Atrax - The Last of Us
"So, are we just gonna sit around here all day or...?"
I kick an empty can that's lying on the cement floor, looking up at the two old farts that stand in the middle of the old, concrete warehouse, locked in a deep conversation.
After the whole hospital incident Joel decided we'd go back to Tommy's to stay there. Things are going well; I'm usually talking with other families whenever I'm not with Joel. I like him and all, but I can only stand being with him every so often.
"No, we'll go scavenging in a second. Tommy wanted to talk to me; alone." Joel dismisses me without any ease, emphasizing on the word 'alone' and shooing me out of the supply room while his little brother grins slyly.
"She's different from the other ones, I'll tell ya that." He stretches his back a little, a few cracking sounds can be heard while he relaxes again, standing in front of Joel.
Different? Yeah, okay.
"Yeah... Try taking her halfway across the damn country." Joel mutters, winking at me with a playful glint in his hazel eyes.
My heart thumps a little bit,
I stand there in disbelief, crossing my arms and sighing at him deeply. I made that journey memorable, and he knows it!
Oh you prick.
I roll my eyes at him.
"Pfft, whatever, don't act like you didn't enjoy it." I head towards the metal door that leads outside, watching them carefully so I can hide beside the shelf, peeking over the stocked cans.
Fuck that 'alone' shit, I wanna hear too!
A lot happened since I met Joel; all of the Fireflies got wiped out which completely ruined Marlene's original plan. Eventually we managed to find the new research facility but when we got there I don't remember anything... Joel said they had tons of people immune like me, so they didn't have to take samples. He didn't tell me much, and every time I bring it up he ignores me or gets angry. I trust him with my life, so why would he lie to me?
I stare at the two of them far off in the distance, suddenly Joel turns around and stares directly at me; he knows me so well.
Ah fuck...
"Hey! Get out. Don't think I don't see you there." He hollers, walking towards me with a stern expression on his face.
My heart races faster.
The adrenaline begins to flow through my veins a little; it's exciting to piss him off.
I smirk, dashing away from the shelf and through the metal door. Pretending that I'm leaving, when in reality; why the fuck would I do that?
"Yeah, you better run." He mutters to himself, turning around and heading back to Tommy who flashes him a smirk, anger is visible through his eyes so it must be serious.
I'm curious; obviously it's something important. Maybe we're short on supplies, or there's bandits running around, or maybe Marlene is coming back.
Whipping around, I catch the door before it fully closes, and I can hear their voices echoing off the huge warehouse's walls with such explosive tones.
"Well what the Hell was I supposed to do Tommy? By all means; tell me." Joel growls, getting fed up with his younger brother already.
"Oh! I don't know! Tell her the fuckin' truth?" Tommy reacts, agitated by Joel's words as he sharpens his knife against the stone on the workbench.
The truth? He did tell me the truth though, didn't he?
Intrigued, I sneak a little closer, hiding behind the fully stocked shelves in case I get caught. This happened fast, they were both content just a few minutes ago and now all of a sudden Tommy's at Joel's throat.
Joel paces around a little, listening to Tommy rant about their childhood and pre events that happened before the fungus mutated and started taking people's bodies, trying to bite his tongue so he doesn't snap at him.
Man, no wonder he never mentioned Tommy's existence around me until the last minute...
Joel never said he had a brother until we ran out of options, must have been some argument they had back then. Joel never spoke about it, it probably tore him apart.
I bite my lip, trying to hold back on saying things I'll regret before I get caught.
"That's wonderful Tommy, after all the shit I went through to keep us alive." Joel's clearly had enough, as he starts heading towards my direction to leave the room.
No no no, shit. Go back!
I silently plead, my heart picks up again watching his eyes glaze over where I am; not noticing me at all while he turns around again to face Tommy.
Thank fucking god…
A sigh of relief escapes from my lungs; that was a close one.
Tommy stops talking, hesitating a little bit while locking eyes with his older brother.
And it was getting good too!
I creep closer, stuffing myself into the tight places and still somehow manage to stay hidden by the massive shelves from the two so called "pros."
"Tell the fuckin' kid the goddamn truth." He simply states, looking Joel in the eye.
He avoids his gaze looking down at the ground, sighing a little.
