Chapter 1- 15 Days Later
Westley and Kyra are walking down a street. Kyra points the camera at the houses as they walk. "Why are we filming? I mean what's the point? Dr. Cole could be dead, or I don't know left," Westley says.
Kyra points the camera at him. She hands Westley the camera, who then points it at her. "Because we should document what is going on," Kyra answers.
Westley moves the camera away and points it ahead. They turn onto a road and start walking forward.
Fifteen minutes later. The two are still walking. They have put the camera away. They see someone walking in front of them. Kyra instinctively grabs the camera and starts recording. A few minutes later, they catch up to the person. Billy puts his hand on his Colt. "I don't want any trouble," Billy says.
Kyra continues to record. "We don't want anything either. We are documenting for a class project," Westley says. Billy chuckles.
"You might as well stop. There ain't no class projects anymore. No school or church. So I'm gonna ask that you turn that camera off," Billy says as he wraps his hand around the grip of his gun.
Westley looks at Kyra, who nods. She points the camera at the ground. "We haven't seen many people. At least none infected people," Westley says. Billy takes his hand off his gun and turns and looks at them. There was blood on his shirt and a little on his face. "That's because most people have been in L.A with the Army. Anybody outside the city is dead," Billy says. "Most people, at least."
Kyra looks at Billy. "I'm Kyra," she says. "This is Westley," she introduces while gesturing to Westley.
"Billy Walsh," Billy says to them.
Kyra turns off the camera. "Where are you going?" Westley asks. "We are going to find more people to interview."
"I've been staying around here to see if anybody needed help or if the Army would fix this. Since that isn't going to happen. I'm heading to Georgia to find my dad," Billy says.
"Georgia? My brother and parents are in Georgia. It's going to be a long journey," Westley replies.
"I got people I care about there besides my brother. You can join me if you want. My only condition is that camera stays off of me," Billy says.
"I'm going to have to pass," Westley replies.
Kyra looks at Westley and then at Billy. "You're gonna travel by yourself with your friend and your camera. Be my guest," Billy says.
"We're gonna stick around here," Westley says.
"I'll be heading on my way tomorrow. I would stay away from the city. The Army will be getting rid of it and anybody they can find soon. Nobody will be alive," Billy tells them.
"You mean they're going to kill everyone inside?" Kyra asks.
"Yeah, I give it a day or two. They'll bomb it and try to kill everybody they can to contain this," Billy says. "People might make it out, but it won't be easy."
Westley sighs. "We should leave. They might start killing civilians outside of the city," Kyra says.
Westley looks at Kyra and nods. "Welcome to my train of thought," Billy says. "They'll do it in every major city. Atlanta, San Diego."
"Oh shit… I have family in that area. They live just outside of Atlanta," Westley states.
"My dad lives in King County. I bet he would have headed to Atlanta. I hope he got out. That is why I'm going my dad and friends. May take a week or two, but I'll get there," Billy says.
"I'm an only child, and my parents died," Kyra says with a frown. She looks at Westley. "We should go to Georgia, you will regret it later, and we can film our journey there," she continues.
Westley nods. "My offer still stands," Billy says.
Westley looks at Billy, "We will go with you," he says.
"That also means you can't film me," He says to Kyra. "Do either of you have weapons?"
"No," they both answer. Billy was about to say something. They hear a growl beside them and sees one of the dead moving towards them.
"Hold on," Billy says as he pulls one of his swords out of the sheath and walked towards the dead. He grabs it by the shirt and drives the sword up through its jaw. The sword comes out the top of its head. He pulls the sword out and lets the body fall to the ground and pulls a rag out of his back pocket, and wipes the blood off the sword before he puts it away. He walks back over to them.
"This doesn't feel real," Kyra says as she looks at the corpse on the ground.
"They aren't alive anymore. Remember that woman we saw. She was infected, then she died. She got up and attacked me… The infected are not alive," Westley reassures.
Kyra nods and takes a breath. Billy looks around and sees there was a house not too far from them. "Come on, It's gonna be dark soon, and we need to find you two weapons," Billy says as he starts to walk towards the house.
Westley and Kyra follow Billy inside the house. They look around at the pictures on the wall of a family. "I wonder if they're in the city," Kyra says as she looks at the picture of the family on the wall. They hear a loud hit on the door to the left of them.
"I don't think so," Billy says as he pulls his sword out. He walks to the door and pulls it open, and backs up. He pulls out his other sword as two adults and one child walk out of the room. All of them are dead. Billy cuts off the woman's head and stabs the man in the face. He stares at the child for a moment before he stabs it in the head and pulls his sword out. He starts to clean the blood off. "Look around, find weapons, food, water, medicine," Billy says as he stabs the woman's head and puts his swords away.
Westley and Kyra walk into a room. The room has a large bed, a large black dresser, a closet, and a baseball bat. The bat is leaned up against the wall on the right side of the bed. Westley grabs the metal bat. Kyra looks under the bed and finds nothing. They leave the room and walk down a hall into another room. They find a backpack and a large chest. Kyra grabs the backpack and puts the camera inside it. Westley opens the chest. There is a large amount of pictures inside. A lot of them are pictures of the family. Westley moves away from the chest, towards Kyra.
