(A/N: I originally planned to release this chapter on The Last of Us Day after being inspired by the new trailer for Season 2, but life had other plans. That said, it's finally here! 😄 I've been working on this chapter for the past four months, and I'm really proud of how it turned out. Just one more chapter to go, and I'm aiming to have it ready before Christmas. Thank you all for your support, and I hope you enjoy reading this one!)

The winter had become increasingly merciless. Snow whirled through the air, driven by biting winds that cut like shards of glass against any exposed skin. The once-tranquil town now seemed frozen in both body and spirit, its people huddled together in an attempt to preserve what little hope remained. Outside the old community hall, a man stood shaking hands with departing members, offering them empty reassurances. The words of well-wishes and blessings were exchanged with muted voices, lost beneath the howling wind.

David, the self-proclaimed shepherd of this shattered flock, watched them go with the practiced smile of a man who knew how to soothe frayed nerves. The people of this small, post-apocalyptic town looked to him for leadership. To them, he was a guiding light, a source of divine wisdom in a world long since abandoned by God. But David harbored a secret, a festering darkness that he concealed behind his sermons and soft-spoken promises. Beneath the surface of his calm, almost saintly exterior, there was a predator—one that thrived in the shadows cast by desperation and hunger.

As the last of the congregation drifted away, David lingered in the doorway, his breath hanging in the frigid air. The memorial service had concluded, a somber affair held for the latest in a growing list of dead who wouldn't see the spring thaw. The burial would have to wait. There was no breaking through the frozen ground in these conditions.

He closed his eyes briefly, offering a quiet prayer—or what passed for one. There was no peace in the words. Only calculation."David," a voice called out behind him.

He turned to see James, a man who had once stood tall but now seemed hollowed out by the weight of too many battles fought and too many ghosts left behind. His eyes carried a haunted look, a reminder of the past they both shared, one neither had fully escaped."How much food do we have left?" David asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

James hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Some venison, a bit of elk, maybe a rabbit or two."

"And how long will that last?"

"If we ration everything... a week, maybe. Two, if we stretch it."

David absorbed the information in silence, his gaze drifting to the bleak, grey sky above. Snowflakes fluttered down like ashes from a dying fire. His people were on the brink of starvation. He could feel the panic simmering just beneath the surface, but he couldn't allow it to boil over. Not yet.

"Martin and Josiah think they might've seen deer tracks up by the ridge," James added, pulling his coat tighter as a gust of wind sliced through them. "I was planning to head out at first light."

David's eyes flicked back to him, piercing through the gloom. "James," he said quietly.

James turned, already knowing what was coming.

"I sensed a lot of doubt in you today."

James stiffened. "They haven't lost faith," he answered quickly, though his voice faltered. "The people are scared, that's all. The cold, the food—"

"Not them," David interrupted, stepping closer. "You."

James shifted uneasily, his breath coming out in short, visible puffs. "I still believe, David. I do. It's just… these last six months." He trailed off, looking at the snow beneath his boots. "We've lost so many people. It's hard to—"

David smiled, a thin, cold curve of his lips. "It's good to hear you finally think of them as your people," he said softly. "When we first met, you were a broken man. Mentally. Physically. Do you still think about them?"

James' face hardened. His voice dropped, as though the words weighed too much to be spoken aloud. "They're dead. What's the point?"

David watched him closely, a predator studying his prey. He could see the cracks forming, the weakness surfacing. "This winter has been hard for all of us," he said, pivoting the conversation away from James' grief. "But I need to know you're still with me."

James met his gaze, eyes filled with exhaustion. There was a moment of silence, the world seeming to pause as the snow continued to fall around them. Finally, he nodded.

"Yeah. I'm still with you."

David's smile widened, but it never reached his eyes. "Good." He clapped James on the shoulder, the gesture firm but devoid of warmth. "Get our guns. We're going hunting."

James stood there, watching as David strode away into the swirling snow. The wind picked up, its howling almost drowning out the sound of his footsteps. James clenched his jaw, his hand instinctively rising to rub his face, where the stubble had grown thick and unruly over the past weeks. He was tired. More than tired. He was weary in his bones, in his soul.


Shadow had been on the move for three exhausting days and nights, her body weary but her mind sharp as ever. The journey had been brutal—cold winds biting at her skin, the terrain unforgiving beneath her boots—but nothing could deter her. She was tracking Joel and Ellie, determined to catch up to them before it was too late. As dawn finally broke on the fourth day, the sprawling campus of the University of Eastern Colorado loomed on the horizon, shrouded in early morning mist. The soft, pale light of the sun bathed the grounds in an eerie calm, but Shadow felt no peace. She remained vigilant, her hand hovering near the hilt of her knife as she moved forward.

The silence of the campus was deafening, broken only by the whisper of the wind as it stirred through the abandoned buildings. Occasionally, the distant screech of a monkey echoed through the air, but otherwise, there were no signs of life. No voices. No footsteps. Just the cold, empty quiet that seemed to hang over everything like a shroud.

Shadow's eyes scanned every detail as she walked. The Fireflies had left marks—small, almost imperceptible symbols etched into walls and lampposts, leading her toward their destination. Each step took her deeper into the heart of the campus, the weight of her mission pressing heavily on her shoulders. Joel and Ellie were out there somewhere, and she couldn't afford to lose the trail.

She reached the Medical Sciences building, its towering structure looming over her like a dark omen. Shadow paused for a moment at the entrance, her breath misting in the cold air. The Fireflies had been here—she was sure of it. But had Joel and Ellie made it here too?

Pushing through the doors, Shadow moved with silent precision. Every footstep was calculated, her senses on high alert. The inside of the building was a maze of abandoned rooms and empty halls. Dust hung in the air, catching the faint beams of sunlight that filtered through cracked windows. The place had been deserted for some time, but signs of recent activity were scattered about—discarded equipment, torn maps, and hastily abandoned medical supplies.

On the second floor, she found a classroom. Her eyes immediately fell on the large whiteboard at the front, a map of the western U.S. covered in scribbles and pins. The route traced a line from Colorado to Salt Lake City, marked clearly in red.

"Salt Lake," she murmured, her fingers brushing over the route on the map. "That's where he took her."

She turned quickly, her sense of urgency sharpening. As she retraced her steps and made her way back through the building, her sharp eyes caught something unusual near the exit. A large piece of wood, broken at the end and stained with blood, lay discarded near the doorway. Kneeling, she picked it up, inspecting the makeshift weapon. Dried blood clung to its jagged edge, the kind of stain that could only come from a desperate fight. Dropping it back to the ground, her eyes narrowed as she scanned the surrounding area.

The snow outside had shifted with the wind, but Shadow's trained eyes caught faint signs of movement. Near a tree, barely visible beneath the fresh layer of snow, were hoof prints. She knelt down again, fingers brushing over the shallow indentations in the snow. The prints were old, but not ancient—perhaps two, maybe three days at most. More disturbing was the splash of light red blood that streaked the snow near the tracks. It wasn't enough to indicate a fatal injury, but it was enough to worry her.

Her chest tightened as she rose to her feet. Something had happened here. Whether it was Joel, Ellie, or someone else, there had been a struggle, and now they were gone. Her mind raced as she pieced together the fragments of the scene—the blood, the hoof prints, the broken weapon. Whatever had occurred, it had been fast and violent.

The tracks led away from the campus, disappearing into the distant hills. Shadow followed them, the wind whipping around her as the cold stung her face. The snow had begun to cover the trail, but she had been trained for this. Her instincts guided her as she moved with determination, her eyes scanning the ground for any further signs.

After some time, she found herself at an old, disused railroad track running parallel to the mountains. New tracks, fresher and deeper, appeared in the snow along the rails. It looked as though the horse had been dragging something—or someone. The sight made her heart skip. She crouched down, inspecting the disturbed snow closely. The patterns suggested that whoever had been on the horse had either fallen or was seriously injured, perhaps unconscious.

Her breath came out in short, visible bursts as she stood, a deep sense of dread creeping over her. Shadow's mind raced with possibilities, none of them good. Joel was capable—more capable than most—but if he was hurt, if Ellie was hurt…

She shook the thought from her mind. There was no time to dwell on worst-case scenarios.

Her jaw tightened as she pressed on, following the tracks. The cold bit into her, but she ignored it. Every fiber of her being was focused on one thing—finding Joel and Ellie.

She knew they were close, and her determination fueled her like fire in her veins.

The path led her further into the wilderness, away from the safety of the campus and into the unknown. But Shadow didn't hesitate. She would not stop. Not until she found them.

They were close. She could feel it in her bones.


Joel had sustained a horrific wound, the jagged piece of wood tearing through his stomach. As he fell from their horse and crumpled to the ground, Ellie's heart seized with fear. Blood soaked his clothes, pooling in the snow beneath him. His face, pale and drawn, was slick with sweat as he slipped in and out of consciousness, his breaths shallow and weak. The sight of him like this made Ellie's blood run cold.

Ellie scrambled to his side, her hands trembling as she tried to assess the severity of the wound. The makeshift tourniquet she'd tied to stem the bleeding wasn't doing enough. Joel was fading, and fast. Nearby, a small cluster of houses sat abandoned near the train tracks. Shelter. Safety. Maybe. It was the only option.

Ellie knew there was no way she could lift Joel, not with her size and his dead weight, but she was nothing if not resourceful. Digging into her pack, she retrieved her sleeping mat and spread it out beside him. With all the strength she could muster, she rolled Joel onto the mat, securing him with rope before tying the other end to their horse. The effort left her gasping, her arms shaking from the strain, but she couldn't afford to rest. Gritting her teeth, she guided the horse forward, dragging Joel's limp body across the frozen ground.

The minutes felt like hours as Ellie struggled to keep pace with the horse. Every time she glanced back at Joel, her heart clenched. His face was pale, his lips tinged blue. The blood loss was getting worse. He's dying, the thought hammered in her mind, but she couldn't let herself dwell on it. She had to focus. Keep moving. Just keep moving.

Eventually, she found what she was looking for—a house with a garage, the door hanging crookedly from its frame but still offering some protection. She led the horse inside, securing it before turning her attention back to Joel. His body was heavy as she dragged him from the mat into the house, every inch a struggle as her muscles burned from the effort. Once inside, she maneuvered him into the basement, the only place that might be insulated enough to shield them from the cold outside.

Joel drifted in and out of consciousness, often mumbling in his sleep. Ellie did her best to clean the wound, horrified by its severity. She searched the house and found a needle and thread. Remembering her basic training from the QZ, she began stitching Joel up. He cried out in excruciating pain, eventually passing out, making it easier for Ellie to finish.

A couple of days had passed since the attack at the university campus. Their rations were running dangerously low, and Joel wasn't getting any stronger. If anything, he was getting worse. Ellie lifted his shirt and examined the wound. "Fuck..." she swore softly. Infection had begun to spread, and Joel was feverish. Ellie's heart pounded with a constant, nagging dread. She'd been feeding him water in small sips, keeping his lips moist with droplets when he wouldn't wake long enough to drink. But that wasn't enough.

Joel's condition continued to deteriorate. Ellie watched, her heart breaking, as his breathing grew more strained. She knew they needed more food. Looking at Joel's rifle, she felt a surge of determination.

"Joel," Ellie whispered, "I'm gonna be right back, okay?" Joel mumbled incoherently but remained asleep.

Ellie stood up, the rifle heavy over her shoulder as she made her way to the garage. The wind had died down, but the air was still brutally cold as she mounted the horse and rode toward the nearby forest. Every step the horse took seemed to echo in the emptiness around her, the dense trees casting long shadows in the snow. The forest was eerily quiet, the only sound the crunch of snow under the horse's hooves.

Ellie's breath came out in visible puffs as she scanned the woods, her eyes darting left and right. Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. She couldn't afford to fail. Not now. Not with Joel depending on her. After nearly an hour of searching, the woods suddenly opened up into a small clearing. Her heart leaped as she spotted movement in the distance—a deer, its head down as it foraged in the snow.

She slid off the horse, moving carefully, quietly, the rifle in her hands. Her heart hammered in her chest as she took aim, the weight of the weapon familiar but the pressure overwhelming. This wasn't just about food—it was about survival. About keeping Joel alive.

Her hands shook, cold and nerves making it difficult to keep steady. She exhaled slowly, her finger tightening on the trigger. The shot rang out, reverberating through the trees.

The deer stumbled but didn't fall. Instead, it bolted, disappearing into the forest. "No fucking way!" Ellie cursed under her breath, slinging the rifle over her shoulder as she sprinted after it. Blood spattered the snow, marking its trail.

She wouldn't lose this one. She couldn't.

Ellie tore through the woods, her boots pounding the frozen ground, eyes locked on the bloodied trail. The cold air burned her lungs, but she didn't slow down. She had to find that deer.


Shadow had been wandering for a couple of hours, her focus unwavering. The tracks she had been following were gradually obscured by the falling snow, making her task increasingly difficult. Just as frustration began to set in, a gunshot echoed through the air. Shadow froze, her senses sharpening, and turned in the direction of the sound.

To her left, a dense forest lay beyond the main road that led into a nearby subdivision. Without hesitation, Shadow veered off the road and followed the faint trail into the forest. Her breath quickened as she spotted fresh horse prints in the snow, their clarity suggesting they were made recently.

With renewed urgency, Shadow quickened her pace, the crunch of snow underfoot the only sound accompanying her. She navigated through the thick underbrush, her eyes darting between the tracks and her surroundings. The forest was dense, the bare branches of the trees casting intricate shadows on the ground, but Shadow's training and determination guided her.


