The Last of Us part III

by Junobugg9

Fanfiction of Ellie and Abby from The Last of Us part II

The Last of Us part 3: Ellie's Redemption

Things hadn't worked out for Ellie on her return to Jackson, Dina wouldn't talk to her and she just wanted to hold J.J. again.

She had lied to Tommy, told him Abby was dead. Tommy wasn't doing so well, the brain damage had left him a different man to the one Ellie knew. He was want to cycles of anger and outbursts, the sort Ellie had left behind her in Santa Barbara. Ellie found she couldn't be around her surrogate uncle anymore.

Ellie couldn't be around anyone, she was angry at herself and what she'd lost, but more than that was the realisation of emptiness and acceptance of her predicament.

She was alone in her home, settling back into a routine had been hard and she knew she couldn't stay in Jackson anymore.

Maria had tried her best to help Ellie, she always did, but it wasn't enough. Even insisting Ellie relearn the guitar left handed to rediscover Joel's gift to her but she'd given up on that idea almost immediately.

It was January, long since Joel's death and it was no easier to come to terms with. She had stopped herself from killing Abby, no, Joel had. He had come to her at her moment of need, stopped her from stepping over a point of no return.

She had done the right thing, she knew it, but she had beaten herself up over her decision.

Christmas had been lonely, she had spent as little time as possible thinking about it, killing infected was a job that didn't stand still for silly sentiments.

Ellie would leave Jackson for good tomorrow morning whilst on patrol and never look back. She could find a way to survive out in the world on her own, she had since Riley had died, she could do it again now Joel was gone too.

With nothing left she had thought for a long time that surely there had to be someone out there who could make a cure, surely more than one person was capable.

Had the world gone so far that it wasn't even worth looking for a cure anymore? No, Joel would understand, this all had to mean something or her life truly meant nothing anymore.

She wrote in her book about what she was going to do then after what seemed like another hour her brain finally showed her mercy and let her sleep.

Her sleep was never easy and she would always suffer from PTSD.

Ellie hadn't slept well, she couldn't remember the last time she had. She was at least ready for her rounds and had been put with a guy called Rich. He was in his early twenties, from Ohio, he had come to Jackson with his mom about a year after Ellie and Joel had arrived. Like everyone else who had made it there, they had their horror stories to tell.

His dad had been killed trying to protect his family against a group called the Pegasus, from Indiana. Rich and his mom had managed to escape but the trek hadn't been easy. They had come upon a group of survivors who seemed okay at first but they weren't what they seemed either. They had serious racial undertones and Rich hadn't been lack in noticing only he and his mom, Lacey, were the only ones in the group who weren't Caucasian. He had caught wind of a conversation from one of the group that they planned to sacrifice him and Lacey for a strong spring reap when harvesting came. The group were called the New Eagles. They moved on in the middle of the night and finally made it to Jackson.

Ellie hadn't really opened up to him but welcomed his constant chatter to save herself from it. They'd been friends ever since he and his mom had introduced themselves, he was likeable and seeing how protective he was of his mom had endeared himself to her, even Joel had liked him. Although she couldn't help finding him boring at times he was a good guy and was a demon with a bow.

That morning orders were given and Ellie mounted her horse Pisces and headed out with Rich. She would scavenge whatever she could on this trip and wait until they'd completed a good span of their patrol before leaving Rich. No relief was coming for Ellie in any shape or form, she was resigned to it.

Rich sparked up the conversation as was usual between the pair.

"So Ellie, you want to hang out tonight? Nothing special, just you know, watch a movie, I know you like those ninja flicks." He seemed really excited at the idea.

"I can't, maybe another night." Ellie sighed, she kept her eyes on the path ahead fearing she might give something away in her eyes.

"Oh, okay. You promise?"

"Pfft, maybe."

"What kind of answer is that Ell?"

"I'll think about it Rich, I'm not saying no."

"Aww, come on, I'll make us a meal. I take it you do eat, you wouldn't know looking at how skinny you are."

"I don't need a lecture on my weight."

"I'm only saying it because I'm worried, I actually care about my friends."

Ellie knew this. "I'm fine, trust me, any infected get in our way you'll see first hand."

"Hey I've never refuted you're a badass have I?" Rich asked, feigning hurt.

She looked at him frowning. "Let's just do what we do best, kill infected."

"No one's better at it than us Ell." Rich said happily.

Ellie nodded looking out at the melancholy blue ahead. Snow was coming down at a fair rate by now. She put her hood up.

"When we get back home, come and have a meal with me and mom, it'll warm you up. I'd really love it, we don't get to hang out much outside of patrols."

"I'd be awful company." Ellie didn't want to argue about it, she just wanted him to change the subject.

"No you wouldn't, I enjoy your company and you can even be funny at times." Rich could see his attempts to cheer Ellie up were falling short. "Are you alright? I can tell something's up. Just come for the meal, mom likes you ya know."

She'll want to know everything that's going on with me, no thanks she thought. "Yeah sure, I'm fine...and thanks for the offer, I appreciate it and say hi to your mom."

"I won't take no for an answer Ellie. I know how stubborn you are but you're not winning this one."

Ellie smiled weakly. "Don't be a dick."

"I'll be a dick if it means cheering you up. And don't think I didn't notice your smile, your hood doesn't hide it. So are you coming? Yes or yes? You're not playing the Lone Wolf anymore, I'm here when you need me." Rich was smiling cheek to cheek, he wouldn't let it drop so Ellie decided it was easier to lie.

She thought of Joel, she sighed, she had never taken the time to really understand why he had lied to her when he was alive, now she did it still hurt not being able to tell him.

"Okay cool, your mom's food is to die for, now shut up about it man, because you're a sap, you know that." Ellie looked at him shaking her head. She was clearly stressed by his needless pandering.

"So that's a yes?"

"Yeah. Let's just complete our rounds before we talk anymore about it. I want to focus on the business at hand, clear up this mess so there's safe passage back to Jackson."

"Exactly, we could just as easily be killed by infected couldn't we?" Rich nodded at her not comprehending her meaning.

For the next twenty minutes Rich talked Ellie's ear off, she would briefly nod at him or say 'I'm listening ' but the only thing on her mind was getting away from him.

For a moment she even thought it would be good if a clicker got him just so she could make the getaway easy. She shook the thought away, she was better than this, or at least she thought she was. Maybe she wasn't, but she was trying so hard to be. If the fight at Santa Barbara had taught her anything it was that she wasn't beyond redemption, she had to cling onto that, it was all she had left of Joel.

They had come across a set of runners outside an old junkyard that they had dealt with fairly quickly. Not much else had happened apart from a single clicker which Ellie had disposed of with her butterfly knife inside the reception area.

Every second longer she put off leaving she was getting more antsy.

"They we're looking for supplies at the junkyard when Rich called Ellie over. "Hey Ellie come and look at this!"

Ellie turned. "What is it?"

"A letter, come and read it."

Ellie turned away rolling her eyes, she finished scavenging and went to him, taking the letter from him. She scanned it, dried blood stuck to the corner of it:

~ I came back to my father's old business and since the outbreak the place looks worse than I imagined. The old junkyard was where I grew up and I wanted to return to the stomping ground of my childhood.

I lost my wife and son to those damn monsters, I hope their infected souls burn eternally and they have no hope of seeing their loved ones in the afterlife.

I noticed there's a huge town in the distance and I was planning to go there but like everything in my life that ended in failure. I was armed with my dad's old pistol but when I was attacked it wasn't enough, even though I killed the disgusting, rancid creature it bit me. I'm done for but at least I'll see my wife and son again. ~ Gary Gershwinn

Ellie handed Rich back the letter then went over to the clicker she'd put down a few minutes earlier. Even though it's clothing was torn it still wore pants. She reached in to the corpse's pockets and pulled out a wallet, flicking through it she saw an old drivers license and a photo of a man in his thirties with his wife and son. She gave it to Rich who took it sheepishly.

"So this guy thinks other infected should burn in Hell but it's okay for him to turn into one then try and kill us both. Didn't even have the guts to end it himself the son of a bitch." Ellie lost herself, kicking the clicker in the head over and over until her leg was covered in jelly, the creature's head no more than blood and meat chunks spooling over the concrete, decorating it's barren greys in a river of angry crimson.

Rich pulled her away with some effort.

"Calm down Ellie dammit, what's gotten into you?"

Ellie struggled at first then allowed him to pull her off, she duly pushed him away. She put her hand to her head breathing hard, she lowered her hand to her chest, her heart was racing too fast for comfort, she expected it to explode from her body any moment from now.

"I'm fine."

"Yeah sure, I had to pull you away because you're fine. You can't go losing your head like that. It's dangerous for you and me!" Rich was understandably hysterical.

"Shut the fuck up Rich, if there's something wrong and I want to tell you I will!" Ellie matched him shout for shout.

"There is something wrong clearly, is it about Joel? I always liked him, I wish he was here too." Rich was trying to understand.

Ellie knew Rich was right, she was a danger to everyone. "He's not here Rich, for me, no-one is."

"I am!"

"Fuck this shit man, let's get out of here." Ellie walked away, Rich shrugged in exasperation.

They rode to the final area before they could say 'All Clear' for their shift and Ellie could leave in good conscience.

On a clearing Ellie pulled out her binoculars, a gift from Joel, she treasured it immensely. She scanned the area.

"We've got a bunch down by the ranch." She said.

"We're busy today Ell, how many do you see?"

"Four, here take a look." She passed the binoculars to Rich who double checked.

"Yeah I see four too Ell, but you know as well as I do there could be more."

Ellie nodded then took a final look before putting them away. "I'm in the mood for this." She glared ahead.

"Keep your head Ellie, I mean it." Rich wasn't in a playful mood anymore.

Ellie put her hands up. "I know I shouldn't have lost it there, I don't want to be a liability, that's all I seem to be. Let's do this right then we can put an end to this shift and I can sleep it off."

"After you've had dinner at mine."

"We'll talk about that after we complain our final log for the day."

She needed to put an end to this, after she had signed the next logbook she would tell him she was leaving Jackson, and for his sake he had better not get in her way.

The infected were dealt with efficiently, Ellie was on her game and Rich was proving once again why his bowman-ship was unrivalled. After scavenging they filled in the logbook at the nearby watchtower.

Ellie prepared herself for a confrontation with her friend.

"Rich?" Ellie stopped abruptly as they returned to their horses.

"Yeah Ellie?"

"I'm leaving Jackson." Ellie said looking him right in the eyes.

"What do you mean, leaving?" Ellie's glare was making him uncomfortable, he looked away.

"I'm going, now. There's nothing left there for me."

"Huh?"

"I've got no more reasons to stay. I have nothing left!"

"Nothing left, what, you're just going to leave all your belongings behind? You're not even going to tell Maria? What about tonight? What about Jackson?"

"What about it? To be honest dude, fuck Jackson! I'm done and nothing anyone says is going to change that." Ellie was about to walk away until Rich clamped a hand on her shoulder.

"No, you have to come back Ellie. We're friends aren't we? Tell me what's going on."

"Yeah we're friends, that's why you're going to stop talking and let me leave. This conversation is over, now get the hell off me." Ellie felt a long buildup of rage bubbling inside of her as she swiped his arm away.

"But you were going to hang out with me, catch up with mom." Rich was flustered, his arms waving wildly at his side.

"I lied. I've become quite good at it. You're going home and I'm not." Ellie pointed at him then the way back.

"Yes you are Ellie..."

"You just follow the same track back, straight home and don't linger too long." Ellie pointed the way for him again as if explaining it to a child. "Just go."

"Do you even have supplies? Where are you even going? You're being reckless. Isn't that how you lost your fingers?" Rich couldn't understand where her decision had come from.

"You're such an idiot." She had lied about how she lost them.

No one spoke for what seemed like minutes.

Ellie sighed then pulled out her notepad, tore a strip out and wrote:

~I'm done with this place. Sorry Maria, sorry Tommy, sorry Dina, sorry Potato, sorry Lacey. Time for me to move on. I'm done hurting everyone around me. Ellie.~

"Give this to Maria." Ellie shoved it into Rich's palm.

Rich looked at her note. "I know things didn't work out with you and Dina but I know there's still something between you guys. You're throwing that all away?"

"I'll always love Dina and J.J. but it's not going to happen Rich. Stay out of it because it's none of your damn business."

"You're both my friends Ellie, I just want you to work things out."

"They're better off without me, I hurt Dina, I knew what I was doing and I lost everyone I loved. So don't tell me to work things out because it's not going to happen."

"Yeah but..."

"Dammit dude, you're as stupid as you are boring. Give it a rest and get out of my face before I regret it." Ellie got up in his face.

"Let me come with you, maybe I can help, please."

"What could you do for me? Nothing. Get it through your head." Ellie tapped her brow viciously, she couldn't fight back the scowl on her face. She was actually disgusted with him for begging.

"You're coming back, I'm not going back and facing Jackson without you Ellie!"

"Yes you fucking are!" Ellie pulled out her 9mm and aimed it at Rich.

"Jesus Ellie! You're going to shoot me?!"

Ellie looked right at him, she was stunned by her own actions but needed to hold ground to get out of Wyoming.

"Throw your weapons and back up because I'm leaving and I don't want to hurt you."

"That's what your idea of a friend is Ellie? Fine." Rich threw his weapons and backed up. "I really pity anyone who befriends you, they'll end up with your knife in their side."

"Fuck you man!" Ellie lowered the gun and mounted her horse.

"So that's it, is it Ellie? You just want to be a memory?"

"You've got your mom to go back to, she needs you. So take that note to Maria. Don't follow me and don't get anyone else to follow me. I don't need you and I sure as hell don't want you with me, you'd just get in my way. Now get home safe because you're a good guy and you remind me of Jesse. I don't want you ending up like him." Ellie geed her horse and galloped away from him swiftly, ignoring his quickly drowned out pleas.

The words 'you just want to be a memory,' ringing in her ears.

Did she really have to pull the gun on him? No, she sighed, she didn't regret it though. She guessed it wouldn't have come to anything, but she wasn't completely sure. That was reason enough to go, she put it from her mind.

This was the past and she really didn't need anyone anymore. When her biggest fear had been to end up alone she'd done everything in her power since Joel died to see this come to fruition.

"I'm so stupid." She muttered to herself.

She'd forgotten how many times she'd said that to herself since that night where she'd told the nearest thing to a father she ever had.

"I don't know if I can forgive you, but I'm willing to try."

Before it got too late Ellie had managed to find somewhere to hold up for herself and Pisces. The snow had left tracks but Ellie wasn't tired just yet and was used to being a light sleeper.

She had pushed hard to get as far away from Jackson as possible. She'd been lucky enough not to come across any people on her journey although that wouldn't last. She'd found supplies in a broken down warehouse but had to kill two clickers to get them.

There'd been a letter left by someone called Cecil who had talked about killing two people with a rifle who had tried to rob him and take his wedding ring from his now deceased wife but in doing so he had invited infected on himself, he'd been bitten but managed to make it to the warehouse where a woman called Olivia had welcomed him in from the hordes.

He had hidden his bite from her but had wanted to write his apology beforehand because he had been too cowardly to tell her about it. Olivia had told him about how she had lost two sons to other survivors, she had once been a nurse and wanted to help other people but things had gone so wrong. Cecil had wrote that when he turned he could at least release Olivia from the torment she had been in.

The two clickers Ellie slaughtered had stories before the infection, had been loved and mattered to someone.

Ellie had simply whispered, 'Then you died.'

"Okay Pisces we'll be on the move again tomorrow morning."

Ellie had explored the building before turning in to more troubled sleep.

The next morning she cooked up some rabbit then got moving again.

"There must be a cure out there, if I can't do anything else in my life I have to find someone who can make it matter again. I don't care about what happens to me anymore, I really don't." Ellie exhaled. "Well thanks for listening and not judging me." Ellie patted Pisces thoughtfully.

She had imagined Rich going straight to Maria making a huge drama about her leaving and no one giving a fuck. That made her laugh.

Ellie didn't know where to start so she would just keep traveling, killing, leaving someone alive to answer her questions before she tore through their jugular vein, stock up, rest and repeat the process. Dying wasn't an option for her, not yet.

The next few weeks she headed east, she had put questions to other survivors but nothing had really come of it until an hour ago. One guy in his late twenties had said something about a possible lead. A doctor he knew somewhere in Indiana called Clairmont and talk of 'Saving the World '. She had asked what he meant and he explained he was a former member of the 'Pegasus' until he came this way on word an uncle of his had become a higher up in this region's so called 'Policing Force' the 'New Eagles ' and they were in need of a medic, he was a medic.

Ellie had promised not to kill him because he was a healer and even told him she'd let him stitch up and clean her wounds.

"Promise not to kill me, I'll tell you everything I can. I'm a medic, I just want to help people."

"I won't kill you, you talk I'll let you go, but I'd better not see you again." Ellie wasn't in the mood to play.

"Okay, I can even tend to your cuts, as a way of thanking you then I swear you'll never see me again."

Ellie looked at him for a moment then raised her hands. "Sure, sure dude, whatever."

"If anyone asks what happened I'll say it was a rogue group who came through outnumbering us. I'll say I got lucky and hid."

"I said fine!" Ellie glared at him.

"Thank you, I wish I was never a part of all this, damn infected spoilt it all." The guy laughed nervously.

"They did, now tell me what I want before I change my mind."

After she got what she wanted from him she slit his throat. He may have trusted her but she didn't trust him. Medic or not, the second she would let him tend to her she'd more than likely be the one on the floor choking on her own blood. She had seen the look in his eyes, the look of someone who was planning to put an end to her. As he hit the ground, while tied to the chair, she could only glare down on his big, dumb, unbelieving eyes. The look of someone who couldn't believe they would go out like this.

She saw to her aching body, left with more supplies and got out of there with Pisces in case anymore of the 'New Eagles ' arrived. She hated the thought of leaving a warm, comfortable bed behind but what good was that if she was the next to die.

Next safe spot she found she would rest, she really hoped for that bed.

"Indiana. The Pegasus. Jesus man, Rich might actually have been useful. No, he'd have got himself killed. Well Ellie you at least know these guys aren't friendly. Wow Pisces, are you as shocked about that as I am?"

Pisces raced onwards.

"I didn't think so." Ellie laughed, the sound of her freedom.

Her hope to just get her head down somewhere quiet was dashed. She found a dingy motel, next to a motorway, called Dreamies. She was far enough away to scan the area beforehand with her binoculars, a mix of clickers and runners. She prepared a Molotov Cocktail and galloped towards the danger. She halted Pisces, dismounted and screamed at the infected while lighting up her concoction.

"You filthy scumbags, over here!"

Before long barbecued infected lay across the parking area and a stalker lay with it's head blown off at the reception area. Ellie scavenged again, saw to her horse then took all the room keys (just in case someone came looking and noticed that was the only one missing) and let herself into room 3.

Pisces was tied up within sight and she was reasonably sure she would be safe. It was getting dark and she needed to sleep, as much as she had come to loathe it. She threw the spare keys on the floor and fell asleep on the comfy bed.

A noise awoke her, she went to the window and peaked through the gap in the curtains.

There was a group of humans.

"Fucking people." It was barely light outside, however long Ellie had managed to sleep it wasn't long enough. She ached and still felt weary. It seemed nowhere was safe, she had made a mistake by letting her tiredness win.

She didn't have time to scold herself, she pulled out the rifle, gently opened the window, aimed, fired and watched as the woman's head caved in and blood spattered over the back of her fellow survivor.

"Geena!" The man screamed in horror. Ellie dropped him too. Three more assholes left.

"The son of a bitch is shooting from over there Denzel!" The guy pointed right at her. She dived for cover as bullets shattered the window.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck." Ellie covered her eyes as glass hurtled towards her.

Finally the shooting stopped. "Did we get him?" One called.

"The bastard killed Geena, I want to make sure, go and check kid."

"Do I have to Den? What if he's still alive?"

"You shoot them you idiot, go!"

Not too smart shouting your plans to an enemy Ellie thought.

"Do it for Geena." The other guy said.

"Fuck Geena." Ellie whispered preparing her shotgun as footsteps creeped towards her.

Stupidly someone peeked into the window, a youngster with strawberry blonde hair. Ellie fired and brain matter erupted like a volcano.

"We're gonna kill you!" One of the remaining two bellowed.

Ellie switched to the handgun and made it to the door, she ducked down as more bullets sprayed into the room, then a smoke bomb.

"Shit." Ellie took a deep breath, opened the door and rolled to her left.

Pisces was clearly jumpy and Ellie was scared one of these idiots would shoot her.

She made out the image of someone's shoulder and fired. She knew the bullet had hit the target but couldn't see the final person. She untethered Pisces, mounted and galloped away.

"Go Pisces, go!" She didn't have time to play around with one last lowlife but she made a mistake again as a bullet grazed her right shoulder, the pain was excruciating.

Ellie had to bite her lip hard and ride on.

"You bastard I hope you get bit."

All she wanted was to keep pushing hard for Indiana but knew she'd have to make a stop again for her shoulder.

Shortly after she came across a farm.

"You had better not be overrun as well, all I ask is one break. Just one." Who was she to ask for a break she thought. She'd rarely given other people a break.

She got closer and everything seemed quiet. There was a nine foot high steel wire fence, although the gate was broken and she went straight through it.

She went around the back and once again tied Pisces up.

"Sorry bud, twenty minutes tops then we're out of here."

Ellie tried the back door, locked. She didn't have the patience for this, she threw a brick through the window and went inside, her body deceiving her as her right ankle buckled crashing hard on her already injured right shoulder.

Tears welled up as she held her shoulder, she just needed to clean it, dress it and go. She would be fine after that. As she tried to get up, glass cut her left hand.

"Great Ellie, you obviously don't like to make things easy for yourself do you?"

She was in the kitchen, slowly opening the door into the living room with handgun drawn she wanted to make sure she wasn't taken off guard by anything. Quiet again, Ellie dropped her backpack onto the table and started to tend to herself even patching up her damaged jacket.

She was so focused on her job she didn't hear someone come from behind her.

Before Ellie could fully turn, the butt of a gun hit her across the back of the head.

She fell, and a body, what looked like a man turned her over to face him.

Her eyes wouldn't focus, but she could hear what the man was saying despite her dazed state.

"You killed Geena you bitch, you thought you could just get away with that, she was my wife you fucking little dog! Maybe I should rape you before I cut your throat!"

Ellie reached for her butterfly knife and managed to slice his left arm. He grabbed her wrist slamming it down on the ground until she released her grip on the knife. He pulled out his own knife and put it to Ellie's throat.

"This is where your life ends girl. Say a prayer to whoever's listening."

Ellie swallowed hard then scowled and spat in his face.

"Fuck Geena, that dumb bitch is dead." Ellie smiled, If she was going to die she'd go out without fear. She was just sorry she didn't have more time to find a cure. She had wanted to do it for Joel. She expected the knife to pierce her throat and send her to him, if there was any hope of that.

"What the fu...Aarggghh!"

A deafening gunshot went off and the man was screaming in agony holding his face.

Ellie was aware enough to overpower him, he had been shot in the right ear, a gaping hole of blood, bone and cartilage hanging from his face. She head-butted him, took his knife and swung it into his Adam's apple, she plunged it in multiple times until she could feel the warm claret liquid shower her face. His gurgling became silent then she pushed herself off him and looked up towards the stairs where a boy stood there with a gun.

Ellie blinked to try and get her 20/20 vision back but she couldn't, she crashed against a wall trying to keep her balance.

"Hands up!" The boy demanded.

"Wait, I..." Ellie was cut off.

"Put your hands up or I'll shoot you. Who are you, what do you want? Drop your knife now!"

"Okay, okay."

"Who are you?" The boy repeated. "I won't warn you again, drop your fucking knife!"

Ellie dropped the knife and raised her hands. "I'm, I'm Ellie, I was shot, I needed to, to..." She lost her footing and crashed to the ground again, this time the sweet release of unconsciousness gave her the rest she so dearly needed.

When Ellie came to she was unaware of her surroundings. She felt pain everywhere in her body but her head hurt the most, she put her hand to it and winced.

"So you're finally awake...Ellie."

She looked towards the voice, the boy sat in a chair, Ellie's backpack on his lap, a 9mm pointed at her.

He had a Latin look to him, a beautiful ethnic mix, his freckles stood out.

Ellie tried to speak but her tongue was dry, she coughed to try and clear it.

"There's water next to the bed, drink some then tell me why you're here."

Ellie drank, it was warm but it tasted sweet, she had needed it.

"You put me to bed?" It hurt to even talk for her.

The boy just stared at her.

"I needed to hole up before I moved on, I didn't know anyone was here." Ellie explained.

"Clearly." Curtis replied sternly.

Ellie sighed. "Long story short I came here to tend to my wounds then go. Someone had been tailing me, I'm sorry about your window." She was apologizing? "Anyway what's your name?"

"Curtis. Keep going." The gun was still pointed at her.

"My horse, dang, I need to see to my horse."

"The horse is fine Ellie, the guy you killed, his horse is fine too. Why was he after you?"

"He was just some jerk-off, it's not important."

"You both come here and try to trash my home. I think it is." Curtis wasn't giving Ellie any slack.

"I was traveling through the area and I stopped at a motel, I cleared out infected then tried to get some rest, that guy and some other douche bags must have heard the commotion. Before I knew it we were trading bullets."

"With the New Eagles?"

"I don't care who they were, but if you say so."

"They were, that guy downstairs is one. He has an emblem of the group on his coat."

Ellie tried to reach towards Curtis.

"Don't you dare come any closer or I'll shoot the rest of your hand off." Curtis was getting tetchy, Ellie didn't want to test him, yet.

"I wasn't trying anything."

"Yes you were! Raise your hands, I don't trust you."

Ellie raised them slowly, she was trying to figure a way out of the situation.

"So you're not one of the Eagles, what's the deal then?"

"I'm sick of these asshole groups, I'm just trying to survive on my own, I wish I could be left alone."

"Why are you alone? Are you wanted for some reason by the Eagles? Is that why they found you?" Curtis asked.

"Looks like those assholes I met before I got here were New Eagles, fine, great, I've never even heard of them until now. The groups are all the same to me. I'm not wanted by anyone, that's why I left my town and moved on."

"You killed someone called Geena?"

"Yeah I guess so, kill or be killed Curtis. You've got a lot of questions for me, I promise you all I want is to move on. Besides, how old are you?"

"Thirteen, why?"

"Thirteen and you had no problem blowing half that guy's face off."

"Survival." He replied.

"So you understand what I'm saying. Look, I need to go, if you need me to repair the window I'll do it but I need to be gone as soon as I can. How long was I out?"

"Most of the day, I expect it'll be dark soon."

"Fuck. Curtis I need my bag, my supplies I have to go."

"You can go Ellie, you don't even need to fix the window, but I have one condition."

"What's the condition?"

"You take me with you Ellie." The boy was serious.

"No. No way! Not happening." Ellie waved her hands wildly.

"I'll keep the gun on you until you change your mind."

"This isn't a game, you're safe here, where I'm going isn't safe."

"I'm safe Ellie? Thanks to you I know that's no longer true."

"I wouldn't have hurt you, I just needed to..."

"Smash my window right? So what's going to happen now is I give you until morning to decide to take me."

"What if I still say no?"

"Then after I kill you I'll kill myself. You're my last hope of getting out of here, if I stay here much longer I'll starve. If you take me with you I'll give you your belongings back."

"You know if you fall asleep I'll take my belongings and leave."

Curtis leaned forward, tight but shaky grip on his gun.

Ellie swallowed hard.

"I'll put a bullet through your knee if you come an inch closer." He said, Ellie thought of Joel, this kid was making her angry.

"Fucking shoot me then?! I'm at your mercy, come on, are you a Fucking chicken?!" She pointed at her head. "One shot right through my fucking brain!" In her head she knew it wasn't smart but the hothead in her won out again.

"All adults let me down, you're no different. You only care about yourself and maybe I'm happy to just shoot you and be done with it."

"Maybe but I think I'll risk it, if you're dead-set on shooting me, rather you shoot me in my knee instead of my head. I'm not just letting you do it and I could overpower you easily." Ellie lowered her arms slowly.

"Are you stupid Ellie?! So you go from saying you wouldn't hurt me to threatening me. You put on a good act but you're as bad as that scum who bled out on my carpet."

"You don't know me Curtis and I don't know you. If you think my life is that worthless and you think everyone is bad then killing me makes you just like them. I've killed a lot and I suffer with that every day. Yes you shot that guy downstairs but you purposely tried to maim not kill, you left that honor to me. I don't want you ending up like these people, like me I guess."

"I'll have to if I want to survive, I don't want to kill you Ellie whether you believe it or not. But you don't give a shit about me do you?" Curtis whined.

"I'm thinking about you dude, get it through your head. You ride with me you'll die, I'm like an albatross."

"What...an albatross? What do you mean? The bird right?"

"Yeah I bring bad luck to everyone around me." Ellie let out an exasperated breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to threaten you, it wasn't my intention. But I'm being serious, the outside world is no joke, especially if you're untrained at fighting."

Curtis looked at the ground momentarily, in thought then nodded. "Fine Ellie, we'll travel by moonlight." Curtis pointed at a bowl next to her glass of water.

"It's oats, eat it then we're going. It's all I've got left, it's yours."

"Curtis I don't know if I can keep you safe."

"If I die I die, at least I have a chance with you."

"A very small chance Curtis." Ellie pinched her thumb and forefinger together.

"Ellie eat, get your strength up then we go. If you're taking me you're no good on an empty stomach."

"Fine Curtis, fine. I understand what it's like to be scared and alone."

"Don't make fun of me Ellie."

"I'm being serious jackass." Ellie ate gratefully, after she finished she looked at him, he had been silent the last few minutes.

"Here's my deal. You come with me, but you do your part and don't be a burden to me. There's a strong likeliness you or I will die. If it's me, you're on your own again, out there, you really need to think hard about this. If you agree to that we have a deal."

Curtis looked at her for a long time.

"Do you promise?" Curtis didn't take his eyes off her, this time it was Ellie who looked away. She slowly nodded, returning the gaze hard.

"I promise, but I'm not kidding, you fuck up you'll die."

"How you fucked up downstairs and I saved your life?" Curtis replied angrily.

"My life is looking down the barrel of your handgun. But okay, done deal. So do me a favor and lower the gun finally, you got what you wanted."

Curtis lowered it but kept a tight grip on it.

Ellie dressed then looked at Curtis. "Can I have my bag back please?" Damn, now she was the one begging.

Curtis gave her the bag. "You could at least thank me because I did save your life."

Ellie put out her hand, Curtis was hesitant to hand his gun over.

"For now Curtis, I don't want you pointing that at me again. I'll give it back when I think I can trust you to not threaten me with it again. Until then I'll make sure you're protected."

Curtis gave it to her. "Just keep the promise, I want it back because you may need me."

"I get why you did what you did and held me at gun point but it's a scary experience, I'm sorry I got mad but let's just say I hope you never get one pointed at you."

"I didn't know who you were, I still don't. I hope you're not lying to me."

"I'm not lying Curtis, what more can I say?"

"I'm trusting you, I'm a kid, if you go back on your word..."

"What I said I meant, even the bit about you dying if you fuck up. Yeah just like me, remember we all make mistakes."

"I just gave you my gun okay, I'm putting my trust in you so I don't want you holding it for long. If something goes down you remember this, you want me to do my part I can't do much without a weapon can I?"

"Tomorrow, maybe, let's just see how the evening goes. You're right though, you're putting your trust in me so I'll put my trust in you, just don't ever point it at me again."

"I wont."

"Thanks." Ellie said.

"But I still don't get it back until tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, yeah." Ellie clarified.

"Urgh." Curtis wasn't happy, Ellie didn't care.

They got another backpack together for Curtis, stocked up and mounted the horses. They rode away, Curtis glancing back, knowing he would never return just like the rest of his family.

Ellie took notice, she wanted to say something but held her tongue, he didn't need a 'life is harsh, now get over it' lecture.

Curtis had his flashlight on, lighting their way ahead.

"We travel until it's pitch black, find somewhere, hole up then start properly in the morning." Ellie looked at him. "Okay?"

He nodded. "Tell me your story Ellie, I want to know."

Ellie didn't really want to but found a weight lifted by talking about her journey since leaving Jackson over two weeks ago. When Curtis had asked about what happened before she left Jackson she told him that could wait for another day. He had been persistently asking how she lost the two fingers on her left hand, she had replied that it was a fight but refused to elaborate, only that it had ended her guitar playing days.

"Fuck, you used to play guitar and some asshole cut your fingers off? Did they do it on purpose?" Curtis asked shocked.

"Yeah, but they didn't walk away lightly, they've probably got more scars than you could count."

"But what was it about?"

Ellie sighed. "A gang of raiders attacked and we finally fought them off, most of them died, some made a run for it, we never saw them again. The person who left me with this gift." Ellie wiggled her stub fingers. "Was one of the ones that got away, I guess those of us who survived were lucky that day."

"I bet you wish you could get revenge on them." Curtis said, it felt like he had read her mind. Obviously he hadn't but it was bringing up memories of Abby, she wanted that to be in the past.

"At first yeah, but not anymore."

Curtis looked at her unconvinced.

"It wouldn't change anything, so no, I don't want revenge." Ellie was hoping he would drop the subject.

"Oh, that's good." Was all he said.

"When we get to our next safe building and secure ourselves and the horses for the night I'd like to know your story Curtis."

"Oh okay, but I want to know yours too."

"I guess that's a fair trade." Ellie accepted.

"All of it."

"I'll tell you a little everyday, I'm not one for opening up, deal?" Ellie asked.

"Alright." Curtis replied weakly.

Less than an hour later they found an old country house and found the front door open. They brought the horses in, put a chest of drawers against the door then sat down on a mildly comfortable sofa, even if it was a little damp. Curtis had been talking a lot, Ellie listened mostly.

"I'm sorry we had to meet like we did, I'd rather it be under different circumstances." Curtis said.

Ellie extended her damaged hand. "Hi, I'm Ellie Williams, nice to meet you, what's your name?" She asked.

Curtis shook her hand. "Curtis Fornaro, nice to meet you Ellie, for the first time ever, right now." He replied.

Ellie gave him a thumbs up. "Same here."

"That's a better way to meet for the first time." Curtis smiled.

Ellie nodded. "It will be fine here for tonight. Tell me your story, then we rest and get going next light."

Curtis took some time to come around but finally replied.

"What about you?"

"I'll tell you my story tomorrow, I will, okay? At least some of it." Ellie was prepared to lie to him.

"Okay, there's not much to tell but here it goes."

His story was that his father was ex Military before he bought the farm for him and his wife, then Curtis came along. When the outbreak happened the fence was built by his dad, mom and his uncle Freddy.

They grew crops and hunted meat, things seemed okay and infected were dealt with efficiently.

One day Freddy went out hunting and never returned, Curtis' father went looking for him but never returned either. After a month of just him and his mom she had to leave him to hunt for meat and also never returned. Curtis was angry at them all for leaving him. He'd been alone just over three months but was running out of supplies and had been unlucky trapping food.

Then Ellie had arrived and in his eyes had become the saviour of his prayers.

He went quiet after that.

Ellie looked down and nodded. "Okay Curtis let's rest. Trust me, I'm no saviour, just get your head down. If today's taught us anything there's no such thing as good guys in the world."

"We're not talking about what happened earlier anymore, I shouldn't have held you at gun point, but..."

"Curtis if I was you I'd have probably done the same, what we need to do now is build trust, it's what we're doing and if we're riding together we need to trust each other. Please forget it, let's just move forward." Ellie jumped in surprise at Curtis' response.

"Don't you run out on me, don't you leave me Ellie!" He grabbed her shoulders, Ellie winced. Curtis let go. "Sorry."

Ellie looked him in the eyes. "You call me your saviour, you're wrong. But I call you my redemption, I won't leave you, but if on our way we come across good people who can take you in you'll go. Until then I will look out for you, just remember my terms."

"I get it okay, don't mess up." Curtis said mockingly.

"Yeah, you said you'd be useful, I need you to be useful. I'm sorry if that's harsh, but I'm not changing my mind. We can talk, get to know each other all you want but I don't want deadweight. Now get some rest, you understand don't you?" Ellie had to be blunt with the boy, this wasn't a camping holiday.

