Abandoned

Abandoned

Somewhere in the forest.
Enter from right two teenage boys with bokkens
They turn to each other and bow.
[Alex] One
[John] Two
[Both] Three!
Battle starts, neither take any hits.
Cut to scene with two adults talking
[Adult man] So where are the kids?
[Adult woman] I think they're at the church, doing community service of some sort
Cut back to sword fight
John gets hit, jumps to the left, shouts a battle cry and charges again
Cut back to adults
[Adult Male] I didn't think they liked the church
[Adult Female] You're right; maybe they're at the video store
[Adult Male] Yeah, I doubt that, Alex's bokken is missing.
[Adult Female] You knew that the whole time and kept asking me questions
[Adult Male] I wanted to give him more time.
Adult female smacks adult male on the top of the head.
Cut back to fighting
Alex hits John and knocks him off his feet.
John cries out in pain and notices the sword at his throat.
[John] I give! You win!
[Mysterious Voice] Still picking on the younger kids Alex
A teenage girl steps out from behind a tree and Alex jumps.
[Alex] What are you doing here Cerice
Alex stutters a little during that line
[Cerice] I thought I'd lend a helping hand to John. So if you don't mind it's time for another match. John may I borrow your bokken?
John slowly gets to his feet and brushes himself off
[John] Yeah go ahead. Don't beat him too badly.
John tosses his bokken to Cerice
[Cerice] Are you ready Alex?
[Alex] Uh... I guess.
[Cerice] One
[Alex] Two
[Both] Three!
Alex charges Cerice. She parries easily and sends a riposte that catches Alex in the side.
[Cerice] Come on Alex, you can do better than that.
Alex bellows a battle cry and charges.
Cut to parents in the car. Argument is going on.
[Adult Female] Why did you even buy that thing for him? All he does is cause trouble.
[Adult Male] We got it for him so he would have a better way to release his aggression.
[Adult Female] See there you go trying to blame it on me again!
Adult Female gives a dirty look to her husband
[Adult Male] Watch the road not me!
Adult female suddenly hits the brakes. Cut to scene back in the fight.
Pain is etched across Alex's face
[Cerice] C'mon Alex give it up.
Alex gives her a dirty look and lunges. Cerice sidesteps and hits Alex in the back.
[Cerice] Alex calm down.
Alex bellows another war cry and charges again. Cerice sidesteps and Alex flies out of the circle into the snow. Stifling a laugh, John and Cerice head over to Alex.
[John] Dude are you ok?
[Cerice] Alex are you ok?
Alex slowly raises his head and gives a thumbs-up.
[Cerice] I suppose this means you've cooled down.
John laughs and Alex scowls
[Alex] Hey John, you mind lending me a hand?
John extends his right arm and grabs Alex's left to help Alex up
[Alex] Let's get out of here.
[Cerice John] Agreed.
The three trudge through the remaining snow and climb up a hill.
Alex's parents arrive in time to see the three walking up the road. Alex's dad is driving.
[Adult Female] Alex! You're in big trouble!
[Alex] Uh-oh. We're in trouble!
[Cerice] We could try to run for it.
[John] Nah, we would have to run up the hill to pass them first.
[Alex] If we dart through this forest though and through the next lot, we could possibly get past them.
[Cerice] Let's try it.
[John] I'll give you guys a head start. I'm just going to go to the car.
John turns and waves to Alex's parents, and Alex and Cerice take off.
[Adult Female] Alex!!
Adult Male just laughs.
[Adult Female] John get in the car fast.
Alex and Cerice emerge from the forest, crossing a driveway, and run through to the neighboring lot.
[Adult Female] There they go. (stops Adult Male from driving) I'm driving!
[Adult Male] Fine! Just don't kill them!
[Adult Female] John hurry up!
Cut to Alex and Cerice running down the road.
[Alex] You think we can actually out run them?
[Cerice] We know the area better than they do, so yeah I think we can outrun them.
They here a noise and look back to see Alex's parent's car bearing down on them.
[Alex] Man she's stubborn today.
[Cerice] Alex jump!
