LAYLA: W-Where did you find all this?

VINCE: Danny was the one who found it. His little temper tantrum actually proved useful for once

The group stood around the table in the living room, which now had a bag filled with weaponry inside. A few rifles and a few hand guns. Shawn ogling over each one as Danny spoke

DANNY: Whoever lived in this place was a huge fan of the Second Amendment. The guy had these things hidden in a secret compartment inside his closet...

Vince reached down to pick up one of the guns. His grip tightened on the weapon as memories from his past flooded back. He had been through his fair share of hardships and made some tough decisions in his life. The weight of those experiences was etched onto his face as he held the weapon in his hand, reminding him of the unpleasant circumstances that led him to his time in prison.

LAYLA: Something wrong?

Vince set the gun down

VINCE: It's nothing

DANNY: We're supposed to be heading out today, aren't we? I say we each pick a gun and get a move on. With all this here, we're doing better than most people right now...

Hearing this, Shawn excitedly picked up one of the smaller handguns that lay on the table. Layla immediately snatched the weapon from her son's small hands

SHAWN: Hey!

LAYLA: Hey, nothing, you don't know the first thing about gun safety, and you're only a child. What kind of mother would I be to let you carry this around? what if you ended up accidently shooting someone? God forbid yourself.

DANNY: I don't know, the kid seems like he can handle himself

For the first time, Danny found himself on the wrong end of a mother's scorn as Layla shot the man a glare that shut down any and all protest. He raised his arms in a defensive manner as he spoke...

DANNY: Listen to your mother kid, moms know best

She chose to ignore Shawn as he pouted. Instead, Layla took the time to inspect the weapon herself. She smiled to herself for a split second. Her son's taste in weaponry was clearly passed down from her

LAYLA: A Smith & Wesson... model six-forty-two if I remember correctly

VINCE: You seem to know a lot about guns

LAYLA: My father used to be in the army and taught me everything there is to know about guns...

Layla then raised her shirt slightly to show an old bullet wound on the right side of her waist. Vince grimaced at the sight. Shawn, having seen this as well, looked away. Layla noticed her son's reaction and spoke

LAYLA: I even got my own lesson in what it's like to be on the receiving end of a bullet. So excuse me if I'm a bit apprehensive about my child waving around a gun of his own

Despite the words that left his mother's mouth, Shawn just couldn't shake the urge to argue

SHAWN: But...

LAYLA: If I feel like you're ready, then I'll show you. So, from now on, no more arguing. You stay glued to my hip and don't wander off. The rules haven't changed just because we found a few guns lying around

SHAWN: I just... I just wanted to keep you safe

Layla bent down to Shawn's level and placed her hands on his shoulder

LAYLA: And I love you all the more for that, honey. That need to protect people despite the odds is something you get from Lee, it's not a bad thing, but there's a time and a place, right now though, I just need you to listen to me

VINCE: Guess we should start looking around here to see if we can find anything useful before we leave...

This gave Layla an idea. Turning back to Shawn, she spoke

LAYLA: If you wanna be super helpful, try and find us anything that might be useful. This trip could take us a couple of days. Can you do that for me?

Shawn felt a sense of responsibility as his mother entrusted him with his first real "Mission." If he couldn't be trusted with a weapon just yet, he'd just have to prove himself.

SHAWN: Yeah, I'll show you how useful I can be, then you'll have to teach me how to use a gun

The three adults watched as Shawn marched off toward one of the rooms in search of anything that would aid in their trip to Macon

VINCE: That's probably the most lively I've seen him

LAYLA: That stubborn nature of his, he gets it from his father. If he sets his mind to it, there isn't much that'll stop him from reaching his goal.

VINCE: It's dangerous out there, Layla. I'm not gonna tell you how to parent, but don't you think he'll have to learn at some point? I mean, if something happens to us, then

LAYLA: He'll have to learn how to protect himself. I know that, I'm just trying to come to terms with it. that's all...

Vince nodded, understanding the weight of her decision. They both knew that the world they lived in now was no place for children to be roaming around unprepared and unprotected. Layla would do whatever it takes to keep Shawn safe and prepare him for the dangers that lay ahead

Thirty minutes later...

SHAWN: Mission Complete!

LAYLA: O-Oh, uh. Good job Shawn... wow

Shawn's search for supplies proved fruitful as he set the various items he'd found on the table. Vince raised a brow and looked relatively impressed at the boy's findings. The group's inventory now consisting of a heavy duty backpack, a med kit, and a flare gun

DANNY: Holy shit, where'd you find all this stuff?

SHAWN: In the garage, there was car in there too by the way

Layla turned to look at both Vince and Danny incredulously...

