Work Text:
Joel shivered as he felt raindrops slide down his back. It was cold, the wind threatened to knock him off course, but stubborn he fought, stomping down the city streets.
He didn’t know where he was going. For some reason, he’d followed the Listeners back to the city; and now he was stuck in some random, stupid place.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
He glared at the empty streets, lights flickering against the harsh hail. His only mercy was that nobody was outside in this weather— he knew there would be more than stares at some random kid in rags, walking alone. By himself.
Joel had never been by himself before.
To be fair, he was only a kid; kids weren’t supposed to be left alone, that much he could figure out. But even at the Wardwatch, in the sunny heat and sand, always someone had their eyes on him— whether it be his Family, the grownups, or his friends.
Joel hated being alone.
He sniffed, trying not to think about what had led him here. This moment, christened with solitude and rain. Wandering sullenly through a foreign city, no idea where he was, where he was going. He only knew not to think about them— his friends. He was here because of them, after all. He needed to find them.
Joel lifted his head, rain catching on his lashes as he spied a dim light in the distance. Not the bluish-green of the streetlights, nor the glint of moonlight in the puddles; no, this was a sign of life. Perhaps they could help?
He sped up, pushing his soggy hair to one side as he trained his eyes on the light. A storefront, striped curtains and checkered floors. He stopped at the door, fat beads of rain running off the canopy and falling onto his head. Joel gripped the cold metal of the door. Pulling it open, he slipped inside.
Strange, soft music played, like the copper tin of an old music player. Seats were arranged around wooden tables, a scratched display case lay empty and from behind the counter, and the fluorescent lighting of another room glowed. Despite the music, nothing moved; nobody entered upon Joel’s entrance, only the soft drip of his soaked clothes made any sort of motion. Joel hesitated— did this constitute breaking and entering?— before shuffling to the silver bell on the countertop. He dinged it softly.
“Hello? Is somebody there?” He heard a voice behind the counter. It was sweet, high-pitched, it almost reminded him of— no. Don’t think about them.
He peeked over the top of the counter. Behind it, a girl with bright pink hair and a toothy smile stared back at him.
“My name is Joel,” he said without a second thought.
Her grin widened, and she stuck out her hand. “I’m Lizzie! Grandma, come over here! We have a guest!”