At the Prime Kronos Facility, Barnes walks into a room, where a machine prepping the enhanced King Cobra serum is ready with Ryder and Olivia in the room.
Ryder: We're giving you a very high dose....but I need you disciplined and focused...first sign of any side effect, and you'll be pulled and off the team till you're clean....understood?
Barnes: Yes, sir.
Olivia: Alright, you'll get two separate infusions....muscle and bone....I'm going to full out warn you...the bone ones are going to hurt...bad...
Barnes is injected from both of his neck by the machine with the King Cobra serum. Barnes is the hooked onto a machine, where he is injected in his lower spine, causing him to grunt in pain. In the wasteland, the scavenging party comes across a ground hole, where the bones of many corpses are seen laying.
Blake: Shit, it's a fucking graveyard.....they've been torn apart....
Caleb: Yeah, but by what?
Kyle: Oh, we'll find out soon enough....where's the nearest town?
Cassandra: Uh....about fifteen more miles....north....
Nathan: Then we hit there, first....let's move out....
As the men move out in front of Nathan, he suddenly recognizes one of them and pulls the hat off, revealing to be Ashley.
Ashley: Just let me explain, Nathan...
Nathan: Jesus H fucking Christ, Ashley!
Nathan, angered, takes the rifle from Ashley.
Ashley: Hey!
Nathan: No...one of these guys is going to take you back to Midtown Manhattan...
Ashley: I just want to help...
Nathan: No....it's bad enough I have to have Sarah here....now, you?! I'm not giving you a fucking gun.
Ashley: You were younger than me when you had one.
Nathan: Dad trained me, okay?! That was different....
Ashley: I just want to help.
Nathan sighs, before he holds the rifle in front of Ashley, who grabs it.
Nathan: Stay close to us....and don't make me regret this....
The survivors walk through a forest, where multiple mutated insects are seen flying around, causing the survivors to swat at them. Beth, annoyed, opens fire on one the bugs.
Kyle: Hey! Beth! Hey! Conserve your fucking ammo! Save it for something bigger!
Beth sighs before walking, but then shoots a bug, before walking off.
Caleb: Beth!
Beth: What?!
The scavenging party walks out onto a caved in walkway, before most of the scavenging party decides to take a rest.
Beth: I'm too fucking tired.....I need a breather and my feet are killing me.
Midtown Manhattan Fighter: Same here.
Nathan: Hey. Hey....the fuck we doing? We can't take a breather...we've lost too much ground already, goddamn it...everyone get up!
Kyle: Nathan...they're not ready to quit, but if we keep pushing them, eventually they'll get exhausted and die.....cut them some slack.
Kyle turns to scavenging party.
Kyle: All right, you've got ten minutes! Everyone stay where I can see you!
Nathan gives Kyle a look, while Catherine talks to Shawn.
Catherine: I'm going to the valley...collect some herbs for Midtown Manhattan....create some first aid with them...
Shawn: Uh...Kyle said stay in sight.
Catherine: There's twenty of us....he won't notice.
Catherine and Shawn sneak away while Ashley catches up to them.
Ashley: Hey, where are you two going?
Catherine: Uh...nowhere, honey...
Shawn: To the valley...
Catherine nudges Shawn's shoulder.
Shawn: What? It's not a big deal.
Ashley: the valley, huh? Hmm....I'm going with you.
Catherine: Uh...we're just collecting herbs, Ashley....
Ashley: Still...you never know when you need an extra gun....
Ashley walks ahead as Shawn speaks.
Shawn: Man...I do not want to babysit.
Catherine: Do you mean Ashley or me?
Shawn: Both, man.
Catherine, Shawn and Ashley head to the valley while Kyle searches around the perimeter, only to find a giant animal footprint. Sarah walks up to the footprint as do Nathan, Walter, Blake, Beth, James Cassandra and Caleb.
James: Oh, my god...
Cassandra: What the fuck?
Walter: There's only one thing capable of leaving a footprint that size.....a fucking dinosaur...
Caleb: What?
James: Uh...dude...this 2030...A.D....
Caleb: the hell does A.D mean?
Walter: After Death....Before Christ...After Death? It's from the Bible, man...y'all- y'all should be ashamed of yourselves.
Blake: Hey...with the weird shit, we've seen...I wouldn't be surprised if it was a dinosaur.
Kyle: All right...All right...obviously, it's not a dinosaur footprint...
Walter: Man, how would you know what a dinosaur footprint looks like?
Kyle: I don't, but....it's not a dinosaur....it's something....very big....about close to 25 feet...
