SEASON 2: EPISODE 1: “All of Us But Not All”

            Zach is alone, at least for now. He’s alone in a dark room sitting at a table. On the table is an outdated cupcake smooshed halfway. The only form of dim light is what was on the other side of the door where not only was there a fire irrupting in the hallway, but also a group of about ten rovers or so trying to break into the dark room. They must’ve smelled Zach. It had been weeks since he showered, changed clothes, or seen another human being that wasn’t trying to kill him. Sure, he’d jumped in a river once or twice but no soap or shampoo to help the stench. However, Zach was practically eating tooth paste at this point, and took advantage of whatever sticks of deodorant he came across. But ‘Old Spice’ doesn’t help everything.     When you wear the same pair of socks for seventeen days straight you’ll understand. When you’ve gone even longer without shaving or cutting your hair which at this point has grown over your eyes you’ll understand even more.

            It wasn’t till Zach snapped out of his thoughts that he heard the door hinges creaking as they began to bend under the pressure. The rovers were coming in any second now. Maybe they were gonna sing to him. After all…

            It was his birthday.

[Zach]: (mumbling weakly) Happy birthday to you…

            The rovers grew louder at hearing the singing. They must like it.

[Zach]: Happy birthday to you…

            Zach heard a nail bend off the hinges and clang onto the cracked tile floor.

[Zach]: Happy birthday dear Zach…

            The door snapped in a several places and the frame shattered from the stained walls.

[Zach]: Happy birthday…to…you.

            The rovers shattered through the door, pouring in like a river through a dam. Zach’s grimy fingers gently touched his dull, bent machete and he felt the corners of his mouth slightly curl. He was going to enjoy this. After all…

            It was his birthday. 

·        

           

            Since the property, the students of Mim’s Baptist Church have been on the run. They’ve been scavenging and collecting, but most importantly they’ve been searching. Since they decided to track down and find their many other friends in the youth group, and others outside the church, they’ve found Hunter Reed and his mom. They were huddled up in their house with a large supply of canned goods and Mountain Dew, both of their vehicles half full with gasoline. The group took them in, gathering their supplies and cyphering fuel from both vehicles to keep the run down-looking bus up and running. The group also managed to find an old friend of Tim’s named Zack Castonon. He was alone; his family was gone. Other students that were found were Lauren and her brother also named Hunter, as well as Christian McDowell. The entire Ingle family was gone, but Christian was at his father’s house when he said the horde that wiped out several of the neighborhoods came in. His dad led most of them away, and the two hid in their house since then.

            With the additional seven people in their group made a group of nineteen people. Lee and the others hoped to have found other students, but it’s been several weeks since the fall of the property, and every single one of those days was spent searching. If there were others, they would have found them.

            They didn’t find Zach at the property. They left notes everywhere hoping he would stumble upon one of them. At the end of the first week, Tim and Lee did what they promised and returned to the property in hopes of find their friend, but all they found were more rovers. The group was happy that they got back many of their friends, but nonetheless, they missed Zach. Times were growing dimmer whether Zach was there or not. Everyone in the group lost someone, whether it was family or friends. It was up until this point that they actually began living, and having to do it without the people they cared about.

            Timothy was a good leader. He was smart, and confident. Somehow through everything they’ve been through, Tim’s kept a sound mind. He’s somehow found ways to show that he’s happy; found a reason to smile. His attitude fed onto some of the others. Lee cracks a joke every now and then even though most of the group doesn't laugh, Brittany does something silly like every other blue moon and Kelley is ALWAYS singing.

            Tim however did not lead by himself. He had help from Ian many times and not by mistake. Ian lost the vote by one sheet of paper. Sometimes, the group would split up in order to accomplish a specific task and Ian would lead a unit, and he would do a great job doing it too. Audrey also helps with ideas and has done pretty well about thinking outside the box. Bailey’s gotten all too well with a bow, and has officially become the group’s sniper/medic/survivalist/walking wiki. Dylan’s good with a cross bow but he’s much more active from the standpoint that he wants to be up close with the rovers. When Dylan’s not using his crossbow, he uses Tray Golden’s giant buck knife which he has also gotten pretty decent with.

            London has become part of the family. She’s gotten along well with Maddy most of all. She taught her and a few others how to use a sword, but mostly Maddy. Every now and then London will let her use her personally crafted Roman dagger, but Maddy liked her melee more. She was good at throwing knives and hatchets and such; after all she’d been doing that since before everything happened.  

