CHAPTER 1:

 

A Butterfly in the Ashes

INT. A TRAIN-EARLY AFTERNOON

 

(The train is gliding over the tracks, making its way through the beauty of the Japanese countryside. A fifteen year old girl is sitting inside the train, by herself, staring out the window. Her hands are resting on her lap and her face is expressionless. She has dark brown hair tied into two pigtails that sit on her shoulders. Her eyes are sitting behind a thin pair of glasses and she is wearing a pink and black skirt and a white t-shirt. From her stiff posture, she appears to be quite proper. This is quite the contrast from her carefree attire.)

EXT. THE TRAIN-AFTERNOON

 

(The train comes to a halt and the passengers exit through the sliding doors. The girl slowly steps off the train, carrying two big bags of luggage. She begins walking away from the train, clearly having no trouble carrying the suitcases, despite her short stature and feeble appearance. Many people walk by her, tending to their own business, but one elderly gentleman stops and walks over to her.)

Man: Do you need some help with that, sweetheart?

 

(The girl stops and looks at the man, a bit surprised.)

Girl: …Uh, No thank you.

 

Man: Are you sure? That looks like quite a load; you’re not carrying it too far are you?

 

(The girl slowly shakes her head from side to side.)

Man: Alright… if you say so.

 

(The man walks off, leaving the girl to her business. She continues walking through the train station, taking in her surroundings. She exits the station and sees a middle-aged man standing directly outside. He has jet black hair and a thick goatee. He is wearing a black vest over a white shirt and jeans. The man puts a piece of gum in his mouth and then smiles at the young woman. However, she doesn’t exactly smile back. He walks over to her and takes one of her suitcases, giving her a brief hug.)

Man: Marina, it’s good to see you’ve made it safely! How was the train ride over?

 

Marina: Um, okay… I guess.

 

Man: You probably already saw on your way over…

 

(The two make their way over to the man’s car.)

Man: But, Japan is quite different from Brazil.

 

(Marina remains silent, much to the man’s displeasure. He helps her load her luggage into the trunk of his car, before hopping in his car and hitting the road.)

Man: Was there anything you wanted to do, today? Before you start school tomorrow?

 

Marina: …Like what?

 

Man: Well… anything really. We could get something to eat, catch a movie…

 

Marina: A movie?

 

Man: Yeah… you’ve never been to see a movie?

 

(Marina looks out the window, a little nervous.)

Man: Hey, it’s alright. We have plenty of time.

 

INT. THE MAN’S APARTMENT

 

(The two walk into the apartment. Marina immediately takes her shoes off, but the man does not. He smiles at her and then picks up her luggage, leading her down the nearby hallway. Marina follows him into a small bedroom. Inside are a bed, TV, clock dresser, lamp, closet, fan, and carpet. The man walks to the far side of the room and sets the luggage next to the wall. Marina slowly enters the room and looks around.)

Man: This will be your room while you stay here. Do you like it?

 

Marina: Yeah… thank you.

 

Man: So… what do you want for dinner?

 

Marina: What do you mean?

 

Man: What do you want to eat?

 

Marina: …You mean I can pick?

 

Man: Of course? Didn’t your father ever let you pick what you wanted to eat?

 

(Marina ignores the question and continues to look around the room.)

Marina: Anything’s fine…

 

Man: Alright, I’ll get to cooking.

 

INT. THE KITCHEN-EVENING

 

(The man is cooking, while Marina sits at the table. She is reading over some school forms and documents.)

Man: You know… your mother was the one who taught me how to cook, actually. When we were kids, she taught me how to make grilled cheese.

 

(The man begins to laugh, as he stirs the soup on the stove.)

Man: Somehow, I managed to burn down half of our kitchen. Our dad was so pissed.

 

(The man pours the soup into a bowl and walks over to Marina, setting it down in front of her. He walks back and pours himself a bowl.)

Uncle: I think he was actually angrier at the fact that I wanted to cook than the kitchen actually being burnt to a crisp!

 

(Marina remains silent, seemingly distant from her Uncle.)

Uncle: …So what do you like to do for fun?

 

Marina: …I like going for walks.

 

Uncle: Do you want to go for a walk?

 

Marina: Maybe another time. I’m kind of tired.

