Light rain falls as Meredith Cline makes her way down the street of an abandoned small town. Her red hair clings to the side of her face while she keeps one hand on her combat knife on her waist; listening to the sounds of the undead groans.
Meredith spots a pharmacy up ahead, where she hopes to find whatever leftover supplies other survivors may have left. As the pharmacy gets closer, the shuffle of feet causes the chemist to stop dead in her tracks. Looking over her shoulder, the sight of eight hungry zombies sends a shiver down her spine.
The walking dead behind her have frail limbs, torn up clothing, grayish skin, sharp nails, vacant eyes and yellow teeth with the stench of a rotten corpse. Sensing her fear, they move faster in her direction. Meredith starts to jog towards the door of the pharmacy, but once there, the disheartening discovery that it is locked hits like a punch to the gut.
Sweat slides down her face as she looks for somewhere to escape. Loud screeches echoes as the zombies get within mere feet of their next warm meal. Just then, a hand grabs her arm from behind and pulls her into the alley next to the pharmacy. She pulls out her knife and prepares to strike.
MAN: Whoa! Relax, lady. Come on before we become lunch and dinner.
Meredith looks back and see the zombies starting to make their way down the alley. She turns and sprints down the alley following the man. He yanks open a side door and ushers her into the back entrance of the pharmacy. In the dark building, the man locks the door as the zombies claw and screech at the door.
MAN: Sick fuckers.
He turns around to face Meredith who wears a serious look on her face and her still on her knife. He stretches out his hand.
TRENT: I’m Trent. Trent Thorn.
She looks at his hand, that is covered in dirt and blood, and looks back at his face.
MEREDITH: Meredith.
He drops his hand, accepting the rejection of a handshake.
TRENT: What were you doing out there on your own? Hoping to be eaten alive?
MEREDITH: I didn’t need your help.
TRENT: You sure about that? Seemed like you were in a bit of a bind.
MEREDITH: I had a plan.
TRENT: Oh really? What exactly was that plan?
She stares at him and then turns around taking in the ransacked pharmacy. She moves towards a pack of bandages and bends down to put them in her backpack. Trent watches and smirks.
TRENT: You know, a simple thank you would be nice.
Ignoring him, Meredith continues to fill her backpack with supplies.
TRENT: Alright then.
He walks over to the counter and grabs his duffle bag and rifle. She looks back at him as he nods to the back of the building.
TRENT: There are some meds still left in the back. Cleared of any zombies.
She gets up and makes her way to the back. After gathering what was left and useful, she walks over to the counter and sets her backpack down. He watches her and she turns to look at him.
MEREDITH: Thank you.
TRENT: Yeah, no problem.
After a moment of silence, as she reorganizes her backpack, Trent sets his bag on the ground and walks over to the other side of the counter.
TRENT: Listen, I’m about to head back to my group. We have food, water and other supplies. Safe boarded up house. If you’re willing to pitch in on the workload, you’re welcome to join us.
Continuing to ignore him, she finishes fixing her backpack and looks up at him.
MEREDITH: I’m doing just fine on my own.
TRENT: Is that so?
He chuckles and walks over to pick up his things. The scratching on the other side of the door intensifies as does the screeching. Trent unlocks the door and grabs the door knob, as Meredith watches.
TRENT: Then by all means, after you.
He opens the door.
:::::SCENE 2:::::
————ONE MONTH EARLIER————
Sitting in traffic, Trent Thorn taps the wheel of his car with impatience. Next to him is his teenage son, Jude.
TRENT: You’d think by now that they would have this road fixed.
JUDE: Sorry that practice ran later. I could have asked for a ride home.
TRENT: It’s alright, son. I’d rather pick you up. Make sure you’re safe.
JUDE: You’re still worried about that virus that’s all over the news?
TRENT: Can never be too careful. Remember that.
Jude nods his head and turns his attention back to his phone as Trent in aggravation honks his car’s horn.
——Cut To——
In the car directly behind the father and son, Jeremy Hill talks on the phone with his wife.
JEREMY (phone): How’s work?
KAYLA (phone): It’s going well. I should be getting out of here soon. Do you want me to pick up dinner?
