Bear

Autumn +7 weeks

Fucking snow.

It had been snowing for a week before finally quitting last night. The shit is deep, white, the sun glaring off the ground is blinding, walking is fucking worst then climbing up stairs with a bloater crawling on your back and … damn it ... all this shit is making hunting nearly impossible … I hate snow.

I mean really fucking hate snow, should have moved to … well, Texas or Florida … somewhere warm. Joel has said he never seen snow till he left Texas, he also told me the other day he wished he could have gone somewhere with Sarah so she could have seen it once in her life. Pftt, lucky girl. I would love to be able to say I never seen snow … snow is just a bad memory waiting to happen. I hated the snow in Boston and I hate it here in Jackson.

This snow storm just remind me too much of last winter. When I almost lost the most important person in my life to a bunch of fucking inbred assholes. When I almost became dinner … when I almost lost my virginity against my will to the king of the fucking inbred assholes. When I almost lost everything.

I let that fucker off too fucking easy … he died too quickly, not suffered enough. Not suffer nearly enough.

I hope they, those who use to follow him and lived, I hope they all fucking starved to death … slowly.

"Ellie?"

I looked to my right, a small smile came to my face as I saw Joel walking a few feet to my right with that look on his face. He was giving me that look that told me he was worried about me. Yep, getting really warm around here now. Whenever he looks at me either with a smile or that look, I get all warm and fuzzy inside. No one else see it, just me, I can see it clearly, I see how much he loves me.

"Joel," I said back with as much love in my eyes as he was giving me. He actually blushed! Holy shit! Never fails to amaze me when I can get him to do that just by saying his name.

True, we are a … unusual couple in Jackson. For one, no one else can just say another name and be able to say everything that they need to say without uttering another word. It hadn't seemed all that weird to me until I got around the people in Jackson. Joel ain't one to waste words, so I had to learn what he was thinking by understanding him. Plus, you know we were fucking the only two people around who we trusted with our lives, things just happen. I'm sure if we tried to understand how we do it, we would just fuck it up.

I picked up my pace to get around to his left side, so I could hold his left hand in my right. He was carrying the rifle in his right hand, while my left held on to my bow. Pftt, no sense of leaving our self vulnerable to attack just so we could be silly and hold hands. Safety first, you know.

The second thing that made us different was what we were; there are many different kinds of people in the world today. There are fucking inbred assholes, and hopefully very few if any still live. Normal assholes, those who prey on everyone and anyone but they normally stick to larger cities. Then there are survivors, those who live in QZ or in Jackson, people just trying to live life as normally, whatever the hell that means, as they could. Lastly there is us, Joel and I; the super survivors, people who live life on the edge and keep coming back for more. We seen the worst this old world had to offer, and kicked its fucking ass.

"How are those new boots holding up?" He asked as we continued to high step through the snow.

"Feet still warm and dry," I said with a grin. "Looks like Gina knew what she was doing." Gina had borrow couple of my books, one on how to tan animal skins and another how to make leather goods.

The way they had been doing the tanning was more hit or miss, like one skin out of ten would be useable. So it was expensive as hell to make anything clothing wise since it took so much leather. Even the leather I use to tie up my ponytail was pricey. Thanks to her studying those two books I recovered from the Smith family, we now have a better way of preserving the leather and she can make more things, such as my boots and hair ties, and we get more uses out of the animal skins.

She made me a pair of boots that came up to mid thigh and laces on the inseam, the souls were really thick to keep them as dry as possible and protect my feet. The souls were leather as well, so now I can move even quieter then before … yeah, that's my favorite feature. And the price was good too, she gave me my first pair for free, as to say thanks for the books. I can always do free.

"All teams, check in, all teams check in," the radio squawked as Diana's voice intruded on our quiet time.

Joel let go of my hand to check the compass as I pulled out the pocket watch to check the time.

"Three hours, 21 minutes," I said while scanning the area, making sure nothing heard us.

"Right," when our turn came he called back. "Course 318, North by North East, time 3:21."

"Course 318, North by North East 3:21, confirm. All Teams advise; temp dropping, barometer dropping, advise return, control clear."

"Shit, another storm coming?"

"Sounds that way," Joel said replacing the radio on his belt. "We should ..."

I didn't say a word when he stopped talking but immediately crouched down and had an arrow cocked.

Pftt, and he says I never learn.

I watched the path we came from while he watched around the front. I tried to listen but snow does something weird with noise, makes it more muffled and hard to pin down. I didn't hear a thing.

"Off to our right, about a football field," Joel whisper as I turn my head slightly to see where he was talking about. "It looks like a old hunting cabin."

