Gunpoint/Transcript

*“Humanity is possibly the last thing we have from the normal life - and when humanity dies… then I guess the life we had before all of this dies with it, and I’m for sure not ready for that.”* *—Lolida*

**Starring:**

Jon Hamm as JON MATTHEWS

Robert Pattinson as WILLIAM REYNES

Robin Lord Taylor as EDWARD REMAR

Kenneth Branagh as CLYDE ROLLINS

Nick Frost as RANDALL FORSTER

Emilia Clarke as KATE BLOODSTONE

Anson Mount as MARCUS DOWNES

Ben Mendelsohn as BENJAMIN TAYLOR

Steve J. Palmer as AUSTIN KINGSTON

David Emge as ALDUS PAXTON

Tom Payne as ALBERT HANSON

Stephen Gevedon as DEAN HOWARDS

Dave Fennoy as DAMERAE BADRICK

**Also Starring**

Daniel Sharman as DANIEL ROCKWELL

Jared Leto as JARED KELLINGS

Paul Rudd as SOLOMON REED

Scarlett Johansson as REBECCA DAWSON

Tom Holland as LLOYD WALLER

Keira Knightley as CLAIRE NOBLE

Thandiwe Newton as ANGELA JAEGAR

Phil Hartman as FRASER STILLER

Ben Barnes as ZAC BARNES

Paul Bettany as NATHANIEL SHEPARD

**Guest Starring**

Joe Morton as ISAAC MOSES

David Boat as LAYTON ZIMMERS

Jason Lee as LOLIDA WINDFIELD

Daniel Bruhl as ALEX WEISS

Dan Aykroyd as ED ANDERSON

Viola Davis as VIVIAN FINKLING

Tim Wersan as KYLE DOUGLASS

Nico Bustamante as BERNIE ORTAN

Shawn Hatosy as NICK PARKER

Michael McElhatton as MICHAEL HALL

Kevin Spacey as WILBUR WRIGHT

Taron Egerton as MIKE SIMPSON

**Co-Starring**

Dacre Montgomery as GRANT CARVER

Jim Broadbent as JIM BUTTERMAN

Roscoe Orman as DA’JONTE WOODARD

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**Scene #1**

**WILLAMETTE HIGH SCHOOL - FOYER**

CLYDE ROLLINS hunches forward, holding a baseball bat, ready to swing.

***Claire:*** *No, stand up straighter than that. Your posture is wrong.*

CLAIRE NOBLE approaches him, straightening his posture.

***Clyde:*** *My-- my posture? Why does it matter how I hold the bat? I’m still holding it upright - I’m sure I could whack someone quite easily with this--*

***Claire:*** *Not unless you want it to be a petty jab at their torso. Now stay like this.*

She steps away from him.

***Clyde:*** *Okay… so now what?*

***Claire:*** *Just demonstrate to me a clean swing.*

***Clyde:*** *Hm… I just - I just swing now?*

She nods.

***Clyde:*** *Right now?*

***Claire:*** *Yes.*

***Clyde:*** *I just-- swing the bat? Right here. I just - swing now. As if -- to strike my daring opponent.*

***Claire:*** *Yes. Just swing the bat.*

EDWARD REMAR limps into the room, BENJAMIN TAYLOR and MIKE SIMPSON coming in behind him. Clyde swings the bat, his straight posture breaking, his feet wobbling.

***Claire:*** *That was poor.*

***Clyde:*** *It-- it was my first attempt. I’ll get there.*

***Claire:*** *Just keep swinging. Over and over.*

Huffing, Clyde continuously swings the baseball bat.

***Claire:*** *Good. Now don’t stop.*

***Edward:*** *Do you have to practice indoors? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial outside?*

***Clyde:*** *It’s cold.*

***Edward:*** *Well just watch it with that thing… We don’t want to risk you accidentally bonking someone on the head or even swinging it out of--*

On Clyde’s next swing, the bat slips out of his hands, flying across the room, clattering off the floor.

***Edward:*** *…control.*

***Clyde:*** *I was just… testing my throw* ***(He grins)***.

***Claire:*** *I’ll make a warrior out of you yet, Clyde.*

Clyde walks over to retrieve his bat. Meanwhile, Benjamin and Mike approach a table.

***Benjamin:*** *Roll the map out here.*

Mike lifts up his briefcase, opening it. He grabs the map, rolling it out onto the table.

***Claire:*** *Can I ask-- Why a briefcase still…*

***Mike:*** *It’s compact.*

Benjamin scans the map, pointing out the stadium, located many miles outside Willamette.

***Benjamin:*** *We probably have enough fuel to* ***get*** *there, but do we have enough to get back if things go wrong?*

***Edward:*** *We don’t have much of anything, let alone fuel. And look at us-- We’re camping out in a charred, destroyed high school. There’s nothing here for us. We can’t stay much longer.*

***Benjamin:*** *So you’re still on board with the plan to visit the football stadium too, I take it?*

***Clyde:*** *It sounds like our best shot. One of my most successful box-office hits was my movie ‘goals’, where I played an aspiring young footballer who had the goal of accomplishing his dreams.* ***(He chuckles)*** *Do you get it? Goal -- like -- scoring a goal too.*

Claire glances at him, before looking away.

***Mike:*** *Football stadiums also store rooms full of food and drink, to be sold on the stands during games.*

***Edward:*** *I’m on board with the stadium, because I want to look anywhere and everywhere for Badrick. But we need Dean to tell us what he’s been through, he’s clearly been involved with Badrick.*

SOLOMON REED walks down the hall, approaching everyone.

***Solomon:*** *That Dean guy is willing to speak now.*

Edward turns, hastily hobbling down the hall. Benjamin nods to Mike, and both of them follow along.

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**Scene #2**

**WILLAMETTE HIGH SCHOOL - LIBRARY**

EDWARD REMAR limps inside, looking around momentarily, before quickly spotting DEAN HOWARDS sitting up on the couch. He speedily approaches.

***Edward:*** *I hear you’ve remembered how to speak again.*

Dean lowers a book, looking up.

***Dean:*** *--Read too.*

***Edward:*** *Please, spill it all.*

***Dean:*** *I will…* ***(He looks down at his book)*** *Never - read a Harry Potter book before.*

Sighing, Dean tosses the book onto the couch. As he does, BENJAMIN TAYLOR and MIKE SIMPSON enter, strolling over to Dean.

***Dean:*** *My head hurts but - from what I can remember, I’ll tell you what I can. Jacob wanted revenge for what happened to… You know.*

***Edward:*** *I do. My condolences still go out to Erin.*

***Dean:*** *He went on, tried to kill him on a boat.* ***(He frowns)*** *Jacob didn’t make it. Badrick, the reason why he’s burnt is because of him though. He did a number on him.*

***Edward:*** *He’s dead?*

***Dean:*** *Yes…*

***Edward:*** *That’s - unfortunate.*

***Dean:*** *I know. It sounds impossible.*

***Benjamin:*** *He got himself killed going after Badrick.*

***Dean: (He nods)*** *Ge wanted to be the one to kill him. Poor soul.*

***Edward:*** *So that’s another person Badrick has killed, and another reason for us to make him suffer. Continue.*

***Dean:*** *After that, Badrick went on a warpath. He attacked the school. He wanted revenge, too-- I still can’t remember much. I got separated by that point.*

***Benjamin:*** *And what? You just - remained here?*

***Dean:*** *I came back, yeah. Everyone was - gone. Everyone. It really… wasn’t a great feeling. I thought that was it. We’d - lost everyone.*

***Benjamin:*** *Can you tell us* ***anything*** *about where Badrick might be now?*

***Dean:*** *I remember him escaping. He was alone. But - that’s it. He can’t have gotten far.*

***Edward:*** *Then we’re going to visit the stadium.*

***Dean:*** *Before you guys go, I want to say. I’m sorry about yesterday - and how I couldn’t tell you about what happened. I was told all about it. I’m sorry if you’d lost - people important to you. Badrick’s days are numbered.*

***Edward:*** *I’m not going to let him die on his own. He’s going to be found, and he’s going to suffer for what he did.*

***Dean:*** *But-- don’t let that all go to your head, please. Jacob said the same thing. He was on - the same path. I was sure he’d be the one to kill him. And-- he’s not here.*

***Edward:*** *I’ll extract all of his teeth. I’ll cut off his ear and feed it to him. I will jam my cane down his THROAT!*

*Edward turns, limping out angrily, ignoring Dean’s words.*

***Dean: (To Benjamin)*** *Please make sure he doesn’t get himself killed.*

***Benjamin:*** *Badrick stole my final moments with my little girl. He ruined everything for me. Her last days in this world were spent being held captive by a maniac who was using her as a pawn, a shield. I want to see the worst come to him, just like Edward.*

Benjamin turns away, walking out with Mike. Dean worryingly watches them go, as he reaches for his book.

***Dean:*** ***(Quietly)*** *Wish I could do more…*

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**Scene #3**

**WILLAMETTE STREETS - MORNING**

RANDALL FORSTER grunts, lifting open a man-hole cover. He looks around the area, concluding that it was safe to come up. He slowly climbs up and out, looking back down into the hole.

***Randall:*** *It’s clear.*

MICHAEL HALL emerges out of the man-hole, grunting. He slowly stands, needing to get help from Randall. His skin is turning pale, his shoulder still in rough shape.

***Randall:*** *You look like shit, mate.*

***Michael:*** *My wound has festered, it could be infected. It’s been opened up for too long. There’s only so much that bandaging can do for it now.*

***Randall:*** *Don’t talk like that, man. We’ve managed to trek through a lot of shit already… Literally. Just gonna make a stop, get you patched up and we can head to the school, that’s our goal. We look there, we might find everyone.*

Michael nods slowly, as Randall looks around at the surrounding buildings, one of which is an old clinic.

***Randall:*** *Here. I knew this was the right exit from the sewers.*

They slowly approach the building.

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**Scene #4**

**CLINIC**

RANDALL FORSTER and MICHAEL HALL peer through the smashed open windows, looking into the clinic. Inside, it’s a complete mess of flipped over furniture; empty bottles and other trash covering the floor.

***Michael:*** *We may not have much luck in here.*

***Randall:*** *We’ll probably have better luck than anywhere else.*

Randall steps over to the front door - or what’s left of it. He and Michael step inside, looking around at the mess.

***Randall:*** *Fuckin’ hell… this place has been fucked up real good. Bet the cunts who were in here just left us the useless shit. Let’s see what we got.*

He crouches down, looking down at scattered bottles on the floor. While looking through everything, Randall finds a box of condoms.

