In the shadow of the countryside, a sinister hunger awakens—every 23 years, for 23 days.
Watch the original version of Jeepers Creepers
**Prologue: The Awakening**
Under the cloak of night, the ancient earth stirred, a deep, resonant rumble that went unnoticed by the slumbering world. Beneath the gnarled roots of an age-old oak, something ancient awoke from its decades-long slumber. The soil shifted, cracked, and finally parted as if exhaling a breath held for too long. The creature, a grotesque amalgamation of man and beast, with skin like leather and eyes that gleamed with a malevolent intelligence, emerged into the moonlit world. Its ritual, as old as the hills that bore witness to its cyclical resurgence, began anew. The hunger that had been a dull ache in its dormant state now roared to life, an insatiable craving for flesh and fear.
It moved with purpose, drawn to the isolated pathways that snaked through the countryside, where the unwary and the lost became its prey. The creature’s existence was a tapestry of blood and darkness woven over centuries, its origins lost to time, but its legacy etched in the whispered fears of those who dwelled near its hunting grounds.
Tonight, the cycle commenced once more, a countdown of terror that would end only when it had fed, when the hunger was sated, and it could return to the earth. But this time, something was different. This time, a pair of unsuspecting souls would challenge the narrative of predator and prey, setting the stage for a confrontation steeped in horror and desperation.
**Chapter 1: The Long Road Home**
The vast, open countryside stretched endlessly before Trisha and Darry, the monotony of the landscape broken only by the occasional farmhouse or withering tree. They had chosen this route on a whim, an attempt to recapture some semblance of connection that had frayed under the weight of college life and growing responsibilities. The road trip home was meant to be a detour from reality, a brief escape into the comfort of each other’s company.
As they drove, their conversation flowed from inconsequential chatter to deeper reflections, laughter mingling with moments of comfortable silence. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, a picturesque backdrop to their journey. Yet, as the light faded, so too did the sense of tranquility. Shadows crept across the fields, transforming the familiar into the unknown, and an inexplicable sense of unease settled over them.
The first sign that something was amiss came with the sudden appearance of a dilapidated truck in the rearview mirror. It bore down on them with alarming speed, its engine growling like a beast unleashed. Trisha gripped the steering wheel tighter, her knuckles turning white as the truck loomed closer, its intentions unclear.
“Darry, what does he want?” Trisha’s voice was tight with fear.
“I don’t know, Trish, just keep driving,” Darry replied, turning to glance at the pursuing vehicle, his heart racing.
The truck’s headlights blazed, an unwelcome spotlight in the gathering darkness, as it swerved menacingly close. Then, as quickly as the ordeal had begun, it was over. The truck overtook them, speeding off into the night, leaving behind a cloud of dust and a lingering sense of dread.
“Let’s not stop until we’re home,” Darry said after a moment, the adrenaline slowly ebbing from his veins.
Trisha nodded, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, but the encounter had shattered the illusion of their peaceful journey. The countryside around them no longer seemed serene but sinister, hiding unknown threats in its shadows.
As they drove on, the isolation of their surroundings became oppressively evident. Miles of road passed without a sign of life, each turn revealing only more desolation. The eerie quiet was a stark reminder of their vulnerability, a feeling that deepened when they spotted the truck again, parked beside an old, abandoned church.
Curiosity warred with fear as they slowed down, the sight of the vehicle reigniting the terror of the chase. It was then that they saw him, the driver, a figure shrouded in darkness, unloading what appeared to be wrapped bodies into a large pipe.
The sight was paralyzing, a moment of surreal horror that rooted them to the spot. Trisha’s voice was a whisper, barely audible over the pounding of their hearts. “Darry, we have to go. Now.”
But even as she spoke, Darry’s eyes were drawn to the pipe, to the possibility of uncovering what lay within. A decision, born of fear and an insatiable human curiosity, set them on a path from which there was no return.
“Let’s check it out,” he said, a statement that would haunt them as they delved deeper into the night, into a world of darkness they had never imagined existed. The long road home had become a descent into fear, where the creature awaited, its hunger an ancient and relentless force that knew no bounds.
Chapter 2: The Creeping Terror
The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as Trisha and Darry continued their journey through the isolated countryside. The road stretched out in front of them, a seemingly endless ribbon of asphalt that sliced through the fields of withered crops and abandoned farmhouses. The tranquility of the drive had given way to an eerie stillness, the kind that made the back of your neck tingle with an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Darry fiddled with the radio, trying to find a station that could break the silence between them, but all he could find was static. “Guess we’re not getting any reception out here,” he muttered, giving up and turning the radio off. Trisha glanced at him, noticing the slight furrow in his brow. She attempted to lighten the mood, “It’s just a bit of quiet, Darry. It might actually be nice, you know?”
