THIRTEEN MATCHES

THIRTEEN MATCHES
by AC Maki

SURVIVAL/DRAMA

Office Assistant, AIDEEN RAY (32), is an intelligent and capable woman, but nothing could have prepared her what lie ahead—not even the rock-climbing lessons with her non-committal boyfriend, ETHAN (35).

To keep up her perfect image, Aideen hides that she cares for her sick mother, that she is very close to. One afternoon, her Mother shares an unusual story with her – as a child, she recalls Aideen playing with cicadas; they swarmed and formed a pattern around her hands. She captured one, then set it free. Aideen doesn’t believe her, because she’s terrified of bugs. She reminds her to be cautious, but not fearful.

Ethan asks Aideen to go on a climbing trip. The night before, Ethan reveals his college friend, SENNA (25) will join them. At the campground, Senna and Ethan get close. Aideen is angry, but stuck. When they prep, Ethan tosses Aideen a book of matches. That night, Ethan never comes to bed. The next morning, she finds them in the same tent. Crushed, she storms out and walks the wrong way. Hours later, Aideen can't find her way back, there is no cell service and it begins to rain.

She walks across a bog and the ground gives way - she is SWALLOWED by a sinkhole and lands on a cave floor. She tries to get out the same way but fails and goes into the cave instead. After a series of raw survival experiences with only a phone flashlight— she ends up back to where she started.

When her cell phone dies, she lights the first match of 13, burning her personal items in order of importance. She begins with her boyfriend’s photo. After enduring extreme trauma, she is left with only her clothes to burn and a dihedral wall in front of her—an expert climb. She climbs up naked, but DROPS the matchbook and has to climb back down. With only two matches left, she burns her mother’s photo that gives her only seconds of light to say goodbye. She holds the last match, then blows it out, making the choice to stay. In total darkness, she hears cicadas BUZZING above her. She follows the sound and scrapes at the rocks. A sliver of light streams in and reveals the cicadas around her hands. She pulls herself out and collapses onto the ground. A child with a bug catcher finds her in the weeds.

The news takes off with the story as Aideen is in the intensive care unit. When she recovers, she finds out her mother has died. After weeks of recovery, Aideen visits her mother’s house and is amazed to find the garden is in full bloom.

Theresa has a party for Aideen and it is clear Ethan has fallen in love with Aideen—but she’s not sure where she fits in. Trying to get back to normal, Aideen drives to work, but instead heads toward the airport. Ethan follows. He pulls her over and tells her he wants to start a life with her. Aideen tells him she was not really trapped in the cave but here. When they say goodbye, Aideen turns and tosses him a book of matches.

Aideen walks through the airport, backpack swung on her shoulders- scars on her face, a rawness that can only be earned.