The night had been a tumultuous whirlwind of emotions and danger, and Ellie's body craved the solace of sleep. Nestled against her makeshift pillow of a worn backpack, she surrendered to the pull of exhaustion, her mind finally succumbing to the heavy fog of weariness. The abandoned building that Joel had led them to served as a temporary haven, shielding them from the elements outside.
As Ellie drifted into a deep slumber, the echoes of the night reverberated in her dreams. The shadows of the abandoned building danced in her subconscious, blending with the faces of those who had become her unlikely companions in this unpredictable journey. Images of narrow escapes, and tense encounters.
As Ellie began to stir, the handle of her switchblade pressed against her palm. It was a familiar reassurance, a tangible link to the survival instincts that had been honed in the harsh realities of their post-apocalyptic world. The events of the night before lingered in her consciousness, the uncertainty of trust and the shadows of suspicion casting a subtle pall over the camaraderie that had formed.
The rustling behind her jolted Ellie to attention, and as she turned, her eyes met Tess and Joel, both sitting in worn chairs with an air of exhaustion clinging to them. It was evident that sleep had eluded them throughout the night, their vigilance standing guard over Ellie.
"Morning," Ellie mumbled, her voice carrying the weight of the night's trials as she moved to stand up.
However, before she could fully rise, Joel's gun was pointed in her direction, causing her to freeze mid-motion. The Texan's command cut through the tense air, "Show us your arm."
With an eye roll, Ellie complied, lifting the sleeve of her sweater to reveal the familiar bite mark that had been a constant companion for weeks. Joel's scrutinizing gaze lingered on the wound, and his partner, Tess, exchanged a knowing look with him.
"Yeah, it's not getting any worse, is it?" Ellie retorted, a hint of defiance in her voice.
Joel maintained his unyielding stare before finally lowering his weapon. The silent exchange between the two adults left Ellie with a lingering sense of uncertainty. The dynamics within this makeshift alliance were as precarious as the world outside.
"What the hell was Marlene doing with an infected kid?" Tess asked, her voice carrying a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
"I'm not infected," Ellie insisted, her tone holding a note of frustration. "She found me a few hours after I was bitten."
"And she didn't shoot you?" Joel remarked, his skepticism evident.
"Clearly not," Ellie replied with a bitter edge. "She had me locked up in a room for weeks, having her people test me every day just to see if I was getting sick."
"Test you how?" Tess inquired.
"They'd make me count to ten, hold out my hand, and then keep it steady," Ellie explained. "But you know what I think really impressed them is the fact that I didn't turn into a fucking monster."
Growing impatient, "I have to pee." Ellie moved to stand up, prompting Joel to rise with her, his gun still trained on her.
Tess, meanwhile, pointed to a back room. "You can go in there."
Eyeing Joel with a mixture of irritation and defiance, Ellie hesitated before asking, "Nothing's bad in there?"
"Just you," Joel deadpanned.
"Fuck you too," Ellie shot back, her retort carrying a blend of defiance and weariness.
As Ellie disappeared into the back room, a collective exhale of relief escaped both Tess and Joel, the tension that had gripped the room slowly dissipating. Joel, still nursing the hand that had unleashed violence upon a soldier the night before, eased back into the worn chair. His wounded hand trembled slightly, the vivid shades of purple on his knuckles telling the story of the brutal encounter.
Tess, mirroring his movements, took a seat opposite him. Concern etched across her features as she observed Joel's injured hand. "Is it broken?" she inquired, her voice a blend of empathy and practicality.
Joel examined his battered hand, the pain evident in his expression. "Maybe just a hairline," he replied, a tinge of stoicism in his tone. "It'll heal, though."
"Yeah," Tess nodded, her gaze shifting between Joel and the doorway through which Ellie had vanished. The weight of their predicament hung in the air, the reality of their journey underscored by the physical toll it took on them.
A brief lull settled over them, the silence stretching before Tess broke it with a measured tone. "She made it through the fucking night, Joel."
A sigh escaped Joel, the weariness of their situation etched in the lines of his face. "It doesn't matter. It'll happen sooner or later," he admitted, acknowledging the inevitable fate that awaited Ellie.
"We're still close to the wall," he continued, the practical strategist in him surfacing. "We can still sneak back into the QZ, find another way to get our hands on a battery."
Tess leaned forward, her voice carrying urgency. "This is our best shot. This is our only shot. If we take her back to the QZ, they'll notice her arm, scan her, and kill her."
A note of resignation crept into Joel's response, his weariness evident. "Better her than us," he retorted, his words carrying a weight of reluctant pragmatism. This was a harsh reality, a world where choices were often no more than shades of survival.
"You need to stop talking about this kid like she's got some kind of life in front of her," Joel added, a plea for Tess to reconcile with the grim truths they faced.
As the conversation hung in the air, Ellie's returning footsteps served as a stark reminder of the fragile equilibrium they sought to maintain.
The room took on a sense of casual normalcy as Tess extended an offer of shared sustenance to Ellie. "You hungry?" she asked, her voice carrying a genuine concern. "We don't have much, but you can share what we have."
Ellie, still holding a fragment of youthful cheerfulness despite the grim circumstances, appreciated the gesture but declined graciously. "Thanks, but Marlene sent me with my own," she replied, reaching into her pack and retrieving a neatly packed sandwich.
As Ellie unwrapped her meal, the savory aroma of the food filled the air, a stark contrast to the harsh realities of their surroundings. Tess and Joel, each clutching their own ration of jerky meats, observed Ellie carefully as she took a bite of her sandwich. The exchange of glances between the two adults hinted at an unspoken understanding, a shared curiosity about the girl who had unexpectedly become part of their journey.
"Is that chicken?" Tess asked, her tone laced with surprise.
