Hidden Truths|| The Last of Us fanific (Sequel)

Part 5

Previously...

"Pack up everything. That bitch won't get away."

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Earlier in Jackson...

Joel paced around Tommy's office as Tommy watched him with crossed arms. 

"You're really going through with this?" Tommy asked.

"I should have gone with her. I have a bad feeling Tommy."

"But we need you here, Lynlee needs you here. You know it's one thing for her mother to leave, now for you to leave to.. that gives the wrong idea to everyone in town."

Joel stopped and gave Tommy a look. 

"Are you saying that people would think that I'm abandoning my child?"

"That's not what I said-"

"No but that's what was intended right? Tommy I'm not abandoning Lynlee, and neither did Devyn. This is something I should have taken seriously, and how much it means to Devyn, I need to follow her and make sure she makes it there safe."

"But how would you know where she would be by now?"

Joel looked outside and saw that it hadn't started snowing yet. 

"Her footprints shouldn't be covered yet. If I leave now, I can catch up with her."

"Joel-"

"Please Tommy.. I lost Sarah, I almost lost Ellie... don't let me lose Devyn. I have to do this.."

Tommy sighed and nodded. "Maria and I will watch over the girls, but do me a favor and come home alive."

Joel chuckled and nodded. "You got it."

Joel left the office, heading back into town to grab a few things, then back home to say his farewells to Ellie and Lynlee. He knocked on Ellie's door to her own place behind the house. He heard laughter inside and he walked in, seeing Ellie play the guitar for Lynlee.

"Hey, what's my girls doin?"

"Oh, hey,"

"Daddy!"

Lynlee ran and jumped into Joel's arms, hugging him tightly and Ellie looked at Joel's sad expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Ellie... I.."

She already knew what he was going to say, just out of obvious reasons of recent events. She set her guitar down and approached him to hug him tightly.

"Bring her home alive please.."

"Heh.. You know I will.. Lynlee,"

He held her and she tilted her head. "Daddy has to go, I'm gonna bring momma home, and I promise you that we won't leave again. You know we love you?"

Lynlee was very smart for a five year old, nodding she gave Joel a hug again. "Beat up da bad guys daddy.."

Joel smiled slightly, "You got it baby girl."

He put her down and Ellie gave him a thumbs up as he stood in the doorway, returning the gesture, Joel closed the door and left through town, heading out of the gates with his flashlight clicked on and shining through the darkness.

"I'm coming Devyn.."

Walking through the dark woods, Joel kept up with Devyn's footprints until he came to a stop, hearing screams in the distant, causing chills to run down his spine. "Devyn.."

He ran through the trees and stopped when the footprints were wiped away by force. There were other people out here, and the screams filled the air again as he pulled out his gun and pointed it towards the sky, sending off a shot.

The screams stopped. He looked around and started walking as he kept his guard up, until he heard footsteps in the distance and another flashlight pointing towards him. He moved quickly as a gunshot was fired at him and he quickly ducked down behind a rock.

"Shit.. who the hell..?"

He stayed quiet when he heard two mens' voices.

"Did you get him!"

"... Yeah. Fallback!"

Joel heard the footsteps get faint and he finally stood up, making his way around to get a better look at the abandoned building, seeing three individuals and listening to them.

"Pack up everything, that bitch won't get away."

Joel clenched his fists. He walked around to the back of the building, seeing Parker pack up their bags and he quickly grabbed them from behind, pulling them behind a tree and covering their mouth.

"Mmmph!"

"Shh. Where the hell is she?"

Parker shook in fear and closed their eyes.

Joel stared at their face, realizing that they didn't seem like an enemy. He removed his hand and tried to sooth them.

"I'm sorry.. the girl that was here, where did she go?"

Parker opened their eyes and looked at Joel, then at the footprints that led in a different direction and pointed towards there.

"That way.. but if you go.. you'll only get hurt.."

"That's a risk I'd be willing to take. Now your leader, where's he."

"H-he.." They gasped when Garrett grabbed Joel from behind into a headlock and the two started to fight. Blake rushed to Parker once again and stood in front of them to protect them.

 Joel grabbed Garrett from behind and threw him over his shoulder, then pinning him down with his gun against his chin.

"Fucking bastard.. what the hell do you want with her? Huh?"

Garrett laughed after seeing Joel's face, "Well well, if it isn't the famous Joel Miller... what? Was that your wife? Guess I should have realized, seeing the both of you being ruthless."

Joel shook his head and shot Garrett's knee. Garrett screamed in pain and Joel pointed the gun again.

"I don't have time for your fucking sarcasm, what the hell did you do to her?"

"Fuckin tortured her, gave her the same pain she gave to my crew. But then again, I felt no remorse, just like her, but you already know that don't you?"

"Fuck you, I could kill you now and take your buddies with me."

"Fine. Kill me, but just know... your wife, is a monster. I know she's infected and she's going to be just like the rest of-"

Before Garrett finished, Joel shot a bullet again and stood up, staring at the dead body and looked over at Blake and Parker.

"You two were never working with him were you?"

Blake nodded, "We were.. but we knew he never had good intentions. We have more humanity than he ever did."

"Why did you spare us..?" Parker asked.

Joel was quiet and he sighed. "Because you showed fear, and you saved her."

Joel put his gun away and started to follow the footprints again and Parker called out again, 

"wait!"

He stopped and turned around as he saw both of them walking towards him. "Let us come with you. We know where she's going, and you'll need us." Blake explained.

"Sorry, but I travel alone."

"We know the person she's friends with. The one she's seeking help for. Let us lead you." Parker had the look of worry written all over their face.

Joel pondered the idea, of course he shouldn't trust them, but if it's to get to Devyn faster, what choice did he have?

"Fine. But if I notice anything off, you'll both be like your buddy there."

Both Blake and Parker nodded in agreement.

"Deal."