Ellie Angst - Tumblr Posts

Ultraviolence.

farm!ellie x fem!reader TW!: references to alcohol and substance abuse, along with instances of emotional and verbal abuse. Summary: Years after returning from Seattle, you and Ellie chose to adopt a baby, hoping to rebuild your lives after the traumatic events. However, several months later, Ellie began struggling emotionally, haunted by her past, expressing her pain through cold and distant behavior. a/n: AHHH!! soo excited to finally share this!! lmk if you angels would like a pt 2!

read part 2! read part 3!

───── ⋆⋅⋅⋆ ─────

The silence of the house was abruptly broken by a cry that echoed through every corner. It was a sound you recognized instantly, a heart-wrenching feeling that never failed to make your chest tighten. Those cries belonged to your child. 

As you stood at the sink, sleeves rolled up, scrubbing away residues of dinner from the white porcelain plates – the very ones Ellie had lovingly chosen for you – memories flooded your mind. Each sponge stroke brought back moments shared with Ellie, her attention to detail in every aspect of your life together.

The kitchen, once a place of laughter and shared meals, now felt empty. The soft glow of the overhead light cast shadows across the room, emphasizing the solitude that enveloped you. How you longed for Ellie's presence, her warmth filling the space with love and comfort.

Yet, she wasn't physically absent.

She simply wasn't present.

"Go check on him," ellie muttered rudely, not even looking in your direction.

"Already on it," you replied, setting the plate down and drying your hands on a nearby cloth. 

Making your way upstairs, the cries of your child grew louder as you approached his door. Your heart ached as you recognized them all too well. Taking a deep breath, you knocked and opened the door.

Before you could utter a word, he began pouring out his troubles. He knew it was you even before the door opened, aware that you were the only one who came to check on him. His other mom…hadn't done so in a long time.

He was sobbing into his teddy bear, his red and puffy eyes avoiding your gaze.

"Why is my mommy like that?" he asked, tears staining his teddy bear. "Why is she not playing with me? Does she not love me anymore?"

Closing the door gently behind you, you settled on his bed. His voice choked with emotion, he questioned why his mother seemed distant.

"Oh honey, she loves you.” you tried soothing by rubbing his back, “she’s just… been busy, but soon enough, she'll play with you again, okay? I'll talk to her.." you assured, pulling him into your arms.

"Promise?" This time he raised his head to look at you with those wet eyes. You'd been playing the mother role for the past half a year now. How many times had you made that promise to him? 

"Pinky promise," you affirmed, feeling the weight of your words as you made yet another pledge to ease his worries.

"Thank you mama.."  He smiled weakly, clinging to you with a sense of reassurance. 

A voice in the background called your name – Ellie.

Abruptly, the heavy thuds of footsteps echoed up the stairs, her sharp voice vibrating through the silence of the hallway. 

"What are you doing?!" she snapped, her tone laced with irritation as she barged into the room, a cigarette dangling from her fingers.

"What the fuck are you staring at?" Ellie snarked,  her words cutting through the air. Her cold glare pierced through you. "Kid, go somewhere else."

As Ellie's coldness unfolded, you began to bite the inside of your cheek, a surge of anger towards her lack of empathy. The lack of interest she showed towards everyone's feelings aggravated you, you were growing exhausted. 

"Stop it.” you intervened, hoping to convey to Ellie the need for a gentler approach toward the child. As expected, Ellie brushed off your attempt, a complete disregard for how her words affected the child.

"I said fucking go!" Ellie yelled.

Your child, tears swelling, quickly left the room, the echoes of his sniffles fading behind him. Dammit, Ellie...

You shoot her a glare filled with frustration, immediately getting up to exit the room. However, Ellie quickly grabbed your arm, her grip tight and nails digging into your flesh, causing you to wince and forcefully move toward her.

"Where the fuck are you going?" she snarled.

"Argh- Ellie, I'm not.. dealing with you right now-" you remarked..

Ellie tugged your arm harshly, her stare growing more aggravated. The scent of cigarettes lingering, the scent so familiar that you had become numb to it. This was the only time Ellie would even attempt to touch you, always using it to assert her control. In all other instances, you existed as nothing, always unnoticed.

“You don’t get to decide that.” She released your arm, shutting the door firmly and positioning herself in front of it to ensure you couldn't leave. Taking another drag from her cigarette, she exhaled the smoke.

Maintaining your glare, you scoffed and went to open the window, refusing to let the smell of cigarettes fill your child's room. 

"What the fuckk are you doing?" Ellie asked, displaying no intention of stopping you, her annoyance being clear. She didn't bother pretending. 

“What does it fucking look like?” you snapped, not bothering to turn and face her. You hated it when she tried irritating you. 

Instead, your focus drifted toward the view outside the window. The sun was setting, painting the sky with hues of warm gold and soft pink, casting a gentle glow. The fields surrounding the farmhouse with lively flowers, their petals swaying in the evening breeze.

The farmhouse itself stood as a sturdy, its walls covered with trailing vines of ivy. In the distance, you could hear the faint sound of cows softly in the fields. 

Ellie remained silent, simply taking another prolonged drag of her cigarette. She didn't spare the time to respond to your snarky remarks.

“..he wanted to play with you today,” you mentioned, leaning your head against the window, fidgeting with the sleeves of your shirt. “He thinks you don’t love him.”

It had become routine for Ellie to try and get any information about what your kid shared. His troubles and worries seemed to be a curiosity for her. You never questioned it, always holding onto the hope that, in some part of her, she still truly cared.

"So?" she replied nonchalantly, walking over to you and flicking her cigarette out the window. "What's one of his little feelings to me? He's too attached anyway. It'd be good for him if I ignored him for a while." 

Ellie's gaze drifted toward the window, her eyes captivated by the familiar view. The  golden glow over the farmstead, a sight she had always cherished. It was one of the main reasons she had chosen this farmhouse for her family to live in. 

You gazed at Ellie, taking in her features. Her heavy bags from the countless sleepless nights on the couch, her once-soft pink lips now only meeting the cold bottles of alcohol she consumed in the dead of night.

“He’s not the only one who feels that way..” You remarked, still staring at her, hoping that her emerald eyes would meet yours.

Ellie's heart sank, a flicker of emotion appearing on her face.

"Shut up," she muttered coldly. She didn't bother turning to look at you; your words had clearly affected her. 

"I don't want to hear you talk. I'll do whatever I want. If I don't feel like playing with him, then I fucking won't."

She stormed off, and the moment of silence shattered. Her heavy footsteps descended the stairs. 

Without a moment's hesitation, you rushed out of your son's room, your only focus being to find him. You swiftly walked down the hallway, your pace quickening. Leaving him alone, particularly when upset, was something you hated. As you walked down the hallway…

There he was. 

In the bathroom, seated on the black and white tiled floor, clutching his teddy bear, with his face buried into his knees and headphones covering his ears.

He didn't want to witness his mothers arguing. He understood that whenever Ellie interrupted your time together, it signaled something bad. 

You observed him from the doorway painfully knowing that he didn't deserve this, enduring the harsh environment that the house had become. It pained your heart to see that he had developed coping mechanisms for these moments.

He glanced up at you, his eyes red from crying.

You gave him a soft smile, walking over and lifting him into your arms, gently wiping away the tears from his face. “I’m sorry honey, mommy needed to tell me something-”

“I know,” he said softly, nuzzling his face into your neck. He already knew all your apologies.

You kissed the top of his head, tenderly stroking his hair and swaying side to side. Your mind raced, searching for ways to lift his spirits and make up for Ellie's behavior.

“Hey, why don’t we-”

"Mama... I’m tired," he interrupted, his gaze staring off as if he was drifting from this moment. It wasn’t just physical fatigue; he was tired of it all, exhausted from feeling this way.

You nodded gently. “Okay, let’s head to bed then…”

You walked over to the sink, sitting him on the nearby stool where you usually did to brush his little teeth. The tap gushed water as you applied toothpaste to his green toothbrush covered in tiny dinosaurs, a choice Ellie had insisted upon a while back. You remember her begs of "pleaseee!!" throughout the shopping trip.

With the toothbrush in hand, you gently brushed his teeth, being careful not to hurt his sensitive gums.

“Okay, now you can spit.”

Ptui!

“All clean, mama!” he exclaimed excitedly, clapping his hands together and flashing you his newly cleaned smile.

