​THE WOODS - EARLY MORNING

The morning meets Rumi unexpectedly soon. He opens his eyes looking to the slumbering fox nearby. The fox who not much earlier before saved his life.

Rumi ponders upon how his near death experience falling from a rotting tree into the icy waters below. How the fox has jumped in a save him some how and the odd dream he had of an old man thanking him for his kindness. Kindness.

He feels his once empty hand now holding something cold and metallic. An ornate compass. Peculiar.

The morning was quiet, so quiet that Rumi sat in it staring blankly at the compass for a bit then got up, placed the compass by his bag and started a fire to prep for breakfast.

As the smells of bacon and eggs began to fill the air the fox soon awoke seemingly unaffected by the night before. 

Rumi finishes cooking, prays over his food, put some aside for the fox and then begins to eat. 

Rumi packs up camp and heads out. The fox starts following him home

RUMI
Hey buddy you should probably stay out here in the woods. I got to get back to my Grandpa, he's going to be worried sick.

The fox stops and waits for a bit as Rumi is walking away, then follows a little further behind unknown to Rumi.

​

EDGE OF THE WOODS - MORNING

As Rumi approaches the edge of the woods and come closer to town he looks behind him discretely and speaks to anyone who might be following.

RUMI
I know you're back there.

If you can behave yourself, than you can come along, but just for a bit.

The fox runs out to join Rumi. Rumi smiles and chuckles warmly.

RUMI
By the way, I found this in my hand when I woke up.

You don't happen to know anything about it?

Rumi pulls out the compass and shows it to the fox sitting happily below him. The fox stares back up blankly, partially confused. The compass slowly points in the direction of the fox unnoticed by Rumi. 

RUMI
Yeah what would a fox know about a mysterious compass.

Rumi continues walking as talks with the fox

RUMI
Anyhow, what's your story? Do you have any family or you a lone wolf

The fox looks up and tilts it's head in confusion

RUMI
Sorry, lone fox, how silly of me.

RUMI
Well since you're the quiet type, guess I'll have to make up for that.

Rumi begins telling the Fox his story as the pair exits the cover of branches above and starts heading down a dirt path to the outskirts of town

​

CITY OF TORONTO - LATER MORNING

​

RUMI
So yeah, that's the whole of it.

Not really sure who my birth parents are,

But I was found at a young age,

By my pa.. my grandpa. And I'm really grateful for that.

Rumi reaches over to tap the crosswalk button and then crosses as the fox follows closely behind. 

RUMI
We're not related by blood, but it doesn't matter,

he cared for me more than any one else ever did.

Rumi pauses and looks up at the building in front of them. 

RUMI
Any how, here we are. And before you ask no I'm not rich, my Grandpa runs a book shop near the top. And that's been where we've been living since I can remember.

The two look up at the brick red building towering before them.

They are interrupted by a voice.

 

VENDOR
Hey Rumi, you're grandfather has been wondering where you've been.

Rumi approaches the cart vendor.

VENDOR
What happened to you, you look pretty roughed up. Care for a hot pretzel, it's on the house

RUMI
Thanks Frankie, don't worry I can pay

FRANKIE
Don't start with that again, your Grandpa helped me get back on my feet

a while back and you're not stopping me from paying it forward.

Rumi rolls his eyes and reluctantly accepts the hot pretzel

RUMI
Thank you.

Frankie glances over the cart and sees the fox sitting by Rumi's feet.

FRANKIE
And who do we've got here?

RUMI
Oh yeah I met him in the woods, he saved my life so felt he deserved a tour of the town

FRANKIE
Saved your..

Frankie chuckles warmly

FRANKIE
You kids and you're overactive imagination. Any how what's his name?

Rumi pauses for a minute looking to the fox then responds.

RUMI
I'm not quite sure yet, waiting for him to let me know still.

Frankie gives another warm chuckle.

FRANKIE
Well you and your fox friend have a good day,

thanks for stopping by always makes my day.

Rumi nods and opens the side door heading up the narrow stair case to the Book Shop above.

 

GRANDPA'S BOOK SHOP (EVEN LATER MORNING)

As Rumi enters the book shop the bell overhead jingles announcing his return. Before he can speak he is embraced by his Grandpa. 

GRANDPA
Rumi my boy, you're back. I was worried something happened.

I could never forgive myself if anything..

Grandpa pauses and pushed up his glasses

GRANDPA
Anyway you're back that's what matters.

RUMI
Yeah and I've got this fox friend to thank for it.

Grandpa looks down at the fox and smiles warmly.

GRANDPA
Well little fox, thank you for bringing my boy back safely.

Grandpa looks back to Rumi his adopted son.

GRANDPA
Well Rumi you look like you've had quite the adventure. 

You can head upstairs and clean up a bit.

I'm be closing up shop soon for lunch so I'll join you momentarily.

