Chapter One: And the weak shall perish.
Like Knives
The frigid air is biting, cutting and piercing through her skin. Her clothes wet from the snow clung to her like cellophane. She didn't know how long she's been in this cell. She should've been used to this by now. Getting kidnapped as sort of become her thing. Even more so getting into life or death situations.
Isn't that the case for everyone nowadays?
It's a do or die world out there. She was used to being alone. Except she wasn't anymore. Not really anyway. He's reluctant 'caretaker' had begun to slowly open up to her. She knew he didn't get too close to people. He was used to losing the ones he loved. She understood his reasonings to keep people at arms length. The only people she's seen him truly affectionate or close to loving with is Tommy. Even that was putting it mildly.
Slowly but surely she was beginning to see the cracks. The…slow reluctance to allow her snippets into the facets of his personality. He was rough around the edges that was for sure, but that didn't discount his intelligence. He didn't get this far by sheer luck and survival alone. She knew he was capable of brutal violence. She's witnessed his firsthand.
He was also extremely intelligent. She saw the books in his old rundown apartment. He was a book nerd. He wasn't a man of many words, but he was observant of people. He was always on alert. She wondered if he ever took a day to himself since all this started. There wasn't time for a social life when you're running for your life.
Her thoughts drifted back to him. Her heart sank as she thought about him alone, laying on the cold mattress bleeding out. She didn't know if the medicine worked.
She fell down to her knees in the cold dark cell and closed her eyes, clasping her cold shaking hands. He could be dead. Yet someone else to abandon her in her life. Her mother, Riley, Tess. Everyone is taken from her. She's blessed yet cursed.
For the first time in her life she prayed to something, anyone to keep him alive. She clenched her eyes tightly and whispered under her breath.
Keep him alive
She didn't want to do this alone anymore.
The soft footsteps in the room made her come to full attention. She stood upright, keeping herself steel faced. Her busted nose aches from David banging her head against the cell. Man of God her ass. He was nothing more than an opportunist, taking advantage of desperate people who will cling to any hope they can of a future.
Her eyes widened when it isn't David or James as she expects. Instead, it's a woman. She has dark brown hair that falls past her shoulders. Her hair curtaining her face. She's pretty, beautiful even with delicate features. Her clothes were clean, but worn in looking. Her coat had holes in places, her gloves tearing in places. She kept herself tidy though. As if she tried to keep a semblance of control in her life. She steps closer, her dark brown eyes inquisitive. She had two black eyes and a busted lip. There were bruises on her cheek. Some of the cuts were fresh, some healing. She wore a steely gaze as she looked Ellie over. She didn't seem threatened by the woman. She recognized her. She was the woman close his side. She was the one he referred to as his wife.
He seems to treat his wife as a cell mate.
Ellie looks down at her hands. She's holding a bowl of food and a cup of water. She looks over her face and frowns, shaking her head,'Did David do this?'
Ellie's eyes narrowed at her southern drawl. Her accent reminded her of Joel's. Her thoughts lingered on the man she's considered a friend. It would hurt her if he died. She would mourn his loss.
'I know he did.' She nodded her head,'He's done the same to me and everyone else her. Everyone's too afraid of him to do anything. Even James.'
Ellie glared up at her and sighed,'Why do you want to help me?'
The woman looked over her shoulder, making sure no one was watching them. She leaned in close to the cell bars, whispering,'You should eat.'
'I'm not fucking eating that. It's probably poisoned.' Ellie knocked the bowl of food out of her hand, causing the contents to fall all over the floor.
The woman looked down at the food and frowned,'I didn't want to…marry him.' She shook her head as tears filled her eyes,'My husband…he was originally the leader. Until David killed him. He said it was a hunting accident, but I knew better. So did everyone else.' She looked up at the young girl,'I want to kill him just as much as you do. I hate him.' She smiled,'I'm glad you broke his fingers. His interest in you isn't…appropriate. I'll help you get back to your father. If you help me get out of here.'
Ellie didn't know what to expect of this woman. It could be a trap, but what would she have to gain? There were a thousand ways she could go about this.
She also didn't feel the need to correct the woman. Joel was her father. If it meant getting back to him.
