𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘𝐀. tlou (discounted)

𝐈𝐈.

━━━━𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒐.

  𝐉𝐎𝐄𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐃 Tommy stood before the little
girl sat at the wooden table, a bowl of canned peaches pushed off to the side, untouched. The sun had gone down by the time they got back to Jackson, the low sound of crickets filling Mason's ears.

"C'mon, kid. You're skin and bones, eat your food." Tommy pushed the bowl closer to her pale form, only for the little girl to keep her head lying on her knees. Joel huffed, hands resting on the table.

"You gonna talk?" Nothing. "Hey, you deaf? I asked you a question." Joel's tone was stern. With great reluctance, Mason lifted her head from her knees, pointing a finger to her bag. She looked to Tommy as she did. His presence was comforting, unlike his brothers.

"Your bag?" The man asked, to which she nodded. He began to slide the bag over to her, only for Joel to stop him.

"Tommy."

The man ignores his brother, handing the pack over. Mason rummages through it, pulling out an orange crayon and a blue journal. She scribbles on the page, sliding it over to Joel.

not def. mute.

It's written in sloppy handwriting, and the man can't help but chuckle at the misspelled word. He passes the book to Tommy, who nods.

"Alright. Mind telling us your name?" He hands the journal over to Mason, but the crayon in her hand stays still. She didn't know these people. She was a scared, hungry, weak little girl, and she had no idea if these two men would harm her.

"Kid, we ain't gonna hurt you. Just need somethin' to call you." Joel reassured her as he crossed his arms over his chest. With hesitance, the girl sloppily writes on the piece of paper. She hands it over to Joel, head back on her knees.

masin

"Kay, Mason. I'm gonna head out, get you some clean clothes while you wash up." Mason's head picks itself from her knees in a flash, running after Tommy. Her grimy hand latches onto his, bringing him to a halt. She looks at him in a panic, looking like a deer in headlights.

"What is it?" His concern was quickly drifting away as she looks back towards his brother. He kneels before her, jutting his thumb towards the man.

"The big man scarin' you?" She hastily nods, gripping onto his hand like a lifeline. "I'll be quick. Just hop in the bath, don't even gotta look at him." He reassures, walking out the door. Mason stood in the same spot, not daring to move. At that moment, Joel realized how pitiful she looked. She was unhealthily skinny. You could most likely count her ribs, and you could tell she was sleep-deprived. His gaze drifted to the peaches on the table.

"C'mon, kid. You gotta eat." He beckoned her over with a wave of his hand. She looked at him, then at the food in the bowl. She shook her head, playing with the dirt under her nails. The man rests his hands on his hips, calling her over once more. This time, she drags her feet to the table, slumping in her chair. The dreaded fruit sits in front of her, a look of disgust crowning her features as she spoons it into her mouth. Mason slides the bowl back over to Joel, shaking her head as the sludge sits in her mouth.

"Guessin' you don't like peaches." He takes the bowl while the little girl writes in her journal.

too sweet