Paralyzed - Chapter 15: Cold Hell - Part 4/4

Episode Date: June 16, 2020

Here it is!! The Season finale!!The deer men stalk the halls as the ship deteriorates. The group is restless, but unable to come to a decision. Shane wants them to leave without him; feeling that this nightmare they're living is his fault. Is it? Has Shane's nightmares become a reality? His father did warn him. With the fog came something dark, something evil... Can they escape?Music:"Wounded," "Thunder Dreams," "Anxiety," "Giant Wyrm," "Unseen Horrors," "Bump in the Night," "Come Play with Me," "Ghostpocalypse - 8 Epilog" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"Delerium," "FlyOnTheWall," "ReLHop," "PsychOp," Bad Dreams," "Advent of the Covenant," "trim," "Just," "Strange Bedfellows," and "Boom" by Elderich T'Challa of Nemesis Black @ reverbnation.com/nemesisblack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey everyone. Robert here, writer and producer of Paralyzed. If you're enjoying this series and would like to help us out, we are on Patreon. In fact, we've been hard at work on our Patreon page. We have multiple tiers to choose from depending on how much you'd like to donate. Any amount helps us out greatly. You can donate as little as a dollar a month. Right now, we have a lot of great content, including bloopers, outtakes, scripts, chats with the cast, videos, and new podcasts, all depending on what tier you choose. We also have some Paralyzed bonus episodes. releasing within the next month or two, including some side stories featuring Joel and Julia from season two. So if you'd like to check out our page, you can go to patreon.com slash 7LAMB, the number 7, LAMB. Thanks and enjoy the season finale of Paralyzed. Seven Lamb presents. Chapter 15

Cold Hell Part 4 I hate you! Bro one more thing, do it. I hate you! You are crazy! I'm crazy! This is every other fucking day!

Because of you, you're so fucked up in the head, and you won't even get help. Get help. Get better aim, too. Fucking asshole! You never cared about me! You just pretended to as you fucked those whores! Yeah, that's right. Throw all the blame my way.

Blame me for everything, like you always do. You always do. It's not like I pay for all the bills, the electric, the food, the insurance. And I'm supposed to let everything else just slide? I do. What the hell does that mean? You act like I'm the only one who's ever fucked up. Don't even try that shit with me.

That fake, good wife, good mother personality only works with friends and our... Don't you dare say it. Our son deserves better. Says the fucking guy that won't even spend. any time with him. If only he knew the truth. What truth is? The drugs, the alcohol. He knows all about your devices, even though I try to hide it from him. Do you? Because I'm pretty sure you throw me under the bus any chance you get. Why don't you tell him all the times you're fucking high and completely out of it? You'll shift blame, as long as it makes you look good. That's all you care

about, looks and attention. Says the guy who fucked the next door neighbor's daughter. She was of age. Disgusting. I should have never taken you back. Don't worry. I feel the same way. I may hide some shit from our son, but it's because I'm trying to protect him. I'm trying to change. I'm like you.

That's why you're throwing plates at my fucking head. I don't want you in here. I'm out. Now! Fine. I'll leave you. Steve, good luck paying for everything with your shitty-ass part-time job, and make sure to let Shane know that I tried spending time with him when possible. But your fucking bullshit kept me away.

Excuses. Nah, it's the truth. I want to spend time with him. Just can't do it when I hate being around you so much. I'm sure he'll understand eventually. Leave us for good. Do it. But don't act like you're a good father.

I'm just glad he's not here to see you like this. But maybe that's why you sent him to a friend's house. tonight, so he didn't have to see his psycho mother be in a fucking nutcase. I hate you. Take care. Tell Shane, I love him. Ha, why? It's not fucking true. And tell him I went out for lott tickets. I don't give a shit anymore.

We're going to be able to be. I'm gonnae. ...andahe... ...notes... ...that... ...this... ...and... ...and...

...and... ...the... ...the... ...and... ...the... ...and... Shane, you said the Shadow Man told you to the Shadow Man told you to... Run?

He always tells me to run. But now, I can't. Has the Shadow Man been on this ship? Yes. Like your father? Yes. What are you trying to get at? Nothing, just trying to figure out what's going on.

Which won't happen. Shane, is your father and the Shadow Man ever together? I mean, do you ever see them together? No, why? Yes, please. enlighten us. His father tells him we're going to die. The shadow man tells him to run.

So? Does the shadow man do or say anything else? Sometimes he points. He points. He tells you to run and then he points in a direction? Could he be trying to tell you where to run? Maybe, but it wasn't always when I was in immediate danger. Well, we are now.

