Lunch Break – School Cafeteria
Matt looks exhausted, sitting at the table with a look of disbelief. Chris is lying on the table with his head down, eyes half-open, but not asleep.
FRIEND 1(approaching with a grin)"So, Matt, did you talk to Emma? How's Chris handling this whole breakup thing?"
MATT(with a tired, blank expression)"Is that really what's important right now?"
Matt sneezes hard, his exhaustion evident. Chris sneezes right after, still with his head down.
CHRIS(softly)"Bless you..."
Matt still looks exhausted, slouched in his seat. Chris is quiet, resting his chin on his hand. A group of friends approaches as the bell rings.
FRIEND 1(grinning)"Hey, Chris. You've been looking... off lately. What happened to the sports monster we knew?"
FRIEND 2(nudging him playfully)"Yeah man, ever since... you-know-who, you've been acting like a dying battery."
FRIEND 3(enthusiastic)"Tell you what — let's hit the sports club! Just one match. You always said games clear your head, right?"
FRIEND 1(excited)"Right? You're the top player in almost everything. A quick game could snap you out of the gloom."
Chris glances up slowly, then gives a faint smile.
CHRIS(softly)"Yeah... actually, yeah. A game might help clear my head."
MATT(half-sarcastic)"Sure. Nothing says therapy like people throwing balls at your face."
Everyone laughs. Chris stands up, energized.
CHRIS(to the group)"Let's go ask for permission before the teacher turns into a dragon."
Scene: A Few Minutes Later – In Front of the Teacher's Desk
Chris, Matt, and a few others are lined up, asking permission to go to the sports club for practice.
STUDENT LEADER"Sir, we wanted to go to the sports club — there's an upcoming match and Chris said he's in. We figured a practice game would help."
The teacher looks up from his notes, scanning their faces.
TEACHER(nodding at Chris)"Chris, of course. I was wondering when you'd shake off that fog."
He's about to wave them off — then narrows his eyes at Matt and two others.
TEACHER(sharply)"Hold on. Why do I see some unfamiliar faces in this group? Matt, you're not even part of the sports club."
MATT(awkwardly smiling)"I wasn't planning to play, just... you know, moral support."
TEACHER(raising an eyebrow)"And skip class for moral support?"
*Matt opens his mouth, then closes it. Chris glances back, but Matt gives a small wave — silently saying, It's fine.
TEACHER(firmly)"Matt, you and the rest who aren't club members, stay in class. You can support from here. The rest, off you go — and be back before the last bell."
Chris nods to Matt with a small look of apology. The group heads out, leaving Matt behind.
Matt sits back down, muttering to himself.
MATT(sighs)"From moral support to moral detention. Classic."
Sports Club – Basketball Court – Late Afternoon
The court is alive with energy. Chris and his friends are mid-game, laughing and passing the ball.
FRIEND 1(while dribbling)"Hey! Who gave Chris caffeine? He's actually running today!"
CHRIS(grinning, stealing the ball)"Keep talking, I'll add three more points just to shut you up."
FRIEND 2(chuckling)"Whoa, look who remembered how to play basketball!"
FRIEND 3(throwing a playful elbow)"Next thing you know, he'll start showing up to practice on time."
They all laugh. The bell rings — .
School Corridor – End of Day
The bell rings. Students flood the halls. Matt rubs his eyes as he leaves class. A voice calls—
VOICE FROM BEHIND"Matt!"
Matt turns. It's Emma.
MATT(surprised, unsure)"Hey... Emma."
EMMA(calmly, tilting her head)"You called me yesterday?"
MATT(scratching his neck)"Yeah, dialed by mistake. No worries!"
Emma gives a small smile, eyes drifting toward Chris's empty desk. She's about to speak—
MATT(softly)"If it's about Chris — he's fine."
Emma nods. Matt starts walking.
MATT"I'll see you tomorrow."
Emma walks behind him. Matt keeps glancing around the hallway corners, clearly waiting for Chris and the others.
