So, somethin a little deep again because I was playing on tumblr and there was this post that I thought was nice. In a weird way. Dedicated to the game that taunts me with being released in 2013 :I I own nothing.
He told me stories about what earth was like before the apocalypse; how lazy afternoons meant barbequing with friends and family or just a day doing absolutely nothing. How even though there was crime there was also happiness to counter it. My favorites were of the concerts and movies he talked about all the time. He knew that was all I ever wanted to know about, the books and music people liked before everything went to shit. I could always see vine free buildings, working cars and happy unmutated faces every time I closed my eyes during his stories. The rare moments I saw him give a genuine smile is when he talked about the past, our present spot affecting him than he cared to say. I loved being out of that quarantine zone into the real world-yes the infected and hunters were problems through our journey, but that didn't stop me from trying to explore the nature claimed states and the mind of my…what? Friend? partner? Maybe a mentor?
He was complicated; his past was something I would probably never know. His mind and history were mysteries to me. I got tidbits from how he reacted to things or the horribly rare run in with old acquaintances. He knew how to kill-whether it be messy or quick- without a bat of an eyelash. He knew what it took to survive. He never told me his reason why he took me out of that quarantine zone all except it was a promise to a friend when he didn't know me at all! Though I might be wrong; I never met my parents so who knows…he might be some connection to them. I don't know. Or really care, honestly.
Hate to say it, but I've started to…trust him. I guess I kind of have to, huh? Tch-he's the only guy who hasn't attempted to kill me since we started this road trip from hell. I guess I…look up to him as much as it bruises my ego to say. He protects me and in return I do the same. We started our own small ritual and silent way to speak to each other where a mere scuff of the foot could get us eaten or robbed. There's no love in whatever the shit we are. There is trust-on some level- there is partnership. We are nothing more than two people traveling, avoiding and defying death at every mushroom headed, hunter infested turn. To him-even though I'm a delinquent with a dirty mouth and a lot more maturity than I should have-I'm just Ellie. The teenage girl that has his back better than any asshole his age ever could. He's been called a thug, a torturer, a killer…me? He's just Joel to me. The guy that took me out of the place I despised. He was the only man I could be one hundred percent sure wouldn't murder me in my sleep or something stupidly cliché like in all the books I snatch from places we stop.
Maybe once upon a time, he was an all American hard worker with a family and warm heart…not the hard, cold man I'm so used to. But, that side was most likely long gone. He saw the world for what it was before the apocalypse. He watched everything go to hell and adapted to it. If somewhere inside him layed said warm man, it wasn't coming out any time soon. But I didn't care. He was Joel no matter what.
"Ellie, we've hung around here long enough. Let's keep moving." I nodded and stood up from my place on some old bag of god knows what. I grabbed my bag, hurrying to Joel's side without a word and we started our trek once again. The flush plants clinging to foundation failing buildings and long abandoned cars were the only things I saw anymore. It was better than running around the quarantine only to meet a solid concrete wall no matter what. It was freedom. And maybe-just maybe- I'll thank Joel for taking me out of it one day. After I jab him for all the near death experiences. We both stop when we hear the shattering of glass. I pull out my pocket knife without a thought, Joel retrieving his revolver that probably only has two bullets in it.
"Oh goodie. Some more." I muttered, following him to hide behind a wall. He shot me a look with little speckles of amusement before telling me to be quiet. Of course, I obeyed. Didn't want to get in the way of some crazed mushroom heads or even crazier hunters. He touched my shoulder as a sign for 'get ready', the sound of voices reaching my ears. Nah we weren't family. We probably were just starting to even think of calling one another a friend. For the moment, we were companions-each other's rocks in this godforsaken place that once harbored billions of humans. It wasn't the average way a kid my age trusted an adult. Part of me felt like things wouldn't end with a happily ever fucking after, but that was okay. Life wasn't a fairy tale. It never would be.
Joel snuck away and snapped one of the stragglers neck, hiding before he could be seen. I grabbed a brick by my foot in case he got in trouble. Yeah…Joel was Joel, and this life was my life. There might be a day where Joel and I can walk around without paranoia. But there also might be a day I'll die or he will in the hands of the things we fight off every day. So until then, I'll just stick by his side and be who I am. Because after all, he's just Joel and I'm just Ellie. We're nobody special.
:D :D :D eh? Eh? How'd I do? I gave myself somethin different to do so I don't break my brain in boredom, hope you like it. Ugh I wish this game would come out already! ;A; trust me when I say that once I have that game I will write much more of these.
