Darker Projects

Darker Projects is an audio drama company that produces a number of original projects and projects based on existing IP (such as Star Trek, and Doctor Who), and releases them in the form of free downloadable audio podcasts.

During 2006 David was brought onto the Darker Projects team as a script writer. One of the various scripts he submitted was for their original project titled “Night Terrors”, which delivers various standalone audio pieces that deal with the things that go bump in the night.

Innocence Lost is a heavily modified version of David’s existing Innocence Lost introduction, Welcome to my world.

Night Terrors – Innocence Lost

CAST:

• Emily Ravenmoore/Raven Quelhaven – (Female) A bright eyed “innocent” 18 year old girl, whose life takes an unexpected turn for the worst/Narrator (colder, distant, wiser).
• Emily’s mother – (female) A caring mother, whose life is tragically cut short.
• Emily’s father – (Male) A caring father, struggling to take care of Emily since his wife’s death.
• The Stranger – (Male, British) A dark, mysterious, and shadowy figure who tries to save Emily.
• Winter Cranmere – (Male, Irish) A creep with a complete disregard for the “Masquerade Law.” The kind of person who makes your skin crawl, but who has an amazing amount of charm that seems to blind those around him.
• Bartender – Male.
• Bouncer – Male, deep and gruff voice.
• Patron – (Male) Drunken slime ball, tries to chat Emily up.
• Frank – (Male) A friend of Emily’s that she knows from club “Gothik.”
• Doctor – (Female) Delivers the news of Emily’s mother’s death to a grief stricken father, and infant (7 years old) Emily.
• Brad – (Male) Early teens, Emily’s first kiss.

Show Intro.

Scene 1: (Emily’s bedroom)

Raven: (Narrating) My life didn’t turn out as I expected. Indeed, nothing exciting happened for the first 18 years that I was on this planet. And then, one fateful evening everything changed; <pauses for a moment> I died. But forgive me for jumping ahead a little, I guess you could say it all started 20 years ago…

Ticking of a small wall mounted clock. Gentle knocking on the door.

Emily: Come in.

Door creeks open. The sound of the TV downstairs filters softly into the room.

Emily: Hey Dad.

Emily’s father: Hi honey, another quiet night?

Emily: <Laughs a little> Yes Dad, *another* quiet night in.

Emily’s father: You know, you are 18 years old. <pauses for a moment and continues jokingly> I’m pretty sure you are allowed out after dark.

Emily: I know Dad, I just prefer to stay in, besides early to bed early to rise, right?

Emily’s father: Well, yes, it’s just that… <sighs> It’s just that I wor…

Emily: <Cutting him off> I know you worry Dad, but you don’t have to. I have excellent grades at school, and that’s what’s important.

Emily’s father: <Sighs> Grades aren’t everything hun. You need to get out there, *live* a little. Have parties with friends, dates with your boyfriend…

Emily: <Embarrassed> Dad! <giggles> Let me worry about all that, OK?

Emily’s father: OK honey, I’ll see you in the morning.

Emily: Goodnight Daddy.

Emily’s father: Goodnight Emily.

Door creeks closed, silencing the sound of the TV. Soft footsteps on the stairs as Emily’s father makes his way downstairs, until all we are left with is the sound of the small wall mounted clock, ticking away.

Emily: <Sighs, continues softly> If you only knew…

Sounds of Emily getting out of bed, (springs and wood creaking). Soft footsteps, and gentle creaking of floorboards as Emily moves around her room.

Emily: <A hint of sadness> I’m not an innocent little girl any more.

Emily pulls open the window, sounds of wood scraping against wood as the window is lifted. The sound of rain hitting the ground outside can be heard, along with a distant rumble of thunder. Sounds of traffic on the streets can be heard in the distance.

Raven: (Narrating) I should have stayed at home, should have gone to sleep like I had been pretending for months after my eighteenth birthday. Things would have turned out so different… <pauses for a moment, and says with a smile> though maybe not quite as much fun.

Scene 2: (On the streets)

Raven: (Narrating) The streets of the city were cold and wet that evening, storms had always held my interest, and tonight’s was no exception. I looked up into the sky with big wide eyes, watching the storm pass overhead, as I made my way to club Gothik.

Sounds of heavy rainfall, and footsteps on the rain soaked pavement as thunder rumbles overhead. Traffic passing by, with wheels splashing in the rain filled potholes. Typical goth music (mid eighties) can be heard in the distance, growing louder, muffled by the walls of the building it’s coming from.

