When a cancer-stricken private detective discovers that an infamous serial killer has captured his son, he sets out to rescue him from his treacherous lair.

SYNOPSIS:

Charlie Higgins is a former private detective living with his wife and two children in North Carolina. His son, Ben, catches up with his classmate, Kyle, for a sleepover at a haunted cottage. While playing a game of Monopoly, Kyle tells him about a mysterious entity lurking in the woods. Commonly known as “The Plague Doctor”, he preys on children once every month. Ben and Kyle watch The Shining before heading off to bed. Later that night, a creepy-looking figure breaks into the cottage and tries to kidnap both boys. Kyle wakes up and fights him in an attempt to save Ben. Without warning, the figure cuts Kyle’s throat and flees the scene, leaving Kyle to die. A wandering park ranger discovers his body two hours later and immediately contacts the police. The following morning, Charlie receives a phone call and rushes to the cottage. There, he learns what had happened to Kyle and Ben. He falls into shock and confronts Kyle’s parents. His wife tries to comfort him. With that, he regains his senses and returns home. Charlie spends several hours alone in his study, drinking and smoking, before embarking on a mission to save his son.

Charlie revisits the cottage at night, finds a trail and discovers a paper sheet (with coordinates) concealed in a small bottle. A paranoid ranger holds Charlie at gunpoint and orders him to turn around. Charlie reveals himself and his task to bring the killer to justice. The park ranger lowers his shotgun and leads him to his house for coffee. After analysing the coordinates, he informs Charlie of a haunted mansion that once belonged to an infamous serial killer. He then discusses his childhood experience with a mysterious entity who tortured him for five days. Charlie falls into shock again, runs out the door and vomits a mouthful of blood. With his health deteriorating, he sets off at dawn, searching for the haunted mansion. He arrives an hour later, breaks into the house, listens to an old cassette player in the lounge room, and finds a trapdoor below the staircase. Under it is a complex of tunnels with multiple secret chambers and cells. Charlie hesitates, lights a cigarette, and climbs into the complex.

More to come...

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Est. Script Length: 120 pages

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Art by Brands Amon