RUMI
Thanks Grandpa, you sure there's nothing I can do to help out.

GRANDPA
Nonsense dear boy, I can handle it, for now just relax yourself and don't fret.

RUMI

Okay Grandpa, if you say so

Grandpa nods and returns to organizing books as Rumi heads up stairs to their small loft apartment with the fox following behind. 

When they arrive in the main room Rumi looks down to the fox.

RUMI
Well you heard Grandpa, I'm going to wash up a bit, you good waiting for me right here.

The fox looks up then sits on the couch to rest. Rumi places the compass from his pocket onto the table behind the couch and heads out of scene.

Rumi starts the shower and cleans up, getting changed into clean unripped clothes. Rumi appears in the door way once again dressed and clean with his hair styled as usual.

Rumi joins the fox on the couch and puts his hands behind his head.

RUMI
Thanks for waiting buddy, what you been thinking about.

Rumi reaches back and grabs the compass from the place where it sat.

RUMI
Quite an odd find, especially since it just appeared in my hand it morning. 

Rumi begins to study the compass then suddenly jumps up.

RUMI
Wait a minute something's off.

Rumi runs into his room the fox jumps up and follows behind. Rumi hops in his chair and rolls up to his desk using a magnifying glass to view the compass up close.

Close up of the compass.

RUMI
You see most compasses point north, but this has multiple spindles and none of them point north. Peculiar.

Rumi looks to the fox and spins the chair around to face him.

RUMI
Every time tap I dial on the side both spindles immediately change, but then hold their position in that new found place.

The two are interrupted by a voice from outside the door

GRANDPA
Rumi lunch is ready

RUMI
Well guess we've gotta' take a break from this.

Rumi gets up and walks to the door, the fox follows behind.

Rumi taps the lights off and closes his door.

​

BOOK SHOP APARTMENT (NOON)

Rumi enters the dining room and sits down the at the table. Grandpa comes in from the kitchen carrying two large bread bowls of chowder. He places them in front Rumi and himself.

GRANDPA
Thought I'd make your favorite bread bowl chowder to help you recover.

Rumi and his Grandpa both eat the chowder and breadbowls.

RUMI
Thanks Grandpa, sorry about yesterday,

I didn't mean a word, I...

Rumi pauses as Grandpa looks at him caringly,

GRANDPA
My boy it's fine, water under the bridge. And truthfully it may be something I needed to hear.

The Grandpa places his arms on the arms of the chair and looks ups momentarily then back at Rumi

GRANDPA
The loss of your Grandma has been a lot on us both, I feel we both deserve a pass. 

Rumi smiles and looks to his Grandpa.

RUMI
Thanks Grandpa, And don't worry I can help you out

in the book shop as long as you need me to.

Grandpa chuckles warmly.

GRANDPA
If you say so. Thank you I would very much appreciate the company. 

​

BOOK SHOP (AFTERNOON)

Afternoon light shines in through the overhead windows of the bookshop and a few customers peruse the selection of books. Grandpa sits at the counter helping customers. Rumi stands on a ladder placing books that had been donated while the fox rests on the bottom shelf at the foot of the ladder.

Rumi finishes placed the books from his hands and looks to his Grandpa who is now sitting alone at the front counter.

RUMI
Hey Grandpa?

The Grandpa looks up. 

GRANDPA
Yes my boy, what is it.

RUMI
Well I found this compass while out in the woods, though it's not quite right.

GRANDPA
What do you mean, by not quite right.

Rumi walks over to the counter, reaches into his pocket and holds the compass in view of his Grandpa.

RUMI
Take a look, the multiple spindles and this odd dial on the side. What do you make of it

GRANDPA
May I hold it.

RUMI
Of course.

Rumi places the compass in his Grandpa's large worn hands.

GRANDPA
Hmm...

Grandpa grabs a nearby magnifying glass and hold it up to the compass holding both up the light to better see it.

GRANDPA
Hmm, quite peculiar in deed. There are a string of characters around the edge, but not in any language I have ever seen.

RUMI
I was thinking of after we close up I could go out to see where the compass takes me, not too far, just interested you know.

GRANDPA
That does sound quite thrilling. If I wasn't so far along in years I would want the same.

Grandpa looks to the clock then back at Rumi.

GRANDPA
Well if you promise to be safe and come back before dark you can go.

But remember not to far. And be back before it gets dark.

RUMI
Of course Grandpa, thank you.

GRANDPA
Now let's get back to work and finish off the day strong.

Rumi nods and returns to the bookshelves to organize the remaining books.

​

OUTSIDE THE BOOK SHOP (LATER AFTERNOON)

Rumi stands outside with the fox close by on the sidewalk with the Book Shop far above. His Grandpa waves down at him and Rumi waves back up.