Frank: <Calling out, some way down the street> Hey Em, didn’t expect to see you tonight. See you inside, OK?

Emily: <Shouts back> Sure thing Frank. Save me a space by the bar.

Footsteps become quicker as Emily jogs the final few yards to the entrance of the club. The music blaring out as the doors open and close.

Bouncer: Sorry miss, I’ve gotta pat you down for weapons. We’ve had some trouble in the past few nights, and management ain’t taking no chances.

Emily: <A little out of breath> Ummm, go for it.

Sounds of someone being frisked.

Bouncer: OK, you can go on through.

Emily: <A little embarrassed> Thanks.

The door opens and the music blares out once more as Emily steps through. (You may wish to lower this volume for the interior scenes)

Scene 3: (Inside “Gothik”)

Raven: (Narrating) Picture if you will, your typical goth night club. You know what I mean, right? Packed to the brim with people dressed in leather, dark eye make-up and even darker lipstick, with skin that looks like it hasn’t seen sun in years. Whips and chains wouldn’t have looked out of place here, and no one would have batted an eye if I’d walked in with some; though my outfit did seem to grab attention the moment I walked through the door. I was dressed just the same as the rest of the women here, and I quite liked it. I had to fight my way to the bar, and when I got there, Frank was nowhere to be seen.

Sounds of many people talking, conversations blurring into each other as music plays in the background.

Bartender: What can I get you gorgeous?

Emily: Vodka.

Bartender: On the rocks?

Emily: Straight up, with a twist.

Bartender: You got it.

Sounds of a glass clattering down on the wooden bar, liquid being poured into it.

Bartender: That’ll be (insert price).

Sounds of Emily pulling change from her purse, and handing it to the bartender.

Emily: There you go. Cheers.

Patron: <A little drunk> Hey beautiful, where have you been all <slurs a little> my life?

Emily: Ugh, <disgusted> running away from people like you.

Patron: <Lecherous> Come here and give me a kiss.

Emily: Hmmmph. I don’t think my *boyfriend* would like that.

Patron: Boy <slurs his speech> friend?

Emily: Yeah, he’s that guy over <hesitates, looking round, and continues, obviously lying> *there*, and I really should get over there, before he gets worried.

Emily gulps her shot of vodka, slams the glass back down on the bar and then pushes her way through the crowd of people, we hear random bits of conversation as Emily excuses herself.

Patron: <Calling after her> Hey, come back here!

Emily: <Muttering to herself, then sighs> Later slime ball.

Emily continues to move through the crowd, we hear her collide with someone followed by the sound of a glass bottle breaking.

Frank: God dammit!

Emily: <Quickly, apologetic> Oh my god, I’m *so* sorry.

Frank: <Realising it’s Emily> Emily? Oh, don’t worry about it, it was nearly empty anyway.

Emily: <Apologetic> I’m really sorry Frank, you know me, I’ve got two left feet, even when I’m not dancing. <Laughs nervously>

Frank: <Laughs a little> Like I said, don’t worry about it. How about we get another one from the bar?

Emily: <Hesitant> The bar?

Frank: Yeah, you know <pauses a little, continues sarcastically> the place you just came from? Don’t tell me you need a map, Em. <Laughs>

Emily: Funny, Frank. I think I’ll give the bar a miss, but if you’re buying one for me, I’ll be just over there, OK?

Frank: <Laughs> Over near that guy? Suit yourself, I’ll be over shortly. Vodka, right?

Emily: <Laughing> Right on both counts, Vodka, straight up with a twist. I’ll see you soon. Don’t get lost now, *you* have my map.

We hear Frank laughing as he walks through the crowd.

Frank: <Calling back over the din of people, still laughing> *Very* funny!

Sounds of the crowd, and club, fade out.

Raven: (Narrating) <solemn> I never did see Frank again. People say he left with a girl, the bouncer said she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen; way above Frank’s station. His body was found a few days later. <bitter> God bless his soul.

Sounds of the crowd, and club, fade in.

Emily: <talking to herself> Now, where did that cute guy go? <sees him> Ahh, there he is.

Pause for a few moments, we hear Emily moving through the crowd. We pick up on random bits of conversation.

Emily: Hey there tall, dark, and brooding. Can I get you a drink?

