So I've read and really moved by most of the Last of Us fan fiction, now it's time for me to contribute mine :)
It's an alternate storyline and didn't rhyme much with the game. The idea is that all that happened is actually a dream shared between the 2 protagonists but somehow turned to awkward reality.
Despite a short life, Sarah is my most favorite character in the game, so the story is sort of revolved around her but from Joel and Ellie's perspective.
Yes, some of the facts got twisted to accommodate the story, But I tried not to deviate too much so most of them still referenced from the main game and the DLC as well interview videos of the developer and voice, actor/actress.
Thank you so much for reading and hopes you enjoy it and feel free to comment :) Oh...This is my first fanfiction...so please go easy on me especially on grammar (BTW English is not my first language) :))
Sarah?
Okay..Move your hand baby..
I know baby..I know..
Listen to me…I know it's hurt baby
You're gonna be okay baby…stay with me
I gonna pick you up..
I know baby..I know it's hurt
Come on baby..please
I know baby… I know..
Sarah..? Baby..?
Don't do this to me baby… Don't do this to me baby..come on..
No…no…Oh..no no..please….Oh god…
"God, no!" Joel sprung up from his sleep and found that he was still in his motel room.
It was just a dream!
"That nightmare again," he muttered, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "It's getting worse…"
The clock on the bedside table indicated that it was already the early hours of the morning. With only one thing on his mind, he quickly reached for his phone, browsed through the contacts, and dialed one specific number.
"Daddy?" a soft voice answered through the speaker. It belonged to someone that brought him all the joy and relief in this world and hearing it overwhelmed him.
"S-Sarah! Is…is that you?" His voice shivered as he replied. He couldn't shake away the vision of her, dead in that dream.
"Yeah…" She replied, puzzled. "Why do you sound like you're talking to a ghost?"
"I-I'm sorry, honey. Just woke up and my brain's still fuzzy…" He shook his head, still struggling to regain full consciousness. "Just – just missed you, that's all."
"I miss you too…wait, you're calling me first thing after waking up?"
"Ha, yeah…" he replied, giving a small laugh as he realized that it was true.
"Awwww, that's so sweet! Oh..By the way, are you coming home today daddy?"
"Mm-hmm. I'm –", Joel paused, as it took a while for him to find the flight tickets beside the TV. "I'll be taking the evening flight back."
"Good, just confirming.…" said Sarah. A distinctive car horn sound is heard in the background.
"Oh, crud..Mr. Copper's already here..need to go now..I'll see you soon, love you daddy" says Sarah.
"What. Mr. Cooper? Sarah ?..Hello.." but she already hangs up.
"Damn brain…" muttered Joel. He's already fully wake up but his brain is still reminiscing ' his dream version of Joel'.
Sarah is still alive and Mr. Cooper aka Jimmy Cooper is still humanly his neighbor, kindly taking Sarah every day to school along with his children. He walks up to his Hotel's balcony and views outside. The sun has begun lighting up the sky. Surely enough, he's not seeing any ruins, but a beautiful sight of UEC campus.
Joel was no longer an "average Joe" like in that dream, desperate for jobs to put food on the table. He was the head of his own construction company, which he had built over the span of twenty years.
He had spent the last five days in eastern Colorado, monitoring the final progress of a six-month-long project; a modification and expansion of the campus and hostels to accommodate incoming admissions. David - head of UEC's Facilities Development Office - had hired him on a recommendation from a contact of his brother, Tommy.
As he searches for the meeting room in the university, Joel gives his wristwatch a glance, which is showing 10:10.
"What the hell?" Joel looks around for the University grand clock, which indicates that it still early. "Stupid watch…how many times do I have to set you," he mutters while giving it a few taps. He has come close to deciding to just throw it away - and with that last straw, he does.
Finally, he finds the meeting room, where he is going to hear David's verdict in the works. A few of his people are already in it, waiting.
"Morning, sir," they greet.
"Morning," says Joel. He has a dozen key people under his supervision who themselves lead an army of laborers working on the projects, all gathered together for the meeting.
"Is David here yet?" he asks, taking his seat.
"Yes sir, he and his team are inspecting the works as we speak," says one of his workers.
"And where's Tess?"
"She's on her way…you know her," says Malick, who knows Tess well.
"Yeah, women and their appearances," Joel acknowledges. She should know better for an important meeting like this - but she is a dedicated worker too, so he doesn't really mind.
She has been his company's manager since the beginning when there were only 10 workers including Joel, and she's more like a partner and a friend by now. Bossy but determined, she has done a great job leading the company - something that Joel lacks, which is why he hired her in the first place.
Minutes later, Tess comes in, holding a file of paperwork on the project's work list.
"Hey Texas...how was your morning? You look little more gloomy than usual, is there anything wrong ?" She asks, fully aware of Joel's grumpy manner.
