continues to appraise him. He
walks to the door, takes a last look at her and EXITS.
Cassie rises tentatively, and, using the edge around the tub,
LOCKS the door. She EXHALES.
She walks to the sink, begins to fill it with water, looks at
the hollow-eyed girl staring back at her.
INT. FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER
Evan carries Cassie into the rustic kitchen. A single lantern
lights the room. She grimaces as he helps her into a chair.
Okay?

EVAN

She nods, soldiering through.

65.
EVAN (CONTD)
I have pain killers--

No.
No.

CASSIE
(sharp)
(softer)

Even sets a covered plate in front of her.

EVAN
Who shot you?
CASSIE
I dont know.
She looks up at him, pointed.
CASSIE (CONTD)
They say The Others can look like
humans now.
EVAN
They can. You should eat.
She lifts the cover off the plate, looks down in disbelief.
CASSIE
A cheeseburger?
EVAN
I hunt some.
Shes not sure what to say.
EVAN (CONTD)
Why did you want to know how close
Wright Patterson was?
CASSIE
My brother. The Army took him
there. I need to get him.
He looks at her a moment. Something unreadable in his eyes.
What?

CASSIE (CONTD)

EVAN
Nothing.
(off the burger)
Is it done enough?

66.
He turns up the lantern on the table, brightening the room.
Cassies eyes widen, tick from the lamp to the window.
EVAN (CONTD)
Were okay. Were safe here.
CASSIE
Why are you saying that? Nowheres
safe.
Trust me.
Why?

EVAN
CASSIE

(deeper)
What am I doing here?
(the real question)
Why are you doing this?
He takes a moment, thinking.
EVAN
My family, my girlfriend. I
couldnt save them. But then there
you were. And I could save you.
His eyes are lost in the reflecting light of the lamp.
EVAN (CONTD)
The way everythings happened. I
guess it makes me feel more-(shrugs)
More human.
Which strikes her as unsettling.
CASSIE
And you need help with that?
Feeling human?
He looks at her, almost through her.
Dont you?

EVAN

A long beat until, finally, she nods.

Maybe so.

CASSIE

She take a bite of the burger.

67.

Oh.

CASSIE (CONTD)

Maybe the most delicious thing shes ever tasted, her eyes
filling with tears, a simple pleasure now humbling.
CASSIE (CONTD)
(off the food)
Thank you.
Sure.

EVAN

Two souls in lamp light, quiet, at the end of the world.

EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - TACTICAL TRAINING AREA - DAY
A bare-bones city block. Deserted.
Squad 53 (without Teacup) come sprinting into the open. Ragtag, rifles heavy in their arms as they run towards a hotel.
Fwup -- Poundcake is HIT! GROANS as he goes down, a red bloom
splattered on his chest -- the others react, haul ass toward
a hotel -Dumbo sees a blur pop up from behind a parked car across the
street -- its a GIRL, in camo -- she FIRES at them -Flintstone goes down, hit -- the rest reach the hotel -barrel inside as a red blossom EXPLODES above the door -INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - FAKE HOTEL -

DAY

They take cover. Barricade the door. Dumbo looks around.

DUMBO
Wheres Poundcake?
OOMPA
Dead. Flintstone and Teacup too.
Tank KICKS a chair, angry, as Dumbo steals a glance out
another window.
Then the same Girl pops up, FIRES off several quick shots -Dumbo barely spins out of the way as paint splatters the
inside of the hotel -- theyre pinned down.
DUMBO
Anybody got any brilliant ideas?

68.
OOMPA
Oreos: a brilliant idea. And french
fries. Beyond that, I got nothing.
Sam notices a SPIDER-MAN DOLL sticking out from under a bed.
TANK
Yeah, Zombie. Youre our leader.
Lead us the hell out of here.
ZOMBIE
Do what you want. Im staying put.
Anyone comes in, I shoot em.
Sam grabs the Spider-man toy, Dumbo notices too late Sam, no!

DUMBO

The toy has a wire wrapped around it. As Sam pulls it...
BANG. Red paint EXPLODES across everyone. All dead.
INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - BARRACKS - DAY
Still covered in paint, the squad strip out of their
clothing. Tank fumes, his freckled face flushed with rage.
TANK
We have to get rid of him. Youre
squad leader, tell Reznik hes got
to go.
ZOMBIE
Whos got to go?
Tank gestures down the room at Sam.
TANK
Who do you think? Hes gonna get us
all killed.
ZOMBIE
Theres a reason we drill, Tank.
Hes a member of the squad, same as
the rest of us.
Tank spins on him, his dark eyes once again dancing on the
edge of madness.
TANK
You dont get it, do you? Its
nature.
(MORE)

69.
TANK (CONT'D)
Whoevers too weak, too slow, too
stupid, too little - they go.
Anybody who cant fight will just
drag us down!
OOMPA
Come on, man. Hes just a kid.
TANK
There are no kids anymore. Its
just us and them.
POUNDCAKE
Easy, Tank, its the pressure-TANK
We get rid of the weak ones-Suddenly, HE BRINGS UP HIS RIFLE. Everyone goes rigid as he
swings it wildly among the squad-TANK (CONTD)
Nugget. Teacup. Theyre going to
drag us down.
(intense, soft)
Youll thank me. Youll all thank
me. Youll see.
ZOMBIE
Private, lower your weapon now.
Zombie looks at Flintstone who gives Zombie a small nod.
TANK
-- were going to take on monsters
that killed seven billion of us-He levels his rifle at Teacup, her hand going to her gun.
TANK (CONTD)
With them? Bullshit!
Zombie nods back. Suddenly, Flintstone is on him. Tackles him
from behind, rips the rifle from his hand, shoves him down.
Tank HITS the floor and then curls in a ball, hands on his
head, SCREAMING at the top of his lungs.
Shaken, the rest of the squad look on as Tank continues to
SCREAM, more disturbing than him waving around a loaded M4.
WIDEN - Reznik stands in the doorway, watching.

70.
INT. FARMHOUSE BEDROOM - DUSK
A MAP - CLOSE. Showing a HAND DRAWN ROUTE from a deep forest
to Wright Patterson Base.
WIDER
Cassie leans on a table, wearing a flannel shirt thats too
big, studying the route. (OVER) A KNOCK.
CASSIE
(turning)
Come in.
Evan stands in the opening door, dressed for the outdoors.
EVAN
How we doing?
CASSIE
(off her leg)
I think a couple more days.
He simply nods, non committal. That look in his eyes again.
EVAN
Im going out hunting.
CASSIE
Youre pretty terrible at it.
She offers a small smile in answer to his unspoken question.
CASSIE (CONTD)
You almost never get anything.
EVAN
Oh, Im a great hunter. Its
killing things Im not so good at.
He hands her something from outside the door.
EVAN (CONTD)
I thought this might help.
A cane, freshly carved from a piece of wood.
CASSIE
You made this?
He nods. She tests the weight on the walking stick.

71.
CASSIE (CONTD)
So, cooking, carving, removing
bullets. Can you name three things
youre not good at?
EVAN
Roller skating. Singing. And pick
up lines.
She meets his eye but he looks away, shy again.
CASSIE
You left out kidnapping strange
girls.
EVAN
You only asked for three. And
youre not that strange.
That crooked smile of his again.
EVAN (CONTD)
Back in a few hours, okay?
He leaves. Her gaze lingers on where he stood a beat longer
then she intends. Then she goes back to her map.
INT. FARMHOUSE - HALLWAY - NIGHT
Cassie practices on the cane, moving back and forth down the
hallway. Family photos line the walls. Smiling faces.
All gone now. Like a museum of the dead.
Cassie has paced to the end of the hall, faces a closed
bedroom door which she ponders.
INT. EVANS BEDROOM - DUSK
Cassie ENTERS. PHOTOS tucked in the edge of the mirror. Evan
smiling with some friends.
She scans the bookshelves, THE COMPLETE OUTDOORSMAN. Then
WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS.
She opens it: FOR EVAN, LOVE MOMMY.
She replaces the book, crosses to his closet. Pulls it open
and looks at his shirts hanging there.
She closes the closet, turns to go, and as she does...

72.
(OVER) A CLICK from the floor below.
She looks down. Her cane is on a loose floorboard. She moves
the stick back and forth. CLICK CLICK.
Curious, she kneels carefully, lifts up the board. She
reaches into the empty space there. Pulls out...
A handgun. A Luger. HER LUGER..
He lied to her. And suddenly her hearts POUNDING in her
chest. Ohfuckohfuck.
She takes DEEP BREATHS, tries to calm herself as she checks
the gun. Still loaded. She shoves it in her belt-line.
A QUICK SERIES OF SHOTS:
-

Cassie moves as fast as she can into the bedroom.

Stuffs her belongings into her backpack.
Hobbles down the stairs.
Dumps cans of food into her bag.

EXT. FARMHOUSE - DUSK

The back door: Cassie BURSTS out, anxiously looks around,
moving on her cane as fast as she can towards the woods -INT. WOODS - DUSK
Cassie rushes through the trees, stealing looks back at the
receding house, hurrying. Her leg hurting, heart racing -Her cane snags on a wire. She tumbles down. The wire triggers
PANS CLATTERING AGAINST EACH OTHER. A booby trap.
The SOUNDS ECHOES into the night.
Shitshitshit: she untangles herself from the wire, struggles
to her feet. (OVER) FOOTSTEPS RUNNING, CLOSING IN.
Cassie looks behind her. EVAN coming through the trees.
GASPING, she tries to hobble away, white hot pain in her leg
as she glances back -- HES GAINING -- she fumbles to grab
the gun from her belt -- raises it up at him But hes on her -- in a practised move, he grabs her wrist -twists it back -- disarms her and pulls her to the ground --- Something impossibly efficient about the way he moves.
Almost as if he were a machine.

