"You've got to be fucking kidding me!"
"What the fuck is that?!" She is really sheltered. I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away from the on coming bloater.
"It's a god damn bloater!" Bill answered.
"A what?!" Ellie asked.
"Answers later run now!" I yelled. I stood away as far I could from the bloater. I've seen those thing before took down a whole group of hunters before it was just one left. These things are taking down by fire and way bigger guns and a sword is not going to cut it. I saw it throw one of it's spores and I immediately moved Ellie to a safe distant. But even though we were dealing with a bloater a few more infected were entering through the top gym window.
"Aw come on!" I pulled out my weapon a face them. "You guy deal with the big guy we'll take it from here!"I yelled. Quickly I stabbed the first runner I saw and kicked the body away to deal with the Clicker coming at me. With it's back turned Ellie came behind it and stab the infected at the back of it's head dropping it fast. I looked at Ellie who only held out her switch blade. "Thanks for the save."
"You look like you needed it." She said. Before I said anything I could hear the bloater screech out in pain before it flops on the floor dead. We both let out a nice sigh in relief.
"So...any more surprises?" I questioned.
*BANG...BANG...BANG*
I had to slowly look at the gym door as we all saw one more bloater walk through the door.
"I was fucking kidding!" I whispered in socked. "Joel how we doing?!" I asked. I see him and Bill pointing their shotguns at the infected. Until there was a clicking sound coming from Joel's the gun.
"I'm out!" Oh what the shit. Now what? I looked around for something that can help, but I was lucky enough to find at least one round shotgun round left. Now all that was left get this to Joel. "Aaron!" My thought were brought back when I heard Joel call out and saw the bloater coming after me. Oh it's coming after me. Wait what?! I had to think fast.
"Joel throw the shotgun!" I yelled out as I desperately walking back from the infected coming after me.
"It's out!"
"Just do it!" Joel was close enough to toss the gun, and I automatically start loading up. With a quick pump I mentally went through a list before firing. Shoulder the gun, lean in to it. Aimed for the chest and...*BAM* Now this was the first time I ever fired a shotgun the only reason I knew how to fire one was because of Tess. But god damn that recoil hurt. The force cause me to step away from my previous stop and drop the shotgun. I breathed deeply when I saw the now headless bloater, the adrenaline slowly leaving me made me sit down in exhaustion.
"You alright Aaron?" Joel asked. As Ellie and Bill ran beside him.
"Oh yeah I fine. Just...remind me not use a shotgun for the time being alright?" I asked rhetorically rolling my now strained shoulder.
"How the hell did you learn to use that gun any way?" Bill asked.
"Tess showed me, she said you'll never knew when I'll need to use something for the big boys. Oh, think I broke something." I groaned out. Luckily my fingers were fine it was just sprain muscle from the recoil. I tested out which of the finger were sprained and found three of my finger took the damage, which were my pinky, ring and middle finger.
"You think you can still hold a sword kid?" Well this is new, Bill being concern over my well being. I gave him a brief nod. "Good, guess we don't have to worry about you being useless." Okay I take back my surprise.
"Ah geez...what was up with that big guy?" Ellie asked looking at the dead bloater.
"He's been infected for a long time. We call them bloaters." Joel answered.
"Bloater... Okay got it." She confirmed.
"I hate to interrupt your little biology lesson, But can we get the fuck out of here?" Aptly put Bill. I saw the bleacher and wondered if we can climb on top of them. "We'll get on top of these bleachers give me a boost Joel." After helping Bill up Ellie was the first to be boosted up but before I went next a group of runner came our way. Joel took care of then while I dealt with the others no problem, minus the strain.
"Oh I fucking hate those things!" Ellie yelled out.
"Yeah well join the club, hating these thing isn't really new." I commented. Bill help me up, then Joel, after that we raced over a fence and hid inside a house.
"So that worked out well." Ellie said. I gave her a wincing glance. This really wasn't the time. "Okay, ah I'll go check out this side of the house."
"Wait I'll come with you." I said quickly. The two of us quickly exit out of the room and looked around in another. I could already here the arguing going on. "Well looks like their having a great discussion."
"So what now?" Ellie asked.