 

(Marina finishes her soup and then gets up from the table. She puts it in the sink and begins cleaning it. Her uncle quickly gets up and walks toward her.)

Uncle: It’s okay. If you’re tired, you can just head back to bed. I’ll worry about the dishes.

 

(Her uncle puts his hands on her shoulders and smiles, as she slowly walks away.)

INT. MARINA’S BEDROOM-MIDNIGHT

 

(Marina is lying in her bed, fast asleep. She breaks out into a cold sweat and begins tossing and turning in her sleep. She is having awful nightmares filled with murder.)

Voice: Get ahold of yourself, Marina! This is what you will be doing for the rest of your life, so you’d better get used to it!

 

Marina: I’m sorry, I just…

 

(Marina bolts up into a sitting position, wheezing and crying. She wipes the tears off of her face and looks at the clock, seeing that it is nearly 2:00. She leans against the back of her bed and tries to calm her breathing.)

Good.

Yayyy new story !

Interesting.......................I like it!

 

I love this I'm excited to see where the story goes, and find out more about who this girl is. I also like the format you wrote this in; where you list changes in setting, the character's actions, etc. I've thought about doing the same thing before, so it was great seeing done already

I love this I'm excited to see where the story goes, and find out more about who this girl is. I also like the format you wrote this in; where you list changes in setting, the character's actions, etc. I've thought about doing the same thing before, so it was great seeing done already

 

I write this way because I want to become a screenplay writer. It's a fairly natural writing format for me considering how close I was to the format before I even began researching how to format a screenplay. lol Thank you for the read and the comment! If you are interested my signature and profile has a list of links for my other stories. This way while you're waiting for me to post another chapter for this story you can occupy yourself with some of my other ones.

Edited August 29, 201213 yr by Ertyx

Good.

 

Yayyy new story !

 

Interesting.......................I like it!

 

 

 

I love this I'm excited to see where the story goes, and find out more about who this girl is. I also like the format you wrote this in; where you list changes in setting, the character's actions, etc. I've thought about doing the same thing before, so it was great seeing done already

 

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I WILL QUOTE YOUR POSTS TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT ANOTHER CHAPTER. I WILL MAKE STATUS UPDATES, BUT OTHER THAN THAT YOU WILL NEED TO FOLLOW THE TOPIC IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHEN I POST A NEW CHAPTER. JUST CLICK THE FOLLOW BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THE PAGE. THANK YOU FOR READING MY STORY AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CHAPTERS TO COME!

 

CHAPTER 2:

 

 

EXT. TOCHIGI HIGH SCHOOL-MORNING

(Marina’s uncle drives up to the front of the parking lot and stops, letting Marina out of his car. She has changed into her designated school uniform. She looks around at all of the other students, but she doesn’t appear worried like many new students. Instead she appears distant.)

Uncle: I’ll meet you here at 2:45, alright?

 

(Marina turns and nods. Her uncle smiles and softly waves her. He appears a bit nervous of how her first day might turn out. He slowly drives away, as Marina makes her way up the steps leading to the front doors.)

INT. MARINA’S HOMEROOM

 

(Marina is sitting in a seat in the back left corner of the room. She is staring out the window with her left hand supporting her head.)

Teacher: Hello, hello, hello! Are we ready to learn today?

 

(The students stop talking and focus their attention on their teacher. Marina glances at the teacher out of the corner of her eyes and then slowly turns to face the front of the classroom. Her teacher is a fairly young man, average build, short dark hair and a thick goatee. He gets a series of groans from a select few students. He sets his suitcase on his desk and then leans against the front of his desk, chilling before the daily announcements.)

Teacher: Come on, you knew what you were coming here to do, it’s not like this is anything new, so have fun with it!

 

(The teacher smiles at the students, who seem pretty relaxed and happy with their laid back teacher. Marina seems a bit off put, by his outgoing and laid back nature. He looks around at each of the students, smiling all the while. He sees Marina and stands up, to get a better view.)

Teacher: It would seem we have a new student. Can anyone tell me who it is?

 

(The students laugh and turn to face Marina, much to her disdain.)

Teacher: So what’s your name, young lady?

 

(Marina sinks into her chair, ever so slightly she peers around the room at all of the other students. All of their eyes are glued to her.)

Marina: …Marina du Vale.

 

Teacher: That is a beautiful name, Miss du Vale. Where are you from?