The two jump down by a creek just as the car is about to hit them.
[Cerice] Why's your mom trying to kill us?!
[Alex] She's not, she's just a horrible driver.
Screeching brakes can be heard.
[Alex] Well, should we just give in?
[Cerice] No way. We're going to make it to town first.
[Alex] Are you crazy?! We can't out run my mom.
[Cerice] We'll simply trick her. When we go down Baulesh we'll head towards Smith Ln. and then run through the trees to head towards Perry instead.
Alex grins
[Alex] The ol'roundabout trick. Let's do it.
Alex and Cerice dart through the next yard and start heading down the street. The car comes up behind them with Alex's mom yelling but t Alex and Cerice don't even hear her. They pass Hess just as a car is coming out. This slows Alex's parents down.
Alex and Cerice make it to the y in the road and head towards Smith Ln. Alex's parents catch one glimpse and follow. Alex and Cerice go through the woods to the other side of the y and start jogging around the bend. A friend of theirs is there for some odd reason and offers to give them a ride.
Cut to parent's car.
[Adult Female] Where'd they go?
[Adult Male] Well I'm guessing they tricked us by running through the forest to go down to Perry. After all you did almost run them over.
Adult female grunts and swerves.
[Adult Male] Stop the car!
Adult Female hits the brakes hard sending John into the seat in front of him.
[Adult Female] Why'd you have me stop?
[Adult Male] Get out of the car! You should never have gotten your license!
Adult Female reluctantly gets out of the car clearly taken aback by her husband's words.
Adult Male gets in the driver's seat. Adult Female gets in the passenger seat a second later.
[Adult Male] Ok, we're going to take John home and then we are just going to go home.
[Adult Female] But what about Alex?!
[Adult Male] We'll deal with him when he gets back to the house.
Show car taking off.
Cut to Alex and Cerice in the town of Rye.
[Cerice] See, we did alright.
[Alex] Yeah, but only because James was there to pull our butts out of the fire.
[Cerice] Hey be happy about the results, and don't complain about the means. Oh, by the way, you owe me a soda.
[Alex] What?!
[Cerice] Well after that exhausting fight, run, and almost getting hit by your mom, it's the least you could do.
Alex glares at her but agrees.
Alex and Cerice walk into T.R.'s, and Cerice picks up an Ice tea.
[Alex] I thought you said soda.
[Cerice] Tea's better for you and besides this brand is basically soda. You still are going to buy it aren't you?
[Alex] Yeah I'm going to buy it for you. (In a somewhat angry tone as he pulls his wallet out.)
[Cashier] Will that be all for you?
[Cerice] Yes ma'am.
[Cashier] Your total will be $1.29.
[Alex] Cerice do you have twenty-nine cents?
[Cerice] You're not pulling that one on me this time Alex!
[Alex] Ok, ok, I'll pay the full thing, but you'll owe me.
[Cerice] Owe you?! You still owe me twenty bucks!
[Alex] Fine! I'll pay for it! (Pulls out exact change)
Alex and Cerice walk out each with a scowl on their face. Then Cerice starts laughing.
[Alex] What's so funny?
[Cerice] (Still laughing) We almost got ran down by your parents and all we can do is bicker about a few money issues?
Alex starts to grin and then to laugh as well. Laughing they continue down the street.
Evening
Alex returns home to find most of his stuff out on the front lawn. There is also a note.
Alex reads it then reads it again out loud.
[Alex] Dear Alex, We have decided that it is no longer in our best interest to keep you at home. Until you learn how to behave you will have to rely on your own skills. We have also enclosed a little bit of money. If you run out before your attitude changes, then you are on your own or at the whim of your friends. We do this because we love you, but more importantly to make you into a better person. We love you, your parents.

For a while all Alex can do is stare and reread it and then look around to confirm the whole thing. Alex fights back tears and anger. Alex goes to the door and finds it locked and the lock changed. Alex slowly realizes to his horror that he has been in truth abandoned. Tears slowly drip off his face as he gathers his stuff into bags and heads off with one place in mind.

