Chapter 27: I never said it would be easy, but it's worth it.
'I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.'
-Susan B. Anthony
Becca rose before him. The sun hadn't yet risen. The moon hung brightly in the sky, but she couldn't sleep. She felt restless. She was anxious about the coming day. They could be heading into an ambush. There could be more Fireflies. This could be the beginning of the end.
She wouldn't be afraid. Not anymore. She would fight and stand up for herself. Joel couldn't do this for her. It was something she needed to do for herself.
She managed to untangle herself from Joel. He rolled onto his side, but she was grateful he didn't wake up. He was starting to sleep through the night. She was sleeping better. Maybe they helped each other.
Love is capable of many things. She's seen the best and worst of it. They've been through so much shit. They were finally starting to get to a place where they could be happy. She refused to let anyone take this away from them.
She dressed quietly in the dark, careful not to wake him. She treaded lightly through the house and went outside. She went into the barn and climbed up onto the alcove. She lifted up a piece of plywood. She took out her father's notebooks. Only her and Joel knew they existed.
They made a promise to each other. If anyone came looking, she would destroy the notebooks. It was her grandfather's research. He warned everyone. The scientific community ridiculed him. She wished he were alive to see he was right all along.
She carried the notebooks outside. She threw them into the fire pit, dousing them with gasoline. She lit a match and threw it into the fire. She watched as they burned, disintegrating into ash. She wasn't sad. She felt satisfied.
No one would ever have to know. They were gone. It only existed in her mind. Ellie would be safe.
She felt the sharp pain in the back of her skull. There was nothing but blackness after that.
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Joel rolled over, wanting to wrap his arm around Becca. He lifted his head up, blearily looking around the room. He frowned when he didn't see her. He expected her to still be in bed with him.
He felt an uneasiness in the pit of his stomach. He pulled his weary body out of bed as got dressed. He walked out of her room, calling out her name.
No response.
He walked outside and saw the simmering embers in the fire pit. He felt his chest constrict. What the hell was she doing?
His eyes widened in realization. He ran into the barn and up the alcove. He saw the plywood moved. Why did she burn them? What was she so afraid of?
He read over her grandfather's journals. He didn't understand most of it, but she explained it to him. They would sit up in the alcove, the oil lamp sitting in between them.
She explained to him her grandfather's theory. He was well aware of it in the seventies. He knew back then humanity was doomed. He was ridiculed and laughed at on national television.
No one listened. He died without ever knowing he could've made a difference. Humanity deserved to perish. Our ignorance fails us time and time again.
He cursed as he slammed the plywood against the floor. She burned them for a reason. He remembered last night. She looked so afraid. Not of him, but of something.
He climbed down the alcove. He was walking out of the barn, his eyes widening as he saw Tommy to him. He was carrying a rifle in his hand. He narrowed his eyes.
Something happened.
'They took them!' Tommy screamed as he ran towards his brother,'They fucking got away!'
Joel met his brother halfway and grabbed his shoulders to steady him,'They took Becca and Ellie? Who?'
'Not Ellie!' Tommy's eyes were wild and frantic,'Becca and Maria.' He gasped as he choked back a sob,'Kurt knocked out one of my guys. Him and Tess escaped. They took Maria, Joel. Why the fuck do they want my wife?'
'They don't want your wife. Tess doesn't want them.' He sighed and shook his head,'They want me and Ellie. They want me? They're gonna fucking get me.' His voice was eerily calm as he nodded towards the house,'Let me get my guns.'
Tommy nodded as his eyes emblazoned with anger,'Me and a few other men will meet you in town.' His brother went to protest and he placed a hand on his chest firmly,'Maria is my wife and the mother of my child. You better believe I'm gonna go get her and kill everyone in my way.' He stared into his eyes,'We're gonna get our women.'
Joel nodded as he said not a word. He walked back up to the house. He past by the fire pit. The blood on the leaves caught his eye. He felt nothing as he walked back to the house. He couldn't let himself think about it. Sadness and fear wouldn't help him now. Only rage.
He thought about Franks words in his letter. God help any motherfucker who stands in our way. He understood the words back then. Ironically, they were for Tess. They resonated within him. He served a purpose.
He would handle it.
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She winced as she looked around. She had been knocked unconscious. The left side of her body burned and ached, like she had scratches and burns. She had been dragged.
It looked to be a warehouse of some kind. The sun peered through the cracks of the dilapidated ceiling, dimly lighting the room. Her head ached. She could feel the blood trickling down the side of her head. She had a concussion.
