graveyardStory_outline (Patreon)

Exposition

Two people in a cabin, it is a full moon in winter

[C1] has been preparing a ritual for this night for some time

[C2] is a caretaker of [C1] and supports their wants, but is worried about [C1] going out at night with their failing health.

There may be signs of codependency in their relationship. [C2] is perhaps the grown child of [C1]

[C1] prepares a sack with the items they need for the ritual (what’s in the sack?)

-moment for [C1] to touch their guitar and check in with the bracelet on the neck. Unties it and places it on their wrist-

[C2] carries the sack.

Rising action

Both characters leave the cabin, it is cold and snowy and the aurora is active overhead

[C2] drives a snow machine to the graveyard, [C1] rides.

Arrival

[C2] parks the snow machine while [C1] observes the scene

Both walk up a hill to the grave of [C1]’s friend

[C2] observes now, remembers previous visits to this grave, summertime buttercups and playing on the grassy hills.

[C1] asks for the sack, takes out a black stone and asks [C2] to keep it in their pocket, [C1] also takes out a scarf and wraps it around a snowy tree next to the grave as an offering

[C2] sets out candles while [C1] draws a symbol in the snow

[C1] asks for their thermos, [C2] gives it to them and asks what’s in it

[C1] responds that it’s tea, and drinks from it (it is probably not just tea), then pours the rest into a cup and sets it in front of the grave stone

[C2] is spooked, begins to monologue

Shift to [C1] perspective during monologue as spirits begin to appear to them, first as a sound (altering the sound of [C2]s voice—whistling of the aurora), then as a smell (what do ghosts smell like?), then as a visual

[C2] is a point of grounding for [C1] but gradually fades from [C1]s perceptions

[C1] initially feels a powerful warmth and love from the grave of their friend, and is moved beyond words. Hears the voice of their friend through a kind of humming frequency and whispers.

Perspective shift to [C2] seeing [C1] rapt with this powerful feeling. [C2] is outside of this experience.

[C1] speaks aloud, cannot complete a thought, begins to feel nauseated. Says “It’s just my tea” through wretches. (Unclear who they are speaking to)

[C1] closes their eyes to soothe themself and sees another dimension through closed eyes

[C1] begins to walk around in this new world, eyes closed and curious, taking in the subdimensional spirit world (What are the spirits doing? Can they see [C1]?)

[C2] takes a candle and follows

Descriptions of spirits and colors and feelings, nausea is intermittent

Climax

[C1] begins to wretch more violently, the experience is like a demon crawling out of their mouth. This is a demon that has been mounting from years of grief. [C1] begins to sob uncontrollably. [C2] touches [C1]s hand. [C1] slaps and grasps with their hands, seeking the black stone they put into their pocket. Fumbles and drops it. The grief demon is imposing. Sticky tendrils still connect [C1] and the demon. It is messy like afterbirth.

[C2] picks up the dropped stone and wraps [C1]’s hand around it.

[C1]’s perspective, the stone becomes a blade of energy. They attempt to cut the tendrils from their body. The grief demon grows and morphs into wet sludge and dives to wash over [C1].

[C1] becomes overwhelmed, holds the stone defensively

[C2] struggles to know what to do, then remembers they have a stone too. They pull the stone from their pocket and wave it around, haphazardly cutting through strings of sludge. This attracts the grief demon’s attention. [C2] cannot see any of this, but feels like it’s working.

[C1] catches their breath, and again feels the feeling of warmth in their core. They hold the stone against their ribs and the warmth radiates through it, crawling up the tendrils and making them brittle, petrifying the demon, who shatters and blows away anime-style.

Falling action

[C2] is flailing around with their stone. [C1] collapses exhausted.

[C2] picks [C1] up and carries them back to the snowmachine.

[C1] can stand, but is very tired.

[C2] loads the items onto the snowmachine and begins the drive back home.

[C1] falls asleep on [C2]’s back and dreams about their friend. Memories from before they passed. They are wearing a scarf like the one [C1] left, making bracelets, smiling and laughing, singing while [C1] plays the guitar from before. [C1] has a baby strapped to their back (is this [C2]?). [C1] smiles through tears and takes a breath.

Scene of the grave site as the candles burn out.