An Ending That Never Happened (A TLoU Part I Rewrite - 2015 Edition)

[raerden]

Instead of the usual “20 years later,” this is an alternate version of The Last of Us that begins just two years after the outbreak.

Told through declassified documents, rewritten scenes, and subtle shifts in character choices, this retelling reimagines 2015 not as a world already lost — but as one still in freefall.

The old systems haven’t fully collapsed. The new ones haven’t formed. Survival is a matter of instinct, politics, and fragile alliances.

Ellie is still immune. Joel is still grieving. But the journey between them begins in a different world — and ends with a very different truth.

Grounded, faithful, and emotionally raw, this story expands the lore without rewriting its soul — offering a narrative bridge between Sarah’s death… and what comes next.

 

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the Outbreak

Chapter Text

[CONFIDENTIAL]
The Fireflies Organization — Internal Analysis Department
Date: 15.01.2015
Document: FFR-203-α
To: Authorized Cell Commanders / Research Personnel

In 2013, an unknown group of scientists, operating under private funding nominally represented by independent charitable organizations, began a series of secret experiments aimed at controlling human consciousness. The biological agent used was a modified strain of the Cordyceps fungus genus, originally infecting insects and capable of altering their behavior.

Mutations acquired during the experiments enabled the fungus to overcome the species barrier. The goal was to create a means to suppress aggression, increase suggestibility, or, conversely, amplify instinctual behavior. It was assumed that controlled introduction of spores into the limbic structures of the brain would open the way for targeted behavioral influence.

However, at one stage of the project, a leak occurred. Biological isolation protocols were breached. Test subjects went out of control, and laboratory personnel became the first infected. Survivors failed to report the incident in time — and the fungus spread beyond the facility.

Within days, infection outbreaks were recorded in urban areas. Initially, symptoms resembled a neuroinfection: high fever, confusion, and impaired coordination. At later stages, rapid mycelial growth penetrated nervous tissue, resulting in complete loss of personality. The infected became highly aggressive and could spread the pathogen through bites, contact with blood and secretions, as well as airborne spores — in enclosed, humid spaces the fungus formed colonies that released spores.

In less than six months, the infection spread across continents. Countries closed borders one after another. States of emergency were declared in major cities, followed by military quarantines. Infrastructure began to collapse. Zones of mass infection emerged, completely lost to central authority. Survivors adapted however they could: some formed isolated settlements, others descended into banditry or fanaticism.

Governments, corporations, and research centers rapidly lost control.

By estimates, by 2015 humanity had lost over 60% of its population. Large cities became dead zones. Communications were disrupted. Industry ceased functioning. Remaining quarantine zones survived on dwindling stockpiles.

Reliable information on the origin of the fungus and its mutations is scarce. Those who knew the truth are either dead or silent. Many rumors circulated — about initial carriers, serums, and secret refuges where scientists worked — none of which have been confirmed.

One of the few documented facts: a very small number of people are resistant to infection. Their bodies either completely eliminate the fungus at early stages or suppress its activity. Such immunity occurs at a rate of about one person per tens of thousands. The cause remains unknown.

Several scientific hypotheses exist, with two main credible versions:

Genetic rare mutation
Some individuals possess a unique variation in immune system genes (e.g., those responsible for recognizing fungal antigens). This resembles mutations conferring HIV resistance in certain people (such as CCR5-Δ32). Such mutation might have arisen spontaneously or due to external factors.

Symbiotic coexistence
A person carries Cordyceps in an inactive form — the fungus does not parasitize but exists symbiotically, granting immunity to other strains. This rare interaction is absent in most infected individuals.

 

Chapter 2: The Fireflies Organization

[SECRET]
FEDRA — Central Analytical Directorate
Date: 02.02.2015
Document: INF-872-B
Subject of Analysis: The Fireflies Organization
Prepared by: Agent N

Name: The Fireflies
Founded: 2009–2010 (exact data unavailable)
Status: Illegal anti-government group
Numbers: Unknown (ranging from hundreds to thousands across regions)
Known leaders: Marlene (Boston), Dr. Anderson (unconfirmed, Utah), unidentified figures in California

Origins and Objectives
The Fireflies formed several years before the pandemic. Their core consisted of individuals from diverse backgrounds: military, civil servants, doctors, engineers, university professors, and students. They were united by the conviction that the U.S. government was conducting unethical biomedical research, including mind control, gene therapy, and human experiments.

