Taz
You’re driving way too fast.
Jaz
I’ll slow down when we get there.
Taz
Why won’t you tell me where we’re going?
Taz
You’re starting to freak me out.
Jaz
You just have to trust me.
Jaz
You trust me, right Taz?
Taz
Jaz, you’re my twin sister. Of course I trust you.
Taz
You’ve been acting so…different.
Taz
Like you have a secret you’re not telling me.
Taz
I thought we told each other everything.
The car comes screeching to a halt at a red light…
Just before a large truck barrels across the intersection in front of them.
Jaz and Taz exhale at the same time.
Jaz
Sorry. I got distracted.
Taz
You’re never distracted like this.
Taz looks around at the deserted highway.
Taz
What’s wrong, Jaz? Where are we?
Jaz
Look…there’s something I need to tell you.
Jaz cranes her neck, looking around—
Almost like she’s making sure they’re not being followed.
Another truck flies through the intersection.
Just then, Jaz leans over to Taz…
And whispers something in her ear.
Taz
What? I couldn’t hear what you said.
When, suddenly, another truck comes barreling toward them…
Through the red light on the other side…
And CRASHES into their car.
Taz screams as she watches the truck smash into the drivers’ side door, and then…
She’s not in the car anymore.
And that’s when she realizes…
The same dream she’s been having every night for the past month.
Is the one-year anniversary of her sister Jaz’s death.
Taz sighs and rolls over, reaching for her phone…
But instead of her nightstand—
Taz only feels a cold, hard floor.
She finds her phone in her pocket.
She turns on the flashlight, and gasps.
She’s definitely not in her dorm room.
She’s in some sort of…classroom.
With colored rugs, tiny tables, and crayon drawings on the walls.
Taz runs her fingers along the surface of one of the tables.
She reaches for her phone to text her best friend Erik…
But then she stops herself.
They haven’t spoken in weeks.
Not since Taz started dating her new girlfriend, Cory.
She decides to text Cory instead.
Cory
What’s wrong? It’s the middle of the night.
Taz
I had the nightmare again.
Taz
The one about my sister. The night she died.
Taz
Every time it’s the same…
Taz
She tries to tell me something, right before the crash, but I can’t hear what she’s saying.
Cory
I’m going to come over. Help you work through this.
Taz
No, that’s the thing…
Taz
I think I was sleepwalking.
Taz
It happens to me sometimes…
Taz
When something weird is going on with Dark Matter…
Taz
My power — it sort of guides me places.
Cory
Taz, this is not okay. You could get seriously hurt.
Taz
Please, don’t be worried…
Cory
Um, you’re my girlfriend. It’s my job to be worried.
Taz
I think I’m at some kind of school.
Taz
But it looks…abandoned.
Taz
Like no one’s been here for years.
Cory
Well, you couldn’t have gone too far…do you see any clues? An address?
Taz
I found something on the wall…
Taz
It’s a drawing, with stick figures.
Cory
What’s strange about that?
Taz
It’s signed “Tasneem and Jasline Singh”
Taz
Cory, I recognize this drawing.
Taz
I’ve been here before.
Taz
Jaz and I went to this preschool, together.
Cory
What preschool? Do you remember the name?
Taz
I think it was called The Corvallis Institute…
Taz
I remember our parents sending us here because we were “gifted.”
Cory
Corvallis Institute…
Cory
That’s the old building on the outskirts of campus. It’s covered in vines…
Cory
I don’t understand. Why would you sleepwalk to a place you haven’t been to in…years?
Cory
A place no one has been to in years?
Taz
I wonder if it’s connected…
Taz
I…I didn’t want to burden you with this…
Taz
And I just…sort of wanted to be alone today.
Taz
It’s the anniversary.
Cory
The anniversary of what?
Cory
Taz…you could have told me. I would have understood.
Cory
I know what it’s like to lose someone you love…
Taz
I just want to go home. Pretend that none of this ever happened.
Taz
Pretend that Jaz is still here.
Cory
But whatever’s going on…you need to contact S.A.M.
