A/N After narrowly surviving Crawford, the survivors return to the Manor with everything they needed, but will soon face an unforeseen consequence of their actions. Be sure to let me know what you think of this crossover. I do not own The Walking Dead or The Last of Us.

Chapter 8: Gone

When the group had first left, they were all ready and willing for their break-in to Crawford. Now, it's more than two hours later and everyone had come back in through the backyard of the manor looking exhausted. It was like they had went to Hell and back. Lee was in the very rear, sadness and guilt written all over his face with blood stained on his upper lip. He couldn't stop thinking about the casualties they suffered. There was nothing they could do to help Brie from the walkers and Ben literally slipped right through his fingers. Then there's the grim possibility that Molly, Henry and Sam could be dead, too. For all he knew, he could've been dead if it weren't for that molotov Joel threw at that Hunter. It all happened so fast. When everyone realized Ben wasn't with them after escaping Crawford, they asked Lee what had happened. At first, all he said was that he didn't make it, which made them probe for more information, and then was told he would tell them everything once they were safe inside the mansion. Christa was anxious to get back to Omid, hoping they still had enough time to give him the antibiotics. She was the first to reach the back door and knock on it.

Christa: "Omid? Chuck?"

No one could hear a sound. She was about to knock it again, until she hears footsteps from the other side, the door was unlocked and then opened wide by the hobo with a welcoming smile.

Chuck: "Howdy, folks. Welcome back."

The tall woman rushed past him, fast walking through the hall, but then stops to let out a gasp. In the living room was a rotten corpse lying dead, face down on the wooden floor with a shovel in its head. Once the others saw what she had gasped at, their eyebrows were raised. Expect for Chuck, who had his narrowed when he realized there was someone missing.

Christa: "How the fuck did a walker get in here?!"

Chuck: "Omid sure was fussin' a lot in bed from his leg. So much so that a loner came a-knockin'. So, I figured I let 'im in and- well, I'm sure y'all guess what happened afterwards."

That didn't make her feel any better. As she beelines for Omid's room up the stairs. The group followed after her, hearing the door hit the wall upon being swung open. They had caught up and find her kneeling right beside the wounded man lying in bed with a tight grip on his hand. At first, they thought he was asleep. But then they saw Christa's eyes watering.

Christa: "Omid…"

He wasn't moving at all. They couldn't tell if he was even breathing. They all began assuming the worst.

Joel: "Chuck, when was the last time you checked on him?"

Chuck: "About ten minutes ago. Seemed like he was doing better. Though, there's a possibility I could be wrong."

Ellie: "Oh God. Is he…"

Christa: "I never should have left you. I'm so sorry."

Vernon: "Christa, get away from him!"

Without warning, Omid had lifted up his head and groggily moans. Lee hurried to grab her shoulder and pulled to keep her from a safe distance, thinking he had turned. But then, his eyes opened to reveal they were still normal and he spoke.

Omid: "Yo. Where have you been all my life?"

He's alive. Omid is still alive. Seeing this allowed Lee to release Christa as she place a hand over her mouth and exhales in relief. They've made it in time.

Christa: "Thank God. We got your medicine, sweetie."

Omid: "Awesome. Definitely could use some right about now."

Vernon came around the other side of the bed with the bottle of antibiotics in his hand, takes out a pill and feeds it to his patient. After swallowing it down his throat, he could see the people gathered around the bed to see him. In his perspective, they looked a lot worse than he did when he last saw them.

Omid: "Hey, everyone. Geez, I thought I looked bad. You guys- wait, where's Ben?"

Christa: "He… didn't make it."

Omid: "What? Wh-what happened?"

Kenny: "Dumb son of a bitch went and nearly got us all killed. We barely made it out by the skin of our teeth and he got himself killed. That's what happened."

Chuck: "Is it? It seems to me there's more to it than that."

Carley: "Lee, you were the last one to climb down that ladder. Maybe you can tell us what really happened?"

Looking around the room, they all had their eyes on him. He said he would tell them when they got here, and now was the time. At first, he assumed they were thinking that he had purposely left him behind and wanted to make it clear that wasn't the case.

Lee: "Guys, I didn't kill him. I tried to save Ben. I swear to God, I did."

Kenny: "Hey, no one said anything about you killing anybody, Lee."

