**57.1% voted for Meredith to vote to stay at Mila’s mansion**
As all eyes fall on Meredith, she clears her throat and prepares to answer. Just before she does she takes in the faces of her new group. In the short amount of time she’s been with them, she has only truly connected with Reina. The others have yet to really see her as more than another body occupying space.
Considering her decision, knowing that the fate of the group weighs in her vote, Meredith closes her eyes. Thinking back on the past month, she recognizes the drastic shift in her life. Losing her only child, her home, her career, and her entire life as she once knew it.
Opening her eyes and knew instantly what she had to do.
MEREDITH: I vote to stay. For now. I know I just joined your group, but so far this place is safe. We haven’t been able to fully discuss my place here, but you’ve already seen I’m dedicated to survival. I wouldn’t have helped kill those walkers at the gate if I didn’t intend on sticking around. Aside from that one breach in the fence, it seems you all have been surviving well enough up here. More importantly, Reina isn’t in any contention to be running around the woods where the strongest danger lies. Out of all of you, I’m positive I have spent the most time beyond these walls, roaming from place to place. This here, even with no A/C or power, is still safer than 99% of what’s out there. For now, I think we should stay. But in that same vein, we need to build up the defenses. Set stronger barriers. And figure out who would deliberately try to sabotage our comfort here.
After some moments of silence, Trent turns around and looks out the window.
TRENT: She’s right. Staying here makes sense. But, we need to know who is behind the sabotage.
He turns to face the group, a stern look on his face as he scans the room.
TRENT: It’s time for confession.
:::::SCENE 2:::::
Standing outside the cabin, on the porch, Krista and Danielle face Kinsley, Stacey and Kevin.
KINSLEY: I guess this is it? Can't we convince you to stay?
KRISTA: I have to find my family. Up to now, this has been about being able to survive.
STACEY: But now you need closure. I respect that.
KRISTA: Thank you.
After a moment, Kinsley moves forward and pulls Krista into a tight hug.
KINSLEY: Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.
Stepping back, Kinsley wipes away a tear before hugging Danielle and heading back inside. Kevin stands in front of Danielle.
KEVIN: You saved my life. Thank you.
DANIELLE: Just don’t get yourself killed, ok?
KEVIN: I’ll try.
He smirks and the two share a nod of respect before he heads inside. Stacey watches as he reenters the cabin and for turning back to Krista and Danielle.
STACEY: Guess it’s my turn.
DANIELLE: A whole month together and we still don’t know each other’s last name.
STACEY: Richards.
DANIELLE: Os.
Stacey stretches out her hand and Danielle shakes it.
STACEY: Maybe we’ll meet up again someday.
DANIELLE: Maybe. Until then, stay safe, Richards.
STACEY: You too, Os.
Danielle turns and heads down the porch steps. Krista turns to Stacey and smiles.
KRISTA: Hard to believe we’ve made it this long.
STACEY: If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have.
KRISTA: I appreciate that, but you trained me well. Before all this, I’d never even shot a gun.
STACEY: Now you’re almost as good of a shot as me. Almost.
The two women share a chuckle before Krista pulls Stacey into an embrace. After a few moments, they step back with slight smiles.
KRISTA: Just north of the city is where my family’s home is. Going to try and make it there.
STACEY: The city could be tough to get through.
KRISTA: It’s the only thing between me and answers. I have to do this.
STACEY: I know. Just be alert. Remember your training. If things get too crazy we’ll head for the city too.
Krista nods and heads down the porch steps. Standing next to Danielle, she turns and looks up at Stacey, who is struggling to hold back tears.
KRISTA: Goodbye, Stacey.
STACEY: Goodbye, Krista.
After a final wave, Krista and Danielle turn to make their way into the woods. Kevin and Kinsley step outside, stand next to Stacey and watch the two women leave.
KEVIN: And then there were three.
KINSLEY: The silver lining I suppose is that we’re breaking up not by death.
After a few moments of silence as Krista and Danielle disappear beyond the woods, Stacey turns to Kevin.
STACEY: Go grab your gear. Training starts now.
:::::SCENE 3:::::
Sitting in the shed with their hands tied in front of them, Miles and Sage take in the faces of the four strangers across from them.
ZELMA: I suppose now is the time for introductions. I’m Zelma May. This young man here is Chance. Saved my life not too long ago. The girl in the wheelchair is Maddie and the other one is Tessa. Who are you, boys?
Sage turns to Miles, who gives a nod of approval.
SAGE: I’m Sage. This is Miles.
ZELMA: Lovely to meet you both. However, not under these conditions.
SAGE: Why are you here?
