Down the Road (2023)

[bunniefuu]

[ Ominous music ]

This is a warning for anyone

who lives near the unnamed woods.

I walk by it now and then

looking for something to

prove or disprove the stories.

And today I found something.

There was a paperboy at

the edge of Wirkshire Rd.

He was heading toward the woods.

[ Thunder ]

I rushed to stop him, but

it was too late.

When I got there, he was gone.

[ Thunder ]

[ Squeaky bicycle rolling ]

[ Mysterious music ]

Is anybody out there?

[ Silence ]

[ Wind picks up ]

[ Soft thuds ]

[ Thunder ]

[ Intense music builds ]

[ Creaking branches ]

[ Building energetic music ]

[ Rain ]

STATICKY VOICE: Nah, still nothing.

We'll meet you back at the station.

Yeah, it's taking too many resources.

Tonight's the last night,

so we're heading back.

Poor kid.

Alright. Go get Marc,

we're taking him back.

[ Calm, sad music ]

[ Thunder ]

[ Thunder ]

[ Thunder ]

[ Ominous music ]

[ Building wind ]

[ Loud cell phone buzz ]

Yeah,

I'll be down.

[ Peaceful music ]

[ Wind ]

Oh, Charlie.

Can you believe this weather?

Said it was gonna be pouring

and there's barely a cloud in the sky.

Oh, by the way, Charlie, remember

I've got the cereal on the table

as well as the soup cans.

So, uh, be sure and take care of that.

Shouldn't go hungry.

Hey, Charlie.

Oh, Danny.

Oh, I'm so glad to see you. Here

You can help.

Can you help me with this luggage?

Uh. But I...

Whoa, Danny!

Look at your beard.

Oh my golly

it has grown so much.

Oh, wow. Let me get the rest of it.

Here's the other one.

Um. But...

But Charlie's right there.

Oh, yeah, Charlie.

Thank you. Charlie...

I want you to remember

I put those emergency numbers on the table,

and the number where your dad and I will be

is there with them. Okay?

Yeah, right here.

You can just stick them anywhere in there.

Okay, come on, come on, come on.

Thanks, Danny.

Charlie, I'll be back on

Monday. I'll see you then. Bye.

Charlie,

don't go in the woods. Okay?

Danny, you too.

Bye.

What was that all about?

She's gonna be in Seattle for the week.

Some big business convention.

My dad's already there.

Oh yeah, my family's out for a bit too.

Hey, so get this.

It's been raining for a month now, right?

Nonstop rain for an entire month.

The day I take my camera

out to film it, it just stops.

I don't know, Charlie. Something

weird's happening in Clearwood.

I mean, do you remember

that one time like 4 years ago?

Sunny skies, then BAM!

Solid rain for a month.

By the way,

what time are you going to

Jake's party this weekend?

I um... I don't think I'm gonna go.

What do you mean you're not gonna go?

He invited like half the senior class.

And...

I bet Rachel's gonna be there.

You don't wanna miss that, do you?

Look...

Yesterday was the last

day, Danny. They've stopped.

Some good luck charm this turned out to be.

You know,

he could still show up.

Then why don't I believe it.

[ Gentle water ]

What changed?

We used to film cool stuff,

like all the time back in 9th grade.

I mean, I still take my

camera around everywhere.

But it's like nothing inspires me anymore.

Hey, what's that?

Uh... I'm sorry.

[ Peaceful music ]

What happened, Danny? I mean...

Is it over?

Is he really gone?

Just feels like the whole world

has been tipped to one side.

Nothing feels right anymore.

[ Mystical music builds ]

[ Crows cawing ]

Hey. Charlie?

Hey, Danny?

What's up?

I think I found something.

[ Pinball sounds ]

So let me get this straight.

You think that the footprints

are not from the search party,

but from someone else instead?

And this guy, whoever he is,

came from within the woods

sometime after everyone left.

Right.

Which is why

only his footprints were visible

since the rain washed away

everyone else's tracks yesterday.

