The Last of Us: Surviving

The Last of Us belongs to Naughty Dog the only thing that belongs to me is the OC

Chapter 1

Ethan is a 14 year old boy and the nephew of Tess, who has been taking care of him for the past 6 years. He has longish brown hair with brown eyes, he's wearing a hoodie with an undershirt and jeans along with a pair of sneakers, all dirty and worn out. He was staying with Joel since Tess is out

Bang!

Bang!

"Coming!" said Ethan

Bang!

"Aunt Tess! Seriously I'm coming!" said Ethan

He opens the door and a woman who looked just like him (both sharing a hardened yet friendly looking face) walked in. She went to the kitchen and poured herself a drink

"Hey Joel! Aunt Tess is here and she looks pretty beat up." said Ethan

Joel grumbles that he's getting up

"How was your morning, Ethan?" said Tess

"Boring I guess… yours looks like it was pretty interesting." said Ethan indicating the cuts and bruises

"Yeah, I suppose it was. Lord… we really need to cut that hair." said Tess commenting on Ethan's hair

"What's wrong with it?" asked Ethan touching his hair

"It's getting too long is what." said Tess pulling on a strand

Just then Joel enters

"Want one?" asked Tess indicating her drink

"No, I don't... want one." said Joel

"Well, I have some interesting news for you." said Tess

"Where were you, Tess?" said Joel cutting Tess off

"West End district. Hey, we had a drop to make." said Tess

"WE. We had a drop to make." said Joel

"Yeah, well, you wanted to be left alone, remember?" remarked Tess

Ethan started padding Tess's wounds with a rag

"Well, you could have taken him with you." said Joel looking at Ethan

"I wouldn't want him getting hurt." said Tess

"The boy can handle himself... mostly." said Joel and receives a look from Tess

Joel just signs and changes the subject

"So, I'll take one guess. The whole deal went south, and the client made off with our pills. Is that about right?" said Joel

"Deal went off without a hitch. Enough ration cards to last us a couple of months easy." said Tess throwing some ration cards on the table

"Where's the part where… this happened." said Ethan indicating her cuts and bruises

"I was on my way back here, and I got jumped by these two assholes alright? Yeah, they got a few good hits in. But... Look, I managed. But that doesn't matter what does matter is that Robert sent them." explained Tess

"Our Robert?" asked Joel

"Yeah, he know we're after him." said Tess

"Son of bitch is smart." remarked Ethan

They both gave him a look mostly Tess

"Excuse me?" said Tess

"What? It's the truth." said Ethan

"No, it's not and watch your language." said Tess giving Ethan a glare who just raised his hands in surrender

"You know where he's hiding?" asked Joel

"Old warehouse in Area 5… can't say for how long, though." responded Tess

"Well, I'm ready now. Yeah?" said Joel

"Oh, I can do now." said Tess

"Cool me too." said Ethan

Tess gave him a look

"No." said Tess

"Come on! I can't stay hold up forever, no one stays a kid forever in this world. Besides I've gone out with Joel a couple of times." said Ethan

"Kid's got a point." said Joel earing him a glare

"Fine, but you stay behind me and do what we say when we say." said Tess

"Is that the best I'm gonna get?" asked Ethan

"Take it or leave it." said Tess

"Then I'll take it." said Ethan shrugging

The trio left the apartment and began navigating the city

"The checkpoint's still open." said Tess

"Only got a few hours left until curfew." said Joel

"We better hurry up then." said Ethan

"Attention. Citizens are required to carry a current ID at all times. Compliance with all city personnel is mandatory." said the loudspeaker

"Look at that. Ration line hasn't opened yet. Must be running low again." said Tess

"Seems like more people are gettin' infected." said Ethan

"That just means more people are sneakin' out." said Joel

"I got us all new papers. They shouldn't give us any static up there. Just play it cool." said Tess as they were nearing the checkpoint

"Please, I'm the definition of cool." said Ethan

Tess just scoffs and ruffles his hair

"Let me see you're IDs." said the guard when they approached the checkpoint

"There you go." said Joel as he hands the Guard they're IDs

"What's your business here?" said the guard

"Got the day off. Visiting a friend." said Joel

"Alright, move on through." said the guard

"Thanks." said Joel

As soon as they enter an explosion occurs causing all of them to stumble back with Ethan nearly falling