According to some witnesses, the trigger for creating the Fireflies was a leak about secret laboratories conducting human trials involving fungal neuropathogens. These claims were never officially confirmed, but Firefly underground activity began at that time – protests, sabotage, and dissemination of classified information.

Ideology and Structure
The Fireflies had no strict hierarchy but operated as cells – each regional group led by a local commander. They believed:

The government will destroy humanity in its pursuit of control

Scientific research must be public

Dictatorship and martial law are unacceptable, even in crisis conditions

However, their tactics ranged from persuasion to violence: lab raids, attacks on military convoys, abduction of scientists, sabotage within quarantine zones.

Public opinion about the Fireflies was divided: some viewed them as heroes and freedom fighters, others as terrorists undermining order.

Connection to the Epidemic
There is no official confirmation, but rumors circulate within FEDRA and scientific circles that Firefly actions — or those of a radical faction — may have triggered the release of the modified Cordyceps.

One theory suggests a facility experimenting on the fungus for brain neural network influence was attacked or disabled by insurgents, resulting in a security breach and release of contaminated material.

The Fireflies deny involvement. Yet the fact remains: within days of this incident, outbreaks began in densely populated areas near the suspected site — suburbs of Denver or Pittsburgh (accounts vary).

Current Status (2015)
Two years post-catastrophe, the Fireflies remain one of the few active political forces besides FEDRA’s military dictatorship. They operate underground in several quarantine zones, including:

Boston

Salt Lake City

Austin (suppressed)

Seattle (partial activity)

They conduct their own medical and biological research in secret labs. Some claim the Fireflies partially restored scientific methods and aim to develop a vaccine — though their motivations remain unclear.

 

Chapter 3: Subject “Ellie W.”

[TOP SECRET]
FEDRA – Biological Security Directorate
Date: 27.04.2015
Document: IDA-0147-Δ
Subject: Williams, Ellie
Classification: Potential Immunity Carrier
Access Level: Ω (Restricted)

Name: Ellie Williams
Date of Birth: Spring 2001
Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Mother: Anna – medical service employee. Unconfirmed reports link her to the Fireflies organization, possibly involved in evacuations or medical supplies early in the outbreak. She died in the initial days of the catastrophe.

Father: Unknown.

Guardian: Marlene, leader of the Boston Fireflies. According to her, a close friend of Anna’s who took Ellie under her protection after her mother’s death. No formal adoption occurred — guardianship institutions were effectively non-existent at the time.

Current Age: 14

General Information
Under the martial regime imposed after the epidemic, Ellie was placed in an educational and training center within the Boston quarantine zone, where she received basic medical and military instruction. Known for independence, confrontational nature, and high adaptability to extreme conditions.

Eyewitnesses recall that at age 13 she and a friend (identity unknown) left the zone without permission and encountered infected individuals. Both were bitten. The friend died within days; Ellie showed no signs of infection. Medical tests by the Fireflies confirmed a unique immunity: the fungus does not spread in her body, and symptoms do not develop.

Significance
Ellie is one of the extremely rare — possibly unique — known immunity carriers. Theoretically, her body may harbor an active but non-dangerous strain of Cordyceps, making her a potential key to developing a vaccine or infection suppression treatment.

Marlene initiated an operation to transport Ellie westward — to a laboratory where remaining specialists are based. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the escort is provided by two mercenary smugglers, Joel and Tess.

 

Chapter 4: Left Behind – Alternate Version

Chapter Text

FEDRA DORMITORY. NIGHT

The room is dimly lit by a small lamp. Ellie sits on her bed, fingers gripping her knees. Her face is tense, lips pressed together, eyes glossy — she’s not crying, but she’s very close. The building is silent.

The door creaks open. Riley enters and immediately notices Ellie’s state.

RILEY (gently, softly):
— What happened?

ELLIE (confused):
— My mom didn’t come back. She left early this morning.
(small pause)
And… I don’t know. Something feels wrong.

Riley sits beside her.

RILEY:
— Where would she have gone?

ELLIE (still tense, but clearer):
— She’s gone to the old hospital outside the perimeter a few times — there’s still some meds left there.
(pause)
I think she went again.