Her hands were bound behind her. Her legs tied to the rickety chair. There wasn't a gag in her mouth. They were probably out in the middle of nowhere. No one would hear their screams. No one would know where they were at.
She turned next to her. Her eyes widened when she saw Maria bound to the chair. What the fuck was going on?
Maria seemed to barely awake. Becca could hear voices outside. She looked around the room. Would anyone come looking for them? Did they even know where to look?
'Maria.' She whispered,'Wake up. Please.'
Maria groaned softly as her head lolled against her chest. Her eyes drifted over to her,'Where are we? She stared to fully come awake, her eyes darting around the room,'What the fuck, Becca?'
'Tess and Kurt. I think someone…helped them escape.' She frowned, continuing to whisper,'Wasn't Tommy an ex Firefly?'
'So was Joel.' Maria saw the look of surprise on her face,'I told you the Miller boys have their secrets.'
He left that part out of the story. It suddenly made sense. Was it all a lie? Was his declaration of love just the previous night just a ruse to lull her into a false sense of security?
As if reading her mind, Maria sighed and shook her head,'Joel or Tommy wouldn't do this. Tommy isn't that man anymore. Joel…'
Maria didn't have an explanation for Joel. She didn't have one. She still couldn't figure him out. She didn't trust him. He made her uneasy. He was an enigma. Tommy told her Joel used to give him nightmares.
Before the outbreak, he had been joyful and carefree. After Sarah died, he became reckless. He killed without mercy. He was still was that man. She just hoped for the right reasons.
Becca shook the weakening thoughts out of her head,'Joel's a good man. I know him.'
She snorted and shook her head,'I hope you're right.'
Before Becca could think about what that meant, Tess and Kurt walked through the door.
Tess walked over to the two women and crouched down, averting her eyes between them,'Good. You're awake.'
'Why did you do this?' Becca was straight to the point. No bullshit,'We're not a threat. Our town just wants to live in peace.'
'Communist bullshit.' Kurt spat out, pointing his rifle at her,'People like you ruin the world.'
Maria rolled her eyes and laughed,'Tommy told me about you're doing. You think by finding more kids like Ellie you're gonna cure the world? It doesn't work like that. We can't be cured. We're making the best of what we got.'
Tess shook her head,'You live in a fantasy world. You're just pretending. We can build a better future.'
Becca rolled her eyes and sighed. She sounded like David. Another egomaniac thinking they were God's answer to humanity. Tess didn't hide behind religion. She hid behind her skewered morals.
Joel's words echoed inside her head. Burn them all to Hell.
Tess turned to Becca and looked over her face,'Have you prayed yet?'
She nodded slowly as she met the older woman's gaze,'I've prayed for you.' A small smile formed on her face,'Cause when Tommy and Joel come for you. You're gonna wish this never happened. You're gonna pray you ever stepped foot inside Jackson.'
Tess laughed as she shook her head,'It's a shame you won't live to see it.'
Kurt head butted the side of Becca's temple, causing her to be knocked unconscious. Again. He placed a sack over her head.
Maria's eyes stared up at them. She may never see her baby again. Tommy. He would find her. He had to find her.
Kurt knocked her unconscious and placed a sack on top of her head. They couldn't stay in one place for too long. Joel and Tommy were probably already tracking them like wolves. They needed to move to another destination.
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Joel walked out of the house with his bag filled with weapons over his shoulder. He was almost methodical about it. He went through the motions. Fighting was nothing new to him. He kept his mind blank. He wouldn't think about the what ifs.
In his mind, Becca was alive. She would have hope he would come for her. He knew his girl wouldn't go down without a fight. They've talked about this. They knew the risks and were prepared for it.
He refused to let anyone try to take away the simplest pleasures in life. Freedom and peace. It's all he wanted. He's paid his dues to society. He wanted to live the rest of his days with Becca on the ranch. He wanted to make her his wife. Honest living. It's what we strive for.
He was walking to the barn when Ellie chased after him. She was frantic as she ran up to him,'Joel, is it true? Tess took Becca and Maria?'
'I'm handling it.' He continued walking to the barn, not wanting to waste any time,'Go back to Sharon's house. Don't go anywhere else.'
'I wanna come.' She shook her head adamantly,'They want me.'
'Which is why you're staying put.' He pushed the barn doors opened to retrieve Dusty,'This isn't a discussion.'
She crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips,'You're not my daddy. You can't tell me what to do.'