David and James had been silently combing the woods for hours, their eyes sharp, rifles at the ready, hoping to stumble upon some game to bring back to their starving community. The forest was eerily quiet, their breath visible in the cold winter air. Then, a gunshot echoed from a distance, its sound cutting through the silence. David's interest was immediately piqued.

"Did you hear that?" James muttered, gripping his rifle tighter, his gaze sweeping the snow-covered landscape.

David nodded, eyes narrowing as he motioned for James to follow. They pressed on cautiously until they found a trail—hoofprints in the snow, fresh blood spattering the path.

David glanced at James, a grin spreading across his face as they wordlessly agreed to follow the trail.

After a few minutes, they came upon the source of the blood. A dead buck lay sprawled in the snow, its massive body half-hidden among the trees. David knelt beside it, inspecting the animal with careful eyes, his fingers brushing through the snow where the deer had fallen. No signs of infection, just a clean bullet wound.

James hovered nearby, keeping watch. His senses were heightened, listening for any sign of movement. "No bite marks, no nothing?" he asked, his voice low.

David stood, shaking his head. "Clean kill."

James scanned the tree line, his eyes narrowing as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. "Whoever shot it's gotta be close by. Think they just let it run off?"

"Maybe," David mused, stroking his chin as his eyes drifted to the nearby trees. "But the question is, do we leave it or—"

"Take it," James finished, his voice hopeful. He was already imagining the relief this deer would bring to the starving people back at their camp.

David paused, then nodded. "Let's move fast. Before—"

"DON'T!" a voice rang out behind them, sharp and panicked.

David and James froze, the sudden shift in atmosphere palpable. Slowly, they turned, only to find themselves staring down the barrel of a rifle held by a young girl. She was small but fierce, the weight of the gun clearly too much for her but the determination in her eyes unwavering.

"Drop your rifles! Now!" Ellie commanded, her voice trembling slightly but full of resolve.

David's expression barely shifted as he raised his hands in surrender, motioning for James to do the same. "Alright, alright," he said, his voice smooth and measured as they lowered their rifles to the ground.

Ellie kept her stance rigid, her finger twitching against the trigger as her eyes flicked between them. "Turn around. Slowly."

David complied, turning slowly with his hands still raised, his calm demeanor in stark contrast to the tension in the air. "You're quite the little hunter," he said, flashing a disarming smile. "We didn't hear you coming."

Ellie's glare hardened. "You can turn around and walk away. Now."

David chuckled softly, clearly more intrigued than intimidated. "Can I have just one moment to speak?"

Ellie's grip on the rifle tightened. "I won't say it twice!"

David remained unfazed, his eyes scanning her with unsettling calm. "My name's David, and this is James. We're from a larger group, with women, children… all hungry."

Ellie's eyes narrowed, her skepticism palpable. "And you think I'm not part of a group too? We're hungry too."

David's smile softened, an air of sympathy in his voice. "You could be, but dragging this deer back by yourself? That's a tall order for someone your size."

Ellie glared at him, unwilling to lower her guard.

"We don't want any trouble," David added. "We can trade, if you need something."

Ellie hesitated, her brow furrowing as she weighed her options. "Do you have any medicine?" Her voice cracked, betraying the desperation she was trying to mask. "For infections…"

David's expression didn't change, but a flicker of understanding crossed his eyes. "Back at our camp. We've got penicillin."

"You expect me to follow you back to your camp?" Ellie shot back, her voice tinged with incredulity.

"No," David said, shaking his head. "You stay here. James will go get it. If he comes back with it, you get half the deer."

Ellie's grip on the rifle relaxed only slightly as her eyes shifted to James. "He goes alone. And you stay here."

David's smile never wavered. "Fair enough." He turned to James, giving him a nod. "Go back, find Howard. Bring the penicillin."

James hesitated, casting a nervous glance at Ellie before trudging off into the forest. The moment he disappeared, Ellie's gun snapped back to David.

"Take ten steps back," she ordered.

David complied, stepping back with a bemused expression on his face. "Is that your dad's gun?" he asked, attempting to ease the tension with a casual tone. "Did he teach you how to hunt? Is he sick?"

Ellie ignored the barrage of questions as she approached the rifles scattered on the ground. One by one, she methodically emptied their chambers, ensuring they posed no threat.

"Look," David said, glancing around nervously as the chill of the approaching night began to seep in. "It's getting colder, and James won't be back for a while. Our community is about four or five miles away. I've got some oil and matches in my pack."

Ellie stood back up, her weapon unwaveringly trained on David.

"We could take shelter over by that barn," David suggested, gesturing towards an old, half-collapsed structure that loomed in the distance. "I can start a fire to keep us warm."

Ellie's eyes flickered toward the barn, the idea of warmth alluring. She lowered her gun slightly but still kept it at the ready, her instincts telling her to remain cautious. "Bring him with us," she commanded softly, pointing to the dead buck lying nearby.

David nodded, his expression shifting to one of eagerness. He grabbed the buck by its antlers and dragged it towards the barn. Inside, he gathered some dry wood, doused it with oil, and struck a match. The fire crackled to life, casting flickering shadows that danced on the walls.

He settled down first, positioning his hands near the flames as they flickered and grew. Ellie perched across from him, her gun still pointed at him, but the warmth of the fire began to seep into her chilled skin, easing her tension slightly.

"You really shouldn't be out here all alone," David remarked, his voice a mix of concern and amusement. "You're just a kid."

"From where I'm sitting, you're the one who shouldn't be out here alone," Ellie shot back, her tone sharp.

"Gotcha," David grinned, rubbing his hands together over the fire. "You wanna tell me your name?"

Ellie narrowed her eyes, distrust evident in her posture.

"I get it; it's tough to trust strangers in this world," David continued, his demeanor shifting to a more earnest tone. "But I mean it when I say I mean you no harm. We have room in our community if you want."

"You're inviting me to your community that's starving?" Ellie replied with heavy sarcasm. "Gee, thanks, but no thanks."

"We are hungry, that's true," David conceded, the sincerity in his voice tinged with desperation. "But we're still alive. I'm a good guy, just trying to take care of those who rely on me."

"So, you're their leader?" Ellie asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself.

"Their choice, not mine," David replied, shrugging lightly.

"They chose to follow you," Ellie said with a small smirk. "Why? Are you the leader of some cult thing?"

"Well, I am a preacher," David admitted with a laugh, his tone lightening. "But I just read the standard Bible verses."

"With the world the way it is, you still believe that shit?" Ellie scoffed, shaking her head incredulously.

"I only started believing after the world ended," David confessed, his tone shifting to a more serious note. "I used to be a math teacher. Taught mostly kids around your age. I found God after the apocalypse. Not sure if that was the best time or worst time to find Him."

Ellie raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Back in 2017, when the Pittsburgh QZ fell, I left with a few others, and that's how I ended up with my flock," David continued, his gaze steady on Ellie. "We moved around a lot. We'd settle, then get attacked by raiders, and move again. Now we're here. I found James two years ago, and now he's with us too."

"Lucky for James," Ellie rolled her eyes, sarcasm dripping from her words.

David chuckled, seemingly unfazed.

"Your luck will run out sooner or later," Ellie remarked, a challenge in her voice.

"I don't believe in luck," David said, smiling genuinely. "I believe everything in this world happens for a reason."

Ellie regarded him skeptically, her brows knitting together.

"It does," David insisted, his eyes brightening. "I can prove it to you."

"Sure," Ellie replied, crossing her arms, the faintest hint of amusement in her tone. "Go ahead."

David leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We never expected this winter to be so hard. Game's harder to find, rations are low. So I sent four of my people to a nearby university to scavenge what they could. Sadly, only three of them came back alive. The one who didn't was a husband and father to a little girl around your age."

Ellie's body stiffened, her grip tightening on the rifle as she felt a surge of tension.

"He was murdered by this old man," David said, his smile broadening as if the thought amused him. "And he was traveling with a little girl."

Ellie's heart raced, her instincts screaming at her as she pointed her gun directly at David, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Everything always happens for a reason," David said, his smile unfaltering. "James, lower the gun."

Ellie whipped around, startled, to see James standing behind her, rifle aimed steadily at her.

"She's the one who killed Alec," James remarked, his voice steady but laced with tension.

"She didn't kill anyone," David interjected smoothly. "Lower the gun."

James hesitated, but the authoritative edge in David's voice compelled him to comply.

"Did you bring the medicine?" David asked, turning his attention back to James.

"Yeah, but I—"

"Throw it to her," David commanded.

James paused, caught between defiance and obedience, but David's unwavering stare made the choice for him. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small kit, and tossed it at Ellie's feet.

Keeping her gun trained on James, Ellie bent down to retrieve the medicine, her eyes darting between the two men warily.

"You're not with any group," David said, his voice calm and persuasive. "I can protect you. You won't survive alone out there."

"She's not alone," came a voice, sharp and resolute.

James flinched at the sound, nearly dropping his weapon as he turned to face her. His heart raced in disbelief. It was like seeing a ghost. Memories he thought he had buried flooded back, overwhelming him. The last time he had seen her, she was just a scared girl—but now, she had transformed into something fierce and unyielding.

"Shadow?!" Ellie blurted out, her voice trembling between relief and confusion.

Shadow's gaze flicked to Ellie, softening for just a moment before hardening as she focused back on James. There was something about him that tugged at her memory—a familiar spark in his blue eyes—but it was buried beneath the years and the trauma they both had faced.

"Well, this is interesting," David chuckled, stepping forward with an air of curiosity. His eyes sparkled with something darker as he regarded Shadow. "I don't remember hearing anything about a woman from the men."

Ignoring David's remark, Shadow's eyes narrowed, her cold stare locking onto him, exuding a palpable intensity that made him falter. But James stood frozen, his gaze anchored to her as if she were a beacon amidst the chaos.

Before James could gather his thoughts, Shadow strode past him, her attention focused solely on Ellie. "You alright?" she asked, her voice steady, though her eyes searched Ellie for any signs of distress.

Ellie nodded, her grip on the rifle loosening ever so slightly. The sight of Shadow brought a wave of relief. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"We're leaving," Shadow declared, her tone resolute.

"And I won't stop either of you," David replied coolly.

"Like you could fucking try!" Ellie spat, her gun still aimed at the two men, ready to defend herself.

As Shadow backed Ellie toward the open wall of the barn, they vanished into the darkening woods, moving with a swift, purposeful urgency.

David's grin widened as he turned to James, intrigue dancing in his eyes. "Did you hear how she spoke?" he asked, his tone bordering on fascination. "It's the same accent you used to have."

James's gaze remained fixed on the spot where Shadow had disappeared. "I did," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion.

"Is she—" David began, curiosity piqued by James's reaction.

"Yeah," James interrupted, his throat tightening as he tried to steady his emotions. "She is..."

Shadow and Ellie moved swiftly through the dense forest, their breaths visible in the frigid air. The trees loomed overhead, their bare branches swaying slightly in the cold wind. Ellie led the way, navigating the familiar terrain with a sense of urgency, while Shadow kept her senses sharp, scanning the surroundings for any potential threats lurking in the shadows.

As they pushed deeper into the woods, Ellie finally spotted her horse tied to a sturdy tree, the animal's breath steaming in the chill.

"Where's Joel?" Shadow asked, her voice steady but laced with concern.

Ellie secured her rifle against her shoulder and turned to face Shadow, handing her the medicine kit that James had tossed earlier. Shadow accepted it and opened the kit, her heart sinking as she examined its contents. A couple of vials of penicillin and syringes lay nestled inside, a small comfort amidst the chaos. She quickly shoved the kit into her pocket, boosted Ellie into the saddle, and climbed up behind her.

"Go," Shadow commanded, urgency spilling from her words.

Ellie kicked the horse into a gallop, the powerful animal responding instantly. They raced through the forest, weaving between trees and dodging low branches, the adrenaline pushing them forward. Shadow held on tightly to Ellie, the wind whipping past them as they exited the trail and barreled down several streets of an abandoned subdivision.

Ellie came to a halt in front of a small, unassuming house, its windows dark and its paint peeling. She jumped off the horse and Shadow followed suit, her heart racing. Ellie opened the garage door, leading them inside and quickly shutting it behind them to shield them from prying eyes.

Without wasting a moment, Ellie guided Shadow through the dimly lit house, their footsteps echoing on the floorboards until they reached the basement. Shadow's heart dropped at the sight before her—Joel lay on the cold, hard floor, his face pale and drawn.

"Joel," Ellie whispered, her voice breaking as she knelt beside him.

Shadow knelt as well, her fingers brushing his clammy forehead. He felt hot to the touch, his skin damp and cold despite the fever raging within him. She could hear his labored breathing, each breath a struggle.

"What the bloody hell happened?" Shadow demanded, urgency lacing her tone.

"We were attacked at the university," Ellie said, her voice trembling. "Joel got stabbed." She carefully lifted his shirt to reveal the wound, and it oozed with infection.

A putrid smell wafted from the wound, and Shadow's stomach twisted. "That's blood poisoning," she stated, her mind racing. "He could go into septic shock." She leaned closer to inspect the stitching. "What did you use?"

Ellie held up the needle and thread she had found, the makeshift tools barely adequate for the job.

"You did a decent job on the stitch," Shadow remarked, her tone softer now. "But the needle was probably filthy."

