Ellie helps me swim over to shore. When we get there I lay down on the ground next to Jesse while we all catch our breath, "Next time you're in the back." is all I say as I close my eyes and clutch my stomach. Ellie looks down at me.
"Li, let me see your stomach." I move my arm and let her look at it, "Fuck Lia we're gonna have to stitch this up the wounds deeper now."
"How'd that happen?" Jesse asks.
"Another explosive flew me off the horse." I groan, "I should really stick to walking. Seems safer for me." Jesse and Ellie chuckle.
"Can you make it back Li?" Ellie asks. I nod at her and we get up to go. Ellie and Jesse help me make it back to the movie theatre. When we get there Ellie does the knock we told Dina we'd use and the doors soon open to a surprised Dina.
"Lia Jesus," Dina begins but stops when she see's Jesse, "oh my god." Dina says as she goes over to hug Jesse.
"Hey, Dina. Oh!" Jesse steps back in surprise when Dina brings him down into a hug.
"Hey. You okay?" She asks.
"Nothin' a little sleep won't take care of." Dina brings Jesse inside, "How'd you get past Maria?"
"Had to sneak out. My friends' problems are my problems. I heard you're sick?"
"Oh, it's... it's just a stomach thing. Cmon. Let's sit you down huh." Dina leads Jesse to the couch while Ellie helps me to the back of the theatre. She helps me lay down and takes off my top to look at the injury. She prepares the stitches and cleans it up before starting to stitch it up. I wince slightly but relax and watch Ellie as she stitches it up. She's quicker than I expect and the stitches are done. Ellie wraps my stomach as well for some of the more minor cuts.
"Okay, just rest now. Please?" Ellie asks. I give her a small smile and nod. She's about to turn away, but I grab her arm and turn it so I can see her cut.
"Not before I stitch you up," Ellie is about to protest but I don't let her, "please?" Ellie sighs and nods. I sit up and grab the tools Ellie used and I prepare the needle to stitch her up. I put in the first one and Ellie doesn't even flinch- she just watches me silently like I did for her. When I'm done I cut the remaining string and smile up at Ellie, "done." Ellie searches all around my face before leaning in and giving me a soft kiss.
"Rest up, okay?" I nod at her and pull her onto the small red chair.
"You need to rest as well." Ellie sighs, but her exhaustion takes over and she lays down next to me. I give her a soft smile before I close my eyes and let sleep take over.
When I wake up Ellie's gone and a blanket is draped over me. I look around confused before I go up to the radio room and see Dina in there.
"Hey. Where's Ellie?"
Dina looks over at me and sighs, "Don't get mad, but she left."
"What-"
"I told her about a lead at this hospital and she left to get it. I tried to tell her to wait until Jesse rests up, but she insisted on going now." I go over to grab my backpack but Dina stops me, "Lia, you're in no shape to go to her right now by yourself."
"I can't let her do this by herself."
"She's in better shape than you. You and Jesse can go when he's rested up as well." I don't know what to do, "Look. I don't like this either, but we don't have a choice right now."
"I'm not letting her be out there alone." I walk out with my backpack on and Dina follows me. When we get downstairs Jesse's up with his backpack on as well.
"You're not going alone." Jesse tells me. I give him a grateful nod and we are about to head out when we hear a knock on the door and Ellie calls out.
"It's me." I hear Ellie on the other side of the door. Her voice is shaky. I look at Jesse and Dina before I run to the door to open it. When I see Ellie I don't waste a second to pull her into a hug.
"Christ," Jesse sighs, "Is that your blood?" Ellie doesn't reply as Dina pulls her into a hug. Ellie steps out of it and pulls out the map.
"She's hiding out in the..." Ellie's voice shakes, "in this aquarium."
"Okay." Dina says softly and pulls the map out of Ellie's hands.
I clear my throat, "Lets uh, let's get you cleaned up. I'll check over any injuries." Ellie nods as she keeps a dazed look on her face. I look over at Dina and Jesse before I lead Ellie upstairs. I sit Ellie down and quickly leave to get supplies to clean her up. When I walk back to her she's breathing deeply, like she's still trying to catch her breath.
"I'm gonna take off your shirt, okay?" Ellie nods and lifts her arms. I slide off her shirt and try to suppress a gasp at Ellie's state. I grab the cloth and go to her back first to clean.
"Nothing looks like it needs stitches." I tell her.
"How do you bear it?" Ellie asks so softly I almost don't hear her. I think I know what she's talking about but I still ask, "bear what?" Ellie's hands tighten around the bench, "The pain," her voice breaks, "the rage. Knowing how much someone hurt you, but hurting them back feels... sick. And watching the life leave their eyes-" Ellie shuts her eyes and her face scrunches up.
I stay quiet as I clean her back, "I, I don't know if I've ever been able to bear it. I just, lived with it." that doesn't feel right, but it's the best I can say right now.
"You said earlier that your revenge never helped. Why?" Ellie's voice still shakes.
I take a deep breath, "Even though Henry was gone it never changed what happened. I'll never be able to change what happened." I'll never be able to bring back Andy or my dad, no matter what I do.
"I made her talk." Ellie tells me. I don't say anything and let her continue, "I never want to lose you." Ellie tells me. I put my head on her shoulder and Ellie leans her head on mine with her eyes closed, "I love you, Lia." Ellie opens her eyes and turns her head towards me. I lean forward and place my hand next to her thigh.
"I love you too, Ellie." A tear runs down Ellie's face and she leans her head onto mine. I close my eyes and whisper, "I love you so much Ellie." A slight sob leaves Ellie's lips and we stay with each other as two broken people who've experienced so much loss that I don't think we could bear to handle anymore.