You leaned down, planting a kiss on the top of his head. “Good job, honey!”

He carefully climbed down from the stool, making his way towards your bedroom. Sleeping with you always made him feel safe, and he eagerly headed for the bed, emitting little grunts of tiredness along the way.

Finally settling onto the bed, he lay down next to his teddy bear, giving it a small pat.

“Mama will join you after she’s done cleaning, okay?” you assured him, tucking him into his space-themed blanket. The blanket, a dark blue adorned with various planets and stars, was one of his favorites.

It was a gift from from grandpa Joel, who had been thrilled to learn about your and Ellie's news of starting a family. He couldn't contain his excitement, bombarding Ellie with endless parenting tips and even purchasing books on child development in preparation.

Joel never got to meet him. 

“Okay...” he said softly, turning away as you walked towards the door. You stared at his back, an ache overwhelming your thoughts, and all you could think about was saying, "I’m sorry." Though you knew you weren’t responsible for Ellie's behavior, you felt like you owed it to him.

You and Ellie were eagerly excited on the journey to adopt a child together, ready to try again. Jackson had many kids in need of a loving home. When you adopted your kid, you promised him a life filled with love and joy, but that promise crumbled far too quickly. 

You stepped out of the room and closed the door behind you.

Heading downstairs, you found Ellie sitting on the couch, smoking a joint and watching Breaking Bad, an episode she had already seen twice.

Resuming your routine, you began cleaning up the kitchen. Drying dishes, sweeping the floor, and wiping the countertops. All tasks you were now accustomed to doing alone.

 Ellie gradually stopped helping, a gradual drift. The same snarky excuses: “I’m too fucking tired” or “I have some work to finish up.” Eventually, she left you alone in the silent kitchen, where everything felt still.

“Goodnight,” you said, looking towards Ellie as you headed towards the stairs.

Silence.

Ellie remained motionless on the couch, smoking her joint and staring blankly at the TV. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, trying to detach herself from the world.

You took a deep breath, attempting to control your emotions and suppress the ache that surfaced every time she responded with silence. Placing your foot on the first step, you began to ascend the stairs.

"C'mere,” Ellie said, actually looking at you for once.

Your heart raced at her sudden attention, her piercing gaze catching you off guard. You walked over to her, standing in front of her. Up close, you couldn't ignore the mess she appeared to be. Her eyes were puffy and red, a foolish smirk plastered across her face.

“c’meree..” she said, motioning you to come closer. 

Ellie brought the joint to her lips, taking a long drag before blowing the smoke right into your face, giggling at how it was causing you to cough. 

She started laughing, “you look stupid.”

Irritated, you smacked the joint out of her hand. Causing ellie to jolt at the sudden movement. 

“Be fucking stupid and pick it up,” you snarled, glaring at her, your eyes piercing through her.

Ellie simply looked at you, no words, no movement, her gaze fixated on you. You couldn’t decipher the emotion behind her gaze there were thoughts behind those eyes, but you couldn’t recognize them.

Scoffing, you turned away, no longer wanting to be near her. Heading upstairs, you headed straight for the bathroom. Closing the door behind you, you looked at yourself in the mirror. Tears welled up, but you refused to let them fall. I need to be strong..she can’t..can’t win…

You couldn't help but feel stupid. Stupid for thinking she would offer you even a shred of affection. Her undivided attention, a drop of care.

Turning on the faucet, you splashed water on your face, feeling its cool touch soothe your heated skin. It was as if the water washed away the tension, calming your mind. Each droplet felt like a weight lifted off your shoulders, easing the ache you carried.

Taking a deep sigh, you began your nightly routine, another task you were accustomed to doing alone.

Slowly opening the door to your bedroom, you found your child fast asleep, clutching his teddy bear tightly in his arms and cocooned in his blanket. His gentle breaths filled the room with a sense of tranquility, a small smile gracing his lips as he slept peacefully.

In that moment, he appeared like a peaceful, angelic child, as if he were innocent and free from life's worries.

Closing the door behind you, you approached the bed, gently laying beside him, fingers caressing his soft hair, humming a melody –a melody Ellie used to sing to you back then. Never missing a chance to soothe you with her singing whenever you couldn’t sleep. 

He appeared so innocent, carrying that light within him. The idea of him being exposed to Ellie's behavior filled you with guilt. He was the reason you tolerated Ellie, not demanding for more.

You had an urge to fight for his safety and his right to happiness. All he deserved was love and affection, and ellie failed to provide it.

Pressing a kiss to his forehead, you closed your eyes, letting sleep envelop you as you tried to quiet the endless thoughts swirling in your mind.

Thud.

Sometime later in the night, you heard Ellie stumbling her way up the stairs. Her movements were unsteady, the effects of alcohol. It seemed like she hadn't slept at all. The only evidence of her rest was the blanket and pillow on the couch.

You heard the sound of ellie turning the doorknob and entering the room, not bothering to turn on the lights. The room filled with the sound of Ellie rummaging through drawers and opening closets. You had no idea what she was looking for, but she appeared determined to find it.

You tried to catch a glimpse of Ellie in the darkened room. Your eyes adjusted, and you could make out the outline of her figure as she searched. She stood there in a tank top and boxers, her arms revealing prominent veins, and her hair ruffled messily around her face.

“El’s?..” 

Startled, she jumped and stopped her search, clearly taken aback by the sudden sound of your voice. She turned around with a scowl, not bothering to whisper back.

“What?” she snapped, clearly annoyed.

"What're you… doing?" you asked sleepily, being awoken by her rummaging. 

"Nothing," Ellie replied with a heavy sigh "Go back to sleep."

You looked into her eyes, your eyes glistening in the gentle moonlight. 

Ellie was startled for a moment at the sight of the eyes that met her. But snapped herself back into reality.

"Don't… give me that look," she muttered before turning around and going back to rummaging through the drawers.

You gently extended your hand towards Ellie, wanting her to sleep with you. Your fingers moved slowly, reaching out for hers. 

She paused, her shoulders rising and falling as she took a sharp inhale of air. She sighed and then looked at you. She didn't pull away from your touch, her demeanor appearing softer as if she was trying to resist you.

"No," 

You stayed silent at her response, silently hoping for her to change her answer.

"I said No. Go… back to sleep." She tried to say firmly but her tone was softer now.

You turned away from Ellie, silently acknowledging her rejection. Each time your attempts were turned down, the familiar ache grew duller, as if numbed. You wrapped your arm around your child, closing your eyes in an attempt to drift back into sleep.

Your child's peaceful breathing filled the room, a comforting reminder of his presence. Though still awake, you could hear Ellie's silent breaths nearby. She lingered by the bed, her presence still even in the darkness. It felt as if she was trying to find a way to be near you without you knowing. 

You resembled an angel in the soft moonlight, your skin radiant. Ellie couldn't help but admire you, considering you the most beautiful sight she had ever seen—as if you were kissed by the moon. 

The night was warm, the gentle wind gentle and comforting. In this moment, you hoped to never wake up. 

Your soft hair laid on the pillow like soft and silky thread. Your gentle breathing was soothing. Your body looked like a painting created by heaven itself. You were its beautiful muse and the moon was the painter showing its admiration.

Ellie couldn't help but gaze at you, her eyes lingering on your lips for a moment longer than usual. She then looked down at your child, peacefully nestled with you For an instant, a longing for love stirred within her, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a very long time. It reminded her of the days when you both were deeply in love.

Your body was so peaceful, ellie found herself entranced, her eyes tracing every curve and line. Ellie felt an overwhelming desire to simply…admire you, to preserve your presence. 

Without a second thought, Ellie found herself slowly lying down beside you, her body acting with impulse. The comfort of the bed and the softness of the cotton sheets gave her a warmth that she had long forgotten.

She pressed her body as close as she could get it against yours. Her hands folded under her chin, as if she was too afraid to touch you. 

She found herself lost, aching for a connection she feared to ignite. 

Ultraviolence pt.2

farm!ellie x fem!reader TW!: references to alcohol and substance abuse, along with instances of emotional and verbal abuse. as well as mentions of miscarriage. a/n: pt 2 for you angels!! lmk what you angels think & if you'd like a pt 3!!

read part 1! read part 3!

As the moon began to set, making way for the rising sun, the room was bathed in morning sunlight. While you still slept, the sun cast its gentle glow upon you, illuminating you among the blossoming morning.

