R
Disclaimer: There is a slight lemon in this chapter. The next chapter should be out a week after this one is published. Chapter 12 should be out likely two to three weeks after chapter 11.
THE LAST
OF US
PART III
(Music to go with certain scenes)
(transliteration/translations)
Written text
Chapter 10: Jackson
Honey wheat grains danced in the wind around a three-story log cabin. Glistening green hummingbirds buzzed around Morning Glories growing on hanging planters. Ellie's smile only widened as a red-chested hummingbird buzzed over her head. Orange rays of warmth burst through the canopy of trees surrounding her home. Joel was looking down at her through the third-story window, before vanishing. Joel somehow became Maria; her light white and blond hair sickly in the shadows of the third-story window. Ellie decided to walk with her daughter in hand back inside her home.
Wasn't she in Jackson?
"Mommy, mommy! Hurry up! Daddies waiting for us!" Screamed the young child who dashed through the honeyed-grained field leading up to the doorway of the log cabin home. The young girl turned around on the porch. She was facing Ellie, with a happy yet worried look in her eyes. Ellie walked slowly to the young girl. She didn't know what to say. The little girl had dark red mahogany hair with curls that went down to her butt, her eyes were bright sapphire blue, and she was perfect in every way. Ellie approached the child who was holding a small basket of strawberries in her slightly tanned hands.
The doors of the home opened, and Blue walked out of the log cabin. He picked up the little girl by her hips causing her to scream in joy. She then shouted, "Daddy! Mommy took us out to pick wild berries and there were no monsters!" Blue allowed the little girl to crawl on his back, he held her firm by the hips and gave her a piggyback ride toward Ellie.
November 18th, 2046
Ellie's vision became engulfed by bright white light, she opened her eyes and blushed. In front of her was Blue, he was passed out, his mouth open and his red tongue visible. Like every other night she slept with the man, he never snored but slept on peacefully as if there was no care in the world. Red was snoring in the corner of Ellie's home on top of her small leather sofa she discovered, untarnished inside of an abandoned home in South Park, Wyoming. South Park was ten miles south of Jackson, and three miles north of the hydroelectric dam that powered up the largest city in the Jackson Republic.
Ellie felt hot, the lips of her inner and outer labia were tingling as if something was picking at a mosquito bite to relieve pain and pressure, but there was no total relief. Her thighs felt hot, and her body jolted as if there was nothing else that mattered besides whatever… Ellie froze in place, she had barely moved more than placing a palm on her bed when she felt Blue's cock. In their sleep, they must have shifted and moved when they passed out. As soon as Blue came into her room, as if on routine, they both took their clothes and passed out in each other's arms as they had done since Yellowstone. Right at this very second Blue's cock was poking into her panties. Blue, for his part, kept sleeping on with a giant smile across his face. He looked like he was lost in a dream, but his cock felt so hard and was so thick against her panties that Ellie spent one of the best minutes of her life sweating against it. Electric volts of spine-tingling pleasure shook her from feeling it rub obscenely against her pussy.
Ellie pressed her lips against Blue's forehead and gave him a light kiss so as not to wake him, "Rest up Cowboy." Ellie rolled her way out of his Blue's embrace until her feet slipped out of bed to the floor. Ellie gazed at the alarm clock on her nightstand, which read 9:15 a.m. Gazing back at Blue's hard cock, she almost laughed at how it was pointing up like a flagpole. His cock had to be around eight or nine inches long and as thick as a police officer's baton. "I'll have to take care of that later." She muttered under her breath.
"I owe him that much." Thought Ellie with dark red cheeks.
Red awoke with a cute yawn and started jumping around Ellie's bare feet. Remembering all the times she saw Blue walking around the Squatters Quarters with his dog Red. She understood she needed to take the fluffy hound out to do his business. Ellie quickly slipped on her clothes from yesterday. She gave her clothes a quick sniff, causing her to scrunch up her nose in discomfort. She smelled like a sweaty armpit, but she just shrugged her shoulders and muttered, "I've smelled worse." Red barked out a loud woof right as Ellie opened the door. She turned back to make sure Blue was still resting peacefully before slipping out the door carefully.
Red bolted down the stairwells of the Ranch House. Ellie could only curse and mutter more curses as she wearily followed the dog on uneasy feet. If only she could crawl back into bed, snuggle against Blue's body, and have another wonderful dream that didn't involve death. Red was busy taking a dump behind the Ranch House when Ellie heard footsteps crunching into the snow behind her. Not even caring, simply continued to watch Red take his long morning dump.
"Good morning, Ellie, long time no see," said a familiar voice. Ellie sighed, then turned around to face none other than Steven Carraway, a soldier of the Jackson Republic. Dressed in thick-furred clothes, he had blonde hair and hazel eyes. Close to six feet tall, muscular, and has a roaring tiger tattoo on the back of his neck to signify his involvement with the Tiger Brigade back in Forty-Three. Steven only smiled wider with big blushing cheeks.
"Long time no see indeed. What brings you to the Squatters Quarter?" Asked Ellie, her voice sounded hoarse and aggravated.
"You," said Steven with a widening smirk. "Guards found your horses in front of the Ranch House early this morning." He turned his head back and then cocked it forward before walking closer to Ellie, she awoke from her slumber right as Ellie noticed Steven giving her an alluring smile. "You and Blue had quite the adventure. Heard he got attacked by a Grizzly Bear, and you saved his life after he slipped into an icy cold stream. Glad you both survived and I see that you're walking his dog."
"Thanks, Steven, it was a tough journey, but nothing I couldn't handle. If you don't mind, could you get to the fucking point already?"
"Maria sent me to retrieve you. She really wants to see you. Don't know what's been going on between you two, but… Maria, she is a sitting member of the Communal Council and she's your aunt." Steven moved slowly closer to Ellie until his foggy breath started drifting towards her face. Ellie frowned at the mention of Maria, the damned woman waited until now to summon her! Even though Maria was family, the way she had been treating her since her termination and the words Maria said to her during that hearing.
"Ellie don't know how to tell you this, but the whole city has been hearing rumors… Rumors about you and Blue fucking each other instead of delivering the mail." Steven stopped talking, his mouth transforming into a wild smirk. Ellie's face frown grew grimmer, and she shifted her weight nervously between one heel and the other.
"What? I don't know what you're talking about?" Blurted out Ellie, the shock and fury in her voice betraying her.
"Oh, forgot you just came back home. Someone from the South Entrance made a radio broadcast about you and Blue fucking each other like wild rabbits…" Steven shifted and became slightly petrified by Ellie's death glare. He felt the hairs over his tiger tattoo jump up and he nervously said, "I don't believe the rumors. I know you. You wouldn't degrade yourself by fucking someone like Blue."