The Stranger: <Friendly> Thanks for the offer little one, however I’ll have to decline. <pauses for a moment, and continues distracted and a little tense as he looks into the crowd> If you have somewhere else to be tonight kiddo, I’d suggest you go.

Emily: Why? Hey wait! <sighs> Way to go Emily, always scaring off the cute ones…

Winter: Don’t worry about him, darlin’. Old tight pants there, doesn’t know a cute little morsel when he sees one.

Emily: <shy, blushing> Oh… thanks.

Winter: Here. (Slight pause as Winter hands Emily another glass) Drink up, sweetness. I feel we’ve got a long night ahead of us.

Scene 4: (Outside)

Raven: I’d only had two drinks, and already the world was spinning around me. I couldn’t even remember his name as he led me outside. <sighs, continues regretfully> How I wish I’d stayed at home.

Sounds of traffic in the distance (these sounds will be constant during this outside scene), two sets of footsteps echoing on the concrete pavement as Winter leads Emily to a nearby alleyway.

Emily: <struggling for words, obviously drugged> Wh.. where are we going?

Sounds of a metal dustbin lid hitting the ground a few streets away, a startled cat screaming in fear.

Winter: <sarcastic> We’re going to wonderland, kid. <laughs a little to himself> You’ll *love* it, I promise.

Emily: <Sleepily> You’re hurting my wrist.

Winter: Hmmmph. <angrily> Come on!

Emily trips as Winter pulls her along, her feet scuffling along the wet floor. Winter slams Emily up against the wall.

Emily: Hey, take it easy!

Winter: <almost bored, but confident> Shut up.

Sounds of Winter hungrily kissing Emily’s neck.

Emily: <dreamily> Mmmmmm, that tickles. <Gasps>

Winter starts to get a little heavier, sounds of fabric tearing.

Emily: <startled> Stop. <trying to push Winter away> I said stop!

Muffled scream from Emily as Winter bites down on her neck. Sounds of struggling, Winter growling.

Winter: You know you want it, you little tease.

Sounds of struggling continue as Emily tries in vain to fight off Winter, who seems to feed off Emily’s fear, and laughs evilly. Emily screaming into Winter’s hand which is still covering her mouth, Winter almost laughing as he bites down on her neck once more. Two cats call out to each other, low strangled meows, before fading out. Emily whimpers.

The Stranger: <echoey, distant, yet low> Little young for you, isn’t she Winter?

Sounds of Emily sliding down the wall. Emily moans a little.

Emily: <sleepily, barely aware, almost whispering> I’m bleeding.

Winter: <Shouting, looking around for the source of the voice> Wait your turn, man! There’s plenty to go around.

The Stranger: <Nonchalant> (Echo) You know, there are *rules* to the way we feed.

Winter: <Angry> Don’t give me that <sarcastically> *Masquerade* crap. <laughs, and continues with confidence> Ha, the council doesn’t know what it’s talking about.

Sounds of a gun being loaded, everything clicking into place.

The Stranger: <Low> (no echo) That won’t work.

Winter: Fuck you man! Fuck this *follow the rules* bullshit.

Three gunshots ring out in the alleyway, the bullets ricocheting off three different walls.

The Stranger: <Official, superior, booming> (Coming from all directions) Winter Cranmere, (more gunshots ring out, until the clip is empty) you have been found guilty of breaking the Masquerade law on a number of separate occasions. (slight pause as a police siren filters through the sounds of the night) *I* have been sent to bring you to justice.

The sound of a sudden quick movement. The gun clatters noisily against the concrete floor, coming to rest in a puddle. The sound of two people struggling, scuffling feet on the concrete floor. The two begin to fight (punches, kicks, noises from the pair), which ultimately ends as Winter loses the fight. The sound of something sharp breaking the skin with a dull thump. Winter cries out with a mixture of pain and disbelief. “Poofing” sound as Winter’s body turns to dust.

Emily: <Weakly, disbelief> What the hell?

The Stranger: <Worried> Can you hear me, kiddo?

Emily: <Weakly> Yes <pause for a moment> W.. what’s happening to me?

The Stranger: <Regretful> You’re dying. <sighs> He took too much from you.

Emily: Too much?

The Stranger: <Solemn> Save your strength, little one.

Emily moans as she passes out, slumping to the floor completely. Sounds of the stranger lifting her up.