The sunlight kissed your skin and hair, as if your very being radiated the warmth of the sun itself. The soft morning light painted the room with a sense of home. 

Your child stirred in his sleep, wrapped in his blanket with his teddy bear in hand. The sunlight caressed his face as he shifted, illuminating him.

The entire room had a calming and comforting feeling, it was the most peaceful it had ever been.

It was a picture-perfect morning. 

Ellie's breath tickled your neck, a subtle reminder that she was still there, lying behind you.

Your eyes widened in disbelief.

No…fucking…way.

Your body stiffened as a rush of disbelief washed over you. Ellie, sleeping right behind you—it felt surreal, impossible!  Your mind raced with countless thoughts, your heart pounding in your chest. There was no comfort in this moment, only pure confusion.

How could this be happening?! How could she be lying in bed alongside you, after so long? It didn't make sense, it couldn't be real. Your mind refused to accept it, unable to comprehend the sudden shift in her behavior.

As your heart threatened to burst from your chest, your vision blurred and your hands trembled uncontrollably. You needed to escape. 

You slowly shifted, your arms trembling as you pushed yourself up, careful not to disturb your sleeping child or Ellie. He remained peacefully asleep, his blanket shifting gently with his movements. Despite your efforts, dizziness crept in, making you feel unsteady.

Struggling to maintain your balance, you reached the edge of the bed, managing to rise and quickly make your way towards the bathroom, the soft pitter-patter of your feet echoing behind you. 

Your legs weakened, trembling violently as you sank to your knees. Resting your head against the cool surface of the white bathroom door, you clenched your stomach, gripping onto your sides. Rocking back and forth, you struggled to calm the nauseating sensation overwhelming you.

"please...please...please.." you whispered to yourself, desperately praying for the nauseous feeling to leave.

The room felt immensely hot, the walls closing in as you struggled with the overwhelming sensation. Your eyes frantically scanned the bathroom, seeking something to keep your focus on.

Nausea gripped you, forcing you to rush towards the toilet. The memory of Ellie's body pressed against yours flooded your thoughts—the warmth, the softness of her skin against yours, a sensation you had longed for. Your lips quivered, your hand instinctively reaching for your forehead as the nausea intensified.

"no, no, no!...please," you pleaded, hovering over the toilet, ready to give in to the impending urge to gag.

She was in bed with you and your son—an elusive fantasy you had desperately wished for, now turned into a disorienting reality.

Tears began to fall, falling down your cheeks like flowing streams. You bit your lip, attempting to stifle the cries and hiccups. Your body trembled against the cool bathroom floor, your nose running uncontrollably.

Then, without warning, the nausea overcame you entirely.

Blegh! 

You leaned over the toilet, retching as the sounds reverberated throughout the bathroom. Each gag felt like a release. The bitter taste filled your mouth, a reminder of the chaos siring in your gut.

Her presence, once a distant dream, was now a reality pressed against yours, and yet...

You couldn't help but feel revolted.

With shaky hands, you stopped throwing up and rose from the toilet, the echoes of your whimpers and cries still ringing in the air. Tears streamed down your face, each droplet releasing the emotions raging inside you.

Your steps stumbling as you made your way to the sink, the sound of rushing water filling the bathroom. With trembling fingers, you turned on the faucet, allowing the water to flow freely. Cupping your hands, you gathered it and splashed it onto your tear-streaked face, desperate to cleanse away the discomfort and disgust.

───

After cleaning yourself up, you walked downstairs, taking deep breaths between every step to soothe yourself. The chaos of feelings stirred within you, but you refused to let them control the entire day.

Now in the kitchen, you headed straight to the stove, turning it on. Concentration fueled your movements as you prepared breakfast, the rhythmic sounds of sizzling pancakes and bacon filling the air. Your hands moved with practiced ease, flipping pancakes and stirring ingredients. 

As you cooked, the pancakes took shape—round, fluffy, just the way your kid loved them.

The sun cast warm rays, creating a gentle glow in the kitchen as the aroma of breakfast filled the entire house. It felt like you had fallen back into a fantasy, a moment of normalcy.

You walked over to open the window, craving to feel the outside breeze along your skin.  The morning wind was gentle, it made you feel alive and warm, as if it was your first breath this morning. Your eyes lit up and your soul felt at peace. 

───

Your kid's eyes squinted at the gentle sunlight, the warmth of his blanket clinging to his body. As he stirred and yawned, his eyes opened, and he smiled, stretching before turning his attention to you.

"Mama?.." he asked in a soft voice.

Realizing you weren't in bed beside him, his gaze shifted to find Ellie in your place.

Her chest rose and fell gently, her soft skin glowing in the sunlight. The sight of her was beautiful, this was the most peaceful he had seen her in forever.

His cheeks flushed with the sheer thrill of the moment. Grinning, he covered his mouth with his tiny hands, attempting to contain his excitement. Grabbing his blanket and teddy bear, he carefully slid off the bed, his hair messy from his sleep. 

As he descended, he couldn't resist stealing glances back at Ellie, peacefully asleep on the edge of the bed, hands still cupped under her chin. His smile grew, an expression of pure happiness. 

Thump.

The soft pitter-patter of his tiny feet reached the floor as he approached Ellie. Delicately, he extended his little hands, fingers entwined with strands of her auburn hair. Gently, he brushed the hair behind her ear, a gesture of tenderness he had never done before, a moment of connection with his mommy.

“There ya go mommy..” he whispered softly, careful not to disturb ellies sleep. 

He wished for time to stand still. He wanted her to welcome his presence, his heart filled with a need for connection. 

He pressed a gentle kiss on the back of her head. 

Hurriedly walking away, the little pitter-patter of his feet trailing behind him, he left the room excitedly, a big smile plastered over his face. Quickly making his way downstairs, running to find you.

You already heard the loud thumping of his feet running across the house, a soft smile creeping onto your face. You knew he was happy, thrilled to have found Ellie in their bed. But as you listened to his joyful steps, a heavy weight settled in your chest, a sinking feeling that refused to lift. God...why couldn’t you feel it too..?

“Good morning, honey!” you greeted as he dashed towards you.

“Mama! Mama!” he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around your legs and looking up at you. “Mommy’s in bed!”

You smiled warmly, “Yes, she is,” lifting him into your arms. Your child yawned and giggled, nestling comfortably in your embrace as you carried him to his chair. Feeling the warmth of his body against yours. His soft, warm presence was love itself.

Your kid sat there, staring at the pancakes. Still sleepy and drowsy, he resembled a small ball of happiness. Reaching to grab the pancake, he took a small bite, making the sweetest face as he chewed. 

“Yummy!” he exclaimed, giving you a syrupy smile.

You took the seat next to him, admiring him with a heart full of love. His eyes sparkled with softness—something you hoped he would always keep. Simply being in his presence filled you with a love so irreplaceable that you would rather die than never feel it again.

───

Ellie began waking up, groaning and stretching, irritated by her hangover. A slight headache throbbed, frustration in her movements.

This wasn't a typical situation for her; hangovers had become rare. However, last night had been an exception. Frustration with….well, everything had driven her to consume more alcohol than usual. Now she was dealing with the consequences. Her head pounded as she struggled to open her eyes properly. 

"Jesus..” she muttered, rubbing her eyes and wincing at the bright sunlight streaming into the bedroom. With unsteady steps, Ellie stumbled across the room, her eyes squinting against the light as she made her way to the bathroom. 

Turning on the cold water, she stepped into the shower, the chill helping to clear her mind. The cold droplets over her body, easing the throbbing in her head. After a quick shower, she dried herself off and brushed her teeth, hoping to get rid of the lingering taste of alcohol.

Feeling slightly refreshed, Ellie made her way downstairs, where the aroma of breakfast tugged at her stomach. She was hungry. 

Her eyes widened as she approached the kitchen.

The sight of you and your kid. A warm feeling bloomed in her chest. There was something heartwarming about seeing him eat breakfast like any other day, You looked beautiful sitting beside him, bathed in the soft morning light.

For a moment, Ellie felt a surge of warmth in her heart as she watched. There was a sense of beauty in your presence that she couldn't deny.

But that atmosphere quickly faded as Ellie's hangover intensified, a sharp migraine creeping.  She quickly turned to the window and shut it, blocking out the morning light and the fresh breeze. 

"Hey!" you exclaimed, upset that she had closed the window.

"What?" She snapped, now in a bad mood and seemingly aggravated. 

