Undead On Arrival

Lights glare miles away, ambulance sirens echo throughout open streets.

Stably whipping at a high speed the vehicle advances pass lights and intersections with caution.

Inside are Boston paramedics Jeff Anderson, Black-American, early forties sitting in the passenger seat. With a military background Jeff is not only built for this, he lives for it.

On the other hand his partner operating the vehicle Tony Martinez, Dominican-American, also in his early forties isn't to pleased with the call.

Jeff glances over, "You don't have to be so excited" he said.

"Bro I been thinking about that lasagne I made before work all day. Just been chilling, marinating in sauce and cheese." Tony states.

"It ain't going nowhere." Jeff says.

"Dog, that's what you think. I got two greedy ass sons and a pregnant wife at home." Tony replies.

Jeff chuckles.

"We'll make it my dude, you know how these senior calls are. If the food's gone at least you did your good dad deed for the day." Jeff states as he attempts to lighten the mood.

Tony looks on to Jeff in aggravation.

They continue to race through the city streets.

They zoom towards the location pulling up to a large victorian home. More than likely over a hundred years old but well kept in immaculate shape.

Lawn and everything.

Tony admires the small estate. "Somebody's loaded." he says.

"Yeah, them be the ones with the most problems." Jeff responds.

A young black woman stands near the home entrance as they appear to the scene. This is Shawna, late twenties, nurse vibes although dressed casually in jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie.

She greets them as they exit the vehicle.

Jeff approaches Shawna.

"Hello miss, I'm Jeff and this is Tony. Can you lead us to the patient?" Jeff asks.

Tony goes to open the rear doors to prepare the gurney.

Shawna notices.

"You won't need that." Shawna states to them.

Jeff and Tony glance to one another confused and curious. They shrug their shoulders and follow Shawna as she leads the way inside.

The interior of the home is retro in style.

Updated for essential purposes such as modern kitchen and overall living space with classy antique furniture. Shawna walks Jeff and Tony into the master bedroom. Inside the center of the room sits a large hospital type bed with the head raised.

Appearing to be unconscious lying in the bed is Eleanor. A 90 year old black woman whose seen a lot and lived a lot. She rests peacefully with a gauze pad and medical tape on her neck.

Jeff gazes towards a small trash container and spots the bloodied cloths and empty rubbing alcohol bottle.

"Did you find her like this?" Jeff asked.

Shawna delays and responds nervously "She was in the kitchen. I cleaned her up and brought her to bed."

Tony glances to Shawna and asks "Your grandmother?"

"No. I'm her caretaker." Shawna replied.

"What's her name?" Jeff asked.

"Everybody calls her Miss Ella." Shawna responded.

Jeff looks to Tony as they both apply their surgical masks and latex gloves. He checks for a pulse as her heart beats at a gentle rate. Doesn't like what he sees, something's off. Definitely not the routine senior call. He glances to the gauze patch on her neck. Takes his time and removes the patch with care.

The REVEAL...

two puncture wounds about an inch apart from each other. Pierced to perfection and identical. Still pretty fresh.

Jeff gazes up to Shawna in frustration.

"Just let me explain." Shawna says.

"Why didn't you properly report this?" Jeff asked.

Shawana responds quick, "I didn't know how to. Didn't think nobody was gonna believe me because there hasn't been a sighting in years and I don't do police."

Jeff sighs but understands.

Tony attempts to keep cool but his concern is pasted to his face. Jeff withdraws his flashlight and looks around the large room. He listens carefully to everything within the area. Holds his finger near his mouth to signal for silence.

SWOOSH.

A swift motion is heard near a shadowy corner of the room. Tony and Shawna grow worried.

Jeff nods his head "no".

Any sudden move could possibly be a fatal one. He keeps the flashlight low towards the ground. The room already lit dimly. He peeps some slight movement form the corner of his eye and glances to Tony.

Tony holds his position.

Jeff signals a halt to Tony.