Riley thinks for a moment.

RILEY (decisive):
— Get your stuff.

ELLIE (surprised):
— You’re serious?

RILEY:
— Of course. If it were my mom...

 

QUARANTINE ZONE PERIMETER. NIGHT

Faint moonlight breaks through the clouds. Ellie and Riley move silently along the fence, backpacks on their shoulders. Riley leads with confidence, Ellie follows in silence.

ELLIE (whispering):
— Do you go out often?

RILEY:
— Not really. A couple times. With the Fireflies. Not outside — just old warehouses inside the zone.
(pause)
But I know the route. No patrols here — they’re all on the other side of the base.

ELLIE (quietly):
— Thanks.

Riley stops. Looks at her.

RILEY:
— I couldn’t let you go alone.
(smiles briefly)
You always jump into a fight first — then ask if it was worth it.

ELLIE (bitter smirk):
— If you think too long, it’s already too late.

They climb through a sagging section of the fence and step outside. An abandoned street stretches before them — silence and decay.

 

OLD HOSPITAL. LATER

A three-story building with shattered windows. It was once a city hospital. A moss-covered sign hangs near the entrance. Ellie surveys the perimeter. All is still.

RILEY (barely audible):
— You sure she came here?

ELLIE:
— No... but if she was looking for medicine, this is the most logical place.

They enter. The air is thick with mold, dampness, and something sharper. Riley grips a pistol. Ellie draws a knife.

They pass by empty wards. Windows boarded up. Drops of blood trail along the floor by the wall. Ellie leans closer.

ELLIE:
— Fresh. It hasn’t clotted.
(pause)
She was here…

Suddenly, from a nearby corridor, a low, wet clicking sound echoes.

RILEY (tense):
— Clicker.

They lock eyes. No words. They begin to step back — then another sound, closer now. A shape lunges from the shadows. A scuffle. A fall. Blood sprays. Ellie screams, stabbing one infected. Riley shoots another — it drops. But a third one leaps out.

Riley jerks — she’s bitten. She shoves the infected back and fires. It falls. She sinks to her knees.

RILEY (whispers):
— It… it bit me.

Ellie turns. Sees the wound. Freezes.

ELLIE (quiet):
— No…

Riley tries to smile, lips trembling.

RILEY:
— I’m glad I came with you, though. Right?

Ellie sinks down beside her, tears brimming but unshed. She holds her close. Then slowly pulls back her sleeve — revealing her own bite.

ELLIE:
— Me too.

A long pause. Riley nods slowly, almost comforting Ellie instead of herself.

RILEY:
— Then we’re in this together. To the end.

They barricade themselves in a hospital room. Riley sits on the cot and quietly sets the pistol beside her. Ellie stares into the darkness beyond the window.

 

EARLY MORNING

The pale moonlight still hangs in the sky. Riley leans against the wall, pale and shaking, face damp with sweat, fists clenched. Ellie sits on the cot.

RILEY (softly, almost a whisper):
— I’m cold…

ELLIE:
— I know. Hold on. Please… just hold on.

RILEY (drifting):
— I’m sorry, El. I… didn’t think it’d end like this.

Ellie struggles not to cry. She glances at her own bite.

RILEY (barely audible):
— If I… if I turn

Ellie silently shakes her head. Then, with tension in every movement, she picks up the pistol.

ELLIE:
— I’m with you. To the end.

A moment later, in the stillness, a single shot rings out.

 

MORNING

Sunlight pours through the shattered window. Ellie sits by the wall. Beside her — Riley’s body, gently covered with a jacket. Ellie’s face is empty. No tears. No rage. Just silence. The pistol and knife lie nearby.

Footsteps echo, growing louder.

Then — voices, muffled.

A door opens.

WOMAN’S VOICE (in the distance):
— Anna? Are you here?

A pause. Then quick, urgent footsteps. The door bursts open.

MAN’S VOICE:
— Someone’s here! She’s alive!

Marleen rushes in.

MARLEEN (stunned):
— Ellie?..

She enters the room, takes it in.

Ellie stares into nothing. Her hand still grips the pistol. The bite on her arm has begun to heal.

ELLIE (quietly):
— I was bitten too.
(pause)
But I’m… still here.