 

Marina: …Brazil.

 

Teacher: Hmmm you’ve traveled quite a long way to come to our fine city! So what do you think so far? Is there anything you could tell us about Brazil that’s different from Tokyo?

 

(Marina looks around the room and then looks down at her desk, seemingly avoiding the question.)

Teacher: …No problem, you’ll come around. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be right here. But let me just say that it’s a pleasure to meet you, Marina. I am Mr. Kawadosuki and obviously I am your homeroom teacher. Alright class…

 

(The students take their eyes off Marina and return their attention to Mr. Kawadosuki. That is to say, all except for one male student sitting to Marina’s right. He subtly glances at her out of his peripherals, admiring her natural beauty. The young man has a slender build and curly brown locks nearly covering his eyes. He appears to be a bit awkward and self-conscious.)

Principal: Hello students, this is Principal Hamayo speaking and we have just a few announcements before we begin the day…

 

(Most of the students in the class appear quite bored, barely paying attention to the morning announcements. However, Marina appears to be quite intrigued with listening to every last word the principal has to say. She appears very focused and confident, as opposed to her typically shy demeanor.)

Principal: …and that will conclude today’s morning announcements. Have an excellent day, everyone.

 

(The intercom sounds off and the bell rings, signaling the students to begin making their way to their next class. Marina notices everyone getting up and quickly gets up, hoping not to be left behind. She moves her hand across her desk and accidentally sends her pencil crashing to the ground. She steps back and goes to reach down when she notices the hand of a young man reach down and pick the pencil up. She stands straight up, along with the boy. He gives her a warm and slightly awkward smile and slowly hands her the pencil. He scratches the back of his head, as Marina takes the pencil. She holds the pencil and stares at him for a moment, slowly letting out a quick smile.)

Marina: …Thanks.

 

Boy: Uh… N-no problem… Anytime… you know?

 

(Marina walks past him and exits the classroom. The boy rolls his eyes and then shakes his head, not happy with the way he handled the conversation. Marina walks down the hallway and quickly opens up a folded piece of paper. She walks up the hall and stops looking at Locker 222. She walks up to it and begins to enter in her combination. The boy walks up behind her and goes to tap her shoulder, but he hesitates, trying to think of what to say. He finally gathers up his courage and… BAM! Marina rams her left elbow into the boy’s abdomen, knocking the wind out of him. She turns around and grabs his throat slamming him into the other side of the hallway’s set of lockers. She instinctively presses the pencil that remained in her hand up to his throat, aiming the point at his Adam’s apple. She quickly realizes who he is and she stumbles backwards, as if coming out of a trance. The boy stays pressed up against the locker, hesitant to make any sudden movements. Everyone else in the hallway has stopped what they are doing to watch. Marina looks around and sees that all eyes are on her. She blinks a few times and then lowers her head in the boy’s direction.)

Marina: I’m… sorry!

 

(Marina hurries down the hallway, trying to get some air. She rounds a corner and sees a teacher hurrying toward her.)

Teacher: Principal Hamayo, do have a second?

 

(Marina quickly turns and sees a heavy set, balding man with a few fake gold teeth standing a few feet behind her. The teacher walks up to the principal and they begin to discuss some paperwork the teacher is holding. They turn and make their way down the opposite hallway. Oddly enough… Marina follows them, as if a wolf stalking her prey.)

Ok the first chapter I thought the elderly man was gonna kidnap her and chapter 2 this makes me nervous because I hate being the new student

 

So far this story is getting very intresting Nice work Ertyx

Intriguing...

Ok the first chapter I thought the elderly man was gonna kidnap her and chapter 2 this makes me nervous because I hate being the new student

 

So far this story is getting very intresting Nice work Ertyx

 

lol Nah, he was just trying to be friendly. Yeah, being the new kid sucks pretty hard. Thanks!

 

Intriguing...

 

Thanks!

