Zed Pov:
"I never thought my life would go like this. Originally, I planned to graduate from Seabrook High School and get a college scholarship that would help my football career which would then promote me as the first zombie football player. I got half of it right but later it changed to me learning that my girlfriend is half human, half alien, and then getting involved in various life-changing moments that made me into someone I never knew I'd become. An athletic zombie all-star who has bested Bucky, monsters, and survived a trip to hell itself. Might help with going to college once I graduate from Seabrook High again, there are only a few days left before summer begins. And I want to handle this 'Lovecraft' madness without any worries, which is why I'm taking this matter as seriously as possible since Brit had informed me about Mary's last slasher's whereabouts. Quill, the former general that was in charge of Sentinel and responsible for keeping Seabrook safe, and the man who had Revenant's parents killed."
Night Time-Old Seabrook
Having offered to assist with facing Quill to prevent his friend from facing the man who took away his parents. Zed had taken the information about the general having resided in the remains of Old Seabrook, a part of their town that everyone agreed to not change or be torn down. The remains would be left for the next generation and visitors to learn about their history and how one mistake helped generate a new town for everyone to live in. Not going alone to face the undead general, the zombie athlete was accompanied by his girlfriend Addison, Mist, and Goon the Second, who brought Franky along since he wanted in on the action that was happening around him.
"Not to sound ungrateful for you offering to help us. But wouldn't it be better if you were with Brit at the Big House? You could talk threw us on the phone and give us tips."
Addison spoke to the old man since he was at a disadvantage in being in a wheelchair and having Goon look after him. The bald man grunts toward the cheerleader's concern as he doesn't want to be at the Sentinel base.
"That's the issue with this generation. Always thinking they know what's best, back home on Lonely Street. Our oldest dames could knock a fang from a vampire, so don't think I'm letting you all have the fun without me getting a wallop."
Franky responded to her as he decided to stroll himself so Goon and Mist could keep their eyes out if anything tried to get the jump on them. With the quiet human boy walking beside Addison and Mist, Zed decided to take advantage and learn from Franky about the other zombies that lived he had back home.
"We never got a chance to talk about the zombies from your town. Most of the people who stroll into Seabrook had runnings with zombies, not like yours truly. But I want to know what makes them different than the ones here."
Zed questioned the old man about how he and Goon's father had their fair share of meeting zombies who were different from Seabrook in every aspect. With how quiet the atmosphere was and no sign of Quill hiding in what was left of Old Seabrook, Franky decided to give him a lesson about the undead residents of Lonely Street.
"Dead. That's what a Slack Jaw is kid, a zombie that's got less sense than you do in exploring the other side of a tombstone. It'll get you in trouble, much like right now with that Mary chick."
Franky answered him about how the zombies from his home were different and that Zed shouldn't ask about places where he wouldn't feel safe. Much like how he shouldn't have allowed Revenant to travel to hell by himself and persuade Lady Death to not take his soul after dying a second time.
"The reason why she's after Revenant and me is because we changed what it means to be a zombie. We don't hunt people like mindless beasts and eat brains; I helped change it when it came to living a normal life. Rev changed it when it came to using his strength to protect the humans that hated zombies."
Explaining how they both worked together to make the name 'zombie' mean more than just being a monster. The others listened to Zed's statement about how while he wasn't a fighter like Revenant and knew what it felt like to take a life, Zed knew how to bring people together as well as stand up against others who wanted to make them think zombies and monsters could live amongst humans. Franky could see how he meant the words and saw Zed not being like Revenant when it came to doing what was necessary to protect Seabrook.
"That kind of talk will get you slapped on Lonely Street. Still, I'm surprised you managed this long to survive in a world where there are nutjobs like Zombie Priest and Mary Lovecraft running around trying to keep things the same."
Responding to Zed's statement on how zombies could be more than mindless monsters for people to be afraid or used by terrible people. With their conversation handled, the two continued their walk while the others stayed in the back having a conversation amongst themselves.
