Ours (SWB)

"Ours" is the seventh episode and the mid-season finale of Season 5 of Survivors We Become. It is also the 45th episode overall.

Synopsis
''Karen leads her group back home but faces trouble on the way. Cathy and Mike take a break. Amber’s safety is threatened.''

Plot
Rebecca drives the truck back to the school. Spencer sits beside her in the passenger seat with his head leaning against the window, staring at the passing trees blankly.

“I’m not defending him.” Rebecca breaks the silence. Spencer looks to her, seeing her eyes are still focused on driving. “He killed two of my students, he kidnapped Kenny. Yet he tried to help us.”

Rebecca shrugs her shoulders. “I’m not saying to forget any of that. They’re your emotions, feel what you want.” She finally turns her head to him with slight anger in her eyes. “But don’t you ever take your frustration out on our friends again.”

The boy sinks a bit, looking down to his black sneakers. “I don’t know why I said that... especially to her of all people.”

“You can apologize when we get back to the school. And I’d start working on that now.” Rebecca tells him as she looks forward again, instantly leaning forward a bit. “What the hell is this?”

Spencer follows her gaze as the truck comes to a stop. In the middle of the road, four corpses are face down on the gravel. They make a line across the road, almost like a speed bump.

The four survivors stare at the scene in front of them. Rikki turns to Karen to see the older woman mirroring her confused expression.

Becca sits back a bit, gripping the steering wheel. “Okay… I don’t know why but I don’t like the look of this.” She says sarcastically.

Rikki hits the roof of the vehicle with her palm, Spence and Becca looking up. “Hey, this seems too sketchy. Let’s go.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Becca calls back before switching the gear to drive. The two in the back sit down as Becca speeds forward, the vehicle bouncing as they drive over the bodies.

Mike and Clair walk side by side in the courtyard. They pass the built pavilion as Caroline holds the door to the cafeteria open while Chase and Kenny carry a table down the stoop.

Clair’s eyes turn to Keegan and Asher standing by the front gate.

“You should join the guards. Show ‘em how it’s done.” Clair says to him as her gaze turns to the group along the fence stabbing walkers outside — including Cal, Lorenzo, Melissa and Jake.

Mike shakes his head. “I don’t want to be a guard. I like doing the supply runs.”

Clair looks up to him. “Don’t you get worried about what will happen? Walkers, scavengers, traders… I’d be hesitant to even step foot out there again.”

Mike shrugs his shoulders, smiling to her. “I try not to think about it. The group needs supplies and someone has to do it. I’ve been going on runs since the beginning anyway so I’ve kind of just stuck to it.” He then shrugs his shoulders. “And sometimes I like letting off a bit of steam with the walkers.”

Clair is silent.

Mike turns to her to see that her eyes are on someone else. She scrunches up her face, tilting her head. “Isn’t that Cathy?”

The shorter woman stands with her arms crossed as she looks between Asher and Keegan. “I’m not allowed to let you out by yourself.” Keegan says to her.

“Young man, I’m 57 years old and if I can survive a bus crash and a swarm of walkers, I can survive a walk.” Cathy says to him.

“She kinda has a point, dude—“ Asher whispers before being hushed by Keegan.

“We can’t let her leave! These are Karen’s rules, not mine.” Keegan says as Mike and Clair approach them.

“Is everything alright?” Mike asks.

“Mrs. Greer wants to go out by herself. Karen said she doesn’t want anyone leaving alone.” Keegan informs him.

Mike turns to Cathy as she crosses her arms.

He then turns to the two men. “Well then she isn’t going alone. I’m going with her.”

Clair and Cathy both turn to Mike with surprise. Asher nods. “Alright, no problem. Do you want to go get your things or…?”

Mike turns to his friend with a smile, Cathy smiling back. “I’m ready if you are.”

The man nods. “We’re ready.” Mike smiles back to before turning to Clair. “Sorry to just leave but I can’t let her go alone.”

“No, I understand. Do what you have to.” Clair shrugs. “I can keep an eye on the kids for you.”

“Appreciate it. We’ll talk when I get back.” The two smile to one another.

Cathy quickly looks between them before she begins to walk to the gate. Mike follows her as it opens, the duo walking through the parking lot as Clair turns away towards Lorenzo and Cal.

The infirmary is quiet. Monet sits behind the desk as Amber opens a cabinet, counting out the bottles and writing down the inventory.

“You’re a lot like your father, you know.” Monet says.

“So you tell me.” Amber chuckles without losing track, writing down a number.

“I remember a long time ago, we went to a bar and some prick catcalled me and ended up tossing a glass at me. He reacted like you did today.” Monet continues, looking up with a smirk.

Amber chuckles. “I got a head thrown at me. That was justified.”