Nathan: If it's that big, we need to go...now.
Sarah: Uhm....hey, guys....where's Ashley?
James: Where's my brother and Catherine?
The scavenging party looks around.
Kyle: Where'd they all go?
Catherine, Shawn and Ashley walk to the valley, only to discover giant mutated elephants.
Ashley: oh, wow...
Ashley pulls out the old camera from her bag as Catherine notices.
Catherine: Where'd you get that?
Ashley: Uh...the Browns....Cassandra handed it to me.
Ashley walks towards the giant elephants.
Shawn: Uh...Ashley! You sure you want to do that? That might piss them off.
Ashley: How is it going to piss them off? They're herbivores...
Shawn: They're what?
Catherine: Herbivores....animals who only eat plants...not meat...
Shawn: Oh....wait, there's a difference with those type of animals?
Ashley takes a picture of the elephants as they begin to grunt as they look around.
Catherine: Hey, Ashley! You're making them nervous! Stop!
Ashley: It's not me!
In the trees, giant two-legged creatures stalk the elephants, causing the elephants to panic and run towards Catherine, Shawn and Ashley.
Shawn: Uhm....guys....
Back in the caved in highway, thudding begins to shake the ground as the survivors look around. Debris falls around the survivors. Shawn is seen running as Sarah approaches Shawn.
Sarah: What's going on? Where's Catherine and my sister?
Shawn: Uh...they're catching up!
Shawn runs past the survivors as most of the scavenging party including Beth, Caleb and Blake flee. Catherine runs past Kyle, Nathan, James, Walter, Sarah and Cassandra while Ashley is seen fleeing from the stampede of giant elephants.
Ashley: Run!
Kyle: Jesus H. Christ.
James: Run!
Nathan: Shit! C'mon, Sarah!
Kyle: Go! Fucking run! Go!
James, Sarah, Nathan, Walter, Cassandra and Kyle flee while Ashley trips, forcing Kyle to stop.
Kyle: Nathan! Shit!
Kyle runs back and helps Ashley up onto her feet as the stampede catches up, causing them to be caught in the stampede. The stampede catches up to the scavenging party, causing two of the Midtown Manhattan fighters to be crushed to death. The four-legged predators catch up and bite the neck onto one of the elephants, causing it to drift and crush a Midtown Manhattan fighter against the wall. The elephant throws the two-legged creature off, causing it to fall on the ground, before Caleb jumps up and shoots the four legged creature dead. Nathan slips into cover, avoiding the stampede. Nathan laughs, but drool leaks onto his shoulder as he looks up, noticing a hissing two-legged creature that bites at Nathan, causing him to flee back into the stampede, before the creature gets free. Nathan passes Beth and Caleb.
Nathan: Excuse me!
Nathan then passes Kyle and Ashley, before the two-legged creature chases Kyle, who puts himself between the legs of a giant elephant. The creature then attempts to attack Ashley, before Kyle, in slow motion, rams into the creature, causing it to be crushed to the death by the stampede. At the edge of a cliff, Cassandra stops, before another Midtown Manhattan Fighter does the same thing, only to be knocked off to his death by a sliding giant elephant, causing the surface beneath Cassandra to crumble as she flee, jumping across gaps, but she catches onto a cap with one hand. Cassandra struggles to hold on and loses her grip, until James grabs her hand and pulls her up.
Cassandra: Thanks!
James and Cassandra resume fleeing in the stampede, before ahead of the stampede, Shawn is seen fleeing from a two-legged creature. Shawn then shoots at the creature.
Kyle: Shawn! No!
Shawn manages to shoot the creature, but accidently shoots the legs of giant elephant.
Shawn: Fuck me....
Shawn takes cover as the entire stampede to crash, killing a few Midtown Manhattan fighters and two legged creatures. During the crash, Caleb pulls Beth into an opening while Kyle recovers, rescuing Sarah from an attacking two-legged creature. The scavenging party climbs out of the hole as the two-legged creatures pursue them. Catherine struggles to climb up.
Catherine: Nathan! Shawn! Someone help!
Nathan and Shawn climb down to help Catherine.
Shawn: Catherine! C'mon!
Catherine: I can't! I can't!
Nathan: C'mon!
Nathan notices the two-legged creatures climbing up and stands up.
Nathan: Leave her!
Shawn: What?!
Nathan: Leave her, man! C'mon! We gotta go!
Shawn: I'm not fucking leaving her!
Nathan flees as the two-legged creatures close in on Catherine.
