Austin Kingston

"*I just came over to uh - say sorry. You know - about yesterday when you found me in the RV. I told Ed and them I wouldn't drink after the hunting manor - but I couldn't help it. But after yesterday-- I'm telling you now, I won't touch another bottle. **Never**.*"
—Austin to Albert Hanson[src]

Austin Kingston is a main character and a survivor of the outbreak in Route to Paradise. He is a hot-headed drunk who acts impulsively. When Austin is invited to and joins the mall group, he proves to be nothing but a disturbance and obstacle in their way, leading to several altercations with members of the group. After one particular outburst, Austin tries to clean himself up by making amends with those he fought with and partaking in a daring mission. However, after the mission goes horribly wrong and Willamette Mall falls, leaving him separated from the group, he returns back to his former self.

Austin is eventually picked back up by Albert Hanson and returns to the group. Now residing at a high school, Austin opens up for the first time about his family to Kate Bloodstone, revealing that both his wife and son died during the start of the outbreak.

After the high school falls, Austin finds himself locked in a cell with the other members of his group. Without access to alcohol, Austin tries communicating more, but his plans of escape are faulty. Once the group manages to escape, Austin helps in fighting off The Rastas once and for all. Following the fight, Austin finally gets his hands on alcohol again when he and a few others go to loot a hunting manor. Because of this, he drunkenly fires off a gun, alerting a herd of zombies to their location and nearly ending in all of their deaths. Afterwards, Austin is scolded by Albert, which causes him to reconsider his drinking habits. When the group gets blocked by a landslide while traveling to Denver, Austin heads off to look for Jon Matthews. He finds him in a bar, and although tempted, Austin refuses to drink. After a long talk, both men head back to the group.

Austin remains off of the bottle for weeks on end, and eventually his group settles into a motel in Kansas. When the group is at their lowest point and running low on supplies, another smaller group consisting of wounded, elderly, and a child shows up at the motel. Austin chooses William Reynes' side in sending them away, something he'd later be shown to be somewhat regretful for. Later on, Austin travels with his group to the community of Worthwood.

## **Pre-Apocalypse**

Austin lived an unhealthy and dangerous life before the apocalypse. He was the owner of a successful bar in Willamette. Austin had a toxic, strained relationship with his wife and son, oftentimes he would not come home for days on end. He had a serious addiction to alcohol, and the nights he did come home, it was usually when he was already drunk. His wife would yell at him constantly, but Austin would take it and simply move on.

One day, upon arriving home, Austin finds his things packed by the front door. He confronts his wife Irene Kingston, who says that she's filing for a divorce. They argue for some time, before Austin accepts defeat, grabbing his things and leaving the house.

## **Post-Apocalypse**

During the first hours of the apocalypse, Austin rushed to his family expecting them to come with him. To his shock, his wife and son refused to go with him and opted to stay at the neighbours house with a few others to wait until the military arrives. Austin walks out, not wanting to stay with them - partly because of his stubbornness, but also because he believes that they would be safe. A couple of days later, Austin seems to realize that it was a mistake leaving them, and so he travels back to them -- and is shattered when he discovers that he's too late. They've already been killed by zombies. He cries for a long while - and then grabs a bottle of whiskey, wanting to forget.

Some time after this, Austin would be joined by Logan Carlson. The two would become good friends over the course of a couple weeks, using Austin's bar as their home.

### **Season 2**

#### "**The Mentor**"

On the outskirts of Willamette, Colorado, Austin Kingston enters his bar, drunk out of his mind. He stumbles around before finding a seat and calling for his friend, Logan Carlson. Logan, however, is absent from the bar. Austin mumbles a curse before pouring himself a shot of whiskey and taking it. After, he stumbles back outside and falls to the ground. As he gets back up and looks around, he spots a blurry figure approaching him. He assumes it to be Logan, but is proved wrong when it growls at him. Austin draws his revolver and manages to land his shot on the zombie's head, killing it. He holsters his gun and gets into his truck, taking off down the road.

Driving down the street, the truck steers back and forth as Austin laughs hysterically to himself. Eventually, the truck finds itself entering a ditch. The vehicle spins around, nearly flipping, before it rolls to a stop. Austin sits there for a moment, commenting on the fact that Logan is missing out on all of this. A zombie then bangs on the window next to Austin, startling him. Austin opens the door, easily pushing the creature to the mud. He then stomps on it's head, killing it. When Austin turns around, he sees Logan standing with some supplies in hand. The sober Logan asks Austin why he's out here and not at the bar, to which Austin replies saying he went out looking for him. Logan acknowledges him and tosses him the bag of supplies. Austin misses the catch, but picks it up and dumps it into the bed. As they both get into the truck, Logan apprises Austin with the information that they'll have tons of foods and beverages to keep them going now. "Whiskey is all I need to drink, son," Austin tells him.

The two men drive back to the bar, but on their way there they see a small group on the side of the road. Austin nearly hits one of them, but slams on his brakes and narrowly avoids disaster. The group of three they just nearly hit immediately draw their guns and order them out of the truck. They comply and step out. Erin Monroe, one of them, asks Austin what they want. Austin quickly makes up an excuse and says that they thought they may have needed some help. The confrontation is interrupted by a distant gunshot. Erin and her other two companions go rushing towards the sound, but Austin and Logan remain behind. The two of them get back into the truck and quickly discuss if they should follow them or go back home. In the end, going back home is what they decide on.

Back at the bar, Austin pulls the truck into an alleyway and parks it. He and Logan get out and head inside with the supplies. Both of them take a seat at the bar and have a shot of alcohol. After his shot, Logan remarks about the fact his mother hated whiskey, calling it 'The Devils Drink'. He tells Austin that he had to put her down when the infection started. Austin frowns and gives his condolences. He asks about Logan's father, but Logan has says that his father left when he just a year old. Austin tells Logan about his parents, and the fact that both of them died before the apocalypse. The topic turns to whether they think the entire planet is infected. Logan isn't sure, but Austin informs him that Australia and New Zealand were the last places to hold out, at least from what he heard. "No way anyone's getting there." Logan remarks before he heads off to get some rest. Austin tells Logan that when he wakes up, they'll head over to the gun store to check it out.

#### "**A Common Enemy**"

The next day, Austin is awake by himself, Logan nowhere to be found. Austin pours himself a shot of whiskey and drinks it. Tired of sitting in the bar doing nothing, he then stands up and grabs his shotgun, exiting the bar. The sun blinds him for a second, and in retaliation Austin points his shotgun in the direction of the sun and fires. Angered, he approaches his truck, gets in, and speeds off down the road.

Instead of heading to the town gun store like planned, Austin stops at the local bakery. He parks the truck outside and barges inside. There, Austin searches around for a minute, picking up a piece of bread and taking a bite, immediately spitting it out in disgust. He curses at the bread. Just then, the sound of doors being pushed open scares Austin. He spins around and notices a dark, tall figure approaching. After confirming it to be a zombie, Austin retreats outside, tripping along the way, before reaching his truck. He feels around for his shotgun before feeling it, grabbing it, and shooting the zombie in it's chest. Austin approaches it, not realizing it isn't dead. The zombie grabs at his legs, but Austin finishes it off with a shot to the head before it can bite. Austin curses and kicks the corpse off him, getting back into his truck and leaving the area.

Austin, still not sober, speeds down the streets of Willamette recklessly. He narrowly misses several cars and a zombie meandering on the road. He takes his eyes off the road for only a split second, but it costs him, as when he looks back to the road, he slams into a car. The truck flips and takes down a street light in it's way before it strikes a second car and comes to a stop. Wounded, but still alive, Austin crawls out of the truck, cutting himself on broken glass. Blaring car alarms sound all around him as he finds and picks up his shotgun. zombies from the surrounding area are drawn to the noise. Austin takes down one zombie, then another, and another. Quickly finding himself surrounded on all sides, Austin searches for a new plan. He crosses the street and attempts to enter a vehicle, but discovers it to be locked. He tries another door on the vehicle and luckily it opens. Austin clambers inside and slams the door shut behind him. With dozens of zombies surrounding the vehicle, and the drunkenness getting to his head, Austin points the shotgun to himself for a brief second, but realizes and drops it instantly. In his frustration, he slams on the horn, which only attracts the attention of more undead. Austin searches through the vehicle but doesn't find anything of use to him. Desperately, he calls out for Logan to no avail. He sighs to himself and lays down in the backseat, trying to sleep. The zombies constantly shake the truck and growl, which irritates the drunken man even further. He tries to ignore it, but it proves impossible. Now at his boiling point, Austin kicks open the back door and kills three zombies before pushing his way through the rest and making it into the clear. One zombie trips him, but after dealing with it, he gets back up and escapes.

#### "**The Calm Before**"

The following day, Austin is at the bar, recovering from his wounds. Logan sleeps in the corner, and instead of waking him, Austin writes a note explaining that the gun store was inside Willamette Mall, and he was heading there to scavenge for supplies. For the first time in a while, Austin leaves the bar sober, not taking any shots of whiskey.

Out on the streets, Austin travels across the road to a nearby garage where he has another vehicle stored. He pulls open the garage and gets into the car. He starts it and heads towards the mall.

At the mall, Austin parks the vehicle and gets out, heading out to the back entrance where the gun store was closest to. When he gets to the back, he finds it boarded up, and therefore has to break his way into the mall. Inside, he cautiously walks towards the gun store. He notices the fact that the mall is suspiciously clear of zombies and or people, but proceeds into the gun store anyway. He is delighted to see that the store was full of guns. He removes his bag and begins filling it with guns and ammunition. After a moment, he hears a voice inside the store, most certainly calling to him. Austin looks over and sees a man pointing a gun at him. Austin raises his hands and stands up. He tries to explain that he's didn't know anyone was here, to which the man tells him that he knew what he was doing when he broke in through the back. Austin is ordered to step out of the store. Before he does, he reasons with the man and explains that he's willing to trade some supplies for ammunition and guns. The man explains to Austin that he'll need to talk with the other members of his group.

Outside of the gun store, Austin and the man share names. Marcus Downes introduces himself and elaborates further about his group, saying that there are quite a few people here. Just then, William Reynes walks in. Austin stands and listens as Marcus talks with William. William then asks Austin what he has to trade. Austin lists out that he has lots of food, water, and alcohol. William then proposes that Austin should stay here at the mall. Austin is hesitant at the thought. He informs William that he comes from the bar across town and lives with a friend. After Austin affirms William that he's never killed a human, William accepts Austin and Logan into the mall if they'd like. Austin says that he will, but he'd need to head back to his bar and get Logan first. William nods and tells Austin to make sure he comes in through the same entrance when he returns. William and Marcus head off to a meeting at the food court while Austin gathers his belongings in the gun store and leaves.

#### "**On the Clock**"

Austin sits inside the bar; Logan is gone, presumably out on a supply run. He waits patiently while zombies knock on the front door. Eventually, the knocking gets to be too much and he finishes his whiskey, getting up and opening the door. A zombie stumbles inside. Austin lines up a shot and fires, obliterating half of it's head. After taking a quick look outside with no sign of Logan, Austin closes the door and heads back in.

Some time later, Austin is disrupted by loud bangs at the door along with a man yelling to be let in. When Austin opens the door, a man falls into his arms. Austin looks on at the oncoming horde behind him and immediately pushes him back out, refusing to let him in until he led the horde away. Austin slams the door and waits for a few moments, before he decides to load up his shotgun and head out to help the man. He calls for the man to follow him. The man does so, and Austin begins to lead the horde away. A few minutes of walking later, Austin discovers a car with the keys still inside. He tries to start it and is happy to see it in working condition. He and the man get in and slowly drive off, making sure the horde followed.

They lead the horde down the town streets while bickering to each other. Out of nowhere, Austin concludes that they're far enough, and he gets out of the car. Then, possibly due to the alcohol in his system, he turns his back on the mall and tells the man to lead the horde towards Willamette Mall using the car. Before the man can react and discuss a different strategy, Austin disappears into an alleyway.

Austin rests inside his bar for the next while. When he wakes up and Logan is still missing, Austin gives up waiting for him and leaves another note, before packing up some supplies, mainly his whiskey, before leaving.

Austin arrives at the mall shortly after and finds there to be a hole in the front entrance and the same car that he had driven earlier with the unknown man.

Entering through the front entrance, Austin shouts for anyone. A man approaches Austin, armed with a rifle. He questions if Austin is a friend or foe. Austin explains that he was here only a day ago and met a man named Marcus. The man, Clayton, now believes Austin and lowers his guard. Austin asks him where the leader of the group is, and Clayton directs him to the roof. Before he heads off, Austin tosses Clayton one of his whiskey bottles as a gesture of friendship, but Clayton refuses to take it.