JEREMY (phone): Sure. Get whatever you like.
KAYLA: Is everything alright?
JEREMY (phone): Yeah, everything’s fine. Just in traffic, wishing I was home with you and Penny.
KAYLA (phone): You will be soon, babe. I have to go, I’ll text you when I leave.
JEREMY (phone): Love you.
KAYLA (phone): Love you too.
He hangs up the phone and turns up the radio.
RADIO PERSONALITY: The Zima virus, which originated from the Zima forest in Africa, has quickly spread amongst the human race. The virus, first seen in animals in 1928, has had no impact on humans until just last year. Zima lingers in the infected host until triggered by the death of the host. Mere minutes to hours after death, a reaction occurs in the brain causing the host to reanimate into disgustingly dangerous beings commonly known as zombies.
Jeremy switches the station to music and turns it up while looking out at the traffic.
——Cut To——
After hanging up, Kayla walks down the hall when she feels a nudge on her arm. Reina Robles, her friend and fellow nurse beams at her.
KAYLA: Hey, hey there lovely lady!
REINA: About done for the day?
KAYLA: Yeah, I’m about to head out and grab dinner. Jeremy is on his way home.
REINA: I’m leaving here soon after I finish checking on a patient.
KAYLA: How’s the baby?
Reina smiles and rubs her six months pregnant belly.
REINA: Besides the late night gymnastics, this little girl is perfect.
The ladies walk past a group of construction workers.
——Cut To——
Braxton Turner, wearing a hard hat and tool belt, stands back from working on construction in the hospital to check his phone. He smiles as he reads the text.
KRISTA (text): Freshly off the plane and ready to be back in your arms!
BRAXTON (text): Can’t wait to see my gorgeous fiancé tonight! Be safe!
He smiles as he puts the phone back in his pocket and continues working.
——Cut To——
Putting away her phone, Krista Tucker looks up and sees her sister Kalista Tucker holding up a sign reading, “Welcome home, sis!” She walks over to her younger sister and the two embrace.
KALISTA: Welcome back to the ground.
KRISTA: Good to be off!
KALISTA: Only a few days left until you’re Mrs. Braxton Turner.
KRISTA: Can you believe it? I’m going to be a married woman soon!
KALISTA: And I get to wear a beautiful, drop dead gorgeous gown that will make the ladies either envy me or want to…
KRISTA: Oh how I’ve missed you.
The sisters laugh as they pass others entering and exiting the airport.
——Cut To——
With sunglasses on and phone in hand, Mila Patel walks briskly towards the exit as her cameraman and friend, Declan Cho, follows with their luggage.
MILA: Walk faster, we can’t be late for the interview.
Declan sighs and walks faster to catch up with her.
——Cut To——
Just a few steps behind them Zale Fields makes his way out of the airport along with his fellow soccer teammates.
TEAMMATE: So good to be back and have home field advantage.
Zale nods, but focuses on a newspaper stand that features the headline, “Zima virus spreading to America.”
——Cut To——
Standing by the door wearing her police uniform, Stacey Richards talks on the phone with her younger brother, Kevin.
STACEY (phone): I’m finishing up this arrest and will be heading home.
KEVIN (phone): Alright, I’ll leave here in a bit.
STACEY (phone): Bring me a blueberry muffin.
KEVIN (phone): I’ll consider it.
She smirks and hangs up the phone.
——Cut To——
Kevin sits in a coffee shop and makes his way over to the counter where Eden Tran is standing behind.
EDEN: What can I get for you?
KEVIN: One blueberry muffin.
EDEN: That will be $3.50.
Kevin hands her the money as she hands him the bag.
KEVIN: Keep the change.
He turns around and walks away as Miles Scott steps up to take his order.
EDEN: What can I get for you?
MILES: A few things, but I’ll take a coffee. Black.
Eden looks at him a bit repulsed as he looks at her with hungry eyes. She turns around to make the coffee. He eyes her up and down. She turns back and catches him staring.
EDEN: That will be $4.50.
MILES: Alright.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet.
MILES: Do you like black…coffee?
EDEN: Um…no.
MILES: Oh so you one of those girls.
