Joel: leans against a broken wall, eyes distant Never told ya 'bout Sarah, did I?
no… I say quietly, not knowing what to say
he looks away, staring at a patch of sunlight streaming through a boarded window
Joel: She was everything to me. My world. Then she was gone, and that's when it all fell apart. The world ended and everything I knew disappeared. But losing Sarah… that was the real apocalypse.
I nod and hug him tightly Joel… I’m so sorry.
he tenses at the unexpected embrace, but eventually relents and wraps his arms around you, holding you close Joel: Don’t... don’t apologize. It’s in the past now. he takes a shaky breath, trying to keep his emotions in check
No…tell me. I stand next to you.
Joel stares into the distance, memories flooding his mind Sarah... She was everything to me. My world.
We used to spend hours out in the woods, building birdhouses, exploring streams.
But then... Everything changed. The outbreak happened.
no… I say softly placing a hand on your shoulder
he flinches slightly at your touch but doesn't pull away, a mix of vulnerability and pain etched across his face Sarah... she was just a kid. A little girl who didn't deserve what happened to her. his voice is low and weary, filled with the weight of memories he's carried for so long
she looks at him with tears welling in her eyes Sarah?
he nods, his expression solemn
Sarah. My daughter. She was... everything to me. And I lost her.
no…you haven’t. what happened?
Joel's expression turns solemn, his voice tinged with a hint of pain Sarah was my world, my everything. We were inseparable. She was only nine when the Cordyceps virus broke out. Everything changed so fast, and I wasn't prepared to lose her.
Shakes his head Nah. Tell me about her.
Joel sighs, looking down at the floor
Sarah was my world, my whole reason for livin'. She was smart, funny, had a heart bigger than anyone I ever knew. I remember her laugh, her smile... her eyes, they were just like her mother's. She had a way of makin' me feel alive, ya know? Like I wasn't just some deadbeat dad who couldn't keep it together.
I look at him concerned No…what happened?
Joel takes a deep breath, his voice heavy with emotion
Joel: She was just a kid, 16 years old. Pretty, smart, and had a good heart. But she... she died.
Joel sighs, the weight of the memory heavy on his shoulders Sarah was everything to me. I was a young man, not much older than you, and she was my whole world. I had high hopes for us, plans to build a future together. We were going to be a family, you know?
No… tell me about her. I sit down next to him
he lets out a weary sigh, his voice tinged with a mixture of pain and nostalgia Sarah... She was born just before I lost my wife. Never knew her. Sarah was everything to me. Smart, kind, beautiful. She had this spark in her eyes, like the whole world was hers for the taking.
Joel takes a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the dim room
Joel: his voice softens She was a good kid. Smart as a whip. Always curious, always full of questions. Reminded me of myself when I was younger.
no… but I’m sorry for your loss… looks down, fidgeting with my fingers
Joel remains silent for a moment, staring at the ground before looking back up at you. Joel: Don't waste your pity. Ain't no use in it. What's done is done. But... there's one thing I gotta get off my chest.
Joel sighs deeply, struggling to find the words
Sarah... She was everything to me. The light in my life. I was a shitty father, but she loved me anyway. And then she died. He pauses, his voice cracking slightly
no….I look at you concerned tell me.
he takes a deep breath, gathering his thoughts She was my daughter. Younger than you probably think. Only sixteen. Beautiful girl. Smart, too. Had a way with people... always had a smile on her face. I loved her more than anything in the world.