Fic - The OC - With A Whimper (Part Five)
Oct. 14th, 2006 07:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missmara13Title: With A Whimper (Part Five)
Author: Mara
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mentions of violence, sex, underage drinking, character death, murder, and other nasty stuff. Nothing graphic. Yet. (I'll warn for specific chapters if I'm gonna get graphic... and then it'll be for violence and gore... lol)
Summary: Most of the world is either dead or Crazy, but in California a group of survivors tries to find a way to avoid both fates.
If a man does not make new aquaintances, as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man should keep his friendship in constant repair.
Johnson (No other info given)
PART FIVE
Ryan walked past Luke, ignoring the concerned look he received, and glanced in at a sleeping Kaitlin, the guilt hitting him again. It may have been an accident, it may have been neccesary, he may have needed to do it to keep Jimmy from killing him, but he still took Kaitlin's dad from her. After a moment, he turned and went into the room he and Summer had shared earlier, and dug a set of fresh clothes out of the dresser before going into the bathroom.
They kept a package of moistwipes on the counter, and after stripping Ryan scrubbed at his chest where the blood has seeped through his t-shirt. The last time he had done this was after he arrived in the house following Theresa's death, when he'd collapsed in sobs on the bathroom floor because of loosing so many people within a span of a few hours. There was a knock on the door and Summer stepped in, biting her lip anxiously. "Hey," Ryan greeted. "Thanks. For outside. I needed that."
"Kirsten's right that you deserve to fall apart," Summer said. "But we can't have you in that shape, we need you too much right now. But later, you can totally fall apart and cry and sob, and... and whatever you need to do."
"I'll hold you to that," Ryan replied.
Summer smiled sadly and took a fresh one of the wipes to help Ryan clean up. "Kaitlin knows you didn't mean to," she said softly. "She's upset, but she knows it was an accident."
"I killed him, Summer," Ryan said. "I'd been thinking about shooting him for a while, because of Kirsten, and how he keeps... kept... trying to get in bed with her. And now I did."
"But you didn't mean to, Ry," Summer repeated. "Give Kaitlin a little time, she'll come around."
"If it was your dad, if he had lost it like Jimmy did, and I'd shot him, would you forgive me?"
"Yes," Summer said firmly. "It might have taken some time, but I would have."
"I just stood there while they attack Eva and Theresa," Ryan said quietly. "I heard them scream, and I opened the door, and I stood there and watched."
"What?" Summer asked, stopping with one hand on Ryan's stomach as she cleaned the blood.
"I froze and I watched and I listened..." Ryan repeated. "That was my nightmare, Summer. Not about Crazies coming in here, but about the ones that got into the house in Chino. About how I didn't protect them. About how I didn't do anything until Theresa broke away and came running my way."
"Oh my God..."
"If I'd gone to help..."
"You might have been killed, too."
"One of them... Deacon... he was a friend of Trey's. He never minded when I tagged along with them. And I bashed his head in on the front walk. I killed him. And then I killed that woman out front, after she killed your dad... and now I killed Jimmy."
Summer shook her head. "It was self defense, and protecting the rest of us," she insisted. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I wanna believe that," Ryan said. "But I can't. Because I... I bashed in two heads and I shot a man. And Jimmy wasn't... he was one of us."
Summer leaned in to kiss him gently on the lips. "You're not a killer, Ryan. I know that."
Ryan shook his head. "I don't know. I just don't know anymore."
~~~~
"Hey," Alex said as she walked up to Luke in the hall. "So, Ryan said him and you are going on a run tomorrow. Major big time smash and grab."
"Yeah, that's the plan," Luke replied. "I can help with Jimmy first, though."
"I can manage," Alex said. "I'm not gonna put him on the beach, from what I've heard about Sandy and Seth, they are way too good to have someone like him next to them. I'm just gonna dig him a hole in the yard next door, dump him in, and cover him up."
"Give him a little respect," Luke urged her. "For Kaitlin's sake. He was her dad, no matter what else he was."
Alex nodded. "Yeah, I know." She reached out and put her hand on Luke's back. "Just, be careful, okay? Don't get yourself hurt. We need our big loyal golden retriever around."
"Are you comparing me to a dog?" Luke asked.
"Please, Ryan gives an order and you jump up with your tail wagging to please him," Alex teased lightly. "It's... kinda cute."
