Concerned that the Rift is spreading, the Torchwood team investigates a series of gruesome deaths located in a small isolated village in the Brecon Beacons. What sort of creature could cause such shocking injuries? Stranded without communications or equipment, and separated from one another, the team confronts a terrifying enemy.
Opening shots and series recap. JACK : (VO) Torchwood. Outside the government, beyond the police. Tracking down alien life on earth and arming the human race against the future. The 21st century is when everything changes and you gotta be ready. EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT A long, narrow Country road stretches into the distance, flanked by grassy heath land. A car comes into view, approaching the camera, it's headlights shining through the overcast darkness. A phone rings. INT. THE SAME CAR - NIGHT A young woman, Ellie Johnson, driving alone, answers her mobile phone. ELLIE : Dad ? I dunno, hour an' a half tops. I'll be there as soon as I can. I can't hear you... the signal's goin' The signal is lost and Ellie looks at the phone before hanging up and dropping it on the passenger seat. As she looks up she slows the car. CUT TO - Ellie's POV. A person lies in the road, lit by the car's headlights. A man, lying on his side facing away from the car, his hood pulled up. Ellie stops the car and looks concerned. She is very aware that she is alone in the countryside at night. She exits the car slowly and picks up a baseball bat from the side of the seat. She walks towards to figure in the road, holding the baseball bat ready to swing. She knows it could be a trick. ELLIE : Hello ? Are you alright ? When she nears the figure she prods it with the bat. A shape rushes between Ellie's turned back and the car, unnoticed. She prods the figure again and the head rolls towards her to reveal a football stuffed inside the hood. She hears a noise behind her and turns, baseball bat raised as she hurries back to the car. In shock she sees her tyre is flattening, the air seeping out as she watches. She looks about her before entering the car. She goes to start the engine but the keys are no longer in the ignition... She begins to check the passenger seat, then pausing, she locks the door and picks up her mobile phone. There is still no signal. ELLIE : Come on ! She throws down the phone, starting to cry in panic. She hears the screeching of metal on the car roof and looks around, trying to see up through the metal. The car beeps and the doors unlock, as she turns a figure opens the door beside her. She tries to scramble to the passenger seat and she is grabbed, screaming. OPENING CREDITS EXT. SAME ROAD - DAY The Torchwood SUV travels down the road. OWEN : I 'ate the countryside. Jack is driving the car, Owen beside him looking deeply unhappy. Ianto, Gwen and Toshiko sit in the rear. OWEN : Dirty, it's unhygienic and what is that smell ? GWEN : That would be grass. Owen turns to look at her. OWEN : It's disgustin'. EXT. MOBILE BURGER BAR - A LITTLE LATER The SUV is parked on the grass at the side of the road. A map rests on the bonnet. JACK : 17 disappearances within the last 5 months. Police are clueless. OWEN : Now there's a surprise. No offence PC Cooper. He laughs, holding his hands out in surrender before he wanders away, Gwen smiling at his teasing. JACK : The last known whereabouts of each one is somewhere around here. Jack points at a spot on the map. Gwen and Toshiko inspect the map with him. TOSHIKO : All within a 20 mile radius. GWEN : Anything else linking them ? JACK : None of the bodies have ever been found, these people just fell off the radar. No patterns in age, s*x, race. One minute they're here, the next pfft, gone. GWEN : The rift doesn't spread out this far does it ? JACK : We don't know that much about it to be certain, and it's increasing in activity all the time. OWEN : Oh come on ! Alien's aren't gonna bother hangin' round out 'ere. Probably some sort of weird suicide club with people choosing the same spot to end it all. Ooh, God knows if I 'ad to spend too long up 'ere I'd wanna top myself. Ianto walks over to them from the van, and hands a burger to Owen. IANTO : 'ere you go. He walks to the SUV to hand the other's their food while Owen shakes his burnt hand from his glove. IANTO : Careful. They're hot. Sure you don't want anything Tosh ? TOSHIKO : Really sure. A friend of mine caught hepitius off a burger from one of these places. Gwen and Ianto stop eating after the story, Jack puts his burger on the bonnet with a sigh. JACK : We'll start with the most recent victim, Ellie Johnson. We last have record of her making a phone call, she dropped out of signal mid call. Coverage map has her placed somewhere about here. Jack indicates a place on the map. JACK : Looks as good a place as any to set up camp. Owen stops with his burger halfway to his mouth at Jack's words. OWEN : Sorry. Did you say camp ? Jack smiles at Owen's hatred of the idea. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - EVENING The SUV is parked in an area of short grass between rocky hills. Jack and Owen carry ca tent between them from the boot. OWEN : What's the matter with a hotel ? They walk past 2 already erected tents. JACK : People are going missing around here. Do you really wanna stay in a place run by strangers ? OWEN : Oh, cos sleeping outside's gonna be a lot safer ! JACK : No other race in the universe goes camping. Celebrate your own uniqueness ! Owen drops his side of the tent in frustration, Jack walks back to the SUV leaving Owen with the bagged up tent. OWEN : What am I supposed to do with this ? ! TOSHIKO : Need a hand getting it up, Owen ? OWEN : If I did, I wouldn't ask you. Toshiko returns to putting up her own tent, upset by Owen's comments. Owen ignores her feelings and kicks the tent bag. Gwen watches Toshiko walk to her tent, unsure of the situation. CUT TO : POV cannibal. Looking from one of the surrounding hills, hidden by tress, the cannibal watches Owen struggling with his tent in increasingly windy weather. OWEN : Some pieces are missing ! IANTO : No, I've checked. The cannibal watches Ianto go towards his tent then looks at the open SUV. CUT TO : CAMPSITE - LATER Owen is still struggling to put up his tent. Toshiko, Ianto and Gwen sort through their other equipment. GWEN : Oh come on ! It's just a bit of fun. Who was the last person you snogged ? OWEN : You even sound like an 8 year old. Who the hell says 'snog' ? Jack sits in the SUV watching the hills, checking his wrist cuff and ignoring the others. GWEN : Mine was