Dark storm clouds rolled in from the early morning horizon, preventing the sun from bathing the earth in its radiant rays. Cracks of thunder boomed, illuminating the dark backdrop with a brilliant hue of purples and blues, echoing throughout the valley below, and warning the inhabitants of Jackson, Wyoming of the impending storm to come.
Joel was sitting on the porch of his brother Tommy's small home, he and his younger counterpart having just arrived the day before, were weary from their travels. Joel watched the gray clouds tumble and churn like a discolored ocean, satisfied that the young redhead was sleeping in late. Of all the adversities she had to endure in her short life, many of which she struggled to recover from, she more than deserved the rest.
He hoped that this would be the safe haven he had been searching for for the last two decades. No more bouncing around from zone to zone, no more roaming the treacherous roads that were infested with ravenous creatures both beast and human, but more importantly he hoped that Jackson would prosper for Ellie's sake.
She needed a stable, permanent home. losing a mother at birth and practically having to raise yourself was no way for a child to be brought up. She also needed a father, and after what happened in the burning restaurant, where her innocence was left behind along with the filth that masqueraded as a human, he decided he would place himself in that role for her. After caring for her for a year he became very emotionally attached to her, always wanting her to stay close, and constantly checking her over for any sort of injuries every time they had a close call. But with those feelings of paternal care also came fear, he was terrified at each moment that she wasn't in his line of sight, pleading to God that history won't repeat itself. It's why he single handedly slaughtered every Firefly in Saint Mary's back in Utah with not a single thought as to if maybe they had children too. All that mattered was the fact that they were going to kill his baby girl for what they claimed was a great cause. His blood boiled with rage at the mere thought.
He didn't lose any sleep over the bloodbath left behind at St. Mary's. All the lives he took in a brutal manner, such as driving a scalpel into a doctor's throat, he didn't even think twice about. But the lie, it was the only thing he regretted, deceiving her caused guilt to gnaw at his insides, twisting his guts around his spine, and making his heart swell so much that it felt like it would burst from his chest at any moment. But he knew telling her the full truth would only send her spiraling down a self destructive path inflicted by her own survivor's guilt.
It took every fiber of his being not to fall to his knees after she revealed to him her doleful, and tragedy filled background. She poured her heart out and gave him her every ounce of trust, whilst he was internally being ripped apart by his own culpability, but he ultimately chose guilt over grief. It was a pipe dream to believe that a ragtag militia could be successful in procuring a vaccination, and even then would they not use it for manipulation, for power over all who wished this nightmarish existence to end.
In all reality, the true reason he saved her was because she deserved life. After taking so much as a small child, from malnourishment to depravity of any kind of affection, and everything in between, he felt it was destiny to give to her a proper upbringing, as if fate plopped her into his life because she needed guidance and nurturing, and he, to regain his humanity. She truly chipped away the rough edges of his heart, bringing out the loving persona that not one person in existence had seen since the loss of his daughter Sarah. It only showed just how much the adorable little redhead meant to him. If damning the rest of humanity was the price to pay, then so be it.
He wasn't going to let those bastards, who didn't really deserve to live anymore than he did, take away her opportunities for life, love, and happiness. He wanted to hear her laugh fill the room, and even to hear those god awful jokes, he wanted to see her glow with pride when she learned new skills. He yearned to see her find love, and maybe, possibly, walk her down the aisle.
His mood that mirrored the weather began to shift as he imagined her, a grown beautiful woman in long white dress, with a smile across her face. He imagined himself all gray and old, with her presenting to him a newborn baby that she brought into the world. He couldn't let them take that from her, especially Marlene who was supposed to be her protector.
He decided no one but him was suited for that role anymore, he was going to be her father, he was going to take care of her from now until the day he no longer draws breath. Then on that day he'll die a happy old man, knowing he did right by this girl who had become his daughter, and he'll go back home to Sarah, whom will be waiting for him, and her sister.