CHAPTER 3:

 

 

EXT. THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

 

(Principal Hamayo stops outside his office and skims over the packet he has been handed. He shakes his head in disgust and thrusts the forms back to into the hands of his colleague. Hamayo enters his office and slams the door in the teacher’s face, much to his anger. The teacher crumples up the packet and storms off. Marina watches from around the corner, trying not to be seen. She looks around and then slips out from behind the corner, following the wall of lockers to the Principal’s office. She slows down and peers into the office, trying to get a good view of the layout. Hamayo is inside yelling at his secretary. He shakes his head and turns around entering another door, leading to his actual office. Once Marina passes the door, she speeds up and makes her way to the nearby window. She looks behind her and sees a bathroom. Many of the students have left the hallway that she is on and no one is watching her. Marina places her hands on the one window that has been propped open. She pushes it up, opening it further. Marina leans down and opens up her backpack. She pulls out a small device and presses a series of buttons, which causes many of the security cameras within the immediate vicinity to malfunction and shut down. She puts the device back into her backpack and pulls out a group of small firecrackers, while trying to remain cautious in order to not draw any attention. She peels off a small slip of paper on the bottom side of the firecrackers. She leans out the window and places it on the outer wall of the school. The firecrackers stick to the wall with no signs of falling off. Marina pulls a lighter out of her back pack and takes a quick glance around. Even fewer students are in the hallway and none are looking at her. She lights the end of the firecrackers and then quickly makes her way toward the bathroom. On the way she zips up her backpack and slings it over her shoulders. A few seconds after Marina enters the bathroom, the firecrackers launch from the wall straight into the courtyard. Because of class beginning soon there is no one in the courtyard to see such an amazing sight. However, the explosion is quite loud, drawing the attention of any students in the nearby halls. Principal Hamayo’s secretary hurries out of her office and rushes over to the window. Principal Hamayo quickly follows her and is flabbergasted to see such an explosion. He hurries down the hall, trying to get outside to see what has caused the commotion. Marina peers out from the bathroom and then hurries over to the office, slipping past the cracked door. She hurries into Principal Hamayo’s office and looks around. She sees a locked cabinet in the back corner of the room. She hurries over and pulls her backpack off her shoulders. Marina reaches inside and pulls out a decoder and attaches it to the lock. She moves the thumb pieces around, quickly deciphering the code. She unlocks the cabinet and finds a large stash of assorted wine, liquor, and beer. She pulls out each one, individually and opens them up. She pulls a small vial out of her backpack and pours a small drop into each of the already opened bottles. She places each one back into their correct spot and relocks the cabinet. She gathers up the vial and decoder, placing them back in her backpack and then quickly exits the office. She turns and walks down the hall, as if nothing ever happened.)

INT. MARINA’S ART CLASS

 

(The teacher makes her way to the door, but much to her surprise Marina slips in at the last second.)

Teacher: And who might you be?

 

Marina: …Um, Marina du Vale…

 

(Marina looks around, nervously, waiting for everyone to stop staring at her.)

Teacher: Ah, you must be the new student. Try to be on time next time, okay?

 

(Marina nods her head and then makes her way to a table at the back of the room. She sits down across from the boy that she nearly stabbed with a pencil. He smiles at her, but looks away a bit unsure of whether he should be afraid or happy to see her. She smiles back, although still a bit shyly.)

INT. PRINCIPAL HAMAYO’S OFFICE

 

(Hamayo enter his office and quickly sits down. He rubs his face, annoyed with how his day has started.)

Hamayo: Damn kids can’t give me even a moment of peace and quiet…

 

(Hamayo reaches to his liquor cabinet and unlocks it, taking one of the bottles of wine. He pours himself a glass and drinks the smallest drop, just to ease his tension. As he tastes the wine, he slowly desires another taste… and another… and another… until he blows through most of his liquor cabinet. Hamayo leans back in his chair quite happy with himself, giggling like a fool. Until he drifts off… to his alcohol induced death.)

Another good story as per usual ertyx

Another good story as per usual ertyx

 

Thank you. I try. lol

Awesome story so far .

I write this way because I want to become a screenplay writer. It's a fairly natural writing format for me considering how close I was to the format before I even began researching how to format a screenplay. lol Thank you for the read and the comment! If you are interested my signature and profile has a list of links for my other stories. This way while you're waiting for me to post another chapter for this story you can occupy yourself with some of my other ones.

 

That's great I want to do the same thing, so that explains why I made that connection. In the future I'm gonna try writing a project in this format, after seeing it done, and I'll definitely look at those other stories. Thanks for the inspiration, and don't stop the great work

Ooo I like it!

CANT WAIT FOR MOAR

kinda good enough...

kinda good enough...

