—The North Reach Outbreak—
-Season 2, Episode 2-
-Dimension 2-
The Day Before-
North Reach, 2016-
“Jack, wait up!” A woman calls out, catching the attention of a man walking to his car. The rain pours down heavily, running down Jack’s face. “What, Liz? Isn’t 12 hours enough of me for ya?” He asks. Liz chuckles. “Of course not, handsome.” She replies, brushing the rain off of his forehead. She pecks him on the cheek, turning away. “Let’s go home and rest, up bright and early, right?” She asks. Jack nods. “Yep, NRPD gets a makeover tomorrow. I’m gonna fix all of the corruption caused by fucking Chief Marcus Stone.” He answers. Liz smiles. “Good. His old ass needs to go.” She says, nodding in agreement. The duo share a hug and depart. After a short drive, Jack enters his small apartment. He tosses his police jacket over the back of a couch and flops down. He turns on the news, with reports of a strange virus washing over North Reach’s Downtown. “...This is NRNC, reporting live from the Downtown of North Reach. We have several reports of civil disobedience cropping up around the city, with NRPD Chief Stone claiming it’s all well under control. Other reports claim that citizens have fallen ill after drinking murky tap water, with symptoms of a cough and discoloration of the skin around the veins and organs. We urge you to wear a mask if you must leave your homes for any reason…” She rambles on. “Heh, just another pandemic I guess,” Jack says, drifting off to sleep.
Jack wakes up to banging at his door. “Hey! Get the fuck up, Hollow!’ A man shouts. Jack checks his phone. 7:25 AM. “FUCK!” He shouts, grabbing his jacket and rushing towards the door. “Sorry, Chief Stone! I didn’t mean to oversleep. That 12-hour-” He tries to explain. “ENOUGH! You’re the next Police Chief starting today. Showing up late isn’t a good look, Hollow.” Stone says. Jack sighs, nodding as they walk down the flight of stairs leading to the parking garage. They walk up to Stone’s squad car, and Jack clears his throat as they both climb inside. “Sorry again, Chief,” He says. Stone responds with a lengthy sigh. “Forget it. I was hungover for my first day. Nobody has a good first day in charge. Have you ever heard of Murphy’s Law?” Stone asks. Jack shakes his head. “If something could go wrong, it will. That’s more or less Murphy’s Law.” Jack is silent for a moment. “That’s foreboding.” He says as they pull up to the North Reach Police Department. The pair enters the main hall to find everyone scrambling, searching for weapons or radios. Jack looks around puzzled. “Chief? What’s happening?” he asks. Liz approaches. “Hey, Jack. Chief Stone. We’ve got some disturbing reports from Downtown…” She says, handing Stone a paper. Stone reads over it, and his face grows pale. He drops the form, and it flutters to the ground. “Chief? What’s up?” Jack asks. Stone swallows. “Murphy’s Law…” He says, grabbing his pistol and rushing towards his office. Jack picks up the paper, his eyes landing on four words. “Cannibal… Infection…Riot… Biohazard?” He reads aloud. Liz looks at him confused. “Yeah, something about some cannibalistic virus infecting people and making them eat each other, now they’re all rioting in Downtown.” She says. Jack looks back at the page. “This reminds me of Wolfrun, I read about that while in training.” He says. Liz shakes her head. “Don’t worry, Division 18 took care of that. Abigail Bright said so, remember”? She reassures a worried Jack. He looks away. “...Murphy’s Law…” He mutters as the duo hops in their squad car to investigate the riots in Downtown North Reach.
Reaching Skyward-
North Reach, 2016-
“Oh my God,” Liz says, stopping in front of the police barriers strewn across the street. Hundreds of people pile up against large concrete walls bearing the Division 18 emblem. “They’re here?” Jack asks aloud. Liz nods, her eyes wide. “I guess so. So it’s legit, huh? Actual Zombies again?” She asks. Suddenly, static causes the duo to jump. “Elizabeth Hanwell! Jack Hollow!” A voice calls out over the radio on Jack’s shoulder. He quickly grabs the radio, holding it to his mouth. “Yeah!? Who’s this?” He asks. The radio is silent. “Doesn’t matter. Head to the Reach.” The voice says. Jack looks towards the center of town, where the tallest building in North Reach rests. “Why?” He asks. The radio emits static. “Clearly, he doesn’t like stupid questions,” Liz says. “She.” The radio responds. “Listen, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. I just want to start righting some of them. Head to the Reach.” The radio says, falling silent. Jack and Liz share a glance and return to the car. Jack accidentally hits the siren as he climbs in, and the horde of Zombies trying to climb the concrete wall turns to face the squad car. “Oh shit…”Jack says, setting the car to reverse. “Jack… Floor it!” Liz cries out, and the car’s tires squeal. The incredibly agile horde of the Undead chases the duo down the street, illuminated by the burning flames rising from the skyscrapers. “We need to call Stone… He knows what to do…” Liz says, shaking. Jack rests his hand on Liz’s thigh. “Relax. We’ll get through this. I promise.” He says, smiling gently. Liz smiles, blushing. “If you say so.” She says. The interior of the car lights up as headlights flood the two cops. “MOVE!” Liz shouts. Jack swerves as another car clips the back of the squad car with a loud BANG. jack grabs the wheel and yanks it as hard as he can in an attempt to straighten out the car, and he shares a glance at Liz as they veer towards a lamppost. The car impacts with a loud clunk, and Jack slams his head down on the wheel, knocking himself out.