"i don't know." I answered. "I just don't know." This time quietly. "If Tess were here we would've figure this out, even if the chances were high. And they would always come to her favor. She usually called it lady luck." I began to reminisce on all the good times I had with her every time some messed situation happened on our end Tess would always say that lady luck is on our side. Can't think of that now, mourn while you rest and remember while you fight. I saw Ellie looking at me, she wanted to say something for support but knowing that she was trying made it all better.
"How's the shoulder?" She asked breaking the silence around us.
"Ah it's fine nothing broken or dislocated thank god. But I think my relationship with shotguns are a little strained now." I joked. Got a nice chuckle from Ellie, she really has a nice laugh. Why did I think that? I scoped out the next room and found a truck parked in. "Are luck can't be that bad. Hey Ellie come check this out!" I called out. Ellie walked in and saw the truck.
"Hows it look?" She ask as she walked in.
"Not to bad, if it had the battery it might give us the ride we need." I opened up the hood and found something that made me chuckle. Then I was keeping myself from laughing out loud.
"Uh Aaron. You okay?" I was able to keep the laughter in and instead of answering I hopped in the car, gave a small prayer and turned in the ignition. The engine sputtered but no roar, I guess a hollow victory still has it moment. I heard Joel and Bill walk in the garage with a shocked face.
"Guess we found out where the battery went. Think this thing might have some juice left over." I said. Bill looked over the hood.
"That my battery. That fucking asshole." Bill muttered. He slammed the hood down and walked up front. "Get out."
"Don't need to tell me twice." I got out the car and let Bill try and start in up. Only to find the engine sputtering. "SO doc. What the diagnostic?"
"Well battery's drained but the cell are alive." He explained.
"Meaning?" Joel asked.
"Meaning we push it get it started an the alternator will recharge the battery."
*Scoff* Is that a guess?" Joel asked.
"Look you wanted a plan 'B' this is as good as it gets." Bill replied back.
"Joel honestly this is the best chance we've got, this plan B through Z." I explained putting the emphasis on through.
"What're you thinking?" Ellie asked.
"Thinking you drive and we push." Joel told Ellie I guess he wanted me to join up with Bill and help him push. "Aaron help us out."
"You got it." Then a question came to mind. "We know who's house this was?"
"Bill's partner Frank." Wait Frank? I gave him a question look saying "Who?" "Bill's partner."
"Jesus. How...?"
"Got bit when he tried to steal the battery. Reckon he tried to get out of town himself." Joel explained.
"Guess he didn't have lady luck on his side." I said quietly enough where Joel didn't hear me.
"You should probably search the house. I'm sure there more supplies." I nodded and looked around the house I didn't scope out. I found Franks room, he must've hold himself up in here after he left Bill, there was a not left for him too, i read it but can't help but feel sorry for those two. As much as I wanted him to have closure this note wouldn't help at all. I walk back into the garage and saw Ellie in the truck.
"Hey." I greeted too her.
"Hey." Ellie said back.
"You got this?"
"Yeah it's gonna be fun." I knew she was nervous, but the joke help calm the mood.
"Aaron you ready?" Joe asked. I pressed myself against the car with Joel and nodded. "Alright Bill lets do this." Bill opened up a the garage door.
"Alright put'er in first." Bill said.
"Already did it."
"Just keep your foot on the clutch and when we get to roll..."Bill said as he reached to our side.
"I know how to pop a clutch." Wait what? She know how to pop a clutch but she cant whistle? I feel like I should question that. But may be after we escape the infected area.
"How the hell do-? You know what I don't care. Just don't fuck it up!" Bill yelled.
"Great motivation Bill. Alright Ellie get ready?" I asked. With one final push the car started to roll.
"Now hit it! Hit it!" Joel said, but only to find the engine sputtering. Damn so close. We chased it off I heard Bill muttered something.
"Perfect." He said. "Hey great job kid." Bill added sarcastically. I wanted to say something but Joel beat me to it.
"Bill not helping." The three start pushing the car again down a hill. "Ellie we're gonna give another go. Stay focused." As we pushed I had this feeling something bad is about happen.
"Guys! There's a man to your left!" We looked and saw a group of infected heading our way.
