TOWN SQUARE – LATE 1800s
The town is alive with celebration. People cheer, music plays, and lanterns glow.
The mayor rises from his seat, preparing to speak. As he opens his mouth, a gunshot echoes. He collapses.
The crowd erupts in panic, screaming and running in all directions.
One person remains still, watching. They seem normal—too normal.
The person steps forward, walking toward the fallen mayor. They climb onto the stage where his body lies.
The mysterious figure kneels beside him leans down, and begins drinking his blood.
After a moment, they stand up and walk away, disappearing into the night.
TOWN SQUARE – THE NEXT DAY
Faith moves through town, careful and quiet. She makes her way out of the square, heading toward the woods.
A townsman notices her running.
THE WOODS
Faith gathers the few belongings she has hidden away.
Nearby, a white wolf watches her from not that far away on the ground.
Faith: Sophie, I have to move into town now... but I'll be back later tonight.
Sophie remains still, staring.
Faith walked out of the woods.
IN THE TOWN SQUARE
Faith walked into someone.
Faith: Sorry, I was not paying attention to where I was going.
Brad: It's okay.
Faith: I'm new to town anyway, so I don't know that many people.
Brad: In that case, I'm Brad. I came to this town to escape my family. They live not that far from here.
Faith: Cool.
Brad: Are you from outside of town?
Faith: Yeah, I am. I'm new here.
Faith felt her fangs wanting to come out. She tensed, trying to suppress them.
Faith started to walk away from Brad.
Brad noticed her sudden retreat.
Brad: Faith, are you feeling okay?
Faith backed up a bit more and walked right into Zoey.
Zoey: There you are, Faith.
Faith: Sorry, Zoey.
Brad: You know Zoey, Faith?
Faith: I met her earlier today.
Zoey: Faith, I need to talk to you.
Faith: Talk now or at my house?
Zoey: Your house, please.
Brad: Faith, are you feeling okay?
Faith looked directly at Brad, her expression unreadable.
Faith: I need you to come with me. And whatever you do, don't scream or try to run away.
Brad blinked a few times, clearly confused.
Zoey: Really, Faith?
Faith: Oh, come on, Zoey.
Zoey: Let's go then.
Faith: Sophie is waiting on us anyway.
Zoey: She's still stuck in wolf form?
Faith: Yeah, her shifting is not under control yet.
Faith, Zoey, and Brad made their way back to Faith's house in the woods.
AT FAITH'S HOUSE IN THE WOODS
Faith opened the door to her house.
Zoey: You're going to drain him here and now?
Faith didn't say anything to Zoey.
Sophie finally shifted back into her human form.
Sophie: Zoey, chill. Faith hasn't had human blood in a while.
Zoey: Fine.
Sophie: Faith, someone was looking for you.
Faith: What?
Sophie: I'm not sure who it was.
Faith: Talk later, please.
Sophie: Yeah.
Zoey: We'll be at my house then.
Faith: Thanks.
Zoey and Sophie left.
Faith made her way over to Brad.
Brad: I'm sorry for making your friends leave like that.
Faith sat next to Brad.
Faith: They needed to head home.
Brad: You live here on your own?
Faith: Yeah, I don't want to live in town.
Brad: Why not?
Faith felt her fangs emerge again.
She leaned in, pressing her lips against Brad's neck.
Brad: Whoa there.
Faith looked up at him.
Brad: I have a girlfriend.
Faith bit his neck a bit harder.
Brad suddenly noticed the blood trickling from his neck.
Brad: Faith... you're making me bleed.
Faith started to suck on his neck, sinking her fangs deeper into his skin.
A few minutes later, he was dead.
Faith got up from the couch, went to her room, and grabbed her shovel.
Faith heard a knock at the door.
She hesitated for a moment before walking over to answer it. When she opened the door, she saw Stefan standing there, his expression unreadable.
Stefan: Mind if I come in?
Faith stepped aside, allowing him to enter. He walked in with a quiet familiarity, glancing around before turning his gaze back to her.
Stefan: You doing okay?
Faith let out a small sigh, shutting the door behind him.
Faith: What do you think?