Jack wakes up to find the hood smoking. He swiftly jumps out, rolling towards the street. The car explodes. “Fuck me, that’s gonna draw some attention.” He mutters. He slowly gets up, dusting off his knees. He looks around, scanning the dark and bloody street for Liz. “LIZ!?” He calls out. He notices a small light atop the Reach, circling the tower. “If I were her, I’d go there.” He says. He checks his pistol’s ammo and sets off towards the haven. “Liz?” He asks, peering inside a nearby mall. “Jack? That you?” A familiar voice calls out. “Marcus? Marcus Stone?” Jack calls out, shining his flashlight towards Chief Stone. “Jackie boy… Good to see you’re well.” Stone says. Jack holsters his pistol. “Don’t,” Stone says, looking down at his bloody arm. “Fucker got me right when I was talking to… Doesn’t matter.” He says. Jack looks at his former police chief. “What do you know of the Reach?” He asks. Stone looks up. “The Reach? It’s a supposed evac point, though nobody ever gets close to the top. Some special kind of infected roam those halls. We’re all dead men walking.” Stone says, slumping down against a wall. “Get outta here, rookie. You might have a chance…” He says. Jack looks back at Stone solemnly. “See ya, Chief.” He says, turning around. “W-Wait!” He calls out, and Jack stops again. He faces the dying Chief and sighs. “What’s up, Sir?” He asks. Stone sighs shakily. “I-If you meet a bitch… with silve rhair and golden eyes… don’t… talk to… her…” He says, slumping forward as he finishes his sentence.
Arriving in front of the Reach, he notices the front doors are surrounded by dead Division 18 soldiers. “Fucking great,” Jack mutters. He steps inside and instantly is hit with the smell of rotting corpses. “Holy…” He covers his nose and mouth. He presses on, looking up the staircase. “Ugh, 100 fucking floors? God damn it.” He says, taking the first step. After 3 steps, Jack can hear the Undead banging on the glass in the lobby. Disturbingly, they go silent. Their low growls are replaced with a loud, inhuman screech. “OH SHIT!” Jack shouts, running up the stairs. Zombies with several arms or legs begin climbing the walls and stairs after him, their heads twisted and contorted in a way a normal Human can’t. They charge after him, and the sound of their nails digging into the walls and ceiling makes Jack sick. He fires his pistol at them, yet the bullets do nothing. After running for several minutes, Jack can hear a door above him slam open. “YOU! RUN!” A voice shouts down. Gunfire erupts down the staircase. Jack sprints up the last couple of flights, tripping on the last step. He reaches out, feeling some kind of fabric as he falls. He latches on and can hear the sound of fabric ripping. “Hey! What the fuck is wrong with you!?” A female voice says. Jack looks up to find a Demon staring down at him, his hand placed firmly on her chest. “Holy shit, I-I didn’t mean…” He stammers. The Demon rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Just get to the roof.” She says, firing the machine gun down the stairs again. Jack opens the door to the roof and discovers another woman waiting. Her long, brown hair blows wildly in the wind, and her white lab coat is stained with blood. “Howdy, I’m Abigail Bright.” She says, extending out her arm. “Jack Hollow. NRPD Chief, only for today, though,” he says, smiling. Abigail looks towards the helicopter resting on the helipad. Jack sits down, exhaling. “So, any other survivors?” he asks. Abigail shakes her head. We can’t wait around to find out. Plus, those Exquisite Corpses down there are a tough barrier for them and us.” She says. Jack looks back at the door. It swings open, and the Demon from before steps through. She slams the door, locking it as the Undead and Exquisite Corpses bang on the other side. “Lucy! Anyone else?” Abigail asks. The Demon shakes her head. “Nope. But I’m sure happy he got through all right.” She says, glaring at Jack. Abigail looks between them, confused. “Something happen?” She asks. Lucy stares at Jack. “Yeah. Fucker decided to cop a feel while he fell on his ass.” She says. Abigail smirks. “I can’t blame him…” She says. Lucy blushes, storming off towards the helicopter. A man wearing a long coat hits her shoulder. “Woah, watch out, hot shot.” The man says, his hands in the air. “Rev. We good to take off?” Abigail asks. Rev nods. “Yeah, Brady’s set to fire at the city any second now. Let’s go.” He says. His eyes stop at Jack. “Hey, I’m Rev. You?” He asks. “Jack Hollow, Chief of NRPD,” Jack says. Rev chuckles. “Wow. Sure hell of a first day. Something something Murphy’s Law or another.” Rev says, climbing aboard the helicopter. Jack smiles, climbing aboard. They take off, and Jack watches as a giant laser strikes the center of North Reach, right where the Reach towered before. “There she goes. A whole megalopolis.Eradicated.” Abigail says. “Shame,” Lucy adds, almost nonchalantly. Jack watches the ruins of his hometown shrink as the helicopter flies away.