“I agree.” Monet suddenly looks at her daughter with seriousness. “But you have to choose your battles. Threatening to kill people in public, especially a few kids—“

Amber suddenly turns around with her nose scrunched. “Are you defending that rat faced bastard right now?”

“Amber.” Monet stands up. “I wanted to slap the shit out of that boy but you cannot act like that. These people are afraid of us, we’re strangers. We could get kicked out if we upset the wrong person.”

Her daughter steps towards her. “They should be afraid of us. We fucking saved them and this is the thanks we get? They have no idea what we can do.” Amber slams the clipboard down on the desk and storms to the door. “I’m not the one picking fights. I’m the one trying to finish them.”

Monet sighs as the door slams.

The truck speeds down the road. The four are silent as they pass a sign: WELCOME TO PETERSBURG.

Karen and Rikki sit in the bed across from one another. Karen hugs her knees. “Jim was one of the first people I met after my husband died.” She says. “I remember I met him and his wife when we were both driving around lost. Ever since then we’ve helped each other and now he’s…” Karen sighs, looking down. “We wanted to rebuild the world together.”

Rikki gives the woman a look of pity before she feels the truck slow down to a stop again. She grunts, standing. “What now?” As she stands, her jaw drops.

Five walkers are tied to one another and tied to the trees to form a roadblock.

Becca and Spencer stare from up front. Spencer turns to her. “We have to hurry.” Becca nods, reaching to the gear shift.

Karen sits in the back still when someone jumps into the bed. She turns to look into the face of a walker. She screams as it raises a hunting knife before lunging at her. Karen throws herself forward, dodging under the knife and crawling to the other side.

Rikki turns around as the skinner backhands her with the knife handle. She stumbles back, raising a hand to her head before she feels a boot kick her stomach, knocking her out of the truck and onto the ground as Spencer jumps out of the passenger seat.

“Rikki!” Karen shouts from beside the walker. It turns to her as she lunges at it with an angered cry, body slamming it. The skinner trips, both of them falling out of the truck as Rebecca jumps out with her pistol ready.

Karen lands on top of the skinner, who drops their knife in the process. She sits on his chest, pulling her pistol out and quickly pointing it in between the eyes. With an angered scream, Karen shoots the skinner in the face.

A wide eyed Rebecca stands over the scene with her mouth gaping. Spencer helps Rikki up while Karen quickly gets up and kneels before reaching for the face. She pulls it off, revealing it to be a mask. She stands, showing the others. “They’re people.”

Rikki scrunches her face. “They use the skin to look like the dead. Of course.”

Rebecca raises a hand to her nose with a grimace. “And smell like ‘em too. Ugh.”

“Let’s get back to the school. It’s too dangerous out here.” Spencer says.

“Yesss.” A hoarse whisper from behind them makes Spencer, Rikki and Becca turn back to the walkers. Walkers — no, Spencer sees the knives in hand — Three skinners step around the bound walkers, approaching them.

A female leads them, tilting her head. “Take us back to the school.”

“Spencer…” Becca steps back, pistol raised to her waist as she turns to him. He meets her gaze, quickly looking to the skinners as they get closer.

His gun suddenly points forward before he fires a round at them. The bullet hits the skinner to the right and makes him fall backwards into one of the captured walkers as it grabs him, sinking its teeth into his neck.

“Get in!” Spencer jumps into the vehicle, Rebecca and Karen both fire a couple rounds over the other two, who drop down and roll out of the way as a pair of the bound walkers are shot down.

They climb back into their vehicle, Rebecca looking back to make sure Karen and Rikki are in the bed before stomping on the gas, driving over the walker devouring the skinner.

Cathy tugs at the front door to the bar. Locked. She sighs, walking to the side of the building while Mike just watches her. “Is this what you came out for? A bar?”

Cathy turns to him and throws her arms up. “Mike, we survived an outbreak with a bunch of high school kids. We deserve a drink!”

Mike starts to follow her. “They’re not really kids anymore.”

They walk towards the back of the store but stop at a side door propped open by a corpse. Mike goes in first. He pulls out his knife and pulls the door, stepping over the body. He helps Cathy over as well.

They find themselves in the cellar, shelves are scattered with a few bottles still standing, many shattered on the floor.

Mike walks towards the staircase while Cathy grabs a bottle off the shelf. She turns to Mike with a grin. “Does whiskey sound good to you?”

Soon the two are upstairs sitting at the bar with glasses in hand.

“Tell me about Clair. What’s going on there?” Cathy smirks at her friend.

He chuckles, turning to her. “I dunno. She’s sweet but she can still defend herself, so I wouldn’t have to worry about her. I just don’t know if I’m ready to move on from Zelma.”

