ErikTaz, where are you?!
ErikYou said you’d be at the Halloween party an hour ago.
ErikI’m getting worried…
ErikAnd I feel kind of dumb standing here alone…
ErikDressed like a piece of toast.
ErikThis costume looks ridiculous without the avocado!
ErikHELLO??!!
TazHey, sorry, where are you?
ErikI’m at the frat – where are YOU?
TazThe woods near the lake.
ErikWhat?! Alone?!
ErikAt night?
TazI just don’t think I’m up for a party right now…
ErikYou could have told me that before I showed up at this frat house dressed like toast!
TazSorry. I just…I miss Jasline.
ErikOh, Taz…
TazIt doesn’t feel right to be having fun without her.
ErikI can’t imagine how hard it is to lose a sister.
ErikA twin sister.
ErikBut you have to try and move on.
ErikJaz would want you to be happy. You know that.
ErikIt’s your senior year at Stanford. You should be celebrating.
TazYou’re right.
TazIf Jaz were here, she’d be pouring us both shots right now.
ErikExactly.
TazBut that’s the thing. She SHOULD be here.
TazIt’s been six months since the accident, but…
TazThere are still so many things I don’t understand…
TazEverything happened so fast.
TazNone of it makes any sense. How could my twin sister be dead?
TazI feel lost.
ErikSend me your location — I’ll come get you.
TazNo, not literally lost!
ErikOh…
TazLike, all my life I’ve tried to make my parents happy…
TazI got good grades.
TazGot into Stanford.
TazAnd now I’m applying to med school.
TazJust like everyone always said I should.
TazBut Jaz always told me to follow my own heart.
ErikSo what does your heart say?
TazThat’s what I’m trying to figure out…
TazAnyway, I’ll be there soon, I promise. Wait for me?
ErikFine. But what are you even doing out there?
TazI just needed to be alone for a minute.
TazI feel closer to Jaz out here. She loved the woods.
ErikYou hiked out there in your costume?
TazYup. See?
Taz
ErikWait, what’s that?
TazWhat’s what?
ErikIn the corner…that shadow.
ErikSomeone's standing behind you.
Taz turns around, scared, but just sees leaves rustling in the breeze.
TazYou’re freaking me out. There’s no one here.
ErikAre you sure?
ErikI swear I see someone in the picture you sent.
Taz looks closely at the selfie she took.
TazIt’s probably just the light coming through the trees. Here, I’ll take another one.
Taz
ErikIt’s right behind you now!
Taz whips around, her heart racing.
But again, all she sees are trees swaying with the howling wind.
Taz shivers.
TazOkay, this is seriously weird.
TazNo one’s behind me.
TazBut I do see someone in the photo.
TazMaybe it’s a new Snapchat filter for Halloween?
ErikI checked my Snapchat — I don’t have it.
ErikTaz, you need to get out of there.
ErikSomeone — or something — is definitely behind you.
Taz calls out into the darkness, asking who’s there.
Silence.
Suddenly, the wind dies down, and the air around her gets very still.
Taz’s heart thumps in her chest.
She takes a deep breath and laughs nervously.
TazThis is silly. There’s no one here.
ErikAre you sure?
ErikIt could be an animal — there was a mountain lion sighting on campus last week.
ErikWhatever is in that photo, it looks dangerous.
Taz examines the picture again.
TazThat thing doesn’t look like a mountain lion…
TazIt looks like…some kind of ghost.
ErikTaz, you’re pre-med. A woman of science.
ErikGhosts.
ErikAre.
ErikNot.
ErikReal!
TazWell, Jaz believed in them.
TazAnd she’s not here anymore.
TazSo I have to believe for her.
TazBesides…what if it’s her?
ErikWho?
TazMy sister.
ErikTaz…that thing is not Jaz.
TazHow can you say that for sure?
ErikBecause your sister is GONE.
ErikI’m sorry, but she is. You have to accept that.
TazWait — I have an idea.
ErikTaz! Can you just get out of there?
Taz ignores Erik and opens Snapchat.
She flips over to the rear-facing camera and looks through the lens.
She turns left and right, slowly surveying the woods around her.
And then suddenly, she sees it.
A ghostly, corporeal shadow, with large glowing eyes.
It’s standing five feet in front of her. And moving closer.