"Yep!" Ellie replied with a proud grin. "Marlene said they get it from smugglers." She glanced toward Joel, her eyebrow arching playfully. "I'm guessing not you guys."
Tess's abrupt departure from her seat sent a ripple of tension through the room, causing Joel to instinctively move, thinking that Tess might be losing her patience with Ellie. However, Tess surprised him by maintaining an outward calmness as she posed a direct question to the young girl.
"Why are you so important to the Fireflies?" Tess inquired, her voice steady. "If you lie to us, we'll just take you back."
Ellie, unfazed by the implied threat, responded with a wry smile, "You take me back, you don't get your battery."
Tess chuckled, "So, you heard that?"
Ellie nodded confidently.
"Then you probably know he wants to shoot you," Tess gestured at Joel, who stood guard beside her.
"You shoot me, and you still don't get your battery," Ellie retorted, her defiant grin never wavering.
Tess decided to change tactics, kneeling down in front of Ellie and adopting a more direct approach. "I'm gonna talk to you like you're an adult, okay? Joel and I are far from good people. This is for us because apparently, you're worth something to the Fireflies. It's hard for us to know what you're worth if we don't know what we have. So answer my damn question." Tess's gaze bore into Ellie's, a rare moment of vulnerability piercing through the tough exterior.
Ellie, realizing she was losing the mental jousting, took a breath and decided to reveal more than Marlene advised. "I was told not to say anything, and now I'm telling the first people I..." She sighed, frustration evident. "There's a Firefly base somewhere out west with doctors. They're working on a cure."
"I've heard this many times before," Joel interjected, skepticism lacing his voice.
Ignoring him, Ellie continued, "And whatever happened to me is the key to finding a vaccine."
"That's what this is?" Joel scoffed. "We've heard this same story a million times, Tess. Vaccines, miracle cures, none of it works."
"Fuck you, man," Ellie jumped to her own defense. "I didn't ask for any of this."
"You and me both," Joel retorted. "Tess, you know this isn't going to end well. We need to go back."
Tess stood, resolute. "Let's just finish this. It doesn't matter who or what the Fireflies say she is. If they believe what she is, then we get what we want."
Joel, feeling the tide of the argument slipping away, issued a warning, "If she so much as twitches at us..."
Ellie, irreverent as ever, couldn't resist imitating the noises that the infected made, earning a stern glare from Tess. "Don't!" Tess warned her.
"Alright," Ellie conceded, knowing that she had pushed her luck.
The decision was made. Tess and Joel would continue their journey to the State House, deliver Ellie, and then proceed in search of Tommy. It sounded simple, but in a world where nothing was ever easy, it was a plan laden with uncertainties.
Joel slung his rifle over his back, moving to unblock the door to the outside. Ellie, eyeing both Joel and Tess's weapons, couldn't help but ask, "Can I have a gun?"
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
"Ok, fine, Jesus!" Ellie exclaimed, visibly irritated. The delicate balance of their uneasy alliance held, and as they prepared to step back into the unpredictable world outside, the weight of their choices hung heavy in the air, like the shadows cast by a sun dipping low on the horizon.
Once outside the building, Ellie took a moment to absorb her surroundings. The remnants of a once-thriving city were evident in the scars left by bombs, with giant craters scattered throughout the landscape. High-rise buildings, in various states of decay, loomed precariously overhead, threatening to crumble at any given moment. Abandoned vehicles, now rusted relics of a bygone era, littered the streets like silent witnesses to the passage of time. Debris strewn everywhere told a tale of the city's abandonment, nature having claimed dominion over the urban sprawl in the two decades since the world had fallen apart. Vines and greenery clung to every available surface, softening the harsh edges of desolation. Birds soared overhead, their calls echoing through the desolate streets.
"Whoa..." Ellie exclaimed, her eyes wide as she took in the eerie beauty that unfolded around her. In an odd way, the world, despite its decay and destruction, held a haunting charm under the daylight.
"Looks different in the daylight, doesn't it?" Tess remarked, her voice a mix of nostalgia and acknowledgment of the harsh reality.
Joel, ever vigilant and unyielding, remained stoic. "We should get moving."
Tess nodded in agreement and took the lead, with Joel keeping a watchful eye from the rear. The trio had a considerable distance to cover before reaching the State House.
Ellie, still awestruck by the desolate beauty of the world around her, continued to observe her surroundings as they walked. "This is like some kind of fucked up moon," she remarked, gesturing towards the craters left by bombings. "How many bombs did they drop?"
"Not enough," Tess replied, her gaze scanning the surroundings for potential threats. "They hit most of the larger cities, trying to slow down the spread somehow."
As they progressed up a street, they encountered an obstacle—a fallen building blocking their path.
"Shit," Tess mumbled, frustration evident. "The State is down there." She pointed at the rubble. "It's about a 10-minute walk if we could go straight."
"Long way or short way?" Joel inquired.
"I mean, it's the long way or the 'we're fucking dead' way," Tess responded.
"Well, I vote long way based on that limited information," Ellie quipped.
"We'll have to check it from the hotel first," Joel suggested, his practicality cutting through the tension.
Tess nodded in agreement and resumed leading the group. Ellie, caught between the enormity of the world outside and the pressing mission ahead, felt a mixture of nervousness and anxiety gnawing at her insides.
After an hour of walking, the trio found themselves navigating ramps that connected to the highways, the skeletal remnants of a once bustling transportation network. Ellie glanced behind her to see Joel maintaining a high level of alertness.
"Where are they already?" Ellie asked, referring to the infected.
"We'll know when they're close," Tess reassured her.
"I didn't know last time," Ellie confessed, a hint of vulnerability in her admission.
Tess, curious, probed further. "How did you get bit?"
"You know the old mall back in the QZ?" Ellie began.
"The one that was sealed off, and no one was to go in? Ever? That one?" Tess clarified, impressed by Ellie's daring.
