ABOVE THE DEAD .com
Season 2, Episode 5 (mid-season finale, 51 pages)
"Stalled"
INTRO
BLACK...
FADE IN:
EXT. GERMAN TOWN ROAD - DAY
View from the UPS truck, as it turns onto German Town Road (a steep hill that quickly rises in elevation). Everyone inside is excited...
SAM
We're going to make it. I know we are!
DJ smiling, and checking side mirror... His smile fades, as he takes notice of multiple motorcycles...
DJ
Everyone, gun up! We have company!
Everyone becoming nervous, but also prepared, and ready to defend themselves...
The bikers open fire on the truck. Back door to truck slides open, with heavy packages instantly pouring onto the street. The lead bikers all bite the dust, with the other half now taking over, and approaching the truck...
Eli begins going completely savage, tossing more packages into the road, as some bikers dodge the packages, while others bite the dust...
4 bikers remain, and approach the truck, about to open fire...
But Marlana and Sam now pass Eli, and begin firing guns at the bikers. Two more are shot, and go down. Eli now fires his gun, as the final two bikers come to a stop, in the road. They simply watch, as the UPS truck continues on. Marlana and Eli, flipping them the bird...
DJ's view through side mirror, of the bikers turning back down the hill. He pumps his fist against the wheel, with emotion, and a look toward Renee, in passenger seat. She still looks scared, but forms a small smile, as DJ's emotion begins going through the roof.
DJ
YEEAAAHHHH, BABY! How many times will those
assholes try to take us out, before they come to
realize it's just not meant to be! We are
compound-bound, baby! And not a God damn
thing out there can stop us!
Eli now pumped and screaming from the back, out toward the road, behind them.
ELI
YEAH! HE AIN'T LYING! CAUSE THAT'S HOW
IT'S GOING DOWN!
DJ
(OS)
YEAH!
ELI
And if you couldn't stop us before, and you can't
stop us now, HOW YOU EVER GONNA' STOP US
AT THE COMPOUND, BABY?!
DJ
YEAH, BABY!
ELI
'CAUSE SAM'S FAMILY IS UN-FREAKING STOPPABLE!
DJ
YEAH!
SAM
GOD DAMN RIGHT THEY ARE!
DJ
YEAH! YEAH, SAM!
ELI
AND I FINALLY GET TO MEET, ZANE!
DJ
YEAH!
SAM
YEAH, YOU DO!
ELI
YEAH!
SAM
WE'RE SURVIVORS! WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT!
DJ
YEAH, WE ARE!
ELI
WE ARE, BABY! WE REALLY ARE!
DJ
YEAH!
SAM
YEAH!
ELI
NO ONE CAN STOP US!
Marlana watching, with a smile, and a tear...
Renee watching, with a smile, as they continue up the road/hill, with extreme pumped emotions...
DISSOLVE TO:
THEME TUNE/CREDITS
Birds eye POV of the truck going up the hill, as birds eye travels high, showing the steep hill, and the woodsy area to come, followed with farmlands, and open roads, until it comes to Highway 26 (West), where it's completely backed up with cars, as opening credits roll…
CUT TO: FLASHBACK
EXT. FISH'S CABIN - NIGHT
Leo jumping into front seat of hummer, as others quickly jump inside. He looks back at Dakota, helping Scout into the very back, and covering her wound. Leo looks at Zane, who climbs inside, looking back at Scout. Leo grabs Zane, who tries going back outside.
ZANE
FISH?! SAM?!
Door closes (as they're still being fired at, and have huffs approaching), as Leo begins backing up, and driving away. He then begins hitting the wheel, with extreme frustration, as Zane is heard yelling his own frustration, from back seat...
MASON
What the hell was that?!
GUNNER
Why would the army fire on us?!
CHASIN
They were already firing on someone else, maybe
they just thought we were a threat.
MASON
Who the hell were they firing at? Fish and the
others? Were they in the tree house?
DAKOTA
Did anyone see them?
GUNNER
No!
MASON
No!
DAKOTA
We have to go back!
LEO
Would everyone just shut up!... And let me think...
MASON
We need to get Scout, back, and take the quickest
damn route.
Leo just thinking, as he looks at Scout...
LEO
Your boys will get them back. Wyatt and Dakota,
too. You, Zane, and I, will finish what we came for...
MASON
They're my brothers, too, Leo! But we can't keep splitting
up our family, like this! How will we even get home?
LEO
We'll figure out a way, but we can't risk more lives,
coming all the way back up here. This is our only shot.
MASON
It's been almost two weeks. I hope to God they're
safe, but you saw what we all just saw... They're
either home, or stuck somewhere, trying to get
home, in which case we have no clue where to look.
LEO
So, we just go home and pray they make it there,
by themselves? Can you live with that? Never
knowing what happened to them…leaving without
even getting back to that cabin?
ZANE
We have to go back. There's a compartment in
the tree house. If they left, Fish or Sam would
have left a note there, for us…
Everyone silent...
Zane thinking...
SCOUT
Stop the car... Stop the car, and go get my big
brothers, before I do it my God damn self!
Dissolve to hummer pulling off to side of road. Everyone quickly climbing out, except Dakota/Scout, and organizing their gear...
WYATT
I'm going with you guys.
Wyatt begins loading himself a pack. No one answers him, they just pack up supplies, in silence...
Dissolve to Dakota in back with Scout. Gunner in driver's seat, and Chasin next to him. Leo is at driver's side window...
LEO
No more search parties. I don't care if we never
return, send NO ONE else out into this mess.
Enough of us have been lost, already...
Gunner nods, as Mason approaches Chasin's side, and Leo goes to Zane, placing a hand on his shoulder. Mason does the same, with Chasin, and nods at Gunner. Windows goes up, and they pull away. Zane gives Dakota a look, as they drive off, leaving the four of them alone, with flashlights, guns, and their packs (wearing their vests)…
Zane looks over at Leo...
ZANE
We're either finding them, or dying trying...
LEO
Damn right, we are...
They all begin walking, opposite direction in which hummer went...
ZANE
The plan?
LEO
We sneak back onto the property. Get as close
to the tree house as we can, and either find them,
or a letter telling us which direction they headed.
They walk in silence…
Suddenly, they see headlights, coming toward them. They break for the side of the road, and into the brush. Their POV of several army vehicles approaching.
ZANE
Shit...
Zane coming out of brush.
LEO
What the hell are you doing?
ZANE
Dakota's like thirty seconds ahead of them! We have
to intervene. Maybe we'll get lucky. I have a way with
people. (looking at his dad) So do you, when you try.
Zane throwing up arms/gun.
ZANE
You guys hold back, a second. Ambush em' if they
try to shoot me!
Leo and others holding back, as vehicles arrive and stop. Soldiers instantly holding guns on Zane.
COLONEL RYERSON
Who are you? What are you doing out here?
ZANE
I'm Zane Baker, of the Baker family. We have a
compound, where you can survive. All you have
to do is help us find my little -
COLONEL RYERSON
Stop talking, now! (looking all around) You keep
saying we, us. Where is us, at? All I see, is you?
Leo rolling his eyes, readying his weapon.
Zane staring right at the Colonel...
ZANE
Us, is in the brush, aiming guns on you and your
men. (men looking all around) We are not looking
for a fight. We want to collaborate. You need us,
we need you.
Colonel Ryerson aiming gun right at Zane...
COLONEL RYERSON
One, two, three... I reach ten, and the Baker family
loses a member. Four, five, six, seven, eight -
Leo coming out of brush, aiming gun directly at Colonel Ryerson...
LEO
The Baker family is losing no more of its members,
not without the army losing several of theirs. My
gun is on you, your men's guns are on me, and my
other family members guns, are on them.
It's a standoff…
Soldiers are nervously looking around. The Colonel begins smiling, as headlights suddenly appear, with approaching vehicles. Several more army vehicles pull up. Soldiers begin running over, with guns drawn, aimed at Leo and Zane...
MAJOR DAVID
What's going on here, Lieutenant?
COLONEL RYERSON
Colonel Ballard is awol, Major. Please refer to me
by my proper rank.
MAJOR DAVID
Yes, Colonel!
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CAMPGROUND BASE - NIGHT
Army vehicles driving through gate (as guards close it behind them), and into a campground, made into a base. There are structures, army tents, RV's, and a fenced jail area, put up around an outhouse. There are several prisoners inside, including two soldiers. There are also a few different covered areas, with sleeping bags...
Soldiers begin leading Leo, Zane, Mason, and Wyatt toward the jail area. Colonel Ryerson is looking through their weapons and packs...
COLONEL RYERSON
They have some impressive gear, here. (looking at
other soldiers) I wasn't sure at first, but I'm beginning
to buy into this compound crap. This could be an
opportunity for us...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. JAIL AREA - MORNING
Leo sleeping, with Mason and Wyatt close by, doing the same. Zane sits against fence, staring ahead, in thought...
