The Beginning Of Us

7.

It had taken them surprisingly long to get to the Capitol building.

They had to cut through a giant tilted building that was filled with clickers. Quinn almost got bit twice, Vivian's leg got caught on a sharp piece of metal and she could barely walk. Parker and Joel had their fair share of injures to.

Tess said she was fine but Quinn and Vivian knew she wasn't. However, they didn't know what was wrong.

"Uh..bad time to mention this but I can't swim." Ellie says as they walk up to the Capitol building and there being a body of water they had to cross.

"Stay next to me Ellie, it's shallow over here." Quinn carried Vivian through the water so her leg wouldn't have to get bandaged again.

They ran up to the Capitol building and Tess pushed open the doors.

"No.." She runs in and over to the dead Fireflies. "No, no, no." She starts frantically searching the Fireflies pockets.

"What're you doin Tess?"

"Maybe they ah, maybe they had a map or something to tell us where they were going." She says frantically, looking up at Joel.

"How far are we gonna take this.."

"As far as it needs to go! Where's this lab of theirs?" She asks Ellie.

"She never said..she only mentioned that it was someplace out west."

"What are we doing here.." Joel asks, concern lacing his tone. "This is not us."

"What do you know about us?" Tess stands up and gives Joel a look. "About me.."

"I know that you are smarter than this."

"Really? Guess what we're shitty people Joel, it's been that way for a long time."

"No, we are survivors!"

"This is our chance!"

"IT IS OVER, TESS!" Joel shouts, "Now we tried. Let's just go home."

"I'm not..I'm not going anywhere. This is my last stop." Tears fill Tess's eyes and both Ellie and Quinn realize what's going on, "Our luck had to run out sooner or later."

"What Tess-" Joel goes to grab her arm and she pushes him away.

"No don't-" She steps back, "Don't touch me."

"Holy shit.." Quinn mumbles, finally able to say something after getting over the shock.

"She's infected.." Ellie adds in, her eyes widening slightly. Joel looks back at Tess, his expression a mix of sadness and slight anger.

"Joel.."

"Let me see it.." He says quietly, taking a step back.

"I didn't mean for this to-"

"Show it to me." Tess pulls back her shirt to reveal the bite mark on her shoulder.

"Oh christ.." Joel takes more steps back, a slight fear filling his expression.

"Tess.." Quinn goes to take some steps towards her, tears falling down her face. Tess grabs Ellie's arm and pulls up her sleeve.

"This was three weeks! I was bitten an hour ago and it's already worse!" Tess's voice shakes heavily, "This is fucking real, Joel! You've got to get this girl to Tommy's. He used to run with this crew, he'll know where to go."

"No, no, no, that was your crusade. I am not doing that."

"Come on Joel-" Parker goes to say but Tess cuts him off, "Yes you are! Look, there's enough here that you have to feel some sort of obligation to me, So you get her to Tommy's."

There's a loud bang outside, getting all of their attention. Tess runs over to the window and looks out of it.

"They're here, I can buy you some time but you have to run."

"Tess no!" Quinn practically shouts, Parker grabbing her carefully to stop her from running over to Tess.

"There's no way-"

"I will not turn into one of those things!" She protests, taking a step towards Joel, "Come on, make this easy for me.."

"Tess!" Quinn struggles against Parker and Vivian and the two pull her away and into the back of the building.

"I can fight.." Joel starts to say.

"No just go!" Tess pushes him in the direction that Parker and Vivian had gone.

"Ellie-"

"I'm so sorry- I didn't mean for this-" Ellie walks towards Joel, feeling horrible for having a part to do with this.

"Get a move on. Go to Parker." Joel says sternly, not looking away from Tess. Joel gives Tess one last look before turning and running after Ellie.

He runs over to Parker and Vivian who are trying to calm down a crying Quinn.

"Get upstairs, lets go."