Ellie nodded, guilt flashing across her face. "I didn't know what else to do."

"It's alright, Ellie," Shadow said gently, reaching into her pocket for the penicillin kit. "We'll fix this."

Ellie watched with wide, anxious eyes as Shadow prepared the needle. "How do you know how much to give him?" she asked, fear creeping into her voice.

"I'm guessing based on Joel's weight," Shadow replied, focusing intently on the task at hand. "Too much and he'll overdose; too little and it might not be effective." She pulled the antibiotics into the syringe, her movements swift and precise.

"How did you find me?" Ellie asked, her curiosity piqued amidst the tension.

"I heard the gunshot," Shadow replied, her voice steady. "I left Jackson days ago, and I saw your tracks at the university. I found blood on a piece of wood—"

"That's what Joel pulled out of his stomach," Ellie interrupted, wiping her nose with the back of her hand.

"Watch me closely, Ellie," Shadow ordered, her eyes locking onto the younger girl's. "If you need to give Joel another shot, you'll need to know where to stick it."

Ellie nodded, determination replacing her earlier fear.

"Help me roll him over to face me." Shadow moved to grab Joel's shoulders, her heart heavy as she and Ellie carefully shifted him. Joel's back was now to Ellie, and Shadow took a moment to steady her breath before unbuckling his pants and lowering them slightly.

"If you need to give him another dose, aim for his upper hip," she instructed, her voice calm but firm. Shadow inserted the needle into Joel's skin, her heart aching as he let out a faint, pained groan.

"Do not go any deeper than one to two inches," she continued, pushing the penicillin in slowly, watching the medication disappear into his body. "Slowly push the penicillin out of the needle."

Ellie nodded, her eyes glued to Shadow's every move.

Once Shadow withdrew the needle, she rolled Joel back onto his back and redid his pants, tucking him back under the blanket with care. "Will you remember that?" she asked, looking at Ellie intently.

"Y-yeah," Ellie replied, determination coloring her voice.

Shadow looked at Ellie, a mixture of concern and resolve in her gaze. "We need to keep a close eye on him," she said. "The penicillin should start to fight the infection, but he may need more doses. We need to keep him warm and hydrated."

"Okay," Ellie nodded, her expression shifting to one of worry. "What if they come looking for us?"

Shadow took a breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "We'll worry about that if it happens," she reassured her.

Ellie nodded again, but Shadow could see the worry etched on her face.

"When did you last eat?" Shadow asked, trying to distract Ellie from the fear creeping in.

"We just ran out of rations today," Ellie admitted, guilt flaring in her eyes. "I've been trying to give Joel water, but he's been out for days."

Shadow reached into her cloak and tossed a small, wrapped pack to Ellie. "Eat," she said with a smile.

Ellie opened the pack, revealing some jerky inside. "Where did you get this?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with surprise.

"I grabbed it from the house before I left," Shadow replied nonchalantly.

"I'm so glad you're here," Ellie said, relief washing over her as she took a bite of the meat.

"I'm glad I found you when I did," Shadow replied, her gaze drifting momentarily to Joel's unconscious form. "Those men… that older one."

"David," Ellie mumbled, chewing slowly.

"Something's not right with him," Shadow said in a low voice, turning her eyes back to Joel.

"What do you mean?" Ellie asked, curiosity piqued.

"It's... just a feeling," Shadow admitted, meeting Ellie's gaze with a reassuring smile. "You should go see to your horse, then get some rest."

Ellie nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she stood up, leaving Shadow to keep watch over Joel.

Shadow gently touched Joel's forehead, her heart aching at the sight of him so vulnerable. "Joel?" she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "Can you hear me?"

Joel opened his mouth slightly and mumbled, a soft sound that made Shadow's heart race. She watched as he swallowed, trying to gather his strength. Reaching into her cloak, she pulled out a canister of water, removing the top with careful hands. Lifting Joel's head gently, she brought the canister to his lips. He slowly drank, coughing slightly as she laid his head back down.

As his eyes fluttered open, he turned to look at Shadow, confusion mingling with recognition in his gaze. Shadow gave him a small, encouraging smile and took his hand in hers. Joel managed a weak smile in return, his grip on her hand feeble but reassuring. His eyes drifted shut again, slipping back into unconsciousness.

Shadow sat back, her heart heavy as she observed the rise and fall of Joel's chest. Thoughts raced through her mind, each one tinged with concern. She knew that David and his men posed a significant threat, and the man's unsettling aura haunted her. David was more dangerous than he appeared, and she couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter was just the beginning of a larger struggle.

The other man, James, seemed oddly familiar, though Shadow couldn't quite place him. There was something unsettling in his eyes—a recognition she couldn't ignore, though she couldn't recall from where. The way he looked at her, the flicker of awareness in his gaze, made her uneasy.

Ellie's soft footsteps echoed as she re-entered the basement. "The horse is settled," she murmured, settling down beside Shadow.

"Good," Shadow replied, wrapping an arm around Ellie's shoulders. "You alright?"

Ellie nodded but leaned into Shadow's warmth, her body tense. "Yeah, just... it's been a weird day."

Shadow gave her a small squeeze. "Try and get some rest," she urged, her voice gentle. "I'll keep watch upstairs."

Ellie blinked up at her, concern evident in her tired eyes. "Okay."

As Shadow stood and moved toward the stairs, Ellie shifted closer to Joel's sleeping form. The sight of his still chest made her stomach churn with anxiety. She needed him to wake up, to be okay. Lying down beside him, she rested her head on his shoulder, listening to the labored rhythm of his breathing. At least he's still breathing. As exhaustion took hold, Ellie's eyelids fluttered closed, though her dreams were plagued by the haunting presence of David and his men.

Upstairs, Shadow positioned herself near a window, scanning the surroundings. The house was unnervingly quiet, save for the distant rustling of leaves in the wind. She strained her ears for any sign of movement, any signal that David's men were near. Her body remained tense, ready to spring into action if needed.

Below, Ellie stirred periodically, always checking on Joel. Each time she woke, she was relieved to see his chest rise and fall, albeit weakly. The penicillin seemed to be working, but they weren't out of the woods yet.

As dawn crept in, the pale light filtered through the cracks in the windows, casting a ghostly glow across the room. Shadow had remained vigilant through the night, not letting her guard down for a second. She knew daylight brought new dangers, and they had to be ready.

Ellie groaned as she stretched her stiff limbs, the ache of a restless night still weighing on her. She rubbed her eyes, glancing over at Joel. His color had improved slightly, and his breathing wasn't as ragged as it had been the day before. Relief surged through her, but only for a moment. She couldn't stop thinking about what lay ahead—the Fireflies, the uncertain journey back to Jackson, the looming threat of David's men.

The sound of creaking floorboards upstairs drew Ellie's attention. Moments later, Shadow descended the stairs, her presence instantly making Ellie feel safer.

"Morning," Ellie croaked, her voice still heavy with sleep.

"Morning," Shadow replied with a slight smile. "Did you manage to get any rest?"

Ellie shrugged. "More or less," she muttered, rubbing her neck. "Did you see anything out there?"

Shadow shook her head. "No, nothing."

"That's... good, right?" Ellie asked, though the doubt in her voice was clear.

"Maybe," Shadow replied as she sat beside Joel. "If they were going to attack, they'd likely have done it during the night. The darkness would've given them the advantage. But they could just be waiting for daylight."

A chill ran down Ellie's spine. "What would you do if you were them?"

Shadow's eyes grew distant for a moment, her mind calculating. "I'd wait until exhaustion set in. Keep my targets on edge through the night, make them second-guess every noise, every shadow. Then, when they're worn down, I'd strike."

"Shit…" Ellie muttered under her breath. The weight of their precarious situation settled deeper in her gut. She looked down at Joel again, feeling slightly reassured by his steady breathing. At least the medicine was working, thank God.

Shadow must have noticed the concern in her expression. "They're just men, Ellie. If they come, I'll deal with it. They won't leave here alive."

Ellie managed a weak smile. "I know."

Shadow's gaze softened as she reached for Ellie's shoulder. "There's a small pond out back. I saw a bucket upstairs. You should water the horse, keep it ready."
Ellie nodded, grateful for something to occupy her mind. "Yeah, I'll take care of it."

As Ellie made her way outside, the cold morning air hit her face like a slap. She headed to the pond, chucking a large stone into the thin ice, watching it shatter with a loud crack. Dunking the bucket into the frigid water, she filled it quickly, returning to the garage where the horse waited, eager to drink.

The simple task grounded her, even if only for a moment. She petted the horse's neck, grateful for its presence. But her thoughts kept returning to Joel and the impending danger. As she stepped outside, she inhaled the crisp air deeply, trying to shake off the gnawing fear that clung to her.

Then something caught her eye—a flock of crows circling in the sky, a few blocks away. They weren't acting normal. Ellie's instincts kicked in, her curiosity overriding her caution. She moved quietly, slipping between fences and creeping along the edge of houses. Her heart pounded as she scanned the streets, trying to get a better look.

Her breath caught when she saw them—David, along with five of his men, marching directly toward the house.

Ellie's stomach dropped. She turned and bolted back toward the house, her feet pounding against the cold ground. She burst through the door, gasping for breath as she scrambled down to the basement.

"They're coming!" Ellie's voice was frantic, panic edging every word.

Shadow immediately stood, her posture rigid with alertness. "How many?" she asked, her voice sharp but steady.

"Six," Ellie panted. "David's with them."

Shadow's face darkened. "We need to move. Get your pack."

Ellie didn't hesitate. She grabbed her pack and then rushed to Joel, wrapping his fingers around the handle of her switchblade. His eyes fluttered open as Ellie shook him.

"Joel, wake up," she whispered urgently. "We're going to lead them away, but if anyone comes in here, you kill them. Do you hear me?"

Joel blinked slowly, still dazed. Ellie shook him again, harder this time. "Joel, stay awake! Don't you dare fall asleep again!"

She slapped him lightly across the face, and his eyes focused on her just enough to understand. Shadow's voice broke through the tension, firm and commanding. "Ellie, now."

Ellie lingered a moment, looking at Joel's worn face, before following Shadow up the stairs. Once they reached the top, Shadow pointed to a large dresser. "Help me block the door."

Together, they shoved the heavy dresser in front of the basement entrance. It wouldn't hold long, but it might buy them some time.

Ellie's heart raced as she turned to Shadow. "What now?"

"You're getting on the horse and riding away," Shadow said without hesitation, leading her into the garage.

"No, I'm not leaving you behind!" Ellie protested, her voice shaking.

Shadow turned sharply, her face a mask of calm determination. "You will do as I say, Ellie. You're the only one who can get Joel out of here if things go wrong."

"But—"

"Go!" Shadow smacked the horse, sending it galloping down the street.

As the sound of hooves faded, Shadow stood alone, a grim expression on her face. She turned back toward the house. "Fucking hell…" she swore softly to herself, her breath clouding in the cold morning air. Shadow closed the garage door. There was no time to waste. She needed to find David and his men before they found the right house where Joel was hidden.


David's boots crunched through the thick blanket of snow as he led his men down the narrow, frozen street. His gaze, cold and predatory, swept over the abandoned houses, the broken windows, and the wind-swept rooftops. His every step exuded purpose, his eyes sharp, assessing each shadow as if they might conceal Ellie. In his twisted mind, she was a stray lamb that needed to be brought into his fold, protected, molded. But behind that feigned concern lurked something darker, something that sent shivers through the men who followed him. They knew better than to question the quiet madness in his eyes, masking their unease behind hardened expressions as they trudged in silence.

James walked alongside David, his thoughts a chaotic mix of anxiety and dread. The sight of Shadow had shaken him more than he cared to admit. She hadn't recognized him, but he couldn't stop wondering what would happen if they crossed paths again. Could he fight her without giving himself away? The idea gnawed at him, twisting his gut with a sense of impending doom. If only she had recognized him, things might have been different.

David's voice cut through James's thoughts, sharp as the wind. "Stay alert," he ordered, his tone like ice, sending a clear message to the men. "If this man isn't already dead, he's dangerous."

James let out a quiet sigh, moving closer to his old friend. The tension between them had been growing, a subtle battle of wills. Lowering his voice, he spoke cautiously, trying to keep his tone even. "And the girl?" he asked, knowing full well what David's answer would be. Still, he had to ask. Maybe there was a slim chance David would change his mind.

David didn't even look at him. "We're bringing her back," he replied, his voice eerily calm, as if discussing a routine matter. But James knew better. He knew the obsession that lurked beneath David's composure, the twisted hunger for control. It had grown stronger ever since Ellie had crossed their path.

James shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. "I'm not questioning your sense of mercy," he began, his words carefully measured. "But... letting her go might be the kinder thing to do."

David's eyes snapped to James, cold and piercing. "And what about the woman?" he asked, his voice carrying a quiet, dangerous edge. "Would you let her go too?"

James avoided the question, his heart thudding in his chest. He let out a tense breath instead. "If we bring them back, that's just more mouths to feed. We barely have enough for ourselves," he argued, hoping to appeal to reason, though deep down he knew it wouldn't work.

"If the child stays out here, she'll die," David said, his voice growing harder, more insistent. There was an unsettling note of righteousness in his words, as if he truly believed he was saving her. "The girl and the woman won't survive out here on their own."

One of the other men, who had been listening in, looked up, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "This woman... who is she?" he asked, his interest piqued.

