May 12th - Year 03 A.Z. Chapter One Part 1

Upstate New York

A few men and woman were gathered in a small room, four girls were standing in a row each holding a candle in a glass and they were singing "Beautiful, beautiful river, father with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of god" As the song came to an end a man with dark hair and dark eyes and a women with brown shoulder length hair stepped forward mugs in hand.

"To Nana Griswold" the man said raising his mug and taking a sip "a true survivor" as he took a sip they other occupants of the room followed suit. "Not many grandmother's left these days... Especially as old as Nana was...How old was she?" he asked the woman next to him

"63"

"Wow, that's old" he chuckled

"64, and I'm not dead yet" came a annoyed voice, to which everyone else chuckled. Nana was led in a large bed in the back of the room, coughing she says sadly "But I think it's time".

As she said this the brown haired woman walked over to Nana's bed before taking her hand in hers and kissing her softly on her head, and Nana was smiling sadly at her.

The woman then looked up towards the other people in the room before saying "you can all go now"

The people in the room all smiled at her and slowly made their way out of the room leaving her and two other woman who were quietly observing from the back. A women with long blonde hair and piercing green eyes and a women with long black hair and dark brown eyes steps forward. The woman standing by the bed stepped forward to meet them halfway.

"Do you have her special?" The dark haired woman asked her, and the woman nodded before handing her a handkerchief with a bullet inside. Taking it the dark haired woman then took her hand into hers, giving it a gentle squeeze before saying sadly. "I'll take it from here" The woman looks up at her and then to the blonde woman and nods, but seeing her hesitate the blonde haired woman takes her other hand "It'll be quick and we'll make it as painless as possible" she reassured her. Nodding again the woman smiled softly at them before dropping their hands and slowly made her way out of the room.

Once they heard the front door shut the two woman looked at each other dreading the thought of what they were about to do sadness was etched across their faces. "You can wait outside if you want Ellie" the dark haired woman said to the other one seeing hesitation in her eyes.

"No, I'm OK Warren" Ellie said shaking her head softly, tears glistening in her eyes. "I want to be here for her, it's just...it's hard to say goodbye" she looks up at Warren who smiles sadly at her.

'I know' she says taking Ellie's hand into hers. 'But it's for the best' she says placing her other hand on top of Ellie's and taping it gently before lifting it up to her lips and placing a kiss on her hand, like a caring mother would do when comforting their child. "Come on".

Walking towards the bed where Nana was waiting patiently for them, Ellie walked one side of the bed and sat down and Warren walked to the other side but stayed standing

"Ready Nana?" Warren asked her as Ellie took Nana hand in hers to comfort her

"Hell yes, I'm ready, I've had enough of this stinkin world.. cough.. cough"

"I'm gonna miss you Nana" Ellie said her voice quivering, tears flowing freely from her eyes

"I'm going to miss you too baby, but you stick with Warren and you'll be OK because you are strong and a fighter, those zombies got nothing on you" she says chucking softy to which Ellie nods and Warren smiles.

"Sofia Christina Griswold" said Warren opening up the handkerchief revealing the bullet inside, "with this Eight sacrament" she takes out her gun and loads it with the bullet

"Love you Nana" Ellie said places a kiss onto her forehead

"Love you too baby" Nana said patting her hand gently

"I commit your soul to external peace" smiling sadly at Nana Warren says "I give you... mercy", she then picks up a pillow.

Outside the men and woman were listening to the fours girls singing 'Beautiful, beautiful river' again. They all then jumped when the gunshot sounded out a flash of light going off behind them, they all went quiet then sadness etched across all of their faces having lost another loved member of their group.

After a few moments they all heard the door opening and out out came Warren and Ellie who immediately walked towards the dark haired woman who was standing close by. Ellie's face was red and blotchy from crying and Warrens eyes were red from holding in the tears and as they got to the woman they both took it in turns to hug her, Ellie hugged her tightly and the woman responding by rubbing her back gently, none of these people may have been blood but after being together for a few years the group had become a family to her and it was always hard to loose one of their own. After a few moments she stepped back from the woman and she smiled softly at them before turning around and walking down the stairs when suddenly they both heard static coming from Warrens radio and looking towards her Ellie could see Warren had already taken it out of the holder when a familiar voice sounded out.