Cory
Something’s happening. Something big.
Cory
You need to be prepared.
Taz starts to dial S.A.M. at the lab…
But before she can, her phone rings.
Taz
How did you know I was just about to call you?
S.A.M.
Mere coincidence. I am highly advanced, but certainly not psychic.
S.A.M.
Your GPS indicates you are not in your dorm.
S.A.M.
Yes…but I assure you it is for good reason.
Taz
And what would that be?
S.A.M.
You are in danger, Tasneem.
S.A.M.
Tonight is the anniversary of an extremely traumatic event in your life, is it not?
Taz sighs again, and a tear runs down her cheek.
Taz
Yes, S.A.M., Jaz died a year ago today.
S.A.M.
And, while I do not have personal experience in these matters, I believe you are feeling intense emotions right now, such as sadness, guilt, and anger?
Taz
I…umm, yeah. That’s about right.
S.A.M.
Such emotions are natural.
Taz
Thanks, S.A.M. Thanks for understanding.
S.A.M.
It is not a matter of understanding. I am trying to warn you.
S.A.M.
You, Tasneem, are different from normal humans.
S.A.M.
You have the Touch, powers beyond what anyone has ever seen…
S.A.M.
And the pain you are feeling tonight is causing a dangerous surge.
S.A.M.
Yes. The trauma is enhancing your powers, which in turn, affects the Dark Matter around you.
S.A.M.
You are drawing Dark Matter to you, in great amounts.
Taz
That must be why I was sleepwalking…
Taz
But why did I end up here? At my old preschool?
S.A.M.
It is likely you were drawn to a place associated with a memory.
S.A.M.
A memory related to your trauma…and one you must revisit.
S.A.M.
I am in the process of uploading a new filter to your phone.
S.A.M.
This filter will allow you to access old memories, based on your location.
Taz
I’m not sure I want to dig around in my memories…
S.A.M.
You must try, Tasneem.
S.A.M.
Your life depends on it.
Taz
What are you talking about? How am I in danger, S.A.M.?
S.A.M.
This surge. If it continues…
S.A.M.
It could overload.
Taz
Overload? Like a power surge?
S.A.M.
And you could perish.
Taz
You mean, I could die? Because of my emotions?
S.A.M.
It is slightly more complicated than that, but…yes.
S.A.M.
Your mission is to control your powers.
S.A.M.
And reduce the levels of Dark Matter you are attracting.
S.A.M.
Before you self-destruct.
S.A.M.
Good luck, Tasneem.
Taz hears a click as the call disconnects.
And Snapchat opens on her phone…
But before she can see her new filter, she hears something.
Just outside the classroom door.
Taz slips her phone back into her pocket.
Her hands shaking, she tip-toes to the door…
She takes a deep breath, and reaches for the knob…
And just then, the door flies open.
Carrying a flashlight and dressed in sweats. Tired, but still beautiful.
Cory pulls Taz into an even deeper hug.
Taz
You scared the crap out of me.
Cory
Sorry, I just wanted to get here as fast as I could.
Taz
You didn’t have to come.
Cory
Come on, let’s get you home.
Taz
There’s something I have to do here first.
Taz tells Cory about her conversation with S.A.M.
As she explains the danger she’s in, Cory’s eyes fill with worry.
Then Taz pulls out her phone and looks at Snapchat.
At the bottom of the screen are the words “Flashback Filter”
Taz holds the filter up to a wall in the classroom, and she sees the outline of an old door.
Taz shows Cory her phone.
Taz
I think it leads into a memory…
Taz
I need to go in there.
Cory
Then I’m going with you.
Cory
We’ll go into this memory. Together.
Taz nods, and taps the door on her screen.
As she does, the door from the filter forms in front of them.
Cory
Yeah. I also have the Touch, remember?
Taz
God. This is insane. I don’t know if I can do this.
Cory
Of course you can. I’ll be right here.
Cory pulls Taz toward the memory door as it swings open.
Together, they step over the threshold…
Suddenly, everything changes around them…
The dust and darkness lift to reveal a bright, spotless room.