MARLEEN (whispering):
— Oh my God…

She kneels, gently takes Ellie’s hand, rolls down her sleeve to cover the wound.

MARLEEN:
— Come on, Ellie.
(then louder)
Johnny — Riley’s here.
(softer)
We have to bury her.

A moment later, Johnny enters. He scans the room, sighs, and kneels beside Riley’s body.

MAN’S VOICE (off-screen):
— Marlene, Anna’s nowhere to be found. We need to move.

 

THE NEXT MORNING

Marlene sits beside a sleeping Ellie in a sealed room.

She whispers softly:

MARLEEN:
— You don’t even know what this means…

 

Story Adjustments
The Setting: 2015
While the core events unfold in line with the original narrative, a significant shift occurs in the backdrop: the story now takes place in 2015, just two years after the outbreak.
Everything we see — from the sluggish, defeated communities trapped in cramped "ghettos," to the abundance of leftover supplies — corresponds far more to the second year after collapse, rather than the twentieth.
The old world has fallen — but its remnants are still tangible. Supermarkets are looted but not yet barren. Pharmacies still hold medicine. Military infrastructure remains somewhat operational, but fragile.
There is no new order — yet.
And the old systems are failing, visibly and irrevocably.
Society has no defined shape. The rules have blurred. Power is scattered. The people — mostly waiting. Some grasping at structure, others already slipping into chaos.
We encounter fragmented bands of marauders and cannibals — not organized factions, but desperate, broken people who’ve adapted to survive in the moral vacuum.
And because of this timeline shift, certain scenes must be portrayed very differently

Chapter 5: Jackson

Joel and Ellie approach the gates of a hydroelectric dam. Joel grabs the handle — locked. Suddenly, a voice calls from behind the gate:

VOICE (O.S.):
— Who are you?! What do you want?!

JOEL (loud but calm):
— Not looking for trouble. Just hoping to cut through the dam. Figured it was abandoned.

Tommy, already making his way over after a signal from the guard, hears Joel’s voice. He stops in his tracks, squinting through the gate.

TOMMY (surprised and joyful):
— Holy s#*!... Joel?!
(to the guard)
Mike, open these damn gates! That’s my brother!

Mike opens the gate. Joel and Ellie step inside.

JOEL:
— Tommy!? Man, it’s good to see you!

They embrace. Ellie stands nearby, a little awkward but curious.

Maria approaches.

TOMMY:
— Maria, meet my brother — Joel.

Tommy finally notices Ellie.

TOMMY:
— And who’s this?

JOEL:
— This is Ellie. We’ve… been traveling together a long while.

MARIA:
— Nice to meet you. Come on — let’s get you something to eat and a place to rest.

JOEL:
— That’d be perfect.

ELLIE:
— Thank you!

MARIA:
— Tommy, go check on the turbine crew. They might need help.

She turns to Joel and Ellie.

MARIA:
— If we're lucky, we’ll have power by tonight.
Oh, and... welcome to Jackson.

 

SEVERAL HOURS LATER

Suddenly — gunshots and shouting.

TOMMY:
— s#*!. Looks like we’ve got company.

Everyone drops what they’re doing, grabs their weapons, and heads toward the noise. Joel and Ellie follow a moment later.

JOEL:
— This happen often?

TOMMY:
— More than we’d like.

Joel and Ellie help defend the community. After a skirmish, several attackers are wounded or dead. A couple manage to escape.

MARIA:
— Looks like that’s it… for now.

 

EVENING

*The whole town is buzzing — they’ve finally brought the turbines online.

Maria, Tommy, Joel, and Ellie sit at a modest table, lit by a real electric lamp. A simple but warm meal lies before them.*

MARIA (smiling):
— Tonight we’ve got two reasons to celebrate — a family reunion and our first power-up!

TOMMY (grinning):
— I don’t know how you do it, Joel, but you always show up at the weirdest times.

JOEL (with a faint smile):
— For once, it’s not the worst one.

TOMMY (serious now):
— So… where’ve you been all this time?

Ellie appears focused on her food but watches Joel from the corner of her eye. Joel sets his mug down, eyes lowering.

JOEL:
— Long story.

TOMMY:
— We’ve got power now. We’ve got time.

Maria glances between Joel and Ellie.