Catherine: Shawn! Shawn! Just go! Leave!
Shawn: No! No! I'm not leaving you behind!
Catherine: You have to go now!
The two creatures lunge at Catherine, before Shawn finally manages to pull Catherine up, saving her. The two take a moment to catch their breath. At the Prime Kronos Facility, Barnes is in the training room, testing his new abilities. Barnes then punches a hole into the giant Titan armor, denting it, before he laughs. Back in the wasteland, near a swamp, the remaining scavenging party is seen recovering and checking their injuries.
Walter: Let's do a headcount. I want to know how many a hurt and how bad!
Caleb treats Beth's arm injury.
Caleb: "Hurt"?! Fucking Six of us are dead!
Nathan is seen taking a sip of alcohol, before Shawn walks up to Nathan, who looks at Shawn.
Nathan: What?
Shawn: The hell you mean "what"? you left Catherine to die! Almost got her killed!
Nathan: Hey, those things were coming and-
Shawn: No. I don't give a fuck, Nathan. I don't....You ever leave anyone to die and not try again, I'll kick your fucking ass, man!
Nathan: Who the hell do you think you're talking to? Threatening me? Huh? Let's not forget, soldier boy.....you're still not a part of this group. Not even rhetorically close! You're just a fucking guest who we found in the goddamned gutter.
Nathan and Shawn get in each other's face, before Kyle and James defuse the situation.
Kyle: Chill out! Both of you!
James: Hey, guys...Guys! Look, let's just tend to our wounded and keep moving...
Shawn: Whatever, man.....Piece of shit.
Nathan: Fuck off....
Shawn walks to Catherine.
Shawn: You all right?
Catherine: I'm fine....thank you, Shawn....
Shawn: Don't mention it....Nathan, I want to beat his ass so bad....but you're alive so....I guess I won't...
Nathan: All right....we'll take a rest for the night.
Kyle and Caleb are picking up wood for the fire.
Kyle: I'm glad we ran into you when we did. Even with the RV to do most of the work. I don't think we could've done this without your help. We're grateful.
Caleb: I'm just trying to pull my weight, Kyle....make sure everyone is safe....make sure Beth is safe....but I glad we're tagging along.
Kyle looks back at Beth.
Kyle: Beth's strong too.
Caleb: Yeah, she is....
Blake drops the load of wood, before Sarah hands him a pile of wood. A splinter gets into Sarah's finger.
Sarah: Ow! Damn it!
Blake: What?
Sarah: I got a splinter...
Blake: Hang on...
Blake attempts to pull the splinter out of Sarah's finger.
Sarah: Hey! What are you doing?!
Blake: Trying to get the splinter out!
Sarah: Like hell you will!
Sarah laughs.
Sarah: Blake! Oh! Hey! Blake!
Blake: C'mon! Hold still!
Blake and Sarah have a playful moment, before Blake manages to finally pull out the splinter.
Sarah: Ow!
Blake: See? Not so hard.
Sarah hits Blake in the chest.
Sarah: (laughing) You're a dick.....
Blake: Do you have any other injuries?
Sarah: Uh....no..
Sarah gets her hair out of her face, before blushing.
Sarah: Well...uh...I...I gotta get back to getting wood.
Blake: Yeah...yeah....
Blake and Sarah depart. Later at night, the scavenging party is seen having dinner.
Midtown Manhattan Fighter: Damn...least, we brought a lot of food.
Kyle: We've got James for that...before we left, we'd been stockpiling for food and ammo he and Cassandra got on their run.....
Shawn: Oh, Cassandra and my brother went on that run, huh?
James: Dude! I was...uh...just doing my part.
Sarah: Oh, don't be a downer, James...if it weren't for you, who know where'd we be. We have to rely on scavenging for so many times. You're a lifesaver.
Cassandra: I have to agree with Sarah, James.
James and Cassandra look at each other as Cassandra blushes.
Walter: James has invented a lot of technology for the city we were living in before we left.....he would even sometimes scavenge on his own....
Kyle: Colin...a good friend of ours and James' and Shawns' Uncle....Colin would always look out for me.
Blake: What do you mean?
Kyle: Colin would send me letters....not writing the address to make sure Kronos had no way of tracking James.
Nathan: Son of a bitch.....
Ashley: You're making it sound like a bad thing...I mean....without Kyle.....who know where'd we be?
Nathan: Yeah....who know where'd we be?
Shawn: Were you guys always heading to Midtown Manhattan or...?
Nathan: Actually; we were heading to Fort Warren.
