I do not own the characters. Its owned by Naughtydog
I make haste to the south gate by horse, with each passing minute grows my lingering fear. Which is the sight of Ellie, dead. Or worse, tainted. It makes every piece of the hair in my body shiver. The fear of losing her ran through my head, and I would kill that thought every single time.
I reach the south gate after 25 minutes, and I see the signs of battle in the area. The wall destroyed, the ground stained by ash, accompanied by corpses, much many than three hands could count. I search the place, hoping to find anything, any trails that would lead me to Ellie.
Finally, after searching the nook and crannies of the place, I see something that looks like a footprint of more than one following it, the footsteps then separated in two different ways. One to the east, and one to the north. SHIT! I shouted internally. But I knew there was clearly no time to burst into rage, for Ellie's sake.
I inspect both carefully. I look at each and every single size of each foot to the ones heading east, after founding nothing unusual, I check the ones heading north. After doing the same on this one, I notice footsteps small enough to match Ellie's. This is the one I tell myself internally.
Night has fallen, after following the footsteps by horse for a couple of hours. it led me to a camp. guarded by numerous bandits at the entrance. This has to be it… If any of you fucking touch her, I swear you'll drop dead. I tell myself, as I tighten the grip on my hands that curled up into a fist. I tie my horse at a tree making sure it's not visible to the bandits. Then I go to higher grounds and use my binoculars to inspect the camp thoroughly before charging in.
The camp was the size of half a football stadium. With two tents on the east side, 1 on the north and 3 on the west. There were guards guarding the entrance of the west tents, two guards guarding the east and two guarding the entrance, which is in the middle of the camp.
The tent on the north side seems like the place where they are keeping Ellie and the others hostage, seeing as there are 5 guarding It.
The entrance has one barrel that is burned on the head at the right side with one out of the two guards beside his companion being on the opposite side, at the left side of the entrance, which is considerably dark. So I decided that its possible to kill them both silently.
I carefully and silently approach the two bandits. With each step, making sure that I don't make even the slightest noise.
After creeping around through bushes, accompanied by the darkness of the night, I successfully got behind the bandit on the left side of the gate. I get my shiv from my pocket and I put my arm around his neck and I stab his throat, sliding it sideways to the direction of his Adam's apple. Blood quickly escaped away from his throat, and my hand got soaked in it.
Simultaneously, I shot his companion in the head with my M&P22 Compact pistol with a suppressor attached to it. I let go of the bandit currently on my arms and both of them lifelessly falls to the ground. I didn't bother hiding the corpses as I had no time. Every single second counted.
Almost there baby girl, hold on. I whisper to myself
After successfully dispatching the bandits at the entrance, I head to the back of the east tents, and successfully got close to the northern part of the tent without being spotted. I was hiding on the back of the second east tent, which is the closest to the north tent.
I crouch down, making sure not to be visible to anyone. Then I overhear two guards talking to each other.
''Looks like we got lucky, we scored a few women during our little war.'' Said the guard to his companion.
''Fuck yeah! guess we'll be having a good time tonight, when's our turn anyways?'' He replied.
''After an hour I guessing, the others are only going to start now since they had to make their fucking reports to the higher-ups.'' He replied.
''Fuck! Guess we gotta endure,for an hour… The others are calling me, I'll be seeing you.'' The guard said, going back to his station at the north tent.
My blood boiled even at the thought of that happening to Ellie, losing my composure in the process.
I ain't leaving any of you alive I said, not even bothering to whisper. As rage started to consume me.
I got a couple of explosives in my bag and readied them. I looked at the bandits at the entrance of the north tent, and threw a grenade at their direction, minding to avoid hurting the others inside.
As the grenade flew closer at the direction of the bandits, I shot it using the same pistol I used earlier, letting the bandits catch point blank range of the explosion.
A second after that, I threw two flash grenades inside the north tent, also throwing 3 smoke grenades at the entrance accompanied by a couple of nail bombs.
I bolted inside the tent, only to witness the battered captives. 3 males that I recognize were tortured, while the females clothes were teared. Most importantly, a blindfolded Ellie, with her shirt destroyed exposing her top, while her jeans ripped off leaving only her panties to cover her bottom.
The sight of this made the little bit of mercy to my enemies, completely dry out. I see 4 guards, still currently blinded by the light. Also, a few of the captives seemed to be caught up by the flash grenade, also blinded.
Not letting this moment go to waste, I shoot the 4 guards currently blinded, in the head, resulting to their instant death. I heard the nail bombs I threw earlier explode. But I knew it wasn't enough. To buy more time, I got all the molotovs in my pack then threw it at the entrance of the tent hoping I would get a few of them.
After that I immediately head to Ellie and cut the ropes that were constraining her.
''J-Joel?'' She said, her voice weak, her eyes still blindfolded.
