It starts like any normal school morning—until it isn’t. When strange reports interrupt the radio and parents begin pulling kids out of class, 7th grader Zack senses something is very wrong. By the time he makes it home, the streets of Maplewood are changing… and Zack may be the only one left inside the Hot Zone. With his dog Scottie by his side and no adults in sight, Zack must figure out what’s happening—and fast.

Parent Note:
Stay Home Z is a suspenseful adventure story for tweens. While it features zombies and moments of tension, there is no graphic violence or gore. The story focuses on problem-solving, bravery, and friendship.

Episode 1 Credits:

CAST

Narrator - Jeremy Lipps

Radio DJ - Archie Leach

MUSIC - from freemusicarchive.org

All the Pretty Horses - John Stebbe
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Stebbe/Lullaby_and_Goodnight/lullaby_and_good_night_13_-_john_stebbe_-_all_the_pretty_little_horses/

SOUND EFFECTS - from freesound.org

Breaking news intro music by humanoide9000
https://freesound.org/people/humanoide9000/sounds/760770/

Toddler laughing (2 years old) by datari (Freesound.com)
https://freesound.org/people/datari/sounds/660407/

Cereal Pour by dj997
https://freesound.org/people/dj997/sounds/493749/

Car - Pulling Away by manychefsbroth
https://freesound.org/people/manychefsbroth/sounds/151876/

Car Arriving Idling and Pulling Away by leonelmail
https://freesound.org/people/leonelmail/sounds/429405/

Car Starting 1 - by theshaggyfreak
https://freesound.org/people/theshaggyfreak/sounds/276272/

Front door open and close by DSISStudios
https://freesound.org/people/DSISStudios/sounds/156001/

old-radio-noise-defective-medium-wave-2 by DrNI

Zack is home alone—and something is terribly wrong in Maplewood. Strange sounds echo through the neighborhood, emergency alerts crackle over the radio, and the streets outside don’t look the same anymore. As Zack pieces together what’s really happening, he realizes the danger isn’t just on the news… it might be right outside his door. With Scottie at his side, Zack must decide whether to hide—or prepare.

Parent Note:
Stay Home Z is a suspenseful adventure story for tweens. While it features zombies and moments of tension, there is no graphic violence or gore. The story focuses on problem-solving, bravery, and friendship.

Episode 2 Credits:

CAST

Narrator - Jeremy Lipps

MUSIC - from freemusicarchive.org

All the Pretty Horses - John Stebbe
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Stebbe/Lullaby_and_Goodnight/lullaby_and_good_night_13_-_john_stebbe_-_all_the_pretty_little_horses/

SUBSCARA, by Soularflair
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/mere-death-experience/subscara/

SOUND EFFECTS - from freesound.org

Video Game Music Seamless - x1shi
https://freesound.org/people/x1shi/sounds/685206/

Computer Chimes - Logged In - marlonnnnnn
https://freesound.org/people/marlonnnnnn/sounds/351880/

Game Controller Mashing, by SmartWentCody
https://freesound.org/people/SmartWentCody/sounds/179018/

110552_Noisehag_hard_drive_shut_down_01_remix, by Timbre
https://freesound.org/people/Timbre/sounds/112167/

Sirens, fire, police, close pass, distant, urban, CALGARY, 2011 by TRP
https://freesound.org/people/TRP/sounds/577312/

1130_low frequency thuds (nr), by lonedroner
https://freesound.org/people/lonerdroner/sounds/713088/

With strange sounds outside the house and zombies somewhere in town, he decides to turn his home into a fortress. Using whatever he can find, Zack sets traps, blocks entrances, and prepares for the worst. But his biggest discovery comes when he finally gets an old walkie talkie working—with hopes of hearing a friendly voice.

Parent Note:
Stay Home Z is a suspenseful adventure story for tweens. While it features zombies and moments of tension, there is no graphic violence or gore. The story focuses on problem-solving, bravery, and friendship.

