Chapter 9 The ones I care for
Ellie has been sleeping for a few hours in Joel and her's house she was now beginning wake up she then rubbed some her eyes and then opened them to see that she was in her room in Jackson.
"How you feeling?", Joel asked.
"How did I end up here?", Ellie asked ignoring the question Joel asked her.
"Even brought you back", Joel replied.
"Where is he?".
"I don't know Tommy brought you to the house", Joel said and then Ellie sat up in her bed.
"Easy, the drugs are still wearing off".
"Why did he bring me back?".
"He has his own reasons".
"I'd like to know them", Ellie stated then got out of her bed.
"Shouldn't you rest first?", Joel asked.
"I'm fine".
"I'll let you get changed then", Joel said then left the room and let Ellie get changed into her clothes and put her backpack on, after that she went to find Tommy so that she could find Even.
"Tommy", Ellie said when she saw him "Where's Even?".
"I don't know he disappeared after he handed you back here. Ask his friend he might know", Tommy replied.
"Where is his friend?".
"Two houses down from mine", Tommy said and Ellie immediately left "Ellie wait", Tommy called out but she didn't listen.
"When did Even get a chance to get friends?", Ellie thought to herself. She then arrived at Even's friend's house then she knocked on the door and saw Jason.
"Oh you're Even's cousin right?", Jason asked.
"Yeah. How do you know that?", Ellie asked then Jason showed her his firefly pendant "Do you know where he is?".
"In the forest. Mind if I ask why?".
"I just need to talk to him".
"Mind if I tag along?".
"Sure", Ellie said Jason then grabbed his backpack and then walked out of the house "What's the deal with you and Even?".
"We've know each other since we were five".
"Okay. Has he always been like this?".
"You mean a cold near emotionless asshole. No".
"What do you mean near emotionless?".
"He without a doubt has the best poker face I've seen and it's almost always on, but some situations do make him laugh and smile while others depress him".
"What was he like before?".
"Really lively, kinda hyper, cocky and playful".
"So what changed?".
"I noticed it a bit after his dad died but it wasn't very obvious until he eight when he started work as a firefly".
"Why?".
"I don't know".
"So what's your story?", Ellie asked but got no response from Jason, the two then left the walls of dam and entered the forest nearby.
"My parents died shortly after I was born, so I had been living with my uncle for a few years then he joined the fireflies and they let me stay there, I've been with the fireflies for the past eleven years".
"You're more trusting than Even".
"And you're story?", Jason asked but just got a look from Ellie "Trust is a two way street I've told you my story you tell me yours", Jason said.
"I stayed in the military for a lot of my life, I never knew either of my parents then when I was fourteen".
"You were bitten", Jason interrupted "I was there. Sorry about Riley", Jason said but Ellie didn't care who was there it had been done and she or anyone else can't do anything about it.
"Then I went on this road trip across the country to find the fireflies and after that ended up here. Why'd he go into the forest?".
"You'll see", Jason replied simply.
"Well then let's find him before he changes his mind".
"You won't have to look far", a voice said in the distance then Even appeared from behind a tree with his face covered in fresh blood that then started dripping on to the ground.
"The hell happened?", Jason asked.
"Some bandits won't be problem now. I'm surprised they let you out already".
"No one knows we're out here", Ellie replied.
"So what do you need?", Even asked but neither responded Ellie then reached into her backpack and pulled out some bandages.
"Patch yourself up first then we'll talk", Ellie said as she handed him the bandages.
"No need".
"What are you talking about look how much blood you've lost", Ellie said Even then undid the bandages around his arm to reveal a fresh infected.
"I fucked up huh? So talk now save the bandages for someone else".
"Why did you bring me back?".
"Because you have a life to live for, not just for yourself but for others as well".
"But what about you? You're dead now because of me".
"Death is a part of this world you have to accept not kill yourself instead", Even replied tears then started to form in Ellie's eyes "Look after her were mum's last words and I did, for as long as I could" Ellie's eyes were now watering "Tears don't suit you well".
"I'm sorry".
"For what? I don't hold this against you", Even said and then walked up to Ellie and dropped some blood in the process an wiped the tears from her face "Better", he said then wiped the blood from his own face showing two deep cuts on his cheeks.
"I hate to interrupt", Jason said "But I think we got company", the group then heard some people in the distance.
"Up for a game Jason?", Even asked as a smirk grew on his face.
"Same rules as always".
"Yeah".
"Stakes?".
"I'll think about it after I win".
"You're on".
"You want to play?", Even asked Ellie.
"What are the rules?".
"Whoever kills the most people using stealth wins, if you get caught you lose".
"Simple enough", Ellie said as she drew her bow and an arrow.
"She got a bow this won't be easy", Even thought to himself "3,2,1 go", Even said in a low voice then the three separated into the forest. Even hid behind a tree and saw two bandits out in the open one with a pistol and the other with a bow, he threw a knife into the head of the guy with a pistol and then another into the other guy he then collected his knives and the bandit's weapons "Let's see how good I am with a bow", he said and then picked it up and took the arrows, Even then saw his first victim in the distance he shot an arrow straight into his chest "Pretty good apparently". The three then meet back at where they separated.
"Where'd you get that?", Jason asked pointing at the bow.
"Where do you think?", Even said and then threw it at Jason "Won't do me much good", he said and then give him his remaining arrows.
"Thanks".
"Don't mention it. So how many did you all kill?".
"Nine", Ellie replied shortly.
"Seven", Jason said.
"You've been slacking off during practice haven't you?", Even asked.
"Whatever just say how many you killed?".
"Twelve".
"Damn. Alright so what do I have to do?".
"Hmm I don't know. I'll let you choose Ellie".
"I got nothing", Ellie said.
"Well I guess I got out lucky".
"Guess you did", Even said "You guys should probably get back. Don't worry about me ..I'll be fine.. and so will you two".
"But what about you?", Ellie asked.
"I need some time.. alone".
"Okay", Ellie said and then walked away.