Page 1
Close up on Devlon. He looks down with dim eyes and appears to be completely out of it. Emotional numbness has set in. He's wearing all black.
Zooming out shows Devlon standing in the rain. In front of him is a closed casket. Jasmine, also dressed in black, stands next to him.
Devlon: "This is just unreal, right? She was so young."
Jasmine: "Seems like age is nothing but a number to death."
Devlon turns to Jasmine.
Devlon: "I… I don't know what to do. How do we live with this?"
Jasmine: "Just keep on living. Nothing we can do about it now."
Devlon: "What? How can you just say it like that?"
Jasmine stares up at the cloudy, rainy sky. She almost looks like she has a faint smile. Water runs down her cheek.
Jasmine: "Cuz it is what it is. That's the reality. Heh. Kinda funny when you think about it. The reality is, despite my abilities…"
She turns and grabs Devlon by the shirt with both hands, looking down.
Jasmine: "I…I…"
Her hands start shaking, her mouth quivering.
Page 2
Jasmine looks from the ground up to Devlon's eyes. A mixture of tears and rain running down her cheeks, Jasmine's face expresses nothing but pure anguish.
Jasmine: "I COULDN'T SAVE HER! I COULDN'T DO A THING! THAT'S MY REALITY!"
Devlon grabs hold of Jasmine, holding her tightly as she rests her head on his chest. Both of their eyes are tightly shut with tears running. Jasmine openly sobs against Devlon's chest.
Suddenly, a gentle hand reaches out from behind and rubs Devlon's shoulder.
Voice: "Devlon?"
The hand on Devlon's shoulder startles him. The rain stops. And the cloudy day sky turns to night.
Page 3
Devlon turns his head to see Wendy behind him. She looks calm, but worried. Her hand is on his shoulder.
Wendy: "You okay?"
Devlon: "Huh? Yeah. Just needed some air." Looks like I was having flashbacks about her again. How long have I been standing here?
Wendy: "It's going on 10 o'clock. You should eat something."
Devlon looks up at the night sky, then turns to Wendy.
Devlon: "I'm not hungry."
Wendy: "I understand. Just try to get something in your system soon, okay? Let's go check on Iris."
Devlon raises his eyebrows with hope in his eyes.
Devlon: "I thought we couldn't go back in."
Wendy: "Franciscus took care of that."
Devlon: "What? He's here?"
Wendy: "Well, he made a few calls. Forte arrived with Elliot not too long ago, too."
Devlon: "I see. I just don't understand. Why would it be so tricky for us to be in a hospital? We're the same as humans, right?"
Wendy looks down and lets out a soft sigh.
Wendy: "Let's talk inside."
The two walk through the first set of doors of the emergency entrance of a hospital. Jade is there with her arms crossed.
Wendy: "Thanks again for all your help."
Jade: "Of course. No trouble at all."
Page 4
Wendy turns to Devlon.
Wendy: "Before we go in…you wanna talk about what went on? About back then?"
Devlon looks away in the corner of his eyes.
Devlon: "I uh…"
Wendy: "I know about what happened. Jasmine told me."
Wendy tries to follow his eyes to meet his eyes.
Wendy: "About Karla."
Devlon: "..."
Wendy: "Is that why you reacted the way you did? I mean, you almost…"
She pauses for a moment, trying to find words.
Wendy: "It triggered you, right?"
Devlon: "I think so. I'm sorry you had to see that."
Wendy: "Don't be. I felt the same way just moments before. And I also understand."
Wendy places a hand on Devlon's shoulder as she looks him in the eyes.
Wendy: "I lost someone too."
Page 5
Earlier that day. 3:46pm. Setting: Outdoor Mall in Maple City. Chase presses down on Iris's wound while the others surround him.
Chase: "Come on, Iris!"
Close up side view of Iris's face. Her face is still stuck in a shocked expression.
Then, her eyes become more relaxed. From a shocked expression to total absence of mind, Iris lets out a long sigh. Her eyes show no sign of…anything.
Chase: "No NO! Stay with me!"
