[INT. OLD VAULT HALL – NIGHT – STORM OUTSIDE]
Rain lashes against the shattered windows of the underground vault as wind howls through the broken stone.
The air is thick with dust, smoke, and dread.
Harriet stands frozen, tears streaming down her face, her body shielding the map etched into the wall behind her — the final secret her father died to protect.
Fred is in front of her — battered, bloodied, gun shaking in his hand.
Rufei lies half-conscious a few feet away, his arm bleeding from a bullet wound. Betta and her boyfriend Leon are trying to drag him to cover.
And across from them — Mr. Vance, cold and furious, steps out from the shadows, gun aimed straight at Fred.
MR. VANCE (low, venomous) "Step aside, Fred. You know what I came for."
FRED (breath ragged) "You'll have to shoot me first."
MR. VANCE (smiling darkly) "I planned to."
He cocks the gun. Harriet screams.
HARRIET (tears) "NO!"
She rushes forward, but Fred throws out his arm to stop her.
FRED (shouting) "Stay back!"
A pause.
Then — a shot rings out.
It echoes like thunder.
Harriet gasps — for a moment, she thinks she's been hit.
But then — Fred stumbles.
His gun clatters to the floor.
Blood pours from his side.
He falls to his knees.
Harriet's scream tears through the chamber.
HARRIET (shattering) "FRED!!"
She runs to him, cradling his body as he collapses against her, coughing blood.
Fred's fingers clutch her shirt, eyes locked on hers — pained, desperate, loving.
FRED (broken whisper) "I said I'd protect you…"
Harriet sobs, rocking him against her chest.
HARRIET "Don't you dare… don't you dare leave me…"
FRED (smiling weakly) "Your eyes… were the last thing I saw that was good."
MR. VANCE (snarling) "Touching."
He raises his gun again — toward Harriet.
But Fred, with the last of his strength, pulls the knife hidden under his belt.
And throws.
The blade buries deep into Mr. Vance's shoulder.
He screams, dropping the gun.
Leon rushes forward, tackling Vance. Rufei, half-limping, joins him — fists flying.
Fred slumps in Harriet's arms.
His breathing slows.
The rain outside finally stops — a cruel silence.
HARRIET (voice cracking) "Stay with me… please, Fred… please."
Fred reaches up — brushing her tear-stained cheek with trembling fingers.
FRED (whispers) "I saw you… that rainy night..." "You... made me want to live again."
His hand falls away.
His eyes dim.
Harriet screams — broken, primal, unbearable.
HARRIET "FRED!!"
She clutches him tighter, sobbing uncontrollably as the others stand frozen behind her, the room now filled with grief, blood, and the ghost of a love that was just beginning.
---
[FADE TO BLACK]
TO BE CONTINUED...