This War of Mine: Apocalypse:

Season 3

Next chapter of my crossover story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead, This War of Mine or their characters.

Episode 1 Part 4

Grozdan fought to control his breathing, blinking rapidly, still trying to process everything. The pain had finally faded into a dull throb as he sat, clutching her left arm close to his body. He stared at the heavily bandaged and treated stump of his amputated left hand, not really seeing it. Kalina clung to her brother, still distressed, but glad he was going to live. Meanwhile Katia and Anton spoke to Bruno, who glanced over at Grozdan anxiously.

"So, you're sure he's now safe, he's not going to turn?"

"No, we caught it early and we removed the part that was infected." Anton explained. "This method doesn't work for all bites for obvious reasons. It depends on where you were bit, how long ago you were bitten, your own health, that kind of thing."

Katia let out a sigh. "So, we're lucky, especially Grozdan...but for him to have to go through..."

"I know, he'll need a lot of help, adjusting to only having one hand, plus dealing with everything." Anton said sadly.

"I'll help him." Katia said at once. "I swore I would protect him and Kalina, no matter what."

Anton nodded smiling and then, after a momentary silence, Bruno spoke up.

"So, where are you going?"

Anton pointed. "Well, any of the others who survived the incident at my farm can obviously see that monument too, they'll likely head for it, so we're going to do the same, hopefully regroup with them."

"I see..." Bruno muttered before asking. "I've been stuck by myself for so long...do you mind if I come too, I'll do anything I can to help. I used to be a chef before all this happened so...I might be able to help with any food and such."

They both accepted his help gladly and so Bruno joined Anton in his car while Katia ushered Grozdan and Kalina into her car and they began to drive for the monument Anton had pointed out to them.

Anxiety was running high at the location as Niko, Arica, Lydia, Roman, Mara and Misha waited on the hilltop by the old war memorial. The very place they hoped to meet the others and sure enough the first two groups had joined together at least.

Biting her lip Mara asked. "How long should we wait for?"

"A day or two..." Niko offered, before shaking his head. "No more than that, we can't afford to wait any longer."

"Even that's pushing it." Roman added.

Niko nodded in agreement as he and Arica subconsciously linked their hands. As she did so she nodded encouragingly to Mara. Mara meanwhile was seated on the ground next to Misha and gently rubbed his back, trying to keep him calm. But couldn't keep the nervous look off her own face.

Finally Arica spoke. "Even so, where do we go from here, especially when we have to consider how things might affect some of us more than others."

As she said that she looked over at Misha, Lydia having moved to sit next to him too, the two kids trying to cheer each other up. Looking up at Arica Mara nodded.

"You're right. We have to start thinking about our next move." She said.

"Wait, I hear something…cars, could be some of the others." Roman said suddenly.

They all reacted at that.

Mara stood up and looked around, trying to see, aware of the kids also standing up, eyes wide.

She gasped as she saw them. "You're right, I think I see them!"

Niko joined her, squinting. "Looks like...Katia's car...and Anton's."

"They made it!" Mara gasped as she shared a joyful look with Misha.

The others smiled too as they watched the cars pull up and stop. Soon Anton emerged from his car, yet to their surprise he wasn't alone as another man exited the car too and they approached the group. Still, despite her surprise, Mara was glad to see the kindly old man who had put a roof over their heads while they searched for Misha during his kidnapping.

"Anton, oh thank god!"

"Who is that?" Misha asked, clutching Mara's side as he looked up at the new arrival.

Anton explained. "This is Bruno, we met him on the way here, he helped us out."

Something in the way Anton paused as he said that caught their attention. It was then Katia emerged from her car with Kalina and Grozdan. Mara immediately rushed to Katia to hug her friend, relieved that she made it out along with the two children she had come to care for like a mother.

"Katia thank god, I was so worried..." She burst out.

"Mara..."

They embraced as Misha and Lydia rushed over to Kalina too.

Mara pulled back, still hopeful. "Are you alright? How are the kids?"

"That's..." Katia began, hesitantly.

Mara saw the way her face fell, noticed the others gather round and freeze, the kids, except a tearful Kalina, gasp. Mara swallowed anxiously and followed their gaze to Grozdan.

Mara froze and let out a gasp as her eyes finally landed on the bandaged stump where Grozdan's left hand should have bee.

"Wh-what happened?" She blurted out in horror.

Grozdan trembled, tears in his eyes. " I...I got bit...they, they had to remove my hand, stop it from spreading."

Mara was horrified hearing that, at a loss for words, so it seemed was nearly everybody else, except for Roman.

"You're certain it worked, he's not gonna turn." He asked anxiously.

Anton nodded "We caught it quickly enough, he will be fine."

Finally finding her voice Mara knelt down level with Grozdan. "That must have been so traumatic, I'm so sorry..."

"I...Y-yeah..." Was all Grozdan managed to say.

Kalina, still tearful, hugged her brother. After a moment they heard more cars approaching and got ready. To their relief it turned out to be all the others, the remaining groups arriving and they soon gathered, sharing their stories, introducing Henrik and Ivano who had also been present but keeping quiet, worried about people's reactions at first, reassuring them about Grozdan being safe and not having to worry about him turning.

They also spoke about having to plan their next move, but as it was late at night and the location was somewhat defensible, they decided that right now, after all they'd been through, they needed to call it a night.

With everybody else having set things up as best they could and trying to at least get some sleep, Katia approached Grozdan who sat, trembling, clutching his arm.

"Grozdan I..." She began, biting her lip.

He started but then relaxed. "Katia...I'm sorry, I'm just, this is all..."

She nodded, sitting down next to him. "I can't even begin to imagine the pain you must be going through, physically and emotionally...but I promise you, I'll do everything I can to help you, I'll get you through this."

Grozdan bit his lip, looking at her with tear filled eyes and she saw it, whatever anger he once held towards her, whatever issues he had, they were gone. All that mattered to him was she was there, giving him the comfort he so desperately needed right now. She didn't hesitate and pulled him into a hug. Grozdan let out a shaky breath, relaxing into it, hoping that Katia could indeed help him get through this dark and troubled time.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.