"Did you hear something?" Man, my blood was pumping so hard I could feel it in my ears. Okay, second thing I will never ever tell Joel; I really miss this kind of stuff.

"I'm not sure ..." Joel sounded doubtful? Wow, that is new.

"Well, lets go check it out," he shot me a look I know all too well, but I pushed on. "I've never seen that cabin before, we hunt around here all the time."

"Probably, due to the trees and brush in the summer, provided it cover."

"What if someone is living in there? It'd be nice to know if someone is going to shoot us, don't you think? Or what if it is a trapped Infected, rather deal with it now on our terms then have it bust loose on its own. We can deal with it but what about one of the other hunters? Most of those guys haven't seen one in years, and if there is one in there, it's most likely to be a Bloater by now."

Now he was giving that second look, the first said I was crazy and to be quiet; now he was admitting I might have a point but really, really didn't want to admit it out loud. Still, he pulled out a pair of earphones and plugged them into the walkies-talkie so the sound wouldn't travel.

"Control, team six."

As Joel talked to Diana, I watched the surrounding forest, mostly looking for tracks. Our footprints were clearly visible, but I didn't see any others. So two possibilities, one if there was anything in there, it hasn't moved out since the snow has stopped or came from the other side. I did a quick glance at small cabin, I could see a doorway, it looked as if the door was still on it's hinges and I couldn't see any windows. Nice in dark in there, no doubt.

"Rodger, Team six will investigate, stand by." He let out a frustrated sigh, still whispering, he looked at me. "New structure, it's not any of control's maps." He then shuffled uneasily, I knew what was coming … and he hated this part. "I don't have my gas mask on me so ..."

"Any spores, I'll go in, if I see anything I get the fuck out and we come back later, right?"

"I mean it Ellie, we do a quick search. We can always come back later to do anything else."

"Yeah, no problem Joel, I got your back." I gave him a small pat on his arm.

"Never doubt it," Joel said with a quick smile.

He took point while I followed behind him, watching our back. And I was probably melting all the snow within a mile after seeing that smile. I carried a 9mm on my right hip as well as a bowie knife on my left but kept the gun in the holster, I was a better shot with the bow and a bow was quieter if we ran into any company. The 9mm was just a back up, the … oh we are fucking screw … weapon.

Tommy told me one night that he used to play video games back when there were working computers, and he loved playing the RPG type fantasy games. He compared two kinds of characters to Joel and I, Joel was a tank. He was a large brute force kind of guy who used his body strength to clear obstacles out of our way. He would get in close and personal with the enemy and bash them to death.

I, on the hand, was clearly what he called an 'assassin' character. Joel and I both used stealth but I lived in stealth. I preferred to hit scum from a distance as quietly and quickly as possible before they knew I was there. If I was forced to attack up close and personal, I preferred to hit them from behind with a knife then bash them with a club. That is why we were so deadly, our strengths were inverse, one could offset the others weakness. Tommy also said we were both too damn stubborn to die … really can't argue with him on that part.

We stopped just before we got to the small clearing around the building, the brush offering minimal cover. Joel still didn't look happy but after five minutes of observing the cabin, he dashed across the open area to the right side of the door way. I waited until he waved me over, then I dashed to the left side of the door. We spent another five minutes of hell, trying to listen in to the building and watching the surrounding area.

God, I really miss this kind of stuff. Facing potential death really made you feel alive. When Joel looked over … that old goat had that look in his eyes as well. Damn it, if he wasn't enjoying himself a bit as well. I gave him a smile and blew him a kiss, he just blushed but his beard couldn't hid his small smile nor could his eyes hid his amusement. Then we both got our heads in the game, as he aimed the rifle in front of him.

Fuck, next time he is bring the shot gun with him. I'll carry myself if I had too. This cabin was way to small to be using a rifle.

The door nob turn slowly in his hand, not making much noise but in the dead quiet it sounded so loud. As he pushed the door open, we waited a second before he charged in, with me hot on his heals. Good no spores, no infected. One room, fireplace cold, hole in the ceiling, remains of a bed …

What the fuck … something black came charging out of the side room, straight at Joel! He got one shot off before it swung its paw at him, knocking him off his feet.

Fuck bear!

I shot two arrows into it neck area as Joel used his rifle stock to keep the bear's teeth away from his neck. He was losing! I didn't think, can't use the 9mm, might as well spit at the bear, bow ineffective … as it swiped at the rifle and raised on its back legs I did the only thing I could! I grabbed my bowie knife in jumped on its back. I stabbed over and over again trying to hit something …

The room was spinning and then …

Shit! My side … hit a boulder or … can't breath … so hard to breath! Why can't I breath! Joel! Joel is he safe …

"Ellie!" I could barely hear him as I was coughing … oh no … I was coughing up blood … drowning in … shit Joel! "Ellie, stay with me girl!" I felt a slight pressure on my hand, I grabbed with all my might! Joel! Please don't leave me!