I immediately remove her blindfold and removed the black jacket that I was wearing and placed it on her shoulder.
''Its me kiddo.'' I comfort her and shoving her head to my chest. For a few seconds we just stayed like that, just enjoying each others presence as relief started to calm me down, knowing she's safe, that she's in my arms.
''I-I know that you've been through a lot, but… baby girl, we gotta move you understand?'' moving her out of my chest.
She immediately put on the jacket I gave her and wiped the tears around her wound-covered face. ''O-o-of course.'' She tells me. I knew very well that she still hasn't recovered, she's only pushing herself because she is aware that we still needed to help the others.
This 19-year old girl was so strong, so tough, yet also somewhat innocent. Enough to make me blinded at her shining light.
''You've done good.'' I tell her, looking her in the eyes.
She looked as if she were going to burst into tears, but she held it in.
''What'd you expect?… C'mon we need to help the others.'' She replies.
Ellie starts to remove the clothes from the dead bandits and gives them to the women, while I help the men. I remove the blindfold of Jacob, one of the males that was tortured. Also removing the rope that was constraining him as fast as I could.
''J-Joel… Thank god.'' He told me coughing violently. ''Get your ass in gear, we need to go, now.'' helping him stand up.
After few seconds, we heard an explosion that seemed close to the east tent. Near where we were, accompanied by gunshots after.''It's Tommy.'' I say, Smirking a bit. ''This is our chance out of here.''
After untying everyone, the males picked up the assault rifles that the dead bandits had and equipped themselves, while Ellie got the clothes to dress herself and her companions.
''Can you guys even hold the gun properly? With your wounds and all that.'' Ellie said, tying the last bit of lace of her new found shoes. Jacob and the two other males. They stayed silent for a few seconds, and looked at their bloodied clothes, then at Ellie and the other females. ''Ellie… There is just…There is just no fucking way we are letting any of them live... with what they've done.'' One of the tortured ones said with rage very noticeable in his eyes. As soon as the fire from the molotov died out, even though the bandits were occupied thanks to Tommy and his men, I threw the last grenade I had outside of the tent. You can never be too cautious
Sure enough, there were a number of bandits that stayed to intercept us. With a few of them, getting caught of by the blast. They quickly let out a flurry of bullets. We quickly ran to cover while Ellie guided the women back to the tent temporarily. The two other men that were tortured couldn't keep up due to their injuries. They stumbled down to the ground as countless bullets pierced their bodies. Jacob seemed shaken up by the death of those two.
''Don't look back, Just run!.'' I yelled, snapping him out of it. We hid behind rocks big enough to keep us covered. and the bandits isn't stopping their flurry of bullets.
''Fuck! Fuck, Joel, your shoulder.'' Jacob points out to me, seeing as blood stained my clothes. I cringe the slightest bit and shrugged it off.
''We have no time… I'll live.'' One of the advantages of living in a world like this is that you become numb to pain. Of course, only attainable by experiencing it first-hand over and over again.
''Jacob, fill me in with all of your weapons.'' He staggers a little bit and immediately scanned through the vest-pocket of the one he got from the dead bandits. ''T-there is a grenade, the rest are ammunition for this assault rifle.'' He lifts up the assault rifle in his hands.
I rip the bottom of my shirt, and I use them as bandage for my shoulder wound. ''All right, I saw 7, definitely more.'' I say as I remove my shirt.
''This is how it's goin to go, you remove your shirt. After three seconds, I want you to throw it, opposite of where I'm goin to throw mine.'' I open up the clip as I check through my ammo. ''The second we do, and their attention is not on us, you throw that grenade o'yours to where they've gathered up. Take down as many of them as you can after that, you hear?. We only have one shot at this… One fuck up, we both die.''
He starts shaking as fear and nervousness starts haunting him. ''You don't wanna die and leave your family right? In that case, man up kid… You're a man aren't ya.'' I could see his face, lighting up a little bit and determination became visible. ''Right, I still gotta take care of my little sister… I still haven't even see her become an adult yet after all.'' He says as the shaking of his hand, gradually become less. We nod at each and he starts preparing.
''At my signal.''
(One) I tighten the grip on the gun in my hands, while he readies his grenade.
(Two) Sweat starting to fall from my face, making its way down to my chin. With the seconds becoming more intense.
(Three) SHOOT! I roared
Simultaneously, I threw my shirt at the right side of the individual large rock I was hiding on, while he threw his on the opposite side.
The bandits was surprised at my shout, and their eyes were focused on the sudden, and simultaneous sight. Focusing their gunfire on the shirts that we threw. As soon as we threw the shirt, we immediately popped on the other side opposite of where we threw the shirt.
We saw 6 of them, gathered up on one spot while the rest scattered. Jacob surely noticed that as he threw the grenade to where they were gathered, as I instructed him.
