"Alright, Ellie," Joel said, stopping them in a small clearing surrounded by trees. "We're done for the night."
Ellie stopped and stood still in the middle of the clearing.
Joel walked forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Ellie jumped at the contact and forced herself to relax. "Yeah," she whispered with a nod. "We should stop."
Joel let his hand drop and placed his backpack and guitar on the ground. "You can't keep running yourself this way, Ellie."
"I know," Ellie tried to explain as she moved her long hair out of her eyes. "I know I can't. But—"
Joel held up a hand. "I'm not mad, kiddo," he assured her. "But I know leaving him was hard and I… I've never seen you run like this before."
Ellie looked away for a moment and sat down. She pulled out her knife and started flipping it in her hand. After a few seconds, she sighed and looked at Joel. "I didn't think it would be this hard," she said.
The only light was that of the moon that shined above them.
Ellie pulled her sweater closer to her as a cool breeze swept through the clearing.
Joel sat down across from her and leaned forward. "Yes you did," he said gently.
"I guess I did," Ellie admitted with a sad smile.
"And I'm proud that you could let the kid go," Joel continued.
Ellie started to fidget with her necklace. "I just want to get back to Jackson. I feel that if I get there, I can find something to help me—"
"This is not something that you should have to move on from," Joel interrupted softly. He placed his hands together. "You both chose the paths that you felt you had to take. There's nothing wrong with that. But we also have to be realistic."
Ellie looked down. "I know I may never see him again," she said. She shrugged off her backpack and set down her guitar. "It doesn't make it any easier."
"I know," Joel said quietly.
There was a rustling in the bushes behind them.
Ellie looked with caution and a hint of hope.
A squirrel ran into the open and up a nearby tree.
Ellie looked away, disappointed.
Joel noted Ellie's reaction with regret.
"I'll take the first shift," Ellie said, grabbing her bow.
"No way," Joel said firmly. "You were up hours before I was and you've been doing this to yourself for a month and a half. I'll take the first watch."
"Bossy," Ellie grumbled. She sighed dramatically, put away her knife, and placed her backpack under her head. "Goodnight, Joel."
Joel smiled. "Goodnight, Ellie," he said as he made a small fire.
A few minutes later, Ellie was asleep, having allowed exhaustion to wash over her.
Joel reached into his backpack and grabbed out the chess set. He set up the pieces and played a game against himself. After yet another stalemate, Joel sighed and set up the next game.
The twig snapped a short distance away.
Joel stood and grabbed his gun as he heard the steps getting closer.
A few seconds later, a grey and white dog ran to him, dropping a squirrel.
The dog was followed by a young man.
…
Matthew kept his hands raised, unsure how Joel was going to react.
Joel grunted and lowered his weapon.
Matthew slowly lowered his hands. His gaze moved to the figure sleeping a few feet away from the campfire. Matthew looked back at Joel and cast his gaze down in a silent apology. After a few seconds, Matthew looked up.
Joel nodded and motioned to Ellie with his head.
Matthew dropped his backpack and moved past Joel who was scratching the dog, Winston, behind his ears. After a moment, Matthew turned around and placed the knight piece Joel had given him over a month ago back on the board.
Matthew walked over to Ellie and slowly knelt to the ground, finally lying beside her.
…
Ellie awoke to the sound of someone lying on the ground. She knew who it was. She didn't turn. She didn't even move. She just smiled and closed her eyes, falling peacefully asleep.
THE LAST OF US:
SURROGATE FATES
Jackson Life
