Chapter 4 Gone

Jake's POV

We open the door to see fireflies covered in blood across the floor Tess run up to each of them and searched them "No, no, no", Tess said.

"What happens now?", It asked Joel.

"What are you doing Tess?", Joel asked.

"Oh god. Maybe the ah, maybe they had a map or something to tell us where they were going", Tess replied.

"How far are we going to take this?".

"As far as it needs to go. Where is this lab of theres?", Tess asked It.

"She never said. She only mentioned it was someplace out west", It replied.

"What are we doing here? This is not us", Joel said.

"What do you know about us?", Tess said standing up " About me?".

" I know you are smarter than this".

"Really. Guess what we're shitty people Joel. And it's been that way for a long time".

"No, we are survivors".

"This is our chance-".

"It is over Tess", Joel said interrupting Tess "Now we tried let's just go home".

"I'm not.. I'm not going anywhere. This is my last stop".

"What?".

"Our luck had to run out sooner or later".

"What do-", Joel said as he grabbed Tess's shoulder.

"No don't", Tess said cutting off Joel and shoving him away "Touch me".

"Holy shit", It said "She's infected", that got my attention.

"Joel", Tess said.

"Let me see it", Joel said.

"Tess", I said as I shed a tear.

"I didn't mean for this-", Tess said.

"Show it to me", Joel said interrupting her sentence, Tess then pulled her collar back and a red bite mark was visible Tess looked extremely anger "Oh christ".

"No, why", I thought since I couldn't get any words out.

"Oops right", Tess said as she backed away she then walked up to It "Give me your arm", she then took hold of it's arm and rolled up it sleeve "This was three weeks", she said as she pulled it by the arm towards Joel "I was bitten an hour ago and it's already worse. This is fucking real Joel. You have got to get this girl to Tommy's. He used to run with this 'll know where to go", she then let go of It and It backed away.

"No,no,no, that was your crusade I ain't doing that", Joel replied.

"Yes you are. Look there's enough here that you have to feel some sort of obligation to me, so you get her to Tommy's".

"Tess", I said as I walked up to her with a tear rolling down my cheek she then kneeled down to my height.

"Jake I'm sorry I didn't mean for this to happen, but please get her to Tommy's", I couldn't get any words so I just nodded while tears fell down my cheek she put her hand on my head and ruffled my black hair.

"Say hi to Marry and the others", I said.

"Of course I will. Ellie come here I need to talk to you", I then moved away Tess started whispering in It's ears "You understand", and it just nodded in response Tess then turned to the window and saw the military "Shit. They're here".

"Damnit", Joel responded.

"I can buy you some, but you have to run".

"What you want us to just leave you here?", It said

"Yes", Tess replied that was the only answer I needed and started dragging it away by her bag.

"Do what she says", I told it.

"There's no way you can be okay with this", It said.

"You're right but this is her last wish and I'm fulfilling it. Come on Joel", he did as I said and walked away and I wiped the tears from my face.

"Thank you Jake", Tess said we all then left the room in search of another exit.

"What the fuck? I can't believe we did that.", It said.

"Shut up", I responded.

"We just left to die".

"Shut up or I'll sew your lips together you little shit", I threatened as I pinned her against a wall I then followed Joel to the balcony above the room Tess was I could see her dead body "Your sacrifice won't be wasted", I thought after that we found a hallway that was full of soldiers and we managed with minimal trouble and we then exited and entered a subway but a military truck opened fire at us the place was full of spores and soldiers alike I noticed that she didn't have gas mask I asked and she said she wasn't lying about being immune this was my first time in a subway and it wasn't pleasant I just wanted to get out but then we found the way out had been flooded.

"Hey uh I can't swim", It said.

"Great", I remarked.

"I'll think of something you two stay there".

"So how you doing?", It asked

"Don't talk to me It", I replied.

"Why do you call me that?", It asked I didn't reply I just pulled out a needle with string attached to it "Okay I'm sorry, I'll shut up", I put the needle away and It walked away only to slip and fall into the water without thinking I jumped in trying to get her out after I got It out It started clinging to me I presumed it was was because I saved It's life.

"Let go", I said.

"No", it responded so I pulled her off. Joel then returned with a wooden pallet.

"Get on", he said.

"No way it will break", it replied so I just pushed her on.

"Thanks a lot asshole I could've drowned", It said but I ignored.

"Jake help me with this", Joel said so I got in the water to help push the pallet we then got her to the other side where she got a ladder so we could get up "Alright let's get out of here", we then climbed some stairs to the exit and Joel found a tire to sit on.

"Hey look about Tess I um where do I start", It said.

"Heres how this thing is gonna play out. You don't bring up Tess ever. Let's just keep our histories to ourselves. Don't tell anybody about your condition. They'll either think you're crazy or try to kill you", Joel explained "Lastly you do what I say when I say. Clear".

"Sure", It replied.

"Repeat it".

"Whatever you say goes".

"Good. Now there's a town a few mile north of here there's a fella that owes me some favours. Good chance he could get us a car", Joel explained.

"You mean Bill?", I asked Joel nodded in response "Great, thanks for making me go there", I said under my breath.

"There a problem with going to Bill's?", Joel asked.

"You'll find out".