"Would drooling add to the cuteness?" Luke asked in return, raising an eyebrow and letting his gaze drift to the top of Alex's shirt, where some cleavage could just barely be seen.
Alex chuckled and stretched up to kiss him, one arm wrapped around his neck.
"For god's sake, don't either of you understand the meaning of the words 'on watch'?" Ryan's voice came from a little down the hall, and the pair broke apart, catching the very slight smile on Ryan's face and feeling relief wash over them that he seemed okay.
"Classic Chino makes a return appearance," Luke joked, looking at the jeans and wife beater Ryan had put on.
"Yeah well, first light you and me are going criminal, Luke. We're gonna clean out a couple places, everything from grocery stores, to gun shops, to electronics stores. If we've got two vehicles, I want radio contact between them."
"Okay," Luke said, nodding.
"Loyal dog," Alex said under her breath before turning to Ryan. "I take it Summer's gonna be on watch tomorrow while I... take care of... him?" she asked, not wanting to say the words and risk sending Ryan over the edge again.
"Yeah, Summer's gonna be on watch while you bury Jimmy," Ryan said, emphasizing the words. "Then can you take watch? Day watch is easy anyway, just check every 15 or 20 minutes and make sure everything's clear, and keep close to everyone the rest of the time. Oughta be fine with just the two of you doing the job."
"Since you saw Crazies on the beach, maybe me and Alex oughta alternate hourly," Summer suggested. "I'll keep watch while she buries him and while she washes up some, and then she can watch for a while and I'll help Kirsten. Then we switch again, back and forth until you two are back."
"Sounds like a good idea," Ryan agreed. "I want us out of here and on the road in no more than 30 hours, so I think we've got a hell of a long 30 hours ahead of us. So, why don't you two go get some sleep or... whatever. I'll handle watch until morning."
~~~~
Luke was stirred from sleep by a knocking on the bedroom door, and he groaned as he saw the sunlight peaking through the boarded up windows. His back was sore from sleeping in a chair all night, but when he saw Alex slowly sitting up in the bed, he decided it was worth it. He liked Alex, even though she was completely different then the rich girls he usually dated and slept with, tough where they were soft, strong willed when they were weak minded. And he knew she wasn't gonna leap into bed with him, and that was fine with him. With Alex, the kisses in the hall were enough.
"We're awake!" Alex called through the door.
"You've got 15 minutes to be dressed, get something to eat, and meet me in the rover, Luke," Ryan called through the door.
"Got it," Luke called back as he stood and stretched.
"Next time you're gonna be going out, don't be an idiot and give the girl the bed," Alex advised, smacking him in the chest as she headed out the door. "Share it instead!" she called back over her shoulder.
Luke grinned. "Now there's a good idea!" he replied as he hurried after her and they went downstairs together.
Ryan was sitting on the floor by the coffee table drinking a cup of the horrible instant coffee they'd been living on for weeks, while he went over a few lists with Kirsten and Summer. "I'll make sure we get some warm clothes for everyone," he assured Kirsten. "Actually, I'm thinking we'll make a stop at the mall, grab radios and see if the backpack I left there the day I found Jessie is still there. We can check clothing stores there for lots of new clothes, since a lot of our stuff is in pretty bad shape..."
"And smells even worse," Summer put in.
Alex snorted and sat down across the table to pull a list over. "I wouldn't mind some more ammo," she said.
"That's a given," Ryan assured her. "Along with stuff for cleaning the guns, and even more guns. We want to be ready to go hunting for any... any animals we can get. Have some fresh meat over the winter."
Luke reached for another list, but Ryan yanked it back. "What?" Luke asked.
"That one's... private..." Ryan replied, folding the list and slippping it into the pocket of his grey hoodie.
After a confused look, Luke nodded and took a look at a different list. "Where are we gonna get some of this stuff? I mean, what's the deal with the vitamins?"
"Are diets are all screwed up," Summer said. "We're not getting the protein and other stuff we need. So, we're gonna get a stockpile of vitamins, try to keep from getting scurvy or something."
"Summer the doctor," Luke joked.
Ryan rolled his eyes and shoved a sandwhich across the table at Luke. "PB&J, last jar of both is gonna be used up for breakfast, so we gotta get more, you know the kids like it."
"I'll eat in the rover," Luke said as he quickly downed a cup of coffee and made a disgusted face. "Hey, maybe we can raid one of those fance coffee places, get some decent stuff."
Ryan chuckled. "There's a good idea," he agreed.