"Fireflies!" screamed a guard

The trio then ran into an apartment to take refuge in

"Fuck... so much for the easy route. Patch yourself up, alright?" said Tess to Joel

"Are you alright?" said Tess to Ethan

"Yeah, I'm good." said Ethan reassuringly

"They're gonna close all the checkpoints. We're gonna have to go around the outside." said Tess

"Outside the wall?" asked Joel

"Or we could just let Robert go." suggested Tess

"Cute." said Joel

They enter an ally

"Hey Tess, you see that shit?" said a man

"I was there. Hey, how's the east tunnel looking?" asked Tess

"It's clear. I just used it. No patrols. Where you off to?" asked the man

"Gonna pay Robert a visit." answered Tess

"You too?" replied the man

"Who else is looking for him?" asked Tess

"Uh, Marlene. She's been asking around, trying to find him." answered the man

"Marlene? What do the Fireflies need with Robert?" asked Tess

"You think she'd tell me?" asked the man

"Well, what did you tell her?" asked Tess

"The truth. I got no idea where he's hiding." answered the man

"Good man. Hey, you stay outta trouble, alright? Military's gonna be out in force soon." said Tess

"Yeah… see you around." said the man

The trio then walk away and start talking once more

"Marlene lookin' for Robert? What do you make of that?" said Tess

"I don't like it. We better find him before the Fireflies do." said Joel

They then enter an apartment

"This is us." said Tess

"Hey guys. How's it going?" said a man

"Shit's stirring up out there? How we lookin' over here?" asked Tess

"Ah, it's been quiet. No signs of military or infected." said the man

"That's what I like to hear. Joel, Ethan, give me a hand with this." said Tess

They move an entertainment center that hides tunnel access.

"Y'all take it easy out there." said the man

They all jump down

"Agh, this place reeks. They need to watch what they throw away down here." said Tess

Tess then go and turns on the generator

"Let there be light. Let's grab our gear. Our backpacks are still here from last time." said Tess

"Not a lot of ammo." said Joel when he picked up his stuff

"You can take mine." offered Ethan since his gun is the same as Joel's

Joel was about to take before Tess spoke up

"Ethan." said Tess

"Yes, Aunt Tess?" said Ethan

"How'd you get a gun?" asked Tess

"I found it?" said Ethan

Tess looks to Joel

"I might have given him one…" said Joel

"What?" said Tess

"Hey, Aunt Tess it's nothing to get worked up over. Joel said it's only for emergencies." said Ethan trying to defend Joel

"It better be, keep your ammo just in case something does happen." said Tess

"Well, better make your shots count." said Ethan to Joel

"That's real funny coming from you." said Joel with a chuckle as he walked away

Ethan grumbled to himself and went over to Tess and Joel

"Alright, Texas. Boost me up. You ready?" asked Tess to Joel

"Yes, ma'am." said Joel

He then lifts up Tess and does the same for Ethan

"C'mon." said Tess

Tess and Ethan pull him up over the wall and they exit into an old shop

"Go on you two." said Joel in regards to the wooden plank he just held up

"Got it." said Tess and Ethan who held the plank so Joel could climb up

They then put the cover over the hidden exit

"Be careful." said Joel when putting down the cover

"When am I not?" asked Tess

Joel just scoffs while Ethan chuckles behind his hand

"That a trick question?" asked Joel

They then walk into an overgrown suburb

"Ain't been out here in a while." remarked Joel

"It's like we're on a date." said Tess

"Well I am the romantic type." said Joel

"You got your ways." said Tess

"Get a room you two." said Ethan which earned a chuckle from Joel and Tess

"Where's the ladder?" asked Tess

"It's gotta be around here somewhere. Got it." said Joel

"Great. Bring it over." said Ethan

"Ladies first." said Joel to Tess

"Lady? You must be thinking of someone else." said Tess with a smirk

"It's all relative." said Joel also with a smirk

"God, I'm going to puke." muttered Ethan

They all climb into the old apartment complex

"This way. Down through here. You think Robert's still got our guns?" said Tess

"It's doubtful, from what I've heard of Robert." said Ethan

"For his sake...he better." muttered Joel

"Look, once we get our merchandise back, it should be easy to unload." said Tess

"Speaking of merchandise…" said Joel but is interrupted by Ethan

"Please no more flirting…" begged Ethan

"That wasn't what I meant, I was gonna say when's the next shipment due?" said Joel

"Well, we're meeting Bill next month, more pills, lots of ammo, supposedly." said Tess