Austin makes his way up to the security room and then through a vent that leads onto the roof. As he climbs out onto the roof and announces himself, Jacob Feldman immediately looks over, suspicious and angry, and asks Austin who he is, how he got here, and what he wants. Austin answers the three question and then extends his hand for a handshake. Jacob returns the handshake. Elaborating further, Austin says that he came back to the mall to live here. Erin Monroe tells Austin that he's welcome to stay if he wants, and that he should head down to the food court to get settled in. Instead of thanking them, he offers them whiskey, but is turned down. Austin then wishes them a good day and exits the roof back through the vent.

Austin traverses back through the security room and through the Entrance Plaza, thanking Clayton again on his way. He continues following the directions in the mall until he arrives at the food court, where a large group are gathered, including Marcus. Marcus notices Austin first and goes on to introduce him to the rest of the group. The group all share names with Austin. Fraser Stiller approaches him and offers him something to eat. Austin asks if they have bagels with cream cheese - they of course do. As the food is prepared, Zac Barnes asks Austin why he chose to come to the mall. Austin explains to him that he originally came here looking for guns, but instead found them and ended up staying. Austin's bagel is finished and he begins eating it right as a fight breaks out between Zac and Quincy Atherton. Afterwards, Austin remarks on the fact that they have quite a strange group.

Later on, Austin joins a majority of the group in the entrance plaza as a heated argument takes place between Felix Quarterman and two men who aren't associated with the mall. Austin remains quiet until after the men leave. A gigantic explosion then hits the front entrance, an RPG. Austin stumbles back, but keeps on his feet and flees the Entrance Plaza into the storage room with Albert Hanson.

#### "**Partners in Crime**"

Sitting inside the storage room, Austin engages in conversation with Albert. Albert has an idea of who may have just attacked the mall: a group residing at the town's museum, but Austin isn't aware of who they are. Albert goes on to explain the situation with The Rastas to Austin, who is clueless about everything. He's told that The Rastas are a large gang in the town, who are upset at the mall people for torching his farms. Austin tells about his friend Logan, and the fact that he's been missing for a while now. Austin, saddened, says that his friend is probably dead. Albert reassures him that he'll find Logan again some day. Knocks coming from the storage room door interrupts the two. Albert gets up and checks it out. Three zombies burst through the door and tackle Albert to the floor. Austin runs to the rescue with his shotgun and kills one of them. Albert deals with the other two. After the close encounter with death, both of them agree it's time to leave the storage room.

He and Albert walk through Paradise Plaza back into the Entrance Plaza where they find a bunch of people examining the damage. Austin offers for the third time a bottle of whiskey to anyone. This time, Dean Howards instantly dashes over and snatches the whiskey from his hands, drinking most of it in moments. Austin looks on stunned.

Later on, a drunk Austin enters the Entrance Plaza and collapses, passing out from all the alcohol. He is carried into the security room and laid down on a bed.

#### "**Promise**"

Later the next day Austin stands atop the mall's roof among a crowd of others. Clayton Freeman had just been killed in a failed attempt to rob The Rastas of their supplies. Austin remarks that he didn't know Clayton long, but that his death was tragic. Others in the crowd look on at Randall Forster, who stands nearby, having not spoken a word since the incident. Austin asks if he and Clayton were both cop buddies, Kate tells him they were. Then, Kate brings up the idea of going to war with Damerae Badrick and The Rastas. Austin is fully against that idea, but when others around him start agreeing to go to war, Austin climbs down from the roof and into the security room to get a drink.

After getting well and drunk, Austin makes his way back to the roof carrying his shotgun. He stumbles around and nearly falls off as Owen Gliefield yells at him. Austin ignores the man to his frustration. Owen tells Austin that he needs to stop his drinking, stating that it's a poison. "A good poison." Austin replies, looking at Dean to back him up. Dean, who is trying to sleep, asks to be left alone. Austin does so, but Owen does not. The two begin arguing, and eventually Dean throws a punch that connects. Dean then storms off in anger. After asking to see if Owen is alright, Austin goes after Dean.

In the storage room, Austin finds Howards sitting alone. He stumbles around the room and asks him several times why he punched Owen, the doctor. Dean fumbles with his words, not having an answer as to why he did it. As the drunk Austin continues repeating the same things, William Reynes steps out of the elevator and immediately whacks Dean across the face. Austin yells and pushes William away. William orders Austin not to get involved. Austin grunts and leaves the room.

#### "**Fractured Beyond Repair**"

On the roof, Austin stands near the edge, looking out smoke and fire rising from buildings in the distance. Austin overhears Quincy and Monica Reynolds discussing defense strategies for the mall. Austin then chimes in and says that maybe they should just leave, get to safety before things get worse. The two criminals both turn to him and question whether he's scared. Austin admits that he is. Quincy then gets to Austin, by asking him if he's scared he'll choke to death on his blood. He curses at her and smiles. Quincy, her boyfriend, steps forward angrily and demands that Austin take back what he said. "Make me." He replies. Quincy then grabs him and brings him to the edge of the roof and dangles him over. Austin tells Quincy to drop him. Others from the group approach the confrontation and get Quincy to toss Austin back onto the roof. Jim Butterman, trying to just fix the situation, asks Austin nicely if he can apologize. Instead of a normal apology, Austin yells his apology furiously. Not satisfied, Quincy punches Austin in the nose. In response, Kingston reaches for his pistol. Monica sees this and snatches his gun away, throwing it off the roof. Austin shakes his head and tells them all that they're all going to die, before storming off in anger.

Downstairs, Austin picks up his shotgun and coat and heads into the Entrance Plaza. On his way through, Wilbur Wright, Jon Matthews, and Curtis Van Horn call out to Austin, asking to be let in. Austin lets them in without question. Wilbur asks for the whereabouts of their leader. Austin says that he's on the roof, and tells the trio to give Quincy a good punch when they saw him. Jon chuckles and says that Austin must have set off Quincy's temper. Curtis adds on that it probably had to do with Monica. Austin shakes his head and continues walking. He enters the storage room and takes a seat behind some crates, taking a rest.

#### "**Family Business**"

Feeling better, Austin heads back up to the security room, smiles all over his face. There, he finds Quincy along with some others. Austin's tone doesn't sit well with Quincy, who grabs Austin's wrist when he offers a high five. Austin explains that he already apologized to Monica. Felix looks over and tells Austin that yelling at her and then storming off is not apologizing. Just then, Monica, along with Jon and Curtis enter the room with news of where the remainder of The Rastas are held up. They're supposedly at an office building downtown. When they ask for volunteers to head out. Reluctantly, Austin raises his hand and offers to go along on the daring mission in order to prove himself worthy to the group. Before the group head out, Austin approaches Monica and apologizes to her sincerely. She accepts his apology and then exits the room with Quincy. Austin follows behind.

In downtown Willamette, the group get set up nearby to where Badrick and The Rastas are held up. First, they send forward Jackson Foxx, a Rasta they captured to get the front doors open. Jackson goes through with the plan and gets one of the Rastas to open the door. With their opening secured, everyone charges into the building. Austin joins the group, killing Rastas as they fight their way up floor by floor. As the group reach the top floor, they find the remaining Rastas well prepared with defenses and barricades set up to stop the group from advancing forward. Everyone gathers up and then in one push, the group make it through the barricades and open fire on The Rastas. After only a few moments of fighting, an explosion goes off, trapping Erin and Jacob behind some rubble. Austin coughs and falls over, but gets back up and stays in the fight. Things get worse as Badrick manages to escape and then orders a squad of men from across the street to fire their RPG's. Austin falls over as the building shakes from all the explosions. He yells out that they need to leave now. William tells everyone to go. Austin listens to him and begins retreating down the stairs, only stopping once to catch his breath. He eventually makes it to the bottom floor, only to be horrified at the sight of Erin Monroe's bloody corpse on the pavement. She had fallen from the building. Austin carefully approaches and helps to move her body into one of the trucks. As the others all make their way to out onto the street, they hop into the vehicles and speed away.

#### "**Home**"

The funeral for Erin takes place on the roof. Austin stands near the back, his shotgun in hand. After everything is done, the group immediately begin discussing plans of action. Most of the group are in agreement that they should stay and fight off The Rastas, including Austin. Austin remains on the roof as Felix convinces the criminals to stay and fight, and then Jacob returns with the remains of Derek Monroe, Erin's father who had been using Erin and working with Badrick. Moments later, Robert Morgan is sniped in the head by a Rasta, initiating the battle of Willamette Mall. Austin finds cover behind a vent quickly and holds his shotgun close. Austin listens closely to Felix, who orders Austin a small group of others to hold off the front entrance. Austin rushes off towards the entrance.

Downstairs in the Entrance Plaza, Austin, Dean, Quincy, Monica, Curtis, and Aldus find their positions and get ready for the Rasta assault. A moment later, more than forty Rastas storm the Entrance Plaza. Austin and everyone else open fire. Constant gunfire rings out, bullets fly everywhere, and Rastas drop dead like flies. To make things worse, a third party then joins in on the fight. Shane Haywood and his men storm in behind The Rastas distracting them. In no time, it became a three way battle. Austin moves back to find new cover. The battle grows forward into the Al-Fresca Plaza as well, leaving the mall survivors with even less cover to sit behind. One by one, the mall survivors start evacuating into Paradise Plaza in order to leave the other two factions fighting each other. Before everyone can escape, Austin witnesses Monica lit up with dozens of bullets, falling dead almost instantly. His jaw drops in horror. Austin quickly snaps out of it and carefully makes his way over to a stunned Quincy. Austin shakes and yells at him to no avail; he wouldn't move. Austin is forced to leave him behind.

In Paradise Plaza, Austin gives the news about Monica to Dean and Aldus. Dean is especially shocked. Austin looks over and is surprised to see both Curtis and Quincy running in together. Others, including Jacob, William, and Owen link up with them in Paradise Plaza. After fighting off some more Rastas, they all make a run for the Casino Plaza.

There, they devise a plan to run to the North Plaza to gather the rest of their group and then escape the mall. Randall and Curtis stay behind in order to ambush the approaching Shane Haywood forces.

In the North Plaza, the fighting continues, but this time accompanied by a horde of zombies piling in through the back entrance. Austin begins running out of ammo as he kills zombie after zombie with his shotgun. The members of his group begin escaping onto the roof, but Austin gets separated, unable to make it. He's backed into a corner with only his shotgun. He kicks back multiple zombies and uses the remainder of his ammo killing zombies. When he can no longer back up, Austin charges forward into the horde, quickly disappearing in the crowd.

### **Season 3**

#### **"On the Move"**

After the fall of Willamette Mall, Austin, now separated from the rest of the group, wanders through the streets drunk. During one cold winter night, Austin stumbles around the parking lot of a bus depot. He fights off a zombie, rolling around in the snow until a second zombie joins the first. Now outnumbered, a drunk Austin scuffles with the zombies until he manages to stab one of them with a screwdriver. With one down, the second zombie tackles Austin down and nearly bites into his neck, but is suddenly stabbed through the head. Albert Hanson pushes the body aside and looks down at him. Austin recognizes him instantly and gets back to his feet laughing. Although remembering his face, he forgets his name and requires help from Albert. The two men catch up quickly, and Austin is told that alongside Monica and Quincy, Felix was killed during the attack, and several others are missing. Austin reveals to Albert that after the mall, he went back to his bar, and then to other locations around town looking for Logan. Albert takes a break from talking to take care of zombie. Austin rates his kill at a seven out of ten. In order to prove he can do better, he yells loudly for any nearby zombies to hear. As they go back to talking, Albert says that he lost contact with the group as well, and is pretty sure Jon was killed by zombies. Austin doesn't believe Jon was killed. Just then, a small group of zombies approach from the distance. Austin convinces Albert to give the knife to him so that he can take down the zombies. He manages to take down two of the five zombies, before Albert rushes in to help him, killing the rest. As both men get back to their feet and adjust themselves, two strangers come into view. Austin doesn't recognize them. The two strangers ask them why they're out in the cold instead of inside. Austin explains that he likes the winter. Meanwhile Albert tells them that he got separated from his group, and proceeds to name Jon, Jacob, and Kate. One of the strangers, Ed Anderson, excitedly says that they recently took in someone named Jon. Angela Jaegar, the other stranger, isn't too keen on bringing them back to Jon, but Ed convinces her. Austin and Albert then follow the two back to their coffee shop.

#### **"Tracked"**

Austin and Albert arrive at the coffee shop and see Jon alive. Austin immediately goes to resting against the wall, not interacting with anyone. He nearly falls asleep, but before he does he's startled by Ed, telling him that he can either go with them, or stay behind at the coffee shop with Layton Zimmers. Austin opts to go with them to check out a hardware store where the main group were staying.

At the hardware store, Austin and the others stumble upon an ongoing fight between their group and Badrick's forces. They stay behind cover until they get eyes on members of their group escaping out the back. They then trail them through the woods until reaching them.

