Saturday, July 17, 2010. Local time: 12:28 PM

We only have four and a half hours to figure this out, Sam wrote, adding to Jennifer, Manny, and Bernie's notes.

Jennifer knew how smart Sam and Becky were, and she was confident that, if anyone could figure out something to do with their dud grenades, they could. Sam sat with Jennifer and Bernie to discuss the notes in an empty old notebook, while Becky and Manny looked for components they could use in the secret room. Meanwhile, Zachary and Quinn sat by the window on lookout, while simultaneously having a conversation meant to distract anyone listening to them from the others.

"So do you think Donna's still out there?" Quinn asked.

"Well," Zachary said, "she was still alive half an hour ago. We heard gunfire about fifteen minutes ago but it seemed pretty distant. Sam figured it was the other side of the island, so as long as she wasn't there, she's probably fine."

Quinn stared.

"The odds of here being in that area are probably not THAT good…" He stopped, realizing he was thinking far too wishfully.

"What can I say, I've spent too much time hanging out with those two nerds. I'm starting to be all analytical and shit."

Quinn giggled. "I think she's alright. She does seem pretty tough."

Zachary looked down. "I hope so…"

…

Thursday, March 25, 2010.

"What the hell gives her the right to torture people like this?" Donna asked angrily.

"It's not a big deal Donna," Zachary said, trying to calm her down.

"Of COURSE it's not a big deal for YOU! You're a guy, and if a guy has sex with a million girls, he's a god, but if a girl has sex with just ONE guy, she's a whore. That bitch is ruining my life!"

Rachel Ferrer had spread a rumor around the school that Zachary and Donna had had sex together in one of the school's restrooms, earning Donna a reputation she had been trying to avoid her entire life.

"Look, it's not true, we both know it." He paused. "And even if we did, would anyone actually think we're dumb enough to do it in the boy's bathroom?"

His attempt at humor fell on deaf ears. "I've never understood how that works," Donna continued. "I mean, why don't guys get criticized for it? Aren't roughly the same number of guys having sex as girls? Probably even MORE?"

"Well," Zachary added, preparing for another attempt to cheer Donna up, "if a key can open a million locks, it's a master key. But if a lock can be opened by a million keys, it's a pretty shitty lock."

Donna looked at him, half in shock and half trying not to laugh. She failed with a smirk.

"So people are locks and keys now?"

"Look, even if this rumor was true, you wouldn't be a bad lock. The rumor is that it was just you and me. And you know I've got your back."

He paused.

"Let's get her back. Karma's a bitch, so it and Rachel would have a lot in common."

Donna laughed. "Look, let's just keep telling everyone the truth. I'm hoping this will just go away. Besides, everyone knows that Rachel's the biggest whore in the world; why are people even listening to her about THIS?!"

Zachary laughed. "I know right? I'm pretty sure that I'M the only one she's never slept with. That girl's easier than a Happy Meal puzzle."

Donna began cracking up. Zachary was happy he was at least able to cheer her up, but he wasn't gonna let Rachel get away with this. She hurt his best friend in the world.

The next day, he walked up to Rachel in the hall before the morning bell rang. "May I have a word?"

Rachel turned around. "What can I do for you?" She seemed flirtatious as she spoke to him.

"You leave Donna alone. Don't spread any more lies about her or—"

"Or what?" She was about to laugh. "You gonna hit me? Or maybe you'll drink my blood or something, right freak?"

Zachary was seething. "You are the LAST person to call someone a whore! How many guys have you fucked? Or did you lose count after number ninety-fucking-six?"

"Shut the fuck up Marilyn, what the hell is your problem?"

"You're my problem you skank! Donna has been my best friend since I was six. She's like my sister. And I'm not gonna let some bitch spread lies about her for no Goddamn reason. Now I'd tell you to apologize to her, but I know that Donna hates fake apologies even more than if someone just didn't apologize at all. So you don't talk to her, you don't talk ABOUT her, and you don't make shit up about her, because next time you do something like this to my best friend, I will make SURE to ruin your life!"

Rachel was frozen in shock. "Honey, you're stressed, aren't you? Seems like you wish it was true."

Zachary grunted in disgust.

"You can call me Donna if you want," she said sexily as she grabbed his hand. He immediately pulled it away.

"Enough, okay? It's not gonna work on me. I can actually see who you are as a person. No one ELSE can, it seems, but I can."

"And I see what kind of man you are, Zachary Garrett. You're passionate, caring, and protective. I respect the hell out of that. Any time you ever feel lonely, just let me know. I'd love to be with a REAL man for once."

Zachary shook his head. "Leave. Her. Alone." Then he walked away.

Dead

Boys

#14, #15, #18, #17, #10, #11, #21, #6, #2

Girls

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