Today is the last day for the project to wrap up. David is present to inspect the works, before deciding his satisfaction and to proceed with the rest of the payment. It has been a pain in the ass actually for Joel to work with him - although seemingly calm and charming, David is actually very picky, particular, and at some points peculiar too. Also, the project is the biggest so far they have ever done.
"Nothing, I'm good," Joel says trying to smile. He knows his thoughts have been twisted by that dream - David is his biggest client yet, so he had better get back to being himself quickly.
"Well, we're almost done. Please stay focused," Tess says.
"Yes Ma'am," Joel replies. Looks like Tess is calling the shots on everything these days. Am I still the boss of the company? He muses.
David comes in with his assistant, James, along with their paperwork.
"Morning, everybody," he greets in his deep but quiet voice, which makes everybody barely catch what he's saying.
"Morning, David," says Tess while Joel just gives a simple nod in reply.
The meeting started. David eyeing on the file while James goes through all the checklist that should have been done by Joel's team. All of them are checked after getting endorsed by David. Both Joel and Tess is a bit nervous to go through the process but confident as they have 'dundid' themselves couple days ago and also last night.
"There is some lack of finishing on unit 3 and 7 on the hostels" James, he's a pain in the ass too. Joel thought this guy probably long for promotion or something.
"Hmm..I think I can overlook on that…" answers David much to Joel surprise.
"But other committee members won't be happy about it.." James argued.
"Well, you don't have to concern about it..I'll handle them" David calmly answers.
At last, David decided he satisfied.
"I say well done on the job..." he said while shaking his hand with Joel along with applaud from Joel workers and his own. They conclude the meeting with a light celebration of refreshment and beverage.
As they're enjoying the moment, David approaches Joel.
"So Mr. Miller… I heard you're a single dad" he asked.
"I am.." Joel doesn't really wanna talk to the guy, but for the sake of his business, he has to, at least, pretend to be friendly.
"Must be not easy for you and your kids..being gone all the time for your job"
"Only kid, and yes, It was.. " says Joel shrugged.
The talk on his daughter triggered the notion of his dream. Joel realizes Sarah is much like Ellie, independent, impulsive and witty, but too softhearted and predictable while the latter is more temperamental and perceptibly clever on hiding her own motive. It's like they are completing of each other.
"So the kid okay with it?" David snatched his thought.
"Yeah...It's hard, but she toughs it out." Joel struggles to explain it plainly short.
Actually, it is true, Sarah has been through a lot to get used to her father's job obligation. He remembers at the beginning, she excitedly asking "When are you coming home, daddy ?", "What time ?" "How many days ?" and for every disappointing answer she gets, gained her understanding and her maturity goes beyond her age. Improvising her way on living without him. Now she just casually and composedly asking "Are you coming home today ?" as she didn't even bother anymore whatever answers he gonna throws her.
Joel felt guilty of it and try hard to make up his time with Sarah the best he can. Every single second he can spare with her won't go wasted. From an hour trip on funfair visits to a week vacation on a luxury cruise liner and he didn't bother how much he would spend just for him to see the grin on his 12 years old angel.
He can talk whole days on Sarah, but right now he doesn't really want to share it especially with somebody like David.
"Oh..a daughter huh ?"
"Yeah…"
"Looks like she can handles herself pretty good huh…I bet she gonna do well in her life"
"Thank you…I certainly hope so" say, Joel, sipping his drink.
"I wish I could meet her.." David also sipping his with a sneering look on his face.
"Uhmm…" Just about Joel want to just says 'no' straight into his face, he's saved by Tess, who came up front between them and hand out a piece of paper to David.
"Mr. David..this is the invoice..for your reference."
"Ah yes…" he views the paper before hand it to James standing on his side.
"I say we make a pretty good team for this project" He facing to both Joel and Tess.
Tess gives Joel a quick glance as he rolls his eyes. She probably shares the same thought as Joel does. It was Joel's men who work their butt to complete the job complying with David's specification that changes almost daily. 'And you wanna claimed that a team works? What an as***le' Joel just shouts it out inside his heart, feels like grabbing a knife or something and mutilates his damn face!
"We are just uhmm..got lucky to have you as our employer," says Tess, trying hard to be more diplomatic.
"No no..no such things as luck…you see...I believe that everything happened for a reason…I really hope to do more calling on you guys for our future development.." says David with a grin.
"Glad to hear that." Joel felt relieved. The rest of the conversation after that was plain business, with Joel trying hard to hold on to his sanity as David rattled on.
At last, it's come to end.
"I'll be in touch with you Tess, on the rest of the payment" David promises. Being good at managing resources, Tess is trusted when it comes to money.
"Good to hear that too..Thank you, David…" Tess appreciated as they adjourned the meeting.
The worst part is over. Now is time for him to bail out of this state and back to his home - Austin, Texas.