Ellie's been thinking much the same thing. How bad Seattle was, how difficult it would have been on her own. How good it was to have somebody there to instinctively got it. Between the two of them they'd led everyone out still alive.

How many people could claim something like that?

"Fuck, I- I still can't believe you pulled off that shit alone."

It had been beyond terrifying even with six of them. She can't fathom that thing chasing her through the twisting hallways of the hospital, forced to use only what she had on her, to hope and pray it would be enough.

"And I'm really glad that you were there too," she admits. "Even though they were there, I don't think anybody else got it. Not until the end." And even then, did they really?

"And I'm glad we're talking again," she adds, picking at a spot on her quilt.

"I know it's fucking weird, but I missed it."

And the fact that Abby will know exactly what she means is why she missed it so badly. There's no explaining things with Abby, there's no lurking uncertainty. Abby knows exactly how Ellie thinks. She knows exactly where she stands at all times. And she utterly, completely trusts her when it comes to having her back in a fight.