A/N: Sorry for the delay for this chapter, hope you guys enjoy!

The trio stayed at the house for the better part of a week for Abby to recover from her concussion and to start the recovery on Ellie's ribs. The three started walking north, heading into Oregon and making sure they put their jackets on since Oregon's fall weather was much different from California's.

"Alright, if we keep going north, we should be in Medford by sunset." Abby says as she walks alongside Ellie, who nodded.

"Think the fireflies might recognize you when we get there, Ellie?" Lev asks as he jogged up beside them.

"Probably not because it's been so long." She shrugs, adjusting her backpack.

"If you had the option, would you give yourself up for the cure?"

"Years ago I would have, but now? I don't think so. I have more to live for." She says, Abby clearing her throat uncomfortably. She knew that Ellie wasn't going to be happy when they got to the fireflies and Abby offered her up and she wasn't looking forward to that.

"Alright, let's cut through these woods." Abby says, changing the subject as she hopped over the guard rail, "once we get to Medford we can rest." She adds as Ellie and Lev hopped over to join her.

The group walked in silence for what felt like hours until they passed a Welcome to Medford sign just as the sun was starting to set walking by an overpass when they got to the street finally.

"We need to find a place to sleep for the night." Ellie says as they walk, eventually coming across an abandoned apartment building.

"Okay, looks clear." Abby says as they looked around apartments until they entered 3B, "why don't you take the bedroom, Lev? Me and Ellie will sleep out here." She says, gently ushering Lev to the bedroom so she and Ellie could talk.

"I can keep watch so you can get some sleep." Ellie says, barely looking up at Abby.

"There's no need. I don't think infected are going to come in here so no one needs to keep watch." Abby says, looking around awkwardly, "Lev told me what you said about helping him find the fireflies when I was hurt if I died." She adds, sitting down on the couch.

"Yeah well it wouldn't be fun going across the country alone. It's dangerous for a kid."

Abby raised an eyebrow, "speaking from experience?"

Ellie sighed, "kind of. Joel was hurt for several months when I was fourteen," she starts, going to sit on the floor and wincing in pain, "I was fending for the two of us and I ran into a group of cannibals. Their leader, David, acted like he was on my side but he wanted me as his pet." She explains, looking up at Abby.

"What happened to him?"

"He tried to rape me so I smashed his face in with a machete."

Abby blinked at her, surprised at how nonchalant Ellie was being.

"Yes. You heard that right."

Abby laughed, trying to shake the imagery of a fourteen-year-old Ellie smashing a pedophiles face in, "so where was Joel during this?"

"He pulled me off David but I was so scared that I couldn't register it was him until he made me look at him." She explains, looking down and twiddling her thumbs.

"That's great."

Ellie chuckled, finally looking up at Abby, who moved from the couch to sit across from Ellie.

"I want to say that I'm sorry."

For?" Ellie asks, looking at the older girl in confusion.

"For telling you that Joel died because of you and about your ex and son."

Ellie shrugged, "I mean you were right. I'm sorry for blaming you for everything."

Abby nodded before looking back to the bedroom where she could see Lev asleep on the bed.

"Please. If anything does happen to me, make sure Lev is safe."

Ellie nodded, "I will. I promise."

A/N: Let me know what y'all think. I know this chapter is short and not as good, I'm trying to make them longer but if anyone has anything they'd like to see in the story then let me know.