Infection & Isolation| The Last of Us

Chapter 1: We Love you Joel

It's only been a few days since we've returned from Salt Lake City. And me and Joel have been put on patrol with Tommy to clear infected in the area.

We've been out all day, and finally decided to take a break inside one of the patrol houses.

We were all sitting down in the living room, Joel cleaning a guitar, me writing in my journal, and Tommy marking are patrol down, when Joel spoke up.

"I wanna tell you what really happened in Salt Lake." Joel said, causing me and Tommy to look up at him.

"Then tell me." Tommy said, as he placed the book down and glanced at me and Joel.

"I don't know what happened." Joel spoke as I looked up at him. "I was supposed to take her to the Fireflies and walk away. You go halfway across the country with someone."

Joel said, as I finally looked up at Tommy. "She needed her immunity to mean somethin.

Maybe I was starting to buy into that whole...cure business. Maybe I just wanna do right by her. Then we made it."

Joel said releasing a heavy breath, as he continued to clean the guitar. "We found the Fireflies. And because of her...they were actually going to make a cure. The only catch..."

Joel said, "it would kill her." I spoke, causing Tommy to tear his eyes off Joel and look at me.

"Jesus Christ Joel. What'd you do?"

Tommy asked, looking back at Joel. "He saved her." "Goddamn, that's...that's a lot. What does Ellie know?"

Tommy asked Joel. "I told her they just ran some tests. I told her...her immunity meant nothin."

"And she believed you?" "Didn't say otherwise." Joel spoke as Tommy stood up.

"We should head back." Tommy said, as me and Joel followed him outside and to the horses.

"Come on get up Bella." Joel said, as I hopped on the saddle behind him.

We got back to the settlement, and we were about to put the horses back in the stables when Tommy told us not to worry about it. And that he would put them back in the stables.

"About what we were talkin about earlier...I can't say I'd've done different. I'll take it to the grave, if I have to."

Tommy said, while nodding his head. "I'll see you later Tommy." Joel said, as he began to walk off.

"Thank you Tommy." I said placing my hand on his shoulder. "Go get some rest Bella."

Tommy said, as he sent me a small smile.

"Ellie I'm home." I said, as I opened the door to the small house we live in. She was sat at the desk drawing with headphones in.

"Boo!" I yelled causing her to jump out of her seat, and raise her pen at me. "Woah cowboy, whatcha gonna do with the pen?"

I questioned, as she began to lower the pen. "You scared me." She said, taking a seat back at the desk. "Have you eaten yet?"

She asked me as I took a seat on the couch. "Yeah I stopped at the diner, Maria fed me and Joel." "Okay."

I was reading my book, and Ellie was still drawing, before a knock came for the door followed by Joel coming in asking for Ellie.

"Right there." I said quietly, as I pointed towards her.

"Jesus, almost gave me a heart attack." Ellie said, after Joel nudged her seat with his foot. "Hey," hey."

They spoke towards each other. "This is awkward." I mumbled under my breath before laughing, causing them to laugh as well.