"THE WILL"
(Story by: Marc Adrian Reyes)
Chapter 1: Episode 1
"How It All Started"
Two years ago
A scientist named Doctor Alfred Sotto is trying to make a cure for his daughter. She fell into a coma after a car accident, and the doctors told him she would never wake up. They suggested letting her go so she could finally rest.
---
Doctor Sotto's POV
Doctor 1: Sir, there is no chance your daughter will wake up. (sighs) Just... just let her go. (taps Doctor Sotto's shoulder)
Doctor Sotto: (removes the doctor's hand from his shoulder) No... I believe there's another way.
Doctor 1: (takes his notes) Sir, there is no possibility-
Doctor Sotto: Then try harder! I can pay. I know there's another way to wake my daughter. I can't lose her. She's the only family I have.
Doctor 1: Sir, we already tried our best, but your daughter shows no improvement.
Doctor Sotto freezes, helpless, as he watches the doctor walk out of the room.
---
As months passed, Doctor Sotto ran out of money to keep his daughter in the hospital. He decided to take her home for treatment.
Doctor Sotto: I must find a cure to wake up my daughter. Any time soon she'll be gone from me forever. I won't let that happen. (thinking to himself as he holds his daughter's hand) Don't worry, sweetie. Daddy will cure you.
---
One year later
Doctor Sotto finally discovered a cure. He had run countless tests over the past year, but his daughter showed no response. Until one night... he heard her moan.
Doctor Sotto: (quickly rushes to her side, smiling) Sweetie?
But she doesn't respond. Still, that single sound convinces him he is close to success.
---
Doctor Sotto made some coffee while continuing his experiment and left it on the table. When he heard his daughter moan again, he turned quickly and spilled coffee on his shirt. He went to his room to change, leaving her alone.
At the same time, in a nearby village, a rabid black dog escaped. It ran straight toward Doctor Sotto's house. While he was changing clothes, a loud crash came from the kitchen. He rushed downstairs and froze in shock-the rabid dog was inside.
He shouted and waved his arms to scare it off, but the dog bolted past him and ran upstairs. His heart nearly stopped as its claws scraped the floorboards outside his daughter's room.
By the time he followed, it was too late. The dog bit his daughter. His almost-finished cure had already been injected into her, and now it mixed with the rabies the dog carried.
Desperate, Doctor Sotto grabbed his gun and shot the animal. He rushed to his daughter's side.
Doctor Sotto: No... sweetie, no... I'll call for help, just stay with me! (he called an ambulance, and rescuers arrived within minutes)
Rescuer 1: Where's the body?
Doctor Sotto: Upstairs, first door on the right... please help my daughter. (sobbing)
Rescuer 1: That's what we're here for, sir. Stay calm, everything will be fine. (gestures to reassure him)
They all headed upstairs. One rescuer noticed the equipment on the desk.
Rescuer 2: (stops, looking at the experiments) Sir, what is this?
Doctor Sotto: (glances at the setup nervously) That? I'm trying to make a cure for my daughter. She's in a coma.
Rescuer 3: Is it done? (doubtful)
Doctor Sotto: I think...
Rescuer 3: You think?
Doctor Sotto: I've already run some tests. I injected her with part of it.
Rescuer 2: (suspicious) Did it work?
Doctor Sotto: I... I heard her moan last night. So yes, I think it did.
Rescuer 2: Really?
Rescuer 1: Enough chit-chat. Let's get this kid on the stretcher.
As they lifted his daughter, Anna, onto the stretcher, her eyes suddenly opened.
Rescuer 3: (gasps and drops the stretcher) She... she woke up!
Doctor Sotto: (tears welling up, joy flooding his face) Anna? Sweetie? It's me, Daddy...
The rescuers stood in shock-had this scientist really done it?
Rescuer 3: You... you did it, Doc. (smiles and pats Sotto's shoulder) You cured your daughter.
But something was wrong. Anna's eyes had turned milky white. Her breathing was strange. She stared at them like prey.
As Rescuer 2 leaned closer to check her chest, Anna lunged and bit his neck.
Rescuer 2: (gurgling as blood pours out)
Everyone froze. Doctor Sotto dragged the rescuer back, terrified.
Rescuer 1: (grapples with Anna, trying to restrain her) Quit it, kid! Anna! What's wrong with you?!
