Apocalypse [Pentatonix AU | Kavi / Scomiche]

Author's Note

This story has a dissatisfying ending. I'm saying this right away, because I know that if you're reading this note you're probably upset. You have questions, and lucky for you I have answers.

In case you didn't notice, every character's individual story ended with their death. Kirstie's story ended when she died surrounded by people she loved. Kevin's story ended when he sacrificed himself. Avi's story ended when he chose to take his own life. Mitch's story ended when he chose to save others rather than himself. However Scott's story didn't end with his death. Instead, it ended with him reaching the goal that he'd strived toward for so long. For the entire course of the novel, this is what Scott thought he wanted, except he realizes too late that it's actually the opposite. He realizes that he would much rather have the people he loved alive. If he'd chosen to save Kirstie, they would've never continued to the CDC, Kevin would never had sacrificed himself, Avi would never have taken his own life, and Mitch would never have died in his arms. Essentially, Scott's story is one of regret.

If you're still unsatisfied and want to know what exactly happened to Scott, keep reading. However, the ending that you just read is up for interpretation for a reason. What happens to Scott after he arrives at the room isn't important, it's what happened before that matters. I know how infuriating that can be though, which is why I'll at least tell you my interpretation and intention when writing it. And actually, I had two endings. So if you rather not leave it up to your imagination to decide what happened to Scott Hoying, here we go;

#1 : Scott's enters a room full of scientists and researchers. They were the ones who'd seen him on the security cameras, who'd let him in to begin with. They'd survived for years on backup fuel. He gives them the vaccine, tells them to replicate it. They take it into the lab, and in the meantime give him a room to sleep in since he seems absolutely exhausted. However the next morning they find him with a gun in his hand and bullet in his temple.

This was the ending I was initially going to write. I felt it worked best with the overall theme of this story, but at the same time felt it was too heavy handed or straight forward. This resolution leaves absolutely no room for misunderstanding and could just simply be disappointing for a lot of you. So this brings us to our second possible ending.

#2 : Scott never actually made it to the CDC. After Mitch died, he realized he had absolutely nothing and no one left. He makes the rash decision that the CDC would be overrun anyway and the entire trip was pointless. So next to the Georgia sign, right beside Mitch, Scott kills himself. Therefore the entire last chapter that you read was actually Scott's ascent into another life, whether that be heaven or someplace else. And after the bright light clears, Kirstie, Avi, Kevin and Mitch are all there waiting for him.

This is no doubt the happier ending. Scott finally gets to be with the people he loves and never has to worry about them being taken away from him again. Or is it really happier? Humanity would be lost. The world would end.

It's for you to decide. Or you can envision your own ending. Either way, the moral remains the same; regret is inevitable.

I really hope you enjoyed reading this story. It took me about 6 months from start to finish, and writing it has gotten me through a lot. Hopefully reading it will help at least one of you get you through something too :)

- Emily