'Rebecca. My names Rebecca Johnson. I used to be a nurse before all this. I'm a fucking atheist for fucks sakes. My husband never started this as a religious mission. David…he did that. She nodded, staring Ellie square in the eye, her accent thicker with emotion,'I have access to horses…and guns. We need to think fast before he kills us both.'
Suddenly, the heavy footfalls of boots entering the steakhouse boomed throughout the otherwise silent makeshift jailhouse.
Rebecca clamored to clean up the mess on the floor, scooping it up with her fingers and quickly discarded the bowl. Ellie looked over the woman, who couldn't be anymore than thirty five at most. She was forced to marry an evil man. She could tell by the look in the woman's eyes he made her do things with him. He controlled her. Just as he did with everyone who came into his web of manipulation.
David and James came into the room, their rifles hung over their shoulders. Rebecca knew David and James were lax with their weapons around her. They trusted her. She was his willing Shepard after all.
David roughly grabbed the back of Rebecca's neck possessively, giving her a rough kiss on the cheek. Rebecca's eyes clenched tightly, silently hoping this worked. She didn't care if Ellie ditched her once this was over. She would rather be alone than with him a second longer. It ends today. One way or another.
David looks over Rebecca's face and frowned,'Trying to make nice with that which provides?'
Ellie's she's widened and she gasped,'Provides? What the fuck are you talking about?'
Rebecca knew. She could see it in his eyes. She knew him well enough to see it in his eyes. That predatory gaze. His people were starving yet he got the most rations. He lived like a king. Hiding behind a veiled attempt at playing God.
They've resorted to this. Body of flesh. Amen.
Rebecca gave a quick look over to Ellie, who stood grounded. A tiny yet mighty girl. It's what made Rebecca trust her. She saw her mark. The bite looked old. She should've turned by now. Yet, she didn't. She heard the rumors over the years. There were people immune out there. She thought they were urban legends. Until she saw her. She should be protected at all costs. She was a precious gift to this world. David wasn't their salvation. This beautiful strong young woman was going to save the world. Her father she want her back. He deserved to have her back. She would make sure that happened.
Even if it meant her own life. This girl deserved a chance. She had more to offer the world.
David carefully opened the cell door, making sure James gun was aimed at her. Rebecca stood stock still, not moving an inch, but replaying the plan she set in motion in her head. She's gone over this in her head dozens of times. Every door is locked shot. There's a gap underneath a table. She cleared a pathway. She just needed Ellie away from them.
David grabbed Ellie by the collar and threw her on the table. Ellie snarled and screamed profanities at David. He smirked, citing his justifications for senseless murder and cannibalism. All in the name of God. He used to be a fucking teacher.
James strapped her down as Ellie screamed. Rebecca's eyes widened in horror as tears filled her eyes. She could no longer stand by and be a willful sheep. A servant. A…standby. She owed it to her late husband. Her entire family dead and gone. There wasn't anything else left for her to lose. She needed to react.
Rebecca charged James, causing David to become distracted. Rebecca managed to dislodge the rifle from James hands and wrangle herself free from his grasp. Her eyes widened as Ellie sent a meat cleaver to his neck. She watched the blood gushing out of his neck, the life draining from his eyes. She didn't feel sadness or sympathy over the man she's known for over five years. The man her husband once considered a friend. Until he betrayed him. A smile formed on her face. She felt relief. Finally some justice and a little less God around here.
Ellie managed to free herself as David stare down at James. He laughed and shook his head,'Only the weak shall perish.'
Rebecca cocked the rifle and closed her eyes. It was empty. The story of her fucking life. David laughed. He probably knew it was empty.
Rebecca butted him in the head with the gun, causing him to stumble back. She grabbed Ellie's hand before she could protest, 'Come on. I know the way out.'
David came running after them. He shot a bullet so close to Rebecca's head she could feel the trajectory of the bullet just miss the side of her head. The both hunched down as Ellie grabbed a torch, throwing it onto the curtain behind David's head. The entire curtain erupted in flames. Ellie saw David try to shoot at Rebecca, but he didn't have any bullets left. He lunged at her, wrapping his hands around her throat. All Ellie could see was rage. Rage for her mother, Riley, Tess and maybe Joel. This woman saved her life. She showed her kindness when she didn't have to. She wasn't like David and the others. She was someone good.
