A/N: Hey guys. First off I'd love to thank Everyone who gave a review, followed or favorited. It means a lot to me. The more reviews I get, the more pumped I am to do another chapter. For a few people who wonder, Yes this is my first fic ever like I had said before :). I'll give you a little tib bit of info about me. I did in fact never finish high school (for reasons id rather not talk about) and failed miserably in English. All my skills come purely from 9 years of solid rolplaying. I've always wanted to write a fic but never found the inspiration to write one till I found out about Riley and Ellie. So here you guys go, Chapter two. If you guys ever do fanart, you can find me on tumblr as Zidd. I got a special little section just for the fic over on my blog with music for each chapter and everything. Thanks for sticking around and enjoy!
Chapter 2: Blood on my lips
Silence
Not even the sad songs of the crows could be heard.
It seemed so perfect. Peaceful. Like nothing could go wrong.
The water splashed under Riley's feet as she passed through a murky puddle of water. She was alone. The only friend she had was the tall buildings that tilted as though they were leaning in suspenseful manner. Like they wanted to hear her every word.
A cool breeze nipped at her cheeks like tiny starved dogs. Must be close to winter. Riley couldn't tell what day was what anymore. It all bled together. Night. Day. It didn't matter.
She was alone.
She could practically hear the echos of the former world. People walking down the streets on their way to work or school.
A sound.
Riley placed a hand on her gun that was at her hip.
Maybe she wasn't alone.
It felt as though something was watching her. Following her. How could that be? She would know if someone was following her. Maybe they wanted to rob her. Kill her. What about someone friendly?
She kept moving, more silently now. Even her shadows plot against her. As if they moved on their own accord. No. She was just going crazy. Being alone can do that to even the strongest of people. It was nothing.
Their. A building she could check. Food was getting low anyways. Like a silent assassin, she made her way to the building with such grace. Like a cat stalking its pray, but rather, maybe she was the pray.
The building was dark even with the light of midday bearing down on the lonely city. A musky smell burnt her nose. The inside of the place had been rotting. It didn't matter. Riley needed something, anything to distract her.
A loud crunch echoed from somewhere in the depths of the building and Riley froze. Her flashlight flicked as she turned it on.
Nothing.
Slowly, she continued in, searching shelves here and there that had fallen. It was empty.
Riley slowed her breathing. She could have sworn she heard something again.
Silence.
A breath.
Someone was here? Where?
"Hello?" Riley's voice filled the room as she moved in deeper.
A breath.
It was much louder. Her flashlight caught the figure of someone deeper into the building. Where no light was. It was totally black. All she could see was a outline. Small and thin.
"Hey..." Riley slowly inched forward. She stopped. She felt as though something held her to the ground. The light was on the figure where one could clearly make out what or who it was.
A sound. A growl. It was grotesque. It ripped through the building, sending a shiver clear down Riley's spine. It was a familiar but not.
Eyes locked. A face. Human... but not.
"No." Riley whispered. "Ellie..."
Darkness. Nothing.
…...
Riley's eye shot open, releasing a sharp breath as she sat up.
A dream?
Blurry eyes searched the room. It must have been about mid day now. 1 or 2 pm at least from the way the sun bathed the room in a dream like glow.
Riley felt a tug at her shirt. It was Ellie, still in a deep sleep. Thank god it was a dream. She smiled fondly down at her friend. That soon faded quickly when her eyes caught sight of the bandaged arm.
She looked closely at Ellie. It had been hours since she got bit. Her breathing seemed normal. Reaching out, Riley carefully felt Ellie's head. No fever. As far as she remembered, from what she had seen, people started to show symptoms only a few hours in. The real test however would be when Ellie woke up. Any sign of aggression, headaches, or loss of eye sight would be the tell tale sign.
She wanted to be happy, she really did... but it was hard.
A groan broke the silence and it almost scared Riley. It was Ellie, eyes blinking open.