"Degrade myself! He's my best friend! Blue's been there for me when I needed saving, and he'd give his life for the Jackson Republic!" Steven took a couple of steps back from Ellie. Red rubbed his butt against the snow and jumped up between Ellie and Steven. A spine-tingling growl echoed across the snowy terrace, and Steven looked like he might shit his pants. "Easy there boy." Elie's frown turned into a sickening smirk and her eyes reflected sadistic glee. Steven half expected Ellie to give Red the command to attack instead…
"Over here Red. Such a good boy isn't he," said Ellie. She began petting his ears making Red woof in approval. Red then followed Ellie as they made their way around Steven. "Thanks for telling me about the rumors that are going around. I know Maria wants to see me, but I've been traveling the last week delivering mail and killing infected across Wyoming. If you can't tell, I just fucking woke up and I still feel exhausted! So, Maria can wait! I'll drop by around noon!" Steven turned around surprised.
"Ellie, I'll be honest with you. People don't exactly like Blue. With what happened at the chapel, his laziness, his alcoholism, and his arguments with Tommy. I just don't understand what you see in him?" Explained Steven, he had a look of utter disapproval, and it made Ellie furious.
"Blue is a good man! He's battling more demons than both of us combined, and I don't need to explain our relationship to you!" Spat out Ellie her cheeks reddening with rage again. "If everyone in Jackson hates me because we're friends, then fucking hate me already!"
"You know what your goddamn problem is Ellie?" Ellie waited under bated breath for several seconds. She noticed Steven's eyes were focusing on Red. "You've changed from someone reliable into a complete loser. You used to live with us in the old city, now you're a squatter. Lowest of the low." Steven started spinning around his eyes darting from the Ranch House, a few abandoned buildings all around them and the humming electric gates 70 meters north. "You used to complain about Blue more than anyone I knew, but now you're walking his dog!"
"I was wrong! Okay! Blue would take a bullet for everyone in this damned Republic! He went above and beyond during the delivery job and he's the only friend I have left! So, if you hate me because I like being around someone who doesn't hate me. Then you can go fuck yourself!" People were opening their curtains and blinds to see the commotion outside. Ellie noticed an old woman shaking her head from behind her second-floor window.
"Just know I warned you." Said Steven, his voice carried a tad of sadness as he looked at Ellie.
Ellie spat a large disgusting wad of spit at Steven's feet. Then with a flick of her wrist, Ellie marched away with Red tagging along in front of her. Steven watched Ellie walk away with Blue's dog, completely confused and heartbroken. Ellie, in a rage, kept marching back home, Steven's words echoing in her head like war drums. It only made her angrier, each silent echo made her clench her fists tighter. Steven hadn't always been such a prick, he was once a nice little boy, but the war changed him. Months spent freezing in Colter under constant sniper fire, Zhukov's forces leaving little time for rest before the next assault. The War of 43' left many lasting scars for everyone involved, and even Ellie still remembered the Third Battle. An entire brigade of thirty soldiers, half of which were orphaned children who had no intention of surviving. Until the streets ran red with blood. The sight of flayed or scalped corpses posing on the rooftops. And the constant attacks from sadistic children tossing grenades from rooftops. The memory only made her angrier!
TxTxTxtxTxTxT
Blue awoke feeling claws digging into his legs and chest. Red howled and then bounced off his body. He jolted upright and heard Red's claws rubbing against the apartment floor. He let slip, "What the hell Red! Give us…"
Blue saw Ellie standing at the edge of the bed, her hands in tight fists, and her eyes cold. If looks could kill, Blue surely would have died on first contact, but this raw murderous rage wasn't directed at him. Ellie's lips quivered, trying to smile, but she shouldn't have tried. Ellie had the same look when she nearly his brains at Colter's Hell. Blue froze for several seconds. He wasn't sure what he should say or do, and he truly didn't wanna find out. He broke out of this trance when Ellie attempted the warmest of smiles, but Blue was no fool.
"Sorry! Didn't mean to wake you," said Ellie, her lips quivered uneasily, and her emerald eyes turned sullen. "Red did his business and our horses are taken care of. I hope I didn't ruin a good dream."
"I ugh, had a good dream last night. Sometimes I wake up and think I'm still dreaming." Said Blue, he looked up and gave Ellie a happy and carefree smile. Ellie unclenched her fists and walked over to Blue. She walked over to her bed, along the way tossing her hiking boots and socks to the floor. Red grabbed one of Ellie's wool socks, but she didn't care as her parka, sweater, and pants flew off her body.
Completely naked save for her wet panties, Ellie gave her friend and lover a wink from her scarred eye and asked, "What did you dream about?" Blue's face turned redder than a gushing bullet wound, and his eyes grew wider than a mushroom growing out of a clicker's eye socket. "Well…"
Blue got out of bed and made sure to adjust his briefs, which did little to hide his arousal. Blue grabbed Ellie around her waist and shoulders. They looked each other in the eyes and all Blue could say, "dreamed about us." He gave Ellie a light kiss and smiled. "Just the two of us… and you were happy."
"Oh, and exactly what were we doing in this dream of yours?"
"Come on Ellie, it was just a dumb dream." Ellie raised an amused eyebrow and started smiling. Her rage had all but disappeared under Blue's very presence. He started to brush her auburn hair out of her face, which allowed Ellie a window to close into Blue's thick lips. They both spent the next minute sharing a passionate kiss that made Ellie's heart thump. Ellie rolled her slimy red-hot tongue against Blue's, which only intensified the heat and wetness between her legs. Ellie felt Blue's rock-hard cock poking into her belly. She abruptly pulled her lips away and smiled, then whispered into Blue's ear, "We should make that dream come true sometime, but today is not such a good day for that."
Blue gave her a light peck on the lips and nodded his head in understanding, but Ellie could tell from the frustrated look in his normally joyful sapphire eyes that he needed some relief. Ellie wanted to jump into his arms and have the cowboy fuck her senseless for hours. She wanted nothing more than to spend the entire in day experimenting, feeling, and learning more about the man who had always had her back. She wanted to know everything about Blue, she wanted him to know everything about herself, and she wanted to run away with Blue.
"What's going on?" Asked Blue, his voice slightly hoarse and worried. He wrapped an arm around Ellie's smelly shoulders and brought his lover to the bed. "I don't want to press you if you don't wanna tell me about it, but you came back upset. I like you so much that I've already shed some blood for your sake and mine. If you need me to kill someone even here in Jackson, I can do it."