"Sure." Curtis nodded then went upstairs (they had already checked out the entire building). Ellie followed him upstairs, they both slept uneasily.

Curtis felt a hand on his shoulder, he looked up and Ellie was staring down at him. "Get up, we're going in ten minutes." Ellie gave him some meat. "Eat."

"Are you sure?"

"I can hunt for more. I've eaten, now hurry up. Nine minutes."

Curtis was ready within minutes and met Ellie downstairs. She handed him his gun.

"Don't point it at me ever again okay, I'm trusting you."

He took it. "Okay, I was desperate, I'm sorry."

"No more apologies, time to go." They went.

The boy had saved her life, she would do everything in her power to do the same, but telling him this wouldn't help. It would blunt his senses and she needed him on his A game. Although she had no idea what that was. He'd prove himself out here she was sure, even if he was 13, just like she had proved herself to Joel as a 14 year old.

"So Curtis, how are you with a bow?" Ellie needed a full rundown of his abilities.

"I've used one, I'm better with a handgun."

Ellie nodded. "Your dad was in the military so he taught you to shoot I guess?"

"That's right Ellie, what about you, did your dad teach you to shoot?"

Ellie dropped her head and exhaled. "Yeah, yeah he did."

"Did something happen to him?"

"That obvious? Yeah, he's dead. I'd rather not talk about it."

Curtis nodded. "Your mom?"

"Dead."

"Sorry Ellie, we're both orphans aren't we?"

"We are."

"I'm here if you need me." Curtis said.

Ellie didn't reply and they continued in silence for quite a while.

They came upon a gas station, there were some infected roaming the area.

"Do we need to stop here Ellie?" Curtis was clearly apprehensive about this.

"It doesn't seem like a good idea at the moment but we need to keep our supplies topped up." Ellie took out her binoculars and scanned the area. "Hmmm...there's a bunch of runners outside, I'm not sure about the toilets but there's something inside the store."

"I saw this movie once where a gas station exploded." Curtis said.

"Yeah? Tell me about it later. The plan is to sneak up on the runners and cut their throats then do the same to whatever's in the store. We won't need bullets here if we're careful."

"Do you want me to check the toilets for infected?" He asked.

"Hang back for now, I need you to keep an eye out for me in case I end up in a jam."

Curtis looked disappointed. "Good idea."

"Let's deal with these assholes first, if something goes wrong you shoot them in the head okay?"

"Okay." He nodded.

Ellie put her finger to her mouth and whispered. "Just watch my back."

The first two runners went down with ease, Ellie sneaked towards the third one which was near the gas station store. She grabbed it from behind, it struggled with her and the weight from it sent both itself and Ellie crashing through the entrance door. The clicker inside the store shrieked and ambled towards Ellie. She slit the runner's throat and downed the clicker with a headshot.

"Ellie!" Curtis screamed. Another clicker came out of the toilets towards him.

"Fuck, shoot it!" Ellie pushed the runner off and jumped to her feet.

Curtis had frozen, the clicker had got close enough to knock the gun out of his shaking, sweaty palms. Ellie put it down with another headshot then Curtis dropped to his knees.

Ellie breathed heavily, her heart thumping in her chest like a jackhammer. She put her hands on her knees and looked towards the boy.

"Are you okay?"

He just stared at her in fright.

She jogged to him, kneeling down beside him. Blood was spattered over his shirt, most importantly he wasn't bitten. She pulled a clean rag from her pocket and cleaned his face.

"Why did you hesitate?" She asked.

Curtis put his hands to his face, Ellie guessed he was about to cry.

"You're going to leave me behind. I messed up, you think I'll get us killed."

Ellie didn't deal with crying well.

"Remember you saved my life. Now I've saved yours, so I can let this one ride. You're going to practice with my bow later and you are going to kill infected with it. I'm being serious, we can't have this happen again."

"It's just, they're not human, the sight of it, I just froze. I've seen them before but..."

"So you have killed people?"

"Just one yeah, I've just never had to handle one of those, it was always dad, mom or my uncle. It's easy for you, you've probably killed hundreds of people."

Ellie looked at him then looked away, he probably saw her as a monster, no matter what he called her. Saviour? No. Monster, nearer the mark.

"Let's stock up and I'll tell you how I killed my first infected. It wasn't easy, but yeah, it gets easier." She looked back at him, got up, sighed and led him to the store. "Anything useful, get it."

Not long after they had left the gas station they came across a lone runner huddled up beside a road sign, pulling at its hair and groaning.

Ellie put her finger to her lips and gestured for him to pull out the bow and nock an arrow.

"Aim for the head." Ellie whispered.

Curtis nodded, inhaling sharply.

"We're not moving until you drop it, we can't afford mistakes." Ellie continued.

"You think I don't know that?" Curtis was still clearly agitated by what had happened earlier.

Ellie ignored this and pointed at the runner. "Take your time, afterwards we take a break."

Curtis pulled the arrow back, seemed ready to fire...

"Hey dipshit over here!" Ellie called.

The runner looked towards them making an inhuman squawk and came for them.

Curtis looked at Ellie. "What the fu...?"

"Headshot!" Ellie shouted at him. Curtis turned to face it and sent the arrow through it's right eye into its brain matter. It fell about fifteen yards away from them, crimson spooling from its head.

Curtis returned his gaze to Ellie, shaken, angry and confused, he wanted to scream at her but the words wouldn't come to him.

"You did good, and don't look at me like that. You proved to me and to yourself you could do it. I won't need to do this again. Let's find somewhere to stop for the day. Oh yeah, go collect the arrow, looks fine to me."

Curtis rocked his head back, laughing, he put his hand to his forehead and replied. "Okay you goddam bitch."

They made it to Crawford Nebraska, passing a honey farm on their way.

The town was infested with infected but ever the veteran survivor Ellie had a plan.

Quietly making their way to the first house then tied the horses around the back then forced entry via the back door, after entering they put a heavy table against it.

After checking the rooms and surprisingly finding no infected they nestled upstairs in what was probably a parent's bedroom with a children's bedroom across from it.

Ellie had picked up what looked like a diary with a 'New Eagles' logo on the front, she'd be reading it all, it would be useful to them. She wanted a better understanding of these so called lawmen.

Ellie looked out of the window, counting to herself and writing something in her notebook.

"What's the plan Ellie?"

Ellie held her hand up. "Just a moment." She finished counting. "Okay, as much as I'd like to push for 15 hour drives every day until we reach Indiana we need to really make a plan of action. Also it won't hurt to get some extra rest for one night."

"You were going to tell me about how you killed your first infected when we made it here, I want to know how you killed your first person." Curtis had been insistent on knowing.

Ellie looked at the ground, there seemed to be a coffee stain on the carpet. Coffee. "You would huh?"

"Yes, so how are we getting out of here?"

"I'm figuring that one out Curtis, be patient."

"I have an idea, tomorrow, maybe we could just gallop away from the town but..."

"We need to have multiple plans, having just one isn't smart." Ellie explained.

"I'd rather we decided that in the morning, I want to forget where we are if only for one evening and just talk. I want you to talk, I want to know about you Ellie."

"You really don't, but I'll tell you what you need to know. What I was taught, how to survive." Ellie put her backpack down and started to forage through it.

"Hey Ellie."

"Yeah?" She didn't look up.

That pin on your bag, the space rocket, where did you get it? That's so cool."

Ellie looked up. She gently put her fingers over the pin Joel had given her.

"A birthday gift from my dad, I used to be really into space travel, I still am I guess." She unpinned it and just held it in her damaged hand, the stories it had to tell she thought.

"Ellie?"

Ellie didn't answer.

"Ellie I'm talking to you."

Ellie came back from her thoughts. "What?"

Curtis was about to say something but the way Ellie was gently touching the pin he understood.

"My dad gave me a wooden soldier he handmade as a kid. I lost it and I couldn't forgive myself for it."

Ellie nodded, she understood, her PTSD had triggered the very real symptoms of Impending Doom within her, although she didn't fully understand what was happening to her. The pin felt like her guiding light to scare off the phantoms that would try to contaminate her brain, stop her heart from beating and let her know no matter how strong she thought she was she didn't try hard enough to save Joel. That she didn't deserve to draw another breath, or to experience a simple breeze on a setting sun. That enjoying a simple meal was a waste on her, worthlessness was undeserving and everyone she cared about she hurt. That her only way of appeasing them was to finally put the gun to her head and watch the world blur into a tragic, brutal sacrifice for their souls. Joel was still with her and he protected her. Every moment of the day she fought this feeling of dread. For a moment she thought she could appease herself with the boy in front of her, who had entered her life at a time where she had given up on hope. Why? Did she really think it would be different with him?

"This pin here is everything to me, was the wooden soldier important to you Curtis?"

"Yes I wish I still had it, I have nothing of my family left. I should have thought about that when I left home." Curtis shook his head.

Ellie didn't know what to say. "You've got your memories."

Curtis just looked at her, whatever he was driving for Ellie had missed the point. It wasn't her fault he thought.

"So the book?" Curtis pointed at Ellie's discovery.

"We'll look at it later." Ellie sat on the floor and waited for Curtis to join her.

"You want me to talk, so I'll tell you what I can. You want to forget we're here, fine. I'm not great at opening up, I never have been and I don't enjoy it. But eventually we'll both go our own way so I hope I can at least teach you something before that happens."

"Okay." Curtis nodded and waited patiently for Ellie to begin.

Ellie thought hard about where to begin, some things she just couldn't and wouldn't tell him. But she needed this, it would be cathartic for her, she found it funny how she was willing to tell a kid she barely knew some of her life story but could never tell people she'd considered friends. Dina, Jesse, Cat and Rich.

She snorted, laughing at her own logic.

"What?" Curtis asked.

"Just laughing at myself."

"Why?"

"I'm an idiot, that's why."

Ellie explained her immunity to him, how it had happened and why she'd hid it from people with the tattoo and had told people it was an acid burn.

She had told Curtis about how she killed her first person, rescuing Joel and her first infected kill in Bill's town. The close calls they had in Pittsburgh and Utah. How she had met Joel and he had become her adopted father. She had explained her journey to find a cure. She hadn't told him the truth about why there wasn't a cure, she had told him what Joel had told her that day when she was 15 on the way back to Jackson. She had told him about Tommy, Maria, Dina, J.J., Rich and Cat. She had told him how she and Joel had not talked for a while and how angry she was she didn't get a chance to put things right with him. She told him she was looking for a cure because she had nothing left in Jackson. She had left the part out about pointing a gun at Rich. She had talked about Henry and Sam, she had mentioned Sarah and how she would have liked to know her. She talked about Riley, Marlene and Tess. About how Jackson thrived, about the patrols, about how every town has its bigots and idiots and not to tolerate any of their shit.

Eventually she went quiet and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths.

"How did Joel die?"

Ellie looked up at him, haunted eyes told him that maybe he shouldn't pursue it.

"Killed, we never found out who did it." Ellie looked away. She hadn't sounded very convincing but thankfully Curtis had accepted this reason, although she thought it might be brought up again.

"Do you feel better for getting it off your chest Ellie? You had a lot to tell me."

Ellie had been talking for around an hour, that was long enough. She picked up the book smoothing her hand over it.

Curtis guessed the subject was over for now.

"Let's find out a little about these Eagles idiots. I guess you don't have any clues about them?" She asked.

"No, when my parents were around I was protected you see, I was in a safe little bubble. I wish I hadn't been now."

Ellie nodded. She pointed for Curtis to sit beside her. "There might be something useful in it, stop me if you notice anything."

"I will."

Ellie flicked the pages, the first had another New Eagles drawing on it with the words ~ From Verity~ on it.

The next page had some doodles on it, a family it looked like with Eagles wings and halos, above each halo were names.

~Jake (38 dad), Morgan (36 mom) and Lewis (me 16)~.

She flicked the page again and began reading.

~ January 1. We celebrated the New Years in typical fashion. Everyone lined up and pledged their allegiance to Captain Daniels (Captain, yeah right, the guy is a thug). We pledge to a New Year and new rules amongst the countless archaic ones we are already forced to follow.

No one dared go against him, especially after Natalie refused to pledge and then she was taken to the 'Officer Barracks'. Next thing we know she's covered in bruises and bleeding, she kept crying 'Rape' but no one listened or cared. I was too damn weak and helpless to do anything, I'm no better than the people I'm angry at. Lewis ~

~ January 6. Natalie was found dead this morning, she had hanged herself. She was only 19! One of the men dug a grave out back and threw her in it. There's a graveyard here but she was deemed unfit and therefore not deserving of a Soldiers Grave. What is wrong with these people? Her father was seen outside crying and shouting, he was beaten senseless and left there by two soldiers. I'd better not let anyone see what I'm writing, I don't think I can even trust mom and dad. Lewis ~

January 9. Everyone was woken at 5.a.m and we were all marched outside, everyone was frightened, we didn't know what was happening.

When Daniels arrived with his two head goons Roberts and Lopez with a torn Stars and Stripes flag in his hands he threw it to the ground and demanded to know who the culprit was. We were given 24 hours for someone to own up or face consequences. Why does this jackass care? He flies the flag upside down anyway. He has an excuse for everything though, his reason is 'New America, New Eagles, New Way.' We all know what it means, a constant state of war. Lewis ~

January 10. No on has come forward. My parents are just as scared as everyone, why won't anyone stand up to this regime? There's more of us than there are of them.

We lined up again and had ice cold water thrown over us then we were told to stand in the winter cold for two hours. Anyone that moved would be punished according. Those bastards went back to their barracks and drank their hot milk, laughing all the way there.

Someone freaked out and ran back into their house, the guy with a speech impediment, Donald Harris. Almost immediately one of the soldiers who was visibly upset from having to come out of his cosy environment had gone in, shots were fired and Harris was dragged out with bullet holes in his head. The soldier had said Harris had threatened to shoot him. Bullshit, Harris never owned a gun, he was afraid of them.

These people wanted any excuse to kill him and they finally got it.

I want to run away.

Lewis ~

Ellie looked at Curtis.

"Fuck..." Ellie whispered.

"What the hell is wrong with these people? Why are they so evil?" Curtis asked.

"Some people just are, I'm sure you don't feel any pity for the Eagles I killed now." Ellie replied.

"I never said I did Ellie and I don't."

"These groups can all go fuck themselves. I've never been a part of one and I never will be Curtis."

"But you still want to go and find the group Pegasus?"

"Yeah, my way." Ellie looked at him seriously.

"I getcha." Curtis didn't want to think about what she meant.

"Let's find out more about these people." Ellie continued to read.

January 24. I haven't written much lately because nothing had happened, but you just know it's a powder keg environment. It can be quiet for a couple of weeks and they give you that false sense of harmony only to hit us like a sledgehammer when we least expect it.

Now I'm 16 I am deemed old enough to be a soldier. I am to be sent on a training exercise (boot camp) because they need more manpower. My parents are respected members of this community and put my name forward to be a soldier without telling me.

When I told them they had no right to do it my mom said it was the safest way for me. Being a civilian wasn't a life, it was being a prisoner. I know we're not bothered too much because dad is useful to them, sometimes he's gone for days when they ask for his services.

If I get the chance I'll shoot every single fucking one of them for what they did to Natalie. Lewis ~

January 29. I'm leaving for basic training tomorrow morning and I'm not ready for this. I don't want to be like these people and I refuse to let them get inside my head.

If I have to pretend I will, do whatever they say, do it unquestionably. Earn their trust, I'm going to poison this regime from the inside.

Can't sleep, I won't be writing in this book again for a while, I'm hiding it from mom and dad. I know they'll be snooping in my room when I'm gone. Lewis ~

February 27. Finally back home after my training, I hated it. Dad isn't back, but mom kept asking me questions about what I did. I know she's interested but I found it infuriating, like she's trying to pick information out of me to test me or something. I can't tell if it's out of fear or not but she's on edge about something.

When is dad getting back? He's late. Lewis ~

March 1. Dad still hasn't returned and I'm wanted at the 'Barracks '. Mom told me I'm not to mention my father to them in case I anger Daniels. She can fuck off, he's my dad! Lewis ~

March 2. I asked Daniels about my dad, he waved his arm offhandedly and said he'd gone away for a week and should be back in a few days. I asked what it was my dad did. Daniels looked surprised and asked me why my dad hadn't told me. I don't know, he laughed and told me to see Lopez for duties. I was told I had potential to go far and become more than the 'worthless rabble' who were eating his food and drinking his water. I tried to hide any signs of anger towards this man, I saluted and left hurriedly. Lewis ~

March 8. Dad still isn't back and I'm going to do something about it. I'm not going to tell mom anything because she'll probably do something stupid and get us killed. She panics too much and likes to gossip about other people's business. Lewis ~

March 9. It's dark but there was a knock on the door, my mom answered it and I could hear her tell whoever it was to be quiet so they didn't wake me.

I recognised the voice of Thurton Harris, the father of the executed man the day we had ice water thrown on us.

He's a nice man, old, sixty or around that and walks with a limp.

I pressed my ears against the door to make out what he and my mom were saying.

It was muffled by I knew it was something to do with dad and why he hadn't returned.

What I could make out was that it didn't seem likely dad was coming back and he knew why. I could hear mom getting upset but before Thurton left I heard him say something like "Are you with me Morgan?" She replied "Yes" then the door slammed and I watched the old man leave, he looked up and saw me. I froze, he tapped his hat then kept moving. Should I ask what was said? I'll figure it out in the morning. Lewis ~

March 10. I ask mom why Thurton was here. She said not to worry. I smashed the breakfast bowl on the floor and began shouting at her. I told her she knew what had happened to dad but was too scared to do anything. Things didn't end well... Lewis ~

March 29. Dad finally returned around 10pm but told me he had to leave because his life was in danger. I demanded to go with him but he refused me as he started to pack his bag. He said he loved me but he had done some bad things to keep us in good stead with the Daniels and his men. He started talking gibberish about how I was now man of the house and I must take care of my mother. I asked when I would see him again. He replied never, and couldn't tell me where he was going. He left within fifteen minutes of his arrival. I was planning on getting my horse and following until our door was kicked through by the assholes that were chasing him.

Mom and I were interrogated about him, they hit her, a lot.

I was told to pack my bag, I was moving. Lewis ~

April 4. I have begun to settle in the Junior Officer Barracks. No word on mom yet, I've been told I can't see her until tomorrow.

These people think they can assault her and get away with it? Lewis ~

April 5. I was taken to a single room, it stunk of urine and it was stained in faeces and blood.

The 'Leader' of the Junior Officers, a piece of shit called Hanley told me he knew what I was thinking and I had better put ideas above my station out of my head.

I said I didn't know what he meant.

Hanley smiled, odious creature I wouldn't trust until my dying day.

He said my dad had been executed for insubordination and my mom was put on house arrest. I had better not try to get back at anyone, they had broken the rules and were rightfully punished.

If I tried to seek revenge it would end badly for my mom and I'd be there to see it.

I wanted to know what they'd done.

The bastard just smiled again and left me in that shitty room.

Later Lopez came for me and said I was to see Daniels in the morning.

Why are these bastards doing this? Lewis ~

April 6. I was marched into Daniels' office and flanked by his armed flunkies.

After he ruffled through some papers he finally looked up at me.

'Lewis, you're going to be a fine soldier. Eventually we'll not only run Nebraska but our neighboring states, we need young grunts like you to do it. First, your father, he would be called upon to do certain favors for us. Collecting strays and bringing them here. We would torture them for advice then dispose of them. But your father was planning to defect to our friends across the border the "Bengal" boys of Iowa. Your mom was planning to go, but they swear you knew nothing about it.'

He rambled on about how I'm lucky they're giving me this chance to redeem my family name, but because I can't be trusted yet I'll be monitored 24/7 and visitation rights with my mom are on temporary hold, who do these bastards think they are? Telling me when I can see my own mother! I swear I'll play alone but if I only kill one of these scumbags I'll die satisfied . I can't let them see what I'm writing. Lewis ~

April 18. Saw mom, she's not looking good, I told her not to worry. Of course I was escorted there and back by gunpoint. Lewis ~

April 27. Told by Hanley I would be joining him and another group in an infected hunt. Apparently we do this every 30 days. I killed one today, it was just groaning and sounded like a seal or something, inhuman. I shot it in the head after Hanley ordered me. He took care of two others that obviously heard my gunfire and sprinted out of the woods.

Do I feel good about killing it? Not really but it's practice for what's ahead, I know I have the steel to see this through. Lewis ~

Ellie closed the book and returned to the window.

"Here hold this for a moment." She handed Curtis the book then pulled out her binoculars. She spent the better half of a minute scanning the area.

"What are you looking for?" He asked.

Ellie looked at him waving him to come to the window, she handed him the binoculars.

"Tell me what you see."

Curtis scanned the area then turned back to Ellie. "What am I meant to be looking for?"

Ellie pointed. "You see that area, the bit with the blue pickup truck? There's an infected near it and it's wearing a 'New Eagles' uniform. I'm wondering if some of the assholes in that book are infected now. This was written in last year, I'm guessing the whole town went to shit."

"Duh Ellie." Curtis replied matter-of-factly. He reminded her of herself a bit.

She gave him a nonchalant look. "What I meant is it either went to the dogs because the town was overrun or they moved on. Now I would have expected this to be a place not short on firepower. I'm just figuring out what we do next."

"How many more infected there are?"

"Exactly. Okay let's keep reading because this kid's story will probably have the answers we're looking for." She put her hand out, Curtis gave her the book.

"I want to know what's going on too Ellie but I'll be honest I'm getting tired."

Ellie looked at him. "Another thirty minutes then you go rest, I'll continue reading and catch you up on details tomorrow."

"Do we have to leave first thing in the morning?" Curtis asked.

"Not straight away. Thirty minutes to prepare is fair. Right, see if anything catches your attention while I read."

Curtis nodded then Ellie continued from where she had left off.

May 4. Verity sent me a letter (enclosed) to say it was great to hear from me and she's glad I liked her Christmas present. Lewis ~

Ellie fumbled with the letter trying to open it with her damaged hand.

"Do you want me to do it?" Curtis asked.

"No, I'm fine." Her stubbornness payed off, she scanned the letter.

"What does it say?" Curtis asked impatiently.

Ellie read the letter.

Lewis ~

It's so good to get a reply and I'm glad you liked my present. Say hi to your mom and dad, I'm sorry to hear Bangle died, I hope it was painless.

You'll make a great member of the New Eagles. We live to make America a better, newer, safer place and you'll agree that foreigners aren't welcome either. Why do you think the color white is on the flag but no black or yellow? After all we're the original Americans.

We will police the whole of this great Nation one day. We're good people, we just don't tolerate aliens who don't see our way of thinking. Halos and Wings, the sacred Eagle brings.

Write again soon, your beloved cousin Verity.

"What an idiot." Ellie sighed.

"She clearly has no idea who Native Americans are does she?" Curtis said angrily.

"Yeah." Ellie snorted. "She wouldn't be welcome in Jackson."

"Do you regret leaving now?"

"No, overall they're good people, some dicks there too, you can't escape them. But I just couldn't stay."

"You really couldn't make it work with Dina again?"

"She said one thing to me when I returned and that took a week before she would even look at me."

"What did she say?"

Ellie sighed. "That she was glad I was safe but didn't think she could talk to me for a very long time and needed space away from me. I got to say hi to J.J. then she pecked me on the cheek. I honestly thought we could work things out but we didn't. I had been unable to forgive so many people in my life and I just needed her to forgive me! I didn't deserve that forgiveness, I couldn't stay anymore because I felt like a leper."

"A leper?" Curtis asked.

"A disease, it was catching, like with the infected. Look that doesn't matter. I really don't want to talk anymore about it so please, just let it go."

"Okay, sorry." Curtis looked uneasy.

"Yeah, you get some rest. I'll wake you in the morning." Ellie went back to the window, it was getting dark now.

Curtis stood by the door.

"Ellie?"

"Yeah?" She continued looking out of the window.

"Don't you dare die."

Ellie looked at him, then to the floor, thinking of Joel. "Get some rest." She had no plans on dying, she told him earlier, why couldn't the boy see that, she thought.

She took particular interest in the Independence Day log when she got to it.

July 4. The National Day of the Eagle. As is traditional someone was dressed as an Eagle with the flag wrapped around them. Then they willingly allowed themselves to be set on fire, they would scream, shout then drop to the ground a pile of cooked meat. Their reward was to be forever known as the Deity of the Year, to forever be known in our book of the Holy Americans. The sacrificial would ascend to Godliness and watch over us with the eagles. I'd rather be an ordinary guy thanks. Lewis ~

"Geez, talk about being fucked in the head." Ellie said to herself.

Ellie continued to read the diary.

She found something interesting in it, but it could wait until they'd rested. If she had it her own way she'd have already covered another three to four hours. But she was pleasantly surprised at herself for not seeing Curtis as a burden. She afforded herself a weak smile.

"Yeah Ellie you're such a great person now." She shook her head, sarcastic until the end she thought.

Ellie finally managed to sleep but many hours after Curtis had dropped off. His sleep had been peaceful and Ellie was glad of that.

Hers wasn't, she continued to see Joel and it never got easier.

Curtis awoke feeling rested then his heart skipped a beat, he quickly dressed and he rushed into the front bedroom.

Ellie was writing in her notepad, she looked up.

"Thought I'd run out on you?" She asked, sitting cross legged on the floor, copying something from the diary.

Curtis scratched his neck, he was blushing.

"It's okay man, I'm not someone who trusts people easily either."

"Yeah I just..."

Ellie cut him off. "Forget it."

"I want to say sorry for what I said..."

"I don't know what you mean Curtis."

"I called you scum didn't I? You're not, I know it. I feel bad about saying it, I just feel the world is against me." Curtis scratched his neck.

"It's okay." Ellie shrugged. "Forget it."

"I feel really bad about it though."

"You shouldn't, friends forgive, you're forgiven. My problem is I couldn't forgive people for so long, and you were within your rights to say it, I was selfish and didn't care about leaving you behind to fend for yourself. You forgave me when I got mad at you and called you a chicken. You're no chicken. You did me a favor."

Curtis nodded, it was good enough for him. "We're friends?"

"Yes, we're friends." Ellie nodded.

Curtis grinned. "So what are you doing now?"

Ellie waved him over. "Come look at this, our 'friend' Geena makes an appearance."

Curtis knelt beside her. "Where?"

"We finished up in May right, but I read all of it. When it gets to September..." Ellie found the correct page and pointed at it. "Here, September 20. Everything in between isn't important but this, wow, I killed someone who was one of this guy Daniels' higher ups. Also that guy who's face you blew a hole through at your farm?"

"Who you tore a new asshole in." Curtis replied.

"Yeah, he's in it too. I'm sure it's him."

"How do you know?"

The guy was the only one in the group I killed who had a grey streak in his hair, it's mentioned in here. He and Geena were in their forties I'd guess. There was a kid and the other two were older as well. Even more interesting still, the kid Lewis? I think It was him who's head I blew off back at that motel."

"Fuck..."

"Let me read this and everything will make sense. I'm getting ahead of myself."

September 20. Things aren't going as planned, I have no chance to strike back at these people and my sanctions are still in place. I'm watched almost constantly and I have to keep my diary close by. I'm surprised no one has demanded to look at it. It's not like I make it obvious I have it, I usually write late at night now.

Tomorrow I'm being put with two of the so called 'Old Guard' Geena and Denzel. We'll be going out on regular hunts from now on. Lewis ~

September 21. I went on my first hunt with Geena and her husband Denzel (both in their 40's), in a group of five. I've been put with two other guys I don't know very well, Jim Reed (late 50's I think) and Kendall Leroux (mid to late 20's). Apparently this is the group I am assigned to and I have to stick with.

Denzel is a loudmouth with a grey strip in his hair and Geena clearly finds his behavior amusing, she sounds like a mule when she laughs. Acting the way they do I'm surprised they've survived so long. Kendall doesn't talk much but I can already tell he resents my presence, Jim is nice enough though. Lewis ~

September 30. I'm starting to see why Denzel has survived so long. He hit a clicker from over a hundred yards away, he'd put a bet on with Jim he could make a headshot. When we went to check the area he started to shout and high-five Geena telling everyone 'look boys right between the ugly bastards' eyes'. He's a fool but a very dangerous one. Lewis ~

"You see what I mean?" Ellie said. "I killed Lewis."

"Looks like it, bit of a shame." Curtis replied sadly.

"Not really, fuck him. He had plenty of chances to strike at the Eagles but he didn't have the courage, he was never going to. I'll finish reading and we'll figure out what's next."

"I follow your lead Ellie."

October 2. I really think I just have to suck it up and accept I won't be able to get back at Daniels. Not for a long time at least. I can feel the group keeping a close eye on me. Patrols, there's always two people awake. It's like they know I'll cut their throats in their sleep." Lewis ~

October 9. I wish someone would just read this and I could be done with it all. I'm thinking of telling Jim what I'm planning, should I? Lewis ~

October 13. On night patrol with Jim we talked a lot. I came so close to revealing what I wanted to do but like a warning of some kind he said to me one thing he couldn't tolerate was insubordination in the ranks. Did I say, or did he sense something? Clearly I need to keep this to myself. What was I thinking? This isn't a game, I need to smarten up. Lewis ~

October 22. I nearly came close to dying today. Kendall shot a runner through the head that caught me off guard, knocking me to the ground. Kendall didn't look too pleased with me, he wanted to know if I was bit, I wasn't of course. Fuck you, haven't you made mistakes? Jim helped me up and told me not to worry, we were a team. That stupid bitch Geena was laughing and Denzel wouldn't even look at me. I was wiping that diseased blood off me when he ordered us to look for rations before we moved on. I'll remember this next time they're in trouble. I'd save Jim though. Lewis ~

October 31. It's Halloween

"Fuck Halloween." Ellie muttered, starting again.

October 31. It's Halloween, the spooks are out in droves. It's symbolic, and I'm getting a bad feeling.

Later on we sat around a bonfire and told ghost stories. It was quite fun actually and took my mind off things. Lewis ~

November 5. Fireworks went off in the distance. They were a beautiful sight but I honestly don't think it's very smart with infected running around. Lewis ~

November 16. I've been told I can visit mom for Christmas Day, but only for one hour. I'm going to tell her what I'm planning to do. If I can just get thirty seconds alone with her. I don't think she will tell Daniels, not after what they did to her and dad would she? Lewis ~

November 23. Happy birthday me. I mentioned it to the group but no one gave a shit apart from Jim who gave me a rabbit's tooth his father had handed down to him. Jim has no kids and wanted to pass it down, I'm honored really. Fuck the other guys. Lewis ~

December 3. It's getting really cold again and we have no extra clothing. I asked about it but was told to toughen up by Kendall. Lewis ~

December 20. We cleared out a warehouse of infected and picked up a 'Bengal' woman who was kept tied up. She would be brought back to Daniels on our return in 4 days. Lewis ~

December 21. The 'Bengal' is called Roberta, she seems nice, she's 20, she keeps telling us she wants to go home.

I went on a scout with Jim only to come back and see Kendall raping her. Geena and Denzel were about fifty yards from him chatting, as if what was going on behind them meant nothing. Jim tried to pull him off and a fight ensued. Denzel had to stop Jim and Kendall from potentially murdering each other." Lewis ~

"Fucking scumbag." Curtis hissed.

Ellie nodded.

"You killed that rapist fuck!" He continued.

"Yeah...him and Denzel both." Ellie breathed. "There's not much more to read, let's finish it."

Curtis nodded, Ellie continued to read.

December 24. Roberta was left with Daniels in a bad state, she'd been beaten and raped. I just stood there saluting Daniels ignoring her pleading look, what could I do? Lewis ~

December 25. I ate with mom and asked for one moment alone with her outside to remind dad. The two fellow grunts allowed it. I told mom I would make them pay, she was shocked but just nodded. I asked her to promise she'd keep it to herself. She did wishing me to stay safe. I left feeling better for it. But I've already sold much of my soul already allowing them to turn me into something I always said I'd rather die than be. Lewis ~

December 31. New Year's Eve. All I can think of is Roberta. No one knows what happened to her. Fuck this year and the next. Lewis ~

January 1. We pledged allegiance again. It makes me sick.

January 28. We're to patrol the motorway in Lincoln from now on. I guess it's quiet, but this group I'm in is hanging on by a thread. If Daniels only knew... Lewis ~

February 14. Valentines Day. What a joke. I'll never find someone who loves me. Lewis ~

March 1. I was told to meet up with my group near our campsite across from a motel called Dreamies after coming back from my two day leave. I'm aware of the significant area, once I sign in we're to hunt for infected and clear any danger zones. I hear Denzel is meant to give Daniels a report on how I've been doing. Denzel has warned me to wise up. Whatever as if it even matters. If he gives me a bad report I'll do everything in my power to see him get infected. It's time to go, I'm leaving my diary here, Kendall has been asking too many questions about my writings. Lewis ~

That's where it ended.

Ellie looked at Curtis. "March 2 they met me."

"So Daniels must still be alive." Curtis said.

Ellie had a map to her right, picking it up she showed him where they were.

"The younger guy, Lewis was sent to check me out, see if I was dead. He looked into the room at me and that's the last thing he ever saw."

"It was a fairly dumb thing for him to do. All his planning coming to nothing." Curtis shrugged.

"Everything is mapped out perfectly for us. We're here, right next to the honey farm. Apparently Daniels is stationed at the other end of town." Ellie explained.

"Yeah but why haven't they cleared the infected?"

"Remember what I said yesterday, they may be the infected. Okay let's eat, then figure out how we're getting out of here."

"To be honest Ellie I still think we should just go and avoid the town."

"I can't do that, it's going to cost manpower to get rid of these fucks but I know the reward will be worth it. Curtis, if you want I'll go it alone then once I get what I need I'll come back for you."

"No!" Curtis cried. He made Ellie jump. "I have to keep proving myself."

"Okay Curtis okay." Ellie had played him just right.

Later on as they were going over their plan thoroughly, then they heard gunshots in the near distance.

Ellie raced to the window, binoculars to her eyes almost immediately. Curtis beside her, despite his younger age he was the same height as Ellie but a bit skinnier. Not that Ellie had been eating well that much herself lately.

Earlier Curtis had just wanted to get going but surprisingly it was Ellie holding back on their departure. Something had told her to hang on a bit longer, her hope was in some way Joel had come to her, but she shook it off as plain old gut instinct.

Not long after, they heard gunshots not far from where they were stationed.

"What's going on?" Curtis asked.

"I don't know yet. I'm just glad we didn't leave when we did." Ellie's instincts hadn't failed her.

There was more gunfire then shouting, it was getting closer and the infected had noticed too. Their screeching made Curtis put his hands to his ears, Ellie continued to watch.

"Yeah, I don't like the sound of this. Looks like you were right, I wouldn't want to be out there in that." He said.

"Sure." Was Ellie's reply. There was silence between the two of them while drama unfolded outside.

Soldiers came into sight on horseback shooting at the infected, but one of them got too cocky, they were dragged off their horse then they were torn apart.

"Good riddance asshole." Ellie said.

Curtis had a good enough view of what was going. His face scrunched in a parody of pain, he had never seen violence on this scale.

After all was said and done there were three humans left of the original five, all infected wiped out.

"Here take this." Ellie handed him the binoculars.

She pulled out her rifle making sure it was loaded.

One of the humans, there was one woman and two men, began shouting.

"I Stevenson Daniels, leader of the New Eagles, say to you my loyal soldiers, you follow me to immortality! Poor Jones and Cheng were believers but they didn't believe enough today, you must believe in me unquestionably! I will imbue you with the power of the Eagle that is my birthright and why I will become not just the Leader of all Nebraska but the entire United States of America! People say I just sit in my office and let others do the work! You tell them different, you tell them I led us to another holy victory!"

"This guy is a jackass." Curtis said in disgust.

Ellie quietly opened the window and set her scope on Daniels.

"I have built the New Eagles and when I sit at my table, soldiers to the left and right of me you will never question your leader again! I am protected by the Lord, know my words!"

"Sir!" The two grunts saluted.

"My way is the true way, I am holiness reborn, I am..."

Ellie's bullet tore into his skull as brain matter exploded from the back of Daniels' head.

"Eat shit holy man." Ellie whispered.