Before Darry could respond, the peace of the moment shattered. Out of nowhere, a rusty, dilapidated truck roared up behind them, its engine growling like some feral creature of the night. The headlights, bright and unyielding, bore down on them, filling the car with an intense light that seemed to consume everything.
Panic gripped Trisha as she gripped the steering wheel tighter, her knuckles turning white. “What the hell is this guy’s problem?” she exclaimed, as the truck inched closer, its bumper almost touching theirs. Darry turned to look back, his face a mask of confusion and fear. “I don’t know, but you better floor it, Trish!”
The car lurched forward as Trisha pressed down on the accelerator, the engine whining in protest. The truck matched their speed effortlessly, staying on their tail as if glued there by some unseen force. The road ahead was dark, the only light coming from the truck’s headlights and the pale glow of the moon above.
After what felt like an eternity, the truck suddenly swerved, overtaking them with an aggressive roar. It sped ahead, disappearing into the night as quickly as it had appeared. Trisha slowed the car down, her heart pounding in her chest. “What was that all about?” she breathed, trying to calm her racing heart.
Darry shook his head, his eyes wide. “I have no idea, but let’s just keep going. We should be out of this area soon.”
They drove on in silence, the encounter with the truck casting a long shadow over them. The sense of unease that had been creeping in earlier had now fully taken hold, wrapping its cold fingers around their hearts. The isolation of the countryside, once a backdrop to their peaceful drive, now felt oppressive, as if they were the only two people left in the world.
As they rounded a bend, they spotted an old, abandoned church off to the side of the road. It stood alone, a relic of a bygone era, its steeple casting a long shadow under the moonlight. It was then that they saw the truck again. It was parked at an angle, its driver’s side door ajar, near an old well that seemed to lead into darkness.
Curiosity overcame their fear, pulling them towards the church like moths to a flame. They parked the car at a safe distance and approached on foot, moving as silently as possible. Peering from behind a decrepit fence, they watched as the driver of the truck, a hulking figure cloaked in darkness, heaved what appeared to be bodies wrapped in blood-stained sheets into the well.
A cold horror washed over them as the reality of what they were witnessing sank in. This was no ordinary driver; this was a creature from their darkest nightmares, engaged in some grotesque ritual. They had stumbled upon a secret that was meant to stay hidden, a horror that was beyond their wildest imaginations.
The urge to flee was overwhelming, but they were rooted to the spot, unable to look away. It was a moment that would change their lives forever, a crossing into a world where nightmares walked the earth and terror lurked in the shadows.
The creature finished its grim task and paused, as if sensing something in the air. Trisha and Darry held their breath, praying to go unnoticed. After a moment that felt like an eternity, the creature climbed back into the truck and drove away, leaving behind a silence that was louder than any scream.
Shaken to their core, Trisha and Darry made their way back to the car. They knew they had to leave, to get as far away from this place as possible. But as they drove away, a chilling thought gripped them: they were not alone on this road, and the terror that they had just witnessed was only the beginning of their nightmare.
Chapter 3: House of Horrors
The sun had dipped below the horizon when Trisha and Darry spotted the derelict church, its spire a dark silhouette against the twilight sky. The ancient structure stood alone amidst sprawling fields, a guardian of secrets long forgotten. Despite Trisha’s protests, Darry’s curiosity was piqued by the sight of the rusty truck, its presence at such a desolate location inexplicable, unnerving.
The gravel crunched beneath their tires as they pulled off the road, the car’s headlights illuminating patches of overgrown grass and broken fencing leading up to the church. “This is a bad idea,” Trisha muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the silence that enveloped them.
Ignoring her, Darry grabbed a flashlight from the glove compartment. “I’ll just take a quick look. Wait here,” he said, his voice laced with an excitement that Trisha couldn’t share.
The church loomed larger as Darry approached, its windows dark, the paint peeling from its wooden siding. He circled to the back, where he had seen the truck’s driver disposing of what appeared to be body-shaped bundles. The air was thick with the scent of decay, a pungent reminder of death that made him gag.
There it was, the pipe. Large and rusted, it jutted out from the ground like a grotesque flower. Darry shone his flashlight down its throat, the beam swallowed by the darkness below. The urge to flee, to leave this place and its secrets behind, was almost overwhelming. But something pulled at him, a morbid fascination that urged him forward.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Darry lay flat on the ground and peered into the abyss. The smell hit him first, a mix of rot and something far older, an earthy scent of decay that seemed to whisper of ancient rites and forgotten gods. Then, his eyes adjusted, and he saw them: bodies, dozens of them, some whole, some not, all preserved in the gloom. They were wrapped in tattered cloth, their flesh mummified, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.
