Face of Dread

EXT. SMALL TOWN - NIGHT

The moon hangs low over a quaint, seemingly serene town. Streetlights flicker, casting eerie shadows. We zoom in on a small carnival that has just set up at the edge of town.

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INT. CARNIVAL - NIGHT

Children laugh and play, their joyful sounds contrasted by the unsettling atmosphere. A creepy vendor stands behind a stall selling balloons. The balloons are shaped like human faces—distorted, grotesque, with twisted, lifelike expressions.

VENDOR

(voice dripping with malice)

Get your face balloons here! Each one has its own unique expression!

ALEX (15), a curious and adventurous teen, approaches the stall. His friend, MIA (15), hesitates behind him.

ALEX

(cheerful)

These are awesome! I’ll take one!

VENDOR

(smiling ominously)

Pick whichever one you like.

Alex picks a balloon with a face twisted in a look of agony. The vendor’s eyes glint with a malevolent glimmer.

VENDOR

(softly)

Be careful. Some faces carry more than just air.

Alex laughs it off and pays. He and Mia leave the stall, the balloon bobbing ominously in the air.

EXT. ALEX'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Alex and Mia arrive at Alex's house. The balloon is still bobbing, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

MIA

(smiling nervously)

That vendor was weird. Do you think it’s just a gimmick?

ALEX

(laughing)

Come on, it’s just a balloon.

Alex heads inside, balloon in tow. Mia waves goodbye and heads to her house next door.

INT. ALEX'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Alex places the balloon on his desk. It seems to pulse slightly as if alive. He shakes his head and turns to his homework. The balloon’s face slowly morphs into a sinister grin.

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EXT. MIA'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Mia’s house is quiet. She is in her room, trying to sleep. Her eyes dart nervously to the window.

Suddenly, the face balloon floats past the window, its twisted face staring directly at her.

MIA

(screaming)

Alex!

INT. ALEX'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Alex is in bed, the balloon still in the room. He hears a strange noise and gets up to investigate.

ALEX

(yawning)

What’s that sound?

He approaches the balloon. It’s now showing a face in utter terror. The balloon seems to grow, filling the room with an oppressive atmosphere.

ALEX

(uneasy)

Okay, this is weird.

He tries to pop it with a pin, but the balloon deflects the pin away. Suddenly, the balloon bursts, releasing a dark mist that envelops the room.

Alex is engulfed by the mist. His screams echo through the house.

EXT. ALEX'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Mia, having seen the balloon at her window, rushes over to Alex’s house. She finds the front door ajar and rushes inside.

MIA

(shouting)

Alex!

INT. ALEX'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Mia finds Alex’s room in disarray. The balloon is gone, but Alex is nowhere to be seen. The walls are smeared with dark, bloody streaks. She notices a shadow moving in the corner.

MIA

(whispering)

Alex? Are you here?

The shadow moves closer, revealing a twisted, grotesque figure with the same face as the balloon. It lunges at Mia.

MIA

(screaming)

No!

EXT. SMALL TOWN - NIGHT

The town is now engulfed in panic. Reports of missing people and gruesome murders spread quickly. The police are on high alert, but there’s no sign of the culprit.

INT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT

DETECTIVE HARRIS (45), a grizzled veteran, examines the crime scene photos. His eyes widen in shock as he looks at the photos of the balloon and the scenes of violence.

DETECTIVE HARRIS

(to himself)

This isn’t just a balloon… it’s something else entirely.

EXT. CARNIVAL - NIGHT

The carnival is deserted. The vendor’s stall is empty. The balloon vendor is nowhere to be found. The air is heavy with a sense of foreboding.

DETECTIVE HARRIS

(to himself)

We need to find that vendor.

INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

Detective Harris searches the warehouse. He finds a hidden room with dozens of face balloons, each more horrific than the last. The walls are covered in symbols and strange markings.

DETECTIVE HARRIS

(whispering)

What kind of sick joke is this?

He hears a whispering voice behind him. He turns to see the balloon vendor, now a grotesque creature, standing in the shadows.

VENDOR

(coldly)

You’ve found my collection. But the real horror is yet to come.

The vendor lunges at Harris, the scene dissolving into chaos.

EXT. SMALL TOWN - DAWN

The sun rises over the town. The once-peaceful place is now a scene of dread and devastation. People are missing, and those who remain are haunted by the memory of the balloon’s horrific face.

DETECTIVE HARRIS

(voiceover)

The balloon was just the beginning. The true face of horror has yet to be revealed.

FADE OUT.

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