Carley: "Just tell us the truth. Why isn't Ben here with us right now?"

The man had to take a deep breath before he tells them about what he witnessed.

Lee: "Ben got grabbed by this walker hanging off the bell. I think it was the guy who ran the place. I shot it before he got bit, but then Ben was about to fall over. I caught him and tried to help him up, except he told me to just let him go. I wouldn't. I tried to talk into not giving up and pull him up. But… but then… damn it…"

Clementine: "But then what?"

Lee reached into his pocket to take out the piece of Ben's jacket sleeve and holds it out in his hand.

Lee: "His sleeve ripped right off him before I could save him. I watched him fall all the way to the bottom and this is all that's left of him. If I had just been a little faster, then Ben would… God, poor fucking kid. He didn't even deserve that."

Carley: "No. He didn't."

Her comment was directed toward Kenny and Joel in a glare. The latter hardly showed any type of response other than looking away from the daggers in her eyes, while the former raised an eyebrow and could tell he was not needed at the moment.

Kenny: "If anyone needs me, I'm gonna go get the boat prepped up."

The short woman watched him leave without bothering to close the door behind him. After he was out of sight, the two little girls decided to leave the room as well without a word. Christa and Omid had nothing to add and Chuck silently listened while leaning against a corner of the wall with his arms crossed. Shortly after they left, Lee had stored the piece of Ben's sleeve back in his pocket and proceeds to leave as well before he was stopped by Carley's hand on his shoulder.

Carley: "Lee, listen. I believe you, okay? I know you did all that you could for him."

Lee: "I'm not so sure about that, Carley. I could've done more. Now, it's too late."

It wasn't just the fact he failed to save Ben he was upset about. The man hadn't been all that supportive to Ben as much as he would've liked to be. Especially after he learned his secret. Could've fought for him more, encouraged him better, tried talking to him about his guilt, maybe even find ways so he can contribute more. But whatever opportunity he had to do that got left behind inside the most dangerous place in the city. Those were his thoughts during the walk back. Noticing how upset he was, the journalist wipes away the blood on his lip and pulls him in a comforting hug. He soon wraps his arms around her waist to return it and she speaks softly in his ear.

Carley: "I'm sad that he's gone, too, but the rest of us are still here now. You, me, Clementine, Ellie, all of us. It's like you said back on that train; all we can do now is take care of who we can and keep moving forward."

He remembered that. That was what he had said to Kenny during their talk in the locomotive after his family died. Soon, they release each other from the hug and look into each other's eyes, but not before she gave him another kiss on the cheek.

Carley: "Are you gonna be all right?"

Lee: "Yeah."

Carley: "Good. I'm gonna go have a word with Kenny."

Based on the tone of her voice, he had a feeling she was gonna give him hell. After she left, Vernon took this opportunity to approach Lee and say what he wanted to say to him, and him only.

Vernon: "Lee, if you have a moment, I'd like to have a word with you. In private."

Joel overheard that and turned his head to see them walk out. He didn't miss the look on the doctor's face when he shut the door. Once they were out of the room, Lee followed him down the hallway and came to a stop underneath the door to the attic. He had a hunch about what he wanted to talk about, and speaks up first.

Lee: "Listen, man, about what happened to Brie. I-"

Vernon: "Don't beat yourself up over that. There was nothing any of us could've done. You wanna know the worst part of it?"

Lee: "What?"

Vernon: "I don't feel much. I mean, I don't feel enough. I feel like I should be broken up watching her die in front of me like that, you know? That's how it was after I lost my daughter and all my friends during the first few weeks. But now… it's like I take something like this in stride now. Like this is the way things are, and we have to get used to it."

He could understand that. Death and tragedy had become a common thing now in the world they live in, despite all their efforts in preventing it from happening. There was something more to this private conversation that Vernon wanted exclusively with him. Lee could tell by his gestures.

Lee: "What was it that you really wanted to say?"

Vernon: "I know that you and Joel care about Clementine and Ellie. Anyone can see that. But this plan of yours, putting them on a boat with no planned destination, thinking they'll be safe? Do you really think that's what's best for them? Because I don't. And I don't mean any offense to Joel, but based on what I saw in him while we were in that Nurse's office and the classroom, he just seems to be as dangerous as those Hunters and what Crawford used to be. Which is why I wanna make you an offer."

