THE TOWN THAT EATS TIME

WHISPERS IN THE WOODS

📺 FROM: The Town That Eats Time

Season One – Episode 7: “Whispers in the Wood”

FADE IN:

EXT. EBON HOLLOW – EDGE OF TOWN – DAWN

The mist thins as the survivors gather at the treeline.

MARA (30s, paramedic) checks her bag, stuffing in gauze and water bottles.

JALEN (40s, ex-soldier) scans the horizon, pistol holstered.

IVY (17, runaway) slouches, knife in hand, trying to look braver than she feels.

CALEB (30s, charming but reckless newcomer) stretches, cocky grin plastered on.

ELLEN (50s, shotgun in hand) watches like a hawk.

ELLEN

(to the group)

We go in, we don’t linger. We find wood for repairs, maybe food if we’re lucky, then we get the hell back before sundown.

JALEN

And if something follows us?

ELLEN

Then you’ll do what you do best.

Jalen nods grimly.

They step into the woods. The mist swallows them.

EXT. FOREST – DAY

The trees loom unnaturally tall. Every branch creaks, every leaf crunch echoes louder than it should.

Ivy lags behind, kicking rocks.

IVY

(quietly, to herself)

Just a stupid forest. Nothing new.

Suddenly — a whisper. Faint. Calling her name.

VOICE (O.S.)

Ivy…

She freezes. Turns.

No one.

Ivy grips her knife tighter, breath shaky.

EXT. FOREST – DEEPER – DAY

The group finds STRANGE MARKINGS carved into bark: spirals, arrows, words scrawled backward.

Mara runs her fingers across one.

MARA

(quietly)

These are warnings. Someone’s been here.

CALEB

Or a trap.

Ellen glares at him.

ELLEN

The Hollow doesn’t leave signs. People do. Which means survivors.

The group exchanges uneasy looks.

EXT. FOREST – CLEARING – DAY

In the middle of the clearing: a crude shrine made of bones and sticks. Hung from it: a CLOCK FACE, cracked, hands frozen at midnight.

Ivy stares at it, pale.

IVY

That’s… not creepy at all.

Suddenly — whispers again. Louder. Her sister’s voice.

SISTER’S VOICE (O.S.)

Ivy… it’s me. Don’t be scared.

Ivy’s eyes widen. She stumbles forward.

MARA

Ivy! Stop.

Ivy shakes her head, tears brimming.

IVY

It sounds like her. It’s her—

Ellen grabs her arm, yanking her back.

ELLEN

(angrily)

It’s not her! Do you wanna die?!

The whispers fade into laughter.

The group looks shaken.

EXT. FOREST – PATH – LATER

They continue in tense silence.

Jalen notices something on the ground — BOOT PRINTS. Fresh.

JALEN

Someone’s ahead of us.

The group quickens pace.

EXT. FOREST – RUINS – DAY

They find the remains of a CAMP: burned-out fire pit, shredded tents. Blood stains on fabric.

On a tree nearby, carved deep:

“THE CLOCK DEMANDS BLOOD.”

Caleb chuckles nervously.

CALEB

That’s… not ominous at all.

Mara crouches, touching the dried blood.

MARA

(softly)

This wasn’t that long ago.

Suddenly — a SNAP in the trees.

The group spins. Guns and blades ready.

A FIGURE bolts — human.

JALEN

Wait!

They chase.

EXT. FOREST – STREAM – DAY

They corner the figure at a stream. A ragged WOMAN (40s), clothes torn, hair wild. Her eyes dart, terrified.

WOMAN

Please—don’t let them hear me. Don’t—

She collapses to her knees, sobbing.

Mara rushes forward, helping her up.

MARA

It’s okay. You’re safe with us.

But Ellen keeps her shotgun trained.

ELLEN

Safe? Nothing’s safe here.

The woman trembles, whispering to herself.

WOMAN

The clock… it wants blood. That’s why they die. That’s why we all die.

The group exchanges nervous looks.

EXT. FOREST – RETURN TRAIL – DUSK

They drag the woman back toward town. Ivy stays close to her, curious.

IVY

What’s your name?

The woman hesitates.

WOMAN

…Clara.

Her eyes flick to the trees.

CLARA

(whispering)

It followed me.

Everyone tenses.

EXT. FOREST – NEAR TOWN – SUNSET

The light fades. The bell tolls faintly in the distance.

Ellen swears under her breath.

ELLEN

We’re out of time. MOVE!

They rush forward—

Suddenly, WHISPERS flood the forest. Voices from every direction.

VOICE (O.S.)

Mara… Jalen… Ivy… Caleb…

The group panics.

Then — SHADOWS MOVE between the trees. Smiling figures, pale faces flashing in the dark.

Jalen fires a shot — it echoes, too loud.

Mara grabs Ivy, dragging her forward.

MARA

Run!

EXT. EBON HOLLOW – MAIN STREET – NIGHT

The survivors burst out of the woods, slamming into the streets of Ebon Hollow.

Clara collapses, sobbing. The creatures stop at the treeline, smiling. Watching.

The bell tolls again.

Ellen points to the diner.

ELLEN

Inside. NOW!

They scramble inside as the shadows linger at the edge of town.

INT. DINER – NIGHT

Windows boarded. Doors locked. Everyone breathless.

Clara rocks back and forth, whispering:

CLARA

Blood. It always takes blood.

Mara kneels, trying to soothe her.

MARA

What does that mean? What clock?

Clara stares up at her with hollow eyes.

CLARA

The toll isn’t just time. It’s life. Someone always pays.

A heavy silence falls. Everyone looks shaken.

Jalen grips his pistol tighter. Ellen stares into the dark. Ivy trembles but doesn’t let go of her knife. Caleb forces a laugh, but his eyes betray fear.

The whispers press against the walls again, soft but relentless.

The group realizes — the Hollow isn’t just hunting them. It’s waiting.

FADE OUT.

TITLE CARD: “NEXT TIME ON FROM”

• A flash of Caleb slipping away in the night.

• Ellen slamming her shotgun down, furious.

• Ivy standing at the edge of the clocktower.

• The Bell Keeper’s shadowed silhouette: “Time eats all.”

END OF EPISODE 7.

⚡ This episode deepens the forest mythology, introduces Clara (a survivor with cryptic knowledge), and plants the idea that the clock demands blood — foreshadowing the finale.