Book One, Chapter 2: "Happy Birthday!"

(MATTHEW 26:41)

→ "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." ←NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION

SCENE ONE: WEDNESDAY 6:13 AM

There is an overcast, three cops are standing in front of caution tape guarding the area behind it. Curious civilians whisper and chatter inaudibly.

The camera slowly travels through the crowd, past the unhinged gates, and into the crime scene. There are several police officers, crime scene photographers, detectives, and other professional specialists scattered around.

A forensic analyst takes a picture of Ryo's deceased body. A detective approaches a police officer. "As usual there's blood and no visible wounds or indications of a struggle. We'll get a sample of the blood and send it in. I'm willing to bet that the blood belongs to the deceased."

The police officer shakes his head as he takes notes on a pad, "These cases get me every time. I'm starting to believe in this whole Black Onda thing."

The detective shrugs. "If this is related to the other cases I'm assuming the victim's heart is missing from his body. Somehow removed." The camera closes in on Ryo's face.

The opening credits of TheRemnant begins.

SCENE TWO: WEDNESDAY

A middle-aged man is standing in front of a camera. He is being filmed by a camerawoman wearing a cap. He is standing a few feet in front of a restaurant dubbed Ryuuzaki's (Ree-yooh-zah-ki). The dot of the 'i' in Ryuuzaki's is an apple.

The camerawoman counts down, "Three, two..." She points at him and he begins to report, "With breaking news, a body was discovered at the back alley of the local diner, Ryuuzaki's at 5:30 this morning. Mr. Ryuuzaki, the owner of the diner was taking out the trash when he found the deceased. The victim has been identified as Ryo Yamano. It is believed that Mr. Yamano's death may be related to the mysterious deaths and disappearances- or Black Onda as many call it. Any witnesses are being asked to take a step forward and share any information you may have to help with this investigation. This has been Matsuda (Maht-sue-duh) Takawa (Tuh-cow-uh) reporting live at Ryuuzaki's diner from Ryojima morning news. Thank you. Back to you Amane (Uh-mon-ay)."

SCENE THREE: 7:31 AM

Someone is watching the news on a large built in flat screen television.

The news anchor, Amane is speaking at a desk. "After five years of disputes and controversy, the bill for the daily Ryojima City Curfew has been passed. Starting today the Ryojima City nine o' clock curfew will be implemented. Once the curfew is enforced, anyone who is not authorized to be out after hours will be strictly reprimanded. For your own safety, it is heavily encouraged that you keep a pocket knife and pepper spray with you at all times. I'm Amane Epperson and this is Ryojima morning news. Remain compliant. Remain safe. Remain pro-"

The television turns black. A man wearing a fancy business suit is sitting on a white, leather couch. He is a rather large man with broad shoulders. He has thick eyebrows, crow's feet wrinkles, dark yet gray streaked hair, small light brown eyes and a small vertical scar near his right eye.

With his eyes closed, legs crossed, he takes a sip of coffee from a black mug. He savors the flavor then sets it down on the glass coffee table in front of him.

He beckons, "Kujo."

A voice from behind says, "He has left for his morning jog quite some time ago. Would you like me to retrieve him Mr. Takanashi?" The voice belongs to a man with black hair. He has a receding hairline and is wearing squared glasses. His eyes are violet and he has a thick mustache. He has one large scar running across his eye. The camera only reveals him from the chest up, he appears to be wearing a stereotypical butler suit.

"No, that won't be isn't necessary, John. He'll be home soon."

With his eyes closed, Mr. Takanashi speaks, "However, when you see him, tell him he is not to be out any time later than dinner. Everyday from now on. And see to it that you provide him with the appropriate form of protection. "

John smiles happily, "Yes, Mr. Takanashi. And what of his morning jogs?"

"I will deal with it accordingly."

"Yes." John readjusts his glasses. He is wearing white gloves and has an expensive gold Rolex on his right arm.

