Charity dismounts the bus, walking a few paces away and admiring the wide tracts of land. Roger, the driver, goes down to check the engine.
Roger: ...it’s blown. How the hell…
Charity turns to Roger.
Charity: Stay on the bus. We’ll be back before sundown.
Roger (grunting): I never stay on the bus when we go on these trips. Who do you think you are?
Charity cooly eyes Roger and smiles maliciously. Checking to make sure no one’s looking, she presses him against the front of the bus, grabbing his head.
Charity (whispering): Blood ran cold.... eyes grew white…. hands lost touch… day became night.
His skull cracks under her hands. Blood seeps from the top of his head. He drops to the ground, dead.
END SCENE
On the bus, the conversations are thinning out, as people begin to wonder about Roger and Charity’s whereabouts.
Briana (to Jacob): Are they waiting on us?
Jacob: I thought they were fixing the engine….
Itzel: It’s been at least ten minutes.
Greg sighs and gets up.
Greg: I’ll go check on them.
He descends the stairs.
Maggie (to Suzy): Still don’t know who I’m gonna go on my date with…
Suzy: I don’t even care at this point. I just want to explore!
From the front of the bus, Greg’s voice can be heard.
Greg (shouting): GUYS! They’re gone!
Alyssa makes her way down the aisle and gets off the bus to join Greg.
Alyssa (scanning the area): They… they really are. That’s so weird…
A few others begin to get off the bus. Jacob stands beside Alyssa, looking at the front of the bus, which is devoid of any bloody carnage that took place minutes ago.
Jacob: Were they just so excited to see Death Valley that they left us here?
Alyssa (shaking her head): I don’t know, but we need to find them. What if something happened? Guys, I think we should look for a trail…
Courtney rolls her eyes and examines her nails.
Courtney: Shit, one of my acrylics is cracked. (Looking at the ground) We don’t need you to solve this mystery Nancy Drew…
Alyssa scoffs. Courtney picks up a piece of paper that’s crumpled in the dusty road.
Courtney (reading it): “Dates meeting at Teatime Shack. Take La Rancha trail. Be back by 9 PM.” Maybe they left it for us?
Itzel (frowning): Yeah, I’m sure…
Courtney (stepping toward Itzel): Okay? Got a bone to pick?
Itzel: No.
Courtney: Then you don’t need to be speaking right now.
Briana: Don’t speak to my cousin like that.
Courtney (laughing): Or what? Will you do something?
Briana walks toward Courtney threateningly. Courtney rolls her eyes.
Courtney: I’m pretty sure Jerry Springer is further down the road. Please-
Briana shoves Courtney back. Courtney screams.
Courtney: I’m being assaulted! Help! My attorney is on speed-dial!
Itzel grabs Briana’s arm and leads her away.
Itzel (under her breath): She isn’t worth it.
Jacob stands and looks at Briana funnily.
Jacob: You good?
Briana (sarcastically): I’m great, thanks for asking.
Jacob raises his eyebrows and looks at Alyssa, who rolls her eyes.
Alyssa: Hope you two enjoy your date...
She clears her throat, addressing the group.
Alyssa: It looks like we should be looking for a “La Rancha” trail. We’re meeting at a place called “Teatime Shack”. Let’s go!
Zoe apprehensively eyes Nikki, who’s talking to Logan, much to Luna’s chagrin.
Zoe (to herself): This doesn’t seem right...
Nikki (to Logan): ...oh, okay. That’s fine then.
Logan: I mean… well, it’s just one date…
Luna looks at Logan disappointedly.
Luna: I thought we were going on a date?
Logan: Nikki hasn’t gotten a date with anyone this whole trip… mind if I do her a solid?
Luna: I guess not, but what’s the use of going on a date when you know it’s not leading to anything?
Nikki (to Logan): It’s fine… I don’t mean to be a bother. You’re just the only other person here around 30, and I-
Logan: Don’t apologize.
He sighs and eyes Luna.
Logan: But I guess I can’t. Sorry, Nikki.
Luna nods at Logan and looks at Nikki ambivalently.
Luna: I heard Steven and Oli need dates…
Oli, brushing past Luna, frowns.
Oli: I’m good, sweetheart.
He sets his sights on Jonah, who’s talking to Steven, worriedly.