Stefan: I know I came out of the blue but I need help
Faith: with?
Stefan sighed. he noticed the guy on the couch
Stefan: Faith, what happened to keeping a low profile?
Faith: Chill out, why don't you? I'm not as bad as Damon.
Stefan: Speaking of him... is he back here?
Faith: Probably not.
Stefan: I've got a bad feeling he is. Lurking. Watching us.
Faith: Stefan, stop being paranoid. If he is back, so what?
Stefan: Faith, he's still mad at you.
Faith: He'll get over it, okay?
Stefan: You forget—he promised to make your eternal life a living hell.
Faith: Stefan, I get it, you're worried. But I've talked to him since then, and he gave up on that. He saw why I did what I did. He's nowhere near me.
Stefan: Then who shot the mayor?
Faith: No clue. It wasn't me, okay? I took a bit after he was dead, then ran here.
Stefan: It wasn't me—I just got to town.
Faith: He could be back... and maybe he did it. But if he did, why hasn't he said anything?
Stefan: No clue. But he's mad at me again.
Faith: Why now?
Stefan: We got into a disagreement about how to keep a low profile.
There was a knock at the door.
Faith: Go into my room, please.
Faith went to see who was at the door.
Stefan went into faith's room.
Faith saw Sophie and Zoey standing there.
Faith opened the door.
Sophie and Zoey made their way into the house.
Faith: Sorry, I got distracted, but he's dead now.
Zoey: I think I figured out who is looking for you.
Faith: Who?
Zoey: Someone from your past, and they want to harm you for something.
Sophie: Faith, is there another vampire here?
Faith sighed.
Faith: Before you two freak out, I never told you, but I have two brothers. One is older than me, and the other is younger by a year.
Sophie: You're kidding me, right?
Faith sent Stefan a thought.
Faith, you can come out now. They're not going to hurt you, they're my friends.
Stefan carefully stepped out of Faith's room.
The girls sat there in shock.
Faith: I had no clue he was in town. He came to my house not long ago.
Sophie: You lied to us when you said you were the only sibling?
Faith: Look, my brothers and I have a long history of not talking to each other. I haven't spoken to Stefan in quite a few years, and I haven't spoken to my other brother, Damon, in a long time.
Zoey: Faith, there's a dark aura near here.
Stefan looked at Faith.
Faith: I'm sorry I didn't tell you two the truth about having siblings, but the rest of what I've told you is the truth.
Sophie: Is this one the youngest?
Faith: Yeah, he's my younger brother. The other one is... who knows where.
Zoey: Faith, I hate to tell you this, but remember I said someone was looking for you?
Faith: Yeah?
Zoey: It's Damon.
Stefan: I knew it.
Faith: Stefan, calm down, please.
Sophie: The story of the witch who gave you the drink was it true?
Stefan: Yeah, it's true. And how we died—that's true as well.
Zoey: Faith, what do we do? The town is still trying to figure out who shot the mayor.
Faith: We hide and keep a low profile.
Stefan: Faith, if Damon is back, then he's after one of us.
Faith: We'll deal with him, okay?
Faith: Zoey, Sophie, I get it if you're mad at me for lying, I did it to keep my brothers safe.
Sophie: We're not mad, Faith, but we are worried about you now.
Faith: I'll be fine. Damon is harmless to me.
Stefan gave her a look.
Faith: Zoey, did Damon say what he wanted?
Zoey: He said he was looking for you... and someone else.
Faith sighed.
Stefan: Faith, I'm sorry. I had no clue he was going to drag you into this.
Faith: It's fine.
Zoey: Faith, it sounds like he's a handful.
Faith: If Damon is back, it's not safe for the two of you.
IN FAITH'S ROOM
Faith put on a pair of gloves and walked over to the plant she had been growing. She came out of the room, gloves still on, holding the plant in her hand.
IN THE LIVING ROOM
Zoey: What—are you crazy? You've been growing vervain?!
Faith: It's for the two of you.
There was a knock at the door.
They all froze.
Stefan moved toward the door, then stepped closer to Faith.
Stefan (whispering): It's Damon.
Faith quickly handed the plant to her friends.
Another knock.
