Chapter 6 Escape

Ellie had just entered salt lake city and was on the highway with a deer drawn on it, abandoned rusted out cars was all she could see as she walked towards the hospital she was getting a little tense her life was about to be ended for a world that was already crumbling but she thought it was worth it and that she could be more help to humanity know. She went a different way from last time to get to the hospital since she knew she couldn't get the horse through that tunnel.

"Don't move", the voice of a man in his mid thirties said Ellie then turned to face the man, he was pointing a gun at her and had two others doing the same "What do you want?", Ellie then noticed the firefly logo on an armband he was wearing.

"I'm Ellie I'm the girl that's immune I came to find the cure", Ellie replied.

"Alright", the firefly replied "Take her in", he said pointing at a younger man and Ellie then followed on her horse.

Even just entered Salt lake city and started hurrying since if he thought if he was here Ellie was already near the hospital so he commanded his horse to move quickly so that he could catch up to Ellie, then Even heard a runner in the distance and before he could react the runner pulled Even off the horse and bit his arm Even then took out pushed the runner off of him and shoot it twice in the head "Shit, no", Even said as he felt his blood stained arm "I don't have time, I gotta get her first", Even then covered the bite with some bandages and got back on the horse and started to move through the city and until someone had shot his horse and it fell to the ground with Even's leg under a man then approached him.

"Even", the man said with a bit of shock in his voice.

"Long time no see Larry now get this thing off of me will ya", Even replied Larry then took out a radio.

"Sir Even showed up at the highway watch, what action should be taken", Larry said into the radio then some static mixed in with some words were heard but Larry seemed to understand "Understood sir", Larry said then put the radio away then pulled the dead horse off of Even "Come on", Larry said pointing a gun at Even's back and motioned him forward until he arrived at the hospital where more guards where positioned in the hallway Even then saw a tall brown haired man in his mid forties wearing some military clothing and had a hunting rifle over his shoulders.

"Well look who it is", the man said.

"Great to see you Charles", Even replied in a sarcastic voice.

"To what do I owe the displeasure Even".

"Ellie's here isn't she?", Even asked.

"Why don't we talk in my office?", Charles said "You're dismissed Larry", Charles said the Larry left Charles then began walking down the hall with Even following "So what did you want?", Charles asked as he sat down on an old office chair.

"Ellie, where is she?", Even asked with his murder stare.

"Being prepped for surgery", Charles replied.

"Stop the surgery".

"I'm afraid I can't do that".

"Like hell you can't, stop the damn surgery".

"Now, now Even calm down, I'm a civil man we can discuss this calmly", Charles said but Even knew that was a lie, Charles loved torture and punishment any chance he got to punish his subordinates he would take, who ever made him leader was an idiot.

"There's nothing to discuss, let her go".

"She wanted this, now I'll let you leave if without any trouble, I'd suggest you do".

"I'm not leaving without her", Even said.

"Why do you care? You have no relation to her".

"Yes I do".

"Ah your parents never told you did they? They found you abandoned on a street in Boston", Charles said then pulled him up by the collar and pointed his pistol at him.

"I don't give a fuck, and I sure as hell ain't gonna let a bastard like you get into my head. Now let her go".

"Easy Marlene ain't leader anymore, you lay your hands on me again", Charles threatened Even then let go of Charles "Now if you refuse to cooperate I'll have to use force", Charles said then got out a radio "Damien get in here", Charles said into the radio and a muscular brown haired man with a scar running down his face "Get him out of here he tries anything, well you should know what to do", Charles instructed and Damien nodded in response and Even followed him outside.

"Go get you cousin", Damien said.

"What about you? They'll kill you", Even said.

"Don't worry about me I don't have much left to live for but you two do, now go I'll try and hold em off", Damien said Even then nodded in response and left for where the surgery was happening.

"Hey wait", a voice of a teenage boy said Even then pulled out his pistol on instinct and aimed it at the person who spoke and was about to pull to the trigger but then he realised who he was aiming at he saw a boy his age with blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Jason", Even said "I though you were dead".

"It's gonna take more than that to take me down", Jason said.

"I'd love to talk but I gotta run", Even said and started walking the other way.

"Wait, let me go with you", Jason said Even then stopped in his tracks and turned his head.