Yeah, but... I don't know what the shadow man is. I don't, I don't think I should listen to him. Where does he normally point? That's when I noticed the shadow man, looming in the corner of the room. Shane? The shadow man slowly raised his arm and pointed towards the balcony outside. Shane where does he point

Shane are you okay what's wrong with him what's he looking at Shane where does he point right now he's pointing outside he's here

in the room yes in the corner everyone spun around I don't see shit Could things get any creepier Of course they couldn't see him Only I could It was a curse

Dale is now sitting On the foot of the bed Facing me again Do you think he's trying to help you Help us? No No Why?

Because we're We're going to die here. No. Shane, we're not. You hear me? We're not going to die here. He said it was too late. The shadow man?

Is he talking to you? No. Then who? My dad. He said it's too late. You're going to die. There. They're going to die.

I can't listen to this anymore. I can't. Cora. Skye, we're leaving. Now, jumping doesn't seem like such a bad option now, does it? No, it doesn't. I saw Cora grab her pipe and rested on her shoulder. If anybody else cares to join, we're leaving now.

Same plan as before. Now? Yes, Sky. It's time we get off this ship. Grab your knife and let's go. Whoa, whoa, we shouldn't split up. Why, we did it before? Well, that was a mistake.

Is it? I told you we should have left that kid down there in the elevator. What did you say? We should have left your boyfriend in the fucking engine room. Fuck you. You already have. Or he has. Hell, all of you have.

You've all fucked us. Oh, please do not bring up the drunken make-out session right now. I don't give a shit about any make-out. I don't want to die here on this fucking ship. And while I think you're a stuck-up brat, I do agree with your analysis of the paralyzed kid. Maybe this isn't all stemming from some fucked up nightmare. Maybe he's just a paranoid schizophrenic.

I really don't know. What I do know is it's time to leave. And I don't want to be anywhere near him or you people. You can't leave. You have to help me move him. I don't have to do shit. Cora! He told us we need to run. How will we be able to run while we lug his heavy ass on a broken door?

We nearly died last time. Oh, so you're going to go off Shane's advice then? No. Running is about the only option we have. Erica. Yeah? You should go. What?

You should go With them Uh Shane What about you? I can't Run I'm not leaving you

Babe I I think it may be the only way for you to get out of this And I don't know why or how But this All of this It's my fault

Don't say that It is I can feel it Deep down, I think I think that's why I am the way I am. I could see her fighting back tears. Everyone in the room watched us. Shane, is the shadow man still in the room?

No, but he pointed outside. And once again, we are back at the bright conclusion. We have to get off this ship. I won't leave you. Erica, please. Something bad is coming. You have to leave. Erica, maybe he's right.

Fuck off, Michelle. Really? You want me to leave Shane here to die? No. But if he's saying to go, then that's probably what we should do. We got him here. We can get him the rest of the way. I'll slow you down, Emma.

I'm telling you, you all have to go. You all need to stick together and run. As fast as you can He's right And we need to do it now Well, we're fucking ready Coor and Sky started unblocking the door Be careful

Give us a hand, will you? Erica, please I'm gonna stay No, babe You can't, please I'm begging you to go Erica, we can get help Come on, that is complete bullshit

And you know it Not if we get off the ship. They finish clearing the debris. Listen, buddy, we can load you onto the door or hell. Carry you. I don't want to go. I've been a burden and this shit is my fault. I want you to go without me and get off this fucking ship before you all die.

You too, Erica. She backed away from me, shocked by my demeanor. tears slid down her face I went back for you enough waiting let's do this Dale joined Corrin's sky by the door as I watched them

I was suddenly hit by a shooting pain in my temple it was painful it was painful ah Shane Erica Come on, we're leaving. I can't.

This doesn't feel right. Erica. I can't leave you. I wasn't even paying attention to Erica or Michelle. My head was throbbing. That's when I got to chill. The hairs. On the back of my neck, stood.

I felt them stand. Ready? Yeah. Wait, wait. Wait, don't, don't over the door. But it was too late. Dale had pulled the door open to reveal the hulking beast. The deer head staring down at Dale, blood dripping from the deer's knock.

Oh shit. Machete rose and sliced quickly, coming straight through Dale. Time move slowly. The deer-headed figure pushed through. Dale's body split until you fell to the floor. Everyone else panicked. Cora pushed sky aside just as the large figure raised its machete. Cora held up her pipe

She blocked its attack But it's sworn again And again Go Get out of here, Scott Guy called back towards the balcony There was no way past the deer-headed Figure

It was too large Blocking the entire door The shell ran towards the figure The axe held high But it caught her swing and threw her back Rip him the axe from her hands The figure threw the axe to the other side of the room and focused its attention back on Cora.

Erica, you have to go. Now, please, go. I can't leave you. There's no time. Go. Please, please. Where? The balcony.

