[sic] A darkness falls script (2) By Brian Godwin TITLE CARD OPENING CREDITS INT. OFFICE - DAY 1 Inside a cramped university office, college student JACOB REYNOLDS (JR) reclines on a couch. He's nervous and shaken up, almost on the verge of tears. JACOB I'm just glad I could catch you here, Wallace. I really need someone to talk to about last night. Jacob is speaking to teaching assistant WALLACE MICHAELS, seated in a chair facing Jacob. We only see Wallace from behind. JACOB I guess it all started with the nightmares... FLASH INT. DORM ROOM - DAY 2 Jacob jerks awake, sweating profusely. Beside him, the alarm clock blares. He looks around in confusion, still caught in the throes of his nightmare, before hearing the noise and looking to his alarm. Oh shit! He's late again! During Jacob's rush to find clothes, we get out first look at his room. It's a masterpiece of college living, a monument to life on the go. Pizza boxes and clothes are piled high, and CDs are strown everywhere. A TV and video game console sit in front of a loveseat, and one computer and a cordless phone are on the desk. Jacob, now wearing a pair of jeans, begins pulling his T-shirt over his head as he kicks pizza boxes out of the way. Under one is a psychology book, which he snatches up as he slides his feet into some sandals. Jacob rushes for the door. As he opens the door, he looks to the bed above his. It is unmade and empty. Jacob shakes his head and slams the door. MONTAGE 3 Shots of Jacob rushing across campus. Bumping into people, jumping bushes, running past campus landmarks, etc. From South Campus into Abernathy Hall. He stops outside a classroom door to compose himself. INT. CLASSROOM - DAY 4 Jacob calmly steps inside the classroom and turns around to shut the door. When he turns back around, he notices that half the class is crying. In confusion, he makes his way to an open seat near the rear of the class. Seated beside Jacob is ANGELA NORRIS, a pretty girl who smiles up at Jacob as he sits. He leans over toward her. JACOB What's going on? Angela opens her mouth to reply before the teacher at the front of the class clears his throat. Wallace. He takes off his glasses and starts cleaning them. WALLACE I'll be in my office after class if anyone wants to talk. Several people nod, wiping away tears, and Wallace turns to the chalkboard. Angela leans over toward Jacob. ANGELA You remember Meredith Walker? She points to an open seat in the first row. ANGELA Sat there? JACOB Yeah? ANGELA She was murdered last night. Angela turns to face the front as Wallace back to the class. Jacob is frozen in shock. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 5 Wallace is walking away from Abernathy Hall when Jacob bursts out the door. JACOB Wallace! Wallace turns around as Jacob crosses the road. JACOB I just wanted to apologize for coming in late again today. WALLACE It's no big deal, Jacob. Walk with me a second? Wallace and Jacob start walking together. Behind them, Angela comes out Abernathy and follows them. WALLACE Is something bothering you? JACOB (surprised) How did you know? WALLACE Just a hunch. (seeing Jacob confused) I'm a psychology major. It's my job to notice these things. JACOB Actually, it's the nightmares. WALLACE Again? JACOB Again. I can't seem to get any sleep these last few weeks. Wallace and Jacob stop in front of Hamilton Hall. In the background, Angela slows and looks away, hoping to remain undetected. WALLACE You've been having these problems for a while, and it's beginning to have an effect your schoolwork. Jacob's eyes drop to the ground, but Wallace smiles. WALLACE Listen, come by my office today. I've studied things like this - I think I could help you. Jacob nods, and Wallace looks at Hamilton Hall. WALLACE Well, this is my next class. I'll see you around three. Wallace turns and heads inside as Jacob starts walking toward Lenoir. Angela hurries to catch up with Jacob. ANGELA Jacob! Jacob turns and stops when he sees Angela. JACOB Hey Angela, how's it going? ANGELA Good, good. Angela looks down, a little nervous. ANGELA So, are you, like, good friends with TA Michaels? JACOB Yeah, Wallace and I are pretty good friends. I'm probably the only student who goes to his office hours. ANGELA That's cool. (beat) Listen, I suck at psychology. And I need to do good on this next exam. So I was wondering... (trails off) JACOB Yes? ANGELA I was hoping you could tutor me. Jacob smiles