"I can't. I just can't Tommy. I have no idea how she'll fuckin' react-"
"That's your fuckin' problem. You fuckin' said there were more people immune like her! The world could've been saved by now if that was the case! She's the only one Joel! She had to die-"
Those words pierce my heart fiercely, causing me to feel pain enough to burst into tears.
Is Tommy right…? I have to die to save these people…?
"Hey, don't you fuckin' say that." Joel glares at his little brother, while his expression grows as dark as the night. Tommy backs off a little, knowing he went a little too far this time.
W-what...? I wasn't expecting that at all.
My eyes water a little, trying to hold back the tears that begin to overflow in a matter of seconds.
The pain tightens deeply between my lungs, almost causing me to hyperventilate.
He... He lied to me...?
Over the past year since I've known Joel he's never lied to me about something as serious as this, so why did he now?
What was his reason to lie about this? What exactly happened back at the facility…?
I accidentally knock over a couple cans while trying to turn around, giving away my position. Both of them reach for their guns instinctively before realizing it's just me.
Fuck, it's too late now they see me.
"Shit. Ellie!" Joel's eyes widen while he starts heading towards me, slipping his gun back in the hostler while Tommy just looks the other way; knowing I heard every word they said to each other.
Would I even trust him again? Could I even trust him again? I don't even know…
I don't even know what to say either...
"I fucking trusted you Joel!" Without even thinking the words escape my lips; piercing his heart almost as much as Tommy's words shattered mine.
"Ellie..." His eyes widen, showing a hint of sorrow, which is a major first for him.
The tears stream down my face even faster; I wipe my sleeve across my eyes before bolting out of the room, knocking over the rest of the neatly stacked pile of cans. Tommy looks guilty, aware that he shouldn't have said that too loud.
"Fuckin' wonderful, Tommy." I hear Joel mutter under his breath, as he heads toward the metal door, with Tommy right behind him.
I fucking trusted him... I should've known it was too good to be true...
"Ellie!" I hear Joel holler, the sound of shoes pounding against the concrete isn't far behind either. I really wish they'd give up.
I need to get away... I need a place to think...
My heart stings with a burning pain, the tears continue to glisten in the corner of my eyes and trickling down my cheeks as my feet pound against the dirt. While taking off down the trail outside of the safe zone Tommy created. The path leads into the dense forest where I ran to last time; hopefully I don't find any unwanted visitors this time.
The warm sun brightens the dark atmosphere this "new" world is now trapped inside of, while the thick brush and leaves block most of the light out completely. The birds chirp throughout the trees, while the trickling sound of water moving downhill catches my attention.
The sound of the river flowing, there's a Ranch nearby where I ran to last fall. I think I still remember where it is...
Blinded by tears, and clouded thoughts I run down the steep, rocky terrain that descends quickly; using the river as my guide.
I still can't shake the feeling I felt when I found out he lied, he means a lot to me and to suddenly have that destroyed by this? Why can't I stop crying, I'm not like this at all…
I'm pretty sure there was a bandit camp nearby, at the bottom of this steep drop.
I don't really care at this point; I hope they moved on otherwise I'm fucked.
My heart pounds with a wildfire sensation, causing me to slow down a little with every step I take instead of throwing myself down the steep hill at full speed like I usually do.
"Ellie!" Off in the distance I can vaguely make out Joel's voice, shout a little louder why don't you? Attract some Clickers nearby and that'll help us out.
I need to keep going… They're close…
Gasping for breath, I push myself to my full speed; I'll do anything to escape the frantic shouts of Joel and Tommy as they try to chase after me down the steep, rocky incline.
Of all the people who could lie to me, I would never expect Joel to be one of them. Yeah, he's done far worse in his days; but lying to a fifteen year old about the cure? That's low.
I finally reach the end of the steep part, stopping for a minute and gasping for breath, looking around at the beautiful scenery. Enjoying how the sunlight flutters between the leaves of the trees and the sound of the birds almost makes me forget about the world's current state; infected.
It's so calm, and peaceful. Hard to believe the world's gone to shit sometimes.
I smile to myself; the water that trickles down the side of the cave-like rocks and glistens from the light and leaves a small watering hole that's neatly tucked away from plain sight.
