𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐊- 𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐒

Chapter Twenty-Two

"She's lucky...to have someone like you. It's hard seeing someone do the things you want to. I guess I'm jealous heh. Ellie deserves you, she's been through so much, she needs you. When we were younger I seen the way she looked at you because...that's the way I looked at you." Her voice cracked coming to a whisper her eyes bouncing from Aurora then to the window back and forth. "She told Dina and me, that she liked you when we were like, sixteen. It hurt so bad but I didn't say anything, she was so sad that you stopped talking to her. Then when you did start talking to her again, a few days before Seattle, she came up to Dina more excited than I had ever seen her." Aurora briefly smiled looking at the ground in front of her.

"I hated her, for a shitty reason. She loves you whether she admits it or not. Besides I started talking to Kayla from the stables. I'll be okay, just sucks y'know, I didn't want to make this weird I'm sorry." Aurora stood up instantly pulling Jamie in for a hug letting her cry into her shoulder, her arms coming around Aurora's waist. "You have been one of my closest friends for years J. I will always love you, maybe not like that but this doesn't change anything. Besides, Kayla from the stables is super sweet and super pretty, go for it!" Jamie laughed wiping her face nodding. "Yeah, I'll have too. We're cool?" "Of course J. Best friends forever means something." They giggled, Aurora didn't even realize she was crying until Jamie wiping her face with her hand with a smile.

"Ellie is totally more your type anyway. The way she looks at you, you two are so perfect for each other. I can see it." Aurora laughed again wiping her face with the back of her hand. "You guys alright in there?" Jesse's voice yelled from the outside of the store. "Yeah we're about done now!" They took one last look at each other nodding before walking out. "What were you two doing in there? Remodeling?" Aurora laughed sarcastically. "Yep, thought the place could use a repainting, we were going through swatches." Aurora missed the look on Ellie's face when she walked to her side, the four continuing on down the road to the river that ran.

They all ran in swimming down towards a bus. Aurora went under the water and underneath the collapsed bus breaking through on the other side. They crawled up the shore and up the small hill to an old store, the wall had been broken down a long time ago allowing them access. "The old mannequins around here are so fuckin' creepy." Jamie cringed looking over one of the mannequins. "I know, imagine turning every corner and seeing one." Aurora shivered at the thought walking out one of the broken sides of the building walking out into the rain again. "Over here." The three then turned following her up to a hole in the building next to them. "Time to crawl." Aurora said getting onto her stomach sliding into the whole following down into a room.

"I think Abby picked the aquarium on purpose 'cause it's so damn hard to get to." Jesse said looking at the large whole near the ceiling. "Maybe." Ellie spoke looking at a group of mannequins in the corner. "Look Rora, more of your friends." Aurora shuddered making Jamie giggle. Jesse climbed up a piece of collapsed wall and onto the roof overlooking the city. The rest followed stepping up onto the roof the wind practically smacking them in the face with rain, the storm beginning to pick up. A rushing river was just below and did not look safe to cross, the lightning in the distance didn't make anyone feel better either.

"Jesus." "That doesn't look safe. How the hell are we crossin' this." Ellie stared at the Ferris wheel lost in thought until Aurora set a hand on her shoulder. Ellie then looked over to a highway, one with moving cars on it. "We could use that road. It's pretty fucking far." Jamie nodded, weighing the options before she gasped. "Or we could use that." She pointed downward at something, all of them looking down to the river. A boat crossed along the river and fast out of their sights. "Yeah, that seems faster." Jamie smiled at Ellie who tried returning it but came out more awkward. "The rains are picking up and fast, we need to get this done. Boat it is." Aurora explained looking up at the sky squinting. "Yeah, c'mon this way."