He then takes notice of a soldier (one of the 2 locked up inside jail area), coming out of the outhouse, and sitting over close by the other soldier, who is sleeping on the ground. Zane rises, and walks toward them...
ZANE
Mind me asking why you're on this side of the fence?
Soldier looking at him, shaking his head...
DARIUS
I'm no different than these (motioning outside the
jail) guys. I just wanted to go save my family, and
knew things were heading this direction.
Zane looking around at the few other prisoners...
ZANE
What about the rest of these people?
DARIUS
That guy over there. He didn't even deserve to be
in here. Just stood up for a young lady, who wanted
nothing to do with the attention one of the other
soldiers kept giving her. The others deserved it at the
time, but...(shaking head) Ridiculous that they're still
in here...Everyone's just too worried about their own
safety, and too scared to stand up to the new Colonel...
Zane looks up, as a soldier (Smith) arrives, and the guard begins unlocking the gate for him. Leo is now awake, and had been watching Zane, but is now focused on the soldier. Mason wakes, and watches the soldier, who enters and comes toward them, with some food. The guard, carefully watches them, while aiming his riffle, as the soldier places food down at a picnic table.
LEO
So, you're feeding us...I guess that's a good sign...
ZANE
Can you at least inform us of the plan?
SOLDIER
Something went down at our other base. The Colonel
went to take care of it. After that, he intends to pick
up his wife in Northern California. Should take him at
least a couple days, to get back. When he does, we go
for your compound.
ZANE
That's perfect, and while he's in Cali, how about you
let us go get the rest of our family, so that we can all
go back to the compound together. You deny us that,
and what reason would we possibly have to welcome
you back to our home?
SOLDIER
I don't disagree with you, and if I were calling the
shots, I'd have no problem with it. (leaving) I just
don't have the pull around here, to make that
happen for you.
ZANE
At least hear us out…
Soldier keeps walking away, as guard opens gate, locking behind him.
Dissolve to Colonel Ryerson driving through the gates, followed by many other vehicles...
Zane and others, watching from jail area...
Their POV and sound of Colonel Ryerson speaking to Major David.
COLONEL RYERSON
We secured it, but the perimeter is too damaged. I'm
going for my wife. Move all civilians to the second base,
including the prisoners, but not our new ones. Free
Darius and Tanner, and put them back to work. (staring
toward Zane and them) Interrogate our compound
friends, see if that's an actual option, or not... (Major
just staring at him) Something to say, Major?
MAJOR DAVID
You said the perimeter was damaged...won't the
civilians be at risk?
Colonel Ryerson moving in closely, to Major David...
COLONEL RYERSON
We're not babysitters, anymore, Major. We won't be
alive, a month from now, if we don't worry about
ourselves, first, and civilians, absolutely not at all...
Dissolve to Zane getting as close to the gate as he can, as soldier Smith enters...
SMITH
Everyone, except for the newbies, are free to go.
Darius, Tanner, check in with Major David.
Zane moving toward Smith, slyly handing him a note, which Smith nervously accepts. He looks right at Zane, before turning and exiting, behind the others. The guard locks up, as Smith glances at the note.
NOTE
Just a meeting with the Major, PLEASE?
Dissolve to Zane and Leo watching, as Major David loads all the civilians, up. Soldier Smith stands close by, looking from the Major, to the jail area. The Major climbs into his vehicle, as do the others. Smith hands the Major a note. He glances at it, then toward the jail area, and back at Smith. He then drives off, with all the others...
Dissolve to Zane and Leo pacing, Mason and Wyatt sitting...
Dissolve to Zane and Leo sitting, impatiently. Mason and Wyatt are walking, stretching their legs...
Dissolve to Zane doing yoga/stretching, Leo some pushups, and both Mason and Wyatt doing some stretching...
Dissolve to Zane impatiently pacing...
DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME
INT. UPS TRUCK - DAY
DJ's view of the onramp, onto highway 26. It's completely backed up with traffic, down there, as he keeps driving straight…
Dissolve to DJ coming to another road, that is blocked with cars. Sam inside, looking at DJ, as he turns the truck around. They all watch, as he goes back direction they just came, until turning onto a different road...
Dissolve to DJ coming to another "dead end", turning, and again searching for a different route...
Dissolve to DJ coming to another potential roadblock. He tries to be a little aggressive, forcing his way through a pair of vehicles. Everyone inside nervously looking amongst one another.
MARLANA
Just don't get us stuck. It's not worth losing the truck.
SAM
Seeing more and more huffs, around here, too...
DJ continues ahead, but then stops...
DJ
Damn it...
He begins slowly backing up. Truck squealing as it rubs against the other vehicles. Suddenly, a loud thump and instant dent, on top of the truck, scares everyone, inside. The women all scream. Even Eli jumps.
DJ
What the hell was that?!
They can now hear a huff moving around on top...
ELI
Jesus Christ, that damn thing must have leapt
right off one of those buildings!
DJ begins backing up again, a little too fast, as the huff comes rolling down the front window. The women again scream!
They watch as it rises in front of them, as DJ continues backing away, before turning. Three more huffs are right in front of them. DJ somewhat drives around them, hitting them, even running over the top of one, as they go back the way they came from...
Dissolve to DJ driving down a long open road. There are random vehicles off side of the road, and sometimes in the road, as he carefully goes around them. He blows by some people, pleading for help. He blows by another guy, actually holding up a thumb, hitchhiking. He passes huffs, here and there. They all watch as he passes a huff on the ground, eating a dead person...
Dissolve to them passing a sign, reading "Forest Grove", but there is an "R" spray painted at the end of it, reading "Forest Grover"...
They come to another sign, reading "Oregon Beaches"...
DJ passes it, then pulls to side of road, and stops engine. Eli opens back of truck, and goes into the grassy area (with his bat), and behind a tree. Marlana takes Sam (both holding guns) and Renee with her, into grassy area, and behind some different trees. DJ finds his own private area...
While they're all gone, a huff comes out of grassy area, from other side of road. It comes to the truck, walking around it. Eli comes out of grassy area. Casually walks right toward huff, and demolishes it...
He looks up, as another one comes out of grassy area. He approaches it, swings, and takes it out. Two more now come out of grass.
ELI
What the hell, man. What is this, a God damn
huff convention?!
He approaches and prepares to swing, but suddenly, over a dozen more huffs come out of grassy area. Eli's eyes go wide, as he backs up. He watches, as their numbers quickly mount...
ELI
(turning and running back to truck)
BATHROOM BREAK OVER, GUYS!
Everyone hustling out of grassy area, with fear, once they see the huffs. They rush into the truck. They get inside just in time. The truck is quickly surrounded by them. DJ turns the key, but the engine fails. He desperately tries again, but to the sound of a dead engine!
He looks outside, at all the huffs, then to his sister, looking back at him.
SAM
It won't start?! Try it again!
He turns the key again, with no life. They are doomed!
DJ tries to think, quickly...
DJ
Okay, everyone grab your packs and put em' on!
Grab whatever guns you can, and your spears.
Then everyone get ready to run out the front door,
once I get their attention to the back!
They all begin quickly gathering what they can. Sam grabs the carrier. DJ helps position them toward the front, ready to roll. He goes to the back.
DJ
Stay low, so none of them see or hear you! Run
out the doors and straight down the road, until
I catch up with you. Do that, as soon as I say go!
DJ opens the back and instantly makes a bunch of noise. The huffs arrive, as he slams door on them.
DJ
How clear is it?!
ELI
I think we can make it!
DJ takes one final deep breath, before opening back door. He lets the huffs begin to work toward climbing up inside.
DJ
GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!
DJ backs up, watching them, as the others climb out, and begin running down the road. DJ leaps out behind them, as they all run from the scene...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FIELD - DAY
DJ and all of them, resting under a handful of trees, out in the middle of nowhere, just a big field of grass/wheat. They are all catching their breaths, in silence...
Marlana lays back, closing her eyes and just relaxing. Renee does the same...
SAM
I like this spot...can see anyone coming, from a mile
away...makes me feel safe... (looking into the trees)
All we need now, is a tree house...
DJ
That and a 7/11, and we could just vacation here
for a week, before our long hike.
ELI
Oh my God, the damage I'd do to a cherry slurpee,
right about now!
RENEE
Yes, please!
SAM
Oh, yes!
DJ
I hate their pizza there, but would dine on that
cheap crap, right about now, like it was mom's
homemade Thanksgiving dinner!
MARLANA
What the hell is wrong with you...(everyone silent,
looking at her) First 7/11 and now Thanksgiving,
again?! You almost killed me with your Turkey Day
memories of Todd, and now here you go again. My
family made the most amazing spread, every four
years, when we all got together for it. What Eli
would do to that slurpee, is nothing compared to
the attack mode I'd be in, for a meal like that!
Others laughing...
