61Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbcD7gYzriCHAPTER 12
“A PLACE CALLED HOME”
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Paul’s house sits at the edge of the forest.
Sunlight cuts through the trees in long warm beams. Birds chirp. Wind moves through leaves.
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Curtis, Sally and two new white horses are tied to Paul’s post (Steve and Stone).
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It’s peaceful yet intense.
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Inside the five sit around Paul’s dining table.
Metro’s glowing faintly. Blue’s eyes wide. Rose’s arms are folded. Lily sits close to her daughter.
Paul’s leaning back in his chair staring at Metro, like he's seeing him for the first time.
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Metro explains what happened at Theron's office.
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He looks at all of them — his family, his circle, the people he truly cares for.
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Then he begins.
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Metro:
"Here’s what happened — all of it."
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Metro starts from the beginning.
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As he speaks the rays move slowly on the table in the dining room, not from the clouds, but the faint pulse of the flame still lingering around him.
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Blake stares with his mouth slightly open, replaying the orb of light he helped channel.
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Rose's mind is still at the lodge, at the office, where Traeven eyes attacked Theron.
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Lilly peers forward horrified and amazed at the same time.
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Paul…
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Paul just watches Metro with a mixture of pride, fear, and something like grief. Metro will never be able to live a simple life now.
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When Metro finishes the room is silent.
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The forest outside is quiet.
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Lilly is the first to speak; her voice is soft but trembling, fear wrapped in love.
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Lilly:
“Metro, from what I just heard, Theron will come to you now. Men in power always cling to what they fear losing.”
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LILLY:
“Rose is tied to you. That puts her in danger. That puts all of us in danger.”
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Her eyes flick at Rose, back to Paul’s.
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“You need to stay here, with us. Away from that place. Away from him.”
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Rose lowers her gaze.
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Blake swallows hard.
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Paul exhales through his nose—slow, heavy—then speaks, voice low and blunt.
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“Paul:
You’re not safe in that castle especially now.”
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“I’ve seen men worship power and I’ve seen men kill it. You’re in the middle of both.”
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He leans back, eyes narrowing with weighted experience.
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“You need distance from that devil. From all of them, before they twist what would did into something else…”
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The room goes still.
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Metro listens to Lilly and Paul, their fear and resolve on the table between them.
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He sits quietly for a moment, hands clasped.
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Eyes lowered.
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Then Metro exhales—long, tired and soft.
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Metro:
"I understand your concern for my life, and for Rose's. There's real danger present."
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Lily's eyes soften.
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Metro lifts his gaze.
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"I've realized, I can help the community without starting my own business, or climbing some power structure."
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He pauses.
"I understand your fears, I hear you guys, but..
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(beat)
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... I have to make my own choices here."
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(Another beat)
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Metro (slumping)
"I'll find an opening, I'll take it. First chance I get. I just feel like there's something else that needs to be done besides the harvest, I feel prompted, like I'm missing the point..... I'm not sure what that is exactly"
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The room goes still again.
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Metro finishes speaking, his voice steady, but tired, conviction wrapped in humility.
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The sunlight drifts across the wooden table.
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Lilly is the first to move.
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She reaches out to him, hand on the table.
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LILY:
“Metro you’re chosen, we know that. But chosen men die young if they’re not careful.”
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Her eyes shine with a hint of terror.
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Rose looks down.
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Paul exhales deeply again. His voice carries the weight of a man who's buried his friends.
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“You're my boy, I’m not letting you walk into a lion’s den, not without a plan.”
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Metro bites his lip.
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Then Rose speaks.
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Rose:(voice soft, sweet, steady)
"Like I said before, I’m with you always.”
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He locks into her gaze, intertwining her love into his. Strengthening both parties .
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He shifts his eyes to Blake.
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Blake:
"We’ve got your back man, we're here with you.”
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Metro nods, slow, assured, not smiling, not nervous, just steady.
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His mind sets, he's already pushing forward in his heart, accepting the present for what it is.
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Blake separates from the group, marching to his mother’s—
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Paul, Lilly, and Rose take the extra two white horses to rented ranch stables miles down the road. Curtis, Stone and Steve, providing transport.
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Metro saddles Sally alone. Backpack strapped. Scroll tied and inserted. Resolve tightens his face.
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He rides toward the lodge wind blowing through his hair. The air feels frosty but the weight of the flame still burns in his heart.
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When he reaches the outer gate, he swings off Sally in one clean swoop, boots hitting the ground with purpose.
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And that's when he sees it--A crowd far larger than usual packed tight outside the lodge.
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Farmlands, soldiers, merchants, servants and townsfolk. Faces twisted with fear, anger and confusion.
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Metro brushes past them lifting his hands to keep balance as bodies press in.
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Voices erupt around him.
