Chapter 4

The wild landscape was rushing by the window in a blur, the hum of a running engine in the background. Ellie knew that they were driving in a car, but not where they were or where their destination was.

"Hey, kid!" Sarah's soft voice chimed, followed by a soft touch on her forehead. "How're ya feelin'?"

"Like shit." Her voice was weak and hoarse. She wasn't even sure if she had said them out loud anyway, if Sarah's response hadn't told her so.

"Yeah," the blond woman concurred, focusing back on the road. "Your fever's still very high, and I've got nothin' to lower it. We need to find some medical supplies and only one place comes into my mind where we could find 'em. A safehouse in Springfield."

Another safehouse. Another chance. But also another bust?

"What if it got looted, too?"

It wasn't Ellie's character to be morbid or worrying about herself all the time. She had lost that kind of thinking three weeks ago. But in her current state, she wondered if she would survive this trip. Her body got shaken by fever cramps and she felt so freezing cold. Somehow she had dodged the Cordyceps fungus - the deadliest plague in all human history, only to kick the bucket because of an old rake and a bacterial infection. Life was a bunch of cynic crap. At least, Sarah had a reasonable answer that gave her some hope again.

"Springfield and its surrounding area is a red-zone. Back, at the beginning, the government tried everything to keep the local arms-industry running, even by forcing the people to stay in the city under the impression that there was no imminent danger. When the fungus spread, it was too late for an evacuation and the city got locked down. Most people were trapped and the numbers of the infected increased exponentially. In the end, the city got abandoned by the government without further ado or help and bombed to the ground. Today, it's ruled by the Cordyceps. Scouts report that most buildings are infested by the fungus and uninhabitable. The streets are roamed by Clickers and even Bloaters. A real fuckin' monument of the government's incompetence. Nobody dares coming even close to that city, not even FEDRA or Hunters, which makes it perfect for a safehouse in its vicinity."

A red-zone. Ellie had heard this term before, back at the FEDRA academy. Red-zones were indeed off limits for any human being. At least, that's what they had taught her there, like many other stuff that was important to know. And somehow she missed this kind of sorted life. Because, no matter how fucked up FEDRA was, it took care of it's members, medically and educationally.

She actually had some fond memories of this time. Especially about Riley, her best friend who had taken care of her from day one at the academy. She recalled that day they had first met while drifting back into sleep

A flat hand hit the desk in front of her, inducing a loud, clapping sound that made Ellie jump in her seat as she woke up from light slumber.

With wide open eyes she gazed into the stern glare of her teacher, a tall, short-haired woman in the rank of a Lieutenant.

"I'm sorry, Cadet Williams, did I disturb your beauty sleep?" she said with as much snark as possible, signaling that Ellie was about to be in trouble.

Being only twelve years old, the young girl was all nervous, causing her to stutter. "I-I'm sorry… I-I…"

But the Lieutenant simply ignored her stammered apology, and turned towards the class again, announcing "Looks like Cadet Williams already knows everythin' and has the luxury to sleep through our lesson. So…" She then turned towards the young red-head again. "How about you move your tiny ass off that seat, walk in front of the class and tell us somethin' about the three zones, their threat-level and what awaits us there? I mean, you already know everythin' - hell, maybe even more than I do - so, just enlighten us knowledge, please!"

Her head bowed in shame, Ellie replied "Y-yes, ma'am!" before she stood up and walked through the rows towards the front of the class. The twelve-year-old wore the gray-blue cadet-uniform of the FEDRA academy, like the other cadets. She has just been here for a couple of days on behalf of Marlene, the leader of the Fireflies, who had wanted her to make this her new home. But it wasn't home, just hell. The daily drill, all those rules, no privacy at all. Ellie hated the academy and especially Marlene for sticking her into it. Her mother had just died a few months ago and now they were expecting her to live an entirely new life.

No, this life wasn't for her, and it became even clearer as she stood in front of the class. All those cadets, just random people at approximately her own age, yet total strangers with random blurry faces. Faces that were staring and evilly grinning at her, mocking her.

"Cadet Williams, as much as we enjoy a break from our daily routine, we're far too thrilled to listen to your wisdom."

The class chuckled. Everyone chuckled.

Everyone? No. There was one person that didn't join in with the laughter. One person, who even looked at her with worry.