She followed up with a bullet to the other man's head who dropped like a rag doll, his neck snapping as he hit the ground, horse galloping away in fear. The woman looked up and managed to swerve and ride away as Ellie's shot missed by centimetres.

"Fuck." Ellie cussed angrily. "We need to go." She scooped up everything she needed and put it in her backpack. She and Curtis made for the stairs, quickly getting mounted up on their horses.

"Which way?" Curtis asked.

"Straight ahead, we're going to Daniels' barracks."

"Cover me." Ellie said as they reached Daniels.

Ellie dismounted, going through the dead man's pockets, his head twisted and lolling behind his back. She pulled out a book of dates, it went immediately into her bag.

"Eww, what a way to die." Curtis looked at the corpse in revulsion.

Mounting Pisces again they continued forward, Ellie had Joel's revolver drawn and Curtis had the bow at a ready.

"Do you think she's gone for reinforcements?" Curtis asked.

"Yeah, let's get to our destination and get what we need. Kill anyone on sight okay Curtis? I mean it."

"I will."

They headed to the barracks, Ellie checked the map again.

"No question this is it." Ellie said as they dismounted. "Let's make this quick, cover me, I just need any clues about the Pegasus and some ammunition."

Ellie stocked up filling both their bags, there was also some information on 'rival' soldiers. One on the Iowa Bengals, the Ohio Caimans, the Illinois Black-horns and the Indiana Pegasus. Yes, she put the books in her bag, it was time to go. But as was her luck, Ellie was a little late. Reinforcements had arrived.

"Get your head down." She ordered Curtis. "We are leaving here alive."

Curtis nodded.

There was six of them, Ellie wasn't playing, she launched a Molotov cocktail burning three of them alive, their horses bolting. Curtis put an arrow through a fourth's heart. Ellie put the woman down with a headshot and made herself known to the final one, aim true, until at the most inconvenient of times a vision of Joel came.

She was swimming underwater and trying to pull a bloody and battered Joel back to the surface. Ellie hit the ground, the man aimed his gun at her forgetting about Curtis who sent an arrow into his throat. The man dropped hard, skull cracking on the floor, gargling on his own blood.

Curtis raced to Ellie.

"Fuck, fuck, Ellie, Ellie!"

Ellie came back from her vision, gasping, in a cold sweat and her heart racing she had to remember where she was. She lay on the ground breathing hard.

"Are you okay Ellie?" Curtis was frightened by what had happened.

Ellie tried her best to respond, she gave him a thumbs up, putting her hand to her chest, trying to calm her heart.

"You had me scared Ellie, what the fu..."

Ellie was aware enough to raise her revolver and put a bullet through a surprise seventh soldier's chest. He dropped like a potato sack. He had got his pistol aimed at Curtis who turned, but not in time.

"Fuck you limp dick." She cursed at the fresh corpse.

Ellie dropped back down again sucking in that nectar air.

"You just saved my life again." Curtis said.

"Ditto." Ellie replied trying to laugh.

Curtis lifted her to her feet. "You found something didn't you?"

"Yeah, fuck this place, let's get out of here. Before we reach the Iowa border we need some intel on the Bengals. I'm going back to get some information on them. We want to be a long way from here by nightfall, we have a lot more reading to do."

She scanned the Pegasus book, she noticed a Doctor Clairmont.

"The star has spoken." Ellie said.

"What?" Curtis asked.

"Oh nothing, just something from Savage Starlight." Ellie looked at a miffed Curtis. "It's a comic book. When the main character achieved the goal of the story she'd say 'The star has spoken', you know like find a clue to help her on her quest."

"Oh." Curtis smiled weakly.

"I guess you'd have to read it to appreciate it. We might get lucky on our way and find a comic book store. You'll like it."

"Maybe."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Let's go."

They rode.

Along the way they executed some infected and one human, another of the New Eagles. Scrabbling and hoarding had set them up nicely for the upcoming days.

They found another house, this time in an isolated area and camped the rest of the day there. They'd rode a solid twelve hours with minor breaks and Ellie was satisfied with their progress, she knew she couldn't push Curtis too hard, yet.

Especially with the darkness still drawing in relativity early.

"I've been waiting all day to see what's in those books you found." Curtis said excitedly.

"No good if we're dead, we needed to make good progress. I don't think we've been tailed, but from experience we can't be sure. Now it's fairly safe, it's the right time to start reading again. Besides we're coming towards Iowa so we need to study up on these Bengals and Black-horns, we have to go through them to get to Indiana." Ellie pulled out her finds as she and Curtis headed upstairs each taking a chair.

"Okay keep your flashlight on the pages while I read. We're okay on batteries, but there's no way we're switching the lights on."

"We don't want to attract anyone or anything." Curtis nodded.

"First I want to know about Clairmont and the Pegasus before we entertain these Bengal idiots."

She flipped out Daniels logbook first and began to read. There were lots of dates with orders and assignments. They studied each page extensively before moving on to the next one, after a few minutes Curtis put his finger down on it.

"There look, Clairmont!"

Ellie's finger followed his, she read.

"9/13 Word from Clairmont, he wants to save the world. He will need me." Ellie kept going until she found more on the Doctor.

"9/18 Clairmont uses science, I use faith, if he wants to cure the world he will need a savior beside him, leading the way." Ellie flipped the page.

"9/20 I hear Clairmont is willing to talk, maybe we can find common ground with the Pegasus and enslave the Bengals together. The Black-horns of Illinois will give us free passage for more supplies, we have plenty to bribe them with."

Ellie looked at Curtis. "I finished Lewis' job for him at least."

"That stupid look on Daniels' arrogant face when you blew his brains out. He so deserved what he got." Curtis smiled.

"Dude, I've seen that look so many times, people like him think they're better than anyone else. Quick lesson, no one on this planet is special and one day we could be on the other end of the gun."

"We both have been, if we were on our own we'd both be dead now." Curtis agreed.

"Yeah we're not superheroes, and we're not special." Ellie said.

"Fuck superheroes." Curtis replied.

"Yep." Ellie continued looking for clues on Clairmont.

"9/25 I sent message I want in on Clairmont's glory and he'll be rewarded appropriately. I want agreement within 28 days." Ellie continued.

"9/30 More digging done on Clairmont. He has a daughter and a son. The son's whereabouts are unknown to us, his name is Whit, the daughter, his eldest is called Remy. She is following in her father's footsteps. If Clairmont doesn't give me what I want we kidnap his daughter. Whatever bloodshed is spilt it's for a righteous cause."

"The guy is dead and he's still making me angry." Curtis shook his head, frowning.

Ellie continued. "10/2 Keeping close surveillance on the kid Lewis. Put my soldiers to task. I must know the whereabouts of Whit Clairmont, I won't rest until I find him."

"Lewis really never stood a chance Ellie."

"Curtis, he was trying to kill me, I don't give a fuck about him anymore."

"He found peace, I feel for his mom. All I'm saying is he wasn't meant to survive."

Ellie clearly distressed looked right at him. "I'm not a good person, I get that Curtis. Message received okay?"

"I didn't mean that and you know it Ellie!"

Ellie looked at her feet, saying nothing in response she pursed her lips together and scratched her temple. Finally she returned to Daniels' logbook.

"10/15 Signs of Whit Clairmont in Iowa, apparently he's a Bengal Officer. I wonder what made him leave the Pegasus. Armed search party will retrieve him at night. Whoever gets in our way dies."

"Ellie I've killed too now, so I mean it when I say I did not mean anything by what I said. Even if I hadn't killed I wouldn't, it's just sad."

Ellie nodded then looked at him. "I can be a hothead..."

"I know." Curtis interrupted.

Ellie continued. "I'm trying to work on that, I'm not doing a great job. So yeah, pull me aside when I overstep the mark because my mouth works a lot quicker than my brain."

"I agree, and I will tell you."

Ellie looked away, raising an eyebrow and biting her tongue. She nodded, took the scolding from Curtis and exhaled, she was mentally exhausted.

"I'm sorry. Okay let's continue. 10/18 assault on Bengals begins at midnight, also if Clairmont does comply without simple persuasion we can release his son back into Pegasus custody to do as they see fit. A goodwill gesture from us."

"Forgiven." Curtis simply said.

"Huh?" Ellie was caught off guard.

"We're friends now, that's what you said, so you're forgiven."

"Just like that?" Ellie asked.

"Yes. I don't need a reason."

"Sure, I'll take it." Ellie smirked, thinking of Joel.

"What's the smile for?"

"Just thinking about my dad, he would say 'I'll take it' when I would half compliment him on stuff. I feel stupid because I was joking when I pretended not to care, I did care. I did, I was terrible at showing it. Urgh."

"Let's finish this up, then tell me more about Joel, I'll tell you more about my family too. Then we should rest and finish this in the morning."

"No Curtis, I-I need to finish this."

"You need to rest up, so do I."

"This is important."

"Tomorrow, what is it you said? We'd be no good dead. We're no good exhausted either. Finish this, let's talk a bit then we sleep. I'm going to anyway so..."

"You're Fucking bossy all of a sudden."

"You're rubbing off on me." Curtis smiled.

"I guess so." Ellie conceded. "10/20 Whit Clairmont captured despite some necessary casualties. This had better be worse it or he'll understand the meaning of the word torture quickly."

Ellie flicked through the book, skimming irrelevant soldiers orders.

"10/26 Finally word from the Doctor who is willing to work with us in return for his son. Unfortunately he was a little late in replying, his son has paid a heavy price for it. But he's still alive so he'll be treated like a king now. Lucky his daddy came through for him. We must begin allied negotiations immediately."

Ellie found the next relevant log.

"11/3 Apparently Clairmont's idea of saving the world is finding a cure for the Cordyceps infection. I must know all about it. I don't believe in saving the world, no, the New Eagles must have it for ourselves. We must get Clairmont to Nebraska. He must become one of my servants. I renege on the alliance but I won't let the Pegasus know about it. I can only leave my plans to my most capable warriors Lopez and Roberts."

Curtis cut her off. "Does that mean even though Daniels is dead that Lopez and Daniels could have brought Clairmont this way already?"

"This was November, let's finish reading before we start thinking ahead of ourselves." Ellie flipped to the next page.

"Good idea yeah."

Ellie continued. "11/20 Clairmont has got word we've tortured his son and has gone into hiding from our messengers. He clearly cares nothing for his son and it looks like the Pegasus have broken the alliance with us before we could. Talk of 'revenge' and 'letting us rot'. How dare they? We are holy warriors, that is far more important than science. I will have Whit Clairmont executed in traditional fashion. He will be dressed as an Eagle and burnt as an offering to the Holy Americans and forever be known as a traitor to the flag."

Ellie looked at Curtis. "Who'd have thought anyone could find this guy untrustworthy huh?" She said reading on. "11/21 After Clairmont was burnt alive I had him thrown in a pit then celebrated with a fine steak dinner. I told Lopez and Roberts to get an army together to finally destroy all Bengals and Pegasus that get in our way, Black-horns too if they've betrayed us to the highest bidder, I'll be sending a lot of soldiers but this is necessary. I'm taking Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, the time is now. Once I get my hands on the cure and the Doctor I will finally be the most powerful man in America."

"11/28 I have heard the news that the Pegasus and the Bengals have formed an alliance against us. They've used their significant powers to get those no good whores from Illinois on their side. At this point I don't care, man, woman, child, dog, I want them all put to the torch. Hilarious, they fear us and they should, we are stronger than all of them put together, but we can't underestimate them. The Lord above will be by our side as long as I believe and he will flow through me, the White Holy Man who conquered Israel. Soldiers will be marching on them within the week." Ellie shook her head in disgust.

"12/3 Lopez and Roberts left with men and women to march on the traitors. Civilians were pulled from their families, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters I don't care. They will march, they will fight! I looked on in disgust as parents begged for their children to be spared or kids crying to their lone parent asking where mommy or daddy were going. It's easy, if they believe, in me, my holy scriptures and my new country they will return alive. If they die they didn't believe and were never needed anyway. I was tired of the drama, I was about to go inside and read until someone shouted at me 'Coward you won't ride!' It was one of the mothers, her mewling whelp clinging to her. I put a bullet through her brain, her eyes crossed in amusing shock before she dropped to the ground. A man, clearly the kid's father jumped off his horse and ran to her crying. He looked at me in anger and was about to pull a gun on me. Lopez shot him dead. I had the brat taken away, they can become a soldier under Hanley. No one pulls a gun on me and gets away with it. I want them both nailed to the upside down cross. Who the hell did she think she was calling me a coward. I am the leader, I am needed here. I have served and killed before, I need to prove nothing."

Curtis said nothing as Ellie continued.

"12/25 No word from Lopez and Roberts yet. Ate All Christ dinner with Hanley. The town has been put on report, anyone misbehaving will be jailed indefinitely or worse.

The two bodies still hang outside, a reminder of what reprehensible behaviour gets you." Ellie pushed on with the reading, clearly as disgusted as Curtis.

"12/31 New Year tomorrow, people will pledge allegiance to me all over again. I look forward to hearing from Lopez and Roberts soon."

"1/1 what fun making my subjects do what I say. I got so tired of hearing about the 'prettiest' girl in the town Olga McVey I had to make an example of her. I made her get on her knees to lick my boots and call me 'Lord Almighty' I dragged her back to the barracks with me where she'll stay as my plaything."

Ellie slammed the book down in anger holding her head in her hands. Curtis picked up the book and found where Ellie had left off. He put a hand on her shoulder, she was close to tears.

"I'll finish reading it, we're nearly done then we'll leave the rest until tomorrow."

Ellie nodded and Curtis read on.

"1/13 I have been hearing gossip that I'm no leader and not fit to ride, too cowardly to fight. I won't tolerate this. Hanley says he overheard two of our junior soldiers saying just this. Normally I'd have them killed but I need as many men as I can get right now. Upon Lopez and Roberts return I will deal with them.

1/28 A messenger returned to say we had taken a Bengal stronghold with minimal loss and mass slaughter, what a glorious day, and to add to the fine news he told me we were making good progress to Illinois.

2/6 Infected arrived in town, I dealt with them, two clickers and a runner all by myself. I had extra fencing put around the barracks.

2/11 Another Bengal stronghold on the edge of the border taken and Black horns patrolling nearby killed with one hostage willing to do whatever we ask if we spare him, his wife and son. He has been initiated into the Eagles and will be our July 4 sacrifice, but we will honor him with this news nearer the time. He will infiltrate his nearby base and we will take it for our own.

2/17 Olga McVey hanged herself in her room. I'll leave her there until the stink becomes too much, her father can be informed another day, important business comes first.

2/23 I took some soldiers with me out of town to look for infected. Hanley is in charge until I return. We should be taking the whole of Illinois by now.

3/1 One soldier was caught badmouthing me behind my back again, he was beating severely. He has been told he is coming on a hunt with me where he will be the bait for infected. He begged forgiveness, I gave him two choices, either he sacrificed himself or I would sacrifice his 9 year old brother. He accepted his fate, I allowed him to write a farewell letter to his family I promised to have delivered to his family. After his sacrifice I will burn the letter then his mother will come here in place of Olga to serve me. The brother will be brought here too and used as a bribe. The mother serves me unquestionably and I don't burn the brat on a cross. She serves me until the kid is 16 then he will become a soldier. I will tell her she may retire when that time comes. But when that time comes she will still serve or be killed. I must ride, time to sacrifice the traitor.

Curtis flicked through. "There's no more talk about Clairmont up to the final log which was written hours before our attack on them. It says he would return to town revered a hero for wiping out infected and no one else could question his courage." Curtis closed the book handing it back to Ellie who took it gingerly.

"Are you ready to sleep Ellie?"

"No not yet."

"Tell me more about Joel then, I want to know."

Ellie sighed. She bit her lip and nodded. "Okay fine, just a little."

"You'll tell me more tomorrow?"

"Maybe. Okay let me think. There was a day when I was shooting infected with my uncle Tommy. We were shooting from range up in the Jackson hills. After we cleared the area we met up with Joel...dad. Anyway that's when he told me my guitar strings needed changing, I didn't know they needed to be."

"Oh, neither did I. I've never even seen a real one." Curtis said.

Ellie chuckled lightly. "Yeah, we were headed to the music store to replace them but the area was blocked off. On the way we had to deal with a bloater and some other infected. Joel had demanded I put my gas mask on." She looked at him. "I've told you when I was bitten I was immune but because of how things ended up I felt responsible for so many lives, that I was the reason every single infected walking the country was here. If things had gone as they were meant to we wouldn't be surrounded by this apocalypse. Curtis you're looking at the person who could have stopped this all, I know it wasn't guaranteed I would be a cure but I was willing to try. This is why I want to do this." Ellie sighed.

"Saving people who want to kill you, I don't know Ellie, I really don't."

"I hear you but in the end when I can finally get to Clairmont and explain myself I will be rid of my guilt. Then we can return to Jackson if I survive, but this is why I want to find you somewhere...someone safe to stay with in case I do die. What good would it be you stuck in the middle of a Pegasus community alone and an outsider."

"You won't die Ellie I won't let you!"

"I appreciate that Curtis but that's not a practical assurance."

"I want to go to Jackson with you Ellie, if I can't I will execute myself." Curtis was on the verge of hysteria again.

Ellie tried to calm him. "I'll try my hardest to see we get back to Jackson, but I need to do this. Killing yourself isn't the answer Curtis."

"Neither is you sacrificing yourself acceptable, I don't care about your excuses of honor and guilt, I want you to live."

"I want to live too, I've spent the past month not caring one way or another but... I want to live, I do." She looked at Curtis. "I'm not lying to you."

"I believe you." Curtis said with certainty, he was still visibly upset.

Ellie nodded. "I never really went into why I wouldn't talk to Joel, just we'd had a dumb falling out. We stopped talking when I finally forced him to confess this to me. I just couldn't forgive him, and the night I went to him ready to try again I was truly ready to put it behind me and rebuild my relationship with him. The day after, he was taken from me, I was able to finally forgive him but I couldn't forgive myself. I just couldn't face anyone in Jackson anymore. I was so stupid, I wish I could have spent more time with him, protect him like he did me." Ellie was clearly still fighting her feelings.

"I believe that's why I'm here. To be your chance to put things right with yourself." Curtis replied like a little sage, with a gentle smile on his face.

Ellie rubbed her eyes clear. "Maybe."

"Definitely."

"Sure." Ellie was happy he believed that, even if she didn't she wouldn't belittle him for it. Who knew, there was probably some truth to it somewhere.

"I don't just want you to live for my sake either although that's part of it. I want you to live because I would be sad if you died. We've just stared to know each other but I care about you, like some kind of surrogate sister, you know what I mean Ellie?"

Ellie nodded. "Yeah I understand what you mean now."

"Finally you wooden head."

Ellie continued the story, imagining herself back there to experience her time with Joel again. "Where was I? Yeah, Joel wanted me to keep my immunity a secret from everyone. Only he, Tommy and Maria knew. I never told anyone else until my mask broke while disposing of infected with Dina. But we'd decided to pass on getting the guitar strings that day. A young couple who'd gone missing the year before, we found them in that building with the bloater. They'd left a letter about how they wanted to help people but the infected had got to them within hours, I thought about that for so long. I thought about every needless death and my guilt at not being the cure for them, but that can't be changed until we get to Clairmont. Me and Joel went to pick the strings up a day later. But would that be a simple job even after we'd cleared the infected? No way."

Curtis laughed. "With you Ellie that would be too easy."

"Stupid infected never learn, they shouldn't cross me."

"Super scary Ellie." Curtis laughed.

"Huh?"

"You're as soft as a teddy bear under that 'I don't give a shit exterior'."

"Whoa Nelly! Teddy bear? Trust me when it comes to most people I really don't give a shit, that's definitely not a front dude. Don't be a sap."

"I know it's not a front, but I see that other side you try to hide away. Believe me I know people shouldn't fuck with you."

Ellie smiled and punched him playfully on the shoulder. "That's okay then."

"Ouch." Curtis rubbed his shoulder then laughed.

Ellie got serious again. "So we made our way through the bloater building again and through an alley towards the music shop. There were two clickers in there, I remember throwing a bottle close by, they screeched and came out only to eat one of Joel's nail bombs. I remember us doing the high-five like it was happening right now."

"High five?" Curtis asked.

Ellie put out her hand. "Slap it with your hand."

Curtis did.

"There you go, a high-five."

"Neat."

Ellie nodded. "I wanted to see what records they had too. I wasn't leaving without one. Joel found the strings, telling me he'd show me how to change them when we got back home. I kept asking him if he knew any of the bands in the store. We found a record he recommended highly to me and I picked one myself because I liked the cover."

"Which ones were they?" Curtis asked.

"Joel picked 'Before Nightfall' by Robert Francis, I love that album. The one I picked was 'In Absentia' by Porcupine Tree, another winner."

"Two records I definitely want to hear now." Curtis said enthusiastically.

"Junebug and Trains, my two personal favorite songs from each." Ellie replied.

"Gotcha."

Ellie nodded in agreement. "We probably should have just headed back after that. But nomads like us? We weren't heading back so soon."

"I'm excited to know, come on Ellie."

Ellie put her right hand up. "Patience, okay Joel put it to me we should scout the area a bit. After what happened the day before I felt a bit antsy about it but I knew this was our life. Hunting and killing infected, so I agreed. I wanted to get better and smarter at it, when I was with Joel I knew we'd be alright. Ahead of us a whole street that looked untouched was just waiting for us to clear it out. We took it slowly and warily going from store to store. We knew if we weren't careful we might have a street full of infected on us. Everything was fairly quiet but right at the end of the street a set of runners and a stalker exited a store. We put them down but something still feels off. Joel felt it too. We entered the convenience store they had come from, the smell was disgusting. We noticed the staff door had been smashed in, not by any stalker no. This was by something different altogether. Joel asked if I was happy to investigate it. I took a deep breath and nodded, I had my shotgun ready. Stairs led downwards, Joel flicked on the light and from the other end of the room was a wailing sound like I'd never heard. It was like lots of different voices voices at once, hard to explain." Ellie was very animated.

"A mishmash." Curtis replied.

Ellie nodded. "Yeah That's a good name for it. Typical me I just screamed, 'Come out you asshole I'm not standing here all day!' Joel was not impressed with my tactic I know that. But when the thing showed itself I'd never seen anything like it and I haven't since. It looked like a troll, massive, about eight foot. It had an elongated neck and squashed features, it's mouth was almost turned inside out. What looked like a dog of some kind was growing out of it's gut, or maybe it was growing around the creature."

"An infected dog?" Curtis was shocked.

"Yeah, Joel threw a Molotov cocktail on it and I began blasting away with the pump action. It charged us and destroyed the stairs back up, stupid thing. I fell to the ground and lost grip on my shotgun, I'm good at falling over as you already know."

"Damn. Also I can imagine Joel not being happy you shouted at it." Curtis chuckled.

"Joel threw another Molotov and I screamed for him to back away, shooting the dog's head off with my 9mm then launching my only nail bomb at the gap where the head used to be imploding most of its guts. Still flailing and burning Joel ended it with the shotgun I'd dropped. I just lay on the ground, hand on my chest just willing my heart to stop beating so hard. When I finally sat up Joel was there to help me up. 'Good one kiddo' he said handing me back my gun. With another nail bomb he exploded the stairway area which made a walkway back up, it wasn't the safest way but we got back to the ground floor. I was proud of the fact the two of us took that creature down. I drew a picture of it in an old notepad I have back at my place in Jackson, at least it was. I couldn't wait to tell Tommy, at first he thought we were kidding but when he and Joel went back to the area to check it, he knew we hadn't been making it up."

"Ellie I notice you still write stuff in your notepad, it's your personal business and that's cool, but could you draw a picture of that creature for me?" Curtis was genuinely interested so Ellie obliged, when he saw the image of it he scrunched his face up.

"Eww right?" Ellie replied.

"Times ten. Can I tell you a quick story before we call it a night?"

"Sure go ahead Curtis, I'm all ears." Ellie was genuinely interested and was relieved to sit back and be the one listening again.

"And we continue this," he pointed at the Pegasus, Black-horns and Bengals books, "tomorrow?"

"Fine, I've had a quick skim, there's plenty of useful information but you're right, my brain won't be able to process it until I've rested. Tell me your story."

"Okay, So this was about two years ago. My uncle was living with us by then, his name was Freddy, I think I told you already, my auntie Tracey had died a couple of years ago in a horse riding accident, she was an awesome woman. Anyway dad who's name was Keith, and my uncle had gone hunting and mom, Alexandra, was making a broth. We were hoping for a rabbit stew that day. I think she liked it when they got out from under her feet for a little while. She asked me to follow their trail and go help them, sometimes I could be a nuisance too."

"I'm surprised, you said they liked to protect you from the outbreak." Ellie cut in.

"They never went far and I always followed their trail, sometimes I felt like going astray for a bit but I never did. Also it didn't happen a lot, maybe about five times in three years, that's why I can never forget this day. I eventually caught up with them. They had two rabbits tied to their saddles. I asked why they hadn't come back home yet. My uncle put his finger to his lips shushing me and waving me over, I was quiet and asked what was going on. He patted me on the shoulder and pointed upwards. My dad gave me the binoculars and I remember seeing the most magnificent bird I'd ever seen. It was definitely out of its habitat, green and yellow feathers, my dad called it a bird of paradise. I swear we sat there for an hour watching it until mom finally arrived, a bit annoyed we hadn't come back but when she saw the bird she joined us and we just sat together for a while, realizing despite the horrors of the world we were still surrounded by beauty. When the bird had finished showboating to us after what seemed an endless amount of time it left, we never saw a bird like it again. When we got home and had our broth we talked like we were all kids discovering the world for the first time. I saw the world in a new way after that." Curtis had finished.

"Thank you." Ellie replied.

"You're welcome." Curtis was pleased to see Ellie smile.

"Seeing the world in a new way. I like that." She gave him a gentle punch on the knee. "Okay kiddo, get to sleep."

"Promise you'll get rested up too Ellie, now."

Ellie raised her hands. "Okay, I promise, but first thing tomorrow we go through this meticulously." She pointed at the books.

"Deal." Curtis got up and ruffled Ellie's shoulder length hair. She pulled a face at him, he laughed.

Within ten minutes he was asleep, Ellie spent a little time looking out of the window then finally slept with her head on her backpack.

She dreamt of Joel. They were both wearing astronaut helmets, laughing and he kept asking if she was happy. Ellie reached for his helmet, when she pulled it off, his beaten and battered face stared back at her.

She awoke screaming. Her heart was thumping and she was in a cold sweat.

Curtis came running. "Ellie! Ellie!"

She looked up wide eyed at him.

"What, what is it?"

"Nothing, Just a nightmare. I'm sorry, get back to sleep."

"You suffer from PTSD don't you? I know it was about Joel, when's the last restful sleep you had Ellie?"

"I don't know. I'm fine, get some rest, we'll talk about it later. I'm sorry I woke you."

"It's alright Ellie, I'm here if you need me." Curtis returned to his slumber after Ellie reiterated that she was fine and he wasn't to worry.

Ellie was too frightened to get back to sleep, she just sat against the wall, crying.

She was right when she told Curtis she couldn't forgive herself. But she knew the boy was right in saying that Ellie's second chance had come in finding him. Maybe in some way it was another gift from Joel after all.

"Thanks Joel, I won't let him down." She whispered.

Exhaustion beat her again and after a couple of hours of staring into the dark she slept, this time peacefully.

When morning came it was Curtis who awoke first. Ellie lay asleep uncomfortably on the floor.

Curtis sighed. He went to the window, nothing was stirring.

Ellie coughed and Curtis turned as she awoke.

Ellie put her hand to her neck flinching.

"There's a bed right here Ellie, why didn't you sleep in it?" Curtis was slightly agitated.

Ellie shrugged, then rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Sorry I woke you, I didn't mean to." He said.

Ellie waved it off.

"Are you punishing yourself, don't you think you deserve a comfortable bed?"

"What is this, what are you saying?" Ellie asked confused, still trying to wake herself.

"Stop punishing yourself. I need food, what have we got before we hit the books?"

"Firstly I'll tend to Pisces and, have you thought of a name for Denzel's former, now your horse?"

"Reed."

"Okay, why?" Ellie asked.

"It's short for Reed-emption. Redemption."

Ellie understood his message, she nodded. "Fix up breakfast, I'll be back in a few. As soon as we have everything we need for the remainder of our journey we're riding hard. No more stops except eat, sleep, supplies..."

"And reminiscing." Curtis finished her sentence.

Ellie didn't reply, she left the room to tend to the horses returning five minutes later.

They drank and ate in silence before Ellie started to scan the Pegasus book.

"I want you to look through the Bengals and Black-horns book, find anything useful. To do with Clairmont or a cure or anything that jumps out and I'll do the same. I doubt there's anything of interest in the book of the group Caimans but I'll give it a look anyway." Ellie looked to Curtis who nodded taking the book from her.

The two sat on the floor in silence for a while, Ellie with pencil in hand taking notes and Curtis meticulously scanning each page.

"These Caimans have some strange customs." Ellie said.

"Don't they all?" Curtis replied.

"Listen to this, they would keep the caiman chained up as a form of guard dog after trapping them. Certain higher up soldiers would kill the older ones then wear their scales like armor." Ellie shook her head. "I know this isn't relevant because we're going nowhere near Ohio, but it doesn't hurt to learn a bit about them does it?"

"No, anything else interesting about them?" Curtis asked.

"Well, they practice voodoo, the 'doctors' wear the caiman bones including the animal's skull on their heads. All medicine involves the bones in a broth of different herbs and berries."

"Pretend doctors with pretend cures." Curtis said.

"But it's like Rich told me, they saw themselves as Vikings, Berzerkers it says here. Like most of these groups they're interest is taking over as much land as possible and killing anyone who gets in their way. That's original isn't it?" Ellie rolled her eyes.

"Leaving other in peace and trying to get along with each other, just way too much effort for these lowlifes."

Ellie nodded. "There's a bit more here, that Daniels had tried to form an alliance with them but things hadn't ended the way he wanted. The words 'one day they will pay' written by the 'Holy Man' himself. There's nothing more of real interest or relevancy, just a bunch of sketches showing how they looked." Ellie showed them to Curtis. "Enough of them, anything on our Bengals and Black-horns?"

"Yes, a bit, Black-horns first, listen to this. Illinois is a for hire state, bounty hunters, gun runners, you name it. Seems they'll politic themselves to anyone who needs their services for a hefty price. They don't tolerate so called usurpers on their turf, you're either one of them or you're against them, this only qualifies for other Illinois natives. They're militia and their only rule is they don't turn on their own, that results in death of them and their family." Curtis wasn't surprised by this at all.

"Great guys like the rest of them." Ellie shook her head in disgust.

"I can see why you despise them all. There's something about them giving their services to the Eagles for supplies suitable for the job plus an extra 50% on top."

"They probably had a good idea the Eagles would turn on them after their usefulness came to an end." Ellie explained. "Not stupid are they?"

"Smart and dangerous, not good." Curtis replied.

"Everything helps so we know what we're going up against Curtis, anything else?" Ellie asked.

"Not really, if you want safe passage through Illinois as an outsider that will cost, unless you join them."

"Joining won't be happening, I'd rather get through without having to deal with any of them. But do we fight through if that's not an option or prepare to do a deal?"

"Depends on what they want in return Ellie."

"It might be too late by then, we're not exactly in a huge bartering position."

"Avoiding them is definitely the preferred option but like you say only a Plan A isn't a smart option."

"We'll think about that. Okay what else do you know about the Bengals?"

Curtis poked through the book. "Ah, here we are, so what we've heard about them being a soft touch isn't quite true."

"Soft touch?" Ellie asked.

"Not quite what I meant, but you know what I mean."

"I do." Ellen said simply.

"Firstly not only is Natasha Horne their leader but she only appoints other women as her generals for each area. They'll kill on sight just like anyone but the etiquette with them is you raise your hands if you're non aggressive. You state your reason for being there, if the reasons are good enough they take you to see an elder for what's called a palaver and an arrangement is agreed to. If your reasons aren't to their liking they can send you on your way or kill you where you stand. Looks like we just have to give them a good enough reason." Curtis looked at Ellie.

"We have a good enough reason."

"Hmmm..." Curtis mumbled.

"What is it?" Ellie asked. "Anything important?"

Curtis kneeled beside her showing her what he'd found.

"Look at this bit here." He said.

Ellie read it. "Leader of the Bengals Natasha Horne is a close friend of Doctor Newman Clairmont. Despite this, if we can prove our worth to the Doctor we can sway his loyalties. Natasha Horne is naive and believes they can find the good in people, giving them every chance to prove themselves apart from the common murderous survivalist. Horne needs to die, then we must get our hands on Clairmont. The Bengals are a group who can be as dangerous as anyone but their 'second chance' mentality with outsiders will be their downfall." Ellie looked at Curtis.

"Do you think we're too late to try and get to Horne? I mean do you think Lopez and Roberts have got to her?" She asked.

"I say we try to get to her, if this second chance rule is in effect and we could stop a possible assassination of her she'd take us to Clairmont or help us on our way."

Ellie nodded. "We have to try."

"Anything in that?" Curtis pointed at the Pegasus book.

"A few notes, the Pegasus see themselves as white warriors too. A friend of mine from Jackson called Rich came across them with his mom on the way there. A Pegasus soldier had killed his dad. His family were originally from Ohio, in a community like Jackson until they were raided by another group, these assholes were of course the Caimans. Rich and his mom were born survivors, good people." Ellie looked away. "All he ever really told me about the Pegasus was they were a community based on science and biology. I'm guessing I wouldn't be their kind of person."

"You don't need to be, you just let them extract the cure from you then we go back to Jackson."

"I've been thinking about that, I don't believe they'd just let me go."

"Okay let's just forget it and turn around, what would a cure do now anyway? It probably won't make a difference at this point." Curtis was hoping he could convince her to forget the arduous journey that lay ahead.

"You don't know that." Ellie said.

"I know because I said so Ellie. That's all I need to know."

Ellie didn't want to upset him. "Curtis, if this Natasha Horne is the kind of person to give people a chance then I'm leaving you with her. Your second chance at a life. It's what you deserve. I'm not a fan of groups but if they are good people that's what I'm doing. If they don't let me go after Clairmont has done what he needs to do I don't care, but it's not fair on you."

"No, I'm coming with you Ellie!"

"Rich never had a bad word for them, he said they left him and his mother alone."

"It might have been dumb luck!" Ellie had upset him, she had tried not to.

"Maybe, I would never just leave you unless I knew you were safe. You're not safe with me Curtis."

"I was going to come back to Jackson with you, but wouldn't you know it, all lies!"

"I'm not lying to you."

"Fuck you, I don't care, we agreed to go back to Jackson, I'd rather die with you then live lonely and alone." Curtis grabbed Ellie's arm. "I'm coming with you because you're all I've got!"

"Curtis. Curtis! My arm!" Ellie had to yank his hand off, the grip was making her wrist numb. She held him by the shoulders. "Listen. Listen to me!"

Curtis snapped out of his fit.

"I remember when I was traveling with Joel the first time, we didn't get along. I thought we had bonded when we first got to Jackson. Tommy was meant to take me to the Fireflies because Joel had washed his hands of me so I ran away. It took that for him to see not just how much I needed him but how much he needed me..."

"I need you!" Curtis whined.

"I understand, it seems like we're really in that situation now aren't we? You're me, I'm Joel." She sighed. "I do understand this feeling, when I left Jackson this was all about me and no one else. Don't think for one second I don't appreciate or enjoy your company Curtis, I do..."

"Don't you dare say 'but' Ellie. I'll kill myself right now if I have to, I won't be alone again." He pulled out his 9mm.

Ellie swiped it away from him immediately, slamming it on the floor.

Curtis tried to reach for it until Ellie grabbed him around the face.

"Curtis look at me, if I get to leave Clairmont I'll come back for you. Well go back to Jackson, you'll meet Tommy, Dina, Rich and everyone."

"Bullshit, you won't come back!"

"I swear okay, I swear!" Ellie meant it.

"Swear on Joel, Ellie, swear on him!"

Ellie turned away then returned the gaze. "I swear on Joel I'll come back for you."

"No, swear I'll come to Indiana with you and we'll leave together then return to Jackson together. Swear it on Joel!"

