This Isn't The End [Ellie Williams x Fem!Reader]

•Chapter 2•

Ellie's P.O.V
     I'd know those eyes anywhere. I spent so much time wondering what had happened to the beautiful girl with (E/C) eyes ever since that day in Boston. Sometimes they haunted my dreams. I figured she'd died and if I had given her position up she'd still be alive.
     "Who the fuck are you." Jesse barked at her. I looked up at him motioning for him to lower his gun. She was smart if she's stayed alive this long. Jackson could use someone like that.
     "My name is (Y/N) and this is Atlas." (Y/N) introduced herself and after I peaked around the corner I saw a beautiful stallion. I quirked my brow up at her, but she was too busy cooing at the horse.
     "What are you doing here?" I asked her. "I always figured you'd stay on the East coast."
     "Why? You don't know anything about me." (Y/N)'s eyes met mine. My temper flared at her tone but I reined it in.
     "I knew just from that one moment you weren't a big risk taker. So I just thought you'd stick close to home. Which I assumed was Boston." I said matter of factly. Jesse shook his head in confusion.
    "Do you guys know each other or something?" He asked. A soft smile graced her lips.
     "She saved my ass more than she could ever possibly know a long time ago." (Y/N) mused, holding onto Atlas' lead.
     "She was there when I met Joel." I assured him. Jesse didn't look even the slightest bit comforted. I rolled my eyes at him. "Come on Jesse, she's a good egg. Jackson could use one of those."
     "Jackson?" She echoed.
     "Yeah, you heard of it?" Jesse interrogated her.
     "It's actually where I was heading to before the snow got so bad last night." (YN) shrugged. "I was hoping to be able to do some trading in order to get through the rest of the winter." She patted the full saddlebags on her horse.
     "Perfect. We can go back together, Jesse and I were sent to scout out along here for supplies. Jackson is about a days ride out, think you can handle it?" I asked her. She rolled her eyes at me. I liked her, she seemed honest enough.
     "I've been on my own in the woods for five years. I'll survive a days ride to some town." Laughter shone in her eyes. My stomach however dropped.
     "Alone? That's impossible." Jesse scoffed heading for the door.
     "You see anyone else here jackass?" Oh I definitely liked her. Just seeing the shocked look on Jesse's face when he turned around was enough for me to like her well enough.
     "Alone for five years. I can imagine it gets pretty lonely." I implied holding the door open for her so she could lead Atlas out of the bookstore.
     "Yeah, sometimes. But I've had Atlas and I trade with people pretty often in the summer time when they make their way around my area back in Idaho." She shrugged. I shivered as I hopped up into Shimmer's saddle.
     "Idaho? Interesting place to chose to stay." Jesse raised an eyebrow at her as we trotted through the town.
     "Why? There's nobody for miles but people pass through all the time to get to their destination. Plenty of trade opportunities and plenty of space between me and most infected." She argued. I watched as she analyzed every detail around us. That's how she survived. Always looking, always on her toes. I guess that explained the bags under her eyes and how tense she was.
     "I guess that makes sense. I don't think I could do it, be far away with no other people. No friends or family." Jesse said, mostly to himself.
     "You get used to it, the being alone. I didn't have very many friends before the outbreak really hit. My mom was all I had." (YN) sighed. She looked up at the cloud covered and frowned. "It's going to start snowing again." And as soon as the words left her lips, it did. A soft snow, not a blizzard. Just a gentle dusting, perfect to travel in.
     We moved quickly. (YN) and Atlas more than proving they could keep up. I wouldn't be surprised if they had gotten to Jackson before us. If she had known where she was going. Atlas trotted beside Shimmer and I. (YN) was staring at me.
     "What?" I asked quietly.
     "I knew you'd make it. I knew you'd survive, I took one look at you and I figured you were too damn smart for your own good." She smiled at me. I might just be the only person she's ever seen for a second time. 
     "I knew you'd make it too. You had that look in your eyes. So full of determination and rage at the world I'm assuming. Someone like you has what it takes to survive out here." I replied. Her eyes lit up at the compliment.
     "I was so angry back then I can't imagine if I still had that rage in me. That day in Boston was exactly a year since my mom was murdered." Her eyes pricked with tears. My heart twisted for this girl.
      "I'm sorry for your loss." Was all I could think to say. She gave me a tight smile before kicking back up to a canter to keep up with Jesse. Some small part of me whispered to comfort her, I shoved it down and kicked Shimmer into a sprint laughing at Jesse as we took off towards Jackson just a couple miles away.

     I was right. She and Atlas beat Jesse and I to the gates of Jackson. When we caught up to her she was waiting patiently. Examining her nails in fake boredom.
     "Here I was thinking you'd be a challenge." (YN) complained. I laughed at her before motioning for the guards to open the gates. The sun had set, its remaining rays staining the sky lavender. (YN) watched the townspeople as we rode into the small city. It was like she was assessing who the greatest threat would be. We approached the stables, hopping off our mounts she gave Atlas a kiss and made the stable boy promise to take good care of her stallion. I chuckled at her falling into step as we wandered into the main part of Jackson.
     "I'm gonna go find Maria and Tommy." Jesse called before jogging to the Tipsy Bison.
     "Your leaders I'm assuming?" (YN) asked, her voice shook a little betraying her cool demeanor. She was nervous.
     "Yeah they're good people. Remember that guy who picked me up in Boston? He's here too." I scowled thinking of Joel. We weren't really on the best of terms as of late. After an argument and a secret revealed a few months ago I haven't been able to look at him the same. I was dragged back to reality by the sound of (YN)'s laughter. She was laughing at me raising her hand up and down in front of her face.
     "Hello? Earth to Ellie? I take it you and him aren't on good terms because you just looked like you were going to murder him." (YN) chuckled. The yellowing streetlights flickered painting her in soft golden light. I shook my head.
     "It's a long story." I scoffed. She tensed as Tommy and Maria approached. "Hey Maria hey Tommy." I greeted sheepishly. I knew they were gonna be upset I brought some random girl back with me to Jackson. Tommy examined (YN), exchanging looks with Maria.
     "I'm (YN). I was actually heading here to trade some of my stuff when Ellie and Jesse found me and helped me find my way here." She blurted. Tommy stepped towards her, I could almost hear her internal struggle of to defend herself or not to.
    "Well (YN). Welcome to Jackson."