Panel 1. Halcyon Hall, Millbrook, New York, nighttime. The windows glow with light. The shrubbery able to be seen is tidy. The building exudes stateliness and warmth.
Panel 2. Babette de Benedetto—late teens—is kneeling, pressed up against the stone wall of Halcyon Hall. Her curly, black hair is knotted in a bun. She wears trousers and a long-sleeved blouse, but a short, black cape covers most of her torso.
Panel 3. Babette holds a Colt pistol, pointing it down at the ground.
Panel 4. Arlene crouches next to Babette. She wears the same short, black cape as Babette, but is wearing the hood. Arlene has a strained, worried expression.
Arlene
The rest of campus is dark. It must only be the coven awake.
Panel 5. Arlene’s blue eyes widen in fright.
Arlene
Is that your father’s pistol?
Panel 6. Babette pulls on her hood.
Babette
Stay at my back.
Panel 7. Arlene grabs the end of Babette’s cape to stop her from fully standing.
Arlene
You mustn’t!
Babette
There is no other choice.
Arlene
But, Babette…
Babette
They should well know the consequences!
Panel 8. Babette stands, hand on the doorhandle ready to enter.
Babette (v.o.)
I gladly would leave this to others—
Panel 9. Babette charges through the door, gun drawn. Arlene follows with one hand out and the other clutching the gem hanging around her neck.
Babette (v.o. continue)
—but then I wouldn’t make a good leader.
Panel 10. A college-aged girl in black appears. Her outstretched hand has a chunky ring with a jewel on it. Her hand is glowing as if made of embers.
Panel 11. Babette squares herself and pulls the trigger.
Panel 12. The witch falls back, dead.
Panel 13. Arlene appears petrified. Babette is standing resolute, but her hand shakes.
Babette
They’ll be aware of us now. Stay guarded.
Panel 14. Arlene keeps her terrified expression.
Arlene
You killed…. This is too much. We cannot fight the whole Halcyon Coven just us two!
Panel 15. Babette grabs her wrist to steady her gun hand.
Babette
They mean to wipe us out. We had little choice.
Panel 16. They raced through the dimly lit, stately hall with Babette in the lead. Her gun stayed down while Arlene kept her pose with one hand up and one clutching her necklace. There are sounds of several people moving erratically upstairs, some shouts to alert others.
Panel 17. Babette shoots a witch on the stairs as she heads up. Arlene is facing the ground floor, blasting another witch off her feet with a slice of wind.
Panel 18. Babette glanced over her shoulder.
Babette
Don’t leave any alive!
Arlene
I cannot! That’s too far!
Panel 19. A fireball blasts apart a door at the top of the stairs, sending Babette stumbling down a few steps. The coven Matriarch—aged in her sixties with her hair and clothes stereotypical of a school marm—is framed by the destroyed doorway with her hand like embers.
Panel 20. Babette’s hood is off due to the blast. She glares at the Matriarch.
Panel 21. The Matriarch glares back.
Matriarch
It’s the de Benedetto Coven! Raid! It’s a raid!
Panel 22. Babette rushed towards the Matriarch.
Panel 23. Babette shoots once, twice, but the Matriarch deflects both with a mostly invisible shield.
Panel 24. Babette dives down, shooting low.
Panel 25. The Matriarch yelps, faltering, as the bullet rips the hem of her long dress, blasting the wooden floor.
Panel 26. Babette rolls towards the Matriarch, firing another shot. The Matriarch has already rushed from the path, swinging her hand down at the floor.
Panel 27. The floor splinters in a jagged line towards Babette.
Panel 28. Babette rips off her capelet, grips an Italian cameo pinned to her shirt, and throws her hand towards the floor. The line abruptly stops like slamming into an invisible wall.
Panel 29. The Matriarch’s face twists.
Matriarch
Secure the witchboy! Stop that little witch!
Panel 30. The Matriarch sneers.
Matriarch
Leave me to handle Babette.
Panel 31. Babette tucks the pistol away, glancing down towards Arlene.
