Target: The Girl My Human Self Loved
first meet
[Location: A small, cozy cafe in the heart of Da Lat, Vietnam]
[Time: 4:30 PM]
Valerie is sitting by the window, tapping her fingers on her phone. She looks nervous but excited.
valerie (fl)
Wren, where are you?? I’ve already finished half my peach tea
wren(ml)
I’m literally outside. I can see the cafe sign.
valerie (fl)
Then walk in! Why are you standing outside?
wren(ml)
Because my heart is beating at 200 bpm. What if you see me and decide to block me in real life? 😂
valerie (fl)
Oh my god, stop being a drama king! You’ve seen my face a million times on video calls
wren(ml)
Video calls are different! There’s no "exit" button in real life.
valerie (fl)
Wren... if you don’t walk through that door in 60 seconds, I’m ordering the most expensive cake and making you pay for it via bank transfer.
wren(ml)
FINE. I’m coming.
Wren enters the cafe. He’s wearing a black hoodie despite the humidity. He looks around frantically until his eyes land on Valerie.]
wren(ml)
Stands awkwardly at the table)
valerie (fl)
(Jumps slightly, then grins)
valerie (fl)
Wren! You actually exist in 3D!
wren(ml)
Barely. I think my legs turned into jelly on the way to the door. Hi girl... hru?
valerie (fl)
Hi girl"? That’s the most awkward greeting ever. I’m good. A bit shaky, honestly. You look exactly like your profile picture, just... taller.
wren(ml)
Rubbing the back of his neck)
wren(ml)
You look like that fairy character you wrote about last month. Just minus the wings.
valerie (fl)
Shut up! Don't bring up my drafts now. I'm shy about my writing.
wren(ml)
Why? Your stories are the only reason I stay up until 3 AM.
[Phone buzzes. Even though they are sitting together, Wren sends a message.]
wren(ml)
I’m too shy to say this out loud, but you look really pretty today.
valerie (fl)
You’re literally sitting 2 feet away from me. Why are you texting?
wren(ml)
My phone-self is braver than my real-self. You know this.
valerie (fl)
You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. Shy Monster.
wren(ml)
Monster"? Wow. Is that my new nickname?
valerie (fl)
Only when you're being stubborn.
The waiter brings a plate of spring rolls. Wren reaches for one at the same time as Valerie. Their fingers touch for a second.]
wren(ml)
Pulling her hand back)
wren(ml)
What? Did I scratch you?
valerie (fl)
No... it’s just... your hand is really warm. Like, really warm.
wren(ml)
It’s just the nerves, Val. I told you, my blood is basically caffeine and anxiety right now.
valerie (fl)
(Touching his forehead playfully)
valerie (fl)
You don't have a fever, do you?
wren(ml)
(Freezing at her touch)
wren(ml)
Wren - sits perfectly still.
wren(ml)
No... I'm fine. I'm just happy to finally be here with you.
[They spend the next hour talking, a mix of spoken words and texting each other jokes across the table.]
wren(ml)
Look at that guy at the corner table. He looks like he's on a blind date from hell.
valerie (fl)
Wren! Stop being mean. But also... yes, he looks like he wants to jump out the window.
wren(ml)
See? We’re a team. We can judge people together in silence.
valerie (fl)
We’re terrible people.
wren(ml)
We’re best friends. There’s a difference.
[Character Movement: Wren stands up to go get more napkins.]
valerie (fl)
Watching him walk)
valerie (fl)
Why does the air feel so hot whenever he moves?
[Wren returns and sits back down. He looks at Valerie with a very soft, sincere expression.]
wren(ml)
Whatever happens... I’m glad we met. I feel like I can be myself when I’m with you. Even the weird parts of me.
valerie (fl)
You’re stuck with me now, Wren. No more hiding behind the screen.
wren(ml)
I hope you still say that tomorrow.