73.
And his eyes are lifeless, pure determination and focus, as
he clamps a hand over her mouth -- pinning her down -- she
struggles, kicking, screaming into his hand -EVAN
(intense)
Quiet!
His eyes look up. And now Cassie follows his eyes to see -Above the trees, SOMETHING glides overhead. Similar to the
thing over the highway, when she got shot -Cassie goes still, scared. And now she hears FEET tramping
through the leaves nearby.
Cassie watches, terrified, as a MAN, 30s, in outdoorsman
clothes, WHACKS through the woods, eyes searching.
Cassie, looks back at Evan and sees hes scared too.
They wait, stock still, huddled on the ground, praying the
man doesnt see them. Listening as he finally MOVES ON.
Evan looks back at Cassie, his hand still clamped over her,
staring back up at him, angry, frightened, confused.
INT. FARMHOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT
Cassie leans on her Cane. Even is looking out the window.
CASSIE
You lied to me! You had my gun. Why
did you lie?!
EVAN
I was afraid youd shoot me. After,
I just forgot--CASSIE
Forgot? You expect me toEVAN
For all I knew, you were an Other.
Did you ever consider that?
She stares at him a moment. She hadnt.
CASSIE
Was he one? Out there?
He nods.

74.
EVAN
Theyre using those drones to hunt
down survivors.
He turns away from the window.
EVAN (CONTD)
The woods are full of them.
CASSIE
He looked so... human.
The impossible horror of seeing this shakes her.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Ive got to get Sam. If some of
them have infiltrated the army-He says nothing, but that look crosses his face again.
CASSIE (CONTD)
What? Say it. Go on.
EVAN
(finally)
Rallying points, places like Wright
Patterson, theyre obvious targets.
The Others wont have just let themCASSIE
You think Sammys already dead.
He looks at her a long moment, says nothing.
CASSIE (CONTD)
This whole time youve been
humoring me, you think my brothers
dead.
EVAN
Yes, I do. Im sorry, Cassie.
CASSIE
Youre wrong. Hes alive. Hes
alive and Im going to get him.
And with that she turns and makes her way upstairs. He
watches her go, in his eyes his heart breaking for her.
INT. FARMHOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
Cassie is packing her bags when there is a KNOCK. The door
swings open producing Evan.

75.

Okay.

EVAN

CASSIE
(not turning)
Okay, what?
EVAN
Im going with you.
She stops now, turns to look at him.
EVAN (CONTD)
Maybe Im right about Sam. Maybe
Im wrong. But you wont make it
very far on your own.
CASSIE
Screw you. I dont need you.
I dont need anyone --

EVAN
Cassie --

He walks towards her-CASSIE

Well, I guess maybe if I
needed someone to carve me a
cane or slap a bandage on a
boo-boo, youd be the guy --- Shoot you, I guess.

EVAN
-- If you go, Ill just
follow you. You cant stop
me. How are you going to stop
me?
-- Like you shot the guy with
the crucifix?

That stops her cold.

CASSIE
How did you know about that?
(then, realizes)
You read my journal.
She is stunned, embarrassed, overwhelmed.
CASSIE (CONTD)
How could youShe turns her back, Evan reaching for her shoulder.
EVAN
I didnt think you were going to
live-As he touches her back, she spins, swinging her open hand
hard at his face, her wrist perfectly caught in mid strike.
Im sorry.

EVAN (CONTD)

76.
The two just stand there, a frozen tableau.
EVAN (CONTD)
Cassie, Im sorry.
Finally she relaxes, lets her arm drop. He looks in her eyes.
EVAN (CONTD)
Ill get you there. I cant promise
what youll find, but I will get
you there.
She says nothing, but her look down is agreement enough.
EVAN (CONTD)
We leave at first light.
He turns and heads out. She looks up, stares after him.
INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - BARRACKS - DAY
TANKS BUNK, empty, stripped. OVER THIS:
OOMPA (O.S.)
Did they say where they took him?
EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - HILLSIDE - DAY
Squad 53 jog up a steep hill.
Nope.

ZOMBIE

FLINTSTONE
Didnt say nothing. Just
disappeared the dude.
DUMBO
Word is the new guy coming in got
busted down from squad leader.
FLINTSTONE
That true boss?
ZOMBIE
Thats what I hear.
TEACUP
Whats his name?
ZOMBIE
Ringer. And hes a she.

77.
SAM
Maybe its my sister.
Oompa whacks him on the head but its playful.
OOMPA
Im your sister.
Sams part of them now as the group HUFFS on.
INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - BARRACKS - EVENING
Everybody in skivvies. Dumbo, Oompa, Poundcake, Teacup and
Flintstone play poker. Teacup eyes Sam, alone on his bunk.
TEACUP
Nugget! Wanna play cards?
Sam nods. As he crosses, the boys look skeptically at Teacup.
TEACUP (CONTD)
What? I want to win his rations.
Zombie fills the door, card players looking up as he ENTERS.
DUMBO
Here we go. Show time.
Across the barracks a GIRL sits on Tanks former bunk.
Maybe 16 years old, pale skin, straight black hair, this is
RINGER The marksman who pinned them down during the paint
ball exercise, cleaning her rifle with an oily rag.
Zombie heads to his bunk. The rest of the squad try not to
stare as Ringer stands, in skivvies and a tank top, crosses
to Zombie.
RINGER
Zombie? Squad Leader?
(Zombie nods)
I hear the guy I replaced went
Dorothy. Tornado took him to Oz.
ZOMBIE
Thats right.
Why?

RINGER

ZOMBIE
Does it matter?

78.
RINGER
I hear its cause youre a
terrible squad and he was afraid
youd all get him killed.
ZOMBIE
Well then you mustve screwed up
pretty bad to get bumped down to
our level.
(off her bruised knuckles)
Lose your temper or something?
RINGER
Or something.
(turns, SHOUTS)
Hey! Idiots! Quit staring at my
ass.
She levels her gaze on him.
RINGER (CONTD)
Just so you understand. Im not
taking orders from you. Im not
gonna die with you geniuses.
ZOMBIE
Good to know.
She turns away, crossing back to her bunk to get a towel.
RINGER
Listen Up! When Im in the showers,
theyre off limits.
As she passes the poker players Oompa cant help himself.
OOMPA
If youre in the mood for strip
poker later-And Oompa is on the ground, holding his throat, and kicking
his legs in the air with Ringer standing over him.
RINGER
Also, no demeaning, sexist, pseudomacho remarks.
Zombie pretends not to watch as she disappears into the
bathroom. Teacup grins, rakes in all of Sams rations.
TEACUP
Shes cool.

79.
EXT. WOODS - DAWN
Cassie leans heavily on the cane as they walk in first light.
They hike in silence. Cassie slips and Evan steadies her arm.
Im good.

CASSIE

She rights herself.

CASSIE (CONTD)
It helps. The cane I mean.
Not quite an apology. More a signal of dtente.
Im glad.

EVAN

Bear has fallen. Even retrieves him, hands him back to her.
EVAN (CONTD)
You lost your friend.
Cassie puts him back in her pack.
CASSIE
Hes Sams. Im returning him.
EVAN
Its a nice bear.
CASSIE
Hes looked better.
EVAN
Like most things.
She nods, these two sharing a sympathy for the world gone by.
EVAN (CONTD)
(gesturing)
This way.
CASSIE
How do we know without a compass?
EVAN
Do you have a compass?
CASSIE
Actually, I can make one out of a
pin and a glass of water.

80.
EVAN
Didnt peg you for a girl scout.
CASSIE
What? You figured cheerleader.
EVAN
You said it, not me.
(then)
Ive never been a huge fan of the
outdoors.
CASSIE
You live on a farm.
EVAN
Accident of birth. I had a
scholarship to Kent State.
Mechanical engineering.
(off her look)
Thought I was some hick, huh?
Cassie smiles.
CASSIE
You said it, not me.
Suddenly, a NOISE in the woods. Evans head SNAPS up, alert.
A bird flies by overhead. He relaxes, looks back at Cassie.
Okay?

EVAN

CASSIE
Five by five.
(off his look)
What? I saw it in a movie.
His turn to smile. They continue on.
EXT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - FIRING RANGE - DAY
BANG BANG BANG BANG. Squad 53 SHOOT at targets. Reznick
patrols behind the firing line.
REZNIK
Your drop In Country is any day
now! Show me what youve got!
An AIR HORN. They stop FIRING. Targets SLIDE on tracks back
to the Squad. Ringers has the center entirely blown out.

81.
Zombie looks at his: one hit, off-center. He looks over at
the rest of the squads targets: not much better.
REZNICK
Might as well just shoot yourself
now, save us the rations.
She is TALKING to Sam, holding up his target which boasts a
grand total of zero gunshot holes.
REZNICK (CONTD)
Youre all dead already.
OFF ZOMBIE looking at the rest of the group, then to Reznick,
whos turned her back, walking away, knowing shes right.
INT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - TRAINING AREA - DAY
The Squad is paired off, practicing hand to hand. Zombie is
sparring with Ringer. Hes got size on her, but shes quick.
ZOMBIE
You still think he was the only
sane one of us?
Who?

RINGER

(getting it)
Oh, the kid who went mental? Be
honest with yourself. Hell, yes.
(off the group)
These kids are gonna die before
their boots hit the ground.
She engages and they start to fight again. As they spar:
ZOMBIE
And what about me?
RINGER
Feels like you survive. Maybe just
the people around you dont.
That lands on Zombie, but he keeps up his fighting.
ZOMBIE
You a personality expert?
RINGER
Kind of. Lemme see. You did good in
school, had a bunch of friends.
Good body. Bet you played football.
I bet you were even team captain.

82.

So?

ZOMBIE

RINGER
So, life was easy. And then all of
a sudden it wasnt.
(then)
No more games to win. No teachers
handing back papers with As on the
front. No one to get weak-kneed at
that pretty smile.
(then)
You werent ready for the end of
the world. You were under-cooked.
ZOMBIE
What makes you so different? What
did you do before?
RINGER
Not much. Me, a good day the only
other soul Id see was my dog. Wed
just load into the car and drive.
ZOMBIE
What do you have against people?
RINGER
Have you met many?
Deadpan but theres obviously a history of hurt there. Zombie
stops fighting for a moment. Looks at her.
ZOMBIE
So how about a proposition?
RINGER
Im not a weak kneed kind of girl.
ZOMBIE
We need shooting lessons. Give us a
chance out there.
RINGER
Not much of a teacher either.
ZOMBIE
How bout this, I take you down,
you teach us all how to shoot.
RINGER
And when you dont?