Shawn: Damn...Well, I hate to take a piss on your parade, but...before I came to California, I was doing a report from Fort Warren....I ran across a grunt from Warren....he had said that every single man, woman and child had been slaughtered or turned into Skinners....completely overran....it was a slaughterhouse....
Nathan is distraught by the news as Ashley gives a shocked look.
Ashley: Seriously?
James: It's all gone?
Shawn: Yeah...
Nathan: Well, was it your boys who did it?
James: Nathan....
Shawn: No, it's cool, James....no it wasn't....it was probably Blood Hogs....Probably a quick raid....but then again....who the fuck knows? Thing is; we've all done things we wished we hadn't.....in this world, no one's a good guy.....no one's hands are clean...I bet you've had to do something you didn't want to do, Nathan....
Kyle: He's right. There are no good guys left in this world anymore....not even me.
Nathan and Shawn look at each other with a stern look. The scavenging party decide to go to bed, before Shawn puts out the fire with a bucket of water. Billy approaches Shawn.
Billy: How you doing, son? Heard you fussed at Nathan.....also, heard you saved Catherine's life....
Shawn: Yeah....I'm not the type to leave people behind....Nathan was a goddamn coward today....I couldn't fucking believed it...Ashley....that was some slick shit she pulled.....why aren't you in charge of this group? You're a good decent man. Wise. Smart. Well, you were a soldier.
Billy: Nathan's been leading us since Cratersville...
Shawn: He's not a leader....You should lead this group....You're a leader...one thing I can tell; Nathan is not happy that Kyle is alive...then again....Kyle....I have to ask sometimes if he's just another bad guy trying to be good or a good guy trying to be bad...
Billy: You make it sound like as if Kyle took something from you...
Shawn looks down.
Shawn: Kyle and I grew up together....we were friends....but-
Billy: Aren't you two friends now? He's been training you on how to survive out here.....I would call that someone who cares....I'd call that a friend....Shawn, you're a decent and a good man.....James....he's looked up to you for the first time.....Your brother was devastated when he lost Colin....I met your father before he died too.....Kyle is also a good man...Nathan...he's different....
Shawn: Because he lost Nora....because he killed Zed...
Billy: Where did you hear Zed from?
Shawn: His actions today said it.....Men like Nathan I've encountered....men who say they kill innocent lives to protect their own.....men who end up killing their own to save their own ass....that's the kind of man Nathan is.....that story he told was straight bullshit from the moment he said it....
Shawn walks off while Billy gives a look. Meanwhile as Billy is driving the RV, Sarah and Ashley are eating a can of peaches.
Sarah: Are we literally out of canned peaches?
Ashley: Last time I checked, I didn't see any. We've got about two days' worth of beans.
Sarah: Ugh....I hate beans.....Ashley, you should've stayed home.
Ashley: C'mon....not you too.
Sarah: I'm just saying....you heard about what happened with the Skinwalkers....with Zed...
Ashley: Okay, and? Did you listen to Nathan or Kyle?
Sarah: No, but I have training with guns....Ash....I just don't want to see you have to pull the trigger on someone....
Ashley: I have...I don't want to...but I will....it's hard to not kill...it's just hard to do....we have to in this world....I mean...I'm only sixteen, but.....but I can't do teenage things in this world....Alexandria told me the things teenage girls did....getting their hair and nails done....school....prom....dances....weddings...it must've been nice....
Sarah: Yeah....texting....internet....vibrators...
Ashley laughs.
Ashley: what?
Sarah: No, I'm just playing about the vibrators....
The sisters laugh.
Sarah: Well, kind of...
Kyle: Billy! Pull over! You see it?!
Billy: Yeah, I do...
Billy pulls the RV to a gated Heist Estates. The scavenging party step out of their vehicles as Nathan and Kyle look at each other and smile, before Kyle looks back at Heist Estates.
Kyle: Yes.....we should be safe here.....
Billy: Thank god there wasn't a sandstorm, before we managed to see this place...we couldn't have missed it.....
Nathan: Okay, let's look around. Don't go too far. Let's check the perimeter. We don't know exactly how
Nathan uses his fingers for sarcasm.
Nathan: "Safe"...this place is...Kyle, Walter, Shawn, Blake, Billy....we're going to look over to the place...
The survivors look around the estates as the entire scavenging party looks around. Ashley looks at the graffiti on the house
Ashley: "Will shoot on sight". "You loot; I shoot". Lots of friendly people lived around here, huh?
Walter: Yeah. First few months after the epidemic, they had a shitload of looting. Everyone got paranoid. You remember of that, Billy?