 

Thanks..... I guess.

Why are you so good at writing!!

 

At first I was like oh no this is sounding a bit like Twilight, but when Marina bet the crap out of that boy I was like: "Yus! Thank you Ertyx."

 

Continue...

Why are you so good at writing!!

 

At first I was like oh no this is sounding a bit like Twilight, but when Marina bet the crap out of that boy I was like: "Yus! Thank you Ertyx."

 

Continue...

 

Well there will be some romance. lol It's just also an action story.

Well there will be some romance. lol It's just also an action story.

 

Oh no. I hope there is more action than romance.

Oh no. I hope there is more action than romance.

 

Eh, probably a nice even mix. lol

CHAPTER 4:

 

INT. MARINA’S ART CLASS-MORNING

 

(Marina is sitting in her seat, staring at the desk in front of her, clearly not paying attention to the teacher’s lecturing. The boy in front of her is resting his chin against his hand, with his elbow planted firmly on his desk. He glances away from the teacher and stares at Marina. Suddenly the class hears the sound of the intercom.)

 

Secretary: …Uh…

 

(The secretary sounds distressed and, quite possibly, on the verge of throwing up.)

 

Secretary: Due to unforeseen… circumstances. School is closed for the rest of the day. Thank you… and have a great day.

 

(The intercom goes off and the class sits there, confused, but only for a moment. The students each stand up and quickly pack up their things, much to the teacher’s annoyance. Marina slowly packs her things, under the gaze of the shy boy across from her. She makes her way to the door. The boy finishes packing his things and slowly follows her out of the classroom.)

 

EXT. TOCHIGI HIGH SCHOOL-MORNING

 

(Marina exits the front doors of the school and passes a group of paramedics who are quickly making their way into the school. She appears unconcerned with them as she makes her way toward the front parking lot. She pulls a cell phone out of her pocket and begins dialing her Uncle’s number. The boy walks past her and looks back, shyly.)

 

Boy: Um… have a good day…

 

(Marina looks at him, confused, as he quickly turns away, blushing. She slowly puts the phone to her ear.)

 

INT. MARINA’S UNCLE’S APARTMENT

 

(Marina is sitting at the table eating a sandwich and reading The Hunger Games. Her Uncle walks in from the other room, holding a notebook.)

 

Uncle: I just got done talking to your school. Sadly… your principal was found in his office… dead. They said it was from alcohol poisoning. It’s sad…

 

(Her Uncle turns away and walks over to the fridge.)

 

Uncle: But what kind of educator gets drunk on the job?

 

(Her uncle sighs as he pulls a can of root beer out of the fridge. Marina continues to read, seemingly unconcerned with her Uncle. Her Uncle walks up to the table and smiles at her.)

 

Uncle: I… uh… got you something today.

 

(Her uncle sits down and places the notebook on the table. She looks up from her book and stares at the notebook, confused.)

 

Uncle: It’s a diary. A lot of girls your age have them.

 

Marina: …What do I do with it?

 

(Her uncle shrugs, sort of at a loss for words.)

 

Uncle: You just write about your day… and how it made you feel?

 

Marina: Why?

 

Uncle: Sometimes it’s just good to get your feelings out.

 

Marina: …Who am I writing it for?

 

Uncle: …You. No one’s gonna read it but you.

 

Marina: …I’m not sure I get it.

 

Uncle: Look… you just write down anything you want to and then you close it up and keep it somewhere safe in your room. Trust me… it’s something that’ll help you deal with adapting to a new life.

 

(Marina glances back down at the notebook and then returns to reading The Hunger Games.)

 

INT. MARINA’S ROOM-AFTERNOON

 

(Marina is sitting at the desk in her room, with her diary opened in front of her. She has a pencil in her hand, but seems fairly confused. She looks at the wall in front of her and spaces out for a moment. She looks back down and puts the tip of the pencil to the paper. She writes “Today’s assassination was a success. Hamayo is dead, although I am unsure of when I will be returning to Brazil. Today made me feel… odd.” Marina sits there for a moment and then closes the notebook. She gets up and lies down on her bed. She takes off her glasses and stares at the ceiling. Suddenly, her phone beeps. She picks it up and reads over a text from a contact known as “Hawk.”)

 

Hawk: You will need to remain in Japan for at least another few weeks. The information as to why is classified. In the mean time, you will be given another assignment. I will text you the details within two hours.