ZELMA: Same reason you are.
SAGE: The note?
ZELMA: After a few days without any food or water, that note seemed like it was heaven sent.
TESSA: Only it was actually from the devil himself.
SAGE: You four came together?
ZELMA: No. Chance and I were the first to stumble upon this place. Tessa and Maddie came shortly after.
Zelma turns her attention to Miles, who sits in silence, looking at the shed’s door.
ZELMA: You seem to be turned on mute.
MILES: That’s my brother.
ZELMA: Who is?
MILES: Rodney.
SAGE: You never told me you had a brother.
MILES: Didn’t think I’d still have one. He was locked up. When this outbreak shit took over, I tried to call the prison. The person on the other end said it had been taken over by those fuckers. Just assumed he was one of them.
Maddie begins to sob and covers her face with her hands.
TESSA: It’s ok Maddie, we’re going to get out of here. Right, Miles?
Looking at Miles, Tessa glares at him with intensity as she awaits his answer. He looks at her back, not replying, before turning back to face the shed door. Just then, it opens and light from the outside illuminates the cramped space. William and Rodney stand at the shed’s entrance.
WILLIAM: Rise and shine. Play time is here.
As William enters the shed, he forces Sage and Miles to their feet. Pushing them outside, they stand next to Rodney, who is stone faced.
MILES: Rodney, what are you doing man. What’s going on?
RODNEY: Shut up.
MILES: We’re brothers. You can trust me.
Getting inches away, Rodney spits in Miles’ face and lowers his voice.
RODNEY: I have no brother. Now move.
Rodney pushes Sage and Miles forward towards the house, followed by William after he’s locked the shed.
:::::SCENE 4:::::
With the sun beaming down, Nate stops in the middle of the highway and looks up. Before him are skyscrapers and deserted streets. Chandler, Zale and Eden stop and stand next to him as they take in the view.
NATE: We did it. We made it.
CHANDLER: About time. But now what?
ZALE: Find shelter, supplies. Rest and then figure things out.
As the wind blows the low murmur of zombies snarling catches Eden’s attention.
EDEN: Do you hear that?
ZALE: Yeah, sounds like they’re around the corner.
The group moves onto the sidewalk and creep quietly down until they get to the edge of the nearby building. Peeking around the corner, Zale takes in the sight of about 20 zombies staggering about. Leaning back, he faces the group.
ZALE (whisper): There’s a shit ton. We won’t make it by without being seen.
NATE (whisper): We can try to get into the building. Set up for the night.
CHANDLER (whisper): That building is probably crawling with those things.
ZALE (whisper): We don’t have much choice in the matter. Let’s go.
Moving towards the building’s glass door, Nate draws his knife and opens the door. The group makes their way into the building’s lobby which is dark due to no electricity.
NATE (whisper): Let’s try to make it up a few floors. Get a better view of the city.
CHANDLER: Why are we still whispering? Let’s g…
SCREECH!
Just then, a group of zombies come into view and charge towards the group. Zale and Nate go forward and begin to take on the group as Chandler gets pushed into a corner. Trying to fend off two zombies, Chandler pushes one by their throat and the other with her left leg. Seeing that the guys are busy, Eden quickly drops her bag, pulls out her knife and rushes over to Chandler.
CHANDLER: Get. Off. Me!
Eden takes her knife and drives it into the head of one of the zombies. It falls to the ground, allowing Chandler to stab the remaining zombie in the forehead. As the zombie falls to the ground, Chandler looks at Eden with anger.
CHANDLER: I had it handled, bitch.
EDEN: You…you were…
CHANDLER: I. Had. It. Handled.
Chandler turns her head, spits on the zombie that Eden killed, looks her in the eyes and walks over to the guys. Nate kills the final zombie and looks around before his eyes fall on Chandler.
NATE: That’s why we were whispering.
CHANDLER: They would have been triggered anyway. Come on, let’s go.
Chandler walks forward towards the doors that lead to the stairs. Nate looks at Zale with a concerned look before following Chandler. Eden stands, bloody knife in hand, looking down at the zombie she killed. Zale walks over and reaches down to take the knife from her.
EDEN: I…I was trying to save her.
ZALE: Hey, look at me.
He gently grabs her chin and turns it towards him with a comforting look.
ZALE: You saved her life, even if she’s ungrateful. Are you ok?
EDEN: I…I will be.
ZALE: Come on, let’s get out of here.
He walks over, picks up her bag, slings it on his back and walks with Eden to the stairs. Chandler rolls her eyes, opens the door leading to the enclosed stairs and the group proceeds inside.
