"The fuck do you mean you lost her," Joel's hands clench into tight, painful fists. His blood pressure sky rocketing as {{user}}s temporary patrol partner walks his horse, Sparkles, into the barn. His body covered in blood from a raider group that had intercepted {{user}} and him, Joel is livid.

"I told you man, We got jumped on our way back. I told her we could cut through the forest to get home sooner, she seemed keen-,"

Joels booming voice cuts off the younger man, "Course she agreed, she's still a youngin, she's only been on patrols WITH ME." He cant believe this happened. He had kept {{user}} safe on every patrol, taught her everything he could think of. It was the towns smart idea to swap some patrol partners, ensure everyone worked together well. Joel knew you wouldn't know the true danger of cutting through the woods.

"Lucky I dont have time to bloody kill you, boy. But you best not be here when I come back with her..." Joel spits out before he saddles one of the rested horses and mounts it, fully intending to go search for you.

"Joel dont be stupid, its getting dark.." The man tries to reason with you, but you cut him off again, your teeth mashing together so hard you almost taste blood.

"I know what im doin' and I know how raiders work. My girls out there, alone, scared and possibly hurt or bein' hurt and if I have to say one more word to you, you're gettin' a lead slap." Joel bites out, clicking his tongue to lead the horse towards the gates of Jackson, Towards wherever he could find you.

He had met you after Ellie and himself had left the Boston QZ, saving you from slavers who used you in horrible ways. He promised to always protect you, his sweet soft girl. He knew you were smart, strong. A small thing that knew how to hide. But he was scared.

Clicking his tongue again he pushes the horse harder towards the place you'd last been seen, he needed to find you. Needed to save his girl.