Paralyzed - Chapter 21: Chain of Chaos - Part 3/3

Episode Date: March 31, 2025

Roland and Michelle try to help their respective parties to cope with what's going on. But they know it's not only important to escape, but to escape with everyone together. Meanwhile, Hal has a disturbing chat with his ex Chrissy.Music provided by:Taako @ soundcloud.com/madebytaakoAdditional tracks:"Awkward Meeting", "MeasuredPaces", "Nervous Piano", "Apprehension", "Welcome to Horrorland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"AmongstOthers" by Rooibos @ Artlist.ioAnd various artists @ Pond5.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seven Lamb presents Paralyzed Chapter 21, Chain of Chaos, Part 3 This is fucking. This is fucking stupid. I don't know what's out there, but my truck's right outside. If you guys aren't leaving, I will. Did you not hear that guy scream for his life? The man known as Paxton was now dressed. His robe in a crumpled pile on the bathroom counter.

He looked a little apprehensive after the truck driver was mentioned. I'm not scared. Are you serious? I'm serious. I need to leave. I need to go. He went over to the bedside table and grabbed his watch. You're not going to arrest me, are you? Who? You.

I'm not a cop. I thought... I think you mean me. I'm FBI. Oh, uh, well, what, why are you here? She was looking for me, or did you miss all that earlier? Oh, uh, okay then? Paxton was acting all awkward. As he put on his watch, he made his way to the bathroom counter, which was outside the bathroom.

I watched him through the mirror as he shoved a few condoms, lotion, and lube into a small black bag. He looked into the mirror to see me staring. I looked away. But we haven't heard anything in a while, so maybe like, we're good, no? I went over to the window and peered out, looking at all sides. Then I caught a glimpse of Michelle on the other side of the lot, in the office. They're alive. Those things didn't get in?

Guess not. What are they? Monsters. Oh, come on. You saw what we saw. Hey, Mick. Just hang in there. Um, trying.

Torv spun to me. So I need to know. Everything that girl said. Julia? Yes, Julia. Everything she said. Everything Somers said. They were telling the truth?

You don't need me to confirm. You saw it for yourself. Regina. Highland. It was attacked to... Mick, save your strength. She had cut some towels into strands with a pocket knife and tied them around her partner only a couple of minutes ago.

But I had a feeling he didn't have much longer. Okay. She turned back to me. Fine. Say everything that was said was true. It's pretty fucking crazy, right? This is just the beginning. What? What do you mean?

I mean what I said. This is just starting. And by the end of it, most likely, only a few of us will get out, if we're lucky. Get out of where, the stupid inn? Get out of the nightmare. Your nightmare. That's what you said. I nodded, even though I wasn't entirely sure. Was I bringing this about? Or was it Michelle? Or how? Or could it be that it was all of us? together. This is weird. The man who had followed Bridget inside was named Milo. He shook his head, then removed his glasses. He cleaned them with the bottom of his shirt. Hey, um, I think he's on my phone. What? Your friend, uh, partner, whoever. I, I think he's on my phone. The phones don't work.

I still meet it. Why don't the phones work? Because where we are right now is not the same place we were an hour ago. Excuse me, but what does that mean? Milo slid his glasses back on as he approached. We are stuck in some nightmare world, and until we get out, we're in danger. Okay, okay, it's ridiculous, but I'll entertain it. How do we get out then? I'll tell you how I do it.

I climb into my truck and leave. Just like that? Just like that. Is it that easy? Milo was looking at me. He pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. I don't know. The roads weren't flooded, and the Paxton guy was right.

All the vehicles were just sitting there in the parking lot. Well, shouldn't you know? I mean, you seem to know what's going on. Are we in hell? I just shrugged and looked back towards the office. Michelle pointed to the wood line across the highway. What's she pointing at? I don't know.

I looked at the woods and saw nothing. I turned back to Michelle and shook my head. Hey, um, really? I can't find my phone. I think it's under him. Hold on. No one's going anywhere just yet. I have to leave. We all need to leave together. Are there any more people staying here? You're talking to me? You work here, right?