DJ
Thanksgiving's actually coming up, soon...I think...
(looking to Sam) They still celebrate that at the
compound, right?
SAM
(nodding)
Are you kidding me? My grandpa built that place to
continue all of life's best traditions. I think the day
you walk me through those doors will be considered
a holiday of its own! One with a ton of food!
MARLANA
Depending on exactly what they have there, I can
make some pretty tasty dishes.
DJ leans against Marlana.
DJ
If you were a man, and younger, you'd be in
big trouble.
Sam, Eli, and Marlana all laughing...
Renee is asleep...
SAM
Is Renee asleep?
DJ looking over at her, with a smile.
DJ
Yep...she heard slurpee and went straight to
dreamland, just so she could imagine herself
drinking one.
Everyone laughing...
They become silent, sitting there relaxing...
DJ looks over at Bailey, inside the carrier...
DJ
I hate to say it, Sam, but I think it's time to make
Bailey do his own walking. Lugging that thing all
the way there, is not gonna' happen...
Sam just staring at the carrier...
RENEE
(OS)
Will he follow us?
ELI
Holy crap! Thought you were crashed...
DJ
(smiling)
I wasn't sure, the first time we tried it, and never
had to test it, but something tells me he will do
just fine. Even if he stops to hunt, or something,
he'll find our scent, with ease.
RENEE
What about huffs?
DJ
Are you kidding me? A human couldn't catch a
cat that didn't want to be caught...the huff that
catches one, is the huff even Eli doesn't wanna'
mess with!
Some chuckles...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. GRASS/WHEAT FIELD - DAY
DJ and all of them, hiking through a large open field. Bailey is actually having fun, running through the grass, after them, and stopping, then catching up again. Nothing but grass/wheat, surrounds them, in all directions...
They walk in silence...
DJ
I'll buy a slurpee, for the first person to start
a decent conversation. I'm bored, people...
RENEE
Are we really back to slurpees again?
ELI
I'd write you a damn book, if you really had
one to offer!
SAM
I keep picturing those scenes in Return of the Jedi,
of Ewok village. Remember how they lived in trees?
With wooden bridges from one tree to the next...
Sam silent, lost in thought, as everyone else simply stares at her, waiting for more...
ELI
I guess Sam has a conversation.
SAM
We need to build communities like that. Places
where people can farm down below, but sleep
safely above, above the dead...Not just
communities, but rest stations, too. Places
where our scouts can be safe, and rest…above…
Everyone staring at her, as they walk on, in silence...
DJ
They have the resources there, to do such a
thing, don't they?
SAM
(nodding)
Grandpa was prepared for that...
ELI
Crazy thing is, you guys already have tree houses
at the compound, without ever knowing about
all of this.
SAM
(nodding)
Now we need them outside the compound...
Dissolve to them coming to a large creek, in a nice quiet spot. They all stop and rest, splashing some water on their faces, and drinking. Bailey hangs back, away from the water...
DJ
(looking over the creek)
We can catch some dinner here. This is where we
reside for the night. Catch some breakfast in the
morning, and hike, what, another twenty-five, thirty
miles, before reaching the compound?
ELI
Thirty miles, really?
SAM
Maybe thirty-five.
Eli closing his eyes, at the thought...
ELI
That's too far. We need to find a car...
DJ
Anyone here know how to hotwire one?
DJ looking at Marlana...
MARLANA
Why you looking at me? Why does the black
woman have to know how to hot wire a car?
RENEE
Really…black jokes have survived the apocalypse?
Marlana and others cracking up, as she gives DJ a nudge…
DJ
I know it's a long way, but I just feel like it's safer
on foot, hiding whenever we see trouble, walking
where we can see or hear anything, or anyone,
long before running right into it... Gonna' take a
little longer, but our legs will be buffer than
anyone at the compound.
Eli mustering a smile…
DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK
EXT. JAIL AREA - DUSK
Major David and his men, driving through the gates, as Zane and Leo look on...
They watch as he chats with some men, puts some things away, and walks into one of the tents...
Zane begins shaking his head...
ZANE
Scared son of a bitch won't even face us...
LEO
He's tired...has his hands full out there...that works
for us...he'll soon realize he needs us...
ZANE
Hopefully before Colonel Fantasy Land, returns.
LEO
He won't be back for at least another day or two...
we'll have our chance with the Major, tomorrow.
Suddenly, they notice the Major coming back outside, right toward them, carrying food...
LEO
Or much sooner...
They watch as both Smith and the Major come to the gate, and the guard lets them in. They bring food to the picnic table...
MAJOR DAVID
I hear you require a meeting with me?
Zane and Leo share a look...
LEO
We believe you're the right one to reason with.
Colonel "Fantasy Land", as my son calls him, is
just crazy. He will not find his wife, out in this mess.
He won't lead any of you and your men, to a new
life, somewhere safe. He certainly won't see the
inside of that compound. It's guarded by walls that
can't be breached, and men hiding in places, you'll
never see them coming from. They have 50-Cal riffles
and RPG's on the wall, and you can't even see where
they're being fired from. It's not just our family in
there, it's a community.
ZANE
What my dad is saying, is we're your ticket, through
the gates of that compound...
Major David just staring at them...
MAJOR DAVID
What if we bring this to him?
Leo shaking head.
ZANE
You know him better than us. What would he do?
The Major just staring at them again...
MAJOR DAVID
I don't know. Everyone in command is becoming
unpredictable. Before coms went down, we were
receiving orders so sketchy, that we simply quit
listening. The original Colonel is still out there,
believed to be coming back for the fencing. He
took half the men, God knows where, and hasn't
been heard from.
LEO
We know where he went. We had a run in with
him last night, right before you came across us.
ZANE
They were involved in some kind of huge gunfight,
possibly with our family, at least on our land.
MAJOR DAVID
Why would your family be involved in a gunfight
with the US Army?
ZANE
You just said yourself, everyone in command is
becoming unpredictable, like Mr. Fantasy Land.
Major David again just staring at them...
MAJOR DAVID
This is my problem...I don't know you guys. I don't
know if any of what you're selling me, is true or not.
LEO
Then why are you trusting a man, whose plan is
to use us as bait, to get into a place that maybe
isn't even real, given that we're not trustworthy?
MAJOR DAVID
He hasn't determined that, yet. I'm supposed to
be doing that for him, now...
ZANE
The main reason we want you to take our word for
it, is to go save my ten-year-old cousin, who is going
to make this world a better place someday. I've always
thought that, and I still do. Our grandfather is the most
amazing man we've ever known. He's done things and
envisioned things, that most people in this world, can't
even begin to think up. He doesn't have much time to
contribute to this new world...but her...she is the closest
thing in our family, to having the magic inside of her,
that he does...
Leo staring at Zane...
Mason and Wyatt also staring at him...
Both Major David and Smith, staring at him as well...
MAJOR DAVID
Talk about a fantasy...
DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME
EXT. CAMP CREEK - DAWN
Marlana waking, with a look over at the others, where Bailey sleeps on Sam. DJ's sleeping bag is empty. Marlana looks over to the creek, where DJ is fishing...
She begins rising, with a look from DJ. She keeps her sleeping bag wrapped around her, as she walks over to him... She arrives, just staring at him, as he stares back...
MARLANA
I hope you know how special it is, what you do
for these kids...
DJ looking back at the sleeping kids...
DJ
Special, is what they are...and you've been a pretty
big help, yourself.
MARLANA
Says the man, awake before the sun even rises,
catching breakfast for everyone else.
DJ
The man, trying to catch breakfast.
Marlana smiles, and leans against DJ, standing there watching him fish...
Dissolve to morning, with everyone sitting around the fire, eating fish. Sam feeds Bailey, some...
Marlana puts cocoa mix into cups, as DJ moves hot water off the fire, and pours into the cups. Marlana stirs, and hands cups out to the kids...
SAM
This could be it...our last day, before we actually
make it!
ELI
You think we can make twenty-five to thirty-five
miles, by tomorrow?
SAM
Unless we walk into the night…then maybe we
get there by midnight.
ELI
I'm down!
DJ
Pass! Way too dangerous walking at night, and
I'm too old for anything more than twenty miles
in one day.
SAM
Too old...you're barely an adult!
Everyone laughing, a bit...
Dissolve to DJ and them (Sam holding Bailey), hiking on side of the highway, close enough to quickly hide, if needed. They're passing a pond/water hole...
SAM
My favorite corn dog store, is up here. I would
always get excited when we passed this pond,
'cause I knew we were close to those corn dogs.
ELI
Any chance they're still open?
Few laughs…
Dissolve to them all walking through grassy area (Bailey following), off from the highway, a bit. There is a house nearby, as they stay away from the property...
SAM
I always loved this drive...so much beauty...
I always wondered what it'd be like to walk,
or ride a bike...to see it all...
