"We need to talk."

They had stayed in Jackson County for two full weeks. Ellie had become more and more restless, wanting to know what Joel was doing.

Both Joel and Tommy had fully recovered; Tommy just needed to get his stitches removed. Even though Ellie liked Jackson, she missed moving around, and seeing new places. The confinement of the walls were eating at her; she didn't know how the people could stand it.

Ellie still helped Billie with wall duty, also helping Mandy with the field work. Ellie had finished all of the Savage Starlight comics, having a fit when she finished the last one; Tommy wasn't kidding when he said it ended on a huge cliffhanger. Ellie has taken it upon herself to write more for the series, only finding the time to write and draw in the night.

It didn't take her long to figure out how bad of an artist she was. Ellie wasn't a bad writer at all; some could even consider her an heir to the Stephen King throne. It seemed like with each passing day, Ellie discovered more. When Ellie had taken some time to start her version of Savage Starlight, Tommy had joined her, showing her his art ability.

Joel had become more and more secretive, frightening Ellie. What if he leaves her? What would she do then?

Joel had pulled Tommy aside, currently in a 'whisper-fight.'

"... Goddamit, Tommy!"

"I don't know, Joel..."

"... you know the area better."

"... and you have any other suggestions?"

Ellie huffed in anger, taking a big bite out of her oatmeal. Tommy and Joel came back to the table, sitting down across from each other.

"Ellie?" She looked up from her plate, and looked over at Joel.

"Will 'ya come to the stables with me for a second? We 'needa feed 'them horses." Ellie nodded, handing her plate over to Maria, muttering, "Thank you."

Walking to the stables was filled with long periods of silence. Once they arrived at the stabled, Ellie went over to the feeding cart, grabbing several pails and buckets.

Filling a bucket, Joel said, "How d'ya feel 'bout Tommy takin' you to see the Fireflies; 'stead of me." Ellie turned to Joel, shooting daggers his way.

"That's what you were f***ing talking about? Goddamit Joel. I knew you were up to something." Joel huffed, opening a stable door, giving the horse it's food.

"Ellie, 'ya don't understand. Tommy knows the area better."

Ellie's eyebrows met and almost growled, "Really Joel? No f***ing way. After everything that we've been through... I thought..."

"You thought what, Ellie? What exactly did you think? You are just another job to me!" Ellie could feel the tears water in her eyes.


Ellie had ran.

Ellie had taken Callus, and galloped away, through the gate. She had heard Joel's cries for her to stop, but ignored him. Her tears blinded her eyesight, but she continued to keep her hands firm on the reins.

It was almost nightfall when she found a decent looking barn, and figured that it would be better than nothing. The barn was made of wood, making Ellie feel better about staying there for the night. There was hay scattered around the barn, so she decided that the hay could be Callus' dinner.

Ellie only had her backpack with her, leaving her with only canned beans. She swept the hay clean where she was building a small fire, making sure to distance the hay from her mini-fire; she could think of a lot of crappy ways to die, and burning to death was certainly one of them.

After eating her canned beans, she put the fire out and rested her head on her backpack.


Where the f*** is she?

It was early in the morning, and Joel, Billie, Maria, and Tommy were out looking for Ellie. They were all mounted on horses, not calling Ellie's name too many times, afraid to track any Infected.

"Why the f*** did she leave anyway?" Billie was agitated, in an even worse mood. She was about to rest after a double night shift when Joel had come and asked everyone to help him find Ellie.

"I'll tell you later." Tommy was like Billie's brother she never had. He had taken care of Billie after everything that had happened to her; he was the only one that knew everything that had happened. Mandy didn't even know.

"What the hell?" Joel sniffed the air.

"What?" Joel's eyes widened, and said, "Fire."

Ellie woke up coughing. Her head was foggy, and she couldn't comprehend what was happening. She sat up, seeing fire take all of the dry hay hostage, burning it to a crisp. Ellie heard Callus whinny; she grabbed her backpack, and start towards Callus.

Her lungs were killing her, she felt an enormous amount of pressure build in her chest. Ellie heard the ceiling crack, and a part of it came down. She dodged the burning wood just barely, but her foot stuck underneath. Ellie tried to lift the wood, but to her disdain, it wouldn't budge.

Ellie could feel her lungs come together, not allowing any air.


Joel, Maria, Billie, and Tommy went to the source of the black smoke.

When they arrived at the scene, Callus came galloping out of the barn, eyes wild. All of them instantly knew that Ellie had to be in there. Joel and Tommy were the first ones that were off of their horses, and ran to the barn. There was only one entrance which didn't look stable at all.

"Ellie, if you're by the door, get out of they way," Joel yelled over the creaking barn. He kicked in the door, and was blinded by the amount of smoke. Tommy's eyes followed to an unmoving body that rested below a mound of burnt wood.

"Joel, over here!" Tommy coughed, but continued towards Ellie's unmoving form. He tried to lift the one hundred degrees wood, but failed.

Joel followed in his pursuit, and groaned at the weight. The brothers barely lifted the wood, and tossed it to the side. Tommy lifted Ellie, and ran out of the now collapsing barn house.

Tommy dropped Ellie to the ground and continued to cough. Billie ran to Tommy's side, while Maria felt for a heartbeat.

"Ellie!" Maria performed CPR on Ellie, trying to get her to breath again. Maria grabbed her canteen from her horse, and poured the content into Ellie's mouth.

"Ellie, come on!" Maria kept on pumping at Ellie's chest, but to everyone's disdain, all of Maria's efforts had failed.


A/N: Don't kill me.

Thank you to ThatChickontheInternet... I know you must be wanting to choke me right now.