A Regular Outbreak

Season Four: Friendships Divided

Episode Five: A Sealed Fate

May 15th, 2024, Almost Midnight

The pellets of the shotgun pierced his skull, killing him instantly. His head exploded on impact, his blood splattering onto the insides of the car. His lifeless body fell forward onto the steering wheel, pressing onto the horn. The man sitting beside him, had seconds to act, before the car spun out of control and crashed into the side of the road.

He didn't have time to grieve. Rigby reached over to the steering wheel and took control of the vehicle. Luke and Sean held each other, with Alpha covering their eyes, while Mordecai was searching for the pistol he dropped, at the sudden death of his friend.

Eventually, he found it. He picked it up and pushed Alpha's head out of the way, so he could get a good shot at Eva. He quickly pulled the trigger and watched the bullet fly through Eva's eye. Eva screamed and held his head with both of his hands. He lost control of his car and veered into the side of the road, out of view.

Alpha kept his hands in front of the child's eyes and glanced over the back seat. The rest of the people that were pursuing them before, had disappeared out of view. Alpha breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Rigby, who had one hand on the wheel, and another hand on Cody's lifeless body.

Rigby stopped the car and opened the door on his side. The raccoon pushed Cody's body out of the truck and shut the door. He glanced at his body through the window and he sighed. "I'm so sorry…" He muttered.

The raccoon slammed his foot on the accelerator and the car began speeding down the road once again.

Mordecai glanced over at Alpha, before cautiously climbing into the front seat. He put the pistol in his lap and glanced at his spouse. "That was some sick shit…" Mordecai said, glancing at the blood that had splattered over the interior.

"You said it." Rigby replied, slowing the truck down. "I can't believe he's dead." Rigby sighed. He glanced over at the blue jay. Mordecai saw that Rigby's face was completely covered in blood. And they both knew that it wasn't his.

Mordecai reached over and put his wing atop of the raccoon's paw. "Stop the car man, I'll drive." Mordecai said, looking at his friend with a concerned face. Rigby nodded wearily, before slowing the car to a stop for a second time. Mordecai got out of the truck and walked around to the other side. He watched Rigby drop down and he picked him up.

Mordecai held Rigby close to his chest and sighed. "I'm sorry man." He said, in a quiet tone. "I never meant for you to take on all of this." He added. Rigby sighed and hugged him back.

"It's fine. I'm going to have to learn to do more of this, in case you don't make it." Rigby chuckled. Mordecai looked down at his companion and shook his head. "I won't let you go." Rigby said, wrapping his arms around Mordecai's neck. Mordecai cracked a small smile, before removing Rigby's arms from around his neck and placing him on the tarmac.

"Let's get going." Mordecai said, watching Rigby walk around the front of the truck. Mordecai opened the door and jumped into the truck. He shut the door behind him, before he glanced at the other side. He watched Rigby climb up into the passenger side, before turning his attention to the back seat.

"How are you guys holding up?" Mordecai asked, peering over the back seat.

"The kids aren't talking." Alpha replied, looking up at the worried bird. "But we're alive…so…" Alpha ended his sentence. He glanced down at the two kids and noticed that Luke had fallen asleep. Sean looked up at Alpha and yawned lightly. "They need their sleep." Alpha added, looking down at the two kids.

Mordecai nodded and turned back around. "Alright, let's get going." He said, pushing his foot onto the accelerator. He put the car back into drive and the truck began speeding down the road once again. Mordecai switched the lights on for the truck and sighed.

"It's so much better with light." He muttered, as he leant back into his seat. As he continued to drive down the road, he noticed a sign which read; 'You are now entering; Wyoming, Enjoy your stay.'

"Didn't even know there was a state called Wyoming." He muttered to himself, before glancing back over at Rigby. "I'm sorry to have put you through this." He muttered again, noticing that the raccoon was fast asleep. "Goodnight, man." Mordecai said, cracking a small smile.

