Consequence

Chapter Eighteen

Joel wasn't at St Mary's Hospital, as if that was any surprise with how their luck was going since they left Jackson. Ellie hadn't uttered a word since they'd left, save for her outburst at the Ski Lift outpost but since then; once again, not a word. Her guilt still having a choke hold on her. That feeling of inadequacy and unworthiness rearing its ugly head. She'd long forgiven Joel for what he'd done after she realized the lengths she was willing to go to get him back to being himself again. And that anger...that anger after seeing him suffer at the hands of the Fireflies ignited something fierce in her. To the point it scared her a little; her mother had gone as far as pointing out that she had inherited Joel's anger and his unshaken desire to protect his family, no matter who or what got in his way. Like father like daughter she thought in spite of her sadness. God she missed Joel. It had been hard enough when her pride had been in the way and then having to live through the pain of him seeing her as nothing but a stranger. But now; to know that he was gone. Out here right now, may it be two days ahead of them or two hours...it made no difference to her. Joel could be anywhere, in any amount of trouble or injured and there was nothing she could do about it.

She felt just as powerless as she did back at the Baldwin Lodge.

She watched through the window as the broken and overgrown sights flew passed as they dove on. Dina had long since fallen asleep on her shoulder and though Ellie had tried to get some sleep herself, eventually she'd given up on the idea completely.

Her mom and Tommy had been at each other's throats non stop since their argument outside of Jackson. Now it seemed they'd gone the other way and instead were refusing to speak to one another. Both sat in the front of the truck as Tommy drove with his brow creased in a cold stone frown; his hands clamped to the steering wheel with his iron-like grip. The ride was silent for what felt like hours, the tension growing thicker by the second the more the two adults in the front blatantly avoided having to so much as look at the other. Ellie couldn't help but roll her eyes at their childishness. She understood they were both worried about Joel in their own ways, but to go as far as bickering with the other, even over the most insignificant things such as what lane to take on the highway was getting ridiculous. The teen rested her head against her arm as she leaned into the window; her cheek pressing into the glass while her pale green eyes watched out.  Her gaze sharp the more she kept them peeled for any signs of movement.

The truck jostled as they rode along the remains of broken tarmac and pot holes left in the old roads. She hissed a curse under her breath as her head bumped against the glass, rubbing a hand along her forehead. Dina stirred at the unpleasant movement, rubbing at her sore eyes. Bloodshot and dry from a nap that clearly hadn't given her any rest. Her tired eyes met Ellie's as she offered a small smile, the redhead moved to smile back but something caught her eye as her gaze shot passed Dina and over her shoulder through her window on the other side.

"Stop the truck!" She yelled suddenly. Both adults' heads snapped back to address her request. A wave of confusion and concern flooded their features but Ellie didn't have the time to explain as she yelled again for Tommy to stop the fucking truck!

He did. Slamming the breaks until the whole vehicle creaked and came to a stop. Ellie flew from the truck, grabbing her bag and her gun in the process. Never even bothering to stop and check to see if anyone was following her. She slowed as she approach the large mass she'd seen from the window and her whole body went cold when she finally got close enough to see what it was.

Duke. She recognised him by the branded 'J 'on his hind leg. He was laid in a pool of his own blood, his back leg torn and broken. His shoulders were bitten and bloody. As was his neck. Chunks torn from his flesh and fur leaving them bare and bloodied. She stood frozen as she stared at his body. The world only coming back into focus when she heard hurried footsteps behind her.