Part 13: Johnny vs the commander
Joel was walking through the alleys in between the buildings not far from where the chopper crashed as he looked around for Johnny, "We cant keep looking around forever, its going to get dark soon," Jessie said.
"I know," Joel said calmly without looking back at her.
"Why aren't you sure he didn't just fly back when the chopper started going down," Jessie said as Joel checked the street to make sure no one was coming.
"All clear, I watched the chopper go down myself, no one flew out of there and then not long after both me and Ellie heard it explode," Joel said remembering seeing the look on Ellies face when she looked at him after hearing it.
"Well maybe our informant went with the soldiers who went to check the crash and got him out of there before they found him," Jessie said. "Either way their commanders not gonna be happy with the chopper gone now," she said looking serious.
Joel then noticed that it had started to get dark, "Alright lets head back," he said before sighing as they headed to one of the buildings that lead to the tunnels.
"From the way your acting it looks like he really matters to you," Jessie said, "Along with that girl, Ellie was her name right," she said.
"Yeah, hes one of the reasons why we were able to make a cure," Joel said.
"Still cant believe I saw someone able to fly, how did he get that power anyway?" Jessie asked.
"He was experimented on when he was just a kid," said Joel.
"How did you find him," Jessie said before they opened the door to the building.
"Actually he found us," Joel said, "He was looking to find a cure but found out we were doing the same thing so he joined up with us,".
"Can't imagine what it must have been like for him without his parents," Jessie said as they walked into the tunnel.
"He could look after himself, but he wasn't happy for a long time," Joel said, "Slowly he came around,".
"What happened," Jessie said.
"Ellie, she got him to listen, told him there was still people who cared about him," Joel said looking down.
"So he was focused on surviving to make a cure," Jessie said as they stopped walking.
"Yeah, now he leads his own group and has really helped a lot of people, even changed a few," he said remembering when Philips group had arrived in Jackson.
"Guess those two did the same for you," Jessie said smiling a little.
"Yeah I guess you could say that," Joel said smiling a little before Jessie looked forward as they reached the hideout.
"Joel," Tommy said calling out to him as he got up from the box where he was talking with people from Jackson.
"I couldn't find him, wheres Ellie," said Joel rubbing the back of his head. He then looked confused when Tommy smiled before nodding his head towards the medical area.
"Shes with her boyfriend, lets go talk to them," Tommy said making Joel and Jessie look surprised before they quickly walked over to the medical area where they found Johnny sitting with Ellie, Lily and Dean. Bill was sitting on the bed across from them.
"Johnny," Joel said getting his attention. Johnny got off the bed and Joel rushed over and hugged him. Johnny hugged him back smiling.
"I'm okay," he said as Joel pulled away and looked him over.
"Your sure your not hurt, anything broken," he said looking serious.
"Not to worry I had David look over him after he got back," Ellie said smiling as Johnny sat back down next to her while Joel sat next to Bill.
"How bad is it out there?" He asked.
"Not that many around actually, looks like they were all focused on where the chopper crashed," Joel said.
"How did you get out of there?" Jessie asked looking at Johnny.
Johnny then explained the fight that happened in the chopper before the controls were shot and they crashed. He finished by telling them how he flew himself out of the chopper before it exploded.
"Your really lucky to survive that," Tommy said before sighing.
"Theres also something going on out there that didn't seem right," Jessie said getting their attention, "Like Joel said there werent that many patrols around, but theres usually a lot going around at this time," she said looking confused.
"They could be planning something," Tommy said.
"You could be right," Derek said walking over with his wife, "You all might want to see this," he said making them look confused before they all got up. Dean getting some help from Lily who helped him up. They then walked near the entrance where they found Dylan along with other people dressed in military gear and civilians.
"What are they doing here," Jessie said with her hand near her gun.
"Whoa hold it Jessie, they came to me," Dylan said pointing at one of the soldiers, "He knew I was giving you all info and yet didn't rat me out to the commander," he said.
"I just didn't want him getting in trouble," the soldier said.
"That didn't stop you from firing at us earlier," Ellie said looking annoyed.
"Well you pushed our trucks into the wall," one of the soldiers said.
"How did they do that," one of the other soldiers said looking confused as they looked at each other.
"Enough," Derek said stepping forward, "You better have a good reason for bringing them here," he said looking at Dylan with a serious look on his face.
"The commanders leaving Boston and taking every soldier who stayed with him," he said making them look surprised.
"Well that's good then," said Jessie as most of the resistance looked happy.
"No it isn't," Tommy said looking nervous.
"What do you mean Tommy, it means we've won," said Derek.
"They'll run into Leos group," Johnny said clenching his fists, "We cant let him escape," he said looking up with a serious look on his face.
"I agree with you on that," Ellie said nodding in agreement.