***Randall:*** *You much of a fuck-machine, Michael? Maybe you could find yourself a nice girl in all of this. Hey that gets me wonderin’, your wife-- was that before or…*

***Michael:*** *It was before. She wasn’t around to see any of this. Part of me is… glad she died before it. Glad she didn’t have to see what I became, what I did to our family. I always wonder now how things could’ve been different. If I wasn’t so bad at the start of this, if I didn’t have the attitude to kill everyone on sight, and hadn’t encouraged my sons to adopt it… I wonder if they’d still be here. Their blood is on my hands just as much as those who killed them.*

***Randall:*** *Maybe they would. But maybe that fucker Badrick would’ve killed them too. You never know. What’s happened has happened, mate. It’s hard for me even now to forgive the things you did, but-- ain’t no point in holding grudges anymore, especially with how dangerous they can be.*

Randall goes back to digging around the supplies, while Michael stays quiet.

***Randall:*** *Oh - here.*

He stands up with a pack of opened bandages, some still left inside.

***Randall:*** *We’re lucky. Should be enough.* ***(He tosses them to Michael)*** *Get yourself patched up, then we’ll waste no time gettin’ to the school. Light’s burning.*

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**Scene #5**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - CELL BLOCK A**

In the corner of the cell, LAYTON ZIMMERS is sitting up against the wall next to ALEX WEISS. He lets out a loud, long sigh, looking around at everyone in the cell. Some are sleeping, others are just sitting up, but everyone is silent.

***Layton:*** *Eye spy with my little eye… some very grim-looking people.*

Layton smiles, but it fades away quickly.

***Aldus:*** *I find it very coincidental the guy I made a speech about killing would turn out to be here.*

***Jon:*** *I think we’re all in the same boat. This would be a blessing if we weren’t locked up. I mean - we all saw him, right? The fucker is dying. His days are numbered.*

***Aldus:*** *Maybe natural causes. After all, his face looked like mutilation. I know we all want him dead, but we stick to the plan.*

***Alex: (To Jon)*** *How can you be so sure about that?*

***Jon:*** *Half of his face has melted off. That can’t be easy to recover from.*

***Alex:*** *Mmm…*

To the side of the cell, WILLIAM REYNES clenches his fist so tight it draws blood. Seeing this, REBECCA DAWSON grabs his hand, urging him to stop. Sighing, William stops.

***Jon:*** *Well, this has certainly been a kick in the ass. I need to get things into motion today, I have a plan. I just need to get out during yard time to make a move…*

***William:*** *If it gets us out of the same oxygen space as that son of a bitch, I’m all for it.*

***Jon:*** *It’s a long-shot, I suppose it relies on their generosity.*

***Angela:*** *What’s your plan?*

***Jon:*** *These people have an infirmary. I’ve heard the guards chatter while we work away. Surely if someone gets injured while working they are gonna tend to that person, no?*

***Aldus:*** *But who’s gonna get injured?*

***Jon:*** *Me.*

***William:*** *I like where this is going…* ***(He nods)***.

***Jon:*** *I can get myself cut, pretty badly if I need to… get myself admitted into the infirmary, maybe smuggle something outta the yard, I got an idea as to what… And then do my best from there.*

***Angela:*** *I don’t like any of this. For one, they might not tend to you. Two - you could get yourself killed trying to breakout alone.*

***Jon:*** *We’ve got nothin’ else. It’s that - or that maniac gets to us first. What do you all think?*

***Layton: (He nods)*** *I missed most of it.*

***Aldus:*** *It’s worth a shot.*

***Alex:*** *Go ahead. It’s worth a try.*

***William:*** *Sounds like a plan, if you can pull it off. Don’t get yourself too hurt, though.*

***Jon:*** *I’ll have to make it believable… but it’ll be nothing that I can’t work with. I suppose the main question is, do these bastards care enough to get my wound treated…*

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**Scene #6**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - CELL BLOCK B**

DANIEL ROCKWELL stands outside of the cell, a clipboard in hand, writing something down. He glances up occasionally, a dull expression on his face.

***Zac:*** *So what is this - you just came to survey us in silence?*

***Daniel:*** *This is about all of you… proving your worth.*

***Kate:*** *Aren’t we your prisoners? Or is this cell just for show?*

***Daniel: (He sighs)*** *I could really do without your smart-ass shit today, all of you. You’re all going to take up some new jobs.*

***Zac:*** *Is this going to replace yard time? I’m sorry, weren’t we promised by you a cruise to the luxury island you all keep rambling on about? You know - the entire reason you took us here as ‘guests’ in the first place?*

***Daniel:*** *We’ve had some delays.*

***Marcus:*** *Some delays?*

***Daniel:*** *Some delays… yeah. You’re gonna be spending some more time here.*

***Zac:*** *That’s great. I love rotting in a cell* ***(He chuckles)***.

***Daniel:*** *You won’t rot in a cell if you take up a job.*

***Zac:*** *Don’t you have your own people?*

***Daniel:*** *We do, but maybe some of you guys in the masses within these cells have some skills that our people don’t. We’re always in need of medical staff, anyone good in construction to help us build fortifications too.*

ZAC BARNES turns to face the others in the cell. He glances from MARCUS DOWNES to KATE BLOODSTONE and then to FRASER STILLER.

***Zac:*** *Well you’re in luck.*

***Daniel:*** *And why’s that?*

***Marcus:*** *Fraser here - was a paramedic.*

Daniel looks over at Fraser in the corner of the cell.

***Daniel:*** *You wanna spend some more time out of the cell? Stretch your legs a little?*

***Fraser:*** *I… Well…*

Fraser notices Marcus staring at him.

***Fraser:*** *Yes. I’d love to help.*

***Daniel:*** *Great. I’ll sign you up. You can come on down to the infirmary, meet the doc later. Look… I’m a firm believer in all of us cooperating. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I’m just doing my damn job. You take a job, you do it genuinely, people here are gonna appreciate that.*

***Kate:*** *Seems you’re different from your boss.*

Daniel glances at her, before turning to the side, and strolling out of the room.

***Kate:*** *This is perfect.*

***Marcus:*** *Fraser - this is it - our first few steps into getting out of here. If you can become trusted in the infirmary, an asset to them - you could come as far as to get us out of here.*

***Fraser:*** *I… yeah… I want to help. But I don’t know if I’ll manage. I’m not reliable, I don’t know if I can pull all of this off.*

***Marcus:*** *Just be yourself. Imagine you are being genuine, and you are there to help. Don’t let what’s really happening make you crumble with pressure.*

***Fraser: (He nods slowly)*** *I just don’t want to be a burden anymore. I want to prove to you all I’m worth something, that I can be useful like you guys.*

***Zac:*** *You are like us, this is your chance to get us all out of this, too.*

Fraser thinks to himself, before looking up at Zac. He gives a firm nod.

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**Scene #7**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - INFIRMARY**

VIVIAN FINKLING pulls the bandages off of DAMERAE BADRICK’s face, tossing it into the trash can. Slowly, she cleans the wound, before beginning to rewrap his face in clean bandages.

***Badrick:*** *Doctor.*

Badrick grins at her, but she ignores him, continuing to wrap his face in bandages.

***Badrick:*** *I really am starting to think we go hand-in-hand. Do you think we are friends now?*

She scoffs, continuing with her work.

***Badrick:*** *I am worried I have perhaps offended you during our last meeting…*

Badrick looks over his shoulder at NICK PARKER standing by the door, who’s keeping an eye on him.

***Badrick:*** *…Which would explain the man third-wheeling with us on our date.*

***Vivian:*** *This isn’t a date.*

***Badrick: (To Nick)*** *Me and the doctor are very well acquainted… you need not be here.*

***Nick:*** *I was told to be here. I will stay here unless told otherwise.*

***Badrick:*** *Trust me… I’m a good friend of Nathaniel’s. Do you know that?*

***Nick:*** *I’m a friend of his, too. He told me to stay here.*

Badrick leans forward suddenly, coughing out blood onto the bed. Blood trickles down his chin and neck, eventually making it to his shirt. Vivian stops with the bandaging, and starts cleaning the blood off of Badrick. As she is, Badrick breaks into a hacking cough, taking the breath away from him. He pats his chest repeatedly, until the coughing dies away. Vivian hesitates, but lifts Badrick back into position, sitting him up straight.

***Badrick:*** *Oh doctor… you are too good to me. Tell me, what is your name? I forget if I have ever been told.*

***Vivian:*** *What is it to you?*

***Badrick:*** *It’s a lot to me. You are one of the only people I have gotten to spend time with these last few days. It has meant a great deal to me.*

***Vivian:*** *Vivian. That’s all you’ll get.*

***Badrick:*** *Thank you, Vivian. It’s a lovely name.*

Vivian finishes up with the bandaging, and proceeds to turn, heading for the door. She passes by Nick on her way out.

***Vivian:*** *Thank you, sir.*

Nick nods, looking back to Badrick.

***Badrick:*** *You have been ordered to stay?*

***Nathaniel:*** *He has.*

NATHANIEL SHEPARD steps in, looking over at Badrick.

***Badrick:*** *You do not trust yourself to be alone with me anymore?*

***Nathaniel:*** *Oh no, not at all. I just wanted you to have some company in case I arrived late. Thank you, Nick. You can go.*

***Nick:*** *Alright.*

He turns, leaving the infirmary and closing the door.

***Nathaniel:*** *Nick’s a good man. He’s a loyal man. You should be happy I picked him to keep you company. But enough about that-- I come to you with great, exciting news. I didn’t know if it was ever going to happen, but I’ve just found out. The boatload of men you called in from New York. Their ship has just been sighted by our scouts as within distance of the Willamette docks. I imagine in ten to fifteen minutes they’ll be there. We can only assume it is indeed your ship. I doubt anyone else would be travelling around in such a vessel. The timing matches up, all is very exciting. It appears you truly did deliver on the promise of your gang.*

***Badrick:*** *And I suppose I am to believe you will deliver on your promise? Of this island? That everyday I begin to feel is less and less likely.*

***Nathaniel:*** *We’ve had some… unfortunate delays in that regard. I’m not sure where our ship is, it’s been gone for a few weeks now. It was due to be back. For now though… we can meet your men, get them on board.*

***Badrick:*** *I would like to meet them alone.*

***Nathaniel:*** *Oh-- you’re in no such condition to travel out there alone - it’s far too dangerous. You are deteriorating with each passing day.*

***Badrick:*** *In that case, one would wonder why I should even have much interest in your island at all. I am no longer sure I will live to make it there.*

Nathaniel frowns for a moment, but quickly smiles.

***Nathaniel:*** *Oh-- no, no - don’t be silly. You’re being treated by our doctor, remember?*

***Badrick:*** *Of course…* ***(He fakes a smile)***

***Nathaniel:*** *I insist on an escort - I’ll get some of my most trusted boys to drive you to the docks, there you can pick up your men, and perhaps that ship could come in useful if ours doesn’t return.* ***(He chuckles)*** *It could be our key to getting to the island if something tragic has happened to ours.*

***Badrick:*** *Perhaps it could be. Very well.*

Badrick stands up, coughing wildly. He quickly regains his posture.

***Nathaniel:*** *This is the big day we’ve been building to, Mr. Badrick. Let’s make it a good one. Just wait here, I’ll go and inform Daniel. I’ll have him escort you personally.*

Badrick smiles slyly, watching as Nathaniel turns away, exiting the infirmary.

