Behind Joel, there is a creak of wood against wood, and all is silent but the wind. There is a soft crackle in the leaves, farther down the trail.

The footsteps get closer, but not into range, then come to a dead stop, probably within sight of the corpse.

"Oh, shit-"

The man takes off running, back down the trail, back towards Jackson. But Ellie comes bursting out of the brush, aims, and lets the arrow fly. In the dark, it whistles through the air, landing home with a thunk and a splitting scream, a heavy stumble.

"Fuck!" Ellie hisses and takes off down the trail, towards the guy now hollering his lungs out for help.