"Don't you, forget about me. Don't, don't, don't, don't. Don't you, forget about me." - Simple Minds
The feelings that Mackenzie held in her heart were mixed. Though the departure from Wicked’s Rest wouldn’t be permanent, as far as she was currently concerned, the idea of leaving a place that had oddly and painfully become her home over the past year was still hard to wrap her head around. But it hadn’t been a decision she had taken lightly. It was one of self-preservation, because if she didn’t do it, she was sure this town was going to claim another life, even if she was a member of the undead.
But what had been impossible before, when she left no trace and just disappeared, had seemed even harder now that she was doing it the right way. Alerting those she loved that she was leaving. That she was off to temporarily start a new life for herself. At least for as long as this new movie was shooting and the press tour was going. Of course there was still the murder of Brody Stevens lingering, even while he sat right next to her reassuring her that this was for the best. It was still a problem she wasn’t sure how to come to terms with – turn herself in or pray that she would be acquitted if the truth ever came out that she was the one to kill him. She certainly still looked guilty and though the love of her life had reassured her that even he knew it wasn’t intentional, Mackenzie still struggled.
“Hey, Kenz. Your flight leaves soon. Are you ready? Are we doing this? I don’t think Jack can stand this cat-carrier much longer, and we’ve got a long flight ahead.” Taylor held Jack’s carrier in her hands as she looked towards the zombie.
“Yeah, I just…You got enough brains for the flight right? I don’t want to do this if there’s any risk of a plane going down over the Pacific because of a zombie…” It sounded absurd, but if it had been one thing Mackenzie had learned in her time in Wicked’s Rest was that preparation was key, especially when it came to literal life and death.
“Yes, and I’ve already found a supplier in Australia, which means there’s more people out there like you. Outside of Wicked’s Rest. You’re not going to be alone…” She sent a soft, reassuring smile in her friend’s direction, “I’ll be out in the car.”
Nodding softly, Mackenzie turned back around to face the quiet house releasing a heavy sigh. As she looked around, she let her eyes take in all the good memories and even the bad memories with the friends she had made since her arrival. The sleepover and falling off over the upstairs bannister. The time spent with Alex talking about life and watching movies. The zombie movie marathon with Milo. And even the night of drinking with Chai that led to one of the worst mistakes of her life. More recently the relationship with Elora that allowed her a chance to see that love was possible again. And the birthday party of two with Winter, even after the strain on their friendship. She thought about all the nights spent alone watching tv late into the night and all the As Seen On TV stuff that had been dropped off in a box at a local shelter, along with some clothes and a donation check hoping it would do some good, despite all the harm that had seemed to come from her existence.
“This is a good thing, Babe. And I’ll be with you as long as I’m allowed.”
His voice was a reminder of a life when everything felt right. Felt good. And she closed her eyes taking in every word Brody whispered in her ear. God, how she wanted to hold him and kiss him again. But just having him in her presence was more than enough for what she was about to do, “You’re right. I’m just scared.”
Turning around to face him, she refrained from letting her hand run across his face knowing the outcome, “I know I need this. I just don’t want to hurt anybody.”
“You’ve got this. And Winter, she was right. Forgive yourself, Mackenzie Elizabeth Ross. There’s plenty of other times in life to feel guilty. If I can forgive you and still love you, then you can forgive you.” He shot his trademark smirk in her direction as she let her eyes scan over the house one last time.
“Okay, let’s do this. Let’s go make a movie in Australia.”
As the car pulled out of the driveway, Mackenzie thought back on all the people she was leaving. Winter. Monty and Kaden. Cass. Charlie. She thought of Sellama praying she was safe. She thought of Elora, Alex, Milo, Marcus and all the other friends who had come and gone hoping they were happy. She thought of Caleb, who she hadn’t seen, but had even wished him the best, hearing through town gossip that he had been freed of the demon that plagued him. And Jade? Well Jade was just Jade.
Wicked’s Rest had felt like a lifetime, despite it only being a year of her life. But she knew she’d keep the lessons she had learned close to her heart as she went onto bigger and better things. Knowing that even if the time there was brief, it had still made quite the impact.
“Hey, Mackenzie! Look!”