"Theres no way hes getting away with this," Bill said holding up his shotgun.
"Your seriously going to fight him, hes leaving the city," Derek said.
"Then what about the people he will run into after he leaves," Johnny said as he walked towards Derek, "Im suppose to let him hurt them too like he did here,".
"Not going to happen," he said.
"You wont do it alone," Tommy said smiling.
"I may be injured but I can still fight," Dean said smiling.
"We're ready," Philip said walking over with the rest of the people from their group.
"Then you can count me in Johnny," Dylan said stepping forward with an assault rifle making Derrick look surprised.
"Yeah hes right, we cant let what happened here happen everywhere else," one of the soldiers said before the rest nodded in agreement.
Clare then put a hand on her husbands shoulder, "This is our home we need to fight for it," she said smiling.
Derek look surprised before nodding in agreement, "Johnny you can count us in," he said stepping forward.
"Glad to hear it," he said before looking at the soldiers, "You've fought on the wrong side for a long time, you want this second chance then you better help us," he said.
"You got it," Dylan said as the soldiers nodded in agreement before they started to lead the civilians to the living area.
"How much time do we have," Derek said as he stood with Dylan and Johnny.
"Early tomorrow, he still has a good amount of soldiers with him," Dylan said before looking over at the ones that came with him, "The only ones that joined me were ones that have friends and family outside the military," he said.
"Well he wont get far," Bill said as he walked over with a familiar trap, "Recognize these," he said looking at Johnny who nodded.
The next morning outside, near the wall Johnnys group along with with resistance were hiding near the road where the trucks would be passing by, "They're all packed up," Clare said from the radio Derek was holding. She along with the prisoners who were okay to move were watching things in the city.
"Do you know which one the commanders in," Derek said.
"The lead one," she said.
"Okay, ill talk to you again once its over," said Derek.
"Okay stay safe, I love you," Clare said.
"Don't worry ill be fine, I love you too," said Derek before turning off the radio and letting out a sigh.
"Just be focused on getting through this and you'll be fine," Johnny said who was standing behind a rock near him.
Derek nodded before taking out his assault rifle while Johnny took out his pistol, "Alright everyone get ready," Tommy said taking out his rifle.
After a few minutes the trucks passed by and then the lead ones tire hit a wire. Causing an explosive trap to go off and making the truck crash into a building wall, "Shoot out the tires," Tommy said as they shot out the tires on the remaining trucks.
"Open fire," Johnny said before shooting one of the trucks drivers as the remaining soldiers with the military got out of the truck and started firing back.
"Johnny," Lily said getting his attention, "The lead truck group is heading towards that building," she said pointing her gun towards the building next to the collapsed one. Johnny looked annoyed noticing the commander was with them.
"I'm going after them," said Johnny.
"I'm going with you," Ellie said looking serious.
"Philip can handle things here," Tommy said walking over with Joel.
"I'm seeing this through to the end," Bill said looking serious.
"Alright," Johnny said before Jessie ran towards them after firing towards the soldiers.
"Jessie," Joel said.
"You don't have a problem with me tagging along," she said.
"I don't see a problem," Bill said smiling.
"Derek we need some cover," Johnny said looking towards the resistance leader.
"You got it, everyone cover them," Derek said before they all fired before Johnnys team ran towards the building and after the commander. When they reached the entrance they found two soldiers near the stairs. Tommy and Joel shot them before they ran up the stairs. As they reached another floor Johnny and Bill were ahead of the group.
"Uh this floor doesn't feel safe," Jessie said before Johnny noticed it starting to falling apart.
"Johnny move," Bill said before grabbing his shoulder and pulling him back. Johnny pushed his right hand forward sending Ellie and the rest onto the floor below. The stairs then collapsed.
"Damnit," Ellie said looking annoyed.
"There should be another way up there, we just have to find it," Tommy said looking serious.
"We have to go ahead, that guy could have a parachute from the chopper with him and fly out from the top," Bill said looking serious.
"Were going ahead, try to reach us when you can," Johnny said taking out his pistol.
"You better make it out of this alive, I want us to relax for a long time when this is all over," she said looking serious.
Johnny smiled, "You got it, I love you Ellie," he said before he and Bill ran up ahead to the top floor. But when they reached the second last floor they were passing a room where gunfire came from when Johnny went past the door.
He and Bill stood on both sides of the door, "The rest of his group must be in there," Bill said looking annoyed before loading his shotgun, "Go get that guy," he said before running into the room.
"BILL," Johnny yelled before hearing him yell along with gunfire. Johnny looked annoyed before running to the top floor and finding the commander without a parachute. He then looked at Johnny while holding a small device in his hand.
"I thought it would be a resistance member who would find me, I guess I was wrong," he said.