"Just goes to show, everyone has one once in a while," Alex said as Luke got up.
"Funny," Luke replied as he and Ryan headed out.
"I guess I should get to gravedigging," Alex said with a sigh.
"You want some help?" Summer asked.
"Just keep watch until I get back," Alex replied, gesturing up stairs. "And if you hear gunfire, secure things here before you come help."
"Sure," Summer agreed.
~~~~
"So, you doing okay?" Luke asked as Ryan cautiously drove down the street towards the car lot where he was pretty sure they'd find a few big trucks and SUVs to choose from.
"As okay as I can be," Ryan replied. He paused for a moment and glanced over at Luke. "You know... you know I was just trying to get the gun back, right? Keep him from shooting me? I didn't mean for it to go off..."
"I know that, man," Luke said. "Come on, you may have some serious anger issues, but you're not a murderer."
"Hard to believe that when, even not counting Jimmy, I've killed 6 people," Ryan said. "They were all crazies, but... but I killed them. And I knew one of them, I used to call him a friend before he led a group in to kill Theresa and her mom."
"Shit," Luke said. "Well... it's not like you're gonna turn around and kill me, right?" he asked, trying to sound serious but failing when he grinned. "I mean, I know I piss you off sometimes..."
Ryan snorted and couldn't help laughing slightly. "I'll admit to considering it on occasion..." he joked.
Luke laughed with him. "Only when I deserved it, I'm sure."
"Sure, whatever you say," Ryan replied with a grin as he pulled into the car lot.
"So, what we looking for?" Luke asked as they climbed out and started moving through the vehicles, guns ready and ears open for any sounds that didn't belong.
"Another SUV, I think. Something big with lots of room."
"We could go to the limo rental place and get a hummer limo," Luke joked. "Travel in style."
"Cover the floor with mattresses," Ryan added, playing along. "Attach a disco ball to the ceiling for fun."
Luke laughed. "Okay, bad idea."
"Nah, just impractical on mountain roads," Ryan said. He walked over to a black SUV and looked in the windows as best he could. "This one looks good."
"I'll go find the keys," Luke said, heading towards the office.
Ryan continued to look around the SUV he'd chosen, peering in the window and kicking the tires. After a few minutes, he heard footsteps coming from the office and started around the SUV again only to freeze when he realized there were two sets of footsteps, and they were coming fast. So, instead, Ryan dropped to the ground and looked under the SUV, spotting the dark boots that had become standard for both he and Luke, since they offered more protection and stability than sneakers, along with a pair of what looked like...
"Loafers?" Luke said jovially. "Who the hell where's loafers at the end of the world?"
"The better question is," Ryan began, stepping around the SUV to see a vaguely familiar boy by Luke's side. "How do I send you for keys and you come back with someone wearing loafers?"
"I ran into Zach," Luke explained, gesturing.
Ryan remembered him them, one of Luke's fellow waterpolo players, one that Seth had once said was the only one who never participated in the tormenting and peeing in shoes. "You trying to steal my spot as the guy who keeps bringing home strays?" he joked with Luke.
Luke grinned and tossed him a set of keys. "You're still ahead by 4. And I think the kids count as bonus points."
Ryan returned the grin and unlocked the SUV to lean in and take a look around. "Looks like enough room for all of us, including Zach now, plus a lot of supplies. As long as we back it in tight."
"We can put stuff on the floor in the back, right?" Luke said. "At least in the one the kids'll be in. They don't need as much legroom."
"Yeah," Ryan agreed. He climbed back out and held his hand out to Zach. "Welcome to our group, Zach. You bring us back up to ten."
TO BE CONTINUED....
I'm going with the assumption that Zach was around during Season One, we just didn't see him. Seth knew who he was in S2Ep2 when Zach showed up for Comic Book Club, knew he was a water polo player, so... it seems like a reasonable assumption to me... lol... and I plan on bringing a few more characters from season 2 and 3 into things, but not for a few more chapters... and they won't all be on the same side as our heroes... though that doesn't mean they're Crazies... lol
Interesting side-note: I just learned tonight, Friday, that in 1973 George A. Romero (Of "Night Of The Living Dead" fame) made a movie called "The Crazies" about a small town that is accidentally infected with a military bioweapon that drives infectees crazy and sends them on killing frenzies. I totally didn't know about that movie (info can be found here.) until tonight, so I didn't copy anything, and the full plot beyond the basics mentioned above is different, but... weird, huh? lol
Author: Mara
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mentions of violence, sex, underage drinking, character death, murder, and other nasty stuff. Nothing graphic. Yet. (I'll warn for specific chapters if I'm gonna get graphic... and then it'll be for violence and gore... lol)
Summary: Most of the world is either dead or Crazy, but in California a group of survivors tries to find a way to avoid both fates.