Maybe it was a UMAL guy.

You-mal?

Urban Myths and Legends.

That's the site that Kevin...

That's the site that he used

to go to for weird stuff like this.

Urban Myths and Legends...

U-M-A-L, right?

Dot com?

Yeah.

Clearwood.

The Midnight Caller.

The Howler at the Lake.

The Legend of Wirkshire Rd.

Whoa, it's the old woods.

Forgot they used to look like that.

Whoa, you're calling them?

Wait. Maybe I can film this.

Would you mind...

Would you mind picking up

the phone again and redialing?

This is UMAL.

How may I help YOU?

Hi. I had a question

about one of your stories.

Sure. What city is it under?

Clearwood.

Let me see. Clearwood... Clearwood...

Oh that's that small town! I remember.

You callin' about the Howler, right?

Hold on a second.

[ Grunts ]

We get lots of calls about the

Howler. Thank you, thank you...

[ Chewing sounds ]

Truth be told,

it's just a couple of cats doin'

who knows what down there.

I mean, who knows what

down there. Know what I'm sayin'?

I'm not calling about the Howler, um...

Calling about Wirkshire Rd.

Oh.

You hear about that Kevin kid?

Yeah.

Well what is it you wanna know?

Do you guys visit the road often?

We, we do.

We do frequently visit our locations.

But your,

your town's so far out there

we probably don't visit it much.

Okay, but I mean recently,

like um, yesterday or something.

Sure, let me, let me

check the last time we

made a visit.

Nah, we haven't been in your town

in about 5 years.

Listen though...

There was an audio recording

we were asked to put up

on the site about a year ago.

You might, you might wanna check that out.

Is that all you wanna know?

Yeah, um, I guess that's it.

Well then thank you.

Thank you, for calling

Urban Myths and Legends.

Feel free to call anytime.

[ Laughter ]

Dude, dude, dude!

Can't you see I'm working here?!

Man!

I guess we should

check out the recording.

RECORDING: This is a warning for

anyone who lives near the unnamed woods.

I walk by it now and then

looking for something to

prove or disprove the stories.

And today...

I found something.

For the record, today's date is June 23.

June 23?

That's the day Kevin disappeared.

RECORDING: There was a paperboy

at the edge of Wirkshire Rd.

He was heading toward the woods.

I rushed to stop him, but

it was too late.

When I got there, he was gone.

And all I found were bike tracks

leading into the woods

that stopped about 20 ft. Into the fog.

They just stopped

right there

as if the kid vanished.

But Charlie...

Weren't you the one who

first realized he was gone?

Who is this guy?

RECORDING: I don't know what happened here,

but I believe it's proof

that the woods are not safe

and I advise anyone listening to this

to stay away from them.

What is it, Charlie?

What's up?

This recording,

it describes Kevin's disappearance to a T.

Yeah?

But it was posted over a year ago.

You mean

like a prediction?

I don't know...

Charlie... we could ask that new guy.

He is a detective, you know.

Still got that old remote control car?

Yeah, why?

Get it.

[ A gust of wind builds ]

[ Another gust of wind ]

[ Mysterious music builds ]

[ A bicycle approaches ]

[ Bicycle gets louder ]

[ It suddenly stops ]

Don't do that.

Sorry.

So what are we doing here?

Let me see the car.

Uh...

What are you gonna do with it?

Gonna drive it into the fog

and use the walkie-talkies to...

Drive it into the fog?!

Are you crazy?

Thing cost me $41.

I know that's not a whole lot now,

but back when I was a little kid it was.

$40 from doing chores...

and a dollar from a back-scratch

my mom asked me for.

Well then it's $41 toward finding Kevin.

Besides, there's a string attached

to it. We're not gonna lose it.

Fine.

But if we do

you owe me 40 bucks.

Correction.

40 bucks...

and a back-scratch.

[ Energetic music builds ]

Hello?

Does anybody here this?

[ The car fades into the distance ]

Is there anybody out there?

Please, I know there's somebody out there.

I just wanna talk to you.