My eyes widen a tiny bit, I haven't had anything to drink today.
It doesn't look dirty maybe I can drink some.
Crouching down near the edge of the water I scoop my hands in, bringing it to my mouth and drinking quickly. Constantly keeping an eye out for Joel and Tommy.
I don't hear them at all; did they give up or get attacked? Wouldn't surprise me if they got attacked; with Joel hollering my name.
Glancing upwards a little I notice a small shadow that disappears by the edge of the huge, steep drop. Causing me to panic a little.
Shit, what do I do now? It didn't look like Joel or Tommy, and if it were them they'd say something.
I reach for my knife that I usually keep by my side, only to find out that the one time I forget to take it; is when I need it the most.
Are you fucking kidding me? Shit, Joel's gonna drill me for this too.
I sigh deeply; well this is just fucking great.
Standing up, I wipe my sleeve across my mouth and I start heading over towards the collapsed mossy tree that blocks the path to the Ranch.
There was a small camp when I charged through riding Callus down here. But so far all I see is old rusty empty cans rolling around in the wind, and a ripped, dirty tarp that's beyond repairing. No sign of anyone living in here luckily.
Faintly, I can hear someone shouting my name again from far away. Will he ever just give up?
Taking one last look behind me and shaking my head slowly, I crawl over the fallen mossy log that blocks the overgrown path between the two massive boulders, still hearing their shouts from far away.
I really wish they'd give up. They're fucking nuts if they think I'll trust Joel again. Let alone go back there.
I deeply sigh, gasping for breath as I continue down the dirt road that has the Ranch in the far distance ahead, noticing some infected but they seem to be far off in the fields and don't really notice me at all.
The beautiful sunset slowly dips down into the horizon, splashing colours around with bright pink, purple and orange against the dark blue sky. The overgrown fenced in meadow lines the pathway towards the Ranch which seems empty up close, but far off into the distance, you can see slight movement.
If I'm the cure then I have to die to save everyone. I'm not quite sure if I'm ready for that now…
My feet crunch slightly against the crisp dirt road, keeping my eyes out for any visitors that could possibly kill me. The yelling stopped, which means they either gave up which is highly unlikely, or they were attacked. I hope they gave up.
I approach the entrance to the old, abandoned Ranch which seems to show no signs of life so far. The windows are boarded up so I can't really look inside; but judging from the amount of dust near the entrance I'd say there hasn't been anyone in here since I was in here last.
I should double check just to make sure…
Slowly peeking inside, I ignore the nagging feeling that keeps telling me I shouldn't be in here. The room is silent with an endless amount of dirt floating around the room through the sunlight beams that squeeze their way in through the broken wooden panels. The counter is completely covered in dust and a huge amount of dried blood. Judging by the smell someone must have died back there a long time ago. Wouldn't surprise me if the body's still there too…
"Creepy." I mutter to myself in the abandoned Ranch, walking slowly up the old, creaky steps towards the room I was in before.
It looks okay; I don't hear any sign of anything.
The hallway looks pretty empty, bookshelves collapsed over time; the walls are starting to break away and crumble, you know, that decrepit state of old buildings and such when they haven't been used or renovated in years, it's a shame this had to happen to everyone… Maybe Tommy's right.
Tears sting the corner of my eyes again, the thought of me having to die to save everyone is tough; but who else is going to do it? A strange scent circulates throughout the entire building, causing me to hesitate greatly.
There are spores in here, I think around the basement; if there's a basement.
I sniff the air; the spores have a weird fungal scent to them that smells rotten. Since I'm immune I can't really get sick. People that were first infected end up becoming spores and stuck to the walls, people infected over fifteen years ago become Bloaters, ten years is Clickers, and five years is Runners. And anything between now and five years are just crazy people with no humane instincts and fungus growing from their heads.
I thought being immune was a good thing; I can help get the cure and save all these people. So why didn't Joel go through with it? Yeah, I guess we didn't talk about it enough, but that's because I thought he was willing to...
I walk past one of the open rooms in the hallway; it looks like it once was a little girl's room of some sort. Stopping instantly I notice something odd about the room. Intrigued, I open the door a little bit; and nearly fall to the floor in shock.