"Anything in the bad?" Westley asks.
"No, but I put our camera inside."
Westley nods before the two walk back to Billy. Billy sat on the couch in the living room with two handguns and a shotgun he had found in the man's office. He had also found two bottles of water and three cans of beans. He looks up at them. "Do either of you know how to shoot?" He asks.
"Yeah, my father and I used to go to the shooting range," Westley answers. "Back before they moved to Georgia," he continues.
"Oh, that's right, you're from Montana," Kyra says. Billy holds the gun out to Westley.
"Full clip. In case you haven't figured it out. These things are attracted to sound," Billy says. He looks at Kyra. "What about you?"
"I've never touched a gun in my life," she answers.
"Then we'll have to train you until then. There's a knife in the office in that cabinet," Billy tells her.
Kyra nods. She walks away to the office. "Last I know of my parents, they were sick. I'm not sure they're alive, but my brother is. He recently got released from prison," Westley says.
"My Dad's a cop. His partner just got shot, so I know he was looking after Rick's family. We'll leave early tomorrow," Billy says as he pulls out three granola bars. He holds one out to Westley.
Westley grabs the granola bar. Kyra comes back with the knife. Westley opens the granola bar and splits it in half. "Hey, have a piece," he says, handing half of the granola bar to her.
Kyra smiles and grabs it. "What a gentleman," she says. Billy eats one of the granola bars and puts the other one back in his back.
"Get some sleep. I'll keep watch," Billy says as he grabs the shotgun and his back and walks outside.
Westley looks at Kyra. "I'm not sleeping in a kid's room," he says.
"Then sleep on the couch. I'll sleep in that big comfortable bed," she says.
Westley sighs. "Yeah, sure. Get some sleep," he tells her.
Kyra smirks and walks into the bedroom.
Westley walks outside and sees Billy. "I'm not tired," he says. Billy nods as he held his Colt and looked at the road.
"It's sickening. Killing a whole city. Why? Because the government is scared of it spreading," Westley rambles.
"Yeah, they waited too long already. This is the new world now life is just surviving until one of those things kills us or somebody else does. This is the new world," Billy tells him.
"Maybe we will find a cure. There has to be someone trying to make one," Westley says.
"If there was a chance of a cure. They wouldn't be bombing cities and knocking out half the population. More by my guess," Billy says.
Westley nods. "Yeah. So why are you in California?" he asks.
"Training to become a cop. I was training, at least. My dad wanted me to do it in Georgia, but my mom had died just before I graduated high school. A mugger murdered her. I couldn't stay there, so I came to L.A. These were her swords," Billy tells him.
Westley looks at the sword. "Oh, I'm sorry about your mom. I wanted to be a film producer, actor. But I really wanted to be a journalist. My parents didn't like either, so I just went with my gut. And… now I'm here," he says.
"My dad wanted me to do this. When I was young, my dad and grandad would take me out shooting," Billy lifts his Colt up. "My grandad gave it to me when he died. It was given to him by his father. This kind of gun was used back during the Civil war," Billy tells him.
Westley glances at the Colt. "Nice," he says. Billy nods as he holds the gun.
"You should really try and get some sleep. You'll need it tomorrow," Billy says.
"Yeah," Westley says. He walks back into the house.
Billy opens the door the next morning and walks up to the couch. "Get up," He tells Westley before he walks to the room Kyra was in and starts to hit the door.
Kyra opens the door. "Morning all ready?" she asks. Billy nods as he walks back towards the couch.
"We got a lot of walking to do. We should get moving," Billy says.
Kyra grabs the backpack with the camera in it. Westley gets up and looks at Kyra. Her long straight hair is resting on her shoulders and past her upper back. Westley hands her the baseball bat. "Swing away," he says. They walk outside Westley's eyes sting as they adjust to the sunlight. Billy holds the shotgun out to Kyra.
Kyra looks at Billy. "What, my hands are full," she says.
Westley grabs the bat. "You got your knife. I'll just use the bat," he says.
"The gun has a strap. Put it on your back," Billy says as he continues to hold the gun out to her.
Kyra sighs and grabs the shotgun. "Well, I think you look hot with that shotgun," Westley says with a grin.
Kyra rolls her eyes. "Shut it," she says.
"This is going to be fun," Billy says as he starts to walk towards the road.
The three walk into the road and start walking down. Westley looks at Kyra. "So," Westley says.
Kyra looks at him. "So?" she replies.
"Nothing," he says as he looks forward again.
"I'm never going to have peace again," Billy states.
"Why?" Kyra asks.
"Because you two seem like you like to talk," Billy says.
"I am pretty quiet," Westley states.
Kyra laughs. "Yeah, right, tell that to Macy. All you ever did was talk to her", she says.