Kevin, if you're out there, please

just pick up the walkie-talkie.

Someone

please, just

pick it up.

It was a good idea.

Yeah

just wasn't good enough.

Don't worry, Charlie.

We'll come up with something.

I mean, this was only our first...

Charlie.

Look.

Hello?

Hello, is somebody there?

Please, is somebody there?

I really think we

should see the detective.

Well, I don't think he's here.

Try knocking.

[ Door unlocks ]

Are you Detective Marc?

Yeah...

Uh, can we come in?

Oh man, I've always wanted

to film a detective movie.

Oh, can I film in here?

Just don't touch anything.

Cool.

Well, what is it?

Are you familiar with the recent

disappearance on Wirkshire Rd.?

Yeah...

Well, I...

I figured I should go to a detective

about something like this, and...

Kid, get to the point.

Take the glasses off already.

You see the sun anywhere?

I think it might have been a crime.

What makes you say that?

I don't have time for this.

Please, just listen.

There were footprints and everything.

Someone must have been in there

after everyone had left the search.

And of course hikers are

completely out of the question.

I know it sounds stupid, but...

Please, I need your help.

Come on!

Isn't this your job?!

Aren't you supposed

to find missing people?!

Why can't you at least just try?

Because I already have!

Kid, enough filming, alright?

I can't help you

because I've already tried.

I was the one they called for the case.

I was the one who was

supposed to figure it out.

And all I found were bike tracks

that led 20 feet into the woods.

20 feet, that's all.

No signs of a struggle.

No shredded clothing.

I searched nonstop for an entire month

and found nothing more than that.

So unless you have

something real to show me...

Get out of my office now.

Please...

He's my friend.

If he's out there, somewhere...

I can't ignore that.

I can't give up.

I never got your names.

Charlie, and this is Danny.

Well, Charlie...

Danny...

I don't usually do this,

and it usually costs money, but...

If you can bring me something more concrete

then maybe

and only maybe

I'll see what I can do.

[ Wind, rustling leaves ]

ECHOING VOICE: Paperboy Kevin

Banks vanishes down the road.

Forbidden woods remain a mystery.

Still no sign of missing

boy. Search will stop.

KEVIN'S VOICE ECHOES:

Don't you remember, Charlie?

I found it in the woods when we were kids.

It's my good luck charm.

[ Kevin's voice echoes ]

[ Walkie-talkie static ]

WALKIE-TALKIE VOICE: Someone there?

Hello?

Kevin, is that you?

Keep your toys out of these woods.

No, we weren't...

- Who is this?

- No more questions!

You just stay away from

these woods. Got it?!

Look, I'm not trying to bother you.

Please, just tell me who this is.

You heard me.

Hey! Who are you?

What's going on in there?

Where's Kevin?!

[ Video game sounds ]

[ Cell phone buzzes ]

- Yeah.

- Danny?

Somebody found the walkie-talkie.

Wait, you serious?

Who was it? What did they say?

Charlie, who was it?

What did they say?

There's good news and bad news.

If you found the guy we're looking for

I'd consider that good news.

It is.

Then what's the bad news?

I found the guy we're looking for.

[ Mysterious music ]

Are you still there?

Look, I know you're out

there. I know you're hearing me.

And I'm not gonna tell anybody. Just...

Please, give me back my friend.

We can do this easily. Nobody

has to know about anything.

Just give me back my friend.

Please. Answer me!

Where is he? What did you do to him?

What did you do to him?!

[ Wind builds ]

[ A gust of wind ]

Timeless End?

Timeless...

End.

Out of business?

We're sorry, but maintenance

has ceased on this page.

And it is scheduled to be shut down

in the wake of an accident labeled

the Marcusen Incident.

For more information, see

the news cast posted below.

Yes, John. I'm standing here at

the Timeless End clothing company,

where a fire has just broken out.

Firefighters are doing all

they can to save the workers.

However, it does not look good for

those trapped on the upper stories.

Kurt Marcusen, the owner of the company,

is just one of many people

trapped in the flames above.