Billy: Sure as shit do. Everyone barricaded themselves in their home, then supplies started running low. That's when you really saw what people are capable of.
The scavenging party walk down a little hill and see some dogs at the end of the street as they bark and growl at each other.
Cassandra: Oh, Doggies.
Shawn: Uh, you might want to stay away from those. Those are wild and probably have rabies.
Shawn aims his rifle at the dogs.
Sarah: Oh, no. Don't shoot them.
Shawn: I won't. I'm just scaring them off.
Shawn shoots a round in the dogs direction, causing them to run off. The group then make their way around debris by going over to a house and go through the backyard and through a fence, which leads them to a cul-de-sac, but a gun opens fire at the group, shooting Eli in the head.
Shawn: Shit!
Nathan: Get down!
Walter: Fuck! He got Eli!
The Scavenging party runs over to hide behind several cars.
Kyle: Fuckin sniper.....
Blake: Did you see where it came from?
Shawn: Somewhere down the street.
Kyle: Alright now. Y'all stay here.
Sarah grabs Kyle's arm.
Sarah: No...
Kyle: Before you start, I need you guys to keep him busy. I'm going to go around and see if I can get the jump on him.
Sarah lets Kyle's arm go.
James: Okay. Hey, man. Be careful.
Kyle nods, before he starts to hide behind a building next the group. Kyle sprints from building to building, dodging the sniper's fire until he enters the sniper's house. He looks around until he reaches the upper floor. The sniper attacks Kyle with a knife, causing a struggle, but Kyle quickly overpowers and stabs the sniper to death. Meanwhile, the rest of the scavenging group hides for a few minutes.
Beth: Looks like the sniper fire stopped....
Nathan: I think that means Kyle must've taken care of him.
Walter: Everyone move! No!
The Scavenging group gets from behind the cars and start to run over to another cover as some hunters started running at them. Everyone pulls out their guns and start to fire at every hunter they could see. After the shootout, the scavenging group recovers.
Sarah: Shit...that was intense.
Cassandra: Is it always like it with you guys?
James: Heh...pretty much.
The group starts to walk toward the house, before suddenly a smarm of infected run towards them.
Catherine: Fuck!
A infected knocks Catherine down, but she pushes it up an away from her as Shawn stabs it in the head. Another infected knocks down Sarah, Cassandra and Blake. James shoots the one on Cassandra while Nathan shoots the infected on Blake and Kyle snipes the one on Sarah.
Nathan: Shit...everyone okay?
Sarah, Cassandra and Blake stand up.
Sarah: Yeah. We're fine.
Cassandra: I'm okay.
James: You sure? You're not bit?
Cassandra: No....Blake, are you okay?
Blake: Yeah...I'm fine....
Ashley looks over to see a horde of infected coming towards them.
Shawn: Oh, shit!
Caleb: Let's fucking go!
The scavenging group runs towards the house Kyle was in. They get inside as Walter and Cassandra shut the front door when Kyle comes down the stairs.
Sarah: You're okay.
Kyle: Still alive. Anybody hurt?
Blake: No....
Shawn: No, we're good.
Kyle: I think it's time we got the fuck out of here. Come on.
Billy: Hopefully, by morning that horde will have dispersed, and we can find a different path around it back to the RV.
The group runs towards a backyard and through an opening through the gate. Later inside a giant house, Nathan addresses the scavenging group.
Nathan: Blake and I are going to check the upstairs. Kyle, you and Shawn check the basement....
Kyle: Got it.....
As Kyle and Shawn move to the basement, Shawn speaks to Kyle.
Shawn: Why do you listen to him, man?
Kyle: Nathan....he's a good leader.....
Shawn: he's a fucking joke....he almost got Catherine killed during that stampede.....
Kyle: I heard.....
Shawn: I told Billy I think he should be in charge.
Kyle: Billy's a veteran, but he's not the leading type....
Shawn scoffs.
Shawn: Well, he can't lead...why don't you lead?
Kyle: Me? A leader? Please.....
Shawn: You could lead, man.
Kyle and Shawn walk up to the basement door.
Kyle: Even if I was leader....what would I do with it?
Shawn: Hell, now, I can't choose that for you.....I'm going to check the kitchen real quick....
Kyle pops the basement door open, opening to two infected.
Kyle: (exclaims) Shit!
The two Skinners close in on Kyle.
Kyle: Shit! Shit! Shit!