LAYLA: You two never checked the garage?

DANNY/VINCE: Uh, no?

A few seconds later...

The garage door opened revealing the small group of four as Layla and the rest entered. Their eyes all settling on the vehicle Shawn had mentioned beforehand...

VINCE: Huh... neat

DANNY: I just want to be the first to say this, but if it weren't for the current circumstances we're facing, I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing

SHAWN: It's kinda boring

Shawn replied, reminiscing over his collection of much cooler looking toy cars that were now collecting dust in his abandoned home. Layla rolled her eyes as she strolled over to the driver side of the car and pulled at the handle, and of course, it was locked. She peered into the window but saw nothing inside. Layla then turned to face her son who was also looking inside the vehicle...

LAYLA: Shawn, how hard did you search the house?

SHAWN: I looked through everything, I didn't see a key if that's what you're asking for

DANNY: No need

LAYLA: What's that supposed to mean?

Danny smirked, as he stepped forward

DANNY: It "means" we don't need to waste our precious time searching for something may not even be in this house. For all we know, the owner could be wandering outside with the key in his pocket. Luckily for you all, it just so happens I know how to hotwire a vehicle...

LAYLA: And how exactly do you just "Know" how to do that?

DANNY: Well, I uh...

VINCE: Used to get steal car when he was younger! Could never stay out of trouble when It came to the police

SHAWN: That's not right, you two were wearing prison outfits when we first met

LAYLA: You what?

Layla asked in a mixture of shock and fear as she snatched Shawn's arm, pulling the boy toward herself and away from the two former felons. Vince raised his arms in a defensive manner and spoke in a soft tone...

VINCE: No, no, no, Layla, you can trust us, alright?

LAYLA: Bullshit, you two obviously didn't feel comfortable enough to tell me the truth

VINCE: Because we knew you'd freak out like this!

LAYLA: Who the hell wouldn't!?

DANNY: I told you this was a bad Idea man! we should have just left'em to the walkers

LAYLA/SHAWN/VINCE: SHUT UP DANNY!

*BAM!*

Shawn and his mother were spooked at the sudden sound. The walkers roaming outside heard the noise being made by the group, and were now pounding on the garage door. Layla keep Shawn behind her as Vince continued...

VINCE: It's like I said yesterday, we could have killed you while you were sleeping, but we didn't. Ask yourself, why would we go through the trouble of saving you like that? just to hurt you?

Layla's lips quivered a bit as her own trauma began to seep out

LAYLA: Who know? maybe you assholes did something to me while I was asleep!

VINCE: That's insane! listen to yourself, does that sound like me?

DANNY: Hey now, speak for the both of us!

SHAWN: ENOUGH! EVERYBODY JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!

The group fell silent as Shawn snatched his hand away from his mother and stood between the three adults

SHAWN: Will you all just try and get along? we'd be dead right now if it weren't for Vince, and yeah, he's wrong for not telling you, but it seems like all anybody does is keep secrets. We still have to go to Macon right? And we can't do that if we're to busy fighting each other. The only things we should be fighting, are those stupid walkers that keep banging on the door

Shawn then turn to face his mother

SHAWN: And besides, we still have to find dad

Layla took a deep breath before locking eyes with Vince...

LAYLA: The truth...

Vince opened his mouth but was interrupted by Layla

LAYLA: Not now, but later. I have to know what kind of people me and my son are traveling with...

Vince nodded

DANNY: Anybody got a screwdriver?

Layla quickly composed herself, understanding the urgency of the situation. She rummaged through the bag of supplies they had found earlier and pulled out a small multi-tool, handing it to Danny.

LAYLA: Here, use this.

With the door unlocked, Danny quickly moved inside the car, his experienced hands working swiftly to hotwire the vehicle. The sound of shuffling feet and low moans grew louder, signaling the approaching walkers. The others glanced nervously at the garage door as the walkers banged on it...

VINCE: I don't know how much that door can take Dan

DANNY: Gimme a minute, I've almost got it!

Danny focused on the task at hand, his concentration unwavering. Finally, the engine roared to life, and he turned to the others.

DANNY: It's ready! Get in!

Layla made sure that her son was the first inside, setting him in the backseat before taking a spot right next to him. Vince then slide over the hood of the car before taking his place up front. With the horde of walkers outside pounding on the garage door, Danny knew they had to act fast to escape. He quickly assessed the situation and made a bold decision...