He let out a dry laugh as he saddled up Dusty. She always said whenever she couldn't get her way. It never worked. Not anymore. He was as close to a father she's ever had. She trusted his judgment.
He sighed as placed his hands on her shoulders,'I can't lose you too, baby girl. Do you understand that?'
She nodded as she looked up at him,'Are you and Tommy are gonna bring them back? Is everything gonna be okay?'
'I don't know.' He shook his head and sighed.
He didn't want to lie to the girl. He would try his best though. Becca and Ellie deserved his best.
'I'm gonna do whatever I can, Ellie.' He swallowed harshly as he looked her square in the eye,'I want her home just as much as you do. You just have to stay here. I can't let anything happen to ya. It's important to me.'
Ellie nodded as she looked over his face,'Okay.'
He's placated her in the past. He wasn't completely honest with her about the Fireflies. They've gotten through their trust issues. They've worked out their differences. All she could was put faith in him.
He shook his head as he stepped back from her,'I gotta go. They got a head start.'
Joel climbed onto Dusty and Ellie followed him out of the barn. He gave one last look at her. They wouldn't say goodbye. They just stared at each other.
Ellie hugged herself as she watched him hightail it down the trail. If he didn't come back with her it would be the end of him. She didn't know if he would be able to handle a loss like that.
He would lose himself again, become vengeful and full of rage. He had to find Becca safe. He had to come back safely.
As she watched his figure disappear in the distance, she knew he would come back. He always found a way.
When Joel reached the gates of the city, he found Tommy and a few of his men already waiting.
Joel halted the horse in front of them, his sole focus on Tommy,'You ready?'
'We're ready.' Tommy looked over to three of his men. They were men he could trust. They were more than capable and some of his best men.
Tommy jerked his head over his shoulder to a beaten young man bound to the back of his horse,'This fucker's been working with Kurt. He's the one who let them out. He's also the one who's gonna tell us where they're going. We had a little chat about it.'
Joel's eyes widened slightly in surprise. It was the asshole who worked with Becca. He was one of the nurses who asked her out. She danced with this punk. She trusted him and worked alongside him for almost two years. All this time.
His jaw locked in anger. He could feel his knuckles twitching. He held tightly onto the reins to keep from killing him with his bare hands. He was the reason she was gone.
After this was all over he was going to kill him. He didn't care about what's wrong or right. He would strangle him with his bare hands and take great pleasure in watching the light leave his eyes.
Joel tore his gaze away from him and turned his attention back to Tommy,'Can we trust him to lead us in the right direction?'
Tommy turned around and grasped Matthew by his hair and lifted his head up,'I don't think he's in a position to lie to us.'
'I'm not lying.' He groaned as his broken nose dropped with blood,'I don't know where they're going, but I can take you to the camp. Just please don't kill me. Please.'
Joel and Tommy shared a look. The gates opened and the men rode out of town.
A sickening feeling set in Joel's stomach. He remembered entering these gates two years ago with Ellie and Becca. They had been broken, beaten and drained. There wasn't any fight left in them.
They've managed to rebuild themselves to somewhat normal human beings. They curated an imperfect happiness. They had lives here. They weren't willing to sacrifice themselves. Again.
As they rode down the path, he made a silent vow to himself that once they returned he would never leave again. No one would do them harm. Everything must end sooner or later.
They rode for almost seven hours. They only stopped to let their horses drink and take sone rest. They pushed their horses to the limit, riding as hard and fast as they could. They camp was supposed to be located just outside of Cheyenne.
He hoped to God for Mathew's sake he wasn't lying to them. God have mercy on his soul.
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Luckily for Matthew he wasn't lying about the location of the camp. The men's horses stood atop of a hill. Down below seemed to be a survivor camp. Matthew said they weren't fighters, but scientists and peacemakers. Joel didn't believe the two could coexist.
Joel took out his binoculars to assess the camp. There were about ten men. They only had five. He wasn't worried about numbers. He's took on more men by himself. He would even the score.
Tommy sighed as he stared down below,'We can try to go around. This way they won't see us coming.'
Joel lowered his binoculars as he looked over at Tommy,'I was thinking of a more colorful approach.'
'Yeah.' He shook his head,'I figured you would say that.' He looked back at Matthew,'What do we do with him?'
Joel took a moment to contemplate his brother's question. He stared straight ahead, his mind made up,'I'll take care of him.'