Lee: "What kind of an offer?"

Vernon: "I'll take em off your hands, take em back with me, to my people. We're well supplied, well hidden, and a few of us have had kids of our own. And now that Crawford's fallen, that only leaves the Hunters to worry about. I can personally guarantee you we'll be able to take good of them and no harm will ever come to them."

Lee could not believe that Vernon would even say something like that. What he was offering was completely out of the question. They cared too much about them to even think of accepting that. As for what he said about Joel? He may not always agree with Joel's methods, and yes, he even scared him back there when he briefly pointed his gun at him and almost shot Ben point-blank, but the safety and will-being of Ellie has always been his top priority, and he trusted him. More importantly, he chose to save his life back at Crawford. That's all that mattered to him. With that in mind, Lee glares at the old man when he answered.

Lee: "I don't give a shit what you think. The girls stay with us. That's end of that."

Vernon: "They'll be safe with us. Safer than they'll be if they stay with you two, I promise. That's what you want for them, isn't it? To be safe?"

Joel: "Excuse me?"

Hearing his gruff voice surprised them both when they turned and saw Joel in the hall with them. Apparently, he had heard what Vernon was saying.

Joel: "You think that we can't protect them? Is that what you're trying to say?"

Despite knowing what Joel is capable of as he steps toward him with a threatening look in his eyes, Vernon did not back down. Instead, he stood his ground with his eyes narrowed. Joel was restraining himself from killing this old man right here and now.

Joel: "I'm gonna pretend you didn't say any of this and give you one chance to walk away, which you oughta starting doing. Now!"

Vernon: "Now, you listen here. I'm only trying to do what I believe is-"

Lee: "Vernon, just shut up! You don't get to decide what you think is or isn't best for them just because you don't agree with the way we're caring for them! Now, do as he said and just walk away."

Vernon: "I know you two are thinking you're doing what's best for them and if you were their real fathers, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but you're not. And staying with both of you is not what's best for them. If no one else around here will tell you that, then I will!"

That was it. Joel had heard enough. No longer restraining himself, he grabs Vernon by the neck and shoves him against the window, choking the senior. He slammed him hard enough to cause the glass to crack. No matter how much he struggled, Vernon couldn't pry his hand off or push him away. He was actually fearing for his life right now. It would be a lie if Lee said he didn't consider the idea of actually letting this guy get tossed through the window right now for what he said. But there's been enough death for one day. Plus, he's still got people of his own waiting for him.

Lee: "Joel. Joel! Let him go. He's not worth it."

Joel heard his words, letting his anger diminish enough to slowly released Vernon and takes a step back, allowing him to regain his breath.

Joel: "You know what? It doesn't matter. Think what you will, but it won't change a goddamn thing. They are in our care. They are ours to worry about, not yours. And you have no fucking idea the shit we've had to do out there to keep them alive. Now, get the hell out, and don't come back around here again."

He only responded with a disappointed frown at Joel, and then at Lee. He had wanted to speak with him privately because he had hoped he would be more reasonable and have the common sense to understand what he was saying. He had thought wrong. So, the old doctor walks away from them and down the stairs. As much as they appreciate all that he did for them, right now, they were hoping they wouldn't run into him or his people again. Lee was about to go check in on his little girl, but Joel called out to him before he could leave.

Joel: "Hold up. There's something you and I need to talk about."

Lee: "Yeah? What is it?"

Joel: "Clementine's parents."

Lee: "What about them?"

When Joel turned around to face him, Lee could tell by the look in his eyes where he was going with this, and he did not like it when he lets out a sigh.

Lee: "Joel, we talked about this. You know how much they mean to her. I promised her we'd-"

Joel: "After all we've seen in this city, you know just as much as I do that we ain't gonna be able to find em. The longer we stay here, the sooner the Hunters will figure out where we are. We need to leave while we still can."

Lee: "But how? There's not enough room on that boat for everyone, and the Hunters ain't just gonna let us go across that bridge."

Joel: "We'll figure that out in the morning. But I am telling you, we can't spend anymore time out there in the streets."

