BEHIND THE FOLDS (Issue 1: Blind Brother)

PAGE ONE

The story opens to a black page with cracks of white leading on the page from off-page right. A conversation is taking place between The Unknown and The Unseen. The Unknown are asking The Unseen to come assist in the war against The Believed (The Protectors). The Unknown, The Unseen, and The Believed are all one race of gods who brought the universe into existence. Two of the Believed dwell on our plane of existence and have a family; a superpowered son and daughter, and another son whose heart is pure.

PANEL 1

Splash page!

White cracks invade from off-page right. White word boxes are the words of The Unseen. Gray word boxes are the words of The Unknown. The blackword box at the top of the page with white lettering is the narrator establishing the world.

LOCATION CAPTION: Behind the Folds

NARRATOR

The voices are coming more frequent. It's not a hallucination. It's not happening in a dreamland. They slither onto our plane through the Folds, from a kosmos of ideas, of strain, of battles - and they're all coming for our reality. Perhaps it's already here and playing at the space on the outside of your periphery. Hatred and power beyond imagining explode behind the Folds of space you can't detect. Unseen. Believed. Unknown. You know them by many names. Don't blink. Don't doubt. Don't despair. Above all... prepare for the celebration.

UNKNOWN: You see them. Don't you? Through the Folds.

UNSEEN: Same as you, brothers and sisters.

UNKNOWN: No. They mingle. Breed. With Creation.

UNSEEN: Same as you, brothers and sisters.

UNKNOWN: You are mistaken. You are Unseen, so you do not see. Come.

UNSEEN: We are the same as you. Same as Believed.

UNKNOWN: You are not the same as The Unknown. We will show you.

UNSEEN: Same.

UNKNOWN: Step into the light. Into the Folds. Blind brothers. We have somewhere to be.

PAGE TWO

The story opens on a cold winter day in Patterson, New Jersey. Snow is on the ground and people are bundled up. Signs from Noche Buena are scattered through the streets.

MARCO HUAMAN is a 13-year old Peruvian boy with light brown skin. He dresses comfortably, but isn't flashy. He can be sarcastic, but isn't a troublemaker. He is insecure about not having powers.

FELISE HUAMAN is a 17-year old Peruvian girl. Her skin is a little darker than Marco's. She's a few inches taller than Marco. She is a great dresser and is the mothering type. She cares for her siblings and always pushes to do the right thing.

CLO HUAMAN is a 20-year old Peruvian man. He's about a head taller than Marco with an athletic build. He is a hot-head who doesn't often think twice before speaking.

ALEGRA HUAMAN is Clo, Felise, and Marco's mother. She appears to be in her early 40's. She is the perfect woman. She's caring, kind, nurturing and protective. She's beauty in every sense of the word.

SANTIAGO is the father. He appears to be in his early 40's. He has a gentle presence, but can be imposing. He is CLO's height. He is funny and playful, but immovable when it comes to his family and what he sees as being right.

PANEL 1

LOCATION CAPTION: "Little Lima": Patterson, New Jersey

Present Day

Snow is piled up on the ground outside of a brick apartment building with the numbers '373' over the entrance. A text box indicates Alegra is speaking.

ALEGRA: Marco! We're going to be late. Get a move on. Andale!

PANEL 2

This is a panel with no words. You just see Marco's door. Culturally Hispanic graffiti decorates Marco's door along with "warning" signs and an Incan Empire sun. A backpack is on the floor outside the door with a basketball jersey and a microphone hanging out of it.

PANEL 3

Same as panel 2 except there's a little blue electricity escaping from under the door.

PANEL 4

Same as panel 2.

PANEL 5

Same as panel 2. A text box indicates FELISE is speaking.

ALEGRA: ¡Bajar aquí! ¡Ahora!

TRANSLATED: Get down here! Now!

PANEL 6

Same as panel 2. More electricity is coming from under the door.

PANEL 7

Same as panel 2. Electricity is engulfing the door. A word box indicates MARCO is speaking.

MARCO: I think you should go without me!

PAGE THREE

PANEL 1

Time stamp: 1 Week Earlier: Saturday

Marco's door is open and you can see the rear wall with a window looking out over Little Lima. The backpack is empty in the middle of the floor.

PANEL 2

It's a view looking down the stairs of the Huaman townhome. The front door is immediately at the bottom of the steps. You can see the wood floor just on the other side of the railing.

