My memory of the university chapter is kinda foggy, so forgive me if there are some inaccuracies with the layout or the smaller events, so I hope you guys like it. Enjoy.

Jakes POV

We rode in silence for several hours, with Joel being the silent guy that he is, and Ellie falling asleep right next to me, I had a lot of time to think. Which I was totally okay with, I mean I didn't really feel like talking anyway. I don't know why, but I can't get the image of the mutilated corpse out of my head. I mean Joel's probably done the same thing, a hundred times, all without remorse. So why did I, a fucking kid who was born in this shithole you call earth, threw up after killing one guy?

The more I think about it, the more embarrassed I feel. Ellie's probably done worse and been through worse. That reminds me of how close she was to getting…. You can fill in the blank. It's just really fucked up. Yet she didn't break down, no she tunneled straight through it without a bat of the eyelash. That brings me back to my original point and how I basically-

"Something on your mind, kid?" Joel asked, interrupting my thoughts and looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"Yeah, it's just how… you can kill plenty without remorse but, I fucking throw up after one." I said my words laced with uncertainty.

He sighed in his seat and turned to face me. "I don't kill without remorse. Every man I kill comes back to haunt me, But I do it to stay alive."

Joel looked at me for a second before continuing "Look, what I'm trying to say, is that in a world like this you either let go of your morals and kill to survive, or you don't and you die. I'm afraid that if I dwell on them too much, that I'll go crazy. Don't beat yourself up over that, it was some bad stuff and a couple decades ago I would've done the same. You'll get better, trust me." He finished.

I stared in shock, Joel; the guy who seemed like he was avoiding me half the time was not only comforting me on something but was also giving me advice. "Thank you." I said looking him in the eye. "I really appreciate that, I really do, thanks."

After that little bonding moment we drove for hours in utter silence, I had gotten one of my favorite books, 'John Grasper: Gone yesterday' and started reading it for what seemed like the billionth time. Call me a fanboy but just the way 'Grasper' thinks is fascinating. Ellie was still asleep, and Joel kept on driving through the countryside, sometimes passing a building or two. We slowly made it in to more urban areas before finally reaching the university.

It was fall and trees were starting to show it, turning that orange-brown they only do at this time of the year. The university was a collection of brick buildings; overgrown grass was spread all across the courtyard and was poking through the stone pathways and stairs, A huge banner saying 'GO BIGHORNS' was hanging proudly on the biggest building.

As Joel pulled in to park, I woke up Ellie, she yawned, her eyes fluttering open. "We're here." I told her, grabbing my backpack.

We all climbed out of the car as the cool fall breeze blew through the trees. We walked down the steps and into the courtyard. Passing several banners that were advertising something called 'prom'. We continued on making small talk and Joel trying to explain to Ellie how to play football. I was never really interested in sports. Along the way Joel had killed a few infected, but we haven't had any signs of actual people being here, which is odd, considering this is supposed to be one of their bases.

After walking for what seemed like hours through this enormous campus, I finally asked "So where in this place are there supposed to be Fireflies?"

"Tommy told me that it looked like a 'giant mirror'." He said responded, not even looking at me.

"Tommy?" I asked.

"His brother." Ellie said, answering my question. I really didn't know what to think about that, other than me guessing that this 'Tommy' is or was a firefly.

We walked on for a little while longer, Ellie finally spotting the building and Joel picking up a pretty badass flamethrower. We started seeing signs of people actually living here, barbed fences, lookout points, etc, but still no people.

"This is odd. I would've expected some guards by now." Joel muttered to himself, as we walked by some tarps, set up by someone before us.

"Maybe, they left." I suggested

"Maybe, but we still need to know for sure." Joel said, as we walked on.

Eventually we made it to a big gate that was blocking our path, Joel tried the fuse box but it didn't, he tried the lifting it with us, it didn't. It wasn't until he found a note that apparently detailed that you had to power a generator that apparently was on the other side.

"Looks like I'm going in." Joel muttered as he turned to face one of the doors on the side of the building.

"Is that really a smartest idea?" I asked, thinking of how much infected could be crawling that building.

"No, but it's not the dumbest." Joel concluded glancing at me.

"Be careful." Ellie said to him. Joel grunted before heading into the building.

Ellie and I stood in silence for what seemed like a while before I finally, using all my wit and courage, decided to break the ice. "So how long you've known Joel?" I'm known for my incredibly complex questions.

"Ever since I left the zone. I don't even know how long it was since then." Ellie said with uncertainty in her voice.

"Awful open aren't ya?" I said, my inner Texan accent taking hold.

She shrugged. "I don't know. You're just the only kid I've seen in months and well…" She stopped before she could say anything stupid. I wondered about the 'in months' remark but I let it slide.

"So why are you even looking for the fireflies?" I asked

She hesitated before saying "…Family." I bought it; I mean there isn't much else to look for.

After that we stood in silence after that, occasionally trying to make small talk. After my question she seemed a bit uncomfortable, so I just left her alone. We waited and we waited occasionally getting anxious at the sound of gunshots in the nearby building. Eventually Joel came back out of the building, looking relieved to have not found us torn to shreds by infected.

Once the generator was powered and the gate was up, Ellie had rushed over to see if he was ok. After a minute of reconciling Joel had insisted we move on to which we did and now looking back I wish we wouldn't have because of what came next would lead to a chain of events that would be truly hell.

More Jack Reacher references; sue me. On second thought please don't, I kinda need that money.

Sorry for a somewhat dull chapter. I originally wanted to make twice as long and end with them leaving but I'm going on vacation tomorrow so you're gonna have to settle for this for a couple weeks. Sorry. Anyway I appreciate any and all reviews; they keep me going. Have a good one.

Until next time

-Jogman