Author's Note: This is the first in a one-shot series of stories. I have no idea if I'm gonna strictly keep this as a one-shot story with a multitude of chapters or not, that may just depend on the feedback or not. Half-Life is owned by Valve and The Walking Dead games were made by Telltale. This was honestly inspired by Mark Laidlaw's Episode 3 revelation, so I'm gonna try and give both games as must justice as I can put on here. Anyways, here you go: Misplaced in Time.
Chapter 1: Unforseen Consequences
A silence was in the air. A dull, unforgettable stillness that hung over the sunset-drenched hills as a tear-struck Clementine sat near the outskirts of Savannah, her outfit covered in a Walker's blood. Having just killed her guardian, Lee, not too long ago, the little girl attempts to take her mind off of the events prior by studying stray shotgun shells near her feet. She couldn't help but think back to the advice that her guardian gave her, prior to being shot:
"Find a group and stick with them."
The thought dwelled within her mind for a while as she tried to figure out where to go...then she thought about the time she spent with her group; The first time she met Lee, Kenny, Duck, and Katjaa, the unforgettable experience at the pharmacy, the time she spent with Duck and the others at the Motel, the ride towards Savannah, Lilly shooting Carley, even the train ride to Savannah. All the way until she found herself locked in a room with a man she barely knew, scared for her life until Lee came in and saved her. All that time having to walk through the herd of Walkers that had shambled their way into the center of Savannah. What shocked her the most would be her undead parents standing outside, and Lee passing out right in front of her...which would lead up to where she is now. All that time she begins to faintly recall seeing a man in a blue suit watching her...though he would be just out of sight, he never seemed to try and hide himself. Rather, he would stand just out of sight of everyone else except for her, and when she would call attention to this strange business man, he would always walk out of sight, disappearing entirely. It even started to get Lee concerned for her well being...but nevertheless she would always see him somewhere. He was the most noticeable just when Lee passed out, as he was standing on the roof of the apartment closest to where the two took shelter. She began to ponder on who exactly this man was, until she is surprised by a voice unfamiliar to her.
"I have been...observing your performance and, I must say, you seem to show an...aptitude...for survival."
Clementine quickly turns around to see the same man in the dark blue suit standing close behind, holding a suitcase in one hand. She falls to the ground with a small yelp, quickly crawling away from this 'G-Man' before she aims the pistol Lee had given her prior at him. In turn he responds with a rather irritated scowl, adjusting his tie in the process.
"My dear, I do not have the time for such...trivial matters, so I will make this quick."
He growls. Suddenly, Clementine would be frozen as place as the ground beneath her disappeared, and the sky went completely dark. Soon enough she would find herself standing within a small tram completely unfamiliar to her, the outside being nothing but pure black save for what may equate to stars passing by the windows, as if she was in space itself. The suited man would speak to her once again, this time standing near the entrance of the tram.
"My associates would be willing to...accommodate to someone such as yourself, so I am willing to make an offer to you. I've also taken the liberty of removing your weapon, as to...ensure my own safety."
Shocked, Clementine would quickly pat herself down to find that he was correct; her pistol was nowhere to be found, as if it had completely vaporized into nothing. The more she attempted to wrap her head around what was going on, the more confused and terrified she became, only being brought back to her senses by this strange man clearing his throat.
"Now...if you will listen...I have taken note of you and your...adaptability, and I must admit, I'm always...interested in seeing those survive impossible odds. By my own...initiative...I have been authorized to give you a singular opportunity...a reassignment in occupations...if you will."
"W...w-what are you talking about? Who are you, w-what am I doing here?!" Clementine would finally yell as she backed away from the man, who once again only responds with a subtle form of irritation.
"...I am not at liberty to say...but this, my girl, is a...once in a lifetime...opportunity." As he finishes his statement, the tram's door opens to reveal a rift in the fabric of space and time, with green bolts of electricity arching into the similarly-colored rift.
"Now, you may come along with me and...enter your new...shall we say…'occupation?'...You could choose to stay...but...I would advise against that decision…"
He turns towards the rift, but his eyes remain on the girl. "It's time to choose now...and if I can make one more...suggestion, I suggest you choose...wisely…" Soon enough, the G-Man walks into the rift, disappearing from sight. At first, Clementine keeps her back pressed against the glass of the tram...but then she began to think on his words.
"You could choose to stay...but...I would advise against that decision…"
Would she really be stuck here? The thought of slowly starving to death in a small, eerily-silent tram unsettled her immensely. Soon enough she slowly approaches the green rift that awaited her outside of the tram, and looks around for a moment as if to consider her options. On one end, she could wait and see what happens if she never went inside the tram...but on the other end that thought of being left to starve was worst than becoming a walker. In the end, she would close her eyes tightly, takes two steps forward, and thus enters the rift. What she sees next was pure darkness, followed by the voice of the G-Man reverberating within.
"Very good, my dear! I will see you...up ahead…"
And with that, all goes silent...