Save each other // Joel Miller

Ridiculous

As soon as Sophie could talk properly, she had met Maria Miller. Maria was smart and confident and shook her to the core. She wouldn't let anyone but her and Tommy visit because she wanted Sophie to make a full recovery before tackling the inevitable fear Sophie had growing inside of her, trusting people. She talked with Maria about only what was necessary to tell her. She wasn't infected, she wasn't a raider, she wasn't leaving to tell stories of this place. She had no one, and Maria seemed to like that. But Sophie felt she still didn't trust her. After everything she had done, how could she?

It was understandable. But Sophie also appreciated Maria's respect for her. She didn't want to be bothered, frankly, and Maria understood, almost seeing right through her. Sophie's knowledge of this place was that it was a commune and they had electricity. Everyone worked together and no one was hungry. Sometimes she could hear people out her window but she didn't bother to look. Or she was to scared to. She couldn't fathom how many people were here and it was her worst nightmare. Putting too much trust into strangers is what killed her brother and she would not make that mistake again.

"So, what's your name?" Maria asked for what seemed like the hundredth time. That's how she would start all of the visits. It was starting to feel like a psychiatric evaluation more than anything. She understood why they kept trying but they would also have to understand why she didn't tell them anything either. She won't be staying here. She won't feel trust. She won't feel love anymore. It was too much. She didn't want it and she didn't feel she deserved it. Not after what happened.

"Alright," Maria said with a sigh after a long, awkward silence. "How about we try to get up and walk around the room? I know your only goal is to leave, so we will make sure you're healthy and mobile." She gave Sophie a small smile and offered her hand. Sophie, sitting on the bed, reluctantly accepted her reach. With the lightest touch she pulled herself up and felt a small tinge of pain in her side. She tried to hide it but Maria saw right through her, again.

"Not quite there but let's circle the room, or if you're comfortable, we could make our way down the hall and stairs?" She gestured towards the door.

Sophie thought about it for a second, then shook her head. "No, I'm fine in here." She refused quietly. The last thing she wanted was to run into Tommy and have him think she was ready to meet everyone. She had learned she was staying in the upstairs bedroom of Tommy and Maria's home and he was more enthusiastic about trying to get her to stay. He kept his attitude even and cool in-front of Maria but when she wasn't around he tried to tease her relentlessly about the idea. "Come on Darlin'!" He'd say, "you were destined to live in Jackson!"

'Destiny, huh? What a joke', Sophie would think to herself. Destiny was a made up word to give false hope in an apocalypse. And one of her brothers favorite theories.

She walked with ease around the room. Maria's hand ghosting Sophie's lower back to make sure if she stumbled, she could catch her, which happened less and less these days. "You know, after being shot, fracturing a rib or two, loosing way too much blood, and suffering a concussion, you are making an amazing recovery." Maria gave her a another small smile. She's being polite and Sophie knows it but she can see that the smile doesn't travel to her eyes. They seem... sad. Maybe disappointed? She wants her out, for almost killing Tommy, Sophie was pretty sure.

"A little bit of sunshine might not hurt, you know?" Maria said quieter than normal. Sophie looked at her, confused. She exudes confidence, but this statement was meek and shy. Was she nervous to bring it up? Like Maria could read her mind she chucked softly and shook her head. "I just don't want to push you too far, but you have a couple of fans, waiting to meet you. And I told them to wait until you at least make it outside, but they don't have much patience and one of them has a pretty nasty potty mouth."

Sophie stopped in front of the window covered in sheer drapes. Always looking towards this window but never out. Was she ready to face new people? Maybe it is time. She could possibly get the hell out of here if she just gave into their ridiculous requests. She looked at Maria and with a sharp breath in she nodded. Huffing out as she gave her another smile, real this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joel shifted uncomfortably in his wheelchair. He was parked on the porch of his Jackson home and wanted nothing to do with his predicament.

"Stop fidgeting old man!" Joel heard Ellie shout from the door of her shed home. He shot a glare towards where her voice echoed from and continued to move until he could reach the guitar leaning against the porch swing. Shifting again with a grunt, he placed the instrument in his lap and examined it. Ellie had been keeping up with it. Practically new strings and not a spec of dust.

"Hey! You ever gonna play this thing for me?" Joel shouts with a half grin toward the shed. Ellie pops into view, holding onto the door frame and lazily swinging her opposite arm and leg out.

"Not sure, when you gonna take me to the moon?" She replied before making her way to the porch. He chuckled a bit and looked up as she approached him.

"You know, I may not have much time left Ellie." Joel faked a cough with a hand on his chest. Ellie scoffed and punched him in the shoulder with a look of shock.

"I can't believe you'd say that to me, Joel. Too soon." They both laughed happily and fell into a comfortable silence. Ellie slid down to a sit in front of Joel as he strums some cords in a random order.

"You won't always be in the chair, you know? The nurse said your chances of walking again are like, super high." Ellie tells Joel with a small half smile. She knows how much he hates being rooted down and how he hates being waited on even more.

"But not 100%. I need to start physical therapy soon, before I forget how to walk altogether." Joel replies, half serious half joking. They both nod in agreement and fall into another peaceful moment. Right before Joel is about to ask Ellie what movie they should watch that night, something catches his eye. Tommy and Maria walking down the road, lightly laughing and chatting, and between them is someone he doesn't recognize. He sucks in his breath a bit and Ellie notices right away. She turns to meet his gaze and she jumps up fast, startling Joel a bit.

"Holy shit, that's her!"