FADE IN:

EXT. EMPTY RIVERBANK, SOMEWHERE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

Grey sky, and sounds of a very windy landscape. The CAMERA is at a low angle, looking up toward the sky. The OPENING TITLES begin to FADE IN. An eerie SOUNDTRACK begins to play in the background. (15 seconds)

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“If you have received this letter, then it can be presumed I have died… and with my death comes my failure to protect you. To save you. And for that… I am sorry.”

The horizon is barren and the sun is setting in the distance. The CAMERA notes this with an ESTABLISHING SHOT. (7 seconds)

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“You do not know me, and I have never met you physically. But I know you. I know everything about you.”

CAMERA PANS ninety degrees to the right, revealing a MYSTERIOUS WOMAN, stood in the distance, looking out at the river. (10 seconds)

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“It was necessary to understand why you were next, just as it shall be necessary for you to understand why I came before you…”

The scene CUTS to a WIDE ANGLE SHOT of the MYSTERIOUS WOMAN from behind. CAMERA ZOOMS IN slightly to focus the MYSTERIOUS WOMAN in the frame. (13 seconds)

Her hair is wild and her posture uneasy from the harsh wind.

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“…And why your own successor shall be next, should you fail. It saddens me that this burden will not pass to you, as it was passed to me and the many before us both.”

An EXTREME CLOSE UP shows the letter in the MYSTERIOUS WOMAN’S hand. (8 seconds)

CAMERA is to the side of the MYSTERIOUS WOMAN, in a WIDE SHOT. ZOOMS IN slightly toward her face. (18 seconds)

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“Understand that you are in danger. You and all you hold dear until the day you die and the danger will pass to the next person like you…you must try to succeed where I failed. I will help you

the best I can…”

The MYSTERIOUS WOMAN has a mournful and resigned expression on her face. CAMERA is at a CLOSE UP on the MYSTERIOUS WOMAN’S face. (7 seconds)

NARRATOR (MSYTERIOUS WOMAN):

“…And accordingly, I have left you my research into the burden that will now begin to haunt you.”

An ESTABLISHING SHOT of the river from the MYSTERIOUS WOMAN’S gaze. (12 seconds)

The water is uneasy from the large gales of wind, and dark due to the sun setting.

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“To you this will merely be the ramblings of a departed lunatic. To me, this was everything…”

Slight LOW ANGLE SHOT of MYSTERIOUS WOMAN’S back, showing like a silhouette due to the darkening setting. (5 seconds)

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“And while I cannot help you in any physical form, know that I, and the many before me, will be there to guide you.”

MEDIUM SHOT of MYSTERIOUS WOMAN, before CAMERA ZOOMS IN on her expression. (5 seconds)

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“And in time you will notice us…”

CAMERA ZOOMS OUT to reveal a DARK FIGURE stood behind her. (6 seconds)

NARRATOR (MYSTERIOUS WOMAN):

“In the shadows.”

SCREEN CUTS TO BLACK. FILM TITLE FADES IN.