PANEL 3

You're at the bottom of the steps, assuming the front door is at your back. You're looking down the hallway and there's a doorway about 20 feet down the hall on the right leading to a kitchen. There's a larger opening on the right that you can't see into, but it leads into a living room. In the middle of the hallway is a Fold, a verticle crack with energy radiating from it.

PANEL 4

Same as panel 3 but without the Fold.

PANEL 5

Now, we're at the opening to the kitchen on the left. Peering in you can see SANTIAGO at the stove making breakfast. Above SANTIAGO, a TV shows a soccer game.

SANTIAGO: You hear that, Marco? No way Peru loses to Colombia again. Your brother is out of his mind.

PANEL 6

MARCO walks behind SANTIAGO and puts his hand on his shoulder.

MARCO: I told you, he's crazy.

CLO: I'm just saying, Arango is killing it this year.

PAGE FOUR

PANEL 1

MARCO is sitting down at the table with CLO and SANTIAGO.

SANTIAGO: Did you boys pick your suits up?

PANEL 2

CLO and MARCO stuff their mouths with food and mumble.

CLO and MARCO: Mururumumrum

PANEL 3

SANTIAGO looks exasperated as he talks to CLO and MARCO.

SANTIAGO: Boys, I don't want to go to this trial any more than you do.

MARCO: Oh, good. Because,...

SANTIAGO: But, we have to set a better example for this world.

PANEL 4

CLO AND MARCO look disappointed as they both swirl food around their plates.

MARCO: But, what about FELISE'S birthday?

CLO: For once, I agree with the runt.

PANEL 5

SANTIAGO puts his hands on the boys' shoulders.

SANTIAGO: Look. The court date was moved until after FELISE'S surprise party. So, no excuses. You hear me? Because with magnificent abilities comes,...

PANEL 6

The boys roll their eyes and SANTIAGO smiles.

CLO and MARCO: Magnificent accountability.

PAGE FIVE

PANEL 1

SANTIAGO is at the kitchen counter cutting onions with a butcher knife.

SANTIAGO: We know who we are, and we have to be better.

SANTIAGO: We'll prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

PANEL 2

CLO: It just isn't right. What right do they have to question us?

MARCO: They just want to feel safe, Clo. The trial will end and everything will go back to normal.

PANEL 3

CLO pats MARCO on the head and makes a face of pity.

CLO: Sounds like someone with no powers thinks the world is a good place.

MARCO: I never said that.

PANEL 4

CLO stands up angrily.

CLO: But it's how you act. You can just blend in. For some of us, this trial dictates when, how and where we move. Every. Day.

MARCO: I didn't mean to...

PANEL 5

SANTIAGO puts his hand over MARCO'S mouth and glares at CLO.

SANTIAGO: It sounds like we're all saying things we don't mean. Why don't you go check on your sister?

PANEL 6

CLO puts his head down and mutters to MARCO, as MARCO stands.

CLO: Yeah, don't forget to play around the ledges.

PANEL 7

MARCO puts his hand over his heart and makes a thankful face.

MARCO: That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me. I'll let Felise know you're not incapable of speech. She'll be so surprised.

PANEL 8

SANTIAGO puts MARCO in a headlock and pushes CLO's head forward with a smile.

SANTIAGO: These are my boys. My ridiculous boys. Now don't go talking about the party to Felise.

PAGES SIX AND SEVEN

ROW 1

PANEL 1

FELISE is sitting on the edge of the building with her legs hanging over the side. The sun is coming up over the buildings in the background. A Catholic church is in the background.

FELISE: I hope that's someone I want to see.

PANEL 2

MARCO is standing at the entrance back into the building with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face.

MARCO: I can go get Clo if you'd like.

PANEL 3

Back to FELISE sitting on the edge of the building, but her head is swiveled around with a smile on her face. She is holding a ball of electricty. The sun is directly behind her.

FELISE: I'll jump. I swear I will.

PANEL 4

MARCO sits down next to FELISE. We see them from behind. Her head is on his shoulder.

FELISE: Clo's crazy.

MARCO: That's what I told dad.

ROW 2

PANEL 5

MARCO is still sitting, but FELISE is starting to rise.

FELISE: Listen, M... I don't know how much longer we have.

MARCO: Can we just not talk about it? Just enjoy this week. No trial talk, please.

PANEL 6

FELISE is standing with a somber look on her face.

FELISE: Not the trial. Something more... final.

PANEL 7

MARCO is looking up to FELISE as she looks down.

FELISE: Something is coming.

PANEL 8

MARCO is still sitting on the edge of the building and FELISE is standing in the background with her back turned to him.

MARCO: Something? But you don't know what?

