JUST A SCRATCH

written by

diehardwithzombies

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FADE IN:

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

Pristine. Almost sterile.
A window. Polished white tile below and soft blue satin paint
surrounding.
The blinds are raised and sunlight pours in.
Green grass. Green leaves. Gorgeous, vibrant flowers.

An idyllic spring day in suburbia.

MOMENTS LATER
Some commotion is heard coming from outside the bathroom. A
door slamming. People shouting. A little girl crying.
The commotion gets louder.
Closer.
The bathroom door FLINGS open. A MAN simultaneously bursts
through the door way.
He practically falls to his knees as he lifts the toilet lid
and shoves his face through the ring in one convulsive but
fluid motion.
The sound of vomiting echoes off bathroom tile as he heaves
into the toilet. It sounds worse than it is.
A WOMAN rushes through the door.
WOMAN
Kurt!!
The man, Kurt. The woman, Hope. Husband and wife.
Both are late 30's and familiar with play dates and trips to
Whole Foods. Not this though. Not what they are facing today.
HOPE (CONT'D)
(near hysterics)
Honey?!
He spits.
KURT
(eerily calm)
It's just nerves.
 2.

The toilet flushes.

KURT (CONT'D)
Towel.
Hope reaches into the linen closet for a wash cloth. She dips
the cloth under the running tap and hands it to Kurt, who
wipes his mouth.
CUT TO:

FLASHBACK/MONTAGE - EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY

Chaos and screams in a crowded supermarket parking lot.
Enraged, near-possessed people chase and attack anyone and
everyone- ZOMBIES.
Kurt and Hope race frantically toward their vehicle. Hope
carries their young daughter, HAILEY.
A zombie blindsides Kurt and they both tumble hard to the
pavement.
Another zombie grabs Hope's arm and swipes at Hailey.
A rapid flurry of gun shots.
A frenzied police officer waves for them keep moving.
POLICE OFFICER
Go! Go! Go!
They see their minivan, the sliding door open and waiting.

MONTAGE (CONT'D) - INT. MINIVAN (MOVING)

Kurt speeds out of the parking lot.
On the bench seat, a panicked Hope tears off Hailey's jacket
and inspects her arms and legs.
Kurt winces as he notices several small blood spots on the
sleeve of his dress shirt.
BACK TO:

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

Hope stands with her hand on her forehead and a look of
devastation on her face. She's been crying.
 3.

Kurt looks up at her. He's clearly shaken too; but not

expressing it like she is.
HOPE
Oh God, baby. Are you sure? What if
you're-
KURT
(cutting her off)
Don't. We've only got a few hours
until they close the highway and an
hour tops before everything's so
backed up we'll never get through.
(beat)
Get Hailey ready.

INT. HAILEY'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Hailey, 6 (and a half, she'd insist), sits on her bed in a
sea of pillows and stuffed animals, clutching one in
particular.
HOPE (O.S.)
Sweetie?
Hailey looks up- hair a mess, cheeks damp, eyes puffy- as
Hope enters the room.
HOPE (CONT'D)
How's it going in here?
HAILEY
Mommy, I don't wanna go back
outside.
HOPE
Oh babygirl.
Hope sits with Hailey on the bed and pushes the hair out of
Hailey's face.
HOPE (CONT'D)
We don't have a choice. It's
dangerous at home, so we're gonna
go somewhere much safer. Somewhere
like gramma's farm.
(beat)
You remember when we stayed with
your gramma, don't you?
Hailey sniffles. She nods.
 4.

Hope smiles her first smile since they've been at the house.
She softly strokes Hailey's golden hair.
HOPE (CONT'D)
Your hair is so pretty.
(beat)
And so long! I can barely see you
under all that hair.
Hope takes two handfuls of Hailey's long, wavy hair and and
pushes them across her face. The two share a laugh.
KURT (O.S.)
Hope! Gotta go.
Hope stands and gets a small piece of luggage from the closet
and begins to fill it with clothes from Hailey's dresser.
HOPE
Honey, I need you to pick your two
luckiest stuffed animals because
they get to come with us.