Tommy's eyes widened in realization. He knew his brother was capable of horrible things. This was justified. Matthew knew too much about them. He could lead others back to them. It's what needed to be done.
Joel got off his horse and pulled Matthew off the back of Tommy's horse.
Mathew's eyes were frantic as he shook his head,'No no no. Please.' He stared up at Joel desperately,'I'll do anything.'
Joel ignored his words. He grabbed his neck and snapped it easily. He heard the loud crack of bone as the life drained out of him.
Tommy turned his head as Matthew's lifeless body slumped against Joel's chest. He released his body and let it fall to the ground. He kicked it off the edge of the cliff as it fell down onto the embankment below. He would leave it for the animals. The sun would rot him away.
Burn them all to hell.
Tommy looked away. He knew Matthew very well. He invited him into his home. He shared meals with him. You really don't know someone.
They made their way into the camp. They posted their horses up above the hill. They didn't want to attract too much attention.
Joel led the group as they walked up to the entrance. There were two armed guards keeping watch above a tower. They were surprised to see some women and children. Women and children were known to fight too. No one could be trusted.
While they didn't condone the killing of women and children. They would defend themselves. Someone shooting a gun is dangerous. It holds no prejudice.
They walked in as if they were merely other survivors looking for help. There was something amiss here. He could feel it in the air.
Joel and Tommy shared a knowing look. They needed to find who was in charge. Tess stayed here. She obviously knew the right people.
He saw a few armed men standing by a tent. He leaned in close to Tommy, whispering,'We should split up and see if this Jeff guy is around here.'
Tommy nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest,'We'll meet back up here in fifteen.'
Joel nodded as he already began making his way over to the tent. He took a few deep breaths to calm his rage. Matthew said Jeff was in charge. He only knew his first name. He kept himself shrouded in mystery. Did he knew where Becca and Maria were?
He walked up to the armed men as they stared him down. He averted his eyes between them. He was already assessing the ways he could kill them. It would be too easy.
'You know where I can find a guy named Jeff?'
The armed guys looked down at him. Their faces gave them away immediately. They were protecting this man. Tess was serving this guy?
He looked in between them, seeing a sitting at a desk inside the tent. He wasn't what he expected him to look like. He was dressed in a black turtleneck and dark green Army fatigues. His messy head is dark hair and wire rimmed glasses made him seem less threatening.
Tess mentioned scientists. Was he a scientist? Was he the madman behind the cure?
'I wanna have a chat with him.' Joel crossed his arms over his chest,'He took something from me and I want it the fuck back.'
The larger man of the two placed his hands on Joel's chest and pushed him back,'You don't come here demanding anything.'
Joel smirked as he squared his shoulders. It's been awhile. He's been itching for a fight. He wasn't the same broken down old man he used to be. He was healthy and strong. He was fighting for something.
They took the woman he loved from him. He wanted her back. He felt her absence strongly. He couldn't think about missing her. If he did, he would collapse into himself. He wouldn't be able to breathe. He just needed to focus on finding her.
Joel lifted his hands up as he stepped back from them. He peered over the larger man's shoulders, screaming to the man in the tent,'Jeff?' He smirked as the man lifted up his head,'I'm a friend of Tess.' He nodded as he saw the recognition in the man's eyes,'Yeah. You know Tess. Supposed to be fucking dead. Comes into town and takes my fucking woman. Takes my brother's wife.'
Jeff stood up from behind his desk and sighed,'Let the man in.'
The men parted and let Joel walk inside the tent. He wasted no time in grabbed him by his shirt. He hoisted him up and pushed him up against the desk,'Where are they!' He leaned in close to the man, his eyes filled with rage,'WHERE IS SHE?!'
Joel's booming voice reverberated in the tent, making the desk rattle. Jeff stared up at him blankly and shook his head,'I told Tess and Kurt to go to a military base at the Capital. I never told her to take those women. Just the girl.'
That wasn't the right answer either. It just infuriated him even more. He took out his knife and grabbed his hand, pressing the blade against his index finger,'You ain't taking another damn fucking thing from me.'
Jeff's men heard the commotion and came running inside the tent. They lunged for Joel, but Tommy stepped inside the tent. He quickly shot the men in the back of the head. Point blank.
Joel looked back at Tommy. He had a stone cold look on his face. They left their emotions back in Jackson. They needed to get things done.
Joel pulled Jeff up by the back of his shirt, pulling him up,'This is Jeff. We were just getting acquainted. Weren't we, Jeff?'
Jeff looked up at Joel warily,'I don't know what you want from me.'