Rhys. OWEN : Yeah, well, there's a surprise. GWEN : Tosh, your go. TOSHIKO : It's easy for you. GWEN : Oh, come on. Spill the beans ! Ianto carries a table towards them, clearly not wishing to join in the conversation. TOSHIKO : Owen. OWEN : What ? GWEN : Really ? OWEN : Tosh, love, in yer dreams. TOSHIKO : 3 am. Christmas Eve. In front of the Millennium Centre, waiting for a cab. I had mistletoe. OWEN : Christmas. You've... not had a snog since ? TOSHIKO : No. They sit on crates around a table between the tents. OWEN : Well. Lucky me 'aye ? TOSHIKO : So who was yours ? Owen grins, twirling a spoon. Gwen smiles at him then becomes sterner as she realises he will tell them about their kiss in the autopsy room. OWEN : Gwen actually. Jack looks over at them from the SUV, surprised at the revelation. Gwen is uncomfortable and Toshiko looks at Gwen then turns to Owen, pretending she doesn't mind. TOSHIKO : When was this ? Owen just smiles at looks to Gwen, leaving her with the explanation. GWEN : It was complicated. TOSHIKO : Didn't take you long to get your feet under the table. GWEN : What ? TOSHIKO : So, was it just a kiss or... Jack gets out of the SUV and starts to walk towards them. GWEN : Tosh. Leave it OWEN : Jack. JACK : Are we including non-human life forms ? GWEN : (Laughing) Oh, you haven't ! OWEN : You're a sick man, Harkness. That is disgusting. GWEN : I never know when he's joking. Jack laughs. IANTO : It's my turn is it ? Ianto looks at the floor as he speaks, clearly depressed but ignored by the others until he speaks. They look at him, Gwen still laughing at Jack. IANTO : It was Lisa. Gwen stops laughing and Jack glances at her. GWEN : Ianto, I'm sorry. IANTO : Sorry she's dead or sorry you mentioned it ? GWEN : I just didn't think. Ianto smiles to himself. IANTO : You forgot. Gwen looks to the others, wanting help but not receiving any. They sit silently for a moment. OWEN : We should get some firewood. Gwen stands with him, earner for the distraction. GWEN : I'll give you a hand. Ianto watches them leave, then looks at Jack who meets his look silently, a little annoyed with him for raising the subject. Ianto looks away. EXT. WOODS - CONSECUTIVE. Gwen and Owen walks through a wooded area looking for firewood. Gwen walking ahead, Owen following her. GWEN : Couldn't you 'ave kept that to yerself ? OWEN : What's the matter, you embarrassed ? GWEN : You're such an arrogant sh1t sometimes Owen. OWEN : You see to my mind that was a good kiss, it was borderline great, so good in fact you've been avoiding me ever since. GWEN : Hah ! The country air's making you delusional ! OWEN : How long did it last, 10 seconds ? And the things I can tell from that kiss... GWEN : Oh, like ? OWEN : Like your s*x life isn't up to much. Gwen grabs Owen by his jacket and shoves him against a tree, angry at his comment. GWEN : What ! OWEN : See although Rhys makes the earth rumble he don't make it move does he ? GWEN : You better shut up before I lamp you one. Owen forces himself away from the tree and pushes Gwen against it I his place. He pins her tightly and speaks quietly into her mouth. OWEN : When was the last time you screwed all night ? Gwen tried to get a way but Owen hold her in place, she grabs him by the back of the head. As he talks to her she gets progressively more desperate to kiss him. OWEN : When was the last time you came so hard and so long you forgot where you are ? Doesn't happen for you, too familiar. Whereas you and me, we're not cosy at all. We'd be amazing. That scares the sh1t out of you. As they are about to kiss a figure walks through the trees a little distance behind them and Gwen hears a twig break. Gwen keeps holding the back of Owen's head, speaking against his lips. GWEN : Some, someone's watching us, through the trees. 50 yards north, I just saw them move. OWEN : You got your gun ? GWEN : Yes. OWEN : You go to the left, I'll go right. 3, 2, 1. Gwen snatches a brief touch of lips before the move to run through the trees, reaching for their guns as they go. They search the tress but the figure has gone. Gwen is unnerved, pointing her gun in the direction of every sound a bird makes. She spins at the sound of movement behind her and pints her gun at Owen, who also points his gun at her. OWEN : Bollocks ! How did we loose 'em ? Gwen sees something in a clearing and points her gun at it, Owen turns to do the same. They move cautiously towards a figure lying on the ground, covered in sheets. Gwen signals with her gun for Owen to go first and he jumps around a bush to target the figure. Covered by Gwen he crouches down to move the sheeting with a stick, gun still aimed with his left hand. He pushes back the sheet to reveal a skinned human corpse and pumps back. GWEN : Whoa ! Owen looks at the body, visibly choking back sickness as Gwen gasps in shock a little behind him. Flies are swarming the corpse. EXT. THE CLEARING - LATER Owen and Gwen have been joined by Jack and Toshiko. Gwen leans against a tree looking away while Owen inspects the body. Toshiko crouches near the body and Jack stands watching them. OWEN : Well, it's not Ellie Johnson that's for sure. This is a male, late 40's 50's... Owen points and the maggot ridden face of the corpse. Ianto wraps yellow crime scene tape around the trees to form a perimeter. OWEN : ...wasn't killed her. No blood splatter or signs of struggle. Must have been brought here after he died. GWEN : Why do that ? It's not like they tried to bury him here. TOSHIKO : Maybe you distorted them and they ran away. IANTO : Maybe it's a warning. Whoever's responsible, marking out their territory. JACK : Cause of death ? OWEN : Impossible to say. Body's been stripped of the flesh and body organs so all that's left is a carcass. TOSHIKO : Could the Weevils have come out this far ? JACK : No. Weevil's don't finish off their victims like this. They hear a car start and they all look in the direction of the noise. GWEN : Is that ours ? JACK : Yep. They run from the clearing. Owen remains crouching near the body. EXT. THE CAMPSITE - CONSECUTIVE. The SUV is being driven over the tents. The team run towards the campsite and the thief drives away at speed. Owen, Toshiko and Ianto stop running when they reach the tents, picking up their belongings, Jack and Gwen continue running a short distance but they are unable to catch the SUV. OWEN : Alright I said I'm sorry ! While they argue Gwen gathers up some of the mess, Jack wanders around and Ianto tracks the SUV with a handheld device. TOSHIKO : Basic security protocols, Owen. OWEN : Oh get of your