Devastated, Devlon's breathing accelerates.
Devlon:Those cops. They…
He turns his attention to the cops with disgust and fury. He forms a tight fist.
Devlon: "They did this!"
Page 6
Devlon furiously grips his sword handle while giving the cops a stare of death. Chase continues to hold Iris behind Devlon.
He starts walking towards the cops. Jasmine walks up beside him with an almost emotionless stare.
Jasmine: "I got your back."
Devlon: "Sure, but there's no need. This'll be over in a flash."
The cops, who're about 30 feet away, aim their guns at Devlon, who continues to walk towards them. This time, his sword is drawn.
Cop: "That one's got a weapon!"
Close up on Devlon's angry eye.
Page 7
Before they can get a lock on him, Devlon zips into the crowd of civilians, appearing just a couple feet in front of the cops.
Civilian #1: "W-where'd that guy go? He just vanished."
Civilian #2: "What about that kid? Is she alright?"
Cilivial #3: "It's just an irregular. Why do you care?"
Terrified of Devlon's sudden appearance, the cops raise their guns at him.
Cop #1: "S-stay back!"
With a quick swing of the sword with one hand, the barrels of both guns are cleanly sliced off. The nearby civilians start to back away from the scene, some even putting their phones away.
Cop #2: "Th-the car. We gotta get outta-"
Devlon continues to stare the cops down. Without making any eye contact, he swings his blade downward to the right. The police car next to him is completely split in two.
Cop #2:We…we can't escape!
Page 8
Devlon stands in front of the cops with his blade. The edges of his blade appear to have a black outline forming. The green of his blade is slowly transitioning to a dark purple.
Devlon: "...How could you?"
Off screen voice: "Devlon, STOP! She's alive!"
Devlon quickly turns around. He sees Wendy waving and yelling at him.
Devlon: "What? R-really?"
Wendy: "Forget about them. Iris needs us!"
Devlon: "She's…alive?"
Page 9
Shift to Iris's perspective. She lies on her back, her head resting on Chase's hand. She still looks out of it, as if she's fighting sleep.
Suddenly, her eyes widen as if springing to life.
Iris:Huh?
A little more alert, she looks up at Chase and notices he's supporting her head with one hand. Labored breathing and all, she's exhausted. Though she's still her bubbly self. She calmly raises a shaky hand to Chase's cheek.
Iris: "Wha…what happened? Hey, what's wrong? Why…why are you crying?"
She stops for a moment, having to catch her breath, then gives Chase a cheerful smile.
Iris: "Boys don't cry, silly."
Page 10
Without moving her head, she looks around in confusion.
Iris: "Big bro, why was Wendy yelling? You all okay?"
Chase:She doesn't realize that she's…
Iris's eyes shift to Chase's hand behind her head in a way that suggests she has no idea what's going on.
Iris:Why am I on the ground? "You guys seem upset. Lemme get up and cheer you guys up."
Iris tries to push herself up from the ground. That's when her body jerks. Something's wrong. She feels a sudden jolt of pain.
Iris: "...ow. Ow…
Panel #5: Close up of Iris holding her side as she lay on her back. Eyes tightly shut as she winces in pain, tears begin streaming out of the corners of her eyes.
Iris: "OOOOWWWW!"
Page 11
Chase tries to hold Iris down as she kicks and screams in agony.
Iris: "AAAAHHH!" *sob*
Chase: "Iris, try not to move!"
Jasmine rushes over and kneels down to the sobbing child.
Jasmine: "Let me see!"
Iris: *SOB*
Jasmine: "I don't know if this will hurt or help, but I gotta try and stop this bleeding!"
Jasmine places her hand on Iris's wound. Ice begins to form under her hand where the wound is.
Iris: "IT HURTS! IT HURRRRRTS!" *sob*
Jasmine: "Almost done. You're doing great, kiddo!"
Chase: "You're okay. Here."
Still supporting Iris's head, Chase guides her to face him.
Chase: "Don't look at it. Just look at me. Keep looking at me. I'm with you baby sis!"