"Riley." She said in a sleepy, raspy voice as she flashed her a lazy smile. It was the best thing Ellie could ever possibly wake up to, and all Riley could do is smile back.
"Hey, sleepyhead. You have a good nap?" Riley asked. "How are you feeling?"
"A lot better. Better then most days in fact." Ellie rubbed her eyes and curled around Riley. She always seemed to affectionate when she first woke up. "It's probably because you're here with me, though. Most days I feel like shit and all I want to do sit around." Ellie smiled to herself. Being half asleep was like truth serum for her. "Whenever I'm around you, I feel like doing whatever you want to do, no matter how hard it seems."
Well that was a new bit of information to Riley. It made her heart melt a bit. How the hell can one girl be so damn cute. "Yea." Riley said in a dreamy way. The two had sort of been off in their own little world, but it was one they shared.
Ellie was quick to realize that the dream had ended. The bite was still there, the sinking, waterlogged feeling in her chest was still there and it wasn't going to get better.
"Oh." was all Ellie could muster in the silence. Suddenly it felt like the air was thick and depressing.
Riley sat up and leaned onto the wall behind her, feet barely dangling off the bed.
Reality was a harsh thing, especially on them.
Ellie followed suit, resting next to Riley. "So... now what?" Ellie always wanted to know what to do next. She hated just free falling through life. Thats how Riley lived though.
"We wait, some more. So far you don't seem to be showing any signs. Nothing." Riley didn't even want to look at her friend but how could she not? And she did. "No aggression and thats the biggest sign. It sets in fast too. Do you have any headaches? Any trouble seeing?"
"Nope. Like I said, I feel amazing. Like I could run for hours." Ellie sighed. She wasn't to sure what to think anymore. Leaning her head over, she rested it fondly onto Riley's shoulder, staring at the other side of the room.
I small glimmer of hope had been sparked deep within Riley. She had seen quite a few people go from being perfect after being bit to showing symptoms just only two hours in. It had been a good 8 or 9 hours and by now Ellie should be thrashing about in rage, acting almost inhuman. Riley wasn't about to go and tell Ellie anything though. Not yet. She didn't want to get her dear friend's hopes up. "Alright... So, what should we do?"
"Lets just talk. About things. Anything." Ellie said almost sadly.
"Like that kiss in the mall?" Riley smugly adds.
"What about it?" Ellie asks, heat rising to her cheeks. "Theres nothing to talk about it, Riley." Ellie wasn't showing real aggression in the tone. It was more of an embarrassed bashful thing, and Riley could obviously tell with that smug smirk. "Wipe that look off you're face."
"Make me." Riley said, puffing out her chest playfully.
If anyone knew Riley well, it was Ellie, and she knew that was her cue to try.
"Oh yea?" Ellie's movements were lightning quick. Before Riley knew it, she was being hugged by Ellie, trying to fight her off. It was hard to when she was laughing so hard. Ellie was quick to find a weak point, using it to her advantage she pushed forward, knocking them both back onto the bed, Ellie lying on top of Riley and now Ellie was laughing too. "That got you to stop acting like so damn smug."
Riley had stopped laughing already and she was smiling again, but this time it was different and Ellie could feel the heat rising to her cheeks once more. Riley knew exactly why. Ellie didn't realize till now just how close she was to Riley's face. Everything was silent again but the air was far different. It was like back at the mall. She could feel Riley's breath on her face.
She was close. Ellie's heart pounding in her chest and Riley didn't make a move. It was like a voice was in her head screaming at her.
Kiss her.
But her body didn't respond.
"Ellie." Riley had whispered. Her voice sweet as honey to Ellie's ears.
Something flutters in Ellie at the way Riley said her name. She felt as though she could burst.
Kiss her.
But she couldn't find it in herself to do it. Carefully, Ellie lifts herself so she could get a better look at Riley. In a way, she felt bad for not doing what instincts told her to do. It seemed like Riley had really wanted it. "Riley."