Tommy walked over to him and crouched down in front of Jeff,'Why would Tess take them?'
He winced as Joel pressed the blade against his finger. Joel snapped his finger back, breaking it. Jeff screamed out in pain as he whimpered,'I swear I don't fucking know why they would take them. I don't even know who the fuck you are.'
Joel leaned in close to him as he looked over his face,'You're gonna learn who the fuck I am.'
Tommy pressed his rifle to the side of Jeff's temple,'What are you trying to do?'
Jeff closed his eyes and sighed,'What everyone is trying to do…survive. You're protecting a miracle. Someone who could save the world. We've looked all over. There's more children like Ellie. We could finally do it.'
Joel shook his head and broke another finger,'How many of you are there?'
'My colleagues were killed.' Jeff gasped as tears fell down his face from the agonizing pain,'My colleagues were killed. I was the only one left to carry out their research.'
Joel felt his chest swell up with pride. He did that. He killed those scientists in the hospital. He wondered if there were more of them. Was Jeff protecting others seeking to find the cure?
Jeff's eyes widened up at Joel in recognition,'It was you? You were the one they were talking about.' He laughed almost maniacally,'You got the girl out. You're considered a legend. You single-handedly took out the Fireflies.' He averted his eyes between them,'The Miller boys. You used to be Fireflies. Marlene told me all about you.'
Joel and Tommy looked at each other. Tommy chose to leave that life behind. He lived a quiet and peaceful life with Maria. Then he came to Jackson and brought fire and brimstone down upon him.
He should've just left Becca and Ellie there. Tommy would've kept them safe. Tess would've never come to Jackson looking for him. This is all because of him.
Joel pulled him up to stand,'You take us there. You hold your men back.'
Jeff shook his head and smiled wryly,'You won't find an army here. We're peacemakers.'
Joel rolled his eyes and sighed. If he heard that one more fucking time.
Tommy bound Jeff up while Joel grabbed whatever weapons he could find in the tent. He took the weapons off the dead bodies of his security guards. He couldn't help himself. Old habits die hard.
Joel and Tommy met the other men at the gate. They shot the armed guards atop the tower.
Joel looked around at the civilians in camp. They were staring at them as if they were the devil. Maybe in their eyes they are. They were on opposite sides of the same fence. They were all trying to survive. Just for different reasons.
'There's a town not far from here.' Tommy yelled out to the women and children. Most lost their husbands due to the infection and famine,'Jackson. Tell them Tommy Miller sent you. You'll be taken care of. You'll get food, shelter and medicine.'
Joel stared at Tommy in disbelief. He was like some goddamned shepherd trying to lead his people to freedom. They shared blood, but they were two entirely different men. Joel saw them as a burden. Just more mouths to feed. Tommy wanted to save everyone.
They rode out of town, with Jeff bounded behind Joel. Jeff had given him the map of the army base. It was apparently swarming with infected. He thought he would never seen an infected ever again.
Hopefully this would be the last time. The last battle he would ever have to fight. His life hindered on Becca's survival. He couldn't do this without her. Not even Ellie would be able to save him from himself.
They passed Matthew's corpse along the trail. Vultures were already tearing apart his body. Coyotes were circling around him. The stench of death hung heavily in the air.
Joel glanced over his shoulder, seeing Jeff stare down in horror. He saw the recognition on his face. Good. Let that be a warning. He would suffer the same fate. Once they reached the military base, he would get everything he wanted to know and he would kill him. That's if they survived their way through the infected.
They were riding for a couple hours when they came across a warehouse. He saw fresh marks in the grass, like someone had recently rode through here.
Joel halted the reins and hopped off his horse. He followed the trail marks up to the warehouse where they stopped. Tommy was following close behind him. The other men followed suit, leaving Jeff helpless and vulnerable. Alone.
Joel cocked his rifle as he aimed it high. He carefully walked inside the warehouse, his eyes narrowing when he saw two chairs in the middle of the warehouse. His heart sank to his stomach. There were droplets of blood on the ground, like someone was being dragged while bleeding. It seemed too much of a coincidence.
He walked up to the chairs and saw the rope. He crouched down, his hands shaking with rage. He saw the piece of green flannel on the ground. He picked it up and studied it. It was Becca's shirt. He smiled to himself. The shirt she stole from him.
Tommy gasped when he saw Maria's earring.
The two men stared at each other. Their women were telling them they were here. They had been alive. But for how long?