broadly. JACOB It would be my pleasure. ANGELA Great. Let me get your phone number. Angela swings her backpack around and starts rooting through it. VOICE Jacob... It's just a faint whisper on the wind. Jacob hears this and looks around, but doesn't see anyone he recognizes. ANGELA Jacob? Jacob jerks back around, and Angela's looking at him strangely. ANGELA What's the number? JACOB 914-5457. (looking around) Did you hear someone call me? ANGELA (writing on hand) Nope, did you? JACOB Yeah, I thought I did. (looking back to her) Anyway, that's 414 Ehaus. Angela writes this on her hand. ANGELA Great. I'll probably give you a call in the next few days to set something up. JACOB That's cool. If I'm not there, just leave a message with- Jacob is cut off as two arms wrap around his head in a chokehold. After a quick struggle, they let go and Jacob spins around. It's his roommate TRENTON (TRENT) DAVIS, grinning from ear to ear. Trent is the frat boy type who just can't fit rushing into his busy social life. TRENT Getting a little slow there, JR. Me thinks you need to spend more time in the gym and less time with the books. Jacob rubs his neck. JACOB Angela, meet my roommate, Trenton Davis. Trent throws up his hands in protest. TRENT Trent, please. Or T. Nobody calls me Trenton. Angela chuckles and they shake. She closes her backpack. ANGELA Like I said, I'll give you a call in the next few days and we'll get together. (looking at watch) I'm late for my next class, so I need to split. (to Trent) It was nice meeting you. She walks off toward Bingham Hall. Trent checks out her ass as she leaves. TRENT Nice. Who was that? JACOB Angela, this girl in my psyc class. TRENT Not bad at all. JACOB I guess. Trent grins, then his eyes widen. He rips his backpack open and takes out the DTH. He points to the headline, which reads "Student Slain." TRENT Did you see this?! JACOB Actually, she was in my psyc class. TRENT No way! JACOB She sat at the front of the class. TRENT (breaking into smile) Well, not today. Jacob looks at Trent, who shrugs. TRENT Hey, it was just a joke. Anyway, you've got to see this as an opportunity, like I do. JACOB (confused) Opportunity? TRENT Definitely. (points to paper) This way, I have a reason to "suggest" I walk chicks home. Classic Trent. Jacob just rolls his eyes. Trent claps his roommate on the shoulder and the two walk toward Lenoir. INT. OFFICE - DAY 6 Jacob seems uneasy on the couch. Wallace sits in his chair, but we see him fully this time. WALLACE So the nightmares haven't stopped? JACOB No, and I still can't remember them. I mean, I remember some things. Little things, like running or hearing my name. I just can't piece anything together in the morning. Wallace removes his glasses and starts cleaning them. WALLACE Quite often, your daily stress bleeds over into your subconscious, which controls your dreams. Have you been under any pressure lately? JACOB Not much. This test coming up. And Meredith. Wallace looks up in interest. WALLACE Would you like to talk about that? JACOB I wouldn't know where to start. WALLACE Jacob, you aren't the first student to come here today. If you feel like talking, my door's always open. JACOB Thanks, Wallace. Wallace smiles and replaces his glasses. WALLACE Why don't you come in tomorrow and we can talk more about these dreams? JACOB I could do that. Jacob gets up and walks over to the door. WALLACE And Jacob? Jacob turns around. WALLACE Don't forget to study hard for that exam. It's forty percent of your final grade. JACOB (smiling) I will. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 7 CU of video game. After one character dies, the camera pulls back to reveal Jacob and Trent. Trent throws up his arms in victory. TRENT How did I get so good? Jacob tosses over his controller and stands up. JACOB Probably from skipping so much class to play. How long have we been playing, anyway? Trent shrugs. Jacob looks at the clock, which reads 6:53. JACOB Damn, I need a shower. Be back in a few minutes. Jacob grabs a towel from the floor and walks out the door. Trent starts the game again. TRENT Hurry up. I want to kick your ass with all the characters in this game. Beside him, the cordless phone RINGS. Without looking away from his game, he picks it up. TRENT T. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 8 Angela is on the other end. She looks confused. ANGELA Hello? TRENT (V.0.) Yeah? ANGELA Trent? Is Jacob there? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 9 Trent doesn't look away from the television. TRENT Hold on. (yelling) Jacob! INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 10 Inside the bathroom, Jacob is only wearing his boxers. He's turned the shower on and is testing the water with his hand. TRENT (V.O.) Jacob! Phone! Jacob wraps the towel around his waist and dashes out, leaving the water on. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 11 Jacob walks in and takes the phone. JACOB Hello? INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 12 Angela smiles and walks over to the mirror. ANGELA Jacob? JACOB (V.O.) Yes? ANGELA Hi, it's Angela. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 13 Jacob is surprised that Angela has called him so soon. JACOB Angela? Trent pauses the game and turns to look at Jacob on the phone. JACOB Wow, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. ANGELA Well, I thought I'd just give you a call. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 14 Inside the bathroom, the water has heated and steam begins to fill the room. Camera on mirror. ANGELA (V.O.) I wanted to see what you were doing tonight. I thought we might get together for dinner and start studying for that psyc exam. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 15 Jacob kicks over some clothes, looking for jeans. JACOB Yeah, that would be great. ANGELA (V.O.) Awesome. I'll come to Ehaus. See you downstairs in five minutes. JACOB I'll be there. ANGELA (V.O.) Great. Angela hangs up. Jacob cuts off the phone and picks up some jeans he's found. TRENT Well? INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 16 The steam has gotten thicker, and it's definite that something is written on the mirror. JACOB (V.O.) That was Angela. We're meeting for dinner in about five minutes. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 17 Trent grins. Jacob grabs a T-shirt from the floor and slips his feet into a pair of sandals. TRENT Didn't you just give that girl your number today? JACOB Yeah. I guess she wants to start early. TRENT Weird. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 18 The steam reveals a single word on the mirror: JACOB. JACOB (V.O.) Weird? TRENT (V.O.) You gave her your number today. How long is it until that exam? JACOB (V.O.) Three or four days. TRENT (V.O.) That's quick. Too quick. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 19 Jacob looks confused. Trent breaks into a smile. TRENT Or maybe I just find any woman calling you a little weird. Jacob kicks some clothes from the floor on him. JACOB Funny, funny. (pulling on shirt) I might be in late. Think you can manage? TRENT Yeah, I think I can, Romeo. Later on. JACOB Later. Jacob is about to step out the door. TRENT Hey, forgetting something? Jacob looks back at him, uncertain. Trent smirks. TRENT Your backpack? Jacob rushes back, snatches up his pack, and darts out the door. Trent turns back to the game. TRENT (shouting) And you forgot to turn off the shower! No answer - Jacob is long gone. Trent doesn't really care; he goes back to concentrating on his video game. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 21 Jacob and Angela burst through the door to her room, laughing like children. She throws her pocketbook on a nearby chair and picks up her phone to check her messages. Jacob looks around the room. This is a typical college female's room. There's the obligatory Ben Affleck and Blink 182 posters. The room is much cleaner than Jacob and Trent's. Jacob sits down on the bed. Angela flops on the bed beside him. ANGELA So where do we start? Jacob takes his psyc text out of his backpack JACOB Freud. That's most of the exam. How much do you already know? ANGELA Nothing. (smiling flirtatiously) You're going to have to teach me everything. JACOB (oblivious) Well, Freud developed the theory of personality that involves the id, ego, and superego. MONTAGE Angela and Jacob seated on the bed, studying. Angela goes from obviously flirting with Jacob to actually interested in what he's saying. Jacob is, of course, oblivious to her flirting. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 26 Angela has taken the book from Jacob. ANGELA So id controls the unconscious, the superego is society, and the ego has to regulate this struggle. JACOB Basically. And Freud believed that an imbalance in either the id or the superego caused mental problems in the subject. ANGELA Easy to remember. (smiling at Jacob) How do you remember this? JACOB I just associate each part with someone you know. Then when you think of the part, you'll think of the person that's a good example of it. ANGELA I think I could do that. Who do you use? JACOB Well- The phone rings, cutting him off. Angela picks up the phone. ANGELA Hello? (pause for reply) Yeah, he's right here. She hands the phone to Jacob. JACOB Hello? INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 27 Trent sits on the edge of his seat, watching television. TRENT JR, it's T. Turn the TV on to channel 5. Right. Now. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 28 Jacob looks at Angela and points to her TV. JACOB Could you turn the TV on to channel 5? Angela nods and turns on her television. It is a newscast from the front of Ehringhaus dorm. EXT. EHAUS DORM - NIGHT 29 Outside Ehringhaus dorm, a small crowd has gathered behind the female reporter. The reporter looks like she's just ran outside to catch the latest scoop, and looks from the camera to a piece of paper in her hand. REPORTER It was confirmed that the blood trail ended here. Police speculate that the body of Ms. Wallace may have been removed from this area. As of now, police have no suspects and this building is under tight security. When more information is released, we will come back here live. INT. ANGELA'S ROOM - NIGHT 30 Jacob's jaw has dropped, and Angela stands frozen in shock. REPORTER (on TV) Reporting from Chapel Hill, this is Megan Gallagher. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 31 Trent switches off the TV and leans back on the couch. TRENT There's been an emergency hall meeting called. It starts in five minutes. INT. LOUNGE - NIGHT 32 Jacob is stopped at the door by an uniformed police officer, who looks at his student ID and checks his name off a list. The lounge is crowded with anxious students. Jacob sees Trent near the center of the room, talking to a pretty co-ed. Jacob makes his way through the crowd. JACOB Heard anything? TRENT Nope, but I think we're about to. There's Brad. He points to the front of the room. At the front of the room, resident assistant BRADLEY (BRAD) WILSON is holding up his hands and asking for quiet. Behind him are two uniformed officers. BRAD Could I please have your attention? (after room quietens) Now, I've called this meeting because of what's happening on campus. This shouldn't take very long, but I need all of you to listen up. Brad pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and starts reading from it. BRAD At 8:47 tonight, a resident found blood in a stairwell. Police speculate that this is the blood of Meredith Walker, who was killed last night. Police have issued a state of emergency for the campus, and Ehringhaus dorm in particular. The lounge erupts. People start talking to one another. BRAD Police have asked that all residents check in and out of the door with their UNC One Card. The officers will ask your destination and provide escort to that place, regardless of the time of day. All residents are asked to comply with this temporary, and I stress temporary, policy. Any resident not complying will be fined and written up. The lounge again becomes a hub of activity, but Brad raises his hands for quiet. BRAD This is for your own safety! (beat) This policy is effectively immediately. If you have any questions, I'll be here after this and we can talk. (looking at residents) All we ask is that you be careful while this investigation is going on. We don't want to see another tragedy like we had last night. EXT. LOUNGE - NIGHT 33 Jacob and Trent file out of the lounge. From over their shoulder, we can see that many residents took up the opportunity to speak with Brad - the RA is surrounded by people. TRENT Amazing. Definitely amazing. JACOB Can they do this? TRENT It seems so. (beat) Damn, this puts a cramp in my plan to walk chicks home. Damn cops. Trent chuckles at his wit, but Jacob is not amused. Brad's words echo in Jacob's head. BRAD (V.O.) We don't want to see another tragedy like we had last night. FLASH INT. DORM ROOM - DAY 34 Jacob sits upright in his bed, sweating and panting. There is shouting outside. Jacob slowly withdraws from his nightmare and hears the noise. EXT. SUITE - DAY 35 Jacob steps outside to find chaos. Police swarm back and forth, and several residents huddle together. Jacob walks up to one. JACOB