 

(Marina replies to the text with “Understood, father.”)

 

INT. THE HAWK’S OFFICE

 

(The room is filled with drawers and paintings. At the back of the room sits a desk, occupied by an older and distinguished man. The man has long gray hair and no facial hair, with a few defining wrinkles resting on his forehead. He is writing something on a document, clearly focused on the task at hand. A knock is heard at the door.)

 

Hawk: Enter.

 

(A young man with a long brown pony-tail and a goatee enters the room. He is wearing a black cloak, with the hood down. The Hawk looks up and sets his pen down, quite confused.)

 

Hawk: What is it?

 

Young man: The Crow was here.

 

Hawk: What?! What could he have possibly wanted?

 

Young man: I’m not sure. Our men caught glimpse of him in the woods making his way here. They alerted me and I intervened just outside the gates. I held him off for approximately ten minutes, but he eventually fled… like a coward.

 

Hawk: This doesn’t bode well.

 

(The Hawk turns and faces the wall, stroking his chin.)

 

Young man: But father… I faced him and he is clearly not as lethal as they say. He was far from a challenge and I’m sure that if I was to meet him again, I could strike him down with ease.

 

Hawk: You idiot. He clearly wasn’t interested in killing you, otherwise he would have. I know the Crow… and you are no match.

 

(The Hawk stands up and seems quite frustrated. The young man appears choked up at the Hawk’s words.)

 

Young man: But father… I’m positive that I could end him…

 

Hawk: Enough. Contact the Wolf and tell him that the Crow was here. He will tell you what to do.

 

Young man: …What of the Butterfly?

 

Hawk: I have already contacted her and informed her that she will remain in Japan until further notice. I will not allow her to get caught up in this mess. As I’ve said, you are no match for the Crow… and neither is she. Best that she is left where she is.

Edited December 9, 201212 yr by Ertyx

Finally another chapter!! Glad to see you writing again. I loved this chapter, It just keeps getting more interesting. Keep it up ^^

CHAPTER 5:

 

 

 

EXT. MARINA’S UNCLE’S APARTMENT-NIGHT

 

(Marina’s window slides open and she steps up, leaning her head out and taking in the chilling nighttime air. The ground sits five stories below. Marina is wearing a black cloak quite similar to her brother’s. She pulls her hood up over her head, all the while retaining an emotionless look on her face. She plants her feet on the wall outside her window and runs a short distance along the wall, quickly reaching out and grabbing a hold of the drain pipe leading to the ground. She swiftly descends to the ground and hurries away from the apartment.)

 

INT. THE HAWK MANSION KITCHEN-11 YEARS AGO-NOON

 

(A four year old Marina is sitting at the table, happily enjoying a sandwich. Her mother is standing next to the fridge pouring a glass of orange juice. Her mother puts the cap back on the carton and puts it back in the fridge. She picks the glass up and sets it down in front of Marina, whose mouth is filled with ham and cheese.)

 

Marina: Thank you, mommy!

 

Mother: You’re welcome, sweetie, but please don’t talk with your mouth full.

 

(Marina’s mother runs her hand over her daughter’s head, smiling at her warmly. Suddenly, the Hawk, albeit 11 years younger with brown/gray locks, enters the room. He walks up to Marina’s mother and hugs her quickly, before kissing her on the cheek.)

 

Mother: How was your day, honey?

 

Hawk: Fine.

 

(The Hawk brushes his wife aside and walks over to Marina.)

 

Marina: Hey, daddy!

 

Hawk: Hello, sweetie. As soon as you’re finished eating, I need to see you upstairs.

 

Marina: Okay!

 

(The Hawk turns and walks out of the kitchen. His wife watches him leave, seemingly perturbed by his unusual behavior.)

 

INT. THE HAWK’S OFFICE

 

(Marina enters her father’s office and looks around, as she happily makes her way to his desk. The Hawk stands up, giving her a firm and distant look.)

 

Marina: Hi, daddy!

 

(Marina giggles, seemingly a quite happy child. The Hawk makes his way past his desk, past his daughter, and up to the door. He shuts he door and clearly ignores his daughter’s greeting.)

 

Hawk: Marina, we have something I need to discuss. Something I had hoped that I wouldn’t have to speak of with you for another couple years. But it would seem that plans have changed.

