Hometown Demons - Episode 1
by Cade Scott
I’ve never seen a body mutilated like this before.
Any idea who our victim is, Detective?
Not a clue…
The killer made sure we wouldn’t be able to recognize her.
Did you check the body for ID?
I was waiting for the forensics team.
We don’t have time to wait.
Danny leans down over the desecrated body…
Digging in pockets for any sign of identification.
But we don’t want to tamper with the—
Ah, here we go! Found her license.
You shouldn’t have done that…
Finding who did this before they kill again is more important than petty rules right now.
Danny knows how the local authorities operate…
Slowly and by the book.
Which is precisely why Detective Jones hasn’t solved the case yet.
And why the FBI had to send her.
Who is she?
Callie Moore…
Know her?
Yeah, I do.
She must’ve been on a run—
Wait a second…
Is this some kind of joke?
What are you talking about?
Look at the license photo…
Danny holds up the ID to show Jones where a photograph has been glued onto the original photo.
Does that look like “Callie Moore” to you?
No…that actually looks like—
Preston Hughes.
You know him?
Unfortunately yes…
We have…history.
Oh, I forgot, you grew up here, right?
Yup…
You probably know this town better than I do.
I used to…
But I have no idea why Preston’s photo is glued onto Callie’s license.
I think we have our next victim.
What do you mean?
The killer, whoever they are, likes to play this game…
Right. I was briefed on this.
They leave behind clues?
Clues that point to their next victim, yes.
But this is different…
How so?
The killer has never been this forward before.
Callie for example…
She was an avid runner.
Ran a couple marathons last year.
Even qualified for the Olympic trials.
And the last victim, the one before her…
Had a pair of pink running shoes tied to their feet.
The running shoes were the clue.
Right. But we weren’t given her name.
Same with all the others.
The killer has never just handed over their next vic like this.
Then maybe it isn’t Preston.
Maybe it’s someone associated with him.
So, Preston is just part of the clue?
Could be…
Poor guy can’t get a break.
Why do you say that?
His parents were the first victims.
And now this.
Shock hits Danny like a truck.
She turns away from the Detective…
Trying to maintain her resolve.
It’s one thing to investigate the murder of a stranger.
But when you know the victim—
You okay?
Danny takes a deep breath…
And collects herself.
Of course, Detective.
Well, whoever it is — Preston or not — we have 12 hours before they’re dead.
That’s right. Every 12 hours there’s a new vic.
Why 12 hours though?
Not sure. But it never fails.
A new body shows up at noon.
Then again, at midnight.
And how many have died so far?
Including Callie — 11 humans.
Humans?
Why make that distinction?
We’ve found dismembered livestock at several crime scenes.
And various body parts scattered along roads…
Some were even strung up in trees like Christmas ornaments.
Jesus.
And you don’t have any leads?
None…I’m sorry.
This killer hides their tracks well.
We need to tell Preston.
Tell him what?
That he’s been identified by the killer.
And then what?
He hides in his house, waiting for the killer to come get him?
No. We move him somewhere safe.
Where though? The killer is thorough…
They know their victims’ routines.
And they always find a place to commit the murder where there aren’t any witnesses.
He can stay with me.
We’ll move him to the house I’m staying in, just outside town.
Are you sure about this?
It’s the safest place for him.
No one knows I’m there.
Besides you.
And we’ll keep it that way until we find this killer.
Plus, it has an alarm system.
I’ll set it up so you get an alert if it’s triggered.
I don’t know…I have to tell my higher ups—
You can’t do that, Detective.
It’s the only way to ensure his safety.
I don’t like this…
It goes against protocol.
I was sent here to solve this case and protect the town’s citizens.
And if that requires breaking protocol, that’s what I plan to do.
Jones crosses his arms defiantly.
And Danny can tell she’s got him.
Fine.
I’ll call Preston.
Danny pulls out her phone.
But before she dials Preston’s number…
She laughs.
Why are you laughing?
Because this whole situation is just a little too absurd for me.
What are you talking about?
The irony of it all.
For my first assignment, I’ve been sent here…
Back to my crappy home town.
And now I’m forced to protect my ex fiancé.
Wait. Y’all were engaged at one point?
A long time ago…
He’s the reason I ran away from this place.
Before Jones can ask another question…
Danny dials Preston’s number…
Which she can’t believe she still remembers…
And walks a few feet away for some privacy.
The phone rings a few times.
I’ll be damned…
Danny? Is it really you?
Hello, Preston.
I nearly fell off my chair when I saw your number.
Look. I don’t have time to play catch up with you right now.
No? And why is that?
Because you’re in danger.
Danger?
I’m in town…back home…
Investigating the murders.
Right. I heard the FBI was sending some big shot to save our poor little town.
Danny swallows the lump of anger rising in her chest.
So what’s that got to do with me?
We have reason to believe that you might be the next victim.
Silence falls over the line.
Danny gives Preston a moment.
Do you still live in the farmhouse?
I do.
And you’re there right now?
I might be.
Preston this isn’t a game.
Still the same feisty Danny I see…
Preston laughs.
And Danny can practically feel the steam coming out of her ears.
Yeah I still live at the farmhouse, but I’m out right now.
How quickly can you get home? I’m coming over.
At least give me some time to tidy up the place—
We don’t have much time.
I know…12 hours until another body shows up.
Exactly. We need to move you to a safe house.
And where would that be?
An undisclosed location outside of town…
With me.
You’ll stay there until I catch this murderer.
Another silence.
Danny wishes she could see his reaction.
He might be excited about the idea of shacking up again.
Or he could be loathing the thought…like she is.
Fine. But if I’m staying with you tonight, at least take me to dinner first—
Danny hangs up.
Before she can hear another word.
Danny knocks on Preston’s farmhouse door.
There’s no response.
Preston! Hello!
He wouldn’t go out on his own, would he?
Wouldn’t put it past him…
Preston?! It’s Danny and Detective Jones.
Danny tries to turn the door handle…
But it’s locked.
I’ll walk around the house.
See if I can’t peek inside the windows or find another way in.
Detective Jones disappears around the side of the house.
Danny is about to knock again.
But before she can…
She hears a loud thump from inside.
Then a shout.
Detective? Is that you?!
Then suddenly…
From right behind the door…
There’s a crash.
Danny draws her gun.
Open up!
Somewhere inside…
She hears glass break.
Danny rams her shoulder into the door…
But it doesn’t budge.
She takes a step back…
And kicks the door.
It crashes open.
Splinters fall around her.
Dust blows in her face.
With her gun held out in front of her…
Danny advances in.
She sees broken vases and glass cups shattered all over the floor.
Pictures hang awry on the far wall.
The couch is pushed over.
And near the backdoor…
Danny hears a groan.
She runs over and sees…
Preston.
He’s lying on the ground, barely conscious.
She kneels beside him.
He has cuts and bruises all over his face.
Blood gushes from his nose.
Someone tried — he tried to take me.
His eyes flutter close.
And his body goes limp.
App