The Collapse of Mankind

Chapter Three, TCOM Part II

Alexis lifted the left hand side of her shirt up revealing a large scar.

Ellie: Shit.
Alexis: I managed to scare Hailey off. But she got me bad. And then Carter found me. He told me he could help. I needed the help. So I went with him. Big mistake. Though he and his doctors did patch me up well. Which I'm happy about. But still, wasn't nice being locked up for all that time.
Alexis: I know how that feels.

The two fell silent for a few seconds.

Alexis: But then obviously, I found you guys. You saved me. And I'm so happy about it. I can't thank you enough.
Ellie: I'm... happy about it, too.

Ellie smiled as they continued to walk.

Alexis: Nova would love to hear about this.
Ellie: I can't believe you reunited with her. It gives me hope.
Alexis: We weren't great friends. Honestly, I was closer to Lilly. It's a shame she died. Nova wasn't this horrible before all the shit happened. I guess losing the old group and Lilly really changed her.
Ellie: She almost blew our heads off when we showed up at the camp for the first time.
Alexis: No way.
Ellie: Yes way.

Ellie laughed.

Ellie: She's okay. She just needs to realize what she has. A camp. Friends.
Alexis: She lost her one year old sister right at the start of the apocalypse.
Ellie: Really?
Alexis: Yeah. Probably affected her mental health in ways we wouldn't understand.
Ellie: I guess losing a baby is different to losing a fourteen year old.
Alexis: Or an eighteen year old. It must suck knowing you're not good enough to keep a baby alive.

Ellie sighed. It was getting dark. Alexis looked up at the faint stars. The sky was clear and the stars looked incredible.

Ellie: I hope we get back soon.

Alexis smirked at an idea she thought of.

Alexis: Wanna take a quick detour?
Ellie: Oh no. What do you have in mind?
Alexis: Come on. I'll show you.

Alexis grabbed Ellie's hand and began running. Ellie wasn't a fan of running. But if Alexis wanted to, then she was happy to. After a couple of minutes of running in the opposite direction to home, they came across a burned building. It was clearly set on fire and nobody had been bothered to demolish it or try and fix it. Alexis entered the black building and began climbing up a wall which had bits of brick and glass sticking out of it, making it easy to climb.

Ellie: Alex? Are you sure this is a good idea?
Alexis: What? You scared?

Ellie could feel her face burning red.

Ellie: Uh... no?
Alexis: Then come on.

Ellie nervously began climbing the wall, slipping at some parts. But regaining her strength well enough to pull herself back up.

Once she was at the top, she followed Alexis to a piece of the building that was sturdy enough to stand on.

Ellie: How'd you find this place?
Alexis: Well I have to do something when I go out and look for food on my own. Why did you think I always took so long?
Ellie: Wow.
Alexis: I wanted someone to share the moment with. And the night was nice. It was the perfect opportunity.

The two looked out at the night sky.

Ellie: Do you know any constellations?
Alexis: Nope. You?
Ellie: I learned some in school. But now, I can't remember.
Alexis: Lets make some up.

Alexis sat down, her legs dangling off the edge.

Alexis: Come here. You can sit down without falling to your death.

Ellie was skeptical. But she joined Alexis, sitting beside her, dangling her legs off the edge of the building. The stars looked amazing from where they were. And the night was surprisingly warm.

Ellie: If I remember correctly, everyone's born under a special sign, right? Astronomy. It determines your personality.
Alexis: That's astrology. Not astronomy.

Ellie squinted her eyes in confusion.

Ellie: Whatever, lets just make up our own. Rules, signs, what it says about you. It's not like anyone remembers the old way.
Alexis: Yeah. Lets do it.

They looked up at the sky. Ellie saw a fish.

Ellie: There! See? It's a fish.

Alexis nodded in agreement.

Alexis: A fish. Now it needs a personality.
Ellie: Bright, pretty, good with other people. Always moving, tons of energy. Sound like anyone we know?
Alexis: Yeah. It sounds like you.
Ellie: Weren't you listening? I said good with other people.
Alexis: You're good with Soph.
Ellie: I guess.

They looked back up at the sky.

Ellie: A knife! See it?

Alexis tried to figure out what she was talking about.

Alexis: Mm.
Ellie: Right there. Right above your head.
Alexis: They're all above my head.

After looking hard enough, Alexis figured out what she was talking about.

Alexis: I found it!
Ellie: Awesome. Mm, this one's easy. Smart, clean, vicious, dependable. Someone you'd want with you in a fight. Doesn't take crap from anyone. Gets shit done.
Alexis: Sounds just like you.
Ellie: Come on, you can't give me every sign. Besides, it sounds like you.

Alexis blushed a little, nodding with a smile.

Ellie: One more time. Oh look! I found a bird.
Alexis: Like a real bird?
Ellie: No! A star bird. Right there.

Ellie pointed and tried to line up the dots in the sky.

Alexis: I see it!
Ellie: A bird is the best sign. They can keep their family and friends safe, no matter what. They're tidy and can always kill people who do them wrong. They're level-headed and smart.
Alexis: You wish it was you, don't you?

Ellie sighed.

Ellie: Sometimes, when I think about my family... especially Leo, I think about what I could have done to make it better.

It fell silent.

Ellie: Sorry, I didn't mean to just... talk so much. It's just... I've watched people leave before. Family, friends... they never come back. And I can't imagine what it would be like if you... weren't here. Uh... shit. That sounds so much dumber when I say it out loud.
Alexis: I think, I mean, I hope... we're more than friends. And I want...

The conversation fell silent. Before Ellie knew it, Alexis' lips were against her's. Alexis pulled away and looked out towards the sky again.

Ellie: Holy shit.
Alexis: That's romantic.
Ellie: I mean... holy shit.

Ellie smoothly placed her hand on top of Alexis', smiling to herself. They looked out at the stars, enjoying the feeling of happiness since they didn't experience it a lot nowadays.

Ellie: We should get going.
Alexis: Agreed. Lets go.