A sound from above startled him, a scraping noise that echoed down the pipe. He scrambled back, heart pounding, as the realization hit him: he wasn’t alone. The truck’s driver, the creature, was still here.
Panic lent speed to his movements as he raced back to the car, the beam of his flashlight erratic in his trembling hand. Trisha saw him coming, saw the terror on his face, and started the car even before he reached it.
“They’re bodies, Trish! Dozens of them!” he gasped, slamming the door shut behind him. His eyes were wide, the horror of what he had seen etched into his features.
Without a word, Trisha floored the accelerator, the car lurching forward, away from the church, away from the nightmare. But the nightmare was far from over. As they fled, a shape detached itself from the shadows of the church, its eyes glowing in the dim light, watching them go. It was ancient, this creature, older than the church it made its lair, older than the very roads they fled upon. Its ritual was disturbed, but it would not be deterred. Hunger drove it, a hunger that had lasted centuries, a hunger for flesh, for fear, for the very essence of its victims.
The road ahead was long, and the night was full of terrors. Trisha and Darry had seen too much, knew too much, and the creature would not, could not, let them go. The hunt had begun, a game of cat and mouse that spanned the desolate countryside, with stakes higher than they could ever imagine.
As they drove, the church receded into the distance, becoming nothing more than a dark spot on the horizon. But the memory of what lay beneath, of the horror that resided there, would haunt them, driving them forward into a night that held no promise of dawn. The house of horrors was behind them, but its shadow stretched long, a darkness that would consume them if they let it, a darkness from which there was no escape.
Chapter 4: The Hunt Begins
The town was a mere speck on the map, a collection of buildings huddled together as if seeking protection from the vast, empty landscape that surrounded it. The sky was a deepening shade of twilight as Trisha and Darry pulled into the gas station at the edge of town. The neon sign flickered sporadically, casting an eerie glow on the forecourt. Trisha killed the engine, and for a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their discovery pressing down on them. The image of the dark, dank chamber beneath the church, filled with bodies in various states of decay, was seared into their minds.
“We need to tell someone,” Darry said finally, his voice thick with emotion. “The police, anyone.”
Trisha nodded, her face pale and drawn in the dim light of the dashboard. “Let’s go.”
The interior of the gas station was dimly lit and smelled of stale coffee and motor oil. A bell tinkled as they entered, drawing the attention of the man behind the counter. He was middle-aged, with a thick beard and eyes that seemed to miss nothing. He gave them a nod, his expression unreadable.
“We need to use your phone,” Trisha said, her voice steady despite the pounding of her heart.
The man pointed to a payphone in the corner. “Help yourselves.”
Darry moved towards the phone, fishing in his pockets for change, while Trisha approached the counter. “Has anything strange been happening around here lately?” she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.
The man’s gaze sharpened. “Strange how?”
“People going missing, unusual sightings?”
For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. Then he leaned closer, lowering his voice. “You’re not the first to ask such questions. Folks say there’s something out in those fields, something old and hungry. But you didn’t hear that from me.”
Before Trisha could respond, Darry returned, his face clouded with frustration. “The lines are down or something. I couldn’t get through.”
A sense of urgency propelled Trisha back to the moment. “We should try the sheriff’s office directly,” she said, more to herself than to Darry.
They thanked the man and hurried back to the car, the sense of being watched creeping up on them as they left the gas station’s flickering lights behind. The sheriff’s office was on the main street, a small, squat building that looked like it hadn’t seen a fresh coat of paint in decades.
The door creaked ominously as they entered, the interior as dim and unwelcoming as the exterior. A lone deputy sat behind a desk, his feet propped up, a magazine covering his face. He looked up as they approached, his expression one of mild annoyance.
“We need to report something…something bad,” Trisha stammered, her resolve wavering under the deputy’s indifferent gaze.
“Missing persons,” Darry added, his voice more forceful. “And we think we know where to find them.”
The deputy’s feet hit the floor with a thud, and he leaned forward, interest piqued. “Go on.”
They recounted their story, from the truck that had tried to run them off the road to the grotesque discovery beneath the abandoned church. The deputy listened without interrupting, his expression growing increasingly grim.
When they finished, he stood, holstering his sidearm. “You better show me.”
The drive back to the church was tense, the silence between them filled with unspoken fears. The deputy had called for backup, but in this remote part of the country, ‘backup’ could be hours away.
