Chapter 4: Old friends

After a few minutes rest, the group was once again on the road, now nearing the town in question. "Now here we go," Joel said pointing towards the town "It'll be faster if we cut through here," he commented and jumped over the guard rail into the forest.

"This is nostalgic," Jake thought as he remembered back to when he would play in this forest as a child.

"Man," Ellie said in awe.

"What?" Joel asked in confusion.

"Nothing it's just... I've never seen anything like it that's all."

"You mean the woods?"

"Yeah. Never walked through the woods. It's kinda cool," Ellie replied.

"She's just like a child," Jake thought as he smiled ever so slightly.

"Why don't you just take me back to Marlene?"

"If she was up to the task why'd she drop you off on us?" Joel questioned in response.

"Well, maybe she's better."

"Kid, I don't mean to upset you, but your friend's chances of survival weren't too high to begin with."

"She's a lot tougher than you think."

"It don't matter. Cause I doubt I could get either one of us back into the city in one piece. Trust me I wish there was another option."

The group then made it into the boundaries of the town and observed a cloud of smoke in the distance. "That you Bill?" Joel asked.

"Where do you usually meet him?"

"Huh? Different places," Joel replied.

"You've never been here have you?"

"I know this is where he lives, but... no I ain't never been here, personally."

"And that smoke, you think that's him?"

"Sure as hell better be. Jake you know this place better than I do, which way?"

"This way," Jake said walking ahead of Joel. The group passed through an abandoned building in search of supplies when Ellie started sputtering out her saliva.

"Are you alright?" Joel asked

"I'm tryna learn how to whistle."

"You don't know how to whistle?"

"Well does it sound like I know how to whistle?" Ellie asked rhetorically and then continued spitting. "Do you know how to whistle?" Ellie asked Jake who responded with a whistle after a moment "How do you do that?"

"I thought I told you before."

"Yeah, yeah 'use your head a little and don't expect an immediate answer'," Ellie mocked. Jake then lead the group towards a metal fence with gate closed with a pipe.

"Come on Jake, get on over," Joel said preparing to boost Jake up.

"She's lighter," he replied without moving from his spot which shocked Ellie to say the least.

"Didn't think he trusted me," Ellie thought.

"Alright come on," Joel said conceding "Now just open it - nothing else," Joel instructed.

"Ta da," Ellie said as she opened the gate for the two smugglers and the group then began walking through the empty street. "So, let's say we get a car from this buddy of yours. Then what?

"Well, then we go find Tommy."

"Marlene said he was your brother."

"More importantly he was a firefly. He'll know where to take you."

"Oh okay."

"He lives far from here which is why we need a car." Ellie then began expressing her amazement at various things within each building the group entered like gnomes, video games and music.

"Reminds me of when I was like that, a stupid kid," Jake thought "Still those were good times." The three of them ended their search for supplies and headed back onto the streets and observed a large sign in the middle.

"Mandatory evacuation," Ellie read "Evacuate to where?"

"Where do you think?" Joel responded "The quarantine zone. See some places got a heads up before the infection showed up. Most didn't."

"Man must be hard. Just leaving all the stuff behind like that."

"That ain't the hard part," Joel commented in a sombre tone. The three of them then made their way into an alley in silence. Abruptly, Jake stopped in his tracks and held a hand out motioning Joel and Ellie to stop. They then observed a clicker walk into one of the many traps in the town be blown to bits.

"Jesus!" Joel exclaimed.

"Whoa nelly. What the hell was that?" Ellie asked in shock will Jake stood there unfazed and smiled slightly in response.

"You never change do you Bill?" Jake thought to himself "One of Bill's traps," Jake explained.

"Your friend a bit paranoid?"

"More than a bit," Jake replied and lead the other two forward.

"What's the deal with this guy?"

"Well, he helped us smuggle stuff into the city. He knows how to find things," Joel answered.

"Let's hope we don't blow up tryna find him."

"Just watch your step and you'll be fine." They moved forward and climbed onto a truck where they found a bow placed next to a body.

"Here Joel," Jake said after picking the bow up and throwing it to the older man.

"Let me use that. I'm a pretty good shot with that," Ellie said trying to convince Joel.

"How bout we just leave this kinda stuff to us," Joel said.

