The Last Of Us (Fanfic)

Joel Lives PT10

Ellie saw the man put a bullet in Shimmer's head, even though it was a mercy, it made her hate him. Down to the moment he used the butt of her rifle to knock her out. At that moment she found herself back on that rooftop in Salt Lake where they stood and watched the giraffes roam across that overgrown field. He stood beside her, it was warm that day but not enough to make you sweat - it felt like the beginning of spring. She remembered that this was the moment he asked if she wanted to go back to Jackson, to forget it all and start over. She couldn't see herself saying goodbye to him after all they had been through and she couldn't see herself not finishing what they'd started. But in this relived moment, she wished she had so that she didn't spend so much time being angry at Joel. But she was still mad, mad at how he didn't respect her wishes, that he lied to her for so long to protect her by protecting himself. She thought he was selfish but then she often asked herself if the roles were reversed, would she have done things differently? Would she have left someone she cared about lying there on an assumption of a cure - on a loose hope that could've been for nothing? Lives in a world left unchanged without one of the only people that kept you going? And if it had worked, would she want to live in a world without them and everyone else, they've lost? It was different when you had to survive and live in it, you could make excuses as to why they were gone, almost consider it a blessing that they didn't have to suffer through it with you. When things are good, that's when you start wishing for an end and regretting being alive instead of those you think deserve it more.

"Whatcha doing kiddo?" He asked.

It had been a long time since she'd heard his voice, her chest would ache if she thought too hard about not hearing it again.

"I wanna go back to Jackson... Let's forget the hospital, let's just start fresh."

"You know it's too late for that."

"Why?" She asked,  tears blurring her vision.

"'It can't all be for nothing,' Isn't that what you said?"

"It will all be for nothing if I can't get you back. I would rather be angry at you, yell at you - than you not be..." She couldn't choke out the words.

She felt his heavy hand on her shoulder, turning her around and bringing her into an embrace. "I told you I would never leave you alone again, and I meant that." He said.

She held onto him tightly, afraid if she let go then that would be it. He'd be gone forever.

He pushed her back with his hands on her shoulders - looking her in the eye, "No matter what, you have to find something to fight for... Now wake up." He demanded, shaking her by the shoulders.

"What?"

Jordan lightly smacked her awake, "Wake up."

The light coming in from the glass roof was almost too bright for her to handle due to the throbbing pain in her head.

"Didn't think I'd ever see you again," Jordan said.

Ellie struggled against her restraints.

"How'd you find us?" He asked.

Ellie thought for a second before answering, "Asked about a dude with a bitch scar across his face."

"Hmm, that's funny." He said, before pulling her back by her hair, flicking open her knife, and putting it to her throat. "How many came with you? Hmm? Just you two?"

She looked him in the eye, seeing that little glint of fear, "You can't stop this."

He swallowed, then stood, taking the blade away. "You're probably too late, you know?"