David's lips curled into a slow, disturbing grin. "Family," he replied, his voice dripping with satisfaction, the word twisted by his warped sense of reality. He turned to James, a knowing smile creeping across his face. "Isn't that right, James?"

James felt the blood drain from his face, his heart pounding in his ears. "Maybe it's God's will they die out here," he muttered under his breath, speaking low enough that only

David could hear. He knew what awaited Shadow and Ellie if they were brought back to David's camp. It was a fate worse than death, and despite the front he put up, James wasn't sure how much longer he could stomach the idea.

David halted, his gaze locking onto James, challenging him with a silence that spoke volumes. The air between them crackled with tension, and for a brief moment, James thought about defying him. Thought about doing something—anything—to stop this madness. But then he saw it. That look in David's eyes, the quiet promise of violence, and it was enough to extinguish the flicker of rebellion in his heart. He lowered his gaze, his will breaking under the weight of David's authority.

With a weak nod, James fell back in line, his shoulders heavy with resignation. There was no stopping David now. His mind was set, and that meant Ellie and Shadow were as good as caught. As they continued down the desolate street, the cold seemed to grow more oppressive, biting deeper into their bones. Each step felt heavier than the last, and James couldn't shake the feeling that they were all marching toward something terrible, something inevitable.

And in the back of his mind, a voice whispered that there might be no coming back from this. Not for any of them.


Ellie's heart pounded in her chest, each beat syncing with the frantic thudding of her horse's hooves against the snow-covered ground. The cold air stung her face, but she didn't care. She had to move faster. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to widen the gap between her and David's men. But no matter how fast the horse galloped, her thoughts kept returning to Shadow. Ellie knew she could hold her own—she'd seen her fight—but that didn't stop the worry gnawing at her gut. Every crunch of snow beneath them sounded too loud, like a signal to the enemy.

Rounding a sharp corner, Ellie's breath caught in her throat. There, just ahead, was David, leading his men like a pack of wolves, their dark figures stark against the white landscape. They were moving in the opposite direction, oblivious to her presence. Ellie's eyes darted around, searching the rooftops, the alleyways, the windows of the abandoned buildings. Anywhere Shadow could be. But there was nothing. No sign of her. Anxiety clawed at Ellie's insides.

Her hand moved instinctively to the pistol strapped to her saddle, fingers curling around the cold metal. It felt heavy, reassuring, but also terrifying. Running would be the smart choice, putting distance between herself and David's men. Yet something inside Ellie burned, a fierce determination not to flee.

"HEY, MOTHERFUCKERS!" Ellie's voice erupted, loud and defiant, tearing through the frozen air like a battle cry.

David and his men stopped in their tracks, their heads snapping toward her. For a heartbeat, there was only stunned silence. Ellie didn't wait. She squeezed the trigger, firing off shots with wild, reckless abandon. The gun kicked in her hand, each blast reverberating in the stillness.

Bullets flew, kicking up clouds of snow and ricocheting off the brick walls. The men scrambled, diving for cover, their rifles swinging up too late to stop the surprise attack.

Ellie's aim was off, most of her shots going wide, but that didn't matter. The sudden onslaught had sent them into disarray.

But it didn't last long.

David's men were quick to recover, rifles now steady as they prepared to return fire. Ellie's stomach flipped as she saw them moving, the barrels of their guns swinging toward her. Panic surged through her veins. She kicked her horse hard, spurring it into a gallop just as the first shots rang out behind her. Snow flew up in a whirlwind of chaos as she bolted down the street, her pulse racing in her ears.

Behind her, David's voice exploded in fury. "I said I wanted her alive!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the empty streets like a crack of thunder. One of his men, rifle raised, was about to fire again when David's hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar. With a snarl, David drove his fist into the man's face, sending him sprawling into the snow.

David stood over him, his eyes burning with something far more sinister than anger. It was a possessive hunger, a twisted obsession. Ellie wasn't just an escaped girl to him. She was a challenge, a prize he intended to claim. His jaw clenched, a smile curling at the edges of his lips. She wouldn't get away. Not this time.

As Ellie sped away, the wind howling in her ears, a sense of dread settled in her chest. She knew this wasn't over. David wouldn't stop.


Shadow froze at the sound of gunfire, the sharp cracks slicing through the still morning air. Her breath caught in her throat, cold and heavy, as Ellie's voice echoed in the distance. "Goddamn it, Ellie!" she cursed under her breath, fear twisting in her gut. Ellie was supposed to run, to escape. Not pick a fight.

Without a second thought, Shadow took off, sprinting down the snow-covered street. Shadow darted between buildings, her sharp eyes scanning for any sign of movement. Ellie was stubborn, brave to a fault, but this was reckless even for her. She cursed under her breath again. The kid had spirit, but she was no match for several armed men.


James sprinted through the snow, his breath coming out in harsh clouds, as he darted between trees and cut through backyards. His boots crunched on the icy ground, but he was careful to remain as quiet as possible, hoping to intercept Ellie before she could escape. The sound of hooves grew louder, and James pressed himself against the trunk of a tree, rifle in hand, his heart pounding. He took a steadying breath, eyes narrowing as he aimed down the sight.

The second Ellie came into view, galloping desperately across the snow, James fired a single shot. The crack of the rifle echoed through the woods. Her horse cried out in pain, the bullet striking its side. The animal buckled, collapsing to the ground in a heap of tangled limbs, and Ellie was thrown several feet through the air.

Ellie hit the ground hard, her body slamming into the frozen earth with a dull, sickening thud. The force of the fall knocked the wind out of her, and her head snapped back, striking the compacted snow. Pain exploded behind her eyes, her vision blurring as she groaned in agony. She could taste bile at the back of her throat, the nausea rising as the world spun around her. Every inch of her body ached, but the sharp, throbbing pain in her skull was the worst. Her backpack had been thrown from her, landing just out of reach.

Footsteps crunched in the snow. Ellie struggled to stay conscious, her vision swimming in and out of focus. Through the haze, she could make out the figures of James and David's men as they circled around her, their shadows long and menacing. She heard the slow, labored breathing of her horse beside her, and then... silence. The poor creature was dead.

James looked down at Ellie, his heart twisting with a brief pang of empathy. The girl was just a child, bloodied and beaten. He hesitated for a moment, knowing what David had planned for her. It would be a mercy to end it now, to save her from what was coming.

"Finish her," one of the men snarled from behind him. "Do it."

James took a slow breath, his hand trembling as he raised his rifle, pointing it at Ellie's unconscious form. But before he could pull the trigger, the sound of a gunshot rang out, startling everyone. The men jumped, spinning around, eyes wide.

David stood a few feet away, his own rifle smoking. His face was calm, but his voice was cold with barely concealed fury. "I said I wanted her alive," he barked, stepping toward the group, his boots crunching in the snow.

James lowered his rifle, his eyes dropping to the ground. The tension between him and the others was thick, palpable in the icy air. David's gaze lingered on Ellie's limp form before he knelt down beside her. He pressed his fingers to her neck, checking for a pulse. A slow grin spread across his face as he confirmed she was still alive.

"Good," he muttered. He rose, lifting Ellie into his arms with a practiced ease, as if she were nothing more than a prize he'd won. Turning to his men, he gave his orders. "I want two of you to drag the horse back to town. The rest of you, go door to door. If you're that eager for vengeance, then find the old man."

But before anyone could move, there was a sudden cry of pain. One of David's men dropped to the ground, blood gushing from his throat. Standing behind him, a shadow in the snow, was Shadow herself. She yanked her knife free from the man's neck, her eyes blazing with fury.

David's eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with tension. Anger mixed with something else—an odd, twisted admiration. He had expected to find her eventually, but seeing her like this, drenched in the blood of his men, sparked something dark inside him.

"Put the child down!" Shadow's voice was sharp, commanding, as she pointed her bloodied knife at David. "Now!"

One of the men raised his rifle, aiming it at Shadow, but James reacted instinctively. "No!" he shouted, panic flaring in his voice.

Before the man could fire, Shadow moved with deadly precision. She darted forward, her body a blur of speed, and kicked the man's legs out from under him. Before he even hit the ground, she drove her knife deep into his gut, twisting it for good measure. His scream of pain echoed across the clearing, followed by the wet gurgle of his dying breath.

"Fuck!" another of the men yelled, scrambling backward in shock.

David's grip tightened on Ellie as he watched the chaos unfold, his expression cold and calculating. She's good, he thought, his twisted admiration growing. But that wouldn't save her now.

James knew what he had to do. He had to stop Shadow before she took down more of the men—before they turned on her with lethal force. He had seen enough bloodshed.

"Shadow, STOP!" James's voice cut through the chaos, desperate and raw.

Shadow froze, her eyes widening as she turned toward the voice. For a moment, she looked at James in disbelief, as if she couldn't quite recognize him. That voice—it was too familiar. It couldn't be.

David's grin widened, sensing the shift in the air. He could see it in her face—the realization, the shock. "Ah," David murmured, the wicked grin spreading even further. "So, you do remember him."

But before Shadow could react, one of David's men came up behind her and struck her hard on the back of the head. The blow was swift and brutal, and Shadow crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

"NO!" James shouted, rage flaring in his chest as he rushed toward her fallen body. He dropped to his knees beside her, his hands shaking. "She's mine," he spat through gritted teeth, glaring at the man who had struck her.

David chuckled darkly, watching the scene unfold with amusement. "Looks like you're getting that family reunion after all," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Pick her up and follow me back to town."


Joel opened his eyes to the faint sound of footsteps thudding above him. His body screamed in protest as he tried to sit up, pain radiating from the deep wound in his stomach. His head felt heavy, clouded by fever and exhaustion. For a moment, his mind was a blur, unable to piece together the fragments of memory swirling in his feverish haze.

Then it hit him—being impaled, Ellie dragging him through the snow to this place, stitching him up with trembling hands, her determination fierce despite her fear. Shadow's face flickered in his memory next, her hand in his, her soft voice whispering reassurances that grounded him. He could still hear her murmurs, feel the brush of her fingertips against his feverish skin.

But now, the house they were hiding in was no longer safe. The footsteps upstairs were louder, deliberate—someone was searching, drawing closer to the basement where Joel lay hidden. His heart pounded, the rhythmic thud of boots on wooden floorboards growing nearer. He gritted his teeth, pushing through the fog of pain and sickness. He felt the cold handle of Ellie's knife gripped tightly in his hand.

The sound of the door to the basement creaking open sent a surge of adrenaline through him. Joel forced himself to move, staggering to his feet, his body weak and trembling from both the injury and the fever that was slowly consuming him. His vision swam, but he managed to slip into the shadows, pressing himself against the cool, damp wall of the basement. The dim light from above cast long, eerie shapes around the room, masking his presence.

A figure appeared at the top of the stairs. The man descended slowly, cautiously, his hand on his weapon as his eyes swept the basement. His gaze landed on the old mattress in the corner, stained with fresh blood. He paused, and Joel knew he was only moments away from calling for backup.

Without hesitation, Joel struck. He moved out of the shadows, grabbing the man from behind in a chokehold and driving Ellie's knife into the back of his neck. The blade sank deep, the sickening crunch of bone and cartilage barely audible over the man's muffled scream. Joel clamped his hand over the man's mouth, his grip faltering as the effort drained what little strength he had left.

They both fell to the ground, Joel collapsing on top of the man as his legs gave out beneath him. He could feel the man's body twitching, struggling for breath as blood poured from the wound, soaking the dirt floor beneath them. Joel's vision flickered as he held on, watching as the man's desperate gasps slowed and finally ceased, his eyes glazing over as life slipped away.

Breathing heavily, Joel rolled off the dead man and onto his back, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His entire body trembled with exhaustion.
Where was Ellie and Shadow...


Ellie's head pounded, the pain radiating through her skull in sharp, agonizing pulses. She groaned as her eyes fluttered open, the world around her spinning in a sickening blur. The cold concrete beneath her body sent chills up her spine as she struggled to lift herself, but waves of dizziness and nausea crashed over her, forcing her back down.

The throbbing in her head was relentless, and she gasped in pain, her hand instinctively reaching up to cradle the tender spot.

"I was starting to worry you wouldn't wake up." A calm, smooth voice came from behind her.

Ellie turned her head slowly, her vision still hazy as she tried to make out her surroundings. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows that danced on the walls. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized she was inside some kind of cage.

Her eyes finally focused enough to spot the figure sitting just outside—David. He sat comfortably in a chair, his hands folded in his lap, grinning at her like he'd just won some twisted game.

"Let me out..." Ellie mumbled, her voice weak as she tried to push herself up again. The effort sent a fresh wave of pain slicing through her skull, and she nearly collapsed back onto the floor.

"Soon," David replied, his eyes never leaving her. "Are you hungry?"

"Why the fuck am I in a cage?" Ellie asked, gritting her teeth as her vision cleared enough to see more of the room. There was a table against the wall, some metal tools scattered on it—her stomach churned at the sight. She forced herself to sit up fully, her hand still pressed to her throbbing head.

David chuckled softly. "Because we're all afraid of you. You've got quite the reputation, you know? Quite the little hellion." His grin widened. "Though... maybe not as dangerous as your friend."

Ellie's heart clenched at the mention of Shadow. She turned her head sharply, ignoring the pain that flared at the sudden movement. "Where's... Shadow?" her voice trembled slightly, her thoughts racing.

David stood and approached the cage, his smile still plastered on his face. "She's here too. Like you, she's locked up. For our safety."