DANNY: Everyone, hold on tight

Without hesitation, Danny accelerated the car and aimed it directly at the garage door. The engine roared as the vehicle gained speed, ready to plow through the obstacle in their path. Layla held onto Shawn tightly, her heart pounding with anticipation. Vince braced himself, preparing for the impact. The walkers outside grew louder, sensing the presence of their potential prey, however, they'd soon get more than they bargained for. With a powerful crash, the car slammed into the garage door, shattering it into pieces. Wood splintered and metal groaned under the force of the impact. The group felt a surge of adrenaline as they burst out of the garage, leaving the walkers behind.

Danny took a glance at his sideview mirror at the small horde of walkers he'd just obliterated with his little stunt. Meanwhile, Layla and Shawn were both catching their breathes. Once, the realization hit them that they had not only escaped, but survived the ordeal, a grin spread across each of their faces...

SHAWN: That was so cool! Danny, you smashed right through them!

Vince took this moment to look back at the distance that was being put between them and their previous location with a smile, then he locked eyes with Layla who offered him a nod, Vince returned it with his own before turning forward and relaxing in his seat

VINCE: There what, about eighty or so miles between us and Macon? Assuming we take the scenic route, and don't run into any trouble, we should be there in no time

DANNY: Yeah... Macon

He whispered to himself

LAYLA: It would have taken us over a day to get there on foot

Hours later...

Shawn Everett found himself drifting off into a peaceful slumber into his mother's lap. Layla stayed awake in order to keep watch, making sure Danny continued to the agreed upon destination. However, despite how suspicious she was of Danny, she was grateful for his previous actions. Eventually, the group had pulled into the city of Macon, but as they journeyed further inside...

DANNY: Dear, God

The road ahead of them was completely overrun by a massive horde of walkers. The streets were filled with decaying bodies, their hollowed eyes fixed on the car as it now sat only a few feet away from the chaos. The once bustling city had turned into a graveyard of the undead

LAYLA: What do we do now?

VINCE: We can't just drive through them this time. It's too risky.

DANNY: We need to find an alternative route, maybe a back alley? or a side street!

Layla scanned the area, her eyes darting from one street to another, looking for any signs of a possible escape route. Suddenly, she spotted a narrow alleyway between two buildings.

LAYLA: There! That alley looks like it could lead us around the horde. Danny, take the next right

Not being in any real position to argue. Danny followed Layla's direction as he slowly backed the car up as to not alert the horde, and then made a sharp turn into the narrow alleyway. The car maneuvered through the tight space, the walls of the buildings nearly scraping against the sides of the car. Tension filled the air as the group held their breath, hoping that the alley would provide them a safe passage.

The alley was dimly lit, with trash scattered along the ground. It seemed to go on forever, winding and turning as they drove deeper into it. Shawn remained asleep in his mother's lap, blissfully unaware of the dangers lurking outside. As they made their way through the maze-like alley, Layla kept a vigilant eye out for any potential threats. Vince, sitting in the passenger seat, was on high alert, his hands gripping tightly onto one of the handguns they'd found. Danny focused on navigating the tight space, relying on his driving skills to keep them on track...

LAYLA: Here should good for now

Danny put the vehicle in park, the group now finding themselves in a situation with only three means of escape. If things got hairy, their options where as follows, forward, back, or right. Going left was out of the question as the wall of building stood in their way. Layla then shook her son awake. Shawn stirred a bit before sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes...

SHAWN: (Tiredly) Mom? what happened?

LAYLA: We're not very far from the drugstore, it should be just a block or two away actually

VINCE: Then I guess we're getting out here

Layla, Shawn, and Vince exited the car. Layla grabbed up the backpack and made sure to grab the Smith & Wesson as well as a small box of ammo. Once the group was ready, Vince place his hand atop the roof of the car and bent down to address his friend who still sat in driver's seat...

VINCE: You're coming too right?

Danny shook his head

DANNY: No man, it's uh, probably not a good idea...

Vince smirked

VINCE: Don't tell me you're getting cold feet?

DANNY: That's not it at all, I was just thinking. I'm a pretty big guy, and... this seems like one of those "Discreet" sort of situations, know what I mean? I'm, thinking I'd be useful if I stayed here and kept watch

Vince thought to himself for a moment, then he replied

VINCE: Makes sense, look man. I know I give you a lot of shit but, to be honest, it's been me and you since this whole thing popped off and I wanna say thank you, for everything...

Danny nodded

DANNY: There ain't a lot of people you can trust nowadays Vince. Back when we were on that prison bus, you could have chosen me, but you didn't, I had to repay you for that somehow

LAYLA: Vince, you staying here or what?

VINCE: Here I come

Vince gave Danny nod before joining the mother/son duo. As he caught up with that pair, Layla took a quick glance back at Danny before turning back to Vince...