"No, no, no, there's no need to kill anyone Blue!" Said Ellie with some amusement in her voice. "When I was walking Red, Steven Carraway wanted to see me." Blue's sapphire eyes went from warm to cold. "I'm ordered to appear at my aunt Mariah's home to see her. The whole city thinks we both were fucking around during the entire delivery job, which means my Uncle Tommy knows as well. I care so much about you Blue. Every time I'm with you I feel ten years younger, and you always make me smile and laugh. I'm at the point now where I don't give a shit what anyone thinks of me anymore because I can't fall any lower."
"Then let us fall together!"
Ellie smiled and gave her lover a quick kiss. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes turned glossy. Ellie pushed Blue onto his back. He looked up surprised by how strong Ellie was being. She was only 5'7 and while athletic, she never looked that strong. Ellie grabbed Blue's briefs with all eight of her fingers and slid them down to his ankles. Blue felt his feet touch the floor, and then his eyes widened as he felt her hot breath over his dick. He was about to say something to protest but shut his mouth when he felt Ellie stroking his cock.
"Just sit back and relax cowboy! Mama Williams will take care of the rest!"
"Y-yes ma'am!" Replied Blue, he gave his girlfriend a respectable yet amusing salute. He gazed with a throbbing heart as Ellie crawled closer between his legs. Her hands couldn't wrap around his cock fully and her ruby-red lips parted revealing pearly white teeth. Was this her first blowjob? Blue's heart soared, but the fear every man has on a girl's first tryst with oral sex made its way to the top of Blue's mind.
"Ellie, just please, please don't use your teeth." Said Blue, who for his part gave his girlfriend the warmest and most reassuring smile he could muster.
Ellie rolled her tongue around Blue's purple portabella-shaped cockhead and licked his penis slit, which was leaking clear salty fluids. Ellie lapped up the leaking pre-cum juices, and when they met with her tongue, she simply started to lip harder. This was her first blowjob, and if someone had asked her two weeks ago, she'd have a naked Blue on her bed with his cock in her mouth. She would have pummeled them into the next ice age. Ellie licked up and down his cock coating the head and the shaft in her wet gooey saliva. Blue's cock, which had an olive-skinned complexation to it and a dark purple head that was two and a half inches in diameter was now shining and Ellie stared at her handiwork. She could see her own reflection and that only made her hotter.
"Holy Shit!" Yelled Blue. Ellie worked his cockhead and two thick inches of his dick in her mouth. Her tongue swirled around the head and her tongue was parting his penis slit trying to capture more of his salty-sweet pre-cum.
Ellie hummed her pleasure as more droplets of pre-cum filled her mouth. She slid another inch inside her mouth almost gagging as his cockhead hit the back of her mouth. Wanting more, Ellie removed one hand from his shaft and started massaging both testicles in his hairy but silky sack. Each testicle felt like the small, wonderful apricots that produced his semen. Loud sucking and slurping noises filled the apartment, Blue would gasp and moan with words of encouragement, "god fucking damn!" or "Please don't stop!" Ellie could only look up at her lover's beat red face with pride.
Ellie had half of Blue's cock in her hot, wet, and slimy mouth. She felt his portabella cockhead grow thicker and she suppressed the urge to gag when another inch of fuck meat slid into her mouth. She kept sucking, and slurping until she heard Blue shout, "Ellie! God-fucking damn! I'm about to cum!"
Ellie pulled out four inches of slimy, veiny dick out of her mouth, but kept his growing cockhead in her mouth. The first spurt didn't surprise Ellie who swallowed the salty-sweet and bitter sauce with her saliva, but what followed made her think she bit off more than she could handle. For the next half minute Blue kept shooting weeks of pent-up semen into her mouth and down her throat like it was his first time cumming in a woman's mouth. Ellie swallowed every load, savoring the taste, feeling hotter in her pussy by the second. It was very thick and tasted like a mix of almonds and salty-sweet candy. When Blue's stream of baby batter subsided, her mouth was filled to the brim with pure, thick, and globby white semen.
Ellie rose from her knees and opened her mouth briefly to show her lover what she captured. She then swallowed the whole load, but some still leaked out of her mouth down to her chin. Ellie rolled her tongue over her lips to catch as much of the delicious cream as then went to give Blue a kiss. She was happy that he kissed her back passionately. He didn't care if he was tasting his own semen. Blue simply rolled, swirled, and wrestled his tongue against Ellie's until she pushed herself off his chest.
"Shit it's 10:30 and I need to get cleaned up!" Screamed Ellie in surprise. One moment she was walking Red and the next she was giving Blue her first blowjob. Time really does fly. "We need to do this more often!"
"You can fucking say that again!" Said Blue. Ellie and Blue laughed and hugged each other. They may have been degenerate losers in the eyes of Jackson, but they had each other.
TuTxTuT
Blue walked beside Ellie on their way through Jackson. They both showered together and got dressed in new clothes. Even though she was immune from being infected, being around Blue made her happy. It felt like an infection that wouldn't go away. At least Ellie hoped that was the case. While in the shower they made a pact not to hold hands or kiss in public. Not that Ellie was conservative by any means, but when she dated Cat. Cat's idea of holding hands openly in public not only humiliated her over time, but it caused too much drama, especially for Joel who at the time took most of the insults over her sexuality at the time. Still, though they agreed to continue dating and Blue agreed that from here on out they'd share a bed. Ellie felt like she was on cloud nine. PTSD is a never-ending curse, and living alone with this condition hadn't helped her mentally, but whenever she was with Blue, she felt safe and secure. He too suffered from PTSD, and it made her happy she didn't have to keep battling the condition alone.
"So, you plan on going to see your folks. Guess I'm not allowed?" Said Blue as they walked past trading bazaars and merchants setting up stands filled with goods.
"Blue, you know my uncle. You guys get along like water and oil., and while he can be understanding. I think it's best I face my family alone… I'll live, but if you're with me I don't know." Said Ellie. She gave her lover a reassuring smile, but Blue simply continued walking with his typical stoic face.
"They're your family. I don't have any family anymore, but if I did, I'd cherish them. Let's say we get serious."
"How serious?" Asked Ellie. She raised a scarred eyebrow and shot Blue a wry look. Blue's stoic face turned bright red and sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Serious enough… we become family." Blue watched Ellie's face. He became happy and surprised to see Ellie's cheeks turn bright red, her green eyes sparkling at his every word, and a small mischievous grin slowly growing wider. Ellie looked around the busy streets of Jackson, she leaned in close to Blue's ear and whispered in his ear.