:::::SCENE 5:::::
Stacey and Kevin exit the cabin with their bags and guns. Kinsley watches from the cabin’s porch as they head off into the woods. Heading back inside, she closes the door, locks it and places a chair in front of it. She walks over to the kitchen and begins putting the food they were able to find into an organized set up in the cabinets.
——Cut To——
In the woods, Stacey sets up a few empty cans on a tree stump a good distance away from Kevin. Walking over to him she hands him a gun.
STACEY: Now, you’re going to aim for the cans, but I want you to aim for the middle can.
Kevin nods and raises the gun with one hand.
STACEY: Both hands.
He looks at her and nods as he moves to hold the gun with both hands.
STACEY: Now line up your shot.
He closes one eye and sets his sights on the middle can.
STACEY: Shoot.
BANG!
Kevin fires the gun and it hits the left can.
KEVIN: Damn it.
STACEY: Hey, it’s ok. Now go again.
——Cut To——
Stacey continues to organize the food but something through the kitchen window catches her eye. Looking outside she sees a small group of zombies heading towards the cabin. Panic rushes through her body and she begins to shake.
Darting around the cabin, she struggles to decide to do as the zombies get closer and closer. Through the walls of the cabin, she can hear the snarling get louder and louder.
Kinsley rushes to the front door, pushes the chair out the way and opens the front door. Stepping out onto the porch she sees the coast is clear and makes a dash down the steps.
——Cut To——
Kevin aims at the middle can again with intense focus.
STACEY: Relax. Just breathe and fire.
Kevin takes a deep breath and fires the gun.
BANG!
——Cut To——
Kinsley runs towards the woods, but trips over a rock and falls to the ground. Quickly she looks back and sees the zombies closing in on her.
As she goes to scream another gunshot is fired.
BANG!
KINSLEY: Help!!!!
She struggles to get up and falls back down.
——Cut To——
Stacey and Kevin look at each other with shock at the scream they just heard before grabbing their gear and rushing back towards the cabin. As they reach the edge of the woods, they stop dead in their tracks as the witness a group of zombies picking off the flesh of Kinsley’s body as she screams. Blood colors the green grass as the zombies rip her organs out and devour them.
Stacey and Kevin look on in shock. Just as Kevin is about to rush towards Kinsley, Stacey pulls him back and covers his mouth.
STACEY: It’s too late. We have to go. Now.
She turns him around and pushes him back into the woods. Taking one final glance, she sees Kinsley’s dead and empty eyes looking back at her.
:::::SCENE 6:::::
Exiting the woods, Krista and Danielle step onto the highway amongst a litter of deserted cars. Looking north, they see the city’s skyscrapers off in the distance.
DANIELLE: Should only be a few days walk from here.
KRISTA: Let’s get started. Braxton, you better be alive when I get there.
The two women get to the middle of the highway and proceed towards the city in the distance.
::::::SCENE 7:::::::
Night has fallen and Zale’s group has set up camp in an empty floor with several offices down the halls. Chandler sits at a desk in one office and cleans her gun. In the office across the hall, Nate leans back in the chair, feet up on the desk and closes his eyes. Next door, Eden looks out the window at the zombies just below on the street. Zale knocks on the door to her office causing her to turn around.
ZALE: Hey.
EDEN: Hey.
ZALE: I was about to do another walk about the floor. Want to join?
EDEN: Yeah, sure.
He smiles and she walks with him down the hall. As they get to the end of the hall, Zale enters the corner office and walks to the window. Eden stands next to him taking in the view of the city.
ZALE: Back before all this, I use to take for granted views like this.
EDEN: You use to be a soccer player, right?
ZALE: Yeah. Traveled from city to city. Hotel to hotel. Views like this all the time.
EDEN: Now it’s a much different view.
ZALE: It is. But yet still beautiful in its own way. Like you.
Eden looks at Zale with a bit of caution as he looks down into her eyes. He leans down as they close their eyes and share a gentle kiss. Pulling back they look into each other's eyes and feel the spark between them.
ZALE: Together a whole month. Why didn’t I do this sooner?
They share a laugh before he pulls her into his arms and they begin to passionately make out. Their bodies pressed together as their lips and tongues connect, feeding the desire they’ve felt for one another. Eden runs her hands under Zale’s shirt and feels his hard abs against her finger tips. Standing back, Zale takes off his shirt and undoes his pants as Eden begins to also undress.
Once both are fully naked, Zale lifts Eden as she wraps her legs around his waist. He presses her against the wall as the kiss with more passion. Feeling the intensity of the moment, Eden lets out a gentle moan as they to slide down to the floor and proceed to have sex.