"I don't want the window closed."

"Well, I do." Her tone indicated she wouldn’t compromise.

You stared at her, walking over to the window and opening it again.

Her expression immediately returned to annoyance. The bright morning light shined on her face, her eyes now squinting.

"Close the damn window."

"No, it's beautiful out, I want to enjoy it."

"Well, I can’t fucking stand it."

"Then maybe you shouldn't drink yourself out…”

Ellie's face tightened at the mention of her hangover.

"I drink because of you. You make me so fucking mad that I need to numb myself somehow."

Your gaze shifts towards ellie, your eyes locking. 

"What? You think I enjoy drinking?!”  She snapped, her tone loud and harsh. “I hate the feeling, but I hate the reality I live in with you even more. You make me miserable."

Your eyes turned to the floor, a sudden shudder of ache filling you entirely.

There it was.

Ellie saw the emptiness in your eyes, feeling a pit in her stomach. Guilt washed over her, a familiar sensation that she couldn’t shake off. She wanted to make things right, to mend the scars in your relationship. No matter how hard she tried, she always met your efforts with resistance. She didn’t know how to break the pattern, how to control the constant tug-of-war between you two. She was the constant push to your pull, and it left her feeling lost. 

"I'm just…being honest, that's all..." Ellie's voice dripped with frustration, her eyes narrowed. 

You walked over to your kid, wiping his sticky hands from the syrup, Ellie's gaze followed you. She could sense the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air, knowing she had hurt you once again. The guilt gnawed at her insides, but she struggled to find the right words to express her remorse. She wished she could take back her harshness, to erase the pain she had caused, but the damage was done, and she couldn't undo it.

. Ellie couldn't bear to watch the sight of you being so caring and playful with him. You seemed to effortlessly radiate warmth and love, while she struggled to even crack a smile. Your affectionate gestures towards him, it was pure love, a love she wished she could reciprocate with the same easyness. 

"you're a little messy eater huh?" You teased at him, wiping his mouth clean. 

Your kid's innocent joy and laughter filled the room, creating a small bubble of happiness. Completely unaware of the tension between you and Ellie, he simply found joy in his pancakes.

You pressed a gentle kiss on his head and collected his messy plate. Making your way to the sink, you diligently scrubbed away the remnants of breakfast. Your kid glanced toward Ellie, a curious expression on his face. "Mommy, you don't want pancakes?"

"I don't want pancakes," she said with a firmness that cut through the air. Her tone was sharp, making it clear that she had no intention of changing her mind. Without glancing at him, she maintained a stare, her expression blank and unreadable.

"But Mama made them," he insisted, pointing towards you, hoping Ellie would try the pancakes made with love, thinking it might make her happy. Ellie rolled her eyes in response, dismissing the idea that she might enjoy the pancakes. Her eyes drifted towards the stack. The pancakes, made with care, looked so delicious. Although her mouth started to water, she hesitated to admit how much she wanted them.

"I'm not hungry." She snapped back, her tone clearly not open to changing her answer.

She looked away immediately after her response.

Clank!

You dropped a plate in the sink, the loud clatter echoing through the kitchen. It was a purposeful move, a warning to Ellie to watch her tone and treatment of your child. While you could handle her sharp comments, you drew the line when it came to your kid.

Ellie's eyes widened at the noise, a flash of irritation as she glared in your direction.

The tension between you both hung in the air for a moment before you resumed cleaning the dishes. 

Ellie stayed motionless, her gaze fixed on nothing. She was deep in thought. You couldn’t tell what she was thinking. After a prolonged silence, she finally spoke.

"I don't... want pancakes," she repeated, her tone softer.

"Okay then, you don't have to eat." you responded coldly, finishing the dishes and drying your hands.

Her gaze met yours without showing any emotion. Guilt lingered inside her. 

You picked up your son, his playful and happy demeanor in your arms. You carried him, showering him with kisses and affectionate hugs. His carefree and innocence tugged at her, causing a sharp ache.

Seeing you both so happy triggered a wave of jealousy within her. The sight of your joy made her feel pathetic.

"You're spoiling him.” she snapped, her tone with a hint of defensiveness.

She felt threatened, questioning her role as a parent. She continued to watch, all she wanted was to be part of that warmth and happiness.

"I'm just spending time with him," you snapped back, shooting her a glare.

"You're just babying him. He's going to think he can do anything without any consequences. You're raising him to be a spoiled brat..."

"At least I’m raising him..." The room filled with silence and unspoken resentment.

Ellie had no response to that; you hit a sore spot. The tension was heavy in the room, and your kid noticed it immediately. 

"m’gonna to go play, mama," he said eagerly.

You nodded and caressed his face, setting him down on the floor. "Okay, my love..."

Ellie glanced over, you looked so loving and caring when you did those small things for your kid. She sighed and turned away, her anger affecting her ability to interact with either of you.

"What’s your problem?" you asked, glaring at her.

Your question caught her off guard; you weren't letting her get away with treating your kid so harshly.

"I just want him to understand what life is really like, not this perfect little bubble you’re building around him. Kids get hurt, and you're not letting him be prepared for a ruthless world."

"He’s already experiencing that with your words..."

She remained silent for a moment. You were right; he had already experienced negativity and hurt just from her words. "He should get used to it; the world isn’t going to be nice to him. At least not when he grows up."

She was clearly still stuck in a bad mood, getting back into her defensive mindset. "Life is a harsh reality; I don't want our son to have unrealistic expectations. He should know what the world is really like."

“He’s a kid,” you said firmly. “He isn’t going to turn out a fuck up.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“You know exactly what it means.”

Ellie scoffed, her footsteps heavy as she made her way to the kitchen table. She settled into the chair with a frustrated sigh, retrieving a cigarette from her pocket. Lighting it, she took a long drag, the smoke curling upwards in lazy spirals. Her leg bounced anxiously as she sat in tense silence, lost in her own thoughts.

“You slept in bed with us..” you said, your gaze fixed on her.

Ellie twitched at the sudden mention of last night. She didn't reply immediately, just taking more drags from her cigarette. She seemed conflicted between being silent or talking about it.

After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke. “Yeah…”

“You hadn’t done that since…” you started.

"I don’t wanna talk about it," she muttered, cutting you off abruptly. The topic was a sore spot, one that shouldn't be poked.

"It was… just one night," she continued, her tone distant.

You fiddled with your fingers, debating whether to continue. It hadn’t been something that had been discussed in years.

“El’s..” you started, moving closer to her, “I need you to know that I forgiv-”

“Stop.” she interrupted, shutting her eyes as if she already knew what you were going to say.

You stood in front of her, determined to make her face the conversation. “No, Ellie, we need to talk about this-”

“I don’t wanna fucking talk about it.” she quickly interrupted once again, her tone growing louder, her leg bouncing faster as she took another long drag of her cigarette. She truly didn’t want to discuss it, it was something she hoped to bury deep within her mind.

Your frustration and agitation grew as she continued to shut you down. It had become too much for you; you had reached a point where you couldn't continue any longer.

“I don’t give a fuck!” You yelled, causing Ellie to suddenly jolt, almost dropping her cigarette. “Things can not continue like this anymore! I’m tired, Ellie! Fucking tired! I have completely lost myself in continuing to have hope, having faith that things will change, that things will get better…”

“And it’s all because of you.” Your eyes began to swell, tears itching to fall. “I’ve moved on, El’s. I’ve grieved, I’ve mended, I’ve healed! You’re the one who has been stuck in the same place, in the same continuous cycle!  Not willing to fucking move!” 

You slammed your hand on the table, vibrating the entire surface, making Ellie flinch once again. “Ever since he’s entered our lives, you’ve become unrecognizable! You’re somebody I can’t love anymore!” 

Your cheeks were stained with streams of tears, each drop tracing a path down your trembling face. The silent sobs shook your body, leaving you gasping for breath between hiccups.

Ellie's gaze fixated on you, her eyes widening in shock as her lips trembled. “why can’t you fucking see..” she began getting up, now towering over you. “that’s the exact reason i’m this way! I’m the reason for everything!”

Ellie's hands began trembling, her eyes pleading as they started to well up with tears. Her breath hitched, caught in the overwhelming emotions she had kept bottled up for so long. “For fucks sake, I’m the reason you lost our baby!”

Your eyes widened.

