?????? ?? ???? | The Last of Us | Joel Miller

The headlights of Joel's truck sweep across the quiet streets of Arlington, the engine's rumble a constant reminder of the urgency of his mission. His eyes are glued to the sidewalks, searching for any sign of Sienna or Deyanira. The darkness is his enemy, a cloak that hides the truth from him. His knuckles are white against the steering wheel, his body tense with the need to find her.

As he rounds a corner, Joel catches a glimpse of a familiar figure slipping into the shadows of an unassuming house. His heart skips a beat. It's Deyanira, her movements furtive and secretive. Without a moment's hesitation, he pulls the truck to the curb, the tires screeching against the asphalt. He grabs his shotgun from the passenger's seat, the cold metal a comforting weight in his hands. The house is dark, almost inviting in its quiet menace. He checks the gun's chamber, ensuring it's loaded. His mind races with the possible horrors that could be happening to Sienna behind those walls, but he shoves the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Joel approaches the house, his boots silent on the dew-soaked grass. He tries the door, but it's locked. A quick glance around the perimeter reveals a window open just a crack. Adrenaline pumping through his veins, he decides to risk it. With a grunt, he hoists himself through the narrow gap, the glass scraping against his shoulders. He lands in a crouch, the room around him plunged into darkness.

The house is eerily quiet, the only sounds the distant hum of a fridge and his own ragged breaths. The place feels lived-in but abandoned, a contradiction that sends a shiver down his spine. He moves from room to room, light from the windows dancing over dust-covered furniture and peeling wallpaper. There's no sign of Sienna or Deyanira, only the ghosts of a life once lived here.

His heart hammers in his chest as he approaches the door to the basement. It's a heavy slab of wood, the kind that's meant to keep things out—or in. The lock is rusted, the screws holding it in place threatening to give way. Joel's hand lingers over the doorknob, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. What if he's too late? What if she's not here? What if—He shakes his head, banishing the thoughts. There's no time for doubt. With a deep breath, he turns the knob, the door swinging open with an eerie creak. The stairs are steep, the air thick with a scent that makes his stomach turn—damp earth and despair. He takes them one at a time, his boots echoing on the concrete as he descends into the abyss.

At the bottom, the darkness is complete, but he doesn't falter. Instead, he feels along the wall for the light switch. His hand finds the plastic toggle, and with a silent prayer, he flips it up. The fluorescent bulb flickers to life, casting a harsh, cold light over the basement. And there she is.

Sienna's eyes are wide with shock, her body trembling in the corner. The sight of Joel, armed and ready to fight, sends a jolt of hope through her. She's lost weight, her face drawn and pale, but the spark in her eyes is unmistakable. She's alive, and he's here.

"Sienna!"

"Joel!" The name leaves Sienna's dry lips in a sharp cry. Tears flood her eyes, and she can't believe the sight in front of her. He's here, her knight in shining armor, ready to save her from this hell. She tries to stand, but her legs won't cooperate, trembling beneath her.

Joel's eyes are like twin storms, raging with relief and fury as he takes in the scene before him. The chains, the bloodstains, the fear etched into Sienna's face—it's all too much to bear. He rushes to her, setting the shotgun aside, and drops to his knees. His strong arms encircle her, pulling her into a fierce embrace that feels like coming home after a long, terrible journey. She clings to him, her sobs muffled by his shirt as she buries her face in his chest.

"It's okay, darlin'. I've got you. I'm gonna get you out of here. You're safe now," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. His hands move to the chains, fumbling with the lock. His mind is racing, trying to process what he's seen, trying to piece together what happened.

"How did you get in here? Deyanira and Robert are upstairs." Sienna's voice is shaky, fear seeping through her relief.

"Who's Robert?"

"I am." Robert's voice cuts through the air, cold and cruel. Joel's head snaps up, his hand stilled on the lock. Before he can react, a bat swings down, connecting with his skull with a sickening crack.

"NO!!!" Sienna's scream pierces the basement as Joel crumples to the ground, the sound of the bat making her stomach lurch. She throws herself at Robert, her nails digging into his skin as she tries to claw at his eyes. He laughs, a sadistic, chilling sound that sends a shiver down her spine. He's so much stronger than she is, and the blow sends her flying backward. She crashes into the wall, the impact knocking the wind out of her.

The chains rattle as she struggles to get back to Joel, but her legs won't obey. Through the fog in her head, she sees Deyanira standing at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes wide with horror. "What have you done?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

"You think you're so fucking special, don't you?" Robert sneers at Joel's unconscious form. "Comin' in here, playin' hero? You're just a sad, pathetic piece of shit who can't keep his dick in his pants!" He kicks Joel's side, and Sienna's vision blurs with rage.

"STOP! Leave him alone!" Sienna's voice is a feral snarl as she forces her body to move despite the pain.

Robert turns to face her, the bat held loosely in his grip. "Oh, I'm not done with him yet," he says, a twisted smile playing on his lips.

Sienna's eyes narrow, the rage inside her igniting a fire she didn't know she had. "If you touch him again, I swear to God, I'll—"

Robert laughs, a cruel, malicious sound that sends a chill down Sienna's spine. "You'll what? You're in no position to make threats, slut. You're just a whore who deserves everything she gets."

Deyanira takes a step forward, her eyes flicking between Sienna and the unconscious Joel. "Robert, please, enough," she says, her voice shaking.

Robert's smile widens, his grip on the bat tightening. "You think you can control me?" He turns his attention back to Sienna, his eyes glinting with malice. "Fine. Tape her mouth shut and tie her up. I don't need her alertin' the whole goddamn neighborhood."

Deyanira's hands shake as she retrieves duct tape and more rope from a nearby shelf. The look on her face is a mix of horror and resignation as she approaches Sienna.

Sienna's eyes implore her, begging for any semblance of the friend she once knew, but all she sees is a shell of Deyanira, her soul swallowed by fear and manipulation. "You promised me..." she whispers.

"I'm sorry."