The Last Of Us: Past And Present

Chapter 17

Chapter 17:

Joel, Tommy, Jesus, Houser, Rebecca, Jamie and Josh stood in the study located in the manor at the Hilltop. The three new additions to the Hilltop had their weapons placed on the table, waiting for the "interview" Jesus had asked them to let him give.

"Here's how this goes." He said, placing his hands on the table, and looking at the three. "I'll ask you maybe...five questions. You answer them honestly, and we think you're on the level, we'll give you your weapons back, and you can stay. If we don't...we'll give you your weapons and send you packing. That sound alright?" Rebecca crossed her arms over her chest, but nodded. Jesus grinned, and cleared his throat.

"How many infected have you killed?" Rebecca seemed kind of taken aback, as if she hadn't expected to be asked that. Josh seemed infuriated. "What kind of dumb fucking question is-"

"Just answer it." Joel and Tommy said in unison. Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. "Too many to count." Jesus nodded his head. "How many people have you killed?" Rebecca thought about it for a long time. After a moment she shook her head.

"If I had to guess...I don't think I can count that high either." Jesus stared Rebecca down for a moment longer.

"Why?" Rebecca blinked a few times. "Why...did I kill people?" Jesus nodded his head. "This is so fucking retarded." Josh muttered, Jamie elbowed him in the ribs. " I guess...because I was acting in self-defense." Jesus didn't speak. No one spoke. For the longest time, Joel wondered if Jesus was going to kick the people out. But several minutes later, he nodded his head and smiled.

"We'll find a place for you to stay temporarily, until we have a shanty built for you. That is..." Jesus glanced a Josh. "If you're going to stay." Rebecca beamed, and nodded her head. "Of course!" Jesus chuckled, and looked at Joel and Tommy. "Either one of you want to house these people?" They both scratched at their beards. Joel thought about it for a moment. "I...I guess I could take one of ya'." He said after a moment. Tommy shook his head. "I doubt Maria would want strangers that close to us. I would but...she's just a little skittish after Jackson." Jesus nodded his head.

"Well, we've already got some guests staying in the manor...Houser? You want to." Houser hesitated, but eventually nodded. "I've got room I guess." Jesus chuckled, and handed Rebecca, Josh and Jamie their weapons. "Well, decide who you're taking. I've got some business to take care of down at the farm." Jesus then exited the room, leaving the room. Joel turned, intending to step out into the hallway and let Houser decide who he wanted to take. He was out in the hallway, when someone tapped his shoulder. Joel looked behind him to see Rebecca. "What?"

"You mind if I go with you?" Joel quirked an eyebrow. Rebecca rolled her eyes. "You're obviously more capable than him." Joel huffed, but motioned for Rebecca to follow all the same. They walked in silence. Joel fiddled with one of the buttons on his shirt, wishing it wasn't so wet. He was probably going to get a cold if the rain didn't stop soon. When they reached the shanty, Joel opened the door, and let Rebecca enter first. She scoffed, but entered all the same. "Nice place." She said looking around. Joel sat down in one of the chairs, and began putting some spare kindling in the fire, trying to keep the thing going long enough to dry him a little. Rebecca sat in the chair across from him, and watched calmly. After a moment, she tapped her earlobe. "What happened there?" Joel reached up, and touched the ragged bottom of his ear.

He didn't answer right away, but eventually said: "Gunfight. Bullet hit my earlobe." Rebecca nodded her head, and leaned forward, holding her hands over the fire.

Joel looked at her. She caught him looking, and grinned. "I've got that beat." she said, tapping her ear and taking off her coat. Underneath she wore a black tank top, and she set her arm down on her leg. On the underside of her forearm was a long, thick, nasty scar, running almost all the way from her wrist to her elbow. "Bandit tried to torture me." Joel couldn't help but grin. With his right arm, he unbuttoned his shirt halfway, and pulled it back to reveal a large scar he'd gotten from the sniper in Pittsburgh.