Chapter 12: Freeze

After making a hasty and disorganised retreat from the university where the group believed they'd find the Fireflies, the two teens moved from place to place to find refuge. They dragged Joel's injured body with them wherever they went through the harsh winter. The weather made gathering amplified the difficulty of basic survival, with food even scarcer and shelter at inhospitable temperatures. Too combat this the two wore more seasonal attire, with Jake now dorning a winter jacket similar Ellie's but in a dark blue colour.

The two were out on an excursion to find some food, having lived on the winter scraps these last few weeks. They had spotted a rabbit's den and had anticipated that the resident would show it, and sure enough a small white rabbit wandered out. Once it did Ellie let an arrow fly from her bow which pierced the rabbit's small frame. Jake then went to collect their prize and then tied to Callus whom they brought with them.

"Nice shot," Jake complimented but Ellie didn't really seem to take much heed of it, slightly more focused by the need for sustenance.

"It won't last long," she commented somewhat dejectedly. Jake had conceded that with a bow Ellie was a much better shot than he was so he opted to let her handle most of the shooting, when he didn't hunt alone that is. He often snuck out in the early morning before Ellie would notice to hunt, though it was hardly sufficient. Eventually Ellie caught on to him and insisted she aid him. She argued that it was too dangerous to go alone and eventually Jake agreed; he too was unusually concerned with the danger. His faith in his own ability was wavering, he opted to start using a weapon that he stowed away in the event of dire circumstance, the blade that accompanied his fame back in the Boston quarantine zone. He now carried the sheath for the weapon over his back, under his bag, ready for use at any time. However the blade had sentimental value so he prefered to use it only in the most extreme circumstance.

In the distance, the two heard the light crunch of snow and were both instantly alert, Jake raised his hand signifying for her to not make a move or sound as he realised the steps were not human. The two turned to the source of the noise to see a large deer, which would last them much longer than any amount of rabbits they could find in a day. Jake then tied Callus to a nearby tree and the two teens went on to pursue their prey. The two silently stalked the buck, trying not to scare it off. Once within range the both of them drew arrows and aimed their bow at the animal and let their shot fly. Unfortunately, the deer had moved at the last moment so only Ellie's arrow landed its mark. The two then successfully landed a shot each on the deer and followed its trail of blood. It led to a derelict wooden shack, to which Ellie commented was not creepy. Finally they had captured their prize and were considering how to move it. Or Ellie was, Jake had heard the presence of two men hiding behind a tree on their rear. The black haired teen then drew a knife and threw it at the tree the men were hiding behind.

"Come out, both of you," Jake ordered firmly and reached for another two knives that he held in both hands, with Ellie following suit and readying her bow with an arrow. The two then cautiously emerged from behind their hiding spot without their weapons readied.

"Hello," the first man started "We just want to talk." Without warning Jake hurled both his knives so that they left a tear in the jacket of both men and landed behind them and quickly drew more blades to replace the ones he used.

"Any suspicious moves and the next two won't miss," Jake warned "Out with it, what do you want?"

"Um, name's David. This here's my friend James," David began "We're from a larger group - women, children - we're all very, very hungry."

"So am I, women and children all very hungry," Ellie replied.

"Well, maybe we could ah, trade you for some of that meat there. What do you need? Weapons, clothes, ammo."

"Medic-" Ellie abruptly let out but was cut off my Jake raising his hand. He considered their options and this barter from their perspective and what would be the best course of action

"In this winter, for a larger group the food will probably a bigger motivating factor than any supplies. Still we can't show any desperation. That being said they're still in a stronger bartering position since they have more numbers," Jake surmised. "Any medicine? Antibiotics?" Jake asked.

"We do. Back the camp," David answered calmly.

"He noticed the desperation, he's calmer now," Jake thought.

"You're welcome to follow us-," David offered as he made steps closer.

"We're not following shit," Jake interrupted, refusing the obvious trap. "Your pal can go grab what we need, the deer is yours. Provided he returns alone. Anyone else shows up I'll rip you all to shreds. And I'll know if you're hiding. Trust me on that," Jake threatened as David calmly took in the information whilst James looked nervously between David and the two teens.

"Two bottles penicillin and syringe. Make it fast," David instructed "Go on," he reassured his companion who soon left on his order.