Ellie's fists clenched, her anger barely contained despite her weakened state. "She's gonna fucking kill every last one of you," she spat, her voice low and seething with fury.

David's laughter echoed around the room, casual and confident. "I don't think so," he said, now standing directly in front of the cage. "Your friend... she's with family now.

Her family takes orders from me."

Ellie's stomach twisted with a mix of fear and rage. "Fuck you," she snarled, trying to push herself to her feet. Her legs wobbled beneath her as the room spun, and she had to grab the bars of the cage to keep from collapsing.

David watched her struggle, his amusement fading into something darker. "What's your name?" he asked, his tone taking on a dangerous edge. Her defiance was starting to wear thin on him.

"Eat shit, asshole," Ellie shot back, glaring at him with all the venom she could muster.

David's patience was slipping as he stepped closer to the cage. His eyes narrowed as Ellie weakly backed away, retreating as far as the confines of the cage would allow.

"You can't survive out there on your own," David said, his voice taking on a patronizing tone. "No one can. I want to protect you."

Ellie's eyes blazed as she glared at him. "I'm not on my own."

David tilted his head, his smile returning. "Ah, yes... your father," he said slowly, watching her closely, as if savoring her discomfort. "And how is he, I wonder?" His words hung in the air, cold and calculating, as he studied her reaction. "I see how much you care for him. Like any child would for a parent."

Ellie's chest tightened. "He's not... my father," she muttered, her voice faltering as she tried to keep the fear from creeping into her words.

David's smile widened. "Even so, you need to understand that part of your life is over." He circled the cage slowly, his eyes fixed on her as she backed away. "I'm offering you a new beginning. A future. But if you can't learn to trust me... then you'll be alone."

Ellie's heart raced as David moved closer, looming over her now. His presence was suffocating, and she hugged her knees to her chest, her body still shaking from the pain and exhaustion. A large bruise was forming on her forehead, throbbing in time with the dull ache that never left her.

"Just think about it," David continued, his voice softening, but there was a threat laced beneath the surface. "Out there, it's kill or be killed. But here? Here you can have something more. All you have to do is trust me."

Ellie's jaw clenched, her eyes filled with hatred as she stared up at him. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to fight, to lash out, but her body was weak. She could barely move without the pain crippling her.

David lingered for a moment, watching her closely before finally turning away. "I'll give you some time to think about it," he said as he headed for the door.

Ellie's breath came in shallow gasps as she leaned her head back against the cold wall of the cage. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing.

Joel was still alive. She knew it.

Shadow was still alive. She knew it.

She wasn't alone. Not yet. Not ever.

As the door slammed shut behind David, Ellie opened her eyes, her determination hardening like steel.


Shadow's eyes fluttered open, the harsh sunlight burning through her eyelids. She groaned, instinctively raising her hand to shield her face from the glare. The world around her was blurry, her head pounding with each shallow breath. As her vision gradually adjusted, she noticed her surroundings—cold, iron bars enclosing her. She was in a cage. Her black cloak, her protection, was gone. She could feel the chill of the air on her skin.
"Fucking hell..." she muttered, wincing as she slowly rose to her feet, every movement making her head throb. She reached up, gingerly touching the back of her head where she found a large, tender bump. The pain flared at her touch, sending a dull ache radiating through her skull.
Then, in a flash, it all came back to her.

Ellie—unconscious in David's arms. The chaos of the fight. She had taken out two of his men, and then… someone had called her name. That voice...

"You're awake," a voice said from behind, the same one she had heard right before someone struck her from behind and everything went black.

Shadow's entire body tensed as she turned around, her eyes locking on the man standing just outside the cage. His face stirred something in her memory—familiar, but distant. He was one of David's men, but the voice... and the accent... something tugged at the edges of her consciousness.

"Who the bloody hell are you?" Shadow's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. She straightened her stance, her body instinctively preparing for a fight despite the throbbing in her head.

The man took a step closer to the bars, his blue eyes searching hers with an intensity that made her uneasy. "You don't remember?" he asked, his voice soft, yet strained, as if he was hoping she would recognize him. "Last time I saw you, Traverse ordered us to scatter in Atlanta."

Shadow's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. "What?" Her voice was barely a whisper, her mind racing to keep up.

"James..." the man said, his voice breaking as he said his own name. He reached for the lock on the cage, his hand trembling slightly. His eyes never left hers, watching, waiting for something to click in her mind.

"James..." Shadow's breath hitched, her eyes widening in disbelief. She watched as James, the brother Mar said had died in Seattle, unlocked the cage and stepped inside.

Shadow instinctively took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest.

"It's alright, baby sister," James whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he looked at her—really looked at her. Fifteen years had passed since they had last seen each other, and the girl he remembered was gone. In her place stood a woman—strong, battle-hardened, with eyes that had seen far too much.

Shadow's mind reeled. She had was still a child when they had landed in Atlanta, when they had been forced to scatter. Mar had told her that he'd died in Seattle.

"But... you're dead," she stammered, her voice trembling as she took a step closer, uncertainty and disbelief mixing in her heart. "Mar said you died in Seattle..."

James moved closer, his eyes never leaving hers, but before he could say anything, Shadow wrapped her arms around him, her body reacting before her mind could catch up.

James stiffened at the sudden embrace, caught off guard by the strength she had. But slowly, as the realization that his sister was really here, alive, sank in, he found himself wrapping his arms around her in return.

Shadow pulled away from James, her eyes narrowed in confusion and hurt. She stared at him, struggling to reconcile the brother she had once known with the man standing in front of her now.

"How?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, the disbelief thick in her tone.

James sighed, his gaze drifting to the floor. "It's a long story," he muttered, his voice low and evasive.

"Where's the girl?" Shadow demanded, her voice rising with urgency as she stepped closer, her body tense. "Take me to her. Now."

James shook his head slowly, his expression conflicted. "No."

"Why the hell not?!" Shadow's eyes darted to the door behind him, calculating her options. The sense of danger she had always relied on began to flare up, pushing her toward action.

"Because..." James hesitated, then finally met her gaze, his eyes filled with something Shadow hadn't seen before—defeat, or perhaps resignation. "Because she's David's new pet now. And he runs this place."

Shadow felt her stomach churn at the words, fury bubbling up in her chest. "Then help me get her back and kill him," she growled, desperation lacing her voice. She couldn't lose Ellie. Not to David. Not to anyone.

James averted his eyes again, his expression dark. "I... can't do that."

Shadow's eyes widened, a wave of disbelief washing over her. "Am I missing something here?" she asked, her voice filled with incredulity.

James nodded, though his body language screamed hesitation. "David found me after Seattle," he explained, his words slow and careful. "He... saved me. I can't speak more about it, but all you need to know, sister, is that I owe him my loyalty."

Shadow's heart sank at the sound of that word—"loyalty." She grabbed James's arm, her grip tight, her voice barely controlled. "And what about your loyalty to me?" she demanded, her tone raw with pain. "I've seen that look in David's eyes before. It's the same look the doctor at the Compound gave me before..." Her words faltered, but she pushed through the knot in her throat. "Are you telling me you'd rather sit back and watch him do to her what that bastard did to me?"

James's face hardened, but he remained silent.

Shadow's stomach twisted as his silence hung in the air like a death sentence. She could feel her hope slipping away. "I see..." she whispered, the weight of his betrayal settling like lead in her chest. "Then get out of my way."

She moved to push past him, but James's hand shot out, gripping her arm and pulling her back, holding her in place. His grip was strong, a warning.

"I can't let you," he said, his voice low but firm, his eyes finally meeting hers, filled with something that looked almost like regret.

Shadow's lips curled in disdain. "I'm not asking you." Her voice was cold, and her eyes flashed with deadly intent. "You can either come with me or stand with David. But if you get in my way..." She paused, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I'll kill you."

James's jaw tightened, and he studied her for a moment, his eyes scanning her face. "You're not strong enough to take me, little sister," he said, the faintest trace of sadness in his voice.

Shadow's heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't hesitate. "Do you really believe that?" she asked, her voice low, barely containing her fury. In one swift motion, she balled up her fist and drove it hard into James's face.

The impact was solid, sending James staggering backward, his hand flying to his cheek as blood trickled from his nose. He looked up at her, shock and pain flickering in his eyes, but Shadow didn't relent. Her knuckles stung from the force of the punch, but she stood firm, her breathing heavy, her mind racing.

James steadied himself, his body tense as he wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand. "You're making a mistake," he said, his voice thick with both anger and disappointment.

Shadow's chest tightened, but her expression remained cold, calculated. "I could say the same to you, brother." Her voice softened as her gaze locked onto his. There was a flicker of the bond they once shared, but it felt distant, like something from another life. "Please don't make me do this..."

James shook his head, his face hardening into a mask of resolve, but she could see the turmoil beneath the surface. His fists clenched, eyes blazing with frustration. "Who the hell is that child to you anyway?" he snapped, his voice raw. "She's not your blood!"

The words cut deep. Shadow winced, the accusation hitting too close to home. James knew about the Compound, about what had been stolen from her there—the chance to ever have a family of her own. Ellie wasn't hers, not by blood, but she felt like hers. And that connection, that bond, was something Shadow would die for.

James let out a bitter chuckle, wiping the blood from his face. "Yeah… I thought so." His smile twisted into something cruel. "Using that child to fulfill that lost maternal desire? You were taught better than that, Shadow. Attachments will get you killed!"

Before she could react, James lunged at her, faster than she anticipated. His body slammed into hers, driving them both to the cold, hard ground. The air was knocked from her lungs as he pinned her down, his hands like iron, his weight crushing.

His fist came down hard, punching her square in the stomach. Shadow gasped, the pain stealing her breath, leaving her choking for air. James grinned, his face inches from hers, eyes burning with intensity. "What's wrong, Shadow?" he taunted, his voice laced with venom. "Scared to get into the game?"

Rage and desperation surged through Shadow. She twisted her body, using the momentum to kick James off of her, flipping him over her head. His body crashed to the floor with a loud thud, dazed. Shadow didn't hesitate. She scrambled to her feet, her entire body aching, and sprinted toward the door of the cage, adrenaline fueling her escape.

James, still shocked and sprawled on the ground, recovered faster than she expected. He jumped to his feet and ran after her, his footsteps pounding behind her.

With a burst of strength, Shadow slammed the cage door shut, locking it just as James reached her. His fingers clawed at the bars, trying to grab her, but she stepped back, breathing hard, holding her side where the pain still throbbed. She tried to steady her heart, her body trembling from the fight and the raw emotion surging through her veins.

"Open the door!" James shouted, his voice desperate and enraged.

Shadow stared at him, her brother—yet a man she no longer recognized. His eyes, once filled with warmth, now burned with madness and loyalty to a monster. She felt a deep sadness welling inside her, far worse than when she had believed him dead. This version of James was far more painful to face.

Without a word, Shadow turned away, her heart heavy, and made her way toward the exit. The sound of her brother's fists slamming against the bars echoed in the small space, but she forced herself to keep moving, her mind focused on finding Ellie, on getting them both out of this nightmare.

Just as she reached the door, a deafening noise filled the room—a metallic screech followed by a crash. Shadow spun around, her heart racing in her chest, and froze.

James had torn the cage door off its hinges.

He stood there, panting, the door tossed aside like it was nothing, his muscles tense, veins bulging as he glared at her with eyes that were wild, unrecognizable.

"We're not finished here..." he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Shadow's pulse quickened as she backed up toward the exit, her mind racing for a strategy. She could see the ferocity in James's eyes, the raw power in his movements, but beneath it all, she knew he was lost to something far darker than she had ever imagined. This wasn't the brother who had once protected her. This was a man consumed by David's twisted influence.

"Don't make me do this..." Shadow whispered one last time, her voice breaking. She didn't want to fight him. But she would do whatever it took to save Ellie—to save herself.

James's lip curled into a snarl. "You're either with me... or you're against me."

And in that moment, Shadow knew there was no going back. If James wanted a fight, she'd give him one.

Shadow closed her eyes, her breath trembling as she fought to steady herself. Memories of their escape from the Compound. Of when Traverse and James were her protectors, when they stood side by side against the doctors and soldiers as they set fire and escaped. It seemed like that was a lifetime ago. The man before her wasn't her brother anymore, at least not in the way she had known him. He was something twisted, something dangerous. Her heart ached, but there was no room for weakness. Not now.

Taking a slow, deliberate breath, Shadow let the pain and sorrow melt away, pushing it deep into the recesses of her mind. She opened her eyes, and the familiar ethereal glow flickered to life, burning with intensity. Her green eyes gleamed with a cold fire, a force that had been lying dormant, waiting for a moment like this. Strength surged through her, and her body hummed with an unnatural energy she hadn't felt since Kansas City.

James's grin widened, a dangerous glint lighting up his own eyes as they mirrored hers, glowing with that same eerie light. "There's my girl..." he said, his voice dripping with both admiration and madness. The sight of her transformation only fueled his excitement, his muscles tensing in anticipation. He had always known Shadow had more in her, something darker, something primal. Now, it was time to bring it out in full.

Shadow clenched her fists, her knuckles whitening as she stepped forward. There was no hesitation now, no room for doubt. Whatever James had become, whatever monster lurked beneath his skin, it was one she would face head-on. Her jaw tightened, and a sense of calm washed over her as her instincts took control. The air between them was thick with tension, like the calm before a storm, each of them poised, waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Let's do this then..." Shadow's voice was cold, resolute. She moved toward him with deadly precision, her movements fluid, each step measured. There was no turning back, no plea for mercy. Only the fight. Only survival.