Blinking through the tears in her eyes to clear her vision, she quickly looked out the other side of the window of the car she was in to see Sellama pronking happily through the grass, “She’s alive? She’s alive!!!” Mackenzie rolled down the window and leaned forward screaming out the window, “SELLAMA! I LOVE YOU, GIRL! BE SAFE MY SWEET GIRL! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!”
At that moment, her decision had felt right. She was as free as Sellama was, pronking happily through the fields of Wicked’s Rest, and without second thought, Mack stuck her head out the window and screamed something of relief as the salt laced wind blew through her wavy blond hair. With Brody, Taylor, and even Jack at her side, Mackenzie felt safe. She'd be back eventually, but not until it felt right in her heart.
And as she boarded the plane to Australia knowing that she had people in her corner in all parts of the world, everything felt okay. It felt right. It felt whole.
PARTIES: @longislandcharm; @realmackross
TIMING: A day or so after the Prickly Pear Farms Fire
SUMMARY: Mackenzie comes to tell Winter she's leaving Wicked's Rest and say goodbye.
WARNINGS: None
It was hard. The decision wasn’t something she had come to lightly, but Mackenzie had needed it. She needed to leave. She needed to get out of Wicked’s Rest. Nothing but more tragedy had plagued her life since coming to the town. Sure, there had been a few good moments, but those were fleeting, and if she wanted to have a chance at surviving. At saving what humanity was already slipping away from her, then parting ways was the way to do it. At least for a little while, especially since there had been the chance to shoot a new movie in Australia. A chance to get her career kick-started again since it seemed as though the world had collectively stopped talking about Brody’s death.
However, leaving behind Sellama, her home, Monty and Kaden, her other friends, and most of all Winter, is what was going to be the hardest. But she was going to do it the right way this time. She was going to break the news to her best friend face-to-face. Letters probably for the other people in her life, but Winter had endured the last time Mackenzie had ran getting no explanation whatsoever, only to have a chance meeting with her in a drive-in parking lot of all places.
So, without hesitating anymore, she pushed the doorbell and waited quietly, a sad, but small smile perched on her face waiting for her best friend to answer the door.
—
Her hands shook as she stood in front of her marble countertops, Winter forgetting what she had been doing after her mind had trailed off. Thoughts of what happened at Monty’s farm would seep in now and again causing adrenaline, fear, or anxiety to start up. Most of the time it was all three. Add to that the lingering fear of Wyatt’s meltdown with her and she was feeling the whole ‘never go outside again’ thing that Mack had going for her. Still, she was proud of the fact that she had fought back this time no matter how many…casualties had come from it and she was once again hiding behind the ‘them or me’ mentality to make the guilt float away.
Hearing the doorbell, her head snapped up to look towards the foyer. She couldn’t remember expecting company, her heart starting to race as that thought hit her, so she was slow to react. First she had to calm her racing heart, shake the nerves off, and make sure her hands were steady. Her feet moved forward almost of their own volition but Winter made sure to check the cameras on her phone to see who it was before she was opening the door.
“Mack, what are you doing here? You could have called and saved me from a heart attack, you know?” The door was left open as she turned to walk back to the kitchen, finding it best to not let Mack’s gaze linger on her face for too long. She’d told her about what had happened at the farm and had assured the other that she was okay but Winter didn’t want to give any more reason for questions. “Do you need to borrow something from my closet again? Because I need to know where you’re going to warrant that. Fun is needed, please don’t leave me behind.”
—
Every part of Mackenzie’s being wanted to tell her to turn and run, and the longer it took for Winter to answer the door, the more tempted she was to just say ‘fuck it’ and flee. But before she could, she heard the sound of the door unlocking before seeing her friend, the person she hadn’t seen since the party, standing there looking worse for wear. For once, Mack looked more alive than Winter, and that was really saying something, “This kind of warranted an in person visit. Plus, I’ve never seen your house so…”
The taller of the two stepped through the threshold of the doorway and quietly shut the door behind her. What she had to say was already catching in her throat, but letting her eyes wander and take in her surroundings of a house she hadn’t spent time in gave her something to focus on and prolong the news. She followed Winter into the kitchen, “Uh, no. I mean, I am going somewhere, but it’s not really a day trip sort of thing.”