"Drop the rifle," Jake ordered to which the man complied "All yours Ellie. Already got one," Jake stated to which Ellie took and loaded the firearm after a brief second of surprise.

"He's probably gonna be a while. You, ah, mind if we take some shelter from the cold?"

"Bring the deer," Jake told David "Ellie, keep him in your crosshairs. I'm gonna go collect my knives," Jake informed her as David began dragging the carcass into an abandoned building.

Whilst the waited in silence David had started a fire to ward out the cold. The man's polite demeanour annoyed Jake to no end, knowing full well that it was a facade.

"You know, you really shouldn't be out here all on your own," David stated.

"Company isn't our thing," Ellie responded, whilst Jake didn't even give him eye contact.

"I see. What are your names?"

"Fuck and off," Jake responded as his irritation with the man was reaching its peak, though he made sure not to make it evident.

"Look, I understand it's not easy to trust a couple of strangers. Whoever's hurt, you clearly care about them," David responded continuing his attempts to gain the trust of the two teens. His comments in regards to Joel did cause the eyes of them both to sink to the ground in dismay however. "I'm sure it's gonna be just fine."

"Yeah, sure," Jake let out with a sigh. The tense conversation was then interrupted by the distinct call of clickers in the immediate area of the three of them. And soon one reared its hideous face into the group's building of refuge. The three them remained almost completely still and silent, their movements barely noticeable. However, Ellie made one wrong both and her leg collided with the dead deer, causing the clicker to scream and charge towards her. Within seconds of the infected's attempted it was shot twice by David and then once more when he got in close.

"You had another gun?" Ellie asked in shock.

"Sorry," he replied simply as he looked outwards, the gunshots almost definitely alerting more infected of their location. "Okay, I'd really like my rifle back now."

"Ain't happening," Jake stated in response almost immediately "You have your pistol."

"I hope you know how to use that thing."

"I've had some practice," Ellie commented as the three of them prepared themselves to fend off the incoming horde of infected, with Jake drawing and loading his own pistol and unsheathing his blade. Infected of all varieties pounded at the windows and doors as the three desperately tried to keep them out and away from them. Due to the volume at which they attacked infected did manage to enter the building but they were swiftly dealt with. In one of the pauses between infected attacks the three opted to move a cabinet in front of a window to block that entrance. Whilst doing so a clicker made a grab for Ellie from outside; as it wrestled with her to sink its teeth in her sink Jake had shoot it in the head, freeing Ellie. As the attack from the infected seemed to be endless, David announced that they need to leave the room, to which the others complied and hurried through the exit further into the building.

"Do you know where you're going?" Ellie asked with some panic present in her voice.

"Never set foot in this place," David answered, not helping the the younger two's concern. The two followed the older man through the building, up a flight of rusted stairs onto an upper walkway. As David and Jake progressed forward the walkway collapsed behind them, taking Ellie with it, making her land on her back in pain. Not missing a beat, Jake jumped down after her and was at her side to help her up. At the same time infected pursued David above. The two of them navigated the trap of clickers up to a ladder that led back to the upper level and were greeted by a clicker immediately, thankfully it was killed by David. He then lead them towards an exit but it was out of reach above them. Ellie soon spotted a ladder which they could use and without wasting any time Jake boosted her up so she could get it, although not without telling her to be careful. As soon as the ladder was retrieved the group made a beeline towards the exit they had found. However they soon discovered that they were in a dead end and their only remaining option left was to fight their way out. They scavenged the resources they could from some of David's fallen friends and prepared to hold their ground. The group managed to block the entrance to the room but soon infected started coming in from above off the roof. They desperately tried to fend off the infected that were coming in from around them, however their problems soon got worse as a loud thud was heard on the roof. Soon after a bloater landed before, Ellie knew what that signified and made her way over to Jake, pulling him away whilst also trying to fend off the beast. She would drag him away, then once at a distance fire her rifle at the beast. In her moments of not attacking she would try to convince Jake to snap to his sense and fight with them, raising his gun for him to encourage him to shoot. Eventually, he gained some awareness of what was going on and threw a molotov at the overgrown infected, causing it to wail from the fire. He then fired with his own rifle and soon the bloater fell. Once the infected were cleared, the group took a sigh of relief, with Jake dropping to his knees and panting for breath, as beads of sweat trickled down his face.