            Alyssa’s made due with the loss of her entire family. She was close to Josh. He was her vent; she told him everything. Sometimes she’ll wake up late at night crying because she dreamt of her brother, reliving that moment when she’s in the car behind him before the windshield shattered and Josh was shredded with showers of ammunition. It was a moment that was hard for everyone. Not only was it the moment they lost Josh Merlet, but also Shane Cooper. No one was prepared for that. Especially Brittany.

            But Brittany’s gotten better since what happened. It had not been the first time she lost a father figure. But this one took a toll. She hasn’t been the same, and frankly, nobody thinks she ever will. She agrees and most of the group agrees with her, that once they take back the church they’ll feel right back at home. They’ll feel at home because they will be home.

            The bus parked at the Valero gas station just down the road from the Church. They didn’t want to be seen by anything and attract unwanted attention. Tim got up from the driver’s seat and got everyone’s attention.

[Tim]: Alright everyone listen up. Right now we’re just going to recon and scout the area. Lee and I will be going and I’m guessing we’ll be back in about twenty minutes or so. I want yall to keep a low profile, and watching out for anything that could harm you or the bus. Use silent weapons.

            Lee got up from his spot carrying only his knife sheathed in his belt. Stepping off the bus he remarks to Tim who followed close behind him.

[Lee]: Try to keep up.

            It took a lot of time just to get a good spot to look over the church. They had seen the church when they drove past it to find Christian, but since then, Rovers have come and gone. But mostly they came and gathered up around the church. They swarmed the parking lots and were scattered throughout the baseball field. The sanctuary had crumbled to the ground in several places and was almost completely black with ash. But the Student Center was still in great shape save for a few shattered windows and blood splatters tainting the walls.

[Tim]: (Quietly) I can’t imagine what it must be like inside.

[Lee]: This won’t be hard; not if we worked together.

[Tim]: I’m thinking we should use sound to draw the bulk of them away; use the horns on the bus and Bailey’s car. Maybe a few others from inside will get drawn out too.

[Lee]: Maybe. Not if the doors are closed. We’d have to have students run in, open the doors, make sure they stay open and then once most of them have followed the vehicles, we send the rest of us in to clear the buildings or any rovers still grazing outside.

[Tim]: Exactly. We have a plan, so let’s teach it to the group, and save our church.

·        

           

            Zach is walking down 242. He’s been on it since early this morning. With every passing hour the numbers of rover encounters have been increasing. He could see the overpass from where he was standing, which meant huge stores like Walmart and Costco were not far at all.

            A rover sat up from the ground a few yards from Zach. It stumbles nimbly towards him only to lose half its head with a clean arc of a machete.

            After walking another few thousand feet, Zach walked into the Costco parking lot where he was greeted by a group of about thirteen walkers. Zach swept through most of them, decapitating one, dismembering another till suddenly, the blade snapped off the handle. With four more rovers still gaining, Zach pulled out his small pocket knife and made his stand.

[Zach]: Come on fellas, maybe we should talk this out?

            Growling furiously in the response, the first contender threw himself on Zach. Using his forearm to brace up against the rover’s throat, Zach quickly jammed the knife into its temple and hastily yanked it out and moved onto the next one. He kicked one to the ground, pushed back a second, and then knifed the third, quickly turning to the rover he pushed away, squelching his blade into its eye socket, and finally plunging his weapon through the final rover’s forehead.

[Stranger]: Stop right there!

            Spinning around to face the person, Zach nearly dropped his knife in surprise. The stranger recognized him, the second person behind him standing in confusion.

[Stranger]: Yes!

[Stranger 2]: What’s going on?

[Stranger]: We know each other! He’s a friend from work!

·        

            The bus was repositioned next to the cemetery entrance, and the group was once again huddled inside the bus. Tim had everyone at attention.

[Tim]: Remember, once most of the rovers have left the parking lots, move in towards the Student Center and open up the entrances and exits. If you can avoid rover encounters then great, but don’t go inside until we’re ready. Bailey, I’m giving you the keys to drive your vehicle, you’re gonna drive toward 105 and lose them down the highway. Mrs. Reed will drive the bus down 1314 and lose the horde down Creighton. Everyone understand?

            The group nods in reply.

[Tim]: Alright, let’s move. Once the outside area of the property is mostly cleared, Kelley, Mr. McDowell, Alyssa, Christian and I will clear all the rovers outside while Ian leads everyone else into the Student Center and clears the building room for room. Alright, let’s move!

