𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞¹, the last of us

017. 𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡

[ 🏹 ] ✾•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•✾ [ 🏹 ]

[ 🏹 ] ✾•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•✾ [ 🏹 ]

「 seventeen. Can't you understand?
Oh, my little girl
All I ever wanted, all I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm. 」

THERE WAS NOTHING BETTER THAN STEPPING OUT OF THE SHOWER AND FEELING CLEAN. Lizzie's hair now sat fresh and twirling in ringlets, her body was free of any mud or blood from wounds, and she smelled of vanilla for once.

She adorned a white robe as she walked out of the bathroom, patting her hair dry as she examined the bedroom. It was quite feminine with pastel colours, floral patterns, and pink walls, but Lizzie didn't mind.

On the bed, Maria had left a line of various items— hairbrushes, perfume, a toothbrush, a diva cup with instructions, and a fresh pair of new clothes folded up neatly beside the products.

Lizzie hummed in curiosity, picking up the bottle of perfume and spraying it in front of her. Immediately, Lizzie was encased in the scent of fresh flowers as it poisoned her nose.

She moved backwards in surprise, obviously not having expected it to smell so strongly. Cautiously, she placed the bottle down, instead choosing to change into the new set of fresh clothes.

It hadn't taken long to change considering the outfit consisted of ripped blue jeans, sneakers, and a black sweater. There was a black coat beside them, though Lizzie chose just to carry it instead.

On the bed, a small note sat with the words "I'm across the street."

Presuming it was from Maria, the blonde left the house, walking across to the house quickly.

The house looked similar to theirs—the only difference being the colour scheme. The front door was painted white, adorned by a black doorknob.

Lizzie knocked once, waiting for the woman to answer the door. After a moment, the air was met with the sound of approaching footsteps from inside the house.

Suddenly, the white door was pulled back to reveal Maria. The woman had a pleased smile on her face as she examined the younger girl before her. "Well, I knew those clothes would suit you perfectly."

Lizzie gave the woman a tight-lipped smile. "Thanks. Have you seen Ellie?"

The woman nodded, opening the door wider so Lizzie could enter. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I was just about to cut her hair. Come in."

Lizzie followed after the woman, casting her gaze over the room's interior for a moment.

The whole house was embraced in a honey-shaded glow, emitting from the fireplace and the lamps that sat around the room. The home was enveloped in a comfortable aura, feeling inviting and homely without even trying to.