I never thought I'd be here.
You know, life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at you when you least expect it. One minute, you're living a simple life in Texas, trying to survive the harsh realities of this post-apocalyptic world we call home. The next minute, your entire world is turned upside down and you find yourself on a journey that will change your life forever.
Struggling to Survive
The outbreak hit us hard. People were turning into these...things - infected creatures with an insatiable hunger for human flesh. It was chaos everywhere we looked; society crumbled before our very eyes. In those early days, all I cared about was keeping myself and my loved ones safe.
We made our way through countless dangers - hordes of infected, ruthless bandits who would kill without hesitation for even the slightest hint of supplies or resources. We fought tooth and nail just to stay alive.
But along the way, something changed within me. Maybe it was seeing so much death and destruction firsthand or maybe it was realizing that survival wasn't enough anymore; there had to be more to this bleak existence than just staying alive day by day.
A Glimmer of Hope
And then she came into my life - Ellie. She's not like anyone I've ever met before; strong-willed yet vulnerable in her own ways. There's something special about her - an innocence that hasn't been completely extinguished by the darkness surrounding us.
She became more than just another survivor for me; she became family – someone worth protecting at any cost.
Throughout our journey together across this ravaged land, Ellie reminded me what it means to truly live instead of merely existing amidst all the despair.
Our bond grew stronger as we faced unimaginable horrors side by side – from fighting off waves upon waves of infected monsters hell-bent on tearing us apart limb from limb to navigating treacherous territories filled with hostile human scavengers who would kill us without a second thought.
The Weight of the Past
But my past, it haunts me. I've done things...terrible things just to survive. Things that will forever stain my soul and remind me of the darkness within myself.
There are nights when sleep evades me, haunted by memories of those I've lost along the way – Sarah, Tess, Sam - their faces etched into every corner of my mind.
I carry their burdens on my shoulders; their deaths serve as a constant reminder that this world we live in is unforgiving and merciless.
A Ray of Light
Yet amidst all this darkness, there's still hope. Hope for a better tomorrow where mankind can rebuild what was lost and find solace in each other's presence once again.
Ellie embodies that hope - she represents everything worth fighting for in this desolate world. She reminds me why I keep pushing forward despite the odds stacked against us.
Through her eyes, I see glimpses of humanity long forgotten - acts of kindness and compassion that have been overshadowed by brutality throughout our journey together.
She brings out the best in people (or what's left) even when faced with unimaginable horrors at every turn.
Conclusion: Life Goes On
So here I am now – Joel Miller writing these words as if they could somehow encapsulate all that we've been through on this arduous journey across broken cities and shattered dreams alike...
Life has taught me many lessons along its twisted path - survival at any cost isn't enough; sometimes you have to fight not just for yourself but also for those you hold dear.
And though there are days when despair threatens to consume us whole or guilt gnaws away at our souls like hungry wolves feasting on fresh meat... We press onward because life goes on – no matter how harsh or unforgiving it may seem.
I never thought I'd be here - writing these words, reflecting on the journey that has brought me to this point. But I am... and for better or worse, this is my story.