The church loomed ahead, its silhouette ominous against the night sky. They parked a distance away, the deputy’s insistence, and approached on foot, the beams of their flashlights cutting through the darkness.
But they were not alone. Shadows moved in the periphery, whispers of movement that danced just out of sight. Trisha felt a prickle of fear along her spine, the feeling of being hunted, watched.
Then, chaos. A figure lunged from the shadows, fast and furious, its features obscured by the dark. The deputy fired, the sound deafening in the silence of the night. They ran, the creature hot on their heels, an embodiment of nightmares.
They made it back to the car, the creature momentarily thwarted by the deputy’s gunfire. But as they sped away, Trisha’s gaze met the creature’s in the rearview mirror. Its eyes burned with a malevolent intelligence, and a promise: this was far from over.
The town faded behind them, but the sense of foreboding did not. They were being hunted, and the creature was relentless. But they had one advantage: they knew it was real, and they were determined to survive. The hunt had begun, but they were no longer the helpless prey they had been. They were survivors, and they would fight back.
**Chapter 5: Secrets Unveiled**
The night had fallen with an oppressive weight, a blanket of darkness that seemed to smother the very air around Trisha and Darry as they drove through the desolate countryside. The terror that had taken root in their hearts seemed to grow with every passing mile, every shadow that flickered in their headlights. They were running, but from what, they could barely comprehend. The creature that pursued them was something out of a nightmare, a horror that defied explanation.
Their desperate flight led them to a dilapidated gas station at the edge of a town that seemed as if it had been forgotten by time. The neon sign flickered sporadically, the letters spelling out “Madame Josephine’s” in a garish, almost mocking display. It was here, the psychic’s place, an oasis of light in the darkness that beckoned them with the promise of answers.
Madame Josephine was a figure straight out of a gothic novel, her eyes piercing in their intensity, her presence both comforting and unsettling. She listened to their tale with a grave silence, her expression unreadable. When they had finished, she spoke, her voice a soft whisper that seemed to carry the weight of ages.
“The creature you speak of,” she began, “is ancient, a being that exists beyond the bounds of our understanding. It is known by many names, but most refer to it simply as the Creeper. It is a predator, but not one driven by mere hunger. Its feast is ritualistic, a cycle that has continued for centuries.”
Trisha and Darry exchanged a glance, the same question unspoken in their eyes. Why them? What had they done to draw the attention of such a monstrosity?
Madame Josephine seemed to read their thoughts. “The Creeper is drawn to something within its chosen prey, something vital, something… unique. It seeks not just flesh, but the essence of its victims. And once it has scented its quarry, it will not rest until it has claimed what it desires.”
The room seemed to grow colder as she spoke, the air thick with the weight of her words. Trisha felt a shiver run down her spine, the dread that had been her constant companion now coalescing into a sharp point of fear.
“How do we stop it?” Darry’s voice was a whisper, almost drowned out by the howling of the wind outside.
Madame Josephine’s gaze was steady, unflinching. “The Creeper is bound by the cycle. It hunts for twenty-three days every twenty-third spring. To stop it, you must survive until the cycle ends. But know this,” her gaze intensified, “the Creeper is cunning, relentless. It will not be deterred by simple obstacles. And it bears a hatred for those who escape its grasp.”
Survive. The word echoed in Trisha’s mind, a simple command that carried an almost insurmountable weight. Twenty-three days. Could they really evade such a monster for that long?
“What does it want from us?” The question was out before Trisha could stop it, her voice a mix of fear and defiance.
Madame Josephine’s eyes softened, a glimmer of sympathy in their depths. “It seeks what is unique in you, what sets you apart. Each victim is chosen for a reason, a piece that the Creeper needs to… to complete itself. To understand fully, you must delve into its past, uncover the origins of the cycle.”
And with those words, she offered them a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. A chance to understand the creature, to perhaps find a weakness they could exploit. She provided them with ancient texts, lore passed down through generations, all pointing towards the origins of the Creeper and the cycle that bound it.
As they left Madame Josephine’s, the night seemed a little less oppressive, the darkness a bit more bearable. They had a purpose now, a path to follow. The road ahead was fraught with danger, the outcome uncertain. But for the first time since their nightmare began, Trisha and Darry felt a spark of hope, a defiance that burned bright in the face of their fear.
The chapter closes as they drive away from Madame Josephine’s, the ancient texts lying between them, a roadmap to understanding and, hopefully, survival. The Creeper was out there, waiting in the darkness, but they were no longer running blindly. They had a plan, a slim chance to turn the tables on their pursuer. And with each mile that passed beneath their wheels, they moved one step closer to unraveling the mystery of the creature that hunted them.