Inside the house Alex's mother is crying by the door. Alex's father turns to her with a grim face.
[Adult Male] This is for the best. We've taught him many skills he needs, but right now he needs to learn how to survive on his own. After all this is for his own good.
[Adult Female] Yeah, but did we have to call Cerice's grandma? Did we really have to tell her not to help?
[Adult Male] Yes we did. It's for the best even if it is hard on all of us.
The mother starts crying again and even a tear escapes the father as he slowly turns back to the door.

Later that night
Alex is walking along the street seeing families gathered around a table and eating. Alex sees a kid and his father laughing and slowly burst into tears that he gets rid of with anger. Alex walks by Jame's house. Jame's is at work so Alex sighs and turns around. The only other refuge he can think of is where he was having sword practice.
Dawn Next Day
Alex arrives at an area in the forest and goes to a tree that has a trench underneath it. Here he starts to set out his meager bag of belongings. He also pulls out some of the food he had hidden in the trench and eats a small snack before falling asleep.

Morning of that day
Cerice goes out to eat breakfast, and finds her grandmother waiting for her.
[Grandma] Cerice I have something to tell you. You might want to sit down.
Cerice is clearly worried but for the moment doesn't ask any questions.
[Grandma] Alex's parents threw him out last night.
[Cerice] What!!!!!!
[Grandma] Calm down, we are not to allow him to stay here. We can feed him occasionally, but he is not to stay here.
[Cerice] Why Grandma? Why?
[Grandma] Alex's parents are trying to teach him a lesson. They gave him some money and threw some of his clothes and belongings out in the yard. He will only be without a home for a week, two weeks tops. During that time you now have a curfew set for eight P.M. If you do not arrive at that time I am to call the cops.
[Cerice] Alex's parents told you to put that curfew on me?!
[Grandma] Yes and no. They asked me to give you a curfew, but told me to decide on the time. They also told me to call the cops on Alex if you weren't home by that time.
Cerice stares at her grandma fighting conflicting emotions of sadness and anger. Feeling the onslaught of tears, Cerice runs to her room and waits until the door is shut to break down. Soon after her crying starts to subside and then she looks at her wall where she has a picture of him hanging. She slowly starts crying again and sinks to the floor. The only thing she can think is why? Soon she starts to vocalize that over and over again.
Cuts to scene midday in forest
Alex is just starting to wake up, tossing and turning; he slowly raises his head and shakes it as if to get rid of the remains of a bad dream. Slowly he looks at his surroundings and realizes it wasn't a dream. He drops his head into his hands.
[Alex] How could they do this to me?! How could they abandon me?! What am I supposed to do?! How am I supposed to survive?! How... (Cut off by his sobbing.) Mom, Dad, why'd you do this?
Cut to scene Cerice's house
Cerice is now dressed and has regained her usual spunk. She thought of a plan that goes completely against everything she was ever told. She has packed up some of her belongings which are in a bag at her feet. Cerice picks up the note she has written and tapes it to her door. Then, first making sure her grandma is taking her nap; Cerice grabs her bag of belongings and sneaks out. As the door closes her grandma opens her eyes, and smiles.
Cerice outside of her house
Cerice takes one last look at her house, and sheds a tear as she sets her face. Her mind is made up, she is going to find Alex.
[Cerice] I'm sorry grandma, but I have to do this. Goodbye for now. (says while fighting off tears)
Cerice wipes the tears from her eyes and sets off.
Cut to Alex in the forest
[Alex] Well if I'm to survive here, I'll have to make that a better place to live.
Alex steps out of his little trench and starts collecting branches. After collecting one armload, he goes back and starts fashioning the bottoms into stakes. After doing several he stakes them in around the trench.
[Alex] Suddenly I'm glad I used to watch survivor. (said in a whimsical tone)
[Alex] Now that I have those in place, I'll have to find some thin branches to weave together. This is going to take a while.
Alex sighs and sets out in search of branches. (Exits to the left)
Cerice enters from the right
[Cerice] I wonder where he is, I thought for sure he'd be here.
