THE UNEXPECTED

17

I was about to turn away from Joel when Tommy came barging his way back over towards us,

"The girl, she took one of our horses and rode off." Panic begins to rise in my lower belly at the news, and I could tell that Joel was feeling something similar.

"Damn it." He grumbles a sigh. "Which way?"

"C'mon." We quickly follow Tommy to a near by exit situated by two remaining horses.

"Tommy, I'm with you, boost me up." I demand, not even looking at Joel and not missing the way he flashes me a hurt look. Good. I was hurt too. Tommy paused momentarily before shrugging and telling me to scoot up so he could fit in front of me.

"There, see the tracks?" Tommy points out the prints in the mud not long after we set off, "She couldn't have gotten far. We'll find her, don't worry." He tries to reassure us.

My panic does actually ease a little at his words but nonetheless I'm worried sick for her.

"Stubborn kid." Joel sighs audibly from beside us, his own horse trotting comfortably.

"She usually pull these stunts?" Tommy asks, briefly looking at Joel.

"Nothin' like this, I don't know what's goin' on." The older brother shrugs, not catching my eye when I scoff lightly. Of course he knows what's going on and Ellie definitely caught on. Poor kid.

Shortly after, the tracks we were following lead us to a ranch house which doesn't actually look in too bad condition all considering, and squinting, in the distance I spot one of Tommy's horses tied up outside the front porch. My heart rate involuntarily lessens at the sight of it, and I pray she's all okay inside.

"Ellie?" Joel first calls out when we reach the doors of the ranch.

"Ellie!?" I repeat as soon as we step foot inside.

"I'm up here!" Oh thank God.

Quickly, the pair of us waste no time and head up the flight of stairs leaving Tommy outside as lookout. We make a beeline for the door that's slightly ajar, all considering every other one was shut.

The door opens wider with a loud creek which alerts Ellie of our presence. Immediately, I notice her sat on a window seat, reading a book of sorts with a frown on her face.

"Ellie? What's up with the disappearing act, huh? You Houdini or something?" I huff out, crossing my arms over my chest. Ellie's eyebrows furrow even deeper.

"Houdini?" In the background, I hear Joel snigger quietly but I pay no mind to it.

"Doesn't matter, you hurt?" My tone much softer now as I zero in on her appearance, there seems to be no physical altercations.

"No, I'm fine."

"Good."

Ellie then glances back down at her book and sighs, which leaves me awkwardly standing with Joel in silence,

"Is this all you guys had to worry about back then? Boys, movies...which skirt went with which shirt?" Ellie trails off, clearly in annoyance at how simple times were back before the outbreak. Obviously I was still young when it happened but I had some idea.

"Well Joel was practically already elderly when it all started so he'd be the better candidate to ask..." I tried to joke, "but I guess times were different back then." I concluded, letting the silence pool around us once more. I could feel Joel's eyes on me.

"He's leaving isn't he?" Ellie then spoke up, breaking the silence once more. It saddened me how she couldn't even address him. I glanced beside me, watching as Joel shut his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face. All I could do was nod, feeling a lump in my throat preventing me from speaking.

"This is what's best for all of us." Joel finally speaks, his tone sounds pained.

"Don't pretend like you're thinking of anyone but yourself." My mouth opens before I could even think, and deep down I knew that was probably a low blow but in that moment I couldn't really care less. I was angry at him for giving up so quickly, this little girl needed him...I need him.

"Tommy knows this area-"

"Oh fuck that!" Ellie quickly interrupts him, fury evident in her eyes, but also betrayal.

"Well I'm sorry, I trust him better than I trust myself." Joel snaps back even quicker, losing his patience.

"Stop with the bullshit!" I can't help but feel a little proud for Ellie standing up for herself, "what are you so afraid of?"

Oh.

Oh.

Then it all clicks. Sarah.

Joel is scared, despite not showing it, he's scared of getting attached to either one of us incase we end up like his little girl once did. My heart breaks a little and I can't help but feel bad, how did I not think of this before mouthing off?

"You'll do even better off with Tommy!" I guess Joel's strong suit is running away from potential hurt.

I stay silent, not particularly knowing what to say but what Ellie says next has me biting my lip and wincing, "I'm not her, you know...Maria told me about Sarah."

"Ellie." I say firmly, deciding that now is the best time to stop this argument, "Joel, you've made up your mind, I'll take the damn kid to wherever you need to go and at least with me...I won't bail on her." Ellie looks at me momentarily, eyes shining a little but Joel interrupts us, disregarding my words completely.

"...You are treadin' on some mighty thin ice here." Joel almost looks defeated as he stares at Ellie, before flicking gaze at me. It lingers before I look away quickly, not wanting to be reminded of any bubbling feelings I have for him.

"I'm sorry about your daughter Joel, but I've lost people too-"

"-You have no idea what loss is."

"Hey, she may be younger than us Joel, but everyone has lost people in this damn thing." I hiss, not liking the way he patronises her for her age. Ellie nods at me appreciatively but Joel on the hand? It seems as though all those walls I'd tried to break have gone straight back up again.

"Everyone I have cared for has either died or left me...everyone except for fucking you two!" Ellie says, giving Joel a hard shove before running into my arms. She looks to be on the brink of tears as I wrap my arms around her, "...don't tell me I'd be safer with someone else 'cos the truth is I'd just be more scared." Her words are muffled but we hear them loud and clear. If this isn't the wake up call that Joel needs then I don't know what is.

"You're right, you ain't my daughter and I sure as hell ain't your dad. We are going our separate ways." A sob breaks through Ellie as she clings to my torso and I can't help but feel a sting at his words. I guess he had truly made up his mind, and I wasn't on it. I couldn't even bring myself to look at him as a sour taste tickles my throat.

"Get it together, we're not alone." Tommy hisses, startling the three of us as he enters the room. Ellie quickly peels herself from my body and withdraws her pocket knife, I do the same but take the safety off of my gun.

For fuck sake.