CYOA Page 6

[lumy12]

Page Six

If there's one thing you've learned from Joel (...okay, so one of lots of things you've learned from him), it's that you shouldn't ignore your gut in situations like this. You guide your horse right up alongside Joel's so you can speak softly and not tip off your stalker. "Joel, I think there's someone behind those rocks over there... or in those bush things? I heard a noise! Twice!"

Joel says nothing... but he listens for a few moments. "I don't hear nothin'. Maybe a little bit of wind, or maybe a--"

"It's not just that," you hiss. You know what fucking wind sounds like. "It was a... rustling, like."

Joel kindly doesn't point out that the wind also rustles things; you don't really know how to describe it adequately. "All right, let's have a look." He cuts in front of you -- as always, he prefers to be in the line of (possible) fire ahead of you, even though you're no longer the scared little girl who left Boston. You have loads of experience now. But if you say as much to Joel, he'll just point out that he still has more. He'll always have more; the only way you could possibly 'catch up' would be if you're not together, and like... he's hanging out somewhere safe while you're out getting more experience. Fuck that! We stay together!

"Who's there?" Joel calls, aiming his rifle in the general direction you had indicated. Hearing nothing, he creeps closer (er... as much as horses can even creep?). You know he hasn't spotted anything because he's slowly sweeping the rifle as he takes a look around, rather than aiming it somewhere that feels suspicious.

Coming up behind him, you don't see anything either. ...That is, until he yells again -- and a squirrel scampers out of the brush, fleeing the scene.

Before Joel can even completely turn his head around to smirk at you, you scowl at him. "Don't even say it!" And with that, you turn your horse around, picking up your previous pace and direction. You hear him call out to you, but you ignore him. Doesn't he think I feel embarrassed enough already?

"Ellie! ... ...Ellie!"

Fuck, he's persistent! "What?" you snap at him.

He's riding beside you now. "I was just gonna say... that wasn't a mistake. You heard somethin' an' wanted to check it out. Next time, it might turn out that--"

"Yeah yeah yeah," you interject. "Better to be safe than sorry, blah blah."

"...Yes. It is. So if you--"

"Okay, I get it!" you snarl.

He drops the subject.

You ride along in silence for a while. You're not sure why you're being a bitch now. I'm acting like he's being a dick about it, but he's being totally nice... and, you're somewhat amused to notice, he keeps casually-but-not-really looking behind you... more than normal. Whether it's to try to make you feel better or because he's disturbed that he actually didn't hear that squirrel himself, you can't say. Knowing Joel, he probably did hear it, but his superior ears can distinguish between small-animal sounds and human sounds. Unlike yours, clearly.

Joel doesn't have to tell you to be ready for anything as you approach a little town, but you can tell by reading his body language that he's not too concerned about the area. No hunters or infected holed up in any of the buildings. You've implored him to teach you how the fuck he just knows this shit, but he says it's just a gut feeling that can't be taught. A statement usually followed by the disclaimer of having to be alert no matter what... that it's not a 100% accurate way to gauge an area anyhow.

You have yet to really see him be wrong, though.

"Let's stop here for a little while," Joel suggests. "Eat an' rest."

"Okay. Where?"

"Well... where would you like to? You pick this time."

There are plenty of buildings along the road here to choose from.


If you choose the Denny's restaurant, turn to page 10.

If you choose a cottage down a side street, turn to page 14.

If you choose the bank, turn to page 17.

Comments

Annie

[(Anonymous)]

Aw, they're so cute even when they're kind of fighting. I really like how Joel tries to make Ellie feel better. He's such a huge softie with her.

Re: Annie

[luminations.livejournal.com]

He really is! Sometimes. Except when he's not. But then usually he feels bad shortly after :) (speaking for this 'verse only, of course. I kind of feel like an ass sometimes if I make Declarations about characters that aren't mine :D)

Their bickering is probably my second favorite thing to write... the first being Awkward Moments ♥

Carlos

[(Anonymous)]

I think this is my last road in this adventure... but you will LMK if I miss any. Do you think that this girl finish reading?

RE: Carlos

[luminations.livejournal.com]

Probably, although there's still lots of branches! I'll check at the end.
And noooooo, dude no one reads it but you!