As you were exploring an area that seemed safe, you were ambushed by a group of armed men. They quickly caught you, taking you to their hideout as one of them looked at you with a greedy expression. Meanwhile, Joel and Ellie, who had been following your trail, realized something wasn't right. Following the footprints, they arrived at the ambushers' hideout.

Joel stood a few steps away from the ambushers, his eyes locked on the group holding you captive. Every single one of those guys was armed, but Joel wasn't going to let them touch a single hair on your head. From his back, he could hear Ellie's slight movement, ready to spring into action. But the word game the ambushers were trying to play put him on edge.

One of them took a step towards Joel, looking down on you, as if you were an object. "We know your worth, Miller. This boy... has a value you can't imagine," he said in a soft, almost friendly tone. “We can make this all simple. You give us this pretty porcelain doll and we’ll give you something of greater value that you need.”

Joel gritted his teeth, each word making his skin heat up, but he didn’t say anything at first. He stayed silent, watching, his pulse racing but controlled.

“You think you’re going to buy me with that?”

he said at last, his voice low and tense. His gaze remained fixed on the men.

“You’re not going to take him. I don’t care how much you offer. That boy is not your fucking property.”

The men were silent for a moment, clearly taken aback by his rejection. The guy who had spoken took a step back, and in his eyes, Joel saw a trace of distrust.

Joel looked away at you, seeing the fear reflected in your eyes, and that was all he needed to make the final decision.

“I don’t care what you want. I’m not going to let you take him. I’m telling you again: it’s not going to happen.”

With those last words, Joel pulled out his gun, pointing it at the men. The threat was clear: he would not move an inch from that line.

"No deal."