Latibule - The Last Of Us [Joel]

Chapter One

It's been two days since Ellie was bitten by an infected, and in the last two days, Jade couldn't sleep or focus on her tasks. Marlene, however, was on a different kind of high- finally, her promises of finding a vaccine came to light. That was the whole point of the Fireflies anyway. Jade did not share their ideas as Marlene hoped.

Sighing as she put down the grooming rag, Jade took out her necklace that was hiding beneath her shirt, it was a small heart locket that carried a slightly scratched picture of her mother.

"I failed you." Jade whispered, "I broke my promise."

In the past forty-eight hours, Jade had felt all negative emotions at once, causing her to have a panic attack several times. But the most she felt was guilt. Guilt that instead of focusing on her baby sister, she was focused on herself lately. She was side tracked by coming out of her shell, mingling within her group and getting laid from time to time.

Jade was taken aback when she was nudged by Maximus, making her chuckle. She ran her hand up and down his chestnut colored neck.

"You're so lucky you're a horse, Maximus." Jade said with a small smile, leaning her weight on him. Maximus didn't seem to mind.

The few horses in their small stable, including Maximus, were more obedient to Jade as she was more kind to the horses than the other soldiers. To the firefly soldiers, they were just dumb beasts, they treated their guns better.

"Hey horse girl." Chloe leaned against the stable door, making Jade turn her head towards her.

"Hey."

"Where were you, Jade?"

"Right here. Where else would I be?" Jade snickered but it didn't amuse Chloe.

"Two days- I haven't seen you, Jay. I'm worried about you." Chloe made her way to Jade who began grooming Maximus again. "And you look like shit."

"Thanks." She did look like shit. Her hair was a mess and her eye bags were darker than ever, and the worst of it, it seemed like Jade didn't bathe or have a change of uniform.

"You always tell me what's wrong, what's different now?" Chloe's eyebrows knitted in anger at the sudden thought that popped in her mind, "is it Noah?! Did he hurt you? 'Cus I swear! If he did, I'll rip-"

"Relax, Chlo. Please. It's nothing to do with Noah." Jade rolled her eyes, carrying the water bucket to the other side of the stable.

"What is it then?" Chloe crossed her arms.

"You know I tell you everything. B-But...this is different!"

"Is it me?"

Jade turned in annoyance but only saw who was standing behind Chloe.

"Williams. Frazer." Marlene called, surprising Chloe a tad. "I need the two of you. Now."

"Yes, ma'am." Chloe and Jade said in sync, following Marlene immediately out of the stables.

"Do you think she overheard us?" Chloe whispered to Jade, slightly embarrassed by her little outburst.

"Come on." Jade rushed the woman along, completely ignoring her question.

***

Jerry, the firefly surgeon was there in their little meeting in Marlene's office and him being there, made Jade think that it will all be bad news. Chloe, however, was still in shock to hear Ellie was bitten and hasn't turned. Unlike Jade, Chloe believed that there was hope in creating a vaccine to save the world.

"This...this could be a breakthrough." Jerry chuckled, not quite believing what was in front of his eyes. The brain scans of Ellie laid out on the table for everyone to see showed that she was infected. "She really is immune."

"What's the next step in all of this?" Jade's eyes darted between Marlene and Jerry.

"We need to get her to a hospital where equipments are available. We can't perform it here." Jerry said.

"Perform? Perform what?!" Ellie could see her sister was getting defensive. "Marlene? What the fuck is he talking about?"

"We need to transfer Ellie to a hospital to take blood samples, that's all we're going to need." Jerry answered quickly as he rubbed his palms together.

"That's all we're going to do, right?" Jade questioned in hopes that her sister's life wouldn't be at risk. Jerry and Marlene both promised that Ellie's life wouldn't be in jeopardy, only the road to the hospital is where Jade had to keep her safe.

"If I'm not wrong here-" Chloe chuckled in confusion, "we don't have a running hospital. Where the hell are we transporting her to?"

"That's where you come in." Marlene crossed her arms and leaned her hip against the desk. "You're going to lead the Fireflies, your men, to a functional hospital. And you will be protecting Dr. Anderson no matter what. That, however, will be discussed further after you've set up your men."

Jade seemed skeptical as she began biting the inside of her cheeks and that did not go unnoticed by Marlene.

"Jade. We have to do this. This is our only chance." Marlene said firmly and in desperation. "This is our chance to spread the light."

Jade immediately rolled her eyes at her silly Firefly quote and before she could throw a remark that would upset Marlene, her little sister tugged on her sleeve.

As Jade met her sister's little eyes, her heart soften up.

"I wanna do this, Jade." Ellie spoke and with a heavy sigh, Jade nodded her head.

"Fuck it." Jade said rubbing her temple.

It didn't take Ellie much to say for her sister to cave and give her what she wanted. It has always been that way.

"That's it then." Marlene's lips perked up into a small smile. "Gather your team, Chloe, and meet me here in an hour. We'll discuss of a plan- Ellie, Jade, you pack your bags, we will be leaving soon."