Searching for Lori and Carl

The hot air carried smoke, dust, and a scorched smell that made people cough.

In the hospital's rear yard, Lynn braced his hands on his knees and coughed, struggling to breathe.

The ringing in his ears drowned out some of the walkers' growls, but the vibrations beneath his feet grew clearer-the shuffling of the approaching horde.

"The Jeep!"

Davis shouted hoarsely, knocking aside two walkers staggering from the blast and splitting an obstructing head with his machete.

He pointed behind them to one side. The dark green Jeep that had smashed through the barricade sat smoking, half hidden behind an overturned ambulance, its front end mangled and white vapor rising from its hood.

Min-seon supported Rick, both of them unsteady on their feet.

Rick's face was ashen, his eyes fixed in one direction, his lips moving.

Lynn wiped away the blood and ash blurring his eyes and forced himself upright.

"Get in! Hurry!"

Lynn shouted and rushed toward the Jeep.

Davis pulled open the warped driver's door, climbed in, and turned the key.

With a groan from the engine, it actually started again.

Lynn opened the rear door and swept the spent casings and debris off the seat.

"Min-seon, get him in!"

He shouted, looking around warily.

More walkers staggered into view through the breach in the rear wall, drawn by the flames and thunderous noise, pouring into the open yard.

Min-seon shoved the exhausted Rick into the back seat, squeezed in herself, and shut the door.

Lynn was the last to jump in, taking the passenger seat. The moment he closed the door, a rotting hand slapped against the wire mesh over the bloodstained window.

"Go!" Lynn's voice was hoarse.

Davis wrenched the steering wheel and floored the accelerator.

The Jeep's tires spun briefly on the ground littered with bloody mud and shattered bones, then it shot forward toward the back street.

The vehicle jolted through rubble and piles of abandoned cars, its undercarriage groaning. Inside, there was only panting and the roar of the engine.

Rick slumped in the back seat, his chest heaving, staring blankly at the roof while gripping the cold Glock and fire axe.

Unfamiliar weapons, unfamiliar companions, an unfamiliar hell of a world.

Lynn's words echoed in his head: The dead outside are eating people... the world is over...

Fear was icy, but a stronger thought overwhelmed it-Lori! Carl! Shane! Where were they?!

"Stop!"

Rick's voice was hoarse but forceful.

He struggled upright and stared hard through the window, trying to get his bearings from the ruined streets flashing past.

"What?"

Davis glanced at him in the rearview mirror without slowing down.

"I said stop! Now!"

Rick propped himself up on his elbows, his face deathly pale and his gaze sharp.

"Turn around! Go to Gold Oak Street! My house! Lori and Carl are still there!"

"Are you crazy?" Lynn whipped his head around, his gaze sweeping over Rick. "Look outside! Your house is over ten kilometers away, and there are walkers everywhere. You want to go back and die?"

He pointed out the window. A small group of walkers at the corner, drawn by the engine, was moving to cut them off.

"It's a miracle you're alive. Come back to the base with me. It's safe there."

"Safe?" Rick gave a short, shrill laugh filled with despair. "My wife! My son! They could be waiting for me at home, they could be trapped, they could..."

He did not dare imagine it. Fear gripped him.

"I have to go back! Now! Right now!"

He reached out and grabbed Davis's shoulder, interfering with his driving.

"Turn around, or I jump."

"Don't you dare!"

Lynn flew into a rage, suppressing his exhaustion and pain.

The system mission: bring Rick back.

The zoo base offered a chance at survival. He could not let him throw his life away.

He leaned over, reached across the seat, and seized Rick by the collar, nearly lifting him up.

With his other hand, he drew his pistol and pressed the muzzle against Rick's forehead.

"Listen," Lynn said, his voice low and icy, carrying killing intent. "We dragged you out of bombs and piles of corpses, not to feed you to the walkers. Either shut up and come with us, or..."

His thumb pressed down, disengaging the safety with a click. "I'll leave you here forever, so you won't drag us down."

The cold metal pressed against his skin. The chill of death froze Rick's movements and shouts.

His pupils contracted sharply in disbelief.

Min-seon held her breath, her body taut.

