Scene 1 - The Ritual

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INT. - SECRET CHAMBER – NIGHT

A low, rhythmic HUM fills the chamber.

Chains CLINK softly as CHARLIE tugs at his bindings.

 

CHARLIE

(Disoriented, whispering)

W-Where... am I?

​

The slow, deliberate FOOTSTEPS of a figure approaching. The MURMUR of a chant grows clearer.

 

HOODED FIGURE

(Murmuring low, in a rhythmic cadence) )

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The serpent coils beneath the night, and the light of the star shall be the guide. Renew through sacrifice, through blood, through will.

​

Charlie struggles.

 

CHARLIE

(Grunting, straining)

What... what the hell? Let me go!

The CLONK of chains as Charlie jerks against his restraints. The murmuring STOPS for a moment.

 

HOODED FIGURE

(Calm, commanding)

Love is the law, love under will.

​

Footsteps ECHO closer. Charlie's BREATHING becomes erratic as he hears the soft rustling of robes.

 

HOODED FIGURE

(voice becoming louder, more intense)

By the will of the stars, we call forth the serpent to rise from the depths. To awaken the light in the darkness. We offer this vessel—

​

The SHHH of metal as a ceremonial dagger is drawn.

​

CHARLIE

(Panicked, struggling harder)

No—no! What are you talking about? You’re insane!

​

HOODED FIGURE

(Chanting louder)

Abrahadabra. The completion of the great work is upon us. Through the spilling of blood, we are reborn. We invoke Thelema.

​

CHARLIE

(Gasping)

No—stop! You don’t have to do this!

 

For a moment, there’s silence, just the rhythmic BREATHING of the figure and the heavy PANTING of Charlie. Then, a distant CREAK of a door OPENING.

 

GRACE

(Shouting, in the distance)

Police! Stop what you're doing!

 

HOODED FIGURE

(Low, seething)

No... no, it is too soon!

​

A sudden SCUFFLE as the chamber erupts into chaos. Charlie’s chains CLATTER as the hooded figure retreats, their footsteps ECHOING into the darkness.

 

GRACE

(Closer, determined)

Charlie! Hold on, I’ve got you!

 

The sound of hurried FOOTSTEPS approaching. Grace UNTIES Charlie’s bindings as his BREATHING slows.

 

CHARLIE

(Weakly)

Grace… I-I saw… 

(Pause)

Anna… Father Oswald... they were here.

 

FADE OUT.

​

Scene 2 - The Confession

 

INT. - POLICE STATION – DAY

The RUSTLING of papers as Grace and Charlie sit across the table.

 

FATHER OSWALD

(Shaking, voice cracking  )

I didn’t want any of this... I swear it! Mora Thompson, Anna, Jamie, Elena—they’re the ones who planned everything! The amulet, the ritual, all of it.

​

Charlie LEANS forward in his chair.

​

CHARLIE 

(Coldly)

And you, Father? What was your part in this?

​

FATHER OSWALD 

(Hollow)

I didn’t do it for them. I thought… 

(pause )

I thought I could control the ritual. Guide it... divert it.

​

CHARLIE 

(Intensely)

Control it? Divert it? You’re a priest, Father Oswald. Why would you ever involve yourself in something like this? What did you think you were "guiding"?

​

FATHER OSWALD 

(Desperate, voice cracking )

You don’t understand! This town—it’s suffocating! Decades of faith, of servitude... but never any change. Never any real answers. 

​

FATHER OSWALD 

(His voice is almost a whisper)

I thought... maybe... through the ritual, we could unlock something greater. Something beyond the confines of the Church. Alastair Crowley’s writings—he spoke of power, of connection to forces far older than any doctrine. I thought... perhaps... 

(Pause)

we could find redemption through it. A new truth.

​

Grace’s chair SCRAPES as she leans forward.

 

GRACE

(Calm but firm)

You thought a human sacrifice would lead to redemption? That’s what you’re saying?

 

FATHER OSWALD 

(Frantic, on the verge of tears)

No! I swear! I didn’t know they were planning to go that far. I thought we could stop it before anyone got hurt, use the ritual for... knowledge, not blood. Mora—she convinced me we needed it to save the Inn, save the town. And Anna, she was obsessed with the amulet. They twisted it into something I never agreed to.

 

CHARLIE 

(Quiet, accusatory)

And when it spiralled out of control, you just stood by? You let them drag me to that altar, let them nearly kill me?

 

FATHER OSWALD  

(Whispering)

I tried to stop it. I thought... if I helped them just enough, if I played along, I could still stop the ritual before it went too far. But Mora—she was desperate. She thought you, Charlie, were the final piece. She thought your death would seal the ritual’s power. I never wanted it to end this way. I swear on my soul, I was trying to protect you.

 

There’s a long silence, only broken by the soft SHUFFLE of papers and the TICKING of a distant clock.

 

GRACE

(Grim)

But it did end this way, Father. And now people are missing. Mora, Jamie, Anna—where are they?

 

FATHER OSWALD 

(Defeated)

I don’t know. After the ritual... they vanished. I haven’t seen them since.

