GREENSBORO VALLEY

Characters:

Narrator

Minerva

Marcel

Louie 

Motel employee

Narrator: It’s around this time when the heat was getting suffocating; people were especially anxious for entertainment. A warming sunset kisses our protagonist: a twenty year old girl ripe with joy after committing to a strenuous road trip five hours away to see a long term friend of hers, Marcel.

*we open to them both side-by-side on the carpet of Marcel’s living room*

Minerva: Yea, I’ll be careful. I do this all the time!

Marcel: But… things have been happening in this area… What kind of friend would I be to willingly let you go straight into danger?!

Minerva: What do you mean ‘things have been happening?’

Marcel: I don’t read the news often, but I heard stories going around that women have been getting kidnapped late at night—sometimes in broad daylight!

Minerva: If it makes you feel better, you can just come with me to get gas. Plus, you probably just skimmed the news!

Marcel: I’m not making this up! Whatever, let’s just go.

*they both walk to Minerva’s car*

Minerva (opening the driver’s seat door): What would I do if I didn’t have you worrying about me. (she says, chuckling)

(Marcel looks visibly anxious)

Marcel: Jeez, just drive already, and stop antagonizing me for trying to be a good friend.

Minerva: You know, I actually appreciate your help, but I’m not the same fearful little girl I was when we met all those years ago. I don’t need you to protect me anymore, really.

(they begin to drive)

Minerva (inner): Marcel’s mother was really close to our family especially my mom since they were our neighbors. So, naturally we grew up close. I think Marcel grew fond of my niceness. But we were inseparable, almost like brother and sister. However, on Marcel’s 13th birthday, his dad accepted a hefty promotion that required him to relocate five hours away to the illustrious city of Greensboro 

*The couple arrive at the gas station*

Minerva (unbuckling her seat belt): I’ll be right back!

*Marcel grabs her by her wrist*

Marcel: What would be the point of me coming with you all this way if I let you go in there alone?

*Minerva sighs playfully* 

Minerva: Alright, let’s go. But, you’re buying me a coffee.

*As they enter, Minerva grimaces*

Minerva *thinking*: Something doesn’t feel right here…

*Marcel searches for their drinks. As he pours a drink, a man with curly hair and a chipped name tag reading Louis does the same* 

Louis: You two going somewhere this late at night?

Marcel (inner): I’m getting a bad vibe off this guy… but I’ll be nice anyway.

Marcel: Just taking her home; nothing much.

Louis *squinting*: Do I know you from somewhere—

*Their small talk is interrupted by Minerva calling him over to the door as she had finished paying for gas*

Marcel: Sorry sir, gotta go. Have a nice night!

 Minerva: You know that guy or something?

Marcel: …Look, I’m getting a weird vibe. What if I just go with you and get a ride back home tomorrow?

*Minerva pauses to think while refilling the gas*

Minerva: I guess it’s fine. That’ll show you that you have nothing to worry about.

*They begin to drive again. About an hour later, the car begins to stutter* 

Minerva (tapping Marcel): Hey, do you hear that?

Marcel: Yea, but, do you see that?

*Marcel points to some logs blocking the road*

Minerva: Crap… Wanna go out and move them while I see what’s up with the car?

*Marcel does as he’s asked and Minerva inspects the car. After they finish their respective tasks, the car refuses to turn back on*

Marcel: Aren’t you glad I came with you? Now what are we going to do?

*Conveniently, a white pickup truck stops behind them. Marcel knows he’s seen it somewhere*

Louis: Doesn’t look like you’re taking her anywhere.

Marcel: Very funny. Can you help us? I’ll pay if needed.

Louis: Being a Good Samaritan doesn’t charge. I can’t take you far, but I have a buddy who runs a motel. You good with spending the night there? 

Minerva: Anything works at this point. Thank you so much!

*They arrive at the city’s outskirts to a nondescript motel. Our protagonists stand outside waiting on Louis, who is inside talking to the motel owner*

Louis (walking out): Alright, thanks man! *He directs his attention to Minerva and Marcel* You kids be safe, alright?