MARIA:
— You’ve been on the road a while. That’s clear.

Joel exhales slowly, nods.

JOEL:
— Yeah. We’ve crossed almost the whole damn continent.

TOMMY:
— What were you after?

JOEL:
— We were looking for the Fireflies.

TOMMY:
— The Fireflies? What for?

JOEL:
— They’ve still got doctors.
Ellie… she’s immune.

Maria and Tommy exchange a startled, skeptical look.

MARIA:
— Immune?

Ellie nods reluctantly.

ELLIE:
— Something like that…
I was bitten six months ago.

Tommy looks at Joel, eyebrows raised.

TOMMY:
— And you brought her all this way?

JOEL:
— I had to.

Ellie looks down. Maria’s gaze softens. Tommy takes a sip of tea.

JOEL:
— You know where they might be now? Anywhere they’re still operating?

Tommy sighs.

TOMMY:
— Last I heard, they relocated to Colorado. Eastern Colorado University, I think. They had a lab there.

MARIA:
— That’s far. And dangerous.

JOEL:
— We’re not new to danger.

TOMMY:
— You could stay.

Ellie glances at Joel. He stays quiet.

MARIA:
— Seriously. You’d have food. Shelter.

Joel looks at Ellie. Her expression is unreadable.

JOEL:
— We have to try.

Tommy sighs again, nods.

TOMMY:
— Fine. We’ll pack you up in the morning.

He looks to Maria.

MARIA:
— Take whichever horse you need.
And if you ever want to come back…
You’ll always have a place here.

Ellie gives her first real smile.

ELLIE:
— Thank you.

 

MORNING

A saddled horse waits at the gate. Tommy and Maria are there to see them off.

TOMMY:
— Take the canyon road, then head east along the old highway. You’ll hit a fork — the university’s up north. Stick to the hills, fewer infected that way.

JOEL:
— Thanks, brother.

MARIA:
— Don’t go looking for trouble.
(to Joel)
And keep an eye on her.

ELLIE:
— He does.
But I can take care of myself.

MARIA (smiling faintly):
— I believe you.
Just… take care of each other.

Joel mounts the horse and offers Ellie a hand. She climbs up behind him with practiced ease.

TOMMY:
— Good luck.

JOEL (softly):
— We’ll see you.
(after a beat, gentler)
We will.

The horse begins to move. Ellie leans slightly into Joel. They ride off, leaving Jackson behind.

Tommy watches them go. Maria wraps her arm around his shoulders.

MARIA:
— They’ll come back.

TOMMY:
— I know.

 

Chapter 6: The Mall

 

After the injury at the university, Joel is burning with fever — he needs antibiotics, fast. Ellie finds temporary shelter in a half-collapsed shopping mall, just off a ruined highway. She hides Joel and their horse in the storage room of an old store.

Joel lies on a pile of jackets and canvas bags. His skin is pale, his forehead slick with sweat. His breathing is shallow and ragged.

ELLIE (softly):
— I’ll be back soon. Just hang on, okay?

She gently closes the door behind her and heads off to find medicine.

Dim light filters through shattered skylights. Ellie moves through the hollowed-out hall of the mall. Collapsed storefronts, peeling posters, and scattered trash surround her like ghosts of the past.

ELLIE (whispering to herself):
— Come on… There’s gotta be something. Anything.

A sudden, guttural screech — infected. She freezes. Then ducks behind a dusty checkout counter. After a beat, she moves again — silent, focused — taking out infected one by one.

She makes her way into what used to be a pharmacy. The shelves are bare, boxes torn open and looted long ago.

ELLIE (frustrated):
— Damn it... Where are you hiding the good stuff?

Through a broken interior window, she spots a first-aid kit on the far side of a locked room. The door won’t budge — it needs a key.

Then — voices. Human. Armed scavengers enter the mall, echoing through the halls.

Using stealth and the element of surprise, Ellie picks them off one by one. She’s quick, brutal, and smart — but not unscathed. A cut on her shoulder bleeds as she finally finds the key and rushes to the medkit.

She stumbles back into the storage room, out of breath, bleeding, snow melting on her jacket. She drops to her knees beside Joel. He doesn’t move.

Panic flashes in her eyes. Her hands tremble as she digs through the kit, pulls out a vial and syringe.