Episode 4 Credits:

CAST

Narrator - Jeremy Lipps

MUSIC - from freemusicarchive.org

All the Pretty Horses - John Stebbe
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Stebbe/Lullaby_and_Goodnight/lullaby_and_good_night_13_-_john_stebbe_-_all_the_pretty_little_horses/

SUBSCARA, by Soularflair
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/mere-death-experience/subscara/

SOUND EFFECTS - from freesound.org
Kitchen Rummage, by desktopepics
https://freesound.org/people/desktopepics/sounds/737526/

Rummaging in a drawer, by Caitlin_100
https://freesound.org/people/Caitlin_100/sounds/365532/

Legos cascade dump to carpet sorting many legos to bucket ed larez vsnr, by visionear
https://freesound.org/people/visionear/sounds/723694/

1130_low frequency thuds (nr), by lonedroner
https://freesound.org/people/lonerdroner/sounds/713088/

Whining Dog, by Breviceps
https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462660/

Wall Bump, by Osiruswaltz
https://freesound.org/people/Osiruswaltz/sounds/457741/

Zack finally makes contact with his friend Rishi—and learns the devastating truth. His neighborhood is trapped inside a military quarantine zone, and his parents can't reach him. When Scottie escapes into the backyard, Zack is forced outside to rescue her and faces his first zombie. His homemade traps actually work—the tripwire, the Legos, even a laser pointer. For the first time, Zack feels hope. But Rishi's final message shatters it: "No one can get to you."

Parent Note:
Stay Home Z is a suspenseful adventure story for tweens. While it features zombies and moments of tension, there is no graphic violence or gore. The story focuses on problem-solving, bravery, and friendship.

Episode 5 Credits:

CAST

Narrator - Jeremy Lipps

Zombies - Christian Lipps

MUSIC - from freemusicarchive.org

All the Pretty Horses, by John Stebbe
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Stebbe/Lullaby_and_Goodnight/lullaby_and_good_night_13_-_john_stebbe_-_all_the_pretty_little_horses/

SUBSCARA, by Soularflair
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/mere-death-experience/subscara/

SOUND EFFECTS - from freesound.org

A Single barking Dog Clip, by EdTK
https://freesound.org/people/EdTK/sounds/513990/

assorted_crashing, by nothayama
https://freesound.org/people/nothayama/sounds/172498/

Dropping old stuf in open truck 001, by klankbeeld
https://freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/sounds/786213/

Radio static, by LukaCafuka
https://freesound.org/people/LukaCafuka/sounds/760335/

A Single Barking Dog Clip, by EdTK
https://freesound.org/people/EdTK/sounds/513990/

Breaking legos, by AnthonyOstrander
https://freesound.org/people/AnthonyOstrander/sounds/674594/

Legos cascade dump to carpet sorting many legos to bucket ed larez vsnr, by visionear
https://freesound.org/people/visionear/sounds/723694/

Zack decides to escape the Hot Zone himself and meet his family at the barricade. But as he plans his route with Rishi, glass shatters downstairs—the zombies are breaking in. Zack frantically reinforces the doors, buying seconds as creatures pour through the windows. With Scottie and his Louisville Slugger, he makes a desperate dash to the garage where his dad's e-bike waits. As zombies hammer the door, Zack pulls on his helmet and settles Scottie into the basket. The house is lost. Now, he has to save himself.

Parent Note:
Stay Home Z is a suspenseful adventure story for tweens. While it features zombies and moments of tension, there is no graphic violence or gore. The story focuses on problem-solving, bravery, and friendship.