Her unnatural strength overwhelmed him. She broke free and bit into his arm. He screamed as she tackled him to the floor.
Doctor Sotto's face twisted in horror-his sweet daughter was tearing into the man's flesh.
Rescuer 3: Monster!!
Doctor Sotto: (shaking his head, denying what he saw) No... my daughter isn't a monster. It must be side effects...
Rescuer 3: Open your eyes, Doctor! Your daughter is dead! That thing ate James!
Doctor Sotto, desperate and trembling, spotted a rope.
Doctor Sotto: Hold her!
Rescuer 3: What?! Are you insane?!
Doctor Sotto: Just do it!
Together they tied Anna down, though Rescuer 3 gagged when he saw James's body ripped open.
Suddenly, the bitten Rescuer 2 stood up again. His eyes had the same pale white glow as Anna's.
Doctor Sotto: Watch out!
Too late-Rescuer 2 bit Rescuer 3. Panic erupted. Doctor Sotto, in terror, grabbed Anna and dragged her toward the basement, locking the others behind.
Doctor Sotto: I'm sorry...
Rescuer 2 lunged at Rescuer 3, biting into his shoulder.
Doctor Sotto: (panicking, grabbing Anna) I'm sorry... I'm so sorry! (flees downstairs with her, locking the door behind him)
---
Rescuer 3's Last Stand
Rescuer 3 screamed, thrashing against Rescuer 2's bite. His hand brushed against something cold on the floor-Doctor Sotto's pistol, dropped during the chaos.
Rescuer 3: (gasping) The... gun!
With fading strength, he fired into Rescuer 2's chest. The bullet tore through his heart-but nothing happened.
Rescuer 3: (horrified) What the hell?!
He froze as he saw James-Rescuer 1-rising from the floor, pale eyes glowing, organs spilling, staggering toward him.
Rescuer 3: (voice cracking) N-No... not you too...
Rescuer 2 lunged again. Rescuer 3 shoved the barrel to his head and pulled the trigger. The gunshot echoed-Rescuer 2 dropped instantly.
But James sprinted forward with unnatural speed, slamming him down. Rescuer 3's screams and desperate gunshots filled the house, echoing into the night. The neighbors heard everything.
---
Basement
Doctor Sotto sat trembling, clutching his blood-soaked daughter in the basement. Her tied body writhed, snarling like an animal.
Doctor Sotto: (sobbing) What have I done...?
EXT. DR. SOTTO'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Red and blue lights flash across the quiet neighborhood. Two police cruisers screech to a stop in front of the house. The distant echo of gunfire still lingers in the air. Neighbors peek nervously from windows and behind fences.
COP 1
(looking at the house)
What the hell happened here?
COP 2
(checks his notes)
Report says the neighbors heard screaming... and multiple gunshots.
COP 1
(skeptical)
That's concerning.
COP 2
Yup.
They notice an ambulance parked crooked at the curb. Its back doors hang wide open, eerily empty.
COP 1
That's odd... let's check the ambulance first.
They move cautiously, guns low, flashlights sweeping. Cop 2 peeks inside.
COP 2
Nothing. No one's here, partner.
COP 1
(confused, tense)
Then where the hell are the medics?
They exchange a look. Cop 1 gestures toward the house. The front door looms, cracked open slightly.
COP 1
Let's check inside.
They step onto the porch, boots heavy on the wooden boards. Cop 1 knocks firmly on the door.
COP 1
Police! If someone's in there, answer!
Silence. Only the faint creak of the house settling.
COP 2
No response.
Cop 1 slowly tests the doorknob. It turns freely.
COP 1
It's open.
He glances at his partner. They both raise their weapons, nerves tightening. Cop 1 cocks his pistol with a metallic click. Together, they push the door open and step inside.
INT. DR. SOTTO'S HOUSE - NIGHT
The front door creaks open. The officers step inside cautiously, flashlights cutting through the darkness. The beam lands on smeared BLOODY FOOTPRINTS trailing across the floor... leading to the basement.
COP 2
Jesus... you seeing this?
COP 1
Yeah. Looks like someone dragged something... or someone.
They follow the trail. Each step echoes in the tense silence. At the top of the basement stairs, the smell of iron and decay hits them hard.
COP 1
(covering his nose)
Damn.