Dissolve to them all walking on the highway (Bailey following). Steep, rugged, hillside terrain on one side of highway, and a steep drop off, on the other side (with river below). They creep around corner of highway, with nothing but more highway ahead...
SAM
No people, no huffs, and even if there were, who
cares, we have Eli, he's the huff terminator...
we're going to make it!
Dissolve to Eli laughing as he almost slips on a rock, in the river. Sam laughing with him. Marlana hops over the rocks, like a pro. DJ (holding Bailey) helps Renee getting over a big rock, without slipping...
Suddenly, they all freeze, at the sound of vehicles, heard from the highway. It gets much louder. It sounds like semi-trucks, many of them. They all duck down low, against/behind the rocks, in the river. Bailey is nervous, and scratching DJ, who quickly places him down on a rock (surrounded by water). Bailey just freezes there...
They watch, through the brush above, with a limited view, of what looks like semi-trucks and other large machinery type of vehicles. Maybe even tractors. It takes a lifetime to go by, traveling around them in a large loop…
They remain quiet, until suddenly Sam becomes excited.
SAM
That has to be them...it HAS to be!
Sam begins skipping over rocks like never before. One after another. Yelling for her family.
SAM
ZANE! SCOUT! UNCLE LEO! I'M HERE!
DJ
SAM...are you...sure?
Eli begins running after her. Marlana hurries, as well. DJ and Renee, begin to hustle, Bailey remains on the rock, until he finally challenges himself, to leap onto the next one, and so on...
Suddenly, Eli is heard screaming, in agony!
Sam turns and looks back, toward Eli. The others all look. He lays in the river, obviously hurt. They all begin rushing his direction...
They arrive and help him up, but he is unable to put pressure on his ankle, and is crying out in pain...
ELI
Oh, I messed it up, bad! It never hurt like this before!
MARLANA
You've done this before?
ELI
Sprained ankles happen to me like huffs are
happening to the world, but never this bad!
Eli in a ton of pain, as they help him to the shoreline, sitting him on a rock...
DJ shaking his head, as he watches the swelling, already taking over...
DJ
Put it back in the water. It's as good as ice.
DJ and Marlana helping him move to another rock, and positioning his ankle into the cold water...
Sam looks from Eli, back toward the road and direction her "family" went off in...
SAM
They must be building, already...adding on...
Dissolve to DJ and Marlana helping Eli, limp up a hill. Sam struggling to get up herself, while carrying Bailey. Renee waits, behind everyone...
They reach the top, and take notice of a home, nearby. DJ gives Marlana a look, before they begin heading toward the home...
Suddenly, they all stop, and stare ahead, toward the house, where a man and woman have come out onto porch, looking back at them all...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Eli on a couch, with his foot elevated and wrapped. Everyone else is nearby, including the man (Aiden, 30) and his wife (Blair, 28), and her grandparents (Owen, Wendy, 75ish).
BLAIR
My parents never made it, and we have no idea
where, or what happened to the rest of our family...
Bailey under Sam's chair, being hissed at, by Wendy's cat (Maggers)...
WENDY
Maggers! You knock that off, old lady!
Sam and Renee both chuckle...
SAM
You named her Maggers?
BLAIR
She named her Maggie, but my nickname, stuck...
Blair smiling at her grandma...
DJ
So...other than your cars being stolen, you haven't
had any trouble, here? Since it all went down?
AIDEN
Not even much of the dead, at least not as much as
you've all seen. With plenty of fish in the river, and
hunting available, we feel we can make a life here.
DJ staring at them, before shaking his head, a little...
DJ
I'm sorry to be blunt...but if the dead don't scare
you...the living surely will... I'm not saying travel
with us, but once we get there, (looking at Sam)...
SAM
My family will come back here, for you...for
helping us get back to them.
AIDEN
I don't know what we can do to help?
DJ
You could let us stay a couple nights. We'll do
the fishing, and (motioning at Eli) he'll be soaking
that ankle of his all day long. The cold water will
have him ready, by day after tomorrow...
OWEN
We can do that…
Dissolve to morning, with Eli's swollen/bruised ankle soaking in fast-flowing river water, as DJ pulls in a fish...
It's just the two of them, down there, except for Aiden, who is approaching...
AIDEN
Not only do you guys magically have a compound,
but you can fish, too, I see.
DJ
Well, the little girl up there, is the one with the
magic. But yeah, I can fish.
DJ smiling at him...
AIDEN
So (motioning back up toward the house)...she
really believes the logging caravan, we saw drive
by, yesterday, was her family?
DJ
Makes sense, I guess. I mean, who else, only three
weeks into the apocalypse, is capable of such a thing?
Aiden simply shrugging...
Dissolve to Sam on porch (Bailey in her lap), staring out at the highway. Renee is next to her, with Maggers in her lap. Blair comes out, onto porch, smiling at Maggers, in Renee's lap...
BLAIR
So...if that is your family, Sam, what is it they're
doing, with all that wood?
SAM
It excites me, to guess. It could be more homes,
more rest areas. Maybe they're even using my
idea, and building tree houses.
Sam begins to frown...
SAM
I'm just...surprised...they'd already be doing that...
when...
Sam silent...
Dissolve to everyone inside, eating lunch. Blair and her family look happy/excited. They have hope...
Everyone is watching Bailey, who keeps coming outside from under Sam's chair, only to turn and zip right back under, once Maggers hisses at him. Everyone is laughing over it...
SAM
Playdates for these two, once both at the
compound, that's for sure!
DJ
Maybe...we should keep him here? Until we
get back?
Sam instantly stops smiling...
BLAIR
He'd be more than welcome, here...
SAM
I'm worried he'd try to follow us...even if it was
a day later. Once he got the chance...he could
get lost looking for us.
OWEN
The child's not wrong...he'd go after them, first
chance he got.
DJ
That's okay...he's made it this far, he'll see it
to the end, with us.
Bailey running back under the chair, with some chuckles...
Suddenly, everyone turns and looks outside, to the sound of something on the road. Sam rushes to the window. Everyone else rising, and edging toward window, as sounds gets louder. They all watch, as all those same semi-trucks, and other machinery-equipped vehicles, begin driving by. The semi-beds are empty, this time, as they go the opposite direction...
Sam is about to bolt out the front door, but stopped by DJ.
DJ
Not until you know it's them, for sure. Gotta'
be smart, Sam.
She goes to window, doing her best to look...
DJ
Recognizing anyone?
Sam staring, intensely, with a shake of the head...
SAM
I...I can't tell... (more shaking of the head) I...
I don't think so...I..I just don't...I don't think...
those are ours... I...
Sam just shaking her head...
They all watch, as it all goes by, 3 large semi-trucks and a few other logging-equipped vehicles. There were men, with guns, on the truck-beds. Sam could not recognize anyone...
Dissolve to Eli's foot, again in the cold, fast-flowing river water, as he, DJ, and Sam, all fish...
DJ
If they're not your family...any idea, Sam, who
they could be?... I mean...maybe friends of your
family, or something?
SAM
It's very possible. I really don't know all of Hunter's
men, or my grandfather's. They have guys for
everything, committed to being a part of this...
DJ
There's already a compound of powerful people
in these woods...how many more organized
groups are we likely to come across?
SAM
Maybe I should get closer, when they come
back by?
DJ a very questionable look, her way...
DJ
That scares the hell out of me, Sam.
SAM
Just close to the road, in the bushes. If I recognize
anyone, I can come out.
DJ a skeptical shake of the head.
DJ
I don't know...I really wanna' say no to that...
but I guess, I'm not going to...as long as I can
be there with you...
Dissolve to evening, with DJ and Sam running toward the road, carefully. They run into some brush, getting as close as they can, as the sound of the semi-trucks, approach...
They stare out at the road, as the caravan goes by. Sam eyes each and every person she sees. DJ takes notice of all the firepower/guards. Sam begins shaking her head...
She takes notice of one of the guards. His arm is full of tattoos and he's got a bandana over his face...
DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK
EXT. JAIL AREA - DAWN (barely any daylight)
Zane and Leo waking, as Major David comes through the gate to the jail. He looks right at them, as they rise. He approaches. Zane takes notice of the guard, who isn't holding his weapon on them, this time...
MAJOR DAVID
I'm on board...but I can't do this without knowing
the majority of the other men, will back me. If I had
to guess right now, I'd say it's fifty/fifty. So, what I'm
going to do, is make sure you have opportunities to
speak, with the guys I'm not so sure about. You
inspire them, like you did me, and I'm sure things
will go down nicely for us, when the Colonel returns.
ZANE
Major, please, we have to move on this now! We
can wait for to the compound, but we have to go
for my little cousin, now! It's been long enough!
MAJOR DAVID
I let you guys go, and I'm screwed. The Colonel has
close friends here. I may outrank them, but I turn on
his orders, and they'll put me under arrest, or worse.
