(Joel)
She still ain't here...
Joel sat in the living room, thinking.
Four weeks and she still ain't talked to me once...
Joel got up and looked out the front window, bottle of whisky in hand.
It had been four weeks since Ellie took her break from Joel. Four weeks without a 'Hello' or any form of acknowledged from her really. It's like he didn't exist, he didn't matter to her anymore.
Joel hadn't been taking it so well, he had a lot of dreams involving Ellie.
He dreamed he was carrying her away from the Fireflies but there was no Elevator, and no other places to turn. Just a straight path that he was following with Ellie in his arms.
But as he looked back to check if the Fireflies were close, he felt a hand on his neck. He turned back.
It was Ellie. She looked angry and had, now two hands on his neck, looking at his face and choking him as he was running. "*eck* E- *eck* Ellie!" He forced the words out his mouth.
But he didn't stop running and he didn't stop her. He just looked at her while she choked him with a furious look on her face. He slowed down more and more, until he knew the Fireflies were right behind him. He couldn't run or think with the lack of oxygen and the amount of pressure on his neck. So he dropped to the ground.
He woke up sweating and in pain. He didn't get much sleep for the rest of the night.
He looked around. He was so bored. Without Ellie to keep him busy, he just usually ate, thunk, drunk and slept when he came home.
Oh god, Ellie. I wish you were here so bad.
He felt incomplete without her around. It was strange. He downed the rest of the whisky and threw the empty bottle to the side of him on the ground. Joel wanted to shout. He wanted to scream.
I couldn't let them take you baby,
I couldn't let them take you babygirl...
He rubbed the water out of his eyes. Then swallowed his anger and sadness.
I better get some rest.
Joel had a big scavenging trip the next day and the team didn't need to see him hung over and mad again.
Boy, Ellie always used to complain 'bout me going of these big trips. Giving me a big hug just before I left... She won't even look at me. Even when I go on something dangerous.
God...
Joel felt a deep, sinking feeling in his chest.
She must really not care about me.
He let out a deep sigh and headed for the stairs.
I'm so sorry, Ellie.
(-...-)
(Ellie)
"Thanks for breakfast, Maria, but I gotta' check the Lock-boxes with Josh in a bit." Said Ellie as she stood up from the table were Tommy, Maria and herself had eaten.
"You been spending a lot of time with this Josh boy." Maria said and smiled, finishing her eggs.
"No, no, no!" Ellie blushed as she swiped her arms in a denying motion. "Trust me, me and Josh are just friends."
"Alright..." Maria winked.
Maria began to collect their plates but she stopped Ellie as she began to leave.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"Be back before five, I wanna' talk to you later."
Maria looked more serious.
"Yeah, sure." Ellie looked worryingly at her.
She was a good friend and a great leader. She was the most intimidating woman in the town though. That did answer a lot of questions. It explained how she was the leader, not that she was a dictator, she would always listen to the community. She just has the right attitude and sense to be a leader. And it explained why Ellie and Tommy liked her so much. Ellie liked how she was a badass and Tommy loved her because she was a tough and strong, yet still a woman. And feisty.
Joel must like 'feisty' women as well I guess. She thought as she studied Maria.
Ellie upset herself again.
"Well, uh, see you guys."
"Bye" Maria and Tommy said in unison.
(-...-)
"Jeez, how many more of these things are there." Ellie said exhausted.
Josh filled the Lock-box with supplies.
"Don't worry, we've only got one more." Josh said as him and Ellie began looking for the next Lock-box.
Josh was a nice boy who Ellie liked hanging out with. Josh was 15, only a few months older than Ellie. He was pretty funny and understood her. She usually talked to him about things that bothered her. Also he wasn't bad-looking either with his short, rough, ginger hair. But he wasn't for her. They both knew that. He was an average shot but was one of the bravest fighters of the town. Even a kid like Josh out shined many adults.
But Ellie was younger than him and out shined almost everybody. But being young didn't matter as much as it used to and being a girl or a boy didn't even matter at all when you were fighting.
"Were does the map say the last box is?" Josh asked.
Ellie fumbled about with the map.
"I have no fucking idea." There was frustration in her tone.
"I can't fucking read it." She said as she focus closer on it.
Josh laughed.
"What's so funny?" Ellie pouted.
"It's the wrong way, Moron."
Ellie looked down at the map and fumbled about with it again.
"Fuck..." She whispered.
Josh let out another small laugh and continued walking.
"Why do we even have to keep checking these, no one ever uses them." Ellie protested.
"We have to make sure there full, always." Josh pointed at her. "Those little red boxes could save your life."
Ellie rolled her eyes
"Oh, please..."
Josh shook his head and looked forward.
The Lock-boxes were used for a lot of different things. They were scattered outside the town in hidden places. Each Lock-Box was different and its contents were used for different things like protecting the town, to helping a friend who was outside the town. There was a Lock-Box buried near an oak tree at was a prime vantage point. You could see the entire town. The Lock-Box contained second military-grade sniper rifle the town owned, It also contained a couple of nail bombs, alcohol and rag. It was a good idea, but they were rarely used and they had to be checked once a month to see if they were still in good condition. And checking all of them was a long, hard, aggravating treasure hunt. But doing the job with Josh made it better.
"You going to make up with Joel any time soon?" Josh looked concerned at her.
"W-What?" Ellie hadn't been ready for that question. She had not tried to think of Joel much at all.
"C'mon, Ellie. You know he misses you."
"I can't. Why are you asking me this?"
"You've been so different without him... Ellie, does this whole story thing matter that much?"
"You know it does..." She said as she looked at the ground.
He looked back at her and closed his eyes for a moment.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. "But the Joel you described makes me think that he had a good reason to lie to you."
Ellie looked back up at him
"He's already lost someone, Ellie" He stared grimly at her "It's been four weeks, you know this must be destroying him."
"You think I don't miss him too?!" Ellie raised her voice.
Josh gulped.
"I know you do. You guys need each other..." Josh slung his hunting rifle tighter to himself.
"I'm surprised he hasn't done anything crazy." Ellie muttered.
Josh shook his head.
"Just go over and talk to him. I'm sure he'll tell what happened now he knows what it feels like without you."
"Hey, man, if he's in so much pain why hasn't he come to me?"
Josh rolled his eyes.
"Fuck." He muttered. "This is the problem, you're both as stubborn as each other. And he wouldn't ask to see you, Ellie."
Ellie gave him a confused look.
"You know what he's like. He's scared that you will leave him for good if he tells you what happened. I think the news is going to be bad though."
Ellie scratched the back of her head. "I guess."
"Ellie..." He paused. They both stopped walking and looked at each other.
"It's going to be bad, I know it. So...just be ready when he tells you, okay. I mean, if you
are going to talk to him." Josh looked sincerely worried.
He's such a good friend.
"I'm gonna' talk to him, yeah."
Josh cracked a small smile at her.
"Thanks, Josh..." She smiled back.
"Don't mention it. C'mon let's get moving, I want to get there so we can go home, today has been too lon-"
"SHHH!" Ellie hissed.
She turned around and looked alert.
"Do you hear that?" She whispered.
Josh looked puzzled at her but slid his rifle off his shoulder anyway.
She concentrated harder on listening.
Her eyes widened.
"Which way is the town!?" She quickly snapped.
Josh pointed in the direction.
"Why, what's going on?"
"I heard gunshots. C'mon let's get to the town."