The Last of Us: Mysteries *Canceled*

Chapter 3: Return

Ellie wiped away her tears. She looked at the door. Joel was going to come through the door no matter how many times she told him to go away. Ellie grabbed her bow and arrows and reload her gun. She hopped out of her window and shut it quietly. Ellie walked to the barn and grabbed her horse. She hopped on it and rode to the gate. "Going somewhere Ellie?" Bow asked. "Please don't tell my dad." Ellie pleaded. "Well.... Okay then," Bow opened the gate. "Thanks Bow." Ellie nodded and rode off into the forest.

Joel opened the door to Ellie's room. He looked over at her bed. She wasn't there. "God Dammit, Ellie." Joel mumbled. He walked outside to the gate where Tommy and Bow were talking. "Bow did you let her out?" Joel asked sternly. "I was promised not to tell," Bow smirked. Joel rolled his eyes. "Just leave her alone, Joel. I think she's right that you baby her." Tommy spoke up. Joel glared at him. "Well, she's not 14 anymore." Tommy put his hand on Joel's shoulder. "Tommy's right. Let her grow up." Bow smirked. "You know, I don't mean it, but... it's what's out there that scares me." Joel frowned. "You know what this reminds me of? When you told me about when you got the job to smuggle her. You said you wanted no business with the kid, but now you can't get rid of her!" Tommy laughed. Joel continued to frown. "She walked out with a bunch of weapons, so she should be fine." Bow shrugged.

Ellie rode off to where Don was waiting. "Back so soon?" Don smirked. Ellie rolled her eyes and jumped of her horse. "So, nice old man  you got there." Don said sarcastically. Ellie breathed heavily. "He doesn't realize when I want him to leave me alone." Said flatly. "Sounds like my parents. That's why I ran away." Don laughed. "So.. Tell me about him." Don sat on the ground. "Well, we met when I was 14. We were in Boston, he was a smuggler and had to smuggle in to Downtown Boston, where a bunch of infected are. He had to smuggle me because I had been bitten but hadn't turned for 3 weeks. Well we get there and the people that were suppose to take me are dead. So we travel across the damn country to Salt Lake City where Joel is a stubborn ass and doesn't let them operate on me for a cure because I would die for it." Ellie rushed through the story. "C'mon tell me more about him." Don laughed. "Well he had a daughter named Sarah, who is dead. Who the hell knows how old he is. He's stubborn as hell. Looks the same as he did 4 years ago." Ellie shrugged. "Well, he sounds like fun." Don smirked. "He finds out about you, he'll kill both of us." Ellie laughed.

"Don't you have to get home soon?" Don asked, as he started a fire. "I'm in no hurry. I don't even feel like going back." Ellie carved at a stick. "Ellie, you can't stay out here forever." Don worried. "There's nothing there for me. There's no point at going back." Ellie glared at Don. "Well there's nothing out here either. I ran away to get away. Well... You shouldn't end up like me." Don looked at Ellie. "Well i'm not going back tonight then. If he wants me so damn badly, he'll just come get me." Ellie laid on the ground. Don frowned.

Ellie woke up with the sun blazing into her eyes. She moaned and sat up. Don was sleeping on the other side. She was surprised the Joel never came to get her. Ellie yawned and shook Don awake. "Huh? Oh it's you. Surprised you're still here." Don rubbed his eyes. "Surprised as well. He would've came for me right now." Ellie sighed. Don smirked. "You're homesick." Ellie glared at him. "I'm not! Or... Maybe just a little." Ellie sighed again. "Go home Ellie, you know where to find me," Don smiled. Ellie smiled and hugged Don. Don seemed surprised but hugged her back.