: SHATTERED REFLECTIONS

Shattered Reflections

Genre: Romance, Detective & Mystery, Horror, Thriller, LGBTQ+, Historical Fiction, Young Adult

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

A dimly lit room with old photographs and dusty books. EMMA (20s, LGBTQ+) sits at a desk, surrounded by detective notes and a vintage typewriter. Her eyes are filled with determination like a child whose dreams had been shattered after seeing her parents butchered

EMMA
(whispering to herself, )
I won't stop until I find the truth. This mystery won't be forgotten.

CUT TO:

EXT. VICTORIAN MANSION - DAY

Emma stands in front of a grand Victorian mansion, an eerie silence enveloping the place. She takes a deep breath and walks inside.

INT. FOYER - CONTINUOUS

The mansion is filled with faded elegance, cobwebs hanging from the chandeliers. Emma explores the rooms one by one until she stumbles upon an old portrait of a woman, LUCINDA (30s).

EMMA
(startled)
Who are you?

LUCINDA
(ghostly voice)
Help me, Emma. Find the truth and set me free.

Emma's determination strengthens as she embarks on a journey to uncover Lucinda's story.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY

Emma stands before Lucinda's grave, placing a bouquet of flowers. The date on the gravestone indicates that Lucinda died under mysterious circumstances.

EMMA
(vowing)
I promise, Lucinda, I will unravel the secrets that haunt you.

CUT TO:

INT. LIBRARY - DAY

Emma digs into historical records, discovering the dark past of the mansion. She finds articles about unsolved murders and disappearances, hinting at a hidden secret within the mansion's walls.

EMMA
(muttering)
There's more to this place than meets the eye.

CUT TO:

INT. HIDDEN ROOM - NIGHT

Emma discovers a hidden room, filled with occult symbols and diaries. She finds a particular diary belonging to a man named THOMAS (30s). The diary speaks of a forbidden love affair.

EMMA
(reading the diary)
Thomas and Lucinda... their love was condemned, and tragedy followed.

CUT TO:

INT. DREAM SEQUENCE - NIGHT

Emma dreams of Lucinda and Thomas, their love forbidden yet powerful. Their ghostly figures dance through the mansion, caught in a time loop of eternal longing.

CUT TO:

INT. LIBRARY - DAY

Emma finds a journal entry from a local historian, revealing that the mansion was cursed, trapping the spirits of those who suffered within its walls.

EMMA
(realization)
The curse... it's the reason Lucinda's spirit cannot find peace.

CUT TO:

INT. MANSION - NIGHT

Emma confronts the ghost of Thomas, who reveals the truth about Lucinda's murder. It was an act of jealousy and revenge.

EMMA
(voice trembling)
Who killed her, Thomas? Tell me!

THOMAS
(tearfully)
It was my brother, William. He couldn't bear to see us together.

Emma's heart races as she unravels the final piece of the puzzle.

CUT TO:

INT. STUDY - NIGHT

Emma confronts William, who is now an old man, consumed by guilt.

EMMA
(angry)
You took her life, William. It's time to face the truth.

WILLIAM
(voice shaking)
I never meant for it to happen. It was a moment of madness.

Emma's eyes soften as she realizes the depth of William's regret.

EMMA
(tearfully)
Lucinda's spirit can't rest until forgiveness is given. Can you find it in your heart

to forgive yourself?

WILLIAM
(broken)
I don't know if I deserve forgiveness, but I will try.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY

Emma and William stand before Lucinda's grave once more. William places his hand on the gravestone, seeking forgiveness.

EMMA
(tearfully)
Lucinda, your spirit is finally at peace.

They both watch as Lucinda's ghostly figure emerges, her face filled with gratitude.

LUCINDA
(whispering)
Thank you, Emma. And thank you, William.

Emma and William find solace in each other's company, bonded by the weight of the past.

CUT TO:

EXT. MANSION - SUNSET

Emma and William stand side by side, watching the sunset behind the Victorian mansion. It's a symbol of new beginnings and forgiveness.

EMMA
(sincerely)
We can't change the past, but we can choose a different path for the future.

WILLIAM
(nods)
You're right, Emma. Let this mansion be a place of healing and redemption.

They hold hands, ready to face the world together, united by the ghosts of the past and the love that transcends time.

FADE OUT.determination like whosedream dream butchered.