9/11 English Short Story
EXT. PATH OUTSIDE DURWIN - DAY (FLASHBACK)
SETH (11) chubby, tall, with two black eyes and glasses held together by tape, waits behind a bush.
HEATH (14) handsome, shorter than Seth, holds hands with his girlfriend as he walks down the path.
Seth leaps from behind the bush and tackles Heath. A severe beating ensues, while Heath’s girlfriend screams.
INT. MRS. CRAMER’S 7TH GRADE EVILOLOGY CLASS. DAY
SETH
And this is how I ended up in Necromancy School.
The class applauds in a polite fashion. Seth takes a bow and his seat.
EXT. UNDER A TREE - AFTERNOON
8 YEARS LATER
Seth sleeps under a tree when the peep of a frog wakes him. He flips onto his belly and green smoke emerges from his hands and changes it into a zombie frog. It turns and latches on his …show more content…
nose.
SETH V.O.
I wasn’t always evil. But I guess standing up to a bully who was smaller than me was the sign that my father was waiting for.
A struggle ensues and he pushes it off of his nose. The frog zombie-groan-croaks and hops to the pond. It chases the other frogs around, biting at them.
SETH V.O. (CONT’D)
Of course, I’m not very good at it.
Seth trudges away as he rubs his nose.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - DAY
Seth emerges from class to see Lyla (23), a remarkable ginger in crimson robes, stare at a mark in the floor.
SETH
Whatcha looking at?
LYLA
There is a face in the floor here. It looks like somebody.
Seth stares at the face as well.
SETH
It’s Jesus.
Lyla looks at him with wide eyes and shushes him with a smile.
LYLA
Don’t say that! You could get both of us in trouble!
SETH
Well, it does.
LYLA
Monitor!
Both of them straighten up and look in opposite directions. A lithe demon in a purple robe walks by, inspects them as they try to look innocent, and leaves.
SETH
Those things freak me the heck out.
LYLA
They aren’t so bad. They say if you hit em hard enough with a death spell they crumple.
She peers down at the Jesus face.
SETH
That’s all and fine for someone who can use one.
LYLA
What’s that?
Seth straightens up and clears his throat.
SETH
Nothing. Hey! Are you hungry?
LYLA
I could eat.
SETH
Beautiful...
Lyla’s eyebrow raises at Seth’s response.
SETH (CONT’D)
Er. Uh. I mean great!
(coughs)
Be right back!
Seth takes off at a run.
Snail (24) a somewhat greasy senior never seen without his angry look, appears.
He grabs Lylas wrist and pulls her away from the Jesus face. Once they are gone Seth returns with a paper sack to find her missing. He sits and eats by the Jesus face.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - THE NEXT DAY
Seth returns to find Lyla next to the face, he walks over to her, and he doesn’t look up from the face.
LYLA
Oddly enough, I just feel really calm here.
SETH
You must be turning into a Christian.
Lyla looks up at him, mouth agape.
LYLA
The monitor is going to eat your soul.
SETH
Naw! We can live on the dangerous side, as Jesus worshipers.
LYLA
Ack! You gonna start dressing all in white? Get a tan?
She punches him in the shoulder as he opens his mouth to respond. Snail shows up.
SNAIL
Hey, babe. You ready for lunch?
He flops over the back Lyla’s shoulder, nearly causing her to buckle under the weight.
Sup?
(to Seth)
Seth nods.
LYLA
I dunno. You think you can pull me away from my new boyfriend?
She pushes him off of her shoulder. Seth’s eyes widen. Lyla shoots Seth a mischievous smile.
SNAIL
That’s a laugh. C’mon.
He walks away. Lyla stalls and shoots him a glare.
LYLA
Sorry about that.
She follows Snail.
SETH
She’s... She’s freaking trying to get me killed. Get me hit in the face with a freaking death spell, turn me into a zombie or something. I’m okay with that.
EXT. DURWIN MUNICIPAL SHOPPING CENTER - AFTERNOON
Seth, unaltered other than his sunglasses, looks around in a conspicuous fashion. A BIBLE SALESMAN, in a teal suit and a squarish hair style, approaches him.
BIBLE SALESMAN
Hey, buddy. You looking for salvation?