Chapter 6: The Final Stand
The night air was thick with tension as Trisha and Darry, armed with nothing but their wits and a few hastily gathered weapons, prepared to face the creature that had been hunting them since their ill-fated detour. The abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, a place they had chosen for its seclusion and potential for traps, loomed ominously under the moonlight. The psychic’s words echoed in their minds, a grim reminder of the unnatural entity they were up against. An ancient demon, awakening every 23rd spring to feed, and they were its chosen prey.
The plan was simple yet fraught with peril. They would lure the creature inside, where a labyrinth of makeshift traps awaited. The culmination was a pit they had spent hours digging, filled with sharp stakes smeared with poison – a desperate attempt to end the nightmare. Every minute leading up to the creature’s arrival was a battle against their rising fear and the creeping doubt of their impending confrontation.
As the creature entered, its grotesque form silhouetted against the large doorway, its eyes gleamed with a malevolent intelligence. It moved with a purposeful grace, sniffing the air, sensing their presence. Trisha and Darry watched from their hiding place, their breaths shallow, hearts pounding against their chests. The warehouse, filled with the remnants of its industrial past, became a macabre arena for their final stand.
The creature moved cautiously, its senses attuned to the slightest movement. It avoided the first few traps with an unsettling ease, dismantling their plans piece by piece. With each evaded trap, the siblings’ hope dwindled, replaced by a mounting dread. It was smarter than they had anticipated, more aware of its surroundings. The realization that they were outmatched set in, but surrender was not an option. They couldn’t – wouldn’t – let it end here.
In a desperate bid, Darry emerged from hiding, taunting the creature with a mix of rage and fear. It turned, its gaze locking onto him, and charged. Trisha, her heart in her throat, watched as her brother led it on a dangerous dance, narrowly avoiding its grasping claws. He was heading towards the pit, their last hope. The creature, driven by hunger and rage, seemed oblivious to the danger, its focus solely on Darry.
Just as it seemed he would be overtaken, Darry dove to the side, the creature’s momentum carrying it forward. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, with a triumphant yet fearful cry from Trisha, the creature fell into the pit, impaled on the stakes below. It writhed and screamed, a sound so unearthly it chilled them to their bones, but it could not free itself.
They approached the edge, watching as the creature’s struggle weakened. Its eyes, filled with a malevolent fire, met theirs, and in that moment, they saw not just a beast, but a glimpse of the eternal hunger that drove it. Then, as the light faded from its eyes, the night fell silent.
Exhausted, physically and emotionally, Trisha and Darry collapsed onto the ground, the relief of survival washing over them. But even as they embraced, the psychic’s words lingered in the air, a somber reminder of the cycle they had only temporarily halted. The creature was defeated, but its terror would live on, a shadow waiting for the chance to emerge once more.
As dawn broke, casting light on the horrors of the night, they knew their fight was far from over. The creature might be gone, but its legend would remain, a cautionary tale of the darkness that lurks, waiting for its moment to feed. And when it returns, they would be ready, their resolve strengthened by the ordeal they had endured. For now, though, they allowed themselves a moment of peace, a brief respite in the eye of an unending storm.
Chapter 7: The Cycle Continues
As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, Trisha and Darry found themselves on the edge of exhaustion, both physically and mentally. The night had been a relentless onslaught of fear, desperation, and unimaginable horror. They had faced the creature head-on, a being so ancient and evil that it seemed to mock their very existence with its indestructibility. The plan had been simple yet audacious: lure the creature into a trap using themselves as bait, and then use every ounce of their ingenuity and courage to end its reign of terror once and for all.
The abandoned factory on the outskirts of the town had seemed like the perfect setting for their final stand. The building was a labyrinth of rusted machinery and shadowy corridors, a place where the line between the hunter and the hunted could easily blur. They had spent hours setting up, rigging makeshift traps and barricades, each one knowing that this could very well be their last night on earth.
As the creature entered, its presence was announced by the chilling sound of its footsteps echoing through the empty halls, a sound that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It moved with purpose, its grotesque form barely visible in the dim light, a nightmare brought to life. Trisha and Darry watched from their hiding spot, their breaths shallow, hearts pounding in their chests.
The creature was cunning, more so than they had anticipated. It avoided the first few traps with an almost disdainful ease, its senses finely attuned to the scent of its prey. But desperation lends strength, and in a moment of sheer audacity, Darry emerged from his hiding, leading the creature on a frantic chase through the maze of machinery, relying on his knowledge of the layout and sheer adrenaline to stay one step ahead.
