[LAYLA (Narrating): "I remember holding you in my arms for the very first time, so I'll never forget the first promise I ever made to you..."]

*BANG!*

LAYLA: AAGH!

[LAYLA (Narrating): "That I'd die before I ever let anything happen to you."]

VINCE: NO!

Shawn watched in horror as his Layla fell to ground, having taken the bullet meant for him. He breathing became erratic, not wanting to believe what had just happened. A rigging in his ears separated the boy from reality. Vince rushed over to Layla's body, checking her pulse...

SHAWN: M-Mom?

Vince picked Layla up and turned to the child who was still in shock. His words falling on deaf ears, until he screamed

VINCE: WE NEED TO GO, NOW!

The shout snapped Shawn out of his stupor. He and Vince ran through the encampment. All the while, Shawn covered himself, Vince, and his mother as they made their way toward the Humvee...

*BANG!*

Shawn gunned down one Walker after the other as Vince began setting Layla in the backseat...

LAYLA: (Weakly) *Grunt* F-Fuck!

VINCE: It's all right, we're getting out of here. Just hold on alright?

*BANG! BANG!*

The gunfire drew Vince's attention. Layla grimaced in pain as she spoke through gritted teeth...

LAYLA: (Weakly) Don't... let him... get killed, Vince

Shawn continued his assault on the encroaching walkers. Though his aim was becoming more and more sloppy as his emotions took hold...

SHAWN: Die!

*BANG! BANG! Click.... Click Click*

He continued pulling the trigger despite the lack of bullets. Suddenly, he was grabbed by the back of his shirt as Vince snatched him into the vehicle. Slamming the door shut, Shawn found himself face to face with Vince

SHAWN: WHY!? WHY DID YOU DO THAT!? I WAS...

LAYLA: (Weakly) Shawn... calm down... please

Layla's voice brought her son back from the brink as he turned to see her smiling at him. Shawn choked up tears now knowing that his mother was still alive, badly injured, but alive. Vince used his shirt as makeshift bandage. The cloth covering the woman's waist, where the bullet had entered

LAYLA: See? Sure, it hurts like a bitch but, I'm still here, aren't I?

*Thud*

Their momentary relief was interrupted as walkers beat violently against the doors of the Humvee. The vehicle rocked from the impact, causing everyone inside to hold onto whatever they could find for stability. The sounds of growls and scratching outside grew louder. Vince then jumped into the driver seat...

VINCE: Hang on, we're getting out of here!

Vince stepped on the gas pedal, accelerating the vehicle forward, but the walkers continued their relentless assault. The Humvee's tires screeched as one of the walkers was turned into a splatter of blood and guts under the wheels. The vehicle lurched forward, narrowly escaping the grasp of the horde. The sounds of the walkers faded into the distance as they put some distance between themselves and the chaotic scene they had left behind. Finally, the group was on their way to Savannah. Leaning back in her seat, Layla looked out the window and gazed at the passing landscape...

https://youtu.be/A8LrIp3JmGM

LAYLA: *Cough* *Cough*

SHAWN: Are you okay?

Offering her son a disarming smile, Layla replied

LAYLA: (Weakly) *Cough* I'm fine kiddo, but I'd be a lot better if you came over here and kept me company

Shawn moved closer to his mother, resting his head on her lap as she gently ran her fingers through his hair. The rhythm of her touch provided a sense of comfort and reassurance, grounding Shawn in the midst of the turmoil they had just experienced...

LAYLA: I'm so proud of you

Shawn smiled

SHAWN: I'm proud of me too...

Layla giggled softly as she continued

LAYLA: It's only been three months, and you've grown so much, Shawn.

SHAWN: It's only because of you mom, if you weren't here, I don't think I'd have made it this far

She shook her head

LAYLA: You have a strength within you, Shawn, it'll continue to guide you even when I'm not here. Remember that. And no matter what happens, I'll always be with you...

A few minutes passed until Shawn eventually fell asleep in Layla's lap. Once he was asleep, She set about peeling back her bandaged wound. Unfortunately for Layla, her suspicions were confirmed as she looked down at where the Commander's bullet had struck her. The area around the bullet wound was inflamed and discolored, her now darkened veins were visible as they spread a few inches out from the wound. Layla took a deep breath as she covered the wound back up...

