EPISODE 1: Sufferings and Superpowers

The Ghoulkinds

A bloody village-surrounded by eerie silence, dimly illuminated by flickering candles. Groans echo through the black fog that crawls through the ground like a curse.

A goat, traditionally decorated, is led by villagers. A man in a long black coat, bloodshot eyes, silently stares at the sky as he walks the goat into the heart of the village.

The goat is placed directly beneath the full moon's light.

The village chief raises his hands high.

A chorus of deep, unsettling hums

follows.

A baby is brought forth. It cries-its screams piercing-and then, in an unspeakable act, slashes the goat into pieces.

The villagers then clip their nails rapidly, feeding them to the baby in the sky. The baby cries again-this time not with ordinary tears, but tears that manifest fish, meat, and wheat in overwhelming abundance.

Suddenly, the air thickens-cold, not like winter, but like the dead breath of a long-forgotten grave.

Then a loud, ancient groan echoes:

"OOUAAH ANNTT THAAMOOASS??"

SCENE 2: Thomas's Awakening

Thomas jolts awake, gasping. His heart is racing.

This is the third time he's had thisnightmare.

It's Friday morning. Thomas, not the type to skip school, sits up slowly. Downstairs, his mother yells at his father about drinking again. His father rolls his eyes, barely aware of where-or who-he is.

> "Did the jerk wake up? I have to get to the bar after dropping him at school," he slurs.

Jennifer, already frustrated beyond words, is about to go upstairs when Thomas comes down on his own, glaring at his father.

> "Why do you do this?" Thomas asks.

> "Don't mess with me, jerk. I already lost the bar's darts competition! Now hurry up for school," his father snaps.

Thomas quietly replies that he'll go on his bicycle. He doesn't want to risk his life in the car.

His mother, still muttering in the kitchen, whispers something about getting a divorce.

SCENE 3: School

Thomas reaches school on his beloved cycle-Tommy. He feeds a street dog, Ashley, a piece of bread. He does it every morning.

School is his escape. The moment he sees Sarah and Fred, the weight of home fades a bit. They're his only real friends-besides Tommy and Ashley.

Just after sitting next to Fred, Thomas says:

> "Let's bunk today. The start of my day sucked-again."

Fred looks at Sarah. She grins and replies:

> "I have no problem with that. Problem-solving is my middle name. We won't get caught-as long as you two don't mess it up."

Thomas laughs, "Let's wait till after science. You know I can't miss John Maria's lecture!"

Fred sighs, "Ugh, you nerd... fine."

SCENE 4: The Lake - An Escape

Break time. The trio sneaks out and heads to the city lake.

They park their bikes and sit under a tree.

> "It's getting worse at home," Thomas says out of nowhere. "Dad won't stop drinking, and Mom... she's losing it. I need to get out of there."

Sarah and Fred exchange glances. They can only imagine what he's going through.

> "It'll get better, Thomas," Sarah says gently.

> "Or it'll get worse. Look, 10 o'clock. It's Jason," Fred mutters.

Jason walks up, cocky.

> "Guess what, gummies? Teacher sent me to find you. Now, ready for some beef?"

Already frustrated, Thomas throws a rock in his hand-it hits Jason's forehead. Blood spills.

Forehead. Blood spills.

Jason screams. The group runs back to school.

SCENE 5: Back at School - The Last Period

Edward Sir frowns deeply.

> "Second time this week. One more stunt, and you'll be in serious trouble. Also, bring a letter from your parents."

The bell rings.

The group is a bit nervous, but Sarah shrugs.

> "Relax."

Fred chuckles, "Don't you wanna recall your middle name?"

> "Yeah," she smirks. "But this is nothing."

Everyone leaves for home-a part most kids look forward to, but not Thomas.

SCENE 6: Thomas's House

It's Friday evening. The group-Thomas, Fred, Sarah, and Jacob-sits in Thomas's room, reading about an ancient cult called The Ghoulkinds.

Sarah reads aloud:

> "The Ghoulkinds are the most dangerous cult. They worship a monster called Volark. Every thirty days, they offer a goat and a human sacrifice..."

Thomas feels a chill-his nightmares come every thirty days. He doesn't tell anyone but writes it in his diary.

> "This could be our game campaign," Thomas suggests. "Let's investigate this cult and save humanity in the game."

> "Saturday it is," Fred agrees.

> "I'll research Volark," Sarah adds.

Suddenly, a voice screams from upstairs:

> "THOMAS! TIME'S UP! DO YOU HEAR ME?"

Thomas yells back, "Yes!"

He jokes with Sarah:

> "Going to research my mom now?"