If a man does not make new aquaintances, as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man should keep his friendship in constant repair.
Johnson (No other info given)
PART FIVE
Ryan walked past Luke, ignoring the concerned look he received, and glanced in at a sleeping Kaitlin, the guilt hitting him again. It may have been an accident, it may have been neccesary, he may have needed to do it to keep Jimmy from killing him, but he still took Kaitlin's dad from her. After a moment, he turned and went into the room he and Summer had shared earlier, and dug a set of fresh clothes out of the dresser before going into the bathroom.
They kept a package of moistwipes on the counter, and after stripping Ryan scrubbed at his chest where the blood has seeped through his t-shirt. The last time he had done this was after he arrived in the house following Theresa's death, when he'd collapsed in sobs on the bathroom floor because of loosing so many people within a span of a few hours. There was a knock on the door and Summer stepped in, biting her lip anxiously. "Hey," Ryan greeted. "Thanks. For outside. I needed that."
"Kirsten's right that you deserve to fall apart," Summer said. "But we can't have you in that shape, we need you too much right now. But later, you can totally fall apart and cry and sob, and... and whatever you need to do."
"I'll hold you to that," Ryan replied.
Summer smiled sadly and took a fresh one of the wipes to help Ryan clean up. "Kaitlin knows you didn't mean to," she said softly. "She's upset, but she knows it was an accident."
"I killed him, Summer," Ryan said. "I'd been thinking about shooting him for a while, because of Kirsten, and how he keeps... kept... trying to get in bed with her. And now I did."
"But you didn't mean to, Ry," Summer repeated. "Give Kaitlin a little time, she'll come around."
"If it was your dad, if he had lost it like Jimmy did, and I'd shot him, would you forgive me?"
"Yes," Summer said firmly. "It might have taken some time, but I would have."
"I just stood there while they attack Eva and Theresa," Ryan said quietly. "I heard them scream, and I opened the door, and I stood there and watched."
"What?" Summer asked, stopping with one hand on Ryan's stomach as she cleaned the blood.
"I froze and I watched and I listened..." Ryan repeated. "That was my nightmare, Summer. Not about Crazies coming in here, but about the ones that got into the house in Chino. About how I didn't protect them. About how I didn't do anything until Theresa broke away and came running my way."
"Oh my God..."
"If I'd gone to help..."
"You might have been killed, too."
"One of them... Deacon... he was a friend of Trey's. He never minded when I tagged along with them. And I bashed his head in on the front walk. I killed him. And then I killed that woman out front, after she killed your dad... and now I killed Jimmy."
Summer shook her head. "It was self defense, and protecting the rest of us," she insisted. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I wanna believe that," Ryan said. "But I can't. Because I... I bashed in two heads and I shot a man. And Jimmy wasn't... he was one of us."
Summer leaned in to kiss him gently on the lips. "You're not a killer, Ryan. I know that."
Ryan shook his head. "I don't know. I just don't know anymore."
~~~~
"Hey," Alex said as she walked up to Luke in the hall. "So, Ryan said him and you are going on a run tomorrow. Major big time smash and grab."
"Yeah, that's the plan," Luke replied. "I can help with Jimmy first, though."
"I can manage," Alex said. "I'm not gonna put him on the beach, from what I've heard about Sandy and Seth, they are way too good to have someone like him next to them. I'm just gonna dig him a hole in the yard next door, dump him in, and cover him up."
"Give him a little respect," Luke urged her. "For Kaitlin's sake. He was her dad, no matter what else he was."
Alex nodded. "Yeah, I know." She reached out and put her hand on Luke's back. "Just, be careful, okay? Don't get yourself hurt. We need our big loyal golden retriever around."
"Are you comparing me to a dog?" Luke asked.
"Please, Ryan gives an order and you jump up with your tail wagging to please him," Alex teased lightly. "It's... kinda cute."
"Would drooling add to the cuteness?" Luke asked in return, raising an eyebrow and letting his gaze drift to the top of Alex's shirt, where some cleavage could just barely be seen.
