Chapter 3 Revelations

"This rain ain't gonna do us much good," Joel stated as the group exited the tunnel and enter the dark outside.

"This rain. Nothing but good, not only will it make us cold and potentially sick but it makes it harder to use echolocation. There's too much sound to accurately pinpoint enemy movements," Jake thought.

"Holy shit, I'm actually outside!" Ellie exclaimed.

"Quit dawdling," Jake snapped at the redhead who was irritated by the order but complied nonetheless. "And to top it all off we have to bark orders at this brat. And me, Joel and Tess here I won't be able to have any fun. This job is turning into more and more of a drag," Jake concluded mentally. The group continued to move forward with Joel leading them through a truck's trailer. Upon peaking his head out the other end Joel was clocked in the head with the back of a soldier's rifle and hit the ground. "Damn it, the rain huh," Jake cursed internally.

"Don't do anything stupid," the soldier said as she aimed the rifle at Ellie next in front and the three of them raised their hands and walked out the trailer. "Turn around on your knees," the soldier ordered to which the group unwilling complied "You scan em, I'll call em in."

"Alright," a second soldier replied as he walked up behind Tess. "Put your hands on your heads."

"This is Ramirez of sector twelve requesting pickup for four stragglers."

"Look the other way, we can make this worth your while," Tess said trying to bribe her way out.

"Shut up," the second soldier replied simply as he scanned Tess and Joel "Getting tired of this shit. What's the ETA?"

"Couple minutes," the first soldier replied.

"Fuck this is bad," Jake thought.

"Oh man, oh man," Ellie whispered as the second soldier approached her and scanned her "Sorry," she said as she pulled out a switchblade and stabbed him in the leg near the knee. Jake then kicked the soldier in the knee where he was stabbed causing him to fall over, his balance already weakened by the switchblade. Joel then shot the second soldier while Tess shot the first ending the scuffle within moments. "Fuck, they're good," Ellie thought and Jake drew the switchblade from the soldiers knee and threw it at the ground in front of Ellie, the only one still on the ground. "Oh fuck. I thought we were just gonna hold em or something." Jake then noticed the scanner one the ground and saw the writing 'INFECTED' on it. Jake picked it up to verify and saw that there was no mistake.

"Joel, check this out," Jake said throwing the scanner at him and then pointing his pistol at her.

"Jesus Christ, Marlene set as up," Joel said showing Tess the scanner "Why the hell are we smuggling an infected girl?"

"I knew it, this whole time." Jake thought.

"I'm not infected," Ellie replied with panic in her voice.

"No, so this was lying?"

"I can explain."

"Fast," Jake added and Ellie rolled up her sleeve.

"Look at this."

"I don't care how you got infected," Joel dismissed turning to Tess.

"It's three weeks old."

"There's no way. Is there?" Jake questioned mentally, his gun lowered for a brief moment but he quickly reaffirmed himself of the impossibility and returned his aim on the girl.

"Everyone turns within two days so you stop bullshitting," Tess interjected.

"It's three weeks. I swear," Ellie repeated "Why would she set you up?"

"For many reasons. I don't believe it," Jake said.

"Me neither," Joel said as he looked into the distance and saw a military truck approaching "Oh shit. RUN!" Joel yelled as the group ran from the pursuing soldiers into some trenches.

The group had managed to evade the military for the time being and had taken shelter from the rain to evaluate their situation. "Well at least we're outta the rain," Joel remarked as Tess approached Ellie who sat on a rock as she caught her breath.

"What's the plan? Let's say we deliver you to the Fireflies. What then?" Tess questioned.

"Deliver it. It isn't human," Jake commented.

"Ignore him," Tess said.

"Marlene said they have their own little quarantine zone with doctors there still trying to find a cure," she answered.

"Yeah we've heard that before," Joel commented.

"And whatever happened to me is the cure to finding a vaccine."

"Oh Jesus."

"It's what she said."

"Oh I'm sure she did."

"Oh fuck you man I didn't ask for this," Ellie said standing up.

"Me neither. Tess what the hell are we doing here?"

"What if it's true?" Tess asked in response.

"This girl," Jake thought "There's no way."

"I can't be-"

"What if Joel?" Tess cut off "Look we've come this far let's just finish it."