 

(Marina stares at her father, quite oblivious to his words. She quickly smiles and begins to giggle a little.)

 

Marina: You’re silly, daddy!

 

Hawk: Enough.

 

(Marina steps back and frowns, quite shocked by her father’s reaction.)

 

Hawk: I need you to listen and listen clearly. But before we continue… you have to make me a promise. This promise is very important, do you understand me?

 

(The Hawk gives a stern glare at his daughter, much to her fright. Marina steps back and looks at the ground, unsure of what to say.)

 

Marina: Um… yes?

 

Hawk: You have to promise me that no matter what happens, you are NEVER to tell your mother about what I am about to tell you. Do I make myself clear?

 

(Marina steps back once more and continues to stare at the ground. Tears begin to form under her eyes. Out of her peripherals she sees her father lean down and step toward her. She glances up and sees his pinky reaching out to her. She looks at him and sees him sigh.)

 

Hawk: Promise me, Marina.

 

(Marina lets out a shy smile and wipes her tears away. She reaches out her hand and wraps her pinky around her father’s pinky.)

 

Hawk: Thank you, Marina. I trust you’ll keep your promise.
 

(Her father picks her up and sets her down on his desk, making it easier to look her in the eyes.)

 

Hawk: You will not be attending elementary school like your mother told you. You will be home-schooled come autumn.

 

Marina: But why…

 

Hawk: Marina… Let me finish. From the moment you were born… your destiny was decided. You were to grow up… to be an assassin.

 

Marina: An assassin?

 

Hawk: An Assassin. You do not yet understand what that means… but you will, in due time. For now you will be home-schooled, under my super-vision. Every day when your mother goes into town, you will be trained in the way of the assassin.

 

EXT. THE HAWK MANSION-1 YEAR LATER

 

(Marina’s mother gets in the family vehicle and reverses out of the driveway, heading into town for the usual shopping trip. Marina, now five years old and considerably more depressed, along with the Hawk exit the front door of the mansion. They make their way around to the back yard and walk out to the center of the massive yard. The Hawk reaches down and puts his hand into the thick blades of grass, seemingly tugging at the ground. He pulls a secret door up, leading to a spiraling stair case. Marina solemnly steps onto the first step and makes her way down, followed by her father. They make their way down the long set of stairs past the many lit torches. Once they reach the bottom of the stairs they enter a massive and open room, filled with training assassins, training dummies, and crates filled with weapons. Shuriken, chain whips, blades, knives, darts, bows and arrows, etc. Marina lets out a subtle sigh as her father and her step further into the room. The Hawk glances down at his daughter.)

 

Hawk: Do not sigh, Marina. Sighing is a sign of emotion and emotion is a sign of weakness.

 

Marina: Yes, father.

 

Hawk: Today you will practice with darts.

 

(Marina walks over to the nearby crate of darts and pulls out a handful, careful not to cut herself. She takes a few steps away from the cart and faces the nearby training dummy. She readies her first three darts, holding them firmly between her fingers. She glares at the dummy, trying her best to keep her focus and block out the distracting assassins training around her. After a moment of concentration, she ships her arm outward and releases the dart, piercing the dummy’s shoulder, stomach, and heart. Marina sees the dart that hit the dummy’s shoulder and quickly becomes nervous. Her father closes his eyes and faces the ground, in disgust. He opens his eyes walks up to Marina, plucks one of the darts out of her hand and lifts up the bottom of her shirt. He slices her hip, leaving a small, but painful cut. Marina buckles down and clutches her side in pain.)

 

Hawk: Next time, don’t miss your mark.

 

(Marina winces as she stands up.)

 

Marina: Yes, father. I apologize for my failure.

 

(Marina focuses her gaze on the dummy once more. The Hawk steps away, giving her some room. He lets out a subtle sigh, although Marina does not hear it. She takes her aim and then releases the next three darts.)

 

EXT. LOCAL ABANDONED WAREHOUSE-PRESENT DAY-EVENING

 

(Marina walks across the empty street and toward the warehouse. She sees the front door fling open and quickly races into the nearby alleyway. Two deadbeats walk away, laughing and yelling, clearly under the influence of some kind of narcotic. Marina peers out from the alleyway and makes her way toward the back of the warehouse.)