Ellie's POV:
I was put on horseback with (Y/N) sat behind me, while Joel sat on a separate horse riding next to us, as we rode sandwiched in between the masked people,
I spaced out for the duration of the ride enjoying the feeling of
(Y/N)'s gentle grip around my waist,
I was taken out of my thoughts as we approached a large wall, the masked riders opened a gate and we followed being greeted by a sign that said
'Welcome to Jackson'
People were everywhere...
I looked to my right and watched as Children played together, laughing as they made snowmen.
There were Shopfronts and streetlights.
What seemed to be a civilized society.
"Tommy!"
Joel shouted,
from the back of his horse,
I looked to see who he was calling to, a man dressed head to toe in denim, Ran over to Joel as he did the same, engulfing each other in a hug, laughing together
"That's Joel's brother right? Tommy"
(Y/N) whispered into my ear,
"Yeah." I replied shortly, watching the display of affection,
Feeling a pang of..jealousy in my chest
"What the fuck you doin' here?"
Tommy exclaimed,
examining Joel's face
"I came here to save you."
Joel admitted,
they both laughed and embraced again, even tighter this time.
————————————————
(Y/N) POV:
We got taken to the town hall where Joel's brother Tommy sat us down and gave us a freshly cooked meal, something I don't think any of us have had in a long time.
Joel, Ellie and I began wolfing down our food, the taste of something other than canned food feeling like a godsend
Tommy sat across from Joel and at the head of the table sat a woman who I recognized from the party of masked riders
"There's more if you need it." She said, observing how fast we were. scooping the food into our mouths
"Thank you, ma'am. It's been a while since we've had a proper meal."
Joel thanked
"Actually, I don't think I've ever had a proper meal. This is fuckin' amazing."
Ellie exclaimed
I hummed in agreement, with a mouth full of food
"Sorry. Ellie... let's mind our manners."
Joel said,
Ellie looked up and noticed a dark-haired girl staring at us from across the room.
"What?"
She snapped, making the girl quickly retreat
"What's wrong with you?" Joel scolded
"What about her manners?" Ellie defended
Ellie was on edge, I noticed she had been ever since we got here,
To be fair I was too. It was a new environment full of strangers; it was hard to not feel on guard.
"She was just curious. Kids around here don't usually look or talk like you."
The woman said,
gesturing to Ellie and I
"Right... well, maybe we'll teach them."
she said, turning to me
"And I want my gun back." she added, looking back to the woman
"They also aren't armed."
The Woman explained
"You know what?"
I think maybe y'all got a little off on the wrong foot?" Tommy said,
Now this agitated me, I didn't trust this woman. Especially considering what had happened earlier
"She was gonna have her guys kill us."
I said raising my voice
"Well, we gotta be real careful about who we let in this place. But it's all bark. We're just tryina scare off those who might wanna try us is all."
Tommy explained.
"Well, you got a couple of ninety-year-olds shitting themselves out there."
Ellie referred to the old couple we had met prior remembering how fearful they were.
"Ellie."
Joel scolded.
"They say that you leave dead bodies around?"
"Those are the people who tried us."
The woman said.
"A bad reputation doesn't mean you're bad."
Tommy added.
"Not always, at least."
the woman's gaze focused on Joel.
"Ma'am, we're grateful for your hospitality and all. But it'd be nice to have a moment here, maybe just for family." Joel eyed his brother
"Well, um..."
Tommy shifted in his seat taking the woman's hand in his hand to
"Maria is family, actually."
"Oh, shit! Congrats."
Ellie nodded
"Yeah congrats"
I said, flashing a quick smile
Joel froze in place, he just sat there wide-eyed until Ellie nudged him "Joel, say congrats."
"Congrats."
He finally said,
reluctance apparent in his voice
"How 'bout a tour?"
Tommy smiled awkwardly
"Yeah."
"Sure"
Ellie and I smiled,
answering on Joel's behalf
