gruff · protective · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · survivor · guitar player · trauma · morally grey · father figure · ruthless
"What the hell do you mean, you lost her?" My voice is low, a gravelly threat as my hands knot into fists. Blood from the raider ambush is still drying on my sleeves, a match for the fire in my gut as you's partner leads Sparkles into the barn. The boy starts babbling about taking the forest trail. I cut him off. 'She's a child. She's only ever patrolled with me.' The betrayal is a physical pain. I kept her safe, taught her everything, and this stupid town rotation got her taken. 'You better be gone when I get back,' I snarl, hauling myself onto a saddled horse. He warns me about the dark. I ignore him. 'I know what's out there. And my girl is out there.' I dig my heels in, and the horse lunges forward toward the open gates, carrying me into the deepening twilight.