"Yeah, well he always shows up with somethin'. Should keep us busy for a while." said Joel

While walking they find a passage filled with fungal spores. The three of them put gas masks on

"Hold up. Spores." Said Tess

"Where the hell are all these comin' from? Place was clear last time." said Joel

"They must be coming out of something... or someone." said Ethan

"Stay alert." said Tess

While moving through the passage they find a body on the floor with spores coming out of it

"There's the culprit." said Ethan walking closer to the body

"Body's not that old. Better keep your eyes and ears open." said Tess

"Ethan, get away from that thing." said Joel

"What? I'm not gonna touch it, just wanna get a closer look. You know if the world didn't turn to shit… I mean crap, I think I would've become a biologist or something." said Ethan

"That so?" asked Tess

"Yeah, this stuff is interesting." said Ethan

"Well come on, we should be able to fit through here. Oh, shit." said Joel when the roof partially collapsed

"You okay?" asked Tess

"Yeah. Damn ceiling's falling apart. Be careful. This way. Easy..." said Joel as they all slid through

While sliding through the crack an infected person grabs Joel's leg

"Help me... My mask broke. Don't... don't leave me to turn. Please." begged the infected person

"What you want to do?" asked Tess to Joel

Joel pulls out his handgun and shoots him in the head

"Poor guy." muttered Ethan

They heard a noise in front of them

"Up ahead. You hear that?" said Tess

"Shh, shh, shh." mumbled Joel

"How you wanna handle it?" whispered Tess

Joel turns to Ethan and motions for him to follow, Ethan turns to Tess to see if it's okay with her. She thinks for a moment and decides he needs to learn this kind of stuff, so she motioned him to follow Joel

"Hey, you see it right there." whispered Joel pointing at the infected near them

"Kinda hard not to." whispered Ethan

"See what I do, then do it to the one over there." whispered Joel pointing to the other one

"Okay, got it." whispered Ethan

Joel went up behind the infected and started strangling it till it went limp, Ethan moves to the other one and dose the same. They continue to that to every infected in their area

"Alright, that's all of 'em." said Tess

"Let's hope so." said Joel patting Ethan on the shoulder which caused Ethan to smile under his gas mask because he secretly looked up to Joel

"Let's head back into the city." said Tess

They leave the infested passage and back to the outside

"Ahhh...some fresh air. That's the one thing I love about the outside. Fuckin' hate the smell of the city." said Tess

"Why don't you ask Bill to get you some of them air fresheners?" asked Joel

"That'd be a good idea…" said Tess

"If they weren't expired." finished Ethan

"Come on, through here." said Tess indicating a false wall

"Cover the entrance." said Tess when they were in

"I got it." said Joel

They walk deeper in and discover their plank fell

"Damn it. Plank fell down. Be a dear, would you?" said Tess

Ethan proceeds to walk but is stopped by Tess

"Not you." said Tess

"I'll get it." said Joel with a sign

"Here. Pass it to me." said Tess when Joel came with the plank in hand

"Sure you don't want Ethan to do it? It's a bit heavy." said Joel with a teasing tone

"I think I can handle it." said Tess

"Alright." said Joel

"Get your ass up here. Let's move." said Tess to Joel

"Bossy today." muttered Joel

"She's bossy every day." muttered Ethan which earned a chuckle from Joel

"What's so funny?" asked Tess

"Nothing." "Nothing." said Ethan and Joel at the same time

They all near a street near their destination

"Let's make sure there aren't any soldiers around." said Joel

"It's clear. Come on." said Tess

They then enter a corner apartment

"Shut the door. Pick up that ammo. I'm sure we'll need it." said Tess

Tess then knocks on a far door and a child acting as a lookout approaches

"Hey, little man. Make sure the coast is clear." asked Tess

The kid leaves and they wait for him to return

"You do know Robert's expecting us right?" said Joel

"That just makes it more interesting." said Tess

The kid then returns and opens the door

"No soldiers. None of Robert's men. Yeah?" asked Tess

The kid nods and Tess gives him a ration card for payment. The three of them then enter a more civilized part of town