——Cut To——
In her office, Chandler looks up as she hears the sound of moaning. Grabbing her gun she exits the office and looks down the hall. As she begins to make her way down the hall she stops and turns around. It’s then that she sees a group of zombies coming around the corner.
CHANDLER: Shit.
She runs across the hall and knocks Nate’s feet off the desk waking him up.
NATE: What?
CHANDLER: We have company.
——Cut To——
Eden moans as Zale kisses her neck. She pulls him close and her nails trail down his sweaty back. He leans down and she gets a chill down her spine as his hot breath tingles in her ear.
BANG! BANG!
The two stop and look at each other with fear before jumping up and getting dressed.
BANG! BANG!
Making their way back into the hall they spot Chandler and Nate with their guns drawn as zombies approach. Zale draws his gun and rushes forward, leaving Eden to look on with fear.
CHANDLER: Done playing?
ZALE: Shut up. What happened!?
NATE: They just came out of nowhere.
ZALE: We did a sweep, all the floor was clear!
CHANDLER: Clearly not all of it!
The trio continues to fire at the zombies as the start to make a path towards the stair doors.
ZALE: We got to go! Eden! Come on!
Zale looks back at Eden as she starts to run towards them. Just then a zombie charges at him and pushes him down. He struggles to get the zombie off of him.
ZALE: Get Eden!
CHANDLER: I’ll get her!
Chandler rushes down the hall and stops in front of Eden.
EDEN: We have to get out of here!
CHANDLER: We do, but you’re too weak to join us.
EDEN: What?
CHANDLER: Like I said, we don’t have time for you to keep holding us back.
Chandler looks back as sees Zale and Nate still fighting off zombies. Turning back to Eden she shrugs.
CHANDLER: Good luck.
She punches Eden in the face and knocks her out cold. She then drags her body into a nearby office and rushes out, leaving the door open. She races to the stairs and opens the door.
CHANDLER: We got to go! Come on!
Chandler rushes down the stairs as Zale and Nate fight their way to the stairs and follow her. As the stair doors close, zombies make their way down the hall where the offices were and where Eden lays unconscious.
——Cut To——
Entering the lobby, Zale frantically looks around.
ZALE: Where’s Eden!?
CHANDLER: She’s gone.
ZALE: What do you mean gone!?
CHANDLER: They got to her before I could. I’m sorry.
Zale looks around and starts to cry. He walks over to the wall and punches it, causing his knuckles to slightly bleed. Nate walks over and puts his arm around Zale.
NATE: I’m so sorry.
Chandler looks on with a serious look on her face but turns just in time to see another group of zombies stalking towards them.
CHANDLER: We have to go!
Zale and Nate look up and spot the zombies. Nate pulls Zale along as they follow Chandler out of the building. The trio run down the street, attracting the attention of the zombies they had spotted earlier. Running harder, the trio race down the sidewalk as a large group of zombies pursue them into the night.
:::::SCENE 8:::::
Rodney and William stand Miles and Sage against a wall in the living room as they cut off zip ties around their wrists. Ramon enters the room twirling a handgun in his hand. He stops in front of Miles and Sage with a smile on his lips.
RAMON: I hope you enjoyed meeting your new roommates.
SAGE: What do you want with us?
RAMON: Straight to the point. You got spunk, kid. I like it.
Miles looks directly at Rodney with anger.
MILES: Let us go.
RODNEY: Like I said, I’m not in charge.
RAMON: He’s right. I am. You see, this here is my prison. I’m the warden. You are my prisoners. When you stepped into this prison, you relinquished your freedoms while also being caught in the act of stealing. For that, you will serve a sentence. Now, I’m a fair man so in two months time, if you’re behavior is good, we can evaluate your sentence. But, if you're not cooperative, you will obviously face a steeper, deadlier sentence. How does that sound, boys?
Miles turns his attention from Rodney to Sage, who looks back at him with concern. Turning to Ramon, Miles lets out a chuckle.
MILES: Fuck you.
Ramon smirks and raises his gun, with one hand.
RAMON: Wrong answer.
BANG!
:::::SCENE 9:::::
Gathered in the living room of Mila’s home, everyone turns their attention to Trent in the center of the room.
TRENT: Now, I tried to keep this to myself as I didn’t want to see it cause issues.
MILA: What are you talking about?
TRENT: I know who has been sabotaging us?
JUDE: You do?
KALISTA: What the fuck? Have you known all this time?
TRENT: Like I said, I didn’t want it to cause issues.
DECLAN: It’s a little late for that.
Meredith watches Trent intently, with suspicion on her face. He lets out a sigh before turning to Braxton, who stands alone in the corner.
