(MUSIC)
(BIRD CROWING)
(MUSIC PLAYING QUIETLY ON HEADPHONES)
(HARD ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC STOPS)
Hey, Dad?
Maybe next time you might want to take your boots off before coming in the house.
(THUMPING)
(MYSTERIOUS AMBIENCE)
Little Bob?
(MUFFLED SINGING ON TV)
(THUMPING)
(MUSIC)
Little Bob?
You come on out right now and quit hiding!
You hear?
Little Bob!
(DISTANT BANG)
(DOG BARKING)
(MUSIC)
Hey! Stop!
(INTENSE MUSIC)
Little Bob?
(HEARTBEAT)
(WIND HOWLING)
(DISTANT SCREAMING)
CHILD: (SCREAMING) Help! Help me! Help!
(SCREAMING)
(AMBIENT MUSIC)
(MUSIC)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, hey, cut it out.
All right, ladies, let's go.
Hurry up, ladies. Come on. Let's do it.
That's fine if I beat you down there.
TEACHER: Phone, please. Thank you.
Moving on to the American Civil War.
This was the first true industrial war.
The first time railroads...
steamships...
telegraphs...
and mass-produced weaponry were all utilized.
All right, it's assignment time.
Your assignment will be to compose a timeline of events
leading up to the civil war...
beginning with the 1868 election of President Lincoln.
Can anyone tell me how many deaths...
MAN: (ON RADIO) You're listening to KQBC,
and folks over in Westlake are gearing up for their annual White River festival
taking place this evening and over the weekend.
Be sure to bring your witches' hats and broomsticks.
I hear the legendary witch, Basset Goodie, might be making an appearance.
There might even be a prize for the first kid to capture her.
WOMAN: But wrap up warm, it's starting to get a little chilly out there.
We're in for near record lows in what is set to become
one of the coldest Novembers on record.
And there's a good chance a storm system is likely to develop.
- Our meteorologist, Greg Adley, has more. - METEOROLOGIST: Thanks, guys.
Well, if you're going to be getting out today it's not going to be too bad at all...
They built an ice cave and waited for the storm to pass,
because it was 13 days before help could reach them.
(PANTING)
The cave was so cramped...
that they lost circulation in their legs and they had to be amputated.
Really? 13 days in an ice cave?
The guy, Engliss,
became the first double amputee to scale Everest.
I got a cramp. I need a sec.
Hey, check it out.
Oh, gross.
What's up, bitch tits?
Hey, didn't you want Jackie Kramer to come to your house for study group last night?
Well, guess what group she was studying on.
Oh.
(CHUCKLING)
What the fuck are you looking at, daddy's boy? Want a picture?
What is that?
Here.
Screw this.
(TENSE MUSIC)
- (LAUGHING) - Hey, dude, watch out.
Oh, you're figging, man. Did you see? He nailed him.
- You moron. - That's gotta hurt.
Any time, faggot. Any time.
Nice one, man.
Hey, Laila. Hey, girls. How are you?
(GIRLS GIGGLING)
Well, hello there, stranger. What can I do you for?
I just need to pick up those tax forms.
Oh, okay. Well, let me grab a form for you here real quick.
'Kay, great. Thanks.
How are Killian and Crawford doing? They all revved up for tonight?
Yeah, they're trying to pretend they're too old, but I can tell they're really excited.
Oh, that's good. They're real good kids.
- Yeah. - How's their mom doing?
Well, the doctors say she's making some progress.
They're hoping to take her off the heavier meds soon so...
- we just take it one day at a time. - Well, that's good.
- Alicia, Ms. Jennings. - Chad, how are you?
Good, uh, sorry for ear wigging but I heard you ladies talking about the fair.
Yes. Something happened?
It's not been announced yet but...
just a heads up, it's being canceled.
- What? - Why?
It's happened again.
Oh, where's Mommy? Oh, no, where's Mommy?
Oh, no, little bitch.
Oh, he's got my hat. Oh, come on, cry for me, bitch.
Come on, cry for me.