'"This is Garnett to Warren, Garnett to Warren, over'" Warren lifts the radio to her mouth before replying

"Go for Warren, Ellie's here too, what's up Charlie?"

"I'm at the water's edge could use a little back up" he replies

"We'll be two minutes" putting her radio down she looked towards Ellie who looked back at her with curiosity

"Let's go" she says to Warren who nods her head

"After you" she replies holding out her arm, and Ellie smiled at her before walking towards the Forrest Warren following behind her.

Garnett was quietly observing two men in a boat across the river through his binoculars, his location being covered by the bushes in the forest, hearing a noise behind him he turns to see Warren walking towards him.

"What is it?" She asks looking towards the figures in the boat

"I guess a distress signal... where's Ellie?" he asked looking behind Warren

"Here" A voice suddenly sounded out making Garnett jump as he struggled to contain his shout of surprise from the unexpected voice behind him, he quickly whirled around flash light on shining it on the person behind him his guard up before relaxing when he realised who it was.

"Gah, geez Garnett blind me why don't you" Ellie joked a huge smile on her face as she pushed his flash light away.

Sighing Garnett put the flash light down, glaring jokingly at her he says "You're like a damn Ninja Vernez, you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Don't be so dramatic Garnett, I was just scoping out the area and seeing you so engrossed in the conversation. I wanted to see how high I could make you jump" she said smiling"It was a opportunity I couldn't pass up, wasn't expecting you too jump so high though' she laughed

"He did jump pretty high didn't he" Warren said also chuckling

"Yeah alright lets all laugh at Garnett" He grumbled be he also had a smile on his face. 'You're lucky I didnt get my gun out".

'I wasn't worried, because between you and me" she whispered leaning closer to him "I got your gun" she revealed a huge smile on her face as she held up his gun making them both look at her with shocked expressions.

"Wha... How?" Garnett asked confused looking down to his holder to see that it was in fact his gun 'I didn't even feel you take that. Did you see her take it?" He asked Warren

"Nope" she said shaking her head 'You're good Vernez, you are very good" she said smiling at her

"I try" she said jokingly before handing Garnett's gun back to him and he took it a shocked look still across his face. "So how do you wanna handle this?" she asked them looking towards the two men in the boat who were gradually getting closer to them.

"Been watching them for a while as far as I can tell it's just two males, lets see what they want we can always turn them back around" Garnett said finally getting over his shock and he lifted up his flash light and flicked it on and off a few times to signal the men.

"How did Nana's Eight go?" He asks them both, while watching the men slowly paddle to shore.

"Very good. Good people" Warren said smiling to herself while Ellie bit her lip to try and stop herself from crying again

"Thanks for doing it. I just...can't any more. Too many.." he cut off looking up at Warren and Ellie

"It's OK, it was quick and she wasn't alone" replied Ellie smiling softly at him

"And she was ready to go" added Warren

"Hmm aren't we all" replied Garnett looking back at the men who were nearly at the shore.

"Ah here they come" said Warren taking out her gun as a precaution

Sighing Garnett says "Alright. I'll handle the meet and greet, you both cover me". Warren nods before turning to Ellie "Vernez you go around that way and then if this goes downhill were covered from all ends, we good?"

"We good" replies Ellie nodding her head, winking at Garnett on her way past "Stay alive Garnett you owe me a knife throwing game, your the only one that will play with me" she pouts

"You mean I'm the only one dumb enough to think i can beat you" he smiles fondly at her

"Well there's that too" she says proudly, "I got skills" she says with a big grin across her face before turning on the spot and she began to creep towards the other side of the woods.

"Scary that one" Garnett says looking over to Warren who smiles "maybe, but she's good"

"Defiantly, I'm just glad she's on our side, I feel sorry for the zombies or anyone who gets on her bad side" he laughs shaking his head, Warren chuckling along before looking back towards the men in the boat who had just reached the shore, she turns back to Garnett "Any problems, you hit the ground we'll take care of the rest" she says cocking her gun.