83.
ZOMBIE
Ill stop asking.
Deal.

RINGER

As soon as the WORD is out of her mouth, she goes on the

offensive. She launches several blows which he ducks and
parries, then he attacks. Almost takes her down, but she
regains her balance, smiles at him RINGER (CONTD)
Cute necklace. Girlfriend or
sister?
That catches Zombie off guard, not prepared for the question.
Siste--

ZOMBIE

And just like that, Ringer uses the break in his

concentration to take his legs out from under him.
He lies on his back. Staring up at her. BREATHING HARD.
RINGER
Like I said. You act all hard but
inside youre still soft.
He holds his hand out for her to help him up. But she ignores
it, turns to walk away And he pivots, sweeps her legs. She goes down hard, surprised
to see Zombie up on his feet and standing over her.
ZOMBIE
They need help and youre it.
He looks over at his squad, eyes landing on Sam.
ZOMBIE (CONTD)
See you at the firing range, bad
ass.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - SUNSET
Cassie and Evan stop for water beside old train tracks.
CASSIE
Show me that thing you did where
you took the gun out of my hand.

84.
EVAN
Lets leave any potential disarming
to me-CASSIE
I can handle myself, Evan. If we
come across any Others, I need to
be ready.
EVAN
Cassie, its okay not to be tough
all the-CASSIE
Its not okay.
Evan looks at her, surprised how SHARP that came out.
CASSIE (CONT'D)
What kind of person cant take care
of her own baby brother?
He looks at her, realizing now what this is about.
EVAN
You did the best you could-CASSIE
I promised him-EVAN
Look where you are, Cassie. What
youve done. Youre much stronger
than you think.
CASSIE
Stop. Just-- dont do that. Dont
be nice to me!
She blinks, desperately trying not to cry.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Im not tough. I was never tough.
Im just- Im pretending.
The SOUND she makes is somewhere between a LAUGH and a SOB.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Im pretending because if I stop to
think how terrified I am Ill
probably never stop crying.
Evan seems to look through her, eyes soft, forgiving. Then he
reaches down, comes up holding a small, thick branch.

85.
EVAN
This is my gun. The first thing you
do is step forward, grab my wrist
and twist, hard as you can-She engages, her focus hiding the gratitude in her eyes.
EXT. CLEARING - MORNING
Dappled sunlight falls on Cassies face as her eyes flutter
open. She wakes in their make shift camp, made in a clearing
beside an abandoned, door-less car overgrown with weeds and
grass. Evans bedroll is there, but he is not.
THE WOODS.
Moving without her cane Cassie makes her way carefully
through trees. Ahead, the SOUND OF WATER.
As she reaches the treeline, Cassie STOPS. Retreats a step.
WHAT SHE SEES: Evan bathes in a wide stream, naked. Half
submerged in the water, he washes his face, dips under the
water, comes up, impossibly chiseled and beautiful.
Then, a TWIG SNAPS. Evan looks up, turns toward the trees and sees a hint of MOVEMENT scurrying away. His eyes narrow.
EXT. CLEARING - MORNING
Evan returns to the clearing, buttoning his shirt. Cassie
sits on the ground, the contents of her pack laid out before
her, looking through her photos.
Morning.

EVAN

She looks up at him. Knows instantly he knows she saw him.

But both pretend otherwise.
Morning.

CASSIE

EVAN
So, lets take a look.
She starts to put her photos back in their plastic bag.
EVAN (CONTD)
Bring em, Id love to see them.

86.
Even has moved to the abandoned car, pats the back seat.
Cassie goes and sits, legs together out of the missing door,
rolls up her skirt to reveal the old bandage.
EVAN (CONTD)
So, who have we got here?
He kneels, looks at the image atop of the stack of photos in
her hand as he starts unwrapping the old gauze on her leg.
CASSIE
Lizbeth. Best friend.
EVAN
Wounds opened up some from all the
walking. Youre okay, though.
He begins to wash the wound with peroxide.
EVAN (CONTD)
Whos next?
Cassie puts Lizbeth at the bottom of the stack revealing a
yearbook photo beneath. Evan starts drying the wound.
EVAN (CONTD)
And this fellow must be ...
Nobody.

CASSIE

Ben Parish

EVAN

She stares at him - how...? Then she remembers:

CASSIE
I have never wished you hadnt read
my journals more than at this
precise moment.
He smiles, gestures for her to show the next picture.
EVAN
Your family?
(she nods)
You look like your dad.
(he touches the picture)
And thats Sam.
CASSIE
Thats Sam.
(none at all)
Hes really a ton of trouble.
Hes begun wrapping a new bandage around her leg.

87.
EVAN
I cant wait to meet him.
She looks up at him sharply, then smiles gratefully.
CASSIE
We push, I figure we can make
Wright Patterson by tomorrow night.
EVAN
Youre probably right.
A complicated look in his eyes. Maybe he doesnt want this
journey to end. He finishes her bandage, seals it closed.
EVAN (CONTD)
Good as new.
CASSIE
You always say that.
Do I?

EVAN

She hasnt moved, still looking at him.

CASSIE
I never thanked you for saving me.
EVAN
Truth is, I think you saved me.
Hes having trouble pretending he cant feel her proximity.
Cassie--

EVAN (CONTD)

He starts to stand, but she stops him with her hand on his
arm. He looks back. The moment holds, then she leans in.
CASSIE
(lips on his)
Thank. You.
She pulls back, their eyes locked. Then Evan suddenly wraps
his hands around her waist. She YELPS, LAUGHS. They kiss,
falling back, passion finally taking them from this world.
EXT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - FIRING RANGE - DAY
(OVER) GUNSHOTS. Squad 53 SHOOTS target practice.

88.
RINGER
Think of your gun as part of you.
Breathe the bullet out.
They FIRE another round, much better than before -- more
SHOTS finding the target. Ringer and Zombie exchange a look.
53!

REZNIK

Reznik, looking mean as ever. They go quiet - what now?

REZNIK (CONTD)
Nicely done.
Praise? From Reznik? Everyones surprised. Before it can turn
mushy, she turns to Zombie.
REZNIK (CONTD)
The Colonel wants to see you.
INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - SITUATION ROOM - DAY

Vosch stand overs the large plotting table, studying a

detailed map of Ohio. Sees Zombie appear at the door.

*
*

VOSCH
Come in, Parish.
Zombie joins him.
VOSCH (CONTD)
The key to winning a war is
understanding how your enemy
thinks. And now we do.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*

He retrieves a COMPUTER PRINTOUT and hands it to Zombie.

VOSCH (CONTD)
We intercepted a transmission
between two of the infested. I
dont expect you to be able to
decipher it, but our computers were
able to.

*
*
*
*
*
*

Zombie stares at the paper. What looks to be a series of

numbers and strange symbols.

*
*

VOSCH (CONTD)
Much of what we assumed is correct.
The Others are waiting us out. They
know we have limited food supplies.
(MORE)

*
*
*
*

89.
VOSCH (CONTD)
That its only a matter of time
until were too depleted to offer
any resistance at all. Then the
planet is theres for the taking.
Which is why we have to strike back
before its too late.
He indicates a cluster of plastic figures on the map.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Our recon flights have identified
significant clusters of infested in
and around Dayton. At 0500 tomorrow
morning one squad will be air
dropped in to eliminate them.
And now Zombie starts to get it.
VOSCH (CONTD)
In war, heart counts for a great
deal.
The reason hes here.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Understand something: I had two
kids of my own. Theres nothing
about this that feels right to me.
Vosch looks off a moment, considering the impossible horror
of it all. But then his eyes set with determination.
VOSCH (CONTD)
But theres no right or wrong
anymore. Only survival.
Vosch levels his gaze on Zombie, far more fatherly than
officious.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Make me proud, son. Bring your
squad back in one piece.
It takes Zombie a moment to find his VOICE.
ZOMBIE
... Yes, sir.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

INT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - BARRACKS - NIGHT

Lights out, the barracks quiet. But no one can sleep. Sam
lies in his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

*
*

90.
SAM
Zombie, are we really heading out
tomorrow?
Yeah.

ZOMBIE

*
*
*
*
*

SAM
Im scared.

*
*

ZOMBIE
... Its gonna be okay. Just try to
get some sleep.

*
*
*

Quiet for a moment. Then --

SAM
What was your name? Before.

*
*

ZOMBIE
Ben. What was yours?

*
*

SAM
Sam. But my sister called me Sams.
(then)
When I couldnt sleep, she used to
sing to me.
(beat, in a shaky voice)
Bones sinking like stones
All that we fall for -

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Zombie knows it. He joins in, his VOICE surprisingly good.

ZOMBIE
Homes places we've grown
All of us are done for -

*
*
*

DUMBO (OVER)
Jesus, can you guys shut it--

*
*

But as we WIDEN the truth is all the other kids lie

listening, even Dumbo, trying to fight their terror-ZOMBIE AND SAM
And we live in a beautiful world -

*
*
*
*

EXT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - NIGHT

PULL OUT AND UP over the spotlit base -

ZOMBIE AND SAM (V.O.)

Yeah we do, yeah we do -

*
*

91.
A small beacon of light against the dark wilderness.

ZOMBIE AND SAM (V.O.)

We live in a beautiful world...

*
*

EXT. DAIRY FARM - AFTERNOON

Under a brilliant blue sky, Cassie and Evan have stopped at

what was once a working dairy farm. Evan picks a berry from a
bush, tastes it.

*
*
*

EVAN
Theyre good.

*
*

He pulls a handful, offers them to her, when -

EVAN (CONTD)
Are you okay...

CASSIE
Im great....

EVAN (CONTD)
About last night, I mean?

Are you?

CASSIE

They both LAUGH. Then HIS BACK STIFFENS.

What--?

CASSIE

*
*
*

Evan lifts his finger to his lips. SHH. And now Cassie hears
it too - a NOISE, coming from beyond a wooden shed.

*
*

Cassie follows Evans eyes as they look up to the sky --

And sees sunlight glinting off the small objects hovering

there. THREE DRONES.