Rigby woke up. He wasn't in the car. He was in a video game store. He glanced at his arms and noticed how small they were, compared to the ones he had now. He looked around this unfamiliar environment and scanned his surroundings. "Dude, you coming or what?" He heard a voice. Rigby turned his head and noticed a 13 year old Mordecai standing right behind him. "Didn't you want this game? You have been badgering me for it for weeks." Mordecai said, waving a game above his head.

"Yeah, I know man." The raccoon sighed. "I'm just not feeling myself today." He added, looking up at his friend.

"It's fine man. You'll be much better after you've played some L.A. Noire." Mordecai chuckled lightly at the end of the sentence. "Let's take this to the counter." Mordecai said, grabbing the raccoon's paw. Rigby was practically dragged to the counter of the store. Mordecai put the game on the counter and looked up at the cashier.

The guy behind the counter looked down at the boys, then at the game. "You do realise this game isn't for kids, right?" He said, picking up the game. "You boys shouldn't watching this stuff so young." He added, showing the cover to the two kids.

"I have all the money for it right here." Mordecai said, confidently placing the money on the counter.

"Oh! Nevermind! Go ahead, take it." The clerk snatched the money and opened the cash register. Rigby reached up and grabbed the game. The raccoon and the blue jay exited the store and began walking down the bustling streets of Twin Peaks.

"Man, I owe you." Rigby said, looking at his taller friend.

"No you don't, it's cool. It's yours forever, but only if you let me have a go." Mordecai chuckled. "Can't let you have allthe fun, can I?" He added, playfully punching Rigby in the shoulder.

Rigby rubbed his shoulder and looked down at the game. "Fine. I just want to do all of the detective-like parts. I'm gonna show you how smart I am." A confident grin appeared on the raccoon's face.

"Dude, that's the whole game." Mordecai scoffed. "And you don't have to show anything to me. Especially something that's impossible." Mordecai laughed.

Rigby glared at his friend. "Take a joke dude." Mordecai's tone lowered. "And besides, maybe we could invite the others over." He added. Rigby nodded and looked ahead of him.

Suddenly, everything around Rigby began to distort. He held Mordecai's wing, and squeezed it with all of his might. But after a few seconds, it disappeared with everything else. Rigby frantically looked around, scared about what was happening.

He was startled by a single gunshot that echoed around him. A few seconds later, he closed his eyes, and re-awakened in the truck. He opened his eyes slowly and rubbed them with his paws. "You get a shot! I'm trying to drive!" Rigby heard Mordecai shout. Rigby noticed the fright in his friends tone and looked to his left.

He turned to Rigby and looked back at the windscreen. "Thank god you're awake!" Mordecai said, putting the windscreen wipers on the highest setting. It was completely pouring rain outside, and visibility was extremely low. "You were out for four hours!" He added, suddenly turning the wheel extremely to the right.

The truck swerved to the right and it entered a new road. "What's going on?" Rigby asked, peering over the back seat.

"Those guys from earlier followed us down the road, they won't leave us alone." Mordecai replied, hardening his grip on the steering wheel. "Alpha's trying to scare them off." He added.

"We're out of ammo." Alpha said, putting the gun down.

"Are you fucking serious!?" Mordecai looked back over at him. "What are we gonna do…?" He muttered.

Rigby looked over the back seat and down the road. He saw one light that was following them. "Where's the other light of the car?" Rigby asked.

"I shot off the other light." Alpha confessed. "I'm a bad shot." He added, looking over at the two kids that were covering their eyes.

The pursuers approached extremely quickly and they rammed the back of the truck. The truck lurched forward and Mordecai tightened his grip on the steering wheel once again. The car sped up and in a few seconds, was side-by-side with the truck.

Rigby looked through the window of the truck and glanced at the contents of the car beside them. There was one person in the driver's seat, and two others in the back seat, looking back at Rigby.

The car suddenly slowed down and moved behind the truck. "The hell?" Alpha asked, looking out the back window. "Why did they-…" The car suddenly began to lose traction. Mordecai sharply turned the steering wheel to the left, trying to keep it on the road.