She thinks for a moment and then notices the stakes.
[Cerice] Oh! I see he's working on building a shelter. (she laughs at the crooked lines made with the stakes) Wow, he's really bad at this. Well I guess I'll do my part too!
Cerice cheerfully starts straightening up Alex's lines of stakes and is in the process of putting down some small branches of pine as a carpeting when Alex returns.
[Alex] Cerice! What are you doing here?!
[Cerice] Is that anyway to talk to someone who came all the way out here to help you? (Cerice is smiling as she says this)
[Alex] (slightly taken aback) I'm sorry, I'm just happy to see you, but why are you out here?
[Cerice] I couldn't just let you stay out here alone. You wouldn't be able to survive.
Alex flushes a little, and Cerice starts to laugh.
[Cerice] C'mon Alex, we have a lot of work to do if we want to get this place livable by night fall.
[Alex] Right,
Under Cerice's orders, the two start out and work on gathering materials for their respective tasks.
Dusk
Cerice and Alex stand outside of their newly built home. What started out as a trench is now a round hut that uses the branches of the tree that it is under as a rooftop. The walls are woven pine branches and bark that make a protective shell against the elements. Both smile at their work.
[Alex] After you madam. (Alex bows slightly as he says this)
[Cerice] Why thank you. (Feigns shock and ladylike mannerisms)
Cerice pushes back a section of branches that makes up the door and goes in. Alex follows shortly after, to be met by Cerice at the door.
[Alex] What's wrong Cer....
[Cerice] Welcome home!
Alex stares at her and then at the inside of the home they just built together. A lump forms in his throat. Cerice sees this and looks concerned and is starts to console him.
Before she can say a word
[Alex] It's good to be home. (so saying he smiles at her)
[Cerice] In that case, I'll start making dinner.
Alex looks dumbfounded and just stares at her as she pulls out a pot, propane stove, and a can of soup.
[Alex] You sure did come prepared.
[Cerice] Of course, you're never prepared, so I have to be prepared for you. Just remember, we can't use this stove that often, and I don't have enough food to last long.
[Alex] Ok, well I've got the food part covered, I've been saving up money in my bank account, so I'll be able to get food. As for cooking it, we'll just have to start cooking over a fire.
[Cerice] What about water? (Cerice is really interested at finding out what resources the two have)
[Alex] You know as well as I do that there is a creek just down the street from here, and there is a fresh water runoff that goes into the pond. Also, there are a few apple trees near here.
Cerice looks bewildered
[Cerice] How do apples help with water?!
Alex starts laughing
[Alex] They don't, I just thought I would tell you about another food we have around here. I'll also add that there are wild plums and onions out here as well.
Cerice stares at Alex, clearly shocked. Alex laughs once again.
[Alex] Surprised I know so much about what's around here?
[Cerice] Actually I am. You usually don't know much of anything.
Alex is clearly irritated, but laughs anyway.
[Alex] By the way, I think the soup is starting to burn.
Cerice screams and turns to the soup, sure enough it had started to burn and stick to the pot.
[Cerice] Oh no! This is all your fault Alex!
[Alex] How's it my fault?!
[Cerice] You distracted me!
[Alex] It's really not that big a deal, and I really don't want to fight with you tonight Cerice.
Cerice is really taken aback by Alex's reaction, usually he would have fought with her without a second thought. Turning away, with a sad expression on her face, Cerice grabs two bowls and two spoons. After filling the first bowl, she passes it to Alex. Alex takes it, but doesn't start eating. There is a vacant look in his eyes. Cerice stops what she is doing and stares at him.
[Cerice] What's wrong Alex? ( said in a clearly worried tone of voice)
Alex snaps back to life as she says so, and looks at her before smiling.
[Alex] I'm just waiting for you to get a bowl yourself.
Cerice gives him one more look before flushing and getting a bowl for herself. Alex is smiling the entire time, though if you were to look into his eyes, the smile could not be seen there.
[Alex] Hurry up Cerice, I'm hungry!
Cerice smiles, seeing that Alex has returned to normal.
