Joel Finds You Out In The Cold. Your Parents Haven’t Returned From A Supply Run. You’re Alone And

joel finds you out in the cold. your parents haven’t returned from a supply run. you’re alone and scared— so he takes you back to his camp.

Joel slings his backpack over his shoulder and forces himself forward. He knows that stopping to rest now is essential if he plans on getting home, even if he so desperately wants to keep pace and make it there within the next hour. Logic wins. He pulls himself down and rests his fist under his chin.

A shuffle grabs his attention. He immediately pulls his gun, his eyes darting frantically, scanning for a threat. He lowers his weapon once the ‘threat’ enters his vision. A small kid, can’t be above 10. Shivering, clutching a dirty stuffed bear to their chest. You look terrified— rightfully so. With the world you live in now, it would be strange if you weren’t terrified. Joel approaches you slowly. Puts his gun away to show you he means no harm.

“Hey.. you, kid, under the porch. I ain’t gonna hurt ‘ya.” He crouches and offers his hand to you. You’re timid, untrusting. He understands, he’d probably have taught you to be untrusting too if he was your parent. He rolls a water bottle under the crack. You roll it back over his way.

“I promise it’s safe. Watch.” He takes a waterfall from the bottle. Showing you he didn’t do anything to the drink. Rolls it back to you. This time you accept it, gulping it down quickly. You were dehydrated. You haven’t left this spot since yesterday.

“Thank you..” you mutter, still afraid. Joel has a warm aura. You decide that maybe you can trust him. Maybe.

“Yeah. Come out from under there, kid. It’s ’bout to be night time. Don’t want a clicker to get ‘ya. I’ll keep you safe, bud.” He gives you his hand again. You take it. After pulling you out from under the porch he throws his jacket over you, not wanting you to freeze to death on the way home.

“I have a camp. Lots of food. Good things. You’ll like it. Other kids your age. You can play… whatever kids your age do. Learn to shoot, too, if you want. I teach that course.” You shrug. You aren’t sure what you want yet. You just want a warm bed, and to know that your parents are okay. “What were you doing under there anyway?” You both start the journey back to camp.

“Waitin’ for mama and papa.” Your voice cracks as you say it. Joel sighs.

“I’m sorry about that, kiddo. Really damn sorry.” He rubs the back of your head, trying to soothe the hurt, though he knows nothing could repair that wound. He’s lost a daughter before, he imagines it feels just like that, but reversed. Having to lose both your parents.

Hours pass and you’re nearing the camp. Joel can see how sleepy you are. He chuckles. Kids always look cute when they’re tired. “Think you can make it, kid?” You’re barely awake. You give him half a nod. He shakes his head.

“Listen, I can carry ‘ya. I don’t mind. I don’t bite, swear.” You blink, thinking it over. Drowsiness takes over and you reach for Joel. If he wanted to hurt you, he probably would have already. “Good. Good. C’mere, kiddo.” He reaches and pulls you up into his arms, letting you rest your head on his shoulder. “Sweet dreams. When you wake up you’ll be in a warm bed. Safe. I’ll pull some strings and get ‘ya some candy, too. A welcome home gift.”

You’re too tired to react. All you do is yawn and nod, letting the sleep overpower you and finally, it consumes you.