Lee: "But, we can make time. We can go to the Marsh House right now and-"

Joel: "Jesus, Lee! You honestly trying to tell me the Hunters and Crawford haven't been through the Marsh House before we got here? Do you believe that? More importantly, you don't even know for sure if they're still there or even alive, and you're really gonna drag Clementine across the entire city till you find em?"

Lee: "Joel, what the fuck do you want me to say?"

Joel: "There ain't nobody else alive in Savannah. You know that."

Clementine: "No, we don't."

Turning their heads to the side, both Clem and Ellie had step out of the study room and overheard them talking. They didn't hear the whole thing, but that last comment made the younger girl step out and speak up.

Clementine: "We still have to find my mom and dad. We're still going to the Marsh House before we leave, right? Just like we planned."

Ellie: "And what about the Fireflies? We're still looking for them, too, aren't we?"

They didn't answer at first. Instead, they just locked eyes. Thinking it over realistically, he knew Joel wasn't wrong. The sound of the last message from that answering machine at her house came to mind again. Ever since he heard it, he had considered the fact they may not have made it, and struggling to survive in this dangerous city only enforced that possibility. As much as he wanted to stick their plan and keep his promise, they had to put their girls' safety first. He knew what he had to say, but it wasn't going to be pleasant.

Lee: "Clementine… I'd like to, but I don't think there would be any time left to. We really shouldn't stay in Savannah for much longer, it's not safe."

Clementine: "What? B-But, but you said that-"

Lee: "I know I promised we'd find your parents, but Savannah's a lot more dangerous than we'd thought it would be. With all that's been going on between Hunters and Crawford, it's more than likely they've raided the Marsh House, too. I don't think your parents would still be there if they did."

Clementine: "But, we have to try. I-if they're not there, then m-maybe- maybe they're with the Fireflies. Mom and Dad could be with them, right?"

Ellie: "Yeah, and we found that pendant back at Crawford. They could still be around here somewhere."

Joel: "No. They're not."

Ellie: "How do you know that?"

Joel: "Molly said they were here, but then they were forced out. We ain't gonna find them anywhere in this city."

Ellie: "Well, okay, but did she at least say where they were going?"

Joel: "Doesn't matter, cause we ain't gonna find those two with them."

Ellie: "Joel!?"

Joel: "We leave as soon as Kenny's finished with that boat."

Clementine: "B-But… But my parents- we can't give up on them. I wanna see them again."

Lee: "I- I know. We know you do. But you have to understand that the Hunters took over Savannah way before we arrived and didn't leave anyone alive in the process. We don't want them getting either of you, too. Even if your parents are at the hotel… they won't be like you remember them. They won't remember you at all. I'm sorry, Clementine, I really am, but we have to get away from this horrible place as soon as we can."

She didn't have anything left to say. They really were going to leave Savannah without looking for her mom and dad. And here she was hoping to finally reunite with them. Knowing it wouldn't be happening, she lowers her head in sadness. As she walks away from them, they could see a tear leaking from her eye. She was going to the study room where she can cry freely. Ellie on the other hand was disappointed in their protectors when she crossed her arms and scowls at them for making her friend upset.

Ellie: "Fine. Fuck it. You guys always know what's best. I mean, family reunions is so fucking overrated anyway, right?"

And with that, she leaves them alone to go be with her friend. They both stood where they were, knowing just how much their little girls were upset with them right now. It took Lee a moment before he moved to go stand outside the door and sees Clem sitting by the window sobbing. When Ellie took a seat beside her, she reached out to rub her back, comforting her, and Clem soon embraced her. It broke his heart to see her like that. It hurt even worst knowing he did this. As much as he wanted to go in there and comfort her too, he decided it would be best to give her some space. The instant Ellie locked eyes with him, Lee quickly looked away and took a step back. There was nothing he could do now to fix this. At that moment, he was reminded of the radio he kept on his waistband this whole time. Before, he wouldn't let Clementine have it back because of her secret and didn't trust her with it. But now, he takes the device and places it on the floor by the cracked open door as a sign of trust, and as an apology. Hopefully, they can forgive them for this. Carley was now coming back after finishing her "talk" with Kenny. She could hear the sound of crying and saw Lee looking very sad as he walked towards the master bedroom. The former black market dealer remained still, not even looking at the lady that went past him to check in on Lee. Even if they didn't like it, this was the only way in order to keep them safe. He tells himself this as he makes his way downstairs.


