The gates were open. The screeching and Joel screaming for help were the only things I could hear. Suddenly I realized I could no longer hear properly, I saw someone shooting in the other side of the gate but I couldn't hear them. Joel was holding me so close. I felt both comfortable and protected at the same time. I saw Maria running towards us and taking me from Joel's arms. My leg went limp. I couldn't feel anything and the pain was finally disappearing. I kept thinking to myself. Is this it?
-We can still save her. – Maria yelled as she entered the infirmary. – Peter! - A man in his 30's appeared from nowhere and started to work around my leg.
Maria slowly descended me onto a metal table. Peter and other two nurses approached me and injected me with something. I let out a small sound of pain as the needle poked my arm. After that, my vision got blurry.
-Everything's going to be ok. – One of the nurses said. – Just relax.
I woke up in the same table but this time I was alone. I could hear people talking outside. For what I recognized, it was Joel and Tom.
-All the noises that you made us do brought some infected near our town. – He said with an angry tone. – Why the fuck did you go outside…with no fucking weapons? Better than anyone, you know what's outside.
-We were just going for a walk. How was I suppose to know that a bunch of hunters would come chasing us down the streak?
-Joel…you're my brother and you know that I want what's best for you. If you died…
-Stop right there. I wouldn't die. I knew exactly where we were going and I know the surroundings better than you. The only thing you've got to be worried about is Maria and the town. Ellie and I can take care of ourselves.
-Doesn't look like it…
-Just let me go see her! – Joel yelled shoving his brother aside. The door slowly opened and I saw Joel's face peeking in. – Hey. – He smiled. – How are you now?
-I don't know. – I said. – A bit dizzy and I still can't feel my leg. What happened? – I asked falling to the side as I tried to stand up.
-C'mon, let me help you. – Joel said as he came close to me and helping me sitting. – The doctor extracted the bullet and said that you couldn't do any sudden movements with that leg for some time.
-How long?
-2 months.
Joel must have seen the look in my face and quickly started to say that everything would be alright and that he would take care of me. Also, why should I be sad or worried? We are in a safe place for once. No infected, no hunters. It's good in here. Hell! I should be fucking happy. I survived all that before. Being a survivor should be enough to me. But a recurrent thought always came to mind. But…why do I feel sad and empty?.
-Ellie? – Joel snapped a finger in front of me to get my attention. – Did you hear what I said?
-Hum...sorry, no. Please repeat.
-I said that we should go check the town. We've been here for two weeks and still haven't seen half of this….and it's not that big.
Oh yeah. The only thing we have been doing is work for Tom and Maria. I mean, it's not that bad. I help Maria when it comes to searching for information about other survivors and I make sure every new survivor that we found wasn't bitten or anything that might turn him into an infected thus harming our little "society". Joel was helping Tom in the hydroelectric dam. It still had some problems and Joel offered to help out. If they weren't there, they would be searching for food and trying to protect the rest of us.
We haven't really had any time for ourselves. Not that I'm complaining. I like to help others but I need my own time…as a matter of fact, I still haven't read the comic books Joel found.
-But…my leg…
-Oh right. – Joel turned around and searched around the round. – Here they are. – He grabbed a pair of crutches. – This should help.
He gave me the crutches and saw as I tried to walk with those. My leg was still really numb and it was hard to walk around with it but the crutches were a big help.
-Is it good? Does it hurt?
-It's good, Joel and no, it doesn't hurt.
-Come – He said. – Let's see the town.