(AMBIENT MUSIC)
(PA FEEDBACK)
MAN OVER PA: All students are to head immediately to their pickup points
and wait for your buses to arrive.
Your parents have been notified and will be expecting you.
No sign of Aunt Marsha?
And lo, on the eighth day,
God created curfew.
Still, look on the bright side,
at least you don't have any double econ.
Any idea what's happening?
- Two more kids went missing. - What?
It says here, they're closing all the schools down.
The fair's canceled tonight.
Oh, what?
(SCOFFS)
How was your run?
Cold.
What happened to your head? Did you run into a tree, or something?
Kill?
Nothing happened. Just drop it.
Caminski?
This is starting to get old.
Crawford, don't.
Come on, man, please.
Here comes a son of a dead man.
What did you do to my brother?
Get the hell out of here.
Nobody likes you.
Nobody has to.
All right, I'm going to ask you one more time.
What did you do to my brother?
- The same thing I'll do to your mom. - (LAUGHING)
(CAR HORN HONKING)
Don't you ever talk about her.
You owe me one.
That's a few now.
Do you want to tell me what that's all about?
Crawley and Greenburg lifted us a few crates of Brewskis.
Freeman got a box of smokes from his old man.
We're meeting everyone about a mile up Coon Creek.
- I don't want to get caught. - Oh, you're not bailing on me, are you?
I'm not saying that I'm bailing.
It's just that with everyone worrying about those kids and then the curfew,
if we are off lighting off fireworks someone's going to hear us.
No one's going to hear us. What do you think we're going all the way out there?
It's no one forest, buddy. It's bigger than Russia.
We'll wheel the bike up Coon Creek until were out of earshot.
- I know exactly where we're meeting... - Look who's here.
I hope I can count on both of you two to behave this weekend.
Crawford, consider this practice for when you have your own little Killians.
CRAWFORD: I should get a job. Maybe drop out of school.
You can't do that, Crawford. Are you kidding?
Look, sooner or later, Aunt Marsha is going to want her own family.
And then we're on our own.
MAN: (ON TV) Local law enforcement in Hawthorn Plains is under increased pressure today
after the disappearance of a brother and sister from their home near Grand Falls.
WOMAN: 17-year-old Elizabeth Stevens and her younger brother, six-year-old Bob,
disappeared from their home last night.
Police investigating the scene said the family home
showed signs of forced entry and a struggle.
They're advising residents within the area to be vigilant
and report any suspicious activity immediately.
While authorities are not ruling anything out at this point, they have confirmed...
- They're finally leaving. - (WOMAN ON TV CONTINUES)
God, they took forever.
We need to get a move on. You about ready?
Yeah. Hey, look at this.
I don't know about you, but I hate that guy.
You know Greenberg? Said he's a pedophile.
MAN: (ON TV) Parents should only use babysitters when absolutely necessary,
and when using a new babysitter, prepared to contact at least two references directly.
Number three, parents are advised not to leave children home alone.
Now, while the law may be vague on the subject, it is illegal...
Oh, hey, uh... don't forget to wrap it up, bro.
- Shut up, doofus. - (SCOFFS)
WOMAN: Here's a picture of Bob.
This disappearance comes just four days after 12-year-old Susie Smeeks
vanished from her home in Marietville.
MAN: Nathan Vickers spent the day near where the kids were last seen,
joins us now live in studio. Nathan, what do we know at this point?
MAN 2: We met with the local farmer, he says he saw something strange in the area.
The man claims the large figure stepped back into the woods and was not seen again.
The incident comes on the heels of farmers across the county reporting missing
- and mutilated animals. - REPORTER: Scary, scary situation...
- You got everything? - I think so.
- You ready to roll? - I am.
Here we go, daddy-o.
(BIKE ENGINE STARTS)
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
(MUSIC)
(MUSIC FADES OUT)
Crawford, you drive much?
CRAWFORD: A little bumpy back there, princess? You gonna be all right?
- I'll be fine. - All right.
Come here.
- Oh! Last one to the forest! - Ah!
(GRUNTING)
- Out of the way, princess! - (LAUGHING)
Watch out for the thorns.
