Resident Evil

Panel 1:LJ crosses the threshold into the manor's foyer. The doorway frames him against the darkness beyond. His camera is lowered but ready. The ornate wooden details of the entrance are visible, draped in shadow and dust.

“LJ: Is anyone here?!”

Panel 2:LJ's eyes scan the decaying interior—peeling wallpaper, ornate but crumbling furniture, heavy shadows. His jaw tightens. A chill seems to run through him.

“LJ: This place is creepy as hell.”

Panel 3:LJ reaches into his camera bag and extracts a gimbal stabilizer and a compact LED light rig. He attaches them methodically, his movements deliberate and focused despite his nervousness. The equipment glows softly in the darkness.

Narrator:“Focus. Work. Get paid. Get out.”

Panel 4:LJ lifts the camera to his eye, the gimbal and LED light steady in his hands. Through the viewfinder, the manor's interior unfolds—shadows, decay, ornate details catching the LED light. His expression is tense but determined.

Panel 1:LJ walks through the manor's interior, his gimbal and LED light steady. He glides the camera across ornate Victorian furniture, heavy curtains, and peeling wallpaper. His hands are visible holding the camera, focused and methodical. He sings softly to himself, his voice wavering nervously as he works.

“LJ: Great are you Lord... great are you Lord... Okay, two rooms down, three more to go.”

Panel 2:LJ freezes mid-pan. A wet, sliding sound emanates from the shadows upstairs. The camera shakes slightly. The sound is represented visually by motion lines and eerie visual effects.

Narrator:“CRRREEAAAAK...”

Panel 3:Close-up of LJ's face, eyes alert, brows furrowed. His LED light reflects in his pupils. Behind him, the manor's shadows are deep and threatening.

“LJ: What was that? Hello, is anyone here?”

Panel 4:LJ pushes forward, documenting more of the decaying rooms. His camera sweeps across broken mirrors, dust-covered surfaces, and ornate but rotting furniture. His determination is mixed with visible tension.

Panel 1:LJ moves deeper into the manor, his gimbal steady, LED light casting harsh shadows on crumbling walls. Dust particles float through the beam of light. His breathing is audible, slightly nervous.

Panel 2:LJ stops dead in his tracks. His eyes widen. The growl reverberates through the walls, primal and unsettling. LJ's grip on his camera tightens.

Narrator:“GRRRRAAAAWWWWLL...”

Panel 3:LJ's face is tense, jaw clenched. His eyes dart toward the exit. He speaks quietly but urgently to himself, clearly rattled.

“LJ: I know I'm not just hearing imaginary sounds. Let me hurry up and get out of here.”

Panel 1:LJ crouches low, adjusting his gimbal and camera for the perfect angle on an ornate piece of furniture. His focus is intent, his back to the shadows behind him. The manor looms around him.

Panel 2:In the shadows of the manor, Reed's grey, rotting foot steps carefully across the dusty floor. Only his lower legs and feet are visible—wearing a tattered, old-fashioned pant leg and decomposed shoe. The rest of his body disappears into darkness. His deliberate, slow footsteps create an ominous atmosphere as he moves closer.

Narrator:“STEP... STEP... STEP...”

Panel 1:LJ screams and stumbles backward, his camera nearly flying from his hands. He crashes to the ground in pure terror, his body sprawled on the dusty manor floor.

“LJ: AHHHHHHH!!!”

Panel 2:LJ scrambles backward on the floor, eyes wide with terror. He stares up at Reed—the grey, peeling skin, the rotting suit, the detached jaw—absolutely horrified.

Panel 3:Reed tilts his head slightly, his milky white eye reflecting the dim light. His rotting jaw moves as he speaks, his tone surprisingly gentle and apologetic.

“Reed: Arr... hello.”

Panel 4:LJ raises his hands defensively, still on the ground. His voice trembles with panic as he looks up at the undead figure looming over him.

“LJ: Yo, yo, PLEASE don't eat me!!!”

Panel 1:Reed tilts his head in a gentle, apologetic manner. His grey, peeling hand extends downward in an offer of help. Despite his horrifying appearance, his body language is genuinely kind and apologetic.

“Reed: Don't fear. I'm vegan. I came back home early because I wanted to tip you for doing a good job.”

Panel 2:LJ's face shifts from pure terror to confusion and relief. He blinks, still breathing hard, processing Reed's words. The absurdity of the situation begins to sink in.

Panel 3:Reed helps LJ to his feet. LJ dusts himself off, still rattled but visibly calming down. They face each other in the dim LED light.

“LJ: Oh wow, you scared the balls off of me.”

Panel 1:Reed reaches into his tattered suit jacket with his rotting fingers and produces a crisp $100 bill. He extends it toward LJ with a sincere, apologetic gesture, his milky eye catching the light.

“Reed: Sorry, here you go.”

Panel 2:LJ takes the $100 bill from Reed's bony hand, his expression shifting to relief and gratitude. He pockets the money, still a bit shaken but appreciative.

Panel 1:LJ collects his gimbal, lights, and camera, preparing to leave. Reed watches from a respectful distance. LJ moves toward the manor's entrance.

“LJ: Thank you again, Reed. Until next time.”

Panel 2:LJ exits the manor's heavy door and steps into the night air. His cell phone buzzes and rings in his pocket. The manor looms behind him.

Narrator:“RING RING”

Panel 3:LJ pulls the phone from his pocket and answers it, his voice still slightly shaken from the encounter inside.

Panel 1:LJ holds the phone to his ear, standing outside the manor. His voice is steady now, listening intently to the disembodied voice on the other end.

“Drac: Hey LJ, job well done.”

Panel 2:LJ's eyebrows raise, surprised at how quickly his employer called. He looks down the empty street, processing.

“LJ: Wow, that was fast.”

Panel 3:LJ listens, his expression shifting as Drac speaks. The darkness of the manor entrance looms behind him.

“Drac: We know when you're done work, down to the millisecond.”

Panel 4:LJ's face tightens slightly, an uncanny feeling washing over him as he realizes how closely Drac is monitoring his every move.

“LJ: That's kinda stalkerish.”

Panel 1:LJ listens intently, his expression serious as Drac lays out the next steps. The phone glows against his face in the darkness of the night.

“Drac: Full amount has been sent over. Please send over all the footage before the end of the day. The drive to upload all work is in your email. After uploading, please delete all footage from your memory cards and computer. Thank you for your help and understanding.”

Panel 2:LJ holds the phone to his ear as the line goes silent. A click signals the call has ended.

Narrator:“CLICK”

Panel 3:LJ pulls out his phone and opens his banking app. His eyes light up as he sees the deposit. A smile spreads across his face as he looks up at the night sky.

“LJ: Wow, Drac must have known I was going to respond. No worries if the money is in my account, I'm happy. Oh yes, it is! We up, Baltimore!!! WE UP, BALTIMORE!!!”