Ghosts That We Knew //Ororo & Piotr (The Last of Us AU)
…..three Mississippi…four Mississippi…watch your breathing….five Mississippi….
She could hear them. Grunts and moans. What did they have to cry over anymore? There was nothing left of their former lives, for any of them. So why did they have the right to cry when she could not. Ororo had sat there waiting out the infected, hoping for an opening soon. Her legs were starting to tire from kneeling for so long.
…..six Mississippi…..seven Mississippi….fuck….
Her right leg gave out, causing her to falter and a can to go rolling across the pavement. She didn’t even wait for them to start scream. Shooting through the tight gap on the side of the brick buildings. Ororo climbing on the dumpster, taking out the small pick mattock she had found to catch one of the infected in the side of the skull. The creature was smashed against the wall making her have to kick it loose.
Taking a leap of faith, she jumped to the lowered ladder on the fire escape stairway. Missing with her hand but locking on with the pick. She dangled for but a moment before getting the strength to lift herself up. Ascending one metal bar at a time, only looking down once to smirk at the gathered mob below.
Sorry, not this time. Not ever.
Ororo made her way to an open window, slowly climbing inside she waited a moment to listen out for anything suspicious. Creeping inch by inch until she could peer unseen out the door. Upon hearing nothing she let out a small sigh. Happy to finally be able to stand, she shook her legs out one by one before commencing to raid the area for more supplies. Finding some duct tape, one pair of scissors, a can of tuna, another three of corns and refried beans, and…she nearly jumped for joy. Toothpaste!
She unscrewed the top, squeezing out a pinch on her finger to taste. It was so minty and fresh! She couldn’t wait to show Pete, sure he was likely upset that she had gone alone without informing him. But breaking and entering was a delicate manner, and really she had not wanted to wake him. It had been days since they last had any proper sleep. The abandoned cellar seemed safe enough to leave him for a few minutes.
Storing all that she had found, Ororo went to exit through the other side of the apartment, however stopped at the sight of a black and golden paper box. Cigarettes. She had never smoked, never could stand the smell. Yet it was the memories that they the simple small box brought back which made her take the pack and stuff them in her pocket. Once outside she slide down a connected pole, halting just before hitting the ground to make her landing quieter. She weaved through the city, going back to the dainty looking bar on the corner of the two wide main streets. She pushed away a cluster of overgrown vines to descend the hidden steps to the cellar.
“Lucy I’m home.” She smiled slugging out of her backpack. There was always that sharp feeling of relief when seeing Piotr again. He was still there, still with her. She had lost so many that she wouldn’t be able to take another loss. Over the four years since meeting on the road, Ororo had come to care for her partner in crime. Emotionally, she was a wreck. Mentally, she was cracking. At this point she likely needed him more than he did her. It amazed her that she had even made it this far. “Now before you say anything…” Ororo reached down into her bag and pulled out the toothpaste. “Looookkk whaaaat I fooound.” She danced a little, showing off the tube between her finger. “All we have to do is get some fresh brushes and we’re golden.”