Damon (from outside): Are you going to open up, or do I have to break the door down?
Faith: Zoey, Sophie—I need you two to take the back door out of here while I deal with my older brother. I'll be safe. He's not going to harm me or Stefan.
Zoey: Faith, he's super mad.
Faith: I know, Zoey. Please, just go.
Zoey and Sophie left.
Faith opened the door.
Damon stepped inside.
Damon: So, the good brother told you I'm back in town?
Faith: Whoa there, Damon—what happened now?
Damon: He didn't tell you?
Faith: No, I was busy dealing with other things.
Damon: Whoa there, Faith... you really have become" the monster."
Faith: It's not like I can make a whole town my personal gas-and-sip like you have. You're not keeping things on the low, Damon. Things are different here. You really need to be careful.
Stefan: Damon, I know you're still mad at me, but this has nothing to do with Faith. I told you in France—keep it on the down low. We can't be killing people. At this rate, the only ones left will be the three of us.
Damon: About that... I might have done something.
Faith: Like what?
Damon: I figured out how to create vampires.
Faith and Stefan stood there in shock at the news.
Stefan: We're doomed, then?
Faith: Damon, we can't go creating an army of vampires when the world—especially the U.S.—isn't even fully explored yet.
Damon: I did it to save him.
Stefan: You, of all people, saved someone?
Damon: Yes, I did.
Faith: Whoa, did you hit your head or something?
Damon: I'm still me, but it was just a moment I had.
Faith: Are they here with you?
Damon: Yeah, his name is Enzo.
Stefan: Well, how did you turn him?
Damon: I gave him my blood, and a few minutes later, he got shot. Then he woke up, fed on a human, and now he's one of us.
Faith: Let me get this straight—you fed him your blood to heal him, then he died, and after that, he fed on a human?
Damon: Yeah.
Stefan: No more creating vampires for a few more years, please.
Faith: Damon, we genuinely mean it. The U.S. needs to be more populated before we even think about doing that. We're barely surviving here on animal blood.
Damon: Then come to London with me.
Faith: No, thanks. I can't—not after...
Stefan: Faith, they're long gone. You know that.
Damon: Faith, it'll be fine.
There was a knock at the door.
Faith: Damon, is Enzo really in town?
Damon: Yeah, he is.
Stefan: Damon, did you shoot the mayor?
Damon: Not it.
Faith: Damon, how long have you been in town?
Damon: A few days.
Faith: Damon, you're lucky it's Enzo at the door.
Faith opened the door.
Enzo stepped inside.
Damon: I told them.
Enzo: Well, in that case—hi, I'm Enzo. I already know who the two of you are.
Faith: Damon, who else would want to harm the mayor?
Damon sighed.
Damon: Fine, it was me. I wanted to see if it would draw you out, Faith.
Faith: Go figure, Damon.
Enzo notices the couch.
Enzo: What's with the guy on the couch?
Faith: Don't worry—he's dead.
Stefan: Damon, can you please keep a low profile if you're going to be in this town?
Damon: Me and Enzo are off to London.
Faith: We'll be fine here, Damon. See you in another few years—maybe.
Damon and Enzo left.
Faith sighed in relief.
Stefan: Well, what are you going to do now?
Faith: Zoey is a witch, and Sophie is a werewolf. I've been friends with them for about a year now.
Stefan: I'm going to stay here with you.
Faith: What about France?
Stefan: I can go there another time.
Faith: In that case, I'm going to need you to build another room for you. Make three, just in case.
Stefan: I'll start working on it tomorrow, then.
THE NEXT DAY AT FAITH'S HOUSE
Sophie and Zoey knocked on the door.
Faith got out of bed and went to the door.
Stefan came into the house using the back door.
Sophie: How did last night go?
Faith: Damon is gone.
Zoey: That's good.
Sophie noticed Stefan.
Faith snapped her fingers at Sophie.
Sophie: What?
Faith: You were staring.
Sophie: Sorry.
Zoey: Well, we have to go into town and vote for a new mayor.
Faith: Great.
Zoey: Faith, I was thinking that you could stay with me for a bit.
Faith: What?
Sophie: We know last night took a toll on you.
