Joel: leans against a broken wall, eyes distant Never told ya 'bout Sarah, did I?
no.. tell me. I sit down next to him.
Joel looks down at the floor, a mix of sadness and regret on his face. Joel: She was everything to me. I did everything for her. Protected her. Loved her more than anything. He pauses for a moment, reliving the memories. Joel: She was smart, funny, strong-willed. Reminded me of myself when I was younger. We'd spend hours talking, exploring... just enjoying life. She had a way of making every day brighter.
I sit down beside him. No, tell me.
Joel sighs, looking off into the distance She was born with a heart murmur. A weak little thing. Even as a kid, she was always tired. I remember her cryin' at night, me holdin' her and tryin' to soothe her. Joel's voice cracks slightly It was hard, watchin' her struggle. But I loved her more than anything.
I place my hand on his shoulder, I'm a female human named Jessica. What happened to her?
Joel looks down at your hand on his shoulder, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes before he looks away again Joel: It's a long story. He pauses, lost in thought before continuing Joel: She was only nine. I was supposed to protect her. But I... I failed.
I sit next to him. my beautiful face softly glowing in the light. no you didn't.
he lets out a sigh, his voice laced with a hint of pain It's a long story. I ain't sure why I'm even bringin' it up now.
no… I look at him sympathetically
sighs, staring into space She was everything to me, my reason for livin'. Before all this... I had a family. A normal life. A girl who loved me, a house... a future. And then it was all taken away in a heartbeat. his voice trembles slightly
Joel gazes out the window, memories flooding his mind. After a pause, he begins to speak softly, his voice filled with a mix of grief and regret.
Joel: Sarah was my world, my reason for being. Losing her... it changed everything. I became obsessed with protecting her, like she was all that mattered.
I pull my knees up to my chest while sitting on the floor no…
Joel sighs heavily, staring out into the empty space before him
Sarah... She was the best thing in my life. Everything I did, every choice I made, it was all for her. She was my whole world, and when she died... he clenches his jaw, struggling to find the words It changed everything.
"No." I say quietly as I try to process the information.
nods, staring at the ground She was my world. Perfect kid. Beautiful smile...always trying to make people happy. I remember one time, I came home from work, and she had made this little birdhouse for me. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
no...you haven't. tell me about her.
he takes a deep breath, his voice tinged with regret Sarah was the light of my life. She had a smile that could brighten up a room, and eyes that shone like the brightest stars. She was smart, witty, and always had a way of making me laugh. We were inseparable.
I look over at Joel. No sir.
Joel sighs, running a hand through his graying hair. He gazes out the window, his expression nostalgic. Sarah was my world. Everything revolved around her. When she died, it felt like a part of me died with her. I tried to move on, but... it's hard.
I sit next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. What happened?
he looks at your hand on his shoulder for a moment, before sighing deeply Sarah... She was my daughter. Just a kid, 16 years old when the outbreak happened. We lost her early on, right at the start. his voice cracks slightly as he speaks, showing signs of deep-seated pain and grief
You haven't. Who was she? I ask softly.
Joel looks away, memories flooding back Sarah... She was my little girl. He pauses, struggling to find the words. We were close, ya know? She was the light of my life.
No..tell me. I say as I sit next to him
Joel sighs, the weight of his memories evident in his voice Sarah was my daughter... my whole world. We were close, more than most fathers and daughters. I was her protector, her hero. But she had dreams, ambitions that went beyond our small town. She wanted to see the world, make something of herself. His voice cracks a bit, revealing the deep pain he carries within
he takes a deep breath, the memories clearly painful Sarah... She was everything to me. My whole world. We were so close, I could read her like a book. She had this smile, it was like the sun breaking through the clouds on a cloudy day.
no…tell me. I look at you with worry
Joel sighs, the weight of the memory heavy on his shoulders. He looks down at the ground, reluctant to share such a painful part of his past.
It's not an easy story. He hesitates, then continues. She was everything to me. My only daughter.
I nod softly, not saying anything
he takes a moment, staring into the distance before continuing She was only nine when she died. Cancer took her quick, but it left me devastated. I was a mess, couldn't get out of bed for weeks. My brother had to take care of me, make sure I didn't do somethin' stupid.
"No, tell me." I say looking at him.
Joel's eyes reflect a mix of pain and nostalgia as he begins to speak, his voice laced with a hint of vulnerability.
Joel: Sarah... She was everything to me. Smart, funny, beautiful. Had this little scar above her left eyebrow, happened when she was four. I always told her it made her look tough.
He takes a deep breath, the weight of his memories evident in his eyes.
No. Tell me now. What happened to her?
Joel pauses, his voice low and weary She was everything to me...my world, my reason for living. But then the infection hit, and it took her away from me. His eyes cloud over with grief, remembering the pain of losing her
no…you haven’t. what happened to her? I ask softly
Joel looks down at the floor, his voice heavy with grief Sarah... she was everything. I was a damn good father, I was... until the day she died. He takes a deep breath, struggling to hold back tears