The Day Before-
North Reach, 2016-
“And with this, we should be able to stop this virus before anything too crazy happens,” Abigail says, holding up a vial of black liquid. She looks over at Lucy, who’s examining a small doorway built into the wall. It’s hooked up to several generators, each of them covered in warning labels. “Hey, check this out. Did you know that The Euphoric Plain connects to here?” Lucy asks. Abigail looks over and spots a small rift the size of a golf ball. “The Euphoric Plain?” Abigail asks, curiously. Lucy looks back at her. “Yeah, didn’t I tell you? It’s the doorway to alternate realities. It’s how I got here in 1971.” Lucy says. Abigail nods, turning back to her work. “I need to focus, Lucy. This is super duper important. This is the next step of human evolution.” Abigail says. Lucy chuckles. “Wow, that didn’t sound menacing at all, Miss Not-A-Villian.” She says. Abigail sighs. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant-” She stops. “Who the fuck are you!?” Abigail shouts, dropping the vial of liquid she’s holding. Lucy turns, and an all too familiar face is looking at her. His green eyes burn behind the messy, dirty blonde hair hanging in his face. He has a beard and several scars around his eyes. “Hey, Lucy. Forget about me?” He asks. “Harold!?” She asks, reaching for her gun. “How the fucking FUCK did you get here!?” She shouts, cocking the gun. “Now now, no need for that.” He says, smiling dangerously. “Little buddy of yours, Abigail, he let me out of that damn Quantum Lock… such a long time I’ve waited to see you again, Lucy.” He says, slowly looking Lucy up and down. He turns to face Abigail, looking her up and down. “My oh my, I’m a smoking hot bitch in this universe…” He says, smirking. He licks his lips, his eyes resting on her chest. The amulet glistens in the yellow lights of the underground facility. Abigail shakes her head and smiles. “Unfortunately for you, you weren’t so hot in yours.” Abigail retorts, staring at Harold’s face. Harold’s smirk falls off and is replaced with a stern look. “Wow. I’m just as witty as usual. No wonder you love me. Her, I mean.” He says, looking at Lucy. She lights up red at the words. “I DO NOT!” She shouts, drawing her pistol. “Now, why wouldn’t you want us to catch up? You and that stupid FUCK Edward Gears only locked me IN TIME!” Harold shouts. Lucy fires once, hitting the floor in front of him. “Oh? Really?” He asks. He slowly begins mutating, a smile appearing on his face. His veins run black, and his eyes seem to fill up with a black liquid. Abigail shouts in rage, and with a meaty thwack, a metal pipe suddenly protrudes from Harold’s chest. “Huh?” He asks, looking down. “Why… Does that… hurt?” He looks at his chest, noticing his amulet is gone. “No… FROST!” He shouts. He thrashes around, his Blight spreading everywhere. Some of the Blight connects with the vial Abigail dropped earlier, and the new substance slowly spreads toward the Reach’s water supply. Lucy runs to Abigail, now on her knees over Harold’s body. “Did he mean it?” She asks. Lucy looks puzzled. “Mean what?” The Demon responds. Abigail looks up at her. “Do you… like...me?” She asks. Lucy’s face turns bright red. “What? N-No, of course n-not-” She says. She’s stopped suddenly as Abigail gently pulls her in for a kiss. After a moment of pure joy, She pulls back. “Tell the truth, my Demonic friend.” Lucy looks Abigail up and down. “Yes, I do. I think you’re wonderful. The way you stood up to Dragon. The way you helped in Wolfrun. Everything. I love you.” Lucy says, smiling. Abigail smiles back, her face glowing red in embarrassment. “I love you too.” The duo kiss again, and red lights begin flashing. Alarms start echoing around the facility, and Abigail jumps up. “Shit! SHIT!” She shouts, noticing the vial is empty and a sludge-like trail leading towards the North Reach water supply. “Lucy, we can continue this later, we need to get to the roof. NOW!” She says. She grabs a phone out of her pocket and dials a number rapidly. “Rev? Get the helicopter to the roof of the Reach, NOW! The city’s about to be infected!” She says, rushing up the stairs with Lucy. The two newfound lovers run up the stairs, the tower’s hundred steps looming above them. As they run, Lucy catches Police Chief Marcus Stone speaking with an Angel wearing a black leather trenchcoat, with two large white wings, and golden eyes glowing in the dark. The Angel looks back at her and smiles. Lucy narrows her eyes at her, but the Angel just waves as the two lovers run up the stairs.
The Day After-
North Reach, 2016-
“Hey, sorry for being a bitch.” A woman’s voice says. Jack snaps awake, his eyes meeting Lucy’s. “Don’t apologize, I accidentally groped you. Which is definitely my bad,” he says, scratching the back of his head. “What time is it?” He asks. Lucy checks her phone. “9 in the morning. We’ve been flying all night.” She says. Jack looks around. “It’s just us awake, besides Rev. He’s a maniac,” Lucy says. Rev turns around, frowning. “Shove it up your ass, Lucy.” He responds. “Only if you watch, cuck.” Lucy retorts. Rev flips her off, turning back towards the controls of the helicopter. Lucy smiles, chuckling. “Love that guy.” She says. Jack looks at Abigail, sleeping soundly in the makeshift bed next to him. “So what’s her deal? I know she’s in charge of Division 18. But what’s her story?” He asks. Lucy sighs. “It’s a long one. She’s my girlfriend, and she’s not a day over 116.” She smiles. Jack looks shocked. “She’s 116 years old? How!?” He asks. Lucy smiles. “For the record, never, under any circumstances, ask a woman how old she is or how she stays so young-looking. But she has an amulet that regenerates tissue. She can’t age unless she takes it off.” Lucy says. Rev looks back over his shoulder at the former North Reach cop. “Yeah, we’re all like that. Humans, at least. Lucy is over 1,000… I think.” Rev says. Lucy rolls her eyes. “I’m 918, not a fucking thousand.” She says chuckling. Abigail wakes up, looking at Jack. “Hey...Good morning…” She says, stretching her arms over her head. “Morning, Abby,” Lucy says. Rev looks confused. “When did you two get so comfy with each other?” He asks. Abigail smiles. “I never kiss and tell.” She responds. Abigail looks back at Jack. “How do you feel?” She asks. Jack notices his left arm is a bit sore. “Did I get bit?” he asks, rubbing the sore spot. “Nah, I gave you some of my blood. So you’re one of us, and can’t age. Unfortunately, the whole ‘not dying’ thing is only for me. Sorry.” Abigail says. Jack smiles. “Thanks, I hope I can help some.” He says, somewhat bitterly. His life as he knew it was over, and he stifled a sigh of sorrow.