Babette
Run, Arlene! Find him!
Panel 32. Babette holds out a hand like a shield, the other gripping the cameo. Arlene races off, still on the ground floor and trailed by two witches.
Panel 33. The Matriarch adjusts the clunky, gemmed bracelet on her wrist.
Babette (v.o.)
She is too practiced to tip her hand. She means to bait me to attack first.
Panel 34. Babette’s hand clutching the cameo glows.
Babette (v.o. continue)
So be it.
Panel 35. Babette clasps her hands together, pulling and swirling them apart to gather particles in the air.
Panel 36. The air between Babette’s hands turns smoky and sickly hued.
Panel 37. The Matriarch’s eyes widen fearfully; she steps back and starts to rapidly, repeatedly, draw a circle over her head.
38. Babette pulls her hands apart and disperses the smoky, sickly air towards the Matriarch. A gentle drizzle started over the Matriarch’s head, but she was now coughing.
39. Babette pulls her broach off her shirt and draws a line down her arm with the pin. A line of hot, glowing light follows the path.
Babette
Return my brother, and this ends.
40. The Matriarch snarls. Lightning is sparking on her fingertips. She is not coughing anymore, now sopping wet from the drizzle dispersing over her head.
41. The glowing light spreads across Babette’s arms, looking like lava and embers. The sparks on the Matriarch’s fingers look weak and dull in comparison. A hint of frustration over this is on her old face.
42. The Matriarch struck first this time, sending a jagged bolt of electricity directly towards Babette’s face.
43. Babette blocked with her arm, the magma light brightening as she absorbed the brunt of the magic. Babette clenched her teeth and winced as the residue electricity raced over her, static’ng her curls.
44. Babette counters with throwing a handful of glowing, hot rocks at the Matriarch with one hand, following with a blast of heat from her other.
45. The Matriarch waved her hand, deflecting the hot air. A burst of steam hisses as the rocks hit a wavering water shield.
46. The Matriarch shrieks as the rocks pepper her, knocking her to a knee.
47. Babette steps closer, burning brightly, and with more glowing rocks dancing in her hand. She is staring down at the Matriarch.
Babette
You should have returned my brother.
48. The Matriarch grits her teeth, flicking her hands.
49. The Matriarch stares at her hands in shock.
50. The Matriarch stares up at Babette with more fear than defiance as Babette’s shadow crosses over her.
51. Babette’s expression is grim as her flames light her face, the Matriarch’s cries and shrieks deafening.
52. Babette dashes off, pinning her broach back to her shirt. Over her shoulder is the charred remains of the Matriarch, still kneeling in place. The blackened floor is crumbling beneath her.
53. Babette is drained, sweat on her brow and hands shaking. She rests against a wall and hold her hand out.
54. Babette’s hand flickers a glow, dies, and leaves her with a pained expression.
Babette (v.o.)
I over exerted.
55. Babette checks the gun’s magazine.
Babette (v.o. continue)
I’ll need to reload next encounter.
56. Babette runs off.
Babette (v.o. continue)
I hope Arlene is safe.
57. Babette skids to a halt and ducks behind the corner she nearly clears.
58. Three witches loiter outside a wooden door, murmuring inaudibly. They appear bored and sleepy.
59. Babette’s face lights with excitement and relief.
Babette (v.o. continue)
There you are!
60. Babette steels herself, exhaling and holding the pistol ready.
61. Babette whips around the corner and fires.
62. The middle witch yelps as the bullet rips into her shoulder. The two others stare at her in puzzlement, defenses half-raised.
63. Babette drops the empty magazine, shoving a fresh one in place. She is still moving forward, zigzagging.
64. Babette fires again and hits the left witch squarely through the neck. The right witch is fully on defense. The middle witch is still crying and holding her shoulder.
65. Babette winces as the right witch lashes out, slicing her upper arm with a bright, mint green energy. Babette fires and hits the right witch just as the slice hits her arm.
