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Jake and Mallory (Short Story)
by Naeem Yeager (ndyeager@gmail.com)

Rated: PG-13   Genre: Horror   User Review: ****


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



FADE IN:

EXT. EMPTY CITY STREET - NIGHT
                                                            
Car barrels past camera down empty street
                                                            
 
INT. SPEEDING CAR - NIGHT
                                                            
We see a pretty, but average girl in her early to mid 20's,
she's driving and talking on the phone.
                                                            
We hear a loud thud and the windshield cracks.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Oh shit!
                                                            
She slams on the brakes and the car comes to a scretching
stop.
                                                            
                       JAKE (on phone)
      (On the other end
       of the phone)
What?
                                                            
Mallory gets out the car & walks over the to the lifeless
body on the ground.
                                                            
 
EXT. DARK EMPTY STREET - NIGHT
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Oh god oh god oh god!
                                                            
                       JAKE (on phone)
      (Starting to get
       worried)
Mal, what happen?
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Oh God I killed him! I just hit
someone and I think he's dead!
                                                            
She bends down to check the guy's pulse turning her head
away.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Oh god, he's dead!
                                                            
She jumps back to her feet and starts to pace nervously.
                                                            

2.

                       MALLORY
oh god I have pot in my system,
I'm going to get a DUI... and
manslaughter... I'm going to jail"
                                                            
                       JAKE (on phone)
Just leave.. Get in the car and
go.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Staring at the
       dead body)
I can't do that.. I can't just
leave him here.
                                                            
                       JAKE (on phone)
      (In a commanding
       tone)
Mallory, Get in the car now.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
I hit him, I can't just leave!
What are we going to do? What…
                                                            
                       JAKE (on phone)
Mallory, Drive home now... He's
probably just some homeless guy.
                                                            
Mallory runs back to the car and puts on her seatbelt.
                                                            
 
INT. MALLORY'S CAR - NIGHT
                                                            
As Mallory puts on her seatbelt something slams against the
window. Mallory turns and screams. It was the man she'd hit.
His face was bloody and lifeless.
                                                            
                       JAKE (on phone)
      (In a calm voice)
Mallory the lights are out.
                                                            
She looks at the man who lied dead not more than five
minutes ago. He looks back. His eyes were dead and glazed
over. Death was written all over his face.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Looks in horror)
Baby.. he's up and looking at me.
                                                            
                       JAKE (on phone)
Drive!
                                                            

3.

She slams on the gas, sending the car blazing down the
street. As the barrels through the city we start to notice
eerie jungle the city has become.
                                                            
There were men and women and children all chasing,
screaming, and devouring one another.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (looking in pure
       horror)
Baby I don't...
                                                            
                       JAKE (VO)
Mallory. the LIGHTS ARE OUT!
                                                            
 
INT. JAKE AND MALLORY'S SAFEHOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Her eyes shot open and she froze for a moment the nightmare
still fresh in her mind. She rolled over to see Jake leaning
down, his eyes wide.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Whispering)
The lights are out.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Realizing her
       grim reality)
What? Baby… what time…
      (Whispering)
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Still whispering)
"The lights are out? The carnival
lights? Fuck."
                                                            
She got to her feet, already fully dressed. They slept in
their clothes. She moved to the window. You can hear the
screams of the deceased in the background. Jake walks up
from behind, wraps his arms around her waist, moves his head
closer to her ear.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Whispering in her
       ear)
Then we'll have to either
turn them on.. or get somewhere
safe.
                                                            
She headed to their weapons cache and started to load up.
Her survival backpack loaded with only ten pounds worth of
items besides bullets. Two rifles on her back. Pistols on

4.

her hips and on her thigh. A bandoleer, yippee-A-o-kai-a.
She sighed to herself as she slid the machete into her boot
and hooked her faithful blood-stained baseball bat on her
hip and adjusted the gloves that protected her hands.
                                                            
She took in a small breath and as to swallow a memory away.
She pushed her hand through her hair before piling it ontop
of her head, beneath a baseball cap.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Looks to Jake)
Which is it?
                                                            
Jake already dressed and armed. Gives her a quick once over
and smiles.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Looks at Mallory,
       missing the
       better days)
You find shelter. I'll meet you
there.
                                                            
Trying to act undaunted, but worry appearent on her face.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Laughs Smugly)
Both of us or nothing..
                                                            
                       JAKE
It a give you more time.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
You staying here and fighting is a
waste of time.
                                                            
                       JAKE
If you..
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (interupting Jake)
Look.. with the carnival lights
off they're going to be pissed and
hungry, and we have definately
need to get somewhere else.. But,
if you want to, we can sit here
and argue and probably die
together in this shithole."
                                                            
Jake sighed, and a ghost of a smile moved onto his lips and
gives a look of compromise.
                                                            
Mallory moved in closer to kiss him.
                                                            

5.

