EXT. CARNIVALE OUTSIDE LODZ’S TRAILER - NIGHT

BEN
is distraught from the events that transpired earlier with Scudder and Management. After Samson distrusted him, he is left alone and goes to seek solace in the only person who he has, Sofie.

BEN
walks up the steps of Lodz’s trailer. Feeling terribly lost and alone, he is eager to confide in her, the one person he trusts. A little fearful and diffident, he knocks on the door, hoping desperately that she will believe him.

--BEN
-Hey Sofie! It’s me, open up!

There is no answer,

BEN
is a little worried and he tries to knock again, his voice lowers with slight concern as he warmly calls to her.

--BEN
-Hey, Sof!

SOFIE
suddenly opens the door. She is ecstatic and relieved to see him, as she feels a rush of comfort and affection.

--SOFIE
(happily)
-Ben!

BEN
walks up closer to her, her warmheartedness emanating to him as he feel more at home. He speaks softly, yet his tone is laced with apprehension.

--BEN
-Hey, Sof. I need to talk to you.

SOFIE’S
demeanor changes, giving in to his as she recognizes his unspoken words. Becoming a little uneasy and concerned, she looks deeply into his worried eyes, as they speak without saying a word.

--SOFIE
-Ya, sure.

BEN
looks at her with immense gratitude and growing love, the weight lifting ever so slightly of his shoulders.

SOFIE
holds the door open for Ben, his hand replacing hers as to let himself in.

SOFIE
lets go and disappears into the trailer.

BEN
follows her close behind, the door shutting behind them.

CUT TO:

INT. LODZ’S TRAILER - NIGHT

BEN
fidgets a little, rubbing his forehead with his hand as he tries to think of what to say and how to say it. Still nervous and worried, he doesn’t know quite what to say and how to explain all that has happened. All the new knowledge he attained from his boon filling his mind, and he feels the need to confide some of it to someone. He doesn’t want to scare Sofie, as he desperately needs her to believe him and to trust him.

SOFIE
is a little concerned about Ben’s demeanor, she’s not quite sure what happened but knows it is something big. She looks at him, trying to make eye contact, curious as to what he has too say. She moves closer, wanting to comfort him.

--SOFIE
(warmly)
-What happened?

BEN
looks down and then back to to meet her eyes, the events vivid in his mind as he conveys the weight of the day to her--his regret and disappointment for letting his father get away, as well as his, now clear, obligation.

SOFIE
looks into his eyes, understanding some of the gravity in the events that transpired, her brow furrowed with worry and anticipation.

BEN
tries to think of what to say, how to put words to what happened.

--BEN
-Sof, I
(hesitates)
-I killed someone. Management.

SOFIE
is struck off guard, her eyes widen with shock and childlike wonder as she opens her mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but no words come out. There seems a well of things she never understood or knew rushing to the surface and she is curious to find out more. She watches Ben waiting for his elaboration.

BEN
hesitates for a moment as he looks down to compose himself, trying to find his words, and looks back into her deep hazel eyes, his brows furrowed.

--BEN
-He planned all of it. Knew I’d do it to save my father.
(pleadingly)
-He needed me to kill him, Sof. When I did, everythin’ he knew, everythin’ he was, he gave it to me.
(dutifully)
-It’s the only way to beat the Usher.

SOFIE
looks at him, absorbing all the new information. She is trusting, knowing that he is telling her the truth. A million questions float through her mind, as she picks on the unfamiliar term.

--SOFIE
-Who, what is the Usher?

--BEN
-This preacher. I seen ‘im, in my dreams. He’s evil an’ I gotta stop ‘im.

SOFIE
looks at him, a sadness and worry for his well being graces her face. She doesn’t want him be harmed, she doesn’t want to loose the one thing, the one person she has, who has shown and given her more love than anyone else in her life.

--SOFIE
-Why you?

BEN
is struck with the one question he has asked himself a million times, but this time he carries an air of acceptance, the reluctance still lingering a little.

--BEN
(shakes his head)
-Cause I’m, the one.

SOFIE
remembers the words Ben had told her her mother had spoken to him the night she walked out to him. An understanding of why her mother was so inthralled with him becomes clearer.

--BEN (continuing)
(hesitates)
-Sof, I gotta...gift. I can move life, take it from something, an’ give it somethin’, someone else. Heal ‘em.

SOFIE
relaxes a little, knowing his words are all true. Her eyes still full of wonder and fascination as she gazes tenderly down at his hands--so humble yet so powerful. Her intuitions about him suddenly having reason and truth, all the strange things that have happened are becoming clearer.

BEN
looks at her with worry, wanting desperately for her to believe him.

SOFIE
looks back up into his blue eyes, reassuring him of her trust. A slight smile graces her face as she rebels in how well she knows him. She moves slightly closer to him.

--SOFIE
-I always knew you were special.

BEN’S
fears wipe away as soon as she looks at him, her warmth and acceptance wrapping around him. He exhales, a weight visibly lifted off his shoulders.

SOFIE
takes his hands affectionately, as he responds gently caressing hers. His secret is safe with her, and he knows it.

They look deeply into each others eyes, both feeling the rush of warmth and comfort between them and delight in feeling whole and safe. The tension, reminiscent of the feeling they shared in the Chevy, grows and they drift closer together.

BEN
slowly and tenderly slides his hands around Sofie, the familiar warmth bringing chills down her spine, as he pulls her close.

SOFIE’S
gives willingly to him, her hands simultaneously moving up to reach his head. Her fingers gently caressing his neck, as her head gently rests on his shoulder next to his.

BEN
squeezes her softly, then separates from her slightly as his face graces her hair.

SOFIE
lifts her head from his shoulder, her lips meeting his.

There is a moment of suspension as time seems to move slower, their noses sit next to each other their lips coming together in perfect harmony.

SOFIE’S
hands creep quietly on the back of Ben’s neck, intertwining her finger in his hair. Then they slowly move down his neck and cross his shoulders, gliding slowly down his chest.

BEN
brings one of his hands up to Sofie’s face, his fingers lacing gently into her soft brown hair.

SOFIE
places a free hand on top of his, pressing it gently against her cheek, the warmth of his hand reminding her of the peace of mind he gave to her the night before.

Both indulging in the moment, feeling more loved and at home then they have ever felt, the only two people in the safe and comfortable world they created for each other.

FADE TO BLACK