Lab Journal Entry #37

[matril]

"Together"

Int., hotel room. TORI and ELI are seated together on a couch, still in their wedding clothes, her head resting on his shoulder.

TORI
At the risk of sounded fatalistic, this may be my last entry. I’ve left a note requesting that my father post this video if I’m killed.

ELI
The doors are locked. Our suite is ten flights up. That thing won’t get in here easily.

TORI
But it will get in. You know that.

ELI
It can be killed. Can’t it?

TORI
Yes...it’s mortal, the same as any other living creature. But it’s incredibly strong, fast and clever.

ELI
(Arm around her) Two against one, at least. Right?

TORI
(Dully) Two against one.

ELI
Tori.

She looks at him expectantly.

ELI
I still love you.

Her mouth trembles.

ELI
Maybe it’s only because of the memory of what we had. But I do. And I’m glad we’re married, however long we have.

TORI
I love you, Eli. (They share a slow, sad kiss. Then they sit together in silence until) You should go.

ELI
Go?

TORI
Away from me. (Fighting tears) That thing is coming for me. You’ll be safer if you’re gone.

ELI
No. No! I’m not leaving you. Absolutely not.

TORI
Why should you pay for my mistakes? If you’re gone, there’s a chance the creature might leave you alone.

ELI
What happened to two against one?

TORI
There still wouldn’t be much hope for us. At least if you leave, one of us might survive.

ELI
It’s out of the question. I’m staying here.

TORI
(Bites lip, then jumps) What was that?

ELI
What?

TORI
I heard something. In the bedroom.

ELI
I didn’t –

TORI
I think we should check. Just to make sure.

ELI
(Sighs) All right.

They get up and head offscreen. A door shuts, then the sound of dragging furniture

ELI
(Off, muffled by the door) Tori? Tori, did you block the door? What are you doing? Let me back in!

TORI
(Off, holding back tears) I can’t. I have to keep you safe. (Returns to frame, sitting on the couch while sobbing silently)

ELI
Tori! Let me in, please!

TORI buries her face in her hands. Silence. Then it is broken by a horrible scream. TORI jumps to her feet, hesitating before dashing out of frame. Furniture is dragged back, door opens. A cry of anguish. Long pause. TORI returns, her dress stained with red. She collapses to the couch, heaving enormous sobs

TORI
It was – already – gone. Climbed out the window. It was never – never going after me. It was – it was always Eli. How could I be – so stupid? I never – suspected. My fault – it’s all my fault.

(Looks at camera blearily) It didn’t want me dead. It wanted me alone.

We suffer together.

(We see a change come over her – despair and fear changes into wild vengeful rage.) Then we will suffer together. (She picks up the knife, begins to leave, stops to grab the camera, and shuts it off)