Lab Journal Entry #34

[matril]

"Cowardice"

Int., Tori’s bedroom. She is at her desk, head buried in her arms.

TORI (Slowly raising head) They wanted me to identify a body.

(Cut) It was Hannah.

(Cut) They kept me for questioning. Not really surprising. As soon as I saw...her body...I started shouting and babbling. That it was all my fault, that I as good as killed her...

(Cut) Eli came in eventually and vouched for me. Said I was with him at the time of the...murder.

(Cut) There was no question it was murder this time. She was strangled. I saw the marks on her neck.

(Cut) Maybe I shouldn’t have let Eli bail me out.

(Cut) It is my fault, after all.

(Cut) I could show them these videos...assuming they don’t think the whole thing is some kind of ridiculous hoax.

(Cut) Whatever happened after that, I’d deserve it.

(Cut) But maybe that’s the cowardly way out. Hiding in jail.

(Cut) I started all of this. Isn’t it my responsibility to finish it?

ELI
(Off) Then you know what we need to do.

TORI
(Looking behind her as ELI enters.) Eli. (He sits. Pause. Then, very soberly) We need to get married. (ELI nods.) Because it said it would be there on my wedding night. That way I’ll know when it’s coming. I’ll be prepared.

ELI
You won’t be alone. (Takes her hand) Whatever you’ve done or failed to do – honestly, I still don’t know what to think. But I know this thing is evil. I saw what it did to Hannah. It has to be stopped. And I won’t have you face it alone.