How deep you think you wanna go in?
All the way.
Crawley, where are you, dude? I'm serious.
- Stop dicking around. - (STATIC ON WALKIE-TALKIE)
Nothing.
- Why don't you just use your phone? - What, you think I get reception out here?
No, man, we tested these just last week. They should be fine.
God, I knew Crawley was going to flake. The guy's always been a flake.
And he was bringing Betty
and Betty was bringing the other girls, so now we're totally fucked.
Well...
while we're here...
might as well light these bad boys off. Yeah?
Looks like there's a clearing down there. What do you say?
(OMINOUS AMBIENCE)
- We salute you, soldier. - (CRAWFORD LAUGHS)
(LAUGHS)
All right.
Are you ready for the grand finale?
(FIREWORKS WHISTLING, BANGING)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC)
(LAUGHS)
- What is that? - Where?
Up there.
A treehouse.
Let's check out the view.
I don't know, Crawford. That's really high up.
There's stuff on the tree to climb onto.
Come on, I bet you can see the whole valley from up there.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Dang, dude.
It's gotta be 40, 50 feet up in the air.
This doesn't look very safe.
Well, it's probably not safe...
but it'll be fun.
All right. Just be careful.
(GRUNTS)
(MUSIC)
Is this a hunter's post? Like a deer stand?
It wasn't built for kids, that's for sure.
(LAUGHS)
Hey, check this out. Isn't this the issue that Aunt Marsha found under your bed?
Shut up.
Is that blood?
- Taste it. - I'm not tasting it.
(CREAKING)
Please tell me that was the wind.
It's a girl.
Oh, fuck. There's blood all over her.
Hey, hey, it's okay. We're not gonna hurt you.
Here.
What happened? Are you okay?
- My... my name... - (COUGHING)
my name is Crawford. All right?
And this is my brother. This is Killian.
Crawford, that's her.
It's the girl from the news. The one who went missing with her little brother.
Oh, hey, whoa. What happened to your brother?
(MUSIC)
We need to call the police.
I don't know what's going on here, but this isn't right.
Hey, we're gonna get you to a doctor, okay? (SNIFFLES)
(MURMURS) They took him.
Goddamn it. Piece of shit.
Fucking phone. No signal.
ELIZABETH: They took him.
- Please help. - They took your brother?
Who did?
- Crawford, this isn't good, man. - I know.
Just give me a second, okay? I need to think.
Listen to me.
Whoever did this to you, do they know you're up here?
Are you sure?
(MURMURING) I climbed here to get away...
- so they can't find me. - How long have you been up here?
I can't remember.
A day or two.
I think.
I need more soda.
Please, I'm hypoglycemic.
Uh...
(STAMMERING) I'm sorry, there's no more.
Can you eat these?
Killian, come here.
We need to go get help.
We go to the bike, will be in town in 45 minutes.
We go get the police, be back here within two hours but we need to go now.
All right?
No.
- I'm not leaving her here alone. - (SCOFFS)
What do you want Crawford? Her to be here by herself?
She already said they didn't know she was here.
I don't even think I'd be able to climb down.
Crawford, what are you doing? Be quiet.
You're going to make the floor collapse.
Here, take this.
If anyone other than me tries to climb up here,
put a dent in their face, you got it?
God, this is fucked up.
All right, you still got your walkie?
When I'm back I'll radio you so you'll know I'm coming. Don't use it otherwise.
You just got to stay safe, be quiet and keep away from the edge.
- Okay. - Yeah.
No, wait.
For luck.
(MUSIC)
Get back.
(DISTANT SCREAM)
It's them.
Crawford, are you there?
Crawford, can you hear me? Please.
Crawford!
Run!
Why did you do that?
- Now they know we're in here. - What's going on?
They'll kill us.
Okay, they're gone. We need to get out of here.
We can hide in the woods.
I can't stand up. Please.
You let them up here. I have to find my brother.
It can't end like this.
I won't let them. Crawford will make it back.
- Trust me. - Shh.
(CREAKING)
It's on a branch about 10 feet down.