"I'm glad that you two are having the best time in being in a relationship. One of the things you need to remember is always finding things to do, me and Zed had countless hobbies we did together when we first started. It's a good way to keep things active between you two."
Addison explained that it was tough to keep their relationship exciting since it was a rough start for her and Zed since Seabrook had started to let humans and zombies associate with each other. Goon the Second whispers to Mist about them having activities and wouldn't mind her telling them to Addison.
"We have several hobbies we do to keep things exciting. I pull off pranks on the Acys whenever they try to show off in front of the new cheerleaders you train, while Goon works on cars for auto shops that want a new look. We have different types of hobbies that keep things exciting for us."
She explained to Addison that Mist and Goon had various opportunities to spend time together and strengthen their relationship with each other. Smiling at Mist finding ways to have fun with Goon, Addison noticed a look from Mist that showed curiosity.
"Could you tell us a bit about this Quill guy? The Jones and Revenant don't talk about him. I mean, all I can remember was a man watching me during the experiments. But I never met the man."
Mist asked Addison if she knew about her adoptive brother's grudge against the general and was told to steer clear from Quill to not let him lose himself if they saw each other. Continuing to have luck on their side and seeing no sight of the deceased general or anything that would come from Zombie Priest or Mary Lovecraft, Addison was able to share the backstory between Revenant and General Quill.
"General Quill was one of the many men who survived the dark ages of Seabrook when the outbreak happened. He was the only one who stood against the zombies when they attacked the town, nobody questioned his tactics. All they were focused on was him saving Seabrook."
The cheerleader recalled the story her parents told when she was growing up in Seabrooks and learning about how the zombie outbreak was handled when everyone was freaking out. However, with the years going by after handling the zombies and giving them the Z-Bands that helped them retain what was left of their humanity, Quill started to act differently.
"Nobody knows why he did it. Maybe it was because his paranoia of zombies got the better of him or the fear of the outside world coming to Seabrook. After Rev took him down, the mayor and Sentinel had him leave Seabrook. Guess we know what happened to him after he left."
Addison finished her storytelling as the group was quickly startled by a trashcan being tossed at them. Looking over at who was responsible for it, Franky and Goon were shocked to see a familiar figure that they'd never suspected would appear outside of Lonely Street.
"Slack jaw."
Goon spoke out as it wasn't like the zombies in Seabrook as he recognized how the creature's jaw hanging and how its eyes showed no signs of intelligence. Unlike Zed or the others, the zombie had putrid green skin and showed no Z-Band markings on its wrists.
"I don't suppose there's no chance of talking about this peacefully?"
Addison questioned Franky or Goon the second about finding an alternate solution in handling this manner. The slack jaw responded with a roar which called a horde of slack jaws that started appearing from the remains of Old Seabrook. Crawling out of the old sewer drains, limping from the alleyways and moving at a slow pace. The five felt like they were in an old movie with how gross and horrific the zombies were acting.
"You had to jinx us, didn't ya?"
Mist commented on Addison's suggestion in finding a peaceful way to settle things which made their situation worse. Having them surrounded and waiting for the moment to strike, the slack jaws remain still as something was preventing them from attacking the gang. Looking over the horde of mindless zombies, they saw Quill amongst them who looked just like how he did when Mary revealed him with the other slashers. Undead and full of anger, the former general of Seabrook walked past the slack jaws and stared at the five.
"Guess your super zombie didn't come. Shame, I wanted payback for what his blood did to me."
Quill responded to not seeing any sign of Revenant amongst them since he remembered being brought back to life to exact revenge for doing his duty in looking after Seabrook. Zed grips his fist and walks in front of his friends to stand up against the former human now turned slasher.
"You did that to yourself. I was told how you were the reason why my Z-Band acted up all those years ago when the Acys took Eliza's laptop. And that you used Rev's blood to make you strong, guess you didn't think it could change you into a zombie like us."