VINCE: If we continue like this we'll end up reaching Savannah pretty soon. Is everything okay back there? your wound I mean...

Gripping onto the necklace Shawn had given her, Layla replied

LAYLA: Yeah, it's fine

Hours Later...

Savannah Georgia

As the Humvee made its way into Savannah, Georgia, the landscape shifted from the chaos of the previous encounter to a relatively calm environment. The streets were eerily quiet, with only the occasional moan or shuffle of walkers in the distance. Layla, still wounded but determined to press on, sat in the backseat with Shawn by her side, her hand gently resting on his shoulder...

VINCE: Looks like this as far as we're going *Sigh* Shit...

LAYLA: We're here *Cough* *Cough* *Cough*

Shawn and Vince gave each other varying looks of concern as Layla coughed into her hand. Her eyes widened slightly, something that didn't go unnoticed by Vince. However, what he didn't see was the small amount of blood Layla coughed up, hidden in her palm.

VINCE: Layla, you sure you're alright? You've been coughing like that since we left Macon

LAYLA: I'm... I'm fine, Vince. Just a little cough. Probably just from the dust and all. Don't worry about it.

Vince furrowed his brow, unconvinced by Layla's response, but he chose not to press further for now. He focused on navigating the streets of Savannah, searching for a safe place to rest and regroup. As the three strolled along, Layla's coughing persisted, occasionally interrupted by a weak attempt to stifle it.

VINCE: Yeah well, we're finally here. So now what?

SHAWN: Dad said something about the docks right, where the boats are? maybe we should start there

LAYLA: Than that's where we start

VINCE: That's cool and all but uh, how do we get there? I don't suppose either of you know your way around here like you did back in Macon?

Layla glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of Savannah. She shook her head slightly, realizing that she didn't have a clear answer.

LAYLA: I'm afraid not, Vince. Savannah isn't a place we're familiar with. But we'll figure it out. We've made it this far, haven't we?

Shawn nodded, determined to help find a way.

Shawn and Vince continued walking through the quiet streets of Savannah, with Layla a few paces behind. Shawn would periodically turn to look at his mother with concern, only for Layla to smile and assure him that everything was okay. They scanned the area for any signs or landmarks that might lead them to the docks. As they walked, they noticed a faded sign pointing towards a direction labeled "Riverfront." Hoping it would lead them to the water and potentially the docks, they decided to follow the sign...

VICTOR: (Whispering) aw, shit

Victor cried as he and the others turned the corner

https://youtu.be/6a8C_gPI0zY

A large horde of walkers filled the streets, one of them turned around and spotted Vince. With a loud growl, it alerted the other walkers in the area, essentially ringing the metaphorical dinner bell. The group froze, their hearts pounding in their chests as they realized the gravity of the situation. Instinctively, Layla snatched her son back and shouted

LAYLA: Run!

The group sprang into action, their survival instincts kicking in. They turned on their heels and sprinted in the opposite direction, away from the oncoming horde of walkers. The sound of growls and shuffling feet grew louder behind them as they ran through the streets of Savannah. Shawn's heart pounded in his chest, his adrenaline surging through his veins. He glanced back, fear etched on his face, but his mother's voice snapped him back to the present.

LAYLA: Keep running, Shawn! Don't look back!

Layla found herself struggling as her wound caused her great pain. Pulling out her gun, she turned around and began firing off multiple rounds into any walkers that came too close, buying them precious moments to keep running. Vince, fueled by desperation, led the way, himself having to kill a few walkers that threatened to cut them off...

*Click!*

She was out of ammo

LAYLA: Fuck!

*BANG!*

Layla flinched as one of the walkers shuffling behind her had it's head blown off by Shawn. Layla spotted the eight-year-old as he shouted in desperation

SHAWN: Hurry!

Layla ran as fast as she could, but the overexertion of her body only furthered the infection that was already spreading throughout her body. Unfortunately, Layla would momentarily black out mid stride, causing her to fall to the ground as the walkers continued after her

SHAWN: MOM!