Faith: I'm fine.
Sophie: Is Stefan staying in town?
Faith: Yeah, he is. He'll be able to help with the construction of the town.
Zoey: Is that a good idea—to have him here?
Faith: Whoa there, Zoey.
Zoey: I mean, both of you in the same place?
Faith: Zoey, we'll be fine, okay? I'm more worried about you and your mother. They're close to finding out about the two of you.
Zoey: I need to be going.
Zoey left.
Sophie: I was thinking of trying to find my mate.
Faith: You know I'm not going to stop you from doing that.
Sophie: I haven't told Zoey yet, but I have to leave town to do so. Zoey will try to stop me.
Faith: She's just worried about us and our secrets.
Sophie: I know, but I need to leave. This town is full of humans. There's a town nearby that might have wolves in it, especially with all the exploration still going on.
Faith: If you can't find anyone here in the U.S., I can help you get to other countries.
Sophie: I think I can find a mate here.
Faith: I'll miss you.
Sophie: I need help telling Zoey.
Faith: I can help you.
There was a crashing sound. Faith looked back.
Stefan: Sorry, I dropped a piece of wood and hit a vase.
Faith: I'll clean it up.
Sophie: Are you sure things went okay last night?
Faith: Yeah, they did.
Stefan: I took care of the body last night after you went to sleep, Faith.
Faith: Thanks.
Sophie: Well, let's get going.
Faith: I need to change.
Sophie: You still have clothes at my house you can use.
Faith: Right.
They both left the house.
AT SOPHIE'S HOUSE
Faith went into Sophie's room and got changed.
Alisa: Faith?
Faith: Yeah, it's me.
Alisa: Have you seen the new guy in town?
Faith: Who?
Alisa: Stefan.
Faith: No, I haven't met him yet.
Alisa: Are you two getting ready to leave?
Sophie: Yes, Mom. We're stopping at the bakery and then helping the people who got hurt working on the buildings in town.
Alisa: Don't forget to check on your dad.
Sophie: Yes, Mother.
They left.
IN THE TOWN SQUARE
Faith: Sophie, are we doing what your mom said, then stopping at Zoey's?
Sophie: Yes, we are.
Faith: Yikes, I can't believe the look your mom gave me when she was talking about Stefan.
Sophie started laughing at her.
Faith: I know he's my brother and all, but just eww.
Sophie: I wish he was just a normal guy.
Faith stopped in her tracks.
Sophie noticed
Sophie: What?
Faith: Oh, it's nothing
Sophie: You sure?
Faith: Yeah, it's nothing
Sophie: ok
They make their way to the bakery
AT THE BAKERY
Sophie: Are you sure it's nothing?
Faith: Yeah it's nothing
Sophie bought a loaf of bread.
Sophie: faith you are not this quite
Faith: it's fine
Faith was in her head
They quietly make their way to Zoey's house
AT ZOEY'S HOUSE
Faith knocks on the door.
Zoey: What's wrong?
Sophie: We need to talk.
Zoey: Come on in then.
They enter the house. Clio greets them.
Clio: Hi, girls.
Sophie: There's some news.
Zoey: Good or bad?
Faith stares at the floor, silent.
Zoey: Faith?
Faith: Yeah, I'm here.
Sophie: She's been like this most of the day.
Zoey: What's the news?
Sophie: I've decided to leave town. There's a nearby town where I might be able to find my mate.
Zoey: You're not the only one with news.
A knock at the door interrupts them. Clio opens it—Stefan stands there
Stefan: Hi, sorry to bother you. I'm looking for Faith.
(Faith steps near the door but avoids his gaze.)
Faith: Talk later.
Stefan: Faith, you've been acting strange.
Faith: I'm fine, okay? I'll talk to you later.
Stefan hesitates but eventually leaves.
Zoey: My family decided to leave town too. They think my dad killed the mayor.
Sophie: Oh no.
Clio: He's in the town jail right now.
Zoey: Me and my mom... we have to leave.
(Silence.)
Faith: Great. You two are leaving me. I knew this would happen.
Sophie: Faith, we can come visit
Faith: Don't bother.
She storms out.