high horse Tosh I was carrying that stupid gear. TOSHIKO : What the whole time ? OWEN : Yeah. Then I was trying to put that bloody tent up, and then... yeah, I sort of... forgot that I'd left 'em in there, but I'm sorry I'm human, I ballsed up. JACK : Looks like that body wasn't a warning, more of a decoy. GWEN : That would mean we've been watched since we've arrived. JACK : Tosh, can you get a tracking signal ? IANTO : Already done. I took the liberty... it's currently 3.4 miles west from here. OWEN : Travelling at 90 no doubt, you steel a piece of equipment like that, you drive straight on 'til morning. IANTO : Actually no, it's been stationary for the past 4 minutes, I'd go so far as to say it was parked. Gwen looks at a map. GWEN : There's a small village in that area. Other than that, nothing for 30 miles. TOSHIKO : Call me suspicious, but this has all the hallmarks of a trap. JACK : Yeah. I was just thinking the same thing. Anyone fancy a walk ? Jack walks away, smiling and eager for adventure. The others look at each other before following. They walk slowly through the countryside before seeing a rundown row of 4 grey brick, two story, terraced houses in the middle of the hills. OWEN : Why would anyone want to live out 'ere ? JACK : Has the SUV moved ? Ianto checks the tracking device and his watch. IANTO : Not for, an hour now. He starts walking towards the houses, the others following. EXT. HOUSES - LATER They walk in a line towards the houses then stop at the gravelled dirt track that runs in front of the houses. A water pump gushes water into a hole in the grass and a tractor is parked nearby. Tyres and metal barrels have been dumped carelessly around. Jack walks towards a pub - 'The Tap House' - in the middle of the row of buildings. INTERCUT WITH : Villager POV. Looking through the upstairs window of the two story building at the team approaching. Jack stops and turns round to face the others. JACK : Tosh, Ianto, follow the signal, find the SUV. Owen, Gwen. Lets see if there's any room at the inn. Jack walks towards the pub followed by Owen and Gwen. Toshiko and Ianto walk away to go around the back of the houses. INT. THE PUB - CONSECUTIVE Jack opens the creaking door to the pub and enters. It is a small old fashioned pub, clearly converted from the living room of a house. There are no people in the bar. Wooden chairs and tables are placed around the dark room, the only light entering through the window at the far end of the room. Jack turns on his torch to look around, Gwen and Owen follow his lead as they close the door behind him. Jack indicates where Gwen and Owen should go with his torch then moves away silently. Gwen moves behind the bar, looking around. Owen approaches the customer's side of the bar. OWEN : Pint of best please love, and erm... yeah get one for yerself. He grins at Gwen who looks put out by his constant joking, Jack smiles at them then returns to his searching without passing comment. Owen moves away from the bar and Gwen opens the old fashioned till which tings as the cash drawer opens. Jack turns at the noise. Gwen pulls out a handful of £10 notes then looks at the others. GWEN : Where is everybody ? Jack moves away and moves his head to indicate Gwen should follow. Jack moves cautiously through a narrow tunnel-like corridor, his gun ready. Owen continues searching the bar. Jack finds an open door and enters, nodding that Gwen should continue moving down the corridor. Gwen enters a filthy kitchen which buzzes with flies as she searches the room she looks up to see a mosquito catching light near the ceiling. Below it lies the blood covered, partially skinned corpse of a woman. Gwen lowers her gun then wretches over the sideboard. Jack enters quickly upon hearing the noise. JACK : You okay? Gwen doesn't look up but waves her hand in the general direction of the body. GWEN : In there. Jack moves past her to look. As he does so Owen approaches from the corridor, not knowing what's happening but seeing Gwen still dry heaving near the door. OWEN : Burger comin' back to haunt ya ? He walks past Gwen to stand next to Jack. He sees the body and looks on, sickened. OWEN : Oh my God. Oh my God... A noise is heard outside the room and Jack runs towards it into the corridor, back towards the bar. JACK : Gwen... Gwen turns to follow him. Jack runs down the stairs, Gwen following. EXT. THE PUB - CONSECUTIVE Jack exits the pub, searching with his gun. Gwen runs outside past him, heedless of any danger. They run over the narrow road and scan the frontages of the houses. CUT TO : POV VILLAGER. The villager watches Jack and Gwen from behind a tree. He is behind them facing the houses. Jack continues scanning the houses, Gwen doubles over, dry heaving again in the fresh air. She stands and lifts her gun, futilely circling around. GWEN : Jack. Jack, please, something's goin' on here. Jack nods towards another house and moves towards it. JACK : Let's take a look in here. Come on. Jack stands with his back leaning against the wall to one side of the front door of the next house. Gwen Leans against the door, one hand ready to open the door by the handle, the other holding her gun ready. JACK : 1, 2, 3... POV house interior. Gwen opens the door and enters the living room, gun first. She moves forward and Jack enters the house behind her. The house is like the pub - clearly lived in but dark and empty. Gwen move forwards and steps in something. She looks down to see a small pool of blood, she steps forward slightly and sees something in the room beyond. Jack moves to stand beside her. JACK : What is it ? GWEN : There's another body in there. JACK : Same as the other. Jack keeps glancing behind him through the open front door while Gwen keeps her attention on the body in the other room. GWEN : What did this Jack ? 