"Do I need to remind you what is out there?" Joel asked while dragging Tess away and pointing into the distance.

"I get it," Tess said as she removed her arm and walked away followed by the two teens and then eventually Joel. The four of them progressed through the collapsing remains of the city when the familiar groans where heard in the distance.

"Ah what the hell was that?" Ellie said with fear in her voice.

"Tess you hear that?"

"Yeah, sounded pretty far away," Tess replied.

"Are we safe?"

"You're never safe in this world," Jake answered.

"You're never safe in this world." Ellie thought over and over "Is that really true? The world needs the vaccine so I have to get to the Fireflies." Ellie thought "Still the thought is saddening, especially from someone as young as him. What has he seen being a smuggler? I almost feel sorry for him, even if he is a giant prick." The group made their way to the edge of a large pit which stopped their progress. "This is the downtown area?"

"It was. Now it's a giant wasteland," Tess replied "We need to get around this mess to get to the capitol building."

The four had made it out of the museum through the rooftops and Joel, using a wooden plank, made a passage for them to the next building. "Now it is a little shaking so you're gonna wanna,"

"Pssh," Ellie interrupted Joel as she started walking across the plank, Joel could only look back at Tess with annoyance while Tess simply shook her head. Joel than crossed the gap followed by Jake then Tess.

"Well is that everything you hoped for?" Joel asked Ellie as she looked on at the capitol building in the sunrise.

"Jury's still out," she replied after a pause "But man. Can't deny that view."

"Hey, let's go," Tess ordered as she walked by with Ellie then following. Joel then took a moment to look at his precious watch while Jake walked up beside him.

"Remembering her?" Jake asked quietly to which Joel nodded silently.

"Hey pick it up," Tess called out interrupting the two as they then walked towards the ladder down "Look where almost done. Stay focused."

"Yes ma'am," Joel replied.

The group made it through the remaining ruins of Boston until they were in spitting distance of the Capitol building.

"Finally," Jake thought.

"There it is. Home stretch Tess," Joel called out.

"Uh just so it's out there I can't swim," Ellie mentioned as they approached and a polluted body of water.

"It looks like it's shallow along the right side follow me," Tess instructed and Ellie followed.

"I'm glad Marlene chose you guys."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess I'm tryna say thanks."

"Yeah sure," Tess responded as the they approached the entrance to the capitol building. Once they opened the door they were immediately greeted and the dead bodies of Fireflies ripped apart by military bullets. "Oh no no no," Tess said in panic as she went up to the bodies and frantically searched.

"What's up with her? This is out of character," Jake thought.

"What happens now?" Ellie asked Joel but he dismissed her.

"Tess what are you doing?" Joel asked as he walked up to Tess.

"Maybe they uh had a map or uh something to tell us where they were headed," Tess answered in panic still searching away until she looked up at Ellie "Where was this lab of their?"

"She never said she only mentioned it was some place out west," Ellie replied timidly.

"What are we doing here? This is not us," Joel began.

"Oh what would you know?" Tess asked as she stood up in anger "About us? About me?"

"What's going on?" Jake thought to himself.

"I know that you are smarter than this," Joel replied.

"Really? Guess what we're shitting people Joel and it's been that way for a long time," Tess said.

"No we are survivors," Joel said raising his voice.

"This is our chance-"

"It is over Tess," Joel yelled "Now we tried. Let's just go home."

"I'm not," Tess began "I'm not going anywhere."

"What?" Joel asked in confusion as he put his hand out to her.

"No don't touch me," Tess snapped batting his hand away and moving back.

"Holy shit," Ellie spoke up "She's infected," Ellie said. Jake's eyes widened in shock and all his surroundings became a blur.

"What? No impossible," Jake thought to himself as his mind raced. There was no denial from Tess causing Joel to only stare at her in shock.

"I-."

"Show it to me," Joel cut off Tess.

"I didn't mean-"

"Show it to me," Joel repeated more aggressively than less last time so Tess swiftly pulled her collar with anger visible on her face. The group then saw the bloody exposed skin on Tess's neck the where the infected claimed her life. "Oh Christ," was all Joel could say in the shock.

"No," Jake said in his head barely able to process the whole situation "Why?" he questioned. "I'm sorry Jess. So sorry," he thought as a single tear began to roll down the side of his face.