Oh, God. Cora had her left arm sliced open. She still held her ground and tried to lead the deer-headed figure away. It didn't matter now. You know the creatures were coming. I could hear them crawling this way. What do we do? We fucking run!

Run! I took one last look at Shane and then grab the sky. I picked her up. Rogers slammed open the balcony door. The thing broke into a thousand pieces. I couldn't believe I was leaving Shane. But he told me to go. He must have known something.

I had to trust him no matter how much it hurt. I took one final look at him. He weakly smiled as tears slipped down his face. I wanted to say something, but Michelle pushed me outside. I looked down, over the railing. What do we do? We jump. We'll die if we jump.

We'll die if we stay, Roger. What about that? We can climb up. Roger pointed to the deck above us. The railing didn't seem that far up. A section just above the balcony dipped down. But could we jump to it? We can't make that.

Sure, we can. We have no other option. I'll... I'll go first. I climbed on top of the balcony's railing and pressed my body against the cold and rusted ship. I was scared, but I could do it. I jumped and grabbed the railing.

Pieces of paint crumbled off, but I held my grip. Erica! I'm fine. I'm fine. I pulled myself up and over, nearly slipping on the wet floor. I made it. Come on, you guys can do this.

You're next. Go. What about Cora? She needs her. She's distracting to think. Go! Cora! Go! I reached over the top railing and waited for Sky.

She cleaned up and readied herself. I got you. Jump! She jumped, grabbing onto the railing. I grabbed her arm and quickly pulled her up and over. Oh my God. You okay? Yeah. Come on, Michelle!

Hurry! I saw Roger help her up onto the railing. Ready? Yes! Jump! Quora wasn't doing war. She had been slashed several times across the arms, body, and even face. The clothes were soaked in blood.

The deer had a figure lumbered towards her in the corner. She weakly picked up the pipe and held it up. But she seemed to be out of breath. Tired. weak unable to fight anymore but it was too late like dad said

the thing raised its machete one final time and swung it slicing Kora across her face blood blood poured down from her open nose and split cheeks oh shit

the thing turned and looked out towards the balcony the other deer-headed creatures appeared crawling on the ceiling he eyed me a moment before turning around and crawling back out of the room, but, but why? I didn't know how Eric and Michelle planned on getting out, but the large deer-headed figure must have noticed something. It made its way slowly to the balcony. No. Over here. I'm right here. Hey! Hey! Over here! But it didn't

look my way. Go, Michelle! Michelle jumped to the railing, but she slipped. But luckily, Sky and I grabbed her just in time. It's okay. We've got you. Thanks. Lift! We pulled her up and over.

Jesus. Come on, Roger. All three of us leaned over the railing to see Roger nervously climbing up to the top of the railing. Hurry up, damn it! I'm going! I'm going! Come on! Michelle pushed me to the side and reached for him.

Okay. One... Two... Three! He lunged, but missed the railing. Ah! No! Michelle and I grabbed him just in time.

His feet kicked wildly as he tried to get flitting on the side of the ship. Ah, shit, shit! You're okay! We have you! Stop moving so much! so much. Pull me up. As we lifted with all of our strength, I caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye. The thing, it was on the balcony.

Pull me up, pull me up, pull me up, pull me. No! The machete had sliced straight through Roger and onto the side of his ship, the lower half of his body falling into the fog below. No! God, no! Sky fell back and crawled from the railing,

but Michelle and I kept holding on to Roger's arms. He twitched a bit, eyes wide, blood spewed from his mouth. The deer-headed thing pulled the machete back, and Roger's organs and entrails fell out of his body. I vomited in my mouth. No, Roger! No! Help me, Erica!

We got you. We'll pull you up! But it didn't matter. He was dead. I let go and fell back, wiping my mouth. Erica, this guy! Someone help me! But she knew as well as we did. Roger was gone.

No! Fuck you. Fuck you! Fuck you! I got up and ran back to the railing where Michelle was still holding on to Roger's lifeless body. She refused to let go. On the balcony, the things stood,

looking at us with those blank dear eyes, the machete dripping with blood. She slowly relaxed her grip, and Roger fell into the fog. I pulled Michelle back from the railing. They're dead. They're all dead. She was right. Even though we didn't see it, odds are shame and cora were dead too. They're dead. But we didn't have time to dwell.

I had to take charge or we would be dead too. I fought back tears and anger. Okay. We need to move. Fuck that. We do. Michelle, we're on the main deck. If we head straight down, we could reach the lifeboats.

But neither Michelle nor Sky moved. Come on, unless you want to die here, too. The lifeboats don't move. Roger said there was a way, so let's find it. There's nothing. Bullshit. Come on, Michelle. Come on, Sky.