Iris: "Uh-huh." *pant*
Page 12
Iris grits her teeth in pain.
Iris: "Nnnnnngh!"
Jasmine: "Almost done."
Chase: "You're doing good, sis."
Her body uncontrollably jerks again, causing the back of her head to escape Chase's hand and hit the ground. Tears continue to run down her face toward her ears.
Iris: "It hurts so baaaa-ad!"
Jasmine: "Done!"
Wendy pulls out her phone, frantically hitting buttons. She's beyond frustrated.
Wendy: "Shoot!"
Devlon: "What's wrong?"
Wendy: "My phone's cracked up! It won't turn on. Probably got broken when I fought the bots!"
Male voice: "Ma'am!"
Wendy turns and sees the man that she rescued. He's holding a phone.
Man: "Please. Use mine."
Wendy: "Thank you so much!"
Page 13
Shifting to Jade's perspective, she's' seen at a distance near the cops. Still in the crowd, she makes a phone call, appearing to be very stressed out.
Jade: "Hey, change of plans. Meet me at the hospital on the west side…UST DO IT!"
Tears swelling up in her eyes, she firmly palms the side of her head and grips her hair.
Jade: "I…may have made a mistake. There was this kid, and... I didn't think the cops would… she's just a little girl…"
She calms down just enough to start making sense.
Jade: "Okay, you're right. Look, I gotta go. Just meet me at the hospital."
Jade waves her hand at Wendy and the others.
Jade: "Over here! Bring her this way and we'll drive her to the hospital! The ambulance won't arrive as fast as I can take you!"
She manages to catch Wendy's attention, though Wendy seems as though she's having trouble processing Iris's injury and Jade's words at the same time.
Jade: "We gotta hurry! You think the paramedics won't express the same fear as these cops! Let's not take that chance and save time!"
Page 14
Back to the gang, Iris tightly grips Chase's hand with both of hers. Chase slowly guides her to sit up.
Jasmine: "You heard her. Let's get you some help. Can you walk?"
Iris: "Ngh! Uh-huh."
Chase: "Easy now."
Jasmine and Chase stand on each side of Iris to help her walk.
Wendy: "Devlon, let's get to the car. We'll drive separately and follow that girl!"
Devlon: "Got it!"
As they rush to the car, the man that Wendy rescued earlier reaches out to them.
Man: "Ma'am! Please keep the phone. You might need it."
Wendy: "Thank you!"
Man: "I… I hope she gets the help she needs."
Wendy nods and heads to the car.
Page 15
Shifting to Jade's perspective, she buckles up in her car. Jasmine and Chase hold on to Iris in the back seat.
Jade: "Hold on. I'll be driving fast, so I can't guarantee a smooth ride."
Jade speeds down the road with Wendy and Devlon tailing behind.
Page 16
Setting: Maple City West Hospital, Emergency Room. 4:22pm. Jasmine's at the front desk speaking to the hospital lady in the ER entrance. Chase and Jade are in the background with Iris, holding her.
Jasmine: "Ma'am, we need help quick! My sister, a little girl. She's been shot!"
Receptionist: "We'll get someone right away!"
They quickly place Iris on a stretcher. Two doctors show up soon after. The doctors, as well as Jasmine, examine Iris's side where the bullet wound is.
Doctor dude: "What's this? Her wound is frozen!"
Jasmine: "I needed to stop the bleeding. But never mind that."
The ice on Iris's wound had already started melting away. The doctors, one male and one female, look amazed. The female is looking at the wound.
Female doctor: "My God!"
The male doctor makes a double take at Jasmine.
Male doctor: "Hey, I recognize you. You were on the news. You're…an irregular!"
Jasmine: "Well, that's outta the pudding. So what?! This child is the priority!"
The male doctor points at Iris.
Male doctor: "Is she one, too?"
Jasmine: "What the heck does it matter?!
Female doctor: "The spot where the ice was is quite red. Though the bleeding has stopped."
Male doctor: "So she used her powers on her?"
Page 17
The male doctor glares at Jasmine, rolling his eyes.
