The group moved through Savannah's abandoned streets like shadows, pressed tightly together in the eerie silence. Kenny led the way with hesitant steps, his supposed familiarity with the city doing little to ease the tension in his shoulders. The emptiness of what was once a bustling coastal city sent chills down Lee's spine - where were all the bodies?
His eyes never stopped scanning, searching for the church spire he knew would mark their destination. The house next to it held their salvation, if his fractured memories could be trusted as they had proved to not be perfect with the lack of Christa and Omid at the bridge.
"Stay close," Lee murmured to Clementine, feeling her small hand briefly clutch the back of his jacket. He quickened his pace to catch up with Kenny. "How much further?"
Kenny didn't turn around, his voice strained. "Couple blocks, tops."
"You sure? The map says..." David trailed off, squinting at the crumpled map they'd found on the road. The tangled lines and faded markings made no sense to him. "Nevermind, I can't make heads or tails of this thing. Might as well be written in Chinese."
"You really think there'll be boats left?" Mark's skepticism cut through the quiet, asking the question they all knew the answer to. "Seems like the first thing people would've grabbed."
Kenny's grip on Duck's shoulder tightened. "It's our only play," he said, the desperation leaking through his usual bravado.
Then Lee saw it - the church's weathered steeple rising above the rooftops. Across the street, the familiar house triggered a flood of half-remembered images. His pulse quickened.
"Hold up," Lee called, gesturing toward the house. "I knew the family that lived there. Could be more supplies." The lie came easily as his gaze flicked to the silent church bell above them.
Ben shifted the heavy supply box in his arms with a grunt. "Could use a breather."
Kenny stared down the road toward the distant port, then sighed. "Five minutes. We check it and move."
The group had just filed through the wrought-iron gate when the church bell's deafening clang shattered the silence. Every head snapped upward as the metallic echoes rolled through the empty streets. Lee's eyes narrowed at the shadow darting across the rooftop - a familiar silhouette moving with practiced ease. His lips curled into a knowing smirk.
"Holy hell!" Kenny bellowed, throwing up a hand against the sunlight as he tracked the movement. His face contorted in rage. "That sonuvabitch just rang the damn dinner bell for every walker in Savannah!"
David leaned heavily on his cane as he shuffled away from the gate. "Still," he muttered, "better we're not out there when the horde comes."
Ben's eyes darted toward the street, his fingers twitching nervously. "We should get inside. Just... just in case."
Lee's gaze swept across the overgrown garden - every detail matching his fractured memories. The patchy green lawn. The weathered doghouse with its tiny grave marker beside it. The algae-choked fountain at the center, its stagnant water buzzing with mosquitoes. And there, at the far end... the shed.
"Kenny." Lee beckoned him over, keeping his voice low. "About those people I knew..."
Kenny whistled through his teeth as he took in the property. "Fancy digs. Your friends must've been loaded."
Lee's lips quirked. "Funny thing about rich folks - they always kept a boat." He nodded toward the shed. "In there."
Kenny's head snapped around so fast his cap nearly flew off. "You're shitting me." When Lee shook his head, Kenny's face split into a grin. "If that's true, I might just plant one right on your ugly mug."
"Tempting," Lee chuckled, grabbing the shed's rusted handles. "But I think the ladies might object." With three sharp tugs, the doors screeched open.
The color drained from Kenny's face as he staggered forward. "Holy mother of..." His voice cracked as he took in the gleaming hull. The others crowded around, their murmured awe filling the garden.
Carley's hands flew to her mouth. "Is that...?" Her voice trembled with disbelief. "An actual boat?"
Duck scrambled forward, running small hands along the hull. "Not as cool as Daddy's, but still awesome!"
Ben's celebration died in his throat as distant groans filtered through the fence. "Guys," he hissed, "We need to be quiet and get inside."
The group stood frozen between wonder and terror, their eyes locked on the gleaming vessel. Kenny didn't hesitate - he vanished into the shed with Duck practically tripping over his own feet to follow.
Mark gestured urgently toward the barricaded house. "If we break down that door, we'll have company real quick."
Lee's gaze dropped to the small dog door at the base, then to the nearby grave. "That dog door might be our ticket inside. The collar might be in there...," he said, nodding to the makeshift cross.
David paled. "Exhuming the dead is generally bad luck... but I'm fresh out of better ideas."
"Clem," Lee said quietly, "grab that shovel by the fountain." The girl returned moments later, the rusted tool clutched in both hands.
The first shovel of earth came up easily. The second released a wave of putrid air that made everyone recoil. By the fourth scoop, matted fur became visible beneath the dirt.
"Ew! I can smell it from here. Gross!" Clementine gagged, burying her nose in her sleeve.
Lee steeled himself and reached into the shallow grave. His fingers closed around cold, stiff fur as he worked the collar free. The decaying head lolled sideways with a sickening squelch, but the prize was theirs - a mud-caked electronic collar glinting in the sunlight.
Lee walked to the door and pressed the collar against the dog door's sensor. A green light blinked, followed by a mechanical click as the small hatch swung open. The adults exchanged glances - the opening wasn't big enough for any of their frames.
"Clementine," Lee called, kneeling beside the door. The group watched as the girl crawled forward, her baseball cap brushing the frame. "You're up."
Without hesitation, Clementine began rhythmically clapping her hands just inside the threshold, the sharp sounds echoing through whatever space lay beyond.
"What the hell is she—" Ben started, but Lee cut him off.
