The Last of Us: Final Resort

Chapter 29 - Beyond the Pain

Denver, July
2042

In the confined space of the communication centre's small room, Ellie finds Abby, her expression dark with frustration as she stares at a map spread out on the desk. Taking a deep breath, Ellie steps forward and closes the door behind her.

"Hey Abby, we need to talk," she starts, her voice calm but tinged with a hint of urgency. Abby shoots a quick look, irritation evident in her narrowed eyes, "What now, Ellie? I don't have time for this". Ignoring Abby's brusque tone, Ellie persists, "Listen, I know you're pissed about what happened with Joyce. Trust me, I am too. But you gotta understand..."
Abby cuts her off with a scowl, "Understand what, Ellie? That she lost her shit and almost got me killed? Yeah, it's pretty damn clear".

Ellie lets out a frustrated sigh, running her hand through her hair in exasperation, "Abby, just think about it for a sec. Joyce witnessed death right in front of her again. It's no excuse for her behaviour, but it caused her to have an emotional breakdown," she explains, trying to reason with Abby. Abby's anger flares at the mention of Joyce's breakdown. "And what? You damn well know what Joyce did ain't okay. And don't you dare compare her to what I did to Joel!", she retorts, her tone dismissive and impatient.

Ellie grits her teeth, but she holds her ground. "Abby, I'm not trying to excuse Joyce's actions. I'm trying to make sense of where she's coming from, even if it's wrong," she says, her tone earnest, "We've all been through some heavy shit, and sometimes it messes with our heads. Remember what happened with Joel? How it affected me? You killed him right in front of me, and you know what? I wanted to do the same thing. But I didn't follow through with it". Abby's eyes narrow with skepticism, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. "That's ridiculous, Ellie. You can't seriously putting yourself in the same boat as Joyce and me. We're nothing like her," she scoffs, her tone dripping with disdain, "And yeah, I remember what went down with Joel. But that's a whole different story. Joel got what he deserved for his actions, and what I did was to seek justice for my father. You had every right to be furious. And Joyce? She completely lost control and put us all at risk. It's not even close to being the same, and you know it perfectly well".

Ellie maintains a steady gaze, her demeanour serious as she takes in Abby's words. "Abby, I hear what you're saying, but let's not miss the bigger picture here," she says sternly, her tone unwavering, "Joyce's actions weren't about endangering us intentionally; she's battling her own inner demons, whether you see it or not. And I won't turn my back on her. If you're too consumed by anger to empathise, then arguing won't solve anything. Our main priority right now is to bury Cat in Jackson, I'll keep a watchful eye on Joyce to prevent any further incidents. So, let's put this disagreement aside and keep moving forward. We can address everything else later".

Abby's initial skepticism softens as she processes Ellie's words, her arms unfolding slightly from her chest. "Damn it, Ellie, you're making it hard to stay mad," she grumbles, her tone begrudgingly acknowledging Ellie's point. "Fine, I'll go along with your plan for now," she concedes, her manner displaying reluctant acceptance, "But don't think I'm happy about changing our plans and mark my words, if Joyce pulls another stunt like that..."

Ellie interrupts with a reassuring nod. "I've got it under control, Abby. Rest assured, she won't do anything reckless under my watch," she interjects, her tone conveying confidence in her ability to handle the situation. Together, they exit the office, ready to face the challenges ahead as they set out to give Cat the farewell she deserves.

Ellie heads to the designated sleeping area to check on Joyce. Lev is sitting nearby, watching over her with a concerned expression, and looks up when Ellie approaches. "Thanks for watching her, Lev" Ellie says quietly, glancing over at Joyce, "How's she doing?". Lev shrugs, his expression reflecting the gravity of the situation. "She's... not doing so great," he admits, his voice scarcely above a whisper, "Been quiet the whole time".

"Got it, Lev. You go rest up," Ellie replies with a sympathetic smile, giving Lev a friendly pat on the shoulder, "I'll keep an eye on her for a bit". Lev nods, his face showing a mix of weariness and gratitude. "Appreciate it, Ellie. Take care of her," he utters, then quietly slips away, leaving them the space to talk.

As Lev walks away, Ellie turns her attention to Joyce, who is sitting on a makeshift bed in the corner of the room. Joyce's knees are drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them. Her head is bowed, her hair falling in messy strands over her face, hiding her eyes. She rocks slightly back and forth, consumed by her grief, barely acknowledging Ellie's presence. Ellie comes closer, sitting down beside Joyce on the makeshift bed. She reaches out a hand and gently touches Joyce's shoulder. "Hey, Joy," Ellie says softly, her tone filled with empathy, "I know this is tough, but we gotta talk". Joyce lifts her head slightly, her eyes red-rimmed and distant, as if emerging from a fog of grief.

"From tomorrow, we've got a plan," Ellie continues, "We're heading to Jackson to bury Cat's body. It's what she would've wanted, and we'll make sure she gets the farewell she deserves". Joyce nods silently, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She bites her lip, trying to keep her emotions in check, but eventually, she can't hold back any longer. Tears stream down her cheeks, and Joyce begins to sob quietly. Ellie wraps her arms around Joyce in a comforting hug, holding her close and letting Joyce bury her face in her shoulder. "It's okay, Joy," Ellie whispered, stroking her hair tenderly, "Just let it all out. Don't hold back. I'm right here with you". Joyce manages to choke out the words, her voice heavy with emotion, "I'm sorry for being such a mess... I don't think I can sleep because of it... I don't know if I'll ever get over this loss". Ellie hushes her fondly, wiping a tear from Joyce's cheek, "Shh, you're not weak, Joy. You've been through so much. And you need to get some rest for the long road ahead, okay? I'll be here when you wake up, I promise".

Joyce continues to cry, but gradually her sobs fade into quiet sniffles as Ellie's presence has a soothing effect on her. Exhausted from the emotional turmoil, she finally falls asleep in Ellie's arms. Ellie carefully adjusts the blanket around Joyce, making sure she's warm and comfortable. Then, she snuggles up to Joyce protectively, settling down beside her on the makeshift bed and allowing Joyce's head to rest against her chest. "I'm not going anywhere," Ellie whispers, her voice almost inaudible, "Sleep well, girl". With that, she closes her eyes, finding solace in the warmth of their shared embrace, knowing that they'll face whatever comes next together.