Male doctor: "Next time, leave it to the professionals instead of trying to play doctor."
Jasmine looks angered, biting her lip.
Jasmine:Let it go, Jazz. This is just typical human communication with us. Just let it go… for Iris.
The two docs roll Iris to a separate hall next to a room with a scale and begin helping her off the stretcher.
Jasmine: "Where are you going?"
Female doctor: "We have to weigh her. Now let us do our jobs."
Jasmine: "You good, Iris? Can you stand?"
Iris tries stepping from the stretcher onto the scale, but she collapses, screaming in agony.
Iris: "AAAAH! I can't. I can't!"
Female doctor: "Ugh! Get up! I have to weigh you! Don't you get it?!"
The two doctors look down at Iris in disgust.
Page 18
Jasmine snaps at the two doctors.
Jasmine: "Is this how you treat children?! Don't you have the dignity to at least try to conceal this obvious prejudice?!"
Female doc: "How dare you! I'll have you know I have two ex friends who know someone that have read books about irregulars!"
Iris: "AAAAHH!"
Feeling helpless, Jasmine looks down at Iris.
Jasmine: "Iris! She's shaking!"
Male Doc: "C'mon Karen. Let's take her to the operating room. Ma'am, you can wait outside."
Iris winces, holding her side as they place her back on the stretcher. Eyes tightly shut, she lets out a scream.
Iris: "AAAAHHHH!"
Suddenly, her struggling and screaming come to an abrupt stop. Iris lay still on the stretcher, eyes rolled back.
Page 19
Jasmine freezes in place, unable to process what just happened. Eyes glued to Iris, she tries to make sense of it.
Jasmine: "What…just happened? Why isn't she moving?"
Karen: "Ma'am."
Jasmine: "Is she okay?"
Karen: "Ma'am!"
Jasmine wakes up from her daze in a startle.
Karen: "You can wait outside. We'll take care of things."
Containing her rage, Jasmine can only watch as the doctors roll Iris away.
Jasmine: "Don't worry, kiddo…"
Close up on the stretcher's wheels. A thin streamline of water follows the stretcher.
Jasmine: "You're not alone. I'll make sure they take good care of you."
Page 20
Setting: Waiting room. 5:04pm. Jasmine and the gang are in the waiting room. Wendy and Devlon are also there. They sit in cushioned seats with a small centered coffee table.
Chase: "She's gonna pull through."
Devlon: "Course she is. She's a tough kid. That's why she's at a higher rank."
Wendy: "Regardless of rank, she has limits. I don't think anybody could dodge a bullet like that."
Jasmine closes her eyes.
Jasmine: "Wrong. She could have dodged that bullet easily."
She rests her forehead in her hand.
Jasmine: " But she's a little girl who sees the good in people… even when the good isn't there. She had no idea those monsters would shoot at her."
Not knowing what to say, Wendy just looks down.
Off screen voice: "Excuse me. Are you the family of Iris?"
The gang is approached by some lady in a scrub holding a clipboard. They all stand up, eager to hear some news.
Devlon: "Yes! Is she okay?"
Chase: "Is everything okay?"
Scrub Lady: "I just have a couple questions for you."
The lady pulls out a pen and focuses on her clipboard.
Scrub Lady: "Was this the wound the result of any previous violent activity, like thievery, rioting, or gangs?"
Page 21
Wendy makes a take to the lady, completely flabbergasted.
Wendy:What?
Devlon: "What? No. Why would you think that?"
Staring down the lady with a raised eyebrow, Jasmine folds her arms.
Jasmine: "Oh, I think I have an idea."
Lady: "I just have a few questions. I have to ask everyone the same questions. Now if you'd just cooperate, things will go smoothly."
Wendy: "Okay, but things are going okay with Iris, right? That's our main concern."
Lady: "We'll do what we can. But we're unsure about the pain meds. Is she addicted to anything?"
Chase: "Oh, brother. Not this."
Devlon: "What?"
Page 22
Ignoring all boundaries, Jasmine steps up to the lady's face.