Coming around to face her best friend, Mackenzie knew it would be better if she looked the woman in the eye, “So…I’m…I’m leaving, Winter. I’m leaving Wicked’s Rest. I got a call from my agent about a movie opportunity, and I’m gonna take it. I-I can’t be here anymore. Not after all that’s happened. I still don’t know where Sellama is or if she even made it out. And this town has brought mostly nothing but heartache. But I thought you deserved to know in person this time.”
—
She stopped in her tracks, the hand holding her phone falling to her side when she turned to look at her best friend. Winter had to have heard wrong, right? But Mack kept going and confirmed that what she had heard had been correct. Her first instinct was to get angry, to be mad that Mack was abandoning her again, leaving her in a town that was most likely going to kill her sooner rather than later. She could feel herself bristling, gearing up for a fight.
But…didn’t Mack deserve to be happy? Hadn’t she been preaching to the blonde that she needed to let things go and start forgiving herself? How was she supposed to do that in a town that wouldn’t let her forget what she was with reminders littered all around her?
Winter swallowed back the anger that had started inside of her, hoping that it would take with it the hurt that was bubbling up as well but that hope was futile. Tears pricked at her eyes, something she couldn’t allow Mack to see. It would make her feel bad, right? Nodding her head, she could only think of one thing to say. “Okay.” Then she turned on her heel to head towards the kitchen counter where she still couldn’t remember what she was doing before but at least the zombie couldn’t see her face. “When are you leaving?”
—
Mackenzie had expected all Hell to break loose. For tiny little bombs to drop from the ceiling booby trapping Mack in. For Henry to come possess her and hold her hostage, but it didn’t happen. Instead, all there was had been one word…okay. It somewhat stung, but it was also a relief. She was tired of fighting with people. Wicked’s Rest did that to you. Put a mental strain on you as well as the physical toll it often would take. But she could work with okay and the question that came afterwards, “It’s looking like this week. I’ve just got a few things to wrap up at home. Taylor’s flying out to meet me.”
Mackenzie shifted again. Moving so she could look Winter in the eye, and upon doing so, she could see the tears, “Is Winter Cahya crying?” The zombie couldn’t help but try and lighten the mood, despite seeing the battle scars from Winter’s fight at the farm. This town had taken so much of Mackenzie both literally and physically, and she hoped and prayed that it wouldn’t do the same to her best friend, “I’ll be back eventually. I mean it’s a job. It’s not like I’m selling my house. And hey, at least I’m not fleeing like before.” She had thought about it. Many times actually, “But just…take care of yourself, Winter. And if you need an escape, there’s a great big vast world out there. I’ll be somewhere in it. I’m not exactly sure where we’re shooting yet. I think Australia, but it could change.”
—
“Oh? Tell her I hate her and I hope she gets bitten by Jack.” She took in a breath after that, realizing her voice was betraying her by being wobbly. Why wouldn’t it work with her here? Mack deserved to do things that made her happy and she wouldn’t be the one to get in the way of that. Not that she could. When Winter’s friend made up her mind she was pretty adamant. “No.” The word was forced out, the medium looking down at the counter while she wiped the tears away as nonchalantly as she could. “Why would I be crying?”
Oh, maybe because she had taken her first life? Or maybe because the trauma of this town felt heavier knowing that her favorite person wouldn't be around to help her anymore? Or maybe, just maybe, because she would miss that favorite person more than anything?
She lifted her head, tears still flowing despite her attempts to stop them. “Will you be back? Because who would come back to this?” Winter wasn’t even sure why she was staying here herself. She told herself she needed answers but she still hadn’t gotten any of those after being here a year. For a split second she considered dropping everything and leaving with Mack. She wanted to follow the girl again and again and keep her support at all times. But it wasn’t feasible. Besides, Australia was probably worse anyway. They had giant spiders and mean kangaroos after all. “You’re the one acting like we don’t have cell phones.” But she appreciated the sentiments. “Don’t let Taylor be in charge of your brains this time. She’s such a screw up, she’ll definitely cause a zombie attack. And stay away from kangaroos. Those little shits can be mean.”