The cubbyholes are now stuffed with colorful backpacks.
And there is a table in the center of the room where two little girls are sitting quietly, playing with letter blocks.
The teacher, a pretty young woman in glasses, is standing nearby watching, and taking notes.
Taz
I don’t think so. I think…we’re just visitors here.
Taz takes a few steps forward.
Her eyes widen as she gets a closer look at the girls.
Taz
Cory, that’s me…and Jaz.
Cory
Wow. You really looked exactly alike.
Taz
Yeah. Even our parents couldn’t tell us apart.
Taz
We even had a secret language.
Taz
Yeah. Only we could understand it.
Taz
We’d replace words with their opposites.
Taz
Like, if Taz wrote the word ‘downstairs…’
Taz
I knew she really meant ‘upstairs.’
Taz
We used it to hide things for each other in secret places…
Cory
That’s sort of genius.
Taz smiles, thinking back on how Jaz came up with the language rules.
Taz
The only other person who knew our secret language was Erik.
Taz
Yeah, we all grew up together.
Cory
I wish…I wish I had known her, Taz.
Taz
I do too. She would have loved you.
Taz
Of course. You make me happy.
Taz
All right. Let’s get this over with…
Taz and Cory explore the room.
Taz watches her younger self stack blocks…
While Cory spies on the teacher observing them.
Cory
“Twin #1 exhibits considerable abilities.”
Cory
The teacher just wrote that in her notepad.
Cory
Taz…she’s taking notes. On you and Jaz.
Taz turns away from the twins and takes a closer look at the woman—
And gasps, as recognition dawns.
Taz
That’s Dr. Montgomery.
Taz
The head of the PSI Lab.
Taz
She’s the one who built the lab to research Dark Matter…
Taz
S.A.M. told me Dr. Montgomery had watched me since I was a kid but…Jaz too?
Cory
“Twin #1 experiences a surge in abilities when influenced by Twin #2…”
Cory
“However, Twin #2 does not appear to possess the same powers.”
Cory
What does that mean?
Taz
“Powers” must mean the Touch but…
Cory and Taz whirl around…
The girls’ tall stack of blocks has fallen down.
Little Taz and Jaz giggle while Dr. Montgomery picks up stray blocks from the floor.
Dr. Montgomery
Now girls, I need you to focus. Can you do that for me?
Dr. Montgomery
Tasneem, you’re a very special little girl.
Dr. Montgomery
And Jasline, you are too. You can help Tasneem be even more special. Did you know that?
Little Jaz shakes her head.
Dr. Montgomery
All you have to do is sit with Tasneem while she plays with the blocks.
Dr. Montgomery
Can you do that?
Dr. Montgomery puts the letter blocks back on the table in front of Little Taz.
Little Taz focuses on the blocks.
The blocks slowly rise into the air and begin to swirl around.
Taz moves closer, and watches as the blocks form into words.
Taz
I’m…spelling something.
Cory
You could already spell at that age?
Taz
I don’t think I was doing it consciously.
Taz
I was using the Touch…
Taz reads the words aloud as they form in the air…
And then she beams at little Taz.
Dr. Montgomery
Wonderful, Tasneem. Well done.
Taz is suddenly distracted by movement.
Little Jaz is arranging and then re-arranging the blocks on the table…
With intention and focus.
But Dr. Montgomery doesn’t seem to notice.
Cory
What’s your sister spelling?
Taz
It looks like…a sequence of numbers.
Taz
Three…seven…four…three…
Cory
She’s spelling…numbers?
Little Jaz looks up suddenly.
Directly into Taz’s eyes.
She smiles sadly, and then looks back down at the blocks.
Taz
I think she’s trying to tell us something.
Just then, Taz swoons. She feels faint.
She touches her head and kneels to the floor.
Taz stands up again slowly, her legs shaking.
She can feel the Dark Matter surging around her.
Taz
Let’s get out of here. I jotted the numbers down in my phone.
Taz
We need to figure out what they mean…before it’s too late.
Cory nods, and together the girls head for the memory door.