SCENE FOUR: JIYUHEIWA HIGH SCHOOL, 7:40 AM

The camera shows a group of teenagers conversing in front of a large school building. There are students scattered throughout the front of the campus. It is three stories high.

The camera focuses on Shikauhno. She is wearing an arm warmer on her left wrist, a long sleeve sweater, scarf, jeans, and brown boots. She is wearing a backpack and is holding a piece of paper. The scarf slightly hides the bandage on her cheek.

Shikauhno looks up at the school as the camera rises up.

The camera displays a sign placed in front of the school labeled JIYUHEIWA HIGH SCHOOL (Gee-yuu-hey-wah).

SCENE FIVE: JIYUHEIWA HIGH INTERIOR

There are rows of lockers on each side of the walls and a bulletin board with multicolored papers pinned to it advertising school clubs and activities. A male student pins up a paper to the bulletin board using a pushpin. On the paper reads:

-Join Black Onda Club Today!!

-Discuss Theories

-Eat snacks

-Have A Good Time

-We meet every Thursday during lunch and afterschool

The sound of background students fill the air.

The camera focuses on a specific group of three. A female student with a book in her hand speaks, "Hey did you guys hear about that guy who was murdered?"

A chubby student wearing glasses answers her, "He's not just any guy! He was a game god! Have you even played Angel Must Die?"

The tall and lean male chimes in, "That's my favorite game."

He responds excitedly, "Right?"

"Too bad we won't be seeing anymore of those type of games for a while." The tall one morosely adds.

"Bummer man." The chubby friend says quietly.

"Screw Black Onda." the lean student retorts.

"I think Ryojima's cursed." The female adds in.

"It's happening everywhere, not just here." The chubby one points out while readjusting his glasses.

"It's a thousand times worse here! I bet we're being punished by God...or the devil! That's what a lot of people are saying on blackondatheories.com, you guys should check it out." She replies.

"Isn't it sick how all the bodies have holes where their hearts should be? I mean, it's impossible to yank someones heart out without leaving scars or anything behind." The lean student chimes in.

"I'm telling you it's the devil." The female interjects as her voice fades into the background.

SCENE SIX: CLASS 2A

Shikauhno is staring blankly as she stands before her class.

She recalls the conversation she had with "Ryo Yamano." (Only voices are played through her mind).

"You have a family; a wife and daughter. You have the perfect life. So why are you doing this?"

"Me? A family?"

"You're Ryo Yamano, aren't you?"

"You mean this body? On the outside I may look like that man, but he's long gone."

A handsome male wearing glasses with brown eyes is speaking to her. Though his lips are moving, no sound is coming out of his mouth.

"Oh god...what are you?"

"How ironic, those were his last words...BEFORE I TORE HIS HEART OUT!"

Shikauhno finally comes to and she becomes aware of her surroundings. The man is speaking, "Go ahead, introduce yourself."

Shikauhno blinks as she snaps back to reality and exclaims, "I-I'm Shikauhno Lee from Seattle, Washington."

The screen freezes to display Shikauhno's character analysis:

Shikauhno Lee

Age: 17

Blood type: AB-

Date of Birth: July 10, 1997

Ethnicity: Japanese (75%), Chinese (25%)

Eye Color: Bright Green

Fact: Shikauhno lived in America with her foster family for ten years.

Favorite Color: All shades of green

Height: 5'5.5

Place of Birth: Ryojima, Japan

Weight: 135 Pounds/61 Kilograms

The screen unfreezes.

SCENE SEVEN:

The whole class gawks at her and loudly whisper to each other. SFX: Students whispering.

The teacher views Shikauhno from head to toe and notices her arm warmer. He declares, "Find an open seat." He smiles at her brightly.

Shikauhno slowly walks down a row to find a seat; her new classmates judge her with looks and whispers.

Shikauhno thinks, 'God, I hate when people stare.'