It is uncertain how this

terrible tragedy was caused.

However, some believe it was due

simply to faulty wiring in the building.

More info as it comes in.

This is Charlene Crawford

reporting for RP News.

Hey, Charlie. What's up?

Have you ever heard of something

called the Marcusen Incident?

I don't know.

Sounds familiar.

I think you should see this.

Let me see...

The Marcusen Incident...

Yeah, I remember that.

Some... some big fire that

happened, a couple of cities from here.

Like 4 years ago?

I'm trying to remember

it. I think it was named...

Yeah, I think it was named

after a guy... called Marcusen.

Kurt Marcusen. Said he was the owner.

Oh yeah, Kurt Marcusen.

He was the bad luck guy.

Lost his wife and son

in a big accident or something.

Then during the fire, his

other son went missing.

What bugs me the most, though, is...

Why was this found in the woods?

I don't know.

Wait a minute.

4 years ago...

The fire happened 4 years ago.

That's... that's when

that huge rainstorm hit.

Right around the time that

the woods started getting

twisted.

Danny...

Danny get the camera.

Charlie, what is it?

What did you see?

[ Tense music beat ]

Charlie, we shouldn't be out here.

We shouldn't be doing this.

Shhh...

[ A noise in the distance ]

Get the camera ready.

This is not good.

Danny, film him.

What's he doing?

What if he sees us?

Just don't move.

He's not a T-Rex, Charlie.

Did you get him?

I think so.

Hey Charlie, give me some of those chips.

[ Potato chip crunching ]

Charlie, hand me a soda.

Charlie, could you pass me the...

No! Now quit it, you're

making too much noise.

[ Mocks Charlie ]

You're the one who

put the food over there.

Dude...

He's not gonna show.

We've been here all night.

I gotta get some sleep.

Hey, can I borrow your camera?

Why...?

I wanna show Detective Marc the

footage. Maybe it'll be enough evidence.

Alright.

But remember, dude

that thing's my life.

[ Energetic music plays ]

Disappears...

More info as it comes in.

This is Charlene Crawford

reporting for RP News.

[ Dark music plays ]

[ A loud trash can banging ]

[ A metal lid bangs ]

[ Intense music plays ]

- Danny.

- Hey Charlie, what's up?

He's here.

Who's here?

He followed me home!

[ Electricity goes out ]

Who followed you home?

Wait... the guy?

The guy's at your house?!

Oh man...

The power just went out.

Dude, call the police!

Okay. Okay, see ya.

[ Cell phone beeps ]

[ Creaking boards ]

[ Crawling on the roof ]

[ A window slides open ]

[ Soft creaking ]

[ Tense music plays ]

You're only five blocks from Danny's house.

Once you're there, you're in the clear.

No need to worry.

Three...

Two...

One.

Charlie?!

Charlie?!

Danny! Get back to your house!

Where's the guy?

Go! Now!

- Where's your bike?

- Just go!

- It's gonna take you forever!

- Just go!

[ Grunts, struggling ]

[ Chase music plays ]

Danny, get in!

- Oh. My. God.

- What?

That footage would've been awesome!

How did you find out about Timeless End?

It went out of business years ago.

Give me that!

Where did you get this?

The woods.

The woods?

Where in the woods? Where

exactly did you find this?

At the edge.

It sort of blew out at me.

I used to know someone at Timeless End.

The articles, the video Danny took...

Is that enough?

Will you help me now?

Please, he knows where I live.

You gotta do something now!

Look, I can call the police.

They can watch your house tonight.

I don't want that! I wanna find Kevin!

What if he's still alive?

What if something happened to him?

Look, here's my card.

This says Kurt Marcusen.

Sorry about that.

[ Ominous music plays ]

If you need anything, just give me a call.

Look, um...

I'll figure something out.

Maybe I'll go out there and

see if I can find anything new.

But...

It's probably best if I go on my own.

So for now, just...

Stay away from the woods.

Alright?

Dude, I don't know.