Her name was Riley, Riley Able, that much she knew. A 14-year-old Afro-American girl. And apart from the others, she had never been unfriendly towards her. Quite on the contrary, whenever they met in the hallways, she greeted her. Why? Ellie didn't know, but it gave her some comfort and confidence. A glimpse of hope. Enough, to take a deep breath and speak to the class.

"The, uh… the three zones are classified in, um…" she began to tell, glimpsing once again at the ebony girl, who gave her a warm smile, paired with a concurring nod which encouraged her to continue. Plus, she scribbled something continuously on some sheets of paper, which were the answers to the question, and held it towards her. "...in, uh… in three categories, green, yellow and red. The green zones - or Quarantine Zones - are cleared from the infection and under full control of the Federal Disaster Response Agency. Um… most parts of the former United States are declared as yellow zones and inhabited by infected as well as uninfected. In these zones, martial law is in full effect and every unregistered person is considered a potential threat. And, uh… th-the red zones are considered a total loss to the Cordyceps and are off limits for everyone. Persons caught coming out of such zones are instantly considered as infected and eliminated."

"Well, looks like someone learned their stuff," the Lieutenant mentioned with a nod, a ping of acknowledgement chiming with it. "And I must say, I'm impressed that you managed to learn all this knowledge in such a short time. Or…" She then walked along the rows towards the front, stopping right beside Riley's seat. "...did you lil' fucks try to cheat on me?"

Riley had already hidden the sheets of paper with the answers under her notes and tried to act as inconspicuous as possible. However, the Lieutenant just grabbed the pile of paper and flipped through the pages, revealing the written catchphrases.

"As I thought," the female soldier eventually sneered with a victorious undertone, throwing all the notes back in Riley's direction so that they got scattered in the air and fell to the ground like dry leafs. "You two shits are in for some major punishment. Twenty rounds around the block right after classes, and I'd hurry if I were you, 'cause every second you take longer will get cut from your lunch break. Now move your ass back to your seat, Williams!"

Her head bowed down, Ellie walked back to her seat. She didn't feel embarrassed or sad, but angry. She despised the academy so much and would love to just run away from this place.

The rest of the lesson was about the three zones and the different kinds of infected. Runners, Stalkers, Clickers, Bloaters… She knew them all. Knew their dangers and weaknesses, since she already had to learn this as she hadn't been growing up in a QZ.

After what felt like hours, the lesson ended and while the rest of the cadets were heading towards the mess hall to grab their lunch, the young red-head went to her room in order to put on her sports clothes, followed by Riley who wanted to do the same. At first in silence, but then the ebony teenager dryly mentioned "I hate this fuckin' bitch."

Ellie still didn't give her much attention, but just scoffed in agreement. She just wasn't in the mood to make some new friends, yet, as she wanted to enter her room, she turned towards the other girl, saying "Thanks for your help, by the way. And, uh… Sorry for that trouble!"

Gazing over her shoulder, Riley gave her a teasing wink with one eye and a wry smirk before she vanished in another quarter.

For the first time since Ellie got stuck in this damned academy, she smiled, already looking forward to running those punishing rounds together with her new friend.

"We're here," chimed Sarah's voice as she softly shook Ellie's shoulder in order to wake her up.

Squirming and groaning, the young girl reluctantly opened her bloodshot eyes, her green orbs fixed on the blonde for a moment before she closed them again. She was all sweaty and pale, and definitely not able to move on her own.

Hissing a bunch of curses, Sarah lifted the sick girl out of the old car and carried her towards another typical suburban house. The sun was already setting, giving the enlightened silhouette of the city of Springfield, Massachusetts in the background an almost majestic touch.

Cautiously, Sarah carried Ellie over the doorstep like a groom would do it with his bride.

In contrast to the safehouse in Boston, this one was still entirely intact. Yet, like in the other house, it looked like it had been looted in the beginning of the pandemia to keep up a facade and the valuable equipment and safest space was upstairs. So, step by step they made their way upstairs and into the former owners' bedroom.

Sarah had just unlocked and cautiously kicked open the door as she froze on the spot, because she was looking into the barrel of a gun.

In the middle of the room stood a young man, probably barely edging an age of 18 years, who was aiming with a pistol at Sarah and Ellie.

