Around Every Corner (Remake)

**"Around Every Corner"** is the fourth episode of *Season 1: Remake* of *Strain Zero*, the remake of *The Walking Dead by EDStudios.* It is the fourth episode of the series overall.

## Plot

*Port Collier – the city of the dead. The Clarkson Survivors have arrived…and a simple misunderstanding will escalate into a battle to survive.*

## Synopsis

The group wake up on the train and meticulously pack up their remaining supplies with few words exchanged between them. After a final check, the group abandons the train for good.

Keeping in a close formation, the group descends into the city's outskirts, only to find them completely empty and abandoned. Heading deeper, they finally come to the city proper, also eerily quiet. They slowly begin seeing evidence of military activity: abandoned vehicles and equipment, as well as bullet casings and notes.

While arguing about whether to stop and rest, the group are ambushed by a large, armed group that surrounds them. The group is introduced to their leader, Francis, who mocks their mission to find a safe have and demands that they accompany his people back to their community, Hopeville, claiming that is the only safe-zone in the entire city that remains. The group are saved by an unseen figure, who gives them cover with homemade smoke grenades. In the ensuing shootout, Aaron is shot in the leg but Henry is able to shoot Francis in the ear. Moving through several burnt houses, the group makes a run for it, ending up at a sealed-up bar, where they find a reanimated group who poisoned themselves with tainted beer.

Having made camp in the basement, the group debates their next move. Deciding to get out of Port Collier, Aaron suggests that they instead take a boat from the port and sail across the narrow portion of water to Michigan. With little choice, the group agree and Henry and Holly decide to head out.

Down at the docks, they find a single small cruising boat remaining that appears to be undamaged; a quick check reveals that both the gas tank and battery are empty. Henry's efforts to start the engine draw in several clusters of walkers that block the way that they came. Henry and Holly end up cornered in an ally with crowds of dead reaching for them, and they solemnly prepare to say goodbye. At that moment, something disperses the walkers and begins cutting away at them from the back of the cluster; the figure emerges and is revealed to be the cloaked swordsmen that saved them earlier. Calling himself Shadowman, the swordsman guides them back to the bar through the sewers, navigating in the dark by clicking his tongue and feeling the rough walls. He reveals he grew up in Port Collier and encountered Francis and his goons before the outbreak.

Arriving back at the bar, Henry and Holly introduce Shadowman to the group and tell them of their discovery at the docks. The group debate where they could find fuel and a battery, as well as medical supplies for when Jess goes into labour. Deciding that they cannot confront Hopeville directly, James proposes that they sneak into the community and steal what they need, and Shadowman - revealing himself to be completely blind - says that he can guide them to the community via the sewers using echolocation.

That night, they navigate the sewers and infiltrate the community, deciding to split up to find the stuff they need. Alex and Shadowman find fuel for the boat, during which time Shadowman reveals that his fellow orphans were killed by Hopeville soldiers.

Holly and James search for medicine, where Holly discovers military documents revealing that zombification occurs whether or not the victim has been bitten, and that the disease appeared to mutate early in the outbreak meaning that it no longer kills those who reach a certain age threshold. Meanwhile, James confronts Francis' lieutenant Gregory, who convinces James to let go of his morality; James lets Gregory go and subsequently tries to assault Holly.

Henry and Justinas break into a metal works to steal a battery. Aaron and Liam keep watch from a guard post.

With the supplies collected, the group tries to sneak out, but they are caught by Francis and his people, who were alerted by Gregory. Before they can be killed, however, an bomb set by Shadowman destroys the main wall of the community, allowing a massive herd to enter Hopeville and massacre the residents. In the chaos, Alex is shot in the neck and Liam is presumed killed, and a vengeful Henry joins Shadowman in attacking Francis. Henry shoves Francis down an elevator shaft and the group leaves, with Shadowman departing soon after. As the ruins of Hopeville smoulder, Francis is revealed to be alive when he climbs out of the shaft, bruised, bloody and angry.

## Characters

#### Main

* Henry Edwards
* Holly Parker
* James Cottingham
* Justinas Garin
* Aaron Bailey
* Alex Sutton
* Jess Black
* Emma Goode

### Supporting

* Liam
* Francis
* Shadowman

## Deaths

* Alex Sutton - shot in the neck by a Hopeville soldier
* At least 7 unnamed Hopeville residents

## Trivia

* First appearance of Francis
* First appearance of Randall
* First appearance of Gregory
* First (and last) appearance of Shadowman
* Last appearance of Liam