Rennie Aunnels

*"I wanted to tell you-- while I still can I--I have a disorder-- I can't control- I think you know--by now--w--I was an escaped--me--men--me--mental pati--ent-- I know you saw-- I just wanted to be friends- I can't control myself. I want to--I- I understand if you leave me-my--friend- In the beginning- I wanted to help you- to make friends- I wanted someone to fix me. At that pharmacy- those weren't just runners, before- they were living people. I was going to kill you-- I-- there was a hole in the roof where I- threw them in and--I'm sorry. I want you to trust me, I want to change. I really do- I really do. I really, really do- more than anything in this world, I want to change. Will you help me? Please? I--I mean it. Sincerely. I really do. Please, man I- I-- still want to help you- from the bottom of my heart."*

- Rennie to Edwin right before Edwin opens the garage door, letting the infected rush in and kill Rennie.

Rennie Aunnels is a supporting character in Lonely. He is first introduced as a crazy, weird man who saves Edwin from being killed. Rennie is especially weird around Daniel. As time progresses, it's discovered that Rennie is an escaped mental patient.

## **Pre-Apocalypse**

At some point in his life, Rennie was forced into a mental asylum. He presumably stayed there for many years before he escaped and was on the run. After escaping, Rennie became homeless on the streets before the apocalypse started.

## **Post-Apocalypse**

Some point far into the apocalypse, Rennie was staying at the pharmacy in Grand Rapids Michigan.

### **"A Gift From Hell"**

Rennie is first seen saving Edwin, by tacking a runner off of Edwin. He holds the runner down as Edwin gets up and kills it with his crowbar. Rennie is quick to grab Edwin and almost drag him with him toward one of the pharmacy windows. He breaks it and takes Edwin inside.

Edwin get's loose of Rennie's grip and ask him what he's doing. Rennie tells him he was just getting him inside. Edwin can quickly tell that something isn't right with Rennie. Rennie looks around the pharmacy to the shelves stocked full of supplies. He tells Edwin to go get whatever he needs. Rennie watches, making weird sounds and fiddling with his fingers as Edwin gets everything he needs and even finds a donation box full of food and water. Rennie and Edwin then both hear a bang come from the room next to them. Edwin tells him it's probably time they go and Rennie nods his head. The two leave the pharmacy.

They climb up a hill before Edwin stops Rennie and looks to a toy store. Without Edwin saying a word, Rennie asks him if it's his son's birthday. Edwin is weirded out about how Rennie knows this, but nods his head. The two go down the hill toward the toy store and Rennie offers to take the box from Edwin while he looks around.

The two look around the store before Rennie stops and unzips his bag. He grabs a elephant stuffed toy and shoves it into his bag. While he does, a card falls out. Edwin goes to pick it up and read it. On it, it stated the words "Mental Patient" along with a picture of Rennie and an identification number. Rennie says that another man's trash is another man's treasure. Edwin keeps his mouth shut, going along with Rennie.

The two walk down an aisle and Edwin tells Rennie that his son likes aliens. Edwin then picks up an alien action figure and says he'd get that. Rennie shakes his head and tells him to wait. Rennie rushes off and comes back seconds later with a bunch of little alien toys. He drops them into Edwin's box and smiles. Rennie then offers Edwin a handshake and tells him that this is the end of the line. Edwin shakes his head and tells Rennie that's nonsense and Rennie should come back. Rennie is shocked and excited, thanking Edwin. The two pick up the box and leave the store.

### **"False Faces"**

Rennie walks with Edwin down the road, saying that he remembers when things were different. He says that you can never get used to the snow. He suddenly puts down the food box and throws a snowball at Edwin. He laughs, though Edwin doesn't. Rennie apologizes for making Edwin mad. Edwin says that now isn't the time and they need to get home. Rennie picks up the box and they continue along.

Edwin asks Rennie if he's from the area. Rennie says that he's from far away. He explains how he had friends but most of them were rude to him. As they walk up a hill, an infected head suddenly comes sliding down the road. It is followed by most of it's body. Rennie goes to examine the corpse, telling Edwin that it's dead. Edwin tells him that it's of course dead. Edwin continues up the hill while Rennie follows. More limbs come sliding down, as sword swinging is heard from up the hill. Edwin yells out that they're friendly. The two then arrive at the top of the hill. They see a man with a sword. The man suddenly draws a revolver and aims at Rennie and Edwin. Edwin raises his hands, saying they're just passing through. The man asks for food, water, and medical supplies. Before Edwin speaks, Rennie says that they have it right here, holding up the box. Edwin steps in front of Rennie, not letting him closer to the man. Rennie says that they should give the man food.

Just then, another man comes walking down the street with a plastic lightsaber in hand. Edwin sighs. The 2 strangers stand together. Edwin asks if they're together. The man with the revolver ignores Edwin's question and says that they're joining his group. The 4 people introduce themselves. Edwin tells the two people that his group is a little broken, the 4 then walk off.

In the night after everyone was home, Rennie sits in the corner alone. Daniel enters the room and Rennie immediately smiles, approaching him. He asks how old Daniel is turning. Daniel says he's turning 12. Rennie offers Daniel presents, asking him in a stern way. Daniel is scared, and he quietly says yes. Edwin stand up, saying that he would go get the presents. Edwin walks back with toys. He gives them to Daniel and he hugs Edwin, running off to his bedroom to play with them. Rennie quietly puts his bag down, following Daniel.

Rennie comes walking back in after a few minutes. He was giggling, telling Edwin that he has a great son. Edwin stops, then asks where Daniel is. Rennie says he is with his mom. Edwin fake smiles, walking to the stairs. Rennie turns to Eren, saying that he likes his light saber. Henry tells Rennie to get his own, which Eren tells Henry to be nice. Eren asks Henry if he needs to sign him up for a therapist again. Rennie stops smiling, saying that he hates therapists, and they never liked him. Rennie bites his lip too hard, causing blood. He walks to the bathroom to clean up.

In the morning, Ross asks Rennie what his name is. Rennie jokes, saying that it is Edwin, but then says it's Rennie.

After Edwin and a few men leave for a supply run, Rennie enters the bedroom holding a pin. He sees Ariel and Daniel inside. Ariel goes for a gun and she aims it at him. Rennie gets real aggressive, saying that Edwin saves him, just for Ariel to shoot him. He charges at Ariel, pushing her down and beating her. He then reaches for his knife, and he stabs Ariel in the leg. Rennie gets up and approaches Daniel. He holds the knife up and partially slits open his own wrist, causing blood to leak out everywhere. He then slashes Daniels arm with a knife, before Ross rushes into the room. He sees Rennie and quickly tackles him down, grabbing the knife and throwing it aside. He pins Rennie down, all the while Rennie yells out that it wasn't his fault and it wasn't him. Ross tells Rennie to shut up, but he doesn't. Ross smacks Rennie's head off the wall, knocking him out cold.

A while later, Rennie's body is taken into the garage where he is tied up and left there.