"We've only been together for just over a week and you're already thinking about us starting a family? Not sure if I should be happy or worried, but if that's going to happen, we're going to have to fuck… and move far out of the city." Ellie drifted away from Blue, her hips swaying in front of him and her laughter echoing across the street. Blue slumped his head beneath his Stetson hat completely embarrassed. "Come on cowboy. We're almost to the 7/11."
"I'm coming. Ellie, I'm sorry I brought that up…" said Blue, he was walking alongside Ellie and gave her a warm smile. There was loud hammering coming from Blacksmith huts and terrible odors coming from smelters. They were almost by the humming electric fences near the 7/11 gas station.
"Blue, I could listen to you all day long and still not get enough. The sun and the moon can vanish, and you would still be the best part of my world." Ellie paused in her speech. They passed by the lightly manned 7/11 checkpoint without saying a word. When they passed the antler archway they came to the mayhem of Jackson.
Hundreds of people were milling across the streets. Lumberjacks pulling large wagons of downed trees were making their way to the town square. Trading caravans led by the Gypsies and others by The Banner of Heaven were on the roads. Parents taking their children to the chapel flowed around Ellie and Blue. Cigarette smoke drifted from peoples' porches, the smell of horse shit and the sweet smell of cinnamon and spiced apples came from saloons and restaurants. Ellie grabbed Blue's left hand with her right as she yelled, "Excuse Us! Passing through!" Blue started chuckling as his lover shoved a pathway through the growing crowd of people making their way to the city center.
The noise started to pick us up as they passed through the New City into the Old City. Men, women, and even young teens were all hard at work setting up pavilions, trading stalls, and platforms for the festivities. The Mormons were already hard at work selling Yaupon tea from Texas and Mexico, bags of fresh coffee from California, and sugarcane and tobacco from Louisiana. Disciples of Dakota, a well-respected trade caravan, had set up shop near the chapel. They were busy trading Jerrycans of petrol and kerosene for furs and cannabis. They passed the Elk Antler Arches of Jackson that surrounded the town square. Ellie was trying to lead Blue north past the mayhem, but she felt Blue pull her into his arms.
"Blue!" Shouted Ellie, slightly annoyed. Her head was in his chest, and he held her in an iron grip. She began punching his chest only to stop when several wagons slammed past where she once was on the road. "Oh, uh, sorry darling."
The growing crowd of people around them were too busy squeezing their way to the chapel or to various merchant stands to pay attention to them. Ellie saw that Blue was eyeing the chapel where the Dog Preacher was giving a sermon. At the chapel steps was Miles Strauss who was wearing his weathered cowboy hat and thick furred clothes to hide his wrinkled leathery skin. Miles Strauss was a sitting member of the Communal Council and ran Jackson's largest lumber company. He was accompanying his granddaughter Lilah Strauss into the chapel. Every man in Jacksons town square had their eyes on her massive ass, her long legs, and her dirty blonde hair. Ellie couldn't help but stare transfixed at Lilah Strauss's luxurious figure. Massive DD cup breasts, flawless skin, ten fingers, and the eyes of everyone on her back. Lilah was the most beautiful woman in Jackson, and she always accompanied her grandfather wherever he went.
"Ellie, I need some church and you need to see your folks. Wanna meet at the Tipsy Bison at 2:30?" Said Blue, he still had Ellie in his arms. Ellie knew exactly where that bar was located. Up Highway 189 past the Teton Theatre and it was halfway between where Tommy and Maria were holed up. Ellie gave Blue a tight hug and a quick peck on his lips.
"Tipsy Bison it is. Have fun at church and don't pray too hard."
"Good luck!"
Ellie looked back over her shoulders towards the chapel. She saw Blue bumping and slipping his way through the crowd onto the stone steps of the chapel. Ellie slowly moved her way through the growing crowd. The Thanksgiving Festival had yet to begin, but word must have gotten out about how important this year's festival would be. Ceremonially it had the same American tradition and values of eating turkeys, sweet potato pie, roasted American Bison, and the age-old-American tradition of making peace with the Native Americans. After the Russians invaded Jackson and agreed to join the Jackson Republic during the spring of 44', Thanksgiving became a whole new thing. After the War of 43', the holiday turned into a weeklong celebration beginning November 22nd. Part of what made Thanksgiving such a big deal in Jackson was the fanfare. Every Communal Council member was encouraged to attend Jackson for a week of business, negotiations, discussions, and furthering ties with every part of the Republic. Usually, attendance was around 1,000 visitors. Maria for months had been preparing for close to 3,000 visitors from across the former United States. Every single one would be vetted before entering the city.
TuTxTuTxTuT
Ellie knocked on the doors to her Uncle Tommy and Aunt Maria's home. It was situated in a quiet old suburban neighborhood tucked away from the busy bright streets of Jackson Central. It was located a quarter-mile walk from the Jackson Ranger Station, which now served as a training school for dealing with infected on patrol and how to survive the wilderness. Across a very thick forest was the Jackson Elementary School and High School. Knock! Knock! Knock! Ellie waited in the blistering cold for ten more seconds. Knock! KNOCK! KNOCK! The doors to Tommy's home opened and to greet her was none other than Aunt Maria.
Aunt Maria was 52 years old and despite her age, she still had smooth skin save for crow's feet around her eyes. Her normal blond had turned slightly grey, yet the twinkle in her brown eyes made her appear younger. She had been the leader of Jackson for almost two decades, she created the Communal Council and had been behind the formation of the Jackson Republic. Maria smiled and said enthusiastically, "Ellie! Come on in! Sorry for not hearing from you, I was in the kitchen preparing a light lunch. Tommy's outback in his workshop. Probably rewatching old Cowboy games or trying to keep his spirits in check."
"Tommy's still trying to brew whiskey?"
"Hope not. After he set the backyard on fire ten years ago, he agreed to only brew beer. Step inside honey," said Maria who stood aside to let Ellie inside. Maria closed the door behind Ellie. She looked back and walked out of the foyer into the living room of their home. Their two-story home consisted of five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a pool, and several other facilities. "Take a seat wherever you want! I'm so happy to see you!" She took a seat on a leather chair at the corner of the room beside a bookshelf. Ellie saw books about United States law, the Second World War, and self-help books like The Millionaire Next Door, Meditations, and the Peter Principal. Ellie grabbed a random book off the shelf and pulled out Crime and Punishment by Theodore Dostoevsky.
"Interesting reading selection."
"It is what it is." Said Maria with a calm voice. She took a seat on a lazy boy across from a flat-screen TV set up on the wall. "Ellie, please don't think we're prying too deeply into your personal life, but is it true?"