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Townsfolk:
“The King is dead!”
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“No, he’s alive!”
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“He’s dead, there’s witnesses!”
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“That’s what he deserves.”
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“HEY!”
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Chaos explodes, shouting, shoving, panic rippling through the crowd like thunder through dry grass.
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Metro’s eyes lock onto the large king’s guard standing like a stone pillar at the Lodges entrance. The guard’s eyes gleam at Metro through his helmet.
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Metro steps forward, concern possessing his features— The guard silently steps aside.
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Metro walks through the lodge’s front door. The noise outside fades.
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Inside Metro climbs the stairs, tightening his backpack straps. The masked servant in the rug rushes toward Metro the moment he steps in view.
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“Sir—! The queen is waiting for you!”
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Metro doesn’t hesitate, only nodding as he moves past him, hoisting the weighted scroll felt on his back.
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He pushes open the door to Theron’s private bedroom chamber.
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Susan sits on the bed holding Theron’s hand trembling , whispered prayers. Veronica kneels at the bedside, eyes red and swollen.
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The king’s curtains are drawn, lantern's burn low. The air feels thick, like the aftermath of a storm.
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Metro steps in quietly.
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Veronica turns, mascara streaked.
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Metro walks closer, calmly.
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He speaks.
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Metro: (certain)
“He’s not dying.”
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He places a hand on the foot of the bed grounding himself.
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Queen Susan’s voice cracks as she looks up at Metro, her hand trembling.
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Susan:
“What’s happening to my husband?”
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Metro steps closer, his presence soft, and a calm expression.
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Metro:
“He’s sleeping, and tomorrow he’ll rise.”
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Susan’s breath catches.
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Veronica lifts her head, eyes swollen. Searching Metro’s face for any sign of doubt.
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Metro looks at the Queen — gently, reassuringly.
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The fire crackles, heating the cold room.
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Metro:
“Don’t trouble yourself.”
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Then he turns his gaze to Veronica — and holds it with pure love, the kind that sees the soul.
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Veronica’s breath stutters.
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Metro looks back to the Queen.
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Metro:
“Do you believe it?”
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Susan wipes her eyes, voice trembling but sincere.
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Susan:
“There are no witnesses besides your word…”
and the words of our servants… Yet..
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She swallows gripping Theron’s hand tighter
“I will believe it. That it will be done as you’ve said.”
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Metro’s expression softens, the white light sharpening around his head again. His eyes shine pure radiant love.
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Metro:
“You have such strong faith.”
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He pauses, something sacred stirring inside of him.
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Metro:
“I too… was converted secretly. I was fifteen.”
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Veronica’s eyes widen.
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“That’s when the spirit consumed me, teaching me, guiding me.
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(beat)
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...It continues to purge me, like a fire "
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He gestures softly towards her.
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“Just like it does for you.”
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His eyes drift to Theron.
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“…just like it's doing for him now.”
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Metro looks at the King, peaceful, breath steady, then back at the Queen with a gentle smile.
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The room feels warmer.
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Softer.
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Held.
The white flame is present.
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And they all feel it.
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– switch scene –
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THERON’S LODGE – FRONT ENTRANCE –
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Outside the lodge the crowd disperses –not peacefully but because the king’s guard
starts swinging his sword in wide arcs .
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People scatter / still yelling:
“Watch where you're swinging that thing!!”
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He mounts Sally and rides back hard to Paul’s
– Paul’s land – Afternoon –
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When Metro arrives the forest edges calm again.
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Rose sits on a tree swing, gently swaying,
Curtis grazes nearby.
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Metro rides closer and extends his hand.
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Rose smiles, soft and warm.
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Rose:(lifts her hand over her head)
“Curtis is right here, I can ride him. Why don't you show me around your village, while we still have time here.”
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Metro:(nods)
“Sure thing.”
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They both ride off Paul's property, trotting into the open grassland outside the village walls.
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The wind is cool.
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The plains stretch wide and green. Sunflowers pop up sporadically as the wind blows rippling their garments.
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GRASS PLAINS —
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For a moment the world feels simple again.
Freshly reaped grass can be seen, some distant rice fields also as they trot through the plains.
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Rose:(glances over)
“What happened?”
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Metro:(keeps eyes forward)
“Everything’s gonna be fine. We’ll check on Theron tomorrow. Together, I doubt Paul will wanna come. But I'd feel better if you both came.”
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Rose exhales, then —
Rose:
“It’s awkward having your girlfriend there staring… burning a hole into me!”
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Metro's head snaps toward her, surprised.
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Then he smiles, small, amused.
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Metro:
“Yeah, she can be like that sometimes"
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Rose's face twists in a disgruntled manner, offended.
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Metro laughs under his breath.
