Chapter 7 Memories
11 years ago
"Hey Even, c'mere", Even's dad said motioning Even to come to him "Wanna see what dad does?".
"Yeah I do", Even replied bouncing up and down in excitement.
"Alright come on let's go", Even's dad said and lead him out of the firefly's camp into the city.
"Where are we going daddy?".
"You'll see", Even's dad replied simply. The two then crossed the city until they got to a vantage point where they could see the military school's training ground "Ya see that girl over there", he said as he pointed to a small red haired girl.
"What about her?".
"She's your cousin", the older man replied the answer surprised Even a bit.
"So why is she in the military?", the boy asked with a cheery voice.
"Her parents are dead and Marlene said that she's safer there".
"So why show her to me?".
"Smart question kiddo", Even's dad replied and then ruffles his hair "The fireflies can't have me watching her forever, so when you're old enough to join they'll probably have you do it. I don't know when that is but that's how it's going to be".
"Okay."
"Come on let's go home", Even's dad said and guided him back towards camp.
The next day
Even woke up late at camp since he never had anything to do and he knew that he was safe and if there was something important someone would wake him, he walked out his room and saw some commotion going on in the camp he headed to where it was coming from and saw his mum kneeling down crying next to a bed with a white cloth over it.
"Mummy what's wrong?", Even asked as he walked up to his mother, he got no response however instead Marlene walked up to him.
"Even why don't you go play with Jason, I'll talk to Mummy", Marlene said.
"Okay", Even replied and ran off.
"It's going to be alright".
10 years later/ 1 year before present day
"Even wake up", an older female voice said.
"I will", a tired Even replied.
"Now, you gotta go", the same voice said Even's eyes then shot open.
"Fuck what time is it?".
"Time to go that what".
"Thanks Michelle", Even said then got is gear and ran out the room.
"Wait", another female said which Even then recognised as Marlene "Take Jason with you he's got no other work for today".
"What?".
"You heard me".
"Why him he can't sneak by a wall", Even complained.
"Thanks a lot asshole", Jason said as he walked up next to Marlene.
"It's true".
"Doesn't matter he's going with you", Marlene said then left.
"Just follow my lead I don't wanna get caught", Even said then started walking out of camp.
"Aye aye captain asshole", Jason said and then followed Even out of the camp. When it began to get dark Ellie started heading to her room in the military school unknown to her that her cousin and his friend were watching her, Even then covered his eyes when she walked into her room.
"Perverted fuck", Even whispered to Jason.
"Just cuz you can't get a date doesn't others can't".
"Because I don't try, and you have zero luck as well, and are you telling me you're gonna try and get a girl that's in the military".
"A guy can dream can't he".
"A fucked up dream yeah", Even said then he heard footsteps behind him, he instinctively turned around and pulled out his pistol "Who's there?", Even asked then Riley appeared "The hell are doing here?".
"I came to see her", Riley replied.
"Even though you're not supposed to".
"I have to, I'm leaving tomorrow please".
"What are you gonna do?", Jason asked.
"Go".
"What?", Riley asked in response.
"You heard me, go".
"Thanks Even".
"Don't make me regret it", Even said then Riley left.
"That's not like you to not follow orders", Jason said.
"It's boring being a suck up".
"You got a hell of a boring job as well", Jason stated the two then saw Riley enter Ellie's room and the two girls had a conversation then left the room.
"Looks like this job got a little exciting. C'mon", Even said then the two went after Riley and Ellie into a shop full of masks the two only entered after Ellie and Riley left.
"Woah this place is awesome", Jason said.
"Move it we don't have time", Even commanded.
"You're no fun", Jason whined then followed.
"When I get a day off we'll come back here. Happy?".
"Yeah we'll see", Jason replied the two then followed the girls into an area with two cars which Ellie and Riley were throwing bricks at "I'd destroy you in this game".
"Yeah you wish", Even shot back "They seem to be having a great time".
"We would if we were doing this".
"I would be having a great time if my competition was any good", Even replied with a smug grin.
"Fuck you too", Jason replied.
"Did Marlene mention my mum?", Ellie asked.
"You know what happened to her mum don't you?", Jason asked Even.
"Yeah, that's another reason why I'm not allow to show myself to her. Marlene's afraid I'd spill the beans", Even responded.
"She only mentioned that she was good friends with your mum and her brother", Riley replied Even then face palmed at the response.
"Idiot".
"I have an uncle?".
"A dead one yeah", Riley said.
"Does he have any family that's alive?".
"I don't know".
"Great response", Even muttered under his breath
"Let's go", Riley said then the two left the area and got the power running.
"How the hell?", Jason asked.