She didn't want to because she would be risking his safety, but she finally complied realizing the boy only felt truly safe with her. "You win. You win. I swear on Joel okay I will see us get back to Jackson safely too."

Curtis studied her eyes, seeing only truth looking back at her.

"You mean it, I know you do." He was calming down.

"I mean it, you convinced me. I'm glad you did okay, neither one of us deserves to be lonely." The boy was really helping her in more ways than one. "I'll protect you, I will."

Curtis hugged her tight, she let him although she didn't hug back.

"Okay? Do you feel better now? We are friends Curtis, I meant it when I said it, we will do this together. We will succeed together, just remember if something happens to me you ride for Jackson. You remember everything I tell you, no debate."

"You won't die Ellie I won't let you. That's the end of that discussion."

"Promise me if something happens you follow your map to Jackson. That's all I ask. Promise me Curtis." Ellie wasn't budging on this and Curtis knew it.

"In the almost impossible likeliness that something happens to you I'll go to Jackson."

"I'll take it." Ellie said, patiently waiting for him to let go of her. "It's time we saddle up and ride for Iowa." She added.

"When we get to Jackson you're going to teach me to play the guitar." Curtis sounded genuinely excited.

"Bit of a problem there in case you forgot." Ellie showed him her stubs for fingers.

"Maria told you to learn left handed so do it, then teach me. Joel gave you that gift, I want it passed down to me."

"Haha you're a total sap, don't get sentimental on me."

"I mean it Ellie. I want to learn that song you keep whistling to yourself."

"Whistle to myself?" Ellie asked.

"Yeah you don't even know you're doing it do you?"

"Oh I know, it's called 'Under a Mountain' by The Black Crowes, another song Joel taught me, I think you'd like it."

"I want you to teach me, I'd be honored to learn to play from you."

Ellie knew he meant it. "We have to make it to Jackson first. If we do I'll think about it. Is that alright with you?"

"Do you mean it Ellie?"

"Fine, it's a promise. I'm promising you a lot right now, so give me a break from now on. But seriously let's get to Clairmont, take care of business there and we'll go to Jackson. You're my reason to return. Now stop with all this emotional shit. We need to make ground."

"Let's do it." Curtis was ready before her. "Come on Ellie."

Ellie got her backpack in order. "Follow my lead."

"Yes ma'am." Curtis saluted.

Ellie rolled her eyes.

They rode for Iowa and for Horne.

Three hours of riding they stopped by a roadsign saying:

WELCOME TO IOWA

"Fuck Nebraska." Ellie said.

"For now." Curtis replied.

"Don't let your guard down, just because we're in Bengal territory let's not just believe they're good guys on rumor." Ellie looked at Curtis making sure he understood.

"I know, only a fool thinks everything is cool while drowning in a pool."

"Where did you hear that?" Ellie asked.

"I just made it up."

"It sucked." Ellie smirked.

"Yeah but you understand the meaning."

"Yeah, it's just another way of saying what I already said. Don't let your guard down."

"See you get it." Curtis smiled back.

"Your jokes are awful."

"Shut-up." Curtis replied.

They rode into the next state heavily armed and as ready as they could be.

For most of the day they had only dealt with infected and their double teaming had saw to it they were put to an end.

Ellie thought she had seen someone watching them earlier, mentioning this to Curtis, but for the next few hours there were no sightings of other people.

"This is spooky." Curtis seemed a little on edge as they continued through woodland.

"We can't relax, let's just keep our eyes and ears open. I swear that was a woman watching us earlier." Ellie replied.

"If you saw someone then we could have others watching us."

"If we didn't have them damn infected on us I would have called out to them. We have a few more hours of riding ahead of us so let's see what happens. If we find somewhere to rest the night I'll stay up because I'll bet they'll be tracking us there if you're right."

"If you're right, we take turns patrolling."

"Are you good with that?" Ellie asked.

"Yeah, I'm not letting you stay up all night without rest, that's no good for either of us."

"You're right." Ellie agreed. "We keep going while we have light."

The light was starting to fade and they made it to some abandoned buildings in time.

"We're getting lucky aren't we, finding hide ups." Curtis' optimism had grown on her.

"I have my ways and now you know why I'm always studying my map. We still don't know if there's infected about or if we're being tailed. You know our routine, first house on our left. That's our base tonight. Edge of town, best idea in my opinion."

"It's worked so far, I understand why, but maybe change our plan up now and again?" Curtis asked.

"No Curtis, edge of town, quick getaway, middle of town, caught in the quick fire. You know the plan, let's get to it and I'll do the first patrol. We swap every two hours." Ellie looked for confirmation.

"Wake me, don't do it all yourself."

"Don't worry, I'll wake you." Ellie told him.

They saw to Pisces and Reed, forced entry, sliding a cupboard against the door then made their way upstairs. Ellie went to the window, binoculars studying the length of the town.

"Get some rest." Ellie said, eyes still on the town.

"Shouldn't we, I don't know, chat first or something. I'm not tired just yet." Curtis shrugged.

"What do you want to talk about?" Ellie asked.

"I don't know, stuff. Family or whatever, I like this whole bonding thing."

"Sure, you start, I'm going to keep a lookout but I promise I'll be listening to every word." Ellie kept her binoculars trained on the street.

"Okay let me talk for a bit, then I'll go rest, on one condition."

"Condition Curtis? I thought we had everything planned out." Ellie wasn't planning on relaxing even as darkness was setting in.

"You actually rest in an actual bed. I can't disturb you because this is an office area, there's two bedrooms."

Ellie looked at him raising an eyebrow. "Are you mansplaining?"

"What does that even mean?" Curtis asked.

"When a guy explains the obvious to a woman as if they're stupid."

"What I'm doing is telling you to rest in a warm, comfortable bed, which you have every right to, and stop punishing yourself by sleeping against a wall or on the floor in some ritual of payback because you blame yourself for your father's death."

That hit home, Ellie knew he was right. She had been doing exactly that, and what for? Joel wouldn't want her to be feeling like this, despite everything with Dina going wrong, self punishment wouldn't change anything. Ellie looked at Curtis.

"We take a bed each." Curtis crossed his arms.

"Yes sir! Happy?" Ellie mock saluted.

"Sir is something you call old guys."

Ellie groaned. "Urgh, I was just saying yes, but because you're being such a bossy little shit I thought I'd emphasise it ok mom? Didn't you call me ma'am earlier?"

"Yeah Ellie but you're old."

"I'm only twenty you dumbass." Ellie was miffed.

Curtis began to laugh. "Gotcha!"

Ellie gave a mock smile. "Good one goof ball. Here's a thumbs up for emphasis." She gave him a thumbs up.

"You're womansplaining aren't you?" Curtis replied.

Ellie nodded. "Yep, okay, now silly time is over do you want to tell me anything else before we take turns patrolling?"

"Yes, I'm trying to cheer you up, could I at least get a genuine smile please?"

"Dude my sense of humor is awful at the best of times. Trust me when I say even though I don't always pick up on your jokes I do understand what you're doing. I appreciate it but I'm just not good at accepting it."

"Well get fucking good at it."

"Okay." Ellie said softly, smiling.

Curtis beamed, his smile cheek to cheek.

"Curtis?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to try to be more forgiving to myself too."

"Good, we'll talk properly tomorrow."

"One more thing." Ellie said.

"What's that?"

"I'm doing alright for an old lady." She winked at him then turned back to the window, happy to hear his laughter as he went to rest. He didn't really feel tired but he couldn't think of anything else to say right then. Ellie was looking forward to a nice bed in a couple of hours and Curtis was right she decided. It was about time she started treating herself with a bit more dignity again, she was more than the shit sack she'd seen herself as for such a long time.

She wrote in her logbook and thought about what Curtis had said. She spent the time thinking about how he was her second chance sent from Joel. It was a nice thought but she had dismissed it as bullshit at first. It had been dumb luck, but that was good enough for her to know he was still her reason to live again. Now she thought if she could find Clairmont and be the cure for humanity, if it meant her death would she so willingly go to the grave now? At this point she probably still would, Curtis knew what he had to do if she did die so it wasn't a problem. But why not just turn around and go back to Jackson with Curtis like he said? She expected herself to fuck things up with Curtis and be alone again anyway, that was why. But at that moment she fully understood why Joel had saved her from the Fireflies. Thinking about if the roles were reversed and Curtis was the immune one what would she do? If it had been cure humanity or save Curtis she was batting for the kid in the other room.

When almost anyone who drew breath was trying to end her life she really didn't feel bad about coming to that conclusion. Even before the outbreak were people worth saving? She put the subject out of her head, it weighed too heavy on her. They had a task, it would be fulfilled and whatever happened afterwards would be out of her hands.

In her two hours of scouting, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. She was thinking of switching with Curtis then noticed his silhouette behind her.

"I was resting but I couldn't fall asleep." Curtis said as Ellie faced him. "Anyway two hours scouting will put that right. So no argument, rest up."

Ellie gave him the binoculars and patted him on the shoulder. "See you in two. But you see anything that looks strange or hear anything you wake me up. If I have a night terror leave me to handle it because I'll be fine. Just..." She pointed at the window. "You know what you're doing."

"Enjoy that comfy bed or I'll kick your butt, verbally of course." Curtis said giving her a no nonsense look.

"I'm looking forward to a good rest." She replied, waving her hand and giving him a wave as she left him to it.

Two hours passed again, Curtis had been wary, especially about this person Ellie had said spotted them. Was it too quiet? He went to wake Ellie then saw her sprawled over the king size bed getting some well earned rest.

He wanted her to rest a bit longer but knew if he did she'd spend the rest of the day in a strop with him for not sticking to their plan. It felt wrong to wake her.

"Five more minutes." He whispered, but before he could leave the room Ellie spoke in her sleep.

"Joel, I'm coming, I'm coming." She rolled over uneasily.

"Shit." Curtis decided to wake her. He shook her until she sat bolt upright almost knocking him over.

"Two hours." He said, holding her from falling off the bed.

Ellie put her hand to her chest and nodded.

"Sorry, I know you said if you were having a nightmare to leave you but..."

"It's okay, it's my turn to get up." She wiped sweat from her brow.

"You were talking to Joel in your sleep."

Ellie looked a bit frustrated but it subsided almost immediately. "I could hear him shouting and, and it doesn't matter, I forgot." She waved it off. "So nothing strange happened I guess."

"Eerily so yes, I keep thinking that person you saw went back for reinforcements to track us and they're watching us now."

"We stick to our plan, we try to speak to Horne. When we come across Bengals we try to talk first, if all else fails we fight. Go rest."

"Wake me Ellie, I nearly let you rest for longer but I knew if I did I'd have to deal with you being moody with me. I'll be just as moody if you don't wake me, I have to keep doing my share."

"Curtis don't be a dumbass." Ellie took the binoculars from him and went to the window.

Curtis shook his head in dismay then went to sleep.

Curtis was awoken by Ellie sharply.

"Go away mom, ten more minutes." He groaned.

"I'm not your fucking mom, I'm Ellie. Now get the hell up."

"Shit Ellie you don't have to be such a dick about it."

"Get up and come to the window now."

Ellie waited for him impatiently then he followed her to their scouting position. Before he even looked out the sounds he heard told him everything, and why Ellie had woken him so abruptly.

Infected. Dawn had barely broken, she had let him oversleep.

"Look." Ellie pointed outside, there was a horde of infected. "Good thing the horses are tied up indoors or we might be in serious shit."

The town was overrunning with them. "Where the hell did they all come from?" He asked.

"I don't know. When I was still with Dina I was holed up for a while in a situation like this on my own and I just had to sit it out. No way the two of us can deal with that many. Must be fifty or so, but they eventually got wiped out by soldiers who moved on too. It was all I could do to watch from the sidelines. I was an outsider and I wasn't safe on either side."

"I'd have done the same Ellie. But are you saying this is our only option to wait this out?" Curtis asked.

"For now yeah. We're good on food and water, We don't stand a chance against them. I'm brainstorming but we probably need a bit of luck, now that I believe in it normally, but if some Bengal soldiers arrive I'm going to try and help them, then talk to them. You'll stay here if that happens and if anything goes wrong try to help me. But if there's no chance for me don't show yourself."

"Bullshit Ellie! You might not value your life but I do. Can we talk about this?"

Ellie was rubbing her head and trying to stifle a yawn. "Talk."

"So we're stuck here for now right?"

"That's right."

"You let me oversleep and you're tired now so you're not thinking straight."

"Yes I am, I'm the one who has to think straight."

"Oh because I'm a kid. Go to bed because you're no good to either of us tired. Well talk then."

"Wait a damn minute Curtis..."

Curtis shoved her out of the room closing the door on her.

Ellie was trying to take on the lion's share of the work to make things easier for Curtis but she was making it harder for both of them. Curtis was a good kid, he was sharp too. She decided it was best for both of them for her to get some rest.

Her sleep was dreamless but she awoke feeling rested. That's all she could ask for because she couldn't remember the last time she felt good.

She opened the door Curtis had closed on her then stood in the doorway with her arms crossed.

"Be angry with me Ellie I don't care. I was right and you know why I said it." Curtis looked out of the window.

Ellie found something to feast on then joined him at the window briefly. Infected infested the town and they didn't look like going anywhere for a while.

She went back to her backpack and sat on the floor cross legged. She pulled out her notepad. "They're not going anywhere for now, neither are we. Well figure out a sensible plan A, B, C, D and anything else we can think of. But any chance we get of talking to a Bengal we have to take." Ellie looked at Curtis who didn't reply, continuing his window watching. "I'll admit putting myself in the line of soldiers fire isn't the best idea. So we'll figure things out together." Ellie still couldn't get a response from him. She sighed. "Okay Curtis I'm going to talk to you about something that happened with Joel and me. I got upset and this was just before I went to Salt Lake and refused to talk to him for two years. I will always regret it, I don't want to make these mistakes with you. I'm trying not to but I'm failing, and you wonder why I'm angry at myself a lot. I am not easy to be around or tolerate, shit, if anyone knows that it's me. So you keep looking out of the window and acting like a jerk too and I'll tell you what happened."

"The jerk is listening." Curtis replied.

Ellie nodded. "I was meant to be the cure for humanity, yeah I know right, me? You've heard this but I need to explain how it affected me to this day and why I need to let go of all the self loathing I have. Anyway you know this part but before that cure could be made Joel 'rescued' me by killing the surgeon who was going to make a vaccine, more Fireflies and my friend Marlene. I remember looking him in the eyes and asking him if what he said was true about there being no cure, he lied right to my face..."

"Yeah but he was trying to protect you Ellie, I told you this already."

"Let me finish. When I finally got him to confess the real reason he said he saved me because the cure would end in my death. For so long I refused to talk to him, my friend Jesse would always tell me how Joel would harass him if I was on patrol, like I needed wrapping in cotton wool. Even after all of this he was looking out for me, I didn't need it, but he hadn't given up on me. I still remember that time so angry at him, never thinking that there might not be enough time to put things right. The night me and Dina first kissed there was this complete idiot, telling both of us off, typical bigot, saying we shouldn't be doing this in a family environment. He had that look on his face, the look of an old, archaic man who doesn't understand the world has moved on, the look of an imbecile who's not afraid to let the world see it. Joel got involved defending me, I got mad at Joel..."

"You still couldn't forgive him."

"That's the thing Curtis, after I'd shouted at him in front of everyone I didn't feel good about it. I saw the pain in his face, pain I'd caused and it made me sad to see it, I wanted to teach him a lesson for what he did to me but seeing him like that, how all that time away from him had turned him into a broken man, I...I couldn't do it anymore. He'd lost Sarah, gained me, lost me. I needed to explain why what he did had hurt me, why I was so mad at him. He listened, I told him I was willing to forgive him, he said he'd like that. I said I'd see him around, but after we'd finished our separate patrols I was going to ask him to come over to watch a movie. Funnily enough it was called Curtis and Viper 2. To start the process of healing again for both of us, to be a family again. I was looking forward to speaking to Tommy again, we'd hardly talked much since although we were always civil. I wanted my dad back, my uncle Tommy. Maria always looked out for me, annoyingly so at times, a kind woman but completely no nonsense..."

"Like you is she?" Curtis snorted in laughter.

"Haha, anyway you'd like her. But that day was when he was killed and I was so angry for so long, I still am but I'm trying to be more forgiving, of myself too. I constantly make mistakes, but you tell me and I'll do my best to listen. I'm being honest I couldn't wait to get rid of you but I'm happy you're here now."

"I know and I was angry about that." Curtis replied. "I'm not angry at you now, just frustrated."

"I understand, I have that super positive effect on people, it's a gift I'm blessed with." Ellie frowned.

"What a gift it is. I have a question for you Ellie."

"Okay? What is it?"

"Curtis and Viper 2, did Curtis look like me?"

Ellie burst out laughing. "No, but maybe if we make it back to Jackson we'll watch it together."

"What about part 1?"

"I've only got part 2 but let's not worry about that, it's not important at the moment."

"Would I live with you Ellie?"

Ellie was surprised by this. "I don't know, maybe. Anything else you want to ask?"

"No, but I can see you're trying. You're shit at it Ellie, but by god you're trying and I'm loving you for it."

"As dad would have said, 'I'll take it'." Ellie smiled, for all her mistakes and failures Joel would have been proud of her, she was doing better than she thought.

"Seeing as we're waiting this out I'll tell you some more stories about my family and myself."

"Sounds great, but we have to keep watch too."

"You watch Ellie, I talk. After two hours we swap until either something happens or it's time to sleep."

"Okay Curtis I like that idea."

"Also how much food and water have we got to live on?" He asked.

"Eating just what we need we've got a good two weeks, but we have to be sensible."

"Okay, if we start getting low we have to have a plan for it Ellie."

"The plan will be to ride on, but that could end up in our death. I just want to wait it out for now."

"Tell me more stories later, not just about Joel, but Tommy, Dina, Jesse, Rich. I just want to know."

"I've got plenty, hey do you like giraffes Curtis?"

"Yes, my mom had an old wildlife book."

"Tell me about your mom, dad, aunt and uncle first. I want stories about them all Curtis and I promise I have plenty for you, a giraffe story too." Ellie took to the window.

"Okay a story mom told me about when she was pregnant with me. It's the kind of story where if things hadn't gone as planned I wouldn't be here right now."

"Hey don't give away the ending, leave me in suspense." Ellie replied.

"Okay, here we go. This was when mom and dad were driving by pickup truck to the farm, to be closer to my aunt and uncle who lived in a nearby cottage. Obviously it was before the outbreak."

"Wow an automobile, who'd have thunk it only a matter of years later they'd become obsolete." Ellie replied.

"Yeah it was a black one with fire painted on it, they sold it a couple of years later for that banged up old van around the back of the farm you saw."

"Ah, yeah, I remember seeing it. So where were they driving from?"

"South Dakota where they were originally from. I have no idea what happened there, who runs the area or anything like that though."

"That's probably for the best." Ellie added.

"So dad had left the military and this was their new start in life. Raising animals and living off the land."

"Yeah I did that with Dina for a while."

"I remember you saying, you had cows and sheep right?" Curtis asked.

"A few goats too, but yeah that's the long and tall of it. We had our own crops too, it was hard, honest, good living." She reminisced.

"I'll miss it, yeah we had pigs and hens, when my family went missing the animals seemed to start disappearing too."

"I'll admit that's quite spooky, but Curtis I have to ask, and tell me to mind my own business if you want, but how could your family just go missing like that? It's just like they went missing, you didn't find any evidence whatsoever about what might have happened?"

"I did try to look for a clue as to what had happened, it's unfathomable I know. Don't think I never thought it was strange, I even thought they'd just walked out on me..."

"I don't believe that for a second." Ellie added.

"If they had been infected they'd have turned and I'd know it, but I never saw anything like that. Maybe they were kidnapped. But I don't want to think about that now."

"Of course Curtis, sorry."

"You didn't mean to upset me, you're my family now."

Ellie nodded.

"You're like that annoying sister I'd always wanted." Curtis chuckled.

"You wanted a sister huh?" Ellie was intrigued by this.

"I did so thanks for finally turning up. You don't mind me seeing you like as a sister do you? It's not too early in our relationship is it?"

"No, it's fine Curtis."

"Would you see me like a brother?"

"I never thought about it, but okay, I'll try." Ellie said.

"You'll try?!"

"Let me rephrase that. You're happy to see me as your new sister so I'm happy to see you as a new brother. Although I never had a sibling so I'll be pretty shit at it, at least to start with."

"That's fine Ellie, I can handle that."

"You know what the infected can wait a bit." Ellie went into the other room bringing a pillow back in each hand, she chucked one at Curtis who laughed, then she put hers down and laid on top of it. "I'm all ears."

"Curtis sat on his pillow, wriggling it into shape. "Give me a moment to get comfortable."

"Okay then, let's hear the rest of this story."

"Yeah, so they had bought the farm and a few months later I was born. I was helping out by the age of four. I was six when the outbreak happened but months before that is when my aunt died from the horse riding accident."

"If you'll pardon me asking but what exactly happened?"

"I'm not sure, my uncle would never tell me much, the grief I guess."

Ellie nodded in understanding.

"So just before the outbreak my uncle had been getting night terrors, kind of like what you get. He wouldn't tell me much about it but I remember him saying something about his wife coming back to him in his dreams, to dad. He said he knew it was her even though her face was faded out, she had been sitting on a mushroom then it began to rot and she would turn into a mushroom herself. Anyway this would reoccur then the night before the outbreak he never had a dream, apparently he rarely dreamed after that. Mom saw it as a warning we hadn't heeded, that we'd all be punished for it. She wasn't hugely religious, but it was odd he dreamed about mushrooms before the infection started."

"Who knows why it happened, I don't believe it was some divine punishment, that's all bullshit. So did anything else happen?" Ellie asked.

"We would always have mushrooms growing on the farm, the day of the outbreak they rotted away, but only them. The huge fencing was built around the farm and my aunt came to him again years later the night before he went missing. He made a big deal about it, she had been trying to tell him something he would tell us. Then she came to my dad the night before he went missing. She never came to mom, at least as far as I know and I never dreamed of her. I just wanted to know why she came, what the warnings meant and to get closure over what happened." Curtis left it at that.

Ellie stared at the floor for a long time before she replied.

"I'm sorry you never got your closure Curtis."

"I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but I'm just glad to finally get it off my chest. Thank you for listening, strange things happen to us all the time, I'm done trying to find a deeper meaning to it all."

"Good Curtis, because there isn't one, at least in my opinion. Your family loved you, of that I'm certain. I won't even try to comprehend what happened to them."

"If my auntie comes to me then something bad will happen, if she does I'll tell you. I'll always love her, you'd have loved my family but if she comes to me then I'm going to be frightened for both of us."

"I think your family would have tolerated me for your sake, maybe I could help them come around with my sparkling personality and my friendly exterior." Ellie smiled.

"Mom, dad, auntie and uncle, if you can hear me somehow be by our side. Be there for Ellie, you'd have liked her even when she swears too much." Curtis put his palms to his mouth and closed his eyes.

"Joel would have liked you too Curtis, he'd have seen you as a good influence on me." Ellie replied.

Curtis laughed, although his eyes were welling up. "Sorry, give me a minute Ellie."

"It's fine, no one here is judging you, you would do the same for me." She replied.

Curtis nodded in agreement.

Ellie patted him lightly on the shoulder. "I'm going to check the window then we'll continue. I've got some stories if you want to take a break."

"Cool, yeah I want to know about Cat, you hardly mention her."

Ellie scratched her chin. "Yeah, yeah I've got a story with her, give me a few minutes to get it together."

Ellie looked back out of the window, nothing had changed as she'd expected and there was no signs of anyone hovering around the building although she checked all the windows. She saw to the horses and returned to Curtis who had pulled himself together.

"Okay you want to hear about Cat, right?"

"That's right."

"Sure, first you need to know her and Dina didn't like each other much, that sucked because it was an awkward situation for me. Dina never liked me hanging out with her, she certainly didn't like me having a relationship with Cat."

"A sexual relationship?" Curtis asked.

"Yeah, yeah but you don't need to know about." Ellie was starting to look flustered, she composed herself. " Only that we were a couple and I never understood why Dina was so against it because she was dating Jesse. At first I thought she didn't want me to be happy, obviously I was wrong. Cat did my tattoo and she would always ask me to invite Dina over but she never wanted to come. She never wanted me to bring Cat to hers either."

"Dina was clearly jealous, we know that, but I think she should have been nicer to Cat. You were best friends after all weren't you?"

"Yeah we were, we were...I wish we still were. Doesn't matter, she would spend a lot of time smoking weed with an ex Firefly called Eugene who worked with Tommy a lot. Smoking weed with Dina was our thing but then I'd get stoned with Cat. Jesse wouldn't smoke, he was too sensible for that and definitely wasn't a fan of us doing it."

"Maybe we can smoke some weed when we get back to Jackson." Curtis said. "Sounds fun, I'd like to try it."

"We should write a 'To-Do List' first thing smoke some weed, second thing watch Curtis and Viper 2. Maybe try one of Lacey's amazing meals, she's Rich's mom." Ellie knew she'd have to do a lot of apologizing if she got back to Jackson.

"Do it, let's get that list started."

"Now?" Ellie asked.

"Right now."

Ellie pulled out her notepad and wrote a list, showing it to Curtis. "We'll keep adding to it when we think of something okay?"

"Great, come on finish this story. Cat and Dina drama, I want to know how it ends."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Where was I? Oh yeah I was smoking weed with Cat one day when Rich came over, at the time he was dating Cat's sister Krissy but they split not long after that. That's not important though, so Rich smoked with us, he was telling us both how Dina was mad because she thought I was neglecting her and she had told Krissy she didn't think I wanted to be friends with her. That was completely untrue, I kissed Cat goodbye and that I'd see her later, then me and Rich went to see Dina. I was mad but typical Rich, he was telling me to not lose my temper. Dina and I had a standoff to start with. I told her to stop being silly because we'd always be best friends, we hugged and made up. It was great, everyone was laughing then Jesse turned up and told us he wasn't impressed that we'd been smoking. Eventually he let it go and he spent the night hanging out with us all too after Dina threatened to break up with him. Although he opened all the windows to get the weed smell out. But because I never went back to see Cat that night she broke up with me. We stayed friends but we hardly talked much after that." Ellie half grinned then shrugged. "My break up story with Cat."

"Man, that was Cat's loss."

"No, not really, I was hardly a catch for anyone, most importantly we stayed friends."

"Don't put yourself down, I don't like it. You stayed friends but didn't talk much, how does that work?" Curtis shrugged.

"I wasn't putting myself down, I think I just wasn't very confident back then. Yeah, we didn't talk much after that but we were still friendly, it's funny some people just kinda drift out of our lives. When I returned to Jackson after splitting with Dina, I saw Cat once, we had a brief catch up but it wasn't the same as when we were younger." Ellie pulled a face at Curtis and shrugged. "It's not a big deal though."

"I've never had any friends until you came along so I wouldn't know." Curtis smiled weakly.

"All you need to know is they're good people and you'd like them, just because I drifted away from them doesn't change that."

Curtis nodded, he understood what she was saying.

Ellie and Curtis were holed up for four days before the boy started getting antsy. Ellie was okay with sticking to a routine, she had decided to ease up on the fourth night and allow both of them to have a full night's sleep. Whoever it was she thought she had seen it didn't seem to matter. But she knew thinking like that was unsafe, she knew better by now.

They had traded stories about their lives and they had enjoyed each other's company, Ellie was surprised she'd grown to like him so quickly. She thought at first it was just a pang of loneliness that would subside but it had become a genuine liking for him.

When Curtis had talked about wanting to get away and just ride, Ellie had calmed him. She had talked like she'd never talked before, eventually she had told him to enjoy the experience and to toughen him up. See it like a holiday and make fun of how ugly the infected were.

Ellie had thought of a game to play with him which involved picking an infected, giving it a name and a backstory. The winner would think of the most interesting story and it had worked in cheering Curtis up.

"By no means should you ever take infected lightly, ever, but fearing them is something we shouldn't do. It can cause us to freeze, make mistakes and cost us our lives. Same with any enemies, don't fear them, but always be careful, use your head and be merciless. You'll know the difference between those who can and can't be trusted by looking at them for a solid five seconds if you get the chance. By then I know if they need putting in the ground or not." Ellie explained.

"How?" Curtis asked, simply, he wanted to learn as much as he could from her.

"It's simple, I'd put my knife to their throats, if I knew they lied it would be the last time, and believe me I'd know." Ellie wasn't clowning around.

"You wouldn't just slit their throats Ellie, I don't believe that." Curtis shook his head.

"Yes I would Curtis, you have to remember I'm just fodder to other survivors, so I would do what I had to, like I've tried to get into your head, kill or be killed." Slight frustration showed in Ellie's voice.

"No, come on, just because you think they lied, you're better than that." Curtis was equally frustrated with her.

"I'm not, don't be overly sentimental Curtis." Ellie scratched her ear. "I'm here for you, and you for me but other than that," Ellie pointed towards the window, "no friends and certainly no mercy."

Curtis still shook his head, Ellie gave up on the subject, he'd have to learn for himself.

A few days later, on Ellie's twenty first birthday, in the middle of the afternoon she and Curtis were shaken out of their hermit stupor when gunshots were fired close by.

Curtis attempted to go to the window, Ellie had to physically pull him back. He turned around looking flustered at her.

"No Curtis wait a moment, we have to be careful here. What if someone spots us?" Ellie put her hands up. "Just wait here a moment." She edged towards the window as a war erupted outside.

"You're not going to the window are you?" He asked.

Ellie put her finger to her lips. "Just to listen in, that's all."

After five minutes of screaming, shooting and dying the first audible human voice was heard.

"I think that's all of them, soldiers, now check all the buildings and be careful about it." A woman's voice, Ellie guessed it was a middle aged female, one of Horne's generals.

Whispering, Ellie turned to Curtis and said. "Here's the plan, the horses will give us away so trying to hide is probably out."

"So you're saying we're fucked basically." Curtis sighed.

"No, don't give up, that's not a choice, I told you that. Someone's going to check the house, I'll go down and try to make a deal or something to get to Horne, try to convince them we're friendly. You stay up here in case something goes wrong. They'll know there's two of us but just be my back up in case someone isn't in the mood to listen to me and would rather put a bullet in my brain."

"I have a feeling we could die here Ellie." Curtis seemed resigned.

"Not going to happen, keep your bow at the ready, if shit goes down we fight our way out and we will win. But that's our last resort. Snap out of it because we have this, okay. Are you afraid of dying?"

"No, if I'm dying with you at my side it's okay."

Ellie nodded, proud of his reply. "We'll try everything in our power to come out of this quietly and peacefully, I promise."

"I trust you Ellie." Curtis meant it wholly.

Ellie knew this and would do everything in her power to see this situation turn in their favor.

As footsteps neared, Ellie went over the plan with Curtis again.

"Stay at the top of the stairs, arrow nocked, let me talk. If I say the words 'whoa Nelly' it means kill them, then we fight, although that's our final resort. Hopefully we'll be okay." Ellie patted him on the shoulder and went downstairs, 9mm in hand.

Her heart was hammering again, she was surprised she hadn't had a cardiac arrest by now.

"Hey Pisces, hey Reed, you guys be good now." She petted them both and awaited the inevitable confrontation. She saw the guy's gun before he even entered through the plexiglass on the door, if she'd wanted she could have put a bullet through his head for fun.

As he entered and saw Ellie, both of them aimed their guns at each other.

"Who the fuck are you girl?" He asked.

"I'm someone who could have shot you in your head before you even got this far. Look up you'll see my bro has his bow trained on you."

"What the fuck is this, are you looters?" The man, mid twenties, Caucasian, asked.

"Aren't we all? Look listen, I just want to talk, you're a Bengal right?" Ellie asked.

"Yeah I'm a Bengal, are you a goddam New Eagle?"

"No way, I killed Daniels point blank on the way here." Ellie replied.

"Bullshit." The guy laughed at her.

Ellie slowly raised her hands and dropped her pistol, keeping her hands in the air.

"Listen, I'm being honest, I killed him just outside his barracks from long range after infected took over the town, we were holed up like we are here. I'm looking for Natasha Horne, I need safe passage to Illinois and I'll trade or work for it. But I'm telling you Daniels is laying dead with my rifle bullet through his skull. Look you can kill me, congratulations but my boy here will put you down immediately after. I'm showing I mean peace, I want to talk, I'm affiliated with no one. My name is Ellie and that's Curtis, just let us explain our situation. If you're not satisfied we'll leave, if you are maybe we can be of use to you."

The guy nodded. "Okay sure, but why do you need to see Horne? How do I know this isn't an assassination attempt?"

"Firstly I know she is an associate of Doctor Clairmont, Daniels murdered his son. I need to see Clairmont because I'm immune to the infection and I want to help." Ellie explained.

The guy lowered his gun. "Hey kid, lower the bow." He looked back at Ellie. "Okay girl you wait here, I'm calling this in. I don't know if you're lying or what."

Curtis lowered his weapon.

"I'm not." Ellie replied.

"Not up to me, you say this to me, fine I'm not who you need to convince. Oh yeah my name's Lance, as if it really matters." He went outside. "Yo Monica! Two stragglers hiding out here! They come in peace, or whatever! Kid, male, early teens and a girl, early twenties, late teens! They've got quite a story for you!"

"Alright get 'em out here!" She called back.

"Come on." Lance ordered them out.

"We have supplies upstairs, maybe we can share them. As you can see we've got our own horses." Ellie said.

"Get your shit, get the horses out and see Monica, she's the one with white hair. Then you can ride up front."

"Fine, Get our stuff Curtis."

A few minutes later they were outside. Lance had explained the bones of Ellie's conversation to Monica.

"I take it you're in charge." Monica asked Ellie.

"Yeah that's right." She replied.

"You'll ride up front with me, he your brother?" She pointed at Curtis.

"Half brother yeah." Ellie didn't know why she lied but who really cared?

He can ride alongside Lance. You can keep your weapons but no funny stuff or..."

Ellie understood. "There'll be no funny stuff, we need some assistance and we're willing to trade or work for it."

Monica nodded. "Explain it on the way. You two," She pointed at two soldiers. "Ride to the Eagles barracks, I want confirmation this girl executed Daniels then get back to our base as quickly as possible. Until then Ellie and Curtis will stay with us as peaceful prisoners. If it's confirmed she killed him we will help the two, if not they'll be sent away to deal with whatever dangers on their own."

"Yes ma'am!" They both replied and rode away without question.

"Any particular reason you didn't assist us against the infected?" Monica asked Ellie.

"Yeah because we didn't know what we were up against."

"Okay you two want to pay your way, you'll both fight infected with us until our compatriots return. I'll take a wild guess you're both seasoned fighters normally."

"Yeah we are when it's not us two versus fifty clickers, even I don't have enough Molotov Cocktails for that." Ellie was quickly losing patience.

"Sure, fair enough." Monica grunted.

"You've got a deal, we'll make it up to you." Ellie replied. "Okay Curtis?"

"One hundred percent." He called back.

"Good to know because you do owe us now. Ellie as a peaceful prisoner you'll be free to do what you like on our base within reason. You won't be allowed to leave until we have confirmation of Daniels' death. Also if we want you to help hunt infected there's no room for debate." Monica looked for confirmation from Ellie.

"Understood, we agree to the terms." Ellie simply replied.

"Sounds fair." Curtis added.

"I hear you're not affiliated with any group but you know about Daniels, how's that?" Monica asked.

Ellie cleared her throat and spoke up enough for Curtis to hear.

"Long story short I left Wyoming to get Curtis and on the way I was attacked by these New Eagles assholes. By the time I got to Curtis he was the only one left alive, infected had killed his parents. Basically I was looking to help someone find a cure to this virus because I'm immune to it, I chose to do this because my father died and this is a journey I needed to make. I found out about Daniels after holing up in his town and reading about him in a diary from one of his soldiers, I've got all sorts of information on him, Horne and Clairmont, all the information is in my backpack. I'm being honest, and if I was lying may I die in a pool of my own blood before I even make it to Indiana." Ellie had clearly done enough to convince Monica.

"I'll believe you, if you're lying it will come back and bite you, but this whole being immune thing, this is interesting. I'll take a look at them books later, don't worry I'll return them" She scratched her chin.