The Dead Arise-
Jacksonville, 2016-
“Brady! We’re home! And we brought in a stray!” Abigail calls out, tossing her lab coat over a nearby office chair. Brady smiles at them, wiping some of the cream off of his lip. He puts down the doughnut and stands. “Howdy, guys. Who’re you?” Brady asks Jack. The former cop looks Brady up and down, judging him based on his outfit. “Jack Hollow, former Police Chief of North Reach for one day…” he says. Brady chuckles. “Rough first day, huh?” He asks. Jack nods, laughing with him. “Yeah, suppose so…” He says. Lucy and Rev walk over and take a seat at the table behind the two men. “So, what’s new on the news, Brady Boy?” Lucy asks. He scoffs. “Never call me that again, okay?” He asks. Lucy shrugs. “Sure, whatever.” Rev chuckles, and Brady walks over to the computer he was sitting at before the others came back. “I found this strange radio signal coming from London… Someone seems to be calling for us to visit.” He says, pressing play. “Hello, Division 18. Abigail Bright. I’m cordially inviting you to the grand remergence of The Omega Corporation! London, England. January of next year, be there.” The recording stops, and Rev looks worried. Lucy glances over at him, confused. “Who was that? You know him?” She asks. Rev nods. “Yeah, I know him… my old boss.” He says. Abigail walks in, shaking her head in anger and annoyance. “Samuel fucking Kane. Smug bastard.” She says aloud. Rev looks over at her worried. “Hey, for the record, I didn’t like him when I worked for him.” He says. Abigail chuckles to herself. “Yeah, me neither. Hence why he’s got a hate-on for me.” She says. She looks over at Lucy. “Fancy a trip to London for our first date, honey?” She asks. Lucy shrugs. “I dunno, not much there I’d care to see.” She replies. Abigail smiles. “Big Ben is just a giant clock, wanna go laugh at it and make out in front of the Royal Guard?” She asks. Lucy’s tail wags excitedly. “Hell yeah!” She replies. Abigail smirks. “Brady, buy us tickets before the plane takes off next month.” She demands. Brady sighs, opening a new tab on his desktop. “Fine,” he says, annoyed.
Detonation-
London, 2017-
Later that month, Abigail and Lucy sit together on board a small private plane bearing the Division 18 emblem on the wing. Lucy sighs. “I’m just glad we bought a personal jet before Brady ordered those nasty tickets for that disgusting airliner. I don’t have fond memories of them…” Lucy says, shuddering at the memory of Hawaii. “I’ve always wanted to visit the United Kingdom…” Abigail says staring out of the plane’s window. Lucy sighs. “It looks like every other Human city, nothing to write home about.” She replies. Abigail furrows her brow. “So? I think it looks nice for being just ‘another Human city.” She says, slightly mocking Lucy. She rolls her eyes and falls back asleep while listening to Abigail gasp in amazement at the United Kingdom. Lucy snaps her eyes open and sits up. “You’re 116 years old and never left America!?” Lucy asks bewildered. Abigail turns suddenly. “Yeah? I’ve been busy.” She says sheepishly. Lucy chuckles. “God, you’re cute.” She says, drifting off to sleep.
Almost an hour later, the distant sound of rumbling wakes Lucy up from her nap. She notices Abigail is missing, and stands up to begin her search. She notices the sky outside is a beautiful orange with a hint of red. She smiles, admiring the sunset. She checks her watch, and it reads 3:13 p.m. “Wait… what the fuck?” She exclaims, the realization of the strange sunset dawning on her. Lucy rushes to the cockpit of their plane to find Abigail sitting in the pilot’s seat. “Lucy! Hey! Do me a favor, please? Hop in the co-pilot’s chair and help me land this plane.” She asks as the plane begins shaking violently. Lucy immediately jumps in the seat and puts on the headset. “Try to signal London, tell them Division 18 Flight 815 is demanding an emergency landing.” She instructs. Lucy looks puzzled. “Shouldn’t we request landing?” She asks. Abigail gestures towards the window to her left. “Look out there and see if it's the time for requesting, dear.” She says. Lucy peeks around Abigail’s head. The beautiful orange and red sunset she saw before turns out to be a mushroom cloud rising from where London was. “Holy fuck…” Lucy mutters. Abigail points at the radio. “Radio for an emergency landing, NOW!” She yells. Lucy jumps and grabs the radio. The ground grows rapidly, and Lucy fumbles for the button that allows her to speak. “Hello? Division 18 Flight 815 is demanding, I repeat, DEMANDING an emergency landing. Are there any nearby airports?” She asks the radio. Static is all she gets in response. “Yeah, here. Land at the open field right in front of you, we’ll send some people out to help you.” A man on the radio says. Lucy looks at Abigail skeptical of this offer, but Abigail closes her eyes. “Just accept it, we can’t do anything else.” She says. “Alright, we’re coming down now!” Lucy says into the radio. Abigail tries to gently lower the plane towards the ground, but a missile strikes the right engine. Lucy and Abigail are thrown forward, and the plane begins a nosedive. “SHIT!” Abigail shouts, attempting to level out the aircraft. The left-wing clips a tall tree, flying off into the tail. With both wings inoperable, and the tail damaged, Abigail and Lucy share a look of concern. “BRACE FOR IMPACT!” Lucy shouts as the plane kisses the ground. It scrapes the ground hitting trees and rocks, eventually rolling to a stop in the open field. The last thing Lucy sees before passing out is a large black van bearing the Omega Corporation’s emblem driving towards the wreck.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Samuel Kane-
London, 2017-
“Well, well, if it isn’t young-ish Abigail Bright and her Demonic cohort, Lucy Daemon.” A man says standing over the two unconscious women. Abigail slowly opens her eyes and looks up. “S-Sammy?” She asks weakly. Samuel Kane grunts, looking away from her. “Don’t call me that. Not after what you did to me.” He says. “Plus, just going by Kane sounds more menacing… Which I’m trying to be now.” He says. Lucy wakes up, and spots Kane wearing his black leather coat with his blonde hair styled up. “Holy fuck, did the 1980s throw up on you?” She asks, laughing. Abigail snorts, and the duo starts howling with laughter “He looks like a reject from The Outsiders!” Abigail adds, causing Lucy to laugh even harder. Kane grows annoyed, his face turning bright red. “I did this! I nuked London! And you know what? I plan to do the same for America, so laugh at that! Fuckers!” Kane shouts, storming off. Omega soldiers follow him, leaving in the van they arrived in.
