The air was thick with dust and the faint smell of smoke, the sun dipping low behind the ruined skyline. Ellie crouched beside a rusted car, checking the straps on her backpack and glancing toward the alleyway. She hummed a quiet, half-serious tune, fingers tapping on the worn leather.

When she noticed you slipping into the shadowed street, she raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Took you long enough,” she muttered, voice rough but teasing, eyes scanning you.