Ellie grinned, "I snuck in. I wanted to see what it looked like from before. I didn't think there'd be anything in there, and one came from nowhere."
Tess halted in her steps, turning to look at the young girl. "How old are you?"
"14," came Ellie's reply.
"Jesus..." Tess couldn't help but smile at Ellie. "You got some balls on you, sister."
"Thanks," Ellie replied, reciprocating the smile.
Tess turned forward, but suddenly froze. Grabbing Ellie, she motioned for Joel to get down. The trio took cover behind a car, and after a few tense seconds, Tess cautiously raised her head.
"It's Fedra!" she whispered to the group.
"The fuck are they doing out here?!" Joel whispered back.
Ellie raised her head to look. "No, it's not Fedra," she whispered, and without waiting, she ran from behind the car. "Shadow!" she called out.
"Ellie!" Tess ran after her, followed closely by Joel, but Ellie was already ahead.
"Shadow!" Ellie called again.
Several blocks away, the hooded figure named Shadow stopped in her tracks upon hearing her name. She turned, and Ellie was bolting towards her, a huge smile on her face.
Shadow lowered the cloth covering her face, staring in complete disbelief.
Ellie threw herself into Shadow, knocking her hood from her head to reveal very long burgundy hair tied back in a messy braid. Shadow wrapped her arms around the child's shoulders, returning the hug.
"Ellie!" Shadow exclaimed. "What the bloody hell are you doing out here?!"
Ellie pulled back, saying, "It's a long story."
"Start talking, child!" demanded Shadow. "Your commanding officer declared you a runaway, and I searched for you for three weeks!"
By this time, both Tess and Joel had reached the reunion. Joel had his gun raised.
"Ellie, I am only going to ask you this once so we are both perfectly clear," Shadow began, staring down both Tess and Joel. "Are you in any way harmed?"
"What?" Ellie replied. "No! They're helping me."
This was the first time Tess and Joel saw Shadow for who she was. Numerous rumors circulated about her, hinting at horrible disfigurements that kept her face hidden. Yet, in that moment, the truth was revealed. Joel carefully examined the woman before him. Shadow stood as tall as Tess, draped in black clothing that seemed to merge seamlessly with the shadows that enveloped her.
As the hooded cloak fell away, exposing her face, Joel's scrutiny revealed a visage that defied the whispered tales. Shadow possessed a striking beauty, perhaps the most singularly captivating face he had ever seen. Her complexion was pale, her features finely crafted—full lips that hinted at a subtle grace, and dark green eyes that held a mix of mystery and inquiry. Those eyes seemed to bore into Tess and Joel, demanding answers in the silence that hung between them.
Tess, standing beside Joel, exchanged a glance with him. It was a moment of realization that appearances could be deceiving, and the enigmatic figure known as Shadow, despite the rumors, was a woman whose beauty contradicted the scars of the world they inhabited. The air was charged with unspoken questions, and the trio found themselves at a crossroads where trust needed to be established anew.
Ellie poured out her tale to Shadow, recounting the events from the forbidden mall, the bite, Marlene's confinement, and her escape with Tess and Joel, leading them on their current journey to the State House.
"That's quite the story," Shadow remarked, her features softening as she absorbed the weight of Ellie's experiences.
Curiosity brimming, Tess cut in, "How do you know Ellie?"
Shadow, maintaining an air of mystery, replied, "That is also a long story."
Intrigued, Ellie inquired about Shadow's destination. "Where are you going, Shadow?"
The hooded figure shifted her gaze from Tess and Joel to Ellie. "Seattle."
Joel, pragmatic as ever, noticed the absence of any gear that would sustain such a journey. "Where's your gear?" he asked.
"I do not require gear."
"That's just... insane," Tess remarked, skepticism evident. "You have no food, no weapons. How are you gonna make it to Seattle?"
Ellie, with a knowing smile, teased, "You don't know who she is, do you?"
Joel scoffed, dismissing the notion that Shadow, the infamous hooded figure of Boston, would undertake a journey without proper provisions. He had encountered her fearsome reputation in the streets of Boston, and the idea of her traveling without any gear seemed ludicrous.
"I do have one thing," Shadow announced with a sly grin, reaching into the folds of her coat. "Your map."
The Texan shot her a skeptical look, a hint of annoyance in his expression. Turning to Tess, he remarked, "We should be going, Tess."
"Yeah."
As Ellie turned back to Shadow, she implored, "Come with us!"
"No," Joel interjected firmly.
"Why the hell not?!" Ellie demanded. "Safety in numbers!"
"She's right, Joel," Tess agreed. "We could use her help if things get messy."
Shadow sighed, caught in an unexpected dilemma. She had her own mission—to find her family. However, leaving Ellie in the care of two strangers, relying solely on their word to guide her to her destination, felt like a gamble. Seeing Fireflies, especially Marlene, was something Shadow wanted to avoid. The last time she confronted the Fireflies' leader, she had vowed to kill her if their paths ever crossed again. The prospect of joining forces with strangers, even for Ellie's sake, presented a conflicting choice for Shadow.
Shadow glanced at Ellie and nodded, a silent understanding passing between them.
Suddenly, a loud cry echoed through the air, shattering the momentary peace and sending the party into high alert.
"What was that?" Ellie asked, her eyes widening.
Joel clenched his rifle, his instincts sharp. "We need to move."
Shadows eyes scanned the city, "I agree."
Tess took the lead once again, her movements deliberate and calculated. Shadow raised her hood over her head, concealing her features, and fell into step behind Ellie. Joel, the ever-watchful guardian, maintained his position at the rear, ensuring their safety from any potential threats.
Navigating the desolate streets, they made good time and soon arrived at the hotel. Joel slung his rifle over his back and approached the entrance, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. With a creak, he opened the door, revealing a flooded interior.
