#*nightfall

Nightfall - Chapter 1: New Beginnings

Nightfall Chapter 2, Part 3: The Bonfire

The fire illuminates their faces as they chat and roast marshmallows. Suddenly, Sam’s phone BUZZES in her pocket. She pulls it out, glancing at the screen and see’s its her mother calling to wish her a happy birthday. She hesitates, remembering she hasn’t told anyone that yet. NAOMI (noticing) Everything okay? SAM (forcing a smile) Oh yeah! Just a phone call. I’ll be right back, I should take this. Sam walks away from the party, into the woods, and answers the call. SAM (into phone) Hi, Mom! Her mother’s voice comes through muffled and distant. Sam frowns, trying to hear. SAM (sighing) Of course... No reception out here. SAM Sorry, Mom… I’ll call you back later. There’s no reception out here. Love you!  A rustling sound in the bushes interrupts her thoughts and the call drops. SAM (voice shaking) Hello?? Is someone there? The strange sound turns into a low, unsettling growl. Panic surges through her. She backs aways slowly before turning to run and trips, tumbling forward. A hand reaches out and grasps her wrist, yanking her into a saving embrace. CYRUS RAITH (serious) What the hell are you doing out here alone? It’s not safe. SAM (breath quickening) I... I was just— He examines her, his expression softening. CYRUS Are you hurt? Sam shakes her head, teeth chattering from the cold. Without hesitation, Cyrus takes off his jacket and drapes it over her. SAM (surprised) Aren’t you going to be cold? CYRUS I’ll be fine. Let’s just get you back to the party, okay? They walk toward the bonfire, the flames flickering invitingly. CLARE (shouting) Places, everyone!! Ready?! Let’s go!! Clare and Naomi lead their crowd of friends in singing “Happy Birthday.” Sam’s heart skips a beat as she notices the cake on the table with a lit candle. She gazes at her friends in disbelief. SAM How did you know?! I never tell anyone! CLARE (grinning) Uhh... Student council president over here! It’s my job to know everything about everyone! Now get over here, make a wish, and blow out the candle so we can devour this freaking cake already! Laughter erupts. Sam blows out the candles, the flames flickering in the warm night air, illuminating the joy of friendship and new beginnings. FADE OUT.

Nightfall Chapter 2, Part 1: The Bonfire

NAOMI (enthusiastic) Hey! You’re the new girl right? I’m Naomi Faulkner. Clare has already told me so much about you! Sam looks up, a bit surprised but smiles back. SAM Yep, just transferred! Nice to meet you, Naomi! I know right, Clare has been so welcoming; I kinda feel like the shiny new toy or something. NAOMI That’s Clare, for ya! She can be a lot at times, but she means well. We’ve been best friends since diaper days. You learn to love all aspects of her, even the slightly overbearing ones. SAM She’s definitely a character. You gotta appreciate the enthusiasm! NAOMI Anywho, how are you liking Copperdale High so far? Sam pauses, thinking for a moment before grinning. SAM Let’s just say if this school were a pizza, I’d rate it a solid pepperoni—could use a bit more cheese, but it’s still pretty good! Naomi laughs, clearly amused. NAOMI (laughing) I love that! What do you think could use more cheese? SAM Definitely the cafeteria food. That “meatloaf” looks like it could star in it’s own horror movie—“Attack of the Unidentified Leftovers!” They both laugh as they continue walking down the hall, the ice clearly broken. CLARE, the energetic and bubbly classmate, comes sprinting up to them, her eyes sparkling with excitement. CLARE (excitedly) Hey, you guy! Are you pumped for the bonfire tonight? Sam smiles at Clare's enthusiasm, while Naomi nods eagerly. NAOMI (nodding) Hell yeah girl, I can’t wait! Clare turns to Sam, practically bouncing on her toes. CLARE (babbling) Me either! Sam, has that missing moving truck shown up yet? You’re still coming, right? Do you think that cute blonde guy from my Precalculus class will be there? Oh, and! What are we all wearing?! NAOMI (joking) Woah, easy Clare! Remember to breathe! CLARE I know, I know! I’m sorry, you know I get carried away when I’m excited! Sam shrugs, a hint of frustration in her voice. SAM Honestly? I have no clue what I’m gonna wear. That moving truck has pretty much all of my clothing boxes and it still has yet to arrive. Clare’s eyes light up as an idea strikes her. CLARE (excitedly) Oh my gosh. This is the perfect opportunity for a signature “Clare Montgomery Makeover”! Naomi giggles, enjoying Clare’s enthusiasm. NAOMI (giggling) Oh, I know that look. Sam, you are in for an experience! CLARE Okay, it’s settled. At my pregame, we’re raiding my closet and you can totally borrow anything you want! Sam looks surprised but intrigued. SAM Really? You’d let me do that? CLARE Of course! We’ll make sure you look a-m-a-zing! Sam’s face breaks into a smile, feeling welcomed and excited. SAM Okay, I’m in! Let’s do this! The three of them laugh and chatter as they head down the hall together, ready for the fun ahead.

