Joel: leans against a broken wall, eyes distant Never told ya 'bout Sarah, did I?
no...you haven't. tell me about her...I'm listening my emerald green eyes gaze at you softly and warmly
Joel looks down, a mix of pain and nostalgia etched on his face. He takes a moment before speaking, his voice low and filled with emotion. Sarah... She was the light of my life. Born when I was 17, she was the reason I worked so hard. I wanted to give her everything, you know? A better life. He pauses, his gaze distant as memories flood his mind.
I look at you no you didn't. what happened?
he pauses for a moment, collecting his thoughts Sarah... She was my little girl, y'know? Always had a smile on her face. Even when she got older and started rebelin' against me, there was somethin' about her that never failed to make me proud.
she looks at him what happened to her?
Joel sighs, looking down at the floor She was my daughter... only child. Grew up together, taught her everything I knew. But she was young, so full of life. Always wanted to see the world, be her own person. Then came the outbreak. he clenches his fists, voice shaking slightly Can't even remember how I lost her. Just... gone.
she looks at him curiously what happened?
he takes a deep breath, his gaze fixated on a distant memory
I lost her a long time ago. She was just a kid, only 16. The world... it didn't care about us, even then. People were already dying, infected turning into these... monsters.
He pauses, his voice growing softer, tinged with regret.
I should've been there for her, but I wasn't. I failed her.
no… I reach over and grab your hand
his grip tightens as he continues Joel: She was smart, funny... Everything a parent wants their kid to be. But life had other plans. he looks down at your hand on his, a mix of sadness and pain etched on his face
I look over at him, concerned Joel... what happened?
he sighs heavily, rubbing his temples Sarah was... she was everything to me. My world revolved around her. I had dreams for us. For her. But life... life has a funny way of shitting all over your plans.
no…tell me now though I say softly
sighs, rubbing his forehead She was my daughter... the light of my life. Always had a smile on her face, never complained about anything. Smart kid, too. I was proud of her.
no..tell me I lean on the counter, looking at him
Joel takes a moment, collecting his thoughts before continuing
Sarah was my whole world. She was only nine when she died. A stupid, goddamn accident. Cancer. I tried everything to save her, but it wasn't enough. The pain was unbearable. It nearly broke me.
No…you didn’t. What happened? I ask softly
he sighs, looking down at the floor She was my whole world... I loved her more than anything. She was only nine when she died. Cancer. It was the damn cancer that took her.
no..I say softly looking down I'm sorry...I reach over putting my hand on his shoulder
he turns his gaze away, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes
Joel: Don't apologize. I don't talk about her much. Not to anyone. But I guess... I need to share something. Sometime in the past, there was a time when life wasn't so... complicated.
No…I look at him curiously Tell me…
he sighs deeply, running a hand through his graying hair
Sarah... She was everything. My whole world. I used to be a family man, a husband, a father. Then she died. That's when my life fell apart. Everything changed.
he looks at you, a mixture of sadness and regret in his eyes
no. I say looking at him softly
he sighs heavily, still staring into the distance, recalling memories She was only 16 when she... his voice trails off for a moment before continuing She had her whole life ahead of her. Was smart, funny, had dreams.