            The group ran through the cemetery and laid low on the ground. Tim waved at Bailey and Mrs. Reed, and in response, they blared the horns as loud as possible.

            The scores of rovers scattered throughout shifted their rotting heads towards the sound, and slowly stumbled towards it. Bailey drove down the road passed the church and parked at the light, as did Mr. Reed in the opposite direction. There was a feeling of breathlessness: seeing so many people that once had lives to live, who once had families, and jobs and dreams they wanted to have. Now they’re dead and gone; consumed inside a rotting shell meant for one purpose: to spread. There were so many lives taken in this dark and dirty epidemic and those who lived were punished to deal with the consequences of surviving. It was the stuff of nightmares to see the hundreds of rovers swarming towards the horns; their growls almost ear piercing when in sync.

            A small group of rovers swept through the cemetery in the group’s direction. But the nineteen contenders were dead silent in cutting them down.

[Mr. McDowell]: I tell you what these rovers are dedicated.

[Lee]: Don’t you mean ‘dead’icated?

[Brittany]: (Shoves lee in the shoulder) Wow.

            The swarm began to dissipate from the church with only a couple of dozen still remaining out in the parking lot.

[Tim]: Alright guys, let’s move!

            The survivors ran through the cemetery and into the parking lot. Ian and his team rushed to each one of the doors and pulled them open. To their surprise there wasn’t anything on the other side of the doors. Running back to Tim, Ian reported the situation to him.

[Ian]: There’s zilch on the other side of the doors, so assemblage in pairs of two and begin clearing the rooms. That means every single clandestine, class room, bathroom stall, everything. 

[Lee]: Isn’t a clandestine a fruit?

[Ian]: Those are clementine’s you stupid idiot.

            Pairing with Jenna, Ian quietly stepped into the gymnasium. Two rovers lagged behind but upon seeing the couple, growled hungrily only to have their heads blown to chunks of bulging flesh.

            Dylan and Maddy took the stairs outside the student center and entered the worship area. The smell was beyond anything they’ve encountered. The rotting corpses of the rovers that were killed when the building was first attacked were at this point piles of brown, maggot-ridden bones. Also present in the room were five other rovers. Dylan took aim with his crossbow and shot down a rover,and began reloading as Maddy cautiously picked a couple of rovers with her 1911. By the time there were two rovers remaining, Dylan took out another rover, the final fifth corpse being killed from Maddy’s fire arm.

[Dylan]: Alright we gotta really watch our backs as we clear the class rooms.

[Maddy]: You got any flash lights?

[Dylan]: No.

[Maddy]: Oh that’s dandy.

            Brittany, Lauren and Lee began to clear the cafeteria and kitchen as well as the bathrooms.

[Brittany]: Where’s your brother, Lauren?

[Lauren]: He went with Mrs. Reed. I didn’t want him clearing with us.

            Stepping into the men’s restroom as Lauren and Brittany cleared the women’s, Lee carefully stepped into each of the stalls. Reaching the last of them, he kicked open the door to find a man, who by the looks was dressed like a hobo. He had a rifle in his hand, but the barrel was in his mouth. Blood was dried and stained on the walls behind him. The man was dead. Grabbing the rifle from the corpse, Lee slowly walked out of the stall.

[Lee]: Don’t think you’ll need this?

           

            Stopping at the entrance of one of the two hallways, Maddy and Dylan knocked loudly on the frame of door. It was but a few silent moments before several rovers wobbled out of the class rooms and towards the two. Dylan raised his crossbow for the kill.

            Tim and Kelly worked as a perfect duo as they fired shots into the remaining rovers lagging in the parking lot.

[Tim]: We got this? We’ve taken the church!

            Victoriously, Tim lifted his AR-15 and fired the last shot into the final rover. Its head popped like a water balloon sending blood droplets and chunks of flesh in all directions. The blood felt like confetti on Tim knowing he had just led his group into taking back their home. The feeling was beyond anything he felt in a long time.

·        

            Stepping into the Costco, Zach wasn’t sure how to react to everything that was going on. The doors were welded shut and barricaded, so the three had to enter through the back. Should he be with people anymore? Zach had adjusted too quickly, and he lost friends because of it. So why is he still following these people inside a barricaded store when he knows that he’s a crazy blood lusting murderer?

[Dom]: Dude I didn’t think I’d ever see you again! Not since you got fired from Chick-Fila-A!