Joel tucked the piece of fabric into the back pocket of his jeans. They walked out of the warehouse and headed back on their way.
They had been here. Who knew how long it could've been. They could already be…
He shook his head. No. He couldn't think like that. Tess wouldn't kill Becca without him. She wanted a fair trade. A life for a life. He just wanted blood.
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Becca and Maria had been sitting in the locked and windowless room for what felt like hours. It was stuffy and hot. She could barely breathe. She took off her flannel and used to wrap around her head to stop the bleeding. Her tank top was soaked through with sweat. Her clothes were sticking to her skin.
Her body ached from being dragged. She was thirsty and tired. Her head pounded.
They were sitting on the dingy floor. Maria was propped up against the wall. She was stripped down to her bra, needing some relief from the heat. There was no shame between the two women.
Maria closed her eyes and sighed, whispering,'Any idea of where we are?'
'No.' She shook her head and looked over at her,'I heard Tess talking to Kurt about a military base though.'
Maria punched her leg in frustration,'There's no fucking way anybody's gonna know we're here. You think I'm naive enough to think Tommy's gonna up and save me?'
'You don't have faith in your husband?' Becca frowned,'You don't think he would try?'
Maria let out a dry laugh and shrugged,'I know he would try, but I'm being realistic. You think Joel is gonna save the day? How do you know Joel didn't betray us? Tess is alive, Becca.'
'I know.' She nodded as she sighed,'I know that. You don't think I've thought about it?' She shook her head,'No, I don't think he would. I know he would try to find me too. I know they're trying to find us. We left those things for them to find.'
'Who knows how long that's been?' She frowned,'We don't even know where we are. We had to pass through infected. We're in a city. We're in a fucking city, Becca.'
Becca nodded silently. She knew what that meant. They were trapped. Tess and Kurt could easily navigate through the infected. Even if they managed to escape, they were unarmed. Tess had a truck. She has bombs, grenades and ammunition.
They had their fucking bare hands.
The door clicked opened, causing both women to jump to their feet. Tess walked inside the room, looking over the two women,'I hope the accommodations suffice for you, princesses.'
'Fuck you.' Maria spat out,'We tired of this shit. I want to go home to my child.'
Tess lifted her hand up and sighed,'You're both collateral.' She crossed her arms over her chest as she circled Becca,'I know Joel is gonna come running. He always did love a damsel in distress.'
Becca took offense to that. She wasn't a damsel nor she was distressed. She never needed Joel to save her. Technically, Ellie had been the one who saved her life. She's saved Joel's life too, but who's counting?
Becca looked over at unknown man standing in the doorway. He was heavily armed. She wondered how many men Tess had with her. Peacekeepers her ass.
She wondered how quickly it would took for him to shoot her before she tried to escape. Was he a quick shot? He would shoot to kill?
Maria rolled her eyes and sighed,'I don't know why I'm caught in the middle of this love triangle.' She narrowed her eyes up at Tess,'Tommy told me you were a psycho.'
Tess leaned in close to Maria and smirked,'He left the Fireflies for you. He was one of our best.' She sighed wistfully,'You should've seen Joel and Tommy back in the day. Boozing, fighting and women.' She laughed,'Even now girls just…spread their legs for them.'
Becca spit in her face. The man in the doorway started walking over to her, but Tess put a hand up to stop him,'No, I'll take care of this.'
The man stood back as Tess wiped the spit off her cheek. She backhanded Becca, causing her to fall backwards against the wall. She slid onto the ground and winced when her wrist hit the floor. It felt sprained, but at least it wasn't broken.
Maria's eyes widened up at her as she shook her head,'What the hell is wrong with you?'
Before Tess could answer, Kurt came running up to the room, staring at Tess frantically,'We have a situation.'
Tess closed her eyes and sighed,'Of course we do.'
She looked down at Becca on the floor and spit on her, kicking her in the back,'You're too weak for someone like him. He knows it too. I can see it in his eyes. A man like him has to feel needed. You're pathetic.'
Tess walked out of the room with Kurt. The door slammed shut behind them. They heard the padlock being clicked shut.
Maria ran over to Becca and kneeled down in front of her. She placed her hand on her shoulder, looking her over,'You okay?'
Becca scoffed as she pulled herself up from the floor and leaned back against the wall, wincing slightly,'When we make outta this and get back to Jackson, we're gonna get so fucking drunk and laugh about all this.'
'Why not laugh about it now?' Maria gave her a small smile and leaned down, resting her forehead against hers,'We're not dead yet. We can still make it out of this.'