Jonah: How the fuck did she know where we’d be? Are we just gonna assume she ISN’T tracking me with some kind of hidden GPS?
Steven: No, man. It’s definitely weird… just give her the cold shoulder. Clearly she needs to take the hint.
Jonah: I can’t… she’ll go postal. I know her, that’s one of the reasons why we split, and…
He looks at Steven sympathetically.
Jonah: Sorry, you probably don’t want to deal with my shit right now.
Steven (smiling): There’s no one else here that I’d rather look out for.
Harriet walks up behind Steven and Jonah.
Harriet: Hello, boys.
Jonah: Harriet, I don’t want you here.
Harriet: Jonah, can I just say that-
Jonah: No. You can’t “say” anything. Leave me alone and find someone else to bother. I can’t believe you left Cody with your mother.
Harriet: What’s wrong with that?
Jonah: Maybe because your mother can’t even take care of herself, let alone a five-year old kid?
Harriet: You’ve always hated her. Why are you so judgemental?
Steven (interjecting): Harriet, is that your name? Look, I don’t know you at all, nor do I want to, but you coming here and acting all possessive and creepy isn’t winning you any points with anyone here. In case you didn’t notice, everyone is avoiding you. Maybe you should just drop your Jonah thing and try to find someone who’s actually interested.
Harriet (enraged): Who you think you are? You do NOT know me!
Jonah (rolling his eyes): Exactly what he just said…
Harriet looks at both of them and shakes her head, fuming, before walking away.
Harriet: Dicks.
From afar, Zlata and Oli can be seen walking away from a conversation with Maggie and Luna, coming toward Steven and Jonah.
Zlata: Hey, guys…
Oli: What’s up?
Steven (laughing): Just your everyday crazy ex-girlfriend drama, right Jonah?
Jonah (nodding): Wha- oh. Yeah, definitely.
Everyone laughs and looks around. Awkward silence. Oli looks at Natalie, who’s lecturing Bravo.
Oli: Gotta blast. See you guys on the trail.
Zlata: I’ll come with you, I-
Steven: Wait! Uh, Zlata, would you want to be my date when we get to… well, wherever we’re getting to?
Zlata (elated): Yeah! I’d love to!
Jonah looks at Harriet, who’s sitting on a rock by herself, before looking at Oli longingly.
END SCENE
Natalie and Bravo are off by themselves near the opposite side of the road.
Natalie: I just… I know women can strike your fancy. But the the way it came across to everyone aboard-
Bravo: Look, I appreciate the concern, but I promise you, I don’t care what they think! I think Seven’s awesome. Why does it matter if we look a certain way? I’m living my life, paying my bills, and staying ahead of the game. No one’s opinion matters to me.
Natalie (sighing): Class is invaluable, darling.
Oli walks up to both of them, joining the conversation.
Oli (jokingly): That Harriet bitch better stay away from my hunty, or else I’ll draw blood.
Natalie: Don’t stoop to that level, Oli. A handsome young man like you can pull anyone without resorting to… barbaric behavior. I’m already ashamed of myself for displaying such obscene-
Oli: You slapped her. She had it coming.
He realizes Bravo is right there, and looks away, sipping out of his water bottle. Bravo frowns at Oli and turns back to Natalie.
Bravo: Seven didn’t want any beef with you, Natalie. I’m sure.
Natalie: The woman is rude. I’ll say that without any second-thoughts.
Bravo: She doesn’t have a filter, but I promise she has a good heart.
END SCENE
From far away, Seven can be seen stepping out of the bus, carrying a Gucci handbag and wearing her Prada shades. She “accidentally” bumps into Kate, who’s talking to Skarlet and Stephen. She eyes Bravo, blowing a kiss to him and waving before turning back to Kate. Natalie looks at Bravo and shakes her head.
Seven (to Kate): I’m so sorry, babe. I’m can be clumsy sometimes!
Kate: You’re fine.
Seven: Are the three of you together because you’re gonna have a threesome or something?
She grabs Kate’s hand.
Seven: My boyfriend and I have been wanting to pull that shit this whole trip. If you do it with those two (she motions to Skarlet and Stephen), you HAVE to do it with us, too!
Kate (stammering): N-no one’s having a threesome!