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**Scene #8**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - CAFETERIA**

DANIEL ROCKWELL saunters into the cafeteria, carrying the clipboard. The place is completely empty, except for GRANT CARVER sitting alone by a table. Cabinets are wide open, nothing but empty packets inside. Sighing, Daniel goes to sit next to Grant.

***Grant:*** *You seem stressed.*

***Daniel:*** *I’m beginning to question what the point of all this is… more-so than usual. Nathaniel doesn’t know yet, but two of our own, Kelly and Bert… took what supplies were left and bailed overnight. Just left their posts. Can you blame them?*

***Grant:*** *There’s no point. I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. They did the right thing.*

***Daniel:*** *Those assholes took what was left of our rations, the food we should be eating, and yet I still feel like the idiot. He’s delusional, Grant. Some people are starting to see it, others like Nick have been sold on the paradise he’s been pitching for way too long to drop it now.*

***Grant:*** *I know he is. Said it from the start. He’s a nutjob - and we should dip. Think about it.*

Daniel looks down, giving it some thought. He lifts his head to speak, but stops when he notices NATHANIEL SHEPARD swaggering through.

***Nathaniel:*** *Daniel - a word, please. It’s an exciting day. I come with* ***great news***. *Mr. Badrick’s men have arrived - or they are  due to - just about now.*

***Grant:*** *Oh for fuck’s sake. More stoners - great.*

Daniel slowly looks at Grant, frowning.

***Nathaniel:*** *Charming as always, Grant. Your attitude certainly isn’t to be admired. Have some optimism. Daniel - please* ***(He points at a nearby door)***.

Daniel stands up, following Nathaniel.

***Grant:*** *I’m optimistic about the fact it’s a bad idea…*

Nathaniel and Daniel step through a door into a nearby storage room, closing the door.

***Nathaniel:*** *You did hear me right back there. I know that morale is low - but why should it be anymore? Everything is looking up for us--*

***Daniel:*** *No. It fucking isn’t. You’re-- you’re happy? That-- the psychopath we’re housing now has an army at his fingertips? Loyal to him? You know… the same fucking guy who happens to want an entire block of our prisoners dead. Do you not think about anything?*

***Nathaniel:*** *And here I was thinking you were smarter than this…*

***Daniel:*** *Oh please, fucking enlighten me with your lecture then. I’m ready to hear what you actually plan to do. Are you really this fucking gullible and naive or--*

***Nathaniel:*** *Shut up and listen. Yes… we’re housing a psychopath, Daniel… Do you really think I trust Badrick one bit? He’s dying… we’ve all seen it. His days are numbered. Don’t you see why I’ve needed him? Not only can he order his men to be loyal to us and our cause before he dies, but they have a* ***ship***. *If ours is truly missing… we can still get back to Banoi.*

***Daniel:*** *Even that working is a fucking long-shot! Banoi is fucking weeks away! We'll starve to death before we even get there- nevermind transporting all of the fucking people we're storing in cells.*

***Nathaniel:*** *You’re losing faith.*

***Daniel:*** *Damn fucking right I am. What do you expec--*

***Nathaniel:*** *BANOI IS REAL. YOU DOUBT ME - BUT I’VE SEEN IT!*

Daniel stares at him, taking a step back.

***Nathaniel:*** *You all doubt me… and yet I thought when I told you the first time that I came from there, to bring people there-- I was on vacation with my family when this all started, and we met with so many people who vowed to band together and create something more, something better. A safe place for everyone, but we need people, Daniel. The population of Banoi is scarce, the outbreak hit it hard. I’m one of the many who was sent over to bring people, perhaps against their will, but it’s hard to believe in… I understand that… but in the end… everyone benefits. Everyone reaps the reward - don’t you remember that?*

***Daniel:*** *If you ask me… You were fucking stupid to leave, Nathaniel. You got conned hard into coming all the way out here and leaving the island.*

***Nathaniel:*** *We’re due to be going back… and we will be going back. I just need you to buy into this plan… to buy into this - please. Think of all I’ve done for you… when I found you… you were nearly dead. You’d be dead if it weren’t for the dream I was believing in, for the better future I’m enforcing. I took you in, I told you what I was fighting for… my wife believed in Banoi… it was her favourite destination to go to… and I lost her there before we could begin making it safe.*

Daniel glances to the ground, closing his eyes. He reluctantly looks back up at him.

***Daniel:*** *We don’t have food. People are deserting.*

***Nathaniel:*** *One day - is all we need. We can depart on the ship… in one day. We just need my plan to work.*

***Daniel:*** *So what will you have me do?*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #9**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - CAFETERIA**

GRANT CARVER looks up from his chair to see LOLIDA WINDFIELD walking over, taking a seat by Grant’s side.

***Grant:*** *Surprised you haven’t left yet.*

***Lolida:*** *I would never leave you and Daniel behind. Besides, Nathaniel took me in. I was a fool, Grant. He saw that and he rebuilt me. I owe that man my life.*

***Grant:*** *Nathaniel takes a lot of people in, and uses it against them.*

***Lolida:*** *Grant… you gotta start giving him a chance.*

***Grant:*** *Nathaniel is a fool. I gave him plenty.* ***(He stands, pacing around)*** *He’s obsessed.*

***Lolida:*** *He--*

The door to the storage room opens, DANIEL ROCKWELL walking out beside NATHANIEL SHEPARD.

***Nathaniel: (To Daniel)*** *See you in five.*

Nathaniel continues on, leaving the cafeteria. Grant growls, watching him go.

***Grant:*** *Bastard…*

***Daniel:*** *We have to escort Badrick to the docks. Us three. To meet his men…*

***Lolida:*** *Nathaniel thinks this is a good idea? Sending us into - I assume - hell as we know it?*

***Daniel:*** *He’s lost it.*

***Grant:*** *That’s a chance in itself. Think about it - us three outrageously loyal men to Nathaniel’s cause - with a car* ***(He smiles)***.

***Lolida:*** *What are you saying, Grant?*

***Daniel:*** *Now hold up, we have to think this through.*

***Grant:*** *What’s there to think about?*

***Lolida:*** *Look - Nathaniel needs us. He won’t last without us.*

***Daniel:*** *Us driving out to Badrick’s men, where I have no doubt he’ll turn on us and kill us, come straight here to kill everyone in the cell he hates, is awful, yeah. But us killing Badrick on the way there, who’s going to control his men when they go mad?*

***Grant:*** *Not our problem anymore, though.*

***Daniel:*** *They’ll lose their shit. We’d need to be long gone.*

***Lolida:*** *This-this is insane! Killing a man -- it’s insane!*

***Grant:*** *We get in the car - ice Two-Face, and fuck outta here.*

***Daniel:*** *We’ll just need to be cool about it. We can drive him out somewhere, take a stop, and put him down.*

***Grant:*** *Like a sick puppy* ***(He nods)***.

***Lolida:*** *Daniel… you can’t be serious, man.*

Lolida stands, shaking his head.

***Lolida:*** *L-Listen to yourselves.*

***Daniel:*** *I don’t like how Nathaniel has kept him around this long. Lolida - he strangled you, he would’ve killed you in an instant if he could. And now Nathaniel wants to hook him up with his own army.*

***Lolida:*** *But we don’t have to kill him, Daniel. No one here needs to die.*

Grant pulls out his pistol, laying it on the table.

***Grant:*** *It’s reached an ultimatum at this point.*

***Lolida:*** *Grant… man, this is inhumane.*

***Daniel:*** *We need to be at the entrance… if we need any further discussion on this we can do it nearer the time. Come on. Just keep your cool around him.*

Lolida glances at Grant and Daniel warily, before he follows them out of the cafeteria.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #10**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - FRONT ENTRANCE - LATE MORNING**

DANIEL ROCKWELL, GRANT CARVER and LOLIDA WINDFIELD walk out towards the entrance, where a car is waiting for them. DAMERAE BADRICK is seated in one of the back seats, whereas NATHANIEL SHEPARD is standing beside the car, smiling.

***Nathaniel:*** *Good timing. Once you get to the docks, just safely see to it that Mr. Badrick gets to his men so that he may inform them of what’s happening here and on his… condition, of course.*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah. Will do.*

Daniel slowly saunters over towards the driver’s door, opening it and getting inside. Grant takes shotgun, forcing Lolida to get into the backseat beside Badrick, sighing.

***Badrick: (To Lolida)*** *I apologize for before, my friend. It was… an emotional moment.*

***Lolida:*** *I understand…*

Lolida looks out the window, avoiding eye contact.

***Nathaniel:*** *Safe travels, all of you. Remember - big day! I want to see those smiles.*

***Badrick:*** *Big day indeed* ***(He grins)***.

***Daniel: (He frowns slightly)*** *Yeah.*

Daniel grabs the keys off the dash, starting the car. He drives off.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #11**

**COLORADO RURAL ROADS - LATE MORNING**

The car whizzes down the road. To both sides of the road is nothing but dense forests with the occasional farm field. DANIEL ROCKWELL glares into the rear view mirror, keeping an eye on DAMERAE BADRICK, who’s smiling ever so slightly. LOLIDA WINDFIELD slowly turns to look at Badrick.

***Lolida:*** *So… why do you want those people dead so badly?*

***Badrick:*** *I’m glad you asked. Perhaps I can enlighten you on my perspective. You will understand why I got so heated over their appearance in that cell.*

***Grant:*** *Fucking story time…*

***Badrick:*** *Those people… they are terrible people. It is hard to miss the wounds upon my face… It was them who caused that. Before Willamette was destroyed, I had a lot more men… a lot more indeed. I was setting things up, Willamette was a nice town, a quiet one from the dead. But they attacked one of my outposts, clearly intimidated by the size of my group. Naturally, I retaliated, of course… But there came a misunderstanding… for I hold great sympathy for children. My men had rescued a sickly little girl dying of cancer. We were holding her in our care, until her father turned up, one of the vile men who didn’t like my group for no apparent reason. He… thought we had kidnapped her, went mad. Waged war against us, and blood was spilled. The people in that cell… they sided with him, of course.*

***Grant:*** *That story is about as two-faced as you are.*

***Badrick:*** *You do not believe me?*

Badrick coughs a few times. He wipes his mouth with his sleeve, and looks down at it to see blood.

***Grant:*** *Those people back at the cell seemed fine when we picked them up. But you - no, you’re a sick puppy. I can tell.*

***Badrick:*** *You have a lack of manners, you do not represent your people well at all. You have all been so… hospitable to me.*

GRANT CARVER ignores him, muttering something under his breath.

***Grant:*** *And what happens to sick puppies…*

Hearing him, Badrick smiles.

***Lolida:*** *Grant… cool it, man.*

***Grant:*** *Fuck off Lolida. You should check if his dick has two faces too.*

Daniel tries mouthing to Grant to play it cool, but he fails to see.