She drops the phone in panic, her hands shaking, and looks up with her bare eyes.
Nothing.
Taz slowly picks up her phone from the ground, and looks through Snapchat again.
There it is. Hovering in front of her.
Taz looks closely into her Snapchat camera, and this time…
She sees words at the bottom of the screen.
“Ghost Glass Filter“
Taz takes a screenshot and sends it to Erik.
Just as she does, the shadow jolts and swoops off behind a tree.
TazIt’s definitely a ghost.
ErikGET OUT OF THERE NOW!
TazNo, I don’t think it’s going to hurt me.
TazBut this is so weird—
ErikWhat?
TazI can only see the ghost when I look through Snapchat…
TazWhen I look without my phone, it’s gone.
TazAnd check out what’s written on the bottom of the screen.
ErikGhost Glass Filter…
TazExactly!
ErikSo it IS Snapchat. It’s gotta be some new Halloween filter…
ErikMaybe they only gave it to girls?
TazI don’t think so. The ghost is definitely here…
TazI saw it moving and staring at me with those eyes…and…
ErikWhat?
TazI can’t explain it, but…
TazI can FEEL it standing here, next to me.
ErikThis doesn’t make any sense.
TazI know, but I’m telling the truth.
ErikI believe you. That’s why you need to leave, NOW.
ErikI’m calling the police. They’ll search the woods and arrest whoever it is.
TazNo! Don’t call the police.
ErikWhy not?!
TazI just, I have a feeling about that ghost…
Erik??
TazLet me just try one more thing.
ErikTaz, no. If anything happens to you…
TazIt won’t.
ErikYour parents just lost your sister. They can’t lose you, too.
ErikI can’t lose you either. You’re my best friend.
ErikAnd, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you…
TazNo one’s going to lose me.
Taz closes out her chat with Erik.
And opens Snapchat again.
The shadow creature emerges from the trees.
It looks straight at Taz, its brilliant eyes glowing in the darkness.
Then, it darts into the woods.
TazOkay, I think it wants me to follow it.
ErikThis should go without saying but, um, don’t.
TazToo late.
TazIt’s leading me toward Lake Lag.
ErikI’m coming to find you.
TazDon’t. Not yet.
TazI want to see where it’s taking me.
ErikAnd the award for worst idea of the year goes to…
ErikThe girl dressed as an avocado!
Taz continues down the dark wooded path until she reaches the lake.
There, a thick fog hangs over the water.
Lights from nearby lamps create an eerie, ethereal glow…
She starts to shiver — it’s suddenly unseasonably cold.
Taz takes a snap of the strange fog.
And she spots the shadow.
She follows it on the winding path around the lake, and through the thick fog.
The shadow leads her to an old redwood tree…
Taz gasps in disbelief.
Her heart races with anticipation.
Her eyes start to fill with tears.
TazJaz?
Just as she speaks her sister’s name, the shadow disappears.
ErikTaz, where are you?!
TazErik…the shadow led me to our tree.
TazIt’s definitely her.
ErikWhat tree? What are you talking about?
TazOkay, this is going to sound crazy.
ErikAll of this is already crazy.
TazThere’s this redwood tree on the far side of Lake Lag. It was Jaz and my secret place.
ErikYou never told me about a tree.
TazSecret. Place.
ErikRight.
TazWe used to leave little notes for each other inside of it.
Taz“Good luck on your test!” or “Love you!”
TazErik, the shadow led me here.
TazNo one else knew about our tree.
TazNot even you.
ErikThis could all just be a coincidence.
TazNo.
TazI think Jaz is trying to tell me something.
ErikWell, is there anything inside the tree?
TazI don’t think so…
Taz ducks inside the tree and feels around.
TazWait. I found something!
ErikWhat?
TazIt’s a flash drive.
ErikOkay, this is seriously weird.
TazThere’s also a note…
TazErik. It’s Jaz’s handwriting.
ErikWhat does it say?
Taz“Find Dr. Montgomery.”
ErikWho?
TazI don’t know. I don’t know anyone named Dr. Montgomery…
ErikHold on…
ErikDo you remember that professor that went missing our freshman year?
TazYeah…there were police all over campus looking for her.
ErikNot just police. The FBI.