—
Mackenzie could see Winter was at her breaking point. She could hear it in her voice, especially at the threats against Taylor. And there it was, the tears. But Mackenzie didn’t have it in her to cry. She had cried so much lately that her skin had dried out, hollowing out her cheekbones revealing just how dead she really was. It took chugging water and a little help from some cosmetics just to get them puffy again. She hated being a zombie. Fuck. “Because I’m leaving. Because you went through a big ordeal just a few days ago. Because you live in this town. Should I keep going or…”
Coming around to stand by Winter’s side, she looked down at her, “It’s okay, Winter. Really. And yeah. When I can, I’ll be back. You’re here. My girl, Sellama, is here. She's a survivor, and I haven’t heard otherwise, so I’m choosing to believe she’s safe. Monty and Kaden. Despite how shitty it’s been since coming here, I’ve made a life for myself. I don’t want to give that up. At least not yet. Besides, where else am I gonna go where people actually know and accept what I am?” Mackenzie laughed softly, “And you’re the one acting like we don’t have internet. I think your grandma house is turning you into a grandma. But I will keep an eye on my brain supply and the kangaroos. I don’t think they can hurt me any worse than that bitch, Jade. Which, keep an eye out for her. That heifer is crazy.”
It was weird. This conversation. The last time, when everything had happened, Mackenzie just fled into the night. No word home. No nothing. Just her and Taylor (and apparently Brody’s ghost) just making sure she was far enough away from everything. But today, she felt like she had grown as a person. She was having a mature conversation with her best friend, despite how hard it was and how much it hurt. And it was actually going well. Winter wasn’t trying to hold her hostage or yelling, “You’re gonna be okay, Winter. You’ve got people here who care about you too. And who knows…you may even find your one true love here.” She nudged her friend playfully, “You want a hug?”
—
“So? I don’t cry, Mackenzie.” She was still fighting it despite the evidence running down her cheeks. It didn’t matter, they both knew that she would be okay in the end, she just needed her damn eyes to get the hint. “I’m fine.” Winter’s hands went up to wipe away more of those traitorous bastards, trying to make it seem like her words were true. “I’m just…I’m going…” A sigh, and then she reached out and took Mack’s hand into her own. “I’m going to miss you, okay?”
Trying to forget that she had lumped Winter in with a llama, she focused on the words that Mack was saying. They made sense, they really did, but she couldn’t help but feel like there were a lot of ‘buts’ hanging in between. It was probably her own fears whispering that Mack would never come back, telling her that their phone calls would grow less and less each day until eventually they only called on special occasions. She didn’t want that to happen but for Mack’s sake she had to give it a shot. “Don’t call me a grandma, that’s so insulting. I already have the young ones around here thinking I’m too old.” Thanks Cass. Nodding her head again, squeezed the zombie’s hand. “I’m obligated to hate the bitch so don't worry. She’ll hear from me.”
That might have been a bit of a fear as well. Who else cared? Charlie and her were fighting and who knew if that was going to stop and Finn would most definitely stick by his boyfriend’s side. Who else was there? She was the asshole who kept making enemies. It was a miracle her and Mack had made it to this point in their friendship. Still, she scoffed at the rest of her words. “Screw love. Who cares about that?” Without answering her friend Winter wrapped her arms around the girl’s middle, squeezing her as tightly as she could. It wasn’t her usual style, no, but if this was going to be the last time she saw her for a while then she would suck it up and give the girl a hug.
—
Mackenzie wanted to laugh, but she didn’t. It wasn’t often that she saw Winter let her guard down, and when she reached out and took the zombie’s hand, it was even more of a shock. Looking down at it, she could finally feel her own tears threatening to come out, but unlike when she was alive, it was a little harder now at times. How was she going to explain that one when she had to cry on cue… “I’m gonna miss you too. Maybe not the snark as much, but I am going to miss you. Just…stay out of trouble okay? That’s all I ask. Keep your comments in check. You’re not always gonna have a zombie around to eat the people threatening your life.”
The woman let go of her friend’s hand as she wiped at her own eyes and laughed at Winter’s comments about being called old and Jade. And while she had said she was going to miss the snark, deep down, she was going to miss her friend’s commentary. The way she would try to cheer Mackenzie up, when she was down. Winter was as boujee as they came, and the zombie was even going to miss that. But it wasn’t forever. At least she had hoped it wouldn’t be. And if she was being completely honest, she was afraid of what life was going to be like alone on the other side of the world with normal people. Was Wicked’s Rest an anomaly or were there other places out there that held the same kinds of creatures and people.