'Cause whatever it is, it can't be human, how far is this gonna spread ? JACK : Stay focused. Jack unwilling to calm Gwen's growing fear of the situation moves to the front door to check the exterior of the house. GWEN : I should be at home having dinner with Rhys. What am I doin' here with you ? Don't you ever get scarred Jack ? Huh ? Gwen turns to look at Jack when he doesn't answer her wanting him to understand her fear and needing an explanation. JACK : There's another two houses, we better take a look. Jack moves outside. Gwen stays in the house looking at the body. INT. THE PUB - CONCURRENT Owen examines the body in the kitchen of the pub, looking sickened still. OWEN : Oh, whatever they were, I hope you put up a good fight. EXT. HOUSE - CONCURRENT Ianto and Toshiko follow the SUV tracking signal and walk up a hill towards a larger house which stands alone. It's windows have been boarded up but a couple of the windows on the second floor have been smashed and are open to the elements. IANTO : It's just half a mile up 'ere. Toshiko looks at Ianto. Still in an ill mood from the previous conversation and further annoyed that Ianto is doing her job Toshiko takes the tracking device from him. TOSHIKO : At least we've still got this. Ianto smiles, letting her take over. TOSHIKO : The rest of my stuff was in the vehicle. CUT TO : POV VILLAGER. A villager hides behind a stone wall close by and watches them approach the house. Toshiko kicks over a metal can lying in front of the house and looks inside while Ianto pushes at the front door - locked. As he rattles the door a brief scream is heard and they both look towards the noise. TOSHIKO : What was that ? IANTO : Just a... a fox or something. Check round the back. Ianto walks around the wall outlining a front garden at the house and towards the rear of the property. Toshiko pauses for a moment before moving. TOSHIKO : Yeah. Toshiko moves cautiously around the house, walking around the opposite side to Ianto. As she moves along the side of the house, she hears the same screaming noise again behind her and turns to look. She draws her gun and puts her back against the wall of the house. Continuing towards the rear again, checking as she reaches the corner of the back wall of the house. Dead pheasants and rabbits have been hung along the back wall of the house and from a tree near by. Toshiko sees the back door and checks the handle. This door is also locked. She kicks it but it does not open. Ianto walks around the corner of the house towards her, his head down. Toshiko points her gun at him, not recognising him at first. Ianto puts his hands out to show he's unarmed and Toshiko lowers her gun, smiling at him with nervous relief. She turns to look out at the hills behind the house. Ianto climbs over a low wall and walks a short distance up the hill, surveying the area. He points ahead and speaks to Toshiko, his back to her. IANTO : We should carry on straight up there. He receives no reply and turns to look. Toshiko is not there. IANTO : Tosh ! Ianto draws and cocks his gun. IANTO : Tosh ! Tosh ! Okay... He whispers to himself, trying to find courage as he moves back towards the house and down the narrow passageway between the house and the outhouse. As he nears the front of the house a figure passes the path behind Ianto who turns at the noise, ready to shoot. As he moves forward a figure runs behind Ianto and pushes him to the floor, knocking the gun from his hands. Ianto turns to look at his attacker. EXT. THE HOUSES - CONSECUTIVE. Jack slams open the door of another house and moves outside, followed by Gwen. They move to the next door along, still checking with their guns. Gwen still nervously aiming at every noise. As before Jack leans against the wall to the side of the door, ready while Gwen positions herself to open the door. He pulls at it but unlike the others it doesn't open. JACK : Locked ? GWEN : Locked. Gwen pulls harder at the door and opens it a small way - it is locked only by a chain. She looks through the crack into the house. She pushes the door closes then uses the momentum to pull the door open. As she opens the door a shot fires and Gwen is thrown backwards. Jack looks through the door then back to Gwen lying in the floor. JACK : Gwen ! Gwen ! Gwen ! Gwen ! She does not respond but is alive. Kicks open the door of the house and aims his revolver at a young man, Kieran, standing on the stairs pointing a shotgun. JACK : Put the gun down on the floor ! Put the gun down on the floor. Kieran looks terrified and obeys, putting the gun down slowly. Gwen is seen rolling around, unable to stand properly, coughing before the door swings shut. KIERAN : Look. I thought you were them. I thought you'd back for me. JACK : Thought who'd come back for you ? Kieran doesn't answer, instead sits on the stairs crying, defeated. JACK : Who ? ! CUT TO : Gwen lies on here back in front of the house, loosing consciousness. As her eyes close she hears Owen calling her. OWEN : Gwen ! Gwen ! POV. VILLAGER : Owen runs to crouch next to Gwen and Jack exits the house He holsters his gun as he helps Owen pick Gwen up. JACK : Kid hit her with a shotgun. Get up, got you. I got ya, I got ya. Jack takes Gwen from Owen and carries her to the house, Owen running in first to hold open the door. JACK : Get in. INT. HOUSE - CONSECUTIVE Owen throws things from the kitchen table to clear space for Gwen. Gwen is conscious and moaning in pain as Jack puts her on the table and leaves the room, running past the man who stands in the living room watching the scene. JACK : Okay, I'll check upstairs. OWEN : Okay, head. Owen lifts Gwen's head to put a pillow underneath and Gwen tries to grab for him as he gets things from his bag, rushing to help her. GWEN : Owen. OWEN : Bet you thought you'd never be glad to see me. Gwen rolls to her side and Owen pulls her back having to fight her struggles. OWEN : Alright ! GWEN : No, please... OWEN : Alright ! Owen grabs Gwen's wrists to stop her moving. OWEN : Listen. Listen ! I'm gonna have a look at your wound now, okay. Keep calm. Gwen grabs the wound in her side, not wanting Owen to look at it, not wanting to know how bad it is. OWEN : Hands off. Hands off. GWEN : No don't please, don't... OWEN : Okay... He pushes her hands away and pulls up Gwen's top to check the wound. A mess of small holes have punctured her side - buckshot rather than a bullet. OWEN : Right. Could've been much worse. Gwen struggles to look and Owen puts a large piece of gauze against the wound. OWEN : Hold this. Apply pressure. Gwen presses the gauze to the wound as instructed, crying out in pain while Owen looks at the wound. OWEN : Bullets are lodged near the surface, you've been bloody lucky girl... Kieran looks on from the other room. Upset at his actions, unable to help. OWEN : ...Another inch to the left, any one of your vital organs might 'ave been... Gwen looks up at his terrified and Owen just waves away the rest of his sentence. OWEN : Anyway... Owen picks up a syringe and shows it to Gwen. OWEN : Want a quip about feeling a small prick ? GWEN : No but thanks for offerin'. Gwen tries to laugh against the pain. OWEN : Here we go. Owen injects the wounds to anesthetise them while Gwen holds tightly to the back of his jacket, gritting her teeth against the pain. OWEN : Okay, all done. GWEN : God ! OWEN : Okay, lets get the pellets out then. Right, there's gonna be a certain amount of residue, so just lie back and think of Torchwood. Owen starts removing the pellets. Gwen rests her hand across the back of his neck, focussing on him to relax. GWEN : Do you miss being a doctor ? OWEN : Excuse me. I still am a doctor. I just don't deal with patients any more, that's all. It's ideal. That was the bit I always hated. Owen pulls a large pellet from Gwen's side and holding it with the tweezers holds it up to her, in a direct line with her face, he looks at the pellet and Gwen. OWEN : You beauty. Come on, I'm good. GWEN : Not bad. He gives Gwen half a smile then returns to taking out the pellets. Gwen lies back facing away. Jack runs downstairs to them carrying a shotgun which he rests at the side of the stairs. JACK : What's taking Tosh and Ianto so long ? OWEN : Jack, give 'em a chance. The SUV might be locked up or under guard. KIERAN : Or they could be dead ! Well everyone else is ! JACK : Sit down. Tell us what happened here. KIERAN : It's not human. Look my mum won't know what's happened... He tries to stand and Jack pushes him back down on the chair, not finished talking yet. KIERAN : They weren't expecting me back for the weekend. JACK : Look, we'll get you home, okay ? KIERAN : What are you gonna do ? You can't fight them, they're too strong ! He stands and moves towards the door, Jack dragging him back to the chair again. KIERAN : The only thing we can do is barricade the door. JACK : No ! We'll make base at the pub. OWEN : What about Tosh and Ianto. Shouldn't we go after 'em. JACK : Not 'til we know what we're dealing with. OWEN : What if it's too late ? JACK : They're not children. They know what to do. Lets go. Jack moves into the kitchen towards Gwen and Owen puts out a hand to stop him. OWEN : No, it's alright. I've got her. Jack spares a glance at Owen claiming his territory before running out of the house. Owen helps Gwen get off the table and moves to pick her up before Gwen stops him GWEN : Yeah, er, Owen. Owen, I can do it on my own. Gwen tries to take a step and stumbles. Owen catches her before she can fall and she turns to look at him, about to kiss him. KIERAN : Look, I'm sorry about your friends. They both stare at him, unspeaking. [SCENE_BREAK] INT. BASEMENT CELL - CONSECUTIVE Toshiko lies on the dirty concrete floor of the makeshift cell. Light shines in through an opening in the wall. She sits up stiffly, rubbing her neck - she has just regained consciousness. Ianto sits nearby on a box holding a meat hook, watching her nervously. IANTO : You know. I've never liked camping. Don't bother, they took the guns. Toshiko finds her gun is missing but pulls a torch from her sock and looks around the room. Boxes are scattered around the floor and broken doors and junk lies against the walls. A few chains hang down from the ceiling in the centre of the room. TOSHIKO : Charming place they've got. IANTO : Judging by the sound reverberations and the air quality, pretty deep underground. Chances of rescue... ? Toshiko checks the walls and door, looking for a way out as she speaks to Ianto, not sounding worried while Ianto is clearly scarred. TOSHIKO : We won't need rescuing ! I haven't met a cell yet I couldn't get out of. IANTO : What were they ? TOSHIKO : Don't know. Happened too quickly. You worried ? IANTO : Huh. A little. Toshiko looks up at the opening where the light shines in. It is at the top of a steep metal shoot - like the entrance to a pub cellar where the barrels are rolled down. She lifts her hand and it is covered with blood. IANTO : That body we saw in the forrest... TOSHIKO : Don't think about it. See if you can get that light to work, huh ? Ianto stands up and shines his torch on the chains hanging hear by, trying to fix the light. IANTO : You're used to this aren't you ? That facial expression you all share. When things get a bit out of control, like you enjoy it. Like you get a high from the danger. TOSHIKO : You want me to apologise for that ? IANTO : Don't you ever wonder how long you can survive before you, you go mad, or, or get killed or lose a loved one... TOSHIKO : It's worth the risk ! To protect people... IANTO : And who protects us ? ! Toshiko looks away, unable to answer him. TOSHIKO : Well, I'm hurry. IANTO : You should've 'ad that cheeseburger. TOSHIKO : Not that hungry. What's that... ? IANTO : You found something ? TOSHIKO : It's just a shoe. Wait... there's another. She shines her torch into the cubby hole and sees shoes piled carelessly. TOSHIKO : Dozens of them. IANTO : Oh my God. TOSHIKO : How many people have been down here ? IANTO : And what happened to them ? TOSHIKO : Fridge... She moves over to the large, steel refrigerator and opens the door. The light from the fridge reveals body parts inside and she shuts the door quickly, afraid. IANTO : Tosh ? What is it ? What's in there ? She doesn't answer and he moves towards her, to look for himself. IANTO : Tell me. Toshiko steps in front of him to stop him from looking. TOSHIKO : Ianto, don't ! He pushes her aside and strides to the fridge. IANTO : I wanna know ! He looks inside the fridge and freezes, trying to take in the sight. TOSHIKO : That's why there was nothing left on the body. They need to eat. We're food. INT. THE PUB - CONSECUTIVE. Owen picks up chairs and carries them across the room. OWEN : If we barricade ourselves in, what happens to Tosh and Ianto ? JACK : Why are we still talking about this ? Tosh and Ianto can look after themselves. The kid is our first priority now they've already been for him once, they're not gonna give up that easily. Kieran lies on the pub seating near the wall, holding his shotgun. Gwen writes on the blackboard next to the dartboard while Owen and Jack pile furniture against the door. GWEN : So, have we ever heard of a species that strip human bodies of flesh and organs ? OWEN : What are you doing ? You need to rest. GWEN : Compiling what we've got. Seeing if it helps. Owen nods at her, knowing he will be unable to change her mind he returns to work. JACK : We have to assume the others who disappeared have been killed too. GWEN : So you think there's been seventeen deaths. JACK : At least, these aren't casual killers. OWEN : Okay, so all this means the rift is spreading and it's dumping aliens and psychos wherever it goes. JACK : Looks like that. OWEN : Great. This conversation's cheated me up no end. A figure moves past the window and Gwen turns to see it and gasps. GWEN : Did you see that ? Owen stands next to her, gun aimed