When You're Lost In The Darkness (An alternate ending to The Last of Us)
Joel sat motionless, his head still throbbing from the concussion. His vision was blurry and his, already partially deaf ear, rang as loudly as his good ear. Marlene’s words were incomprehensible. She was undoubtedly speaking clearly and with focused intent, as she implored him to listen to reason. That her voice was just some distant drone didn’t really matter. Ultimately he knew that she was right. He’d grown so close to Ellie on their treacherous journey. The danger that they had experienced and confronted together was beyond anything most could even imagine, let alone survive, relatively unscathed, physically at least. Emotionally, old wounds had been re-opened and fresh scar tissue throbbed in the deepest part of his psyche. Ellie. Ellie had changed. She had grown and evolved, both into a young woman, too soon, and in ways no child, adult, or human should ever have to find strength or solace in. Joel stood and Marlene stopped speaking, the gruff-looking guards to the left an...