*
*

Cassie meets Evans eyes - oh shit - then sees beyond him as

a MAN and WOMAN emerge from behind the shed, 30s, the man
carries two large gallon containers of water.

*
*
*

Evan shields Cassie as they silently step back, out of the

couples field of vision - they back around the side of a
large tractor -

*
*
*

-- and come face to face with another MAN, 50s. Cassie GASPS.

A frozen moment as the Man looks back and forth between

Cassie and Evan, then, to Evan, his eyes narrowing -

*
*

MAN
This aint your sector. Whatre you
doing here?

*
*
*

Evan considers a thousand replies. But what he says is:

92.
EVAN
Cassie, run!

*
*

On Cassie, frozen with fear and shock as -- Evan swings his

rifle off his shoulder -- but the Man reacts just as quickly,
KNOCKING it from his hands -- and CASSIE RUNS --

*
*
*

-- STAY WITH CASSIE, hauling ass, ignoring the pain shooting

up her leg -- she glances back, sees the man PUNCH Evan as he
WHISTLES sharply, alerting his friends -- Cassie reaches a
crumbling BARN, races inside --

*
*
*
*

INSIDE THE BARN - Cassie BREATHES HARD, peers out -- all she
can see is an empty clearing as thoughts cascade through her
mind -- suddenly she remembers her gun: she unshoulders her
pack, frantically finds the Luger -- glances up to see,
across the clearing, THE COUPLE APPEARS, searching for her -they separate, the man (RED FLANNEL SHIRT) heads to the barn -

*
*
*
*
*
*

Cassie swallows her breath, fumbles to sling her pack on as

she spots a ladder -- painfully she climbs, reaching the loft
just as Red Flannel ENTERS below, pistol in hand --

*
*
*

Cassie swings around a beam, peeks out to see him scanning

the barn below -- she loses sight of him as he passes beneath
her -- Cassie silently moves across the loft, spots him below
-- she levels her gun on him -- can she really do this? -when, SQUEAK, the rotted wood beneath her feet creaks --

*
*
*
*
*

The man swings his gun up, fires two quick shots -- BANG!
BANG! -- which puncture the floor by her feet -- Cassie
YELPS, swings back behind a beam, and the wood beneath her
breaks -- CASSIE FALLS THROUGH -- lands painfully on a roll
of hay as we CUT TO:

*
*
*
*
*

WHAM!! EVAN SMASHES THE MAN IN THE FACE WITH THE BUTT OF HIS
RIFLE! But the man shakes off the blow, something almost
superhuman in the way he yanks the gun from Evans hand,
swings it around to shoot -- but Evan has ducked, pile drives
the man backward into the tractor -- as --

*
*
*
*
*

-- in the distance, the woman appears -- unseen by Evan she

raises her rifle -- squeezes the trigger as --

*
*

Evan grabs the man, swings him around as a shield as -- BAM! - *

- the bullet hits the man in the back, killing him -- the
*
woman REACTS when, from the barn, a GUNSHOT -- Evan looks
*
that way -*
INSIDE THE BARN -- BAM! Cassie SCREAMS as HAY EXPLODES around
her head -- shes on her back, scrambling for cover as Red
Flannel pursues across the barn -- on all fours now she
scrambles out the side of the barn -- he chases her --

*
*
*
*

93.
OUTSIDE THE BARN -- and is clothes-lined by Evan who has
appeared by the barn door!

*
*

Stunned, Red Flannel goes down hard, his head SLAMS on the
ground -- instantly Evan rips his handgun from him, swings it
up -- BANG! BANG! -- shooting at the woman who pursues him -missing her as she moves behind a copse of trees --

*
*
*
*

Cassie is back up against the barn, watching breathless as --

Evans eyes quickly scan, trying to locate the woman, when -Red Flannel slams him in the back -- Evan fights back -- a
series of six insane, virtually superhuman moves -- the last
one a kick to the jaw which SNAPS the mans neck as --

*
*
*
*

BANG! The woman SHOOTS -- but Evan is already spinning and

BAM! -- hits her with a kill shot right between the eyes.

*
*

Silence. Evan stands over the two dead bodies, breathing

hard. Finally, he looks up to --

*
*

CASSIE. Staring back at him. Wide-eyed, stunned. Her gun

pointed right at his chest. Finally:

*
*

CASSIE
What are you?

*
*

EVAN
... Cassie --

*
*

Her hand shaking. Eyes wet with tears of confusion, betrayal.

CASSIE
Are you... human?

*
*

EVAN
... of course Im human.

*
*

CASSIE
Dont lie to me!

*
*

EVAN
Im human... And Im not.

*
*

And with that, what remains of her world shatters.

EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - AIR FIELD - AFTERNOON

Squad 53 in fatigues, body armor and helmets arrive at a

BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER. Over the WHINE of the rotors the PILOT
greets Zombie.

*
*
*

94.
PILOT

*
*

ZOMBIE
Present and accounted for.

*
*

PILOT
Alright. Load up. Strap in.

*
*

Squad 53?

Dumbo. Oompa. Teacup. Poundcake. Flintstone. Ringer. All

anxiously board the chopper. Zombie climbs in last.

*
*

ZOMBIE
Good to go!

*
*

RINGER
Wheres nugget?

*
*

ZOMBIE
Food poisoning.

*
*

Ringer frowns, questioning, but Zombie just stares forward as

the helicopter now lifts off, banks away over the base.

*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - BARRACKS - AFTERNOON

Quiet. Empty. But then in the silence we hear (OVER) a

MUFFLED NOISE. Its coming from -

*
*

THE SHOWERS. Sams wrists are tied to the shower handle, he

tries to SHOUT through his gag.

*
*

Around his neck hangs Bens sisters heart-shaped locket.

EXT. DAIRY FARM - AFTERNOON

Cassie blinks away the tears, trying to steady her hand as

she holds her gun on Evan, summoning every reserve of
strength she has.

*
*
*

CASSIE
Drop the gun, Evan. If thats even
your name.
It is.
Drop it!

*
*
*

EVAN

*
*

CASSIE

*
*

95.
EVAN
If I was going to kill you, Cassie,
I wouldve done it a long time ago.

*
*
*

Her look is unwavering. He tosses the gun to the side.

CASSIE
So, youre one of them. Youre an
Alien. Youre a fucking Other.

*
*
*

EVAN
No, I told you -- Im human, just
like you.

*
*
*

CASSIE
(sharp)
Youre lying again -

*
*
*

EVAN
(hard to admit)
But Im... Other too. Im both -

*
*
*

Cassie just stares at him. Clutching her gun with her sanity.
EVAN (CONTD)
I always felt different. Growing
up, I knew I wasnt like my
brothers and sisters. And when the
ship arrived, it was like a switch
was flipped inside me. And for the
first time I knew who I was... Who
Ive always been... I suddenly
understood everything. About how
humans are weak. And selfish. I...
I understood humans are... vermin.
An infestation. And that it was my
job to exterminate you. All of you.
Cassie swallows that pill.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

EVAN (CONTD)
We needed a home. Humans were
destroying theirs. They didnt
deserve it and we needed it. It
seemed so simple

*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE
How many did you kill?

*
*

Evan doesnt want to answer.

How many?

CASSIE (CONTD)

*
*
*

96.
EVAN

*
*

CASSIE
Did you kill your family?

*
*

EVAN
(shakes his head)
The disease did that. But even
then, I knew it was for the greater
good.

*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE
Your family..? They loved you.

*
*

EVAN
Love is just a trick... An animal
instinct. A way to protect your
genetic future...

*
*
*
*

Too many.

Cassie just stares at him. He stares right back.

CASSIE
You really believe that?

*
*

EVAN
Cassie, I used to believe all of
it. It seemed so clear. So true.

*
*
*

CASSIE
Then why did you save me? Why am I
still alive?

*
*
*

EVAN
Because I was wrong. Humans arent
vermin. Loves not just a trick.
And it can change everything... I
know... Because of you.

*
*
*
*
*

And that stops her short. CUT TO:

IN THE WOODS:

Evan, walking through the woods. He hears something. Pivots

on instinct, rifle ready.

*
*

THROUGH THE SIGHTS: Cassie, lying on the grass, looking up at

the sky.

*
*

EVAN (V.O.)
I was hunting you.
ON THE TRIGGER: Evans finger starts to press.

*
*
*

97.
EVAN (V.O.)
But watching you; have you ever
seen something impossible?

*
*
*

THROUGH THE SIGHTS: Cassie begins to sing. We live in a

beautiful world.

*
*

EVAN (V.O.)
You were totally alone, and yet you
were so full of life.

*
*
*

Evan aims at her - a RED DOT from the laser sight on her
forehead - finger on the trigger - but doesnt shoot. He
lowers his gun. Feelings stirring in him.

*
*
*

EVAN
I cant explain. You were like a
tiny spark in a pile of dry wood.
You refused to go out.

*
*
*
*

Evan watches her, awestruck.

BACK TO CASSIE AND EVAN

EVAN (CONTD)
And suddenly I knew, I had to
protect you at all costs.

*
*
*

IN THE WOODS:

At night, Evan watches from a ridge above as Cassie draws her

map in the dirt.

*
*

EVEN (V.O.)
Like you flipped the switch back.

*
*

IN THE WOODS:

Shes out on the highway with the pile-up, using the map.

CASSIE
Did you shoot me?
Then Evan sees a GLINT. He looks through his rifles sights.
In the woods on the other side of the highway: ANOTHER
SNIPER, aiming his rifle at Cassie. About to shootNo.

EVAN (V.O.)

(wry)
We were out of my sector.
Evan reacts instinctively. At the same moment the Sniper
pulls his trigger, Evan does too.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

98.
The Sniper is hit in the arm. Cassie is hit in the leg.

On the highway, she CRIES OUT, writhes, falls.

In the woods, the Sniper is caught by surprise. Looks for the

source. Even keeps low behind a rock.

*
*

Cassie scrambles toward her M-4.

The Sniper looks from the rock to Cassie. Still in range --

Behind the rock, Evan sees the Sniper aim at Cassie again.
Evan aims. Both guns go off. The ground around the M-4
explodes. The Sniper flies back. A fatal shot.

*
*
*

Evan looks back at Cassie. Shes crawling under the Buick.