INT/EXT. MINIVAN - MOMENTS LATER

Hailey sits in her booster seat holding two stuffed animals.
Hope fastens a seat belt around her.
Behind them, Kurt is filling the back of the van with their
luggage, reusable grocery bags full of food and toiletries,
jugs of water, and whatever else he saw around the house the
looked useful.
Hope kisses Hailey on the forehead and shuts her in. She goes
to the back of the van as Kurt shuts the hatch.
Hope grabs Kurt's hand and pulls the sleeve of his oxford up
to the elbow.
There is a set of long, thin scratches down his arm.
HOPE
Jesus.
Kurt pulls the sleeve back down.
KURT
They've been saying on the news for
weeks that it's blood or saliva.
The only way I'm infected is if
that thing had infected blood under
its nails.
(MORE)
 5.
KURT (CONT'D)
Even if that's the case, I still
have to get you two out of here.
Tears fall down Hope's cheeks. Kurt pulls her in for a hug.

EXT. MINIVAN (MOVING) - MOMENTS LATER

Their minivan rolls cautiously through the city streets.
Soldiers patrol the sidewalks.
Parking lots are home to tanks and humvees.
A military chopper roars by overhead.

INT. MINIVAN (MOVING) - MOMENTS LATER

Kurt and Hope sit in grave silence. Hailey stares out the
window looking at all the things she's never seen up close
before.
The only sound in the vehicle is the radio. A local emergency
broadcast gives continual updates.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
The infection that originated on
the east coast last month has
reached the Midwest today.
They meet a covered military transport going the opposite
direction on the highway. Just as it passes, a bloodied arm
slides out from under the tarp and dangles limply. No one in
the minivan notices.

RADIO ANNOUNCER (O.S.) (CONT'D)

Residents are under a mandatory
evacuation order.
Hailey plays with her hair and begins to braid it in a long
single braid.
Kurt turns the wheel and the minivans begins to slow as they
join a line of cars waiting for the checkpoint.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
A state of the art test will be
administered to all residents
before they are allowed through the
checkpoint.
 6.

Kurt glances nervously at Hope. A great deal of perspiration

dots his forehead.
Hope reaches for his hand.
HOPE
Are you sure about this?

INT. MINIVAN - LATER

The family waits at the front of the checkpoint line.
A LONE SOLDIER points towards a GROUP OF SOLDIERS a couple
hundred feet down the on-ramp and waves Kurt forward.

EXT. MINIVAN - MOMENTS LATER

As the van pulls up, TURNER, a soldier with a military
assault rifle, takes aim. Two more flank the minivan on
either side. The last of the group stands at a short distance
holding a tablet-like electronic device.
TAGGART approaches on the driver's side. His hand hovers near
his holstered pistol.
TAGGART
Kill the engine now.
(beat)
Everyone out.
COUTTS goes to the passenger's side and motions for Hope to
get out.
Hope steps out.
COUTTS
Who's in back? Out now!
HOPE
It's our daughter. She's only six.
COUTTS
Get her.

INT. MINIVAN - CONTINUOUS

Hope opens the sliding door and unbuckles Hailey.
HOPE
We have to get out for a minute,
sweetie.
 7.

EXT. MINIVAN - CONTINUOUS

Hope pulls Hailey out of the minivan and sets her feet on the
asphalt.
Kurt starts to walk around the front of the van towards the
other side.
TURNER
Stop where you are!
Turner aims his assault rifle directly at Kurt who freezes.
TAGGART
Return to your side of the vehicle,
sir. All parties are to remain
separated during testing.
Kurt cautiously steps back to the driver's side. Hope stands
with her hand on Hailey's shoulder.
TAGGART (CONT'D)
Now I'm gonna need the two of you--
Taggart pauses as he emphatically points two fingers at Kurt
then turns his torso until they are pointed at Hope.
TAGGART (CONT'D)
--to put your hands behind your
head and interlock your fingers.
Hope releases Hailey and does as instructed.
Kurt cautiously does the same, revealing arm pits that are
soaked through with sweat.
TAGGART (CONT'D)
You ever been breathalyzed by the
cops? This is gonna be just like
that. Each one of you will blow
into the devices that Specialist
Coutts and I put in front of you.
Those readings will tell us if you
have any strain of the infection in
your blood. Do you understand?
HOPE
Yes.
Kurt nods nervously.
TAGGART
I cannot hear you.
 8.