"What."
"Thank you."
It had seemed like hours had passed now and it was already getting dark. Still Ellie had shown absolutely no signs of being infected and it had been almost a full day. Now the two of them had hope gleaming inside of them. As every hour passed, they had felt more and more relieved. They had spent a lot of the time just talking about everything. Reminiscing on when they first met, before they had ever met and even on things they did when Riley was gone. The two seemed a lot more cheerful as their conversations went on.
It must have been a miracles or dumb luck that Ellie wasn't turning.
The darkness had finally set in and Riley was lighting a few candles and a old lantern to light up the room a bit more. Riley had been pretty damn convinced at this point that Ellie was some how immune. The glow in the room felt relaxing and peaceful.
Ellie sat on the edge of the bed, her crooked smile ever present on on her face. "So what are we gonna do?"
Riley sets one of the last candles down onto a near by desk carefully. After inspecting it a little, she returns to her spot next to Ellie. "I'm not really sure. I mean... this is something big. Bigger then we can even possibly imagine, Ellie." Riley goes silent for a second, thinking. She knows Ellie to well. She knows Ellie isn't comfortable unless there is a plan and Riley wanted nothing more then to have Ellie happy and care free. "We should take this to Marlene. She's gonna send people out at some point anyways to figure out where the hell I am. She'll know what to do."
Ellie nodded slowly. She was unsure about it. Although she trusts Marlene, something tells her that things would go wrong. What if they didn't believe her and Riley?
Though... Ellie trusted her friend with her life. She knows she wouldn't be led wrong by Riley. "Alright." Ellie absentmindedly rested her head onto Riley's shoulder. They sat there like that for the longest time. All Ellie could do was think about how much she had missed Riley. How she needed her more then she ever knew.
But she'd never admit that.
Somehow, in the silence of the room, Riley had managed to pull Ellie closer to her. Ellie hadn't even noticed up till now. A yawn escaped her but was quickly replaced by a sleepy smile.
It was like Riley knew exactly what Ellie wanted. She wrapped a arm around Ellie's waist, dragging her back into the bed and Ellie didn't fight her. Not even in the slightest. Riley had pulled her down so they were both lying but this time Riley's hand still clung around her waist. The warmth from Riley was comforting. She suddenly felt like she wasn't close enough to Riley, even when she was pressed onto Riley as much as she possibly could.
Riley was like a drug to her in the worst of times. Little silent actions like these instantly relaxed her and made her forget any worry. Like the only thing that mattered was her and Riley.
And maybe that really was all that mattered.
Hours seemed like moments and seconds seemed like days. Time was a haze, flowing past them as if they could ignore the laws of the universe... or at least it felt like it. Sleep came off and on till the morning light licked their faces. As if mother nature herself was waking them up. Like the golden touch of a mother. Never did the two get to wake up like this. The school had them on their toes constantly.
This time Ellie was the first to wake and she had been practically lying on top of Riley.
No lonely song of the crows today. Rather, Ellie's ears were met with the cheerful chattering of the mocking birds, taking turns mimicking calls. If only she could live like this every day of her life.
Ellie carefully peeled off of her friend. Soon they would have to go confront Marlene. Ellie felt a lot better about it now, though. Things were bound to go good.
Right?
Like a cheetah stalking its prey, Ellie had crawled off the bed with grace. Quiet and almost motionless. She searched her backpack, pulling out a bottle of water and a rag. She was still dirty from the whole mall incident. Ellie poured the water onto the rag, careful not to waste any drop. Before she could even put it to her face, the rag was yanked right of her hands. To her surprise it was Riley.
"Here, let me." Riley knelt downed, placing a finger under Ellie's chin to keep her steady. "We don't need you all dirty when we go see Marlene." Her expression was kind and caring. Normally Riley was a total hard ass and Ellie always took after that, trying to model herself somewhat after her friend, but it hard to be when the person you practically look up to was acting sappy.