ELLIE:
— Don’t die… Please. You promised.

She fills the syringe and jabs it into his side, trying not to cry.

ELLIE (voice cracking):
— You’re strong. You have to be. I need you to be.

She gently lifts his head into her lap, stroking the side of his face with trembling fingers.

ELLIE (barely a whisper):
— I can’t lose you.
Not you…

 

Chapter 7: St. Mary's Hospital

Joel and Ellie arrive at St. Mary’s Hospital — exhausted, wounded, but alive. The building looks abandoned from the outside, yet part of it still functions.

A guard with a rifle steps into view near the entrance. Behind him is a makeshift checkpoint.

GUARD:
— Who are you?! What do you want?!

JOEL:
— Name’s Joel. This is Ellie. We came from Boston. Marlene should’ve sent word.

GUARD:
— Hold on.

The guard grabs his radio.

GUARD:
— Dr. Anderson, got two here. Say their names are Joel and Ellie. From Marlene. Outta Boston. What do I do with them?

 

ANDERSON’S OFFICE

Dr. Anderson sits at a desk. Across from him sits Abby, while Owen stands by the window.

ANDERSON:
— You’re wrong, Owen. Sometimes a greater good justifies the means.

OWEN:
— And if it were your daughter on that table? If it were Abby?

He turns to look at her.

ANDERSON:
— That’s exactly what I’m thinking about. Abby’s life. And everyone else's.

Abby shifts uncomfortably in her seat, silent.

OWEN:
— You know what I mean.

The guard’s voice crackles through the radio.

GUARD (radio):
— Dr. Anderson, got two here. Say their names are Joel and Ellie. From Marlene. Outta Boston. What do I do with them?

ANDERSON:
— Ellie? From Marlene? That rings a bell…

ABBY:
— Yeah. A year ago there was talk about some girl with immunity. Marlene was supposed to bring her here. But then we lost contact.

ANDERSON:
— So it’s her…

He picks up the radio.

ANDERSON:
— Let them in. Escort them. I’ll be right down.

 

HOSPITAL LOBBY

Joel and Ellie stand under guard. Soon, Anderson and Abby arrive.

Abby is tense, guarded. Anderson is calm, composed — clearly in charge.

ANDERSON (dryly):
— Joel. Ellie. So you finally made it. We were expecting you. A year ago.

Ellie gives a faint nod. Joel stares at Anderson.

JOEL:
— Things didn’t go as planned. Marlene got hurt. Not sure she made it.

ANDERSON:
— That’s unfortunate. But thank you for bringing her, Joel. It means a lot.

JOEL (sharply):
— She wanted to come.

A beat. Abby studies Ellie, then Joel.

ANDERSON:
— We’ll do everything we can. First, a full workup. We need to confirm the immunity.

ELLIE:
— And then?

ANDERSON:
— Then we talk. But facts first.

He turns to the guard.

ANDERSON:
— Take Joel to the lounge. Let him rest, get some food. He looks... worn.
Abby — take Ellie to prep. I’ll join you shortly.

Joel puts a hand on Ellie’s shoulder.

JOEL (softly):
— If anything feels off — call me. I’ll be close.

ELLIE:
— I got this.

They part ways. Joel watches Abby lead Ellie away, wary.

In the lounge, Joel is brought food and water, but doesn’t eat. He stares at his reflection in the dirty window.

 

EXAMINATION ROOM

Abby and Ellie enter. The tension is thick, but not hostile.

ABBY (curt):
— Sit. I’ll draw some blood. Check your vitals. (pauses) Won’t take long.

ELLIE:
— You a doctor?

ABBY:
— Training. My dad runs the place. I help.

Abby disinfects Ellie’s arm and draws blood. Her hands are steady, professional — but she avoids eye contact.

ELLIE (guarded):
— You heard of me before?

ABBY:
— A year ago. Message from Boston. Marlene talked about a girl with immunity. (pause) I didn’t believe it.

ELLIE:
— I wouldn’t have, either.

Abby removes the needle, tapes the spot.

ABBY:
— Time for a scan.

A generator hums in the background. Abby takes several images of Ellie’s skull.

ELLIE:
— How’s Joel?

ABBY:
— He’s fine. Resting.

