Cold Signs

The hallway is silent.

Lian and Kiera stand still, trying to catch their breath.

Kiera: That thing… it was him…

Lian: Yeah.

A door opens slowly at the end of the hallway.

Daren steps out, holding a metal rod.

Daren: What's going on?

Lian: Someone… changed.

Kiera: He said he felt cold… and then…

Daren grips the rod tightly.

Daren: We need to stay together.

More doors begin to open.

Resident 1: What was that noise?

Resident 2: Is it over?

Lian: No.

Kiera: Something is still here.

A sudden scream echoes from another floor.

Resident 3: That came from upstairs…

Daren: We close this floor first.

Lian: And block the stairs.

People begin moving quickly.

Inside her apartment, Serin sits near the door, holding her baby.

Serin: It stopped…

The baby slowly settles.

Serin carefully stands and looks at the door.

Serin: I need to find help.

She opens the door slowly.

The hallway is dim.

She steps out, holding the baby tightly.

At the other end, Lian and the others notice her.

Kiera: Someone's there.

Serin freezes.

Serin: Please… don't hurt me…

Lian: We're not going to hurt you.

Daren lowers his weapon slightly.

Daren: Come here.

Serin walks slowly toward them.

Serin: What's happening…?

Lian: We don't know yet.

Daren looks at everyone.

Daren: Something is happening to people.

Daren: If anyone starts feeling cold…

He pauses.

Daren: Say it immediately.

Silence fills the hallway.

Kiera: Cold…

Lian: That's how it starts.

Far away, another faint scream echoes.

Serin looks down at her baby.

Serin: We… have to survive.