"When I come to fight infected with you I won't wear a mask because I can breathe spores. I'm telling you because I want to show I'm not lying and I genuinely want to help be a cure, for what it's worth now."

"If you're telling the truth it's worth it." Monica replied. "I'm not interested in holding you over it, I'm sure if you get to Natasha she'll see you get on your way safely to Clairmont. But I'll make a suggestion you don't mention this to any Black-horns. The Pegasus is some science fiction kind of shit to me, but I guess it's for the greater good and so are you. So if it all checks out, Ellie from Wyoming and Curtis from Nebraska I hope everything works out for you both."

"Thank you, I appreciate it, good to know." Ellie gave a thumbs up.

"Right, if I might ask, what happened to your left hand?" Monica asked.

"Had my fingers bitten off in a fight, screwed up my guitar playing days. It's the line I use when anyone asks me, which is quite regular." Ellie was actually tired of how many times she'd been asked about it.

"So what happened to the finger biter?" Monica asked.

"She came off worse than me, I guess I can't moan, I came out of it alive."

"Say no more on the matter Ellie, it's clearly irking you, I apologize." Monica dropped the subject.

"Yeah it's fine, it's not my favorite thing to talk about but I'll admit I don't hide my emotions well."

"I can see that." Monica replied.

Ellie blushed. "It's not my finest quality."

"It's a warrior quality, I'll be interested to see it for the first time." Monica was as good at the forked tongue as Ellie.

"She will show you, and so will I. If it was two of you against all them would you be all guns blazing? That would be pretty stupid wouldn't it? There was what twenty of you guys?" Curtis was getting heated.

"Eighteen, we lost three, so don't get so defensive. Monica isn't disrespecting your sister, kid, she's trying to figure you both out. But I'll agree if there was two of us we'd be dumb to wade in." Lance explained.

"Exactly." Monica agreed. "No offence, I just have the sharp tongue like your big sis, it doesn't mean anything." Monica pointed out the remaining members thirteen of the Bengals. "Rod, Hosé, Gemma, Arn, Krystal, Wesley, Jun, Damien, Bubbles, Zara, Bobby, Pablo and Finnegan. The two men riding off were Barnes and Van Wyjk." Everyone either nodded their head or said 'hi' sombrely, there were no high spirits among them.

"Happy kid?" Lance said to Curtis.

"Stop calling me kid, it's Curtis."

"Whatever, don't get all mad, it doesn't suit you." Lance replied.

"When's the next infected hunt happening?" Ellie asked.

"There's one tonight then one in two days."

"Sign me up for tonight." Ellie demanded.

"No, rest up and we'll do the one in two days."

"Nah ah, you want proof I can fight, I'll fight tonight." Ellie's stubbornness was coming into play again.

"Me too." Said Curtis.

Monica sighed. "Fine, you probably haven't seen action for a bit if you've been holed up."

"That's right, I don't want to lose my edge." Ellie replied.

"You cool with your brother coming along?" Monica asked.

"Yeah, I'll bet he's the best bowman among us." Ellie was adamant they proved themselves worthy, anything to get to Horne with a good recommendation.

"What do you reckon Lance?" Monica asked.

"He looked competent enough, I don't think he would have hesitated putting me down if I'd shot his sister." He replied.

"I'll protect her with my life." Curtis added.

"Good enough for me." Monica was satisfied. "You've got a good brother there Ellie."

"Better than I deserve." Was her response.

"Also it's Ellie's twenty first birthday so I want to celebrate it properly." Curtis called out.

"We have plenty of cigars back at the base." Lance replied.

Ellie began to laugh.

The base looked like a massive treehouse although it was well fortified and had the basic necessities. Monica introduced everyone to Ellie and Curtis as well as their current situation.

"Get them somewhere to sleep, they can share a peace prison bunk bed. Also they'll be on the hunt tonight, we'll be doing area 4-A, so get them fed and ready." Monica left them in the hands of a supervisor named Jane.

"Basically you've got your mess hall, training area, communal area, sleeping area. You two are peaceful prisoners so you'll be locked up at night, but don't worry you have your own toilets, first aid kit, and a bell to ring if you're feeling really unwell. You'll have jerky and water also paper if you want to write." Jane explained.

"That's fine, thank you, we won't be any trouble." Ellie replied.

"I'm sure, troublesome people get turfed out, we treat people well here if it's reciprocated. Okay we usually eat three times a day, 9a.m., 1p.m. and 6p.m., and special meals put on for anyone going on a hunt, you'd better get in the mess hall and then I'll take you both to your room afterwards until you hunt later. Rest or whatever you need to do. You've got 4-A, it's a fairly simple route but it's not protected very well, be careful and good luck. I want to see you both back safe for breakfast tomorrow." Jane was very to the point, but seemed nice enough.

"So do we." Curtis added, laughing to himself.

"I need to slaughter some of these bastards tonight." Ellie said walking away.

Jane raised her eyebrows dramatically at Curtis who shrugged and followed his sister.

After finishing what was an adequate meal, better than Ellie expected they went to their cell and waited. Curtis took the top bunk, Ellie didn't complain. She sat on the edge of her bunk writing in her notepad, she'd lent Monica her books as a gesture of trust, she'd be mad though if she didn't get them back.

"I'm surprised they let us keep our supplies and ammunition." Curtis said.

"If we were dumb enough to try and shoot our way out we'd be dead in minutes, besides we had a deal."

Curtis looked down. "What are you writing?"

"You can have a look when I'm finished, I hope that woman gives me those books back or I'll be pissed." Her frustration was showing.

"Chill Ellie, she promised she would. Let's just keep a cool head, especially for tonight, we don't want to ruin this."

"I know, I'll keep my head screwed on. We need to prove ourselves so when we get to Horne it will be in good standing. This is all good for now, but however they swing it we're under their control until then. I just don't like it, but I know I have to deal with it." Ellie finished writing and gave her diary to Curtis. "All my deepest inner thoughts just for you." She grinned.

Curtis smiled back. "All the juicy secrets."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "I'm going to try and get my head down for a bit so don't mind me."

"Alright, I'm too awake for that, but you're twenty one now so you need your nap time." Curtis laughed.

Ellie sniggered then surprisingly got to sleep with ease. Her sleep was dreamless and she was awoken by the big iron door being unlocked.

"Time to hunt." Monica said as a bleary eyed Ellie rubbed her face and shook herself awake. Monica placed the books on the little table. "I told you I'd return them."

Ellie and Curtis followed her out.

They got outside and mounted up. Alongside them were Zara, Damien and a guy they hadn't been acquainted with called Christophe. Monica took the lead with Ellie by her side, Curtis was at the back with Damien.

"So what's the usual plan for this place we're going to?" Ellie asked.

"It's a swamp area with some old ruins, sometimes infected find their way in there. As I'm sure you know, just keep alert and you'll be fine, it's about ten minutes ride from here. If you're as good with a rifle as you say you are and your brother is a regular Robin Hood you two can do the long range killing before we move in." Monica explained.

"Robin who?" Curtis asked.

"It's a book about an outlaw from England." Monica said.

"Oh I guess that's cool, me and Ellie are kinda like outlaws now." He said shrugging.

"I'm the Best Fucking Gun in America." Ellie replied.

Monica found that funny, Ellie didn't respond, she'd see who was laughing later.

It didn't take long to get to 4A and Ellie had got her wish, there was infected in the area. It was starting to get dark so she wanted to get this done with quickly.

"Okay Roland Deschain, you and Robin can put down those infected from here then we'll continue on." Monica said.

Ellie didn't know who this Roland guy was but she dismounted, her and Curtis took aim.

Ellie blew the heads off two clickers and a runner while Curtis took down a clicker and a stalker. Out of nowhere a shambler appeared, Curtis threw a Molotov Cocktail on it while Ellie finished it with a double barrel shotgun.

"Color me impressed, you two are earning your keep quickly." Monica replied.

Ellie didn't react, Curtis gave a thumbs up thumbs down.

They all dismounted. "Sweep the area." Monica added.

There was a bit more activity as Monica dropped two runners with picture perfect pistol headshots.

"Right, final bit is this tunnel here under these ruins, everyone get your gas masks on, known spores down here. Ellie you won't need to if you're telling the truth."

Ellie nodded and entered the tunnel first without her mask, Curtis second and Monica third.

As they reached the bottom there was indeed spores. Ellie turned to Curtis and whispered, "Mishmash." He nodded.

She then shouted. "Come out you asshole I'm not standing here all day!"

Curtis bellowed with laughter underneath his mask.

"What the fu..." Damien said.

A roar could be heard from deeper in.

"I said come here asshole!" Ellie shouted at the top of her voice.

Curtis was laughing even harder, he wasn't frightened with Ellie here. Ever since he admitted he wasn't afraid to die to her he was ready to face anything.

"They're both crazy." Christophe said as scared of the two newbies as he was of the infected.

"They're idiots." Zara added.

"You can apologize for that later." Ellie replied as she and Curtis went further in.

Monica was loving every second of it.

"Get a nail bomb ready Curtis, I've got the shotgun ready." The two marched forward.

"Come out now or I'll make your death fucking slow!" Ellie definitely wasn't playing.

Then they saw what was ahead of them. An infected with an elongated neck packed with lumps over it, it's stomach contents open, decaying and sore ridden.

"It's a fucking Belcher!" Christophe shouted.

Curtis threw the nail bomb blowing chunks out of it, the creature smelt worse than sewage.

"Light this piece of shit up!" Ellie shouted to Curtis who flung a Molotov Cocktail into its gut setting it ablaze, Ellie pumped the shotgun until the Belcher began to fall apart. The creature tried to snap at them both with its long neck measuring almost two metres.

Ellie grabbed it around the neck, she was lifted off her feet. She began hacking away at it with her butterfly knife until it came apart, Ellie fell hard, winding herself. Curtis put an arrow into the thing's breast cavity as blood exploded everywhere. Monica and the others finished of the flaming bulk with bullets until it stopped flailing and lay a pile of flames on the ground.

Curtis helped Ellie up who was wiping gunk off herself and laughing. She grabbed Curtis around the neck playfully.

"Good fucking job, there's no one I'd have trusted more than you."

"The Best fucking Gun in America needed the Best fucking Bowman." He laughed. Then he looked at his flaming arrow. "Shit that one's lost."

He turned as Monica began to clap. "Heartwarming and fearless displays from both of you."

Ellie just stared back, she then looked to Zara. "Apologize to me now."

"What...? No, you are a fucking idiot." Zara replied, she was clearly shaken and wary of Ellie.

Ellie pointed to the exit. "You and me outside, fists only."

Zara looked around at everyone, on the way outside she was hoping Ellie would drop it, she didn't.

"She's a chicken aren't you?" Curtis said to her.

"No I'm not you little..."

"I suggest you fight her Zara, what's a little pugilism among friends?" Monica said with a Cheshire cat smile on her face.

"Go on." Christophe said.

"Fight her Zara, beat her ass." Damien added.

Zara put her gear down and raised her fists. "Okay idiot, if you want to be beaten black and blue come on."

Ellie didn't waste breath, she hit Zara square on the jaw. The two traded fists until both were bleeding. Curtis cheering on Ellie, with Christophe and Damien on Zara's side, Monica was impartial.

Eventually Ellie caught Zara in a rear naked choke. "Apologize or I'll put you to sleep."

Zara was choked out before she could, Ellie put her down gently, dropping to her knees, Curtis tended to her cuts with a handkerchief.

Eventually Zara woke up, she was shaken but capable enough to ride back to the base, everyone rode in silence until Monica spoke as they reached the entrance.

"So you are immune Ellie from Wyoming, you and me will need to chat in the morning after breakfast."

"Sure, Curtis too." Ellie replied sharply.

"I suppose so, after all you're in this together." Monica replied.

"Aren't you going to punish the little crippled bitch?" Zara whined.

Ellie began to laugh at this.

"Who choked your fat ass out." Curtis replied, Zara glared at him.

"I'm not fat, runt!"

"Don't go calling people you don't know idiots next time, that's a lesson for you right there. But I'll warn you both, no more fighting or you won't be looking at your promotion Zara and no Horne for you Ellie. This is your only warning, do you both understand?"

"Sorry ma'am." Zara replied.

"Understood, I'm sorry." Ellie left it at that.

"Good enough. Ellie and Curtis I'd have you both as soldiers of mine any day of the week, it's a pity you won't stay. But I'll make use of you both yet until the report on Daniels' death is back."

"Fuck Daniels, a little bitch I snuffed out like an old whining dog. No one else was going to dare put an end to him, that much was clear." Ellie dismounted and walked away, Curtis by her side.

"Fucking arrogant brat." Damien said, spitting on the ground.

"She clearly thinks she's something special." Zara added just as angrily.

Christophe stayed silent.

"Who wants to bet she was the one to execute Daniels. I'll bet a weeks laundry she did." Monica said, the rest placed their bets.

In their cells it was Curtis doing most of the talking, Ellie felt too sore to interact but didn't mind doing so for him.

Curtis pulled something out of his bag, a shiny pale stone with red and blue flecks in it, he passed it to Ellie. "A late birthday present sis."

"Oh wow, thanks, that's really cool." Ellie smiled, Curtis was beaming. She turned it over in her hand then put it gently beside the bed.

"I hope that Zara woman doesn't try to get you back for beating her ass." He said.

Ellie was holding her chin. "She beat the shit out of me too, I choked her out because she's stronger than me."

"Yeah well, you're tougher and smarter, you won and I couldn't be happier." Curtis replied.

"I'm going to let you do most of the talking before we sleep, give my jaw a chance to heal." Ellie laughed lightly.

"Yeah I can do that, I wanted to put an arrow through her knee for what she called you. But that really annoyed her when you laughed at her which I found hilarious. I just think we should be wary of her is all." He said.

"Mm-hmmm." Was Ellie's reply.

"I think you're right, let's just rest so we're fresh for tomorrow, who knows what exactly Monica is going to want from us in the morning, obviously it'll be about your immunity. Ellie?" He looked down and smiled, Ellie had already fallen asleep.

"Tough day, yeah, happy birthday and all that sis." Curtis decided to hit the sack too.

They were woken by Jane the next morning.

"Okay you two, get breakfast then go and see Monica. I hope you both slept well and I'm glad you both made it back alive."

"I slept like shit thanks." Ellie replied.

"I'm not surprised, I heard you went at it with Zara last night." Jane added.

"Yeah and Ellie choked her out." Curtis quickly coming to Ellie's defence again.

"Might I enquire why?" Jane asked.

"Ask Zara." Ellie frowned at her.

"I did."

"There's your answer."

"She probably made up a bunch of lies about you." Curtis wasn't happy.

"Stop worrying, I don't give a fuck what she said. You shouldn't care what people think of you either. All that matters is we do what we need to before we move on." She turned to Curtis gesturing for him to go first, he did.

Jane whispered in Ellie's ear. "He's very protective of you."

Ellie nodded.

"Huh?" Curtis turned around.

"Nothing." Jane said.

"Come on." Ellie put an arm around his shoulder and led him to the mess hall.

They breakfasted in peace, Zara was there, the two women blanked each other. She noticed Curtis glare at her and told him to move along. They faced away from her and Damien.

Afterwards they were led to Monica's personal office.

Jane knocked and opened the door.

"Sorry to disturb you ma'am, the two newbies are here."

"Okay tell them to come in." Monica replied.

"We heard, thanks oldie." Curtis said to Jane, Ellie sniggered as they closed the door on her.

Jane shrugged and got on with her next set of duties. She kinda liked the pair, they didn't take nonsense from people.

"Take a seat both of you." Monica gestured to the two blue chairs, they both sat. "Okay I've sent word to Natasha about you Ellie."

"Before you have proof I killed the biggest rapist in Nebraska Monica? I'd start to think you actually believed me."

Monica fell back in her chair smiling. "On that one condition of course."

Ellie clicked her tongue and winked. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Though I doubt this would interest you in the slightest Ellie, nor you Curtis but I believe you killed that murderous bastard, I just need the confirmation." Monica stared straight at Ellie. "When it's confirmed and it will be you'll be a hero in my eyes and hundreds of other people too."

"I don't need to be a hero Monica, the truth is I'm a bad person." Ellie matched the stare.

"No we're just surviving, Curtis won't see you as a bad person for that."

"Curtis is the only thing I care about, protecting him is what I do. If things go wrong in any way, whether before or after Clairmont; or even if being the cure means he has to remove my brain, Curtis knows what he has to do."

"You're not fucking dying Ellie, I'm tired of telling you I won't allow it to happen." Curtis was getting upset, Ellie knew it would.

"I'm not trying to upset you Curtis but you must know what could happen. As far as I'm concerned we're leaving Clairmont together and going home, but what we want isn't what could happen." Ellie turned to Curtis trying to find understanding in his eyes, all she saw was sadness and his threads of hope being tested again. Curtis saw haunted eyes in Ellie, he only wanted to see happiness in them.

"I'll kill Clairmont if he kills you." Curtis replied.

"Whoa, don't start talking like that young man or you're both out on your lonesome whether your sister killed Daniels or not." Monica replied.

Curtis went red in the face, he was about to say something until Ellie put her hand on his shoulder.

"When I see Clairmont you'll wait in a safe area well out of the way. If I die you go, ride for Wyoming, you stick to our plan." She looked at Monica. "If that happens I want safe passage for him through here."

"If being the cure means your death we'll see him safely out of Indiana, Illinois, here and Nebraska. Least we could do for the brother of humanity's last hope." Monica replied.

Curtis wanted to say something but Ellie cut him off.

"You promise and we have no issues."

"I promise Ellie, we'll see Curtis safely gets to Wyoming."

Ellie stared hard at Curtis. "Okay Curtis? I'm being serious here."

"Fine, you'll survive anyway but in the one percent chance you die, fine." Curtis returned the stare.

Ellie smiled. "Good."

Over the next week they did a set of hunts, Ellie and Zara weren't put together in that time. They hadn't bothered each other in that time either.

One thing that had changed was Ellie found herself talking to Jane a lot, even Curtis had warmed to her.

On breaks she would share a drink with them and they shared stories. Ellie had come up with a backstory for herself and Curtis.

Jane's story was she was born twenty six years ago in Iowa to two loving parents who owned their own business, running a toy store. She was an only child who never really had friends and spent most of her time with the toys as friends instead.

She learned to play the flute, studied the Classics and was as big a music fan as Ellie.

She'd joined the Bengals in what was becoming a depressingly normal story to Ellie, her mom had been shot and killed when Jane was nineteen, by someone from the New Eagles. Happily her dad was alive but serving at another base, she hadn't seen him for over a year.

She'd been a good soldier and had made it as a supervisor thanks to her hard work, kind nature and obvious brains. She also had a background in First Aid and nursing. Although Jane had been humble and said she'd got the job by luck.

One evening Jane was sharing a hot tea with them and they'd spent enough time together that Ellie accepted her invitation of friendship, of course Curtis had too.

"So when you played guitar what songs did you like playing?" Jane asked Ellie.

"Stuff by Pearl Jam, Crooked Still, Sparklehorse, you know any of them?" Ellie asked.

"No but I'd like to I think, I like Dave Matthews, Butthole Surfers, stuff like that."

"Butthole what? I thought you liked the Classics." Curtis laughed.

"I do, Beethoven, Mozart and Wakeman. But my tastes are eclectic Curtis."

"I know the Butthole Surfers." Ellie said.

"You would!" Curtis was in a fit of hysterics.

Jane shrugged. "Is your brother alright?" She asked jokingly.

"He's fine, it's good to laugh when we're surrounded by so much bleakness." Ellie added.

"I totally agree with that sentiment Ellie."

"Have you ever thought about catching up with your dad again?" Ellie asked.

"Of course, I guess I haven't had much time, you understand."

"I guess, but you really should." Her final night with Joel was coming back to haunt her again.

"I know Ellie believe me, I will." Jane knew Ellie was right, she did miss him.

Curtis had calmed down as well now. "Yeah, we both lost our parents so I'm ordering you to go see your dad." Curtis pointed at her. "I'm being serious."

Jane smiled. "Okay guys I'll put in for some leave and surprise him."

"Do it when you leave here." Curtis added. "Anyway I'm going to get some rest, let you ladies have a chat without the dumb boy here."

"What are you talking about?" Ellie asked, slightly miffed.

"It was a terrible joke." He added.

"Here's a terrible joke. What do you get if you mix cheese with a dinosaur?" Ellie asked.

"I don't know." Jane asked.

"I've heard this, all Ellie's jokes suck." Curtis laughed.

"Gorgonzilla." Ellie said.

"Erm, yeah, it was quite funny Ellie, not bad." Jane said respectfully, or so she hoped.

Ellie laughed. "No, Curtis is right it sucked."

Curtis laughed too. "I'll leave you ladies to it." He hopped into bed.

Jane was laughing too. "He's a cool kid."

Ellie nodded. "Yep, he's a good kid too."

"I'm sorry we have to keep you guys locked in here but it's comfortable right, you have everything you need?" Jane asked.

"No need to say sorry Jane, everything's fine and I understand. Yeah we're good, I guess this is what a holiday camp was like." Ellie put out her cup and Jane clinked it with hers, they drank.

"A fun but scary prison holiday camp, Ellie."

"Something like that." Ellie guessed.

"What's next for you two when you leave? I won't lie I'll miss you both." Jane sounded a little sad.

"To Indiana and Doctor Clairmont, maybe return home if all ends well. Don't be silly, you'll have forgotten us as soon as we leave." Ellie said offhandedly.

"No I won't Ellie, I've come to see you as a friend." Jane seemed slightly offended.

Ellie was a little taken aback. "Okay Jane I didn't mean anything by it, I'll miss you too. But we have to go as soon as we possibly can."

"Even when you and Curtis leave I'll always see you as friends."

"Don't worry Jane, we'll always be friends." Ellie smiled.

Jane leaned over and gave Ellie a big hug. "Great." She was grinning cheek to cheek.

Ellie didn't return the hug, instead replied. "Jane I'd like to breathe please."

Jane let go. "Sorry, you didn't mind me giving you a hug did you?"

"No Jane it's fine, Curtis hugs me a lot, I'm not one to hug back though, not my thing, it's nothing personal." Ellie gently patted Jane on the arm. "No offence."

"Don't be silly Ellie. You'll probably get a bunch more hugs from me before you leave, but I promise I'll let go before you pass out." Jane chuckled, blushing.

"Fine, that's a deal." Ellie gestured with a friendly eye roll.

Jane looked at her watch. "Time to go for now, I'll put in for some leave to see my father and I'll catch up with you both tomorrow."

"Sounds a great plan." Ellie responded.

Jane got up, so did Ellie. Jane went to hug her again but instead decided to shake hands with her.

"One hug a day is enough." Jane said.

"It's plenty." Ellie agreed.

Jane left, locked the cell and Ellie decided to write for an hour before hitting the sack as well.

Not long after, word had got back around base to confirm Daniels' death, the trajectory and the bullet had matched Ellie's gun and her explanation of how she killed him. Although the corpse was starting to rot and be pecked away at by hungry birds, a definite match and confirmation of the body had led them to the correct conclusion.

Ellie had indeed murdered Daniels.

Ellie was coming back from a hunt with Curtis and Lance, Lance had warmed up to the pair also. He had been teaching Curtis to play a card game called Brag. Ellie had watched but declined to play it herself.

Lance also had his story to tell. Like Curtis, his dad served in the military and also died, but in action. His mom was on the base, her name was Alexis and she had dined with Ellie and Curtis on occasion. She was a nice woman, telling the pair not to worry about his behavior, he liked to play a fool but was a nice guy really. She wanted him to find a woman to settle down with, he was close friends with Bubbles whose real name was Lucy Bubb. She even asked Ellie if she liked Lance, Ellie had straight up told Alexis she was only interested in women. Alexis was taken aback by this at first but composed herself and showed herself to be supportive, wishing Ellie find the right woman too. Lance had grown up on a military base and wanted to be like his father so becoming a Bengal was an easy choice. He loved his card games and was a fan of whisky. He was the only person Ellie knew who genuinely found her jokes funny.

"Once you master Brag I'll teach you to play poker if you want." Lance asked Curtis.

"Yeah definitely, it's fun. I don't know why you don't play Ellie." Curtis said to her.

"Look, you guys enjoy it, that's fine, I'll happily just watch though." She added.

"I can't believe you found Ellie's Gorgonzilla joke funny man." Curtis said to him.

"It was pretty funny, I don't see why people have an issue with that." Lance added.

"Trust me I don't, it's good someone finds them funny, yeah they're silly but that's the point, to make us laugh." Ellie explained. "Oh yeah before I forget, your mom wants me to ask you to ask Bubbles on a date."

"Seriously?" Lance groaned.

"Yeah, I know...but I said I'd ask for her. I'm not worried either way but I like her and I promised, she made me." Ellie grinned.

"She's persuasive yeah. I'm surprised she hasn't asked if you want to date me yet."

"She did, I told her point blank I prefer women, so, yeah." Ellie shrugged.

"Ah so she knows, I hope she didn't make a fool of herself when you told her, I wouldn't expect her too though, she's usually pretty good with everyone as long as they're good people too." He added.

"Yeah she was cool, although she did try and set me up on a date with another woman, I politely declined. I'd rather stay single and free at the moment."

Lance slapped his head. "Was it Marissa?"

"Actually it was, yep." Ellie replied.

"Good you said no then, she's okay but way too bossy."

"Sounds like I made the right choice, I'm not too good with orders."

"We know." Curtis said with a big smile.

"Hey I know this hasn't been brought up since but I just want to say I'm glad we didn't end up killing each other in that house. You're both good company, it's been fun you know. I know you have to move on soon so I just wanted to say." Lance explained.

"All good." Curtis replied.

Ellie nodded. "Yeah it's cool, I heard good things about the Bengals from the books I collected, I wasn't sure if it was true at first but yeah you guys are okay by me."

"Except Zara and Damien." Curtis said.

"Fuck 'em, they're always like that." Lance replied.

"Yeah we just ignore them now." Ellie looked right at Curtis. "Isn't that right bro?"

"Sure, sure." Curtis nodded.

They returned to the base where Jane was waiting, she told Ellie the news was confirmed that she was Daniels' executioner.

"Everyone now knows you were the one to dispose of that scumbag Daniels." Jane was overly excited, she'd obviously been waiting to tell Ellie for a couple of hours.

"Sweet, you really did kill the bastard, I knew it, me and Monica won the bet." Lance gave Ellie a few congratulatory pats on the back.

"What bet?" Ellie asked.

"A bunch of the soldiers were taking bets on if you really killed him or not. Only me and Monica bet you did." Lance pointed at Jane. "I know you believed she had too, you're just too sensible to gamble." He winked at Jane who smiled.

"I knew she had, I didn't doubt it for a microsecond." Jane said enthusiastically.

"Why doesn't your mom ask you to ask Jane on a date? You should ask her." Curtis grinned.

Jane went red in the face. "I-I, erm, we'll Monica asked to see you guys so I guess you better go see her."

"Okay, hey Lance, ask Jane on a date." Curtis was being cheeky.

Ellie told him off. "Hey you, behave." She turned to Jane. "Okay thanks." Then turned to Lance. "See you later dude."

Ellie and Curtis dismounted.

Lance replied. "I'll ask Jane out, we'll see what she says."

"We will, but later." Jane said back to him. "First I'll take these two to Monica, let me have some time to think it over."

Lance saluted, maybe his mom would finally stop nagging him.

"It's great news you killed him, no one can doubt you anymore." Jane said, leading the conversation.

"It's cool, I guess." Ellie replied.

Out of nowhere Zara came towards Ellie shouting. "Bullshit you killed him! You probably made it look like you did, cripple!"

"That's a good idea, clearly because it's what you would do." Curtis retorted.

Ellie faced Zara smirking.

"Don't you dare call Ellie that or I'll tell Monica." Jane said angrily.

"A snitch like you would Jane!" Zara screamed at her.

"Fuck you." Jane replied.

Damien came up to them. "Did you hear the news Zara? Monica has put us on a hunt with these two dipshits tonight."

"Fuck off I'm not hunting with an eight fingered cripple!" Zara wouldn't let it lie.

A different side of Jane came out, she hit Zara on the chin. Zara hit back, clearly stronger, downing Jane and laying boots into her stomach.

Ellie tackled Zara to the ground, Damien tried to pull Ellie off until Curtis jumped on him, biting him on his exposed shoulder. Damien threw him off and was about to break Curtis' wrist until Lance kicked Damien in the head.

Monica came out hurriedly, firing a shot in the air.

"Stop this shit now!" Everyone abated from the fight. "Ellie and Curtis in here now. Zara and Damien get to the mess hall and stay there. Jane clean yourself and get to your duties, Lance go and see your mom. This isn't high school, I'll have order if I have to put every one of you in a cell for a year!"

Everyone went and saw to their own business, Ellie and Curtis followed Monica inside.

She sat them down in the office.

"Firstly before either of you say anything I saw it all from the window, Zara started it and I'll deal with her and Damien later. But no one is an innocent party so don't think otherwise." Monica said clearly in no mood to mess around.

"Did I hear right we're on another hunt tonight, with Zara?" Ellie asked.

"Yes, normally I'd have you rest but it's only the 1-C area it's usually a quick job but it's known for its bloaters, we want quick and efficient work so I want you there. But before that as you both know it's confirmed that Ellie, as you already know obviously, we've confirmed you did execute Daniels which leads us to the next step. Yesterday we had confirmation from Horne she would see you both on the condition you had killed him. But you can't leave immediately, you'll stay here for three more nights before you move on. This is just to get everything in order again, you've both been useful and we'll be sad to lose you. You'll be accompanied by a soldier of my choice..."

"Lance and Jane!" Curtis interrupted.

"Curtis, it doesn't matter who it is, they've both got important jobs here." Ellie told him.

"That's all true, they're needed here but Jane has some leave coming thanks to you two. Admittedly I should have made her see her father sooner. Look let's do a deal, you two do 1-C tonight with Zara, Damien and Bubbles, actually make an attempt to get along and work together and I'll assign Jane and Lance to you, on the bonus condition you make a one day stop for Jane to see her father." Monica asked.

"Absolutely, it's a deal, I just want to get our side of the bargain over and done with." Ellie agreed.

"Wait, why do we have to go with them?" Curtis asked.

"They were assigned beforehand and I need you two, you must agree to the deal too Curtis."

Curtis looked at Ellie.

"Your decision little brother, as much as I don't like it, I've made my choice." Ellie crossed her arms.

"Fuck it, fine, I'll follow you into the pits of Hell, here's the proof. Happy now?" Curtis sighed.

"I don't do happy, but close enough." Ellie replied, punching him lightly on his arm. Curtis smiled back.

"Okay we have a deal." Monica seemed pleased. "It will be the 6:30p.m. hunt, get your meal early and please just behave on the hunt for everyone's safety. Send Zara and Damien here they'll get a lecture too. At least Bubbles can be impartial."

"I'll tell them, can we go now? We'll make the most of this shitty situation, I swear, cross my heart." Ellie responded, clearly more than unhappy.

Monica had noticed this.

"Yes, keep your heads and do what you do, get everyone back safe and I'll be happy, remember you do this and the shitty situation will be a lot smoother."

"Aye, aye ma'am." Ellie said with a mock salute.

Monica shook her head after they left, she genuinely liked them and meant what she said about having them as fellow Bengals. But nothing would ever change her opinion that Ellie was a very dangerous and unstable person who was good at hiding it, but not good enough this time. She saw Ellie's ways rubbing off on Curtis.

"I would have wished you two the best when you left, but it's probably going to end in a lot of lives lost." She sat back down and returned to her work.

Ellie took the lead as they entered the mess hall, walking towards Zara and Damien.

"Your boss wants to see you two now. I'll see you both on the hunt later, you follow my lead you'll be fine." Ellie said condescendingly.

Curtis licked his hand. "Let's have plenty of blood again." He grinned, pretending to get choked out as he and Ellie walked away.

Zara was infuriated, Damien cooled her down as they headed towards Monica's office.

Damien knocked and entered.

"Sit down both of you." Monica gestured. "I need a serious word with you both."

"I'm not going to say sorry for what I did to that annoying little cripple." Zara said.

"Neither am I." Damien added.

"Fine, forget it, listen to me and don't interrupt. Those two will be gone in less than three days, you never have to see them again and you will both finish the hunt with them tonight. But there's something seriously wrong with that girl, she's clearly unhinged. I just want her to make it to Clairmont, be the cure for humanity and hopefully die in the process. I'm saying this because she's the kind of person to leave innocent people dead on the way to her next destination. I was planning on having Jane and Lance accompany them to Illinois and Indiana but I don't think they'll be safe."

"I say fuck them, they want to be friends with those two sociopaths then let them go and die with them for all I care. When I get my promotion I'll do Jane's job no problem, and if Lance died I'd take great pleasure in seeing it destroy his mother." Zara explained.

"Exactly, I don't care about any of them, Ellie and Curtis try anything tonight I'll bring them both back beaten and unconscious, I won't tolerate their dumb shit." Damien said.

"Let me ask you both something, do you honestly believe she can be a cure for humanity and do you even care?" Monica looked at both of them.

"No and no." Damien replied coldly.

"Fuck the cure and humanity, they're past saving." Zara added.

"So if something were to happen to them both tonight it wouldn't be our fault. As far as I'm concerned we're all pro cure and pro humanity but this conversation doesn't leave the room." Monica wasn't clowning around. "I'm deadly serious here."

"You're giving us permission to kill them?" A cruel smile crossed Zara's lips.

"If you can make it look an accident, I don't want Bubbles to figure out what is going on." Monica explained.

"I thought you liked those kids so why are you changing your mind all of a sudden?" Damien asked.

"Before I sent them on their way to get you the girl gave me a look. It was a look that said she wanted to kill me. Don't ask why, I just think if we don't get rid of them tonight or get them sent on their way immediately I can see her shooting up the whole facility, she looks ready to snap." Monica left it at that.

"Good enough reason for me." Zara said. "She's scary dangerous, you saw her against that Belcher, I wouldn't mourn her."

"If we take care of them tonight and Bubbles gets wise I'm warning you now boss she'll get a bullet between her dumb bimbo eyes too." Damien said.

"Do what you have to do, be discreet, be smart, you're my best soldiers, do me proud." Monica sent them on their way. She contemplated her decision for a long time, she felt some compassion for Ellie and her brother, but that cold blooded look the girl had given her? Whatever Ellie had been through in her twenty one years, she had let the darkness inside her win. Monica admitted she herself was no better for sending her to her death but she genuinely feared for her base and her people come first.

As Ellie and Curtis sat down she clearly couldn't hide her annoyance.

"What's up?" Curtis asked.

Quietly Ellie answered. "I was so mad with Monica I wanted to beat her ass so badly."

"Why though, because she forced us to go with those two dummies?"

"Yeah, she clearly noticed I was mad so I just needed to get out of there. See it this way, we'll be gone soon and I promised you I'd stay calm and I will."

They ate in silence then returned to their cell with Jane.

"Sorry about earlier guys, I'll call you both for the hunt. I guess you'll be going soon." Jane asked.

"In three days, I asked Monica if you could come because your dad is on our way to Indiana." Curtis said.

"Oh wow, that would be great if I could accompany you." Jane was beaming.

"She hasn't decided yet but I hope she agrees to let you come." Ellie added. She got a big bear hug from Jane in return.

"See I didn't hug you too long there, you're still breathing." Jane said laughing.

"What?" Curtis said, getting a hug too, he hugged back.

"I'll get you guys when it's time, see you later." She waved then locked their cell door.

"Monica is alright really, she's been fair to us." Curtis explained.

"I know but something about her really annoys me, I just want to see the back of her." Ellie said writing in her notepad.

"Just chill, you worry too much." Curtis laid back on his bunk.

"I guess you're right, but it's my instinct Curtis and I trust it. I know I'm like it all the time but it's kept me alive, us alive." Ellie decided to let the subject drop. "Is it just me that thinks the sausages here are absolute garbage?"

"Oh Ellie if only you could have tried mom and dad's sausages, you would have agreed there was none better in all of the United States." Curtis was dreaming of them days.