"Hey Tess, hey Tess. Hey, pretty lady, how you doin' today?" asked Terence

"Not right now, Terence." said Tess

"No, no, it's good." said Terence

"Not...now. You hear me?" said Tess with more authority in her tone

"Okay. I can do that. Don't get all huffy-puffy about it." said Terence

While walking they enter a bus with a man in it

"Where do you think you're goin'?" said Malick to Joel and Ethan

"Malick. Sit back down." said Tess

"Oh sorry, Tess. Didn't realize you three were together. Go ahead." said Malick

"Who's that?" asked Ethan

"An old headache. Don't ask." answered Tess

They then meet a man standing near a gate and Tess hands him a ration card

"I'm lookin' for Robert. He come through here?" asked Tess

"Half hour ago. He went back to the wharf. He's there now." answered the man

After that they encounter some of Robert's thugs

"Here we go." mumbled Joel

"Let us through." said Tess

"You guys need to turn around and head back if you know what's good for you." said the thug

"Our beef isn't with you. We just want Robert. You don't want to do this." reasoned Tess

"Turn the fuck around and leave now." said the thug once more

"Hey! Don't talk to her like that!" shouted Ethan walking up to the thug

"Kid, I will bash your skull in unless you turn around and get your dumb ass outta here." Said the thug pushing Ethan back

"You don't touch my nephew fucker!" said Tess as she shot the thug in the head

"Take cover!" yelled another thug

"You ready?" said Tess

"Yeah." said Joel

"Ethan, stay down and let me and Joel handle this." said Tess

"Okay." said Ethan

"I'm gonna fuckin' kill you!" shouted another thug

"I'll cover you. Get the angle on them." said Tess to Joel who nodded and went to flank them

Soon after Joel and Tess handle Robert's thugs

"Nicely done, Texas." said Tess

"You too. How the hell did he get all these guys?" asked Joel

"If Robert's good at one thing, it's writing blank checks. Let's go put an end to that." said Tess

They encounter a looked fence

"Shit. Not goin' through here. Hey. Boost me up." said Tess

"Alright, c'mon..." said Joel

"Give us your hand. There you go." said Tess

"Alright." said Joel

"Over here, Joel." said Tess

They get past the locked fence and find more sentries

"More of Robert's guys." said Tess

"Shit, I see them." said Joel

"How do you know they're comin'?" asked a sentry

"Two of our guys died trying to take Tess out. I guarantee that she and Joel and some kid are on their way, right now, to get Robert." answered the other sentry

"Jesus, we shouldn't have taken this job." said a sentry

"Not our call. Let's spread out and make sure no one's creeping around here." said the other sentry

"Let's try to keep it nice and quiet." said Tess

The trio then proceeded to go through the hideout and take out the goons and seeing/scaring Robert along the way, who happens to make a run for it but is caught in a corner

"Hello, Robert." said Tess

"Tess, Joel. Ethan right? No hard feelings, am I right?" said Robert

"None at all." said Tess

Tess clubs his kneecap as Robert tries to run past her

"Ahh... goddammit!" screamed Robert clutching his knee

"We missed you." said Tess

"Look, whatever it is you heard, it ain't true, okay? I just want to say…" said Robert but is cut off

"The guns. You wanna tell us where the guns are?" asked Tess

"Yeah, sure, but... it's complicated. Alright? Look, alright, just hear me out on this. I gotta…" said Robert but is cut off again as Joel kicks him in the face and then goes to break his arm

"Fuck... Ah, stop, stop, stop!" screamed Robert

"Quit your squirmin'. You were saying?" said Tess

"I sold 'em." said Robert

"Excuse me?" said Tess in shock and disbelief

"I didn't have much of a choice. I owed someone." reasoned Robert

"You owed us. I say you bet on the wrong horse." said Tess

"I just need more time. Just gimme a week." said Robert

"You know, I might've done that if you hadn't tried to fucking kill me." said Tess

"C'mon, it wasn't like…" said Robert but is cut off once more

"Who has our guns?" said Tess

"I can't. Just gimme a couple days…" said Robert but is cut off as Joel breaks his arm

"Ahh! Fucking..." said Robert

"Who has our guns?" said Tess once more

"It's the Fireflies. I owed the Fireflies." said Robert

"What?" said Tess

"Look, they're basically all dead. We can just… Just go in there, finish 'em off. We get the guns. Whaddya say? C'mon. Fuck those Fireflies. Let's go get 'em." reasoned Robert

"That is a stupid idea." said Tess as she loaded two rounds in Robert's head

"Well, now what?" said Joel

"We go get our merchandise back." said Tess

"How?" asked Ethan

"I don't know. We explain it to them. Look, let's go find a Firefly." said Tess

"You won't have to look very far." said a voice who revels herself to be a woman with a bullet wound in her side