***Lolida:*** *Grant…*

***Grant:*** *Lolida - I swear to fucking God.*

***Badrick: (To Lolida)*** *I can tell you are a better man than he is.*

***Lolida:*** *Grant - he’s a great man… Just has a hard time showing it.*

***Grant:*** *Get a room.*

Grant looks forward, shaking his head.

***Badrick:*** *I never was someone who considered myself an animal lover, but people who kill them, put them down, that’s awful. A good judge of character. Why put down a sick puppy when it still has some life left in it? Do you fear for it? Do you not want to see it suffer?* ***(He looks at Grant through the rear view mirror)*** *I appreciate your thought.*

***Grant:*** *So we’re transporting a vegan. Nice. It’s all the marijuana getting to your brain.*

Badrick looks away and towards Lolida.

***Badrick:*** *How about you tell me about yourself.*

***Lolida:*** *Hm?*

***Badrick:*** *I am intrigued. Such a kind man must have an interesting story to still hold such good values so close to him. I detect something - different about you to the others.*

Daniel frowns, but continues looking ahead, focusing on the road.

***Lolida:*** *Well… Humanity, I suppose. Humanity is something we all need to hold onto if we want to remember the past life we had. Humanity is possibly the last thing we have from the normal life - and when humanity dies… then I guess the life we had before all of this dies with it, and I’m for sure not ready for that.*

***Badrick:*** *That’s very admirable.*

Daniel glances into the rear view mirror again.

***Daniel:*** *I need to take a stop over here.*

***Badrick:*** *Over where? We are in the middle of nowhere.*

***Daniel:*** *It’s not up to you. Gotta take a leak.*

***Grant:*** *Speaking of which, I do too.*

Badrick smiles.

***Badrick:*** *I understand. A man has to do what a man has to do… right?*

He turns to Lolida again.

***Badrick:*** *Right?*

***Lolida:*** *Right.*

***Badrick:*** *Good.*

Badrick slams Lolida’s head against the window, immediately knocking him out. He rips a knife out of Lolida’s sheathe as Daniel and Grant look back, alarmed.

***Daniel:*** *Fuck - fuck--*

Daniel swerves the car, trying to stop Badrick, as Grant fumbles to get his pistol out. Daniel looks back, not noticing a zombie stumbling onto the road. The car slams into it, just as Grant pulls out his pistol. The gun fires, a bullet shooting past Badrick’s head, shattering the rear windshield. Daniel tries keeping the car straight, but it starts to turn off of the road into a field. Growling, Badrick grabs onto the seat in front of him, and aggressively jams Lolida’s knife into Grant’s throat. Blood squirts out of Grant’s neck, the gun slipping from his hands. Daniel looks over in horror, and lets go of the wheel, grappling onto Badrick. With nobody controlling the vehicle, it ends up swerving into a ditch, flipping over several times. Windows shatter, pieces from the vehicle fly off, bodies are flung around inside the car, until finally it glides to a stop in the ditch, flipped over.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #12**

**WILLAMETTE HIGH SCHOOL - COURTYARD - MORNING**

CLYDE ROLLINS stands out in the courtyard alongside SOLOMON REED, CLAIRE NOBLE and DEAN HOWARDS, whilst BENJAMIN TAYLOR and MIKE SIMPSON are standing across the street by their truck. WILBUR WRIGHT then comes strolling out of the school, over to them.

***Claire:*** *Wilbur, there you are. What’s with the gloomy look?*

***Wilbur:*** *This place took a hard hit… I’ve been venturing around. There’s nothing left here worth taking.*

***Claire:*** *I think we’re all going to check out that football stadium anyways.*

***Solomon:*** *At least the weather’s dying down. It’ll give us an advantage to not freeze.*

Solomon looks up to see Benjamin and Mike crossing the street, joining the rest of them.

***Benjamin:*** *We most likely will be checking out that football stadium, but we’re terribly low on fuel.*

Dean lifts his head out of his Harry Potter book.

***Dean:*** *We’re going somewhere new? For once -- I’m okay with that. This place already-- It’s just… I wanna leave it. If we run out of fuel, we can walk. I just don’t wanna be here anymore.*

***Solomon:*** *Oh - Dean, do you need a gun? Just in case.*

***Dean:*** *Oh - uh, yes. I’ll take one.*

***Solomon:*** *I have an UZI.*

***Dean:*** *An UZI? You think I’ll be able to handle that?*

Dean shrugs, taking the submachine gun from him.

***Dean:*** *Thank you.*

Clyde steps away from the group, having noticed something out in the street. After getting closer, he kneels down next to a corpse - or what’s left of it. His eyes follow a trail of blood behind the corpse, leading all the way down the road.

***Dean:*** *What’s wrong?*

Dean looks over, slowly approaching.

***Clyde:*** *I… don’t know. Someone met - an unfortunate fate while here. This-- must’ve been chaotic.*

***Dean:*** *Huh?*

He squints, getting closer.

***Dean:*** *That--*

Dean stops, frowning deeply. He falls to his knees, closing his eyes. When he opens them, he fights back tears, looking on at the skeletal remains, rotting flesh, and the torn clothing beside it.

***Clyde:*** *Dean… what is it?*

***Dean:*** *It’s-- It’s Jim! It’s Jim…*

Dean wipes away his tears, placing his hand over what’s left of JIM BUTTERMAN’s chest.

***Dean:*** *I’m sorry, Jim. I’m-- I’m sorry…*

Dean turns his head, seeing EDWARD REMAR hobbling up to him.

***Edward:*** *And this was Badrick’s doing too, was it not?*

***Dean:*** *He- he made me drive. I attempted to rebel, and without my knowledge-- Jim was tied to the car. And - he made me drive slow… And so Jim-- Jim suffered… He made me do this - all because I tried to--to REBEL!*

***Clyde:*** *Dean… His blood isn’t on your hands. It’s on Badrick’s.*

***Edward:*** *And it’s surely… all the more reason for you to see him die. To see him suffer, surely you want it just as much as I do.*

***Dean:*** *I do.*

***Edward:*** *It looks like he did a real number on you, Dean.*

***Dean:*** *He did. He did, I-I-I tried to keep my cool. I told you - in the library. I told you that -- it was a bad idea. That we SHOULDN’T do this. I-- I was lying, I was. I was lying to you because - I felt the same. He ruined all of us. Everything, he took EVERYTHING from us. I told you that it was a bad idea. I lied. I want him dead. I thought that-- that peace would work. I’m ashamed of that.*

Edward looks at him, proud. He gives him a nod.

***Edward:*** *Good… And we’ll see him dead. Most of us have a perfect reason for it. He ruined everything.*

Benjamin looks down at his neck, seeing his necklace hanging down; it has half a heart, the other half belonging to Sarah. He takes off the necklace, scrunching it in his hand.

***Dean:*** *I don’t wanna leave him here - after everything. I wanna bury him, if-- if there’s any chance to do so. I don’t want him laying like this - in the snow. He was a good man. Better than me, or anyone here-- He deserved better.*

***Wilbur:*** *Take your chance to bury him now. I’m going to check out the gym, see if there’s anything worth taking. Solomon, you’re with me.*

Solomon and Wilbur walk off towards the school gym, a building detached from the main school building. Meanwhile, Edward looks on at Benjamin, seeing his anger.

***Edward:*** *We’re going to avenge Sarah and the final moments Badrick robbed of hers, Benjamin.*

***Benjamin:*** *I want that very much… But it won’t bring her back.*

He walks off across the street, towards a bench. Mike follows after him. Edward frowns, watching them go.

***Edward:*** *Don’t lose hope in our goal! To kill him! All of you!*

***Clyde:*** *Edward, I…*

***Edward:*** *What?*

***Clyde:*** *Don’t… let this consume you. This isn’t what we’re living for.*

***Edward:*** *As if it isn’t important? He took your eye, Clyde! You of all people should want to see him dead just as much as I do! Look at what he did to you!*

***Clyde:*** *I… don’t really care… he did that in desperation… I don’t want to stoop to his vengeful level.*

***Edward:*** *Fine… Fine.*

Edward turns, limping off inside.

***Claire:*** *Edward.*

He stops, looking back.

***Claire:*** *It doesn’t feel good. I told you that before. It’s not satisfying. It doesn’t bring back what you’ve lost. And if Badrick is well and truly on his last legs as you all speak about him being sick, then it’ll feel even less satisfying. I say this from experience.*

***Edward:*** *You’re not me.*

Clyde frowns, as he watches Edward head inside.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #13**

**WILLAMETTE HIGH SCHOOL - GYM**

WILBUR WRIGHT pushes open the door, stepping through. SOLOMON REED follows along, and both of them immediately notice several zombies wandering around, as well as several more zombie corpses scattered on the ground.

***Wilbur:*** *Let’s clear these ones out quietly, we don’t want to attract more of the dead. Whatever happens here, it was a damn slaughter…*

***Solomon:*** *Alright.*

They head forward, using their knives to take out the zombies one after another.

***Solomon:*** *Yeah, I feel bad, but hopefully this resolves in a good way that doesn’t make us like these. And I say that with no offense - if you knew any of them.*

***Wilbur:*** *Mmm… I don’t know any of these pe--*

He stops, noticing a body sitting up against one of the walls - a corpse that was mostly devoured - yet its bright coloured outfit is still showing. It isn’t hard for Wilbur to tell who it is. He kneels down next to DA’JONTE WOODARD.

***Wilbur:*** *Fucking hell.*

***Solomon:*** *Damn, they just tore at him.*

***Wilbur:*** *I knew this one.*

***Solomon:*** *I feel bad for your loss, Wilbur.*

***Wilbur:*** *It’s not a loss. It’s just a discovery.*

***Solomon:*** *Oh…*

***Wilbur:*** *He betrayed me and my guys for Badrick. The bastard. Just seems like all of my people have dropped like fucking flies. Let’s get out of here.*

He stands back up, turning and heading for the door.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #14**

**WILLAMETTE HIGH SCHOOL - COURTYARD - MORNING**

MIKE SIMPSON takes a seat on the bench next to BENJAMIN TAYLOR, who gives him a slight nod. As he sits down, Mike looks down at the necklace in Benjamin’s hands.