Skarlet turns to Stephen, confused.
Skarlet (whispering): Is she serious?
Stephen: I hope not.
Seven turns to Stephen and Skarlet and frowns.
Seven: Talking about me behind my back? Bitches.
Stephen: We really aren’t we just-
Skarlet: I’m just really confused as to what you’re doing here.
Seven: What? Am I not allowed to be here? Last time I checked, I was on the roster for this trip.
Skarlet (mustering up more courage): I mean what you’re doing HERE, in this situation. We definitely aren’t having a threesome.
Stephen (smiling): I mean, never say never.
Skarlet looks at him, shocked. He shakes his head.
Stephen: ...kidding.
Seven throws her head back and laughs hysterically at Stephen’s joke.
Seven: I love you! I seriously love you!
She hugs Stephen and turns to Skarlet.
Seven: I don’t discriminate by gender. I love you too, babe!
She hugs Skarlet and turns to Kate.
Seven: And I love you, as well!
She hugs Kate. Kate, Skarlet, and Stephen awkwardly stand and watch Seven be extra as hell.
Seven (whispering to Kate): Especially you. Something is… interesting about you.
Kate: Wh-what’s interesting? I’m just me.
Seven: Are you? I feel like there’s more to you than you’re letting on.
She winks and runs over to Bravo. To Natalie’s horror, she kisses him and sticks her hand into his pants.
Natalie (walking away): Harlot!
Stephen turns to Kate and Skarlet. Kate is shaking and grabbing her head.
Stephen: What the fuck was that?
Kate: Crazy, psycho bitch. I’ll end her.
Kate bares her teeth, looking around with crazed eyes.
Skarlet (turning to Kate): What? Are you alright, Kate?
Kate continues shaking for a while, before taking a deep breath and smiling.
Kate: S-sorry. I… I’m just tired.
She quickly walks away. Stephen turns to Skarlet.
Stephen: Is this trip meant for singles or lunatics?
Skarlet (smiling and rolling her eyes): No clue. I’m just glad you’re here. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this, otherwise.
Stephen smiles at Skarlet and looks into her eyes.
Stephen: Ditto.
END SCENE
Alyssa clears her throat and loudly begins a proclamation to the rest of the group.
Alyssa: Guys, I found La Rancha trail. It’s the little dirt path that’s literally across the road from us.
Marina (stepping in front of the others): You really think we should leave and not wait here? I don’t even care about going on our dates anymore, we should make sure that we’re here when another car goes by for help.
Zoe (stepping out beside Marina): Agreed. It’s bone-headed to just follow what a note blowing in the wind told us to do.
Alyssa glares at Zoe.
Alyssa: Taking a shot at my intelligence?
Zoe: No, but your actions, yes. We need to stay here-- Marina’s right.
Alyssa: Let’s put it to a vote.
Zoe: Who died and made you leader?
Alyssa: We’re voting on it, relax. Who votes that we set out for the “Teatime Shack”?
Everyone except for Zoe, Marina, Greg, and Nikki raise their hands.
Nikki: It’s probably not the best-
Courtney: It’s decided! Let’s go!
END SCENE
The group has started to trek across La Rancha trail. Alyssa, however, is sifting through various belongings on the bus. A noise can be heard behind her. She shoots her head back-- seeing Jacob.
Jacob (flirtatiously smiling): Alyssa.
Alyssa: Jacob. What are you doing?
Jacob: I was just checking up on you.
He leans in close to her. She smiles.
Jacob: The whole group leader thing is pretty hot. I like authoritative chicks.
Alyssa: I’m just a strong gal.
Jacob: I can tell.
He grabs her hand and kisses it, moving up to her neck, which he caresses.
Alyssa: Shouldn’t you be on your date with Briana?
Jacob (winking): Who?
Alyssa: The girl you ditched me for.
Jacob: I was just making you jealous. You’re way hotter.
Alyssa: Um… thanks.
They begin making out. It escalates, as Jacob starts unbuckling his belt. Suddenly, Alyssa stops him.
Alyssa: We can’t do this here. They’ll start wondering where we are.
Jacob: Most of them are idiots. We can make something up.
