Part 2: Birthday surprises
Johnny put his jacket back on as he walked through the town. He then reached the area where he lived with Ellie and Joel. Joel lived in the big house and most of the time he and Ellie would go in would be for movie nights. He and Ellie lived in the small building out back.
He walked past the big house into the garden and noticed the light was still on through the window. He sighed before adjusting his backpack, "You better not be far behind me Joel," he thought before opening the front door. He noticed Ellie sitting at her desk writing in her journal.
When he shut the door she turned around and stood up. "I'm home," Johnny said smiling nervously before his girlfriend ran up to him and punched him in the arm. "Okay I deserve that," he said rubbing the spot on his arm.
"Your right you do," Ellie said looking annoyed as she had her fists clenched. She then hugged him making him look surprised. "But you deserve this for making it back," she said sounding relieved.
Johnny then hugged her back, "I'm sorry," he said looking down for worrying her. She then stood back and walked over to the bed before sitting down.
"Okay sit and tell me what was so important you had to leave," she said looking serious. Johnny took his backpack off and sat down next to her.
"Do you remember a few nights ago when I was trying to sleep while you were still writing," he said and she nodded.
"Yeah what about it?" She asked.
"Back in the bunker when I would be given injections, I remember the doctor used to take notes," he said. "I thought he would keep notes on what he used to make the serum," he said making her look surprised.
"You went back to the bunker," she said and he nodded. "Damnit Johnny, are you okay," she said.
"There were infected but I took care of it," he said.
"So why would you want the journal, I thought you hated the serum," said Ellie.
"I'm not trying to make that serum, Ellie I was lucky to survive," he said. "But there was more to the serum then just my power," he said looking at his arm.
"Your immunity," she said before looking surprised. Realizing something. "You want to make a cure for the infection," she said and Johnny nodded.
Ellie then held his hand. "Is it possible?" She asked sounding serious.
"I told the doctor about it before I came here, he saids it possible but it will take a lot of time," he said calmly. He then reached for his backpack and opened it. He then took out his firefly tag making Ellie look surprised.
"You showed me your friend Riley's," said Johnny before putting it in her hand. "I thought you should have mine too," he said and she smiled before putting it on.
She then hugged him and he hugged her back. "Thanks for making it back," she said before looking at him serious. "But don't ever take off like that again," she said.
"You got it," Johnny said smiling. She then kissed him on the lips and he kissed her back when the door opened.
"Oh sorry, I'll call back later," Joel said as the two teens separated.
"Joel, have you ever heard of knocking," Ellie said looking annoyed as Joel walked in carrying a guitar.
"Sorry, whats that your wearing," he said pointing at the firefly tag.
"Something I wanted her to have," Johnny said smiling as Joel sat in the desk chair.
"So you two good then?" He asked.
"Oh he knows not to run off like that again," Ellie said smiling while Johnny rubbed his arm.
"Yep," he said smiling as Ellie nudged him with her shoulder.
"So what brings you here, other then checking on us?" Ellie asked.
"Well I heard all the work you two have been doing," Joel said. "Helping people out and people are happy," he said.
"Whats that," Ellie said looking at the guitar.
"Well this is a guitar, thought Id play something," Joel said before he began playing. All the while Johnny and Ellie smiled.
When the song was over the two of them cheered. "That was great," Johnny said smiling.
"Yeah," said Ellie.
"Well here," Joel said handing out the guitar to Ellie.
"What for real," Ellie said looking confused as she held the guitar.
"Yeah I figured its about time you learned," said Joel before looking at Johnny. "Don't worry ill find one for you too," he said.
"Don't worry about it," Johnny said smiling as he sat back. "Besides you and me will be teaching her how to play," he said.
"Sounds fun, so first lesson tomorrow," Joel said heading towards the door.
"You got it," Ellie said before looking at Johnny, "Here we gotta get up early tomorrow so we should head to bed," she said.
"Yeah your right," he said before getting off the bed.
"Sleep well you two," Joel said before closing the door. Ellie looked at the door to make sure he was gone.
"Hey," she said looking at Johnny who was about to go into the bathroom.
"Yeah," he said and he noticed she looked nervous.
"Think you can give me a few lessons," she said. "I want to surprise him tomorrow," she said smiling.
Johnny smiled as well. "Sure you got it," he said before going to change into his sleepwear. A few minutes later the two of them were sitting close on the bed as Johnny gave her instructions.
As time passed on they continued their lives in Jackson. Then one day before Ellie's birthday. She along with Johnny and two other teenagers. A boy named Jesse and a girl named Dina. This was one of the days they were to practice shooting. Ellie, Dina and Jesse were shooting cans while Johnny was sitting at a small table cleaning his weapon.
"Cmon," Jesse said looking annoyed after missing a can.
"Just stay calm," Dina said looking annoyed when Ellie shot down a can. "Nice shot," she said.
"Thanks," said Ellie.
"Why isnt he practicing," Jesse said pointing at Johnny who was focused on cleaning his gun.
"Probably because hes had plenty of practice," Ellie said calmly as Johnny started to put his gun back together.
"But it never hurts to practice," said Johnny as he finished putting his gun back together before loading a round. He then stood up and shot down all four cans without missing.
"So have you found out where your going for your birthday tomorrow?" Dina asked Ellie smiling while Ellie looked annoyed.
"No idea and neither he or Joel will tell me anything," she said looking at Johnny who smiled.
"If I told you then that would ruin the surprise," he said.