Veins bulged on Davis's hands as he gripped the wheel, never slowing down.

In that instant-

An icy, deep-blue screen once again filled Lynn's vision, accompanied by electrical static.

Text flashed across the screen:

[Detected strong independent will in key mission target (Rick Grimes), deviating from the preset route...]

[Survival mission forcibly updated: save Rick Grimes and his core associates]

[New mission objective: escort Rick Grimes to his residence on Gold Oak Street and ensure the survival of his wife (Lori Grimes) and son (Carl Grimes).

And bring all of them safely to the host's core base (Atlanta Zoo)]

[Mission time limit: 48 hours (time remaining: 47 hours, 59 minutes)]

[Mission failure penalty: host... annihilation!]

The final large scarlet words seared his eyes.

"Fuck!"

A suppressed growl squeezed out of Lynn's throat. He abruptly released Rick's collar and lowered the gun from his forehead.

He slumped heavily against his seat, his face deathly pale, rage and despair in his eyes.

The original mission had changed. There were now three mission targets.

The time had been recalculated.

The penalty remained-annihilation!

His plans crumbled before the system's rules.

Dead silence filled the vehicle. The engine roared, and the walkers' growls outside drew closer.

Rick panted, still shaken, a clear red mark from the muzzle on his forehead. He looked at Lynn's defeated expression, startled and bewildered.

"Boss?" Davis looked at him in the rearview mirror.

Lynn closed his eyes and opened them again, suppressing his rage and despair until only cold resignation remained.

He rubbed his face, turned to the bewildered Rick in the back seat, and spoke, his voice hoarse and exhausted but decisive:

"Davis... turn around. Go to Gold Oak Street."

"What?!"

Davis and Min-seon spoke at the same time.

Davis nearly hit the brakes.

"Do it!" Lynn raised his voice, his command brooking no argument. "Go to his house. Find his wife and kid."

He stopped looking at them and turned his gaze toward the ruined streets receding outside.

Gold Oak Street... the empty house in the original story.

Were they still there at this point?

He suppressed his doubts and unease. He had no choice.

The system demanded a search, so he had to search. All he could do was gamble on a sliver of hope.

Under Davis's control, the Jeep swung around with a screech and sped toward Gold Oak Street-the opposite direction from the zoo.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle dropped to freezing.

Rick leaned against the seat with his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling, hugging the fire axe tightly.

Min-seon checked Rick's IV catheter.

Davis drove in silence, his eyes scanning the road, turning roughly and running over obstacles as the vehicle jolted.

Lynn leaned back with his eyes closed. A blood-red countdown ticked in his vision: 47:56:45... 47:56:44...

Time passed in silence and jolting motion.

Outside, the surroundings grew more desolate.

Abandoned vehicles, overturned trash cans, debris, bloodstains.

Scattered walkers turned to pursue them, drawn by the engine, then were left behind.

Near the Gold Oak Street neighborhood, the obstacles grew more numerous.

Davis took frequent detours. Once, he rammed aside a truck in the road, the impact throwing everyone forward.

Lynn struck his head against the roof, and his vision darkened.

"Almost there!"

Rick's voice trembled with hope. He struggled to sit straight, pressing his face against the filthy window to get his bearings.

"Turn left at the intersection ahead! The third house... that's mine!"

The Jeep swerved sharply into a residential street. The houses on either side had their doors and windows shut; some windows were broken, curtains fluttering through them.

Grass ran wild in the yards, and some cars stood in disarray with their doors wide open.

The house Rick pointed to came into view-a small, cream-colored two-story house with a white fence.

The house was relatively intact, its doors and windows shut and curtains drawn. The front lawn was untidy, but there was no major damage.

"That's it! Stop!"

Rick's voice rose.

Davis braked, and the Jeep stopped by the curb a dozen or so meters away, its tires shrieking.

The moment the vehicle stopped, Rick pushed open the door and stumbled, trying to rush out.

"Wait!"

Lynn barked, grabbing his arm and yanking him off balance.

"Davis, keep watch! Min-seon, give him glucose first!"

He gave his orders first, his sharp gaze sweeping the street and houses.

It was too quiet, unnaturally quiet.