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Metro:
“C’mon, I’ll race you to the gate!”
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“AYE!”
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Sally knows exactly what that means.
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She launches forward, hyper boosting herself, grass exploding behind her hooves.
Rose and Curtis follow, the wind whips their clothes and hair
Metro (screams):
“YEAAA!”
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Rose shakes her head, still smiling, pushing Curtis faster.
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They slow down as they reach the village’s front gate, both breathing hard, both glowing with joy.
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Metro pats Sally’s maine.
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Metro:
“… You still got it, huh Sal?”
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Rose rides past him, nose in the air.
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Rose:
“No manners…”
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She lifts her chin dramatically, pretending to be stuck up.
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Metro freezes for a second, unsure of himself. Gripping Sally’s reins.
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Metro:
“Hey, let’s stop by my cottage,"
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Rose glances back, a smile tugging at her lips.
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Metro trots ahead.
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Curtis follows.
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– METRO’S COTTAGE –
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Metro and Rose ride up the small dirt path towards his humble abode.
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Curtis snorts.
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The late day sun paints everything gold.
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Blake is already outside, adjusting the straps on his backpack and satchel.
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He brightens when he sees them.
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Blake:
“Hey guys! I was hoping I'd catch ya! Paul wants me to tell you guys that his work station is the meeting place, if we ever need to link up.”
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(Beat)
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“I’m going back to mom’s tonight.”
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Metro walks up his wooden steps, with Rose close behind him.
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Metro:
"Let's meet at Paul's in the morning."
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Blake:
"Got it, oh—I also forgot to mention, Ana wanted me to pick up some veggie seeds and flower bulbs from the cottage. Could you grab 'em so I don't forget...?"
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Metro: (nods)
"Sure thing."
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Blake gives a relieved grin.
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Metro:
"See you tommorow."
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Blake:
"See you guys in the morning!"
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Rose: (waves, smiling)
"See ya!"
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Blake turns away smoothly, raising his hand, tilting his head like a celebrity who doesn't have time for autographs. He strolls into the village, satchel bouncing at his hip.
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Metro watches him go, then rubs the back of his neck.
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Metro:
"My house is embarrassing anyway, let's head to Ana's"
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Rose's face falls.
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Rose:
"What? I was looking forward to seeing your cottage."
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Metro laughs nervously, scratching his cheek.
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Metro:
"...now that I think about it, I'm not sure if it's clean. I'd forgotten to tidy before I left..."
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Rose raises her eyebrows, amused.
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Metro clears throat.
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Metro:
"Let's ride..."
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(Beat)
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Rose:
"Let's."
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Metro mounts Sally, facial expression slightly flustered. Rose follows behind, riding Curtis, still smiling to herself.
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— ANA'S COTTAGE - DUSK —
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Evening settles over Ana's humble round shack, the last threads of sunlight barely clinging to the treetops.
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Metro ties Sally and Curtis in a small red barn close by, the horses snorting softly as they settle in for the night.
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When he steps back outside, he sees Rose wandering through Ana's vegetable garden—and the sight stops him.
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The scenery is simply beautiful. Fireflies scattered across the garden like stars in a loving universe. The garden is over the top gorgeous, almost unreal in fading light. Tomatoes climb tall bamboo poles like red lanterns hanging from a sphered dome. Purple potatoes grown in small spiraled cages, stuffed with golden hay pulsing spots of indigo. Yellow squash sits heavy, each one the size of a pumpkin glowing gold in the dusk. Cabbages, smaller than usual this year, form tight green curls like folded hands. Fig trees stretch broad leaves over the garden and pathway. A blackberry bush guards the fence line, thick with dark fruit and thorny branches, a natural shield.
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The whole place feels alive. Wild and chaotic, yet structured and coordinated. As if nature and Ana had struck a perfect bargain.
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Rose runs her fingers over the vine. Her dress flows softly with the warm breeze. Her aura is seen pulsing behind her in a mystical way.
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It's white, soft around her crown.
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He gently smiles, eyes soft.
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Rose:
"This is mixed up, but put together nicely."
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Metro steps forward leaning on the fence with a satisfied look.
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Metro:
"It's beautiful. The pool in the middle made of stone, the fences.
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(beat)
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'Ana's been doing this for a long time. I think it shows here.'
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He watches the vegetables like their old friends-- then abruptly slips inside the cottage through the front wooden door. Disappearing into the cottage's warm atmosphere.
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Rose lingers outside in the garden entrance, looking toward the house with a soft, radiant, but nervous glare.
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Suddenly Metro pops his head back out, only his face is visible outside the doorway.
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Metro:
"Hey Rose! Are you hungry? C'mon in!"
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He waves her in with a childlike smile.
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Rose's shoulders tense.