"I was the reason we were in Seattle! I chose to seek revenge and took us out there to achieve it!” 

"It wasn’t your fault! It was nobody’s fault!" you exclaimed, looking up at her with tear-filled eyes.

Ellie scoffed, avoiding your gaze, a tear escaping down her cheek. "How can you tell me that? I knew you were pregnant and yet still took you! I was supposed to protect you. I was supposed to get the job done! And i-instead…instead..”

Her trembling hands covered her face. The weight of the past was suffocating. Ellie crumbled into the kitchen chair, her sobs echoing throughout the kitchen.

“I let…y-you get,” she choked out, her voice breaking. “f..fucking…s-stabbed...”

Ultraviolence pt.3

farm!ellie x fem!reader TW!: references to alcohol and substance abuse, along with instances of emotional and verbal abuse. Mentions of miscarriage and PTSD. a/n: the final chapterr!! so internally grateful for all the support this series received. I appreciate you angels & send all my love

read part 1! read part 2!

You took a deep breath, choosing your words carefully.

‘We both knew the risks. You didn't force me to come with you. We made that decision together," you said, trying to reason with her.

She shot you a glare, her eyes red and filled with anger. "Don't make fucking excuses."

The room turned cold. She wiped away her tears with a rough motion, revealing a hardness in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"I lost everything. All those people I killed, all the pain I caused, and for what? Nothing. Revenge didn't bring them back. It just left me with a trail of fucking corpses."

You reached out to touch her shoulder, hoping to provide some comfort, but she shrugged it off. 

"Don't fucking touch me. I don't need your pity," Ellie snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.

The warmth that once existed between you had disintegrated, leaving only a cold, bitter residue. She stood up abruptly, storming out of the kitchen. You stood there for a moment, feeling the sharp sting of Ellie's words. For one final time.

Taking a deep breath, you composed yourself and followed after her into the living room. Ellie took a seat on the couch, retrieving a cigarette from her pocket. Her hands trembled as she attempted to calm herself. With puffy eyes, she avoided your gaze, her eyes darting away from yours.

"Ellie, I can't stay here like this. I can't watch you destroy yourself," you said, your voice steady "If you won't let me help, if you won't let anyone in, then I can't be a part of this. I can't keep trying to fix something that you're determined to break."

Ellie turned to face you, anger simmering in her eyes, a huge shift from the vulnerability she had shown moments ago. "So that's it, huh? You're going to leave?"

"It's not about leaving," you replied, meeting her gaze. "I’ve realized that I can't force you to change. I can't make you confront the past if you're not willing to face it yourself."

Her jaw tightened. 

"I can't do it anymore, Ellie!" you continued, your voice with frustration. "I can't stand by and watch you destroy everything, including our family. The constant anger, the distance, it's not fair to him, it's not fair to me."

A flicker of anxiety passed through Ellie's eyes, so quick you almost missed it. But it was there, a crack in her facade. 

"I found a place," you confessed, "Maria.. helped me. It's a small house.” 

Ellie clenched her fist tighter, her nails practically piercing right through her skin. "You can't just take him away from me."

"I'm saving what's left of our family." you shot back, "He deserves a stable environment, one where he doesn't have to-."

Ellie suddenly got up, her eyes begging, yet her body language was saying something entirely different. Trembling, her fists clenched, and her gaze locked onto you with worry. No, it wasn't just worry—it was raw, genuine fear. The very fear she dreaded most was happening right before her eyes. You were leaving. Taking your son with you, and leaving her behind. Ellie's hands quivered, her nails digging so deeply into her palms that they burned. 

Her breathing came in shallow gasps, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to calm herself. "Please,.." she whispered, "Don't…leave..me"

"Ellie..." Your voice quivered, torn between your own fear and wanting to comfort her.

But she wasn't finished. With desperation, she took a step closer, her voice trembling as she continued, "You can't do this. p-please, don't take him away from me. I-I..need you both. I can't... I can't do this alone."

You felt a lump form in your throat. 

"We’re leaving." you finally said, your voice remaining firm. 

Desperation and anger flashed in Ellie's eyes. "No, no, no!" she cried out, her voice turning into a panicked plea. "You can't just abandon me. I-Iwon't let you."

Ellie bolted towards the stairs, her footsteps hard against the wooden steps. Panic rushed through you, followed behind her, fearing what she might do next. As you reached the top of the staircase, you saw Ellie rushing towards your child's room.

"Ellie, stop!" you shouted, your heart racing.

But she ignored you, flinging open the door to your child's room. Panic and confusion gripped you as you chased after her. 

"Ellie, please!" you pleaded, your voice trembling with desperation.

She turned to face you, desperation on her face. "If you leave, I'm taking him with me. I won't let you take him away!"

Your heart thumped in your chest as Ellie's trembling hands reached for your child. In a flash, she scooped him into her arms, holding him protectively against her chest. His innocent eyes widened in confusion, fear surrounding him.

"No! Ellie, stop it!" you cried out, reaching out to her.

But she clutched him tighter, her voice trembling. "No! n-not yet.. It's too soon! I... I haven't... I haven't..."

The realization struck you. Ellie’s words trailed off. She was lost in a moment of painful memory. She was thinking of Joel. The wounds of their relationship still raw and unhealed. Your child in her arms was a symbol, a fragile connection to the past that haunted her.

"Ellie..." Your voice softened, the weight of her grief finally making sense."It's not him. He's safe. You're safe."

Tears welled up in Ellie's eyes as she clung to your child, her shaking grip. "I... I couldn't save him. I couldn't save him..."

The weight of her words settled in the room, and you finally understood the depth of her pain. It wasn't just about you leaving; it was the fear of losing the people she cared about, a fear rooted so far deep in the scars of her past.

Your child, looked up at Ellie with innocent eyes. "What's wrong mommy ?" the small voice asked. 

Ellie's gaze shifted to him, pain and guilt plastered on her face. She couldn't find the words to answer, her throat tightening.

"Mommy, why are you sad?" he continued, he needed to know what was wrong. He couldn’t stand to see Ellie like this. 

Ellie's breath hitched, pulling the child even closer to her chest. The room seemed to trap her, the walls closing in as if they were tightening, her grip on your child's arms remained. As if he was her only form of escape. 

"I..I won’t.." Ellie mumbled, almost to herself, her voice strained.

Your child’s worry grew, he turned to look at you, needing an answer. You knew you had to do something, but what?

"Ellie, please, just listen to me," you pleaded, taking slow steps towards her.

"g-get away!" she yelled, holding onto your child even tighter, her hands clenching around his small arms.

"ow!" he yelped, a sudden pain in his voice.

Your heart raced with a surge of panic. You didn’t want him to be involved in this.

"please, just let him go, and we can talk about thi-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Ellie yelled, her voice vibrating throughout the entire room.

Your child's eyes began to water, his anxiety growing with each passing second. He didn't know what to think or do. 

"m..mommy, i-it hurts.." he hiccuped, looking up at Ellie with stained cheeks, tears streaming down like rivers.

Ellie's mind was in complete disarray, buzzing with countless thoughts that raced with chaos. Her hands shook, her body unable to find stillness. Her eyebrows furrowed as she struggled to gather herself. Adrenaline surged through her veins, her breaths coming in heavy uneven gasps. She couldn't focus on anything anymore; all her senses were useless. 

A ringing began to buzz in her ears, her eyes frantically scanning the room, catching a glimpse of you, your lips moving as you tried to speak to her. But the ringing was so unbearable, drowning out any sound.

"ELLIE!" your voice pierced right through it. 

───

“ELLIE!” 

Ellie snapped her neck towards the shout of her name, eyes widening as she took in the sight before her.

There you stood, hands trembling, your shirt drenched in blood, the crimson liquid slowly seeping onto the damp grass. Your eyes were wide, on the verge of bursting. filled with an overflow of tears. Your legs shook, threatening to give way at any moment, knees weakened by the sharp pain from the blade lodged in your lower stomach, Your throat felt strained, as if ellie’s name was all you could speak. 

Frantically, Ellie ran towards you, her heart pounding against her chest. With each step, she stumbled, her breath quickening.

no..No..NO!! 

As Ellie reached you, a rush of tears burst from your eyes, your face covered in salty droplets that slid down your quivering lips.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Ellie exclaimed in panic, her hands moving frantically as she tried to figure out what to do. "H-Here, baby, lay down," she urged, her voice trembling as she tried to stay strong. 