Ellie walked ahead, her excitement palpable. "You are kidding me?" she giggled as she entered the once-lavish lobby. The hotel retained an air of opulence from a bygone era— a grand piano graced a corner near the front desk, chandeliers dangled precariously from the ceiling, and shattered windows adorned the walls. The lobby, now flooded, hosted tiny frogs navigating the water.
"Have any of you's ever stayed in a place like this?" Ellie asked, her curiosity eager to unravel the mysteries of a world before the outbreak.
Shadow simply shook her head.
"Too rich for our blood," Tess replied, gesturing playfully toward Joel.
"How do you even know what this place is?" Joel inquired.
In true Ellie form, she quipped, "Ever heard of a book?" Her remark earned her a look from both Tess and Shadow.
Joel rolled his eyes.
The trio of adults began descending the stairs toward the water.
"Wait, are we seriously going in there?" Ellie's voice tinged with panic.
Tess turned around, "Well, yeah. We gotta get to the other stairwell."
Ellie took a step back, admitting, "I... I don't know how to swim."
Joel scoffed. "Seriously?"
"You think we have pools in the QZ?"
"No smartass," Joel jumped off the last step, the water no higher than his hips. "See?"
Ellie looked at Shadow, seeking assurance. "How was I supposed to know that?" She began walking down the stairs.
"You can make out the bottom of the water," Shadow remarked.
A few steps into the water, Ellie started to giggle. "This is so gross!" The 14-year-old began to show her age in this moment. "Check it out!" Ellie ran over to the front desk and began tapping the bell, performing a playful hotel check-in routine.
Shadow and Tess watched in amusement.
Joel, holding back his amusement, remarked, "You're a weird kid."
"You're a weird kid," Ellie retorted, pushing a luggage cart. A skeleton corpse fell forward towards Ellie, prompting her to back into the piano. "Oh fuck!" She yelled in surprise.
Both Shadow and Joel sprung into action. Shadow, revealing for the first time that she was 'different' from the others, leapt out of the water and onto the top of the piano with a resounding thud.
Joel ran around the piano, gun raised. The skeleton looked like it had been there for the last ten years. Realizing the lack of threat, he offered Ellie a hand up.
"Sorry," Ellie mumbled.
Joel then looked to see Shadow standing on the piano and froze. He could have sworn he saw something flicker in her eyes, something white or ethereal.
Shadow jumped from the piano and into the water. "You alright?" She asked Ellie.
"Yep!" Ellie was more embarrassed than anything. "Fucking fabulous."
Joel walked over to Tess.
"Did you see that?" Tess asked, still reeling from what she witnessed.
"Yeah, I saw that," Joel replied, saying no more on what he thought he'd also seen.
"What the hell is she?" Tess whispered.
Ellie and Shadow were now at the stairwell, waiting for the smugglers. Shadow turned and caught their eyes, and Tess felt a shiver go straight through her, as if Shadow had heard her question.
Joel shrugged, and the pair made their way to the stairwell.
"Holy shit..." Tess exclaimed.
"Come on," Ellie smirked, slightly winded. "It was THAT bad."
"You try climbing 10 fucking floors with our knees. See how you feel," Tess retorted.
Ellie let out a giggle in response.
Tess glanced over at Shadow, noting she was breathing just fine. "And what's up with you?"
"I beg your pardon?" Shadow replied.
"How are you not out of breath?" Tess asked, a tinge of annoyance in her voice.
Shadow just stared at Tess, feeling no need to reply.
"Let's go." Ellie grabbed Shadow by the arm and followed behind Joel.
The group navigated through several corridors that led to the roof, only to be halted by a cave-in. Part of the roof had collapsed, blocking their path.
"When the hell did that happen?" Tess wondered, searching for another route. She tried a couple of doors, but they wouldn't budge. "Maybe that one?" She pointed to a door next to Joel, but it, too, resisted their efforts.
"Not going to work," said Joel.
Tess approached the rubble, "Maybe I could try climbing up through there, work my way around, and open it from the inside?"
"I'm the smallest," Ellie interjected. "It would be easier for me to get through."
"No," Tess insisted. "You could die, and we'd get nothing."
"Should I come with you?" Shadow offered.
"I should be fine," Tess replied. "Wanna give me a hand up?" She motioned to Joel.
Joel cupped his hands together and boosted Tess, nearly losing his grip due to his fractured hand from the night before. Pain etched across his face.
Shadow noticed the discomfort. If that hand doesn't heal properly, it could cause serious issues for the Texan in the future. Shadow wanted to examine it, but now wasn't the time.
"You alright up there?" Joel called out.
"It's a bit of a mess," Tess replied. "I might need a minute."
Joel turned around, finding a broken chair to sit on. Ellie settled on the floor, and Shadow leaned against the wall. The trio sat in silence, awaiting Tess's return with hopefully good news.
Ellie reached into her pocket, pulling out her knife. She started flipping the blade in her hand, a practiced routine to pass the time without any fear of catching the wrong end.
Joel glanced up at the noise. "Nice knife," he remarked.
Ellie ignored the comment.
"Where'd you learn to do that?" Joel inquired.
"The circus," Ellie replied sarcastically.
Joel let out an irritated sigh.
Shadow pulled her hood off her head. "Ellie," she whispered, a hint of warning in her tone.
Joel found himself fixated on the other woman. Shadow, arms crossed, eyes closed.
Ellie sighed, closing her blade. "Where are you from?" she asked Joel, attempting civilized conversation.
"Texas," Joel answered. "And your friend there?" he pointed at Shadow.
"She's English," Ellie said.
"I figured as much," Joel replied, a trace of irritation in his voice.
Shadow opened her eyes and looked directly at Joel, holding her gaze for a few moments before answering. "Newquay. It's a town on the north coast of Cornwall."