"Sound check," he explained, eyes locked on the dark opening. "If anything's in there, it'll come running."
After a tense moment of listening, Clementine glanced back at Lee. At his approving nod, she wriggled through like a rabbit disappearing into its burrow.
Five agonizing seconds later, the front door swung wide. Clementine stood framed in the doorway, arms spread in triumph. "Ta-da!" she announced, her toothy smile like a second sun.
Lee couldn't help but smile as he ruffled her cap. "Good job, superstar."
The group filed into the house with weapons drawn, their cautious footsteps creaking on the hardwood floors. Lee caught Carley's wrist just as she crossed the threshold.
"Need a word," he murmured, nodding toward the porch.
Carley's brow furrowed. "Whatever it is, can't it wait until we've cleared the—" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw his expression. "Christ, Lee. What's wrong?"
He waited until the door clicked shut behind the others before speaking. "I'm heading out. Alone."
The color drained from Carley's face. "Like hell you are." Her voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "We've got supplies, shelter, and a damn boat now. What could possibly—"
"It's not about supplies." Lee's jaw tightened. "Two hours, max. But this is something I've got to do myself."
Carley stared at him for a moment before looking down, her face unreadable. Then she lifted her gaze, her dark eyes sharp and unyielding.
"No." Her voice was low but firm. "You're not gonna disappear alone without even telling me where you're going. If something happens out there and you don't come back, it's not just me and Clem who will suffer—it's the entire group. Everyone needs you, Lee."
Lee felt the weight of her words, the sincerity in them warming him despite the cold dread in his gut. But he pressed on.
"You know that guy on the walkie? The one Clem was talking to?"
She nodded, lips pressed into a thin line. The group had been on edge ever since Lee revealed the truth—some stranger luring Clementine with promises of her parents. The mere thought made Carley's skin crawl.
"Well, that's who I'm going to see."
"That creep?" she spat, but then her chest tightened as realization struck. Her fingers twitched at her side, her palm grazing her pistol. "And what are you gonna do when you meet him?"
Lee met her eyes, steady. "Kill him."
Silence.
For a second, Carley just stared, searching his face for hesitation—for any sign that this was just reckless anger. But Lee's expression was grim, resolved.
"You don't even know where he is," Carley argued, though her voice lacked its usual bite.
"I do," Lee said, jaw tight. "We're meeting at the Marsh House. And we both have the same intentions."
Carley's breath hitched. She exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through her hair. "Damn it, Lee. You can't just—" She cut herself off, glancing toward Kenny, who lingered by the shed, his gaze sharp with suspicion.
When she spoke again, her voice was lower, rougher—pleading in a way that made Lee's chest ache. "You're not thinking straight. This guy's dangerous. Walking in there alone is exactly what he wants."
"I ain't stupid enough to charge in blind," Lee countered, gripping her shoulders. His thumbs pressed gently into the fabric of her shirt, grounding himself as much as her. "Got a plan. And it'll work. But I'm not lettin' that bastard stay out there—not when he's got his sights on Clem."
Carley searched his face, her lips parting like she might argue further. Then, with a sharp shake of her head, she brushed his hands away. "Then I'm coming with you."
"Carley, you need to sta—"
"That wasn't a request." Her voice was steel. "You don't get to pull this lone-hero crap. Not with me."
Lee opened his mouth—to protest, to reason, to something—but the fire in her eyes stole his words. Something warm and fierce unfurled in his chest, blooming under her stubborn, unshakable gaze.
Carley stepped closer, her voice a hushed whisper against the evening chill. "You wanna kill him? Fine. But we do it together."
Lee studied her for a long moment before he let out a resigned chuckle, shaking his head. "As you wish."
A smirk tugged at Carley's lips—victory—before she leaned in, pressing a quick, firm kiss to his mouth. She pulled back just as fast, already turning toward the house. "I'll tell Katjaa to keep an eye on Clem. Two minutes, Lee. Don't you dare leave without me."
Lee leaned against the weathered wall, arms crossed, fingers drumming restlessly against his elbow. He hated this—bringing Carley into the line of fire. The Stranger was waiting for them, probably barricaded in that damn room like a cornered animal, teeth bared and claws out. And Lee's plan? It would work—at least in theory. But Christ, just thinking about it made his pulse hammer against his ribs. It was insanity. Pure, desperate insanity.
His thumb brushed absently over his lips, the ghost of her kiss still lingering. A small, unbidden smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. One hell of a woman.
"I'm back."
Carley rounded the corner, a rifle now slung over her shoulder, expression all business. "Kat doesn't like it, but she'll keep quiet until we're gone." She eyed him, then nodded toward his hip. "You still got that walkie?"
Lee lifted the radio, its cracked screen and static hum a constant reminder of the threat waiting for them. "Keeping it off. Don't need him eavesdropping." He shoved it back into his pocket. "Once it's done, we'll signal the group. Let 'em know we're coming back."
"Good," She then pulled out the faded map of Savannah," Managed to swipe this from David. It'll be easier to find our way there."
Lee huffed a laugh, impressed by her. "Skilled thief too, huh? I'm learning so much about you."
"Shut up," Carley smirked before she checked the street, seeing most of the walkers were still huddled around the church . "Let's go put this bastard down."
Lee checked his weapons—crossbow, rifle, axe—each a promise. It didn't matter which cracked the Stranger's skull, so long as one did.
With no more words needed between them, they slipped away, bound for the Marsh House.