Ellie gently guided you to lie down, your entire body ached with anguish, trembling as you grunted in pain, trying to remain as quiet as possible. Not wanting to attract any attention. 

You were completely surrounded by the WLF. 

You sank into the damp grass, the earth stained with blood, the sharp scent of iron filling the air. Ellie knelt beside you, her hands trembling as she stared down at you.

"I need something to stop the bleeding," she muttered to herself, her eyes darting around.

"s-stay with me, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. With swift movements, she tore fabric from her own shirt, clutching it tightly in her shaking hands.

"I'm going to t-take it out... okay?" she said nervously, her gaze fixated on your stomach.

You weakly reached for Ellie's, your own hands completely bloodied from clutching your abdomen. Ellie looked at you, her eyes watering, her gaze filled with terror.

"I got you." she said, leaning forward and placing a kiss on your forehead. The softness of her pink lips being the only warm sensation your body felt. You closed your eyes, hiccuping as silent sobs shook your body. 

You nodded weakly, unable to utter a single word. The pain was too overwhelming, threatening to consume you if you let out even a whimper.

Ellie nodded back, a gesture of readiness. She placed her right hand on your stomach, shaking uncontrollably as she made contact with your cold skin. 

You brought the side of your hand up to your mouth, pressing your teeth into it to suppress the agony.

Ellie reached for the handle of the blade, her hand hesitating as if she were afraid of the very object she needed to hold. Her heart sank as she drew closer to it, her hands finally gripping around it with a shaky grip.

She knew what she was about to do. Pulling out the blade meant unleashing a flow of blood, a sign that your baby's life would be lost along with it. It meant she would have to endure yet another loss of someone she deeply loved.

Ellie's mind raced, her breath quickening with every passing thought. Tears streamed down her face, her chest rising rapidly with the weight of the decision before her. Her lips quivered as she bit down on her bottom lip. 

What she would give to be the one to die instead. 

The baby she could've raised.

Her hand tightened around the knife.

The baby she had dreamed of carrying.

Swiftly, Ellie pulled the blade, the sharp "shling!" sound muffling your groans as blood began to pour out.

The baby she would've killed for.

Urgently, Ellie applied the torn cloth to your wound, her hands working quickly despite their shaking. She pressed down firmly, trying to control the flow of blood as best as she could.

You clenched your teeth, suppressing the cries of pain that wanted to escape your lips. Every movement sent waves of agony through your body, but you gritted your teeth and endured. Your face was completely drenched in tears and snot. 

You had lost everything—the future you had daydreamed about.

Ellie's arms shook as she patched you up, her body convulsing with sobs, her bottom lip bitten to muffle them. Tears streamed down her face, falling onto your skin.

"Ellie.." you whispered, your voice barely a breath. 

───

"Ellie.." you repeated.

You stood before her, your presence causing her eyes to flicker as if what was before her was unreal. Ellie's gaze dropped to your child, his head resting gently against her chest. For a moment, it seemed she had disappeared entirely, lost in a memory. 

"I..." Ellie began, her voice choked as she looked back up at you, tears glistening in her eyes. "I can't keep running from it.." 

"I need to face it.” Ellie continued, her tone serious. "For you, for our child... for myself. I need to change, to become someone you can rely on, someone worthy of your love."

Your heart pounded, each beat a flicker of hope. You realized in that moment, the true reason you couldn't fully accept Ellie's presence this morning. Despite her being in bed with you after months of being absent, she remained unrecognizable. She wasn't the woman you had fallen for, the woman who once held a place in your heart. 

"I'll.. find you again, I promise," Ellie said finally, her voice firm. "No matter what it takes, I'll find my way back to you."

Finally. 

Ellie's words created something, a belief that maybe, just maybe, things could change for the better.

With tear-filled eyes, you gently squeezed her hand.

— 

Tommy’s truck sat parked in the driveway, hauling boxes filled with you and your child’s belongings. With a heavy sigh, you struggled to carry one of the larger boxes towards the truck.

“That’s a heavy one, let me get it for ya,” Tommy offered, stepping forward to take it.

“Thank you,” you replied gratefully

“No problem,” he responded with a chuckle, making his way towards the truck. 

As Tommy loaded the remaining boxes, you took a moment to glance around the mostly-empty house. Most of its decorations had been packed away, leaving the space feeling a bit bare., Ellie’s belongings being the only ones untouched. 

"Mama! Mama!" Your child's voice yelled, filled with excitement as he raced towards you. "I checked the whole house and no more boxes!"

You smiled proudly at him. "Thank you, honey," you said, reaching out to ruffle his hair as he giggled happily.

You had explained to him that you were moving into a new home, and that Ellie wouldn't be joining you right away. Instead, she would stay at the farmhouse, protecting it from monsters until she was sure it was safe. Only then would she come to live with you. It was the easiest way to explain the situation to him, and he had undoubtedly understood.

"Hey," Ellie called out as she walked outside 

"Hey," you greeted, offering her a warm smile. "We're all ready to go."

She nodded softly, her gaze shifting to your child. "Did you secure the house?"

Your child giggled, rushing towards Ellie and embracing her tight hug before doing a playful salute. "All clear!"

Ellie chuckled, ruffling your child's hair playfully. "Good job, kiddo."

"Alright, everything's packed and ready to roll," Tommy announced, clasping his hands together. "Oh, but uh, mind if I use yer bathroom real quick?"

Ellie nodded, gesturing towards the house. "Door to your left."

"Gotcha," Tommy replied, hurrying inside.

Ellie approached you, her steps hesitant. She reached for your hand, her touch gentle as she caressed it softly with her thumb. The sensation of your skin against hers stirred something deep within her, a longing she hadn't realized she harbored so intensely.

"I..." Ellie hesitated. She wanted to say the words, those three simple words that held so much. But she knew she didn't have the right to utter them, not yet. She had to prove herself, show you that she was worthy of saying them, and that you could believe in them too.

As you gazed into her eyes, you saw her determination. It was a silent promise, to do whatever it took to earn back your trust and love. 

"make us..believe again," you said, meeting her gaze. 

Ellie nodded firmly.

You offered Ellie a final smile before lifting your child into your arms. "Take care, Els,"

"Take care, Mommy! Keep the monsters away!" your child chimed in.

"I will," Ellie replied, her voice filled with reassurance as she waved goodbye to both of you while you walked towards the truck.

Tommy emerged from the house, embracing Ellie before stepping back and shaking her hand firmly. "Be safe," he said.

"Don't worry," Ellie responded, feeling the paper Tommy slipped into her hand. "I am."

With a firm nod, Tommy walked away towards the truck, getting inside and starting the engine. As the truck began to move, Ellie waved goodbye, your child's head poking out of the window as he waved back. The truck slowly but surely disappeared into the distance,.

Ellie lowered her hand from waving goodbye, clutching the paper tightly in her grasp. With heavy steps, she entered the house, shutting the door behind her with a loud thud. Throwing the folded paper onto the kitchen table, she quickly ascended the stairs to your old shared bedroom.

Opening the door, Ellie headed directly for the closet, rummaging through it until her fingers found the familiar grip of her shotgun—the same one she had drunkenly tried finding that one night. Gotcha.

Snatching up her packed backpack, Ellie hurried back downstairs, clutching her shotgun firmly. At the kitchen table, she placed her bag on its surface, extracting shotgun shells and loading them into the weapon. Placing the gun on the table before unfolding the paper.

A tourist map of Seattle.

Ellie's lips curled into a smirk as she scanned the map thoroughly. "Huh, you’re still there," she muttered, eagerness coursing through her veins.

Stuffing the map into her pocket and slinging her backpack over her shoulders, Ellie grabbed her shotgun once more. With ease, she cocked the weapon, the familiar click echoing.

She was truly going to face her past.

Hunt.

ellie x fem!reader TW!: mentions of violence and blood. Summary: You were tasked with tracking a female trespasser who has been causing havoc on the WLF, killing numerous soldiers and stealing supplies. It was supposed to be a straightforward surveillance job. You weren't supposed to get caught... a/n: wanted to try a different genre &...I'm kinda obsessed?!?

────── · · · · ──────

As you bolted away, you muttered under your breath, "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Your heart pounded hard against your chest, making your head feel light and your vision blur at the edges.