***Mike:*** *You’re mourning.*

***Benjamin:*** *It’s not just that. I’m mourning every minute of every day. I’m thinking. She’s never not on my mind. This is just… helping me remember.*

***Mike:*** *When you took me in - I was just like that necklace there. I was missing a part of myself. Homeless, no family, nothing. Barely even a scrap of clothing to my name.*

***Benjamin:*** *Was being taken into a life of servitude and devotion worth it?*

***Mike:*** *Of course it was. I’d serve no other man but you. You helped reforge my missing piece.*

***Benjamin:*** *It’s flattering that you’ve stayed by my side this whole time. Thank you. Not that I had doubts about your loyalty, but even now, when the world has ended. You could’ve left at any time. When Shane and Robin overthrew me, I was acting off of blind rage. You could’ve stuck with them.*

***Mike:*** *The world may have ended, but not my world* ***(He shakes his head)***. *You - and your daughter were all that mattered.*

***Benjamin:*** ***(He nods sincerely)*** *When I first lost her… I was acting off of blind rage…. I did get men killed… we both know that. These last few days, seeing Edward so hungry for revenge, it’s made me wonder if I’m still just acting blindly. But I realize now…* ***(He looks at the necklace)*** *Before all of this, when I first wanted to try and save my wife, it was for her, of course. So I could still have her, not lose the love of my wife. It was for her and me, nobody else. The second time, with Sarah… it wasn’t just for us, I devoted the resources of my company to finding a cure, investing into that sick bastard’s research in desperation because I wanted to be able to help everyone. I didn’t want anyone to go through what my wife had went through, and what my daughter was experiencing at such a young age. And I remember now… with Badrick… killing him at first… it was just for me. But now I see… that killing Badrick is like killing a disease… I don’t want to give him a single chance to inflict pain on anyone else like he did to all of us.*

***Mike:*** *Sometimes you got to leave a disease to die off by itself. Next time - you doubt yourself - next time you feel blinded by rage - think. Think what would Sarah want you to do. Let her be your guide. Because she’d still have faith in you. So have some faith in yourself. I know I do* ***(He smiles)***.

Benjamin stands up.

***Benjamin:*** *I’ll always appreciate your advice, Mike. It means the world to me. I appreciate it all. But I do need to kill this disease myself for closure, to be able to end this chapter. I know you’ll be by my side either way.*

He pats him on the shoulder, beginning to walk off.

***Benjamin:*** *Get ready to head out.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #15**

**WILLAMETTE HIGH SCHOOL - COURTYARD - MID MORNING**

DEAN HOWARDS digs the shovel into the dirt, throwing it over his shoulder. He continues, the grave becoming deeper and deeper.

***Clyde:*** *Are you sure you don’t want any help?*

***Dean:*** *I did this to him. It’s my job.*

***Clyde:*** *Dean, you can’t blame yourself for something so awful. Something that Badrick orchestrated.*

***Dean:*** *I should’ve been thinking. I should’ve been watching.*

He continues, huffing as he extracts more dirt from the ground.

***Claire:*** *Do you think killing Badrick will satisfy you?*

***Dean:*** *…Yes.*

***Claire:*** *I thought that killing my boyfriend’s murderer would feel satisfying. It was early on into this.*

Dean pauses for a moment, looking up at her.

***Dean:*** *My… My condolences.*

***Claire:*** *I spent three nights tracking him down. The man who raided the house we were sleeping in, and started stealing our supplies. My boyfriend tried to stop him and died for it. All that was on my mind was murdering that man. I finally got the chance to do it, but he’d already been bitten. He was going to die anyway. By the time I found him, the fever was catching up to him. Everything I’d wanted so much, to see him die, suddenly felt pointless. It meant nothing. Him dying changed nothing. I was just as sad, just as unsatisfied as before. Only I was a worse person for letting vengeance get the better of me.*

***Dean:*** *--I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t know. I wanna see him die, I do. But - Jim.*

***Clyde:*** *Jim was a good man.*

***Dean:*** *He was such a peaceful man, everything he did he did with only - kindness in mind. I don’t know what I want. I’m tied between two emotions.*

***Clyde:*** *It’s Edward that I’m worried about…*

***Dean:*** *I told Edward in the library before that it was a bad idea, considering - Jacob’s circumstances. I -- don’t know what to think.*

Dean grunts, lifting out one more shovel full of dirt. He steps out of the hole, looking at it.

***Dean:*** *It - seems big enough. I think it’s time. Thank you for - being here.*

***Clyde:*** *Well - of course.*

CLAIRE NOBLE glances up at the street, seeing two figures stumbling down the street.

***Claire:*** *Incoming.*

CLYDE ROLLINS and Dean look over, seeing the figures get closer.

***Dean:*** *Are they the dead?*

He squints his eyes, trying to see if they looked familiar. His eyes then open wide, realizing that one of them is RANDALL FORSTER.

***Dean:*** *Holy… They--*

Randall looks back to MICHAEL HALL for a second.

***Randall:*** *There’s people over there - it’s actually--*

***Dean:*** *HEY - HEY!*

***Randall:*** *Dean fucking Howards!*

Randall runs ahead, leaving Michael to slowly walk on. Laughing and smiling, Dean and Randall run up, hugging.

***Randall:*** *My fucking man! I see you too, movie star!*

***Dean:*** *Holy - you’re ALIVE? I-I-I thought you died or-- We’ve been through so much since you’ve been gone. Holy shit, you have much to catch up with.*

***Randall:*** *Aye, where is everyone else?*

***Dean:*** *We’ve been separated from most… Some, unfortunately, passed.*

***Randall:*** *Me, Michael and Jim, we tried to save you at the quarry. It’s when we lost Jim. He was taken by Badrick with you, right?*

Dean frowns again.

***Dean:*** *Jim… Yes.*

***Randall:*** *We’ve been looking all over.*

***Dean:*** *Walk with me* ***(He beckons Randall)***.

Randall follows him slowly, towards the grave.

***Dean:*** *It’s good you’re here, we’re - doing something for Jim. Jim, he-- didn’t make it. I’m giving him a proper burial.*

Michael catches up to Randall at the school, overhearing Dean.

***Randall: (He frowns, looking down)*** *What- what happened?*

***Dean:*** *Badrick, he - was the reason this happened.*

***Randall:*** *Course he was…*

Clyde looks over at Michael, remembering him.

***Clyde:*** *I know you. When I was rescuing Benjamin’s daughter - you were the one who stopped me in the hall. I had to stab you just to get her out.*

***Michael: (He nods slowly)*** *That was me.*

***Randall:*** *He’s done a lot of bad things, Clyde. He took my best friend from me. Caused us a shit ton of trouble in the mall. But he saved Jim, and me, multiple times.*

***Clyde:*** *Well then - that’s goo--*

Clyde hears the familiar sound of a cane tapping against pavement behind him. He turns around, seeing EDWARD REMAR walking over. He then suddenly stops, locking eyes with Michael.

***Edward:*** *You…*

***Michael: (He frowns slightly)*** *Edward.*

***Edward:*** *Why is he here? Why isn’t he dead - why hasn’t someone killed him yet? Does anyone know WHO this man is? He’s one of Badrick’s!*

***Dean:*** *Randall says that - he was saved by him. He even saved Jim.*

***Clyde:*** *Right… let’s all calm down… just a bit… I’m sure we can work through all of this. There’s - a lot of history between us all. I think that much is… clear. We could write a trilogy all about it if we wanted to… there’s no point in retreading the past, not now at least. It’s clear we all have a lot of catching up to do… Better focus on that rather than recount what’s already happened. Anyone?*

***Claire:*** *Agreed.*

***Randall:*** *Aye.*

***Dean:*** *Yes.*

Michael gives a slow nod.

***Edward: (To Michael)*** *You look a lot paler than usual.*

***Randall:*** *I said the same thing. He got shot, fighting for us believe it or not.*

***Dean:*** *Well, in my book - he seems like he’s cool now. But, uh, he’s really bleeding out. He’s-- oh, yeah, he’s really bleeding out.*

***Randall:*** *Yeah… I need to get him inside. If you guys ‘av got anywhere he can lie for a while, we can catch up then.*

***Clyde:*** *Sure thing - let’s, uh… Yeah, follow me.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #16**

**WILLAMETTE HIGH SCHOOL - LIBRARY**

MIKE SIMPSON strolls through into the library, carrying his briefcase. He glances at MICHAEL HALL, who’s lying on the couch.

***Mike:*** *That’s a lot of lost blood.*

RANDALL FORSTER looks at Mike, then to Michael.

***Randall:*** *Yeah. Just… do what you can.*

Mike sets his case down, opening it, as Randall turns to DEAN HOWARDS.

***Dean:*** *So, where’ve you been to? Up to anything good?*

***Randall:*** *Nothing as crazy as you apparently… We’ve been trailing around with Michael’s wound since we saw you at the quarry, that’s it. Dean… I’m sorry for all you’ve been through. It’s mad to think I haven’t properly seen you since the hardware store, feels like a lifetime ago.*

***Dean:*** *I know, it’s insane - from where we came to here. It’s not your fault for what happened.*

***Randall:*** *What happened to the school… We’re gonna find our people again. Those remaining are a tough bunch, I’m sure they made it.*

***Dean:*** *Badrick ran havoc through here. He had his men use this place as a playpen. And - some people survived, some didn’t…*

***Randall:*** *We need to end that fucker, I think we’ve all had enough of his shit.*

***Dean:*** *I know. I tried making peace with it, it’s hard to.*

EDWARD REMAR hobbles on into the library, with WILBUR WRIGHT and SOLOMON REED trailing behind. Edward looks up to Randall.

***Edward:*** *I’m glad you’re on board. We were intending on going to the football stadium, but it seems we can’t take everyone now if* ***he*** *needs to remain here to heal up.*

***Benjamin:*** *Then we’ll just send a small group to the stadium. The rest can remain here.*

***Dean:*** *I could come with, if you’d like. I need some space from here.*

***Benjamin:*** *Take some more time here, Dean. Stay here.*

***Dean:*** *I guess you’re right. I probably - won’t think straight.*

***Benjamin:*** *I’ll go to the stadium with Solomon, Edward, and Mike once he’s patched this man up.*

***Solomon:*** *I just hope this stadium is the talkative type. We never have met anyone from the stadium.*

Mike finishes up with Michael, his wound freshly bandaged, and a shot of painkillers injected into his system.

***Mike:*** *That’s all.*

***Benjamin:*** *Thank you, Mike.*

BENJAMIN TAYLOR looks down at Michael, and then up at Randall.

***Benjamin:*** *You’re sure we can trust this man?*

***Randall:*** *I found it in myself to forgive him, and he shot my best friend in the head. Whatever he’s done to you, I’m sure you can find it in yourself to forgive him if I could.*

***Benjamin:*** *Fair enough. It’s done then. Mike, go and get the truck started. We’ll be out in a moment.*

Nodding, Mike packs up his case, and turns to leave.

***Wilbur:*** *So the plan is you just want to roll up to the stadium and see what they are all about?*

***Edward:*** *Precisely.*

***Wilbur:*** *And what about the problem with fuel?*

***Edward:*** *We’ll figure it out. Walk back if we need to.*

***Benjamin:*** *Let’s waste no more time. Edward, Solomon, head out to the truck.*

***Solomon:*** *Alright.*

***Benjamin:*** *We should be back before dark if the trip goes well. If we aren’t, it’s gone wrong.*

Benjamin turns, walking out of the library alongside Edward and Solomon.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #17**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - PITCH - MORNING**

JON MATTHEWS swings his axe into a log, ANGELA JAEGAR and ALDUS PAXTON doing the same thing beside him. Around the pitch are several guards, including NICK PARKER and ISAAC MOSES.

