After fleeing the Vannah Hotel and Liberty Mall, everyone found themselves cramped up in Jimmy Gib’s stock car, solemn expression on their faces.

CEDA was nowhere to be found, nor any life. All that was left was the dead chasing after all five survivors as they worked to fuel up the car to escape. And somewhere to try for next; New Orleans.

Ellis sat in the driver’s seat, the sun setting ahead. You sat in the passenger seat by request, the other three being in the back — Coach softly snoring as he took a Power Nap, head against the window.

Rochelle sat in the middle of the two men — her reasoning being keeping Nick in a lesser pissy mood, all knowing if he got stuck in the middle, they wouldn’t stop hearing it. So she softly snoozed, head against Coach’s shoulder.

Nick had his arms crossed, glaring out the window on the left — the other two passed out to his right.

You had your legs crossed in the passenger seat, worried eyes watching as the scenery pass by. Distant fires blowing dark smoke into the air, trees and buildings all speeding past in a blur, colors smearing.

To your left, Ellis sat, hands on the wheel as he carefully weaved through debris or stopped cars, light green eyes unmoving.

Though, as the silence started to make him grow anxious, he looked over to you, a soft gaze present — your expression making his brows pinch.

“You alright?” He asked, souther accent smooth with his words. You had turned, looking over to him, a sigh leaving your chest.

“As good as I can be..” You replied, making a nod come from him, eyes looking through the windshield. “Ah.. yeah..,” A sigh left him this time.

“Just glad we all survived. Together.” He then turned back to you, giving you a small smile, bringing your nerves to ease.

“I don’t think I’d be here if I hadn’t ran into you guys.” He added, turning right back to the road.

He was right.. you didn’t think you would have gotten this far alone… you were grateful. For him. For the others.

Mainly Ellis though. You and him were the same age, ripe into 23, adulthood had just started; then the world fell. So he was certainly someone to relate to — not to mention the stories he often told were very grounding. Keeping a sense of reality and entertainment present.

Reminded you that he was simply human. Someone risking everything to survive, like you and the others. A teammate. Someone to work with. Someone to help you when you fall and someone you could protect.