issue #1 | text

[survivorsguilt]

[It's taken a few days for Ellie to find her way. She has an apartment, but she's not getting comfortable or even really considering it 'hers'. It's temporary. A good hideout until she moves again. She knows where to find food, but she's not going to get lazy. It feels like a good idea to stay in the practice of fending for herself as often as she can.

Figuring out the network and how to do anything with her phone had taken some practice. But now that she's got the basics down, there's something important Ellie needs to ask.]

im looking for joel. hes a big grumpy guy with good aim and a talent for pissing people off. if you see him, tell him ellie is looking for him. joel if you can see this but you cant answer me, im hanging around those weird tall pointy apartments. let me know youre okay.

[It's way easier to say that kind of thing over text, where no one can hear her voice fill with worry. She doesn't really want to consider the possibility that he's not here. That she's alone again.]

Comments

[survivethis]

It's something a lot of people thought would be a good idea, I think. I was in the military once, so I wouldn't call it that.

[She can definitely see the differences.]

There isn't a military here. The city guard is pretty informal, too. If you wanna help out, you can join it. We don't police the people here, we just keep people safe.

[survivorsguilt]

['We don't police the people here, we just keep people safe.'

That's the most reassuring answer she could have hoped for. Ellie lets out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.]

sounds really cool actually. i might come along with you guys and check it out sometime.

there's no age limit right

[survivethis]

I don't mind some company.

[it can get a little dull walking around alone.]

You'll have to ask Henry or Maketh if there's an age limit. I'm not aware of any rules, but they're sort of in charge.

By the way, I'm Jill.

[survivorsguilt]

[Henry or Maketh. Neither of the names are familiar, but Ellie files them away for when she's gotten a better idea of how to use the network.]

great. ill talk to them about it then.

sup jill. im ellie. thanks for keeping our borders safe and all that

[survivethis]

[That makes her smile.]

I'm not the only one, but you're welcome.