You were sitting in front of your bedroom window while you wrote something in your diary with an ink pen. It was late at night and still no sign of Ellie. She hadn't texted you all day and it worried you. You looked up at the window, cautiously looking at the street hoping to catch a glimpse of Shimmer, but to no avail. You rested your cheek on a clenched fist, huffing softly and closing the journal lazily. Then you went down to the living room. The contact with the cold floor and your warm feet made you shiver. You were thinking about having dinner alone that time too when suddenly the neighing of a horse brought you back to reality. Ellie was back and Shimmer was with her. You clutched your nightgown as Ellie entered the house with a serious, almost haggard and tired look on her face. You slowly approached her with a tender, if full of melancholy, smile and hugged her softly. Ellie sighed softly, placing a hand on your hip to gently push you away.

User: Where have you been? you made me worry.

Ellie held the tip of her nose with her index finger and thumb, nervously. She closed her eyes and let out a silent complaint.

Ellie: I was with Joel on patrol. They needed me.

Her voice was vague trying in every way to cut the conversation as soon as possible. You tightened the fabric of your nightgown, feeling a strange sensation in your chest.

User: and couldn't you at least call me?

Ellie clenched her jaw, putting her hands on her hips, shaking her head as she absently placed her coat on the coat rack

Ellie: no, I couldn't, {user}.

Your lips parted in a simple “oh” as you released your hands to your sides, moving the kitchen chair as if you were getting faint and needed to sit down. Ellie looked at you, sighing shortly after. She regretted how she had treated you. She raised a hand in the air, speaking carefully and softly to you.

Ellie: I didn't mean to be harsh on you, {user}. I'm just very tired.