How long was Ellie infected when she met Joel?

How Long Was Ellie Infected When She Met Joel?

The Last of Us, a popular video game and TV series, revolves around the story of Joel and Ellie, two characters struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a deadly fungal infection. The game and TV series provide many hints about the infection, its origin, and the timeline of events. In this article, we will explore the timeline of the infection and answer the question: How long was Ellie infected when she met Joel?

Early Life of Ellie

Ellie’s mother, Anna, was infected with the Cordyceps virus during a raid on their settlement. She was pregnant with Ellie at the time, and the virus infected the fetus, making Ellie immune to the infection. This immunity would later play a crucial role in Ellie’s journey with Joel.

The Time Between Comics and Meeting Joel

According to the comics, Ellie was bitten by the infected and pretended to have been bitten three weeks ago. This indicates that she was infected at least three weeks before meeting Joel.

Meeting Joel

Joel and Ellie met in August 2033, and their journey began shortly after. Joel was tasked with escorting Ellie to the Fireflies, a group of rebels fighting against the oppressive military regime. During this journey, Joel and Ellie formed a strong bond, and Ellie revealed her past and her connection to the infected.

Immunity and Infection

As mentioned earlier, Ellie was infected with the Cordyceps virus in her mother’s womb. Her immunity to the infection is crucial to the story, as it allows her to survive in a world where the infected roam freely. Ellie’s infection was dormant for many years, but it reactivated when she was bitten by the infected, as shown in the comics.

Table: Timeline of Events

Conclusion

Ellie was infected with the Cordyceps virus in her mother’s womb in 2003, making her immune to the infection. She pretended to have been bitten three weeks ago, which indicates that she was infected at least three weeks before meeting Joel in August 2033. The journey of Joel and Ellie is a testament to the human spirit, and their bond is a crucial aspect of the story.