[Dade]: Wait, this guy worked with you?

[Dom]: Yeah, man. He didn’t look like sh** then like he kinda does now, no offense brother, but yeah we were bros before hoes! What’re you’re plans, Zach you should totally stay here!

[Zach]: I don’t know.

[Dom]: Well if you don’t know then you should stay because we got weapons, food, fuel, trucks, anything and everything. We collected several generators from around the area and so we run completely off of generator electricity. We even watch a movie every Friday.

[Zach]: You should ration it.

[Dom]: Nah man it’s ok. When we took this place there were six eighteen-wheelers; all fully fueled up, not to mention the gas station there at the front. We currently have twenty-six drums of fuel and one full truck for whenever we make long distance supply runs. We’re set for at least a year.

[Zach]: Ration it and you’ll be set for three times that. Help other survivors out by making trades; form a network, help put things back together.

[Dom]: Yo man that’s what’s up! We’ve been doing that sh** for three months! We got so many supplies because of trades, and we work with another community of survivors for weapons and guns and other stuff.

[Zach]: Sounds like you got it figured it out.

[Dom]: Oh not me, man. The guy in charge of the place set this up. Patrick Allie, and I had plans to go here anyways but when we found out it was turned into a little community then we were set.

            The three walked into the building. Most of the area was emptied of all the useless supplies they had and turned it into a large campout. Tents were everywhere, and people who were the designated ‘soldiers’ guarded the many aisles of food to make sure no one was taking too much than what they needed.

            One of the guards stopped Zach, Dom and his friend.

[Guard]: Who’s this?

[Dom]: It’s ok, Jasten, this is a friend of mine I’ve known him for a while now. He’s cool, right Zach?

            Zach understood the question. Dom was asking him if he was ok, if he wasn’t insane. Zach was insane, and he shouldn’t be in this store. But he needed to be here. He hadn’t eaten in a week.

[Zach]: Yeah, I’m good.

[Jasten]: Alright, but make sure you get to the off-

[Dom]: Get to the office, I gotcha dude.

            Going up the stairs to the manager’s office, Dom and Zach stood in front of the leader of the community's desk.

[Dom]: Hey man. I was outside when I found an old friend of mine. Just following protocol.

[Anders]: Of course, Dom. I’m just gonna need his weapons.

[Dom]: All he’s got is a knife.

[Anders]: I’m still gonna need it.

            Zach stood there for a moment. It was just a knife. What was he gonna do with a knife except slit the man’s throat? But he didn’t wanna give away his only means of self-defense. If he gives it away, there’s a chance he’ll never leave. But he needs food. Zach weighed his options.

            Pulling the pocket knife out of his pants he handed it over to Anders. The tall broad man set it aside.

[Anders]: You wanna stay here?

[Zach]: I don’t know.

[Anders]: I can understand why. I can assure you we’re the good guys. I’ve helped dozens of communities grow. A couple of years from now Texas could be the safest place on the planet. All it takes is trust.

[Zach]: Or fear.

            Anders stared at Zach and Zach at him. It was silent before Anders smiled and oddly chuckled.

[Anders]: I like you, Zach. You get it. You understand things. If you didn’t look like a piece of f****d up s*** I’d make you one of my top soldiers. You’d like that wouldn’t you? Fighting to protect this wonderful community, killing 'The Haunt' by the dozens. I bet you would enjoy that, wouldn’t you?

            Yes. Yes Zach would.

[Zach]: No.

[Anders]: You’re a hard teen to read. How about this: go check out the place. Eat some food, drink some water; you look starving! Get yourself a shower and some rest. Tell me what you think tomorrow and if you don’t like it, then I’ll give you a better knife and you can go on your merry way.

[Dom]: Come on man, just test it out.

            He thought about for a minute. The man said it himself. It’s all about trust. So Zach will trust him.

[Zach]: Fine.

·        

            Unloading all the supplies from Bailey’s vehicle and the bus, the group was just now settling into the student center. This place was all too familiar-all except the smell. Even after towing the bodies behind the shed in the corner of the church property, and even after finding all the custodian supplies and cleaning most of the messes upstairs the smell may have been weakened, but not conquered.

[Tim]: Let’s just leave the door open for now and keep a close eye out. When it gets dark we’ll close the doors.

            The students were glad to find that in the church pantry there were still plenty of food and supplies, as well as a large stash of soda and a box full of peppermints. However, all refrigerator foods had to be tossed out. No power.