TRENT: The jig is up, man. I’m sorry.
BRAXTON: Huh?
Trent turns to face the group and struggles to speak.
TRENT: Braxton has been one of my closest friends throughout this mess. But, the other day I caught him leaving through the side door of the main fair with wire cutters.
Everyone mumbles in shock as they turn their gaze to Braxton whose mouth is left open.
BRAXTON: What!?
TRENT: I’m sorry man, I told you I would keep it between us but this has gone too far.
BRAXTON: It’s not true! You’re lying!
TRENT: Am I? Is Jude a liar too since he is the one who saw you outside just before the power shut off.
Jude looks up at Trent, shocked. Trent looks down at Judge with a serious look.
TRENT: It’s alright, son. Tell them the truth.
JUDE: I…uh…
Jude looks at the faces of everyone staring at him and begins to sweat.
JUDE: I saw him. Outside. I’m sorry.
Jude looks down as Trent puts his arm around him. Braxton’s face turns from shock to anger.
BRAXTON: It’s not true! I would never do that! You know me!
MILA: Do we?
BRAXTON: Trent, what are you doing?
TRENT: I’m laying it all out on the table. What you did has put us all in danger.
MILA: I…I don’t know what to say.
KALISTA: Braxton, how could you?
Braxton turns to Kalista with anger in his eyes.
BRAXTON: You know me! Out of everyone here, you know me and that I wouldn’t do this!
KALISTA: Maybe. But you have been wanting to leave.
BRAXTON: To find your sister! I was going to leave on my own!
TRENT: Until you realized how valuable we all are to you. We keep you safe and fed.
Meredith scans the room and notices everyone slowly beginning to turn on Braxton.
MILA: I want you gone. You are no longer welcome here.
BRAXTON: What!? You…you know what. Fine. But I did not do this!
Everyone remains silent as Braxton looks at them, unwilling to look him in the eye. He shakes his head, picks up his gear and heads for the door.
TRENT: Just a second.
Trent walks over to Braxton and holds out his hand.
TRENT: Only leave with what you came with.
Braxton, glaring at Trent, takes off his backpack and tosses it on the ground. He picks up his tool belt, straps it on and looks Trent dead in the eye.
BRAXTON: You will regret this.
TRENT: Not as much as you will regret trying to sabotage us.
Braxton turns and heads outside. Mila stands up and looks around the room.
MILA: I can’t believe he’d do this.
KALISTA: Neither can I.
MILA: I want you gone.
KALISTA: Excuse me?
MILA: All of you that came with him! I want you out of my house, now!
REINA: Mila, let’s calm down and…
MILA: No! You come into my home and try to get me killed! No, I want you gone now!
The atmosphere in the room shifts as the seriousness of Mila’s tone sinks in. Kalista shakes her head and heads for the door, followed by Jeremy and Reina. Before leaving, Reina looks back and sees Meredith, who walks over to Mila.
MEREDITH: You’re willing to send four people out there, including a pregnant woman?
MILA: They took advantage and tried to sabotage what we have here.
MEREDITH: The only one sabotaging you is yourself.
Meredith looks at Trent and then back at Mila.
MEREDITH: The wolf in sheep’s clothing is more dangerous than undead beyond that fence.
Meredith walks to the door and follows Reina and Jeremy out. Trent walks to the window and watches as Braxton, Kalista, Jeremy, Reina and Meredith go through the gate’s side door and into the dangers of the world outside.
——Cut To——
————TWO DAYS AGO————
Trent, alone in the woods, walks over to the barbed wire fence just beyond Mila’s property. Looking around, he quickly uses wire cutters to create a gap in the fence.
——Cut To——
Trent kneels down with wire cutters in hand and cuts the power to the outside generator.
————PRESENT DAY————
Trent turns to those remaining in the living room. Jude sits in a chair looking down at his feet. Mila pours herself a drink. Declan takes a sip of his.
DECLAN: Did we do the right thing?
TRENT: Yes. Yes, we did.
JUDE: They won’t survive out there, though.
MILA: That is their own fault.
TRENT: In the mean time we need to get ourselves stronger.
Turning to the window he sees Meredith looking back before disappearing out of sight.
TRENT: We did the right thing. We did the right thing.
:::::IMPORTANT INFO:::::
Below is a link to a Google survey for the episode. There you will find opinion questions about the episode, the chance to subscribe AND your chance to ask me questions regarding the series!
I will be answering reader's questions about the overall series, characters, storylines, development, future and more!
Thank you for reading and please be sure to plus! < 3
*BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE GOOGLE POLL AT THE END OF THE EPISODE!*