Bill and Franks
Emma lost her parents when she was young. Too young to remember anything about them, but she had her brother. They had talked about running away, but they were barely surviving in the New Hampshire QZ and Emma wasn’t old enough. But now that she is 14 and they both have a decent amount of supplies, they head off to find their mothers sister, who is somewhere in Wyoming. They were going on foot. Across the country. Emma was not very happy.
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Ellie was tired of traveling, she wanted a rest day, but Joel was obviously not gonna go for that, so Ellie just trudged along, hoping they made it to Frank's house.
“Joel” Ellie said, looking up at him.
“What?” He was tired and not in the mood for a pun right now.
“When are we gonna fucking be there? I’m so tired I might die.” She said, sagging her shoulders to really get the point across.
“Be patient, were almost there, see? You can see the town already”
‘Thank god’ Ellie thought.
They got there and once Joel undid the traps, went to Frank’s house.
They read the note and Ellie explored giving Joel a second to process.
“Joel! They have hot water! Im showering, then your showering, cause dude, you fucking stink.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Mac!” Emma said, stopping in her tracks as they emerged from the forest.
Mac immediately raised his gun and stepped in front of his little sister.
“What?!” He said, realizing she was smiling, resisting the urge to smack her for scaring him.
“A town! We can sleep here overnight!” Emma said, already walking to the entrance.
“Dude, don’t scare me like that again you little shit, thought you saw a clicker or something.”
She flipped him off and kept going.
“Maybe if I had a gun you wouldn’t feel so jumpy, that way I could help too…” She trailed off.
“Nope. You would shoot your foot off.”
“Whatever, asshole” she said as they walked up some steps, and before they could open the door swung open and a tall man burst out with a gun raised and ready to shoot.
“Who the fuck are you?!” The guy demanded.
“Woah, easy there man, we're just passing by, me and my sister, don’t want no harm.” Mac said, stepping in front of Emma.
“I’m Emma, that's Mac, who are you?” Emma said, poking her head around her brother.
“It-” He was cut off by a girl who looked about Emma's age cautiously and took a step out the door, switchblade in hand.
“Joel, who the fuck are these people?” The brunette said, eying the two.
“Put your gun down, we ain’t gonna hurt you.” Emma said, stepping next to her brother.
“Fine.” He said, completely ignoring Ellies question.
“Can we come inside?” Mac said, slowly walking close to the door.
“I guess, don’t touch anything yet, couple rules.”
They all walked inside and the siblings took the couch while Ellie and Joel stood across from them.
“I’m Ellie, this is Joel. Who are you?” Ellie said, eying the girl. She was quite pretty-last time you thought like that you had to shoot the girl, stop.
“I’m Emma, that's Mac, we’re coming from New Hampshire.”
“Boston.” Is all Joel said, almost sizing them up.
“Ellie, why don’t you take Emma to where the shower is.”
“Okay, Emma, come.” She said waving Emma up and started walking up the stairs.
The two men started talking in hushed tones, and Emma and Ellie made light small talk.
“How old are you?” Emma said.
“14, you?” Ellie replied, leading her to the guest room.
“Same. Alright just in there?” She gestured to the door across from the bed.
“Yup, clean clothes in the drawers but you kinda gotta dig for the right size.”
“Thanks.”
“Yup.” Ellie didn’t know what to do so she decided to eavesdrop (after standing there for a couple minutes), hear what Joel wanted Ellie out of the room for, and crept down the stairs.
“We’re going to Wyoming too, please sir, it will be much fast for us to take the car with you! Me and my sister, we’re good help! We won’t hurt you, we ain’t like that. Please sir!” The young boy begged, and Ellie was about to tell Joel it was a good idea, (because he definitely would not think it was) before she stopped herself when she heard-
“I suppose. You gon do your share, I won’t hesitate leaving you on the side of the road, you hear?” Joel said, and Ellie smiled, he was warming up to-people? She wasn’t sure but he was slowly changing, and for the better.
~~~~~~~~
‘That girl is so pretty’ Emma thought. She knew she liked girls, and embraced it- well, in her head. She didn’t tell anybody, wasn’t worth ruining the relationship, and would rather die than talk to her older brother about her crushes. She finished up in the shower rather quick, wrapped up in a towel then went to find some clean clothes. Maybe they could hang around these people? For a bit? Emma hadn’t had any friends, and wanted to be able to say shes had at least one, even if her dad is fucking terrifying. She pulled the navy sweatshirt over her head and slipped on some pants, and walked downstairs, catching the last of the conversation.
“Fine but-” She stopped paying attention when she saw that gi- Ellie she mentally corrected herself- crept up along the corner. Ellie heard the stair creak and whipped her head around, making a ‘shh’ gesture with her hand, and waved her over.
“What are they saying?” Emma whispered.
“I think y’all are driving with us to Wyoming?” Ellie whispered back.
“Oh shit, in a car?! Fuck ya!” Emma whisper screamed, and earned a small giggle from Ellie.
“Ever been in one? I heard it’s like a spaceship!” Ellie exclaimed, not bothering to hide her voice anymore.
“No, but it’s on my ‘Things to do before I get bit’ bucket list.” Emma answered smiling.
Ellie stood up, and offered a hand to Emma.
“I assume you heard that then, I’ll shower, then him,” he pointed to Mac, “then we get the hell outta here, got it?”
“Yes sir.” Ellie saluted him.
“Fucking kids. I’ll tell you…” Joel murmered walking up the steps.