"Well we could all be armed. Cover each other."

"I don't think so." The three of them continued travelling deeper into the town looking for Bill, allowing Joel to test his new bow on an unsuspecting clicker. "Now listen. Bill ain't exactly the most stable of individuals. So, when we get there you let me do the talkin. You understand?"

"I understand," Ellie answered.

"We gotta be clear on this. He... He don't take kindly to strangers."

"Alright."

"Bill's a good guy, he just definitely needs some time warming up to you, that's all." After the brief conversation between Ellie and Joel the group moved on through the town into an old warehouse from the looks of it. Joel moved to open a door in the building to find that he had set off a trap and was now being hung upside down, causing Jake to roll his eyes in response. Ellie then ran towards him to steady from the swinging of the rope.

"What just happened?" she asked.

"Another one of Bill's stupid traps!" Joel shouted angrily.

"That fridge is the counter-weight. Let's go cut him lose," Jake informed and the two teens moved towards it. Jake then gave Ellie a boost and she began cutting it with her switchblade. The familiar moans of infected were then heard outside the building. "Oh fuck," Jake cursed and pulled out his pistol "Joel get ready," he warned as hordes of infected penetrated the building. The two shot off the encroaching infected, keeping them as far away from themselves as they could while Ellie cut the rope. After a few minutes of cutting away at the rope it finally gave away causing Joel to fall over, now open to an infected attack. Seeing its opportunity and runner made its way over to Joel and tried to sink its teeth into his skin. Jake run towards Joel to help but soon realised it wasn't needed as Bill sliced the runner's head off with his machete.

"Get off your ass and your feet," Bill ordered as he stuck a hand out to help him and the four of them promptly exited the building. They fled towards another building, infected still hot on their heels. "Don't slow down. This place ain't secure," Bill instructed. After running further into the town they were finally insight of building that would be safe from the infected and made a mad dash for its open door. Upon entrance Bill and Joel held the door shut for a few moments and then locked before stepping away from it. Meanwhile Jake moved to the far wall of the building and leaned on it while catching his breath.

"Man... that was close," Ellie said as Bill made his way to her "Uh... thanks for the heroics and all," Ellie added as Bill removed his gas mask. Ellie then stuck out a hand to Bill "Uh Ellie," she said but Bill then handcuffed her to a pipe. "Hey what are you – Joel."

"Bill."

"What are you doing? Let me go!"

"Bill!" Joel shouted this time take a move towards the two.

"Turn around and get on your knees," Bill commanded as he drew a pistol and pointed at Joel.

"Just calm down a second."

"Turn around and get on your knees!" Bill repeated and Joel turned around but before he could get down Bill hit Joel the back of his knee within his own. "Don't test me."

"Just... ah take it easy."

"You got any bites?" Bill asked while he felt Joel body for signs of infection and Ellie attempted to break free from her restraint.

"Bill they're clean," Jake said finally speaking up.

"And who the fuck are y-?" Bill enquired as he pointed his pistol towards the teen "Jake," Bill muttered before Jake could respond.

"So, you do remember me," Jake replied as Joel got up from his feet.

"The eyes kid. They're a giveaway," Bill said quietly. Ellie then managed to pull the pipe out of the wall and was about to swing at Bill but Joel stopped that plan in its tracks. "And who the fuck is this punk and what the hell are you all doing here?"

"I am none of your damn business, and we're here cuz you owe Joel some favours. And you can start by taking these off," Ellie yelled as she waved the handcuffs in front of Bill.

"I owe Joel some favours, is this some kind of joke?" Bill responded as he walked towards a table and drew his machete.

"I'll cut to chase," Joel began "I need a car."

"Well it is a joke. Joel needs a car. Well if I had one that works, which I sure as hell don't. What makes you think I'd just give it to you? Huh? Yeah sure Joel, go ahead, take my car. Take all my food too while you're at it."

"By the looks of it, you could lose some that food," Ellie commented.

"You listen to me, you little shit -" Bill started as he pointed his machete at the girl.

"No fuck you. You handcuffed me -" Ellie shouted back as Jake pulled her away by the arm.

"Shut it," Jake interjected and Ellie then pulled her arm away from his grip.

"Get the fuck outta here Joel, you ain't getting no favours today," Bill stated plainly and Jake then walked up towards the table a drew a sheathed knife with a chain on the end around his neck.

