Kali the Devourer

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - EARLY MORNING

The sun is barely rising. DAN (early 30s, twitchy, paranoid) steps out of his house, hoodie pulled up tight. The quiet streets are empty, but he’s scanning them as if expecting something. He’s on edge, moving cautiously as he heads toward the corner store for cigarettes.

DAN’S POV — Empty sidewalks, parked cars, a sleepy, quiet suburb. Too quiet. He’s walking, shoulders hunched, eyes darting. Every sound seems amplified.

Suddenly, the GROWL of an engine cuts through the stillness. Dan turns, and his heart drops.

A car pulls out from a side street. HER. KALI.

DAN
(under his breath)
No way... no fucking way.

The timing is insane — like she knew he’d be out here at this exact time, 6 in the morning. Dan can’t shake the feeling that this is more than just coincidence. He turns and starts walking faster, trying to stay cool.

The car speeds up.

Dan’s instinct kicks in, and he RUNS.

EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSES - CONTINUOUS

Dan sprints between two houses, adrenaline pumping, cutting through yards, jumping over fences. He darts past garbage cans, narrowly avoiding tripping. Behind him, he hears the ROAR of the car's engine as Kali follows.

He’s fast, ducking behind trees and squeezing through backyards, his heart pounding in his chest. He cuts through another yard and emerges onto a different street.

EXT. NEW STREET - MOMENTS LATER

Dan slows, staying low, covert. He sticks close to a fence, catching his breath. He scans the area, convinced he’s in the clear. For a second, he allows himself to relax, just a little.

But then he hears it again — the CAR.

Dan whips his head around. It’s HER. Same car. She hasn’t made eye contact with him yet, but she’s looking. Searching. And she’s close.

Dan freezes, instinctively ducks behind an electric pole, his back pressed tight against it. His breath is shallow, quick.

DAN
(whispering to himself)
You gotta be fucking kidding me.

Kali’s car rolls forward, slow. Dan edges around the pole, staying behind it, using it as cover. He shifts with the pole as she moves, keeping himself hidden, eyes locked on the car. The tension builds, every nerve on high alert.

Her car passes him, no recognition. She doesn’t see him.

The second she’s out of sight, Dan BOLTS.

He sprints down the street, desperate to get away before she comes back.