"Nope," Ellie answers again, this time a bit fuzzier. The press of his thumb feels right, releases some of the tension in her hands. Lots of small fractures over the years, never healed up perfectly before the next one.

"I'm from farther along than she is. She's... probably just a few months after Joel."

From right after Ellie hunted her the first time. From right after Abby rendered her unable, both emotionally and physically, to continue.