ROW 3

PANEL 9

FELISE is turned around and facing MARCO. We still have the same framing as panel 8.

FELISE: Whatever it is...

PANEL 10

This is a shot of MARCO'S room. The walls are decorated with soccer posters. He has karate trophies. Go wild.

FELISE: Wherever it is...

PANEL 11

This scene is the same as panel 10, but there is a Fold in the center of the scene.

FELISE: It's calling your name.

PANEL 12

This is the same as panel 11. A ghostly word bubble is whispering.

VOICE: Marco. Only. Innocent.

PAGE EIGHT

New characters:

Dom Artuo - He's a Hispanic teenager around Marco's age. He is Tiffany's twin brother. Their parents divorced and split custody. He's sneaky, confident and a really good friend.

Tiffany Simpson - She's a Hispanic teenager and Dom's twin sister. She's quirky and odd. Tiffany overthinks most situations and doesn't take risks.

Mal Jones - He's a year younger than Marco, but grew up in Marco's Catholic youth group. He's African American with a heavy build. He's excited to be with the older kids and will do almost anything for approval and acceptance.

Will Williamson - He's a teenage caucasion boy and very wealthy. He doesn't care about the money. He's an only child who wants to make everyone his sibling.

This is the first introduction to the church Marco's family attends. So, the first panel will take up most of the page. Reference St. Columbia Catholic Church.

PANEL 1

MARCO and his friends are seated side by side on a row about half-way to the front. Marco's family is seated around the sanctuary. The priest will be preaching while they have their own conversation. The conversation happens in the order they are seated.

PRIEST: The Lord fell on his face and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will." Sometimes the cup doesn't pass us by, and neither can we strain its contents.

DOM: Your brother freaks me out.

TIFFANY: His eyes never seem to focus on one place too long. It's endearing.

MARCO: I'm not sure how to respond to either of you right now.

MAL: Thanks for letting me sit with you guys.

WILL: So, what's got you on edge today, Marco?

Old lady sitting in front of the group: Shhh!

PANEL 2

Close-up on MARCO'S face.

MARCO: Something my sister said.

PANEL 3

MARCO'S head is bowed as his friends look towards him.

DOM: You know... you can tell us anything.

MARCO: I don't know... it... it.

PANEL 4

Focus on the priest concluding his sermon. He's looking up to Jesus hanging on the cross directly behind him.

PRIEST: All this happened to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

PAGE NINE

PANEL 1

FELISE is out fighting crime while talking to MARCO on an in-ear monitor. She's crouching outside of an apartment door. Cracks run up and down the door and the doorknob is barely haging on. The frame looks like it's been replaced numerous times. Inside the apartment a man is shouting at his wife.

MARCO (Yellow Box): It just feels like everything's about to change.

FELISE: You don't have to have powers to be special, M.

MAN: This is the last time you go out without my permission!

WOMAN: I'M SORRY!!! No, no...

PANEL 2

FELISE bursts through the door and catches the man's fist as he's about to bare down on his pregnant wife.

MAN: Wha???

MARCO: Do you think there's a chance my powers are just sleeping? I mean, Clo's still finding out new powers it seems like every week.

PANEL 3

The MAN'S fist is still in FELISE'S hand, but he reaches for the pistol in the front of his pants.

MAN: This is my home, you...

FELISE: Oh, that ain't happening.

PANEL 4

FELISE grabs the gun through his pants and crushes it while also sending electricity coursing through the MAN. The MAN'S face is pained. (This is the worst thing he's ever felt).

MAN: OOOOoooooo...

MARCO: Thought my own sister would let me down easy.

PANEL 5

FELISE steps over the man writihing on the floor and helps the pregnant woman up as she puts her finger to her ear to indicate she's talking to MARCO on the in-ear monitor.

FELISE: Not you, hermanito.

FELISE: You're right. It could happen. Until then, just keep being the smartest and best little brother in the world.

PANEL 6

FELISE extends her hands to a set of twins huddled in the corner. The leg, arm and hand of the MAN can be seen as he wields a knife.

MARCO: I get it from the smartest and best big sister.

PAGE TEN

PANEL 1

This is a large panel. The MAN is towering over FELISE about to stab her. The kids in the corner are hiding their faces.

WORD BUBBLE: No love for Clo, though? I see how it is.

PANEL 2

Another large panel. CLO steps through a Fold. The MAN turns around and has a look of horror on his face.

MAN: You people aren't natural!

CLO: Pot meet kettle.

MAN: You so-called gods can all go to hell.