[Character Movement: They leave the cafe and walk toward the Forest of White Gates. The sun is setting, casting long, orange shadows over the dry leaves on the ground.]
valerie (fl)
This place is so beautiful at sunset. Look at those gates.
wren(ml)
(Stopping at the first white gate)
wren(ml)
They look like they're guarding something. Or keeping something in.
valerie (fl)
Why did it suddenly get so cold?
wren(ml)
Don't worry. I'm right here.
[Phone Buzzes one last time as they walk into the forest shadows.]
weird
[Location: Valerie’s Bedroom / Wren’s Apartment]
[Time: 8:00 PM - Night after the meeting]
Valerie is lying face down on her bed, kicking her feet in the air. She’s staring at her phone screen, replaying the entire afternoon in her head.
valerie (fl)
I’m home! Just finished my dinner. My mom asked why I was smiling at my fried rice like a crazy person.
wren(ml)
LOL. Did you tell her it’s because you finally met a legendary 3D human named Wren?
valerie (fl)
I told her I met a "shy guy in a hoodie" who drinks way too much iced coffee.
wren(ml)
Ouch. My reputation is ruined already.
valerie (fl)
Admit it, you’re still smiling too.
wren(ml)
Sits on his bed, leaning against the wall.
wren(ml)
Guilty as charged. My face actually hurts from smiling.
[Character Movement: Valerie rolls over and looks at the ceiling. She touches her own hand, remembering the moment their fingers brushed at the cafe.]
valerie (fl)
My hand still feels kind of... tingly. From earlier.
wren(ml)
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
valerie (fl)
A good thing. But seriously, are you sure you’re okay? You felt like a literal heater.
wren(ml)
Stands up and walks to the mirror. He pulls his collar down. His neck is slightly red, and he looks exhausted.
wren(ml)
I’m fine, Val. I think it’s just the Da Lat humidity combined with my social anxiety. You know I’m a shy monster.
valerie (fl)
Don't call yourself that! You're just... intense. In a good way.
wren(ml)
[Character Movement: Wren goes to his kitchen and grabs a glass of water. He drinks it in one gulp, but he still feels thirsty. He opens his laptop to see his "Writer Fairy's" latest Mangatoon update.]
wren(ml)
Anyway, I just read your new chapter update. The way the lead character looks at the sunset... was that inspired by today?
wren(ml)
I might have written it while I was waiting for you at the cafe.
valerie (fl)
I might have written it while I was waiting for you at the cafe.
wren(ml)
I’m honored to be a muse for the great Fairy Writer.
valerie (fl)
Stop it! Go to sleep. You said you had a long day tomorrow.
[Location: The streets outside Wren’s apartment]
[Character Movement: Wren is walking fast. He’s breathing heavily. He touches a metal lamp post as he passes, and for a second, the metal feels hot under his palm.]
wren(ml)
Val? You still awake?
valerie (fl)
Mmm, yeah. Why?
wren(ml)
If I ever... change... or if I become a bit weird, you’d tell me, right?
valerie (fl)
Wren, you’re already weird. That’s why I like you.
wren(ml)
No, I mean... never mind. Go to sleep, Fairy.
valerie (fl)
Night night, Wren. Don't dream about monsters.
wren(ml)
[Character Movement: Wren looks down at his hands. In the dark, the veins in his palms look slightly darker, almost like they are pulsing with a dim, orange light. He shakes his head, rubbing his eyes.]
wren(ml)
It’s just the fever. It’s just the stress
[Location: Valerie’s house]
[Character Movement: Valerie is fast asleep. Her laptop is open next to her, showing a draft of a story about a girl and a protector who lives in the shadows.]
[Phone Buzzes - New Message from Wren]
wren(ml)
I wish I could have stayed at that White Gate with you a little longer today. Everything felt quiet when you were near me.
[Wren doesn't send the message. He deletes it. He stares at the "Target" folder on his computer—a folder he created to save all of Valerie's photos and stories. He doesn't know why he named it 'Target.' He just felt like he had to keep her in his sights.]
wren(ml)
I need to cool down.
