Save each other // Joel Miller

Song

Life is a fucking mystery. At least that's what Sophie thought to herself as she watched intently as Joel worked hard in the field in front of the house. She was sitting on the porch, plucking at a guitar she found lying around, humming contently.

After the most ground breaking words slipped past Joel's lips, Ellie busted through the screen door, yelling something along the lines of "You guys will not believe what I found!" Her heaving, excited breath holt at the scene and she laughed it off awkwardly, excusing herself through mumbled words.

Joel was quiet after that. Not an angry or grumpy quiet, more so not really feeling the need to elaborate. Which drove Sophie crazy, but she wouldn't push the subject. Not yet, anyway. She had a million blazing questions that would just have to simmer down until she got the chance to get him calm, alone, and with only one exit she could block.

The day passed slowly, exploring, making plans and putting them to action. This would be their home and Joel was bound and determined to create the perfect space for his family. Sophie smiled softly to herself as she thought of the hard working man. He was really something else.

Just as Sophie let the thoughts cross her mind, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Ellie stood next to her, looking down with a lopsided grin.

"I'm off." She said, tightening the straps on her backpack. The confidence exuded from her and Sophie could tell she was itching to get moving by her fidgety legs. She put the guitar down and stood, bringing Ellie into a brief, squeezing hug that made Ellie chuckle.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until morning? The daylight might make it easier." Sophie asked quietly. She didn't want to sound like she was begging, but she really was. Sophie's heart hurt at the idea of the young girl leaving, she had just got there this morning and Sophie missed her already.

"Yeah, the longer I'm out the more I risk an angry pregnant lady tracking me down with her weird supernatural powers." She joked nonchalantly. Sophie smacked Ellie's shoulder and Ellie chuckled again.

"Plus, if I give Joel to much time to think about me leaving without him, he might change his mind."

"Honestly, it might be the smart thing to do... letting him go with you I mean." Sophie countered and Ellie scoffed.

"I'm gonna be fine! And by the looks of it, he could use some alone time with you. I'll be back before you know it." She turned her attention back to Joel, who was hammering at a fence with an unbothered concentration. Sophie followed her gaze and gave the most gentle sigh, quiet enough to travel away with the evening breeze.

Ellie gave her a soft squeeze on her shoulder before trotting down the stairs of the porch and towards Joel. Sophie watched as the girl approached him and saw his hesitancy toward the whole idea through every movement. Then he sagged, just the smallest bit, giving in and hugging the girl to his chest with a firm grip. Ellie patted his back comfortingly, and Sophie stifled a small giggle.

Ellie was probably baby talking Joel. Telling him it will be alright and hushing him. Joel stood up straight, stoic and serious, and Ellie smacked his chest. That's exactly what was going on. The normal for them. Joel protecting being default and Ellie taking everything with a grain of salt. And then she was off, a slight bounce in her step as she disappeared down the gravel road.

Sophie waited to see what would happen next. What Joel would do. Maybe he would bound to Ellie's side, ignoring her pleas for some space and independence. Maybe he would continue working hard on the fence, wiping dirt and sweat off his brow and pushing a little further than he really should at his age. But, there was a surprising third option.

Joel turned to Sophie. The eye contact was distant but intense, making Sophie's toes curl in her boots. In an instant it all felt so real. And it scared the shit out of her. Something in her brain telling her to retreat, find some corner of the house to make herself useful and out of Joel's penetrating gaze. His words rung out in her ears.