ErikThere were cadaver dogs sniffing around the woods, looking for her body…
ErikBut they never found anything.
TazThey never found her body?!
ErikNo. I just ran a search, and that professor’s name…
ErikWas Dr. Alexis Montgomery.
TazI don’t get it. Why would Jaz tell me to find a person who’s been missing for so long?
ErikI don’t know…
ErikBut, it’s been three years, Taz.
ErikThere’s no way she’s still alive.
TazThis doesn’t make any sense…
ErikTaz, whatever happened to this professor…
ErikIt can’t be good.
ErikI really think you need to get out of there. Now.
ErikShe disappeared without a trace.
TazThere has to be a reason why Jaz wants me to find her…
ErikMaybe the answer is on that flash drive?
TazYou’re right. I’m going to head to the library to check it out.
ErikDitching a party for the library on a Friday night. Typical Taz.
TazHey, I have a good excuse this time.
TazWait—
ErikWhat? Are you okay?
ErikTaz?
TazI hear someone coming.
TazDid you call the police?
ErikAgainst my better judgment, no.
Taz pokes her head out of the tree and looks around.
TazThere are a bunch of cop cars pulling onto the path.
ErikWhat color are their lights?
TazRed.
ErikJust red?
TazYeah.
TazMen are getting out of the cars…
TazAnd they’re all wearing these strange sunglasses.
ErikIn the middle of the night?
TazYeah.
ErikI don’t think those are cops.
TazErik, they have guns…
TazThey’re pointed straight at me!
ErikRun! NOW!
Taz runs as fast as she can, pushing through the underbrush.
The strange men follow closely behind, trampling through bushes and yelling out Taz’s name.
SHOTS ring out in the night.
BULLETS rip through the trees surrounding the lake.
Just then, someone shoves Taz to the ground.
Taz falls hard and scrapes her knee.
She feels something brush her wound gently, and then tug at her arm.
It tries to drag her up again.
Taz looks around but can’t see anyone next to her.
But she feels the shadow’s presence, and it comforts her.
She lets the shadow lead her through the winding trees…
To a safe spot in a ditch hidden beneath the leaves.
Taz hides in the ditch and pulls her knees up to her chest, shivering.
She feels a breeze touch her cheek, and then suddenly, everything is quiet again.
Taz pulls out her phone and looks through the Ghost Glass filter, but she’s alone.
No one’s there.
ErikTaz?! Where are you??
TazI’m safe. I found a place to hide. But Erik…
TazThose men tried to kill me!
TazThe ghost…it saved me. From getting shot.
TazIt has to be Jaz.
ErikThat’s not possible.
TazWhy would someone shoot me, Erik?
TazWhat do they want?
ErikI don’t know…
TazMaybe it’s the flash drive.
TazI have to find out what’s on it.
ErikWhatever it is, it’s not worth getting hurt.
TazWait…
TazI hear footsteps.
TazIt’s those men!
ErikCan they see you?!
TazI don’t think so…
TazIt looks like they’re scanning the ground with those weird sunglasses they’re wearing.
TazI’m scared…
ErikSend me your location. I’ll come find you.
Taz unlocks her phone to send Erik her location…
But instead, Snapchat opens.
A strange, new filter pops up on her screen.
A big glowing arrow appears next to her on the camera, pointing behind her.
Confused, Taz flips the lens to selfie mode.
The arrow remains.
At the bottom of the screen are the words “Astute Arrow Filter.”
Taz looks up —
The men have wandered a good distance away from her.
Slowly, she climbs out of the ditch, careful not to make any noise.
Holding the phone out in front of her, she turns in a circle.
But the arrow stays pointed in the same direction.
Urging her toward…somewhere.
TazHey, look at this.
Taz
ErikYou still have that dumb avocado costume on?!
TazI’ll take it off. But…
TazLook at the filter — it’s called the Astute Arrow.
TazDo you have it on your phone?
ErikLemme check…
ErikNope.
ErikI don’t see any mention of it on tech blogs either.
ErikIt looks like some kind of GPS…
TazI know.
ErikThis is weird, Taz.
ErikThe shadow and then this?
ErikWhatever you do, DON’T follow it.
TazToo late.
ErikTaz!
TazI need to know, Erik.
TazWherever this arrow’s taking me…there could be answers.