Vince, who'd been busy trying to open the exit doors to one of the building within the alleyway, heard Shawn's screams and cursed to himself before running to Layla's aide. Vince pulled out a knife and set about dispatching as many walkers as he could, starting with the ones trying to turn Layla into their next meal. With swift and precise movements, Vince fought off the approaching walkers, creating a small opening...

LAYLA: (Weakly) Vince?

VINCE: Not like this! You're not dying here!

Vince extended his hand to Layla, urging her to get up. Her eyes fluttered open, and she weakly reached out, grabbing Vince's hand. He pulled her to her feet, supporting her weight as she regained her footing. Shawn watched as his mother ran towards him as fast as she could in such a weakened state. Once the mother and son were together, Layla turned around to see Vince still holding back the undead...

LAYLA: VINCE! *Cough* *Cough*

VINCE: Just go! Try that door again, hurry up dammit!

SHAWN: No... no, no, no.

Vince would soon be lost among the horde, his cries being heard as Layla used her knife on the door, trying to pry it open. In a desperate rage at the loss of her friend, Layla managed to break the lock on the door by mustering any remaining strength she had, kicking the door open completely. She motioned for Shawn to enter first, ensuring his safety before following closely behind. Once inside she acted quickly, and with Shawn's help, they barricaded with any heavy objects they could find. preventing the walkers from getting inside. She then slumped against the door, her body trembling with exhaustion and pain

LAYLA: *Huff* *Huff* *Huff*

SHAWN: *Huff* *Huff* Vince. Vince is...

His voice trembled as he struggled to get out the words. Closing her eyes, Layla leaned her head back against the wall as she replied with tears streaming down her now pale features...

SHAWN: What's that? W-Why do you look like that? mom?

It took a moment for Layla to realize what Shawn was referring to until she looked down, realizing that her bandage was missing, leaving her infected wound completely exposed. Sighing, Layla knew that jig was up, that there was no point in hiding the truth from Shawn any longer...

LAYLA: (Weakly) I... I'm so sorry honey...

The eight-year-old shook his head in denial as he took a couple paces back. A torrent of emotions all washing over him at once...

SHAWN: NO!

LAYLA: (Weakly) It was going to happen at some point Shawn

SHAWN: No!

Layla frowned, trying and failing to hold back the tears. Knowing that this was in fact, the last time she would ever see her son...

LAYLA: (Weakly) Shawn. Ei. Everett. Look at me, please...

https://youtu.be/A8LrIp3JmGM

Clinching his fist, Shawn turned to look at his mother with tears running down his own face. She wore a weak smile, her once more expressive and lively green eyes now dull and weary, it looked as though she'd hadn't slept in days. Her normally radiant and youthful features, now pale and gaunt. Layla reached out a trembling hand, beckoning Shawn to come closer.

LAYLA: (Weakly) Come here, sweetheart.

Reluctantly, Shawn approached his mother, his heart heavy with grief and disbelief. He kneeled down beside her, taking her hand in his own. It was cold and clammy, a stark contrast to the warmth he had always felt in her touch.

SHAWN: (Whimpering) Please...Please don't leave me alone, mom, please...

LAYLA: I wish it were that simple Shawn, I really do. I don't have a lot of time left though, so I want to spend what little of it I have left, to tell how proud I am to have raised such kind, and brave young boy

Resting a hand one the side of Shawn's face, Layla wiped away his tears as she continued

LAYLA: Help me out kiddo, what is it that your father used to always say?

Shawn knew the line, but was still fighting against the current reality...

LAYLA: I need to hear you say it buddy

SHAWN: (Whimpering) Keep... moving... forward

Layla nodded

LAYLA: That's right... good

Pulling away her hand, Layla reached around her neck. As she wiped away his tears, he felt his mother putting something in his hand, it was her necklace. Shawn met his mother's eyes with confusion as she spoke...

LAYLA: (Weakly) I think it's better, if you hold onto this for me, you know? I know you'll survive long enough to find somebody to love, just as much as your father loved me. So when that day comes, give this to her...