"I got it! I got it!" Mordecai strained. Mordecai eventually steadied the car and they continued down the road. Mordecai slowed the car down and glanced at the dashboard. "We still have half a tank." Mordecai said. "Are they still behind us?" He asked.

Rigby and Alpha looked through the back window. Neither of them noticed anything following them. "I don't see anything." Alpha replied, turning back to face the bird.

"Me neither." Rigby sat back down on the seat.

Mordecai remained silent and eased his foot off the accelerator. "Where are we?" Rigby asked.

"Some place called Wyoming." Mordecai answered. "Let's just keep following this road and see where it heads." Mordecai added.

"We've got enough supplies for a few days. So I think we're covered." The raccoon explained.

"Everyone get some rest. I'll keep us going for a few hours." Mordecai looked out of his window. He noticed a small crack of orange appearing over the horizon. "Go on." He added.

Alpha nodded and looked over at the kids again. Sean and Luke were asleep in each other's arms. "It looks like the two of them sorted out their issues." Alpha said, tapping Rigby on the shoulder. Rigby turned back and looked over the seat. He cracked a smile. "They're cute." He said.

Alpha smiled back at him. "I'm gonna get some sleep." The wolf said. Rigby nodded and turned back over. "Goodnight." Alpha rested his head on the back of the seat and closed his eyes.

Half an hour passed without a single word uttered between the dynamic duo. Rigby looked over at his friend and shook his head. The sun had risen and the rain had finally stopped. Mordecai switched off the windscreen wipers and glanced at the dashboard. "We've still got just under half a tank." Mordecai noted.

"That should be enough to put some miles in between Cody's farm-house and…wait. Where are we going?" Rigby asked, with a hint of worry in his voice.

"We don't have a certain destination. As I've already told you." Mordecai answered. "We are just heading north." He added. "Though, there is a place that is on my mind." Mordecai said, looking over at his spouse.

"There is?" Rigby tilted his head in confusion.

"Yes." Mordecai began. "Back at the farm-house. When Cody led us upstairs, after you and Alpha had gone to bed. He and I talked for a while about what we were planning to do." Mordecai explained. "Eventually, Cody told me about this person he had met before us. He said that he told him about this place two states away. A place where the military cage people in to keep them safe." Mordecai continued.

"That doesn't sound like a good place to be." Rigby noted.

"I know. I didn't think so either. But he said that the guy's family had been living there a while." Mordecai explained. "It might not be a fun place, but it would be a place where we don't need to fight anybody or anything anymore." He continued.

"No more zombies?" Rigby asked.

"No more zombies." Mordecai confirmed. Rigby remained silent and rested against the seat. The truck travelled along the icy road, while the sun shone upon them.

Four Hours Later

Rigby opened his eyes and looked over at the driver's seat. "Mornin'." Rigby said, stretching his arms. He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"Hey man, good morning." Mordecai looked back over at him and smiled at him. The bird reached over and kissed the raccoon's muzzle.

"It's been a while since I've had one of those." Rigby smiled.

"I know. I'm hoping we can do more of that." Mordecai smiled back at him.

"You're seeming awfully happy this morning." Rigby scooched closer to the bird and placed a paw on his shoulder. "I haven't see you this happy in a long time." He added. "What has you so cheerful?" Rigby asked.

"Well. For one thing, the sun has risen, the rain has stopped, and the road is completely safe to drive on now." Mordecai explained. "And plus, look what I found in the glove compartment." Mordecai trapped the glove compartment on Rigby's side.

Rigby reached over to it and pulled the hatch, opening it. A map fell out of the glove compartment. "It's a street map of America." Rigby said, picking up the map and opening it. "It says on the bottom the states it covers." Rigby added.

"Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North and South Dakota and Nebraska." Rigby read. "Which state did you say we were in again?" Rigby asked.

