The Demons Who Steal Good People

1863...in the heart of Africa.

A painted face, as old as the ancient continent of Africa itself, hovers over a small fire. Watery eyes blink away thick smoke.  A withered black arm pokes and prods at hot coals. Searching for something…a sign, an omen, an explanation. 

Nothing. 

Other warriors watch.  Tense.  The fate of the village, the tribe, their families depend on the old man.  They all try to catch his eye for some basic reassurance, some glance directed from the ancestors, but the old man ignores them.  His eyes lock on a young boy who has crawled under the walls of the ceremonial hut to spy on them.

The old man shivers.  

The boy.  Yes. The boy. A simple goatherd named Chuma.  He studies the innocent face. Exhales a shaky breath, then closes his eyes.  

Images overwhelm him.

Fire canoes with white men. Arab demons who steal good people. Warriors fighting. The blood of thousands. And there, in the center of it all, is the boy Chuma.  But he is not alone. A girl...the forest child.  The one who talks to hyenas. 

The old Headman slowly opens his eyes.  The boy is gone.  

He motions the others close.  

It has started.

Two children against the whole world.

The demons are close.  The village will burn. 

The tribes will rise.

Africa will never be the same again.

The final scene from the script for Episode 1 follows.