                       MALLORY
      (Speaking as she
       kisses Jake)
Good. Now what's the plan?
                                                            
JAKE looked away deep in thought. coming back to reality he
ran his hand through her hair, twining it around his fingers
and twisting it up on her head. Then pulled her baseball cap
snug on her head.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Kissed her again)
Backwards.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Looking up at him)
So this means war?
                                                            
JAKE nodded solemnly then cracks a smile.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Good. I'm tired of being nice.
                                                            
JAKE looks at Mallory and smugly smiles at her.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (almost
       disregarding her
       comment)
God, Mal, you're fucking sexy, but
I'd trade you in for a better
model in a heartbeat... Something
with a better sense of humor.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (in a lofty tone)
Yeah, right... You know I'm so
sophisticated you just don't know
what to think.
                                                            
JAKE headed to the skylight, MALLORY FOLLOWED. They'd
entered the penthouse suite and looked around.
                                                            
 
INT. PENTHOUSE SUITE OF JAKE & MALLORY'S SAFEHOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
JAKE poked his head through the skylight, holding his close
to maintain a steady aim while making sure it was safe. He
Then LIFTED himself through the window and REACHED his hand
down for MALLORY. She SWUNG through easily. She'd lost
wieght since the Outbreak.
                                                            
 

6.

EXT. ROOFTOP OF JAKE & MALLORY'S SAFEHOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
MALLORY Pans the area stopping and focusing on the CARNIVAL
in the distance.

While JAKE uses his RIFLE to SURVEYS the streets for any
signs of the DEAD. None in sight, but you can hear them
moving closer from the CARNIVAL.
                                                            
JAKE leads the way across one rooftop to another as MALLORY
FOLLOWS close behind. NOTE: Emphasize how nerve-racking
every jump is for Mallory, show distance to ground.
                                                            
Holds up HIS HAND, like a commander to his troops.
Siginaling HER to hold HER position. HE LOPED ahead on the
next one THEN signals HER to follow him. SHE DOES.
                                                            
THEY STOPPED on the ROOF OF THE BAKERY as the SUN BEGAN TO
RISE.
                                                            
 
EXT. ROOFTOP OF BAKERY - DAYBREAK - DAY
                                                            
THEY WERE SILENT -

JAKE SIGNALED STOP and POINTED TO HIS MOUTH giving the
signal for a food break. MALLORY NODDED. THEY CHECK THE
PARAMITER. No laddars.No cars pushed close. No skylights or
roof access.

THEY SAT backs leaning against one another and BEGAN TO EAT
their jerky and water.
                                                            
JAKE LOOKS DOWN THE STREET as a pack of dog run down the
street braking loundly. No DEAD in sight. ONE DOG out of the
pack trips and wound himself. A small group of the DEAD
quickly swarm the limping DOG completely ignoring the other
DOGS in the PACk. Apperantly TROUBLED by the whimpering DOG.
JAKE bends his head down and continues to EAT his food.
                                                            
MALLORY LOOKS BACK at the WHIMPERING DOG being SAVAGELY
DEVOURED by the DEAD. A look of deep sympathy come over her
face.
                                                            
MALLORY SAT BACK staring into space for a while before
TAPPING JAKE ON THE SHOULDER to check if he was finished. HE
NODDED. THEY HOPPED TO THEIR FEET and prepared for the
journey ahead.
                                                            
 

7.

EXT. ROOFTOPS - DAY
                                                            
After taking a soft sigh, MALLORY took the lead this time.
THEY MOVED ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS as far as they could before
RESTING AGAIN.
                                                            
MALLORY TOOK OUT HER WATER BOTTLE and noticed it was almost
gone.

SHE RAN HER HAND THROUGH HER HAIR AND JAMMED HER HAT BACK
DOWN.

SHE looked at JAKE and POINTED AT HER WATER BOTTLE.
                                                            
JAKE LOOK DOWN at the bottle, sighed, wiped the sweat from
his forehead and LOOKED AROUND.
                                                            
 
EXT. ROOFTOP ACROSS THE STREET FROM CONVINENCE STORE - DAY
                                                            
MALLORY GAVE THE SIGN FOR WATER AND POINTED to a convinence
store across the street INDICATING SHE would have to GO in
to get the WATER.
                                                            
JAKE SHOOK HIS HEAD emphatically in disagreement. MALLORY
SIGHED and rationalized HER going with HER EYES.

JAKE reluctantly AGREES and GESTURED to MALLORY that he will
watch over her from above.
                                                            
MALLORY KISSED HER FINGERS AND BLEW JAKE A KISS as SHE
prepares to GO. JAKE GRABS MALLORY AND PULLS HER TO HIM.
HUGS AND KISSES HER.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Whispering in her
       ear)
Be careful..
                                                            
HE GRABS HER FACE and LOOKS INTO HER EYES.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Staring in
       MALLORY's eyes)
No heroic shit. Just get in and
out.
      (Still whispering)
                                                            
MALLORY BEGINS TO TURN HER HEAD. JAKE FORCES HER TO LOOK AT
HIM.
                                                            

8.