Now I told you, the best I can do is set my own plan in
motion, and trust that you guys do your part. Get me a
few more men, loyal to me, and I'll become loyal to you...
Dissolve to later in the day, as Zane, Leo, Mason, and Wyatt all work alongside the fenced perimeter (from outside the fence), as several guards hold guns on them. They are digging pits, in front of the fence, and piling dirt in between the fence, and the pit. Zane and Leo begin talking loud enough for the guards to hear them.
ZANE
I thought the plan was to leave this place...why all
the work, to secure it?... The Colonel a little loopy
about what he wants to do?
LEO
Loopy, is one thing we don't do at the compound.
We don't just have plans to survive the end of the
world, but to rebuild it. We have people with
creativity, passion, and brilliance, and we have the
resources to set in motion the masterminded kind
of things, those people think up.
ZANE
We have leaders, with wisdom. We have soldiers,
with real training. We have family, and we have
friends of family, but together...we are all family...
and survive together, as such...
LEO
We have room for thousands, and plan to keep
adding on, with communities in surrounding areas...
Dissolve to evening, and different guards holding guns on Zane and those guys, as they carry supplies from the army vehicles, into tents… One of the guards is female...
ZANE
We plan to make the world normal again, or at
least as close to it as possible. We have baseball
teams and softball challenges. A gym, basketball!
Swimming pools! Bikini's!
Female guard (GIA), sharing a look/smile with Zane.
LEO
You know what we did, before all of this. The
Sand Series Hotel! The Baker Boardwalk!
SOLDIER
(smiling)
The Sand Series Hotel? That is you guys?
LEO
Yeah, and the only reason you haven't heard about
the compound, is how top secret my father kept it.
Most of the world has no idea it's there.
GIA
(smiling)
I've been on the Baker Boardwalk. That place
was sick!
Dissolve to night, with Zane and them back in the jail area, but with tons of guards, on other side of fence, talking with them.
ZANE
Christmases, Thanksgivings, birthdays, Halloween,
well, maybe not Halloween! (few chuckles) Parties,
bbqs, parks, children, a lake, gardens, crops, fields.
LEO
And protection...from anyone who wants to take
it from us. Friends and allies, on both sides of the
wall... You guys simply can't say no, to this. It's not
only the opportunity of a lifetime, in this new
twisted world of ours..it's your only opportunity...
cause Colonel Fantasy Land, isn't an opportunity,
and the only thing he'll lead you to, is your ending.
ZANE
Follow us…to a new beginning…
DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME
EXT. RIVER - AFTERNOON
Eli using his bat as a cane, as he sits himself down on a rock, soaking bare foot into the river. DJ and Sam are fishing. Marlana and Renee sit with Bailey, at the shoreline. Aiden and Blair on rocks, in river, fishing. The grandparents are up above, in chairs, wrapped in blankets. Owen has binoculars around his neck...
Eli moans his frustration...
ELI
AHHHH! I feel like such a jackass. Falling like a big
bozo, and now everyone's stuck, waiting around for
me. And what if there had been huffs?
DJ
That's good, man. Keep thinking like that. Now
you'll have it on your mind, next time you're
walking the slippery river…'cause even the Eli-
minator couldn't terminate huffs, with a "puffed"
up ankle, like what you got going on, there.
Some laughs...
ELI
You're "puffed" up...(more laughs) 'Cause this water
is actually working. I'll be sitting here all day, soaking
this thing, and back to "puffing" up huffs in no time.
Everyone laughing...
SAM
(laughing)
Puffing up huffs, I love it! Now I can cuss in code,
around my moms.
DJ
Yeah...I imagine with all those cousins, even at
age ten, you're an expert on the tongue of a sailor.
SAM
(nodding)
My cousins are one thing...my uncle Leo is another!
But my dad always told me, they are just words, and
that it's all about how you use them, along with
commonsense...and I'm pretty sure common sense,
meantto never do it around my moms...unless I had
a codeword, like puff...or huffs.
ELI
That's puffing hilarious.
DJ
Okay, you know what. I think that's puffing enough.
You guys go back to the compound talking like that,
and I'm not going to be liked so much, by the moms.
Some laughs...
BLAIR
So...I can guess what the "moms" might represent...
but huffs?
Some laughs...
ELI
Hungry, ugly, freaky, puffers.
Lots of laughs...
Cut to a little further down river, where a huff stumbles into the water, falling on the slippery rocks. He is attracted to the sound of laughter, and rises back up, walking further into the water, and again slipping, face first into water...
The huff rises, and continues around the corner... It comes to see DJ and them, fishing, and laughing...
From that same POV, the others are all seen turning, to look at the huff. Owen quickly uses his binoculars, to see the huff. His POV (through binoculars), as Blair screams.
She runs off the rock, stepping on a wet rock, and slipping into the river.
AIDEN
BLAIR!
Aiden helps her up... Eli reaching for his bat.
DJ
(still fishing)
Eli, are you kidding me! Relax! You're on the
disabled list... Blair, are you okay?!
BLAIR
Yes. (embarrassed)
The huff is still far from them, and falls again. It tries to rise, before falling again...
DJ
The only thing that huff is doing, is scaring the
fish. (heading toward it) Which is why I'll go take
it down. 'Cause that poor bastard might just be
stuck there for the rest of his life.
Aiden helps Blair, dry off with a towel. Sam and Eli watch, as DJ skips from rock to rock, with his spear. He gets closer to the huff, who continues to struggle, but becomes more motivated as DJ arrives. It stands and steps toward him.
DJ prepares to stick it, with his spear, but it suddenly falls forward, hard, scaring DJ and knocking him into water. The huff goes down hard against a rock, instantly dying, as DJ comes out of water, scared at first, until seeing the dead huff...as eventually the others nervously begin to crack up!
Dissolve to everyone still cracking up, complete hysterics, as DJ uses a towel, at the shoreline, to dry off...
Eli is in tears, from laughter, Sam close to the same. Renee is trying not to laugh, but cannot fight it, which in return, makes her brother laugh...
DJ
Okay, okay, fine...I'm not the machine that Eli is,
but at least all I got was a little wet, rather than
twisting my ankle in between a rock.
ELI
You're lucky you didn't get a little dead!
Sam laughing...
ELI
I mean, you pretty much were dead, until that
thing saved your life and slipped on that rock!
Eli and Sam cracking up…
DJ
Oh whatever! That thing slipping, is what caused
me to be almost dead (Eli laughing). Otherwise,
I'd be washing off my spear, right about now.
ELI
Instead, you're washing your underpants!
Sam and Eli cracking up, Renee again tries not to, but loses the battle. DJ laughs too. Marlana is dying, and begins laughing even harder, but silently. Sam and Eli laughing at her...
MARLANA
I'm sorry...I just can't stop picturing your face, right
as you went down, and again after you got up...
(laughing more) and...even...after you realized that
darn thing killed itself!
All the kids cracking up, Aiden and Blair, too...
DJ
Wow...I expected this from the kids, but you?
MARLANA
I said I'm sorry...
DJ
Yeah, in advance! Which means it was premeditated.
(Marlana cracking up) And now, you have everyone
picturing my goofy "I just crapped me pants" face!
Marlana and the kids cracking up. Aiden and Blair laughing, too...
ELI
I just posted it on Facebook.
More laughs...
SAM
It's not Facebook, anymore. It's huffbook.
More laughs...
Eli begins rising, shifting and using his ankle, fairly well...
DJ
That ankle looks about ready...
Sam and Eli smiling...
Dissolve to the following morning, and the front porch where DJ, Marlana, Eli, Sam, and Renee are all packing up, preparing to get back to their journey. Sam picks up Bailey, with a kiss. Owen and Wendy are watching from the window. Aiden and Blair, come out front door. Aiden has a backpack, and looks ready to join them, as they all stop what they're doing, to look at him...
AIDEN
We talked it over, and even though I'm against it...
(joking) the wife is forcing me to join you guys.
The wife smiles, wipes a tear, and hugs him.
BLAIR
It's really the other way around...but the wife
(looking into his eyes) is really proud of the
husband, right now.
Sam (holding Bailey) and Marlana smiling, as everyone loads up, and begins walking off porch...
The grandparents come out onto the porch, next to their granddaughter, who smiles and cries, at the same time. Her grandfather places his hand on her shoulder, as they watch them all walk away, toward the road...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
A huff walking along the highway...
DJ stands back with the others (Sam holding Bailey), down the road from the huff, as Eli and Aiden approach it. Eli with his bat, and Aiden behind him (with a spear), watching his every move...
ELI
One thing I've recently learned, is to always keep
an eye out, for more of them.
Eli gets closer to it, raising his bat.
ELI
One quick blow to the head, is all it takes.
Eli moves on it, swinging and hitting its arms/chest, knocking it to the ground...
ELI
Now see, I can do this all day. So, while I keep him
knocked down, you move in and take him out.