ErikOr there could be more creepy men with guns, waiting for you. What if it’s a trap?
TazThat’s a risk I’m willing to take.
TazFor my sister.
ErikI don’t like this.
ErikWill you keep texting me, at least?
ErikSo I know you’re safe.
TazSure.
TazIt’s taking me down this narrow path…
ErikAre those men following you?
TazNo. They’re still busy with their scanning devices.
ErikMaybe they were never after you…
ErikMaybe they wanted the shadow.
TazThat’s the thing…
TazWhen I was running away, one of them called out my name.
TazThey knew who I was.
TazAnd somehow, they knew I was going to be there.
ErikHow? You didn’t even tell me where you were going tonight…
TazIt doesn’t make sense. None of this makes any sense.
TazBut it happened.
ErikWhere are you now?
TazI’m turning off Campus Drive. Wherever this arrow is taking me…
TazIt’s not on Stanford campus.
ErikTurn around. Please.
ErikCome back to the dorm. Whatever’s going on, we can get through this.
ErikTogether.
TazWait!
ErikWhat??
TazThe arrow disappeared.
TazI think I’m here.
ErikWhere’s “here”?
TazIt’s just an empty field…
Taz opens Snapchat to take a picture…
And a new filter pops up on screen.
TazWait.
TazThere’s a new filter.
TazIt called the “Spy Glass Filter.”
ErikWhat does that mean?
TazI don’t know…
Taz looks through her phone screen at her surroundings.
The field is cast in an eerie, blue light.
In the distance, something glows.
As she runs toward it — still looking through her phone — a room appears below her.
It looks like a bunker hidden under the ground beneath her feet.
She stops to snap a picture, and notices a small, worn trap door…
Concealed by a patch of overgrown grass.
She sends Erik the picture.
ErikWhat is that???
TazA door.
ErikWell duh, but to where? For what?
Taz hesitates for a moment…
Before reaching out and grabbing the door handle.
It feels cold in her hand.
Almost as if it isn’t really there.
Taz pulls on the handle, and the door swings open.
TazThere’s a set of stairs leading underground.
ErikI feel like I shouldn’t even need to say this, but DO NOT go down there.
ErikTaz?!
Taz opens the flashlight on her phone and ventures down into the bunker.
Down, down…
Into the darkness.
Finally, she reaches another door.
She hesitates before pushing it open…
Inside is…
An abandoned lab.
Broken flasks, vials of chemicals, ancient computers, file folders…
They’re all strewn about the floor.
ErikIs everything okay?
ErikWhat did you find down there?
ErikHELLO?!
TazLook.
Taz
ErikOkay, that’s seriously creepy.
ErikJust looking at that picture is giving me tetanus.
TazI don’t get it…why did the arrow lead me here?
TazIt looks like no one’s been here in years.
TazDecades, even.
ErikDon’t get mad, but…
TazWhat did you do?
ErikNothing! I’ve just been tracing the geo-tag on every picture you’ve been sending me.
TazUm…meaning?
ErikI’ve been following you. Virtually.
TazYou’ve been spying on me. Cool.
ErikI had to do something! You wouldn’t let me call the cops.
ErikBut, listen Taz—
ErikThere’s no trace of that bunker online. No lab, nothing.
ErikGoogle Maps says it’s just a soccer field. So does Apple Maps, Bing…
TazOkay, well, I don’t know what to tell you. I’m down here.
ErikThat’s not possible. It doesn’t exist.
TazI’m telling you it does.
ErikI think you need to get out of there.
TazNot before I get some answers.
TazI’m trying to find a computer for this flash drive, but none of them are from this century…
Taz continues to snoop around.
She moves a pile of boxes.
TazFound one.
TazIt works…it’s downloading…
ErikTaz, you have no idea what this place is.
TazMy sister led me here.
ErikA Snapchat filter led you there.
ErikBesides, what would your sister be doing in a lab?
ErikShe was an English major.
TazThat’s the thing…
TazOkay, don’t tell anyone this, but—
TazBefore she died, Jaz was acting…strange.
TazShe was worried about something.
TazShe thought someone was following her.
TazBut…I was too busy to listen. Too busy to care.
ErikYou were studying for finals.
TazShe was my twin sister. I should have been there for her.
TazAnd maybe all of these things…are connected.