After some discussion, Austin not apart of it, the group decide on going back to the coffee shop to rest and heal their wounded. On their way, a blizzard forms, and a horde appears out of nowhere. Some of the members get separated and forced to run off to avoid being trapped. Austin sticks with the majority of the group and escape the horde.

Back at the coffee shop, Austin asks Layton if he has any whiskey. The old man says that they have coffee. Austin goes to sit back down after Randall tells him he's already had enough to drink.

#### **"Reunion"**

In the morning, Austin wakes up from his slumber to the rest of the group getting ready to leave. The group all head out in direction of Willamette high school in search of Jacob and William.

They make it to the school safely, where they unfortunately discover that Jacob has died. That night, Austin heads outside into the courtyard with a bottle of alcohol he found. Standing out there with him is Kate, who smokes a cigarette. Kate sees him and notes that he's back to drinking. She then looks at her cigarette and tells him that she stopped smoking when the outbreak began, only doing it again now to relieve stress. Austin understands and promises not to tell anyone about it. Kate talks to him about life before, and how she never put enough time into her family life, something she regrets. Austin then opens up to her about his family, admitting that family was always on the bottom of his priorities. Austin had tried to get his wife and son to come with him at the beginning of the apocalypse, but they refused. Days later he found them dead. Kate gives her condolences. Marcus Downes approaches them and tells them that there's a game of cards about to go on inside. Austin nods and heads in to join the game.

#### **"The Mist**"

Later the same night, during their game of cards, Dean goes missing. Kate and Marcus search outside, unable to find him. Austin is confused as to where he could of went, as Dean was now off the bottle, and Austin didn't see Dean going back to it. The others all think that Dean did hit the bottle again, and went off into the night. Then, the group hear loud bangs at the door and someone yelling to be let in. Austin thinks it to be Dean, but is proven wrong when Jon stumbles in. Jon asks to speak with Jacob and William. Austin and Aldus give the news about Jacob to him.

#### **"Red Asphalt"**

The next morning, Austin wakes up to Aldus talking about Dean. Aldus now believes that Dean was taken by somebody. Austin sees the possibility in his thought, and proposes his own theory that some of Badrick's forces who were still alive came back and killed Dean. Austin then stands up and holds his stomach in pain, commenting on the fact that he had too much to drink last night. He then steps outside to vomit.

Later in the day, Austin stands outside listening to Jon's idea about building a moat around the school and filling it with spikes. Austin disagrees, thinking that it'll take many weeks to complete, but his voice isn't considered over everyone else's support.

Austin enjoys a sandwich in the courtyard later on. While he eats it, an unfamiliar truck appears outside the school. As Austin gets up and looks out the window to see, he's shocked to see a half-faced Badrick with Dean being used a human shield. Behind the truck, Austin sees Jim Butterman's corpse. Austin stays inside the courtyard, watching as chaos unfolds. Firstly, a horde of zombies that had been following Badrick's truck shows up. Badrick then throws Dean forward and takes off in the truck. Austin turns around and runs inside when the horde approach in on the building.

In the foyer, Austin takes a swig from his whiskey bottle and loads his shotgun, finding it quite difficult due to all the circumstances. When the zombies break into the foyer, Austin tries to fight, but finds himself unable to due to all the drinking he's done. The foyer is overrun, and Austin retreats into the cafeteria with the others. As the zombies break through the doors, Austin takes a seat and hands the shotgun over to Albert to use. After putting up a fight, the survivors are overrun and forced to flee the building. Austin is helped up by Albert and they escape the cafeteria. Back in the foyer, the group are saved by Layton, who brings them a cement mixer. Austin and the others aren't too happy with the choice of transportation, but deal with it anyway and get in the back. The truck speeds off, leaving the school for good.

#### **"What Comes After"**

Still feeling unwell and tired, Austin takes a while to get out of the cement mixer once it comes to a stop. When he does, he sits down on the sidewalk to rest. Austin doesn't pay any attention to his group's conversation, only giving Angela a thumbs up when she asks him if he's in or not. Eventually, Austin lifts his head up when a group of five men step out of a nearby truck. They introduce themselves and the community that they come from. A horde approaches the group, and Austin is startled by all of the gunfire used to take down the horde. After it's taken care of, Daniel thanks everyone for helping, except for Austin. Afterwards, Austin and the rest of the group pile into a truck and head off towards the community mentioned by Daniel.

When they arrive at the community and meet its leader, Nathaniel Shepard, all seems well, until the group have guns drawn on them. Austin is thrown into a cell with the others.

### **Season 4**

#### **"The Greater Good"**

After being thrown into the cell, Austin and the others notice another man already there: Alex Weiss, someone lost during the fall of Willamette Mall. Austin doesn't recognize him and goes to sit down in the corner. He sits quietly, minding his own business until a fight breaks out between Jared Kellings and William. The fight is interfered with by Rebecca Dawson, sending Jared to the floor out of the fight. Austin comments on the fact that Jared would have won the fight if there was no interference. William then asks Austin if he wants to go as well - Austin accepts that Jared lost and shuts up. As he goes back to relaxing against the wall, he hears Angela asking how they're going to escape. "We wont." Austin tells her. Austin remains firm on the idea that they should follow the instructions of the leader, Nathaniel, and be on good behaviour until they are taken to the "island paradise" Nathaniel had told them about. Angela and Jon are heavily against waiting around to be shipped to this supposed island, and want to find a way to escape as quickly as possible.

#### **"The Promiseland"**

Early the next morning, Austin is woken up to Nathaniel's voice over the intercom telling everyone that soon they'll all be making a voyage across the sea. Tired, Austin groans and goes back to sleep.

A little while later, Austin wakes up to the intercom again, this time announcing that they'll be having a guest going around the stadium today. After the intercom shuts off, Daniel Rockwell walks over to their cell and picks out Austin, as well as William, Rebecca, and Albert to go out into the yard to work. Austin gets into a line and marches out of the cell towards the yard.

Out in the yard, Austin chops wood with the others. Rebecca is telling William that he should be leading the group. When asked if he agrees, Austin stops to think, and then says he agrees.

When they return the cell, they hear Nathaniel and another man's voice approaching. First, they see Nathaniel turn the corner, then Damerae Badrick. Austin watches as an unstable, crazed Badrick demands that Nathaniel kill all of them. Eventually, Badrick is restrained and taken away.

#### **"All the King's Men"**

While most of the others sleep, Austin stands wide awake, talking to Aldus and Albert. Aldus asks Austin if he thinks there'll be less zombies when they get out. Austin doesn't think there'll be any changes. Aldus changes the topic to Badrick. Albert hopes that they'll be able to kill him as soon as they get out. Aldus agrees, but doesn't want anyone's rage to get in their way. Austin admits to them both that he would kill Badrick if he had the chance, but doesn't want to go out of his way to hunt him - all he's thinking about is alcohol. Their conversation is cut short when they hears keys twirling around. Daniel comes around the corner with Jon and Fraser at his side. They're letting them out of the cell. Jon notices that Angela is missing, and the group inform him that she was taken to the "dark room". Daniel passes him a key and he runs off to find her.

Daniel explains to Austin and the others that he's on their side now, and also that Badrick has escaped and is leading an army of Rastas towards the stadium as they speak. As Daniel then goes to let them out of the cell, Nick Parker, a Nathaniel loyalist, comes strolling down the hall, and after seeing what was happening, grabs hold of Fraser. He threatens to kill Fraser unless Daniel surrenders. Before Nick can hurt anyone, he's killed by a returning Jon, who stabs him in the back of the neck. Daniel lets Austin and the others out of the cell, and Austin sees that Ed and Angela are with Jon. Austin has to be reminded who Ed is and where he met him. Daniel then leads everyone over to the armoury to stock up on weapons.

At the armoury, Austin finds his shotgun and picks it up.

Austin and the others are then taken up towards the entrance of the stadium, where they look down through the windows at Badrick's army of Rastas waiting outside. Austin loses all confidence and panics upon seeing the army. Austin looks over when he hears a man whimpering in pain. Daniel drags a wounded Nathaniel into the room and forces him to look out at Badrick's army. Then, The Rastas open fire. Austin yells and dives to the floor. He stays in cover where he is for the longest time, until a grenade is thrown up at them and he's forced to move out into the pitch with the others to find new cover.

On the pitch, Austin assists his companions by occasionally popping out of cover to shoot at a Rasta. Eventually, Rebecca is hit by a bullet and falls immediately. Fraser lifts her up, and together with Zac and William, take off towards the infirmary to try and save her life. Austin is left behind with five others to hold the line from the advancing Rastas. After some time, William returns with news that she'll probably live. However, Austin and the others are quickly running out of ammo. Things get worse when they get pinned down by a couple of snipers hiding in the rafters. Angela takes a risk by peaking around her cover to try and kill a Rasta. She ends up being sniped through the head by one of the snipers, collapsing instantly. Austin watches in horror and yells out curses. After calming himself down, he is called over by William, who tells Austin and Albert to watch over a stunned Jon. Austin accepts the responsibility and ducks into cover with his shotgun.

After The Rastas retreat and the fight concludes, Austin stands off to the side holding his weapon.

#### **"Moment of Silence"**

Out on the pitch, Austin discusses the battle that had just taken place with Dean Howards. Dean mentions that *most* of them survived. Austin picks up on this and asks him of anyone else he know who died. All Dean knows about is the death of Angela. A curious Randall, who had been separated from the group, asks the two of them how they all ended up here. Austin explains how Badrick attacked the school, and how they ended up being locked inside a cell at the stadium. Austin and Dean overhear Benjamin telling Clyde that Badrick has been killed by Edward. Austin feels relieved, saying that he can enjoy drinking in peace now. When he hears this, Dean discusses how he used to not be able to survive without a bottle as well. Austin tells him that he's hasn't stopped drinking since he turned twenty-one. Dean replies by telling him about his struggles of not knowing what to do now that he's stopped drinking. Austin isn't sure how to respond. Benjamin chimes in by telling the both of them that they should enjoy the few moments of silence that they have. Austin agrees that's the best thing to do.

A little while later on Austin sees two bodies being carried out from inside. He first doesn't recognize them, but then realizes they are Fraser and Zac, and he apologizes for not knowing who they were. Austin helps out to dig one of the graves for their fallen friends. While he's in the process of digging grave, he notices Edward coming onto the pitch with the zombified head of Badrick. Stepping out from a nearby corridor, Jared announces himself to everyone. Austin immediately questions whether or not Jared was hiding during the entire fight. Jared claims he wasn't hiding. Jon similarly approaches Jared and asks where he was during the fight. Jared avoids giving a straight answer, and eventually a fight breaks out between the two. Austin attempts calming things down, but eventually stands back when Jared continues to make comments towards Jon.

Later that day, Austin stands in the crowd during the funeral for Angela, Fraser, and Zac.

#### **"That Sweet Temptation**"

Austin listens to William addressing everyone about the situation they're in. William explains that they'll be leaving Willamette for good after everything is packed up. Austin asks William if they can make a stop at his bar before leaving town. "Only for essentials" William tells him.

Afterwards, Austin goes to speak with William in one of the hallways. He explains to him that he has ammunition and food stored at his bar. Their conversation is interrupted by Ed, who approaches them and explains that he's going to head out with a small group to search for more transportation. Austin is invited to go along and stop at the bar during the trip. Austin agrees to go along and heads off to get ready.

Austin walks out into the parking lot ready to go. He joins Ed, Randall, and Jon in one of the cars before they drive off heading to the outskirts of town.

On the way there, Austin asks them if they could possibly drop him off at the bar while the rest of them keep going forward to look for vehicles. Ed tells him that they can drop by at his bar on the way back. Randall looks at Austin and asks him if he's seeking alcohol at his bar. Austin hesitates and awkwardly says that he'd only be having a couple of shots. The group then pull down a long driveway, where they go through an open gate and into the lot of a hunting manor. The car comes to a stop out front and they all get out. Ed looks around and finds an RV that he thinks he could get working. While Ed works on it, Jon heads around back to deal with any zombies while Austin teams up with Randall to search the building.

Stepping into the manor, both of them are in shock at how clean the place is. Austin says that they should move everyone here. Randall tells him to clear the building first. Randall heads upstairs while Austin stays on the first floor. While going through the house, Austin finds a cleaver, and then when he opens a door, discovers a fully stocked bar. Unable to resist the temptation, Austin forgets about clearing the rest of the floor, and begins drinking. A few minutes later, Austin is found drunk by Randall. Randall is disappointed in him and tells him that he needs to be cautious. Austin claims to have cleared the entire floor and that it was safe, before he notices a gun sitting on the wall. Austin approaches it and grabs it. Randall tells him to put it down and that he's in no state to use a gun. Austin grunts and puts it back on the wall. As soon as Randall exits the room to go check on Ed, Austin goes back towards the gun. He picks it up and then looks out a window, noticing a few roaming zombies. After glancing back and forth between the zombies and the gun, Austin cooks up an idea and grins.

