CH: 16 The Mask Comes Off
– The Mask Comes Off
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Panel 1
Scene: Rena sits in her car, parked in a dark alley. She wears her hoodie over the blood-stained rabbit costume. Breathing heavily, eyes still wild.
Rena (inner voice):
I did it… I saved him… but I can't let him know.
Never.
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Panel 2
Scene: Rena quietly enters the house. The kids are peacefully sleeping on the bed . Moonlight spills through the curtains.
Rena (inner voice):
Good. They're still asleep. No one saw anything.
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Panel 3
Scene: Bathroom. Rena undresses, revealing bandages and bruises. She drops the pink axe, mask, and jacket into a hidden compartment under the sink.
Rena (inner voice):
Bury the bunny. Like always.
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Panel 4
Scene: Shower steam rises. Rena sits under the water, eyes closed, blood washing down the drain.
SFX:
sssshhhhhh
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Panel 5
Scene: Rena, now in clean clothes, towel around her shoulders. She hears the front door open and quickly wipes her eyes.
SFX:
click
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Panel 6
Scene: Lily enters with a worried look. Rena puts on her "innocent, emotional" face instantly.
Rena (crying, voice trembling):
Oh sis… my Joile… he was inside that bank…
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Panel 7
Scene: Lily hugs her, comforting her softly.
Lily:
Don't cry, dear. He's okay. I saw it on the news—someone saved him. All the terrorists are dead.
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Panel 8
Scene: Rena wipes her fake tears and sniffs.
Rena:
I didn't have the courage to watch… I—I just wanted to go to him…
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Panel 9
Scene: Door opens. Joile stands in the doorway, bruised but smiling. Rena runs to him and hugs him tightly.
Rena (crying):
My hubby…!
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Panel 10
Scene: Joile hugs her back warmly, gently patting her hair.
Joile:
I'm okay, babe. You're so brave… don't cry.
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Panel 11
Scene: Lily joins them, placing a hand on Joile's shoulder.
Lily:
We were all so worried. Thank god you're safe.
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Panel 12
Scene: Rena notices bruises on Joile's arm. Her expression changes to angry concern as she grabs the first-aid kit.
Rena:
Sit. Now.
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Panel 13
Scene: Rena applies ointment aggressively but carefully.
Rena (angry whisper):
Resign. Find another job.
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Panel 14
Scene: Joile chuckles nervously.
Joile:
You know I can't. I love this job. Saving people… it's what I've always wanted.
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Panel 15
Scene: Rena glares, biting her lip. Still holding his hand.
Rena (thinking):
You're mine. And I'll protect you—even from your dreams.
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Panel 16
Scene: Lily from the kitchen doorway.
Lily:
Dinner's ready, lovebirds.
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