Red Plague (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Breathe, Lane.

Breathe, you're doing great.

Carter?

We're okay,

Just keep breathing.

- Eddie?

- I got it.

Big push now, Hun.

Okay.

- Eddie!

- I got her.

I got her.

Can I see her?

I wanna hold her--

Eddie!

Everybody move to the back.

Lane, baby, c'mon. We gotta get

up.

I can't!

Carter!

Eddie, get her out of here now!

What?

Keep her safe.

James. Alice.

Stick with Carter.

Get us out of here!

- Carter...

- It's okay.

Keep your eyes on me.

Carter, run!

Come on, we gotta go.

We gotta keep moving.

No!

No!

Oh no...

No...

It's okay.

Keep your hand on it.

You're gonna be okay...

Carter...

Lane, talk to me baby.

No.

Lane.

Lane baby, don't--

Don't leave.

Time...

is a cruel thing.

Some moments...

fade.

Some torment you...

forever.

An endless...

yesterday.

They follow you,

no matter how far you run.

Look what I found.

I see that.

I'd rather listen to you play.

You know you're not going to get

any better if you don't

practice.

All right.

I think my fingers are too

short for this.

Uh huh...

Oh, that's pretty.

Wait.

Wait.

You make a habit of doing that?

Not really.

I don't have any weapons.

Are you alone?

What, are you hungry?

Uh, um-- I'm Daisy, by the way.

Carter.

So you live out here

all by yourself?

Mm-hm.

In the middle of nowhere?

Safer that way.

Sounds lonely.

Why are you all the way out here

all by yourself?

I'm from a bigger group

up north.

Food was getting harder

to find, so...

me and a few others

went a little

further south than usual.

We ran into some guys.

They took me

and Emma back with them and...

k*lled the rest.

We tried to break out a few days

ago, but...

they got Emma.

I just kept running.

Shouldn't have come south.

Nothing to find here anyway.

Where are we, exactly?

Here.

Where's your group from?

Here.

That's a haul.

Yeah, but that's not

where I need to get to.

What's that mean?

If we're not back in time,

they'll send a truck out

to a rendezvous point.

And where's that?

Here.

That's...

still a two day trip on foot,

maybe three.

I know.

And you got a plan

to get there?

I have an idea...

Don't.

You said it yourself!

Two days. Four days roundtrip.

You'd be back in no time.

I can't.

The truck will be loaded

with supplies,

first aid, weapons--

You can take whatever you want

when we get there.

I can't make it across

the desert alone.

And if I run into those guys

again...

Uh, I can't.

The truck will only be

at the rendezvous point for

five days.

It's already been two

since we were due back.

And if I don't make it in

time...

I don't know what else to do.

You can stay here for the

night...

but in the morning,

you gotta be on your way.

Shoshone.

We hit it already.

- Once.

- There was nothing

then; there won't be

anything now.

Tecopa then, okay?

No, Declan.

We can't rule out--

We need to go further.

Ridgecrest is our best bet.

-Carter.

-We need to go bigger

if we're going to find anything

worthwhile.

Everywhere

else has been picked clean.

I--

I can't.

I think

you've forgotten what it's like

to have

someone other than yourself

to worry about.

Ridgecrest is a two-day trip!

I can't leave Charlie alone.

I'm certainly not gonna

take him with us.

It's too dangerous.

I'll go on my own then.

-Carter.

-It's fine.

No, it's not!

If we're gonna work together,

we need to work togethe .

You need to stop with this

loner sh*t.

It's tiring.

One of these days,

you're gonna get yourself

into some sh*t that you can't

get out of.

And you're gonna need

some help.

And I pray to God

someone will be there too

because I know damn well

you aren't gonna ask for it.

That was pretty.

So...

I guess I'll get ready to go.

I packed a bag for you.

Thanks.

And I marked a route on the map.

Okay.

It's gonna stay with me though.

You gotta earn the right

to hold the map.

We got a lot of ground to cover.

Let's not waste the daylight.

So, what's the plan?

I assume you have a plan.

We're making a pit stop.

Where?

There's a trader

a few miles out from here.

Pick up some weapons there.

We'll need them.

A trader?

Name's Shepard.

Why didn't

you just bring that r*fle

you had pointed at my face

last night?

It's empty.

Haven't had a*mo for a long

time.

And that?

Only got one round.

Oh...

Shepard, you here?

It's Carter.

No way!

Carter!

Is that you?

I haven't seen you in a while.

I was beginning to think

you threw in the towel.

Still here.

Well, good for you.

And who are you?

Daisy.

Go ahead.

Name's Lola.

Lola.

She's so pretty.

She's a h .

Let's go talk.

Carter!

Come pet Lola.

He's all yours.

Come on.

Just come say hi.

One sec.

Isn't he handsome?

Very.

I have a horse back home.

Her name's Princess Leia.

Star Wars fan, huh?

What's that?

Um...

It's this, uh, old--

I'm just kidding.

