Dark Horse

SCENE ONE

FADE IN:

EXTERIOR: LATE NIGHT-EDGE OF SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT

The parking lot is mostly empty. A few cars in the rows near the supermarket, which is open twenty-four hours. The rest of the businesses are dark.

The girl runs toward the store. Her legs are weak and tired. She's crying. Her hair is a tangled mess. Her face is bruised. Her arms are striped with red welts.

She spots a pair of Palm Beach County cruisers parked together and veers toward them. She tries to cry out for help, but her throat is dry and parched, and hardly any sound comes out.

A few feet from the car, she stumbles and falls on her hands and knees.

GIRL

Help. Help me. Please.

She knows the deputy can't hear her whispered pleas. She is only a few yards from the car, but she doesn't have the strength to get up. She lies sobbing on the concrete. The deputy spots her and gets out of his car.

DEPUTY

Miss? Miss? Are you all right?

The girl looks up at him, sobbing in relief.

The deputy kneels down beside her. He calls to the other deputy.

DEPUTY

Reeger! Call for an ambulance! (Then, to the girl) Miss? Can you talk to me? Can you tell me your name?

GIRL

Erin. Erin Seabright.

FADE OUT