Ross (script) (Patreon)

This story was canceled and I wont ever be finishing the comic I started for it but the inital script was completed so I thought I would share it with you all! (some minor edits were made for posting) You can still read the first 25 comic pages I had made for it here.
Content warning for death and self harm.
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Sam(child) runs up to Joel.

Joel-"hey Sam!”

/Joel was my best friend./

The two sword fighting with sticks.

/we grew up together./

Festival,(teens) Sam happily accepting a flower from a girl. Joel awkwardly  declines one from another.

/He's a bit odd…/

Young adults, the two drinking in a tavern across from each other.

/He was always there for me/

A girl sits beside Joel and starts flirting. Joel leans away and looks at Sam longingly.

Sam stumbles out of the tavern in front of Joel. “J-hic-oel, I think I drank too much.”
Joel chuckles and catches him. “I got you.” He puts an arm around him and they walk together.

They stumble into Sam's house and up the stairs. Sam falls onto the bed, Joel sitting beside him. “You alright there Sam?”
Sam “Mmphm"
Joel chuckles and sighs. “Sam.. I need to tell you so-"
Sam rolls over, ”You are such a great friend! When me an' cathy get married your going to be our -hic- best man.”
Joel's face drops with disappointment. “Right… get some rest Sam.” He says and smiles down at the passed out Sam. He reaches out a hand to caress his face before leaving.

Sam walks up to Joel by his house, Joel packing a cart. “Joel, what's going on?”
Joel looks at him. “oh.. morning Sam… I… I'm leaving.”
Sam's brows furrow, “leaving?”
Joel nods and rubs the back of his head. “Yea, to Favilla.”  
Sam “that’s at least a week's journey away…”
Joel shrugs, “well yes…” the two fall silent for a moment.
Sam "when do you leave?”
Joel “this evening"
Sam nods, “Right… see you then I guess..” he says and walks off Joel watching him with a sad look.

That evening Sam stands at a distance as Joel talks to his uncle. “be sure to write, and don’t get into any trouble!”
Joel "I won't uncle, are you sure you'll be alright?”
Uncle "oh please, I was tending the farm long before you came around. I may be old but I'm not helpless!”
Joel chuckles, “alright uncle”
His uncle waves him off and walks away, Joel turning to Sam. Sam steps over to him then looks from the cart and horse to him. “I can't believe you're leaving.”
Joel sighs, “I know, but you can always write to me. It may take me about a month to settle in and register with the town census.”
Sam nods. “And.. please keep an eye on uncle, he talks big but I worry about him.”
Sam nods. “Alright…”
Joel sighs and glances to the horse beside him then back to Sam. He reaches out and takes Sam's face pulling him into a kiss. Sam gasps in the kiss and stares wide eyed as Joel pulls away. Their eyes cross and Joel averts his gaze, turning and getting into the cart, riding off and Sam stares in shock.

Sam enters his house, Cathy runs up to hug him. “Hey Samuel! I hope you don’t mind me intruding, I made dinner!”
Sam stares dazed as she talks. “yea… fine.”
Cathy raises a brow, “what's wrong?” Sam shakes his head, “n-nothing, I think I just need to go to bed.” Cathy smiles, “Oh, alright. If you're sure. “

-a month later-

Cathy glares at Sam on the bed behind her as she pulls on her shirt. “sorry I'm too ugly for you!”
Sam's brows furrow. “Ugh, no cathy! Im just.. distracted…”
Cathy “for weeks! What's going on with you?! “ Sam looks down, brows furrowing.

-

Sam sits at a desk. /it's been about a month now… maybe it's time I write him./  Sam leans in and writes out-

“dear Joel,
It's been about a month now. Hope you have settled in fine. Me and cathy are fine.-"
Sam taps the pen against the paper and sighs.
“Honestly, I miss you. I'm also mad at you. You can't do that kind of thing and then run off to leave me with it for a month! I bet you're laughing pretty hard at me right now huh? Good prank, confuse your best friend then run off. “
Sam's brows furrow.
“I want an explanation.
Your friend- Samuel"
Sam leans back and sighs, scratching the back of his head. kiss flashes through his mind. He groans and rolls over.

