The Last Of Us: A Forsaken Son

Abscission

I kill. But that isn't my first choice. I think I'm starting to understand now, everyone is fighting for something. To survive, or to protect the people they care about. But I don't want to chop people up and eat them to do that.

The more I think about it, the more I feel weird. It makes me sad. Like what I'm doing is still wrong no matter the reason.

No, he's wrong. I'm not the same as him. I'm doing this for my parents. And for them.. I'm not bad like he was.

This makes me feel a little better. I like this. Drawing does too, but, I think I like this as well. I have to tell Ellie thank you later for this.

"Caleb"

"Hm?"

"You okay?" Ellie asked.

"Yeah"

"You sure, champ?" Joel asked again.

The sudden bombarding of questions didn't surprise Caleb. In fact, he was now almost expectant of it. For the past few months, after putting a hole into David's face, he was consecutively asked if he was okay.

His silence must've worried them. Or maybe it was the bruises he endured and shown no vocalization on what happened. Either way, Joel and Ellie were worried about him.

"I'm sure" he closed his journal before hopping off the hood of the car.

Joel then pointed up at the green sign hovering above the highway. White bolden words saying "Salt Lake City" with arrows pointing downward, which means they had to keep following the road. He'd learn how to read signs from Joel.

The sky was partly cloudy and the soft breeze grazed his sleeveless arms. Even managed to get under his gray t-shirt to touch his stomach.

"You know, on a day like this, I'd sit on my porch, and pluck away at my six strings" Joel suddenly spoke, with blithe. "Once this is all over, I'll teach you both how to play guitar. How's that sound?"

     He was scrutinizing the crumbled paper he pulled out of his pocket, imagining a face to instill on the place where his father face once resided. But still, nothing came up. It was okay though, because he would see them today. He could feel it.

     Through his periphery, Ellie was staring at him as they walked. He's caught her doing this for some time now.

"Hey, I'm talking to you guys." Joel said after being left with the cooing winds of the spring.

"Oh, uh, yeah sure" Ellie replied suddenly.

"Okay" Caleb's word followed.

    Taking the road off the highway led them to the streets of another abandoned city. Climbing onto a few cars, they saw a big building with red bolden letters down the road. Saint Mary's Hospital.

     Joel led them into a busted building that was still standing. With the luggage and benches lingering in the space, you could presumptuously surmise that this was a former bus station.

"Is everything okay with us?" Joel broke the silence. He stared at both of them, his eyes conveying a light that gave his dark eyes a sense of empathy.

"Yeah. We're okay. Right Caleb?" The look in her eyes showed her assessment, trying to see if there was something going on with Caleb that he wouldn't say.

"Yeah" he kept his gaze forward while searching for the way onward. They landed on the broken railing just ahead. "We're gonna have to climb this, right?"

".. yeah. We are." Joel answered.

     After he was boosted onto the ledge, he dropped down a ladder that was providentially laying on the floor.