"I bet I would have Curtis, you'll love the ones Rich's mom makes in Jackson, I'll be interested in how you compare them." Ellie looked up at him. Curtis was teary eyed. "Hey what's wrong, if I said something to upset you I'm sorry, tell me what I said."

"I'm not upset Ellie I'm just happy you finally agree we're going to Jackson no matter what."

"Yes we are Curtis, yes we are." Ellie smiled.

Curtis jumped down and hugged her, she still wouldn't reciprocate it. Curtis finally let go. "I needed to do that, it's proof I'm not dreaming, that you're real and things will work out."

"It's okay Curtis, anytime you need a hug I'm here, just don't expect one back." She gasped as he put his head on her chest, tears welling up again.

"I can feel your heartbeat, it makes me feel safe." He said.

Ellie pulled him away. "Here, calm down, seriously, I've been thinking. If getting a cure for humanity means my death I won't go through with it. If we can get Jane and Lance on board, we make a plan if this Clairmont guy doesn't let me leave, we fight our way out. I want to try and save humanity but I'm already decided I have a reason to stay alive and it's you. So my heart will keep beating for many years to come. No more crying, as your big sister I solemnly vow to get us back to Jackson after we see Clairmont if I have to drag our battered and bloody bodies all the way through snowstorms, thunderstorms, meteor showers and alien invasions." She wiped Curtis' tears with her handkerchief and kissed him on the head. "Now relax and no more tears over me."

Curtis smiled. "Okay, I'm good now. It was a moment of weakness."

"No Curtis not weakness, empathy, a sign of strength."

Later on Jane came to unlock the cell door.

"Hey guys be careful tonight, I don't trust Damien and Zara, be safe."

"Thanks Jane, we'll be wary, don't worry, we will be back tonight." Ellie tapped her head.

Jane nodded. "You'd better be."

"See you later." Curtis added.

They left Jane to lock the cell again, she couldn't help but worry about the pair.

Outside, Zara, Damien and Bubbles were ready. Ellie and Curtis mounted up.

"We all ready?" Bubbles asked, everyone was. "Okay I'll lead the way."

Spooky silence between the five emitted until they reached the area.

"Ellie, Curtis, let me explain this area because you haven't done it yet am I right?" Bubbles asked.

"You're right." Ellie replied.

"We'll make a sweep but split up, these are the routes we go, we don't veer too far away and any trouble you shout or run. We all want to get back safe, agreed?" Bubbles asked everyone, all in agreement they took their routes.

Curtis had a clear area and was glad, he didn't want to remain in this part, he wanted to get back to Ellie, he didn't have a good feeling about this.

Ellie had Joel's revolver out, she was unsure of what was ahead and wanted something powerful. She felt uneasy like Curtis, not because there might be infected, it was a different feeling. It had all gone way too well with the group, she was definitely taking Jane's warning seriously. She was ready to turn back for Curtis, she felt stupid having let him go it alone. Momentarily she stopped to wipe a fleck off her gun then noticed a silhouette shining off it to her left.

Her instincts and reactions didn't fail her, she ducked as a bullet flew past her and Zara came into her sight.

"You Fucking bitch cripple!" She shouted, pointing the gun down towards Ellie again.

Ellie pulled the trigger as a bullet hit Zara in the throat imploding it. Zara fell to the ground a mutilated, unrecognisable mess.

"Zara no!" Damien had his pistol aimed at Ellie, ready to fire. Before he could a bullet knocked the gun from his hand, it was Bubbles. Next thing she saw an arrow land in his skull as he dropped dead on the ground too.

Curtis came into sight, trying to get his breath.

"What the fuck?" Bubbles said, mouth wide open in shock.

"I-I don't know...Zara tried to kill me I defended myself, then him." Ellie pointed at Damien's corpse.

"I saw it all Ellie, I believe you. But why, why did they?" Bubbles was dismayed by it all.

"I know we had problems but I never thought they'd try to kill me, I mean we fought but I never wanted to kill them, we were leaving in three days." Ellie was in shock too.

"Rat bastards." Curtis added. "I had a bad feeling and came running to you Ellie."

Ellie got up, wiping herself down. "What the hell do we do now?" She asked.

Everyone stood there in silence until Bubbles replied. "There's an old river nearby, we dump the bodies and think of a believable story for Monica when we get back."

"Weren't they your friends?" Curtis asked.

"Not really, no. We tolerated each other and never had any problems but they were never what I'd call good people. Now you two, I don't know either of you very well and maybe first impressions I got wrong. But I've seen how you both handle yourselves, Lance and Jane like you and Monica trusts you. That's good enough for me, you didn't do anything wrong and you shouldn't be punished for this." Bubbles explained.

"Thanks we owe you." Ellie said.

"No you don't, let's just get this shit cleared up." Bubbles replied.

"I can lift Zara onto my shoulders if you two can handle Damien." Ellie looked for confirmation.

"We can do that, you'd better get their supplies before we dump them." Bubbles added.

They did what they needed to do, Bubbles leading them to the river where they buried the two bodies who were soon out of sight.

"Phew, looks like we'd better get our stories straight." Ellie said.

Before anyone else could speak they heard a sound.

"Infected?" Bubbles asked.

Ellie nodded. "Trust me." She cleared her throat. "Hey, assholes!" She called.

Shrieks were heard as three infected came into view out of a treed valley. Two clickers and a stalker. A clicker was put down with two arrows to the head from Curtis.

The stalkier was blown apart by Ellie's revolver leaving Bubbles to drop the remaining clicker with three pistol headshots.

"We now have Zara and Damien's killers right here." Bubbles said.

"How do we explain their disappearance?" Curtis asked.

"How about this, they were both bit, we don't know how, we just heard screams and came rushing to them. Then we were going to put them out of their misery, we killed them by the river because they pulled their weapons on me and Curtis. Bubbles, you shot Damien's hand then me and Curtis executed them. It's not far from the truth, they then fell in the river and were swept away." Ellie explained.

"Okay that's believable, we can say that." Bubbles nodded in agreement. "Sound okay Curtis?" She asked.

"Yeah, no idea is perfect, let's just go with it. We should also mention that me and Ellie agreed to be civil with Zara and Damien just for this hunt, for our own safety, but the agreement ended when we got to base. I don't want Monica getting suspicious and thinking we just cold blooded murdered them."

"We'll roll with that too, I'll say I tried to make you guys shake hands and put it in the past, you wouldn't but it was all agreed on we'd have each other's backs while out here." Bubbles added.

"Great, let's not overthink it, that's our story. Again, thanks for having our backs Bubbles." Ellie said.

"No problem, you can call me Lucy if you want. I like you guys, I want us to leave on good terms and as friends. In three days you'll be gone and I wish you all the luck in the world. We need to get back, get this mess explained and wake up to a fresh start."

"We're friends for sure." Curtis said.

Ellie nodded. "Yeah, the sooner we get back the better. Let's get back to the horses before it starts to get dark."

The three mounted up and rode back to base.

Upon their arrival questions were immediately asked about Zara and Damien's whereabouts. Bubbles began to get emotional, clearly play acting, but believable enough to make a scene of how infected had bit them and they'd had to shoot them.

Ellie, Curtis and Bubbles were separated and taken to different rooms, Ellie guessed an interrogation was coming.

She sat in Monica's office alone until the boss came in flustered and confused.

She sat and looked at Ellie. "What the hell happened out there Ellie? I want every single fucking detail." Monica wasn't playing, Ellie had to keep calm.

She raised her hands defensively. "I swear we split up, the next thing I know I hear either Zara or Damien scream, when I got to them they were bit. I don't know what the heck happened, if they were fucking and got caught off guard or what. But they pulled weapons on me by the time I got to them. They were babbling saying I would kill them now they'd been infected. I thought I was a goner until Bubbles shot Damien's gun out of his hand. Curtis put an arrow through his head and while Zara was distracted I shot her, they were next to the river and fell into it. I was defending myself, I know we were on bad terms but I didn't want to kill them, I just wanted us to all get back safe. We had an agreement to be civil while patrolling but only until we got back. We were angry at each other but we weren't stupid." Ellie swallowed hard and put her head in her hands.

Monica didn't know what to think, she had to say something though.

"That's the truth is it Ellie?"

Ellie looked up, Monica didn't see that feral look in her eyes, she saw confusion and fear. Monica desperately wanted to disbelieve Ellie.

"You'll sit right here and stay quiet, I'm going to see if Curtis and Bubbles' stories match up, they had better. I'll be back shortly." Monica got up.

"Okay, yeah, I-I understand." Ellie replied. When it was just her in the room she laid her head on the desk and put her head in her hands, she smiled. She had worked a bit of acting masterclass on her just like Bubbles had earlier, she just hoped she could pull it off. Ellie also hoped she and Curtis could keep to their story.

Monica finally returned, Ellie sat up exhaling sharply, raking her fingers through her hair, faking a flustered look.

"Do you want to know what I think?" Monica said sternly, this was no question, she would tell her either way.

Ellie shrugged looking at the floor. "I don't know, I never wanted this. I wanted everyone to get back safe, sleep it off, get up tomorrow and then Curtis and I could prepare to leave in two days. I know you and me have had some issues." Ellie looked up. "But you've treated me and Curtis fairly, I appreciate it, I didn't want to spoil it. I'm an idiot and I always mess things up, I'm honestly trying to do something good because I want to atone for all the bad things I've done."

"What bad things Ellie?" Monica looked straight at Ellie who looked away.

"I've...I've killed a lot of people, some probably...more than likely didn't deserve it." Ellie was trying to keep the charade up.

"I see. What I think is the three of you had a story ready for me when you came back." Monica replied.

"On the way back we couldn't talk about anything else, I guess we did? It wasn't on purpose, I was ready to take Curtis and just bolt, leave, take our chances."

Monica pursed her lips. "This is what's going to happen Ellie. Early tomorrow morning you and Curtis will leave here, you'll take Jane and Lance. You can continue your journey then, I don't want you here any longer than that. You've done your part for us and I'm grateful. Once you've fed yourselves tomorrow morning you all go. May you find what you're looking for, now get out."

Ellie got up gingerly. "I'd just like to say one more thing, you've treated us well, I-I will never forget it Monica."

"Get out girl!" Monica had lost tolerance of Ellie.

Ellie swallowed and nodded. "Okay." She whispered and left, she kept the solemn look going but was laughing like a hyena on the inside.

To their dying day Ellie and Curtis would never know that Monica had planned their executions that night.

Ellie greeted Jane at the cell, Jane already knew about the next morning's plan.

"See you in the morning, we all know it was an accident what happened out there." Jane smiled, Ellie smiled back and went into the cell.

About ten minutes later Curtis arrived.

Ellie simply said. "We shouldn't talk about this until we're well away tomorrow, let's just rest and get out of here in the morning."

"I agree." Curtis said, they both got to sleep early.

Ellie dreamed of Joel, he looked at Ellie then turned into a hyena then began to laugh. Ellie tried to chase him but could never catch up to him.

The next morning Ellie and Curtis packed in silence until Ellie asked.

"Are you okay Curtis?"

"Yeah when we get out of here I'll feel better and we can talk properly then."

"I agree." Ellie said.

Eventually Jane came for them, they ate with Lance and were ready to leave until Ellie spotted Bubbles and went over to her.

"Hey Lucy, we have to go now, but thanks, I'll always see you as a friend."

"Same, lead a good life Ellie." Bubbles shook her hand.

"See you Bubbles!" Curtis called.

"Good luck out there Curtis!" Bubbles replied. She exchanged waves with Lance and Jane. Ellie smiled and turned to leave.

"Ellie wait." Bubbles said, Ellie turned around and Bubbles put a little wooden star in her hand, she had one too. "A gift, we never forget each other."

"Thank you, I'll treasure it until I die." Ellie replied leaving.

Bubbles was genuinely sad to see her go, she'd wanted to spend more time with her, but that was just a dead dream now.

Thankfully there was no sighting of Monica as the four left the base. Monica watched them leave, she shook her head and decided on a replacement for Zara and Jane.

After about ten minutes of riding it was Curtis who spoke first.

"Thank fuck we've left that place."

"One day me and Jane have to go back, I'll take it you didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped." Lance replied.

"Hanging out with your mom was fun." Curtis added.

"Yeah when she's not matchmaking." Lance grinned.

"She won't have to do that again hopefully." Jane winked at Curtis.

"You two are dating?!" Curtis was excited. "Awesome, congratulations."

"It's a trial basis." Jane said.

"Mom reckons you're perfect for me, I can't fail." Lance laughed.

"You're quiet Ellie." Jane said.

"Just thinking, before I forget, congratulations. Don't fuck it up Lance."

Curtis burst into laughter. Jane sniggered at the comment too.

"Me? I'll treat Jane like a queen."

Ellie nodded. "That's alright then." She was glad to call them her friends but she wasn't interested in their love life, she was interested in their survival.

Shortly after Ellie stopped and checked her map. "Jane, Lance I want to go over the fastest but safest way to Illinois. I'm guessing we can stop at the nearest possible base at nightfall."

"Not before nightfall?" Jane asked.

"We have flashlights don't we, it shouldn't be a problem." Ellie replied passing the map to Lance's outstretched hand.

"I guess." Jane seemed to agree.

"What's your dad's name?" Curtis asked.

"Roger." Jane replied.

Lance showed Ellie a suitable route, the best way to make it to the Bengal base Jane's dad was stationed at, then a route to the Illinois border. Ellie agreed and the route was set in ink.

"No route is one hundred percent safe." Lance added.

"I haven't really seen much action since I became Monica's runaround, so a little would be fine with me." Jane said with some excitement.

"Don't wish for too much." Curtis added.

"I won't." Jane crossed her fingers.

"Seeing as me and Curtis got booted out early and you were happy to accompany us I see no reason why we shouldn't let you stay an extra day or two with your dad, that's if you want to Jane." Ellie explained.

"Yeah that would be great, are you sure it's okay Ellie?"

"Sure, if they don't mind having me and Curtis around."

"You might have to do chores or earn your meals, but nothing you two can't handle." Lance added.

"That's fine." Ellie nodded.

For the next hour Curtis joked with Jane and Lance, Ellie didn't.

"Are you sure you're okay Ellie?" Jane asked.

Ellie was about to speak when Curtis interrupted.

"Apart from the fact my sister is moody, lacks a sense of humour and thinks she's the reason there's no cure, she's great!" Curtis laughed.

"Yeah haha." Ellie grinned, although there was obvious truth to his words. "He's right though, it's great to see you guys getting along, I mean it. But I'm not built that way, I'm thinking about what's ahead, not just in Indiana but around the corner. So don't think that I'm angry, I just have a lot to think about, I'm not afraid to say it's taking a lot of effort right now not to just turn all the way around and say fuck it all."

"I wish we would but I know we can't." Curtis said.

"I want to put something to you both." Ellie said looking at Jane and Lance.

"Okay." Jane replied, bubbly as ever.

"I've talked with Curtis about this, so before I even say what it is, if neither of you are a fan of the idea I'll understand and there will be no hard feelings."

"She wants us to laugh at her jokes." Lance replied.

Curtis began laughing again. "They're pretty awful aren't they?"

"No, I like them, you and Jane don't understand her quirky humor." Lance grinned.

"Some of them are funny." Jane said defensively.

"Wait, no, we're going off topic. What I want to ask is that when we reach the Pegasus you guys are meant to leave us. But I've decided that after I talk to Clairmont if things don't go well I won't be allowed to leave so I'm going to fight my way out, I'd like your assistance if that happens." Ellie explained.

"If things don't go well?" Lance asked.

"What I mean is, if the percentage of a cure is low or if there's no way I'll survive the surgery I've decided I won't go through with it. I'm going back to Jackson with Curtis. At first I didn't care what happened to me, but I do now, I don't want to leave Curtis by himself, if it sounds selfish I guess it is." Ellie shrugged.

"I understand and I've got your back, you and Curtis, I'm sure Lance does too." Jane looked at Lance who nodded.

"Of course."

"Are you both sure? I want to try and help if I can, I'm just not sacrificing myself to do it. Six months ago, I'd have laid my life down to be a cure, things changed. If we have to fight our way out I don't want you both thinking you have to come."

"Isn't there another way Ellie?" Lance asked.

"It sounds silly, sure. But I want to do this for my father, I had a chance to be the cure, he didn't want me to die so it never happened. Now he's dead I honestly felt I had nothing left and was ready to die. I feel I'm betraying him if I don't at least try."

"Nothing Left Ellie, what about Curtis?" Jane asked.

Ellie looked at the ground. "I've been a very selfish person and only thought about myself for a lot of years, I wanted to atone for it by doing this. Trust me though, Curtis has made me realize I have everything in the world to live for. I want other people to have that chance, I don't want to debate the ethics of it, but I have to try. If this Doctor Clairmont won't respect my decision if it doesn't suit him then I just don't think he'll let me leave. Yes I could just turn back and find another way, but this is the only lead I've got in all these years since I was fourteen." This was taking a lot out of Ellie.

"You're a good person who wants to go a good thing, but if it means leaving Curtis alone in the world you can't do it, I'd be the same." Jane touched Ellie lightly on the shoulder.

"That's the bones of it, but I wish I could say I was a good person..."

"You are, you made mistakes is all." Curtis was ever in defence of Ellie.

"Yeah, I guess." Ellie said weakly.

Not much happened for a while and they all rode in silence, in tune with their surroundings and all ready in case the peacefulness of their journey came to a halt at a moments notice.

Soon afterwards Ellie made everyone stop.

"I thought I heard something, did anybody else hear it?" She asked.

"Your ears are sharper than mine sis." Curtis replied.

Jane and Lance shook their heads.

"Fine, Curtis come with me, can you two hold back, if there's infected about we won't be riding through them successfully." Ellie dismounted, checking Joel's revolver was fully loaded. Curtis had his bow drawn staying a couple of steps behind her. Lance stayed on his horse giving him a gentle pat then pulling out his rifle.

Jane dismounted. "Be careful you two." She whispered to herself.

"Ellie?"

"Yeah?" She said looking back at him.

"Are you going to shout?" Curtis asked.

"Not this time, I'd rather play this quietly."

A little further in Ellie stopped, as Curtis reached her she put her arm out to stop him then pointed.

Curtis looked and could see some shapes moving about.

"I'm going to sneak towards them, cover me okay?" Ellie got the nod from Curtis.

As Ellie got closer she saw some runners bent over, howling to themselves. She slit the throat of the first one and Curtis sent an arrow into the other one as it turned towards her.

A cracking sound was heard behind them, Ellie looked back.

"Fuck." Curtis had made the sound by accident, breaking a twig underfoot.

A roaring sound ahead shook the trees.

Ellie turned back around swiftly, a set of stalkers and a shambler came crashing towards them.

"Kill them!" Ellie shouted.

Curtis was on it, sending a Molotov cocktail into the rabble, lighting them up.

Ellie was having trouble getting a clean shot on a stalker and had to dive to her right to avoid the sprinting shambler, she put multiple revolver bullets into the back of its flaming head.

Jane put a stalker down as Lance took a couple down with his Winchester. As Ellie tried to get up a stalker dived on top of her, she managed to get the knife in her pocket out and plunge it into the creature's neck, finally dropping it. Another came at her and felt one of Curtis' arrows through it's skull.

Jane and Lance finished off the shambler, after that, they mounted their horses and rode off quickly as the forest around them blazed .

"Good job." Ellie said still getting her breath. "We all good?"

"Great, shame about the forest." Curtis replied.

"Sucks but we've got to keep moving." Lance told him.

"All fine, bit shaken up, how about you Ellie?" Jane asked.

Ellie gave the thumbs up. "I might not be a soldier, but I can be quite useful."

"How many days ride to your dad?" Curtis asked.

"Three usually, we're riding well so that's the plan. The base we're going to is run by a woman called Vanya, I have a letter from Monica to give them when we reach the base to explain the situation, it's what I'll use at every stop. Vanya knows me anyway, she's alright, but like Lance said, she won't want to feed and bed you and Curtis unless you pay your way. We've cleared that bunch of infected and anything else we come across should safely be payment enough." Jane explained.

"We've got enough of the bastards blood on us to prove ourselves." Curtis told her.

"Don't worry, me and Jane will explain and you'll both be good. They'll probably go and check our work to confirm what we say but I think that huge blazing area we just left behind shouldn't be hard for them to notice, even from many miles away." Lance told them.

Night was falling as they reached the base, the greeting was what Ellie expected.

Two armed guards had their rifles pointed at the foursome.

"Hands up, who are you?!" One demanded.

"Someone who's sick of raising their hands every ten minutes." Ellie replied sarcastically.

"Funny girl, now tell me who you all are!" The guard shouted back.

"It's Jane Middlemass from the Des Moines base run by Monica Green, also with me is fellow Bengal Lance Harrold. I have a letter from my boss explaining why we're here. The woman and boy are brother and sister and we're escorting them to Indiana. Everything is explained in the letter." Jane handed it to the guard.

"Wait yes, I remember you Jane, damn how are you, it's me Geffyn, we did ammunition's training together, I remember Lance too."

"Yep, I remember, good to see you, hey can we come in, I need to talk to Vanya about this, Monica gave it the okay." Jane told him.

Geffyn gave her the letter back. "Yeah all seems in order, come in, we should catch up or something."

"Later if you're about." Jane smiled.

"We're dating, so just in case you're thinking..." Lance was cut off.

"Nothing of the sort ladies man, just two friends. Okay in you go, better go and see her immediately." Geffyn gave Lance a cold stare then looked away.

The four went inside.

"Did you see the way he looked at you?" Curtis said to Lance.

"I did, he'd better watch himself or I'll beat his ass." Lance replied.

"I don't want to hear all that macho rubbish, it doesn't impress me." Jane told him.

"Yeah." Was lance's response.

Ellie was trying to ignore this, all she wanted to do was get to Vanya, tell her what was going on then move on the next day. As she was trying to think Lance called to her.

"Ellie, Ellie?"

"Huh what?"

"What did you think of that guy at the gate?"

"I don't give a shit about any of that stuff, all I want is to get my head down and move on tomorrow. Anyone who gets in my way is getting a bullet through their stupid head. Like I said, I'm The Best Fucking Gun in America, I'm not playing about here. Let's see the boss so me and Curtis can earn our beds for the night. No offence, I'm not trying to be a dick because you're friends but I don't want to know about anyone else's relationship drama, I've had enough of my own." She rarely heard another word about Jane and Lance's love life again, that's how she liked it.

There was silence again for a while until Jane showed someone at the reception area Monica's letter.

As they were led to Vanya the soldier told them to sit outside her office, again there was silence until Curtis cleared the tension.

"Is this what school feels like, it sucks hard."

Ellie replied. "When I was at the QZ in Boston I had to wait outside the head douche bag's office for fighting a few times. I definitely wasn't popular, and I got real handy at mopping up shit and blood."

"Who'd have guessed that?" Lance was clearly having a dig at Ellie for what she said earlier, she let it ride, she'd deserved it.

"Let me do the talking." Jane said. "Okay Ellie?"

"Sure, I hear you." Ellie smiled at Jane then looked at the floor, she felt a bit bad about going off at them earlier.

Finally the door opened and a woman in her early forties appeared, she had dark skin and waist length dreadlocks pulled back with an old red rag.

She looked at Jane. "Miss Middlemass, a pleasure to see you again."

"Ma'am." She replied.

"So you have two kids you need to get to Indiana?"

"Yes ma'am."

Vanya looked at Ellie. "Right Miss Middlemass, you and the girl in here now. Mr Harrold, you and the boy stay out here."

Lance nodded, Curtis said nothing.

Jane got up following Vanya into the office, Ellie following behind.

"Close the door young lady." Vanya said to Ellie, she did as she was asked. Vanya showed them their seats.

Once she had got herself comfortable she looked at Jane. "So what's this about Miss Middlemass?"

Jane handed Vanya the letter which read ~

To whom it may concern

I have entrusted two kids in the care of Jane Middlemass and Lance Harrold.

The girl has shown she is immune to the virus and is to be taken to Doctor Clairmont in Indiana to obtain a vaccine for a possible cure, the boy is her brother. They are to be given board and food, they should work for it mind. They are allies to The Bengals, they were in my hold for nearly two months and helped dispose of infected without question. They were held in detention because the girl had claimed to kill Stevenson Daniels, this was confirmed. Word was sent to Natasha Horne who agreed safe passage for them to Clairmont.

Monica Green, Des Moines Bengals

Vanya read this out loud then looked at Ellie. "You killed Daniels did you?"

"Yeah, with a sniper rifle, the guy wouldn't shut up." Ellie replied.

Vanya showed no emotion to this then looked at Jane. "I see you're both covered in blood, kill infected on the way here did you all?"

"Yes ma'am, I know the coordinates of the areas and the exact amount of infected we killed."

"Did you by any chance get word of a massive fire in the distance?" Ellie asked.

"It could be seen from here yes." Vanya replied dryly.

"That was me and Curtis paying for our bed and breakfast." Ellie unsurprisingly didn't like Vanya, she stared at her coldly.

"Fine, you and the boy can have an evening meal, your beds for the night and food in your tummy before you leave in the morning. There is something I think you both need to be aware of."

"What's that ma'am?" Jane asked.

"There was a...commotion here a while back, a lot of casualties. Were you thinking of seeing your father Miss Middlemass?"

"Yes, on the way."

"Right, well you both need to know two of Daniels' henchmen we're leading an attack here but we managed to drive them off."

"Were they called Lopez and Roberts by any chance?" Ellie asked.

"That's them yes, I don't know what happened to them only that they got away and were heading east, towards your dad's base." Vanya looked at Jane, concerned.

"Do, do you know anything else ma'am?" Jane asked.

"No, I'm afraid not. Get rest tonight and get gone in the morning and best of luck, all of you. Dismissed."

"This was months ago, you've heard nothing, did you try to get word to them?" Ellie asked.

"Yes but we've heard nothing back."

"But when Monica sent word to Horne about me surely someone checked." Ellie wasn't satisfied at all with what she was hearing.

"Sorry, no. You had better get going early tomorrow. Wait outside and someone will show you where you'll sleep tonight."

Jane was clearly worried as they left Vanya's office, Ellie didn't like Vanya one bit, she guessed she was hiding something but decided to leave it before she got herself into trouble.

"We'll ride hard tomorrow morning Jane I promise, if we have to push for sixteen, seventeen or eighteen hours, whatever it takes to make sure your father is okay." Ellie tried to comfort her.

"What happened?" Lance took hold of Jane. "Tell me, what did she say?"

Jane was unable to compose herself.

Ellie explained. "Apparently there was an attack on her dad's base and no word on whether he's okay or not."

"What the fuck?"

"We have to wait until morning I guess." Curtis said, he was feeling sad for Jane.

"Bed early, we ride early, we go hard. Jane would do this for us, we get there as soon as we can." Ellie told them.

Moments later they were shown their rooms.

After breakfast they were getting ready to ride until Lance spoke.

"Give me thirty seconds and I'll catch up."

"Why?" Ellie asked.

"I'll be with you, just go ahead."

"Be fucking quick then." Ellie said impatiently.

Lance nodded then entered the mess hall, went up to Geffyn and hit him hard on the jaw, his friend got up but Lance hit him too. He made a hasty retreat, a huge smile on his face.

Ellie, Curtis and Jane were mounting up.

"Ready?" Ellie asked.

"Fucking hurry up." Lance shouted, mounting his horse too.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Curtis asked with a grin.

In the distance Geffyn could be heard shouting angrily.

"I just punched that idiot sentry boy in the face, his buddy too. So let's do what Ellie said, ride hard and fast and get to Jane's father as quick as possible."

Jane said nothing, they got out of there quickly and made a long journey of the day.

It took them a day and a half to arrive, Ellie could see it had been eating away at Jane, she knew that feeling when Jesse had told her Joel and Tommy had gone missing, she knew Curtis understood that feeling too. Jane knew this, she had eaten and slept little, everyone was doing their best to keep her spirits up, she was grateful but until she knew what had happened to her dad she couldn't rest.

There was a single sentry at the gate.

Jane called. "It's Jane Middlemass, my dad is Roger Middlemass!"

They got closer and she recognized the sentry as Doug Fielding, he knew who she was too.

"Hey Jane did you hear about your dad?" Doug asked.

"No, that's why I'm here, what happened?"

"There was an attack on the base about eight weeks ago, your dad was injured but he's okay, I thought you'd have been here earlier to check up on him."

"I didn't even know what had happened until two days ago." Jane was crying. "But fuck, I've been so scared he was dead, I just want to see him."

"No problem, who are these guys?"

Jane introduced everyone. "This is my boyfriend Lance he's a Bengal too. These two are my friends, Ellie and Curtis, they're allies. I'll explain everything, but I just want to see my dad first."

"Sure, go right in."

Ellie liked this guy.

It was late afternoon and Jane had explained everything to her father then he had gone to see the woman in charge, a redhead called Sally Bull who was a longtime friend of his.

In the meantime Ellie, Curtis and Lance were waiting in the library area. Curtis was looking at all the books with Lance who showed the youngster a book about Robin Hood.

Curtis sat down next to Ellie putting the book down in front of her. "Look it's Robin Hood."

"We've got a few days here Curtis, you should read it." Her eyes were directed to the book Lance was waving in her face.

"It's about the old West, Ellie. Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, those kind of people. You know they were two of the Best Fucking Guns in America."

Ellie was actually intrigued, taking the book from him and opening it up. It started with a picture of two of the great American Outlaws Arthur Morgan and John Marston with the date 1899 on it.

"I'm not gonna lie, these two look like complete badasses, I could have lived in that era no problem." Ellie's eyes lit up and she was smiling her first genuine smile for what seemed like forever.

"You found just the right book for her." Curtis said to Lance gently laughing.

"I think so." He replied also smiling.

"Yeah, thank you, it looks like I've got some reading to do too." Ellie and Curtis read in peace for a while as Lance went looking for his own book to read.

Eventually Jane turned up and was a lot happier than she'd been the last two days.

"Sally Bull wants to see us all."

"Aww I was reading." Curtis whined.

"Come on, let's take the books with us, I'm sure she won't mind us borrowing them until we leave." Ellie replied.

"We have to sign the books out." Lance told them.

"Let's do it now then." Curtis said, Lance got the books signed out and the four were on their way to see Sally Bull.

Ellie and Jane went in together while Curtis and Lance waited outside.

"How are both of you?"

"Relieved ma'am, I didn't know if my dad or you were alive or not."

"Please, call me Sally, you've known me since you were a child, no formalities here."

Jane smiled and nodded thanks.

Sally looked at Ellie.

"I'm Ellie, Jane has a letter to explain everything."

"Yes, your dad told me everything Jane, but I'll look at the letter as a formality."

"What happened here?" Ellie asked.

"There was an attack about two months ago."

"Lopez and Roberts? Daniels' men?" Ellie knew but just wanted the confirmation.

"That's the bastards." Sally confirmed. "So you were the one to kill Daniels, finally someone had the gumption to end him. I don't know if word has reached his lieutenants but they're both dangerous men. True we sent them running but unfortunately them and a lot of soldiers got away. I think we were just fodder on the way to Natasha Horne, we've heard nothing since from them and no attack on Horne has come to fruition yet."

Ellie nodded, pondering what was said.

"Too much to expect the infected got them."

"It's possible Ellie." Jane said optimistically.

"Yeah but it's too easy, what do you think happened?" Ellie asked Sally.

"Maybe they're biding time as more of the New Eagles catch up to them."

"If they come past us we'll put them in the ground." Ellie warned.

"I don't doubt you, but be careful when you leave, they could possibly sneak up on you."

"Is it possible to get supplies before we go? I'm planning to stay two more days after today before we leave." Jane asked.

"Of course, whatever you need." Sally told her. "You should go and see your father, introduce your friends to him too. I will ask a favor of you all, that once a day you help do a sweep of the area for infected."

"We will, isn't that right Ellie?" Jane looked at her.

"Yeah, sure, of course, anything to help." Ellie replied.

"You'll love meeting my dad." She added.

"Look, you all relax today, then come and see me in the morning and I'll find some work for you, nothing too major, you obviously all know how to deal with infected, it will be greatly appreciated." Sally added.

"I'll be honest, out of the Bengal bosses I've met, you're the only one I like." Ellie said matter of factly.

"Ellie!" Jane seemed a little shocked.

"Don't make a big deal out of it Jane, I was just saying. You know me by now, I don't like most people and most of them don't like me." Ellie shrugged.

"Yes, either way we like each other and Sally is great." Jane said sternly.

"Agreed and agreed." Ellie raised her hands defensively.

Jane gently took hold of them and put them down. "Don't be silly."

"Jane is a worthy friend Ellie, but don't make her mad, even though you killed Daniels."

"Don't worry I won't, when I actually manage to make a friend I value that although sometimes it sounds like I don't." Ellie laughed.

"Go and meet Roger, Ellie, that's an order." Sally said. "Of you go both of you."

"I agree, too much of this emotional bullshit for me." Ellie got up, lightly saluted Sally and headed out.

"Ellie's awesome really, she's just not good with people." Jane explained.

"It's fine, I like her and she's your friend so that's all I need to know." Sally replied. "Now go and enjoy the rest of the day."

Jane got up thanking Sally and followed Ellie out.

"Right guys, time to meet my dad, Lance already has."

"What does your dad think of Lance?" Curtis asked.

"He thinks I'm the perfect picture of manhood." Lance said with a wide grin.

Sally slapped her head. "Something like that, come on let's go."

A few minutes later Jane knocked on her dad's door.

"Dad it's me, are you there?"

"Yes, come in." Roger called back.

They entered his room and were met with a smell of lavender and ginseng.

"Hello all, introductions please Jane and everyone take a seat." Roger said.

Ellie was last to take a seat after inspecting the room.

"Wait there's no more chairs." Ellie said.

"You've got the beanbag young lady." Roger pointed to it.

Ellie smiled and got comfy on the beanbag, she preferred it to a chair any day of the week.

Roger told them about Jane's mom Jerry, about the toy store and how proud he was of his daughter, they all shared stories. Ellie had shared the story of Joel and herself meeting the giraffe and how it was the first time she'd ever seen one, how she would forever see them as majestic and magical as any unicorn.

Later Ellie and Curtis went to their room and left Jane with her father and Lance. Lance was in a great mood because Roger had admitted always liking him, and maybe he'd be good for Jane. Curtis had butted in saying Jane was definitely good for him, they laughed, Ellie kind of smiled a bit but the jollities were too much for her again and she'd feigned a slight headache. Curtis had left with her of course.

When they got to their room Curtis said. "You don't have a headache do you?"

"No, not really. Don't get me wrong, I love the old guy but I'm just not good with all the laughter and emotions. You know I'm happy they're happy, just, I don't know Curtis, it's just not me, sorry okay?" Ellie opened her bag and pulled out her book on American Outlaws.

"I understand."

"If you want to go back and hang out with them go, don't let me stop you."

"No Ellie, it's you and me. Now read me something from your gunslinger book, I'll get back to reading Robin Hood when you fall asleep, I'm always up later than you." Curtis sat down next to her. "Come on, read something."

"Okay, I like these two guys Arthur Morgan and John Marston, There's a story here about them. What's funny about these two compared to the other outlaws there's stories about them doing good for people who faced hard times."

"Reminds me of Robin Hood, kinda like rob from the rich to give to the poor." Curtis added.

"I don't know, maybe, but listen to this. In 1899 the American Outlaws Arthur Morgan and John Marston, had been wanted by the law for murder and train robberies. But there are stories of the two men doing good. Accounts tell of them helping people in need, here is one such story. A woman from Iowa by the name of René Page tells us her story: 'I was alone in an old shack on the outskirts of the countryside with two children and a husband six feet under the ground. I had borrowed some money from a man of poor repute to see us through the summer with plans of finding work to pay them off and see ourselves through the fall and winter. I didn't know how to hunt and my two children were barely old enough to pick up a bow. I had been visited by five men threatening us if we didn't get payment soon. Threats of having our home burned to the ground, and my children being left without a mother too. The second time they came on my land one of the so called men, nothing but a wild animal, beat me hard in front of my children while one of the others urinated on my husbands' grave. They told me the third time would be the last time. I was frightened and I didn't know what to do. I prayed beside my husband Albert's grave, I thought about leaving but I didn't know where to go. Some days later two men rode through, I came out and could do nothing more than look at them, I knew these were tough men who were hardened by conflict, possibly even outlaws. They rode towards me, one had long dark hair and a scar on his face, the other had length to his hair also, but he didn't look well and was coughing a lot. I asked for assistance expecting none in return. The man with the cough asked what was wrong and I explained everything. At first I thought they would ride on, they introduced themselves as Arthur Morgan and John Marston. Arthur said he and John would stay to drive these men off. Both men taught me to shoot promising me firearms and ammunition of my own before they moved on.

