The last of us: Surviving No Matter What

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ 03. The North Tunnel

WARNING: the following chapter may contain language some viewers may find disturbing, read at your own risk.

The city outside was littered with decay and trash. Not to mention dead bodies. "Whoa- I heard all the shooting but, what happened?" Ellie piped up. Joel sighed low in his throat, "The Fireflies." He spoke. "Same things gonna happen to us if we don't get off the street," He grunted and started jogging towards the enclosed street.

"You're the pro, I'm just following you," Ellie sighed, jogging to join the other two. "Attention. Harboring or aiding wanted criminals is punishable by death. Do not place yourself at risk," an announcer voice went off. [Y/N] zoned out but was quickly back to reality at the sound of Joel's voice calling for them. "[Y/N], come on." He said sternly. They nodded in response and jogged over to the underground passage.

"C'mon. Keep up." He said not turning back to look at either of them. "We are." [Y:N] shot back. The trio found themselves in the back way of several buildings. "Where are we going?" Ellie inquired. Joel pointed a finger to a fire escape. "Up there. That'll get us to the north tunnel." He replied. "How are we supposed to reach that??" [Y/N] asked, raising an eyebrow. Joel sighed, "Just gimme a minute."

A few minutes passed before a loud scraping sound could be heard and Joel rounded the corner with, pushing a trash can. [Y/N]'s eyes widened in realization. Joel pushed it against the fire escape and climbed on top of it, reaching up and hoisting himself up onto the fire escape, the other two did the same. "This tunnel, you use it to smuggle things?" They asked, eyes boring into the back of his head. "Yep,"  He said sounding a bit tired. "Like illegal things?" Ellie asked.

"Sometimes," he replied. "You ever smuggle a kid before?" [Y/N{ asked. He turned to look at them, "No, that's a first." He replied honestly. He whipped back around and began to walk deeper into the tunnel. "So what's the deal with you two and Marlene anyway?" He asked, curious. "I don't know," [Y/N] replied, that was true. Their relationship with Marlene was good but not friend level.

"She's my friend. I guess." Ellie replied. Joel raised an eyebrow. "Your friend, huh? You're friends with the leader of the fireflies. What're you, like twelve??" Joel asked inquiring more information out of Ellie. "She knew my mom, and she's been looking after me. And im 14! Not that that has to do with anything." Ellie replied huffing at the end.

"So where are your parents?" He asked peeking over his shoulder. "Where are anyones parents? They've been gone a long, long time." Ellie sighed. [Y/N] rubbed a hand on her back, Ellie smiled at her reassuringly. "Hm. So instead of just staying in school, you just decided to run off and join the fireflies is that it?" Joel asked another question.

"Look, she's not supposed to tell you why you're smuggling her if that's what you're getting at," [Y/N] sighed. Joel turned towards them, glaring daggers into their soul. "You wanna know the best thing about my job? I don't gotta know why. Be honest with you, I could give two shits what you two are up to." He grunted, whipping around and starting to walk off again. "Well great," Ellie replied.

"Good," Joel needed the conversation. Stepping over broken bottles the trio finally reached the room they'd be staying in until the woman got there. "This is it," Joel stated, letting the others in before shutting the door behind them. He dusted off a couch and started to try to fall asleep. "What are you doing?" [Y/N] asked. "Killin' time." Joel replied, tho he did look like he hadn't got much sleep.

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" Ellie asked staring at hun. "I'm sure y'all will figure that out," Joel said, not bothering to open his eyes. [Y/N] sighed and pulled a deck of cards out of their backpack they got from the old house they were staying in, "wanna play?" They looked at Ellie then to the deck of cards. Ellie sighed and nodded, finding nothing better to do...