SETH
Naw.. Just a Bible, man.
The Bible Salesman gets really close and talks right by Seth’s ear. Seth’s face contorts into a look of horror.
BIBLE SALESMAN
That’s salvation brother, and I got it right here.
He opens his coat to show an array of different gilded Bibles.
SETH
J-just take one, kind sir.
The Bible Salesman pulls a modest Bible from his jacket and slaps it into Seth’s chest.
BIBLE SALESMAN
The first one’s free, baby.
He slaps Seth on the shoulder and walks away.
As Seth turns the corner a TOWN GUARD slams him against a building. He pulls out a dagger and places it against Seth’s back.
TOWN GUARD
You looking to convert, boy?
SETH
No, sir!
TOWN GUARD
People only come to this neighborhood looking for one thing. You trying to get holy?
SETH
No, sir. I ain’t never even been arrested!
TOWN GUARD
Then what’s this?
He flips Seth around and pulls the book from his robes. It is a copy of “Mudwater Imps and Their Practical Use.”
TOWN GUARD (CONT’D)
Sorry to bother you, sir.
SETH
No worries!
The Bible Salesman emerges and is chased by the Town Guard who tackles him. Bibles fly everywhere.
BIBLE SALESMAN
I’m just holding the jacket for my cousin, sir!
Seth grimaces and leaves at a quick pace.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - THE NEXT DAY
Lyla stands by the Jesus face, yet again. Seth approaches her and pulls the book from his robes.
LYLA
That is, quite obviously a glamourized copy of Mudwater Imps and Their Practical Use.
SETH
Oh! Shoot. Here.
Seth removes the glamour to reveal the Bible.
LYLA
Where did you get this?!
SETH
I gots my ways.
LYLA
I’ve never even seen one before. I can’t believe you brought it here.
She snatches it and flips through the pages.
LYLA (CONT’D)
Reads quite like Mudwater’s, doesn’t it?
SETH
Duh-I, I didn’t read... It.
Lyla pulls him in for a hard hug. Seth’s eyes widen, but then he sees a monitor walk by. She shoves the Bible into his robe pocket.
MONITOR
No...public...desplays...of...affection..
They separate and the monitor places a yellow slip on both of their shoulders and walks away.
LYLA
You need to get that out of here.
SETH
I’m not afraid.
LYLA
You probably should be.
She smoothes her robes.
LYLA (CONT’D)
Snail should have been here by now.
SETH
Probably a good thing he didn’t see us, just now.
LYLA
You afraid of Snail?
SETH
Snail? Naw! Death spells.
Lyla laughs.
LYLA
I’ll protect you. I think I’m going to break it off anyhow.
SETH
Any particular reason why?
LYLA
He is too clingy. Freaks me out.
SETH
You should totally break up with Snail.
Lyla’s mischievous smile returns.
SNAIL
Whatcha talking about?
Snail stands right behind Seth, who jumps.
LYLA
I’ll tell you about it later.
She and Snail leave, hand in hand.
SETH
This-this is twice now. Freaking, murder me, why don’t she? I think Imma go barf.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - CLASSROOM - THE NEXT DAY
Seth sleeps with his face on his desk while The skeleton of a monkey dances in front of him. He is awoken by a loud noise in the hallway. He rushes outside.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
He see’s Lyla and Snail arguing, when Snail raises his hand and readies a death spell. In a burst, Seth tackles Snail and rams him against the lockers. His head points the wrong direction.
LYLA
Holy cow.
Seth looks up to see her, in hand, a death spell as well. Her eyes are wide and she breathes heavily.
SETH
Are you okay?
LYLA
Better than Snail.
Snail twitches.
A monitor appears and lifts Seth by the throat and places him against the locker. He struggles to breathe.
MONITOR
Physical..violence..is..forbidden..
As Seth struggles, the Bible falls from his robes onto the floor.
MONITOR (CONT’D)
Religios..paraphanellia..is..forbidden..
The Monitor opens his mouth and begins to suck out Seth’s soul. Lyla grits her teeth and hits the Monitor in the chest with the death spell. It crumples
LYLA
Hurry!
She grabs Seth by the hand and they both jump out the window.
