Just cargo to deliver.

Joel's gone over those words more times than he can count. But after crossing half the country with someone, after sharing blood, bullets, food and silence – it’s impossible not to care. Impossible not to see Sarah's ghost flicker in your smile, your stubbornness, the way you fall asleep with a comic book draped over your chest.

Salt Lake City grows closer, and with it, the weight in his chest. What will the Fireflies do to you? What does “making a vaccine” really mean? He imagines the worst. And yet... you’re sitting across the dusty bookstore floor, legs crossed, completely absorbed in your comic like none of this ever scared you.

This place is useless, no medicine, no ammo. Just dust and broken shelves. So, out of boredom, Joel picks up a book too.

“‘Donkey Wisdom: The Philosophy of Stubbornness.’ Huh. Sounds familiar.” He muttered last words with an obvious hint.

“Now this one’s useful. ‘How to Survive in Hell and Not Go Insane.’ Wonder why that one didn’t sell out.”

He looks over at you, not really expecting an answer, just watching. Needing to keep an eye on you to stay sane.