"D-don't move," he commanded, cocking the hammer to underline his words. He looked pale and sick, like Ellie. It was clear to Sarah that he had to fight with an infection as well.

"Easy, kid. We just want…" was Sarah's calm reply, yet her eyes were still piercing daggers, which intimidated the boy, so that he raised his gun even more.

"I-I don't care! Just fuck off or I'll shoot you!"

"Listen, kid, we just need some meds, okay. Just give us some and we're gone."

"I don't care!"

For a moment, Sarah stayed silent and assessed the situation. She scanned the boy from head to toe, realizing that his breath was labored and his body was nervously shaking.

"Are you infected?" she asked out of a sudden, watching the boy's reaction.

"What?!" he exclaimed, adding a faint "N-no. Just…just a flu or some shit. Dunno. Now quit stalling and leave!"

"Alright," the blonde woman then returned. "Let's make a deal. I've got some medical education. Lemme treat you and in return we get some meds. Deal?"

The young man hesitated. It wasn't much, but enough to tell that he wouldn't shoot right away, and Sarah used this chance as she cautiously went down on her knees.

"Okay, I'm gonne lay her down and then…"

Ellie's body had just touched the ground as Sarah freed one of her hands, quickly drew her pistol and shot the boy in the head before he even could react. His body dropped like a sack of potatoes, collapsing on the spot while the wall and furniture behind him got sprayed by droplets of blood and brain tissue.

Luckily, the bed had stayed clean. Used, but clean. Sarah put Ellie on it and immediately began to take off the dirty clothes she was still wearing before she would treat her wounds again.

"Wh-why…?" the young girl suddenly whispered with a weak voice. "Wh-why did you…did you shoot him?"

"Because he was infected with the fungus," was the blonde's as-a-matter-of-fact reply as she unbuttoned the girl's jeans. "I saw it in his eyes as I asked him. The fear. The dilated pupils. I've seen it a hundred times. Always the same."

Once again it seemed like Ellie had passed out as the words she mumbled didn't make any sense anymore.

"I-infected… m-mall… R-Riley, d-don't… no! P-please…! K-kiss…"

'Infected!'

This word was continuously echoing through Ellie's head as she was watching the oozing bite wound on her forearm. She felt hollow, like her mind refused to accept the fact that she was about to die.

Or would she even die? She now imagined how she would've to witness from inside turning into a Runner. How the fungus would eventually crack through her skull and she would then become a Stalker and then a Clicker. Maybe, by chance, she would survive maybe the next 20 or so years and even become a Bloater.

Would she kill many people? Or would someone have mercy and kill her before she could cause any harm? Would she even be aware of all this or just slowly die like a withering flower?

A soft touch on her shoulders as Riley flung one arm around her, brought Ellie back from her dark thoughts. She turned her head and looked sorrowful at the ebony girl, who was giving her a faint, warm smile. A fake smile, though, that got betrayed by the wet lines around it.

They were back at the costume store, sitting on the ground while waiting for their inevitable demise. Ellie didn't know what to say or what to do. The only impulse she got as she was gazing at her best friend's beautiful face was to lean in and give her another kiss.

This was the moment the dam broke as the young girl became aware that this young love would never blossom any further. She embraced Riley tightly and began to sob into her shoulder. And the Afro-American girl did the same.

Then, Ellie felt the cold steel of a pistol on her head and realized what Riley wanted to do. But she didn't mind. She just closed her eyes and waited for the soothing end, which, however, didn't come. Instead, the barrel on her temple just trembled and eventually vanished.

A bit surprised, Ellie broke the hug and gazed at her friend, who had her head bowed and the pistol in her lap.

"I can't do it," she whispered with a shaking voice, followed by heavy sobs.

This time it was on Ellie to be the strong one. She took the pistol from Riley and tossed it aside before she gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"We stand together and fall together!" she said and stood up. Quizzically, Riley followed the younger girl with her gaze as she locked every possible exit, before she took a piece of cardboard and scribbled on it 'We're infected. Please kill us both!'

Then, she sat down beside her friend again and intertwined their fingers. "If someone finds us, we'll die together."

Stoically she then looked into empty space until Riley pulled her in for another kiss. A kiss that seemed to last forever since the ebony girl didn't stop.

