Left Behind

Lore & Background

This narrative thread is essential for understanding Ellie's psychological state throughout her travels. It reveals that she was bitten by an infected Clicker during a teenage rebellion but did not succumb to the infection, marking her as immune without her full initial knowledge. The relationship with Riley provides context for Ellie's later willingness to risk everything for others, particularly in Part II. In the HBO series, this timeline is expanded significantly to show the depth of their connection before tragedy strikes.

In Their Own Story

The flashlight beam cuts through the stagnant darkness of the abandoned school hallway. Dust motes dance in the narrow cone of light as Ellie presses her back against cold tiles, listening for the clicking that signals danger nearby. She clutches Riley's hand tightly, feeling the tremor in her friend's grip. They are far from home now, past the point of no return, with only each other to rely on amidst the ruins of a world that forgot them long ago.

Reader's Guide

Originally released as standalone downloadable content for the PlayStation 3 version, Left Behind functions as a prequel exploring Ellie's teenage years within the Boston Quarantine Zone. The narrative centers on her friendship with Riley Abel during a single night of rebellion against military curfews. Key turning points include their theft of a military vehicle and subsequent entrapment in an abandoned high school overrun by infected. In Part II, this story is recontextualized through flashbacks, revealing the origin of Ellie's immunity when she sustains a bite that fails to kill her. The HBO adaptation expands this into a full episode, deepening the emotional stakes between the two girls before their separation. The arc concludes with their escape through the sewer systems, leaving Riley behind in the timeline while Ellie survives to meet Joel. This sequence fundamentally alters player understanding of Ellie's resilience and her motivation for seeking a cure later in life.

Did You Know?

• The bite that proves Ellie's immunity occurs during this specific night.
• It was originally sold separately before being included in remastered editions.
• Riley Abel's fate is later revealed to be tragic in the sequel narrative.
• The HBO series adapted this arc as a dedicated episode titled Please Hold to My Hand.