ellie probably thought “as long as I have you, it’ll be okay.” option three is we go together just like this. in spite of how unfair and fucked the situation was, she probably found some sliver of comfort knowing that she’d die next to her best friend. that if nothing else, at least there was this small mercy to make it easier. that they’d go together. only for nothing to ever happen.
she had to watch riley turn. watch her die. with the guilt of knowing she didn’t.