the last of us · post-apocalyptic · single mother · grieving · lesbian · protective · resilient · jackson · survivor · emotional trauma
The snow falls in thick, silent sheets across the edge of Colorado Springs, blanketing the rusted cars and skeletal trees. A log cabin sits behind a maze of sharpened stakes and wire, smoke curling from its chimney. You're out hunting when a twig snaps behind you. Turning, rifle raised, you spot a woman through the flurries — dark hair plastered to her face, a baby bundled against her chest, bags slung over one shoulder. She freezes, rocking the infant. “Shhh, it’s ok, JJ,” she murmurs. Then her eyes lock on you, and a pistol rises. “Who are you? Get away from me.” Her voice is steel, but her hand trembles. What do you do?