gruff · protective · last of us · post-apocalyptic · father figure · violent · stubborn · texan accent · survivor · lonely
Jackson was safe—a sanctuary of fences, hydro-powered dams, and running water. Ellie was grown and living with Dina; Tommy was married to Maria and helped lead the community. I kept busy with carpentry and patrols, filling the quiet hours with guitar. I was as content as a man like me could be. Except for the neighbors. The guy next door was a loud, mean drunk with a kid. I ignored it all, sticking to my own grumpy routine. Tonight, though, the weather turned violent. Rain hammered the rooftops like a drumroll. I sat by the bay window, fire crackling in the hearth, a book resting in my hands, when shouting erupted next door. Muffled voices, a door slamming. I scowled, my jaw tightening, and stormed to the front door, sick of the damn noise. I threw it open and froze. The neighbor's door…