Trisha, meanwhile, moved to the final stage of their plan, a precarious setup involving gallons of flammable liquid and a jury-rigged ignition system. Her hands trembled as she waited for the right moment, knowing that the timing had to be perfect. The creature, sensing its prey slipping away, gave chase with renewed ferocity, its terrifying shrieks filling the air.
The climax was a cacophony of noise and light. Darry led the creature straight into the trap, diving away at the last possible second. Trisha, with a prayer on her lips, ignited the flames. Fire engulfed the creature, its screams a sound of pure, otherworldly agony that echoed through the night. For a moment, it seemed as though they had succeeded, that the nightmare was finally over.
But as the flames died down, the true horror of their situation became apparent. The creature, though wounded, was not defeated. Its body, charred and smoking, rose from the ashes, a testament to its unholy resilience. The siblings watched in despair as it limped away into the darkness, disappearing from sight but not from their nightmares.
The sun rose fully, casting light on the devastation around them. The factory was a charred ruin, a stark reminder of the night’s events. Trisha and Darry sat amidst the rubble, their bodies aching, their spirits broken. They had survived, but at what cost?
The psychic’s words echoed in their minds, a chilling prophecy of future horrors. “It will be back,” she had said, and they knew now the truth of those words. The creature was part of a cycle, one that had been repeating for centuries, and they were merely the latest players in its macabre game.
As they made their way back to civilization, the weight of their experience hung heavy between them. They were changed, irrevocably so. The innocence of their youth had been stripped away, replaced by a deep, abiding knowledge of the darkness that lurked in the world.
The creature would return, of that they were certain. But so too would they be waiting, their resolve hardened by their ordeal. They would not run, nor would they hide. They would prepare, gather knowledge, and when the time came, they would face the darkness once more.
For now, though, they had each other, and in the light of the rising sun, that was enough. The road ahead was uncertain, fraught with dangers both known and unknown. But they would face it together, as siblings, as survivors, as warriors in an unending battle against the darkness.
The cycle continues, but so does the fight. And in the end, perhaps that is all one can hope for.
Some scenes from the movie Jeepers Creepers written by A.I.
Scene 1
### Screenplay: “Eternal Hunger”
**FADE IN:**
EXT. ISOLATED COUNTRYSIDE ROAD – DAY
The sun is high in a cloudless sky, illuminating miles of open, desolate farmland on either side of a barely used two-lane road. A 2000s model car cruises along, the only sign of life in an otherwise empty landscape.
**INT. CAR – DAY**
TRISHA (20s, thoughtful, the protective older sister) drives, her eyes focused on the road. DARRY (late teens, carefree and adventurous) sits in the passenger seat, his feet on the dashboard, flipping through songs on his phone.
**DARRY**
Can you believe we’re finally done with another semester?
**TRISHA**
(rolls her eyes)
I can’t believe you’re finally done. I swear, if you spent as much time on your studies as you do on those video games…
**DARRY**
(laughs)
Come on, sis. It’s the journey, not the destination. Speaking of, why are we on this road again?
**TRISHA**
Scenic route, remember? Figured we could use a break from the interstate.
A moment of comfortable silence falls between them as they both take in the scenery.
**DARRY**
It’s kinda creepy, though, don’t you think? Like, “Children of the Corn” creepy.
**TRISHA**
(smiling)
Scared?
**DARRY**
(mock indignation)
Me? Never.
Suddenly, a LOUD ENGINE ROAR interrupts their banter. In the rearview mirror, a menacing, rust-covered truck appears, speeding towards them.
**TRISHA**
(surprised)
What the hell?
The truck gets dangerously close, its grill almost touching the car’s bumper.
**DARRY**
(speeding up)
He’s not slowing down!
**TRISHA**
(firm, focused)
Hold on.
Trisha swerves to the side, allowing the truck to pass, but it doesn’t. Instead, it matches their speed, a monstrous shadow looming over them.
**DARRY**
(angry and scared)
What’s this guy’s problem?!
The truck suddenly accelerates, overtaking them, then abruptly slows down, forcing Trisha to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision.
**TRISHA**
(breathing hard)
This guy’s insane!
The truck speeds off, disappearing around a bend. Trisha and Darry exchange a look of disbelief and relief.
**DARRY**
(trying to laugh it off)
Well, that was… something.
**TRISHA**
(serious)
Let’s just get home.
The car continues down the road, the siblings shaken but safe. For now.
**FADE OUT.**
—
This scene sets the stage for a journey that shifts from mundane to menacing, introducing the central characters and the first hint of the horror that awaits them.
