CASSIDY moves towards KYLE. Mid step, however, he is
flung backwards, as if pulled by an invisible string, and
crashes painfully against the kitchen wall behind. As he does,
he drops both the GUN and and TASER. In the empty space in
front of KYLE where CASSIDY was standing a few seconds ago, we
focus to find JESSI, standing at the kitchen entrance. She
looks angry, flustered and a little scared.

We see AMANDA approach carefully behind her, awestruck at what
just happened.

We HOLD on JESSI's face for a couple of seconds. Then she is
on the move. Fast and determined. AMANDA lingers behind.

JESSI moves to untie KYLE.

KYLE
Jessi!

KYLE is fully untied, and he grabs JESSI by the arms, who is
standing slightly over him. He is both stunned and glad she is
here. He looks at her like a man lost in the dessert looks at
an Oasis.

JESSI
Are you ok?

KYLE
Yes-I-How did you-?

JESSI
It doesn't matter.

KYLE
(Remembering)
Foss!

KYLE and JESSI both look at FOSS, only to see that a shaken up
AMANDA has slowly begun to untie him. KYLE is even more
stunned to see AMANDA here. Now he really is wondering whether
or not he's just dreaming.

KYLE (CONT'D)
Amanda? How did you get here?

JESSI
(Before AMANDA has time to
reply)
We can explain later.

AMANDA suddenly gasps at something behind KYLE and JESSI.
Before they can react, JESSI is grabbed by the neck and jerked
backwards by CASSIDY. JESSI struggles against CASSIDY, but he
is holding her tight, ready to break her neck, and KYLE knows
it.

CASSIDY
Easy... I can snap her neck faster
than you can make a move...
(Quieter, to JESSI)
I gotta hand it to you. I never
imagined you'd be this much of a
hassle. I really should have taken
care of you when I killed your
mother.

The last comment get a reaction from JESSI, and CASSIDY enjoys
it. KYLE is carefully planning his next move. He needs to get
JESSI away from CASSIDY before he can hurt her. CASSIDY begins
to back away slowly, clearly going for the GUN that's lying
nearby.

KYLE
Let her go. I'll do whatever it is you
want me to do. Just let her go.

JESSI
Kyle... Don't...

CASSIDY
Sorry mate. I can't afford to trust
you on this one.

KYLE
Please... Don't hurt her...

CASSIDY has reached the GUN. Before KYLE has time to react,
CASSIDY pushes JESSI away from him violently and towards KYLE,
and picks up the GUN. By the time KYLE has caught JESSI,
CASSIDY is already pointing the GUN at both, smiling and
coming closer.

CASSIDY
(To KYLE)
It's a shame, but I really do need
you alive...
(R.E.: JESSI)
Her though... I'm not gonna miss
having around...

KYLE begins to place himself between the GUN and JESSI.

CASSIDY
Always the hero...

CASSIDY pauses for a second, as if pondering his next move,
and then begins to lower the GUN. KYLE begins to relax, just
like CASSIDY wanted. Before KYLE knows what hit him, CASSIDY
hits him in the temple with the butt of the GUN, and KYLE
stumbles against the chair nearby. CASSIDY once again trains
the GUN on JESSI.

CASSIDY
She begged me not to hurt you...
In fact, I believe those where her
last words...

JESSI is close to tears. CASSIDY prepares to pull the trigger,
and it's clear that she has no intention of stopping him.

In a fit of rage, KYLE jumps up, grabs CASSIDY's arm and uses
his own body weight to push it away, moving the GUN away from
JESSI.

But CASSIDY has already pulled the trigger, the GUNSHOT loud
and a little unexpected. Both JESSI and AMANDA gasp loudly,
and JESSI crouches down instinctively on the floor.

KYLE now has the GUN in his hands.
Close in on KYLE's face. He stares at JESSI,on the floor. For
a few seconds, he believes he's lost her. It's his turn to be
close to tears.

KYLE
Jessi...?

After what feels like an eternity, JESSI slowly lifts her
head. As she stands, we can she that the bullet missed her.

KYLE, overwhelmed, rushes towards her, drops the GUN and
pulls her into a tight hug.

FOSS (O.S.)
Kyle...

KYLE and JESSI turn to face FOSS. We can see that CASSIDY is
gone. The mood changes dramatically, as we see FOSS holding a
still AMANDA in his arms.

There is blood on FOSS's hands, and more, a lot more on
AMANDA's top. We close in tight once again on KYLE's face watching the flurry of emotions flashing across it as
the realization sinks in.

The bullet didn't hit JESSI, but it hit AMANDA.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE