Pedro Pascal/Character

Joel 6

You've been kidnapped by some raiders. Joel comes to rescue you. Pre-Ellie. 

~~

You paced the room. It was your fault you were here, and now Joel was probably panicking, thinking you had abandoned him. Fury crashed over you, and you forced your fist against the wall, only to jerk back, yelping in pain. Stupid stone walls. Clutching your hand to your chest, you strained your ears. 

Nothing.

Inspecting your knuckles, you saw they'd already gone dark purple, and swollen. You tried flexing your fingers. Holy fuck. Maybe not. Letting your fingers curl in the least painful position, you took stock of what you had in the room. No window, no blanket, no toilet. You had nothing on you except your clothes, Joel carried the weapons, claiming that it was his duty to protect you. 

Joel. 

You still had Joel. He wouldn't rest until he found you. Unless he thought you'd left of your own volition. Then he may just move on, and you'd be stuck here forever. You weren't even sure where you were, and had no idea what they wanted. What if he couldn't find you? What if they hurt him? 

The bolt slid open on the door. You scrambled to your feet, readying yourself to fight. The fight left you when you saw three huge people, all armed, all aimed at you. A fourth entered the room, a cocky smirk drawn lazily over thin lips. 

"Who the fuck are you assholes?" You spat, venom flying from your tongue. 

"We're just a family trying to do some good." The smirk barely faltered as they spoke. You fought the urge to hurl. "Your little friend has been causing us trouble. We want him gone." 

"And I'm here because? He doesn't give two flying tit-fucks about me!" You got creative with your language, a real source of pride for you, your ability to insult someone in the most absurd way possible. "He'll have gone, taking my supplies." It was hopefully a lie, intended to make them lower their guard just a little, to give Joel a chance. If he was even coming. The doubt was unwelcome, but lingered nonetheless, infecting the deepest parts of your mind. 

"We doubt that." The speaker glanced to the one behind him. "He's kidnapped little Jakey." 

Looking at the family, you doubted this 'Jakey' was actually little. Squaring your shoulders, you grit your teeth, hiding your injury behind your back, meeting the speakers wolfish gaze. "That has jack-shit to do with me. I don't control him." 

"No, we do. Because we have you." 

~~

You were left alone again mulling over your thoughts, sat with your back against the wall, eyes on the door, but not focusing, away in your head as you struggled to piece a plan together. They would never let you go. Joel would probably be killed. When Joel was dead, they would probably kill you. 

You crossed to the door. Sitting still was not your strongest aspect, and you tapped on the door. A loud crash the other side, followed by a muffled "Quiet!" told you someone was standing outside this time, guarding you. Trapping you. 

"Please.." You made your voice sound strained.  "I think I've broken my hand." 

There was silence, then a scuffle. The door was swung open. Luck was on your side. It was the smallest of the three from earlier. About the same height as you, but easily twice your weight, their hand twitching to the pistol on their hip. You chewed your lip, clutching your hand to your chest. They neared you, harsh in their actions, grabbing your wrist and dragging your hand into their line of sight. You chose that moment to strike. 

Grabbing the pistol from their belt, the bullet in their brain and you already halfway down the hall outside before the body even hit the floor. No shouts. No sirens. Nothing. 

You flew through the halls, hearing gunshots to your left. Veering to the right seemed the safest option. You ran straight into someones arms. Joel? You glanced up. Not Joel. You lifted the gun, taking them out in their moment of disorientation. 

You heard your name being yelled, accompanied by rifle shots. You thought it was Joel, but couldn't be sure. Getting out would be best. You padded through the building, unable to figure out the maze of halls and doors leading to nowhere. 

A soft noise behind you. Two shots fired at the same time. The body collapsed, revealing Joel behind it, his rifle raised. You darted into his arms, relief coursing through you. "You're okay." He whispered, pressing his lips to your temple, one arm holding you tightly to his chest, the other holding the rifle away so it couldn't hurt you. "You're okay. You're okay." He repeated the words over and over, his voice quiet. 

"Joel." Your voice came out in a strangled sob. You hadn't realised how scared you were, but it felt like you could finally breathe again, safe by his side, his words comforting in your ear. 

"It's okay, angel. I'm here." His gruff voice brought tears to your eyes, the relief dizzying as you breathed in him. The musk of dirt and grime and death. The heartbeat as familiar to you as your own.

By his side was where you belonged, and as long as you remained there, you're okay.

~~~

892 words.

Just a little one tonight. :D 

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