ELLIE (softly):
— He won’t rest until he knows I’m okay.

Abby glances at her.

ABBY:
— You’re not the type to give up.

ELLIE:
— Wasn’t planning to.

Anderson enters.

ANDERSON:
— All set?

Abby hands him the vial.

ABBY:
— Blood drawn. Scans done.

ANDERSON:
— Good. I’ll be in the lab. Results in a couple hours. (to Ellie) You can rest for now. You’re in good hands.

Abby escorts Ellie to a private room, then leaves her alone.

 

LABORATORY

 

Anderson develops the scans himself. Beside him are Nora, Leah, and Owen.

ANDERSON (intense):
— The infection is localized in the hippocampus. Immunity is stable. This is it. This is the one.

He looks at Owen.

— You see? This is our shot!

OWEN (tense):
— Have you even told her what you plan to do?

ANDERSON:
— She’s a child. Why burden her?

He turns to Nora and Leah.

ANDERSON:
— Prep anesthesia. Surgery in thirty minutes.
Joel… remove him. Quietly.

Nora exchanges looks with Owen. Leah presses her lips together, uneasy. Neither replies. They leave.

 

CORRIDOR

Leah and Nora walk in silence.

LEAH (quietly):
— I can’t do this.

NORA (soft):
— Me neither.

They exchange a look.

LEAH:
— She doesn’t even know. And Joel... they’re just going to kill him.

NORA (coldly):
— All for the "future." A future where we might not even be around.

Silence.

LEAH:
— What do we do?

NORA:
— Stick to the plan. I’ll sedate her. “For tests.”
(pause) Then… let Joel figure it out.

LEAH:
— And if he—

NORA:
— Then that’s on him. We didn’t betray anyone. We just… didn’t interfere.

Leah nods to herself.

LEAH:
— I just… I can’t shoot the man who walked her all the way here.

Nora looks at her. Nods.

NORA:
— Then let’s get to it.

They part ways. No words needed. It’s decided.

 

EXAM ROOM

Ellie sits on the metal table. Nora prepares a syringe nearby. She wears a mask — but her eyes betray her anxiety.

ELLIE (nervous):
— More blood?

NORA (distantly):
— No. Just a small shot. Makes things easier. You won’t feel a thing.

Ellie eyes her, suspicious.

ELLIE:
— That sounds… off.

Nora turns away, pretending not to hear. She takes a breath. Approaches.

NORA (softly):
— It’s okay, Ellie. Just close your eyes. It’ll be quick. I’m here.

Ellie hesitates. Then slowly lies down. Warily.

ELLIE (weary):
— Joel better not sleep through all the fun…

Nora offers a faint smile, but her eyes are full of guilt. She injects the sedative. Ellie flinches, then relaxes.

NORA (whispers):
— I’m sorry.

Ellie fades into unconsciousness. Her breathing steadies. Nora steps back, breathing hard — staring at Ellie like she’s just betrayed her.

Leah appears in the doorway. Silent. Their eyes meet.

Leah nods: “It’s time.”
Nora nods back: “She’s out.”

Leah leaves. Nora remains.

 

LOUNGE

Joel sits, back to the door, eyes on the floor. Footsteps. He doesn’t turn. The door opens — Leah enters.

JOEL (weary):
— Unless you’ve got better food, I’m not interested.

LEAH (softly):
— I shouldn’t be here.

Joel turns.

JOEL:
— What do you want?

LEAH (sighs):
— To warn you. (pause) Anderson gave the order. You’re to be "removed." Quietly. Ellie… she’s already under. The OR’s being prepped.

Joel shoots to his feet. His face hardens.

JOEL:
— What?

LEAH:
— He’s not gonna ask her. He never even spoke to her properly.
(pause) He always said, “You don’t ask the tool before you use it.” But I never thought he’d go this far.

JOEL (tense):
— And you’re just gonna watch?

LEAH (looks down):
— I thought I knew what we were fighting for. The Fireflies. “Save humanity.”
(pause) But ideas are one thing. This is something else.

JOEL (firm):
— I won’t let it happen.

 

OPERATING ROOM

Ellie is wheeled in. Nora checks equipment. Her hands tremble.

ANDERSON (offscreen):
— Ready?

NORA:
— Yeah… almost.