It's been three hours now since the survivors arrived back to the manor. While prepping the boat, and getting into an argument with Carley, Kenny nearly passed out from exhaustion and had to be talked into taking a break by Chuck. Everyone was asleep either in bed or in the furniture. Well, almost everyone. Inside the study room, Ellie was sleeping against the window until she had woke up at the sound of the floor creaking and eventually noticed Clem wasn't sleeping by her side anymore after crying herself to sleep, or anywhere in this room for that matter. Lifting herself off the window, she also noticed her pack wasn't here. So, she grabs her own pack and heads out the room, but doesn't realize that her walkman and headphones slipped out onto the floor. With her backpack strapped on, she moves as quietly as she could towards the stairs without waking anyone in the bedrooms and down to the first floor. She caught sight of Joel sleeping on one of the couches, mumbling in his sleep. Leaning to the side, she also finds Kenny and Chuck were napping on opposite sides of the dining table with a bottle of whiskey in the middle. Apparently they were sharing a drink together. Then she spots her little friend sneaking out through the doggy door, being as quiet as a mouse. After she got out, Ellie silently goes out the front door and closes it without disturbing the men's sleep.

Clementine didn't like going behind Lee's back like this, especially after keeping her radio "friend" a secret from everyone, but more than anything, she wanted to see for herself if her parents really were still alive and waiting for her. She had her walkie-talkie and gun inside her hoodie pocket, along with plenty of snacks and a water bottle in her backpack. Her plan was to get to the Marsh House, find her parents and get back here with them before anyone knows she's gone while avoiding the bad people and monsters along the way. Instead of going around through the gate, Clem tries to take a quicker path by going over the iron fence. She grabs hold of the bars and begins climbing. Once she lifted herself over the other side, she carefully lowers herself down to a safe enough height before she leaps off the fence. But then a light was suddenly flashing at her, catching her completely off guard and almost let out a scream.

Ellie: "Hey, Clem. Where do you think you're going?"

The girl lets out a relieved sigh when she realized it was only her friend, Ellie. Rather than trying to come up with a lie, she tells her the truth, hoping she can reason with her.

Clementine: "I'm going to the Marsh House to find my parents."

Ellie: "All by yourself?"

Clementine: "Yeah. I just- I need to see them. You're not going to tell Lee on me, are you?"

The older girl glances at the house and thought it over. She didn't want to snitch on her friend about this and deny her the chance to see her family. But, she also didn't want to leave her to venture out there alone in the city. Still feeling a little pissed at those men about earlier, she makes a judgement call.

Ellie: "Nope. In fact, I'm coming with you."

Clementine: "Really?"

Ellie: "Yeah. Let's get going."

She smiles in appreciation and the two them begin walking side by side. With both of them working together, this would make this easier. Heck, if they could make it to the river without much trouble, surely they can repeat their success to the hotel and back.

Ellie: "You know, you're very brave to be willing to go at it alone just to find your parents."

Clementine: "You think so?"

Ellie: "Hell yeah."

Clementine: "Swear."

Ellie: "Ha, sorry."

Clementine: "I just don't understand why Lee doesn't want to help me find them. Was he lying to me?"

Ellie: "I'm sure he'd want to, but honestly, I think he and Joel are-"

She was interrupted mid-sentence when a walker that was buried in a pile of junk a few feet away from the manor had reached its decayed hand out and grabs the younger girl by the ankle, causing her to scream in terror and trips. Her hat slipped off upon hitting the concrete.

Ellie: "Clem!"

Wasting no time, Ellie quickly grabs hold of her friend and pulls as hard as she could, keeping the undead monster's jaws from reaching her. They kept this tug-of-war going until its arm was ripped off, making them both fall over and the walker was free from the junk weighing it down. Clem shakes the dislodged hand off her leg and crawls backwards to get away. Ellie got back on her feet and thought about shooting it with her gun, but the noise would only alert more walkers, not to mention their people and Hunters. Instead, she notices an empty bottle from the junk pile rolling her way. With the walker crawling towards them, she snatches the bottle before rushing over to step down on its other hand and holds it there as she swings the bottle hard on its head, shattering it on impact. She then uses the sharp end of it to stab it in the brain, then again, and again. Its blood splatters on the pavement, on her clothes, and even on the ballcap nearby. After it stopped moving, she lets go of the broken bottle, leaving it jammed in its brain and moves away from the body. Before she could relax, she heard Clem call for her and quickly turns around to find an unknown man with a pistol kneeling behind her and had an arm secure around her. Ellie reaches for her gun and aims it at him.