A little girl, about nine or ten at the time with her corpse plastered against the wall while the fungus spreads out from her insides and continues to keep growing slowly from time to time is sitting in the corner of the room in front of her old toy horses. She has pictures all over the wall of her with friends and family, and pets as well.
A little girl…? Stuck like this forever…
"Shit…" I barely manage to speak; eventually I peel my eyes away from the little girl and slowly close the door behind me, standing there in the hallway with a really blank expression.
Joel had to see this all of the time, no wonder he's always so quiet and mean. I'd go insane if I had to keep seeing things like that every day, and even being with Joel and traveling across the country for about a year now I've already experienced enough. But last winter just goes to show that if I don't have Joel with me, I may as well be better off like that little girl; or worse.
My eyes grow heavy from crying earlier, while I slowly walk inside the room I was in before with the window ledge, a comfy bed, and a book shelf full of books about horses, and such.
This was the same room me and Joel had that argument in when I ran away the last time. He kept telling me I'd be better off with Tommy than him, and secretly he wanted to get rid of me all along… A lot's changed since then, huh?
I smile a little, whoever's room this once was they loved animals to death, I wonder if they were sisters before the infection broke loose.
Entering the room, I head straight for the bookshelf, skimming my fingers along the line of books picking out a book about spiders, considering I've already read the animal one before. I've never really seen any spiders bigger than four inches. Joel told me there used to be tons of huge creepy ones they used to sell at pet stores, and he owned one when he was a kid. Why would they give a kid a huge spider, who does that?
I take a seat on the ledge, trying to forget all about the lie Joel told me on our way back to Tommy's. Curling up on the window ledge overlooking the countryside I rest my head against the window, flipping through the pictures and looking at all of the different spiders.
Several minutes pass by, it's still awfully quiet. I thought they'd be right behind me but they gave up it seems.
I'll always be mad at Joel for lying to me; he probably killed the doctors and Marlene too...
I continue reading some panels of the book, fascinated by these huge, weird invertebrates that once existed.
They eat fungus huh? I guess we'll have to find some spiders then.
I smirk, glancing up at the corner of the room noticing two men awkwardly standing there, watching me quietly.
My heart jumps, they scared the shit out of me greatly.
Holy shit… Where did they come from? Are they friendly…?
The two men walk a little closer, their faces seem to be friendly but I met someone like that last winter… It didn't end well.
"What do you two want? Can't you see I'm trying to learn?" I wave the book a little while they stand there silently, not speaking a word.
That's odd…
I carefully close the book, leaving it on the cushion beside me while watching the two men slowly enter the room, with a smile on their face.
"Hey, my name's Dan and this is Elliot. And you are?" The bulkier one steps forward with a cheery expression and the other one just slumps back, avoiding my eye contact.
Okay then…?
"What the Hell do you guys want? I'm heading back now anyways; so if you could just- move a little, that'd be nice." Trying to not sound rude, I stand up from the comfy ledge, walking towards them in the doorway, but Dan or whatever his name was doesn't budge one bit.
"We were wondering if you had a group; good to know." He extends his hand out for a handshake; I just stare blankly at him for a long time.
They're not going to let me go easily are they?
"That's nice, I'm going now." I try to push past him, while he tenses up, not allowing me to leave the room.
"Dan you promised you would-" Elliot quietly protests, while he cuts him off with a threatening glare.
My heart panics again, what the fuck is happening here?
"Can I leave now?" I stand there impatiently. I don't have time for this it's getting dark; Joel's already going to give me an earful for running out this late.
"Sorry, I'm afraid that's out of the question; Ellie."
What the fuck?
"How the fuck do you know my name?" I shake off his arm that's now placed on my shoulder while he recoils back, looking a bit hurt.
"I watched you run from those two men I thought they hurt you, I killed off some of those damn infected that were close by so you wouldn't get hurt."
This guy's a load of shit.
"Thanks? I guess…"
They don't budge at all; Dan's cheery smile begins to fade, while Elliot grows a little worried.
W-what's going on…?
Confused, I try to push through again; I don't have my knife so I can't kill them. Besides, they might have a gun.
"Hey, what the fuck. Let me pass-" I try to push myself through for the third time; Dan grabs my shoulders without giving me a chance to say anything.
