Say Goodbye to America/ Issue 24

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Johnno grunts as he plunges his knife deep into the skull of yet another dead one

Johnno: Thirteen

''He wipes the knife on his faded denim jeans, slowly becoming more and more stained with the blood of dead and alive. He hasn’t washed them yet.''

Johnno: Hey, Kel! You find something useful? All I’ve got is canned green beans, canned corn, canned peas, and canned turnips!

Kelly walks up from the next aisle over with her tongue sticking out

Kelly: I hate turnips. Never liked the way my mother made them at every major holiday

Johnno: (smirking and chuckling) Really now? Well you haven’t had them the way I make them

Savannah walks up with a smarmy look on her face carrying a 12 pack of soda

Savannah: And how would that be? I didn’t know you could light a stove seeing as you can’t start a fire

Johnno: Trust me, it’s delicious. What we need is some brown sugar and nutmeg

''The two girls follow Johnno down the cooking aisle. Across the street, Snow, Sawyer and Sophie are in the department store''

Snow:  All these clothes are from last year’s trends

Sawyer:  But I heard vintage was good

''Snow flashes him a dirty look. Sawyer smirks and chuckles back. The two go back to looking in the pile of clothes in the “Clearance” section. Sophie walks up pushing a cart full of jeans and chinos''

Sophie: Sawyer, can you try these on? I want to see if they’ll fit

Sawyer: Sure. I’ll use the changing rooms. There’s normally extra clothes hanging up

''He takes a pair of chinos and walks back to the changing room. Sophie turns towards Snow''

Sophie: So….

''Sophie waits for Snow to say something, but the latter just walks away towards the skirt section. In the next store, Brett, Clea and Julio are checking out the Bass Pro Shops. Hunting vests, compound bows, Warm winter gear, even semi-auto pistols in the case''

Brett: Damn, this shit cost over 1,000 dollars! Well now it’s free

''He takes his crowbar and hits the glass. He hits it again in the same spot. And again. It takes him a while to crack the glass enough to get into the case. Clea searches the hunting vests and warm winter clothes''

Clea: This is insulated. Unfortunately, they don’t have my size

Julio: You can go a size up, you know

Clea: Have you broken that glass yet, Brett?

Brett: Just did! Here, help me grab some and load it up. Where the hell do they keep the ammo in this place?

Julio: Should be nearby

''Brett looks around for the ammo. He instead finds a random key. It is red and slightly scratched. Looking at the back, he sees a red door''

Brett: Hey guys, come here

Clea and Julio walk up to Brett

Brett: I found this random key on the ground. I assume it’s for that red door in the back

Julio: You thought that because the door is red, right?

Brett: Yeah mostly

''He walks up to the door and puts the key in. It’s a perfect fit. He turns the key and opens the door. The three are met with an abnormal sight. Across the street, Rufus and Arianna are checking out the shoe store. Boots, flip-flops, dress shoes litter the floor''

Rufus: Finally! Brooks running shoes in my size

Arianna: Shh. We might not be alone here

Rufus: We should’ve checked before we looked for shoes

Arianna: Why waste time? If they come too fast and too may for us, we just go across to Brett and Clea and Julio. Simple as that

The pair keep checking the shoes for any good boots

Arianna: I’m glad we got everyone’s shoe size. I didn’t know Griffith wears a size 9

''The pair go back to searching when they hear shuffling  coming from the open doors. They look up to see one lone walker shambling over to the pair. Rufus takes a big Timberland boot and hits the walker in the head, knocking it to the ground. He severely pummels it to death, then tosses the boot aside. In the pharmacy next door, Rose, Griffith and Isaac are searching up and down the aisles for anything useful''

Isaac: I found Ibuprofen and Melatonin. You two find anything?

Rose: Energy bars and batteries

Griffith: Prescription pills. Serotonin, Dopamine, Morphine, you name it. If you wanted to get high, I’d be your man

''Rose hands the two men energy bars. Griffith sticks it in his right breast pocket''

Isaac: I never asked. If you no longer serve, how come you still wear your uniform?

Griffith: When the shit hit the fan, I figured the government would help early on, or at least enlist people who could help. Given my military experience, I figured I would be one who was helped first, or at least protected if the soldiers now needed help. I figured they would believe me more if I wore my uniform and rank.

Rose: Why’d you leave?

Griffith: Wanted a family. When my time was up, I was discharged

''Griffith puts the medication he found in Isaac’s bag. The three continue to search for more supplies''

Ted: I don’t think they’re coming back

Austin sits angrily in his folded chair in the middle of the woods. He hears a biter at a distance. Sensing the old man’s presence, the biter moves towards Austin

Austin:  Did we not send enough men? Should I have sent Jax along, too?

Vincent: You would’ve gotten the boy killed as well. Five is already enough

The biter moves closer

Vincent: You’ve added to this crew since the beginning, you’re a hero to some, leader to all. This will make them want to kill the others more

''The biter is way too close to Austin. It moves to bite the old man. Austin moves his long Bowie knife through the beast’s mouth and into it’s brain. He moves his arm up and to the side, then pulls to the left, the force moving the knife slowly out of the dead head. It drops to the ground''

Austin: Where is everyone?

