Chapter Text
Ellie doesn’t remember much from the first day.
It was all a blur. Only a few moments stood out; her conversation with Joel just before they reached the gates of Jackson, Tommy looking relieved but filled with questions, leading her and Joel into a large building that seemed to serve as some sort of storage facility. There, they sat around a large table. Maria had given her a bar of chocolate (Ellie couldn’t believe that such delicacies still existed, much less that she had a whole one to herself) while Joel told them the same thing he told her.
The Fireflies had dozens who were immune now. They were in no need of her. In fact, they’d told him to avoid staying because they didn’t want to stretch their resources too thin. So he left. And here they were.
Tommy stayed silent for a few beats, digesting the story. Finally he said. “So all that travelling you two did…was for nothing?”
Joel shrugged. “Not really. We made it back here, and at least now we know the truth. We don’t got to travel anymore.”
Ellie twisted the wrapper in her hands. For nothing. Almost a whole year of travelling, of almost dying and being terrified and witnessing others die. She didn’t care how Joel saw it. It really was for nothing. Her life, her immunity, meant nothing.
Tommy didn’t look convinced either, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he stood up and gave them a small smile. “Well, I guess that’s that. I’m glad you’re both here. There’s always a place in Jackson for you, and I reckon you’ll appreciate the simple life after all that running you’ve been doing.”
Joel let out an amused snort. “Yeah, sounds tempting. What do you think, Ellie?” He looked at her.
Ellie tried to force down her resentment. She shouldn’t be mad at Joel. It wasn’t his fault.
She met his eyes. “As long as someone’s feeding me, I’ll be happy.”
And just like that, it was settled. Jackson County would be their new home.