EXT. DURWIN - CLEARING - CONTINUOUS
They emerge into a clearing, both out of breath.
SETH
I am so sorry!
LYLA
Woo! I knew I could do it!
She jumps into the air and pumps her fist.
LYLA (CONT’D)
You know what that was? That was me killing the demon of an advanced necromancer, is what that was! I freaking killed it!
SETH
Wait... Aren’t you mad?
LYLA
It’s the last week of class, and I have a job as an interim necromancer in Gnarlburg. You can come if you like.
SETH
I don’t think they’ll want me as an interim necromancer.
LYLA
Hell, no. You’re days as a necromancer are done.
SETH
Ah. That’s okay.
Seth flops on his back. Lyla laughs and does the same. They stare at the clouds for a moment.
LYLA
If you don’t mind me asking.
You don’t seem like you enjoyed being a necromancer.
SETH
I wanted to be a warrior.
LYLA
I could see you doing that. You are large enough. Why didn’t you?
SETH
My dad’s a necromancer, his dad’s a necromancer. My mom’s a necromancer. You know how it goes. Boy, is he going to be pissed. He’ll probably kill me.
LYLA
Not if you’re a great warrior.
SETH
Do they have a warrior school in Gnarlburg?
LYLA
I don’t think warriors go to school. Now, get up. We have to prepare and I can already feel my sunburn coming on.
She slaps him on the chest and pulls him to his feet.
EXT. THE ROAD TO GNARLBURG - MORNING
As they travel, an ogre appears out of the bushes and menaces them with a tree.
SETH
I got this!
Seth steps forward and summons a horde of tiny skeletons that attack the ankles of the ogre. It lifts its foot and makes quick work of them.
LYLA
Um...
She points at the ogre, who lifts Seth by the ankle. His robes fall over his head to expose his nudity.
SETH
I don’t suppose I could get some help.
Lyla face-palms and blasts the ogre in the chest. It lands and the earth quakes a bit. Seth rights himself.
SETH (CONT’D)
Maybe warrior isn’t the best choice for me.
Lyla smiles and they continue
on.
SETH (11) chubby, tall, with two black eyes and glasses held together by tape, waits behind a bush.
HEATH (14) handsome, shorter than Seth, holds hands with his girlfriend as he walks down the path.
Seth leaps from behind the bush and tackles Heath. A severe beating ensues, while Heath’s girlfriend screams.
INT. MRS. CRAMER’S 7TH GRADE EVILOLOGY CLASS. DAY
SETH
And this is how I ended up in Necromancy School.
The class applauds in a polite fashion. Seth takes a bow and his seat.
EXT. UNDER A TREE - AFTERNOON
8 YEARS LATER
Seth sleeps under a tree when the peep of a frog wakes him. He flips onto his belly and green smoke emerges from his hands and changes it into a zombie frog. It turns and latches on his …show more content…
nose.
SETH V.O.
I wasn’t always evil. But I guess standing up to a bully who was smaller than me was the sign that my father was waiting for.
A struggle ensues and he pushes it off of his nose. The frog zombie-groan-croaks and hops to the pond. It chases the other frogs around, biting at them.
SETH V.O. (CONT’D)
Of course, I’m not very good at it.
Seth trudges away as he rubs his nose.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - DAY
Seth emerges from class to see Lyla (23), a remarkable ginger in crimson robes, stare at a mark in the floor.
SETH
Whatcha looking at?
LYLA
There is a face in the floor here. It looks like somebody.
Seth stares at the face as well.
SETH
It’s Jesus.
Lyla looks at him with wide eyes and shushes him with a smile.
LYLA
Don’t say that! You could get both of us in trouble!
SETH
Well, it does.
LYLA
Monitor!
Both of them straighten up and look in opposite directions. A lithe demon in a purple robe walks by, inspects them as they try to look innocent, and leaves.
SETH
Those things freak me the heck out.
LYLA
They aren’t so bad. They say if you hit em hard enough with a death spell they crumple.
She peers down at the Jesus face.
SETH
That’s all and fine for someone who can use one.
LYLA
What’s that?
Seth straightens up and clears his throat.
SETH
Nothing. Hey! Are you hungry?
