It took me a month but I retraced my steps back to the forests of Jackson country. I used my last bandage on my bite wound to hide it from the guards to the dam who might mistake me for a runner. The gate was near by but I haven't been here in half a year so I hid behind a tree to see if I recognized any one on the wall. An old man was pacing the area above the gate.
A man who I last saw on top of a fire truck in a tunnel full of infected.
"Joel." I yelled running towards the gate.
"What in Jesus." He looked like he saw a ghost, "Ellie, you might want to see this."
"What is it?" The girl asked as she looked down at me, "Daniel!? Can it actually be you!?"
"Yeah, its me."
"Holy shit. I'm coming down." She ran through the now open gate towards me, "I knew if there was anyone else it would be you." We embraced each other for the first time in what felt like forever.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm," She paused, "we're immune. That's why we went looking for the fireflies but Joel swore to me that the gave up."
It all made sense now.
"Now if you two are done with your reunion why don't you come inside where its safer."
"C'mon," Ellie said to me as she held my hand and led me into the complex, "Tommy will want to speak with you."
"Good to see you mate," Lucas spotted me, "whatcha do to ya arm?"
I wasn't sure if I knew what happened that fateful day in Salt Lake City so I said, "Came across a guy who favoured a machete. I'll tell ya about it later."
We walked towards the office building that Tommy and Maria used. Ellie holding my hand.
"I thought I lost you." She said as she stopped me just before the door and pulled me into a tight hug.
"So did I."
"I think this belongs to you." She placed the knife that I grew up with in my hand.
The door opened and Maria stood in the door way, "Well look who we have here."
"Hey Maria," I started, "Long time no see."
"Indeed."
"Is Tommy here?"
"Yeah, come in, he's here."
"I'll wait here."
Tommy and I conversed about what happened since I stole one of his horses six months earlier.
"And that leads me back here."
"Well that was an interesting story."
"Any open spots for me?"
"Sure, I think Joel and Ellie will be happy to have you after all you've been through."
"I'll ask em about it."
"Don't worry about the horse. I understand."
"Thank you." I said as I left his office.
"So how'd it go?" Ellie asked eagerly.
"Not bad, pretty great if Joel wouldn't mind me staying with you."
She smiled and hugged me. "I knew you would say that. And he wouldn't mind."
"So are you going to show me the place?"
"Yeah, lets go." We left the building and she led me to our new home.
My name is Daniel Malcom,
And I am no longer alone.