"Wyoming." Mordecai replied, slowing the car down. "I see a city sign." Mordecai added, pointing to the side of the road. Rigby looked up and through the windscreen, where his friend was pointing.

"Rock Springs." Mordecai read. "Where is that on the map?" He asked.

Rigby put his finger on the map and eventually found Rock Springs. "It's at the far southern part of Wyoming. If we head north from here…" Rigby explained. "We'll drive through Eden and Boulder. Eventually, if we continue down the road, we'll roll through Bondurant, Jackson, Moose and Moran." He added.

"Okay, we don't need to know that much." Mordecai stopped him. "I just need to know how big Rock Springs is." He added.

"Well, it's marked in black on the map. So it might be big?" Rigby shrugged and folded the map back up. "We'll have to turn onto Highway 191." Rigby said, looking back at the blue jay. Mordecai nodded and slowed the truck down.

"Okay, keep quiet. I'm gonna slow the truck down and we'll stop in the town." Mordecai said, his voice turning into a whisper.

"Why?" Rigby asked.

"Because we're gonna need a few more things." Mordecai replied.

"But we have all the supplies we need." Rigby argued.

"That's the bad part." Mordecai sighed. "Cody was carrying all of the supplies he brought. Not us. And when he died, he took the stuff with him when we left him on the side of the road." Mordecai explained.

"Oh my god!" Rigby exclaimed. "How could I have been so stupid?" Rigby kicked the dashboard. Sean jumped awake at this and peered over the seat.

"What's with all the noise?" Sean asked. "Keep quiet." Mordecai interrupted. The truck entered the town. Mordecai stopped the truck in front of a convenience store and turned off the engine. "Okay. Sean, stay in the truck and watch over Luke and Alpha." Mordecai ordered.

"Yes sir." Sean nodded and jumped into the front seat. Mordecai and Rigby opened their doors and exited the vehicle. Rigby crawled around the front of the car to Mordecai and they began to whisper to each other. "Okay…we haven't got any ammunition." Mordecai explained.

"I know." Rigby sighed. "So this is all we've got." Mordecai handed over a hammer to Rigby and kept the axe to himself. "Should we leave our backpacks in the car?" Mordecai asked.

"No, we should hold on to them." Rigby replied. "Now come on, let's get in there." Rigby approached the front door of the store. Rigby reached for the door knob and pulled it down. The door opened an inch, then it jammed. "You fuck." Rigby cursed under his breath, as he pulled the knob with all his might.

"Let me have a go at this thing." Mordecai approached. Sean sat in the front seat of the truck and looked through the window. He watched them attempt to open the door of the store. Mordecai stopped pulling on the door, and attempted to push the door open with his shoulder. "Damn thing." Mordecai exclaimed.

Rigby held his hammer in his left hand and glanced at the blue jay. Rigby stood on a box, so he could reach one of the windows. "What are you-…?" Rigby raised his hammer and shattered the glass. "Dude!" Mordecai exclaimed. "Let's just get in." Rigby crawled through the newly-broken window.

Mordecai sighed and followed his friend into the store. "Why did you do that? We'll have the whole town on top of us now." Mordecai scolded him.

"I improvised. I'm sorry." Rigby apologized.

"It's fine, let's just get any stuff we need, then we can leave." Mordecai replied. They stopped talking for a second. Mordecai looked around the store. The convenience store was as big as a department store. There were shelves lined with supplies and other important items. "Noone has looted this place!" Mordecai exclaimed. "Let's take as much as possible, then get out of here." Mordecai walked further into the store.

Rigby glanced at the counter of the store and approached it. He walked around the side of the counter and looked at the cash register. He opened a drawer under the register and noticed two keys on a chain. Rigby pulled it out and closed the drawer. The noticed a key hole on the side of the register. He shrugged and put the key in it. He turned the key and the register popped open.

"Oooh, money!" Rigby exclaimed. "I heard that! Just get some supplies, we don't need money." Rigby heard Mordecai laugh.