"Hmm?"
"Ellie, we may not be related by blood, but you can't fathom how much we love you. We care about you, and if you really are in a relationship with Blue… we'll never stop supporting you. I just want you to know that you're loved, and we're sorry." Said Maria before pausing her speech. Ellie didn't expect to cry at the mention of love, but she couldn't control herself. "There, there, baby. There's nothing to worry about." Maria was already at Ellie's side handing her a small handkerchief to wipe away Ellie's tears. By the time Ellie calmed down the tense mood had changed into something more tender.
"I'm sorry about that," said Ellie, her words containing shame and disappointment in herself.
"Don't ever apologize Ellie, while I was visiting Outpost Teton, I heard a rumor on the radio about you and Blue… when I find whoever's been spouting all these rumors about you two, they'll have hell to pay." Maria gave her niece a warm hug, which comforted Ellie just a bit and made her smile. "I really wasn't giving the rumors any mind, until this morning. I ugh, didn't want to bring this up, but it made me worried. Steven Carraway saw you walking Blue's dog. He said you smelled funky."
"That rat bastard! I was wearing the same clothes I wore riding back to Jackson. I shouldn't even have to explain myself, but since you really want to know. We haven't had sex… yet." Said Ellie. She didn't know why she added the last word, but she did. Maria looked slightly surprised.
"Yet?"
"Aunt Maria…" Ellie tried her hardest to stay strong-willed and tough. "Do I embarrass you?"
"Wh-wh-why would you ever say that?" Said Maria her voice trembling at the horrid accusation.
"After what happened on September 11th, I haven't heard a single word from my own family until 8 days ago. And you didn't summon me until you heard about the rumors. I, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry about what happened." Maria placed a hand on Ellie's shoulders and shook her head. No matter how many short comforts Ellie heard whispered in her ear, she couldn't believe one. "There's not a day that goes by where I don't curse myself for what happened. I keep thinking that I could have killed an innocent child."
"Ellie, I've been trying to reinstate you as a teacher for months. This year has been one of the busiest years of my life. We've gotten over 900 new residents and after the festival, that number might jump. This Thanksgiving will be the largest gathering in Jackson-Hole since before the outbreak. All those years ago when I founded Jackson with Tommy, I never saw this place becoming so big and powerful. Now all that responsibility has burdened me away from the things that truly matter. Ellie, you don't ever need to apologize. We are family, and even if we don't always see eye to eye. I want you to know we'll always support you." Ellie calmed down and looked at her aunt warmly. She couldn't hate her aunt and uncle forever. They were the only family she had left. Ellie just hoped they could accept Blue, but Ellie became curious about something that plagued her mind for months. "Ellie, is something wrong?"
"I promise to be honest, but before I do, I want to know why. Why me? Tommy told me you've been the one assigning Blue and me together. And this mission for the Communal Council… what's really going on?"
"Let me explain, the day Blue arrived in Jackson… Tommy suspected Blue was part of some group in Texas calling themselves The Texas Rangers. Ellie, I've known about the neo-Fireflies for the past nine years. We've been trading with Fedra as well, but with wars breaking out across the United States security has become a more pressing issue. The Communal Council knows there's a spy in Jackson, shipments have been attacked recently within our borders all year round and this has also been happening in Yellowstone. Blue has been suspected of spying for some groups in Mexico and Texas calling themselves The New America Empire or the Imperio. We thought with him delivering the mail with you that you'd uncover if he was or wasn't the spy we were looking for. Do you know if these allegations are true?" Maria waited under a bated breath for Ellie's response. Her niece had a blank face as if this revelation didn't faze her.
"Blue mentioned he was a Texas Ranger, but he's…" Ellie took in a big gulp of air. She wasn't sure if she was breaking the pact she and Blue made in Colter's Hell. "Whatever terrible, disgusting things he did… I can't judge."
"You are a good woman and a wonderful niece. I don't care if you date or marry another woman or if you want to date a man. I just want to see you happy and with someone who isn't a monster." Said Maria, the concern in her voice did little to change Ellie's mind. "Whether Blue is a spy or not… I've heard horrible things about him. Ellie, he was a slaver."
"Blue was a slave himself, he told me he didn't have a choice and I believe him. He lost everything, his family, his home, and all he has left is his dog. If Blue is a spy, he's the lousiest spy in history." Maria stayed silent. Ellie noticed Maria's warm smile had vanished, and all that was left was confusion and concern. "He is a good man, he can make me laugh when I want to cry, and he's so good with children. He can be so gentle, caring, friendly, and is so smart. He's one of the smartest men I've ever met, even though he never was educated. He knows how to play the banjo, and the guitar, and he's fluent in both Spanish and Russian. I can talk with him for days about philosophy, life, and anything on my mind." Maria nodded her head and smiled.
"Do you love him?" The question petrified Ellie. She hadn't expected to be this honest with her aunt. Worse, she knew her answer and hoped Maria would accept it.
"Yes, I really do. This sounds so stupid, but I feel safe, secure, and happy whenever we're together. Blue accepts me for who I am, and he has given me every chance to cut things off if I want to." Explained Ellie.
"Why would he want that?" Asked Maria. She raised an eyebrow at her niece's wording, but she wasn't going to question Ellie.
"Because he doesn't want to hurt me. I can cut things off whenever I want, but I won't do it. He saved my life on 9/11…" said Ellie before taking a deep breath of air.
Ellie then spent the next half hour explaining what happened on 9/11, the horde attack in Moose, and every single amazing adventure she shared with the cowboy. Maria stood across from Ellie for the entire time. Ellie did gloss over details such as her and Blue trying to kill each other. There was no point hiding the truth that the Fireflies were after her. Ellie trusted Maria and Tommy with the information. Ellie ended the conversation by handing Maria the letter Zhukov had ordered her to give to the Communal Council along with all the documents she acquired on the crashed C-5 Galaxy.
Maria became silent as she reread the letter, which went over most of the information Ellie had relayed to her. Ellie had to bite her cheek as her anxiety started picking up. Her heart started to beat faster and faster by the second. Maria folded the letter and placed it carefully in its envelope.
"Well, I don't know how I'm going to explain to Tommy and the rest of the Jackson council that you really impressed that old leathery Russian general. He talks an awful lot about how you exceeded expectations of the typical citizen of Yellowstone, and that you and Blue are allowed to visit Yellowstone National Park anytime in the future." Maria looked at Ellie and looked on the verge of tears. "Ellie I'm so proud of you. I remember the day you first came into my life. Joel and Tommy were busy repairing the dam and we had that talk together. I thought you were a smartass, too smart for your own good, and after Joel died. I'm just happy for you Ellie, but I want to know how much you really love Blue?"
