Chapter Text
The sun was just barely rising when you made your way out of the hospital. Being a nurse was draining, but somewhat fulfilling.
Twelve hour shifts, however, were not.
Your feet were dragging as you made your way through the parking lot towards your car. It was just after 6 am and all you could think about was a hot shower and your cozy bed.
Pulling your keys out of your jacket pocket, you soldiered on until you were about 30 feet away from your ticket to freedom. One whole week of no work, no blood, no puke, no bed pans, no pompous doctors. It was practically heaven.
You reached the driver's side door, unlocking your car. Out of habit, you scanned your surroundings. Everything seemed quiet. Nondescript cars in the parking lot with empty streets and nonthreatening hedges and trees beyond. Except for the plumbing van parked a little ways off.
The lights were off, it looked like no one was home. Normally, it wouldn’t be out of place. Except, you’d seen it parked there every time you’d gotten off work this week.
Your whole body was tense as you raked your eyes over the van. It was probably just your paranoia. You’d been in Evergreen for a whole year and nothing had happened. No one had come looking for you.
But maybe they finally had.
You opened your car door, setting your backpack on the seat. With a shaking hand, you pulled out the sig you kept hidden for just-in-case purposes. You tucked the gun in the waistband of your scrubs while making sure your jacket covered it, before shutting the door.
Taking quick and light steps, you made your way towards the van. The street lights were easy to avoid and the sun was just barely lighting up the sky.
You were about halfway across the street towards the van when something came flying out at you. Instincts kicked in and you were able to duck on its first pass. You were not so lucky on its second.
It felt like you’d been punched in the face as something knocked you to the ground. You gasped as you hit the asphalt and whatever the fuck had hit you started crawling into your mouth. Your hands scratched at the thing as it scratched at the back of your throat. It wasn't making really any progress, but damn was it trying. It hurt like a bitch.
There was loud cursing and banging coming from the van as the back doors flew open. People were piling out, running at you, but you were more focused on the thing in your mouth.
You could hear it shrieking and clicking in frustration as it struggled to claw its way deeper into you. For once, you were grateful for your abilities.
Doubly so once the people made it to where you were laid out, struggling and writhing in the middle of the road.
The thing had crammed itself deep into your mouth but it was still having no luck scratching through your tissue. As quickly as it created gashes, they healed.
“Fucking shoot it!”
“What if we can still-”
“We can’t save her, shoot it, before it kills us!”
You tried to speak, tried to stop them. Unfortunately, you were too slow. A gun was fired point blank into your head.
Pain, pain, and more pain, rattling around in your brain. Then everything went black.
For about 30 seconds before you were gasping for breath again. Filled with renewed adrenaline, rage and shock pulsing through you, you were finally able to get a grip on the creature still in your mouth. With one final yank, you pulled the thing out, gripping it tightly in your fist. It was some freaky looking bug. Just a glance at the thing that was in your mouth a few seconds ago made you gag.
With blood dripping down your chin and into your eyes, you stood. Your hand reached behind you for your gun. Your breathing was shaky as you pointed the gun at the three people before you whose jaws were all on the floor. A normal looking man, a shorter woman, and a very tall man. Thanks to the blood though, you couldn’t make out too much else.
“Someone,” your voice was scratchy. You cleared your throat. “Someone tell me what the fuck is going on.”