And Cory and Taz burst out of the door, out of the memory…
Back in the dark, deserted school.
A shadow of its former self.
Taz and Cory look down at Taz’s phone.
Taz
Maybe it’s some sort of…code?
Taz
I don’t know. It’s just a jumble of numbers…
Taz
Wait. I know how we can figure this out.
Taz
But you’re not going to like it.
Taz
We have to find Erik.
A few minutes later, Taz and Cory knock on a door.
Cory
I told you this was a bad idea.
Cory
It’s the middle of the night. He’s not going to answer.
Taz
You answered when I texted you.
Cory
I’m your girlfriend.
Taz
Well Erik’s my best friend — and he’s always there for me when I need him.
She pounds harder on the door.
A yawning Erik opens the door.
He registers Taz and Cory…
And SLAMS the door in their faces without a word.
Cory
See? Told you. Bad idea.
Then, the door bursts back open again.
Erik now has on a shirt. And pants.
Erik
I, uh…wasn’t expecting company.
Erik’s eyes narrow at Cory, as red flushes his cheeks.
Taz
Erik, we’re here because…I need you.
She shows him the number sequence on her phone.
Taz
Do these numbers…mean anything to you?
Erik
Where are they from?
Erik takes her phone and heads over to his computer.
Taz and Cory wait awkwardly at the door.
Erik
You can come in, I guess.
Erik
Taz, you basically live here anyway.
Taz
I used to come over a lot.
Erik
Now I never see her.
Cory
That’s because you stopped answering her texts.
Erik
Well, I was going to text her today…
Erik
Because…you know…it’s been a year.
Erik
I know how hard it must be…
Erik
Hey, Jaz was my friend, too.
Erik
Sure, she wasn’t my twin sister…
Erik
You didn’t even know her—
Taz
Erik, what do the numbers mean?
Erik
Well, that’s easy — they’re coordinates.
Erik types the numbers into Google…
He looks closer at the number sequence.
Erik
This memory, where you got these numbers…
Erik
Did it have anything to do with Jaz?
Erik types the numbers into Google again, but this time, in the opposite order.
And a location pops up on screen.
Erik
Your secret language.
Erik
They are coordinates, but written backwards. Opposites.
Erik
Looks like they’re for some building in Menlo Park.
Taz
That’s only like ten minutes from here.
Taz
Erik, can you drive us?
Cory
Taz, seriously? I can drive.
Erik
No, it’s cool. I got this, Cory.
Erik
You can go back to bed.
Taz
Look, I want both of you there with me, okay?
Taz
Jaz is trying to tell me something…
Taz
I need to find out what it is.
Taz
To do that, I need both of you. My best friend. My girlfriend.
Taz
I need you to support me. And I need you to get along.
Cory and Erik look at each other, then back to Taz.
As they pull up to the location, Erik’s eyes widen.
Cory
Isn’t it just some sort of…office building?
Erik
I’ve been here before.
Erik
The semester before she died…Jaz asked me for a ride a few times…
Erik
I just dropped her off. One time I waited in the parking lot until she was done.
Taz
Did she say what she was doing?
Erik
I think it was some sort of…doctor’s appointment.
Erik
She seemed depressed. I figured it was a therapy session, so I didn’t want to pry.
Taz
Why…why didn’t she ask me to take her?
Erik
I don’t think it was personal, Taz.
Erik
You were busy with school.
Erik
Maybe I should have asked her what was going on.
Erik
She might have talked to me.
Erik
If she had, she might still be alive.
Taz
Erik…you can’t blame yourself.
Taz
You’re the one who always reminds me that Jaz died in an accident.
Taz
It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.
Taz
But there is something Jaz is trying to tell us tonight…
Taz
Now is our chance to listen.
Erik parks the car, and together Taz, Cory, and Erik walk up to the building.
Taz peers through a window into the dimly lit lobby.
Erik
It’s the middle of the night, Taz. The building is locked.
Cory
There must be a way in.
Erik
I think that’s called breaking and entering.
Erik
Which is pretty illegal.