"Oh. Great." I pulled out my blade and stabbed one clean through. I celebrated too early when was a clicker nearly blindsided me it jaw was getting close to me neck, I tried pushing it off my right hand is still a bit strained, but before I knew my ears were drowned by a loud bang at my ears. It didn't hurt but I looked to see who fired and to my surprise to see Bill fire off a revolver my way. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Now come on. Back to the truck." He said. Don't need to tell me twice. The three of us went back to pushing, Bill was saying something but my ears were still ringing a bit from the gunshot. We had to go up against two more waves of infected until we reached the top of the hill. On the final push the truck rolled down the hill and in result we heard something sweeter than a infected free zone. The sound of the engine started up.
"She lives!" I yelled in joy as I ran toward the back.
"You hear that Bill?" Joel asked.
"Yeah, well that mean the infected heard that too. Let's get in the fucking truck." Bill said. We managed to hop on the back I banged on the roof.
"Go Ellie go!" Yelled the truck picked up some speed and with it out ran the rest of the infected coming after us. Finally a chance to relax.
We rode the truck for a few mile, just make a good distant between us and them. "All this is good. Stop." Bill said, banging on the side of the car signaling to stop. As the vehicle came to a smooth brake I was the first to get off and meet up with Ellie.
"Hey." She said.
"Hey." I greeted back. "That was nice driving back there. How did you learn to that?" I asked. Even I could admit that I never learned how to drive, not because I couldn't but for most of my life I've been learning how to live than to just drive.
"Marlene taught me a bit before we split up. Said that I'll never know when I'll need to learn something like this." She explained.
"Wow. Now I'm even more glad that you came with us." I said. I see her smile get bigger, even after everything that went down, she could still smile and I would feel better with smile. I look over to Joel and Bill talking for a bit before they went their separate ways, but I couldn't end it like this not yet any way. "Hey Bill." I yelled out catch his attention. For what's it worth Frank was a good man." And just like that Bill kept on walking I think he smiled a bit when he left, but whatever I said what I wanted to say.
"You ready to go?" Joel asked.
"All the way." I said. I hop the backseat with Ellie and watched Joel drive the rest of the way. Jackson County here we come.
2 hours later
You ever had one of those dreamless sleeps you wish you could get our of, well my wish came true. "Aw man!" Now when I was napping in the car my body was resting on top of Ellie's leg so imagine my surprise when I almost head butted the girl. "Whoa what your deal?"
"Oh I'm sorry, did my shout wake you up?" I asked sarcastically.
"Hey what happened to sleeping?" Joel asked. That is a very good question. I turned back to see Ellie holding on to one of Bills comic. I actually forgot she stole one of them.
"Okay, I know it doesn't look like much. But this here is not a bad read. Only one problem." she explained. She showed us the last page of the comic showing us a downed woman wearing a tight looking body suit holding a gun and speech bubble saying 'You...'. "To be continued. I hate cliffhangers." She grumbled.
"Where did you get that?" Joel asked. Uh-oh.
"Um. Back at Bill's I mean all that stuff was just lying there." Ellie excused.
"I thought you were keeping an eye on her?" Joel now asked me.
"I was, but you never said anything about touching stuff. Beside after everything that we went through to get this truck, this is hardly compensation for all the work we did." I explained. And he knew I was right, Joel let out a long sigh before glancing back at us.
"What else did you get?" Ellie showed a small smile and reached in to her backpack.
"Well." She pulled an old cassette tape. I have never seen one until now. "Here, this make you all nostalgic." Ellie asked as she handed him the tape.
"You know that is before my time." Kinda makes me wonder how he really is. "That is a winner though." He pop in the tape and let the music play, which happens to be country music. "Oh man."
"Oh well can't say everything is a winner." I muttered, not that I have a real problem with that kind of music but it can get real old real fast. "What else did you get from there?"
"Well, I'm sure your 'friend' will be missing this tonight." I look at what she pulled out and it was something I really don't want in front of my face.
"Oh umm..." I don't think he know what sh's looking at.
"Uh Joel." But I was too late, Ellie already opened up the 'magazine.