"Jake, it's gonna be ok," Ellie reassured as she made her way over to him and kneeled down next to him. She then wrapped her arms around him and took into an embrace "It's over," she comforted as the boy's breathing slowed "It'll be fine. Hang in there."

"Thanks," Jake responded as he lightly returned the embrace. He did realise that they couldn't just sit here forever and the two then joined David on the bridge leading towards the room. He stood there in silence, looking out a hole in the wall.

"Listen," David said simply.

"No infected," Ellie commented to which the older man affirmed. The three then returned to the room they were originally in and once again returned to waiting for James' arrival.

"You handled yourself pretty nice back there," David commented once they arrived "I'd say we make a pretty good team," he stated causing Jake to roll his eyes as they sat by the fire.

"Psshh. We got lucky," Ellie retorted.

"Lucky? No, no. No such thing as luck. No you see I believe that everything happens for a reason," he began.

"Sure."

"I do. And I can prove it you. Now, this winter has been especially cruel. A few weeks back, I ah, sent a group of men out - nearby town to look for food. Only a few came back," David began to he did so Jake had heard the crunch in the snow of oncoming footsteps, causing him to stand keep his hand on his pistol. "They said that the others had been ah, slaughtered by a crazy man. And get this, a crazy man traveling with a little boy and girl," David added as James stood at the doorway, he then reached for his gun but Jake saw the action and aimed his pistol at the man. Ellie then rose to her feet and pointed her rifle at David.

"I wouldn't, if I were you," Jake warned as he kept his aim on the man, causing Ellie to turn to the new presence.

"Everything happens for a reason," David finished as he observed the guns being pointed at himself and his friend.

"David. We're not just gonna let them go are we?" James questioned urgently "They killed so many."

"We don't have a choice. They have the advantage," David replied calmly.

"Should we kill them?" Jake questioned internally "The gunshots are likely to attract more infected. Given how many we just fought this area must have a lot. And they're from a larger group, it might just incite them to come after us. If we leave them be we might be able to walk away from this. Even if I want to tear David's throat off."

"Now give them the medicine," David instructed.

"The others won't be happy about this," James mentioned as he tossed a pouch containing medicine to the ground in front of the teens. Jake went to collect it whilst still keeping his pistol aimed on James.

"Yeah, well, that's not your concern."

"Out of the way," Jake ordered James as he and Ellie moved towards the exit cautiously, firearms still in hand.

"You won't survive long out there," David stated as the two stood in the doorway "I can protect you."

"We'll take our chances," Jake responded as the two of them run from the building back towards where they had left Callus. The two mounted the horse and promptly rode away. Not long after, they arrived at their temporary place of refuge. They lead the horse into the garage, where the other stead they borrowed remained. Ellie closed the garage door behind them and rejoined her companion to find breathing raggedly.

"Are you okay?" she asked concernedly.

"I'll be fine," he forced out, though his tone suggested otherwise. They made their way through the house into the room where they had left their injured protector, who silently laid there before them. As the two teens approached, Jake withdrew the medicine they had precurred from his pocket. When he got close to administer the drug however, he suddenly collapsed forward in front of Joel. Ellie was immediately at the boy's side, gently shaking his body whilst calling his name to try and get him to wake, but to no avail. She then felt his forehead to find that it was warm to the touch and he was sweating profusely.

After waiting some time to see if Jake would awake, she decided that she should carry on with anything she had to do without him. She gave Joel the antibiotics, giving him tender, reassuring words whilst doing. The red-haired teen also laid Jake's body out so that he'd be more comfortable and propped his head up on his bag. She sat by the two that were unconscious and looked down on them with a sullen expression. She lightly placed her hand over the top of Jake's and felt its rough, coarse texture.

"Even his hands are covered in scars," she thought to herself as she felt the rough lines of what she deduced as scars from blades. "Did he do these to himself? I wonder if he was ever happy," Ellie contemplated with a sigh. Feeling the fatigue from her day hunting she decided to lay down with her head on bag, whilst leaving her hand atop Jake's chest. "You'll get better. Both of you, I'll make sure."