The shadows of the dense forest seemed to close in around you, every snap of a twig and rustle of leaves increased your terror.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. She wasn’t supposed to find you! The mission from the WLF had been clear: surveillance Ellie, track her every move, and report back. For days, you’d stayed hidden, watching her every step, radioing in her location, and noting her habits.

Until she fucking caught you.

With shaking hands, you fumbled for the rifle strapped to your back, but your heavy backpack slammed against you with every stride, making it nearly impossible to grab the weapon.

Your breath came in ragged gasps as you sprinted through the forest, twigs and branches clawing at your face and arms like skeletal fingers. The forest around you being a blur of green and brown.

Suddenly, the sharp crack of gunfire echoed throughout the forest, bullets whizzing past you and thudding into the trees. Ellie was firing, her aim deadly and precise. "Goddamnit!" you gasped, terror clawing at your throat. You knew from watching her these past days just how merciless and calculated she was.

You refused to become her next victim.

You risked a glance over your shoulder and saw her slinging her shotgun over her back and drawing a pistol instead. Her movements were quick and stealthy, her eyes gleaming with a predator's intensity.

You pushed yourself harder, your legs burning and lungs screaming for air. The path ahead was treacherous, filled with roots and rocks that seemed to reach up and grab at your feet, trying to trip you. But you couldn’t stop. You couldn’t let her catch you. The memory of the cold, calculating look in her eyes as she took down her previous targets fueled your fear.

Your mind raced, searching for a way out, a place to hide, or something to give you an advantage. But the forest offered no sanctuary, only the relentless pursuit of a hunter and her prey. Your only hope was to keep running, to stay ahead of her just long enough to find a way to escape.

Ellie’s cold eyes pierced through your back, promising death if she caught up. The crack of her pistol shattered the air, a warning shot that whistled past your ear.

"f-fuck!" You gasped, quickly stumbling behind a tree.

Your breath came in ragged gasp as you frantically wrestled your heavy backpack off your shoulders. Your shaking fingers fumbled with the zipper, sending ammo tumbling onto the ground.

"Come onn, come onn," you muttered urgently, trying to steady your trembling hands as you loaded your rifle with bullets. Each click felt like a countdown to your own demise.

Ellie paused, her breath misting in the cold air as she scanned the forest. Her brow furrowed in concentration. The stillness hung heavy, broken only by rustling of leaves. She took a step forward cautiously, senses sharp and eyes darting, searching for any sign of movement or sound.

Your heart hammered in your chest, the sound thumping in your ears like a drumbeat. Your pulse thundered with the realization that she could be closing in, ready to strike. Then, with a sudden burst of courage, you steadied your aim and fired. The shot bounced off a nearby branch, missing Ellie by a hair strand.

“Shit!” She yelled frantically.

Ellie's heart raced as she ducked behind a log, fear surging through her after barely dodging your bullet. She took a moment to steady her breathing, each inhale sharp and quick.

"Damnit!" Her voice was a low growl of frustration mixed with a grudging respect for your skill. "That was close... too fucking close..."

Peering cautiously over the log, Ellie scanned for any hint of movement.

Behind the tree, your pulse thundered in your ears, heightening your senses as you prepared for Ellie's next move. With hands that trembled only slightly, you steadied your aim and squeezed the trigger, the shot echoing loudly.

Ellie reacted with quick reflexes, instinctively ducking as your bullet grazed the air where she had just been. "motherfucker..." Her curse was sharp, frustration fueling her mind.. She couldn't afford any more mistakes.

With a scoff that held a hint of admiration, Ellie retrieved her shotgun from her back, the action smooth and practiced. "I'll play your little game," she muttered darkly to herself, her gaze narrowing with deadly intent.

She carefully cocked the shotgun, the metallic sound slicing the air. Her fingers carefully curled around the trigger.

“I know you're there!" she called out, her voice ringing with command.

Suddenly, a faint rustle caught her attention—a slight to her left. Without hesitation, she swung the shotgun around and fired. The bullet rang through the trees, sending birds squawking into flight and echoing off the distant hills.

Behind the tree, you flinched as the blast tore through the air, shaking leaves loose from the branches above. Splinters of bark peppered the ground around.

"She’s batshit insane…" you muttered.

The realization dawned on you that Ellie was closing in, her determination matched only by her deadly accuracy. You had to think fast, find a way to turn the tables on her before it was too late.

On the other side, Ellie moved swiftly, her shoes crunching softly on the forest floor as she advanced. “You can't hide forever!" she shouted, her voice carrying a chilling promise.

Suddenly, Ellie's ears twitched at the distant, guttural moans that began to echo through the forest. The unmistakable sound of infected—clickers and runners—drawn by the commotion of gunfire.

"Damn it!" she cursed under her breath, her focus splitting between you and the herd. Infected were relentless, driven by primal instinct and hunger, oblivious to anything but the urge to feed.

With a quick, decisive motion, Ellie shifted her stance, her eyes darting between the direction of the approaching infected and the tree behind which she believed you were hiding. Her grip tightened on the shotgun, torn between eliminating you or infected.

You pressed your back against the rough bark of the tree, trying to steady your breathing. Your mind raced, calculating your next move. The infected were close, their unearthly cries sending chills down your spine. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs heightened your anxiety, urging you to make a move.

Suddenly, a runner burst through the forest, its crazed eyes locking onto Ellie. With a roar, it lunged towards her. Ellie didn't hesitate. She aimed and fired, the shotgun blast tearing through the runner's chest and sending it sprawling to the ground. The sound blared through the forest, drawing more infected towards the chaos.

Taking advantage of the distraction, you peeked out from behind the tree, spotting Ellie as she quickly reloaded her shotgun. The infected were focucsed on her position, and you knew you had a slim window of opportunity. You raised your rifle, aiming carefully.

Ellie, sensing movement, looked up just in time to see you taking aim. Her eyes widened, but she had no time to react. You pulled the trigger, the shot ringing out. The bullet grazed her arm, causing her to stumble back with a cry of pain. Blood seeped from the wound, but she remained standing, a fierce look in her eyes.

At that moment, the forest exploded into chaos. Infected surged from all directions, drawn by the gunfire and the scent of blood. Ellie fired rapidly, taking down several of the frenzied creatures, but their numbers were overwhelming.

Desperation fueled your actions as you ducked behind the tree, reloading your rifle as quickly as your shaking hands would allow.

Ellie gritted her teeth against the pain in her arm, the hot sting of the wound sharpening her focus. Realizing she had little time, she made a split-second decision. With a final blast from her shotgun to clear her immediate path, she broke into a sprint, aiming directly for your position.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you saw Ellie barreling toward you. Panic surged as you tried to lift your rifle, but before you could react, she was upon you. She grabbed your arm with a grip like iron, her eyes locking onto yours with a fierce intensity.

"They're too many of 'em!" she yelled, her voice husky and out of breath. "I won't let those fuckers kill you first."

With that, Ellie yanked you forward, pulling you into motion as the infected closed in. The sound of their growls and snarls filled the air,. You stumbled alongside her..

The infected were relentless, their numbers growing as more were drawn to the commotion. You risked a glance back, seeing the herd spilling through the trees like a dark wave.

“Keep moving!" she shouted. You barely had time to think, let alone question her plan.

An abandoned building loomed ahead, ellie didn't hesitate, her pace increasing as you neared it. She quickly pushed you through the entrance, your body skidding across the cold concrete floor. Pain shot through your hands and knees, the rough surface scraping skin and drawing blood.

"Argh!" you cried out, instinctively pulling your hands close to inspect the damage. Blood smeared your palms, the wounds stinging sharply.

You looked up to see ellie barricading the outside, shoving broken furniture against the entrance. You scrambled to your feet, masking the pain in your hands. The infected's guttural moans grew louder, meaning they were closing in on the building. Ellie finished securing the outside and then hoisted herself onto the roof. She slipped through a gap, landing lightly inside the building beside you.

But before you could react, she quickly lunged at you bloodthirsty. Her movements were quick and precise, a chaos of aggression as she aimed to overpower you. Instinctively, you reached for your pocket knife, the cold steel burning in your hand.

With a swift motion, you slashed at her back. The blade sliced through fabric and skin, causing a pained cry from Ellie.

"Fuck! ngh!" she gritted out, momentarily backing away from you. Blood seeped through her shirt, but the wound only seemed to fuel her anger.