We knew we didn't have enough time as they were going to notice us any second now and shift their gunfire at our heads.
After an intense second, the grenade flew close at the face of one of the 6 that were gathered up. I shot the grenade, only a few cm away from the bandits face.
The air crackled, as I watch the bandits beings toss in the air due to the impact. I see the shaken up expression of the bandits as I hear the deafening noise and saw the beautiful crimson-ish color of the explosion.
The remaining bandits, noticed us and immediately fired at our location. ''You motherfucker!'' They shouted as they continued shooting towards our location.
I knew they were going to throw explosives at our direction any second now. So I told Jacob we had to move somewhere else.
I noticed an abandoned car, just a few feet from us. ''Kid, we have no time, on three, we run to that car over there.
As soon as I hit three we immediately sprint. Seconds after, there was an explosion, just on our previous location. After tackling Jacob out of the explosions radius, we reach our next cover.
I immediately I crouch down, and focused on my hearing. As Jacob adjusted himself and prepared for my next instruction. I heard the footsteps of the bandits, and it would seem there were 5 of them, heading towards our location, never stopping to shoot.
I immediately saw another rock that seemed big enough for me to cover to. ''Listen kid, I'm goin to head over to that rock over there and draw their attention to me.'' I tell him. ''During that time, you take out as many as you can.'' Jacob seemed hesitant at first, but I could tell he understood the intensity of the situation, and just simply nodded.
After inhaling for what seemed like a second, I exhaled, running towards that rock. I knew the location of where the bandits each scattered and hid at, due to their footsteps a while ago. Knowing the location of 5, while running, I aimed at some of them that were visible, and shot their heads. After doing that I rolled over, reaching my cover.
I rested my back on the rock as I felt something bleed towards my right arm, also my left leg. Knowing I didn't have the luxury to indulge on the pain I was feeling, I immediately looked over, and saw the remaining two bandits, being taken out by Jacob.
I smirked, seeing this kid, who never seemed to kill before, is trying his best to survive, all for his sister. My face immediately went back to battle mode, as I see a bandit holding a machete, sneaking up on Jacob. I ignored the pain that I was feeling on my right arm, and picked up my gun. I aimed for his head, and he fell to the ground as I shot.
After killing the bandits. I look over at Jacob. ''Kid, with me. Let's get the others and get the fuck of here.'' He nods and immediately follows me.
We reach towards the tent Ellie and the other females hid on… I saw Ellie, with two new corpses inside. My eyes widened as I see her holding a gun, completely shaking. After seeing me she fell to the floor sitting down. ''J-Joel!'' She shouts with combination of relief and pain as tears were flowing heavily on her face.
The entire year we were together this is the only time I've seen her, with her usual wall of toughness on her face, with her usual confidence all gone. All I saw was a face that had enough, a face that I never wanted to see from the one I loved the most. A face full of despair.
I never knew my soul could still even feel anything. I thought that my soul was destroyed enough to make it feel completely numb. But no. It seems this was the last straw, seeing her despair-ridden face completely broke me.
I rush to her side to hold her around my arms, hoping that somehow I could erase even the smallest portion of her sadness. She cries out violently, her head leaning on my chest.
I notice Jacob, with his face, covered with tears as he looked over at something. I follow towards the location of his gaze and I notice 3 females, their arms removed. Their head, separated from their bodies, and their guts, lying on the floor. While one was unconscious, and seemed unharmed.
I carry Ellie on my back, as she squeezes me tightly. While Jacob, carried the unconscious girl, that seemed no older than 14. I could see a combination of relief and pain in his face. I didn't give a fuck of the pain that was throbbing on my body as I carried Ellie.
We used the tent as a shield and we moved towards the exit. Almost there. I couldn't bare Ellie getting more broken, so I headed to the exit faster.
After finally reaching the exit. We headed to the place where Tommy was. He fired out a flare gun during the chaos. Telling us to go there.
After careful treading, we finally reached Tommy and his men. After reaching them, of course, they seemed relieved, and happy. But that was gone as soon as they saw how few we were, and sadness quickly took over.
I tried to put Ellie down but she wouldn't let me. Her arms still firmly around my chest.
Tommy noticed that, and I could see hints of sadness in his face.
Jacob, with the unconscious girl, showed themselves. Tommy was surprised to see him here… I was too at first, and was wondering why a kid was at the gate in the first place. I just didn't have the time to worry about that back there.
Tommy knew this wasn't the time to scold the Jacob, so he immediately asked medics to look over the unconscious girl, and Jacob while they are at it.
It was only a matter of time before the bandits was annihilated. It seems like the ones headed west, was the majority of the group.
The bandits were wiped out, with the exception of the two that Jacob and I shot at the leg a while ago. Tommy ordered his men put cuffs on them, as well as looting all that the bandits had. That way, we can get all kinds of information about them., they did that for 30 minutes. After finishing, they patched up my wounds then we headed back and reached the destroyed south gate for 15 minutes, then to Jackson.