"Recognise this?" Jake asked.

"Aisha," Bill muttered but quickly turned away.

"If I recall they died while doing you a favour. Don't think that's worth anything?"

"It don't matter Jake, cause I don't have a car that works."

"And you can't get one?"

"Parts. There are parts in this town."

"Works for me," Jake replied and Bill got the message and let out a sigh in annoyance.

"Alright," Bill said as he smoothed out a map and Ellie approached the table "If I'm gonna do this. There's some gear I'm gonna need. Alright. It's on the other side of town. Now you help me go gather it. And maybe I can put something together that runs. But after this any favours for your parents mean nothing," Bill clarified as he slammed some key down on the table.

"That's fine. Be joining em pretty soon anyway," Jake said as he took the keys and undid Ellie's handcuffs.

"Good. Follow me. Best stay right on my ass. Whole town is booby trapped."

"Can't miss it," Ellie muttered as Bill walked by.

"Not now," Jake hissed at her.

"Alright whatever supplies you may want or need. I suggest you grab them," Bill stated.

"Man he's got a fucking stick up his ass," Ellie commented.

"I know but we need him right now so just steer clear off him. I'll see I can keep him off your ass," Jake said.

"Thanks," Ellie said "He's not too bad. Though I guess I can't blame him if he hates after what happened with Tess." Joel then moved to a chess board on table with Ellie moving next to him. "Hey, you know how to play this?"

"Yeah, pretty badly yeah," Joel replied "This is more Jake's area of expertise."

"What is he good?"

"Yeah, he's damn good at this game."

"Hey, Jake you know how to play?" Ellie called out to him who noticed the board she was talking about, causing him to chuckle in response "I always wanted to learn how to play," Ellie stated as she went to touch a piece.

"Hey Bobby Fischer - don't touch anything on that board!" Bill shouted.

"Bobby what?"

"Famous chess player," Jake replied.

The four of them exited and were now on their way. Bill continued to bark at the group irritating Ellie further. Afterwards he started talking to himself about how he should've left the group behind.

"You're weren't kidding about him," Ellie commented.

"Yeah he's one of a kind," Joel replied.

"So what kind of trouble are you in? Where the hell's Tess?"

"It's a just a job. A simple drop off."

"What are you delivering? Bill asked but got no response and then began laughing "The little brat?"

"Haha. Fuck you too," Ellie replied.

"Here I thought her and Jake were dating."

"Oh fuck off."

"Y'know. I hope you know what you're doin," Bill joked at Joel "So what are you doing here Jake?"

"Same as what Joel is," Jake responded.

"You mean you're a smuggler?" Bill asked but the wordless response gave him the information he needed "And Mary?"

"Long dead," Jake replied while laughing cynically. The four continued on through the building with the odd bit of small talk and Bill annoying Ellie.

"So, you didn't answer my question about Tess. I mean I thought the two of you were inseparable."

"She's busy," Joel replied simply.

"Yeah sure... Busy," Bill retorted as he killed a trapped clicker "Sounds to...me...like might be trouble in paradise," he continued joking whilst Ellie expressed her disgust at the mutilated infected.

After clearing a round of infected the group entered the grounds to Bill's armoury and Joel then opened the door to the cellar. "Here we are. You don't touch anything," Bill said as he pointed at Ellie "Can you close the door?" he said as he made his way to a lantern which he turned on to shed some light on the room.

"Uh-uh," Joel said stopping Ellie in her tracks.

"What? I need a gun," Ellie argued.

"No you don't."

"Joel. I can handle myself."

"No. Just stay here," Joel clarified and made his way over to Bill along with Jake.

"Fine. I'll just wait around for you guys to get me killed."

"Well this goes on record as the worst job you've ever taken," Bill remarked.

"Yeah it's up there," Joel replied as he sat down on a table.

"And how in the hell is Tess okay with this suicide mission?"

"It was actually her idea."

"Really?" Bill asked in surprise to which Joel simply nodded "Well the broad's not as smart as I thought she was. But fuck her. Seriously you gotta take that kid back to where you found her."

"I can't just take her back."