He heard the sound of a screen door swing open behind him, interrupting his thoughts as Tommy came out onto the porch with two steaming mugs of coffee, handing one to Joel.
" 'Preciate it little brother."
"No problem, that girl of yers, sleeps like a rock I tell ya."
Joel chuckled, "That's good, she really deserves it after all she's been through."
Tommy shifted uncomfortably as they sat on the steps, "Listen you don't gotta tell me anything now, but when yer ready I'd like to know what happened with the Fireflies.'
"Sure thing baby brother", they sat there in a comfortable silence slurping on the warm beverage until the rain hailed down upon them.
The repetitive pattering of the rain thrummed on the tin roof of the small one story house, stirring Ellie and Maria out of their slumber.
"Morning", Maria greeted, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Ellie let out a yawn, "Morning to you too."
"Looks like the men are already up, how about some breakfast?"
"Sounds good to me", Ellie replied.
Ellie pulled her hair back into a ponytail before leaving the master bedroom where they slept with Tommy and Maria. Luckily they happened to have a futon, although uncomfortable it was much more pleasant than the cold, hard floors she became accustomed to over the span of a year. It comforted her more that she shared her sleeping space with Joel, he always made her feel protected with his large form wrapped around her smaller one. They hadn't begun to do that until the winter's brutally frigid temperatures set in, where it was just for warmth, but it instantly became an ongoing habit.
She walked into the kitchen where she saw Tommy and Joel sitting at the small table tucked away into the corner, laughing and reminiscing about the world before, many subjects of the conversation she had no understanding of.
"Mornin' kiddo."
"She's alive", Tommy joked, evoking laughter from everyone in the cramped kitchen.
"How does bacon and eggs sound to everyone ", Maria asked.
"Sounds mighty good to me", said Joel
"Hell yeah", Ellie exclaimed, pumping a fist into the air.
Maria pulled eggs from the fridge and bacon from the freezer, she cracked the egg on the edge of a frying pan, plopping the yolk onto its surface. Within seconds it began to sizzle, permeating the air with a pleasant aroma that caused the kitchen dwellers'stomachs to rumble. After a few minutes she had served everyone a plate of food to which they all expressed their gratitude, they all began to eat but no one could match the insatiable appetite of the young girl sitting at the table. She looked up self-consciously at everyone staring at her, swallowing her bit of egg.
"What?"
Joel let out a chuckle as he refocused his attention to his own plate, taking small forkfuls, savoring the flavor. Maria truly was a miracle worker when it came to a good meal, seasoning the eggs to perfection leaving a slightly spicy aftertaste in his mouth from the pepper. But of course being a Texan, he was fond of foods more on the spicy side, but nothing could beat a rack of ribs smothered in barbecue sauce, and a cold Bud Light in his book.
"I was gonna suggest givin' y'all the grand tour today, but as you can see the weather ain't permittin' that", Tommy said dissapointedly.
"That's just fine Tommy, I think Ellie an' I can handle a few more nights on that futon."
"We're sorry by the way, about the futon, we would've prepared something had we known you were arriving" Maria said.
"I told her we shoulda had a guest bed or somethin' cause I just knew y'all would show up sooner or later. "
"You guys should've seen him, he watched the road for months waiting for you two to appear", Maria explained.
"Well I'm flattered baby brother", Joel joked.
"I told ya there was a place here for you and her, y'all are kin, and family needs to stay together these days."
Ellie stopped in mid chew when she heard Tommy's statement, a tickle of warmth going through her. The realization dawned on her that every person in the kitchen had accepted her as family, something she never thought she would ever be graced with in such a cruel, and uncaring world. She'd already come to view Joel as a father, so she assumed that would place Tommy and Maria in the aunt and uncle role, she openly welcomed it, finding it easy to think of them as uncle Tommy and aunt Maria. A giant grin stretched across her face as she delved back into the warm meal prepared for her, the rest of the morning passed in silence as they all ate their respective meals.