The Imagination Latibule: The Last of Us - Don't Dream it's Over

It was another day of driving, and although it was monotonous, it sure as hell beat walking. You'd offered to switch places with Ellie and stretched out across the back seats as she learnt how to navigate from Joel. He wasn't the most patient teacher, and her not the most attention-paying student, but together they were figuring it out. 

"Eyes on the map," Joel said and Ellie held it out in front of her. You sat up straight in the back seat behind Ellie and leant forward. 

"Other way up," you whispered and she turned it. 

"76 west and then... 70 west for, like, ever," she said. "Where in Wyoming did you say your brother was?"

"Last contact came through a radio tower close to Cody," Joel replied.

"Cody. Cody, Cody." Ellie stabbed her finger to the map. "Ah, man. That is deep up in there."

"Yeah," Joel said, indifferent to the distance. It could be a million miles away and he'd still make the trip.

"And if he's not there?" Ellie asked. You looked at Joel. It was a question you were wondering the answer to but hadn't found the right time to ask. Ellie on the other hand, was braisen enough to ask flat out. 

Joel shrugged. "Then odds are he'll be near a settlement, probably close to another city out there. Ain't too many of 'em in Wyoming."

"What if you don't find him?"

"I will."

"How do you know?"

"I'm persistent."

"And what if--"

"Alright," you said loudly, clapping your hands together before the conversation could turn into an argument. "Midday. Pull over. We're swapping."

***

Ellie and Joel were both asleep. You were enjoying the drive, and the peace. Kansas City was a few miles ahead - you knew there was a QZ but you weren't sure how kindly they'd take to strangers. Some cities like yours, the Boston QZ, were generous in letting people in, but infamous in hurting and killing its citizens. Others shot strangers on sight and had an impenetrable but good community within.

You hadn't heard much about Kansas City QZ, but were cautiously optimistic that they'd let you on your way. 

As you came off the highway, the number of cars increased. They were littered across the road and tunnel that the road ran through had collapsed. A person wasn't getting through, let alone a vehicle.

"Jesus," you muttered, slowing the truck down to a stop. "I thought we had it bad in Boston." 

You gently nudged Joel and his eyes fluttered open. His face was set in a firm frown until his eyes found yours and he smiled. But your expression was one of worry and he was soon frowning again. "Kansas City," you said to him, opening the truck door and stepping onto the concrete. Behind you, you heard another door open and you turned. 

"Stay put, Ellie," you said as she went to climb out. She huffed, shutting the door and rolling down the window. Then, she hung so far out of it that she might as well have been out of it. 

"Where are we?" she asked. 

"Kansas city," you replied, pressing your hands to your forehead with an exasperated sigh. You kicked at the bricks littered around. You'd have to go around. 

"Fuck," you heard Joel swear. He climbed out of the car and walking towards you.

"How far back do we have to go to get around this?" you asked.