“You two were together for a long time. I get it.” Cathy nods. “But you know, John wouldn’t want me to hold on. I’m sure Zelma would want you to keep going. I’m not saying forget her but I can see you have some sort of interest in this woman. It isn’t wrong to fall in love again.”

“I know. I’m just gonna wait and see.” Mike nods and takes a sip before turning to Cathy. “I need to ask you something.” She turns to him. “And I need you to answer me honestly.”

She raises the glass to her lips and takes another sip.

“Why don’t you trust Spencer?”

“It’s not that I—“ A frustrated sigh is heard and she takes another swing, gulping down the remainder of her drink. With that, she slams the glass back down. Mike jumps slightly as she turns. “Look, Spencer is like a son to me. I care for him and the other students more than anything else right now. As far as I’m concerned, all of those kids are ours.”

“What you said in the cafeteria really made it seem like you don’t trust him.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust him, I’m just scared that his father—“ She suddenly stops and covers her mouth. With glassy eyes, she shakes her head. “Micah expressed at the airport what he plans on doing. He said if he finds Spencer, he’ll steer him in the right path. Rebecca and I, we’re both scared of what he’ll do if he ever comes back. What he’ll make Spencer do.”

Mike stares at her silently. He raises his glass and drinks the remainder before looking to her.

“If that man comes back, I’ll kill him myself.” Mike says.

“Or he’ll kill you.” Cathy says sadly.

“So be it, I’ll die before I let him take Spencer.” Mike says.

The woman shakes her head. “You haven’t dealt with him, Mike. He isn’t going to be quick and painless with us. He’ll make sure we all suffer.”

Mike nods. “You’re right, I’ve never had an encounter with him.” He grabs Cathy’s shoulder. She turns to him, seeing a smile on his lips.

“But he’s never dealt with me either.”

Cathy smiles for a brief moment before looking down. “Can we protect him? Can we protect any of them?”

Mike shakes his head. “No. We can’t. But we can try our best.”

Cathy looks to the bottle and grabs it. She smiles to Mike, sliding off the stool. “Okay, I don’t want to become an alcoholic during these days. I don’t think there’s any AA meetings happening anytime soon.” She starts walking to the door with a turn to Mike. “Thank you for taking me here.”

“You said it yourself. We deserved some time out after all we’ve been through.” Mike smiles.

Cathy unlocks the door. “We really did! Cuz you know what?” She throws open the door before turning to Mike. “We could all be dead tomorrow.”

Mike starts following her out the door, hurrying to catch up to her. “Careful, careful! Watch your step!”

“It’s bullshit!” Amber growls as she swings the baseball bat and knocks a walker down.

The couple are behind the school. She is on the outside of the fence, Tobias on the inside watching her. She raises her bat again as another walker comes her way. She cracks it against its skull and sends it stumbling into the fence, making Tobias back up and pull out his knife, stabbing it.

“She’s not completely wrong.” He says before she gives him a glare. “Don’t give me that look. You’re both right, okay? We did save them, yes but this was their home first.”

Amber’s foot is grabbed and she looks down to see the walker on the ground try to bite her leg but she quickly kicks it with her other leg, swinging the bat and smashing its head into the ground. She turns back to her boyfriend and walks towards the fence.

“So we should just let ourselves get threatened by these guys? I don’t know about you but if I was saved from a herd of walkers, I’d be pretty fucking grateful.” Amber says.

“I never said that.” Tobias replies. “And I agree with you on that. Some of these guys are ungrateful shits like that kid.”

“So what should we do?” Amber leans against the fence.

“I hate to say it… we should wait it out.” Tobias doesn’t let her interrupt. “I know that’s risky. That kid tossed a head at us and told us we were next, I know. But he’s a kid. Let’s just see if he does something first.”

Amber slowly nods. “Alright. We’ll wait.” She hears a snarl and turns her head to see three walkers stumbling towards her. “But if he kills someone, I break both his legs.”

Tobias smirks as she walks towards them. “I know. I won’t hold ya back.”

Amber approaches the first walker as it snarls at her. She swings and bashes the side of its head. The second comes up behind it and she brings it back, knocking it into the fence as Tobias finishes it off, stabbing it in the temple. It holds the fence as it slides down, not letting go.

Amber looks at the third. It’s slower than the other two. She steps forward and swings with all her might.

And it ducks down.

Then it elbows her in the head.

She falls on her side with a pained cry and drops her bat. Tobias stares in horror as Amber rolls on her back with wide eyes as the walker pulls out a knife.

Tobias panics and tries climbing the fence, to no avail with one hand. He just falls on his back as the skinner walks towards Amber as she looks around for her bat. She sees beside her and crawls for it but the skinner grabs her ankle, dragging her back.