AT FAITH'S HOUSE
Faith slams the door shut, frustrated.
Stefan: Whoa there.
Faith: My friends are leaving me. Sophie wants to find her mate. Zoey and her mom are leaving town to start over.
Stefan: Faith... you've got me.
Faith: Oh yeah? Well, the town thinks we're married.
Stefan: Yeah, I meant to tell you about that.
Faith stands there with her arms crossed looking right at her brother
Faith: Really? That was your idea?
Stefan: I couldn't exactly say we're siblings when we don't have any adults around.
Faith: Next time you come up with something like that, send me a thought so I can at least play along.
Stefan: Noted.
Faith: I'm going to the woods.
She steps outside just as a knock sounds at the door.
Stefan answers Zoey, and Sophie stands there.
Sophie: Is Faith here?
Stefan: Give her some time.
Zoey: Yikes. She's really upset.
Stefan: I've got it handled.
Zoey: Sophie... woods?
Sophie: Let's go then.
The girls left to go into the woods.
Stefan stood there and sent Faith a thought.
Stefan, I know you're mad at your friends and me right now, but your friends are in the woods trying to find you.
Faith Great.
Stefan, Don't be like that. They want to make sure you're okay.
Faith, I can't believe you as well.
Stefan, I will explain more later, okay?
IN THE WOODS
Faith stops in her tracks.
She knows her friends are nearby. She stands there, waiting.
Sophie and Zoey find her.
Sophie: We're sorry to hit you with news like this, but it's not the end of our friendship. We're just doing what we feel is right in our lives.
Zoey: Faith, we're not going to forget about you. We can write letters back and forth to each other.
Faith: What about making a place where people like us can stay?
The girls stand there, looking down at the ground.
Zoey: Faith, there's no one else in town like us, and I really don't think people like us would want to come here.
Faith holds back her tears.
Sophie: Faith, we're not leaving you, but we need to do this. Zoey has a point. The only reason you're here was to get away from whatever happened. Our families just moved here, and most of the town is already built. Our families will want to move on to the next town and get it started like they did with this one.
Faith suddenly runs deeper into the woods.
Stefan finds Sophie and Zoey.
Sophie: Tell her we're sorry for what we said.
Stefan: Yeah, I can do that.
Zoey: Yikes, she's super upset at us.
Stefan: She'll be okay, but I would avoid her tomorrow.
Zoey: Why is that?
Stefan: When she gets like this, she wants to... umm...
Sophie: Yikes.
Stefan: She's mad at me, but I can fix that.
There's a rustling sound nearby.
Stefan: You two need to head back. I got her.
The girls leave.
Stefan goes after Faith.
AT CRYSTAL COVE
A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves above Faith as she sat on the damp earth, hugging her knees to her chest. The moonlight barely filtered through the thick canopy, casting shadows around her.
Stefan found her easily, his footsteps light but deliberate. He hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, watching her for any sign that she wanted to be left alone.
Faith didn't move, but he knew she was aware of his presence.
Stefan sighed and carefully sat down next to her, leaving enough space to let her breathe but close enough to remind her she wasn't alone.
Faith: I can't believe it.
Stefan: Listen, the girls wanted me to tell you that they are sorry for what they said.
Faith: I hate this. Why do I even let people in at this point?
Stefan: Faith, you can't shut yourself off from everyone. You can't be mad at their choices. They still want to make this friendship work. Writing letters may not be the same, but they're trying.
Faith: You heard us talking?
Stefan: Yeah, I did. You're too upset, I was worried that you would...
Faith: That I would what?
Stefan: I was worried you would flip your switch
Faith: Woah there, I'm not Damon or you when I shut my switch off.
Stefan: I know, but still
Faith: I'm still mad at you.
Stefan: Faith, I couldn't tell them the truth. You live on your own, and without family here, people would start asking questions.
Faith: So your solution was pretending we're married?
Stefan: I know, I know it's weird. But we have to keep a low profile, remember? It was the only explanation that made sense.
Faith: You could've at least warned me before springing that on me.
Stefan: I'll send a thought next time.
Faith: You better
Stefan: I will no worries
Faith: We should head back