Those kisses felt clumsy and inexperienced, yet it didn't bother the two of them since it was both of their first time doing such things. But it became clear that Riley was older as she wanted to go further as her hand started to roam over Ellie's body, even brushing over her not much developed breasts. But the red-head didn't mind. She enjoyed it and wanted to experience as much as possible before her life would end.

Out of nowhere, a hot pain ran through the side of Ellie's body as Riley's hand was violently clawing into her hip.

"OUCH! The fuck, Riley?!" she exclaimed and her friend immediately backed away and jumped up, clearly startled upon her doing.

"Shit! Ellie, I-I'm sorry! I…I dunno…"

With worry, Ellie looked at her girlfriend, who was pale and sweaty, her eyes bloodshot and her limbs shaking. She looked tired and weak, and held one hand at her head, since it was obviously hurting.

"Riley?" the younger girl asked with worry as the other girl started to groan in agony, now holding her head with both hands.

"Argh! E-Ellie…! The pain…"

Wanting to calm down her friend, Ellie tried to embrace her again, but got immediately and harshly pushed away as Riley flailed out.

"Riley, stop!" the red-head yelled as she tried to get close to her girlfriend again. Until Riley suddenly jumped at her and threw her off balance. Both landed on the floor, Riley, who screamed into her face, sitting on top of her.

Desperately, Ellie tried to fend off her furious friend, barely managing to defend herself until both of the black girl's hands gripped her throat tightly and began to squeeze. Her once so warm and friendly looking eyes were now radiating pure madness.

"R-Riley…" Ellie gasped with her last bit of breath as she was about to lose consciousness. For a moment, the grip around her throat softened and the black girl's demeanor turned sorrowful.

"K-kill me!" she whispered one last time before the madness returned and the hold around Ellie's got stronger again.

Ellie, however, had used this short pause from the onslaught to reach for the gun that had been barely out of reach and was now holding it in her hand. She pushed the barrel from below against Riley's jaw, closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.

The shot got muffled by the young teenager's flesh while the bullet traveled through her skull and brain, and exited on the upper side of her head with a red fountain.

Riley's body went immediately limp and collapsed on Ellie, who embraced her late friend tightly while crying out all her pain and sorrow.

Gasping loudly Ellie woke up with a start, sitting up straight right away. Her breathing was labored and her body all sweaty. Though, she couldn't really tell if the salty wetness on her face was indeed sweat or tears.

Trying to shake off those negative memories, she closed her eyes and took some deep inhales before she let her sight wander around the surroundings.

The room was just dimly lit by the light of the very early morning, but she could see that it was packed with several supplies and goods, yet also clean and tidy. By the window stood a desk, medical stuff scattered on its top. And in one corner was a recliner, where Sarah was sitting in, her body covered by a blanket while she was sleeping in it.

Ellie watched her for a while. Watched how her demeanor was so peaceful and not so stern and angry. This, however, changed a minute later as it grimaced and a tear was strolling down her cheek.

Was she crying?

Then she began to mumble something that Ellie couldn't quite catch while curling up into a fetal position.

Nightmares. Who wasn't plagued by those nowadays? Yet, Ellie's had gotten worse since that fateful day at the mall. Just remembering it, caused the young girl to huff out a shaky breath.

Feeling the call of nature and not wanting to wake Sarah up, Ellie decided to get up quietly and search for a place where she could relieve herself.

As soon as she had put the blanket aside, she felt how the cold air was swiping over her body and just now she realized that she was entirely naked, except for some panties that weren't hers. Gasping a quiet "Fuck!" she panicky looked around to find something she could put over her Eva-costume, finding it in the form of a worn-out top that probably belonged to Sarah.

Lacking any other option, Ellie put it on anyway and then cautiously climbed out of bed. She still felt wobbly on her legs, especially since she couldn't put any pressure on her injured foot, making it extra difficult to navigate towards the door. But she managed by holding on to some furniture. Everything was deafeningly loud in the silence of the post-apocalypse. Every creaking floorboard and hinge. Every clicking lock. Yet, Sarah didn't wake up from all this commotion, which was fine by Ellie, who wasn't very fond of experiencing this woman's annoying attitude in the morning.

But the situation didn't get any better outside the comfortable safety of the room. Numerous junk lying around, glass shards from broken windows and even the danger of meeting some stray infected.

