63. Better Angels - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. PRISON CELL - DAY


• ARIA dances slowly in on the hard concrete floor, bare feet brushing its dusty surface, her arms slowly spinning above her head. Filthy, bloody feathers are scattered across the floor and have piled up in corners.


• She is dressed in loose pants, and a prison shift with the number "3763-9" printed below the collar. Soft down lightly rings her neck.


• Two thick nubs protrude from her back, leaving two bloody lines traveling in a v down the shift.


• Her hair is cropped short, a single, thin, braid hanging from the front of her head and wrapping around her neck.


• The shift's short sleeves reveal her bare arms. Her skin, the color of warm brown sugar is covered with strange, beautiful tattoos. The tattoos are lined in silver, which upon closer reflection are tiny symbols lining the tattoos.


• She sings softly, in a strange language, a hauntingly beautiful song as she spins.


• Two GUARDS watch her from a small viewing window outside the cell.


• Their faces are covered in protective masks and they wear black, rubber gloves.


• INT. PRISON WALKWAY - CONTINUOUS


• OFFICER THOMAS stares through the glass, unable to pull his eyes away from Aria as she dances.


• OFFICER BANA pushes past him and slams his the butt of his baton into the metal door.


• Aria freezes, then kneels on the floor, lacing her hands behind her head.


• INT. PRISON CELL - CONTINUOUS


• Thomas hesitates, but Bana pushes in, pulling her up, and placing thick handcuffs around her arms.


• Thomas helps place her in ankle restraints and they pull her out of the cell.


• INT. PRISON WALKWAY - CONTINUOUS


• She shuffles slowly down the hall, as they stand on either side of her, grasping her arms. Her chains strike the concrete, ringing dully.


• They approach a narrow door at the end of the walkway, sunlight peaking through the door's edges.


• EXT. COURTYARD - DAY


• The GUARD at the door opens it at the sound of a knock on the other side.


• Thomas and Bana pull Aria into the courtyard, all blinking in the bright light.


• A SQUAD of guards stand, faces and hands covered,guns at the ready.


• Thomas and Bana push Aria against the wall.


• She looks at the guards, her eyes a light brown flecked with amber.


• As they turn away, she grabs Bana's hand.


• He spins around, and she reaches up, straining against the shackles, and touches his face.


• He pulls away, and moves quickly back, his eyes softening.


• He and Thomas stand behind the squad as they raise their rifles.


• Aria begins to sing softly, never taking her eyes away from Thomas and Bana.


• Thomas looks sick.


• Bana touches his own face.


• The rifles fire, and Bana blanches; Thomas turns away.


• Aria's EYES blink, slowly, the amber dying.


• She falls, leaving a bloodied stone wall behind her.


• FADE TO BLACK.