KURT
(meekly)
Yes, sir.
Coutts approaches Hope. He places the device in front of her
face.
COUTTS
Blow until I say when.
Taggart steps in front of Kurt, but doesn't offer him the
device yet.
TAGGART
Everything alright? Seem a little
nervous today.
Hope has finished her test. She looks through the van windows
and sees Kurt and Taggart talking.
KURT
I, uh, never had a gun pointed at
me before.
TAGGART
Lucky you.
Coutts motions to Hailey.
Hope kneels beside her.
HOPE
This man needs you to blow real
hard for him, okay honey? Like a
big balloon.
Taggart continues to needle Kurt.
TAGGART
Bet you're pretty anxious to get
outta dodge?
With his arms raised, Kurt's sleeves are beginning to creep
towards his elbows.
TAGGART (CONT'D)
I mean, can you believe it?
Outbreak in your own hometown?
(beat)
Terrifying.
KURT
Can I please do the test? I need to
get my family to safety.
 9.

MOMENTS LATER
Coutts stands next to MAIDA, who stares intently at the
screen on the tablet. Taggart walks up to them.
TAGGART
(hushed tone)
Jumpy fucker, but he blew without a
fuss.
MAIDA
Scans are finishing.
Maida moves his finger up and down the touchscreen.
MAIDA (CONT'D)
First one is coming up...
(beat)
Clear.
Kurt stands with his hands to his sides. He looks through the
van window at Hope. Her head faces down as she speaks to
Hailey.
The three soldiers continue to huddle around the tablet.
A small drop of red tinted sweat starts to trickle out from
under the sleeve of Kurt's shirt.
He notices and quickly wipes it away with his other hand.
Taggart looks up at Kurt.
Back to the tablet.
Kurt takes a few cautious steps forward. He looks to Hope who
is already staring in his direction, looking for answers.
A cursory look of alarm appears on Maida's face. He looks up.
Taggart and Coutts as well. All three look in the direction
of the van, but it's unclear at exactly WHOM.
MAIDA (CONT'D)
Follow the protocol.
Kurt tenses up.
KURT
What's wrong?
Taggart takes a step forward. He pulls his pistol from its
holster and holds the weapon at his hip.
 10.

Turner tightens his grip on the handguard of his rifle. His

finger is taut along side the trigger.
TAGGART
Sir, I need you on your knees with
your hands behind your head RIGHT
NOW.
Kurt and Hope exchange a brief glance, heartbreak on both of
their faces.
Kurt drops to his knees and places his hands behind his head.
Hope pulls Hailey tight against her waist.
TAGGART (CONT'D)
I implore you and your family to
remain calm for your own safety.
Hailey- her face pale and eyes tired- looks up at her mother
scared and confused.
Tears stream down Kurt's face.
Taggart and Coutts approach the van.
Hailey cries as she stares up at her mother. She looks back
at the soldiers. Her lone braid hangs over shoulder.
Hope looks down at Hailey.
At her exposed NECK.
A SPOT.
Dried BLOOD.
FROM A SCRATCH.
Hope looks up as Taggart and Coutts come directly toward her.
HOPE
(gasps)
No.
TAGGART
Don't make this harder than it has
to be.
Kurt jumps to his feet.
Turner quickly aims at Kurt.
 11.

