Author's Note: Yeah, so I've been wanting to do this short story for a while now. Didn't turn out exactly the way I'd planned (or hoped) it would go, but I just spent 2 hours on this, and I think it's good enough for you guys. I might edit it for more details (and better writing) later (or not- I don't know yet). Anyways, Read, Review, and Enjoy!

-Nate

DISCHARGE

My leg feels numb. It still itches around the bite mark, but otherwise, I can't feel anything. When I go to scratch, all I can feel is these sort of rough, sandpaper bumps, and the pain... I can't scratch it. I just- I can't.

I'm a damn coward.

God, I wish I could have told her. She would have just gotten the others. That would've been that.

Heart's beating way too fast. I gotta slow down. Remember what he told you? Breathe in, then out. In, out. In...

Can't sleep. Eyes open. Don't lie down. Stay aw- close to him. Head hu- small headache, nothing more. Hands b- just lotion. He put lotion on your arms and legs when you were small, remember? Made you harder to- what? Can't remember. Memory's foggy.

Infect. Ellie. No. Infect. Ellie. No. Infectellienoinfectellienoinfectellieno-

*Creak*

InfectEllieNoInfectElli-

"Sam?"

ELLIENOELLIENO-

"SAM!"

*BAM*

"Shit, he's turning!"

NONONONONONONONO-

*BANG*

"That's my fucking brother!"

NONONO-

"SAM!"

NONONONO-

"Screw it!"

NONON-

*BANG*

I can see them now. Joel, Henry. Ellie. They can't see me, but I'm still here. Henry's gripping the gun too tight. He always taught me to hold it firm, not too loose, not too tight. Why's he holding it like that?

Oh. That- that's me? Why's my face all bloody and weird like that? Ah, right, now I remember.

"This is all your fault!"

"Henry, no-!"

*BANG*

Henry's here now, but he looks- I don't know, more peaceful, calmer. I look at Joel. He's frozen in shock. And Ellie, she's crying, cursing. Just like her.

I know it's a little weird, but I kinda liked her. Not like "like" like- well, maybe just a little. I'm gonna miss her. Joel, too. I hope they find what they're looking for.

Someone's calling my name. I look up, and there's this light- this soft, warm drizzle of light- falling from the sky. I close my eyes, and then- home.