Ghost-town Girl

A young couple heads home from a road trip and is stalked by the ghost of a young woman.

EXT.HIGHWAY.NIGHT

It's a stormy winter night. Thunder breaks the soft pitch of rain. Lightning dances across the sky as pools of rain water camp alongside the lonely highway. A car pulls up to a sign.

A man steps out of a car.

ROY

Hm.

Roy gets back into the car and starts to pull off.

ROY

Looks like we have about 3 hours to go until we get back to Denver.

ROY

(He looks over at Mary.)

Is something wrong?

MARY

(Stares out the window.)

MARY

(Looks over at Roy.)

I'm just thinking about last night.

ROY

Yeah, that guy was crazy! He shot at me!

MARY

(Squints her eyes at Roy.)

Gee, I wonder why…

As time goes on, Roy continues to remain silent.

ROY

We're running low on gas. We need to pull over soon or this is going to be a long night.

Mary sees a service station over in the distance.

MARY

Look, there's a gas station. We can pull over there.

ROY

Oh, so you're finally walking ate you?

MARY

(Looks away.)

Shut up, Roy. You know why I'm mad at you.

ROY

Is it cause of that boy?

MARY

Yes, Roy. You didn't have to make fun of him.

ROY

Oh come on! They were just some harmful jokes! He'll live!

MARY

You don't understand, Roy. That old man was going to KILL you! You could have died!

ROY

(Laughs)

Yeah right! His aim was poor as hell!

MARY

(Angry)

This isn't funny! You can't go around mocking people! You keep this up and next time they might not miss!

ROY

Calm down, don't get your panties in a bunch.

MARY

(Sighs)

They pull up to the service station and park at the pump. Roy turns the car off and takes his seat belt off.

ROY

(Looks over at Mary)

Look, since it means that much to you, I'll stop making fun of people, alright?

MARY

(Looks away)

ROY

(Gets out of the car)

I'll be right back, alright?

MARY

(Opens the door)

You aren't leaving without me again Roy. I'm coming too.

ROY

(Looks at the sky, then back at Mary)

Alright. Come on.

As they walk inside the station, Mary looks at Roy, then up at the clouds.

ROY

(Opens the door to let Mary inside, then walks in and brushes the water off of his coat.)

INT.SERVICE STATION

Mary sees a cashier and walks up to him.

MARY

(Waves)

Excuse me, do you have a bathroom?

OLD MAN

(Points to the right)

Yes, it's down that aisle, first door on the right.

MARY

(Makes her way to the bathroom)

ROY

(Walks towards cashier.)

Can I get a fill up, please?

OLD MAN

Yeah. Where you two headed?

ROY

Denver. How far is it from here?

OLD MAN

Denver huh? You kids got a long way ahead of ya. It's about 3 hours away.

ROY

Damn, still?

OLD MAN

Driving in this weather don't make it no better. You kids better hurry. Come on, let's get your gas.

The old man and Roy head outside to fill up the gas tank. Meanwhile, Mary is in the bathroom, washing her face when she hears a sound.

INT.BATHROOM

???

(Whispers)

Mary..

MARY

(Looks up into the mirror)

Mary sees a girl in the mirror, and quickly turns around.

MARY

Who the…?

Mary hurries and heads for the car.

EXT.SERVICE STATION

Mary gets inside the car and looks at Roy with a blank look on her face.

OLD MAN

(Pulls the pump out the car)

Is she alright?

ROY

She'll be fine, she's just tired.

OLD MAN

(Laughs)

She looks like she saw a ghost!

MARY

(Taps on window)

OLD MAN

(Looks at Mary, then back at Roy)

You kids better get goin, this rain won't let up anytime soon.

ROY

(Pulls out his wallet)

Right. How much do I owe you?

OLD MAN

Don't worry about it.

ROY

Alright. Thanks!

OLD MAN

(Heads back inside)

Roy gets back in the car and looks at Mary.

ROY

Is something wrong Mary?

MARY

(Blank stare)

...

ROY

Mary!

MARY

I hear you.

ROY

What's wrong with you? You're acting like you just saw a ghost.

MARY

(Looks at Roy)

I think I might have, Roy. I saw a girl in the bathroom. She said my name.

ROY

And I'm the crazy one?

MARY

(Snappy)

I know what I saw Roy!

ROY

What did she look like?

MARY

She had long black hair. Her face was pale, almost completely white, and her left eye was missing.

ROY

Sounds interesting.

