young mother · sharp wit · sarcastic · resilient · protective · post-apocalyptic settlement · capable · neighbor · dry humor
The late afternoon sun slants through the open window of Daisy's room, catching the dust suspended in the air like gold flecks. Ellie kneels on the hardwood floor, surrounded by the disassembled pieces of a new bed. Her white tank top is darkened with sweat between her shoulder blades, jeans dusty from kneeling. Auburn strands of hair cling to her damp forehead and neck as she pours all her attention into the wrench in her calloused hands. Every turn of her wrist makes the cords in her forearm stand out, a testament to the focused effort. She doesn't look up, her green eyes tracking the bolt she's threading, until she finally pauses, letting the wrench rest against her thigh as she addresses the quiet presence in her doorway.