Kyle pulls out his machete and swings it into the small Skinners neck, fortunately falling onto the ground. Kyle holds the Skinners back while Shawn returns and attempts to shoot. Shawn then rams into the big Skinner, knocking it into the next room, before he finishes it off. Kyle overpowers the skinny Skinner and hacks it to death. Shawn and Kyle recover.
Kyle: Thanks for that.
After clearing the house, Kyle and Shawn walk into the kitchen where Blake, James and Sarah are present.
Kyle: We'll probably find more Skinners....when we search the houses tomorrow...
Blake looks into the pantry, where many canned food is being hold.
Blake: Dude, this place is loaded with canned goods.
Sarah: Do they have peaches?
Blake: Canned peaches. Canned corn. Canned beef. Cherries....
James laughs.
James: I think we can scratch food off the list....This should last us for a good while....
Nathan walks into the kitchen.
Blake: Yeah, well, we still gotta get power grid and electricity off our list. Last I checked, there was a old power plant a few miles north from here.
Kyle: Then that's our next stop...Luckily, when people were looting back in the day, they must've not given two shits about food....lucky for us...
Later, the scavenging party is in the living room as Nathan speaks out.
Nathan: Okay, it's starting to get dark.....and we've gotten food, but we still gotta head to get electricity for Midown Manhattan...luckily, Blake's got a lead to an old electricity plant.
Cassandra: Which saves us a long ass trip to the town I had planned for us....
Nathan: Okay, we've got a master bedroom with a bathroom...and four bedrooms...we've got the central bathroom...Any takers for the bathroom?
Walter: I guess I'll take the bathroom. I've had my share in tubs when I was out there.
Nathan: Just don't be surprised if you wake up to the smell of someone trying to take a shit....
Kyle: Okay....I'll take the attic.
Sarah: Uh....why doesn't Kyle take a room with us?
Nathan: Uh....no....besides, Kyle would want a room by himself....
Kyle: Actually, I wouldn't mind a room with you guys....I'll keep watch....
Nathan sighs.
Nathan: Fine....well, I guess that's that....
Shawn: Guess I'll take the couch.
James: Damn, I was going to say that.....
The scavenge party departs while James and Shawn remain behind.
James: Hey, Shawn....Rock, paper, scissors for the couch?
Shawn: You'll lose, bro.....
James: how do you know?
Shawn: You always pick scissors?
James: Do I? Who knows? It's been four years....I may have changed my tactics....
Shawn: All right....let's do it, shit-sniffer.
Shawn and James play rock, paper n scissors.
Shawn and James: 1! 2! 3! Shoot!
James presents scissors while Shawn presents rock.
Shawn: Ha! Rock beats scissors, bitch!
James: Shit!
Shawn: Looks like I get the couch....
James: Well, where the hell am I supposed to sleep? I'm not sleeping in the goddamn basement, where a Skinner can get my ass!
Cassandra arrives in the room.
Cassandra: James....do you actually have a minute? I found something you might be interested in.
The two brothers look at each other.
James: Uh...sure...
Shawn: Oh....
James nudges Shawn's shoulder, before he follows Cassandra into a room.
James: What's this?
Cassandra picks up a guitar and sits on the bed.
Cassandra: Found this and I figured it belonged to a very talented individual. You gonna shut the door?
James: Why?
Cassandra raises an eyebrow as James shuts the door.
James: It's not like we're doing anything.
Cassandra: Well, I don't want to wake the others....anyway, I heard this song one day and I don't know if I told you, but I play....so I wanted to play this guitar and surprise you.
James: Really?
Cassandra: Really. Really.
James: Is this your way to seduce me?
Cassandra: More like....try to make you smile....promise me you won't laugh....
James: I won't....I won't.. I promise.
Cassandra starts to play some of the notes, before she starts singing.
Cassandra: You're my world. The shelter from the rain. You're the pills that take away my pain. You're the light that helps me find my way. You're the words when I have nothing to say. In this world where nothing else is true, here I am still tangled up in you. I'm still tangled up in you. Still tangled up in you.
As Cassandra continues singing, James smiles at her. Every now and then, as she sings, Cassandra looks at James then at the guitar as she made sure that her fingers got the right notes.
Cassandra: How long has it been since this storyline began? And I hope it never ends. It goes like this forever. In this world where nothing else is true, here I am still tangled up in you. I'm still tangled up in you. Still tangled up in you. I'm still tangled up in you. I'm still tangled up in you.
She finishes the song and looks over at James for his approval and he continues to smile at her.
James: That was beautiful, Cassandra.