"Are you sure?", Even asked Jason then replied with a nod "Alright just keep up", Even said then the pair run to the surgery room killing any firefly as quickly and as quietly as they could. They made it to the surgery room with minimal injury with Even only getting a cut on his face drawing a significant amount of blood, they then saw three doctors around Ellie"Sorry", Even said then shot all three in the head without mis he then ran over to the bed Ellie was on and removed all the machinery from her and put her onto his back "Cover me", Even commanded and Jason nodded in response. The two then went down to one of the parking lots where there was a truck that Jason said was working Even put Ellie into the back seat and Even got in to the driver's seat and Jason got into the passenger seat.

"You even know how to drive?", Jason asked.

"Guess we'll find out" Even said then started the car and began driving out of the city.

Before the infection the drive from the hospital to Jackson was about a day but since there were no other cars the group was making very good progress, Even then noticed Jason staring at Ellie.

"Don't even think about it", Even said.

"What do you mean?", Jason asked.

"I'm not blind and she's no push over", Even said in response Even then let out a chuckle"I remember the last time you tried to get a date", Even replied and then started laughing "You're a horrible when it comes to flirting".

"You can laugh I didn't think you could".

"Me neither".

"So you're going help me out on this one?".

"I don't know man we're kinda rough around the edges".

"Why what happened?".

"It's a long story, but it's not really up to me.I'll warn you, she bites", Even said and then showed the hand that was injured by Ellie's switchblade.

"She did that to you?", Jason asked and Even nodded in response "That's impressive. I'll keep that advice in mind".

"What do you mean that's impressive?".

"Well not just anyone can give you an injury like that".

"Yeah whatever it doesn't matter. We need to talk".

"About?".

"I can't go much further".

"What do you mean?".

"I'm infected", Even replied simply "I'll get you two somewhere safe but after that".

"Where are we going?".

"You'll see", Even replied "I just hope she forgives me. Also the guy Ellie stays with his name's Joel, I'd keep clear of him".

"Why?".

"First off I'm pretty sure he hates everything about me so he'll probably hate you, he hates fireflies and if he catches you doing your horrible flirting around Ellie he'll probably cut your head off".

"What is he to Ellie?".

"Surrogate dad I guess you could call it. Anyway we're here", Even said then opened the driver's door and got out of the car Jason then looked at his surroundings.

"This is just the end of a road".

"You remember Tommy?".

"That guy that was always with Marlene".

"He started a settlement near here with electricity, running water, livestock, crops you name it he's probably got it", Even said.

"You think he's got room for a firefly?".

"You're asking me that question", Even said with a smirk "Hold this", Even said as he handed Jason his backpack and hunting rifle.

"Why?", Jason asked but got no response Even then opened the back passenger door and put Ellie, who was still asleep, on his back "Oh", Jason said and then the two started walking through a forest and eventually arrived at the gate of Tommy's settlement.

"Tommy! Maria! It's Even", Even shouted then Tommy showed himself at the watchtower near the gate.

"Took you long enough", Tommy replied "Who's that?".

"Don't worry he's friendly", Even replied "Now can you let us in", Even said then the gate started moving once open the the two walked inside Tommy then climbed down the watchtower to see the two of them.

"You want me to take her off your hands?", Tommy asked.

"About that I can't go any further".

"What happened?".

"I got bites", Even replied "Just make sure she's safe please".

"Alright I'll take her to Joel".

"You think you can get him a place?", Even asked putting a hand on Jason "He's had it rough".

"Haven't we all? Come on kid", Tommy said motioning Jason to follow he then took Ellie off of Even.

"I can do it for you if you want the easy way out", Jason said as handed Even his backpack, Even shook his head in response..

"I need time to think about some stuff", Even said and started walking towards the forest near the town. "So now what? Option 1 or 2? Well what's the point in option 2 I know everyone I care for is safe, though I have a bad way of showing I care, they're not with me so why should I go with option 2?", Even then got out his pistol and thought hard about what he was doing "Let's wait, the immunity might run in the family, worst that happens is I turn into a runner that doesn't scare me very little in this damned world does", Even then reached into his bag and pulled out two pictures one of his mum and one of his dad "I don't know if what that pig Charles said is true but it doesn't matter at this point, know that she's safe for now, I guess the whole family died for her", Even said "Well last two days for me".