Collision

Chapter Fourty Seven

~ Chapter Fourty Seven ~

Ellie's Diary

October 29, 2017

We're here. We're in New York.

Even though we came at dusk, since we roamed around walking from every alley to every road, they let us in.

The walls are huge here, taller than the ones we saw at the maze. They're sturdy looking and made of bricks. Well, that's the second wall. The first wall is an electric fence that runs around the perimeter. Behind those two walls are watch towers. People get on top of busses, cars, anything to lift them up and get a view of what's outside.

It's so secure here. So organized.

Even though half of the skyscrapers are gone, the other half are still standing and they are beautiful. Glass walls run up all the way to the sky. Buildings that I could've never even imagined to have existed have literally stood right in front of me. The first time I saw them I think I pinched myself, actually.

Their gate, the one we were allowed to walk through, has this built in system that scans eyes. At first, I thought I'd be rendered infected, since my lights flashed orange instead of green or red, but the gates were opened and we were inside.

The first thing I saw was the playground. It was loaded with kids who were laughing and playing and chasing each other around like there would be no tomorrow. The adults around them, which I assumed were their parents, were the first to notice us and they greeted us. Not with an overloading force of kindness - which would have been suspicious - but not without brashness either.

The next thing I knew, a girl was running to Julio followed by an old woman. It was his mom and his daughter, and he introduced them to us with pride.

When the one in charge came, his name's Damien, we got welcomed warmly and he led us to one of the skyscrapers in the heart of the community. There were a lot of floors we had to walk through, but we managed to make it to floor 31 without an elevator.

He told us we could make ourselves comfortable with the water and any supplies we needed because the community was basically running on water and electricity from cities a hundred miles onward. Of course I, being the small town girl that I am, didn't even know what to make of that.

Right now, I'm in my own bedroom and I just finished my shower. The clothes that were laid out for me were a bit huge, but they're warm and comfortable so I don't mind the extra inches of cloth. The room looks like one of those ordinary rooms from the hotels that I'd see on brochures. It's heavenly.

Joel's room and Maria's are right next to mine, so I feel safer with that thought in mind. Julio went to live in the floor where his family was at. I guess they arrange people here by family. And there are 31 families so far? It seems like such a small number compared to how big the community is.

Either way, we've reached the destination. It's really nice here, although I don't know how long that will last. I don't want to be the most cynical person on earth, but in the land that we live in now, cynical as basically the new normal.

Carl's P.O.V.

It had been what - two weeks, three, since I'd seen Ellie? My eyes hungered to see her again. Her unevenly placed freckles on her nose, her thin but bow-shaped lips. Damn. Her lips. Would they taste different once I saw her again? If I saw her again. Stupid, yes you will.

Dad pressed on the brake as we saw a herd of walkers ahead of the road.

We found a car abandoned on the highway just two days ago. We'd been walking for days, and then the miracle happened and we stumbled upon a Toyota with remaining gas and a battery that was alive. Dad was suspicious that it was a trap, but fourty eight hours passed by and we were all fine.

"I'll distract them," Michonne stated as she opened the car door and stepped out.

"And I'll go with you. Carl, you stay here and lock the doors," dad ordered, and I obeyed with a huff.

Being left with only three of us, again, I felt like I was the one constantly needing protection. I hated that. They already knew I could protect myself if I had to.

As dad and Michonne disappeared into the forest to stalk the herd, I placed myself in the driver's seat and locked all the doors. I wasn't worried; nothing ever happened during times like these in the daylight, but still, precautions were necessary.

Up ahead, the walkers turned their heads facing to the right. They must've heard the distraction.

In less than two minutes, the two made their way back, I unlocked the doors and we drove past the remaining bunch of curious walkers.

This was basically the routine, every time that happened. Nothing else was the problem when we were on the road.

"How many miles left do we have?" Michonne asked as a we passed by a fallen green sign.

"I'd say ten, twenty at the most," dad replied, fumbling with the radio while keeping his other hand on the wheel.

"That's what - ten minutes?" I asked and he nodded blankly.

With a smile making its way to the corner of my lips, I rolled down the window and let the breeze cool down my face. I'd be seeing her soon. I hope she's safe. I hope they haven't taken her in to find the cure. A thought made its way to my head, turning me bitter. But she promised to help with the cure as soon as she saw you again.

Groaning, I lifted my face to my hands and thought about ways to change her mind. Would I bribe her with my affection? Would I try and persuade her to keep her immunity a secret from the rest of the broken world? If I did, would I be the selfish one?

My outer thoughts screamed my heart's appeal and wanted Ellie to stay with me forever. Grow old together. But I knew. I knew that Ellie was too good for that.

Deep down, she would always try and find a way to save those around her. Even if she died trying.