Nightfall Chapter 2, Part 2: The Bonfire

NAOMI I hope we see some ghosts tonight! The Copperdale woods are creepy in general, but they’re especially spooky this time of year. Sam raises an eyebrow, intrigued. SAM Spooky? Like how? NAOMI Well, Copperdale apparently has this whole supernatural history. People say that the woods are haunted by spirits of the past. Clare rolls her eyes playfully. CLARE Come on, Naomi! Don’t scare the new girl. Everyone knows it’s just a bunch of old wives’ tales. NAOMI (grinning) But it’s fun! My grandma would tell us about how our ancestors were spellcasters, protecting the town from some dark entity. Sam leans in, captivated. SAM Seriously? What kind of dark entity? NAOMI (whispering dramatically) No one really knows. Just that they sealed it away long ago. But sometimes, you can feel it in the air—especially in the woods at night. Clare pretends to shiver, adding a ghostly, theatrical flair. CLARE Ooooh! Beware the spirits of Copperdale! They might come for your soul if you wander too far! They all burst into laughter, but Naomi looks slightly serious. SAM I’m guessing Clare’s a non-believer? CLARE (waving her hand dismissively) Duh! It’s just a bunch of scary stories. Right Naomi? NAOMI (playfully reluctant) Okay, okay, maybe it’s just a fun story. But... She leans closer, lowering her voice. NAOMI (cont'd) It’s still kind of cool to think about. I mean, what if we’re living in a town full of magic? CLARE Alright, let’s save the ghost stories for the bonfire! We gotta get going! The girls jump off the bed, bubbling with energy. Sam takes one last look at the mirror, confidence building. They head out, laughter echoing as they exit the room.

After her second day at Copperdale High, Sam decided to tackle the boxes that had made it to the house during the move—those that weren’t still stuck on the moving truck. As she rummaged through the clutter, she discovered a collection of old family Polaroids. They captured moments of a summer vacation from her youth. It was a visit to see Grandma Maggie and Grandpa Archie—affectionately known as Grammy and Poppy—in Copperdale. Her heart tightened as she gazed at the images of her younger self, her little brother, and their parents, all smiles and laughter, blissfully unaware of the changes to come. The photos were taken in Grammy and Poppy’s house, her father’s childhood home, which he inherited after their passing. He had moved back in after his divorce, seeking comfort in those familiar walls. Back then, the house felt alive, echoing with family gatherings, laughter, and love. Now, as she prepared to finish her senior year in those same rooms that once brimmed with warmth, a sense of hollowness settled over her. Closing her eyes, Sam longed to reclaim that feeling, but all that remained was an aching nostalgia for a life that had slipped away.

In the quaint town of Copperdale, where the autumn leaves whisper tales of the past, a group of high school seniors seemingly ordinary lives take a turn when strange occurrences reveal a hidden legacy of supernatural forces that have long remained dormant. Juggling late-night study sessions with thrilling investigations and unexpected love interests, they race against time to uncover the truth. Will they be able to protect the town - and their own futures - from the shadows that seek to engulf them?