Ellie didn't mind either though.
She could find it in her to even look into Riley's eyes.
(Ellie supposes that shes just embarrassed)
"Yea. I coulda done it though." Ellie pouted a bit. She sort of felt like she was being treated as a child. That wasn't the case though.
Riley's lips curled into a even bigger smile. "You know, you take all the fun outta things." She said with a charming chuckle.
"You know you love me." Ellie joked, smiling back now.
Riley picked up the bottle, pouring some onto the rag once more and washing her own face. "Now, lets get going, huh? I'd rather go see Marlene before her men find me."
The two had packed their stuff and headed out. The journey across town was a rather easy one. They stuck to the shadows the whole way. You never know if some soldiers had been wondering through. Walking through a old store, the sound of guns clicking behind them made Riley's whole body tense. She could only hope it was the Fireflys.
"Don't move." The man said, his voice firm and strong. One of them circled around to get a better looked at the two girls, shining a flashlight on their faces. "Riley. Where the hell have you been?" It was obvious he knew who Riley was.
Thank god.
"I've been doings things... but thats not for you to know." Riley retorted. "Now, I need to go see Marlene. It's urgent. It's about Ellie." Riley nodded her head to Ellie.
"Alright. You were going to have to go see her anyways. Shes pretty mad." The man told his buddy to stand down and he lead the way back to the little well hidden base. Along the way they had passed by many soldiers, more then normal. Something was up, that was for sure. When they entered Marlene's office, the look on the woman's face was hard to distinguished. She looked both happy and angry at the same time. Weird.
"Well well. So it seems you didn't follow up to your word, Riley. I thought you had it in you. But you chicken out at the last second... and I thought I told you not to ever see Ellie again. Why the fuck is she here? You're risking her life, Riley." Marlene had made a promise years ago that she would protect Ellie at all cost. To Ellie's mother.
" Marlene." Ellie interjected. "Don't yell at her. She had her reasons. I'm sure you would have done the same for someone." Ellie pushed past Riley, folding her arms. Marlene didn't scare her. Not in the least bit. Marlene just stared. It was true.
"You remind me of your mother, Ellie." she said with a half-hearted chuckle. "Always trying to protect everyone she loved no matter what they did."
Those words made Ellie soften a bit. So much so that she had gotten thrown off from the conversations entirely.
Riley stepped forward and cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Look, Marlene we came here for a whole other reason. You're the only person we could come to for it." Riley said, putting a hand on Ellie's shoulder.
"Well, speak up. What is it?" Marlene said, sitting back in her chair. She had been injured, it seemed. But from what, Riley nor Ellie had no idea.
Ellie sighed and quickly unbounded her arm, revealing the bite.
"Oh shit!" One of the soldiers in the room said, pointing the gun right at Ellie. It alarmed the other one, pointing it to her. They looked almost scared.
This angered Riley in the worst way. "Drop your fucking guns you idiots. Shes not infected." She turned to one of them, looking as though she may leap at his face and rip him to bits.
"Like hell she is. Thats a bite. She could turn at any moment." the man snarled. They refused to drop their guns.
Ellie was started to get a little scared. She knew this would happen and Marlene wasn't even saying a word. "It's been a whole day." Ellie pleaded.
Riley quickly turned to face Marlene. "It has and she hasn't shown any signs of being infected. No anger, no headaches. No eyesight loss. Marlene! Tell them to stand down! Don't just fucking sit there."
Marlene sighed and slowly stood up. "If this is true... well. It's a miracle but we don't know for sure that she wont turn." Marlene looked to one of the soldiers, nodding at him. "Go get one of the doctors. One that knows about the bites." The man said nothing, only heading out the door. It didn't take long for him and a man in a white coat to enter back through the door.
"Look at her arm. Could you possibly tell me how long shes had this bite?" Marlene folded her arms behind her back, leaning onto a near by table. It was as if she was accusing Riley and Ellie of lying to her.
