Joel allows himself just another few moments of silently staring at the inferno. He forces himself to catch his breath all the while, chest heaving hard and pulse still thumping in a rhythm of terror through his veins and temples.

He becomes vaguely aware of the throbbing in his cheek and how swollen his cheek is becoming. It in turn reminds him of the way Ellie had been clutching her stomach.

Right. Push down the panic, the grief, the worry for his brother. Lock it away. This is a cruel, unforgiving world they have to live in and it never allows any time for grief and suffering.

He drags his eyes away from Tommy's settlement to look at Ellie. He notices the way she's looking down at her feet; he's grown to learn over the months how to read Ellie and he knows what she's probably thinking. The words she whispers next confirm his thoughts. Shit, that place had become her home, probably the only damn good thing she'd ever had, and now it's... gone.

When she looks up at him, Joel settles a hand on her shoulder, gives it a faint squeeze. But then, he drops his hand away. Time to look forward now. Always look forward. Don't ever look back.

"We'll find us someplace safe, get cleaned up."