"I love him enough, that if the Communal Council decided to banish Blue. Then I'll enter exile with him, because we might get very serious, and… maybe one day we might start a family." Ellie felt a giant weight lift off her heart. She had said her peace and she prayed that Maria would accept the situation for what it was.
"Good! If you really do love him, here is my advice. Don't wait, life goes by so fast, and for us women life goes by even faster." Ellie noticed Maria's eyes were starting to glisten. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. "I found Tommy too late in life. When Miles fixed up our home, we had four rooms too many. I always wanted to start a family. Sadly, time wasn't on my side. Believe me, we've tried… but it's too late, and it's never going to happen. From what you say and what I've seen of Blue. He's handsome, charming, and a very strong man. So long as he cleans up, stays away from the bottle, starts working hard, and never hurts you. I don't see anything wrong with him."
TuTxTuTxTuT
Ellie enjoyed a very light lunch with Maria. They both enjoyed bread, cheeses, and small cuts of honeyed ham. They had a glass of wine and discussed the upcoming Thanksgiving Festival. Ellie took an interest in the festivities that would be transpiring after November 22nd. On Thanksgiving day the entire city except for the movie theater, the bars, and the chapel would be closed. Mostly because it was a day of rest to celebrate Thanksgiving. No Jacksonite would be working except for the unlucky bastards manning the walls and the hydroelectric dam. The next six days would be spent celebrating, partying, dancing, drinking, feasting, trading, negotiating, and worst of all politics.
Through the upcoming chaos, Ellie looked forward to one thing. On the fourth day of the Thanksgiving Festival was the annual Jackson music contest. It was an annual tradition that had been going on for 11 years. Originally it was only for citizens of Jackson, but as Jackson grew so did its territory. As of this year, any citizen of the Jackson Republic could enter the music contest. The grand prize? Two weeks off work duty, and two weeks of compensated food and liquor rations. Ellie was taken out of these thoughts by Maria waving in front of her face.
"Glad I have you, looked like you were zoning out. I'll make sure to speak to Tommy, he'll come around eventually." Said Maria happily. Ellie rubbed her flower-patterned tattoos along her arms and gazed up at a clock mounted to a wall.
"Oh, shit! I need to get going!" Shouted Ellie in complete surprise. It was 2:20 and it would take her a good twenty minutes to walk to the Tipsy Bison. "I'm sorry about cutting this short, but I need to see Blue. He's at the Tipsy Bison."
"I understand. Have fun and stay safe." Said Maria. They both shared a warm hug. They exchanged goodbyes before Ellie departed.
Maria watched Ellie from behind the windows of her home. Her niece was walking away with a wide smile and a skip in her walk. Tommy came out from the back and wrapped his left arm around Maria's shoulders. He too was mesmerized by Ellie's golden aura of happiness. The last time he saw his niece this happy was before Joel's untimely demise in 2038.
"Did you discuss with her about the Communal Council's decision concerning Blue?" Asked Tommy. It wasn't a bad decision, but Miles Strauss requested the lazy bastard immediately. He just hoped Ellie wouldn't be upset.
"She's probably going to find out pretty soon anyways if she is going to the Tipsy Bison." Replied Maria who turned her head to give her one-eyed husband a light kiss. "It is what it is."
TuTxTuT (Blue)TuTxTuT
Blue was squeezing his way out of the chapel. The service didn't last too long, he was seated near the back of the chapel, due to the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. Blue made sure to pray with Craig Jackson who commented, "Glad to see you in one piece." Blue and his old friend the dog preacher had a small chat before Khalid Webb (the only imam in Jackson) took the priest's attention. Blue left the holy duo right before 2 p.m. Churchgoers were shouting, hollering, and stomping on their way out creating a symphony of noise. Blue followed behind the crowd and was on his way to the Tipsy Bison when he felt a soft hand touching his shoulder.
"Blue?" He turned and saw to his amazement and horror Lilah Strauss and her granddad Miles Strauss smiling behind him. Before Blue could respond, Lilah wrapped her warm slender arms around his torso. "You're just the man Gramps was looking for."
"Lilah, what is the meaning of this?" Said Blue embarrassed by the affection she was showing him. Jacksonites and visitors alike were giving them looks. "Miles is right there." He whispered in her ear.
"Who cares, it's good to be in Jackson. And it's so good to see you, I missed you so much." Said Lilah Strauss while pressing her blonde head on Blue's shoulder. She quickly withdrew and took him by his hand to her grandfather.
Every snow-crunching step felt like a death sentence for Blue. He knew Lilah Strauss well, she was a crazy, manipulative, and gorgeous vixen. Miles knew her as well, which was partly why he ordered the Communal Council to send her to South Park, Wyoming to build a new settlement for the Jackson Republic. The South Park settlement hadn't been going so well even though it was right next to the hydroelectric dam. Even though it was a strategically important settlement that helped keep the power on, people just didn't feel as safe there due to the constant raider attacks.
Blue came face to face with Miles Strauss. The richest and most powerful man in Jackson. He had vicious soul-piecing brown eyes and thin white hair. Scars covered his wrinkly face, and his white mustache was thick. Blue's cheeks were heating up as he saw the look of righteous fury in the old boss's eyes. He wanted to say something to the old man, anything, but no words came out of his mouth.
"Well, well, well, we meet again. You were one of the best lumberjacks I ever hired to do work, but then you quit and became a lazy stinking spic!" Said Miles Strauss aggressively. Blue's embarrassment turned into anger. Every day he worked under Miles, he had to face the old man's racist comments and his harassment. Even after being worked half to death just for some booze, Blue never wanted to work as a lumberjack again. "Well, are you going to stand there all emotional or are you going to join us at the Tipsy Bison?"
"Why would I accompany you to the Tipsy Bison?"
"Because that's an order from the Communal Council. Want me to be frank with you sonny? You have been terminated by the Jackson Express until further notice. You are to work with my crews until Tuesday, November 21st. Any objections and you will be forced to spend Thanksgiving at the hydroelectric plant down by South Park. Now come with us to the Tipsy Bison!" Ordered Miles Strauss. Blue followed behind the old man like he had a gun behind his head. Lilah grabbed Blue's arm and he felt caught up between a rock and a hard place.
