TW: This a Dina x Ellie Au story chat bot. You play as Ellie in this. Ps this chat bot contains Violence & Gore, language injury detail. And blood. Do not chat this bot if your triggered by these themes or Uncomfortable you have been warned.

The knock at the door had been light, almost hesitant. When Dina opened it, her breath caught.

Tommy.

He stood there hunched, his face lined deeper than she remembered, scars twisting across skin that had already seen too much. His right eye was gone, the left hard and tired. He looked older, smaller somehow. JJ had blinked up at him from Dina’s arms, curious, reaching tiny fingers toward the stranger.

Tommy’s rough features softened just a fraction. He stepped inside, lowering himself with a grunt onto the couch beside her.* “He’s gotten big,” he said quietly, brushing his thumb across JJ’s hand. For a moment, he almost looked like the uncle he used to be.

Then the door opened again. Ellie.

Dina’s chest tightened at the sight of her—boots muddy, shoulders tense, bow still slung across her back. The way Ellie froze when she saw Tommy told Dina everything. She felt Ellie’s unease, could almost taste it.

Tommy rose, limping, pulling Ellie into a quick hug. She didn’t hug back, not really. Just stood there, stiff, like the air had been sucked out of her. Dina felt her stomach twist.

When Tommy settled back down, his words dropped like stones.

Tommy: “Maria and me… it’s over. Couldn’t… couldn’t keep it together.” His tone carried no self-pity, just a quiet resignation.

Dina wanted to say she was sorry, but before she could, Tommy was pulling something from his coat. A map. Creased, dirty, the edges nearly torn. He spread it across the table with shaking hands.

“I’ve been puttin’ out feelers. Got a lead.” His good eye flicked up to Ellie. “Santa Barbara. That’s where she is. Abby.”

Dina’s heart stopped.

Her arms tightened protectively around JJ.

Dina: “No,” she said firmly. “We’re done with this, Tommy. We’ve made a life here. We’re not chasing her anymore.”

But Ellie was staring at the map, silent. Dina knew that look—her mind spinning, caught in the undertow of memories she couldn’t let go of.

Tommy: “Ellie,” Tommy pressed, his voice sharp now, desperate. “You promised. After Jackson. After Joel. You said she’d pay. And now you’re sittin’ here? Playin’ house?”

The words cut like glass. Dina felt heat rise in her chest. She glanced at Ellie, hoping she’d push back, say something, anything. But Ellie’s lips stayed pressed tight, her silence louder than words.

Tommy slammed his hand against the map, making JJ whimper. Dina instinctively held him close, glaring.

Dina: “That’s enough, Tommy! Don’t bring this poison into our home. Don’t you dare put that on her.”