Cory
Erik, Taz’s life is on the line.
Cory
Are you really worried about getting in trouble?
Cory picks up a large stone from the path leading to the building—
And hurls it through the window.
An alarm begins to BLARE.
Cory
Come on! We need to get in before security comes.
Cory heads into the building, sweeping aside broken glass.
Taz follows quickly behind, grabbing Erik’s hand and pulling him along.
Erik accesses the security panel and shuts off the security alarm.
Taz
There’s a list of doctors here…Erik, do you know who Jaz was coming here to see?
Erik
No. Like I said, I didn’t want to ask.
Taz runs a finger down dozens of names…
Cory
What would your sister want with Dr. Rex?
Taz
Whatever it is, she clearly wanted me to come here and find out.
Moments later, Taz, Cory, and Erik arrive on the third floor.
Elevator doors swing open, revealing…
Everything is covered in white sheets.
Cory pulls off sheet after sheet, revealing…
State-of-the-art equipment — just like the devices at the PSI Lab.
In the middle of the room sits a large machine.
Cory
Some kind of machine.
Cory hurls a look at Erik.
He sheepishly looks away.
Taz
Why would Jaz come here?
Taz
She didn’t have the Touch. What could Rex want with her?
And the Flashback Filter reappears on screen.
And Taz and Cory watch as a memory door forms in the room in front of them.
Cory
You can’t see the door?
Taz
I bet only those with the Touch can see it.
Taz
We’re probably the only ones who can enter it.
Taz
I’m sorry Erik, but you’ll have to stay behind.
Cory
You don’t have a choice.
Taz
I think so. I have to be.
Taz
We’ll be right back, I promise.
And together, Cory and Taz step through the door…
When Taz opens her eyes, she finds the same lab…the same equipment.
But strapped to the strange machine…
A grown version of the little girl from before…
But now, she looks totally different than Taz.
Pink hair. Piercings. Tattoos.
Because hunched over the machine, pressing buttons…
Jaz
You’re sure this will protect my sister?
Jaz
And help hide her identity — her powers?
Rex
You have my word, Ms. Singh.
Rex
Just relax…the machine will be ready in just a moment.
Jaz
But you know…these sessions…
Jaz
I always feel weak afterwards. Drained.
Rex
That’s quite normal. Nothing to worry about.
Jaz
I guess…I just wish I understood how it all worked.
Rex
Haven’t I given you answers?
Jaz
You helped me understand my memories.
Jaz
Why Taz was always being watched…how I amplify her powers when we’re near each other…
Jaz
But you haven’t explained anything about this procedure.
Rex
I told you — we are using your influence over your sister’s powers…
Rex
This will keep her powers a secret, and help her stay safe…
As Rex continues to explain, Jaz turns her head and looks at Taz.
She stares right into her eyes and says…
Then she turns back to Rex.
Rex
Taz doesn’t remember those memories from your childhood…
Rex
She has forgotten about her powers. It must remain that way, for her own safety.
Jaz hesitates for a moment…
Rex
Excellent. The machine is ready. Are you?
And Jaz instantly droops…
Taz runs towards her sister.
Taz
Please, Jaz, wake up.
Jaz’s eyes flutter, as she tries to focus on Taz.
Jaz
Taz…I need to tell you something…
The lights in the room begin to flicker…
And the memory door begins to fade.
Cory
I think we need to get out of here.
But before Cory can lead Taz out of the memory…
Jaz
Stop where they aren’t silent, but I can see you.
Cory yanks Taz toward the memory door.
Just as Cory steps over the threshold, Taz loses her grip on Cory’s fingers.
She looks back at Jaz as the memory fades…
And Jaz looks up at Taz one last time, like a ghost.
Taz stumbles through the door after Cory…
And when it clears, she sees him.
Taz squirms, trying to pull herself to her feet…
She’s been strapped to a table.
And Rex…is hooking himself up to the machine…
The same machine that he was just using on her sister in the memory.
Taz
Where’s Erik? Where’s Cory?
Rex
I didn’t see them. They must have left you.