Yes. Well, are there? Yeah. Oh, there's one more person. A man in room five. I banged on the door when Roland told me to get everyone, but he never came to. came out. So one other occupant. And everyone else in the office? I believe so. I can't fit that many people in my truck. What are you talking about? We can all sit in the bed. Is that your truck there? Yeah, it is, but... Then I agree with her. We can all fit. Someone will just have to help me with Mick. No, the moment I go out that door, I'm not waiting around. We can all get out together. It won't be that

easy. Then what are we supposed to do? Yes, enlighten us, Roland. If everything they said was true, then you've been a part of this before and you got out uh quick question how many times does this happen but i ignored mylo's question roland i don't know how i got out both times i ran but i had help david kent then david and and who the shadow man what the hell did she just say shadow Well, uh, I do remember Summers mentioning a shadow figure, but, uh... Torv looked to be at a loss for words. I don't... I don't see why we can't hop in this guy's truck.

Hey, who said I was offering? Hey, man, you can't just leave us here. You don't have a car? I do, but not a truck. I don't know you people. Hey, I turn to address everyone. The quicker you all accept what's going on, the quicker we can get out of here.

Staying won't be an option. It's not an option. I'm leaving. I have to leave. I can't be here. If that creature isn't here anymore, can't we just make a run for the vehicles? My keys are in my room. I can go grab them real quick since this asshole doesn't want to help out.

There are more than one of those things out there, though. Well, I have my keys, so I'm taking off the moment I can get my phone. Don't touch. Kim. So we make a run for it. Yeah? I can't run. I need help with Mick. Can we carry him to a car? We can take my car too. I just cleaned out my back seat yesterday. We could fit him there, but I... I don't have my keys. Oh, they're in the office. We need to get to the office. I said we need to get out together. Then we're on the same page, but I still stand by the fact that it won't be easy. But why? Call it a hunch. I know I don't know any of you people

But I kind of believe her Fuck all of that I have to leave now We all spun to Paxton who looked to be sweating bullets Something was off about the guy Maybe he was just nervous But he had been acting suspicious Ever since we entered

Sorry but please I need my phone Then I can go and I can go get help for you guys I'll call someone when I get to town or something But I need to leave I need to leave now I turned back to the window once again looking towards the wood line. This time I did see something.

Movement. The bush is shook and I could just barely make out creatures. Scrony creatures, skulking about. You're right, Roland. It won't be easy. That was David. I looked around the room but couldn't see him. Please.

Roland. I didn't even realize Bridget had moved up right beside me. Yeah? Can we make a little? run for it, to the office. I looked back outside, first to the highway road, then to the office. We can, but I don't think all of us will make it. You're right.

Again, David's voice. Ah, Jesus. I pointed to the woods across the highway. The bushes continued to shake. How many? I don't know. What are they doing? Waiting.

For us. Where the hell did those? They went back into the woods, probably. Probably. How do you know, Mayor? I don't know, Brody. That's why I said probably. The woman known as the mayor walked up to me. Hey. Yeah?

You see them? The things? No. But I see Roland. Where? Right there. They made it to that room. Who made it? Bridget? Is she there? I don't know who that is. She works here. The man pushed up between me and mayor.

Your name's Brody. Vince Brody, but everyone calls me Brody. I don't see her. All I can see is Roland and that woman who came out of the car. The one's shouting her name? Yeah. Who is she? I don't know. I think she's... a cop? Good.

Shouldn't she be able to help us? No one can help us. What? No one can help us. We have to save ourselves. The last five minutes was spent banaging a pal. He lost a lot of blood, but he was still breathing. Right now he lay in Mayer's room and back.

But if she's a cop... No, no. We can't trust cops. Why? Because they... Because they could be corrupt. They could be corrupt? I don't think we need to question the loyalty of the local police force right now

She's not local Brody I've never seen her in my life There were two other people that climbed out of the same car Two guys, I saw them They went into the woods What, where? Across the street? Yeah

Was it one of them who fell on the road? I didn't know what he was talking about I was so preoccupied with Hal I think so But it's been a whirlwind Everyone was shouting This is how it starts How what starts

The nightmare Um, okay, well, what are we supposed to do now, then? Brady went to the front desk and grabbed the phone. Still, nothing. Static? It makes no sense. My cell's the same. Mine is, too.