TazThose men in the woods?
TazThey knew me.
TazMaybe they knew Jaz, too.
ErikTaz, what happened to your sister was an accident.
ErikA really horrible accident.
ErikBut sometimes things just…happen. There doesn’t have to be an explanation.
ErikAnd you shouldn’t blame yourself.
Just then, the old computer in front of Taz chimes, and the screen lights up.
The file from Jaz’s flash drive has finished downloading.
TazI’m in.
TazThere’s a folder with my name on it.
ErikWhat’s in it?
TazI…I don’t know.
TazThere are a bunch of charts…numbers…
TazI think…it’s a physics paper.
ErikThe Singh twins — nerds, even in the afterlife.
TazJaz definitely did not write this paper.
ErikWell, what does it say?
TazIt’s really complicated…
TazWait. You know that professor who disappeared, Dr. Montgomery?
ErikYeah, what about her?
TazWhat did she teach?
ErikUm…according to the internet, she was a professor of quantum physics.
ErikBlack holes. Dark matter. That kind of thing.
TazWhy would Jaz want me to have this? It doesn’t make any sense.
ErikWait.
ErikIt says here that Dr. Montgomery was often shunned from the scientific community…
ErikBecause of her belief in the afterlife.
TazA physics professor who believes in ghosts?
TazBut wait… That means that what I saw…
ErikWas NOT a ghost.
ErikI’m sure this is all just one big coincidence.
TazWait, there’s a video.
Taz clicks play…
Her sister’s face fills the screen.
Taz stares blankly at the screen, processing what she just saw…
Until a STRANGE VOICE booms from above.
S.A.M.Hello, Tasneem Singh, and welcome to the PSI Laboratory.
Taz nearly falls over in her chair.
She looks around…
She opens her Ghost Glass filter and looks through it…
Nothing.
She’s alone.
TazUm, hello?
TazWho is this?
S.A.M.My name is S.A.M., short for Sentient AI Mainframe.
TazSam…
TazSAM!
TazMy sister—
S.A.M.We were all very sorry to hear of Jasline’s passing.
TazWe?
S.A.M.I was created to help Dr. Montgomery. By Dr. Montgomery.
TazDr. Montgomery!
TazSo, she’s alive?
S.A.M.Somewhat.
TazWhat do you mean somewhat?!
TazI need to talk to her — now!
S.A.M.Would you be so kind as to place your hand on the touchscreen?
Taz looks around…
It’s hard to imagine a touchscreen of any kind amid these piles of ancient trash.
But after digging for a moment, Taz uncovers one.
She places her hand on the screen.
The room begins to shake…
And the back wall slides open, revealing—
The REAL PSI Lab.
A spotless, state-of-the-art facility with chrome fixtures.
TazHoly crap—
S.A.M.Yes, the lab Dr. Montgomery built is quite impressive.
TazShe built all this? By herself?
S.A.M.Mostly, yes.
Taz walks over to a giant tube that seems to stretch on and on, as far as the eye can see.
TazWhat is this?
S.A.M.A particle accelerator…
S.A.M.Dr. Montgomery used it to study Dark Matter.
TazDark Matter?
S.A.M.Yes. Matter cannot be created or destroyed.
S.A.M.When a human dies, their body decomposes and their soul gets converted into Dark Matter.
TazSo…Dark Matter is like ghosts?
S.A.M.I suppose you could say that.
S.A.M.Unfortunately, one of Dr. Montgomery’s experiments went terribly wrong…
S.A.M.And, I am afraid that she now exists only as Dark Matter.
S.A.M.Tasneem, she would have wanted you to carry on her research.
TazWait…how do you know who I am?
S.A.M.Dr. Montgomery had been watching you, since you were a child.
TazWatching me? Why?
S.A.M.Because you, Tasneem Singh, are unique.
S.A.M.You possess abilities…
S.A.M.We call it The Touch.
S.A.M.Others call it a “sixth sense.”
S.A.M.The ability to sense and interact with Dark Matter.
TazYou’re joking.
S.A.M.No, I am perfectly serious.
S.A.M.While I do have the capacity for humor…
S.A.M.Our present topic is no joking matter.
TazSo I can see dead people.
S.A.M.With the right tools…yes.