Joel cautiously stepped outside, his eyes scanning the darkened area, every muscle tense with anticipation. He knew there were others nearby, though how many, he wasn't sure. Worse yet, he didn't know where Shadow and Ellie were. His heart pounded against his chest, the weight of his injuries slowing him down, but he couldn't afford to rest. He had to find them.

A soft crunch of footsteps reached his ears. Joel pressed his back against the rough wood of a fence, forcing his breathing to steady. Pain rippled through him with every heartbeat, his body still recovering from the brutal injury he'd sustained, but his mind sharpened by desperation. He couldn't take on too many more of these bastards, not in this state, but he didn't have a choice.

He weaved carefully between the houses, keeping low, when movement caught his eye. A man, armed with a rifle, was creeping along the perimeter, scanning the area. His grip tightened on his weapon as he ducked near a wooden fence.

"Timothy?" the man called, his voice uncertain.

A loud thud sounded on the other side of the fence, and the man, alarmed, hurried around the corner. His eyes widened as he spotted a crumpled figure on the ground, writhing and groaning in pain.

"Hey!" the man shouted, rushing toward the fallen figure. "Timothy, man, you alright?!"

Blood pooled beneath the body, dark and viscous, seeping into the snow. The man knelt beside his fallen comrade, his face blanching at the sight of the blood-soaked ground. "Oh shit…"

Before he could react, there was a snap of branches behind him. The man spun, eyes wide in panic, but he was too slow. Joel, face hard as stone, swung the butt of his rifle, slamming it into the man's skull. The impact sent the man crumpling to the ground, unconscious before he hit the dirt.

Joel stood over the fallen men, breathing heavily, his body trembling from exertion. He had no idea how he'd found the strength, but he wasn't done yet. With painstaking effort, Joel dragged both unconscious men back to the basement, his injuries screaming with every step. Once inside, he tied them up securely to the chairs, making sure they weren't going anywhere.

Minutes passed in tense silence before one of the men began to stir. His eyelids fluttered, and the first thing he saw was Joel, standing before him like a vengeful specter.

Joel's face was etched with fury, his bloodied hands clenching and unclenching.

"Where are they?!" Joel's voice was a guttural snarl as he delivered a brutal punch to the man's face. The man's head snapped back, but all that escaped his lips was a muffled cry of pain.

Not satisfied with the lack of answers, Joel kept swinging, each punch fueled by rage, desperation, and fear. His knuckles ached, skin splitting, but he didn't stop. He couldn't stop. Every blow seemed to sap more of his energy, but the thought of Ellie and Shadow being in danger spurred him on. The man groaned in agony, blood trickling from his nose and mouth, but Joel kept pounding.

As the first man's face became a bloodied mess, the second man slowly regained consciousness, his blurred vision focusing on the scene in front of him—his friend being mercilessly beaten by the older man. Panic surged through him.

"Leave him alone!" the second man shouted, struggling against his bindings, his head pounding with pain.

Joel ignored him, delivering one final punch before stepping back, chest heaving. His bloodshot eyes narrowed as he pulled out his knife. He stalked toward the first man, his expression cold and unforgiving. "You're next," Joel growled, voice like gravel.

The man coughed, spitting blood onto the floor. His voice was weak, trembling. "I-I don't know anything about no girls…"

Joel's patience was gone. He grabbed the man's leg, slamming the knife into his kneecap with brutal precision. The man's scream echoed in the small room, his body convulsing in agony.

"No, no, no…" Joel hissed, twisting the knife. "You focus right here, or I'll pop that fucking kneecap right off!"

The man's vision swam, his breath coming in ragged gasps as Joel twisted the blade deeper, the pain unbearable.

"Sh-she's alive," the man whimpered, barely coherent. "Both… alive…"

"Where?" Joel's voice was deadly calm, each word a threat.

"T-the town…" the man gasped through sobs, his body shaking uncontrollably.

Joel twisted the knife again. "What town?!" he shouted.

"Silver Lake!" the man screamed, his voice breaking under the pressure. His body began to tremble violently.

Joel released his grip on the man's head, pulling the knife out with a sickening squelch. Watching as his victim panted in pain, barely hanging on to consciousness.

Joel's lip curled in disgust. A resort. Of course, Joel thought bitterly. He dug into his coat, pulling out a map, and threw it onto the man's lap. "Now, you're gonna point to the exact spot," Joel growled. "And it better be the same place your buddy points to." Joel shoved the hilt of his blade in the mans mouth, the knife still dripping with blood.

With a muffled cry of pain, the man leaned towards the map and pointed to the location of his town. Joel glanced at the spot—Silver Lake, a few miles away. It wasn't far.

Joel removed the knife from the mans mouth and stood up.

"That's where they are," the man whimpered. "Go ask him, he'll tell you the same."

Joel stared at him for a moment, his gaze cold and unfeeling. Then, without a word, he drove his knife into the man's stomach. The man's eyes widened in horror as he gasped for breath, choking on his own blood.

"No!" the other man screamed, thrashing against his restraints. "He told you everything! Why the fuck did you do that?!"

Joel, wiping the blood from his knife on the chair, approached the second man slowly, menace in every step. The man's defiance faltered, his heart pounding with fear.

"F-fuck you," the man spat weakly. "I ain't telling you shit."

Joel slid the knife back into its sheath, bending down to pick up a metal pipe from the corner of the room. "That's fine," he said, nodding as if considering. "I believed him."

The man's eyes widened in terror as Joel raised the pipe and, before he could say another word, brought it down with brutal force, silencing him for good.


Ellie paced frantically inside her cage, her mind racing. She had no clue how much time had passed since David had left her alone, but the sinking sun outside told her it had been hours. Her head still throbbed from earlier blows, and an overwhelming sense of dread gnawed at her insides. She couldn't stop thinking about Shadow—where was she?

Was she alive?

Ellie examined every inch of the cage, testing the strength of the metal bars, pressing her hands against the chain-link fence to feel for any weaknesses. Nothing. She was trapped. She let out a frustrated sigh, her breath coming out in ragged gasps as she leaned against the cold brick wall. How the hell was she supposed to get out of here?

Her eyes wandered absently across the floor until something caught her attention. There, just outside the cage, Ellie saw a smear of fresh blood—and worse—a human ear lying under a nearby table. Her stomach churned, bile rising in her throat. She swallowed hard, forcing herself not to vomit, even as her body trembled with revulsion.

The door creaked open, and David walked in, holding a tray of food. He knelt and slid it towards the cage, his eyes cold but calm, as if this were a perfectly normal situation.

"You look hungry," David said, noticing her expression of horror. His eyes followed hers to the ear on the floor. He sighed, almost disappointed. "For what it's worth, that's just deer meat," he said, his tone soft, almost gentle, as though that would somehow make it better.

Ellie glared at him, her voice low, seething with controlled rage. "So, you're gonna chop me up into little pieces too?"

David smiled that unsettling smile of his, the one that made Ellie's skin crawl. "I'd rather not," he said simply. "But, you know, it really depends on you." He tilted his head, studying her. "All you have to do is tell me your name. That's all I'm asking."

Ellie clenched her jaw, refusing to speak.

David sighed again, standing up and brushing dirt off his hands. "If you want to judge me, fine. I get it. Just—"

"Judge you?!" Ellie spat, her voice rising with fury. She kicked the tray back at him, food scattering across the floor. "You're eating people!"

David casually stepped back to avoid the flying food, unfazed by her outburst. "We are," he confirmed with a calmness that only enraged Ellie more. "But only a few of us know the truth. I was going to tell you because I thought you deserved to know."

"Shut the fuck up!" Ellie shouted, her hands covering her ears as if that would drown out his words. But she couldn't stop herself from turning back to him, eyes blazing with hate. "You're a fucking animal!"

David shook his head, almost pitying her. "I guess we all are, in our own ways," he said, his words slow and deliberate. "But it was a last resort. Do you really think I wanted to? Do you think I enjoy lying to the people who put their faith in me? We're all monsters in this world. Just like your friend who killed one of ours to save you."

Ellie felt her anger spike, the adrenaline surging through her veins. She spun to face him, her voice rising as she shot back, "He did that because your people attacked us first!" Her heart pounded, her hands clenched into fists, but she forced herself to stay composed. "And I don't give a shit about you or your moral high ground, David."

Her words stung him, but not in the way she hoped. David's eyes twinkled with amusement as he smiled, the curve of his lips sending chills down Ellie's spine. "You know what I see when I look at you?" His tone was too calm, too soft.

"I don't care," Ellie spat, crossing her arms and turning her back on him. The last thing she wanted was to hear more of his deluded thoughts.

David ignored her coldness, his voice carrying a sense of eerie fascination. "I see myself."

The laugh escaped Ellie's lips before she could stop it—harsh and bitter. "You see yourself in me?" she repeated, the disbelief in her voice echoing off the walls.

David's grin only grew wider, as if he took some sick pride in what he was saying. "A lot of myself, actually," he continued, pacing closer to the cage. "You're a born leader. Smart. Loyal." He paused, his eyes gleaming with something darker. "And violent."

Ellie stiffened. Her breath caught in her throat, but she forced herself to maintain her composure. "You don't know me," she muttered, not meeting his gaze.

David's voice dropped an octave, now dripping with insidious intent. "I think I do." He took another step closer, his hands grazing the bars of the cage. "If I unlocked this door and gave you your knife back, you'd gut me in a heartbeat. I know it. I see that violent heart of yours, because it's the same as mine."

David moved closer to the cage. "I used to struggle with it, you know—this darkness inside me. For a long time, I thought it was something to suppress. To hide. But when the world ended, I realized the truth."

Ellie rolled her eyes, turning away from him again. "God," she muttered under her breath, her sarcasm dripping.

David chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down Ellie's spine. "No, not God," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The cordyceps."

Ellie blinked, momentarily stunned into silence. She glanced over her shoulder, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "What?"

David's gaze darkened, his smile fading into something more sinister. "Is cordyceps really so evil?" he asked, his tone almost reverent. "It multiplies, protects itself, feeds. It survives. It does what it must to endure. Just like us."

Ellie's stomach twisted in disgust. "Why the hell are you telling me all this?" she demanded, turning to face him fully now, her hands shaking from the tension she was trying to hold back.

David took a step forward, his face softening as if he was revealing some great truth. "Because I know you can handle it. When most can't. The others—they need their fairy tales. Their God. Their Heaven. They need someone to follow. A father." He stepped even closer to the cage, his eyes locking onto hers. "But you... you don't need a father. You don't need lies to comfort you. You're like me."

Ellie's heart pounded in her chest as she realized what he was doing. He was trying to pull her into his twisted logic, to make her believe that they were the same. She had to play along. It was her only way out.

"I've been looking for an equal," David continued, his voice almost soothing now. "A partner. A friend. Someone who understands what it takes to survive in this world."

Ellie swallowed hard, fighting the urge to recoil from his words. She forced her voice to stay steady, calculating. "And what about my friends?"

"If the old man is still alive," David said, smiling as if he were making her some kind of promise, "I'll spare him. For you. I was right—you are loyal."

Ellie's eyes narrowed. "Shadow?"

"Last I saw, she was alive," David replied, his grin widening. "James is watching over her. They go... way back."

Ellie's confusion deepened, but she kept her expression neutral. "What do you mean?"

David leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He's her brother."

Ellie's mind raced. Brother? That didn't make sense. But she couldn't afford to let David see her doubt.

David's eyes flickered with something dark, something possessive. "Family," he repeated, as if it explained everything. "Like you could be family..." David's eyes glinted with something far more dangerous, something possessive.

Ellie took a slow, deliberate step toward the bars, her eyes lowering as she refused to meet his gaze. Every part of her wanted to recoil, to scream, to fight—but she had to be smart. If she didn't play this just right, she'd lose whatever small advantage she had.

David's voice dropped to a whisper as he moved closer, the air between them tense. "If the old man is brought to me alive, I'll spare him for you. Let you see him before I let him go."

Ellie glanced up briefly, her brow furrowing with skepticism. "Really?" Her voice wavered just enough to sound convincing. "You'll just... let him go?"

David's lips curled into another grin, his eyes alight with his own sense of control. "If he agrees to leave us in peace, I'll let him walk away unharmed." He sounded almost sincere, but Ellie wasn't fooled. She could see the deception in his eyes, the barely concealed hunger for power.

He thought he was manipulating her, but she knew better. He didn't realize she was the one leading him on, luring him into her trap.

David watched her closely as she took another step toward him, his gaze never leaving her. "My people obey me," he said softly, his voice filled with pride. "They do what they're told. They follow me." He moved even closer, his breath brushing against the bars. "They would follow us."

Ellie's skin crawled as he spoke, but she kept her expression neutral, lowering her eyes to the metal bars. David placed his hand on the cold steel, his eyes glinting with excitement.

"Think of everything we could do together," he whispered, his voice thick with desire—for control, for power. He believed he was getting through to her.

Ellie's fingers trembled as she slowly raised her hand to the bar, pretending to consider his words. She couldn't afford to slip, not now.

David's gaze dropped to her hand, his twisted grin widening as he believed he had finally broken her. "Imagine the life we could have together..." he whispered, placing his hand gently on hers.

Ellie felt bile rise in her throat at the touch of his cold, clammy fingers. She had to fight every instinct to rip her hand away in disgust. Instead, she forced herself to go along with it, placing her other hand on top of his, trembling slightly as if she were considering his offer.