PANEL 3

CLO punches the MAN in the face and FELISE uses her body to block the kids as they peek from between their fingers.

CLO: I know the guy who runs hell. I'll put in a good word for you.

PANEL 4

CLO has the man slumped over his shoulder as he walks out of the room. FELISE is holding the kids hands. You see their backs as they walk out.

MARCO: Pot meet kettle?

CLO: Shut up. It was all I could think up on short notice.

FELISE: Also, do you really think the guy who runs hell wants to talk to us right now?

CLO: No, but this guy doesn't know that.

PANEL 5

This is a small panel inside of panel 4. It's daylight. MARCO is smiling and walking with his backpack on.

MARCO: I'll see you guys after school. Don't wait up.

PAGE PAGE ELEVEN

PANEL 1

MARCO is sitting at the lunch table with his friends and they're going over plans to steal items that represent MARCO's relationship with FELISE.

TIFFANY: You aren't really thinking about stealing them, are you?

MARCO: It's more like borrowing. Besides, they were Felise's in the first place.

WILL: I'm sure my dad would be happy to just buy the items.

MARCO: I don't think there are price tags on our school's only championship memorabilia.

PANEL 2

Focus on MAL.

MAL: You've clearly thought through getting them out. But, how do you return them?

PANEL 3

Everyone is focused on MARCO.

MARCO: One thing at a time.

MARCO: Mal, you're going to have the most important job of all.

PANEL 4

Everyone is focused on MAL.

MARCO: Every brilliant heist needs a decoy.

PANEL 5

TIFFANY gets up with her tray.

TIFFANY: We're so getting caught.

PAGE TWELVE

This part of the story takes place at the academy that includes all grades, "Francisco Xavier Academy," better known as "FX." MARCO and his friends attend Franchisco Xavier. A football game is taking place between FX and Patterson Magnet School. Marco and his friends are about to execute the perfect heist.

PANEL 1

Large panel. A football player for FX catchs a ball in the end zone with his toes barely inside the end zone. He's tightly guarded. The ref can be seen with his hands up yelling "Touchdown!"

PANEL 2

MARCO and his friends are seated in the stands. He's handing them all walkie talkies. A cute girl is sitting behind them with two of her friends.

MARCO: You guys are the best. I couldn't pull this off without you.

TIFFANY: Guys and gals... I forgive you. And you're welcome.

PANEL 3

WILL speaks into his walkie talkie as everyone else places theirs on their hip.

WILL: I still say, everything has a price tag if you're creative enough.

PAGE THIRTEEN

PANEL 1

Everyone just stares at WILL as he makes a sheepish face. MARCO is zipping up his backpack.

WILL: I mean, I'm still in.

PANEL 2

FX fans stand up to cheer, blocking out our main group.

PANEL 3

The fans are seated and the seats where the group of friends were sitting is empty. The pretty girl who was sitting behind them is also gone.

PANEL 4

MARCO is standing directly across from MAL as the door to the school is beginning to open. MARCO is wearing his backpack. A teacher is opening the door with her back, backing out of the building.

MARCO: You're sure of the plan?

MAL: I think so, but what happens if...

PANEL 5

MARCO is running towards the school as MAL jumps to the bushes. The teacher, Ms. Smith, is turning towards them. Ms. Smith looks like everyone's fith grade teacher. Be creative.

MARCO: Ms. Smith! Ms. Smith! I need to grab my Science book.

PANEL 6

MS. SMITH looks her nose down at MARCO.

MS. SMITH: And you need it right now? Typical of you so-called gods. Believed. Demanding us mere mortals around like you own us.

MARCO: Ms. Smith, I promise. It's not like that. I...

PANEL 7

MS. SMITH is turning to walk away. MARCO has a look of panic on his face.

MARCO: Please, Ms Smith! I'd hate to have to repeat another grade and you wouldn't want to keep the child of the Believed here for... I don't know how long. How many times can I repeat 7th grade?

PANEL 8

MS. SMITH now has a look of panic on her face.

PANEL 9

MS. SMITH is now looking at MARCO like he's caught in her web.

MS. SMITH: I could get you in... on one condition.

MARCO: Oh no.

PAGE FOURTEEN

PANEL 1

MARCO'S mouth is hanging open and he's wearing a dumbstruck face. MS. SMITH has a smug, victorious look on her face.

MARCO: But, I don't even know your niece. Why would I take her to the dance?

PANEL 2

MS. SMITH is walking past MARCO on her way to open the door of the school building. He back is turned to the reader, but MARCO is facing the reader looking up to the sky in frustration with his fists balled up at his side.