Ted: At the loading dock 1 mile back. They figured, since it was getting dark, it would be safer than the woods

Inside the loading dock, a circle of Joel, Alicia, Lucie, Zachary, Todd, Izzy, Carter and Jed sit in the dark

Alicia: Joel, why did you call us here?

Joel: Because, I feel like you are the only trustworthy ones. I don’t think Austin is telling us the whole truth. I think he’s stretching it. I don’t trust the man. I don’t trust Vincent either

Todd: I agree. Something has been fishy

Lucie, finally deciding she’s had enough, breaks her silence about what kind of people Austin and Vincent are

Lucie: He and Scott held my husband and son hostage in the basement. Kept my daughter somewhere. I didn’t see her at the compound when we returned

The others are shocked at her revelation

Zachary: Shit, I had no idea

Lucie: He forced me to work here with you or he’d kill my family. I have a feeling he already did

''The door to the loading dock opens and Austin, Ted and Vincent walk in. Behind them are three figures.''

Austin:  Everyone, Ted, Vincent and I have just come across some new recruits. I’d like you to welcome Whitney, Eddie and Haley. Show them the ropes. Inform them of our current situation. That is all

''Sawyer keeps searching through the changing rooms of the changing room in one section. He hears someone walk in''

Snow: How goes the clothing hunting and the chinos?

Sawyer: The chinos fit, but I have not found anything useful. For some reason, there’s a sleeping bag on the ground, and a crushed cell phone. Iphone I think

''He keeps rattling with the hangers as he hears the door to the section open and Snow walks in. She’s wearing nothing but a black mini skirt and a light blue bra. She walks up to him and takes off his sweatshirt. The pair start kissing and sit on the ground. He takes off her bra and keeps kissing her''

''Joel sits in the forest eating a Granny Smith apple he found the previous day. Carter walks up to him''

Carter: Word is Joe and his guys died. I’m starting to believe we might actually be dealing with murderers and Austin is telling the truth

Joel:  (sighs) It’s possible he’s telling the truth. But I’m going to be cautious. I suggest you do so as well

''A few younger people are practicing with the targets set up a ways in the field. One is having a difficult time hitting it''

Jax: Jonathan, you’ve got to focus. You’re missing you’re shots with the easiest rifle we have. Are you a right or left eye dominant?

Jonathan: Left

Jax: You should be shooting with your left hand then. Rest the butt of the gun on your left shoulder and focus. Try again

''Jonathan looks down the barrel of the rifle and squeezes the trigger. He hits his target and knocks it down. Austin, from a distance, smiles and nods his head in approval''

Jax: There you go! Now reload and get the next one

''The sound of gunfire draws the attention of not only a large portion of the group but also a large amount of biters. One comes from the trees behind Joel''

Carter: Joel! Duck!

''Joel ducks as Carter pulls out his pistol and fires point blank at the walker in the head. Joel stands up and the pair run towards the open field where the rest of the group is. The group fire back at the biters''

Izzy: Lucie! Help!

''Izzy is surrounded by biters. Carter, Todd, Jax and Erik go to help her. Todd pulls one back and stabs it in the head. Jonathan stands back and fires at the crowd. He hits one in the back of the head. He reloads. Vincent follows behind him and shoots two more. Austin, Ted and Joel take care of a few while Jed and Eddie take the dead on with melee weapons. Joel, looking to his left, notices six dead swarming a young woman. He is too late to save her. He, Whitney and Haley run towards the swarm and kill the six surrounding biters. Joel, upset that he couldn’t help the poor girl, uses an extra bullet to put her down. ''

''Alicia and two others, Jane and Pierce provide backup for Carter and Todd, allowing Izzy to break free from the swarm and fire on her once captors. Jonathan, freaking out and not paying attention, misses his next shot. He reloads. He watches Vincent put two down with no problem. Jonathan, forgetting what Jax told him, puts the butt of the rifle up against his right shoulder and closes his right eye as his face gets close to the gun. Aiming directly at a biter that’s attacking Erik, the shot is off by a bit, too high and too far to the right. It misses the head of the biter, but perfectly hits Erik in his chest. The bullet brings the big man to the ground. The biter stumbles on top of him and bites into his neck. Noticing a break in their formation, Carter begins to freak out. He runs. Jax and Todd disperse as well. Jonathan, realizing his mistake, looks to Vincent, still firing on the biters''

''Carter runs with Izzy towards Alicia, Jane and Pierce, soon joined by Pierce. They head towards the forest, southeast. Jax runs towards Jonathan and Vincent. He grabs Jonathan by the shoulder and gets Vincent’s attention. Jax drags Jonathan and Vincent with him to the northeast. Todd runs towards Zachary, picking up Vienna and Trenton as well. They head north. Eddie, Austin, Jed and Ted run straight south. Joel, still upset over the woman’s death, does not realize the biters moving towards him. Thankfully, Amanda does and grabs his attention''

Joel: Thanks

Amanda: Don’t mention it

''Together with Lucie, Whitney and Haley, they head west. Mark, not paying attention and focused on being a hero, finally realizes people left him by himself. He does not notice nor hear the biter closing in on him. It grabs hold of him and tears into his neck flesh''

Mark:  AUUUGHH! Mother Fucker!

