Newt

SCENE: DESERTED MALL – ESCAPE FROM THE CRANCKS The mall is in ruins. Broken shop windows scatter shards of glass across the scratched marble floor. Lights flicker intermittently, casting dancing shadows on the empty store shelves. The sound of shuffling footsteps and guttural growls echoes through the wide corridors. THOMAS: Shouting, looking back * Behind us! Run!

• He leaps over a pile of broken crates, followed by NEWT and MINHO. The glass beneath their feet shatters loudly. From the side corridor, a crowd of CRANCKS emerges – their eyes bloodshot, skin worn, hands twisted as they advance, growling and howling * MINHO:* Pointing to a stopped escalator in the back That way! If we can get to the top floor, maybe we'll find a way out! A Cranck grabs Newt's ankle, who turns and strikes the creature with the handle of his knife. The monster lets out a sharp cry and backs away, but others are already closing in. Thomas pulls Newt forward, and the three run toward the stairs. As they climb, the Crancks begin to climb behind them, sliding on the metal steps, their claws scraping the metal with a shrill sound. One of the lights above bursts into flames, spilling bubbling electrical wires onto the floor. * NEWT:* Gasping. They're catching up to us! Minho looks around and sees an appliance store next door. He runs to it, grabs a hot iron, and throws it down the stairs below. The iron lands on a group of Crancks, who scream as they are burned, piling up and temporarily blocking the others' path . THOMAS: Helping Newt get to the top . Now! Let's go! The three leap from the last step of the escalator and run down the upper floor corridor. Behind them, the sound of the Cranks breaking through their own companions' barrier echoes again. In the distance, they spot a large opening in the ceiling – probably caused by a collapse – with sunlight filtering through. * MINHO:* Pointing there! It's our only chance!