Shawn hesitated for a moment, tears streaming down his face. Reluctantly, he took the necklace from his mother's hand and held it tightly in his own.

SHAWN: I love you, Mom. I'll always love you...

LAYLA: (Weakly) I love you too... I-It's time Shawn. Please, hand me your gun... I don't want you to see me as one of those things

Shawn reached down, hands trembling as he handed his mother the revolver. Layla spared one last glance at her one and only child as she pressed the gun to her temple, tears streaming uncontrollably as a familiar memory played throughout her mind...

Layla's Memory

LAYLA (Adolescent): W-Will I ever see you again?

Lee turned to face Layla, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. Opening his mouth, Lee spoke...

LEE (Adolescent): *Chuckle* Yeah, Sooner than you think actually, goodbye Layla

Present...

Layla smiled at the memory, before pulling the trigger

*BANG!*

Hours Later...

Shawn Everett wandered through the halls of the hotel he and his mother had broken into. The boy wandered from room to room, carefully scavenging whatever he could. Eventually, he'd stumble upon a room whose door was wide open. Shawn readied his gun as he stepped inside. A walker corpse was the first thing that greeted him upon entering the room. The second was the atrocious smell that permeated the air from the gutted walker corpse, causing the boy to cover his nose. The third, was a growl...

SHAWN: (Whispering) Hello? Anyone in here?

Stepping further inside the room, Shawn turned to see what appeared to be purse. Walking over to it, Shawn would soon regret this decision as he discovered the source of the growling. Inside the purse was a decapitated walker head, its teeth gnashing in an eerie display of aggression. The sight sent shivers down his spine. Stepping away from the bag, Shawn looked past one of the toppled over chairs to find the body of man, slumped inside of the hotel room closet. Raising his gun, Shawn wasn't about to take any chances, as he carefully approached the corpse

SHAWN: H-Hey, mister? Don't move okay? I don't wanna have... to... shoot, you... hmm?

As Shawn approached the corpse, his heart pounded in his chest. The man's features were unfamiliar to him, but he could see the signs of a struggle-bloodstains on the floor, broken furniture, and the grim aftermath of what was obviously a violent confrontation. Examining the body, he found that the man had been choked to death, and he wasn't going to be coming back any time, soon, whoever killed him made sure of it, evident by the bullet hole in the stranger's skull

SHAWN: (Whispering) What happened here? Who was this guy? Was he attacked by walkers? Or was it something else?

Shawn's mind raced with questions as he tried to piece together the events that had unfolded in the hotel room. The presence of the walker and the decapitated head in the purse indicated that there was potential danger lurking nearby. Either way, staying here for much longer wasn't a great idea. Placing anything he deemed useful into his backpack, Shawn made his way downstairs. Shawn took one last glance at his mothers body, her face was calm, and serene. Clutching the straps of his backpack tightly...

SHAWN: Goodbye, mom

Making his way out of the Marsh house, the first thing that greeted his ears were the wails of the undead as they shuffled about the desolate streets of Savannah. He'd taken to sticking close to the side of the buildings as he navigated his way throughout the city. Something then caught the boy's attention though, as on the ground he saw what looked to be few bloodied foot prints coming from the alleyway. Curiosity getting the better of him, Shawn followed the tracks to their origin. When he turned the corner, the backdoor to the building hung open, once more he readied his revolver in case there was any immediate threat waiting inside. Entering the building, Shawn stepped foot in what appeared to be a security room. Broken glass littered the floor a few feet ahead of him. The shards cracked beneath his feet as he stepped over them, when he reached the entrance to the room, he open the door ever so slowly until...

*Clack*

Shawn Everett's search was finally over, his arms became weak as the gun clattered to the floor below. His knees buckled, his mind raced a mile a minute at the sight in front of him, and as he fell to the floor in sorrow and grief, he choked up his next word in disbelief...

SHAWN: (Whimpering) Dad?

https://youtu.be/fdq2Hy3WH6k

THE WALKING DEAD: Survival Legacy

SEASON ONE [END]