Feeling Winter wrap her arms around Mackenzie had been just what she had needed to release her own floodgate of tears, “Fuck, now I’m crying.” But without hesitating, she wrapped her arms around the shorter woman refusing to let go.
—
“We both know that’s not possible.” Because it wasn’t. Even when terrified, her big mouth always got her in even more trouble. It just wasn’t in Winter’s nature no matter how many times she yelled at herself to keep that tongue in check. “I’m walking trouble. It’s why we’re such good friends.” She pulled back just enough to look up at Mack’s face, smirking softly at the implication that they were one in the same. Because Mack could have a mouth too and they both knew it.
“Good, I can’t be in this on my own. That would be embarrassing.” Not that it wasn’t already. She sniffed, burying her head against Mack as the woman held her in a death grip. “Alright, so when you try surfing I’m going to need pictures of you wiping out in the waves. And watch out for the stupid spiders. And the sand sharks…don’t ask.” After a moment, she stepped out of the other girl’s grip and Winter reached up to wipe those tears away again. She must have looked like a puffed up lobster at that point. “God, we look stupid. I need an eye mask, stat.” But she still stood there, not wanting to walk away and end their long goodbye. Because once it was over that was it, they would be reduced to phone conversations and video chat for the unforeseeable future.
—
Winter was right, and as much as Mackenzie didn’t want to think of her best friend being alone to face only God knew what by herself, she knew the woman could handle herself. They had gone for most of the year without talking, and somehow they were both still standing. But that didn’t make it any easier. Goodbyes were never easy. It hadn’t been easy fleeing into the night, and it wasn’t easy facing her partner-in-crime and having to part ways. But maybe it was for the best. Maybe they would both grow from it, “You are walking trouble. I remember that time we went to that bar on the Sunset Strip and that guy wouldn’t leave me alone. You pretty much ripped him a new one.” She laughed through the tears.
Mackenzie latched onto Winter a little tighter not wanting to let her go, “Uh, yeah, never gonna happen, but nice try. As for the spiders, maybe I’ll bring one back to you for a souvenir.” Mack had already faced a spider that was bigger than she was. Australia spiders probably had nothing on Wicked’s Rest. But sand sharks? She didn’t dare tempt that one. Losing one leg was already enough.
Feeling her heart break just a little as they separated, she was quickly cheered up by Winter’s request for an eye mask, “You’re so fucking spoiled, Winter. Don’t ever change.” Mackenzie wiped her own eyes, before letting out a soft sigh, “Well, I guess…I guess this is it. I’ve gotta go home and get packed up. It’s gonna be weird living in the future.” She laughed, a sadness now falling over her, “You’ll have to come visit. Get out of Wicked’s Rest…” Prolonging the reality of things felt right, but she also knew it couldn’t last forever, “I love you, Winter. Take care of yourself, and that ghost of yours.” She noticed Henry standing just in the other room and waved at him, before turning her attention back to her friend, “I guess I’ll see you in a couple of months.” She stammered kicking at the ground, not wanting to leave.
—
“He deserved it. I would have slapped him too if you hadn't dragged me away.” Her usual demeanor was starting to return as Winter wiped away the last of her tears. There was still a gruffness to her voice but she refused to let herself keep showing the weakness that came with losing Mack. “I’ll kill you again if you bring me a spider, BB. I’ve got experience now.” Nodding matter of factly she tried not to show how much that statement bothered her. Mack needed to go and enjoy her life as much as she could, she didn’t need to worry about the medium while she did that. There was nothing she could do from across an ocean anyway.
“Oh, they can pry my eye masks from my cold dead fingers. Trust me, that will never change.” She would have laughed if she wasn’t so damn serious, Winter knowing damn well that those eye masks saved her sanity on more than one occasion. But those thoughts drifted while the weight of the whole situation started to press in on her as Mack started to say her last goodbyes. Winter’s eyes were watering again but she wouldn’t let them fall, not this time. “I love you too, Mackenzie. So much, you have no idea.”
