Work Text:
Episode 1: Roads
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"We could be wolves!"
"Yeah... Yeah, that works. Just work on that howl."
~
Lewis Avenue looks almost beautiful in the golden light of the autumn sun that cast over the street. It basked everything in warm orange light, giving off a sense of homeliness and comfort.
Sixteen-year-old Sean Diaz is entranced by the scenery, gazing out the school bus window as gentle music plays in his ears. He's thankful that autumn break had finally come around, he was free from school for the next week.
Halloween was three days away, a party was already about to kick off their school break. Sean wasn't the biggest fan of parties, he would've refused if it weren't that his crush Jenn would be coming. And if Lyla didn't drag him there.
The bus stop is close to his house. Sean steps off the bus, almost in a world of his own as he stares down at his phone screen. He feels like he should message Jenn- he just doesn't know what to say.
"See you tonight! Don't be late, losers!" Lyla Park, Sean's best friend waved off her friends goodbye, before peeking over Sean's shoulder.
"Okay! Update time!" Lyla grabbed Sean, making him jump. "Heard back from Jenn yet?
"Uh... no. I'm sure she'll message back at some point." Sean looked away shyly, feeling a little awkward.
"Let me take a look at the situation." Lyla took Sean's phone, reading aloud the message he had typed out. "'Hey Jenn, you going to the party tonight?' Dude, we talked about this! Could you have any less game?"
"I'm no good at this!" Sean sighed, taking back his phone. "How about: 'Yo Jenn, see you at the party, let me know if I should bring handcuffs?'"
"Oh my God, you thirsty bitch!" Lyla burst out laughing. "Here, let Lyla the love witch work her magic."
"Okay..." Sean didn't have the chance to protest as Lyla grabbed his phone once again. "Just don't make me sound like a loser."
"I said matchmaker, not a miracle worker." Lyla teased.
"Hey hold on- let me check it before you send!"
"Too late!"
"'Would be awesome to see you there'" Sean read aloud the text message. "What? I could've texted that!"
"It's a good start!" The two began to walk down Sean's street. "She'll text back, you'll see."
Sean's neighbour, Brett Foster, watched as the two walked to Sean's house. Sean and Brett had never really got along, he tended to make racist remarks and take jabs at Sean and Lyla's friendship.
"Hey lovebirds, back from the loony bin?" Brett yelled at the two, from his seat on the porch.
"Shut up, dickhead." Lyla bit back.
Brett flipped them off, whilst Sean just ignored his antics. He was used to his neighbour's shit by now.
The teenagers sat together on Sean's porch, smoking cigarettes and listening to music as the sun began to set.
"We need to make an official party list. I got weed covered. Let's see..." Lyla grabbed Sean's wrist, writing on the palm of his hand. "We need... money, munchies, chips and dip, soda... And blankets! It's gonna be cold, you and Jenn need something to snuggle under. And one last thing: 'C O N D-'"
"Stop! This better wash off." Sean pulled his hand back, looking at the writing scribbled down on his palm as well as a dick Lyla had also drawn. "Nice drawing. Daniel's teacher would be proud."
"The pretentious artist has spoken!"
Daniel was Sean's younger, nine-year-old brother. The two had a very typical sibling relationship, always fighting, making up again, best friends one moment and enemies the next.
After stubbing out their cigarettes, Lyla hugged Sean goodbye. Sean got up from sitting on the porch, walking into his home and dumping his backpack on the floor.
"Perfect timing! Just the son I wanted to see." Sean's father, Esteban Diaz, was leaning on the kitchen counter whilst Daniel sat on one of the stools.
"What is it? I'm a little busy." Sean groaned.
"Did you see Lyla?" Daniel asked, infatuation in his voice. It was obvious that Daniel had been crushing on Lyla for the longest time. "She said we can go to the movies next week! She said-"
"Dude, bug her, not me. You're not exactly her type." Sean interrupted.
"You're lucky she puts up with you." Esteban teased. "Now, we need a judge. The court is in session over the case of the last Choc-o-crisp."
Esteban placed the chocolate bar down on the counter.
"I have to go! Get ready for a party... and stuff."
"If you want to attend ‘a party and stuff' you have to earn it," Esteban said. "Now, Judge Diaz, who deserves to eat this last Choc-o-crisp? Your poor suffering father who slaves over a hot engine for hours at a time to provide his family with a home... or your younger brother, who eats about ten bags a week."
"Me, me, me!" The younger Diaz interrupted.
"Court finds Daniel Diaz not guilty. Therefore, the jury gives him the Choc-o-crisp." Sean exclaimed, passing his brother the chocolate bar.
"Oh yeah! I win!" Daniel tore off the wrapper with his teeth, almost immediately. Sean smiled, ruffling his hair, knowing it was his brother's favourite snack.
"Alright, better go back to work. I hear an engine calling my name." The mechanic left to go down into the basement garage. "Play nice together, like you always do."
Daniel left to go to his room, leaving Sean alone in the kitchen. Sean looked down at the messy list Lyla had scribbled down on his palm.
Right... Crisps. Sean shoved some snacks into his bag. Soda... Well, there was a six-pack of beer in the fridge, Sean knew his dad wouldn't mind him taking.
He grabbed a couple of blankets from the laundry room in the basement, the cabin didn't have heating and Lyla was right about it going to get chilly, especially in late October.