Jasmine: "Okay that's enough you little prick! Nobody's violent or addicted to anything. Just do your job!"
Lady: "Look. You people are at our mercy! So act a little civilized for once."
The lady walks away towards the front desk, handing papers to the receptionist. Without a word, Wendy calmly follows her.
Chase: "Wendy, what're you do-"
Wendy: "Lemme see if I can talk to them."
Wendy stands in front of the front desk lady. She looks up at Wendy.
Front desk lady: "May I help you?"
Wendy: "Yes, as a matter of fact. There's a little girl named Iris who needs your best care back there."
Front desk lady: "Ma'am, I can assure you we're doing everything we can. In the meantime-"
Page 23
Wendy slams her hand on the desk. With the other hand she holds up her badge.
Wendy: "Okay listen. You see this badge? You know what that means?"
Lady: "Um…you're a police officer?"
Wendy: "It means if you don't do what you need to do, I'll make sure you're put behind bars, charged with being a worthless piece of crap, in addition to other crimes. It's my word against yours, you understand?" If she calls my bluff, I might lose this badge for abusing authority.
In the midst of yelling, Wendy's frustration only increases.
Wendy: "Maybe no one else heard her, but I heard what that lady said when she gave you the papers! Irregular or not, you will treat her with care. And you will attempt to reduce her pain in this operation! I hope I've made myself clear!"
With that, Wendy walks back to the others while the receptionist remains speechless.
Page 24
6:10pm. Still in the waiting room, the gang restlessly waits. It's been a long day. They all look pretty tired. This time, Jade is with them.
Devlon: "The fact that we're not hearing anything is killing me."
Jasmine: "No news is better than bad news. I wanna slide in and check on them, but I don't know if it'll make things worse."
Jasmine pops open a bottle of water.
Jasmine: "Speaking of sliding in, keeping this ability active is draining. Can somebody get me another bottle of water? I'm gonna need it."
Wendy: "Active? Since when?"
Jasmine: "I left a trail of H2O leading to Iris's operating room. That way I can go back there if I need to."
Chase gets up.
Chase: "I'll get you some water."
Jasmine: "Gentleman as always. Thanks."
Chase: "No prob. I have a reason to move around, now. Devlon, come with me."
Chase and Devlon take their leave.
Devlon: "Sure. We'll be back."
Jade also gets up.
Jade: "I've gotta make a phone call."
Jade steps away, leaving Jasmine and Wendy alone with each other. Jasmine kicks back in a slouch in an attempt to hide her discomfort.
Page 25
Wendy looks over at Jasmine. She looks down for a moment, then back at Wendy.
Jasmine: "Can't tell what's more awkward; the awkward silence, or the awkward 'I don't know what to say' look on your face."
Wendy looks concerned.
Wendy: "It's okay…it's okay to not be okay, you know."
Jasmine: "What are you on about?"
Wendy: "You look worn out and distressed. Want to talk about it?"
Jasmine: "Not your concern, girlie."
Wendy: "I'm just trying to help. What's your problem with me, anyway?"
Jasmine: "Trying to help? Why, it's not like we're friends."
Wendy: "It…would be easier if we were. Or at least tell me why we couldn't be."
Jasmine: "Sure thing. Wanna know my problem?"
Jasmine sits up and looks Wendy right in the eyes.
Jasmine: "It's your face. That pretty little face of yours."
Page 26
Shift to Jade's perspective. She's outside on the phone, frustrated.
Jade: "Where are you, Stone? I thought you'd be here by now!"
Stone: "There's been a slight change of plans."
Jade: "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Stone: "I had a talk with the boss to let him know we'd be late. I'm held up on my end and you've got a group of exhausted irregulars in one spot. He's on his way." You have the car.
Jade: "What!? He's on his way here? Now?"
Stone: "You're in a hospital full of humans, who probably watched the news, alone. Makes sense. Of course he's going to come for you. It's not safe."
Jade hangs up and lets out a sigh.
Jade: "This night just got ten times longer."
Chapter 23: Part 1 end.