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

•Chapter 9•

Ellie's P.O.V
     I took (YN) to one more place before we would ride back to Jackson. We sat on top of Atlas her arms wrapping loosely around my middle. I could hear her gently snoring as she leaned against my back. She must've not been sleeping very well lately. The sun had begun its descent, it must be around 4 o'clock it was going to be dark soon. I wasn't going to take her to the watch tower to watch the sun set like Dina suggested. I was going to take her on a small hike. It was a short one nothing to stressful, maybe Atlas could walk with us. There was a small overlook nearby. It hung over the edge of a cliff, a porch like thing made of wood. It had the greatest view I knew of. Even better than the watch tower. I found it one day when I had left Jackson when I was mad at Joel for whatever reason. I didn't tell anyone about it. When we got to the trail head that lead up there I debated just heading back to Jackson to avoid waking the sleeping woman behind me. However I wanted her to see this. I moved a little, gently pulling (YN) from her slumber.
     "Oh, how long was i asleep?" She yawned. I laughed a little as I swung my leg over Atlas hopping off the beautiful horse. (YN) looked down at me, her sleepy (EC) orbs watching my every move. It was like if she stopped looking at me I might disappear. I held my hand up to her.
     "Not too long sleepyhead." I teased. (YN) rolled her eyes swinging her leg over.
     "Where even are we? You're not gonna murder me are you?" She joked as she hopped off, I caught her by her waist steadying her landing. I did wonder how she got on and off Atlas on her own, not that I doubted if she could but there had to be some creative thinking behind it.
     "We're at an overlook, I found it a few years ago. It's my favorite view in all of Jackson." I scratched the back of my neck. What if she hates it?
     "Sounds romantic to watch the sunset in your favorite view in all of Jackson." (YN) teased.  I scoffed bumping my shoulder into hers as we walked along that overgrown dirt path.
     "So what if it is?" I flirted. My stomach flipped as she stopped walking to face me. She smiled coyly before grabbing onto my chin, not harshly but firmly. She pulled my face to hers and put her lips to mine. It was like a drug. The softness of her lips and the brush of her tongue against mine. I couldn't get enough of (YN).  She pulled away all too soon.
     "Then I guess we'll see what happens." She winked motioning for me to lead the way. Once we got to the overlook, we cleared the area first before heading to the wooden construction. The sky was painted with strokes of pinks and oranges. The clouds like highlights streaking across the sky. Thank god the storm broke for this. It was beautiful.
     "This is beautiful." I breathed, smiling as the bitter wind snapped in our faces. (YN) moved closer to me sliding her arm around my waist.
     "You're beautiful." She admitted to me. I looked down to where she rested her head against my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her, I'd follow her anywhere she wanted to go.
     "If you become Jackson's trader, would you care if I came with you for a while?" I chewed on the inside of my cheek. It would be okay if she said no, I know she'd always come back to me.
     "Are you serious? I would love that. As much as I love Atlas he's not much of a talker." She joked.
     "I'm dead serious, we could go see the west coast this summer. You and me, Atlas and Shimmer. Maybe even see the ocean." I mused. (YN) hummed in response. The sun had coated us in its golden late, spreading its last rays across the valley below us.
     "Come on, before it gets too dark." (YN) pulled away, not letting go of my calloused hands as we walked down to where Atlas waited for us. He huffed in annoyance at us. (YN) giggled approaching the beast. She showered him in kisses and cooed nonsense at him. Atlas had been the only one there for her, he probably knew the fierce girl better than any person ever could. I raised a brow as she climbed into the saddle. She hooked her foot into the stirrup, holding onto the edge of the saddle she used her momentum to haul herself into the saddle in one fluid motion.
     "I knew you could do it." I laughed. (YN) rolled her eyes at me. "I'm steering us back to Jackson now skooch." I insisted. She sighed really loud and held her delicate hand out to me. She helped yank me up to the saddle wrapping her arms comfortably around me. I smiled to myself as I began to steer Atlas back to Jackson.
     We were almost to Jackson, that was when we heard it. An all too familiar click. I brought Atlas to a halt. (YN) had her gun out scanning the trees. Aiming at the clicker as it stumbled through the trees into the clearing, we were still as death waiting for the moment. A gun shot would attract any nearby infected. I moved to hop off Atlas when (YN) grabbed my shoulder. She shook her head. The soft evening light was our savior here. If we had waited any longer we wouldn't be able to see them.
     The clicker violently jerked around, screeching. I watched in horror as four more clicking and stumbling forms were seen. Runners were groaning nearby. That god damn horde from patrol. (YN) took out the first clicker silently. She observed her surroundings recognizing she only had minutes before the horde knew we were here. I met her wide gaze. She was scared, and that frightened me. She moved quickly through the grass, I held my hand out to her and just yanked her into the saddle. Then she patted Atlas' rear and we were off like a shot. Loudly.
     The horde was fast. The runners came from all directions. Forgoing the secrecy (YN) began firing rounds. Taking out any runners that got too close. Atlas was moving through the trees so fast I couldn't keep up and the light was beginning to vanish. All I could do was hope Atlas knew where he was going. Then he leapt over a fallen tree and I felt (YN) try to grab my jacket yanking me back in the saddle. I twisted trying to grab for any sign of the girl. She was gone. Gunshots fired behind me.
     I tried slowing Atlas but he wouldn't yield. I went to jump off to try and find (YN) when Jackson's lights came into view. I pushed him harder. The sooner we got to Jackson the sooner I could get help to find (YN). I approached the gates yelling frantically.
     "OPEN THE FUCKING GATES!" I roared. The wood groaned as they were forced open. Maria, Tommy, and Joel were all waiting. I was trying to catch my breath. I jumped off Atlas falling on my shaking legs. Blood was splattered across my face and jacket from where (YN) had protected me while I tried to steer us to safety. I failed her.
     "Ellie what in the-" Joel started.
     "That fucking horde moved. It just outside of Jackson. I.. (YN) and I were trying to get away from it when Atlas jumped she fell off." Tears threatened to spill over my cheeks. "We have to go find her."
     "On a hunt, in the nighttime with a horde out there?" Joel raised a brow. I felt my heart crack.
     "If it was me you'd be out there already." My voice cracked. I had to find her.
     "Ellie..." Tommy trailed. They weren't going to help me find her. They were going to let her die out there.  "We will send a group out tomorrow. You can take Jesse and Dina. Joel and I will come too." Tommy placed a hand on my shoulder. That's hours from now. I knew (YN) could handle herself, but I didn't want to find her corpse tomorrow. Or ever.
     "What if shes fucking dead by then huh? What happens then?" I yelled. A single tear escaped. I should've let her steer us back to Jackson. It should've been me.
      "She won't be dead Ellie. (YN) is fierce and you gave her something to fight for. She's a strong girl, she'll come home to you. You guys can leave tomorrow at first light." Maria soothed me. My mind was reeling. Almost 11 hours out there alone. Tommy took Atlas to the stables. They had Jackson on absolute lockdown with the news of the horde. Maria  wrapped an arm around my shoulder and told me I could stay with them. I shook my head, I wanted to be alone.
      My house felt...empty. (YN) had only been here for four days or so, but she had filled this hole in my chest I didn't realize was there till she left. A true friend and a person I could truly fall in love with. Our connection in Boston, it really was fate we would meet again. I wouldn't waste this second chance with her. So I stayed awake. Counting bullets, sharpening knives, and I prepared to go out into the night.