The detective?

I just can't imagine it.

But, I mean, a detective

would be a pretty good cover.

A guy asked to help search

for the person he himself took.

He is pretty mysterious...

He's only been in

Clearwood for like a year.

And nobody really goes near

him, cause he's always so gruff.

Nobody really knows him.

Danny...

If you were given one chance,

and only one chance,

to go back and fix everything

that was wrong with your life,

even if it meant risking everything

else that you'd accomplished

would you take that chance?

Charlie, what are we talking about here?

I know what I have to do.

Charlie, we can't.

We can't.

It's just too dangerous.

Danny, this could be our

last chance to get Kevin back.

I mean, what if he's alive

out there somewhere?

What if something bad's gonna happen?

What if something bad happens to you?

Look, this might be our

last chance to get Kevin back!

Right here, right now.

Don't you understand?!

Don't you even care?!

Yeah, I do!

I do care. Okay, Charlie?

You're not the only one who lost a friend.

If something else happens...

Look, Danny...

As long as there's the slightest

amount of hope left for finding Kevin...

I'm not giving up.

I know it's risky, but

it's all that I've got left.

Will you help me?

[ Mystical music plays ]

[ Loud twig cracks ]

[ Dark music plays ]

[ Sharp stinging sound ]

Alright, he should still be in there.

You know what to do?

Yeah.

But wait...

Say something cool first.

Seriously?

Yeah, come on man. Say something like...

I'm going in...

Or...

I'll be back...

Come on, man.

I'll be back.

There, you happy?

Weak sauce, Charlie.

[ Cell phone buzzes ]

Did you check?

Yeah, I checked.

He's in there.

Are you at the woods?

Charlie?

[ Wind and crows cawing ]

What was that?

Charlie...

What if Detective Marc isn't the guy?

What if there's someone else out there?

Maybe we should do this another day.

Maybe we should wait?

I'm done waiting.

[ Intense music builds ]

[ Mystical music begins ]

[ Creaking wood ]

[ Tense music plays ]

[ More creaking wood ]

[ Chase music plays ]

[ Haunting music plays ]

RECORDING: Wirkshire Rd.

He was heading toward the woods.

I rushed to stop him, but

it was too late.

When I got there, he was gone.

And all I found

were bike tracks leading into the woods,

that stopped about 20 feet into the fog.

They just stopped.

Right there.

As if the kid vanished.

I don't know what happened here,

but I believe it's proof

that the woods are not safe.

[ Creaking sounds ]

and I advise anyone listening

to this to stay away from them.

[ More creaking ]

[ Tense music ]

[ Creaking gets closer ]

[ Crows in the distance ]

[ Stepping on a marble ]

[ Thunder ]

[ Building rain ]

[ Intense music builds ]

What did you do to him?

Answer me!

Tell me what you did to him

or I will call the police!

Answer me!

Why won't you leave me alone?!

What did you do to Kevin?

Why does everyone keep saying that name?

Because that's his name!

The kid on the bike, the paperboy

the one you took on June 23...

His name is Kevin!

He's my friend!

[ Thunder ]

Friend...

Why do you deserve it...

Why do you deserve it?!

I bet you have a lot of friends.

And a big family...

But why...

Why do you deserve it?

Why do you get to keep it all?!

Where is he?!

[ Loud thunder strike ]

[ Music calms ]

This must be the first

time you lost anything, huh?

And it's just your stupid Kevin friend.

That's all it takes to make you think

your whole world is crashing down?

What if you lost everyone, huh?

All your family and all your friends.

Screw you.

You lost nothing.

DISTANT VOICE: Hello?

Someone there?

[ Sad, mysterious music ]

Chris?

Chris!

Stop! Stop!

Go away! Get out of here!

I've been searching for 4 years.

4 long years, I never found anything.

I move out to Clearwood...

You've been right next

to me the whole time?

I said go away!

I became a detective.

I earned my ranks. I studied. I

worked as fast as I could

all so I could find you.