"This is bound to attract soldiers and infected be careful", Even warned and followed the Ellie and Riley into a room with a merry-go-round.
"How the hell do you know about this?", Ellie asked.
"This firefly, Melanie told me about".
"Should've know", Even said.
"How come she never told us?", Jason asked.
"Cuz she hates you remember".
'Right", Jason replied the two girls then got on the merry-go-round and then said a bunch of puns.
"Well that's one thing we have in common".
"What?".
"A horrible sense of humour".
"It all makes sense now", Jason stated and the two girls then went into a photo-booth and started taking pictures then left once they broke it, the two then went into an arcade and started playing.
"They've asked me to leave", Riley said.
"Leave what?", Ellie asked.
"She heading to Salt lake isn't she", Jason asked and Even just nodded in response.
"I argued with Marlene to stay", Riley said "But you know how she is. Everything is a test for her".
"Got that right", Even said.
"You want my advice? Go", Ellie replied "C'mon let's just say our goodbyes".
"I'm gonna go check out this music", Riley said then left.
"Riley. Riley", Ellie called out and then went after her.
"Guess being an asshole also runs in the family", Even said and then followed. The two girls then had an argument but Even nor Jason could care less about it, Riley then dropped some water guns on the floor "I thought I took those things away".
"She swiped em from you while you were watching Ellie", Jason explained.
"Thanks for doing shit about it", Even said the two girls then had a water gun fight.
"This looks familiar".
"Yeah it does", Even replied.
"You should keep these", Riley said handing Ellie her water gun "They're not gonna do me any good".
"But it'll get her shoot", Even said "And I'll have to go through the trouble of taking them".
"You still lug that walkman around?", Riley asked.
"Always", Ellie replied simply.
"Let me see it", Riley said and Ellie then handed her the walkman "Follow me leave those", Riley commanded the walked towards a shelf when she walked away some music started playing and the two girls got on some kind of stage and started dancing.
"Cute", Jason said.
"Cute isn't my thing. Makes me sick", Even said.
"Don't go", Ellie said Riley then ripped off her firefly pendant and threw it away, Ellie then kissed her.
"Okay now I'm actually going to be sick", Even said and then put his hand over his mouth.
"Well.. that escalated quickly", Jason stated a runner was then heard in the distance and then spotted the two girls.
"Riley!", Ellie shouted and Riley then got her pistol out and shot it.
"Come on they'll have to get out through the scaffolding we go around and cover them", Even explained and then ran off with Jason and some runners following "Shit", Even said then through a molotov into the crowd of runners chasing them they climbed up some stairs and got to a balcony and blocked off the door from there they could get to the scaffolding and cover the two girls. When Ellie tried climbing up the scaffolding it fell and she landed on her back and a runner immediately pinned her down with another one coming, Even then shot it twice in the head the runner then dropped dead and Riley killed the one that pinned Ellie down another then tackled Riley to the floor "Can't get a clear shot", Even stated Ellie then cut off the runner's head with her switchblade "Get down", Even commanded and pulled Jason down "Can't let them see us".
"I think it's clear", Ellie said.
"Ellie", Riley said "Ellie your arm", Ellie then looked at her arm to see if drenched in blood and an infected bite on it Riley then raised her hand and revealed her bite.
"Damn", Even said Ellie then got a pipe and started breaking some pots while cursing then sat down next to Riley.
"Even", Jason said and looked at him "You're crying", Even then felt his cheek and realised that he was in fact crying.
"Yeah I guess I am. Weird", Even replied.
"That's new", Jason said and turned back to the girls.
"Why am I crying?", Even thought "I never had any kind of connection with Ellie and I sure as hell don't care for Riley", Even thought and then wiped his face.
"What are we gonna do?", Ellie asked.
"The way I see it we got two options", Riley replied "Option one we take the easy way out. It's quick and painless. I'm not a fan of option one. Option two we fight".
"Fight for what? We're gonna turn into one of those things".
"There were a million way we could've died before today, and a million way we could die before tomorrow. But we fight for every second we get to spend with each other whether it's two minutes or two day, we don't give that up. My vote let's just wait it out, ya know we can be all poetic and just loose our minds together".
"Remember that Even", Jason said.
"What do you mean?", Even asked.
"Knowing you you'd take the easy way out even if your mum was begging you to spend you last hours".
"You probably right".
"C'mon let's get out of here", Riley said and the two then got up.
"I'll make it quick when you turn", Even stated.
"Aren't you gonna talk to her?", Jason asked.
"What's the point? She gonna turn it doesn't matter if I met her. I'm terrible with these thing anyway".
"Shouldn't you at least tell her what happened to her parents?".
"Some things are best left untold. C'mon. Sorry dad I failed".