Alright, now I'm getting pissed off.
I shake off his hand easily, only to have him grip me even harder than before. Elliot looks down at the floor, not even going to consider doing anything.
Without thinking I reel my knee straight into his stomach, causing him to hunch over and let me go, kicking him with a shattering blow to the shin.
He yells in pain, before standing up again and smirking deviously.
Fuck, he's tough…
Usually that would knock any other person on the ground for at least a few more seconds, buying me time to escape. But he took it like a tank and just stood right back up again. What have I gotten myself into this time?
"Well, that wasn't nice-"
"Neither was fucking grabbing my shoulders." I shot back, growling almost.
His expression turns from sly, to anger in sheer seconds, grabbing my hair this time and instantly slamming me down on the hard floor.
Fuck…
The pain jolts through my entire body for a split second, and without a warning he starts slamming his steel toe boots into my ribs; repeatedly.
My ribs feel broken already, while my breath shortens into quick stabs of pain through my lungs. Taking the beating because I know he'll kill me otherwise. If only I remembered my knife…
"You don't leave unless I say so." He hollers, sending one final blow from his boot into the back of my head.
The pain shatters every single memory in my brain for a split second, my vision blurs and spits out two images of Dan grabbing me by the shoulders once again and throwing me down onto the bed that's across the room.
I don't have time to deal with this shit...
"W-what the fuck..." I cringe, holding my head while the black tunnel vision creeps up in my line of sight. He smirks slyly again, returning back to "normal."
No, I can't pass out now...
Elliot continues to look down at the floor; constantly keeping his eyes on the door as well. He clearly hates watching him do this, and judging by Elliot's behavior; I'm not the first.
"Well, well, well, guess I better invite my boys up here to have a little fun." He holds my flailing limbs down while crawling on top of me grinning sadistically.
Okay, think Ellie. What can I use as a weapon?
My eyes dart around the room, there's nothing in sight that I can use to kill him, if only I could free one of my hands.
"Elliot, get the rest." He turns to the other guy, who nods his head silently, looking at me with sad eyes while he heads out of the room quietly.
"Oh fuck you too!" I call after him; Dan cracks me in the back of the head again with his hand, causing my vision to go blurry again.
The ringing echoes even louder, this blow was way worse than the first one.
Enough with hitting my head!
My flailing is useless, but I continue to try to squirm free from his impossibly strong grip.
"Been awhile since I met a girl-"
"I wonder fucking why." I spit in his face, regaining enough of my senses back to know that he wants to rape me.
Flashbacks from when David tried to do the same thing, except I didn't let him get that far. This guy's way stronger than David ever was and refuses to even budge a little. This can't be good.
Just my fucking luck, the second Joel shows up he'll drill me about this too.
He wipes his face with his sleeve, growling and grabbing at my legs that are kicking at him, leaning over me with his hands pinning down my wrists.
"You're a feisty one aren't you? I don't mind that..."
One of his fingers trail along the skin around my neck, touching my lips softly. I bite down on his finger, almost ripping it off while he recoils back in pain and shock, angrily striking me again with his hand.
"Let's try that again shall we?"
He avoids my lips this time, trailing his gross fingers down my chest, hesitating there a little before he dips down lower.
"Get – your – fucking – hands – off – of – me !" I squirm, and flail. If I can get just one fucking hand free this fucker would be done...
He snickers madly, undoing his belt first and unzipping his pants before he attempts to undo mine.
For fuck's sake he really is going to try.
Losing my strength by the second, my arms grow weak, too sore to move. Knowing that he's won the fight he pushes himself right into my body, with his face inches away from mine.
"Once they all come up the stairs it'll be game over for you, missy."
"Yeah, okay." I try biting his nose off while he quickly dodges that one, smirking again while trying to get inside of me.
"So predictable." He sneers,
Footsteps can be silently heard upstairs, Dan smirks even more, knowing that his group will be here soon.
"Here they come." His grin grows even wider.
Great, the rest of the fucking crew is here too.
"Get – off –" My lungs hurt too much to force out any more air.
He snickers wickedly.
"Why would I do that?-" He was cut off by the sound of someone grabbing his neck, and ripping him off of me with such force.