After our return, we were greeted by Maria, Before hugging Tommy, she gave a little speech to the ones who lost a loved one this day, and announcing that a week from now, there is gonna be a day of mourning, all work will be postponed, to honor and give a funeral to the people's deceased loved ones. During the speech Maria gave I feel Ellie's body shivering more and more, and so I excused myself and headed back to our house.
During our entire trip, Ellie has not spoken even a single word. I drop her on our couch and put my hands on her shoulder. ''Baby girl… I can fix you something to fill your stomach. Stay here whil-'' She interrupted me, pulling my shirt with her hands turned to a fist. Not saying a word, she pulls my shirt harder directing me to the couch to sit beside her, and I did.
I didn't say anything in return, I just put my hands on the top of her head and I start caressing her hair. After a few minutes, she couldn't hold her tears anymore and started crying. It was like a dam that was holding water two times it size finally gave in and broke.
She leans her head on my shoulder, puts her left hand on my chest and the other holding my left arm as she cries loudly. '' They protected us… The bandits suddenly… and….suddenly started shooting us…'' She tells me trying desperately to get the words as her emerald eyes overflows with tears. ''They acted as shields, while the bandits continued to shoot… I-I couldn't do anything!… (*heavily sniffs) ''Even though everybody hated me… the three of them were the only genuine friends I had that accepted me…and befriended me…(*heavily sniffs) Why…WHY! Does the people I start to like keep leaving me!'' She told me, her grip on my arm and my chest tightening, and was screaming loudly.
I dare not move an inch, I let her stay like that for as long as she wanted. I needed to be as positive as I could, for her sake, I needed to be the one who would lift her up from her despair. I don't have the time to be in despair… for her sake… for her sake… for her sake. I keep repeating that word in my head during the time she cried.
I've become numb to pain. I needed to use that numbness right now to keep myself from pouring my anger to the bandits. Right now, Ellie doesn't need me to do that, right now she needs me by her side, more than ever
Barely, I control myself and I start to focus on comforting her.
After 30 minutes of her shedding tears, very slightly, she starts calming down. She then removes her grip at my chest and my arm. She instead puts both of her palm on each side of my cheek, and her teary emerald gems looks straightly at my eyes. ''You are the only one Joel… the only one who haven't left me…Please… Please promise me you are not going to leave me EVER!'' She tells me
I then look at her and say. ''Listen to me kiddo… I ain't goin anywhere. I ain't leaving your sorry ass… e-ever… (I rarely ever used the word 'ever' ) You'd just go ahead and die on me either way if I left you alone.'' I told her wiping away her tears from her face.
. ''Now c'mon, I know it's hard, but we gotta put something on that stomach o'yo-'' I couldn't continue what I was going to say. Something was hindering me from finishing my sentence.
There was a warm, pleasant feeling that was beholding on my lips. I stood frozen. all because of a surreal feeling that was happening on my entire body.I didn't want to move, I just wanted to embrace this feeling, to once again explore it. It's a feeling I haven't had in a long time.
I snap back to reality, and started looking at the source of this pleasant feeling. Only to witness Ellie, her eyes closed with her arms shifting from my face and started wrapping me around my neck. I felt as if I was being burned alive yet feeling naked on a blizzard.
After she finally broke loose from the kiss and started to catch her breath. she looked at me with her eyes, reddish from her tears and said. ''Joel… I love you.''
My eyes widened at her words. All this time the girl I always treated like my own daughter liked me- no… loved me. I stayed silent, just shocked, and I couldn't utter a single word nor move an inch from my position.
Due to my lack of words, she started leaning closer to me, moving her head closer to mine, her lips inch by inch towards my lips. With the shaking of her body very obvious.
Using the barest of my strength, I tried to push her away. I tried to get back from her advance. But then I saw her face. Her eyes, sparkling like little gems in the sky, her breath, warm towards my face. She started closing her eyes, and started pursing her pink mouth.
I could see her worries, I could see that she was trying to reach me for comfort, I could see that she longed for me, more than anything else in this world. I couldn't hold back any longer.
Fucking shit I told myself as I moved closer to her.
I could tell she was relieved that I did what I did. As she let out a refreshing beautiful smile, and started giggling ever so slightly.
''Hey, Joel, you're not really going to leave me... Ever? (emphasizing on the ever)
I could tell she noticed I used the fucking word. I must've sounded like an idiot.
I didn't reply as her pale, soft hand, caressed my beard as she placed her palm on my cheeks, and started pulling it closer to her face. Pulling it closer to her mouth.
A/N:Heya! I'm sorry for not posting for a while. There's a lot of things going on and I was so busy. So as an apology I gave you a long one :) Again, cheers to CarlSolo for helping me out on this one.