Episode 7 of The Last Of Us opens with a chilling sight: a trail of blood leading straight into an eerie, abandoned house. Joel, his condition dire, tries to persuade Ellie to flee, but she stubbornly refuses. Instead, she shrouds him in a coat, rises resolutely, and heads upstairs to gather vital supplies.
Our narrative then leaps back in time to reveal Ellie's past. She's sweating it out in the gym, her Walkman blasting, until Bethany, a spiteful girl, rudely yanks it from her head. A scuffle erupts, drawing the attention of Captain Kwong. He confronts Ellie, acknowledging that her future paths are many. She could descend into delinquency or rise to become an officer, wielding power for the greater good. "We're the only ones holding this zone together," he declares, recognizing a latent leadership quality in her.
In the dead of night, Ellie's friend Riley sneaks in through the window, her absence unexplained for three long weeks. Ellie's anger is palpable, but Riley confesses that she ran away and has now returned, transformed - a Firefly. She entices Ellie to join her, promising an adventure that will be the highlight of her life. Ellie sighs heavily, but eventually succumbs to the temptation and changes her clothes, slipping out unseen.
Ellie and Riley evade FEDRA guards, stumbling upon some alcohol. They drink deeply, Riley's words flowing freely as she recounts her initiation into the Fireflies. She speaks of the guards' fascism and her deep disdain for them, which convinced Marlene and the other Fireflies to welcome her into their ranks.
The pair eventually find themselves in an abandoned mall, a ghostly remnant of a bygone era. Ellie is skeptical, fearing the place is rife with Infected. Riley, however, assures her that it's safe, pointing out that the mall isn't entirely sealed off. Ellie follows Riley's lead, and together they flick the switches, bathing the mall in a blaze of light. It's a magical, electric spectacle, just for them.
The girls lose themselves in the moment, posing for photos in the photo booth, spinning on the carousel, and playing in the arcade. They become engrossed in rounds of Mortal Kombat II, their laughter and excitement echoing through the empty corridors. But as they're caught up in their fun, they fail to notice a dormant Infected stirring to life, its tendrils creeping across the floor.
Apparently, Riley has been residing in the mall for quite some time, evidenced by the presence of a makeshift sleeping bag and a vast array of gear stored in the rear. However, the cheerful atmosphere swiftly transforms into one of tension as Ellie stumbles upon a stash of homemade grenades hidden away. It is at this moment that Ellie realizes Riley has been withholding the truth from her.
Riley confesses that she has been assigned to the Mall by the Fireflies, merely occupying a temporary post. She reveals that she is scheduled to be transferred to a new posting in the Atlanta QZ the following morning. Despite this, Riley extends an invitation to Ellie to join her for one final night in Boston, viewing this mall escapade as a covert farewell.
The evening turns into a lively spectacle as Ellie and Riley indulge in a playful dance on the countertops, masks concealing their identities. This lively frolic eventually culminates in a tender kiss, solidifying their mutual affection. However, the serene moment is abruptly shattered by an unexpected sight - one of the Infected has appeared! It's a rare occurrence in this series, but its arrival is anything but welcome, as it lunges towards Riley and Ellie. Ellie reacts swiftly, stabbing the creature in the head.
Unfortunately, the encounter does not end without consequences. Ellie sustains a bite wound, while Riley suffers a scratch across her hand. As the pair frantically weighs their options and decides on a course of action, the scene shifts back to the present.
Ellie focuses her attention on Joel, stitching up his wounds and doing everything within her power to aid his recovery. However, his condition remains precarious, and he urgently requires antibiotics. The tension mounts as Ellie struggles to save Joel's life, all while grappling with the aftermath of their encounter with the Infected.
