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AUGUST 14, 2003
Novak and Baker draw closer to the others. Martin sees them first and lets out a sound of relief.
CARREAU: There you are! We thought we lost you.
BAKER: Didn’t you hear me calling for help?
Hardcastle looks disturbed.
HARDCASTLE: We didn’t hear anything. What happened?
BAKER: I—
She glances at Novak.
BAKER: I fell and panicked, that’s all.
SOPHIA: Mama!
She squirms out of Carreau’s grasp and runs to her mother, who holds her tight. Hardcastleclears his throat and gestures toward the bunker door, which is open.
HARDCASTLE: Nothing in there I can see. It should be safe.
KAPOOR: Should be?
HARDCASTLE: Might be. Better than staying out here.
He waits, shrugs, and heads inside when no one else takes the lead. The others trail afterwith varying levels of reluctance. Novak remains outside a moment longer.
SOPHIA: Mama? Is it safe?
NOVAK: I don’t know, sweetie. But I promise I will keep you safe. I will not let anything happen to you. No matter what.
She starts to lead Sophia inside, and then she stops.
CARREAU: Joy?
NOVAK: I thought I heard something.
SOPHIA: Mama, something’s out there.
Her voice is soft and trembling.
NOVAK: Get inside with Martin, Sophie.
SOPHIA: Mama, I’m scared.
Novak steps out into the mist cautiously. Now the microphone picks up what she hears: a faintwhimpering. She takes another step, and another.
A small figure stumbles out of the mist. Her knees are muddy, her hands scraped from a fall.Tear tracks line her cheeks. Novak lets out a low moan as her daughter lurches toward her.
SOPHIA [?]: Mama, I’m scared. I got lost and I couldn’t find you. Mama?
Novak turns slowly. Looks at the Sophia in the doorway to the bunker, clinging to Carreau’s leg.Then back to the girl, wide-eyed and trembling, who reaches for her.
SOPHIA [?]: Mama?
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