The Last Of Us: Past And Present

Chapter 6

Chapter 6:

Joel jerked up from sleep, taking in deep breaths through his mouth. He looked around him. He was still on the overhang, his whole body a mass of pain and aches. The sun hung high in the sky, and the light felt blinding. Joel shielded his eyes and sat up. He looked out into the distance, but couldn't see any sign of the dam. He groaned. He would have to climb even more, and the idea of doing what he had done last night didn't sit well with him. That fucking son of a bitch Devlin! Non of this wouldn't be happening because of him! Joel thought angrily.

Joel, don't think of that, you need to get to the dam. You need to meet Ellie. Joel nodded his head, and slowly climbed to his feet. He leaned against the rock face, and groaned. He didn't know how much more he could take.

While he still could, Joel began the long climb up the waterfall. It only took a couple of minutes before he was covered in his own sweat. He climbed and climbed. Several times, he lost his footing, and almost went sailing down to the bottom. But fate seemed to be on his side this time, because after the longest time, he found that he was pulling himself over the edge of the cliff-side. He had made it. When he had his whole body over the edge and lay there panting. For several minutes Joel was sure he was going to pass out from exhaustion.

But when exhaustion didn't overtake him, Joel stood, and walked over to the river's edge and looked around him. From here he could see almost the entire layout of Jackson county. He looked left and right. It took several minutes, but he eventually caught sight of the dam. He put his hands on his hips, and mentally calculated the distance. He looked up at the sun, and back to the dam several times before coming to the conclusion that it was at least five to eight miles North-East from him.

Now to decide how to get there. He couldn't climb back down the waterfall. Joel huffed. He would have to backtrack from where he was, and find an easier way back down, which would take even longer. This day seemed to just get worse and worse.

Joel closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Better get moving Joel, before you run out of energy again. Joel ignored the voice, but slowly turned from the sight of the dam and began moving in the opposite direction, keeping his eyes peeled. Searching for the way down.

Ellie woke up to the gentle shaking of Devin. Her eyes slowly opened, taking a moment to adjust to the light, before she looked into his eyes. She remembered last night, and the kiss he'd given her. "C'mon, we need to get moving." He said in a soft voice. Ellie nodded her head, and slowly followed Devin out of the alcove. Once they were both standing straight, and Devin had his pack situated on his shoulders, he said; "I went scouting this morning while you were asleep. Found out which way to go." Without another word he started walking. Ellie followed. The two walked in silence, Devin slightly ahead. She watched him closely. He rolled his shoulders every now and then. Once or twice he reached to the back of his head and tightened his ponytail. He scratched at the back of his neck. He seemed so calm, Ellie wondered what he was thinking.

"So, who's waiting for you at the dam?" Devin asked suddenly, glancing behind him at Ellie. She shrugged. "...This guy, his name is Joel. He's-"

"Your father...or someone you consider your father." Ellie's eyes widened at that. How was she supposed to answer that? Devin saw the surprise and grinned.

"I'm good at reading people. It's what I use to keep myself alive. In a fight, it's good to know how your opponent's going to come at you." They continued on, once again enveloped in a comfortable silence. Ellie thought about starting a conversation several times, but for some reason the words would stick in her throat. She found it bizarre. Whenever she was with Joel, she found that words flowed easily. But with Devin it was nearly impossible for her to talk. She shoved her hands in the pockets of her jeans and thought about it. For several minutes she thought she wouldn't be able to talk at all. But then, she opened her mouth, and said; "Is anyone waiting at the dam for you?" Devin shrugged his shoulders, his facial expression staying neutral.