[Swings squeaking]
[Thunder rumbles]
[Person crying]
[Heartbeat]
[Eerie music]
[Crickets chirping]
Psst!
Gary, over here.
What's the matter?
I still haven't come up with a story.
I'm empty, blank, drained.
Hollow, shallow, brainless.
This is serious.
I've been thinking all week.
Nothing is coming.
You're just blocked.
Stop trying so hard.
Something'll inspire you.
In two minutes?
No, by next week.
I knew you were having trouble--
Having fun, guys?
Uh, no. I mean, yeah.
So who's up tonight?
Tucker, right?
Yeah, right.
This better be good.
I just had the--
Tuck, I know this is unusual,
but would you mind if I went tonight instead?
I got an inspiration, and I'd really like to tell the story.
Really?
I mean, hey, when inspiration hits,
you got to go with it.
Is that okay with you guys?
- Yeah, sure. - Yeah, sure.
You never know when inspiration is gonna come.
You can't touch it. You can't see it.
You can't buy it.
It's something mystical
that opens you up to new possibilities.
But what if you could control someone's inspiration?
It would be like touching their mind.
Think of how fun it could be.
And think of how dangerous it could be
if used for evil.
Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society,
I call this story:
Cody was a talented girl with a real passion for art.
But like with all artists,
sometimes inspiration was hard to come by.
I knew I'd find you here.
Mom's gonna be ticked if you're late for dinner again.
Let me see.
What's wrong?
Lucas, what do you see over there?
A tree.
Exactly. That's what I see too.
Wait. You lost me.
Okay, if you want to create art--
I mean, the kind of art that moves someone--
then you have to see more than what's obvious.
You have to become a part of what you're drawing,
or it's just gonna be lines on paper.
I know how to make lines.
I'm not so sure I'm ever gonna know how to draw.
I think you're the most talented person I know.
Hey, you'll get it.
Be patient.
So you really think
I'm the most talented person you know?
Absolutely.
Then again, I don't really know many people.
Hello.
Hello?
Hello.
What's your name?
Can I draw your picture?
Why don't you sit down?
Hey!
Your hat!
[Sign creaking]
Welcome to the Hunter Gallery.
The little girl that just came in here
dropped this hat.
There is no little girl here.
Oh, she must've just gone out the door.
I'll keep it in case she comes by.
I love the paintings.
Thank you.
It is some of my best work.
You're the artist?
I am. Mrs. Briar.
Oh, I wish I had your talent.
Are you an artist?
Sort of.
Right now, I'm kind of blocked.
Really?
Yeah.
It seems the harder I try, the further away it gets.
These are wonderful.
There's almost something mystical about them.
It's no coincidence that you've come here today, Cody.
Come.
Let me show you something.
I think this might interest you.
How did you know my name was Cody?
Are they yours?
No.
They came to me from many sources.
It's like they were abandoned.
Well, sometimes an artist's vision
will simply end before it's complete.
I keep these as a reminder that art is a struggle.
Take your time.
Perhaps they will inspire you.
Jenna, what are you doing?
Oh, the brush you gave me is too thick.
I needed a finer tip.
I have told you to use only one brush.
Jenna, you know my philosophy.
Inspiration comes from the artist, not from tools.
Cody.
Are you all right, dear?
Yeah.
The painting--
how sad it never got finished.
Perhaps you'd like to finish it.
Me?
I often allow young artists to complete one of these paintings.
Jenna is working on one now.
Sometimes it's just the thing they need
to overcome an artistic block.
[Laughs] I'd love to.
There's one thing.
My students all work here, where I can help them along.
Oh, yeah.
Sure, of course.
This is great. When can I start?
Tomorrow?
Tomorrow's perfect.
Thank you.
You know, you won't regret this.
Bye.
I'm sure I won't.
Another lamb has wandered our way.
[Laughs]
[Horn chirps]
The morning light is much better on this side of the room.
Ah.
And now...
I prefer that you use one of my simple brushes.
Inspiration comes from the artist, not from tools.
I'll get your paints.
[Instrumental music]
[Shrieks]
[Screams]
It's late.
I must have fallen asleep.
Let's go.
This isn't the way home.
Lucas?
Hello?
Don't finish the painting.
Destroy it before it's too late.
[Gasps]
It's freezing,
and you're laying on the ground.
[Chuckles] I know; you're artistic.
You live in the Ozone.
I just had the weirdest dream.
Oh, so you're sleeping on the ground too?
Lucas, I'm not so sure
I should be working on that painting.
Why?
I don't know.
It's somebody else's work.
Maybe it's wrong.
Well, I don't know much about art.
I do know you've been stuck for ideas.
And since you started working on that painting,
you're drawing like crazy.
If it works, stick with it.
Magnificent.
There's only one thing missing.
What?
Your signature.
But it's not really my painting.
You gave the painting life.
You deserve to sign it.
There's a new painting in the art gallery,
the three girls.
One of my favorites.
Wasn't that the painting Jenna was working on?
No.
In fact, Jenna will not be coming back.
Why not?
I do not know.
She phoned to say she would not be returning.
I see you are nearly finished.
You should get to work.
[Gentle instrumental music]
[Ominous music]
[Water gurgling]
It's my dream.
[Girls screaming]
[Gasps]
[Phone line ringing]
Please be home.
Come on. Somebody please pick up.
- Hello. - Lucas!
Lucas, you have to come and get me.
Something really weird is going on here.
I don't know,
but something really bad happened
to the girl that was here before.
I'm scared.
What are you doing?
[Gasps]
Uh, looking for paint thinner.
I finished the painting.
Really?
May I see?
Talent like yours is a rare gift.
All you have to do is sign it.
Uh, I wouldn't feel right
signing my name to somebody else's work.
This is your work, Cody.
You created the soul of this painting.
Be proud.
And sign it.
- I--I really have to go.
[Laughing]
Cody?
I'm sorry. The gallery is closed.
Where's Cody?
I don't know anyone by that name.
What?
She came here to work on this painting.
I dropped her off myself.
Perhaps one of my associates would know of her.
Please wait here.
Cody?
There will be others.
Where is she?
Where's who?
[Coughs]
The lady from the gallery.
[Gasps]
You should come with me.
I want you to meet someone.
It's the brushes.
[Screams]
Become a hunter for me,
and live forever.
[Laughing]
I think you'll like him.
Lucas! It's the brushes.
They trap people inside paintings.
[Laughs]
You tread on dangerous ground, young one.
Give me the brushes.
Forget it. You're done.
- Done?
[Laughs]
I have hunted for centuries,
and I will hunt for centuries to come.
You cannot stop me.
Maybe not.
But your victims can.
No!
[Moaning]
[Screams]
What happened?
Jenna, are you okay?
I think so.
Who was she?
I don't think we'll ever know.
Cody's artistic block soon vanished,
because she was able to draw inspiration
from all the spirits she freed from their living nightmares.
The end.
Nice job.
- Cool. - That was really good.
Thank you.
So you going next week?
Absolutely.
I declare this meeting of the Midnight Society closed.
That was a great story.
[Water sizzling]
I owe you one.
Oh, no problem.
You going to be okay for next week?
I think so.
I just got to look around for some inspiration.
What made you think of that story?
- You. - Get out of here.
I'm serious.
You were having trouble being creative.
I saw a story there.
Yeah.
Cool.
At least you're good for something.
[Chuckles] Come on.