MARY

You think I'm making this up?

ROY

(Sighs)

Wouldn't the old man have said something first?

MARY

Maybe he didn't know! Or maybe he did and thought it was some sick joke!

ROY

(Shakes his head)

Okay Mary, okay. Let's just go.

MARY

(Looks up at the clouds)

Fine..

They start to pull off and head back on the highway. Mary looks around the empty highway, then back at the clouds, when she hears her name being called.

???

(Whispers)

Mary..

MARY

(Scared)

See? You can't tell me you don't hear that, Roy!

ROY

(Turns on the radio)

Yeah, I heard it Mary.

MARY

(Angry)

This isn't funny! I heard my name again Roy!

ROY

(Turns the radio up louder and ignores Mary)

Ignore it, Mary.

MARY

(Shouts)

You aren't the one with a ghost following you!

ROY

(Turns the radio off)

OK. I believe you. Happy now?

MARY

NO! It doesn't change anything.

ROY

Just relax, you've had a long night.

MARY

You're right. I'll try to calm down.

As they continue to drive down the highway, Mary starts to feel at ease.

ROY

Look, another town is coming up. Are you hungry? We can grab a quick bite somewhere.

MARY

Yeah. That would be fine.

They come into another town, and drive around until they find another gas station.

EXT.GAS STATION

ROY

(Stops and turns the car off)

I'm gonna run in and get us some snacks. I'll be right back, okay?

MARY

(Nervous)

Hurry back…

ROY

(Opens the car door)

I will.

MARY

(Grabs Roy's arm)

Wait. What if I hear it again?

ROY

I'm sure you won't. No one is following us Mary. Just calm down.

MARY

But what if I do?

ROY

And what if you don't?

MARY

(Sits there in silence and lets Roy's arm go)

OK. Go. I'll wait.

ROY

(Kisses Mary's forehead)

I'll be right back.

INT.GAS STATION

Roy gets out the car and runs inside the store. Mary closes the car door then looks around. She finally turns the radio on.

ROY

(Brushing water off of his jacket and looking around.)

She might like some of these.

CASHIER

(Looks at Roy)

Long night?

ROY

(Places chips of the counter and pulls out wallet.)

Sort of.

CASHIER

(Rings up the chips and laughs.)

We've all been there before.

Meanwhile, Mary is outside in the car trying to calm down. She thinks she hears a sound and turns the radio down. She looks out the passenger window.

MARY

(Sighs and looks over to the driver's seat)

Maybe I am really see-

???

Hello, Mary.

MARY

(Screams)

Inside the gas station, Roy is still talking to the cashier.

ROY

Do you get a lot of business here?

CASHIER

Not since Death started haunting this town.

ROY

(Laughs)

Death? Is that some kind of animal or something?

CASHIER

No. There was this girl who died back in 87'.

ROY

You're trying to tell me that some random girl who got killed here, haunts this town and kills people?

CASHIER

That's what the legend says.

ROY

Have you ever seen this girl?

CASHIER

No. anyone who sees her never lives to tell the tale.

ROY

(Takes the chips and heads for the door and laughs.)

That sounds absurd!

CASHIER

No one ever listens until it's too late. But you'll learn. They all do.

EXT.TOWN

ROY

(Walks out)

Whatever dude. I'm leaving now.

Roy gets in the car and turns to look for Mary. He doesn't see her in the passenger seat.

ROY

(Looks in he back seat)

Mary? Hm. Must be sleep.

Roy starts the car and pulls out the gas station, heading up to a stop sign. He sees a young woman across the street. She is walking towards the car. Roy turns and tries to wake Mary up.

ROY

(Shakes Mary)

Wake up! I see her! I see her!

Roy turns back to look at Mary and shake her again. He feels something wet on his hand. He looks at it and sees that it's blood. He looks back at Mary and her head slowly falls off.

ROY

Oh my God!! Mary!!! Mary!!

Death

(Tapping the car window.)

Roy..

ROY

(Panicked and angry)

F**k you!!

DEATH

...

Roy speeds off and gets back on the highway.

ROY

Oh my God… Mary. I should've listened to you. I.. I'm so sorry.

A car comes up in the rear view mirror with their high beams on.

ROY

(Looks away from the rear view.)

F**k!

The car passes Roy's and continues to drive ahead. Roy turns his head back to see if anything.

ROY

(Turns head back on the road)

Oh S**T!

A girl is standing in the road.

ROY

(Swerves around her)

Damn!