Mer went over to the desk and grabbed her cell. She tapped it and then held it up to her ear. Jesus. I only worked three days a week, and this happened on the day I clock in? Boy, we just need to leave. The guy in there is going to die without medical attention. He motioned to the back room. He seems to be breathing.

but I agree. It's just, we didn't see where those things went, and after talking to Roland... You talked to Roland? She's been working here. We've talked. She may know what's going on here. Yeah, she does. And so do you? I do. You do? Yeah. Okay. Care to tell us? What are those things? I don't know what they are, but I do know that if we don't leave, we'll be killed. It turned to mayor. Did Roland tell you about those things? No, but I know she's been attacked before by a crazy person.

person. A crazy woman. She said twice it's happened. Oh. Is that what this is? Hmm, similar. You just said if we don't leave, we'll be killed. Seems simple enough. So we leave. We can take my truck. It's parked right in the front. So is mine. Then we take yours. I don't care. We just go, Mare. That's all there is to it. Brody went to the door and peered out. The front door glass was cracked from the creature slamming into it. I wondered why they gave up and ran back into the woods. I don't see anything right now. The coast is clear, so let's move the guy and... And what?

There's a girl outside. What? What girl? I don't see any girl. There was a girl, a young girl. Where? Across the street. Then we have to go get her. Hold on now. Do you see her?

Because I don't see her anymore. But if she's out there... I didn't move from my spot, but I turned my attention to the road. I saw some bushes shake on the far side Maybe she was in the van that hit the guy She wasn't Okay, maybe the truck Truck crashed at the other end of the end mayor

So it's just some girl walking through We don't have any girls stay in here How young did she look? It was a flash mare I don't know You want me to go look for her I can go with you I turned my attention back to Roland

And pointed to the woods across the road I could see her look Roland shook her head They don't see anything either I know what I saw Then let's go out there I'm not going out there without a weapon Do you have something?

I know there's an axe in the shed I thought about the axe I had that night on the cruise ship If I closed my eyes I could still see the blood splattering up from each hack No, don't worry about the shed I have a knife I don't know

I saw those things Knife ain't gonna cut it No pun intended I don't think we should go out there yet But if there's a poor girl walking around We gotta get her inside with us A knife won't be enough. The axe wasn't even enough. Well, I'm not going out there empty-handed. Come on, Mayor. What else

you've got in here? I don't know. You can check the supply closet. I don't think there's anything in there, but okay. Hey. Yeah? Are they doing anything else? Who? Roland and the others? Yeah. No, but is that the girl you were talking about? I pressed my finger to the glass, pointing. That's Bridget. Yeah. Mayor waved, but Bridgetton's see. Her, Roland, and the possible cop were still looking towards the woods. What do they see? I don't know.

Probably nothing like us. Is that guy still out there? I think she meant the truck driver that was shouting. No. His body's gone. He was attacked by one of the creatures. We caught glimpses of the poor man being attacked and knocked down. That's the thing, Mayor.

The man in the truck was a big dude, and he was torn apart. He was also injured. Well, I have a bad back And there's nothing in the supply closet Nothing I would deem worthy We have to go get that poor girl Mayor, I know you have that saving mentality Especially when it comes to women in need

Hell, I commend you for it There ain't no way I'm going out there weaponless Or with a puny little kitchen knife Is there really nothing else? What about the closet in your room? Mayor rubbed her chin As of contemplating something Don't think so

We can't just go walking around out there. Even with a weapon, it's dangerous. Those things are crawling around. We don't know how many there are, and we saw movement not long ago, meaning they're probably still close. And they don't give up. So you want to stay? Well, no. No, we can't stay either. We need to get to the vehicles and get out. But we also need to get to Roland and the others. We... We can't leave anyone behind. We have to all get out together. And the girl? Her too? Come on, Mayor. I'm not even sure what I saw. I thought it was a girl, but maybe it was a trick.

I got bad eyes, too. Now, Vince Brody, don't be like that. You're a better person than that. You're a better man than that. You've helped me before, and I know things seem dark, and we're in a hell of a lot of trouble. But we need to help everyone we can. That means Roland and Bridget and the other inn guests and the girl walking around, right?

She was looking at me with hopeful eyes. Yeah. See? All right, Mayor. All right. You know, she's an ex-cop. Roland. I know. She's been on the run. You know her well? Not really.

A shiver ran up my spine as I saw the bushes shake at the edge of the road. All those visits from Roger. Maybe it would have been easier to just take my life instead of endure this for a second time. Luckily, no dear men had shown yet. I turned around and pushed past Mayor. Where are you going? To check on howl. I went into the back room, which Mayor said was hers.