LAYLA: He doing okay?

Vince turned to her

VINCE: Who? Dan? He's fine. Though, between you and me, I think this stuff actually might be getting to him, I mean who could blame him? one minute we're all living normal lives...

Layla squinted

VINCE: Relatively "normal" lives, and then boom, people are eating each other. It's completely fucked

Shawn's eyes widened at the sudden swear, but then quickly remembered his outburst from hours earlier and chooses to keep quiet

LAYLA: Normal isn't the word I'd use...

VINCE: So, I'm guessing you were probably having a rough go of it before this whole thing started?

Layla frowned as she spoke

LAYLA: That's one way of looking at it

VINCE: Wanna talk about it?

Layla shook her head

LAYLA: I... I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you

VINCE: I understand, okay then, I'll start. I owe you this one, seeing as how I didn't bring it up before when we first met

LAYLA: You don't really have to do that Vince, not now anyway

VINCE: Murder

Layla stopped in her tracks when the word left Vince's mouth, Shawn paused only a couple steps ahead of the two when he noticed they'd stopped moving. Vince gathered himself before continuing...

VINCE: It was... to protect someone I cared about, family

LAYLA (Thoughts): (Lee's voice) I didn't have a choice. I had to keep you safe. I had to keep our son, safe. Layla, I'm sorry...

Layla was about to answer until Shawn spoke up

SHAWN: I don't think that makes you a bad person

VINCE: That's nice kid, but... the court definitely didn't see it that way

Shawn shook his head

SHAWN: And now everyone in that courtroom is probably dead, and you're still here, because only good people should be allowed to live, the rest should all...

LAYLA: Shawn... that's enough

SHAWN: But mom..

LAYLA: I didn't say you were wrong, but just cool it for now okay?

VINCE: I was expecting a totally different reaction to that sort of information, but for now I'll take what I can get

Soon, the group had reached the end of the alleyway, Vince hiding behind a small metal trashcan to the left, as Layla and Shawn hid behind a dumpster on the right. Layla peered behind the dumpster and past the few walkers that roamed the streets in front of her In-law's store. Looking over to Vince, she whispered

LAYLA: (Whispering) The alley across from us should have a door that leads straight into the pharmacy!

Vince looked over the trashcan, from where he was positioned, he could just about make out what appeared to be a door, though it looked to have been opened ever so slightly. Crouching back down, the man whispered back

VINCE: (Whispering) I can see it, looks like someone or something either left or entered before we got here, the door is cracked open!

Shawn turned to his mother

SHAWN: Maybe dad's in there, or uncle B, and grandpa and grandma

Layla could only nod, she appreciated her son's optimism, but with things the way they were, moments like this only went to show his childish naiveite. While she'd love the idea of her family being alive and well inside the store, she couldn't rule out the possibility of walkers, or even other survivors, who unlike Vince and Danny, would actually cause them harm.

LAYLA: Walkers, or bad people could also be in there as well, so stay sharp alright?

Shawn nodded, he hadn't taken that into account

SHAWN: Y-Yeah, I know that...

Layla contemplated for a moment before making her next decision. Reaching into her pocket, Layla pulled out her knife, handing it to the boy

LAYLA: You're pretty swift on your feet kiddo, so you'll need something as equally efficient... Now, where are you supposed to aim?

SHAWN: The head

Layla smiled

LAYLA: Good boy

VINCE: (Whispering) We're in need of a distraction

Layla searched around the area but then spotted the perfect item near Vince's head

LAYLA: That distraction is closer than you think

She motioned next to Vince to which he turned and spotted what Layla was referring to. He smiled before snatching the metal lid off of the can. He took a moment to locate the nearby walkers, and once he was comfortable, threw the top in the distance...

*CLANG!*

The top banged against the concrete in the distance, drawing the attention of the nearby walkers who approached the now spinning disc as it rotated and finally clattered to the floor. Now in a small group, an opening was made for Vince and the others as they scurried across the street as carefully and as quietly as they could. Once they were there, Vince opened the door and went in to check ahead of both Layla and Shawn. The pair waited for a few minutes, they began to get a bit worried until Vince came walking outside

VINCE: Layla, I... I don't think

Shawn immediately bolts past Vince, Layla followed him. Layla made her way out of the pharmacy and into the store itself, but when she entered, her heart sank. The once pristine drugstore was now in utter shambles. Walker corpses littered the ground, some hunched over where the window used to be. She took a couple of steps forward as she continued through the store. That's when Layla stepped on something. Looking down, she spotted a blood covered Beretta. The sight that greeted her next nearly caused the woman to vomit, covering her mouth, Layla stepped back a few paces until she bumped into Vince's chest...