​

FADE OUT.

​

Scene 3 - The Missing

​

EXT. - FORT AUGUSTUS – DAY

The bustling AMBIENCE of a small town in the background - FOOTSTEPS, hushed CONVERSATIONS, birds CHIRPING, distant CARS. CHARLIE and GRACE WALK towards the museum entrance.

 

GRACE

(Low, concerned)

The whole town’s buzzing, Charlie. No sign of Anna, Jamie, or Elena. All three just… vanished. Their homes are empty, left like they were planning to return any minute.

 

Door CREAKS open as they step into the museum. They APPROACH the front desk. CLAIRE is TYPING on a computer.

 

CHARLIE 

(Grim)

Yeah, but no one’s heard a thing. Just up and gone... doesn’t make any sense.

​

Claire notices them, her typing STOPS abruptly.

 

CLAIRE

(Politely, with a tinge of nervousness)

Oh, Mr. Pembroke, PC Bennett. Is everything alright? I’ve heard the rumors… is it true? Anna, Jamie, Elena... all gone?

​

GRACE

(Firm, professional)

Unfortunately, yes, Claire. We’ve been trying to piece together what happened, but... there’s not much to go on. Have you heard anything? Seen anything unusual here at the museum lately?

 

CLAIRE 

(Uneasy)

No, nothing unusual... well, not since the robbery. But Anna—she’s been... distracted. Not herself these past few days.

 

CHARLIE

(Intrigued, leaning in)

Distracted? How so?

 

CLAIRE  

(Thinking)

She was always so passionate about the museum, you know? But lately... she was distant. Spent a lot of time in her office, on the phone. She didn’t even tell me what she was working on, and she always shared everything.

 

CHARLIE

(Carefully)

Did she mention Jamie or Elena to you at all? Were they acting strange too?

 

CLAIRE 

(Firmly)

Not really. Jamie... well, he wasn’t around much, as you know. I didn’t see him the last couple of weeks. And Elena, I only ever saw her in passing when she came by for Jamie. But something was definitely bothering Anna. She seemed... tense, anxious.

 

GRACE 

(Probing)

Did she say where she was going before she disappeared?

 

CLAIRE

(Shakes her head)

No. She just... didn’t come in one morning. I thought she was taking a personal day. Now, I’m not so sure. 

(Pause)

(Hesitant)

Do you think... do you think it has something to do with that amulet? 

 

CHARLIE 

(Gravely)

It’s starting to look that way, Claire. The amulet, the robbery... it’s all connected. And now Anna, Jamie, and Elena are missing.

 

GRACE

(Softly)

We’ll find them, Claire. But if you remember anything—anything at all—let us know.

 

CLAIRE

(Anxious)

I will. I just hope... wherever they are...    they’re okay.

 

FOOSTEPS as Grace and Charlie turn to leave. The museum door OPENS and CLOSES.

 

CHARLIE 

(Under his breath to Grace)

Something’s not adding up. If they’re really all in this together... what’s their endgame?

 

GRACE

(Grimly)

We need to find them before we find out the hard way.

​

FADE OUT.

Scene 4 - Mora's Arrest

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INT. POLICE STATION – DAY

The heavy CLANG of the door as Mora Thompson is led into the interrogation room, her handcuffs RATTLING slightly.

​

MORA  

(Snarling )

This was never supposed to be like this. I needed the money. Our business—our home—was failing. We were drowning.

​

Grace CROSSES her arms, her chair CREAKS slightly as she leans back.

 

GRACE

(Coldly)

So you plotted to kidnap Charlie? To save your inn?

 

MORA

(Bitter)

It wasn’t just about the money! It was Anna’s idea. She promised me everything would be fine. She said we could control it—the power of the amulet, the rituals. To her, it was all some sick game. (Pauses)  But I needed it... I needed it to survive.

 

Charlie SHIFTS in his seat, LEANING forward.

 

CHARLIE

(Accusing)

You shot at me at Boleskine House, didn’t you? Took the rifle from the Abbey.

 

MORA

(Softly)

It was me. Anna... she convinced me that you were the only thing standing in the way of completing the ritual. She said that if you figured it all out, everything would fall apart. She said once we had the amulet’s power, we’d be rich. We’d all be rich.  

 

Grace LEANS in.

 

GRACE

(Firmly)

And you believed her? You believed that some ancient amulet could fix all your problems? So you shot at him? You nearly killed him.

 

MORA

(Choked)

I wasn’t thinking straight. I... I panicked. Anna said it was all under control. She promised me... she said she’d pay me, help me get out of debt. I just wanted to save the inn, to save everything. When you got too close to the truth, I didn’t know what else to do. So... I grabbed the rifle. 

 

Silence fills the room for a moment.

 

CHARLIE

(Quiet, biting)

And what about the ritual? What did Anna promise you there?

 

MORA

(Defeated)

She said... she said the ritual was the key. The amulet would give us power, she said it was more than just some museum piece. She talked about Crowley’s teachings, about ancient power. I didn’t believe it at first, but... the desperation... the fear of losing everything... it made me believe her. She said we could control it. That no one would have to get hurt.

