INT. THE CUBE – LATE AFTERNOON
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWafD8bV8D1
The sun filters through the single window, casting long shadows across the Cube’s cluttered but lived-in space. Jason finishes packing his compact travel bag—neatly stored energy cells, compact medical kits, and a tablet loaded with local terrain data. His movements are efficient, but a little slower than usual. Thoughtful.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMopaD0GBV
K lounges on the couch, half-watching. A is helping, in his own chaotic way—folding Jason’s shirts incorrectly, putting snacks into the bag, and slipping in a bottle of spray disinfectant “just in case.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv8sGe2B1r
JASON
(quietly amused)
“You’re packing for a picnic, not a trip into an industrial wasteland.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYVxIFbqIg
A
“You’re gonna thank me when you’re surrounded by toxic smoke and your sandwich smells weird.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XWu77tE0M
Jason chuckles, then takes a small item from a drawer—a dull silver key with a red rubber loop at the top. He holds it up.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6UB8BFjxH
JASON
“This is the door key. For the Cube. I’m not making it a habit, so don’t get excited. It’s for emergencies only.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLK3Xg7SRc
He tosses it underhand to K, who catches it and stares at it like it’s a foreign object.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa01OpOE42S
JASON
“You two stay in here, alright? Lay low. A few more sightings of you freaks outside and I’ll have to explain way more than I already regret.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYe13wSBBK
K
(grunts)
“Trust me, I don’t crave public attention.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGHESBX8vw
A
“What if we get bored?”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sqqd6qYZK
JASON
“Read a book. Break a chair. Tape googly eyes on the fridge again. Just don’t burn the place down.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPRQDj3B7x
Jason finishes zipping the bag, then slings it over his shoulder and glances around the Cube like he might be seeing it for the last time—for no reason he can explain.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHfD3fQPvl
JASON
“Alright. I’m off.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc16EgCYdH
K stands, and A rushes to the door ahead of him. They follow Jason to the elevator just outside the apartment. The corridor is quiet. A faint mechanical hum carries from distant floors.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjxf8p0Ayd
Jason presses the elevator button. A red ring glows.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bn17jagnM
A
“I’ll keep the place safe. We both will.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzRFzsN4nb
K
(sighing)
“I guess I’m a house cat now.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiVSu30Xcp
Jason smiles faintly, shifting the bag on his shoulder.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmLHYa0pSo
JASON
“Just don’t knock over the lamp again.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT3tcrV5ny
The elevator doors open. Before Jason steps in, A throws his arms around him in a tight, impulsive hug. Jason stiffens slightly at first—but doesn’t pull away.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3z5o04dae
A
(softly)
“You better come back.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNScYRLHtzZ
Jason pauses. He doesn’t answer right away. Then:
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlzmFncmyQ
JASON
“Yeah. Of course.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4w53RumeJ
He pats A on the back once before pulling away. K nods at him, arms crossed.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQodfGytXyw
K
“Try not to die. I’m starting to tolerate you.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp3tVedW8b
JASON
“That’s the highest praise I’ve gotten all week.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHHNJ90FdA
He steps into the elevator. As the doors begin to close, he gives a short wave.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlPin5swgw
JASON
“Lock the door. Don’t open for anyone. No soap operas.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS0ZFOvwoI
A
“Bye, Dad!”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKalMlAOep
K
“Have fun with your oil-flavored vacation.”
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxdJpedpga
The doors slide shut. The elevator hums as it descends.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gYopd58J7
Inside it, Jason exhales slowly, eyes on the dimly-lit numbers counting downward. The bag on his shoulder feels heavier than it should. There’s a gnawing feeling in his chest. A quiet warning he can’t explain.
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPPBLe5Wpp
But he doesn’t say a word.
ns216.73.216.192da2
