"Yeah," he says, and it's only a little pained. "Just get the band back together, churn out some kind of godawful sequel."

His voice cracks on that second part. Like they could just call everyone up. Like they all just fell out of contact, like regular college friends half a decade later. Like they'd all be happy to see each other, like Alex would get that gleam in his eye, that spark of validation, that proof that he's not the only one who thinks this stuff is worth it, that drive that drew Jay in as easily as everyone else.

Alex Kralie is dead.

Jay Merrick is dead.

"I bet people'd love us."