-months later

Sam sits on a bench beside Cathy, memories flash through his mind of Joel turning down women and gazing at him. “I care about you Sam.” /it wasn’t a joke. Was it?/

“Sam?” cathy says looking forward
Sam “hm?”
Cathy. “Isn't that your brother?”
Sam looks up to see his big brother walking towards them from the road, luggage on his back. Sam stands up and rushes to him. “Fred!”
They hug. Fred "hey Sam!”

Sam and Fred in Sam's ranch house.
Sam "Shouldn't you be in Mendac with your fiance? What are you doing back here?”
Fred “Well yea I did, but it didn’t really work out between us.”
Sam “oh. I’m sorry.”
Fred “It's fine. I kind of realized I was with Jamie for the wrong reasons.”
Sam raises a brow. “The wrong reasons?”
Fred nods, “It’s always fun and exciting at first. But when that wore off I realized there was nothing there." He pauses "You remember Suzan, the horsemaster's daughter, ashen girl?”
Sam “oh yea, she still lives with her family. But you always said she was just a friend.”
Fred “Yeah, we were such tight friends… Living up there with Jamie, we weren’t close we never were. I need that closeness I guess.”
Sam looking thoughtful “oh”
Fred “I actually came back to find Suzan and see if she’ll have me. I forget a lover is a step up from a friend, not a step-down. You know?”
Sams brows furrow and he looks down. “Yea...”
Fred “well wish me luck, hopefully she won't hold my stupidity against me!”

-

Sam steps up to Cathy in the market.
Cathy “oh, Sam!” she goes to hug him; he doesn't hug back.
Sam" we should break up.
She pulls away with a deeply offended look.

-

Sam writing another letter.

“Joel,
It's been three months now. I'm not sure if you got my last letter. These things can get lost so easily.
I'm not even sure what to write here.
Me and Cathy broke up. Well, I broke up with her. Fredrick came back and he said some things that made me realize I was with Cathy for the wrong reasons. She was just a future wife to me, an expectation. Not a lover and certainly not a friend.
Speaking of: In my last letter I asked you if that kiss was a prank. I have come to the conclusion it wasn’t. I'm still mad at you. Mostly for leaving so suddenly with no explanation. But my anger at you has been dying off and now I just feel-"
Sam sighs
“Now I just miss you.
Yours
Samuel”
Sam folds up the letter. He runs his hand through his hair and leans back with a heavy sigh.

-Several months later
Sam Fred and suzie by the fence. Sam walks to Fred and Suzie who were laughing and talking.
Fred "oh Sam! Pink or white?”
Sam "for what?”
Fred"for me and Suzie's wedding!”
Sue rolls her eyes, “isn't it a bit early to be planning a wedding?”
Fred ”not when I've found the love of my life!” he chuckles
Sue shakes her head, “I think I'll give it some time to let you decide if you're going to run off again.”
Fred gives her a smile and Sam looks to the side.
Cathy walks up the path. She steps up to Sam. “Sam.”
Sam"H-hey Cathy…”
Fred and Sue look to each other then slink away Sam watching them leave.
Cathy-"I'm not here to bother you, I just need to know where Mr.Vickle is.”
Sam raises a brow, “Joel's uncle? He should be at home or at the market.”
She shakes her head, “he's not answering the door and I haven't seen him at the market for a week.”
Sam “yea he was there…. Three days ago?”
Cathy shakes her head, “okay, fine what ever. But where is he now?”
Sam shrugs, “I don’t know!”

-

Sam knocks on the door. “Mr.Vickle? Are you there?” Cathy watches behind him with her arms crossed.
Sam glances at her then opens the door stepping inside. “Mr.Vickle?” he hollers and steps into the man's rooms, giving a surprised look to the dead old man in the bed. “Oh-"

-

Sam walks by the house, stopping to stare at it. Fred passes behind him.
Fred “Joel hasn’t responded to the town's letters. They will probably be selling the house soon. Shame, I'm sure Joel would have wanted it.”
Sam sighs. “yea…”

-

Sam writing again.