Mare followed me. He seems to be okay. At least he's breathing. And he was mumbling before. Yeah, I know. But we need to wake him up. I'd knelt down. Hey, Hal.

Hal. Oh, come on, wake up. I think he just needs a hospital. That was obvious. I wouldn't move him too much. He's got to wake up. But you shouldn't force. it. He probably has a concussion.

Come on, man, wake up. I shook him a bit harder this time. Easy there. No, he has to wake up. Why? Because he can help us. How? He knows this. It's like Shane. He knows what's going on. He was talking to someone before he got hit. Who?

I don't know. Maybe his fiancé. His fiancé? Is that the girl Brody saw? What? No. Then let's just worry about the girl and getting out. Forget the girl Okay, you don't even know who she is And why she's out there I know you're upset

Yeah And you should be too Because if we don't get out We'll die Do you understand that And getting out isn't easy I don't even know if we'll be able to do it with him The way he is

I motion to hell Shane didn't get out And David Summers And Sefton Trust didn't either I don't know who those people are I stood and faced her Those are people who died by the things out there. Although that's not what the news reported.

Well, we're shit out of luck. I checked every inch of the office and bathroom. All we got is this old broom. But I can use the knife to sharpen the end. The girl's long gone by now, forget her. Part of me wondered if he really saw a girl at all. It didn't make any sense. And we never heard any screams.

Found it hard to believe she wouldn't be attacked. I'm still not going out there without a weapon, even if it's just to my truck. Fine, then sharpen that thing. But we can't go out yet. We have to get to Roland. Why? Because she is the only other person who knows what's going on here besides me and him. I pointed at Hal as I got to my feet.

Who is he? Hey! What? His eyes opened. She was right. Hal's eyes were open, and he was staring right at us. How! I knelt beside him again, grabbed his arm.

Hell! Hell! Hell, are you okay? God, say something! What the hell? Is he dying? No! No! No, he can't be! Don't shake him. He might have brain damage. And other damage? The guy definitely has a broken leg.

Mayor Crouched next to me. What's he saying? I don't know. I can't make it out. I leaned in, turning my head as I got closer to his mouth. It wasn't until I was just an inch from his lips that I heard. Well? He says, I see you. So, he's awake.

So, he's awake? I guess? Why isn't he moving? Why is he not sitting up? He's injured, Brody. Maybe he can't. He's not mumbling anymore. Hal?

Chrissy? Hal. Where are you? Are you here? You can't see me, but I'm here. I was laying on a bed. in some small room staring up at Michelle, the owner of the inn, and another older man. Michelle and the owner stood.

They were talking about me, but any time I went to answer... Wait! There he goes. What's he saying now? Hey, did you guys hear me? I can see you. I don't know. I can't. They all stared at me. They don't understand you. Why? Because he ain't talking.

You're just mumbling away. What? No. I'm talking. I'm talking right now. To you. But not to them. Well, I'm trying.

Michelle bent down again. Michelle What happened to Gary? Did you see what happened to him? Is he here? Is he safe? Okay, help, I know you're trying to talk, but we can't hear anything. Why? Why can't you hear me?

She leaned closer. Put her ear to my mouth. I want to know about Gary. Did you see? What happened to him? He, he hit me. And then what? I heard a crash.

What's, what's you saying? Something about a crash? A crash. Yes. Did Gary crash? His van? Is he, is he okay? I knew he didn't mean to hurt me.

It was my own stupid fault for standing in the middle of the road, talking to Chrissy. Hello, how? Is this better? I could see her now, standing behind the inn owner and the man. She smiled warmly. I'm here now. But how?

What do you mean? You're not dead. Because Gary's checked up on you. He's made calls. He had a friend who watched.

You've been spying on me, hell. Jesus Christ, he's going on. Michelle? I don't know. It's too fast. Just then, she pulled her hair back and leaned back down. Her head blocking my view of Chrissy. No, wait, Michelle, please move. No, she said my day.

No, please, move. Chrissy is here again. I can see her. She's in the room. No, damn, this is the only about Chrissy. Who's Chrissy? I don't know, I think an ex. His fiancé?