When eventually the men came back to burn the house down and leave my children orphans there was nine of the evil, chortling hyenas. When all was said and done Arthur and John had executed all nine of them. I had never been comfortable with a gun but they had taught me to defend myself and I was happy to take one of the deadman's pistol, as well as a bow, shotgun and a rifle. Arthur and John would bury these men and Arthur would give me a lot of money to get out of there and start afresh which is exactly what I did. I started a new life, I could fend for myself and now so can my children. I owe my life to those two men Arthur and John. It doesn't matter what they had done beforehand, I honestly believe these were two men trying to atone for their sins. I wish they both found what they were looking for, every man has the right to a fresh start.' Wow that's quite the story Curtis, I think my life is mirroring theirs." Ellie exhaled deeply.

"I can see that Ellie yeah, so keep mirroring it, remember for all our mistakes you've got to keep trying to do right."

"I know, I really do, it's so tough sometimes."

"I'll bet it was for Arthur and John too, so keep trying because you're doing great and for what it's worth I'm proud of you Ellie."

"It's worth everything to me, thank you and I will keep trying."

"Good. Okay I'll read a little of Robin Hood, see what you think."

"Sounds good." Ellie listened to him read until he went to his bed to read in silence an hour or so later.

Before they rested their heads Ellie said. "You help me a lot you know little brother, more than you know."

Curtis looked up at her with a beaming smile before returning to his book.

Ellie turned back to her book, mirroring his smile.

The next morning Curtis awoke to see Ellie sprawled beside her book, sleeping at the table.

He rolled his eyes and silently made himself a drink, although Ellie's senses were tuned finely and she woke up at his slightest sound.

"Huh wha...?"

"Sorry sis, it's morning, I was making a drink, I didn't mean to wake you."

Ellie rubbed her eyes. "It's fine, dang I fell asleep at the table. Out with it, I know you're going to scold me for not sleeping in the bed."

"Nothing of the sort." Curtis drank.

Ellie nodded and shrugged. "Fair enough, did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Another dream of Joel, I can't remember it very well, all I remember is we were riding through the snow then we came to a cliff, Joel rode off it and I couldn't stop him. These dreams continue to haunt me. Do you ever dream of your family, I know you'd have told me if you'd dreamt of your aunt."

"I don't dream about them much, definitely not auntie, if I ever do I'll tell you."

"Okay, I guess we'd better get our orders for the day." Ellie got her backpack in order then they both went to see Sally.

The day was fairly routine, they killed some infected, spent more time with Roger (Ellie really liked the old guy). They read their books, ate together then retreated back to their room for the night only to get ready to repeat the process the next day.

This time it was Ellie who woke first, from her bed.

"You awake yet?" She asked Curtis.

"Yeah I guess so."

"Let's get another sweep done, earlier the better then we can prepare for our leave tomorrow."

"Lead the way."

They went to get their orders from Sally for the final time.

It was just Ellie and Curtis doing a sweep by themselves again, Ellie preferred it that way.

There didn't seem to be much going on.

"Let's stay out a bit longer Curtis, I want to be sure we've covered everything before we head back."

"Sure, best to do our job properly. We are the best after all."

Ellie nodded in agreement.

They traveled around the area for a bit longer until Ellie put her finger to her mouth, she could hear sound in the distance.

"Can you hear that?"

"I can hear something, is that the sound of horses?"

"That's exactly what it is." Ellie agreed.

"New Eagles?"

"Fuck! We need to see for ourselves then ride back to the base as hard as we can."

"Shouldn't we just go now?"

"Maybe, I just want to confirm it." Ellie pulled out her binoculars and focused them in the direction of the noise.

She waited until she saw something, it wasn't good, the lead rider had a flag mounted on his steed, an upside down Stars and Stripes with the eagle in the middle.

"Confirmed, it's the Eagles." She passed the binoculars to Curtis who's mouth dropped, he gave the binoculars back.

"We need to get back fast." He was almost hysterical.

They galloped hard for the base.

The sentry could see something was troubling them.

"What's up?" He asked.

"New Eagles coming this way." Curtis replied, trying to catch his breath.

The sentry looked at Ellie.

"This isn't a joke, let us in we need to warn everyone." Ellie replied.

"Shit!" The sentry let them in and bells were rang in warning.

Everyone was being warned of the ensuing intruders.

Ellie ran to the reception area to tell them what they saw. Soldiers were coming out in mass, ready for another attack.

Sally came with them, she stopped in front of Ellie.

"Are you sure it was the New Eagles Ellie?"

"Head rider had the flag mounted on his horse, they were coming right towards us. A good hundred soldiers, me and Curtis couldn't deal with them by ourselves."

"Okay, you're both going to come with us aren't you?"

"Of course."

Jane and Lance were next out, ready to fight.

"Eagles?" Jane asked.

"Yeah." Curtis replied.

"Let's fuck 'em up and celebrate later." Lance added.

"What about Roger?" Curtis asked.

"He's hanging back, let's go, we'll see each other at the other end." Jane gave them a thumbs up as she and Lance went ahead.

"You two stay with me." Sally said.

"Okay, I'm really tired of these assholes." Ellie replied, checking Joel's revolver was fully loaded, the most sacred of all her weapons.

"Follow me." Jane said as they pushed forward on foot.

There were sentries everywhere, mounted soldiers, bowmen and bombers at the ready.

Soon enough the sound of enemy soldiers was heard, Ellie could feel the anxiety and atmosphere of what was to come.

She looked at Curtis. "If anything happens to me you know the plan."

"You aren't dying today or anytime soon Ellie, I'm sick of telling you this." He replied with annoyance.

"You're right." Ellie wouldn't be happy until she dropped as many of these people as she could.

The first shot fired moments later and everything became a blur afterwards.

Ellie remembered blowing the heads of some of them, although she didn't escape a scathing herself. An arrow hit her in the right shoulder, it broke as she tried to pull it out.

"Fuck." She held the wound, but the adrenaline kicked in and she continued the fight. A mounted Eagle got too close and she grabbed him by the waist dragging him to the ground. Unfortunately for her he was able to overpower her and get on top of her. She bit into his nose, tearing through the cartilage and spitting the stringy globule of flesh away. He screamed as she pushed him off and repeatedly hacked into his face with her butterfly knife, one of his eyes exploded, the hot jelly covering her shirt. An arrow whizzed by her and hit an Eagle in the heart who dropped only yards from Ellie. She turned to see Curtis give her a thumbs up. Ellie immediately threw the knife into the head of an enemy soldier who was getting too close to Curtis.

Ellie retrieved her knife.

"Fuck, Ellie your shoulder." Curtis grabbed the remaining bit of arrow and pulled it out.

"Shit!" Ellie felt every bit of it. "Come on Curtis let's finish these bastards."

"Aye, aye sis."

They continued their fight.

Eventually the Eagles made a retreat, although Ellie noticed their direction was in the one headed towards Natasha Horne.

Ellie immediately looked for Curtis, he was alive although obviously scathed too. She tried to find Jane and Lance too, they were alright as well. Ellie felt a lot better about it now, but she was finding it hard to move her right arm. She went towards Curtis who noticed and ran to her.

"How's your arm?"

"I can't move it much."

"That's not good."

"I'll get it tended to shortly, let's check on Jane and Lance." Ellie tripped over a soldier landing on her injured soldier. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

Curtis helped her up, she took the assistance from him gratefully. She spat angrily on the corpse.

"Fuck you shit-bag." She kicked the dead man hard then held her shoulder, wincing in pain.

Jane noticed Ellie and her face dropped. "Ellie, damn, are you okay? Curtis?"

"I'm alright, I don't think Ellie can move her arm."

"Yeah and I go and fall over a dead body and make it worse."

"We'll see to it." Jane inspected it.

"I'll stitch it up myself." Ellie replied.

"I'll do it, don't argue."

Later on the bodies of both Bengals and Eagles were loaded onto lorries. Bengals to be buried and Eagles to be fed to the fish.

Lance and Curtis had gone to see Roger and get him up to date on the morning's invasion.

Sally had sent Ellie to the infirmary, Jane had gone with her, as her tending nurse.

Ellie insisted on stitching her wound up by herself.

"Ellie you don't have to prove your toughness to me. I know what I'm doing, so trust me as a friend and someone who actually knows what they're doing."

"Thanks, I'm not really used to someone else doing this sort of thing for me, although my ex girlfriend Dina was handy like that."

"Dina seems pretty cool, I'm sorry things didn't work out between the both of you."

"It's fine, I'm honestly over it now."

"I know I've only just started seeing Lance, but if I wasn't I'd definitely ask if you were available."

Ellie waved the thought away with her good arm. "No, I'm not good for anyone at the moment, I just hurt them."

"It's like I said though, I'm happy with Lance, but if I was single, you know."

"Thanks Jane, I appreciate it, and if you were single I wouldn't say no. But I'm not kidding, I hurt people, not on purpose but I have a knack for it. Lance is good for you, try and make it work."

"Thank you also Ellie."

"For what exactly?"

"Not shooting him that day, and that he didn't shoot you either." Jane smiled, to Ellie it was infectious.

Ellie laughed. "Me too, who'd have thought the guy wasn't a complete dumbass like I first thought."

"Ellie! He's a guy, give him a break, they're all dumbasses."

"I know, although there's hope for Curtis."

"Yeah he's a good kid, I think it's so adorable how you both look out for each other. Now I know you Ellie, you'll come back at me with 'I ain't adorable Jane, I'm too dark and brooding for that' but yes sometimes you're downright sweet."

"Urgh, I admittedly have some good points I guess." Ellie shrugged then wished she hadn't. "Dang, my arm feels like cement."

"Tomorrow we're leaving, when I return I'm being stationed here with dad, Sally has sent a letter to Monica to accept a transfer request for me and Lance. I want to thank you for that too, I should have done it earlier."

"You're welcome, you're a good friend and I'm glad we met, you deserve to be here, I never liked Monica anyway. I'm sorry to drag you to Indiana, but I'm going to talk to Sally about both of you staying here. Me and Curtis will do the remaining trek alone."

"Wait, why?"

"It's safer for you Jane, like I said I mess up any friendship I have one way or another, I'm not messing things up with you, I'm doing right by you both."

"I could die tomorrow on a hunt, Lance could die today falling off a horse. We're coming with you. I understand what you're saying Ellie but danger and death surrounds us all the time."

"Think about it Jane, if you really want to come tomorrow, fine, great. But if not just know you've got my blessing, for all it's worth, to stay here."

"Ellie..."

"Please Jane, please just think about it."

"Fine Ellie."

"Really think about it."

"I'll give you my answer at breakfast tomorrow. Now just rest for the day, let's go and see dad, drink some relaxing tea and just enjoy the rest of the day. After what happened earlier I need any distraction I can to get that bloodshed out of my mind."

"I hear you, you win."

Jane gave Ellie a hug knowing it wouldn't be reciprocated.

Ellie winced.

"Damn, sorry, sorry. You're just so huggable."

Ellie smiled gingerly. "Shut up you, let's go and drink some of your dad's tea, it's much better than coffee."

"It will help take away some of the pain too."

"I need a reminder of that pain though, it reminds me not to get lazy."

"Yeah I understand, just relax for the rest of the day Ellie."

"That's a word I've never understood Jane."

"So tell me Ellie, why don't you like coffee?" Roger asked.

Ellie was sipping ginseng on the beanbag. "My dad used to drink it, I was never a fan though, tasted like burnt shit to me."

"Eloquent as ever my friend." Lance replied.

"Sarcastic as ever buddy." Ellie fired back.

"No arguing please." Jane said sternly.

"Would I dare?" Lance replied...sarcastically.

"He's right though about me, but I won't change." Ellie sipped away at the ginseng.

"And we love you for it, I said, without sarcasm." Lance replied, getting a thumbs up from Ellie.

"Well I like you all and it's a pleasure to have met you, Curtis and Ellie."

"Likewise Roger and thanks for telling me stuff about Robin Hood." Curtis replied.

Roger got up. "Before I forget young man I have some videos of Robin Hood movies, they're yours now." He handed them over. "And a movie for the lady." It was about Arthur and John, called Redemption in Red.

"Wow thanks Roger, I can't wait to see him use a bow and arrow." Curtis was beaming.

"Yeah, thank you so much, I'll watch these with Curtis when we get back to Jackson." Ellie couldn't hide her excitement either.

"Also I spoke to the Head Librarian and the two of you can keep a hold of your books until you return here." Roger added.

"Fuck yeah." Curtis laughed. "I'm not apologizing for my language either."

"Never say sorry for fucking swearing." Ellie winked at him.

"I used to cuss for America when I was a young shit like you four." Roger joined in laughing.

"When I marry your daughter I'll say 'I Mother Fucking do' if you please." Lance added.

Jane was staring open mouthed.

"Jane won't swear." Curtis said grinning at her.

"I'd prefer not to." She replied.

"Jane is the voice of reason here, the sensible one, but wait a minute, she listens to the Something Surfers, what's their name again?" Ellie pursed her lips in an impish grin.

"What, come on, you don't really need me to say it do you?"

Ellie raised her eyebrows at her friend. "Hmmm?"

"Butthole Surfers, okay happy?"

"That's the one my friend." Ellie winked.

Jane winked back, rolling her eyes.

Eventually it was time to ride out, say their goodbyes and make their way to Natasha Horne. There they would find their safe passage to the Illinois border. It would take them three hard, long days of riding. The four of them were capable enough of taking the infected down although Ellie was starting to feel the pressure of what was ahead, the fresh spring heat was getting to her and feeding her nightmares. She hadn't said anything but the others knew, they could hear her troubles.

The morning before they got to Horne, Ellie had woken up in a deep sweat. Curtis had woken her, worry on his face.

"You were screaming Ellie, screaming about Joel! I had to wake you, I couldn't stand it anymore."

Ellie couldn't reply, she was just trying to get her breath, and her heart was in overdrive, she wiped her sweaty hair back, it had grown a fair amount since she'd met Curtis, she felt like cutting it all off. She tied it back in a ponytail and dropped back down again.

"I feel like shit, why can't these nightmares leave me alone?" She was shaking. "I'm sick of them, I lost my father, I don't need to be reminded of it every night, I live with the pain every moment of my waking life."

"I know how you feel sis, I wish I could take them away." Curtis put his arm around her. After a few moments he pulled away and offered her some water, she happily drank it.

"Breakfast is rabbit, again." Lance was cooking one.

"No thanks man, I feel awful." Ellie swatted at thin air.

"You'll eat Ellie." Curtis handed her the meat.

"No."

Curtis wouldn't budge. Ellie gave him that stern look that usually worked on people, it didn't work on him.

"Fine, you win." Ellie shrugged, took the meat and ate.

"We can wait if you need some time." Jane offered.

Ellie declined then they set off again to Cedar Rapids.

Ellie hadn't felt right all day, but eventually they made it to the biggest base she had seen since she had left Jackson.

"Whoa." Curtis looked up in awe. It resembled something out of space, surrounded by a jungle.

"It looks like a NASA base." Ellie chirped in.

"Is that to do with the spaceships?" Lance asked.

"Yeah if I'd been born in a different time I'd have become an astronaut, it's all I wanted to be. But yeah, just another bullshit hope I had as a kid."

"If you'd had the chance you would have done it sis, no debate."

Ellie nodded. "Maybe, let's just get inside there."

Jane took the lead as they came upon the two sentries.

"Who are you four?" One of them asked, female, Indian, with bright brown eyes and hair in a braid.

"Jane Middlemass from the Des Moines base."

"Oh yes we heard about you, the girl here, she's the immune one?"

"I have a name you ignorant fuck."

"Ellie!" Jane gave her a hard look.

"I wouldn't worry about it, she's not the first scummy kid to run her mouth around here."

"What did you just call me!?"

"Let's just get inside, it's been a tough day and Ellie is sorry, aren't you Ellie?" Jane didn't get an answer.

"Go in, but if anyone acts like this around the boss you're getting booted right back out." The other sentry explained, this one a male with pale features and short brown wispy hair.

Ellie kept her mouth shut as they entered, she left everything to Jane who sorted out the night's accommodation and a time to meet Natasha Horne. They had an hour to wait.

"Ellie let's just get through this and be as civil as we can. When it's just the four of us by all means never change, I wouldn't want you to. You know that, but we're asking for help." Jane put a gentle hand on Ellie's shoulder. "I feel like exploding too sometimes."

"Fine Jane, I'll be glad when this is all over. When me and Curtis go back to Jackson you two keep in touch, write."

"We will." Lance said.

"If you get married come to Jackson, I'm done with all this adventure rubbish." Curtis laughed, the way he said it showed he wasn't joking though.

Soon enough Ellie and Jane were called for to see Horne.

"About fucking time."

"Ellie remember what I said."

"I'll behave until we're out of here."

"Just until then, I'll look forward to your potty mouth when we're done with all this."

Ellie looked at the floor and nodded. "We're two kids being sent to teacher again."

"It's fine because I'm the prefect and this prefect has your back."

Ellie responded with a brief smile.

Jane knocked as they entered her headquarters.

"Come in, I've been expecting you!" Presumably Horne, Ellie guessed.

As they entered a massive, sterile white room full of writing boards, files and and a big screen, five people were seated around a long row of tables. A map with detailed coordinates inked in red and blue lay in front of them.

"Hello, Jane and Ellie, I'm Natasha Horne, to my right is Julio Gomes and Perry Stanton, on my left is Heather Waters and my daughter Melissa."

Natasha had a mix of Asian and Caucasian, and was as tall as the two men seated next to her.

Melissa looked up, said nothing and looked away, Ellie instantly disliked her. Heather smiled, she had blonde fuzzy hair and freckles.

Julio gave the women a respectful nod.

Perry didn't even look up, his head was shaved and he was built like a truck, Ellie had a deep desire to smash a bottle over his fat head.

"Sit both of you. I know all about Ellie here and what you want from me, but first I'd like to talk to you both about something else before we get to that."

Ellie sat and crossed her arms, looking intently at Natasha.

"Is there something wrong Ellie?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah actually, I..."

"No problem." Interrupted Jane.

"Miss Middlemass, If Ellie has a problem I'd like to know before we proceed."

Jane sighed.

"I'm not a kid in detention, I just want to get to Clairmont, and give him a chance at a cure. I want to get going as soon as I can, I don't want to bother anyone or be bothered by anyone." Ellie explained.

"You don't talk to my mom like that!"

"How about I just punch you right in your face Melissa? Or do you just act tough because you're protected?"

Julio smirked at this, obviously amused.

As much as Jane had warned Ellie to behave, nothing could stop her from admiring how her friend clearly feared no one.

Natasha waved her hands about. "Enough! Ellie you clearly feel uncomfortable here, just listen to me for one whole minute then it's your turn. We'll get everything in place for you tomorrow morning."

"Fine, be my guest."

"Thank you very much Ellie. Now you both know I've approved your trip to Indiana..."

"She'll get killed by infected, look at her."

"Perry don't interrupt..."

"Hey Perry why don't you test me, you'll have one of these chairs wrapped around your fat ass by the time we're done." Ellie's eyes were blazing, Perry was going red like a radish.

"I don't care if you're a skinny kid, you fuck with me I'll kill you."

"Leave her alone." Heather told him.

"This twerp wants help then proceeds to threaten us."

"No Perry, just you and Melissa, Julio and Heather seem okay to me. Sorry about their poor manners, I must rub off on people quicker than I thought. You'd better continue Natasha before Perry makes a huge mistake."

"No more threats! You'll be gone tomorrow with my blessing but obviously I want a favor in return."

"Kill infected, yeah, blah blah, where do I sign up?" Ellie was on the ball with these Bengals.

"You're sharp Ellie, you and your friends earn their bed and board tonight. The five of us will be going too, we get a huge sweep done, it's a big area and because you murder Mr Daniels you're obviously someone who won't mind joining in some infected slaughter."

"Only fair, just say the word, that okay Jane?"

"Like you say Ellie, it's only fair."

Ellie reiterated her story to Horne, this time Melissa and Perry kept their opinions to themselves. They disliked Ellie as much as she felt the same contempt for them.

"So if I get this straight Ellie, you want to do this incredible task as a last wish for your father?" Natasha asked, in a way Ellie found distasteful.

"Yeah, he saved my life more than once, I stupidly never told him how grateful I was, I regret that every day. I want to do this for him, and for other people who are lucky enough to have a dad like mine."

"But Joel wasn't your real dad was he?" The leader of the Bengals smiled back.

"He was my fucking dad! More than that right there is your daughter!"

Melissa got up and went to grab Ellie in a rage, Ellie grabbed her by the wrist and twisted.

"Fuck!" Melissa cried.

Natasha separated them. "No more, you two out. We'll see you both very soon. I can't say I won't be glad to see you go."

Ellie smirked. "I'm as popular as ever."

"I'll get you, you goddam little bitch!" Melissa was being held back by her mom.

"No, we need to keep our heads. I'm not going on a hunt with everyone fighting." Jane piped in.

"There, finally someone with some grey matter. No more fighting and I mean it, even you dearest daughter or you'll be put on report."

Melissa was still steaming, but she looked at the ground ashamed of herself. "Understood."

"Okay then, as Jane says we keep our heads, we're better than that." Natasha looked at Ellie, Ellie turned away for the door.

Ellie was glad to leave the room, they would saddle up within the hour to go on another hunt.

"Before you say anything Jane, I'm sorry okay? I just don't like grunts staring at me like I'm pond scum. Also that comment about Joel, I wasn't going to tolerate it."

"We got away with it Ellie, this time, I'll admit you made me laugh in there. Yeah it's like Natasha found what you were saying funny, I've met her before, she's usually so nice. I don't know, maybe she's having an off day."

"I couldn't care less how her day is going, clearly she doesn't care about mine. Thanks for not telling me to shove it and leaving me too though because I'd probably deserve it. I do try really I do but people set me off, I can't just sit there and tolerate it , Joel wouldn't, my uncle Tommy wouldn't, I've told Curtis to never tolerate it either."

"I'm not leaving you, I'm not Dina." Jane put her hands to her mouth in surprise. "Shit, sorry that came out wrong, I only meant...I'm sorry."

Ellie waved the apology away. "I just want to get our favor payed, if them people in there leave me alone we're good. I'm not tolerating another Zara."

"We'll keep our heads down and do our job. We're good at that at least and they won't be able to question that. Come on, we'll get Curtis and Lance then we'll go over your breathing exercises."

"Oh haha Jane."

Curtis and Lance were entertaining themselves with a magic trick Lance had learned with a pack of cards.

"How did it go?" Lance asked.

"Ellie managed to piss everyone off." Jane began to laugh.

Lance raised his eyebrow at Ellie.

Ellie exhaled and shrugged. "There was five of them, Horne made fun of my dad, her daughter insulted me and some knuckle dragging grunt next to her was looking for a fight. What can I say, my sparkling personality and prize winning smile gets them every time."

Curtis was laughing too now. It was infectious, Lance joined in the jollities.

Ellie didn't join in. "I'm worried her daughter is another Zara, they want the typical favor from us. Do a hunt, earn our keep, I just want to get out of here tomorrow."

"You didn't start the fight with Zara, so don't start a fight with anyone sis, they can't blame you for anything. Fuck them, the four of us have each other's back."

"Yeah don't worry Curtis I know and I'm grateful, you know that."

"None of what happened to Zara was your fault." Curtis added.

"Not everyone would see it that way bro. This time tomorrow we're long gone."

"I'm surprised you still want to go to Indiana after all this, you've got more courage than me Ellie, I'd have turned back by now." Lance put his deck of cards away.

"It's for Joel, I have to Lance. When me and Curtis get back to Jackson you'd better believe it's the quiet life for me and Curtis after that. Kill some infected, sure, but other than that get back to the community life. I've got a lot of apologizing to do when I get back."

"Everyone will forgive you sis."

"Maybe, but I've made huge mistakes, I'll have a lot of making up to do."

Curtis nodded. "Let's worry about that nearer the time."

"I agree, that's easy compared to where we're going." Ellie took a deep breath, exhaled, patted Curtis on the back and said. "Time to get this bullshit over and done with, I feel like I've said that way too much."

"Who'd have thought sis, people wanting favors for favors. That's just the way it is it seems."

"Bengals aren't much different to the Black-horns, we just make ourselves sound like we're not just mercs." Lance added.

"We're not quite like them Lance."

"Jane I'm not saying there's not good people in our group, but there's bad too. One thing for sure, we're nothing like the New Eagles. The Pegasus, well they seem okay enough for fanatics."

"I'm not going to lie, apart from you guys I don't really like anyone from any of these groups. I'll never join them and they're nothing but an annoyance. I understand some of what they do and why they do it, but, who cares what I think? Forget it, time to do what we do, kill."

Back in the sterile white room Natasha Horne was having choice words with her best soldiers.

"I've heard about this Ellie girl, she's dangerous and not to be trusted."

"She killed Daniels, so what? If I'd been in an upstairs room looking down on him I could have made that shot mom."

"That's not the point, keep an eye on her, she'll be gone tomorrow and it's important we get a cure from her."

"I hope Doctor Clairmont removes her brain and burns it." Melissa replied.

Heather and Julio remained quiet, Perry did not.

"Why don't we just see they have a little accident." He said.

Heather rolled her eyes thinking what a clichéd boring imbecile he was, she would keep the peace though, nothing to do with her.

"No Perry, think about the cure, after she's given it to the good Doctor it doesn't matter what happens to her."

"Okay boss, I can go with that, doesn't mean we can't take care of the boy she hangs around with."

"Her brother." Julio added.

"We have about forty five minutes to get ready. I'll see you ready and mounted in thirty, dismissed."

They left, only Julio had other plans.

Julio made a by for his room then did a right. He found the four hovering near the entrance.

"Hey!" He called, the four looked at him. He whispered in Ellie's ear. "Watch them, they're out to get you all."

"Wha- what do you mean?" Ellie asked.

"Just watch them." Julio turned around and left, unaware that Perry had been following him.

"What was that about?" Jane asked perplexedly.

"You know what I said earlier about not wanting another 'Zara Incident' looks like the little group has it in for us."

"But why, just because you lost your temper? This isn't on you Ellie. If what Julio's saying is true then there's some deep rooted problems in the Bengals even I don't know about."

"Are you having second thoughts about being a Bengal?" Lance asked.

"It's not that it's just...look let's just get ready. We have a job to do."

"Same old shit isn't that right?" Curtis replied.

"It certainly is. I'll keep my head but if anyone tries anything I'll gun them down, even Natasha Horne."

"Ellie shush, keep it down."

"Fine Jane, fine, but you know my cards, that's all I'm saying."

Jane took Ellie by the arm and led her outside, the boys followed quickly behind them.

"If something happens we have your back Ellie, you know that. But for now we don't even mention it okay?"

"That's for the best."

Soon they were mounted up, Natasha and her group came momentarily afterwards.

"Eager to get going are we all?" Natasha asked.

"Always, no one can say we don't do our jobs."

"Quite, Miss Middlemass."

Everyone followed Natasha who was flanked by Julio and Heather. Perry and Melissa were behind everyone. Ellie didn't like it but kept her cool, this wouldn't go down like it did before, it couldn't.

Everyone chatted quietly, Ellie told Curtis she needed to be alone in her thoughts. Curtis understood what she meant, they wouldn't be talking again until they slaughtered more infected, if they survived it, how much longer could they he wondered.

Not long after, Natasha brought her horse to a halt. "Up ahead through this thicket and even along the roadside is where a lot of infected appear. It's a throughway and it's rarely clear. Once we tidy up any mess we'll scout for a bit longer then get back for a hot meal. Okay with you Ellie?"

"Huh?" She was thinking to herself.

Natasha repeated herself patiently. "I'm asking you because, aren't you the leader among this group?"

"No leaders here, just equals."

Natasha smirked. "Sure, okay everyone knows what to do. If we stay close by one another we won't have any problems." She fired a flare gun, to Ellie's surprise. She looked at her friends, they were too.

Ellie held it together, she was always ready.

The first sound of an infected was heard in the distance, not too far. Close enough that they could gain ground in seconds. She pulled out Joel's revolver, it had never let her down yet, she knew it never would.

"Nice pet you got there." Perry said looking coldly at Ellie.

"It was Joel's." She kissed her charm, returning the glare.

Infected were coming closer but the two were just staring at each other.

"I'd appreciate if you two idiots could focus on the infected." Natasha replied impatiently.

Perry looked away first.

Ellie looked to Curtis. "Come on you're with me. Jane, I'll see you and Lance at the other end." Ellie put her finger to her lips and nodded for Curtis to get his bow ready, the two took the lead.

The first two infected were runners, Curtis downed one with a clean headshot, Ellie blew the other's head off in a celebration of jelly. It stood momentarily.

"Drop you sack of shit." Ellie ordered the creature, it obeyed.

Everyone else had dismounted and were all sweeping the area.

There was nothing more than a set of clickers, a few more runners and a tricky stalker. Everything seemed to be fine until Natasha made an error of judgment.

"Perhaps Ellie, if Joel had been more careful he'd still be here now."

The rage began to build inside Ellie, all she could see was Joel, all she could remember was he had died and she couldn't save him.

She turned, plunging her butterfly knife into Horne's kidneys.

"Ellie no!" Curtis cried, already knowing he was too late.

Ellie gripped Horne around the throat with her damaged hand.

She held her knife to the woman's throat as Melissa screamed.

"Mom, no, you fucking piece of shit!" Melissa fired wildly towards Ellie who threw the girl's mom in her way. One of Melissa's bullets hit her mom in the the shoulder.

Curtis sent an arrow into Melissa's head.

Perry turned towards Curtis, Jane and Curtis simultaneously put a bullet into Perry who also died instantly.

Julio and Heather dropped their weapons, raising their hands.

Curtis and Lance had their weapons trained on them.

Ellie continuously stabbed the leader of the Bengals who's strength was ebbing quickly, it would never have been a match for Ellie's animalistic nature.

She could hear Jane's pleas but they didn't register, she finished Horne off with one clean slice to the jugular vein. Blood sprayed her face illuminating her anger, as Horne's eyes glazed over. Ellie wasn't satisfied, it took one well placed fist to the nose, exploding it to finally end the woman's life.

"Fucking die already you goddam snake!"

Ellie dropped to the ground breathing hard, not caring about the blood staining her clothes. She unsuccessfully tried wiping the crimson from her face.

"What have you done?!" Jane was hysterical.

Ellie still hadn't returned to her normal self.

"Ellie!"

Finally she looked at her, she didn't recognize that look in her eyes, it scared her.

She shook her head trying to bring herself back to the surface. Eventually the demons swarming her mind flew away awaiting a swift return.

She took deep breaths, hands on her heart, she had been doing that a lot recently. Controlling herself hadn't been easy, the PTSD was crushing to her and the anger she had bottled up had viciously flowed out of her like a disintegrating sun.

It finally clicked in her, she had made a massive mistake and the usually accepting Jane Middlemass had seen the side of her she had hoped she never would. She had done some shitty things, she had murdered in front of her, but this? This may have been a step too far for her friend.

She looked back at her. "Jane I..."

"What the fuck did you just do, have you gone insane Ellie?" She cried.

Ellie looked at the knife in her hands, then at her arms, caked in claret. She finally looked back at Horne, the realisation kicking in, it was already done, why mourn now?

"She shouldn't have made fun of Joel then." Curtis replied.

"What are you going to do with us?" Heather asked.

"Take your backpacks off and kick your guns towards us. Then fuck off, make up a lie then leave us alone." Ellie told them.

"That's the deal?" Julio asked.

"You warned us, you didn't have to. I'm doing you a solid back, just lie about what happened here."

Heather and Julio did as they were told, Curtis and Lance picked up the goods.

Curtis lit up a Molotov cocktail, he looked at Ellie. "Should I do the honors Ellie?"

"Light them up."

Curtis threw the bomb on the three corpses and everyone backed up.

"You two go, we're riding on to Illinois."

"Thanks Ellie, it was an accident, something went wrong right Heather?"

"Right."

Julio and Heather rode away.

"We need to get going now!" Ellie mounted up, followed quickly by Curtis. "Are you coming Jane?"

"Yeah, I guess." She was clearly disappointed by Ellie, but Ellie didn't have time for her emotional problem.

"She shouldn't have made fun of Joel, fuck her, fuck her daughter, fuck Perry."

"Sure Ellie, whatever."

"You okay Lance?"

"Yeah Ellie I understand why you did it, you've got quite the portfolio now. Executed Daniels and Horne, joking aside, we need to go."

"We do, I'm not stopping until we get to Black-horns country."

It took them one night's ride and they finally made it to within walking distance of the border.

"Jane I'm sorry if I let you down, but I would do it all over again."

"Yeah I know."

"Are we still friends? We've hardly talked since it happened."

"We're friends, I want to forget it and finish my job for you."

"Forget." Ellie whispered then they hit the border and left Iowa behind.

The first two Black-horns they came to was a woman called Ashley and a man named Alwaleed. Ashley introduced herself as a Scottish descendant, her freckles highlighted her pale face and her brown hair was braided, she was around nineteen or twenty.

Alwaleed himself was descended from another country too, Saudi Arabia. He was around mid twenties and had a kind smile, his eyes twinkled playfully. Something about the two made Ellie feel calm, it was the first time she'd felt like that since she met Jane, she wondered what it would be like to visit the two countries, but she was resigned to the idea that was just another pointless dream, one of many she quickly snuffed out.

The goods they had picked up from their fateful encounter with Natasha were fairly traded with Ashley and Alwaleed for their company to the Indiana border.

That night they had a campfire and shared stories, Ellie went into her journey to get here, of course she had left out certain details.

Finally there were the two Black-horns to tell their stories.

"We're not like the Bengals, the rule here is we trade for goods and keep everything logged in our little black books in case someone comes to inspect on us. Other than that it's free reign. It's nice to have met you all, though I'll admit I'm not really very sociable. I don't have a lot to say except my grandfather was from Ayr in Scotland then he emigrated to the United States after a tour of Afghanistan, a war that happened around forty years ago. I'm tired of war, I would rather see my days out reading by a quiet little loch. I'm studying my ancestors language of Gaelic, books are everything to me. Thanks to Alwaleed I've got my hands on two of my favorite books. My parents did what you'd call online jobs before the outbreak. Not much more to tell really."

Alwaleed took over the conversation. "I agree with Ashley, there's nothing better than reading. I don't have much to say either except like Ashley my grandparents came over here from another country. I've been lucky enough to see videos of my homeland, but we're all stuck here until the world either gives up on us or we're taken by those infected. What you're doing is admirable Ellie, giving to help others."

"Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it."

"My pa worked for the Emirates Red Cross, giving to others in need is the best thing an individual can do. We usually travel as a trio, our friend Marianna, you'd like her. She's on inactive service at the moment, recovering from near fatal injuries after an encounter with the New Eagles, she's lucky to have pulled through."

"I'm sure I'd like her, I hope she can get back to her old self again soon, I know it's something I've been trying to do." Ellie replied, she knew too well how hard it was to get over a traumatic experience.

Things between Ellie and Jane were still awkward, Alwaleed had picked up on this.

"Pardon me for asking, is something wrong between the two of you?"

Ellie was quick to answer. "I dealt with a situation poorly, someone I thought I could trust turned out differently. I killed them, not my finest hour. Since then Jane hasn't wanted to talk to me much. I guess I deserve it, I'm sorry Jane, I really am but it can't be undone now."

"I know, like I said, we're friends, we always will be, it shook me is all. I'd never seen that side of you."

"That side of me would be there to protect you if you ever needed it. Like I know you would for me. Look I can't do this emotional shit, just know okay?"

Jane put her hands out. "Come here silly." She hugged Ellie. "Just don't bring that side out too much."

"It's a deal." Ellie was rigid, Jane still didn't expect a hug back, she expected correctly.

"Finally, all this awkwardness was getting to me."

