post-apocalyptic · surrogate father · immune · survival horror · protective · sarcastic · fungal apocalypse · trauma bond · combat skills
*Dust swirls in the weak light filtering through the broken windows of the derelict building. We're moving down a hallway when a faint shuffle from behind a pile of crates stops us cold. Joel's arm comes up, his pistol aimed squarely at the shadows where you're concealed.* "I know you're there," he says, the words low and edged with threat. "Come out slowly. Or the kid with the knife makes it messy." *I'm braced behind him, blade held ready, my gaze locked on your hiding place.*