Jacob Feldman

### Occupation

English Teacher *(Pre-Apocalypse)*Leader of the mall survivors *(Post-Apocalypse)*

### Family

Erin Monroe - Late Girlfriend †(Unnamed) - Unborn Child †

## Biography

### Cause of Death

Suicide via grenade whilst attempting to kill Damerae Badrick.

"*You’re underestimating what I hold dear to me. You’re not understanding what I want most… (...) To see you die.*"
—Jacob's last words to Damerae Badrick[src]

Jacob Feldman is the former protagonist and a survivor of the outbreak in Route to Paradise. He was an English teacher at Willamette High School and the best friend of William Reynes. He served as the protagonist for the first 3 seasons.

Jacob was at Willamette Mall with William when the outbreak started. They were two of the only survivors to make it out of the entrance plaza alive and into the security room. Jacob would quickly form a plan of action with a member of the mall’s management team, Helen Cullen, in order to gather and rescue as many survivors around the mall as possible, using the security room as their base of operations and place of refuge. During a dangerous mission with officer Clayton Freeman to track a kidnapped associate, Jacob would become stranded with Erin Monroe, an independent and quick-thinking lone survivor. After being rescued by his friends, he fails to recruit her to the group.

Over the next few days, Jacob would continue to work with Helen and the security room survivors, encountering more and more factions, groups and enemies around the mall. Jacob would also bump into Erin a number of times, with the two becoming a reliable duo who would begin to enjoy each other’s company. Their flirtatious banter would eventually lead to them getting into a relationship, with Erin becoming Jacob’s primary concern at all times.

After a number of setbacks, including the tragic demise of Helen, Jacob naturally fell into the position of group leader, and would command the security room survivors during their conflict with Leslie Staunton and the north plaza. Eventually, all their enemies within the mall would be dealt with and entirely cleared of the undead. Jacob would also lead the defense of the mall during their hostile encounter with Benjamin Taylor and his army a few days later.

When the dangerous gang known as ‘The Rastas’ led by Damerae Badrick arrive in town, Jacob joins an alliance led by Wilbur Wright and his crew in order to force Badrick and his men out of town. This would lead to a spiraling conflict with many deaths on both sides. Jacob would also come to learn that Erin is now pregnant with their child, which excites both of them greatly.

Eventually, Erin’s estranged father, Derek Monroe, would arrive in town as a contact of Wilbur’s to help takedown The Rastas’. Once Erin has overcome her trauma and made the decision to give her father a second chance, Jacob seeks out his blessing to propose to Erin and marry her. Jacob is given the go-ahead, and seeks out a pair of engagement rings for the occasion.

The war of Willamette would soon begin, with Benjamin Taylor’s forces attacking various Rasta outposts across the town. During a mission gone wrong, Erin would tragically be shot by a rasta lieutenant in front of Jacob, falling to her death with their unborn child. When Jacob reports this news to an uncaring Derek who simply shrugs off her death and calls her a failure, an enraged Jacob shoots him multiple times, killing him.

Jacob, no longer in a mental state to lead the group, would be largely absent-minded during the battle of Willamette Mall just mere hours later. Felix Quarterman would take command of the group while Jacob prioritized hunting down and murdering the rasta who killed Erin. Despite being successful in doing so, the mall is lost, and many of their group are scattered or killed.

In the aftermath of the war, snow begins to fall as the winter season begins. William tries to comfort and guide Jacob, but nothing seems to get through to him. The two would eventually go on a mission to check out the high school, where they reunite with some of their old colleagues and students. While the school seems like a promising new home, Jacob’s mind only considers vengeance against Badrick, further concerning his best friend.

During a supply run with William, Lloyd Waller and Bruce Boseman, the group would encounter Damerae Badrick in a vulnerable position. Jacob, unable to be held back, rushes into battle with only the goal of eliminating the gang leader. A bloody fight between Jacob and Badrick would ensue at the docks, with Lloyd tossing Jacob a grenade on request. Jacob, in a moment of anger and desperation, gives in to his bloodlust and pulls the pin, with the intention of killing himself and Badrick to avenge Erin. Both of them would be blown up in the explosion.

Despite Jacob’s suicide mission, Badrick would survive, but with half of his face blown-off and a life-threatening disease. In the end, mere days later, Badrick would succumb to the sickness from his injuries via Jacob’s attack and die.