"Roger that" he says stepping towards the men flash light in hand.

"That's far enough gentlemen. Identify yourselves and state your business" Garnett said shining his flash light on the occupants of the boat. "Team of snipers have you covered, so no sudden movements".

"Lieutenant Mark Hammond Delta Force" an African American man dressed in an army uniform stated , he also had a scar going from his left eye to his nose "Well at least I was when there was still a Delta Force. I'm on a mission from what's left of the government and I need your help".

"What mission? For what government?" Garnett asked curiously

Looking deflated Hammond shook his head "Look to be honest I don't know if anybody that gave me that order is still alive, but I do know that it's imperative that I get this person to a medical lab in California. Alive".

"Well I guess I wont shoot him... yet" Warren said coming up behind Garnett gun raised followed by Ellie coming up on Garnett's right, gun also raised.

"Who is he?" Asked Garnett gesturing to the man in the back of the boat. "Some kind of doctor?"

"C'mon Garnett, does he look like a doctor to you?" Ellie said gesturing to the man, who had overgrown hair, beard and was wearing jeans, t-shirt and a jacket.

Smiling at Ellie, Hammond says "Not exactly his name is Murphy. And he may just be the last best chance to save humanity'.

Garnett looked at Murphy with curiosity on his face and Murphy looked back. Behind him Ellie and Warren made eye contact, disbelief crossing their faces not believing that one man could be the saviour of humanity.

May 13th – Camp Blue Sky

Garnett led the newcomers into Camp Blue Sky with Warren following up the rear and Ellie walking to the side of Hammond and Murphy. As the were walking they could see the residents of the camp looking along curiously, probably wondering why strangers were being brought it.

Looking behind him Murphy saw two children stare at him with so much intensity it made him stop in his tracks, they made him feel more nervous then he already was. Noticing this Ellie walked back over to him.

"'Go on, it's rude to stare" she said to the children smiling at them and they smiled back before turning and running away. "Lets go Murphy" she said turning to look at him. "We don't get visitors often they're curious" she explained. Murphy didn't say anything just stared and Ellie knew he was probably nervous, he was in a place he didn't know with people he didn't know. So she sent him a small smile to try and ease his nerves which seemed to do the trick as he returned the smile. "Let's go" she repeated turning around to walk back towards the group and she heard Murphy following behind her.

Garnett led them all into a big tent in the middle of the camp and in the tent it had some supplies, equipment and a table with food on it and some chairs, which they were all grateful for after the long night shift. Once they were all sitting down Murphy didn't waste any time to dig into the food eating so quickly he was basically inhaling it. Ellie also started eating some of the food but slowly so she could actually taste her food, giving Murphy a side glance, disgust all over her face.

"All we need is some basic supplies and transportation south as far as the Tappan Zee bridge. We're meeting a new team there, and they can take us the rest of the way to California" Hammond informed the group

"California sure is a hell of a long way" Redburn said, one of the other leaders of the camp

Warren nodded "Tappan Zee bridge is a long way" She added looking at Hammond

"I wouldn't ask, but it's imperative and I am out of options" Hammond stated looking over the group

"How'd you find this place?" Garnett asked Hammond

"An ex cop and some other's taking shelter in a prison twenty clicks up the road said there was some National Guard that set up a camp, might be able to help us out".

"Ex National Guard" said Warren

"Yeah I was with Georgia National Guard, Warren here was activated out of Missouri but as far as I know we're the only ones left of our unit". Garnett said sadly

"Look I know there's more chain of command, no more guard, no more government. Just a few of us out there following orders cuz that's what we do. I lost eight of the best men I ever served with getting this far. My orders are to take this man to a lab in California, and that's what I intend to do". Hammond informed the group with sheer dedication across his face. "Now... are you people going to help me or not?"

"Why is he so important" Ellie asked "I mean no offence or anything" she says looking over at Murphy "But you said he wasn't a doctor, so what's so important about him?"

