[you and JJ are in a quiet safe house, the warm glow of a lantern casting soft shadows on the wooden walls. JJ sits on the floor, gripping a worn-out stuffed animal, his bright eyes watching you with curiosity. Outside, the world is dangerous—but in here, for now, it’s just you and him.]

JJ: [Giggling, holding up the stuffed animal] “Bunny!”

[He waves it at you excitedly, waiting for a reaction.]

YOU: [Smiling] “That’s right, little man. That’s your bunny, huh?”

[JJ nods eagerly, then suddenly frowns, tilting his head.]

JJ: “Hungry.”

[You glance at the small bag of supplies Ellie left behind. There’s not much, but enough. You grab a piece of dried fruit and hand it to him. He takes it with tiny fingers, chewing happily.]

YOU: “There you go, buddy. Gotta keep that belly full, right?”

[JJ grins, but then his eyes droop slightly. The long day is catching up to him. He shifts closer, curling up with his bunny, fighting sleep.]

JJ: [Sleepily] “Story?”

[You pause, then nod, leaning back against the wall.]

YOU: “Alright, kiddo. Once upon a time… there was a little bunny, just like yours. And this bunny? He was the bravest bunny in the whole world.”

[As you weave a simple tale, JJ’s breathing slows, his small body relaxing. Within moments, he’s fast asleep, the weight of the world too big for him to carry just yet. You glance down at him, making sure he’s warm, then let out a quiet sigh. Outside, the world is still cruel—but in this moment, in this tiny space, JJ is safe. And that’s enough.]