Chronicles of the Apocalypse: Redemption (2026)

Chapter 17: A Hard Call

In Berrington, Cassandra and Shawn return to just as James stands up. Cassandra, visibly shaken.

James: Cassandra?

James turns to Shawn, who attempts to touch his shoulder.

Shawn: Hey, man.....

James pushes Shawn back.

James: Get your fucking hands off me.

James walks out the door as Shawn sighs. Shawn then goes over to Rachel and Hunter's shed and knocks on the door.

Shawn: Hey....

Hunter: Hey, man.

Shawn: It's Hunter, right?

Hunter: Yeah, you're James' brother, right?

Shawn: Yeah....

Shawn turns to Rachel.

Shawn: Hey, Rachel...sorry to do this, but Kyle wants me to take Hunter home.

Rachel: What?

Shawn: Yeah....hate to say it, but that's what we've decided.

Rachel: Shawn....

Shawn: I'm sorry, Rachel.

Rachel sighs, then looks at Hunter.

Hunter: Hey, it's okay....I've had fun.

Rachel smiles, then hugs Hunter.

Hunter: Thanks, Rachel.

Rachel then heads out, before Shawn scoffs, then turns to Hunter.

Shawn: Anyway, you want to wait in the Burton house with us?

Hunter: Uh...sure?

After bringing Hunter to the Burton house, James is sitting out on the porch, thinking as Shawn walks out and approaches his brother.

Shawn: We're about to leave. You coming?

James shakes his head.

Shawn: This has to be done. It has to be done clean and right.

James: Clean and right? Is that we're calling this, Shawn?

Shawn sighs.

Shawn: I don't like it, either.

James: Then how about you make up your own fucking mind, then?

Shawn: He's Wes's kid, dude. He'll come after us.

James: After us for what? For taking care of his son? For letting him sleep in my fucking house?

Shawn: We killed three of his men and he killed Brigg. You think this shit's gonna be easy?

James: Goddammit....

Shawn: There's our solution.

James looks down and shakes his head.

James: I mean, I like him. I like the kid. Rachel likes him.

Shawn: What's not to like, James? He's fifteen years old! He's just too much of liability being Wes's son!

James: Yeah, so was Kyle. So were you....Nathan wanted to kill you, remember? But I stopped him.

Shawn sighs.

Shawn: This is different, little brother. Think about it; we let the kid go. He's seen too much of the inside of Berrington. He goes back and tells Wes our weaknesses and the plan. The plan of the rescue is fucked. Someone, one of our people, end up dead. You don't come along, Kyle loses trust in you, and you sure as shit don't want that.