[Cerice] You didn't have to wait for me. (she says jokingly while she sticks her tongue out at Alex)He's back, Alex is back. (thought, not truly said)
Alex sees Cerice smiling at him, but it's not the same as usual, it makes him feel happy.
Embarrassed he turns around and starts eating.
[Alex] Even if it is somewhat burnt, it's still really good Cerice.
Cerice looks a little mad at first, then starts laughing.
Alex is still smiling, but her gives Cerice a funny look.
[Cerice] Alex that's great, you insulted my cooking and complimented it in one go. Since it is your fault that it burnt though, you get to wash the dishes.
[Alex] Why do I have to wash them?! You're the one that cooked!
[Cerice] There are two simple reasons for that, first, I came up here to help you, second because I'm tired. You don't want to make a tired girl work do you Alex? (pouts as she says this last part)
[Alex] Oh! Alright I'll do them! Just don't give me that face again.
Cerice smiles happily as Alex takes the two bowls, spoons, and the pot, and leaves the new home. Shortly after Alex leaves, Cerice takes out a notebook and writes something on a page. Afterwards she puts the notebook away, pulls a blanket out of her pack and goes to sleep.
30 minutes later
[Alex] What a drag! I mean does she have any idea how cold that water is at this time of night? Well I guess I should just be grateful that she's here.
Alex comes out of the trees on the left and ends up in front of his trench home.
[Alex] This place is kind of hard to find when it's dark. Hey Cerice...
Alex starts to talk as he enters, but notices that Cerice is asleep. A gentle smile appears on his face as he stares at the peaceful sleeping face of Cerice. Alex carefully tiptoes and past Cerice and puts the pot, bowls, and spoons away. He takes one more look at Cerice and then tiptoes out of the trench home.
[Alex] I'm glad she's here. For some reason I always feel calm when she's around. I wonder why. I mean I've known her for a long time, but I don't know why I'm this peaceful around her. What is this feeling, seeing her peaceful face made me feel funny. I was happy to see it, but why? What are these feelings? I like it, but I don't know what's going on anymore. So much has happened, my parents threw me out, and when I was finally settling into my new little home, granted I still had to build it, she showed up.
She seems happy to be here though, I don't know why. I want to keep her happy, so what am I supposed to do?! I know, I'll give her something, but what? (thoughts)
Alex starts searching around for something to give Cerice. He keeps pondering as he searches. After searching for about an hour, he comes upon this field of wild flowers.
[Alex] Wow! It's beautiful! (start of thought)I know, I'll pick her a couple dozen flowers and put it next to her bed. That should make her happy.(end of thought)
Alex slowly walks around picking several flowers and smelling them. After about ten minutes he decides on three different types of flowers and picks several of each. Then he starts heading back to the trench home, a smile on his face.
30 Minutes Later
[Alex] Man this place is hard to find.
Alex finally makes it back to the trench home, and quietly goes inside. Seeing Cerice's sleeping face again, he can't help but smile. On tiptoe Alex walks over and places the flowers next to Cerice. No longer to resist, he also kisses her lightly on the cheek.
[Alex] Sleep well Cerice.
Alex finds the blanket that Cerice put out for him and quickly falls asleep.
Next Morning
Cerice slowly wakes up. She blinks her eyes and rubs them a few times, then notices the flowers that Alex left for her. At first she looks shocked, and then a soft look takes over her face, and she smiles as she looks at Alex's sleeping form. Cerice carefully crawls over to Alex and kisses him on the cheek.
[Cerice] Thank you Alex. (whispered)
Cerice then goes out of the trench house, a smile still on her face.
30 Minutes later
Alex awakes slowly rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Slowly he starts looking around the trench house, and a lump forms in his throat.
[Alex] so all of it is real? Well if that's real...(thought)
Alex starts looking for Cerice, but doesn't see her anywhere in the trench house. Alex starts to panic.
[Alex] Not her as well. (thought)
Just as Alex is getting ready to go look for Cerice, she enters the trench house. Her hair is wet showing signs that she just washed it. Cerice smiles as she sees Alex.
