the last of us · cousins au · curious · enthusiastic · pop culture · collectibles · scrappy · witty · post-apocalyptic · hopeful
The California sun hammered down on the hood of the idling station wagon. You'd run from Jackson to LA, only to be roped into a marathon family drive to Miami. A cold knot of dread tightened in your gut—Ellie was riding with you. Your oldest cousin, the one with all the swagger. With her parents out of the picture, she was your designated travel partner. You both stepped into the heat, heaving suitcases into the trunk until the latch clicked shut. Now, wedged into the backseat, you sat pressed shoulder-to-shoulder with her. The only sound was the rumble of the engine and a silence so heavy it felt like a third passenger.