"Whatever man. I've just always wanted to do that." Rigby chuckled evilly and stuffed his pockets with the cash. He closed the register and turned back around. He noticed a red door with the words; 'Authorised Personnel Only' written in white writing.

"There could be something in there." Rigby shrugged. He used the key he picked up earlier to unlock the door. He pushed the door open, but like the previous door, it jammed. "Again!? Really!?" Rigby grunted.

He put his arm through the door and reached for the knob. He put his paw on the knob and turned it, but it didn't do anything. He looked down at the bottom of the door and noticed a crate behind the door. Rigby put his foot in the door and began pushing it open with his foot. He used the rest of his body to push the door far enough so he could slip through. The door moved an extra inch, and the raccoon passed through the space between the door and the wall.

But before Rigby could fully slip through the space, Rigby noticed a walker behind the door. The walker grabbed Rigby's wrist and pulled him into the room. "Fuck!" Rigby exclaimed, trying to release the zombie's grip on his wrist. But his efforts were in vain.

The walker reached down to the raccoon's wrist and sunk his teeth into his fur. "Dude? Are you alright?" Rigby heard Mordecai's voice outside of the room.

"No!" Rigby shouted, reaching for his hammer, that he'd holstered on his hip. Mordecai glanced through the crack of the door and into the room. Rigby kicked the walker away and raised his hammer. Rigby smashed the walker with the hammer, causing it to fall to the ground. Rigby smashed it again to finish it off.

Rigby stumbled back into a wall. Mordecai held his left shoulder and broke into the room. "What's going on?" The blue jay asked, looking over at the shocked raccoon. Rigby fell down the wall and onto the floor. He crossed his legs and folded his arms.

Mordecai approached Rigby and knelt to his level. Rigby showed Mordecai his wrist, which was still dripping blood. "Did you scratch yourself or something?" Mordecai asked. "I found a bandage, we can cover that." Mordecai added, acting like it was nothing.

"It bit me Mordecai." Rigby said, in a broken tone. Mordecai's eyes widened after he finished. "No fucking way!" Mordecai shouted. Rigby covered his eyes and looked away from the bird. Mordecai glanced over at the walker that was laying dead behind the door, then back to his friend.

Rigby stood up and looked at him. Rigby approached Mordecai and wrapped his arms around his waist. "I'm sorry…" He muttered.

Mordecai remained silent. He was too shocked to say anything. Rigby tightened his grip around his waist, not letting Mordecai go. The blood pouring from Rigby's wrist began to stain Mordecai's feathers. Rigby let go and stepped back. "There must be something we can do to help you…" Mordecai began to slightly panic. "No man…" Rigby sighed and adjust a strap on his backpack. He closed his eyes for a moment, before letting out a small sigh.

"My fate is sealed."

Next Time, on A Regular Outbreak

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"He can be saved right?" Luke asked, with an apologetic look on his face. "No man…" Mordecai wiped a few tears from his eyes. "He's dead." He added, with a cold tone.

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"We don't need any trouble. We're just trying to find a place to help our friend." Alpha attempted to calm the situation down. "I know a place. It's up in Idaho." The survivor replied. "I can take you there." He added.

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"I can lead them away from here!" He shouted, desperately trying to fight the zombies off. "Just go! I'll meet you there!" He shouted. "We can't leave you!" Rigby shouted, in a weak voice. "Yes you can! Don't let me die in vain! GO!" He shouted.

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"That's…that's gotta be it…" Mordecai said, staring in awe. "It has to be." Rigby said, in an extremely weak voice. Eileen and Hi-Five-Ghost appeared at the top of the wall with the soldier. "Is that Eileen?" Mordecai asked. Eileen and HFG gasped as they saw them.

"Mordecai! Rigby!"

Another chapter. I'm sorry for how long it's taken! Thanks so much for being patient guys, this one took FOREVER to make. Writer's block and extreme amounts of school work is to blame there. I'm sure it's not only just me though, so that makes me happier. Thanks so much for reading everyone!

-RSM