EXT. WOODS – THICKET – DAY
ALICE and DAN (30s) walk through a clearing. Alice leads, one hand cupping her belly, the other clutching her phone.
She glances back at Dan. He bends over, breathless.
ALICE
Come on, Dan.
DAN
It’s not a competition.
Alice scoffs, walks onwards.
Dan notices something. Lifts a sign buried under the leaves. It reads: NO ESCAPE, with a strange symbol.
DAN
Alice. Look at this.
She turns, looks at it. Frowns.
ALICE
Oh, it’s probably just kids messing around. You’re not scared, are you?
DAN
No.
Alice chuckles to herself, walks on.
Dan lays the sign down, follows.
The woods creak.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODS – CLEARING – DAY
Dan drops his backpack on the ground. Turns away. Lifts his phone in the air, searching for signal.
Alice, on an incline, leans against a tree.
ALICE
We’ve been walking around for hours and all we’ve seen is that stupid sign.
DAN
I might have something.
(a beat)
No. Nothing.
ALICE
I said we should’ve brought maps.
A faint hum drifts through the air, like the beating of wings. She looks up at the trees. Particles fall through the air. She winces.
ALICE
Ow. She’s really kicking a lot today.
Alice looks back at Dan. He barely glances her direction. She sighs, carries on walking.
Dan notices. Lowers his phone. Approaches the incline, then –
WHOOSH! Something flies past, behind.
Dan whips around, looking. But there’s nothing.
He walks up the incline. A breathy voice in the breeze:
VOICE (V.O.)
Behind you.
Dan halts, looks around. He walks on.
His backpack remains on the ground. Forgotten.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODS – BRUSH – DAY
The wind howls above. Leaves rustling in the canopies.
Dan follows Alice. Phone in hand. He groans.
She turns to him, phone light beaming.
DAN
It’s dead.
ALICE
Well, did you bring the power banks?
Dan’s eyes widen. Checks his back. Bag gone.
Alice sighs, turning away.
ALICE
Oh, god.
A whisper on the breeze:
VOICE (V.O.)
Fool.
DAN
What did you call me?
ALICE
I didn’t say anything.
Dan frowns. Alice winces.
DAN
You alright?
ALICE
Yeah. She’s just really going for it today.
Dan glances his phone screen. His face reflected in the black mirror. He tilts it to the side –
The face of something above.
Dan grabs Alice’s arm.
ALICE
What?!
He pulls her close. Their breath fogs between them.
Dan hesitates.
ALICE
Dan, you’re scaring me.
DAN
We’re being followed.
Alice searches the shadows.
DAN
No. Just look at me.
ALICE
Are they behind me?
DAN
(beat)
It’s in the trees.
Alice glances upwards.
DAN
Don’t look at it.
She keeps her focus on him. Her eyes glassy.
Dan looks over her shoulder.
DAN
People.
ALICE
What?
He turns her away from him. But she can’t see what he sees.
DAN
Walk towards them.
ALICE
What?!
DAN
Trust me. I’ll be right behind you.
She releases him, taking her first steps.
DAN
Don’t look back.
Dan remains still, watching.
Alice keeps going. Breath quickening. Whimpering with terror.
Dan stares in horror. Leaves crunch behind him.
Alice stops. Close to an opening in the brush.
She starts to turn.
DAN
(under his breath)
No. Don’t look.
Dan defiantly spins around. His breath cuts short.
A clawed hand SLASHES his throat. Blood sprays the foliage.
Alice screams. She spins. Runs. Frantic. Heavy breaths.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODS – EDGE – DAY
Alice stumbles, hits the ground. Phone hits the ground.
Ahead of her, she sees the outline of houses. She reaches towards them. Pulling herself across the ground.
The woods hum. Breeze blows. Alice clutches her belly. She winces, groans. Cries out. The baby is no longer inside her.
Silence. A newborn cry fills the air.
Alice rolls over, searching the dark. Footsteps approach. The crying nears. Alice stares in disbelief.
CUT TO BLACK.
THE END
Written as part of a challenge by the Sutton Coldfield Movie Makers to make a scary film. The script was shot in November and December 2025. Watch The Woods on YouTube:
KYLE SIMMS 