[He turns the AC to the lowest setting, but the room still feels like a furnace. He closes his eyes, seeing the image of Valerie smiling at him. It’s the only thing that keeps the "Monster" inside him quiet for now.]
last meet
[Location: Outside Wren’s house, a quiet suburban street in Vietnam]
[Time: 2:00 PM - One week after their first meeting]
Valerie stands at the front gate, her phone in her hand. The chat screen is a desert. No replies for three days. The last message she sent—“Wren, if you’re ghosting me, it’s not funny anymore”—hasn't even been read.
[Character Movement: Valerie pushes the doorbell. After a moment, Wren’s mother opens the door. Her eyes are red, and she looks exhausted.]
valerie (fl)
Hello, Aunty... is Wren home? He hasn’t been answering his phone.
...
Oh, Valerie. He’s in his room. He won’t come out. He won’t even let us turn on the lights. He says everything is too bright, too loud... and he’s so hot, Valerie. Like a stove.
valerie (fl)
Has he seen a doctor?
...
The doctor couldn't find anything. No infection, no flu. But the boy is burning up. He just sits there in the dark
[Character Movement: Valerie walks past them, her heart racing. She climbs the stairs and stops at Wren’s door. It’s closed tight. She can feel a strange warmth radiating from the wood of the door.]
valerie (fl)
Wren? It’s me. It’s Val.
valerie (fl)
Wren, I’m coming in. I don’t care if you’re a mess.
[Character Movement: Valerie opens the door. The room is pitch black. The curtains are taped shut. The air is so hot it feels like stepping into a sauna.]
valerie (fl)
My god, Wren... why is it so hot in here?
wren(ml)
Sits on the floor in the shadows, his back against the wall.
wren(ml)
Don't... don't turn on the light.
valerie (fl)
Wren, talk to me. What’s happening? Your parents are terrified. I’m terrified.
wren(ml)
I don't feel right, Val. Everything... everything tastes like metal. My skin feels like it’s too small for my body.
valerie (fl)
DON’T! Don't touch me. You'll get burned.
valerie (fl)
I don't care!
[Character Movement: Valerie grabs his hand anyway. She gasps. His skin isn't just warm—it’s searing. But strangely, as she holds it, the heat feels like it’s pulsing, trying to sync with her heartbeat.]
valerie (fl)
Wren, you’re burning...
wren(ml)
Leans his forehead against Valerie’s shoulder, exhausted.
wren(ml)
I think I’m dying, Val.
valerie (fl)
Don't say that. It’s just a fever. We’ll find a way to fix it.
wren(ml)
No. It’s not a fever. It feels like... something is trying to get out. From inside me.
valerie (fl)
(Stroking his hair, even though it feels like touching hot silk)
valerie (fl)
I’m right here. I’m not leaving
wren(ml)
If I... if I stop being me... if I forget things...
wren(ml)
Just promise me. If I ever look at you like you’re a stranger... run. Don't let me get close.
valerie (fl)
Shut up. You’re my shy monster, remember? You can’t get rid of me that easily.
wren(ml)
[Character Movement: Wren suddenly grips her hand tighter. His grip is unnaturally strong. For a split second, his eyes flash a dull, molten orange in the dark.]
wren(ml)
I’m serious, Val. I feel... hungry. But not for food. I feel like I’m looking at everything as a target. Even this room. Even...
wren(ml)
Just go. Please. Before the sun goes down.
[Character Movement: Valerie stands up, feeling the intense heat push her away. She looks at her phone. A notification pops up—a photo they took at the White Gate a week ago.]
valerie (fl)
I’ll be back tomorrow morning. And you better be ready to go to the hospital.
wren(ml)
I don't think I'll be 'me' by tomorrow morning.
[Valerie leaves the room, her heart heavy. As she walks down the hallway, she looks at her palm. It’s red from his heat, but it doesn't blister. It just glows with a strange, lingering warmth.]
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