"Light on the reading. But it got some interesting photos." Oh I really don't need the play by play. Then I see Joel looking back at us and I did the most rational thing. Snatching the stupid thing off her hand. "Hey!"
"Oh no, there is no way a girl your age should be reading something like this. why do you even have this with you?" I tried desperately to keep the magazine off her reach but due to such limited spacing my attempt. I accidentally slipped through the seating and was momentarily stuck. Ellie saw this moment to snatch the magazine right off my hand. That's when I tried to get myself unstuck. "Agh! Ellie get me out of here!"
"Hold your horses I want to see what all the fuss is about." She may not see me but I was frowning. I hear the page turn and I pray she doesn't show me. "Whoa. How, how the hell would he even walk around with that thing?"
"Ellie I really don't need to hear you talk about these things." I was able to slip back out between the seat and leaned back on my.
"Oh why are these all stuck together?" It took me a few second to figure out an idea on why that is a clear choice was made.
"Ellie I'm a need you to use my sword and just cut off my hand." I said with a stoic expression. I half serious and half joking, that was when I heard Ellei laughing.
"I'm just fucking with you." I was filled with relief when she said that, the relief increased when she toss the magazine out the window. "Bye-bye dude."
"Thank god that's over with, I was almost thinking that this was much worse than clickers or bloaters." I said.
"Speaking of which how's the shoulder?" Joel asked. I was confused at first but then I remembered that I fired a shotgun at a bloater and my hand took some of the recoil. I rolled my shoulder and found no discomfort as I did.
"Good as new. Though I think shotgun and I have lost part of our friend ship." I joked. Got a nice chuckle from Ellie and a small hum from Joel I'll take that a laugh as any. I was thinking about hopping in the front seat but Ellie beat me to it.
"You know what? This isn't that bad." She turned up the radio and the music played a little louder. Eh, it not bad really.
"Why don't you two get some sleep?" Joel suggested.
"Pfft I'm not even tired." Ellie denied. I on the other hand leaned back on the seat, put my hand behind my head to act as a pillow and close my eyes. This was going to be a long drive. Now after a few more hour of driving or at least I think it's been a few hour I opened my eyes to the blinding sun in my face.
"Goddamn sun." I grumbled. That's when I heard Joel quietly chuckling. "What's got you in such a laughing mood?"
"You and you guest enjoying to the sleep?" He asked still chuckling I looked at him confused till I finally registered the weight on my lap I looked down to see Ellie sleeping right on my legs. Looking at her close up she is even sleeps cute. Even her lips looked right. "Okay what the hell?! I only known this for what 4 days and I already want her to be my...to be..." My thought were disrupted when I heard Joel chuckling at my predicament.
"Shut up." I grumbled. Unconsciously I was brushing her hair while she slept
I wanted to say something but I then felt Ellie waking up. She fluttered her eye a bit before she was staring right at me. What were a few second of torturing silence, were slow agonizing hours for me. I had to break the air somehow. "Ahem, uh morning." I said first. that was all I had.
"Oh no. no. no. no." We heard Joel said thank god for that. Turned to see a huge crowd of dead car blocking one of the roads highway. But conveniently another road was opened.
"Oh great." I said.
"Now what?" Ellie asked in a yawn.
"Well we could go back. Maybe there's another way to Jackson. Or drive into the city try out luck there." I said. Those were really the only option we had. I looked toward Joel knowing he was still hosing. "All on you Joel."
"Screw it." Well looks like we're going with plan B. As we drove into town, I couldn't help but feel anxious there was something in the air that just screams trap but I just can't tell where.
"I don't like this." I muttered but I was still heard by Joel and Ellie.
"Come on the city isn't that bad. It's nice and quiet." Ellie said.
"That the reason I don't like it. This place already went to shit why is it so quiet?" I asked. As we drove down a hill a man came stumbling out of know causing Joel to make a hard stop. I hear Ellie complain about it but I was more focused on the guy what seems to be holding a wound in the abdomen. I look at him and noticed something strange, even though he's bleeding he's not dripping any blood, or any said blood spreading on his clothes. So why come to us like. "Oh shit. Joel."
"I know. Put your seat belt on. Ellie." I quickly went for the strap and hooked around my body.
"What about the guy?" She asked.