Joel nodded, and Shadow averted her eyes.
"What about Tess?" Ellie continued her questioning.
"Detroit," Joel replied. "It's in Michigan."
"I go to school; I know where Detroit is," Ellie retorted.
Joel sighed again.
"How long do infected live?" Ellie asked.
"Oh, I thought you went to school," Joel replied in a childish tone.
"She's 14 years old," Shadow spoke up. "What's your excuse?"
Joel stared at the woman, regretting how he lowered himself with such a childish remark.
"Some can last about a month or two," Joel began. "But I've heard stories of some that have been walking around for 20 years."
A sudden thud disrupted their conversation, prompting Joel to rise with his gun drawn.
Ellie stood up, and Shadow instinctively placed a protective arm around her shoulders.
Tess's muffled voice came through the wall. "Put your gun down, Joel!" she called out.
As Tess opened the door, her expression hinted at unwelcome news.
"What now?" Joel inquired.
"Come and see."
The group headed to what seemed like an old terrace on the hotel roof, worn and broken from the past 20 years. Tess led them to the balcony to gain a better view of the city below.
Ellie leaned over the concrete rail to observe. The street beneath them was littered with infected bodies. The echoing noises sent shivers down Ellie's spine.
"The last time we were here, they were still deep within the buildings," Tess explained. "More and more people came through looking for the QZ. Maybe they went inside seeking shelter. That's how they've taken over more and more of the city each year."
Shadow stepped onto the balcony, standing next to Joel, her eyes wide at the unsettling scene below. She couldn't explain how or why, but she felt them. Shadow raised her hood over her head.
Ellie continued to watch the street below as the sun emerged from behind the clouds. As sunlight touched the infected, they began to scream.
It was too much for Shadow. She covered her ears and squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by the deafening noise that no one else seemed to be effected by.
"What the hell is happening?!" She thought to herself.
Joel noticed. "Are you alright?" he whispered, mindful not to interrupt Tess's intended lesson for Ellie.
With her eyes closed, Shadow simply shook her head.
Joel guided her inside, where Shadow leaned against the door, breathing heavily, almost in a state of panic.
Uncertain of what to do, Joel stood beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to provide comfort. Gradually, her breathing calmed, and Shadow lifted her head to meet Joel's gaze. They stood in silence for a couple of minutes, locked in mutual contemplation.
"What was it?" Joel finally broke the silence.
Shadow's eyes drifted away, her gaze distant. "I could hear them."
"I don't understand," Joel said, a furrow forming on his brow as he tried to grasp the mysterious revelation.
"Neither do I," Shadow replied, her voice carrying a weight of uncertainty. "They were so loud and in pain. Almost as if calling out for release."
Joel, his confusion deepening, took a moment to let the information sink in before finally asking, "Are you infected?"
Shadow, now wearing a look of irritation, turned to face Joel. "Of course not," she answered, walking back towards the balcony.
Joel trailed behind Shadow, his watchful eyes never leaving her enigmatic form.
"So, they're connected?" Ellie inquired, still engrossed in Tess's ongoing lesson.
"More than you know," Tess explained with a solemn tone. "If you step in a patch of cordyceps in one place, and you could wake a dozen infected from somewhere else. They know where you are, and now they come."
Ellie absorbed the information with rapt attention, her curiosity piqued.
"You're not immune from being ripped apart," Tess continued sternly. "Do you understand what I'm saying? This is important. I'm trying to keep you alive."
Ellie nodded in acknowledgment, a serious expression settling on her young face.
"So, where do we go now?" Ellie asked, surveying their surroundings. The route below them seemed impassable.
"The Museum," Joel answered decisively.
This time, Joel took point, leading the way through the uncertain landscape.
Tess followed closely behind Ellie, and Shadow positioned herself at the rear of the group. Casting a glance towards the darkening sky, Shadow noted that they only had a few hours of daylight left. Night loomed on the horizon, and the urgency to deliver Ellie to the Fireflies before nightfall intensified.
As they approached the old Museum, Shadow lifted her gaze to the towering structure. It stood as a testament to nature's reclamation, its stonework hidden beneath a blanket of vines and greenery. A rare sight caught her eye—an oblivious squirrel grooming itself in one of the windows. The presence of wildlife, a scarcity in the QZ, brought a brief smile to her face.
Outside the museum's main doors, the group came to a halt. The entrance was obstructed by overgrown cordyceps, protruding from broken windows and extending into the street.
"Are you kidding me?" Ellie muttered in frustration.
"We need to go through to get across from the roof," Tess explained.
"Well, then I guess there's nothing to worry about," Ellie replied, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Approaching the entrance, Shadow knelt down to inspect a large piece of cordyceps on the ground. Its color seemed off. As she reached out to touch it, Joel knelt beside her, grabbing her hand to stop her. No words were spoken, but a shared understanding passed between them.
With a decisive strike from Joel's rifle, the dried-out cordyceps confirmed their suspicions—whatever lurked inside was likely lifeless.
Joel and Tess, seasoned survivors, unburdened themselves of their packs, retrieving flashlights. Joel, with his characteristic dry humor, quipped, "Did Marlene pack you one of these or just sandwiches?"
"I got my own," Ellie retorted, preparing her flashlight.
Tess, standing tall, laid down the rules. "We're going in slowly. If anything happens, you get behind us, and you stay quiet."
"Alright," Ellie nodded, noticing their guns, she added, "I have a spare hand."
"Congratulations," Joel deadpanned.
Approaching the museum's entrance, Joel found Shadow stationed by the door. "Do you have a flashlight?" He inquired, "Or is that a piece of gear you don't require." he asked, his tone bordering on condescension.
Shadow met his challenge with a retort, "Can you be a little more condescending? Because I'm not real great with subtlety."