Offscreen, Austin fires his gun at the zombies which wakes up a plethora of zombies that were stuck inside the hedges surrounding the manor.

#### **"Revelations"**

Austin is stumbling around the manor awkwardly with the gun in his hand when Jon comes sprinting into the manor, confused and angered at Austin. Jon tells Austin to just put his back against the front door, Austin does so. After Jon grabs an axe, he instructs Austin to find a weapon and get ready to fight their way to the RV. Austin steps away from the door and finds a small hatchet to use. Austin helps Jon take down a couple of zombies, but Austin proves to be not very useful in his state. After they start to get overwhelmed, Jon breaks a window and they both hop out. Jon helps Austin up and they stumble into the yard.

They run out into the front where they meet up with Randall and get surrounded by the horde of zombies. Austin does what he can to help, but loses his hatchet when it gets stuck in a zombie's head. Before they are devoured by the undead, Ed swoops in with the RV, knocking over a bunch of zombies and allowing Austin and Randall to get in. Jon, however, continues to fight, not getting into the vehicle. Ed circles around the yard once and comes to to Jon, yelling at him to jump on the ladder at the back. Jon does so, and the RV quickly speeds away.

Once they're finally out of danger, Randall confronts Austin for what just happened. Austin admits that he went out into the yard to shoot at the zombies. Jon looks over at him and asks if he still needs to drop by his bar. Austin shamefully says that they don't need to stop there anymore. After he's asked by Jon, Austin apologizes for everything he caused and promises it won't happen again.

Austin sleeps for a bit, and then is woken up when they arrive back at the stadium. The other three men leave the RV, leaving Austin alone. Austin then gets up and goes through all of the cabinets in the RV. In one of them, Austin discovers a few bottles of alcohol. Although he tries fighting off the temptation, he gives in and grabs one of the bottles.

Later that night, Austin is discovered drunk in the RV by Albert. Smashed bottles of Alcohol sit all over the floor. Austin tries to explain that he was cleaning up, but Albert doesn't buy it. Albert gets Austin to admit that he's drunk. Albert, knowing of what happened at the hunting manor, is furious at the drunkard. He grabs a full bottle of alcohol and chucks it out of the RV. Angry, Austin stands up and demands an answer. Instead of answering, Albert berates Austin for getting drunk again and regards him as being worthless. After he leaves, Austin, frowning, takes a seat.

#### **"The Road Ahead"**

Early the next morning Jon walks out to the RV, finding Austin to still be there, hungover. Jon informs him that he should probably clean up the RV before everyone else wakes up and they get on the road. Austin says he'll do what he can.

Austin is seen later when everyone is packing things into the RV.

Austin takes a spot inside the RV when the group leave the stadium. When the convoy is stopped by a landslide that blocks the way, Austin remains inside the RV, not helping the others to move the large rocks. However, after he notices Albert outside moving a rock, he gets up and heads out to meet with him. There, Austin sincerely apologizes for getting drunk before and swears that he won't touch another bottle. Albert accepts his apology. Randall then strolls up to them, informing them that Jon went off into the woods by himself. Austin volunteers to go after him and bring him back. Randall is surprised by this, but lets Austin do it, pointing in the direction Jon went. Austin walks off into the woods.

After stumbling through the forest for a while, Austin finds a bar and heads into it checking for Jon, he finds him sitting at the bar. Jon is happy to see that it was Austin who went after him, offering up Austin a drink. Austin, however, refuses the drink. Jon, shocked, sets the bottle down. After taking a seat next to Jon and refusing the offer of a drink once more, Austin listens to Jon tell him that he's only drinking to forget what happened to Angela, and that he's capable of handling himself. Jon gets up off of his stool and grabs a soda from behind the bar, asking Austin to drink with him, either with the soda or the bottle of whiskey. Austin successfully fights off the urge to drink the whiskey and opts for the soda. Austin opens it up and drinks it. While he does, he explains what happened with Albert the previous day, and how what he said reminded him of his wife. He goes on by saying that he would come home drunk almost every night, would get yelled at, but moved on. Jon asks what happened to his family. Austin tells him straight that he found them dead after the outbreak. Austin ends it by telling Jon that he should put down the bottle and come back with him, to just face what happened. Jon wants to, but says that he keeps seeing and hearing Angela, and that drinking *was* plan B. He then puts down his bottle and lets it roll off the edge, smashing. Jon asks if Austin is really done with drinking, Austin says he really is. Both men then get up from the bar, Jon saying that he doesn't want to go through the same downward spiral that Austin did. They leave the bar, heading back to the road to clear the rocks.

#### **"The Beginning"**

Austin and Jon are seen arriving back on the road with the rest of their group, and shortly after they continue their journey to Denver.

The group arrive at a small gas station outside of Denver. Volunteers are asked to go into the city, but Austin sits this one out.

### **Season 5**

#### **"Day By Day"**

Seven weeks after Denver, Austin remains with his group who have been travelling across Colorado into Kansas. They reach Garden City, where Austin joins a group to go clear a couple of houses. Inside of a house, Austin is instructed to head into the basement with Solomon Reed to clear it. He nods and heads down. In the basement, Austin takes out a flashlight and shines it around. He tells Solomon to go clear a couple rooms to the left, while he goes right. Over to the right, Austin finds a game room. After making sure it's clear, Austin searches through a cabinet. Inside of it, Austin finds a ton of alcohol. He struggles to fight off the temptations, but manages, closing the cabinet and toppling over some of the bottles inside. Hearing a commotion in the other room, he goes to check on Solomon, finding that he had killed a zombie. After confirming with him that the basement was clear, they both head upstairs.

Later the next day, Austin joins Jon, Rebecca, Albert and Solomon to search for somewhere where they can stay. They end up coming across a motel that's filled with zombies. From inside one of the rooms, they hear a single gunshot. The group are leaning towards leaving the motel, but Albert is the only one to go against them, explaining that this is the first sign of another person in weeks, and that they shouldn't leave without going to check on them. Rebecca then rethinks it, and joins Albert, and soon the others have no choice but to help. Austin and Solomon run over to one side of the motel, making loud noises to attract the attention of the horde. They climb onto a car to safety. While the others fight their way to the room, Austin and Solomon fight off the zombies around the car. Eventually, the horde is cleared, and Austin looks up at Brenden Trevors, the man who was in the room, giving him a nod.

#### **"Over and Over"**

Austin settles into the motel with the others. While on guard duty with Randall one night, the two begin playing a game where they toss stones out into the woods. They discuss the food situation, and Austin says that he's tired of eating the same food. Aldus steps out of the woods during their game, some rabbits and some deer meat with him. Austin and Randall thank and congratulate him for the work. As they go back to the game, another person shows up: Brenden, who is without the others that he left with. He requests to speak with whoever's in charge immediately.

Later on, Austin, Randall, Aldus, Jon, and Marcus are gathered into the parking lot by Kate. She explains to them that an incident has happened at the cereal factory, and they're being sent in to save the members who are trapped there. She furthermore states that Edward and Solomon have seemingly left the group. Austin, although taking a moment to think about it, joins the other four men to go out and rescue their friends.

The five men soon arrive just outside of the cereal factory. They glance down into the factory and see the outside almost empty of zombies. Knowing that they're likely trapped inside, Austin asks how they're meant to get their friends out. Aldus gets an idea, and although Austin hates the idea, his idea is to smear themselves in zombie blood and guts to blend in with the horde inside. Randall walks off to kill a stray zombie and bring it back to them. Austin says that he'll wipe the blood onto his clothing, but not onto his skin. Jon tells him that shouldn't be a problem. After the men get covered in guts, they head down the hill and into the factory. They slowly walk through the place searching for signs of anyone, but don't find anything. Aldus doesn't want to give up the search, and actually wants to go back for another round through the factory, but Austin and the others talk him out of it. They did as much as they could. Marcus suggests they drive around the area looking for anyone - but beyond that, there's nothing they can do.

After coming up empty, they return to the motel to find Jared alive and well. Seeing Jared, they all assume Albert, Daniel, and Lolida made it back safely to. To their shock and disbelief, they're told by William that Albert is dead and the other two are missing. Austin looks down, sad, but more confused and angered than anything. Jared explains to them that he and Albert lost sight of Daniel and Lolida right before Albert was killed, ripped apart by the horde.

Later the next day, Austin stands present for Albert's funeral. After Jared says a few words, Austin steps forward and explains how Albert saved his life on multiple occasions and was a good person. He explains further that it was Albert who finally got Austin to stop drinking, and he intends to keep the promise he made to Albert and not drink.

That night, Austin watches in silence as William tells the entire group that it was Jared who killed both Albert and Isaac Moses. Jared, already beaten and hardly able to stand, is placed onto a stool and has a noose place around his neck. Although some members of the group try to tell William to come up with a different solution, William kicks the stool underneath Jared, killing him.

#### "**Before it Gets Better**"

While walking through the woods on perimeter watch, Austin finds Dean alone in the woods. As he gets closer, Austin notices several dead zombies laying below him. Dean notices Austin, and tries to play it off as if he's just out enjoying the scenery. Austin can tell Dean isn't alright, and asks him about the corpses. Their conversation leads into what happened to Albert and Jared, and Austin mentions that they may have been struck with a curse. Dean agrees, and then goes on to ask Austin if he thinks they'll find somewhere safe and secure where they can finally rest. He takes a second to think about before telling Dean that he believes that there is a place out there. Austin then looks down and notices a couple of empty bottles of whiskey. Austin takes this as the fact that Dean is drinking again. He understands what it's like, but tells Dean that he shouldn't be drinking - that it won't get him anywhere. Dean slowly nods, hoping that he'll eventually stop his drinking and come around. Dean comments on the fact that Austin is beginning to sound a bit like Kate. Afterwards, Austin and Dean head back for the motel, Dean having cleared his head.

#### "**His Resolve**"

Standing on guard duty with Randall, Austin notices a small pack of cigarettes Randall shoves into his pocket. Curious, he asks him what he's doing with it. Randall just says that he's had a lot to think about after returning from the police department with some serious injuries. Austin says that he's noticed Randall hasn't been the same since he returned, asks goes on to asks him more about it. Randall describes in detail what happened at the police department - about how he met a crazy man, a former police officer there who was too dangerous to keep around, and so Randall had to kill him. After hearing the story, Austin explains to Randall that he did what needed to be done, and that had he not killed him, he and Marcus may be dead themselves. Randall listens to him, as he begins to drift off. Suddenly, he collapses to the ground. Austin yells for someone to come help. Rebecca hurries over and together they lift Randall up and bring him into one of the motel rooms to lay down. In the motel room, he explains to Kate that Randall seemed fine right before he collapsed.

When a group of desperate looking people show up at the motel later on, Austin stands ready in case they try anything. At first, Kate sympathetically lets the group in when she sees how desperate they are. However, when William sees what's happening, he orders that the group immediately leave. Austin stands off to the side quietly as his group split into two sides-- Kate's side wanting to let the survivors in, while William's side wants to send them away. Eventually, William fires off a shot next to the survivors, forcing them out of the motel. After all is said and done, Kate, still trying to plead with William and everyone else, tells Austin that those survivors had a child with them, and that he should know what it's like to have a child. Austin frowns, and it hurts him to say it, but he sides with William, telling Kate that they don't have enough supplies to let them inside. Kate goes silent, not knowing what to say.

#### **"The Right Thing"**

After that whole event, Austin is seen up on the second floor of the motel relaxing. He is approached by Jon, who hands him a hatchet and says that the two of them are going out chopping down trees for the day to be able to set up defenses. Austin nods, taking the hatchet and walking with him. On their way out, Jon says to him that William has left with Ed, Lloyd Waller, and Rebecca for a supply trip, and that he's left in charge. Austin seems rather displeased that William would leave after everything that happened, but Jon assures him that the two of them are capable of holding down the motel. The talk turns to how William sent the survivors away coldly. Austin doesn't like that it had to be done, but knows it was the smart decision. Jon *knows* that it was the right call, and that they need to be looking out for their own people before others. Before they make it out the gate, they're stopped by Kate who asks where William is. Jon tells her, then comments on how quiet it is at the motel. Kate, still angry, tells Jon that he should go apologize to Claire Noble for hurting her. Jon doesn't have anything to say to her, and goes to leave. Before Austin follows suit, he looks at Kate and says that he and everyone else would have let those survivors in if the circumstances were different. He awkwardly apologizes before following Jon out.

Out in the woods, Austin and Jon hack at some trees. Jon is excited to set up some defenses, however, Austin didn't think they were going to be staying at the motel for very long. Jon tells him that it's best they have some defenses even if they aren't staying long. The conversation takes a turn to how certain people of the group don't do anything for them, and Jon is beginning to become fed up. He also noticed that Kate was suspicious, and hopes she's not planning anything stupid. Austin agrees that everybody should start stepping up and helping out the group. He too hopes that Kate doesn't do anything dumb, but he does feel sorry for her, and understands why she wanted to let those survivors in. As they continue hacking at the trees, Jon tells Austin that if those people were to be let in, they'd risk ruining everything that they currently have, and nobody wants that. Austin agrees with the statement that nobody wants that to happen, before he completely chops down a tree, sending it crashing to the ground.