Cop 2 switches on his flashlight, illuminating the pitch-black basement. In the corner, DR. SOTTO sits slumped against the wall, pale, trembling, eyes glassy.
COP 2
Sir? You live here? Is this your house?
DR. SOTTO
(weak, voice shaking)
Yes... I... I live here. This is my house.
Cop 1 scans the room with his flashlight. The beam catches ANNA-tied up, drenched in blood, her head hanging low. Her chest rises and falls with strange, shallow breaths. Cop 1's eyes widen in shock.
COP 1
(whispers, tapping his partner's shoulder)
Partner...
Cop 2 turns, follows the light, and freezes. His face hardens into rage as he swings his gun toward Dr. Sotto.
COP 2
Hands in the air! Now! You're under arrest!
DR. SOTTO
You wouldn't understand!
Cop 2 storms forward, slamming Sotto against the wall and cuffing him. Meanwhile, Cop 1 approaches Anna slowly, flashlight trembling in his hand.
COP 1
(to Sotto)
You know this girl?
DR. SOTTO
She's... my daughter. Well... not anymore.
COP 2
Sick bastard. Tying up your own kid, leaving her like this? You're going to jail.
DR. SOTTO
No! You don't understand!
Cop 2 drags Sotto toward the stairs. Cop 1 crouches beside Anna, muttering under his breath.
COP 1
What kind of father does this to his own daughter? ...Don't worry, kid. We'll get you out of this.
He pulls a knife and reaches for the ropes. The basement is silent except for Anna's strained breathing. Then-
-her teeth GRIND. Her head jerks up. Cop 1 shines the light in her face and recoils in horror: her eyes are milky white.
COP 1
Oh, shit-
Anna LUNGES, ropes straining, snapping at him like a wild animal. Cop 1 stumbles back, barely avoiding her bite.
COP 1
STOP IT KID! WHATS WRONG WITH YOU?! HELP!!!
INT. DR. SOTTO'S BASEMENT - NIGHT
Anna thrashes violently against the ropes, SNARLING. Cop 1 stumbles back, flashlight clattering to the floor. Upstairs, Cop 2 freezes as he hears the screams.
COP 2
(urgent)
What the hell?!
He shoves Dr. Sotto against the wall.
COP 2
What's happening down there?!
DR. SOTTO
(shouting)
Don't let her bite you!
COP 2
(confused)
What do you mean, "don't let her bite you"?!
Dr. Sotto struggles against the cuffs, but says nothing more. Cop 2, frustrated, rushes downstairs. Cop 1 is on the ground, holding Anna back as she snaps her jaws dangerously close to his face.
COP 1
She's crazy! Get her off me!
Cop 2 yanks Anna back, slamming her against the wall. Even tied, her strength is shocking. The cops exchange panicked looks as Anna keeps thrashing.
COP 2
Jesus Christ, what's wrong with her?!
COP 1
I don't know! But she's trying to bite!
They struggle to hold her down, their fear growing as her guttural growls fill the basement. Upstairs, Dr. Sotto watches, trembling, but says nothing more.
UPSTAIRS - MOMENTS LATER
A THUD shakes the ceiling. Then slow, heavy footsteps.
COP 2
What is that...?
COP 1
I'll go check.
From outside, Sotto screams from the police car:
DOCTOR SOTTO
Don't go upstairs!!!
The cops pause.
COP 1
What'd he say?
COP 2
He said don't go upstairs...
COP 1
Why?
COP 2
I don't know... But earlier, when you screamed for help, he told me: "Don't let her bite you."
Cop 1 realizes.
COP 1
Yeah... I almost got bit.
COP 2
Let's listen to him. Come back with a plan.
They retreat, carrying Anna (still tied). Sotto explains everything about the rabid dog, the coma cure, and the rescuers being attacked. Cop 1 doubts him, Cop 2 urges backup. They wait.
---
MAJOR SANTOS POV
EXT. DR. SOTTO'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Patrol cars ring the property, lights flashing. Concrete barriers and metal crowd-control fences seal the driveway. Officers form a cordon. MAJOR AUSTIN SANTOS and his men arrive and take in the scene.
MAJOR SANTOS
What happened here?
They explained everything to MAJOR SANTOS - that the doctor claimed his daughter attacked people inside, and chaos erupted upstairs where others were bitten and transformed.
