PAGE EIGHTEEN

1 FORTRESS COURTYARD - CONTINUOUS

Grip squats down and swings his sword in a huge, sweeping arc of more than half a complete circle, deeply slicing the legs of a number of ninja.

NARRATION
The arrow still in my side, the simple act of squatting blinds me with pain.

2 FORTRESS COURTYARD - CONTINUOUS

Grip leaps off of the wall, leaving a pile of wounded ninja behind, and behind them other ninja trying to get past their fallen comrades to pursue.

3 EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Grip still in mid-air dropping down on the outside of the outer wall. He pulls the arrow from his side as he falls.

NARRATION
I wrench the arrow from my side because I have no other choice.

NARRATION
This action- taken without concern for the intense agony it causes me to suffer- is a familiar and welcome mode of thought.

NARRATION
A brief return to a black-and-white existence where I had no doubts, no fear.

NARRATION
I was action and being and nothing else.

4 FOREST - CONTINUOUS

Grip runs for his life. In the background dozens of ninjas drop from the fortress’ outer wall in pursuit.

NARRATION
That is no longer my life.

5 FOREST - CONTINUOUS
Close up of Grip’s strained face as he runs as hard and fast as he can.

NARRATION
I run for miles.

NARRATION
With every bit of speed I have.

NARRATION
I run to the city.

NARRATION
The only place I stand a chance.