LYLA
I could eat.
SETH
Beautiful...
Lyla’s eyebrow raises at Seth’s response.
SETH (CONT’D)
Er. Uh. I mean great!
(coughs)
Be right back!
Seth takes off at a run.
Snail (24) a somewhat greasy senior never seen without his angry look, appears.
He grabs Lylas wrist and pulls her away from the Jesus face. Once they are gone Seth returns with a paper sack to find her missing. He sits and eats by the Jesus face.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - THE NEXT DAY
Seth returns to find Lyla next to the face, he walks over to her, and he doesn’t look up from the face.
LYLA
Oddly enough, I just feel really calm here.
SETH
You must be turning into a Christian.
Lyla looks up at him, mouth agape.
LYLA
The monitor is going to eat your soul.
SETH
Naw! We can live on the dangerous side, as Jesus worshipers.
LYLA
Ack! You gonna start dressing all in white? Get a tan?
She punches him in the shoulder as he opens his mouth to respond. Snail shows up.
SNAIL
Hey, babe. You ready for lunch?
He flops over the back Lyla’s shoulder, nearly causing her to buckle under the weight.
Sup?
(to Seth)
Seth nods.
LYLA
I dunno. You think you can pull me away from my new boyfriend?
She pushes him off of her shoulder. Seth’s eyes widen. Lyla shoots Seth a mischievous smile.
SNAIL
That’s a laugh. C’mon.
He walks away. Lyla stalls and shoots him a glare.
LYLA
Sorry about that.
She follows Snail.
SETH
She’s... She’s freaking trying to get me killed. Get me hit in the face with a freaking death spell, turn me into a zombie or something. I’m okay with that.
EXT. DURWIN MUNICIPAL SHOPPING CENTER - AFTERNOON
Seth, unaltered other than his sunglasses, looks around in a conspicuous fashion. A BIBLE SALESMAN, in a teal suit and a squarish hair style, approaches him.
BIBLE SALESMAN
Hey, buddy. You looking for salvation?
SETH
Naw.. Just a Bible, man.
The Bible Salesman gets really close and talks right by Seth’s ear. Seth’s face contorts into a look of horror.
BIBLE SALESMAN
That’s salvation brother, and I got it right here.
He opens his coat to show an array of different gilded Bibles.
SETH
J-just take one, kind sir.
The Bible Salesman pulls a modest Bible from his jacket and slaps it into Seth’s chest.
BIBLE SALESMAN
The first one’s free, baby.
He slaps Seth on the shoulder and walks away.
As Seth turns the corner a TOWN GUARD slams him against a building. He pulls out a dagger and places it against Seth’s back.
TOWN GUARD
You looking to convert, boy?
SETH
No, sir!
TOWN GUARD
People only come to this neighborhood looking for one thing. You trying to get holy?
SETH
No, sir. I ain’t never even been arrested!
TOWN GUARD
Then what’s this?
He flips Seth around and pulls the book from his robes. It is a copy of “Mudwater Imps and Their Practical Use.”
TOWN GUARD (CONT’D)
Sorry to bother you, sir.
SETH
No worries!
The Bible Salesman emerges and is chased by the Town Guard who tackles him. Bibles fly everywhere.
BIBLE SALESMAN
I’m just holding the jacket for my cousin, sir!
Seth grimaces and leaves at a quick pace.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - THE NEXT DAY
Lyla stands by the Jesus face, yet again. Seth approaches her and pulls the book from his robes.
LYLA
That is, quite obviously a glamourized copy of Mudwater Imps and Their Practical Use.
SETH
Oh! Shoot. Here.
Seth removes the glamour to reveal the Bible.
LYLA
Where did you get this?!
SETH
I gots my ways.
LYLA
I’ve never even seen one before. I can’t believe you brought it here.
She snatches it and flips through the pages.
LYLA (CONT’D)
Reads quite like Mudwater’s, doesn’t it?
SETH
Duh-I, I didn’t read... It.
Lyla pulls him in for a hard hug. Seth’s eyes widen, but then he sees a monitor walk by. She shoves the Bible into his robe pocket.
MONITOR
No...public...desplays...of...affection..