''He shoots the biter in the head. He holds his shoulder, pooling with blood. He runs awkwardly to the east, only to be met with more biters. He runs back towards the west, but becomes trapped in the field. He counts his ammo. Three bullets left. He fires one. He takes one out. He fires another, and another biter goes down. He puts the barrel in his mouth and lets out a tear. He can not bring himself to fire. The closest biter knocks him down and bites his leg. The others swarm him. With his final ounce of strength, he pushed the gun against his temple and pulls the trigger''

''Sawyer and Snow, getting dressed, begin to hear Sophie calling out their names. She walks by the changing room without checking for the pair. Sawyer holds her bare stomach and pulls her close and kisses her one more time. The pair walk out of the changing section to find Sophie standing in front of the stall. She gives the pair an interesting look.''

Snow: Please don’t tell my dad

''Sophie turns and walks away, grabs the cart and heads out to the street to meet the rest of the supply crew. Snow and Sawyer pick up what they got, give each other a kiss, and follow Sophie out''

''Brett, Clea and Julio stare behind the open red door. Inside, they find blood splattered all over the floor and walls. Brett takes a closer look at the key in the knob. It isn’t painted red. Neither is the door. It’s covered in blood. He steps into the office. There’s nothing. He turns to the right and goes down the hallway. There is an extra door. It is unlocked. He opens it. There’s a bed with a girl in it. Only, it’s not right. Her arms were tied at the elbow to the bed. Her legs were tied down to the edge of the bed. She has no clothes and her hands have been cut off at the wrist. He looks down and sees another woman, in better condition, lying on the ground. She looks malnourished. She coughs and looks up into Brett’s eyes. She wears a black nightgown. Brett, realizing she is alive, drops his weapon and picks the girl up in his arms. She  drapes her arms around his neck''

Brett: Miss. Miss, are you okay? Who did this?

''She steadily breathes and attempts to answer his question. Julio hands Brett a bottle of water and Brett gives it to the girl. Julio also gives her his peanut butter sandwich. She takes a bite and drinks and attempts to answer the question again''

“He’s coming back soon. With more girls”

Brett: What’s his name? Did he rape you?

“His name’s Burt. He didn’t rape me. Wants two so one watches”

Clea taps her brother’s shoulder

Clea: C’mon, time’s up, we have to go

Brett: You go, I’ll be right there

''Clea and Julio walk out the room. Brett sits the girl on the bed and gives her his Gatorade and some jelly beans''

Brett: This will help your strength

He turns to walk away, but the girl makes him stay

Adelaide: Name’s Adelaide Hill. What’s yours?

Brett: Brett. Brett Lars

Adelaide: Please take me away from here

Brett picks up Adelaide and carries her out to join the group in the street

Main:
Emily Beecham as Sophie Seamus

Dave Grohl as Isaac Ames

Tom Felton as Rufus StewertsonDarren Criss as Johnno Topsy Allison Miller as Kelly Blake

Jack Gleeson as Brett Lars

Alan van Sprang as Griffith Ward

Anne Hathaway as Rose Harrison

Javier Bardem as Julió Lopez

Recurring:
Kelen Coleman as Arianna Davis

Summer Glau as Savannah Brooks

Mia Frampton as Snow Ames

Zachary Gordonas Sawyer Murphy

Joseph Pilato as Austin

Drew Barrymore as Lucie Thymes

Thomas Ian Nicholas as Carter Andrews

Kevin Zegers  as Vincent

Raul Esparza as Joel Masterson

Tom Hardy as Todd Meyers

Jude Law as Zachary Tompkins

Amy Adams as Alicia Monet

Dylan Riley Snyder as Jax Henderson

Tim Rozon  as Ted O'Neil

Freida Pinto  as Izzy Milton

Faye Marsey as Adelaide Hill

Co-Starring:
Sarah Hyland as Clea Lars

Paul Dano as Mark Hanson

Sprague Grayden as Amanda

Zooey Deschanel  as Whitney Smith

Nickola Shreli as Trenton (No Lines)

Gabriella Wilde as Vienna (No Lines)

Tom Mison as Jed Crane

Cory Michael Smith as Eddie Jones

Ansel Elgort as Jonathan

Michael Rapaport as Erik (No Lines)

Emma Stone as Haley Browne

Chris Hemsworth as Kurt (No Lines)

Deaths
Erik

Mark Hanson

2 Unknown Women

Trivia
First Appearance of Adelaide Hill

First Appearance of Jed Crane

First Appearance of Whitney Smith

First Appearance of Haley Brown

First Appearance of Eddie Jones

First Appearance of Vienna

First Appearance of Kurt

First Appearance of Jonathan

First Appearance of Trenton

First Appearance of Amanda

First (and Last) Appearance of Erik

Last Appearance of Mark Hanson