Without a word, Joel entered the building, followed by Tess and Ellie. Shadow took a deep breath and followed suit, stepping into the unknown confines of the museum.
Upon entering, the interior was littered with heaps of old cordyceps, creating an unsettling landscape. The air hung heavy with a musty stench potent enough to churn the stomach.
Shadow unwound the cloth from around her neck and handed it to Ellie, gesturing for her to cover her nose and mouth to avoid inhaling too much of the noxious air. Ellie complied, draping the cloth over her face.
As the group cautiously surveyed their surroundings, they observed desks and display cases covered in layers of accumulated dust. Few items within the display cases remained untouched by the passage of time.
Advancing down the hall toward the gift shop, Joel spotted several desiccated infected bodies, devoid of any remaining moisture. "Yeah, these are finished," Joel remarked in a hushed tone. "We should have taken this route from the beginning."
Ever curious, Ellie moved ahead and turned a corner, only to let out a surprised shout.
"Oh, shit!" Ellie exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of shock and alarm.
Joel swiftly reached her side, his eyes narrowing as he observed a fresh corpse sprawled on the floor, its chest brutally torn apart.
Tess shot a worried glance at Joel, her gaze then flickering back to the lifeless body, fear etched across her face.
Shadow, seemingly unfazed, positioned herself next to Ellie.
"What the hell did that?" Ellie demanded.
"Maybe he was attacked outside and crawled through the doors," Tess suggested in a fearful whisper to her partner.
"Or maybe not," Shadow replied, lowering her hood and casually tucking a few strands of hair behind her ears. "I can't hear anything," she mumbled.
"Now you're saying you have super hearing?" Tess retorted with a mix of irritation and stress in her voice.
Facing Tess, Shadow stated matter-of-factly, "I am made different," her tone low.
Tess was about to respond when Joel intervened. "From this moment on, we are silent," he ordered, his voice cutting through the tension.
Ellie attempted to speak, but Joel silenced her with a whispered, "Don't talk. Just do it."
The group silently moved toward a large staircase, beginning the climb to the next floor with utmost caution. Joel led the way, rifle at the ready, while Shadow kept a protective arm around Ellie. Tess, vigilant, watched their rear.
The ascent was treacherous. Cordyceps growth covered every visible surface—the walls, railings, and windows almost entirely obscured. Some parts of the stairs were missing, intensifying the climb as the group strained to avoid drawing any attention. The air hung heavy with the oppressive atmosphere of the infected-ridden museum.
The structure trembled, and debris showered from the ceiling, causing the group to freeze in their tracks. After a tense few minutes, Joel signaled for everyone to continue cautiously.
Their silent progress was abruptly disrupted when Ellie accidentally stepped on a piece of dried cordyceps, its loud crunch echoing through the stillness. Joel shot her a glare, and an awkward silence lingered.
Upon reaching the top floor, Joel meticulously and quietly opened a door, guiding the group inside. Just as Tess cleared the doorway, a loud rumble filled the air. Unexpectedly, Shadow swiftly propelled both Ellie and Tess away from the door just as part of the roof collapsed. Debris struck Shadow, sending her to the ground without a sound. Meanwhile, Tess and Ellie yelped as they were thrown several feet, narrowly escaping the collapsing roof.
Ellie, the first to regain her footing, rushed to Shadow. Miraculously unharmed, Shadow rose, shaking dust off her coat.
Tess, still reeling from the shock, remained on the floor. Joel assisted his partner to her feet, and the two shared a silent exchange.
"When this is done," Tess whispered to Shadow, "We have questions that need answers."
Before Shadow could respond, a distinctive click emanated from one of the adjoining rooms, stopping the entire party in place. Both Joel and Tess aimed their guns toward the source of the noise, prompting Ellie to move behind Shadow.
With extreme caution, the group began to back up, acutely aware of the precarious situation in the crumbling environment.
The approach of loud footsteps and the ominous throaty clicks grew increasingly imminent.
In the confined space, options for proper concealment were scarce. The room boasted only a couple of desks and tall display bookcases.
Another unsettling throaty noise signaled the entrance of the infected into their midst. A subsequent click prompted Tess and Joel to swiftly shift their guns in another direction, revealing the presence of at least two of these menacing creatures. Ellie strained to discern the appearance of the first infected, its form lurking in the darkness.
For Shadow, these creatures were not unfamiliar. In her journey to Boston, her group had suffered heavily from encounters with them. Some in her party had dubbed these terrifying beings "clickers," a name aptly capturing the chilling sound they emitted.
Taking charge, Shadow placed Ellie in front of her as the group huddled next to a bookcase, Joel positioned himself to face them.
"They can't see," he silently mouthed. "But they can hear."
Ellie gave a nod, yet struggled to calm her breathing. Closing her eyes in an attempt to regain composure, the unsettling sounds around her continued to rattle her nerves.
The clicker moved stealthily through the room, now on the opposite side of the glass case. The group observed in tense silence as it approached. The creature's throaty croaks grew louder and more menacing with each passing moment.
Shadow noticed Ellie's labored breathing and realized that any sudden noise could jeopardize their hiding spot. If Ellie didn't steady herself, their cover might be blown.
As the clicker turned the corner, it walked directly into Joel's light. At that instant, Ellie opened her eyes, coming face-to-face with the terrifying clicker. A wave of sheer terror surged through her, and just as she was about to react, a hand swiftly covered her mouth to stifle any noise.
The abrupt action startled Ellie, but she managed to contain any sound, knowing the importance of remaining quiet in the perilous situation.
The entrance of the second clicker heightened the group's sense of urgency, compelling them to devise a strategy for a safe escape. Both clickers now loomed near the group's approximate hiding spot.
Shadow closely observed the two clickers and realized that remaining in their current location was not an option; they had to find a way to extricate Ellie from the situation.