My friend has a box set.

So, who's the girl?

Just a girl.

"Just a girl".

I'm taking her north.

What are you getting out of it?

Peace of mind.

Fine, don't tell me then.

Eh, you're not taking

her through the valley?

You're gonna get her k*lled.

I don't have a choice.

Uh, you always got a choice.

Go around.

I don't have the time.

So what do you want from me?

- g*ns.

- Eh?

g*ns don't come cheap, brother.

What do I get out of it?

Well!

She is a beaut!

Don't see him like this anymore.

All right.

Take what you need.

I assume you know

your way around a g*n.

Yeah.

Grab something you can handle.

I didn't realize this is

why you brought your guitar.

I'm sorry

you had to give that up.

Don't worry about it.

Okay.

I've never been to the ocean.

Have you?

Mm-hm.

What's it like?

It's beautiful.

I don't want to cross

while they're out here.

We'll find a

place to set up for tonight.

You okay?

Hey.

Can I ask you something?

Mm-hm.

What made you change your mind?

About what?

Taking me.

I don't know.

I guess I'd feel responsible

if something were to happen to

you.

Knowing I had the chance to

help.

I wish I didn't need help.

Makes me feel pathetic.

You're not.

I couldn't do anything

to stop them from taking Emma.

She was my best friend,

and I couldn't do a thing.

It just makes me so angry.

I'm not an angry person.

Neither am I.

That doesn't mean

you don't feel it sometimes.

Can I ask you something else?

Mm-hm.

Why do you only have one b*llet

in your g*n?

You know what it's like

to feel powerless.

Sometimes it helps to know

that...

I can control at

least one part of my life.

Even if it's the end.

Doesn't that scare you?

Not as much as it used to.

Does anything?

Hey.

Eddie and I have been looking

for you.

Was starting to get worried.

Sorry.

It's okay.

You wanna tell me what's on your

mind?

I've been thinking about my mom.

She probably doesn't

deserve it, but...

I'm afraid of being like her.

I don't think

I'm gonna be a good mom.

Hey.

You're the bravest person

I know for even doing this.

Nobody knows how to be a parent.

Especially not now.

But, the fact that you're

even willing to try?

You're gonna be the best mom

this kid could ask for.

Yea but,

you're excited to be a dad,

and I want to be excited too,

but I'm just really scared.

I'm scared too.

Just means

you're thinking ahead,

but it's worth it to me.

Is it worth it to you?

Then we'll make it work.

No matter what.

As long as we're together,

we'll be okay.

I bet she'll have your smile.

Who's "they"?

The government.

What do you mean?

You don't know much

about the beginning?

Not really.

We don't talk about the past

much.

Hm.

The plague spread fast

once it hit the States.

At first, it wasn't too bad.

Then people just started...

deteriorating.

CDC called it a mix between...

accelerated dementia

and aggressive rabies.

Once people started

getting violent,

that's when everything stopped.

People went into hiding.

Didn't leave their houses.

There was looting.

Sick people everywhere.

A vaccine was in development

but, takes a few years.

By that time...

wasn't much left.

Government

broadcast about the vaccine

when it was done.

People thought

it would get better, but...

We were spread too thin.

Airdrops,

they didn't reach enough people.

Plague just kept spreading.

Eventually, they just...

stopped.

People thought the government

was hoarding it.

They felt abandoned.

I didn't know any of that.

Hope's a dangerous thing.

Give it to people,

take it away again.

They'll break.

But, there still is

a vaccine out there.

Doesn't matter.

Why wouldn't it matter?

It won't change anything.

Might not

change the world, but...

It could change things

for one person or...

a family.

Yeah.

I wonder what

this place used to be.

Shh.

Keep your voice down.

Get down!

Hey, lets go!

Wait! Wait, wait, wait!

Wait.

Ugh. Wait.

Please.

I know people.

I can get you things.

What do you need?

Need, huh?

Stay here.

I'm gonna find us a way around.

- Let go of me!

- Get up!

b*tch shot me!

She shot me.

Hi there, pretty bird.

Woo!

Ain't she brave?

Now get her a*s inside.

No, no!

Put me down!

Hey now, go around

the building. Go on!

Flank him. Go on!

Oh, I see you boy.

Ah, f*ck.

Let me go!

Let go of me!

Wait, wait! Please, no!

I see you f*ck!

You ain't getting away from me

again!

Naw!

You ain't gettin away from me

no--

Dammit!

Come on!

Oh, this gon' be fun.

Come on, boy.

Oh, no you don't.

No!

Easy, easy, pretty bird!

I didn't think I'd see you

again.

What'd you--

You miss me?

Ugh!

Oh, easy.

Hey now, easy pretty bird.

I'm gonna mount your

head on my wall.

Just like your pretty,

Pretty, pretty,

little friend.

Carter?

Carter!

Are you okay?

Carter?

Carter?

Where are we going?

I got a friend out here.

Few more miles.

