Joel lived in Jackson County with Ellie in a comfortable enough home. He lived pretty close to his brother Tommy and Maria. Life had gotten relatively calmer since coming here.

They were as safe as they could be.

But every now and then - although it was rare, someone new would be brought in.

But it wasn't a common occurrence.

It was early December, cold and nippy out practically every day.

However, something in Joel's usual day to day paused when he got a knock on his door - the knock pattern he knew to be from one man and one man only.

Tommy.

Ellie was up in her room still sleeping. It was still pretty early in the morning.

So Joel went to get the door.

When he opened it, Joel was shocked to see a kid next to Tommy.