The man in the white coat took Ellie's arm, adjusting his glasses a bit and taking a close look. "Yes. I see." He said in a typical manner. "It's been healing and quite nicely. I would say it has been a good day or so since she was bit. But you say there is no signs of being infected?" He pulled out a small light, flashing it in Ellie's eyes, checking her eyesight. He carefully felt her head. "Hmm. No anger it seems. Her eyes are prefect...but" He stood up, looking to the girls then Marlene. "You can never be to careful. This infection is totally unpredictable. I suggest putting her somewhere to watch over her. Somewhere safe though so if she does turn, people are safe." He nodded, shoving the little light into his coat pocket. "I'd say give it a day and if she continues to show no signs... well, we have something beautiful on our hands. " With a quick nod, the doc was quick to leave the room.
Marlene didn't even want to look at the girls now. She sighed deeply, putting her arms to the side she gave a signal to the men. One pulled out a pair of hand cuffs while the other grabbed Ellie. Riley's first instinct was to protect Ellie, grabbing onto her friend. "Leave her the fuck alone!" She said, just about beating one of the man's hands away.
Marlene had to quickly intervene, grabbing Riley and pulling her away. She held her tightly as they cuffed Ellie, who had already been fighting back against the men.
"Riley!" Ellie yelped as they shoved her out the door.
"Ellie!" Riley struggled and fought Marlene's grip bit she didn't budge. "No. Marlene you can't do this. You fucking let me go!" She snapped. "You can't do this to Ellie."
"Riley. I have no choice." Marlene, said almost softly. Riley stopped struggling in her arms. "If she turns she could hurt someone. This is protocol. If this is really what we think it is... then we may have found what we been looking for. A cure." Marlene's grip loosens and Riley shoves away. She couldn't find herself to even look at Marlene now.
"So this is what it's all about, huh? You only give a god damn shit because you want the fucking cure. You don't even care about Ellie's well being." Riley's hand balls into a fist.
Marlene just stares, emotionless. "Where is your dog tag?"
Riley storms out, slamming the door shut without a word.
Silence
-~ I can't recall your eyes, your face ~-
The sound of the cold metal door echoed in the dark room. It was chilling to the bone.
"Please no! Don't!" Ellie cried, rushing forward but the chains stopped her. She fell to her knees. How could any human do this to another. They were treating her like a wild animal.
It was so dark and cold. The smell of blood was ever present in the room following a rotting stench. She knew no one else was in here but it must have been people in the past who had turned here at one point in time.
It was so dark...
She couldn't see anything.
Now Ellie was alone for real.
All she wanted to do was cry and beg to be let out. "Please..." She cried softly, her voice raspy still from yelling.
How could she. How could Marlene let them do this to her. Was Riley going to try and save her? She wanted nothing more then to be back in the room again, feeling the warmth of her dear friend. She tried to hold onto the memory of it but nothing.
Only silence and darkness. Only the cold touch of death.
It was as if he was right there in the room with her, hovering, waiting.
How much time had passed? Moments? Hours? Still no one came to check on her. Not even Riley asking if she could see her for a second. She almost felt betrayed. Another hour or so much have passed. Nothing.
No one cares.
"No, thats not true." Ellie whined. The chains bound to her shifted, clattering onto the ground and she rolled onto her back.
But it is. Where is she? Is she at your door, fighting to at least hear your voice?
"N-no... but." Ellie trialed off in thought.
Like you once told her. When did she ever care? They think you're a monster. Look at you. You're chained up like a animal on display for all. Next they'll feed you raw meat and send others to marvel at the pitiful creature.
"I'm not an animal. How dare they.." Ellie breathed, shivering. Death must have touched her face. It was like he was giving her a second chance, seeing as though he had not whisked her away yet.
Yes. Let the hatred burn inside but do not let them see it. Letting them see it only shows weakness. You're not weak.