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She looks down, face barely red, hands tight at her waist. She feels shy, in a way that she rarely feels.
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She takes her steps forward, and walks in gently, entering the cottage with a wondrous gaze.
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The hearth is already lit, a pot of stew simmering gently. The fire crackles, filling the room with unnamed comfort. The scent drifts through the cottage smelling of herbs and root vegetables.
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Metro kneels by the fireplace, working sticks and tinder, coaxing the flames higher.
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The couches nearby are highlighted with amber embers, soft and inviting.
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He glances back at Rose.
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Metro:
"This is home for me..."
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Rose stands by the couch, bathed in orange light, her eyes stare on as she takes it all in.
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The warmth.
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The quiet.
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Safety.
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The man tending the fire like he's tended this place his whole life.
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— ANA'S COTTAGE - NIGHT —
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The two of them sit at the edge of the couch, the fire crackling low.
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Metro eats stew, barely noticing how fast he's going.
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Rose watches him—not the food—her eyes longing, wanting something deeper than a meal.
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Rose:
"So this is where you grew up?"
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Metro swallows, sets the bowl down and nods.
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Metro:
"Yes, it's home. I feel better that you're here, instead of at my cottage."
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He smiles into the fire, the radiance reflecting in his eyes. Rose stays locked on him, arms wrapped around her knees, legs pulled to her chest. She looks comfy, safe, and completely open.
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Rose:
"I'm so happy to be with you."
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She says it gently, but the longing behind it is unmistakable.
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Metro turns to her—softly, romantically, and totally unguarded:
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Metro:
"I'm happy to be with you."
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He looks back at the fire again, smiling .
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Metro:
"Life seems manageable now, when you have a solid team around you."
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Rose grins and bumps her shoulder into his—once, twice, three times—playful, overflowing with affection.
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Metro blushes, looking away.
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Rose stops, breath catching. She studies him—really studies him—as her voice softens.
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Rose:
"Can I ask you something?"
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Metro:
"Yea, go for it."
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He looks in her vicinity.
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(Quiet beat)
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Rose:
"What scares you about all this?"
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Metro goes still.
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His head lowers slightly, eyes shadowed by the firelight. Then he lifts his gaze just a little—longing, serious, and vulnerable.
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Metro:
"I'm afraid that I'm not good enough. That somehow, some way... I'll screw things up."
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He shakes his head, almost in disbelief at himself.
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Metro:
"That's my track record..."
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Rose looks into him—past the words, past the fear, straight into his soul.
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Metro's eyes water.
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Metro:
"Like I said, it's okay now, we've got the ones we love with us."
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Rose looks down, slightly overwhelmed, then looks sharply back at him—her voice slower and more intimate.
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Rose: (voice soft)
"Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without Theron..."
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Metro's face shifts, colder, more grounded.
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Metro:
"No, surprisingly (beat) I've run away my whole life from things I didn't like, or love, because I was angry, or scared, or because I didn't feel accepted."
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He breathes out deeply, slowly.
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"I keep telling myself what I'm doing is right. Sacrificing for a greater cause, charity—"
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(Beat)
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Rose's eyes narrow, not sharply, just focusing.
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Metro:
"However, when I was surrounded by your mother, Paul... I knew for certain that I had a family.
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(beat)
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"I knew that...
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(long pause)
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...that was the most valuable thing in the world."
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The intensity and truthfulness hangs.
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The desires of his heart laid on the table.
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Metro:
"I also realized, sometimes you can go too far. Yet, I'll do what I have to... No matter the cost... To fulfill my destiny..."
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“ To make things right.”
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Rose stares at him, astonished, barely breathing. She scoots closer, drawn in by something she can't resist.
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Her voice is gentle, trembling.
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Rose:(voice softer)
"What do you feel when you're with me?"
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Metro turns to her fully.
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(Beat)
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Metro:
"I feel love."
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He lets it sit there—raw, and unfiltered.
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Metro:
"Something real.
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Clean.
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Or Pure."
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Rose looks away, almost in disbelief—but she can't stay away from his eyes for long. She turns back.
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Rose: (voice almost a whisper now)
"What do you see... when you look at me?"
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Her eyes water—helpless and vulnerable, completely open to him.
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Metro doesn't answer right away. He stretches the silence, never breaking eye contact.
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The fire flicks in his blue eyes.
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He leans in—not to kiss her, but to connect to something deeper.
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Metro:
"I see my whole life."
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Rose trembles, breath shaking.
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She reaches for his stew bowl—the one he'd been eating from—and takes a bite.
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Metro watches on mesmerized, staring at her with so much passion it almost hurts him.
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She looks up innocently.
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He smiles.
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Slow.
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Certain.
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Knowing this is the woman he'd marry.
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For eternity.
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~ Scene fades black ~
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— End scene —
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