ANDERSON:
— Ellie’s the key. This is it, Nora.

He steps closer.

ANDERSON:
— If you could save millions by sacrificing one child — wouldn’t you?

Nora stares at him. Long pause.

NORA (quietly):
— What if that child was your daughter?

Silence. Anderson freezes for a moment, then turns away.

 

CORRIDOR

Leah leads Joel through an alternate route. They move quickly, silently. The halls are empty.

She stops.

LEAH:
— That door. Second on the right. (pause) You’re on your own now.

JOEL:
— Thanks.

LEAH (whispers):
— Take her. Go. While you still can.

 

OPERATING ROOM

Ellie lies unconscious. Nora hesitates. A young nurse enters, gloved and masked.

NURSE:
— We’re ready. Tools are prepped. We can begin.

ANDERSON:
— Good. Start with the frontal lobe. Through the skull.

Nora steps back, lips tight. She doesn't move.

Suddenly — the door bursts open. Joel storms in, gun drawn. Panic. Nora and the nurse recoil. Anderson stares.

ANDERSON:
— You don’t know what you’re doing.

JOEL (raspy):
— You know exactly what you’re doing.

He aims. Anderson doesn’t flinch.

ANDERSON:
— Millions, Joel. We could save millions. She’s just one. For all of them.

JOEL (quietly):
— She’s not “just” anything. She’s a person. A kid. And you never gave her a choice.

ANDERSON (hard):
— Because she’d say no. But humanity needs yes.

A pause. Joel hesitates. Then steps forward.

JOEL:
— Move.

Anderson stands his ground.

ANDERSON:
— I won’t. This is my duty.

Joel exhales. Fires.

Anderson drops.

Screams. The nurse backs away. Nora freezes. Joel rushes to Ellie. Checks her pulse — slow, steady. She’s alive. He rips off the sensors.

NORA (soft):
— She’s sedated. She’ll wake in a few hours. I…

She lowers her eyes. Joel looks at her. Nods. Gently lifts Ellie into his arms and walks out.

Leah is waiting outside. Pale, tense.

LEAH (quiet):
— This way! Hurry!

They move fast.

LEAH (whispers):
— That door. After that, you’re on your own.

JOEL (stops):
— Thank you.

LEAH (quickly):
— I don’t know you. I was never here.

Joel nods and disappears.

Leah turns back.

Joel exits into the courtyard. Twilight has fallen. He vanishes into the haze, carrying Ellie in his arms.

Behind him, distant voices shout:
— Lock down all exits!

But they’re already gone.

 

Chapter 8: EPILOGUE

Chapter Text

Several hours later. An abandoned house.

Ellie lies on an old mattress. Joel sits nearby, back against the wall, his rifle resting across his lap. He stares blankly into space.
There’s a faint rustle — Ellie begins to stir.

ELLIE (hoarse):
— Where are we...?

JOEL (gently, calmly):
— It’s okay. We’re safe.

Ellie slowly regains consciousness. Joel takes out a canteen and carefully helps her drink.

ELLIE:
— The hospital? I... I remember... a shot. And then... (pause) What happened?

JOEL:
— What happened... Ellie...

Joel exhales heavily.

JOEL:
— I spoke with the doctor. They ran tests. You’re not the only one. Turns out there were... others. People with similar markers. But...

He looks at her, his eyes full of quiet apology.

JOEL:
— It’s... something in your immune system. Unique. Can’t be replicated. Can’t be transferred.

Another long breath. He looks down.

JOEL:
— Then... the hospital was attacked. There was gunfire. Screaming. No time to figure out who was who.

Ellie frowns.

ELLIE:
— You say it like the place went up in flames.

JOEL:
— Pretty much did. We got out the back.

Silence. Joel slowly looks away. Ellie doesn’t speak. Her eyes are distant, unfocused.

Then — she nods. Just once.

ELLIE:
— Got it.

Joel wants to say something more. But he can’t. He just looks at her, wordless.

A stillness settles.

ELLIE:
— We leaving?

JOEL:
— Yeah. Tomorrow. We head for Jackson.

She turns over, lying back down. Facing away.

Joel remains still, unmoving. Watching.

ELLIE (in a whisper):
— What if I could’ve?
If I could’ve saved them all...

Joel says nothing.

Ellie closes her eyes.