NEWS REPORTER: Kurt Marcusen,

the owner of the company,

is just one of many people

trapped in the flames above.

DANNY: Oh yeah, Kurt Marcusen.

He was the bad luck guy.

DETECTIVE MARC: Look, here's my card.

CHARLIE: This says Kurt Marcusen.

DETECTIVE MARC: Sorry about that.

Detective... Marcusen.

Why did you do all this?

All these years

all alone by yourself?

Chris, please, tell me...

Why did you do all this?

I had to.

[ Burning flames ]

[ Intense music builds ]

Where is he?

Wait, he's still up

there! We gotta get him!

[ Loud crashing ]

No... please...

Not again. Not this time.

Not my dad!

[ Crashing debris ]

[ Sirens ]

[ Helicopter blades ]

Yes, John. I'm standing here at

the Timeless End clothing company

where a fire has just broken out.

Firefighters are doing all

they can to save the workers

however, it does not look good for

those trapped on the upper stories.

[ Fire truck air horns ]

More info as it comes in.

This is Charlene Crawford

reporting for RP News.

[ Gentle music plays ]

I just couldn't stay!

Is that what's been

going on this whole time?

You were worried about

whether I made it or not?

Well, you don't have to worry, I...

I made it. I'm okay.

We can go back to

living the way we used to.

But you won't always be okay!

What? No.

Nothing's going to happen

to me for a long time.

But something will!

4 years...

All alone, with no one to speak to

in the darkness of these woods.

You did all of that cause you were

afraid you were gonna lose me?

Chris...

Life is not about what we lose,

but what we're able to love.

All these years, I feel like

I've been wasting away.

I never knew what

happened to you on that day.

I've been searching for you ever since.

But now I found you.

I finally found you.

But they're all gone!

Everyone I knew!

Everyone I...

I just wanna wake up

and they're all still here!

I am still here.

[ Rain fades to silence ]

[ Gentle piano music ]

I was wrong.

I almost hurt an innocent guy.

Hey, you didn't.

You helped him.

Danny, I know I never say this, but

thanks, for everything.

You're a really good friend.

I just

just really wanted to find Kevin.

[ Wind picks up ]

[ A bicycle approaches ]

[ Energetic mystical music ]

Hey, Charlie. Hey, Danny.

Joining me for my paper run?

What? No!

We came here to save you!

Save me? From what?

Don't you know where you are?

Are we...

Are we in the woods?

Yes! And you've been in

them for more than a month.

Come on, how could I be in here for

more than a month and not even know it?

You're in here now.

How come you don't?

No...

No, no, look at my...

Look at all my papers.

They say June 23.

Graduation is in two days.

Kevin...

Today's July 28.

For the past month, the

police and the detectives

they've been looking for you.

Your disappearance is all that

the town's been talking about.

Graduation took place

more than a month ago, and

you weren't there.

But Charlie...

Why don't I remember anything?

ANNOUNCER: And the winner is...

Danny Manville

for his film titled Wirkshire.

[ Applause ]

Alright, roll the clip.

[ Inspirational music plays ]

DANNY: At some point in our lives

we all encounter darkness.

It is something each of us has to face

in our own time, and our own way.

But whether it's small or great,

frightening or sad,

whether it comes later in life

or unfairly early,

What matters

is how we deal with it.

We may choose to ignore it.

We may choose to accept it.

We may even choose to fight it,

to never give up.

Yet this can be a darkness as well.

For if we hold on to the pain, the fear,

the anger

we continue a sort of chain of darkness.

A chain that twists us even further

until we spread what we

originally fought against

and we become the darkness ourselves.

Which is why sometimes

we just have to let go.

We may never fully regain our innocence.

We may never go back what we had before.

But instead we feel something different,

a sort of happy sadness.

A feeling more gentle and pure

than anything we've ever felt before.

For within darkness and pain

we find something else as well

understanding and growth.

And within that, there is hope.

Hope for ourselves,

for our family and friends,

and hope for whatever life has in store

down the road.

[ Energetic music plays ]