ON THE HIGHWAY:

Evan watches - distressed, no idea what to do. Cassies under

the Buick. No movement. Then - Cassie pulls herself out staggers forward, firing blindly - then collapses and tumbles
into the ditch.

*
*
*
*

LATER. Evan picks her up. Carries her away.

IN A WILD FLOWER FIELD:

Evan carries Cassie in his arms towards the farm house.

IN THE FARMHOUSE BEDROOM:

Evan lays Cassie down on the bed. Then looks at her.

BACK TO CASSIE AND EVAN:

Evan is clearly tormented with remorse. Cassie sees that. Her

anger and fear bump up against a glimmer of compassion.

*
*

EVAN
You feel so alone. So lost.
Hes talking about both of them
EVAN (CONTD)
And then, youve been found.
Finally found.
Hes holding her eyes.
EVAN (CONTD)
Do you understand? Please, Cassie,
tell me you understand.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

99.
CASSIE
Turn around. Face the tree.
Cassie -

EVAN

She sees the imploring, vulnerable look in his eyes. And

despite how awful it all is, part of her wants to give in to
him. Instead she trains her gun, finger on the trigger.
CASSIE
I said turn around.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

INT. BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER - NIGHT

DEAFENING ROAR. Zombie, Ringer and the rest of Squad 53 are

strapped in and nervous. A SOLDIER passes out TECHY HEADBANDS
with a lens that drops over one eye, says over the roar:

*
*
*

SOLDIER
SAME TECHNOLOGY AS THE DETECTOR AT
THE BASE. WHEN YOU LOOK THROUGH IT,
A HUMAN WILL LOOK NORMAL. THE
INFECTED WILL LIGHT UP GREEN.
Zombie and the others attach their headbands, try out the
lenses, as the Soldier addresses Zombie -SOLDIER (CONTD)
YOU CLEAR ON YOUR ORDERS?
Zombie does his best to swallow his nerves:
ZOMBIE
INFILTRATE THE INFESTEDS HQ,
TERMINATE THE ENEMY AND DESTROY
THEIR ORDNANCE.
Soldier nods, that right, as the chopper BANKS.
SOLDIER
WHEN YOU COMPLETE THE MISSION
SIGNAL FOR EXTRACTION. WELL PICK
YOU UP.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Zombie watches as DAYTON appears beneath them. A cluster of

buildings beyond the river. Fires dot the landscape.

*
*

Zombie looks back to his squad. A handful of terrified kids.

100.
INT. BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER - NIGHT

The Black Hawk hovers. The squad unclip and jump out.

For the first time, Teacup looks like a scared kid. She
hasnt unclipped her harness. Zombie goes to her.
ZOMBIE
YOU CAN DO THIS, TEACUP.
(she shakes her head, no)
HOW ABOUT IF WE GO TOGETHER?

She doesnt nod - but doesnt say no. Zombie unbuckles her.
She now manages a small nod.

He flips the lens over his eye, wraps one arm around her and
they jump out of the helicopter.

EXT. DAYTON - NIGHT

Zombie and Teacup join the rest of Squad 53. The Black Hawk
rockets up, banks sharply and disappears.

They hunker by a wall. Across a bridge is a cluster of

buildings. Abandoned cars everywhere. A jackknifed TANKER.

*
*

OOMPA
I feel like Im gonna have a heart
attack, its not possible, right?
Im too young to have a heart
attack.

*
*
*
*
*

RINGER
Not necessarily.

*
*

POUNDCAKE
Just breathe. In out.

*
*

Zombie locates a WAREHOUSE among the buildings. Indicates -ZOMBIE

(off a map card)
Thats their HQ. That warehouse.
Keep tight. Leap frog. Use the cars
for cover. Ready?

*
*
*
*
*

Zombie flips his eye-piece down, signals his crew to run.

They keep low as they race across the bridge.

*
*

ACROSS THE BRIDGE, they hunker down behind an abandoned PICK

UP TRUCK. Flintstone dares a peek over the hood.

*
*

101.
FLINTSTONE
Holy shit, I got three of em.
Straight ahead.
Zombie looks. Beside the warehouse are three barely visible
BODIES, just silhouettes in the shadows, but the lenses
reveal the GREEN WRITHING PREDATORS within.

*
*
*
*
*
*

Ringer steadies her rifle on the edge of the window. Aims.

RINGER
I got you, you motherf-Suddenly the WINDSHIELD of the pick up EXPLODES. GUNFIRE.
Glass everywhere. Everyone dives for cover - all very scared.
This isnt like the war games. This is very fucking real.
DUMBO
(terrified)
Oh, man, I peed. I peed.
Ringer, peering under the truck, tracks the THREE INFESTED
taking off, disappearing behind the building.
Lost em.

RINGER

Then, MORE GUNFIRE, PINGING off the cars.

ZOMBIE
MOVE! BACK BEHIND THAT WALL. GO!

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

The squad retreats. Crouching low as they scramble between

parked cars and fall in behind a low cement wall -

*
*

As they all regroup, Oompa looks around --

OOMPA
Wheres Teacup?! We lost Teacup!

*
*

She reveals herself hiding behind a car.

OOMPA (CONTD)
Dont do that! Dont scare me like
th-Suddenly, Oompa goes down. It takes a second for everyone to
realize.
DUMBO
Oompas shot!

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Zombie looks around - where the hell did the shot come from? - *
as Poundcake scrambles to Oompa.
*

102.
POUNDCAKE
Hes not breathing.
Dumbo joins him -

*
*
*

POUNDCAKE (CONTD)
Dont be dead, please dont be
dead.
But he is. They all just look at each other, weak, stunned.
Zombie begins scanning with his rifle as Ringer joins him.

*
*
*
*
*

RINGER
I dont see em, but theyve got
sight lines so theyre probably on
the roofs.

*
*
*
*

ZOMBIE
That parking garage. Well have
cover there.

*
*
*

RINGER
No good. We move into the open they
pick us off one by one.

*
*
*

ZOMBIE
... We need some kind of diversion.

*
*

She looks at him, nods, then looks out across the plaza. Her
eyes land on the jack-knifed TANKER.
Okay.
What?

*
*

RINGER

*
*

ZOMBIE

*
*

RINGER
When I go, count to twenty, then
haul ass for the garage.

*
*
*

ZOMBIE
When you go where?

*
*

RINGER
Twenty, starting now! Cover me!

*
*

And with that she races off. On ZOMBIE. OhJesus. He pops up,
starts FIRING RANDOMLY, a blanket of AUTOMATIC COVER FIRE.
ZOMBIE
One... two... three...

*
*
*
*

103.
WITH RINGER - as she bursts across the plaza, reaches the
tanker - BREATHING HARD, scared, she tries to unscrew the
tankers gas tank cap - its stuck, fuck - she uses the butt
of her rifle to try to BANG off the cap -- BAM! BAM!

*
*
*
*

BACK TO ZOMBIE - unable to see Ringer, not sure where she is - *

ZOMBIE (CONTD)
Nine... ten... listen up, on my go,
haul ass to that parking garage...
thirteen... fourteen...

*
*
*
*

FLINTSTONE
(off Oompa)
What about--

*
*
*

ZOMBIE
Leave him...sixteeen...seventeen...

*
*

RINGER - BAM! The gas cap flies off - she takes a GRENADE
from her jacket - pulls the pin, DROPS IT IN THE TANK --

*
*

ZOMBIE - still flying blind, no idea if he can trust Ringer -- *

ZOMBIE (CONTD)
...nineteen...twenty.
No choice, but -Go!!

*
*
*

ZOMBIE (CONTD)

*
*

The squad burst from cover -- which is PRECISELY WHEN theres

a DULL BOOM from the tanker -- as they run toward the parking
garage, across the plaza the tank EXPLODES in a HUGE
FIREBALL!! GLASS AND METAL shoot out from the truck!!!

*
*
*
*

The Squad TEAR ACROSS THE INTERSECTION towards the garage,

INT. DAYTON. PARKING GARAGE - NIGHT

They regroup, hunker down in the dark parking lot, breathing
hard, freaked out.
Look -

TEACUP

She points across the garage, where Ringer comes racing to

join them.
So cool.

TEACUP (CONTD)

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

104.
A look passes between Ringer and Zombie, gratitude and
respect. Flintstone is simply in awe.
FLINTSTONE
Id hug you if I didnt think youd
punch me in the nuts for it.
Ringer almost smiles.
POUNDCAKE
So, what do we do now?

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Zombie has pulled his map from his jacket, studies it.

ZOMBIE
We get behind the warehouse. Take
it from the other side. Maybe
surprise them.

*
*
*
*

RINGER
Yeah, good luck with that.

*
*

They turn to her, confused. See shes pulled out her KNIFE.

DUMBO
What are you doing?

*
*

RINGER
These idiots at HQ just dropped us
into a hot zone. I told you before,
Im not getting myself killed.

*
*
*
*

She feels the back of her neck. Finds the lump.

RINGER (CONTD)
I can do better my our own.

*
*

She brings the knife up to her own flesh and cuts.

DUMBO
Ringer, what the hell are you-She digs out her TINY TRACKER. Holds it up.
RINGER
You should get out of here too-Dumbo GASPS. Involuntarily steps back away from her as -FLINTSTONE
Holy shit! Zombie, you seeing this?
Ringer looks back and forth among them, all staring back at
her, dumbstruck.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

105.

... What?

RINGER

Finally, we see what they see. THROUGH ZOMBIES EYEPIECE, THE

GREEN WRITHING CREATURE BENEATH RINGERS SKIN.
What?!

RINGER (CONTD)

Dumbo levels his rifle on her.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*

DUMBO
Dont play dumb. Dyou really think
we wouldnt figure it out?

*
*
*

RINGER
Figure what out?!

*
*

DUMBO
Its over, Ringer. We can see
whats inside of you. Youre one of
them.

*
*
*
*

Ringer stands there, dumbfounded.

RINGER
You really think...
(then)
If I was one of them, why would I
have just saved all your asses?
Zombie just stares at her, his mind doing gymnastics. And now
Poundcake has his rifle on her too.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

POUNDCAKE
cause its a trick. The second you
take off we get surrounded. They
take us all prisoner. Torture us
for information.