                       JAKE
      (With a concerned
       gaze on his face)
I'm serious, Mal.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Looking up at him)
I will.
                                                            
MALLORY MOVED to the edge of the building and PEERED over
the side. JAKE RAN TO GET A VANTAGE POINT.

There's a VAN CRASHED in the side of an abandoned
CONVENIENCE STORE. SHE LOOKED AROUND. No DEAD in sight. SHE
SLID off the ROOF quickly and onto the ROOF OF THE VAN.

JAKE ON THE ROOF ABOVE. SCANNING THE AREA with the SCOPE of
his RIFLE.

SHE MOVED OFF THE VAN and CEPT FORWARD with A BASEBALL BAT
in HER HAND. Reaching the CONVENIENCE STORE. SHE SLID IN.
                                                            
 
INT. ABANDONED CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY
                                                            
TENSING as the BELL RANG. SHE DARTED FORWARD opening HER
BAG. THROWING WATER BOTTLES IN. SHE ZIPS UP the BAG. HER
HANDS are TRUMBLING in entire time.
                                                            
SHE HEARS a NOISE. SHE TURNS in terror. a DEAD is rushing
torwards HER.

Raising the BAT as HIGH IN THE AIR as SHE could. SHE STANDS
THERE WAITING for the perfect moment. SHE STRIKES. It's a
sickening blow.

A LOUD thud ECHOES throughout the STORE. It sounds similar
to a watermelon hitting concrete.

The DEAD HITS the GROUND. HE's OUT.

SHE CLINCHES HER HAND and RUBS HER SHOULDER. SHE's in pain.
No time to nurture it.

ANOTHER DEAD coming FAST. SHE SWINGS HARD again. This time
slightly vicious blow. HE's OUT. SHE LOOKS at the TWO DEAD
laying on the floor.

SHE LOOKS AT THE FRONT DOOR. More DEAD are on their way. We
can HEAR them. SHE FRANTICLY makes her way out of the
CONVENIENCE STORE. GRABBING the BAG on HER way out.
                                                            
 

9.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY
                                                            
SHE's met by SOUNDS of BARKING SCREAMS. More DEAD are
COMING.
                                                            
SHE BOLTS across the STREET towards the VAN. The heavy
SUPPLY BAG BOUNCING as SHE RUNS.

SHE hits the VAN at full speed. CLIMBS a top of the HOOD and
SCRAMBLES to the ROOF of the VAN trying hard not to make any
noise. SHE can Feel hands pulling at her boots. SHE can't
hold it in any longer. SHE STARTS WHIMPERING as SHE KICKS
AWAY the DEAD reaching for HER.

V.O.
WE HEAR A SINGLE GUN SHOT.. BANG! There it is again. BANG! a
another one. BANG! and another one. JAKE is trying to keep
the off. More BARKING SCREAMS More sound out as GUN SHOTS
carries down the street.

FOOTSTEPS POUNDED LOUDLY, SCREAMS and CRIES rings out.
THEY'RE CIRCLING HER. SHE JUMPS from the VAN to ROOFTOP. The
DEAD are still behind HER. SHE BOLTS to towards the ADJACENT
BUILDING.

SHOTS RING OUT in the background.
                                                            
 
EXT. ROOFTOP ACROSS FROM CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY
                                                            
MALLORY is RUNNING ACROSS THE ROOFTOP.

The DEAD are still CHASING HER. SHE gets to the edge.
There's a GAP. SHE LEAPS without hesitation. HER BODY SLAMS
against the WALL. SHE FRANTICLY REACHES for the edge. SHE's
MISSING. The DEAD are below. SHE's probably going to DIE.

FRIGHTEND for HER life. SHE GLANCES UP. There's JAKE. SHE
has an undeniable look of RELIEF on HER FACE.

HE's HOLDING HER BY THE ARM. SHE's not falling anymore.

The DEAD are still coming. SCRAMBLING UP the VAN. THEY'RE on
the ROOFTOP now. RUNNING TOWARDS THEM. The first one RUNS
and JUMPS towards MALLORY's Dangling body. HE misses.

SHE SCREAMS.

Here comes another one. HE JUMPS. HE MISSES too, but manages
to GRAB a hold of MALLORY's BOOT on the way down. JAKE
GRUNTS as SHE WILDLY KICKS HIM OFF. SHE FRANTICLY KICKS at
the of the WALL trying to get HER FOOT on to the ROOF.


10.

JAKE GIVES HER ARM A JERK and PULLS onto the ROOF.SHE LANDS
on TOP of JAKE on the ROOFTOP. PANTING FOR AIR. HER ENTIRE
BODY is SHAKING. SHE's neurotic.

