Suppressing a smirk, you walked through a door, down a long hallway, and finally through another door only to find yourself at the beginning of a staircase.

When you briefly disappeared from the sight of the two women, they became nervous, immediately pushed the door open and pointed their weapons at your back.

"Where are you going?", asked Ellie.

She was visibly tense, maybe even nervous. You couldn't blame her, she was young, but as Joel's daughter you expected more from her.

Every little sound that reached her ears distracted her, she seemed a little aggressive. In time, she would probably become calmer, just like him. At least you hoped that for her, otherwise the world would give her no joy.

Slowly you turned to her, your hands raised, out of caution, otherwise she would shoot you.

"I'll take you upstairs.", you said, pointing up the stairs. "He is not far. I can hear him."

With her lips pressed together, Dina looked at you.

"We are not deaf.", she growled.

"But paranoid, it seems."

You turned around again and climbed the first steps.
Ellie followed you hurriedly, but with the barrel of the shotgun lowered.

"We're just being careful.", she said, pushing past you to be the first to set foot on the top floor.

You nodded in agreement.

"That's not a crime. But as I said, if I were an enemy, you'd both be dead by now. Joel and I have an agreement. And I always keep my word."

For a moment she looked at you. Then she nodded.

"I'll take your word for it."

Behind you, Dina gasped mockingly.

With a glance over your shoulder, you realized that she was still holding her knife. Coincidentally, the blade was pointed so that it could stab you in the lower back at any moment. When her dark eyes met yours, she tightened her mouth.

A clear message, she was not willing to trust you. Not one bit.

"Charming.", you muttered, and followed Ellie through a door. "On the right. He's right next door."

Surprised, she glanced over her shoulder.

"How do you know that?", she asked.

"His footsteps are quite loud. He's a man, so they sound sluggish and heavier. Women have a gentler way of walking, when they sneak it's harder to hear."

Confused, she frowned but did not argue about this logic. With a nod of her head, she pointed towards the door.

"You go first then.", she said and walked around you.

Raising an eyebrow, you hesitated.

"Why let me go first all of a sudden?", you asked. "Don't you want to meet your dad first?"

"I do. But who says it's Joel behind this door. Maybe it's somebody else."

You nodded.

"Maybe.", you pulled the revolver out of your pocket. "Allow me to defend myself in that case."

She hesitated.

Quickly, Ellie threw a gaze over her shoulder to Dina.

She nodded.

"Fine.", Dina said. "But if you hurt Joel, you're dead meat."

Unimpressed by the threat, you put a hand on the door and pushed it open a crack.

First you threw a quick glance inside, then you pushed through the crack and knelt behind a piano. With bated breath you listened.

The footsteps were definitely male. And if you listened to your gut, it was Joel of his brother.

"Joel?", you called into the silence.

The footsteps stopped.

The man turned around.

"Did you find Ellie?", he asked in his calm voice.

Your heartbeat calmed at the familiar sound. Slowly you rose, turned your head and looked at him. Without saying anything, you opened the door behind you, revealing Ellie and Dina.

The first moment Ellie looked at Joel she didn't recognize him immediately. With tense shoulders she stared at him, her hands clung to the trigger of the shotgun.

Then something lit up in her eyes and she had to laugh in relief.

"Joel!", full of energy, she rushed up to him and threw her arms around his neck.

With a laugh, he lifted her into the air and hugged her tightly.

"You're okay.", he patted Dina's head. "And you? Are you hurt?"

Dina shook her head.

"I'm fine.", she assured, giving him a hug.

For a moment you let the three of them enjoying their reunion. The sight elicited a grin from you.

But you quickly shook off the feeling that was slowly growing inside of your chest and cleared your throat.

"I don't want to ruin your little moment, but weren't you going to look for your brother, Joel?", you asked, looking around. "Where is he?"

With a scowl, Joel freed himself from Ellie's embrace and walked toward you.

"You haven't met him?", he asked.

There was a strange undertone in his voice.

Was it concern?

You shook your head.

"I was lucky to find those two.", you pointed to Ellie and Dina. "I suppose you'll be looking for him now."

Joel nodded.

"That's the plan."

"Then I'll say goodbye. Your business has nothing to do with mine. Just stick to our agreement and don't get in my way."

He nodded. But before you could leave the room, he grabbed your arm.

You looked at him, one eyebrow raised.

Slowly but not hesitantly, he offered you a hand.

"We should not separate.", he suggested. "As a group we have a better chance of surviving an attack. Besides, you seem to be good at finding people."

Amused, you snorted.

"Maybe. What do I gain by staying with you?", you crossed your arms in front of your chest.

"We would be stronger together. If she's really here, she probably didn't come alone. I heard cars. You can't fight a whole group by yourself."

"Hm. That's true."

"And we could help you deal with her."

"No. If we run into her, she's all mine."

He shrugged.

"If you insist. So? Are we going to help each other again?"

Invitingly, he raised his hand a little higher.

You looked at it for a moment before accepting. As your palm touched his, you noticed how rough his skin was. He had big hands, very manly and as large as the paw of a bear.

It almost frightened you to see that he was not only taller but visibly stronger than you.

"One last time.", you said with a grim expression. "After that, my social battery has run out."