            There was nothing but memories here. Brittany, Lee, Lauren, and Rebecca playing music for the students every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, Zach doing something stupid and Lee right next to him, and Bailey threatening to punch someone and Audrey threatening to draw a rainbow and put her face in it. All the conversations about Shane being a spy, trying to get him to admit that he was in fact bionic and a spy working for Russia. Volleyball and dodgeball games were played after service and explosions of laughter when someone got hit in the face.

            Those moments were gone. Probably forever. Each of those memories included someone who was dead or gone. It was painful to think about, but even more to try to relive them.

            Brittany walked up onto the stage. Her guitar lay there next to the drums. She picked it up. She couldn’t find the pick, so she strummed it with her fingers. Instantly she recalled Shane helping with the lighting and sound before worship began.  

            She put down the guitar.

            All she could think to do was hold her breath. She couldn’t cry. No more crying. He’s gone forever and she has to live with that fact. Suddenly Zach’s property didn’t seem like a bad place anymore.

[Bailey]: I found some blankets in the closet under the stairs. We can use those for tonight and maybe go out and collect some beds and mattresses tomorrow.

[Tim]: That’s a good idea. Before anything else we need fuel for the bus. We’ll cypher some gas wherever we can find it. Mr. McDowell, would you be willing to use your truck to collect mattresses?

[Mr. McDowell]: Sure would, no problem.

[Tim]: Alright thanks. You can come with me, along with Dylan and Christian. The rest of you will stay here; we need to try to clean this place up. Go to the gas station and collect as much supplies as possible.

[Bailey]: Sounds good.

[Ian]: One small detail: the doors. They are glass, and at least four of the windows are already shattered.

[Tim]: The lumber yard next to the church and then down the road will have supplies. Board up every door and window as nice and neatly and strong as you can.

[Mrs. Reed]: I can keep the women here busy. The rest of the boys can board up the doors and windows.

[Tim]: Thank you all so much.

[Audrey]: No need to thank us. This is our home. We gotta keep it safe it’s just plain logic.

[Bailey]: I don’t think ‘logic’ and ‘Audrey’ are supposed to be a thing.

            Another memory. It had been a while since there was a good episode of laughter. Even Brittany slid a smile into the outbursts of joy.

[Tim]: I think we all deserve some food, some water, and freaking a nap.

[Jenna]: Oh we deserved that a long time ago.

[Hunter]: Anybody want a Mountain Dew?

[Everyone]: I’ll take one!

[London]: I haven’t had a Mountain Dew since before everything.

[Lee]: Yeah this feels like rehab from my addiction to M. Dew…TM.

[Bailey]: And weed. Jk. 

[Alyssa]: (Laughing) guys this is a church we shouldn’t be talking about weed!

[Dylan]: All I’m saying is that we all killed a bunch of stuff today in a church so I think it’s not as bad to joke about weed.

[Bailey]: Exactly. Even if none of us have even touched that stuff...right Lee?

[Lee]: Right. 

[Zack Castanon]: I've been offered weed many times but my dad was a police officer so...yeah.  

[Tim]: Dude, Zack, would you know by any chance if your dad’s old police department would have anything left that we can use?

[Zack]: I doubt it. We can always check I know where it is.

[Lee]: Your dad was police?

[Bailey]: Don’t worry, Lee he’s not gonna arrest you.

[Zack]: Yeah, my dad was also military before that. Which is why when we kill all the rovers I call being the new world’s first cop.

[Lee]: I call being the first weed dealer.

[Zack]: Did you actually do weed?

[Lee]: No but people used to joke because I look like I did drugs or something like that.  

[Bailey]: You got that right.

            They were all together again, reunited as a youth group in the greatest epidemic in the history of the planet. Actually, not everyone came. Only the strongest made it. Only the survivors made it back home.

·        

            Zach turned the water on. The restroom had been rebuilt so that half the stalls were changed to showers. It had been weeks since he felt warm water against his skin. His hair moped over his head as he watched rover blood and dirt stream down the drain. It seemed as though it could go on forever; like there was no end to the trail of blood. It just kept going and going forever red and forever dirty until the trail ended and the blood and dirt was gone. Soap suds and shampoo bubbles followed soon after.

            Stepping out of the shower and into a new pair of jeans and t-shirt, as well as a well needed pair of socks and shoes, Zach actually looked decent. His hair was a lighter color after the shower, and his light skin wasn’t red anymore. He had almost forgotten what he looked like. He wasn’t that bad looking.