Get up. I ran over and picked her up. Come on. We won't make it. Not if we sit here. Cora helped us escape. She gave us a chance. Let's not waste it.

And Michelle, Roger said there were rafts. Let's find one. Come on. I held Sky and walked forward, but stopped when I noticed Michelle not following. Michelle, let's go. Those things could be here any minute. She turned and faced the railing. He's gone.

I'm sorry, but he's gone. We need to go. Come on, Michelle. You hear that? We need to go. Michelle! Michelle! Michelle!

That's when I realized what she was about to do. She climbed up onto the railing. No, no, no, no, no! But she didn't stop. She looked at me with saddened eyes. Michelle, don't! And then stepped over the bush. No!

Oh my God! And without a word, she was gone. My head was still pounding. I couldn't believe how bad it was. But it wasn't my focus anymore. The tall deer-headed figure made its way back into the room. It made its way over to me. What do you want?

It suddenly grabbed my leg and pulled me. No. No! No! I fell off the bed and hit my head against the frame. Hard. My vision became blurry and everything became dark. I don't know. I don't know.

I don't know. I don't see anything. What are we going to do? Keep searching. We were on the main deck near the center of the ship. Many of the lifeboats that hung above us were now on the floor of the main deck, broken and unusable. We may not have been sinking, but everything on the ship is falling apart. Maybe we should try lowering one of these ships.

I don't see how. Most of those ropes have snapped, and they're too heavy. But what if we can't find a raft? Roger mentioned them being on the ship. I do remember them mentioning inflatable canisters during the test drill. I just... I just don't remember where. Didn't they say that workers would use them?

I don't remember. Only that they were stored in canisters. Maybe they're not here. Maybe they're on another deck. No, I doubt they'd be higher. But if they could be carried... Let's try the back of the ship first. The lifeboats end over here.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, look! Near the back of the ship was an opened, inflatable raft, but it was shredded and completely unusable. That's not going to work. No, but look at the canister. I just saw something. A creature? I think so. Where?

Inside. Through the window. We were running at a time. Wait, look here. You found one? It looks unused. It's tied down. Help me with it.

How do we do this? I skimmed over the instructions while Sky came a lookout. We have to lower it into the water. But how do we get in? I held up the rope. We'll climb down. I tied some rope to a sturdy bit of the railing. Sky tied the other end to the canister.

Good? Do you think this will work? Looks fine. Let's hurry. I threw the canister overboard. You ready now? I guess. Hold on tight. How far is it? Just go slowly.

Okay. I'm going to go first so I can open the raft. Okay. We climbed down the rope, which was slippery. I gripped as tightly as I could and lowered myself gently. We made our way past a few windows, which put me on edge. Oh, careful. I slid down a bit. Lower and lower. Finally, I could see the water.

Hey, we're close. A bit of ice stripped it passed. It bumped into the floating raft canister. The canister bobbed, but didn't drift far. Regardless, we were going to have to get into the water. I'm going to look forward to that. I'm slipping. Sky? Hang on. We're almost there. Oh, shit.

They're here. Suddenly, the rope jolted. I jolted again, and then started rising. Shit! The rope was being pulled up. I couldn't see anything because of the fog, but it had to be one of those things. What do we do? Keep climbing down.

But we weren't fast enough. We were rising. The water getting further away. I looked down and noticed more ice floating paths. It knocked into the ship and bobbing the water. What do we do? What do we do? I still had my knife and ice going to go.

I thought about cutting the rope, but it was so slippery that if I had reached for the knife right now, it'd most like we're far. What do we do? Screw it. It was time. We don't have any other option. We have to jump. Go! We can't wait. Jump sky. Let go. I didn't wait for her. I let go of the rope and fell.

The water was rigid, painful. I scrambled for the surface. The coldness took my breath away. I had to get out. I looked up to see Skye falling out of the fog above. But she didn't land on the water. Instead, she hit ice and cracked it and chew. Sky!

Skye! Skye! Help me! I didn't have time to think. Blood came to the surface around Sky. I tried to reach for her, but the water was pulling me down. but the water was pulling me back. We were too close to the ship.

I had to act fast. The canister was close, just out of reach. No! Come on! I reached again, getting pulled further and further away. Help me! Help me! I reached again and again. Finally, I was able to grab the rope.

I hung on with every bit of strength. That's when I noticed sky floating past. No! Please! Help! Help! Oh! Shit! I reached out with my other hand and grabbed onto one. holler. I pulled her in close. Grab onto me.

She did. She reached up and put her arm around my neck. It hurt, but I didn't have time to think about it. I needed both hands with a rope. I slid a bit, moving towards the canister. Can you grab it? I... I think so. Get it. I'm trying to.

