Picture a young boy, Mark Rosewood, grappling with the tragic loss of his father and haunted by a sinister version of Peter Pan in his dreams. Does the terror end when he wakes? Join us as Mark navigates the eerie nights and exhausting days of his grief-stricken life, including therapeutic sessions with Dr. Malkovich, and his mother’s struggle to comfort him amidst her own sorrow.
Moving into the second half of our episode, we unfold a Saturday unlike any other when Mark’s mother uncovers an old portrait of his father, opening the floodgates of nostalgia. As Mark's mother revives her long-abandoned hobby of sketching, choosing her son as her subject, we witness a touching moment of connection and healing. As Mark's world oscillates between the terrifying shadows of his nightmares and the stark reality of his grief, join us on this rollercoaster journey of deep sorrow and tender moments of humanity. Featuring the incredible voice talents of Solmaria Trujillo, Martin Miles, and Karen America, this episode of Night Terror is a haunting, yet poignant exploration of childhood grief.
Night Terror, episode 4, written and produced by Sean America, marked back the way slowly. I'm sorry that happened to you, peter, but I can never abandon my mother. I need her and she needs me.
Speaker 2:
All mothers are the same.
Speaker 3:
They all leave you to rot.
Speaker 1:
That's not true. Peter Pan looked at him with a mournful, sad face, and then an expression of such hatred and insane jealousy appeared there. Mark thought he would jump out of his skin, so that's how it is. Yes, I'm afraid. So Pan waved his index finger in a menacing way.
Speaker 3:
No, no, no, I'm not the kind of boy who laid his empty handed.
Speaker 1:
I don't like being told no If I can't have you no one will Peter Pan, as quick as lightning, but a hunter's knife that marks throat. Go, sit down in your writer's chair. Mark did as instructed. Peter tied up Mark's arm behind the chair and bound his legs. Peter lugged up a two gallon container of kerosene oil from the basement onto the hardwood floor, dumped it out and lit the fluid with a match book he had in his pocket Goodbye.
Speaker 2:
Mark Rosewood. Perhaps we'll see each other in another life.
Speaker 1:
With that, pan slipped out the window and into the night, the flames licked around Mark's ankles and he could feel the scorching heat. The last thing he noticed, as his lips turned into a curling scream, was his mother's portrait burning in the heat. Fire, fire, burning, mom, dad.
Speaker 3:
Wake up. Wake up, mark there there.
Speaker 1:
Fran hugged her son, rocking him from side to side, stroking her fingers through his hair.
Speaker 3:
Wake up. Wake up, mark. You've had a nightmare. You're all right now. That's right. It's all better now. Hush, take it easy, come sit now.
Speaker 1:
Mark's mind flashed back to Pan. He stood over the eleven-year-old Mark, jarred awake by Pan's wicked laughter. Pan dumped a two gallon can of kerosene on the floor, igniting it. He rescued the boy, whisking him through the open window, whispering into Mark's ear. You'll forget all that happened at night. It was Peter Pan. He did it all. Oh, how he hates mothers.
Speaker 3:
Easy, easy, mark, wake up. You're dreaming. It's over now.
Speaker 1:
Fran guided Mark to the kitchen table. She put some water in the kettle, turning the burner up to high. Where's dad? Is he all right? Fran shot Mark a worried look.
Speaker 3:
Oh, mark, don't you remember? Jack died five years ago in the house fire. He was the old wiring an electrical short. He rescued us, he got us out safely and he went back in to get some personal belongings, some documents and photo albums. Oh God, I should have stopped him from going back in. He must have held too much smoke and he passed out and was burned in the fire.
Speaker 1:
He died. He was burned in the fire. Pan, whispered in Jack's ear, go back inside for a few sentimental things. Jack rushed inside, overwhelmed by the smoke. Now all the dominoes were set into motion. He would soon return. When the boy was more mature, mark's sobbed uncontrollably. His mind was in shock. A series of images flashed. The times they'd passed through the MacArthur Tunnel to visit his grandparents, the endless hours reading the Hardy Boys Before Bed All that was gone. Now His mind flashed back to his father's funeral. Jack's body was so badly burned they closed the casket. Mark's grandfather tried to comfort him by giving him an ice cream cone. Mark's fingers had trembled so violently he dropped it and the ice cream cone melted to the ground.
Speaker 3:
I'm so sorry, Mark. I've been so busy with this administrative job I've been neglecting you. I've scheduled another appointment with a psychiatrist, Dr Malkovich. He can continue to help you. I'm so sorry I've had so little time with you. You need to get some sleep and we can talk in the morning.
Speaker 1:
They passed through the hallway and Mark noticed a portrait of him that his mom drew. Oh, you framed it. Portrait you made of me.
Speaker 3:
That's not you. That's a portrait of your father as a boy. Your grandmother drew it Funny. He looked so much like you.
Speaker 1:
Mark was stunned for a moment, saying nothing. I'm the old portrait. I miss the times when you drew things, mom. It's been so long. Fran paused for a few moments thinking.
Speaker 3:
Yes, I could do that. You get a good night's sleep and I'll gather my supplies. Tomorrow's Saturday, I could make you some homely grits.
Speaker 1:
no, the morning came gently, like a sunbound giant pouring through his window. The shadows of the night were forgotten and he smelled bacon and fresh brewed coffee downstairs. Perhaps there would be some orange juice too, he thought, and some homely grits with butter and maple syrup. He went to his bathroom and showered, scrubbing his face and body. He dried himself, put on some deodorant, pulled on some fruit of the loom's underwear and leave eyes jeans. With a fresh white dress shirt, he went downstairs and greeted his mother, fran, with a kiss on the cheek. Mark smiled. It was Saturday and he could do what he wished. He sat in the leather recliner so the light would strike his profile. Fran took out her sketch pad and he remained motionless as a porcelain doll.
Speaker 2:
We can see the world through open eyes.
Speaker 1:
Night Terror, episode 4. Starring Samarit Shredillo as Peter.
Speaker 2:
Pan.
Speaker 1:
Martin.
Speaker 2:
Miles as Mark and.
Speaker 3:
Dr Malkovich.
Speaker 2:
Karen.
Speaker 1:
America as Fran and Martin Miles as Narrowing, and I'd also like to thank Darren America, who is co-writer on this series.