What's going on? RESIDENT It's Brad. He was murdered last night. INT. OFFICE - DAY 36 Jacob is sitting on the couch in Wallace's office, on the verge of tears. Wallace leans forward as Jacob speaks with animation. JACOB So the police think someone must have broken into his room and killed him in his sleep. The killer could have come into any of our rooms. He could have come into my room. WALLACE Did you hear anything unusual? Jacob shakes his head. WALLACE What about the nightmares? Any breakthroughs there? Jacob again shakes his head sadly. WALLACE Listen, I'm going to be in the office all night. If there's anything you need, give me a call here. He hands out a business card, which Jacob takes and puts into his pocket. JACOB Thanks. I need to go study for that exam anyway. Jacob stands and walks to the door. WALLACE Jacob? (Jacob turns) Remember, anything at all, I'm here. EXT. QUAD - DAY 37 Jacob is sitting in the Quad, reading his psyc textbook, but he can't concentrate on it. BRAD (V.O.) We don't want to see another tragedy like we had last night. With a sigh of frustration, Jacob closes the book and places it beside him. He lies down in the grass. VOICE Jacob... And he's up like a jackrabbit. He frantically looks around but his search reveals no one. VOICE Jacob... He looks behind him, certain someone was speaking. Again, no one is there. He picks up his book and struggles to unzip his backpack. ANGELA Jacob? Jacob whirls, eyes crazed. It's Trent and Angela. Both take a step back, shocked by the frantic look in Jacob's eye. TRENT JR, buddy, what's going on? JACOB Have you heard anyone calling my name? ANGELA Ah, no. We just walked up. JACOB I thought I heard someone... His voice trails off as he looks around. Angela start looking around as well, but there's no one out now. Trent turns back to Jacob and smirks. TRENT You're cracking up, JR. (to Angela) Don't you get straight A's if your roommate goes crazy? Jacob stands and glares at him. JACOB Suicide. And that's just a movie. What's up? ANGELA I ran into Trent and he was looking for you. I wanted to see if you wanted to study tonight. Behind her, Trent raises his eyebrow. JACOB I don't have anything to do. ANGELA Great. Be at your place around eight? JACOB That might not be the best idea- ANGELA (interrupting) I already heard about your RA. (flirtatiously) I'm sure you could take good care of me. Jacob blushes and Angela smiles broadly. ANGELA That settles it. Your place at eight. I need to run to class, so I'll see you then. (to Trent) Later, Trent-ON. (to Jacob, flirting) Later, genius. Angela hustles away for class. The boys watch her go. TRENT Nice girl. (turning to Jacob) I don't like her. Jacob grins. JACOB She only called you Trenton because she knew you didn't like it. TRENT No, it's not that. (shrugging) Ah well, she obviously likes you. JACOB What are you talking about? I've got no chance with her. Trent looks back at Jacob, and after a brief stare breaks out into laughter. Jacob stares, confused. TRENT Whatever you say, Cassonova. Whatever you say. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 38 Jacob and Angela sit together on the dorm couch with their psyc books. Trent is no where to be seen. JACOB Any luck with Freud? ANGELA I think so. I studied most of the day. (flirtatiously) I'd really like some luck with Jacob, though. JACOB Huh? ANGELA (smiling) Well, I don't know anything about you. So talk, genius. JACOB This could take a while... MONTAGE As the night progresses, Jacob and Angela become more comfortable with one another. They're having a good time, laughing and telling stories. In the last shot, the camera slowly zooms on to the discarded psyc book. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 43 The book is picked up by Angela. Jacob yawns as he rises and walks her to the door, which he opens. She stops in the doorway. ANGELA I can't remember when I've had such a great time. JACOB Me, too. I just hate we didn't have more of a chance to study. Angela smiles flirtatiously. ANGELA Quiz me. Try that game you told me about last night. JACOB Ok. Id? ANGELA Psychos. Like your roommate. Next? JACOB Ego? ANGELA Normal people. Like me. JACOB Oh, how humble. Superego? ANGELA Prudes. Like you. Jacob blushes. Angela smirks mischievously. ANGELA Why don't you go for it? JACOB Go for what? Angela rolls her eyes and pulls him close. Then she sticks her tongue down his throat. Jacob, thrown