After a lengthy session of laughing in the dirt and debris, Abigail helps Lucy up while dusting off her shoulders. “You okay? That was quite the rough landing…” Abigail asks, examining Lucy’s wounds. “Relax, I’ve been through worse from people I don’t even love,” Lucy replies. Abigail smiles softly. “I’m glad you’re okay. But we need to warn Brady and The President that Kane plans on destroying the whole goddamn country.” Abigail says. Lucy looks towards the mangled and smoking wreckage of their plane. ‘Wish we had a plane or something to fly back with.” Lucy says. “Yeah, me too.” Abigail concurs. The duo begins to slowly walk back to London. “At least we can’t get lost on our way. There’s only a giant beacon rising from London…” Abigail jokes. Lucy scoffs. “You should be thankful I’m a Demon because you’re going to Hell for that one, asshole,” Lucy adds, and they laugh while they walk.
Global Threat-
Washington DC, 2017-
“This is why I didn’t vote for you!” Jack shouts. Sitting across from him is President Scott, the current President of The United States. Rev slugs Jack’s shoulder, clearing his throat. “Forgive my temperamental friend here, Sir. What he meant to say was Kane poses a real threat to the free world.” Rev corrects Jack. President Scott nods. “I’m aware, we have experts on his trail.” Rev laughs. “Sorry, Sir, but Kane’s a charming bastard. Odds are the people you sent after him are working with him.” Rev says. President Scott looks at the papers resting on his desk. “Fine. I’ll grant you access to Roswell’s nuclear payload so Kane can’t get to it first. I’m putting a lot of faith in you guys, don’t forget that.” He says. Jack and Rev nod, standing. “Thank you, Mister President. You won’t regret this.” Jack says, smiling. The duo exit the Oval Office and walk down the hallway in silence. “You’re such a fucking dumbass.” Rev blurts out. Jack frowns. “What makes you say that?” He asks. Rev faces him directly, stepping in front of him and stopping both of them. “‘This is why I didn’t vote for you.’ Ring any bells?” He asks. Jack looks down. “Okay, maybe I was a little out of line.” Rev interrupts him. “A LITTLE!?” He shouts. Jack shushes him. “Remember, we’re in the goddamn White House. Keep your voice down…” He says. Red lights suddenly flash down the hallway, and distant footsteps running towards the armory echo down the corridor. “The fuck’s happening?” Jack asks. The intercom answers his question almost instantly. “We are now in DEFCON 1. London has been attacked with a nuclear weapon. I repeat: London has been attacked. The United Nations is planning a response. Repeat: We are now in DEFCON 1…” it loops over and over as Jack and Rev rush for the front doors. They arrive at Rev’s car and start the engine. “We gotta get back to HQ and warn Abigail about this!” Rev exclaims. “Wait, we need to stop somewhere first, I have an idea,” Jack says. Rev rolls his eyes. “We’re on the brink of nuclear fucking war and you want to make a pitstop? Where?” He demands. Jack looks at a nearby sign. “We need to go to North Reach, I think someone might be waiting for me with something to help us…” He says. Rev looks at Jack’s phone, with a strange message from an unknown number resting on the lock screen. “Murphy’s Law: if something can go wrong, it will. Find me back home, JH. -L.” Rev sighs, turning the car towards the closed on-ramp. “Fine, I’m interested now.” He says, driving toward the abandoned ruins of North Reach.