JAKE JUMPS TO HIS FEET.
                                                            
Mallory stared at her shoulder stupidly for a moment.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Looking at her
       shoulder)
I have three shoulders.
                                                            
SHE TOUCHED the BUMP on HER SHOULDER and SCREAMS.
                                                            
                       JAKE (VO)
Mal- Help?!
                                                            
MALLORY LOOKS UP at JAKE FIGHTING OFF THE DEAD. CONNECTING
BAT to DEAD as THEY JUMP from the adjacent ROOFTOP.

THEY start CLIMBING UP THE WALL. HE was getting OVERWHELMED.

SHE GRABS HER WRIST and STANDS UP, a low whing noise
escaped. SHE is in EXTREME agony. She slams her shoulder
against the nearest wall, and cries out in pain when that
doesn't work. Tries again, this time her shoulder relocates
with a noticeable pop.


CAMERA GOES BACK TO JAKE FIGHTING OFF the DEAD.

A DEAD from the adjacent ROOFTOP JUMPS OVER. JAKE is
distracted by another DEAD CLIMBING UP the WALL. the DEAD
SOARS through the AIR and LANDS on JAKE. HE's on the GROUND.
FIGHTING OFF the DEAD trying prevent getting bitten.

CAMERA GOES BACK TO MALLORY.

MALLORY TURNS to JAKE. GRABS HER SHOTGUN STRAPPED to HER
BACK. BRINGS it in FRONT of HER AND SHOOTS. The EXPLOSION
ECHOES down the STREET.

The DEAD's head completely EXPLODES.

JAKE LOOKS UP at MALLORY STAND OVER HIM SHOTGUN in HAND. HE
PUSHES the recently decapitated DEAD OFF OF HIM and WIPES
OFF the BLOOD from HIS FACE. MALLORY EXTENDS HER HAND. JAKE
SOFTLY SLAPS it way. POPS UP and LOOKS AT MALLORY. SHE has a
SMUG LOOK on HER FACE accompanied by a LOOK of SOLACE. Still
WIPING the BLOOD from HIS FACE. HE SMILES. Both are panting
and sweating like they have just been through hell.
                                                            

11.

JAKE looks down the street and back at MALLORY.

WE HEAR THE DEAD SCREAMING IN THE DISTANCE.
                                                            
                       JAKE
We better get out of here.
                                                            
THEY BEGIN RUNNING.
                                                            
 
EXT. ROOFTOPS - DUSK - NIGHT
                                                            
JAKE and MALLORY DASH ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS. JUMPING from one
ROOFTOP to another. The DEAD SCREAMING, GURGLING, and
BARKING behind THEM.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Shouts)
There! C'mon, Mal
                                                            
Pointing off into the distance
                                                            
The SCREAMS from the DEAD seem to be getting LOUDER.
                                                            
JAKE grabs HER by the HAND and YANKS HER FORWARD, SHOVING
HER DOWN INTO THE DARKNESS.
                                                            
 
INT. PITCH BLACK CONTAINER - NIGHT
                                                            
It's PITCH BLACK and DEAD SILENT.
                                                            
Minutes passed. SHE finally SPEAKS.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (in fright &
       hesitation)
Jake?
                                                            
WE HEAR BREATHING.
                                                            
                       JAKE
Yeah.
                                                            
JACK GRUNTS. MALLORY STARTS FELLING AROUND IN THE DARK.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Her voice was
       strained and
       squeaked at the
       end.)
You didn't get bit?
                                                            

12.

                       JAKE
      (His voice caught
       too)
No. You?
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (still feeling
       around)
No.
                                                            
SHE FINALLY FINDS HIS FACE and PRESSES HER BODY AGAINST HIS.
SHE MOVES HER FACE NEXT TO HIS and BEGINS KISSES HIM. HE
KISSES HER BACK and GRABS HER FIRMLY around the WAIST.
PULLING HER CLOSER. SHE DIGS HER NAILS INTO HIS ARMS. THEY
REMOVE THEIR PACKS and WEAPONS and BEGIN to KISSING
PASSIONATELY. SHE STARTS KISSING HIS NECK. HE GRABS HER
HEAD, BRINGS it back CLOSER to HIS and KISSES HER some more.
THEY HAVE PASSIONATE SEX in the DARK with the HOWLS and
SCREAMS of the DEAD in the background.
                                                            
SHE CURLED UP AGAINST HIM. CRYING into HIS SHOULDER. HE HELD
HER CLOSE.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Whispering)
Where are we?
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Whispering)
I think it's some kind of storage
unit.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Still whispering)
It's between the two buildings.
The top hatch we came in through
seems to be the only entrance..
So, we should be safe here for
now.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Good.
                                                            
It was getting HOT inside the container.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Do you think they'll be out there
long?
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (he shakes his
       head)
No.. It's too hot out. They'll
find shade soon. They might be
            (MORE)

13.

