L4D2 - So Long 'Till Then...

The Zombie apacolypse was finally over. CEDA is halfway done with cleaning up the country and they're releasing everyone who evacuated today. So basically people had alot of choices to go to. Busses, Taxis and cars where everywhere. Ellis was just standing there staring at those untill someone called him. "Ellis, My boy! Come give a quick goodbye!" He turned around to see the three of his friends waiting for him. Nick, Coach, and Rochelle. He smiled and ran over there. He heard quiet sobbs and turned to see Rochelle sobbing onto Coachs' Shoulder. Ellis felt some tears in his eyes himself. "Aww Ro. There ain't no need to cry. I'm purty sure we'll meet eachother again!" he said as he gave her a quick hug. She looked at Ellis and Smiled with some tears in her eyes as she said, "I really hope we do..." And gave him a kiss on the cheek. She gave Nick and Coach a kiss on the cheek, wishing them a farewell as she climbed aboard a bus.


Coach, Ellis and Nick were left standing there watching everyone leave. Ellis looked over at Coach and asked, "Are you leavin with anybody? Or just by erself?" Coach just smiled and said, "I'm waiting for my family to pick me up. They were over at another evacuation camp. I just can't wait to see my wife and my two girls again!" His smiled made Ellis Smile. But Nick was quiet. He was just looking down at his feet most of the time. Never said a word. Ellis looked at him and Nudged him. And that kinda snapped Nick out of whatever world he was in. "Ya doin fine there, Nick? You don't look too damned happy." Ellis said putting a hand on the Conmans shoulder. Nick shrugged and mumbled, "I'm actually gonna miss you guys..."

Ellis and Coach looked at each other in amazement to see the Man actually show some strong emotion towards them. Coach put a hand on Nicks other shoulder and said, "Like ellis said, We all might actually meet each other again." Nick smirked and mumbled a 'Yeah'. Not Long after Coachs' Family Came up in a van. Both of his girls ran out to hug their daddy. "My Kids!" He yelled in happiness. "Oh Praise The lord you two are safe!" Ellis and Nick watched this happy reunion and it brought a smile to their faces. Coach Patted them both on the back and said, "By my friends. God Bless." Ellis waved smiled and said, "May God Bless you too, Coach! Your a good man!" And Nick Just said, "God Bless..."

They both watched as the happy kids jumped into the van and his wife kiss him. They finally drove off and not really anyone was there anymore. Just a couple people. Ellis and Nick stood akwardly in silence. Ellis didn't know what to say. It was THAT akward of a silence. He just looked down. "So.." Ellis looked up at Nick. "Who are you goin home with?" Nick asked in a concerned tone. Ellis just smiled and said, "Well I talked to Keith and he said that he's gonna pick me up with his truck and we're gonna drive outta here." He smiled at the thought of seeing his best friend again. Then thought about Nick. Oh Shit, Nick. He looked at him and asked, "What about you? Is anyone in particular gonna pick you up?" Nick laughed alittle and said, "No. I'm a traveler. I can survive off of hotels. Trust me kid, I've been doin this almost my whole life. I'm pretty used to it." Ellis smiled, "Ok, as long as yer happy about what ya do."

After that they talked about the apacolypse and how good they did. Then ellis got to finish his Keith stories he never got to finish. He got a laugh out of Nick on some of them. But Ellis was about to start another one untill he saw Keiths Truck. "OH MAN! KEITH MAH BROTHER! HE'S HERE!" He was jumpin up and down like a kid. Nick smiled at the kid. And then he thought about how he was gonna miss him and his positive attitude. His crazy stories and descriptions. He was just gonna miss that kid. He sighed. If that boy just knew..How much he cared for that bastard. How much he loved that hick.

Before Ellis ran to the truck, which he had to stop himself from running cause he almost forgot Nick, He turned back toward the older and held out his hand for a shake. Nick looked at his hand, the the younger. Instead of a shake, Ellis got a nice, long hug. Some Tears Fell down from his eyes. So did Nick. They let go of each other and stared. "Well... I guess this is so long." Ellis said, some blush tinted on his cheeks. Nick shook his head as he placed his hand on ellis's cheek. "For Now. We'll meet again, like you said." Ellis nodded and smiled, tears rolling down his eyes. Nick patted him on the head and said, "Good luck ellis, I'm gonna miss you kid." And gave him a quick Kiss on the cheek.

Ellis stood there and the sound of Keiths horn snapped him out of it. With one last glance of Nick, he ran to the truck and they drove to wherever they were heading. Nick was the last of the eight people. He stood there and started to have second thoughts. He should've went with him... He was tired of being alone all of the time. Tired of having no one with him. He didn't know where to go. All he could think of of where he wanted to be is where that kid was. He squeezed his fists together and frowned. That's what he should have done. But it's too late.

Too damned late.

Ellis was just staring out the window. Hell he would've been talking to Keith about the apacolypse and all, but he felt bad for leaving Nick behind. It killed him. He was worrying that he would never see that man again. Basically worried that he wouldn't see any of them again, but mostly Nick. Hell, he missed Ro and Coach and all but... Nick. He missed him the DAMNED most. Ellis sighed. 'Oh lord watch out and keep that man safe 'till the next time I see him..' He thought. Ellis stared at the Sunset off the water from the bridge they were crossin and Nick stared at the pink sky and orange clouds.

A year and a half passed and Ellis was still thinking about that man. Not as much now.
One day he went to the gas station to buy a six-pack and to fill up his gas tank. Now it was a windy day and while Ellis was walkin to his Truck, the wind was strong enough to blow his hat away. "HEY! WAIT!" He yelled at the nothingness and ran after it. The hat was then taken off a cliff. Where it just floated along and flew everywhere. Ellis just stared at it with great sadness. He loved that hat. He walked back to his truck and blushed at the stares he got from that sudden outburst.

He drove home and watched some television, drinking the beer. Suddenly the doorbell rung. Ellis didn't think nothin of it, just keith comin home early from work. "I'm comin man!" Ellis yelled at the door as he lazily stood up and walked to it and opened it. It sure wasn't Keith. Ellis looked up at the tall man and smiled. "Hello Sir, May I help you?" The Tall man smirked and held up his hat and asked, "Is this yours?" Ellis's Eyes gleamed with happiness. "Oh, Thank you! Thank you!" He yelped as he took it and put it back on his messy head. He looked back up at the man. "Hey... You look familiar..." The man laughed and just smiled.
"Nick's the name." That's all he needed to say before he was completely bear hugged by the younger.

"Ah Shit Man! Shit Shit SHIT! Where've you been, Nick?" Ellis dragged him inside and set him on the couch. "Where'd you find this hat, man??" Ellis was so full of questions.
"Well I saw it hanging on a tree and it looked familiar. So I closely went up to it and saw that it was your hat. So I figured you're well known around here so I asked the towns people to where you lived. And so I ended up here to give you your hat back cause I know how much you care for this damn hat." Ellis smiled. "Did you happen to be in town?" Nick gave a nod. Ellis sat down and gave him a cold one. And he hugged him again. They stayed hugging. Then Nick whispered in Ellis's Ear, "I missed you, El." Ellis Hugged him tighter.

The two were finally together.