"There you go: queen Firefly." said Joel

"Why are you here?" asked Marlene

"Business." answered Tess

"Are you okay? We have some bandages." asked Ethan as he went up to her to help her with her wound

"I'm fine, but thanks for asking." said Marlene with a small smile

"Where's Robert?" asked Marlene

Tess steps back to reveal his corpse, which causes Marlene to give a humorless chuckle

"I needed him alive." said Marlene plainly

"The guns he gave you, they weren't his to sell. I want them back." said Tess

"Doesn't work like that, Tess." said Marlene

"The hell it doesn't." said Tess

"I paid for those guns." said Marlene

"We can reach an agreement right?" asked Ethan looking around

"How many cards do you want?" said Tess

"I don't give a damn about ration cards. I need something smuggled out of the city. You do that...I'll give you your guns and then some." said Marlene

"How do we know you got 'em? Way I hear it, the military been wiping you guys out." said Joel crossing his arms

"You're right about that. I'll show you the weapons." said Marlene

"Are you sure we shouldn't bandage you up or something?" asked Ethan

"I'll be fine." answered Marlene

"Search the area." said a voice

"Yes, sir." said another

"I gotta move. What's it gonna be?" said Marlene

"I wanna see those guns." said Tess and Joel nodded in agreement

"Follow me." said Marlene

After encountering some solders and sneaking past them or shooting them up, they find themselves in a back room of a warehouse when Marlene starts to stumble

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... are you alright?" said Ethan as he goes to reach for her but is pushed back by a girl

"Get the fuck away from her!" shouted the girl as she grabs Ethan and holds him up with a knife

"Hey, hey, hey." said Tess grabbing the girl off of Ethan

"Let her go." said Marlene

"You're recruitin' kind of young, aren't ya?" said Joel

"She's not one of mine." said Marlene

"Shit. What happened?" said the girl as she notices Marlene's wound

"Don't worry. This is fixable." said Marlene

"Damn right it's fixable! I'm not taking no for an answer anymore, sit down and let me have a look." said Ethan with authority in his voice

Marlene looks to Joel and Tess who pretty much tell her with their eyes that he won't budge

"Alright." said Marlene as she sat down and took off her jacket so Ethan could get a proper look at it

"Alright, looks like the bullet went through. Which means I won't need to get the pliers out, which believe me is a good thing since my plier skills aren't the best." said Ethan with a sheepish grin

Marlene chuckled softly with Joel muttering something about "That's an understatement"

"Sit back and I'll stich you up." said Ethan with another smile

And the girl gives him a small smile in return

"I got us help... but I can't come with you." said Marlene to the girl as Ethan was stitching her wound

"Well then I'm staying." said the girl with the smile going away and being replaced by a demanding look

"Ellie, we won't get another shot at this." reasoned Marlene

"Hey… we're smuggling her?" realized Joel

"There's a crew of Fireflies that'll meet you at the Capitol Building." said Marlene

"That's not exactly close." said Tess

"You're capable. You hand her off, come back, the weapon are yours. Double what Robert sold me." said Marlene

"Speaking of which, where are they?" asked Tess

"Back in our camp." said Marlene

"We're not smuggling shit until I see them." said Tess

"You'll follow me. You can verify the weapons, after Ethan's done patching me up. But she's not crossing that part of town. I want Joel and Ethan to watch over her." said Marlene

"Whoa, whoa. I don't think that's the best idea." said Joel

"Why?" asked Ethan as he looked up at Joel

"Bullshit! I'm not going with him." said Ellie while pointing at Joel

"Ellie..." said Marlene

"How do you know them?" asked Ellie

"I was close with his brother, Tommy. Said if I was ever in a jam I could rely on him." said Marlene

"Was that before or after he left your little militia group?" said Joel

"He left you too. He was a good man." said Marlene

"What about them?" asked Ellie pointing at Tess and Ethan

"I know Tess from Joel and I know Ethan from Tess because he's her nephew." said Marlene

"Look, just take her to the north tunnel and wait for me there." said Tess to Joel

"Jesus Christ." muttered Joel

"She's just cargo, Joel." reasoned Tess

"Marlene..." said Ellie

"No more talking. You'll be fine." said Marlene to Ellie

She then turned to Ethan

"Are you done?" asked Marlene

"Yep, after this heals you'll have a badass jagged scar that everyone will be impressed by!" said Ethan with a thumbs up which earned a smile from Marlene