                       JAKE (cont'd)
looking for us, but they won't
wait on the roof.
                                                            
He fumbled into his bag and turned on the flashlight, he
shines it around what seems to be an abandoned freight
container. Like the kind you see at shipping yards or
connected to big rigs.
                                                            
Jake shines the light on Mallory. She's cradling her arm.
                                                            
                       JAKE
Are you OK?
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Yeah, I think I dislocated my
shoulder back on the rooftop.. I
popped back in place. I'm OK, it
just hurts a little.
                                                            
Jake moves closer to examine Mallory, he shines the light on
to her shoulder. He slides aside her shirt to reveal her
damaged shoulder. It's badly bruised, black and blue. He
touches it gently.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
Ouch!
                                                            
                       JAKE
It looks bad, Mal.
                                                            
Mallory repositions her shirt to hide the wound.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (covering her
       wound)
It's not that bad.. It looks worst
than it feels.
                                                            
                       JAKE
I don't know.
                                                            
He rumaged in his bag again and pulled out a battered book.
He franticly flips the through the pages. Using his fingers
to guide his eyes has he scans each page. He finally finds
the page he's looking for. He stops and reads attentively.
                                                            
                       JAKE
So, it says you're not suppose to
bang your shoulder against
anything to get it back in. But,
you're using it so you probably
didn't do too much damage, I
            (MORE)

14.

                       JAKE (cont'd)
guess.
                                                            
He reads on a little further then goes back into his bag.
This time he pulls out some medical supplies. Some Aspirin,
gauze, and spatting tape. Placing the gauze and spatting
tape aside. He opens the aspirin bottle, pours two caplets
into the palm of his hand and hands them to her.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (handing Mallory
       the aspirin)
Take these. They'll keep the pain
and swelling down.
                                                            
Mallory reaches into her bag, being careful not to make any
sudden moments and pulls out a water bottle. She tosses the
caplets in her and takes a swig washing down the aspirin.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (swallowing the
       pills)
It's really not that bad.
                                                            
Ignoring Mallory's comments, he once again moves her
shoulder to expose her wound, she doesn't resist. He kisses
her softly and slowly takes off of her shirt. He picks up
the gauze and wraps her shoulder and arm, he then takes the
spatting tape and goes over the gauzed area.
                                                            
                       JAKE
This should give you a little
stability.. You may reinjure it
more. I hope not, but we'll have
to see.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
So, what now?
                                                            
Jake sighed and scratched the back of his head.
                                                            
                       JAKE
I guess we keep going. We can't
stay in the city, but I don't know
that the roads will be much
better.
                                                            
Mallory nodded.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
So we'll head to that fall out
shelter?
                                                            

15.

She ran her hand through her hair, which was starting to be
soaked through with sweat. She took another drink of water
and handed the bottle to Jake. He finished it off. Jake
grabs her shirt from the floor and gently maneuvers its over
her head and shoulders, being extremely careful near her
recently injured shoulder. They put on the rest of their
gear and get ready to head back out.
                                                            
                       JAKE
Ready?
                                                            
She mutters.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
It's now or never.
                                                            
He nods and she looked up at the roof, at the exit. Jake
aims his rifle at the hatch and with his free hand slowly
turns the lever, trying to be as silent as possible not to
alarm the DEAD. The lever clicks. It' unlocked. He looks at
Mallory standing next to him. Clinching her hand gun she
aims at the hatch and looks back at him and nods. Jack opens
the hatch and takes a step back and aims down the sight on
his rifle prepare for DEAD to approach the hatch. Nothing
happens. No DEAD. He puts his rifle on his back and climbs
up. Once out he grabs rifle and scans the area. Still no
DEAD. The area is clear for now.
                                                            
We go back to Mallory in the container still aiming at the
hatch waiting for Jake to come back. She starting to worry,
it's all over her face. Just as she starts to try to climb
out jake appears. She jumps in fear before realizing it's
him, then she sighs in relief. He alive. He jumps back down
into the container.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (Whispering)
Alright, it's clear, but we gotta
hurry.
                                                            
Jake lifts Mallory up. Once she's out, he jumps and climbs
out behind her.
                                                            
 
EXT. ROOFTOP - DAY
                                                            
Once out. She shuts the lid and takes out a can of orange
spray paint and draws a large arrow on the roof to the
hatch, then tosses the can to Jake, he leans over the edge
of the building and draws an orange arrow with a large, but
simple door beneath it.
                                                            

16.