They separate and the monitor places a yellow slip on both of their shoulders and walks away.
LYLA
You need to get that out of here.
SETH
I’m not afraid.
LYLA
You probably should be.
She smoothes her robes.
LYLA (CONT’D)
Snail should have been here by now.
SETH
Probably a good thing he didn’t see us, just now.
LYLA
You afraid of Snail?
SETH
Snail? Naw! Death spells.
Lyla laughs.
LYLA
I’ll protect you. I think I’m going to break it off anyhow.
SETH
Any particular reason why?
LYLA
He is too clingy. Freaks me out.
SETH
You should totally break up with Snail.
Lyla’s mischievous smile returns.
SNAIL
Whatcha talking about?
Snail stands right behind Seth, who jumps.
LYLA
I’ll tell you about it later.
She and Snail leave, hand in hand.
SETH
This-this is twice now. Freaking, murder me, why don’t she? I think Imma go barf.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - CLASSROOM - THE NEXT DAY
Seth sleeps with his face on his desk while The skeleton of a monkey dances in front of him. He is awoken by a loud noise in the hallway. He rushes outside.
INT. ST. NECROPSIS’ COLLEGE FOR THE EVILLY GIFTED - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
He see’s Lyla and Snail arguing, when Snail raises his hand and readies a death spell. In a burst, Seth tackles Snail and rams him against the lockers. His head points the wrong direction.
LYLA
Holy cow.
Seth looks up to see her, in hand, a death spell as well. Her eyes are wide and she breathes heavily.
SETH
Are you okay?
LYLA
Better than Snail.
Snail twitches.
A monitor appears and lifts Seth by the throat and places him against the locker. He struggles to breathe.
MONITOR
Physical..violence..is..forbidden..
As Seth struggles, the Bible falls from his robes onto the floor.
MONITOR (CONT’D)
Religios..paraphanellia..is..forbidden..
The Monitor opens his mouth and begins to suck out Seth’s soul. Lyla grits her teeth and hits the Monitor in the chest with the death spell. It crumples
LYLA
Hurry!
She grabs Seth by the hand and they both jump out the window.
EXT. DURWIN - CLEARING - CONTINUOUS
They emerge into a clearing, both out of breath.
SETH
I am so sorry!
LYLA
Woo! I knew I could do it!
She jumps into the air and pumps her fist.
LYLA (CONT’D)
You know what that was? That was me killing the demon of an advanced necromancer, is what that was! I freaking killed it!
SETH
Wait... Aren’t you mad?
LYLA
It’s the last week of class, and I have a job as an interim necromancer in Gnarlburg. You can come if you like.
SETH
I don’t think they’ll want me as an interim necromancer.
LYLA
Hell, no. You’re days as a necromancer are done.
SETH
Ah. That’s okay.
Seth flops on his back. Lyla laughs and does the same. They stare at the clouds for a moment.
LYLA
If you don’t mind me asking.
You don’t seem like you enjoyed being a necromancer.
SETH
I wanted to be a warrior.
LYLA
I could see you doing that. You are large enough. Why didn’t you?
SETH
My dad’s a necromancer, his dad’s a necromancer. My mom’s a necromancer. You know how it goes. Boy, is he going to be pissed. He’ll probably kill me.
LYLA
Not if you’re a great warrior.
SETH
Do they have a warrior school in Gnarlburg?
LYLA
I don’t think warriors go to school. Now, get up. We have to prepare and I can already feel my sunburn coming on.
She slaps him on the chest and pulls him to his feet.
EXT. THE ROAD TO GNARLBURG - MORNING
As they travel, an ogre appears out of the bushes and menaces them with a tree.
SETH
I got this!
Seth steps forward and summons a horde of tiny skeletons that attack the ankles of the ogre. It lifts its foot and makes quick work of them.
LYLA
Um...
She points at the ogre, who lifts Seth by the ankle. His robes fall over his head to expose his nudity.
SETH
I don’t suppose I could get some help.
Lyla face-palms and blasts the ogre in the chest. It lands and the earth quakes a bit. Seth rights himself.
SETH (CONT’D)
Maybe warrior isn’t the best choice for me.
Lyla smiles and they continue
on.