off, doesn't know how to respond, but after a second kisses her back. The two make out briefly before Angela draws away smiling. ANGELA I have a ninety-four average in psychology. She smiles and kisses him on the cheek. ANGELA Don't forget about the review tomorrow at two. I'll see you there. And with that, she's gone, closing the door behind her. Jacob stands there, staring at the door with a confused stare that gives way to a huge grin. Jacob does a little dance over to his bed. Lying down, he folds his arms behind his head. His grin is enormous. FLASH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT (B&W) 44 Jacob sits up in the bed. The room is very dark. He stands up and walks out the door. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT (B&W) 45 Jacob walks into the bathroom. He studies his face closely in the mirror before starting to write his name with his fingers. VOICE Jacob... Jacob brushes his hand over his writing, then turns and walks out the door. EXT. WOODS - NIGHT (B&W) 46 And he's outside, in the woods. VOICE Jacob... Jacob starts walking into the woods, following the voice. Sequence where Jacob runs through the woods. We hear the voice calling him, growing stronger. EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT (B&W) 47 Jacob slows at a clearing, where someone is slumped against a tree. Their head is down to obscure their identity. VOICE Jacob... Jacob rushes to the figure and helps him stand. It is HIMSELF. Jacob shrinks back. The figure is bleeding heavily. Jacob looks at his hands, and they are covered in blood. He looks back to the figure, which stares back with pleading eyes. VOICE Jacob... Jacob freezes. The voice is now behind him, where a figure stands at the edge of the woods. The darkness masks its identity. FLASH INT. DORM ROOM - DAY 48 Jacob bolts awake. Disoriented, he looks around in confusion before checking the alarm clock. It reads 2:15. Still clothed from last night, he jumps out of bed and grabs his psyc book and rushes out the door. INT. ABERNATHY - DAY 49 Jacob rushes to the classroom door and tries to turn the knob. It's locked. Confused, he looks at the door. On it is a sign that reads "Review Session and Psyc Exam Indefinitely Delayed." Jacob stares at the sign for a moment. His expression changes to joy. He darts back the way he came in. INT. ANGELA'S SUITE - DAY 50 Jacob rushes to Angela's door, an elated expression still on his face. He pounds on the door. JACOB Angela, open up! It's Jacob! The door opens and he is met by a crying FEMALE. Jacob looks past her, searching the room for Angela. JACOB Is Angela here? FEMALE Oh God, no one told you. Angela was murdered last night. Jacob's expression slowly turns from happiness to shock. He backs away, shaking his head. EXT. CAMPUS - DAY 51 Jacob wanders the campus, shocked that Angela was killed. Intercut scenes of Angela and Jacob together. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 52 Jacob slowly walks into the room. At this point he's just an automation, continuing out of instinct. He collapses in front of the computer. He looks down and notices that there are blood prints on his keyboard. He turns on the monitor. "YOU ARE NEXT" has been written over and over. Jacob's jaw drops. He stands, slowly backing away from the threat. FLASH EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT (B&W) 53 Trent steps out of the shadows, grinning menacingly. In his hand is a bloody knife. FLASH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 54 Back in the room, Jacob continues to stare at the screen. Suddenly, the door opens, and Trent walks in. TRENT JR, you wouldn't believe what happened last night! Jacob slowly turns to face his roommate, desperation in his eyes. Trent doesn't notice as he turns on the stereo and throws his jacket. The jacket lands on the keyboard, covering it up. TRENT There was this bitch- Trent turns and stops midsentence when he sees his roommate's discomfort. He peers at Jacob. TRENT What's up? JACOB Nothing. Nothing's going on. Jacob darts for the phone and heads for the door. JACOB Nothing's going on. I just need to use the phone. And with that, he's gone, toward the bathroom. Trent watches him in confusion, then shakes his head in amusement. He cranks up the stereo. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 55 Jacob rushes in. Running his hand through his hair, he paces the floor. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the number Wallace gave him. Jacob hastily dials it. INT. OFFICE - NIGHT 56 Wallace is asleep with his head on his desk. The answering machine comes on after two rings. MACHINE This is the office of Wallace Michaels. I'm not in at the moment. Leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT 57 Jacob curses under his breath and the machine beeps. JACOB (frantic) Wallace, it's Jacob! I found the killer! It's Trent! It's my roommate! He's the killer! He murdered Angela last night! And he's trying to kill me- The phone beeps, cutting him off. Eyes wide in terror, Jacob cuts the phone off. He continues pacing, before hitting redial. Just as the message begins again, he notices something beside the toilet. It is a bloody knife. Jacob clicks off the phone and slowly walks over to the knife. He gingerly picks it up and studies it. The blade is covered in dried blood. Jacob turns it over slowly in his hands. FLASH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 58 Inside the dorm room, Trent is listening to the stereo full blast. He is singing along and his back is to the open door. He doesn't see Jacob in the hall, holding the knife. INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT 59 Jacob creeps down the hall. He notices blood on the doorknob. Gingerly, he steps inside the room. INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 60 Trent continues to sing along, a slight smile on his face. Jacob raises the knife and stabs him in the back. Trent turns, his eyes registering confusion for a moment before the knife pierces his chest. He opens his mouth to scream, but nothing comes out as the knife comes down again. Jacob shows no emotion as he stabs Trent. He stabs over and over, the knife coming back bloodier and bloodier. FLASH Jacob slowly lowers the knife and blinks like he's waking up from a dream. Confused, he looks at Trent. Trent is butchered, in agony. He is bleeding everywhere. He looks up at Jacob in pain and confusion. Jacob backs away, dropping the knife to the floor. He looks down at the knife, and it's barely visible through the blood on it. He staggers against the desk and his hand comes to rest on the phone, which he replaced as he came in. He picks it up. JACOB I know you did it. I know you did it. Trent looks up at him and groans softly. TRENT Please, Jacob... help... JACOB I'm calling the police. He starts dialing. VOICE Jacob... He looks around the room frantically. VOICE Jacob... The voices multiply, coming from everywhere. Jacob spins around, but he can't pinpoint where the voices are coming from. He sinks to his knees, crying, as the phone falls from his hands and to the floor. VOICE Jacob... The voices continue and Jacob shuts his eyes tightly. FLASH EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT (B&W) 61 Same as the nightmare and flashback before, but instead of Trent covered in blood, it is Jacob. The killer-Jacob looks up. KILLER Jacob... FLASH INT. DORM ROOM - NIGHT 62 Jacob's eyes fly open as the voices call him. He keeps seeing himself in that clearing, covered in blood and holding the knife. The VOICE was always HIS. The voices keep calling, and Jacob shuts his eyes and starts nodding. He rises to his feet. On the floor, Trent is dying in agony. Jacob retrieves the knife, still nodding his head. Slowly, he walks over to Trent. Trent looks up at Jacob with agony-filled eyes. Jacob raises the knife high. FLASH BLACK INT. OFFICE - DAY 63 And we're back at the very first scene. Jacob is still reclined on the couch. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he now breathes normally. JACOB I rushed over here to catch you so I could talk. Lucky for me, you were still asleep. Jacob looks at his watch. JACOB Well, you're a busy man, so I'm going to leave now. I don't think I'll be back - I've got an idea that the nightmares are over. (thoughtfully) I guess Freud was right. Everyone needs balance. I didn't realize what that meant until today. (shrugging) I've got plenty of time to think about that later. I just wanted to thank you for all your help. Jacob stands, walking to the door, but pauses in the doorway. He turns around and holds something up. It's the answering machine tape. JACOB I couldn't forget this, could I? (smiling) Goodbye, Wallace. Jacob walks out, closing the door behind him. The camera moves to look at Wallace, seated in the chair. His throat has been slit. BLACK CREDITS 31 1