Scene: School Hallway – 10 Minutes After the Bell
Matt stands near the door, frowning.
MATT(grumbling)"What the hell... where did they go?"
He heads toward the sports club. Around the corner, he sees Chris and the group approaching. Jalen is holding his wrist awkwardly.
MATT(raising an eyebrow)"What happened?"
FRIEND 1(snickering)"Jalen here tried to act all NBA, slipped on his own sweat, and boom — kissed the floor."
FRIEND 2"Sprained his wrist showing off. Classic."
MATT"Seriously? That's how you got injured?"
JALEN(rolling his eyes)"Glad everyone's having fun. Anyway, I've gotta go for a scan now."
MATT"What scan?"
JALEN"Poss( the school nurse) — the nurse. Even if it's a sprain, she wants a report."
FRIEND 1"Nah, I'm out. Got plans."
FRIEND 2"Same. Doesn't even look that bad."
JALEN"She told me to inform my parents. If I don't send the report, she will."
FRIEND 2"Bruh... just ice it. Why you even listening to Possie?"
JALEN"Because my dad doesn't mess around with 'just ice it'."
Everyone goes quiet.
MATT"I'm coming with you."
JALEN(surprised)"Really?"
MATT(to Chris)"You're also coming with us."
CHRIS"Why?"
MATT"Why not? Two days ago you had Emma. What you got now?"
CHRIS(annoyed)"Wow. Thanks for the reminder, legend. Real supportive."
MATT(grinning)"Anytime, heartbreak boy."
CHRIS(mocking)"Says the guy whose weekend plan is crying into his noodles and watching conspiracy videos at 2AM."
MATT"Better than being reincarnated as a cat and getting dumped."
They both snicker and shove each other playfully.
JALEN"Guys! Enough with the bromance — can we please go before my wrist turns into a noodle?"
The group laughs and splits off. Chris, Matt, and Jalen head toward the scan center.
FRIEND 1"Good luck with the x-rays, heroes!"
FRIEND 2"Tell Possie we said hi!"
They exit. Fade out.
Scan Center – Waiting Area
Matt, Chris, and Jalen walk into the scan center. Jalen holds a folded letter from the school nurse .
JALEN(handing the letter at the counter)"This is from our school nurse, Possie hmm sorry, from Mrs. Poss . She said I need to get a scan for my wrist."
The receptionist smirk and nods and takes the letter. Matt steps back.
MATT"Alright, you guys go ahead. I'll catch up."
Chris and Jalen follow the staff down the hallway. Matt pulls a pen from his bag, scribbles something on a slip of paper, and slides it discreetly to the receptionist.
MATT(quietly)"Can you add one more scan for this person — just a basic brain MRI. Here's the info."
The receptionist glances at the note, nods. Cut to Chris and Jalen sitting outside the scan room. Jalen slowly rotates his wrist.
Matt arrives and sits beside them, handing a token to Jalen.
MATT"Here. You're up next."
JALEN"Thanks."
Jalen heads inside. Chris notices another token in Matt's hand.
CHRIS(narrowing his eyes)"What's that?"
MATT(casually)"Oh, that? You'll see."
Before Chris can ask more, two staff members approach.
STAFF(smiling)"Hi there — Chris, right?"
CHRIS(confused)"Uh… yeah?"
STAFF"Can you come with us for a moment?"
CHRIS(looking at Matt)"Wait—what? Why? What's going on?"
STAFF"Nothing serious, just wait right here, please."
CHRIS(to Matt, alarmed)"Matt! What's happening?"
MATT(to staff)"One sec."
Matt pulls Chris aside a few steps.
MATT(serious)"You're taking a brain scan."
CHRIS(staring)"What?! Why? Are you insane?"
MATT(dry)"Maybe a little. But after what happened yesterday? I think it's fair."
CHRIS(defensive)"I'm not doing anything. I'm fine!"