"What the fu-" He barely manages to speak, gasping for breath and choking under the pressure on his thoat.
"Because I'll shoot your fuckin' dick off if you touch my girl again."
Joel...?
Joel's voice is dark, and it silences Dan's once cocky attitude. Flinging him to the floor, Joel glances up at me; with his eyes piercing into my soul.
I knew you'd come...
"Oh thank god, Joel-" I breathe easily, relaxing a little on the bed while Joel forces him back down on the hard ground.
"I took care of your little friends downstairs too." He starts beating him with the handle of his gun until his face is a bloody mess, kneeling down and slamming his fist into his face with sheer force. While Dan just lays there; grinning.
Joel...
I sit up, watching Joel beat the shit out of this crazy motherfucker. Blood splatters everywhere with every blow Joel delivers, and Dan's grin just grows even wider.
More footsteps approach the room, causing me to look up.
Tommy's here too? I thought he was mad at Joel…
"Well, there's no stoppin' him now."
Tommy sneers, standing in the doorway. Leaning against the frame and watching Joel beat the shit out of the bandit. Not doing anything to control him at all.
He continues to keep beating him relentlessly, his face is completely soaked in blood; I can't even tell if he's alive anymore.
I think he's had enough...
All though Dan deserves this to happen to him, Joel will kill him if he doesn't stop.
I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, about to stop Joel from going any further, when suddenly;
"Don't you ever, ever fuckin' touch her again." Joel reaches for his gun at his side and fires a bullet straight into Dan's groin, Dan screams in agony while Joel looks over towards me; ignoring his screaming and the bloody mess he's left on the floor.
"Shit Joel-" I compliment him, completely forgetting about the whole "he doesn't deserve to die" argument I had in my head. I was cut off by his menacing angry hazel eyes.
"And you." He began, walking towards me very darkly. Still ignoring Dan's screaming in the background while Tommy shakes his hand doubtfully, glancing down at Dan and cringing a little.
Uh oh...
I brace myself, Dan got off easy with Joel's temper; and now it's my turn.
"Don't you ever fuckin' run away like that again Ellie!" He growls, stopping at the side of the bed, hesitating on what he should do to me for a punishment.
So it's my fault all of this happened? If you didn't lie to me I wouldn't have run away.
"Yeah, okay. Like you're any better-" I roll my eyes at him, crossing my arms and matching his angry eyes with mine.
"You could have gotten killed! Or worse-" He began.
"Oh it's my fault you lied to me too I take it?" I shot back, while Tommy's had enough of Dan's annoying cries and fires another bullet at him in the head to silence his screaming before he alerts any unwanted visitors.
Joel hesitates, ignoring Tommy's actions and knowing that I was right.
Yeah fucking got you now.
He takes a breath, calming down a little.
"I lied to protect you-"
"I'm the fucking cure Joel! If I need to die to save these people then I will-" I protest, it wasn't his decision; it was mine, and still is!
"Well I won't fuckin' allow it Ellie!-"
"Why Joel? By all fucking means, why?-"
I was cut off by Joel grabbing my face gently with both hands, and pressing his soft lips against mine. Silencing my words and leaving me speechless.
My heart stops. Picking up the pace again as it matches the speed of his.
I thought Joel wanted me gone? And now this...?
Tommy drops his jaw in the process, hesitating on whether or not he should say something about what's happening right now.
Joel breaks away, inches from my face; trying to hide his small smile.
"That's why. Now get your ass movin', there's Clickers in the basement that we "accidentally" released." He offers his hand to me, pulling me up to my feet off of the bed.
Did Joel just...?
Confused I follow him quickly towards the door, Tommy stops him with a really awkward look.
"She's fifteen Joel, what the fu-"
"Shut the Hell up Tommy; it's complicated." He walks past Tommy and starts to quietly head into the hallway; waiting for us near the edge of the stairs because of the noise of the Clickers downstairs on the main floor where we entered the building lets us know that it's not going to be easy to escape.
"You can say that again..." I mutter, walking past Tommy who sighs deeply, shaking his head. Shutting the door behind us, he quickly catches up; glancing down the stairs.
"Well, this'll be fun." He smirks, reloading his rifle and giving Joel the signal to head downstairs first.