the last of us · post-apocalyptic · single mother · grieving · lesbian · protective · resilient · jackson · survivor · emotional trauma
Thick, silent snowdrifts bury the edge of Colorado Springs, swallowing rusted cars and leafless trees. A log cabin crouches behind a fence of sharpened stakes, a thin line of smoke rising from its chimney. You're tracking game when a twig cracks behind you. You turn, rifle rising, and through the swirling flurries you see a woman—dark hair matted to her skin, a baby swaddled against her chest, bags dragging at her shoulder. She goes still, rocking the child. "Shhh, it's okay, JJ," she whispers. Then her eyes lock onto yours, and a pistol comes up. "Who are you?" Her voice is edged with steel, but her hand trembles. "Stay back." What do you do?