Now at the ledge. Jake motions to Mallory that he would go
first, she would and cover him. Mallory sighs and shakes her
head.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (Whispering very
       quietly)
No.
                                                            
Jake nods his head and looks at her injured arm. She
reluctantly agrees.
                                                            
Jake easies over to the ledge. He uses his mirror to check
below for any DEAD. None. He jumps down. Rifle clinched
close to his face staring down his sight, he scan the area
cautiously. Above on the rooftop Mallory sits perched with
her rifle aiming down the street, covering Jake from above.
                                                            
He heads down the street quietly and quickly. He steps
carefully, his boots silent on the ground. There was a
crinkle of broken glass and Jake froze.
                                                            
We go back to Mallory on the rooftop.
                                                            
Mallory held her breath and there was a slight stirring in
one of the shadows. She leans her head against the rifle as
she peered down the sight. There was one of the DEAD.

Looking through Mallory scope at the DEAD man.

He was moving, turning his head to try and catch more sound.
She kept the gun aimed at it's head. The DEAD man finally
turned away.

Close up of Mallory looking at Jake.

She nods sharply.

We go back to Jake on the ground.

He was watching her intently. He sighed slightly,it took him
a moment to start walking again. He reached the corner and
moved up on top of a car, crouching on the surface before
nodding. It was her turn to meet him.

Back to Mallory on the rooftop.

She quickly hops up positioning rifle to her back and rushes
over to the ledge. She drops down and followed him on the
same slow path, stepping over the glass easily.
                                                            
They used this method to inch down the street until they
finally reached a hardware store. They stopped outside the

17.

doors as the sun was starting to set, the dark shadows
giving the dead more room to roam.
                                                            
 
EXT. HARDWARE STORE - DUSK - DAY
                                                            
There wasn't a car or ladder to the roof, they were starting
to get worried. Pacing in front of the building, tried to
come up with an idea. A way in. Finally, Mallory pointed to
the garden section behind a fence with a tight canvas
roofing keeping it shady and to stop people from jumping in.
                                                            
There was about a foot between the fence and the canvas.
Just enough room to slip through. She put her guns and pack
down on the ground as Jake made a stirrup with his hand. He
pushed her up and she crawled through, holding onto the
other side as he handed the items through the gap and
followed her. It was fairly tight for him and there was a
frightening moment where he was almost stuck. He grunted as
he got through, and fell to the ground. The moans of the
dead filled the air.
                                                            
 
EXT. BACKDOOR OF HARDWOOD STORE - NIGHT
                                                            
Mallory moved to the door to the store, pulling out of her
lock picking tools from her pocket. She knelt down, fiddling
with the lock. Lines of sweat were falling down her cheeks
and burning into her eyes. She wiped it off as Jake pressed
closer with their stuff. He didn't try to pressure her but
his presence and the growing chorus of cries around them
made sick with urgency. She was shaking and she dropped the
pick. Her fingers were wet with sweat and slippery. She
dried them on her pants and tried again. Thankfully there
was a click as the door unlocked. She opened the door and
they both moved in, shutting it and locking it behind them.
She shook with relief as she dropped down to the ground.
                                                            
 
INT. HARDWARE STORE - NIGHT
                                                            
Jake took the flashlight and shined it around the abandon
building, the empty shelves. Mallory got to her feet after a
moment and reshouldered her items. There weren't any noises
inside. Jake lead as Mallory followed through the building.
They reached the other side of the store, and Mallory jumped
as there was a thud on the glass door. A DEAD pressed
against it, teeth shrieking against the glass. Finding no
food there it promptly moved on and she pressed her hand
over her heart. They continued into a small room. What was a
break room for employees. They dropped their things and
barricade the door. They're safe for the night.
                                                            
 

18.

INT. HARDWARE STORE BREAK ROOM - SHOWER - NIGHT
                                                            
Jake appears to be exhausted as he leans against the wall,
guarding the barricaded entrance when Mallory turns on the
shower. He turns his head wearily to the side and catches a
glimpse of her as she removes the last piece of clothing and
steps in the shower, which is by now full of steam. Her body
is bruised in some places; she looks tired but at least
somewhat relaxed, finally. Jake tries to turn his focus back
to guarding the door but is unable to. The temptation to
join Mallory in the shower and relax for the first time
since their quest began is too great. He checks the
barricade and makes sure that the door is completely secure
one last time, then walks quietly into the bathroom and
leans his gun against the wall right by the shower. He
removes his clothes and steps into the shower. Mallory
continues to face the shower head but is not startled when
Jake leans forward to brush her wet hair to the side, and
kisses her injured shoulder. She turns to face him and they
caress, kiss and make love passionately.
                                                            
