Chapter 8 (The Wrath of Francis)

**Chapter 8 (The Wrath of Francis)** is the eighth chapter of The Clearwood Murders: Episode I - The Wrath of Francis and the eighth chapter of the overall Clearwood series. It was written by Donald Newton and was published on May 31, 2020.

## Plot

Scott and Melina's date is ruined by someone with deadly intentions.

## Full Chapter

EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT

It is a dark night with the moon providing additional light to a parking lot already lit by the street lights. Scott's El Camino is the only car parked in the deserted parking lot. Even from outside the car, you could hear the loud rock music playing from inside the car.

INT. EL CAMINO

Scott and Melina are heavily making out in the car. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps can be heard coming from outside the car despite the loud music being played. Melina stops the kissing to hear it.

SCOTT: What's wrong?

MELINA: I heard something. Like somebody walking close by.

Scott turns off the music and listens out for the footsteps. But they have stopped.

SCOTT: I don't hear anything.

MELINA: I could have sworn that I heard someone walking around outside the car.

Scott sees the concern look on Melina's face. She looks terrified over it.

SCOTT: Would you like me to check it out?

MELINA: Please?

SCOTT: (nods) Okay.

MELINA: Thanks.

EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Scott steps out and observes the parking lot and it's surroundings. There is nobody nor nothing out here. If someone were really out here, they would have no place to hide. Who could have made those footsteps?

Just as Scott is about to give up, he hears -- FOOTSTEPS. He turns around to where he thinks he hears the footsteps. But nothing. Suddenly -- Francis appears out of nowhere and knocks him down.

Having seen this from inside the car, Melina screams out loud.

MELINA: (screaming) SCOTT!!!

Hearing her screams, Francis turns to the car. This horrifies Scott.

SCOTT: (to Melina) GO! GET OUT OF HERE!

Without hesitation, Melina jumps into the driver's seat and starts the engine. Francis just stands there and allows her to escape. He has no interest in Melina. Scott is his main focus. But why? Francis turns back to Scott, who rises from the ground.

With Melina gone, Scott is now able to focus on fighting Francis. But Francis is a larger man. He is six-foot-seven with large muscles. Scott is not even six feet and looks like a toothpick compared to Francis. There's just no way Scott could win this fight easily.

Scott goes to throw a punch. But as he does so, Francis grabs his throat, which hurts Scott, and makes him struggle for his life. But rather than killing him, Francis uses his bare hands to knock him unconscious. As Scott's unconscious body goes to fall, Francis carefully picks him up and carries him in his arms like he were extremely light.

But where is Francis taking Scott?

INT. CARTER RESIDENCE - BASEMENT - NIGHT

Andrew, Alice, Cassie, Oscar, Iris, Jeremy, Chuck, and Cheri are watching TV together. They almost look bored. Suddenly, Melina barges in. She's terrified and freaking out.

CASSIE: Hey, Melina. I thought you and Scott were on a date?

It is only now do they see the horrified look in her eyes.

ANDREW: What's wrong? Where's Scott?

MELINA: Somebody attacked him.

This shocks everyone. But it terrifies Andrew, who rises in horror.

ANDREW: What? Who?

MELINA: I don't know. It was a large man. But his face...I couldn't tell if it was real or a mask. It looked so weird. So disgusting. Like...like...

ANDREW: Like what?

MELINA: (realizing) Like he was wearing somebody's face.

This sends chills into everyone's spines. Somebody wearing somebody's face has attacked and possibly killed Scott. Who was this and why did they attack Scott?

Suddenly -- ANDREW'S PHONE RING -- making everyone gasp and jump. Andrew grabs his phone and finds that the caller is -- SCOTT. Maybe he escaped and is okay. Andrew answers the call.

ANDREW: Scott?!!

But instead of Scott's voice...

FRANCIS: Hello, Andrew.

Everyone is horrified by the demon-like voice of Francis. If the thought of his disgusting and scary mask didn't affect them enough, his voice is making them go in their pants.

ANDREW: Who are you?

FRANCIS: Allow me to introduce myself, Andrew. I'm sure you've heard of me from your father. Everyone has heard of me. My name is...FRANCIS.

Andrew's eyes and mouth opens wide. He knows exactly who Francis is. Everyone is finally starting to get it now. Francis is a town legend that made Andrew's father a hero.

ANDREW: You can't be. My father killed you.

FRANCIS: Your father killed a man who was flesh and blood. But he did NOT kill the idea that is Francis. I'm the new Francis. But there is another Francis out there. And should anything happen to me...that Francis will rise to destroy you all.

(Note: It's NOT The Stalker)

This horrifies everyone. Especially Andrew. He knows everything about the true story of the original Francis. And if what this new Francis is saying is true -- Clearwood is in a world of trouble.

ANDREW: What have you done with Scott?

FRANCIS: I didn't kill him if that's what you mean. No. I want to give you a chance to save him. You do want to see your best friend again, right?

ANDREW: I do.

FRANCIS: Then go to the place where your father murdered the original Francis.

ANDREW: Where is that? I actually don't...

FRANCIS: Ask your father. But do NOT tell him about this. If you tell your father and the cops show up, I will kill Scott without hesitation. You will never see him again and his death will be on your hands. So ask wisely.

Francis hangs up.

INT. LIVING ROOM

Clarence and Kathy are watching TV together on the couch when Andrew comes running in.

ANDREW: Dad, we're doing a paper on Francis. Where exactly did you kill him?

CLARENCE: The old Clubhouse called "Woodside" in the outskirts of Clearwood.

ANDREW: Thank you, Dad. Big mention of you in my paper.

CLARENCE: (not interested) Cool.

Andrew runs back down to the basement.

EXT. ROAD - NIGHT

Andrew's brown car races through the deserted road of the outskirts of Clearwood. It is followed by Chuck's van.

EXT. WOODSIDE CLUBHOUSE - NIGHT

The Woodside Clubhouse is a three story building that looks almost exactly like the White House, except it's smaller. The two vehicles arrive and park in front of the clubhouse. Coming out of Andrew's car is Andrew, Alice, Iris, and Jeremy. Coming out of the van is Chuck, Cheri, Oscar, Cassie, and Melina. They run towards the main entrance of the building.

Will they save Scott? Is it a trap? Will Francis be waiting for them with deadly consequences? Will they all make it out alive including Scott?

FIND OUT IN CHAPTER 9.

## Trivia

* Woodside is the name of author Donald Newton's Elementary school.