66. The middle witch disappears inside the door they had been guarding.
67. Babette bursts through the door after her.
68. The room was a bathroom with three stalls and three sinks.
69. Babette looks at the tiled floor.
70. Blood droplets.
71. Babette keeps her pistol up near her shoulders, creeping along the blood trail.
72. Babette stops outside the last stall, at the end of the blood trail. Muffled, sobbing, wheezing is coming from inside.
73. Babette kicks open the door.
Babette
Where is the witchboy?
74. Babette pulls the trigger before the witch waves her hand or opens her mouth.
75. Babette storms into the hall, gun poised.
76. Babette runs up a floor.
77. The floor is empty, darkened, and full of closed doors. There is eerie creaking sounding throughout the hall.
78. Babette remove her broach, squeezing it hard enough for the pin to puncture her hand.
79. Blood droplet hits the wooden floor.
Babette (o.s.)
Truvari. Frati.
[Find. Brother.]
80. Babette falls against the wall, breathing hard. The blood droplet on the floor glows, and a thin line of light stretches from it.
81. Babette grits her teeth and staggers down the hall.
82. Babette turns a corner. Indistinct murmuring reaches her ears.
83. Babette squares against the door, taking a deep breath.
84. Babette taps the door with the gun, waits.
85. The doorknob twists. Babette kicks it, knocking it inward and toppling the witch on the other side.
86. The room beyond the door was a small dorm with two beds. Four witches were in the room; three sitting in the middle of the room and one fallen over near the door. The three in the middle were surrounding a boy of fourteen that greatly resembles Babette (olive skinned, brown eyes, thick and curly black hair—short).
87. One witch sitting on the floor was holding a bloody knife. The witch behind the boy was forcing his arm out. There was a cut dribbling blood on his forearm.
88. Babette’s eyes blaze.
Babette
Zinnia, down!
89. Babette shoots the witch behind Zinnia, and the one with the knife. The third on the floor is lunging for a wand on the nightside table.
90. Babette rounds on the third witch.
Zinnia (o.s.)
Babs, watch out!
91. Babette is knocked back by the door smashing into her. She fires into the ceiling in her disruption. The fourth witch is readying a wand while bracing against the door.
92. Babette shoots through the wooden door. First shot skims the fourth witch’s shoulder, eliciting a surprised yelp. Second shot pierces her, dropping her.
93. Babette shoulders the door, shoving the body aside and opening the door wider.
94. Babette shrieks and drops to a knee as a surge of electricity hits her.
95. The last witch holds her wand steady with one hand. Her other hand is bloody and gripping Zinnia’s arm. There is a smear of blood over her mouth. Her eyes are dilated.
96. Babette shakily raises the pistol off the ground, pulling the trigger despite it not lining up with the witch. It clicks empty.
97. Babette tucks the gun away and grabs her cameo with a trembling hand. Her breathing is jagged.
College Witch (o.s.)
[pained shrieks]
98. Zinnia huddles next to Babette, eyes fearful. He holds the knife used to cut him with one hand. He shakes Babette’s shoulder with his other.
Zinnia
Stand! Please, stand up! Let us go!
[beat]
I’ll find Mamma. Where did you part?
99. Babette shakes her head. Zinnia’s lip shakes.
Babette
Mamma isn’t here.
100. Babette’s vision blurred as she took stock of where the witch was. The witch was cradling her bleeding hand while trying to keep a grip on her wand. She was gritting her teeth, glaring at Babette and Zinnia.
101. Babette tries to stand, but falls back to her knee. Her hand releases the cameo broach.
Babette
Run, Zin.
102. Zinnia holds his bleeding arm to Babette’s mouth. Babette turns her head away.
Zinnia
Lick it.
103. Zinnia touches his wound with a finger.
104. Zinnia forcefully stuck his finger in Babette’s mouth.
105. Babette knocks his hand away, spits uselessly.
106. Babette’s pupils dilate. She stops breathing roughly. She is no longer weakened.
107. Babette snatches her cameo as she stands, holding it out and drawing a circle as she does. A bright bolt of light bounces off the invisible shield as it is drawn.