[Cerice] Good morning Alex.
Alex stares in wonder for a second, while Cerice goes and grabs a towel to dry her hair.
[Alex] she's still here, she's here with me.(thought)
As Cerice is drying her hair, Alex comes up behind her and gives her a hug. Cerice is shocked.
[Cerice] Alex...
[Alex] I thought you were gone. I'm so happy that you're still here.
Alex is choked up as he says this. Cerice puts drops the towel and turns around to stare at Alex.
[Cerice] I won't leave you Alex, I'll always be here with you.
Still sobbing, Alex embraces Cerice tighter. She wraps her arms around him too, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Alex nestles his head in Cerice's chest.
[Cerice] (thought) I've never seen him this way, but what is this feeling, this longing. I just want to hold him. (end thought) Alex.. (said in a soft voice.)
Alex looks up upon hearing his name, there are still tears in his eyes, but he smiles as he sees Cerice's face, mirroring his own so well. Cerice starts to speak again but is cut off by Alex bringing his lips to hers.
[Cerice] mhm ngh...
Cerice's eyes open wide as she tries to say something, but slowly, she closes her eyes and relaxes. Their kiss grows more passionate, and when it finally ends, both are panting and flushed. Both are too embarrassed to speak at first, just staring shyly back and forth from the ground and the each other. The silence lasts for just a moment longer.
[Both] I love you!
Both open their eyes in shock, and flush even more. Neither of them know what to do, they are shyly looking towards each other and then away. Alex is clenching and unclenching his fists, and Cerice is fiddling with the hem of her shirt. Suddenly Alex breaks out in a giant grin and starts to laugh. Cerice looks at Alex, an angry expression on her face, but slowly she starts to grin and laugh as well. Slowly their laughing subsides, and Alex stares deeply into Cerice's eyes. Cerice looks away, her face flushing. Alex gently turns her head back towards him and rubs her cheek. A smile is showing on her lips as she brings her hand up to cup is. (scene ends as they stare into each other's eyes.)

(Scene opens up in darkness with a ringing school bell)
[Narration/Alex] Two years have passed since that time. Cerice and I spent two weeks out at that trench, and have never regretted it. (Alex is puts his books in his backpack and gets up, a smile on his face as he heads for the classroom door.)We discovered each other there. As for what happened next, (shows a scene of Alex's parents getting arrested) my parents got arrested for abandonment, and were later released upon my request and an explanation that it was just a lesson. Slowly my parents and I have grown closer, but there is still a lot of damage to be repaired.( Alex and his parents are sitting around a table smiling and talking while eating.) School has resumed, and Cerice and myself will be graduating in a month. (Shows back at the school, Cerice is leaning against a wall across from the classroom Alex is coming out of. Alex breaks into a giant grin upon seeing her. Alex walks over to Cerice and gives her a soft kiss on the lips)
[Cerice] What took you so long? (Cerice is grinning and says it in a playful tone)
[Alex] Sorry, I had to ask a question.
[Cerice] Ok, I'll forgive you this time. (she laughs as she grabs Alex's hand)
(Alex and Cerice start walking down the hall hand in hand, they are talking and laughing)
[Narration/Alex] Cerice and I are still going strong. Since that time, we haven't wanted to be apart. We've both been accepted to Brown University and will be heading there in the fall. We intend to stay together, and after we finish our schooling, we intend to get married.
(Alex and Cerice walk out the front door of the school, still talking. They walk over to a vehicle and get in, Alex on the driver's side.)
[Alex] You ready for this Cerice? (hand on the wheel, keys in the ignition, Alex turns to look at Cerice, a serious look on his face.)
[Cerice] Of course. (she returns Alex's look.)
Both start to grin and laugh as Alex turns the key and backs out. Alex drives out of the school parking lot.
[Narration/Alex]Today we're going up to the place we called home for two weeks, and even though the branches are dry and brittle now, and the leaves and pine needles that formed the floor have disappeared, we still love it. To others that look upon it, it is a dirty little trench, to us it will always be known as freistätte für das verlassene , sanctuary for the abandoned.