The Last of Us: Chronicles

The Championship Game

Chapter 1: The Championship Game.

Austin, TX - May 12, 2013, 3:00 PM

Joel Miller stood at the edge of the soccer field, a worn leather cap shading his eyes from the intense Texan sun. His daughter, Sarah, was sprinting across the pitch, her ponytail bobbing behind her as she chased the ball with unwavering determination. The championship game had drawn a considerable crowd, parents and friends lining the sidelines, their cheers and shouts melding into a cacophony of encouragement and excitement.

Sarah, clad in her blue and white uniform, was in her element. She navigated the field with the ease and confidence of a seasoned player, her focus sharp and unyielding. Joel watched with pride swelling in his chest, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. This was a moment he cherished, one of those fleeting instances where everything felt right in the world.

The whistle blew, signaling a penalty kick. Sarah's team had earned a chance to score, and Joel could see the tension in her shoulders as she stepped up to take the shot. He knew how much this meant to her, how hard she had worked all season for this moment.

"Come on, Sarah, you got this!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the roaring crowd.

Sarah glanced briefly in his direction, a flicker of a smile playing on her lips before she turned her attention back to the ball. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and then sprinted forward. Her foot connected with the ball in a powerful, controlled strike that sent it soaring past the goalkeeper's outstretched hands and into the net.

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Sarah's teammates swarmed her in celebration. Joel felt a surge of pride and relief. He clapped and cheered, his heart pounding with the thrill of the moment. This was her victory, a testament to her hard work and dedication.

As the game resumed, Joel's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a message from Tommy, his younger brother. "Can't make it to the game, work's crazy. Tell Sarah I'm rooting for her!" Joel chuckled and shook his head. Tommy was always busy, but Joel knew he cared deeply for Sarah.

The game continued with intense back-and-forth action. Both teams played fiercely, but Sarah's team held their ground, keeping the lead. Joel watched every move, his eyes following Sarah as she dodged, passed, and defended with skill and agility. She was relentless, a force to be reckoned with.

As the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the game, Sarah's team erupted in joyous celebration. They had won the championship. Joel felt an overwhelming sense of pride as he watched his daughter lift the trophy with her teammates. She looked radiant, her face flushed with excitement and happiness.

Joel made his way onto the field, pushing through the crowd to reach Sarah. She saw him coming and ran to him, her trophy clutched tightly in her hands.

"Dad, we did it!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Joel pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her off the ground. "I knew you could do it, baby girl. You were amazing out there."

Sarah beamed up at him, and for a moment, everything else faded away. The troubles and worries of the world seemed distant and insignificant in the face of his daughter's triumph.

Puerto Deseado, Argentina - May 12, 2013, 5:00 PM

Thousands of miles away, in the bustling port town of Puerto Deseado, Mateo Luis Rodríguez was hard at work. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the docks, where workers moved like clockwork, loading and unloading cargo from ships. The air was filled with the sounds of machinery, the cries of seagulls, and the salty tang of the ocean.