A girl with shoulder length scarlet hair beckons Shikauhno with a bright smile.

Shikauhno takes a seat next to her.

The teacher announces, "You know the drill, take out your English books."

The scarlet haired girl introduces herself, "I can always tell who the new students are. They all have the same lost look on their face. I saw you in the hallway this morning."

Shikauhno tries to avoid eye contact.

The girl clears up, "Don't worry it's not a bad thing," she giggles.

Shikauhno continues to glance at her.

The girl continues, "Your name's Shikauhno right? That's certainly original." She giggles.

Shikauhno nods her head as the girl continues kindly, "Well, I'm Kaedai."

Kaedai lifts up her English book and bubbly states, "We can share if you want."

SCENE EIGHT: LUNCH, GIRL'S RESTROOM

Shikauhno is in a bathroom stall leaning against the door. She is crying. In order to keep quiet she places one hand over her mouth.

*(We recommend playing the song we've attached to this episode)*

Shikauhno quickly wipes away her tears. She rolls up the sleeves and arm warmer on her left arm to expose her self-mutilated wrist. She stares at her scars and focuses on the one that almost resulted in her death. She reaches into her pant pocket and pulls out a shiny razor. The razor glistens under the light.

Shikauhno edges the razor closer and closer to her wrist.

The camera shows the outside view of the stall and three drops of blood fall onto the ground in a pattern.

Shikauhno has tissue over her wrist. She applies pressure to it with her right hand. Tears are still running down her face.

SCENE NINE: FLASHBACK

An older white woman with wrinkles is standing over Shikauhno's bed crying. They are in a hospital room. "How could you do something like this, Sarah? How could you be so selfish? Who do you think you are trying to take your own life? After all we did for you, the sacrifices we made...!" She raises her hand to strike Shikauhno but Shikauhno weakly stops her and turns her head away from her adoptive mother, "Don't."

Her foster mother is taken aback.

Shikauhno continues, "Don't waste your energy; I'm done with that."

Shikauhno rips a cross necklace off of her neck, "And this..." she hands it to her adoptive mom, "I won't be needing this anymore. My faith was never mine to begin with." She looks away as her mother stands in shock.

She is at a loss for words. "Sarah..."

"I can't take swallowing your pitiful religion any longer. You've spoon fed it to me for too long that its made me ill."

Shikauhno continues, "And by the way, don't call me Sarah, that isn't my name. That's not who I am. You met me as Shikauhno and changed my name, but now I want it back. From now on I want to be known as Shikauhno, Shikauhno Lee. After all it is my true identity. The name that my real mother gave to me. Michelle, tell Chris and Lisa that I'm going back to Ryojima."

Her foster mother slaps her.

SFX: Echoing Slap

SCENE TEN: GIRL'S BATHROOM

Shikauhno stands before the mirror and gives herself a good look. She turns away ashamedly. Two students enter the bathroom and Shikauhno quickly exits.

As she walks with her head lowered she accidentally collides into somebody. It happens to be the boy who gave her his jacket at King Makamo.

He stares at her and she hurriedly walks past him with her head still lowered.

He recalls their meeting at the restaurant. 'That girl...' By the time he realizes who she might be she has already turned the corner.

SCENE ELEVEN: MASAKU

Three individuals are occupying a room with modern furniture and a wood floor. A female with blonde hair is sitting down in an office chair, she is drinking from the white styrofoam cup in her hand; the young man who saved Shikauhno-with the blue and blonde hair- is sitting on a brown couch. A tall black man is standing behind the couch with his arms crossed. There is a coffee table. On the square coffee table there are a few recent photos of Shikauhno-taken from when she first arrived to Ryojima. A copy of her id and passport is also on the table.

The man with the uneven hair picks up a copy of one of Shikauhno's American passports from off the table. He smiles and creepily adds, "Shikauhno Lee...today you're seventeen. Happy Birthday." He reads off of her passport.

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