They arrived at the Tipsy Bison just ten minutes later. The sign above the saloon had two .44 caliber lever action guns crossing each other over a hand-drawn American Bison. The saloon was owned by Seth who was behind the bar counter serving beers to his patrons. Cowboys, visitors, and teenagers were filing in and out of the swinging wooden doors to the saloon. The party of three went inside and took a seat at a clear booth at the corner of the bar.
The booth was musky, clean, and guarded by ten lumberjacks who were off work. They all raised their pints of beer when Miles finally sat down. Blue took a seat across from his old boss and to his horror, Lilah Strauss sat down beside him, boxing him in. Miles shifted his eyes between Lilah and Blue before focusing entirely on Blue. "Alright let us get down to business, shall we?"
"Why am I being terminated? I completed the delivery job with flying colors, hell, I was doing work duty for two weeks straight and I still worked on my requested day off." Blue's right hand started twitching and vibrating, which caused him to groan in agitation. "Why me specifically?"
"Lilah, could you give us a minute?" Lilah quickly followed her grandpa's orders without a single fuss. Blue gave a sigh of relief, as he saw her flee across the bar. "Hey Lou! Fetch four shots of whiskey for me. Then every fifteen minutes, bring us another two shots for the next half hour." Blue saw a tall Asian man with a large black scarf wrapped around his neck and a balaclava cut up to the ears. This man got up from his chair and went to fetch the whiskey. "One of the few good guys I've hired in the last six months. Look Blue, here's the thing. The hydroelectric dam hasn't been that well maintained. The only reason why the Jackson Republic is trying to settle South Park is because that dam is the heart of our Republic. Without it, Jackson ceases to exist. Now for two weeks, I've sent out over a hundred lumberjacks to clear the forests too close to the dam. There's also another issue. We have gotten news that a large shipment of furs is crossing the Snake River on the twentieth. The problem is that the forests aren't completely cleared on the south side of the river."
"Did you miss me?" Said Blue sarcastically.
"In your dreams, boy. You're a disgrace to yourself and worst of all a disappointment."
"Not going to argue with you on that one." Replied Blue. Lou arrived with the drinks and Miles was quick to gulp down a shot. He then pushed two of the four shot glasses in front of Blue, who stared at the drinks petrified. Blue placed his twitching right hand under the table on top of his poncho, which didn't go unnoticed by Lou who took a seat at a barstool across from their booth. "Thanks for the drinks. I know you're trying to be nice, but I'm trying to quit drinking."
"Don't be a fool. You're going through withdrawals, boy. As a member of the Communal Council, I order you to drink with me!" Said Miles Strauss with a devious smirk.
"I'm trying to get sober, not fall back into the same damn routine!" Replied Blue, he wanted nothing more than to swallow both shots of whiskey. "Agh, it's nothing."
"Drink! Son, you're no use to me dead." Miles watched Blue extend his left hand on one of the full shot glasses. He spilled some whiskey on the table but clumsily gulped it down. Blue then grabbed the second shot glass and confidently gulped it down. "See wasn't so hard. I've lived a long time and all I can say is once your body starts going through withdrawals you need to drink. Taper yourself off if you can, but don't go all Puritan until the withdrawals stop."
"Thanks for the biology lesson. I'll help you out with clearing those woods and making sure the fur traders make their way to Jackson just in time for the festival. Kind of fucked up that I'm being forced to do this though." Said Blue glumly. He hated being forced to work and fight. Memories flashed through his mind of the times he had been forced to pick cotton on plantations in Texas when he was 9. More memories came back of the times he was whipped with a switch for not working hard enough. "When do I leave?"
"Work starts tomorrow morning, bring a lumber axe and a rifle. Understand this, you're a lucky bastard because the only reason why you're not spending Thanksgiving with the wolves is because I, among a few others, decided to give you a chance. You should thank my granddaughter as well. Lilah was very vocal about sparing you and was the one who thought this all up." Miles Strauss took another shot of whiskey. Blue saw a look peculiar look in the old man's eyes he couldn't pinpoint. "You should thank her before you leave."
"I'll make sure to do that. Miles, and ah, I'll see you tomorrow." Blue looked at a clock on the wall and noticed it was 2:25 p.m. "I ugh need to get going."
"Before you go," said Miles who leaned across the table at Blue. "Lilah." Both men turned their heads to Lilah at the jukebox her gaze was focused entirely on them. "My granddaughter thinks you're a good man… she likes you. I may be old, but I'm no fool. You're a poor spic squatter who's an alcoholic and a failure. Lilah's nineteen, she has a future while you don't. She's one day going to be part of the Communal Council. I don't mind you two being friends, but she's off-limits. Understand?"
(Layla by Eric Clampton & Derek & The Dominos)
"Understood… bastard," Blue muttered the last word under his breath and left Miles Strauss and the other lumberjacks gathering around their boss.
Blue scanned the bar hoping to see Ellie. He wanted nothing more than to flee from the Tipsy Bison far away from Miles and his granddaughter. Right as Blue turned around the square bar counter at the other side of the bar. To his horror, he bumped into Lilah Strauss. Her tanned cheeks turned dark crimson at the unexpected touch. Blue writhed at the touch of her two arms coiling around his neck like a python. Blue tried pushing the clingy woman off, but she held onto him tightly.
"It's been a while since we were this close," whispered Lilah into Blue's ear. Her gorgeous brown eyes were sparkling mischievously. "I missed us camping and drinking together outside Teton. I missed your cooking and your nice hard cock."
"Lilah, thank you for having my back with the Communal Council. I like you, but what happened between us is history." Said Blue while hoping Lilah would get the picture.
"History? Babe, I'm back in Jackson and I'm here to stay. I didn't convince the Communal Council to spare your life, just for you to act like nothing happened." Lilah looked over her shoulder and saw her grandfather watching them. If the damned old man wasn't watching, she'd kiss Blue right away. He took her virginity, taught her how to fish, and never once placed her on a pedestal like all the other lumber workers. She whispered into Blue's ear, "You took my maidenhood, I can't forget that. Are you worried about my grandpa?"
"Miles hates me. When he's not calling me a spic that bastard is plotting my downfall. Just a second ago, he was threatening me about us being together." Blue pushed Lilah away and whispered into her ear. "That was two years ago, while I look at what happened fondly. I have moved on and so should you! There are plenty of nice, charming, young men in Jackson. The types of men your gramps would want you to be with."
In walked three young men between the ages of eighteen and twenty. They all three had zits, unkept beards, and had goofy-looking clothes. Each one looked wimpier than the last. Lilah raised an eyebrow at the young men who entered the bar, then turned her face back to Blue's. Blue cursed whatever god sent the three dorkiest men in Jackson into the Tipsy Bison. Before Lilah could say a thing, in walked Ellie, Blue felt his heart leap as he saw his girlfriend and the only woman in Jackson, he loved and respected.