It hurt like hell waiting for her to open that door…and waiting…and waiting. After too long of a beat, Winter finally laughed while shaking her head. “Leaving requires you to walk out the door, babe.” As much as she didn’t want to, she knew that it had to come sometime and she really didn’t want to keep crying all night. It was already embarrassing enough, especially now that Henry was witnessing it. She opened the door, let Mack pass through while rubbing her back gently, and then stood in the doorway as she watched the girl get into her car.
[pm] Of course. I wish we could have saved more of them. I wish I-- We're down to three horses, the dogs, and a goat at the cabin right now. Which is probably more than we can handle long term.
Beth wasn't accounted for after. I don't think she made it. None of them made it except for D-- I'm sorry. I never know what to say when--
Hold on, did you say kidnapped by a group of do-gooders? Are you-- I mean you're here so-- When? Who was it? Who the hell did this?
[pm] Oh Kaden...I'm so so sorry. Is there anything I can do? I've been talking to Monty, and I know he's devastated too. I just wish you guys weren't going through this.
[user goes idle for a moment thinking about Beth] Poor Beth. She was so good to me and Sellama. My heart is with you both and the farmhands.
Uh, yeah. It's really nothing. I mean, it is, but it got taken care of. They were called the Good Neighbors. I think their mission was to lock up people like myself to keep humans safe. But there was a fight and a fire and look, it doesn't really matter now, because...well, Kaden, I'm leaving Wicked's Rest. I got a movie offer for a film being shot in Australia, and after everything that's happened...I just really can't be here anymore. At least not right now. Please don't hate me.
[pm] No, you messaged me. With a single H. And if you want your knife back, you'll have to go sift through what's left of that shitty Karen ran prison.
@realmackross replied to your post “[pm] Are you doing okay?”:
[pm] As fine as I can be, I guess. I'm just relieved to hear that you're all okay. Did you see her? I tried to look for her after the fire, but I haven't been able to find her. As long as she's safe with you guys, that's a big relief.
[pm] Good. That's good. And yeah I didn't see her the night of but we got word. Easy enough to figure out who it was. Llamas aren't exactly native around here.
I'm sorry that you were caught in that and that I didn't find you on the night of. I'm so sorry, Mack. You've been through enough recently. It was supposed to be-- It doesn't matter. Glad you're okay. That has to be what matters.
[pm] Oh thank you, Kaden. She's like my own child. I just needed to know she was okay.
Hey, don't be sorry. I'm fine. Winter, Charlie, Finn, they're all fine as far as I know. They're the ones I saw that night, besides Beth in passing. I haven't heard anything about her though. Have you seen her? And besides, this doesn't compare to being kidnapped and held by a psychotic group of 2nd rate neighborhood watch do-gooders lead by the Karen of all Karens.
[pm] Kicking ass and taking names as always. You staying out of trouble?
[pm] That sounds about right. Me, staying out of trouble? Fuck, I wish. Actually I'm gonna soon be on a plane to Australia to film a movie for a few months, so we'll see what kind of trouble I can get into down there.
@realmackross replied to your post “[pm] Are you okay? Is Kaden okay?”:
[pm] It's fine. I'm just glad you guys are okay. I'm so sorry all this happened, Monty.
[pm] How can it be fine? I got so many people killed. I don't know how to [.........] make up for this. I do not think that I can. I would run, if not for--
[pm] This wasn't your fault, Monty. You have to know that. Please. It's a tragedy, but the blood...it's on the hands of the people who did this. Who chose to attack the farm.
[pm] [...] What [...] happened? [User knows he isn't privy to this information, but he has to know. it's gnawing at him.] Mack, what could happen to those around me? I need to know. I need to avoid it.
[pm] I'd rather not say. But just make sure you've got food and backup food, because when a zombie gets hungry...that's one of their greatest weaknesses.
[pm] Fair enough. Obviously I can't know what it's like, heh. It's a real different kind of infamy-- Well damn, yeah, seems like you're doing everything you can... short of maybe digging a pit in your yard and covering it with leaves or a blanket or something inconspicuous. Spikes at the bottom are... optional.
[pm] Unless you're in the public eye like a lot, I wouldn't expect you too. But a pit. I actually haven't thought of that. And the spikes, I kind of like the idea of the spikes, but I'd feel bad if someone got seriously hurt. Free food though...No, Mack. Don't go there.
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