“AMBER!” Tobias screams as he lunges for the fence.

Amber claws desperately as the skinner pulls her towards the woods. “Help me!”

Tobias hits the fence before scrambling to his feet and bolting towards the school.

The group had split into different classrooms to stay in. The boys — Spencer, Chase, Billie, Tobias and Mitch — decided to room together. Kenny, on the other hand, rooms with his family but still visits them a lot.

Mitch sits on his bed curled under the blanket while Chase and Persey sit on his together. Billie and Kenny are both sprawled out on Billie’s bed, the four of them talking.

The door flings open, a frantic Tobias running in. The others turn to him questionably, Chase standing up instantly. He rushes to his friend and puts his hands on his shoulders. “Tobias, what happened?”

“S-something took Amber!” Tobias pants.

Chase’s eyes widen and he turns to the others to see their shocked expressions.

Persey gets to her feet. “What happened?!”

Tobias opens his mouth but just stammers. He turns his head to Billie. “That guy last night. He said something about the dead carrying weapons. Do you remember?”

Billie’s face sinks. “You mean to tell me he was right?” He doesn’t need a response. The look of fear on Tobias’s face says it all. Billie turns. “She needs help but Cathy and Mike are gone. The only solution is to go out and get her ourselves.”

“That’s a dangerous move, don’t you think?” Mitch sits on his bed, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Our friend is in danger, Mitch. We can’t just leave her out there.” Kenny argues as he stands and turnsto Tobias. “I want to help.”

“You already know I’m with you, too.” Chase says. Persey stands as well, nodding to them.

Billie rushes to his bed, snatching his backpack up. “Well let’s not waste time!” The others start moving to grab their things. Kenny and Persey rush to the door to go to their rooms.

“Hold on just a minute!” Mitch says, all eyes going on him. “What about Spencer and Becca? What will they say when they come back and find y’all gone?”

Billie slings his bag over his shoulder. “This is Amber we’re talking about. We grew up together, we’ve survived all this with her. She isn’t expendable, Mitch. She’s fucking family.”

Tobias and Chase head to the door. “Hurry, we may not have a lot of time.” Tobias says.

Billie starts walking to the door without another word and leaving Mitch alone, staring with a conflicted look on his face.

“I say we go after the old hag first. She won’t put up a fight.” Shaun says.

The six are gathered in an empty classroom, seated at a few left over desks they had circled up in the center of the room.

“No way! Let’s choose someone who will put up a fight. That’ll scare ‘em good!” Morgan smiles as she turns to Caleb. “Like the girl we threw the head at. If we take out their strongest links then the rest will fall easier.”

Caleb looks over them all. “We’re not making a decision yet. If that stunt we pulled before told me anything, it’s that these people are tougher than we are.”

“Oh boo hoo. If you feel this way, why’d you throw the head in the first place?” Shaun questions.

“I didn’t realized I’d be threatened back for it!” Alex rolls his eyes at the teenage boy’s words, sinking in his seat a bit. Brie eyes him but doesn’t say anything.

“Am I boring you?” Caleb asks, Alex looking at the sneering teenager.

“A little bit, yeah.” Alex sits up. “I thought you had a plan. That’s why I joined.”

“Of course I have a plan, but—“

Alex’s chair slides back as he pushes away. “But nothing! Provoking strangers who could kill us before we even blink is your plan?” He turns to the door.

Brie stands to follow. “Wait a sec!”

As the two reach the door, it suddenly swings open and the group all step back with surprise. It’s Margot.

“What do you want?” Caleb questions as he stands.

The light haired woman smiles at them. “The same thing as you. I want those newbies out of here.”

Alex and Brie take a few steps back, Alex giving her a suspicious glance.

“But if we do it, we have to be smart. We can’t just toss heads at people. We have to make a plan.” Margot strolls to the whiteboard, turning to them and crossing her arms. “I want to know what your plan is.”

“Fuck you, lady, we aren’t telling you shit!” Caleb sneers. Margot frowns and starts walking towards him. “You’re probably a batty snitch for all we—“

Margot brings her hand back and smacks the boy across the face as hard as she can before grabbing his shoulder and pushing him into his seat. He looks up in shock, gripping his cheek as she looks over their shocked faces.

She points to the two standing by the door. “I want everyone in a chair now.” The two do as told quickly, making a grin appear on her face. “Good. Now… the plan?”

“W-we were gonna kill one of them… see if that s-scares them off…” Caleb trembles.

Margot stares down at him. “It’ll be obvious that you did it after that stunt you pulled.” She looks to the others. “Why is he in charge?”

“We’re all wondering that…” Alex says under his breath but Margot hears.

She snorts. “Alex Michaels… son of our goody-two-shoes leader and brother of poor, innocent Jason. I thought you were like the rest of your family. But here you are.”