Frontier Fallen-
Above North Reach, 2017-
“Hello? Is Brady Garrison in here?” A voice calls out from the Frontier’s hallway. Brady is cowering behind the chair in the control room. “Yeah, who’s out there?” He responds. “Doctor Samuel Kane of The Omega Corporation, formerly Division 18,” Kane responds. “Open the door, I want to talk, that’s all. I promise,” he says. Brady reluctantly opens the door, and Kane immediately pulls out a pistol. “Yeah, I still want to talk. But I need some leverage, okay?” he says, slightly moving the gun in his hand. “Listen, I need you to do two things for me. Kapishe? “ Kane says. Brady swallows. “I-I guess so…” Kane smiles. “Good! First-” He says, walking towards the controls for The Frontier. “-Which one knocks this hunk of metal out of the sky?” He demands. Brady stays silent. “I won’t ask again,” Kane says cocking the gun. Brady points at a lever, and Kane flips it down. The Frontier’s alarms start blaring, and Kane chuckles. “Music to my ears. C’mon, let’s blow this joint.” He says, motioning towards the door. He drags Brady to an escape pod. “Here, we’ll discuss my second request on the way down.” He says, climbing inside. On the way down, Kane reveals a small parasite inside a sealed vial. ‘I want you to open this and throw it on Abigail Bright. It’ll turn her into a Zombie, which I think would be good vengeance for what she did to me and my family in North Reach.” Brady takes the parasite and tucks it inside his coat’s pocket. “Yeah, I suppose so. What do I get out I this?” He asks. Kane smiles. “You get to be the start of a hierarchy shift across the whole world. Welcome to my new world order.” Kane says, smiling. Brady looks out the window and can see The Frontier hurtling towards Earth after entering its gravitational field. “Brady, answer your goddamn radio!” Brady’s radio says quietly. Kane doesn’t notice as he’s too busy watching the Space Station fall. Brady turns on the radio and taps Morse code onto the mic. “..-. .-. --- -. - .. . .-. / ..-. .- .-.. .-.. . -.”
The Horror Of North Reach-
North Reach, 2017-
The car drives slowly down the rubble-filled streets of North Reach. Jack spots the squad car he wrecked a year ago sitting where he left it: Wrapped firmly around a street lamp. “That you?” Rev asks. Jack chuckles. “Yeah, I never was a great driver,” he adds, laughing. Gunshots dart across the street in front of the duo, and they stop the car. “GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE CAR, NOW!” A voice calls out from a rooftop. Jack and Rev slowly get out, and Jack shows his NRPD Badge. “Listen, I’m a cop. We’re here on a missing person’s case…” he says aloud. The sound of metal dropping on cement echoes down the ruined streets. “Jack?” The voice asks. Jack squints, trying to recognize the voice. “L-Liz?” He asks. A door opens, and Liz runs out to embrace Jack. Rev stops her by drawing his revolver and aiming it at her. “Woah, easy now. I’d hate to kill the person who just shot at us.” He says. Jack steps between them. “Relax, Rev. She’s with me, we’re good.” He says. Rev lowers the gun. “Sorry, just can never be sure.” He backs up towards the car. Liz and Jack embrace tightly. “I thought you left me behind!” Liz says, tears forming in her eyes. Jack pats her back gently, rubbing the back of her head. “I didn’t, Stone told me to head to the Reach and I thought you were heading there… It all happened so fast…” He says. Liz smiles. “No, dummy, I went back to the Police Station. The others all… Those undead wore their faces like masks… And took their arms to add to themselves… It was horrific..” Liz says. Jack shushes her. “Don’t dwell, I’m here for you now. Let’s get the hell out of here.” He says, turning towards Rev. Rev, however, is looking up at the sky with his hand blocking the sun. “That’s funny, there wasn’t any warning for meteor showers today…” He mutters. Jack and Liz look up and see what Rev’s looking at. A large object is hurtling towards the Earth, with smaller parts surrounding it. Rev grabs the radio from the car, switching it on. “Brady? It’s Rev, do you copy?” He asks. No response. “Brady, answer the goddamn radio!” Rev shouts. Instead, a string of morse code is heard. “Oh for fucks sake…” Rev says grabbing a pen and some scrap paper off the ground. “..-. .-. --- -. - .. . .-. / ..-. .- .-.. .-.. . -.’ What the fuck does that mean?” Rev asks. Jack closes his eyes. “I can understand it, say it again.” He demands. Rev repeats it and Jack’s eyes shoot wide open. “We need to get the fuck out of here, NOW!” He shouts, grabbing Liz and climbing inside the car. Rev jumps in and starts it, flooring it towards the highway. “Well, what does it mean?” He asks while they race the meteor. “Translating from Morse code, what Brady sent us roughly translates too-” He says when a giant piece of meteor lands in the path of the car. Rev, Jack, and Lucy can easily identify the Division 18 emblem printed on the burning piece of metal. “F. R. O. N. T. I. E. R. / F. A. L. L. E. N. The Forntier’s fallen.” He says. Rev looks back up at the meteor, and now that its distance has closed dramatically, he can spot the outline of the Space Station within the fireball it’s in as it falls to Earth.