Ellie didn't remember much after she started hitting him, causing David to stumble onto his back. His hands falling away from Rebecca. She straddled him as she screamed with rage. Every hit was for every person she's ever lost. Everything good that was ever taken from her.
Rebecca came out of her daze to find David's lifeless body laying next to her. His face and body beaten beyond recognition. His glassy eyes devoid of life gave her solace. She's felt freedom she hasn't felt in years. No more unwanted touches and visits in the evenings. No more behind his wife and someone she controlled. She was a free woman. Even if she was starving and without a plan for survival. Her will is what she made of it.
Her eyes followed the cries as she saw Ellie crouched over David. The bat was held high in her hands as she slowly let it fall, her shoulders finally sagging as the rage left her body. Rebecca let her feel it, knowing she needed this resolution more than anybody. She just wished his death wasn't on her hands. Rebecca could endure his murder. She had imagined it many times. No child should have to know this kind of evil. Even if it's all that surrounded then.
Rebecca crawled over to her and the smoke and soot filled her lungs. She clutched her shoulder, rasping out,'We have to go. The fire.'
Her throat ached from when David almost choked her to death. The murderous look she saw in his eyes. She thought it would be the last moments she ever seen. That was until her. The shining bright light.
Ellie nodded weakly as she gasped for air. Rebecca guided her to the escape route she cleared out ahead of time. Ellie was slowly beginning to think Rebecca was being earnest. She truly did want a way out. She understood that feeling.
They crawled out of the hole, narrowly escaping the burning steak house. They crawled up from the mangled wood and did their feet through the snow. Ellie climbed out first and as she stood up, she felt strong arms wrap around her.
She tried to struggle out from his grasp, but he was much too strong. She thought she killed him. She saw the life leave his eyes. She was gently turned around and large hands cradled her face. Her eyes widened as she shook her head in disbelief. It was Joel. He was alive. The medicine worked.
Joel looked relieved as he looked over her face. She could see the anger in his eyes as he saw the wounds on her face. He knew she handled it though. There wasn't a doubt in his mind.
Ellie cried in relief as tears filled Joel's eyes. He gently cradled the back of her head, whispering,'I got you. I got you, baby girl.'
Rebecca leaned back against the tree by the riverbank. She heard the gentle exchange between the two. They looked relieved to be reunited. She envied the familial bond between them. They had a reason to fight for. A reason for living.
Joel's interest was piqued to a banged up brunette leaning against a tree. He swore he saw this woman with the group. The ones who took Ellie.
He narrowed his eyes, his chest blooming with a newfound rage. He would end her like he did the others.
Joel took a step back from Ellie as he kept his eyes focused on the woman. He took Tommy's rifle off his shoulder and cocked it, heading straight for her.
Rebecca stood motionless as he stalked towards her. He had ours filled rage in his eyes. She's never seen anything like it. She wasn't afraid of him, but she knew what he was capable of. He looked dangerous. She saw the blood on his clothes and his hands, wondering if it was his or someone else's.
He pointed the rifle at her head as Ellie grabbed his arm, 'No. don't kill her. She saved my life. David would've killed me if it wasn't for her.'
Rebecca rolled her eyes and sighed,'She killed them both. I should be thanking her.'
She gave credit where it's due, but Ellie seemed to trust her. Somehow in a span of a day they formed some kind of bond.
Rebecca looks down at his side. She sees the wound that's been clumsily sewn shut. It was his blood after all.
'I made the penicillin for your wounds.' She blurted out,'I have more. Horses and weapons. David kept a supply shed not far from here.'
Joel kept his rifle steady on her as he stared her down. Her accent was familiar. She was from down south if he had to take a guess. She seemed young too. In her thirties if he had to take a guess. He saw the bruises around her throat and on her face. Some were new and older. She was beaten frequently. He had no doubt by whom. He thought of Tess in that moment and wondered why it mattered. Women seemed to just trust him nowadays. Tommy was right. He was becoming soft in his old age.