“I actually want to survive. I know relying on outsiders isn’t the way to go.” Alex shrugs.

“So then what would you suggest we do to get rid of these outsiders?”

Alex sighs, looking down for a moment. “I’m not sure.”

Margot snickers at them before placing her hands on the table. “Well have no fear. Unlike Caleb, I actually have a plan to get rid of the outsiders and make this place ours once again.”

“Get the fuck off me!”

The skinner carries Amber over his shoulder. She kicks and punches but he has a strong grip on her. They’ve been walking through the woods for a short while now.

Soon they enter a park. A large field surrounded by trees, a trail leading to a road nearby. There’s a few walkers stumbling on it.

The skinner looks at them before shushing her. “Shh, shh! Quiet! You’ll get us killed.” He whispers.

“At least you’ll be dead!” She shouts.

“Shut up and I’ll put you down! Okay? I just want to talk.” He whispers, watching as the walkers don’t acknowledge them.

Amber stops resisting, panting as she turns her head to him. “Fine. Just put. Me. Down.”

The skinner does. He places her on her feet but grabs her shoulders. She stares at the undead face with disgust. “Wh-who are you? Why did you bring me here?”

“I’m looking for Spencer Allen. I know you’re in his group.” The man says.

“Why would I tell you that? I don’t even know who you are.” Amber sneers.

The skinner is quiet before he releases her. He reaches for his mask, pulling it up off his head to reveal his face. There’s still some gunk under his eyes.

“My name is Gale.” He tells her. Amber’s eyes go wide. “And I need Spencer because—“

Amber’s fist collides with his jaw, the man stumbling back in surprise. She runs forward and punches him again, then grabs his arms and knees him in the stomach. The man groans before falling to his knees. She walks towards him.

“That’s for selling my mother for drugs, prick.” Amber growls.

Gale grips his abdomen, panting. “Okay… I probably deserved that…” He wheezes.

Amber turns around and starts walking back towards the school. Gale looks up to her. “Wait…” He calls but she keeps going. “Wait! … Please, you’re not safe at that school! They’re coming for you!”

Amber stops, spinning around. “Who?”

“The skinners.” He replies, getting back to his feet. “I stole one of their costumes. It helps them blend in with the dead.” He walks closer to her. “Look, they’ve been coming to the school for a while now. Scoping it out. I’ve seen a few of them come and go daily now. They’ve wanted to take it since that group was trapped inside. Now that there’s no roamers stopping them, they think they may have a chance to.”

“Why should I take your word on this?”

“Because I’m risking my life to tell you this. Your friends could kill me for this—“

“Will.” Amber corrects.

Gale sighs. “I just need Spencer to know that he isn’t safe. None of you are. Please, let me talk to him, explain what’s going on.”

Amber crosses her arms. “You sold my mother to keep your addiction a secret. I’m not letting you near any of my fucking family ever again.”

The man chuckles, shaking his head. “You know what? Fine. Good luck with the skinners, girly. You’re ‘family’ will need it.” He slips the mask on again and walks towards the roamers on the trail.

Rebecca drives full speed ahead. Rikki and Karen are both watching the back to see if they’re being followed by anything.

Spencer turns to Becca. “Please slow down.”

“We’re in deep shit, Spencer. We have to get home.” Becca says to him.

“Slow the fuck down or we won’t ever get home!” Spencer cries.

She turns to him before sighing, easing her foot on the gas. “I’m sorry but that was terrifying. I mean… people are dressing up as walkers now. Is that not one of the scariest things you’ve ever seen?”

Spencer nods. “Yeah… it’s definitely up there.”

Rebecca huffs, looking at him again. “What do we say to the others? Like… do we tell them that the—“

Spencer suddenly gasps. “BRAKE!”

Becca looks forward and sees two people in the middle of the road, stomping on the brake and the vehicle screeches to a stop. The duo are holding onto one another before the man lets out a sigh of relief.

“Well we were worried for a minute there!” Mike says as they get out of the truck. “Weren’t sure if you would stop.”

“What the fuck are you doing?” Becca shouts as she slams her door. Spencer, Rikki and Karen approach behind her. “Why aren’t you at the school? Who’s watching the kids?”

Spence turns to her. “Okay, we’re not kids—“

“I left Clair in charge of them. They’re in good hands.” Mike says. “Cathy just wanted a drink is all.”

Becca looks them over and her face goes red. “You’re drunk?! This is the time you choose to be shitfaced?” She shouts.

“Lower your voices please.” Rikki tells them.

“No one should have left in the first place.” Karen says.

“Damn right! Especially leaving the kids are alone with a fucking stranger!” Becca says to Mike.