The zombie spoke out toward Quill's accusation after Zed learn the truth about him losing control during his football game that happened during his first year at Seabrook High.
"I'm not a zombie. I'm something that you can't even imagine, especially how Zombie Priest gave me control over this horde. At first I couldn't believe it, I became a monster. But when your new leader is the embodiment of horror, why not give in to the monster?"
The slasher general spoke out on embracing the monster that he'd become before the gang. Without saying a word and glaring at them, the slack jaws started to limb toward them to tear the gang to pieces. Unsure how they could get away from the group, Addison stood with Zed as she showed no fear since Quill intended to make them afraid of him.
"Embracing your true self is always a good thing. It helps others see who the person is but for someone like me? They know who I am, do you?"
She asked Quill before showing the general and the slack jaws her hands generating electricity which left the slasher speechless at the cheerleader not being human. Shocking the slack jaws and causing half of them to collapse, the five made their way through Old Seabrook with the chance to take out the horde one at a time.
"Get them!"
Quill commanded the slack jaws as they followed after Zed and the others who ventured deeper into Old Seabrook. Passing by an old musician store, Goon found a guitar lying on the ground which gave him an idea. Finding a pick and started to strum the strings, his friends and Mist were confused at what he was doing as he planned on doing a performance for the slack jaws.
"You hear the screeching of an owl; you hear the wind begin to howl. You know there's slack jaws on the prowl."
He started singing which drew the attention of three slack jaws that were coming up from behind him as he swings the guitar at them. It sent their heads flying off as they were easy to take down with the right motivation. Deciding to go with the flow, they decided to reduce the slack jaws numbers by going to old stores and using their products to take them out.
"And it's terror time again. They've got you running through the night! It's terror time again. And you just might die of fright; it's a terrifying time."
Goon shouted as he continued to draw the attention of several slack jaws while the rest went after his friends. Zed and Addison went to a sports store where they saw a variety of equipment they could use, including an old baseball pitching machine that was in perfect condition.
"You hear the beating of your heart, you know the screaming's gonna start. Here comes the really scary part."
The couple sang together and noticed a small group of slack jaws entering the store. Loading up the pitching machine with baseballs, Addison used her electricity to start it up and Zed to aim it as the baseballs flew at each of the undead creatures which knocked them off their feet.
"Cause it's terror time again. They've got you running through the night! It's terror time again. Oh, you just might die of fright, it's a terrifying time!"
They continued the duet and took out the slack jaws with ease as they mowed them all down. Thinking they were out of harm's way, they saw Quill lurking in front of the store and saw the two. Unable to use the pitching machine, Zed used his zombie strength to hurl it into the general's face which gave them the chance to escape. Deciding to go after them by himself, it left the slack jaws to go after Franky who resided in an old bar where he was surrounded by the creatures. Looking over where one of the slack jaws saw Mist hiding in the corner, they saw only her suit that was standing by itself and collapsed.
"All the trees begin to moan and the monsters grunt and groan. Rotting faces full of slime, don't you know it's terror time?"
A voice singing along with the song as it was Mist who left her suit and was floating above the slack jaws. Franky chuckled at him being used for bait as he watched the living gas attack the slack jaws and tossed them around the bar. Looking outside of the bar, Franky saw Goon rushing over to join his girlfriend in the fight.
"And it's terror time again! They've got you running through the night."
He called out and swung his guitar across the remaining slack jaws leaving Franky to watch the couple working together. It reminded the bald man the old days when he and the kid's father worked together in handling them.
"Yes, it's terror time again. Oh, you just might die of fright. It's a terrifying time!"
Mist and Goon finished their song and had the bar filled with defeated slack jaws. Strolling his wheelchair over to the two and smiling at them taking out the creatures, he felt like a proud uncle to his best friend's son. The touching moment was interrupted by a crashing sound being made outside as they walked out to see Zed and Addison who were avoiding the objects that Quill was throwing at them.
