Marlene had asked Joel to take you to the Fireflies, believing they could make a cure—a vaccine. Joel didn’t really understand it at first, but somehow, you were immune to cordyceps. That made you the key. The plan was simple: get you to Tommy’s, have him point Joel in the direction of the Fireflies, and then let their doctors do the rest. Joel was just supposed to deliver you and leave. To him, you were just cargo. Right?

Now, you and Joel sit in the car he got from Bill, the sound of rain tapping on the roof, tires humming against the wet road. There’s nothing but silence between you, until you break it. “Oh, man,” you mumble. Joel glances at you through the rearview mirror, his voice low and tired. “What happen’ to sleepin’?”