Joel, witnessing Shadow's quick action in covering Ellie's mouth, felt a surge of gratitude. It was crucial to keep Ellie silent and composed, considering the grave danger they were facing. Joel was well aware of the formidable threat posed by clickers — agile in their attacks and notoriously challenging to defeat, as he had learned from past experiences.
As one of the clickers circled back towards the group, Joel maintained a vigilant watch over it. However, his attention was abruptly drawn to Shadow's movement. In that brief moment, Joel could have sworn he saw her eyes flicker, reminiscent of the strange white ethereal shimmer he had observed back at the hotel.
Shadow, realizing the need for a diversion, withdrew her hand from Ellie's mouth and signaled for her to remain still. Determined to create an opportunity for the group to escape, Shadow silently distanced herself from the others.
Joel, puzzled, mouthed a question to Shadow, "What are you doing?"
In response, Shadow emitted a high-pitched whistle, attracting the attention of the clickers to her location. One of them charged towards her with alarming speed, but Shadow intercepted it by slamming her fist into its chest, propelling it into a nearby desk, causing glass to shatter.
"Go!" Shadow called out. "Get her out of here!"
The second clicker launched a surprise attack on Shadow from behind, attempting to bite and rip her apart. The cacophony emanating from the clicker's assault assaulted Shadow's senses with ear-piercing intensity.
Joel, witnessing the peril Shadow was in, swiftly aimed his gun at her and shouted, "Move!"
With seemingly effortless agility, Shadow flipped the clicker over her shoulder, clearing a path. Seizing the opportunity, Joel opened fire, relentlessly shooting at the clicker until it ceased its relentless movement.
Shadow shifted her attention to the Texan and whispered, "I had that one!"
Joel approached her confidently. "Yeah? You're welcome!" he retorted with a challenging tone.
Undeterred, Shadow locked eyes with him and seized the collar of his jacket.
"What are-" Joel began, cut off as Shadow forcefully tossed him aside just as the first clicker surged back in their direction. Swiftly, Shadow delivered a series of punches to the clicker's head before landing a decisive blow on the back of its leg. The force shattered the bone, causing the clicker to topple backward.
At this juncture, Tess entered the fray, forcefully driving her axe into the clicker's skull, swiftly dispatching it.
Shadow approached Joel, extending a hand to help him up, which he accepted. "Thank you," she acknowledged, her gratitude tinged with a touch of irritation, "for getting in my way."
"You're welcome," Joel deadpanned in response, observing Shadow as she turned her attention to checking on Ellie.
"Are you alright?" Shadow inquired.
"Yeah," Ellie replied, still somewhat shaken. "I mean, I didn't soil my pants!"
Joel walked over to Tess to check if she was injured. "You okay?" he asked.
"I just twisted my ankle," Tess murmured. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" she asked Shadow, having witnessed her prowess against the clickers. "You barely hit that first clicker, and it went flying. The way you tossed Joel... it was like watching an old episode of Buffy!"
"What's 'Buffy'?" Shadow asked, a perplexed expression on her face.
"Forget it," Tess smiled at Shadow. "It's from the world before."
Shadow looked at Ellie, saying, "I don't get it..."
"Me neither," Ellie responded, sharing Shadow's confusion.
Joel couldn't help but smile, albeit a small one.
"So," Tess prompted, "are you going to tell us how you learned to fight like that or what?"
"I was taught on a government base," Shadow answered. "It's where I was born and raised."
"So, you were a child soldier?" Joel asked, curious.
"Something like that."
"Well," Tess began, "let's get the fuck out of here."
Shadow put an arm around Ellie's shoulder and guided her behind Tess.
Joel slung his rifle onto his back and followed the group.
Tess led everyone down a long corridor. "There," she pointed to a window.
Joel held the window open, allowing Shadow to be the first to crawl out, followed by Ellie. Tess, with a noticeable limp, made her way out next and settled on the roof. Her throbbing ankle hinted at the distance they still had to cover, and the setting sun urged them to hasten their journey to the State House.
Seating himself beside Tess, Joel retrieved tape from his pack. He needed to wrap her ankle before they could press on.
"Is that it?" Ellie asked, pointing to the plank of wood that served as their makeshift bridge to the next building's roof.
"Yeah," Joel replied. "It might be scary."
"The museum was scary," Ellie commented. "This is just wood."
Ellie crossed the plank with ease, followed by Shadow.
"Just wait for us over there," Joel called out, redirecting his attention to Tess.
Tess couldn't conceal a small smile as Joel began taping up her foot. This side of him, marked by attentiveness and gentleness, was a rare and cherished sight. Tess reminisced about a time three years ago when she had caught the flu, feeling terribly unwell. Joel had hardly left her side, procuring medicines to lower her fever and feeding her soup to maintain her strength.
Tess did have deep feelings for the Texan, a sentiment Joel couldn't fully accept, even though he knew it existed. Joel wouldn't allow himself to feel anything other than a close friendship.
Tess reached down and took the tape from his hands. "You should go watch them," she suggested.
Joel stared at his partner for a lingering moment. There was something she was hidding, but he couldn't figure out what. Nodding, Joel stood up and crossed the plank to the other building.
Tess rested her head in her hands, exhaling a long, shaky breath. Her eyes welled with tears that she struggled to hold back. After a few more calming breaths, Tess prepared to stand up.
Joel approached Ellie as they stood together.
"Is that everything you hoped for?" he inquired, gesturing to the panoramic view before them.
"It's got its ups and downs," Ellie smiled. "But you can't deny that view."
"Is that where we're going?" Shadow pointed to the sizable building with the domed roof.
"Yeah," Joel replied. "That's it."
Tess walked past them, urging, "Let's go. The sun's going down."
