GUARDIAN, TLOU

2.

20 Years Later

Josephine groaned as she woke up, almost falling off of her small bed. Her apartment was small but it had everything she needed; a bed, and a bathroom, no need for extra room when it was only her now.

She clicked her knuckles loudly, stretching her stiff back so it popped with a crack, adjusting her body.

Changing into another outfit consisting of the same trousers and tank top as usual, Jo shoved her coat into her large backpack, adding some spare supplies just in case; another gun, a flashlight, a scarf, and a stale granola bar.

She heaved the bag onto her back, changing the strap size and connecting the buckles on the front. She hid a small knife in her boot, shoving another into her belt. Lastly, she hid her pistol in the waistband of her jeans, hiding it beneath her top, though it was mostly covered by the large backpack.

Marlene had spoken to her previously, a child had been bitten outside of the QZ, and she and her fireflies decided to save her, chaining her up. However, they were all shocked to realise that after a night of being locked up, the girl didn't turn, even after three weeks. Marlene had made the girl take multiple tests each day, making sure her brain was still working. She made a split decision, planning to sent her off West, asking Jo to help.

In any other circumstance, Jo would've scoffed at the idea, not wanting to risk her life and leave the QZ for some kid. Though, it turned out that, that 'some kid' was Ellie, the daughter of an old friend from the start of the outbreak, and—well, Jo couldn't say no to that.

So, here she was now, walking to the meeting point cautiously, hand resting on her gun in her waistband. Jo sighed, her other hand twitching at her side, preparing herself for the journey ahead.

As she reached the building, Jo frowned, hearing the loud and distinctive bangs of gunshots. Pulling her pistol from her waistband, Jo hides behind the wall, peering around the corner.

Blood coated the walls around her, blood of the fireflies and their enemy coating the room, all massacred. The gunfire continued to rain down, bouncing off the walls of each direction, leaving Jo clueless as to where to turn next. It seemed Jo didn't have to make the choice herself, for a scrawny man began to rush toward her direction. Unfortunately for him, he didn't seem to notice her, sprinting forward with a gun in his hand.

Jo quickly noticed he wasn't one of Marlene's and clicked her safety off, aiming a clear shot at his head. His body slumped to the ground, and the rest of the gunfire ceased.

"Marlene?" called out Jo, holding her gun up higher in preparation for any unwanted attacks.

"I'm...in here," her voice responded, sounding more tired than usual, words broken up by big breaths.

Walking around the man's corpse, Jo noticed many other bodies surrounding the area, fireflies. Though, a deep gasp pulled her attention away, moving her sight onto a bleeding Marlene. Kim, Marlene's second in command, wrapped an  arm around Marlene, holding her up as blood continued to flow from Marlene's stomach.

Jo headed toward the lake quickly, wrapping the injured woman's free arm around her shoulder. The three begin to walk forward, however, an angered scream caused them all to turn.

A young girl's body was thrown into a wall, falling to the ground harshly. The culprit was standing in front of her, a grown man holding his weapon in front of him protectively.