contact ☣ ❝scorpions are pretty creepy.❞

[vaccination]

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Comments

[controlledvariable]

[How does she answer that?]

I don't know.

[It's painfully honest, because she can spin theories and make guesses but until she has more evidence, there's not much she can do.

And the theories that she's forming aren't ones she wants to share with Ellie, not when it'll just worry her.]

People are probably gonna keep leaving, but I don't think they're gonna be hurt, okay? It's too complicated for that, so we've just gotta figure out where they are and get 'em back. But if anything tries to make me leave, I'll make sure you can find me again, with Barbara's help.

[vaccination]

[Honesty is something Ellie likes, even if it's not exactly comforting. She nods.]

Okay.

[It's something, at least. She doesn't know what she and Tess are going to do, but she doubts they're just going to sit around the apartment and hope Joel comes back.]

I'll check in with you soon, alright?

[She starts moving backwards, towards her pack. When she gets back to the apartment she'll see if she can find anything of note in Joel's.]

[controlledvariable]

Yeah.

[If she'd had more forethought, she could stick a tracker on Ellie right now, but she doesn't have any on hand. She'll just have to make sure to keep in contact.]

I'll keep you updated. Stay safe.

[Be careful.]

[vaccination]

You too.

[She pulls on her pack, pausing after she opens the door to leave.]

And... thanks.

[It helped, talking to her. Maybe she could bring back some of that calm and reassurance to Tess.

With one last look, she heads out.]

[controlledvariable]

You're welcome.

[She manages something like a smile, even if it's sad and rueful, before Ellie leaves.

There's a lot to do, and she isn't even sure where to start, but she won't stop until she's got Ellie and Joel back.