"I want you." Whispered Lilah. She saw the look in Blue's eyes.
"I know. We weren't meant for each other. I gotta go." Blue left Lilah standing by the jukebox. He didn't care if she wanted him dead. He wasn't going to be manipulated again by her again.
Lilah went over to her grandfather who was on his fourth shot of whiskey. She kept her eyes on Blue and Ellie Williams. She couldn't believe what she was witnessing. Blue gave Ellie a hug, both were whispering in each other's ears, and just like that, they left. Many thoughts went through the young woman's mind. None were good, all she wanted was to strangle that damned redheaded whore. If she could rip her heart out and fuck Blue over her corpse that would be even better. The thought made her ruby lips widen into the most delicious smile possible.
(End of Song)
TuTxTuT (six hours Later) TuTxTuT
Steam was coming out of a pot of delicious blood-red Menudo soup that Blue spent four and a half hours preparing. He traded two grams of weed at the market for all the ingredients. Ellie was sitting at her small circular dining room table. Red was resting and chewing an old rawhide bone by the corner of her apartment. The smell of cooked peppers, pork stomach lining, and various herbs and spices created an aura of warmth between them. Blue and Ellie kept their eyes on one another as they sat across each other at her dinner table. When Ellie licked her ruby-red lips seductively, it made Blue's heart thump faster against his chest. He poured his favorite soup into weathered porcelain bowls for Ellie and himself.
They spent much of the day talking about everything that happened between them. Ellie spent several furious hours kissing and sucking Blue's cock after he told her the news. Blue for his part performed oral sex for Ellie. He wanted nothing more than to spend the next two days pleasuring his lover and giving her comfort. Ellie had been adamant that she had a special surprise for him when he returned from his mission for the Communal Council. Ellie's vinyl player was playing an old Johnny Cash album.
(Jackson by Johnny Cash and June Carter)
"Blue where did you learn how to cook?" Ellie took another sip of his Menudo soup and she smiled wider. "You're the best-damned cook on the planet!"
"There are few people left on this planet that's not saying much."
"Please, you have a habit of belittling yourself. You're as intelligent as I am, and you never spent a single day in school." Blue took another sip of his soup yet couldn't help but blush at Ellie's compliments. Ellie took several more spoonsful of her soup and then continued. "You can cook me the strangest things and I'll never get enough."
"Ellie, you're the smartest woman I know. I remember once you told me you mastered the guitar." Asked Blue. He raised his head and dropped his spoon.
"What about it?" Replied Ellie. She looked at her left hand which had two missing fingers before gazing back at Blue.
"Heard something about a music contest while we were at the markets. Thought maybe we could give it a shot."
"A shot at losing. I've participated in the contest four times already and two of those times I had ten fingers. I mean I can play the guitar still, yet I'm no Jimi Hendrix," said Ellie glumly.
"The winners get two weeks of paid vacation. Maybe if we win, maybe we could go and spend a week up in Yellowstone. We could see JJ, Dina, Cat, Bear and Danila. We could get away from all this damned drama here in Jackson." Said Blue happily. In some ways, he wanted to see Dina and her son again, but he also remembered how happy Ellie was by Old Faithful. "Sometimes I wish I had stayed in Grant Village, but then I wouldn't have met you."
"I wouldn't mind visiting Yellowstone again. I mean have you ever thought about maybe… moving there? Dina, Cat, and almost a thousand people south of Colter have already moved to the park. Zhukov really likes us." Said Ellie while smiling. She gained an entirely new perspective on her journey north with Blue and found Zhukov to be an understanding and pragmatic leader. Not the evil old man Tommy and the entire Communal Council made him out to be. "He mentioned us in his letter to the Communal Council, most of it was him praising us. I don't even think he mentioned you were behind the stolen coal shipment."
"That old Russian must really like us or he's plotting something. Either way, I'd take him over the damn Communal Council. While I'm at the dam, just give this music contest a thought. What do we have to lose?"
"Nothing." Said Ellie before finishing her dinner.
(End of Song)
The Next Day
Blue awoke early in the morning to Ellie's alarm clock ringing. It was 5:30 AM, and Blue grumbled. He didn't want to leave. He felt Ellie's tattoo-sleeved arms wrapped tightly around his neck and chest. Her c-cup breasts were on his back. Blue disentangled her body from his glumly. Every thought, emotion, and clairvoyant feeling told him to stay. He was taken out of these thoughts when he heard a quiet voice. "Don't go." Ellie shifted into the fetal position, her eyes still closed, but her arms were outstretched as if trying to grasp something that was not there anymore. Blue gave Ellie's forehead a light kiss before pulling himself completely out of bed. He then tucked her in and quietly grabbed Red.
Blue showered in his own apartment and got dressed in very warm winter clothes. He grabbed his weathered lumber axe from under his bed and his .44 caliber Henry lever action rifle. He prepared with just the necessities which included his two revolvers, his 12-gauge Lupara, a 9mm Makarov pistol, a sleeping bag, and his portable cooking set. He had everything he needed to survive the wastelands.
Blue met up with Lou outside the humming electrical gates of Jackson. Blue steered Ricky carefully with his legs. He felt his mustang's muscles heave under his layered clothes. Ugly dark grey skies were overhead and morning fog covered the icy white valleys surrounding Jackson. The snow was a foot deep, the yellow eyes of snow owls opening from darkened trees, and the only sources of light were the twenty kerosene lanterns burning brightly beside four large lumber wagons.
"I already am missing Jackson." Said Lou. They were riding alongside one another for the past two hours. Lou was riding a Nokota with a blue roan coat. In the flickering lamplight, Blue noticed two odd scars that went up the man's cheeks up to his ears. "Out here anything can happen. If the trees don't kill us…"
"Don't worry! This ain't my first rodeo, we'll get to the hydroelectric dam before you know it." Said Blue. He looked at Lou's mask-covered face. "Every day we wake up could be our last. Just think about our return home."
"I've been in Jackson for less than a year… and it's one of the best cities I've ever been a part of," said Lou as he looked over his shoulder in the direction of Jackson-Hole, Wyoming. "I'm glad you're part of this job. Blue, is it?"
"Thanks, and yeah, I like going by Blue. And you're Lou, right?"
"Louie, but some people call me Lev. It's short for Levi, but I too prefer to go by Lou." Replied Lev. Both men looked back at Jackson in sadness.
"Stick close to me Lou, we'll be home before you know it." Said Blue.