Oh shit. Hang on. A piece of ice hit us, knocking us back. Salt while I filled my mouth. Get it, Sky. I got it Just then I felt the rope tugging Oh God, not again We were being pulled up

Shit, sky Open the clasp What? The handle I don't see it We were getting closer to the side of the ship We're being pulled up sky Find the handle now

I held on with every bit of energy But I needed my knife If I still had it I can't I can't Hurry She spun the box behind the head Wait I found it

Open it open it She tugged on the handle. I took a chance and reached for my net. I slid on the rope as the current police. Yes! Got it! The canister lid popped open and a large orange raft began to follow there. We were now right next to the ship. I'm in! I'm in! It wasn't done filling that, but it was close enough.

She pulled herself up and over. Some water got in, but, oh well, she helped me get up. I got you. We got it. We got it. Um, we're still being pulled up. Shit. I leaned up and saw the raft was attached to the canister by a thin cable. We were right against the ship now.

We were at the ship. The raft was being lifted up against it. No! Fuck this. I still had my knife. I tried cutting the cable, but had trouble. The rope! I got it.

I quickly cut through the rope. Hurry! Hang on! Got it! The rope snapped and we fell several feet. I don't know. I don't know. And...

I looked over at Skye, who was shivering. She was battered and bruised. Her leg was bleeding. I lost my glasses. It's okay. And my knife. Sky, it's okay. We slowly drifted into the fog.

I had no idea where we were going, but at least we were away from the ship. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. ...hear... ...withal... ...withal... ...their...

...the... When I came to, I was in a home to, I was in a home way, I was in a hallway. Watching the blue emergency lights blink on and off. Water was coming through all the cracks in the ceiling. Splashing me as I was dragged along the gross carpet. I saw the back of the deer-headed figure. Every once in a while, the antlers would scrape along the ceiling. But I kept walking.

Pulling my limp body. Where was it taking me? When my vision came back fully, I saw I was in an auditorium. The ceiling was high above me. Dark red torn curtains hung loosely on the walls, but somewhere in a pile on the ground, covered in mold. What was that sound?

Suddenly the thing stopped dragging me. It turned, lifted me up and threw me into a chair. It stared at me while I listened to this weird, the weird. Then that's when I realized. It was Erica and me. That was the night we filmed. The deer-headed figure turned my body in my head so I was facing the seat next to me. And in the seat next to me sat.

My father, he was watching the tape on the crack screen of the camera. What? The What are you doing? I told you it was too late. I didn't have time. That's okay, Shane. It'll all be over shortly.

What will? He didn't answer. Just kept watching the sex tape. What the fuck was he doing? Why would you watch that? Dad? Sorry. Close the screen and turned off the camera.

No time for that now. It's starting. What is? He leaned over and touched my face. He turned it so I... I could see the large projection screen at the end of the room. It was dirty and torn. Suddenly the screen became a light blue. Numbers and letters flashed across it and then it went white. Let's watch our favorite part.

What is this? Your favorite movie, Shane? What came on the screen was something unusual. I wasn't vaguely familiar. It was water. The ocean, maybe? I don't know what this is. You love this movie.

You love the birds. The scene showed a small raft floating along the calm water, an iceberg in the distance. Was this Alaska? Remember watching this together? this wasn't the birds I had no idea what I was watching you and your father

would watch this nearly once a month it was his favorite movie and quickly became yours the raft grew bigger as it got closer to the camera on the raft were two huddled bodies and one of them

lifted their head and looked out at the horizon which was covered in a thick fog Was that sky? It was your first scary movie. Your father told you not to tell your mother, and you never did. The two people started paddling. They headed for some land.

I could see a dark forest in the distance. That's when I noticed the other person in the raft was... Erica! And you and your father would tell inside jokes, because mother didn't like horror movies, and she didn't want you watching them. But every time she was away, you too would watch. Erica.

The raft floated towards the coastline. Erica jumped out when it was shallow enough and pulled the raft to shore. Sky climbed out too. She appeared injured. It was just them. What happened to Michelle and Roger? He watched other horror movies too,

but none matched the first one. And now it's your favorite. movie. It was his, and now it's yours. This isn't the movie. What is this? What is this? But when he walked out on you and your mother, you never watched it again. You stopped until you met Erica. Then you had to show her. You had to show her your favorite movie. Eric and Sky looked back at the waters if they heard something, but I couldn't tell because there was no sound. But the panic in their eyes was evident. They ran into the woods, into the darkness.

Your father thought of you. What? Right before he died. I told you. I'm not your father, Shane. Back on the screen, I could see the water splashing. Something, something was just underneath the surface. Do you understand, Shane?