He'll take us in.

It's not far to the rendezvous

from there.

Carter?

Hm?

If...

you want to,

you know...

you could come back with us.

You don't have to

if you don't want to,

but there's plenty of space

for you.

I'll think about it.

This is it?

Mm-hm.

Looks empty.

He's here.

Declan!

You can put the g*n away;

it's Carter.

Well!

God damn!

Whoa!

You have power?

Got an old generator in the

basement.

Been fixing it up,

you know.

Not much gas,

but this is a special occasion.

Got an old VHS in

the player over there.

You like movies, kid?

Yeah.

So...

How long's it been?

Three years?

Something like that.

- So, uh--

- Ah, yea.

All the sh*t I've been through.

Then I go and

fall off a g*dd*mn ladder.

Can you believe that?

f*cked up my knee pretty bad.

Hm.

You look like hell.

Mm-hm. Feel like it.

So...

I assume you need something?

Just a

place to stay for the night.

Then we'll be out of your hair.

Hmph!

Three years,

and that's all you got?

Look, Declan--

Leavin' my a*s high and dry out

here.

I meant to come back.

"Meant to come back"?

Where's Charlie?

Charlie's gone.

He's been gone.

Look, I'm sorry.

I am.

I know.

You can stay the night,

but I need something from you.

I haven't been able

to leave the house for weeks.

Got a bunch of stuff

stashed in the

cabin across the way:

food, tools...

I was gonna try and make myself

a pair of crutches.

Would make my life a lot easier.

Of course,

I can get it.

Won't take no time at all.

Mind if I take this?

Go ahead.

It's in the cabin straight

across.

Fifty yards.

Where are you going?

I'm just grabbing a few things.

Won't be long.

A few minutes.

Sit down, kid!

What's your name?

Daisy.

That Carter's

a real piece of work, huh?

Yeah.

How long have you two known

each other?

Hmm, well,

a long time.

Long time.

Found him in the desert

about fifteen years ago.

Stubborn as a mule, that one.

Didn't want nothing

to do with me at first.

But eventually I convinced him

to come back with me and get a

meal.

Lord knows he needed it.

We used to go out on runs.

All over the place.

Hittin' towns.

Clearing em' out.

What happened between you two?

I wish I could tell you.

Well, he still considers you

a friend.

Friend that leaves you

when you need him most.

I guess I shouldn't have

been so surprised.

Didn't understand it then.

I do now.

Understand what?

It's in his nature.

Well intentioned as he is,

Carter will always put himself

first.

I don't know if I believe that.

You ever lose anyone?

Not like Carter.

Not like me.

Changes you.

You begin to see the world...

differently.

How so?

I had a son.

His name was Charlie.

I loved him more than life

itself.

In the end, what is it worth?

Nothin'.

I'm sorry.

"I'm sorry"?

- I, I don't--

- Shh!

"Look upon my works,

ye Mighty, and despair."

Nothing lasts forever.

Hm!

When you realize that, you...

become free of expectations

and of limitations.

Who among us can cast

the first stone?

I always wanted a daughter.

Life...

doesn't usually work out

the way we imagine.

Oh!

You're crazy!

I wasn't gonna hurt you,

but if that's the way

you want it.

When Carter gets back he's gonna

f*cking k*ll you!

Oh, honey.

Carter's not coming back.

Daddy.

I'm hungry.

What would Charlie

think of you now?

Shut the f*ck up!

You don't know sh*t about me.

I don't?

No!

You think you're different?

You think your life's

been harder than anyone else's?

There are a million pricks

like you in this world,

and they all think

they're special.

But assholes like you

always

get what's coming to them.

You're right about that.

I'll get what's coming to me.

You k*lled him?

Carter!

You shouldn't have come here.

What?

Look what you made me do!

I was fine!

- Fine!

- Stop!

- Everything was fine!

- Stop!

Carter...

How bad is it?

Daisy, put me down.

- No!

- Put me down!

No!

We're almost there, Carter!

Come on! We can do it!

Stop! We have to stop!

We have to stop!

I can see the truck.

It's right there.

Help!

Somebody help us!

Carter?

We need help!

Help!

Carter!

I'm okay.

I'm okay.

I didn't think

you were gonna make it.

Carter.

I--

Daisy?

Eddie, he's awake!

Hey, Carter.

Eddie?

Don't worry, I--

I was just as surprised

to see you.

I looked for you.

I wanted to go back.

I wanted to go back so badly.

But I had to keep Daisy safe.

You haven't told him yet?

Your baby girl.

We named her Daisy.

This was your mom's.

She'd want you to have it.

I have something for you, too.

Look at that.

Thought you could use a new one.

Your mom was way better at this

than I'll ever be.

You know...

I've lived so long

without parents.

I'm not really sure

I need a dad.

I know.

But I think I'd like one.

So, are you gonna to play me

something?

Yeah.

Time is a cruel thing.

Some moments fade.

Some you

wish could last forever.