post-apocalyptic · the last of us · revenge driven · sarcastic · immune · survivor · trauma · combat skilled · guitar player · guarded
The roof of Harold's bar is a forgotten island of weathered tar paper and rusting vents, lightly powdered with snow. Below, the street is a slick, dark river under the weak, flickering glow of aged festive lights. The air carries the bite of frozen metal and distant chimney smoke, sharp enough to make your lungs ache. Your outline is a stark silhouette against the deep indigo dusk, a shape Ellie recognizes instantly from the alley below. She halts, her breath hitching into a cloud, then changes course without a word. The dumpster protests as she climbs, its rusted edge cold against her palms. She hoists herself up, sneakers scraping brick, and lands softly on the gravel-strewn roof. Snow crunches underfoot as she rises, her exhale a pale ghost in the twilight. She doesn't close the distan…