From outside the bus, a humming noise can be heard. Stepping out from underneath the bus, a black, ghastly, silhouetted being with white eyes can be seen crawling up the stairs. Alyssa is straddling Jacob on the bus seat-- his pants are unzipped, her dress is hiked up. Jacob moans. Suddenly, the humming noise can be heard once again, except this time, it’s right beside Alyssa and Jacob.
Alyssa: Hear anything?
Jacob (pulling her back toward him): Nah, come here.
He kisses her neck. The black figure from before reappears, looming over Alyssa and Jacob. Alyssa, distracted by the constant noise, turns her head to the side and spots it. She screams.
Alyssa: Jacob! Stop!
Jacob (still kissing Alyssa): But we’re just getting started…
The black figure begins slashing at Alyssa and Jacob with some unknown force. Both of them wail as they’re cut all across the upper portion of their bodies. The wailing and the humming from the creature continues until the creature disappears. Alyssa and Jacob’s bodies remain in the straddle position, with their heads cracked half-way open and their bodies slashed and bloody, dead.
Who are your favorite characters? Least favorites?
Is it wise to follow the directions from the note on the ground, or do you agree with Zoe and Marina?
What do you make of Seven's and Kate's strange behavior? #TeamCourtney or #TeamBriana ?
Thoughts on Alyssa's death?
Thoughts on Jacob's death?
Who do you think stands the greatest chance of surviving?
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for episode 4 :))
Comments
Who are your favorite characters? Least favorites?: My fav re Skarlet and Stephen! #Ditto. And my least fav is seven, something is wrong with here.
Is it wise to follow the directions from the note on the ground, or do you agree with Zoe and Marina? I agree with Zoe and Marina
What do you make of Seven's and Kate's strange behavior? Maybe Kate is actually specially and Seven sees something in her. #TeamCourtney or #TeamBriana ? Team Briana!
Thoughts on Alyssa's death? Girl bye, Very gory which I love
Thoughts on Jacob's death? Girl bye, Very gory which I love
Who do you think stands the greatest chance of surviving? Probably Natalie. I don't know but I love her.
Extra thoughts? DONT KILL SKARLET OR STEPHEN.
Who are your favorite characters? Least favorites? Faves: Zoe, Nikki, Seven, Logan (I really disliked her in the last episode, but she was kinda entertaining in this one.) Least faves: Courtney, Harriet, Charity
Is it wise to follow the directions from the note on the ground, or do you agree with Zoe and Marina? It's not wise, it's an obvious trap. Also, if they all stayed near the bus, the creature probably wouldn't have crawled out underneath.
What do you make of Seven's and Kate's strange behavior? We know from the bios that Kate has a multiple personality, but as for Seven - no idea - maybe she actually has some kind of intuition/gift for seeing things? #TeamCourtney or #TeamBriana ? Leaning more toward Briana, although not a fan of either.
Thoughts on Alyssa's death? I was surprised, she was a prominent character in the first episode. It was also a bit weird that she would initiate the trek towards that trail, but then return to the bus and let the others leave without her.
Thoughts on Jacob's death? He was less prominent than Alyssa, but he had this love-triangle-in-the-making with Alyssa and Briana, so I kinda thought he'd survive a bit longer as well.
Who do you think stands the greatest chance of surviving? Hm, I hope Zoe. She's tough and observant.
Who are your favorite characters?
Itzel, Briana, Steven, Skarlet, Natalie, Steven
Least favorites?
Seven, Bravo, Charity, Courtney, Jacob
Is it wise to follow the directions from the note on the ground, or do you agree with Zoe and Marina?
I would say it's not ideal but if they would have stayed they would have probably been killed.
What do you make of Seven's and Kate's strange behavior?
Completely creepy and interested to see how it plays out in future episodes.
Is it wise to follow the directions from the note on the ground, or do you agree with Zoe and Marina? I agree with Zoe and Marina
What do you make of Seven's and Kate's strange behavior? Maybe Kate is actually specially and Seven sees something in her.
#TeamCourtney or #TeamBriana ? Team Briana!
Thoughts on Alyssa's death? Girl bye, Very gory which I love
Thoughts on Jacob's death? Girl bye, Very gory which I love
Who do you think stands the greatest chance of surviving? Probably Natalie. I don't know but I love her.
Extra thoughts? DONT KILL SKARLET OR STEPHEN.