The Forbidden Cave

By
Amanda Hurst

INT. ANTHONYS HOUSE - NIGHT

PRISCILLAS ROOM
PRISCILLA, a young girl, lays very still in a small bed. Her
face is expressionless and pale. ANTHONY, a young man with a
distinct scar under his eye, watches her from a chair on the
other side of the room.
ANTHONY
We found out something great today.
The alchemist says theres a way to
cure you. Papa just has to get one
of the ingredients.
Priscilla says nothing, but her eyes look towards Anthony.
Anthony gets up and sits on the bed beside her. He moves a
strand of hair out of her face, which is glistening with
sweat from a fever.
ANTHONY
Hes going out tomorrow to find it.
You wont have to suffer much
longer. Goodnight, Prissy.
Anthony blows out a candle beside Priscillas bed and
quietly leaves the room.
HALLWAY
A faint sound of whispering. Anthony creeps towards his
parents bedroom door and puts his ear up to it. His mother,
MARGARET can be heard crying while his father, FREDERICK
speaks softly.
FREDERICK AND MARGARETS ROOM
Frederick is a feeble old man with one fake leg who leans to
one side and limps when he walks. Margaret appears slightly
younger, but her golden hair has streaks of grey running
through it, and lines of aging are present around her eyes
and mouth.
FREDERICK
I have to find it no matter what.
You know its the only way to save
her.
MARGARET
But there has to be another way.
You know how dangerous it is. If
getting through the Forbidden Cave
and finding the mushroom was so
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

(2)

2.

MARGARET (contd)
easy, the alchemist would already
have it.
Margaret starts sobbing harder. Frederick wraps his arms
around Margaret and pulls her close as she cries.
FREDERICK
Dont worry, dear. My days as a
knight have prepared me for this.
Ill take my best sword.
MARGARET
But youre not the young man you
once were. Even going near that
cave is dangerous. Have you
forgotten what happened to Anthony
years ago? And what happened to you
because of it?
Frederick lays a hand on his fake leg and smiles.
FREDERICK
Of course not, but Id give up
another leg if thats what it takes
to save our little girl. Besides,
Anthony was alright. It just gave
him his first battle scar. Thats
the mark of a true man.
HALLWAY
Anthony gasps and touches the scar beneath his eye. The
sound of footsteps approaching his parents door. Anthony
runs back down the hallway and into the kitchen.
KITCHEN
Anthony runs into the kitchen panting. He touches his scar
again. Frederick walks in behind him, but Anthony doesnt
turn around.
FREDERICK
Are you alright, son?
Anthony spins around towards him.
ANTHONY
You didnt tell me the cure was in
the Forbidden Cave.
Frederick sighs and pauses before sitting down.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

(2)

3.

FREDERICK
I didnt want you to worry about
me.
ANTHONY
Let me go instead.
Frederick stands back up and his voice becomes stern.
FREDERICK
Absolutely not. I could never
forgive myself for letting you
wander there so many years ago. I
was thankful that you ended up with
only a scratch. I wasnt so lucky.
ANTHONY
But Papa, you cant handle such a
journey. You might not make it
back. Please, you have to let me do
this.
Frederick stares him down and scolds him. He raises his
voice and moves towards Anthony.
FREDERICK
I said "no". I dont want to hear
any more about this. I forbid you
to go there.
Anthony looks down in defeat. His voice is quiet and
melancholy.
ANTHONY
Yes sir.
Frederick leaves the room and Anthonys head perks up. He
looks over at the tea kettle for a moment and then quickly
leaves the house.
EXT. ALCHEMISTS HOUSE - NIGHT
Anthony bangs on the door of an old house with a sign that
reads "Alchemist". No one answers. He knocks again. The
ALCHEMIST, wearing sleep attire and a night cap, opens the
door.
ALCHEMIST
I say, boy! What are you doing here
at this hour?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

(2)

4.

ANTHONY
Please, hear me out. I need your
help.
The alchemist ushers him in.
INT. ALCHEMISTS HOUSE - NIGHT
ALCHEMIST
Alright, you have about a minute to
explain to me why I should help you
this late.
Anthony speaks quickly and desperately.
ANTHONY
Well you know my Papa is planning
to go look for that mushroom in the
Forbidden Cave, and I just cant
let him do that. I told him I
wanted to go instead. You know,
because hes getting older, and
hes not in the best shape. But he
refused to let me go. So I was
thinking you could make me a potion
that would make everyone in my
house fall asleep for a while, so I
would have enough time to go to the
cave myself. Everyone drinks a cup
of tea every morning, so I could
mix the potion into the tea kettle.
The alchemist stares at him in shock.
ALCHEMIST
Are you out of your mind? I dont
want any part of this. Go home,
boy.
Anthony pulls out a pouch and dumps a large handful of coins
on the table.
ALCHEMIST
Whered you get this kind of money?
ANTHONY
Ive been helping my Papa out at
the blacksmith shop.
The alchemist stares at him and squints his eyes
suspiciously.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

(2)

5.

ALCHEMIST
Alright, Ill help you. It seems
like a noble cause after all.
INT. ANTHONYS HOUSE - DAY
KITCHEN
The sun has barely begun to rise. Anthony stands by the tea
kettle. He grasps the potion bottle in his pocket as his
hands shake from nervousness. He pours the potion into the
tea kettle and begins preparing the tea. Frederick and
Margaret enter the kitchen.
ANTHONY
I got your tea ready for you.
He hands each of them a cup.
MARGARET
Thank you dear. Thats very kind.
The couple sits down together and begins drinking the tea.
Gradually, they each start to nod off. Eventually, they both
enter a deep sleep. Anthony smiles.
PRISCILLAS ROOM
Anthony enters Priscillas room. He is now wearing some
light armor and carries a sword and shield. A pack of
supplies is on his back. Priscilla is still asleep in her
bed. He walks over to her and kisses her forehead.
ANTHONY
Ill save you.
Anthony places a helmet on his head and walks towards the
door. He turns around to look at her once more.
ANTHONY
I promise.
FADE OUT