"I'm not weak..." Ellie's closed her eyes, taking a long, slow breath out. She had noticed that the voices had changed. Sounded different. It had a... accent? "Who are you?"
Your savior.
Ellie opened her eyes, but still she saw nothing in the darkness.
"Then don't let me die..."
Outside, the sky had grown dark with clouds as if whatever higher power was up there knew something was wrong.
Riley had been mindlessly wondering around the little Firefly camp. It had already been many hours since they locked up Ellie. She had no idea where they had taken her nor was she going to dare try. They'd sooner shoot her. Riley wasn't about to go make anymore enemies now.
What was Marlene going to do after the day hold was over? That what made Riley sick to her stomach. "God damnit!" Riley snarled, flinging a wooden box over onto a few barrels. She felt helpless and at this point maybe she was. But god forbid, she wasn't going to be separated from Ellie ever again. Not after this. She made a promise after all. She already broke it once.
A sound. Something not to far off. It sounded like... Horses?
Riley took the opportunity to get all the shit out of her mind, following the sounds.
It was horses. About 5 or so of them in a make-shift stable. Riley entered it and a few of them greeted her with joy.
"Wait..." Riley stopped in her tracks, staring. "Princess?" It was! Winston's horse was here! But how? It turns out that after Winston died, the military had taken her and gave her to a soldier. At some point the Fireflys had killed the soldier and taken her.
Riley was so happy to see her. "Princess!" She ran to the horse who obviously recognized Riley. She hugged Princess around the neck. "I'm so glade to see a familiar face... even if it's a horse's face." Riley laughed half-heartedly, patting Princess affectionately. "Well what matter is, your alive."
From the darkness, someone watches Riley, totally unknown by the girl.
The rest of the day went by so slow for the both of them. Night was even worse. It was cold. Colder then when Ellie had first been in the metal cell. They hadn't even come to check on her or give her food. It felt like It had been longer then a day. Maybe it was.
Maybe they lied to her.
Through the depressing thoughts, however, Riley kept on slipping into her mind. Where was she? What was she doing? Did she even care? Ellie wanted to hold her again. Hug her.
She wanted the warmth. To feel safe in her arms again. She longed for it so much that should could almost feel it again.
But only cold.
It nipped at the bite on her arm. They didn't wrapped it up before they had put her in this hell.
Silence. Quiet.
It was practically her friend now. It rocked her into a restless sleep. She didn't dream. No. Only black.
Only darkness.
…...
The sun rose on a new morning. It was different today, however. It was as if mother nature didn't know what to expect, so she rose the sun with caution.
The sound of footsteps and muffled words had woken Ellie out of the light sleep. She knew they where here to check on her. She stood up and brushed herself off. Had it really been a day? It felt like an eternity. The sound of keys turning the lock broke the silence once more, Ellie's chains echoing in the room as she stood up, waiting for her judgment.
She had once read a book when she was back at the school about a woman named Joan of ark. Ellie felt like her at that moment, standing ready for the sentence. A punishment? Maybe she'd be put to death just like her.
All in a flash, light filled the room and black figures stood in the doorway. Ellie didn't even flinch. Her expression was solid and emotionless. She seemed totally unfazed by the whole experience. It scared the doctor. Had she turned? "Ellie?"
"Yes?" she answered back with no hesitation.
Marlene was in the doorway as well... but no Riley. She only watched as the doc stepped in and pulled out his flashlight, checking Ellie over.
"Shes perfect. Absolutely no signs of infection." The doc said, turning to face Marlene. "She is in fact, immune." He nodded, turning back and pulling out a needle. When he found the right vain, the doc drew some blood. Although he didn't have a lot of ways to test it, he could at least try.
Once again, Ellie didn't flinch.
The doc pulled out a key, unlocking Ellie's bounds.
