The Last Of Us: Past And Present

Chapter 11

Chapter 11:

"We need to get moving." Joel nodded his head, and climbed slowly to his feet before calling to Ellie and Devin, and climbing onto his horse. He watched as Devin stood and helped Ellie do the same. She walked quietly to her horse, her eyes looking at something that was probably miles away. She's remembering David. The voice said, once again voicing the truth. Joel looked to Tommy, who was already in his saddle, and was gently prodding at the cuts and bruises on his face. He saw Joel staring, and let his hand fall back to the reigns. Joel looked down at his knuckles. Blood flowed steadily from them, and Joel winced when he realized they were cut bone-deep. He doubted his fist would ever be the same again.

"Here, let me take a look." Joel heard Houser say. He looked up to see him with his left hand outstretched. In his right hand was a half-empty first-aid kit. Joel huffed and held his right fist out. As gently as he could, Houser unwrapped Joel's hand and prodded gently at the cuts, before wrapping it in a thick layer of gauze. "There, that should hold until we get to the Hilltop. Let me know if it starts bleeding again." Joel looked at the wrapped knuckles. "You a doctor or somethin'?" Houser shook his head. "I've just had experience." Joel didn't need to hear anything else. He grumbled his thanks, before spurring the horse. The group set off on the road again. The sun was rising on the horizon. Joel wondered just how long he'd been sitting there on the side of the road, staring at the floor.

He thought back to the attack. He'd gunned down people before, but it had never affected him to the level this had. He let go of the reigns to scratch at his beard, and shook his head. He hadn't done something that brutal to anyone in a long time. Not since...

Don't think about it Joel! The voice hissed. Joel exhaled and nodded discretely. He'd listen to the voice for now.

Devin watched Ellie closely. She was very quiet, and seemed to be a thousand miles away. Devin wished he had been able to get free from those goddamned hunter's hands. He would've bashed at least one of the fucker's faces in. He knew Ellie wouldn't be feeling the way she was if he had been able to get free. In a way Devin blamed himself. If he'd tried harder, if he hadn't just sat there staring as that asshole had tried to strip Ellie of not just her clothes, but of her virtue. He shook his head. He couldn't start thinking about what he should've done. He should think about what he can do to comfort Ellie.

Devin shut his eyes, and rubbed at the back of his neck with one hand. It ached, as did his back. He wondered how long they had been riding. He also pondered on what the Hilltop was like. Did they have room for the remaining citizens of Jackson? Or was this place just another pipe-dream? Devin shook his head. It didn't matter. He didn't care about any of that anymore.

Devin found that what he really cared for was Ellie. He looked at her again, and wished once again he could comfort her. He knew he probably could, but the words just wouldn't come.

Devin inhaled through his nose, and exhaled through his mouth. He let his eyes drift to everyone else. Joel was more still than he'd ever seen the guy. He sat, looking down, his hand wrapped tightly around the reigns, his left arm dangling next to his side. Tommy and maria seemed to have drifted closer together, and he could feel the tension in the air. Houser was no longer shifting around, and sat with both his hands around the reigns. He seemed to be in a state of shock. Devin deduced that he didn't do too well with life-threatening situations.

Devin took several deep breaths, and looked at Ellie again. She no longer seemed to be a thousand miles away, but she looked haggard, as if she had gone a long time without sleep. Devin sniveled, and wiped at his nose with his sleeve. He was tired. He rubbed at his back, and silently prayed for them to reach the Hilltop soon.

They reached the Hilltop just before noon. The name for it fit. It was an extremely large settlement built around a large manor that rested on top of a very large hill. Joel was shocked at how big it was. He guessed it would be able to house at least eighty-five people. As they got closer, Joel saw people standing on top of the wall, all armed with similar hunting rifles. They had almost reached the wall's perimeter, when someone called down to them. "Well I'll be Goddamned. If it ain't Tommy! I was starting to think you'd never be coming back!" Joel looked up to see a man with long, silky-smooth black hair and a large goatee looking down at them. He called to someone behind him, and the gates opened. Tommy and maria were the first two to ride in, than Houser, Joel, Ellie and Devin. The gates closed noisily behind them.

Tommy hopped off of his horse, and moved to greet the man who'd called down to them. "Jesus! It's been awhile." The man (named Jesus) wrapped Tommy in a bear hug, before clapping him on the shoulder and looking at everyone else.

Joel thought the name fit, Jesus did fit the description of the son of God from the bible. Except this Jesus wore camouflage cargo pants, black combat boots and a black button-up coat, with gloves to match.

"Houser, still rocking that crack-shot aiming?" When Houser nodded softly, Jesus let out a deep, hearty laugh. "Of course you are." Then he looked at Joel, Ellie and Devin and held out a hand.

"Don't think I've had the pleasure." Joel shook hands with him, as did Ellie and Devin. "You guys new to Jackson." Tommy nodded. "Yep, this here's Joel." When Jesus heard that, he smiled brightly. "So you're the brother Tommy's babbled on about? Well it's great to finally meet you." Joel nodded his head.

After Joel had introduced Ellie and Devin to Jesus, he hopped off of his horse, and stretched. Jesus clapped his hands together, and said; "Alright, follow me. I'll show you where you guys can stay-if you plan on it?" Tommy nodded his head, and Jesus began moving for the manor in the center of the civilization. The group moved in silence, looking around them. In some places, there were shanties (obviously made by hand). In other places there were tents. There was a small space, which was obviously being used as a farm. Joel was surprised at how well the place seemed to be working. If only it was this way at Jackson.

When they reached the manor, Jesus opened the heavy oak front doors, and motioned for them to step inside.

"This used to be a place where some fancy rich guy lived, I would guess." Jesus said, moving the head, and leading the way up a large staircase. "There's several rooms in here-seven or eight I believe, which we use for people who have first arrived." Joel looked back at Ellie, who was looking in every direction, completely fascinated by it. He grinned. At least she wasn't so distant anymore.

Jesus led them down a hall, and stopped in front of several doors. "Pick which ones you like." Joel was about to reach for a doorknob, when Tommy spoke. "Jesus, I'd like to get the business out of the way. The kids and Maria can stay here. You don't mind, do you guys?" Tommy asked, looking at both Houser and Joel. Both men shook their heads, and Jesus shrugged. "Fair enough, I'll have Tommy back to you soon Maria." Jesus said, sending a wink at the woman. Maria scoffed, and opened one of the doors.

Joel followed Jesus, Tommy, and Houser back down the hall. At the end, he looked back, and saw Devin and Ellie looking around themselves. He kept his eyes on them until they were out of the hallway. He rubbed at the back of his neck, and hoped the business wouldn't take long. He needed to get some sleep.

AN: Hey guys! So...what do you think of the Hilltop? And before anyone asks, yes the guy's name is Jesus (pronounced like Jesus Christ. No it's not his real name, it's just a nickname so don't get your panties in a bunch). This was more of an introductory chapter of the Hilltop and the character Jesus. I'm not too sure how much the Hilltop will have to do with the story however. What do you guys think? Just know I'll take all of your thoughts into consideration. Don't be afraid to speak your opinion. Ok. I think I've said enough. Don't forget to review, and enjoy!

~Exangellion