I can't remember. No. Not my fiance. Now, Michelle, please. Move. I can't see her. Okay, okay, he's in my name again, but I can't get anything else out. He's going too fast. She finally leaned back. She finally leaned back up, her hair brushing across my face, but now Chrissy was gone.

Chrissy, where are you? Chrissy. Hey, I think he said Chrissy again. I think he keeps saying. I'm still here, Hal. Right here. I felt a light brush along my cheek. I thought at first it was Michelle's hair again, but no.

Michelle was standing. I couldn't move my head, but I could just see a light finger run across the bottom of my lip and up the other side of my cheek. The finger was almost white. Chrissy was pale, but not that pale, right? My eyes shot to the right where I could just make out part of her face. It was like she was Purposefully Staying out of eyesight See how I'm right here

She leaned a little more into view so that I could See half of her face now She still smiled But the smile Didn't seem as warm anymore She ran a few fingers Along my face

starting at my brow and sliding them down all the way to my neck like she used to when we were in bed together you like this you know I do that's right I know you do

her smile never changed and she did appear paler than normal no she couldn't be dead She just couldn't be. Every night after we made love, how I would just curl up in your arms and run my fingers along your face and neck and chest

ever so light. You get little goose pimples down your arms. You're so cute. I close my eyes. Remembering. Don't believe me. My eyes shot open. Hey, he just blinked.

So? So, that's the first time he blinked this whole time. What? That can't be. It is. He's obviously unresponsive. We have to get him out of here. What are they talking about? They want to take you away from me. Why?

Because they think you're hurt. You're not hurt, are you? I can't move. Well, that's just because you're relaxed. No, that's because I was hit by a van. Because of you. Her fingers stopped moving. The smile finally turned.

Her brow furrowed. What do you mean? Because of me. I went into the road to talk to you, Chrissy. Why did you have me do that? I didn't have you do anything at all. You called to me. Because I missed you.

It may have taken a while, but I was finally coming to my senses. Where's Claire? Claire? Claire? Why do you want her? Because she's the one who was helping me. No, hell, she's not helping you. They're so naive.

She was never helping you. Only I can help you. But you're not dead. Chrissy isn't dead. Whoa. Did you hear that? Yeah. Chrissy disappeared from View and Michelle came back down.

Okay. All right. What did you just say? How? Chrissy isn't dead? They heard me? Michelle, please. You have to get me out of here.

Chrissy isn't dead. But she's here talking to me. It isn't her, though. I know it isn't. No matter what she says, it's a trick. We have to get out of here. We have to get out now, or it'll get worse, much worse. But Michelle just stared blankly at me. She took a moment, sighed, and turned away. I didn't even get any of that. Nice try, ale. Where is Claire? Where is Claire? Claire's Claire? Welcome to downhill.

She's fucking dead because he lives. She is up there being the mounds, hanging from a tree. Her guts piled in frozen, and the snow half-fisted on by the creatures. She's created, and she'll step there, a frozen carcass until some force that stumbles upon her. And now, when she's discovered, they'll finally know with certainty. But it was you. And everyone will just die more than they already do. And you'll want to kill yourself, but you won't get able to.

So you'll continue to live your miserable life on the run, unable to do anything of important. But involve poor suckers like these here, and bring it out of pain and death until the final snapped. Rob brought him as a barn over you. So stop wasting my time and succumb like the rest of him. I've waited long enough. Paralyzed, written by Robert M. Lamb, edited by Haley King, starring Amy Lurray as Rowland, Ariel Hack as Michelle and Chrissy, Jack Austin as Jake, Catabelle as Ray.

Gina Coyle as Torv. Chris Titoly as Robards. Rachel Stidham as Mayor. Brian Messick as Captain Hiltz. And Chenylla Lynn as Eden. Co-starring, Mark Kroftus, Nick Keeney, Monica Ward, Douglas Salway, Rhino Alberts, Max Carr, Walter Mack,

Sherman Alpert, Kim S. Clayton Flood, Adrian Bordeaux, Mike Lennhart, Kevin McCready, Cody Lohman, Austin Medlin, James Brown, Adam Ibin, Ian Feller, Amber Simpson, Mitchell Lee, Steve Rhodes, and Nick Englehart. Music provided by Taco at soundcloud.com slash made by taco. Additional tracks from various artists at artless.io and pawn5.com. If you enjoy this podcast, don't forget to rate and review.

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