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EXT. RIVER
Desmond quivers and tenses, looking nervously downstream. He
holds a heavy stick and tries to push the ramshackle wooden
raft toward shore. The raft is heavy with packs.
DESMOND
RAPIDS!!!
James pushes with his stick, too. They slip toward shore,
but not quickly enough. They put both sticks in at the same
spot and pry hard--both snap. James and Desmond gulp,
staring at the broken ends--and the raft's sucked into a dip
in the river, shoved toward the rocky, flashing water.
JAMES
What now?
Desmond tosses away his broken stick.
DESMOND
Trouble.
EXT. RIVER, RAPIDS
James and Desmond lie flat, straining to hold on as the raft
slams back and forth, beginning to shake apart. The raft
hits a huge drop-off and free-falls. James and Desmond shut
their eyes and grab the raft tight.
DESMOND
Oh, mercy--
They splash down again, losing more raft, but bob around in
the calmer water. James warily opens one eye. Desmond
heaves but doesn't lose anything.
DESMOND
I think I'm going to be sick
again...
JAMES
You were chock full of nuts. I
think your meter's on "E" now.
They slip off the remains of the raft, into the water, and
pull it toward shore. James stretches and stumbles.
DESMOND
You look as bad as I feel.
JAMES
I just need a nap. Rough day.
DESMOND
Get out of the water first, you--
James woozily trips and belly-flops into the water. Desmond
startles and drags him up the riverbank, slapping his face
and shaking his shoulders. James sputters and snores.
DESMOND (CONT'D)
Well, I never! He's out cold!
INT. ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, LAB
Oglesby returns Sarah to her cage, asleep. Wires trail from
her head out of the cage. Oglesby lays aside a hypo.
DR. OGLESBY (O.S.)
Pleasant dreams.
She reaches for Sylvie. Sarah twitches in her sleep.
TED (O.S.)
We sure get weird readings on these
animals.
Ted holds up a chart with squiggly lines, tracing them. Dr.
Oglesby picks up a hypo and heads for #12's cage.
DR. OGLESBY (CONT'D)
They are affecting each other
somehow. Hmph. I'd say telepathy
if I believed in it.
#12 calmly sticks out a leg and Dr. Oglesby gives him the
injection. He relaxes as she clips a long wire to the wires
on his head.
#12
(very quietly)
Thank you, Lila.
Dr. Oglesby doesn't hear, but she shivers, wiping her hands
as she walks away.
DR. OGLESBY
That always freaks me out.
EXT. ICE PLAINS
The gold ring from Desmond's workshop falls and bounces on
ice, spiraling flat. James fades in, paw covering it. He
sits by a pillar of ice. He picks the ring up, shrugs, and
puts it in his pocket. He puts his paw out to lean against
the pillar, and tumbles through. He stands quickly and backs
away from it. He says something in surprise, but no sound
comes out. He clutches his throat. He puts a paw into the
pillar and yanks it out, grimacing. He rubs it and looks
over the vast plain of pillars, connected halfway up by thin
ice-bridges. A deep-blue sea washes a frozen shore. James
eyes a thin column of smoke and starts walking.
Sarah opens her eyes and sits up, on an icy hillside. The
wires are gone. The lab is gone. The glimmering network of
bridges stretches out below. Snow whips by and Sarah
shivers.
SARAH
H-hello? Anybody here?
Sylvie taps Sarah on the shoulder. Sarah shrieks, then
breathes heavily, paw on heart.
SYLVIE
Sorry. Never freeze in here. Just
run.
SARAH
Where's "in here"?
Sylvie taps Sarah's forehead.
SARAH (CONT'D)
You mean--this is just a dream?
But it feels so real! And why are
you here?
SYLVIE
Partners, remember? But we've got
ugly company.
Veck fades in and stammers in shock, rage, and confusion.
VECK
It's you. What is this?
SYLVIE
A dream. And remember the cuddly
kittycat from the lab?
Stomping away, Veck waves her off. Sylvie slaps Sarah's arm.
SARAH
Ow! What was that for?
SYLVIE
Reality check. If Number Twelve
gets his teeth on you, it will
hurt.
Veck screams in holy terror, off-screen, and both ferrets
cringe.
SYLVIE
That's our cue--Amscray, pronto!
