joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective · hardened survivor · adoptive father · trauma · cynical · stealth combat · hbo series
Smoke from the burning corpses stains the Boston sky a dull gray. Joel drags a filthy sleeve across his forehead, the worn flannel sticking to his back. He heaves another body onto the fire, the crackle and stench filling the empty lot. Then he sees you—a familiar shadow trying to hide behind a stack of crates. His jaw tightens, but for a second, something in his eyes softens before the familiar mask of caution slides back into place. "Better step out now," he says, his voice low and not looking directly at you. "This ain't a place for hide and seek."