The last thing he needed was some money, he'd have to ask Esteban since he was all out for the month. Sean didn't have to go far, since the garage was in the basement.
"Is that you, Sean?" Esteban called out from underneath a car he was working on.
"Yeah," Sean answered.
"Just be a second. Can you pass me the wrench?"
Sean gave him the wrench that was lying on the top of the car. After a few moments, Esteban got up from underneath the car to face his eldest son.
"Let me guess. You need money for the party?"
"Uh... Yeah."
"What's it for? Alcohol? Weed?" Esteban asked, folding his arms.
"Well... Yeah, probably. But it's a party- nobody's driving. We'll be safe, I promise." Sean looked away awkwardly, he could never bring himself to lie to his dad.
"Alright. But be careful." Esteban handed Sean forty dollars. "Take care. You and Lyla better not get in a car with anyone who can't walk straight."
"Woah, forty bucks! Thanks, dad!"
"Yeah, why not? Plus, I appreciate you didn't lie to me."
Sean thanked his father again, pocketing the cash and turning to leave the garage.
"Not so fast Sean. Don't you think your Papito deserves a hug?"
Sean sighed, giving his dad a big hug.
With everything shoved into his bag, Sean was finally ready. He just needed to Skype Lyla, and the two would be on their way. Sean made his way to his bedroom.
His bedroom was a mess, but a comforting kind of a mess. Sketches covered his desk, posters and photos covered every inch of paint on the walls, clothes were dumped all over the floor. Sean kicked aside the clothes to sit at his desk and open up his laptop.
"Hola, lover boy." Lyla greeted him on the video call. "Just give me a second."
Sean smiled, watching as Lyla hurriedly tidied her room.
"Alright, hi. Did you get everything on your hand-list?" Lyla asked.
"Yeah, it's in my backpack. Dad hooked me up with forty bucks, so we're set for the night."
"Nice! Okay, so what are you going to say to Jenn tonight?"
"Uhh... I dunno. Ask her what music she's into? Get to know her taste, y'know?"
"Not bad..."
"Uh... should I practice?"
"Yes. Oh, she just posted. I think you're gonna like it..."
Sean quickly switched tabs to Jenn's Facebook page. "Woah..."
Jenn had posted a selfie of her pouting, her hair dyed a pink to purple ombré accessorised with a cat ear headband which matched her cat nose and whiskers make up.
"Well? Are you going to say anything?" Lyla asked, snapping Sean out of his trance.
Sean smiled, commenting a heart emoji on her post. She looked so stunning...
"You're so down bad..."
"It's just a heart!" Sean said before his door flew open and his younger brother ran in. "Daniel!"
"Sean! Sean! Look, I made this mask for Halloween and- oh hi Lyla."
"Get out!" Sean grabbed Daniel by his arm and dragged him towards the door as Lyla waved at the younger Diaz. "What have I told you about coming into my room?"
"But I-" Daniel was cut off as Sean pushed him out of his room, slamming the door.
"Sean! You're such an asshole!" Lyla exclaimed. "I wanted to see his mask even if you don't."
"Sorry..." Sean sighed, sitting back down at his desk. "I'll make it up to him. He knows I can be a dick sometimes."
"You better. Be nice to my husband."
Sean began to sketch, noticing Daniel walk out to the front garden from his window.
"So, what should I wear for the party?" Sean asked.
"A condom," Lyla replied.
"Seriously!"
"I am serious- I reckon tonight's the night."
"Don't jinx me." Sean rolled his eyes. "So when are you coming over?"
"Soon, just need to hit up Momster for the car keys."
Suddenly, a loud bang shook the house, followed by Daniel's scream. Sean jumped up from his seat, ignoring Lyla's yells, and ran out the front door.
Sean froze.
A car was tipped over. Houses were on fire. Debris and ash completely littered the floor. And Daniel... Daniel was lying unconscious by the road.
"Daniel!" Sean screamed out, kneeling by his brother. "Daniel- Daniel wake up!"
"Sean, what's going on?" Esteban ran out the front to his sons.
But Sean could only stare at what was behind him...
His neighbour- Brett. Except his eyes were rolled up, skin paled and his mouth was hanging open and he stumbled up behind Esteban. His veins stood out against his white skin, his head tilted back and he staggered.
"Wha-" Esteban barely had time to turn around.
Brett had sunk his teeth straight into Esteban's neck. The sickening sound of flesh ripping and the squelch of blood filled the air as his throat was roughly torn out. Sean froze in place, his own father's blood spraying over him.
Esteban dropped to his knees, choking as his eyes rolled back and he collapsed onto the ground.
"DAD!" Sean screamed out.
Brett let out a low growl as he lifted his head, blood pouring from his mouth. Those glazed over, soulless eyes stared straight at Sean.
Brett- or what used to be Brett- began staggering towards him. Sean could see more of these... monsters now. With every second, they stumbled closer, feet dragging on the floor with the echo of bloodthirsty groans.
Sean's heart pounded in his chest and he could hear the rush of his blood in his ears. He couldn't even think, he just grabbed Daniel in his arms and ran.
Quickly, he grabbed his backpack from the house. Sean didn't know where he was going, he just knew they needed to get out.
What the fuck was happening? He couldn't comprehend anything, he kept expecting to wake up and realise it was some messed up nightmare.
Quiet sobs burst from his throat as he continued to run. His dad was dead. Killed by some sort of monster...
How did everything change so fast?