(Fall 2032)

The Boston QZ was flooded with buses once again, much to the annoyance of 14-year-old Enid Johnson. She simply rolled her eyes at the sight - dealing with kids giving her a hard time was nothing new in this place.

Enid's only friend was Ellie Williams from her previous QZ, and it had been three long years since they last saw each other. She had been feeling miserable without her by her side. During her time in the Boston QZ, Enid had caused quite a bit of trouble for the soldiers.

On top of that, she had gotten into numerous fights with the other kids, resulting in many black eyes and bruises. This made it difficult for her to make any real friends. Despite being used to solitude, Enid couldn't help but miss Ellie.

That day, Enid was dressed in a blue tank top paired with a black and white flannel, its sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her ripped jeans had holes at the knees, and her blue converse shoes were covered by the ankles. A black beanie sat atop her black hair, which fell to her shoulders with bangs framing her face. Her blue eyes stood out against the freckles on her cheeks.

Enid's mood was instantly lifted as she saw the kids stepping off the bus, despite the muggy and grey weather. Among them, she immediately recognized Ellie, the third kid to disembark. Enid could spot Ellie's distinctive scar across her right eyebrow and her red hair tied back in a ponytail, with bangs framing her freckled face. Ellie was wearing a dark green coat over her hot pink hoodie, paired with dirty blue jeans and a familiar pair of converse shoes.

Unfortunately, Ellie didn't notice Enid amidst the chaos of soldiers swarming the area, killing anybody who was infected. They were conducting some sort of attendance count, causing Enid's heart to race with excitement at the sight of her best friend after three long years.

As Enid observed, Ellie was engaged in a conversation with one of the soldiers who had also gotten off the bus. He sternly informed her that he wouldn't bail her out of trouble like he had done in her previous school. Despite Ellie's attempts to persuade him to let her stay with him, he remained firm in his decision.

After the conversation ended, Ellie turned and headed towards the school. Enid seized the chance to catch Ellie's attention. "Ellie!" Enid called out from behind her.

Ellie stopped in her tracks upon hearing Enid's voice, turned around, and saw Enid approaching with a smile. "What? You thought you could just ignore me?" Enid teased.

Ellie's eyes widened when she saw Enid, and she immediately embraced her. "Holy shit, it's really you, Enid," Ellie laughed, hugging Enid tightly. Enid reciprocated the hug, holding Ellie close.

"I never thought I'd see you again," Enid remarked after they let go. "Same here, Enid. I'm so glad to see you," Ellie replied, still smiling. "I've missed you, El. It's been tough without you around. Did the fucking military bring you here?" Enid inquired.

"Yeah, they did. Figured they wanted me here to become one of them because of my age," Ellie shrugged. While they chatted, a larger student approached the two girls and struck Ellie in the face, causing her to fall to the ground with a bloody lip.

Enid's voice rang out, "Ellie!" In an instant, Enid was seized from behind by the friend of the bully. Enid locked eyes with the student who had punched Ellie, instantly recognizing him as the same guy who had done the same thing to her when she first arrived.

His knuckles were bloody from the punch he had thrown at Ellie. "You fucker! Leave her alone!" Enid shouted defensively at the 13-year-old girl. The guy holding her tightened his grip around her neck, causing her to choke.

"Fuck, your friend must be the dumbest kid to step off that bus! Lift her up!" the leader growled. Another bully lifted Ellie, wrapping an arm around her throat just like Enid.

"We warned you not to mess with our stuff. I would've been prepared if I knew how fragile you were," Ellie spat at him, staring defiantly into his eyes. Enid couldn't help but smirk at Ellie's sassy comment. 'She hasn't changed a bit,' she thought to herself.

The bully who had punched Ellie grabbed her by the front of her hoodie. Her green coat had been torn off after the punch.

The leader's aggressive words echoed through the air, "Shut your fucking mouth! I'll take what I want and kick her little ass!" His gaze remained fixed on Ellie.

Unfazed, Ellie retaliated, "Fight us one on one, you chickenshit!"

As he raised his fist to strike Ellie once more, Enid intervened. She refused to let Ellie suffer the same fate she had endured upon her arrival. With a forceful elbow to her captor's ribs, she broke free from his grasp.

Enid pushed the bully away from Ellie, positioning herself protectively in front of her. Her voice dripped with determination as she warned, "Don't you fucking touch her, you piece of shit."

The bully, infuriated by Enid's audacity, prepared to strike her. "You're so fucking dead!" he bellowed, raising his fist.

However, Enid seized his jacket and delivered a powerful headbutt, causing him to collapse onto the ground. A resounding grunt escaped his lips as pain surged through his nose, which began to bleed.

"You fucking bitch!" the bully growled, attempting to get back up. Yet, Enid kicked him in the teeth, forcing him back down. Blood spewed from his mouth, a result of the forceful blow.

Enid then planted one knee firmly on his chest and tightly gripped his coat with both hands. "Listen up, you asshole. Lay a fucking finger on her again and I swear to god I'll beat the living shit out of you. No one here is going to touch her while I'm around. Got it?" Enid threatened, making sure he absorbed every word.

That was enough to scare the leader, who had previously assaulted her when she arrived at this QZ three years ago. She had definitely toughened up since then. "O-Okay! I won't mess with you two! Now let me go!" he shouted.

"That's what I thought. Get the fuck out of here," Enid said, stepping off him. He scurried away like a frightened little girl.

Once he was gone, Enid turned to Ellie, who was picking up her belongings from the ground. "Phew, that was intense, huh?" she said with a proud smile.

"Sure was. I don't remember you fighting that well, E," Ellie remarked as she gathered her things. Enid helped her up by pulling her to her feet with one hand. "Well, I've had plenty of time to practice," Enid replied.

"Do you know that asshole?" Ellie asked her. "Yeah. When I first got here, he beat the shit out of me and stole some of my shit. I didn't have anyone to watch my back back then. But now that I'm here, I've got your back," Enid explained.

"Oh, really? Look how well that turned out last time," Ellie teased, rolling her eyes. "Oh, you're such a joker. You know I'll always have your back, especially in this shithole," Enid laughed, playfully punching Ellie's shoulder.

Ellie smiled at Enid. It was pretty awesome to see her defend her from that guy. Enid noticed Ellie's Walkman on the ground and picked it up, chuckling. "You still have this thing?" she asked.

"Always. It never leaves my side," Ellie replied, taking the music player from Enid.

"Has your taste in music changed since we last saw each other? Please say no," Enid joked. "Nope. Has yours?" Ellie laughed.

"Nope. Still the same as always," Enid shook her head.

Just before they could talk more, they were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Enid knew right away who it was and she closed her eyes. She and Ellie glanced up and saw the principal of the school towering over them.

"My office. Now," he ordered them in a deep voice.