Waylon

"*Don't be. I help people whenever I can - with all the evil in the world-- all the bandits and killers roaming about out there - I need to help out when I can, you know?*"
—Waylon to Dean Howards[src]

Waylon is a minor character and a survivor of the outbreak in Route to Paradise. He's a kind, brave young man who lives at a campsite near Garden City, Kansas. Waylon, while preferring to live and travel on his own, is always willing to aid strangers who need his help. One such stranger he helps is Dean Howards, who he saved from being killed by a zombie, before tending to his wounds and giving him the supplies he needs.

## **Pre-Apocalypse**

Nothing is known about Waylon's life prior to the outbreak.

## **Post-Apocalypse**

Not much is known about Waylon's time after the outbreak, but it is mentioned that he used to travel with a group, which he reveals was not a good experience.

### **Season 5**

#### **"Little Man"**

Waylon hastily enters a coffee shop inside of Garden City, Kansas, sneaking up behind a zombie that was attacking a man. He grabs the back of the zombie's shirt, pulls it up, and then slices its head in half with a machete. As its corpse plops against the ground, Waylon looks down at the man it was attack -- Dean Howards. But Dean isn't awake for more than a few seconds, as he passes out from exhaustion.

Throughout the day, Waylon brings Dean out into the woods near Garden City, where he has a campsite set up. He tends to Dean's wounds, before he leaves to go collect some sticks for the campfire in the evening. When Waylon returns, he sees that Dean is awake and out of the tent he'd placed him in. When they lock eyes, Dean says that he's sorry, and will go, but Waylon insists that he stay. Weakly, Dean sits down, and thanks him, while warming his hands. As Waylon places a few sticks into the fire, Dean quietly expresses how thirsty he is. Waylon almost immediately drops what he's doing, opens a backpack, and hands the man a water bottle. As Waylon goes back to the fire, Dean, his thirst finally quenched, reveals his name. Waylon shares his name too, before Dean begins to ask questions about him. Waylon says that he's a lone survivor, and has been for a while. When Dean mentions that he has a group, he offers to bring Waylon with him, but Waylon shakes his head, preferring to travel alone. He asks Dean about how he got separated from his group, and while listening, he lifts his mask to warm his face, revealing a young man behind it. Dean explains how he and his group had tried and failed to save another group of survivors, and now Dean doesn't know what happened to his friends. Waylon hopes that they're okay, before Dean warns him about the hordes of zombies in downtown Garden City. He then asks Waylon once more if he's sure he doesn't want to come back with him to the rest of his group. "I don't like travelling with groups - bad experiences," Waylon says. But he lets Dean know that he's welcome to stay here in his camp for as long as he needs. Dean, however, feel bad, doesn't want to take anything else from Waylon. "Don't be," Waylon replies, telling him that he's always willing to help people. Smiling softly, Dean says that Waylon reminds him of a friend he was with in Garden City - and he hopes to God she's okay. He then slowly stands up, grunting, feeling bandages wrapped around his back, which he thanks Waylon for. As Dean then gets ready to go, Waylon stands up, almost forgetting something. He searches through his backpack, pulling out a notebook that belonged to Dean. He says that he wrote something down on the last page - and tells him to read it when he gets back to his group. Dean, slinging his bag over his shoulder, thanks Waylon again, and tells him to stay safe. After saying farewell, Dean turns and walks off.

## **Appearances**

Any episode with a checkmark over it signifies Waylon appearing in any way.