at the window. JACK : Somebody outside ? A glass smashes outside the other window and Owen changes his aim. OWEN : Was that the same one or different ? Gwen picks up her gun and aims alongside Owen while Jack peers out of the windows trying to see who's there. Gwen looks around at Kieran who lies asleep behind her. GWEN : He said they'd come back. JACK : Lets not jump to conclusions. We don't know who they are or what their intentions are. The power is cut and they are left in darkness. OWEN : I'm thinking that's not a good sign. Jack walks behind the bar to get the power back on. Owen and Gwen remain in the bar. There is a bang at the door and Kieran wakes up. GWEN : They've come back. Kieran, listen to my voice okay ? Just come back. Kieran ! Jack looks on from behind the bar. Watching the door rattle he reaches for his gun. The rattling stops and they look around, wondering where their adversaries have gone. The handle of the padlocked cellar door next to Jack moves and he turns towards it, aiming his gun. Gwen and Owen behind him at the end of the bar aim in the same direction. JACK : Okay, so we didn't check the cellar. Jack holds the door shut with his shoulder. KIERAN : You can't let them in ! GWEN : Kieran back to the door ! Kieran moves him aim back to the front door. KIERAN : Don't let them beat ya ! OWEN : Got this under control. KIERAN : You don't understand. You don't know what they're like ! Kieran shoots at the front door. GWEN : Kieran ! The chairs tumble from the front door as the door Jack is trying to hold closed opens. Jack steps back and shoots into the cellar. The front door opens and shots shatter the bottles at the back of the bar. Gwen, Owen and Jack crouch behind the bar. Kieran lies on the floor, only his head and torso in sight, the villager's have his legs. Jack shoots at them over the bar. KIERAN : No, please ! Please, no, no, not me ! GWEN : Kieran ! Kieran is dragged out of the pub. Jack crouches next to Gwen behind the bar, blocking her path. JACK : It's pitch black you don't have any tracking devices, do you wanna get yourself killed ? GWEN : Get out of my way ! JACK : Look, whatever's in that cellar took three bullets, I heard it fall. Once we know what it is then we'll know how to deal with it. GWEN : You do that, we'll go after Kieran and the others. JACK : You are wounded. GWEN : Do you think that's gonna stop me ? Jack knowing Gwen has made up her mind nods towards the door and lets her have her own way. JACK : Be careful. Owen looks questioningly at Jack as Gwen leaves the pub. JACK : Go. INT. THE CELL - CONSECUTIVE Toshiko and Ianto check the door, trying to escape. TOSHIKO : Got to be three steel bolts, top, middle and bottom. IANTO : How are you at calculating target stress points ? Find the weakest point, bit of brute force... TOSHIKO : Nice thought, but it's reinforced. Ianto kicks at the door anyway while Toshiko looks through the debris on the floor of the cell. As Ianto kicks a light shines through the small viewing hole in the door and Ianto throws himself to the side of the door, out of sight. Toshiko crouches on the other side, holding a piece of metal as a weapon. The door creaks open and a woman with a shot gun enters. Ianto jumps behind her and tries to wrestle the gun from her. The gun fires and she jabs Ianto in the stomach with the butt of the shotgun, making him fall to the floor. Toshiko stands in front of her, holding a piece of metal ready to strike. The woman is middle aged, plain and functionally dressed. HELEN : Look at me, you idiot, I'm not gonna hurt you. TOSHIKO : You've got a gun ! HELEN : I promise. I promise. Helen backs towards the door, the gun held in one hand towards the ceiling, the other hand held out calming to Ianto and Toshiko who stand ready to attack her. TOSHIKO : Okay, give us some space. HELEN : Thank you. She looks towards Ianto and starts moving slowly towards him as she speaks to him as if she is trying to calm an animal or unruly child. HELEN : Were you injured, when they took you ? Let me see, I'm a nurse. She reaches up towards his face and Ianto flinches away from her. HELEN : Okay. Okay. She moves back from Ianto and takes a step towards Toshiko who readies her metal bar. HELEN : Okay. Okay. Does anyone else know you're here ? Have you managed to call for help ? TOSHIKO : We don't need any help. There's three more of us in the village. Helen looks at them, terrified and backs towards the door. HELEN : I can't help you. I'm sorry. IANTO : What do you mean ? HELEN : I've been sent to collect you. I've got to take you to them. TOSHIKO : Tell us what's going on. We can help. She fearfully laughs at Toshiko's suggestion. HELEN : No one is safe. Every ten years... it takes us again. TOSHIKO : What takes you ? What is it ? HELEN : The harvest. Ianto glances at Toshiko then starts to rush at Helen but she raises her shotgun and he stops. HELEN : No ! Please ! She moves her aim between Ianto and Toshiko. HELEN : You have to come with me. Toshiko looks at the gun aimed at her face and recognising the fear in Helen knows there's no hope. She drops the metal bar grudgingly. INT. PUB CELLAR - CONSECUTIVE Jack walks down the stairs onto the dirt floor of the cellar. He pauses, gun ready, at an open doorway next to the stairs. He pauses for a moment to listen then turns quickly into the doorway, gun ready he begins searching the room. Tall shelves are dotted around the room. Each shelf is full of jars containing human organs. Jack looks at the jars, then moves on around the room. He sees a shotgun lying an the floor and then hears heavy breathing. He spins around to see a man lying on the floor behind him. The man is injured. He pulls down his hood and balaclava type mask to reveal a normal, human man. MARTIN : Help me, please help. JACK : Did you attack us ? MARTIN : I'm dying, help me. I'll tell you everything. Jack picks up Martin and throws him onto a board leaning against a wall. He ties a tourniquet around the man's thigh while he cries out in pain. JACK : This'll help you for a short amount of time. Having tied the tourniquet Jack moves to grab Martin's collar. JACK : Now start talkin'. MARTIN : You gotta get help. I know where you can get... Jack slaps him across the face making him flinch in pain. JACK : We had a deal. I help you, you tell me where they've taken the boy and what the hell is goin' on around here. Martin starts laughing, in a slightly deranged way, at Jack. MARTIN : You don't know ! Jack removes the tourniquet from his leg with one hand, his other holding the man down by his throat. MARTIN : Put it back ! Jack keeps his hand on Martin's throat, the other grips his crew-cut hair so he cannot move while he speaks. JACK : You need to know something. A long time ago I was a pretty good torturer, you see I had quite a reputation as the go to guy, my job demanded it at the time you see. So I know where to apply the tiniest amount of pressure to a wound like yours... Jack reaches down and presses at Martin's wounds - he screams in pain. MARTIN : Okay, you gotta stop ! You're gonna kill me ! Please ! JACK : It's in your power to make me stop. Just tell me what I need to know. 