Page 180 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels

---

Four figures exit the van, file quickly towards the building, leap a broken step, climb the fire escape and disappear one by one into the shadows of a second-floor doorway. The building is as dark and silent as it ever was.

INT. SECOND FLOOR, WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

The open-plan floor was once an office. The angels, even Elemiah, seem tiny in this cavernous space. Holly, her eyes everywhere, gathers the Baby in her arms and pushes the Moses basket away with her foot.

GABRIEL

What are you doing?

HOLLY

It won’t settle.

JONAH

Leave it. It’ll be dead soon anyway. (to Gabriel) When does the alignment start?

GABRIEL

Soon. We must protect it until then. Don’t hurt it.

Holly and Jonah micro-react …

JONAH

But wearegoing to kill it?

HOLLY

It’s the Antichrist, isn’t it?

Before Gabriel and Michael can reply …

ELEMIAH (O.S.)

How ’bout this?

A CAN of SPRAY PAINT in hand, Elemiah indicates something on the floor, a way off. Gabriel scowls at Holly and Jonah …

GABRIEL

Stay there.

He jogs to Elemiah. Gabriel takes the can, SPRAYS the floor, as if making good Elemiah’s attempts, whispers advice about … What? Holly watches, puzzled.

Finally, Elemiah takes the can, jogs towards the fire escape, disappears down it.

MICHAEL (O.S.)

Give it to me.

Holly rips her gaze from Elemiah’s retreating back, snaps round to see Michael, arms outstretched to take the Baby.

MICHAEL

Your job’s done. You’ve served your purpose. Give it to me.

Holly’s terrified eyes flick round the vast space. No sign of Ashleigh. No salvation. Nothing.

---