The huff rises, as Eli knocks it back down, onto the road. This time Aiden quickly moves in, and only hesitates briefly, before jabbing the spear into its head, killing it.
ELI
Nice!
DJ leading others across the road.
DJ
Look at Eli, graduating from badass, to badass
huff killing instructor.
SAM
Reminding me more and more of Zane...
Eli smiling...
Dissolve to 3 semi-trucks, and other large vehicles, driving down the highway. Guards with guns, stand on the flatbeds, looking all around...
The vehicles all go by, and eventually, DJ creeps out of the brush, followed by the others (Sam holding Bailey)…
DJ
Going to get more wood, it looks like...
AIDEN
To do what?
DJ
Build a wall?...
Dissolve to DJ and them, creeping through grassy area, with a home nearby. Eli readies his bat, as a female huff approaches. He lets Aiden come forward, using his spear, to kill the huff...
ELI
He's a natural.
AIDEN
It's not quite like hunting, but…
Aiden just freezes, and looks toward the house. They all look...
Their POV of two small huffs, a boy and a girl, maybe 3, and 4. They approach, but slowly…
DJ begins walking toward them... He arrives, with his spear, and puts them down...
Marlana and Sam, with tears, as they watch...
Dissolve to foggy conditions, as Sam and everyone walks silently, off the side of the road...
They come to a spot near a drop-off, and are forced to walk onto the highway, remaining silent...
DJ carefully watches the road ahead, with spots of fog, limiting visibility... He then looks over at other side of the road, where up ahead, some more clearing opens up, providing them with an area to walk, off of highway. He leads everyone across road, heading for the clearing...
They remain silent...
They reach the clearing, with DJ freezing... As does everyone else...
They all stare into clearing, and watch as a deer and her young fawn, leave the clearing, onto the highway...
Aiden looks from his gun, to DJ, who looks from him, to Marlana, who is looking back at him, and then the girls...
Aiden creeping forward, toward the deer, as DJ takes Renee's hand, and Marlana reaches for Sam's hand, and lead them into the clearing, very quietly...
RENEE
(quietly)
What's he doing?
SAM
(quietly)
I'm okay with just eating fish!
Eli just stands, watching Aiden. The deer is across the road now, standing there with her fawn. The fog becomes thicker, as the road goes on, and suddenly an arrow (not shot by Aiden) comes flying through the fog. Aiden freezes, watching the arrow stick the mother deer. He looks all around, before dashing off the road.
DJ rushes to get everyone down and out of sight, Eli ducks behind a tree. Aiden dives into the brush. Renee watches, as the baby fawn runs initially, but remains close to its mother. Suddenly, a man (Stix, season 1 finale bonus scene) comes out of fog, on highway, with a hatchet, and chucks it directly at the fawn, sticking it hard, and dropping it immediately...
DJ and everyone remain still, and dead quiet. Renee is silently weeping, over the death of the fawn. Sam has tears of her own. They watch as a few other men arrive, putting the mother out of her misery, and carting the remains. Stix, looks all around, and is the last of them to walk away...
They disappear back into the fog, going the same direction that DJ and them want to go...
DJ looks over at Eli, then Aiden, and signals them over...
DJ
We need to give them at least twenty minutes, to
clear out of here. Maybe longer... This is the coast
range, there's no telling how bad this fog might get.
AIDEN
You think they're dangerous?
DJ giving Aiden a funny look.
DJ
Did you dive into the bushes just for the hell of it?
DJ takes notice of Renee, weeping, and puts his hand on her back...
Eli looks from the road, to Sam...
ELI
Sam, you're sure those guys aren't part of your
compound? I mean...that guy with the hatchet...
fits the picture you've painted of your family.
SAM
I don't think so...but they could be...I guess...
DJ simply shaking his head, not sure what to think...
DJ
We...we're just going to have to be more careful,
traveling as much off the road, as we can...
ELI
We won't get there until next week...
Sam closing her eyes, at that thought...
DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK
EXT. JAIL AREA - DAY
Zane closing his eyes, opening, and silently mouthing the "F" word...
MASON
This is taking way too long.
ZANE
Don't I know it! I'm supposed to be the one with
patience...always have...but being stalled like this
(shaking head)…is driving me mad! (looking at
soldiers) And MAKES NO FREAKING SENSE!
Zane desperately looking over at Gia. She looks back at him, with a longing to help, but unable, due to the soldiers not far from her, who were friends of Colonel Ryerson, and just laugh/mock Zane's frustration…
LEO
Mayday's (Major David) dead, has to be. Awol two
days on a supply run, and I could have told ya' days
ago, that the Colonel wouldn't be returning,
(motioning toward soldiers) yet these so-called
friends of his, keeping us in here, (Yelling) WHEN
EVERYONE ELSE KNOWS THAT COLONEL FANTASY
LAND ISN'T COMING BACK!
ZANE
YOU WANNA' SURVIVE THIS THING?! (throwing
hands in air) Here's your way to do it, right here!
LEO
YOU NEED A GOD DAMN LEADER, KIDS?! YOU
HAVE ONE, RIGHT HERE!
Dissolve to evening, with Zane angrily pacing back and forth...
Leo looks at a single pill in his hand...before swallowing...
Mason over near the guard, in conversation with him...
Wyatt also pacing around, impatiently…
Dissolve to night, with Zane and the other three, all at the gate.
LEO
Four days now! This is really how you want to
spend your final days? Or are you simply daring
yourselves to actually open the gate, and let us
show you the way.
Soldier aggressively coming at them.
SOLDIER
I'm about to show you the way, right now!
Keep talking, old man, I dare you!
ZANE
That old man is trying to save your life! That old man
is ten times the man your so-called Colonel, is. And
more importantly, he's right there in front of you!
Ready to lead you, ready to save you!
SOLDIER
My faith will remain in a man I've followed, and
respected for longer than I can remember. I won't -
LEO
What, are you gay?! Is that what this, you're hot
on Mr. Fantasy Land?
ZANE
Not helping, Dad!
The soldier walks away...
Zane and Leo begin pacing again. Mason shakes his head. Wyatt stares ahead...
WYATT
Sarah's pregnant...
Zane, Leo, and Mason all stop, and stare at Wyatt...
WYATT
We found out the morning it all happened. (ironic
laugh) We were so on top of the world, completely
giddy! Couldn't wait to tell you all... Kept just talking
with each other, about it, and who to tell first, or
how to tell... We had the perfect idea...it kept getting
more perfect, the more we planned it...not that it
matters now...but we just had to tell someone, right
then! We decide to do it at the same time, over the
phone... She was calling her mom, and I was calling
Dad...but…that's right when he called us...well,
texted is more like it...those three life changing sixes...
Zane closing his eyes, Leo shaking his head, Mason placing a hand on Wyatt's shoulder...
Dissolve to dawn, with Zane waking, noticing some excitement from the tents, where some soldiers come out...
A couple of them jump into vehicles, and leave through the gates, in a hurry...
Soldier Smith comes toward the jail area, holding a radio...
He walks by without stopping, but quickly sharing info with Zane.
SMITH
Major David just radioed in. They were ambushed,
and hiking for a day and a half. (slyly tossing a bag
over the fence, as he's walking away) This could
be your chance...
Zane looks in bag, four handguns inside...
Dissolve to vehicles, with Major David and some other men, coming through the gate. Gia nervously looks toward Zane. Mason and Wyatt, ready their guns. Major David climbs out of a vehicle, as a soldier approaches him...
MAJOR DAVID
Nothing from the Colonel, yet?
The Major, glances at the jail area, as Smith arrives and begins whispering into his ear.
SOLDIER
No, sir.
DIFFERENT SOLDIER
Trip like that, in these conditions, could be days
before he makes it back.
Smith pulls away.
MAJOR DAVID
Enough is enough. I'm taking command, and my
first act will be to free those so-called prisoners,
and beg them for their forgiveness.
Several soldiers pull their weapons. Smith goes for his, and aims at one of the soldiers, who's aiming at the Major. Several others aim at Smith. Gia aims at them, as do many of the soldiers near her, including Darius and Tanner. All other soldiers, choose who to aim at...
It's a standoff...and majority is certainly with the Major...
ZANE
WE HAVE GUNS, TOO!
Soldiers looking at the prison area, where Zane and them, all aim guns of their own...
ZANE
We don't want to use them, but we stand with
Major David, and defend him we will!
SOLDIER
(looking at Smith)
YOU GAVE THEM GUNS! YOU GOD DAMN TRAITOR!
He fires, and kills Smith, as everyone else begins firing.
ZANE/LEO
(firing)
God damn it!
Many soldiers go down, shots keep flying. Wyatt makes a great shot, killing a soldier. Everyone keeps firing, until the last soldier goes down, only leaving those who support Major David. Not many of them remain. A half dozen, including Gia, Darius, Tanner, and the Major...
One of the remaining soldiers approaches the Major...
