Chronicles of the Apocalypse: Reckoning (2022)

Chapter 19: Grand Finale

At the survivors hideout, Cassandra is rubbing her temple of her wound, as James is next to her putting his hand on her shoulder when Kyle walks into the room. Cassandra looks up as the rest of the survivors give looks, knowing what has happened. Kyle, Shawn and Sarah walk to the corner.

Kyle: He ran and wouldn't stop.

Sarah: Shit.

Shawn: Does this change things for you?

Kyle: It has to.

Sarah looks back at the Taker hostages.

Sarah: Maybe.

Kyle: Sarah, she said our plan won't work. The guy who went along with it is dead. We should consider rethinking this.

Shawn: Yeah, but they also said Dodge didn't have much love for him. Maybe you did Dodge a favor.

Kyle: You think they'll play ball?

Sarah: Let's find out.

Kyle, Shawn and Sarah approach the Taker hostages.

Iris: He was a good man.

Iris looks up at Kyle.

Iris: He was killed by Rat-claws while on patrol. Saw the whole thing.

Kyle stares at Iris for a moment, before speaking.

Kyle: You're a damn good liar. I'll give you that.

Iris: We're out of options here. He was killed by Rat-claws. That's the story.

Shawn: You just said the trade was a shitty plan. What changed your mind?

Iris: Tristian was our shot at getting your friend back peacefully. So it's this or you people go in guns blazing, right? You don't want that and neither do we.

Sarah: If this is some fucking bullshit story you're just spitting and things get bad--

Iris: I swear to God, I didn't know. Some of the Takers....we all just want to survive. Let us help you.

Kyle turns to Leon.

Kyle: How about you, man? You're not speaking much. Do you want to live?

Leon sighs.

Leon: Dodge is afraid of looking weak in front of us. His daughter is that weakness. He'll see this trade as a rip-off if he thinks you killed one of our guys...which you just did....but like Iris said, Tristian was killed by Rat-Claws.

Kyle turns back to Shawn and Sarah as the three nod to each other. Back at Taker base, Dodge talks into the radio, attempting to contact Tristian, Iris and Leon. Caleb is in the room with him.

Dodge: Tristian, Iris, where are you guys? I need status on what's happening in Slaver territory. Leon? Does anyone copy? Fuck...

Caleb: Something wrong?

Dodge sets the radio down.

Dodge: They don't always radio back and it drives me nuts.

Caleb looks at a picture of a younger Dodge, a woman and a little girl.

Caleb: Is this you and your family?

Dodge sighs.

Dodge: Yeah...

Caleb: Hmm...they still...?

Dodge: No...I guess I should tell you.....my wife....she died....was killed my bandits. My people risk their lives every time they go out there. My wife, daughter and I at the time. We were running low on food. My daughter was just a baby at the time. She went out on a run for food...by herself and was caught by these bandits. They tortured her. Raped her....eventually killed her. I set out to find them, but it was too late. Caleb, when you're the leader of a group like the Takers, you don't need love or liking...but you have to have these people's respect. Otherwise, people rebel and people rebel. People die.