Taz
How did you know I’d be here?
Rex
Did you think I wouldn’t notice a spike in Dark Matter?
Rex
Of course, it all leads back to you.
Taz
What did you do to my sister?
Rex
I assure you, your sister was a willing volunteer.
Rex
She knew about your powers.
Rex
Somehow, the memories from your childhood came back to her…
Rex
But instead of telling you, she sought answers for herself.
Rex
Dr. Montgomery was already missing at that point so…
Rex
Jasline had nowhere else to turn.
Rex
She was afraid that your powers would put you in danger.
Rex
So I offered her a solution.
Rex taps on his machine with pride.
Taz
What were you doing to my sister?!
Rex
This brilliant machine, which I built, sucks the powers of The Touch from one individual into another.
Rex
I tried to channel your powers into your sister. To see if it could be done.
Taz
But it didn’t work. I still have my powers. And Jaz never had The Touch.
Rex
That is because of a slight oversight in my initial experiments.
Rex
You see, in order for the machine to work…
Rex
It requires the physical presence of the power source.
Rex walks over to Taz and places two electrodes onto her temples, one on each side.
Rex
I surmised as much toward the end of my experiments with your sister…
Rex
It was clear she wasn’t gaining your powers.
Rex
Instead, she seemed simply to be growing weaker.
Rex
But alas, I was unable to convince her to bring you to me…
Rex
And then her unfortunate accident occurred.
Rex
However, I have upgraded my machine and now, I have my power source.
Rex pats Taz on the arm, and she flinches.
Rex
And this time, I’ll be transferring your powers to a more deserving host.
Rex takes the other ends of Taz’s electrodes…
And attaches them to his own temples.
Rex then walks over to the machine…
The device begins to whir…
Taz SCREAMS in pain, feeling the power drain from her body…
Cory and Erik crouch together behind a closed door.
Cory pulls a phone out of her pocket, and opens Snapchat.
Cory
She dropped it in the memory, when she ran over to Jaz.
Cory
Before we got separated.
Erik
Yeah, you came out first.
Erik
Rex was at the lab door, I could hear his keys in the lock.
Erik
I grabbed the first hand I saw.
Cory
I know, and I thought Taz was right behind me.
Cory
But I lost her grip.
Cory
For grabbing me. Pulling me into this closet.
Erik
I wish I had grabbed Taz.
Erik
Not instead of you, just—
Suddenly, a scream erupts from the other side of the closet door.
Erik
Is that Taz?? Why is she screaming?!
Cory
I don’t know! I don’t know!
Cory looks down at Taz’s phone.
On the screen, Taz’s Dark Matter Meter appears.
Cory holds the phone up to a small peephole in the closet door…
And quickly snaps a picture.
Cory
Look at all that Dark Matter surrounding Taz.
Cory
It seems to be sapping something out of her…
Cory
And transferring it to Rex!
Cory
It’s like he’s sucking the life out of her.
Erik
We have to stop that machine.
Cory
I think I have a plan.
Cory
If you’ll hear me out.
Erik
How do I know you’re not still working with Rex?
Cory
How could you even think that?!
Erik
Umm, maybe because just a few weeks ago, you helped him capture Taz.
Cory
He was blackmailing me!
Cory takes a deep breath.
Cory
Erik…it might be too soon to say this, but…
Cory
I don’t want to see her hurt.
Cory
I hate myself for betraying her the first time. Trust me, I do.
Cory
But I can’t change that now.
Cory
All I can do is try to show her, every day, how much she means to me.
Cory
And I know this hasn’t been easy for you, seeing Taz with someone else.
Cory
But I think I make Taz happy.
Cory
So you can hate me forever, but…
Cory
Just know that I will never, ever hurt that girl again.
Erik looks at Taz through the peephole and sighs.
He looks back at Cory, a steely look in his eyes.
Tears streak down Taz’s face as she struggles against the invisible force of the machine.
Rex sits beside her, in a trance…
Taz can hardly stand the pain any longer…
But then, she spots Cory and Erik sneaking out of a closet back into the lab.