After cutting down several trees and carrying them back into the motel, Jon begins to become unsettled by how quiet it is. He and Austin go to investigate.

They go to Randall's room and ask him where everyone is. Randall is honest with them from the start, admitting that Kate and a few others have left to go into Garden City after the survivors who were turned away. Austin and Jon are both angry, but Jon more so. Austin fumbles with his words, as he goes back and forth with himself about whether they should go after Kate and them. However, Jon knows that if they leave now they'd be leaving the motel undefended. Austin sighs and shakes his head, annoyed by how stupid it was for them to go into the city.

#### **"It All Comes Crashing Down"**

Outside the motel, Austin is seen placing spikes into the dirt. As he's working, a car suddenly comes speeding up to the motel. Jon, the driver, yells for Austin to open the gate. Without question, he stops what he's doing and swings open the gate, following the car inside and closing the gate behind him. Getting out of the car alongside Jon is Kate and Brenden, who's missing a hand. All Kate says is that Brenden got bit, and tells Austin to go find a medical kit. Austin rushes off to search for one, returning some minutes later with one. With Kate now treating Brenden, Austin looks to Jon for further answers, asking him what the city was like and if they can go back for the others. Unfortunately, he's told that the city is infested and there's no way they can go back. As everyone argues and disagrees with each other, Layton notices a horde of zombies approaching the motel from down the road - they had followed Jon's car. Austin agrees with Daniel that they should be leaving immediately before the building is surrounded. Before they can leave though, a second horde that had split off from the first surrounds the motel from another side, and quickly, the motel is completely surrounded on all sides. Now that they can't go anywhere, Randall hands out pistols to everyone with two bullets.

Austin, along with the others, are next seen stabbing zombies through the gaps in the fences. Soon enough, the pressure on the fence becomes too great, and it collapses, allowing zombies to swarm the parking lot. Austin retreats up the stairs onto the second floor of the motel with a few others. There, they continue to fight off the zombies. As they are continuously backed further and further, Austin becomes worried that they have nowhere left to go. Jon hands him a molotov cocktail and tells him that all they can do is keep holding them off.

The fighting continues on for some time. Austin uses one of bullets to defend Kate and Randall, who are still down in the parking lot, from oncoming zombies. Fighting rages on for some more time until eventually they see a firetruck rolling down the street with it's sirens on, drawing a significant amount of zombies away from the motel, but not all of them. Seeing their opportunity, Austin and the others begin pushing forward until they make it down into the parking lot and finally out of the motel into the woods.

Austin is finally able to catch in the breath in the woods. A pissed off Daniel continues to demand that Kate should be punished, but Austin tries calming the situation by saying they all got out alive. Daniel still believes she should be punished, but Jon reminds him that it's not up for him to decide - it's William who will. Soon enough, Marcus and the others from the city, excluding Dean, join the others in the woods, revealing that they were the ones in the firetruck. And finally, William and the party he went scavenging with are seen approaching nearby. Austin goes silent as William begins scolding Kate and the group for venturing into the city behind his back. He asserts his leadership over the group, saying that no decisions are to go through without his approval.

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

Now residing at a church in the woods, Austin is seen with Jon approaching a commotion between Daniel and Marcus. Austin crosses his arms, annoyed to still see the members of the group arguing with each other. The small commotion quickly turns into a fist fight when Daniel strikes Marcus, as well as Kate when she tries to intervene. Seeing this, Austin rushes over and helps Jon to pull the two men apart, breaking up the fight. However, Daniel manages to get hold of a gun, and points it around at the group. Austin tells him to put it down, and when William is seen approaching, Daniel does so. After William expresses his disappointment in the group and walks away, Austin joins Jon and Aldus to check the perimeter for zombies.

#### "**Pipe Dream**"

Three days later, Austin is with Jon and Ed in the church planning where they should move to next. Ed points out that they only have one location left to search from the notebook Dean brought back with him: a warehouse. Austin proposes that if they're going to move soon, they should avoid any more cities and go north to find a small town. Jon agrees with him, but isn't sure exactly what they should do. Austin agrees with Ed that the best thing they can do is to keep moving forward and quit dwelling on past events. Ed says that he'll figure out something as Austin and Jon leave him to it.

Later on, Jon comes to Austin and Randall, informing them about two strangers who showed up claiming to be recruiters for a community. Austin doesn't like what he's hearing, but Jon tells him and Randall to gather everybody in the main hall while he gets William.

Austin and Randall gather everybody up as the two recruiters are brought inside. Standing by a window to keep a lookout, Austin listens in to the recruiters describe the community they come from, one with running water, power, and a place that's safe from the dead. After the recruiters finish up, Kate suggests that they all vote on whether they should take their chances and go with them or remain here. Austin agrees, but has a difficult time deciding on how he should vote. In the end, Austin agrees with Jon's opinion of indifference. However, even with the majority of the group opting to go with the recruiters, William refuses and sends the recruiters away. Lolida, furious, steps up to William and says that he's had enough of William. In response, he's shoved down and punched by William. Austin rushes over to stop Lolida from retaliating, telling him to "just leave it."

Later on, Austin is relaxing in the main hall by himself. The quietness is interrupted when William comes storming out of the office, Ed in hot pursuit of him. Austin hears Ed telling a stressed William that he "expected them to be back by now.". As William picks up a rifle and gets ready to go, Ed tells him to bring Austin along. Without knowing what was going on still, Austin gets up and grabs a rifle on his way out the door, following William.

#### "**The Fanatic and the Freak**"

Austin and William soon arrive at a warehouse, where they can hear the maw of the undead inside. Austin, having been told on the way that Lloyd and Brenden went out on a supply mission with Aldus, curses and complains that it was stupid of Brenden to go when he's missing a hand. Austin boosts William up onto a lowered part of the roof, and is then instructed by him to wait while he goes inside to investigate.

After some time, Lloyd and Brenden are seen climbing out the window that William had entered the building in, as well as the two recruiters from before, and lastly Aldus. Brenden jumps back in to save William, and when the two climb through the window, Austin and the others see Brenden covered in zombie bites.

After putting the boy out of his misery, Austin and the group travel back to the church sorrowfully. When they return, William announces that they're going to be going with the two recruiters to the community of Worthwood.

Before the group leaves, Austin is present for the funeral of Brenden and to pay his respects.

After a couple days of travel, the group arrives at Worthwood.

### **Season 6**

#### "**All Good Things**"

At the welcoming party, Austin is seen by Randall's side, clearly looking uncomfortable. Randall is talking with three men, Craig, Dave and Jeff, while Austin remains quiet, up until Randall excuses himself to use the bathroom, forcing Austin into conversation with the other men. It's an awkward conversation through and through, up until Austin reluctantly tells the men that he used to own a bar. This gets the other men to thinking, and that's when they notice Austin doesn't even have a drink in his hand - and so they call over a waiter. Austin tries to keep cool at first, telling them that he really didn't want a drink, but as Dave persists, Austin gets irritated. Dave decides to grab a glass of beer from the waiter just in case Austin changes his mind. He holds the beer out to Austin, and for just a moment, Austin is tempted to take it. But he snaps out of it, and smacks the glass to the floor, cursing at Dave as he storms off.

He walks outside onto one of the balconies, hoping for some peace and quiet. Unbeknownst to him, he was followed by Genna, one of the two sisters that recruited them to Worthwood. Genna says that she saw what happened inside, and doesn't blame him at all. Austin says that she's right about that, which is why he could use some alone time right now, hoping that would get Genna to leave. But it doesn't. Realizing she's not going anywhere yet, Austin is forced to talk to her. She says that she knows what it's like for him, her being a recruiter after all, she's seen people just like him, and that it takes time to settle in. Austin disagrees, and starts listing his complaints about the community, mainly the people, who don't know what it's like out there. Genna tries once more to convince Austin that it'll just take time, explaining to him that she once felt the same way too when she arrived. Austin doesn't seem to really care though, and that's when Genna suddenly asks the man if he's been given a job here yet. When Austin says that he hasn't, Genna offers him the opportunity to be a recruiter like her. Realizing that it will at least get Austin out of Worthwood, and away from the people here, he agrees to do it.

#### "**The Stranger**"

In a flashback, Austin is seen inside of his bar, sleeping. George, a man he's never seen before, wakes him up by yelling at him. Austin groans, sitting up and wondering how George got inside, to which George says that the door was unlocked, and there's a sign saying he's open. Sighing, Austin stands up to wash his face, realizing he must've drank until he passed out last night. George tells him that it's already noon, which Austin is a bit irritated about. Then, he asks George why he's here, and George pulls out a five dollar bill, laying it on the counter and ordering a glass of bourbon. While grumpily getting his drink, Austin finally picks up on the fact that he's never seen George before, asking the man about it. George says that he's new to Willamette, having just moved down here from a small town in Minnesota for a change of scenery. After George gets his drink, he begins asking questions of his own to Austin, beginning by asking if he lives here. "Might as well live here," Austin mumbles in response, before complaining about his wife, Irene Kingston at some length, mentioning how all she ever does is call Austin a worthless alcoholic when he goes home. George knows the feeling since he was married too - but has since divorced. He claims that all his wife ever did was complain as well, and he'd grateful to have left her when he did. All this talk about wives gets Austin to thinking, and he hesitantly tells George a story about how a few weeks ago he showed up at his house to celebrate his son's birthday party, but his wife didn't let him come in, telling him he stunk of alcohol. As George finishes his drink, he asks Austin why he doesn't just divorce her. Offended, Austin looks up and sternly tells the man "No." Shrugging, George doesn't really care and says that it's Austin's life, not his. After an awkward silence, George pays for a little bit more bourbon, before standing up to leave. He tells Austin that he sells good alcohol, and hopes that his marriage works out, before leaving the bar.

That night, Austin returns home, drunk. He stumbles into his house and over to his kitchen, scrounging through the fridge, hungry. But when he doesn't find anything he wants, he closes it, and is about to go to sleep - when he sees something out in the backyard. It's Irene, who's sitting out in the dark, smoking. Austin opens the back door, gently, not making any noise - as he considers going out. He can hear Irene quietly sobbing, putting a frown on his face. He stands there for a long moment - before deciding not to go outside. He closes the back door quietly to not reveal himself, and then goes to sleep in his bedroom.

In the morning, Austin crawls out of bed, getting ready for the day, showering, brushing his teeth, and putting on some clothes. Finally, he goes out into the kitchen, where Irene is cooking breakfast for their son, Ryan Kingston. He greets his wife, but she ignores him. As Austin is going through the fridge - he suddenly remembers what he saw last night, and turns around to admit this to Irene, and wants to know if she's okay. She says that she's not, but that she doesn't want to get any more into it. A worried Austin thinks that she might be sick, or worse, but Irene says it's nothing like that. Austin presses, wanting to know what it is then, and so finally she admits that she was thinking about him - but more specifically, what happened to him. She rants about how much of a worthless alcoholic he is, which Austin has heard a million times before. He sighs, but Irene continues, asking him if this is really how he wants to live the rest of his life. She wishes that she had chosen anybody but him, and is about to say something else, but stops, cutting herself off. As Irene turns and walks away, Austin yells after her to no avail. Frowning, Austin sits, feeling empty and regretful. His son, Ryan, passes by him, quietly saying hello to him, which gets Austin to smile, briefly. But he immediately frowns again, remaining on the couch for the next few minutes until Irene leaves to take Ryan to school. Sighing, Austin gets up, collects his things, and heads outside to his truck. As he's getting in, his neighbour Jeremiah Hurst calls over to him from next door. Austin mumbles a "Good morning" to him, but doesn't want to stick around and chat. Jeremiah quickly asks if Ryan would be interested in coming over to his son Jamie's birthday party, and Austin tells Jeremiah to talk to his wife about it, before he gets into his truck and drives off.

In the present, Austin awakes inside of his lodge. He grunts, climbing out of bed and seeing that the sky is still pitch black outside. The community outside is dead at this hours - there's nobody else out and about. Sighing, Austin knows that he needs to get moving. He washes his face, gets some clothes on, and grabs a heavy, uncomfortable backpack, before heading outside.

Austin heads down some streets until he arrives at a large garage, where an RV is parked out front. Next to said RV is Genna and Mackenzie, who're getting ready to go. When Genna sees Austin approaching, she's thankful that's finally here, remarking that if he were any later she'd need to go wake him up herself. With the thoughts of his family now lingering in his mind, Austin comes off as quite an asshole, angrily asking why they have to leave this early. Mackenzie, stumbling on her words, says that it's because they've got a long drive and don't want to waste the day getting there, which Genna nods in agreement with. She tells Austin that he can sleep on the way if he likes. Grumbling, Austin gets into the RV, as they leave Worthwood.

