Wrath of Night Chapter 6

INT. KINCAID'S APARTMENT - LATER

Kincaid lays out several weapons. Swords, daggers, pistols, holy water, crosses, and lighters.

Kincaid instructs James, and says, "The art of demon killing. Here are the basics: demons are human souls damned to hell, but sent back to earth -- acting as soldiers for the other side. As you know, they can keep their human form until injured, or their bloodlust takes over. They're not complicated, and easy to kill if you have the right tools."

Kincaid picks up objects and describes them, "Blades for decapitation. Silver bullets. Holy water. Fire."

James suddenly interjects, "What about that electrical blast back at the hospital? What was that?"

Kincaid cautiously proceeds, "That's called chi. It's basically your body's energy force -- stronger in mystics, angels, etcetera. Store up enough power and you can channel it into a blast. It won't kill demons, but can be a useful defense."

James nods, "I think I felt it when I was striking Krillan. My hands actually started smoking."

Kincaid processes, "Interesting. I guess you got more than just your brother's sight."

Kincaid picks up a dagger and hands it to James. Kincaid says, "Load up! It's time."

James inquires, "Time for what?"

Kincaid responds, "Your first mission."

INT. DINER - NIGHT

James and Kincaid sit across from each other. Kincaid picks from a plate of fries. He dabs a handful in ketchup and shovels it into his mouth.

Kincaid chews, swallows, and then speaks, "So, turns out zombies can't turn into werewolves. We're immune. But, I still get a little nervous during a full moon."

James nods and smiles, "Mmm hmm, nice."

Kincaid senses something off about the exchange, "What's the problem?"

James replies, "Oh nothing, this just wasn't what I had in mind when you said first mission."

Kincaid advises, "Expectations can get you hurt in this business. You have to be prepared for anything."

"After last night, I was hoping for something -- I don't know. More meaningful than sitting in a diner hearing about your demon hunting war stories," James confesses.

Kincaid replies, "Listen, when I said this city was overrun with the forces of evil, I meant it. We stay in a public place long enough, and someone will make a move."

As if on cue, the front door bursts open, and a MASKED MAN carrying a loaded gun storms in.

The Masked Man shouts, "Nobody move! This is a stick-up!"

The Masked Man waves his firearm at the girl behind the register, and growls at her, "You cash now, and don't do anything stupid!"

Kincaid quietly speaks to James, "Demon?"

James looks at the Masked Man, and uses DIVINE SIGHT. To him the Masked Man is a nasty beast in a ski mask, hulking before the register. Wings, horns, and a tail. Demon. James says, "Oh yeah."

The Masked Man gets to their table, and barks, "You two, wallets!"

Kincaid speaks calmly, "No problem buddy." He drops his wallet in the Masked Man's bag.

James is confused, and whispers to Kincaid, "Kincaid, what are you doing? Waste this guy!"

Kincaid whispers back, "Better do what he says, kid."

James slowly takes out his wallet, and throws it in the bag.

The Masked Man runs out of the diner.

James and Kincaid stick around a bit longer and speak to each other. James says, "What the hell was that? Why didn't you cut his head off or something?"

Kincaid replies, "I told you, I'm not interested in small fish. I want intel. Now hurry your ass up! We're going to follow him."

Kincaid reaches into his pocket at pulls out a twenty dollar bill. He throws it on the table, grabs his coat from the hook next to him, and runs for the door.

INT. KINCAID'S CAR - LATER

Kincaid and James sit inconspicuously across the street from the Masked Man, who is engaged in a seedy back alley transaction.

Kincaid says, "See, I told you he wouldn't get far."

James asks, "What's he doing?"

Kincaid replies, "Buying drugs. Demons tend to succumb to whatever vices they had when they were alive: drugs, women, violence."

James ponders aloud, "Shitty life, shitty afterlife."

Kincaid agrees, "Pretty much."

The Masked Man finishes his transaction and heads down the street. Our heroes pursue.

The Masked Man, now revealed to be DRUG DEMON, ends up at a rundown abandoned house. He enters.

James asks, "What now?"

Kincaid replies, "Now, we wait."

INT. DRUG HOUSE

Drug Demon shoots heroin in a room full of other demons. He trips out. He sees his demon counterparts even weirder-looking than they already are.

One he sees with a face of rusted metal, fire blazing around the edges. RUSTED METAL DEMON asks Drug Demon a question, "You okay, dude? You're tripping out."

BACK IN KINCAID'S CAR - CONTINUOUS

Kincaid and James wait.

EXT. STREET - LATER

Drug Demon stumbles out of the house. He walks by a dog that barks at him. Drug Demon briefly turns, changes form and growls back. The dog whimpers, and runs off.

INT. DEMON LAIR

The lair is the ruins of a Hollywood mansion, on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. It is filled with demons of all shapes and sizes. Some with the terror of a thousand suns.

Kincaid and James lay perched above the main area. Hidden, they watch the action unfold.

Drug Demon is dragged to the center of the crowd of demon minions, by two BRUTAL SOLDIERS.

Drug Demon is tossed to the feet of LIEUTENANT DEMON, who grabs his loot bag and rifles through it.

Lt. Demon speaks to Drug Demon, "This is it? There should be more here. What did you spend it on? Drugs, prostitutes? The Master will not be pleased. We need every resource if we are going to succeed with the plan. Take him away!"

Back on Kincaid and James's perch, Kincaid cheers, "I knew it! There would never be this many demons gathered together without some kind of leader, some sort of goal. Now, I'll finally find out what it is!"

Drug Demon is dragged off.

Lt. Demon calls out, "The Master approaches!"

We see the feet of a demon walking toward the front of the cavern.

Kincaid sees a ghost. He whispers, "No."

Kincaid gets to his feet.

James asks, "What? Who is it?"

Kincaid says, "Someone I already killed."