A spoiler-free scene from my published book LOVE & CHAOS.
I wanted to share one of the scenes here without revealing who these characters are or where this moment falls in the story.
Character names and a few identifying details have been removed to avoid spoilers.
Inside one of the minivans, a man gives a short order.
SNIPER
Stop the car.
The minivan stops.
The sniper takes out a case.
He climbs the ladder to the roof, lies down and opens it.
Inside is a sniper rifle.
He takes position.
Looks through the scope.
GUNSHOT.
The bullet hits the DRIVER in the chest.
His body jerks.
The steering wheel turns sharply.
The car veers off the road.
With the driver and a sleeping LITTLE GIRL inside, it crashes into the river.
RIVER
Heavy drops of rain begin to fall.
Seconds later, a storm erupts over the mountains.
Wind tears through the branches. Rain comes down like a wall. Water roars between the rocks.
In the middle of the chaos, the driver gasps for air, choking on dirty foam.
He is carrying the girl.
Wounded. Exhausted.
He can barely swim, and every movement is desperate, chaotic — almost his last.
He makes one final push and grabs the rocks along the riverbank.
Dark blood pours from the wound in his chest, immediately carried away by the current.
His leg is trapped tightly between the rocks.
He pulls.
Again.
Nothing.
Blood colors the water around him.
His strength is disappearing fast.
He lifts the girl higher and places her on his shoulders.
DRIVER
Sweetheart... whatever happens, don't get into the water. Don't let go of the rocks. Hold on as long as you can.
The girl sobs.
GIRL
Where are you going?
DRIVER
I'm here. Down below. I have something to do... But I'm right here with you.
GIRL
Don't go... Don't leave me...
DRIVER
Calm down, my sweet girl. I just breathed in too much air. I need to go underwater for a little while to feel better. You keep breathing, okay? And don't cry. I'm just tired. I'll be back soon.
His hands slip from the wet rock.
He disappears beneath the water.
The muddy current closes over his head.
His eyes remain open.
Underwater, he finds a thick tree root near the bank and wraps both arms around it.
His leg is still trapped between the rocks.
He secures his body against the root so that even if all his strength leaves him, the current won't carry him away — and the girl won't lose the support beneath her.
Above the water, the girl sits on his shoulders, holding tightly to the rocks.
She cries, shaking from the cold and fear.
Underwater, the man barely moves.
A woman's voice enters his memory.
WOMAN'S VOICE
You have to make it right.
A faint smile appears on his face.
Then he becomes still.
Through the storm comes the scream of a child:
GIRL
Help!..
September Creative Army Drive
We're Building a Creative Army (And We Want You In It)
Week 3: Welcome Week
This week's prize: a FREE Stage 32 Logline Polish. Your logline is what producers, managers, agents, and executives read before they decide whether to open your script at all. Every member who completes the mission gets one.
WEEK 4: REPORT FOR DUTY
Monday, September 21 through Sunday, September 27
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE
That's it. Ashley will send your code directly. Prefer to keep it private? Email Community@Stage32.com instead. One prize per member per week.
Community Open House Registration Link to use and share: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-september-2026-community-open-house-webcast
Week 4 Creative Army post: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing/From-First-Login-to-First-Win-Creative-Army-Drive-WEEK-4
The Creative Army Drive runs all September. Five weeks, five missions, a prize every single week, and a Grand Prize drawing at the end for members who complete three or more: a FREE Stage 32 Career Development Call.
Copy the link below to share this page:
20 people like this