Ellie's POV

Joel throws the girl into a makeshift cell in the basement of an old house. We rarely had a reason to use this cell, seeing as most of the people who tried to invade the compound were killed.

Maria turns to me, "I'll grab her some food. You patch up that wound," she says, smiling gently at me. I don't know why, but Maria seems to trust this girl more than Joel and Tommy. Maybe it's because I told Joel not to kill her, and she trusts me?

I decide that her reason doesn't matter, and nod. I grab bandages, a needle and thread, and some vodka. I enter the cell and get to work.

Your POV

I could feel an intense burning in my left shoulder. I wanted to sit up, but I was being held down on my left side by something. A hand? I open my eyes slowly to see Ellie with one hand pressed against my upper chest, the other working on sewing a bullet wound shut.

I feel panic rise in my chest, remembering what happened before I passed out.

"Where am I?" I ask, attempting to sit up.

She pushes me back down, "you're in a cell in Tommy's compound," she answers through gritted teeth, obviously using a lot of strength to keep me from sitting up.

It's the first time I've gotten a good look at her, she looks much older than she did the first time we met.

I hear a door open, and the blonde woman from before walks down the stairs with a cafeteria tray in hand. The two men follow her down the stairs.

Ellie finishes the last stitch and wraps my shoulder as the blonde woman enters the cell. I sit up.

"I'm Maria," she says, extending a hand for me to shake.

"Y/N," I say quietly, shaking her hand after a second of hesitation. These people want me dead, why don't they just kill me already?

She sets the tray down in front of me revealing a cup of water and shredded meat. I pick up a piece of meat and put it in my mouth.

"Careful, it's not human, it might give you a stomachache," I hear the older one grumble lowly.

Anger rises in the pit of my stomach at his words. I know it was wrong, I've known that since I was a kid, but it was our only way of staying alive sometimes. If we couldn't find deer or rabbit, human was a last resort.

I stay quiet as I finish the meat and drink the water. Then I look at the men, "why did you keep me alive?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows in an attempt to look less scared.

"You might have valuable information," the younger man says, crossing his arms and walking to the door of the cage.

"So, why did you attack us?" He asks, looking down at me.

"Why should I tell you?" I snap, standing up to look him in the eyes. I hear Ellie stand up beside me, and Maria places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Sweetie, we can help you. Just tell us what you know," she says in a calm, soothing voice.

I sigh, "all I know is that Steven wanted the people who murdered David to be killed," I answer, looking at Maria.

"Who's Steven?" The older man asks

"The leader," I answer, locking eyes with him next. His gaze sharpens, and I back down, looking to the ground.

"So you were sent here to kill Ellie and I, huh? Why'd they send a rookie like you?" He asks, nearing the cell door.

"It was my first mission. I just turned eighteen a week ago," I answer, my gaze still on the ground.

"Look kid, it's plainly obvious you ain't ever killed anyone, so calm down. We ain't gonna hurt you," his voice softened tremendously, so much so that it surprised me at first.

"Aww, you do have a heart," I hear Maria tease him. He grunts, and frowns again. The younger man opens the cell door.

"I'm Tommy, nice to meet you, kid," he extends a hand for me to shake, and I shake it right away.

"I'm Y/N," I reply, smiling nervously.

"Well, Y/N, this is a safe haven for shitty people who want a second chance. What do ya say?" He asks, looking into my eyes

"Um, yes?" I'm not quite sure what to say, as I'm pretty sure nobody in this room actually trusts me.

"Great. This is Joel," he introduces the older man, who gives a small wave.

"Wait, why are you trusting me?" I ask, completely confused by the situation at hand.

"Are you saying that you can't be trusted?" He asks

"N-no that's not what I-," he cuts me off

"Then you can be trusted. Now let's go, you need a room,"

~~~

I look around the room, it's small, but it's cute. There's a single bed, a dresser, a desk, and a single window. Most of the kids live in this dormitory-like building. That reminds me of my old home... I shake my head to get rid of the thought.

I hear a knock on the door, and Ellie enters seconds after. Tommy told me that he convinced Joel to let her have her own little cabin almost a year ago when she turned eighteen.

"Hey," I smile, feeling awkward as soon as I speak

"So, about everything that happened. What are you thinking?" She asks, playing with her fingers.

"What do you mean?" I ask, knitting my eyebrows together and biting my inner lip.

"I guess I should just say it. Do you want to kill me and Joel?" She asks, her eyes narrowing as they look into mine.

I shake my head back and forth, "I never wanted to kill either of you, honestly," I say, "I only knew what we were doing after I was assigned. I couldn't back out," she nods in understanding.

"Why did you save me?" I ask, biting my lip again

"Why did you save me?" She mirrors my question

"I... I don't know," my answer is truthful, but it doesn't shine any light on the situation.

She nods again, "get some sleep, Y/N," she then exits the room, leaving me and my thoughts alone.