They slip toward the ice bridges below. Veck comes crashing
behind them. He barely notices the two, and pushes past.
VECK
Get out of my way!
A much larger figure suddenly looms out of a snow flurry.
Sarah, Sylvie, and Veck freeze. It's #12. His eyes sparkle,
his ears fold back, and his long dagger teeth show. His is
the voice of the predator speaking to its prey.
#12
So, Oglesby has wired up new toys
for me. Run, toys.
They scatter as #12 pounces. He swipes at Sarah but misses
and slides into a snowbank. Sylvie pops out from behind it.
SYLVIE
This way!
The others follow closely. #12 pulls out of the snow.
#12
Sylvie, when will you realize
there's no point in keeping my new
toys away? I catch them soon
enough.
They enter a maze of thin ice pillars. Veck crashes into
one. The thin, pointed tip shatters off and falls, nearly
skewering Sarah. #12 smashes pillars, chipping toward them.
#12 (CONT'D)
Sticky situation, hmm?
Sarah wrenches the sliver of ice free and pitches it. It
hits #12's eye dead-center--he claws at his face and mewls.
SYLVIE
Good shot, kid! Who taught you
that?
Sarah gasps and sees James in her mind's eye, guiding her arm
in a perfect arc and sending a stone across the pond.
SARAH
I--I forget.
#12 crashes through the remaining pillars as everyone
scrambles onto an ice bridge, Veck at the rear.
#12
You'll pay for that! You worthless
little...
His words become a scream as he jumps and lands behind the
runners on the bridge, crashing through it and knocking it
half away. He tumbles to the ice below, stunned, but picks
himself up. The cracked half-bridge quivers and snaps under
the runners. Veck stumbles, sprawled out on the ice. Sarah
tries to help but he shoves her away. Sarah skitters away
ahead and joins Sylvie, safe on thicker ice around a pillar.
SARAH
He'd rather die than let us help!
SYLVIE
Big surprise.
The bridge cracks and tilts out from under Veck. He grabs
the jagged edge jutting out from the pillar. The others help
him up, though he pushes them away again.
VECK
I'm cold. I just want to wake up--
Sarah points to higher ice. Veck shivers and huddles as the
others start off.
SARAH
I thought I saw smoke. We'll come
back for you if we find anything--
VECK
You won't find anything and won't
come back.
SYLVIE
That's the spirit...
Halfway up, Sarah's caught in a crosswind and hangs on tight,
shielding her face from a snow flurry. She looks up again--a
dark streak slides toward them from on high.
SARAH
Back down! Quick!
SYLVIE
You're kidding!
They backpedal. The furry slider above, in a parka, falls
and slides on his stomach. He reaches over his shoulder,
pulls a pick-like axe from a sling, and slams it into--the
ice. He whips around. Sarah and Sylvie rejoin Veck. The
hooded figure wrenches the axe out and approaches--but gets a
catch in his neck and pops it with one arm.
SARAH
Who always did that?
Veck rises, joints stiff.
VECK
Come at me with an axe, eh? Fight
like a--like whatever you are--
HOODED FIGURE
What? I can't hear much with this
on. Oh, the axe.
He drops it, then unlaces and throws back his hood. Veck's
jaw drops.
VECK
Christopher? Impossible!
SARAH
You look so familiar. Have we met?
Christopher raises an eyebrow and bows grandly.
CHRISTOPHER
Wish I could say so. I don't
remember much. Just this place.
VECK
You can't be! You died, they said
you died!
Veck springs clumsily and misses as Christopher sidesteps.
SARAH
Veck! Stop!
CHRISTOPHER
You're wasting precious body heat.
VECK
Shut up! You're just another piece
of this nightmare!
Veck trips on the axe, sending it spinning. It clatters onto
a narrow ledge below the bridge. Christopher snags a chunk
of ice and dances away from Veck.
CHRISTOPHER
I'm a figment of your imagination?
This shouldn't hurt, then.
He hurls the ice and it twists Veck's head around. Veck
staggers toward him. Sarah scrambles after the axe. Sylvie
follows her. Sarah reaches for the axe, pawtips brushing it.
SARAH
Hold my feet!
She slides down, Sylvie straining at her ankles, and grabs
the axe. Veck leaps at Christopher but careens into Sylvie.