(THUMPING)
(EERIE BREATHING)
Did it see you?
Get back. The moon's bright.
(EERIE BREATHING)
(THUMPING)
(LOW GROWLING BREATHS)
GIRL: (ON WALKIE-TALKIE) Crawford, do you copy?
(DISTANT FIREWORKS)
(FIREWORKS CONTINUE)
That was Arielle's voice. A girl in my brother's grade.
- Arielle, are you there? - ARIELLE: Hey, who's this?
This is Killian, Crawford's brother.
Hey, where are you guys?
BETTY: Tell Crawford I'm going to kick his ass for standing me up.
ARIELLE: You hear that? Betty said she's going to kick your brother's ass.
Is he there? Crawford? Do you copy? Over, over.
Roger, tango. (GIGGLING)
Arielle, listen to me. This isn't a joke.
You need to get out of here now and get help.
ARIELLE: Let me talk to Crawford.
He's not here. He's gone out to get help.
You need to go and call the cops.
ARIELLE: What?
BETTY: Hey, this is Betty. What did you say about the cops?
Listen to me. You are running out of time.
There are things in the woods. You need to get out of here.
BETTY: Are you joking? Let me speak to Crawford, hon.
I just fucking told you. He's not here.
He left to go get help. You need to get out of the woods.
Run. Fucking run.
Hello? Are you there? Arielle? Betty?
(DISTANT SCREAMING)
Betty?
Arielle?
ARIELLE: Oh, my God, Killian, is that you?
Help me, please. Oh, my God.
What the fuck?
Arielle, what's happening? Where are you?
ARIELLE: I don't know. I'm in the woods.
I dropped my flashlight.
Betty's dead.
They just hurt Madison.
Jesus, fuck. Please help me. Please.
I don't wanna die. (CRYING) I don't wanna die.
Arielle, please keep your voice down and hide if you can.
ARIELLE: Okay, okay.
(ARIELLE CRYING)
I'm behind a tree.
Oh, my God.
I don't think he'll see me.
What do we do?
She was asking about your brother.
Did he make it to the bike?
Arielle, was Crawford's bike at the woods when you first got here?
ARIELLE: No. I didn't see a bike.
I didn't see a bike.
Thank God.
He ran to the bike. They chased after him.
It looks like he made it. He's going to get the cops.
We just need to sit tight, okay?
Arielle?
(ARIELLE CRYING)
Arielle, please be quiet.
ARIELLE: There's one looking at me now.
Oh, my God. (SOBBING)
Tell her to run. Anything, just... run!
Arielle, run! Run, please, run!
(DISTANT SCREAMING)
EERIE VOICE: Killian...
(THUNDER CRASHES)
I need you to help me.
(WHIMPERING)
I hope you're not grossed out by blood and things like that.
I need you to pull 'em out for me.
I don't know.
Oh, I ain't asking you, baby bear.
(THUNDER)
Wait for the thunder.
(SCREAMS, CRIES)
- ELIZABETH: Is it bleeding bad? - Kind of.
I think this one's stuck in a nerve or something.
I don't want a fucking commentary! Just pull it the hell out, okay?
(SCREAMS)
Get off! (CRYING)
ELIZABETH: I need to rest. Okay?
- Okay? - Okay. Okay.
KILLIAN: Crawford, please hear me.
You ain't doing it right.
Remember what I told you, like this, all right.
Now imagine you're... you're painting the ceiling.
You bring your hand over your head like this, like a brush stroke.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Come here.
Hold it by the blade this time.
This way, right.
That way it cuts when it rotates.
Grip it like your pecker,
tight.
Now that's better. You still throw like your mama.
How many did the sniper get...
before he shot you?
Three young privates...
and our best medic.
They're gutless, snipers.
Any man can hide amongst the trees...
but it takes home-grown Ozark valor,
stone fucking tinders to run against match grade ammunition.
That's my memento, anyhow.
Reminds me every day.
But what I did was right and proper.
I know you're scared, son.
There's some evil men in this world
and guys like me, we stop 'em.
And you're my blood.
