With his fortress completed and his vehicles fully stocked, Dean found himself with ten months left before the world collapsed. He still had over $20 million in his bank account, an absurd amount of money in a world that was soon to lose its economy. Rather than let it sit uselessly, he made a decision—he would live the last months of normalcy in absolute luxury.
A Final Taste of Civilization Dean booked himself a full 10-month stay at the most expensive hotel in the city, paying upfront in full. The penthouse suite was his, offering stunning views of the skyline—a city that would soon be reduced to ruin.
While preparing for the end, Dean had lived like a machine, constantly working, building, and planning. Now, for a little while, he could enjoy the things he would never get to experience again—fine dining, entertainment, and the company of people who weren't fighting for survival.
But he couldn't leave his fortress unattended. With all the investments he made, it needed care until he returned. So, he hired a private maid service to maintain his property for nine months, ensuring everything stayed in pristine condition before he took full control again.
There was something else Dean wanted to do—find his best friend from his past life.
Back in the apocalypse, his friend, Marcus, had been his closest ally. They had fought together, survived countless ambushes, and saved each other's lives more times than Dean could count. But they had met under tragic circumstances.
How Dean Met Marcus in the Past Life The first time Dean met Marcus, he had been trapped inside a convenience store, low on ammo, with zombies clawing at the glass doors.
Dean had already accepted that he was going to die.
Then, gunfire erupted outside.
Through the shattered store windows, Dean saw a lone figure wielding an M4 carbine, mowing down zombies with precise shots.
"MOVE!" the stranger had shouted.
Dean didn't hesitate. He sprinted toward the man, jumping over corpses as bullets whizzed past. Once they were clear, Marcus tossed him a spare pistol and smirked.
"You looked like you needed a hand."
From that moment on, they had been inseparable. Fighting side by side, scavenging together, sharing their worst and best moments in a dead world.
But in the end, Marcus had died.
Reconnecting in This Life Now, Marcus was alive, living his normal life—unaware of the future that awaited him. Dean tracked him down, using every resource he had to find him. When he finally did, he approached Marcus in person, shaking with anticipation.
They met in a small coffee shop, the sound of life buzzing around them. Dean sat across from his old friend, his heart pounding. Marcus was here. He was real. Alive.
"I need to tell you something," Dean said.
He poured everything out—the apocalypse, the zombies, the war, how they had fought together, how Marcus had died.
Marcus laughed, shaking his head. "Dude, are you high?" I don't even know you, you just called me up and asking to meet I barely wanted to meet you a stranger.
Dean felt a pit in his stomach. Marcus didn't believe him.
"Look, man," Marcus sighed, "I don't know what kind of sci-fi fantasy you're dreaming up, but I'm not some warrior in a zombie movie. You need to get some help."
Dean watched as his best friend stood up, chuckling as he walked away. He didn't believe.
For the first time in years, Dean felt helpless.
But he wouldn't give up. He had ten months to convince Marcus. And he would do whatever it took to save his best friend from the fate he had suffered before.