Taking her time, however, Ellie reached the closest bathroom. A way that, under normal circumstances, would've taken not more than 30 seconds had turned into a 10 minute thrilling adventure.

Back at the academy and the places she used to grow up there always had been a functioning sanitary system. Toilets with working plumbing, running water, sometimes even hot, electricity. But out in the wastelands of the former civilization, there were no such things. Best case, you had a toilet and a bucket with water to flush, but mostly you had to piss and shit in that bucket and then throw its contents regularly into a hole outside. Worst case, you had to relieve yourself in some random corner or a bush, hoping that your ass wouldn't meet with some nettles.

Luckily, the Fireflies seemed to be a fan of the water bucket, so that Ellie could sit down on the toilet and let it flow with a sigh of relief.

"Next time, say when you leave!"

Being startled by Sarah's voice, Ellie gasped loudly and fell off the toilet, which caused the blond woman to chuckle.

"Fuck, can't you see that I'm takin' a piss? Fuck off!"

Still being amused, Sarah went back into the room while Ellie slowly got back on her feet. She then pulled up her panties and flushed by pouring half of the bucket into the bowl before limping back into the room and into bed.

"Glad that you're back on your feet, kid," Sarah mentioned while she was preparing some food. "You really got me worried the first few days."

Worry. Had she really been worried about her? Ellie couldn't imagine that at all. However, as she got handed a plate with a breakfast, consisting of dark bread topped with corned beef, the young girl started to have a ping of doubt about her sight of things.

"Uh, thanks!"

"Eat up, you'll need your strength," said the blonde and then started to fully dress. "I'm gonna refill the bucket and scout the area. Should be back in two hours or so. Just stay here and rest. Tomorrow, we'll be back on the road."

Ellie just nodded and lowered her gaze as she was pondering. From the corner of her eyes she then spotted the bloodstain on the carpet, which brought back a very faint and blurry memory of the young men Sarah had shot in cold-blood.

"Was he really infected?"

For a short moment, Sarah stopped in her doings before turning her head, her glare as cold as ice.

"Does it matter?" she asked with a shrug. "He threatened us with a gun. If it had been for him, you would be dead by now."

She then continued to dress and put her gun in the holster, and only stopped one last time as she wanted to go, saying "But yes, he had a bite wound on his left calf. Was probably assigned by the Fireflies to keep watch over this place, got too close to the zone and got infected. His body's in the pool in the backyard, if you don't believe me."

Without another word, Sarah let the door fall into the lock and was gone, leaving Ellie alone. Silently, she chewed on her meal, flushing it down with a bottle of water. She still felt utterly weak and therefore tried to sleep a bit more. But no matter what she tried, her mind refused to shut down. It wandered. Wandered back into the past, where she still had been full of joy. A time with Riley.

She missed her. Missed her smile and her easy going way of life. Ellie's imagination began to form pictures of what could've happened if Riley would've survived. How they would've been together, exploring the unknown territory of a sexual relationship. They already had dipped a pinky toe in it before her friend had started to turn.

Actually, this should've been the moment, her brain should've started to blend in sad emotions and pictures of loss and agony. But instead, Sarah's face appeared. But not with that typical pissed-off expression, yet with a soft, warm smile. Like that time she had treated her injury. Like a mother or a good friend or…more?

The young teenager was so confused. Everything was confusing at the moment. Even the fact that she was carrying a cure for this madness inside her young body.

Confusing. Just confusing.

When she finally woke up from her endless seeming train of thoughts, it was already afternoon.

Sarah was sitting in the recliner again, reading a book. Again, her demeanor was so peaceful and kind. Ellie watched her for a while. Watched how her lips even arched up slightly as she was probably reading a funny passage.

But all this changed as soon as she looked up and saw that Ellie was awake. Instantly she got serious again, saying "How're you feelin', kid?"

After sitting up and yawning a bit, Ellie replied "Okay-ish… I guess…"

"Good," was everything Sarah returned, focusing her sight back on the book. "Dinner's on the table. Eat up and rest some more. We're gonna leave early."

For Ellie, this woman and her messed up behavior towards her was nothing but an enigma, and it annoyed her. No, she wished for nothing more than this trip would finally come to an end and both would go their separate ways.