Summer:
April
Joel slowly moved behind a Runner. He looked past it at a Clicker that stood against a tree. It was hunched over and breathing softly.
Joel quickly grabbed the Runner and stabbed downward into its head. The Clicker heard the Runner hit the ground and ran toward Joel.
Joel ran behind a nearby tree and froze. The Clicker ran past the tree and stopped directly in front of him, searching for any sound from its prey. Joel charged forward with a grunt and stabbed downward into the Clicker's neck.
As the Clicker fell to the ground, a third Runner charged Joel from behind. Joel turned and punched the Runner in the face, causing it to stagger back a step. Joel ran forward and plunged the knife through its head.
Joel pulled the knife out. This is the tenth runner this week. These things are out in force. He bent down and examined the bodies. They must have been a traveling group. No military clothing. They're either Hunters or stragglers.
Joel stood and moved on. He traveled several hours until he came across a couple of dead Runners. Joel knelt and let out a sigh of relief. It's not her. These are at least a day old. He pulled a broken arrow out of the nearest Runner. Homemade again.
…
Ellie held up her new arrow. It reflected in the firelight. The clouds overhead offered little light in the thick forest. "How's this one?" she asked.
Matthew put down his book, took the arrow, and examined it. "Pretty good," he said, handing her back the arrow. "You learn fast."
Ellie shrugged and placed the arrow in her backpack. "It's a good thing we know how to avoid fights," she said, throwing the arrow in the backpack. "The pendants can keep us going for a while. I just wish they didn't take so long to melt."
Matthew shrugged and threw a twig into the fire. "It's a good thing you learned how to be quieter," he mumbled under his breath.
Ellie glared at him.
Matthew laughed. "Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, I told you those pendants would be useful. Metal isn't too easy come by in the woods."
Ellie took out a state map of Colorado. She placed it on the ground near the fire and grabbed a few rocks to keep the map in place. Ellie traced her fingers on the map.
"What are you looking for?" Matthew asked, kneeling next to Ellie.
Ellie traced her finger on the map. "Well, ever since I figured out we're going to Texas," she said, pushing away thoughts of Joel. "I've been trying to figure out exactly what we're in for."
"Well, we can't exactly predict that by looking at the map," Matthew commented.
"Call me paranoid," Ellie replied.
"In this world, there's no such thing," Matthew said as he sat shoulder to shoulder with Ellie.
"I'd say we're about here," Ellie continued, pointing out a spot on the map. "If we move quick and don't have any delays we should reach this town three days from now."
Matthew didn't reply.
Ellie pointed at the map again. "We can stop there for the night. You know, maybe find some food and supplies and—"
"Ellie," Matthew interrupted, standing up. "You know how I feel about going into towns and cities. We never know what we're going to find."
"Fine," Ellie said, disappointed. She placed the map back into her backpack. "It was just a suggestion."
Matthew was silent for a moment. He sat down again. "I admit we need the supplies," he said hesitantly. "Let's do it."
"Look, I get it," Ellie said. "I don't like going into new places either. I hate dealing with Hunters and Infected as much as you do."
"It's not the Hunters or the Infected that I want to avoid," Matthew said quietly. "It's what they leave behind."
Ellie stared at the fire.
Matthew rose to his feet, grabbing his backpack. "See you at sunrise?" he asked.
"Always."