"Yeah Curtis, best to keep quiet when women are having a problem with each other. Get involved they both turn on you." Lance replied.

"Fuck off." Ashley said. Alwaleed and Curtis laughed.

"See? It was a joke. Everyone is good again so I'm more than happy." Lance gave an offhanded smile.

"Thanks for coming with us, every extra person helps." Ellie told them.

"Trade is the way around here, but we're more than happy to share our food, our camp and anything you need. Like Ashley says though, as long as we get the official stuff written down and out of the way first it's never an inconvenience." Alwaleed began to cook the rabbits they had caught earlier.

Over the next few weeks they traveled through Illinois without too much bother or repercussions from Ellie's actions against Horne. Ellie was still wondering what had happened to Lopez and Roberts, with any luck they were dead but things never seemed to work out that easily, at least in her life. Infected were killed and trades were made, Ellie had come to like Ashley and Alwaleed, that night they would stop at the two Black-horns friends' camp, Marianna.

"Soon be there." Alwaleed told them.

"Good it's getting dark, and if her pizza is as great as you say it is I want some."

"She's always making pizza, I think it's all she lives off, Curtis." Ashley replied.

"Best banana and blackberry pizza you'll ever try." Alwaleed told them.

"My god, what kind of creation is that?" Ellie felt her gut churn.

Alwaleed burst into laughter again.

They reached Marianna shortly afterwards, she was fairly short, Latin and had freckles all over her cheeks, Ellie felt her own.

"Mari, we've got some extra mouthes to feed tonight and need some extra bed rolls."

Marianna looked up and smiled.

"Sure Alwaleed, looks like I've got some pizzas to stone bake."

"No pineapples if you don't mind." Ellie piped in.

Marianna looked at her and giggled. "You told her I like pineapples dude."

"I did."

"Don't worry, no pineapples around here, I'm Marianna, Maria or Mari is fine too."

"I'm Ellie, my brother Curtis, my two friends from the Bengals, Jane and Lance. We're going to the Pegasus to see a Doctor Clairmont."

Marianna's face dropped. "Doctor Clairmont?"

"Yeah, you know him?"

"Ellie I've met him, his daughter Remy too, I went to school with her, I'm from Indiana."

"Really? Tell me, us, about them, I'll trade you something in return." Ellie was adamant. "Anything you want within reason."

"You paid your way with the cargo you gave us." Ashley showed Marianna who scribbled the items into her black book.

"My best friend is right Ellie, trade done. Okay this is what I can tell you. Clairmont Senior was always pleasant enough to me because I was friends with Remy, he was always strange though."

"In what way?" Jane asked her.

"He would always say peculiar things, things that went over Remy's head. He would talk about robots with human minds in them, brains, hearts, that sort of thing. How he would use science to save humankind, he even asked me once if I was interested in taking part in an experiment for him. I declined when he refused to divulge why, I was starting to get creeped out by him as I got older. When Remy decided to follow in her father's footsteps we began to distance ourselves. One day Remy came to me accusing me of turning my back on her and her work. That wasn't true, she had begun to worry me too. I respect that they thought they were trying to do something great, life changing but I needed to leave Indiana, Clairmont and his behaviour had spread across the state and became a religion. I decided to become a Black-horn, thankfully I met Ashley and Alwaleed, two best friends I've ever had. Wait a moment, I might have something of use for you Ellie, I don't want it anymore."

"Okay, at least it backs up my theory the guy is a whack job."

"I've had the first hand experience Ellie, he is. Here this is for you." Marianna gave Ellie a pendant that had a robot on it, it was smiling and had a heart on its chest, on its back were the words 'friends always. M+R'. "If you see Remy give it back to her and tell her I'm sorry okay, please?"

"Sure Mari, if I can." Ellie gave her a brief but comforting smile. "What's your story? I'll tell you mine afterwards."

"Not much to tell, like Ashley and Alwaleed my family emigrated here, mine from Italy. I'm addicted to pizza and I try to be nice to people. I got injured in an attack from the New Eagles, I was lucky not to die, there was around ten of them, some of them rode off towards Indiana, so be careful. I'd come with you but I'm in no fit shape."

"We understand, don't worry about it." Curtis said.

"I hope I've been helpful, I'll get some pizza going, sorry guys, plain cheese flavor only."

"I don't care what it is, let's just get it cooking." Lance added.

"Don't mind him, he's not a dumbass all the time." Jane smiled.

"Hey."

"It's fine, the cheese is good. Tell me your story Ellie, I want to know everyone's story."

"Fine, we'll probably have an early night though if that's okay."

"Yeah sure, I'll warn you though I'm a 'night owl' but I promise to be quiet."

"All good, I'd better start explaining then."

Ellie told her story again, the others too. The pizza was good and surprisingly Ellie found herself staying up later than she had expected to.

Ellie had a strange dream again, one where Joel and Jesse stood before her, everything went dark then they came back to her, this time as robots. They both called for her to help them.

Ellie shot up from her sleep, it was pitch black and everyone slept. She wiped her brow then laid back on her bedroll, as hard as she tried, sleep didn't come for the rest of the night.

As the sun broke Ellie decided to sit outside and just breathe, after a while she felt better. She sat and breakfasted then lay down to look at the clouds.

Eventually Jane stirred who was quick to wake everyone else up.

They all talked for a while, then got loaded up for the trek ahead.

Maria was giving everyone goodbye hugs, Ellie told her she wasn't a hugger but allowed herself to get one.

It was obvious that Marianna and Ashley good friends, they acted like sisters together, Ellie felt happy for them, she hoped their story, the three of them, would end happily. Alwaleed was like the big brother, they clearly had looked out for each other and survived the New Eagles attack, they'd be fine she told herself.

"I'm sorry I can't come with you guys but I'd just hold you all up. Be careful when you get to Remy and her father and wherever you're going after that, Jackson is it; be safe. Ashley, Alwaleed, I'll see you guys soon."

"It was nice to meet you and thanks for the pizza, look after yourself too." Ellie gave her a brief wave as everyone mounted up and left the girl to herself once again.

One afternoon while out on a hunt the six of them were taken off guard by a hoard of infected. They were usually on their toes but a momentary lack of focus, wasn't it always such luck, where they were talking about whether tea or coffee was better. Ellie and Ashley preferred tea, the other four their coffee.

"Joel used to drink that shit, why does anybody put that in their body?"

"Ellie not everyone likes the same thing, you and me like the Butthole Surfers but plenty of people don't." Jane laughed, her bond with Ellie had returned.

"Butthole what?" Alwaleed asked. "Are we still talking about tea?" His brown, kind eyes twinkled in the sunlight.

"They're a band." Jane told him. "They're quite good really."

"I'm sure, maybe one day I'll listen to them, but I doubt it."

"Listen to some Biffy Clyro, proper Scottish music." Ashley's freckles stood out more as the sun blazed down on them, Ellie found them adorable.

"I want to hear all this stuff before I die. I can just imagine it all sounding like a dying pig." Curtis added.

"Good name for a band." Ashley said - then they heard it, screaming and blood curdling rage. In an instant infected were upon them.

"Fuck!" Ellie screamed, reaching for her revolver, Pisces was spooked and threw her off. Ellie managed to land with minor bruises but the infected were closing in fast.

There was eighteen of them and two were bloaters. Grounded, Ellie put a bullet through a runner's head. But another got too close before she could fire again, a bullet from Alwaleed's 9mm put it down. He offered Ellie his hand, she took it.

"Thanks, I thought I was a goner."

"We still might be, not finished with these assholes yet." Alwaleed answered.

Curtis sent a Molotov into the two crowded bloaters and a nearby clicker.

"You bastards interrupted me when I hadn't finished my sentence. I should torture the lot of you." Ashley screamed sending crossbow arrows into the infected. She switched to a bah already loaded and sent a barbed arrow into a clicker exploding it where it stood. Jane and Lance were firing off shotgun shells at close range and Ellie threw a nailbomb at the two bloaters exploding their innards.

Alwaleed put the final runner down with a cricket bat that imploded it's skull.

After everyone managed to compose themselves Ashley broke the silence with.

"Tea tastes better than coffee."

A day before the Indiana border Ellie was feeling slightly sad, that is where they'd leave Alwaleed and Ashley behind.

The night before they decided to check the area for infected then enjoy themselves before they parted ways.

Some infected were dealt with then they all just talked, about history, movies, even a ghost story from Ashley which gave Jane the heebie-jeebies.

When it was time to sleep Ellie felt that pang of loss hit her hard again.

The new day started and Ellie had been dreamless, when they reached the Indiana border, Alwaleed and Ashley said their goodbyes.

"If you're ever passing on your way back say hello." Alwaleed told them, waving as he and Ashley rode off.

Ellie felt they'd lost two valuable members of their crew but she understood they needed to get back to Marianna, true friendship which she respected.

As they made it across the border Lance was first to speak. "Everything changes now we're in Hell."

"Indiana itself is beautiful, it's just sad what it's turning into. Science isn't being used for good in my opinion, it's being used to empower and scare people." Jane replied.

No one said a word, they continued in silence until they came upon their first Pegasus soldier.

He was pleasant enough, Ellie expected trouble right off the bat.

"Hey there, I've not seen you four before, you come from Illinois?" He asked, youngish redhead who seemed out of his element in the futuristic Pegasus armor, it reminded Ellie of a figure hugging space suit. She wondered how so many soldiers could be fitted out in this kind of protection.

"Yes, me and," Jane pointed to Lance. "-him are Bengals escorting two friends to a Doctor Clairmont, the girl Ellie is expected and it's rather urgent."

"Well okay then, I'm only a junior officer so I'm given no real power and I'm sent to the dangerous areas, alone today."

"Be careful, we'll find a senior officer to speak to, where are they?" Ellie asked.

"Probably at the nearest base with their feet up drinking ice cold water." The kid couldn't hide his annoyance.

"Sorry to hear that, sounds kind of familiar. You want to come back with us?" Ellie asked.

"No, I'd best not but thanks for asking, I'll only get put on report."

"Better than dying out here."

"I can't."

"Suit yourself." Ellie rode on, already sick of trying to be a kind samaritan, it was too much effort for her.

Jane caught up and rode beside her. "I know what you were trying to do Ellie, I'm proud of you, but it wasn't his fault, he's scared, he wasn't trying to be rude."

"Yeah I guess, I just don't think it's right leaving him out there but I tried Jane, if he gets infected it's not on me."

"Come on, focus on Clairmont."

Ellie exhaled deeply. "That's what we're all going to have to do now. I don't say this sort of sappy rubbish much but thanks, there really is a good side to me."

"I've always known that Ellie."

The Pegasus were accommodating and polite when they knew who Ellie was and after a hard, traumatic trek they finally stood outside the Purdue University of Indiana.

It was heavily patrolled and they were asked what they were doing for what seemed like a thousand times to Ellie.

"We're here because my friend Ellie is here to see Doctor Clairmont, she's expected, it's about a cure." Jane said.

The burly soldier she was talking to looked shocked. "Wait a moment." He pulled out a walkie-talkie and spoke quietly into it. Ellie could make out brief words coming from him, she heard him say 'right away Sir, the upmost importance.'

He turned to Jane. "Looks like your story checks out, the four of you will hitch up by the Challenger Learning Centre and stay there until instructed otherwise, you don't leave there for any reason."

"What if I need a piss?" Lance replied in a snarky manner.

"You hold it!"

"Find someone's fancy car and do it there." Curtis added.

"This is no joke, humanity could be at stake here, we're going to be watching you!"

Ellie noticed a slight twinge in his hand, like he was holding himself back from going for his weapon. She kept that in the back of her mind.

"Come on let's go there, this asswipe is making me want to leave." Ellie glared at him then they headed towards their next destination.

When they hitched up Ellie turned to everyone. "Did you all see that guy's fingers twitch? He wanted to go for his gun."

"Yeah I noticed too, we knew there might be trouble so what is plan A again? Or plan B?"

"One more time, if they tell me saving humanity would lead to my death we're out of here, that's not what Joel would want. Yes I admit I didn't care before making this journey but if we have to fight our way out we do, agreed?"

Everyone agreed to this.

"Plan B is you three get out of here and save yourselves if things get too much. Jane, Lance, you get Curtis to Jackson. Plan C we all live in peace and harmony."

"So basically plan A or nothing." Curtis replied.

"Same here." Jane agreed, Lance nodded.

"Okay, thank you all for being here, if we all go down today then it was good to know you all."

"Shut up sis, we're getting out of this shithole alive."

Shortly after two soldiers came towards them wearing New Eagles uniforms.

"I'm Lopez and this guy here is Roberts, we're here to take Ellie Williams to see Doctor Clairmont."

Both men stood over six feet tall, Lopez had a scar running down his right cheek. His hair was unkempt and lay over his face, his eyes were cold and he probably wasn't a guy to show anyone mercy.

Roberts was a tanned Caucasian with a buzz cut and sneering lips.

Ellie guessed they knew she had executed their master, she was ready to die but nothing would happen until the Doctor had got his hands on her.

"Yeah I'm Ellie Williams, you know me or something?"

"Oh you'd better believe we know who you are." Roberts replied.

Ellie smirked back at them. "I bet you do."

"You're coming with us Williams. Your pals stay here." Lopez told her, not rising to her bait.

"Wait a minute here, why are there two New Eagle soldiers here?" Jane asked.

"We're working with the Doctor, he pays well and we are building bridges with our new Pegasus allies right here." Lopez looked at her like she belonged in the gutter.

"I suggest you stop glaring at her like that." Lance warned.

Lopez glanced at him decidedly unimpressed then returned back to Ellie.

"You'll come with us now girl."

"I want to come with her." Curtis said. "No actually I am coming and no one's stopping me."

Roberts pulled out a pistol. "You three stay here, when we're done here you'll go."

"Don't worry Curtis." Ellie took the lead as Lopez and Roberts followed close behind, guns at her back.

"Now what? I'm not leaving without her." Curtis looked up to see various soldiers at windows watching them. "Look at those assholes up there, I want to put an arrow through all their throats so they choke on their own poisoned blood."

"They'll all have weapons trained on us in seconds, I know a pretty good plan C." Jane whispered, she had noticed something they had not.

As Ellie was led into the Challenge pr Learning Centre Roberts spoke up.

"Right now we have plans to have your little friends gunned down within the hour, and any hopes you have of coming out of here alive are fruitless. Once you've proved your usefulness you'll die too. Isn't that the fairytale ending for the evil murderer of our leader?"

"Your leader was a bitch, died like a bitch from a bitch-ass cult with bitch-ass beliefs."

"You might be a good assassin but you weren't too smart coming here." Roberts replied, devoid of emotion.

Lopez drove his fist into Ellie's stomach, she wretched and fell to the ground stunned. Lopez picked her up and did it again, he pushed her towards Roberts who hit her square on the jaw. Ellie was unconscious before she hit the ground, Lopez tossed her like a rag doll into a cell, removing her weapons.

About twenty minutes later Ellie awoke with a throbbing pain in her skull.

"Wakey wakey." A female voice, Ellie looked up but found it hard for her eyes to focus.

"Huh?" Is all Ellie could manage.

"My name is Doctor Remy Clairmont, you're here for my father."

Ellie's vision swam but eventually she could make out Remy's features. She was pale, blonde, her her was tied up in a tight bun and her glasses stuck on the bottom of her button nose, her blue eyes blazed.

Ellie reached for her pocket.

"I'm sorry to tell you but you've had your weapons taken away for your safety and ours.

Ellie pulled out the pendant Marianna had given her.

"Here, a friend of mine wanted me to give you this." She held the pendant out, Remy took it.

"Mari. How did you get this?"

"I met her, she told me about how you hounded her out of her home and away from her family. I know what you are, I just want you to know I know."

"She painted me as a devil? No, she wouldn't see my vision, my father's vision, she was always a dullard."

"Your dad will get his cure today but he wasn't the first to get a chance. Let's hope he doesn't fail because then you'll all be exposed as frauds."

"You got hit too hard Ellie, maybe your brains are addled."

Ellie laughed. Remy pulled out a handgun. "Follow me and look forward to your fate, you'll be a savior and know me and my father will reap all the benefits."

"So you're telling me that if I'm going to be the cure I must die."

"Yes, we'll remove your brain, sure there's only a 73% chance it will succeed but if it doesn't it will be your fault. Your death will mean nothing. Now get up before I shoot you."

"Shoot me in the brain, I fucking dare you!" Ellie was laughing at her again.

"Stop laughing at me."

Ellie continued to laugh.

Remy was getting mad, her finger was twitching on the trigger.

Ellie tripped Remy with a leg sweep, she hit the ground hard but kept hold of the gun. She swung it at Ellie hitting her on the shoulder. Ellie swatted her arm away and drove her forehead into Remy's nose exploding it, blood spattered her. Ellie took the gun, checking the rounds, all the chambers were full. Then she took Remy hostage led her out with the gun pointed underneath her chin.

"Take me to your dad."

Remy was having trouble breathing, she tried to gurgle instructions.

"Point where he is."

Remy obeyed, the walk was along a futuristic white corridor.

A grunt noticed. "What the fu-." Ellie shot him between the eyes.

Finally they came to the door reading Doctor Newman Clairmont. Ellie knocked politely and heard an old man's voice.

"Come in dear, bring our little sacrificial lamb with you?"

"Oh yes daddy dearest." Ellie called kicking the door in.

Newman Clairmont was somewhere in his fifties, a strange little man with a grey moustache that hung towards his chin. Pin button eyes poked out of his spectacles, his gut told the story of a man who had lived in luxury for too long while others around them suffered.

"What are you doing? Let my daughter go!"

"Doc all I ever wanted was a chance to save humanity, to be shown a little humanity back, maybe even a thank you and I'd have laid my life down for it. But looking at you, your daughter, thinking about what my father did. He killed the last Doctor who tried to use me as a cure, I was so mad at him for so long, because of someone like you, then you know what happened, he was murdered before I could forgive him!"

"No wait, there's good people you can save."

"We all die."

"You lost a father, I lost a son."

"Yeah and now you're working with his murderers for your own protection, how's that working out for you?"

Remy struggled.

"Tell her to stop struggling or she dies too. Today ends with your death old man, but you can save hers."

"Fuck you, fuck your father, this is for the greater..."

"Wrong answer fuckwad!" Ellie put a bullet into his brain, the old man dropped.

Remy whined like an old dog.

"Sorry for your loss." Ellie blew Remy's brains out.

Newman had a handgun with ammunition in a draw, this would do Ellie until she found her gear.

She heard footsteps running towards her.

Two soldiers came around the corner, Ellie executed them both. She followed the corridor around and saw the two New Eagles coming towards her. She took a gamble and aimed at Lopez's head, it hit true, he hit the ground dead. She shot at Roberts destroying his shoulder blade. She ran to him.

"Where is my gear?"

"In the room behind me, the blue door, don't kill me, we can work something out."

Ellie smiled in his face, put the gun to his throat and pulled the trigger. "Maybe another day tough guy."

She entered the room, a soldier shot at her.

"Fuck." Ellie dived to her left and executed him. She landed hard on the ground. "Ouch, fucking ouch." She found her backpack and left towards her friends.

Outside Jane said two the two boys. "I think three friends from the Black horns have joined us, don't look behind you."

Lance smiled.

"Damn they tracked us?" Curtis smiled. He looked up towards a soldier in the window. "I'm going to see my sister now, no one's stopping me."

The soldier pulled out an M-16, seconds later a bullet exploded his face. Jane looked around and got a thumbs up from Alwaleed, Ashley and Marianna we're beside him, they showed themselves and bullets began to fly. From the front of the University a sound of many hooves came towards them.

"We don't have long Jane, we rode as fast as we could to catch you up, we brought backup, you needed our help, so here we are." Alwaleed told her. He looked at Curtis and Lance. "We'll get you guys out of here."

"Thanks we owe you." Lance replied.

"Not this time." Alwaleed patted him on the back.

Curtis thanked them then more Black-horns entered the grounds. An all out battle began.

Ellie saw this from a window, moments after sneaking up on a soldier and breaking her neck. She climbed out of the window and slid down a drainpipe.

"Ellie!" Curtis called, she made it to him.

"What's happening?" She asked.

"Alwaleed, Ashley and Marianna are here, they brought soldiers here to help us and I think to take down this regime."

"Clairmont and his daughter are dead." Ellie told him.

Alwaleed made it to her. "You four go, clearly the Doctor wasn't as interested in your survival as we'd hoped, so much for his humanity. Now all of you go, ride for Jackson."

"What about you guys? Marianna is okay?" Ellie asked.

"Don't worry about us, she's tough, like you Ellie. Just go!"

"Thank you." Ellie replied as she, Curtis, Lance and Jane left Indiana behind forever.

Over the next few weeks it was rinse and repeat. Sleep, eat, travel, hunt, kill, talk, sleep.

Everything seemed fine and Ellie honestly had hope of getting to Jackson, but one morning things changed.

A day out from reaching Nebraska there was obviously a hit out on Ellie.

Jane was her usual chirpy self, talking about going to see her father.

Moments later an arrow with an eagle's feather hit her in the head, she died before she crashed off her horse. Bullets were fired, Ellie called for Lance to follow, he wouldn't. He demanded they rode on, there were too many New Eagles. Ellie and Curtis would never know Lance's fate.

Ellie and Curtis had managed to escape any repercussions from them, either by hiding, scouting or killing, it hadn't been easy but they were getting close to Jackson. They returned to Curtis' farm to pick up his father's keepsake. The farm had been raided but he didn't care, they stayed the night then rode on.

That morning Ellie was hopeful they would get to Wyoming.

Later in the day they were ambushed at the border.

Ellie was forced off her horse. "Ride dammit ride, I'll find you!" Ellie called before she went out of sight, crashing down a steep hill.

"No!" Curtis wanted to reach her but there were too many soldiers, shots were fired but he rode for Jackson, angry, upset and confused. He wanted retribution, how dare these scumbags ruin everything when they were so close? But if he stayed it would be suicide, he trusted Ellie would return like she promised.

Eventually he made it to Jackson, a soldier met him there.

"Who are you kid?"

"My name is Curtis, I was riding back here with Ellie Williams but we were attacked at the border there was nothing I could do."

"You'd better come in."

Curtis explained everything to Maria and a search party along with Curtis, Dinah and Rich went looking for her. When they reached the area all that was left was Pisces lying dead on the ground, flies circling her eyeballs.

Everyone searched extensively for Ellie but she was never found.

Curtis was given a permanent home at Jackson, he moved into Ellie's home but refused to change anything about it. He was surprised they'd kept her place as it was, they had hoped she'd eventually return.

Months went past, Curtis cried a lot, but became quick friends with Rich who helped him settle in.

Curtis held onto Ellie's promise.

EPILOGUE

Curtis had told his children Ellen and Joe about Ellie and everything she had done to help him survive and see he got safely to Jackson.

He had told Maria everything Ellie had done for him. Dina had found him and asked where Ellie was, when Curtis had told her she had sacrificed herself it had broken Dina. Dina had asked why he named his children Ellen and Joe, Curtis had said it was as close to Ellie and Joel as he could get. Dina had guessed so but just wanted to ask, needed to ask.

Curtis had met Tommy, who had lost Joel, his wife and two nieces now. He told Curtis many stories about Ellie and Curtis had reciprocated in kind.

By the time J.J. was twenty, Curtis ' own kids were in their teens, Joe (17) and Ellen (18), mothered to a kind woman called Avril, though she and Curtis were no longer together they remained friends.

Ellie was remembered fondly in people's hearts.

She had posthumously been made Ellen and Joe's godmother, Dina and Tommy and Maria gratefully taking on the other roles as godparents in Ellie's absence. Tommy and Maria were still civil although they didn't interact with each other much anymore.

Dina introduced them to great music, especially what she and Ellie had listened to, if there was a party, it was at Dina's.

Maria as ever was firm but fair, respected immensely and always had time for them. She made sure they understood that bad things happened but having people by your side through the tough times was important and should never be taken for granted.

Tommy was the endless storyteller, filling the kids heads with dreams and adventures.

Rich became that 'cool uncle' the kids could turn to as well. He offered the goofiness that everyone needed at times.

Rich who had ended on bad terms with Ellie was genuinely sad to see his friend (yes she would always be his friend) had never returned and really had just become a memory. He and Curtis would do patrols together and become drinking buddies.

J.J. Ellen and Joe were close friends. A blossoming relationship with Ellen and J.J. was on the cards.

Tommy had gotten a lot older and was finding it hard to get by. Curtis was always there for him, like Ellie had been for him. It wasn't easy but he wouldn't let Tommy down. Ellie had instilled loyalty into him.

These people remembered Ellie with a grave and every year since; Dina, Tommy, Rich, Curtis and the kids made an evening get together to remember Ellie, Joel and Jesse. Maria would stop by to see how everyone was doing before getting on with the endless routines of keeping the town in check.

One afternoon Alwaleed, Ashley and Marianna paid a visit, stayed the night, shared their stories of Ellie then left the next day. They were sad to hear of Jane's death and Lance's disappearance, they were remembered too for everything they had done.

Dina had told Curtis he and Jesse would have been close friends.

She had also told Curtis the truth about Abby and why her and Ellie split. She wanted him to not think worse of Ellie for it. Curtis said he loved Ellie like a sister no matter what. This made Dina happy.

One evening in January 2059 a stranger was spotted near Jackson. There seemed to be something strange about them, they had been hovering. Two patrols went looking but could find nothing, there were signs but whoever it was they were crafty.

But not long afterwards someone came to the front gate asking for entry, they were wearing a heavy raincoat and wearing a huge backpack with a guitar slung around their shoulder.

They were ushered inside at gun point, hands raised high.

Flashlights on the person, they were told to pull down their hood, slowly.

The person shouted "okay." Doing what they were told they pulled down their hood.

In the audience was Curtis, J.J. and Dina.

Curtis recognized who it was immediately.

"Ellie!" He shouted, he went straight to her. "It's you."

She looked at Curtis. "I finally took your advice and learned to play left handed, just for you, you sap." She handed him her guitar giving him a wink. "I'll teach you to play if you want kiddo."

Ellie's hair had got long and messy, she looked tired and had a scar above her right eyebrow.

Curtis laughed harder than he had ever done since coming to Jackson. He hugged Ellie tightly, she was genuinely surprised by this.

"It's Ellie! Dammit it's Ellie! She's alive!" Curtis shouted. Everyone lowered their guns. "I thought you'd died." His laughter quickly changing to tears.

"I almost did." She replied.

Ellie looked at Dina and the twenty year old J.J., they smiled at Ellie, Ellie smiled back returning Curtis' hug.

END.

ABBY AND LEV

Abby had been rowing for what seemed like hours, her strength had been sapped even before the final confrontation with Ellie. Her body screaming for respite yet she continued to row.

She thought she was a goner there, she'd fought desperately for her life but also for Lev's, she couldn't imagine leaving him alone in the world.

Whatever had made Ellie show her mercy moments before her mind accepted death she was grateful for. She knew she was lucky to be rowing away with the former Seraphite who had become like a little brother to her. She had tried desperately to atone for killing Joel and maybe this had been her reward for it.

Lev would occasionally mumble her name.

"Abby, Abby?"

"I'm here Lev, it's okay, we got away from the Rattlers. Just rest up, we'll make it to the Fireflies in good time."

As she continued to pump the oars she knew before they could even entertain any idea of meeting up with the Fireflies they needed to get themselves in order again. The first port of call would be somewhere she could get her hands on some weapons. Returning to Owen's sailboat was pointless, there was nothing left there for them. Abby refused to turn up at a brand new Firefly base looking battered, beaten and weak. No, she wanted them to show up armed, capable and most of all she wanted to be accepted back into the group as an equal. The warrior she was before she was taken prisoner. Anything less she wouldn't accept.

It was starting to get dark, she needed to find somewhere to dock. With this reprieve she wasn't going to let things go wrong for her, or for Lev anymore. She couldn't allow the two of them to die young like Owen, Mel and Manny. For the first time since her father Jerry's death she appreciated life and wanted to live it long and happily.

Lev had been so patient with her after they'd left Ellie and Dina to live, albeit lying in their own blood on the floor of a theatre. Even though he didn't agree with everything she did and questioned a lot of her decisions he'd been there every step of the way. Two people who had grown close to each other over their shared loss and desire for a fresh start. Who had endured and accepted each other's differences with love and kindness. Like a big sister would protect her younger brother, she felt this fiercely, nothing could put out her inner fire.

Finally she found somewhere to dock, it seemed quiet. She thought it best to rest up and prepare themselves in the morning.

The sun rose over them, Lev was conscious, he'd awoken before Abby.

"How are you doing Lev?"

"I'm hungry, how did we get here?"

"We got lucky, someone helped us and we escaped."

"Who helped us?"

Abby loved the kid, but she knew straight away he'd want direct answers from her, she thought quickly. There was no way she would tell him what really happened with Ellie last night.

"Somehow the prisoners escaped, cut us down and took out the Rattlers, we escaped and we're never going back. It's on to The Fireflies from here."

Lev studied her, he shrugged. "Okay, but I slept through it all?"

"You're weak."

"So are you Abby."

"That's why we're going to find food, get weapons, clean ourselves up then show we're capable fighters when we get there, not two emaciated bums."

"Emaciated?"

"Skinny, Lev, underfed, weak."

"Oh, okay."

"So let's get what we need to get and leave here as quick as we can."

"Why don't we go back to Owen's boat?"

"Not a good idea."

"Why Abby?"

Abby laughed. "I've missed this."

"Missed what?" Lev was genuinely bemused.

"This thing we have. I say something, you question it or disagree. You usually prove me wrong and we laugh about it, it's something I've missed."

Lev smiled. "Yeah me too."

"Come on then."

"But what if it's not a good idea?"

"Tell me it's a great idea, I'll say it isn't. You're usually right so we'll go with that."

"What are you talking about Abby?"

"Exactly Lev, come on before we starve to death." She ruffled his hair.

Lev rolled his eyes.

The area they had reached was fancy looking, but there was a chance to plunder before they reached Catalina Island.

They found a board with a map on it telling them they were at Ventura, in California.

"We need to be out before sunset, we have plenty of time."

Lev nodded. "Okay, food first."

"I can agree on that one."

The two were careful when they got to the first house, Abby looked around the back of it and a window was already smashed.

"Perfect, we can stay quiet."

She let Lev go in first.

They went straight to the cupboards and were in luck, tinned food. Abby found a tin opener and they fed on cold potatoes, beans and carrots.

"Good enough." She looked at Lev. "Alright?"

"Better than I was."

In the draw were a set of knives, she handed two to Lev. "It's a start."

They also got themselves tidied up. Not long after Abby was starting to feel like her old self again.

Two bags were found, Abby filled them both with tins, just enough that it wouldn't overload them. She found a First Aid kit and some bottled water.

They left the house no better for guns, they would keep trying.

Abby sighed, a runner was standing by the door to the next house.

"Leave it to me." Abby sneaked towards it, unfortunately something broke under her foot. The creature turned, bloodthirsty it was about to scream.

Abby threw the knife with perfect precision, it landed in the creature's head. The runner dropped, hitting the door loudly.

"Fuck." Lev whispered.

Abby bit her lip. She pulled the knife out of it and they entered the building. They were in luck, underneath a bed she found a case full of guns.

"Don't praise the Prophet, it's just sheer luck is all." Abby told him going through the ammunition. She passed him a loaded handgun. "Sorry, no bows this time either."

"Thanks, it's okay, I'm not praising anyone now, you know that Abby."

"Yes, I do and I'm sorry. I should save my dickhead remarks for other dickheads, not you."

Lev laughed again. "Where do you come up with these words?"

"My friend Nora used to say it a lot."

"Where is she now?"

Abby exhaled. "Another one of Ellie's victims."

"Oh."

"Yeah, you'd have liked her, she would definitely have made you laugh. Her sense of humor was the sort of thing that got me through bad times when I lost my dad."

"I see, so Nora did for you what you're doing for me."

"What's that Lev?"

"Helping me through mom and Yara's death."

"Just like you've helped me through my friend's deaths. Once we're on the boat again I promise I'll tell you a story about Nora."

"Deal."

They made a decent sweep of Ventura, even finding a bow for Lev.

There were various infected there, which they took down without a lot of bother. Abby did trip once but was saved by one of Lev's arrows and she repaid the favor by landing a headshot on a stalker creeping up behind Lev.

As they boarded the boat for Catalina Island Lev reminded her of her promise.

"I'd like to hear your story."

"Okay. So it began just after New Year 2039. I was traveling with Owen, Mel, Manny, Nora, Jordan, Leah and Nick."

"Where, why?"

Abby laughed again. "Be patient Lev. We were on a short holiday after New Year."

"Your former boss Isaac, who Yara killed, he let you go?"

"He's no one's boss now. Let's get back to the story. We took our vacation holed up in an old cabin, why? Well it was close."

'I was going to ask yeah, you guessed."

Abby winked. "I guessed, anyway me and Nora were sent on a hunt that morning for game, we took turns. Nora was my best friend really so it was good to get out for a little while, even if it was freezing cold."

"You shot game?"

"Nora was good with a bow, almost as good as you, I've always been better with guns. So we were looking for rabbit, maybe a moose if we got lucky. No moose was found that day."

"Uh oh Abby, I can see where this is going."

"I'll get straight to the point then, we were talking about what a prat Owen was."

"That was mean Abby."

"We redeemed ourselves by admitting he was a damn fine hunter, he always good at that type of thing. He was a good fisherman in his day too, fishing was always boring to me."

"It would be relaxing though, maybe we could do it one day."

"Not if I've got a radio on here listening to some Bad Religion."

"Bad Religion?"

"A punk band, I think you'd like them, after all you are Punk Rock remember?"

"Yes I'm Punk Rock, I want to hear this music one day."

"Deal, you listen to some punk and I'll come fishing with you. But you can do the fishing and I'll watch."

"You'll have to show me how to fish Abby."

"Once, and once only so don't forget."

"I don't forget."

"I know. Back to my story, Nora and me are patrolling the woods and you talk about moose, no lie we saw an infected deer, the strangest thing I'd ever seen apart from that creature I told you about underneath the hospital, it looked like a Rat King."

"Rat King Yeah you told me."

"Anyway this infected deer had a human head and it was like the infected human was squashed against the deer, like somehow it was growing inside it. It made this sound of agony like you'd never heard and raced towards us. We put maybe ten, fifteen bullets into it before it dropped. Nora went back to tell everyone but only Leah came back, everyone else thought we were lying. Anyway the three of us managed to shoot two rabbits then made a little fire and had the game between us, fuck the others for not believing us."

"Yeah fuck 'em."

Abby smiled.

"But I always liked Mel and Owen."

"They helped Yara, they deserve our respect for that, I really miss Alice too and Bear."

"Bear?"

"Another dog the Wolves had."

"A dog called bear?"

"My mom owned a cat called Tiger."

"So what actually did happen to her Abby?"

"She died when I was a kid. But the story isn't quite over, me, Nora and Leah went back later in the day and everyone asked where was the food. I told them we'd eaten it and they could go get their own for not believing us."

"How did that go down?"

"Bad, but I decided to go out again because I felt sorry for Manny. He came to have a look at the creature, eventually we returned and after everyone stopped bitching and ate we told ghost stories. Owen's was actually the best one, something about a creature that would come out of a television, there were even some movies made about it."

"Ghosts aren't real Abby."

"Perhaps not Lev, but I can't lie, I see faces of the people we killed in my dreams." Joel's face would never leave her.

"I want to hear more stories another day Abby but I think I want to relax right now."

"I'll keep rowing and wake you when we get to Catalina Island."

When they finally got there the lighthouse stood proudly in front of them. A Firefly on patrol noticed and came to them.

"This is a Fireflies base, are you Fireflies?"

"I was, I've been expected, took longer than I wanted, we were ambushed by Rattlers. I'm Abby Anderson, my father Doctor Jerry Anderson was in charge of the Salt Lake base. This is my friend Lev, we're here to join up."

"I'm Feres, yeah I remember your name being mentioned, let's get you two to the boss Martin. He's a good guy, we're going to become relevant again."

"We were always relevant, people gave up too soon. I'm just glad there's people who didn't stop believing."

"Look for the light Abby, look for the light." Feres pointed at the lighthouse, Abby smiled.

END