Alex chuckled and stretched up to kiss him, one arm wrapped around his neck.
"For god's sake, don't either of you understand the meaning of the words 'on watch'?" Ryan's voice came from a little down the hall, and the pair broke apart, catching the very slight smile on Ryan's face and feeling relief wash over them that he seemed okay.
"Classic Chino makes a return appearance," Luke joked, looking at the jeans and wife beater Ryan had put on.
"Yeah well, first light you and me are going criminal, Luke. We're gonna clean out a couple places, everything from grocery stores, to gun shops, to electronics stores. If we've got two vehicles, I want radio contact between them."
"Okay," Luke said, nodding.
"Loyal dog," Alex said under her breath before turning to Ryan. "I take it Summer's gonna be on watch tomorrow while I... take care of... him?" she asked, not wanting to say the words and risk sending Ryan over the edge again.
"Yeah, Summer's gonna be on watch while you bury Jimmy," Ryan said, emphasizing the words. "Then can you take watch? Day watch is easy anyway, just check every 15 or 20 minutes and make sure everything's clear, and keep close to everyone the rest of the time. Oughta be fine with just the two of you doing the job."
"Since you saw Crazies on the beach, maybe me and Alex oughta alternate hourly," Summer suggested. "I'll keep watch while she buries him and while she washes up some, and then she can watch for a while and I'll help Kirsten. Then we switch again, back and forth until you two are back."
"Sounds like a good idea," Ryan agreed. "I want us out of here and on the road in no more than 30 hours, so I think we've got a hell of a long 30 hours ahead of us. So, why don't you two go get some sleep or... whatever. I'll handle watch until morning."
~~~~
Luke was stirred from sleep by a knocking on the bedroom door, and he groaned as he saw the sunlight peaking through the boarded up windows. His back was sore from sleeping in a chair all night, but when he saw Alex slowly sitting up in the bed, he decided it was worth it. He liked Alex, even though she was completely different then the rich girls he usually dated and slept with, tough where they were soft, strong willed when they were weak minded. And he knew she wasn't gonna leap into bed with him, and that was fine with him. With Alex, the kisses in the hall were enough.
"We're awake!" Alex called through the door.
"You've got 15 minutes to be dressed, get something to eat, and meet me in the rover, Luke," Ryan called through the door.
"Got it," Luke called back as he stood and stretched.
"Next time you're gonna be going out, don't be an idiot and give the girl the bed," Alex advised, smacking him in the chest as she headed out the door. "Share it instead!" she called back over her shoulder.
Luke grinned. "Now there's a good idea!" he replied as he hurried after her and they went downstairs together.
Ryan was sitting on the floor by the coffee table drinking a cup of the horrible instant coffee they'd been living on for weeks, while he went over a few lists with Kirsten and Summer. "I'll make sure we get some warm clothes for everyone," he assured Kirsten. "Actually, I'm thinking we'll make a stop at the mall, grab radios and see if the backpack I left there the day I found Jessie is still there. We can check clothing stores there for lots of new clothes, since a lot of our stuff is in pretty bad shape..."
"And smells even worse," Summer put in.
Alex snorted and sat down across the table to pull a list over. "I wouldn't mind some more ammo," she said.
"That's a given," Ryan assured her. "Along with stuff for cleaning the guns, and even more guns. We want to be ready to go hunting for any... any animals we can get. Have some fresh meat over the winter."
Luke reached for another list, but Ryan yanked it back. "What?" Luke asked.
"That one's... private..." Ryan replied, folding the list and slippping it into the pocket of his grey hoodie.
After a confused look, Luke nodded and took a look at a different list. "Where are we gonna get some of this stuff? I mean, what's the deal with the vitamins?"
"Are diets are all screwed up," Summer said. "We're not getting the protein and other stuff we need. So, we're gonna get a stockpile of vitamins, try to keep from getting scurvy or something."
"Summer the doctor," Luke joked.
Ryan rolled his eyes and shoved a sandwhich across the table at Luke. "PB&J, last jar of both is gonna be used up for breakfast, so we gotta get more, you know the kids like it."
"I'll eat in the rover," Luke said as he quickly downed a cup of coffee and made a disgusted face. "Hey, maybe we can raid one of those fance coffee places, get some decent stuff."
Ryan chuckled. "There's a good idea," he agreed.
"Just goes to show, everyone has one once in a while," Alex said as Luke got up.