***Angela: (Quietly, to Jon)*** *So how’s this going to happen?*

***Jon:*** *Quite simply. I’m gonna stage an injury and get taken off to the infirmary…*

***Angela:*** *Just be fucking careful.*

***Jon:*** *I’m touched you don’t want me to get hurt too badly* ***(He smiles)***.

***Aldus:*** *Let’s hope it’s gonna work. If something comes up - well, we tried.*

As Jon is splitting another log, he notices a wood splinter fly off into the dirt below. He glances around, before bending down, and pocketing the splinter. Taking a deep breath, he then picks up another log and sets it down. He cautiously puts his arm near the log, and then swings the axe down, cutting his arm badly. Blood leaks out of his arm, as Jon drops the axe, groaning.

***Jon:*** *Ahh - fuck. Oh shit--*

***Angela:*** *Jon! Someone!*

Nick lowers his cigarette, noticing the commotion. He sighs, dropping the cigarette and stepping on it. He whistles, getting Isaac to follow him over to Jon, Angela and Aldus.

***Nick:*** *What’s the problem?*

***Jon:*** *The hell does it look like?*

Jon grunts, holding his arm in pain.

***Isaac:*** *Oh - no, he must’ve hit an artery. We need to send the man to the infirmary!*

***Nick:*** *God dammit - how the hell do you manage to do this?*

***Jon:*** *I’m a hard-worker.*

Grinning, Jon stumbles forward.

***Isaac:*** *I’m gonna try to help you, pal.*

Isaac removes his belt, wrapping it around Jon’s upper arm.

***Isaac:*** *This should do for now before we get medical help, alright?*

***Angela:*** *Don’t you people have a damn doctor? It could get infected!*

***Isaac:*** *I-- I don’t know. I wish I did. There’s so much of it, it’s hard to tell. I haven’t been here as long as the rest.*

***Nick:*** *I’ll take the man to the damn doctor. You watch them, Isaac.*

***Isaac:*** *On it.* ***(He rubs his hand on his shirt, staining it red)*** *Wish I had a handkerchief.*

Shaking his head, Nick steps forward, as Jon smiles slightly.

***Nick:*** *Come on, bud.*

Jon is led off down the field by Nick.

***Angela:*** *Jon! I…*

She pauses, unable to say the words.

***Jon:*** *I know ya’ do, darling.*

Jon chuckles, as he’s taken off inside the stadium. Angela watches them go, before turning back to Aldus.

***Angela:*** *No going back now…*

***Aldus:*** *Yeah.*

Angela goes to pick up her axe again, when she notices ED ANDERSON being dragged across the field ahead of them.

***Angela:*** *Ed…? ED--*

***Ed:*** *Huh? Angela?*

Angela drops her axe, trying to run over to him, but another guard rushes to get in the way, blocking her.

***Angela:*** *Move!*

She punches the man in his face, sending him stumbling back. Another guard leaves his post, running over, stopping Angela, as Ed is ushered off into the stadium, vanishing.

***Angela:*** *ED! Let me see him! I need to speak with him!*

Nick steps back out of the stadium, just as Angela starts fighting with another one of the guards.

***Nick:*** *HEY!*

He charges over to her.

***Isaac:*** *Ma’am, you--*

With Nick and the other two guards all now on their feet, Angela is easily restrained.

***Nick:*** *That - is not fucking acceptable. Yard time is over for you.*

***Isaac:*** *Nick, they know each other, man. Maybe we could-- I dunno.*

***Nick:*** *It doesn’t matter, Isaac.*

***Isaac:*** *I know. It’s not up to me. You - do your thing.*

***Nick: (To Angela)*** *You’re going somewhere - not back to your cell.*

He grabs her, taking her away to a different part of the stadium, the two other guards escorting them.

***Angela:*** *ALDUS - TELL THE OTHERS IT’S OKAY!*

Angela doesn’t fight back, allowing herself to be taken into the stadium, leaving Aldus by himself. He turns to the pile of logs, and goes to grab another.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #18**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - INFIRMARY**

VIVIAN FINKLING steps out of the operating room, approaching JON MATTHEWS, who’s sitting in one of the chairs.

***Vivian:*** *Nicked yourself, mm? Come with me, me and my helper will be treating you.*

Jon stands, following her inside.

***Jon:*** *Great.*

***Vivian:*** *Right this way.*

She opens the door to the operating room, letting Jon inside first. As soon as he enters, he notices FRASER STILLER standing by the corner. Fraser’s eyes open wide upon seeing him.

***Vivian:*** *Let me get a look at your arm again. Do sit on the table first.*

***Jon:*** *Yeah, sure…*

Jon keeps his eyes on Fraser, as he hops up onto the bed, sitting.

***Vivian:*** *Mm. Fashioned a belt to stop the bleeding, smart. Fraser - do you mind grabbing me gloves? This looks like a bad one.*

Fraser nods his head quickly, turning and opening a cabinet. He takes out a set of rubber gloves, handing them off to her. After putting them on, Vivian carefully pries open the wound, examining it.

***Vivian:*** *It seems like as your heart beats, it squirts blood. Your artery must’ve been nicked a bit, but you’re lucky. Not as bad as what I’ve seen before.*

***Jon:*** *Great, so how long do you think this’ll take, doc?*

***Vivian:*** *It’ll take some pressure and stitching. It might take maybe thirty, forty minutes. Fraser, do you mind grabbing me some stitches? With this type of wound, one minor like this, it’s easy to fix.*

***Fraser:*** *Yes, yes--*

Fraser begins rummaging through a drawer, as Vivian looks up at Jon, noticing him still staring at Fraser.

***Vivian:*** *You two are free to talk.*

***Fraser:*** *Uh--*

***Jon:*** *I don’t know this man.*

***Vivian:*** *Ah. Apologies. It seemed so. Fraser, stitches?*

***Fraser:*** *Right--*

Fraser retrieves them, and hands them over.

***Vivian:*** *Thank you.*

She turns back to Jon’s arm, beginning to apply pressure, making it sting a bit, though the bleeding starts slowing down.

***Jon:*** *Fuck.*

***Vivian:*** *This will ache as time goes on. Your work out there will be severely stunted. But you’ll be completely fine afterwards.*

***Jon:*** *No worries, I’ll take that as an excuse to get off it for a while.*

***Vivian:*** *You’ll be lucky if they give you time off.*

Vivian continues with the treatment, slowly going through cleaning it, stitching it, and dressing it.

***Vivian:*** *It’ll be fine as long as you don’t thrash it around.*

***Jon:*** *I didn’t plan on it.*

***Vivian:*** *Fraser, do you know the supplies we’re stocked up with yet? The medical supplies.*

***Fraser:*** *Uh, no - I didn’t get around to it. I’m still cleaning up here.*

***Vivian:*** *Ah, I understand you’re not accustomed with them yet.*

***Fraser:*** *Sorry, doctor.*

***Vivian:*** *I’ll go gather some. We’ve run out of a fair deal today. If he needs help, do tend to him.*

She leaves the room. Once the door closes, Fraser immediately turns to Jon.

***Fraser:*** *The others?*

***Jon:*** *Yeah, those of us who made it out are here. You?*

***Fraser:*** *Kate, Marcus and Zac. I’m helping out - as a-a medical assistant. It was part of the job quota or something. What the hell happened to you?*

***Jon:*** *I went to some serious commitment to smuggle this out of the yard* ***(He pulls out the splinter of wood)***.

***Fraser:*** *Uh - uh… I don’t know why she left me alone, I think I’m meant to be watched-- She’s a good person I think - that’s why - not like the others… Here - here.*

Fraser hands Jon a small scalpel, and he quickly hides it in his pants.

***Fraser:*** *I don’t know how much time we have, but, uh - you can tell the others that we’re okay - I know the guys in my cell will be relieved, it’s all Kate’s been worrying about.*

***Jon:*** *It’s nice to see you stepping up, I never thought that much of you.*

***Fraser: (He nods sincerely)*** *Thank you.*

Hearing footsteps approaching the room again, Fraser turns away from Jon.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #19**

**FOOTBALL STADIUM - THE DARK ROOM**

Her eyes slowly open to reveal a room filled with darkness - not a light source in sight. ANGELA JAEGAR sits up from the cold, wet ground, and gets to her feet.

***Ed:*** *Angela?*

Angela’s eyes begin to adjust to the dark, and within the room is ED ANDERSON.

***Angela:*** *You’re - in here? Oh my god. At least we’re rotting together. Ed -- what the hell happened? We came looking for you - for Darwin - for Don.*

***Ed:*** *When we were out meeting those two guys… Darwin and Don went on a trip for food.*

***Angela:*** *I was told… and I was told you went looking for them when they didn’t come back.*

***Ed:*** *Yeah… I found them… neither of them made it.*

***Angela: (She frowns)*** *…And what happened to you?*

***Ed:*** *Not long after, I was taken here against my will. I’ve been locked up.*

***Angela:*** *I’m so glad I’ve found… I was beginning to think…*

***Ed:*** *Not me* ***(He smirks slightly)***.

***Angela:*** *Where are we?*

***Ed:*** *I’ve been here once before, it’s the ‘dark-room’, so they refer to it as. Like a punishment cell… You don’t get any food, and you sit in the darkness in a puddle of murky water.*

***Angela:*** *And why are you here?*

***Ed:*** *For almost escaping with a lockpick.*

***Angela:*** *Ed… we’re going to get out of here… we have a plan in motion. A big group.*

***Ed:*** *It’s no easy task… you’d better hope it’s a damn good plan.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #20**

**COLORADO RURAL ROADS - AFTERNOON**

BENJAMIN TAYLOR leans back into his seat, sitting beside MIKE SIMPSON, who’s driving the truck. In the back, EDWARD REMAR is looking down at a map with SOLOMON REED.

***Edward:*** *According to the map it’s not much further?*

***Benjamin:*** *Ten minutes at most. Let’s just hope this place is worth it.*

***Solomon:*** *Hopefully.*

The truck starts to turn around a bend, and as they do, Benjamin notices a crashed car by the side of the road. He points ahead.

***Benjamin:*** *Mike - pullover.*

Mike spots the wreck as well, and slows the truck down until it stops beside it.

***Solomon:*** *Looks recent…*

Edward, Benjamin and Solomon get out of the truck, approaching the wreck. DANIEL ROCKWELL and LOLIDA WINDFIELD are sitting next to the wreck, sitting next to GRANT CARVER’s corpse.

***Benjamin:*** *What the hell… What happened here?*

Daniel looks up at them, startled. He has a cut along his head, bleeding.

