The Boy Who Came Back - Episode 1
by R.A. Nelson
Mia, you won’t believe this.
Harper sends a picture of Aaron, Mia’s ex, sitting at a fast food restaurant.
OMG.
That can’t be Aaron.
He’s supposed to be a thousand miles away!
It’s HIM. I’m going to say hi.
NO, Harper. DON’T.
He’s dangerous.
Oh come on, he can’t be that bad.
Aren’t you curious why he’s back?
No, I’m not.
If I don’t grab him soon, he’ll get away!
I’m serious, Harper. Don’t talk to him.
🐓 Bawk bawk bawk!
You don’t know how scary he got.
That’s why he moved. To that treatment facility out of state…
Geez. He’s gone now.
Good. I cried with RELIEF the day Aaron moved.
Hey, I’ve got an idea.
Whatever you’re thinking, stop.
Chicken. BRB.
15 minutes later
Harper? What’s going on? Where are you?
I followed him.
You’re stalking my insane ex?!
He parked on a creepy road outside of town.
Harper sends a picture of a street sign and a path into the woods.
Harper, I know that place. He took me there once.
You need to leave. Now.
But I have to know what he’s going to do! I love a mystery.
This isn’t some game!
I’m begging you!
Why would Aaron come all the way back here just to hike in the woods?
Harper, there’s something I never told you about Aaron…
He took me there, to that very spot, the night we broke up.
When I told him I thought we should take a break, he grabbed me.
He held on so tight, I had bruises on my arms the next day.
I fought him off, and ran.
He shouted after me…
That if we couldn’t be together in life, we had to be together after.
So that’s why he got sent to the treatment facility?
Because of what he did to you?
Yeah, I told my parents and they filed a police report.
Please, please leave.
Now I’m definitely not leaving.
Harper, no.
Maybe if I can catch him doing something illegal, we can send him to jail!
Not back to that facility.
Then he’ll be out of your life for good!
Don’t be stupid, Harper.
Wait, he’s carrying something…
A black bag…
I need to know what’s inside.
I can’t stand this. You’re in DANGER…I’m coming after you.
15 minutes later
Harper! I found your car. Where are you? Are you okay??
Check it out.
Harper sends another picture…
It looks like she’s deep in the woods; the picture is just a bunch of boulders and dark trees.
Where is Aaron? Can he see you?
Nope. I’m hiding behind a boulder.
What’s he doing?
Looking around, like he’s paranoid.
This is so stupid. I’m scared for you Harper.
Hang on…I see something else…
Harper sends a picture of an old shack by the rocks.
He put the bag down and went inside the shack.
Will you please listen to me? Leave while you still can!
No! Whatever he’s doing, I’m going to catch him!
He came back out of the shack with a shovel.
He’s digging a hole.
OMG.
Now he’s unzipping the bag.
Taking something out.
What is it??
I can’t tell. I need to get closer to see.
NO! Don’t go near him!
Harper, turn around and come back to your car!
I’m right here waiting for you.
He went inside the shack again. Now’s my chance to take a peek!
NO!! What if he catches you?
Don’t worry! I’m sneaky.
Hmm…
There’s nothing much in the bag…just some rope.
A few zip ties.
Don’t you get it?! He’s going to use those on someone!
You need to get out of there NOW.
He came back out of the shack!
If I leave now, he’ll see me.
Where is he?! What’s he doing??
He’s still digging.
I think he might be crying, Mia.
That’s it. I’m going in. I’ll drag you out of there myself.
Get away while he’s distracted.
I’ll meet you in the woods, at the fork in the path.
I can’t move…he’s too close.
What??
2 minutes later
Harper?! Talk to me! Where are you??
I’m scared, Mia.
He has a knife.
Oh God, Harper.
I’m so close. I can see the shack!
But I can’t find you!
HARPER??!!
2 minutes later
I’m here, Mia. Everything’s okay.
Oh, thank God! But where are you??
Still here, at the rocks, near the shack.
But where?? I can’t see you. Where is Aaron??
Don’t worry.
Everything is okay. It’s going to be fine.
I promise.
But where is he? WHERE IS AARON?!
I’m right here, Mia.
I have Harper’s phone.
I’m standing right behind you.
Local Newspaper, front page: Police are investigating the mysterious disappearance of two young girls, Mia Catalano and Harper Dial.
Local Newspaper, front page: Both of their cars were found abandoned on a country road, right outside of town.
Local Newspaper, front page: Foul play is suspected, as some ripped clothing was found on the trail, along with blood splatter.
Local Newspaper, front page: The authorities ask for anyone with information regarding this matter to come forward immediately.
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