"Oh really, how would you know I never saw you in class," Westley says.
"Yeah, well, I noticed you," Kyra says.
"You two aren't dating, right?" Billy asks.
"Uh no," Westley answers. "She is just my camerawoman, who happens to be obsessed with me."
"I'm not obsessed with you! I just…" Kyra pauses.
"If the Army wants to bomb us. I wouldn't not be okay with it," Billy says.
"You what?" Westley asks.
"I thought you were cool. Always hanging out with everyone, always doing projects with everyone," Kyra says.
"Please, you think I care about the morons. I prefer to work alone or with a smaller group. And besides, that doesn't matter. The infected roam the streets, and you're a decent camerawoman," Westley replies.
"I'm not your camerawoman. I'm your partner, you ass!" Kyra says.
"Okay, okay," Westley says with a low voice.
"Yeah, I don't know. I prefer this talk, the bombs, or the dead yet," Billy says.
The three walk for twenty minutes. They find a group of people walking the same road, walking towards them. Billy looks at Kyra. "if they are hostile. Point and shoot. Hit them in the chest, and they are dead," Billy tells Kyra.
"Can you handle that camerawoman?" Westley asks with a smile.
Kyra scowls, and they approach the group. Billy puts his hand on his gun as they get close to the group. "We don't want any trouble. Our car broke down. We are trying to get somewhere," A blond woman says as they get close. Billy could clearly see the group now. There was the blond woman at the front with a black man beside her and three younger people behind her—an older man by a woman and a taller man by the blond. Billy could only see a gun on the older man. "We don't either," Billy says.
"Where are you all going?" Kyra asks.
"You answer first. Where are you three going?" the black man asks.
"Georgia," Billy says.
"Why don't you take your hand off your gun?" The older man asks.
"Why don't you?" Billy asks. The older man chuckles and nods.
"Why Georgia?" the black man asks.
"My father is there, and his brother and parents are there. It's also better than being here," Billy says.
"It makes sense, Strand," The blond says.
"We have our own destination, and we will continue traveling to it," the black man says.
"And where is that?" Kyra asks.
"My beautiful boat. Being at sea is better than being on land infested with the dead," Strand says.
"A boat going gods nowhere and might just lead us back to the army," The woman beside the older man says.
"I wouldn't go on a boat. The military is killing people. If you guys are caught, you'll be executed," Westley states.
"Traveling to Georgia is just as risky if not more," Strand states.
"We should make a decision fast," a young male adult says.
"It may be risky going across the country. But there could be safety in numbers," The girl beside the blond says. "Daniel knows what he's doing, and this guy has two swords and a revolver,"
Kyra looks at Billy. "She is right. There is safety in numbers," she says.
"Yeah, my camerawoman is right. The more people, the more we can watch each other's backs," Westley says.
"There's also danger in numbers. I count one weapon on them. Maybe they have some hidden, but I have two guns, a knife, and two swords. I'm not going anywhere with people with no weapons," Billy says.
"We didn't have any weapons when we found you," Kyra states.
"We will go our separate ways. Come on, my boat is waiting for us," Strand says.
"You don't speak for my family, Victor," The blond says. "Where would we go on that boat?"
"I don't know. San Diego might be safe," Strand says.
"Nope, it's a big city, that means it's a target," Westley says.
"You guys should come with us. Maybe you'll let us document you," Kyra says.
"San Diego just like L. A and Atlanta will be bombed," Billy says.
"Operation Cobalt. I guess it is country-wide," Daniel says.
"This is it. Strand the end of the world. The question is do you want to die on a boat heading to a doomed city, or do you want to possibly die heading to Georgia?" Billy asks.
Strand doesn't respond right away. "Alright, fine," Strand gives in.
"This house of yours does it have any supplies? Weapons, medicine, food, water?" Billy asks.
"Yes, it does," Strand says.
Kyra grabs the camera out of the backpack and starts filming. She points the camera at Westley. "What now is not the time," Westley says.
"It's not just your decision. Besides, this is an important event," Kyra states. She points the camera at the others, avoiding Billy.
"Is she crazy?" The woman beside the blond asks.
"Yes," Billy tells them. "We'll head to his house first and get supplies,"
"It's a class project," Kyra says. She points the camera at Westley.
"Give me the camera!" Westley says. He grabs the camera and points it at Kyra.
"Give it back. I wasn't finished," Kyra says.
Westley turns off the camera. "We have to save space," he says. He puts the camera into the backpack. "We should get to this house."
"We'll lead the way," Strand says.
"First, we'll make introductions," The blond says. "I'm Madison. This is my daughter Alicia and my son Nick. The girl beside Daniel is his daughter Ofelia. This is Travis, his son Chris, and his ex-wife Liza. The other two are Strand and Daniel," Madison says.
"I'm Billy, and these two are Westley and Kyra," Billy says.
"Can we just go," Chris says with attitude
"Sure," Billy says. Billy looks at Strand. "Lead the way."
Strand slightly nods and leads the group down the road.