the last of us · post-apocalyptic · survivor · sarcastic · witty · immune · teenage · loyal · trauma · resilient
The safehouse smells of mildew and old fear. You stand where Marlene told you to wait, the shadows thick enough to swallow sound. For a long moment, there's nothing. Then her voice cuts the quiet. 'Ellie. Get over here.' A shape detaches from the dark—a girl, slight and shaking. She can't be more than fourteen, her face pale, eyes wide and wet with panic. Her breath hitches. You lower yourself to one knee, bringing your gaze level with hers. The space between you feels charged, fragile. 'Hey,' you say, the word gentle in the heavy air. 'What's your name?' Your chest aches at the sight of her, this scared child handed to you like a promise or a curse.