EDEN: What does that mean?
MILES: You know, the kind that like their coffee with some flavor.
EDEN: I guess.
He hands her the money while looking at her face, as she quickly counts out his change.
EDEN: Here’s your change.
Miles reaches for it and strokes her hand slowly as he takes the change from her. She grimaces as he smiles before walking away.
——Cut To——
Sitting by the door of the coffee shop are Sage Peizer and Chandler Parks with textbooks open.
SAGE: This feels like a never-ending puzzle.
CHANDLER: I’m just glad junior year will be over in two weeks.
SAGE: Same. I’m ready to head to the beach and get my tan on.
CHANDLER: Yeah, you sure do need one.
SAGE: Ha. Ha. Ha.
The two teens laugh as Chandler packs up her things.
CHANDLER: I’ll catch you later. Got to get home and help with dinner.
SAGE: See ya.
Chandler gets up and makes her way for the door.
——Cut To——
Walking up to the coffee shop, Kinsley Jensen looks up from her phone just in time to see Nate Kinsey running up the sidewalk. His perfect abs, chest and arms glisten from the sunshine connecting with his sweaty body. Catching her staring, he smiles as he runs past her. She awkwardly looks away as her phone starts to ring.
KINSLEY (phone): Hello?
DANIELLE (phone): Hey, Ms. Jensen, your car is ready for pick up.
KINSLEY (phone): Oh, ok, awesome. I’ll be there in a bit.
DANIELLE (phone): The shop closes at 7 p.m.
KINSLEY (phone): Got it.
She hangs up and the phone and heads into the coffee shop.
——Cut To——
Danielle Os walks over to her desk that’s littered with papers and car parts. She grabs a set of keys and walks over to Meredith, who stands by her car.
DANIELLE: Here you go. The motor just needed some looking at.
MEREDITH: Great, thank you for this on such short notice.
DANIELLE: Not a problem, ma’am.
MEREDITH: I have to say, you are the first female mechanic I’ve ever seen.
DANIELLE: My abuelo taught me everything I know. Gave me run of his shop last year.
MEREDITH: Well, it’s certainly refreshing to see.
The ladies smile at each other as Meredith gets in her car and drives off.
——Cut To——
Meredith opens the door to her house and sets the keys down on a nearby table.
MEREDITH: Jason!? What do you want for dinner?
When there’s no reply, she starts to head up the stairs. A loud thud comes from her son’s room.
MEREDITH: What are you doing in there?
She knocks on the door, but no answer. She reaches to open the door. Once open, she looks inside the empty room.
MEREDITH: Jason, where are you?
She turns around to find the decomposing body of her son moving towards her. Arms outstretched and ready to tear her apart limb by limb. Her eyes go wide and she lets out an ear piercing scream of shock, horror and devastation.
:::::SCENE 3:::::
————PRESENT DAY————
Trent opens up the back entrance door of the pharmacy and the group of zombies make their way inside.
MEREDITH: Are you crazy!?
TRENT: Just helping you out, lone star!
He drops his bag and rifle, pulling out a knife in the process. He charges and stabs the first zombie in the eye and a second in the brain.
TRENT: Some help here would be welcome.
Meredith looks at him with anger but realizes the danger in front of her so she pulls out her. Two zombies make their way towards her. She stabs the one to her right in the eye as she gut kicks the one to her left - pushing him back. As the zombie, now more desperate to rip the red haired chemist to shreds, charges towards her she rushes to slit its throat. It falls to the ground and she jumps down to stab it in the head.
She stands up and looks to see the pack of zombies that were chasing her earlier, dead on the ground. Trent looks at her and smirks.
TRENT: Not bad.
MEREDITH: What the fuck was that about!?
TRENT: Well you insisted on doing things alone, so I figured I’d give you a nudge.
Anger fills in her eyes as she glares at him.
TRENT: Plus, it made my escaping that pack easier.
He smirks and picks up his belongs. Just as he’s about to exit he turns around to look at her.
TRENT: Last chance. Are you joining me and my group or not?
She looks at him, deep in thought, considering her options. Either join him and the group who may or may not pose a danger to her or continue trying to survive the outbreak alone?
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