 
INT. HARDWARE STORE BREAK ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Jake and Mallory are lying curled into each other on the
floor. Jake is sleeping soundly while Mallory lies wide
awake, pressed against him, staring at the ceiling while she
listens to the DEAD outside of the store. They donn't have
blankets, only a sweater in a backpack as a pillow. She runs
her fingers through Jake's hair as she waits with her eyes
closed. She hears a scream outside, and her hand inches
closer to the rifle lying beside her, fully loaded. Next to
that were two extra magazines, her pistol, and of course her
faithful baseball bat. Jake stirs in his sleep and she
shushes him, soothing him with a delicate touch. He curls up
and Mallory sighs. The sounds of the dead outside are dulled
by the walls of the building, but still seem to surround her
as she closes her eyes and struggles to sleep.
                                                            
 
EXT. ROOFTOP ACROSS FROM GROCERY STORE - DAY
                                                            
JAKE and MALLORY are sweating heavily, crouched together
near the edge of the rooftop that they stand on, staring
intently at the grocery store accross the street. They are
watching three men dressed in riot-gear. There is one man in
front of the building with a shotgun in hand, looking around
warily while the two men inside are gathering a hell of a
lot of food. Clearly not for just three people. They are
filling up wheel barrows full of food. MALLORY wipes the
sweat from her face and replaces her ballcap, bundling her
hair beneath it. MALLORY turns to Jake with a questioning
look, and Jake raises a finger to his lips and shakes his

19.

head, still staring intently. The men finishand and prepare
to leave. They push the wheelbarrows along while the single
man keeps guard. Mallory and Jake don't move until the men
are well out of sight. They both sigh softly, and sit up.
Gunshots ring out from where the men had gone and MALLORY'S
eyes grow wide.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (whispers, barely
       audible)
What do we do?
                                                            
Jake is staring in the direction of the gunfire, frozen and
thinking very hard. He is just as torn as she is. There is a
scream of pain and he finally makes a decision.
                                                            
                       JAKE
Let's go.
                                                            
He gets to his feet and she follows him, racing across the
rooftops. She stays one step behind him, the gravel
crunching beneath their boots. They both still sweat
heavily. They skid to a stop above the swarm that is
attacking the men, who are in a defensive position, backs
together and guns out.

MALLORY and JAKE begin to assist by opening fire on the
zombies that surround the men. The heads of the Riot men
snap up and they see their rescuers, then everyone goes back
to work shooting.

It takes a few breaths for everyone to realize the dead were
all… dead. There was no movement, and their breathing slows.
They lean back on their heels, and the men waved to them,
clearly wanting them down. Mallory looks to Jake.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (whispers)
I'm going to go talk to them.
                                                            
She shakes her head but he simply touches her knee.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (says quietly in a
       strong, measured
       tone)
Cover me.
                                                            
She stares at him, then nods nervously. She keeps her gun up
as Jake descends the building and approaches the men,
watching carefully as he talks to the men in a very quiet
tone. Minutes pass.
                                                            

20.

Jake was pistol-whipped suddenly and on the ground. Mallory
blinked, not believing what had happened. She blinks again
and he was still on the ground, three weapons now aiming at
her. She pauses for one cowardly minute, panicked, before
slinging her rifle on her back and climbing down.
                                                            
 
INT. STREET - DAY
                                                            
She draw closer to the three, steps stiff. They still had
their guns aimed at her. As she finally was in front of them
one of them asked.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 1
      (in a New York
       accent)
What is this?
                                                            
He reaches forward and pulls off the cap, Mallory's red hair
tumbles out.
                                                            
He grins.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 1
A girl?
                                                            
The other guy in riot gear. Reaches out to grab Mallory's
hand.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 2
And a pretty one too.
                                                            
Mallory quickly yanks back her hand.
                                                            
The other two men seemed to agree with the first. One of
them moves forward and starts to disarm her, grinning
through a bruised face. Mallory stands still, feeling like
she is going to throw up.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 2
Look at this
                                                            
running a hand down her side. She jerks away and he grabs
her hair.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 2
Don't be a bitch.
                                                            
The final man simply looks her over before smiling.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 3
You know… she might not make it
back to camp.
                                                            

21.

He draws closer. She steps back and Bruises tightens his
grip in her hair.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 1
You're right, It'd be a shame not
to enjoy this. Leave the shit
here, let's go.
                                                            
He points to a store front and the men start forward.
Mallory glances at Jake, who is being left unconscious in
the sun where any DEAD could get him. She turns back as she
stumbles into the store.
                                                            
 
INT. STORE - DAY
                                                            
They move to the back room, making sure it is clear before
shutting the door. They grin.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 3
Undress.
                                                            
Mallory looks at them with wide eyes, backing up
                                                            
                       MALLORY
No.
                                                            
She shakes her head and continues backing away
                                                            
                       RAPIST 1
We weren't asking.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 1
      (Raises his gun)
You can do this the nice way, or I
can go ahead and shoot you until
you won't be able to struggle.
Think it over, go ahead.
                                                            
The men peel off their masks while she thinks frantically,
glancing around the room trying to find an escape. She was
taking too long and a gunshot cracked through the room.
Mallory cries out as she drops to one knee. He'd shot her,
grazing her thigh. She started to undress, taking off her
gloves first. She was moving slowly, trying to prolong
everything. Bruises was already rubbing himself through his
pants, and Mallory becomes nauseous, and hesitates for one
long moment.

