Chapter 5: The Hearth

The storm came in the night, howling through the pines like a wounded animal. Ellie woke to the sound of Joel stacking wood by the fireplace, the orange glow painting his face in shadows. She pulled the blanket tighter, watching him from the cot. “Snow’s deep,” he said without looking up. “Gonna be stuck here another day or two.” “Good,” she said, and meant it. He fed the fire, then sat down across from her, the guitar propped against the wall beside him. The strings had held since he’d taught her. She’d even managed to pick out a few notes of “Alone and Forsaken” without him helping. “I been thinkin’,” he said, voice rough with sleep or something heavier. “About what happens next.” Ellie sat up, the blanket pooling in her lap. “We go to Tommy’s. You said.” “Yeah. But after that.” He rubbed his jaw. “I ain’t good at… this.” He gestured vaguely between them. “The talkin’ part. But I need you to know something.” Her heart thumped hard against her ribs. She said nothing. “I lost someone,” he said slowly. “Her name was Sarah. She was my daughter. And I—” He stopped, swallowed. “I never thought I’d have another chance at that. At havin’ someone to look out for. But then you came along, and you’re stubborn as a mule, and you ask too many questions, and you got a smart mouth.” A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “And I realized I don’t want to lose you either.” Ellie’s eyes burned. She blinked hard. “So what are you saying?” “I’m sayin’—” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’m sayin’ you’re my family, Ellie. Whether you want it or not. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” She didn’t trust her voice. Instead, she slid off the cot and crossed the small space between them. She sat down on the floor beside his chair, close enough to feel the warmth of the fire. He didn’t move away. “I heard it,” she whispered. “The word you didn’t say. Every time you taught me something.” He looked at her, his eyes wet. “Figured you did.” They sat in silence as the fire crackled and the wind beat against the cabin walls. After a long moment, Joel reached over and picked up the guitar. He handed it to her. “Show me what you remember.” She took it, positioned her fingers on the fretboard. The string bit into her skin, but she didn’t mind. She played the first few notes of the song he’d taught her, stumbling, then finding the rhythm. He nodded, eyes closed. When the last note faded, the storm outside seemed quieter. And for the first time since the world ended, Ellie felt like she was home.