"He has information vital to the development of a vaccine for the zombie virus and that's all I can tell you, How much more do you need to know?" he asked them all

Garnett looked over to Ellie and then over to Warren who nodded at them. "Ellie, Warren and I can take the pickup truck bring you to the Tappan Zee, but you'd be on your own after that" he informs Hammond

"That's all I'm asking, although it would probably be safer if the girl stays here" Hammond said looking over at Ellie "No offence sweetie but you don't look old enough to be out of high school let alone know how to fight, why don't you stay here where its nice and safe while the adults do the dangerous work" Hammond said to Ellie smiling at her. Which he realised was a mistake as soon as the words left his mouth, Everyone else in the room also looked worried. If looks could kill he would be dead because the glare he was receiving right now from Ellie was so vicious it actually made him nervous.

"Ellie" Garnett said trying to calm her down

"Excuse me?! Who the hell do you think you are?" she exclaimed

"Ellie" Warren warned her

"NO Warren, we are willing to help him and he has to be an arrogant, condescending no it all arsehole" she said turning to Warren before turning back to Hammond "And just so you know I'm 23 you arse and my father was a paranoid army major who taught me how to look after myself from a young age. I know how to fight..'

"OK" Hammond interrupted her holding up his hands. "I'm sorry I insulted you, I shouldn't of just assumed. I just need to be sure that I have the best people possible to ensure that I can get this man where he needs to be".

"Well if you want the best then you need Ellie" Warren informed him

"Yeah she's the best we got with both knifes and guns and you don't ever want to get into hand to hand combat with her" Garnett also said

"OK, I made a mistake. I would be happy for you to come with us. So can we get back to the issue at hand now please?" Hammond asks looking over at Ellie who nods her head begrudgingly and gestures for them to carry on.

"So ahem... if we take the truck and keep it moving, we can get there and back before nightfall" Warren informs him looking towards Redburn who shakes his head

"I'm not sure we risk the truck. Or you three" he said looking over them

Hearing this Hammond stepped up from the table and took a threatening step towards the man "Maybe I haven't been clear" he said threateningly

From the corner of her eye Ellie saw Garnett step up and grab his gun, she did the same her hand resting on her gun tucked into her waistband, she saw Warren also take a hold of her gun.

"This is more important than your trucks. Or anyone life, including my own" he said looking towards Garnett "I don't want to have to insist, I was suppose to meet my rendezvous two days ago. This needs to happen.. now".

The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife, everyone in the room was looking dead serious except for Murphy who was oblivious to the tension in the room and more interested in his food.

"OK, Hammond you've made your point we've already said we'd help you, no need to get threatening. So let's stop sizing each other up and lets go. Alright?" Ellie said to the group fed up of the situation already, before sighing and making her way out of the tent. Leaving the other's to follow behind.

Ellie got into the back of the truck and Murphy soon joined her, but he got into the passenger seat while Warren got in the drivers seat. Looking towards the end of the truck through the window Ellie could see Hammond throw a duffel bag of supplies to Garnett who was standing in the bed of the truck.

She then saw Redburn start walking over to Warren's side of the door, so learned forward to hear what he was going to say. Upon reaching her side Redburn put a hand on her door and leaned in to whisper "Listen, If they try to steal the truck, do what you need to do".

"Always" Warren reassured him, Ellie nodded her head to when he looked to her seeing that see was listening in.

Hearing the door to her right open Ellie sat back and saw Garnett getting into the car, she then heard her door open and looking towards it she saw Hammond standing there so she begrudgingly moved into the middle seat so she was squished between him and Garnett.

"Great" she mumbled under her breath

"Behave" Garnett mumbled to her nudging her playfully in the side, a smirk on his face

"I will if he does" she mumbled back a small smile also on her lips. "why can't you sit next to him?"

"I'm a bit big for the middle" he shrugged 'won't be long and they'll be gone" he reassured her

Before Ellie could answer him, Redburn started talking to Hammond

"Stay in radio contact. We don't hear from you by tomorrow morning. We'll come lookin'" He informed him

"You'll have them back by sundown".Hammond said before closing the car door.

Warren then started the car and they set of for their long journey to Tappan Zee.

After driving for a little while Warren pulled over to take a pit stop, so she could check in on Camp Blue sky.

