1. 1
The Vanished
By Anastacia Sibikina
INT. APARTMENT CORRIDOR - NIGHT
A door of one of the apartments swings open, revealing
the bright corridor of a newly constructed living
building, bathed in the soft glow of warm lights. The
eerie quietness contrasts with the towering skyscrapers
surrounding the residential area, a lot of living
places, almost zero people on the streets. It's nearly
nighttime.
CUT TO: Inside the apartment
A young girl exits the apartment, and the door creaks
softly behind her. She then exchanges a heartfelt
goodbye with her mom.
MOTHER
Love you, sweetie. Tell your dad to call me when
you make it to Grandma.
YOUNGER DAUGHTER
Love you too, mom. Bye!
The mother gives her daughter a quick kiss on her cheek.
The girl, with a radiant smile, navigates the corridor
and approaches the elevators. She presses the button,
but after a moment's contemplation, she rushes for the
stairs.
CUT TO: Basement garage (car)
In the family car, a man sits in the driver's seat while
his older daughter fiddles with the car's stereo system,
searching for the perfect song. Her impatience settles
in.
2. 2
OLDER DAUGHTER (CONT'D)
Where’s Alice? How long does it take her to come
down?
FATHER (CONT'D)
You know she’s scared of elevators, and we live on
the fifteenth floor. Take it easy. When you were
her age, it could take forever for you to pack your
toys and leave.
The older girl huffs audibly and rolls her eyes. The man
decides to call his wife.
CUT TO: Inside the apartment
The wife picks up the phone.
MOTHER (ON PHONE)
Henry?
CUT TO: Basement garage (car)
FATHER (ON PHONE)
Darling, could you please make Alice speed up?
Someone’s about to eat me alive.
He gives his daughter a warm smile and chuckles.
Suddenly, his facial expression changes drastically. The
older daughter senses a huge shift in atmosphere.
OLDER DAUGHTER (CONT’D)
Dad, are you okay?
FATHER (ON PHONE)
Lucy, what do you mean she left fifteen minutes
ago?
OLDER DAUGHTER (CONT’D)
Dad, where’s Alice? What’s wrong?
3. 3
MOTHER
You know what, I’ll go and check if she got stuck
again…
FATHER (CONT’D)
Sure. We’ll wait for her a bit more.
CUT TO: Stairs
The mother calls back, she looks frightened.
MOTHER (ON PHONE)
Henry, the elevators are working, I can’t find her
anywhere!
She rushes up and down the stairs, desperately calling
for her younger daughter.
CUT TO: Basement garage
FATHER (ON PHONE)
Ava, let’s wait for a bit more. It’s gonna be fine,
I promise.
OLDER DAUGHTER
Dad, where’s Alice?!
The girl screams. The father and the older daughter,
full of hope, stair at the garage door. Suddenly, it
swings open. But it’s the mother. The man and the older
daughter exchange worried glances, the father sighs, the
girl sobs.
BLACK
The police serene screams, the older daughter sits on a
stair. The father approaches her, and pats her lightly
on her shoulder.