Endure & Survive ~ The Last of Us Fanfiction

The Deed is Done

"I don't know why Joel thought you would touch my ass. You and me both know that I'd beat the shit outta you if you did." I explained. He gave a weak smile and buried his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah."

I could see his knuckles moving beneath the fabric of his pockets, like he was feeling around for loose change. I've seen that trick before.

"Empty your pockets." I barked. The last time I didn't pick up on it, Joel had to help me limp back to the safe house as I left a trail of blood. We don't have the kind of medicine right now for that.

"Why?" he protested. I stopped walking and set up my bow, aiming an arrow at his head within seconds.

"If you've got nothing to hide, then I don't need to explain why." I growled. His face grew soft as he pulled his pockets out. I normally wouldn't be so demanding with this, but I felt threatened by this kid.I could see the fear in his shaking hands as he clutches onto something, the chain dangles freely from the side of his palm. Nothing was in his other pocket.

"What's that?" I asked. He shook his head.

"It's just a dog tag." He opened his palm and revealed a set of silver dog tags, branded with a name I couldn't read from here. The corner of one was scratched up, dirt filling in the indents.

"Got any weapons on you? Drop 'em."

The guy shook his head again, putting his hands up in surrendering.

"I don't have anything, I swear! Just, don't... don't shoot me." His voice got quiet as he finished begging. I loosened the grip on my bow and aimed it back at the ground, giving my arm a break.

"I swear, if you try to pull anything over on me, you'll have an arrow through your freaking head."

He nodded frantically and put his arms down. We kept going in the direction we were headed in. But before we could keep walking, I heard a high pitch scream come from the tunnel, now at least a football field's length behind us. The boy beside me stopped, breathing rapidly with wide eyes.

"Nicki..." he whined, turning around, "Nicki!"

He flew for the tunnel, and I ran after him, telling him to stop numerous times. Finally, knowing he'd answer, I screamed for Joel.

Within moments, he came running from the tunnel and towards the boy. Despite that they were on a collision course for each other, they each kept running.

"Shut up, kid! You want all the Clickers in the county to come after us?" Joel scolded, holding him back by the shoulders as he kept fighting to see his sister. We were just yards from the tunnel when he caught him. He was crying now, eyes puffy and filled with anger.

"You killed her! You son of a bitch, you murdered my sister!" He lost his focus on seeing her again, and was now picking a fight with Joel.

"She didn't have a chance." Joel explained, still holding him by the shoulders. He was struggling, but Joel's much larger and masculine frame was clearly superior to his.

"You're Hunter, correct?" He asked him.

"Why the fuck should I tell you?" He snapped.

"Are you Hunter or not, kid? Just answer the damned question!"

He glared at Joel and scanned his face, obviously making some unmentionable thoughts in his head.

"Yeah, I'm Hunter. So why the-"

Joel cut him off by grabbing his wrist and placing something in Hunter's open palm. When he pulled away, Joel left him and walked away from the tunnel, past the two of us. Hunter stood with awe as he examined whatever was in his grasp.

"What did he give you?" I was curious.

"Nothing." He wrapped his palm around it and put it in his other pocket. Without looking at me, he walked away and followed Joel down the road, dodging broken down cars and rubble. I ran after them, my bow drawn at my side. I didn't need this Hunter guy screwing everything up for us.