Plot: Seth has had what seems like the perfect life: Loving parents, good friends, money, the works. James is the opposite: a broken family, trouble with the law, and he eventually ran away. However, both boys are "Gifted", and each has a special power: Seth is almost like an empath, reading emotions, and James can make air solid. When both go to a boarding school for Gifted students, they clash, end up as roommates, and end up stranded in the woods, trying to find civilization again. They become friends, enemies, friends, and enemies several times.

Currently, the two have just escaped from a haunted, abandoned city, infested with ghosts and what they suspect are zombies.

Note: {brackets} indicate notes for clarity.

~~~~

ext.side of the road.morning

Both boys are asleep on the ground, under the dome {of solid air, that James made for protection}, the way we left them. Seth wakes up first. He looks around a bit before kicking off the blanket.

SETH
Morning.

James lets the air shield drop. Seth flinches as the cooler air outside hits him.

JAMES
Morning. I see you weren't eaten by a zombie during the night?

SETH
No, thanks to your little force-field thing.

He folds up the blanket, handing it back to James. James puts both blankets into his bag as Seth stands up, swinging his own bag back onto his shoulder.

JAMES
So...since it's light again...?

SETH
(warily)
Since it's light again, what?

James grins reluctantly, speaking quickly.

JAMES
Want to go back? I mean, we're more likely to get another ride from the edge of a town than from the side of the road. It looks better.

Seth stares at him for a moment. Then he turns and walks away from James, away from the town.

James runs to catch up, calling after him until he reaches him.

JAMES
Hey, c'mon, Seth! I'm not gonna explore any more, we just need a ride back, that's all!

SETH
I am not going back.

JAMES
All right then, tell me how far it is to the next town, huh?

SETH
How should I know?

JAMES
Exactly! What if the only food for fifty miles is in that town? What do you have, an energy bar?

SETH
(reluctantly)
Yeah...but I have water! And you said you don't eat much. How much do you have?

JAMES
Nothing. I said I don't eat much. How long was that bus ride, anyhow? A couple hours? Well, we didn't pass this town on the way in, so we've gotta be going the wrong way anyway.

SETH
So where are we going instead? And don't even think about back towards town! I'm not going, and you can't make me, either!

JAMES
No, but I can leave you here alone.

James turns, walking back toward the town. Seth mentally struggles for a moment.

SETH
F-fine then! Go, I don't care!

JAMES
All right.

SETH
(yelling)
OK THEN!

Seth reluctantly turns away, closing his eyes.

James continues walking away; suddenly, he begins to run. Seth opens his eyes at the sound, turning back.

SETH
He's abandoning me?!

Shocked, he stares after him for a moment. Then:

SETH
(yelling)
JAMES! WAIT!

He sprints after him. James gradually slows to a stop, amused.

JAMES
What, you want a lighter or something?

SETH
(out of breath)
I just wanted to tell you....how much I hate you...

JAMES
Well, I hate you too. Now, I'll see you at school.

SETH
James, wait! I don't want to be alone. I mean, I'm coming with you.

JAMES
All right. But you do know where I'm going?

SETH
Yes....but I don't have a choice.

JAMES
Yes, you do.

SETH
A choice that won't get me killed, at least.

JAMES
You never know. The wolves could come after me instead. All right, let's hurry, see if we can catch another ride.

He walks off in the same direction as before. Seth follows reluctantly, his eyes on the ground.

SETH (V.O.)
No, Seth, you're not going down Death Row. You're going to the mall. Getting ice cream. Going to the arcade. The dentist.

JAMES
Come on, at your pace we'll get there tomorrow. You don't want to be around after dark, do you?

SETH
I'm fine with that.

They walk in silence for a bit. Then:

SETH
(softly)
My favorite flavor is mint.

James gives him an odd look, but otherwise ignores Seth's odd words.