"Then send her packing. Let her find her own way. Look lemme tell you a story. Once a upon a time, I had somebody that I cared about. It was a partner. Somebody I had to look after. And in this world that sort of shit is good for one thing. Getting ya killed. So you know what I did? I wisened the fuck up. Realised it's just gotta be me."

"Bill it ain't... it ain't like that."

"Bullshit it's just like that," Bill cut off "Hey! What I say to you when we walked down the steps? What I say?"

"I'm just fixing your stupid pile," Ellie replied.

"Don't touch," Bill reiterated and Ellie flipped him off in response causing Jake to roll his eyes. "God damn it. You keep babysitting long enough and eventually it's gonna blow up in your face."

"Already has," Jake thought.

"Bill," Joel finally spoke up and rose from where he sat "Can we please just get on with it?"

"Here," Bill said throwing a shotgun to Joel "Let's get on with it," Bill mocked and Joel walked away "Sorry kid, these shotguns are gonna kick way too much for you. Oh wait. I might have something just right for you," Bill said and then went into one of his shelves. He then walked back with a combat knife with a black blade and handle. "Here, I'm sure you'll make better use out of it then I will," Bill said handing it to Jake who took it by the tip of the blade then threw it up and caught it by the handle.

"Tryna butter me up with weapons?" Jake asked jokingly "You always did know how to cater to my likings."

"Yeah whatever kid," Bill scoffed and Jake then stored the knife away. "Before we go any further. I got something I gotta show ya."

"Whatcha got?" Joel asked.

"A new toy from the toy box," Bill replied and lead the other two towards a small table. "This is a nail bomb," Bill explained motioning to a metal cylinder with shrapnel sticking out of it "You gotta be really careful, this thing blows it shreds anyone standing nearby."

"So we got shotguns and bombs. What the hell are we doing with them?"

"Well, every few weeks a military caravan rides through town. I assume they're out looking for supplies, I mean you'd be amazed at the shit they overlook. Anyway, few months back they were rolling through and they get overrun by this horde of infected. They were all over the truck, it ploughs right into the side of the high school. It's still sitting there with the battery in it."

'So we take that battery and put it in another car?"

"Bingo."

"I wanted to get it but it seemed too dangerous with all the infected in that part of town. But fuck it, Joel needs a car."

"And what if it's damaged?"

"Nah. Those trucks are like tanks. It's just sitting there."

"Actually might work."

"Kid, I swear to god... if you took anything-," Bill threatened as he began walking to the exit.

"Hey man. I don't need any of your shit. Trust me."

"You two are keeping an eye on her, right?"

"With eyes and ears," Jake replied "And that's exactly why she can take whatever the fuck she took. I take my favours in full," Jake thought. The four of them made their way up stairs into the main hall of the church, though it's seen better days.

"Wow," Ellie said in awe.

"Nice place you got here," Joel commented.

"Well if you got anything to confess, this'd be the place to do it," Bill remarked and Jake then walked to the front and stood there.

"I'm not even Christian, and even if I was, I doubt I deserve to say anything you. But I just hope they're all doing alright. Tess fitting in ok?" Jake thought to himself and then sighed at the idiocy of his question.

"You know if you wanna talk about something an actual person would be better than that thing," Ellie said as she walked up to him but got no response from Jake "You've realised I'm not really infected right?"

"Being human isn't much better."

"What does that mean?" she asked to which Jake simply shook his head.

"I know you're not infected. I'm not actually even Christian. Not really sure why I did this."

"Hey, love birds. Can we fucking move?" Bill shouted at the pair to both of their annoyance.

"He's not gonna drop that joke, is he?" Ellie asked.

"Doubtful," Jake replied as they walked towards an open window and stepped out onto the roof.

"Look. There's the school," Bill pointed "Ready?"

"Guess we'll find out," Joel replied and he group jumped down onto the ground below.

"You ever been to a school?" Ellie asked Jake.

"No, no I haven't," Jake said.

"Looking forward to it?"

"It's just a building."

"Yeah I guess," Ellie conceded, dropping the conversation there.

"Hey uh Jake," Bill began "You know we're close to-"

"I'm fully aware of where we are Bill," Jake replied sharply.

"What's he on about?" Joel asked.

"My old house is close."

"I was just wondering if you wanted to, you know, check it out," Bill clarified.