You be strong for your mama when I'm gone...
because I ain't raising no cowards.
All right?
What happened?
You fell asleep.
No, I mean with Crawford.
- What about him? - He's not back?
What does it look like?
I don't understand. I mean, the bike was gone, right?
I mean, he must've made it back.
They know we're in here.
There's one on that far tree right now...
watching us.
The other two come and go.
Like they're scheming.
I don't think they can climb.
But that little one...
he sure can.
How did you make it all the way up here with all that glass in you?
Ain't you ever taken a beating...
and only afterwards it hurt real bad?
That's how.
Where you from, anyway?
We live in Westlake.
Boy, you really are far away from home.
Does anyone know you're here?
My name's Elizabeth.
I know.
I saw you on TV with your little brother.
They took him.
They have him somewhere.
I wish I could remember.
My head's banging like a jackhammer.
(SNIFFLES)
What is that burning?
Leaves.
Really?
That means there... there must be people around here.
The smoke travels in the wind.
It could be miles away.
Besides...
even if there was someone nearby in a cabin or like...
you'd have to climb clear to the top of this tree to see the smoke.
And no offense...
but that ain't going to happen with you...
is it?
This treehouse's starting to feel more like a goddamn coffin.
What are they?
Ain't no bigfoot, I'll tell you that.
Last night there was some kind of spook light in the tree...
like a camera flash, only brighter.
Hey...
what about those girls?
You think they might've said something about coming here?
- Maybe. - To anyone?
I don't know.
Are you okay?
- You're shaking. - Yeah, I'm fine.
But look...
No one's gonna find us soon.
And I don't think we got that long.
How long have you got?
I mean, with your blood sugar.
I'm not stupid.
I can take it.
Please don't lie to me.
I got a few crackers left.
If I feel giddy I'll eat 'em.
How long?
A few hours.
Might start to dip. Depends on what we do.
You okay?
- Okay, I'll do it. - Do what?
I'll climb to the top of the tree and see where that smoke is coming from.
(DISTANT GROANING VOICES)
EERIE VOICES: Killian.
Killian...
(VOICES CONTINUE)
(PANTING) Don't let go.
(OVERLAPPING GROANS AND SHOUTS INTENSIFY)
(MURMURING) I can't hear you.
Go fuck yourself.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(MUSIC)
(BRANCH CRACKS)
(GRUNTS)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(GASPS, GRUNTS)
One o'clock.
The smoke's thick.
What's wrong?
(MUSIC)
KILLIAN: It's like...
it's like they're playing with us.
And you haven't seen the big one yet.
What?
There's one that's huge. I swear.
I tried chasing it when they took Little Bob.
I'm sorry about your friends.
Well, come on, then! Come get me, you fuckers!
Let's get this over with!
Quickly, inside! Ah!
We gotta get out of here.
Smooth.
What are you doing?
Trying to find something to light so they think we're in here.
This could be useful.
How 'bout these?
Candles?
You carry candles around with you?
Oh... I get it.
Real... smooth.
You don't got a bottle of wine up them there trousers, do you, baby bear?
Sorry.
I was just joking.
Here.
That's for saving my life.
- Your daddy would be proud of you. - How do you know about my dad?
When you were sleeping...
I heard you talking to him.
It was just a dream.
That's when they talk to us...
come see us.
It's more real than you think.
We're gonna make it.
(QUIET GUITAR MUSIC)
(MUSIC)
(EERIE AMBIENCE)
(GRUNTS)
Shh.
(PANTING)
(TENSE MUSIC BUILDING)
ELIZABETH: Stop.
- Are you okay? - Yeah.
I just need to rest for a bit.
I don't think that's such a good idea.
No, no, no, no, no. Come on.
Just quit whining and sit down.
But if you sit down now you won't be able to get back up.
Don't forget what you've already been through.
You can't give up now.
Watch out!
Oh, shit.
If there are hunters, they'll have guns.
We ain't gonna be able to go anywhere 'til morning.
(GASPS)
But we can see them.
We just have to be careful. We can't be more than a quarter mile away.
