Episode 1 of Paper Girls unravels the mysterious tale by introducing us to four intrepid paper girls: Erin, Tiffany, Mac, and KJ. For those who have delved into the graphic novel, the story's contours are familiar, but for the uninitiated, prepare for an exhilarating adventure.
Erin, the newest member of the team, embarks on her maiden voyage as a paper girl, choosing the daunting task on the day after Halloween, at the ungodly hour of 4:30 AM. As she prepares to leave, Mac rushes up, and the trio cycles through the dimly lit alleyways, intercepting Wally and his rampaging gang, saving KJ from their clutches.
Erin proposes they pair up, partly to test Tiffany's new walkie-talkies, but also to ensure their safety on this ominous "Hell Day." However, their unity lasts mere moments as Erin is suddenly attacked, and her walkie is snatched away. An unknown voice rattles off numbers, prompting Mac to rush out, determined to retrieve it.
Following strange, rhythmic pulsations, they stumble into an old house, descending into the basement where they spy two distorted figures whispering behind a sheet. With courage and determination, the girls attack, only to realize their walkie is not among their captives. What's worse, these two seem to be grotesquely deformed.
Scrambling out, the kids gaze up at the sky, a sickly pink hue illuminated by swirling black clouds. The power is out, and someone speaks Russian through the walkie, while the entire town appears deserted. Fearing it's the Russians, Mac brandishes a gun, but in the struggle, he accidentally shoots Erin in the stomach. As she regains consciousness, they're speeding towards the hospital.
Two mysterious strangers halt their progress, and when Erin awakens, she finds herself in an alien pod. These strangers, who had appeared earlier, are indeed extraterrestrials, using translators around their necks to warn the girls of imminent danger. "They're coming soon," they say.
As one of the men is shot down, he urges the others to flee. Miraculously, Erin is not dead, having been healed by strange bugs that have mended her gunshot wound. However, their escape is halted by a man brandishing a gun, inquiring if they are "Underground." The Priestess watches them from afar, ready to strike at any moment. So, the four girls race towards salvation, making their way to Erin's house. Only, there's a snag. A woman is already living there. It's Erin. The woman they encountered at the start of the episode was, in fact, an older version of her!
