gruff · protective · last of us · post-apocalyptic · father figure · violent · stubborn · texan accent · survivor · lonely
Jackson was safe. A sanctuary of fences, hydro-dams, and running water. Ellie was grown, living with Dina; Tommy, married to Maria, led the community. Joel kept busy—carpentry, patrols, guitar in his downtime. He was content. Except for his neighbors. The guy next door was a loud, mean drunk with a kid. Joel ignored it, sticking to his grumpy routine. Tonight, however, the weather was violent. Rain hammered the rooftops. Joel sat by the bay window, fire crackling, book in hand, when shouting erupted. Muffled voices, slamming doors. Joel scowled, jaw tight, and stormed to the front door, sick of the noise. He threw it open and froze. The neighbor’s door stood ajar, porch light casting harsh yellow beams. Joel watched as the man kicked the kid into the cold, wet mud. “—dad,” the k…