He keeps the flashlight low and centered to the ground. Takes a stiff glimpse up towards the corner above Tony. A DARK FIGURE dressed from head to toe in black with a black hood over his head smoking.

The Figure flicks a cigarette towards Tony.

Jeff spots it.

Before Jeff can say a word The Figure strikes Tony! Knocks him across the room. Tony bangs his shoulder as a popping noise travels. A dislocated right shoulder.

Tony winces and grabs his shoulder in pain.

Shawna takes cover near the left side of the bed near Eleanor as she remains unconscious. Jeff races to the right side of the bed yet beaten there by The Figure. Jeff throws a combo of punches and lands them successfully, however they do not phase The Figure as he eats every blow. Jeff doesn't give up as he continues to swing.

The Figure catches a punch and grabs Jeff by his neck. Lifts him a good three feet from where he stands. Impressive as The Figure about similar in height to Jeff but the size of an average teenager.

The Figure holds Jeff in place in the air. He extends his thumb fingernail slightly into Jeff's throat making him bleed a little.

Jeff grunts.

Shawna spots a baseball bat underneath the bed and grabs it. She rushes in as The Figure tosses Jeff against the wall.

Shawna swings the bat towards The Figure's head. The Figure intercepts the bat and breaks it in half across his knee. He snatches Shawna up while she screams.

He fully extracts his fingernails. Although only an inch and a half long extended they're razor sharp.

He places them to the center of her neck while he holds on to her tightly in the other hand. Shawna tries to keep calm as any unexpected move could result into a quick slice that would leave her leaking.

The Figure removes his hood. A young black male teen although his skin very pale and cold.

While his fangs are on display he prepares to sink them into Shawna. Shawna closes her eyes and cries in silence.

"DERRICK". A voice says sternly to The Figure.

The Figure glances towards the bed.

Eleanor awakens. Fully rested and coming off with energy higher than she's most likely experienced for the first time in a long time.

"Nana. You're okay." He states happily.

Jeff, Tony, and Shawna all gaze in shock and wonder.

"Baby leave that girl alone, she don't mean no harm." Eleanor demands.

Derrick shakes his head no.

"They here to take you away. I'll kill em all before I let them do that." Derrick said.

"Aw baby I ain't going nowhere. I'm healed. Everything's gone be fine now. It's all cause of you Derrick." Eleanor states.

Derrick fights back tears.

"The cancer. You did it. You beat it. It worked." he said.

Jeff checks on Tony.

Eleanor continues to give Derrick full eye contact to keep him distracted. "Baby come on over her and give me a hug. Come on. Let that girl go." she said.

Derrick releases Shawna and walks towards the bed. Jeff runs to Shawna's aid and checks her for possible injury or cuts.

"You good?" Jeff asked.

She's alright. She nods yes.

Eleanor holds her arms out to embrace Derrick. He flows right into her space and hugs her. She hugs him back. Derrick closes his eyes and inhales in deep.

Feeling at peace he is.

He GASPS all of a sudden. Glances down to his heart as Eleanor has penetrated a knife through it. She keeps Derrick held up while his strength begins to slip away.

Jeff freezes while he shields Shawna and Tony.

Derrick opens his eyes and stares to his grandmother. Not in a gaze of betrayal though, but one of relief.

"You released me of my pain and now, I release you of this curse you've been carrying for forty whole years." Eleanor said.

Derrick looks to Jeff.

"There's more like me out there. Some wanna help, they want to do right but the people in charge got bad intentions. You a soldier, I can tell. Find them and look after my nana for me my g. I'd appreciate it." Derrick stated.

Jeff nods yes in an honorable manner.

Derrick returns face to face with Eleanor. "Thank you Nana. I love you." he said.

"Oh baby, I love you always." Eleanor replied.

Eleanor holds onto Derrick as he starts to disintegrate. He holds on until he slowly becomes a pile of ash atop of her bed.

Jeff, Tony, and Shawna look on. Relieved everything is over but all sadden in their own way after that moment.

Pure silence overtakes the room.

Eleanor wipes away tears of joy as she looks up to the sky.

THE END.