Disclaimer: Last of Us is not ours to claim. Characters who shall be appearing are owned by Sharpshot and Silent.


6 years after the Pandemic Apocalypse

Dark brown orbs appeared from heavy eyelids, adjusting to the darkness, blinked a few times until a faint light from the opened door came to image. He groaned lightly, shifted to turn and pulled himself up to sit. His groggy eyes irritated, slow to adjust to the light, he gently balled it with his fists, brushing his messy, dark blonde hair back, he heard sluggish footsteps coming along with a shadow.

His eyes stood still, waiting for the figure to appear, there was no anxiety, no instincts to tell him to run or find something to defend himself. For a ten year old boy, there was nothing to think about.

"Mom?" He called, with a hint of annoyance.

"Did I wake you?" The figure appeared, speaking softly. "Sorry honey." She gently smiled, approaching his son. The little boy yawned and shook his head, the mother held his little wrist, and kissed his forehead. "Go back to sleep." She tucked him in and closed the door, letting no light come in to distract him.

Still wide-eyed, no intention of going back to sleep he tossed and turned, looking up at the window which drawn in the moonlight. He stared. Walls. There were only walls and darkness. What was beyond those?

"Can't sleep?" Beside his bed, there was another. Of course, it was occupied. He turned to a boy almost eight years older than him, brown eyes and blonde hair lighter, slender body that was facing him. He shook his head."Come here Ethan." He snickered, patting the space infront of him. Without hesitation, Ethan pulled out from his bed, and jumped into his brother's bed, he always liked his bed, he was more comfortable in it. He curled up into a C, feeling the warmth of the man beside him.

"Did Ma woke you up again?" He scooted to give Ethan more room. He shrugged. "..Guess so."

"Meh, she seems to act like a zombie in the middle of the night." He rolled his eyes. Was it in a tone of sarcasm, or warning? I wonder, to little Ethan, what was his interpretation to it?

He lifted his chin up, staring at his half-splitting image of his older self. "..What?" Eyebrows raised at his young version skeptically.

"Erick." He pulled himself to his stomach. "..What does the outside looks like?" Full of innocence, his eyes glittered as it hits the light drawn in from the window. Erick's eyes was locked at him for a while, blinking, eyes lingering away from him, the question sinking in.

"Have you been to the outside?" Ethan shot up from his comfy position, intrigued.

"What was it like?" Gaining no response, he asked again. Erick sat up and stiffled a laugh fakely, he brought his finger to his chin.

"Just go to sleep."

"But-"

"Na-uh." Erick stopped him from speaking another word. He turned to the other side of the room, turning his back from the light and Ethan, who frowned and put his weight on him.

"Sleep." He groaned and spoked slowly, Ethan rolled over infront of his brother, once again calling for his attention,

"I want to go outside Erick." His voice low, but sincere. Full of determination, full of excitement, motivated. It was beautiful, such innocence gave Erick the nostalgia of being a child. Promising, but too pitiful.

Too pitiful.

Erick sigh, opening one eye to peek at his brother hesitantly. Of course-just as he expected- that adorable expression. Crap.

"The day after tomorrow." He's bound to know it anyway.

"Huh?"

"In two days.." He said closing his eyes firmly. "We'll go outside."

"You serious?!" He jumped up, pulling his face close go Erick's face. "Sweet!" He jumped off the bed, and rushed to a corner where he rummaged through a bag noisly that Erick forced himself up.

"I thought I told you to go to-" Ethan yawned, taking an image of his little brother, with a bright smile, hooked his bag on his shoulders. It was just like a little boy excited for school.

"Erick! I already got these bags, the other kids were talking about it, you need bags when you go outside, I don't know what to put in it but food is a good one.." He kepts talking, his brother reaching the bag on his back. "I also think H-Hey!" His backpack was yanked, dragging him along.

"Woah, woah, woah." Ethan fell sitting between Erick's legs, the bag zipped open. "Where'd you get this? And what nonsense are the kids telling nowadays?" Erick interrogated, still rummaging through the back. He found a pack of matches, scrunched up food, an old toy car with only two wheels left on each side.

"Let go!" Ethan loosened and got away from the bag's grip and took it from Erick's hands.

"Ethan, there's more to than just packing food and toys while outside..." his voice turning low and stern.

"I know." Even though he doesn't. "I'll be with you anyway." He was aware of his tone of voice, he was serious and worried. He'd at least acknowledge that.

Erick, sighed in defeat, though that as true, he was not fully certain he could really do it. "Alright, go to bed. Sleep. Now." He said going back under the sheets. "We'll talk about it tomorrow." He yawned again. Ethan put down his bag, joining him in his bed, snuggled up on each other giggled as he got a noggie from him.

He was excited. He'll get to see it. The outside everyone was talking about. He had this satisfied expression on his face, he's ready. Giddy as a boy going to his first day of school. If only that were the case, that he'd be normally attending school, normally hanging with the other kids, naturally seeing the outside. Erick thought, sighing deeply.

If only.

He looked down at Ethan, now heavily asleep, his breathing having heard loud and clear. How peaceful it was to hear it.

Having to be the family that was assigned to be relocated duty outside. It was fine to him, it'd be a nice change to see green, or see what it was like after that Day. Also scared to face those creatures outside, to be one of them.

To be one of the Infected.

He shook his head. No, that won't happen. It won't.

It was a pain to see his bright expression changed-into traumatized, disappointed and pained. To let him see the truth of this cruel world we lived in.

"It won't." He murmured, He still has a day to get Ethan, and himself, ready.

END OF PROLOGUE PART 1

Author and Co-Author's Note:

Silent: First of all, I'm very thankful you have reached this far to actually finished it. Hooray from a boring-proof story!
Second, this is a OC-centered story if you still haven't noticed. It is in the actually time of the story, but in another's life journey throughout the apocalypse.
Third, this game/movie is freaking awesome. I'm not a particular gamer, but seriously. This is awesome.

Also, there are two authors of this, collaboration to be exact. Me, Silent who owns this account, and my dear brother, who will go by the name Sharpshot. (pfft./slapped) Both work together and own some characters who shall be appearing, just like Ethan and Erick. if you got questions, ask us. Either me or him, you choose.

So I guess he'll be having to say something?

Sharpshot: Yes so first of all thanks for the like and support for our first chapter. This is such an exciting experience for me since this is my first fan fiction and hopefully will push on thru. We will do our very best to make atleast a chapter a week depending on ratings so yeah oh and btw if youre rich get the game "The last of us" im telling you it is worth it I myself is a gamer but sadly not really good with finance so yeah it's a game that will change your life. So yeah that's all

We`ll be expecting reviews, I'll appreciate it so much if you do, i would love to hear what you guys say on this. Follow, to know Ethan's fate. Favorite if you enjoyed it. Brofists from both of us to the bros out there.

Who knows? You, or your oc could join this epic journey.

~Until the next update. :)