When We Fall

Part 2

The trio followed Lizzie's lead across the rooftops, looking out at the city from their abnormal vantage point. Conversation was intermittent, consisting mostly of Ellie's questions and Joel's frustrated grumbling – which neither girl could understand.

"So, where are we actually going?" Ellie trailed behind her like a puppy, poking her head forward to get closer. Lizzie glanced over her shoulder briefly at the two.

"My home." She answered. Joel stopped walking, encouraging Ellie to stop as well, Lizzie, noticing their halt, turned to look.

"What?" She asked. Ellie shrugged, looking to the man with a 'What the fuck' expression.

"I thought you were leading us out of the city." He glared at her, not even bothering to hide the suspicion that leached into his accusation.

"No, not yet," Lizzie pointed at the sun, "It's too late. It'll be better to go tomorrow morning with the proper supplies." She offered a small smile and raised her brow when Joel tried to argue, cutting him off.

"I mean, unless you want to go now, I'm sure the Night-wolves will be very welcoming to travellers during their 'time'." She added slyly. Ellie turned her look onto Lizzie.

"What the fuck are Night-wolves?"

"Oh! They're this lovely gang that live right on the path outta town. Very hospitable to strangers, show them the view and everything – that is before they push you off the edge." Lizzie was pretty sure he understood but continued in spite of it.

"Annnd, if you couldn't tell by the name – and I am quoting this – they are 'territorial of the dark'," She crossed her arms and Ellie was barely containing her snort of laughter, "But, if you don't want to listen to me that's fine, just know that–"

"OK, yeah, I get it. You can shut up now." Joel huffed. Lizzie grinned triumphantly, turned on her heel and set off again.

"Man, that was sad Joel, real sad." Ellie petted him on the shoulder before following again. He stared at the two blankly and sighed, knowing he had to follow. A couple minutes of terse silence later and they had arrived, Lizzie saying as much.

"You live in there?!" Ellie exclaimed. She was pointing at where Lizzie had gestured, a large rooftop greenhouse. The white tinted windows were struggling to contain the green of twisting vines and leaves that were trying to burst free, seeping out through whatever crack they could find. It looked chaotic, which is exactly why Lizzie chose it. The greenhouse reflected her life, and she felt at peace encapsulated by its welcoming wildness.

"Yup." She answered and turned to smile at the girl. Ellie's eyes were wide in adoration, Lizzie couldn't help but admire her excitement. Joel was staying quiet behind them so Ellie turned.

"Joel, are you seeing this?!" She gestured,

"Yeah, it's a greenhouse." He replied nonchalantly,

"Wait, that's what it's called?" Lizzie asked suddenly, the man nodded, "Cool." She led them to the entrance and pushed open the door, showing them inside. Ellie was even more amazed by the inside, and rushed around asking Joel what each of the different plants were called. Lizzie could swear he made half of the names up, but shrugged it off when she saw how Ellie accepted each answer with a bewildered nod.

"Uhm," reluctantly, Lizzie interrupted the pair, "There's only one bed, so I'll sleep on the floor if one of you wants to take it?" The bed was set up against the far wall, nothing fancy, just a cot she'd found and a few blankets she'd raided from a bedding store. Other than the bed, the space was taken up mostly by plants, and a shelf in the corner that held her rations and her collection of old books.

"Ellie?" She offered before Joel could.

"Thanks." The girl said, dropping onto the bed and swinging her legs. Lizzie joined her and the two started up idle chatter, leaving Joel to look around, a little lost.

"You're from a Q.Z?" Ellie asked incredulously, she nodded softly.

"I was born in one, but my parents smuggled me out when I was three. Apparently, a week after they did it, the zone was overrun by infected." Lizzie sat back, leaning on her elbows.

"Really!? How did they get in?" Ellie's eyes were sparked with interest, though Lizzie thought she saw a little fear in them too. She was about to answer when Joel beat her to it.

"They climbed the walls, killed everyone inside within hours." He was examining a plant with orange leaves, but had obviously been eavesdropping. Lizzie blinked in surprise.

"That's... right," She scrunched her nose, "how did you know that?"

"I had friends there." He said curtly, leaving no further room for questioning. Ellie was looking at him with a weird expression over her face.

"...sorry." Lizzie said quietly. Joel glanced at her briefly, nodding slightly. The atmosphere was tense after that and Ellie didn't like it. She tugged her pack round onto her lap and rummaged around, pulling out a small book with a worn cover. Lizzie looked over quizzically, brow raised.

"Hey Joel?" Ellie called, he turned his head, humming.

"You wanna hear a pizza joke?" She waited,

"No." He really didn't. Ellie sagged her shoulders in fake disappointment,

"Oh ok, it was probably too cheesy anyway." She burst out laughing as Joel gave her an incredulous look. Lizzie couldn't help but join the girl and they laughed together.

"Do- do another one." She nudged Ellie's shoulder. She scanned the pages for a little before looking up with that mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"Joel?"

"No," he tried to shut her down, crossing his arms.

"What did the triangle say to the circle?" He looked at her blankly while Lizzie listened intently,

"You're so pointless." Both girls bit back chuckles, staring at a disappointed Joel – who wouldn't admit it, but loved when Ellie pulled out the joke book. He turned away from them so Ellie grabbed the pillow and threw it.

"You're such a buzzkill." She laughed when it hit him, leaning over onto Lizzie in her fit. She smiled and just enjoyed the moment. It had been a long time since she had a friend and even though their arrangement was temporary, she may as well enjoy it.
During the following hour, Lizzie split her remaining rations with the pair, making a mental note to restock a week earlier than intended. They talked for a while – 'they' being Ellie and her with Joel's occasional remark – before she had told them to go to sleep. Lizzie was on the ground a couple feet away from Joel, basking in the peaceful sound of Ellie's soft snores and the enveloping darkness. Sleep never came will-fully to her, she always had to fight for it, and tonight she knew she was going to lose. She shuffled around a little, trying to find a soft spot in the concrete below her. Sighing, she sat up and glanced over at her visitors. Ellie was spread out over the bed, chest rising and falling softly against the mattress. Lizzie smiled at how peaceful she looked and turned to scan Joel. She couldn't see much as he had his back to her, but from what she could see he was asleep. Cautiously and silently, she got up, stepping over the man and sneaking outside. She found her usual spot on the roof, a small circle of moss spreading from a corner, and sat down. Hugging her knees to her chest, the girl gazed up, scanning the stars that she had committed to memory. The air was cold and pricked at her skin, but she still breathed a sigh of contempt, closing her eyes to fully soak up the moment. Her bliss was rudely interrupted by the tread of feet approaching. She didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"You really don't trust me do you?"