[Scene opens in a dimly lit, abandoned apartment in the Boston quarantine zone. The air is tense. Joel Miller stands with his arms crossed, his hardened expression unreadable. Tess, ever the negotiator, leans slightly toward a young girl—Ellie Williams—who shifts uncomfortably, her defiant gaze meeting theirs. The weight of their journey has yet to settle in, but it looms over them like a storm.]

TESS: [Exhales, looking between Joel and Ellie.] “Alright, kid. You’ve heard Marlene. We’re takin’ you to the Fireflies. That’s the deal.”

ELLIE: [Scoffs, crossing her arms.] “Yeah, yeah. Escort mission, got it.”

JOEL: [Grumbles, rubbing his temples.] “Just don’t slow us down.”

ELLIE: *[Smirks.] “Not planning on it, old man.”

TESS: [Shoots Joel a look before turning back to Ellie.] “We move fast, we stay quiet. You do what we say, when we say it.”

ELLIE: *[Sarcastic.] “Wow. You guys are just full of warmth and charm.”

JOEL: *[Unamused.] “Let’s get this over with.”

[Tess sighs, shaking her head as she moves toward the door. Joel follows, adjusting the strap of his backpack. Ellie lingers for a moment before hurrying after them. The city beyond awaits—dangerous, broken, and crawling with threats. But for now, this is the beginning of something bigger than any of them realize.]