A MAN runs at a sprint through the streets of a desolate town, gun in hand. Low, constant groans and moans can be heard in the background. He turns off the street onto a sidewalk and bolts up the porch steps of a simple craftsman house. He starts frantically searching through the rooms. He yells out names.
MAN
Jamie? Kevin?
He continues searching through the rooms, heading upstairs after finding the first floor empty. He stops outside of a door, 'KEVIN' painted on a plank hanging from it. He slowly opens it, hearing growls and what sounds like chewing coming from behind it. With the door open, he sees a young boy, about 5, on the floor eating the intestines of a now dead woman. The man stares in shock.
MAN
(whisper)
(whisper)
No. Kevin. Jamie. No.
The boy hears him and turns his head. His pupils are gray and dull, and his skin is ashen. He has the look of THE DEAD. Blood smeared across his face and shirt. He lets out a feral growl, and slowly starts to turn to the man. The boy leaps at the man and the loud report of gunfire can be heard.
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
The same man awakes in a sweating mess, sheets piled around him. His breathing is heavy and tears are forming in his eyes. He grabs a glass of water that is sitting on the bedside table and drinks it slowly. He stops and runs quickly to the bathroom, the sound of vomiting emanating throughout the room.
INT. BATHROOM - SAME TIME
The man stands in front of the sink. He rinses his mouth and then grabs some toothpaste and begins brushing. The bathrooms is simple, an eggshell in color. An ID badge hangs on a hook next to the mirror. A picture of the man is visible on it. The name reads 'RICHARD BONNER'. Underneath his name it reads 'Head of Chemistry' with 'Turner Industries' underneath that. Rick rinses his mouth with water and heads out of the bathroom.
INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME
Rick grabs a kettle and begins heating water over a small propane stove. He reaches into a pantry and pulls out some instant coffee. The kettle whistles and he pours himself the water into a mug, mixing in the coffee.
Rick walks over to a table he has on the other side of the large kitchen and takes a seat. He turns on a large CB radio and slowly searches through the frequencies, trying to find any sort of contact. He stops when he hears a voice broadcasting on the 'Truckers Channel'.
VOICE
...are about 30 miles west of Williams on HWY 20. We're headed to Clear Lake. Is there anyone in the area to know how bad things are?
Rick smiles to himself and pushes down the button on his CB microphone.
RICK
My friend, you are in luck. I'm on the northeast side of Clear Lake. Things have been relatively quiet here the last few months.
VOICE
Oh thank God. We've been trying to find someone on here for weeks. The name's Kevin, by the way.
RICK
Nice to hear a voice, Kevin. I'm Rick. I take it you guys are in vehicles.
Kevin
Yeah, Rick. We're in an RV. You said things have been quiet?
RICK
The last few months, yes. Pretty sparsely populated area to begin with, so it hasn't really ever been too bad.
KEVIN
That's good. So... what kind of set up you got?
Rick heard a voice in the background admonishing Kevin.
RICK
I've been up here for...
Rick hesitates, not wanting to let them know just how long he has been in his compound.
RICK (cont'd)
...well, since the beginning. I haven't even made a dent in my supplies.
KEVIN
(shocked)
(shocked)
You have supplies?
RICK
Yep. If you take a right onto 220, a left onto 227, then a right at the first drive past the forks, you'll be here. Just follow the drive to the end. Your crew can hole up here for a while, if you want. Um... how many are with you?
KEVIN
Nine. Six adults and three kids. Is that gonna be a problem?
RICK
Nope.
KEVIN
Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much you are helping.
Rick gets a very solemn look on his face, one that looks laced with guilt.
RICK
Just doing my part. I'll see you in about ten.
KEVIN
OK Rick.
Rick lowers his head and runs his hands through his brunette hair, the look of guilt still stretched across his face.