Becca closed her eyes and sighed softly. She hoped she were right.
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Tess looked up at Kurt as they walked down the corridor,'What the fuck is going on?'
'Matthew is dead.' He shook his head,'We got a radio message from back at camp.' He stared at her warily,'They killed the rest of our men. They got Jeff.' He sighed,'They're coming here.'
Tess had a small smile on her face and nodded slowly,'Good. Let's roll out the welcome mat.'
When they reached the Capital. They posted their horses up in the woods, making sure to keep them safely hidden.
Jeff led them through an underground tunnel that supposedly led to the military base. It hasn't been used since World War Two, but it was still easy to navigate.
Joel was thankful they didn't have to go through any infected. He didn't think his old body could handle it anymore. He did have a heart attack. He could still shoot though. His killing was still pretty damn good. The instincts would always be there.
They came up onto entrance of the military base. Jeff told them it's where they would use radio communications. They seemed to have a pirated station where they could communicate and spread their propaganda.
Tommy stood beside Joel, their men following close behind them. Joel had his rifle pressed against Jeff's back as he led them into the compound.
Joel looked around, feeling uneasy. He didn't know if eyes and guns were on them. He felt as if he were standing in the line of fire. The calm before the storm.
Tess stepped out from the shadows, holding her hands up,'No one wants to fight.'
Tommy stepped up to her, aiming his rifle directly at her,'Where are they?'
Joel was dead silent and eerily calm as he stared at her. He felt nothing. Just coldness. He thought he knew this woman. He thought he loved her. He mourned her. Felt guilt ridden over her death.
Tess looked up at Joel and smiled softly,'I've been taking girl of your doll. Been keeping her fresh and alive.' She narrowed her eyes,'I may have slipped and told her about your Firefly days though. She's been…iffy about you since then.'
'What the fuck did you tell her?' She smirked. That got him talking. She always knew how to push his buttons,'Where is SHE?'
Tess winced as he screamed in her face. She sighed as she turned back to Kurt and nodded her head. He motioned for one of the other guards and he walked down a corridor.
Tommy pointed his rifle at Jeff,'If my wife is seriously injured he dies. I know you fucking need him.'
Joel didn't want to tell him he was going to die anyway. He would keep that to himself. He just needed to know she was okay. It's only been forty eight hours, but she's been a constant in his life for over two years. He's grown accustomed to seeing her everyday. He's gotten used to her existence in his life. He didn't need it. He was a solitary man by nature, but he wanted her in his life. In his head and in his bed. He wanted her forever. He could die today a happy man for have gotten the honor to love her.
His eyes widened as she emerged from the shadows. Tommy gasped when he saw Maria. While he was happy his brother's wife was alive. His sole focus was on her.
Her clothes were dirty and torn. Her once white tank top was blooded and soiled. He saw the abrasions along her left arm and shoulders. She had been dragged. There was blood trickling on her nose and dried blood on her cheek. It was bruised and swollen.
He saw the blood on her temple. Kurt was holding firmly onto her arm. He felt his hand clench into a fist. He didn't like that. Another man's hands on her.
She kept her head held high though. There were scratch marks on Kurt's face. She fought like hell. He was proud of her.
Both women looked worse for wear. They looked sleep deprived and weary. They were alive though. They would heal. They would move on and forget.
'Jesus Christ.' Joel muttered under his breath, his eyes meeting Becca's,'I'm gonna fuckin kill you, Tess.'
Tess shook her head and sighed,'You're in no position to be making threats. You kill Jeff. She dies. They die. We want Ellie. You give us Ellie. We hand them over.'
'No.' Joel shook his head,'This ain't fucking negotiable.'
Tommy looked warily over at Joel. Was this all worth it for some teenage girl? Some would say she was poisoning the town, but she was a harmless young girl. She was used and abused by the people she trusted. Her mother taken from her at such a young age. Who was he to decide someone's life? Everyone deserved a choice.
Becca looked hard at Joel. He looked exhausted, like he hasn't slept since she's gone missing. His hair was wild. The denim shirt he wore clung to his sweaty skin, the sleeves rolled up. He his jeans were sullied with mud and grime from the road. He looked like something out of those old westerns her daddy used to love so much. A man out for vengeance.
Her gaze locked with his. He slowly nodded his head. She was slowly starting to read his movements. They were becoming intimate enough to where she could gauge his emotions. He loved her. She loved him. They would get through this.
