the monsters of the night (Done)

The beginning

The sun shines brightly over the bustling college campus as students pour out of buildings, excited for summer break. Skateboarders weave through the crowd, and a few students linger, taking in the last moments of the school year. A random student with a large video camera records the scene, capturing memories for a year-end project.

Ethan: Dressed in black with a gothic, feminine style—flowing clothes, dark makeup, and jewelry. He stands out, his appearance contrasting with the sunny day.

Mark: Ethan’s rugged boyfriend from Texas, dressed in a denim jacket and boots. He stays close to Ethan, casually protective.

Bratty Rich Girl  Jessica:Wearing designer clothes, she walks with an air of entitlement, flipping her hair as she talks. She’s slightly annoyed by the crowd and the heat.

Jake: A laid-back guy carrying a skateboard, trying to keep the mood light.

Sarah:A cheerful, optimistic friend, always trying to keep the group together.

The group moves through the crowd, heading toward the parking lot where their cars are parked.*

Jake:Glancing at the camera guy as they pass by."Looks like someone’s making a summer blockbuster. Maybe we’ll get famous."

Jessica:Rolling her eyes, fanning herself with her hand."Ugh, as if. I’m already famous where it counts."

Mark:Laughing, nudging Ethan. "Guess we’ll be the supporting cast in Jessica’s show, huh?"

Ethan:Smirking, his voice soft but with a dark undertone."More like the final girls in a slasher flick."

Sarah:Laughing lightly, trying to lift the mood. "Only if you get to pick the soundtrack, Ethan. I’m not getting chased through the woods to some creepy organ music."

They reach the parking lot, and the group begins to load their bags into a beat-up station wagon, the kind of car that’s seen too many road trips.*

Jessica:Pulling out her phone, checking her messages."Are we seriously going to this cabin? My dad could’ve gotten us a beach house with a pool."

Sarah:Grinning, pulling out a photo from her bag and holding it up. "Come on, Jess, where’s your sense of adventure? It’s a week in the middle of nowhere, just us and nature."

The photo shows a rustic cabin, surrounded by dense woods, far from any sign of civilization.

Jake:Whistling as he sees the photo. "Looks like something out of a horror movie. I’m in."

Mark:Glancing at the photo, then at Ethan. "What do you think, babe? Feel like scaring us all to death?"

Ethan:Taking the photo, studying it with a mix of curiosity and something darker. "I think… this place has stories to tell. Let’s go find out what they are."

Jessica sighs dramatically but reluctantly agrees, and the group piles into the car, the mood a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The station wagon rattles along a dusty country road, the sun beginning to dip lower in the sky. Fields of wheat stretch out on either side, swaying gently in the breeze. As the group approaches Mark’s family farm, they see workers scattered across the fields, tending to crops and livestock.

Mark's Dad:A rugged man with a worn cowboy hat, sitting on the porch with a cold beer in hand, watching over the farm with a quiet pride.

Mark's Mom:In the distance, working in the wheat fields, her figure bent over as she inspects the crops, embodying the resilience of a hardworking farmer’s wife.

The car pulls up to the house, a modest farmhouse with an American flag flapping in the breeze. Mark steps out first, waving to his dad.

Mark:Grinning, calling out. "Hey, Dad! Just grabbing a few things before we head out."

Mark's Dad:Nods, raising his beer in a silent toast. "Don't get into too much trouble out there, son."

The group files out of the car, stretching their legs and taking in the scenery. Ethan stands out against the rustic backdrop, his black clothes stark against the earthy tones of the farm.

Jake:Looking around, impressed. "Man, this place is huge. You ever get lost out here?"

Mark:Laughing as he leads them into the house."Only when I wanted to. Come on, let's grab some snacks before we hit the road."

They enter Mark’s room, a small space adorned with football memorabilia, an American flag hanging proudly on the wall, and posters of classic Texas rock bands. The room screams Texas patriotism, with a well-worn cowboy hat resting on the bedpost.

Sarah:Grinning as she looks around. "This is so you, Mark. I can totally see you as the high school quarterback."

Jessica:Rolling her eyes, unimpressed."Well, it's… charming, I guess."

Mark pulls out a duffel bag, tossing in clothes and toiletries. As the others head back to the kitchen to raid the pantry, Mark carefully retrieves a box of shotgun shells from under his bed, slipping them into the bag, followed by a sleek double-barrel shotgun.

Mark:Muttering to himself as he zips the bag. "Just in case."

He then goes to find Ethan, who’s lingering in the hallway, staring at an old family photo on the wall.

Mark:Softly, coming up beside him."Ready to hit the road?"

Ethan:Nods, his eyes lingering on the photo for a moment longer before turning to Mark. "Yeah, let’s get out of here."

Scene Transition: Jessica's Family Mansion

The station wagon pulls up to an imposing mansion, far removed from the rustic simplicity of Mark’s farm. The lawn is immaculate, the hedges trimmed to perfection, and the mansion itself looms large, a testament to wealth and status. Jessica’s parents are nowhere to be seen, likely off on some important business, leaving the place to their daughter.

Jessica emerges from the grand front doors, struggling with several large suitcases. She’s dressed impeccably, as if she’s heading to a fashion show rather than a camping trip. A servant follows behind her, carrying even more bags.

Jake:Whistling as he sees the mountain of luggage. "Jeez, Jessica, are you moving in?"

Jessica:Huffing, clearly irritated as she hands off the bags to Mark. "I am not about to rough it in the middle of nowhere without my essentials. Bug spray, bear spray, extra clothes… and don’t even get me started on how much I hate bugs."

Sarah:Trying to stifle a laugh. "You’re gonna love the woods, Jess. So… peaceful."

Jessica:Scowling."I’d rather be on a beach in Malibu."

Mark and Jake struggle to fit all of Jessica’s luggage into the already packed car, while Ethan watches with an amused smile. As the last of the bags is crammed into the trunk, the group finally piles back into the car, the atmosphere a mix of excitement and tension as they prepare for the long drive ahead.