'Cause in 10 seconds I'm gonna find a sharp object... Jack pulls out his revolver and holds it by the barrel so Martin can see it. MARTIN : I'll tell you everything. Just stop. Please ! JACK : Now talk. EXT. DIRT ROAD - NIGHT Owen and Gwen stumble up onto a dirt lane, just wide enough for a single car, and flanked by trees. Owen has his arm around Gwen holding her up. Gwen cries out in pain as she tries to walk. OWEN : Sure you're alright ? GWEN : Yeah I'm fine. A police 4x4 drives towards them down the lane, its sirens on. Owen and Gwen stand in the middle of the road and the car stops. OWEN : That's all we bloody need ! GWEN : Let me do the talking and I'll get rid of 'im. A young, uniformed police officer - Huw - gets out of the car and approaches them. HUW : Who are you please ? GWEN : Special ops. We're Torchwood, have you heard of Torchwood ? HUW : What's that then ? A band is it ? Owen moves a little in front of Gwen, trying to hide the wound in her side from Huw. HUW : What's wrong with 'er ? OWEN : Nothin'. You wouldn't understand. GWEN : Alright. What's that light over there ? A light shines dimly through the trees behind Huw and he turns briefly to look before answering. HUW : The big house. An official village hall. Village meeting tonight, that's why I'm here. Constabulary report. Gwen and Owen run past Huw towards the light. GWEN : Come on ! HUW : Where do you think you're goin' ? INT. SHERMAN HOUSE - CONSECUTIVE Toshiko and Ianto are backed into a kitchen, Helen pointing the shotgun at them and indicating a direction. HELEN : In there please. TOSHIKO : If you help us, we can stop all this. Please ! HELEN : I'm sorry. Get back. TOSHIKO : That stench... Toshiko and Ianto turn to see plastic sheeting hanging from the ceiling. The push it aside and see a human body, wrapped in plastic, hanging from the ceiling by it's feet. As they edge further into the room they see jars of blood and organs standing on a plastic covered table. Two more plastic wrapped bodies hang near the fall wall of the room. Helen moves quietly behind Toshiko, unnoticed as Toshiko and Ianto cannot take their eyes from the gory contents of the room. TOSHIKO : Tell us what these creatures are. Do they look like us ? A man has entered the room unnoticed and stands off to the side, watching them. His is middle aged and weathered in appearance. EVAN : How else are we gonna look ? Evan steps forward through the sheeting towards them. Helen looks at him and then laughs at Toshiko, the ruse having worked. As Ianto and Toshiko watch them Evan kisses Helen. Ianto uses the opportunity to rush at them, but Evan sees him and knocks him hard in the stomach. Evan goes over to him as he lies on the floor and Helen aims her shotgun at Toshiko. Evan handcuffs Ianto's wrists behind his back. HELEN : There are three more out there EVAN : Not a problem. How are they ? HELEN : They're in a good state. Dropping Ianto to the floor Evan moves behind Toshiko and kicks her calves, making her fall to her knees. Helen lowers her gun while Evan picks up some rope from a near by shelf and ties Toshiko's hands behind her back. HELEN : I think they're the best we've ever 'ad. EVAN : Yeah. Oh, I forgot to tell you. Caught the boy... Helen goes to Ianto and pulls up his head to look at him while Evan moves across the room, behind the table. EVAN : Finally. Come on, come on ! Evan pulls up Kieran by his neck and removes the crude sack from his head. KIERAN : Look, I won't tell anyone. Helen puts her face next Ianto's and uses his hair to pull his head round to look at Kieran. HELEN : Aww, look. TOSHIKO : Who is he ? EVAN : He's meat. Evan pushes Kieran back to the floor and Helen chuckles and stokes the back of Ianto's head before backing away. Evan walks towards them and puts a hand of each of their heads as he speaks to them. EVAN : I'm afraid we're all just meat. He follows Helen back into the kitchen. IANTO : Get ready to run. They both get to their feet and look through the plastic sheeting at Evan and Helen. Evan has picked up a baseball bat. He turns towards them and Toshiko speaks to him, defiant. TOSHIKO : What you gonna do, put us on meat hooks ? Evan glances at Helen and she laughs before walking away. Evan moves back into the room to speak to Toshiko. EVAN : No, not yet. Evan stands close to Toshiko and runs the baseball bat over her as he speaks. EVAN : You see meat has to be tenderised first. Evan grabs Toshiko close to him, licking his lips. Toshiko glances at Ianto who nods. Evan moves over to Ianto, the baseball bat held up towards Ianto's face. Evan looks Ianto over - checking the meat and Ianto smiles at Evan. He headbuts Evan and he and Toshiko run for the door, Evan grabs Ianto. IANTO : Go, get the others ! Evan punches Ianto in the face then kicks him in the stomach as he falls to the floor. Evan picks up a machete from the side and leaves the room. Ianto looks across the floor towards Kieran, unable to help. Helen smacks Ianto in the face with the but of her shotgun and he looses consciousness. EXT. WOODS - CONSECUTIVE. Evan runs through the woods, chasing Toshiko. Machete in one hand, torch in the other. Toshiko hides behind a bush. Evan pauses on the other side of the bush, looking for her - knowing she cannot have run far. EVAN : I know you're here. Evan moves around slowly, hunting Toshiko. He calls for her like you would a cat. He looks about laughing, enjoying the game. As he moves away Toshiko crawls around the bush then stands and runs. Evan, waiting for her, catches Toshiko in his arms and pushes her onto her back. EVAN : No one's coming for you. Toshiko kicks Evan in the balls hard and she manages to run away into the woods. She hides behind a tree and looks for Evan as she catches her breath. She sees him approaching slowly and runs. Evan sees her and chases her, not running fast enough to catch her, just to keep her running. Toshiko trips in a clearing and unable to keep her balance with her hands tied