Cassandra: Thanks. Had to do secret extra guitar lessons with Blake to do this right...but I was afraid I screw it up.
Cassandra sets her guitar to the side as James chuckles.
James: Cassandra, you did great. Really.
Cassandra bites her lip as she looks over at James and the two share a loving look. There is a weird tension between the two as they stare into each other's eyes as Cassandra's blue eyes shine seem to spark with admiration and happiness. James is too busy to notice the two leaning closer and closer to one another until their lips meet and start to kiss each other. After a moment of kissing each other, the two pull back, but their foreheads are still leaned against each other. James places his left hand on Cassandra's cheek and strokes it with his thumb.
James: Cassandra.....
Cassandra leans in and kisses James again. This kiss more passionate and heated as James cups her face in his hands and leans back. Cassandra starts to get on top of him and he lays back in the bed, their lips never leaving each other. Finally, the two break from the kiss to get some air. The two stare at each other for a moment before James wraps his arms around Cassandra's waist and noticed the position they're in. James looks up at her, embarrassed.
James: Sorry...guess I, uh...got caught in the moment. We can stop before...
Cassandra raises her finger to James' lips to stop him from talking.
Cassandra: I want this. I want you, James. Nothing but you.
Cassandra kisses James.
James: Okay....I can work with that.
James flips Cassandra over where she's laying on her back now as she lets out a giggle and the two get lost in this heated special moment. Nightfall, while everyone is sleeping, Blake is checking on the food they've collected as Sarah walks in.
Sarah: Hey, Blake. What're you doin up?
Blake: Couldn't sleep.....just taking stock of all the food we found today.
Sarah: I see....and how are we doing on canned tomatoes? You know I think once we get back to Midtown Manhattan, we could make another kick ass recipe....
Blake: Think it'll be a while for that.....just gotta rest up after this run, you know?
Blake: Yeah, well....uh....you seen my sister?
Sarah: I think she's with James.....still...if she hasn't come out, then...
Blake: Ah....
Sarah gives a surprised look.
Sarah: (surprised) Oh....that doesn't bother you?
Blake: Cassandra's a grown ass woman....I can't tell her what to do.....I can't tell her who to date...and I'm her older brother...but she's happy....that was almost us...
Sarah: Yeah, it was...
Blake: So.....can I ask you something?
Sarah: Yeah...
Blake: what do you see in Kyle?
Sarah: Blake, we're going with this again?
Blake: I'm just saying...you're...you're very close to him...and your brother obviously doesn't like that...I get why with Kyle's history with Zeus Corps, but what do you see in him?
Sarah: Kyle....he's saved my life....he's a good man...Blake, you're a nice guy, but-I just see you as a friend.
Blake: But you're in love with Kyle...aren't you?
A short pause.
Sarah: Blake, I-I'm just not sure, okay? I'm just not.....maybe if we spend more time as friends when we get home, something can change.
Blake: Well, if you do like Kyle, he is a good man....and he's lucky he's got someone who cares about him...I just hope he realizes it...What could've been, right? Goodnight, Sarah....
Sarah: Goodnight, Blake.
Sarah walks out as Blake throws the football down to the ground. He then sits down and starts crying as he looks down and removes his lower jean to his ankles, revealing a bite mark. The next morning,
James: Cassandra?
Cassandra looks at James and smiles.
Cassandra: I'm just thinking....
James sits up, touching Cassandra's shoulder.
James: About what?
Cassandra: About how lucky I got since you came here.....James, I never thought I could love a boy....back when guys were jerks, they wouldn't just want to get to know me or not risk their lives saving me....you're not like that.....you're special....You're a man who is amazing and reliable....Hell, it must've have been hard....losing your brother...your mother...your father...
James: Yeah, it was....but now I have another person to care about.
Cassandra: So where do we go from here?
James: I don't know....but I know as long as I'm still here.....there will never be a goodbye.
Cassandra smiles and kisses James.
Three Years Ago. 2027
At the Prime Kronos facility, shortly after the encounter with the survivor and his Skinner wife, Sheila is putting in her resignment papers to Ryder.
Ryder: You're resigning, Sheila? May I ask why?
Sheila: Mr. Ryder, Kyle and I were out patrolling and we came across struggling survivors...I signed up because I wanted to help people like that.....and I just....I feel like I could be doing more out there than in here.
Ryder nods.
Ryder: I see.....
After the resignation, Sheila is stopped by Kyle, who overheard the meeting.
Kyle: Sheila....what the hell are you doing?! You're quitting?!
