Even though it was spring, the air around us solidified until it felt like winter. We were both bitten, it was just a matter of time now until we would turn. I told Ellie some crap about just losing our minds together, it seemed to calm her down, but I was so scared. I tried to be strong for her sake, I was older, I was supposed to protect her, but I failed. I let her get bitten and now I was going to have to watch as she went insane.

After I calmed Ellie down as much as possible I led the way back to the mall to grab our backpacks. Hopefully the goddamn infected would be gone by now. On our way back we passed the place where we danced, the place where we kissed. The music had stopped playing, but the memory danced in my head like a broken record. Every time I looked at Ellie all I could think about was her lips on mine, and then the infected's teeth on her arm.

I was in denial, I tried to act like nothing was wrong, but I couldn't ignore it, and neither could Ellie.

"We have to talk about this you know?" Ellie interrupted my thoughts.

"What is there to talk about? We were bitten, and now we wait." I replied.

"But what's the plan, what are going to do? We can't just sit here and sulk. And where should we go when it's almost over, and what do we do if one of us turns first?" She was crying now, almost hysterical, "I can't watch you leave me, you can't leave me. Don't go, please don't go."

I wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't promise her that I wouldn't turn first, and I couldn't promise her that everything would be alright, because it wouldn't be alright.

"Ellie, look at me," I commanded. "I won't leave you, we will be together until the end. I never wanted to leave you. That's why I came back, I couldn't live without you. I thought about you constantly, I even dreamed about you and-" I paused, realizing what I was about to reveal. "I even dreamed about you and I."

"I, I dreamed about you too. Us I mean, I dreamed about us, even before you left," Ellie admitted shyly.

It was my turn now to surprise her. I slowly walked towards her, leaning close once I had arrived. Leaving just enough space to whisper something that had been aching to leave my lips for months, "I love you." With those words I closed the gap. She was surprised, but eventually softened into the kiss. It was clumsy. I had never kissed anyone before that morning, and it didn't seem like she had either. My heart raced when she put arms around me neck and pulled me closer. I didn't want this feeling to end, but Ellie pulled away. Too soon, I thought.

The younger girl stared up at me, once again shaking her head, "Wait, what did you say?"

I had been in a blissful daze, but was awakened by this question. What if she thought my confession was crazy? I knew I loved her, but maybe she didn't feel the same way, and was just playing along. Before I could react though, she just said, "I love you too," and kissed me on the cheek before pulling me into a hug.

Ellie and I roamed around the mall until fever erupted in both of us, causing an end to our exploration. We were both going downhill fast, but Ellie seemed worse. Her fever was hotter than mine, and her coughs were fiercer. When we decided on a place to rest, which was a friend of mine's old tent, Ellie spoke up.

"Hey Riley?" She said, pain streaking her voice.

"Ya Ellie." I replied as I slowly sat down on the cot that was left in the tent. I was so sore, every muscle in my body ached.

"I'm turning faster than you, and I don't want to hurt you. I don't want you to have to end it either, so you have to go." Her eyes started to fill with tears.

I knew it was true, she would turn sooner than I would, and I didn't want to shoot her, like I had to shoot my father so long ago. I turned to her and said, "Ellie, I'm not going anywhere until you turn, when that time comes, and only then, will I leave. I don't want you to be alone in this, and I don't want to be alone in this." She just nodded and we both laid down on the cot and waited.

Ellie's body began to contort violently about an hour later, and she was hotter than the sun. I knew it was time to go. I got up and bent down, letting my lips gently brush her forehead. "I love you Ellie." I said, and walked out of the tent, sealing it behind me. Tears rolled down my face, despair was all I felt, aside from the pain turning into an infected caused.

I decided to walk back to the place I had my first kiss, the store with the lit display case. When I reached it I pulled out a set of handcuffs and cuffed myself to a shelf that was near the counter. I laid down slowly, setting my backpack behind my head, and drifted to sleep, with the knowledge that I might not be myself when I wake up.

...

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...

I was hot and sweating, then cold and sweating, but still me, Barely. I felt my body seize, I was between beast and man, then all was quiet once more.

...

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...

"What the hell?" I said this to myself when I awoke the next morning not infected, and to find the bite mark on my hand healing. I didn't know what to do, was this a freak thing, or was I still gonna turn. I decided not to uncuff my self, I probably was just taking a longer time to become a horrible monster.

...

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...

When I woke up after another nights rest, I knew that I was not infected, how could I be? Every one turned within two days. The thought crossed my mind that maybe Ellie survived too, but she had been a lot sicker than I was, and after being given a second chance I decided not to risk my life for nothing. I still had a problem though, how could I live in society with a bite mark on my hand, everyone would see it. After thinking for a while, I came up with a solution, although it wasn't one I was too happy with.

I grabbed the knife I had in my pack, and cleaned it off. Then, after shoving a piece of cloth in my mouth to bite down on, I stuck the blade into the base of my thumb and drew it along the bite mark, connecting the dots where the infected's teeth had penetrated my skin. It was extremely painful, and almost caused me to faint, but it needed to be done, if I wanted to survive.

After bandaging my bleeding hand, I packed up my gear and headed into the unknown. What I would do now was a mystery to me, but whatever it was Ellie wouldn't be there to make me smile, the world was a darker place without her, and it would remain dark for a very long time.

...

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...

It's been six years since that day in the mall, six years since the love of my life was taken from me. I never went back to the fireflies, and ended up leaving the Boston QZ and joining a small group of nomads. It worked well, and we all lived together up until about a week ago, when they were murdered by a group of hunters. I wasn't very close to them, but it still pains me that I couldn't save them. Like I couldn't save Ellie.

I'm in Wyoming now because me and my group were on our way to a large self sustaining settlement called Jackson when we were ambushed. Apparently it the city has electricity, food, and fresh water, all of which are things I struggle to find everyday. I'm about an hours ride away from the town, if my map is correct. I just hope I don't run into anyone, or anything before I get there.

I push my chestnut colored horse to its breaking point when I spot a fenced In town in the distance. Once I reach the gate I slow my horse to a trot and wave to the guards in the makeshift tower. A girl with auburn hair, and a hat on steps forward, and says, "stop."

I don't stop though, I'm instantly put into a trance by the girls voice. I then hear a gunshot crack the peaceful wilderness air, and feel a bullet pass through my shoulder. The only thought I have as I fall from my horse and hit the ground is of Ellie, and how nice it is to see her again. Then I black out.