*
*
*
*
*

RINGER
This is nuts--

*
*

TEACUP
No way! You bastards arent
sticking a probe up my ass!

*
*
*

RINGER
Theres nothing inside me--

*
*

POUNDCAKE
(SHOUTING)
Shut up! You just shut up!

*
*
*

106.
Ringers scared now. Outnumbered. Fighting panic, she locks
eyes on Zombie, imploring -RINGER
What about you? You really think
Im an Other? Do you?
Instead of answering, Zombie looks at her a long moment.
Then, still holding her eyes, he pulls out his knife.
RINGER (CONTD)
Zombie, no, come on. Please. Not
you.
Boss--?

FLINTSTONE

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Zombie brings up his blade and, wincing, cuts the tracker

from the back of his neck.

*
*

... the others REACT.

FLINTSTONE (CONTD)
-- the hell is going on here?!
Somebody tell me what the sweet
hell is going on here!!

*
*
*
*

Zombie can see it in the way theyre looking at him.

THE SQUADS POV - VARIOUS

Theres a creature inside of him too. Which, by his

expression, is apparently just what he expected.

*
*

ZOMBIE
(to Ringer)
No. I dont.

*
*
*

He looks back at his squad.

ZOMBIE (CONTD)
Im not an Other. Or infected. Or
whatever Reznik calls them. They
lied to us, green doesnt mean
alien, green means human.

*
*
*
*
*

POUNDCAKE
Run that by me again?

*
*

ZOMBIE
These trackers and lenses, theyre
a trick.

*
*
*

Sinking in even as he SAYS it ALOUD.

107.
ZOMBIE (CONTD)
We werent being trained to kill
the Others. Were being trained to
kill survivors.

*
*
*
*

FLINTSTONE
Then... those guys out there, the
ones were shooting at...

*
*
*

Flintstone points to the buildings beyond the garage.

ZOMBIE
Theyre human. Like us.
Jesus.

RINGER

Zombie nods. Thats right.

*
*
*
*
*

POUNDCAKE
Why, why would the Army want us
fighting humans?

*
*
*

ZOMBIE
-- because the Army, Vosch,
Reznick, are The Others.

*
*
*

That sits there a moment. All of them reeling with the truth.

TEACUP
What do we do?

*
*

FLINTSTONE
Ringers right. We go AWOL.

*
*

Flintstone has already taken out his knife, begins to cut out
his tracker. The others follow suit. But as they do --

*
*

We SETTLE ON ZOMBIE along with a terrible realization.

ZOMBIE
I left Nugget behind.
They all look at him.
ZOMBIE (CONTD)
I didnt want him to get hurt out
here so I--. Jesus.
(looking back at them)
You all go.
(they look at him)
Ive got to go back for him.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

108.
RINGER
Zombie, look, you cant just wander
back in there alone. Theyll know--

*
*
*

ZOMBIE
(to Dumbo)
Where can I take a bullet in my
torso but not die?

*
*
*
*

They all just stare at him a beat.

DUMBO
What? Nowhere.

*
*

ZOMBIE
Arms, legs - itll look too fake.
(pulls his shirt tight)
Just give her a clear target. You
know shell hit it.

*
*
*
*
*

Dumbo shakes his head. This is madness.

RINGER
You want me to shoot you?

*
*

ZOMBIE
(smile)
Dont act like youve never thought
about it before.

*
*
*
*

Then... The DISTANT SOUND OF HELICOPTER ROTORS.

ZOMBIE (CONTD)
Outta time. Dumbo, show her where.

*
*
*

EXT. PARKING GARAGE - UPPER LEVEL - NIGHT

DEAFENING ROAR as the Black Hawk descends toward the roof. It

touches down TO REVEAL -- out the open side of the chopper -Zombie stands there, clutching his blood-soaked side.

*
*
*

INT. HELICOPTER - PARKING GARAGE - UPPER LEVEL - CONTINUOUS

A SOLDIER helps him inside. Zombie CRIES OUT in pain.

SOLDIER
SOLDIER, WHERES YOUR UNIT?

*
*

ZOMBIE
All dead...

*
*

109.
The Soldier examines Zombie, notes his wound, the ID PATCH on
his jacket, turns to the PILOT SOLDIER
295. Hell live. Lets bug out.
The helicopter ascends, SCREAMING away from the city, Zombie
in the back, as the PILOT SPEAKS into his RADIO -PILOT
Tango three returning to base. 295
on deck, taking the rest off line.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

With that, he reaches down to a CONSOLE where we see a series

of SWITCHES, beside each switch is a NUMBER. (If were paying
close attention well note that the numbers correspond to the
members of Squad 53.) The pilot flips each of the switches -the light beside each one GOES OUT.

*
*
*
*
*

EXT. PARKING GARAGE - NIGHT

Seven small, slightly bloody capsules lie on the floor of the

deserted garage. The discarded tracking devices.

*
*

BANG! BANG! BANG! -- suddenly, they all EXPLODE!

EVAN (V.O.)
Cassie, dont do this -

*
*

EXT. DAIRY FARM - AFTERNOON - EARLIER

Cassie has retrieved a LENGTH OF ROPE from Evans pack.

CASSIE
Its this or I shoot you. You
choose.
Evan stands with his arms around a tree, she wraps the rope
tightly around his wrists.

*
*
*
*
*

EVAN
I can still help you.

*
*

CASSIE
I dont think so.

*
*

She yanks the rope, cinching it TIGHT. Retrieves her pack.

EVAN
Listen to me. The Army is
controlled by The Others.

*
*
*
*

110.
That stops her. She looks up at him.

EVAN (CONTD)
The senior officers are all
infested.

*
*
*

CASSIE

*
*

EVAN
(pointed)
Not at all like.
(beat)
Theyre preparing the kids.

*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE

*
*

Like you.

For what?

EVAN
To kill the last of you. The
children are the Fifth Wave.
She stares at him, no words. So many emotions but one the
most pronounced; betrayal.

*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE
I cant believe I trusted you.

*
*

EVAN
Cassie, you still can.

*
*

She stares at him, then shakes her head with sadness and even
some horror. Turns and begins walking away. He CALLS after.
EVAN (CONTD)
Theyll search you - you cant be
armed.

*
*
*
*
*

But she doesnt hesitate, doesnt even turn. Evan watches as

she heads away from him, into the woods and then gone.

*
*

The moments lasts, then Evan simply BREAKS the ropes with his
wrists, rubs them, not following, eyes impossible to read.

*
*

EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT

Cassie emerges through the treeline, stumbles down a hill

toward the road. BUS HEADLIGHTS visible in the distance.

*
*

111.
EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - AIRPLANE HANGAR

Cassie sits in a red circle among a new crop of kids. She

tries to hide her anxiety, holding on to her numbered card.

*
*

MEGAPHONE SOLDIER

*
*

547.
172

She STANDS. As she follows a soldier off, we see Bears head

poking out of her backpack.

172
*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - EXAM ROOM -- DAY

Cassie, in a white jumpsuit, sits on an exam table, the
Technician loading the tracker gun.

*
*

REZNIKS VOICE (OVER)

Any family not known to be dead?

*
*

CASSIE
No. Its just me.

*
*

Reznik nods, sympathetic.

REZNIK
Well, were your family now.

*
*

GZZZZ - the Technician implants the TRACKER into her neck.

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - WHITE ROOM -

MOMENTS LATER

Cassie faces the two-way mirror. On the other side a DRUGGED

KID sits with wires running from his head to the console.

*
*

REZNIK
Were calling them the Infested.
Cassies eyes surreptitiously dart around the room. Two
chairs. The computer. Nothing that can be used for a weapon.
REZNIK (CONTD)
I know, its impossible to tell.
Look through here.
She moves the eye exam device in front of Cassies eyes.
REZNIK (CONTD)
Truth is, we dont know how The
Othe-WHAM! Cassie shoves the device with all her strength, it
SWINGS on its stand and SMASHES into REZNIKS FACE.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

112.
Reznik falls back, stunned -- blood gushing from her forehead
-- and Cassie is on her feet -- yanks a computer cord, but it
doesnt come free -- sees Reznik stumbling to her feet --

*
*
*

Cassie finally rips the cord free -- wraps it around Rezniks

NECK, PULLING it tight --

*
*

Reznik STRUGGLES, flails -- and LIFTS CASSIE OFF THE FLOOR -Cassie hangs on as Reznik reaches back and grabs Cassies
neck -- desperate, Cassie pushes her feet back -- kicks off
the wall -- sends them both flying toward another wall --

*
*
*
*

SMACK -- Reznik hits the mirror face first -- it SPIDERWEBS

as they fall to the floor -- REZNIK IS OUT COLD --

*
*

Cassie jumps up, BREATHING HARD -- picks at the back of her

neck -- digs out the TRACKER --

*
*

She looks for somewhere to put it -- sees Reznik on the floor

-- SHOVES THE TRACKER DEEP UP REZNIKS NOSE -- then goes to
the computer --

*
*
*

ON THE SCREEN: Cassie sees something that looks like a SEARCH

box. Types SAM SULLIVAN. The computers response: DATA
ENTRY ERROR. She tries another entry: SEARCH BY NAME. The
computer gives her the same response: DATA ENTRY ERROR.
Cassie GROWLS, frustrated - shes about to try again as she
sees, reflected in the screen, behind her --

*
*

Reznik rises to her feet.

Cassie swings around as Reznik glares at her, blood smearing

her face, fury in her eyes. Cassie backs up as --

*
*

Reznik pulls out a TRANSMITTER (similar to the device in the

helicopter). Reznik stabs a number into the devices keyboard
- 5-4-7. Looks up at Cassie, smiles --

*
*
*

REZNIK (CONTD)
Feisty little bitch, aint ya?
Wait---

CASSIE

*
*
*
*

Reznik PRESSES THE BUTTON.

Instantly, Reznicks HEAD JERKS, eyes widening with the shock

of intense pain, and her legs collapse beneath her. DEAD.

*
*

Cassie just stares, eyes hard.

CASSIE (CONTD)
Whos the bitch, bitch?