"Come on, Ellie. We need to talk." Marlene motioned for Ellie to follow, and she did. Before she knew it, Ellie had already been in Marlene's office, standing with folded arms. They were waiting for one of the guards to get Riley. "You know, most people would go insane in a place like that in just a few hours."
"I'm not like most people." Ellie returned, the tone of her voice dripping with a 'No shit' vibe.
Riley had practically busted down the door, clinging to Ellie for dear life. "Oh god, Ellie, I'm so sorry." She breathed.
Ellie felt the warmth. The one she so yearned for. It started from her back where Riley hugged and spread, relighting the fire deep in her. She was re-woken from the cold slumber death had held on her.
Marlene cleared her throat, sitting down in a near by chair. "So..."
Riley pulled up a chair next to Ellie. She however, never let go of Ellie's arm, fearing that she may disappear again if she didn't hold on.
"A few of the guys and I talked. We're gonna need to get you to one of our bigger research facilities. It's in Colorado. At the University of Eastern Colorado, to be exact." She paused, closing her eyes. "Our local smuggler, Robert, was killed recently... and I'd take you myself to the University but I'm far to injured to." The two girls only listened, waiting to figure out what Marlene was getting at. "As much as I trust my other men, I don't think they could get you safely to the University.." She looked to the other now. "Riley. I'm intrusting you to take Ellie. You're all I have right now and you two together could sneak across the country and the military would never even know."
Riley had still been angry. Angry at Marlene for everything she had done to Ellie. Did she even care about Ellie anymore?
"This will be your first mission as a Firefly. We will supply you with everything you need but you will only be able to carry so much." Marlene went silent for a moment, staring the two down. "In other words, you'll need to find things along the way."
Riley nods without a word.
"You leave as soon as we have everything ready. I fear that the men at the school Ellie was at will search for her soon. God only knows what would happen to her if they found out." Marlene sighed, crossing her arms.
No other words were said now. Just quiet. That was Riley's cue to get going. She stood, just about dragging Ellie with her to the door.
"Riley... Ellie." Marlene said in a much softer tone now. "I'm sorry."
Riley didn't look back. Not even in the slightest. She just left Marlene to her own thoughts.
A man had been packing up a horse in the distance. To Ellie's surprise the horse looked familiar. "What?" She ran as fast as she could. She was in shock. "Princess!"
Riley wasn't to far off, a big smile plastered across her face. How did Marlene know? It didn't matter. Ellie was happy. She was ok.
"Riley look. It's Princess." Ellie was so excited. Her arms wrapped tightly around the horses neck in a affectionate hug.
Riley nodded to her but the happy moment was broken by the man. "Heres the map. It has a few roads marked up you can take to get to the University. There's a compass in one of the packs on the saddle. Food, water, guns, ammo. Use it wisely." He handed the map over, looking down at the two girls almost sadly. Like he felt bad for them. Riley didn't take the pity though, yanking the map away.
"Thanks." was all Riley said, walking stiffly over to Princess. She saddled up with grace, holding a hand out to Ellie, who had more then gratefully took the offer.
Ellie took the spot just behind Riley and before anyone could say anything else, the two had been off.
Nearly 5 minutes and they had been far away from the camp. Riley felt as though she could finally talk to Ellie without having to worry about ears all around hearing them.
"Ellie. Are you ok?" Riley asked, watching the road as Princess followed along a cleaned up path.
"Yea. It was nothing. I just slept the whole time." She lied. Ellie still remembered the voices. Those cold voices. She wondered if she should believe them. It didn't matter. For right now she would push those ugly thoughts away.
At this very moment everything was peaceful and calm despite what happen. Just like back at the the room. Ellie rested her head on Riley's back, taking in the comforting warmth on the right side of her face. She watched building pass. Bright green plants of all kinds grew up and down them. The view was almost stunning but it was something she was use to. She grew up here.
"Riley."
"Hmm?"
"I missed you... Please don't leave me again..."
"I promise."