Roy's car spins out of control. He crashes and is thrown out of the front seat. His car tumbles until it is stopped by a tree.

EXT.CAR WRECK

ROY

(In pain)

Ah… I can't feel my legs...

There are sirens in the distance.

ROY

(Crawling)

S**t. I hope that's an ambulance.

He has not realized his leg is completely broken. He slowly makes his way towards the roadside as the ambulance pulls up.

PARAMEDIC #1

(Jumps out the ambulance and rushes over to Roy)

We saw the crash. Are you alright, sir?

ROY

(Looks at the medic)

No. I'm in so much pain. I cant feel my lower body.

PARAMEDIC #1

(Looks at Roy's leg)

It's broken. We need to get you to the hospital. Andy! Get me a stretcher ASAP!

ANDY

(Heads to the back of the ambulance to get a stretcher)

Coming right up!

PARAMEDIC #1

You're going to be fine, alright?

ROY

...

They put Roy on the stretcher and set him up in the back. They head back into town towards the hospital.

INT.AMBULANCE

PARAMEDIC #1

Man, what do you think happened?

ANDY

Do you think it was her?

PARAMEDIC #1

(Looks at Andy)

... No. Hell no. That's just a legend. Don't be so ridiculous.

ANDY

You never know.

PARAMEDIC #1

Stop talking about it, Andy.

They continue to drive in silence. As they pull up to a stop sign, they see a girl.

Andy

Oh s**t. Dude! That's her! Go! GO!

PARAMEDIC #1

How can you be so sure?

ANDY

Look at her, man!

PARAMEDIC #1

(Looks at the girl)

Oh s**t!

The ambulance speeds off.

DEATH

(Smiles)

And here I thought I wouldn't have any fun tonight.

PARAMEDIC #1

Do you still see her?

ANDY

No. Stop. I need to go check on the guy.

PARAMEDIC #1

You crazy? We have a psycho killer following us and you wanna stop?

ANDY

Keep in mind you're heading to the hospital. You aren't going to hide form her for long.

PARAMEDIC #1

Bullshit! It's him she wants!

They continue to speed through the town.

ANDY

I need to check on him.

PARAMEDIC #1

(Sighs and pulls over)

Make it quick. I'm not trying to make this ambulance my grave.

ANDY

(Gets out and goes to the back to check on Roy)

Are you alright?

ROY

(Opens his eyes)

No. I'll live though.

DEATH

Yes, but for how long, I wonder?

They both turn to see Death inside the ambulance.

ANDY

Chris! CHRIS! GO! GO!!

Death

(Smiles)

Chris can't hear you. He's dead.

ANDY

(Runs towards her)

You son of a b***h!

Death

(Moves out of the way.)

Angry, are we?

And gets inside the driver's seat and moves Chris over. He speeds off, hoping he left Death behind.

ANDY

They don't pay me enough for this s**t!

He drives past a police station.

ANDY

(Slows down and comes to a stop)

Maybe I lost her.

He looks back and doesn't see anything.

ANDY

(Sigh of relief)

Oh...thank God.

As he turns to look back to the front he sees Death, standing in front of the ambulance.

ANDY

(Scared)

S**t!

He tries to put the ambulance in 1st gear, but it's stuck. Death moves closer towards the vehicle.

ANDY

(Slams his foot on the petal and floors it)

BRING IT!!

Roy is trying to get up.

ROY

(Slowly picks himself up and looks around.)

Ugh..my leg..

The ambulance slowly comes to a stop.

ROY

Finally! Are we there yet? My leg is KILLING me!

The doors slowly open. A figure approaches Roy.

ROY

(Looks at the figure then gasps)

Ma..Mary?

Death

(Comes closer)

Yes Roy. I missed you. Why did you leave me to die in that car?

roy

(Tears running down face)

I didn't know! I thought you were dead! I'm sorry I didn't listen before!

DEATH

(Gets on top of Roy and leans in)

It's alright. It will all be over soon.

ROY

Mary..what are you talking abo-

DEATH

(Puts finger on his lips)

Shh... come here.

ROY

(Gets closer to Death)

Yes?

DEATH

(Leans in and kisses his forehead)

I'm so sorry.

ROY

For wha-

Roy falls back into the stretcher. Death gets up and walks out of the ambulance, closing the doors behind her.

END

Author's Note

This is my first short story. Keep in mind, I originally typed this using Celtx, so I had to go back and switch some stuff around. I hope it isn't too difficult to read. Let me know what you think!