“She isn’t a stranger, she’s one of us now.” Mike argues. “The kids are in good hands!”

Rustling in the trees nearby makes the group turn to see five teenagers run out. The groups go wide eyed as the teenagers look over them.

Rebecca turns back to Mike. “I see she’s doing a lovely job.”

“What are you doing out here? Get back to the school! It’s dangerous out here!” Cathy says to them.

“We can’t! Amber’s in trouble.” Tobias says before turning to the others. “We need to keep going!”

Billie, Persey, Chase and Kenny start to follow but Mike stops them. “Wait a minute, explain to us what’s happening.”

“We don’t have a minute. We have to go now!” Kenny says.

“No, you and Billie aren’t going anywhere except back to the school.” Cathy demands. “As for the rest of you, I don’t know what you’re thinking bringing a bunch of kids out here—“

“Kids? Who’s a kid here?” Billie raises an eyebrow.

“All of you are!” Cathy tells him. “You have no business being out here! It’s too dangerous and I’m not letting you get hurt out here!”

“We wouldn’t even be out here if you were at the school. Amber’s been taken, we had to do something!” Billie says.

Cathy steps closer and points a finger in his face. “That is not your decision to make!”

He doesn’t respond. Her breath makes Billie scrunch up his nose. He then chuckles as he realizes where her and Mike went. “Oh my— are you kidding me?” He starts to laugh, shaking his head. “That’s what you left for? To get drunk.”

“I can smell the fucking alcohol on your breath!” Billie shakes his head, letting out another laugh. “And you have the fucking audacity to call us kids? Fuck you both!”

Becca takes a breath. “Billie, just calm down—“

“Don’t fucking tell me to calm down! I’m out here risking my life for one of my best friends because some people want to have a good time, and I’m told it isn’t my place to step up and be a leader when the actual fucking leaders aren’t even around? Fuck that!” Billie glares at the two former teachers before walking towards the edge of the road. “You two should be ashamed of yourselves.”

Spencer runs after him. “Bill. Hey, Bill, c’mon.” Billie stands alone, huffing as he crosses his arms. Spencer approaches and grabs his shoulder. “It’s okay. I know you just want to find Amber and I promise you that we will.” Billie sighs, looking down a bit. “Go easy on them. They haven’t had it easy either.”

The other boy nods. “I know.” He mumbles.

Spencer smiles at him. “Honestly I’m proud of you for standing your ground. You’re doing what you believe is right.” He pats his shoulder before starting to go back to the others. “If you ask me, you could make a pretty great leader.”

A smile curves on Billie’s lips before he takes another deep breath and walks back over to his group.

From behind him, Tobias hears something approaching them from where they’re heading. Something running. He turns and lets out a relieved gasp as Amber runs into the light.

Her frantic look fades as she sees Tobias and the others. Without a word, the couple run to each other and embrace tightly. He kisses the side of her head. “Christ, I was worried sick. What happened to you?”

“The guy… it was the man that sold my mother.” Amber says, earning Spencer’s full attention.

“Gale? Where is he?” He grits his teeth.

“He left. He was looking for you though.” Amber says to him. “And he told me about the skinners.”

“You know about them, too?” Karen says.

Rikki looks around. “Uh we should talk about this shit at the school. Ya know, where it’s safer.”

Amber shakes her head. “It isn’t safe there either. He says that they’ve been going to the school for weeks now, trying to take it for themselves.”

The blond woman looks at her before shaking her head. “Oh my God… they trapped us. They’re the ones that got the dead inside the fences.” Karen looks to Spencer. “I heard gunshots that day and tried to find out who it was that fired them but no one knew. There was no other people there that we could see. Even when we were trapped, survivors told me they saw walkers climbing the fences and looking into the windows on the first floor. It had to be the skinners. It all makes sense.

“We won’t let that happen again.” Spencer looks to the others. “Come on, we need to get to the school. We can discuss everything—“ He turns around and freezes. The survivors all turn as well. Worry crosses their faces as they see nine skinners standing with knives and machetes.

The twelve survivors don’t hesitate. Karen, Rikki, Billie, Chase and Tobias pull out their guns. Becca reaches to her side and pulls out Mike’s pistol from her jeans. “You’ll need this more than I do.”

Persey pulls out her hatchet while Becca, Spencer and Kenny each pull out knives. Tobias hands Amber her bat with a smirk, she gladly takes it.

The skinners charge them.

One skinner swings a machete at Spencer but he ducks down before lunging at him knife first, jabbing it in the chest and tackling it down. He pulls the blade out and stabs him again.

Another stands over him and raises a knife to stab him. Spencer gasps before it is shot in the chest. He turns to see Karen standing behind him, nodding at him.