Ellie: "Get away from her!"

Clementine: "Ellie!"

Stranger: "Easy now. I'm not a Hunter. Everything is going to be okay now. I'm here to rescue you both."

That voice. She knew she heard that voice somewhere. It took her a moment before she recognized this was the guy. The guy who had been talking to Clementine over the radio and followed them all the way out here. And now, he's taken her hostage.

Ellie: "Let her go! Don't you fucking hurt her!"

Stranger: "Hurt her? I'm not the one who hurts people. Unlike those people you've been around with. And as long as you be a good girl and do as I ask, then nobody else will get hurt. Now keep quiet, and lay down your weapons. Where we're going, you won't be needing them."

He wouldn't actually do anything to hurt little Clementine, but she didn't know that. Ellie really didn't want to give in to this bastard. She wanted to just pop a bullet in his head and be rid of him once and for all. However, fear and doubt crawled into her mind. What if she missed her shot and he actually did hurt her? Worse, what if she ends up hitting Clem instead? She'd never forgive herself for that. She was left with no other choice. For the sake of her friend, Ellie raises her hands up and tosses her gun away. Just like he wanted.

Ellie: "Fuck you."

Stranger: "Language, young lady."

At first, he believed she was being cooperative, but then he gets a suspicious feeling. Was that gun really her only weapon?

Stranger: "Is that the only weapon you have?"

Ellie: "Yeah. That's all I got."

She was bluffing. She never goes anywhere without her switchblade. If Clementine never mentioned it to him, then maybe he won't see right through her.

Stranger: "Clementine, is she telling the truth?"

She looks into his eyes when he asked the question. Clem knew she still had her knife on her and was actually thinking of telling him about it. But then, seeing the look on Ellie's face, it was like she was pleading her not to. She chooses to lie for her.

Clementine: "Yes. She is."

He was still a little suspicious, but that may be his paranoia getting the best of him. He takes her word for it by standing up, moves his hand to Clementine's shoulder and points his weapon at Ellie.

Stranger: "Good. Your turn now, sweetie. Empty out your pockets for me."

She didn't even hesitate to follow his instructions as she reaches into her hoodie pocket to take out her 9mm and walkie-talkie so he can confiscate them.

Stranger: "Thank you. Ellie, I want you to start walking in that direction, stay close and keep right in front of me the whole time."

The teen reluctantly obeys and keeps her hands up as she walked, muttering another insult under her breath. The Stranger eyes the radio in his hand and tosses it at the junk pile as it slides on the pavement, coming to a stop by the dead lurker's feet. He knew they would soon find them. He was counting on it. With both of the girls now finally in his custody, he departs from the manor and takes them to his own little safe haven in Savannah.


Lee was in deep sleep with Carley resting beside him. It had been a rough and terrible night for everyone. However, his nap was disturbed when he felt someone grab his shoulder and shake it while calling his name, trying to wake him up. At first, he only moaned and couldn't tell who it was. But then he felt the back of the person's hand lightly slaps his cheek twice and finally opened his eyes to see Joel standing over him.

Joel: "Lee, wake up."

Letting out a groan, Lee sits up, pushes the blanket away and gets out of bed while being careful not to wake up Carley.

Lee: "What's the problem, man?"

Joel: "Ellie and Clementine aren't in the house."

Lee: "What? Are you sure?"

Joel: "I just got done checking the house and couldn't find either of them. Their stuff is gone, too. Ellie even left this behind for some reason."

In his hand was the walkman and headphones, something Ellie quickly grew very fond of. It didn't make any sense why she would abandon it.

Lee: "Well, maybe their both in the garage again. Come on, let's go check."

Lee picks up his pack while Joel stores Ellie's walkmen inside his own and they both take their leave to find the girls. With the sun now shining, the men step outside and head straight for the garage while the door closes itself back up. They felt a gust of wind blowing in the air as they anxiously walked. Just as they were about to open the vine-covered garage, something had came rolling in the sidewalk from the other side of the fence. Lee's eyes widened when he recognized it was Clementine's hat.