***Daniel:*** *Easy - easy. We don’t want trouble.*

***Solomon:*** *You’re sitting next to a corpse. That is shady, I’m just pointing out.*

***Daniel:*** *The corpse of my best friend.*

***Benjamin:*** *This happened awfully near to where we’re going. Are you familiar with the football stadium?*

***Daniel:*** *Well it’s certainly a surprise to hear that people are going there* ***willingly***.

***Edward:*** *What do you mean by that?*

***Daniel:*** *Guess you haven’t heard about how shitty we are there… Taking people in against their will all on a false notion, a promise of some bullshit paradise.*

***Benjamin:*** *So you’re from there… Then what happened here?*

***Daniel:*** *We’ve been in a fucked situation lately, one caused by our delusional leader. It’s hard to explain. But he had us driving some psychopath out to collect a big group of guys. And what do you know, the psychopath truly had fuck all to lose, because he caused us to crash. Jammed a knife into my best friend’s neck…*

***Solomon:*** *Does this psycho have a name…?*

***Daniel:*** *What does it matter to you? Badrick. Disgusting fucker with a fucking fucked up face. The bastard.*

Edward’s jaw hangs open, staring at him.

***Edward:*** *Badrick… He did this? Very recently?*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah… and he got away… probably hurrying off to go and fetch his guys so he can kill everyone at the stadium.*

Lolida groans in pain, grabbing at his head, shaken up and confused.

***Lolida:*** *G-- Grant?*

***Daniel:*** *Take it easy, Lolida.*

***Benjamin:*** *And you know… where Badrick is going now?*

***Daniel:*** *I’m 100% sure of where he’s going, unless he collapses dead on the way due to his condition.*

Edward turns to Benjamin.

***Edward:*** *This is our chance.*

***Daniel:*** *He’s got a big ship of men apparently, armed guys I bet… sailed all the way over to come help him… It’s safe to say if he gets to them we’re fucked, which he probably has by now, or at least he’ll be getting close.*

***Edward:*** *Benjamin. This is it. We head back to the school, we round up everyone, and we confront him once and for all. We can kill him. We know where he is, we can still get there. THIS IS OUR CHANCE!*

Benjamin slowly nods.

***Edward: (To Daniel)*** *You can come with us. You can help us finish this.*

***Daniel: (He shakes his head, looking at Lolida)*** *I need to get my friend back… I can’t let him die too. He needs medical attention, so do I.*

***Edward:*** *So be it. We have enough fuel to at least get us back to the school. Let’s go. We have no time to lose.*

***Daniel:*** *If you make it out of that shit alive… don’t come back to the stadium, it’ll be fucking chaos. A lot of damn people who’ve been locked up might get their chance to escape real soon.*

***Benjamin:*** *Locked up?*

***Edward:*** *We can deal with this later. For now we need to go and get Badrick. Let’s go.*

Edward turns back, quickly getting back to the truck, and climbing inside. Daniel watches as Benjamin and Solomon return to the truck, getting in as well.

***Solomon:*** *I’m just saying - these odds are scary. If it’s true about that many people, we need more firepower or whatever we can get. A bunch of armed people won’t be easy.*

Mike starts the truck, looking at Ben.

***Mike:*** *Where to?*

***Benjamin:*** *The high school. We’re going to pick everyone up and finish this.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #21**

**WILLAMETTE NEIGHBOURHOOD - HOUSE**

Downstairs, LLOYD WALLER is standing by one of the windows, peeking through the curtains at the street. It’s quiet outside, and of the small horde that had been at their gate the day before, only one remained, wandering about in the front yard. Lloyd closes the curtains when he hears footsteps walking down the stairs. He turns around to face BERNIE ORTAN.

***Lloyd:*** *Oh - uh, morning. Is Kyle still sleeping?*

Bernie nods. While thinking to himself, Lloyd steps into the kitchen, looking through the cupboards, finding a box of cereal.

***Lloyd:*** *Better than nothing.* ***(He turns to Bernie, speaking slowly)*** *I’ll, uh, go and check on Kyle.*

Bernie nods, and walks past Lloyd to grab himself some cereal. Meanwhile, Lloyd heads upstairs and knocks on the door of the room Kyle is in.

***Lloyd:*** *Hey, uh - Kyle, buddy, are you awake?*

A groggy moan comes from inside the room.

***Kyle:*** *Right now, yes. My head hurts--*

Lloyd hears KYLE DOUGLASS climbing out of bed slowly, and shuffling across to the door, opening it.

***Lloyd:*** *Do you mind if we talk?*

***Kyle:*** *No, not at all. Last night, I had stayed up a bit later. I was working on my studies of the undead. Their actions are peculiar. For being dead, they seem to have an inexplicable hunger? Though, perhaps that could be denoted by their habit of trying to infect others. I’m unsure of their patterns, it’s all quite odd.*

***Lloyd:*** *I wouldn’t stress over it, I think you’ve probably got enough on your mind--*

***Kyle:*** *Care to read some of my notes? I have my notebook here - here.*

Kyle steps back into the room, pulling the notebook out of the bed.

***Lloyd:*** *Oh - you still do that? Even after - the school?*

***Kyle:*** *Why yes, what else am I supposed to do? A habit is a habit, of course. I’ve grown with this thing. It’s my prized possession, or - one of my prized possessions. Unfortunately, I don’t have my gameboy. I have to resolve with - other muses. And thus, I write in my notebook! But it’s fine - after all, I do enjoy writing. I feel obtaining my gameboy would be a rather unfortunately difficult task. Especially in these conditions.*

***Lloyd:*** *Listen, uh, I know you get stressed when we’re out there.*

***Kyle:*** *Oh yes, yes of course. Those things are intensely horrifying.*

***Lloyd:*** *It’s a - stressful time in general right now. Us being on our own. I want to - pretend like I know what I’m doing. But in truth - I don’t. I don’t have a plan.*

***Kyle:*** *Lloyd, it’s not your fault if you pause sometimes. You’re a kid, much like Bernie and I. It’s hard to lead a group of kids when you’re a kid. And the sad truth is - we have no adults to guide us this time. It’s not your fault if you stumble, my friend. I’m sorry for being so frightened. I’ve just - never expected this to be a reality in this world! Never could I imagine a prospect like this, undead living. Or - dead living. It seems impossible.*

***Lloyd:*** *Listen, I-- I’m sure it’d be beneficial to you to - learn how to defend yourself, to overcome your fears.*

***Kyle:*** *Oh, that’s going to be a vastly difficult task, Lloyd. I squirm far too much, it’s just rough to think about going out there--*

***Lloyd:*** *We’re on our own now. We don’t have anyone to keep us safe. No adults, at least not for the time being. We can start looking - for survivors.*

***Kyle:*** *In situations such as this, are we sure we can trust those out there? I’m unsure if people would be so willing to readily help us--*

***Lloyd:*** *I mean-- survivors from the school. People we know. Like Principal Boseman, or Mr. Reynes. Mr. Ford, too.*

***Kyle:*** *Ahh, yes. I miss Principal Boseman. I used to read him my poems all the time--well--all of them. I had stories, poems. They were always the first to hear it. They’d give me insight, then I’d tell you and the group and what not. I wish things were much simpler than now. It’s devastating - this reality.*

***Lloyd:*** *I’m gonna start helping you learn how to defend and compose yourself when we go out there today, alright? Just please - try and stay calm.*

***Kyle:*** *If at any point I tend to undergo a meltdown - I want you to slap me, it’s okay if you inflict force. You have to keep me in line. And during situations as intense as such outside--you will understand it. I won’t hold it against you.*

***Lloyd: (He smiles)*** *I’m sure I won’t need to do that, bud.*

***Kyle:*** *Oh trust me, you most likely will--*

***Lloyd:*** *We’ll see. There’s cereal downstairs, come and get a bite to eat before we figure out what we’re doing.*

***Kyle:*** *Bite… eeehhgh-- Even the word is a trigger now.*

***Lloyd:*** *We’ll get something to eat. Is that better?*

He gives Lloyd a thumbs up.

***Kyle:*** *Splendid.*

***Lloyd:*** *Great.*

Lloyd turns to leave the room, Kyle following him.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #22**

**WILLAMETTE NEIGHBOURHOOD - HOUSE**

KYLE DOUGLASS munches on the dry cereal slowly.

***Kyle:*** *It’s like eating glass.*

***Lloyd:*** *Have you ever eaten glass before?*

***Kyle:*** *I-- That’s… Don’t ask that question, please. I anticipated much better than this.*

As Kyle and BERNIE ORTAN continue eating, LLOYD WALLER gets up, grabbing an ice pack, resting it against his head.

***Kyle:*** *You’re gonna have to dig your head in the snow next, aren’t you?*

***Lloyd:*** *I’d be lucky to find a patch of snow that’s big enough. It’s all starting to melt, especially overnight.*

***Kyle:*** *Make like a jackhammer and find one!*

***Lloyd:*** *Look - c’mere.*

He approaches the window and opens the curtains, where the sun is shining bright down onto the town, the snow from the latest blizzards finally melting away. Kyle peers out the window, and Bernie gets up to look as well after seeing the two of them.

***Kyle:*** *Huh. Well, finally! I’ve been getting tired of this dreaded snow.*

A lone zombie stumbles into view, slowly making its way down the street.

***Kyle:*** *Oh, look - another freak. I suppose they’re still starved for us. Poor thing’s just moping around, waiting.*

Lloyd steps away, walking over to a small box in the corner of the room.

***Lloyd:*** *I, uh, couldn’t sleep last night. Did some digging in the garage.*

***Kyle:*** *Digging?*

***Lloyd:*** *After losing my knife yesterday, Bernie’s the only one of us who has a weapon, so I figured I’d try to find some stuff.*

***Kyle:*** *Ah.*

Kyle shuffles over, taking a gander at the closed box.

***Kyle:*** *Well, what’s inside? Gold? Emeralds?*

Lloyd opens it and takes out a baseball bat.

***Kyle:*** *Ahhh, even better. A blunt force weapon. That’s much better than a measly knife.*

***Lloyd:*** *Well, you need to have the strength to swing it. Knives are easier--*

***Kyle:*** *Wait, this is for ME? Oh wait, no, no--*

***Lloyd:*** *No, no - I’ll take the bat. I used one before on them. I can get you something else.*

***Kyle:*** *Hah, sorry.*

Lloyd searches around through the box.

***Kyle:*** *Please don’t let it be a frying pan. Those weapons, it was revealed during a home alone experiment that they’re tough but-- it’s the equivalent of using a shovel. Most times they don’t work. It vibrates too much, and it’s almost impossible to get knockouts unless you’re a big burly man.*

Lloyd pulls out a hatchet.

***Lloyd:*** *This could work for you, so long as you don’t cut yourself with it.*

***Kyle:*** *Ooh, that one’ll do I suppose. But the whole chopping up heads, it’s so visceral-*

Kyle carefully takes it from Lloyd.

***Lloyd:*** *It’s sharp - and you don’t have to get as close as you would with a knife.*

***Kyle:*** *I - guess it will do, won’t it? It’ll be - nasty in action. Very, very much so.*

***Lloyd:*** *Now it’s just a matter of…* ***doing*** *something. Finding anyone else who - made it out of the school… if any. Mr. Ford - he had us evacuate early into it all…*

***Kyle:*** *I bet he’s still around here - somewhere. He’s a strong man. If we can find him, we should be fine. Do you think it’s time? Time to go off - galavanting again.*

***Lloyd:*** ***(He nods)*** *Yeah…*

Lloyd turns to face Bernie.