She grasped the ladder on the side of the building and began descending, followed by Shadow, then Ellie. Joel brought up the rear.
The State House loomed ahead, signaling that the group was just a block away from completing the task of delivering Ellie to the Fireflies.
Outside the State House, sizable transport vehicles caught their attention. Joel directed the group to take cover behind an old car as he and Tess assessed the situation. The transport vehicles appeared abandoned, with no Firefly guards in sight—something felt off to Joel.
"Where the fuck is everyone?" Tess questioned.
"Wait here." Joel moved stealthily toward one of the transport vehicles to investigate. As he approached, signs of a fight became apparent. At least two bodies lay on the ground.
Joel gripped the vehicle handle and opened the passenger side, revealing a gruesome scene with blood splattered everywhere.
"Joel, what the fuck is going on?" Tess approached him.
"I don't know," he replied in a hushed tone.
"Look." Ellie pointed to the ground, revealing a trail of blood leading inside the building. "They went inside."
Tess, growing impatient, seized Ellie's hand and pulled her toward the front door of the State House. "Come on!"
The front door creaked open, and Tess ushered Ellie inside, her gun drawn and poised. Once within, the grim truth unfolded before them—silence and death painted every corner.
Joel and Shadow trailed closely behind.
"Damn..." Ellie breathed in disbelief.
Joel surveyed the carnage. "Oh, Jesus..."
The air was heavy with the stench of blood.
Tess felt a rising sense of panic. "There's gotta be a damn radio or something, right?" She rifled through abandoned crates filled with weapons.
"Was it Fedra?" Ellie inquired.
"No," Joel responded, using his foot to turn over a lifeless body, revealing an infected bite mark. "One of them got bitten. The healthy turned on the sick. Everyone lost."
Tess approached Ellie, questioning, "Where did Marlene say she was taking you?"
"I...I don't know," Ellie confessed. "Just somewhere west."
Tess rifled through the pockets of a lifeless body. "There has to be a map! Joel, will you help me?"
"No!" Joel shouted. "It's over, Tess! We're going home!"
"That's not my fucking home!" Tess retorted to her partner.
Joel was taken aback by her sudden outburst.
Tess's expression softened toward the Texan. "I'm staying," she declared. "Our luck had to run out sooner or later."
Joel looked confused.
"Shit..." Ellie whispered.
Joel turned his gaze to her.
"She's infected."
Joel turned back to Tess, his disbelief evident. "Show me."
Tess pulled her shirt away from her neck, unveiling a sizable infected bite mark. The telltale signs of Cordyceps were visibly spreading beneath her skin. Time was running out for Tess.
"Oops, right?" Tess said, a tinge of sadness in her voice.
Joel simply stared at his partner, speechless.
"Roll up your sleeve," Tess instructed, approaching Ellie.
Ellie complied. "Joel, look," Tess urged. "She's damn real! She has to be! Her bite is three weeks old; mine is just an hour, and it's already worse than hers." Tess's hands trembled.
"I need you to get her to Bill and Frank's," Tess insisted.
"No, I can't. They won't take her," Joel replied.
"Yes, you will. They'll take her off your hands."
"They'll never take her."
"They will because you'll convince them." Tess turned to Shadow, who was silently observing the unfolding situation. "And I need you to stay with them. You're the only one strong enough to keep them both safe." Tess pleaded.
Shadow didn't know what to say; all she could do was nod.
Tess turned back to Joel. "I've never asked you for anything, Joel," she implored, her voice starting to crack. "Not to feel the way I feel, none of it!"
Joel just stared at Tess, his partner of nearly 20 years.
"This is your only chance, Joel," Tess continued. "You get her there, and you set everything right."
An infected body started to stir from the ground, making Ellie jump. "Oh, shit!" she yelled.
Joel drew his handgun and shot it in the head, killing it instantly. Small tendrils started emerging from the corpse, seeping into the ground and awakening the large horde of infected they had encountered earlier in the day.
They were closing in.
In a panic, Joel sprinted to the front door of the building. He peered outside, the ominous sound of the approaching horde echoing in his ears. Quickly shutting and locking the door, Joel rushed back to the group.
"How many?" Shadow asked.
"All of them!" Joel replied.
Tess strode over to the crates filled with weapons, spotting large drums of gasoline. Opening a few, she tipped them over, spilling gas everywhere. Tess then uncovered a smaller crate containing grenades.
"This will do..." she whispered.
"What are you doing?" Ellie questioned.
"Making damn sure they don't follow you," Tess replied, tossing the grenades on the ground amidst the spilled gasoline.
Turning back to Joel, Tess locked eyes with him for a prolonged moment before breaking the silence. "Joel," she whispered. "Save who you can save."
Joel locked eyes with his partner one last time. Then, turning away, he seized Ellie by the arm and started dragging her away.
"No!" Ellie protested, struggling to free herself from Joel's grip. "We're not leaving her! Get off of me, you fucker!"
Ellie continued to hit and curse at Joel, but he refused to let go. His only focus was getting her out of the building alive.
Meanwhile, Shadow approached Tess and reached into her pocket. "I am so sorry," she said, handing Tess a lighter.
Tess accepted the lighter with a nod of gratitude.
Shadow then sprinted after Joel and Ellie, catching up just outside the building before it exploded. Joel instinctively shielded both Ellie and Shadow with his body.
The dying screams of infected echoed around them.
Ellie, visibly shaken, hugged Shadow as they watched the building burn.
Shadow shut her eyes and murmured, ""In Nomine Patris Et Filii Et Spiritus Sancti."
In Joel's mind, a flood of thoughts raced. Tess had been as close to him as family, a rarity in their harsh world. He observed as flames continued to devour the structure, the infected's screams fading.
Joel turned away, beginning to walk from the scene.
Shadow took Ellie's hand in hers. "Let's go."