Sarah smirks. "I would, but then you'd have to research my existence."

> "No, no! Don't do that," Thomas laughs.

Another scream echoes:

> "DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME, YOU LITTLE SHIT?"

Thomas sighs, tells his friends to leave, and heads upstairs.

SCENE 7: Outside Thomas's House

The group stands outside, worried.

> "Maybe Thomas is just mischievous?" Jacob says.

Fred shakes his head. "He's wise beyond his age. A deep thinker. He doesn't deserve this."

> "It's getting late," Sarah says.

> "Yeah," Fred jokes. "Or Volark might eat you."

> "It's Volark, idiot-not Valok. Don't mispronounce it, or it might curse you," Sarah scolds.

Everyone laughs and bikes home.

Sarah's road is dark and full of danger, but she loves the thrill. Jacob always complains about the smell of dead leaves.

SCENE 8: Late Night at Thomas's House

Thomas writes in his diary-his favorite thing.

> "Mom, you call me a jerk, say I'll only be a clerk. But sometimes, you feel like a flow that brings me too low. My friends call you a 'hoe'... I don't know what it means, and they won't tell me."

He falls asleep, diary on his chest.

SCENE 9. Not So Good Morning

Saturday morning.

Jennifer comes to wake him. She drops incense ashes by accident on his forehead.

Thomas screams:

> "NO! LET ME GO, VOLARK!"

She slaps him.

> "It's just ash, you idiot!"

SCENE 10: The Superpowers

At school, it's biology test day.

Thomas starts telling everyone the exact questions that will be asked. They think he's joking-but he's right.

Everyone praises him.

Sarah and Fred corner him.

> "How did you do that?"

> "I saw it in a dream. Along with Volark. My mom woke me up by throwing ash on me."

> "Dude... that's insane," Sarah mutters.

> "Maybe he doesn't have to survive it," Fred says.

> "What do you mean?" Sarah asks.

Fred explains his aunt and uncle in Pere Cheney want to adopt a child. What if Thomas could go live with them?

> "That's crazy!" Sarah says. "What about his parents?"

> "That's... the hard part," Fred admits.

> "Do you even want this, Thomas?" Sarah asks.

> "Want it? I need it," Thomas says.

> "But you'd have to say goodbye to us too..."

> "We'll meet again. After school. College together," Thomas says.

Sarah frowns. "I have a bad feeling about this."

> "Fred, just talk to your aunt. Please, Thomas pleads.

Fred nods. "Tonight. By the lake."

SCENE 11: Back Home - The Hellhole

At home, Jennifer holds his diary and points at the word hoe.

> "Tomorrow, I'm coming to your school to teach your friends a lesson."

Thomas doesn't react. He knows there's no tomorrow here.

After lunch, he goes to his room, emotional. He takes a nap.

He wakes up-5:45 PM. Grabs his rusty old bicycle-Tommy-and heads to the lake.

SCENE 12: The Goodbye

Thomas arrives. Sarah and Fred are waiting.

He sits under the tree. The sky is

Is orange. His eyes are watery.

> "You guys made me happy. Real happy. I lost with my parents... but not with friends. But promise me-you won't play the Ghoulkind campaign without me."

Tears. Hugs. Promises.

> "Go chase your dream, Thomas," Sarah says. "Be the footballer you were meant to be."

> "They're so excited to have you," Fred adds.

Thomas whispers: "Thank you."

SCENE 13: Leaving

Thomas returns home. Jennifer yells-unaware it might be for the last time.

SCENE 13: Leaving

Thomas returns home. Jennifer yells-unaware it might be for the last time.

That night, Thomas sneaks out at 1:30 AM with a torch and money Fred gave him.

On the way, his eyes burn. He sees a shadowy monster chasing him. He pedals faster-trips. Looks back-nothing.

He reaches the station. It's almost empty. He realizes the money is missing.

He sneaks into an open train compartment.

He writes everything in his diary before falling asleep...

SCENE 14: The Next Morning

Jennifer storms into Thomas's room-he's gone.

She curses. Erik downs vodka.

Jennifer calls all his friends' homes-but the mothers say they're at school.

Panicking, she rushes to the police station.

SCENE 15: At Michigan High School

Police Chief Chris Austin enters the class.

> "Thomas Hemsworth is missing. Sarah, Fred-you're coming with me."

SCENE 16: The Tragedy

At the police station, Fred and Sarah are interrogated.

Suddenly, a policeman rushes in.

> "There's been a train explosion. All passengers are dead-no bodies recognizable. DNA tests are underway."

Fred starts trembling. Looks at Sarah.

> "Chris... Th-Thomas... was..."