"Thanks. Now Ellie go with them, please." said Marlene and Ellie nodded

"Don't take long. And you two stay close, let's go." said Joel

Ellie, Ethan, and Joel set off together and immediately find Firefly corpses

"Whoa...I heard all the shooting, but... what happened?" asked Ellie

"The Fireflies. Same thing's gonna happen to us if we don't get off the street." answered Joel

"You're the pro. I'm just following you." said Ellie

While walking Ellie walks up to Ethan

"Look, I'm sorry for trying to... you know... stab you." said Ellie

"Don't worry about it, let's just start over. I'm Ethan." said Ethan with a smile and stretching out his hand

"I'm Ellie." said Ellie with a smile and shaking his hand

"Attention. Harboring or aiding wanted criminals is punishable by death. Do not place yourself at risk. Report any suspicious activity immediately." said a loudspeaker

"Down here." said Joel indicating a stairway next to the street

"C'mon, keep up." said Joel

"I am." "I am." said Ellie and Ethan

They enter a deserted apartment yard

"So, where are we going?" asked Ellie

"Up there, that'll get us to the north tunnel." answered Ethan

"How are we supposed to reach that?" asked Ellie

"Just gimme a minute." Said Joel as goes and moves a dumpster, using it as a makeshift stepping stone.

"This tunnel... you use it to smuggle things?" said Ellie

"Yep." said Joel

"Like illegal things?" said Ellie

"Sometimes." answered Joel

"You ever smuggle a kid before?" asked Ellie

"No. That's a first. So what's the deal with you and Marlene, anyways?" said Joel

"I don't know. She's my friend, I guess." answered Ellie

"Your friend, huh? You're friends with the leader of the Fireflies. What're you, like twelve?" said Joel

"She knew my mom, and she's been looking after me. And I'm fourteen, not that that has anything to do with anything." said Ellie

"Fourteen huh? Ethan keep your hands to yourself." said Joel which causes Ethan to blush like crazy and Ellie to laugh

"I have self-control thank you very much!" said Ethan as a matter of fact

"So where are your parents?" asked Joel changing the subject

"Where are anyone's parents? They've been gone a long, long time." answered Ellie

"Hm. So instead of just staying in school, you decide to run off and join the Fireflies, is that it?" said Joel

"Look, I'm not supposed to tell you why you're smuggling me, if that's what you're getting at." said Ellie

"You wanna know the best thing about my job? I don't gotta know why. Be honest with you, I could give two shits about what you're up to." said Joel

"Well great." muttered Ellie

"Good." said Joel

They make it to the rendezvous point

"This is it." Said Joel as he lays back on a couch and closes his eyes

"What are you doing?" said Ellie

"Killing time." said Joel

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" said Ellie

"I am sure the two of you will figure that out." answered Joel

"Your watch is broken." said Ellie but doesn't get a response

"Your watch…" said but is interrupted by Ethan placing his hand on her shoulder and shaking his head

"What?" asked Ellie confused

"It's personal, don't worry about it. Come on let's play a game or something." said Ethan

Joel wakes up later and it's nighttime with rain pouring down. Ellie and Ethan are looking out of the window when they realize Joel has woken up

"You mumble in your sleep, I hate bad dreams." said Ellie

"Yeah, me too." said Joel who goes to check the door

"You know, I've never been this close, to the outside. Look how dark it is. Can't be any worse out there. Can it?" said Ellie to Ethan

"What do the Fireflies want with you?" said Ethan

Just then Joel opens the door with Tess walking in

"Aunt Tess! What took you so long?" asked Ethan

"Sorry it took so long. Soldiers fuckin' everywhere." answered Tess

"How's Marlene?" asked Ellie

"She's fine thanks to Ethan. I saw the merchandise. It's a lot. Wanna do this?" said Tess

"Yeah." said Joel

"Ok, let's go." said Tess

"Don't you think it's a bit strange that they're askin' us to do their smuggling?" said Joel

"Marlene wanted to do it herself. We weren't the first choice, or the second for that matter. She's lost a lot of men. Beggars can't be choosers." said Tess

"Yeah, let's just hope there's someone alive to pay us." said Joel

"Someone will be around. Come on." said Tess

They all walk to an elevator and begin their descent down

End of Chapter 1