Farm House

The Gas Station

Spring 2034

Ellie couldn't remember much after waking up in the back of the car, her mind was still foggy. She could remember making her way with Joel through some Underground Tunnels filled with the Infected and many abandoned vehicles, then water. A lot of water and darkness, but everything after that was still fuzzy. Joel had told her everything about St Mary's Hospital and the Fireflies, it seemed like their journey had been for nothing after all.

The Fireflies were unable to develop a vaccine, they had basically stopped looking for a cure now. But they had learnt something new, there were other people like Ellie out there that were immune to the virus. The news had upset Ellie, she had many hopes for helping humanity since she was immune to this horrible virus. She had thought she was the key to the cure, Tess had even believed in it too.

Ellie glanced over her shoulder when the car drove over something, she felt it bump beneath the car's wheel. She sat up on the backseat and stared out of the window while she yawned loudly, she could see vast green countryside whizzing passed the car's window. It was beautiful, there were mountains far away in the distance and a lake. The sky was blue and the sun was shining down on the greenery around them, it was beginning to feel more like Spring now.

" Finally awake, huh?" Joel asked.

" Yeah..." Ellie replied. 

Ellie looked down at her hospital gown she was still wearing, all of her clothes were still at St Mary's Hospital. But luckily Joel had managed to grab her backpack on the way out, she kept her personal belongings and the letter from her Mother she treasured dearly in her bag. She climbed into the front of the car and sat down on the passenger's seat, she had no idea where they were right now.

" Where are we?" Ellie asked.

" Casper, Wyoming." Joel replied, he kept his gaze on the road ahead of them. " Another day or two and we'll be in Jackson, it should be straight forward if everything goes to plan."

Ellie nodded and rested her elbow on the car's window ledge, she gazed outside and watched the trees passing by the car. She listened to Joel telling her about Tommy's community and how they would be safe there, they would finally have a place to call home. Ellie was looking forward to seeing Tommy and Maria again, she actually liked them even if their meeting wasn't the greatest of introductions.

" Are you okay?" Joel asked.

" Uh-uh." Ellie replied.

" Ellie, are you listening to me?" Joel asked.

" Yeah! I'm fine, I mean..." Ellie said, she paused for a moment. " Do you think we can stop somewhere? I mean I wouldn't mind getting some new clothes, I can feel a draft up this fucking hospital gown!"

" Alright, I passed a Gas Station sign not long ago." Joel replied. " We could do with some more fuel for the tank anyway, maybe if we're lucky we'll find you some clothes there."

" Cool, maybe we'll find some food there too." Ellie said. 

" Wishful thinking kiddo, but we'll see..." Joel said.

Ellie smiled slightly and continued looking out of the window, she saw a Gas Station sign saying three miles on it. She pointed the sign out to Joel, he told her they would be there soon enough. It wasn't long until they pulled up in front of the abandoned Gas Station, Joel turned the car's engine off and got out of the car first. He told Ellie not to wander too far since they weren't familiar with the area. 

Joel opened the car's trunk while Ellie got out of the car, she closed the door behind her. She stared at the abandoned Gas Station, it was weather beaten with overgrown plants hanging down from the gutter and the door to the building was missing. There was two cars parked either side of gas pumps, they looked in pretty good condition even if their bodywork was getting rusty. She looked over at Joel and joined him at the back of the car, she then took her backpack from the trunk.