Scene 2
### Screenplay: “The Creeper’s Curse”
**INT. DARRYL AND TRISHA’S CAR – DAY**
*The sun is setting. TRISHA drives while DARRYL flips through radio stations. The peaceful countryside flies by.*
**DARRYL**
*(jokingly)*
Can we listen to something that doesn’t sound like it’s from the last century?
**TRISHA**
*(smiling)*
Fine, but you’re missing the classics.
*Suddenly, a LOUD ROAR of an engine. A rusty, ancient truck appears in the rearview mirror, gaining speed.*
**DARRYL**
*(nervously)*
Trish, that guy’s coming up fast.
**TRISHA**
*(irritated)*
He can go around.
*The truck gets uncomfortably close, its engine roaring threateningly.*
**DARRYL**
Maybe just let him pass?
*The truck suddenly RAMS into their car.*
**TRISHA**
*(shocked and angry)*
What the hell?!
*She accelerates, trying to escape. The truck pursues, its presence ominous.*
**DARRYL**
*(panic rising)*
Go, Trish, go! He’s not messing around!
*They manage to pull ahead; the truck disappears behind a curve.*
**TRISHA**
*(breathing heavily)*
Is he gone?
*DARRYL checks the rearview mirror. The road behind them is empty.*
**DARRYL**
*(relieved yet shaken)*
Yeah, yeah, he’s gone. What was that about?
*They share a moment of silence, the scare bonding them further.*
**TRISHA**
Let’s just get home.
*The car speeds away, the sun now fully set, leaving the road behind them dark and empty.*
**FADE OUT.**
—
*This scene establishes the initial menace of the truck and its unseen driver, setting the tone for the horror and suspense that will unfold.*
Scene 3
**Title: “Eaters of the Dark”**
**Genre: Horror/Thriller**
—
**FADE IN:**
EXT. ABANDONED CHURCH – DAY
A desolate church stands in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by overgrown weeds. The sun is setting, casting long shadows. TRISHA (20s, strong-willed) and DARRY (20s, curious) approach cautiously, their car parked a distance away.
**DARRY**
*(whispering)*
This is it, Trish. The place gives me the creeps.
**TRISHA**
*(whispering back)*
Let’s just take a quick look and get out.
They move towards a side door, finding it slightly ajar. They exchange a glance and push it open, entering.
INT. ABANDONED CHURCH – CONTINUOUS
The inside is dark, dust motes floating in the scant light filtering through boarded-up windows. They flash their lights around, revealing pews covered in dust and debris.
Suddenly, a loud *THUMP* from the back. They freeze.
**DARRY**
Did you hear that?
**TRISHA**
Shh!
They move cautiously towards the sound, coming to a stop at a trapdoor partially hidden under a rug. The sound came from below.
**DARRY**
*(excited)*
There’s something down there.
**TRISHA**
*(worried)*
Darry, no. Let’s just call the police.
Darry, driven by curiosity, ignores her and opens the trapdoor. A ladder leads down into the darkness.
**DARRY**
I’ll be quick. Just keep a lookout.
He descends. Trisha, reluctantly, stands guard.
INT. UNDERGROUND CHAMBER – CONTINUOUS
Darry’s light reveals a horrific sight: bodies in various states of decay, some fresh, others mere skeletons. He gags, covering his mouth.
**DARRY**
*(whispering to himself)*
Oh God, what is this place?
He notices something else: strange carvings on the walls, symbols that seem to move in the flickering light. He takes photos with his phone.
Suddenly, a *HORRIFIC SCREECH* echoes. Darry panics, scrambling up the ladder.
EXT. ABANDONED CHURCH – CONTINUOUS
Trisha hears the screech and Darry’s frantic movements. She rushes to the trapdoor just as Darry emerges, pale and shaken.
**TRISHA**
What happened? What did you see?
**DARRY**
*(panting)*
We need to leave. Now!
They hear the screech again, closer this time. Terrified, they run back to their car.
**DARRY**
*(as they run)*
It’s some kind of feeding ground. We’re not alone here.
They reach the car, start it, and speed away as the sun fully sets, leaving the church and its dark secrets behind.
**FADE OUT.**
—
**[End of Scene]**
Scene 4
### Screenplay: “The Feeding Ground”
**INT. DUSTY DINER – NIGHT**
*The diner, a beacon of flickering neon in the vast darkness of the countryside, is nearly empty. TRISHA, early 20s, a mix of fear and determination in her eyes, and DARRY, her slightly younger brother, with a bruised face from their earlier encounter, slide into a booth. Their clothes are dirty, their expressions haunted.*
**TRISHA**
(whispering)
We need to call the cops, Darry. It saw us. It knows we saw it.