 

GRACE

(Low, harsh, angry)

And yet, here we are. People are missing, and you nearly killed a man. Where’s Anna now, Mora? Where’s Jamie? Elena?

 

MORA

(Desperate, tears welling up)

I don’t know! After the ritual started going wrong... after you found out, everything unraveled. Anna... she ran. Jamie and Elena were in on it too, but they’re gone now. Disappeared. I swear, I don’t know where they are!

 

CHARLIE

(Pressing)

And the amulet? Where is it?

 

MORA

(Defeated)

Anna has it. She took it from the museum the night of the break-in. I thought it was over when you started investigating, but she kept pushing. She said she’d pay me, that we could still make it work. But now... now it’s all falling apart.

 

GRACE

(Flatly)

Take her to holding. We’ll deal with the rest.

The CLINKING of handcuffs as Mora is led out of the room, her footsteps DRAGGING. The door SLAMS shut behind her.

 

Grace and Charlie sit in silence for a moment.

 

CHARLIE

(Grimly)

So Anna planned all of this. Used Mora, Jamie, Elena. And now they’re gone, with the amulet.

 

GRACE

(Coldly)

We’re not done yet. Anna’s out there, and if Mora’s right, she’s still holding all the cards. We need to find them before this gets any worse.

​

The distant HUM of the police station grows louder.

FADE OUT.

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Scene 5 - The Aftermath

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EXT. - FORT AUGUSTUS – NIGHT

The soft, rhythmic LAPPING of the water against the shore. The distant HUM of the wind stirs the trees. 

For a moment, all is quiet. Then, FOOTSTEPS approach, gentle and deliberate.

​

GRACE 

(Softly  )

We’ll find them, Charlie. Anna, Jamie, Elena—they can’t run forever. 

 

A beat passes.

 

CHARLIE

(Quietly, thoughtful  )

Yeah... maybe. But what happens when we do? What then? 

 

The wind PICKS up slightly, RUSTLING through the trees.

 

GRACE

(Reassuring )

We bring them in. They’re responsible for all of this, and they need to face the consequences. Whatever Anna was after, whatever they were trying to achieve—it doesn’t change what they did. You know that.

 

CHARLIE

(Slow, resigned )

I’m not sure I even want to know what they were really after, Grace. The rituals, the amulet... It’s bigger than we imagined. Some things... 

(Pause)

maybe we’re better off leaving them buried.

 

GRACE

(Gently)

Maybe. But you know as well as I do, things like this don’t stay buried for long. We’ve only scratched the surface.  

 

CHARLIE

(Grimly)

You’re right. Anna’s still out there. Whatever her endgame is, it’s not over. Not yet.

 

A moment of silence. 

 

GRACE

(Softly)

You’ve got that look again.

 

CHARLIE

What look?

 

GRACE

(Smirking)

The "I’m thinking about doing something reckless" look.

 

CHARLIE

(Quiet but resolute)

I don’t want to let this go, Grace. We’ve come too far, and I can’t walk away now. *Pauses, thinking* What if you and I team up? I could use someone with your instincts. The force has got you tied down here... but if you ever want out of the uniform, I’ve got room for you.

 

There’s a brief silence as she processes the offer.

 

GRACE

(Curious)

You offering me a job, Pembroke?

 

CHARLIE

(Earnest)

I am. This isn’t just some run-of-the-mill case, Grace. It’s deeper than we know, and I think we’d make a good team. You’ve got the mind for it. And we both know Fort Augustus doesn’t need you half as much as this investigation does.

 

Grace CROSSES her arms. She lets the offer hang in the air for a moment.

 

GRACE

(Playfully)

Leaving the force for you, huh? I thought you said being a private investigator was all cheating spouses and missing pets.

 

CHARLIE

(Chuckling)

Yeah, well, turns out I’ve got a bit of a knack for getting into the strange and dangerous. Could use some backup.

 

Grace TAPS her fingers on her arms, considering his words carefully.

 

GRACE

(Firm)

I’ll think about it. But first—Anna. We need to find her before she pulls whatever stunt she’s planning next. She’s not the type to just disappear quietly.

 

CHARLIE

(Nods)

Agreed. She’s out there, and whatever she’s after... she’s not done yet.

 

The wind PICKS up again, HOWLING faintly as the two stand together by the Loch.

 

CHARLIE

(Softly)

We need to get ahead of her. Find out where she’s hiding, what her next move is. Before this spirals even further.

 

GRACE

(Nods, determined)

If anyone knows her patterns, it’s you. We’ll start with the places she used to go. Look for any signs she might have left behind. People like Anna—they think they’re always two steps ahead, but they slip up. They always do.

 

The loch RIPPLES again. The wind WHISPERS through the trees.

 

CHARLIE

(Resolute)

Tomorrow, we start tracking her. We’re not letting her get away with this.

 

GRACE

(Firm)

Damn right. We’ll find her, Charlie. And when we do, this ends. One way or another.

 

The two stand in silence as the wind DIES down. The distant sounds of the TOWN grow quieter as the night deepens.

FADE OUT.