She unbuttons the long sleeved flannel shirt she wore. She
was trembling and thinking frantically. She begins to
realize and accept that this may actually happen. She could
just close her eyes and think of other things until they

22.

were done. The flannel shirt opened up to reveal a sports
bra, the flannel sliding to the floor. The rapists whistle
appreciatively and Rapist 3 makes a sign for her to turn
around. She does so, already trying to force herself into
some distant place. She wasn't here. This didn't matter. She
wasn't here. She was fine. This didn't matter.

She turned back and started to unzip her shoes, hearing the
guttural sighs of Rapist 2 as he was pleasuring himself, no
longer on the top of his pants. Her leg hurt where it had
been grazed by the bullet and she knew she was going to cry.
Rapist 3 moved closer, his hand caressing her neck and
across her face.
                                                            
                       RAPIST 1
Hey, no touching during the show.
Not unless we all get to touch.
                                                            
They were moving closer and Mallory's heart sped up as she
tried to disappear with force of will alone.

Something warm and hot hit her stomach, and Rapist 2
groaned.

It took her longer than it should to realize what had
happened. She was groggy, half torn between far-far-away
land and here. She looked down at the blood smeared across
her stomach, and saw Rapist 2 hit the ground. Confusion
covered her features as a baseball bat swung towards her
head. She ducks underneath it, hearing the sickening crunch
as it collides with Rapist 3's head. Her eyes are locked on
Rapist 2, moving from his manhood hanging out limply and
pathetically, to the knife hilt emerging from his back with
a gory path revealing the knife had entered lower and been
torn upward. She was starting to put two and two together
when Rapist 1 grabbed her wrist. She reacted with a violent
explosion, her injured leg swinging up as her boot hit him
in the groin, even as she yanked her hand free. She hit the
concrete floor hard and there was another grunting noise
then Rapist 1 was on the ground next to her, a gaping red
smile where his throat had been.

Her gaze moved upward slowly, over a familiar pair of
battered boots, jeans patched with duct tape, a flannel
shirt and the now bruised face of Jake. His face was twisted
into an expression of pure hatred, something Mallory had
never seen before. It was terrifying as he moved to Rapist 3
and began to kick him in the head. There was a wet crunching
noise that repeated until she was on her feet.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (grabs Jake's arm)
Jake, Jake!
                                                            

23.

He just kept kicking, a guttural growl emerging from his
throat as if he were an animal.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (crying)
Jake, he's dead. You killed him.
                                                            
He stopped and turned to her, a snarl on his usually soft
lips, contorting his usual good looks into a mask of rage.
She was certain he was going to hit her next. He even raised
his hand, knuckles bleeding from a previous hit before he
dropped it. His facial expression changes and softens as he
watches her cry.
                                                            
                       JAKE
God Mal
                                                            
then he grabbed her into a hug. It was hard enough
to make her body hurt. She didn't care, and she hugged him
back as hard as she could, still crying. They stayed like
that for what seemed eternity, before he finally released
her. He pet her hair and kissed her where the tears had
fallen.
                                                            
                       JAKE
      (in a low tone)
Love, my love, You're safe. I'm so
sorry, my poor love.
                                                            
                       MALLORY
      (trembling)
My leg.
                                                            
JAKE looks down at the blood soaked jeans and curses. The
rage flashes on his features for a brief moment before he
kneels down on the open hand of Rapist 1.
                                                            
                       JAKE
Can you walk out? Let's get
somewhere safe.
                                                            
He hands her the shirt she'd worn and she nods, buttoning it
up much quicker than she'd lost it. She zips up her boot
again and pulls on the cap. As they move out she picked up
her weapons again. She was still limping hard as she packed
her bag and Jake's with some of the perishables from the
wheelbarrow. No sense of wasting. She knew she was in a bit
of shock. It was the only reason she was thinking clearly
and felt like she was in a world of molasses. Jake took her
hand, and leads her down the street, moving over the bodies
of the dead. There was an electronics store ahead and they
moved inside.
                                                            
 

24.

INT. ELECTRONICS STORE - DAY
                                                            
Going straight to the back. Jake killed three of the DEAD on
the way to the back of the store, picking the keys off of
what had once been the manager, then they slipped into the
back room where deliveries were made. Big solid metal doors
and a vending machine meant safety. She sat down and Jake
pulled off her pants slowly, with a loving touch he looked
over the wound, then began to clean it. Mallory cried the
entire time, though not from pain. He finally bandaged it up
and held her. Travel was done for the day.
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Lonzo Date 6/23/2011 ****
It was a fun read.


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