Slowly, creatures started to emerge from the shallow water. But it wasn't the deer creatures. It was other, more skeletal creatures. Their grotesque faces screamed towards the woods. They crawled at the dirt. bending and twisted into abhorrent shapes. There were three of them. Erica.

Do you understand, Shane? What, no. I don't. What's going to happen to them? What's going to happen to me? Do you understand? My father was staring at me. That's when I noticed a deerhead figure was still standing next to me as well. What I noticed is his hand out to me.

In his hand, a machete. Is he giving this to me? Do you understand? I can't move. Yes, you can, Shane. No. I'm paralyzed. No, you're not.

That's when my finger twitched. What the hell? I could feel my hands, my feet. I move my legs. My headache was still there, but everything else just felt fine. How do I help her? But he didn't answer. I turned my attention to the deer-headed figure who remained motionless.

I slowly grabbed the machete from its hand. It is time. What's out there? Something dark. Something evil. Something dark. Something evil? He nodded.

Is it still too late? Yes, Shane. It is. I didn't want to believe him. If it was too late, why would he give me this hope? I slowly got from my seat and inch past the tall deer-headed figure. Dad went back to watching the movie on the screen. I started to pick up the pace as I made for the doors, but neither

of the mood. Right when I left the auditorium, I let out a long breath. I gripped the machete tightly and did what I should have done when I was first warned about the encroaching fog. I ran. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know I'm

And... ...and... ...their... ...their... ...and... I'd made my way along the deck, expecting to see the creatures, but there was nothing. It was eerily quiet. That's when I noticed a moth fluttered by my head and towards the back of the ship.

I followed. Around the corner, I saw the moth land on a two-foot long white canister. hanging limply over the railing. It was cracked open, slightly. I went over to it. It was a raft. I noticed several others laying on the deck. Warner's raft was open.

It was torn. Is this how I reached her? I unclipped the canister. BAM! It inflated and swung up against the side of the ship. I'm coming, Erica. I'm coming to get you. I'm cold.

Me too. We had been floating for a while. Nothing but fog surrounded us. What if we float too far out to sea? I... I don't know, Skye. I just wanted to get away from that ship. Me too.

Do you think Michelle made it? I don't want to think about it right now, okay? Okay. We were huddled in the center of the raft. I couldn't control my shaking. How long could we last out here? What was that? I don't know.

Maybe it's just an animal. There's something under us. Did you feel that? I did. It could just be a piece of ice. Under us? Or fish or seal? I don't know, Sky.

I leaned over the raft, cautiously, paring into the water. Anything? Nothing. Sky leaned over the other side. What? What is it? I saw a face. What? I saw a face. In the water.

No, no, no. That can't be. There's something in the water. Calm down. There's something under us, Erica. Stop. You're rocking the raft. Don't make us flip. There was already a lot of. water in the raft. What are we brought on board when we climbed in? I'm telling you, it was a face. But you don't have your glasses. I know what I saw. Shit. It's swimming around us.

What, what kind of face? What, what kind of face was it? I don't know. It looked like a monster. A deer? No, a monster. Just then, I noticed a tree in the distance. A tall pine poking through the fog. Hey, look. What? Land. Help me. I don't want to put my hand in the water. I need help, Sky. She slowly lowered her arm and started to help me paddle to shore. It didn't take long before we saw the wooded shoreline.

Come on, we're almost there. We hit rocks and we quickly jumped out. Sky was still hurt from landing on the ice. She grabbed her leg. I got you. I got you. Did you hear that? Oh, no!

Shit! How is this possible? They found it. Come on, move! We headed for the woodline. Sky leaned on me the whole way. I leaned against a tree and looked back. I could see weird, protest creatures crawling from the water.

God. They weren't the deer-headed ones. These were different. They looked deformed. Almost melted. Are they coming? Yes, we need to run. Where do we go?

I don't know, just run. I was lucky to find transport, but however what I find Erica, I'd been floating for a while aimlessly, and she could be anywhere. I'd watched her in Sky head into the woods, but there were creatures after them. Could I make it to her in time? I looked around, but saw nothing. Just fog. Hello? Oh, God.

One of those things. Was I close? Once again, I saw a moth. Is it the same one from the ship? I didn't know. It landed on the back of my hand a moment before once again taking flight. I had to follow it. We're not going to get away.

Don't say that. We have no idea where we are. We'll find our way out. I was staying positive to keep my sanity. To keep my calm while we blindly ran through the woods. We've been running for a while and it was quickly dissipating. I'm tired, Erica. I'm tired.

I held up my knife. Sky lost hers, so this was our only form of protection. Sky, get up. Sky, come on, get up! I can't. I can't. We're not safe here. We're not safe anywhere.