"Funny," Luke replied as he and Ryan headed out.
"I guess I should get to gravedigging," Alex said with a sigh.
"You want some help?" Summer asked.
"Just keep watch until I get back," Alex replied, gesturing up stairs. "And if you hear gunfire, secure things here before you come help."
"Sure," Summer agreed.
~~~~
"So, you doing okay?" Luke asked as Ryan cautiously drove down the street towards the car lot where he was pretty sure they'd find a few big trucks and SUVs to choose from.
"As okay as I can be," Ryan replied. He paused for a moment and glanced over at Luke. "You know... you know I was just trying to get the gun back, right? Keep him from shooting me? I didn't mean for it to go off..."
"I know that, man," Luke said. "Come on, you may have some serious anger issues, but you're not a murderer."
"Hard to believe that when, even not counting Jimmy, I've killed 6 people," Ryan said. "They were all crazies, but... but I killed them. And I knew one of them, I used to call him a friend before he led a group in to kill Theresa and her mom."
"Shit," Luke said. "Well... it's not like you're gonna turn around and kill me, right?" he asked, trying to sound serious but failing when he grinned. "I mean, I know I piss you off sometimes..."
Ryan snorted and couldn't help laughing slightly. "I'll admit to considering it on occasion..." he joked.
Luke laughed with him. "Only when I deserved it, I'm sure."
"Sure, whatever you say," Ryan replied with a grin as he pulled into the car lot.
"So, what we looking for?" Luke asked as they climbed out and started moving through the vehicles, guns ready and ears open for any sounds that didn't belong.
"Another SUV, I think. Something big with lots of room."
"We could go to the limo rental place and get a hummer limo," Luke joked. "Travel in style."
"Cover the floor with mattresses," Ryan added, playing along. "Attach a disco ball to the ceiling for fun."
Luke laughed. "Okay, bad idea."
"Nah, just impractical on mountain roads," Ryan said. He walked over to a black SUV and looked in the windows as best he could. "This one looks good."
"I'll go find the keys," Luke said, heading towards the office.
Ryan continued to look around the SUV he'd chosen, peering in the window and kicking the tires. After a few minutes, he heard footsteps coming from the office and started around the SUV again only to freeze when he realized there were two sets of footsteps, and they were coming fast. So, instead, Ryan dropped to the ground and looked under the SUV, spotting the dark boots that had become standard for both he and Luke, since they offered more protection and stability than sneakers, along with a pair of what looked like...
"Loafers?" Luke said jovially. "Who the hell where's loafers at the end of the world?"
"The better question is," Ryan began, stepping around the SUV to see a vaguely familiar boy by Luke's side. "How do I send you for keys and you come back with someone wearing loafers?"
"I ran into Zach," Luke explained, gesturing.
Ryan remembered him them, one of Luke's fellow waterpolo players, one that Seth had once said was the only one who never participated in the tormenting and peeing in shoes. "You trying to steal my spot as the guy who keeps bringing home strays?" he joked with Luke.
Luke grinned and tossed him a set of keys. "You're still ahead by 4. And I think the kids count as bonus points."
Ryan returned the grin and unlocked the SUV to lean in and take a look around. "Looks like enough room for all of us, including Zach now, plus a lot of supplies. As long as we back it in tight."
"We can put stuff on the floor in the back, right?" Luke said. "At least in the one the kids'll be in. They don't need as much legroom."
"Yeah," Ryan agreed. He climbed back out and held his hand out to Zach. "Welcome to our group, Zach. You bring us back up to ten."
TO BE CONTINUED....
I'm going with the assumption that Zach was around during Season One, we just didn't see him. Seth knew who he was in S2Ep2 when Zach showed up for Comic Book Club, knew he was a water polo player, so... it seems like a reasonable assumption to me... lol... and I plan on bringing a few more characters from season 2 and 3 into things, but not for a few more chapters... and they won't all be on the same side as our heroes... though that doesn't mean they're Crazies... lol
Interesting side-note: I just learned tonight, Friday, that in 1973 George A. Romero (Of "Night Of The Living Dead" fame) made a movie called "The Crazies" about a small town that is accidentally infected with a military bioweapon that drives infectees crazy and sends them on killing frenzies. I totally didn't know about that movie (info can be found here.) until tonight, so I didn't copy anything, and the full plot beyond the basics mentioned above is different, but... weird, huh? lol