She's knocked off the bridge, holding onto Sarah, who slams
the axe into the ledge. Sylvie hangs on as they crash
against the bridge.
VECK
You should have stayed dead!
Veck swings at Christopher but hits the pillar--he howls and
clutches his paw. Christopher pauses, catching his breath.
CHRISTOPHER
What's all this "dead" business,
huh? You must have me mixed up
with someone else!
Sarah makes it to the ledge, wrenches the axe out, chops into
the ice higher up, and pulls Sylvie up.
SARAH
I'll be back.
She climbs, taking the axe. Sylvie pounds a fist on the
bridge.
SYLVIE
Gee, thanks. I'll be a ferret
sicle by then.
Veck backhands Christopher, knocking him nearly off the sheer
icy edge--he dangles there as Veck stomps at his paws.
VECK
How does it feel, Christopher? It
was like this at the waterfall.
Now it's your turn. Again!
Sarah rises up behind him and clobbers him with the axe
handle--he crumples as she drops the axe, panting. She helps
Christopher up and they brush snow off each other.
CHRISTOPHER
Thank you. What a nasty travelling
companion.
He shoves Veck with one boot. Veck groans but doesn't move.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Darn, you didn't kill him. Let's
get your friend.
They pull Sylvie up. Christopher removes his parka and wraps
up Veck. Sylvie grins.
SYLVIE
Yes! Who cleaned his clock?
CHRISTOPHER
This lovely and resourceful lady-
um...
Sarah manages a blush through the cold.
SARAH
I'm Sarah.
SYLVIE
And I'm Sylvie--not that you
asked...
CHRISTOPHER
Sorry. Well, Sarah and Sylvie-
we'll have to drag him.
EXT. CABIN
They drag Veck toward a driftwood shack against a pillar. A
large sled rests against one side. Smoke rises from a
chimney.
INT. CABIN
Warm, cozy and quiet. Christopher slams the door open and
wind rushes in. The others drag Veck in.
CHRISTOPHER
Rachel, I'm back! Where are you?
(Not that she'd hear me...)
Sylvie drops Veck. He bounces on the floor and groans.
SYLVIE
(shocked)
Did you say Rachel?
Someone shrieks, pelting them with a barrage of bric-a-brac.
SARAH
Well, honestly. That's no way to
treat visitors!
A terrified ferret, about Brian and Katie's age, peers around
a battered trunk. A bite is missing from one of her ears.
RACHEL
Mama? MAMA!
She rushes to Sylvie--they hug, sobbing. Christopher and
Sarah comfort them.
SYLVIE
They took her away. Oh, it's been
so long.
RACHEL
Mama, don't let him get me!
Rachel sniffles and looks around jumpily, checking corners.
SYLVIE
"Him" who?
RACHEL
(pointing)
HIM!
Sarah gasps as James strides closer, reaching out. Everyone
hefts Veck away from the door--Sylvie slams it, bars it, and
presses against it, but James strides straight through it and
Sylvie, leaving a sparkle of frost on both. Sylvie shudders-
James winces and stumbles.
SYLVIE
That's cold. That's really cold.
James sees Christopher and mouths his name, smiling.
CHRISTOPHER
I'm sure popular today.
RACHEL
Go away!
She vaults into the trunk, holding the lid open a crack.
Sylvie backs against the trunk, baring her teeth. James
turns to Sarah, who shrinks away. James sighs and gestures
at himself.
RACHEL
Is he safe?
James crouches and holds out a paw. Rachel inches out, edges
around Sylvie, and puts her paw through James's. James'
touch silvers her fur with ice. James bites his lip.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Brr! You're made out of cold!
She retreats towards the fire as James clenches his paw in
pain. Sylvie follows and warms herself, holding Rachel.
SYLVIE
Sure gave me the chills. But I
don't think it's on purpose.
James glares at her and shakes a fist, but nods. He shuts
his eyes and begins signing. Rachel understands and grins.
RACHEL
Hey, sign language! Maybe he's
deaf like me!
James points at her and makes the sign for "deaf"--she nods
and signs back, and he signs more quickly. Rachel giggles.
RACHEL (CONT'D)
Slow down, it looks like you're
trying to fly away. He wants to
know where he is.
SARAH
We're at a laboratory, hooked up to
a bunch of wires. This is an
experiment.