"Joel and Ellie are checking out some old cabin," Tommy was telling me as we took a moment to share a cup of tea. "The other five teams are heading back in now. Everyone should be within the Line by the time the next storm hits."

"We will have to get some supplies up to the plant before nightfall, the crew up there now might have to pull a couple double shifts before the storm passes." I said looking out the window at the already large piles of snow in the streets of Jackson. "Did Bruce and Tabby check to verified which building are in danger?"

"Yeah, so far all is so good." Then he let out a quirky smile, "but they both think that sporting good store is toast."

"Well, that is okay; those two children will rest in peace now," I repressed a shiver. Getting buried alive, no hope of rescue … I always said a extra prayer at church for …

"Break … Break … Ellie is hurt! I need assistance … Ellie is down."

Tommy and I both swung our heads at the pair of radios on my desk, Oh my god!

"This is Control, all units remain clear, Team Six go ahead." Diana's calm voice filled the airway.

"Bear attack, Ellie … Ellie was thrown across the room, impacted against fireplace. Bleeding, coughing … coughing up blood, trouble breathing!"

Tommy was already out the door before Joel was finishing talking, with me close on his heals with my radio in hand.

"This is Control, all units medical plan C; say again medical plan Charlie in effect."

"This is Medical One, at plant; leaving with escort, need directions."

I caught a glance of dad standing at the foot of the stairs, looking like hell, as Tommy and I raced out the door. I took the passenger seat of the electric cart as Tommy did his best to keep the ultra lite, not really built for snow, machine on the road. All around us the town exploded into organized action. Guards were switched out, people running to the stables to get horses saddle up and the snow sled hitched. Children, who had been out playing, stood around in wonderment; they had no idea what was going down but knew something was up.

"Team Six, Medical One; what is her condition?"

"She … she struggling to breath … her right side … I rolled her on her left side against me … still coughing up blood."

I cringed, I could barely hear Ellie struggling to breath, her calling out to Joel … sounding so weak.

"Rodger, I am on my way, keep her warm if you can and Joel your doing fine, Okay." Andy's calm medical tone didn't do much for my nerves but maybe it will help Joel and Ellie.

"Just get here!"

Then again ...

"Control, Team Five; how close are we to them?" The strong voice of Dwayne, Bruce's son, coming across the radio as Tommy skid to a stop at the main stables. They had already had the snow sled hitched up with two other men on horse back waiting for us.

"Team Five, Control; follow protocol. You are too far out … return to camp, over." Diana's voice had enough of edge to discourage any argument.

Shawn handed Tommy a shotgun as he climbed up into the sled, even before he was settled in, Bob had the team moving.

"Shawn," I called to him, he had no more job until they got back and I need him for something we hadn't planned on. As he jogged over his face was strangely set, as if he was trying hard not to show his worry. Ellie and him might fight like cats and dogs but ... "Gather any extra hands you can find, I need to have the steps and walk way around the medical office clear before they get back."

"You got, Mrs. Wilson," then he hesitated. "Is L going ..."

"Don't worry, she be back to annoy you before you know it." I gave him a reassuring smile that I didn't feel as I pulled away to find Nancy, the town nurse, so we could get the clinic open and ready.

"It's going to be okay, baby girl," I forced myself not to rock as I held Ellie in my arms. She was still breathing, it was a wheezing, terrible sound but she was breathing! "Andy will be here soon and you will be all better, and you can tell me some more of those god awful jokes and I won't say anything but laugh till my side hurts."

She had finally passed out from the pain, I … I wish she was still awake … I …

"I will let you sleep in my bed with me … I know you … you been saying that it was easier then switching rooms in the middle of night. And maybe I will … stay with me sweetheart, I do anything you want."

Ellie can have anything … just don't leave me … Please God, don't take away my only reason for living … not again.

"Joel? Joel!" I heard Tommy's voice. "Jesus Joel, are you okay?"

"Hey Joel, its me Andy, okay. Let me look at her okay."

"She is still breathing," I said stupidly as Tommy and Andy knelt down beside me.

"Good, that is good Joel," Andy said gently as he held that thing doctors use to hear the heart beat to her chest. "She got a pulse, weak but it is there. Joel, I need to cut her t-shirt off okay? I need you to roll her off you and on to the floor, Okay."

"I opened her two outer shirts, she not wearing a bra … can never find enough to fit her ..."