"He ain't even hurt." Joel said.
"Not yet. Floor it!" In a matter of second the truck picked up speed and the "injured" man pulled out a revolver and shot the window. Lucky none of were hurt but then more men appeared out. We drove over the faker, but waiting for us someone threw a cinder-block at us breaking the mirror of Ellie's side. I shielded her from the shards of glass flying in but before I could relax an on coming bus was rolling down the hill and heading straight for... "OH SHIT!" I grabbed Ellie close to me and felt the force of the bus hit the back causing us to swerve out of control and crash in to a closed an empty store. Even though all that happened I just heard a weird pop sound coming from my body.
"We're okay. We're okay." Ellie said.
"I don't think I am." I groaned I tried getting up but I was suddenly pulled out of the car and slammed to the floor landing on the right side of my shoulder. I had to hold in a breath to not scream in pain but I saw one of the hunter that pulled me and walked his way on top of me kneeling to choke the life of me. I tried struggling but that made it worse I couldn't use right hand, since my shoulder was immobile.
"I got you you little bastard!" The thug said as he was keeping a grip on my neck. I was losing air and fast so with quick thinking I grabbed the closet thing around me and smashed against his skull. The guy let go of my neck as he held his head and I was able to breath again I it thankfully it was a brick that hit him so while he tried to feel for his injury I went for my sword. And quickly I stabbed him behind the back on the left side of his chest and pulled out fluidly.
As I saw the body drop dead, my attention then turned to Ellie as I watch her bit one of the hunter and said man back-hands her to the floor. She was struggling with the hunters so I rushed the guy off her and tackled him to a near by wall. I ignored the pain in my shoulder and quickly stabbed him in the body, to add injury I twisted the blade and kick him off my weapon. I gripped my injured shoulder lightly and felt a hot pain react to the touch, yep is either broken or dislocated. "Ellie you alright?" I asked as I helped her up still coughing.
"Motherfucker." She cursed. "What wrong with these guys?" Finally able to catch her breath.
"If there was list it'll take too long to read." I said. That is when Joel joined in. "Joel you alright?" I asked the old man nodded and handed us our packs.
"Catch your breath. We're leaving." He tossed me my bag as well as Ellie.
"Right."
"Kay. Watch out!" As soon as she said out a bullet fired passed Joel and hit the truck window. Joel and I went to cover, I stayed with Ellie as we looked for a place to hide. The two of us hid behind a shelf waiting for the fighting to stop that's when I heard on of the hunters coming around the corner. I looked at the girl and silently asked for her knife.
As she handed me the knife I waited for the hunter to get just one step closer, right when I saw his foot, I quickly went for three strong stabs, on the thigh, stomach and chest, just as he finally registered the wounds made I finished him off by stabbing him in the neck. I let the guy fall as he desperately tries to stop the bleeding.
"Whoa." I hear Ellie said but I ignored it when I was listening in to any other chatter. "Nice job."
"Thanks." I said tossing back her knife.
"Alright I thinks that's the last of'em. You two alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, I guess." Ellie answered. That is when the pain on my shoulder came back.
"I could be better." I groaned out. "I think the crash messed my shoulder pretty bad."
"Alright let me see." I let Joel take a look at my shoulder when he applied pressure I hiss in pain. "Looks like you dislocated it. I can fix it but only if you want it to happen."
"Of course I want it to happen why wouldn't-*CRACK* ARGH!" I nearly bit off my tongue when I felt a sharp crack on my shoulder. At least I was able to hold in a scream from the pain before I look at Joel in both confusion and anger. "What the hell was that for?"
"We're pressed for time. Popping the bone back in place was the quickest way and have you no aware of help." Joel explained. "How you feeling now?" I tried rolling my shoulder and sadly it felt worse then how it did at the gym, but I'm still able to rolling nonetheless.
"I can still use it but it won't be easy for the time being." I answered.
"Good, cause we need to get the hell out of here. You two know the drill. Look around see if there's anything we can use." He said.
"Got it." I said. I let out a sigh in exasperation. Not even five minutes in side the city and we just got ambushed and shot by hunter. Not to mention got hit my a bus on the way in, this has already been a fun way to start the day."