After a few hours of driving, with Austin barely able to sleep, he finally decides he needs to do something to pass the time. He walks up to sit in the front passenger seat beside Genna, who's driving. He immediately starts the conversation, and wants to know how they're even supposed to recruit people, since she hadn't told him. Genna tells him to relax, and that she was going to tell him along the way. She explains it simply - that they look around for people - watch them for a while to ensure that they won't be shot upon approaching them, and then go tell them about Worthwood and hope they join. Austin, kicking a foot up on the dashboard, says that it doesn't sound too hard. But one thing Austin doesn't understand is why they walk up to groups unarmed like they had with his group. He thinks its ridiculously stupid, and says he won't be doing that. Mackenzie looks at him from behind, and asks why he's so angry. "You've made it, you know. You don't have to be angry anymore." Austin, clearly angry, says that he isn't, and that he was just giving them advice. Genna says that they do it to build trust, while Mackenzie adds on by saying that maybe not everyone is as bad as he thinks they are. Grumbling, Austin stands, and sarcastically says that they're the experts, as he walks back to his seat near the back of the RV, trying to get some sleep.

Back in the past, Austin is at his bar, serving some drinks to a pair of regular customers. Then, he sees George entering the bar, smiling his entire way over to the counter. He orders the same bourbon he had yesterday, and while Austin is getting his drink - he pours himself a glass as well, telling George, who's a bit surprised by it, to get used to it if he plans on sticking around. After George takes a sip of his drink, he notices how different Austin is looking, and gets the man to admit that it's family problems. Chuckling, George knows all about it, and tells a story about his ex-wife, a story that only leaves Austin saddened at the thoughts of Irene. While George is telling another story, his voice slowly fades away, as Austin swishes the alcohol around in his glass, and downs it. His thoughts about Irene gradually fade, as he then grabs the bottle of bourbon and pours himself some more.

Later that night, Austin once again heads home, drunk. He enters his house - and discovers something odd. His belongings are packed in a few bags by the front door. Sensing that something is off, he calls for Irene, who comes walking over just a few seconds later. Immediately, Austin questions what this is, and Irene quietly asks him to just get his things and go. Everything comes together in Austin's head, as he stares at her angrily, asking her if this is about what happened this morning. She says it's not, and so Austin persists, wanting to know why. Irene, standing her ground, can't believe that Austin has the nerve to ask why after being an absent alcoholic for half of their marriage. Grumbling, Austin dismissively waves a hand at her, but when Irene says that she's already been talking to a lawyer, Austin spins around, his face cold and serious. He drunkenly rants that he's been working so that they can afford to live here. He continues his rant, questioning how Irene is going to get by from now on, and loudly proclaiming that this is his house. Irene buries her face in her hands, not wanting to fight. Seeing this, Austin calms down for a second, apologizing, and asking Irene to sit down so they can talk this out. But when Irene refuses, Austin screams at her in rage, aggressively stepping towards her, before quieting down. After a few moments of silence, Austin then says that he's taking Ryan then. Irene quickly makes it clear that she won't let that happen, calling Austin a good-for-nothing drunk. It's then that Ryan himself is seen walking out, having been awoken by Austin's yelling. Irene tells him to go back to bed, but Austin intervenes, walking over to his son as asking if he wants to come with him to a hotel with a pool, doing his best to convince his son to go with him and not Irene. But Irene steps in, shoving Austin away and saying that she won't let their son grow up around the likes of him. "The likes of me?!" Austin responds. "Yes! The likes of you!" she says, pushing him again, tears streaming down her cheeks. She begins to rant about how Austin is worthless, and an absent father who can't be trusted to look after Ryan. She wonders why Austin can't just be normal like Jeremiah next door. Austin falls silent, unsure how to respond. When he does eventually say something - it's an apology. He says that Irene is right - but that he'll change. Irene scoffs. "No, you won't. I'm done... I'm filing for a divorce, Austin." With that, Austin nods, defeated. He turns to leave, his foot accidently smacking the bottom of a coat rack. In a drunken rage, he throws it to the floor, before picking up his things and storming out.

The next evening, Austin is at his bar when George comes walking in again, ordering the same drink. Slowly, Austin gets his drink. George, sensing that something is on Austin's mind, persuades him to say what it is -- that Irene is divorcing him. George is a bit surprised, and says he's sorry - but that it isn't the end of the world. Austin gazes at George, a mix of sadness and anger within his eyes. He tells him that he's lost and doesn't know what to do. George's response is to tell Austin that it isn't so bad, and he can instead focus on his business now, joking that the place could use some renovating. He also tells Austin that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and he'll find a new woman. Austin looks at him, considering his advice for just a moment - before deciding that it's stupid. George continues, as he says that he himself actually found a woman that day - and they had a date planned for the next day. All this does is leave Austin feeling even worse. He obviously isn't interested in what George is saying, but the man continues regardless. Having had enough, Austin slams his hand against the counter, giving George a piece of his mind. Scoffing, George says that he was just trying to help, as he stands up and heads for the front door, saying that he was going to go find a different bar. "Good luck with your life, dickwad," George comments on his way out the door. Sighing, Austin sits back in his chair, and grabs a bottle of whiskey.

In the present, Austin awakes after having slept for no more than an hour. Unable to fall back to sleep, he stands, walking towards the front of the RV and taking a seat beside Genna, who asks if he's still grumpy. Austin knows that he was being a douchebag earlier, but doesn't say anything as he sits down. Genna asks why he decided to come along if he was just going to complain the whole time. Nodding, Austin says that he's just been doing some thinking. Not satisfied with the answer, Genna presses to know what exactly he was thinking about. He admits that it's his family -- and when Genna asks, he says that they're dead, but that all of it has only just been coming back to him these past few days. Genna says she's sorry, and respectfully asks how it happened, something Austin doesn't answer. Instead, Austin starts talking about how he'd didn't realize until he got to Worthwood that he'd practically never had the time to think about his family, since all he was ever thinking about was how to survive. He continues, remarking about how in reality he had no idea what he was doing. He mentions Logan, and how after he'd vanished he just decided to join up with William and the others. Because of how much Austin used to drink, and because of the battles he was constantly fighting in, he had no time to think about his family - until now. Sighing, he doesn't even know why he's telling Genna this, believing that she doesn't care. But Genna shakes her head, and claims that she does. She knows what he means by how you're only thinking about how to survive out here, and she too didn't know what she was doing until she came to Worthwood. But now she does -- she knows her purpose, which is not just to look after her sister, but to find good people and bring them back to Worthwood, which is Austin's purpose now too. Nodding silently, Austin thinks that maybe she's right. He then apologizes for how he was acting earlier, but she says it's not necessary. "You seem like a good guy, Austin," she tells him. "Maybe..." he replies. Just then, the two of them see something in the road ahead - instantly alarming Austin. It's three bikers and their motorcycles, blocking the road. As Genna slows down, Austin goes to wake Mackenzie up, who immediately panics upon realizing what's happening. Austin tells her to calm down, as he grabs a rifle. Tex, one of the bikers outside, asks for them to come on out. Suspicious, Austin tells Genna and Mackenzie to stay here and keep the RV ready while he goes out. Slowly, Austin pushes open the door and steps out, confronting the bikers, and asking if they need something. At first, Tex pretends to be friendly, before he drops the act, and smirks, pulling something out of his pocket. A severed finger with a diamond ring attached to it. "Give us your shit," Tex says with a grin. "Or you'll end up like Clark here." Austin grits his teeth, tightening his grip around his rifle, as he tells the bikers to get the hell out of the way. Laughing, Tex asks what he's gonna do if he doesn't, pointing out how even if Austin shot Tex dead, his other two biker buddies would kill him. Realizing he's not wrong, Austin begins to step back -- but as he does, Tex draws a pistol in the blink of an eye, shooting through the windshield of the RV. Austin raises his rifle, firing off three shots that all miss. He sprints back inside the RV, just as Genna hits the gas, crashing into one of the biker's motorcycles. Austin lies on the ground, as gunshots rip through the RV until one of the tires get popped. The RV goes off-road, crashing.

Moments later, Austin awakes, coughing and groaning, and in some pain. He crawls to his rifle, picks it up, and then shakes a passed out Mackenzie to wake her up. While he's telling her and Genna to hurry up, Mackenzie spits out a chunk of her tongue that she'd bitten off in the crash, as her forehead bleeds from a nasty gash as well. Genna panics when she sees the state of her sister - but Austin, knowing they don't have much time, yanks Mackenzie to her feet as she's screaming, and yells at them to get the hell out of here while he holds them off. He then steps out of the RV, keeping the rifle pointed up at the road, covering the sisters as they hobble out of the RV and into the woods. As Austin is watching the road intently -- he is snuck up on. A leaf crunches beside him, and before Austin can react, he's been shot in his hip by Tex. He drops his rifle, and starts to tumble backwards down a steep incline, hitting his head, legs and arms on rocks and trees as he falls. Finally, Austin comes to a stop, lying next to a stream, water soaking his clothes. He can hardly move - and within moments, he loses consciousness.

In the past, Austin is speeding through downtown Willamette. It's the beginning of the apocalypse, and people are being slaughtered by zombies all around him. He keeps driving, knowing that he can't stop, as he speeds into his neighbourhood and up to his house. There, Austin picks up a shotgun in his passenger seat for protection, then hurries up his driveway. As he's approaching his front door, he spots Jeremiah Hurst stepping out, who informs Austin that he's just spoken to Irene and Ryan, and they're coming to stay with him and his family next door. He tells Austin that he'll meet him there, and rushes back to his house. But Austin has no intentions of doing that, and heads into his house, finding Irene getting ready to go next door, while Ryan sits on the couch, scared. He tells his wife to come with him now, and that they need to leave town. Irene, who's a bit shocked to see him here in the first place, tells him that he's not thinking straight, and that they should be staying here. Austin disagrees, having seen the madness on the streets, knowing how dangerous and serious things really are. But Irene continues to refuse to go with him, stressing Austin. He enters the kitchen, grabbing a can of beer from the fridge to try and calm him down. But all this does is anger Irene, who says that she doesn't feel safe with Austin. He takes offense to this, but quickly changes the topic back to what matters -- that they come with him and leave town so they're safe. When Irene refuses once again, Austin loses his cool and screams at her in rage. Irene steps back, looking at Austin like he's some kind of monster, while Ryan tries to hide behind his mother, clearly scared of Austin. Jeremiah is then seen jogging through the house, asking if everything was okay. Austin, having made up his mind, starts to walk out, while cursing at Jeremiah out of jealousy and spite, before he steps back outside into the cold November morning.

Meanwhile, Austin is still laying in the stream in the present, blood oozing from his hip. He's barely conscious - trying to call out for help. But there's nobody around. He starts to think of Irene and Ryan, and then of Dean, and of Kate and Jon, and everyone else. His breathing slows, as he shuts his eyes.

Two days after the apocalypse, Austin awakes in the backseat of his pickup truck, hungover. He groans, his stomach not feeling great, as he climbs into the driver's seat. It's early in the morning, as he drives through town slowly, going around the wrecked vehicles, until he makes it into his neighbourhood. He pulls up to his and Jeremiah's houses, stopping by the curb and stepping out with his shotgun. He sees Jeremiah's sedan still parked in his driveway - and thinks that maybe his family is still here. But as he walks up to Jeremiah's porch, he finds a shattered window, and discovers something to be blocking the front door when he tries pushing it open. When he does get the door open - he sees the corpse of an old man he knew; he was recently killed. Austin begins to panic, jogging through the mess of a house -- where he is horrified to find the corpses of Jeremiah's wife and son in the living room, accompanied by a few dead zombies. In the kitchen, he finds the body of another man he knew, and even more zombie corpses. His heart starts to race, sweat trickling down the side of his forehead, Austin terrified about what could have happened to his family. He's now in a full on sprint, searching through every room in the house - until he opens the last door -- and stops in his tracks. Irene and Ryan lay dead on the floor, being chewed on by a couple of zombies. Austin stands still, tears welling in his eyes. The zombie chewing on Irene stands up -- it's Jeremiah, who starts stumbling towards Austin. He raises his shotgun, and with a single shot, blows Jeremiah's head off. He does the same to the second zombie - before he drops his gun and falls to the floor, crying. He starts to scream and curse at himself, slamming his hands against the wall, until he's unable to stay in that room any longer. He gets his shotgun and quickly leaves, tears still dropping from his eyes, as he goes back outside to his truck. He remains there, parked outside of the house for a long while - staring into space. And then, finally, he does the only thing he can think to do: forget. He opens his glovebox and pulls out a half-full bottle of whiskey.