Contagion-
New York, 2017-
Lucy and Abigail meet with Jack, Liz, and Rev in New York to talk about what happened across the world. “It did what?” Abigail asks. “Yep. The whole goddamn station fell to Earth and destroyed North Reach. Again.” Jack says. Brady kicks open the door with Kane’s hand tied behind his back. “Hey guys,” Kane says. Brady throws him to the floor. “Found him crawling aboard The Frontier. He knocked it out of the sky, slimy bastard.” He says. Kane smiles. “Yep, ya got me,” he says, imitating a shocked expression. Lucy grabs Abigail and whispers in her ear. “I don’t like this, it seems like a setup,” Lucy says. Abigail nods her head. “With Samuel Kane involved, it’s most definitely a con. Let’s just play along.” Abigail says back. She pecks Lucy on the cheek before approaching Kane. “What? You’re a lesbian? Awww.” Kane says in a monotone voice. He rolls his eyes. “Whatever, you always were a loser in University. No surprise you swapped sides since no boy ever wanted to fuck you.” Kane sneers. Abigail grows angry and kicks him in his chest. She draws a gun on him, and he laughs. “WOW! Gonna kill your most valuable asset because I dissed you and your Demon fucktoy? How goddamn sensitive are you?” He asks. Abigail cocks the gun. “Abby,” Lucy says loudly. Abigail sighs, de-cocking the gun and reholstering it. “Thanks. Almost lost myself.” She says, kicking Kane’s side instead. The group huddles in the corner to discuss where to take him. “I think Wolfrun, they just finished rebuilding. Our prison is up and running too.” Jack says. Abigail nods. “Good plan, let’s get this homophobic piece of shit locked away.” She says. “Where’s Brady?” Lucy asks, looking around. “Oh my fucking God, what the fuck is he doing?” Kane asks, looking out of the window. The group spots him opening the parasite vial, and it instantly infects him. He also immediately bites someone walking by. Soon, a whole Outbreak is occurring. “Oh fuck, we need to go now!” Abigail says, climbing in the driver’s seat of a small bus. Jack, Lucy, Rev, Liz, and a handcuffed Kane all board as well, and the duo begin to race for Wolfrun.
Death Comes For Us All-
Harrisburg, 2017-
The bus is stopped by the National Guard on the way to Wolfrun, and the group is forced to wait in an outpost in Pennsylvania while their IDs are checked. “I’m so bored. Someone read me a story!” Kane whines. Abigail turns toward Lucy, and Jack puts on headphones. Rev cleans Ellie, and Liz is asleep. Lucy sighs. “Guess I’ll read the baby a bedtime story.” She turns to face Kane. “Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who lived in a shoe. A big old mean Demon came along and took that shoe. She thought she looked so pretty in her new shoe, that she went to find her most hated enemy. She then shoved that lovely new shoe so far up his ass, it went from white to red.” Lucy says. She looks down. “Oh! What a coincidence! My shoes are white too!’ She says, glaring at Kane. Kane frowns. “Fine, leave me alone, Bitch.” He mutters. Lucy turns around smiling. “Nice work, dear,” Abigail says. They hold hands and can hear Kane gag behind them. She shakes her head, ignoring them. The duo fall asleep with their hands interlinked.
They’re woken up by the rapid sound of gunfire. “THEY’RE IN THE GATES!” A soldier yells down the hallway. Abigail and Jack are the first up, jumping out of their chairs almost instantly. The others get up too, and slowly creep their way toward the bus. A soldier stops them, holding their IDs. “You’re clear, get the hell out of here before the Undead are inside the complex!” he orders. Rev nods, and the group heads outside. The sky is grey with storm clouds, and rain pours down from above. The Undead swarm the facility, and the soldiers have long since abandoned the survivors. “Damn, can’t believe we pay these fucks with our taxes…” Kane says. Jack chuckles. “Can’t believe I’m agreeing with a lunatic with access to nukes.” He says. “Good thing I haven’t paid my taxes in a few years-” Liz says, but is cut off when a Zombie grabs her arm. It bites her, and Liz screams. “LIZ!” Jack cries out, rushing to her side. “Sorry, Jackie. You know what this means.” She says quietly. She pulls out her gun and shoots herself in the head. Jack is standing there shellshocked when more of the Undead flood the base. “JACK! Let’s GO!” Rev calls out, climbing aboard the bus. Jack rushes on board, and they head off.
The bus grinds to a halt near Wolfrun. “What’s the problem?” Rev asks. Abigail smacks the steering wheel. “Out of fucking gas.” She mutters. “We’re on our feet from here.” She says, standing. Kane groans. “Nooooo I don’t wanna walk…” He whines. Lucy punches him in the gut. “Tough shit, dude. Welcome to the team.” She says, grabbing him by the shoulders and dragging him off the bus. “C’mon guys. Let’s move.” Rev says. They head off and immediately find themselves surrounded by the Undead. “Are you fucking KIDDING ME!” Lucy shouts. Rev draws his revolver and looks at Lucy and Abigail. “Get home.” He says, firing once at the horde. They break apart, and Rev sprints through them. His overcoat flutters in the wind while he fires into the air. “COME GET ME! OVER HERE!” He screams, distracting the Zombies. One Zombie grabs Abigail and bites her arm, and she pushes it away. “FUCK!” She shouts, covering the wound. Lucy looks at her, tears forming in her eyes. “No, I’ll be fine. I have this.” She holds up her amulet. Lucy looks relieved, and they make a breakthrough in the horde. Rev has stopped shooting, and his shouts have faded away. “Rest easy, soldier,” Abigail says looking at the treeline Rev disappeared into.