Christopher frowns.
CHRISTOPHER
Experiment? Did I miss something
again?
James frantically signs and points. Veck flings off the
parka, wobbles to his feet, and holds his head, groaning.
VECK
Everyone I hate, in one room.
Convenient.
James silently warns Sarah back as Veck advances on
Christopher.
RACHEL
Don't you hurt him!
James pulls a pocketknife out of a shirt pocket, flicks it
open, and steps in Veck's way. He takes a fighting stance
and winks at Sarah. Veck rushes James, who sidesteps.
VECK
Nothing to say? You won't be so
quiet when I rip your heart out!
James gestures--"just try it." Veck rushes straight through
him and smacks his head on a low ceiling beam. Veck topples,
his fur icy, and the shack shakes. James winces, but wipes
imaginary dust off. Sarah clasps her paws together and
laughs.
SARAH
I know you, I'm sure I do. From
somewhere I've lost.
James frowns. The shack shakes again.
SYLVIE
Did he knock us loose?
SARAH
Not even Veck's head is that hard.
James crouches, takes a deep breath, and sticks his head
through the floor. Rachel shrieks and grabs Sylvie. James
opens his watering eyes--#12 slams into the pillar below.
James pulls back up, paws moving quickly.
RACHEL
The cat's down there!
The shack shifts and tilts. Christopher grabs a pile of
ragged, patched blankets.
CHRISTOPHER
We've got a ride to catch.
EXT. ICE PLAINS
The adult ferrets push the sail-sled, mast raised, up a
gently rising ice bridge. James glances back nervously at
the cabin on the quivering platform. The wind lashes them.
Bundled on the sled are Veck (out cold) and Rachel.
CHRISTOPHER
Great, you've brought a monster to
tear down my house.
SARAH
Oh, I'm sorry. Should we come back
at a better time? Let you tidy up
a bit, put some tea on?
SYLVIE
You two act like a married couple.
The platform below cracks and the cabin comes apart. They're
at the brink of a huge hill. As the sled's about to tip
over, Christopher throws a lever. Spiky brakes bite into the
ice. James gestures ahead, frantic. Cracks race up the
bridge behind.
CHRISTOPHER
Trust me! I know what I'm doing--I
think...
He ties everyone else in securely. James tries to step onto
the sled. He steps through it and pulls away, frustrated.
Christopher ties himself in.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Sorry, Ghost Guy. Sarah, Sylvie,
take those lines--pull 'em when I
say so. Stay down, Rachel.
He wraps an arm around a line and pulls the brake release.
Sarah gasps, and Rachel screams, as the sled plummets.
Chunks of ice fly as the bridge collapses behind them. James
falls.
RACHEL
Lemme off! Lemme off!
CHRISTOPHER
Sorry, no stops!
As the bridge levels out, Christopher tenses on the line.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
Pull!
The sledders pull hard at the lines, bringing the sail up.
They lurch and rocket forward, sail billowing.
Rachel looks down--#12 is following. A pillar smashes a
nearby bridge. Sylvie shields Rachel from the spray of ice.
SYLVIE
Trouble!
SARAH
It's coming apart!
CHRISTOPHER
And it's coming down! Pull!
They do--the sled hops a bump, skewing. All around, pillars
and bridges jumble, spraying slivers of ice. One hits
Sarah's wrist and knocks her line away as she cries out. She
grabs after it as the sled skews. A huge gap in the bridge
yawns ahead. Sarah grabs the line, gasps and points.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
I see it. Hold on!
He wraps his line around an arm a few times.
SYLVIE
Looks like a bridge too far--
There's a bridge far below, off to the left.
CHRISTOPHER
Pull on three, Sarah. Just you.
SARAH
I--
CHRISTOPHER
Don't think, just do. One--
The crevasse looms.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
--two--
Sarah trembles, opening and closing her paw over the line.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
--three!
Sarah throws her weight back and the sled flies off at a
tilt, sailing down and left. Rachel shrieks. Veck opens his
eyes.
SARAH
Never look down, never look down...
VECK
Mother...
They hit, hard, scrape along one side of the bridge, but
fight the sled upright. The bridge ripples badly; their
speech warbles. Veck thrashes, frothing at Christopher.