"Nothing good will come of it. Let's not waste any more time," Jake concluded and walked onwards. They entered the church graveyard and were instantly on edge after hearing a whole mess of clickers. Stealthily the four of them made their way around the graveyard, silently killing and manoeuvring around the infected. After exiting they found their way onto a row of houses on a street. Joel, Bill and Ellie continued on however Jake took a few moments to stare at one house in particular. Ellie soon caught on to this and made her way back to Jake. "Don't push it," Jake commented and then brushed past her. Eventually the group were spotted by the infected and had to fight them off which took a few minutes.

"If you guys gave me a gun I could help you kill some of these fuckers," Ellie complained.

"Shut up. Just shut up."

"Takes time, I didn't get my first gun until a year after we first met," Jake said tried to empathise with her.

"Seriously?" Ellie asked in shock.

"Yeah, although I was nine when we first met so take that how you will."

"So you're saying he trusted a ten year old more than me. Thanks a lot," Ellie complained to which Jake just chuckled. The group then made their way into another house but their exit was blocked from the door being tied.

"It's tied on the other side," Joel said.

"What about going through here?" Ellie suggested.

"What the doggy door?" Bill questioned and Joel then pulled the sealed doggy door off.

"Be very careful," Joel said.

"Of course," she replied sarcastically.

"Maybe you should've given her a gun," Bill joked. They continued on through the area and found ways around already set up for them.

"Who the hell left this here? You got friends in town?"

"No. Although I got some idea who mighta come through here." They then crossed through a house to get to the school but Joel had taken a detour inside to search for supplied.

"Hey you got a second?" Ellie asked as Joel entered a room upstairs.

"Yeah?" Joel asked in response.

"I... I just want to say. I'm sorry. About Tess. That's it. I won't bring it up again."

"Ellie you don't need to worry about me." Joel stated which left an awkward silence "We should go check on Bill and Jake," Joel said and the two made their way down. They then exited the house through the garage and were now insight of the school. They killed the last few infected in their path and made it over a school bus to get into the school.

"We're okay. We just need to get to the hood of the truck," Bill said as they made it in. "Shit. You hear that. They're coming. Move it kids." The ran towards the entrance only to find it locked, instead they ran towards a window in the side of the school. They barely made it in, Joel in particular who was almost bitten by a clicker while trying to enter through the window. Once they were all inside Ellie closed the window and Bill moved towards the hood of the truck to get the battery, whilst the rest held the door closed.

"Please tell me your done," Joel shouted as he held the door.

"It's empty," Bill stated.

"What?" Joel asked in confusion as he moved towards the truck leaving the two teens to keep the door shut.

"It's fucking empty."

"Guys," Ellie said as the infected continued to pound on the door behind her.

"Bill where to?" Joel asked but Bill had no response and stumbled on his words "Bill where?!"

"Anywhere but here," Bill said collecting himself and running out the room.

"Move it you two," Joel ordered and the four of them ran out of the room with the truck. "They've broken through," Joel stated as he and Jake closed the door to the hallway behind them. The group made their way through the halls of the school whilst taking down the infected in their path. They entered the school gym and immediately moved to block the entrance from any more infected. "That ain't gonna hold them for long," Joel commented as more pounding was heard from a closet in the gym. The doors flung open as bloater wadded out of the closet.

"What the fuck is that?" Ellie asked in confusion.

"It's a god damn bloater!" Joel yelled as the behemoth threw spores at the group "Jake!" Joel shouted but got no response, instead he stood planted in his spot. "Ellie take cover." Joel and Bill continued to fire shotgun round after round at the beast but it seemed to have little success. The bloater slowly made its way over Jake and was now within reach of the teen. "JAKE MOVE!" Joel shouted but still nothing. Ellie took matters in her own hands and tackled Jake out of the way of the bloater's grasp knocking Jake out cold. "Ellie, keep him away from that thing," Joel instructed as he and Bill tried to lure the bloater away from the teens. After a several minutes of continuous shooting the bloater finally fell.

"Ah, geez... what was up with that big guy?" Ellie asked.

"He's been infected for a long time. We call them bloaters," Joel explained.

"Bloater... Okay. Got it," Ellie said "And what's his problem?"

"It's complicated," Joel replied simply "Just give him a few minutes I'm sure he'll be up in a bit."