*Darry scans the diner, noticing a few locals scattered around, their eyes occasionally flicking towards them, curious or maybe suspicious.*
**DARRY**
And say what? That we saw a man dumping bodies? That thing… it wasn’t human, Trish.
*A WAITRESS, late 40s, tough exterior, approaches with a pot of coffee.*
**WAITRESS**
What’ll it be, hun?
**TRISHA**
(trying to seem calm)
Two coffees, please. And do you have a phone we could use?
*The Waitress nods towards a payphone by the entrance. As she pours the coffee, her gaze lingers on them, sensing their distress.*
**WAITRESS**
You kids okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
**DARRY**
(muttering)
Something like that.
*The Waitress walks away, casting a concerned glance over her shoulder. Trisha and Darry sip their coffee in silence, the weight of their ordeal pressing down on them.*
**TRISHA**
(quietly)
We have to tell someone, Darry. What if it comes after us?
*Darry nods, steeling himself. He stands, walking towards the payphone. Trisha watches, her hands clasped tightly around her cup.*
**CUT TO:**
**INT. DUSTY DINER – NIGHT – A FEW MINUTES LATER**
*Darry returns, frustration etched across his features.*
**DARRY**
It’s dead. Phone’s dead.
*Trisha’s face falls, a mix of fear and resignation.*
**TRISHA**
What do we do now?
**DARRY**
(looking around)
We can’t stay here. It’s not safe. We need to keep moving.
*They stand, leaving money on the table. As they head towards the door, the few locals in the diner watch silently, an unspoken understanding passing between them.*
**EXT. DUSTY DINER – NIGHT**
*Trisha and Darry exit into the night. The vast, open countryside stretches out before them, the road home more menacing than ever.*
**DARRY**
(looking at Trisha)
We’ll make it. Together.
*Trisha nods, and they get into their car. As they drive off, the camera pans up to the night sky, the stars obscured by creeping clouds, foreboding.*
**FADE OUT.**
Scene 5
**Title: The 23rd Awakening**
**Genre:** Horror/Thriller
—
**FADE IN:**
**EXT. RUNDOWN GAS STATION – NIGHT**
*TRISHA and DARRY, visibly shaken and tired, pull their car into the nearly deserted gas station. The neon sign flickers ominously.*
**INT. GAS STATION – CONTINUOUS**
*The siblings step inside, finding it empty except for a MYSTERIOUS OLD WOMAN sitting in a corner, surrounded by strange talismans and candles. She watches them with an unsettling intensity.*
**TRISHA**
*(whispering to Darry)*
This place gives me the creeps. Let’s just grab what we need and go.
*Darry nods, but the old woman calls out to them, her voice raspy but clear.*
**MYSTERIOUS OLD WOMAN**
You can’t run from it. It has seen you.
*Trisha and Darry freeze, turning towards her.*
**DARRY**
What are you talking about, ma’am?
*The woman stands, approaching them slowly. Her eyes seem to pierce through the darkness.*
**MYSTERIOUS OLD WOMAN**
The creature. The one you encountered. It is ancient, awakened every 23rd spring for 23 days to feed. You have been marked.
*Trisha and Darry exchange a look of terror.*
**TRISHA**
How do we stop it?
*The woman smiles sadly, almost pityingly.*
**MYSTERIOUS OLD WOMAN**
It desires what makes you human. Your fear, your flesh. But listen closely, for its strength is also its weakness. It cannot resist the scent of the terrified, and it can be lured…
*She trails off, handing them a small, ancient-looking talisman.*
**MYSTERIOUS OLD WOMAN** (CONT’D)
This will protect you, but only for a time. Be clever, be brave, and you may survive.
**DARRY**
*(determined)*
We’ll do whatever it takes.
**TRISHA**
*(to the woman)*
Thank you.
*The old woman simply nods, her expression solemn.*
**MYSTERIOUS OLD WOMAN**
Remember, the 23rd day is key. Survive until then, and it will retreat… until its next awakening.
—
**CUT TO:**
**EXT. GAS STATION – MOMENTS LATER**
*Trisha and Darry get back into their car, a new sense of purpose in their eyes. They drive off into the night, the talisman hanging from the rearview mirror.*
**DARRY**
*(firmly)*
Let’s end this.
**TRISHA**
*(resolutely)*
Together.
*As their car disappears into the night, the camera pans up to the moon, casting an eerie light over the desolate landscape. The sense of foreboding is palpable as the night seems to whisper secrets too dark to be known.*
**FADE OUT.**
—
**[End of Scene]**
