ERA OF SILENCE

YEAR-2024

DULL EVENING IN THE CITY OF VATTERVIC

LEFT DISTRICT [7:00 PM]

TIVANA - (laughing) My my, how the mighty have fallen! You lost to me again, Spectre! You're so bad at video games!

SPECTRE - (annoyed) No way, you cheated! You liar! How come your character can change his fire skills to dark skills while mine doesn't? I'm leaving. Call me when you're ready to play fair.

TIVANA - (laughing) Fine, fine. Let's watch a movie instead.

SPECTRE - (sighs) Whatever.

TIVANA - (switching channels) Ah, what's this? Breaking news!

FEMALE NEWS REPORTER - (on TV) ...VattervicV is still recovering from the disaster that occurred 2 hours ago. A group of metallic objects were pierced into a young researcher and financial workers at the local bank...

TIVANA - (excitedly) Whoa, that's just two streets across! Want to go check it out, Spectre?

SPECTRE - (alarmed) Are you insane? Why would you want to go there? Have a death wish or something?

TIVANA - (teasingly) Scared cat, fine. I'll drop you home.

SPECTRE - (relieved) Good.

TIVANA - (walking Spectre home) It's five streets away from the site, right?

SPECTRE - (nervously) Yeah, hurry up.

TIVANA - (noticing the symbol on the officer's arm) Wait a minute... what's that symbol on your arm?

OFFICER - (menacingly) Just a little something we're trying out, kid.

TIVANA - (sensing something off) No, I've seen it before... on the news!

OFFICER - (smirking) Ah, you're one of the clever ones, huh?

TIVANA - (backing away) Spectre, I think we should go...

SPECTRE - (grabbing Tivana's arm) It's too late.

OFFICER - (signalling to someone) Ah, perfect timing. We've been waiting for you, Tivana.

TIVANA - (confused) Waiting for me? What's going on?

SPECTRE - (terrified) Tivana, I think we should run...

OFFICER - (smiling) Oh, I don't think so. You see, Tivana, you have a very special gift. One that we've been searching for.

TIVANA - (backing away) What gift? What are you talking about?

OFFICER - (advances on Tivana) Your ability to see things others can't. We need that.

SPECTRE - (trying to intervene) Leave him alone!

OFFICER - (pushing Spectre aside) Silence! This doesn't concern you.

TIVANA - (trying to flee) No! Get away from me!

OFFICER - (catching Tivana) Ah, no more running. It's time to come with us.

TIVANA - (struggling) Let me go! What do you want from me?

OFFICER - (smirking) Oh, we'll show you. We'll show you the true power of your gift.

(Other officers arrive, surrounding Tivana and Spectre)

SPECTRE - (terrified) Tivana, I'm sorry. I didn't know...

TIVANA - (resigned) It's not your fault, Spectre... I should have listened to you...

(The officers drag Tivana away, leaving Spectre alone and frightened)

SPECTRE - (whispering) Tivana... no...

OFFICER 1 - (chuckling) Ah, kid's got spunk. I like that.

OFFICER 2 - (laughing) Yeah, thought we'd have some fun with him. He's been poking his nose into things he doesn't understand.

TIVANA - (confused) What's going on? Where are we going?

OFFICER 1 - (teasingly) Oh, we're taking you home, kid. Don't worry.

OFFICER 2 - (changing subject) did you hear about the latest crime scene?

OFFICER 1 - (interested) No, what happened?

OFFICER 2 - (serious) Looks like another metal-related incident. Someone pierced a bunch of metallic objects into a researcher and some bank workers.

TIVANA - (alarmed) That's what I saw on the news!

OFFICER 1 - (reassuringly) Don't worry, kid. We're on top of it.

OFFICER 2 - (speculating) I think it's some kind of gang thing. Maybe a new player in town.

OFFICER 1 - (sceptical) Gangs don't usually use metal objects like that. This feels more... ritualistic.

TIVANA - (curious) What do you mean?

OFFICER 2 - (explaining) Well, the way the objects were placed looks like some sort of twisted ceremony.

OFFICER 1 - (adding) And the symbol on the arm... that's not gang-related. That's something deeper.

TIVANA - (intrigued) What symbol?

OFFICER 2 - (hesitant) Never mind, kid. You don't need to know.

(They arrive at Tivana's home)

OFFICER 1 - (smiling) Well, here you are. Safe and sound.

TIVANA - (relieved) Thanks... I guess.

OFFICER 2 - (serious) Listen, kid. Stay out of this. It's not your concern.

TIVANA - (determined) I can take care of myself.

OFFICER 1 - (laughing) Oh, we'll see about that.

(The officers drive off, leaving Tivana wondering about the crime scene and the mysterious symbol)