***Lloyd:*** *Are you all ready to head out?*

Bernie nods slowly.

***Kyle:*** *I guess. There’s only one butt-muncher out there. At least as far as the eye can see.*

***Lloyd:*** *Alright… let’s just follow the road out of the neighbourhood. I’m hoping to find something for my head. It hurts like hell. I didn’t think it’d get this bad.*

***Kyle:*** *I think as long as you wrap it you might be fine. But the matter is - how do we find any bandages and what not.*

***Lloyd:*** *Maybe some place in the town by a miracle still has some supplies… but I’m doubtful. Only one way to find out.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #23**

**WILLAMETTE NEIGHBOURHOOD - STREETS - MORNING**

The three boys leave the house, and slowly start journeying through the neighbourhood, keeping an eye out for danger.

***Kyle:*** *It’s so deserted - it’s like a ghost town. It reminds me of Silent Hill, so dreadful--*

***Lloyd:*** *Don’t speak too soon.*

LLOYD WALLER points ahead, where a couple of zombies are seen stumbling around.

***Kyle:*** *Huh. They don’t look too intimidating--*

The zombies turn to them, staggering towards them.

***Kyle:*** *Nevermind. Oh - oh, no. Hh-- I- wha--*

One of them growls loudly, reaching its arms out as they get closer.

***Kyle:*** *L-Lloyd - do something - please. Lloyd?*

***Lloyd:*** *Me and Bernie will handle these ones - just stay back.*

***Kyle:*** *Okay--thank you, thank you very much - uh, affirmative.*

KYLE DOUGLASS steps back behind the other two, as Lloyd tells BERNIE ORTAN what to do. Lloyd raises his bat, and Bernie grips his knife. They each take one of the zombies. Lloyd beats one down with his bat, crushing its head. Bernie jams his knife into the other, falling down with it. He stands back up.

***Kyle:*** *Well - that… was pleasant.* ***(To Lloyd)*** *You - took your time with that one, heh--*

Lloyd turns around to Kyle, the front of his clothes splattered with blood.

***Kyle:*** *Oh-- oh my g-- The horror.*

***Lloyd:*** *This is a sight you’ll need to get used to. I’m not saying I’m fully used to it. It’s still gross, but… Would you rather become a meal for one of those guys?*

***Kyle:*** *Not at any point in time. Never.*

***Lloyd:*** *I got my best experience out there when… Mr. Reynes, and Feldman and Boseman let me join them. Of course that’s-- It was* ***meant*** *to just be a run…*

Lloyd looks down, as they continue down the street.

***Lloyd:*** *They had a lot of faith in me. The strength I got from them is what I want to be like.*

***Kyle:*** *Well that’s - good.*

***Lloyd:*** *Before that day, I was so enthusiastic to be out there. I took it seriously, I just-- I never expected it to go so wrong.*

***Kyle:*** *Nothing was your fault, Lloyd.*

***Lloyd:*** *It was a wake-up call, and I thought I was already wide-awake. I… It was me… I gave Mr. Feldman that grenade in case he needed it. And it got him killed.* ***(He wipes his eyes)*** *I wanted to be helpful, it’s all I wanted to do, even going out with them. To prove I could do something.*

***Kyle:*** *…It wasn’t your fault, buddy. I’m serious. Perfectly serious.*

***Lloyd:*** *I just wish I could’ve saved him. But - I shouldn’t pick now of all times to mourn… not out here. Come on…*

***Kyle:*** *Yeah, yeah - not now.*

***Lloyd:*** *And hey, since when did you ever say ‘buddy’?* ***(He smiles)***

***Kyle:*** *I said that to hopefully make you feel better. I don’t say it very frequently to many people. Many people unless I mean it.*

Lloyd nods slowly, continuing on.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #24**

**WILLAMETTE NEIGHBOURHOOD - STREETS - MORNING**

LLOYD WALLER looks ahead, finally seeing a building that isn’t a house - a convenience store.

***Lloyd:*** *Hey - here’s somewhere we can check.*

***Kyle:*** *Well then, it’s something isn’t it!*

They cross the street cautiously, approaching the store. When they get near it, Lloyd turns to face KYLE DOUGLASS and BERNIE ORTAN, speaking slowly for Bernie.

***Lloyd:*** *Look - I really need you to follow my lead in here. I know I’m not an expert, and I know I’m not the strongest person to put your faith into, but-- all it takes is the turn of one corner for a dead one to get the jump on you. Kyle - you can’t defend yourself yet. And Bernie - well, y’know… they can creep up on you. It’s why we need to stick together.*

***Kyle:*** *I don’t intend on bouncing around the walls, trust me. What good would that do for me?*

***Lloyd:*** *If you see one--*

Lloyd approaches Kyle, straightening his posture, and making sure he was holding the hatchet properly.

***Kyle:*** *Like a wrestler pose?*

***Lloyd:*** *Stand like this - and swing. Don’t crumble under the pressure - and don’t be scared. Just focus on swinging as hard as you can.*

Kyle practices his swing, but it's slow and weak.

***Lloyd:*** *Better than that. As if you’re a knight fighting for his kingdom.*

***Kyle:*** *I’m not entirely sure in my striking ability, but if you put it into those words - I will try my best.*

***Lloyd:*** *We’ll work on perfecting your form when we start encountering lone dead guys, you can practice on them.*

**Scene #24 Cont.**

**WILLAMETTE NEIGHBOURHOOD - CONVENIENCE STORE**

Lloyd turns around and carefully walks up to the front doors, pushing them open. It’s immediately figured out by the boys that the store had been picked clean. Shelves are knocked over, garbage carpeting the floor, several smashed windows allowing the sunlight to peek through more clearly.

***Kyle:*** *Well, this place has certainly been scavenged. Everything’s rummaged!*

***Lloyd:*** *That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to find.*

They continue through the store, walking down one of the aisles, eventually coming across an old, rotting corpse.

***Kyle:*** *Oh no--*

Lloyd raises his bat, carefully approaching it, though he quickly realizes it’s long dead.

***Kyle:*** *What is it? Just a deadie?*

***Lloyd:*** *Uh - yeah. It’s dead. Don’t worry.*

***Kyle: (He sighs in relief)*** *Good.*

Something makes a sound across the store, a few aisles over. Lloyd and Kyle freeze up, and Lloyd silently mouths to Bernie what had happened. Lloyd grips his bat, and slowly starts creeping down the aisle, Kyle and Bernie following him. As they reach the end of the aisle, Lloyd peeks around the corner, seeing a zombie roaming around, facing away from them. Lloyd creeps up behind it, and whacks it in the head, hitting it once more until its head is smashed in.

***Kyle:*** *It took two hits this time - gross.*

Lloyd stays quiet, and starts looking around the store, where he notices a horde of zombies passing by the front of the building. Kyle looks over, horrified. Lloyd crouches down, looking at Bernie.

***Lloyd: (Quietly)*** *Alright - listen up. We need to let them pass. By being as* ***quiet*** *as possible. Let them go in their direction.*

***Kyle:*** *Oh don’t worry, I’m not going outside into that at all. Well, I suppose it’s time to start our scrummage? It’s a little dark, but we might be able to find something.*

Kyle slowly starts walking down an alley, looking through the shelves.

***Lloyd:*** *Wait - Kyle. It might not be clear yet.*

***Kyle:*** *Oh, sorry - sorry. I thought it was fine enough.*

Kyle quietly walks back towards them - Lloyd perks his head up, hearing a second set of footsteps.

***Lloyd:*** *Hear that?*

***Kyle:*** *Sorry - what’s wrong?*

***Lloyd: (Quietly)*** *There’s still one in here with us.*

***Kyle:*** *Huh?*

Lloyd starts looking around quietly, as Kyle and Bernie stay put. As they wait, Kyle suddenly hears footsteps rapidly approaching behind him, accompanied by a low growl. Before he can even turn, a hand grabs his shoulder, pushing him into a shelf. It falls over, as Kyle goes to the ground, yelling, getting a look at the zombie grappling with him.

***Kyle:*** *AHH- AH - OH MY! HELP!*

***Lloyd:*** *Sh--*

Lloyd runs over, hitting the zombie off of Kyle with his bat. Kyle crawls out of the way frantically, as Lloyd finishes off the zombie. Bernie looks on at them, watching a few more shelves falling over.

***Kyle:*** *WH-- IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE! I DIDN’T--* ***(He looks at the toppled over shelves)*** *Oh - I DIDN’T DO THIS, I’M SORRY! I’M--*

Outside the horde that had been passing by comes to a stop, turning towards all of the noise inside the store.

***Lloyd:*** *Kyle - Kyle! LISTEN TO ME - it’s fine! IT’S FINE! Just - stay calm!*

Kyle stands up, hyperventilating as he notices the pack of zombies approaching the front of the store.

***Kyle:*** *They’re coming, Lloyd-- They’re coming.*

***Lloyd:*** *We’re gonna get out of this, we CAN’T let them box us in here.*

Lloyd sprints towards a door towards the back of the store. He barges into it, but it won’t budge.

***Lloyd:*** *Shit, shit, shit!*

***Kyle:*** *W-what are we supposed to do? They’re gonna BREAK through the walls - THEY--*

Lloyd smacks the door with his bat, but it won’t open. They have nowhere to go but forward - to the front door and the horde of zombies waiting for them.

***Lloyd:*** *We have to face them! We’ll die if we let them in here! Both of you - stick by me - follow my EXACT lead! We have to go out front to avoid them - there’s no time to discuss!*

***Kyle:*** *G-g-got it.*

Lloyd starts rushing down the aisle towards the front of the building, Kyle following. Seeing them running off, Bernie follows. At the front of the building, most of the horde is around the front doors, just starting to make it inside. Seeing this, Lloyd makes a break towards one of the broken windows to the left. Kyle and Bernie follow him, and they vault through, landing on the ground outside.

***Lloyd:*** *Come on! Stick with me!*

Kyle and Bernie follow Lloyd, as he pushes past zombies, trying to clear a path. As they run, Kyle suddenly stops, coming face to face with a zombie. He stares at the zombie’s mindless, milky white eyes. It snarls, snapping its jaw, moving towards Kyle. Petrified, Kyle stumbles back, before turning and making a run for it.

Lloyd and Bernie make it out to the other side of the horde, but Kyle is nowhere to be found.

***Lloyd:*** *Where’s Kyle? KYLE!*

The horde starts to enclose on them, forcing them to move. Lloyd looks to Bernie.

***Lloyd:*** *Shit - shit, come on!*

They run towards an alleyway beside the convenience store, going all the way down it until they’re met with a chain link fence.

***Lloyd:*** *We- we can jump the fence.*

Lloyd jumps onto a dumpster, and Bernie follows him. As the horde starts to make their way down the alley after them, Lloyd and Bernie both jump onto the fence, and climb over, escaping the horde.