Rumi hits the cross walk button then crosses with his fox friend. After they cross Rumi looks down at the compass. 

RUMI
Well, according to this we need to head due north. Let's go buddy.

After walking for bit Rumi is in a part of town that he doesn't recognize.

RUMI
Hmm, never been in this part of town before.

Rumi looks at the fox

RUMI
Bet you're wondering what all the was about back at home. Well Grandpa and I may have had a disagreement, it's a long story, but I left and ran out. I should have at least told him where I was going.

Rumi pauses and smiles.

RUMI
Well I'm glad we came back, I can't imagine what life would be like without Grandpa in it.

 

AN UNKNOWN PART OF TOWN (EVENING TIME)

The sun was beginning to go down as the two trudged on through the wet streets and puddles of the city.

RUMI
Not quite sure when we stop going north the buildings in the way are making it a bit difficult.

Rumi looks up to the sky then down to the fox

RUMI
The sun will be set soon, guess we got to hurry back

Rumi stops dead in his tracks as they pass a building and the compass changes to point in it's direction. 

RUMI
Wait we're here, looks like the place is abandoned, there's not even a door.

Rumi approaches the building and looks upon at the empty hole where the door should be.

RUMI
What do you think, it's not technically breaking and entering since there's no door to begin with.

(Rumi pauses)

RUMI
What about this we head in shine a light around and if nothing is there we head right back home.

Rumi pauses as he approaches the door and looks to the fox.

RUMI
Yeah my thoughts exactly. Were here might as well take a look in even if we don't step into the spooky building. 

Rumi stands in the doorway and places his bag down to pull out a flash light. He shines it in, it appears safe so he begins to step in and suddenly is pulled in by some unseen force and swallowed by the void of darkness. All that is left is the flashlight and the fox. The fox immediately runs in after and all is left in darkness.

​

THE DESTINATION (UNKNOWN)

Rumi breathes heavily and regains consciousness and looks around surrounded by darkness unaware of where he now found himself.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness he began to see silhouettes of a covered arm chair, he found he was laying by some type of hearth. 

RUMI
Quite the situation we've got ourselves into isn't it buddy

Rumi looks and reaches realizing the fox is nowhere nearby.

RUMI
Oh no, I hope he's okay.

Rumi's muscles were sore as he propped himself with the help of the arm chair. He heard something approaching quickly. 

RUMI
Is that you little buddy?

But it didn't feel like comfort, it felt like a rush of cold silence had entered the room. But just as the silence became deafening Rumi mind and senses were filled with sudden fear as darkness quickly approached. Rumi ran to the door but it was locked.

RUMI
Hey are you another ghost, Don't worry I'm a friend.

The darkness comes to crush Rumi. But just as it it about it reach him a bright light jumps into Rumi.

Rumi can now see the surrounding around him, but not in a normal way, the forms of the room surrounding him, but not the actual room. Now Rumi can see it right in front of him, but now held back from his hand in front of him out of fear. 

A towering creature with all intention to destroy him. The creature is breathing heavily, but with a faint light within shining. The creature is seemingly frozen, but still breathing heavily as if in pain. 

Rumi reaches his other hand out and places it on the face of creature or what resembled a face anyway.

RUMI
It's okay, I know you're afraid, you feel all alone don't you.

As Rumi is consoling the beast, he sees in the window his reflection, though now he is partially glowing and his hair once black is now white as snow. 

RUMI
I've felt that way before. Don't worry it doesn't last forever. 

Rumi looks over the creature scarred and broken. And his eyes begin to tear up. 

RUMI
It's over, it's going to be okay. I see you.

The creatures breathing slows and it falls to the ground in a slumber. 

Rumi lowers his hands slightly shuttering.

RUMI
Thanks Grandpa.

The creature begins to shrink and until it's just the faint light left. Rumi goes to lift it off of the ground as it steadily breathes sleeping. 

VOICE
You're quite the wonder kid.

Rumi is startled a bit. 

RUMI
Who's there?

But then silence, no response.

Rumi looks down at the small light in his hands.

RUMI
It's time to take you home little one.

Rumi is returned back to the house, but now in the front floating a bit above the grass. There is no one around. The light in his hands begins to rise then floats away into the distance. Then a small voice

ANOTHER VOICE
Thank you

Rumi then lands on the cool grass and the white leaves his hair returning to it's normal shade of black.

RUMI
Well that's not something you see everyday. 

Rumi looks up at the sky as the light reaches the sky and joins the stars.

RUMI
Guess it's time we get back home, not quite sure if Grandpa would believe this.

RUMI
Wait where are you buddy?

Rumi turns around and sees the fox laying sleepily in the grass. Rumi chuckles warmly

RUMI
It's been a long day hasn't it. Here I'll carry you home.

Rumi lifts the small fox up into his arms and starts making his way back home. As he walks off he and fox with a faint glow.