Amber and Tobias stay side by side. A skinner charges towards Tobias and he raises his pistol, firing a round in his leg. He screams, falling to the ground before the couple as Amber raises her bat and swings down.

Another runs at them and Amber raises her bat defensively, the machete being blocked. She pushes it back then kicks it in the groin. Tobias points his gun and shoots it in the head.

A few feet away, Kenny is shoved down by one. He scrambles for his knife as the skinner swings his hatchet at him.

The metal clangs against Persey’s hatchet as she blocks it, allowing Kenny to grab his knife. Persey pushes the skinner back, ducking under his hatchet and managing to swing her own into the skinner’s leg. He cries out as she tears it away and stand, bringing her weapon over his head and bashing it into his skull. She turns around as another tries to blindside her and hits the man in the neck.

Becca and Mike stand in front of Cathy as protection while Rikki stands in the bed of the truck, using her rifle to protect Chase from an oncoming skinner. A few feet away, Billie shoots one in the chest three times before running towards it and shooting it in the face.

Another skinner lunges at Karen, taking her down. Pinned down, she claws for her pistol as it raises its knife but she grabs onto it first, quickly twisting around shooting it in the shoulder.

Coming to her aid, Spencer grabs the jacket collar and pulls the back of its head into his knife.

As Spencer throws the skinner down, he looks around to see his group has taken down all the skinners.

Persey helps Kenny up and Spence does the same with Karen. Mike, Becca, Rikki, Cathy and Billie walk towards the rest, all of them gathering up.

“Holy… shit…” Amber pants, looking at the blood on her bat.

“We did it.” Billie says with a laugh.

“For now.” Tobias adds. “That proves one thing. These guys are tough as hell.”

A leather jacket wearing skinner exits the woods. Rikki sees and gasps, seeing the shotgun in hand. “Watch out!”

The others all see him, causing Spencer, Becca, Mike and Tobias to push themselves in front of the others.

“Mark my words,” The booming voice shouts. “That school will be ours. Leave now…”

The gun is pointed forward. “Or die!”

Mike turns and pushes Amber, Billie and Kenny down and tripping Becca in the process, Tobias stumbles back and reaches to cover Chase and Persey. Cathy jumps to grab Spencer. “Get down!”

The gunshot goes off and the group is all on the ground as it does.

Mike turns back, the skinner has disappeared. He stands, looking at the three he covered first. “You guys okay?”

Billie nods, helping Kenny up. The group all start getting up.

Becca turns to Spencer and crawls to him. He is leaning over Cathy. She sees blood on his hand and neck. “You weren’t shot, were you?” She crawls over and freezes. Spencer wasn’t shot.

Cathy Greer was.

Cathy chokes on the ground, her and Spencer both gripping her bleeding neck. A cry escapes Becca’s throat as she stands to get on the other side of her. “No no no no! Stay with me, Cathy!”

The others look over. Mike’s eyes go wide and he runs towards them. “Cathy!” He lightly pulls Spencer back. “Move, get back now!” He and Becca both kneel over Cathy as Spencer stands. Cathy makes writhing movements as she clenches her eyes shut.

“Mrs. Greer…” Amber whispers, covering her mouth.

Billie chokes. “Oh, f-fuck!”

Kenny is speechless. However he sees Spencer staring in horror and steps forwards, grabbing him by the shoulder. “N-no… don’t look, Spencer—“ Spencer pushes his hand away and stares down at the woman.

Becca cries over her. “You’re fine… it’s okay, you’re gonna be okay…”

“We need to get her to the school!” Mike turns back to Rikki. “We… we’ll do what we did with Clair! Is there a tarp in the back of the truck?”

Rikki stares sadly at him. “Mike… this isn’t like what happened with Clair—“

“We’re not gonna let her die!” He shouts.

Cathy lets out a choked cry, followed by a gasp of air. “M-Mike… p-please…”

She suddenly releases her neck and reaches for his pistol. Becca lets out a sob, dropping her head. Mike stares at Cathy, heartbroken as she pokes at it. She stares back with pleading eyes, gasping.

“She’s suffering.” Billie whimpers from behind him. He tries to hold himself together with an arm over Kenny’s shoulder as he can’t contain himself.

“I… I…” Mike looks to Becca, shaking his head as tears threaten his eyes. “She’s my best friend… I can’t… not to her.”

Becca nods. She wipes her eyes before running a hand through her hair. With a sniffle, she reaches to him. “Then I think I need you pistol now.”

He looks down at Cathy again as she takes his hand. He hands Becca the pistol. She looks down at her colleague, her friend, her mother. The woman takes her free hand in hers as well.

Chase grabs Spencer, Billie and Kenny, hugging them each and turning them around. Amber buries her face into Tobias’s chest and he holds her tight.

