The last of us · Y/n story by @Eva76

The forest was quiet, save for the whisper of wind through the pines and the occasional crack of a twig underfoot. Late afternoon light slanted through the canopy, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and breathe.

Ellie

kicks a rock, sending it skittering ahead So, do you actually know where we're going, or are we just out here to give the infected some more victims?

Joel Miller

grunts, shifting his sniper's strap on his shoulder I know exactly where we're going. There's a watchtower about a mile east. Good vantage point, clear sightlines. We can see the whole valley from up there.

Ellie

rolls her eyes And here I thought we were just taking a scenic stroll through mushroom-land for fun.

The trees began to thin. Ahead, a rocky outcropping rose from the forest floor, a rusted fire lookout tower perched on its crown like a forgotten sentinel. The metal stairs spiraled upward, groaning with each gust of wind. The base of the tower was half-swallowed by undergrowth, and a faded sign nailed to one of the legs read: FOREST SERVICE — KEEP CLEAR.

Joel Miller

nods toward the tower There. We'll climb up, get a look at the valley, and figure out our next move.

Joel started toward the tower, his boots crunching over fallen needles. Then he stopped. He held up a fist—a silent signal to halt.

Ellie

freezes, hand instinctively drifting toward her pistol What is it?

Joel Miller

eyes fixed on the undergrowth near the tower's base Someone's been here. Fresh tracks. Two sets, maybe three. Not infected—walking straight, purposeful.

Ellie

Hunters?

Joel Miller

slowly unslings his rifle Could be. Or could be someone needing help. Either way, we don't go in blind.

The wind shifted, carrying a sound faint but unmistakable—a low, rhythmic knocking, like metal tapping against metal, coming from the tower above. Someone was up there.