Finally, in the present, Austin's eyes flicker open once more. He can't believe that he's still alive - and doesn't know how much time has passed. Then, he begins to hear noise to the side. He looks over, and sees someone -- a person -- crossing the stream, getting closer to him. For a moment, he believes that he's going to saved - before Austin squints his eyes and realizes that what he's seeing is no person, it's a zombie. Frowning, Austin accepts his face. Even if he wanted to get up and fight the zombie - he simply didn't have the energy to do so. He stares up at the sky, and pictures Irene in his head - and for just a moment, he smiles, happy. Then, the zombie approaching him is decapitated, its corpse plopping into the water. Austin weakly turns his head to look over - where a mysterious woman stands above him, asking if he can hear her. Austin blinks rapidly, unsure if what he's seeing is real or not, as he begins to lose consciousness. "Don't worry," the woman says. "I've got you."

#### "**The Tick**"

Austin awakes on top of a table, staring at the ceiling. He groans in pain, looking around - where he sees Kayumi Shizuko approaching him from across the room, telling him to take it easy. Austin takes her advice, lying back in pain. It's revealed that Kayumi patched up Austin's gunshot wound to the best of her abilities, but Austin is still in horrible shape, and it hurts whenever he moves the lower half of his body. Austin starts to think - the events surrounding what happened to him slowly seeping back into his mind. "Shoulda left me there..." he utters. Kayumi asks innocently if Austin is a bad person or something - to which he says that he's not all that good. "Nobody's really all good anymore, right?" she says, before explaining to Austin that they're inside of a funeral home right now. Austin mutters a "thanks", before his mind wanders again - and that's when he remembers Genna and Mackenzie. "Bikers..." he says aloud, suddenly trying to stand up, mumbling that he needs to go and find them. Kayumi's face drops when she hears the word "bikers", but she quickly springs into action, trying to tell Austin to stop - but he doesn't listen. Austin tries to walk forward, but the excruciating pain he feels in his hip is too much for him, and he collapses to the ground.

When Austin next wakes up, it only takes him a few seconds to remember everything, and he immediately sits back up, wanting to try and stand again. But from across the room, Kayumi looks over, and says that Austin should take her advice this time if he doesn't want to pass out. Sighing, Austin knows she's right, and decides to listen. But quickly, he starts to explain that he needs to go and find the women he was with. Kayumi sadly tells him that she didn't see them. She starts to walk over to him, revealing her name. Austin shares his name as well - but the only thing on his mind right now is Genna and Mackenzie, and wanting to make sure they're okay. Kayumi frowns, but then says that she'll help, much to Austin's appreciation. Wanting to know more - Kayumi asks what they were doing out in the middle of the woods, and Austin explains that he comes from Worthwood, and they were looking to recruit people. Kayumi nods along, until eventually saying that she's going to try and help the three of them get back to Worthwood. But first, Austin has to get off the table without passing out again. Kayumi approaches him and supports him as he stands in a lot of discomfort. She encourages him to take his time, and that they only had to walk outside to a vehicle that Kayumi has. Austin nods, scrunching his face, and beginning to limp slowly, using Kayumi as support. As they near the door, Kayumi awkwardly starts to explain that her vehicle might prove to be a little difficult.

Outside, Austin and Kayumi stare at a small two-seater motorcycle. "I mean... it's better than walking, right?" she says. Austin stares angrily - but decides that he'd rather ride that than walk the entire way in pain. As they approach, Kayumi promises to drive safely, and so Austin takes her word for it. But as Kayumi climbs onto the bike, a sudden suspicious feeling comes over Austin. He eyes her skeptically, and asks her why she's even helping him. Kayumi is a bit amused at the fact he's only just getting suspicious now -- before telling him that she's doing this because it's the right thing to do. Austin nods slowly, and decides that he has no choice but to trust her. He gets onto the bike, and they drive off.

While riding, Kayumi spots a zombie stumbling in the middle of the road. She grins, and reaches over her back, drawing a katana. Then, as they speed past the zombie, she decapitates it, smirking. Austin yells in fear, and pleads with her to focus on driving and not killing zombies. Kayumi apologizes while giggling, but asks him if it was cool. "Maybe - a little bit," he says back, as they keep heading down the road.

A few minutes later, Kayumi pulls into a gas station by the side of the road. The two of them climb off the bike - before Austin questions why exactly they're here. Kayumi explains that she wants to get him a ride home before they try to find Genna and Mackenzie, which Austin understands, agreeing with her. Wanting to move quickly, Kayumi points to a truck in the parking lot, and asks Austin if he knows how to hotwire a car. He admits that it's been quite a few years since he last has - but he probably still can. And so Austin goes to start the truck while Kayumi heads into the gas station building to collect some gas.

Later, Kayumi is outside fueling the pickup truck. Austin gets the engine running - and everything looks good. They're about to get into the truck and head off - before Austin speaks up, thanking Kayumi properly, for saving his life. She glances over smiling, and says that she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't. Nodding, Austin then asks if Kayumi lives anywhere - wondering if she'd want to come back with them to Worthwood. He describes what the place is like to her, and Kayumi repeats it all to herself, fascinated. She likes how it sounds - and tells him that she gets a little sick of constantly moving from place to place out here. She explains to him how she's lived in America her whole life with her mother, while her father and brother grew up in Japan. She rarely ever went over to Japan to see them - but says that when she did, it was special, and she wonders if home was meant to be with her brother in Japan. After a pause, she apologizes for the story, saying that home has just always been an issue for her. Austin understands - and tells her to just think about it. However, Kayumi immediately responds saying that she would love to go to Worthwood - but can't. Austin's a bit confused, but understanding nevertheless. He thanks her one more time, before they prepare to leave the gas station.

After a few minutes of driving, Austin and Kayumi are nearing the site where the RV crashed. But as they approach, Austin wonders if Kayumi has ever run into the bikers before. Frowning, Kayumi swallows and glances over at him, admitting that she hasn’t been fully truthful with him.

Austin stares at Kayumi, waiting to hear her explanation. She is about to say something, before the sound of her radio coming to life cuts her off. It’s Axel speaking through the radio, who says that they’ve found the girls two miles north of the RV. Kayumi simply frowns, while Austin tightens his hands around the steering wheel, glaring between her and the road. “I’m one of them,” she mutters, before following up quickly by saying that she doesn’t condone what they do, and she still wants to help Austin. The truck slows down as they get to the site of the RV crash, and Austin immediately steps out, furious, betrayed. Kayumi rushes out after him, and says that she just wants to help Austin and his friends, and tells him that he has to trust her if he wants any chance of getting back to Worthwood. Austin looks at her angrily, thinking it over in his head. He knows that he won’t be able to do anything without her help - and so he agrees, reluctantly. They start moving through the woods, heading north.

After going roughly two miles north through the woods, Austin and Kayumi are seen arriving around the back of the cabin. Kayumi urges Austin to go ahead and get his friends while she covers him. She rushes off, killing zombies, while Austin starts heading forward, hobbling, not going very quickly. Even at his slow pace, his hip is still throbbing with pain, but he tries to ignore it, the only thing on his mind being saving Genna and Mackenzie. But as Austin nears the back door of the cabin, he hears footsteps sprinting up, and Austin is tackled to the ground by Johnny. Johnny gets one good punch on Austin, but it seems to take all the energy out of him, as he suddenly winces in pain, grabbing his wounded shoulder. Austin takes the chance to throw Johnny off of him. Both men clamber back to their feet, before Austin attacks next - charging at Johnny, falling to the ground with him. He punches him a few times, knocking a tooth out of Johnny’s mouth, before the biker knees Austin in his groin. Both men get to their feet again, and Johnny decides that he’s done playing, and draws his gun. But the second he does, Austin smacks it out of his hand, and slams his face into a tree, grinding his face against it until Johnny elbows him off. Austin trips up on a rock, and lands on his hip, sharp, horrible pain shooting up his body. Johnny recovers, and pulls out a knife, slowly approaching Austin with an evil grin, telling the man that he was going to kill him and then the girls. But as he brings the knife down onto Austin, he rolls to the side, allowing Austin the chance to kick Johnny in his face, breaking his nose. While he’s distracted by that, Austin grabs Johnny’s dropped knife, and slams it into his wounded hand, pinning it to the ground. He screams in pain, before Austin climbs on top of him, starting to strangle him. Johnny throws punches at Austin with his only remaining functional arm, and pulls at his beard, but it doesn’t seem to affect Austin. He keeps strangling Johnny, even after he goes motionless, looking more like a feral animal than a human. When he simply has no energy left, Austin collapses to the side, catching his breath. He then rips the knife out of Johnny’s hand, and limps towards the cabin, entering through the back door. There, he sees Genna, both of them relieved to see each other. Quickly, she gets Mackenzie out of the closet, and they head out back, where Kayumi has just arrived, killing a zombie. Austin looks to her - and asks her one more time if she’s sure she doesn’t want to come with them. Kayumi wishes she could - but doesn’t have time to explain why she can’t. When Axel is heard yelling from inside the cabin that the girls aren’t here anymore, Kayumi quickly throws Austin a radio and says that they’ll meet again. He nods to her a final time, then starts hobbling off through the trees with Genna and Mackenzie.

On the road, Austin is driving the truck silently, while Genna sits beside him, and Mackenzie is laying down in the back. Genna sees how tense and injured he looks, and asks him what happened. He vaguely explains to her what happened - but says that he just wants to get back to Worthwood and get some rest, assuring her that he’ll explain everything later. Genna looks away, and quietly thanks him for saving their lives. Austin keeps driving.

#### "**A House Divided**"

Inside of Worthwood's infirmary, Austin approaches Genna, who's seated by a bed, where Mackenzie sleeps. He's gotten patched up since arriving back at Worthwood - though he still complains about being in pain. He asks how they're doing, and Genna says that they're a lot better off thanks to Austin saving them. She can't be more grateful - but Austin doesn't want to hear it. He says that he wasn't just going to leave them behind, even if he's "not a good man". Genna shakes her head, telling Austin that she doesn't know why he keeps calling himself a bad person when everything he's done since she met him has proved otherwise. Frowning, Genna then looks back at Mackenzie, starting to blame herself for what happened. She knew that Mackenzie was too naive to be coming on the trips with her, and yet she still allowed her to come. Austin approaches slowly, telling her that it's not her fault, and that no matter what, Mackenzie will be safe in Worthwood from now on. Nodding, Genna thanks Austin once more. Smiling slightly, Austin then thanks her as well, for being nothing but kind and understanding to him. Austin then pulls something out of his pocket -- the radio that Kayumi gave him. He still hasn't heard from anyone yet, but Genna tells him not to dwell on it, and he'll hear something in due time. Austin agrees, putting the radio away, before deciding that he'll leave Genna and Mackenzie be. He nods once, and then turns to leave.

After leaving the infirmary, Austin limps down the street, passing by strangers giving him strange looks. Towards the end of the street, he sees a familiar man sitting on a bench - Dean. Austin approaches, greeting him as Dean invites him to sit. The two men talk, simply catching up with each other, given it's been a little while since they last talked. Dean lets Austin know what Kate has been up to, and he's just hoping she can knock some sense into the council. When Dean then asks Austin if he's got any plans - Austin then lets Dean in on what he's been doing the past couple of days, very vaguely explaining what had happened to him. He's a recruiter now - and that's the way he plans to keep it, because Austin knows that he doesn't belong here. He leans back, thinking, before asking Dean if he was married. Slowly nodding, Dean's mind drifts to past memories, as he starts to admit how much better he could have done in his marriage. He looks at Austin with soft, understanding eyes, telling him that he knows what it's like, to not feel belonged. He knows it too well -- reflecting on the times when he used to wish death upon himself every day. But he's glad that he didn't - because if he did, he'd never have been able to forgive himself and not be there to protect the people he cares about. "You're important, man. You're one of us," Dean tells Austin, urging him to believe. Austin sits there, contemplating Dean's words in his head. He gazes down, lightly shaking his head. He hears what Dean is saying - but that doesn't change the past. "I'm a terrible fucking person," Austin says, regretting everything he's done in life. He considers himself to be a failure in all regards, but most importantly as a husband and father. He blames himself for what happened to his family - and feels especially guilty because his son spent his entire life hardly seeing Austin because he was always out drinking. Tearing up, Austin looks away, thinking back to what happened out on the road with the bikers, part of him wishing that he'd just died then and there. "But you're not telling the whole story," Dean responds, pointing out how much Austin's changed. Dean reminds Austin that he saved Genna and Mackenzie - he risked his life saving them. "You didn't die... for a reason," he says to the man, telling him that if Austin is who he thinks he is, he wouldn't have done that - he would've given up and abandoned them. But he didn't. "Your family would be proud of you," Dean says, telling Austin that he's honouring them by simply being alive. "I don't see the monster you think you are. I see you," he says. Austin sits there in silence, listening to the man, shutting his eyes tightly. Dean's words hit him hard - and he asks Dean if that's what he really thinks. "Think? I know so," Dean says, placing a hand on his shoulder. He tells him that there's a future in all of this - and Austin can't go. "...Thank you," Austin replies, wiping his eyes.

