POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA
STERKFONTEIN CAVES

A single light breaks through the darkness surrounding Sara Reynolds as she approaches the large mass of caves before her. Two more lights break free, belonging to flashlights held by Vincent Moore and Alec Bale.

"Why are we traipsing through allegedly haunted caves in the middle of the night?" Alec wonders aloud.

"I told you, we can't let anyone know what we're doing," Sara says, hurrying to catch up with Vince. "We could get stoned for looking in these caves."

Alec's eyes widen. "Really?"

"No," Sara says. "They don't stone people here. At least...I don't think so."

"Guys, keep it down," Vince says.

"Because all of the people living in the caves can hear us?" Alec offers.

Vince keeps moving. "You could have stayed on the plane."

"And what fun would that be?"

"Boys," Sara says, attempting to keep her voice calm and soothing. "Let's just take a look at the caves, okay? This was the last time I saw Kelli. She was taking some pictures of the markings, and I had to get back to the compound."

"But these caves...aren't they condemned?"

"Not officially, no," Sara says. "It's just that...visiting them is frowned upon by the elders in town. They think they're haunted."

Vince laughs and continues to approach the cave entrance. "Haunted. Well, I think we've all dealt with a lot worse things in —"

Before Vince can finish speaking, the ground gives way beneath him. His flashlight falls from his hands and he crashes through the dirt and gravel, engulfed in the night.

HUMAN RESCUERS COMPOUND

"Vince should have let us help," Julia Mitchell says, pouting as she paces back and forth in Sara's room at the Human Rescuers Compound.

Akilah Moore shrugs, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Whatever."

Julia takes a seat next to her friend. "Are you okay? You've been acting weird for the entire trip."

"I'm fine," Akilah insists.

"Well, maybe we should —"

Julia stops speaking when she hears someone at the door. She takes Akilah's arm, as if to protect her, as the door opens and Matt Holden staggers inside, clamping his neck.

"Matt!" Akilah leaps to her feet. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you were going to South Africa on my uncle's jet, so I was like...why wasn't I invited?" Matt says, his words barely intelligible.

"Are you bleeding?"

"He...he bit me."

"Who bit you?" Akilah says, as Chris Server enters the room behind Matt and closes the door. "Chris..."

"Akilah," Chris says, turning to Julia. "Sorry. I got hungry."

"You idiot," Julia snaps. "Do you think that Quentin will be pleased? How are we going to explain this?"

Chris shrugs. "Who cares?"

Matt collapses onto the floor.

"Let's take care of him," Chris says. "I'm still hungry."

"We're in Africa, go hunt a goddamn gazelle."

"Should you really be talking to me this way?" Chris demands. "I am the —"

"Prince of the Night, or whatever the hell you're calling yourself," Julia says. "I've got it. But we do not need people wondering why kids are ending up dead after coming to South Africa with all of us. Quentin wants us to keep things on the hush, and you know that."

Chris angrily kicks a nearby chair, shattering the wood into pieces. "What are we supposed to do with him them?"

"Move him somewhere, I don't care," Julia says.

She glances toward Akilah, still standing in the middle of the room. Only her eyes are glazed over, as if she's in a trance. "Just do it before she comes out of that."



STERKFONTEIN CAVES

"Vince!" Sara shouts, shining her flashlight into the large hole at the entrance to the caves.

She drops to her knees, with Alec behind her, making sure she doesn't fall in as well. He hands her his flashlight. "Here, I think the batteries in these are new. Run and get some help."

"I can't run and get help," Sara says, frantic. "We're not supposed to be out here!"

"I think my potential death trumps trespassing!" Vince says, attempting to yell but choking on the dirt clouds entering his throat and nostrils.

"At least get Julia and Akilah," Alec says. "Find someone...anyone. You know the area, you speak the language. I'll stay here with Vince."

"Actually...you can probably just let me die."

Sara rolls her eyes. "Shut up, Vince. I'll be back as soon as I can."

As Sara takes off into the night, Alec turns back and shines Sara's flashlight directly into Vince's face. Vince flips Alec the finger and sits down in the dark, gravelly hole.

"So, are there any cool markings down there?"

"Shut up, Alec."

"You don't have to be a jerk. I'm the one staying here to make sure you don't get caved in."

"Yeah, you'll really be a lot of help," Vince says.

"You know, I was wondering...can't you just fly out of there?"

"What in the hell are you talking about?"

"You know, like when you were caved in before? In that abandoned church?" Alec says. "And you could...you know, make stuff move with your mind."

Vince remains silent.

"Well?"

"I can't do that anymore."

"Why? That's awfully inconvenient..."

"Alec, shut the hell — whoa...what is this? There are markings on the caves."

"Really? What do they say?"

Vince is silent once again. Then Alec is struck by a blinding stream of light from inside the cave-in. "Get me the fuck out of here!"

"What's wrong?"

"I don't speak whatever the hell they speak here, but I can read pictures!" Vince snaps. "And whoever used to live here...I think they were cannibals!"



HUMAN RESCUERS COMPOUND

Akilah snaps to attention as she hears a loud banging noise at the door. She goes toward the door where she finds Sara standing outside, almost in tears. "Sara? What's going on?"

"It's your brother," Sara gasps. "Part of the ground gave out at the caves, and he's trapped in a cave in! We have to get some help! Where's Julia?"

"She's out right now," Akilah says, ushering Sara inside. "She'll be right back."

Sara gives Akilah a confused look. "She's out? What do you mean she's out? Where the hell did she go?"

"Sara, just calm down," Akilah says. "Calm down and tell me everything from the beginning."

"I just told you everything!" Sara cries. "We need to help Vince! Don't you care? He's your —"

Without notice, Akilah balls her right hand into a fist and swings, punching Sara in the face. The force of the blow knocks Sara unconscious, sending her crumpling to the floor.

Akilah looks toward the door as Julia and Chris return, surprised to find Sara sprawled out.

"What happened here?" Julia demands.

Akilah shrugs, staring at Sara's unconscious body. "I've always hated that bitch."