And she said that I stopped moving. She was right. There was nowhere to go. Those things had followed us after we left the ship. And now there were more. Maybe this really was hell. I waited through the water till I had the rack firmly on shore.

I didn't see Erica's around. But I had to be close. The moth is gone now, having disappeared into the brush. Sadly, I couldn't keep up. No matter. I held up the machete and marched into the dark foreboding woods. You have to get up. I can't.

I'm too tired. My leg hurts. I can't see. She was holding her side now. I sat her up against a tree. I don't. I don't want to die here. We had to keep moving.

Shane said run. That's what we had to do. I checked our surroundings, and that's when I noticed a light in the. distance. Hey, Sky, I see something. So do I. You see the light? No. I see Cora.

What? When I turned around, I noticed a creature coming out of the darkness, hauling behind Sky. No! The creature grabbed her by the neck and pulled her into the darkness. Help me! No! No!

Rovey! Rovey! That sounded like Sky. They had to be close. That sounded like Sky. They had to be close. Shit. Shit. Leave me alone. I held up the machete waiting to strike.

The shadow man may be coming for me, but I wouldn't let him take me. I had to reach Erika. I had to save her. I spun around. and there he was, the dark figure hovering a foot off the ground. Back off. Run. Wrong.

Fuck you! Ha! I swung at the shadow man, but it didn't hurt him. The blade cut right through his body as he slowly dissolved and disappeared from view. Son of a bitch. I spun around looking for him, but all I saw was darkness. Until... Light.

In the distance. Guy! Erika! I ran towards the light. Towards Erika's scream. I held up the machete ready to strike. Erika! Oh, shit!

I tripped over something, a root, a rock. When I sat up, I saw it was... It was Sky's body. Oh, God. Her body was ripped down the middle. Bone, muscle exposed. Her mouth agape. Eyes completely white.

No. No. No. No. Shit! I quickly got up and ready my weapon. Erika! I headed to the mysterious light like a moth to a flame.

Erika! Erica! Where are you? As a light got closer, I noticed it was actually a fire. Burning in the middle of a cleared area surrounded by rocks. Erica and as I approach the fire I noticed something horrific of bodies hanging and not just not just any bodies Roger Corrid Dale oh oh God oh God what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck What the fuck?

What the fuck? What was this? Their bodies were split open. Blood dripping, intestines. Hanging lamplie. Oh. Erica? Erica.

All of the sudden I heard movement. All over the place. I saw things moving in the woods. I spun around him. No! A skeleton. Some creature crawled along the ground, then lunged. Shit!

I saw the machete hitting it in the arm. It scratched me as I went down, causing you to fall back. Before I can get back up, I lifted the machete and gave down on its head. Suddenly, another creature attacked, knocking me to the ground. It ran off, allowing me to get back up. Watch the darkness, waiting for it to return, but there more movement behind me. Come on! Another creature ran for me.

I slashed it as it charged. We both tumbled to the ground. I grabbed the machete and thrust forward, catching the creature as it lunged again. I stabbed the creature through the stomach. Blood spurred it from its mouth. It stood over me weakly, wobbling back and forth. I pushed the blade in deeper. The creature fell on top of me.

Blood was pouring over my body. I tried retracting the blade, but I couldn't. And I noticed the deer men behind it, standing by the fire. All three of them, moths flooded around their heads. I looked back at the creature on top of me. I thought it was dead, but... Oh, the creature wiggled. Shit. I tried getting the blade free again, but couldn't... The creature slowly rose.

Blood dribbled from its mouth as it stared at me. Its eyes. Something was off about its eyes. It was a familiarity that I didn't understand. While I stared, I didn't notice what the creature was doing until it was too late. It was caught off guard as the creature raised a rock against scrawny brown fingers. Brought it down on my head. I tried fighting the creature off, but it was too late. The creature blocked the rock down.

I saw a flash. Erica's face. Just as the rock came down again. Instantly making me blind. I heard a skull crack. My teeth break. Again, again. There's no more pain now.

Just the agonizing realization that I would never see Erica again. Dad was right. It was too late. Too late for me. Too late for my friends. The world was dark now. All I could do was listen as my head was battered and did nothing. ...wes...

...notes... ...withal... ...as... ...and... ...the... ...the... ...the... ...the...

...with... ...the... Yeah, that's right. Throw all the blame my way. Blame me for everything. Like, you know, it's not like I paid for a piece. Indrick, boo, the insurance? Shhh. Everything else just tried. I do.

What the hell? You act like I'm the only one who's ever wanted to try that shit with me. That made, good wife, good brother, personality. I was going to be. I was so disappointed. I was so, you know, and I'm sending him.