VECK (CONT'D)
What are you doing in my dream?
You're dead!
CHRISTOPHER
Be good or I'll have Sarah knock
you out again.
He and Sarah grin at each other.
RACHEL
L-let's f-f-find a smumumoother
buhbuhbridge.
SYLVIE
One that isn't so close to him.
Their short flight's put them much closer to #12.
SARAH
He'll cut us off!
VECK
I'll cut you off. What the
blazes...
RACHEL
Hey, look! James made it!
James cuts out from beneath a bridge, and #12 whirls. James
bows sarcastically and zips ahead. He leads #12 away,
cutting around falling ice. A chunk sideswipes #12, but he
leaps to his feet.
#12
Where'd you come from? You'll
never get away on foot!
James makes a quick sign that looks rude, and glances back.
The sledders reach an "exit ramp" leading down to clear ice.
James grins, but runs straight through a pillar. He winces,
stumbles, and turns to shrug at #12, who skids to a halt.
#12 (CONT'D)
You should have told me. Can't eat
ghosts.
He turns, but James sinks his icy arms deep into #12's leg.
#12 (CONT'D)
Get off of me! Agh!
He wrenches away, cold muscles locking. He rakes his claws
through James, who doubles up in pain but goes after him
again.
The sledders pick up speed and glide across the smooth ice.
SARAH
James certainly is a brave ghost-
taking on that monster--
CHRISTOPHER
Thanks to him we're back on solid--
Crunch. Crackle.
CHRISTOPHER (CONT'D)
--ice?
The world shifts violently.
RACHEL
I don't feel good...
The entire ice field ripples and cracks.
VECK
You've steered us onto an iceberg,
idiots!
They streak toward the edge of the floating chunk of ice.
Boulders of ice careen off each other, splintering and
spraying. Christopher throws his weight to the side, skewing
the sled.
CHRISTOPHER
Let up on the lines!
They do, and the sail goes slack. The sled skids to a halt
and Christopher throws the brakes--their spikes dig deep.
SYLVIE
Anyone else here feel like they're
stuck in a really bad video game?
The iceberg edge cracks off and everyone pulls on their lines
in surprise. The sail comes back up as they drop, locked
onto the ice. They splash down, drenched as their little
iceberg dips and jerks forward. Rachel chokes and coughs.
Sylvie pounds on her back.
VECK
I can't take it! Wake up, wake
up...
CHRISTOPHER
Shut up. Is he always like this?
A SLAM! rocks them--just ahead, two icebergs bounce apart.
RACHEL
Watch out!
Sylvie pulls--they veer through a temporary, tiny gap.
CUT TO:
#12 leaping icebergs. James catches up and #12 slashes at
him. This time, James recoils and bleeds from light cuts on
his chest. He touches them and gulps--this is a problem.
#12
Why won't you lay down and die?!
He lashes again at James, who falls and screams in silent
agony. #12 sees the sledders below and pauses in mid-swing.
#12 (CONT'D)
I'll deal with you in good time.
They're quicker.
Roaring, he launches himself off the iceberg.
CUT TO:
Christopher, who looks up to see #12 plummeting, claws out.
CHRISTOPHER
Incoming!
#12 splashes down, plowing toward them. Two icebergs just
ahead drift closer together, gathering momentum.
VECK
We're dead, we're dead!
CHRISTOPHER
There's not enough wind down here!
Rachel blows at the sail. #12 snags the little iceberg and
pulls himself up, but James cannonballs straight through him.
#12 screams as sudden frost crackles through his wet fur.
James rises out of the water and freezes him to the ice
quicker than he can rip loose. The icebergs ahead drift
closer, the icebound sled now between them. James points,
silently saying 'GO!!' Sarah shoves the brake lever and the
sled water-skis bumpily away from the little iceberg. #12
yowls. The sled slips past the icebergs, free and clear.
SARAH
I hope I see you again, James!
Sarah's POV. James signs quickly.
RACHEL
He says to count on it.
The other sledders (except for Veck) hug Rachel.
#12 writhes, encrusted with ice.
#12
James, is it? I promise you this-
I'll kill you slow.
James waves goodbye to #12, fading. The ring shows through
his pocket, finally hovering alone. It flashes and is gone.
#12 looks up at less and less sky. The icebergs smash
together.
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