The Last of Us: Final Resort

Chapter 31 - Heartbeats in Danger

WARNING: This chapter contains intense scenes of violence and descriptions of injury. It includes detailed depictions of physical assault, stabbing, and life-threatening wounds. The content may be distressing to some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.

Green River – Salt Lake City, August
2042

The afternoon sun casts a warm glow on the highway as Abby continues to drive, her gaze fixed intently on the road ahead. Lev sits beside her, deep in his own thoughts, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. The hum of the engine and the consistent rhythm of the tires on the pavement created a calming background. In the backseat, Joyce sleeps soundly, her head resting comfortably on Ellie's knees. Ellie lovingly strokes Joyce's hair, her eyes shifting between the view outside the window and the interior of the car. The conversation she had with Joyce before she fell asleep replays in her mind.

Back in the room where Ellie had earlier attempted to sleep, they settled in for the night, ready to relax. Before falling asleep, they started to talk, their soft conversation quietly filling the room.
"You know, El," Joyce confessed with a fond smile, "Cat actually suggested a few other songs for me to sing to you instead of 'Future Days'. She thought something more lovey-dovey like 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' or 'Can't Help Falling in Love' would be better. But I just couldn't do it. They were way too cheesy, and I guess I'm just not into the hopeless romantic stuff".

Ellie chuckled and shook her head, looking at Joyce with warmth in her eyes. "Honestly, Joy," she said, a grin playing at the corners of her lips, "I'm so glad you didn't go for the cheesy stuff. 'Future Days' was the perfect choice. It's real and heartfelt, just like you. And for the record, I'd rather have something real from you than some sappy love song any day".

Joyce blushed slightly and laughed, glancing down for a moment before meeting Ellie's eyes again, "You're the best, El. Seriously". She then sighed, a trace of sadness appearing on her face. "It's too bad Cat didn't witness this moment", Joyce murmured quietly, a wistful tone in her voice, "She would've seen that her idea was actually a good one and sorta helped me figure things out". Ellie's heart ached at the mention of Cat, understanding how profoundly her absence was felt. "I know, Joy," she said softly, her eyes showing a touch of sorrow, "She meant so much to both of us. It's hard without her, but I think she'd be really proud of you. And I bet she's watching over us, happy that her idea brought us closer". Ellie reached out, gently squeezing Joyce's hand with a reassuring expression, "We'll keep her memory alive, every time we share moments like this".

Joyce's eyes lit up with eagerness. "Ellie, I have to tell you about this dream I had. I saw Cat and she—". Her voice abruptly trailed off, a shadow crossing her face as she recalled the painful nightmare. The excitement vanished, replaced by a sense of withdrawal. She looked away, her voice dropping to a faint whisper, "It...it was just a dream". Ellie noticed the change in Joyce's demeanour and her brow furrowed with concern. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, leaning in a bit closer, "You can tell me. Was it a bad dream? I'm here, okay?". Joyce's breath quivered as she spoke, her words coming out in fragments, "I...I saw Cat, and at first, it was fine, but then...then it turned into a nightmare. It felt so real, El, like it actually happened". Ellie felt a pang in her chest as she heard Joyce's fragmented words. "Hey, you don't have to push yourself if you're not ready to talk about it," she added, her voice calm and reassuring. But Joyce refused, determination shining in her eyes. "No, it's okay," she insisted, her voice gaining a bit more steadiness, "I can do this, I want to let it go".

Joyce's eyes flicked around frantically, her breathing rapid and uneven. "I... I don't even know where to begin. It was like... like I was face-to-face with Cat, and I was... I was begging for forgiveness," she breathed heavily, her voice trembling, "And then you came out of nowhere, but you weren't you. Y-you were like... like my ex-girlfriend, so cold and distant. You blamed me for Cat being gone, said...I was jealous and that I... I dragged you down. You... you said you never cared about me". Ellie listened in stunned silence, her mind whirling from Joyce's recounting of the nightmare. She couldn't believe what she was hearing — her own image twisted into something so cruel and heartless.