That one happened to be in the moonlight.
You got lucky.
So, what? We just sit here and wait?
What about them?
We don't have much of a choice.
Come on.
Sit down.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(DISTANT LOW MOAN)
- Huddle close. - (MOANING CONTINUES)
SHAUNA: Please, John, stop. You're scaring them.
I don't like liars, Shauna.
Especially when it's my own goddamn son.
- I didn't lie. - Well, one of you did!
You know where my gun is, son?
Huh?
Goddamn it, if you won't tell me the truth...
SHAUNA: Stop, John, stop! Stop!
Tell me the truth, goddamn it! Huh?
You okay, baby bear?
Yeah.
Just thinking about my dad.
He came back...
different.
The war?
One day I grabbed his gun.
I just wanted to look at it.
I forgot to put it back.
He always blamed Crawford for everything.
Did he beat on him?
He'd fill the sink up...
and hold his head under the water.
And Crawford knew it was me...
but he didn't want my dad to hurt me.
I feel so bad.
If you had a little brother you'd understand.
Don't feel bad.
I'd do anything to protect Little Bob.
I'd die for him.
I remember...
when he was three...
he could name the flags of all the countries.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC)
He loved...
shapes...
colors.
He loved his cartoons.
I gotta find him.
Promise me you'll find him...
and the ones that took him.
Make them pay.
Your daddy is looking down on you right now...
real proud.
Don't let anyone ever tell you different.
KILLIAN: Oh, my God.
We made it. Elizabeth.
Elizabeth?
Oh, no. No, no, no, no. Oh, God.
Elizabeth? Please wake up.
Elizabeth, please wake up. Please.
Elizabeth, we made it to the house. Remember?
The burning leaves?
Somebody help me!
Please!
Hello?
Hello? I need some help!
Please wake up. Come on. Please wake up.
Hello?
(PANTING)
(COUGHING)
You're okay. Can you hear me?
Okay. You're okay.
Can you hear me?
Oh, God.
Eat this. It's chocolate.
It's chocolate.
You're okay. We're safe.
- Where are we? - Farmhouse.
I carried you.
- Who's here? - No one. It's just us.
(PANTING)
Keep eating.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
"Where, O death, is your victory?"
ELIZABETH: "Where, O death, is your sting?"
First Corinthians... 15:55.
You believe that stuff?
I believe what I want.
That's how it works.
Find a telephone.
Search the bedrooms.
Fuck.
(MUSIC)
Baby bear?
Hello?
Ma'am?
(MUSIC)
(RETCHING)
(MOTORBIKE APPROACHING)
(PANTING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
(RUMMAGING)
(EERIE BREATHING)
(CREAK)
(MUSIC)
(CRYING) Little Bob.
Oh, Lord, I need strength,
please.
God, I need help.
(SOBBING)
(THUNDER CRASHES)
Crawford.
(CHUCKLES)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
ELIZABETH: (SCREAMING) Run!
(GRUNTS)
(INTENSE MUSIC)
(MUSIC)
(MUFFLED SHOUTING)
(GRUNTS)
(MUSIC)
(WHISPERING) Come here. Come here.
(FOOTSTEPS)
Come on. Come on.
(MUSIC)
- Help me! - His holster.
I hope you burn in hell for what you did.
(SPITS)
(CRYING QUIETLY)
They killed Little Bob.
They stuck a knife right through him...
and took pictures of themselves doing it.
They killed Crawford, too.
Burned him alive.
I'm sorry.
- We need to stop the bleeding. - I'm fine.
Shit.
What is it?
Come take a look at this.
It's a sign.
(MUSIC)
There's still one left.
The big one.
For Crawford.
For Little Bob.
There's no going back.
There's nothing to go back for.
They'll just put him in juvie.
He'll be out in a few years.
He don't deserve that.
He deserves more.
I'll take what's coming.
It'll be worth it.
If they lock us up...
I'll wait for you if I get out first.
Damn right, you will, baby bear.
(DRAMATIC ROCK MUSIC)
(GUNS COCKING)
(MUSIC)