SOLDIER
Congratulations...(saluting) Colonel David...
One more shot goes off, as everyone jumps! They turn to look, where Leo had just fired at the jail guard, but only wounded him. He turns over to face Leo.
LEO
Spent a lot of time pleading with you, these last
few days. (looking him in the eyes) Are you ready
to plead with me, now?
The guard opens his mouth to plead, but Leo fires a shot in his head...
The Major looks at Gia, as they begin walking toward jail area...
MAJOR DAVID
We did the right thing, right?
Gia runs ahead, to the guard's body, finding the keys. She rises and hands keys to the new Colonel, who walks over, unlocks gate, and shakes hands with each of them...
ZANE
(shaking hands with him, smiling)
Congratulations, Colonel. But you'll always be Mayday,
to me, Major David...
The other five remaining soldiers come in, also shaking hands...
The Colonel looks over everyone, and waits for their attention...
COLONEL DAVID
I don't know if Colonels even mean anything, anymore...
but leadership, is and always will be, an absolute must.
(looking at his soldiers) We've been given an invitation,
by these people. It's clear, they'll be leading the way. So,
as far as I'm concerned...they're in charge...
The Colonel turns and faces Zane and the others...
COLONEL DAVID
Awaiting your orders, gentlemen...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FISH'S CABIN - MORNING
"Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah", begins playing from beginning (first minute, instrumental)
( watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4 )
Close-up of the peaceful lake, the dock, the swing hanging over the water...
The tree house, the pit, the yard below...
The driveway, the cabin, and then one of the hunters, walking out the cabin door, and stretching...
Another one comes out, followed by another...
One more comes out, before the one with the hunting spear comes...
LEADER
I don't care if it's the only thing we do today,
we're getting in that damn tree house.
He stretches out, and walks down the porch, eventually followed by the others, slowly making their way toward the tree house...
Another one of them stops, and stretches. Suddenly, he's hit and killed with a shot in the chest! The others run or drop, as another one is hit and killed...
Now Leo, Zane, Mason, Wyatt, and the soldiers all come charging out of the brush, firing at the hunters. Another one is killed, while trying to flee the scene...
The spear guy makes it up the porch and into the cabin, but the leader is shot dead, on the porch. Zane and Leo, anxiously wait outside, while the soldiers, Mason and Wyatt, all go through both the back and front of the cabin...
Multiple shots are fired, and the spear guy walks out the front door, bloody and (dropping his spear) falling down steps, to his death...
Mason comes out front, with Wyatt coming from the back, along with soldiers...
(background music dims, and remains as instrumental only)
WYATT
All clear...
Mason nodding, Zane instantly turns and sprints to the tree house, already yelling for Sam and Fish.
ZANE
SAAAMM! FISH! Come on, you guys! Answer me!
Where you guys at?!
Dread already taking over his expression, with no answer from them, as he runs into the brush, below the tree house, pulling a lever, that lowers the tree house ladder, which Leo begins climbing, as Zane rushes out of brush, following Leo…
Mason and Wyatt arriving, just watching...
Leo goes into boys room, while Zane goes for girls room. He runs right in (holding a gun in one hand, and a knife in the other), then right back out, and almost vomits, right where Sam did, that horrid night...
Leo comes over, looking at Zane (white as a ghost), then into the room. He can see all the blood, from the deaths of Amy, her father, and "unborn" child...
Zane comes back inside, going to compartment. He opens it up, nothing...
He closes, and slowly walks out of room, onto deck, not knowing what to think...
Leo checks the bathroom, Zane walks into the boys room, then back outside, staring all around...
ZANE
FISH! SAMANTHAAAAAAA!
DISSOLVE TO:
(background music intensifies, remaining instrumental for a few more moments)
Zane running around the area. Leo coming out of garage, glancing over toward all the dead huffs in the parking area...
MUSIC
"Well I heard there was a secret chord.
That David played and it pleased the lord.
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this: The fourth the fifth."
Wyatt slowly coming to the gravesite, slowing even more as he reads the graves. Mason arrives, dropping to his knees. Both Zane and Leo arrive...
MUSIC
"The minor fall and the major lift.
The baffled king composing Hallelujah"
Leo takes one look and begins screaming, as he walks past the graves, toward the yard. Zane goes completely white, struggling to stand, turns and does his best to scream, in agony, while facing the lake...
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah..."
Everything is spinning, for Zane. He loses balance, stepping into the lake, almost falling. He steps back out. He vomits, and falls to his knees, still somewhat in the water. He tries to scream, but vomits/dry heaves, continuing to try to scream, but without volume…
(music goes instrumental for several moments...)
Leo is walking in circles, screaming. Mason is weeping, while looking over all the graves. Wyatt weeps, looking at the graves, and watching his family...
The soldiers all come to watch, and see the graves for themselves...
MUSIC
"Well your faith was strong but you needed proof.
You saw her bathing on the roof.
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you."
Gia begins weeping, and slowly approaching Zane. He looks on the verge of passing out.
MUSIC
"She tied you to her kitchen chair.
She broke your throne.
She cut your hair.
And from your lips she drew the, hallelujah."
She arrives, and touches him. He doesn't even feel it. He slowly looks upward, and screams in agony, finally finding his lungs, to do so...
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah..."
POV shots of the entire area, as his screams of agony, echo throughout the cabin, the parking area, the dock, the tree house, the pit, gravesite...
(music going instrumental again)
Leo arriving back at the gravesite, looking over the graves...
LEO
Sam...(looking at Zane, then back at graves) She's
not here...(looking back at Zane) She's not here...
Zane finally lifting his head, looking toward Leo. He finds the strength to rise, and stumble himself over there. He reads all the graves, weeping with each name, a little confused at unknown names, and the baby...
He looks at Leo, who looks back at him...
ZANE
She's still out there...(crying) But where?! Oh my
God, Sam, where are you? Where are you?!
He looks back at the graves...
ZANE
What...what happened here? Who (weeping hard)
buried all these people?! Oh, Samantha...my poor,
Samantha...where are you? WHERE ARE YOUUUU?!
DISSOLVE TO:
MUSIC
"Well baby I've been here before.
I've seen this room and"
Zane in tears, sitting next to bed, in girls room of tree house. The compartment is open, he just stares at it...
DISSOLVE TO:
MUSIC
"I've walked these floors.
You know, I use to
live alone before I knew you."
Leo slowly walking through the damaged cabin, looking over pictures and whatever else he comes to see, hoping that a clue will arise...
DISSOLVE TO:
(music again dimming, and only instrumental)
Gia, talking to Mayday...
GIA
These poor people…
MAYDAY
There hasn't been a day yet, since this all started,
that I didn't think, now I've seen everything...
Dissolve to Zane still sitting next to open compartment, as Mason arrives, sitting in a bed without blood stains...
MASON
I know this makes what happened to your family,
even worse... I imagine ever since it happened...all
you could think about was what you still had, with
Fish...and now he's gone (Zane closing eyes). The
closest thing I can do to imagine your pain...is to
relive those moments after Rich went down...to
rethink all those things, I thought, while I waited
and pleaded for the moment, Shelby told me he
was going to pull through. But there's still the pain
of this, of Vincent and his boys, your siblings, Miles...
So many, lost already... The only thing that gets me
through it, is those remaining, those behind the
safety of our walls...and how much they depend on
us... We still have a job to do, son...and you're a very
big part of that...
Silence... Before Zane looks up at him...
ZANE
But what do we do? She's still out there...(weeps)
all alone, and I just can't take that (shaking head),
I can't!
(music remains instrumental, but rises in volume)
Mason coming in, for the hug, and holding Zane tight, as he balls like a baby...
Eventually, and suddenly, commotion is heard from below, and approaching vehicles. Mason comes out of hug, rushing to window...followed by Zane...
MASON
Oh my God...
MUSIC
"And I've seen your flag
on the marble arch.
But love is not a
victory march.
It's a cold and it's a
broken hallelujah."
Cut to parking area, where three hummers are pulling up. Two of them have 50-Cal's, mounted up top, with Porter, arming one, and Gunner, on the other. They both aim directly at Mayday, Gia, and the other soldiers, who hesitate to raise their own weapons.
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah
hallelujah, hallelujah..."
Dakota, Cleo, Chasin, Colton, Jaelyn (Mason's daughter, 19), Hope, and Ryder (Scout's daughters, 18, 17), April (Hunter's wife, 34), Jennifer (Mile's wife, 31), Missy (Mason's gf, 40), Rachel (Gunner's wife, 28), Catherine (Chasin's wife, 29), and 7 other non-family members, all climb out of hummers, aiming guns at soldiers, and looking all around...coming to see Wyatt, relieved and coming toward them...
(music dims, and only instrumental)
LEO
WHOA, WHOA! Hold your fire; they're with us!
DAKOTA
Dad!
(music rises in volume)
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah..."