behind her back falls face down on the ground. She cries out and tries to struggle away but cannot get back up. Evan holds her down with a foot on her back. EVAN : No more games. Evan turns Toshiko over and puts a hand across her throat, choking her into unconsciousness. He mouths unheard words to her. A gun barrel and torchlight appear at Evan's temple. OWEN : Get off her or I'll shoot. Get off her or I'll shoot ! Owen stands over Evan, the police officer, Huw, behind him. Evan continues choking Toshiko, starting to laugh and Owen kicks him away. Gwen pulls Toshiko into a hug while Owen kicks Evan onto his back and aims his gun at him. GWEN : We saw the torchlight. TOSHIKO : They've murdered all the villagers. They've cannibalised the bodies. EVAN : Put the gun down. OWEN : You're in no position to negotiate mate. GWEN : It's alright, it's alright. You can arrest him now ! The Huw does not move. GWEN : I said you can arrest 'im ! EVAN : He won't arrest me, him. Evan lies back laughing and the Huw walks forward, also smiling. HUW : That'd be a laugh wouldn't it ? My own uncle. Huw draws a gun and aims it at Owen. Owen continues aiming at Evan. Gwen draws her gun, stands and aims at the officer. GWEN : Put the gun down don't you hurt him. EVAN : Shoot the b*st*rd. Split his skull. GWEN : Put the f*cking gun down ! EVAN : Shoot ! GWEN : I will shoot you, put it down. EVAN : Pull the trigger, Huw. Huw has the gun barrel near to Owen's face, he will not miss. Owen shakes his head at Gwen and she lets Huw take her gun. Evan stands up and speaks quietly to Owen. EVAN : Why don't you give me the gun, mate ? Owen gives Evan the gun and he strokes it down Owen's face while Owen and Gwen look at each other. INT. SHERMAN HOUSE - CONSECUTIVE Gwen, Owen and Toshiko are pushes back into the Sherman's kitchen. A group of people sit around the table. TOSHIKO : Who are these people ? HELEN : This is our village. GWEN : The villagers are dead ! Helen laughs and the others smile, paying the food no attention. TOSHIKO : All involved. They've all been doing it. EVAN : This is our harvest. OWEN : Only in the bloody countryside ! You sick fuckers. The villagers laugh at them as Evan and Huw push them through the plastic sheeting into the other room. Gwen stumbles over to Kieran when she sees him. GWEN : You okay ? You okay ? TOSHIKO : Where's Ianto ? What have you done with him ? Evan bends down behind the table and pulls up Ianto. Evan pulls the sack from Ianto's head. He has been badly beaten and is unconscious. Owen gasps in shock and tries to move but is held back by Huw. Evan slaps Ianto across the face. EVAN : Wake up man. Ianto's eyes open and he shakes in fear against Evan's grasp. EVAN : Time to be bled... Evan picks up a cleaver from the table and holds Ianto's head up - his hand under his chin and across his mouth. EVAN : ...like veal, takes a long time though, definitely makes the meat taste better. Helen watching on from the kitchen notices a bowl shaking and frowns. Evan hears the noise and moves to stand by Huw, facing the wooden barn doors that lead outside. Huw points his gun at the doors. EVAN : What now ? What the f*ck ? A tractor smashes through the doors and Jack jumps out, shooting the villagers with a shotgun. They all lie injured on the floor and Jack looks around. Huw reaches for a gun and Jack sees him. JACK : Oh really ? Jack shoots Huw in the hand then moves over to Evan. He pulls Evan up by his collar and digs his revolver under Evan's chin. GWEN : No Jack, don't do it ! Gwen moves to Jack, standing nearby and pleading with him JACK : These people don't deserve warnings. GWEN : Let me question him. I have to understand, I want to know why otherwise this, this is too much. TOSHIKO : They're injured, they need to get to the hospital. GWEN : Owen you control the bleeding then phone the police. Jack, please give me an hour with him. Don't tell me you don't wanna know too. Gwen puts a hand on Jack's shoulder and he releases Evan. INT. THE PUB - MORNING Gwen sits opposite Evan at a small table in the pub. Jack sits a little way off watching them. GWEN : The whole village was involved. EVAN : Every generation, our tradition. Once a decade, target those travelling through, those most likely to disappear. GWEN : And butcher them. What sort of people are you that you wake up in the morning and think this is what I'm gonna do ? Why do you do it ? Come on, make me understand. EVAN : Why do you care ? GWEN : I have seen things you would never believe and this is the only thing I can't understand. Evan looks at Jack and grins. Jack looks at him blankly. EVAN : So keep on wondering. GWEN : Tell me, I need to know why ! Jack stands when Gwen starts shouting. He puts a hand on Evan's shoulder. JACK : That's enough. Time to go. EVAN : I'll tell you something. If you let me whisper it. Jack releases him and Gwen nods slightly. Evan leans eagerly across the table and whispers in Gwen's ear. EVAN : It made me happy. Jack pulls Evan up by his collar away from Gwen. JACK : Come on. Out. Jack pushes Evan from the pub while Gwen sits in shock, unable to understand. EXT. ROAD OUTSIDE PUB - LATER Ambulances and police cars are parked randomly outside the houses. Ianto sits on the end of the SUV boot. Owen and Jack stand in front of the SUV watching the scene. Toshiko speaks to ambulance crew. As Gwen walks over she sees Huw being led away by police and Evan being pushed into a squad car. Gwen walks past Owen and Jack, silently. INT. GWEN'S FLAT - LATER Gwen sits on the settee watching television with Rhys. GWEN : (VO) I had a good job before this. I thought in a year or two perhaps a baby, I know Rhys would be a good dad and I'd try for desk sergeant and... CUT TO : CARDIFF STREET - EVENING. Gwen walks down a street that evening. GWEN : (VO) ...well it was all sorting into place. And then I met you lot... CUT TO : INT. OWEN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT. Gwen stands looking out over Cardiff through the darkened glass walls of Owen's bedroom wearing a man's shirt. GWEN : (VO) ...all these things, all these things they're changing me. Changing how I see the world. And I can't share them with anyone. Owen enters, topless and stands behind Gwen. They close their eyes. OWEN : You can now. Gwen pulls Owen's hands around the front of her waist and rests her head on his shoulder before turning to kiss him passionately. Owen Teale - Evan B. Sherman / Maxine Evans - Helen Sherman / Calum Callaghan - Kieran / Rhys op Trefor - Huw / Emily Boker - Ellie / Robert Barton - Martin.
Countryside