A Night Alone

Synopsis : Athirah was left alone at home when her mother had to cover for a night shift. It was her first night alone in their new house. As she was trying to study for a test, she was disturbed by noises that echoed throughout the house. Will she survive a night alone at home?

Main Character profile (Athirah) : Very introverted, contemplative and sullen. A 16-year-old female student with lack of self-confidence. Determined to study hard to escape poverty and get a better life in the future.


ACT 1

Scene 1

INT Athirah's HDB Flat LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Athirah arrived home after a long day at school. She walks to the living room sofa and sits down. It was cluttered with items. She glances at them and moved a book out of the way. She grabbed the mini fan, plug it in and switches it on. (Sigh of relief)

EFFECT TO

A message popped on her phone screen.

Mom :
Hey. I will not be coming home tonight.

Sarah was feeling sick and took an MC.

I am covering for her tonight.

Food is in the microwave. Heat it up and eat dinner.

Don't stay up too late.


Athirah :
Ok

Scene 2 :

INT Athirah's HDB Flat LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 1

Athirah was busy staring at her laptop. Occasionally she typed on her laptop before pausing again. Suddenly, she looked up from her laptop. She had felt something brush past her. She turned around to observe her surroundings. Finally, she went back to typing again. (Sighing and shaking her head)

Suddenly something moved past her vision. She looked up and heard something hissing. She whipped her head to find the source of the sound but couldn't see anything. Her hair stood on its end. (rubbing her arms)



Scene 3

INT Athirah's HDB Flat KITCHEN - NIGHT

She walked to the kitchen and switched on the light. She walked up to sink and grab a cup before filling it up with water. Taking a swig out the cup, she throws the rest into the sink.

As she was turning back to the living room, the light went off. She froze. She felt fingers touching her all over. A drop of sweat slid down her forehead. Her white eyes became large and her breathing became heavier.

Athirah :
Don’t be an idiot! There’s nothing here… There’s nothing...There’s nothing to be afraid of (mumbling to herself for reassurance)



Scene 4


INT Athirah's HDB Flat LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 2

Athirah stepped silently back into the living room.

Athirah :
It must be a power outage. Let me get to the DB box.
She grabbed a mini chair stool and started climbing. She still had to tiptoe to reach the DB box. As she strained her reach, she heard whispering noises near her ears. Focusing her effort, she finally managed to switch on the DB light. Suddenly light flooded the kitchen. She sighed with relief. As she was getting off the chair, her heartbeat irregularly.

Athirah :
What a fright I have had tonight. Mom will laugh if she heard how scared I was. (shaking her head in absurdity)

Treading her way to the kitchen doorway, she switched off the light and went back to the sofa. She sighed and started typing away on her laptop again.


Scene 5

INT Athirah's HDB Flat LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 3

Athirah was sleeping. She propped in a seating position and her laptop stood open on her lap. Her eyes twitched once in a while. The air is very humid. Her face was covered in perspiration. Suddenly she woke up with a start. Her throat felt dry and she was still a bit dazed. She glanced to her laptop and realised that she had a new message from an unknown number. She proceeded to click after a few moments of hesitation. A video link popped up and it started playing.

Video playing.

Athirah’s eyes were glued to the computer screen. Her fingers were shaking as she shut all tabs and closed her laptop. She can feel herself losing control. She started trembling in fear. She froze when she the chanting reverberating throughout the house. She started to sob uncontrollably.

Athirah :
Go away!!! Go away!!!

Don't disturb me!!!

Go away!!!






Scene 6

INT Athirah's HDB Flat LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 4

Athirah woke up with a start. The sun was streaming in. Her body ached as she slowly stretched herself.

Athirah :
Is it just a nightmare? Did it really happen? (wiped her face that was wet with perspiration)

Her heart was hammering loudly as she stood up. The house was eerily silent. She crept up to the kitchen. There was nothing amiss. She sighed in relief and turned around before freezing. Her mouth opened into a silent scream. A horrifying figure stood in front of her. Athirah feels backwards. The last thing she remembered was a pool of blood before she took her last breath. Her eyes, however, was still wide open as in total horror.


FADES AWAY