Ellie was lying down in the back of the truck her feet resting on Garnett's back who was sitting on the edge of the seat with his feet hanging out of the open door. While Hammond was casually looking round for oncoming threats and Murphy was sat in the drivers seat looking incredibly bored.

Radio in hand Ellie saw Warren walk a few paces away from the truck, before speaking into the radio "Camp blue sky, this is mobile one. Blue sky, this is mobile one over... Hey guys, I need you to get back to us. It's time for our signal check".

Hearing no reply Garnett got up from were he was sitting and walked towards Warren, just as Murphy shouted "What are you wasting time for?" his head sticking out of the drivers seat window. "You said yourself they'd be fine"

"Don't be an arse Murphy" Ellie said glaring at his head and kicking the back of his seat with her foot. Making shout out in protest.

"Look there must be something wrong" Garnett said looking back at them ."If we don't hear from them soon, we're gunna have to go back"

"I don't think I can let you do that" Hammond said

"If there's something wrong with my people, I don't give a damn about your mission. Or you" Garnett informed him walking towards him and seeing the situation starting to escalate Ellie sat up her hand going to her gun after all they didn't know these men or how they would react to someone not listening to them.

"We're going back" Warren said walking back towards the truck before stopping when Hammond raised his gun up to them.

"I would put that gun down Hammond" Ellie said who had her own gun raised and aimed at him and judging by the look on his face he forgot she was even there. "You've already pissed me off once and I don't take lightly to you threatening my friends". She sent a deathly glare his way

Taking a step back so Ellie was in his line of sight too, Hammond said "Look. I appreciate your loyalty to those folks. I do, But you don't know what I know about this man".

"Why should we believe a word you say" Said Warren also sending a glare his way.

"Maybe stop threatening us and actually tell us something and maybe we will be more willing to help" Ellie said to him

Pausing Hammond looked towards Murphy before saying "Get out of the car" putting his gun down he shut the back door on Ellie before walking towards the front and opening it. "Show them" he said grabbing Murphy and dragging him out f the vehicle "show them why you're so damn important"

"Get your hands off me" Murphy shouted struggling

Ignoring him he said "Show them why so many good men died to get you this far". Sending a glare his way when Murphy didn't listen he shouted "Show them" .

Hesitating and after returning the glare to Hammond Murphy slowly lifted his top up to reveal several healing zombie bites.

Garnett looked disgusted and Ellie just looked confused

"What happened?" Asked Warren confusion also on her face.

"Those are zombie bites. Eight of them" Hammond informed them

"He was bitten?" Ellie asked pure bewilderment going across her face "how is he still alive or not turned, those bites look old" she asked getting out the vehicle going towards Garnett and Warren her gun still raised, just in case.

"She's got a point" Garnett said quickly raising his gun

"Hey" Hammond said as Murphy took a nervous step back. "He was given the only dose of an experimental vaccine right before he was bitten".

"Those undead bastards got two of my ribs right there" Murphy said pointing to the wound on his ribs.

"Shut up. At least your still alive". Hammond said nastily to him "More than I can say for my men, You're looking at the only human known to have survived being bitten by a zombie. His blood carries the antibodies for the ZN1 virus, If we can get him to the lab in California, they can use his blood and make more of the vaccine". He informs them, but before he could continue Hammond was interrupted by the static of Warren's radio

'Mayday Mayday. Calling Camp Blue Sky. This is Doc with Thomson and Carver'

Warren, Ellie and Garnett quickly turned towards the radio that was placed on the hood of the truck before Garnett picked it up and spoke through it.

"Hey, Doc, what's going on? What's going on?"

'Garnett thank god your alive, we thought everyone was dead'.

"I'm not at Camp Blue sky. What's happening?" Doc replied but it was inaudible

"Batteries are dying Garnett" Ellie said "Get him to try again" she said looking towards him before looking over at Hammond and seeing him gesturing to Murphy to get back into the truck

"Wait say again" Garnett asked

'Camp Blue sky has been overrun' Doc's voice came over the radio 'The whole place is...on fire'

"Survivors?"

