SCENE 1

INT THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD

CAROL, DANIELLA and CHARLOTTE gather in the sitting room
together to celebrate CHARLOTTES birthday. MARK is on his
way home from work.
CAROL
Seventeen! Cant believe it!
CHARLOTTE smiles at CAROL.
CAROL
Ill get the cake
CAROL goes into the kitchen and gets the cake. As she
returns back to the sitting room, MARK returns home from
work. He notices CAROL standing with the cake. He stands
still in guilt and looks slowly towards CHARLOTTE.
CHARLOTTE
(Softly)
Dont worry Dad.
Pause
I know youve forgotten.
CAROL switches off the lights and begins to sing Happy
Birthday to create a distraction. Both her and MARK walk
over to join CHARLOTTE and DANIELLA.
MARK
(Awkwardly)
Make a wish darling
CHARLOTTE blows out the candles and the room goes to
darkness.

SCENE 2
EXT-OUTSIDE A BUILDING
It is a cold winters day and CHARLOTTE is waiting for MARK
to pick her up for a planned meal theyre going to together.
She is at the destination he told her he would pick her up
from, however it has been two hours and he has still not
arrived.

SCENE 3
INT THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD, KITCHEN/DAY
CAROL washes up after Charlottes birthday celebration. She
is upset that things didnt go to plan. MARK clears up.
CHARLOTTE plays music loudly from her bedroom.
CAROL
(Shouting towards upstairs)
Turn it down!
To MARK
(Disappointedly)
You had one thing to do. One thing other than your work.
MARK
(Defensively)
You havent got a clue. Presents cost money.
At this moment CAROL stops washing up. She stares at MARK.
CAROL
(Bitterly)
Its not just a present. Typical.
MARK
Typical? Whats typical?
CAROL
You, side stepping the issue.
MARK puts down the plates, walks over to CAROL at the sink.
MARK puts his hand on her shoulder.
MARK
(Reassuringly)
Look, I didnt want to worry you
CAROL shrugs MARKS hand off.
CAROL
Thought we were in this together.
Pause
MARK
(Softly)
You have no idea.
CAROL

(Sarcastically laughing)
Thats right- in the dark as usual.
MARK
(Silence)
CAROL
(Irritated)
Whats going on Mark?
Long pause
MARK
Do you remember that investment?
CAROL
Yeah what about it?
MARK
There were issues.
CAROL
Dont tell me we never cleared that debt.
MARK
(Silence)
CAROL
(Frantically)
How did it come to this? Surely we havent accrued interest.
How much?
MARK
Weve got to keep this to ourselves. These people will not
take kindly if we tell anyone.

Scene 4
INT-THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD, HALLWAY
MARK, CAROL AND DANIELLA put their shoes and coats on in the
hallway, ready to leave the house. CHARLOTTE plays music
upstairs from her bedroom.
CAROL
(Shouting up to CHARLOTTES room)
Charlotte!
No response
CAROL
Were going now!
DANIELLA
(Impatiently)
Im gonna be late!
MARK
Yeah, come on lets go.
CAROL
(Concerned)
We cant just leave.
MARK
(Insisting)
She knows were going out.
CAROL
(Closes door behind her)
Fine, lets get in the car.

INT THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD, BEDROOM

CHARLOTTE is now alone in the house. She gets ready in her
bedroom to go out and see her friends. Music plays loudly.
The doorbell then rings and so she turns the music off.
CHARLOTTE
(Yelling from upstairs)
Just coming!
INT-HALLWAY AND KITCHEN

CHARLOTTE goes downstairs to open the door, however there is

no one there. She walks into the kitchen and pours herself a
drink. The music from her bedroom suddenly begins to play.
She considers going upstairs to see whats happened but
decides not to.
The MASKED MAN appears in CHARLOTTES room. He picks up
various objects, such as items of clothing, and smells them.
CHARLOTTE is shown still in the kitchen putting her glass
away.
The MASKED MAN then comes down the stairs and enters the
kitchen slowly. CHARLOTTE hears a footstep and so she turns
around but no one is there. As she turns back, in front of
her is the MASKED MAN. Before she has a chance to do
anything, he grabs her violently.

SCENE 5
EXT-FRONT GARDEN OF THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD
MARK, CAROL and DANIELLA return to notice a trail of blood
outside their house on the porch. CAROL looks at MARK with a
frantic and shocked facial expression. Mark looks back at
CAROL sharing the same shock. He then continues to stare at
the blood. DANIELLA is completely still.
CAROL
(Fearful)
Mark
MARK
(Nervous)
Lets go inside
INT-THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD, HALLWAY AND KITCHEN
MARK opens the front door and enters the house, followed by
both CAROL and DANIELLA.
CAROL
(Desperately shouting)
CHARLOTTE?
MARK looks at CAROL and indicates that she needs to try to
remain quiet.
MARK
We dont know whos in the house
DANIELLA
(Frightened, looking towards MARK)
Dad?
MARK
Just stay here for a moment
MARK walks into the kitchen and notices that everything has
been knocked over. There are chairs on the floor and the back
door is wide open.

SCENE 6
EXT-BANDSTEAD WOODS & ROUNDSHAW AIRFIELD
MARK looks desperately for CHARLOTTE. He tries various
places he used to meet with the man he owes money to. He
searches for hours on end but there is not one sign as to
where she may be.

SCENE 7
EXT-OUTSIDE A BUILDING
MARK goes round with posters of CHARLOTTE after failing to
find her. He puts up a poster and notices two girls of
Charlottes age. He approaches the girls, desperate to ask
them if they have any information.
MARK
Have you seen my daughter Charlotte?
MARK shows them the poster with the picture of CHARLOTTE on
it. The two girls stare in alarm and confusion at the
poster.
Long pause
GIRL 1
(Confused)
Charlotte?
GIRL 2
Thats not Charlotte
MARK
What? It is Charlotte. Shes my daughter.
Pause
GIRL 1
Its Emily
GIRL 2 nods in agreement and confusion
MARK
Emily
Pause
When was the last time you saw her?
GIRL 1
We havent seen her in a while
GIRL 2

No one hasafter what she did.

MARK
What do you mean?
GIRL 1
Dont want to talk about it.
SCENE 8
INT- THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD, CHARLOTTES BEDROOM
MARK is in CHARLOTTES room trying to find a clue as to
where she might be. As he looks underneath her bed, he is
shocked to find a white top covered in blood.

SCENE 9
EXT- OUTSIDE THOMPSON HOUSEHOLD
CAROL is washing up after dinner whilst MARK and DANIELLA
are upstairs. The doorbell rings and so CAROL goes to answer
it. As she opens the door, she notices there is a parcel on
the floor. Confused as to what it could be she takes it
inside to the kitchen. She opens the parcel only to discover
body parts covered in blood. She stumbles back in utter
shock and disgust.

SCENE 10
EXT-WATERLOO TUNNELS
CHARLOTTE is seen walking down an abandoned tunnel with an
elder man.