"That's good Joel, you did good, now let Tommy look at you."

"What?"

"Damn Joel, you chest and arms … is that your blood or Ellie's?"

"I don't know … bear got a couple good licks in … before ..."

"Joel!" Andy voice made me look at him, hard to focus … so tired … "Did Ellie get any of her blood in you? Did you get any of her blood in you?"

"I don't know …"

"He got some deep cuts across his chest and right shoulder," Tommy said as he wiped something on me. Then Ellie let out a small whimper, and Tommy was pushing me back. "Easy Joel, Joel easy! She is okay, understand, Ellie is okay. She is breathing and in pain but she is going to be alright."

"Don't hurt her … she is my … my light ..."

"God damn, there is a knife broken off in this here bear's neck," a voice said that I didn't immediately recognized.

"Ellie's knife," I turn my head to look at Tommy. "Crazy girl … wanted to protect me … always protect me … not worth … I'm not worth her ..."

"I'll let her know y'all said that so she can properly kick y'all ass when she gets better," Tommy said without any humor as he pulled my shirt up and started wrapping something around me.

"I … I hope she does."

"Medical Two, Medical One."

"This is Two, go ahead."

"I need you to pull Ellie's card, get as many of the matches as you can lined up; she is going to need a few refills."

"They are already standing by."

"Good job, we'll be heading back in five stand by, in surgery." He then called out to someone else. "Jake, Sam; help me get her on the stretcher." Then he walked over to Tommy and me, "Joel, she has internal bleeding, collapse lung and possible fracture ribs. I'm going to have to operate on her, do you understand?"

"Yeah … yeah … do whatever you have to do … save my baby girl."

"I will, Tommy how is he looking?"

"He is gonna need stitches, I slow down some of the bleeding but ..." Tommy didn't finish as he pulled my shirts and jacket back on.

"Okay, Joel listen to me, are you listening?"

"Yeah."

"While she is in surgery, I need to place you in isolation, understand? I don't know if you been infected ..."

I used what strength I had to grab him by the jacket. Tommy was trying to pull me off but I held on.

"Worry about saving her! Let everyone else worry about me! Do you understand?"

He gave me a cocky smile as he pulled my hands away, "Glad we understand each other, Joel. Okay, lets get her out of here and back to Jackson before that storm hits."

Okay Ellie, you are not in Kansas anymore, or more accurately, Jackson.

Yeah, this is definitely not Jackson. Sure, I have only been in Jackson for what six or seven months … pretty sure it has been six months but I know it fairly well. The view in front of me is not one that I know. First off, the grass around this nicely painted two story house was cut.

Not cut short by the roaming bands of sheep they used to keep the yards neat. No, this was different, this yard had been cut by something else that made straight, even, uniform heights cuts in it, I could see the patterns that it was cut in. And the house …

The paint was in great condition, it looked so fresh and … bright! All the windows were clean and … where the fuck was I?

Jackson, Boston, Pittsburgh … Salt Lake … none of those places looked … it was like pictures of homes I have seen from Before. Before the shit hit the fan, before the plague destroyed most of humanity and humanity got busy destroying it's self.

I mean, the door is still up, there is a swing on the porch … hell even the mailbox has it's flag up as if it was waiting for the mailman to arrive.

Weird.

But the weirdest thing … one of the weirdest things was the weather, it was just after daybreak and it was so warm and … warm? Wait, wasn't Joel and I just trampling through snow that was almost up to my waist? I'm five foot two damn it! Where did all that snow go?

Where the hell are my clothes! I had on four layers of clothes plus socks plus my new boots … all I'm wearing now is one of Joel's shirts … wait … shit; all I am wearing is one of Joel's shirts! Why the hell … I'm in public dressed … or not dressed … no one see me like this except Joel! Everyone else only sees me in jeans and long sleeve shirts, ever! I wear shorts and short sleeve shirts around the house, one of his shirts to bed … but in pubic?

What the hell is going on here!

"Ellie!" a voice called out from inside the house, the door flung open and a young blond girl a couple inches shorter and couple years younger then me, dressed in a concert t-shirt and purple pj bottoms came running out to me barefoot. "Ellie, I am so glad to meet you." She said as she hugged me. Okay, she had a accent like Joel's and …

Oh no … oh no no no! This is not happening!

"I mean, well not glad as in right now but I am glad … I thought it would be later but … oh I'm so happy to see you." She practically bounce around and hugged me again.

If I ever wore panties to bed, they would be full of shit right now … this can not be happening.

I was being hugged to death by laughing, smiling, Sarah.

Joel's long dead, for twenty one years dead, daughter, Sarah.

Fuck?