Davis raised his shotgun and stood guard while Min-seon dug out the glucose injection.

"Let go of me! Lori! Carl!"

Rick struggled, staring fixedly at his front door.

Lynn held him fast, his eyes locked on the house. He lowered his voice and ordered, "If you want to see them alive, calm down! Look carefully! Don't run into a pack of walkers!"

Lynn's tone was icy. Rick's struggles stiffened to a halt. Breathing hard, he shifted his bloodshot eyes and looked at Lynn with bewilderment and fear.

Min-seon quickly injected the glucose.

Lynn signaled Davis to cover them, then drew his pistol and chambered a round.

"Follow me. Not a sound."

He whispered, opened the door, and crouched, using the vehicle as cover as he moved toward the front yard's fence.

Supported by Min-seon, Rick followed close behind, his heart pounding.

Davis brought up the rear, keeping watch with his gun raised.

Lynn did not force the door. Instead, he moved along the wall to stand beneath a curtained window and listened.

No television, no voices, no footsteps... only the wind and distant walkers' growls.

Lynn's heart sank. He gave Davis a look.

Davis stepped forward and kicked hard at the front door's lock.

Bang! Crack!

The lock and wooden frame shattered, and the door flew inward, striking the wall.

Dust, a faint smell of decay, and a trace of blood hit them in the face.

Lynn rushed in first, holding his pistol level as he scanned the entryway.

The entryway was a mess. Shoes lay scattered across the floor, the coat rack had fallen, and irregular spatters of blackened blood marked the wall.

The bloodstains extended toward the living room and hallway.

Rick followed him in and saw the blood. His face turned deathly pale, and he swayed.

"No..."

He murmured and rushed into the living room.

The living room was worse. The sofa had overturned, the coffee table was shattered, and glass covered the floor.

A broken family photo frame lay on the floor, the photograph torn.

Large patches of dried, blackened blood and drag marks extended toward the back door.

The back door stood ajar, its frame marked by impacts and blurred bloody handprints.

"Lori! Carl!"

Rick screamed, his voice echoing through the empty house, and stumbled toward the back door.

Lynn's heart sank.

The system hadn't declared failure... they might still be alive.

"Davis! Guard the front door! Min-seon, check the bloodstains!"

Lynn gave the orders and rushed toward the back door right behind Rick.

The little yard by the back door was a mess, with broken clotheslines, scattered clothes, and trampled flower beds.

Most conspicuous was the large hole smashed through the backyard fence. Dark threads of fabric clung to splinters around it.

In the mud nearby were jumbled, mud-caked boot prints, the size of an adult man's, leading toward the woods beyond the fence.

Beside them were smaller, shallower prints, seemingly a child's.

Rick rushed to the hole and saw the footprints leading toward the woods, his eyes blank. He dropped to his knees in the mud, clutching the turf, sobs catching in his throat.

Lynn crouched to examine the footprints and threads of fabric.

Min-seon followed them out and crouched at the end of the bloody drag marks. She rubbed some dried, blackened blood between her fingers and sniffed it, then examined the bloody handprint on the back doorframe.

"The blood is old. At least three or four days. It's turned black."

Min-seon's voice was calm. "The size of the handprint... an adult man. There was a struggle. The drag marks... more than one person. One was dragged away, and the other... might have run along on their own."

She pointed at the footprints in the mud. "The small footprints beside the large boot prints-the steps were hurried but orderly. Doesn't look like they were forcibly dragged. More like... they ran along after them."

She looked at Lynn. "Someone was injured and bleeding, and was forcibly taken away. Whoever took them had someone helping or being coerced, and a child followed."

Rick abruptly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Min-seon. "Shane! He took Lori and Carl! They're alive!"

Shane was his partner and his best friend. It had to be him who had come to save his family.

Lynn looked at the footprints on the ground leading toward the woods, then at the countdown in his field of vision: 47:09:22...

They're alive. Shane did take them away.

Where to?

At this point, they probably haven't reached the RV camp yet.

The target had gone from stationary to moving.

"We find them."

Lynn stood, his voice low and weary but decisive.

He looked at Rick kneeling in the mud, his eyes filled with wild hope, then at the dark woods.