S.A.M.You will notice that I have uploaded filters onto your phone…
S.A.M.Which allow you to access your powers more easily.
S.A.M.Even though you were born with the Touch…
S.A.M.You must work to sharpen your powers.
S.A.M.The filters I have given you will help you train.
S.A.M.With time, and practice, your powers will grow.
S.A.M.There are elements of your powers that even I do not yet understand.
TazBut…the shadow…that was real?
S.A.M.Yes. But only you could sense it.
S.A.M.And you could see it through the Ghost Glass filter.
S.A.M.But to anyone else, it was not there.
TazBut it reached out…it TOUCHED me.
S.A.M.Yes, that is what makes you extraordinary, Tasneem.
S.A.M.To my knowledge, no one has ever been able to interact with Dark Matter in that manner before.
TazI felt it.
TazI felt…her.
S.A.M.Her?
TazMy sister, Jasline.
TazThat was Jaz’s ghost, right?
S.A.M.I have not yet identified who, or what, reached out to you.
TazBut my sister…she also had the Touch, right?
S.A.M.I am afraid not.
TazI’m so confused.
S.A.M.There is so much we still do not understand about Dark Matter, but with every encounter…
S.A.M.Our knowledge grows.
S.A.M.We need your extraordinary abilities, Tasneem.
TazThis can’t be real.
TazYou can’t be real.
S.A.M.It is all very real.
S.A.M.Your powers have always been there, lurking beneath the surface…
S.A.M.Calling to you.
TazI…
TazWhat can I do?
S.A.M.If you choose to join our lab, your mission will be to investigate Dark Matter anomalies.
S.A.M.I will provide you with filters to help you with your missions.
S.A.M.Just like the Ghost Glass, Astute Arrow and Spy Glass filters you used tonight.
TazAnd what about those men out there? Why were they trying to shoot me?
S.A.M.If I am not mistaken, they were carrying stun guns — your life was not in real danger.
S.A.M.But beware of these men in the future — they are indeed willing to kill for what they want.
TazWhat do they want?
S.A.M.They are rogue scientists who wish to steal our research and use it for their own means.
S.A.M.This is a dangerous path, Tasneem.
S.A.M.I will not always be able to protect you.
TazI understand.
TazBut if I choose to join the PSI Lab and develop my powers, maybe one day…
TazI'll be able to see my sister again?
S.A.M.I cannot guarantee that, Tasneem.
S.A.M.But I suppose it is a possibility…
Taz looks around at the lab…
At all of the tools and gadgets.
And a smile spreads across her face.
She’s finally found her path.
TazWhen can I start?
S.A.M.I will be in touch.
S.A.M.But, before you leave here, heed this word of warning—
S.A.M.Be cautious when using your powers in public.
S.A.M.As you have seen tonight, Dark Matter entities become visible to others when you capture them in a photograph.
S.A.M.Do not reveal your powers to just anyone.
S.A.M.Tell only those you trust.
S.A.M.The world is not ready for the things you will see.
Later
Taz emerges from the underground lab…
And finds Erik, waiting.
She runs into his arms.
He hugs her tight—
And for a little too long.
Gently, she pulls away.
ErikTaz…I was so worried.
ErikWhen you didn’t respond, I ran down here…
ErikI legitimately thought you were dead.
TazI’m sorry.
ErikWhat happened in there?
TazI…
TazI don’t even know where to start.
TazBut he did say I could tell people I trust, so…
ErikWho said that?
ErikTaz, are you okay?
ErikI think we should take you to a hospital or something.
TazNo, really. I’m fine.
ErikSo tell me what happened.
ErikWe’re best friends. Don’t you trust me?
TazWith my life, but…
TazYou wouldn’t believe me.
ErikTry me.
TazLet’s go home.
TazWe can’t talk here.
TazBut Erik…
TazI’m going to see my sister again.
ErikHow?
TazGhosts—
ErikAre. Not. Real.
TazThey are.
TazJaz was right.
TazAnd now I can prove it to you.
Taz takes out her phone and opens Snapchat…
She pulls Erik in for a selfie…
And a new filter pops up on screen.
Behind them, dozens of shadows appear in the background.
Like ghosts hanging in the air…
Everywhere.
Taz snaps a picture.
ErikWhat is all that?
TazThat…
TazIs Dark Matter.