*Readers pov*
I split off with Ellie and Maria as I run through rooms of dead bandits, hopefully from Joel.
I drop down from a railing, seeing Joel in the doorway, shooting.
I slide next to him and Tommy behind cover of a desk.
Joel: Cutter! Is everything okay?!
You: How is anything okay?!
The shots still ring out from 2 bandits in the room, behind cover and at the other side of the room.
To my right I see Maria, ducking down and popping out to shoot at the men. Ellie must be with her.
Tommy: Cutter, I'll cover as you'll move in.
You: Tell me when.
Joel: Wait, wait-
I clock my pistol, adding a new mag with only 2 bullets.
Tommy: Now!
He shoots out of cover as I leap over the desk and run forward for me to jump the middle table where and leap off. I spin in the air whilst sending off 2 shots.
I land as I hear them drop. Following silence, I pull out my empty mag dropping it on the floor.
Tommy: Fucking nice, kid!
Maria and Ellie get out.
I see something shining on a dead mans body, I slide over and pull out a metal cartridge from the front pocket of the coat.
I open it, full of fags and cigars.
I close it and store it in my backpack.
Maria and Tommy are arguing, Ellie explains quickly to him what happened as I search until finally pulling out a new mag and clocking it into my pistol.
I stand up, Ellie tackling me with a hug.
Ellie: You're ok!
You: So are you.
She pulls away.
Theres quick footsteps coming towards the room.
I quickly pull in Ellie for a hug tightly.
Ellie: C-Cutter?
My hands slide down her back and down further.
She tenses up and muffles sounds from her mouth.
Ellie: C-Cutter?!
She tightly hugs me back from tensing in shock as I pull out the gun from her back pocket and aim at the door, bandit coming in and me killing him by shooting his head.
He drops right next to Joel, he looks up at me but looks away after.
I put the gun back as I place her back.
She's super red in the face.
You: You ok?
She slowly puts her thumb up, not breaking eye contact whilst speechless.
Ellie:...Y-Yeah...
*Timeskip*
You: Joel?
Joel: Ellie took a horse!
We both start running to the stable with Tommy.
I jump on the back of Joels horse.
You: Why?
Joel:...I upset her.
You: Fuck me, Joel, what did you say?
Joel: As Maria was arguing with Tommy, Ellie spoke to me and asked what will happen. I insisted we'll talk about it later-
We jump over a tree in the way, a molotov is thrown at us as I fall off the horse adding burns to my left forearm.
Tommy: How many are there?
Joel: Too fucking many.
You: Let's fucking mow them down.
I pull out my M4A1.
We continue, mowing them down as the path we conqour leads to more of them that we kill. In a manner of 10 mins, we stopped, breathing heavily.
We move back, jumping on the horses and moving on easily.
Joel: Wasn't too bad, due to your accuracy.
You: Want to carry on the explanation?
Joel: Well...I said We'll talk about it later, she got upset. Don't know much else.
Only thing keeping me trusting, a new hope that shined for me. Something that made me feel human again and not depressed. She ran away from me, I guess I can't ever be happy.
Still, she's got me so worried. So fucking worried. Bitch..
Tommy: A ranch! The horse is there.
We move into the ranch as I steady myself on the horse whilst standing on it. I jump from the horse onto the second floor.
I open a window as I climb in.
A person punches me in the side of my face as I move back, holding out my knife.
Ellie: Oh, Cutter! Shit, fuck, I didn't know it was you!
You: Fuck, Ellie.
I sheathe my knife.
You: What the fuck is wrong with you?
Ellie: I didn't mean-
You: Why did you fucking run?! Huh?! You had me so worried!
She jumps back, scared and upset.
I move away from her.
You: I can't fucking deal with you now.
I move to the window again.
Ellie:...I'm so sorry, Cutter...I'm just scared...
Bull. Shit.
I move out as I place myself on the outside roof. I sit there, smoking a fag.
*Timeskip*
I point my gun to the wall, looking at Joel.
I shoot, the bandit dropping at the opposite side.
You: Outside is clear.
I leave the door open, waiting for them.
I hop on a horse, so does Tommy and so does Joel.
Leaving Ellie, to sit with someone.
Joel: Go with Cutter.
She looks guilty.
I keep my posture usual, she jumps high to sit at the back.
We move out.
Ellie:...I'm sorry.
You: Ellie-
Ellie: I'm just scared and afraid, everyone I've been with died or left me.
Kinda sounds like me...it actually sounds exactly like me.
You: I lost too much-
Ellie: I'm guessing Harley.
I stop the horse. Looking straight.
She looks past me, trying to figure out why.
You: Don't you ever fucking speak about her.
She looks down.
Ellie: Yeah...Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry.
I keep the horse moving, catching pase to the others.
You: My whole reason of pain and killing is because she died, I turned emotionless. Do me a favour and shut the fuck up.
My heart is cold, turned into stone.
Ellie:...Ok. I'm sorry...
Her "sorry"s are making my heart break, I need to unfuck my mind from trust that's something I've been discussing in my head but never did.
Ellie: I won't speak about it again.
She slowly hugs me from behind, holding on, resting her head on my back.
Ellie: I didn't want to experience you leaving or dying on me...I'm just scared.
You:...I wouldn't die a pussy.
I speed the horse.
Ellie: Yeah, I know...
We are going up hill as theres finally a slope going down. There, is the entirety of Everton. It's running on electricity and beautiful how I've been told.
Tommy: There she is. Kid's will be watching movies tonight.
You: I'm not staying with her.
Well, this is the end I guess. I get my reward and...I'll be satisfied. I just need to man up.
Tommy: Why not?
You: I'll be busy drinking until my body shuts down.
Tommy: Awh, kid...Find yourself a girlfriend, she'll keep you wanting to live.
You: If you say so.
He raises his fist in a fist bump to me with a smile.
I do a fist bump with him.
Tommy: Trust in the process, kid.
Joel: Where is this lab of thiers?
Tommy: It's all the way out, University of Eastern Colarado.
He nods.
Joel: Go big horns. Don't mind us taking these 2 horses, please. Ellie, hop on mine if you want.
Tommy: What are you doing?
Joel: Your wife scares me, I don't want her to come after me.
Tommy: Let's go back to town, discuss it at least.
Joel: Eh. You know me, my minds all made up. University Eastern Colarado, how do I find this lab.
Tommy: It's in the science building, looks like a gaint mirror. You can't miss it.
Joel: You take care of that wife of yours.
Tommy: There's a place for you here, you know.
Joel looks back at us.
Joel: You good?
Ellie: We're good.
Joel: Cutter? What do you say? You are going to join us on finishing this or are you leaving us?
Ellie: Don't...
She hugs me tight.
You:...Let's get moving.
They smile.
Joel: Well...Adios, brother.