What Happened To Us

UTRA 5

INT. TRAIN, SIX HOURS, LATER.

"Chidinma looks at the time in her phone, April 17th, 2023."

CHIDINMA
They have to be an explanation for this.
Why is it 2026 out there and in here it's 2023?

FRANK
Time, travel, I guess.

CHIDINMA
What?
That isn't possible.

FRANK
At this point, nothing makes sense meaning anything Is possible.
We were on the train for an hour plus only to step out and see that we never left the station, times and seasons have changed.

HENRY
But how?
None of this makes sense.

SAM
Omo.

KUNLE
(Screw through his tablet)
Guys, I found something.

CHIDINMA
What is that?
(Goes closer to Kunle)

KUNLE
It says here in an article that our train mysteriously went missing three years ago and has never been found.

CHIDINMA
(Points at the date)
Look at the date.
September 3rd, 2023.
Mean to the outside world...

KUNLE
We were declared missing three years ago.

TOGU
But how?

FRANK
Meaning we traveled three years ahead of us in just an hour.

KUNLE
Or we were stuck in a time loop and the world moved passed us.


"Steph begins to laugh mysteriously."

STEPH
None of this makes sense.
It just doesn't make sense how on earth is this possible?
(Cries uncontrollably.)

KUNLE
(Screws through his phone.)
Something else guys?
There are ways to identify those who are infected by the virus.
The beast carries a red marking on the left part of their neck, the carriers are recognized by a green marking, and the resistants by a blue marking.

CHIDINMA
Can we know more about the carriers and resistants?

KUNLE
The carriers are immune to the virus, but they carry it around in their system, and if they come in contact with you...

CHIDINMA
You will get infected.

KUNLE
Exactly and the resistants are simply immune to the virus, and they are very rare.
One in ten million.

Mrs. AJAYI
My daughter is still out there you know.
(Looks through the window)

CHIDINMA
So is my family, that is if they survived this.

Mrs. AJAYI
Then what are we all doing here?
We should be out there looking for our loved ones.

KUNLE
Walking out of this train is suicidal.

Mrs. AJAYI
(Turns to Kunle)
Do you have a family out there?

KUNLE
(Breaths heavily)
No, ma'am.
My parents are late.

Mrs. AJAYI
Then It explains why you keep insisting on us not leaving.

HENRY
She's right.

KUNLE
I'm only doing all of this to protect us.
Look around you.

Mrs. AJAYI
(Gets up from her seat)
Oh, please you are only acting this way because you have nothing to go home to!
You have nothing to lose by staying here.

FRANK
Ma, please sit down.
(Assists Mrs. Ajayi in sitting down)

"Chidinma gets up and walks towards the door."

KUNLE
What are you doing?

CHIDINMA
I have to find my family.
I need to know what happened and understand all of these.

KUNLE
Are you trying to get yourself killed?

CHIDINMA
Does it matter at this point?
I have to find my family.

HENRY
(Gets up.)
I am going too.
I have to find my girlfriend.

SAM
Me too.

TOGU
I'm coming with you guys.

Mrs. AJAYI
(Gets up)
I know I'm heavy, but I can't give up on my baby girl.
So, I am...

FRANK
(Interrupts Mrs. Ajayi.)
No, there is no way you are going out there with her.
(Turns to Chidinma)
Talk her out of this.

CHIDINMA
Ma, I wouldn't hold you back, but I want you to know while we are out there, you are on your own.
You are responsible for what happens to you.

"Steph gets up."

STEPH
I'm coming too.
(Wipes her tears.)

CHIDINMA
Steph, are you sure?

STEPH
I have to know if my dad is still alive.

FRANK
(Turns to Mrs. Ajayi)
Ma you shouldn't be out there.
Remember you are heavily pregnant.

Mrs. AJAYI
I have no choice, my son.
I can't live not knowing if my daughter is okay.
(Tears stream down her swollen cheeks.)

FRANK
I will go with them and search for her myself.
I can't let you go out there.

KUNLE
Frank, no.
You can't go out there!
Let the woman go if she won go jor.

FRANK
I can't.

Mrs. AJAYI
(Tears stream down her cheeks)
Thank you my pikin.
My God almighty will reward you.

FRANK
It's fine.
(Turns to Chidinma and others.)
Let's go.

___________________________________

EXT. TRAIN STATION.

"Henry turns to Chidinma."

HENRY
We should split up in case all of us don't make it back alive.

CHIDINMA
Okay.

HENRY
So, I and my friends will go our way.

CHIDINMA
Alright.
I do not know you but be careful out there I wish you luck in finding your girlfriend.

HENRY
I pray you find your family too.

"Henry walks out of the scene alongside Togu and Sam."

___________________________________

"Chidinma approaches an abandoned car."

FRANK
What are you doing?

CHIDINMA
I don't know about you, but I don't plan on going out there without some kind of advantage.
(Opens the bonnet of the car)

FRANK
How is this an advantage?

CHIDINMA
Hello, do you run faster than a car?

FRANK
(Chuckles)
You dey very funny I swear.
There is no way this car is going to work.

CHIDINMA
Well, it would help if you were a bit optimistic

STEPH
(Feels something approaching them)
Whatever we are doing, we have to be fast I can feel something watching us.

FRANK
Isn't it obvious that this car has been abandoned for a long time?
And how do you intend to start up the engine without the key?

CHIDINMA
(Adjust the battery)
Can you just be quiet?
You are not helping.

"Something groans."