Dakota runs to her dad, hugging. Cleo smiles, and everyone else lowers their weapons, becoming relieved...
Jennifer and Rachel, take turns hugging Wyatt, as Gunner jumps down, hugging him...
(music dims, remains instrumental, during 42 second pause part, of song)
LEO
(looking over everyone there)
Jesus...who sanctioned this party? Who's in charge of it?
VOICE
(OS)
Your brother did...and I am...
POV of Man's feet, as he climbs out of hummer...
Leo a very shocked expression, as he stares...
LEO
Dad!
Grandpa Sam, standing there (holding a shotgun), as Shelby climbs out of hummer, behind him...
GRANDPA
Where is my granddaughter? Where are my boys?
My grandsons?...
(music rises in volume, nearing end of 42 second pause)
Everyone looking from him, to Leo, and all around...
DISSOLVE TO:
MUSIC
"Maybe there's a god
above.
But all I've ever
learned from love.
Is how to shoot
somebody who outdrew
you."
Zane slowly begins climbing down tree house ladder...
He looks over, sees his dad, leading Grandpa toward the graves. Zane drops his head against the ladder step, closing his eyes with dread...
MUSIC
"And it's not a cry
that you hear at
night.
It's not somebody who's
seen the light.
It's a cold and it's a
broken hallelujah."
POV from behind the graves, of Leo holding his dad's arm, leading him right in front of the graves. Grandpa Sam, slowly walks himself to Fish's grave, using it to brace himself, as he drops to a knee, just looking right at it. He looks to the other graves, as tears take over his face, and his head slightly shakes...
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah
hallelujah, hallelujah..."
Grandpa flashes to moments of Fish and Greg celebrating on the wiffleball field, in the club house with both Vincent and Mark, and Samantha...
He then flashes to moments on the beach, with his young boys playing wiffleball, and of talking to all of them (as young kids), on the beach, about the apocalypse...
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah."
All the others, slowly arriving, from behind (Shelby providing reassuring comfort to Mason). Dread taking over their somber faces. Tears begin dropping. They all begin looking over all the different graves, hugging and weeping. Hope and Ryder, crying at the sight of Fish's grave...
(music dimming, and repeating "hallelujah")
Dakota crying, with a hand on her dad's shoulder, and a look at Fish's grave, as Zane arrives, in background. They all watch him, slowly approaching his grandfather...
GRANDFATHER
(without seeing Zane)
Samantha...where is she?
ZANE
(shaking his head)
I'm so sorry, Grandpa...I'm so sorry, I failed you...
Leo, dropping his head. Grandpa turning, to face Zane, who's face is full of tears...
ZANE
She's God knows where, and only God knows
where to even look?
Zane arrives right at him, unable to look at him, instead staring at Fish's grave...
Grandpa is shocked...but pulls Zane in for the hug...
GRANDPA
I failed me, son...I failed me...
(music rises in volume, and the singer's voice rises for this verse)
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah."
Both he and Zane weeping...
The entire family at a loss of emotion...
Both Mayday and Gia are even shedding tears...
(music dims after final hallelujah)
MAYDAY
(with a shake of the head)
This family...
DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME
EXT. FOGGY WOODS/HIGHWAY - DAY
(music still playing, dim and instrumental)
DJ leading everyone along, through the brushy area, with the highway off a ways...
The fog could certainly be worse, but is indeed eerie...
Aiden stops, and listens... DJ takes notice, and stops...
DJ
Hear something?
Everyone looking at Aiden, who is still listening...
AIDEN
I don't know...I think so, to be honest...
Everyone just stands still, listening, and looking...
There are random sounds, animals, wind, trees, branches, birds...
DJ begins walking again, slowly... Eli follows, and then the others...
Suddenly, Sam freezes, staring off a certain direction...
She simply yelps and cries out, as she begins running, and then screams. She runs as fast as she can, away from the others. They all start to run, too, but stop, and look around.
DJ
SAM! (looking all around) What is it?!
Everyone looking all around, ready to bolt. Eli nervously holding his bat. They all look...
POV three people, in the brush and fog. It's a man and two women. It's Dakota! It's Zane! (and Cleo)
(music rises in volume, remaining instrumental)
Zane and them, nervously watch, as someone frantically approaches them, through the fog and brush. They go from being nervous, to complete shock. Zane gasps and falls to his knees. Dakota screams, with joy/shock...
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah."
Sam arrives, running directly into Zane's arms. He welcomes her with a form of relief, that ravishes his body, the moment he wraps his arms around her...
Dakota throws her arms around them both...
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah."
They are all crying, words not even coming out, yet...
DJ and the others slowly arrive, still in shock, but warming up to the situation...
Zane pulls her out of embrace, staring into her eyes...
She begins crying, more than she already is, and weeps her first words, to him...
(music dims, and remains instrumental)
SAM
Dad...he's...
ZANE
(nodding)
I know, Samantha, I know...(hugs her again) I was
just there, a few days ago... I never thought I'd see
you again...(weeping his words) or ever know what
happened to you!
SAM
I was there...I was there when you came, and the
army was there (he pulls her out of embrace, again,
and stares at her)...you didn't come back...I was so
scared something happened to you!
ZANE
It did! We got held up. But then we got some help,
and we went back...I couldn't find you (weeping)...
just Fish...his grave...
(music rising in volume)
Sam, staring at him, crying at the mention of her dad, and the thought of Zane finding his grave, like that...
Zane, staring at her, crying at her loss, and his own...
They embrace again...
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah."
Dakota begins hugging Marlana, and the others...
Zane comes out of hug, sees Dakota and the others, and rises, to greet and meet with the people who brought him his Samantha...
Dakota finally gets her hug with Sam, followed by Cleo.
(music instrumental)
Zane hugs Eli, and looks over his bat, with a laugh. Eli looks so impressed, almost starstruck...
Dakota hugs DJ, both with huge smiles...
Zane picks up Renee, smiling and laughing, and letting her back down with a hug... She's a little embarrassed, but can't help laughing. DJ laughs...
Eli hugs Dakota, and Cleo... Zane hugs and shakes hands with Aiden, then comes to Marlana, with a big hug and smile...
Dakota teases Renee with a couple different moves, before moving in for the big hug. Renee again can't help, but to laugh, as does her brother...
DJ shares a handshake and hug with Zane...
Sam suddenly running, again. Zane nervous a moment, before she stops, and smiles at Aiden, who hands her Bailey.
MUSIC
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah."
She hugs Bailey and approaches Zane, with him.
Aiden smiles after handing the cat over to Sam, and turns to get a hug from Dakota, and then Cleo. He comes out of that, with a huge smile, and hope for soon seeing his wife, and bringing her and her family to the compound...
MUSIC (final verse, where singer raises tone)
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
hallelujah, hallelujah."
A hatchet sails through the air...
It sticks into Aiden's throat, taking away his smile, his hope, and his life, as he drops dead...
Bailey scratches Sam, and runs off, as they all watch Stix come out of the brush, followed by Swish (from season 1 finale bonus scene), and one prisoner (in prisoner outfits) after another...
(singer's final "hallelujah" goes on endlessly, as song wraps up, coming to an end)
They keep coming, and coming, completely surrounding Zane and the others...
They are defenseless, as they keep coming...close to 100 of them...
Sam and them looking amongst one another, and to the prisoners...
Sam looks at Zane, who looks at her, and then the prisoners...
Song ends...
BLACK
CREDITS
BONUS SCENE (second half)
FADE IN:
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Close-up of a large tree, shaking around, with sound of hard-working equipment, down below...
MAN
(OS)
TIMMMBERRR!
The tree goes crashing down...
Close by, there are men with guns, and hiking sticks. One of them is watching closely with a gun, as another is using his stick, to bash in the head of an approaching huff...
MAN
TIMMMBERRR!
Another tree comes crashing down...
Equipment is being used, to place large tree logs, onto truck beds...
There are loggers everywhere...
DISSOLVE TO:
A large tree log, rising up, right next to a wall of other large tree logs. Sound of multiple hammers and saws, down below, hard at work...
POV pans around the wall, to the inside, and past a sign reading "Glenwood Outdoor School", and into a small compound of both large and small structures. A couple of them are very nice. There are homes close by, as well, with a wall being built to protect them all...
The POV travels outside the wall, down a road, with a bridge over a creek, and next to market, along the highway. It passes a sign reading "highway 6", then 3 large semis, driving up the road, turning into the outdoor school area...
POV comes to stop, along the highway, and a sign, reading "Welcome to Forest Grove". There is an "R" painted at the end of it, reading "Forest Grover"...
Suddenly Sam, Eli, Dakota, Cleo, DJ, Renee, Marlana, an unfamiliar woman, with 2 young boys, all come walking past the sign, sneaking across the road, through the grass, into the brush, and disappearing...
Zane is nowhere in sight...
BLACK
THE END