*
*

113.
EXT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - CORRIDOR - DAY

TWO SOLDIERS come down the corridor. As they turn a corner,

Cassie appears from the other direction, clutching bear at
her side, WEARING REZNIKS UNIFORM.

*
*
*

She RIPS OFF REZNIKS NAME TAG, shoves it in a trash can as

she strides by.

*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - SITUATION ROOM - DAY

TECHs man control stations. Windows look out at the base.

The hub of the wheel. Vosch, on the phone:

*
*

VOSCH
-- three of the four squads
achieved their mission objectives,
so, yes, Dayton was a success.
(OVER) A KNOCK on the door.
Come in.

VOSCH (CONTD)

The door OPENS, a Soldier (Parker, from the bus) escorts

Zombie inside. Vosch indicates for Zombie to take a seat.
VOSCH (CONTD)
(into the phone)
Were moving them all to Wonderland
tonight for Phase 2.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Zombie hears that. Does his best to remain poker-faced

despite his sudden anxiety. Tonight?!

*
*

VOSCH (CONTD)
Thank you, Commander. Ill notify
you when the birds are in the air.

*
*
*

He ends the call, settles his gaze on Zombie as Parker steps

back. Zombie wears fresh fatigues over his bandages.

*
*

VOSCH (CONTD)
Welcome back, son. Safe if not
entirely sound. The doctors tell me
you were extremely lucky. The
bullet passed clean through.

*
*
*
*
*

ZOMBIE
Everything got so confused out
there, sir.

*
*
*

114.
VOSCH
The fog of war.

*
*

ZOMBIE
It was Ringer, sir.

*
*

VOSCH
... Ringer?

ZOMBIE
She went Dorothy on me, sir. Turned
the whole squad against me.

*
*

VOSCH
Ringer is an expert marksman.

*
*

ZOMBIE
She is, sir--

*
*

VOSCH
Which is how, I assume, she managed
to hit you in the single spot that
would support this fantasy.

*
*
*
*

Sir?

ZOMBIE

VOSCH
The part I couldnt figure out was
why you came back. Why you didnt
run like the rest of your squad.
Voschs eyes lock on Zombie.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Then I learned of little Nugget,
all tied up tight in the showers.
Zombie says nothing. He doesnt have to.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

VOSCH (CONTD)
Thats your weakness, Ben. You
humans. Your hope. Youve made your
own cleansing simple.

*
*
*
*

Vosch again, vaguely instructional, fatherly.

VOSCH (CONTD)
Take you human children. You can be
manipulated into believing, doing
almost anything just as long as you
believe you have a boogie man to
defeat.
(MORE)

*
*
*
*
*
*

115.
VOSCH (CONTD)
Just as long as your hope for
rescue and victory remain intact.
The right training and it turns out
there are few things on your planet
more lethal than a ten year old
child. You gave us the recipe for
your own eradication. We use your
hope to turn you into killers.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

SOLDIER (OVER)

*
*

Sir?

Vosch turns to face one of his men at a comms pedestal, the

young mans face dark with concern.
179

*
*

VOSCH
Speak up, Soldier. What is it?

*
179
*

SOLDIER
We have a report from medical.
Sergeant Rezniks dead.

*
*
*

... How?

VOSCH

SOLDIER
Theres more. Three Guards were
killed at the West Gate.
Voschs expression darkens. He looks at Parker.
VOSCH
Take this one to a cell. I want to
see whats inside his head.
(warm, awful smile)
I havent given up on you, Ben.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Vosch nods, goes to join his men at Comms as Parker grabs

Zombie and escorts him out of the room.

*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - CORRIDORS - CONTINUOUS

Parker is leading Zombie down a long hallway.

VBOOMMMM -- an EXPLOSION from somewhere across the base. The

room SHUDDERS.

*
*

Zombie looks to Parker who unclips the HANDGUN from his belt
holster when -- BOOMMMM!! BOOMMMMM!!!! -- TWO MORE
EXPLOSIONS, MUCH CLOSER! -- Parker is thrown back --

*
*
*

116.
And Zombie all that football training coming to bear as he
RIPS the gun from Parkers hands -- smashes the BUTT into the
face, hard --

*
*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - UNDERGROUND HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

The hallway SHAKES here too. Low level lights flicker. Cassie
comes out of a stairwell and moves quickly down the empty
corridor, then BOOTS, lots of them, running toward her. She
looks around - nowhere to hide - as --

*
*
*
*

A group of SOLDIERS appear, on high alert. They race past,

dont even look at her twice. She BREATHES a sigh of relief,
moves deeper into the compound.

*
*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - SITUATION ROOM - DAY

Vosch stands over his men, scanning displays as (OVER)

another DISTANT EXPLOSION.

*
*

VOSCH
(impatient)
Show me.
A turning holographic schematic appears, showing the
locations of the explosions.
VOSCH (CONTD)
(puzzled)
Charges are relatively small.
(looking up)
Find whoevers doing this.
He looks away from the graphic.
VOSCH (CONTD)
And move up the transfer. I want
all the children out of here now.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - UNDERGROUND HALLWAY - DAY

Cassie moves down the corridor, hears URGENT VOICES coming

from ahead, ducks into a perpendicular corridor almost
colliding with a SOLDIER IN FATIGUES --

*
*
*

Hey--

SOLDIER

She GRABS HIS WRIST -- TWISTS IT -- DISARMS HIM... Evans

move. ON CASSIE. Holy crap, it worked! She points the gun --

*
*
*
*

117.
CASSIE
Dont move!

*
*

SOLDIERS VOICE (OVER)

.... Cassie?

*
*

WIDEN. The fatigued soldier is none other than -ZOMBIE

Its me. Ben Parish.
(misreading her STUNNED
silence)
I sat in back of you in Honors
Chemistry.
Finally, she finds her VOICE.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE
... Ben? Right. Sure.

*
*

ZOMBIE
(misunderstanding)
You had a little brother the same
week my sister was born?

*
*
*
*

CASSIE
(just plain stunned)
Benjamin Thomas Parish.

*
*
*

BEN
(also confused)
What squad are you in?

*
*
*

CASSIE
Im-- not-- Im looking for my
brother. His names Sam.

*
*
*

And now its his turn to be STUNNED.

BEN
... Sam. Sams your little brother.
The way he says it, Cassies eyes narrow.

*
*
*
*

CASSIE
You know him?

*
*

LOUDSPEAKER VOICE
All units report for transfer. All
units report for transfer.

*
*
*

CASSIE
Whats going on?

*
*

118.
BEN
I have no idea. But thats where
Sam will be. Cmon--

*
*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - SITUATION ROOM - DAY

(OVER) Another EXPLOSION. Vosch sees another small bloom on

the holograph. Stares intently at the turning image.

*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - UNDERGROUND TUNNELS - DAY

Ben leads Cassie hurriedly down the tunnel.

ZOMBIE
Transfer areas this way-AHEAD: TWO OFFICERS round the corner, coming toward them.
Bens shoulders stiffen.

*
*
*
*

SENIOR OFFICER
Soldiers. What are you doing here?
Wheres your unit?

*
*
*

BEN
(heart pounding)
We were just joining them, sir.

*
*
*

A quick beat. The Senior Officers eyes NARROW. And Ben

doesnt hesitate -- HE PULLS HIS GUN -BEN (CONTD)
Cassie, run!
Cassie turns and BOLTS, back the way they came -- Bens on
her heels, fires a WILD SHOT back at the officers --

*
*
*
*
*
*

Cassie TURNS A CORNER, runs wildly down a perpendicular hall-- *

THE OFFICERS: race after them, pulling their GUNS.

On CASSIE as she comes -- SKIDDING to a stop by an elevator -- *

she STABS THE CALL BUTTON -- as Ben arrives, the DOORS OPEN -- *
The Officers ROUND THE CORNER -- spot Cassie and Ben at the
end of the hall --

*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - ELEVATOR - DAY

Cassie and Ben duck into the elevator -- she repeatedly SLAMS *
the UP button, but it doesnt move. Ben sees why -- Oh, God -- *

119.
BEN
It needs an I.D. card.

*
*

The Officers race up the hall -- Cassie realizes, she has one
-- she SCREAMS as bullets RICOCHET around her as she fumbles
Rezniks ID CARD from her pocket -- SWIPES the SENSOR --

*
*
*

INTERCUT with the Officers running -- and the elevator doors

as they CLOSE, just in time to save Cassie and Bens life --

*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - ELEVATOR - DAY

The elevator ascends. Cassie tries to breathe. Sees Bens in

pain, holding his side.

*
*

You okay?

CASSIE

*
*

BEN
Define okay?

*
*

CASSIE
Not bleeding to death.

*
*

BEN
... Im okay.

*
*

BOOMMM! A muffled EXPLOSION rocks the elevator. Lights blink.

INT. WRIGHT PATTERSON - CORRIDOR - DAY

Elevator doors OPEN. Ben and Cassie step off. Instantly,

Cassie hears voices. YOUNG VOICES.

*
*

BEN
This way --

*
*

They hurry toward them. The VOICES get LOUDER. Anticipation

wells in her - she rounds a curve and finds herself in:

EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - TRANSPORT AREA - DAY

The space is packed with HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AND TEENS in

FATIGUES moving toward a FAR STAIRCASE. Major Bob is in the
center, talking through a BULLHORN.

MAJOR BOB
STAY WITH YOUR GROUP LEADER!
ADULT SOLDIERS herd the kids toward the stairs, and onto
TRANSPORT TRUCKS idling at the top.

120.
Ben and Cassie step into the sea of kids, searching their
faces as they head for the trucks. An URGENT WHISPER:

*
*

She moves through the kids, searching. They blur into each
other, face after face, none of them Sam. Despair creeps in.

*
*

Then, way in the front, she spots him: Sam. In the jumble of
kids nearing the truck. She GASPS - but cant yell without
drawing attention. She pushes through the kids, toward him.

Its chaotic. She cant move fast enough. As Sam nears the
truck, she loses sight of him. She uses the TALL REDHEADED
KID beside him as a guide - cranes around - then she sees:
the REDHEAD climbing onto the truck.
No! Wait -

CASSIE

She pushes through the kids, desperate to catch up

--

Too late. Hes on the truck. Its DOORS SHUT.

