It is a hot afternoon. Lee Everett sits in the back of a police car. A metal grate separates him from the front seat. His hands are handcuffed in front of him.

  Lee looks out the window. The highway is blurring by. He glances at the rearview mirror and sees the police officer driving the car watching him.

  "Well," the officer says. "I reckon you didn't do it, then."

  Lee looks up. "Why do you say that?"

  "I've driven a bunch of fellas down to this prison," the officer says. "Lord knows how many. Usually, about now, I get the 'I didn't do it.' Or 'My lawyer will handle this.' But you? You haven't said a word."

  Lee leans back against the leather seat. He looks tired. "I don't have much to say."

  "Suit yourself," the officer says. "But I know who you are. Lee Everett. University professor. You killed that state senator."

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  Lee stays silent. It's true, but it was an accident.

  "Y'know," the officer continues. "Regardless of what you did, once you walk through those prison gates, your life is over."

  Suddenly, the police radio crackles loudly.

  "...All units... panic in the city... 10-33... riots reported..."

  The dispatcher sounds terrified. She is screaming about violence in Atlanta.

  "What is that about?" Lee asks.

  "Probably just some mess in the city," the officer says dismissively.

  A police helicopter roars overhead. It is flying very low and very fast toward Atlanta. The noise shakes the car.

  "Man," the officer says, turning his head completely away from the road to watch the helicopter. "I've never seen them scramble that many birds before. Something big is happening."

  "Watch out!" Lee yells.

  The officer turns back, but it is too late. A person is standing dead center in the middle of the highway.

  CRASH.

  The car hits the person at full speed. The windshield shatters. Blood sprays across the glass. The car spins out of control. It smashes through the metal guardrail, flips over, and tumbles down a steep hill into the forest below.

  Everything goes black.