MATT(pressing)"Take the scan — or you wanna explain to your mom that you passed out in public and claimed to be a cat?"
CHRIS(glaring)"You're unbelievable."
MATT(snapping)"What's wrong with me?! What's wrong with you? You fainted in the middle of the street, and you're acting like it's nothing."
Matt softens slightly.
MATT"Look… it's five minutes. Just do it. I won't bring up yesterday again. Promise."
Chris clenches his jaw, finally nods.
CHRIS"Fine."
As the staff calls him in, one of them gestures to his wrist.
STAFF"Please remove any metal objects — watch, chain, anything like that."
CHRIS(rolling his eyes, unhooking his watch)"Matt, here. Don't lose it."
He drops the watch into Matt's hand and walks off. Matt sits back, staring at the watch in his palm.
Scan Center – Front Office, Later
Chris, Matt, and Jalen walk out. Chris looks tired. Jalen casually rotates his bandaged wrist.
JALEN"Well... that was a thrilling field trip."
CHRIS(sarcastic)"Yeah, highlight of my week. Thanks, Matt."
Matt ignores the sarcasm and approaches the front desk.
MATT(to staff)"Hey, just checking — when can we get the reports?"
FRONT OFFICE(checking)"You can collect the reports in two hours."
MATT"Right. I'll come back. But… can you at least tell me if everything looks okay?"
FRONT OFFICE"Yes. Both scans appear normal. Nothing alarming. The full detailed report will be ready shortly."
MATT(relieved)"Alright. Thanks."
They head out of the scan center.
JALEN(stretching)"Okay, back to reality. I'm heading home."
CHRIS"Same. I need to eat something that isn't hospital air."
At the gate, they split directions.
JALEN"See you guys tomorrow."
MATT"Yeah. Rest that wrist, baller."
CHRIS"Try not to break your other hand showing off."
Jalen rolls his eyes and walks off. Chris and Matt exchange a look, then part ways.
Scene: Evening – Outside a Food Stall
Chris walks through a street with his little brother. Cut to both at a food stall.
LITTLE BROTHER(pointing excitedly)"Can we get chicken, please?"
CHRIS(smiling tiredly)"Yeah, yeah. You're lucky Mom gave me cash."
Chris's Home – Dinner Table – Later That Night
Chris and his brother eat fried chicken. Chris is quieter, lost in thought.
Chris's Room – After Dinner
Chris lies on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His thoughts drift to the previous day — the storm, the temple, the cat...
A message tone pings.
Chris checks the phone. It's a message from Matt with a scan report PDF.
MATT (text)"Report's clean. Your brain's fine. Guess your weirdness can't be explained by science after all 😌"
Chris stares at it for a second, smirks slightly, then lies flat and starts typing.
Matt's Room – Same Time
Matt holds his phone. "Chris is typing..." appears.
...But no message comes.
MATT(frowning)"What now… weirdo."
He sighs, puts the phone aside, and locks up the house. He checks each window—twice for the kitchen.
MATT(muttering)"No more mystery cats tonight. I need real sleep."
He switches off the lights and goes to bed. Darkness falls.
INT. Chris's Room – Night
Chris lies still. A clock ticks softly. Suddenly, his eyes snap open.
CHRIS(groggy, confused)"...What sound?"
He tries to move — but can't. Panic rises.
CHRIS (in his mind)"Why can't I move...?"
He tries to look down. Something heavy is draped over him — a metal net. He kicks, but his limbs aren't human.
CHRIS"...What the—?"
A child's voice rings out excitedly.
CHILD 1(grinning)"Yes, yes! I caught the cat!"
Chris, panting and panicked, claws at the fabric. Kids gather around.
CHILD 2(laughing)"We got a black cat! Look, it's all tangled up!"
CHRIS (in his mind)"Oh no, not again. Why? And how the heck is this happening? What do I do now...?"
Chris meows in frustration as the kid hurries down the street.