"I'm not letting you out there just to hurt more people," Johnny said serious.
"Hurt, ive been protecting people," he said looking angry.
"Protecting, you let people starve but you let anyone who joined you get more food," said Johnny.
"Sure I needed more people to defend the city and take care of the infected," said the commander.
"Their people, survivors not soldiers," Johnny said looking angry.
"You know I recognize your not old enough to be born before all this happened, why come out here?" He asked.
"Because I decided I would use my power to protect the good people in this world," he said looking determined.
"Well lets see if you can protect people while I have this," said the commander holding up the detonator, "I wasn't able to just get a working chopper, I was also able to get c4," he said making Johnny look surprised.
"I was planing to detonate it after I left, you know keep the civilians safe for a little longer," he said.
"While keeping the resistance and my group trapped," Johnny said before clenching his fist.
"Wow you do have experience," the commander said.
"Well I wont let you," Johnny said reaching for the detonator but the commander grabbed it. Johnny then put away his pistol and ran up to him and punched him across the face.
"I recognized yesterday that you knew how to fight," he said before punching Johnny in the stomach.
"Well the last guy I fought before getting here was taller then you," Johnny said before punching his arm that was holding the detonator.
"How long do you intend to look out for them," the commander said before punching Johnny in the side before he got punched in the face again, "How long till someone else or the infected attacks your group," he said.
"That's why I'm not fighting alone," Johnny said punching him in the stomach and then kicking his right leg. The commander fell over and Johnny was about to punch him again before he blocked him with the arm holding the detonator.
"What about when you run out of supplies," he said before taking out a knife with his left hand and Johnny noticed it. He jumped back with only his shirt cut open and a small cut on his chest.
"Not everyone is like you, my team ran out to find other people, we helped them and they joined up with us," Johnny said before taking his pistol and shooting the commanders hand holding the knife.
The man screamed in pain as he dropped the knife. Johnny then pushed him back and made him drop the detonator. He was about to reach for it when he screamed in pain from a gun shot to the right shoulder.
"Its just like last time," he thought looking annoyed before seeing the commander holding his gun as he walked towards the detonator.
Johnny brought his right hand back and it landed in his left hand, "Why don't you just give up," the commander said before kicking him and pushing him back and onto the ground.
"Maybe when you die, your group will listen to me," the commander said.
Johnny then noticed his gun on the ground behind the commander. He had dropped it when he had gotten shot, "I'm not letting you anywhere near them," he said before his gun flew into his right hand. He then fired into the surprised commanders chest. Johnny knowing he had hit his heart. The commander fell on his back as Johnny stood up and put his gun away. Holding the detonator in his right hand.
"I just wanted to help my people survive," the commander said looking shocked.
"You went about it the wrong way," Johnny said as he headed towards the stairwell. He then headed down the stairs looking tired as he leaned against the wall, "My healings kicking in, I'm going to fall asleep soon," he thought before reaching the second last floor. He then reached the room Bill was in and found him surrounded by dead soldiers. He had stabbed the last one with his machete when he reached the doorway.
"Bill," Johnny said noticing his clothes had blood on it and there was bullet wound near his stomach.
"Hey hows it going," Bill said almost falling over before Johnny held him up as he winced in the pain from his shoulder.
"Shit you were shot," Bill said sounding concerned.
"Your in a worse state," Johnny said before grabbing the radio from his pocket.
"Tommy, Joel I need you up here now," he said pressing down on the button.
"Sorry we ran into some trouble, will be up there soon," Tommy said.
"Just hurry," Johnny said taking a breath before turning off the radio.
"Hey, lets take a seat," Bill said leading them over to an open window where the sun was shining.
Johnny sat him down before holding his left hand over his shoulder. He then looked in pain before pulling the bullet out and throwing it away, "Sorry, mine went through," Bill said pointing at his wound.
"Well just hang on, we have a plenty of medical supplies," Johnny said looking tired.
"I'm not so sure, guess I cant call you kid anymore," Bill said laughing a little.
"Yeah, I was fifteen the first time I met you," Johnny said smiling.
"You changed a lot since then, you don't seem as angry," Bill said looking at him.
"It was Ellie, she helped me feel better," said Johnny smiling.
"You know what Johnny, I'm glad I was able to help these people," Bill said looking out the window smiling.
"Hang on, you still can," Johnny said as he his eyes almost closed.
"Tell Joel, it was actually nice to see him again," Bill said before falling over.
"Bill no," Johnny said before falling over as well, "I cant stay up much longer," he thought as his eyes began to close. The last thing he heard was a familiar female voice yell his name.
"JOHNNY,". He then fell asleep.
Authors note: Sorry I didnt mention this sooner but the woman from the resistance who knows Joel. Her name will be spelled Jessie.