"Oops right," Tess said nonchalantly as she then let her collar go and turned to Ellie. "Gimme your arm," she said as she walked up to her and dragged her by the infected arm towards Joel "I was bitten an hour ago and it's already worse, this is fucking real Joel," she said as she pointed at Ellie's arm. Tess then removed her grip on Ellie as she backed away slowly and starred at the ground. "You have got to get this girl to Tommy's, he used to run with this crew he'll know where to go."

"No no no that was your crusade I ain't doing that-" Joel began.

"Yes you are," Tess cut off as she got closer to Joel "Look there has to be enough here that you feel some sort of obligation. To me. So you get her Tommy's."

"Tess," Jake croaked out barely able to speak Tess then made her way over to him and took the child into an embrace.

"Oh, Jake I'm so, so sorry. I never wanted any of this I'm so sorry Jake," Tess apologised over and over but Jake could say nothing "Listen to me Jake. You and Joel have to get Ellie to the Fireflies. She is immune and she's the last hope we have. Promise me you'll do that for me."

"I promise," Jake barely got out and Tess slowly let Jake go as the tear on Jake's face slide off and hit the ground.

"Ellie, I need to talk to you," Tess said as Ellie walked over to her. "Listen to me. This is going to be a dangerous journey for you. You have to stay sharp and stay strong. Listen to Joel and Jake when they tell you to do something. They will get you to the Fireflies I promise." Tess whispered to Ellie "One more thing. I know he may not look like it now, but Jake is dangerous. He's seen so much more than any child should ever have, even in their nightmares. Please, I know you two don't really seem to get along but please behave because who knows what will happen if he loses it. You understand?" Tess asked and Ellie nodded in response.

"Shit they're here," Joel cursed as military rolled up in an armoured truck.

"I can buy you some time. You have to run," Tess stated.

"You want us to just leave you here?" Ellie asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Tess replied simply giving Jake the confirmation he needed. He grabbed Ellie by the arm and began pulling her away towards the exit. However, this time Ellie managed to break free from Jake's grip.

"There's no way you're okay with this," Ellie said to Jake.

"It doesn't matter what I think," Jake yelled as he glared at Ellie "We have to go Joel."

"I can fight," Joel said barely audibly.

"No, just go," Tess ordered as she pushed him away "Just fucking go," Tess said one more time and Joel slowly walked away towards the exit. Just as the three of them reached the door Jake ran back towards Tess and hugged her for one last time.

"Let me stay," he pleaded.

"No Jake you have so much more left to live."

"No I don't," Jake replied mournfully.

"Listen Jake. Whatever happened has happened, we have to move on without staying in the past or it will kill us. You understand me?" Tess asked but there was only silence "Now go."

"I'm sorry."

"For what I never-"

"For Jess."

"Jake I never ever blamed you for that. Not once."

"But I did."

"Look Jake, it wasn't your fault but right now you have to go," Tess instructed and gave his familiar jet black a ruffle before they let go of each other and he ran back towards the exit. "Thank you Joel, Jake. For everything. Really thank you," Tess thought then wiped away emerging tears and aimed her gun at the door where the soldiers would emerge standing firm.

"I can't believe we just did that," Ellie said in disbelief of the situation.

"Shut up," Jake said gruffly at the limits of his control while he looked away from her.

"We just left her die out there," Ellie continue. Jake then swiftly grabbed her by the throat and pushed her up against a wall and then left a knife in the wall inches away from her face causing Ellie to close her eyes in fear when it hit the wall only to slowly open them seconds later as she looked at the blade.

"Listen right here you little shit, yes we just did. Yes, she's going to fucking die. And yes, we're going to run away. So, you are going to keep your filthy mouth closed about it. I will sew your fucking lips together if you make one more sound on the matter," Jake warned her as he glared right at her with murderous intent in his very eyes "Am I clear?" Jake asked and Ellie nodded slowly while her throat was still in Jake's grasp. Jake then removed his grip on her neck causing Ellie to cough for air as he did "Now let's move," he ordered quite literally not giving her time to catch her breath.