LAYLA: Oh my... oh god

VINCE: Jesus Christ... Did you know her or something?

Layla nodded slowly as spoke, though her voice was a bit shaky

LAYLA: S-She was... her name was Carley. Something happened, awhile back, before all this. She was a reporter.

There she lay, from the waist up, Carley's entire torso having been stripped of it's flesh by the walkers. The only thing left was the woman's head as it lay on the ground, still attached to her now exposed spinal cord. Layla closed her eye's no longer wanting to view the now unrecognizable corpse of the deceased newswoman. Layla walked away in pursuit of her son, leaving Vince alone in the store. When she entered her father in law's former office, she spotted Shawn, just standing there, in front of blood soaked bedding

LAYLA: Shawn?

She reached out to her son. but he spoke before she could make contact

SHAWN: They're gone now, aren't they? Grandma, Grandpa, and uncle Brandon...

He continued peering down at the bedding as he spoke, tears streaming down his face as he tried to control the overwhelming sadness that weighed heavy on his heart. Layla didn't need to see Shawn's face. She stood there, watching as her son's hopes were crushed in real time

SHAWN: All of it, this whole thing was pointless, coming here was pointless...

LAYLA: I'm so sorry Shawn

There was nothing she could say, to lie and say she believed, without a shadow of a doubt that her husband was still alive, it just wouldn't be right. Deep down a part of her wanted to believe he was still out there, but with everything they've witnessed so far? how could he? the last time they'd spoken to Lee was in the courtroom. Layla walked up to her son from behind and grabbed his shoulder...

LAYLA: Let's go, we shouldn't stay here any longer

Shawn didn't reply, only turning around as he and his mother prepared to leave, but mere seconds before they could cross threshold, they heard a muffled noise. Shawn stopped in his tracks, Layla turned toward the noise. It sounded almost exactly like a tape, being rewound, over and over again. The muffled noise emanated from the drawer of the office desk. Shawn rushed over and began searching until he pulled open the drawer, finding a Walkman faced down over the various items in the drawer. Picking it up, Shawn turned to his mother in bewilderment

SHAWN: T-This is Uncle B's Walkman! T-That was dad's voice!

LAYLA: Let it play

Shawn flipped the device, a spark of hope beginning to rise as he pressed play. It took a few seconds for the cassette to play, but to Shawn and Layla, it felt like an eternity. Finally, the tape began, with an all too familiar voice...

[Lee's Voice Message]

[LEE: "I don't even know... if you two are even still out there, or whether or not you're even still alive, but Layla, Shawn, if you find this, if you're still alive, then I want you to know I love you both. Every day, I've thought about you, even before all this mess. I'm with a group right now, trying to help a little girl find her parents. Look for us near the docks in Savannah, that's where we're headed, so if you get this, then head there. There might be someplace safe, a chance for us to start over, to find some semblance of a normal life. Layla, take care of Shawn, protect him with everything you've got. He's our world, our reason to keep fighting. And Shawn, if you're listening to this, I want you to know I'm proud of you, and since I'm not there right now, I'll need you to take care of your mother for me. You've got to be our little man now that I'm not there..."]

In the background of the tape, a woman's voice could be heard

[????: "Lee, we're ready to head out when you are... shit, I wasn't interrupting something was I?"]

[LEE: No, I'll uh, I be right Carley, just give me a few more seconds."]

(Sound of door closing)

(Lee takes a deep breath)

[LEE: I guess this is goodbye, I love you both, take care of each other."]

The deafening silence of the room was broken by the weight of the message sinking in. Layla and Shawn stood there, their emotions intertwined, as the reality of Lee's absence, and the bittersweet hope in his voice enveloped them. Shawn could be seen visibly shaking, his hands clenched tightly around the Walkman as he struggled to process the overwhelming emotions that surged through him. Newfound hope, and vigor rose to the surface as he faced his mother with tears of joy, ones that Layla matched in kind...

SHAWN: (Sobbing) H-He's.. he's...

Layla dropped to her knees and pulled her son into a tight embrace as she spoke...

LAYLA: He's alive Shawn... he's alive

In the two shared this moment together as they were now one step closer in reuniting as a family. They had the resources, they had the manpower, and they had the means of transportation necessary to make it... next stop, Savannah

A/N: Oi, oi oi oi. This was a beast of a chapter, things got in the way of me getting this finished faster, but hey, that's life. As always, I hope you guys and gals enjoyed this chapter, and I'd love to hear any feedback you might have in regards to the story/reboot of season 1 so far. So until next time, enjoy this chapter and I will see you all in the next one.