'You give us what we need. You take us to this supply shed. You get your shit and we part our ways.' He pressed the barrel of the gun between her eyes, emphasizing his point,'Come to find out you're lying and leading me into a trap. You're dead.'
'You could just kill me now and save me the trouble.' She sighed at the deadpan look on his face. He wasn't much of a talker. He seemed more of an action type of guy.
She pointed her head west,'It's only a mike from here.'
He silently nodded as kept the rifle on her. Ellie stayed closer to his side, seeing him stumbling through the snow as they trudged their way forward. She knew Joel wouldn't kill her. He would've done so already. She wasn't a threat. She was injured and unarmed. She would help them. Hopefully.
Ellie breathed a sighed of relief when she saw the shed. Rebecca pulled the doors opened, revealing two horses. She looked back at Ellie and smiled sadly,'I know it doesn't replace the one you lost.'
He never took his eyes off her as Rebecca grabbed two leather messenger bags and handed them to him,'There's medicine and canned food. Ammunition. I stowed these bags away to plan…my escape.'
Rebecca sighed as he kept silent. She saw him holding his side. He was bleeding again. She noticed him limping as Ellie kept her arm firmly wrapped around him. He was still hurting.
'Your wound needs to be cleaned and restitched.' She sighed and shook her head,'You'll die of sepsis in by the morning. I used to be a nurse. I could…help you before we go our separate ways. It's the least I could do for what your daughter did for me.'
He shared a look with Ellie and nodded earnestly. He swallowed harshly as he sighed and rolled his eyes,'I won't hear the fucking end of it otherwise.'
A small smile formed on Ellie's face. He was finally growing as a person. He was accepting help from others. They both needed to start doing that more. Letting people in.
Rebecca gathered what she needed, rubbing alcohol, clean sewing needles and thread. Where ever they went she looked for syringes, needles and thread. Anything that could be useful. She read books on medicinal herbs and starting learning about alchemy. The native Americans lived off the abundance of the land and took care of its people. She's discovered the oldest medicines are the best cures.
He sat silent as she cleaned his wound. He didn't even flinch as she took out the old thread. He hissed slightly as she saturated the wound with antiseptic, making sure the wound was completely clean of debris.
She looked up at him, gauging his reactions as she cleaned the area around the wound. He didn't look at her. He kept his eyes on Ellie as she chewed on a protein bar. He couldn't take his eyes off her, like he was afraid she would disappear if he took his eyes off her. She couldn't remember the last time anyone looked at her like that.
She kept her emotions in check as she slowly stitched the wound back together. He didn't make a sound of pain. He seemed to be used to stitching himself up. She injected the penicillin in his arm, noticing the needle mark near his wound.
'Make sure you keep the wound clean and take your medicine. Inject it in your arm. Please.' She sighed exasperatedly,'You could've killed yourself.'
She placed a bandage over the wound and he quickly pulled his shirt down. She noticed he didn't tell her his name. He didn't even make eye context with her. He didn't trust her. He thought she was like David. She wanted nothing to do with them. She wanted that group burned down to the ground.
He pulled himself up quickly, biting back the twinge of pain,'We should make the next town before sundown.'
Rebecca bowed her head, knowing she would be left alone.
Ellie looked over at Rebecca and sighed,'Where are you gonna go?'
'I don't know.' She shrugged,'I guess I'll hop on Sadie and see where she takes us.'
Ellie assumed it was the name of her horse and pretended to consider this,'You won't make it alone.'
'I made it this far.' Rebecca laughed softly.
'You know what I mean.' Ellie frowned as she looked up at Joel,'She was true to her word. She knows about me and didn't tell anyone. She can help us. I want this.'
His eyes widened at that. She's never explicitly asked for anything. Demanded things. People? That was new.
He narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger in her face,'She's your problem. Not mine.'
He staggered away to gather their things and Rebecca stared at Ellie with wide eyes, shaking her head in disbelief,'He hates the sight of me.'
Ellie rolled her eyes and sighed,'He said the same thing about me. He likes dad jokes. Just so you know.'
Rebecca looked over at the silent and dangerous man. He didn't seem like the warm dad type, but Ellie trusted him. It was enough for her.
It had to be.