FADE IN:
EXT. CITY ALLEYWAY – NIGHT
A dimly lit alley. The faint hum of a city that never sleeps echoes in the background. Trash bins line the walls, and a single streetlight flickers overhead. Rain begins to drizzle, adding a sheen to the cracked pavement.
SARAH (30s, disheveled, clutching a leather bag) darts into the alley, glancing over her shoulder. Her breathing is ragged. She presses herself against the brick wall, trying to disappear into the shadows.
In the distance, FOOTSTEPS approach, slow and deliberate. SARAH tightens her grip on the bag and whispers to herself.
SARAH
(whispering)
Come on, Sarah. Just breathe.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREET – NIGHT
A tall figure, VINCENT (40s, impeccably dressed, calm but menacing), walks purposefully toward the alley. His polished shoes click against the wet pavement. He checks a sleek, silver pocket watch and smirks.
VINCENT
(to himself)
Right on schedule.
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. CITY ALLEYWAY – NIGHT
SARAH’s eyes dart around, searching for an escape. She spots a fire escape ladder just out of reach. With a grunt, she drags an overturned trash can beneath it and climbs up. The bag swings precariously on her shoulder.
Just as she reaches the ladder, VINCENT steps into the alley. He stops, looks up, and locks eyes with SARAH.
VINCENT
(pleasantly)
Going somewhere?
SARAH freezes, her knuckles white as she clings to the ladder. She forces a defiant tone.
SARAH
Stay back!
VINCENT
(chuckling)
You’re not very good at this, are you?
He steps closer. SARAH hurriedly climbs higher, reaching the first platform. She kicks the trash can away, the clatter echoing through the alley.
VINCENT
(sighing)
You’re making this unnecessarily difficult.
He reaches into his coat and pulls out a sleek handgun, aiming it at SARAH. She freezes, halfway up the next ladder.
SARAH
Please. Don’t.
VINCENT
That’s up to you. Hand over the bag.
SARAH hesitates, then pulls the bag off her shoulder and holds it out. VINCENT gestures for her to toss it down. Reluctantly, she does. The bag lands at his feet with a thud.
VINCENT
Good girl.
He picks up the bag and checks its contents. His expression darkens.
VINCENT
This isn’t everything.
SARAH’s eyes widen. She scrambles to climb higher.
VINCENT
(firmly)
Sarah. Don’t make me do this.
SARAH reaches the rooftop and disappears from view. VINCENT holsters his gun and shakes his head, amused.
VINCENT
(under his breath)
Always the hard way.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOP – NIGHT
SARAH stumbles onto the rooftop, gasping for breath. She looks around desperately. The rain has intensified, and the city skyline looms in the background.
She hears the metallic clink of a ladder. VINCENT’s head appears over the edge as he climbs onto the rooftop.
SARAH
Why are you doing this? What do you want?
VINCENT
You know what I want. It’s not personal.
SARAH
It’s always personal.
She backs away, nearing the edge. The wind howls, tugging at her clothes. VINCENT advances slowly, hands raised in mock surrender.
VINCENT
Let’s be reasonable. Come back with me. We’ll sort this out.
SARAH
You’ll kill me.
VINCENT
Only if you make me.
SARAH’s eyes dart to a nearby rooftop, separated by a narrow alley. She gauges the distance.
VINCENT
Don’t even think about it.
SARAH takes a deep breath and runs. She leaps across the gap, barely making it to the other side. She lands hard, rolling onto her back. VINCENT watches, impressed.
VINCENT
Not bad.
He steps back, takes a running start, and leaps effortlessly across. SARAH scrambles to her feet and runs again, disappearing behind a vent.
CUT TO:
INT. ABANDONED BUILDING – NIGHT
SARAH bursts through a rusted door into a dark, decrepit building. Broken furniture and graffiti line the walls. She finds a spot to hide behind a collapsed beam.
Moments later, VINCENT enters, his footsteps echoing ominously. He pulls out a flashlight, the beam cutting through the darkness.
VINCENT
You’re out of moves, Sarah.
She clutches a shard of glass, her hands trembling. VINCENT’s flashlight passes over her hiding spot, then returns. He smiles.
VINCENT
Found you.
SARAH leaps out, slashing wildly with the glass. She catches VINCENT’s arm, drawing blood. He curses and drops the flashlight. They grapple in the dark, the sounds of their struggle amplified in the empty space.
SARAH manages to break free and runs toward a boarded-up window. She uses the shard to pry it open, daylight starting to seep through the cracks.
VINCENT
(furious)
You’re going to regret that.
She squeezes through the opening just as VINCENT lunges. He grabs the bag, but SARAH slips free, leaving him holding it as she disappears into the rain-soaked streets below.
EXT. CITY STREET – DAWN
SARAH stumbles into the bustling morning crowd, blending in. She looks over her shoulder, but VINCENT is nowhere to be seen. She exhales in relief, clutching a small USB drive in her hand.
SARAH
(softly)
Your move, Vincent.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