Joel moved his eyes away from hers. He counted six guards. Plus Tess and Kurt. Kurt had his pistol pressed firmly against the back of Becca's head. It would be a clear shot into her skull.
Instant kill.
He shook his head. He didn't even want to think about that. He took a deep breath and made his decision. He pushed Jeff onto the ground.
Tess quickly grabbed him and slid him back, keeping the scientist safe.
Joel used the distraction to make his move. He turned and pointed his rifle at Kurt's head. He squinted as he aimed for his temple. He couldn't hit Becca. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself.
He steadied his hand. It would be the most important shot of his life. Kurt could've shot first and killed her. He had nothing left to lose.
Joel cocked the rifle and aimed for Kurt's head. He caught his mark. The bullet went into his head, his brains bursting out from the back.
Becca leaned down, her ears ringing from the blast. Kurt's blood splattered all over face.
Tommy began shooting as Maria managed to break away from the man's grasp. She ran to Tommy and he wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from the stray bullets.
Becca ducked as she crawled behind an abandoned truck. She saw Joel shooting at someone. His eyes were darting around, as if he were searching for someone.
She tried calling out to him, but she reminded herself he was deaf in one ear. He couldn't hear when she was standing behind him sometimes. Richard joked he would make a hearing aid for him and give him the senior citizen discount. She wanted to go back to that. Not to this. Bullets, murder and violence. She was tired of the fighting.
Becca saw Tess running by her with Jeff. She got up and ran after her. She picked up a piece of concrete and whacked her on the back of the head with it.
Tess stumbled back as she touched the back of her head. She saw the blood on her head and turned her head, staring at Becca.
Tess lunged at her and tried to grab the concrete from out of her hand. They scuffled on the ground, trading blows back and forth. Tess was stronger, but Becca was younger.
Becca managed to roll on top of her. She sat on her as she banged the concrete against her face. She bashed her face in over and over. She thought about Ellie, Joel and everything she's done to the people she's loved. She hurt her.
Rage blinded her. It guided her. Her hands were covered in her blood. Tess's face was unrecognizable. Her blood spattered on her face, mixed with that of Kurt. Courtesy of Joel.
Joel stood over them as he watched Becca beat Tess to death. He felt nothing. He didn't stop her. She deserved what was given to her. She once pretended to be dead. He could officially let go of her now.
He crouched down behind Becca. He carefully placed his hands on her shoulders. She didn't deserve this. To be killing and avenging. She should be a nurse, doing her gardening and being a young woman. He brought her down to his level. He was supposed to give her freedom. He's given her nothing but this.
He gently pulled her away from Tess's lifeless body. She was shaking. She tried fighting him as he turned around her to face him.
He held her face in his hands. She was still trembling with rage and fear,'It's me, Becca. Joel. It's me, baby.' He cautiously wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest, whispering,'You're okay. They're dead. We took care of them.'
Becca closed her eyes as she slumped against him. There wasn't any time for decorations or heartfelt reunions. They didn't have time for that. They needed to get the hell out of here. They didn't like cities. There were too many infected. Too many bad memories.
They could go back to Jackson. They would heal and rebuild again. They would protect if they had to. The what if's wouldn't control them anymore.
Joel helped her off the ground. Becca narrowed her eyes as she watched Jeff running off. Joel followed her gaze.
Joel nodded as he placed his index finger to his lips. He quietly ran up to him and snuck behind him. He raised his rifle and shot him in the back of the head. His body slumped forward.
He was supposedly the last of them. Hopefully the trail ended with him.
Joel turned around and walked up to Becca. She didn't look afraid. She seemed relieved it was over.
Becca wondered if he was mad she killed Tess. She just watched him kill a man. She's seen him do far worse. She's seen the good side of him too. The sweet, funny and gentle side. He wasn't always this man. Only when he had to be.
He cupped her cheek, his tenderness showing through as he looked over her face,'Let's get you home and all cleaned up. We'll do just like we promised.'
A small smile formed on her face.
Tommy and Maria walked up to them. Maria looked over Becca, seeing her bloodied hands and face. Her shirt.
She didn't want to know as she took a deep breath,'There's two kids here. They were in the other rooms.'
Becca's she's widened and she shook her head,'They found kids like Ellie.' She laughed in astonishment,'There's actually other kids like Ellie.'
Joel shook his eyes and rolled his eyes. He sighed exasperatingly. He was getting too old for this shit. He couldn't handle anymore kids to serve and protect.