"Stand still and die already!"
The slasher shouted at them which they didn't since it made it impossible for Quill to hit Zed and Addison. Seeing how it was impossible to escape Quill's sight, Franky had an idea of how to give the Seabrook couple an edge.
"Kid. I need you to do what your old man did to me when it came to handling palookas."
He told Goon the Second about an old move his father used when they were back on Lonely Street dealing with monsters. Understanding what he meant, the kid grabbed Franky by the shoulders and hurled him directly at Quill, it shocked Mist and the others at Goon throwing Franky at the slasher without hesitating.
"Knife to the eye you bastard!"
Franky shouted as he landed right over Quill's body and put him in an armlock. Unable to escape the old man's grip over his neck, Franky pulled out a switchblade from his pocket and jammed it into the slasher's eye. Yelling in pain at being blinded by the handicapped man, it gave them enough time for Mist to return to her suit and regroup with Zed and Addison as they watched Goon's uncle taking on the out-of-control general.
"I heard to take out a slasher is by taking out the heart. Don't think Franky can give us an opening?"
Zed asked Goon if the old man's stabbing could expose Quill's heart because of how decayed the slasher's body was. Quill broke free from the armlock and grabbed Franky by the leg and was going to pull him apart, only for the old man to slash his shirt open showing his exposed heart to the others.
"I'm going need therapy after this."
Addison stated as she used her alien powers to electrocute Quill's heart, it forced the general to let go of Franky as Zed rushed over to pull him out of harm's way leaving the five to watch his heart blow up inside of the general's body. Gasping at losing his vital organs, Quill growled at them and attempted to go after them but collapsed on his knees.
"I hate this town."
Saying his final words before falling to the ground and ending his slasher afterlife. Going over to help put Franky back in his wheelchair, Goon and the girls made sure that the old man wasn't hurt during his time dangling around Quill. All they could see from Franky's face was smiling at the thrill of being back in action.
"And that's how you handle the undead. No fancy weapons or traps, just dumb luck, and a trusty old switchblade."
He told the four with a smile on his face as they looked over at Quill's body seeing the former human not standing up. Deciding to make sure he wouldn't jump scare them or the other slack jaws who were lying on the ground, Zed noticed by one of the buildings was Brit who managed to make it in time to see them finishing off the fallen slasher.
"Brit. Glad to see you here, but you missed the fighting. All we have to do now is handle cleaning up and taking down Mary."
Addison informed the Sentinel leader about finishing off the last slasher and seeing there was nothing left for Mary to throw at them. The brunette-haired girl nodded at the cheerleader's response and showed a smile, an eerie smile that made Addison nervous since she never smiled like this before.
"How wrong you are, cheerleader."
A voice spoke through Brit as it was someone disguised as her friend leaving the others to notice Brit's left arm shaking and sprouting a set of three green tentacles that belonged to Mary Lovecraft. The fake Sentinel leader removed her face to reveal herself as Mary as she swiped Addison away and attacked the others. Seeing his girlfriend and friends hurt, Zed changed the setting of his Z-band and went full zombie. Charging toward Mary to make her pay for attacking the gang, the embodiment of horror used all three tentacles to grapple Zed and tighten her squeeze around the zombie. Making Zed go unconscious, Mary bows toward the four before dragging Zed into the sewers and making her escape with the football player. Having trouble getting up from the hit, Addison and the others were terrified to see that despite ending Quill and the slack jaws, Mary had taken Zed and planned on doing who knows what to him as she would take her revenge on him and the rest of Seabrook for taking out the revived slashers from the grave.
"The song used for this chapter is 'Terror Time Again' by Skycycle. All rights to the song belong to the band and the people who helped make it. If anyone wishes to ask about what will happen next is welcome to comment about this story alone, other than that. See you soon!"