108. Babette launches a counter, fire burning on her skin before she shoots it.
109. Fire rips across the ceiling, walls, and floor. The beds are on fire. The books burn up. The witch stands in the middle, frantically waving her wand at the flames to keep them at bay.
110. Babette swirled her hand above her head, gathering the heat and smoke. Crackles of electricity appeared in the growing cloud.
111. The cloud burst and dispersed as Babette stumbled. Her hands dropping to her sides and her breathing harder.
112. The witch was still fighting the flames, but most were now out. Her stamina was weakened but miles above Babette’s.
113. Babette’s eyes dart to the knife in Zinnia’s hand.
114. Babette grabs the knife and jumps at the witch.
Babette
Shut your eyes, Zinnia!
115. Babette plunges the knife into the witch’s neck where it meets her shoulder.
116. Babette is sprayed with blood as she pulls and rips the knife out.
117. Babette stumbles away, grabs Zinnia, and half falls out of the room.
118. Babette ushers Zinnia towards the stairs, now leaning heavily on him. Zinnia supports Babette around her waist and holds her arm.
Zinnia
You killed—.
119. Babette pushes Zinnia away to throw up.
120. Babette wipes her mouth, smearing the blood that sprayed on her face.
Babette
There was little choice.
[beat]
Let us get you home. I’ll face consequences after.
121. Babette and Zinnia made their way to the first floor, passing the body of the Matriarch down the grand stairs.
122. Babette wretches open the front door.
Arlene (o.s.)
BABETTE! WHERE ARE YOU?
Babette
Arlene…
123. Babette forces Zinnia outside, handing him the knife.
Babette
Wait for me. I’ll just be a minute.
124. Babette shuts the door between her and Zinnia as she hurries back into Halcyon Hall.
125. Babette cups her hand to her mouth.
Babette
ARLENE!
Arlene (o.s.)
BABETTE?
126. Babette hurries towards the direction of Arlene’s yell, seeing broken and burned pictures and decorative end tables. There were few bodies maimed by magic—two—with signs blood or burnt fabrics to indicate injured had retreated.
127. Arlene was on a decorative wooden bench, legs sprawled out and out of breath. Her hood was off and singed. She was dirty, scuffed, damp.
128. Babette crouched in front of her.
Babette
Thank God! Are you injured?
Arlene
I believe just exhausted. Did you find him?
129. Babette nods and pulls Arlene up.
Babette
He’s out front. We should hurry.
130. Babette helps Arlene back towards the front entrance.
Babette
I will never stop repaying you for your help in rescuing Zinnia. I know you crossed lines—.
Arlene
I’d rather not think on that right now.
131. Babette and Arlene shuffle towards the doors.
Babette
Of course. But, I will not forget this once I lead the coven. I promise.
132. Doors bang upstairs freezing Babette and Arlene in place by the door.
133. Babette yanks the door open, shoving Arlene in front of her.
Babette
Hurry!
134. Babette shuts the door behind her but does not move further. She freezes with her hand on Arlene’s shoulder.
135. Babette’s eyes widen.
136. Arlene was shock-still, wide eyes staring at the knife in her chest. Zinnia held the handle. His eyes wider but expression otherwise neutral.
137. Zinnia rips out the knife. Babette falls with Arlene to the ground, trying to hold her upright.
Babette
Arlene! Hold on, I’ll… I’ll…
138. Babette fumbles her cameo.
Babette
Zin, I need…
139. Zinnia is staring down. Remorseless.
Babette (o.s.)
Zinnia…?
140. Babette drops Arlene as she shoves herself away from Zinnia’s knife, hitting up against the doors.
141. Babette snatches up her cameo and stabs it into her hand with gritted teeth. Glowing power surges from the area, flickering.
142. The glow fades as Babette tries to stand.
143. Babette slides back to the stones, breathing heavy.
144. Zinnia stands above her, her vision fading in and out.
145. Blackness. Thud of Babette falling over.
Zinnia (o.s.)
Sorry, Babs.