Lee: "What the fuck?"

With his heart beating fast, he climbed over the fence and picks up the hat before it could be dragged any further by the wind. He noticed there was blood on it. If he wasn't all that worried before, he sure as hell was now. Joel had climbed over as well to see the hat, looks further down the road where it came from and finds a walker in front a pile of junk, missing a hand and had a piece of a glass bottle impaled in its head. Walking over to get a closer look, he spots the pistol he had given Ellie last night, bends down, and picks it up.

Joel: "What is this? Why would this be left out here in the street?"

He heard Lee coming up from behind and they both hear a static buzzing sound. Clementine's walkie-talkie was left right behind the dead walker. Lee picks up from the ground, breathing heavily.

Lee: "Shit. Oh shit. Joel, you- you don't think-?"

Joel: "No. No, they weren't bitten. They obviously fought back against that thing."

Lee: "So then, where could they be?"

Joel: "I think we both know the answer to that."

Both men had come to the same dreadful conclusion; Clementine and Ellie have been kidnapped. By who, they aren't sure, but thinking it over, they had a good idea who might've. Their train of thought was interrupted by their crew coming outside, looking for them.

Carley: "Lee? Joel? You out here?! Guys!"

They went out through the gate and were on their way to the other side of the fence. They glance at each other and prepared for what they were gonna tell them. They had no reason to lie to them. If the little girls were in danger, they deserved to know about it. They cared about them just as much as Lee and Joel did. Coming around the corner, they could see them both out in the open and proceed towards them on the sidewalk.

Kenny: "Are you crazy? What're y'all doing out here? It ain't safe."

Chuck: "Clementine and Ellie were nowhere to be found in the house."

Omid: "Yeah, and we haven't seen Vernon anywhere either."

Carley: "What the hell is going on?"

When they were finally close enough, they could see the corpse and started getting worried.

Christa: "What happened out here?"

Joel: "We don't know. We just found it like this."

Chuck: "So, where are the girls, then?"

Lee: "They're gone. We found Ellie's gun, Clementine's hat and radio out here. Somebody took em."

Omid: "Are you positive they didn't just wondered off on their own?"

Joel: "Not a chance."

Kenny: "Then who the hell took em? Was it Hunters?"

Lee: "Not sure, but, last night, Vernon tried talking to me about taking them with him. Said that they'd be better off."

Kenny: "Son of a bitch. I knew we couldn't trust that old fuck!"

Lee: "Wherever they are, Joel and I have to find them."

Carley: "Okay. What can we do?"

Lee: "Clem and Ellie may not have much time left. We have a better chance of getting them back if we all go together. Who's with us?"

The former reporter was the first to step up and took hold of Lee's hand.

Carley: "I am. We're a team. That's how we managed to make it this far. If you're going to risk it all to bring them back, then so am I."

Chuck: "I reckon the two of ya will be needing all the help you can get at this point, and you can bet that I'm all the more willing to be tagging along with ya. Think of it as my way of saying thanks for accepting my advice on teaching them to survive."

Omid: "Hey, I owe you for keeping me safe while they were at Crawford, Chuck. So, I'm coming, too. What about you, Christa? You're with me on this, right, hun?"

She actually took a moment to consider this. On the one hand, this was bound to be risky and her boyfriend's leg was still healing. But, on the other hand…

Christa: "You've been good to Omid and I since we came along with you guys on that train. The least we can do now is be there for you, and Clementine and Ellie."

Omid: "Fuck yeah we can."

All that was left now was Kenny. For him, there was no doubt in his mind what he wanted to do for them now.

Kenny: "You guys have always been looking out for us, and each other. Not only that, you've always had my back when it mattered. What kind of friend would I be if I wasn't there for you now? Them little girls, you people, you're the only family I got left. So yeah, I'm with y'all to the end."

It was decided. They were all willing to join Lee and Joel on their rescue mission.

Lee: "Thanks, you guys. We appreciate it. Really. Okay, people, we should go look for Vernon and the cancer patients, see if he took em."

Kenny: "What about the boat? We just gonna leave it unguarded?"

Carley: "Not necessarily. I did managed to find a lock in the garage we can use to keep it safe, and I've got the key."