"Holy fucking shit," Ellie thought as she continued coughing for her breath but still continued on "This guy's fucking insane. He'll fucking kill me and I'm supposed to go with him to the Fireflies?" Ellie questioned mentally "What other choice do I have. Now I see what Marlene and Tess meant." Without saying any words, the three of them went up the stairs to a balcony where Tess' lifeless corpse laid filled with more bullets then you could count. "Oh my god Tess," Ellie said in shock. Jake then drew his pistol and aimed at the soldiers but Joel silently warned him against the idea.

"Your sacrifice will not be in vain," Jake thought.

The group managed to get around the soldiers in the capitol building and had exited out a side entrance and were making their way into an abandoned subway when a military truck pulled up in the entrance and began firing. Without thinking Jake pulled out a smoke bomb and let it off in the stairs so the truck wouldn't know where to shot. They were now inside subway and were greeted by the familiar green spores of infected with soldiers already there.

"How the hell are you breathing this stuff in?" Joel asked in a whisper to Ellie as they hid behind cover.

"I wasn't lying to you," Ellie replied silently.

"So, it's true," Jake thought "Doesn't matter." Joel and Jake cleared the soldiers in the area and the group walked through the derelict trams and were then greeted by mucky water.

"Hey uh I can't swim," Ellie stated.

"You two stay here, I'll look for a way to get you across," Joel responded.

"Oh fuck, leave me with the psycho why don't you," Ellie thought "Should I even try to talk to him?" Ellie pondered "So uh-"

"Keep your fucking trap closed," Jake cut off sharply not even giving Ellie a second glance

"What's your fucking problem? I jus-" Ellie began but was silence by Jake walking up to her knife in hand.

"Shut it," he snarled and walked back while putting the knife away while Ellie breathed a small sigh of relief.

"Fuck I thought he was actually going to kill me. I guess I shouldn't talk to him," Ellie concluded.

The three had exited the subway with little trouble and were now back in the open and away from spores. Joel came out and removed his mask followed by Jake who mimicked the action, while Joel went to sit on a rock and Ellie emerged from the subway. Joel rubbed his eyes with the first moments to catch his breath this whole trip while Jake leaned against a tree and took a deep breath while closing his eyes.

"Hey look, uh about Tess. Look I don't even know where to begin-"

"Here's how this whole thing's gonna play out," Joel interrupted "You don't bring up Tess."

"Ever," Jake added.

"Matter of fact we just keep our histories to ourselves. Second don't tell anyone about your condition. They'll either think you're crazy or try to kill you."

"Probably the latter."

"And lastly, you do what I say when I say it. We clear?" Joel asked to which Ellie nodded "Repeat it."

"What you say goes," Ellie confirmed.

"Good," Joel replied after a moment then got off the rock "Now there's a town, couple miles north of here. There's a guy there who could get us a car," Joel explained to Ellie who nodded in response.

"You mean Bill?" Jake asked.

"There a problem?"

"You know the problem."

"Well you're just gonna have to tough it out Jake."

"Damn it. Things just keep getting better don't they," Jake thought. The three were now on the move towards the town that Joel spoke of.

The group had been walking for a good couple of hours on route to their next destination. They travelled in dead silence, the two smugglers not even communicating with each other. All the walking since their journey had started with zero rest in between was starting to take its toll. Their pace was slower, particularly Ellie's and Jake didn't fail to notice this. "Joel," Jake spoke quietly to the elder smuggler.

"What?" he replied with slight annoyance.

"We should take a break. She won't fair well without any rest and neither will we," Jake informed and Joel took a glance back and did see that the teen looked tired.

"Take a minute to catch your breath," Joel said as he turned to face the redhead. "You two stay here, I'm gonna go check the area for supplies," Joel instructed then left the two teens.

"Restless as always," Jake commented internally. Ellie took a seat by the side of the road and let out a sigh, there was clear unease in her and between the two of them.

"Hey I," Ellie spoke out nervously, breaking the silence.

"Stop," Jake interrupted calmly "I don't need your pity." Ellie then thought on to their last moments with Tess, it was clearly evident to her that Tess and Jake cared for each other a lot more than they let on. She felt horrible for what happened to Tess, she shouldn't have had to die. Ellie looked down to the floor in sadness. "It'd be better for the both of us if you stopped thinking about it."

"I - I'm sorry. That's all I wanted to say," Ellie finally got out. Jake simply exhaled through his nose in response, not even reacting to her words.