MS. SMITH: Because it would be a shame for you to have to come through my class next year, and the next... and the next.

MARCO: Fine. Who is she?

PANEL 3

MS. SMITH is holding the door open as MARCO slinks towards the door.

MS. SMITH: That comes later. For now you have to get your book.

PANEL 4

Half of MS. SMITH can be seen walking in through the door entrance. Half of her is obscured by a Fold. The door is still open.

PANEL 5

The door is closing and no one is there.

PANEL 6

MAL'S foot is wedged between the door and the doorframe.

PAGE FIFTEEN

PANEL 1

The hallways are dark and only the dim yellow emergency lights are on. The trophy case with FELISE'S boxing gloves and jersey is ahead on the right.

MARCO: So, is it always this creepy here at night?

MS. SMITH: Most nights I'm not walking delinquent gods through school, so I really wouldn't know.

PANEL 2

MARCO is walking past the trophy case. MS SMITH is out of view, but walking ahead of MARCO.

MARCO: What do you have against my family? We didn't do anything to you.

PANEL 3

MS. SMITH is seething. They are just past the trophy case.

MS. SMITH: You have no idea what your kind has done. People were better off not knowing you existed, but your kind can't help but butting into human affairs.

PANEL 4

MARCO is angry and shouting behind MS. SMITH.

MARCO: HOW AM I TO BLAME. I DON'T HAVE POWERS. I'm as helpless as anyone else in this world. I don't even know if they're my real family.

PANEL 5

MAL is sticking a lighter up to the sprinkler system in the ceiling.

MAL: And here we go.

PANEL 6

MS. SMITH stops in her tracks.

MS. SMITH: They're your parents, Marco. There's no escaping that truth...

PANEL 7

MS. SMITH is turned back towards the direction where MARCO was, but he's not there. Water is coming down from the sprinklers.

MS. SMITH: Or the judgment to follow.

PANEL 8

The trophy case is open and the basketball jersey and boxing gloves are gone.

PANEL 9

A Fold is open where MS. SMITH was standing. No one is in this frame.

VOICE: Innocent.

PAGE SIXTEEN

PANEL 1

MARCO is wet from the sprinklers and is standing on the side of the school, just around a corner, zipping up his backback. His walkie talkie is in his hand that is doing the zipping.

MARCO: Mal, do you read me?

PANEL 2

MAL (also wet) looks like he's run around the corner and is about to collide with MARCO.

MAL: I read yoooooouuu!!!!

PANEL 3

MARCO, with a smile on his face, helps MAL stand.

MAL: So, did you get it?

MARCO: Oh, I got it. And a date, apparently.

PANEL 4

MAL has a grossed out look on his face.

MAL: I didn't know you liked them that much older. No judgment, bro.

PANEL 5

MARCO is rolling his eyes.

MARCO: I'll explain later. Any word from Will and the twins?

PAGE SEVENTEEN

PANEL 1

WILL, TIFFANY and DOM are walking into a recording studio called "Studio 37." DOM and TIFFANY are dressed like 1930's era jazz singers.

DOM: Where'd you find these clothes?

WILL: My mom had a real thing for depression era jazz.

PANEL 2

The producer (female) is carrying a big box out of a back room.

Producer: I don't understand why you want to use this old equipment, but it's your time, your money.

PANEL 3

WILL takes the box. An old handheld camcorder and an old microphone are buried in VGA, XLR, and AV cables.

WILL: You just can't get that analog feeling with the new stuff.

PANEL 4

WILL looks shocked with himself.

WILL: It's finally happened. I sound like my mom.

PANEL 5

The producer walks in to the mixing room and a large sound board has someone on the sliders.

Producer: Whatever you say man. Let's lay down drums first.

PANEL 6

TIFFANY is sitting behind a drumkit with her head down. DOM looks nervous.

TIFFANY: We're so getting caught.

PAGE EIGHTEEN

SPLASH PAGE

TIFFANY is going wild on the drums. Multiple shots of her in different drumming positions snake diagonally down the page. Her eyes are closed. The background has sheet music for drummers.

PAGE NINETEEN

PANEL 1

The producer is standing at the console with her jaw hanging open. The video camera set up in front of the glass where the producer can view the performers.

Producer: Who is this kid?!?!?!

PANEL 2

The producer bursts through the studio door.

Producer: What was that, kid? Where'd you learn to play like?

PANEL 3

TIFFANY is sitting at the drumset and shrugs her shoulders.