David's eyes were fixed on her face, the sick satisfaction clear in his expression. He thought he had won.

But in that moment, Ellie's gaze shot up, meeting his eyes with a fire that he hadn't expected. She gripped his hand tightly and, without warning, yanked his finger back as hard as she could, feeling the bone snap under her grip.

David's scream of pain filled the room, echoing off the walls as he jerked back in shock.

Ellie didn't hesitate. She had seen the keys hanging from his belt and lunged for them, her fingers closing around the cool metal. But her hands were shaking too much, adrenaline coursing through her body, and the keys slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground.

Before she could grab them, David's rage-fueled hands shot through the bars, seizing her by the hair. He slammed her head against the cage, once, twice, the sharp pain blinding her for a moment as her vision blurred. Ellie groaned, feeling blood trickling down her face as she struggled to stay conscious.

David let go of her hair, staggering back as he cradled his broken finger, his face contorted with fury. "You... bitch!" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom as he stumbled toward the door.

Ellie, still dizzy from the blows, wiped the blood from her nose with her sleeve, her vision swimming. But she wasn't done. She wasn't going to let him leave without one last shot.

"E-Ellie..." she groaned, her voice weak but defiant.

David paused at the door, his rage momentarily giving way to curiosity. "What?" he barked, glancing back at her crumpled form in the cage.

Ellie glared up at him, blood smearing across her cheek as she narrowed her eyes. "Tell them..." She took a breath, her voice gaining strength. "Tell them that Ellie is the little girl... who broke your fucking finger!"

David stared at her for a long moment, his eyes flickering with a mixture of fury and grudging respect. Then, slowly, that twisted grin of his returned.

"What was it you said?" he mused, chuckling darkly. "Tiny little pieces, huh?"

He shook his head, still laughing softly to himself as he unlocked the door and stepped out. "I'll see you soon, Ellie."

With that, he slammed the door shut behind him, the sound of the lock clicking into place echoing through the room.

Ellie groaned in pain, wiping more blood from her face with the sleeve of her sweater. Her body ached, her head throbbed, but she grinned through the pain.

"Fuck..." she muttered to herself, forcing herself to sit up.


Joel trudged through the snow, his map guiding him toward the place marked as Silver Lake. The air had grown colder as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a dim light across the frozen landscape. The temperature was plummeting fast, and Joel figured he had maybe two hours, if that, to find Ellie and Shadow before it was too dark to see anything. His body, still weak and feverish from the infection in his wound, protested with every step, but he pushed through the pain. He had no choice. He had to find them.

The wind howled through the desolate trees, whipping snow into blinding flurries. Joel clenched his jaw against the biting cold that gnawed at any exposed skin like shards of glass. His breath came in visible clouds, but he forced his legs to keep moving. With every painful step, the resort came into view—a cluster of buildings buried under snowdrifts, surrounded by skeletal trees swaying in the icy wind.

Silver Lake, it seemed, had once been a ski resort before the outbreak. Now, it was a ghost town, forgotten and lifeless. As Joel got closer, he leaned against the rough stone wall of a building to catch his breath, his chest heaving. He scanned the area, squinting through the sheets of falling snow, but the wind and the whiteout conditions made it

impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. If anyone was watching, he wouldn't know until it was too late.

Pulling his jacket tighter around himself, Joel adjusted his pack and rifle before pressing on, his muscles screaming with every step. He moved cautiously, his eyes constantly scanning for any signs of movement, but all he saw was an endless sea of white.

As he rounded the corner of one of the buildings, something in the snow made him stop cold. Blood. It stained the snow in dark patches, leading in long streaks as if something—or someone—had been dragged. Joel's heart skipped a beat, and a sense of dread curled in his gut. He followed the trail of blood, his hands instinctively tightening on the strap of his rifle.

The trail led to a door—weathered and half-buried in snow, but unlocked. Joel hesitated for only a moment before he pushed it open and stepped inside, quickly closing it behind him to block out the wind.

The interior was pitch black, the kind of dark that pressed in on you from all sides. Joel reached for his flashlight, flicking it on and sweeping the beam across the room. His pulse quickened when the light illuminated a familiar sight. A backpack, slumped on a dusty bookshelf.

Joel's breath caught in his throat as he crossed the room and crouched down. His hands trembled slightly as he turned the bag over, his stomach sinking when he saw that it was Ellies.

Anxiety clawed at his chest, cold fingers of fear curling around his heart. He scanned the room again, and that's when he saw it—a crumpled heap of fabric tossed carelessly in a corner. A black cloak, its edges tattered but unmistakable. Shadow's cloak.

Joel's heart pounded harder, each beat thundering in his ears. He snatched Ellie's backpack and slung it over his shoulder, then grabbed Shadow's cloak, fastening it to the straps of his pack. The weight of it surprised him—he hadn't realized how heavy it was until now.

His flashlight beam darted to the floor, following the dark trail of blood that led deeper into the building. Joel's breath quickened as he traced it to the back of the room, toward a door covered in plastic sheeting. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to be careful, to be ready. He pulled out his pistol, holding it at the ready as he pushed the plastic aside and stepped through.

What he saw made his blood run cold.

There, on the floor, was the lifeless body of his and Ellie's horse. Blood pooled beneath its unmoving form, staining the floor in dark red. Joel let out a shaky breath, his mind racing.

Where are they?

The wind rattled the windows, making him jump. He quickly swung his flashlight toward the sound, his heart hammering. But it wasn't just the horse. No, as his beam moved across the room, it illuminated something far more horrifying.

Bodies. Hanging from the ceiling. Strung up like slaughtered cattle, some of them missing limbs, others partially dismembered. The air was thick with the metallic stench of death, and Joel's stomach lurched as realization hit him like a freight train.

Cannibals.

Joel's chest tightened, a surge of panic nearly overwhelming him. He staggered back, bile rising in his throat. He had heard of people doing terrible things to survive, but this—this was a nightmare made real. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to push the horror aside. There was no time to fall apart.

His mind sharpened with cold clarity as a singular thought took over: Find Ellie. Find Shadow.

The bodies, the blood—it all pointed to one thing. Time was running out.

Joel tightened his grip on his pistol and bolted back through the door, his heart pounding harder with every step. He didn't care about the pain anymore. He didn't care that his body felt like it was going to give out. He had to find them—now.


Ellie paced nervously inside the cage, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a plan. She couldn't trick David again, not after how close she'd come the first time. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her palms were slick with sweat as she glanced at the small window above her. Snow swirled outside, the wind howling, but it only reminded her how trapped she was in this place. The bitter cold of the outside world was starting to seem more inviting than being stuck inside the cage. Waiting.

The door swung open with a loud crash, making Ellie jump. Her eyes shot to the entrance as David walked in, followed by another man. There was a predatory gleam in David's eyes, a smugness that made Ellie's stomach drop. The two men approached the cage with purpose, their expressions dark and dangerous.

Instinctively, Ellie backed up, her hands hitting the cold metal bars as she pressed herself against the far wall. Her heart was thudding now, panic clawing at her insides.

David's hand went to the cage door, unlocking it with a deliberate slowness that made her pulse race faster. When the door creaked open, Ellie's fear spiked.

"NO!" Ellie screamed as the men rushed in, grabbing her roughly. She kicked and fought as hard as she could, her small fists pounding uselessly against their arms. David reached for her, but Ellie lunged forward and bit down on his hand, tasting blood as her teeth sank deep into his skin. David yelped in pain, his free hand swinging to deliver a hard knee to her ribs. Ellie felt the sharp impact, and the air was forced from her lungs. She wheezed, her vision blurring from the pain.

"You little bitch!" David snarled, shaking his hand as blood dripped from the fresh bite. He exchanged a quick look with his companion, both men lifting Ellie by her arms and dragging her, kicking and screaming, out of the cage. They threw her down hard against a table, pinning her arms as she squirmed beneath them.

"Don't—don't do this!" Ellie pleaded, her voice cracking in desperation. Her heart was hammering in her chest as David loomed over her, his expression twisted with cruel delight.

"You had your chance to behave," David sneered, pulling a machete from his belt and raising it above her. The cold steel glinted in the dim light, sending a fresh wave of terror through Ellie.

"No, wait!" Ellie screamed, her mind racing. And then, an idea hit her. "I'm infected!" she shouted, her voice piercing the air like a siren.

David froze, the machete hovering mid-air. He exchanged a confused glance with the other man, disbelief written on his face. "What?" he said slowly, as if not comprehending what she'd just said.

"I'm infected," Ellie repeated, louder this time. "And now so are you." She locked eyes with David, daring him to doubt her. "Roll up my sleeve and see for yourself!"

David's face twisted with uncertainty as he glanced down at the bite mark on his hand, the one she had just made. His eyes flicked back to her, full of suspicion and fear.

"Just look!" Ellie shouted again, desperate to buy herself time.

With a growl of frustration, David slammed his machete down onto the table, the blade biting into the wood with a sharp crack that made Ellie flinch. He rolled up her sleeve with rough hands. His sneer of amusement vanished the moment he saw her arm.

His face twisted in confusion as he stared at the old bite mark and the fungal growths that trailed down her skin. The telltale signs of cordyceps infection.

"You said it yourself," Ellie whispered, her voice low and dangerous. "Everything happens for a reason."

"What the fuck is that?" the other man stammered, fear creeping into his voice as he took a step back, staring at her arm in horror.

David's eyes narrowed as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. "No," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, you would've turned by now. This—this can't be real."

"It looks pretty fucking real to me, David," the other man said, his voice trembling.

Ellie felt their grips loosen slightly on her arms. They were distracted—this was her chance. In a blur of motion, Ellie snatched the machete from the table and, with all her strength, drove it into the chest of the man holding her down. His eyes bulged wide in shock as blood poured from the wound. He crumpled to the floor, dead before he hit the ground.

Ellie rolled off the table as David, shocked and furious, fumbled for his gun. He fired a shot just as she darted for the door, the bullet slamming into the wall inches from her head.


Shadow and James were locked in a brutal fight, the room around them reduced to chaos. Broken furniture lay scattered across the floor, holes punctured the walls from their blows, and shattered glass crunched beneath their feet. Shadow's face was battered—bruises darkened her cheekbones, her bottom lip split and swollen, and her knuckles were bloodied and raw from repeated punches. James, her brother, looked no better—his face bruised and cut, blood trickling from a wound above his eyebrow, his breath labored as they circled each other like predators.

Shadow grabbed James by the throat and slamming him viciously against the wall with a bone-shaking crash. He hit with such force that the plaster cracked behind him. Before he could recover, she drove her fist into his ribs with brutal precision, again and again, each punch landing with the sickening crunch of bone cracking under her onslaught.

James gasped for breath, wheezing, but in a burst of desperation, he swung his fist up, catching her square in the jaw. Shadow staggered back, dazed, but James wasn't done. He lunged, catching her off-guard, and tackled her to the ground. They crashed into a broken table, the sharp edges of the splintered wood digging into their skin as they grappled violently.

James straddled her, his hands wrapped around her throat, squeezing with savage force. Shadow's vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges as her air was cut off. But she wasn't about to let him win. She clawed at his face, nails digging deep into his skin, raking across his cheek and drawing blood. James snarled in pain but didn't release his grip. His fingers dug deeper into her throat.

"Do you really think you can save that child when you couldn't even save yourself?" James taunted, his voice dripped with venom, digging deep into old wounds, reopening the scars of the past.

In a desperate move, Shadow slammed her knee upward, hard, into his groin. James let out a guttural scream, his grip loosening just enough for her to twist out from under him. She rolled away, coughing and gasping for air as she struggled to her feet. But there was no time to recover—James was already on her again, slamming his fist into her side, knocking her into the corner of the room.

Blood dripped from both of them, splattering the floor and walls as they exchanged brutal punches. Shadow staggered but retaliated with a hard uppercut to his chin, sending his head snapping back with a crack.

James stumbled back, spitting blood, his chest heaving. His face was a mask of rage and pain, but still, he sneered at her. "You're weak," he spat, blood dripping from his mouth. "Always were."

Shadow's eyes narrowed, burning with fury. "You don't know me anymore."

With a savage yell, she grabbed him by the hair and slammed his head into the wall again, the impact making him crumple to the floor. She wasn't done. Straddling him now, she rained down punches, her knuckles smashing into his face with ruthless, unrelenting force. Blood splattered from his nose, from his mouth, but she didn't stop.

Suddenly, a deafening gunshot rang out, cutting through the chaos.

Shadow froze, her blood turning to ice.

Ellie.


Ellie ran through the back door, barely escaping with her life as she tore into what appeared to be a kitchen.

Her heart pounded so hard it hurt, but she didn't stop. She sprinted through the kitchen, her eyes scanning wildly for an exit. She ran into a restaurant—abandoned tables and booths scattered everywhere, remnants of a world long gone. Ellie bolted for the front door, only to find it locked. Panic surged through her, but she forced herself to stay focused.

'Anything can be a weapon,' she remembered Shadow saying once. Ellie ran back into the kitchen and grabbed a large piece of burning wood from the a grill, the heat searing her hands as she hefted it. With a sharp breath, she ducked behind one of the booths, crouching low, her heart pounding as she listened for footsteps.

David would be coming after her.

In the back rooms, David stood over the body of his fallen man, blood pooling around the machete embedded in his chest. He cursed under his breath as he yanked the blade free, his hand throbbing from the bite Ellie had inflicted. His gun was empty, and he tossed it aside, his twisted grin returning as he realized Ellie had nowhere left to run.