The truck drives off. Cassie watches it go, devastated.

LITTLE VOICE (OVER)

She turns. Sam stands in the MOUTH OF A CORRIDOR, Ben behind

him. She gasps - a SOB bursts out of her -

*
*

Cassie?

Sam!

CASSIE

Utter joy and relief overwhelm her as he drops to her knees

in front of him, trying to swallow the lump in her throat.

*
*

He just stands there against Bens legs, staring at her, as

if trying to determine if shes real.

*
*

Hey, Sams.

CASSIE (CONTD)

She pulls out bear.

CASSIE (CONTD)
I, um, thought you might want this
back.
Then her baby brother steps forward, pushes the bear out of
her hand and crushes his face to her chest. Cassie buries her
head in his hair, taking in his smell.
CASSIE (CONTD)
Hi, Sams. Hi, Sams.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

121.
BEN (OVER)
I need to see his neck.

*
*

INT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - SITUATION ROOM - DAY

(OVER) Another EXPLOSION.

SOLDIER
Theres no rhyme or reason to them
Sir. Theyre small but theyre all
over the place.
Voschs eyes narrow.
No.

*
*
*
*
*

VOSCH

He shakes his head.

*
*
*

VOSCH (CONTD)
Not random. Hes compromising
structural integrity.
Looks up.

*
*
*
*

The kids--

VOSCH (CONTD)

*
*

SOLDIER
On the move, sir.

*
*

VOSCH
Power up my bird. When the last are
on the planes, evacuate the base.

*
*
*

Sir?

SOLDIER

*
*

But Vosch is already moving for the door.

EXT. - CORRIDOR - MOVING

Cassie, Zombie and Sam are running down a dark corridor

towards a doorway to daylight. Sam rubs the small incision on
his neck. (OVER) An ALARM begins to SOUND.

*
*
*

Shit.

CASSIE

They are almost to the daylight when a FIGURE fills the open
door, blocking their escape, a silhouette against the sun.

*
*
*
*

122.
VOICE (OVER)
I figured youd come this way.
Two DEAD SOLDIERS lay sprawled on the floor as the Man steps
towards them, features coming into view as their eyes adjust.
Evan.

CASSIE

*
*
*
*
*
*

EVAN
Hi, Cassie.
(looking down)
You must be Sammy.
(looking up)
Who are you?

*
*
*
*
*
*

SAM
Thats Ben Parish.

*
*

Wait - Ben Parish? Here?

EVAN
Ben Parish?
(shocked, to Cassie)
The Ben Parish?
Disbelief. A flash of rivalry. Evan looks at Cassie: what??
CASSIE
Yeah, um - unexpected.
What was?

BEN

But Evan keeps looking at Ben - digesting his presence.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE
This is Evan Walker.

*
*

SAM
Is he your boyfriend?

*
*

CASSIE
What are you doing here, Evan?

*
*

EVAN
Good thing I followed you. This
place isnt what I thought. Its
their central command. Not just for
Ohio -- for all of it.

*
*
*
*
*

Shes just looking at him, still waiting for an answer.

123.
EVAN (CONTD)
I was wrong when I said I was both
one of you and I wasnt.
He smiles a warm, sad smile.
EVAN (CONTD)
You cant be both. You have to
choose.
He holds her eyes.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

EVAN (CONTD)
I choose you.
And with that he kisses her, hard on the lips.

*
*
*

EVAN (CONTD)
Go. Ill find you.

*
*

And with that, hes gone into the darkness.

BEN
Is that guy-(soft)
Human.

CASSIE

Looking after Even.

*
*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE (CONTD)
We should move. Im pretty sure
hes going to blow this place up.

*
*
*

EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON - AIR STRIP - DAY

KIDS IN FATIGUES pour out of troop transport trucks and load

onto a HUGE CARGO PLANE.

*
*

EXT. WRIGHT-PATTERSON ARMY BASE - DAY

Cassie, Zombie and Sam step out into CHAOS. SIRENS.

CONFUSION. ROARING ENGINES.

*
*

A MASSIVE CARGO PLANE full of kids ROARS down the runway and
lifts into the sky, joining several others already angling
away from the base --

*
*
*

Come on --

BEN

*
*

124.
They all run, heading across the tarmac as -- A HUMVEE angles
across from them, racing toward a waiting HELICOPTER --

*
*

Cassie notices as it SCREECHES to a stop, the door opens and

VOSCH STEPS OFF.

*
*

She freezes in her tracks. The man who killed her father.
Right there. Her blood goes cold, and --

*
*

As if her senses her, Vosch turns back to her. Their gazes

meet across the distance. EYES LOCK. Then he turns and boards
the chopper. It lifts into the sky --

*
*
*

BEN (OVER) (CONTD)

Cassie -- !

*
*

She turns to see Ben and Sam, looking back at her -- she
throws a last glance to the helicopter as it banks off, then
runs to join them, they continue across the tarmac, when --

*
*
*

WHUPWHUPWHUP -- they look up over their shoulders -- VOSCHS

HELICOPTER IS BANKING BACK TOWARD THEM, A SOLDIER LEANS OUT
THE SIDE DOOR -- AND OPENS FIRE --

*
*
*

Cassie SCREAMS as bullets STRAFE the tarmac by their feet --

Here -- !

BEN (CONTD)

*
*

They take cover behind an abandoned military TRUCK -- Sam

scrunches down, throws his arms over his head as -- BULLETS
PING OFF THE TRUCK, when BOOM! BOOM! -- EXPLOSIONS MIX WITH
GUN FIRE -- DEBRIS FROM THE BARRACKS GEYSERS INTO THE SKY --

*
*
*
*

The helicopter turns and roars away as -- Cassie and Ben look
back to the base as -- MORE EXPLOSIONS SHUDDER THE GROUND
BENEATH THEIR FEET -- THE GROUND BEGINS TO CRACK --

*
*
*

CASSIE
WE HAVE TO GO -- ! SAM, GRAB MY
HAND -- !

*
*
*

They HAUL ASS as behind them -- the GROUND BREAKS -- FISSURES

spread toward the truck -- which TUMBLES into the expanding
maw of the crater --

*
*
*

AT THE BASE: windows EXPLODE, raining glass as the buildings

begin to COLLAPSE and get swallowed by the earth.

*
*

WITH CASSIE, SAM and BEN, racing to stay ahead of the

spreading crater as OBJECTS fall from the sky, EXPLODING as
they hit the ground, shattering into millions of pieces --

*
*
*

125.
BEN
WHATS THAT -- ?
Cassie realizes -- looks up as she runs to see the objects
tumbling from the sky -CASSIE
DRONES! THE BASE MUST POWER THEM!

*
*
*
*
*
*

And now, ahead of them -- oh shit! -- a HUMVEE tears from the

woods, racing right toward them --

*
*

This is it. Theyre cut off. The humvee SKIDDING to a halt in

front of them, the crater racing toward them from behind.

*
*

Ringer is driving.

GET IN!

RINGER

The ground POPS as it breaks, SPREADING TOWARD THEM -NOW!

RINGER (CONTD)

*
*
*
*
*

They jump into the car, which TEARS AWAY, closely pursued by
the spreading crater --

*
*

INT. HUMVEE - DAY

Ringer drives like a pro, slaloming obstacles as she races to

stay ahead of the CRUMBLING earth --

*
*

CASSIE
(shouting)
Nice Humvee.

*
*
*

RINGER
I stole it from the bad guys.

*
*

BEN
Cassie, Ringer. Ringer Cassie.

*
*

RINGER
Whats up, Nugget? Miss me?

*
*

CASSIE

*
*

Nugget?

SAM
Thats my name now.

*
*

126.
Cassie looks back. WRIGHT-PATTERSON IMPLODES and gets sucked
into the Earth, TAKING EVERYTHING WITH IT.

*
*

Buildings, tanks, helicopters get sucked into the abyss.

Then: A HUGE EXPLOSION.

*
*

BEN
Who was he?

*
*

CASSIE
(finally)
...a friend.

*
*
*

Im sorry.

BEN

She nods, thanks. She looks at Sam in her lap. Back up at

Ben.

*
*
*
*

CASSIE
Thank you. For keeping him alive.

*
*

BEN
Think he did the same thing for me.

*
*

She nods, tussling Sams hair.

CASSIE
Funny how that works these days.

*
*
*

She wraps her arm around her brother and holds him tight.
Ringer guides the Humvee away from the base and up into the
safety of the trees and the world beyond.

*
*
*

EXT. WOODS AT THE EDGE OF THE BASE - DAY

The humvee bounces into the woods as were HIGH OVER THE
BASE, nothing more now than a hole in the ground.

*
*

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT

The stars shine down on a make-shift campground. A CAMPFIRE

throws light on Squad 53. Dumbo, Poundcake, Ringer,
Flintstone, Teacup, Ben and Sam who prepare a simple dinner
over the fire.

*
*
*
*

Cassie sits a few feet away, staring up at the sky. Ben comes
over to join her.

*
*

BEN
Whatre you looking at?

*
*

127.
CASSIE
My namesake. Cassiopeia.

*
*

BEN
I was named after Ben and Jerrys.
(off her look)
Truth. Nothing made my dad happier
than ice cream.

*
*
*
*
*

CASSIE
(wistful smile, sincere)
... I bet you made him happy.

*
*
*

That sits there a moment, both of them thinking of all

theyve lost. Finally:

*
*

BEN
Dinners almost ready.

*
*

CASSIE
So what now?

*
*

BEN
... now we get those kids back.
Then we save the world.

*
*
*

CASSIE
How do we do that?

*
*

BEN
No clue. But well worry about that
tomorrow. Now its time to eat.

*
*
*

Ben holds out his hand.

CASSIE (V.O.)
Vosch was wrong about us. Its our
hope that lets us survive.
Cassie takes Bens hand and he helps her to her feet.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Our hope that lets us bend but
remain unbroken. Our hope that will
let us win one day.
And as they join the others we PULL BACK AND UP.
CASSIE (V.O.)
Its our hope that makes us human.
FINAL FADE TO BLACK.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*