Becca takes one more shaky breath before pulling the trigger.

The school survivors watch in silence as the survivors return. No one asks questions. No one speaks. They see the one body and keep everything to themselves, watching as the survivors in Spencer’s group start moving the body.

After given a blanket to carry Cathy’s body, Spencer’s group starts heading to the gymnasium.

Clair pushes her way up front with Cal behind her. She sees who it is, staring in shock.

Seeing her friends in the crowd, Persey walks towards them. She turns back to look at Chase as he helps carry Cathy’s corpse. “Something really bad is going on.” She says to them. “I’ll explain inside, come on.”

“Mike? What happened out there?” Clair calls as she, Cal, Lorenzo and Kendall start to follow through the courtyard. “I swear, I didn’t know that any of them left until Mitch told me!”

Mike turns to her and stops her. “Please… just… I lost my best friend today. I need you to leave us be.”

He turns around and follows his group, Clair left with a hurt expression. Cal reaches to his mother. “Come on…” He whispers. “He’s just mourning.”

Karen watches with her arms crossed as Spencer’s group goes to the doors of the gym. Her son approaches behind her.

“What happened out there?” Alex asks.

“I’ll explain later. Long story short… you were right.” She says. “People are dangerous. This world… maybe it can’t be completely repaired.”

She then turns around. “But you’re wrong about them.” She steps closer to her son. “They easily could have left me to die today. But they didn’t. Because they’re apart of this group now.”

Her tone is harsher. Alex takes notice of this as he stares at his mother before she turns around. “Nadia, come with me.” She calls before looking back. “You too. I want you to see this.”

The three of them go inside the school and walk down the hall. Melissa is standing in front of one door when they approach. “No more guards for this door. Spread the word.”

Melissa looks confused but nods before walking away. Karen turns the handle and enters the dark room.

“Well, well… after so many days, she returns.” Maria says with a laugh. “What, did you miss me?”

The woman is bound to a chair, her hands cuffed behind her. Karen crosses her arms as Nadia closes the door behind her. The three stand before Maria.

“Not in the slightest.” Karen replies.

“Then what brings you here? Haven’t seen you since you locked me in here and let those outsiders in.”

Karen sighs. “I went out to see if this alliance was legit. That man, Dewey… he was wrong about them. They didn’t want one after all.”

Nadia lets out a disappointed sigh.

“But he was right about something else.” Karen continues. “There’s people dressing up as the dead to get around. They’re the ones who let the walkers in.”

Alex and Nadia both look at her with surprise. Maria even looks concerned herself.

“Denise and Tio were right to want to leave. We were never safe here.” Karen mutters. “I wish I worked alongside them instead of you.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Maria questions.

“I want you to know that we have a threat coming our way. The Skinners. I fought some with Spencer today. They killed Jim, Tara and Morris and one of Spencer’s group. And they’re deadly.” Karen steps forward, reaching to the back of her jeans. “And I’m planning on putting all my focus on them.”

She pulls out her pistol. Nadia and Alex both look surprised.

Maria gasps. “Karen—“

“You’re a threat. You tried to kill me the other day.” Karen says.

“Karen, don’t!” Maria begs.

“You killed my boy!” Karen points the pistol forward. “You’re against me.”

Maria tugs on the handcuffs frantically, staring at the barrel of the pistol. “Please, I’m sorry!”

“I’m not.” Karen says.

Bang!

Maria’s head whips back before falling forward, hanging lifelessly as blood begins to drip from the wound into her lap. Alex and Nadia both stare. Alex turns to his mother as she smirks at the woman who used to be her friend.

“I can’t have any threats inside these fences. There’s one outside already. And it’s big enough.” Karen says before turning around and exiting. “Get someone to take her outside.”

Nadia lets out a relieved sigh before turning. “Finally.” She follows Karen out. Alex just stares at the corpse before leaving as well.

Deaths

 * Ten Unnamed Skinners
 * Cathy Greer
 * Maria

Co-Starring

 * Austin Abrams as Jake Barley
 * Penn Badgley as Keegan
 * Karis Cameron as Morgan
 * Spencer MacPherson as Caleb
 * Bob Morley as Ethan Langer
 * Sara Paxton as Melissa
 * Cole Sprouse as Shaun
 * Amandla Stenberg as Jenni
 * Bella Thorne as Brie Dewolfe
 * Brenton Thwaits as Asher Romans

Uncredited

 * Gale Harold as Gale
 * Cate Blanchett as Female Skinner
 * Ryan Hurst as Shotgun Skinner

Trivia

 * This episode marks the return of Gale, who was last seen in the episode “Us, The World and The Dead.
 * Last appearance of Cathy Greer.
 * Last appearance of Maria.