David crept cautiously through the kitchen, his footsteps slow and calculated as he approached the dining room. He knew Ellie was still inside, hiding. His grin widened, savoring the hunt. He thrived in moments like this—when his prey was cornered, when their fear pulsed through the air.

His foot pressed down on a squeaky board, the sound echoing in the silence. Ellie's heart lurched at the noise. She jumped from her hiding spot behind a booth, her hand gripping the burning piece of wood she had grabbed out of the kitchen. With all her strength, she hurled it at David.

Startled, David ducked just in time, the fiery log missing him by inches. He straightened quickly, his smile faltering for just a second. His eyes flicked toward the curtain now catching fire as the flames licked the fabric, but he shrugged it off, unconcerned. The hunt was all that mattered.

Ellie spun on her heel and bolted deeper into the dining room, her breath ragged as panic took hold. She crouched behind another table, her body shaking as she tried to quiet her breathing.

David's voice echoed through the growing heat and smoke. "There's no way out, Ellie!" he called, his voice dripping with confidence. "The door's locked, and I've got the only key."

"Fuck!" Ellie muttered under her breath. The fire was spreading fast, thick black smoke curling up to the ceiling. She could feel the heat intensifying, suffocating the room, but she couldn't give up. She had to think of something—anything.

"Ellie?" David's voice was taunting, cruel. "You wanna tell the truth now? That you're not really infected?" His boots scuffed along the floor as he stalked the narrow aisles of booths. The dining room wasn't large, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he found her.

"I've never seen anyone infected fight so hard to stay alive!" he laughed, his voice growing darker with each word.

Ellie peeked from behind the table, spotting David moving to the far side of the room, away from her. Her heart raced as she slowly crept toward the kitchen. If she could just grab a weapon... anything to give her a chance.

David's voice carried over the crackle of the flames. "Wanna tell me how you did it, huh? How you survived? Are you really that fucking special, Ellie?"

She stayed low, moving quickly and quietly, slipping back into the kitchen. Her eyes darted around until they landed on a knife—sharp, deadly, just what she needed. She grabbed it, gripping the handle so tightly her knuckles turned white.

David's voice rang out again, now tinged with anger. "No one likes being lied to!" He was getting impatient, frustrated by her continued defiance. The heat from the fire was rising, the flames casting eerie shadows across the room as they consumed the curtains and began covering the walls.

Ellie moved back into the dining hall, knife in hand, her breath coming in short bursts. She could see David's silhouette through the smoke, his back to her as he moved closer to the booths where she had hidden before.

"I've got news for you, little girl." His tone shifted, darker, more menacing. "Neither one of us is dying today. I'm gonna be the father you never had, Ellie."

Ellie's stomach twisted in disgust. She crouched behind another booth, gripping the knife, her pulse hammering in her ears. David was sick, twisted, and she knew there was no reasoning with him. The only way out was to fight.

David's footsteps drew closer. "I think I'm gonna keep you," he continued, his voice thick with satisfaction. He was enjoying this, relishing every moment of her terror. He paused near the booths, close enough that Ellie could see his legs through the gap beneath the table.

Her breath hitched, her body tensing as she saw the machete still gripped in his hand, dripping with blood—blood from the man she had killed earlier. She bit her lip, her fingers flexing around the knife. Just a few more seconds…

David turned slightly, his back now to her. "Ellie..." he called out, his voice low and predatory.

It was now or never.

With a scream of desperation, Ellie lunged from her hiding spot, driving the knife into David's side with all the strength she could muster. His scream echoed through the room as he staggered back, dropping the machete as blood spilled from the wound.

Ellie's triumph was short-lived. David spun around and backhanded her hard across the head. She crumpled to the floor, dazed, her vision blurring as pain exploded through her skull. The knife slipped from her hand as she tried to crawl toward the machete under a nearby table.

David clutched his side, gritting his teeth against the pain, but he wasn't done yet. His face twisted with rage as he kicked Ellie in the ribs, sending her sprawling onto her back. She gasped for air, her body wracked with pain.

He leaned over her, grabbing her wrists and pinning her to the floor. Ellie's heart pounded wildly as she struggled beneath him, but his strength was overwhelming. She screamed in panic, spitting in his face, but it only made David laugh.

"I thought you understood," David sneered. "The struggle… that's the part I enjoy most."

Ellie's blood ran cold as she watched him reach down to undo his belt. Her body trembled with fear, her mind racing in a frantic haze. She had to do something—anything.

Then she saw it. The machete, just within reach.

With her free hand, Ellie stretched toward the blade. Her fingers grazed the handle. She gripped it tight, raised it, and with all her might, swung it at David.

The blade struck deep, and David's scream of agony filled the room. Ellie didn't stop. She swung the machete again, and again, her voice raw with fury and terror. Blood splattered across her face as she hacked at him, her fear turning to rage.

David collapsed beside her, his body limp and lifeless, but Ellie kept swinging. She couldn't stop. Every strike was a release of the fear, the anger, the horror she had endured.

When it was over, David's body lay lifeless, drenched in blood. Ellie, covered in the mess, dropped the machete, her hands shaking violently. Her heart raced, her mind spinning in a haze of adrenaline and shock. She stumbled to her feet, swaying as the world around her spun.

Her eyes landed on the key looped to David's belt. With trembling hands, she fumbled to retrieve it, then staggered toward the door. She shoved the key into the lock, flung the door open, and burst outside into the cold air.

Smoke billowed from the burning building behind her, but she didn't care. She walked through the snowy street, her steps slow and aimless, her mind numb. She couldn't process what had just happened—couldn't even feel the cold biting at her skin.

Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind. Panic seized her, and she screamed, thrashing wildly. "No! Get off me!" She kicked and clawed, her vision blurring with terror as she fought against the hold. "No!"

"Ellie!" A familiar voice broke through her panic. "Ellie, stop!"

Joel's voice.

Ellie froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She blinked through the haze, her breath ragged as she turned and saw Joel's face. Her hands gripped his arms. Joel held Ellies face in his hands, his eyes wide with concern. "It's me," he said softly, his voice steady. "It's me, Ellie."

Her whole body shook, the adrenaline still coursing through her. Her eyes locked onto his, and her lip trembled. Ellie tried to form words, but only managed to mumble something incoherently before wrapping her arms around Joels neck and burying her face in his shoulder. Tears spilled down Ellies face.

Joel saw the terror in her eyes, the blood smeared across her face. "It's okay, baby girl." Joel whispered, using the nickname he once used for Sarah. "I got you." He wrapped his arms around her tightly. Joel realized she wasn't wearing a coat, her body trembling violently from the cold and the shock. Gently, he pulled away just enough to shrug off his own coat, draping it over her shoulders.

Ellie's hands clutched his shirt, her eyes never leaving his. She was lost in her trauma, but Joel stayed with her, keeping her grounded, keeping her safe.

He didn't know what she had been through, but he could feel the weight of it in her trembling hands. He had no idea how she had survived, but he was grateful she had.


The gunshot echoed through Shadow's mind like a thunderclap, jolting her from any lingering hesitation. Panic surged through her veins. Ellie—she had to find Ellie before it was too late.

Scrambling to her feet, Shadow barely had time to react before James was on her again. His arms locked around her neck in a tight chokehold, his breath hot and ragged against her ear. "We're not done yet," he growled, his voice laced with venom.

Fury flared in Shadow's chest, igniting a new wave of strength. She drove her elbow backward, slamming it into James's ribs. A satisfying crack reverberated beneath the impact, and James gasped, his grip weakening just enough for her to break free.

Shadow spun on her heel, her fist connecting with James's face in a fierce blow. He stumbled back, blood spraying from his split lip, crashing into a broken chair as he fought to regain his footing. His eyes were wild with shock, anger, and disbelief.

"This ends now," Shadow hissed, her voice low and dangerous. She wasn't going to hold back any longer.

With a primal growl, James lunged at her. The sheer force of his tackle sent them crashing backward, through the window behind them. Glass shattered in an explosive rain of shards, glinting in the cold air as they fell into the snow below.

The violent sound of breaking glass caught Joel and Ellie's attention. Ellie, still wrapped in Joel's coat and trembling from the aftermath of her own ordeal, clung to him as if he was her last tether to reality. Joel instinctively tightened his hold on her as his eyes darted toward the chaos outside.

On the ground below, Shadow pushed herself to her feet. Blood and snow streaked her face, her breaths ragged. She aimed a swift kick at James, her boot smashing into his face, sending him sprawling once again into the frozen ground. Joel could see the exhaustion etched into her every move—Shadow was running on pure adrenaline.

"Enough, James!" Shadow shouted, her voice hoarse. "I don't want to fight you anymore."

James wiped the blood from his mouth and grinned, his teeth stained red. "You've lost your edge, little sister," he sneered, lunging at her again. His fist landed squarely in her stomach before she could fully block it.

Shadow gritted her teeth, the pain searing through her abdomen, but she didn't back down. "And you've lost your soul," she spat through clenched teeth. With a surge of energy, she leaped into the air, her leg extending in a vicious arc. Her foot connected with James's head, sending him crashing to the ground, dazed and bleeding.

Joel's eyes darted from Ellie to Shadow as he held Ellie tighter, feeling the small girl shuddering against him. His instincts screamed to intervene, to help Shadow, but he couldn't leave Ellie. The girl's face was pale, streaked with blood—David's blood—and her eyes were wide with fear. Ellie's grip tightened on Joel's coat, unwilling to let him go.

James slowly stood up again, his laughter cutting through the cold like a blade. "There's the kid," he taunted, his eyes locking on Ellie. Joel's muscles tensed.

Shadow's heart raced as she saw James's gaze fix on Joel and Ellie. Her breath hitched, a sickening dread sinking into her stomach. "Stay away from them!" she shouted, stepping between them, her body shaking with exhaustion.

James's mocking laugh echoed in the frozen air. "Look at you, Shadow. Look at what you've become. Weak." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes gleaming with malice.

In a swift motion, James pulled a handgun from behind him, its dark metallic surface catching the sunlight. Shadow's blood ran cold as the weapon aimed directly at Joel and Ellie.

"No!" Shadow roared, hurling herself at James with every ounce of strength she had left. They collided, crashing into the snow as the gun flew from his hand, vanishing into the white powder. They grappled furiously, Shadow's fists raining down on James's face in a relentless barrage. Each blow was fueled by desperation, rage, and fear, the sickening sound of bones cracking cutting through the storm.

James's breath came in ragged gasps, blood gurgling from his lips as he spat, "Still think you can protect them? I'm your brother. Who the hell are they?"

Shadow's fists froze in midair, her knuckles raw and bleeding, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The words stung, slicing through her resolve like a jagged blade. Her eyes darted to the snow, where the gun lay half-buried.

Without hesitation, she dove for it, her fingers wrapping around the cold metal. Rolling to her feet, Shadow leveled the barrel at James, her heart pounding in her chest.

"They're mine," she whispered, her voice trembling but resolute.

Joel instinctively moved Ellie behind him, his pulse quickening as he watched Shadow. The weight of the moment pressed down on all of them, the tension unbearable.

James, staggering to his feet, coughed, blood splattering the snow at his feet, but his deranged grin remained. "Do it," he rasped, his voice broken. He took a step toward Joel and Ellie. "I'll make you."

Before Joel could react, the gunshot rang out.

The sound shattered the air, and James's body jerked violently as the bullet tore through his skull. His lifeless form crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around him, staining the pristine snow in a dark crimson.

Joel flinched at the deafening shot, his breath hitching in his throat. Ellie whimpered softly, burying her face against Joel's side, the horror of the moment overwhelming her.

Shadow stood frozen, the gun still clenched in her trembling hands, her eyes locked on her brother's lifeless body. Her breaths came in shallow, ragged bursts as the weight of what she'd just done began to sink in. Slowly, as if detached from herself, she let the gun slip from her grasp. It landed in the snow with a dull thud.

Her knees buckled, and she collapsed beside James's body, staring at him with a mix of disbelief and sorrow. She had killed her own brother to protect Joel and Ellie.

Joel gently guided Ellie toward Shadow, his heart heavy. Kneeling beside her, he placed a firm but gentle hand on her back. The touch startled her, and Shadow turned her head, her glazed eyes meeting Joel's concerned gaze.

"I'm... alright," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ellie, unable to hold back any longer, threw her arms around Shadow, burying her face in her shoulder. Shadow winced but quickly returned the embrace, holding Ellie close.

After what felt like an eternity, Shadow pulled back, shivering as the cold began to settle into her bones. She stood slowly, Joel steadying her as she wobbled on her feet. He reached down and retrieved the discarded gun, shoving it into his pack without a word.

Shadow's eyes darted to Ellie, her expression softening as she took in the girl's haunted eyes and blood-smeared face. Ellie had been through her own hell before Joel had found her, and the weight of that realization pressed down on Shadow like a suffocating fog.

Joel reached into his pack and unfurled Shadow's cloak, draping it gently over her shoulders. Shadow closed her eyes as the familiar weight settled around her, offering a fleeting sense of comfort.

"We need to go," Joel said quietly, his voice steady but urgent. The wind was picking up again, the snow swirling around them.

Shadow nodded, her gaze lingering for just a moment on the body of her brother. With one last shaky breath, she turned away and followed Joel and Ellie as they left Silver Lake behind them.