Oh. I'm sorry. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.

Oh. I don't know. I'm sorry. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.

I don't know. I don't know. Sky! Sky! Sky! Help me! Shit! Shit!

She was gone. Oh no. There was another one near. I turned back to look at the light. I had to find help. Sadly, I wasn't running towards help. When I reached the clearing, I saw the fire. What was this?

Was someone here? Was this a campsite? that's when i felt the water dripping on my shoulder it reminded me of the ship until i looked up and saw where it was coming from it wasn't water it was blood and it was coming from the body hanging above me oh god i slowly walked back away from the grotesque and bloody clearing What the hell are these bodies doing here? This wasn't salvation, it was death. I turned and ran. I couldn't believe it.

I was alone in the middle of the woods, running from inexplicable monstrosities. How could I escape? How could I get out? Erica? Shane? How could it be? There was no possible. way.

Erica! Shane! That was him. That was Shane's voice. I don't know how, but he was here. Erica! Where are you? Oh my God, Shane!

He was behind me. I saw the faint glow of the fire. I didn't want to go back, but I had to. I had to for Shane. Shane! Shane! I held up my knife, ready for anything. The light of the fire.

got brighter as I approached. I heard movement. I stayed away from the clearing. Shane? Shane? Are you here? Then I saw him standing in the woods with a machete? He was bloody and dirty, but how?

How is he standing right now? Shane! I ran for him, but as I got closer, I noticed he didn't smile. Didn't show any acceptable emotion. Shane? Instead of embracing me with open arms, he lifted the machete. I slid to a stop, but it was too late. He slashed me across the arm, causing me to drop the knife.

Ah! I fell into him and he tumbled down a small incline. Shane, it's me! It's Erica! I held my bloody arm and rose. Stop! It's me! It's me! But still I received nothing. No compassion, no warmth. Instead, as I slowly got to my feet, Shane reached for the machete. Shane, no, please!

I reached for him once more, but it didn't matter. He slowed the machete right into my stomach. I fell to my knees, then on top of him. He struggled to get me off, but it didn't work. I was bleeding a lot in a complete shock. Why? Why did he do this? I wanted to say something, but it was hard to speak.

It was in so much pain. Then, when I realized, maybe this wasn't shame. Maybe it was a trap by the creatures. Maybe this was how they had lured me back. I used all my strength to push myself up, and when I did, I saw the large rock by his head. I grabbed it. and I brought it down.

Again and again and again and again. That had to be a creature. Shane would never do something like this. I looked down at the machete. I wanted to pull it out, but the pain was too much. Blood continued to pour out of the wound. Shane said to run, and that's what I should have done. I should have kept running.

But now? Now, I rested against the trunk of a tree and watched the fight. burn. That's when I noticed the dear men. All three of the men were standing behind the fire, eyes on me, hundreds of moths flying around their heads. I wasn't scared anymore. There was no reason to be. Instead, I close my eyes and rested. We're here. I'm excited. So is Babe.

Babe is? Still think we should have bought a GoPro, but we'll have to do it in the old-fashioned way. Did you put a new tape in? Yes, and I bought two more. Okay. Let's make sure we grab everything. I'm glad we're here early. I'm not used to that.

Last thing we want to do is miss the ship. Wait, wait, my other one is in the back seat. Make sure you have everything. I know, I know. Good? Yeah. Let's go. Carry my backpack.

Please. Please. I want to film. Okay. Here, put the camera on your bag. Yes, master. Okay, no, you take it. Your arm is longer. Better for selfies?

Yeah. Oh, give me. Anglet higher. Higher. Get the ship. Ooh. Ooh. What? On the phone.

Is that a moth? There goes. Okay. Okay, ready? Yeah. There. Good, or do we need to take 50 of them for you to sort through? Shane? Shane!

What? Take care. Tell Shane, I love him. You're okay? Yeah. Yeah, I am. Let's go. This is going to be so much fun.

Paralyzed, written and edited by Robert M. Lamb. Starring, Ryan Wiggs as Shane. Ariel Zadok as Erica. Alexander Dottie as Roger. Ariel Hack as Michelle. Amy Larray as Roller. Catabelle as Ray, Reed Criner as Dale, Maggie Kieran as Cora, and Evelyn as Sky. Co-starring, Justin Anderson, Amber Simpson, Jebrina Cooper, Brett Wilkins, Anthony Grimm,

Corey Pettit, and Robert M. Lamb. music provided by Kevin McLeod of Incompetect.com Eldorich Chichich of Nemesis Black at Reverbnation.com slash nemesis Black. If you enjoy this podcast, don't forget to rate and review. Visit www.7lam.com for more audio dramas such as this one. This has been a seven-lamb production.