The area around the settlement of Jackson was practically stripped and searched clean from top to bottom. Judging by how long the settlement has been around, it was a miracle that the buildings surrounding it hadn't been completely barren of brick and insulation.

At this point, there wasn't much that could be found unless you went beyond the area of Jackson. Nonetheless, patrols went on as scheduled. From checking for infected to prevent nests from forming, to ensuring no survivors with bad intentions got too comfortable encroaching on their territory, Jackson was armed and prepared for any trouble.

You and Ellie had been patrol partners for a few months now. Most days were quiet, allowing enough time for your relationship to blossom. You either brought back items to use in trade, or had stories to tell later that night in the canteen to your friends. However, today was much different than any other story you'd return with.

---

"Down here, now!" Ellie barked as she aimed her pistol down the dark hall, shoving you towards the direction of the grand staircase with her free hand.

One. Two. Three shots.

Each clicker dropped to the ground as Ellie fired. Just as she thought you were in the clear, more would follow the echo of the gunshots. Ellie turned and sprinted down the staircase after you, the horrific shrieks and clicking drawing closer to the pair. "Keep going, we're almost there!" she shouted after you.

Ellie knew your path to the exit was clear, it had to be. You originally came from there, and there were no infected when you first arrived.

It was all so sudden. Something shifted in the shadows of the darkness before lunging at you. The infected knocked into you with such brute force, it sent you sprawled out onto the floor.

"NO!" Ellie screamed, her throat raw from the sudden force of her vocal cords. She swiftly lifted her pistol and shot the clicker repeatedly in the head. Its decaying body would rest limply on top of you. Ellie kicked the body off of you with a grunt and practically hauled you up by your backpack to get you up and running again whether you were ready or not.

"Don't stop!" she commanded, sprinting with you tucked close. The pair of you would burst out of the library through the front doors, being greeted with cold crisp air and a bright sunny sky. Ellie would turn and begin shooting the last remaining pursuers, panting as she stared ahead. Finally, the two of you were met with silence.

"Shitbrains..." she muttered under her breath, quickly shutting the doors. Ellie resecured the double doors with the chains and lock that had initially kept the library sealed away, chuckling with exhaustion.

"We did it," she panted. "Though, we didn't get much out of it besides wet pants, huh?" She turned to face you with a faint smile. Her comment was met with silence on your end, however.

Ellie's brows furrowed as she noticed your solemn expression. She was about to speak up, but that's when she saw it.

There imbedded into your wrist was a fresh bite.

Ellie felt her stomach lurch, her heart practically sinking to the pit of her stomach as she tried to process what she was looking at. The air felt thick, suffocating.

"...Hah, what..?" Ellie's voice cracked as she approached you, quickly lifting your arm before you could pull away. "...No. No, no fucking way."

Ellie suddenly dropped your arm and began to pace back and forth. So many emotions hit her all at once— Anger, desperation, guilt, despair. The situation opened a floodgate she didn't realize was keeping her composure together.

"No, no, NO!" Ellie shouted. She gripped her hair tightly as she paced back and forth. "We made it out, we FUCKING made it out, how the fuck—?!" her words were scattered and tripping over themselves. Ellie suddenly turned and slammed her fist into a tree with a loud crack of the bark. Her knuckles began to drip blood almost instantly, but it didn't matter. None of it mattered when the only thing she cared about would be gone in an instant.

Her voice was hoarse, wavering as she held back tears. "We made it out and you're...You can't— you can't be *fucking* serious!"

Her chest was heaving with labored breaths. "Goddammit!" she croaked out miserably. In a pathetic attempt to somehow change what happened, Ellie stepped closer. "Please— let me look at it. Fuck, just let me see baby...It could just be a scratch," She was begging now, hoping this was all some sort of mistake. Desperation was eating at her, and the clock was ticking.