Abigail, Lucy, Jack, and Kane arrive outside Wolfrun to find the city fending off the Undead. “Good thing we taught them defense,” Lucy says. Abigail nods, falling over. Kane gasps. “No! How is SHE sick? Isn’t she immortal or something!? He asks. Jack nods. “Something like that. Lucy, what’s up?” He asks. “She’s… She’s dead.” Lucy says coldly. “Listen, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if the regular Zombies can kill off 3 of us within an hour, what do you think a Zombed-up Abigail could do?” Kane says. Lucy stands. “I know. I’ll do it.” She says, drawing a knife. She rests the tip of the blade at the base of Abigail’s skull. She attempts to plunge it in, but Abigail’s eyes shoot open. She jumps up, her eyes glossed over red. “Oh fuck us..” Kane mutters. Zombie Abigail throws Lucy to the side and charges at Jack. Lucy hits a nearby tree, and Kane rushes to her side. “Listen to me NOW. I’m sorry for how I acted, I was just trying to piss you off. But I have people who can save you in Wolfrun. I need you and Jack to get there, safe and sound. Jack knows the Undead better than anyone, and you know the cure. I saw you and Abigail in North Reach. Now GO!” He says, standing. He charges at Zombie Abigail and drop-kicks her in the back. Jack gets up and rushes to Lucy’s side. “We need to go. Right now, we can’t stop her.” He says. Lucy nods. “Come on… Kane says he can help us.” She says. “RUN! WOLFRUN! GO!” Kane shouts as Zombie Abigail tears him open and begins eating him. Lucy and Jack run towards Wolfrun, and Lucy slows down. “NO! Don’t look back. Just don’t.” He says. Lucy cries as they run to safety.
Winning Death’s Favor-
Wolfrun, 2017-
Wolfrun’s streets are eerily silent. “Where is the help Kane promised?” Jack asks sarcastically. Lucy spots a helicopter bearing the Omega emblem sticking out of a nearby building. It’s flames billowing over the walls. “There, I guess.” She says. Zombies lumber around the city, and Lucy leads Jack to their old HQ. On the way, a Zombie bites Jack in the leg. “Fuck me, goddamn it.” He says. He gives a sad look to Lucy and draws his gun. “Seeya, Lucy. Been a good ride.” He says somberly. He fires and falls limp on the pavement. Lucy screams in anger and sorrow. “ALL OF THEM IN A DAY!? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!?” She screams. “Nope, sorry. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.” A voice says from behind her. Lucy turns to find a woman wearing a long, black robe and a plague doctor’s mask standing amidst the flames of the wrecked helicopter. “Howdy, sexy. About time I found you.” She says. Lucy grabs her gun and fires at the woman. “Sorry, those only tickle.” She says. She vanishes before Lucy’s eyes. Lucy feels cold hands rub her sides, moving slowly up to her shoulders. A cool breath accompanies the hands. “But don’t you worry, I like a little tickling. You know how to turn a girl on..” The woman says seductively. Lucy ducks forward, spinning on her heels to face the woman. ‘Who the FUCK are you!?” Lucy demands. The woman walks slowly towards the Demon, her hands on her hips. She draws a katana with a sharp, black blade. Red lines flow across the steel, and the woman plants it firmly in the ground before Lucy. “Who do you think? I show up, and almost 73% of the population of Earth dies. It’s not a coincidence. “You have the brains and the smoking hot body, try to put it together. Who am I?” She asks. Lucy stares at her. “I don’t know, the Grim fucking Reaper?” She asks sarcastically. “I don’t call you The Demon, do I? Say my name.” She says. Lucy’s eyes widen. “You can’t be.” She mutters. The woman laughs. “Yep! Bingo! Right on the money! I’m Death, the one and only.” Death says. “I came here to harvest all these yummy souls, ripe for the taking.” She continues. Lucy looks to the ground. “But, I feel bad for you, so I won’t kill you right away.” Death says. Lucy looks up at Death, tears in her eyes. “I want a favor.” She demands. “Death, I want you to revert time to before the Mass Outbreak. Please.” Lucy asks. Death bursts out laughing. “You’re not for fucking real, right? You’re jerking my chains?” She asks. Lucy stands unfazed. “I can give you my life in return. Give everyone a second chance, they deserve it. These people I’ve come to know this past year are some of the most amazing people I know, and I’ve been around for a long time. You must know this.” Lucy says. Death yawns. “God, you sure yap a lot. FINE.” Death says. She raises her sword towards Lucy’s neck. “However, I’ll let this deal simmer for a bit. Kneel.” Death commands. Lucy does as she’s asked. “Now, here’s my counteroffer. I’ll revert time, on one condition.” She says. Lucy looks up at the tall woman. “I let you live, but I come to take your soul when I feel like you’ve lived long enough. Deal?” Death says. Lucy nods. “Deal.” Death smiles underneath her mask. “Good. Now, I need to mark you as mine.” She says. She grabs Lucy’s left horn and rips it off. Lucy screams in pain, falling to the ground and holding her head. “There we go. Now, let’s do what you wanted.” Death says coyly. “See you later, hot stuff.” Death says, snapping her fingers.
“YOU FUCKING DID WHAT?” The Director asks Death, who’s sitting in his office chair. She spins the chair around in circles. “I reset the doomed timeline. Dimension 2 is back to normal, just after The Frontier falls, I believe.” She says. The Director storms over to Death and grabs the chair. It stops spinning, and he gets up in her face. “Don’t you EVER do that again, understand me? Don’t make me send you to the Void.” The Director says sternly, his eyes glowing a neon blue. Death stands up, towering over him. “Lower your tone, Alexander. You may be my boss, but you’re just a man in over his head and drowning in power. Do not make me humble you.” She says coldly, her eyes lit by green flames. The Director stands down, sitting in his spinning chair. “Sorry, I know I spoke out of line. But you can’t do that again, okay?” He says. Death nods. “I know, but I wanted to see what Lucy would do. Only she can remember the original outbreak anyway. Will she share her knowledge? Or will she keep it to herself? Let’s watch like the loser you are.” Death says smugly. The Director frowns. “Sure, whatever.” He says, looking at the screen showing Lucy, Abigail, Kane, Jack, Liz, and Brady lying in North Reach’s Ruins.