Knock Knock

Day 3 of the outbreak. 2 a.m. Someone you love is knocking. Every part ends on a vote, and the comments decide what happens next.

  • Every part free
  • 4 parts out
  • New part after each vote
Part 1

Never Open the Door

Rule 1: never open the door after dark.
Day 3 of the outbreak. 2 a.m. Someone knocks.
Then a voice you know. It's Mom.
But Mom lives four hours away. And the highway has been dead since day one.
It's her voice, though. You'd know it anywhere.
Rule 2: don't answer. They follow sound.
Her last voicemail, from yesterday: "I'm coming to you."
So it's really her. You reach for the lock.
Then you check on Lena, your girlfriend, in the next room.
Her bed is empty.
The window is open.

The vote

It's Mom's voice at 2 a.m. Do you open the door?

OPENIf it's not her, it's inside
WonDON'TIf it is her, she dies outside

On Instagram, the audience picked DON'T · 78% said DON'T

Part 2

The Doorknob Turned

78% of you said DON'T. So you don't.
MomHoney? Why won't you open?
The knocking stops. Then the doorknob turns. Slowly. Left. Right. Left.
Rule 3: if it knows your name, it's been listening.
MomSweetheart. I can hear you breathing.
Biscuit backs into the kitchen. He won't come out.
You open Find My. Lena's dot is blinking. Right outside your door.
MomIt's really me. Lena found me at the bus station. She brought me here.
The bus station. Nobody else knows about the bus station.
You look through the peephole. It's Mom. Really her. Blood on her sleeve.
And behind her, Lena.
Standing still. Too still.
LenaHi, babe.

The vote

Lena's eyes are grey. Mom hasn't turned around. PULL her in, or LOCK the door?

WonPULLLena might get in too
LOCKMom stays out there with her

On Instagram, the audience picked PULL · Almost 100% said PULL

Part 3

Check Her Arm

Almost every one of you said PULL. So you pull.
You rip the door open. Grab Mom's wrist. Yank.
Lena lunges.
You slam the door. On her fingers.
LenaBabe. That hurt.
Mom collapses on the floor. Shaking. Alive.
MomThank you, sweetheart. Thank you.
Biscuit won't go near her. Rule 4: check everyone who comes inside. Everyone.
Then a soft knock.
LenaBabe. Check her arm.
MomI fell on the stairs. That's all.
You roll up her sleeve anyway. Teeth marks. Fresh.
Your phone buzzes. A text from Lena, sent an hour ago: "Your mom got bit at the station. I'm bringing her anyway. Don't let her near you."
So Lena tried to warn you. Or Lena just wants back inside.

The vote

Who do you trust?

MOMShe has a bite
WonLENAShe has grey eyes

On Instagram, the audience picked LENA · 67% said LENA

Part 4

Dogs Know First

Sixty-seven percent of you said Lena.
So you open the door.
Lena's standing there.
Grey eyes. Bleeding fingers.
LenaI'm not one of them. Not yet.
She pushes past you. Straight to Mom.
Mom backs into the corner.
MomDon't let her touch me.
Biscuit growls. But not at Lena. At Mom.
Rule 5: dogs know first.
Lena holds up her hand. A bite. Three days old.
LenaThree days. And I'm still me. It's just the eyes.
Mom's breathing changes. Slow. Wet.
Her head tilts. Left. Right. Left.
Just like the doorknob.
MomSweetheart. Come here.
LenaBabe. I've got the keys. We leave now.
Mom stands up. Too fast.
Then the knocking starts again. Every door. Every window.

Vote now

RUN with Lena, or STAY with Mom?

RUNLeave Mom behind. Lena drives.
STAYLock Mom in the bathroom. Hope she's still her.

Voting now. Part 5 follows the winner.

Vote on Instagram

Comment your pick on the latest Knock Knock video. Part 5 lands here, free, once it's out.

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Want another story? Read The Ticket, Part 1 free.