Minerva: You too, sir. Thanks again…

*Louis looks at Marcel for a minute before heading off to his pickup truck*

Motel owner: Hey, Louis told me about what happened. I can call someone to fix it up for you tomorrow morning. Here are your keys. Try not to lose ‘em or else…

Marcel: Oh… * he says as he reaches for his key*

Minerva: Is something wrong?

Marcel: No, I guess it makes sense… I just kinda didn’t expect us to have separate rooms…

Minerva *chuckling*: Stop being weird. If it makes you feel better they’re right next to each other.

*They settle in their respective rooms. Marcel stays up scrolling on his phone while Minerva lays down to rest. The last thing she sees is a good night text from Marcel, which replies to. After tossing and turning for what seems like hours, she wakes up to her phone screen reading that two hours have passed.*

Minerva (inner voice): I just can’t shake the feeling that I'm being watched…

*Minerva walks to the bathroom where she splashes her face with water. As she walks back to her bed, a dark silhouette is seen outside her singular window*

Minerva (visibly concerned): Marcel, is that you?

*She opens the door to nothing standing at the window. A few feet away in her peripheral, she spots a vending machine.*

Minerva: Bingo!

*Minerva walks to the machine, still unable to shake the feeling that she’s being followed. She presses the corresponding buttons after inserting a dollar. A canned coffee dispenses out of the machine. She immediately chugs it all.*

Minerva (inner): If i wasn’t so thirsty, I wouldn’t have had it at all… gross.

*Minerva notices a familiar figure walking up to her*

Marcel: You can’t sleep either? 

Minerva: Yep… I felt like I was being watched so I got a coffee, but this stuff tastes funny…

Marcel: Thanks for telling me. I was going to get one too. Now I know it sucks.

*Minerva feels dizzy all of a sudden*

Marcel: What’s wrong?

Minerva: …I think I should go lay back down. Can you walk me back to my room?

*Minerva stumbles back to her room. The only think keeping her from falling is Marcel’s iron grip on her body. They arrive at her room, and Marcel opens the door*

Minerva (inner): Didn’t I lock that? How’d he open it…?

*Marcel lays Minerva down on the bed*

Marcel: Wait here, okay… I’m going back to get you some water.

*Marcel exits the room. Minerva hears an audible click and then a thud*

Minerva (inner): What was that?

*Minerva’s vision is cloudy. She uses all her energy to look out of the window. A figure she can’t make out stands a few feet away from Marcel. She doesn’t need her full vision to tell that he’s in trouble. Minerva side steps to the door… she tugs on it with all her might… It’s locked from the other side. She turns to the bedside table*

Minerva (inner): The key! Where is it? Did Marcel take it? 

*She hears another thud outside the window. Marcel had collapsed in front of the machine. And then, there are three distinct knocks at her door*

Minerva (screaming): What do you want! Leave us alone!

???: I only want to help you… but, you have to open the door first.

*The knocks at the door began to pound consistently accompanied by the turning of the doorknob. Minerva hides inside the closet. It’s the only thing she could think of. The door slams open and…*

Minerva: Oh, it’s yo—

*Minerva cuts herself off at the sight of the man before her*

Marcel: What are you doing? I told you to stay in bed.

Minerva: But, I saw you… get attacked…

*Marcel takes a couple steps forward, showcasing a pocket knife he had in his hand. Minerva is cornered, or so she thought…*

Louis: Freeze! Hold it right there!

*Marcel turns on his heel and lunges forward at Louis. After a bit of struggling, Louis restrains his hands*

Minerva: Wait! What’s going on?! You’re a cop?!

*Louis stuffs Marcel in the police car parked outside the door*

Louis: …The recent kidnappings, we traced them to Marcel. Sorry, I couldn’t tell you earlier but, I stayed undercover so I could catch him in the act.

Minerva: But… Marcel, why?

Marcel: I just couldn’t stand it… I tried liking someone… anyone else. But none of them were you so I did the only thing I could. I waited my entire life for you but, you never loved me back.

THE END