“Joel
I'm sorry to say, your uncle died a week ago. It's been almost a year now… and still no word from you. I really am starting to miss you. -"
“-you confused me so much! You sparked something and now I can't get over it. I think I love you? And I'm so scared it's all a huge joke. But even more im worried something has happened to you.”
Sam leans back and sighs.
He steps up to the courier office and goes to hand the letter but stops. The man watches him and Sam's brows furrow. He turns and leaves.

-

Sue "It's a seven day journey, are you sure about this?”
She asks as Sam packs a horse
SamH"he needs to know. And I need to slap him.” He mutters the last part.
Fred steps up to them “he’ll be fine love. Save your concerns for when our children go off on their own.”
She rolls her eyes and walks off. “You are way to ahead of yourself, sir.”
Fred chuckles. After she was gone Fred turns to Sam and hands him a revolver in a cloth. Sam takes it and uncovers it to view it.
Fred "it is kind of dangerous out there sometimes… just in case you need it.”
Sam nods, "thanks.”

-

Cut to Sam on the horse traveling the roads.

Cut to Sam coming up on a forked path and he checks his map. “These roads are so confusing!” he mutters, then lowers the map and goes left.

-

Cut to Sam walking down an industrial town street, guiding his horse. “whoa.. I see why Joel wanted to move here.” He says passing a bakery.

Sam enters the town census office. He steps up to the lady at the counter. “Hello, I'm looking for a Joel Vickle.”
The woman grabs a forum. “We will check our records, return in the morning for the results”.

Cut to Sam entering a hotel room and dropping his bags. He lays down and sighs. “what am I even going to say to him? Hey Joel, you ass, come home? Would he want to leave this place..? Even for me..?” He sighs and rolls over.
The next morning, Sam steps up to the census counter. “I want to check up on a person inquiry.”
The lady nods and slips a piece of paper in front of him on the counter. “Deceased.”
Sam "what-?" freezes in shock and looks down and picks up the paper, hand trembling.

“Name- Joel Vickle
Dob-xxx
Race-Human
Nationality-Effun
Description- brown hair, brown eyes, pale
Address- 104 holly drive
Deceased
-Work accident: Fatal fall from a roof during service repairs"

Sam covers his mouth as tears fill his eyes. He drops the page and leaves, rubbing his eyes as he walks down the street. He stops and leans against a wall, breaking down into sobs.

Cut to Sam exiting his tavern room with his luggage. He walks down stairs and leaves.
Sam rides his horse back on the road out of town. Evening falls and he stops at an isolated inn, stepping inside and silently books a room.

Amongst the chatter in the back he hears “Don’t you cheat me Craig!”
Sam turns with a confused look to see Joel at a table of 3, rolling dice and playing a game. Sam pauses and stares in shock before walking up to him.

Joel"keep that shit up and ill tell Janet about the lil thing you keep eye balling!”
Sam touches his shoulder and Joel turns around with a raised brow.
Joel "can I help you?”
Sam"how-?
Joel "look kid you're going to have to wait if you want in.” he turns “now anie up boys!”
Sam pulls him back to face him with an angered look. “Don’t pretend like you don’t know me!”
Joel raises a brow and the boys at the table laugh.
Man “speaking of mistresses… or would that be a mister?” craig shrugs.
Joel rolls his eyes "Shut up craig." he says then looks at Sam. “look kid, I think you have me mi-"

Sam slaps Joel across the face, the others bursting into ooos and laughs. Sam grabs Joel's hand and drags him upstairs and into his room. Joel is pushed by Sam before he closes the door. Joel turns around to face an upset Sam. “I've been hit on in some strange ways but this has got to be-"