Cory places a finger to her lips, urging Taz to stay quiet.
She crawls up to Taz, and crouches behind the table.
Cory
It’s okay. I’m here now.
Cory
Remember how we overpowered the quantum entanglement machine? With our connection?
Cory
You need to do that again.
Cory
Magnify your powers.
Taz
But S.A.M. warned me that if I let my powers surge—
Cory
You’re connected to a machine that’s transferring your powers to Rex.
Cory
So Erik and I think the full surge will hurt Rex…
Taz nods, her teeth gritted against the pain.
Taz
How am I supposed to tap into that power?
Taz
You’re not connected to me anymore.
Taz
And Jaz isn’t here to magnify my powers either.
Cory
You are not alone, Taz.
Cory
And I know it’s hard to imagine thinking about anything good or happy right now.
Taz shakes her head slowly, more tears streaming down her cheeks.
Cory squeezes her hands tighter.
Cory
Earlier, you said that Jaz would like me…
Cory
Because I make you happy.
Cory
I wish I had met her, Taz.
Cory
But if tonight has proven anything to me…it’s that she’s still here.
Cory
She’s with you. She sees you.
Cory
And I think…she would be so proud of you.
Cory
Proud of everything you’ve done.
Cory
Proud of your powers.
Cory
But most of all…she’d be proud of you for being who you are.
Cory looks at Erik and smiles.
Cory
And for always prioritizing the people you love.
Through her tears, Taz locks eyes with Cory.
She looks at Erik, who nods at her.
Then, she closes her eyes.
A shock jolts Cory’s hands, forcing her to drop her grip on Taz.
She quickly opens Snapchat on Taz’s phone…
And watches as the Dark Matter surrounding Taz surges.
But instead of enveloping Taz and destroying her…
It seems to move toward Rex…
And surrounds him in a thick cloud.
His eyes widen, the surge shocking him out of the trance.
Rex
What…what’s happening…
A slight glow begins to emanate from Taz’s skin.
Cory watches the Dark Matter form a deep, jet black cloud around Rex’s heart…
Overpowering him from within.
His body begins to turn translucent…
Cory looks to Taz…then to Erik, who is standing over Rex, a hand on a lever of the machine.
Rex
If you pull that lever all her power will surge into me at once!
Erik whirls to look at Cory and…Taz…
Whose body has lifted slightly from the table…floating…
Taz’s back arches, as the Dark Matter she’s been harnessing charges into Rex.
Horror passes over Rex’s face, for just a moment.
Leaving nothing but Dark Matter in its place.
Erik pulls both levers on the machine—
And releasing Taz from the connection.
Taz slumps back onto the table.
Cory frees her from the restraints.
Cory gently strokes Taz’s cheek, her hand shaking.
Erik runs over and puts a hesitant, single finger, on Taz’s arm.
And she looks up at the two most important people in her life.
Cory
We used what he wanted most…to destroy him.
Cory
He’s been turned into Dark Matter.
Taz
No…I was frozen with pain…you guys did that.
Cory
It was your surge, your powers, that did it.
Erik
Well, it was all Cory’s idea.
Erik
And I have to admit…it was a really good one.
Taz
So the surge…is it over?
Cory holds up the Dark Matter Meter to Taz…
Cory
There’s still a lot of Dark Matter around you.
Cory
I think there’s more you have to resolve. To stop the surge from happening again.
Taz
Jaz spoke to me. Not through blocks this time — she spoke actual words.
Taz
“Stop where they aren’t silent, but I can see you.”
Cory
What does that mean?
Erik
It doesn’t make much sense…
Erik
Exactly. So every word means its opposite.
Taz
So ‘stop’ means ‘go.’
Erik starts typing on his phone.
Erik
And ‘they’ means ‘we.’
Cory looks at Taz, confused.
Taz
We only convert words that have a clear opposite.
Taz
The word ‘where’ doesn’t have an opposite.
Taz
‘Aren’t’ means ‘are’.
Taz
‘I can’ means ‘you can’t.’
