Knightmare

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

The night lamp flickers as it sits precariously atop LATIN TALES OF OLD, a thick hard covered book on the bedside table. The light from it illuminates the room; eerily casting shadows against the closely connected four walls in the tight space of a bedroom they shared. KATIE, 23, a brunette with long wavy locks and deep-set hazel green eyes, sighs softly, almost painfully, as she laid her head down on her husband's heaving chest. AIDAN, 24, with his dimpled smile and a quarterback's build, glanced over reassuringly at Katie. He kisses the top of her head but elicited no response from her as she stared blankly into space.

KATIE

(whispers with a hoarse voice)

I'm afraid I'll fall asleep.

Aidan swallows, then reaches over the bedside table and picks up LATIN TALES OF OLD, flipping through the pages.

AIDAN

Are you sure you'd want me to read this to you?

Katie shakes her head as tears roll down her cheeks. She was reluctant to listen to his words, but gradually nodded her head anyway. Aidan pulled his wife closer to his side and wrapped his arm around her, protecting her from the fears that shrouded her mind.

AIDAN

(clears his throat)

Legend has it that a rebellious prince named MEDAX was banished to Tenebrae, the deepest, darkest destination of a nightmare. Here, he imprisons those who wander too far in their state of rest. Never ever set your eyes on him for he will never let you leave.

Katie wrinkles her brows in frustration and Aidan gently wipes the tears from her complexion.

KATIE

(softly)

I've seen Medax in my nightmares.

AIDAN

(slowly, with hesitation)

You have? What...what does he look like?

KATIE

(struggles to remember the details)

He has a sad face that looked like it held the whole world's sorrow, and deep, dark veins protruding from his forehead.

Katie closes her eyes momentarily, but just as her eyes close, they flutter open again frantically. Her small frame trembles as she recalls the horror of Medax's shape and form.

KATIE

(continues)

Every time he's near me I feel so cold, it almost feels as if I'm frozen.

Katie's fingers begin to tremble and Aidan squeezes them lovingly.

AIDAN

Katie, I'm right here. I won't leave you, I promise.

Katie nods silently and drifts to a delirious state of sleep, her head still resting on her husband's chest. Aidan reaches over and turns the night lamp off.

A long BEAT in absolute darkness.

A shrill blood-curdling scream escapes Katie's lungs, echoing through the tiny room. Aidan frantically turns the night lamp on and there is a long jagged bloody scar on his arm, fresh from where Katie had anxiously clawed him in her fits of nightmare. Beads of perspiration trickles from Katie's porcelain complexion but her face is expressionless as she has her eyes firmly closed.