‘CLEAVE’ Short Film Experimental Combat Sequence

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Storyboards & Treatment by me

Through the thick groves of the black forest, TWO MEN, one young and one older, rush past the frame. The younger man is wounded and being carried by the older one.

Both are wearing military uniforms and armed a RIFLE and SIDEARM. The younger man, ROLF, looks no older than a teenager and is bleeding badly from his side.

The older man, EISENHAND, is covered in faded scars with a primitive IRON PROSTHETIC for a right hand. SCREAMS in the distance, followed by a BEASTLY ROAR. Black smoke rises above the forest a few miles away.

The Sun is setting.

The pair stumble across a resting spot: a log cabin just recently abandoned; whatever caused the fire clearly scared people off.

The door is locked.

 Eisenhand KICKS the door down—

—SWIPES the kitchen table clear—

—and SLAMS Rolf down on the table.

The weapons are set aside.

Eisenhand TEARS off a piece of CLOTH from nearby kitchen CURTAINS—

—and SHOVES the fabric into Rolf’s mouth.

He RIPS open Rolf’s uniform and exposes the damage.

Eisenhand reaches into one of his various POUCHES—

—takes a pinch of BLACK POWDER—

—and applies it on Rolf’s wound.

The veteran rests his iron hand on top of the injury. He says to Rolf that this will hurt.

In a FLASH, a controlled EXPLOSION magically IGNITES. It cauterizes the wound.

MUFFLED SCREAMS.

The bleeding stops.

Rolf passes out.

Night has fallen. Moonlight shines on a lanky, pale, man-sized CREATURE with sharp fangs and sunken eyes…

A NIBBLING.

It SNIFFS the ground as it hunts.

Its pointed ears perk up. The monster ROARS and rushes out of frame.

From another of his pouches—

—Eisenhand retrieves a SMALL GLOWING VIAL.

He holds it under Rolf’s nose—

—and POPS OFF the CAP.

The contents SHOOT out in a PUFF of BRIGHT SMOKE. The glow disappears.

Rolf's eyes SNAP open.

He COUGHS profusely.

Magically—

—the cauterization heals somewhat.

Eisenhand tosses the used vial and asks if Rolf can still move. Rolf manages a nod.

A ROAR in the distance. Eisenhand tells him to get up.

Eisenhand frantically scours the house. He picks out various INGREDIENTS: saltpeter, sugar, grease, and garlic.

Rolf MIXES them together in the kitchen as best he can. He asks about the platoon; Eisenhand tells him they're all that's left.

Rolf asks why this vampire was different than the others. Eisenhand responds that it’s a Nibbling: an infant—more feral and an insatiable appetite. It’ll feast for centuries.

Done with foraging—

—Eisenhand takes the last of his black powder—

—and dumps it into the solution.

Eisenhand remarks they’re still missing pure silver—

—it’ll make the beast stay dead.

Reluctantly—

—Rolf removes a SILVER WEDDING BAND from his finger. He asks if this would suffice.

Eisenhand nods. Rolf surrenders the ring.

Eisenhand imbeds it into the mixture. The result is a THICK PUTTY.

Another ROAR, even closer now.

Rolf asks how Eisenhand knows this will work. Eisenhand responds that it won't without bait; they need fresh blood to draw its focus.

Rolf volunteers to sacrifice himself.

Eisenhand takes a moment to think. The old-timer inspects Rolf…

…he’s so young.

A ROAR from outside, closer than ever.

It’s now or never.

Eisenhand grabs a KITCHEN KNIFE—

—takes a DEEP BREATH—

-and SLICES his own left arm open. The wound bleeds profusely.

Eisenhand rubs the blood all over himself and tells Rolf to take the rifle and run; they don't have much time.

Rolf, shell-shocked—

—reluctantly obeys.

Eisenhand slaps the putty on his iron prosthetic—

—and grabs his sidearm.

Eisenhand braces himself. A LOW GROWL rumbles right outside.

Eisenhand can hear the beast SNIFF as it hunts.

The wind HOWLS. A SHARP SCREECH.

A CRASH. The creature bursts through the sealed door and rushes towards Eisenhand. He FIRES off a shot, but the Nibbling evades the bullet.

A TACKLE, the two of them are on the ground. Eisenhand shoves the sidearm in the Nibbling's mouth.

The weapon CRUNCHES into pieces before he can fire another round.

Eisenhand reaches for the monster's head with his prosthetic hand—

—but it pins his arm down. Eisenhand struggles wildly, but it's useless.

The beast rears back—

—its jaw unhinges.

A SHOT fires. It hits the creature square in the face. The nibbling recoils in pain.

Rolf reloads his rifle.

Without hesitation—

—Eisenhand grabs the monster by the face with his putty-laden iron hand.

A MASSIVE EXPLOSION.

All goes still.

Rolf’s eyes gradually open—

—as he slowly…

…regains consciousness.

He sits up—

—and stares at the aftermath.

The Nibbling was blown to bits.

A SHARP PAIN. He feels his side.

His cauterized wound was ruptured by the blast. He's bleeding more than ever.

Rolf musters his remaining strength and crawls towards the carnage.

Eisenhand is completely charred.

Weakly, Rolf reaches into one of his pouches—

—and pulls out his own SMALL GLOWING VIAL.

He stares at it, his BLOODY VISAGE reflects in the glass.

His eyes focus on Eisenhand. He's made up his mind.

Rolf POPS off the cap under Eisenhand’s nose.

A puff of bright smoke SHOOTS out. The glow fades.

Nothing happens.

Rolf, eyes wet…

…finally bleeds out.

A moment of SILENCE.

A BREATH.

Eisenhand's eyes SNAP open. The charring heals somewhat.

Relentless COUGHS.

Eisenhand looks to Rolf…

…but only sees a lifeless corpse. He gazes into Rolf's bloody face: the eyes still wet…

…so young.

Two men leave the ruins of an abandoned log cabin, one young and one older. The younger man lies in the arms of the older man, draped in a tattered uniform.

Eisenhand carries his friend through the thick groves of the black forest; the boy deserves a proper resting place. Their silhouettes disappear in the dark brush as the Sun rises on a new day.