Sheila: Kyle.....my family's still out there, trying to survive the horrors of the wasteland. I can't do anything to help them if I'm in here....you know that...
Kyle: But....we can....we can help people here....we can rebuild.
Sheila: God...Kyle, I get Ryder is like a father to you, but I lost mine out there....
Kyle: Look, I get it.
Sheila: No you don't....you don't have a family to take care....
Kyle: You think I don't have family? You think I don't feel the same fuckin pain you do?
Sheila: Be honest; when's the last time you heard from your brother out there? He's most likely dead.
Kyle: You don't know that.
Sheila: You don't know....You're a soldier....you were born for this....
Kyle: So you're just gonna walk out on me? On us?
Sheila leans in close.
Sheila: If you really love me, you'll come with me.
Kyle sighs and nods.
Kyle: I can't....
Sheila sheds a tear and turns to the exit, leaving Kyle behind.
Kyle: Sheila! Sheila!
Present Day
Meanwhile, in another room, Nathan, Kyle, Sarah and Ashley are seen sleeping as Kyle has his arm rested behind Sarah's head before Kyle awakens to notice this.
Kyle: Oh....damn....uh....sorry...I didn't....I guess I did that in my sleep...
Sarah: It's fine, Kyle....I like it...
Nathan awakens.
Kyle: Hey, man...
Nathan: Hey....you ready for this?
Kyle: As always...
The smell of something good cooking wakes brings come down to the kitchen to see Walter coking some in a pot on top of the portable stove.
Catherine: Goddamn, Walter. Smells good.
Walter: Thanks.
Kyle: Good morning.
Shawn: Where's Billy?
Walter: He woke up early and took Caleb, Beth and Eli to scout ahead. Make sure that horde has cleared out.
Cassandra: Anyone seen my brother?
Shawn: Think he's still sleeping?
Sarah: Oh, I figured...
Cassandra: Why?
Sarah: He was not in a big mood to talk....had something to do with me...
Cassandra: Don't take it personally....I'll go get him.
Sarah: No. I'll go get him. Just kinda need to.
Cassandra: You sure?
Sarah: Yeah....make sure he's not sour about things...
Sarah goes upstairs and enters the room Blake is staying in.
Sarah: Blake?
Sarah looks into the room and sees Blake standing in the corner, twitching.
Sarah: Blake? Are you okay?
Sarah walks closer, but then Blake, now fully infected, turns starts to run at Sarah.
Sarah: BLAKE!
Blake lunges at Sarah as she falls through the door and onto the hallway as the infected Blake lands on top of her, trying to claw at Sarah, who holds him up. The noise alerts everyone else.
Kyle: What the fuck?
Nathan: Sarah?
Ashley: Sarah, are you okay?!
Kyle, Nathan, Walter, Shawn, James, Cassandra, Ashley and Catherine sprint upstairs to find the infected Blake attacking Sarah.
Ashley: Sarah!
James: Fuck! He's turning!
Cassandra, visibly saddened at the sight of her infected brother, runs into the other room.
Sarah: Blake!
Kyle: Do something!
Shawn aims his pistol at the infected Blake, but cannot get an aim.
Nathan: Guys....
Walter: Shoot him, Shawn!
Shawn: I can't get an aim! He's moving too much! I might hit Sarah!
Suddenly, an arrow pierces the side of Blake's temple, killing him. James looks over to see Cassandra has just shot an arrow from her bow. Sarah shoves Blake's body off of her and crawls away, before Kyle and Ashley rush over to her.
Sarah: Oh, my god...Blake...
Ashley: You okay?
Kyle: Did he get you?
Sarah: No....
Cassandra: Blake.....
Cassandra is in shock at what she has just done as James cautiously approaches her.
James: Cassandra....hey...it's okay....it's okay....
As Cassandra sheds tears, James grabs the bow, before Cassandra finally releases it. James then hugs and comforts a crying Cassandra.
James: It's okay....it wasn't him....it wasn't him....
The remaining group buries Blake and Eli outside the area.
Cassandra: What am I going to tell my Dad? My Mom? Maya? What do I tell them?
Kyle: If you can't tell them, we will.....
Kyle touches Cassandra's shoulder.
Kyle: It's going to be okay.
Cassandra: Is it? My brother was supposed to be the next leader of Midtown Manhattan....who will lead it now?
Nightfall, Kyle is talking with Billy.
Kyle: I'm worried about her.
Billy: Cassandra? What good is that going to do? Only thing we can do is tell her, you know, to be strong.....We've gone through what she's going through....and we'll be through hell in the future....we just have to deal with it..