Taz and Cory both look at Erik.
Erik
Go where we are speaking, but you can’t hear me.
Erik
I still don’t get it.
Cory looks at Taz excitedly…
Cory
Do you think she means?
Erik
Right! Your recurrent dream…
Cory
Where Jaz says something right before the car crash…
Taz
But I can’t hear her.
Taz
I think we need to go back…
Taz
I think…I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Cory
We’re right here if you need us.
Cory
Do you want me to come with you? Into the memory?
Taz smiles at Cory, but shakes her head.
Taz
I think I need to do this alone.
Cory gives Taz’s hand a squeeze…
As Taz steps out of Erik’s car…
And into the intersection.
The streets are empty in the early morning light.
Taz glances over at the side of the road, where a makeshift memorial to Jaz has been set up.
A faded picture of Jaz hugging Taz flaps in the wind.
And taps on the Flashback Filter.
The memory door appears in the middle of the intersection.
The memorial fades. Dawn turns to nighttime.
And Taz finds herself back in the passenger seat of a car, next to her sister.
The car comes to a screeching halt at a red light.
Jaz and Taz exhale at the same time.
Jaz
Sorry. I got distracted.
Taz
You’re never distracted like this.
Jaz
Look…there’s something I need to tell you.
Jaz leans over and whispers something in Taz’s ear…
The light turns green, and Jaz starts driving.
And then, a truck flies into the intersection—
And CRASHES into their car.
Taz’s head slams against the dashboard…
And when she opens her eyes…
She finds Jaz, bleeding, losing consciousness.
Jaz
Taz…listen carefully.
Jaz leans over in her seat…
She starts to whisper something in Taz’s ear…
And this time, Taz can hear her.
Jaz
When Rex used that machine on me, to steal your powers…
Jaz
And now there’s something wrong with my soul.
Taz
I don’t understand. What does that mean?
Jaz
I’m not going to make it tonight.
Taz starts to cry. Her sister is dying all over again.
Jaz
You’ll survive this accident…
Jaz
And you’ll…you’ll feel guilty about it…
Jaz
Because it’s not your fault…
Jaz
And I know you’ll find a way to make this right…
Jaz
You’re the only one who can fix my soul.
Taz
How, Jaz?! How do I fix your soul??
Taz
How can I bring you back?
Taz pulls on her sister’s arm…
Taz
No no no no, please, wake up Jaz.
Taz
I can’t lose you again.
The scene begins to fade…
She pries herself out of the car…
Tumbles onto the asphalt…
And crawls toward the memory door.
Darkness begins to encroach on either side of Taz’s periphery.
She pulls herself, blindly, through the memory door.
And sunlight streaks into her vision as she returns to present day.
Opening her eyes, she finds herself in Cory’s arms.
She’s lying on the side of the road next to Jaz’s memorial.
Erik is crouched on the ground beside them. He places a hand on her arm.
Erik
Taz, you’re back, it’s okay.
Taz jolts upright. She wraps her arms around them…
Both Cory and Erik. And she squeezes them tight.
Cory
What happened? Can you talk about it?
Taz
Jaz told me…it was Rex.
Taz
It did something awful to her soul. It made her weak.
Taz
If it hadn’t been for Rex…what he did to her…she would have survived.
Erik’s eyes fill with tears.
Taz
No. Don’t you get it?
Taz smiles through her tears.
Taz
You were right all along.
Taz
All this time…you told me not to feel guilty about Jaz’s death.
Taz
And now, I know Jaz doesn’t want me to feel guilty either.
Taz
She wants me to save her.
Cory envelopes Taz in another hug.
Cory
We’ll help you. Whatever you need.
Erik
We’ll be right here.
Taz smiles at her girlfriend. And then at Erik.
Cory takes Taz’s phone and opens Snapchat, pulling up the Dark Matter Meter.
She snaps a picture of Taz.
Cory
The surge…it’s gone.
Taz slings one arm around Cory, pulls Erik in with the other…
And looks at each of their faces, both full of love and support.
Taz
Of course I am. I’m with you.