TURNER
Get down!
KURT
(running)
Don't touch her!
POW!
A single, loud shot rings out.
Kurt spins as blood and flesh explode out of his calf.
He hits the ground hard.
HOPE
Kurt!!
Hailey begins screaming.
Taggart spins and aims his pistol at Kurt.
Coutts pulls his pistol and aims it at Hope.
COUTTS
Let go of the girl and step back.
Hope releases Hailey and staggers back.
HOPE
Wha- what's going on here?
Coutts grabs Hailey by the arm, weapon still aimed at Hope.
MAIDA
Secure the infected.
Taggart holsters his pistol and walks towards Coutts and
Hailey, pulling a zip tie from one of his pockets.
The full weight of the situation hits Hope like a freight
train and she cracks.
HOPE
No, no, no. Not my baby.
Kurt watches from the ground as a series of frenzied events
unfolds--
Coutts looks to Taggart.
Hailey continues to scream.
Hope rushes Coutts.
 12.

She reaches for Hailey.

Coutts spins as Hope crashes into him.
Hope assails Coutts, pounding on his chest with her fists.
Coutts uses his elbow to drive Hope back.
Taggart grabs Hope's arm.
Hailey screams and screams.
Coutts rears back and pistol whips Hope in the face.
Hope falls to the ground.
Turner pivots his aim to Hope.
MAIDA
Shoot her if she moves.
Kurt and Hope look at each other.
Bleeding and wounded. Husband and wife.
Overcome with desperation, Kurt musters the strength to rise
to his feet.
Fighting the pain, he runs at Taggart from behind and pulls
the pistol from Taggart's holster.
Taggart spins and grabs the gun and the two men grapple.
HAILEY
Daddy!!!
Hailey tries to break free from Coutts. She thrashes wildly.
Coutts grabs her by the collar of her jacket with his free
hand.
Taggart shoves Kurt back.
Kurt still has the gun.
In a panic, he waves the gun at Taggart.
POW!
Kurt drops to the pavement.
Dead.
Turner puts his aim back on Hope.
 13.

In a chilling moment of calm- the eye of the storm- everyone

just stares at one another.
With Coutts distracted, Hailey reaches up and grabs his hand
with both of hers and bites down as hard as she can.
Coutts howls in pain as Hailey breaks free and runs to Hope.
Coutts cradles his injured hand. Blood begins to seep from
the bite wound.
Coutts looks up at Taggart. Then at Maida.
COUTTS
Wait!
MAIDA
(to Turner)
She broke the skin!
Without hesitation, Coutts pulls his weapon and fires several
shots in Maida and Turner's direction.
On the run, Turner fires from the hip as Coutts takes cover
along side the van.
Hope scoops Hailey up and they run off into the field along
the road.
Taggart scrambles and grabs his pistol off the pavement.
Maida lays on the ground in a growing puddle of blood.
Coutts stands with his back against the van.
COUTTS
Hey! Let's talk about this!!
Taggart points his pistol at the van- at Coutts' back,
visible through the van window.
Taggart unloads his clip through the window.
Coutts falls to the ground.
Taggart grabs his walkie.
TAGGART
We've got a situation gone
sideways. No one else gets through.
LONE SOLDIER (O.S.)
Copy that.
 14.

Taggart runs toward to Turner, who is kneeling over Maida.

TURNER
Sarge is in bad shape, man.
Maida- blood-soaked hands clutching his abdomen- remains in
command.
MAIDA
(faint)
Containment is critical.
Turner and Taggart lock eyes then turn to the field.
At a distance, Hope and Hailey run hand in hand.
From one knee, Turner raises his rifle and stares down the
sight.
POW!
Hope crumples to the ground.
Hailey doesn't stop.
POW! POW! POW!
Hailey drops.
Turner lets his rifle fall, hanging loosely from its sling.
TURNER
Fuck me.
Taggart helps Turner to his feet.
TAGGART
We need to stabilize Sarge and call
this in.

EXT. ROADSIDE - CONTINUOUS

The soldiers walk toward their Jeep.
TURNER
God, what a shit show.
TAGGART
I can't believe that fucker turned
on us.
A sound.
 15.

Rapidly approaching.
Behind them.
Both men turn.
As a snarling, zombified Coutts LUNGES at them.
THE END