During William's trial, Austin, among several other members from his group, intrude on the trial, armed and telling the council that enough is enough - they're going to co-exist with the group going forward.

Later that night, Austin is marching back to his lodge by himself, before hearing his radio beep to life. It's Kayumi on the other side, and she says to meet her at a burnt out shack in the woods near the community.

Austin leaves Worthwood, hobbling through the woods for a short while until finding the shack, where Kayumi is waiting for him. She explains that it's not safe to talk over the radio in case the other bikers are listening - before he starts to explain to Austin the escalating situation between the bikers and Worthwood, telling him about her brother Shiro wanting Austin's head, and the secret Gerald is hiding with the bikers. Austin tries to remain chill at first, cursing quietly to himself, unsure of what to do. Kayumi apologizes again and again, suggesting that he organize some kind of defense at Worthwood for when Shiro attacks. Austin gazes down, frowning, but says that she doesn't need to apologize - it's his own fault for getting followed to Worthwood. He falls quiet for a second, before finally snapping, pounding his fists against a tree and yelling in frustration.

## **Killed Victims**

* Johnny
* Jeremiah Hurst *(Zombified)*
* 15 Rastas
* Numerous counts of zombies

## **Relationships**

**Irene Kingston & Ryan Kingston**

"*What were you gonna say? What's your excuse this time, Austin? You don't have one. You don't. I'm fucking sick of it. I-- I just don't know anymore, Austin. Look at you. Look at yourself. Is this how you want to live the rest of your life? God... I just wish I'd chosen anybody but you.*"
—Irene to Austin[src]

Austin had a toxic and strained relationship with his wife and son. He and Irene had been married for fourteen years, but for half of that time Austin had been a "drunk piece of shit". But over the years of arguing, Austin had gotten used to being berated by his wife for his drinking, and he no longer cares. Austin clearly loves his family, but his addiction to alcohol is what ruined his relationship with them.
While Austin is largely an absent husband and father, he is shown to care about Irene and Ryan greatly, even if he has difficulty showing it. He feels sympathy for Irene when he finds her crying outside, but he doesn't know how to even speak to his wife any more, and so he leaves her. When the apocalypse begins, Austin rushes to Irene and his son to try and convince them to come with him, but when they refuse, Austin lashes out in anger. When Austin sees the frightened looks of his wife and son, he's overwhelmed by shame, and regret. He knows that they don't want him there, and so he leaves.
Austin would return just days later to find that his wife and son had died, and he breaks down crying, knowing that it's partly his fault for being too stubborn and too much of a drinker, that his family didn't want him there. But Austin doesn't want to think about it -- and so Austin keeps drinking, trying his best to forget.

**Logan Carlson**

"*All over the damn place. In a matter of what-- two, three days? I was at my bar, a neighbourhood, even at a church. I was looking for Logan… Hope that son of a bitch is still out there somewhere.*"
—Austin to Albert Hanson about Logan[src]

Being one of the first people Austin encountered post-apocalypse, the two men decided to group up. From the few scenes that Austin and Logan are seen together in, they seemed to have a solid friendship, mainly because both men enjoyed drinking alcohol, though Logan not nearly as much as Austin.
Roughly three weeks into the outbreak, while Logan is out looting, Austin travels to Willamette Mall. He leaves behind a note for Logan, instructing him on where to go. However, Austin would not see Logan again, even after returning to the bar they’d been staying at to wait for him.
During a conversation with Albert Hanson, Austin admits that Logan is most likely dead, though he doesn’t want to believe it.
After Willamette Mall is destroyed, Austin is separated from the rest of his group, and during this time he goes searching for Logan, showing that he still hopes that his friend is alive out there. In the end though he comes up empty.

**Dean Howards**

"*Drinking again? Heh-- I get it. Feel like I could use one - but that’s not me anymore. It shouldn’t be you either.*"
—Austin to Dean[src]

Dean, like Austin, was a drunk that only seemed to get on people’s nerves for the longest time. Because of this, Austin would try to connect with Dean when he joins the mall group, but Dean, a man who was desperately trying to stop drinking and prove his worth, wants nothing to do with Austin.
When Dean eventually quits his drinking, he begins to talk with Austin more, and understands why he enjoys drinking as well.
Austin would put an end to his alcohol addiction later on down the road as well. After the group moves into a motel, Austin finds Dean out in the woods and learns that he’s started drinking again. Austin completely understands why, but encourages Dean to stop, as it won’t do anything but hurt others. Partly because of this conversation, Dean would stop his drinking again.

**Jon Matthews**
Throughout seasons two and three, Austin and Jon rarely speak with each other, though neither of them show any hate towards each other. However, come the fourth season, Austin, Jon, and two others are out on a run when Austin drunkenly fires off a gun, causing a horde of zombies to attack them. Jon is rightly angered in the moment, though afterwards he shows that he doesn’t hold any grudges.
Later that season, Austin finds Jon drinking in a bar by himself, and the two sit down to have a long chat. Jon is surprised when Austin refuses a drink, and appears to have a lot of respect for that. It’s here that Austin convinces Jon to put down his whiskey and come back to the group.
Over the course of the fifth season, Austin and Jon are shown working together much more, and both seem to have grown to respect each other.

**Kate Bloodstone**

"*I-- I, uh - I’m sorry. I wanted to let those people in yesterday - but with the way our group stands-- we can’t. If things were different - I’d be on your side - everyone would. I’m sorry.*"
—Austin to Kate[src]

Austin and Kate don’t have many interactions, but the two are shown to be on friendly terms throughout all seasons, barring some of the fifth season.
Austin is shown to obviously have some trust in Kate, given that she is one of only two people in the first five seasons that he opens up to about his family, if only briefly.
In the fifth season, the group is split into two sides when a group of survivors show up to the motel, and are then turned away by William Reynes. Austin, although feeling bad for the survivors, agrees with William’s decision. Kate, who believes they should’ve let the group in, tries pleading with Austin to change his mind, but he never does.

**Albert Hanson**

"*Albert-- Albert was a good guy - I like him. Someone that you could trust. Even in the worst of circumstances, he kept hope up. After Willamette Mall went to shit and I got lost, Albert was the first man to find me. When the school was getting raided and I was as sick as a dog, Albert was the one who helped me up on my feet and out of there. We weren't always so kind to each other though - after Jon, Randall, Ed and I came back from that manor with the RV, I drank myself to bed. Albert found me the next morning, hungover. He had heard about what happened at the manor - and after seeing me like this, scolded me. His words-- they really made me rethink what I was doing. I was drinking myself to death, and I didn't care. I promised to Albert that from there on out I would stop drinking. I intend to keep that promise.*"
—Austin during Albert’s funeral[src]

In Season 2, Austin and Albert’s only conversation comes after Benjamin Taylor’s attack, and the two are forced to hide in the storage room. It’s here that Albert explains everything to Austin, and the two of them seem to get along well.
In the third season, after getting separated from the group, a drunken Austin is found by Albert, who saves him from a few zombies and then helps him back to the group. Later on in “Red Asphalt”, Albert once again helps an ill Austin out of the under attack school, even though he disapproves of the man’s drinking (which is later made known).
The next season, after Albert hears about Austin’s drunken mistake which almost got some of his friends killed, he goes over to check up on the man, only to find him drinking once again. This time, Albert doesn’t hold back his anger and he scolds him, which would ultimately be the reason Austin quits his drinking. Afterwards, Austin comes to offer an apology, and Albert accepts it, leaving the two men back on good terms.
During Albert’s funeral in “Over and Over”, Austin takes the time to speak about how Albert was a good friend, and that he is going to honour him by keeping his promise of not drinking alcohol again.

**Quincy Atherton & Monica Reynolds**
In late Season 2, Austin and Quincy have an altercation after Monica Reynolds, Quincy’s wife, mocks Austin, leading to him cursing back at her. The brief altercation ends with Austin storming off in anger, and the two men hating each other. The following episode, Austin decides he wants to try to clean himself up and make himself useful, beginning with apologizing to Monica. She accepts his apology, and both her and Quincy are no longer at odds with him.

## **Quotes**

The following is a list of Austin Kingston's other notable quotes

Season 2

"**Austin**: That my friend… is what we need.**Logan**: The food and drink will last us a few days.**Austin**: Whiskey is all I need to drink, son."- Austin's unhealthy relationship with alcohol presented in 2x01

"**Austin**: No, no. Just point me to where the leader is.**Clayton**: Why should I do that?**Austin**: Uh-- I don’t know, so I can give him a blowjob? It’s because I wanna talk to him. Or her - whatever."- Austin's snarky attitude in 2x04

"**Austin**: My name is Austin, amigo. I come from the good lands of The Bar."- Austin introducing himself to Albert Hanson in 2x05

Season 3

"**Austin**: Lay-- L-L… Do you have any whiskey here?**Layton**: Whiskey? This is a coffee shop! We have coffee!**Austin**: I’m good.**Randall**: Haven’t you had enough to drink?**Austin**: I haven’t had a drink in like half a day, man. That’s quite a long time… for me."- Austin's drunken habits on display in 3x04

"**Austin**: I can see what you’re getting at-- I was a terrible father. Family was at the bottom of my list. (...) Yeah. I was trying to leave town - my wife… she didn’t wanna leave. So she stayed with my son. Came back a couple days later - found their corpses."- Austin's first time opening up about his life to Kate in 3x07

"**William**: Get yourself in shape.**Austin**: ***(Under his breath)*** Fuck you, too."- Austin's bitterness towards William after being told off for being drunk in 3x10

Season 4

"**Austin**: Ah - Badrick is… He’s a special kind of person. I mean, if I have the chance I’ll kill him. I’m not risking my life to kill him though - no, no. I’ve got to be honest - I’m just missing my alcohol right now. I know that-- some of you probably hate me for drinking all the time-- I can’t help it."- Austin's general indifference to the conflict in Willamette, preferring to just drink instead in 4x05

"**Austin**: Can’t blame Jon for going that far.***Jared looks over at him, giving him the finger***.**Austin**: Do that again - I’ll tear that finger off."- Austin sticking up for Jon and threatening Jared in 4x06

"**Albert**: Cleaning up… You’re in here getting drunk - again? After what happened at that hunting manor? I heard what happened.**Austin**: I’m not drunk… I’m just… maybe a little bit drunk. Okay - yeah, yeah. I’m drunk."- Austin being berated by Albert for getting drunk again after endangering the crew at the hunting manor in 4x08

"**Austin**: I just came over to, uh… say sorry. You know - about yesterday when you found me in the RV. I told Ed and them I wouldn’t drink after the hunting manor - but I couldn’t help it. But after yesterday -- I’m telling you now, I won’t touch another bottle. **Never**."- Austin swearing off alcohol and apologizing to Albert for his recent antics in 4x09

"**Austin**: It very well did. I came home almost every night drunk. I would get yelled at by her, called names. I’m honestly shocked she never left me… I’m just saying here, Jon - drinking like this, it’s not going to do you any good. You’ve got to just - be a man, face it."- Austin telling Jon about his life as an alcoholic before the apocalypse in 4x09

"**Austin**: I-- I’m done. It isn’t helping me in any way. It just makes me worse of a person than I already am."- Austin rejecting alcohol and acknowledging the bad influence it has on him in 4x09

Season 5

"**Austin**: Well, if you don’t mind - I have a few words to say. Albert-- Albert was a good guy - I like him. Someone that you could trust. Even in the worst of circumstances, he kept hope up. After Willamette Mall went to shit and I got lost, Albert was the first man to find me. When the school was getting raided and I was as sick as a dog, Albert was the one who helped me up on my feet and out of there. We weren't always so kind to each other though - after Jon, Randall, Ed and I came back from that manor with the RV, I drank myself to bed. Albert found me the next morning, hungover. He had heard about what happened at the manor - and after seeing me like this, scolded me. His words-- they really made me rethink what I was doing. I was drinking myself to death, and I didn't care. I promised to Albert that from there on out I would stop drinking. I intend to keep that promise."- Austin's speech of gratitude for Albert at his funeral in 5x03

"**Austin**: Drinking again? Heh-- I get that. Feel like I could use one - but that’s not me anymore. It shouldn’t be you either. Drinking won’t get you anywhere. Sure as hell didn’t get me anywhere. I nearly got people killed because of that shit."- Austin helping Dean to drop his drinking habit in 5x04

"**Austin**: I-- uh, I’m sorry. I wanted to let those people in yesterday - but with the way our group stands -- we can’t. If things were different - I’d be on your side, everyone would. I’m sorry."- Austin apologizing to Kate for not taking her side in 5x06

## **Appearances**

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