Sam reaches up and pulls Joel into a kiss, Joel stumbles forward, hand slamming against the wall, Sam between.
Sam's anger softens in the kiss and Joel pulls away, eyes glowing orange. “alright, you have my attention.” Sam gasps and shoves him away.
Joel laughs, “hey you where the one coming on to me-"
Sam"Joel? Whats happened to you?”
Joel gives a slight bow "Call me Ross kid I guess you're that guy host was so bent up over. That made oppressing his spirit much easier, thanks for that.”
Sam's brows furrow and he leans away as Joel leans in.
Sam"you're not Joel… you’re a demon!”
Ross rolls his eyes “I prefer 'shade' but sure, whatever. Your friend is dead, kid. Move on.”
Sam glances away with sadness. He looks back to ross. “No, he's still in there, he has to be“ he tears up
Ross narrows his brows. “Not for much longer.”
Sam grabs Ross by the shirt. “please let me speak to him, just for a moment!”
Ross raises a brow, “why would I stir up my host for an emotional twerp?”
Sam shifts his jaw, staring at the golden orange eyes. “I'll do anything. Just me talk to him one last time.”
Ross smirks and leans forward, “anything?”
Sam gulps and nods.
Ross raises a hand, “I let you talk to him, and you give me a piece.”
Sam raises a brow “a piece? Of what?”
Ross points to Sam's chest “You.”
Sam “what?!”
Ross”I wont take anything 'vital.’”
Sam moves from his finger. “what.. Do you want?”
Ross grins “Your Humor."
Sam frowns.
Ross "see? Not vital. Not like you're using it much anyway.”
Sam nods, “Deal.”

Ross grins, turns and steps away, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Make it quick, don’t rile him up, don’t remind him or let him know he died or even how much time has passed. I have him dormant and I want it to stay that way. And don’t think you can slip anything past me, I'll be watching.” As he finishes his sentence his eyes flutter shut and he falls back onto the bed.

Sam steps forward as Joel's eyes flutter back open, back to their original brown. Sam rushes to his side and hugs him as he goes to sit up.

Joel"Sam? What are you doing here?”
Sam pulls away, “Joel…”
Joel looks around and rubs his eyes, “where are-"
Sam "why did you kiss me?!”
Joel turns to him with surprise. “oh, I.. uh…” he sighs, “because I love you Sam… I've always loved you.”
Sam "Then why did you leave?!”
Joel ”you were never going to accept how I felt. And it was wrong to continue pretending to be your friend. I can't be just your friend. But you had Cathy and never seemed interested in me the way I was in you so… I couldn’t stand it anymore so I had to leave. But I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving without telling you but the words wouldn’t come to me so…” he sighs. “Im sorry Sam.”

Sam looks down, brows furrowed. “No, I hadn't thought of you like that. But I also never felt for cathy what you seem to feel for me. Yet I was even closer with you then I was cathy. I didn’t even flinch when I decided to break up with her but since you left I've been a wreck. And not just because of your kiss. But because of you! For the past six months your all that’s been on my mind and in my dreams. It was your kiss that made me realize I had the capacity to feel more for you." He starts to tear up and leans his head down onto Joel's chest. "But then you never responded to my letters and I was just left alone with all these feelings and now you're dead, a demon has your body and I'll never get you back-!” he looks up, ross staring back.

Ross-"oh I wasn’t going to interrupt you, but you know… the whole dead and possessed thing wasn’t to be mentioned so-" he shrugs.
Sam sniffs and rubs a tear from his eye. “oh.. right. Sorry.” He sighs and looks back up.
Sam "Can you bring him back? Just for one last moment.”
Ross brows furrow. “Fine… but this isn't fun anymore so my patience is wearing very thin…” his eyes flutter shut and reopen Joel's brown. Joel blinks and looks to Sam, “sorry I must have dozed off, what did you sa-mmphf"
Sam reaches his arms up and pulls Joel into a kiss. After a moment Joel pulls away with a huff and a wide smile.
Sam"I love you Joel.”
Joel “that’s… all I've ever wanted to hear from you.” They peck. “say it again?”

Tears start to stream down Sam's face and he reaches for his gun.
“I love you Joel.” He says and holds up his gun.
Sam presses the gun to Joel's chin,his eyes flash orange Ross giving a shocked “Wha-?!”
Sam pulls the trigger with a bang, Joel falls back on the bed lifeless.
Sam grits his teeth and sobs, eyes closed. An orange fiery 'mist' emitting from Joel's body and flowing towards Sam.
Sam puts the gun to his own chin, the mist entering his face.

Bang

A moment of darkness and Sam's eyes shoot open, glowing orange.

End