Kenny: "Well, alright then. That'll work."

Using the shovel from the grave in the backyard, they placed it in the handles from one side on the inside, and used the lock to seal it shut on the other from the outside. With the garage locked up tight, they were all set to leave.

Kenny: "There. That should be enough to keep anyone from breaking in till we get back."

Joel: "Let's get a move on then."

Chuck: "Lead the way."

And so, the entire group begin marching down the sidewalk with their heads held high and eyes filled with determination. They were on their way to find their two little girls and bring them back, and no walker, Hunter or anything else was gonna stop them.


Deep below the surface of Savannah, the two men lead their people through the same sewer passage they'd been through when they were on their way back to the manor after meeting Vernon and were now standing in front of the same sign again. When they had notice the big carcass on the ground, they were shocked to see a walker so big and couldn't begin to imagine having to fight back against one that size. Once the sign was taken down, Lee and Joel crawl through the hole first, cautiously approach the door and look back to see their crew entering the room. Drawing their guns from their holsters, Joel takes a step back from the door before kicking it wide open, breaches the room with Lee as they take aim, only to find that there was no one in the morgue. Upon noticing this, they holstered their guns again as the rest of group gathered inside.

Joel: "Where the hell did they go?"

Kenny: "Looks like they all packed up and got outta here in a hurry."

Lee takes slows steps across the room as he called out for the doctor.

Lee: "Vernon, get out here! There doesn't have to any trouble here! All we want are the girls! Give them back and nobody needs to get hurt!"

Silence. Nothing but absolute silence was all that he could get. Vernon and his people had already left before they could get to them.

Joel: "They ain't here. We missed them."

With his hands on his hips and a deep frown on his face, Joel paced in the cancer patients' former hideout for a moment without saying anything. That is, until he vents out his stress and frustration by kicking the chair in front of him and then slamming his hands down on a table, letting out a curse word. Those little girls are out there somewhere, taken by some bastard and God knows what they're doing to them. No one dared to say anything to him as they heard him taking deep angry breaths with his fists clenched. Their silence came to an end by another noise coming from outside, prompting everyone to look up at the window. All they could hear was the sound of rapid gunfire and Hunters yelling. Whatever was going on out there, it was sounded pretty bad. Real shame they can't get a good look of what was really happening since the window was close to the ceiling and the sunlight made it difficult to see. They could also hear walkers growling in the sewers, heading their way. No doubt they heard the sounds they were making in the Morgue. Yet, it sounded like there was more than usual. They didn't have time to ponder on that when a small voice called out.

Clementine: "Lee?"

The voice came from the walkie-talkie. Lee quickly grabs and uses it to respond.

Lee: "Clementine! A-are you and Ellie okay? Where are you two?

She didn't answer back. Lee figure their kidnapper was preventing her from saying anything else and cursed.

Lee: "Vernon, you son of a bitch!"

Stranger: "Hello, Lee."

That voice again. Everyone immediately knew whose voice that was. It was the voice of the Stranger. The same voice they heard ever since they arrived to Savannah.

Chuck: "Well, shit."

Before Lee could get a chance to reply, Joel snatches the radio out of his hand.

Joel: "Who the hell are you?!"

Stranger: "I'm not Vernon if that's what you're thinking, Joel. And you should all really watch your tone."

Joel: "Where's Ellie? What have you done with her and Clementine?"

Stranger: "Oh, don't worry, the girls are just fine. But if I were you, I'd choose my next words very carefully."

He actually took a moment to think over his next words. When he decided what to say next, he holds down the button again, ready to respond to the stranger that has taken Clementine and Ellie captive.

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N And that is it. Book 4 is now finished. Took WAY longer than it should have, but it's done. And yes, Lee is NOT bitten and will live to see another day. That was planned right from the beginning. By the way, if you're wondering why I had Ellie use a glass bottle to kill the walker instead of her own knife, it was so that she wouldn't expose it to the Stranger and I have it thought out on how Ellie will use it later on. I would like to take this moment to give special thanks to GlaringEyes for assisting me with the crossover, as well as SonicGX98. I'd also like to give thanks to The Good and The Bad X-Boy, NacNak and all the other readers for continuing to support this crossover. PS; Happy Final Season of Telltale's The Walking Dead. :)