The next day Johnny, Joel and Ellie took off on a trip for her birthday. Joel and Ellie took horses while Johnny flew. Though from being asked by both Joel and Ellie he took breaks to ride with Ellie on her horse.
Later in the day as it was still bright out. Ellie was sitting on a tree playing the guitar when Joel walked over. "That's starting to really sound like something," he said.
"Thanks," Ellie said before looking up. "Any sign of him?" She asked.
"Actually the place isn't far so it shouldn't be long till he gets back," said Joel.
"Wait this it," said Ellie.
"Yeah," he said.
"Great lets go," said Ellie when Johnny landed on the ground.
"All good," said Joel.
"Yeah were all clear," said Johnny as he wiped his forehead. "Ill think ill walk the rest of the way now," he said before the three of them started walking.
"Okay will you tell me now," Ellie said looking at Johnny.
"No," Johnny said smiling.
"Like we told you it would ruin the surprise," said Joel smiling as they reached the cliff near the river. Johnny and Ellie walked ahead.
"Alright watch your step you two," said Joel before pushing the two of them into the water. The two of them quickly swam up breathing in.
"Oh you should see your faces," said Joel before Johnny splashed water at him.
"Not cool," he said looking annoyed.
"What if I drown," said Ellie looking worried.
"Your not going to drown," said Joel. "Cmon theres a path further up ahead," he said while they swam.
"Remember to move your arms," said Joel instructing Ellie.
"Yeah I got it," she said. "Nice splash," she said smiling at Johnny.
"Thanks," he said before the two of them climbed out of the water.
"Okay im going to start guessing, tell me if im close," Ellie said.
"I'm not saying anything," said Johnny looking forward.
"Same here," said Joel.
"Is it a big pile of comic books," she said. "A car," she said.
"Wait hold on," said Joel as they stood near the cliff side.
"Oh," Johnny said noticing the deer.
"Wow," Ellie said before pushing Joel into the water. "See isnt nice now is it," Ellie said smiling.
"Actually we have to swim the rest of the way from here," Joel said smiling.
"Hes right," Johnny said before jumping into the water.
"Cmon, I pushed you in and your mad," said Ellie.
"Trust me I am, now cmon," said Joel before he and Johnny swam ahead. Ellie catching up to them.
"Is it kittens," said Ellie.
"No," Johnny said letting out a breath while Joel laughed.
They then reached the place they were going too. "Whoa," Ellie said looking surprised at the giant statue of a dinosaur. They were outside a museum.
"So what do you think," said Johnny.
"What do I think, Johnny," she said.
"Cmon theres more inside," said Joel as they walked towards the door. Joel then handed Ellie a small booklet.
"Whats this?" Ellie asked.
"A book," Johnny said smiling.
"A book about dinosaurs," she said before they started walking around.
The museum was big further inside. Showing the bones of different dinosaurs. Ellie naming each of them from the booklet. They then went to the second floor.
"Whoa, did you know this was here," Ellie said looking at all the stuff to do with space.
As they began looking around Ellie started saying things she knew. Then they found a replica of a rover. "Where's the steering wheel," said Joel.
"They don't use steering wheels on rovers, they use joysticks," said Ellie pointing them out before looking at the capsule. Ellie opened it up and was about to go in before Joel stopped her.
"If your going to space youll need a helmet," he said.
"Oh your right," said Ellie before grabbing a helmet. She then noticed Johnny was standing at the side. "Your not getting in?" She asked.
"No thanks, you two go in ill wait here," he said.
Johnny waited outside while Joel and Ellie climbed in. He knew Joel would be giving her a tape recording of a shuttle taking off. He then took something out of his pocket and it was revealed to be a pin of a space ship.
A few moments later Joel and Ellie climbed out. "Here," Johnny said smiling as he handed Ellie the pin. She quickly hugged him and he hugged her back.
"Happy birthday Ellie," he said smiling.
"Thanks Johnny," she said before putting the pin on her backpack.
They went further into the building and found an area destroyed. "Hey whats in that area?" Ellie asked.
"Don't know, I haven't been there yet," said Joel when Ellie jumped into the water below.
"Are you serious," Johnny said before sighing.
"Cmon jump in, I want a big splash," Ellie said smiling.
Joel and Johnny looked at each other before jumping. They then landed in the water making a big splash. They swam out of the water and found the door was locked.
"Hey theres an open window there," Ellie said pointing the window. "Johnny can you give me a lift," she said.
"Yeah sure," he said before holding onto her and flying up to the window. She climbed in while Johnny landed back on the ground.
"Ah bad news, theres a bunch of stuff covering the door," Ellie said making Johnny look annoyed.
"Will find a way from out here, you gonna be okay in there," Joel said.
"Yeah ill be fine," said Ellie.
"I'm gonna take off to find another door," Johnny said.
"Alright," Joel said before Johnny flew into the air.
A few moments later he found another door and lead Joel to it. When Joel arrived Johnny heard what sounded like an animal and then Ellie. "Ellie," Johnny said before pushing his hand against the door.
The door was sent flying and Johnny rushed in to see Ellie standing up. "You okay," Joel said.
"Yeah, it was just an animal," Ellie said looking at the wall.
Johnny looked confused before looking at the wall. He then noticed the symbol of the fireflies and written under it was the word, Liars.
"Cmon, its gonna get dark out soon, we should set up camp," said Joel.
"Yeah," said Johnny before he and Ellie followed him outside.