TIFFANY: Neal Peart drum solo videos on YouTube. Is it supposed to be hard?

PANEL 4

The producer closes her eyes and lowers her head.

Producer: I swear I hate this generation.

PANEL 5

DOM is standing next to a breaker box with night vision goggles on.

DOM: We are definitely setting our generation back tonight. Here goes nothing.

PANEL 6

All the lights are out.

PANEL 7

The shot from panel 1 comes back, but the camcorder isn't in the shot.

Producer word box: I've got to find that girl.

PAGE TWENTY

PANEL 1

Large panel. MARCO, TIFFANY, WILL, DOM, and MAL are standing in a circle on the stage of a theater. MARCO is smiling at his friends with his backpack in his hands and WILL is holding the box with the recording equipment.

MARCO: Thanks guys... and gal. This is going to be a celebration to remember.

PANEL 2

They are still standing in a circle, but we're zoomed in on TIFFANY. She's wearing a smirk.

TIFFANY: I'll be expecting a favor from the gods.

PANEL 3

Zoom in on MARCO.

MARCO: Anything you want.

PANEL 4

DOM grabs the microphone out of the box WILL is holding.

DOM: So, where do we set up?

PANEL 5

This shot is looking down from the ceiling and MARCO is looking up to the lights.

MARCO: I'll turn on the spot lights and we'll get started.

PAGE TWENTY-ONE

This page will look like a splash page, but it has four panels inside of it to showcase the spotlit stations on stage. The stage is the entire page. No one is on the stage. You will see MARCO'S word bubbles explaining what each panel contains and its significance. You will have to turn this page on its side because it is in landscape.

PANEL 1

The entire page is the stage with four spotlights shining down on four stations (individual panels).

PANEL 2

The microphone is set up in the first panel inside the splash-y page.

MARCO: Felise loves to sing. I'll do my best to sing the first song she ever wrote.

PANEL 3

A female mannequin dressed like a boxer is set up with FELISE'S boxing gloves hanging on its shoulder. It is in a fighting pose and wearing boxing gloves.

MARCO: She still has a wicked left hook. I've been studying tape to recreate the fight that she won State Golden Gloves.

PANEL 4

The camcorder is set up on a tripod.

MARCO: This camcorder was the first gift I ever bought Felise. We entered our first 24-hour Film Festival with this baby. It took a long time to track it down after mom donated it.

PANEL 5

The basketball jersey is resting on a chair below a basketball hoop.

MARCO: My sister took FX to its only two championship games. They managed to win one.

PAGE TWENTY-TWO

PANEL 1

MARCO'S words from the previous conversation are in a text box at the top of this page. Inside of this panel FELISE is walking into the theater. The curtains are drawn closed.

MARCO: I just want Felise to know how proud of her I am. I wouldn't be me without her.

FELISE: Is anyone here?! You can come out now!

PANEL 2

FELISE is halfway down the aisle and a Fold opens up at the front of the stage as she's looking to the right.

FELISE: This is birthday present isn't creepy at all.

PANEL 3

FELISE is now at the front of the stage and hovering. The Fold is gone. MARCO speaks from somewhere.

MARCO: Just a little farther.

PANEL 4

We now have a perspective from backstage looking towards the back of the theater. The curtains are just closed behind FELISE'S head as she smiles.

FELISE: I can't wait to see what this is all about.

PANEL 5

Now we see Marco's face smiling back at her and FELISE'S hand on his cheek from her perspective.

MARCO: It's all about you.

PAGE TWENTY-THREE

Splash page!

The HUAMAN family and MARCO'S friends are walking in the front door of the theater, "Little Lima Center For the Performing Arts." It's dark and cold outside. So, everyone is bundled up.

ALEGRA: Wouldn't it have been easier to just buy Felise's keepsakes?

WILL: That's what I said.

TIFFANY: Don't even get him started.

DOM: It was way more fun this way.

PAGE TWENTY-FOUR

Three panels make up this page, but it's all one image. A hand is sticking through FELISE'S midsection. Her eyes are open wide and her mouth is agape. She's staring MARCO in his eyes and he has look of panic on his face as his eyes are rolled up to the ceiling. Her hand is still on his face, and she's now sending electrical charges through him. MARCO is wearing her jersey and has the camcorder pointed up towards her face.

FELISE: Kllkkkhkhkk (*gurgling noises)

MARCO: AHHHHHHHH!!!!

VOICE: Marrrcoooo. Innoceeeent.

Next issue: The Funeral