[Dom]: You should keep the facial hair, and the longer hair. It suits you.

[Zach]: Planned on it.

[Dom]: Did you wanna meet Patrick and Allie?

[Zach]: Why not.

            It had been almost half a year since Zach had seen Dom and Pat as well as Allie. Pat was Dom’s twin; older by five minutes. Allie met the Martinez twins at Chick-Fil-A just like Zach had, but Allie got along with them better. The twins cursed a lot and the old Zach was bothered by that, which was probably why he wasn’t as close as Allie was to them. But nonetheless, it was good to see them all again. Pat couldn’t help but hug it out with Zach. Zach didn’t feel like hugging back, but he did anyways. Allie hugged him as well, and Zach hugged back.

[Pat]: So how’s life treating ya?

[Zach]: Trying to kill me, like everyone else.

[Allie]: (Laughs) Glad to know you haven’t changed.

            If only she knew.

[Pat]: So are you staying? You should totally stick around man!

[Zach]: I don’t know.

[Allie]: I wasn’t sure about it either, but there’s food, water, plenty of supplies and hardly any danger. I haven’t seen an animated in almost a week.

[Zach]: Animated?

[Dom]: See I told you it didn’t make sense! Allie wanted to call them “animated” like “reanimated”, and Anders calls them ‘The Haunted’ like a f*****g horror movie, but we all know they’re zombies! Just call them what they are!

[Pat]: I doubt anybody else would agree to call them zombies.

[Dom]: Well it’s better than “The Haunted”. What do you call them, Zach?

            What did Zach’s friends used to call them? It had been too long since Zach spoke aloud to someone else, so it had been just as long since he’d used the word “rover” to the point he nearly forgot. Or was forgetting things that happened three months ago a side effect to a young man who was losing his mind?

[Zach]: Rovers.

[Dom]: Rovers, I actually like that a lot!

[Pat]: So how many zombies have you killed?

[Allie]: Are you serious? Nobody besides you keeps count.

[Pat]: Twenty-seven zombie kills since the break out and I am proud. How ‘bout you Zach?

            It had been the first time anyone had asked that. As if killing the last piece of what a real person was had suddenly become a game; as if the end of the world was a giant circus and those that got to live were the clowns. Nevertheless, whether it was Zach’s boundary level of crazy or just his personality, Zach knew just how many rovers he’d ever killed since the break out nearly half a year ago.

[Zach]: two hundred and thirty-six.

[Dom]: Holy sh** boy, you really racked them numbers up! Texas will be zombie free in a couple of years or so at this rate!

[Pat]: Yeah and then Denbury will be outa business.

[Dom]: I’m ok with that. All we get from them is power supplies and useless sh**.

            The conversations went on, and Zach found himself drifting away from them in spirit. Physically he still stood there nodding his head, and pretending to smile and enjoy his time. He wondered where they were; his friends. Were they still at the property? Were they perfecting the fences, making bullets, using the sky track as a watch tower like Zach had thought about before? Were they going out and finding friends and family members to help keep what was left of the world together in one piece? Were they expanding? Were they dead?

            Wherever they were they were better off. They were better off without a crazy hormonal teenager like himself. Sometimes Zach wished Tim had pulled the trigger on him when he was interrogating the stranger. Ended the problem right there. If he did, maybe the other thirty-seven people he encountered after the fall of the property and killed because they threatened him would still be alive as well.

            It was an endless train of “what ifs”. The train grew long, and rustic. It simply continued trucking on without an end. But one “what if” leads the train: What if none of this ever happened? Zach would probably have gone to MEPS and taken the ASVAB test; the youth group would probably have finished their “True Love Waits” bible study and would have had their ceremony by now. That Gladiator Museum in Conroe would have opened up; Zach would probably have written some dumb story based off his favorite TV show and asked Ian to post it on a form of media. Maybe by now Zach would have met the one, started dating, left for the air force and come back to surprise her. They go out and watch Star Wars 8 and she would have to listen to Zach rant. His sister Emily would probably be winning gold medals in gymnastics all the time, all over the country.

[Dom]: Zach!

            Snapping back into the real world, Zach forced a nod.

[Zach]: What?

[Dom]: (Quietly) we were just…wondering. You don’t have to answer this question. How many people have you killed? If you have killed anyone, that is.

            Should he tell the truth?

[Zach]: I’ve killed enough.

THE END