Scene 5: (Flashbacks)

Raven: (Narrating) I drifted in and out of conciousness, my whole life flashing before my eyes.

Fade in with a baby crying, Emily’s mother hushing and soothing the baby until it’s quiet.

Emily’s mother: <Exhausted, proud> Look at her, our beautiful baby girl.

Emily’s father: <Happy, proud> Our little Emily.

Baby gurgles contently, Emily’s mother and father cooing over her. Fades out.

Sounds of a playground fade in, recess.

Brad: <Hesitant, struggling for words> Emily… I…

Emily: (Early teens) <Laughs a little> What is it Brad?

Brad: <Flustered> I… I… errrr, <blurts out> I love you.

Emily: (Early teens) <Happy> Hmmmm, <softly, shy> I love you too Brad.

We hear the two kiss, briefly. The sounds of recess and the playground fades out.

Raven: (Narrating) I wish I could say it was filled with happy memories, but it wasn’t.

Emily’s mother: Emily, honey, I’ll be back soon, OK?

Emily: (7 years old) OK mommy.

Raven: (Narrating) <Sad> It’s amazing how much you can miss someone you barely remember.

Fade in with hospital sounds, paging for doctors, etc. People walking by, their heels clicking and clomping on the tile like floor.

Doctor: <Sympathetic, however almost robotic> I’m sorry Mr Ravenmoore, your wife was pronounced dead at the scene, her body burnt beyond recognition. We had to identify her by dental records alone. There was nothing we could do.

Emily’s father: <Devastated> No… God no. This has to be some kind of mistake, it can’t be her… <begging and pleading> please… no… please.

Emily: (7 years old) <questioning> Daddy? <sad, worried> Where’s Mommy?

We fade out as we hear Emily’s father begin to respond, and we hear Emily beginning to sob.

Raven: (Narrating) When I awoke, it was a couple of days later and I was in his bed. He told me that he could save me, but the choice had to be mine. I was 18, I didn’t want to die. He tasted me, just like Winter had, though I don’t know if it was because I was close to death, or if it was just him. But when he bit me, it didn’t hurt. I remember tasting his blood too, shortly before the world turned to black around me.

Scene 6: (Inside the stranger’s home, “The Manor”)

Emily: <wakes up with a start> Where am I?

Sounds of a large grandfather clock ticking solidly and steadily in the background begin to slowly fade in. (Continues during the scene).

The Stranger: <deep and thoughtful> You’re in my home, I call it “The Manor.”

Emily: <pauses> I feel different <slight pause, scared, almost agitated> What did you do to me?

The Stranger: <low> I saved you…

Emily: <questioning> Saved?

The Stranger: <sighs> I did the only thing I could… <regretfully> I turned you.

Emily: Turned? Like that man, <pause for a moment> Winter? <horrified> No!

The Stranger: <regretful, low> I’m sorry.

Raven: (Narrating) He explained that I couldn’t go back to the world I had left, something I really only learnt when I went back to my father.

Emily’s father: <loathing> You’re not my daughter! Get out of here, leave… <screams> NOW!

The sounds of objects bring thrown against the wall, breaking glass, fading out.

Raven: (Narrating) Their world rarely accepts our kind, and our world is constantly at war with each other. The stranger became my master, and for the next ten years, I trained heavily with him.

Fade in with sounds of swords clanging together.

The Stranger: <impressed> Good, but stop forcing it, just let it flow naturally, as if the sword was a part of you…

Emily cuts him off, roaring in frustration, again we hear the sounds of swords clashing together (faster, louder). The sounds moves constantly, as the two struggle and duel. The noise continues as the stranger speaks.

The Stranger: <impressed> Good, however you need to be constantly aware of your opponent as well as your surroundings. *Never* let your focus slide. Don’t be afraid to use the surroundings to your advantage, and always be ready to move in case your opponent gets too close. They may think they have you, but *you* can quickly change that.

We hear a sword slice through empty space, as a person rolls across a solid wooden floor and rises to their feet. Movement stops, and the room is silent with the exception of Emily’s panting.

The Stranger: <satisfied> That’s better.

Emily’s panting continues, and fades out.

Raven: (Narrating) I picked a new name for my new life, and accompanied him on many of his missions. I too became a vampire assassin, working for the council, and doing their dirty work. I quickly became something that even the darkness feared. <Long pause> My name is Raven Quelhaven, welcome to my world.

Show outro.