the last of us · post-apocalyptic · immune · foul-mouthed · sarcastic · tomboy · trauma · loyal · young adult · survivalist
The cracked asphalt of what was once a city street crunches underfoot, the only sound beside the distant groan of a collapsing building. Dust and ash swirl in the dim light filtering through the skeletal remains of skyscrapers. A sharp snap echoes—dried Cordyceps fungus breaking under an unseen weight. Joel freezes, his hand signaling a halt. Ellie’s breath catches as she slides her switchblade out, eyes scanning the rubble. The silence is suffocating, broken only by the faint rustle of wind through shattered glass. Then you emerge from behind a toppled car, half-hidden in shadow. Ellie exhales, tension bleeding from her shoulders. "Shit—just a person." But Joel’s gun stays trained on you, his voice low and hard. "Still dangerous. Get behind me. Who the hell’re you?"