'Well there was a ton of gunfire a while ago, but nothing sin...' the voice died out, Garnett tried tapping the radio to get it to work but nothing happened

"We got to go get them" Ellie said looking towards them, worry going across her face

"We are" Warren said sheer determination across her face 'lets go' she said to them walking quickly to the truck, Ellie and Garnett quickly following behind. Warren got into the driver side and Garnett the passenger side, Ellie went to the back door where Hammond had sat down and said "You can either walk to your destination or you can come on a detour with us because we are going whether you like it or not. Ok?" and seeing the look on her face and knew he wasn't going to be able to convince them otherwise so he simply nodded and moved to the middle of the seat for her to climb in. Once she was in and the door was shut Warren put the truck in drive and shot down the road to rescue their friends.

Speeding down the road near the trees Ellie kept her eyes peeled for any sign of their friends, she could also see Warren and Garnett glancing around anxiously. Just as she was staring to lose hope of them being alive, she caught a glimpse of some figures in the distance and they weren't alone. They had zombies incoming.

"Warren up ahead" She said nervously while pointing to the figures anxious to get to them

"Got it" Warren replied putting her foot down on the pedal making them go quicker

Just as the zombie's were getting nearer Addy, Doc and Mack, Warren ploughed the truck into them with so much force everyone in the truck was thrown forward. Ellie being the unlucky one and not wearing a seatbelt knocked her face into the back of the front seat

"Thanks Warren" she said sarcastically holding her throbbing nose

"Sorry" she said half heartedly, before looking towards Hammond and pointing at the door "Open the door"

Hammond opened the door while Garnett stuck his head out of his window before shouting at the three

"Doc get in the back with Ellie, you two hop into the back of the truck"

Doc rushed to get into the car, Ellie moved out of her seat so Doc could sit down and then she sat on his lap while Addy and Mac jumped into the back. Mac shouting 'GO, GO , GO' to which Warren sped off down the road away from the incoming horde of zombies.

Once away from the zombie Garnett turned towards Doc "How many more?"

"Nobody" He replied

"What?!" Ellie asked shocked

"Nobody?!" Warren exclaimed glancing back at Doc, before turning back to the road slamming her hand down on the steering wheel

"Nobody!, I'm sure!"

'Donna?, Marion? Garnett asked

"No... there was no one. Not even time to show any of them mercy. There's nobody back there but Zs. Sorry guys. We tried." he said sadness evident in his voice

Hearing this Ellie put her hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him "It's not your fault Doc, there was nothing you could do"

"Nothing left for them but Gods mercy". Garnett said turning to look back at the road.

Ellie hated it but she knew he was right, going back there now would be suicide. Ellie was interrupted from her train of thought by Hammond who had sat forward a serious look on his face

'It's time to go on then. Come on.' he said leaving no room for debate, setting of on their journey with Warren following the directions Hammond had given her.

While they were driving Ellie filled Doc in on everything that had happened with Hammond and Murphy which didn't last long so she decided to occupy her time by looking at the scenery out the window. Which didn't have the desired affect because as they were driving she saw a severed arm on the floor, which got her thinking about the people at the camp and how they died. Shaking her head to try to clear her thoughts, she tried to discreetly wipe a tear away that had managed to slip out which she knew was in vain as Doc was looking at her. She gave him a small smile and then turned her head to look at the map that Hammond was holding next to her.

From the corner of her eye she could she Murphy look through the window at the back where Addy and Mack was before turning back to Hammond.

"I don't know what we brought them along for". He stated not bothering to be quiet about it

Ellie gave him a look of pure disbelief before Warren spoke up

"Um.. because they're human beings and they deserve to live" she said glancing back at him who turned away like a scolded child.

"Hey... how much further to this rendezvous?" Garnett asked Hammond turning to look at him

"Just a few more clicks". Hammond informed them "Got some vehicles and a team of killer's waiting. Wish I had ten times that. Should be up ahead on the left. An old high school with a civil defence shelter in the basement. Supposedly there's still some rations left there".

"When was the last time you made contact with them?" Garnett asked

"About a month ago"

Warren turned her head a look of shock on her face "A month ago?"

While Ellie said "That's like two years apocalypse time" to which Warren nodded. Hammond didn't answer them just looked ahead with a look of apprehension over his face.