MAJOR SANTOS walks toward the yard. ANNA stands a few yards from the house, eerily still, eyes glazed and unfocused. A POLICE VEHICLE idles nearby; DR. ALFRED SOTTO sits inside, cuffed and hollow-eyed.
MAJOR SANTOS
You're saying this girl tried to bite you?
He studies Anna, then looks toward the patrol car.
MAJOR SANTOS
Is that true? Your daughter caused all of this chaos?
DR. SOTTO
(voice breaking)
That's not my daughter. My daughter is dead-
(he points at Anna)
That... that thing is a monster!
MAJOR SANTOS eyes Anna like a specimen, then signals one of his men.
MAJOR SANTOS
Bring me the Cop.
His men grab COP 1 and push him toward the house.
INT. DR. SOTTO'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Smoke hangs in the room. Overturned chairs, scattered papers. MAJOR SANTOS positions COP 1 in front of an inner doorway.
MAJOR SANTOS
(quiet, controlled)
The doctor warned you: if you get bitten, you'll turn. That true?
COP 1
(tense)
Yes, sir.
MAJOR SANTOS signals his men. The inner door is forced open. He shoves COP 1 inside.
COP 1 stumbles forward. From the shadows, violent, unseen attackers emerge - teeth, claws - and overwhelm him. Blood splashes the floor.
MAJOR SANTOS watches with cold detachment. COP 1 locks eyes with him for a frantic second - pleading - then goes slack.
About thirty seconds later, COP 1 convulses and rises, feral. He charges. MAJOR SANTOS fires a single, precise shot. COP 1 collapses; silence fills the room.
EXT. FRONT YARD - SAME
COP 2 scrambles toward the group, frantic.
COP 2
Sir! Where's my partner?
MAJOR SANTOS
I'll explain. Come with me.
COP 2, shaken, follows.
MAJOR SANTOS leads him to Anna. He grabs COP 2 by the collar, punches him in the gut. COP 2 doubles over. MAJOR SANTOS shoves his head toward Anna.
MAJOR SANTOS
(soft, amused)
Look at her. Fascinating, isn't she?
Anna moves like a predator. She clamps down on COP 2's face. He screams, thrashing; blood sprays. DR. SOTTO, cuffed in the vehicle, watches in agony.
DR. SOTTO
(whispering)
No... Anna, no-please stop-
MAJOR SANTOS smiles, enjoying the scene.
MAJOR SANTOS
Fascinating.
He pulls out his phone and dials.
MAJOR SANTOS
(into phone)
I have a gift for you. You'll love her - a perfect weapon. I'll bring her.
He ends the call and pockets the phone. One of his men steps forward.
SANTOS' MAN
Sir - what do we do with the bodies?
MAJOR SANTOS
(looking at the house and COP 2)
Burn the house. Burn everything. No witnesses.
SANTOS' MEN fan out with grim efficiency: doors forced, witnesses eliminated; fires started where needed. Panic erupts; screams are swallowed by the crackle of flame.
EXT. STREET - LATER - NIGHT
Houses burn. Ash drifts through the orange sky. MAJOR SANTOS watches, satisfied.
MAJOR SANTOS
All done?
SANTOS' MAN
Yes, sir.
MAJOR SANTOS
Good. Bring me the doctor and the girl. We're taking them.
SANTOS' MAN
(uneasy)
But sir - she bit people. It's dangerous.
MAJOR SANTOS grabs the man's collar and presses the pistol to his temple.
MAJOR SANTOS
Then don't let her bite you.
The man relents. They haul the dazed, cuffed DR. SOTTO from the vehicle; ANNA is carried like a crate.
DR. SOTTO
(struggling)
Let go of me! You can't do this!
SANTOS' MAN
(shouting)
Shut up!
MAJOR SANTOS leans in close to DR. SOTTO.
MAJOR SANTOS
(soft, cruel)
She's powerful. Useful. Don't make this harder.
A blunt strike to DR. SOTTO's head drops him to the pavement. As darkness overtakes him, he hears MAJOR SANTOS refer to Anna as a weapon.
EXT. CITY HALL - NEXT MORNING
MAJOR SANTOS stands at a press conference, composed.
MAJOR SANTOS
(calm, rehearsed)
Last night's tragedy was a sudden, devastating fire. We contained it quickly and are investigating the cause.
He looks out at the press - the lie already in motion.