Broken Without You

Chapter 1

*Months into the future*

Blood. It was everywhere. It was all you could see and feel. Your bloodied footprints marking the once pristine white tiles of the hospital. The classic cream paint over the walls now sprayed a bright crimson.

You stepped over the bodies of the Fireflies sprawled out over the floor. Pools of blood circling around them.

Joel marched forward down the corridor, the carnage the two of you had left behind not phasing him in the slightest. He hadn't spoken a word since the stairwell, you weren't sure if he could even if he wanted to. He was zeroed in on one thing, and one thing only, saving Ellie and killing anyone that stood in his way.

You couldn't tear your eyes away from the abundant mass of dead bodies scattered over the hospital floor. Your mind flashing back to Henry and Sam, their lifeless bodies unmoving in that motel room.

For a moment, you were so lost in thought that you hadn't notice Joel circle back until his hand grasped your shoulder, startling you back to the present moment.

Those beautiful brown eyes were scanning your body up and down, searching for any injuries, but when he found none, he met your gaze. His eyes had a faraway look about them, like he wasn't entirely there, but there was a flash of concern amongst the rage brewing inside him.

"I'm good. Let's go." You reassured.

Joel gave you a small nod, actioning the bolt on his rifle, ejecting the bullet casing and reloading the weapon before the two of you strode down the corridor side-by-side, taking down anyone who tried to stop you.

-

*Present*

Henry Burrell had been your best friend for as long as you could remember. The two of you were only kids when the outbreak started and although you couldn't remember a lot from the old world, you could remember the smells of barbecues and backyard cookouts while the two of you would laugh and play without a care in the world.

You missed those days. The days when the only thing you had to worry about was bringing a jacket in case it got cold outside. But now... well, now you were in hiding with Henry and his little brother Sam in Kansas City.

Kathleen and her resistance group had taken over the Kansas City QZ. They rounded up and killed all the FEDRA workers, but you and Henry managed to escape with Sam.

"Seriously, Henry, this is a bad idea. We don't need these strangers help to get out of the city." You whispered, pointing your flashlight at him in frustration.

Henry squinted at the brightness before whacking your arm down, stopping the flashlight from shining in his face before he continued to walk up the stairs of the tall apartment building.

"We've been trying to escape for how long? And we're still stuck here. We need their help."

You rolled your eyes, ignoring Sam looking up at the two of you in confusion, wanting to know what you were talking about, but neither of you translated it for him. He was just a kid, he didn't need to worry about this.

"How do we know they're good people?" You asked, reluctantly following him up the stairs, but he shrugged his shoulders causing you to sigh. "Great. Perfect. I hate this plan."

"I know, you've said that about a hundred times already. Just have a little faith." Henry replied, glancing over at you with a smile.

"Faith." You chuckled, shaking your head. "If we die, I'm seriously haunting your ass."

Henry snorted softly as the three of you continued up the stairs. Before you knew it, you were carefully stepping over shards of glass scattered over the floor until you reached a room where a man and a young girl were sleeping.