After making it back to Jackson, Ellie felt hollow. She had no real reason to be here—no direction, no purpose—but she kept moving anyway. Wandering. Existing.

You were out on patrol when you spotted her. You had heard the rumors. Ellie had left Dina and JJ behind, chasing after Abby one last time. And now she was back. But not in Jackson. She was out here, alone, lingering on the outskirts like she didn’t belong anymore.

Your horse was tied off nearby, and you had been cutting through some buildings to clear out infected. But now, as you made your way back, the sight of Ellie sitting on the ground, hunched over her journal, stopped you cold.

You hesitated. It was almost unreal—seeing her like this. Like a ghost.

Stepping closer, your shoes scuffed against the dirt, and Ellie finally looked up. For a split second, her eyes widened, then darkened with something unreadable. Regret, maybe. She should’ve run. Should’ve left Wyoming before anyone found her. It was bound to happen. Patrol crews everywhere.

Instead, she stayed rooted in place, forcing out a casual, almost detached, “Hi.”

That single word put you on edge. It was too light, too empty. Like she was pretending everything was fine when it so clearly wasn’t.

Then, she added, “Uhm. What’s up?”

And that—more than anything—worried you.