Episode 6 Credits:

CAST

Narrator - Jeremy Lipps

Zombies - Christian Lipps

MUSIC - from freemusicarchive.org

All the Pretty Horses - John Stebbe
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Stebbe/Lullaby_and_Goodnight/lullaby_and_good_night_13_-_john_stebbe_-_all_the_pretty_little_horses/

SOUND EFFECTS - from freesound.org
Radio static, by LukaCafuka
https://freesound.org/people/LukaCafuka/sounds/760335/

dog_growling 1, by 15GPanskaBokstefflova_Nicola
https://freesound.org/people/15GPanskaBokstefflova_Nicola/sounds/461519/

CPI Scooter Fast Start and acceleration, by loljames
https://freesound.org/people/loljames/sounds/97159/

breaking_glass_mirror_Oktava_MK-012, by gladkiy
https://freesound.org/people/gladkiy/sounds/276937/

mirror wet hand squeak squeal creak, by EricsSoundsschmiede
https://freesound.org/people/EricsSoundschmiede/sounds/396053/

banging on door, table, wood, metal, desk, by HenryTheGuy
https://freesound.org/people/HenryTheGuy/sounds/822460/

Metallic Slam Bang from Closing Gate, by bassimat
https://freesound.org/people/bassimat/sounds/833566/

assorted crashing, by nothayama
https://freesound.org/people/nothayama/sounds/172498/

A Single Barking Dog Clip, by EdTK
https://freesound.org/people/EdTK/sounds/513990/

Zack’s defenses have fallen, and escape is the only option. With Scottie in tow, he races through the streets of Maplewood on his e-bike, dodging zombies and navigating obstacles at every turn. Can he make it out of the Hot Zone and back to his family? A tense, thrilling finale where courage and quick thinking are the only way to survive.

Parent Note:
Stay Home Z is a suspenseful adventure story for tweens. While it features zombies and moments of tension, there is no graphic violence or gore. The story focuses on problem-solving, bravery, and friendship.

Episode 7 Credits:

CAST

Narrator - Jeremy Lipps

Zombies - Christian Lipps

MUSIC - from freemusicarchive.org

All the Pretty Horses, by John Stebbe
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Stebbe/Lullaby_and_Goodnight/lullaby_and_good_night_13_-_john_stebbe_-_all_the_pretty_little_horses/

SUBSCARA, by Soularflair
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/mere-death-experience/subscara/

SOUND EFFECTS - from freesound.org
Radio static, by LukaCafuka
https://freesound.org/people/LukaCafuka/sounds/760335/

dog_growling 1, by 15GPanskaBokstefflova_Nicola
https://freesound.org/people/15GPanskaBokstefflova_Nicola/sounds/461519/

CPI Scooter Fast Start and acceleration, by loljames
https://freesound.org/people/loljames/sounds/97159/

breaking_glass_mirror_Oktava_MK-012, by gladkiy
https://freesound.org/people/gladkiy/sounds/276937/

Zack wakes to a quiet, powerless morning, still alone in his house with only Scottie for company. Determined to be brave, he tackles basic tasks, navigates the house, and struggles to control his fear. But when mysterious noises emerge from the backyard, Zack faces his first real sign of danger—and realizes it’s time to fight back.

Parent Note:
Stay Home Z is a suspenseful adventure story for tweens. While it features zombies and moments of tension, there is no graphic violence or gore. The story focuses on problem-solving, bravery, and friendship.

Episode 3 Credits:

CAST

Narrator - Jeremy Lipps

Zombies - Christian Lipps

MUSIC - from freemusicarchive.org

All the Pretty Horses - John Stebbe
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Stebbe/Lullaby_and_Goodnight/lullaby_and_good_night_13_-_john_stebbe_-_all_the_pretty_little_horses/

SOUND EFFECTS - from freesound.org
Toddler laughing (2 years old) by datari (Freesound.com)
https://freesound.org/people/datari/sounds/660407/

dog eating, by kwahmah_02
https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/245039/

A Single Barking Dog Clip, by EdTK
https://freesound.org/people/EdTK/sounds/513990/

Whining Dog, by Breviceps
https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462660/

1130_low frequency thuds (nr), by lonedroner
https://freesound.org/people/lonerdroner/sounds/713088/