Mira wakes. She checks - Dominik is asleep next to her. She settles back, then looks around the room. The curtains hang open, as does the window.
Beat. Mira gets out of bed, goes to the window. Closes it, draws the curtains. She turns around.
A GIRL crouches on all fours in the middle of the bed.
Mira shrinks back until she hits the vanity. The girl on the bed - ERZSEBET (10) - bares her teeth and HISSES. She is chalk white, skin and bones. Lank white-blonde hair. Rags.
Mira’s hand gropes blindly over the surface of the vanity. Finds a BRUSH. She holds it up like a weapon. Erzsebet stares at Mira. Baleful eyes. Then she turns, begins drawing the covers off Dominik.
MIRA
Don’t you touch him. Get away.
MIRA (CONT’D)
Get out of here!
Erzsebet GRINS. She circles Mira like a lion playing with a mouse. Mira drops the brush, jerks the door handle back and forth.
Erzsebet LUNGES at Mira. Knocks her down. She straddles Mira, her TEETH snapping together over and over just inches from Mira’s throat.
Mira uses one hand to keep Erzsebet from biting her. The other hand searches for the hairbrush. She finds it. HITS Erzsebet over the head - once, twice.
Erzsebet howls, skitters away. Cowers at the foot of the bed, a hand pressed against where Mira hit her. She cries, weak, pathetic little sobs.
MIRA (CONT’D)
I...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.
But you were going to bite me.
Erzsebet slowly crawls over to Mira, belly on the floor. Both of them wary. Mira keeps the brush in her hand.
Erzsebet curls up against Mira, lays her head on her breast. Now she just looks like a scared little girl. Mira slowly brings a hand up to stroke her hair.
CLICK. The door creaks open a few inches. Mira is still wary, tense.
MIRA (CONT’D)
Who are you?
(beat)
What’s your name?
Erzsebet stares at the crucifix. She reaches a hand out for it. Mira gives it to her, holding her breath.
Erzsebet snatches the rosary up. Runs her fingers over the little figure on the crucifix. Clicks the beads. A SMILE.
MIRA (CONT’D)
You can have it, if you want.
Dominik has crawled down to the foot of the bed. Smiles.
DOMINIK
Mama, this is my friend. Hello, Beta.
MIRA
What is it?
MIRA (CONT’D)
Wait!
DOMINIK
Isn’t she pretty?
MIRA
What game do you play?
DOMINIK
We look at the real castle.
MIRA
Dear, you need to knock.
MIRA (CONT’D)
It’s late. Please leave.
MIRA (CONT’D)
Stop! Let go!
MIRA (CONT’D)
Dominik!
The blank-faced manservant pulls Mira through the halls, ignoring the way she kicks and slaps at him.
MIRA
Stop it! Now! Let me go!
The manservant pushes open a wooden door and pauses, letting Mira see what lies below--
A STAIRCASE, narrow, chipped steps. It twists around, the bottom lost in darkness. No railing, nothing to keep someone from falling. A few lit torches on the walls, meager light.
Mira allows herself to be dragged more willingly. Careful steps.
MIRA
Where are you taking me?
INT. DUNGEON - NIGHT
Ink-black gloom barely relieved by the torchlight. The blank-faced manservant pulls Mira down a narrow aisle, CELLS on either side. A few doors hang open ominously. A rack in one cell. Chains in another.
They approach a cell. Mira is shoved inside.
MIRA
Why are you doing this?
A single lit candle on the floor by the door. Mira picks it up, explores the cell. Not much - a bucket, a tiny straw-filled mattress. When Mira pushes it with her foot, a RAT scurries out.
And in the center of the room, a POOL OF BLOOD. Still wet.
Mira is afraid.
CUT TO:
Ilka walks without looking up. Moving slow, veering side to side a bit. She ties a BANDAGE around her forearm.
Ilka passes an intersection with another hallway. A noise. Ilka stops, dismisses it. Continues.
DOMINIK (O.S.)
Mama?
DOMINIK (CONT’D)
Mama? Mama?
A heartbeat, and Ilka jolts into action. She runs down the hallway after him. Turns the corner.
Dominik has run out of steam. He sits on the floor, not crying. A little blank. Moonlight streams in through a window just above him, casting him with a blue glow.
Ilka looks at him, her face transformed. She drops to her knees in front of him. He turns dull eyes to her.
DOMINIK (CONT’D)
He took my mama.