Ellie didn't give you a moment to catch your breath. She lunged again, her shotgun swinging in a wide arc. The end of the weapon crashed against the side of your head with a sickening thud, and pain exploded in your skull. Darkness quickly became your vision, and you crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

───

You slowly regained consciousness, the first thing you felt was the pounding ache in your head, a relentless, throbbing pain. Groaning softly, you tried to move, but found your hands tightly bound behind a cold, metal pole. The rough ropes cut into your wrists, leaving them raw and sore.

Blinking to clear your vision, you took in your surroundings. The location was different—a small, dimly lit room that smelled of mold and decay. The faint glow from a single, flickering bulb barely illuminated the space. Old machinery and rusted pipes surrounded you, remnants of what appeared to be an abandoned industrial building.

As your senses returned, so did the realization of your situation. The muffled sounds of the infected outside were still present, but now distant, their grotesque growls and shuffles muted by the thick walls of the warehouse.

Ellie stood a few feet away, her back turned as she rummaged through a worn backpack.

"Where...the fuck are we?" you croaked, your voice weak and rough.

Ellie turned slowly, her expression hard to read. "Old warehouse," she replied. "Needed to get away from infected. You were slowing me down, so I had to make sure you wouldn't be a problem."

She then walked over, crouching down in front of you. She held a knife in her hand, the blade glinted ominously in the dim light.

"Talk," she demanded, her tone cold.

You met her gaze, anger flickering in your eyes. You weren't going to give in easily. You remained silent, your jaw set in a stubborn line.

Ellie's eyes narrowed, "Fucking answer me!" she snapped, moving the knife closer.

But your focus shifted, drawn to the dark stain spreading across Ellie's shirt. Blood was pooling at her side, seeping through the fabric and dripping onto the floor.

You stared at it, your voice calm and almost casual as you spoke. "You're bleeding out."

Ellie scoffed, but the tension in her eyes betrayed her concern. She glanced down at her wound, wincing slightly as she shifted her weight.

"That's not your concern," she snapped, "Tell me why you were fucking following me!"

"You can't interrogate me while you're losing blood," you replied, "You'll pass out before you get anything useful."

Ellie glared at you, her grip tightening on the knife. She was clearly in pain, her movements less fluid than before.

"I don't have time for this," she muttered, but the desperation in her voice was unmistakable.

"You need stitches," you said firmly.

Ellie grimaced, her jaw tightening with irritation. "I don’t need your advice."

You glanced around the dimly lit room, searching for anything that could serve as makeshift medical supplies. Your eyes fell on a rusted toolbox in the corner, its lid half-open and revealing a jumble of tools and odds.

"There might be something in that toolbox," you suggested, nodding towards it.

Ellie slowly limped over to the toolbox, her hand steadying herself against the cold metal of the nearby machinery. She opened the lid with a grunt of effort, revealing a disorganized array of old tools and supplies. Among the rusted wrenches and screwdrivers, she spotted the small, dusty sewing kit nestled in a corner.

Grabbing the kit, Ellie returned to where you were seated. She laid out the contents of the sewing kit—a sterilized needle, spool of thread, and a small pair of scissors—on a nearby crate.

"You're going to do it." she commanded, her voice firm and authoritative.

You stared at Ellie, disbelief and stubbornness across your face. "Fuckk no," you said firmly.

Ellie scoffed, “I can’t…reach back there." she admitted, her hands visibly trembling from the strain.

You watched her closely, completely aware of the opportunity before you. A plan came to mind —how you could turn her in this very moment, claim the upper hand. But the flaws of such a plan gnawed at you. Without backup, it was a risk that could easily backfire.

You pushed the idea aside, sighing heavily.

"Why would you ever let an enemy stitch you?" you asked, your tone suspicious. "Just minutes ago, I was trying to kill you."

Ellie's movements were slow as she began undoing the rope, her expression guarded. "Don't fucking question it," she replied bluntly, finally standing up before you, her gaze meeting yours with a challenge.

The intensity of her words hung in the air, the weight of truth echoing in your mind. You felt a surge of frustration and confusion, unable to understand Ellie's actions with the ruthless reputation she had earned among the WLF. In your weeks of observation, you had witnessed her kill WLF soldiers and crew with merciless efficiency.

"It's out of your character," you argued, your voice escalating with each word. "I've studied you for weeks. In that time, you've shown no mercy, no hesitation. Now suddenly, you're trusting one of your enemies to tend to your wounds?"

Ellie's jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation crossing her features. "You think I trust you?" she retorted sharply, her eyes narrowing. “If I wanted to, you'd be dead."

The words hit you like a blow, their implication sinking in with a chilling clarity. You realized then, with a sinking feeling in your gut, that Ellie wasn't acting out of sudden trust. She was going to use you to ensure her own survival.

───

Ellie crouched down, her back exposed to you as she held herself against a rusted metal crate. Her shirt lay discarded on the ground, revealing the crude stitches you had just finished. The wound, though now patched, still oozed blood, staining her skin and the fabric around it.

"Don’t try anything.." Ellie warned sharply as she glanced over her shoulder at you.

You scoffed, "Just fucking stay still.”

Ellie tensed but remained silent, her gaze fixed ahead as she focused on maintaining her composure. With practiced hands, you carefully inspected the stitches you had made, ensuring they were holding and that no signs of infection were starting to appear. Satisfied with your work, you began to stitch up the remaining tears in Ellie's shirt, reinforcing the fabric where it had been torn by the blade.

The warehouse around you remained eerily quiet, the only sound the occasional shuffle of debris stirred by a faint breeze.

"You're with the WLF, aren't you?" Ellie's voice cut through the tense silence.

You paused midway through stitching, the needle hovering above the fabric. Surprise flickered across your face before you composed yourself, a wry smirk tugging at your lips. "You really don't waste any time, huh?"

Ellie turned her head towards you, her expression unreadable. "The patch on your backpack gave it away," she explained casually, her eyes narrowing slightly. "So it wasn't exactly a mystery."

You rolled your eyes, a mixture of annoyance and amusement bubbling within you. Ellie chuckled softly, “The WLF think they’re so fucking untouchable," she continued, her voice tinged with disdain. "You guys don’t even bother with discretion. Yet it's the very reason why taking you out is so damn easy."

"You’ve answered your own questions," you remarked calmly, your hands skillfully stitching up Ellie's torn shirt. "Congratu-fucking-lations."

Ellie let out a scoff, a mixture of disbelief and bitter realization across her face. "It all makes sense now," she muttered under her breath, "Every time I settled somewhere new, a swarm of soldiers would magically show up the next day…”

"I knew something was off," she continued, her voice gaining intensity. She furrowed her eyebrows, "I thought I was just being paranoid until I caught sight of... well, you."

You gulped, the pit in your stomach deepening as if you were reliving that very moment. The memory of encountering Ellie, of being face-to-face with the trespasser you had been tasked to monitor.

"You should’ve seen your face," Ellie chuckled amusingly, "You were absolutely petrified."

You finished the last stitches on Ellie's shirt, securing the fabric back together as best as you could.

“Don't worry," you remarked, a smirk playing on your lips, "I'm guessing it was the same look you had when my bullet almost pierced your skull." With a grin, you handed her the now-repaired shirt. "So, I didn't miss much."

Ellie took the shirt from you, her expression unreadable as she inspected the stitches. "I didn't expect a WLF soldier to be an accurate shot," she admitted, "Most of you drop dead before pulling the trigger."

You rolled your eyes, “really?" you asked sarcastically, watching Ellie grunt as she put her shirt back on, clearly feeling the sting of the stitches.

“Because from the looks of it," you continued, your gaze lingering on the bruises and scars crisscrossing Ellie's exposed back before her shirt covered them, "I'm not the only one who's gotten lucky."

Ellie glanced down at you, "Yeah, well," she muttered "Luck doesn't happen twice."

The crackle of static abruptly screeched throughout the room. A voice blared through the radio, urgent and commanding, "Report needed for female trespasser, over."

Your heart leaped into your throat at the transmission. Without a moment's hesitation, you lunged for your backpack where the radio was nestled, but Ellie was quicker. A smirk curled on her lips as she withdrew the radio from your backpack.

"Huh," Ellie chuckled softly, holding the radio up to examine it with a mix of curiosity and amusement. She dropped your backpack to the ground and then turned to you, gripping your arm firmly and pulling you closer.

"Trail them off," Ellie demanded in a low voice, her gaze fixed on you with dark intensity. She held the radio out toward you.