It's strange being here. It's strange being anywhere.
Joel being on edge doesn't bother her. Hell, it's normal –– who doesn't take to their surroundings with a particular wariness, an inclination towards double-checking that the movement in the corner of one's eye is something innocent and not an outstretched jaw or rushing body? She's on edge too, and maybe half of it is just being in what is allegedly space. When the lights go off, she tenses. When they come back on, she's relieved, if only for a second.
The shear in his voice and the way he turns is a sharp pull into emergency mode.
"Joel, what's...?"
She sees the girl and freezes. She could say she has no idea what's going on, but that wouldn't be true, would it? She's clever. She can put the pieces together real fast.
II
Joel being on edge doesn't bother her. Hell, it's normal –– who doesn't take to their surroundings with a particular wariness, an inclination towards double-checking that the movement in the corner of one's eye is something innocent and not an outstretched jaw or rushing body? She's on edge too, and maybe half of it is just being in what is allegedly space. When the lights go off, she tenses. When they come back on, she's relieved, if only for a second.
The shear in his voice and the way he turns is a sharp pull into emergency mode.
"Joel, what's...?"
She sees the girl and freezes. She could say she has no idea what's going on, but that wouldn't be true, would it? She's clever. She can put the pieces together real fast.
Jesus christ, what is going on?
"Joel," she repeats, more urgent. Wary.
She reaches for his arm to stop him.